By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) on Saturday in Abuja, held a fitness exercise as part of activities commemorating the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC).

Armed Forces Remembrance Day is celebrated on Jan. 15 every year in commemoration of the end of the Nigerian Civil war on Jan. 15 1970.

The annual event is also held to celebrate the nation’s living and fallen heroes of the World Wars 1 & 11 as well as those who paid the supreme price in line of duty in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations.

The armed forces of Nigeria has in the last two days organised series of sporting events to mark the 2023 celebration.

Speaking at the event, the President of NAOWA and Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, said the event was organized to celebrate the nation’s fallen and living heroes who had sacrificed to keep Nigeria strong.

Yahaya said the essence of the fitness event was to re emphasise team spirit and resilience, which the fallen heroes represented.

She said the participants of the event were wives of both serving and retired military personnel as well as widows of the fallen heroes to show that they would never be forgotten.

According to her, the nation recognizes and appreciate the sacrifices of their spouses in their services to Nigeria.

“This is one way of celebrating their spouses by because when you celebrate people it shows that their services were recognizes,” she said.

NAOWA president thanked the participants for the display of team spirit and urged them to continue to display same at family level.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  event featured aerobic dance and handball competition among others.

The handball competition was between the NAOWA and Navy Officers Wives Association (NOWA) teams which was won by the NAOWA team by two goals to one.

In attendance were the President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Hajiya Hajara Alkali and representatives of NOWA and NAFOWA as well as wives of some retired senior military officers.

The winners were presented with trophies, medals and prizes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Isaac Aregbesola

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, has called for sustained efforts to end the activities of terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin region.

MNJTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, in a statement on Saturday, said Ibrahim made the call during a ceremony to usher in activities for the Year 2023 in N’Djamena Chad.

He commended the troops and staff for working harmoniously towards ending the activities of the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region.

According to him, the successes recorded in 2022 were due to cooperation at all levels, driven by the need to collectively fight insecurity in the region.

The Force Commander expressed optimism that the unwavering synergy between the military and strategic partners would defeat the menace of terrorism and insurgency in the region this year.

He also appreciated the Republic of Chad for providing environment conducive and safe for MNJTF to carry out its activities.

Ibrahim paid tribute to fallen colleagues who paid the supreme price in the quest for peace in the region and prayed for peace and stability in the Lake Chad basin countries.

He said the occasion was in a bid to further consolidate on the gains of MNJTF in the fight against terrorism.

Earlier, the Deputy Force Commander, Brig.-Gen. Assoualai Blama thanked the Force Commander for his leadership style, which, he said, reflected in the numerous successes recorded by MNJTF during the past year.

Blama also assured the commander that the troops, staff and other components were ready to accomplish the mandate of MNJTF towards ensuring the total return of peace and security in the region.

According to him, the MNJTF is the product of the strong will of the Heads of State and Governments of the member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Countries who are faced with the common threat of the Boko Haram terrorists.

“They decided to provide a common response through the operationalisation of a unique joint force – MNJTF.

“As a team, the MNJTF will continue to work assiduously in tackling the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP until the fight against terrorism is brought to a favourable end,” he said.

Blama also thanked various partners for their tremendous support to the MNJTF and called for more.

He listed some achievements of the force to include successful operations such as Operation Lake Sanity and the return of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes and promised to do more this New Year. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Idris Abdulrahman

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Jan. 13, 2023 (NAN) The Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC) has immortalised late Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahman Kuliya by naming a 350-seater capacity Training Shed at the corps Headquarters in Abuja after him.

The project was inaugurated on Friday by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, represented by Chief of Special Service and Programmes, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru.

The late CMI died alongside former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, in the ill-fated military plane that crashed in Kaduna on May 21, 2021.

The COAS said late Gen. Kuliya deserved the honour because of his contributions to the intelligence corps and the Nigerian army in general.

Yahaya described the late Intelligence Chief as a dedicated and loyal senior officer who contributed immensely to the growth of the corps during his service years and in his short tenure as the CMI, especially in the area of training.

He said that the facility would provide conducive environment for the training of personnel of the Nigerian army.

He added that the late CMI’s vision of training and retraining of officers and soldiers of the Corps, tallied with the COAS vision of having a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within joint environment in the defence of Nigeria.

He commended the Corps CMI, Maj.-Gen. Danladi Salihu, for celebrating the late senior officer.

Earlier, the CMI said the late intelligence chief displayed exemplary capacity and leadership qualities which inspired both officers and men.

Salihu recalled some of the late senior officer’s legacies in operation and administration, adding that his legacies would continue to inspire generations to come.

The event was witnessed by Maryam Kuliya, wife of the late CMI, Senior Officers from Defence and Army Headquarters as well as personnel of NAIC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor on Friday in Abuja, teed off golf kitty tournament to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

Irabor, represented by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said the tournament was organised in partnership with the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) to celebrate the retired and fallen heroes.

He said the event was significant in remembering the nation’s fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price for defending Nigeria and those still alive who gave their best in service to the nation.

He said that there were other sporting activities organised to mark the day, adding that it was the first time the armed force would partner with NGF to organise a golf tournament.

He said that apart from golf, many other sport activities were also lined up for the occasion.

Also, Otumba Olusegun Runsewe, the President of NGF and Director-General, National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), commended the CDS for approving the partnership for the tournament.

Runsewe said there was the need to celebrate those that laid down their lives for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria had moved to the next level of golf development in line with international standard.

According to him, the International Standard is that any measure on a golf course must be branded.

“So, I’m happy to show you that if you go on the course now every measure has this international standard.

“We have 250 Pro golfers from professionals, amateurs, women among others, and it is an 18 hole golf course.

“I want to assure you that with this partnership, we are going to open more windows in Nigeria,” he said.

Similarly, the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, said the tournament was organised to honour the fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price to keep Nigeria together.

Akpor said that there were living veterans as well as those who bore the scars of war and operations and the handicapped.

He said that the sporting activities were about building consciousness of the military and supporting them to continue to be the pride of the nation.

“So, while we are here doing this golf kitty, we also have those who are injured who are also playing a game at the National Stadium as we speak.

“They are playing the Citizen sitting volleyball and Wheelchair basketball,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the injured and soldiers living with disability known as Invictus team played citizens sitting volleyball match with the FCT team at the indoor arena of the National Stadium. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OYS/DOE/IAA

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsami Abubakar unveiled a four-part book on crimes and insurgencies in Nigeria and other parts of the world on Wednesday in Abuja.

The series, which were titled: Preventing Crimes, Insurgencies and Desperate Migrations from developing nations, Africa, Latin America and other nations of the world.were written by Alhaji Iliyasu Buhari Maijega.

Commending the effort of the author, Abubakar said the presentation of the series was timely considering the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

He noted that insurgency and other violent crimes had been confronting Nigeria in the last 10 years, adding that the violent threats had spread all over the country over time.

He said the book threw light into the root causes of insurgency, stressing that it would help security agencies and the government to find lasting solution to insecurity in Nigeria and around the world.

Abubakar urged Nigerians and all stakeholders to read through the series with a view to understanding issues around insurgency and proffer solutions.

“I believe this book has thrown light into the root causes of insurgencies and I believe that it will help our security agencies and the government in tackling these challenges,” he said.

The author, Maijega said the abduction of Chibok School Girls and banditry in Northwest Nigeria inspired him to embark on research to unravel the root causes of insurgency and banditry.

Maijega said he saw the need to search for the causes of such events and other issues like the IPOB, Niger Delta agitation, and other issues around the world.

He said that he found similarities in the causes of insurgencies across the world which led him to go beyond Nigeria and Africa into Latin America, Asia and Europe.

He stressed that many had thought that Europe, for instance, had no problem but in his research, he came to understand that every nation had its own problems.

“For instance, we knew the Soviet Union was one country, but ethnic issues split it into 16 countries.

“Yugoslavia was one country but ethnicity split it into six countries. So that means it is not only Nigeria that is having ethnic problems making each ethnic group wanting to have its own nation,” he said.

Maijega noted that poverty, weak or lack of leadership were responsible for most insurgencies, adding that getting to the source or root cause of insecurity would help to solve the problem.

According to him, without knowing the cause of a disease or an ailment one cannot cure it.

“Nigeria’s population was only 45 million in 1960, but it is more than 220 million today, which means it has multiplied five times with multiplication of structures.

“You will need maybe at least five times the number of schools; you will need five times number of farms; you will need five times the number of homes and a lot of things,” he explained.

The author urged government to always adopt dialogue in finding solution to security challenges.

Reviewing the book, Dr Hamza Muhammed of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the book highlighted ways to prevent social disorder and prevent crimes.

In the review read by the former Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja, Mr Patrick Oguejiofor, Muhammed said it highlighted the impact of COVID-19, problems in businesses, health, education, travels, and international relations.

He said the book also covered global climate change, contemporary programmes like early childhood education, human empowerment, nomads, fishermen, artisans, widows, orphans, and welfare policies.

Muhammed added that the series also highlighted the activities of cattle rustlers, bandits, kidnappers, insurgents and militants and the social impact on the citizenry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Alli Hakeem

By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed four personnel and demoted 14 others for various offences.

A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the service, Mr Tony Akuneme on Tuesday in Abuja, said that those affected appeared before the Orderly Room Trial Committee of the Service.

According to him, four other personnel were discharged and acquitted, while two were redeployed to other locations.

He added that 11 personnel were issued warning letters, one was compulsorily retired, while 11 more are awaiting trial.

Akuneme explained that the action was taken to rid the service of bad eggs in furtherance of the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

“The Controller General of Immigration is assuring the general public that there are no sacred cows in the NIS as all offenders shall be appropriately sanctioned.

“He is also urging members of public to be vigilant and support the service to deliver more on its mandate,” the spokesman added.

He urged the general public to always reach out to the NIS through +2348033074681, +2348021819988, Twitter: @nigimmigration and nis.pro@immigration.gov.ng. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdulluhi/Maharazu Ahmed

By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed four personnel and demoted 14 others for various offences.

A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the service, Mr Tony Akuneme on Tuesday in Abuja, said that those affected appeared before the Orderly Room Trial Committee of the Service.

According to him, four other personnel were discharged and acquitted, while two were redeployed to other locations.

He added that 11 personnel were issued warning letters, one was compulsorily retired, while 11 more are awaiting trial.

Akuneme explained that the action was taken to rid the service of bad eggs in furtherance of the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

“The Controller General of Immigration is assuring the general public that there are no sacred cows in the NIS as all offenders shall be appropriately sanctioned.

“He is also urging members of public to be vigilant and support the service to deliver more on its mandate,” the spokesman added.

He urged the general public to always reach out to the NIS through +2348033074681, +2348021819988, Twitter: @nigimmigration and nis.pro@immigration.gov.ng. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdulluhi/Maharazu Ahmed

By Imelda Osayande

The President of Igueben Area Customary Court, Mrs Precious Aigbonoga, was on Monday abducted by gunmen, around Ugoneki axis, on her way to Court in Igueben Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo.

The Chairman of the Lion Bar, Chief Nosa Edo-Osagie, in a statement by Mr Festus Usiobaifo, the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, expressed sadness over the abduction.

Edo-Osagie, while condemning the act in strong terms, expressed worry over bandits operation in the area and kidnapping of Aigbonoga, who he described as an easygoing, gentle, and hardworking judicial officer.

“Meanwhile, the Dream Team is in close touch with the Commissioner of Police, C.P. Mohammed Adamu Dankwara; by the grace of God Almighty, His Honour shall be rescued unhurt, and the bandits brought to book, Amen!,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the abduction is coming on the heels of Saturday’s abduction of 32 passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben Station in the Igueben LGA of the state to Warri in Delta, by suspected herdsmen.

NAN reports that the kidnapped court’s president is the wife of Mr Afebu Aigbonoga, a PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Etsako West Constituency 1.

In a related development a former Edo State House of Assembly member, Festus Edughele was also kidnapped on Monday by suspected gunmen in Ubiaja, on his way from Orhionmwon LGA to Benin.

A former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, who confirmed the incident, said his former colleague intended to board the now suspended train service from Ubiaja to Abuja.

Ebea said, “he was kidnapped this morning in Ubiaja on his way from Orhionmwon to Benin.

“He had intended to take the train for Ubiaja but he could not do so since the train services had been suspended.

“The family is aware of his kidnap, the police division in that area has been informed and we hope action will be taken to rescue him,” he added.

Contacted, the Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not comment on the the alleged abduction, as he refused answer all calls put across his cell phone. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has approved the redeployment of senior officers in an effort to ensure administrative and operational efficiency in the Nigerian Army (NA).

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Saturday, said the new postings and appointments was aimed at sustaining the recent operational successes recorded in combating emerging security challenges in the country.

Nwachukwu said that the officers affected are Major Generals and Brigadier Generals amongst several other senior officers across army formations and units.

He added that those affected in the redeployment include some Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Commandants of Army Training Institutions, Brigade Commanders, Commanding officers and several others.

In the new appointment, Nwachukwu said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, moves to the North East as Theatre Commander Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

He said the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim had been appointed the GOC 3 Division as well as Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), while Maj.-Gen. AS Chinade would moves from Headquarters 2 Division to Headquarters 82 Division as GOC.

He said that Maj.-Gen. GM Mutkut had been appointed the GOC 8 Division and Commander Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plan.

“Those newly appointed Corps Commanders are the erstwhile theatre Commander, OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, as the new Corps Commander, Infantry Corps, while Maj.-Gen. MS Ahmed moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armoured Corps as Corps Commander.

“Maj.-Gen. BR Sinjen moves from Nigerian Army School of Artillery to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as the new Corps Commander, and Maj.-Gen. PE Eromosele moves from National Defence College to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers as commander.

“Also, Maj.-Gen. AA Ayannuga moves to Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command as commander, while Maj.-Gen. GS Abdullahi moves from Defence Space Administration to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals.

“Among the new Defence and Army Headquarters Principal Staff Officers are Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa who is redeployed from Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes to Defence Headquaters as Chief of Defence Training and Operations.

“Maj.-Gen. SG Mohammed has been appointed the Chief of Training, Maj.-Gen. UT Musa from Headquarters 82 Division to the Department of Army Administration as Director Personnel Management, while Maj.-Gen. Y Yahaya from Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade moves to Department of Army Administration as the Director Manpower (Army) among several others,” he said.

Nwachukwu said that Brig.-Gen. TI Gusau has been appointed as Director of Defence Information while Brig.-Gen. AM Umar was appointed the new Commander of Guards Brigade.

According to him, other Brigade Commander redeployed include Brig.-Gen. S Aliyu from Headquarters 6 Division to Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brig.-Gen. HD Bobbo moves from National Defence College to Headquarters 31 Brigade.

“Brig.-Gen. MT Aminu moves from Army War College Nigeria to Headquarters 35 Brigade among several others.

“It is imperative to note that redeployment in the Nigerian Army is routine, particularly with the recent promotion of senior officers as approved by the Army Council for the year 2022.

“The redeployment of all appointees takes effect from Jan 11,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Gov Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has commended the heroic performance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the restoration of relative peace in the state.

El-Rufai gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, at NAF Headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

El-Rufai disclosed that there had been significant improvement in the security situation in the state in the last three months, adding that several terrorists’ commanders had been neutralised by the NAF while the remnants had relocated from the state.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna state, I came to thank the Chief of the Air Staff, Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force for the excellent work done and still being done in the state.

“The security situation in our state and environs has improved drastically. Please keep up the excellent work,” he said.

Responding, Amao thanked the governor for the visit as well as the support and cooperation the NAF had been receiving from the Government and people of the state in tackling the security challenges in the entire North West region.

He said that NAF would continue to do its best to make the country safe and secured in line with its constitutional responsibilities.

“We will continue to do our best until the entire country is safe. We have professional and experienced operational Commanders overseeing various operations across the country,” the CAS said.

The Air Chief said that the numerous successes the NAF had recorded so far in the fight against insurgency and terrorism was as a result of the overwhelming support of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the President had been providing the needed resources for the service to achieve its mandate.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Maharazu Ahmed