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Troops neutralize 50 terrorists, arrests 122

By Emmanuel Daudu

Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations has disclosed that the operations of the last one week, resulted in 50 neutralized terrorists with 122 of them arrested. “Troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 182 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of One Hundred Twenty Eight Million Sixty Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N128,066,825.00) only.

He made the disclosure during a Press Release On Ongoing Military Operations By The Armed Forces Of Nigeria As At 17 November 2023 on Friday.

According to him, the military continues to target the leadership and chain of command of the terrorist, insurgents and extremist undermining the security of citizens in the country. The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations is making the country safer each passing day that these evil forces are decimated. The armed forces is on course with it’s operations ,which are yielding encouraging results.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 11,474 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one conqueror APC, one GPMG, one NSVT gun, one GT3 rifle, 25 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action gun, 2 locally made AK47 rifles, 3 locally made gun, one locally made revolver gun, 4 locally fabricated pistols and 4 long dane gun, 2 locally made hand grenades, one bandolier.

“Others are: 574 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 640 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo, 10,520 live cartridges, 5 vehicles, 27 mobile phones, 12 motorcycle, 3 boafeng radios, one Motorolla HHR, 3 bicycles, one solar panel, one solar charger controller, one radio receiver and the sum of N75,909,290.00 amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 242 dugout pits, 49 boats, 78 storage tanks, one tricycle, 21 vehicles, 104 cooking ovens, 3 pumping machine, 7 outboard engine and 49 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 151,850 litres of stolen crude oil, 48,630 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,125 litres of DPK.

“The armed forces will continue to apply strong military pressure such as has been witnessed in the week. The terrorist and their cohorts would continue to suffer heavy casualities. It is in their interest to surrender as being done in the NE of the country to avoid eventual destruction”.

Crisis in NUPENG deepens as Tanker drivers protest across the country

Petrol tanker drivers may pull out of. Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG if the National President Williams Akporeha and General secretary Afoloabi olawale did not PTDresign forthwith from their seats.

Comrades Gbenga Olawale and Adekunle Rufai of Ibadan Depot Petroleum Tanker Drivers PTD Ibadan Depot who spoke to Nigeria Pilot in Abuja said they began protest across the country as drivers with leaves in front of their trucks, warning NUPENG and police against interference and incessant harressment of thier leaders

According to them Williams lacks competence to lead the union because he is not a member of NUPENG

They alleged that Williams, was a cook in an oil company from the formal sector, and was sacked from the company while holding the office of the National treasurer of NUPENG.

They further alleged that he was later drafted into petrol station workers of NUPENG (PSW) to enable him to contest election as NUPENG president which according to them is a total departure from the NUPENG Constitution because Williams is not a worker or a pump attendant on record, as at the time he was verifying for the president position.

To this effect they said he lacks the capacity to be president of NUPENG.

They further alleged that he has planted all his surrogates to collect all revenue of the union and use for themselves

They therefore have decided to stand with lucky osusan and Dayyab Garaga who have laid their life’s to ensure that they are liberated .

Crown Varsity VC Congratulates Liberian President-elect, H.E, Joseph .N. Boakai

UNESCO Laureate, and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University International Chartered Inc., USA which its teaching and research hospital campus is located at Santa Cruz Province in Argentina, South America with official partners constituent campuses at government regulated universities worldwide and online operation, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu has congratulated the Ex-Liberia Vice President, His Excellency Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai on his election victory to had emerged as President-elect of Liberia.

In a congratulatory message signed by UNESCO Laureate, World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu, which was made available to some group of Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital by the VC’s Executive Assistant on Media, Publicity and Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike today being on Saturday, November 19, 2023, Prof Aremu described H.E, Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s Presidential election victory as well deserved one and a victory for all Liberians, Africa and the rest of the world.

You could recall that June 25, 2019 at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State during one of the African Leaders, Professors summit on SDGs, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, who is UNESCO Laureate, Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA, and World Grand President, International Chartered World Learned Society (ICWLS) conferred an award of excellence to former Vice President of Liberia, now President-elect of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai as he bagged global golden awards as the “Most Notable & Outstanding Leader of the 21st Century. Also, on June 22, 2020, UNESCO Laureate & Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc. (CUICI), USA conferred another University awards to him as the Institution’s Pro Chancellor & Chairman Board of Trustees.

UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu who described Sir Joseph Nyumah Boakai as a great African Leader with vast knowledge in education, Agriculture, Leadership, administration, social sciences, community and civic space development, consultancy services and other critical economic sectors. His Royal Highness HRH Duke of the Kingdom of Atlantis In Singapore, Prof Aremu while congratulating him on his election victory, while thanking Liberians for given him the needed maximum support to coast to victory . Prof Aremu, a world distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Information Communication Technology then used medium to thank the leadership of Liberia’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) to had conducted a free and fair elections.

The statement by Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu reads in parts: “His Excellency Sir, I celebrate you! What a great news to learn of your victory at Presidential polls in Liberia!! I , UNESCO Laureate, World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu is very happy that you have won the election. Your new position is a call to highest National Service. We believe that you will perform excellently. I must commend President George Weah for accepting defeat, exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship and accepted to work with you for the good of all Liberians”.

“We look forward to watching your successful administration as one family of Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc, USA with its teaching and research hospital campus is located at Santa Cruz Province in Argentina South America with official partners constituents Campuses at government regulated universities world wide and online operation. As you prepare to take over the mantle of leadership as new President, i wish you a successful administration, very long life, good health wisdom and guidance, Fear of God and future success, Amen!”.

“I, UNESCO Laureate, World Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Information Communication Technology, hereby congratulates you once again on this your well deserved victory at the Liberia Presidential election to emerge the President-elect of a great country that symbolises freedom. You have served Liberians, humanity, Africans and the world at large in various capacities. Your skills, expertise and wealth of experience are priceless. No doubt, I believe and can vouch for you that, you will give Liberians a visionary leadership worthy of emulation and lead them to a greater heights. Yours in sincerely UNESCO Laureate World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu The Vice Chancellor Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA”.

Ismaila Hussaini bags CONYSSA award, calls for youth resilience

By Success Dauda

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Al-QADR International Limited, Ismaila Hussaini
has on Friday bagged a National award under the algae of the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Safety and Security Affairs, CONYSSA as the ICON of SECURITY AMBASSADOR

While making the award presentation in Abuja, the Director General of CONYSSA, Amb. Ade Mario Emmanuel disclosed that Mr.Ismaila Hussaini’s recognition is based on his role in giving direction to the younger generation and being an inspiration to the youth at Large.
“Your impact in community service, advancement of humanity, and peace you preach, is an encouragement to the younger generation. Your social activities have brought to your state and other parts of the country into the limelight.

While reacting to the award, Ismaila Hussaini encouraged Nigerian youth and the Coalition of the Nigerian Youth on Safety and Security Affairs to be resilient, focused, and hungry in achieving greater heights.
“You guys are doing great, however, we need to engage our youth. When you live in a society like ours and leave the youth redundant, you literally stand a chance to continuously fight crime, that’s why we need reorientation and create useful platforms to be used as channels to engage the youth.

“However, I am so proud of myself as a Nigerian and the younger generation. You guys are intelligent and resilient. An average Nigerian youth want to be successful in every endeavor they find themselves irrespective of the part of the world they are in. That’s what describes a Nigerian.

“Despite we understand that the government and the society at large are not creating enough enabling environment and creating a wide range of orientation and reorientation to let people see the potentials in themselves, especially the youth, I still admonish the younger generation to be resilient because Nigeria is a great nation and as citizens, we are all image makers of the country and it should be known by who we are, what we do, our contribution to global development and our roles in the security of lives and property.

While calling on the federal government to create windows of engagement to bridge the gap between the youth and the government, he tasked the Tunubu-led administration to make security a priority stressing that Nigeria’s ability to attract international investments is determined by the stability of the economy security-wise.
“Like I mentioned earlier, security is everyone’s business. You are responsible for your own immediate security by extension, your community and the environment. When we are involved in security then we can all be proud of ourselves. We can go to bed with our two eyes closed.

“Recapping my statement, I want to personally beg all of you and encourage you all to keep up the good work.
I tell you for free for me, security is everyone’s business and the agenda that drives the inspiration of what you guys are doing should be beckoned on national interest.

“You people have dedicated your time towards this agenda, and then, we cannot speak less of you, other than to encourage you all”.

Similarly, the organization’s public relations officer, Emmanuel Daudu, while speaking on the organization, has this to say, “COALITION OF NIGERIA YOUTH ON SECURITY & SAFETY AFFAIRS is a robust and pragmatic interventionist initiative of young leaders from various organizational backgrounds, majorly para-military and community based youth organizations.

“Our VISION is to build a complementary and effective youth super-structure to collaborate with the security outfits of Nigeria to combat the rising security challenges across the country, while achieving improved security of lives and properties in all communities of the Nation. And in achieving the aforementioned, we have a MISSION of sensitizing the Nigeria Youth towards placing greater focus on and owing up Security Matters as a major community responsibility, and bridging the widening relationship gap between the youths and the nation’s security architecture. Our major GOAL is to reduce crime among the Nigerians”.

Nigerian Government To Empower Youth To Fight Climate Change

Maryam Aminu

With a determination to build a future where the air is safe, where open spaces and green environments are abundant, fostering healthy growth and development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has hinted it’s plan to adopt a youth-led initiative to mitigate the challenges of climate change.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim expressed this commitment at the 13th edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum held at the ongoing 42nd UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France

The Honourable Minister articulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emphasis on the need to support developing nations with essential financial resources, technical know-how, and technology to transition into the green economy.

She further underscored the President’s stance in fostering global collaboration to empower developing countries in their efforts to combat climate change while advancing economic development.

Just like any other continent, Nigeria has also be hitted with the negative impact of climate change
“Nigeria climate change has impacted negatively on land and water resources leading to conflicts, agricultural disruptions and displacement of communities adding that those who bear the consequences the most are the youth who constitute about 70% of the Nigeria population which is the largest youth population per country in the African continent and 10% of the global youth population”

She said, “It is our youth population who bear the brunt of this challenge the most, and it is the youth who also hold the key to innovative solution.”

Tinubu’s commitment to enhance youth climate action in Nigeria by: Empowering youth participation through engagement by involving them in discussions with stakeholders and policymakers, Focusing on young people at the grassroots level, adopting a bottom-up approach to climate action, Engaging with young people in border communities, addressing their marginalization and the specific impacts of climate change they face, Investing in youth-led initiatives by providing skills and financial support to those already involved in climate interventions while building the capacities of emerging ones, Implementing educational and policy-building programs to further climate awareness and action and also Promoting inclusive policies, and fostering international partnerships for collaborative efforts.

According to UNESCO, the voices, ideas, and actions of the youth must inform and shape how the social impact of climate change is tackled both at the national and global levels

The conference which had in attendance more than 250 youth forum participants and 33 youth ministers, centred on facilitating ideas, enthusiasm, and creativity among Youth Leaders, Youth Ministers, and UNESCO.

BREAKING: Senate confirms Maida as Executive Vice Chairman of NCC

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Senate Thursday in Abuja, confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to a press release signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, Maida was confirmed by the Senate during its plenary session where it adopted a report of the Senate Committee on Communications that screened Maida on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, and former Minister of Communications, Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, who submitted the report submitted the report urged the Senate to consider the request of President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of Maida for appointment as the country’s Chief Telecom Regulator.

He said the Committee had screened Maida, who had earlier passed all scrutiny by the relevant security agencies in the security governance sector.

Bilbis informed the Senate that Maida possesses the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity to ensure accelerated development of the nation’s telecommunications sector. He urged the Senate to approve the nomination of Maida by Mr. President.

Consequently, the Senate proceeded to confirm the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida, through a voice vote to serve a five-year term in office, subject to renewal by the President.

Earlier at his screening by the Senate Committee, Maida responded to questions related to his insights into the industry, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the nation’s telecom regulatory sector, and was variously described by members as the round peg in a round hole.

Maida told the committee that his top priorities are to improve coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased broadband infrastructure as well as increasing the quality service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) for the consumers to enable them to get value for money.

He also stated that, under his stewardship, he would ensure that the Commission’s licensees numbering over 8,000 across different segments of the sector, are made to adhere strictly to their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with their consumers in terms of service delivery.

Maida also said that he would create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector. Maida also promised to work with the dynamic team at the NCC to “re-think” how the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) would be better leveraged to bridge the extant digital divide in the country.

The new Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s telecom regulatory authority also promised to prioritise inter-agency collaboration towards achieving the current blueprint for the digital economy sector, just as he said that the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 would lead to greater innovation for improving the performance of the sector and solicited the support of the National Assembly to succeed.

Maida further emphasised his commitment towards aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, developed to accelerate the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

NAF Commits To Strengthening Safety Procedures For Effective Air Operations

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is committed to enhancing its Safety Management Systems across all its units with special focus on operational and engineering units.

According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force in a press release on 16 November 2023,
Chief of The Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar disclosed this while declaring open the year 2023 NAF Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting earlier today, 16 November 2023, at NAF Headquarters Abuja. Air Marshal Abubakar went on to note that safety management in the NAF is a major priority and core function in view of the technical and complex nature of assigned tasks and roles of the Service. According to him, “The NAF is fully committed to developing, implementing and reviewing policies to ensure that NAF operations and other activities are conducted in a safe environment.” He also stated that his resolve to, ‘Transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environment’ can best be achieved with safety as the bedrock.

Speaking further, the CAS reiterated his commitment to ensuring continuous improvement in safety standards through deliberate programmes aimed at enhancing flight safety as well as occupational and domestic safety in the NAF. He equally used the opportunity to appreciate the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration towards equipping the NAF with modern platforms in furtherance of efforts against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality in various parts of the country. He then went on to state that some of the platforms acquired by the Federal Government have arrived the country and will soon boost the NAF’s combat capabilities as well as help in increasing its operational tempo hence the need for safety vigilance. According to him, “We are aware that increase in operational tempo will lead to increase in hazards associated with our operations in line with ICAO’s postulation that hazards are the by-products of production or operational activities.” He then called for a proactive management of safety in all units and commands and specifically directed operational units where newly acquire NAF aircraft would be domiciled to commence the process of aggressively identifying hazards associated with the arrival and operations of the new platforms and finding ways to manage the risks involved. The CAS, who is also the Chairman of the NAF Safety Review Board further emphasized the need for field Commanders to ensure that the safety trainings translate to the development of positive safety culture, improvement in safety practices as well as creation of awareness that safety is the responsibility of all personnel. “I expect us to redouble our commitment in this regard to ensure that as an organisation and as individuals, every NAF Unit and personnel have the responsibility to ensure that safety practices and standards are maintained in all activities,” he noted.

Earlier, the NAF Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Micheal Onyebashi noted that the SRB is designed to discuss and review issued related to safety policies and regulations as well as allocate resources for enhanced safety standards in the NAF. He also revealed that the Board is expected to provide appropriate directives and guidelines that would ensure the entrenchment of a positive safety culture in the NAF. With the receipt of new platforms into the inventory of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Onyebashi emphasized the need for enhanced safety standards in all operational units.

Highlights of the meeting were a paper presentation on Safety Management System and Human Factors by Air Vice Marshal Gabriel Odesola (Rtd), review of NAF Safety Outlook and briefs by various Air Officers Commanding, amongst others.

Defence Ministry To Deepen Defence Cooperation With Bulgaria

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni has said that the Ministry of Defence is willing and ready to deepen Defence cooperation with Bulgaria.

According to Henshaw Ogubike, mnipr
Director (Press & Public Relations), in a press release he signed on Thursday, Badaru disclosed this when he received the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov in Ship House, Abuja on Tuesday, 14th November 2023.

He said that considering the level of Bulgarian Defence Industry, the Ministry of Defence will cooperate with Bulgaria in areas of information and intelligence sharing, equipment production as well as military training.

Speaking on Military equipment, the Minister stated that Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) of Nigeria will partner with Bulgaria for effective technology transfer that will enable the Industry meet with international standard.

Accordingly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Bulgaria will be signed to facilitate effective military cooperation between the two countries.

On the forth coming Military Exhibition slated for June 2024, the Minister promised to send a delegation from the Ministry to attend the exhibition. “Our attendance will provide us opportunity to learn how Bulgarian Government produce their Military hardware.

Yanko Yordanov, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria said Bulgaria and Nigeria have shared experiences and existing mutual military relationship that exceeded decades.

In furtherance to strengthening the bilateral relations, the Ambassador said that the Military Exhibition would afford Nigeria the opportunity to gain more knowledge about Bulgarian Military equipment production.

Gov Alia, Tor Markudi Commend President Tinubu For Fulfilling Promises Made To Benue State

….*Say Edu’s Focus On the National Assignment Unmatched*

Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling some of the promises made to the people of the state during his electioneering campaign.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR),
Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to Honourable Minister,
MHAPA, said, the governor spoke during a state dinner organized in honour of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu and her team at the Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi

The Minister was in Benue to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Renewed Hope Shelter for poor and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as the distribution of food and non-food items to the IDPs in eight local government areas of the state.

According to Father Alia, President Tinubu has matched words with action by committing to ameliorating the suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the state, by addressing humanitarian challenges facing them.

He said the people of Benue state have started benefiting from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, saying Benue people will never forget that the President made a promise and fulfilled the promise on record time.

The governor commended President Tinubu for appointing Dr Edu as Minister in charge of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, describing her as a perfect match for the job.

“Honourable Minister, please convey my appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Benue state to Mr President for fulfilling the Promise made to provide permanent homes for IDPs in Benue State and provide for their livelihood.

“We are happy as a people, and we appreciate Mr. President for this gesture. I also thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing a quintessentially young and vibrant Minister to take charge of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, she’s doing extremely well and we commend her and her team for a good job.

On his part, the first Class Traditional Ruler in Benue State, His Royal Highness, Chief Vincent Awure,Tor Markudi III, was full of effusive praises for President Tinubu for giving the people of the state a new lease of life.

The Monarch who spoke on behalf of Benue royal fathers said that before the coming of President Tinubu, several communities in the state, including Tatyo and Kyo in Markudi North local government area never knew a day would come when life would be brought back to the communities devastated by herders and bandits attacks.

Recounting the indignities his people have passed through, Tor Markudi lamented that they have lost many lives and livelihoods, a development that rendered over millions of households homeless, hence their present status as IDPs.

The Monarch stressed that with life now brought back to the communities by the federal and Benue state governments, it is phenomenal, and they were willing to donate more land for developmental projects.

He, however, pleaded with the government for more security around the riverine communities.

“On behalf of my kingdom, we appreciate President Tinubu for this gesture and also thank the Honourable Minister, my daughter, Dr Betta Edu, for her vision to address humanitarian challenges in Nigeria

“I have been watching her and her passion for humanitarian response from a distance; she is simply unmatched”

Earlier, Dr. Edu commended Governor Alia,the traditional rulers and the people of Benue, for the warm reception and hospitality given to her and her team during her two-day working visit to the state.

The Minister assured that her Ministry will collaborate with the state government to provide livelihood for those who have lost their means of survival. While providing transit learning areas for children through the alternate school program

“We want to be able to provide durable solutions to those who have already been affected by this humanitarian crises.

“Beyond this, we have already picked some markets within Benue state where we will be carrying out the markets money scheme. This scheme is a soft loan, a zero-interest loan to market women.

“The market women will be registered right there in the markets and the loans provided for them there to support their businesses. We believe it will help the local economy to thrive.

“There are several other government interventions including the end hunger program, the Code Nigeria program, the YESSO 2.0 program for young people, several interventions that we would be bringing to Benue State.

“The essence is to see that we can first pull those who are in poverty out of poverty and prevent those who are at the borderline, just at the edge of it from falling into poverty.

NEMA develops Risk Reduction Plan to strengthen Disaster Resilience

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced stakeholders consultation to develop National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategic Action Plan to strengthen efforts towards building disaster resilience in Nigeria.

Director General NEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed who disclosed this in Abuja at the launch of the stakeholders consultative workshop said the risk reduction action plan will also aid implementation of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030 in Nigeria.

He said the “need for the development of this Plan arises from the outcome of the assessment conducted by Overseas Development Institute on behalf of the United Nations Development Program on the Sahel Resilience Program. The assessment was aimed at ascertaining the status of Disaster Risk Reduction in the evaluation of the implementation of Sendai Framework 2015-2030 in the seven West African Sahel countries of Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.

“Findings in the assessment report, indicate that in furtherance to the plans and frameworks so far produced by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), it is necessary to develop comprehensive document for Disaster Risk Management for Nigeria.

“This plan is also very critical in enabling Nigeria to align with and drive the targets of the Sendai Framework and the African Program of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction. Furthermore, the recent escalation and growing frequency and severity of disasters in form of banditry, boat mishaps, building collapse, urban and market fires coupled with hydro-meteorological hazards powered by climate change and climate variability have ignited the compelling desire to develop the Nigeria Disaster Risk Management Plan.”

In furtherance to the imperative for the plan, he said NEMA decided to partner the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through its the Sahel Resilience Project; titled “Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation for Resilience in the Sahel Region: Fostering Risk-informed Solutions for Sustainable Development’’.

He acknowledged the multi-partnership context of Sahel Resilience Project implementation led by the UNDP in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), ECOWAS, UN Women, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, AGHRYMET and other regional organizations as he expressed the appreciation of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to these International Organizations and the Government of Sweden that sponsored the project.

“The project will no doubt strengthen the resilience of Nigeria and the entire Sahel Region of West Africa”, he noted.

Speaking further, he said “today’s event becomes even more pertinent in consideration of the high level of vulnerability and fragility of the countries covered by the Sahel Resilience Project within Africa South of the Sahara. It is on record that the high level vulnerability of this countries is driven by fragile economy, environmental degradation, extreme weather conditions, low level of income and insecurity posed by terrorism and political volatility. There is no doubt that working together with multiple development actors under the Sahel Resilience Project will help the countries of the region to collectively improve their resilience in consideration of trans-boundary nature of disaster events. For us in Nigeria, the Sahel Resilience Project is expected to support the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government especially in the areas of poverty eradication, food security and inclusivity.”

The DG NEMA also spoke about the ongoing evaluation of 2023 flood season by NEMA and efforts to address recurring boat mishap, building collapse, urban and market fires which have become dominant in Nigeria’s disaster risk profile.

He emphasized that management of disaster risks in contemporary time must be anchored on Preparedness, Mitigation, Risk Reduction and Adaptation. He added that “this can only be realized with the full deployment of a strategic action plan that clearly assigns roles and responsibilities to implementing Federal Government MDAs and other relevant stakeholders.”

He then, urged the stakeholders give their best as “we have been working together over the years, let us sustain the momentum to develop a comprehensive document for disaster risk management in Nigeria, that will go beyond 2030, the Sendai Framework regime.

In her remarks, the UNDP Sahel Resilience Project manager for Nigeria Dr Reshmi Theckethil said the UNDP is working with NEMA to develop the disaster risk reduction strategy document that aligns with the African Union Programme of Action and regional efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities in West Africa and the Sahel region.

The Director General Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency Engr Clement Onyeaso Eze who was also at the opening of the workshop commended NEMA for living up to its coordination roles of disaster management in Nigeria.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from various stakeholders organizations that include NASRDA, Nigerian military, FRSC, FCT Emergency Management Agency, UN System, NIHSA, National Bureau of Statistics, National Orientation Agency, NIMET and other MDAs.

15th November 2024