Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has inaugurated the Abia State Security Advisory Council and the Abia Security Trust Fund.
Also inaugurated by the governor is the Abia State Judicial Service Commission.
Read also: Otti woos CSS global farms to Abia
Otti, while speaking during the ceremony at Government House Umuahia, said that the state government is unwavering in its commitment to maintaining stability and ensuring the safety of residents as his administration has taken security issues very seriously.
Governor Otti stated that his administration placed priority in security for the development of the state and underscored the significant progress made by his administration in transforming areas previously plagued by criminal activities into safer environments in the last 11 months in office.
“Before my assumption of office, some parts of the state were strongholds of criminals, kidnappers and people unleashing all forms of terror on residents.
“We wasted no time in putting on ground the necessary machinery to put an end to this life-threatening situation.
“We have made great progress in the achievement of our vision to make the state safe,” Otti said.
The Abia chief executive enjoined the security advisory council to interface with the existing security architecture in the state to provide insight that would help to consolidate on the gains made since the inception of his administration.
He tasked the Security Trust Fund to work with public and private institutions to raise the resources that would enable the state to procure operational and logistics tools to support various security teams.
While commending the members of the council and trust fund for accepting to serve the people of Abia, the governor urged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in strengthening government’s efforts in securing lives and property in Abia.
In his response, Azubuike Ihejirika, a retired Lt General, and former Chief of Army Staff and now chairman of the Security Advisory Council, thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve the people of Abia.
Ihejirika assured their commitment to the task with a view to creating a conducive environment for all.
Also speaking, Stanley Obiamaraije, chairman of the Security Trust Fund, appreciated the government for the opportunity to serve the state.
“The reason some of us accepted to serve is because there is a change in narrative in the governance of Abia. We promise to continue to support the state government,” Obiamaraije stated.
Other members of the Security Advisory Council headed by Ihejirika, include; DIG Uche Ivy Okoronkwo (Rtd), Ray Nkemdirim, Maj. Gen. Abel Obi Umahi (Rtd), AVM Emmanuel Chukwu (Rtd), Maj. Gen. J.O. Nwaogbo (Rtd) and Navy Cmdr Macdonald Ubah (Rtd).
The Security Trust Fund, which is led by Stanley Obiamarije also has Greg Okafor, Ngozi Ekeoma, Johnson Chukwu, Josephine Nweze, Nkechi Obi and Bank-Anthony Okoroafor as members while members of the Abia State Judicial Service Commission are; Chibuzo Irobi, Finecountry Iyioku, Chukwu Udensi and Moses Ogbonna.
