You my ardent reader, who had followed my writings on this unique column that was first baptized with the title, “SECURITY & POLICE” before it metamorphosed to a new baptismal name “SECURITY FILE” and had debuted since the birth of a media trail blazer, the Sunday Sun newspaper in 2003, as a security column. When the maiden edition of the column debuted, it was a new innovation in newspaper publication. I recalled, after the closure of Concord press of Nigeria in 1999, l started writing a security column for The Examiner newspaper owned by Mr Pini Jackson bewtween 1999 and 2001 before its closure and was invited by Mr. Femi Adesina who was the pioneer editor of the Daily Sun who was later appointed as spokesman to president Muhammad Buhari, through Mr Louis Odion who also was the pioneer editor of Sunday Sun and was later appointed as the special adviser to former vice president professor Yemi Osibanjo. Mr Odion had paid me a courtesy call to communicate the management request to welcome me on board as a security columnist which I found interesting and challenging since I had already established a flourishing security company based in Ikeja (Brane Security Nigeria Limited). Writing the weekly column further enhanced my knowledge and widening my perspective on security issues. Immediately I debuted, the column attracted more security friends and of course more enemies. With more hurdles with the column so was I jumping into the hands of enemies till date. I have survived three major attacks the last being in the hands of Boko haram.
However, it helped to open more frontiers with my invitation to work with one of the most cerebral and dynamic lnspector General of police, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro as his media adviser and while on the job, the idea to birth the police newspaper” The Dawn “ in 2008. As the Managing Director of the police newspaper which received an award from both the United Nation and European nation as the best security newspaper, l was handling two security columns for the police newspaper (The Dawn) and the Sun. Such was a very engaging endeavour that is rather very tedious professional activities.
Truely, as a security columnist, one should always expect either tongue lashing or appreciative messages pending where the pendulum tilts. The dynamics of Security writing could be overwhelming but very unique and not very common with newspaper publication. It is not the starting point that matters, but the zeal and ability to sustain the tempo of the column each week and ensuring that topics are generated to help the reader understand the security implication surrounding the subject matter. Also the column helps both the government and security leaders to see the other critical aspect of the discussion by widening the perspective scope. It becomes rather unfortunate when the column disagrees with policies that does not augur well with the policies of the governments. Then you’re automatically classified to Be an opponent. Once a police spokesman, now a Commissioner of police Mr Jimoh Moshood paid an angry call on the Sun management vehemently demanding for the stoppage of the column as if the Police owns the newspaper. Such move portrays the defects often noticed among spokesmen of security agencies.
As l celebrate years of consistently writing the security column, it is important to explain the reason for the change from “Security and Police” column to “Security File” column. After the exit of Mr Louis Odion as the Editor of the Sunday Sun, his exit opened the door for a female editor Funke Egbemode to edit the newspaper and she temporarily invited a retired former police spokesman Mr Frank Odita to write another security column, unfortunately, he got exhausted and dropped the pen. It should be appreciated that the art and skill of writing is a blessing from above apart from education, neither has it anything to do with training or otherwise, although security training can be complementary, just as I was severely exposed to security training in police college, Jos, several security courses organised by security agencies including the Nigerian police, Army Nigerian customs, NDLEA, EFFC, Immigration and DSS I was opportuned to visit so many foreign countries, war zone and Haiti. Dr Tai Solarin and Chief Dayo Duyile where my mentors in writing.
Writing a column is extremely demanding and it becomes easier if one is a gifted writer. However, the managing director, Mr Tony Onyima was inundated with calls from leaders and he graciously pulled the column out of the Sunday desk to the present Daily segment to be read every Thursday.
Since, the change, there had been tremendous array of readership, from students to security chiefs and their personels, embassy officials and Nigerians in the diaspora not forgeting social media practitioners who obtained permission to repost the column on their platforms. Also, as a writer on security, you are called upon to help address security issues and proffer solution to nagging security problems. A security columnist is a researcher and must always avail himself with the dynamics of evolving security updates and innovations plus new security strategies that are operational. Once a Nigerian PHD students at the Birmingham University Dr Oluwafemi Joel Ale whose thesis was on Analysis Of The Political, Social And Economic Impact Of The Biafra War In Nigeria (1967-2021), lifted my spirit when he and Dr Ifeoma Catherine Onwugbufor an English lecturer at Kwararafa University Wukari informed me that they used many of my columns and book on security “Dark clouds.” Confessions of notorious arm robbers in Nigeria with which was launched by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos State which they used to write their PHD thesis paper.
Writers are mini creators. The art of writing a column, especially a professional column, usually stands out in society. Oftentimes the writer who is seen as an analyst always influences public opinion. He or she is viewed as a priest who must always speak against the ills of the society and government unfavorable policies. Infact columnists are like sweet fruits that no one wants to spit out of the mouth. With over three decades of writing columns and over four decades of security coverage, attaining such a visible height whereby electronic media houses within Nigeria and across the globe continue to seek my humble audience for interviews. newspapers, radio and television stations within and across the globe adds to embellish the performances over the security writer. At the last count, this security columnist had granted interviews to over 248 electronic media houses across the world, the latest being China Global Television Network (CGTN) that traced me to my residence in Abuja trice for security interview. Among the television stations that had interviewed this writer on security matters include NTA network news, AIT, Channels, British Broadcasting Corporation, CNN, SABC, others are in Spain, Germany, Senegal, Ghana and other countries. What an adventure meeting with service chiefs and the President because of my writing security. As l celebrate the one thousand column, my prayer is that God would continue to endow me with more wisdom and understanding. Interestingly, Saturday August 17th is my birthday.
As written by Elder Ben Okezie 08111113007 Email:BenOkezie17@Gmail.com
