The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lake Chad basin

  • Development will end Boko Haram crisis- UN Security Council

    The UN Security Council says that the only solution to the Boko Haram terrorism in the North East Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin is the economic development of the region.

    Matthew Rycroft, the leader of a UN Security Council delegation, said  this while speaking with newsmen shortly after a visit to Maiduguri.

    “We are convinced that the long term solutions is not military, it is not even humanitarian, it is development.

    “It has to do with thinking about long term investments, in job creation, in education among others,” Rycroft, who is  also the UK Permanent Representative to the UN and the Security Council’s President for the month of March, said.

    He added:” It is thinking about the protection of civilians, thinking about protection of human rights, of women and girls rights in particular.

    “All of us have to come together and we stand with the governor of Borno, the government of Nigeria in tackling all of these problems in the Lake Chad Basin region”.

    Rycroft explained that the visit was aimed at getting first hand information on the crisis.

    “We came here because we are very worried about the crisis which is affecting the North East Nigeria which is the crisis of terrorism caused by Boko Haram.

    “We are also here because of the humanitarian crisis which is being exacerbated by the terrorists,” he said.

    Rycroft said that the team had been able get sufficient information from some victims of the crisis.

    “We have had meetings with displaced persons in one of the IDP camps interacting with women and men who had been victims of Boko Haram.

    “They are now victims of humanitarian crisis, the number is shocking in terms of Displaced Persons, half a million children are malnourished,” he said.

    Rycroft said that the UN Security Council was determined to stepped up assistance to the victims.

    “We are determined that the international Community, the donor nations and the UN coordinating units stepped up response before it is too late,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 14-man UN Security Council delegation visited the Theater Commander Operation Lafiya Dole as part of the visit.

  • Insurgency: CNS concludes visit to Lake Chad naval base

    Insurgency: CNS concludes visit to Lake Chad naval base

    The Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS) Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, has concluded his visit to the Naval Out Post (NOP) in Lake Chad Basin on the outskirts of Baga town, in Borno.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

    Ezekobe said that the CNS concluded the visit on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the zone had been the hot bed of Boko Haram insurgency before the Nigerian military took control of the area.

    The director said that the CNS was informed that the insurgents had been routed out of their last strong hold of Malam Fatori.

    He also said that pockets of Boko Haram elements were on isolated islands on the Lake Chad.

    “The CNS inspected the temporary, accommodation site at the College of Fresh Water Fisheries at Baga as well as facilities at the temporary site at the Fish Dam 8km North-East of the College.

    “On arrival at Baga, the CNS was received by the GOC 8 Division, Brig.-Gen. Nani as well as the Commander, 7 Special Task Force, Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Saram.

    “The CNS was briefed on current activities in the general area of operations by the Commander, Special Task Force, as well as the Commander, Naval Out-Post Lake Chad, Navy Capt. D.D. Dangwel.

    “At the NOP site, the CNS was received by Alhaji Modu Musa, who is the Chief of Staff to Gov. Kashim Shettima of the state.

    “The Chief of Staff informed the CNS that the area used to be a trading base with links to Chad where several forms of commodities were traded,” Ezokobe said.

    He also said the Chief of Staff expressed optimism that a synergy with other security agencies would enable the Nigerian Navy to eliminate the remnants of the insurgents.

    According to him, this would help to restore Baga to its former position as a cross border trading post.

    The Commander, Naval Out-Post Lake Chad, Capt. Dangwell also informed the CNS of the wanton destruction that had taken place in the area

    This, he said, resulted to the disruption of not only essential support facilities but also all forms of telecommunications in the area.

    Ibas noted that the approach to the Naval Out-Post was challenged by very sandy terrain and requested the state to assist in making it motorable.

    The CNS, however, assured the community that the NN would help to improve security as well as provide relief materials to the people.

    Earlier, the CNS had been briefed by the Commander, “Operation Lafia Dole”, on the general security challenges in the North -East.

    NAN recalls that the Nigerian Navy had since established a Naval Base in the Lake Chad Basin.

    The service had also deployed special personnel to the area because of the activities of the insurgents, and to also rid the area of other criminal activities.

  • US releases $240m humanitarian assistance to displaced persons

    US releases $240m humanitarian assistance to displaced persons

    The U.S. Government on Wednesday announced the delivering of about $240million (about N76.8billion) as development and humanitarian assistance to displaced persons across the Lake Chad Basin.

    The U.S. Department of State in a statement that did not identify the recipient, said that the fund was to provide affected persons and refugees with transitional assistance.

    The statement also said that the $240 million (about N76.8b) would be used to provide them with psycho-social services, health programmes, as well as emergency education for their children.

    “The U.S. will continue to assist the Nigerian government’s efforts to locate and bring home all those who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram, with intelligence and advisory support.

    “The U.S. is also delivering over $240 million in development and humanitarian assistance across the Lake Chad Basin to provide conflict-affected populations and refugees with transitional assistance.

    “The fund is also to provide them with psycho-social services, health programmes, and emergency education for children displaced by violence,’’ it said.

    The statement also said that the U.S. Government had called for the “immediate release” of the more than 200 abducted Chibok girls.

    According to it, the U.S. is calling for their release without preconditions.

    “As we approach the second anniversary of the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian Chibok girls, the US again calls for their immediate release, without preconditions.

    “The kidnapping of these young women, along with the kidnappings of countless others by Boko Haram, epitomises this terrorist group’s depravity,’’ the statement added.

  • FG set to partner Chad on Lake Chad Basin

    FG set to partner Chad on Lake Chad Basin

    The Federal Government has said it is ready to partner Chad Republic to restore the Lake Chad basin.

    Environment Minister, Amina Mohammed disclosed during a briefing Tuesday in Abuja.

    She said the decision would revive agriculture and restore peace in the area.

    ‎Mohammed said, “We have shown that we are willing to work with our neighbours, such as those in the Lake Chad basin to restore the once fertile land and well stocked fisheries so that peace and security can return”

    The Minister said that Nigeria has also shown that she values international partnerships and that the discussions she has held with representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank and a range of bi-lateral partners in the last two weeks will pave the way to substantial new funds accruing to Nigeria in the coming years to support our climate plans.

    However, she cautioned that to deliver an agenda for change, the nation’s climate plans must align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that we can have a more ambitious, robust and effective approach that tackles inequality and addresses the challenges of climate change.

    By building on the agreement coming out of the COP 21 process, she said “we can look forward to a healthier, wealthier and brighter future for all Africans”

    The Minister further stated that the Paris agreement has created a veritable global platform for President Buhari’s bold change agenda which focuses on a new roadmap with emphasis on green and inclusive growth at its heart.

    According to the minister, Nigeria’s ambitious INDCs, aim at reducing emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2030 with support from the international community.

    This she affirmed can also act as a catalyst to achieving economic diversification, adding that this will support the restructuring of the economy in a way that will facilitate inclusive growth with vast opportunities.

  • Buhari seeks 1920 report to tackle Lake Chad woes

    Buhari seeks 1920 report to tackle Lake Chad woes

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to revert to a 1920 report in order to overcome the challenges of Lake Chad Basin.

    The lake is said to have dried up from about 33,000 square kilometres to just about 300 square kilometres within two decades.

    Buhari gave the directive while receiving briefings on the activities of the Federal Ministry of Environment led by its Permanent Secretary, Fatima Mede at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Mede, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said Buhari was concerned that the drying up of the waters had affected farmers, fishermen and the surrounding communities who relied on the lake for their livelihood.

    She said: “The President is also concerned about the fact that Lake Chad is receding from the 33,000square kilometres about two decades ago to just 300 square kilometres which has affected the farmers, fishermen and the livelihood of the people around that area.

    “So he has directed that we should go and look at the report that was submitted in 1920 about how to prevent Lake Chad from drying up so that the communities around, even border communities including the countries benefitting from activities of fishermen and livelihood based on Lake Chad will not be affected.”

    According to her, the President also expressed concern over the general environmental degradation in the country, which she said was affecting over 43 percent of the population.

    Buhari, she said, had therefore directed that more measures be put in place to check the trend, including the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking especially in the urban areas of the country.

     

     

  • Buhari’s ramadan message

    Buhari’s ramadan message

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Muslim faithfuls nationwide as they enter into the holy month of Ramadan.

    Buhari urged Muslims to use the period of Ramadan to promote love & peace as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    The President called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims start the 2015 Ramadan fast.

    In a congratulatory message released on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, President Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period “by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.”

    The President in his message directed an appeal to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion.

    “As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond,” Buhari said.

    The President prayed to Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large.

    “I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem Mubarak,” the statement summed.

  • Ramadan: Buhari urges misguided brothers to embrace peace

    Ramadan: Buhari urges misguided brothers to embrace peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Muslim faithfuls nationwide as they enter into the holy month of Ramadan.

    Buhari urged Muslims to use the period of Ramadan to promote love & peace as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    The President called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims start the 2015 Ramadan fast.

    In a congratulatory message released on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, President Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period “by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.”

    The President in his message directed an appeal to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion.

    “As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond,” Buhari said.

    The President prayed to Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large.

    “I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem Mubarak,” the statement summed.

     

  • FG budgets $100m for oil search in Lake Chad

    FG budgets $100m for oil search in Lake Chad

    The Federal Government budgeted 100 million dollars for oil search in the Lake Chad Basin this year, Vice President Namadi Sambo said on Saturday.

    Sambo stated this during a visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Aubakar Ibn Garbai, in Maiduguri.

    He said the action was aimed at preparing ground for the commencement of full commercial oil exploration in the basin.

    “I want to inform you that government is committed to the oil and gas search in the Lake Chad basin.

    “Last year about 75 million dollars was spent on the project and this year President Goodluck Jonathan has approved 100 million dollars for the project,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the vice president as saying during the visit.

    Sambo added that three blocks have been identified in the area after a series of research for further action.

    “So far, we have identified three blocks one of which is located in Maiduguri.

    “These blocks have great potentials for oil and gas exploration,’’ he said.

    Sambo said that government believed that commercial oil exploration would begin in the area at the beginning of 2014.