By Mohammed Tijjani

The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (RTD) on Tuesday inaugurated an Air Mobile First Aid Shelter at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) base, Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was supported by German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG) under the Nigeria-Gemany Bi-National Cooperation Agreement.

NAN also reports that the minister was represented by Chief of Administration, Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Adamu .

Magashi said the project would improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Armed Forces in meeting its national and regional security imperatives and disaster response.

“The instrument which provides for the collaboration of the German government in the provision of non-lethal military assistance to AFN, has two main components comprising the Equipment Aid Programme (EAP) and the Enhanced Enabling Initiative (E21).

“Through the EAP, the German government provides support in training and non-lethal equipment to the AFN,” he said.

Magashi said that NAF had articulated its requirement for Air Mobile First Aid Units to assist the Service in the fight against terrorism and insurgency as well as provision of medical services.

He stated that the construction of the shelter was achieved through the joint efforts of NAF and the German government while the entire arrays of equipment were supplied by the German government.

“The success of this project is a manifestation of the commitment of Nigeria and Germany to the actualisation of the projects in the Agreement,” said the defence minister.

The project, he added, would also bolster the non-kinetic lines-of-operation of the Armed Forces and set the stage for enduring peace and national development.

“We shall therefore continue to work for the actualisation of these types of projects that will enhance the security and unity of our nation as well as meet our global, regional and sub-regional obligations,” Magashi said.

Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said the project was geared towards improving the well-being of personnel.

Amoa, represented by Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi, appreciated the German government for granting an earlier request for training of emergency medical team.

According to him, the project resonates with two of the six key drivers of his vision – “bolster morale by improving personnel welfare and pursuit of fit-for-purpose training and human capacity development”.

“The recent reunion between the NAF and GTAC is a welcome development.

“Through counterpart funding, the erected building was taken to lintel level by NAF while GTAG completed the structure through its non-lethal equipment aid programme,” he added.

Also, the Commander GTAG in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Jens Gliemann, said the project, like many others in Nigeria, was supported by Germany in partnership with Nigerian Armed Forces with training and budget within the framework of the equipment aid programme.

Gliemann said Germany was working with selected countries in Africa including Nigeria to improve the operational capability of their armed forces in the area of logistics, maintenance and medical care.

‘In Nigeria the German government plans to invest about nine million euros from the renewed bilateral equipment aid agreement 2021-2024.

“For the medical projects at the NAF base in Kaduna, 1.5 million euros are to be invested in training, equipment and facilities,” he said.(NAN).

========

Judicial panel tells government to change "Lekki tollgate" to "EndSARS tollgate"

Jude Egbas

November 16, 2021 11:40 AM

The panel also recommends that October 20 of each year be made a toll free day.

Police Task Force arresting a peaceful protester at the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza during the memorial event (TheCable)

The judicial panel of inquiry into the October 20, 2020 shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate, has called for the renaming of the toll plaza in honour of all those who lost their lives or who were left injured on the night.

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Soldiers deployed to the venue of the anti-police brutality protests fired live rounds into the crowd, according to various reports and the panel's own investigation.

The panel also established that police officers from the nearby Maroko Police Station, were drafted to the Lekki tollgate to enforce a hurriedly declared curfew and to forcibly disperse the protesters.

In its 309-page report submitted to Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on November 15, 2021, the panel "recommends that the Lekki Toll Plaza be made a memorial site for ENDSARS Protest: By renaming to "ENDSARS TOLLGATE."

"The panel recommends that October 20th of every year, is made a "Toll Free Day" at the Lekki Toll Gate as long as the tollgate exists.

"That Oct 20th of every year be made EndSARS day nationally for the remembrance of our falling youth.

"That for the purpose of restitution, healing and reconciliation, the federal government needs to publicly apologise to the youth for abruptly undermining the protest with their state actors."

The panel reports that at least 11 people were killed on the night, with at least 24 others sustaining gunshot wounds.

We would love to hear what you think about the content on Pulse

Give us your feedback