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PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD SPECIAL SECTION, OCTOBER 13, 2019 SPECIAL FOCUS ON LEADING PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS IN NIGERIA— Part 1 We Are Second To None In Security Matters “S Mr. Isidahomen Ezekiel, CEO, Thems Security Systems Limited ecurity is not just a is offered to them, as such, word, it is what we do. their activities have brought Over the years, we the reputation of licensed have rendered qualitative operators under questioning security services across by the public. industries and we are at the “The delays we experience forefront of revolutionizing in renewing our license is the practice of industrial also another big issue, we security in Nigeria, which is renew every year but why we are second to none”, sometimes it takes about these were the words of Mr. three months before we get Isidahomen Ezekiel, the it done. Also, the fact that we managing director of Thems are not to allowed to carry Security Systems Limited; a arms is quite challenging private guard company because, oftentimes our dedicated to providing guards are attacked at their excellent security services in duty posts by criminals who a manner consistent with the are armed with all sorts of Security highest industry standards. weapon”, he said. Duly licensed by the Commenting on the Nigeria Security and Civil relationship between the Defence Corps (NSCDC) as private security companies well as the Nigerian and the police force as well Maritime Administration as the NSCDC, Ezekiel and Safety Agency explained that the police (NIMASA) to carry out have been supportive security operations, the especially when distress calls company has distinguished are made to them, however, itself as proactive risk and he is of the opinion that the safety managers whose relationship can become competencies can be relied stronger if the police can be upon at all times. willing to share information “At Thems Security, we with the private security relentlessly pursue success professionals. According to and innovation, driven by the him, “If the government can needs of our clients and create a forum where delivered with shared information can be shared energy, ability and between both parties, it will commitment of our people. go a long way at combating However, like every other crime, especially at the business, we are faced with grassroots. We operate at the certain challenges that are grassroots and we have the peculiar to the industry. numbers, presently there are There are quite a number of 1086 private security unprofessional and companies spread the unlicensed operators in the country, so the police needs country. These quacks do not us just as we need them but only engage in unethical unfortunately, they tend to practises, they also undercut look down on us.” payments because they have “The Nigerian Security no structures, they are not and Civil Defence Corp has paying taxes and license also been doing a good job fees, so they collect whatever as the regulatory authority, they also help in manpower REJOICE: There is hope for you (CONT'D.) How Can We Have Hope When Everything Looks Hopeless? In Romans 5:3-5, Paul says that we can rejoice in our sufferings because we are a people of hope: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3–5). So, how can we have hope when everything looks hopeless? In the midst of suffering, we can rejoice because these challenges cause us to: 1. Rely on God’s presence Rejoicing in suffering does not mean celebrating when bad news comes. But, it does mean that we can believe that God is doing a redemptive work. This word “redemptive” means that God does not waste a hurt or disappointment. He is using them to shape and build us into the image of Jesus, which is his highest passion. When we go through suffering, we often pray and seek God more intensely than at other times. My greatest times Pastor Olugbenro Tunde Moradeyo The Gospel Faith Mission Int'l, Gofamint. Kings Assembly Ikorodu,Behind Brt Terminus, Ikorodu Lagos. Tel: 09095511493. of growth have been when I’ve reached the end of my resources and all I have left is Jesus. God uses suffering to make us rely on his presence. In Psalm 23:4, David writes that he does not fear because God is with him. He relies on God’s presence, and it brings him strength and comfort. Remember that for there to be a shadow, there has to be a light. I don’t know what your “valley of the shadow of death” is, but I do know who the Light is that is walking with you in that valley. In another Psalm, David reveals that one of the reasons for his joy is that he is forgiven: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered (Ps. 31:1, NIV). We can’t determine God’s love for us based on good or bad circumstances. We determine his love based on the cross and what he did for us on it. 2. Rely on God’s provision In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul reveals that he has suffered from a “thorn in the flesh.” God was so concerned about Paul not becoming proud that He allowed this to happen to him to prevent him from becoming conceited. In our current situations, God is saying to us that his grace is sufficient, and even training and they have been doing a lot to improve the industry with regards to pushing out quack operators. As it now, every private guard in Nigeria that is operating under licensed companies have service numbers which were generated by NSCDC and they can maintain the number even when they join another security company. We are hopeful that it will go a long way at sanitizing the industry”, he said. Recently awarded the Management Leadership Excellence Prize for 2019 by the African Institute for Leadership and Excellence, Ezekiel is of the opinion that the federal government can help standardize payment for private security companies, so as to further improve the operations of practitioners. “It is unfortunate that Nigerians don’t take security serious. Sometimes when you ask clients to pay N50,000 per guard, they will tell you they cannot pay more than N25,000 because the guards are not involved in handling paperwork for them, more so, there is another company willing to take that amount, so if government can wade into this, it will help us. “Renewal of license should also be decentralized so that it will be easy for practitioners to get their licenses renewed on time and instead of having a yearly renewal, they can make it a five-year license. Finally, there should be a review of the Private Security Guards Act of 1986 to give us conditions for the use of arms”, he advised. when we feel weak, he is making us stronger than we have ever been. His grace is not an abstract idea. It is the person of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The hell you are going through may be the very circumstance God uses to take you to a whole new level. 3. Rely on God’s power “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9b, ESV). What is your weakness? Maybe it is a son or a daughter that hasn’t quite turned out the way you thought he or she would. A job situation that has gone away. A medical diagnosis that has scared you. Maybe, like Paul, it is also insults, hardships, or persecutions. Whatever it is, Paul says he will boast in those things because when we are weak, the power of Christ rests on us Ṫhe greater the enemy comes at you, the greater Jesus is in you. The greater the enemy comes at you, the greater Jesus is in you. Maybe you hear voices telling you to just quit, give up, and let it go. Don’t stop. When you are weak, then He is strong. Remember the greater the attack against you, the greater Christ is in you, but you have to rely on his presence, his provision and his power. This week take a moment to write down what you are suffering from or struggling with and send it to our mail. Title it letter to Jesus. On pastormoradeyoolugbemiro @gmail.com. God bless you. Apostle Okafor blames current economic woes on poor leadership he General Overseer of TCrusaders Evangelical Ministry, CEMSA, a.k.a Sycamore Assembly, Ogba, Lagos, Apostle Victor Okafor has attributed the current economic woes in the country to poor leadership at all levels, warning that revolution is not an option Speaking at the church 9th anniversary celebration, tagged: “Uncommon Blessing,” Okafor reiterated that Nigeria is endowed in human and natural resources and wondered why majority of its citizens still live below $2 per day. He listed bad leadership and corruption as the two scourges militating against the well-being of Nigerians, even as he prayed that God in His infinite mercy would intervene and heal the country speedily. “Nigeria is a great country despite all odds. We pray that that God will intervene in all the problems we are having, which are linked to leadership. Nobody will say we should go the way of revolution because many lives will be lost and one thing that GOD will not allow is shedding of blood. You cannot carry out revolution without shedding blood. It is not an option as far as I am concerned.” Apostle Okafor admonished Nigerians to seek the face of the Lord. Going down memory lane, the cleric revealed that the church, which started nine years ago in one of his room with five members, including himself, wife and three children, has grown tremendously, with awesome testimonies. He disclosed that the Ministry has concluded plans to open two new branches in Abuja and USA before year end. Apostle & Rev. (Mrs) Okafor, Senior Pastors of Crusader Evangelical Ministry surrounded by BOT members of the church during the Church anniversary. Anglican Lagos Province holds investiture for Guild of Stewards president, excos Lagos Province Guild of Stewards gets excos The inauguration and in vestiture of the President and executive officers of the Province of Lagos Guild of Stewards of the Anglican Communion has been fixed for Sunday, 20th October, 2019. In a statement issued by the inauguration planning committee, the investiture which will bring together the various Dioceses in the Province •Most Revd (Dr) Olusina Fape is expected to further enhance and promote cordiality of service in the Province. Most Reverend (Dr) Olusina The Archbishop of Lagos Fape, is expected to inaugurate the steward executive at Province and Bishop of Remo Diocese, Church of Nigeria the event scheduled to take (Anglican Communion), place at Cathedral Church of St Jude, Ebute Metta. Renowned elder statesman, Chief Williams Akinlade, will be inaugurated by Most Reverend Fape as the President of the Province of Lagos Guild of Stewards. The Guild of Stewards (often called the Guild) is a service arm of the church charged, primarily, with the responsibility of maintaining orderliness at Church services and functions. Working under the help of the Holy Spirit, Guild of Stewards promotes a healthy spirited atmosphere for worship and provide in the church an enabling environment of order, decency, courtesy and decorum for spiritual worship and development.
SUNDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 13, 2019, PAGE 33 No room for brilliant beasts in my university – Bola Ajibola By Bashir Adefaka RESCENT University, Abeokuta C(CUAB) is one of the early private universities in Nigeria and became the first Islamic university in southern Nigeria. It emerged as a life ambition of Prince Abdul-Jabbar Bolasodun Adesunbo Ajibola (SAN), a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and erstwhile High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The man, simply called Prince Bola Ajibola, set out, in December 2005, to replicate his Baptist Boys’ High School disciplinarian experience to groom the youth of today who will, in turn, emerge as global citizens of tomorrow, hence the idea of the Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA), whose programmes are dominated by education at all levels. To achieve this vision, Ajibola, who was also a judge at the International Court of Justice, established Crescent University. The mission statement reads: “To produce graduates that are morally and academically sound and excellent and not brilliant beasts”. And then the question comes as to whether Crescent University, Abeokuta is free or not from the challenge emanating from the issue of drug use and abuse that is sometimes unnoticed but prevalent among students of higher institutions of learning in nations across the world. This led to Sunday Vanguard to visit Abeokuta where it keenly observed the disposition of Crescent, the proprietor, management staff, students and even its neighbours to the issue. The proprietor, Ajibola, who, during the visit, bared his mind on the state of the nation, spoke on the attitude of the institution he established 13 years ago to wage war against drug abuse, describing it as a menace capable of hindering whatever achievement any university could make. This, according to him, will not make them to become brilliant beasts. “In Crescent University our students are tailored towards emerging as global citizens so that in the end they won’t let Nigeria down wherever they go in the world. And to ensure that these aims and objectives are not derailed, we have put all necessary cautionary arrangements in place which is why we train our students to be God-fearing graduating with a degree that is not only excellently achieved academically but also laced with fear of God and moral uprightness. In a nutshell, at Crescent University we produce morally and academically excellent human beings of the status of global citizens,” the former minister said. Asked to explain what he meant, Ajibola said, “When you have university products that are morally and academically Drug matter is a serious matter. It is a life-threatening situation. There is no way drug issue can be dealt with, cured and removed from the university environment except some deliberate efforts are made •Bola Ajibola excellent, you will have good leaders in position of authority who will rule or govern with the fear of God and then they will not corruptly enrich themselves because they know that even though they do not see God, surely, God is seeing them and so they will fear Him and, instead of diverting state money to their personal pockets, they will use the money to better the lot of the masses by providing basic needs such as good roads, making huge investments in agriculture towards ensuring food security, quality and affordable education, quality and affordable healthcare delivery services, security, electricity, potable water and jobs among other necessities of life for the people. “And when the food items, even products of natural resources are taken to the market, such morally upright and academically excellent graduates who are major distributors of essential needs of mankind such as food, petroleum products will not hoard to create artificial scarcity, which sabotages the very good intention of government to make life easy for the people.” Brilliant beasts Ajibola described graduates who are brilliant beasts as the direct opposite of those who are morally and academically excellent in the degrees they acquire. “Those are unemployable. If you give them trust they will betray you. If you entrust the leadership of state in their hands, they will bastardise and won’t even care that they do any evil. They will embezzle state funds with impunity and will be ready to kill and maim anybody under the sky who will block their way of achieving it”, the university proprietor said. “That is the reason the school knowledge cycle matters in achieving a Nigeria of our pride. If you observe us very well, you will see that we take the child that we hope, by the grace of Almighty God, will be leader of tomorrow from crèche through primary, secondary schools to the university. That is our own resolve to wield the truly quality education filled with God-fearing, good moral conduct and sound academic performance as a tool to make Nigeria great.” “Already”, the former Attorney-General said, “we are achieving it greatly. We started 13 years ago and now thank God that we are not just saying it but also, we are doing it and we are reaping the fruits of our efforts.” On anti-drug war Drug matter is a serious matter. It is a life-threatening situation. There is no way drug issue can be dealt with, cured and removed from the university environment except some deliberate efforts are made. Beaming a searchlight on Nigerian universities and drug abuse among youths, with Crescent University as case study, he revealed that no matter how careful any university system could be, cases of drug abuse among youths may be inevitable but that with proper and sincere action plan, its eradication is not only possible but also doable. Sometime in the past, Vice Chancellor of the Crescent University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, had said, “Worldwide, drug issue is a serious issue. Its use and abuse, especially among youths, have brought about so much concern to professionals and institutions. Through Global Citizenship, a specifically designed general study to guide students to be good citizens of the world, Crescent University, Abeokuta is championing a campaign against drug abuse in the institution founded by the former Judge of the International Court of Justice, His Excellency, Judge Bola Ajibola, who himself is an epitome of high moral standing. “Judge Ajibola, who is also a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Nigeria, has emphasised it for the umpteenth that his university was established on a tripod namely sound academic education, good morals and the fear of God. No doubt the institution prides itself as Citadel of Academic and Moral Excellence. That is what we are in this place. “And evidences abound that graduates of Crescent University who passed the first degree and had to do their postgraduate programmes in other universities within Nigeria and abroad ended up being commended to the root of their studies that is the Crescent University, Abeokuta which had been represented at their respective graduation ceremonies. “An example of this is a product of the university, Rafiat Gawat, a first class mass communication graduate of Crescent University, who went to Robert Gordon University in Scotland on scholarship of Lagos State Government and ended up receiving distinction in the master’s degree that she meritoriously acquired”. Drug checks on students Gbajabiamila went on, “At Crescent University, all hands are on deck at ensuring that our students are monitored and discouraged on abuse of drugs. The rules are there in black and white. Taking of hard drugs attracts punishment such as suspension or dismissal. And as a proactive measure, the University Task Force was put in place years back by my office to monitor students closely. “Section 12 (13) of Students’ Information Handbook of the university states inter alia, ‘Any student found in possession of dangerous and offensive instruments/ substances, without evidence of prescription, will be expelled from the university.’ The dangerous and controlled substances include ketamine, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, alcohol, Indian hemp and volatile solvent like petrol”. University clinic as an effort Health professionals are on hand to provide essential services and conduct tests regularly. The university clinic took off with a head in its Director of Medical Services, Dr. Maryam Oladipo, and is charged with these professional responsibilities. When contacted in the past, Oladipo said, “Students can be selected at random for drug testing at any time as this keeps them on their toes that Crescent University has zero tolerance for drug abuse, which in most cases are contacted through peer pressure.” According to the Medical Director, new students are lectured at orientation while all students are routinely lectured by consultants from Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. Although Crescent University has adequate arrangements on ground to ensure that students imbibe good moral in pursuance of their academic studies than having the time to engage in illicit activities, it is still part of the responsibilities of the institution’s management to do the needful in areas of prayers and counselling by guidance counsellors and university Imams. Roles of parents Parents get progress reports with regard to the school’s efforts on zero tolerance for drug abuse so that even those who have no children in Crescent University but who heard about the efforts being made in this direction now visit and bring their children whom they suspect for drug tests at the university clinic. If tested negative, “great” but if tested positive, “the Crescent University Clinic has laboratory equipment that is capable of telling the quantity of drug used, since when and how.” The university Medical Director and her team are always on ground in the clinic to offer consultancy to affected person but whoever is discovered to have fallen in the act is not fit to remain in Crescent University. That is the school’s point on drug abuse. It was also learned that the university had even concluded now to make drug test part of tests to be conducted at the point of entry so that any prospective student found wanting is denied admission.
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