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Nigeria, Namibia push for deeper bilateral cooperation
Namibia is itching to deepen bilateral relations with Nigeria by understudying the operations of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Mr Humphrey Geiseb, its envoy to Nigeria, has said.
Geiseb stated this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NTAC, Dr Yusuf Yakub, in Abuja, last Friday.
The envoy said that understudying NTAC‘s operations was necessary to recommit to the ideals of the Nigeria-Namibia Joint Commission of Co-operation.
Geiseb lauded the impact of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme over the past years in his country, noting that it had left no one in doubt about its desirability.
He added that Nigeria remained Namibia’s ‘big brother,’ having contributed immensely to Namibia’s independence struggles and its development in diverse sectors.
The envoy said that Nigeria’s contributions to the country preceded Namibia’s independence.
He listed the benefiting sectors as health, agriculture, education, as well as oil and gas.
Geiseb recalled that some of the best crops of civil and public service professionals later grew to become permanent secretaries, directors, medical professionals and teachers in Namibia.
According to him, such professionals were trained by Nigerians and their availability ensured a smooth transition from their colonial masters in a newly independent Namibia.
He also lauded the TAC scheme for being the means through which Namibia achieved an abundance of medical professionals and teachers, who were prepared to export their skills to other countries.
Part of the reasons for his visit, he said, was to learn best practices from NTAC with regards to its operations, and seek future ways to address some identified capacities that might still be lacking in Namibia.
The envoy also solicited for greater efforts between Nigeria and Namibia at the ministerial level to re-energise the noble objectives of the Nigeria-Namibia Joint Commission.
He stressed that hosting a new session of the joint commission, which was established in 2000, and met last 14 years ago, would make for deeper ties and advance the identified interests of both countries.
Responding, Yakub, expressed gratitude to the high commissioner for the visit.
He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to providing technical assistance to brother nations across Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific countries.
He also lauded the vision of the founding fathers of the TAC scheme, which he pointed out, had in the past 37 years, broken foisted geographic barriers among brothers.
Yakub reiterated that the TAC scheme served to ensure the transfer of technical skills and cultural exchanges to the benefiting countries, among other benefits.
He added that a lot had changed with changing times between both countries in the area of receiving the TAC Volunteers
“However, we will not hesitate to answer the requests of Namibia in whatever areas of technical need or tutelage whenever such requests came,” he said.
The TAC boss also assured his visitor that he would in the coming days, seek audience with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, to communicate Namibia’s interest in holding a new session of the Joint Commission.
The Tide source reports that also present at the meeting were the Director of Administration of NTAC, Amb.Yakubu Ahmed, and the Director of Programmes, Amb. Zakari Usman.
NTAC’s Deputy Director and Head of Accounts, Mrs Meimunat Mustapha, Under Secretary, Namibian High Commission, Abuja, Mr Morris Sisinzi, also attended the meeting.
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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