By Sumaila Ogbaje

Rear Adm. James Okosun on Monday, in Abuja, assumed command as the 21st Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okosun took over from Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu.

The new commandant in his inaugural remarks, pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, while commending him for his transformational leadership which, he said, had moved the college to another level.

He noted that Olotu had set a good foundation that he would build on, pledging to do his best to take the college to another enviable height.

“One thing I will enjoin all of us, especially the college community, is that we must keep the college mission in focus.

“We must intensify efforts to develop the quality and the right leadership that will help in our national security task confronting the country.

“I, therefore, enjoin all of us to be dedicated and put all our effort into good teamwork to achieve our mission and vision,” he said.

Earlier, the immediate past commandant, Olotu, commended members of the college for the support and cooperation given to him during his administration.

He said the college had continued to play a pivotal role in the development and security of the country, West African sub-regions, continent and world at large.

He lauded the management team, directing staff and other staff for their integrity and high intellectual capacity.

He said the college, under his leadership in the last two years, has ensured and continue to put the Nigeria’s apex military institution on the global stage.

“I dare say that in the past two years, we have not only continued from legacies laid by our founding fathers and other commandants that have come and gone, but we have also tried in our own little ways to further improve the college.

“I want to really thank everyone, starting from my immediate predecessor, who is here present today, to witness some of the legacies that he left behind come into reality.

“I want to say that I am also very happy and proud to be handing over to someone who has not just been a colleague, but also a friend.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Deborah Coker

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Mrs Oghogho Musa, President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), has urged barracks women to prioritise regular physical exercise, healthy eating habits and self-discipline to live healthy.

Musa gave the advice during the DEPOWA Monthly Health Walk and Aerobics on Saturday in Abuja.

She called on all members of military and paramilitary officers’ wives associations to lead by example in promoting wellness practices not only for their benefit but for the broader well-being of their families and communities.

The DEPOWA President said the session was a deliberate follow-up to a health talk held on Friday, which addressed critical topics such as stress management, nutrition, and the necessity of routine medical checkups.

She said that the feedback from the previous sessions had led to the expansion of aerobics, urging the women to sustain the tempo to be able reap the benefits.

To motivate the women, DEPOWA President announced the presentation of Yoga Mats to those who arrived before 7:00am, praising their commitment and consistency.

“This is not just a token, it is a recognition of your discipline, and I hope it inspires others.

“Many women who participated in previous sessions have already begun seeing improvements in their health, including better sleep quality and lower blood pressure readings.

In her remarks, the President of Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, described exercise as a powerful tool for both physical and social well-being.

She commended DEPOWA for sustaining the initiative and encouraged more inter-agency collaborations in health and wellness programmes.

Also, the President of Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, appealed to husbands to support their wives’ involvement in wellness programmes.

According to her, when a woman is healthy, the entire home benefits.

“We need the encouragement of our spouses to stay consistent on this journey.

“Our husbands should also know that when women come together in this manner, it fosters good personal relationships with one another,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DEPOWA leader presented 100 yoga mats to the first 100 women who arrived before 7:00 am. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Ogbaje Sumaila

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has remained firm in surmounting the inherited intractable security challenges.

Ribadu stated this at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 18 Regular Course held in Abuja.

He delivered a lecture titled “Veterans as Significant National Assets”.

He said that Nigeria had stood at a dangerous crossroads in 2022, grappling with multiple crises that threatened its unity, stability, and future.

He said the challenges range from the insurgency-ravaged North-East to the blood-soaked valleys of the North-West, from the turbulent Niger Delta to separatist tensions in the South-East.

According to him, the government has made bold strides in restoring security and rebuilding national confidence.

“When this administration took office in May 2023, Nigeria was facing five intractable security challenges.

“We have Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, deadly banditry across the North-West and North-Central, resurgent separatist violence in the South-East, large-scale oil theft in the Niger Delta, and communal clashes that had claimed thousands of lives.

“Additionally, porous borders, transnational crime, and climate-induced resource conflicts created a near-perfect storm of instability.

“The government’s counterinsurgency campaign has led to over 13,500 terrorists and criminals neutralised, and more than 124,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families have surrendered.

“Weapons caches and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

“Areas once held by insurgents in the Sambisa Forest, Lake Chad Basin, and Timbuktu Triangle are now under government control,” he said.

NSA said the North-West, which had been ravaged by bandits was witnessing changes, adding that over 11,250 hostages had been rescued in Zamfara and Kaduna States alone.

He added that notorious warlords such as Ali Kachalla, Halilu Sububu, and Dogo Bwari had been neutralised, adding that more than 50 criminal leaders and dozens of deputies had been taken out of circulation.

According to him, non-kinetic strategy, including the innovative Operation Safe Corridor Northwest, has also led to the surrender of 35 armed leaders.

“This was once unimaginable, but through coordinated military pressure and community-based peace efforts, we are making real progress,” he said.

In the Niger Delta, Ribadu said the government had reclaimed control of the nation’s lifeblood in the region once plagued by massive crude oil theft and sabotage.

He said that oil production had increased from a historic low of one million barrels per day to an average of 1.8 million, a major economic boost.

According to him, all major pipelines are now operational and protected, while over 1,900 illegal refineries have been dismantled.

“For the first time in three decades, oil production is resuming in Ogoniland.

“In the South-East, through surgical operations and community engagement, the zone is seeing relative calm.

“The so-called “sit-at-home” orders by separatist agitators have significantly waned, and many arrested key figures are facing justice.

“Social and economic life is beginning to return to normal. Rebuilt police stations and renewed law enforcement presence are restoring confidence,” he added.

NSA said that modern threats were also being addressed, adding that Nigeria had made headway in cyber defence and financial intelligence.

According to him, Illegal financial flows supporting terrorism and separatism—particularly through crypto platforms—have been disrupted.

He said that a National Digital Forensics Laboratory and a Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan had been deployed to boost national cyber resilience.

The reunion dinner had in attendance, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and representatives of service Chief amongst other dignitaries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called for more training, adequate equipment and public support for the Nigerian military to defeat the enemies of the nation.

The Royal Father made the call while speaking with newsmen during the 52nd Anniversary Celebration of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 14 Alumni Association, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar, who is a member of the course, said the Nigerian military had been battle tested in several fronts, adding that they had what it takes to tackle the menace of insecurity confronting the nation.

He said the challenges of terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality were challenges that many countries had faced, saying that the military needed to recalibrate its operation.

“As far as the security situation is concerned, in terms of training and equipment, we have to give them to our troops. We will continue to be supportive of our military.

“Nigerian soldiers and officers have been tested within and outside this country. There are missions that our officers had gone outside this country and participated in, and they perform very wonderfully.

“When there was a crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone, our troops went there and they performed very well by maintaining peace in those countries.

“Now that we are having our own challenges. These are mere challenges, because every country all over the world has its own challenges.

“So I urge all of us to come together and brainstorm, especially in terms of manpower, equipment , training, this will enable us to confront any challenge that we have.

“We believe in our military, we have that confidence in our military that whatever condition we find ourselves, security wise, they will overcome it, Insha Allah,” he said.

The traditional ruler said the 52nd anniversary celebration was organised to appreciate God for their lives and remember their colleagues that had passed on.

He said the occasion afforded them the opportunity to reunite members from different parts of the country, who trained and got commissioned together.

According to him, the retired officers and gentlemen have been contributing one way or the other in the area of security, welfare, social and economic development of this country.

“So it is a thing that we must cherish. It is a thing that we should find time together, like this to celebrate and to thank God Almighty and also to pray Almighty Allah, to grant all of us who are still living, to continue to contribute our quota for the development, stability and peace of this country,” he added.

The President of RC 14 Alumni Association, retired Maj.-Gen. Harris Dzarma, said 94 young men, wearing blue shorts, white vests, and combat shoes, were inaugurated to start officer cadets at the NDA on July 2, 1973.

Dzarma recalled that most were commissioned into the three services, army, navy and air force after 30 months of intense training, adding that many of them had become senior citizens 52 years on.

“To summarise briefly, 68 cadets were commissioned into the Nigerian Army, 15 into the Nigerian Navy, and eight into the Air Force.

“Sadly, we lost some very early in our service years and then the NAF C-130 that crashed at Ejibo, and the DOTU-28 crash in Bokkos that took many of our best and brightest.

“On the brighter side, 14th RC has produced two service chiefs LN Yusuf for the Army, and I Ibrahim, for the Navy.

“We also produced two chiefs of staff to the Liberian Armed Forces – LN Yusuf and SA Abdurrahman, both of blessed memory.

“We also produced military administrators. In a similar display of excellence, the course has produced Commandants of Tri-Service Institutions, many Principal Staff Officers at Defence and Services Headquarters, General Officers Commanding, Corps Commanders.

“In retirement, we have also produced four Traditional Rulers. The Academy molded this motley crowd into distinguished gentlemen officers,” he said.

The Course Secretary, retired Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Jokotola, said the 52nd reunion was first of all to bring them together after leaving service at various times ranging from 25 to 17 years.

Jokotola said the reunion was also to see how they were conducting their lives and try to rob minds with a view to encouraging one another and to see where they could stand in the gap.

He urged all citizens to come together, rally together to fight the demon called insurgency by sharing information and by learning from one another.

According to him, life in service has been very unique because they had opportunities to give their best.

“And even in retirement, we are still pushing in different directions of endeavour to make sure that we keep our ambitions alive,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, among other eminent dignitaries.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki and Yakubu Uba