Author: Web Desk

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has approved the redeployment of the service spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, as the new Commandant for the FCT Command.

This is contained in a statement by the new NSCDC Director, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Babawale Afolabi on Friday in Abuja.

Afolabi stated that the Corps’ Commandant General (CG) Ahmed Audi, had directed that Commandant Olusola is to resume office at most by Aug.15.

According to the CG, “the handing and taking over between the outgoing and incoming Commandants should be concluded latest by Tuesday, 15th August, 2023.”

Audi said that the deployment was in a bid to rejig, revamp, restructure and reposition the FCT Command of the Corps for more effective service delivery.

He said that the former head of the Command, Commandant Peter Maigari, will be proceeding for a strategic course at the National Security Institute for a year.

He further commended Odumosu for his absolute commitment and display of professionalism in the discharge of his duties.

The CG extolled the virtues of hardwork, tenacity, dedication and loyalty exhibited by him while heading the PR office of the Corps.

According to him, Odumosu’s tenure as Director of Public Relations of the Corps witnessed a lot of innovations that strengthened the Corps’ image with a corresponding increase in the level of social acceptability nationwide.

The NSCDC Helmsman appraised Odumosu for conducting the first ever strategic communication workshop (STRACOMM 2022) for all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants and Public Relations Officers in all formations of the Corps.

He said the workshop paved way for more strategic innovative service delivery and partnerships with both local and international media outlets.

Responding, the new FCT Commandant, thanked the CG for counting him worthy of providing leadership for the FCT Command.

Odumosu assured that he would remain steadfast, hardworking, resolute and committed to the ideals and vision of the CG in transforming, repositioning and driving the Corps to an enviable height.

He reiterated that with the support of the Corp’s leadership, he was ready to move the FCT Command forward by breaking new grounds through unwavering commitment to the accomplishment of NSCDC’s mandate in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odumosu is a Fellow of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the International Institute of Public Relations UK, amongst others.

The CG also announced the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Afolabi as the new Director of Public Relations (DPR) of the Corps.

Audi charged the new spokesman to work hard like his predecessor and consolidate on the legacies set by him.

He advised him to raise the bar of performance and transformation of the Public Relations Unit of the Corps across all formations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian have, in the last one week, neutralised 38 terrorists, apprehended 242 others and rescued 89 kidnapped hostages in different operations across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Buba said the apprehended suspects comprised 175 gunmen/criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborators and 17 pipeline vandals.

He said the troops denied the oil theft saboteours the sum of N607 million being value of seizures as well as recovery of 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition.

Giving the break down, Buba said the troops recovered 14 AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, three AK47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one SMG, 10 dane guns and five locally-fabricated pistols.

Others, according to him, include two fabricated weapon, two double-barrel guns, one locally-made revolver, three locally-fabricated pistols, 151 rounds of 7.62mm special, five rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 rounds 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 12 AK47 magazines, one G3 rifle magazine, one FN rifle magazine, one magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm special and seven empty cases of 7.62mm special.

“Miscellaneous items recovered include; 33 motorcycles, 30 mobile phones, four tricycles, four motorola HH radios, four vehicles, 10 bags of fertilizers and 73 livestock.

“Also recovered are seven cutlasses, one magazine pouch, two solar panels, 10 litres of PMS, Nigerian Police uniform, two gas cylinders, one power bank, one pair of woodland and desert camouflages each.

“Troops also recovered the sum of N2.59 million,” he said.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 53 terrorists and rescued 34 hostages as well as recovered a large cache of arms during the period.

In the North Central, he said troops of Operations Safe Haven remained relentless in offensive posture against kidnappers and other criminal elements within the operational area.

He said the troops had within the week neutralised three terrorists, arrested 13 suspected criminals, five kidnappers and rescued three kidnapped hostages.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also neutralised seven terrorists, arrested three suspects and rescued three kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised five terrorists, arrested eight suspects and rescued nine kidnapped hostages while several terrorists’ camps were destroyed.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised five terrorists, arrested 44 collaborators and rescued 15 kidnapped civilians while several weapons with four trucks and four motorcycles amongst other items were recovered.

In the South-South, Buba said that troops of Operation Delta Safe, destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 72 dugout pits, 65 wooden boats, 70 storage tanks and 119 cooking ovens with sundry equipment such as two speedboats, five outboard engines, and four pumping machines.

He added that the troops recovered 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 132,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 57,450 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

In the South East, he said, troops of Operation UDO KA eliminated two members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network, arrested two, apprehended two trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not back down in its offensive operations aimed at tackling insecurity across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.

“Rather, the military will brutally hunt down the orchestrators and take appropriate actions to hold them accountable for their actions.

“The military, while conducting these operations, will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties as protecting civilians remains a vital part of our objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians.

“The uncommon cooperation, collaboration and support received from citizens across the country is greatly assisting own operations to yield expected results,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The nineteenth ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) will be held from August 14 to 18, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority [EPA],Director General Getahun Garedew in a press briefing today said the conference will be held under the theme ‘’Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa.’’

More than 40 environment ministers and over 440 participants will attend the conference, he said, adding the government is finalizing preparation for the conference.

The conference would enable Ethiopia to show case its achievements in Green Legacy Initiative, he pointed out.

The session will be preceded by a meeting of major groups and stakeholders (civil society) that will take place on 12 and 13 August 2023.

According to him, the focus of the nineteenth session of AMCEN is to strengthen collaboration among the various institutions and enhance implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent.

This entails building on existing initiatives, including strengthening the role of those institutions that support implementation of regional and global outcomes, he noted adding the recent policy direction of AMCEN is that a large focus of its work should support implementation.

He further noted that, the session will provide a platform for strengthening Africa’s collective engagement in the global environmental agenda, including in the various conference of the parties of environmental agreements, the (UNEA) and other multilateral processes related to combating climate change, desertification, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution, among others,

It is also expected to help ensure that the region is not only able to address the challenges in these areas but also seizes emerging opportunities for a sustainable development of the continent.

According to him, the session will be an opportunity for ministers to provide policy guidance for upcoming key environmental events, including the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Africa Climate Summit among others.

The session will also aim to further strengthen the work of AMCEN in its contribution to the region’s environment and sustainable development agenda.

This includes addressing emerging environmental issues, enhancing collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, beefing up its financial base (AMCEN Trust Fund), and review of proposals to strengthen its rules of procedure, as was decided by the resumed 18th ordinary session, among other matters.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National Bank of Ethiopia will undertake monetary policy measures that reduce inflation and its effects on society, Governor Mamo Mihretu said.

Briefing the media today, Mamo said inflation in Ethiopia has negatively impacted the social and economic spheres.

Explaining the major causes of increase in inflation, he cited supply limitation, increase in cost of manufacturing and macroeconomic policy, conflicts in parts of the country, increase in price of goods such as fertilizer, fuel and transport at the global as among the chief reasons.

Undertaking measures to increase supply— mainly agricultural products, undertaking structural change measures in transportation, logistics and trade competitiveness as well as implementing pertinent monetary policy are among the critical measures that would be taken to reduce inflation, the governor revealed.

According to him, the National Bank of Ethiopia will reduce inflation to 20 percent by the end of this Ethiopian budget year, and 10 percent by the end of the next fiscal year.

Also, the NBE targets to limit domestic loan by 14 percent by the end of the June 2024.

Moreover, it is also set to reduce direct loan to the government and limit the loan to 1/3rd of the loan the government took last year.

The interest rate that commercial banks are paying to the National Bank for emergency time loan facility while they face shortage of currency note will be increased from 16 percent to 18 percent, the governor said.

As an incentive for the key export sectors, especially for exporters engaging in manufacturing, the forex surrender requirement will be improved from 70/30 to 50/50, Mamo disclosed.

He further pointed out that reducing inflation meaningfully is not the responsibility of only one institution. It needs the participation and commitment of all stakeholders to implement all policy measures in place.

The annual inflation rate of the country was reduced from 34 percent of the previous budget year to 29.3 percent by the end of last June, 2023, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National Rehabilitation Commission emphasized that the involvement and assistance of all stakeholders, including the private sector, are crucial for the successful implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program across the country.

Ethiopia’s Disarmament, Demobilization and Rehabilitation (DDR) program requires mobilization of adequate resources for the reintegration of the large number of ex-combatants in the country, it was indicated.

Initiative Africa in partnership with the National Rehabilitation Commission and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association held discussion today under the title: “The Role of the Private Sector in Ethiopia’s National Rehabilitation”.

During the occasion, National Rehabilitation Commissioner, Teshome Toga stressed the need for the participation and support of all stakeholders in the process to implement the DDR program in the country.

Achieving the DDR program needs full implementation of the peace agreement and inclusive participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector, to mobilize support because the process needs huge financing, the commissioner stated.

The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss about the role of the private sector in the DDR process, Teshome said.

The commission’s efforts to implement the DDR program in the country needs a critical support of the private sector, he noted.

The Commission has so far identified 371,971 ex-combatants who require national and international support to rehabilitate and reintegrate.

Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association Deputy Secretary, Degala Ergeno said the private sector should support the government’s efforts to implement the DDR program.

The national DDR program should also involve the private sector, he said, adding the association as a private sector umbrella institution will fulfill its national duty by supporting the program through technical assistance, job creation and stabilizing inflation.

Sweden Embassy in Ethiopia Bilateral Development Cooperation Head, Asa Andersson noted that the private sector plays a crucial role in supporting development efforts and promoting peaceful solutions.

Sweden as a long-standing partner of Ethiopia is committed to promote and support Ethiopia’s efforts for peaceful solutions and development, she said.

“As a long-standing development partner, Sweden is a committed partner to Ethiopia and we want to promote and support peaceful solutions and development.”

The (DDR) plan is one, but also the rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery framework, the national dialogue, the transitional justice process are key for peaceful solutions and development, the head pointed out.

Accordingly, Sweden is also supporting the National Dialogue Commission and planning to launch an economic recovery program in northern Ethiopia.

“Being cognizant of the current context, Sweden added a new result area in its latest Development Cooperation Strategy with Ethiopia (that runs to 2026) – ‘Peaceful Inclusive societies’, to basically work on peace issues by strengthening conditions for prevention, management and resolution of conflicts through peaceful means.”

With resilience and determination, Ethiopia can overcome obstacles and build a brighter future, Andersson added.

“I would also like to acknowledge the governments and stakeholders’ efforts in initiating national processes for the multi-faceted challenges Ethiopia is facing in its efforts to heal and rebuild.”

Initiative Africa Executive Director, Kibur Ghena pointed out that new job opportunities should be created by the private sector so that the youth who participated in the war can lead a normal life independently after the war.

For this, consensus should be reached by organizing a discussion forum with the National Rehabilitation Commission and the private sector actors, he added.

The DDR program requires advocacy, financial and material assistance from the national and international partners

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The State of Emergency Command Post announced that 23 suspects have been arrested and are being investigated in connection with the recent destabilization in the Amhara region.

The State of Emergency Command Post has issued a statement in connection with the current security situation in Amhara region.

The Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Zelalem Mengiste said that 23 suspects are detained and investigated in connection with the violence in Amhara region.

He added that the suspects have direct or indirect connections with the robbery group, playing greater role in fueling the violence in the region.

The suspects provided media, logistical, and information support for the extremist group to operate in cities and some of them took up duties to launch urban operations, he added.

Zelalem denied the rumors that the command post is conducting mass arrests in Amhara.

He stated that only 23 suspects have been arrested so far, and for any allegation of mass arrests, imprisonment, abuses, or other disciplinary or human rights violations, measures will be taken following the outcome of the investigation.

Various operations have been strengthened in all zones of Amhara region, he said, adding that detaining those who have caused human and property damages will be strengthened.

The investigation and prosecution process will be carried out jointly with the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Police, Defense Force, and the National Intelligence and Security Service.

The investigation and prosecution process will be carried out jointly with the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Police, Defense and the National Intelligence and Security Service, he said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National Defense Force (NDF) has brought peace and order into cities and their surroundings in the Amhara Regional State by chasing out the extremist lotter group, according to the State of Emergency Command Post.

The State of Emergency Command Post has given a briefing today on the activities carried out in the first phase and the current security situation in the Amhara region.

Member of the Command Post and Government Communication Service Minister, Legesse Tulu said peace has been restored after the necessary measure was taken against the looter and destructive group that gathered in Bahirdar, Debre Markos, Debre Berhan, Lalibela, Gondar and Shewa Robit areas.

According to him, the NDF and law enforcement agencies of the region have succeeded in restoring peace the cities by clearing the looter group within a short period of time.

The minister stated that the public is outraged by the heinous act of the group, and provided support to law enforcement agencies to carry out their mission successfully.

The society is supporting the defense force in every way by providing food, protecting properties from looter, and opening closed roads, he added.

Legesse revealed that the State of Emergency Command Post has started discussions at different levels to bring lasting peace and identify looted properties to return them to their owners.

He also disclosed that a state normalcy has returned to Gondar, Bahirdar, and Kombolch cities in line with the direction set by the command post and the military operations carried out.

As a result, flights have resumed to the cities.

Government and private service providing institutions in the cities have also more or less resumed operations, the minister said.

Moreover, arrangements were made for local and foreign tourists stranded in Bahirdar and Gondar to return to Addis Ababa, it was learned.

Agreements have also been reached with some who wanted to complete their tour in the cities, according to the minister.

Legesse further stated that efforts have been exerted to repair infrastructures destroyed by the looter group.

The defeated extremist group, which faced a humiliating defeat, has been making futile efforts to hide in some heritage sites and religious institutions, the minister said.

The false information spread by the group that the NDF is engaged in the destruction of heritage sites in order to mislead the public has been thwarted by the defense force and the people.

The people of Amhara have once again demonstrated their strong and unwavering support to the Ethiopian National Defense Force, rebuffing the conspiracy of the extremist and looter group, Legesse underscored.

Recall that the Amhara Regional State had earlier requested that the federal government take measures and enforce law in the region as the situation has become very serious and cannot be controlled by the regular law enforcement system.

Accordingly, a state of emergency was declared by the Council of Ministers and activities have been commenced by establishing a State of Emergency Command Post to implement the proclamation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency