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.

 

Imo Govt Approves Implementation Of ₦70k Minimum Wage

 

Hope Uzodinma

The Imo State Government has approved the implementation of the ₦70,000 new minimum wage. 

In a statement shortly after a meeting with labour leaders in Owerri on Tuesday 26 November, 2024, Governor Hope Uzodimma said the state government is committed to improving the welfare of Imo workers and pensioners.

 “Improving the welfare of Imo workers and pensioners remains a sacred obligation, and we have exemplified this once more with the approval for the implementation of the national minimum wage of N70,000 for Imo State workers,” Uzodimma wrote on X.

“This decision, a product of extensive consultations with labour leaders in the state, underscores our dedication to fostering improved living conditions for our workforce, the governor continued.

“In addition, we have approved a 10% increment for those on consolidated salary structures, ensuring equitable enhancements across all cadres.

 “Beyond the minimum wage implementation, we have taken further steps to ensure comprehensive welfare for our workers. These include the financial reflection of promotions recently earned by employees and the sustenance of the regular 13th-month salary payment.

“Parallel to these efforts, we have finalized measures to enroll Imo pensioners into the State Healthcare Services Scheme, ensuring access to quality medical care at no cost. Furthermore, we are commencing gratuity payments for the next batch of beneficiaries, affirming our commitment to retirees”, he said.

 

 

Imo Govt Cautions Artisans Over Land Grabbing At Avu Mechanic Village

 

The Imo State Government has issued a stern warning to Mechanics and Artisans in the Avu Mechanic Village against engaging in illegal development and land grabbing.

The Imo State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Barr. Rex Anunobi, gave this warning during a working visit to the mechanic village on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, as part of his ongoing facility tour of government facilities under the purview of his ministry.

The commissioner who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Artisans, Chief Ethelbert Ukonu, the Special Adviser and General Manager of OCDA, Hon. Nzewodo Frank, and a host of other government appointees, expressed displeasure over the activities of some mechanics and artisans collaborating with land grabbers to illegally allocate and develop land and spaces within the village.

Barr. Rex Anunobi went ahead to announce that the only government approved and recognized official developer for Avu Mechanic Village is PRIMEWEST Properties Nigeria limited.

The commissioner warned that any unauthorized developer found encroaching on the mechanic village and artisans cluster will face the full wrath of the Imo State Government.

This move aims to restore order and ensure that development in the area is carried out in a legitimate and controlled manner.

Imo Hosts NUJ 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Owerri

 

More than one thousand journalists have converged on Owerri, Imo State for the Eight Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Addressing Journalists at the opening ceremony, Governor Hope Uzodimma who is the Special Guest of Honor at the event today ( Thursday 28^th Nov. 2024), highlighted the duties of journalists in promoting national democracy. He said that responsible journalism practice is key to the development of any society and helps in promoting healthy democratic experience in a country like Nigeria. He frowned at the dangers which disinformation with its concomitant impact from fake news has caused both the larger society and the media sector, suggesting that it is high time journalists were exposed to different trainings that will equip them with the necessary skills to ethically practice their profession.

He congratulated the leadership’s of the NUJ under Comrade Chris Isiguzo for the choice of Imo State for their Conference and urged the journalists to take advantage of their stay in Imo to see for themselves the developmental strides of his administration against what they may have been fed with on the social media as fake news. He told the NUJ leadership that his government had taken steps to encourage their members in Imo State, reminding them that the idea is to ensure that he helps to bring out the best in them. Governor Uzodimma’s speech reads: “It is with profound pleasure that I welcome you all to Owerri for this triennial conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. “Seeing this impressive gathering of journalists here today fills me with a sense of pride.

 It not only signifies your firm dedication to your profession but also validates the strides we have made in ensuring peace and progress in Imo State. Just a few weeks ago, we had the privilege of hosting the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and now, we are honoured to welcome the NUJ.

 

 This clearly shows that Imo State has truly returned to its rightful place as a safe and welcoming destination, the hospitality capital of the East. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, and the Executive Council for choosing Imo State as the venue for this important conference. Comrade President, I know this gathering must feel like a homecoming for you, having launched your esteemed career right here in Imo State. Your leadership has been nothing short of transformative, not just in reforming the Union, but also in elevating the standards of professionalism in journalism. “I commend you, Comrade Isiguzo, for your outstanding achievements and encourage you to continue supporting the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition and continued progress”, he said.

The chairman on the occasion, Senator Osita Izunaso, represented by Dr. Maxwell Ngene called on government at different levels to support journalists in their programmes.

The outgoing National President of the union, Mr. Chris Isiguzo listed some of his achievements and charged the incoming national executive to take the union to more enviable heights.

The event will feature election of new national officers.