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Unemployment: Several Youths to Get Fire Fighting Jobs- FG
Unemployment: Several Youths to Get Fire Fighting Jobs- FG
By: Michael Mike
The federal government is targeting employing several youths as fire fighters to reduce the large rate of unemployment in the nation.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said during the launching of new fire fighting equipment which include 16 trucks and six vehicles at the Headquarters of the Federal Fire Service in Abuja on Wednesday that what is delaying the employment is the enacted of new laws to modernize Fire Fighting in Nigeria.
He noted that when the laws are ready the number of fire fighters needed would be alighted and the need for fire fighters in every public infrastructure in the country would be stipulated, and subsequently allow for more hands to be employed.
Tunji-Ojo while noting that the number of fire fighters in a country shows the level of its development, said Nigeria cannot be among the top economies of the world and have the small population of fire fighters.
According to him, there is a direct correlation between sophistication, industrialization and fire service because the more you grow as an economy, the more you need to expand the coast of your fire service. Fire service is directly related to development in any nation.
Nigeria with just over 6,000 federal fire fighters is among the least number of employed fire fighters in the world.
The Minister said New York with 255 fire houses, Los Angeles with 160 fire stations give the picture of what fight fight and rescue operation should be, noting that US has over a million fire fighters both employed and volunteers.
He said the bill before the National Assembly if accented would change the narratives of fire fighting in the country.
He lamented that: “FFS is a sleeping giant. Your response should not only be combating fire but even forecasting danger. You must be pro-active,” he added that: “I don’t want your performance to be valued around the buildings or infrastructure you prevented from burning down, but rather preventive mechanism to rescue and prevent hazards.”
He said: “For us as a people, we cannot continue to pay lip service non-challant attitude to the issue to fire. As an individual, I believe that the FFS should be the major employer of labour in Nigeria. All we need to do is put on our thinking caps. It is time for the FFS to rise up to her responsibility which is not just about combating fire. It has to do even with forecasting dangers. We have to migrate from the era of corrective activities to the era of being proactive which will lead us to preventive measures that can save us millions of Naira.
“Your strength lies in the decline of fire outbreaks and not the number of fires you fought within a period.
“Extinguishing fires, saving lives and property, rescuing people during accidents and protecting people on the event of other emergencies remained part of your responsibilities.
“Federal Fire and Rescue Service will be expected to collect information across Nigeria and also take care of the health and safety of your personnel.
“I need to have the full range of foreseeable fires, the areas and what we have to combat them. It is very important hay this becomes your next line of action. As government agencies, we put in more efforts in solving problems rather than planning to prevent them.
The FFS must work very closely with NSCDC for security cover. I understand the issues that our FFS men are attacked when they go out on their legitimate duties but with the NSCDC providing such cover, such attacks will be reduced.
“We want your training centres not just for your officials but we want all buildings with more than 10 workers to have fire rescue and safety officers among them. Timely intervention can save lives and billions of Naira.”
The Minister noted that when the bill on fire and rescue service is assented, the FFS will play major role in our national development, insisting that: “For any country to attain it’s potentials, Fire Service cannot be relegated.”
Earlier, the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Engineer Jaji Abdulganiyu said the fire statistics in the first and
second quarter of 2023 was a testimony of a truly re- engineered Service, noting that records at the Data Repository Centre puts fire call for the period at 1,096,
lives saved -111 successful rescues at 91 and total property saved at over N300
billion.
He assured that with the launching of the state-of-the-art firefighting trucks and
Ford Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV), incredible achievements are going to be made.
Unemployment: Several Youths to Get Fire Fighting Jobs- FG
Borno troops repel Boko Haram attack in Hawul, one killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled simultaneous attacks by ISWAP terrorists on Jihuhi and Harang villages in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving one person dead.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on Jan. 27 at about 1630 hours, the terrorists invaded the villages, firing indiscriminately and setting several houses ablaze.
The attack fatally injured Adamu Inusa, also known as Daddy, 35, a member of the Hunters Group in Hawul.
He was evacuated to General Hospital Hawul, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary and will be released to his family for Islamic burial after clearance operations in the affected communities.
A combined team of troops of Operation HADIN KAI, police tactical units, and local Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters groups responded promptly, engaging the terrorists and successfully repelling the attack.
The area remains under close monitoring as security forces continue clearance and patrol operations.
Borno troops repel Boko Haram attack in Hawul, one killed
Security forces in Gombe arrest suspected cattle rustler, recover 50 sheep
By: Zagazola Makama
Gombe State Police Command has arrested a suspected cattle rustler and recovered 50 sheep following a distress call in Amada.
The report revealed that on Jan. 28 at about 8:22 p.m., a mob apprehended one Sani Jamilu, 25, of Sabon Kaura LGA, Katsina State, who was reportedly seen with a flock of sheep around Dolli and Shilto communities.
The second suspect, identified only as Lawali, escaped.
The injured suspect was rescued by police and taken to Amada Primary Health Clinic for medical attention.
Sources say Police have launched an investigation into the incident and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Security forces in Gombe arrest suspected cattle rustler, recover 50 sheep
How We Turned from Foes to Friends — Franco-German Envoys Share Lessons with Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Ambassadors of Germany and France to Nigeria have urged the country to draw lessons from decades of Franco-German cooperation, stressing that reconciliation, friendship, and shared responsibility are critical drivers of growth, stability, and regional integration.
German Ambassador Annett Günther and French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during events marking the 63rd anniversary of German-French Day, which commemorates the signing of the Élysée Treaty on January 22, 1963.
Speaking jointly, the envoys reflected on how France and Germany overcame centuries of rivalry and conflict to become close partners and allies after the Second World War.
They noted that the experience demonstrates that even the most hostile relationships can be transformed through sustained dialogue and political commitment.
“The history of reconciliation and European unification shows that no matter how dark the past may seem, a different future is possible,” the ambassadors said, adding that this message is particularly relevant for Nigeria and its partners. “We are stronger together — and stronger as friends.”
They explained that Franco-German cooperation is anchored in formal treaties that mandate continuous consultation between both countries at all levels, including heads of state, foreign ministers, and senior officials. This coordination, they said, now extends beyond Europe to global and African issues.
Fielding questions from journalists, the ambassadors pointed to Nigeria’s strategic role within West Africa, saying the country could apply similar principles to strengthen the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Fonbaustier said stronger countries within a regional bloc have a responsibility to drive integration while supporting weaker members to ensure collective progress. “A union only succeeds when all its members move forward together,” he said, noting that unity should be based on shared development rather than narrow national interests.
He described Nigeria as the leading power within ECOWAS and encouraged it to continue playing a central role in promoting regional security, economic integration, and people-to-people exchange.
Günther also echoed these views, highlighting what she described as a “Franco-German reflex” of constant consultation and coordination. She said this habit of cooperation enables both countries to respond jointly to emerging challenges and align their diplomatic efforts, including in Africa.
They both stressed that the Franco-German journey from hostility to partnership offers valuable lessons for Nigeria and the African continent, particularly in fostering regional unity, managing diversity, and building long-term peace through cooperation.
How We Turned from Foes to Friends — Franco-German Envoys Share Lessons with Nigeria
Katsina police arrest gun runners, recover AK-47 magazines and ammunition
Borno troops repel Boko Haram attack in Hawul, one killed
Security forces in Gombe arrest suspected cattle rustler, recover 50 sheep
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