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Turkish Govt Partners Humanitarian Ministry On Social Protection, Diaster Responses

…..Set To Sign Agreement With Nigeria On Donor Development Cooperation for Poverty Eradication

The Turkish government has expressed its readiness to partner Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in the areas of social protection and emergency responses.

According to Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, FMHAPA, in a press release on 19/12/2023,
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, made this known during a courtesy call on the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu in her office in Abuja.

Describing Nigeria as a rising star in Africa, Bayraktar said it was important that his country and Nigeria collaborate on humanitarian crisis management, emergency response efforts, and poverty eradication infrastructures.

“As you know, we have a very good relationship with Nigeria, and especially we see Nigeria as the rising star in Africa.

“We want to have two agreements to be signed very early next year, one on the development Cooperation area and the other one is on the humanitarian disaster area, which will also involve the Turkish disaster management authority and NEMA of Nigeria. This will tremendously help, especially in the areas of floods or natural disasters. In the field of the development corporation, we will have the kind of sustainable development projects that we can help Nigeria in the areas of humanitarian and emergency response management as well, “the Ambassador said.

Responding, The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Edu expressed delight at Turkish government’s willingness to partner her ministry on social Protection, humanitarian and emergency response strategies saying both countries would benefit immensely from the synergy.

Her words: “we are grateful to the Turkish Ambassador and his team for this partnership, we have spoken very elaborately on the Turkish Development Cooperation, which would help partner with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to see how they can invest in social protection, support education, promote health and other social protection factors in the country.

“We would very early in January, after all the documentations have been completed, sign an agreement with the Turkish Government on Development Cooperation and of course disaster management
This will help us in setting up a proper humanitarian and disaster management system in Nigeria. All of these will be brought to fore from the agreements which we will sign”

Continuing, the Minister disclosed the Turkish government’s willingness “to open an office for the Turkish Development Cooperation in Nigeria after the agreements have been signed and from this office they can directly reach out, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Allevation, to the different states in the country.

“So we are very positive that very early next year in January, we can get all of these signed both in Turkey and back in Nigeria, and we can begin immediate implementation.

“This will help us to tackle humanitarian crises well as well as grapple with emergency responses and tackle poverty through the various development cooperation initiatives that we will be working on with the ministry” she added.

The Turkish Ambassador was in the company of imdat karakoram,the Deputy chief of mission,Republic of Turkey.

STEP Advocates For Collaboration To Lead Nigeria Into A Just Energy Transition

…Passes Vote Of Confidence On NAPE President-elect Johnbosco Uche

As the world embraces energy transition and sustainability, Society of Technology and Energy Professionals (STEP) indicates interest to collaborate with Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) to position Nigeria energy sector towards achieving energy security and sustainability.

This was expressed when the acting president of STEP, Amb. Chimeremeze Enwere led the professional body to congratulate and honour the NAPE President-Elect, Sir Johnbosco Uche.
Chimeremeze Enwere expressed confidence and optimism in the upcoming NAPE leadership under Johnbosco Uche.

Chimeremeze maintained that electing Mr. Johnbosco Uche as president-elect to lead one of the most impactful Nigerian founded professional body has brought relief in Nigeria tech and energy sector.
“In fact, Sir Johnbosco Uche’s emergence came when Nigeria’s energy sector needed a subject matter expert to position Nigeria petroleum explorationists into sustainable energy/environmentally friendly firms.

“We believe that Sir. Johnbosco Uche who is the Energy Transition Business Opportunity Manager for Shell Nigeria has acquired the needed skills, expertise, competencies, capacity and integrity during the years he has worked with a reputable company like Shell to change the narrative in Nigeria tech and energy sectors. We are here to congratulate you, honour you, join force with you and NAPE to save Nigeria energy economy. This will be achieved by ensuring a better technology and energy professionals practice, facilitating proper sustainable energy infrastructure, funding and climate actions”.

Chimeremeze stressed while honoring Mr. Johnbosco Uche.
In the same vein, Mr. Johnbosco Uche welcomed the honor with gratitude and commended Society of Technology and Energy Professionals (STEP) under the leadership of Chimeremeze Enwere for their significant contributions in the global technology and energy space.
“I am happy that a Nigeria founded professional body like STEP has demonstrated courage and commitment towards solving the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria technology and energy sector. I appreciate the honor and the confidence you have in my leadership. I believe that through this collaboration, we will exceed every expectation by facilitating and advancing sustainable energy transition in Nigeria and Africa at large, Mr Uche said”

The engagement was witnessed by Dr. Mrs. Lilian Odenugo, Miss Jenifer amongst other professionals.

Sustainable blue economy in Nigeria: Ministry considers working with AfCA + BS

By Emmanuel Daudu
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani has expressed the consideration of her Ministry to adopt the proposal of the African Centre for Asia Plus Bangladesh Studies, on best practices to deploy that can foster economic diversification, create jobs, ensure environmental sustainability and inclusive growth with the overall set goal of a sustainable and thriving Marine and Blue Economy. “But we will not fund a private sector project”, the permanent secretary declared.

According to a report by Desmond Adyo (Senior Information Officer) signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press and Public Relations, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, stated this on Monday, 19th December, 2023 in Abuja, when a delegation from the African Centre for Asia Plus Bangladesh Studies (AfCA+BS) led by its Chairman, Arc. Bob Achanya, paid her a courtesy visit “with the aim of letting the permanent secretary know of the programmes of the Centre and to secure the buy-in of the Ministry, as the leader of the delegation, Arc. Achanya stated.

According to Ajani “In terms of collaboration, we will, but in terms of the funding, we do not have budgetary provisions”, adding that “One thing I can tell you is that we are not going to take full ownership for a private initiative”.

Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary expressed the resolve that the Ministry will explore how best, both bodies can collaborate towards navigating the path of the new Ministry.

She further called on the AfCA +BS to engage the technical team of the Ministry comprising of the Maritime Safety and Security (MSS), the Transport Planning and Coordination (TPC) Departments as well as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and come up with derivable beneficial as regards the partnership.

In his earlier remarks, the President of AfCA + BS, Arc. Bob Achanya stated the need for reciprocal visit and interface, which he said is strategic, following the delegation’s recent foray, that is, being part of the delegation that represented the new Ministry at the Nigeria Blue Economy Transition Strategy Mission to Kenya from November 12 – 17, 2023.

Achanya further stated that his team came back to Nigeria bearing insights, experiences and shared vision for the transformative journey that lies ahead for Nigeria’s blue space.

According to him, this followed fruitful discussions, experience-sharing, and strategic planning with their Kenyan counterparts.

He added that the “key outcomes from the mission include identification of strategic initiatives, for inland waterways and aviation, aligned with Nigeria’s blooming blue economy policy and iimplementation plan; valuable insights garnered from the Blue Economy Transition Strategy Summit in Kenya and collaborative frameworks with international partners.”

“The Kenya mission has set the stage for pivotal actions, these steps encompass crucial initiatives, including the reciprocal organization of the Blue Economy Transition Strategy Summit”, Achanya stated.

Identifying Nigeria’s distinctive peculiarities, Archanya noted that not all of Kenya’s pivotal actions in the blue space will be considered as input to Nigeria’s iimplementation plan.

The Director, Maritime Safety and Security (DMSS) in the Ministry, Babatunde Bombata in his remarks, dwell on Nigeria identifying its comparative advantage over other countries in the blue space that will foster full harnessing of the potentials of the Nigeria’s Maritime Sector.

Implementation Of Delta Program: NASENI, Delta-2 Partners Sign $21.7m Projects Agreements

By Emmanuel Daudu

…Signs MoU for Establishment of Coal-based Fertilizers

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed an agreement worth $21.7 million with eleven firms in Nigeria as beneficiaries for take-off of the Delta-2 Projects, being the outcome of the bilateral collaboration between the federal government of Nigeria and the Czech Republic.

The Nigerian beneficiary companies are expected to come up with various products and services to be injected into the Nigeria economy. The Delta-2 Programme is being implemented by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange (PICTT), NASENI as implementing Agency for Nigeria, working in partnership with the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR).

According to e-signed press release by
Segun Ayeoyenikan
Director, Information, NASENI, disclosed that in his welcome address on Monday, December 18, 2023 at the Agency’s headquarters, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Delta 2 programme, which was launched in 2022, designed with the aim of funding and enabling research, development and innovation projects in Agriculture, Mining, and General Manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

With $21.7 million set aside to finance the selected projects, TA CR will contribute $11.7 million while NASENI will contribute $10 million as counterpart fund. The bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Czech Republic began on 15th May, 2014.

Mr. Halilu emphasized that the Delta-2 Programme was yet another manifestation of NASENI’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, through sustained focus on its 3Cs principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization.

“Ultimately, our goal is not just to produce prototypes and models, but to ensure that the outcomes of the partnership are taken to market; that they are available commercially for consumers and end-users to benefit from, knowing that the real value of technology lies in market usefulness and application, our vision in the new NASENI that we are building is to create values and to be relevant in the market”.

The EVC/CEO reiterated that for every single kobo that NASENI will invest into this phase of the Delta-2 program, to develop new projects and products, the Agency will realize almost six naira (N6) in commercial returns, in addition to job creation opportunities, capacity building and technology transfer.

“That is what NASENI stands for: leveraging technology and talent to deliver returns that benefit Nigeria on multiple levels,”. Halilu said while congratulating the selected beneficiaries of the projects, urged them not to take this massive opportunity for granted as the funds would be deployed with a sense of service and responsibility.

According to the Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange on Delta 2 Projects, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, he said the program was launched on 18th May, 2022 with 285 proposals received from various companies registered in Nigeria. He stated that the evaluation of the proposals was carried out diligently by members of the Assessment Committee who were selected from the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Engineering (as research experts) and the Nigeria-Czech Republic Trade and Investment Council (NCTIC).

The process was well coordinated by experts in both fields of research and business and ably assisted by the PIC secretariat. “It is noteworthy that the distribution of the beneficiaries of the awards spans across the country, having all zones represented. “The funds are ready and we eagerly look forward to start implementation in January 2024. The funding of the projects is scheduled to last between 12 to 36 months,” Dahiru added.

He further said the idea behind the Delta-2 projects was to yield patents, pilot plants, proven technologies, software, certified methodologies, processes and specialized maps, and databases, among others, which is expected that the outcomes of the various projects will have a direct and immediate positive impact on the average Nigerian farmers, miners and MSME operators.
The resulting technologies from these collaborations will be transferred and domesticated in Nigeria through NASENI and other research institutions and private companies.

At the event, separate goodwill messages came from the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Chief Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Alhaji Aminu Iya Abbas and the Chairman, House Committee on NASENI, Honourable Taofiq A. Abimbola, who reassured the Agency of better enabling laws and collaborating partnership for better productivity.

In a related development, NASENI signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) for production license for the establishment of Coal-based fertilizers in Nigeria with PT Saputra Global Harvest. The agreement with SAPUTRA covers three key areas. Halilu said, “Food Security is one of the priority areas on the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President is determined to build a Nigeria that is not only able to feed itself in an affordable manner, but also one that is able to produce surplus food for export.”

Others are: the supply of machinery and equipment that will enable us produce coal-based fertilizer for use in Nigeria; the capacity development component, which is the training of Nigerian personnel on the use and maintenance of these equipment; and the licensing that gives Nigeria the permission to produce the coal-based fertilizer according to the prevailing standards of quality already established by Saputra.The agreement is building on the initial MoU signed between NASENI and Saputra in September 2022, as part of steps to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, while also supporting the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

PROF. CHARLES ANOSIKE ASSUMES OFFICE AS NiMet DG/CEO

In a significant development following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, December 12, 2023, Prof. Charles Anosike officially took over as the Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). The transition ceremony, held at NiMet headquarters in Abuja, witnessed the symbolic passing of leadership from the outgoing CEO, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu.

The event, attended by NiMet’s outgoing directors, management team and staff, marked the commencement of a new era under Prof. Charles Anosike, who in his remark emphasized the critical role of meteorological services in driving sustainable development of the nation and highlighted the multifaceted impact of NiMet’s contributions, emphasizing how the agency’s services play an integral role in various sectors of the economy.

Prof. Anosike further stressed that weather services impact across various sectors of life and NiMet’s essential contribution to the nation’s sustainable development, position the agency as a key player in providing crucial services that resonate across diverse sectors and said he is resolute in elevating NiMet’s performance to a world-class standard.

With a clear vision for excellence, Prof. Anosike expressed his dedication to implementing strategic initiatives leveraging on the commitment and support of the staff to ensure NiMet continues to be a beacon of precision and reliability in meteorological services.

The outgoing Director-General of NiMet,Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu extended his warm congratulations to Prof. Charles Anosike as the new Director General of NiMet and expressed his belief in Prof. Anosike’s ability to steer the agency to greater heights and further shared optimistic sentiments about the transformative leadership that Prof. Anosike is poised to bring to the agency.

Prof Matazu concluded his remark by emphasizing the collective responsibility of fostering a conducive environment for innovation and excellence within the agency enjoining every staff member to throw their support behind Prof. Charles Anosike. He then pledged his unwavering dedication to support and collaborate for a harmonious and productive era under the new leadership of NiMet.

Prof. Charles Anosike assured the outgoing CEO, stakeholders and the public of his commitment to fulfilling NiMet’s mandate by fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. In his words “I will build on your success to rightfully instigate the mindset we need to move this agency to greater heights”, adding that, NiMet will emerge as a leader in the global landscape of weather forecasting and climate information dissemination.

COAS Charges Field Commanders To Scale Up Efforts In Tackling Insecurity, Protect Civilians From Unconventional Threats…As Annual Conference ends in Maiduguri

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a fervent call, has charged Nigerian Army (NA) Field Commanders at all levels to make good use of the outcomes of vibrant and robust interactions held during the COAS Annual Conference in Maiduguri, following updates on NA intelligence and review of operations across the country, to scale up efforts in tackling security challenges and improve upon the protection of Nigerians from unconventional threats confronting the nation.

Brigadier General
Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations on 15 December 2023, said, General Lagbaja, who gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2023 at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri, Borno State, ordered an immediate shoring up of measures aimed at enhancing military operations and ensuring the safety and protection of citizens from unconventional threats. The Army Chief also urged commanders to devise comprehensive plans to deal decisively with adversaries within their Areas of Responsibilities and exercise restraint when dealing with law-abiding citizens whom the NA is constitutionally charged to protect.

General Lagbaja stated that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, all commanders should do all within their ambit to enhance operations in a manner that justifies the resources committed to the nation’s security. The COAS averred that the conference provides participants with veritable platforms to review NA’s past achievements, assess current challenges, and strategize for the future in the broader context of national security.

The COAS further stressed that the conference has afforded the NA quality time to review its training, operations, and administrative activities that directly relate to the theme of the conference which is ”Personnel Motivation for Effective Operational Performance in a Joint Environment.” He added that deliberations at the conference have addressed various issues relating to troops’ morale, physical and conceptual components of NA fighting power and lecture during the conference has further re-enforced the importance of whole-of-society approach in the successful conduct of NA operations to mitigate security challenges.

General Lagbaja noted that the task ahead of the military is enormous, consequently, efforts must be made to improve communication channels with other security agencies, where there are ongoing internal security operations to create a secure environment for good governance and economic prosperity for Nigerians.

In conformity with one of the cardinal pillars of the COAS Command Philosophy, which is “sound administration”, General Lagbaja presented cheques to officers and soldiers wounded in combat through the Group Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme. The scheme caters for the medical bills of personnel wounded in combat.

The COAS, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his staunch support to the NA and assured of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the NA to the defence of democracy and upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

DICON OF NIGERIA/ NEAMY OF USA TO EXPLORE NEW INNOVATIONS, TECHNOLOGIES IN FIGHTING INSECURITY- MATAWALLE

The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Muhammed Bello Matawalle, MON has said that Nigerian Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) would explore new innovations and technologies with NEANY of the US in fighting terrorism and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.

Henshaw Ogubike mnipr
Director ( Press & Public Relations) disclosed in a press release he signed on Friday that, Dr. Matawalle said that the collaborative discussions was centered on potential collaboration between NEANY and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to establish assembly lines for the production of advanced military equipment to help in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.

The Minister who is currently on a working visit to the USA, undertook an official 2-day tour of NEANY Company in the US.

“The tour is aimed at promoting innovative technologies that would enhance the Nigerian military’s efficiency in addressing contemporary security challenges,” he said.

While NEANY, is a leading Military equipment manufacturing company in the US, DICON is a Government leading Military manufacturing equipment and hardware in Nigeria.

According to Dr. Matawalle, the new found partnership would afford Nigeria the opportunity to learn the innovative ways of Military hardware production.

The Minister who took a tour of NEANY facilities said that the focus of Nigeria was on advancing Nigeria’s armed forces capabilities to be able to face the fight against insecurity.

Part of the facilities the Minister inspected included rapid deployment mobile RADAR system, unmanned water vehicle, drone ground control station, and compact biometric search-scan system, among others.

“The comprehensive tour of NEANY’s facilities, has provided me with an insights into cutting-edge military and intelligence hardware capabilities and a high-tech equipment of US.

Matawalle emphasized:
“This tour marks a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and integrating cutting-edge military technologies to strengthen Nigeria’s defense capabilities. We are committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of modernizing our armed forces to effectively address evolving security threats.”

We are winning the war against Terrorists, see overwhelming success stories-DHQ

By Emmanuel Daudu

Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations has disclosed that Nigeria is winning the war against terrorists and insecurity holistically through the instrumentality of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

In his words, “the ongoing operations against terrorists and insecurity across the country is a war in which the military has no choice but to win, and we are winning the war”.

He made the statement in a Press Release on Ongoing Military Operations by the Armed Forces Of Nigeria as at 15 December 2023.

He said, the armed forces is hunting down prominent terrorist leadership and engaging them wherever they are hiding. “These operations are being conducted in accordance with the laws of armed conflict and based on intelligence.

“The ongoing operations are also based on both military necessity and on distinguishing between civilians, noncombatants, and terrorists. The military will continue to take the fight to the terrorists and their cohorts until they are destroyed or surrendered.

“During the week in focus, air assets conducted aggressive air flights on confirmed locations active with the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers. Strikes carried out resulted in over 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.

“Recently, the military conducted two major air strikes on terrorist enclave. One of the strikes, on 6 Dec 23, neutralized several top terrorist commanders. Namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of notorious terrorist(Dogo Gide). Others prominent terrorist leaders neutralised include Haro and Dan Muhammadu both of whom are specialist in kidnapping and assault operations respectively.

“Additionally, on 11 Dec 23, through synchronised strike between air and ground forces aimed at the same target. A renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji ALHERI popularly called Kachalla Ali KAWAJE was neutralize in Munya LGA of Niger state along with many of his foot soldiers. The military is fast closing in on others and they will equally suffer the same fate.

“In the SE, on 13 Dec 2023 troops in conjunction with other security agencies apprehended a prominent commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The commander, one Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was arrested together with three other sub- commanders, namely Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere.

“The trio were arrest after a raid on their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. They gathered to plot a take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from the apprehended former Commander known as “Chocho”. They also planned to attack troop locations.

“During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. It could be recalled that Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was the Second in Command to Chocho a notorious IPOB/ESN leader currently in custody. Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was conducted on 14 Dec 23. Troops
recovered one AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47 Magazine, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one Pump action rifle.

“The operations of the week in focus, equally resulted in the arrest of 66 perpetrators of oil theft and the rescued of 89 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Hundred and Sixty One Million Two Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N161,232,500.00) only.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 67 assorted weapons and 1,194 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action guns, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 locally fabricated double barrel guns, one barreta pistol, 4 locally made pistols, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one round of 5.56mm ammo, 15 live cartridges.

“Others are: one magazine loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one LMG magazine, one CZ pistol magazine, 7 empty magazines, one locally made pistol magazine, one damaged magazine, one dane gun butt, 5 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, 32 motorcycles, one laptop and the sum of N1,123,800.00 amongst other items.

” Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, 3 pumping machines, 64 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined AGO and 20,600 litres of PMS.

“The armed forces is winning the war, and have the upper hand. Ongoing operations would only be completed, once the terrorist surrender or are totally defeated”.

PSC Disowns Trending 2023 Police Special List, Says Next Stage Of Ongoing Constables Recruitment To Be Announced Soon

The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to a fictitious publication titled “2023 Police Special List” and which has been trending in the social media.

According to Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations on
Wednesday 13th December 2023, in a press release he signed, the publication for all intents and purposes is obviously planted to confuse and further defraud Nigerian youths who must have genuinely applied for consideration for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Police Service Commission wishes to disown the publication in its entirety and to state as follows;
That the Police Recruitment Board comprising representatives from virtually all the stakeholders in the Police Sector is the sole authority that is managing the ongoing recruitment exercise and has met and taken decisive decisions on the next stages of the recruitment following the closure of the recruitment portal after the required period of six weeks.

That the Board under the leadership of the Police Service Commission has as Members representatives from the Nigeria Police Force; Ministry of Police Affairs; the Federal Character Commission; the Police Trust Fund and Police Colleges, Police Recruitment Board.

3. That the Board will soon announce a detailed programme for the concluding part of the recruitment exercise which will include dates for physical and document screening of candidates; computer based test to be conducted by a reputable government examination body and medical tests.

The board is desirous of giving the nation a new face of exciting Police Constables that will drive the Federal Government’s policy on effective and efficient internal security architecture.

The Commission is aware of the hopes of Nigerians for an improved and reliable Police service and is determined to make the expected difference for the overall benefit of the nation.

Nigerians are advised to discountance the fictitious list and wait for the official announcement of the next stages of the recruitment exercise.

Meanwhile security Agencies have been directed to fish out these fraudsters for prosecution.

2024 Budget: Transportation Minister defends N46.6b Budgetfor the Ministry

……..expresses hope of enhancing the sector.

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali on Thursday, 14th December, 2023, defended a total budget of Forty Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five (N46,589,785,975) Naira only, to the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Land Transport for the Ministry and its agencies for the 2024 fiscal year.

According to a report by Gift Osima S.
CIO (Press & PR) signed by Olujimi Oyetomi
Director Press & PR, disclosed that Alkali, who made this known while speaking at the National Assembly during the budget defence, also presented the 2023 Budget Performance of the Ministry, which was N91,474,422,746) for Capital _Appropriation_ , out of which N53,405,649,354.00 representing
58..38% has been released, and N47,426,760,923 has been utilized as of 29th November, 2023 .

In addition, according to the Minister, the sum of N382,185,472 was appropriated for overhead expenditure, out of which N254,799,314,70 was released, adding that the sum of N248,711,874.15 of the released amount was expended as of 12th December, 2023.

Alkali further informed the legislators that under the Railway Modernization Programme, the last administration strindently pursued the expansion of railway networks in the country. “To consolidate on the achievements recorded therefore, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Administration created the Ministry of Transportation, that focuses on only Land transportation, comprising of Road transport and rail transportation to close the infrastructural gap in the country and support national economic growth, create employment, generate wealth and improve the standard of living of citizens.”

The Minister revealed plans to scale up transportation and logistics value chain that is commensurate with Nigeria’s population and size. He said that this would ensure the connection of important industrial and agricultural hubs with railway networks.”

Alkali who expressed a strong hope and willingness of enhancing the transportation system in the country by addressing critical needs of the country’s rail infrastructure and propel it towards a more efficient, valuable and sustainable transport system, thus ensuring the realization of vital rail modernization in the country, decried that funding is one of the critical challenges in the sector.

“I and my team have resolved to work hard at ensuring the realization of Nigeria’s Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, however, meeting the set target is significantly challenged by funding gap especially the background of dwindling revenue accruing to the country. In the Railway Transport Sub- sector, an investment portfolio of close to US$35 Billion is estimated as the funding requirements to meet the realization of an adequate and functioning railway transportation system, ” the Minister revealed.

Speaking further, Sen. Said Alkali said “presently, the Ministry plans to connect close to 6,000 Kilometers of Standard Gauge Railways and rehabilitating existing 3,505km Narrow Gauge Lines between the North and South, East and West Regions of the country to reach the oil and mineral resources zones, agricultural belt as well as port of origin and destination especially the Lekki Deep Sea Port. This, he said, can only be achieved effectively through investments and injecting institutional and private sector funds from the international development financing entities that will seize the opportunity to gain partners for Nigeria. Getting these funds from the international to financing institutions has, however, been challenging over the past few years. For example, the ongoing Lagos – Kano and Kano – Maradi Railway Modernization Project and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri Eastern Narrows gauge has been slowed by funding. “The Ministry also has some debt liability of unpaid Certificates for Job Completion under the Lagos – Ibadan Railway Project,” Alkali added.

While soliciting for favourable budget consideration, the Minister said, “I therefore seek your cooperation to ensure injection of special intervention funding for the expansion of the railway networks which is a catalyst to economic development. In pursuit of the rehabilitation and modernization programme, suitable capacity building programme by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria is focusing on the improvement of its basic infrastructure, increasing its research base and expansion of its training drive. To this end, the Institute is planning to acquire State of the Art equipment and complete the ongoing outreach learning centres in four (4) Geo-polutical zones of the country.”

Alkali seized the opportunity to further emphasize that the Ministry as part of its mandate has continued to pursue the implementation of government policies in the Land Transport Sub- sector in the country, including issues relating to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the realization of the transport interconnectivity for the sub-region.

Earlier, the Chairman, Joint Senate/House Committees on Land Transport, Sen. Mohammed Adamu Aliero in his opening remarks, welcome all to the gathering, while commending President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Land Transport, comprising Railway and Mass Transit, saying it is the first time such is happening in the history of the country.

According to him, “Our nation’s progress is intricately tied to the efficiency and development of our transportation infrastructure, making this budget defence a pivotal moment for shaping the trajectory of our country’s future.”

Sen. Adamu Aliero, while giving the assurances that the Committees will support the Minister and the agencies to succeed, enjoined them to see to it that the budget that will be approved for the Ministry, is implemented faithfully, to deliver government’s intentions of the actualization of the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” A renewed hope which must be felt in the area of land transport with particular focus on our rail transport sector and mass transit, thereby delivering democracy dividends to Nigerians.”