On-state-security-assurance-between-anambra-and-delta-states-governor-okowa-should-learn-from-his-counterpart
September 7, 2020 | News
ON STATE SECURITY ASSURANCE BETWEEN ANAMBRA AND DELTA STATES – GOVERNOR OKOWA SHOULD LEARN FROM HIS COUNTERPART
Picture showing Governor Willie Obiano (Left) & Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Right)
We were stunned recently when the Anambra State Government led by Governor Willie Obiano, made a historic mark by donating 111 Vehicles and 77 motorcycles, equipped with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, to Security Agencies for monitoring and tracking criminals in the State. Governor Obiono had, while presenting the Security Apparatus to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Adamu, at the Second Phase of “Operation Nkpochapu” (meaning operation complete clearance), also launched the Smart City Security Surveillance System (SCSSS). The said System will complement Federal Government’s Security efforts and consolidate Anambra’s status as the safest State and investment hub in the country according to a report.
We could not help but wonder why Anambra State’s neighbor, Delta State, under the PDP-led Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, have not thought it necessary to invest massively in the State’s Security agencies to address the serious insecurity concerns ravaging the State for quite some time now. Delta State, for some years and up till now, is still ravaged by insecurity concerns from armed robbery, kidnapping, to illegal bunkering, assassination, youth restiveness, herdsmen crises and what have you. If Delta State Police Command with all its Divisional Police Stations are still having challenges with lack of well-equipped Vehicles, armory, Radios, walkie talkies and vital communications gadgets that could have helped their fight against crime in the State, then what exactly has Okowa been doing with all the Security Votes he has collected all these years? What is the essence of having a so-called Chief Security Officer (CSO), in person of Okowa, who cannot support and equip Security Agencies/Operatives in the fight against crime in Delta State? If as CSO of Delta State, Governor Okowa is only good at collecting Security Votes that are never accounted for, then we really do not have a State Government in the State that is concerned about the security of the lives and property of its people. The Delta State Governor should take a good look at his counterparts in Anambra State, and learn one or two things on what is expected of a Government in security assurance.
Apart from the above stated efforts by the Anambra State Government, we recall how the same Government by this time last year, launched what they called “Ember months’ security operation to tighten up the State’s security, ahead of the yuletide season. The launch witnessed presentation of more 50 Smart Security bikes to the Police in the State to enable them to “embark on more patrols within hinterlands and other crime-prone areas.” During the said event, Governor Obiano said that “not less than 50,000 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras had been installed across the State to monitor every activity and identify hoodlums.” In his words: “I have approved the purchase of sets of operational vehicles for Vigilance Groups in the state. It is to reinforce them to be more proactive in their duties. We will disband any Vigilance Team that allows crime to be perpetuated in its territory…” The governor noted that the 50 sophisticated Smart Security bikes donated, have communication gadgets that is linked to different Police Stations. The Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Zone 9, Mr. Hassan Karmar, who was in attendance at the said event, commended the continued unity that currently exists between the State Government and Security Agencies in the State. Karmar observed that the security measures by Governor Obiano had been projected to be seen as the safest in the Federation, stressing that the initiative had effectively attracted economic growth.
Recently, a friend who is based in the US told us how he wrote all the 36 State Governments in the country on the need to get up-to-date Security gadgets/tools to be used by Nigerian Security Agencies to track/crackdown criminals. But he sadly noted that it was only the Governor of Anambra State, Obiano, who replied his letter and indicated interest, amongst all the said 36 State Governments. That is obviously a Governor who is very much concerned about the security and welfare of his people, and who is ready to do anything to assure them of that security. One would have expected that Delta State Governor, Okowa, knowing fully well that issues like kidnapping has been a major security challenge in Delta State, ought to have also replied the said letter and indicated interest. Also, what stops the State Governors, who are the Chief Security Officers of their respective States, from indicating interest in the said security proposal? Wait let me guess; they are busy and more interested in collecting Security Votes and appropriating same into their private pockets, instead of using same to address the insecurity problems affecting their States and people.
Surprisingly, these are the same State Governors who always talk about attracting foreign investors to come to invest in their States, which is best described as mere wishful thinking and media propaganda intended to create the impression that they are working. Even Anambra State’s immediate past Governor, Mr. Peter obi, was also a great and committed Governor who left an admirable legacy, especially in addressing security concerns, in his State. A legacy the current Anambra State Governor, Obiano, is wonderfully building on and doing well compared to other Governors. Why can't Governor Okowa copy what Obiano is doing? Delta State shares a common boundary with Anambra State. Delta States gets more revenues/federal allocations than Anambra State. So, what excuse does Governor Okowa have, for not investing heavily on Security in the State? The only answer we can come up with, is the undeniable fact that Governor Okowa is a clueless Governor who only believes in the use of media propaganda to project his administration as an active one, instead of doing the actual work expected of him.
While we acknowledge the fact that the Nigerian Police Force in Delta State, specifically the Officers of the Area Command Warri, are trying their best in providing security and fighting crimes in their areas of jurisdiction, however there is expedient need for the Delta State Government to support the good efforts of the Delta State Police Command in security assurance by providing the Police with Patrol Vehicles like Toyota Hilux Vehicles and Good Communications Gadgets like Radios, Walkie-Talkies, etc, to facilitate the operations of the Police in fighting crimes like kidnapping within the State. These Security Operatives cannot use their teeth to fight crime. They need modern gadgets/equipment and vehicles to do so. The Delta State Police Command need good motorable vehicles and Modern Radio Communication Gadgets to effectively and efficiently carry out their jobs. The Police will not be able to move and answer 'distress calls,' especially when they arise in kidnap cases, without this operational logistics. There is urgent need for the Delta State Government to use the security votes in its coffers like his counterpart in Anambra State, to address the insecurity concerns in Delta State.
Zik Gbemre.
October 18, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
Picture showing Governor Willie Obiano (Left) & Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Right)
We were stunned recently when the Anambra State Government led by Governor Willie Obiano, made a historic mark by donating 111 Vehicles and 77 motorcycles, equipped with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, to Security Agencies for monitoring and tracking criminals in the State. Governor Obiono had, while presenting the Security Apparatus to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Adamu, at the Second Phase of “Operation Nkpochapu” (meaning operation complete clearance), also launched the Smart City Security Surveillance System (SCSSS). The said System will complement Federal Government’s Security efforts and consolidate Anambra’s status as the safest State and investment hub in the country according to a report.
We could not help but wonder why Anambra State’s neighbor, Delta State, under the PDP-led Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, have not thought it necessary to invest massively in the State’s Security agencies to address the serious insecurity concerns ravaging the State for quite some time now. Delta State, for some years and up till now, is still ravaged by insecurity concerns from armed robbery, kidnapping, to illegal bunkering, assassination, youth restiveness, herdsmen crises and what have you. If Delta State Police Command with all its Divisional Police Stations are still having challenges with lack of well-equipped Vehicles, armory, Radios, walkie talkies and vital communications gadgets that could have helped their fight against crime in the State, then what exactly has Okowa been doing with all the Security Votes he has collected all these years? What is the essence of having a so-called Chief Security Officer (CSO), in person of Okowa, who cannot support and equip Security Agencies/Operatives in the fight against crime in Delta State? If as CSO of Delta State, Governor Okowa is only good at collecting Security Votes that are never accounted for, then we really do not have a State Government in the State that is concerned about the security of the lives and property of its people. The Delta State Governor should take a good look at his counterparts in Anambra State, and learn one or two things on what is expected of a Government in security assurance.
Apart from the above stated efforts by the Anambra State Government, we recall how the same Government by this time last year, launched what they called “Ember months’ security operation to tighten up the State’s security, ahead of the yuletide season. The launch witnessed presentation of more 50 Smart Security bikes to the Police in the State to enable them to “embark on more patrols within hinterlands and other crime-prone areas.” During the said event, Governor Obiano said that “not less than 50,000 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras had been installed across the State to monitor every activity and identify hoodlums.” In his words: “I have approved the purchase of sets of operational vehicles for Vigilance Groups in the state. It is to reinforce them to be more proactive in their duties. We will disband any Vigilance Team that allows crime to be perpetuated in its territory…” The governor noted that the 50 sophisticated Smart Security bikes donated, have communication gadgets that is linked to different Police Stations. The Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Zone 9, Mr. Hassan Karmar, who was in attendance at the said event, commended the continued unity that currently exists between the State Government and Security Agencies in the State. Karmar observed that the security measures by Governor Obiano had been projected to be seen as the safest in the Federation, stressing that the initiative had effectively attracted economic growth.
Recently, a friend who is based in the US told us how he wrote all the 36 State Governments in the country on the need to get up-to-date Security gadgets/tools to be used by Nigerian Security Agencies to track/crackdown criminals. But he sadly noted that it was only the Governor of Anambra State, Obiano, who replied his letter and indicated interest, amongst all the said 36 State Governments. That is obviously a Governor who is very much concerned about the security and welfare of his people, and who is ready to do anything to assure them of that security. One would have expected that Delta State Governor, Okowa, knowing fully well that issues like kidnapping has been a major security challenge in Delta State, ought to have also replied the said letter and indicated interest. Also, what stops the State Governors, who are the Chief Security Officers of their respective States, from indicating interest in the said security proposal? Wait let me guess; they are busy and more interested in collecting Security Votes and appropriating same into their private pockets, instead of using same to address the insecurity problems affecting their States and people.
Surprisingly, these are the same State Governors who always talk about attracting foreign investors to come to invest in their States, which is best described as mere wishful thinking and media propaganda intended to create the impression that they are working. Even Anambra State’s immediate past Governor, Mr. Peter obi, was also a great and committed Governor who left an admirable legacy, especially in addressing security concerns, in his State. A legacy the current Anambra State Governor, Obiano, is wonderfully building on and doing well compared to other Governors. Why can't Governor Okowa copy what Obiano is doing? Delta State shares a common boundary with Anambra State. Delta States gets more revenues/federal allocations than Anambra State. So, what excuse does Governor Okowa have, for not investing heavily on Security in the State? The only answer we can come up with, is the undeniable fact that Governor Okowa is a clueless Governor who only believes in the use of media propaganda to project his administration as an active one, instead of doing the actual work expected of him.
While we acknowledge the fact that the Nigerian Police Force in Delta State, specifically the Officers of the Area Command Warri, are trying their best in providing security and fighting crimes in their areas of jurisdiction, however there is expedient need for the Delta State Government to support the good efforts of the Delta State Police Command in security assurance by providing the Police with Patrol Vehicles like Toyota Hilux Vehicles and Good Communications Gadgets like Radios, Walkie-Talkies, etc, to facilitate the operations of the Police in fighting crimes like kidnapping within the State. These Security Operatives cannot use their teeth to fight crime. They need modern gadgets/equipment and vehicles to do so. The Delta State Police Command need good motorable vehicles and Modern Radio Communication Gadgets to effectively and efficiently carry out their jobs. The Police will not be able to move and answer 'distress calls,' especially when they arise in kidnap cases, without this operational logistics. There is urgent need for the Delta State Government to use the security votes in its coffers like his counterpart in Anambra State, to address the insecurity concerns in Delta State.
Zik Gbemre.
October 18, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes