…Vows never to use security agents for odd jobs
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has claimed that until he came on board, the Correctional Centre facility at Afara, Umuahia, used to be a “dumping ground for political opposition,” being persecuted by the those in power.
Otti who said he had decongested the facility of political prisoners, vowed that
under his watch, security agents would never be used by Government officials for the odd jobs.
The Governor spoke at the Government House Umuahia while hosting a delegation of the Course 17, Syndicate 2 of the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, who were in the state for a one week study tour.
Otti said his administration placed high premium on security because of his understanding that “if security fails every other thing else fails.”
He promised continued partnership and support of his administration for security agencies.
“That’s why we work closely with security agencies, and I have also told them that nobody in this government would ask security agencies or security men to do the wrong thing.
“Anytime we call you, it is for the general interest of the state. We don’t have any personal interest to pursue. We don’t have any enemies to arrest.
“Afara prison (correctional centre) which used to be a dumping ground for political opposition, we have ensured that there’s nobody that is there today, that is not supposed to be there and that is how our administration is.”
The Governor described the theme of the programme, “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects,” as apt, particularly at this time when Artificial Intelligence has taken over from native intelligence charged
According to him, keying into artificial intelligence is very much necessary in the area of technology because crime and criminality are also changing with people using technology to defraud others.
“The theme of the programme is apt. It may look esoteric at this time when you talk about robotics, artificial intelligence, 3 D printing, driverless cars, electric vehicles, etc.
“Whether you like it or not: that is the direction the world is going. And you refuse to key in and come on board at your own peril. So I like the foresight and I would like to encourage you to continue in that direction.
“This is very necessary and even more necessary in the area of technology because crime and criminality is also changing, people are using technology now to steal people’s money so if you don’t understand what they do or what they did you would not be able to solve the problem.”
Speaking earlier, the team lead, Dr Adegboyega Karim, said the institute which embarks on research and human capacity building was in Abia for a one week study.
He emphasised the importance of artificial intelligence in today’s government business, and commended Governor Otti for creating a Ministry of Digital Economy and SME.
He also commended the Governor for his relationship with federal institutions in the state.
“Your commitment to health sector is commendable. We were marveled when we got to the FMC (FMC, Umuahia) and saw the structure you constructed. At least we observed that in some states where they would say, yes, this is federal institution, we have nothing to do with them, but you took it upon yourself to even construct works for them and gave them support.”
