daudupress

Defence Hdq Hosts USA Air War College Participants

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday, 27 February 2024 played host to participants of United States of America Air War College at the Armed Forces Complex in Abuja.

According to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau
Acting Director Defence Information on the
28 Feb 2024, while welcoming the participants who were on a study tour of the DHQ , the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, represented by the Deputy Director of Plans at the DHQ, Brigadier General Ismail Oloyede assured them of a memorable stay in Nigeria. He eulogized the United States Government for the Super Tucano aircraft sold to Nigeria, emphasizing that the combat platform have yielded desired results, particularly in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country. He sought for information and intelligence sharing between the United States and Nigeria to help contain insecurity.

In a remark at the occasion, the Leader of the participants, Colonel John Gunter thanked the CDS for the warm reception accorded him and the participants. He stated that the tour of DHQ was not just to hold discussion on the military operations and perceived challenges in Nigeria, but also on that of the globe at
largel. Colonel John assured the DHQ that American Government will continue to support and partner with Nigeria in area of intelligence sharing and overall security of Nigeria. He also pointed out that both countries need to work together to achieve a better and peaceful place in the world

Highlights of the occasion featured a brief on the history, organization and roles of the DHQ which dovetailed to an interactive session; presentation of souvenirs and group photograph between the participants/their leader and senior officers of the DHQ.

FG TO DEEPEN BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH US ON MILITARY COOPERATION

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar kana, mni has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to reinforce the bilateral relations with the United States on Military Cooperation.

According to Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr, FCAi, Fsca, Fcpe, Director ( Information & Public relations) in a press release said Dr Kana stated this when he hosted the delegations of the United States Air War College participants undertaking Foreign Study Tour of allied countries, in Ship House Abuja.

Describing Nigerian foreign policy as afrocentric, he said Nigeria has played a major role in providing Peace Support Operations to many African countries such as Mali, Equatorial, Liberia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Sudan and Chad among others.

Nigeria and United States of America have enjoyed a mutual bilateral relation over the years following the establishment of a diplomatic relation with Nigeria in 1960.

He further explained that the inauguration of the civilian President in 1999 deepened the relationship between both countries and improved the cooperation on foreign policy goals such as regional peace keeping.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the visit of the United States Air War College participants would help both countries to reinforce
Military Cooperation as a working tool for future collaboration.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Col. Gunter John appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting them audience adding that the visit would afford them the opportunity of learning from Nigeria’s approach to defence management and the defence structures.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the Ministry on the existing bilateral military cooperation of both countries.

NiMet And Varysian Ltd Sign MOU To Partner In Key Areas

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Tuesday, 27th February, 2024, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Varysian Limited, a United Kingdom-based weather and climate services consultancy, to partner in key areas that will lead to improved service delivery by the agency.

Speaking at the MoU signing, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike said that the MoU signing and eventual actualization will further strengthen the agency’s commitment to providing world-class weather and climate information services to Nigerians and the various industry sectors that it serves. “We are happy to be partnering Varysian Limited. Their expertise is in enhancing partnership and collaboration between National Meteorological & Hydrological Services (NMHS) and other industry stakeholders, through world-class events, data and research”, Professor Anosike said.

“The MoU covers a lot of areas but most importantly, we will prioritize operationalizing capacity development of our staff in marine meteorology, instituting a mentorship programme for our staff with global weather and climate services organizations and improving our capacity in parametric weather insurance”, Professor Anosike concluded.

The MoU signing was witnessed by the Executive Director of Legal Services of NiMet, Barr. Shola Gabriel and other staff of the agency. The Chief Executive Officer of Varysian Limited, Tom Copping signed the MoU on behalf of Varysian, while Professor Charles Anosike signed on behalf of NiMet.

Learn to remain loyal to constitutional authorities and be Patrotic to our nation-CDS tells Nigerians

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to continuously remain patriotic to the nation and law abiding, stating that there is no other country that we can call our own aside Nigeria.

The CDS made the statement while giving a remark at the 1 Day Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria, DECAN, Seminar with the theme: Civil Military Relations: Non-Kinetic Efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, and prospects held on the 27th Feb., 2024 at the Army Resources Centre, Abuja.

While speaking further, he has this to say, “I most encourage and employ us all that we must endeavour to continue to remain loyal to constitutional authorities and be patriotic to our great nation.

“And then the members of the media, I’m happy that you have been very positive. I just want to encourage you not to get discouraged. The challenges are enormous all over, but we must look at the positive as well as speak well of our country.

“I assure you that the federal government will continue to give the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies the resources required to perform effectively.”

Speaking on the theme,
“Some of the non kinetic activities conducted by the enforcement of Nigeria Operation Safe Corridor designed to deradicalize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate surrendered, willing and repentant members of the terrorist groups are result driven. Others are civil military cooperation and engagement with key leaders of various communities and stakeholders, especially those that are directly affected by security as well as the veterans.

“It is worthy to note that the non kinetic efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have produced appreciable outcomes complementing our kinetic actions.

“Though non without challenges, I wish to assert here that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other various security agencies have continued to work tirelessly to improve Nigeria’s security.

“Going further, I want to state that tackling threats in Nigeria is a continuous process whereby the development of resilience at societal, national, and regional levels plays a key role. This involves the cooperation and integration of the military, private sector, local authorities, civil society organization, non governmental organizations, the academia, international organizations, amongst other with the sole aim of accomplishing strategic goals.

The President of the Association, Comr. Ismail Musa lauded the effort of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in making the event a dream come through, affirming the commitment of journalists in the security beat of their support in the fight against insecurity across the nation.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, NCTC, retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, represented by Commodore BM Sule stated that in recent years, “we have witnessed the expanding role of the military in addressing non conventional security threats such as terrorism, insurgency and communal conflicts. Previously, attention was only given to the kinetic means in managing security. However, the Nigerian military currently utilizes non kinetic approach which involves strategies that don’t involve direct use of military force. These approaches could include community engagement through civil military cooperation, information operations and conflict resolution methods aimed at resolving security issues without physical combat.

“The Nigerian military has been actively involved in various non kinetic initiatives aimed at promoting stability, peace and development as the non kinetic approach has become increasingly relevant in managing today’s complex security landscape.

“In today’s modern society, the relationship between the military and the civilian population is a crucial aspect of national security and governance.

“Civil military cooperation is essential for ensuring the defence of a nation and building public trust in the military which is vital for maintaining national stability and unity.

“The press plays a significant role in shaping this relationship as it serves as a bridge between the military and the public. The press has been a dependable partner in projecting the military in positive light by providing accurate and timely information to the public.

“By reporting on military operations, security challenges and government initiative, the press helps keeps citizens informed, fosters transparency and makes public officials accountable. This information is essential for a well informed society and can influence public perceptions, policies and decisions related to security and defence.

“Furthermore, the press plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue and understanding between the military and the public.

“Through news coverage, interviews, and opinion pieces, journalists can help to educate the public about the role and mission of the military.

“This increased understanding can lead to greater cooperation and collaboration between the military and civilian communities as both sides develop mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s roles. Moreover, the press can serve as a platform for the military to communicate with the public”, he added.

Come To The Aid Of The Good People Of Kogi State- Group Begs President of The Court of Appeal

Maryam Aminu

Members of a concerned organization, Kogi Youth Frontiers for Good Governance has appealed to the office of the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the good people of Kogi State both at home and Diaspora to kindly wade into some security concerns plaguing the 2023 Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal at it current sitting in Abuja.

The President, Kogi Youth Frontiers for Good Governance, Comrade Ibrahim Danjuma, made the appeal in a statement he signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja

Danjuma expressed that the Tribunal was billed to conduct its activities in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital but due to some massive state of insecurity in the ancient city, it was well-considered to get it moved to Abuja, the nation’s seat of power.

He added that for those who have been following this ugly development or trend in the state since after the ill- fated and bastardized Kogi State Governorship election held on the 11th November, 2023, political watchers will agree to the fact that a particular political party in the state has been laying claim to victory during the election.

He disclosed that the political party is currently going about to intimidate and ready to unleash mayhem on their challengers.

The President added that the party is also set to destroy evidences or proofs that could make them lose their supposed victory they claimed they have in their kits.”

“Authoritatively, they have recruited idle young and evil-minded youths popularly called thugs to attack some law-abiding individuals, institutions, structures and property in order to hide their weaknesses at the Tribunal. He alleged

“With this ugly and ignoble development and for the safety of Tribunal officials, lawyers and INEC staffers and the witnesses, the Tribunal listened to the appeal of Kogites and considered it proper to move its sittings to Abuja and which to us in this group and to the generality of Kogites welcomed it and considered the decision as very timely, right, ideal and cogent.
Really, it was a huge relief and a thing of joy for every reasonable person when the announcement was finally made to relocate the sitting to Abuja.
But surprisingly, on 26th February, 2024, at its sitting in Abuja, the unusual happened, as attempts were made to over populate the Tribunal with uninvited guests sponsored by some undemocratic forces to thwart the sitting and to create confusion and skirmishes in Abuja,” he expressed

“All these would have led to impromptu conclusion of its sitting yesterday but thank God, wisdom was applied by the judges led by Hon. Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin Kudu as well as the security agents in attendance.

He disclosed that the evil intention of the thugs at the Tribunal was to scare away several principal witnesses through intimidation and violence.”

Appealing to the President of the court of Appeal, the organization said:
“Madam, we are appealing to your office to please provide adequate security to the Tribunal members, as well as the witnesses and journalists covering the Tribunal’s proceedings.”

The organization noted that a local radio station called the Tao FM in the state has made several announcements warning the people from giving any evidence at the Tribunal against a particular political party and candidate from Kogi Central Senatorial district adding that any such attempt will be met with reprisal or serious sanctions.

“This radio announcement is verifiable.
We plead with you to allow witnesses to give evidences via Skye zoom to avoid intimidation and physical or verbal attack which has been the cases in recent days.” They pleaded

“Madam, this is our major concern and appeal to you.
Ma, for your information, it has been alleged that three witnesses from a political party were kidnapped yesterday in Abuja and taken to unknown destination by these thugs. This is our fear for other witnesses that may be willing to give hard evidences at the Tribunal. Please kindly act immediately and may God bless you.”

IPCR Has The Potential To Promote Peace In The Country- BIO- IBRAHIM

Maryam Aminu

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has said that the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has a germane role to play in the promotion of peace, conflict prevention, management, and resolution in the country.

Dr. Bio Ibrahim stated this when she received a delegation from the Institute in her office in Abuja.

L-R ; Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Hon. Minister of Youth Development and Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) during their courtesy call on the Minister in her office.

The Minister disclosed that she was aware of some of the activities of the IPCR because she had been one of its close observers.

Dr. Bio Ibrahim in a statement by the Head Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf expressed
preparedness to synergise with the Institute to ensure that the youth play their cardinal role in peace and conflict resolution in the country.

She also stressed the need to collaborate with the IPCR to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security by adopting, validating and launching of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.

“It is important to deploy a non kinetic approach to conflict resolutions in order to have lasting peace in the country,” she said.

According to her, “A clear concept of the role to be played by the youths is needed in the effort to stem the tide of banditary militancy, and boko haram so as to bring about enduring peace and harmony in our nation.”

Speaking further, the Minister emphasized that one of the priority areas of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is the inclusion of youth in ensuring peace and harmony in the country. She therefore advised the DG to come up with a clear plan on how the youths can be actively engaged in keeping the peace.

Earlier speaking, the Director General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said the Institute provides Nigeria and some other countries with policies based on result oriented research to build capacity in conflict management, adding that collaborating with the youths in conflict resolution will foster togetherness and patriotism.

FG, American Tower Corporation To Train Nigeria Youth On Digital Skills Acquisition.

Maryam Aminu

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, has disclosed the readiness of her Ministry to partner with the American Tower Corporation (ATC) Nigeria to provide free training on information and communications technology for Nigerian youths.

The Minister made this disclosure when some representatives of the oganisanisation led by the Public Affairs Manager for Africa, Mr. Ehize Ilozavbie paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Abuja.

Middle, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Hon. Minister of Youth Development, 1st right, Ehize Ilozavbie, head of delegation African Tower Corporation and Joseph Myapuria during their courtesy call on the Minister.

The Minister said, “The ministry’s major mandate is to create an enabling environment for the youth to thrive and to prepare them for the 21st century economy just as President Bola Tinubu has emphasised severally in most of his engagements.”

The Minister in a statement signed by the Head Press and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf, expressed the preparedness of the ministry to collaborate with the ATC so as to provide greater opportunities for the youths to benefit from the services of the organisation.

She said, “We are ready to partner with you in the area of information communication technology, which is the main area of partnership with your corporation that our youths can benefit from.”

Leader of the delegation and public affairs manager for Africa, Mr. Ehize Ilozavbie informed the minister that the ATC is committed to strengthening the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.

Mr. Ilozavbie stated that his organisation has its presence in thirty – three states in the country.

He added that their skill acquisition centres are designed to up-skill community members free of charge.

He revealed that the organisation has over eight thousand telecom towers across Nigeria. He further said that about ninety eight percent of their sites have renewable energy.

The Public Affairs Manager maintained that about fifty thousand Nigerians have been trained at these centres across the federation at no cost to the trainees.

He also informed the Minister of another component of their programmes known as the Girls in ICT which is focussed on training girls from secondary schools on ICT adding that some of the graduates from their training centres have gained employment abroad as a result of the knowledge they acquired.

IPCR Has The Potential To Promote Peace In The Country- BIO- IBRAHIM

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Bio Ibrahim stated this when she received a delegation from the Institute in her office in Abuja.

The Minister disclosed that she was aware of some of the activities of the IPCR because she had been one of its close observers.

“It is important to deploy a non kinetic approach to conflict resolutions in order to have lasting peace in the country,” she said.

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Bio Ibrahim stated this when she received a delegation from the Institute in her office in Abuja.

The Minister disclosed that she was aware of some of the activities of the IPCR because she had been one of its close observers.

“It is important to deploy a non kinetic approach to conflict resolutions in order to have lasting peace in the country,” she said.

IPCR Has The Potential To Promote Peace In The Country- BIO- IBRAHIM

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Bio Ibrahim stated this when she received a delegation from the Institute in her office in Abuja.

The Minister disclosed that she was aware of some of the activities of the IPCR because she had been one of its close observers.

“It is important to deploy a non kinetic approach to conflict resolutions in order to have lasting peace in the country,” she said.

Matawalle leads efforts for actualization of UNMAS in North East

… FG is working to resettle IDPs, others

The Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, is leading Federal Government ‘s efforts in the actualization of the United Nations Mine Action Service ( UNMAS) in the North East of Nigeria.

Henshaw Ogubike, Mnipr, FCAi, Fsca, Fcpe
Director ( Information and Public Relations) disclosed in a press release he signed that in 2019 the Government of Nigeria constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention to develop a National Mine Action Strategy and a work plan for the survey and clearance of anti-personnel mines in the North Eastern States affected by the Boko Haram Insurgency.

The membership of the Committee are Ministry of Defence (as Chair), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, Northeast Development Commission and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a service located within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that specializes in coordinating and implementing activities to limit the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices.

It was initially deployed to Nigeria in the 2018 to provide technical support in areas of coordination, planning and technical advise and support to the humanitarian communities and Government but it was left after years of inaction.

But with the coming of Dr. Matawalle as Defence Minister of State the issue has been given attention from the Federal Government in synergy with the Government of Borno State.

It could be recalled that the Representative of the United Nations had a meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Defence late last year where he reassured the delegation that the Federal Government was working out modalities to resettle returnees and the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) in Nigeria to a safe and better living condition.

Matawalle said that Federal Government would partner with UNMAS in working out a workable solution in reintegrating IDPs and farmers into society for better life. “We need to redesign action plan for the IDP returnees and farmers to go back to their farms,” he said

He said that there was the need for Federal Government to provide essential technical support for the establishment of a national mine action centre in the North East and extend it to North West where incidence of insurgency is still prevalent.

He said: ” Such center will afford the IDPs the opportunity to return to their Communities and have access to quality education.”

Through the intervention of Dr. Matawalle, the Government of Borno State led by his Excellency, Babagana Umara Zulum has provided Official and residential building for the activities of UNMAS to start in the North East being an epic center of insurgency.

This bold step of the Minister of Defence and Borno State Governor has further demonstrated that Nigerian Government is committed in providing support to hazardous areas affected by either war or activities of terrorism.

“There is the need to conduct Technical Surveys to identify hazardous areas that need to be safe before any other activities can take place,” the Minister said.

While commending the efforts of the Governor, the Minister highlighted some of the benefits to include; assistance for the IDPs, risk education and advocacy, clearance of the identified hazardous areas and stockpile destruction.