Press Releases

Security Trust Fund: Fashola Appeals For Redemption Of Pledges

Dec 1, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday appealed to banks, financial institutions, other corporate organizations and individuals who have not redeemed their pledges to the State Security Trust Fund to come forward and do so.

Governor Fashola who spoke at Lagos House, Ikeja while receiving a donation of N50 Million made by the management of Diamond Bank towards the State Security Trust Fund added that the state government started the initiative because it believed firmly in winning the battle against crime but not because “we wanted to start and stutter.

He explained that though the circumstances that necessitated the idea of the security trust fund has drastically improved with the crime rate dropping, what has been gained in the last 18 months is very significant that the state cannot afford to let go.

Said he: “What we have gained in the last 18 months is so significant that we cannot afford to let go. This is the time to invest and build on the platform which we have already firmly established”.

He added that the challenge of security is not that of the banks alone but one in which the leadership role played by banks in a matter that concerns everyone singularly and collectivity must be acknowledged.

Governor Fashola explained that security matters should also be of utmost concern to entertainment houses and the eateries that would benefit from an upward swing in business that may come with an 18 hour economy.

He appealed to all individuals and those in the manufacturing, production, entertainment industries and so many others to put their hands on the plough and ensure that the battle is sustained.

He added that if night life is improved, it is those in the hospitality and tourism industry that would service people who are awake with their food outlets that would be thriving as banks would usually be shut by then.

Governor Fashola also advocated the encouragement and promotion of activities where the energy of youths can be positively harnessed as some other ways of improving security.

He added that sporting activities like table tennis as witnessed at the recently concluded Asoju Oba Table Tennis Cup where two young people won cars while runners up won household items and cash prizes could be avenues for reducing crime.

The Governor said sports like basket ball, track and field, table tennis can be organized with prize money to engage the energy of the young people as demonstrated with the MTN Street Soccer championship which produced winners that got prizes.

He charged corporate organizations to think of ways of incorporating sponsorship of some sporting events into their next year’s budget to assist in giving back to the weak and underprivileged in the society.

He said this has been demonstrated in several parts of the world where people have developed into world championship materials that are sponsored by corporate organizations and thereby sustain their lives.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Mr Emeka Onwuka had acknowledged the success being made by Governor Fashola in all fields, adding that he is already challenging people in the private sector who have always believed that best practices are the exclusive preserve of the private sector with the wonderful job he is doing in the public sector.

He added that the security of life and property remains a cornerstone to the sustenance of economic activity, asking that efforts should be intensified to ensure that the state can have an 18 hour hour night life as it is possible in some other dispensation, saying this would ensure that people move without let or hindrance.

He commended the dispatch with which the state commenced and concluded work on the dualisation of the Bourdillon =Gerrard road and several projects like Lekki-Epe Expressway as well as the vision informing the 10 lane Badagry Expressway.

While acknowledging the sophisticated equipment which the trust fund has made available to the Police in the State, he promised the readiness of the bank to partner with Lagos in the task of ensuring a safer Lagos.