In a re-assuring strategic response to the felt need for a futuristic approach to redressing the human resource and operational challenges affecting the intelligence, national security and law enforcement performance levels, the State Security Service (SSS) recently unveiled the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), a welcome upgrade and refocusing of its existing training academy.
It was a cheering sequel to the game-changing appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as new Director-General, that significantly restored its trademark discrete professionalism. After a period of administrative disruptions, the dire need for a stabilising influence was met by the proven competence, experience and reputation acquired by the new DG in the course of a meritorious career across all the important service departments.
Amid concerns expressed about the apparent lapses in the ongoing counter-insurgency and other security operations to counter multiple criminalities across the nation, especially in the area of intelligence gathering, the new NISS’ mandate to promote inter-service, inter-agency and international cooperation, collaboration and harmony among intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies is apt. It will also conduct courses for middle and top level policy makers and executors from the security and law enforcement agencies, including civilians, from related institutions to broaden their security outlook and mainstream human security perspectives into public policy processes.
As the specialized professional training and academic arm of the Service, the NISS will award Postgraduate Diploma and Degree in the field of intelligence and security management and elevate Ph.D. holders to the rank of Professors in their respective areas of specializations. It will collaborate with universities or similar institutions, which share its objectives in the achievement of global peace and security and be a critical centre for research and dialogue, where distinguished academics, policy initiators and implementers meet to cross-fertilize ideas on national and global security issues.
By these upgrades and refocusing, the NISS would at last be at par with its other related contemporaries, such as the National Defense College (NDC) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), thereby completing the enhancement of status of the SSS with the full complement of facilities and agencies, while ultimately redressing observed inadequacies in its operations.
Meanwhile, DG Yusuf Magaji Bichi has already justified the confidence reposed in his ability to restore and enhance the overall professional capacity and efficiency of the Service within the first few months of his appointment by recording some remarkable achievements with high impact, especially on commitment and morale of personnel at all levels.
Observers of developments in the security sector have acknowledged the giant strides of the modest and unassuming DG, such as entrenchment of appropriate mechanisms, which have significantly improved professionalism and discipline amongst operatives, creating a more conducive work environment, improving relationship and liaison with other agencies, cumulatively manifesting in the numerous breakthroughs and operational successes, including arrest of notorious terrorists and criminals.
There is also a noticeable sense of belonging and enthusiasm among the personnel, seeing how the new DG has renewed attention to the all important but frequently neglected issues of improved staff welfare initiatives, improved local and overseas training for staff, greater attention to staff wellbeing and health, through procurement of adequate equipment and drug supply at the medical facility as well as adequate provision for treatment severe medical situations in specialist hospitals, at home and abroad.
From all indications, the SSS is witnessing a comprehensive rejuvenation and enhancement of performance under the leadership of DG Yusuf Magaji Bichi, that cannot be unconnected to his unique insight and experience as a professional to the core, whose versatility and capabilities have been tried and tried in several positions of responsibility in his career years.
Behind his quiet and humble disposition lies an impressive record of service, during which he worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States, Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection, Directorate of Administration and Finance and Director at the State Service Academy. Definitely his is an example of vast experience being a worthy asset for outstanding service as well as actions speaking louder than words in giving the SSS just what it needs to perfect its invaluable strategic service to the country for now and the future.
Nevertheless, the new DG must maintain the momentum and scope of his welcome initiatives to strengthen the Service and raise its functional stature especially by forging ahead with measures to secure greater operational synergy with other security agencies in order to overcome lingering impediments to the infusion of vital intelligence obtained by the Service into the defense forces’ counter-terrorism strategies.
There is also need for the Service to develop an effective template for interfacing with the ever expanding and ever-changing community of CSOs and NGOs, including their foreign sponsors and partners, with a view to sensitizing them on the terms of their engagement in Nigeria, while stepping up its public enlightenment programmes to boost security consciousness in the polity.
Agada, a retired civil servant, writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
On the Lokogoma demolition
By Jamila Musa
In order to mitigate the dangers of flooding in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) recently emphasised its readiness to demolish all structures erected on waterways in Lokogoma, a suburb of Abuja. It would be recalled that in 2007, the FCT Administration issued demolition notices to owners of such structures and the reasons for such expected actions by the government stated vividly.
It is appalling to see more erections of these illegal structures by the inhabitants of Lokogoma, that it becomes surprising to see government not doing anything about it.
We are therefore happy to see the authorities recently reissuing quit notices to owners of properties on water channels. The order came as a result of structures impeding the free flow of water.
The government is dismayed that the lawless activities of these residents are constantly putting the lives of residents at constant risks and so the need for the government to make recourse to this long expected demolition of such structures.
Governments all over the world would be seriously concerned about man made causes, particularly impediments to free flow of storm water through the indiscriminate erections of buildings on drainage alignments/rights of way and water courses, which have caused flooding in the city in the past.
Therefore, it is now of paramount importance that owners of buildings impeding the free flow of storm water in Lokogoma and anywhere they exist in the city, are advised to voluntarily quit or the government applies the law by demolition of those buildings for the overriding public interests as no government would allow the interest of the few to jeopardise the interest of the majority.
In view of the grievous consequences of compromising the drainage right of way and alignments, residents are advised to refrain from this illegal act and report perpetrators and cooperate with the FCT Administration in its bid to realise our dream of a flood free, clean and livable city.
For the avoidance of doubt, inhibitants of Lokogoma are reminded that the right of way for primary unline without concrete channels is 25cm and 15m for primary lined with concrete channel, while the right of way for secondary/connector channels is 7metres.The right of way for tertiary channels is 3metres from the fence of the house.
The administration is, on its part, advised to re-establish the right of way drainage infrastructure in Lokogoma to stem the tide of flooding. This advice became necessary to enhance the ability of the drainage channels to effectively discharge storm water into rivers or water bodies and relieve Lokogomians of flooding.
Primary channels such as canals are those emptying directly into the river, lagoons and other water bodies, while secondary/connector channels connects water from channels in the frontage of the house tertiary channels to the primary channels.
We should therefore see the demolition of illegal structures on right of ways as not a punishment or political vendetta by the FCT Administration against residents of Lokogoma but the administration working for the public good.
Everyone who comes into Abuja to do business and goes to Lokogoma today, will see that Lokogoma is a dismal advertisement of the administration’s efforts in recreating Abuja as a city that is forward looking, and the government knows this. It is therefore imperative for the government to be keen in pursuing the seemingly easiest solution to these embarrassments.
The idea that the government wants to push people away from their homes and business is therefore not true. Those spreading this idea to the residents are the real enemies of the government’s development effort in keeping the city safe, clean and habitable. Lokogoma shares with Abuja the exceptional situational inventiveness that makes the entire city tick.
This embarrassing situation of Lokogoma is what spurred the administration to resort to its last option which is demolition. The FCT Administration, to be candid, is not known to approach city planning from an authoritarian position, as its desire for development did not transcends the people or everything. We should acknowledge that this administration has a humane posture and it also recognises that the people have rights, but if your privilege undermines the public good, the government needs to act — this is the case.
This administration is not obsessed with demolition as it is focused also on providing the infrastructure the citizens expect of their administrators.
The government is also advised to educate the people on safety measures they must take when building next to a water body. The National Assembly, which serves as the legislative arm of the FCT Administration, should enact an environmental management and conservative law to guide against people building on water ways.
Jamila Musa writes from Abuja.
