Month: July 2023

The National Security Assessment Group (NSAG), a civil society group, has lauded the role of the Nigerian military in restoring peace and stabilisation in various parts of the world.

The National Coordinator of NSAG, Mr Ismail Aliyu, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said Nigerian Armed Forces had continued to exhibit unwavering commitment to global peace and that of Africa in particular.

Aliyu said the recent return of 84 Nigerian soldiers who served in the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau to Nigeria was commemdable.

He added that the commendation trailing the performance of Nigerian troops in the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA) for Abyei in Sudan had also demonstrated such commitment.

According to him, the Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander UNISFA, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, is a Nigerian, while the 160 strength Nigerian Contingent Force to UNISFA is commanded by Col. E. J. Nkwereuwen.

The group said that reports from various countries where Nigerian troops were engaged in peacekeeping operations revealed that the troops had continued to be disciplined, loyal and submissive to constituted authority.

“We cannot be happy enough that we now have a Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christoper Musa, who played a pivotal role in making the North East peaceful during his time as Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin.

“The sacrifices made by Nigerian military in restoration of peace within and outside the country is unequalled.

“It reinforces the fact that the Nigerian military is equal to the task wherever they find themselves.

“We cannot forget the role of our troops in peacekeeping in over 40 countries dating back to over 50 years when General Aguiyi Ironsi led Nigerian Army troops out for the first time in a peace support mission to the war-ravaged Congo in the 1960s.

“Our success in peacekeeping has endeared us to the International Community as a reliable peace partner.

“We, therefore, urge Nigerians to continue to pray for our troops and support them as they continue to make us proud,” the group said.

The group said that another contingent of troops, comprising nine officers and 77 soldiers deployed to take over from those that returned from Guinea-Bissau, have departed the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, has expressed satisfaction with the quality of granulated organic fertilisers produced at the biofertiliser factory in the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, Rivers.

The commendation comes after construction of the factory within six months of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd.

Nababa gave the commendation during a working visit to the Biofertiliser factory at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, a statement by SC Juliet Ofoni , Command Public Relation Officer,Rivers, said on Wednesday.

The visit was to inspect and evaluate the biofertiliser factory and to collect samples for test in as many Correctional Farm Centres as possible.

It was also to procure same as off-takers for use in farms such as Elele Correction Farm Centre, Port-Harcourt.

The Controller General of Corrections (CGC) was represented by Deputy Controller General of Corrections, in the Inmates Training and Productivity (ITP) Directorate, Sylvester Nwakuche.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of granulated organic fertiliser produced after construction of the factory within 6 months of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd.

He called on investors to exploit the Public Private Partnership (PPP) window to maximise profit margins by investing on agro – allied ventures in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He further urged the Biofil Technology to ensure that the best was utilised of the five-year test run tenure given in the MOU, noting that the packaging should carry the NCoS symbol to amplify the essence of partnership involved.

Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, in charge of Rivers State Command, Felix Lawrence, welcomed the CGC and his entourage to the state.

He appreciated the CGC for approving the construction of the renewable energy system in the centre.

According to him, the area was messed with rodents and waste litters, but is now a clean and safe working environment because of the value-added processing of biogas and biofertiliser from inmates’ humongous waste matters.

He also congratulated the untiring supervising officers and men of the state command assigned to the factory for avoiding ineptitude and redundancy leading to the marked success of the production in the factory.

Contributing, CC Raymond Jatau, stated that similar projects were being approved by the CGC across the country for improvement of sanitation, hygiene and enhancement of inmates training and rehabilitation

According to him, the sustainability of the project is the main purpose of the visit of the CGC through the high-power delegation to the site.

He stated that the Nigerian Correctional Officers Wives Association (NICOWA) would be involved in the distribution of the product once the Service procure the quantity its budget could accommodate.

In his brief, the Director of Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd., Mr Ibikun Taiwo, appreciated the visit and stated that the MoU ab initio indicated that NCoS would be the sole off-taker.

He said they would buy the produce at a reduced price to preserve land from further degradation suffered due to use of inorganic fertilisers.

He promised that for now, 20 inmates would be trained on how to produce biofertilisers within six, to prepare them for re-integration.

On the benefits of the biofertiliser, he said: “ The bio-fertiliser option for NCoS has enormous advantages.

“They include the treatment of waste matter generated in custodial centres and the involvement of retirees in the business of biofertiliser sales.

“The bio fertilisers are purely organic and are safe to be used in all types of farms across the country for production of Organic Foods for healthy living.’’

According to him, the sewage is the main raw material for the adoption of a climate smart agricultural practice in the Correctional Service.

In an interview with the fact finding committee, an inmate in the production line confirmed that production capacity was about 500 bags of 50kg per day using a staff strength of 20 with 15 Inmates and five instructors working for less than six hours daily.

He said that higher production volume would have been achieved if three shifts were possible on site.

The site supervisor, SC O Clifford said: “Inmates undergo formal training daily by working in the factory to enable them re- integrate properly into the society after they regain their freedom.

“ MoU is designed to enable inmates earn daily, which would be a source for support for their families and dependents outside the Custodial Centres.

“Efforts are on top gear to certificate qualified inmates to work with BTNL fertiliser firms when they eventually get discharged out of custody.

“Furthermore, records show that the Nigerian Correctional Service commissioned the public – private partnership in Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas operated kitchen at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt in November 2020.

“And today it has graduated to the level of production of Bio- Fertilizers and gas for renewable energy option of the smart agric technology.

The statement said that those who were present at inspection visit included Assistant Controller General CN Ogwude, incharge of Agriculture and Controller of Corrections, DA Kupan incharge of Planning, Research and Statistics.

Also, the Controller of Corrections, RY Jatau from Works and Logistics and Deputy Controller of Corrections, KN Abubakar from Procurement unit.

The Incharge Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, Deputy Controller of Corrections, EO Etim gave the vote of thanks and wished the committee safe trip back to Abuja.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday, said the government installed 48 Obas from June 2020 to May 2023.

Sanwo-Olu made this known at the State House Ikeja during the inauguration of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, for another five years.

He said the state government recognised and appreciated the vital role the traditional rulers played in ensuring peace, harmony and stability.

According to him, this creates a conducive environment for everyone in the communities to live, work and transact their businesses, without fear or intimidation.

“It is in furtherance of this conviction that a total number of 48 Obas were installed from June 2020 to May 2023.

“It is important to state here that the inauguration of this council further attests to the high pedestal this administration places our traditional institution and its relevance to the contemporary governance structure and delivery of dividends of democracy.

“On our part, as an administration, we have continued to support our traditional rulers with welfare packages to enhance their mobility and general upkeep, as well as the construction and renovation of palaces across the state.

“It is our expectation that all of these will aid seamless discharge of your duties in your respective domains,” he said.

The governor urged the traditional rulers to continue serving as vital bridges between the people and the government, as fathers of their respective communities.

He said the vital issue of security in the state should be of collective concern; as the traditional rulers’ collaboration with the government and its security agencies would help in safeguarding the peace that Lagos state had always enjoyed.

Sanwo-Olu thanked the traditional rulers for their support for his re-election and especially the election of President Bola Tinubu, as well as all other APC candidates, both at the Federal and state levels.

”Let me assure you all, our royal fathers, that I will continue to cherish and rely on your support and wise counsel, as we strive to raise the profile of Lagos state among the comity of modern city-states in the world.

“Through commitment to the implementation of our T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda.

“On this note, it is my honour and privilege to inaugurate the newly approved Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs under the chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos for another five years,” he said.

Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, said that the reconstitution came with consideration for the inclusion of all the First Class traditional rulers across the five divisions of the state.

“The traditional institution contributes phenomenally to good governance in Lagos, in the area of resolution of chieftaincy matters and giving advice to government on chieftaincy, security, inter-community relations and other public policy issues in the state,” Bolarinwa said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), on Thursday called for total replication of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption efforts at the state levels.

The Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call at the opening of a two-day anti-corruption workshop for representatives of state-led anti-corruption agencies in Lagos on Thursday.

At the workshop organised by CISLAC, Rafsanjani urged the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to work out the modalities for its members to establish anti-corruption agencies in their states.

According to him, the fight against corruption should be taken seriously by governments at all levels.

Rafsanjani stated that corruption was a huge threat to the sustainable economic development of the nation.

“It is also a threat to the promotion of ethical values and justice; corruption is a destabiliser of society, it endangers the rule of law.

“So, it is imperative to replicate the Federal Government’s anti-corruption efforts at the state and even the local government levels,’’ he said.

The executive director said that having anti-corruption agencies at other tiers of government would strengthen the campaign against corruption in the country.

In his speech, CISLAC’s Senior Legal Officer, Bathsheba Tagwai, urged the participants to seize the opportunity to strengthen their capacities as anti-corruption agents.

“Use the lessons learnt here to strengthen your abilities to institutionalise Federal Government’s anti-corruption efforts at the sub-national level,” he said.

A participant, Jonathan Ogunsanya, the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, said the state had already enacted laws empowering it to establish anti-corruption agencies.

“We are at the level of putting the right structures in place. As a state, we are working towards it,” he said.

A representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Iheanacho Ekele, noted that there was a need for more stakeholder collaboration in the nation’s anti-corruption campaign.

He said that political leaders at the state levels should show commitment towards the establishment of state anti-corruption agencies.

Another participant, Mrs Chioma Ude, representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), expressed the commission’s willingness to deepen the fight against corruption in the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria