The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has inaugurated a state-level coordination committee dedicated to safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure. The launch, which took place on Wednesday at the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) Hall, Alagbaka, Akure, marked a major step in translating national security directives into actionable state programmes.

Delivering his keynote address, the State Commandant, CC Oluyemi Joshua Ibiloye (CPO, MSPSP, FWIP), emphasized that the initiative was anchored on the 2024 Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) National Protection Policy and Strategy (NPPS). He described the move as a practical response to directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“The ONSA directive gives us a clear roadmap,” Ibiloye stated. “It is a marching order to organise swift state-level coordination meetings, requiring meaningful stakeholder engagement, regular reviews, rapid reporting of infractions, uncompromising crime records, and diligent prosecution.”

The well-attended summit featured goodwill messages from key institutions including the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Stakeholders from critical sectors such as telecommunications, power, digital infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and solid minerals also presented papers addressing challenges and offering solutions.

A 32-member committee was subsequently inaugurated by the Commandant, comprising representatives of security agencies, telecom operators (MTN, Glo, Airtel, NCC, SITA), the power sector (BEDC, TCN), digital infrastructure agencies (NITDS, NIMC, NCC), as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Other members include the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), relevant state ministries (Education, Energy, Power, and Works), NMDPRA, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), traditional institutions, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Akure Bankers’ Association.

The communique issued at the close of the summit highlighted collective interventions, challenges, and practical solutions aimed at ensuring the effective protection of critical assets across Ondo State.

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