By David Torough, Abuja

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has commenced the 2026 Rapid Response 3 (RR3) Crisis Response Exercise in Asaba, Delta State, marking the first time Nigeria’s national multi-agency crisis simulation is being conducted outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The five-day exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, and is scheduled to end on Friday, September 11, brings together relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security and emergency response organisations, strategic partners and other stakeholders to test and strengthen the country’s preparedness for complex emergencies and security-related incidents.

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is among the key partners participating in the exercise.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Asaba, Director of the Presidential Command and Control Centre, ONSA, and Director of the exercise, Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan, said RR3 was designed to evaluate existing crisis-response plans, strengthen inter-agency coordination and identify gaps requiring improvement.

According to him, Rapid Response 3 is the codename for the 2026 crisis-response exercise organised by ONSA and represents the seventh national crisis-response simulation conducted by the agency.

He noted that the previous six exercises were held in Abuja, while the decision to hold the 2026 edition in Delta State was intended to test national crisis-response arrangements in a sub-national environment.

The full-scale exercise will involve two simulated crisis scenarios conducted sequentially at the Asaba International Airport and along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

Participants will operate under the Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure established by the National Crisis Management Doctrine, representing the strategic, operational and tactical levels of coordination.

The exercise will also assess communication and information-sharing systems, command and control arrangements, operational procedures and the ability of participating agencies to respond effectively to simulated emergencies.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, alongside senior government officials, security and emergency response commanders, heads of MDAs, strategic partners and members of the media.

ONSA assured residents that the exercise is a controlled simulation and does not represent an actual emergency or security incident.

The agency warned, however, that residents may witness increased movements of security personnel, vehicles and emergency response teams around designated areas during the exercise. It urged the public not to panic or mistake the activities for a real emergency.

Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan also called on the media to rely only on verified information in reporting the exercise and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary public alarm.

He said the lessons and observations from the exercise would be documented and used to strengthen Nigeria’s national crisis-management architecture and improve future multi-agency responses to complex emergencies.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has pledged its support for the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to harness Nigeria’s Orange Economy as a driver of job creation, entrepreneurship, economic diversification and sustainable development.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja when the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof.

The meeting focused on the research being undertaken by participants of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 48 and plans for a National Summit and Exhibition on the Orange Economy.

Idris commended NIPSS for choosing the creative economy as the focus of its research, describing the sector as a significant opportunity to diversify Nigeria’s economy, create jobs for young people and promote sustainable prosperity.

“I want to commend NIPSS for this initiative of examining the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship for sustainable development,” the minister said.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry and its agencies would support both the research and the proposed summit. According to him, effective communication would be essential to ensuring that Nigerians and the international community understand the opportunities available in the creative economy.

“This Ministry is essentially about taking information to the public and taking it back from the public. It is a two-way thing,” Idris said.

The minister also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has a nationwide presence, in gathering feedback on the views, needs and aspirations of Nigerians at the grassroots.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained committed to listening to citizens and adjusting policies and programmes where necessary in the national interest.

“The first question the President asks whenever I sit with him is: ‘What are Nigerians saying?’” Idris said.

To strengthen coordination, the minister said the Ministry would designate an official to work with NIPSS as preparations for the proposed summit advance.

Earlier, Omotayo said NIPSS was seeking the Ministry’s partnership in its research and the planned national summit, which is expected to examine how the Orange Economy can contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation and the administration’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.

He said participants in Senior Executive Course 48 had conducted research visits across Nigeria and to several countries to examine how creative industries are being developed and leveraged for economic growth.

The proposed summit, he added, would bring together government representatives, creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities across the sector.

“The Orange Economy is a very huge sector. We have identified about 48 subdivisions, and we believe the summit will bring out the potentials in every sector,” Omotayo said.

According to the NIPSS Director-General, Nigeria’s growing creative and digital industries have considerable potential to tackle youth unemployment while creating new avenues for entrepreneurship, investment and wealth creation.

Idris reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with NIPSS and other strategic institutions to turn research and policy ideas into practical opportunities for Nigerians, particularly young people, while strengthening the country’s position in the global creative economy.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials and representatives of NIPSS and the private sector, including Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and other officials.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Akpodo Community has paid a thank-you visit to the management and staff of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, in appreciation of a recent medical outreach organised to provide healthcare services to residents of the community.

The delegation, led by the Community Chief, His Royal Highness Chief Mark Baron Onah, also expressed appreciation to the Linda Moro Memorial Foundation and other partners and individuals who supported the outreach.

Speaking during the visit, Chief Onah commended Lydia Memorial Hospital for bringing medical services to the community despite the difficult road conditions.

He described the outreach as a significant humanitarian intervention, particularly at a time when many families are facing economic hardship.

“What baffles me most was that, even when there was no way to our community, you created a way where there was no way, and made sure my people benefited from the outreach,” the traditional ruler said.

Chief Onah said the initiative went beyond healthcare delivery, describing it as a demonstration of compassion, solidarity and concern for the wellbeing of people in underserved communities.

He called on other organisations, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to emulate Lydia Memorial Hospital by supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services in rural communities.

The community’s Woman Leader, Mrs Kate Onah, also expressed gratitude to the hospital and the Linda Moro Memorial Foundation for what she described as a memorable and impactful outreach.

She commended the organisations for combining healthcare delivery with community empowerment and bringing professional medical attention closer to residents who often face difficulties accessing healthcare.
Responding on behalf of the hospital’s nursing department, the Head of Nursing Department, ACNO Samuel Ajuma, thanked the delegation for returning to the hospital to formally express its appreciation.

Ajuma said the visit demonstrated the community’s acceptance of the outreach and recognition of the efforts of the hospital and foundation.

He added that the initiative was also aimed at strengthening relationships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
The Medical Director of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Dr Mark A. C. Ogbodo, used the occasion to draw attention to the poor condition of roads linking Akpodo with neighbouring communities and major markets.

Ogbodo said the deplorable roads were hindering the community’s social and economic development, particularly affecting farmers who rely on the routes to transport agricultural produce to markets.

He appealed to the local, state and federal governments, as well as philanthropists, corporate organisations and other stakeholders, to urgently intervene by grading and improving the roads.
According to him, better roads would improve access to healthcare and other essential services while also helping farmers transport their produce to markets, increase household incomes and strengthen the local economy.

The Linda Moro Memorial Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian service, saying the medical outreach and community empowerment initiatives were inspired by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people.

The foundation said its activities were also intended to preserve the legacy of its late matriarch, Mrs Linda Moro, whose memory continues to inspire acts of compassion, service and community development.

The visit ended with both Akpodo Community and the hospital reaffirming their commitment to sustaining their relationship and exploring further opportunities to improve the wellbeing of people in rural and underserved communities.