Posted by In a nationwide crackdown on illicit miners, President Bola Tinubu has ordered security forces to step up their efforts.
Additionally, he stated that his administration will make sure that mineral exploration corporations put the safety of Nigerians and host communities first.
“Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035” was the title of the presentation that Tinubu received on Thursday in Abuja from Course 32 participants of the National Defence College, NDC.
The Training Throughout the eleven months of the study, thirty-two individuals were assigned the responsibility of researching current national concerns. Their primary focus was on the mining industry and its potential contributions to national security and development.
President Tinubu responded to the delegation’s presentation by praising Colonel Olajide Bello’s efforts and restating the significance of economic diversification for Nigeria.
I paid close attention to your talk on the subject. I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your exceptional expertise in the fields of military and security, as well as for the profound intellectual contributions you have made to our nation.
I get that the economy needs to diversify, and we have been working hard to make that happen. A deeper comprehension of the issues will be fostered by your participation in equal measure.
Scavengers and exploiters are a problem for us nationwide. We need to stop it before it starts, and I know that you military officers are more aware of this than the general public.
The president expressed his hope that the instruction will lead to more resources necessary to maintain economic stability.
The team received President Tinubu’s word that the NDC headquarters in Abuja would be completed due to his government.
During an interactive session, the president voiced his worry for the health of individuals residing near mining zones, addressing the repercussions of exploration activities on their well-being.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of addressing this matter early on by establishing healthcare facilities and other infrastructure to safeguard the well-being, safety, and lives of Nigerians.
According to Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant of the NDC, 2,871 students have graduated from the school since it opened in 1992 under the name of the National War College.
He revealed that aside from 30 African nations, the college has hosted students from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, India, and Nepal.
Thanks to the generosity of the president, the college has undergone exceptional infrastructure enhancements, according to Rear Admiral Olotu. This has allowed the institution to compete favourably with any other defense college in the globe.
The college has been operating out of a temporary building in Abuja’s Central Business District since 2010 due to the permanent site’s unfinished construction, so he pleaded with President Tinubu to help finish the property.
Nineteen foreign students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America joined the eleventy-one students from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force, Police, and MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies).
The college conducts comprehensive research on all issues pertaining to development and national security.
On a more global scale, the college’s research center—the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies—has been recognized as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for Peace Support Operations.