By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) remains the only government-sanctioned body charged with the responsibility of checkmating the proliferation of illicit arms in Nigeria.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) made this known in a statement by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, NCCSALW, Group Capt. Pius Okwuego, on Friday in Abuja.

Okwuego warned that any infringement on the duties of the centre by any persons, group or organisation would attract legal sanctions.

He said the NCCSALW had continued to work diligently with all arms-bearing security agencies, relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies, international partners and credible Civil Society Organisations to stem the tide of illegal arms proliferation.

According to him, there is a steadfast commitment to the mandate and mission of promoting peace and security in the nation.

He called for support of all Nigerians, the media and other stakeholders in furthering the mission of the centre to build a safer Nigeria.

NCCSALW acknowledges the overwhelming challenges posed by the proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria.

“As the legally recognised government institution charged with the responsibility to stem the proliferation of illicit SALW, it remains committed to promoting an illicit arms-free society.

“Regrettably, it has been observed that unauthorised outfits have sprung-up; deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority.

“These unauthorised bodies risk exacerbating the security issues they purport to address, adding unnecessarily, to the complex task of SALW control.

“Their activities potentially result in confusion and lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes which may hinder the NCCSALW to effectively carry-out its mandate.

“This would further complicate the efforts to control the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, potentially leading to ineffective implementation of policies and strategies,” he said.

Okwuego added that the potential for reputational harm to the NCCSALW was further heightened, given the controversy and public disagreement surrounding the unauthorised outfits.

He said that even though NCCSALW operates legally, the confusion might cast a shadow over its work and thus entrenching trust deficit with stakeholders.

According to him, it is pertinent to remind all stakeholders of the enormity of this mandate and the necessity of operating within legal boundaries.

He urged the media to exercise due diligence and uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics to prevent the projection of unlawful organisations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian Army must continue to draw lessons from the Nigerian Civil War in tackling contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Yahaya said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Annual Symposium on the Nigerian Civil War for participants of AWCN COURSE 7/2023.

The theme of the symposium is “Imperatives of Critical National Infrastructure in the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Operational Level Commanders”.

”It is said that nationhood can either be forged in the furnace of war or by peaceful means.

He noted that Nigeria, as a “very young nation” barely seven years after independence, had the sad experience of a violent civil war which lasted from July 1967 to January 1970.

The COAS said that the study of the Nigerian civil war had huge potentials to bring out valuable lessons that could contribute in addressing the current security challenges confronting the nation.

This, he said, informed the inclusion of the study of the Nigerian civil war in the AWCN curriculum, which was aimed at grooming the capacities of operational level leaders in basic military strategic thinking as well as operational planning.

According to him, thoughts, ideas and lessons from the past, gleaned from this symposium, can form a rhythm which will prove invaluable in solving the complex adaptive problems in the current security environment.

He said that the AWCN had done much by evolving robust training objectives that address the contemporary security challenges both in the areas of research and knowledge acquisition as well as in fighting.

Yahaya said the theme of the symposium was one of the key drivers of his vision to have “a Professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.

“It is in line with this vision that the College invited erudite scholars, very senior officers and technocrats as well as captains of industries to be part of this symposium.

“This is to enable the participants and indeed the Nigerian army as a whole gain from their wealth of experience.

“The contemporary security environment is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

“Lessons from the history of the nation show how quickly critical infrastructure that took years to build and are vital for national development can be destroyed in very little time.

“The loss of essential services in the North East due to the activities of violent extremist organisations and its impact on national security and development is proof-positive of the need for the protection of critical national infrastructure.

“The sudden rampage of hoodlums during the ENDSARS riots of 2020 which led to the destruction of critical national infrastructure to the tune of billions of Naira is another example of how quickly critical national infrastructure can be reduced to smolders,” he said.

He therefore said that the need to protect these infrastructures was thus crucial particularly as the nation bestirs itself within limited resources to ensure that it keeps up with global advancements in technology for the wellbeing of the citizens.

Yahaya commended the college for sustaining the conduct of the symposium and its drive to using the tool as a means of academic excellence, finding solutions to nagging contemporary security challenges and means of attaining and sustaining his vision.

He urged the course participants to use the opportunity to learn as much as they could, open up new vistas and perspectives in their minds and find veritable ways of applying the lessons learnt for the good of the army and the nation at large.

The COAS pledged absolute loyalty of the Nigerian army to President Bola Tinubu and their ardent commitment to the defence of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We shall continue to remain apolitical, professional and ever ready to accomplish assigned missions by operating within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria,” he said.

Commandant, AWCN, Maj. Bamidele Alabi, said the objective of the symposium was to study and teach both operational and strategic level activities of the Nigerian civil war.

Alabi said it was for better understanding of the battlefield events and operational outcomes as well as all activities that characterised the war.

He added that it was in the spirit of the mandate that the college organises an annual symposium on the civil war to create a forum to bring together scholars and experts to share their thoughts and personal experiences.

He further said that the choice of the theme was intentional, considering the giant strides made by the country so far in building relevant infrastructure for socio-economic growth and the need to protect those critical infrastructures from threats.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the symposium had paper presentations and discussions by scholars and experts in military history as well as retired senior military officers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Awareness Initiative (AI), a civil society group, has commended the current leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for promoting synergy towards restoring peace and stability in the country.

The group said the enhanced synergy was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the military and other security agencies to work in synergy towards ending the nation’s security challenges.

This is contained in a statement by the Convener of the Group, Adeshida Bankole, on Sunday in Abuja.

The group also expressed optimism that the jointness in dealing with the security threats will remain a constant feature in the AFN.

They said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor,, on assumption of office in 2021, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the military and other security agencies in defeating security threats.

The group said the services had worked harmoniously in tackling the security challenges across the country since 2021.

“Without doubt, the successes recorded across the various theatres of operation can be linked with the enhanced synergy under the present leadership of Gen. Irabor.

“The leadership has drawn a template for cooperation in dealing with the challenges; this falls in line with the current demands of President Tinubu.

“We are very sure this template will be maintained and serve as modus operandi for future operations.

“We also note the successes been recorded by the armed forces in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger-Delta, this indeed is another area that the president was particular about.”

The group said the military had done well in combating the menace of economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.

They urged the military to continue to maintain the template on synergy and anti-crude oil operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Tinubu had during his first meeting with the service chiefs directed them to work together to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

The president also mandated the security agencies to develop a blueprint to deal with the issue of crude oil theft. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), a pro-democracy, civil society and human rights organisation, has backed President Bola Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy.

The group made this known in a communique issued by its North Central Executive Committee at the end of its meeting on Friday in Minna, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

The communique was jointly signed by the Chairman, North Central Zone, Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, and Secretary General, Mr Abdulwahid Adeniran.

They urged the president to restructure the nation’s security architecture to effectively tackle the challenge of insecurity as well as Nigeria as a country.

They said the expectation of Nigerians were high in tandem with the renewed hope principle and focused policy of the administration.

According to the communique, the removal of the fuel subsidy was long overdue and welcome the development for the good of Nigerians.

The group also urged the government to do the needful by putting necessary palliative policy measures and logistics to soften the hardship that might accompany the new paradigm shift among the citizens.

“That there is a need for national task force comprising of the Army, Police, Customs, Navy, Air Force, Civil Defence and non-state actors, civil society, among other stakeholders, to check the arbitrary price increase of the product, stop exploitation of the people by fuel marketers and their collaborators/dealers to tarnish the image of the new administration in the eyes of the public,” they said.

The group also called on stakeholders in the educational sector to come up with solutions to the challenges of 12.3 million out-of-school in Nigeria as a result of insecurity.

They also advocated that the president should give directions to child education through resettlement of IDPs, tackle banditry, poverty, food insecurity and socio- economic challenges confronting the nation.

The group recommended that federal government policy programme implementation be adopted at sub-national state and local governments for the benefit of Nigerians.

According to them, this synergy is key towards collaborative building of the country.

Besides, CD called on Tinubu to restructure the nation’s security architecture for better performance to further curb crimes and criminalities.

They however commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for taking the battle against insurgency, kidnapping and banditry to the door steps of the criminals.

According to the group, the battle against insecurity is winnable by our gallant military men and officers in the theatre of the war.

They therefore called on all stakeholders to support Tinubu toward physical and economically restructuring of Nigeria for the common interest of all.

The group congratulated the new governor and deputy governor of Niger, advising them to partner with all relevant stakeholders for the peace and development of the state.

“We appeal to the incoming government to take the welfare of civil servants seriously by providing motivational incentives to improve the working conditions of workers and ensure commensurate take home wages and salaries are paid as of when due,” the group urged. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Unique 38 Regular Course Ladies Welfare Association on Saturday, donated two solar-powered borehole to the residents of Ushafa Military Camp in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The association, made up of wives of the members of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 38 Regular Course executed the project as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the residents.

The Chairperson of the association, Mrs Judith Akinjobi, said the group had always sought to make a positive difference and had been relentless in championing numerous causes towards improving the living conditions of others.

Akinjobi said the association had consistently sought improvements in the lots of widows, children, the sick and other vulnerable individuals and groups in the society.

“Today, we are witnessing the inauguration of our latest endeavour, two Solar Powered Borehole Water System.

“This idea was conceived with the understanding of the vital importance of clean, accessible water to the development and well-being of our communities.

“Indeed access to clean water ought not to be a luxury, but a necessity and in fact a fundamental human right.

“I am therefore delighted to see this project come to life, bringing hope and joy to the lives of the barrack residents, specifically Ushafa camp,” she said.

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Vickie Irabor, commended the women for identifying a gap in barracks and meeting the needs.

Irabor said that military wives had become forces to reckon with, adding that military wives associations were erroneously seen as a group of idle women in the past.

She said that such wrong notions among military officers had been eroded by the life impact projects being undertaken by the associations in barracks communities.

She also appreciated their husbands for the continuous support that they had been giving to their spouses to be able to touch lives, urging the women to show more love to their husbands.

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, said the project was executed out of the desire of the women to add value to humanity and improve the quality of life in the barrack.

Bashir said the borehole would enhance the sanitary condition of the personnel NDC, DHQ and services headquarters accommodated in the camp.

He described the initiative by the unique ladies as commendable, adding that it would touch the lives of all the personnel across the services.

He said that the additional two boreholes to the existing five would ease the challenge of having seamless flow of water because the continuous increase in population.

In his remarks, the President, NDA RC38, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Uduonwa,  commended the women for the actualisation of the project.

Uduonwa reassured them of their support at all time to continue to touch lives.

“We will always support you. You play very critical roles in our lives. We can’t stand without you.

“You hold the home front and more importantly, at this time that we are getting closer and closer to the end of our careers, we rely on you to keep,” he said.

The President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives’ Association (NAOWA), Mrs Salamatu Yahaya and her counterparts from Navy and Air Force commended the efforts of the women.

The NAOWA president personally graced the occasion as NOWA and NAFOWA presidents were represented.

The ladies also used the occasion to unveil their new uniform. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, has promised to continue to prioritise welfare and well-being of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy and their families.

Gambo gave the assurance while inaugurating the Naval Officers Wives’ Association (NOWA) Shopping Complex at the Navy Barracks in Kuje Abuja, on Friday.

He also inaugurated the administrative building of the NOWA College at the barracks.

The CNS commended the NOWA President, Hajia Nana Gambo and members of her team for their foresight and commitment to supporting the service in addressing the welfare needs of personnel and their families.

He said the association had done so well in making significant impact on the wellbeing of the service and the wider society across the country.

According to him, notable among these, is the ongoing construction of a 200-bed capacity NOWA Women and Children Green Smart Hospital that commenced in June 2022 and the groundbreaking of NOWA Event Centre in Asokoro.

The naval chief said the shopping complex would enhance comfort and economic activities of the barracks community and its environs.

He urged the barrack community to take ownership of the structure and ensure proper maintenance of the complex for the benefit of all.

“Pertinently, various welfare projects of NOWA are enduring legacies, which have endeared the leadership of the association to well-meaning and good spirited individuals across Nigeria, especially as a key contributor to national development.

“I also avail this opportunity to pledge my continued support to collaborate and partner with the association for nation building, towards national prosperity,” he said.

In her remarks, the President of NOWA, Hajia Nana Gambo, said the event was another giant stride by the association in promoting commerce for the growth and development of Kuje and its environs.

She said that the shopping complex was built to enhance economic activities in the area and for the comfort of personnel.

She appreciated the naval chief for his unflinching support for NOWAS to achieve its mandate.

Also, the President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives’ Association (NAOWA), Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, commended the leadership of NOWA for establishing life impacting projects.

Yahaya said the complex would to improve socio-economic activities in the community and advised them to adequately maintain the facility. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, on Friday laid foundation for the construction of the Naval Officers Wives’ Association (NOWA) Event Centre in Admiralty Estate, Navy Town Asokoro.

Gambo also inaugurated NOWA Shopping Complex in Navy Barracks Kuje.

He said that the projects were part of the NOWA’s giant strides and numerous contributions to the well-being of the service and wider society.

Gambo identified one of the landmark projects of the organisation as the ongoing 200-bed Women and Children Hospital that NOWA commenced construction in June 2022.

“Again, today we are here on 1.9 hectares of land to initiate the construction of NOWA event center at the Admiralty Estate, Asokoro.

“I consider this project and others as direct interventions in support of Nigerian Navy’s welfare objectives,” the CNS said.

He added that the state-of-the-art event center would provide comfortable and secure environment for personnel and their families when completed.

“In addition, the edifice on completion is expected to provide affordable and accessible facility with associated services to meet personal needs.

“Fortunately, various welfare projects of NOWA are enduring legacies which have endeared the leadership of the association to well-meaning and good spirited individuals across Nigeria, especially as a key contributor to national development,” he said.

The naval chief added that the center would boost socio cultural interactions that would enhance the morale of personnel and their families, as well as civilian population.

Gambo also hailed the association’s commitment to providing quality education and vocational training, as well as charitable and economic empowerment programmes for women, orphans and children.

In her speech, the President of NOWA and Wife of the CNS, Hajiya Nana Gambo, said the projects were conceived to promote socioeconomic life, love, harmony and well-being of wives of naval personnel and their families.

She said that when completed, the centre would host weddings, concerts, corporate and nonprofit events and meetings, as well as skills development programmes.

“Accordingly, here we are starting heavy investment projects that will certainly express and define an important landmark in the life of the NOWA family.”

The centre being built on 1.9 hectares of land will have the capacity to host 1,200 people, and will have lounges and skills development centre.

Mrs Gambo who acknowledged and appreciated the support of the naval chief, said that the shopping complex in Kuje would boost economic activities in the barrack.

The President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, congratulated the NOWA President for conceptualising the projects to boost socio-economic activities.(NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed