News
… As Author Flays Withdrawal
Nigeria may not achieve the United Nation’s set Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),which emphasises gross reduction in infants and maternal mortality rates if current government decision ordering NAFDAC operatives out of the nation’s seaports nationwide is not urgently reversed”, Public Affairs Analyst and Author, Martins Ikhilae has warned.
Ikhilae who spoke with The Tide in a telephone chat on Friday, warned that if government went ahead to withdraw NAFDAC officials from the sea ports,it would endanger the lives of the citizens.
The analyst who described the planned decision as ill conceived,unpatriotic,untimely and outright unnecessary asserted that it was a time bomb which when exploded, would have a disastrous effect on the nation’s healthcare delivery system which was currently being laboriously overhauled by the nation’s rejuvenated health boosting organ, the National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Analyst who is the author of the Nigerian Maritime further warned against hasty implementation of retrogressive policies which, he said were capable of retarding the nation’s long desired economic and socio-political development. He said that the pronouncement was indicative of the policy’s lack of adequate and broad based consultations before its adoption and subsequent implementation.
Ikhilae urged Nigerian Government not to allow itself to be misled by some self centred individuals merely masquerading as patriots by daring to toy with the nation’s life saving agency whose dynamic and selfless contributions towards efficient and effective healthcare delivery system was being ideally applauded both locally and internationally.
He maintained that although he was not against government decision to rationalise security agencies at seaports, he was out rightly opposed to the inclusion of NAFDAC in the list of agencies to be withdrawn adding that the scientific and very sensitive nature of the agency’s operations automatically exempt it from the list of withdrawable agencies.
The analyst argued that experience has shown over the years that the nation stands to loose enormous financial resources by withdrawing the agency from seaports pointing out that combating illicit importation of counterfeited pharmaceuticals and unwholesome processed foods at the pre-entry stage was easier and less expensive than the very strenuous, time consuming and highly capital intensive post-entry approach and therefore implored government to have a rethink by reverting to the statusquo.
According to him, ample evidences abound that operations of the agency in Nigerian seaports over the years has been highly revealing and marvelously rewarding having successfully curtailed influx of counterfeited drugs and unwholesome processed foods into the country.
Mr Ikhilae commended the agency’s management team for their patriotic efforts which brought about the introduction and adoption of ideally co-ordinated anti-counterfeiting strategies like the Electronic Clearance procedure, deployment of cutting edge technologies such as the Truescan,the GSM SMS text messaging system, the Radio Frequency identification system as well as the Black Eye machine to mention a few in a bid to ensure speedy clearance of imports.
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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