Recent changes in the leadership of sensitive security agencies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are commendable. The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces appointments of Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi and Ambassador A. A. Muhammad as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), respectively, are sound strategic solutions to the escalating insecurity bedeviling the nation.
The appointments will not only put a stop to undesirable happenings in the two agencies but enhance the productivity of personnel encumbered by leadership failure, deficiency and uninspiring tendencies by the previous leaders of the organisations.
Some personnel in the agencies have long alleged that their director-generals have exhibited signs of leadership bankruptcy that had immeasurable implications on the performance of personnel and on the national security. It was indeed alarming that the management of both organizations were left in the hands of persons unqualified and ill-equipped to head them. In the case of one of the agencies, the wife of the director-general assumed the role of an emperor and took over the management of the organisation.
The directors-general in some cases also handed over the management of their organisations to their subordinates who are not conversant with management of contemporary security and intelligence operations.
The consequence was stagnation and despair in the ranks of personnel. There was also the problem of takeover of sensitive aspects of the organisations by some former personnel. Also very glaring was the gaining of control by some former heads of the agencies.
This was the situation that compelled the President and Commander-in-Chief to seek a solution to challenges that besieged the two agencies. Many in the intelligence services lamented the state of things noting that, never in the history of security management in the country, had the level of interference in security agencies witnessed what was experienced in the two organisations in the last three years.
Following the stupor that besieged the services, there was no difficulty in identifying officers who could salvage the situation in the two agencies. Many well-informed sources helped in identifying officers who could salvage the situation.
In the State Security Service, the choice fell on an officer who has over the years salvaged the Service and the government from many embarrassing situations.
The choice of Mr. Tosin Ajayi after passing his Basic and Middle Level Courses with distinction is apt and appropriate. For those who do not know him, Mr. Ajayi has served in several departments and state vommands.
He has also served in many specialised departments of the Service. Those who have worked with him attest to his professional competence. His other major strength is the ability of speaking truth to power. It was revealed that even his superiors had a lot to learn from him in this regard.
Also, his wealth of knowledge and exposure to managing challenging situations over the years have endeared him to his senior and junior colleagues alike who testify to his leadership qualities.
In our view and based on his experience in the handling of many complex security challenges in the country, he is fully equipped to excel in his new position.
The fact that he had managed complex crises in the Niger Delta has armed him for the compounded security issues in the country. The current and emerging security challenges, without a doubt, require such a dependable and reliable security operative who has held several positions that prepared him to handle the demands of higher office.
Also, Mr. Ajayi is a detribalised individual and a source of inspiration to personnel from all parts of the country. Coupled with this, his experience and exposure in managing complex contemporary security challenges, has more than equipped him to handle all security issues in the coming years.
The Institute of Security Service Studies also strongly believes that the new DG SSS will exhibit sterling qualities in the coming years.
His professional competence will be a strong driver of current efforts to immediately improve the security in the nation in the coming years. The fact is that he will be a game-changer in national security practice. People all over the country will also commend President Tinubu for appointing the new DGSS.
As his superiors also variously noted, he is a team-player who will fill the gaps in the current security architecture. As a pointer to this fact, many Service Chiefs have also expressed their appreciation and confidence with the new DG in writing.
Beyond this is the heightened expectation that he will reverse the anomalies and irregularities that characterised many things in the service in the last few years.
The entire staff of the Service thanks the president for the appointment of the new DG. They are assuring the nation of improved service and unflinching loyalty.
The fact that the staff in the DSS both serving and retired have applauded the appointment of the new DG is based on his impactful confidence. We appreciate the Commander-in-Chief for addressing the major challenge of the Service at this point in time by providing a top quality leader.
A.A. Gadzama mni, OFR is Chairman of the Board, National Institute for Security Studies.
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