The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a five-year strategic plan for the Ministry of Interior and its services board as part of efforts to strengthen security architecture in the country.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who officially launched the 5-year strategic plan in Abuja, noted that the Interior Ministry is very strategic to Nigeria’s unity, peace and safety as it plays a pivotal role in the country’s security, safety, peace and continued existence.
He said it was unfortunate that the Ministry of Interior as important as it is, had been operating without a strategic plan before the current effort at the development of the five-year strategic plan for the Ministry and its services board being launched on Tuesday.
He lamented the precarious security challenges Nigeria had faced with in the past years, saying however, that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has substantially restored peace in troubled parts of the country with active support and participation of the paramilitary agencies under his watch.
He added that this significant role demands that new ideas, innovations and purposeful action with clearly desired and defined outcomes are intentionally considered around the organizational and operational strategies of the agencies.
Aregbesola said: “The Ministry of Interior is integral to national security and prosperity in a way that many do not readily grasp. These are done through four services first, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). Monitoring comings and goings at our borders ensures that those who are likely to harm us and our welfare from the outside are kept at bay.
“Second, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) complement the police and other law enforcement agencies in combating crime and intelligence gathering. Three, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) keep custody of those lawfully sentenced or awaiting trial while the Federal Fire Service (FFS) respond to fire and other emergencies.
“The Ministry also registers marriage and regulates the presence of foreigners in our midst. These services are essential to the security of any nation and the well-being of the people.
“Though there are still challenges here and there, thousands of thousands of cases that would have put the nation into chaos are addressed daily and nipped in the bud.
“This has enabled us to sleep with both eyes closed and go about our daily business without any fear or worry. There is the need therefore to have a holistic long-term plan for these agencies and other operating arms of the Ministry for their operations to be enhanced and for them to be more successful in their mission,” he said.
The Minister recalled that the development of a five-year strategic plan for the Ministry and its services board was the aftermath of the second ministerial strategy retreat held at Ilorin, Kwara-State in 2021, where a decision was reached to develop a strategic plan that would serve as a guide for all the programmes, projects and policies of the Ministry and its services board in attaining its overall Ministerial Mandate of fostering the maintenance of internal security and citizenship integrity for the promotion of good governance.
He added that a strategic plan was conceived to offer a roadmap to the Ministry and its services board in the next five years as it would capitalise on the Ministry’s strengths and position to make a more significant impact on the critical issues bordering on Nigeria’s internal security.
“This strategic plan is therefore a novelty and an enviable legacy, as available records and information have shown that the Ministry of Interior has operated without a strategic plan before the current effort at the development of this plan we have come to present today.
“As a result, the required synergy to drive the internal security objectives of this country has been absent hence the current level of gaps in security management in the country.
“It is therefore a key part of achieving the Ministry’s mandate, strategic goals and objectives by defining and articulating an executable five year strategic plan roadmap focused on shaping its future direction
“In addition, the strategic plan will provide direction for both long and short-term decision-making by the Ministry through its relevant organs and agencies to effectively deliver on its mandate as the plan will justify proper integration, collaboration, and synergy between the agencies of Government charged with biometric data gathering, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement in Nigeria to effectively provide adequate internal security and citizenship integrity in the country,” Aregbesola said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore who presented the overview of the five years strategic plan noted that the implementation of the roadmap would strengthen security architecture in Nigeria.
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