Connect with us

Security

Ebonyi accident: Diaspora indigenes condole state govt, call for investigation

Published

4 years ago

on

Following a fatal accident that had almost everybody on board killed at Akaeze -Ukwu bridge, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state on Saturday, the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has sent a condolences message to the State government.

The association also called on the appropriate authorities to investigate the immediate as well as the remote cause(s) of the mishap in order to get recommendations on how to stop the re-occurrence of such tragedy.

A 608 Coaster bus carrying 32 passenger with Reg no. UKP 78 XA was said to have fell inside the river while conveying members of Christ Peculiar Church of Nigeria, Enugu branch from a burial at Nguzu Edda back to Enugu.

In a statement signed Sunday in Abuja by the President of the AESID, Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, said his organisation recieved the shocking sad news of the vehicle accident and consequent loss of lives of Ebonyi people through drowning over the Akaeze-Ugwu River overnight on Friday, September 18, 2020.

“On behalf of the executive committee and the entire membership of the Association of the Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID), I am writing to convey to the people and government of Ebonyi State, our deepest sympathies and wholesome condolences for the lives lost during the sad incident.”

While praying for the repose of the departed souls, Oluchukwu also prayed to Almighty God to grant the families and relations of the deceased the courage and fortitude to bear the sad loss.

“Let me take a moment to call on all people of goodwill, at home in Ebonyi, throughout the widths and breadths of Nigeria and across the Diaspora world, to come to the aid and support of the bereaved families with kind words as well as material and financial resources to enable them wither the storm that such a sudden death may have thrown them into.

“On behalf of AESID, we are sending our widows might in support of the bereaved family.

“We are calling on the Ebonyi State Executive Governor, His Excellency Engr. Dave Umahi, to declare a state-wide period of mourning and fly flags across the State at half-mast in honour of those that have lost their lives in this terrible calamity.

“We are also calling on the appropriate authorities to investigate the immediate as well as the remote cause(s) of this mishap and get a recommendation on how to stop the re-occurrence of the tragedy.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Security

Tinubu Signs Bill Establishing National Centre for Arms Control

Published

3 months ago

on

September 18, 2024

By

The development was made known at a workshop focused on gender mainstreaming in efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

The workshop was organized by the NCCSALW. Ribadu, represented by the Director of External Affairs from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Amb. Ibrahim Babani, described the president’s assent as a crucial step in the government’s fight against the illegal proliferation of arms.
He noted that this legislative backing would solidify the centre’s authority and facilitate more coordinated efforts to tackle the issue.

Ribadu also emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in addressing the arms control problem, citing key international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
This resolution underscored the need to protect women from the impacts of conflict and ensure their active participation in peacebuilding and security initiatives.

AIG (rtd) Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser

He also referenced the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which highlights regional cooperation in stopping the spread of weapons that disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.

“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons cannot be overstated,” Ribadu said. “It strengthens our strategies and ensures our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable.”

Speaking at the workshop, the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Johnson Kokumo, detailed the centre’s recent efforts in combating illegal arms proliferation.
Kokumo mentioned that the centre recently retrieved a substantial cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service and arrested 10 suspects involved in illicit importation. These suspects are currently being prosecuted for offenses that include the illegal importation of 544 firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition, in violation of Nigerian law.

Kokumo further revealed that the centre has retrieved 3,383 decommissioned and illicit small arms, along with 26,749 rounds of ammunition, from various government agencies. He also announced plans for an Arms Destruction Exercise later this quarter to ensure that recovered arms are permanently removed from circulation.

Highlighting the global implications of small arms proliferation, Kokumo said, “The control of small arms and light weapons is not only a national concern but also a matter of international importance.” He added that addressing this issue through a gender-sensitive approach is both a moral imperative and a strategic move, considering the grave impact of armed conflict on women and children.

“This workshop is a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into national and regional strategies for small arms and light weapons control,” he stated.

Continue Reading

Security

IPPIS Database Safe and Secure – FG Assures Civil Servants

Published

3 months ago

on

September 17, 2024

By

By Elizabeth Okwe

Contrary to apprehensions being expressed in certain quarters regarding the security of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Federal Government has reassured civil servants that the System database remains secure and has not been compromised.

The assurance came via a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations,  the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, on Monday in Abuja.

A news report (not SunriseNigeria) had claimed that the ‘IPPIS Payroll Validation section on the official website of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had been hijacked by an unknown hacker.

It also claimed that workers’ data stored on the official website of the IPPIS Secretariat, a department at the OAGF, was susceptible to attack because the secure site layer feature of the website had expired and remained unrenewed for over a year.

However, in the statement, the OAGF said the government is committed to maintaining and operating a safe and efficient personnel and payroll management system.

Checks by our correspondent showed that the IPPIS section of the website was still inaccessible when this report was filed.

Mokwa stated that “the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System database has not been compromised,” and reaffirmed that employees’ personnel data was secure.

The OAGF, which is responsible for overseeing the management of the IPPIS and other federal financial initiatives, revealed that it has implemented an ICT Security Policy aimed at safeguarding its digital assets.

According to the OAGF, this policy aligns with global best practices in cybersecurity, ensuring the continuous protection of sensitive data within government systems.

“No data is saved on the OAGF website,” the statement clarified, addressing rumours that sensitive information may have been stored or compromised through the website.

“The IPPIS uses the website only to share information, not for transactions. Neither payroll nor payments are made through the website, therefore, no data is contained in the website,” Mokwa stated.

The statement further clarified that the IPPIS Validation Portal, recently developed to update employee information, had been deployed for a specific period. Once the data validation exercise was completed, the portal was shut down permanently to prevent any further access.

“The IPPIS Validation Portal was deployed on a secure platform,” the statement read, adding that a secure database and application system were procured from HELIX-FONS, a reputable international software provider.

The office acknowledged that the IPPIS is of utmost importance to Nigerian workers, thus it became imperative to assuage the fears of any loss or breach of employees’ data in the IPPIS database.

 

 

Continue Reading

Security

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Arrested at Abuja Airport

Published

3 months ago

on

September 9, 2024

By

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

The arrest was carried out at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja this morning.

According to sources, Ajaero was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official assignment when he was picked up by the DSS personnel.

The reasons behind his arrest are still unclear, but sources revealed that he has been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Recall that Ajaero was scheduled to attend the conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, which is slated to be held today.

Continue Reading

Archives

Categories

Meta

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending