Dr. Patrick present bill towards security of Orumba- Anambra

Today, November 27, 2019, I presented a bill for the establishment of a National Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Orumba- Anambra State, South East Nigeria.

This is a strategic intervention geared towards deepening and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to train and equip our people to tackle the several security and defence challenges of the 21st century. This bill will help fill the void that is already growing, the last piece of the puzzle to achieve a holistic and comprehensive coverage of strategic security development institutions across the country.

This institute which will see the South East Host and complete the circle of zones with tactically placed instruments of state defence and security has been applauded today by the Senate as worthy to pass through the first reading. I am hopeful that this unique legislative initiative will be approved and passed.

It is worthy of note to state that out of the 6 geopolitical zones, it is only the South East that does not have a key institution for internal and external security. There are already existing institutions in other Geo-political zones such as;

1. Staff Services Academy-SSA, Lagos, South West.

2. State Services Technical academy-SSTA, Calabar, South South.

3. Institute of Security Studies- ISS, recently upgraded to National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) FCT, Abuja though can be regarded to be in the North Central.

4. Staff Development Centre- SDC, Kaduna, North West.

5. Senior Staff Development Centre-SSDC, Bauchi, North East.

These above listed institutions are mostly saddled with the training of DSS staff as well as other National security staff/recruitment which is managed by DSS personnels.

Certain occurrences have in recent times, further exposed the dire need for greater capacity building, institutional strengthening and the strategic integration of all parts of the nation in the security architecture for total National cohesion and Unity. This therefore, brings home, the urgent need to establish a Security training institute in the South East so as to augment the already existing institutions in other geopolitical zones and strengthen our national security architecture.

It would be recalled that this institution was existent in Enugu before it was closed because of the siting in G.R.A Enugu. Ever since then, there has been no security institute in the entire South East.

At such a time, when Security and National inclusion are top priorities of the Federal Government, the essence of this bill is to create a regional balance/inclusion and cultural background which is a core and pivotal element of intelligence. Hence, it is fundamentally apt and timely to add SouthEast into the National security architecture to fill tthe vacuum.

The Institute will nurture and develop dynamic and quality security services in Nigeria through training, examination and certification. It will also be saddled with the responsibility of training students on high standard Strategic Security studies and Intelligence reports.

When established, the Institute will also promote and enhance the general development of security by conducting research programmes into security and allied subjects with special emphasis on innovative global security practices while creating security awareness among the general public.

Conclusively, it is my utmost belief that this establishment bill, will not only create employment opportunities, but also engender social inclusion as well as intensify security awareness in the South East. Subsequently, the bill will be read the second time and recommended to the relevant committee for further legislative action.

We hope and pray for inclusion of this to  Orumba- Anambra