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Category: Defence/Security

  • Navy fully equipped to provide hydrographical charts, data – Hydrographer

    Navy fully equipped to provide hydrographical charts, data – Hydrographer

    Hydrography

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Adm. Ayodeji Olugbode says the Nigerian Navy is fully equipped to produce up-to-date navigational charts and hydrographical data for the development of the nation’s blue economy.

    Olugbode, who is also the Hydrographer of the Navy and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydrographic Agency, said this while briefing newsmen on the 2024 World Hydrography Day Celebration on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the theme for the 2024 World Hydrography Day is “Hydrographic Information: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Marine Activities.”

    Olugbode said the Nigerian navy had since the acquisition of its OCEA-built vessel, OSV 190 ‘NNS LANA, delivered in 2021 and recent OSV 115, had been able to boost Nigeria’s hydrographical data.

    He said that Nigeria no longer rely on foreign charts, adding that the navy had over the years, developed capability in house and could rapidly get data updated.

    According to him, we don’t need to wait for anybody to validate our data anymore and we no longer need to send data abroad for validation.

    Olugbode said the field of hydrography was crucial for safe navigation, marine resource management, and environmental protection.

    “This year, we continue this journey by focusing on the significance of accurate and up-to-date hydrographic data in ensuring safe navigation, optimising operational efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices in the maritime industry.

    “This theme resonates deeply with the core principles of hydrography. Safety is paramount for all maritime stakeholders, and it hinges on accurate hydrographic data.

    “This data allows seafarers to navigate confidently, mitigating risks associated with navigation hazards and ensuring the safety of lives and property at sea.

    “For example, our surveys have been crucial in planning and constructing new ports, such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, transforming our trade landscape and enhancing our capacity to handle increased cargo volumes,’’ he said.

    The hydrographer said that the navy had also been working with key stakeholders to ensure that its products were properly utilised, to sustain the nation’s blue economy.

    He said the 2024 celebration would commence on June 14 to June 19, featuring awareness lectures on hydrography to selected secondary schools in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.

    The lectures, according to him, is aimed at inspiring young minds to consider careers in hydrography, ensuring we have the human capacity to provide quality hydrographic services to Nigeria’s policymakers and mariners alike.

    He added that there would be a one-day seminar to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration on the critical role of hydrographic data in promoting maritime safety and sustainable practices.

    “Additionally, we will introduce the Catalogue of Nigerian Charts, enhancing accessibility to maritime resources, cataloging existing charts, and detailing future productions.

    “This ensures that the maritime community has updated information for timely and effective decision-making.

    “The activities lined up for the 2024 World Hydrography Day celebration aim to create awareness and elicit the right response for the sustainable management of hydrographic information.

    “These efforts will harness the full potential of hydrographic data for the benefit of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, supporting maritime safety and fostering economic development,’’ he added.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/EBI/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Benson Iziama and Abiemwense Moru

     

  • FRSC deploys 500 personnel, 17 patrol vehicles in Kogi

    Deployment
    By Thompson Yamput
    Lokoja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed 500 personnel, 17 vehicles and three ambulance vehicles to check accidents on the highways during Eid el-Kabir.

    Mr Samuel Oyedeji, Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, announced this while briefing newsmen at the command’s premises in Lokoja on Friday.

    He explained that the deployment follows the order of Corp Marshall Shehu Mohammed, who he said was worried over the level of road  accidents in the country.

    “This is in line with the Operational order for 2024 Eid- el- Kabir Special Patrol operations from June 14 to June 21, hence the deployment of 500 personnel throughout the state with special marshals.

    “Also 17 patrol vehicles, one heavy tow truck, three ambulances and one  motorbike to help guarantee safety of motorists  and those transiting through the state during the period.

    “The enforcement shall focus on speeding and dangerous driving/overtaking, lane indiscipline/route violation, road obstructions, use of phone while driving, overloading, seatbelt/child restraint use violations and loading of articulated vehicles with goods and passengers, among others,” he said.

    Oyedeji said that to achieve this milestone, the state command and all its component unit commands had put in place measures to  engage the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes.

    He added that the command would ensure an effective patrol operations, as well as adequate monitoring on the highways.

    Oyedeji advised road users to guide their conducts and maintain good behaviours on the highways.

    He cautioned the drivers of commercial vehicles, trucks and articulated vehicles to avoid  night travel and overloading.

    “This is why FRSC is in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association and state judiciaries for timely prosecution of drivers and vehicle owners caught in the act of contravening established traffic regulations.

    “These unacceptable acts led to the flag-off of the Inter-Agency Joint Task Force (JTF) to enforce compliance against use of trailers conveying passengers as well as mitigate road traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries emanating from the lawlessness of articulated vehicle drivers,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    TYC/EOB
    =======
    Edited Edited by Edith Bolokor/Kayode Olaitan

  • Eid-el-Kabir: FRSC prepares 200 mobile courts for traffic offenders

    The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed

    Eid-el-Kabir: FRSC prepares 200 mobile courts for traffic offenders

    Offenders

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has set up over 200 mobile courts operations to prosecute traffic offenders during the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol operations across the country.

    The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this during a press briefing on the Corps’ preparations ahead of the Sallah celebration, on Friday in Abuja.

    Mohammed said that recent developments on the roads, revealed some of the challenges confronting safe use of the highways, which he said the Corps had stepped up to confront on all fronts.

    He said that the challenges include the ugly trend of using trailers and trucks to convey human beings, night trips, fatigue, speed violations, driving under influence, as well as overloading of vehicles.

    He also said that the Corps had introduced some key safety initiatives to tackle the menace and combat the ugly trend, as well as meet up with the changing times, especially developments coming from the unsafe behaviours.

    According to him, one of these is the result oriented efforts that have been directed towards effective collaboration with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and State Judiciaries.

    “This is for timely prosecution of drivers and vehicle owners caught contravening established traffic regulations like overloading, dangerous driving, and use of phone as well as speeding.

    “These violations will be tamed through the instrumentality of mobile court operations.

    “To this end, we shall carryout aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, with the aim of checking the following offences.

    “Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Road Obstructions, Use of Phone while Driving, Overloading, Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,

    “Others are Passenger’s Manifest Violation, Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles, loading of trailers with passengers and Illegal use of the Spy Number Plates, “he said.

    The FRSC boss called on drivers to imbibe the culture of courtesy, civility and consideration for other road users.

    He said “they must learn to do the right thing at all times because, as you have the right to use the roads, so do others.

    “As such, drivers must drive with the consciousness that members of their families, friends and loved ones are waiting for them at home, whenever they are on the road.

    “At all times, they must be conscious of the fact that those they carry are breadwinners, family and friends to other people whose lives are precious to them.

    “We must therefore exercise restraint and show respect to each other while on the road, “he said. (NAN)(http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • I-G warns against acts undermining merit-based promotion

    Merit
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, has warned against acts to undermine merit-based postings and promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.
    Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during the decoration of 27 newly promoted senior officers.
    He said the leadership of the current police administration had been committed to standardisation of promotion process in the force.
    According to him, the current promotion exercise, like those preceding it under this administration, adhered strictly to the fundamental principles of seniority and merit.
    “I will like to take this opportunity to sound a note of serious warning to unscrupulous officers who are attempting to undermine our merit based promotion process for personal gains.
    “I urge them to seize lobbying for special promotions through influential persons and external forces.
    “From now on, severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found guilty of soliciting for undeserved promotion through illicit means, masquerading as special promotion.
    “This also applies  to officers soliciting for preferential postings,” he said.
    The I-G pledged that promotion process in the Nigeria police would continue to be transparent and fair to all officers.
    He said no officer, eligible for promotion would be denied their rightful advancement.
    Egbetokun said the current police leadership had at inception, announced the suspension of special promotions to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent promotion process.
    “While we acknowledge that exceptional circumstances can warrant special promotion, we will take appropriate and expedient action when necessary.
    “We will revisit the decision at the right time and make exceptions where deserved, balancing individual merit to ensure fair and equitable process,” he said.
    The I-G congratulated the senior officers being decorated and urged them to see their promotions as a call for more dedication to duty.  (NAN)
    IMC/CHOM/EAL
    ==========
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • FRSC expresses concern about drivers’ conduct on highways

    Vehicle at the accident scene
    FRSC
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed, has expressed concern about what he describes as alarming rate of recklessness among drivers on highways.
    According to him, the drivers have continued to contravene established traffic regulations, causing undue harm to lives and unprecedented destruction to property.
    The corps said in Abuja on Friday that in spite of the efforts put in place by the corps to reduce accidents on the nation’s highways, drivers were still adamant.
    The Corps Marshal stated this in the wake of a fatal road accidents that occurred at Kanbi village, Jebba road in Kwara on June 13.
    Mohammed said that Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred as a result of excessive speed and wrongful overtaking.
    He said that two vehicles; a blue articulated vehicle with no trace of registration and a white bus marked LSD363YE were involved.
    He explained that 25 people were involved, comprising 13 male adults, five female adults, two female children and five male children.
    “From this number, five people were injured (three male adults and two female adults) and 19 victims killed (11 male adults, three female adults, three male children and two female children.
    “The injured victims have been rescued to Orisun Ayo hospital, one body was deposited at the morgue of the same hospital while the remaining 18 bodies were claimed by the families of the deceased.
    “You will recall that in recent time, apart from setting up an Inter-agency Joint Task Force (JTF) to tackle the excesses of articulated vehicle drivers, the corps equally enhanced its enlightenment campaigns.
    “The corps also ensure robust engagement of stakeholders, especially the various transport unions, all in a bit to curb accidents.
    “It is, therefore, unfortunate that irrespective of all the efforts in place, some drivers have decided not to adhere to safety standards as such compromising the safety of innocent road users,” he said.

    In line with his 2024 agenda for drastic reduction in road accidents,  the corps marshal has directed commanding officers to intensify special patrol operations against these identified violations.(NAN)(http://www.nannews.ng
    ICA/KAY
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    Edited by Kayode Olaitan

  • Eid-el Kabir: NSCDC mobilises 1,210 personnel in Edo

    Security
    By Usman Aliyu
    Benin, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Edo Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,210 personnel to ensure maximum security during the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir celebrations.
    The command’s Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor, in a statement on Friday in Benin, said that NSCDC would provide maximum security at various Eid praying grounds, palaces, monuments and recreational centres across the state during the festivities.
    Ogbebor stated that the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Gbenga Agun, assured residents of security of their lives and property before, during and after the festival.
    “I have directed all commanders, heads of tactical units, area commanders and divisional officers to ensure smooth, crime-free and secure celebration before, during and after the Eid-el Kabir festival.
    “The personnel deployed have been tasked with critical responsibilities of safeguarding national assets and infrastructure, a core mandate of the corps, protection of lives and property and crowd control, amongst others.
    “NSCDC personnel will work in collaboration with other sister-agencies,” he said.
    The NSCDC boss appealed to members of the public to give maximum cooperation to the personnel and support them with useful information about criminal elements.
    The commandant felicitated all Muslims and wished them joyous Eid-el Kabir celebrations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AUO/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Sallah: FRSC deploys 520 personnel, vehicles in Cross River

    FRSC officials addressing drivers at the popular Peace Park on Friday in Calabar

     

     

    Sallah: FRSC deploys 520 personnel, vehicles in Cross River

    Sallah
    By Christian Njoku
    Calabar, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has deployed 520 personnel including the regular and special marshals to various locations in Cross River to ensure safety during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
    This was disclosed by Corp Commander Istifanus Ibrahim, Sector Commander, FRSC Cross River in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Calabar.
    NAN reports that the Corp had earlier embarked on sensitisation campaign in parks and around major cities in the state to enlighten the people on the importance of ensuring their safety as they travel during the festive period.
    Ibrahim said the Sallah celebration which would be for two days was a public holiday and so, a lot of human and material resources would be on the road.
    He said due to the anticipated high volume of vehicular movement, the commission had also deployed three ambulances and tow trucks to seven locations in the state from Ogoja to Calabar.
    “FRSC is always proactive when it comes to emergency, we already had a tow truck in Odukpani before now but we are putting in more to ensure that there is no congestion on the roads during the festivities.
    “The Calabar Itu road is under construction and we experience a lot of vehicular breakdown on that axis so we have stationed our tow trucks, we have also deployed patrol teams for the purpose of traffic control and emergency response, he said.
    FRSC officials sensitising a mini bus driver on Friday in Calabar 
    Speaking further, the sector commander assured Nigerians of the corp’s commitment in solving the challenges faced by motorists in the area of obtaining driver’s license and number plates.
    While appealing to Nigerians to use the corps’s toll free number, 122 and the national emergency number, 112 in the case of an emergency, he added that the new leadership of the commission was assessing the current challenges of the Corp to address them soon.
    Similarly, Mr Chibuike Chukwuemeka, a commercial driver in one of the parks in Calabar who spoke to NAN said he was very grateful with the sensitisation carried out by the commission urging that it should be regular.
    According to Chukwuemeka, some of the challenges they encountered in their daily work was the deplorable state of the roads between Calabar and Akwa Ibom and the excess luggage carried by some passengers embarking on journeys.
    He appealed to the Federal Government to promptly fix the Calabar/Itu road as it was damaging their vehicles and making travelling difficult. (NAN))
    CBN/EAL
    ========
    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Academy organises road safety education for drivers nationwide

    Academy organises road safety education for drivers nationwide

    Drivers
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 13, 2024(NAN) A driving institute,  the Professional Driving and Safety Academy says it is organising a free road safety education for drivers and riders to reduce Road Traffic Crashes.

    The Project Coordinator, Mr Jide Owatunmise said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Owatunmise said that the academy would also organise best driving competitions for drivers and riders to improve their performance.

    He said the aim and objective of the event was to promote road safety education among all categories of road users for sustained safety on Nigerian roads.

    According to him, this conforms with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021 – 2030), Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (2021 – 2030), and the Resolutions of the National Council on Transportation (December 8, 2022).

    Owatunmise said that the essence of the competition and the free road safety education was to address causative factors relating to road mishaps in the country.

    He said that it was also to further complement the laudable efforts in road traffic crash reduction by relevant stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians.

    According to him, several national and global research reports have affirmed that over 80 per cent of road traffic crashes are caused by human factors while over 70 per cent are attributed to drivers.

    “If the causative factors associated with the drivers are effectively addressed, the rate of road traffic crashes will be significantly and sustainably reduced.

    “Consequent to the worrisome high rate of road traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to embark on multi-dimensional, result–oriented, and proactive measures.

    “This is to sustainably boost driver’s education, motivation, and road safety culture in Nigeria as obtained in several other Countries.

    “Our Organisation, in collaboration with several road safety stakeholders initiated and commenced the annual driver’s day event in Nigeria on November 15, 2023.

    “The 2024 edition of the National Drivers’ Day will be held on June 27, and it includes “Best Driver in Nigeria Competition and Free road safety education for drivers and riders with varieties of awards and prizes, “he said.

    Owatunmise commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant stakeholders in the road safety sectors for their significant contributions to transportation, security, and safety on Nigeria roads. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/NNO/SH

    =========

    Edited by Nick Nicholas/Sadiya Hamza

  • Eid-il-Kabir: NSCDC expands intelligence network in Edo

    Eid-il-Kabir: NSCDC expands intelligence network in Edo

    Intelligence
    By Deborah Coker

    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)  has expanded an Intelligence network ahead of Sunday’s Eid -el-Kabir celebrations in Edo.

    This is contained in a statement on Friday by Mr Efosa Ogbebor, Head Public Relations and Media Unit of the command and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.

    According to Ogbebor, the state Commandant of the corps, Agun Gbenga disclosed this while highlighting the command’s preparation for the Sallah celebration as well as the public holidays.

    Gbenga said that the command had also deployed 1,210 personnel to provide maximum security at various Eid prayer grounds, palaces, monuments, and recreational centres across the state.

    “The command has expanded its Intelligence network with the view to nip in the bud any security threat in the state during the period.

    “I assure you that the security of lives and property of residents of the state before, during, and after the festive celebration remained our priority in the command.

    “I have directed all commanders, heads of tactical units, area commanders, and divisional officers to ensure a smooth crime free and secured celebration before during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration”, he said.

    The commandant further appealed to members of the public to give maximum cooperation to the personnel of the corps as well as support them with useful information on the activities of criminal elements. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DCO/SH
    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • FRSC deploys personnel to ensure hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir in Kaduna

    FRSC deploys personnel to ensure hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir in Kaduna
    Deployment
    By Muhammad Tijjani
    Kaduna, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command, said it has deployed its personnel and Special Marshals across the state to ensure hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
    The Sector Commander, Mr Kabir Nadabo, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Friday in  Kaduna.
     Nadabo explained that the special marshals would complement the efforts of the regular marshals in the enforcement and public enlightenment campaigns.
    According to him, the corps has released an operational order to guide patrol and rescue operations nationwide during the upcoming Sallah celebrations.
    He said in view of this, the command  has outlined modalities and strategies in line with the operations order from the FRSC National Headquarters.
     He explained that the objective was to achieve crash free, hitch free and seamless vehicular movement around the state during and after the festival.
    Nadabo said that these modalities were aimed at sensitising and enhancing public awareness on routes likely to be affected by mass vehicular movement during the Sallah season.
    “The Command has arranged a series of interventions and mobilisation of sufficient manpower and Logistics on critical routes.
    “These routes include the Abuja to Kaduna Road which stretches from Katari to Doka down to Gonin Gora, a road still under construction but with monumental presence of FRSC Formations and personnel.
    “Additionally, the command has set aside eight Ambulances, stationed at Katari, Doka, Kakau, Rigachikun, Mando, Zaria and Tashar Yari for prompt response to road traffic crashes,”, he said.
    He further disclosed that the command has made adequate arrangements in the deployment of more staffers to other formations across the state.
    According to him, these formations are:  Zaria, Soba, Pambegau, Saminaka, Kachia and Gwantu.
    Nadabo said, “This is to compliment their efforts in traffic control and rescue operations along their routes which interconnect to various parts of the country.
    “To ensure adequate visibility during the festivity, staff have been deployed to enhance optimal performance, particularly, in response to road traffic crashes.”
    The sector commander also said that the operatives would focus primarily on offences such as overloading, loading of humans and animals, driving with worn out or expired tyres, drivers license violation, excessive speeding and lane indiscipline.
    He added that the command had also deployed bikes for effective patrol and tow trucks for prompt removal or clearance of obstruction along the highways.
    Nadabo appreciated the efforts of the Kaduna State Government in supporting the  corps activities in the state through various intervention support.
    “The corps will continue to collaborate  and engage with the state government to achieve less crashes and fatalities as well as ensure compliance to traffic rules and regulations by the citizens.
    “FRSC Kaduna sector command will monitor the implementation of all directives to ensure  successful Eid-El-Kabir Sallah Patrol Operations, ” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    TJ/DCO/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani