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Main gate Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
Education

Bingham Varsity VC tasks scholars on interdisciplinary research, dialogue

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By Blessing Ibegbu

Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has called on scholars to play a vital role in encouraging interdisciplinary research, dialogue and collaborations to address the root cause of conflicts.

Ayuba made the call at the maiden International Conference on ‘Political Instability and Crisis of Development in Africa (PICDA) on Friday in Karu.

The theme of the conference is: “Cultural Pluralism, Conflict, Crisis of Integration and Development in Africa.”

The conference  was organised by the Department of Political Science of the university.

Ayuba said that the conference was aimed at addressing political instability and the crisis of development on the African continent.

According to him, the theme underscored the intricate dynamics of our continent’s diversity, as well as the need for inclusive strategies that foster unity, peace and sustainable development.

He said the time was ripe for every individual to work together to develop homegrown solutions to Africa’s challenges.

“In terms of cultural pluralism, Africa is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions, with over 3,000 ethnic groups and a multitude of linguistic diversities.

“Our continent is a melting pot of identities and cultural pluralism should therefore be our greatest strength, one that enriches our societies, promotes social cohesion and encourages creative and economic challenges.

“Unfortunately, historical legacies of colonialism, governance challenges, weak institutions, corruption, among others have contributed to political instability in the continent,” he said.

Ayuba said that the current instability in the form of widespread protests, civil wars, and coup d’etats illustrate the nuances and varied experiences across the African continent.

“All this stifles human development, perpetuates cycles of poverty, hampers economic growth, development and exacerbates divisions leading to heightened tensions, secessionist movements prolonged conflict development in Africa.

“In spite of these challenges, all hope is not lost. We must commend the resilience and agency of African nations.

“There are stories of success and innovation in some African countries that inspire our hope of achieving political stability and sustainable development in Africa,“`he said.

He said that some recommended pathways to stability and development require promotion of good governance, institutional reforms, fostering inclusive political processes and upholding the rule of law,” he added.

Also speaking, Prof. Mohammed Salih, International Institute for Social Studies, Hague, Netherlands, in a keynote address, said the conference was aimed at tackling the challenges confronting these turbulent times.

According to him, we live at a time when politics and development are experiencing relentless crises.

He said that politics from the global to the national is increasingly infused with extremism, populism, and exclusionism.

Salih said they are sources of conflict over resources, identity, power, and regularly used as instruments of dominance over others,” he said.

Prof. Adebayo  Olukoshi, Lead presenter, Institute of Governance, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa, said Ayuba  and Salih`s  addresses seems as if  there was probably a lot that had been lost as a community of scholars in  two or three decades.

He said that the capacity to dispassionately dissect the challenges confronting our country, and continent in a manner that was forward~looking and progressive seems to have diminished.

“Considerably, reflecting in many ways a certain loss of faith in the ideals of nations and in the ideals of Pan-Africanism.

“These are issues that are important to confront because they are themselves indicative of perhaps a deeper crisis in our nation-building and development experience that needs to be corrected,” he said.

“It is not that there is something that is peculiar about us as Africans or as black people or as Nigerians, that means that we should necessarily suffer some of those challenges and problems which we are grappling with.

“They are products of very specific historical conditions and processes, which some of our mentors and pioneers of African political science actually went into in some ways to try to understand,” he added.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Amb. Bulus Lolo Centre for Diplomacy, Conflict, Security and Plural Studies and the presentation of award of excellence to Olukoshi. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Bandits as illustration for insecurity
Defence/Security

Lawmaker pledges collaboration with security agencies to tackle banditry

152 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South) has pledged collaboration with security agencies to address banditry and other security issues in Katsina and the North-West zone.

Dandutse made the commitment during an inspection of a Police Area Command project in Funtua on Saturday.

Dandutse emphasised that the presence of the police area command would significantly reduce insecurity, boost the local economy, and ultimately improve the region’s overall development.

“This command we are trying to do is with the support of all the sister security agencies. We are going to face them squarely even in their hideout.

“We cannot allow criminal and disgruntled elements to be taking away people’s lives and their properties. Living in peace is the greatest key to any success in this country,” he said.

Dandutse, who is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on North West Development Commission (NWDC) strongly condemned any form of support for criminal activities.

He emphasised that no responsible government would tolerate the maiming and killing of innocent citizens.

Dandutse who is also Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund reiterated the government’s resolve to confront criminal elements head-on, promising both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

“So, we cannot afford to allow this thing to continue. We are going to foster it with all kinetic and non-kinetic approach to ensure that we make it,” he said.

The lawmaker advised bandits and criminal elements to abandon their criminal activities and reintegrate into society.

He praised President Bola Tinubu’s skills acquisition programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, encouraging Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities to improve their livelihoods in spite of the current global economic challenges.

“We have a lot of windows in this country. There are lots of skills acquisition which the president is trying to foster for Nigerians so that they can be on their own in spite of the challenges we have in the economy

“This economic problem is a global challenge. It’s not a Nigerian problem alone.

“We have to be very serious, resolute and wake up from our slumber to ensure that we have a sustainable economy in this country,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Sadiya Hamza

Economy/Business

UNDP, academy empower youths to harness AfCFTA opportunities

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By Lucy Ogalue

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Lelook Bags Academy, has trained 100 Nigeria youths on bag making.

The training is to enable the youths to key into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria, said this at the graduation ceremony of the students in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Attafuah, the event emphasises the importance of leveraging AfCFTA to foster intra-African trade and economic growth.

While stating the transformative potential of AfCFTA, she said that intra-African trade, remained at a mere 16.6 per cent of the continent’s population of 1.4 billion

She emphasised that Nigeria, as the continent’s largest economy, engaged in only about 10 per cent of this trade, indicating substantial room for growth.

Attafuah stressed the need to connect individuals to opportunities, markets, and knowledge, with a particular focus on supporting women’s roles in trade.

She announced initiatives to link women to essential information, networks and financing, aiming to ensure that AfCFTA served as a practical tool for inclusive development.

Addressing the graduates, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, Founder and Chief Executive Officer  (CEO) of Lelook Bags Academy, emphasised the significance of discipline, continuous learning, and innovation.

She urged them to view their acquired skills as instruments to break cycles of poverty, build generational wealth and create lasting impact.

Ezenwa urged the graduates to be proactive in building opportunities and leading change, emphasising that Africa’s development in trade would be significantly driven by women.

Also, a former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, applauded LeLook Bags’ impactful training of 100 youths in bag manufacturing.

Tallen reiterated the international competitiveness of LeLook’s products and emphasised the importance of such initiatives in providing sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians.

She urged the public to support locally made products like LeLook bags, which rivals international brands in quality and design.

Dr Asabe Bashir, Director-General of the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, commended the high standards of LeLook’s products.

Bashir announced plans for collaboration with the Academy to enhance vocational training programmes in the country.

She said that such initiatives not only uplift individuals, but also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth by fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among women and youths.

“These endorsements underscore the critical role of skill acquisition and local manufacturing in driving economic development and reducing unemployment in Nigeria,” she said.

Mr Desmond Toover, one of the graduating students, speaking on behalf of the class, thanked the UNDP and Lelook for the support and opportunity.

” We are more than a graduating class. We are a collective force, each of us bringing unique talents and perspectives that, when combined, can create extraordinary outcomes.

” We are deeply grateful to the phenomenal UNDP and Lelook Bags for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this training,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

General News

FG open to collaboration on job creation, says Dingyadi

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By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government says it is open to collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to achieve its goal of creating meaningful employment opportunities.

Mr Muhammad Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this when he received a consortium of NGOs, led by its national head, Mr Daniel Black. on Thursday in Abuja.

The consortium of NGOs is part of the United Nations NGO Committee on Social Development.

Dingyadi expressed government’s readiness to collaborate with the civil society organisations in generating creative ideas on how to create safe jobs for its citizens.

He said the jobs include the blue collar jobs, for the unemployed, particularly the youth.

“The federal government’s objectives, as well as initiatives, in this area are to ensure that people get jobs they can call their own.

“Also, jobs that they have tried to establish on their own; not white collar jobs but jobs that can generate a lot of employment for our youths.

“Our mandate is to create opportunities for jobs and to ensure the youths of the country are gainfully employed through several other means of engagement.

“We can collaborate to work towards creating jobs, very safe jobs for that matter, for our dear young men and women in the country,” he said.

On his part, Black, the leader of the group, said that they would be attending the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development scheduled for February in New York.

Black said they would be sharing Nigeria’s social development experience at the event.

He said that in preparation for participation in the session, they would hold a United Nations Social Development workshop in Abuja.

He said the workshop was to foster collaboration between the government and Civil Society Organisations, to increase and improve the social development indicators in Nigeria.

“At the end of that workshop, we are going to develop a report that we will be presenting in New York during the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development.

“The report will highlight the reality of social development in Nigeria, and we will also be mentioning the roles that different parastatals and government ministries are playing to ensure that these social development indicators are improved,” he said.

He invited the ministry to the workshop to share insights on its activities to positively impact social development indices in the country, and the strong connection between labour, employment and decent work. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Economy/Business

FCT Internal Revenue Service partners EFCC to enhance tax compliance

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By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance tax compliance in the territory.

The acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Mr Michael Ango, solicited for the partnership when he visited Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ango explained that the partnership was in line with the mandate of the FCT-IRS to collaborate with relevant agencies such as the EFCC towards improving tax compliance in the FCT.

He disclosed that one of the major initiatives of the FCT-IRS in 2025 was the harmonisation of revenue collection and administration in the FCT.

This, he said, would not be achieved without the support and collaboration of all stakeholders including anti-graft agencies.

“This is to ensure that all revenue due to the FCT is collected and accounted for in a transparent manner, enhance ease of doing business and improve revenue generation.

“This will further consolidate the massive infrastructural development in the territory by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike,” he said.

He argued that most suspects being investigated by EFCC for financial crimes were not tax compliant.

Ango added that it would be helpful if the suspects’ tax obligations would also be interrogated as part of EFCC’s investigation processes.

According to him, this approach can also be extended to forfeiture of assets or monies of suspects to the EFCC by the courts.

“When suspects are being investigated or charged to court, we will like to know, Mr Chairman, their tax compliance level.

“If they escape from one door, we can catch them through another door. We will, therefore, be happy to partner with you on this, like we are doing with your sister agency, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU),” he suggested.

The FCT-IRS boss condoled with the EFCC on the recent loss of its operative.

He also commended the commission’s chairman and his management team for the excellent work they are doing to tackle financial crimes in the country.

In his remarks, the EFCC boss thanked Ango and his team for the visit and expressed the commission’s willingness to partner with the FCT-IRS to improve revenue collection in the FCT.

Olukoyede said the commission had entered into similar partnerships with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other State Internal Revenue Services.

He expressed the commission’s readiness to extend the same gesture to the FCT-IRS.

According to him, the move will enable the FCT-IRS to shore up its revenue collections.

He, however, stressed the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to highlight the specific areas of collaboration, pointing out that MoU would further strengthen the relationship between the two organisations.

The EFCC chairman, who said he has been keeping tabs on Ango’s achievements since appointment as the FCT-IRS boss, also lauded the ongoing massive infrastructural development in the FCT.

“This shows that taxpayer’s money is being judiciously used across the territory for the benefits of all,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Economy/Business

NBS to strengthen partnerships for reliable data production

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By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the production of accurate and reliable data.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, made this statement during a Sensitisation Workshop on the rebasing of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Civil Society Organisations in Abuja on Monday.

Adeniran noted that the workshop, organised by BudgiT, underscores the bureau’s dedication to transparency, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

He noted that it aligned with the United Nations’ Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, particularly Principle 3, which emphasises accountability and transparency.

“Our processes are designed to be open, collaborative, and rigorous, ensuring that we leave no stone unturned in accurately measuring and reporting the size of the economy and the level of price changes,” he stated.

Adeniran explained that the rebasing exercise is essential for ensuring that the GDP and CPI reflect current economic realities.

He noted that as economies evolve with new industries and shifting consumption patterns, it is vital to update Nigeria’s statistical measures to capture these changes accurately.

“The rebasing of our GDP and CPI ensures that our economic indicators accurately reflect the structure of our economy, incorporating emerging sectors, updating consumption baskets, and refining data collection methods.

“This process is conducted in line with global standards, without any external influence, and solely to provide accurate measurements,” Adeniran added.

He also emphasised the importance of the exercise for informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance, noting the professionalism of the NBS in conducting the process.

Speaking at the workshop, Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director for BudgiT, stressed the need for the rebasing exercise to reflect public policy changes and significant sectoral shifts over the past decade.

“Nigerians expect the rebasing to demonstrate the significant changes in various sectors over the last five to ten years.

“The NBS must ensure the data produced builds trust, informs policy, and allows citizens to access robust information about themselves,” Onigbinde said.

He urged the NBS to prioritise effective communication of the rebasing results, recommending an increased communication budget to reach critical segments of society, including the media, to explain the process, insights, and policy implications.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen trust in the institution. The NBS must also communicate the implications and deductions from the data to public policymakers to avoid reckless policy decisions,” he added.

He further emphasised the need for the NBS to remain independent and free from political interference, urging the bureau to always present the truth, regardless of its political or social implications. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Defence/Security

Why Nigeria needs National Coast Guard—Minister

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By Kingsley Okoye

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says there is need to strengthen the collaboration between the ministry and the Nigerian Navy in safeguarding Nigerian maritime space as it is done in other climes.

Oyetola made this submission on Thursday in Abuja at the Senate public hearing on the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill 2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a bill to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard recently scaled second reading in the Senate.

The minister said it was important to give credit to the Nigerian Navy for its achievements in safeguarding the Nigerian maritime space and giving Nigeria a good image worldwide.

Oyetola said the collaborative effort between the ministry and its agency–the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Deep Blue Project had shown great results with zero piracy in Nigeria territorial waters in the last three years.

“However, there is a need to further complement the efforts of our Navy as it is done in other climes.

“According to a 2009 publication by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, 15 out of the 21 independent maritime nations in sub-Saharan Africa have dedicated coast guards that identify themselves as such and none has our population and many of these countries do not have the length of our inland waterways or coastline.

“Also, a 2015 publication by the Institute for Security Studies of the National Defence College of Nigeria highlighted the impact of activities such as illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the inland waters, coastal and marine fishing zone in sub-Saharan Africa.

“These illegal activities are estimated to cost the region approximately between 3 billion dollars to 5 billion dollars a year in lost revenue.

“The Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway development is a major game changer for the entire coastline of the country.

“The project is expected to unlock the regions blue economy potential– hotels, beach resorts, water parks, eco-parks, ferry services, hospitality industries, industrial parks and more are soon to spring up along the coastline.’’

The minister said that such an increase in economic activities would require a dedicated institution that would be responsible for ensuring maritime safety, search and rescue, environmental protection and the enforcement of civil maritime laws.

According to him, the spate of boat mishap within the nation’s inland waterways is also a strong justification for the need to strengthen our maritime safety and the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations in the inland waterways.

“This is necessary to boost maritime trade and trans-shipment in Nigeria.

“Also, considering Nigeria’s critical position in the maritime domain on the continent and globally, the establishment of a National Coast Guard will further increase our standing in the comity of maritime nations. This will no doubt attract foreign support and assistance.”

Oyetola said that the establishment of the Coast Guard was aimed at maritime safety–by establishing clear protocols, enforcing safety regulations, and overseeing navigation routes in our inland waterways.

He said the Coast Guard would play a critical role in safeguarding lives, property and trade within Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.

The minister said that the Coast Guard would respond rapidly to maritime emergencies, conducting timely and efficient search and rescue operations.

“The Coast Guard will actively work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies to prevent pollution and enforce environmental regulations within Nigeria’s waters.

“Through initiatives focused on conservation and the protection of marine ecosystems, the Coast Guard will support Nigeria’s commitment to environmental stewardship, safeguarding marine biodiversity for future generations.

“Enforcement of Civil Maritime Laws–tasked with upholding laws that govern civil maritime activities, the Coast Guard will enforce fishing laws and regulations, conventions on pollution and other civil maritime offences.

“This function will support sustainable resource management, protect Nigeria’s waters from illegal exploitation and align with international best practices for civil maritime governance.’’

He also spoke on inter-agency collaboration with military/paramilitary agencies

According to him, the ministry is cognisant of the traditional but important roles being played, especially by the Nigerian Navy and the armed forces to protect our waterways and maritime assets through their operations.

He said that the National Coast Guard would ensure effective collaboration with other military and paramilitary agencies.

“To this end, we advocate the setting up of effective and coordinated machinery for seamless collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other armed forces, as well as key agencies in the country, to further enhance the protection of our maritime resources.

“This will include technology and resource sharing, joint maritime exercises, missions and training to enhance maritime safety and foster cooperation.’’

Oyetola urged the Senate and the National Assembly to lend their full support to the bill.

He said that the Nigerian Coast Guard would act as a vital complement to the Navy, fostering a safe and sustainable maritime environment that was aligned with international best practices.

According to him, the initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy, protect Nigeria’s natural resources and ensure prosperity for future generations.

“A flexible, adaptive implementation strategy should be evolved to midwife its establishment.

“We also encourage those with reservations to see the pressing need for this institution and rally in support of this historic endeavour,’’ he said.(NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Defence/Security

NEMA advocates collaboration on emergency management

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By Philomina Attah

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for greater commitment and effective collaboration on emergency management to enhance disaster response capabilities in the country.

 

The Director-General of the agency,  Mrs Zubaida Umar, said this on Monday in Abuja at a training workshop aimed at encouraging partners in crisis to organise better emergency responses during sudden and complex emergencies.

 

The training organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in coordination with NEMA had the title, ‘Mass Casualty and Public Health Emergency Management Component’.

 

She acknowledged the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, saying that both natural and human-induced disasters resulted in significant human and economic losses.

 

She added that the training aims to identify gaps in current emergency response systems and equip participants with tools that will aid them in addressing gaps during emergencies.

 

Umar highlighted the importance of proactive preparation, inter-agency collaboration, and the role of technology in improving disaster management.

 

“Disasters, whether natural or human-induced, often result in loss of lives, human displacement, and long-term physical and emotional trauma to family units and communities.

 

“They place a heavy financial burden on government at all levels, often stretching the already limited resources, public health emergencies which frequently follow these catastrophic events further complicate the situation,” she said.

 

She quoted a renowned philosopher, Steve Cyrus, as saying, “When disaster strikes the time to prepare has passed.

 

“This statement underscores the fundamental truth that proactive preparation is the cornerstone of effective crisis management.

 

“This training is, therefore, timely and apt. It comes at a moment when our collective ability to respond to disasters and restore normalcy is put to test in various disaster hotspots across Nigeria,” she said.

 

The National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, said that the training marked a significant step towards enhancing crisis management capabilities in the country.

 

Ribadu, who was represented by Maj.- Gen. Adamu Laka, commended the foresight of the organisers and emphasised the training’s alignment with national security objectives.

 

He highlighted the importance of topics such as trauma management and crisis doctrines, saying they are crucial in today’s security landscape.

 

“The training promises hands-on exercises, ensuring participants can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios,” he said.

 

Mr Lawrence Devlin, Head of Counter Terrorism Netlink for West Africa, said that as experts from the Joint Counterterrorism Training and Advisory Team prepared to guide participants through practical scenarios, added that the UK is committed to Nigeria’s security through shared experiences and strategic partnerships.

 

Devlin, who also represented the British High Commission, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative effort to combat terrorism and address gender-based violence during the 16 days of activism.

 

“I understand that today is the start of a series of practical scenarios being held this week as part of the Rapid Response exercise.

 

“As the UK, we are here to observe, to listen, and to share our experiences from similar exercises and real events in the UK.

 

“By observing the training this week, we’re seeking to build our understanding of how your agencies work together to keep the Nigerian population safe.

 

“Our engagement this week is part of our commitment to partner with Nigeria. On his recent visit to Nigeria, our foreign secretary was delighted to sign a strategic partnership between our two nations.

 

“A partnership which recognises the deep historical ties, strong people-to-people links, and our shared interests across regional and international peace and security,” he said.

 

On counter-terrorism, Devlin said that we’ve committed to supporting Nigeria in crisis management, aviation and maritime security, and others.

 

“Today is part of our commitment to crisis management.

 

“Crucially, it offers us a chance to learn from you and to share our lessons and experiences with you.

 

“We’ve supported similar exercises elsewhere in the region, notably Ghana, and our team of experts will draw on their experience this week to guide you in your efforts.

 

On her part, Ms Patience Omokri, the Head of Medical Intelligence at the Office of the National Security Adviser, said that the event, part of the Exercise Rapid Response scheduled for November 28, 2020, aims to bolster preparedness for crisis scenarios.

 

She added that the training seeks to equip attendees with essential skills to manage emergencies effectively.

 

She encouraged participants to engage actively and collaborate for a comprehensive learning experience. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Defence/Security

Curbing corruption requires capacity, collaboration of all – EFCC Chairman

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekum Olukayode, has underscored the need for collaboration and capacity building of security agencies to tackle corruption.

Olukayode said this during the graduation of the Executive Leadership and Strategic Management Course, Batch 5/2024, of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Friday in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Mohammad Hamman-Joda, the EFCC boss emphasised the importance of training senior managers in security agencies as key to curbing corruption in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to continue to train to be ahead of the criminals, who are always trying to advance.
According to him, there are a lot of innovations in terms of crime, particularly crypto-currency.

“So, we have to up our game to catch them, if not, we will be left behind.
“We have trained a total of 100 participants from the EFCC, along with other participants from sister security agencies, Department of State Security, DSS, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA and Nigerian Army amongst others,” he said.

Olukayode said that the training was conducted in five batches, with participants drawn from senior and middle cadres of the commission.

He expressed the hope that the knowledge gained would impact positively on operations of the EFCC while appreciating NARC for the wealth of experience they shared.

“We look forward to more collaboration in the future,” he said.

The EFCC boss expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army and Nigerians on the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was designed to bring participants from the security architecture together to understand themselves and the challenges ahead.

Wahab said the training would also enhance the level of collaboration and cooperation between the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption for better performance.

According to him, the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies with them, and the solutions must come from them.

“Joint training is the way forward, so that everybody will know their strengths and weaknesses and understand each other.

“Somewhere along the line, it is not possible for one agency to solve the security situation they are facing, not only in Nigeria, anywhere in the world.

“Above all, reach across boundaries and borders to make friends, socialise, network and that is one of the challenges it brings to the participants,” Wahab said. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Yakubu Uba

Foreign

ECOWAS President urges Member States to expedite action on Africa gas project

542 total views today

By Mark Longyen

)Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, has called on Member States to collaborate and expedite action toward ensuring that the African-Atlantic gas project(AAGP) becomes a reality.

Touray made the plea at a joint meeting of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy, with Morocco and Mauritania participating, on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the energy ministers’ meeting was to deliberate on AAGP’s institutional agreements to facilitate regional access to natural gas and expansion across global markets

It is a 6,800km gas pipeline network within the ECOWAS subregion, 5,100 kilometres offshore from Nigeria to Morocco, passing through the coastal countries to Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The president , who was represented by Mr Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, said the project had already reached a critical stage of its implementation.

He said the main objective of the meeting was to provide an update on the overall progress of the project, and present to them the latest versions of the community texts.

“We have reached a critical phase in the development of this project, and it is essential for all parties to urgently collaborate and ensure that it becomes a reality.

“This project is of vital importance for our region, as increased access to natural gas will not only boost our electricity production/generation capacity, but will also drive economic, industrial, and agricultural growth across the region.

“As a transitional energy source, abundant natural gas usage in the region will support our countries in contributing to global climate change efforts, advancing clean and sustainable mobility, and promoting the use of clean cooking solutions,” he said.

Touray also urged member states to boost renewable energy, saying it was essential to develop strategies, initiatives, action plans, and regulatory frameworks to increase its share in the subregion’s energy mix.

“Currently, the use of renewable energy in our region is marginal, apart from hydroelectric sources, which themselves are underutilised, that is, only at 20 per cent.

“For us, the main challenges facing the ECOWAS region are the shortage of energy production capacity and the need to cover energy demand, as well as access issues.

“This Forum therefore provides an opportunity to take measures to strengthen our regional structures in the energy sector, each of which is experiencing its challenges,” the president said.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Expo, said that the proposed African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) when operational will bolster Africa’s energy security and unlock new markets.

According to him, linking Nigeria’s natural gas reserves to North Africa and Europe would expand opportunities for economic growth, job creation, industrialisation, and benefiting communities across the linkage countries.

He described the AAGP as a crucial step toward achieving the vision of an integrated hydrocarbon and energy infrastructure within Africa and a reflection of ECOWAS’ strategic vision for a connected and economically vibrant pipeline network.

“The draft agreement is therefore an affirmation of our commitment to enhance trade within ECOWAS and other African countries, facilitating natural gas access across the region, and expansion in global gas markets,” he said.

NAN reports that AAGP is the outcome of the merging of West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP) and Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP) into a single gas power plant project.

The merger was approved by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at their 63rd Ordinary Session on July 9, 2023. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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