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Mbah chairs revamp committee
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appeared at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima and got the endorsement of the council for a comprehensive upgrade of training facilities across security agencies.
The plan to overhaul all training institutions affiliated with the security agencies nationwide came after Tinubu underscored the importance of renovating, remodelling, and re-equipping training facilities not only for the Nigeria Police Force but also for their sister security agencies.
Briefing State House correspondents shortly after NEC’s 153rd meeting at the Council Chamber, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the council also urged state governors to collaborate with the Federal Government on the overhaul.
Sani disclosed that NEC has established a dedicated committee to commence an on-the-spot assessment of the training institutions. The committee is chaired by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who recently shifted allegiance to the APC from the PDP.
Other members include Governors Sani himself, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Sule Abdullahi of Nasarawa State, Taraba Kafas Agbu, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun. Former Inspector General of Police Baba Alkali is to serve as secretary to the committee.
“This committee was given one month by the NEC to go around and see and ensure that we have on-the-spot assessment on the situation and the condition of all these training institutions across the country, and come up with a comprehensive report on how the federal government and state governors will collaborate in addressing this issue.
“And of course, all the governors again unanimously agreed to partner with the federal government in rehabilitating, renovating all the Police training institutions in their respective States.
“Again the NEC also looked at other sister agencies, and the committee was assigned certain responsibility to look at other sister agencies and look at their own training institutions and come up with a report on how we can be able to revamp, renovate them and also equip them when necessary.
“Like I said, Mr. President also urged the state governors to pay more attention to issues that affect the well-being of the people, particularly from the grassroots,” Sani stated.
He added that the NEC’s move signals a broad-based commitment to enhancing professional standards and operational readiness across all security wings.
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Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, also briefing said a comprehensive memo outlining Nigeria’s roadmap to achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030 was presented to Council. Bagudu stressed the critical importance of Nigeria’s federal structure in facilitating joint efforts towards economic growth.
He told newsmen that: “This memo recognises our status as a federation and highlights the successes over the last two and a half years achieved through cooperation among the federating units.”
He further underscored the constitutional basis for this cooperation by referencing section 130 subsection two of Nigeria’s Constitution, which designates the President as Head of State, Chief Executive, and Commander-in-Chief, and section 13, which mandates all authorities to conform to constitutional provisions sworn to by the President, Vice President, and State Governors.
The memo applauded the progress made in macroeconomic reforms, security enhancements, and infrastructure development, particularly through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, which supports grassroots projects.
Bagudu said President Tinubu asked for continued support from the members of NEC in six areas. He called for ongoing backing of macroeconomic reforms, with periodic briefings by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Central Bank Governor, and Minister of Budget on measures to maintain macroeconomic stability and monetary policy.
He emphasised the continued use of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund as a collaborative instrument for infrastructure development, with the Coordinating Minister providing updates to the council. He added that the memo advocated for sustained cooperation on security matters, with additional investments to be agreed upon under presidential advice and the establishment of a National Economic Council committee to mobilise resources for security.
Moreover, the memo proposed an expansion of the mandate of the National Economic Council Committee Against Crude Oil Theft to include prevention of theft of other valuable minerals such as gold. It urged that the Renewed Hope Development Programme remain a central priority, with progress reports to be presented regularly by the Minister of Budget and Planning.
Finally, he said the memo called for measures to support domestic production, as recommended by both the Minister of Budget and the Minister of National Planning.
The motion to adopt these recommendations was moved by the Imo State Governor and seconded by the Nasarawa State Governor, receiving unanimous approval from the National Economic Council. Following the approval, President Tinubu offered remarks supporting the council’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s economy through steadfast collaboration and policy implementation.
