Nation
Army, NITDA Collaborate On Technology For National Security
The Nigerian Army has collaborated with the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on utilisation of modern technology to tackle the activities of insurgents and other security challenges in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of a seminar in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said the nation was currently witnessing one of the most challenging times in its history.
Yahaya, who was represented by Chief of transformation and innovation, Maj. Gen. Charles Ofoche, said the seminar aimed at broadening the knowledge of participants.
This, he said, were on the roles of inter-agency collaboration and use of technology to address national security challenges.
He said the country was facing insecurity issues, considering the myriads of complex security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
He also said the security environment was replete with acts of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry from BHT, ISWAP, IPOB, ESN and other terrorist organisations.
He added that the acts had continually posed huge threats to the national security and cohesion as a country.
According to him, the complexities of these threats cannot also be addressed without harnessing the capacity of our security agencies.
He said, however, there had been various policy options adopted by both the Federal and some state governments to address the security challenges.
“The emphasis has been more on kinetic approach. However, there is a huge requirement for non-kinetic efforts which include use of technology and whole of government and society approaches .
“There is this a compelling requirement to explore the utilisation of modern technology and leverage more on inter-agency collaboration towards addressing these challenges, “ he said.
The Army Chief urged commanders of security at all levels to make deliberate efforts towards fostering effective cooperation and collaboration by their personnel in the course of operations.
This, he said, could not be achieved without training in inter-agency collaboration.
He reiterated the need for respect for human rights by security agencies in the conduct of operations, in accordance with human rights laws and constitutional responsibilities.
The Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (rtd.) said that the essence of the seminar was to bring security agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate on ways to tackle insecurity.
Wahab said it was neccessary to teach on the use of technology, adding that it was not something to run away from as the Army had been using it.
“Other security agencies need to use technology in information gathering for us to have a better platform and attitude towards tackling insecurity”, he said.
The Director, Research and Development, NITDA, Dr. Collins Agwu, said the insecurity in Nigeria was a challenge for all, adding that every effort must be put in place to curb the menace.
Agwu said in spite of huge investment injected into security sector, the government had not been able to tackle the challenge that had been troubling the well being of the nation for a long time.
“The growing challenge of insecurity in Nigeria was a concern to all and every effort must be made to curb the challenge.
“Moden Technology has been introduced and we believe this will go a long way to avert this menace.
The Tide’s source reports that the seminar was organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in collaboration with NITD.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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