By Mercy Eruaga
Deck: CP Tijani, DSS, Man O' War, PCRC laud initiative as officers gain new skills to tackle evolving security threats
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has pledged to institutionalise the Fund's monthly Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme, declaring that continuous training of security personnel will become a permanent feature of Lagos State's security architecture.
Ogunsan made the declaration during the July edition of the Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme held in Lagos, where senior representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Man O' War Nigeria, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and other security stakeholders converged to strengthen collaboration, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
The programme, which began in March 2026, has become one of the flagship initiatives of the LSSTF aimed at improving the capacity of security personnel through continuous learning, ethical leadership and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
Speaking while declaring the training open, Ogunsan said investment in human capital remains the most important responsibility of any organisation, stressing that equipment alone cannot guarantee security without well-trained personnel.
"I strongly believe that people remain the greatest asset of any organisation. Equipment is important and logistics are essential, but it is the human being behind every operation that ultimately determines success or failure," he said.
According to him, after reviewing the statutory responsibilities of the LSSTF upon assuming office, he deliberately prioritised the training and retraining of security operatives across Lagos State alongside the provision of logistics and operational equipment.
He disclosed that the monthly programme would continue throughout his tenure and beyond.
"I have five years to run this organisation, and for those five years, every month there will be training for security operatives in Lagos. It is designed to become a permanent feature of our security architecture because investing in people must never be a one-time exercise," Ogunsan declared.
Beyond classroom learning, he noted that the programme provides a valuable networking platform where officers from different security organisations build professional relationships that ultimately strengthen coordinated responses to security challenges.
Ogunsan also expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, for his unwavering support of the initiative, while acknowledging the contributions of the military, DSS, PCRC, Man O' War and other stakeholders.
CP Tijani: Training is Transforming Officers
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF for investing in human capacity development, describing the initiative as one of the most impactful security interventions in the state.
He observed that officers who participated in previous editions consistently returned to duty with improved professionalism, competence and a renewed commitment to service.
"The impact has been remarkable. Whenever our officers return from this programme, we notice a clear difference in their attitude, professionalism and performance. They return as better-equipped officers," Tijani said.
According to him, the training has also strengthened cooperation among security agencies by creating opportunities for officers to interact, exchange experiences and establish professional relationships that improve operational synergy during field assignments.
"If this programme continues consistently over the years, one can only imagine the transformation it will bring to the security landscape of Lagos State," he added.
DSS, Man O' War, PCRC Endorse Initiative
Representing 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 timely and strategic in enhancing collaboration among security agencies.
He said stronger partnerships, knowledge sharing and mutual trust would improve the collective ability of security agencies to address emerging threats and ensure public safety across Lagos.
Similarly, the Lagos State Commander of Man O' War Nigeria, MC Ayodele Ajayi, commended the LSSTF for sustaining a programme that promotes trust, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among security institutions.
He emphasised that modern security threats no longer respect institutional boundaries, making collaboration and effective communication indispensable.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State Command, Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo, described the initiative as a commendable investment in the state's security architecture.
He urged participants to maximise the opportunity, noting that contemporary security challenges demand continuous learning, stronger partnerships and deeper community engagement.
Senior Security Officials in Attendance
The July training attracted top security and public safety officials, including Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani; Director of DSS Lagos State represented by Mr. Waheed Akande; Commander of Man O' War Nigeria, Lagos State, MC Ayodele Ajayi; Chairman of PCRC Lagos Command, Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo; Director of Administration, LSSTF, Mr. Adegbola Lewis; Executive Assistant, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo; General Manager of Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Mr. Desmond Nnebue; retired ACP Aka Shittu; and the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, alongside other senior officers and stakeholders.
The training once again reinforced the growing consensus among security leaders that sustained investment in personnel development, intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration remains critical to preserving Lagos' status as one of Nigeria's safest and most secure states.
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