Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at the Boardroom TY Buratai Block NARC, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts covering China, South America and the Caribbean, North America, and Southeast Asia respectively.
The first presentation was made by Brig Gen M Ibrahim subject expert on South America and the Caribbean. The presentation discussed the promotion of the Ferrograo railroad by Brazil’s Minister of Transportation. For Nigeria, he stated that the journey to modernizing the aging rail system started with the Obasanjo administration. Since then contracts have been awarded for construction but this construction has been stalled owing to the issue of funding. He further stated that this would aggravate the socio-economic challenges of the country such as unemployment and a reduction in the standard of living. He concluded by stating that the Government need respond to this as the operation of the railway network in Nigeria will go a long way in improving the transport sector.
The second presentation was made by Brig Gen, AA Adanugo Subject Expert North America. The senior officer’s presentation amidst other headlines discussed the US and the rule of law regarding Donald Trumps Indictment. The senior officer’s presentation generally pointed out that no one should be above the law and government decisions, rather the legal and moral principles of the law should be respected. In relating this to Nigeria the constitution clearly states the superiority of the law overall but the experiences and situation of the country over time say otherwise. He identified bad governance, blanket immunity, bigotry, ignorance of the law, government manipulation of the society, etc. as challenges impeding the rule of law in Nigeria. This results in provocation and anger from the citizens. As a way forward the senior officer advised that there is a need for the Nigerian people to be committed to the tenets of the law, and active participation of the organs of the civil society in the articulation and dissemination of the necessity of ensuring the law takes its rightful place.
The last presentation was delivered by Brig Gen SN Eze Subject Expert for Southeast Asia. The subject of focus amidst other headlines was Indonesia’s arrest of 4 foreigners for alleged drug smuggling. The suspect would be punished according to Indonesia’s strict narcotic law. In the analysis and lessons for Nigeria, he stated that the country accounts almost 3 times high than the global average for drug use prevalence, which thrives more in the rural areas. He further stated that there has been a rapid response from the NDLEA under Brig Gen MB Marwa with commendable results. The agency has prosecuted drug offenders and seized properties. He further states that there exists a nexus between drug trafficking on one hand and organized criminalities such as terrorism, kidnapping, and money laundering which have continued to threaten the nation’s stability. He recommends that the government need to up its game by securing the personnel of the agency as well as setting up measures that would checkmate narcotics substances at the border entry/exit points of the country.
Present at the briefing was the Ed Consult, the Director of Research Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Consultants, senior officers, and other staff of the Centre.
