The governor of Delta State Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday, officially relaunched the Delta State Security Trust Fund (DSSTF) with a renewed strategy aimed at strengthening public-private collaboration to enhance security and stimulate economic development across the state.
The relaunch ceremony, held at the Government House in Asaba, attracted some of Nigeria’s most prominent business leaders, security chiefs, and government officials. Among them were Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, who chaired the event; Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, who served as the Special Guest of Honour; and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, who stole the spotlight as the Chief Launcher with an unprecedented ₦10 billion donation to the Fund.
Governor Oborevwori, in his keynote address, explained that although the Security Trust Fund was first established by law in 2013, his administration was revamping and institutionalising it as a long-term mechanism for mobilising resources
to support and complement the government’s security expenditure.
He revealed that the revitalised Fund would focus on modernising the state’s security architecture through the procurement of advanced surveillance systems, operational vehicles, communication gadgets, and intelligence-gathering tools. It would also invest in training and capacity-building for security personnel, including local vigilante groups, across the state’s 25 local government areas.
“Security is not the sole responsibility of government it is everyone’s business,” the governor said. “Without adequate security, development cannot thrive, businesses cannot grow, and investors will hesitate to commit their capital. This Trust Fund represents our collective resolve to safeguard lives, protect investments, and promote sustainable prosperity.”
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that the success of the initiative depended on active participation from the private sector, assuring contributors that the Fund would operate with transparency, accountability, and clear reporting mechanisms to ensure that every naira is properly deployed for security enhancement.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised the governor for his leadership and vision, describing the relaunch as a “defining moment in Delta’s developmental history.
“Governor Oborevwori is both a driver and an enabler of progress,” Aig-Imoukhuede noted. “He understands that no economy can flourish without security. His proactive approach has positioned Delta as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful and investment-friendly states.”
He further announced a ₦100 million personal donation on behalf of himself and his wife, Mrs. Ofure Aig-Imoukhuede, expressing optimism that the revitalized Fund could attract up to ₦100 billion through collective effort from individuals and corporate organizations.
The Special Guest of Honour, Jim Ovia, also lauded the initiative, noting that sustainable security is the foundation of economic prosperity. He pledged continued partnership and support from the private sector to ensure the success of the Fund.
Observers at the event described the relaunch as a major step toward institutionalizing public-private synergy in security management a model that could inspire replication in other states facing similar challenges.