LSSTF HOLDS MEDIA PARLEY, CALLS LAGOSIANS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY BY DONATION
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr Abdulrrazaq Balogun
Ahead of the annual Security Town Hall Meeting with the Governor slated for Wednesday 22nd December at Civic Center, Victoria Island in Lagos, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun held a media parley with members of the press attended by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper to intimate the general public on the import of the annual conference – 15th in its series. Never missed by any Governor since 2007 to accentuate its importance, the Town Hall Meeting with the Theme: Reconceptualizing Safety and Security in Lagos State this year will also have the esteemed presence of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu talk about the strides in security in 2021 ahead of next year. The Head of the agency also used the opportunity to call on all Lagosians – individuals, organizations, media – to support the Fund which is run 100% by donations.
Speaking on what to expect at the Town Hall Meeting, Dr. Balogun said: ‘It is a way of giving account. It is a way of rendering our stewardship to the general public. It is a way of telling how we have mitigated crime by supporting our security agencies. It is a trust, people that donate will also like to see how their resources is being expended. It is also to solicit their continuous support. The highlight of the Town Hall Meeting is also for the auditors to render the audited account of the LSSTF. It is a significant of the Town Hall Meeting. It gives confidence, shows transparency, accountability and shows, most importantly, resourcefulness.’
‘The Governor of Lagos State will also speak about the coming year. As leader of the state, he will show what he has been doing and also get feedback from the citizens. In Lagos, we are facing a lot of challenges but we are not daunted, we are taking it in strides. The Commissioner of Police will also render his stewardship for the year in question. It is also very important and people look forward to it because the primary agency of security is the Police. He will render his stewardship and how they have worked in collaboration with other security agencies.’
L-R: Mrs. Ada Onyeka; Executive Secretary/CEO, LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun and Mrs Temitope during the LSSTF Press Briefing
‘By and large, this is the 15th in series, every year the Governor has never delegated the responsibility of the Town Hall Meeting to show the importance that successive governments attach to security, particularly this current Governor. I am a member of the security council, we hold meetings and he chairs these meetings. Without a secure state, we cannot prosper.’
Encouraging all Lagosians to actively donate to the Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun shared: ‘LSSTF is fully donor-funded. We run our activities by donations – in cash and in kind. Lagos State Government also plays its role by donation on behalf of our security agencies. We reach out to donors.’
‘This is the most critical aspect of the Town Hall Meeting. We have depended on donors over the years but it is only few of them that come through in aid of LSSTF and we believe that the private sector can do more.
While few organizations are bearing the responsibility of the entire state and the others are enjoying it, it is quite unfair. We continue to reach out to them. LSSTF has been on since 2007 and it has shown capacity. Across the country, they have come to copy the model.’
‘There is no way we can do any business without security. Under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, we have done a lot and will continue to do. We are calling on everyone to donate. We have 21 million people, the potential is huge if only we can take the responsibility’, he said.
According to the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Balogun, “Lagosians and other guests can join the town hall meeting virtually on Facebook Live and Instagram Live; Facebook: Lagos State Security Trust Fund; YouTube: Lagos State Security Trust Fund; Instagram: FollowLSSTF or Lagosstategovt
