By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, says education and skill acquisitions are fundamental pillars for personal and societal development.

Musa said this at the graduation of participants of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) Skill Acquisition Programme on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the skill acquisition programme highlighted the importance of developing and nurturing the skills of the defence and police officers wives.

The CDS said the skills that had been acquired would undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their personal growth, self-reliance and empowerment.

According to him, by investing in their own abilities, the defence and police officers wives are taking a proactive step towards securing a brighter future for themselves and their families.

“I firmly believe that education and skill acquisitions are fundamental pillars for personal and societal development.

“When we empower the women in our communities, we empower the entire nation.

“The skills that have been acquired through DEPOWA’s programs will not only enhance the individual lives of our wives but also contribute to the overall progress of our nation.

“These skills will equip them to engage in productive activities, pursue gainful employment, and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said.

Musa commended the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, for her vision, passion, and tireless efforts as well as dedication to uplifting the lives of DEPOWA members.

He also commended the management of the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre for their unwavering commitment to providing the necessary resources and creating a conducive learning environment for the participants.

“The skill acquisition programmes organised by DEPOWA also play a crucial role in assisting the wives of deceased officers to cope and sustain their livelihoods.

“By equipping them with valuable skills, we are empowering them to overcome the challenges they face and ensure a secure future for themselves and their children.

“It is our duty as a society to support these brave women and provide them with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

“I want to emphasise that the achievements we are celebrating today are not just certificates or qualifications. They represent resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.

“The skills acquired by the members of DEPOWA signify their unwavering commitment to self-improvement and their determination to create a better future for themselves and their families,” he added.

In her remarks, the DEPOWA president, Mrs Musa, said that 20 barrack youths had successfully undergone two weeks intensive vocational training programme at the centre.

She said the  skills acquisition programmes and other humanitarian and social intervention programmes being initiated by DEPOWA were geared towards aligning with the non-kinetics campaigns of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to her, kinetic and non-kinetic campaigns are part and parcel of military strategies used to win the war against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminalities bedeviling the country.

She urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they put to practice the skills that they had acquired to become self-reliant, industrious and above all employers of labour.

“I must add that the starter kits that will be issued to you today is to encourage you to start your trade to support your academic endeavours.

“I look forward to seeing and knowing that you are all doing well in the areas of entrepreneurship.

“To be honest with you, there are very limited jobs in today’s labour market, nations are embracing skills acquisition and vocational training to complement government efforts in providing jobs for the teeming unemployed,” she said.

Mrs Musa said the graduation coincided with her birthday and thanked God for preserving and sustaining her and members of her family thus far.

The Immediate past President of DEPOWA, Mrs Vickie Irabor, commended her successor for sustaining the legacy of empowering the less privileged and supporting the society.

Irabor urged Mrs Musa to keep the flag of DEPOWA flying by continuing to touch lives,  empower the needy and supporting their husbands to succeed in their tasks of defending the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were engaged in two weeks of intensive training in barbing, make-up, gele and production of various types of liquid soap, cosmetics, germicides and other household products. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), AVM Hassan Abubakar, addressing officers and men of NAF during his maiden operational tour of units to Makurdi, Benue.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chief of the Air Staff, AVM Hasan Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country.

Abubakar made this known while addressing officers and men during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Makurdi, Benue.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The CAS said the acquisition of additional platforms would bolster training, air power employment and projection.

He said that the platforms being expected include two Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, two Beechcraft King Air 360, three Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.

Other pending acquisitions, according to him, include two CASA -295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.

Abubakar said the acquisitions demonstrated the deep commitment of the Federal Government to equipping the air force for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges.

He assured that the NAF would continue to enhance cooperation and  joint action as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving the security challenges bedeviling the country.

“While the NAF augments its airpower measures and approaches, it will also continue to promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the various services,” he said.

The air chief enjoined the personnel to cooperate with other services and security agencies to meet the high expectations of Nigerians on the Armed Forces to restore peace and security and ensure a safe and prosperous nation.

He acknowledged that the successes so far recorded were largely due to the renewed cooperation and joint efforts between the services and other security agencies, saying it must be enhanced and sustained.

The CAS assured the personnel of his commitment to proactively address maintenance and logistics support for all NAF fleet to ensure that it surpasses the current average serviceability of over 78 per cent.

On training, Abubakar promised that overseas and local training would henceforth be deliberate and targeted at addressing deficiencies in needed skills and capabilities.

He assured that selection for such courses would be purely merit-based to ensure that only the most qualified were selected to give the NAF value for money.

On welfare, he promised to tackle the problems of poor electricity and water supply as well as dilapidated accommodation and road infrastructure in all NAF Bases, to ensure that personnel and their families live comfortably.

He also pledged prompt payment of all entitlements, adding that he would look into the issue of uniforms and other accoutrements.

The CAS urged all NAF personnel to remain disciplined, diligent and responsible in their conduct in and out of uniform. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Maharazu Ahmed

===≠================

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says Nigerian troops in various operations, eliminated several terrorists and bandits across the various theatres of operation in North East, North Central and  North West.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the operational successes were achieved in the last two weeks in various land and air operations.

In the North East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised some terrorists, arrested high-profile terrorist collaborators in Mafa, Kukawa and Konduga Local Government Areas (LGSs) of Borno.

According to him, active terrorists and fighters also surrendered to troops owing to sustained onslaught against them, although they claimed that they had lost interest in the terrorist ideology.

He said that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air operations against terrorist enclaves and their logistics bases and degraded them.

According to him, the air component conducted air reconnaissance and intelligence at terrorist’ hideouts in Hyawa in Borno, with bombs.

“After, action review revealed that many of the terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed.

“In the course of operations, troops recovered seven AK 47 rifles, two FN rifles, one 36 hand grenade, 100 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, two mobile phones, food stuff, condiment, one cart and the sum of N2.1 million.

“Troops equally neutralised six terrorists and arrested eight suspected terrorist collaborators as well as rescued 10 kidnapped civilians during these operations,” he said.

In North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven raided criminal hideouts and recovered weapons in Mangu and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke had in separate operations raided kidnappers’ hideouts at Duduguru village in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State and Chinkai Forest in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba and rescued kidnapped victims.

He added that the troops neutralised nine bandits, arrested 10 suspects and rescued nine kidnapped victims as well as recovered arms.

In North West, the defense spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji raided bandit hideouts in five separate operations around villages, towns and mountains at Batsari, Tangaza and Maru Local Government Areas of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States during the period.

He said the operations led to the killing of scores of terrorists, arrest of six terrorists who are Nigeriens and five others in different locations.

According to him, the air component conducted several air operations to degrade terrorist groups and their logistics bases, pursuant to denying them freedom of action.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch, had during the period ambushed and neutralised several terrorists in Igabi Local Government Area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the destruction of rogue vessels used to steal crude oil in the Niger Delta is in line with the extant laws guiding the military operations.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while addressing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba, while explaining the rationale behind the destruction of such vessels, said the military was carrying out its operations in line with laid down operational procedures.

He said the military would continue to perform its responsibilities in accordance with the law, adding that the decision to destroy any facility, vehicle, boat and vessels used in stealing crude oil was lawful.

According to him, troops of Operation Delta Safe and Operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors intercepted a vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects (a Ghanian and 11 Nigerians) on July 7.

“The vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo State. The vessel, MT TURA II reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited, has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres.

The vessel was previously named ALI RITA BEY and a close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres.

“This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel. The vessel, upon arrest, was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to Republic of Cameroon as its destination.

“The vessel captain admitted to having been engaged in same illegal activities for over four years.

“On July 11, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft,” he said.

Buba said the troops also discovered and destroyed 23 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits in the last two weeks.

He added that troops equally recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 220 assorted rounds of ammunitions, six calibers of weapons, three vehicles and 10 motorcycles. Troops also arrested 25 suspected economic saboteurs.

According to him, the Air Component conducted several air interdictions to degrade and restrict the activities of oil theft at Samkri and Elem Kalabari.

“In the course of operations, troops recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 550 assorted rounds of ammunition.

Others discovered included 12 calibers of weapons, seven empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, three vehicles, 19 motorcycles and one dagger while 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period.

“it is noteworthy to state that an estimated N202.7 million was denied the oil thieves during the period in focus,” he said.

In the South East, Buba said the troops neutralised and apprehended gunmen of Eastern Security Network in a raid on their hideouts in Ohaozara, Aninri, Calabar South and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi, Enugu and Cross River States.

In South West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE, had during the period, intercepted a lorry with two occupants conveying concealed ammunition cartridges that originated from Mali and were to be delivered to Onitsha.

According to him, troops  intercepted a truck with 720 cartons of Red Star Cartridge of 12 caliber containing 25 cartridges each and 250 packets of live cartridge of black pellets containing 10 cartridges each. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman