‘WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF BANK ROBBERY ATTACKS IN LAGOS?’ - DR. BALOGUN QUERIES AS HE URGES BANKS, CORPORATES TO PLOUGH FRACTION OF CSR TO LAGOS STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND

By Oki Samson
www.trekafrica.net

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has become a pride for not just Lagos but Nigeria as a whole. It has become a model that is copied all across the country. Infact the Police Trust Fund has seen the light of the day because LSSTF has worked for Lagos and is still working. The Trust Fund is a success story worthy of support, thus the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun is calling on more corporate organizations to support the cause.

Urging corporate organizations in his media parley covered by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper ahead of the 15th Town Hall Meeting, Dr. Balogun noted: ‘We agree that a lot of them have Corporate Social Responsibility that they do and we thank them for it but we are saying a fraction of whatever you want to do, plough it into the Trust Fund. With the little resources that we have, we do big things because we apply it prudently and judiciously so there should not be excuses. We are all enjoying it together. Individuals and corporations should know that we must donate our widow’s mite for this organization. That is the narrative.’
‘For a lot of corporations, we believe that despite the issues they may be going through in terms of harsh economic climate, we still insist that the robust security architecture will be maintained. Looking at the banking sector, when was the last time you heard of bank robbery attacks in Lagos, it’s been over 10 years. It is not possible anymore, we have fortified. What would a bank do without adequate security? It is important that we continue to support this cause.’

‘If you look around the city, I dare say over 70-80% of assets of the security agencies in Lagos is from this office. Is that not enough for people to come on board but there is priority. There is nothing you want to do that security is not the mainstay.’
‘The Police Trust Fund was erected as an act of the National Assembly to show that the issues that led to the creation of LSSTF has not changed. Infact it is worsened because population is increasing, unemployment is increasing, migration to Lagos is increasing, crime rate is increasing.

Do not forget that the entire security of Nigeria is vested in the Federal Government. But Lagos State Government has continued to take the forefront in security.’
‘Yet we have a lot to do as a state. Infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth programmes, etc. You can see that the Lagos State Government is bearing a lot. It can’t continue to bear the burden alone. We need collaboration. We need media to push the narrative.’