The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States, supported by the Governments of Germany and Norway, launched a Project titled North-West Prevention Facility to address the challenges of climate change and insecurity in the North-West region, on Monday 3 July, 2023 in Abuja.
L-R: National Coordinator, NCTC, Office of the NSA, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd); Private Secretary to the Governor of Zamfara State, Sheriphdeen Jatto; Resident Representative, UNDP, Mohamed Yahya; Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Umar Radda; Germany Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Annett Gunther; First Secretary, Norwegian Embassy, Trygve Aurdal-vold and Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Sokoto State, Umar Isa Sokoto, during the launch of North-West Prevention Facility Project held at the UN House, Abuja.
In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd), said that the project was very timely, as one of the greatest threats to global security today could be attributed to climate Change, which he referred to as a threat multiplier.
National Coordinator, NCTC, Office of the NSA, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd), while addressing the audience at the launch.
He stated further that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), had the role of promoting strategic coordination and oversight over the implementation of various policies in the country; adding that ONSA adopts the whole-of-government and the-whole-of-society approach in the provision of needed coordination.
L-R: UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Mohamed Yahya and Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Umar Radda, while signing agreement on the NW Prevention Project.
The NSA stressed that Nigeria’s firm stance on counterterrorism measures over the years evolved and focused on policies and strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism from bottom up as prioritised in the Policy Framework and National Action (PFNAP) for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.
While commending the UNDP for the laudable project which aimed complement the government’s efforts at addressing security concerns in the Northwest, the NSA appreciated the governments of Germany and Norway for their supports.
A cross section of some of the participants at the event.
Earlier, the Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Yahya who revealed that the project was a collaborative efforts of UNDP, 3 States of North-west- Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, with support from the governments of Germany and Norway, noted, that region was known for agricultural activities but the nefarious activities of bandits have disrupted the entire socio-economic system.
Germany Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Annett Gunther; First Secretary, Norwegian Embassy, Trygve Aurdal-vold.
Also, the Executive Governor of Katsina state, Dr Dikko Umar Raddar, as well as representatives of Sokoto and Zamfara States Governors, appreciated the UNDP, Governments of Germany and Norway for supporting this project. They emphasised that regional security was key to the success of the project. The governors opined that development of modern irrigation system, improvement in the agriculture value system, revamping of the socio-economic status and involvement of traditional/religious institutions in conflict resolution would restore economic buoyancy in the region.
Stakeholders unveiling the project facility at the event.
In their separate remarks at the events, Ambassadors of Germany and Norwey assured of their Countries’ commitments to the realisation of the project. According to them, having political ownership was key to the release of the fund which the three states and Federal Government had demonstrated. They also assured that they would continue to remain strong allies of Nigeria.
L-R: National Coordinator, NCTC, Office of the NSA, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd); SO PCVE, NCTC, Mr Dennis Ozioko and UNDP Head of Office, North West, Mr. Ashraf Usman at the Launch.
The North West Prevention Project was aimed at building trust and confidence within and between communities and the state; revitalising the local economy through human, natural, physical, social and financial capital development as well as the development of the Solar Microgrid Climate-peace hub; strengthening border governance, security and economy and; strengthening synergy of response across states and Federal government actors.