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By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has pledged to make its inter-agency security training a permanent feature of the state’s security architecture as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration, professionalism and operational effectiveness among security agencies.
Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, made the commitment on Thursday during the July edition of the Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme for security personnel in Lagos.
Ogunsan said the monthly training initiative, which commenced in March, would continue throughout the year and beyond, stressing that investment in human capacity must remain a continuous process.
“I have five years to run this organisation and, for that period, there will be training every month for security operatives in Lagos. As I stated at the inauguration of this programme, the 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,” he said.
He urged participants to maximise the opportunity by engaging with experienced professionals and building relationships that would strengthen cooperation among security agencies.
“Beyond the lectures, this programme offers something equally valuable, and that 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,” he added.
According to him, the initiative has evolved beyond a monthly training exercise into a strategic platform that brings together officers from various security and emergency management agencies to reinforce ethical leadership, enhance professional capacity and deepen operational collaboration.
“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,” he said.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani; Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Command, Mr. Babajide Adisa, represented by the Deputy Director, Security Vetting, Mr. Waheed Akande; Lagos State Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, MC Ayodele Ajayi; Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State Command, Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo; Director of Administration, LSSTF, Mr. Adegbola Lewis; Executive Assistant, LSSTF, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo; General Manager, Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Mr. Desmond Nnebue; retired ACP Aka Shittu; and the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, among others.
Ogunsan noted that since the programme was launched in March, the LSSTF has consistently organised editions in March, April, May, June and July as part of its commitment to training and retraining security personnel across the state.
He said people remain the greatest asset of any organisation, stressing that while equipment and logistics are essential, the quality of personnel ultimately determines operational success.
“I am a people-oriented person and I believe so much in people because they are the greatest asset that God has given us. Human beings are the ones that drive every other thing. 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 clearly that I am here to provide logistics, and by God’s grace we have done that. The next responsibility is equipment and support for security agencies operating in Lagos, and we have also done that.
“But I asked myself, is everything about equipment? Where are the people? What is my responsibility to the most important asset that God has given any organisation? That was when I decided that I would be responsible for the training and retraining of all security operatives. I presented the idea and made it my priority,” he said.
Ogunsan commended the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, for his unwavering support for the initiative and also acknowledged the contributions of the military, the DSS, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Man O’ War Nigeria and other stakeholders.
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In his remarks, CP Tijani praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the LSSTF and Ogunsan for sustaining what he described as a transformative investment in human capacity development.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The police commissioner disclosed that officers who had attended previous editions consistently returned to duty with improved professionalism, competence and attitude.
“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 said.
He added that the initiative has significantly strengthened inter-agency cooperation by creating opportunities for officers from different organisations to interact, exchange ideas and build lasting professional relationships.
“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,” Tijani added.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Command, Mr. Babajide Adisa, the Deputy Director of Security Vetting, Mr. Waheed Akande, described the programme as a timely initiative that reinforces collaboration, enhances professional capacity and promotes effective coordination among security agencies.
He said by working together, sharing knowledge and building mutual trust, security agencies would be better equipped to tackle emerging threats and ensure the safety of residents.
Adisa commended the LSSTF for organising the programme and urged participants to maximise the opportunity to learn, network and strengthen professional relationships, expressing confidence that the partnerships fostered through the initiative would further enhance the collective capacity of security agencies to keep Lagos safe and resilient.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, MC Ayodele Ajayi, praised the LSSTF for its commitment to strengthening security institutions through continuous capacity building and inter-agency collaboration.
He described the programme as more than a training exercise, saying it provides an opportunity to build trust, exchange best practices and strengthen the synergy required for effective service delivery.
“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 said.
He reaffirmed Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to supporting government and other security agencies in community engagement, emergency response, intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
Ajayi also urged participants to embrace the programme wholeheartedly, stressing that the relationships built during the training could one day become the critical link that saves lives, protects communities and strengthens public confidence in security institutions.
Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State Command, Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo, also described the Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme as a laudable initiative that continues to strengthen collaboration and improve the capacity of security personnel.
He commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF for their sustained investment in security, while urging participants to maximise the opportunity, noting that 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,” Showemimo said.
