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By Emmanuel Daudu

The sports contingent of the Ministry of Transportation/Marine & Blue Economy to the 2023 Federal Public Service Games (FEPSGA), have been urged to first and foremost, extol the virtues of sportsmanship, portray the Ministry in positive light and above all, win laurels for the Ministry.

According to a report by Desmond Adyo, Senior Information Officer, signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations, the Director, Human Resource Management, Tetshoma Dafeta gave the charge today, Wednesday, 6th of December, 2023 while addressing the Ministry’s contingent just before they depart for Minna, Niger State which is the host city for this year’s games.

Speaking, she remarked that sporting should be everybody’s business, noting that it is in light of this that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani has remained passionate about sports development by among other provisions, facilitated a functional gymnastics facility within the Ministry.

The Director of Human Resources further stated that the recent procurement of sporting kits for the staff should further motivate and invigorate the athletes who will be representing the Ministry at FEPSGA to win many medals to compliment the efforts of the Permanent Secretary.

The Manager of the Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy Sports Club, Engr. Samson Ojon, while expressing appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for the brand-new sporting kits, stated that the sports community has never had it so good, adding that this should translate to medals at the games.
The sports manager further disclosed that the 169-strong contingent to the games should one-another’s keeper and also provide a moral boost to one another during the games.

Ojon also harped on monitoring, noting that the Ministry’s contingent to the games is expected to stay through the duration of the games, and anything short of that is not acceptable.

………. Minister Warns The Public Against Scammers As Beneficiaries Thanks President Tinubu, Says Grant Brings Joy, Financial Relief  To  Them at Yuletide

As part of President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda,over ten thousand vulnerable persons have  recieved their credit alert of twenty thousand Naira grants  in Kogi state.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, FMHAPA, in a press release signed on
05/12/2023, disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu who performed the flag-off of the exercise in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital,saying President Tinubu Government is all about reaching out to the poorest of the poor and the vulnerable in the society.

The Minister explained that the social intervention programmes are designed to lift over 50 million Nigerians Out of poverty in 42 Months.

Dr Edu noted that the premium intrest, the President places on women inclusion is reflected in the fact that over seventy percent of beneficiaries of the Grant across the twenty one local government areas of Kogi State are women.

She said fifteen percent of the total number of beneficiaries was alloted to Persons With Disabilities and Senior Citizens, saying President Tinubu  is  for all the citizens across party lines.

“The Grants for Vulnerable Groups Scheme is designed to provide a one-off cash grant of twenty thousand Naira(N20,000)  to  the  poorest  of the poor and most vulnerable Nigerians in rural  communities.

“This one off grants  is a kick starter to improve your livelihood, support your small, petty trading and I advise that this opportunity should not be taken for granted or mismanaged, she added.

The Minister warned the beneficiaries of different intervention programmes and the general public to beware of Scammers,saying the ministry has never ask anyone to pay money to register before they can access different programmes.

Speaking at the Event, the Governor of Kogi State, Dr Yahaya Bello, who described Dr Betta as one of President Tinubu’s Good Products, said “Renewed Hope” is in Kogi State.

The Governor who announced the Creation of both Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency ,said all procedures with the state Assembly would be followed to enable the state benefits directly from the touch of the federal government.

Bello thanked President Tinubu for putting money into the vulnerable people’s pockets in Kogi state, he said the people are proud of Renewed Hope Programmes of the President. Indeed “Beta don come”

Some of the beneficiaries in a jubilant atmosphere  who received their alert both inside and outside the hall echoed hope renewed,promise made  promise kept.They described President Tinubu as a beacon of hope for the poorest of the poor in Kogi State and Nigeria.

They said the credit alerts served as a lifeline for many of them, offering not only financial assistance but also a renewed sense of dignity and optimism as Nigeria Citizens.

The  Renewed Hope Grant, according to the Minister,signifies not just a financial boost but a paradigm shift in governance that prioritizes the well-being of the most vulnerable citizens  to reduce poverty index in Nigeria

By Emmanuel Daudu

In response to the regrettable incident at Tudun Biri community in Kaduna state, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, has swiftly dispatched a high-level delegation to convey heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kaduna.

Led by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, the delegation met with Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe, members of Kaduna state security committee, and religious leaders to express solidarity and empathy during this challenging time.

According to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau
Director, Defence Information in a press release he signed on
5 December, 2023
Addressing the media at the Government House Kaduna, Minister Matawalle emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident. He assured the public that the findings would be transparently communicated, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences. The Minister appealed for cooperation, calm, and continued support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Dr Bello Matawalle extended prayers for the souls of the departed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He urged religious leaders to enlighten their followers, emphasizing that the incident was an operational error deeply regretted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which remains unwavering in its mandate to secure every part of the country.

In response, Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the prompt delegation visit. She highlighted the state government’s continuous engagement with the affected community and religious leaders to maintain peace and mitigate tensions.

The delegation also visited the Kaduna Nursing Home to extend well-wishes to the wounded. Among the delegation were Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence; General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, and other distinguished members.

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani has articulated where the World Bank could come in with its expertise and experience from working with some coastal countries to help develop needed structures of the newly created Ministry.  “We need you to guide us to develop a framework, a clear roadmap and clear strategic plans” for the Ministry so that we can proceed properly along the path of developing a marine and blue economy such as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR envisaged when it created the Ministry.”  “Without all these, we will just be wobbling. We will just be working without proceeding along the pathway envisaged for us.” “We want to say at the end of the first tenure of this administration that these are our achievements; we will definitely need help.”

According to a report by Gift Osima (Chief Information Officer) & Desmond Adyo (Senior Information Officer), Signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations on Tuesday, Dr. Magdalene Ajani was speaking today, Tuesday, 5th December, 2023 at a meeting with Drita Dade, a Senior Environmental Specialist (Western and Central African Region) with the World Bank Group who came seeking to know how the World Bank could come in, deploying its vast expertise and experience to assist African countries and by extension, the new Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy find their feet as far as blue economy is concerned, which she stated that “based on the several analysis done by the World Bank, will invariably turn out to be the basis for economic growth.

The Permanent Secretary took up the World Bank Specialist up, on her revelation that the World Bank has already conducted a study to enhance the coastal status of the three Nigerian States of Lagos, Delta and Cross River in terms of marine and blue economy which she said ought to be availed her Ministry.  “We don’t even have that (access to the study, its findings and recommendations).” “Apart from maritime and maritime safety, we’re zero.”

Dr, Ajani revealed that the structure of the newly created Marine and Blue Economy Ministry was just being approved with the additional Blue Economy Department to the pre-existing Marine Safety and Security and Maritime Services “and that is just a week ago.” “We’ve got involved in deep sea mining, the Ministry has been involved in International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Jamaica just in the last eighteen months, these are things we need to galvanize together as a Ministry to form a proper framework.  The organizational design we have right now does not have fishery and aquaculture and should be.  Probably when we develop a proper framework, we should be able to convince the Government why these should be in the Ministry.” Dr. Ajani sought the assistance of the World bank to be able to put the mentioned constituents of framework for the new Ministry together before the end of the first quarter of 2024.”

The Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Pius Oteh while speaking in support of his Permanent Secretary sought for the World Bank to help the Ministry with the provision of “knowledge and knowledge sharing, data services” of which he expressed the belief that the World bank has accumulated by virtue of its work in other jurisdictions of the world.”

The Director, Legal Services further highlighted the need for the development of the capacity of the professionals who would be manning the new Ministry, the legal and even the core maritime areas to help the officers of the Ministry to have a good grasp of what they ought to be doing.”

Drita Dade revealed that the World Bank could help in providing needed data just as the Bank could assist through its “Pro-Blue” which is a programme for blue economy. 

The Senior Environmental Specialist of the World Bank further revealed that the Bank’s integrated coastal zone management can be put at the disposal of Marine and Blue Economy Ministry to develop policies for the management of wastes especially plastic wastes and eliminate its impact for Nigeria.  “The idea now is to balance the development and to increase employment and inclusive growth and also enhance the natural capital, the ecosystem that the oceans provide and seeing how the preservation of these resources can result in food security and increasing employment.”

“We can also bring in experts working in similar programmes to build the capacity of Nigerian officials of the Ministry.”

The specialist also recommended to the officials of the new Ministry to come up with a draft proposal which could be modified with additional adjustments made, to the World Bank.

Drita Dade also suggested “Marine Special Planning” as another window of funding for supporting the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; “It is a tool which countries are using; it involves bringing together all the agencies, not just the key institutions to seek to improve the ecosystem.”

The ECOWAS Commission with the support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) launched The Civilian Foundation Course in Peace Support Operations at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC),on December 4th,  2023 in Accra, Ghana.

According to a media summary signed by Mr. Kouadio Serge, Programme Officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS, said, the program was organised by the EU/BMZ funded ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project, this collaborative human capacity-building effort brought together 18 participants drawn from the ECOWAS Standby Capacity Roster for rapid deployment in Peace Support Operations. Eight of the ECOWAS Member States were represented at the Course which is aimed at imparting the basic knowledge and skills of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations (PSOs) Mission Mandate implementation. Furthermore, the Course sought to promote the awareness of multidimensional field operations and how to work with military and police components efficiently for successful operation in ECOWAS missions.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Deputy Commandant of the KAIPTC, Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, welcomed the participants and facilitators, mentioning the importance of this course and its alignment to the Centre’s strategic plans of being the preferred Training Centre of Excellence for regional peace and security training.

Ms Franziska Jebens, Head of Cooperation and Representative of the German Embassy, in the Republic of Ghana, expressed appreciation for the longstanding collaboration between the BMZ, the ECOWAS Commission, and the KAIPTC in providing capacity for the ECOWAS Standby Force. She further recounted the changing nature of conflict trends and commended the tremendous efforts of the ECOWAS Commission in dealing with them through capacity building whilst linking the course as direct German support to Regional Security.

His Excellency Baba Gana Wakil, the ECOWAS Commission Resident Representative to the Republic of Ghana in his remarks thanked the KAIPTC for their support to the Commission by churning out numerous courses, research, and press releases that speak to the ECOWAS regional peace architecture, particularly for the CFC which feeds into the contemporary multidimensional peace operations for regional peace. He thanked the facilitators who were drawn from the UN, AU, ECOWAS, and KAIPTC for their expertise in training the people and the EPSAO Project for the technical and financial support, and declared the course officially opened.

This training is organised with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through the GIZ-ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) Project.

By Emmanuel Daudu

Hajiya Halima Shehu, the esteemed pioneer National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), embarked on a comprehensive visit today to survey the entirety of the National Social Investment Programme’s warehouses. These facilities house essential items for programmes such as NPower, N-Skills, Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

According to Jamaludeen Kabir, National Communications Manager, NSIPA, in a press release signed on
4/12/2023, disclosed that the extensive inspection, spanning warehouses in Maitama, Dutse Alhaji, Zuba, and Kubwa, serves the crucial purpose of assessing existing stocks while determining the available resources from previous administration. The Agency is gearing up to actively engage in poverty reduction initiatives and strategic social investments in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

As the Agency readies itself to launch full-fledged activities, these site visits are pivotal in understanding the inventory status, facilitating effective planning, and ensuring optimal utilization of resources to drive impactful change across various communities.

The CEO also toured the newly completed Skills Acquisition Center situated in the permanent site of the College of Education, Zuba. These centers, emblematic of NSIPA’s commitment to empowering Nigerians with essential skills, are slated for establishment nationwide in the near future.

The establishment of such Skills Acquisition Centers aligns with NSIPA’s vision to equip individuals across the country with the necessary skills, thereby bolstering opportunities for personal and national development.

Hajiya Halima Shehu emphasized the paramount importance of these initiatives, underscoring NSIPA’s dedication to fostering skill acquisition and socio-economic empowerment across Nigeria.

In a bid to further ensure that Nigerian Army (NA) troops continue to comply with International Humanitarian Laws (IHL) in the conduct of their constitutional responsibilities, Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Cooperation organised a One-day Sensitisation Workshop for troops of 7 Division /Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK). The theme of the workshop was “Constitutional Responsibilities of the Nigerian Army Soldier through Adherence to Humanitarian and Human Right Laws.”

The GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Major General Peter Malla disclosed that the workshop was aimed at sensitising troops on their obligations under IHL in the conduct of Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East. He noted that this sensitization effort was necessary in realising the COAS’ command philosophy which is “to transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.

In his opening remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA) Major General Nosakhare Ugbo who declared the event open remarked that the NA was involved in numerous operations across country and thus has the sacred obligation of ensuring personnel operate in line with international best practices. The CCMA reiterated that the workshop would sufficiently enlighten troops with international humanitarian and human rights laws as well as treaties to guide them in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

The workshop was attended by senior officers from Headquarters Theatre Command, 7 Division and troops drawn from various units across the Theatre of Operations.

By Emmanuel Daudu

Major General
Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations has disclosed that troops neutralized 52 terrorists, while 204 of them were arrested.

Major General Edward Buba Made this known in a Press Release On Ongoing Military Operations By The Armed Forces Of Nigeria As At 1 December 2023.

According to him, the ongoing military operations continues to decimated the fighting force of the insurgents, terrorist and violent extremist across the country. Accordingly, their fighting capacity is low and they are on the run.

Troops are targeting the leadership of these groups to ensure they pose no further threat to the safety and security of citizens.  Significantly, on 29 Nov 23, at Tarum Village located on the outside of Bauchi Metropolis in Bauch Stage. Troops collaborated  with personnel of DSS to conduct a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the leader of ISWAP terrorist group incharge of North Central and North West Zones. He is in custody.

Similarly, air interactions have been conducted on several enclaves of these of these terrorist  leaders in the NW and NC zones with much success. 

Sadly in the fight economic saboteurs in the SS, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35P helicopter  crashed at 7.45am in  Port Harcourt on 1 December 2023. The incident took place in Port Harcourt shortly after the aircraft took off to embark its operations. Gladly, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries. They are responding to treatment at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt. Nevertheless, the incident would be investigated and the outcome commnicated.

The operations of the week in focus, resulted in 52 neutralized terrorists, while 204 of them were arrested. Troops also arrested 58 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 234 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Six  Hundred and Sixty Eight Million Seven Hundred Thirty One Thousand Naira (N668,731,000.00) only.

Furthermore, troops recovered 46 assorted weapons and 148 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: 30 AK47 rifles, 2 josef magnum pump action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 single barrel guns, 12 locally made pistols, 13 dane guns, one hand grenade, 9 locally made rifles, 3 RPG chargers, 2 locally made hand grenades.

Others are: 120 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 364 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 54 live cartridges, 11 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 32 magazines, 34 vehicles, 64 mobile phones, 47 motorcycles and sum of N1,582,690.00 amongst other items.

Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 7 dugout pits, 25 boats, 47 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 141 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, one outboard engine, one tricycle, one speedboat, one tugboat and 51 illegal refining sites.  Troops recovered 267,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 567,700 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of DPK.

The leadership of these groups remain the prime targets of ongoing operations. Accordingly, the armed forces remains determinate to destroy the terrorists, insurgents and violent extremist groups in the country and degrading their military capability.

By Emmanuel Daudu

Following the unfortunate crash of a Nigerian Air Force MI-35P attack helicopter in Port Harcourt on Friday, 1 December 2023, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar travelled to Port Harcourt to assess the situation, visit the crew and encourage the personnel of 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG).

According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force in a press release signed on 3 December 2023 disclosed that while addressing the personnel of 115 SOG, Air Marshal Abubakar encouraged them to see the setback as a setup for a resilient comeback, channelling efforts toward thwarting the activities of economic saboteurs and countering oil theft. According to him, “You must therefore never be discouraged as the hopes of millions of Nigerians rest on our shoulders. The realization of these aspirations is hinged on our ability to combat all forms of criminality that threaten our peace and stability.” He went on to inform them to see air accidents or mishaps as impetus to propel all NAF personnel towards seeking improved safety management measures, while remaining undeterred and focused in tackling the myriads of security threats facing the nation. According to the CAS, “Times like these are a sad reminder of the inherent risks in military aviation, especially when flying activities, occasioned by our current security challenges, have tremendously increased. As we continue to fly intensively, incidents are bound to occur. Nevertheless, we must continue to ensure we minimize the risk factors as reasonably practicable.”

Air Marshal Abubakar also commended the crew for the professional manner in which they handled the emergency situation they found themselves. “Your actions were commendable and a decisive factor in mitigating the extent of damage to public property and loss of lives” he noted. Speaking further, the CAS stated that 115 SOG has been well known for its gallantry and fighting spirit and the mere presence of the MI-35P helicopters on the battlefield has been a game changer. He went on to state that the helicopters have, over the years, continued to strike fear deep into the hearts of terrorists and other criminals while at the same time boosting the morale of surface forces.

While extending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their sacrifices, Air Marshal Abubakar assured them of their welfare and other needs to ensure they effectively carry out their assigned duties. He also informed them that he had directed for the immediate commencement of the accident investigation, “So that we can learn exactly what happened and prevent future occurrences.”

Earlier, the CAS had visited the 5 crew members of the ill-fated aircraft and directed the Commander of the Medical Centre to ensure they received the utmost attention required.