An Abuja High Court has given an order of interim injunction restraining the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and others from selling a landed property.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria
The property is located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Zubairu made the order following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the applicant, Reuben Atabo, SAN.
Although the motion ex-parte, marked: M/16807/2024, was moved by Atabo on Monday, its certified true copy was made available on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Justice Zubairu, who is a vacation judge, held that he was inclined to grant the application as prayed in the interest of justice and the spirit of fair hearing.
“The interim order of injunction is to last for few days pending when all parties are served and appeared before this court for the hearing of the motion on notice.
“Consequently, an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants/respondents whether by themselves or agents. privies, servants, workmen and any person howsoever called acting on their behalf from trespassing into and interfering wilh the claimant’s exclusive possession of the properly.”
He said the order subsisted pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“In the same vein, prayers 2, 3 and 4 are granted as prayed,” he added.
The judge, who directed that the motion on notice already filed before the court be served on all the defendants, adjourned the case until Dec. 30 for hearing of the substantive suit.
In the motion ex-parte dated and filed Dec. 16, the applicant, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, sued Mr Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Hajiya Bilikisu Mallam, FCT Minister and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
The company sought four interim orders which were granted.
The fourth relief is an order of Interim injunction restraining the defendants from developing or assigning the properly lying and situated at Plot No.4411, Cadastral Zone Ao9, Guzape District, Abuja which is coveted by a Right of Occupancy wilh File No. MISC 128232 or any portion thereof to a third party pending Ihe hearing and determination of tne motion on notice.
The company, in a motion on notice filed on Dec. 16 and marked: CV/5517/24, had sued the four defendants, praying the court to bar them from selling its landed property, among others.
The writ of summons sought seven reliefs, including a declaration that the claimant is the title holder of the property lying and located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.
The Moringa Production, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association says its partnership with the Federal Government can generate N1 trillion by engaging 50 million unemployed citizens in moringa farming.
Moringa association’s executive members
Dr Michael Ashimashiga, Chairman of the association, made this submission at a news conference on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in Abuja.
Ashimashiga said the said amount was achievable if the Federal Government supported the citizens with improved seedlings from the association as well as providing fertilisers and other inputs to enhance moringa production in the country.
“Moringa farmers will generate about $3.750 billion on monthly basis while the Federal Government will generate $650 million on monthly basis, which is about N1 trillion by engaging 50 million unemployed.
“The government will be making about 0.3 dollars per one kilogramme of moringa leaves from the 1.875 per kilogramme that the citizens will be harvesting on monthly basis beside other intercropping plants.
“A country that empowers and utilises its citizens or manpower will not borrow to develop its infrastructure,” he said.
He said that a plot of moringa could generate a minimum of 20 kilogramme adding that a kilogramme of moringa amounted to N2,500.
Ashimashiga emphasised that supporting citizens to engage in moringa cultivation would go a long way to address food insecurity and economic situation.
He said that the association had shown keen interest in the level of borrowing that both the farmers and government had engaged in.
Ashimashiga said the association, in collaboration with Eden Group, had witnessed the effect of chemical farming for two decades.
He explained that the chemical effect had resulted in the ongoing climate change and global warming that affected all agricultural cultivations and production processes.
According to him, the menace has led to poor funding from local and international organisations.
The chairman urged the government and all and sundry to explore the association’s agricultural inputs, consultancy, equipment leasing services, pharmaceutical raw materials, improved agricultural seeds and seedlings, animal feedlots, nutrition, poultry feed, among others.
Ashimashiga called on stakeholders and government agencies to focus on moringa cultivation for industrial raw materials for pharmaceuticals, foods, fertilisers, animal feeds, poultry, fishery and other international demands.
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has sealed three companies for extracting large quantities of groundwater for commercial purposes without proper authorisation and compliance with regulations.
Enforcement officers at FrieslandCampina in Lagos
The three companies are Nigerian Bottling Company, producers of Coca-Cola, FrieslandCampina (makers of Peak Milk) and Guinness Nigeria Plc.
Mr. Olowu Babatunde, Director, Technical Services, LASWARCO, said this during an enforcement on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in Lagos.
Babatunde said that LASWARCO had been engaging with these companies for over seven years to encourage compliance but efforts have been met with limited success.
“We operate a law that empowers us to regulate most of these heavy abstractors in Lagos State.
“Abstractors are individuals or entities that extract large quantities of groundwater for commercial purposes.
“So, these companies that we have sealed, basically three of them – Coca-Cola, FreislandCampina and Guinness, abstract water in large quantities.
“And we have been engaging them over time. At least, I have been here for more than seven years now. We’ve been engaging these companies for more than seven years now.
“Some, either they do partial compliance, or some don’t comply at all. So, now that we started implementation of our regulation, we now compel them to fulfill all their regulatory demands,” he said.
The enforcement was a follow-up of a news briefing on unregulated groundwater abstraction by Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, held on Monday.
Wahab noted that the Environmental Management Protection Law 2017 empowered LASWARCO to regulate groundwater activities and impose penalties for unauthorised abstraction.
He said that unregulated groundwater extraction could lead to serious environmental consequences, including land subsidence and groundwater contamination.
The commissioner said in 2020, the government offered a 75 per cent waiver on groundwater abstraction fees, but compliance was low.
This, he said, necessitated LASWARCO to now initiate enforcement actions against defaulters.
He said that letters were issued to non-compliant organisations with a 72-hour ultimatum to comply and penalties would be imposed on those who continued to operate without authorisation.
“Our planet’s vital signs are flashing red,” declared the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, on the first day of the 68th session of the GEF Council, the Facility’s governing body, on December 16, 2024.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson
“We need to work urgently to avert the collapse of the global ecological systems that maintain life on Earth. The decisions we take over the next 12-18 months are critical,” he added.
With the stage thus set, the 68th Council began work on steps needed to reform the GEF Partnership – the 186 countries, Secretariat, 18 Implementing Agencies, as well as civil society organisations (CSOs), Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector that participate in the GEF – and prepare for the next and ninth GEF Trust Fund replenishment (GEF-9), covering the period 2026-2030, which will determine the GEF’s contribution toward achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 68th Council’s decisions included launching the 18-month negotiation process for GEF-9 in January 2025. During the week, top officials from multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that the GEF serves reminded the Council of the messages from the recent biodiversity, climate, and desertification Conferences of the Parties (COPs) regarding their conventions’ resource needs through 2030, as well as from civil society representatives and others. This promoted spirited Council debates about the levels of ambition, reform, and innovation that GEF-9 must reflect at a particularly challenging time in the world.
With some of these needs and challenges front-of-mind, the 68th Council undertook improving the delivery of benefits to recipient countries, particularly least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). Among other actions, the Council launched a process of policy and procedural reform to streamline the GEF project cycle and get money into recipients’ hands sooner.
In addition, the Council agreed to consider another expansion of the ranks of GEF Implementing Agencies, but this time with specific objectives in mind, for example, seeking actors with expertise and experience in underserved regions, and agencies with a track record in engaging civil society and the private sector. Members also decided forthcoming Council sessions would consider options, including set-asides and incentives, to encourage greater balance in the distribution of projects and resources among GEF Implementing Agencies and to further engage multilateral development banks (MDBs) that attract substantial cofinancing and the private sector.
The nearly $700 million Work Programme approved by the 68th Council focused heavily on chemicals and waste at a time when the GEF hopes to prove to the multilateral community that it has the capacity to serve as the financial mechanism for a global plastics treaty being negotiated and that it could play a significant role in realizing the vision of the Global Framework on Chemicals adopted in 2023.
The chemicals and waste component of the latest Work Programme includes initiatives focused on agrochemicals, tourism, and the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The Work Programme activities also include the establishment of a global Chemicals and Wastes Financing Partnership Facility to be housed within the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and specifically designed to address the global funding gap for sound chemicals and waste management.
The 32 members of the GEF Council, representing 186 countries, met virtually from December 16 to 20, 2024, with the active participation of representatives of CSOs, Indigenous Peoples, and youth.
The Lagos-based EnviroNews Advocacy and Campaigns for Sustainability (ENDVOCAS), a non-profit organisation, has said that it is prepared to take legal action to compel the Oyo State Government to address the environmental risks posed by the transformation of the Ogunpa River Channelisation into a waste dump, as well as encroachments into its designated setbacks.
Ogunpa River Channel
Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Ibadan on Friday, December 20, 2024, the Executive Director of ENDVOCAS, Michael Simire, expressed frustration over the government’s apparent disinterest or incapacity to address the issue.
He stated that, despite submitting a petition titled: “Urgent Need to Address Transformation of Ogunpa River Channelisation into a Waste Dump and Encroachment into Allowable Setbacks” to the Oyo State Government in February 2024, followed up with a road show and advocacy visits, government officials have not taken any remedial actions despite the growing environmental hazards.
Simire revealed that the group is now left with no other option than to take legal action to compel the authorities to fulfill their responsibilities and safeguard the environment.
As stated in the petition, Simire charged the government to immediately stop illegal refuse dumping in the Ogunpa River Channel and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
He also called for a halt to all encroachments on the channel’s setbacks, demanding the demolition of temporary and permanent structures erected within these areas with offenders held accountable for their actions.
Executive Director, EnviroNews Advocacy and Campaigns for Sustainability, Michael Simire (middle), briefing the media in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, December 20, 2024. He is flanked on the left by the organisation’s Legal Adviser, Yomi Ogunlola
He stressed that urgent action is needed to protect the environment and serve the interests of the people.
“We demand that measures should be immediately put in place via a collaboration involving Oyo State Government, Federal Government and World Bank to complete the Ogunpa River Channelisation project so as to achieve the ultimate aim of the project such that the attendant incidences become a thing of the past,” Simire stated.
Legal Adviser to EnviroNews Advocacy, Yomi Ogunlola, said: “We are concerned citizens, all we want is the best for our state and our dear country. What we seek is for the betterment of the people, protection of the people and the environment is sacrosanct. So, we have decided to test the law and seek a way out through that route, and our lawyers have been briefed in that regard.”
In the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Nigeria that took the lives of many, including children, the words from the Bible in Jeremiah 31:15 feel so real: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.”
Christmas decoration in Lagos
This verse paints a vivid picture of a mother’s deep sorrow, symbolising the collective grief of a nation losing its children. This sorrow should remind us of the urgent need for unity and compassion in the face of such profound loss. For Nigeria, grappling with hardship and heartbreak, this moment must become a lesson – not an opportunity for political games, but a time for true leadership and healing.
The reference to Ramah is significant. According to biblical commentaries like those in Matthew 2:18, Ramah was a location tied to immense sorrow – a place where Jewish captives were gathered before being taken into exile. In the New Testament, this verse is echoed to describe the anguish of mothers during King Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Rachel’s weeping transcends individual grief, symbolizing a communal mourning for lost innocence and life.
As Christmas approaches, the resonance of this story deepens. Just as mothers mourned during the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, we too, as Nigerians, must share in the pain of grieving families affected by this tragedy. Their sorrow is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the need for compassion.
This recent stampede mirrors the sorrow captured in Jeremiah’s lament. Rachel’s weeping symbolised the heartbreak of a people torn apart by exile; a grief so profound it reverberates through history. Today’s tragedy echoes that anguish, as several incidents across Nigeria have claimed dozens of lives. In one instance, at least 32 people died in a stampede during a rush to collect Christmas gifts. Another report revealed the devastating loss of 10 lives, including children, at a charity event meant to bring relief.
In yet another tragedy, the death toll at a food distribution center exceeded 50, leaving families shattered and communities in mourning. Festus Adedayo, in his poignant article “Harvest of Human Chickens for Christmas,” recounts the story of a mother who lost her newborn in the chaos, a life so young and innocent, gone in an instant. Separately, I also heard the heartbreaking story of another mother who had taken four children to a food distribution but tragically lost three of them in the chaos. These unimaginable losses expose the harsh reality of life for so many Nigerians, where even moments of goodwill can end in despair.
Leadership is not about projecting invincibility but about showing compassion when things fall apart. Take former President Barack Obama as an example. During a memorial for slain peace officers in Dallas, he openly wept. This act of vulnerability was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of deep care, which strengthened the bond between him and the American people. Having worked with an organisation connected to Obama’s career, I have seen firsthand how such openness can create trust and a sense of shared purpose, inspiring hope even in the darkest times.
Contrast this with leaders who attempt to appear unshakeable in moments that demand empathy and connection. For example, Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his need for God’s forgiveness alienated many Christians, a key part of his political base. As someone who attended an evangelical institution deeply tied to Trump’s support during his election, I saw firsthand how such statements created unease within that community.
Additionally, his premature departure from the hospital during his COVID-19 treatment – an effort to project strength – ultimately backfired, costing him both sympathy and credibility. Such actions demonstrated a disconnect between his leadership image and the emotional expectations of his followers. People need to see their leaders’ humanity, as it reassures them that their struggles and emotions are understood and shared.
President Tinubu’s reliance on spokespersons to deliver “soft” messages after tragedies creates a sense of detachment. Nigerians need to see their president’s heart. A tear, a heartfelt speech, or an open show of grief could go a long way to heal the nation’s wounds. Leaders who don’t show they care risk appearing indifferent, which can deepen anger and disillusionment.
That said, this is not a time for blame. Even with a free press, lashing out at Tinubu won’t help Nigeria heal. This tragedy demands collective mourning and a shared understanding of the loss and pain. Divisive criticism will only widen the gaps that need bridging.
Beyond emotional leadership, practical solutions are essential. Take Nigeria’s fuel pricing issue: why should Nigerians pay international rates for fuel when they live in an oil-producing country? I’ve argued before that Dangote Refinery should sell fuel domestically at its production cost, not the global benchmark. Policies like this prioritise people over profits, demonstrating that leaders view citizens as individuals, not just statistics.
Research underscores the importance of combining macroeconomic strategies with microeconomic realities. Articles like “Microeconomic Foundations of Macroeconomic Policy” highlight how integrating small-scale insights can improve large-scale plans. Leaders who focus solely on broad numbers often miss the lived struggles of real families. For example, “Microeconomic Behaviour and Macroeconomic Outcomes” explains that effective policies must address daily challenges. By blending these perspectives, governments can create solutions that are fair and meaningful.
History also teaches us that the greatest leaders – from Abraham Lincoln to Nelson Mandela – embraced vulnerability. Lincoln’s emotional speeches during the Civil War and Mandela’s tireless reconciliation efforts after apartheid united their people. They understood that true strength comes from compassion and connection.
President Tinubu has a rare and pivotal opportunity to lead Nigeria through this moment of sorrow and despair. By demonstrating genuine care for the Nigerian people, he can rebuild trust and foster unity in a time of deep division. True leadership lies in vulnerability, which shows authenticity and strength. When a leader connects with the emotions of their people, it creates solidarity and a shared sense of purpose. This is Tinubu’s chance to demonstrate that genuine empathy and humanity are far more powerful than political posturing.
So, what can President Tinubu do? First, he must address Nigerians directly, speaking not just as a leader but as a fellow human being who shares their grief. Honesty and vulnerability are powerful tools; they allow people to connect with their leader on a personal level. A heartfelt message, delivered with genuine emotion, can provide solace and restore trust during these painful times.
Second, beyond words, he must take immediate steps to alleviate the everyday struggles that weigh heavily on Nigerians. Policies like reducing fuel prices to reflect the cost of domestic production, rather than international benchmarks, can offer tangible relief. Such actions signal that the government prioritises the welfare of its citizens over profit margins or bureaucratic inertia.
Finally, President Tinubu must cultivate a culture of empathy within his administration. This means creating a government that listens, understands, and acts on the needs of the people. By embedding compassion into policymaking and governance, he can rebuild faith in leadership and lay the foundation for a more unified and resilient Nigeria.
Jeremiah 31:15 reminds us of the profound sorrow that accompanies loss, but it also shines a light on the promise of hope and renewal. As we reflect on this tragedy, it mustn’t inspire despair but a collective resolve to create a more compassionate and unified Nigeria. Let us hold the grieving families in our hearts, offering them solace through our empathy and solidarity.
At the same time, we must look forward with determination, committing ourselves as a nation to the path of healing and restoration. We must ensure that such sorrow does not define our future but instead inspires meaningful change. Let us pray for the strength to rise above these challenges and for the wisdom to address the deep-rooted issues that have led us here.
Unity is key; it is what binds us together as a nation and gives us the resilience to rebuild in the face of adversity. Together, let us envision a future where peace and compassion triumph over pain and despair, offering hope to the grieving families and to all Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday, December 23, 2024, said he had no regret removing fuel subsidy.
The president, who stated this during his first media chat, said fuel subsidy removal was necessary to prevent the country from bankruptcy.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria
Tinubu had, during his inauguration as president on May 29, 2023, announced the immediate removal of fuel subsidy, with the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) experiencing steady increase since then.
However, the price has started coming down gradually, particularly with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery announcing downward review of the price of the commodity.
The president also said it was not necessary to phase the fuel subsidy removal.
“It is part of the fear that is unnecessary. No matter how you cut it or slice it in segments, you still have to meet the bills.
“So, cut your cloth according to your size. It is what we have to manage. Management is the issue, and we have no choice but to pull the brakes. Otherwise, we were headed for slippery slopes,” Tinubu said.
The president said that with fuel subsidy, the country was spending what was meant for future generations.
He was emphatic that the fuel subsidy removal was necessary to prevent smugglers from taking what belonged to Nigerians.
“That doesn’t affect me; it affects smuggling. Plus, you have expenditures that you don’t have revenue for.
“I don’t want to question people who have five limousines on the road. We should teach management with all our programmes. We have to manage our resources.
“There is no way you will give out fuel and allow the entire neighbouring countries enjoy it like father Christmas,” the president said.
The National Park Service (NPS) has unveiled Nigeria’s first National Elephant Action Plan for 10 years (2024 to 2034) in collaboration with Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI).
A camera trap photo of an African Forest Elephant at the Omo Forest in Ogun State, Nigeria. Photo credit: World Conservation Society (WCS) Nigeria
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General, NPS, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, December 23, in Abuja,
He said that the service unveiled the plan in collaboration with Elephant Protection Initiative.
Goni said that the service equally inaugurated several conservation initiatives adding that 25 African Grey Parrots were rescued from wildlife traders and released back into the wild in Cross River.
He said that the initiatives had resulted in 621 arrests, with 466 prosecutions and 94 warnings issued.
The conservator-general said the significant increase in arrests and prosecutions demonstrated the service’s dedication and renewed effort to combat wildlife crime.
He expressed satisfaction over partnerships with governmental, non-profit and international organisations which had enhanced anti-poaching efforts.
Goni said that 161 hectares of degraded lands were replanted and maintained across the National Parks under the Green Bond initiative.
He said that the service, in 2024, expanded its reach with the takeover of three Forest Reserves as National Parks.
“The new National Parks are Hadejia Wetlands, Oba-Hills and Marhai National Parks in Jigawa, Osun and Nasarawa states respectively.’’
The conservator-general said the achievements of the service in 2024 had demonstrated its commitment to conservation, protection and community engagement.
He said the service had enhanced its anti-poaching efforts through the deployment of high-tech equipment such as drones, SMARTS, Power-chute and GSM technology.
Goni said a number of the partnerships had facilitated donations from organisations such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and United Nations Office on Drug Crime (UNODC).
“We also have donations also from Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA) and ACReSAL, supporting the service with essential equipment, training and funding.’’
The conservator-general said that the service prioritised training and capacity building, with 100 park rangers receiving tactical operations and counter-terrorism training in collaboration with the Nigeria Army.
“Furthermore, 30 forest guards from the Federal Capital Territory Forestry Department were trained in forest resources conservation and protection by the service.’’
He said that, despite the achievements, the service also faced some security challenges occasioned by banditry and terrorism.
Goni said that some other challenges confronting the service were inadequate anti-poaching, patrol equipment such as vehicles, inadequate arms and ammunition, the vulnerability of protected areas around the National Parks, among others.
He commended the support the service enjoyed from the media and expressed hope that such robust relationship would be strengthened and sustained subsequently.
The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving water resource management through strategic policies and programmes.
NIHSA’s Director General, Mr Umar Mohammed
The agency’s Director-General, Umar Mohammed, made this commitment at a workshop on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Abuja.
The workshop was to validate the draft regional Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS).
Mohammed stated the workshop’s importance in educating stakeholders about improving the management, governance, conservation, and protection of water resources.
“Strengthening water resource management frameworks and institutions in the region will significantly enhance the livelihoods of citizens,” he said.
The NIHSA D-G emphasised the need to boost water resource availability by improving groundwater recharge systems and enhancing existing groundwater extraction facilities.
He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among local stakeholders and building their capacity for the sustainable management and protection of water resources.
“It is essential to ensure that local stakeholders are informed about these issues and equipped to improve water resource management and protection.
“Water resources must be managed efficiently and adaptively by implementing economically viable agricultural practices resilient to climate change,” Muhammed said.
He further said that NIHSA’s capacity was being strengthened for effective quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the region’s water resources.
Prof. Tiegaan Amada, Regional Consultant for the NB-ITTAS Strategic Action Plan, said that the workshop aimed to identify and address gaps in existing water resource policies.
He said that the initiative integrated the management of surface water, groundwater, and related ecosystems to improve water security for the population.
“By analysing policy gaps, this initiative creates an opportunity to introduce strategies that promote the joint management of surface and groundwater resources and associated ecosystems,” Amada said.
The Director of Hydrogeophysics at NIHSA, Mr Stephen Jabo, announced plans to establish an institutional body to manage the shared water resources of the participating countries.
Jabo highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, especially in the Sahelian regions where water scarcity is a critical issue.
“A mechanism will be established to govern and manage shared water resources, encompassing both surface and groundwater systems.
“For Sahelian regions facing acute water scarcity, it is vital for the countries involved to collaborate effectively to manage these limited resources,” he said.
He identified six participating countries; Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Mauritania, that are expected to foster regional cooperation for the NB-ITTAS Aquifer System.
Jabo said that each country was dedicated to building a strong knowledge base for shared water resources.
He said that they were also establishing governance frameworks to ensure equitable and sustainable management for current and future generations.
“This workshop aims to facilitate collective commitment among these nations to equitable sharing and sustainable management of joint water resources, benefiting both current and future generations,” he said.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) says it has saved 3,500 lives from different emergencies as of Dec. 23, 2024, while eight others lost their lives.
A total of 105 persons were rescued from building collapse while four fatalities were recorded
The acting Director-General (D-G) of the department, Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this at the 2024 end-of-year media briefing, in Abuja on Monday, December 23.
Mohammed said that the people were saved through 165 emergency calls on the department’s 112 emergency toll-free line.
He identified the major emergencies in the year as building collapse, fire outbreaks, flood, earth tremors, and suicide attempt.
He said that, out of the figure, 75 lives were rescued from various flood disasters while one life was lost to flood at Ungwan Hakimi, Orozo, in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
He added that a total of 105 persons were rescued from building collapse while four fatalities were recorded.
The acting D-G also said that 1,230 persons were rescued from various fire outbreaks with no life lost within the year under review.
He also said that 89 persons were rescued by the department from road crashes while persons lost their lives.
“FEMD equally responded to reported earth tremor in Mpape, Katampe, and some parts of Maitama Extension, where over 2000 residents were traumatised.
“The department with support form the Nigeria Police also prevented a suicide attempt by a youth on a mast at the top of Katampe Hill,” he said.
On provisions of relief materials, Mohammed further said that the department, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, had equally distributed food items to more than 200 persons living with disabilities in FCT within the year.
He added that FEMD, in collaboration with NEAR Foundation, equally distributed Ramadan food packages to 150 Internally Displaced Persons in Kabusa and persons affected by disaster in Dutse, Bwari Area council.
“We also distributed hospital equipment to Kuje District Hospital and donated school beds to the Government Secondary School in Kuje,” he added.
The FEMD boss, however, said that in spite of the successes recorded in the outgoing year, several challenges such as obsolete equipment, limited office space, security and inadequate funding hampered the activities of the department.
