Mr Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), has called for greater collaboration among law enforcement agencies to address the nation’s security challenges.
The DSS DG made the call at the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) Annual Lecture and Fourth Investiture on Saturday in Abuja.
Bichi, who was represented by DSS Spokesman Dr Peter Afunanya, stated that security could only be improved or achieved through collaborative efforts among all security agencies.
“At the DSS, we have continued to work with other sister agencies, governments at various levels, and indeed all stakeholders in Nigeria and even outside Nigeria to ensure long-term peace.”
“Today’s impact symbolises the service’s commitment and direction in the single fact that we believe that security can only be enhanced or achieved through collaborative efforts,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bichi was inducted into the institute’s fellowship alongside the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, at the event.
The institute also named the governors of Borno, Nasarawa, and Zamfara states as fellows for their outstanding contributions to national security, according to NAN.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno was named Best Governor for Security and Humanitarian Services in 2020, while Nasarawa Gov. Abdullahi Sule was named “Security Pro-active” in 2020.
In addition, Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle was named the Best Governor of Collective Security Advocate for 2020.
The institute also honoured Insp. Seibol Selchum, a police traffic officer in FCT, with an award of Dedication to Service (public sector), and Hajiya Zahra Mohammed of Neighbourhood Enlightenment and Safety Organisation (NESO), for Dedication to Service (private sector) (private sector).
Lawrence Alobi, a former Commissioner of Police in the FCT, was also named Security Consultant of the Year, and Prof. Ibrahim Doko, Director-General of the Raw Material Research and Development Agency, was named Outstanding Director-General of the Year.
The ISSS’s Chairman of the Governing Council, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Audu, stated that the investiture and awards were given in recognition of their contributions to national security.
Audu stated that the fellows were expected to be stakeholders in consolidating the institute’s modest achievements, particularly in the non-kinetic space, in order to address the current security challenges.
He stated that the institute had recognized individuals and corporate entities that had positively contributed to the national security architecture in non-kinetic areas.
“The Institute has developed several professional courses in security, strategy, and development over the years.”
“Most of these courses were attended by personnel from our various security institutions, and they were clearly better informed at the end of each course,” he said.