The Nation Newspaper

Tag: improved security

  • Mohammed: improved security, upgraded facilities ‘ll boost tourism

    MINISTER of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has said the present administration’s efforts at improving security and upgrading infrastructure is a deliberate policy to promote tourism.

    He stated this yesterday when he received the D-8 Secretary-General, Mr. Dato’ Ku Jafafar Ku Shaari, when he visited his office in Abuja.

    Mohammed noted that without the provision of security and critical infrastructure, tourism growth will remain a mirage.

    He said: “Without peace and security, the best tourist attractions will be inaccessible to anybody. As a matter of fact, without peace and security and stability, travel advisories will actually discourage or even prohibit tourists from coming into those areas and the people don’t invest really in the areas where there is instability or insecurity. That is why the government has made it a cardinal principle to address the issue of insecurity in the country,” he said.

    Mohammed, according to a statement by his Senior Adviser, Segun Adeyemi, said in spite of the recent setbacks in the fight against insurgency in the country, the government has succeeded in banishing Boko Haram to the fringes of Lake Chad, from where they carry out cowardly attacks.

    He said before the advent of the Buhari Administration, a large chunk of Nigeria’s territory, including 20 out of the 27 Local Government Areas in Borno State, was under the effective control of Boko Haram.

    The minister also said before the President Muhammadu Buhari administration assumed office, Boko Haram could stroll into the Federal Capital Territory to carry out deadly attacks, but that the reverse is the case now.

    “Today after three years, we have had no single incident of any insurgency in Abuja or its environs,” he said.

    Mohammed said Buhari has succeeded in mobilising regional support to ensure the comprehensive defeat of Boko Haram in the Sahel Region.

    On the provision of infrastructure, he said the administration has invested N2.7 trillion in infrastructure within two years.

    “Your Excellency, you cannot have tourism without infrastructure. There must be roads, airports and power. Without these things, you can’t even access the tourist attractions and it’s on record that this government has in the last two years – 2016-2017 – invested massively in infrastructure,” he said.

    The minister assured that Nigeria is poised to take advantage of its membership of the D-8 to advance its tourism sector.

    The D-8 Secretary-General said he and his team were in the ministry to secure the input of the government towards the development of a strategic vision on how member countries can share experiences and knowledge on tourism.

    “The purpose of our visit today to the ministry is to learn from the government and the ministry in all the activities in respect of culture and tourism and where we can connect as an organisation,” he said.

    He hailed the Nigerian government for its efforts towards tourism’s growth, especially the provision of security and critical infrastructure as well as the introduction of visa on arrival for tourists.

  • Ajimobi: improved security has boosted business influx into Oyo

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has attributed the influx of blue chip companies and other businesses to the state to the success of his administration’s huge investments in security since he assumed office in 2011.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, while inaugurating the first phase of Oyo State Safe City Control Centre at Onireke.

    Activities in some black spots and business districts in Ibadan, as captured by Close Circuit Televisions (CCTV) installed in the areas are monitored through the centre to curb criminal activities.

    The project, which is situated at the headquarters of OYSSTF, covers places like Idi-Arere, Beere, Oke-Ado, Ojoo, Sango, Dugbe and Mokola.

    Ajimobi said his administration had delivered good governance, which he attributed to the enabling environment occasioned by the prevailing peace as well as security of life and property across the state.

    He said: “I have always said that a good leader will take his people to where they want to be but a great leader will take them to where they ought to be, while he envisions the movement to another greater level.

    “Our immediate effort in 2011 at stopping crime and criminal activities yielded results as our special joint security outfit, which we codenamed: Operation Burst, had done a lot in restoring peace to our otherwise troubled state.

    “Today, Oyo is ranked among the most peaceful states in Nigeria and this has reflected in the upsurge of commercial activities in the state. This has led to Oyo being adjudged as one of the five states with ease of doing business in the country.”

    The governor reiterated his call for the establishment of state police as the panacea for crime reduction in Nigeria.

    He said he was the first governor to present the proposal for state police at a national security meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, where he gave the details of the advantages inherent in each state having its own police to fight crime.

    Ajimobi said: “Go round the world and see those advanced democracies; you will see that there is none of them without state police. All the states in the United States of America (U.S.A), France, Canada and other countries have their police.

    “The state police will be staffed with people from the local communities where they have deep knowledge about the terrain and the inhabitants therein. That is why no crime goes undiscovered in the Western world.

    “I once presented a proposal on the need for state police at a national security meeting in Abuja because I believed then and now that it is an arrangement that is germane to the enthronement and maintenance of peace at the grassroots.”

    The governor expressed appreciation to the security agencies for working assiduously to reduce crime, even in the face of inadequate logistics, lack of technology and database in the country.

    He assured the residents that the installation of the CCTV cameras at some black spots in and around Ibadan as well as other cities in the state was a fulfilment of his administration’s pledge to use technology in combating crime.

    Read also: Post-primaries disaffection in APC not intractable, says Ajimobi

    Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude lauded the Ajimobi administration for its tremendous support to the police and other security agencies to make their jobs easier.

    According to him, security apparatus will probably have been grounded in the state if not for the prompt intervention of the governor in the provision of logistics, such as operational vehicles, spare parts and other materials like Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

    Odude said: “No security can be achieved without the necessary logistics. Governor Ajimobi has helped refurbish three APC out of the 12 we have, and I can assure you that one APC is equal to 100 policemen. So we must show our gratitude to the governor for his supports at all time.

    “I can tell you that if not for the intervention of the governor in the area of security in the state, security arrangements would have been in shambles by now.”

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of Oyo State Security Trust Fund Chief Adebayo Adelabu said the project was another landmark by the Ajimobi administration in its quest to improve the people’s wellbeing.

    He said: “Nobody will commit crime if he knows he will be apprehended. The realisation that you are being watched is a measure of deterrence to crime.”

     

  • Improved security will boost tourism, says Osinbajo

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has said the Federal Government reconises the importance of improved security in boosting Nigeria’s tourism potential.

    He said this while performing the grand opening of The Dome entertainment centre in Abuja on Friday.

    Prof. Osinbajo said the government acknowledges the importance of peace and security within the nation so as to encourage tourism as a means of developing the economy.

    He congratulated the Chairman of The Dome, Mr. Obiora Okonkwo, on the achievement of revamping the facility to a world-class standard.

    The vice president said entertainment and tourism were clearly new money makers for Nigeria.

    “This is like Dubai, for example Dubai produces just about as much oil that we produce on a daily basis yet oil is just 20% of Dubai’s entire revenues, most of it is in some form of tourism or entertainment or the other 80%.

    “I’m quite certain that this is just the beginning for the dome entertainment center and that we should really expect a lot more. Nigerians are doing great things in the entertainment industry, whether is music or film,” he said.

    Mr. Okonkwo expressed his gratitude towards the invited guests for honoring the invitation and assured that the entertainment centre would contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    He said: “I am glad people responded to our invitation,” he said. “I am grateful for the VP who has agreed to come. It shows the strong importance they attach to the creative industry and the strong meaning they give to the term ‘diversification’ of the economy because I believe that this industry can offer a whole lot to the Nigerian GDP of properly supported, if the opportunities here are harnessed.

    “Abuja holds a whole lot of international conferences and these people usually come with a lot of resources. It’s only when you provide a place for them to spend it that you extract the VAT that will in turn get to the government. We must not allow anything of this nature to pass us by.”

    The remodeled entertainment center consists of diverse facilities like the renowned Camelot Spa, the Francis Hotel, a bowling alley and arcade, Bodytrust Fitness Center, and Noni’s pizza parlor.

    The event attracted many national and international personalities from countries including South Africa and India, such as members of the UN, Nigerian artist Flavour, South African singing group Mafikizolo, the top six Big Brother Naija housemates, and Miss Africa 2017.

  • How we improved security, by LSSTF boss

    There is peace in Lagos State because of the government’s “massive support” for security agencies, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun, has said.

     

    Such support, which is replicated by the private sector, comes through the fund, he said.

    He spoke while receiving members of the Delta State Security Trust Fund ( DSSTF ), led by their Executive Secretary, Sam Osasa, during a working visit to LSSTF.

    Balogun said the fund was created following the increasing menace of crime and the inability of security agencies particularly the police to tackle these crimes.

    The underfunding of the police and other security agencies rendered them ineffectively, hence the establishment of the fund in 2007.

    The fund, he said, had recorded giant strides because of the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    LSSTF’s success, Balogun said, lay in the government’s commitment and total buy-in.

    According to him, transparency and accountability of the fund over the years have enabled it to gain and retain the trust of its donors.

    The Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Olatunji Disu , an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said RRS was created from the Lagos State Police Command to swiftly respond to emergencies.  The commander added that RRS has is backed by the government and private organisations through the fund.

  • ThankGod calls for improved security

    ThankGod calls for improved security

    Enyimba defender and winning goal scorer in last Wednesday’s tie against Pillars, Ike ThankGod has challenged the League Management Company (LMC) to stop at nothing to improve security at match venues for the good of the game.

    He said the only way any league can be considered good enough is when teams that prepare and play well are able to achieve victory irrespective of the venue of the clash.

    The Nigerian league according to him has come of age and should by now be having more positives as opposed to negatives during assessment

    “”The answer lies in improving security at match venues.  When you talk of a good league, any team that plays well should be able to win anywhere and that is what we should be working towards. The league board needs to take this seriously so that the league can grow and morepeople will be interested in following the league, “he said in a chat with Sportinglife Friday.

    On today’s clash against Niger tornadoes at the Umuahia Township Stadium, the Super Eagles and former Warri Wolves strong man expressed optimism that Enyimba will have a good game adding that the players have shifted attention to earning another three points.”We are ready and

    looking forward to a good game, “he enthused

    ThankGod’s call is coming barely 72 hours after Enyimba was reportedly attacked by Pillars fans that were not happy with the team’s defeat at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

    Soccer fans reacted on social media after the match, believe the league can only be said to be improving when more away matches are recorded without violence.

    Aside from the Enyimba vs Tornadoes showdown other heavy weight clashes billed for today include Heartland vs El-kanemi Warriors at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri and Rangers vs 3SC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

  • Peterside calls for improved security

    Peterside calls for improved security

    The Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, said insecurity had remained a major challenge to free and fair elections in Rivers State.

    Peterside stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after voting at Unit 6, Ward 3 in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area during yesterday‘s re-run parliamentary election in the state.

    He also said hate speeches by politicians were other challenges to the conduct of elections in the state.

    He said that insecurity and hate speeches caused the low turnout of voters recorded in some local government areas in the Saturday election.

    Peterside, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections in the state, called for improved security in future elections to enable the people exercise their franchise.

    He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for adopting accreditation and voting same option for the re-run election, saying that it made the exercise faster.

    “I believe it is a better process. This is a better process than the previous method of accrediting and going back home before one can vote.

    “But the politicians will not allow it to work. I can inform you that some politicians are always suspicious of each other, never having faith in the process,” he said.