DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for synergy between states and security agencies in tackling security challenges in the country.
Governor Uduaghan who made the call Monday when participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 6 of the Institute For Security Studies, Abuja on a study tour of the state paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, said the involvement of the states in tackling the security challenges of the country would make the nation safer and more secured.
He said: “the states are in a better position to understand the security challenges in their areas and the inner workings of security at the states and national levels,” adding, “when the states are deeply involved in whatever security programmes being carried out, the nation and the states will be properly secured and safe.”
Dr. Uduaghan urged the Institute to develop programmes for states’ officials handling security issues and challenges at the state level as this would enable them compare notes on the methods of tackling such challenges and get more insights into the handling of security issues.
“I appeal to the Institute to draw up a programme for state officials especially the Secretaries to State Government to look into the security challenges and issues at the state level. This programme will enable them synergise on various security issues affecting the states, methods of tackling them and serves as avenues for these officials to rub minds on how to make the states and the nation safer and more secured,” he said.
He lauded the theme of the programme; “Nigeria in the year 2020 and beyond: The challenges of security sector, synergy in the democratic culture,” and observed that it was important for synergy between security agencies to ensure proper and effective security for the country.
The Governor also disclosed that his administration has always ensured that there is synergy between the various security agencies in the state through regular expanded Security Council Meetings with most of the security agencies in the state in attendance.
While commending the management of Institute for Security Studies, Abuja for choosing Delta State for the study, he assured the Course participants of the cooperation of the state government to enable them carry out their studies effectively.
In a brief address, the leader of the team and Deputy Director of Studies of the Institute, Mr. Adebayo Babalola, stated that participants of the course were made up of representatives of various security agencies in the country and they were brought together to promote understanding and act as change agents to move the nation’s security forward.
“The composition is deliberate to bring in synergy among security agencies,” Mr. Babalola said, adding: “they are intelligently robust to partake in this course. They will act as change agents in their various outfits to meet security challenges in the country.”
He explained that “Delta State was chosen for the study because of the synergy between the various security outfits in the state, adding that “we are here to study and interact with these agencies and their officials to see the workings of the organisations.”
