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NIHA, Federal Fire Service Collaborate To Combat Fire Outbreaks In Nigeria
In a groundbreaking effort to address the recurring fire outbreaks in Nigeria, the Nigerian Humanitarian Action (NIHA) has partnered with the Federal Fire Service for the Nigeria Fire Prevention Week and Expo, along with its International Flagship Programme in the United States.
With Nigeria’s fire service receiving a significant allocation of 51.74 billion naira in 2023, concerns have arisen regarding the service’s effectiveness in recent fire incidents. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the House of Representatives has called upon the Federal Government to provide adequate funding and establish fire stations in all 774 Local Government Areas.
The collaboration between NIHA and the Federal Fire Service aims to strengthen fire safety measures, enhance response strategies, and promote international best practices. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in mitigating fire incidents in Nigeria and ensuring the safety of both citizens and properties.
Dr. Kletsaint Akor, Chairman of NIHA and proponents council of Nigeria Fire Prevention week, emphasizes that this joint effort between NIHA and the Federal Fire Service will significantly bolster fire safety management across the country, thereby reducing property damage and loss of life.
“This partnership serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of both organizations to safeguarding the well-being of Nigerians,” states Dr. Akor.
Despite the substantial allocations to the Federal Fire Service, the situation has shown little improvement in 2023, as evidenced by the Lagos State Fire Service reporting 1,642 fire incidents and 42 fatalities between January and June.
The crisis has persisted into 2024, with several devastating fire incidents occurring nationwide. Notably, on January 17, a massive fire engulfed the timber section of the Panteka market in Kaduna, resulting in significant losses. Other incidents include a building fire at Tudun Wada Quarters in Kano, which claimed seven lives due to smoke inhalation, and a fire at the Horo Eastern by-pass depot, resulting in one fatality.
The alarming frequency of fire incidents in Nigeria, particularly during the dry season from November to March, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Federal Fire Service, despite its substantial allocation of 51.74 billion naira in 2023. To address these concerns, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding for the Federal Fire Service and establish fire stations in all 774 Local Government Areas.
In addition to mitigating fire incidents, the partnership between NIHA and the Federal Fire Service will reinforce fire safety measures, improve response strategies, and promote international best practices. This collaboration is essential in safeguarding Nigeria’s citizens and properties from fire emergencies.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)