News
Nigerians Abroad Remit N21bn Annually
The Supervising Minister, National Planning Commission, Amb.Bashir Yuguda says Nigerians in the Diaspora have been remitting more than N21billion annually to the country
The minister said this yesterday in Abuja at a seminar with the theme” Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria”, organised by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
According to Yuguda, one of the things Nigeria benefits from its citizens living abroad is the inflow of remittances from various parts of the world, noting that irrespective of the illegal actions carried out by some Nigerians outside the country, most Nigerians had been “worthy ambassadors, representing the country well”.
The minister recalled that when President Goodluck Jonathan met with U.S President Barak Obama in Washington in 2013, he was told that there were more than 25,000 Nigerian medical doctors in the U.S.
He said Nigeria must be commended as its citizens had been contributing significantly to the health sector of the U.S.
Yuguda expressed the need to add value to what Nigeria does, adding that the EU had been helpful in formulating policies to shape the country’s immigration system.
He also expressed the need for synergy among countries in tackling the issue of immigration, noting it could be handled holistically without it negatively affecting the interest collaborating countries.
The minister said Nigeria would work more with sister and friendly countries to address the issue of conflict with regards to immigration to ensure better management of immigration issues, including partnership in intelligence gathering.
Head, EU delegation, Mr Michael Abrion, described Nigeria as a strategic country, saying the union would help it to developing better relationship with other countries in the drive for a saferr and more secure world.
Abrion called on the federal Government to be mindful of brain drain in its quest to promote migration, adding that Nigeria remained third on the list of drug trafficking in the world.
He said that the EU would also help Nigeria to organise better legal migration, adding that migration is part of the window of global terrorist threat.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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