Imo – state born Sylvester Okere appointed W.A.D ambassador to Nigeria

 

A security expert based in the United States of America, Dr. Sylvester Okere, has been appointed as the World Association of Detectives (W.A.D) ambassador to Nigeria.

In a goodwill message posted on Facebook on 2 May, 2025, Okere, who is the Founding President of Strategic Groups USA LLC (parent company of Strategic Overseas Ltd.) and president of Champion Investigations & Security Consulting Services LLC, expressed gratitude to the Executive Board of W.A.D for their confidence in his leadership.

“I would like to officially announce my appointment as the W.A.D. Ambassador to Nigeria.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to represent the world's eldest association of its kind, established in 1925. WAD is gearing to celebrate its 100th years of existence by September 2025.

“I extend my thanks and gratitude to WAD President Wes Bearden, Esq, and the Executive Board of the World Association of Detectives.

“Thank you for your expressions of confidence in my leadership”, the message read.                                      

Speaking during an interview with journalists shortly after his appointment, Okere said "there is no association in the world  where you would find industry mentors or have direct access to peers from over 89 countries of the world other than the World Association of Detectives".                                 

Okere’s appointment as W.A.D ambassador to Nigeria is a testimony to the fact that he has distinguished himself a worthy member of the association.

One of the goals of this appointment is to expand the door of friendship, collaboration, and business opportunities to peers of security and investigative industry across Nigeria and the African continent.

 

Formed as a joint venture by the combined membership of the World Association of Detectives and the International Secret Service Association, W.A.D is the longest established and largest association of its kind in the world. It is a Global Alliance of Investigators & Security Professionals with origins dating back to 1921.

With membership in over 89 countries around the world,  W.A.D aims to promote and maintain the highest ethical practices in the profession of private investigators or security services and to eliminate unreliable, incompetent, and irresponsible members of the profession.

W.A.D will be celebrating its 100th years anniversary at the Drake Hotel in Chicago from 2 – 7 September 2025.

Sylvester Okere hails from Obibi Ezena in Owerri North LGA of Imo state.

 

Imo Govt holds security summit for youths

 

The Imo State Government has organized a one day security summit for youths of the state with the aim of discouraging them from indulging in anti-social activities.

The summit which was anchored by the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, featured heads of various security agencies in the state, was also targeted at tackling youth related violence.

Addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, said that the summit is also aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need for peaceful environment for sustainable development.

The Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, has organized a one day security summit for youths of the state with the aim of discouraging them from indulging in anti-social activities.

The summit, which featured heads of various security agencies in the state, was also targeted at tackling youth related violence.

Addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, said that the summit is also aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need for peaceful environment for sustainable development.

He pointed out that no investor will like to stake his money in an unsecured environment.

The commissioner asserted that the only way youths can be gainfully employed is when there is relative peace and friendly environment that will attract investors.

He advised the youths to shun violence and embrace the opportunity provided by the government in the area of skill acquisitions, as well as talent hunts, through which youths can expose their ingenuity in sporting activities.

Ukaegbu added that there are many programmes lined up by the state government for the youths, which he maintained will enhance youth development and discourage them from indulging in crimes.

In his speech, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, represented by ACP Linus Nwaiwu, said the task of the security agencies will be less difficult if youths shun anti social behaviors and join in fighting crime.

He maintained that everybody is a stakeholder in the area of security.

Speaking also, the Commanding Officer, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, General I.M. Abbas, stressed on the importance of civic responsibility in nation-building.

He remarked that civil orderliness can only be obtained when the civilian populace, mostly the youths, begin seeing themselves as major stakeholders in fighting insecurity.

Abbas also pointed out that it is not possible for security agencies to be everywhere at the same time, saying crime can be prevented when everyone is engaged.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 10th Governing Council of Imo State University, Rev. Fr. P. A. Ogbonna, harped on the need for youths to be closer to God as the only way to think positively. Ogbonna expressed optimism that the summit will yield positive results.

 

Imo State , NCS Forge Alliance to Launch AI Innovation Hub

 

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has formed an alliance with Imo state government to fast-track the region’s digital economy plans, through the launch of AI Innovation Hub.

This alliance between the two parties was consolidated at the recently 4th Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Summit organised by the NCS in Owerri, Imo State.

The three-day summit was held from April 23 to 25,  and brought together researchers, start-ups, investors, and policy-makers from across West Africa.

Declaring the summit open, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said the state government remained determined to set the national pace in Artificial Intelligence, adding that his administration has allocated new funds for broadband and innovation hub, including Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education scholarships.

 NCS President Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, described the gathering as “the Society’s most ambitious summit,” stressing that closer state–professional collaboration is vital if Nigeria is to implement the National AI Strategy unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Communications last December. He highlighted sessions on ethical governance, local-language large-language model development, and AI-driven precision agriculture as areas where Imo State can pilot quick wins.

Tech entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, in his keynote address at the opening of the summit, praised the governor’s “record-breaking” spend on human-capital development, urging Nigerian banks to align public commitments with seed funding for South East founders.

With the theme: “Enabling Artificial Intelligence Systems for Rapid National Growth,” the summit combined high-level policy dialogue with hands-on innovation.

Delegates at the summit transitioned from keynote debates to technical workshops, and participated in an AI challenge student hackathon.

Executive Secretary of NCS, Mr. Segun Adekunle, said NCS would continue to promote smart-city deployment and generative AI applications in health and education, through such summits.

This year’s summit came to a close with the presentation of hackathon winners and the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Computer Society and the Imo State government.

 

Imo state airport records first international flight

 

315 Muslim pilgrims traveling in a commercial airline, Air Peace, were airlifted non-stop from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri to Medina, Saudi Arabia on 11 May, 2025.

The milestone flight was operated with a wide-body Boeing 777-300.

The airline said, “It is the first time such a large aircraft has landed and taken off from the Owerri runway, reinforcing the proof of the airport’s upgraded infrastructure and readiness to handle international long-haul operations.

“This is not just a flight; it is a symbol of progress, unity, and Nigeria’s expanding global footprint in aviation.”

The airline noted that while flagging off the flight, the vice president praised the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma “for his administration’s commitment to religious inclusion and infrastructural development in Imo State.”

Also speaking at the event, Uzodinma, reaffirmed his vision to position Owerri as a regional hub for both Christian and Muslim pilgrimage flights, promising continued investment in aviation infrastructure.

 “The successful operation of this flight also put to rest unfounded rumors about Air Peace being suspended from Hajj services. Instead, the airline demonstrated its operational capacity and commitment to national service by pioneering Hajj operations from a new departure point solidifying its role as a key enabler of religious travel and connectivity in Nigeria,” the airline noted.

Okere Advocates Partnership Between Nigeria and India On Security Affairs

 

Dr. Sylvester Okere presenting his speech at the 19th Security Leadership Summit

A US – based security expert and Founding President of Strategic Groups USA LLC (parent company of Strategic Overseas Ltd.), Dr. Sylvester Okere, has called for synergy between Nigeria and India to tackle security challenges faced by investors in Nigeria. 

Okere, made this call at the 19th Security Leadership Summit jointly organized by the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) and the Association of Professional Detectives & Investigators (APDI) at PHD House, New Delhi, India on Thursday 21st November, 2024.

The event which was attended by Industry leaders, Policy makers and Security experts was aimed at exploring advanced technologies for shaping the global security landscape under the theme  “Surakashit        Bharat – Viksit Bharat 2047”, and Key discussions focused on AI in security services, women safety, private investigations and collaboration between the private sector and the police.

Speaking during the, event, Okere, a Nigerian - American, said now is the best time for robust business and mutual engagements between the two countries.

“It’s really a great honor to be invited by this prestigious association CAPSI, to speak on INDIA-NIGERIA PARTNERSHIP in solving the security issues that plagued our community, Okere began in his speech at the event.

“ No reasonable investor wants to invest meaningfully to a place where his investment is not guaranteed security, Okere continued.

” Presently,  there are more than 200 Indian companies operating in Nigeria with a combined investment valued at $27 billion while the population of Indian Nationals living in Nigeria is approximately 800 thousand.                                                           

"In most advanced democracies e.g. USA where I have lived for nearly 28 years, this population is a strong voting block to shape legislation for the community and I can’t wait to see my Nigerian-Indian brother/sisters running for political offices in Nigeria.

" With multiple companies and a large population of Indians residing in Nigeria,  it is vital that a strong relationship between the two countries is sustained and one of the areas of focus to achieve this goal is security - ensuring a secure and sustainable environment within which Indian companies can thrive.                                                     

 " There must be a deliberate effort to cultivate interpersonal relationships between Indian business owners and their Nigerian employees such that a fluid communication process becomes common with the work and business environment.                                                                 

" India established a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958 (2 years before Nigeria gained her independence). In the late 1970s and up till late 1980s, Indian nationals assimilated into various sectors of the Nigerian environment, especially in the education sector, where Indian teachers were prominent in local secondary schools and tertiary institutions, Okere continued.

 

" I want to commend Prime Minister Modi’s for his visit to Nigeria to meet with President Ahmed Tinubu on ways to strengthen our great relationships in business, trade and Investment. Permit me to say to our great leaders, “THERE CANNOT BE VIBRANT COMMERCE or TRADE WITHOUT SECURITY.

“ The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”, he said.

During the event, the chairman of CAPSI, Mr. V. K. Sigh and Dr. Okere agreed to come up with a sustainable strategy for an alliance aimed at improving security in Nigeria.                 

From L - R,  Mahesh C. Sharma, Secretary General CAPSI,;  Kunwar Vikram Singh: Chairman of CAPSI and APDI., Dr. Sylvester Okere and  V V Katti
National President

 

 

 

The event which featured the presentation of an award of excellence to Dr. Okere by the officials of CAPSI was attended by the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC), Lt. General MU Nair; DG of Police (Law & Order), Gujarat state, Dr. Shamsher Singh; President, Association of British Investigators (ABI), Mike LaCorte; Director, National Security Country Governance – India, Sh. Shailendra Vikram Singh; Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Pandey and Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Division, Delhi Police, Sh. Devesh Chandra Srivastiva.

 

Other dignitaries present at the occasion were the Director of Binary Global, Major General Sanjay Sol; Minister of Tribal Affairs, Hon’ble Sh. Jual Oram; Former DG, Police, Punjab, Sh. V K Bihawara; Former DG, Mechanised Forces, Indian Army & Strike Corps Commander, Lt. General A B Shivane; Former Union Minister & Ex Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Dr. Satya Pal Singh and a host of others.

 

Okere is a member of the World Association of Detectives (WAD), Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), National Council of Investigators & Security Services (NCISS), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), American Security Foundation, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN), Maryland Investigators and Security Association (MISA), and other esteemed associations. He is a certified institutional protection manager (CIPM II) with a primary focus on industrial security, infrastructure, and trade facilitation.

He is a former Nigeria Immigration officer with 18 years of federal service (Kano and Imo state combined). He is a native of Obibi Ezena in Imo State, Nigeria.