Nigerian Government Inaugurates Council on Protection of National Assets

The Nigerian Government has inaugurated a Presidential Coordinating Council for Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection (PCCCNAIP).

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu in his inaugural speech hinted that President Bola Tinubu holds the critical infrastructure and national assets of the nation very close to his heart and as such would not tolerate any lapses or shortfall in this regard.

“On behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I hereby inaugurate the Federal Coordinating Council of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets. It is important to note that the Council is part of the government’s relentless efforts and pragmatic steps to safeguard the nation’s valuable components as its effective protection would enhance the National Security.”

The NSA who is the chairman of the council further explained that Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), which includes the Transition System, Energy Grid, Communication network, and essential services are the backbone of the society.

He said in an ever-evolving landscape fraught with challenges, the assets are also facing emerging threats from various sources such as criminals, Terrorists, Bandits, Economic Saboteurs, Malcontents, Cyber-attacks, and other malicious threats.

The NSA hinted that the Council is not just a response to security threats but a proactive step towards fostering collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning.

“Together we must lay the foundation for a resilient framework that would safeguard our nation’s Infrastructure,” he said.

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He also called on council members to be dedicated to economic stability, national security and justify public confidence with a sense of duty.

Similarly, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who is the Council Co-Chairman of the council appreciated the President for the establishment of the Council.

He lauded the NSA for assembling all stakeholders hoping that the challenges against the CNAI would be tackled head-on.

He assured the Council of the necessary support noting that the Interior Ministry and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), whose core mandate is ensuring the protection of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure would do everything possible by putting their best to salvage the nation’s economy from saboteurs.

The NSCDC boss in his remarks affirmed the Corps’ commitment to the statutory mandate of Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation.

He further outlined the composition of the Council as: the NSA as the Chairman, the Interior Minister as a Co-Chairman, the FCT Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Inspector General box Police ( IGP), Director Generals of the Department of State Services and National Intelligence Agency, the CGs of Correctional Service, Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Corps Marshall of FRSC, DG, National Orientation Agency, among others as members while the CG NSCDC is the Coordinating Secretary of the Council.