*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directs the Nigerian security agencies to intensify efforts at cracking down on illegal resource miners across the West African country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration will ensure that companies engaged in mineral exploration prioritise the health and safety of Nigerians and their host communities.

Tinubu said this Thursday, August 8, 2024, while receiving a presentation titled, 鈥楬arnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035,鈥� by Course 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC), in Abuja, FCT.

The President also directed the Nigerian security agencies to intensify efforts at cracking down on illegal miners across the West African country.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Thursday also stated the Course 32 participants were tasked with researching topical national issues.

The government disclosed that their findings during their 11-month study focused on the mining industry鈥檚 potential to contribute to national security and development.

Responding to the presentation delivered by Colonel Olajide Bello on behalf of the delegation, President Tinubu commended the effort, and reiterated the importance of diversifying the Nigerian economy.

The Nigerian leader stated: 鈥樷�業 have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme.

“Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.”

Tinubu further noted: 鈥樷�業 recognise the need for the diversification of the economy, and we have been pushing hard on this. “Your involvement will equally promotes a better understanding of the issues.

鈥樷�榃e have challenges of scavengers and exploiters around the country.”

The President equally said: “We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society.

鈥樷�榃e expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment.”

President Tinubu, therefore, assured the delegation that his administration would ensure the completion of the NDC Headquarters, in Abuja.

On implications of exploration activities on consumers’ health

Addressing the health implication of exploration activities during an interactive session, Tinubu expressed concern over the well-being of Nigerians living near mining areas in the country.

He asserted: 鈥樷�榃e must pay attention to that at the outset by providing medical centres and other facilities that will protect the lives, property and health of Nigerians.”

Speaking at the presentation, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant of NDC, said the institution, established in 1992 as the National War College, has graduated 2,871 participants since inception.

Olotu disclosed that besides participants from 30 African countries, the NDC has received participants from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

He also said through the President鈥檚 magnanimity, the College has embarked on unprecedented infrastructural upgrades, making the institution to compete favourably with any other defence college in the world.

Rear Admiral Olotu, however, appealed to President Tinubu to assist in the completion of the NDC permanent site in Abuja.

The military institution, stated the President, currently operates from its temporary facility in the Central Business District (CBD) because of non-completion of its permanent site since 2010.

The Presidential Spokesman noted the 111 participants of NDC Course 32 were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as 19 international participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

The College undertakes in-depth studies on all factors that affect national security and development.

The research centre in the College, known as the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, is also designated as the ECOWAS training Centre of Excellence for Peace Support Operations at the strategic level.

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