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FG warns NSCDC personnel against rights abuse

Published

3 weeks ago

September 1, 2023

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunj-Ojo, has warned paramilitary officers against abusing the rights of Nigerians, saying the uniforms they wear and weapons they bear are to defend the defenceless.

The minister gave the warning while on inspection tour to the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday, in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo, who expressed delight at the capabilities of the service, urged the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, to continue to use his skills to bring to bear innovative ideas on the personnel.

The minister also commended the personnel of the corps who won medals for Nigeria at continental and international sports events, promising automatic promotions for the duo involved.

He thanked the officers for the sacrifices they had been making on daily basis just to ensure that Nigerians sleep with their two eyes closed.

“I want to plead with you to treat Nigerians with respect in all you do. Mere fact that you are in uniform does mean you should abuse the rights of Nigerians. Please treat Nigerians with respect.

“The female squad is novel within our clime and this is what Nigeria is about. This is the Nigerian spirit innovation backed up with excellence.

“With the capacity that I have seen today, I know we are not too far from what we need to secure our country. The ministry will give you the needed support.

“Together we will build a security architecture that no level of insecurity can penetrate in any way.

“In line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of present administration, the ministry will not just be there for you, the government will have your backing.

“Your job is very key, and with proper efforts, harnessing your qualities coupled with dedication, the simple truth is that we can reduce the way our armed forces are being over stretched.”

He assured them that whatever was needed for them to succeed, the president was committed to assist them to deliver on their mandate.

The minister reminded them that it was their responsibility to protect the nation’s critical assets as well as the mining sites, schools, hospitals, public buildings among others.

“We will do all in our power to ensure that the two African champions you have presented here are given automatic promotions.

“The era when performance and excellence were attenuated and perhaps some other factors were amplified is over.

“That era is over. When you perform uniquely, distinctly and exceptionally, you will be recognised exceptionally.

“I have challenged your C-G. You have wonderful ideas and programmes but it is time to walk the talk. The time for action is now,”the minister stressed.

Earlier, the minister, while at the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Headquarters, promised to work with the service to enable them to carry out their constitutional mandate as custodian of fire management in the country.

He also promised to assist the service to acquire more modern fire fighting equipment to enable it achieve timely response to any fire incident in the country.

Tunj-Ojo promised to decentralise the service emergency response capabilities for effective and efficient service delivery.

The Controller-General of the service, AbdulGaniyu Jaji, promised to work with the ministry to enable it to achieve its mandate of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

Related Topics:Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Minister of Interior NSCDC

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Stakeholders appeal for justice in Ogoniland

Published

1 day ago

September 24, 2023

Desmond Ukafor

Stakeholders in the environment sector on Sunday in Abuja appealed for justice in Ogoniland to alleviate the plight of the people of the area.

Mr Michael David, the Executive Secretary of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), an NGO said this at a workshop on Strengthening Capacity for Afrika Vuka Volunteers in Nigeria.

This is a build up to power up global day of action #PowerUpOgoni.

The Power up for Climate Solutions action would take place by Nov. 2 to Nov. 4.

“We are to promote the injustices happening in Ogoniland. I have been there, I can feel what the people of Ogoniland are passing through.

“Their water and farmlands are covered with oil, it is very sad. This should not be happening.

“I’m not sure we can proclaim the land in Ogoni, the level of pollution is indescribable,” David said.

He assured that the actions revealing the injustices in Ogoniland would be carried out in Ogoni and Abuja.

“We want to call the world’s attention to what is happening in Ogoniland.
They can’t farm, fish or drink clean and safe water,” David said.

He said that Karen community in Ogoniland never knew what electricity is like since existence.

“We shall carry out the action in Karen community in Ogoniland where we shall provide street lights for the market women only.

“We want to do a massive photo exhibition in Abuja of all the injustices in Ogoniland from 2018 till Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) came into inception.

“Vuka is a Zulu word from South Africa and it means rise up or in Swahili it means awaken so the 350Africa.org came up with this campaign to say Africa wake up. We also intend to have a group tagged Nigeria wake up,” David said.

He appealed to stakeholders that are into climate advocacy to partner to fight against climate injustices in the country and also appealed for increased budgetary provisions for key agencies in the fight against climate injustices.

NAN reports that 350Africa.org is a group campaigning against fossil fuels, and the promotion of renewable energy and has also been in partnership with GIFSEP to build up global day of action #PowerUpOgoni.

Rukiya Khamis, a representative from 350Africa.org said that the group is a platform for climate advocacy and justice and urged stakeholders to take the message #PowerUpOgoni across the world.

Khamis said that the group uses grassroots organising to run locally-driven campaigns in every corner of the globe.

“The climate crisis is about power — but not just the kind of power that keeps the lights on.

“We believe that the only way we’ll see meaningful action on climate change is if we can counter the power of the fossil fuel industry with the power of people taking collective action.

“We use online tools to connect that power, help those people see themselves as one movement, and to facilitate public actions,” she said.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIJ/ORO
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Edited by Razak Owolabi

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LASTMA, others combat Ilupeju industrial fire outbreak

Published

2 days ago

September 23, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders at early hour on Saturday combated an industrial fire outbreak at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass.

Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Adebayo stated that the industrial fire outbreak took place at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass beside Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ilupeju area of Lagos.

“The Traffic Officer of LASTMA, Mr Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21, confirmed that LASTMA rescue team arrived at the scene of the industrial fire outbreak around at 6:30a.m. before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

“Immediately we arrived at the scene of the industrial fire, we quickly informed other emergency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire, Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police.

“The causes of industrial fire could not be immediately ascertained, he said.
Olaosebikan noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the storage and factory section of the petrochemical company were seriously affected by the fire outbreak.

According to him, emergency responders on ground include Federal and State Fire Services, policemen and LASTMA Response Unit.

Olaosebikan said that neither injury nor death had been recorded.