The National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) says that Nigeria is accountable for 70 per cent of 11 million illegal arms and light weapons in West Africa,

Mr Alex Ebimiebo, the South South Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, made the remark at the Naval Warfare Course 9 Inter-Agency seminar, organised by the Naval War College in Calabar on Thursday.

Ebimiebo presented a paper themed, “Strengthening Security Agencies Collaboration to Counter Illicit Arms Proliferation for Enhanced National Security in Nigeria.”

He said that the illegal arms dealings were largely responsible for Nigeria’s 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 26,000 refugees in neighboring countries.

Ebimiebo further said that arms proliferation had led to economic distortions, an increase in violence, crime, and impediment to peace building.

He, however, called for concerted effort from all Nigerians to tackle the menace, saying that NCCSALW would take the fight to the society since security is the responsibility of everyone.

“So, as a result, everybody is a stakeholder, so as such, we need to involve the whole society in this fight and the center has a lot of programmes for collaboration with our sister agencies.

”We also have advocacy and sensitisation programmes that we take to members of the general public from time to time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Akinola Oludude, Commandant, Naval War College, expressed concern on the influx of illicit arms into Nigeria since 2020.

He attributed this to the extensive borderline of about 4,470 kilometers between Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

He also noted that the nation’s maritime domain that extended over 853 kilometers of coastline and of the Gulf of Guinea had also not helped.

The commandant said that the 2021 survey by the NCCSALW revealed that over six million illegal weapons were in circulation in the country.

Oludude said that out of the figure, about 70 per cent were in the hands of non-states actors.

”The impact of this illicit arms proliferation is profound and multifaceted.

”These weapons bred various forms of insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, and armed robbery.

“Inter-agency collaboration is needed to tackle the proliferation of illicit arms and weapons,” he said.

Oludude said that no single agency, no matter how well-resourced, no matter how well-dedicated, could effectively tackle the complex challenge alone.

He stated that the nature of the recent arms proliferation demanded a joint and multi-agency approach.

“Therefore, this seminar provides a vital platform for us to collectively examine the complexities of this complex challenge,” he said.

Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Kennedy Ezete, urged the participants to translate the discussions and recommendations of the seminar into concrete actions.

He advised the participants to take the knowledge and insights gained to their respective agencies and organisations and implement them

According to him, “we must ensure that the suggestions and way forward developed here are implemented effectively and that the partnerships forged are sustained.

”This requires a commitment from all stakeholders, including the leadership of our security agencies and the wider community.

”Share your experiences, implement the strategies that have been suggested, and continue to work collaboratively to counter illicit arms proliferation.

“We must also continue to invest in training, technology, and intelligence gathering to enhance our capabilities.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over its failure to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission.

The Labour Centre also accused the government of diverting workers’ funds through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

According to a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the Central Working Committee of the NLC met on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to deliberate on urgent issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the nation at large.

The meeting addressed the leadership crisis in the Edo State Council of the NLC, what it described as alarming developments in the NSITF, the governance vacuum in PENCOM, and the broader state of the nation.

The communiqué noted that the CWC expressed outrage at the ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as “revenue,” describing it as a flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.

“Equally condemnable is the new administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property owned by Nigerian workers; the resort to cyber and media bullying of the trade unions and leadership, coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give the government full control over the funds.

“The CWC warns that these actions represent a direct attack on workers’ rights, hard-earned resources, and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards.

“The Congress affirms that the NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class and will mobilise all legitimate means to ensure workers’ interests are protected,” Ajaero said.

On the steps to be taken, the NLC president stated, “The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days from today.

“The PENCOM board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven working days from today.

“The Pension Commission must submit to the NLC a full status report of the funds within the same period.

“If at the end of these seven working days, nothing is done, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, says Nigeria’s sustainability challenges can be overcome by aligning applicable principles of accounting ethics and environmental stewardship.

The Administrator indicated that by investing in green skills, civic engagement and being accountable, not only in financial deficits but ecological practices, Nigeria can build a nation that thrives within the global entity.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibas noted this in a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) 8th Southern Zonal Conference in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Expatiating on the theme, ‘Eco-Disruption and Sustainability Challenges: The Way Forward,’ the Administrator, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, stressed that the topic was timely, especially against the background of recent changes in world environment.

According to him, “Our world is changing. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable consumption patterns are no longer abstract concerns. They are here, disrupting ecosystems, economies, and everyday life from the rising flood waters of the Niger Delta to the advancing desert sands in the north.

“Accountants and Eco-Disruption are an unlikely but vital alliance. It is not every day that you see a room full of accountants discussing eco-disruption. After all, when we think of accountants, we picture balance sheets, not biodiversity; ledgers, not lagoons; profit margins, not mangrove swamps. And yet, here we are about to talk climate change with people whose natural habitat is the spreadsheet.

“I must say, if the planet knew its fate was being discussed by accountants, it might feel strangely reassured… or start worrying about whether we are about to amortize the ozone layer. But in truth, your role in this conversation is critical. Because sustainable development is not only about planting trees, it’s about restructuring systems. It’s about applying logic, measurement, discipline, and ethics to our collective footprint. These are things accountants excel at.

“In the Niger Delta, where we are gathered today, the evidence is stark, coastal erosion and sea-level rise are threatening entire communities. Biodiversity is in decline, with mangrove forests and aquatic life under siege from oil pollution and invasive species. Rainfall patterns are shifting, compromising agriculture, food systems and freshwater supplies. Oil spills, bush burning, and deforestation continue to erode environmental health and human livelihoods. These disruptions not only threaten our environment, they destabilize our economy, our security and our very identity as a people.”

Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, further stressed that strategies to develop effective policy towards environmental stewardship must change to ensure institutional reforms in cognisance of socio-economic, environment and human sustainability.

“The four pillars of environmental, economic, social, and human sustainability must now guide our policy choices and institutional reforms. We must move from extractive to regenerative systems.

“We must rethink how we produce, consume, and account for the value we create not just in financial terms, but in ecological and social impact as well. Strengthen environmental governance and community engagement, support clean energy with targeted fiscal policies and green financing, promote afforestation and mangrove restoration, intergrate sustainability into educational curricula and professional ethics, including accounting practices and invest in data, transparency and inclusive planning at all levels of government and industry,” he said.

Earlier, the President of ICAN, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, while appreciating the Government of Rivers State for its hospitality, noted that, Nigeria’s renewable energy sector alone has the capacity to reduce unemployment challenges.

“The renewable energy sector alone has the potential to create over 300,000 jobs and contribute $7.4 billion annually to our GDP by 2030 if properly harnessed. Moreover, aligning our policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 7, 12, and 13, could unlock more than $1 trillion in market opportunities for Africa by 2030. Eco-disruption, therefore, is not merely a challenge; it is also an invitation to innovation and leadership.

“As chartered accountants, we occupy a unique position at the intersection of finance, governance, and sustainability. We are called to champion the sustainability agenda through improved environmental accounting, sustainability reporting, and innovative green financing mechanisms. We can lead the way by promoting ESG disclosures and adopting the International Sustainability Standards Board frameworks, ensuring that our businesses and institutions not only comply with global requirements but also contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.

“Integrating climate resilience into budgeting and incentive eco-friendly investments will allow Nigeria to build a low-carbon economy while attracting green financing and stimulating growth in climate-smart sectors. Furthermore, by promoting public-private partnerships for green infrastructure, we can help the nation achieve its Net-Zero Energy Transition Plan,” he added.

He encouraged all members to join the ICAN ESG and Sustainability Faculty to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge and competence to navigate the evolving landscape of environmental, social, and governance reporting, to position the professionals for leadership in the emerging global green economy.