The Federal Government has heightened efforts to secure the nation’s natural resources, spanning solid minerals, forests, and the marine economy.
The presidential inter-ministerial committee, chaired by Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, conducted an expanded meeting with service chiefs in Abuja, aiming to develop a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding these vital resources.
Established by President Bola Tinubu, the committee is tasked with creating a workable plan to effectively secure Nigeria’s natural resources. The meeting with service chiefs, representing various security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), served as a follow-up to the committee’s inaugural meeting last week.
Dr. Alake highlighted the thorough deliberations during the meeting, indicating that decisions were made. Another follow-up meeting is scheduled, where the security agencies, service chiefs, the National Security Adviser’s office, and the Inspector-General of Police will form a smaller committee to provide the framework of execution and execution modalities.
Regarding the tragic Ibadan explosion, Dr. Alake reiterated that the federal government is awaiting the report of ongoing forensic investigations by security agencies before taking necessary actions.
Key ministers present at the meeting included the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of Interior, Hon. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo; and the Minister of Police Affairs (State), Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
Representatives from security agencies included the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun; Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi; and representatives of the Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, among others.
