The outgoing Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun was yesterday celebrated in a special send forth ceremony to make the end of an illustrious era at the top position of the Lagos security funding agency.
Present at the celebration is the new Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; the Chairman of the LSSTF Board of Trustees, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi Etti; LSSTF Board Member, DIG Oshodi Glover (retd); all security chiefs in Lagos including the CP Olohundare Jimoh, Commanders of the three wings of the Nigerian Armed Forces; the heads of agencies like NSCDC, FRSC, LNSA, among others.
The new Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan remarked: ‘It’s a bittersweet flavor on my part, it’s very hard for me to let you go. Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, you’ve been an integral part of the security apparatus in Lagos for ten incredible years. And prior to that, I know where your signature has been, your footprint, and the great work you’ve done to take the stage to the next level. LSSTF is not going to be your last destination. I see greater things coming in the area after this.’
‘You are an esteemed colleague. You are a friend. But to me, you are an Egbon.. He’s a very blunt, brave, and courageous leader. He doesn’t care whose ox is gored. He will tell you the way it is. We will miss you at the Fund.’
The Chairman of the LSSTF Board, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi Etti eulogized Dr. Balogun, ‘Abdurrazaq and I worked on the Board for several years, we all thought that whoever would come after Fola could not do well. But I can say on record, maybe Degbola who is probably one of the few surviving people from that time, can also testify to it that it’s been seamless. I haven’t noticed a difference, it’s been an improvement.’
‘He’s a very simple, straight, and direct man who doesn’t beat about the bush and gets the job done. He’s very reliable, knows how to manage the situation, and knows his priorities. I don’t think there’s ever been once that he has come up with an idea that we questioned him to take it back. What we’ve maintained in the Fund is very good corporate governance. The funds are audited every year and there is no scandal. You don’t hear it with me, you don’t hear it with him, and you don’t hear it with any of us so that’s reputation, that’s character. That is what we are here to witness today as we pull him out.’
‘You have done very well and I am proud of you. Life is a revolving door when one door closes, another one will open, and you’ll be surprised at what next you will be challenged with’, Etti concluded.
A Board Member of LSSTF, DIG Oshodi Glover (retd) hailed Abdurrazaq Balogun, ‘He is a team player, he’s a hard-working person and someone who cares. He’s very focused, who knows his priority and gives his best to the agency.’
A Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Oshun Moshood added: ‘I call him my leader. You are an asset to the Lagos government. You are an asset to Nigeria. Not because you are here, but you are an asset in all ramifications. There was a person who came to me about 3 years ago who was thinking, let me give him some money. But he said, no, I don’t want your money, let’s just do the right thing. That’s Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun for you.’
‘Serving for 10 years without blemish, that’s remarkable. Without blemish, security was strong in lagos. You worked without blemish, the sky is the limit,’ Oshun said.
The CEO of a private security firm, Halogen Group, Wale Olaoye also celebrated Dr. Balogun for his tenure. ‘The man has done this for 10 years, and without blemish. He has earned the right to say and live in clear conscience. He has left an indelible mark and all could attest to that.’
In his appreciation speech to everyone who was at the event and Lagosians at large, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun shared: ‘It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Over the years, we have worked together to uphold a vision of a safer, more secure state. Through innovation, dedication and resilience, we strengthened the capacity of our security agencies, deepened public-private collaboration and built greater trust between governments and the people we serve.’
‘To my dear colleagues and staff at the Fund, Mr. Lewis, Ada, Ngole, Otu, Azeez, Blessing and Merit, and also my drivers and my security details, you have been the true engine of our success.Your loyalty, professionalism and hard work have made every milestone possible. I am proud of what we have achieved together and I am confident that the spirit of excellence we have built will endure long after my exit from the Fund.’
‘To the Distinguished Members of the Board of Trustees, under the visionary leadership of our amiable Chairman, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi Etti, I thank you very much for your guidance, your wisdom and your unwavering belief in our mission. Your leadership has been a solid anchor throughout my tenure.’
‘To our donors and partners, I thank you very much for your enduring faith in the Fund. Your generosity and sustained commitment have kept the LSSTF mandate alive, ensuring that Lagos remains a model for effective security cooperation in Nigeria.’
‘I must also extend deep appreciation to the service Chiefs and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to keep our state very safe. Working alongside you has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I am specially grateful to the Commissioner of Police, with whom I have shared a very cordial and highly productive relationship, built on mutual respect and a shared passion for the safety of our citizens. The Commissioner of Police, Jimoh, is the ninth (9) Commissioner that I have worked with.’
‘To my beloved wife, Kudirat, and my wonderful children, I thank you all for your endless love, patience and understanding. You have been the source of my strength through every challenge and trial. This moment belongs to you as much as it does to me. And to my friends and family members who have come here today to bid me farewell, my elder brother is here, my cousins are here, my uncle, his wife, and my brother-in-law, Salim, is also here. I thank you very much for your understanding and standing with me through the years for your prayers, encouragement, and belief in this journey.’
‘I also owe an immense gratitude to Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of our dear state, for his constant support, encouragement and trust in my capacity to serve. His leadership and unwavering commitment to security and good governance have been a source of strength.’
‘As I move on to the next phase of my life in public service, I do so with pride in what we have accomplished and deep hope for what lies ahead for LSSTF. The future is bright, and I have no doubt that the firm will continue to thrive, evolve, and expand its impact in keeping Lagos safe for all of us’, Dr. Balogun concluded.