Nation

FG Seeks NGOs’ Support Against Terrorism, Banditry

Published

4 years ago

August 5, 2022

The Federal Government has called on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria to support its efforts in the fight against terrorism, banditry and all forms of criminality.
The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, made the call at the unveiling of an NGO, ‘Sure for Your Rescue and Resettlement Initiative (SURE4U’ in Abuja.
SURE4U was established by the former Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Mr Muhammad Babandede, to promote social justice, gender equality, protection and integration of vulnerable children and returnees into the society.
Agba urged NGOs to support government efforts by ensuring that they did not engage in activities that undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security.
He also urged NGOs to support government in addressing the plights of the vulnerable in Nigeria.
“The problem of providing for the vulnerable people in our society is at the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.
“There is the overwhelming need to accord the vulnerable a priority so as to enable them contribute meaningfully to the socio-cultural and socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“Consequently, the National Development Plan 2021 to 2025 takes into consideration the plight of the Almajiri children and other vulnerable Nigerians and adequate room has been made to ensure their inclusion in the implementation of the plan.
“It is hoped that NGOs will complement the efforts of government in this regards. Some of their invited contributions includes human capital development and technical assistance.
“Development of Small Scale farmers; Research, monitoring and evaluation; Enlightenment Campaigns; Advocacy for the poor; and conflict resolution/peace building,’’ he said.
The Minister said Babandede’s experience at NAPTIP and NIS would be brought to bear in the running of the new organisation, with multi-tasked vision on the vulnerable children in the society.He added that SURE4U would be involved in Migration issues including provision of adequate and hospitable reception to Nigerians deported back home, mainly to assuage their frustrations due to forced displacement.
According to him, the menace of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) as one of the world’s most despicable human phenomenon.
“Girl-child education and inmates incarcerated because of minor offences requiring settlement of small judicial fines are also amongst the noble precepts of the NGO.
“The experience garnered by the founder while at NAPTIP and Immigration Service would certainly come in handy in meeting the organisation’s objectives.
‘SURE4U holds a huge promise for its intended objectives in Nigerian, especially the less privileged in the society,’ he said.
Agba said it was more interesting to see such an organisation founded and headed by a credible personality who had served the government and still ready to serve the country through non-governmental activities.
He added that undertaking an NGO activities in terms of funding and other logistics was never an easy task, adding that many NGOs found it difficult to garner sufficient and continuous funding for their work.
Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said SURE 4U has similar mandates with her agency hence the need for the support.
She added that the almajiri programme was a serious problem in the country that needed an urgent attention.
“Almajiri programme is a strong form of internal human trafficking because it has departed from it original reason why it was being initiated.
“It comes with a lot of abuse and there is no reason why we should condone it.
“While I was the Director-General of NAPTIP, on a daily basis, with the help of the security agencies, we intercepted two to three trucks of children being transported across the country.
“So, definitely, it calls for collective effort to address the issue of almajiri in the country, “ she said.
On his part, SURE4U Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Sen. Usman Kibiya commended the Federal Government in tackling issues such as the number of out of school children and child trafficking.He called on the government for more effort at educating the girl-child saying that policies on the vulnerable in the society should be redesigned to carter for their needs.
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Nation

Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.

She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.

Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.

The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.

Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.

He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.

Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.

He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.

According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.

Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.

Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them

John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah

Nation

We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor , Sir Siminialayi Fubara says the industrialization of the state remains a key drive of his administration.

Speaking through Director General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside at the Shell Gas Limited and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) Investors Forum held in Port Harcourt, Fubara stressed that public /private partnership is key to revive production in the state.

“We are ready to partner Shell Gas Limited to revive manufacturing in Rivers State at Ahoada Industrial Park, and the new Port City project, including the proposed Bonny Industrial Park which will grow industries along the Bonny corridor” he declared.

Part of the scheme, he further stated is to collaborate with Shell Gas Limited and the private sector to transform Rivers State into a major manufacturing hub in the South of Nigeria.

Commending Shell and MAN for leading the frontline, Sir. Fubara said,” the time to act is now and thank God Shell is taking the lead to prioritize gas.”

The governor opined that the gas sector provides huge investment opportunities to drive the state economy as the world is gradually shifting towards gas and other environment friendly energy, while urging stakeholders to evolve an actionable gas policy for the state.

Earlier in his remarks, Shell Gas Limited Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi said it is high time the state utilized its huge gas resource.

“Today gas offers investors opportunities and raises the value chain as it boosts production for industry users,” Amos-Ejesi said.

The Shell Gas Distribution executive said the company seeks to support manufacturing by adopting a user friendly approach that allows manufacturers to grow profitably with affordable cheaper energy.

He explained that natural gas provides huge potentials and aligns with federal government policy of gas utilization.

Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okugu described gas as the backbone of manufacturing.

He said the forum has become timely and key to address the pressing energy provision to boost production in the sector, as he lamented the high costs borne by manufacturers in sourcing energy alternatives.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga commended Shell for the forum which she described as a bridge to reduce gap of energy provision for manufacturers.

Ngozi Nwoga said the transition to natural gas has become imperative, stressing that pipeline gas offers cheaper and smooth energy provision for industries.

Former MAN chairperson for Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs Emilia Akpan was of the view that the quest to provide cheap energy should be driven with technical manpower, as she emphasized need for Rivers State to recreate its economy.

By Kevin Nengia

Nation

SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun, said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.

Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.