By Abimbola Ogunnaike
As part of its effort to address internal security across the country, the Federal Government has launched a five-year strategic plan.
Minister of Interior Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola made this disclosure during his remarks on Tuesday, 18 April, 2023, at the launching of the Five-year Strategic Plan of the Ministry and its Services/Board in Abuja
Aregbesola noted that the plan would capitalise on the Ministry’s strengths and position to significantly impact the critical issues bothering Nigeria’s internal security.
“The Ministry of Interior is integral to national security and prosperity in a way that many do not readily grasp. These are done through the four services of Nigeria Immigration Service; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Nigeria Correctional Service; and the Federal Fire Service.
“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.
“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,” the minister said.
Aregbesola explained that available records and information have shown that the Ministry of Interior has operated without a strategic plan.
“The required synergy to drive internal security 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 while the document is underpinned by the essential synergy necessary for actualising the core mandate of the Ministry which is effective internal security management and citizenship integrity,” the minister said.
The review was done by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore.