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NCCSALW Destroys 6,000 Illicit Arms In Six Geo-Political Zones

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The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has so far recovered and destroyed no fewer than 6,000 illicit arms across the six go-political zones of the country.
The South East Zonal Coordinator of NCCSALW, Major-General Okechukwu Ugo (rtd.), made this known in his welcome address on the occasion of a one – day seminar on the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), organised by the centre in Enugu over the weekend.
According to him, the destruction exercises, which are in line with United Nations conventions, have contributed immensely to prevent the recycling of these illicit arms back into our society, thereby enhancing safety and security in Nigeria and globally.
“The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, realising the need for sub-regional, regional and global partnerships in this fight against the menace of illicit arms, has engaged and continues to engage various international stakeholders in the field.
Maj-Gen Ugo, however regretted that these SALW have become weapons of choice for criminals, terrorists and bandits in Nigeria and beyond, posing a significant challenge to the country especially in the wake of many crises that have engulfed the South East geo-political zone and the nation at large.
”The menace of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons is directly responsible for much of the untold human suffering in our society today”, adding that it is the easy access to them and the recklessness of their use that make violence more lethal and conflicts more protracted in the country.
The theme of this Seminar, “Multi-sectoral Synergy Towards the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria”, he said, was carefully chosen to bring forth the urgent need for collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders against the menace of the spread of illicit SALW.
“The SE Zonal Office has been carrying out necessary awareness campaigns. We have also contributed our quota in the retrieval of obsolete and illicit arms from units and formations within our area of operation.
“Worried by this ugly trend and its attendant consequences, the Federal Government of Nigeria authorised the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of SALW on 3rd May 2021.
“ The Centre was established to serve as the institutional platform to stem the proliferation of small arms within the framework of the various international protocols and instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“ By establishing this Centre, the Federal Government has demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to the provisions of Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW which requires each of its 15 member states to establish national institutions to promote multilateral approach to stamping out illicit arms trade in the West African Sub-region.Since its establishment, this Centre has hit the ground running.
“With its National Headquarters in Abuja under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Centre now has 6 active Zonal Offices one in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria”.
Continuing, Maj-Gen Ugo further said: “The Southeast Zonal Office remains grateful to the Enugu State Government, ably led by His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah, for allocating sizeable plots of land for the construction of the permanent zonal office, as well as security agencies within Enugu State and indeed other states in the Southeast Zone, for their cooperation and collaboration, which have made it much easier for us to operate effectively.
“We also appreciate the Chief of Army Staff, through the GOC, for the plot of land given to us for the construction of our armoury and so many other administrative and operational supports which the 82 Division has been extending to us.
The seminar was attended by a number of dignitaries including the Geneal Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Hassan Dada, who was the special guest of honour, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, traditional rulers, leaders of faith based organizations, heads of security agencies, members of Non-Governmental Organizations, among others

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RIVPOLY Warms Staff Against Sexual Harassment, Sorting, Other Vices

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The Management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENPLOY) has threatened to discipline any staff who prioritises harassment of female students in the campus.
The Polytechnic also said it would discipline any staff who is involved in sorting and other related vices in the institution.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Ledum S. Gwarah gave the warning at a one-day workshop for administrative, non-teaching staff of the Polytechnic, in Bori, yesterday.
Gwarah said, “Management would not condone acts inimical to the successful realisation of our target goals as discipline measures will be taken against staff who prioritise harassment of female students, sorting and related vices among others.”
The Rector said further that his administration would defend all staff who are unjustly treated by their superiors and ensure that justice and fair play supersede all primordial interest.
He charged the staff of the Polytechnic to be diligent, take their work seriously, and display responsible and credible job ethics.
Dr. Gwarah assured the readiness of the management to prioritize the welfare of all staff, saying the management is working on more practical measures to motivate workers.
He commended the staff and the newly employed for their contributions to the growth of the institution.
Earlier, the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Emmanuel Onwuka, said the workshop was conceived to reintroduce staff to the work ethics of the Polytechnic which has been ignored for some time.
According to him, the workshop is aimed at giving the entire non-teaching staff a new sense of belonging in the chemistry of administrative knowledge.
“When the right tools of instruction is given to a staff, he will enjoy job satisfaction which will inturn lead to greater productivity,” he said.
The Registrar enjoined the non-teaching staff to take their work seriously and avoid any act of indiscipline and disloyalty to constituted authority.

Chinedu Wosu

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Nigeria Partners UK, Germany, Others On Green Industrial Dev’t

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Nigeria is partnering with the United Kingdom(UK), Germany and the World Economic Forum towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s plans for a green industrial development of the country.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Wednesday in Abuja, said that the meeting with the leadership of the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNAIF) centred on enabling a private sector-led, public sector-enabled programme.
“We (also) hosted a virtual discussion with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Center for Nature and Climate, Ms Gim Huay.
“We agreed to actionable next steps that will ensure greater collaboration with international investors and DFIs in accordance with our green industrial roadmap.
“On Wednesday evening, we hosted a fruitful session with a delegation from the German Embassy led by its Head of Climate Negotiations, Ambassador Johannes Lehne.
“Specific steps toward deepening collaboration on hydrogen and wind energy development were agreed upon with a follow-up next week,” he said.
The Tide’s source reports that in May, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, known as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Envoy on Climate Action and will retain his role as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.
The committee was part of a strategic move of the President to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.
The committee is to coordinate and oversee all the policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.
The UKNIAF is a technical assistance programme (2019 – 2025) that aims to transform Nigeria’s capacity to plan, finance, deliver and maintain climate-smart. critical infrastructure.
It aims to achieve transformation through technical support in two component areas: Power and Infrastructure Finance.
The key counterparts are the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies; selected state governments; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Nigeria (FCDO); the wider development and development finance institution groups.

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Nigeria To Host Africa’s $5bn Energy Bank– Minister

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Nigeria has been granted the hosting right for the African Energy Bank (AEB) after beating Ghana, Benin Republic, Algeria, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire in a keenly contested bidding.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), told newsmen in Abuja yesterday, that the award of hosting right for the bank highlighted Nigeria’s robust energy sector.
He said “the award of the hosting right also highlights the country ‘s strategic vision for Africa’s energy future.”
Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the support extended during the course of the bidding.
He also thanked the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) for the confidence in Nigeria’s capability.
The minister highlighted the collaborative spirit of the APPO members and their shared vision for a united, energy-secured Africa.
He emphasised that “this decision reflects our collective ambition to create African solutions to Africa’s energy challenges.
“The African Energy Bank will be instrumental to providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.
“The decision is a significant step for the continent’s energy sector and underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s energy landscape.”
The minister assured Nigerians and Africans at large that the establishment of the African Energy Bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs.
He said that the initiative aligned with the broader objectives of African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming for a prosperous and self-sustaining Africa.
“We are committed to ensuring that the bank did not only move Nigeria forward, but becomes a beacon of progress for the entire continent.
“Our goal is to foster sustainable energy solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.”
The Tide’s source reports that the bank is expected to facilitate access to funding for energy projects, thereby catalysing economic growth and enhancing energy security.

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