YABATECH Rector, Adedotun Abdul, commends LSSTF CEO Ayodele Ogunsan for championing security in Lagos
Susan Abayomi
The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has strengthened its partnership with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV) in a renewed effort to combat cultism, drug abuse and other social vices among students.
The partnership was reinforced during a special appreciation and engagement meeting between the institution’s management and Governing Council and the LSSTF-CACCOV team. The meeting followed a recent sensitisation programme organised for more than 1,000 fresh students of the institution.
Speaking during the meeting, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, described the initiative as a timely intervention aimed at protecting the institution’s students from criminal influences.
Abdul stressed that protecting young people from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices was essential to safeguarding the nation’s future.
“If you want to attack the future of any nation, just destroy their youth. Once their youth are destroyed, then you know they have no hope,” the Rector said.
He commended LSSTF-CACCOV for choosing YABATECH as one of its intervention points and expressed satisfaction that the programme was being championed by an alumnus of the institution, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
The Rector also called for increased security support for the institution, including stronger police presence and additional patrol vehicles, citing security challenges around the college’s environment.
He said deeper collaboration with relevant security agencies would help create a safer environment for students and staff.
The LSSTF-CACCOV State Coordinator, Dr. Moses Oladimeji, who is also a YABATECH alumnus, described his return to the institution in his current capacity as both an honour and a responsibility.
“I see you as my fathers and mothers, alumnus of this same college. You trained me, and I’m here today, and I’m one of your success stories,” Oladimeji said.
He explained that LSSTF-CACCOV focuses on preventing crime through education, advocacy and mentorship, particularly by empowering young people before they become involved in criminal activities.
Oladimeji recalled that the recent orientation programme reached more than 1,000 fresh students with messages on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and other social vices. He proposed expanding the campaign to students across ND1, ND2, HND1, HND2 and part-time programmes.
He also proposed the establishment of LSSTF-CACCOV clubs, anti-cultism billboards and security awareness signages across the campus.
According to him, the initiative would also introduce designated LSSTF security tip lines through which students and members of the college community could report security concerns for prompt referral to relevant security agencies.
The Assistant Coordinator, Uzezi Akinwoleola, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to educating young people on the dangers of crime and strengthening partnerships with educational institutions.
The President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Otunba Bldr. ‘Yemi Osibajo, also commended the initiative. He disclosed that the partnership was facilitated by Mr. Salvador Olakunle Olatunji, Deputy Registrar and Chairman of the Students’ Affairs and Education Committee of the Alumni Association.
Osibajo expressed optimism that the collaboration would lead to more student-focused programmes that would positively engage young people and reduce their vulnerability to criminal influences.
The meeting was attended by members of the YABATECH Governing Council, management, alumni representatives and the LSSTF-CACCOV team.
The engagement ultimately produced a shared commitment to sustained collaboration, with both parties recognising that campus security is essential to protecting students and creating an environment conducive to learning.
For YABATECH, the partnership is expected to strengthen its security framework, while LSSTF-CACCOV sees the institution as a strategic platform for extending preventive security education and advocacy to thousands of young Nigerians.
