News
FG Orders NSCDC to Take Over Protection of Transmission Lines
FG Orders NSCDC to Take Over Protection of Transmission Lines
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to take over the protection of transmission lines and towers across the nation.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunjo-Ojo gave the order on Friday during the passing-out parade of the 2nd batch of mining marshals of NSCDC in Abuja, decrying that: “It is not acceptable for a country to spend billions on power infrastructure for it to be vandalized.”
The Minister while expressing deep concern over the constant vandalism of transmission lines, towers and transformers, described the oft-repeated vandalism of critical national assets as economic sabotage which must be nipped in the bud.
Tunji-Ojo added that: “I will speak with my brother, the Minister of power, the rate of vandalism , the rate of destruction of our critical infrastructure in the sector and a lot of sabotage going on with our transmission lines, our generation points and all the rest has to be looked into.
“It is your job to make sure that no critical asset of government is destroyed and we are ready and I believe NSCDC is up to the task.
“The next time I come here, I want to see my Power Rangers, I mean people that will protect our distribution lines, people that will protect our Gencos people that will protect every power sector. it’s not reasonable, it’s not acceptable for the for a country like Nigeria to spend billions of dollars on power infrastructure all for it to be vandalized no country grows or develops without the power sector so NSCDC it is time for you to play your part.
“In terms of the power sector we will take this sector by sector. I have decided that the solution towards you accomplishing your mandate is sectorization of your responsibility.”
Tunji-Ojo also assured Nigerians that the country would do everything it takes to win the war against illegal miners.
He said: “Today, I can tell you the revenue from the solid mineral sector is not where it used to be, it has improved. The security in terms of our mines has improved and of course Nigeria is a big country therefore, we need to train more, we need to deploy more personnel into making sure that all our mines and all critical assets of Nigeria are well protected.
“We have seen that there is no solution to our problems that Nigerians cannot prefer yes we’ve not yet won the war but we know we will win the war.”
On his part, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake acknowledged that the revenue in the mineral sector has improved after the introduction of NSCDC Mining Marshals.
Alake, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, however warned miners to formalise their operations or face the law.
He said that the illegal operations of the miners have continued to cause land degradation.
In his remarks, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi lamented that the nation’s security especially the mining sector is being threatened by the nefarious activities of illegal miners, bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, among others, noting that this has led to a major setback in the development of the country’s otherwise very lucrative mining sector that is very critical to the country’s socio-economic development.
Audi said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is blessed with abundance of mineral resources which if properly tapped and managed, could significantly boost Nigeria’s revenue base which represents another giant stride towards stabilising the economy.”
He noted that adequate security measures towards strengthening security and safeguarding our collective patrimony needs to be put in place, while insisting that there is need for a robust policy guideline backed by legislation, for a robust regulatory measures to combat and criminalise illegal mining.
The CG explained that this measure will no doubt attract and encourage genuine investors (both indigenous and foreign) to the mining industry.
On the new mining marshals, he said: “I am of the firm believe that this intensive training has sufficiently equipped the participants with the requisite skills and knowledge to discharge their duties diligently and professionally. Let me at this juncture remind today’s graduands of the expectations of Government and to charge you all to maintain a high sense of professionalism, integrity, discipline, civility, humility, and level headedness and to ensure that knowledge gained in the course of the training is effectively utilized to fortify security at all mining sites across the country.
“You are also expected to imbibe the spirit of patriotism, absolute loyalty and to eschew acts or unethical conduct capable of dragging the image of the Corps in the mud as anyone found wanting will be appropriately sanctioned. Furthermore, you are to shun any act of unhealthy rivalry with other Security Agencies but rather regard yourselves as partners in the wheel of progress and development of this great Nation.”
FG Orders NSCDC to Take Over Protection of Transmission Lines
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU
The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.
The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.
The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.
To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
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MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government has commiserated with the government and people of Türkiye over the fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort that resulted in the death of 66 persons injured over 50 others.
The condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the acting spokesperson of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.
“The fire, which claimed the lives of 66 persons and injured over 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday 21st January 2025.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathizes with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident, and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
By: Mamman Mohammed
The Islamic Development Bank has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of Yobe state government to partner the bank for an agricultural project.
Mr. Javed khan, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the Bank stated this at a courtesy call on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, at the Government House, Damaturu.
Khan said the commitment of Yobe state government to meeting its obligations is quite impressive and encouraging.
Khan who led a team from the bank on assessment tour of the state to see for itself the documents developed and the preparations on ground for the project, said the team was convinced with government’s committment to the project.
“We were initially discouraged not to come to Yobe state citing insecurity but, we insisted on coming and are impressed with the peace and security, and the government’s commitment to the project.
“We are working towards a target in the next three months for the state to obtain approval from the bank for the project.
“The working synergy between our team and your team suggests that we will achieve our target within the stipulated time frame” Khan said.
Responding, Governor Buni commended the Bank for not listening to the enemies of progress of the state.
“l am glad you did not listen to them, some of whom have never been anywhere close to Yobe state but giving stories about what they don’t know.
“You are now here and you have seen things for yourselves and can tell the story better. We are ready for this partnership using agriculture to drive the economy of our state and the people.
“All the 17 local government areas in the state are now accessible and the people can access their farms and make this proposed project successful” Buni said.
The Governor explained the importance of agriculture to the people, adding “this project would guarantee food security and economic prosperity in our post insurgency recovery programme.
“The resilience exhibited by our people in embracing agriculture being their major preoccupation to rebuild their lives after the protracted insecurity is very encouraging and need to be supported” he said.
The Governor re-ephasized the readiness of his administration to partner the bank to make agricultural development in the state a huge success story.
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
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Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
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