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Akeredolu eulogises NSCDC commandant’s commitment to humanity

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2022

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has eulogised the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ), Dr Hameed Abodunrin, for his commitment to service of humanity.

Akeredolu gave the commendation in Akure on Wednesday at the send-off programme organised for the commandant by the state command of the NSCDC and the presentation of his books on children’s security.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described Abodunrin as a real security expert and scholar who had helped the government in enforcement of law and order in the state.

Akeredolu, who also acknowledged the roles played by the NSCDC in ensuring the security of lives and property of the people, said Abodunrin’s efforts at securing the state had yielded positive results since he was posted to the state.

According to him, the roles played by the NSCDC at securing the state in the last 15 months that Abodunrin took over the helm of affairs of NSCDC cannot be underestimated.

“I can tell you, Abodunrin is a fine officer, very smart, very skilful, highly educated and also a combatant.

“Abodunrin has proved to be a security expert and a real scholar. His academic prowess has been brought to the fore and he has proved that his doctorate degree in peace and conflict studies, which he bagged from the University of Ibadan, is valuable.

“This is a man that loves training and to retrain. No wonder he is now going back to be retrained at the National Defence College in Abuja for him to be more effective in his job.

“On behalf of the good people of Ondo State, the government and all the people of the state, thank you for your immense contributions to the security of the state.

“For your service to humanity; for the protection of lives and property of everyone both indigenes and residents of Ondo State during the time you spent with us, we want to say thank you,” he said.

The Governor also called on officers and men of the NSCDC in the state to continue with the foundation laid by Abodunrin in the area of security and intelligence gathering.

Akeredolu, who also talked about the books written by the commandant, said they would not only help the children but also their parents or those managing schools, saying it would be good for policy makers.

“Security is everybody’s business not just for security agents alone and it is high time we begin to learn the basics of security,” he said.

Earlier, Abodunrin appreciated the state government and security agencies for their support and expressed his willingness to continue to serve humanity and the society in any position.

He explained that his success was as a result of the support and cooperation he enjoyed from the officers and men of the Command.

He said the decision to write the books was borne out concern for the security of children in the country.

Abodunrin, who said his 15 months in Ondo State birthed the establishment of two marines based in the state, said a bullet-proof multi-million gunboat was also inaugurated while an ambulance and a Jeep were also given by the NSCDC headquarters, Abuja.

“I am not regretting for staying in Ondo State but the only thing that I am still worried about is the consciousness of our people as far as security is concerned,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Bode Ayorinde, Pro Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, and Chairman of the occasion, eulogised the giant stride of the commandant in the state, saying those who took the security of the country as a career should be celebrated.

“Security comes first as number one in the society because without security, there will be no peace and development. So it is when people are secured that we can talk about development,” he said.

The Commander of 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure; Controllers of Nigeria Immigration Service; Nigeria Customs Service; Nigeria Correctional Service were at the occasion.

Others present were, representatives of Department of State Services; Commander of Air Force Base 209 Quick Response, Ipetu-Ijesa; Federal Road Safety Corps, Fire Services, amongst others.

News

Shettima departs for 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to depart Abuja for Dallas, United States of America, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit.

The summit is organised by the Corporate Council on Africa.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of The Vice-President, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Nkwocha said Shettima would join other political and business leaders across Africa, the USA and beyond for the summit.

According to him, the summit will feature high-level dialogues, networking business sessions and the plenary, all scheduled for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

He said that the African leaders expected at the summit include, the President, Republic of Liberia; Joseph Boakai, President, Republic of Malawi; Lazarus Chakwera and the President, Republic of Angola, Joao Lourenço.

Nkwocha said other African leaders that would grace the summit are the President, Republic of Botswana, Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, President, Republic of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho, Nthomeng Majara.

He said besides the summit’s plenary, Shettima would speak at the Roundtable on African Infrastructure Investment with a focus on impact and returns.

” He (Shettima) is also scheduled to speak on a high-level panel on agribusiness, focusing on transiting “from food insecurity to thriving agribusinesses.

” Additionally, the Vice-President will speak at a plenary session on Navigating Africa’s Energy Future as well as chair a session dedicated to promoting the ‘invest in Nigeria’ initiative.

” He is also expected to attend other meetings and engagements on the sideline of the summit.”

Nkwocha said that Vice-President Shettima is expected back in the country at the end of his engagements in the US.

News

Israeli to close Al Jazeera’s operations in the country – PM Netanyahu

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet has unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.

The move came after Israeli lawmakers recently approved a new media law widely referred to as the “Al Jazeera law” that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.

Netanyahu announced the Cabinet decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in which he called Al Jazeera “the hate channel.”

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said on Sunday that he had signed the closure order and that it would be implemented immediately.

According to Israeli reports, this means that offices in Israel could be closed, broadcasting equipment confiscated, the station removed from cable and satellite television channels and its website blocked.

The Israeli government had accused Al Jazeera, which is based in the Gulf emirate of Qatar and has a wide reach in the Arab world, of biased reporting on the ongoing war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera has reported extensively on the catastrophic situation in the Palestinian territory and shown images of death and destruction that are rarely seen on Israeli television stations.

The channel also regularly shows videos of attacks on Israeli soldiers by Hamas’ military arm, the Qassam Brigades.

The channel has rejected allegations of bias and, in the past, accused Netanyahu of spreading “new lies and inflammatory slanders” against the network.

Al Jazeera has also accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting journalists on several occasions.

Netanyahu has accused Al Jazeera of “damaging Israel’s security, actively participating in the massacre on October 7 and inciting against Israeli soldiers.”

Al-Jazeera was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Doha. It was one of the first Arab TV stations to publish critical reports on the region and quickly gained popularity.

The Israeli government’s efforts to ban Al Jazeera have drawn criticism from some of the country’s most prominent allies, including the United States and Germany.

The U.S. State Department expressed irritation of the decision and reiterated support for the free press all over the world.

A German Foreign Office spokesman also criticised the so-called Al Jazeera law last month: “A free and diverse press landscape is the cornerstone of a liberal democracy.”

News

OTC 2024: PETAN leads stakeholders on sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has led delegates to the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas U.S. to discuss sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future.

Mr Kevin Nwanze, Executive Secretary, PETAN, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Nwanze said that PETAN’s Nigerian pavilion at OTC 2024 would be hosted under the theme, “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future”.

He said that the conference would have more than 200 hours of multidisciplinary discussions and networking events, including a wide range of topics, suited for every participant.

PETAN scribe, however, called for stakeholders’ participation at the 2024 OTC, holding between May 6 and May 9 at the NRG Park, Houston, Texas, US.

According to him, PETAN has been responsible for hosting stakeholders at the OTC for many years.

“The association is calling on government agencies, stakeholders, oil and gas companies, and Nigerian investors to participate at the Nigerian pavilion at the prestigious event in Houston, U.S.

“Participation in the Nigerian pavilion shall deliver a unique opportunity for exhibitors and delegates to interact with global professionals

“As they share their insights on technological advances, energy transition, safety, environmentally focused solutions, and economic and regulatory impacts of the offshore energy sector,” he aded.

Nwanze said: “It allows organisations to engage with world leaders, CEOs, and government officials from around the world, with the chance to create and develop business relationships.

“And also tap into emerging regions vital to offshore development and obtaining recognition necessary for growth and visibility to thousands across the globe.

“Showcase your company’s capabilities to over 1,000 delegates and over 250 companies in the industry.

“Promote products and services to operators and contractors in the local region.

“Gain access to the latest industry news and access to networking opportunities with professional contacts from across the world.

“Network with the upstream, midstream, and downstream organisations and high-profile government officials and key decision-makers in the industry.

“Build and establish new leads as well as entrench a global presence in the industry.

“Get familiar with competitors’ capabilities to stay ahead in the industry,” the statement read.

The OTC 2024 expects over 31,000 energy professionals as attendees, 45 technical sessions, 450 presentations and over 1,300 exhibitors drawn from different countries, including Nigeria.