FG Unveils Plan To Make 112 Nigeria’s Official Emergency Number

The Federal Government is now making moves to adopt 112 as the single national emergency telephone number for Nigeria. Consultation is expected to begin with state governors and emergency response agencies before the nationwide rollout.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

The statement said the initiative was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday between the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe at the Presidential Villa.

The meeting comes days after the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by the Vice President approved the adoption of 112 as the country’s unified emergency number to be used by all levels of government and concerned agencies.

As part of the implementation plan, Shettima directed the NCC to develop a roadmap for the project and work closely with the national emergency management agency (NEMA) to strengthen coordination of emergency response services across the country.

The delegation was also assured of sustained support for the initiative, with funding to be mobilised through the National Economic Council and the private sector.

He also called for greater collaboration and commitment from emergency response agencies for a successful rollout of the initiative.

Olorunnimbe earlier said that the NCC has already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres across the country but stressed the need for more robust support from state governments and emergency agencies to keep the centres up and running.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force, the ambulance services, NEMA and governors to collaborate to provide timely emergency assistance to people in distress.

“We expect everyone to buy into this initiative and understand its importance. “It is a patriotic duty to our country to ensure that anyone in distress can get the help they need in a very swift manner,” Olorunnimbe said.