NEDC Seeks Global Partners Support to Actualize North East Development Master Plan

By: Michael Mike

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has seek the assistance of global development partners for its North East Stabilization and Development Master Plan.

The Commission made available the Master Plan to global development partners at the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) headquarters at N’Djamena, Chad

This Master Plan is a framework of the NEDC to accelerate the regional recovery effort as it steps up sustainable implementation of programmes based on the needs of the six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe that constitute the North East region. The plan is in addition to humanitarian interventions and disaster support .

In N’Djamena, the Commission led by its Managing Director and CEO, Mohammed Alkali with his team met with the Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Amb. Mamman Nuhu who is also the Head of Mission of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Alkali at the meeting, emphasized that the LCBC’s strategies for recovering the lake Chad basin are similar to those of the NEDC in the recovery of the Northeast region as contained in the Master Plan.

He noted that the NEDC views the LCBC as a strategic partner in the quest to actualise its developmental programmes as the regional body’s activities strongly impact on the states of the North East .

Executive Secretary LCBC, Amb. Mamman Nuhu on his part, said. “We certainly have a lot to do together so at our technical level we will come up with recommendations on how we can work together and form stronger partnership in order to pitch up the affected period already under Prolac which is called (in support of MCRP) it is called prolac in all the other countries except Nigeria where it is in support of MCRP and where we have been working closely with all the others, where we have the regional help”

Nuhu also pointed out that there is a window for everybody in terms of the nine pillars out of the 40 strategic objectives of the regional stablization strategy, every body can come in with a plan .

He said: “The only limitation we have is funding otherwise it is an excellent plan and it is adaptive. It is also inline with the Lake Chad Basin Commission Regional Stabilization Strategy which was developed in the year 2018”.

Among the MD/CEO’s delegation were the Executive Director Admin & Finance, Dr. Abubakar Garba Iliya, Prof. Umar Bobboi, National Cordinator MCRP, Prof. Mohammed Abbagana, Head, Research & Planning, Mohammed Umar Sani, Head, Resettlement & Early Recovery and Naomi Abwaku of the Commission’s Corporate Services Department.

The Delegation from the NEDC will also be in N’Djamena to attend the 3rd Annual International Forum on the Development of the Lake Chad Basin with the theme ‘Enhancing Local Governance and Social Cohesion for Socio Economic Development and Food Security in Changing in the Lake Chad Region’.

NEDC Seeks Global Partners Support to Actualize North East Development Master Plan

SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC

By: Our Reporter

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan and his entourage conducted an Oversight Visit to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji Kaduna on Monday, November 4, 2024. The visit, held at AVM AO Ogundana Officers’ Mess aimed to inspect and assess projects executed by the College.

In his address, the commandant AFCSC, AVM HI Alhaji welcome the committee. He further mentioned that the College was established with the mission to train tactical and operational level officers in standardized command and staff duties through professional military education to effectively accomplish the constitutional roles of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

During his remarks, Sen. Ahmad Lawan stated that in the current global landscape, security is paramount. Therefore, he pledged to continue prioritizing the nation’s security and military forces to ensure they receive the necessary support. “When we secure our environment, we can more easily and comfortably provide for other needs,” he said. The committee chairman also highlighted the AFCSC as a key institution for military training, providing education to officers at the tactical, operational, and mid-management levels, who go on to lead critical military operations. Sen. Ahmad Lawan stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for achieving the College’s goals, underscoring that adequate funding is essential for success.

“There must be substantial investment in the AFCSC and other defence institutions like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the National Defence College (NDC),” Lawan said. “These institutions attract people from all over the world for training, a testament to the excellence of our programs.” He called for more funding in the upcoming 2025 budget for defence institutions and security agencies, asserting that security should be the nation’s top priority.

Sen. Ahmad Lawan thereafter, commended also the Commandant AFCSC, his predecessors and members of the College Committee for their dedicated efforts in building and sustaining the institution since its inception.

Highlights of the event included inspection of the quarter guard, presentation of souvenirs, a tour of College facilities.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC

Borno Flood: Buhari Pays Condolence Visit to Maiduguri

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Tuesday received former President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state to commiserate with the people and government over the 10th of September flood disaster.

The state capital Maiduguri and environs was submerged in flood that claimed several lives and destroyed many properties.

President Buhari who was out of the country when the flood disaster occurred had earlier sent a high powered delegation to commiserate with the government and made a N20m donation to the state relief fund.

Making his remarks during the visit, Buhari said, “When this disaster happened, having been governor in Borno during my military career, I could hardly imagine such disaster. I was out of the country, all I could do was to send people to come and sympathise with you.”

In their separate remarks, Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, expressed gratitude to the former President for the visit.

The former president was accompanied by the ex-Secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Prof. Isa Pantami, Engr. Aliyu Mamman, Garba Shehu, Emeka Nwajiuba, Musa Haro Danmadami among other associates.

Borno Flood: Buhari Pays Condolence Visit to Maiduguri