By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has dismissed claims by a group of retired military personnel under the Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV) alleging non-payment of gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA).

The MPB, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Sqn. Ldr. Ahmed Mohammed, described the planned protest in Abuja as misinformed.

Mohammed said that gratuities for all retirees of the 1st and 2nd Quarters of 2024 have been paid as scheduled.

“The board wishes to clarify that all gratuities for retired personnel within the referenced periods have been settled.

“Any claims to the contrary are unfounded and likely based on misinformation,” he said.

Mohammed further explained that the board’s mandate is strictly limited to the payment of gratuities and pensions, and as of the time of the statement, all entitled retirees had been duly paid.

He urged members of the coalition and other concerned individuals to seek clarification through official channels, adding that the board welcomes direct engagement for verification or resolution of any concerns.

“Representatives of the CCV or affected individuals are encouraged to visit the MPB for proper clarification.

“We remain transparent, professional and committed to the welfare of all our ex-service personnel,” he added.

He assured all retirees of the unwavering dedication of the Board’s Chairman, AVM Abubakar Adamu, to upholding their welfare and dignity in line with the core values of service and accountability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have agreed to partner on enhancing vocational and agricultural training for inmates across the country.

This followed a courtesy visit by the Controller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, on Friday in Abuja.

Nwakuche said the partnership seeks to achieve food self-sufficiency for inmates, generate surplus for commercial purposes, and transform NCoS farmlands into agro-hubs. 

He said that the Service had repositioned itself as a Custodial and Non-custodial institution focused on the rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration of offenders.

This, he said, were through education, vocational training, and agricultural programmes.

“We are a Custodial and Non-custodial service organisation with our purpose and intent to rehabilitate, reform and reintegrate the units that come into our custodial facilities.

‘These inmates, when they come, it’s our responsibility to see how we can turn their lives around and put them back into society,” he said.

Nwakuche noted that the NCoS had partnered with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), to provide tuition-free education for inmates.

Many inmates, he said, graduated with first degrees, master’s degrees, and even PhDs while in incarceration.

On vocational empowerment, the NCoS CG said that inmates were being trained in carpentry, tailoring, horticulture, bakery, drainage, confectionery, and, significantly, agriculture.

“We are not here by accident, Honourable Minister. Your ministry plays a crucial role in national food production, and Mr President’s agenda on food security aligns with our reform initiatives,” he said.

“The NCoS operates more than 18 farm centres across the country but needs the ministry’s help to modernise and revive them.

“Some of our farm implements are old and outdated. We are seeking collaboration so you can assist us with improved seedlings, fertilisers, equipment, and technical expertise to keep these inmates engaged productively,” Nwakuche added.

Responding, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, welcomed the initiative.

Abdullahi also commended the service for taking proactive steps in reforming inmates and helping them reintegrate into society.

“It is obvious you’ve seen what we are doing and are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that we can work together. You don’t approach someone who is not performing when you want to perform,” he said.

Abdullahi praised the transformation of the Correctional Service, stating that the image of the average prison officer had evolved significantly under the new Correctional Service Act.

“In those days, when you saw a prison officer, you saw someone who himself was in need of rehabilitation. But this turnaround is a testament to the effectiveness of the new law and government commitment,” he added.

The minister said inclusivity was central to the Tinubu administration’s governance principles and commended NCoS for giving inmates a human face in their rehabilitation approach.

“Peace and prosperity are not possible without inclusion. People who find themselves in your facilities are not to be excluded from development,” he said.

Abdullahi recounted the legislative work during his time in the 8th and 9th National Assembly, where he and other lawmakers participated in the development of the new Correctional Service Act.

He highlighted that insecurity, which previously hindered farming in several parts of the country, especially in areas like the Birnin Gwari axis of Kaduna State, was gradually being overcome due to improved security and government interventions.

“We are winning the war on insecurity. Areas once inaccessible to farmers have now been reclaimed.

“Birnin Gwari, which was a no-go area for a decade, is now open and farming activities have resumed there,” he said.

The minister also said that the ministry had already identified institutions like the Nigerian Army, NCoS, and NYSC as potential partners for expanding agricultural production.

“Just last week, we were reviewing institutions with farmlands, and we listed the correctional service.

“I even recalled from my days at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, how I used to see the large farmland the service had on the Lafia-Akwanga Road,” he said.

Abdullahi said it was encouraging to hear that the NCoS made the first move to seek collaboration and assured them of the ministry’s willingness to support with resources and technical assistance.

“We will support you in every way we can, from capacity building to providing inputs like seedlings, fertilisers, and machinery to make this vision a reality,” the minister said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister and the CG agreed that the synergy would not only improve inmate rehabilitation but also contribute meaningfully to national food production and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

They also suggested that a working group committee be constituted with immediate effect with members drawn from both organisations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Government has approved the promotion of a total of 51 Corps Commanders (CC) and 49 Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) in a landmark promotion exercise.

The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a significant boost in its human capital development and leadership structure.

He quoted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as saying that the elevation was a significant stride toward reinforcing the Corps’ commitment to excellence, professionalism, and strategic leadership.

“Fifty-one Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) have been promoted to the rank of Corps Commander (CC), while 49 Assistant Corps Commanders (ACC) have been elevated to Deputy Corps Commander (DCC),” he said.

The SGF, expressing satisfaction with the transparency and merit-based approach of the exercise, commended the Corps leadership for maintaining objectivity and professionalism.

Akume urged the newly promoted officers to rededicate themselves to the Corps’ corporate mission of eradicating road traffic crashes and promoting a safer motoring environment across the nation.

He emphasised that the promotion exercise reflected the current administration’s commitment to rewarding excellence, diligence, and hard work.

In his remarks, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, congratulated the newly promoted officers, stating that the recognition was a result of their dedication and performance.

Mohammed reminded them that with higher ranks come greater responsibilities and encouraged them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, service, and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

He also extended words of encouragement to those who were not promoted in this cycle, urging them to remain steadfast, loyal, and committed, assuring them that their efforts would not go unnoticed in future exercises.

The Corps Marshal reiterated his commitment to enhancing staff welfare across board, calling on all FRSC personnel to remain focused and contribute actively toward the actualisation of the Corps’ strategic goals and safety mandate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, says the newly deployed border management system is enhancing target-based profiling of travellers, using the interactive Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) technologies.

Nandap said this at the two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement, themed: “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government–Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” in Kaduna.

The Service Public Relations Officer, (SPRO), Akinsola Akinlabi, said the NIS CG emphasised that the border management system enabled the service to know and properly profile individuals travelling to Nigeria.

This, she said, was before they departed their countries of origin, in the interest of national security.

“The border management system that we have deployed in this administration has a lot of target-based profiling. We have the interactive Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR).

“What that does in terms of national security is that airlines send the data of their passengers coming to Nigeria and it gives us the opportunity to profile every one of them before they come in, for the purpose of national security,” she said.

The NIS boss also said that the interest of communities at Nigeria’s borders would be prioritised in the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Service.

This, she said, would help strengthen the relationship between the NIS and border communities, thereby enhancing collaboration, intelligence gathering and national security.

“Most importantly, we do a lot of border community engagement and outreach. I think that President Bola Tinubu has been very magnanimous.

“This is because he has graciously approved that we start the ongoing process of recruitment.

“The recruitment we are doing now is going to be target-based, where we liaise with community leaders and ask them to give us credible sons and daughters of their community.

“Because we have realised that we stand a chance of losing out on information and collaboration with the border communities, who are very crucial to the success of our jobs as immigration officers, if we don’t engage them,” she said.

The NIS CG also explained that migrants entering Nigeria through land borders from ECOWAS neighbouring countries were duly registered at control posts with over 30 of which were located in the northern region.

She added that the data collected from the border registration points were linked directly to the NIS Command and Control Centre at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to her, the border surveillance facilities of the Service are active 24/7 and provide real-time updates on movements across the borders.

She disclosed that the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) of the NIS in Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa, and other northern corridors have been refurbished to boost their efficiency in combating cross-border crimes and irregular migration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high-level forum was attended by governors, ministers, service chiefs, and other top government functionaries.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation led the presidential delegation, with President Bola Tinubu represented by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for enhanced funding for the Nigerian Army to improve operational efficiency and address growing personnel welfare challenges.

Oluyede made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Army on an oversight visit to the Army Headquarters.

He commended the committee for its consistent support but decried the inadequacies of the current envelope budgeting system, stressing that it limited the army’s capacity to meet pressing infrastructure and logistics needs.

“As we speak, the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency.

“This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” he said.

The army chief noted that many personnel remained unaccommodated, a situation he warned would worsen without urgent intervention.

He urged the lawmakers to consider a special funding mechanism for the army outside the traditional envelope system.

“We are not only looking at internal security threats, but we must also be prepared in case of external aggression.

“We urgently need special funds to provide accommodation and improve welfare for our troops,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, acknowledged the army’s financial constraints and pledged the committee’s continued advocacy for increased funding.

Yar’Adua said the committee had resolved to push for the removal of the army and other armed services from the envelope budgeting regime to enhance their financial flexibility.

“The Nigerian Army and Armed Forces should be taken out of the envelope budgeting system, so they have more funds to carry out their mandate. We’ve seen the need during our oversight visits,” he said.

Yar’Adua disclosed that the committee had split into two teams to conduct oversight visits to Army formations in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos States.

He said most projects inspected were progressing well, while a few areas of concern had been flagged for action.

He assured the Army Chief of the committee’s continued partnership with the executive to ensure adequate funding for the service.

According to him, another round of oversight is planned before the end of the year to assess the implementation of the 2025 Appropriations Act. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru