People, Not Equipment, Are The Greatest Asset For Security, Says Ogunsan • As CP Tijani, DSS Director, others hail LSSTF statewide inter-agency training for strengthening officers collective capacities
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Across the world, the most resilient security establishments are those that recognise that continuous learning, intelligence-led operations and inter-agency cooperation are no longer optional – they are the defining pillars of effective policing and public safety. As criminal enterprises become more sophisticated, technology-driven and transnational, security personnel must evolve at an even faster pace to protect lives, critical infrastructure and the economic stability of the communities they serve.
It is this philosophy of proactive preparedness that continues to drive the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) under the leadership of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan through its flagship Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme. Returning for its July edition, the initiative once again convened officers drawn from diverse security and emergency management agencies under one roof to strengthen professional capacity, reinforce ethical leadership and deepen operational collaboration. More than a monthly training exercise, the programme has evolved into a strategic platform for building a unified security ecosystem capable of anticipating emerging threats and sustaining Lagos’ reputation as Nigeria’s safest and most secure state.
Dignitaries present at the July edition of the training program are the Executive Secretary/CEO, LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani; Director, DSS Lagos, Mr. Babajide Adisa represented by the Deputy Director, Security Vetting, Mr. Waheed Akande; Commander, Man ‘O’ War, Lagos State, MC Ayodele Ajayi; Chairman, PCRC Lagos State, Apostle Kehinde A Showemimo; Director, Administration, LSSTF, Mr. Adegbola Lewis; Executive Assistant, LSSTF, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo; General Manager, Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Mr. Desmond Nnebue; ACP Aka Shittu retd; PPRO, Lagos Police Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi among others.
Declaring open the program, the Executive Secretary/CEO, LSSTF, Dr. Ogunsan noted that since the launch of the initiative in March, LSSTF has remained consistent in the commitment to training and retraining security personnel across Lagos State and have successfully held editions in March, April, May, June and now July. He highlighted: “I am a people-oriented person and I believe so much in people because they are the greatest asset that God has given you. Humans are the ones that drive every other thing. I strongly believe that people remain the greatest asset of any organisation. Equipment is important, logistics are essential, but it is the human being behind every operation that ultimately determines success or failure.”
“When I assumed office as Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, I reviewed my statutory responsibilities. I saw it very clearly that I am here to provide logistics, so I did that, God helping me. The next one is equipment, and support for security agencies operating in Lagos, I did that as well. But I looked at it, is everything about equipment, where are the people, what is my responsibility to the most important asset that God has given any organizational system? So I said that I will be responsible for the training and retraining of all security operatives. I brought it up and I said this will be my priority.”
“That conviction gave birth to this monthly training programme. I have five years to run this organization, and for that five years, every month, there will be training in Lagos for security operatives. As I stated at the inauguration of this programme, this training will continue every month until December and, by the grace of God, it will not end there. It is designed to become a permanent feature of our security architecture because investing in people must never be a one-time exercise.”
“Beyond the lectures, this programme offers something equally valuable. This is networking. Within this room are experienced professionals and mentors whose knowledge and experience can shape careers. I encourage every participant to engage, ask questions, build relationships and take full advantage of this opportunity. As always, I urge every participant to maintain the highest level of discipline throughout today’s training. Respect the learning environment, minimise distractions and give your full attention to every session. The value you derive from this programme will depend largely on the commitment and focus you bring into this room. I assure you that every edition of this training is carefully designed to equip you with practical knowledge that will improve your effectiveness in the field and strengthen collaboration across agencies.”
The LSSTF CEO sincerely appreciated the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, for his consistent support of the initiative and his presence which demonstrates true leadership and a genuine commitment to the welfare and professional development of officers under his command. He also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Military, Department of State Services (DSS), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), the Man O’ War, and other stakeholders present at the programme.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, commended the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan for sustaining what he described as a transformative investment in human capacity development for security personnel. “I want to sincerely thank the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for what he is doing through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, under the leadership of Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan. This training programme is truly transforming our officers. I appreciate Dr. Ogunsan for believing in developing the human capacity behind the equipment because, ultimately, it is people not machines – who deliver security,” he said.
“If this programme continues consistently over the years, one can only imagine the transformation it will bring to the security landscape of Lagos State. Human capacity remains the greatest asset of any security organisation, and this initiative is helping to build that capacity for the benefit of all Lagosians.”
According to the Police Commissioner, officers of the Lagos State Police Command who had participated in previous editions of the training consistently returned to duty with renewed professionalism, improved competence and a more positive approach to policing. “The impact has been remarkable. Whenever our officers return from this programme, we see a noticeable difference in their attitude, professionalism and performance. They come back as better-equipped officers, and the positive change is evident.”
He observed that the monthly programme has significantly strengthened inter-agency collaboration by creating opportunities for officers from different organisations to interact, build relationships and exchange professional experiences. “Beyond the classroom sessions, this programme has deepened the synergy among security agencies. We make friends, exchange ideas, compare experiences and build relationships that continue long after the training. This has particularly improved cooperation among our junior officers, where inter-agency collaboration is most critical during operations.”
In his goodwill message, delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Director of Security Vetting, DSS Lagos State Command, Mr. Waheed Akande, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Command, Mr. Babajide Adisa, described the Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme as a timely and commendable initiative that reinforces the importance of strengthening collaboration, enhancing professional capacity, and promoting effective coordination among security agencies. He noted that “by working together, sharing knowledge, and building mutual trust, we are better equipped to address emerging security challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Adisa commended the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) for organizing the programme and urged participants to maximize the opportunity to learn, network, and build stronger professional relationships. He expressed confidence that the partnerships fostered through the training would further strengthen the collective capacity of security agencies to keep Lagos safe, secure, and resilient against evolving threats.
In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, MC Ayodele Ajayi, commended the LSSTF for its unwavering commitment to strengthening security institutions through continuous capacity building and inter-agency collaboration. He described the training as “more than a capacity-building programme, but an opportunity to build trust, deepen professional relationships, exchange best practices, and strengthen the synergy that is essential for effective service delivery,” adding that “today’s security threats no longer respect institutional boundaries, and our response must equally transcend those boundaries through intelligence sharing, mutual respect, effective communication and coordinated operations.”
Ajayi reaffirmed Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to supporting government and sister security agencies in promoting community engagement, emergency response, intelligence gathering and crime prevention, while urging participants to embrace the programme with open minds, stressing that “the relationships you build here may one day become the critical link that saves lives, protects communities and preserves public confidence in our collective efforts.”
Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo
Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos Command in his goodwill message noted that the Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme is a laudable initiative of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) that continues to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance the capacity of our security personnel. “I commend His Excellency, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the LSSTF for their unwavering investment in the security of Lagos, while urging every participant to maximize this opportunity because today’s security challenges require continuous learning, stronger partnerships, and community-driven policing.”
“On behalf of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State Command, I reaffirm our commitment to building public trust and collaboration, and I pray that God’s grace and favour will continue to rest upon the LSSTF and all those working tirelessly to keep Lagos safe.”
