Held annually on February 13th, the Murtala Muhammed Annual Memorial Lecture honors Nigeria’s 4th Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed. In 2006, the event marked the 30th anniversary of his assassination with a series of activities, including a memorial at General Muhammed’s Cenotaph at Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

The cenotaph was commissioned on February 13, 1992, by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A special remembrance prayer session was also held in honor of the late General. The climax of the commemorative activities was the annual lecture, attracting experts from Nigeria, the UK, and the USA to discuss African integration and development under the theme “Africa: A New Agenda.”

    Keynote Speaker:    

Right Honorable Jack Straw, MP, Foreign Secretary to the UK and the Commonwealth.

    Keynote Address Highlights:    

Jack Straw’s address focused on Africa’s developmental challenges and the UK’s efforts to support African leaders in transforming the continent. Key points included:

•     Poverty Reduction and Development:     Emphasized the need to end poverty as a critical step toward sustainable development.
•     Governance:     Stressed the importance of good governance for development.
• Peace and Security: highlighted peace as fundamental for successful development.
•     Terrorism:     Addressed the damaging effects of terrorism on development.
• –     Migration:     Acknowledged the benefits of well-managed migration and the issues posed by illegal migration.
• Crime and Drugs: Discussed the impact of crime and drugs on Africa, urging closer cooperation between the UK, Europe, and Africa.
•     Energy Security:     Emphasized the importance of transparent management of oil revenues for long-term security.
• –     Environment:     Called for attention to climate change and environmental degradation, encouraging Africa to manage its forests.
•     Interfaith Partnership:     Highlighted the need for Christian and Muslim worlds to foster partnerships rather than enmity.

Straw announced the lifting of a ban on young people under 30 traveling to the UK, which was implemented in April 2006. He also confirmed the UK’s commitment to returning assets stolen from Nigeria, in line with the UN Convention on Corruption, which the UK ratified on February 9, 2006.

    2nd Annual Murtala Muhammed Memorial Conference    

Theme: “Global Perspective on Disaster Management”

    Date:     May 16–18, 2006

Venue: Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria

    Keynote Speaker:    

Mr. J.A. Greene, former President, National Emergency Management Agency, USA (2000–2001)

    Conference Goals:    

• Discuss disaster management strategies.
• improve preparedness.
• foster international collaboration.
  
  

    Conference Highlights:    

The conference aimed to address the inadequacies of Nigeria’s national disaster management regime and develop a holistic approach. It brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including airlines, regulatory bodies, emergency services, and civil society organizations. Key issues discussed included:

Section 1: Safety & Regulation -: Disaster Prevention Approach

addressed the importance of transportation networks, safety standards, and data management for disaster prevention.

Section 2: Long-Term Disaster Planning & Prevention: A Risk Reduction Approach

focused on integrating disaster planning in national policy, environmental vulnerability, and data management.

Section 3: Building Viable National Critical Response Systems: A Disaster Preparedness Approach

discussed critical response agencies, coordination, funding, infrastructure, telecommunications, and volunteerism.

    Session 4: Search and Rescue    

highlighted the need for a trained national search and rescue unit, team management, and developing search and rescue infrastructure.

    Session 5: Media & Information Management    

explored the role of information management in emergency situations, the impact of media, and the need for public awareness on disaster management.

    Session 6: After the Trauma: Rebuilding Lives, Restoration, and Closure    

focused on psychological support for trauma survivors, rebuilding lives, and managing donor funding and relief efforts.

    Special Guests:    

• Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman, Murtala Muhammed Foundation
• Prof. Richard Williams, University of Glamorgan
• Prof. David Alexander, Centre for Trauma Research, Aberdeen

The conference concluded with recommendations to enhance Nigeria’s disaster management framework, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts, improved infrastructure, and international collaboration.