By Ismail Azeez
Tenowned businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Deji Adeleke has donated ₦500 million to the newly inaugurated Osun State Security Trust Fund.
The donation was the highlight of the official launch held in Osogbo on Thursday, where the state government also committed an initial ₦300 million to the initiative.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, while performing the official launch, described the fund as a strategic necessity born out of the need for robust public-private partnerships to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He noted that while the state has maintained relative peace, the rising security concerns across the country demand a modern, well-funded apparatus that exceeds the capacity of standard government allocations.
The Governor emphasized that the initiative was a revival of a previously abandoned policy, modernized to align with successful models in states like Lagos and Rivers.
He assured all contributors, including corporate organizations and private citizens, that the fund would be managed with the highest levels of transparency and strict adherence to due process.
The primary objective of the fund is to provide sustainable financing for modern security infrastructure.
Governor Adeleke further revealed that the resources will be utilized to establish a state-of-the-art Situation Room equipped with real-time CCTV surveillance, alongside the provision of essential operational tools and logistics for security agencies.
The Secretary to the State Government and Deputy Chairman of the Trust Fund, Teslim Igbalaye, further clarified that the intervention would focus on critical needs such as operational vehicles, advanced communication gadgets, and enhanced intelligence-gathering systems.
He noted that the support of high-net-worth individuals like Dr. Deji Adeleke and various corporate bodies is essential to maintaining the state’s stability and ensuring a rapid response to threats.
Governor Adeleke concluded by calling on the private sector, financial institutions, and the diaspora community to partner with the state.
He stressed that the project is a non-political, people-oriented innovation designed to protect the lives and properties of all Osun residents through shared responsibility.