Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were four presentations made by the Subject Experts for Middle East, Central America, Indian Subcontinent and West Africa and gulf of Guinea.
The first presentation was made by Maj Gen OO Adeleke Rtd, his presentation Centre on Mayor of Accra that leads clean-up exercise to celebrate Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (ama) 125th anniversary. To pay its respect to the revered Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, who passed away on Decimetre exercise was also in preparation for the highly anticipated funeral of the late Ga Manye, to ensure that the capital city of Ghana was in pristine condition ber 26, 2022. Armed with brooms, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and a strong sense of community spirit, participants including staff of the AMA, volunteers and residents converge across the city to desist choked drains and gutters, clear areas overgrown with weeds as well as sweep the streets and pavements. On Saturday, 21, 2023 the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) organized a clean-up in the city to commemorate its 125 Anniversary and reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship. The first female mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, who led the exercise in an interview expressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the city, not just for the funeral but as a continual endeavour to enhance the living conditions and environmental standards in Accra.
In his analysis and lesson for Nigeria, General Adelek noted that In its wide meaning, Department for International Development (DFID) Water and Environmental Health at London and Southborough (WELL) states that ‘environmental sanitation’ refers to all activities that influence the physical environment and the related human health; it typically includes faeces management, solid waste, drainage, and vector control. The World Health Organisation (WHO), also states that the word sanitation refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal. Environmental sanitation in Nigeria has a complex history that spans several decades. The country has faced numerous challenges related to inadequate waste management, poor sanitation infrastructure, and lack of access to clean water.
He recommended that the federal government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Environment should launch nationwide campaigns to educate people about the importance of cleanliness, proper waste disposal, and the impact of pollution on health and the environment.
The second presentation was made by Brig Gen OD Donibo Subject Experts Indian Sub-continent, his presentation focused on Global Defense spending soars as India ramps up Military investments. PM Narendra Modi on 28 Oct 2023 emphasized his vision for the new India of the 21st century, stating that it would seize every opportunity and make every effort to become one of the world’s largest defense manufacturing nations. He further stressed that the private sector and investors would play a pivotal role in achieving this objective. One of the factors responsible for this surge in defense spending in India is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The event which showcased India’s growing aerospace and defense capabilities, saw PM Modi unveiling an ambitious plan to raise annual military exports from $1.5b to $5b by 2025 with the aim of transforming India into a net exporter of arms. However, Modi has initiated ambitious strategies to redirect these funds towards domestic production, following his earlier “Make in India” campaign, which has influenced global smartphone manufacturing.
In his analysis and lesson for Nigeria, General Donibo noted that Nigeria According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s military spending now ranks fourth in the world. The defense budget for the current fiscal year stands at 1.5tr Rupees ($19.3B), marking an 8% increase from the previous year. Stock analysts at firms like Morgan Stanley express optimism about the prospects for India defense companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Bharat Electronics and Advanced Weapons and Equipment of India, to capitalize on the opportunities created by this new defense spending. It should however be noted, that Modi’s grand plan faces several potential challenges.
He recommended that federal government of Nigeria that the MOD and services prioritize defense needs such as communications, helicopter gunships and mobility to enhance troops capabilities in IS ops. And the FG should avoid participation in external operations such as the Niger problem, which would draw huge funding from the insufficient budgetary allocation to defense.
The second presentation by Brig Gen ED Idimah Subject Experts Central America, his presentation Centre on Positive outcomes for an improved public transportation system in Belize. On October 23, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport, met with representatives of the Belize Bus Owners Cooperative (BBOC), Westline, James Bus Company and the Belmopan Busito Association on how to improve transportation system in Belize. At the meeting, all parties agreed that upgrading bus standards is necessary for modernizing the transport industry. For bus operators that meet the required standards and remain in good standing with their Road Service Permits (RSP) terms and conditions, the ministry may support their applications for financing from their preferred banking institutions. During the transition period, the ministry will consider options for further support, including consideration for having different grades or classes of buses, such as premier and economy grades.
In his analysis and lesson for Nigeria, General Idimah noted Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2003) defines transportation as a process or business of taking goods from one place to another or a system of carrying passengers or goods from one place to another. Transportation is a crucial aspect of modern society, facilitating the movement of people and goods from one place to another. It is always vital in connecting communities, supporting economic growth and enhancing quality life. The development of transport in overall activity of a nation is the ability to deliver an improved, efficient, effective, affordable and reliable transport system which will prosper the economic, social and political segments of any nation. A positive outcome for an improved transportation system in Belize can provide valuable lessons for Nigeria and these include Investment in Infrastructure, Integrated Transportation Planning, and Sustainable Transportation Solutions.
He recommended that the federal government of Nigeria That the Federal, States and Local Governments should improve transportation infrastructure within their areas of responsibilities by constructing new transportation corridors, repairing damaged ones to enhance connectivity between cities and regions to make transportation more efficient and reliable.
The four presentation by Brig Gen NA Mohammed Subject Experts Middle East, his presentation focused on Analysis on 29,000 Lebanese displaced due to clashes on Israel Border. Amid the military escalation between Hezbollah and Israel along the Lebanon/Israel border region on Tuesday 17 October 2023, coinciding with the ongoing war in Gaza, approximately 28,965 people have been displaced in Lebanon, as reported by the International Organization for Migration. Many displaced individuals sought refuge in southern cities and towns near the border, while others chose to flee to Beirut and its surroundings or regions in the north and central parts of the country, the border region has witnessed reciprocal shelling, especially between Hezbollah and Israel, since the Hamas movement launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. In response, Israel has been striking targets in the besieged Gaza Strip. The soaring tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border have raised fears that armed groups could potentially join the war in support of Hamas.
His analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Gen NA Mohammed noted that, International and local humanitarian agencies and civil society groups have been mobilizing to provide relief aid and shelter for those already displaced, while making preparations for possibly worse to come For instance, the local branch of Caritas Internationalism, a global network of 160 Catholic relief and development agencies, has launched a campaign to collect food items for displaced families and for those who have remained in the south. With the increase humanitarian crisis in Lebanon due to the IDPs, many humanitarian organizations, donors and private entities could focus their funds and humanitarian aid in Lebanon.
He recommended that federal government of Nigeria should Formulate and implement policy framework in the management of IDPs and Establish holistic approach in the management of IDPs.
