NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Education

CEDDERT, MacArthur Foundation partner on almajiri education

52 total views today

By Abdul Hassan

Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria and MacArthur Foundation are set to introduce a new phase of almajiri system of education in Nigeria by the end of 2023.

CEDDERT’s Director – General (D-G), Dr Abubakar Sadiquee, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the collaboration was to change the misconception on the system to tap more of its abundant benefits.

“It is also aimed at understanding what the problems are and proffer plausible solutions to the issue of almajiri education system,’’he said.

Sadiquee said that the centre and the foundation had designated some organisations that specialize in study of the Glorious Qur’an and Arabic in the Northern States to pilot the project.

“We have one in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina state, Zaria, Kaduna state, Bayero University, Kano and Yobe University, Damaturu,’’ he said.

He, however, said that the centres would provide training on other O’ level courses offered at formal Islamiyya primary and secondary schools apart from the conventional system of studies in Tsangaya schools.

“Some of the almajiri students are performing very well in the pilot project and many are already in Diploma and Degree programmes while some are currently doing Masters degrees in the universities.

“From our research, most almajiris were victims who were denied of basic amenities including access to formal education,’’ Sadiquee said.

He argued that the most almajiri students were not involved in criminal activities as some people assumed due to their religious teaching and disciplines.

“The more almajiris moved out from the frustration, the less the temptation.

“Many almajiris are living on menial jobs like nail cutting, shoe shining, selling recharge cards or laundry, except few who beg for food to survive.

”Of course, this attitude is a circumstantial problem and conditioned to the reality of the nation’s economy,’’ he said.

The D-G further said as a part of the project, the centre had constructed boreholes for some almajiri schools in Nasarawa State while some computers would soon be donated to them.

Also commenting, Project Coordinator and a Director in the centre, Prof. Mustafa Gwadabe, listed some ways to achieve effective reform progromme for Tsangaya and almajiris educational system.

“Measures must be taken which include according top priority to the system, reorganisation and shoring up funding of the system by the Muslims communities.

‘Others are joint consultations between government and stakeholders on the workable implementation strategy for the system,’’ Gwadabe said.

Other measures, he said was the establishment of almajiri education system which would be community-driven.

Gwadabe also said that the was the need for the government to establish skills acquisition centres in strategic locations to train the adult almajiri students.

“Almajiri pupils should study for a period of four years after which they will be allowed to opt out and start basic education, or proceed to advanced Qur’anic studies and to acquire some skills,” he said.

Gwadabe said the advocacy plans should go beyond Radio or TV jingles or discussions.

According to him, high powered visits should be organised to traditional rulers, community leaders and political officers at the levels of government to get more support and provide leadership to the almajiri schools in the communities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Bashir Rabe Mani

Metro

2022 Floods affected 24,714 persons in FCT – Agency

87 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency says flood affected about 24,713 inhabitants in three of the six area councils of the FCT in 2022.

Its Director-General, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the floods also damaged 131 structures.

He said those affected in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) numbered 20,376; those in Bwari Area Council numbered 2,058 while 2,279 persons were affected in Abaji Area Council.

“The floods also resulted in the displacement of 2,972 persons in AMAC where 102 houses were damaged, while a total of 9,813 lives were saved.

“In Bwari Area Council, 343 households were displaced, six houses damaged and 41 lives saved. No life was lost to the floods.

“In Abaji Area Council, 380 persons were displaced, 23 houses damaged and 272 lives saved.

“In AMAC, 6,876 persons were affected in the first flood at Ebano Hudu Road by Damagaza River, Efab Estate, Lokogoma, Apo Dutsen Expressway, Carters Court, Apo and Trademore Estate, Lugbe,’’ he stated.

Idriss added that 15 road crashes were recorded but resolved in conjunction with relevant agencies.

“We responded to 15 incidents of road crashes, 10 fire incidents and the case of a collapsed building in Kubwa where five persons were rescued and two seriously injured.

“No life was lost in the incident,’’ he stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Alli Hakeem

Politics

APC has fundamental leverage to win presidential election — Chieftain

45 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Yasha’u Ahmad Kebbe says the party has fundamental leverage to win the Feb. 25 presidential election than the PDP or any of the opposition political parties.

Kebbe said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday that the ruling party at the centre has been waxing stronger since 2019.

He said: “And along the line, it has been getting more state governments under its control.

“But, on the other hand, the main opposition party, the PDP has been fragmented. The PDP of 2019 is not the PDP of 2023

“The votes had been divided into 3 or 4 when you look at the likelihood of the G5 Governors not supporting their presidential candidate.”

The former PDP chieftain said that even the stalwarts of the NNNP were aware that it lacked the national spread to win the presidential election.

“Same analysis goes for LP which I comfortably likened to a morning blizzard that will fizzle out on the morning of the election day.

“So, fundamentally, APC has all it takes in terms of strength and membership to win the 2023 election,” he added.

Kebbe further said that another comparative advantage for the APC was the technical aspect upon x-raying the antecedents of the presidential candidates.

He averred: “Fortunately enough, they all had an opportunity to showcase what they could have done in the past.

“Atiku had served as the Vice President of Nigeria and had contested to serve as the Governor of Adamawa.

“But, by providence of destiny, he was selected as the VP, so he left the post to his erstwhile Deputy.

“I am therefore challenging anyone to show his blueprints for the development of Adamawa or the North then. There were none,”the renowned businessman said.

On Asiwaju BolaTinubu, Kebbe recalled how the APC presidential flag bearer drastically transformed Lagos State when he served as its two- term Governor.

He recalled that the pre-Tinubu Lagos was very notorious in terms of criminal activities and social vices,with dead bodies daily littering the roads.

Kebbe said: “But, by the time he became Governor and took over, he changed Lagos completely and the city became liveable.

“He was able to draw up a masterplan for the development of Lagos which all his successors adopted.

“So, Lagos is today, apart from being a formidable economy in the African continent, one of the most liveable cities.

“Therefore, this man, Tinubu has antecedents of vision and Nigeria is in dare need of visionary leaders not rhetorical ones.”

The APC chieftain added that Nigeria desperately required visionary leaders who will lay the foundation for economic development and empowerment.

Kebbe said: “So, Nigerians have looked at all these issues critically and they are going to make a very wise decision come Feb. 25.

“I tell you without fear of contradiction that in sha Allahu, Tinubu is going to be elected as President and he will win that election first round, hands down.” (NAN) (www.nanewe.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Politics

2023: APC’ll resoundingly win gubernatorial election in Sokoto State — Yusha’u Kebbe

54 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A chieftain of the APC in Sokoto State, Alhaji Yasha’u Kebbe says it will resoundingly win the March 11 governorship election in the state.

Kebbe made the assertion in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

“So, I believe that come election day, the people of the state are going to be shocked with the result that is going to come out,”he said.

Kebbe recalled that the incumbent Governor, Aminu Tambuwal had struggled to win reelection with only a paltry 342 votes during the rerun gubernatorial poll in 2019.

He said: “That figure tells us that at least half of the electorate in Sokoto State had since then rejected the governor and his administration.

“From 2019 to date, from feelers available to us, more people had rejected this government than they did in 2019.”

“So, come the election day on March 11, by the special grace of the Almighty Allah, Ahmad Aliyu, the APC flag bearer will win the election.”

Kebbe averred that PDP in Sokoto State had helped the APC by its alleged poor performance, adding, ‘”the infrastructure development do not tally with the humongous amount of resources that had accrued to the state government from 2015 to date.”

According to him, the dismal performance of the PDP-led administration in the state is not acceptable to the electorate, adding, “the people will not allow the ugly trend to continue.”

Kebbe sequel to this scenario, the people of the state have only two viable alternatives which are the APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu-Sokoto.

He also opined that another factor that will work against the PDP in the state was the nomination of a person whom he described as a “lackey”, the former SSG, Alhaji Saidu Umar.

According to Kebbe, Umar must get the share of whatever credit or blame that the administration of Tambuwal gets.

The APC chieftain also said that Tamhuwal wanted to entrone Umar, adding, “he wants to get a successor he can be remote controlling behind the scene.”

Kebbe stated that Aliyu-Sokoto had been formidably groomed by the APC leader and former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, who he described as a “tactical leader.”

He said:” Without fear of contradiction, there is no any politician in Sokoto State who can rival Wamakko in terms of his experience at the highest levels of government and govornance since 2019.”

Kebbe said that Wamakko was always thinking of how to improve the living standard of the people of the state and building a legacy of good governance.

While describing him as a pious core philanthropist, Kebbe added,”so, for me and all those who follow me, we have decided that we will continue to follow him in all his political endeavours now and forever by the grace of the Almighty Allah,” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Foreign

Adaptation is key characteristic of China’s Policy against COVID-19 – Envoy

49 total views today

By Lizzy

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, has said that adaptation is the key characteristic of China’s policy against COVID-19 as the country refines its policy in line with a changed landscape of viral contagion.

Cui, in a statement made available on Friday in Abuja, said the refined COVID-19 policies adapted by the People’s Republic of China was timely and science based.

He noted that with adaptation to the new policies, China was one step closer to fully opening to the outside.

He said domestic and foreign airlines would operate scheduled passenger flights, with limits on flights no longer applicable, including closed management, nucleic acid testing, and quarantine measures.

“Countries adjusting the COVID policy would invariably go through a period of adaptation. China is no exception.

“However, China’s current COVID situation on the whole remains predictable and under control, as many cities have gone through the peak.

“This adaptation by China is also important from a strategic and long-term perspective, for effectively coordinating COVID response with economic and social development.

“American, British, German and other foreign chambers of commerce in China, commend this downgrade adaptation.”

He said this would clear the way for resumption of people-to-people exchange and business travel, and enhance foreign investors’ confidence in the Chinese market.

Cui advised that beyond the natural virus, people should be more weary of the political virus, especially the political manipulation of COVID response measures by few countries would only bring chaos to world’s solidarity.

“As many international health experts indicate that, the main variant now spreading in China is the same one prevalent in other countries, it is senseless to impose extra restrictions on travelers from China.

“Political manipulation of COVID response measures by few countries would only bring chaos to world’s solidarity.”

Cui quoted President Xi Jinping’s New Year’s address where he noted how well China had prevailed over unprecedented difficulties and challenges since COVID-19 struck three years ago.

According to Cui, President Xi said that from the very beginning of its response against the pandemic, China had always taken responsible policies on a science-based and targeted approach.

He said that It had been proved and widely recognized that China’s COVID response policies over the past three years realised the goal of achieving the best results at the least cost.

Cui said that “In the past three years, China has provided the greatest extent possible of protection to the people.

“China has made the best effort to protect the life and health of its 1.4bn people, and poured all resources into treating every patient, no matter its own nationals or foreigners living there.

“In the past three years, China has witnessed the stability of its economy and also its supply chain to the world.

“One of the key focuses of China COVID policy is to minimise the impact of the pandemic on economic and social development.

“With joint efforts of the whole country, China’s economy has managed to consolidate its resilience and maintain sound fundamentals, making it a reliable driving force of global economic growth.

“The country’s GDP expanded at an average annual rate of 4.6 per cent from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2022, which is well above the world average, according to data released by the OECD.

“Besides, China has also led the world in terms of trade volume, goods production and energy production, and kept its inflation rate at a relatively low level.

“In the past three years, China has witnessed the large-scale vaccination internally.

“China’s efficient response policies have bought precious time for researching and developing vaccines and medicine, and raising the vaccination rate of the whole population.

“In the past three years, China has promoted the robust international solidarity. Since COVID-19 began, China has actively participated in international response”.

Cui said that the government of China highly commended the government of Nigeria for its science-based and proportionate COVID response measures, which had featured from the very beginning of its response.

“The light of hope on final victory over pandemic is right in front of us. Just as appealed by President Xi at his New Year address: ‘Let’s make an extra effort to pull through, as perseverance and solidarity mean victory’. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Religious

Al-Yolawi cautions Muslims against unlawful sexual intercourse

34 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chief Imam of Area 10 Garki, Abuja Mosque, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi has cautioned Muslims against indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse to avoid severe punishment in this world and in the hereafter.

Al-Yolawi made the call while delivering his Jumma’at sermon titled, ‘Evil Consequences of Fornication and Adultery,” on Friday in Abuja.

He said fornication and adulterywere some of the highly self-destructive and major sins in Islam, adding that an adulterer was one of the three people Allah would not talk to in the day of resurrection.

He said that islam as a religion was very much concerned with establishing decent moral standard in individuals within the community, thus constituted laws that promote chastity and regulate strong sexual desires in a bid to control them.

Al-Yolawi also said that Islam encouraged remaining firm in faith (Iman) and warned against transgressing the limits of Shari’ah laws by all means.

The cleric said:”Islam has preserved people’s dignity and protected families from being mixed. Therefore, fornication and adultery are forbidden and classified as major and destructive sins.

” Islam has forbidden not only committing fornication but everything that could lead to it , such as mixing of the opposite sexes.

“Others are immoral exchange of looks between the two sexes, immoral words, seductive moves between a man and a woman or being in seclusion in a room, office, car, phone, shop, online and anything else which could lead to this awful sin.

He also listed three people to whom Allah, the Most High will not talk, nor will He forgive them of sins nor look at them: An aged person guilty of adultery, a King who lies and a poor beggar who is proud

Al-Yolawi said fornication and adultery had personal, religious, social, economic, and health consequences such as; poverty, constant humiliation and disgrace as well as darkness of face that would be obvious to people and darkness of the heart.

He added: ” Fornication and adultery combine all evils; weakness in commitment to the religion, as we can see lack of piety, destruction of mind men and women and the decrease of praiseworthy jealousy.

” You will never find an adulterer or fornicator who is pious, fulfills his promises, truthful in his speech, maintains friendship or has protective jealousy over his wife.

“He will be characterized by lies, deception, betrayal, devil- agents and not being mindful of Allah.”

Al-Yolawi condemned the increasing rate of indecent dressing of matured ladies in offices, campuses, parks and other social gatherings.

The cleric also enjoined Muslims to avoid online and offline temptations and keep away from anything that might stimulate desire.

They include: Looking at the opposite sex with desire, talking, touching, shaking, kissing, hugging, watching sex pictures and movies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Religious

Buhari, Kaigama describe Benedict XVI as ‘Humble lover of Christ’

37 total views today

By Bridget Ikyado

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama has described late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a humble follower and lover of Christ.

He stated this at a requiem mass in honour of Pope Benedict at the Our lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Pontiff, Born Joseph Ratzinger, died on Dec. 31, 2022 in Vatican at the age of 95 after resigning on health grounds a decade ago.

Kaigama said the Pope’s death is a reminder that we belong to Christ and our request to return to him can be any time.

He said the church was consoled that the pope lived a long prayerful and productive life.

The cleric outlined lessons to be learned about the life and times of the pope to include, his focus on bringing God back to the centre of all human endeavour.

“He also addressed the need to purify the church and ourselves.

“He hated and discouraged bribe; he faced up the issues of immorality-sexual abuse, abortion, homosexuality.

Monsignor Antonio Guido- Filipazzi the ‘Apostolic Nuncio’ to Nigeria and other Clergies during mass.

” He stressed the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. He worked to build bridges between Christian and other faiths.

“The Pope was interested in a true meaningful dialogue and unity of the church.

“The pope showed interest in dialogue and econiumcum of the church

” After his surprise resignation, Benedict the 16th was only known to have left the Vatican briefly and was rarely seen in public.

” He had a very cordial relationship with other church leaders,“he said.

Kaigama said that the pope loved and promoted unity and peace in African countries through prayers and encounters.

Kaigama further encouraged African leaders to emulate the late Pope.

“He lived a commendable, exemplary and God centred life,“he said.

Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese His Grace Ignatius Kaigama in an interview with newsmen.

In his remark, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled the Vatican, Clergies and Catholics over the Pope’s death and described him as a true servant of God.

The President was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.

“I hope he will be remembered as a true servant of God, who lived in humility and peace.

” I pray God to accept his soul whom he lived to serve all his life,” he said.

Also speaking, Monsignor Antonio Guido- Filipazzi the ‘Apostolic Nuncio’ to Nigeria, thanked all laymen and clergies who had come to sympathise with the church.

“I thank the Archbishop and Bishops Emeritus, John Cardinal Onaiyekan,Clergy, Nigerian leaders and authorities, members of the diplomatic corps who have come to express their condolences to the Holy See.

“To be a Pope has a great responsibility and we need to pray for God’s mercy on the soul of the faithful departed, “he said.

Other Christians, who expressed their sympathy, said the late Pope lived a fulfilled life.

Prof. Gabriel Okenwa of the Papal Knight of St Sylvester, described the Late Pope as classic leader.

” For me Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a quintessential servant of God on earth.

“I easily saw him as a world class theologian, he represented a lot and I can further here describe him as an epitome of the church’s institutional memory.

” I also saw Pope Benedict as a man of God who came and redefined the process of peace making.

Rev. Fr Patrick Alumuku, Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja said” Pope Benedict the XVI was a gift to the church and to the world”.

“He was a great theologian and a great intellectual.

” One of the greatest intellectual the church had in our own time.

“We miss him a lot today, we love him because he had thought us a lot, he had thought us the love of God and about our faith,“he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Politics

2023: APC campaign committee begins voters’ sensitisation in Lagos

42 total views today

By oluwatope Lawanson

The Lagos Mainland All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Committee has kicked off activities for members and voters sensitisation ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Committee Chairman, Mr Ayodeji Abdulrauf made it known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Abdulrauf said campaign activities started on Wednesday at Ward A Mainland with Members Engagement and Voters Sensitisation held at Otto Primary School.

According to the committee chairman, activities laid down includes, Members Engagement and Voters Sensitisation taking place across the Wards in both Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba LCDA respectively.

He said: “These programmes are slated for Jan. 4 to 22 at 4.00 p.m. daily while there will be a Re-visit of some wards from 22 to 30.

“This is necessary for strategic purposes.

“Thereafter, from Feb. 1 to 10, Wards House to House campaign begins and it will be monitored by the local government campaign committee members for effectiveness.”

Abdulrauf added that on Feb. 11, a ‘Walk Thru Rally’ would be held for APC Candidates while on Feb. 18,
Lagos Mainland APC would hold its Unity Rally.

For effectiveness and successful outcome of the election, the chairman noted that Yoruba and Pidgin jingles would also be deployed to complement the party’s campaigns activities.

He, therefore, sought the support and understanding of members and voters for a successful outcome of the election.

Abdulrauf also appealed to the people to get their PVC’s while ensuring they came out to exercise their civic rights on election day.

He noted that without the PVC, the electorate would not be able to exercise their power, adding that it was the only tool that could be used to do the best for the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Defence/Security

Intelligence: NFIU warns against huge cash withdrawals

38 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has warned the public and private entities against massive cash withdrawals.

The Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Malam Modibbo HammanTukur, gave the advisory in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He spoke on the state of the nation’s security threats and financial liquidity.

HammanTukur advised all federal Ministries, Departments, parastatal Agencies (MDAs), State Governments, Local Government Councils, corporate bodies as well as, civil servants, public and private officers to embrace the cashless policy of money transactions to deepen national security.

This is to strengthen the country’s security and financial systems, he explained.

According to him, the Federal and State Governments as well as the 774 local government councils have made cash withdrawals of about N200 billion, N156 billion and N120 billion, respectively, from 2015 to date.

To curb this excesses, the Federal Government has directed and ordered the stoppage of “direct cash withdrawals by public institutions and officers” with effect from March 1, this year, HammanTukur stated.

He therefore advised all stakeholders to adopt new technologies of financial transactions and abide by the withdrawal limits or thresholds earlier prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for corporate and individual transactions.

It would be recalled that the CBN had in December 2022 prescribed a threshold of N5 million only for corporate accounts and N500,000 only for individuals per week.

HammanTukur however explained that no infractions have been recorded so far, but noted that cash withdrawals are still higher than deposits.

“Liquidity is needed to finance our markets”, he noted, adding that there is no threat to the corruption and money laundering crusade yet.

Besides, the director assured that any body with genuine need for huge cash transactions would seek presidential approval as there was no “standing waiver” on this policy.

While warning that the “guideline is not reversible”, he stressed that any cash withdrawal beyond the approved limit would trigger a red flag by the relevant anti-graft agencies.

He reasserted that Nigeria has been designated as a non-cash society by the World Bank, IMF and ECOWAS, among other stakeholders, with effect from March 1.

This is in addition to the categorisation of Nigeria as a “high risk” country by the concerned parties because of the enormous security challenges facing the nation, HammanTukur said.

“We can’t flow with politicians” because of obvious complications, while the set March 1 deadline was sacrosanct, according to him.

He however expressed optimism that the cash transactions would drop from the current N3 trillion to about N1 trillion when the policy became effective.

The NFIU director reminded Nigerians that three years imprisonment, payment of equivalent value of money involved or both punishments awaited violators of the cashless policy.

HammanTukur underscored the teeth of the “Rnforcement, guidelines and policies for mitigation of money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation of weapons and prevention of predicate crimes” Act of 2022.

He particularly cited Sections 2 and 22 of the NFIU laws of 2022 to buttress his threat. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Metro

FEMA seeks establishment of safety commission, floats emergency marshal

104 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Wednesday in Abuja called for the establishment of a Safety Commission to regulate activities of gas stations.

According to him, the initiative is with a view to curbing fire explosions in the territory.

The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, made the call while briefing newsmen on the activities of the organisation in 2022 and its plans for 2023.

Idris observed that most gas stations and outlets in the nation’s capital didn’t have well trained staffers that attended to customers professionally whenever they went to refill their cylinders.

” Every gas station is supposed to have a protective gear for customers to use within their vicinity to protect themselves.

“Gas selling outlets in the filling stations are supposed to have a wall demarcating them with the filling station, but it is not the situation.

” So, if we need to have a safety commission regulated by the FCT Administration to ensure that they train the workers of those stations and make sure that they do the right thing.

” If not, we will continue to have fire explosions that are going to cause much harvoc in the FCT and we have written to the administration to the proposed establish safety commission,” he said.

The D-G said that the agency had concluded plans to introduce Emergency Marshals to work in different communities across the six Area Councils to curb hazards.

This, he stated, was a measure enunciated to help in managing the adverse effects of the rapid growing population in the nation’s capital.

Idriss disclosed that the agency had carried out hazards mappings in Abuja, identifying areas where urgent attention was required.

He explained that the decision to introduce Emergency Marshals was based on the need to increase Idriss said; saving interventions and also mitigate hazards.

According to him, the Marshals will complement the efforts of volunteers who have played key roles in the agency’s activities.

Idriss said: ” We intend to introduce emergency Marshals this year. These are volunteers who assist students, hospital workers, PWDs, and the general public during emergencies.

” They also assist in facility services, Risk Management and Safety Services by reporting conditions in a building that could present a hazard during an emergency.

” They also maintain an orderly evacuation; conduct a sweep of an area to ensure that evacuation is complete.”

He also stated that the Marshals were expected to participate in debriefings resulting from evacuation and complete a monthly checklist for fire safety issues in their areas.

” The FCT has become a standard in flood control in the country. This is because of a drastic reduction in the impact of flooding.

“We attribute this development to early warning and massive sensitisation on what to do before the rains,
during the rains and after the rains.

” We have also issued early warning in line with the impact- based seasonal climate prediction by NIMET, and the annual flood outlook issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Agency,” he said.

Idriss also said that in 2022, FEMA responded to 42 distress calls on the 112 emergency toll free numbers.

” This shows a marked reduction to
2021 where we had 173 distress calls, I want to attribute this reduction to the massive sensitization of residents.

” In 2022, 270 lives were rescued from various flood incidents received from 16 distress calls
through the 112 emergency toll free number,” he said.

The D-G reassured the FCT residents on the commitment of the agency to the protection of lives and property following reduction of response time from five minutes to three minutes. ( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Josephine Obute/Bashir Rabe Mani

You cannot copy content of this page

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email