The Abia State Security Advisory Council and the Abia Security Trust Fund boards were established by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, with the mandate that they use their extensive backgrounds to support the government’s efforts to protect citizens’ lives and property.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring residents’ security during his speech on Tuesday at the Government House, Umuahia, Banquet Hall. He also insisted that his government takes security issues very seriously. The governor was speaking during the inauguration of members of the two boards as well as that of the Judicial Service Commission.
The Governor emphasized the tremendous strides the government has made in reestablishing peace and stability in areas that were previously afflicted by criminal activity and declared that his administration places a high priority on security concerns in the development of Abia.
“Before my assumption of office, some parts of the State was a stronghold of criminals, kidnappers and people unleashing all forms of terror on residents.”We didn’t take long to deploy the equipment required to end this potentially fatal scenario.
“We have made great progress in the achievement of our vision to make the State to remain safe,” stated Governor Otti.
In order to support the consolidation of the progress gained since the start of his administration, he asked members of the Security Advisory Council to engage with the State’s current security architecture.
In a similar vein, the Governor directed Security Trust Fund members to collaborate with civic-minded organizations in order to generate the necessary funds so that the State could purchase crucial logistical and operational instruments to support its different security services.
He congratulated the trust fund and council members for agreeing to serve the people of Abia and asked them to use their extensive knowledge to support the government’s efforts to protect people and property in Abia.
The Security Trust Fund, which is essential for funding security initiatives, is led by businessman Chief Stanley Obiamarije and has other equally illustrious individuals as members. The Security Advisory Council is led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Onyeabo Ihejirika (Rtd), and comprises notable individuals with extensive military and security backgrounds.
In response, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, the chairman of the Security Advisory Council, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for giving him the chance to assist the Abian people.
A commitment to the “very important task of looking into the security situation with a view to creating a conducive environment for all” is what Ihejirika and his team made clear.
Speaking as well, Chief Obiamaraije, the Chairman of the Security Trust Fund, expressed gratitude to the Governor for deeming him and his group deserving of being tasked with helping the government raise money for state security.
“There has been a shift in Abia’s governance narrative, which is why a few of us agreed to serve. We pledge to assist the state administration going forward,” Obiamaraije said.
DIG Uche Ivy Okoronkwo (Rtd), Mr. Ray Nkemdirim, Maj. Gen. Abel Obi Umahi (Rtd), AVM Emmanuel Chukwu (Rtd), Maj. Gen. J.O. Nwaogbo (Rtd), and the secretary, Navy Cmdr. Macdonald Ubah (Rtd), are the other members of the Security Advisory Council. Owelle Greg Okafor, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, Chief Johnson Chukwu, Mrs. Josephine Nweze, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, and Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor are among the members of the Security Trust Fund.
Engr. Moses Ogbonna, Prof. Chukwu Udensi, Mr. Finecountry Iyioku, and Mr. Chibuzo Irobi were inaugurated as members of the Judicial Service Commission.