The Martin Luther Agwai international leadership and peacekeeping centre (MLAILPKC), Monday 23rd , January inaugurated the Anti Piracy Course 4.
The course which took place at the Nigerian Army Resource centre makes it the fourth in the series of Anti Piracy course that have been organized by the MLAILPKC in partnership with Gulf of Guinea (GoG) countries, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP), Nigerian Navy and other National stakeholders.
The commandant of the (MBNP), Major General Parker Undiandeye in his inaugural speech urged the participants to bring their wealth of experiences, competencies and expertise to bear on discussions during the Course.
” We will also request that you point out areas of improvement to us as we continue to strive to become better than we currently are, and possibly attain the position of the best in the World”
The increasing rise in piracy threatens the maritime domain, which accounts for a great percentage of global merchandise distribution and exchanges, he added.
“Piracy endangers lives and properties and that incessant pirate attacks have resulted in increased maritime insurance costs, higher prices for goods and merchandise and the growth of regional illicit markets in clandestine goods and services.
“It is against this backdrop that the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre and the Governemnt of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme is conducting this course.
He further stated that in tandem with the policy of the United Nations, the course accommodates females.
He then enjoined particularly the female participants to make maximum use of this opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge that will aid them whenever and wherever you are deployed in future.
Also present was at the inaugural event also was the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning who was ably represented by Abdulrahman Bacha.
The minister said Nigeria is in need of this kind of course because of the high prevalence of insecurity and humanitarian crisis.
“You will agree with me that Nigeria needs more of this particularly at this point where there’s high prevalence of insecurity, humanitarian crisis and displaced communities due to activities of bandits which has persistently pose threats’ to lives and properties across the country”
He said in order to enhance capacity and strengthen security , the National Development Plan (NDP 2021-2025) was articulated as part of government key policy thrust to establish a strong foundation for a diversified economy, by investing in critical National infrastructure.
In the same vein, the Chief of Training, Army Headquarters, Maj Gen S.G Mohammed said , the overall objective of the Anti-Piracy Course is to develop the human capacity necessary to mitigate MTOC.
Mohammed said the program is aimed at preparing security and other relevant agencies on how to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain.
“I believe that this one-week intensive training will give you the required knowledge. Consequently, I expect you to take the knowledge gained to your organizations and agencies for effective implementation”
He stated that at the end of the course, participants will be expected to apply professionally in the field and bring pride and glory to their organizations with every sense of responsibility when the need arises.
In the inaugural message of the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) Team Lead, Mr Matthew Alao , said the activities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have persistently reduced in the past three years.
He said the international Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the international chamber of commerce (ICC) 2022 reports indicates that 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships and seafarers were recorded globally in 2022 compared to 132 recorded in 2021.
According to him the report shows that the GOG continued to experience desirable reduction in maritime crimes in 2022 as the region accounted for 19 incidents as against 35 incidents recorded in 2021.
He said the feat was achieved through unrelenting efforts, partnerships and investments against piracy by the Member States particularly Nigeria.
