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IPCR Identifies Weakness of Local Government Administration as Major Factor for Insecurity in Nigeria

IPCR Identifies Weakness of Local Government Administration as Major Factor for Insecurity in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The weakness of local government administration has been identified as the major factor responsible for the current state of insecurity in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday to mark the 2024 International Day of Peace, the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said insecurity was birthed largely by dissatisfaction in governance especially at the grassroots which first began with agitation and later violence and criminalities like banditry and kidnapping.
He said securing of the Supreme Court ruling giving financial autonomy to the local government is a welcome development and a great step towards development at the grassroots level and arresting insecurity in the country.
He said that all that is needed is to allow the Supreme Court ruling to be executed and that there was no reason for the governors to be against it.
Ochogwu said: “With patience as we allow for proper administration at the grassroots, most of the agitations would be over and peace return back to the country.”
He called on state governors to up their games and allow local governments to be properly run.
He said: “We have to get the running of our frontline right, for it is where many of our people are residents and they must be impacted to feel the presence of government.
“It is by so doing that violence agitation could be arrested and peace and security brought back to Nigeria.”
He said: “The International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in 1982, is a day set aside to promote the ideals of peace within and among nations and peoples, as well as campaign against prevailing violence globally. The 2024 edition of the Peace Day Commemoration focuses on how a culture of peace, unity, dialogue, and reconciliation can be entrenched in communities across the world. This explains the rationale for the theme: “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”.”
Ochogwu added that: “As you are all aware, the world is faced with numerous challenges, including economic downturn, inequity, natural disasters, weak institutions, poor governance, marginalization and violent conflicts. These issues have adversely affected nations globally, including Nigeria. Nigeria has over time experienced a huge loss of lives and humanitarian crises resulting from diverse forms of violent conflicts recorded across communities. Hence, the need to build a culture of peace and resilience in our communities.
“Therefore, IPCR and its partners have mapped out a series of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Peace, including:
Media Chat: Engaging in discussions with thought leaders on the significance of peace in national and international contexts.
Art Exhibition: Showcasing peace-themed artworks to promote peace through creative expression.
Sports Events: Peace-building through sports tounite people of different backgrounds in a spirit of camaraderie.
Cultural Displays: Featuring traditional performances from diverse ethnic groups to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and emphasize unity in diversity.
Peace Walk: A symbolic march through designated areas to advocate for peace and raise public awareness on the need for peaceful coexistence.
Peace Lecture: A keynote lecture by prominent individuals on strategies for fostering peace and non-violence.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his firm resolve to improve the quality of life of Nigerians and promote peace and security for national progress, particularly through the instrumentality of ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
He however said: “Everyone is a stakeholder in the quest for ‘Peace’. We must all rally round the government and other partners of peace towards entrenching the culture of peace across board.”
IPCR Identifies Weakness of Local Government Administration as Major Factor for Insecurity in Nigeria
News
Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA

Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three suspected terrorists were neutralised on Sunday following a violent attack on Chediya community in Agarin ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
According to local sources, armed bandits stormed the village in the early hours, opening fire and setting several houses ablaze. The residents, however, mounted stiff resistance, engaging the attackers in a fierce confrontation that resulted in the death of three of the assailants.
While the villagers succeeded in repelling the attackers, the bandits also burned down several homes and forced many families to flee for safety.
“They came heavily armed and started shooting sporadically. Some of our youth confronted them, and in the fight, we managed to kill three of them,” said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons.
Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA
News
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.
APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.
Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.
Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.
“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.
“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.
“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.
“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
.
Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.
She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.
Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.
Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
News
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.
The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.
Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.
“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.
“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”
The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.
Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.
“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”
The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.
She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.
“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.
On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.
According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.
“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.
The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End
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