Gov. Mbah Chose ‘Prevention Over Reaction’ With Enugu State Forest Guards – Dr. Olasoji
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard (ESFG), DCP Dr. Akinbayo O. Olasoji rtd, has commended the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for what he described as a forward-looking and strategic decision to establish and strengthen the Enugu State Forest Guard as a critical component of security and economic protection.
Speaking at the annual NAOSNP National Security Conference & Awards 2025 held at Oriental hotel, Lekki, Lagos organized by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, Dr. Olasoji said Governor Mbah’s initiative demonstrated a rare understanding that forest security is inseparable from economic stability and rural peace.
“A nation that cannot secure its economic resources cannot guarantee prosperity or stability,” he said, noting that Gov. Mbah recognised early that forests must be governed, not ignored.
According to Dr. Olasoji, the Governor’s intervention repositioned the Forest Guard from “a dormant structure into a professional, intelligence-led, and community-rooted eco-security institution” with clear legal authority and operational accountability.
He added that Governor Mbah’s support for a strong legal framework including the Enugu State Forest Guard Law and complementary land-use and ranching laws which laid the foundation for lawful enforcement and conflict prevention.
“Forests are not just green belts; they are living infrastructure that sustains agriculture, water systems, and rural livelihoods,” Dr. Olasoji said. “When forests are abandoned, criminal economies move in. His Excellency chose governance over neglect.”
The ESFG Commander noted that the governor’s vision has begun to yield measurable security dividends, including improved community cooperation, stronger intelligence flow, and reduced pressure on conventional security agencies.
In his words, “Leadership is about seeing tomorrow’s risks today. By creating the Forest Guard, Governor Mbah chose prevention over reaction and stability over crisis management.”
Dr. Olasoji concluded that Enugu’s experience offers a compelling model for other states, adding: “To defend the environment is to defend the economy; to guard the forest is to guard the future.”
Dignitaries in attendance at the NAOSNP National Security Conference and Awards 2025 includes; Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam represented by the Director of Public Affairs, MPA, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem; immediate past Chief of Defence Staff now Honorable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa who was represented by Commandant of Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal, AVM Bashir R Mamman; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade who is also representing IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun; Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed represented by the Lagos Sector Commander, CC Kehinde Hamzat; Commandant-General of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi ably represented by Commandant, NSCDC Lagos Command, Mr Keshinro Sunday; CEO/Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan represented by the Chairman of POCACOV Lagos, Dr. Moses Oladimeji; Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede represented by the Head of Public Affairs, lagos EFCC, DCE Ayo Oyewole; Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN represented by the Lagos State Commissioner, ICPC, Mr Chukwurah Alexander; Commander, Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. DCP Akinbayo Olasoji; Commander of Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun), Amb. Akogun Adetunji Adeleye; Commander, Mining Marshals, NSCDC, ACC John Onoja Attah and CEO of Safety Signatures, Dr. Mrs. Cynthia Gregg.
Business, religious, and policy executives were also in attendance. These are the Managing Director/CEO, Smithcrown Construction Ltd, Engr. Chris Agbede; General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Prof. Daniel K. Olukoya, who represented by Prof Sesan Oliyide, CEO of Trans Energy E-Global, Mr. Umar Ahmed Tijani, Prophet Ikuru Godwin, Assistant Director and Head Food Technology Laboratory, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mrs. Arannilewa O. Comfort, Immediate Vice chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon. Kafilat T. Pedero-Akanni and CSO of Proforce Nigeria, Mr. Lawal Abiola.
