Troops Of Op. Forest Sanity Neutralize Bandits, Recover Arms Ammunitions In Katsina, Kebbi And Zamfara States

On 17 Jan 23, troops of Op FOREST SANITY depl at Danali in Danmusa LGA of Kastina State while on fighting patrol along Rd Maidabino- Danmusa encountered and engaged terrorists in a fire fight in which 2 x bandit were neutralized. Also two (2) Ak 47 rifles and three (3) MCs were recovered.

According to Major General Musa Danmadami, Director Defence Media Operations Defence Headquarters, in a press release on Thursday
19 January 2022, said, on 18 January 2023, troops of Op FOREST SANITY while on fighting patrol to Dunya in Danmusa LGA of Katsina encountered terrorists at Dangeza Village Tps engaged the terrorists in a fire fight and neutralized one (1), troops also recovered one ( 1 ) AK 47 rifle mounted on a motorcycle with two (2) magazines, and one (1) Baofeng HHR. Additionaly on the same day, troops conducted clearance operation to Malekachi, Munhaye, Awala, Mairairai, Kabari villages in Danko-Wasagu and Maru Local Government Areas of Kebbi and Zamfara States respectively. Troops made contact with terrorists at various locations and a fire fight ensued. Following the encounter, troops neutralized seven (7) terrorist , recovered four (4) vehicles and eight (8) motorcycles which were destroyed. Troops also recovered three (3) AK 47 rifles,  one (1) SMG, thirty two (32) rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,one (1) Baofeng radio, two (2) laptops and ten (10) mobile phones amongst others items.

The military high command commends troops of Operation FOREST SANITY and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities.

Buhari to declare open PACAC’s conference in Abuja

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

The fight against corruption has been the cardinal pillar of the Buhari-led administration since 2015 and the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, has been at the forefront of the campaign.

Now that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning to hand over power to the next administration in a few months from now, PACAC says there is a need to take a holistic review of the fight against corruption in Nigeria so far.

The Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Sadiq Isah Radda, said, it’s event which is coming up on the 26th of January, 2023, at the National Judicial Institute, Jabi, FCT with the theme: “The Fight Against Corruption: The Past, the present, and the Future”, would be declared open by the President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Sadiq Isah Radda, in a statement released by the Communication Officer Mr. Aghogho Agbahor, on Wednesday disclosed that the goal of the conference is to examine the present anti-corruption campaign. It further hopes for a critical evaluation of the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Radda, giving a brief about the Committee said, it was established in August 2015, with the mandate to promote the reform agenda of the government on the anti-corruption effort and to advise the present administration in the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“PACAC is supported by a 7-member Technical Committee”.

Hunger Is The Root Cause Of Mental Imbalance – Don


By Queendaline Elo

A university don and founder of a non-profit organization known as The Mighty One Empowerment Foundation (TEMOEFA), Professor Barika Dominic Saro-Laka, has identified hunger to be responsible for mental imbalance in the society.


Speaking in an interview as a guest on globally syndicated 97 media stations powered by Dr. Bright Echendu of TSTV and anchored by Emmanuel Daudu on the theme “Zero Hunger: United Nations SDG Goal 2” yesterday, January 18, the development activist, described hunger as the world’s first potent killer, inducer of diseases, booster of crimes, and propeller of despondency and social frustration in the society.


He equated hunger with evil, as according to him, it permanently pushes down production, which is at its lowest ebb, thereby making the masses to suffer an untold dimension of hardship.
The professor harped on the necessity for enhancing policies and schemes that could enhance the realization of food sufficiency and food security for the well-being of humanity.


The humanist commended the efforts of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), ActionAid, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Clinton Foundation, and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for helping people to feed well and live long.


He also lauded the various initiatives and interventions of the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank Limited, Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc), and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) for aiding farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs to produce more food and raw materials in Nigeria.

However, the activist called on the Federal Republic of Nigeria to increase budgetary allocations for these agencies to enable them play more active roles in order to reduce the high level of hunger in the country.


Continuing, Saro-Laka advised the United Nations to demand concrete evidence of steps taken and the results achieved in crushing down the high tide of hunger from delegations to represent different countries as it hosts the Zero Hunger Review Summit in New York this year.

He explained that majority of African citizens were the worst hit as their leaders are sitting on the fence and watching their citizens die as a result of minor and preventable diseases caused by hunger.
The activist urged African leaders to step up the fight against hunger by working to improve the living conditions of their people so as to justify their elections into various offices.


Professor Saro-Laka explained that the understanding of the harm, pains and agonies caused by hunger has often propelled his non-governmental organisation (NGO) to regularly distribute various food items and health accessories to abandoned and neglected needy individuals and groups such as widows, orphanages, physically-challenged persons, old people’s homes, leprosy centres, and lDP Camps while providing free training on agricultural extension services and planting techniques to rural farmers.


The visiting professor to HIPDET University, USA, and British American University, United Kingdom, also lauded the efforts of Theobarth Global Foundation and the World Sustainable Development Goal Organisation (WOSDEGO), in reducing hunger in the land, requesting individuals to engage in subsistence agriculture in order to complement the efforts of commercial farmers and cottage industrialists so as to meet the food supply needs of Nigeria’s large population.
He also advised the government to devote a certain percentage of the annual budget for the provision of machineries, fertilizers and equipment as well as for storage and processing facilities and insecticides to assist farmers attain maximum food production and sustainability in this sub-sector.


“Governments, at all levels, through their various implementing and regulatory agencies must adopt discreet selection processes to prevent fraudsters tagged “handbag farmers” from getting access to soft loans meant for actual and active farmers so that the huge resources being deployed in this direction can be tangibly felt”, he pleaded.

COAS Commission Ultra Modern Gymnasium, Swimming Pool In 3 Division


….Pledges Nigerian Army Commitment to Improve Sporting facilities for Personnel

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya commissioned a state of the art gymnasium and swimming pool at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army. He said the edifice will complement the Government efforts at providing qualitative sporting facilities for personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA).

Gen Yahaya who was represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation Army Maj Gen S Muhammed commended the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN for conceiving the project and ensuring it completion within his tenure in office as GOC.

He charged the personnel to make sporting activities a hubby in order to improve their competitiveness in sport competitions. Adding that his decision to support the improvement of supporting activities in all Nigerian Army Barracks is premised on the resolve to make sporting activities a tremendous source of joy and energy to troops and members of their families.

He further said the facility is significant to the health and fitness of personnel as well as assisting troops preparing for combat competitions to train for a successful outing.

The Chief of Army Staff further commended the GOC for his visionary leadership and laudable achievement achieved during his tenure and wished him success as he goes to take over as the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI.

Speaking earlier during the welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN welcomed all present and disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff laid the first block on which the Gymnasium and Pool was built and thanked him for his continuous support to 3 Division.

Also speaking during the brief, the Deputy Director 3 Division physical Training Lt Col AA Olatoye said the gymnasium which has the male and female sections is equipped with 6 treadmills of 7 horse power, 6 electric exercise bike, 2 multipurpose machine, 4 total crazy body massagers, a leg press, a hip abduction machine, 2 sauna rooms amongst others. While the pool which is 4 feet deep at the shallow end and 8 feet deep at the deepest end is equipped with a water heater, underwater lights, and it’s pavilion has a 170 spectator capacity.

The Commander 3 Division Garrison Brig Gen MO AGI while delivering the Vote of Thanks said the building of the gymnasium will not only improve troops welfare but also enhance competence in the field.

Highlights of the event was the tour of the facility, swimming demonstration by Private Joy Ogbolu, presentation of gifts and group photographs.

Major General GM Mutkut Assumes Command AS GOC 8 Division/Commander OPHD

…as outgoing GOC charge troops to remain committed in the fight against banditry

The newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army (NA) and Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI (CJTF NW OPHD) Major General Godwin Mutkut has assumed office on 17 as CJTF NW OPHD and GOC 8 Division on 18 January 2023. He takes over command from his predecessor Major General Uwem Bassey who commanded the Division and OPHD for 17 months.

In his farewell address to troops during a Regimental Parade organized in his honour at the 26 Battalion parade ground to bid him farewell, General Bassey charged the troops to remain committed to the fight against banditry. He said he is highly optimistic that the structure put in place in the Division Area of Operation will in no doubt assist troops in decimating bandits from their various enclaves to bring peace to the region. He commended the troops for their doggedness and conduct during various operations conducted.

General Bassey cautioned troops to remain apolitical and be professional in their conduct during the coming general election. Troops should desist from fraternizing with politicians so that they could not be lured into electoral misconduct to smear the good image of the NA, he stressed. He urged personnel to give all the necessary support to Major General Mutkut so that he can deliver all assigned tasks expected of him. He, therefore, wishes General Mutkut a successful tour of duty.

In his inaugural address, General Mutkut promised to sustain and build upon the legacies of his predecessor while urging commanders and troops to brace up for the enormous task ahead especially as the nation is about to witness the general election. He stated that troops under his watch would not relent on their oars until all criminal elements within the region had been flushed out from their enclaves and forced to embrace peace.

Major General Mutkut commended his predecessor Major General Bassey for his remarkable achievements and purposeful leadership in restoring peace and stability in his Operational Area of Responsibility.

Similarly, General Bassey introduced General Mutkut to His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. The Sultan commended General Bassey for his resilience efforts in stabilizing the security challenges within the Division Area of operation that covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States. He, therefore, wishes General Bassey a successful tour of duty in his new place of assignment. He welcome General Mutkut and urged him to intensify operations and destroy and clear the ruminants of bandits hibernating in the forest. He stressed that traditional rulers will continue to pray and render all the necessary support for the NA to bring lasting peace to the Northwest Zones.

The highpoint of the events was signing the handing and taking over notes of OPHD and 8 Division, presentation of the 8 Division flag and OPHD, decorating the General Mutkut with 8 Division insignia and OPHD, presentation of handing and taking over notes, regimental parade, lowering and hoisting of 8 Division flag and OPHD for the outgoing and incoming GOC/ CJTF OPHD, address to officers and soldiers among others.

Prince Adewole Adebayo Speaks At Ecwa Meeting, Promises Righteous Leadership


The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has promised that his leadership will be one that will do the work of Christ through politics, as he urged Christian leaders to raise Christians who will represent Christ in politics.


Prince Adebayo made this known on Tuesday 17 January during his speech at the Extra Ordinary ECWA General Church Council meeting in Jos, Plateau State.
He noted that the role of the church remains to bring light where there is darkness, feed the hungry, and take care of the sick and vulnerable.
He said, “So I plead with you, we can be sure that we will do the work of Christ, not only for Christians and non-Christians, and that when we go out, everything we do, everything we say will be a form of evangelism through politics, and we will not disappoint, but look out for the flock of which we belong”.


The SDP presidential candidate further pointed out that the church should be concerned about the kind of government in power because it is dealing with civic problems, in other words, doing Caesar’s work.
“The government has a major role to play in the life of the church; in addition to that, government has a long, a serious role to play in the life of members of the church, and many of the problems that are been brought to clergymen are not problems of the spirit, they are not problems of spiritual growth, neither horizontal growth or vertical growth of the church. They are problems of a failure of the civic space”.
“When Christ said, let’s give unto Caesar what is Caesars and let’s give unto to God what is God’s, that’s right. But in Nigeria today, the church is also doing Caesar’s work. The church is protecting itself, the church is augmenting education, the church is doing so many other things, which means that somehow the church should be concerned about the kind of government we have”.


He said the church can send Christians to government to represent it and behave in a Christ-like manner.
“The church can also, send people to government to represent the church and behave in the manner in which we are raised in the church. That is the reason why people like us thought we should enter into politics. It is not for the power. The power is not important. What is important is the purpose.
“One Christian in the Ministry of Finance can change the history of Nigeria; one Christian as Minister of Education can change the history of Nigeria, so we must look for Christians who have a prayerful attitude and good character so that when they move into the state house, the tabernacle of  Christ will move with them”.
In his response, the ECWA President Rev. Dr Stephen Baba Panya thanked Prince Adebayo for being a part of the gathering and for bringing this kind of message to the assembly.
“It can be sure that it is not regular for this kind of conversation, there are many people who know about Christianity, but they don’t know God and they are certainly non-Christians.
“We are thankful for the message that God has used you to bring to us. It is for us to come down to pray that God’s public news shall be sold out. And we are so grateful too, to have the presidential candidate of SDP in our home.
“And that today this has told us in much detail that and we know that this one is not just near the kingdom, he is a child of the kingdom”.
Prince Adebayo was accompanied by his entourage – Hon. Minister Solomon Dalung, D.G Adebayo Presidential campaign, Chief Godwin Osigbeme and Sen. Ugochukwu Uba. members of the presidential campaign council.

2023: SDP Exposes Impostor Behind Parties Alliance Rumor

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, is not in any means a pushover in Nigeria political game. The party debunks plans of having alliance with the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC or any other political party for the forthcoming elections.

National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, stated this during a news conference in Abuja.

Ambassador Aiyenigba who was reacting to the publication in the media by the party’s former deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Alfa stressed that there was never a time the party entered into any alliance with other political parties.

“The attention of the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was drawn to some dishonest and illegitimate publications by one Mr. Alfa Mohammed who claimed he was speaking on behalf of the Social Democratic Party, as far as the party is concern, Mr. Mohammed is on his own and remain an impostor” Amb. Aiyenigba added.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, described Mr Alfa Mohammed and his actions as a complete persona non-grata in the Party, an impostor and fabricator of falsehood.

He explained that the Party had in the past placed a disclaimer on him when it was first discovered that he was fond of concocting spurious, sometimes fraudulent, and unfounded reports.

“It was this habitual recklessness and outright disregard for decorum by Mr. Alfa Mohammed that led to his being relieved of his position as Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Party in November 2018 before he was suspended from the Party in March 2019 by the National Working Committee (NWC) and later expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in August 2019” Ambassador Aiyenigba stressed.

The SDP image maker also emphasized that Mr Mohammed who has not been part of activities of the Party in four years, has intermittently pushed fabricated lies to mislead and defraud the public with the malicious intents to tarnish the reputation of targeted individuals in the Party.

“We noted that no political party can curtail disciplined or expelled ex-members from grumbling or groaning to get noticed but fabricators like Alfa Mohammed need to be called to order

“We formally reported his serial misinformation and misrepresentation to the Inspector General of Police in August 2022 for the Law Enforcer to call him to order for Impersonation, False Pretences and Conduct likely to cause a breach of Peace” and Mr. Mohammed is, indeed, under watch and investigation for criminal impersonation”

Ambassador Aiyenigba therefore called on all members of the party nationwide and the public to disregard the reckless publications of Mr. Mohammed because they are false and above all not in the interest of social justice of the party’s pursuit to combat poverty and insecurity for peace, progress and prosperity to reign in the country.

General Elections: Global PAN African Youth Empowerment Initiative sensitizes Youth on Voters Education

Bilkisu Adejoh

As the 2023 General election is fast approaching, and the last few months have been critical for voter registration, education, and mobilization. Campaigns and grassroots organizers are revamping their outreach strategies to make the most of this final stretch, and it’s also an important time for Civil Society Organisations to acknowledge and embrace their role in preparing young people for electoral participation.

It is in this light that A Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Decency Pan Africa Empowerment Initiative organized youth voters education conference with the theme: the role of youth in fair, credible and non-violent election in Africa on the 17th of January,2023 in Abuja.

History makes clear that people when they have the ability to organize, speak up, and engage,have the potential to hold their leaders and institutions accountable, pushing them to fulfill their promise to serve the common good.
We believe that meaningful civic engagement is an antidote to inequality, with rich potential to empower underrepresented and marginalized groups that have too often been excluded.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the convener, Stella Njideke,stated that the conference aims to foster a sense of trust in the electoral process and to create a vibrant civil society that engages in democracy development.

It also aims at creating awareness and motivating the masses to participate in the electoral process, she added

Speaking earlier,the chairman of the occasion,Hon. Micah Jibah (FCT House of Representative) commends Global PAN Africa for such timely conference.

He implored stakeholders to brainstorm and come out useful and necessary information that the youthful electorates requires.

He urged Nigerian Youth to seize this opportunity to grab the electoral knowledge and use it to vote credible leaders
“Know that critical development cannot succeed without a legitimately and democratically elected government that is responsible and accountable for it’s people. Use your PVC wisely to determine who becomes the next credible leaders”

Also speaking an INEC official Mrs Magdalene Aku stated the needs for voters education adding that the focus is often on how to vote rather than who to vote for.

An appropriate voter education would provide citizens with knowledge regarding: how to register to vote,how to complete ballot papers, the electoral system etc, Aku said

On the part of her commission’s readiness to ensure free,fair and credible election, such disclosed that the commission has come up with Hi-Tech innovations including INEC Elections Results Viewing Portal (IReV), the INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Guaranteeing electronic transmission of results and the aforementioned processes will definitely assist INEC to make transparency the fulcrum of future elections here in Nigeria.

Delivering his goodwill message,the Namibia Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb Humphrey Desmond Geiseb applauded the organizers and INEC.

Geiseb disclosed that Namibia has recorded several non-violent elections and they have been able to achieve that because the citizens has seen Namibia as the only country they have and they jealously guide it to make it better by electing credible leaders.

He added that Namibia has always seen Nigeria as her elder sister as she supported the independence struggle of  Namibians.

He encourage Nigeria to come up with credible election for other African countries to continue to emulate as Nigeria is seen as the face of African countries

Hon. Gana calls on Nigerian women to Vote Tinubu as GIDA GIDA Northern Women support Group for Tinubu/Shettima unveils campaign materials

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

Hon. Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana, the Jekadiya Alikalain Nupe, Chairman Niger State Law Reform Commission, in an exclusive interview with newsmen on Saturday after the unveiling ceremony of campaign materials of the GIDA GIDA Northern Women support Group for Tinubu/Shettima described the February general elections as a turning point for the Nigerian women knowing the stuff and love Ahmed Bola Tinubu has for Nigerians and the Nigerian women particularly.
“Tinubu and Shettima are people I know too well, they are great technocrats in the political space. Their wealth of knowledge can be a turning point for Nigeria and Africa at large. Nigerians should believe in them, trust them with their votes and see what happens in the next few months after the elections.

“This set of pairs are best hands for Nigeria and its economy. Let’s all vote APC at all levels in the general elections”, she said.

However, she assured Tinubu and Shettima of victory using the GIDA GIDA campaign strategy stating that women in the country are already a block vote.

The support group while unveiling its campaign materials during the weekend at the National Women Centre, Abuja urged Nigerian women to remain resolute in ensuring that Ahmed Bola Tinubu becomes the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Speaking also at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Her Excellency, Pauline Tallen while speaking to women stated that Nigerian women should understand the dynamics in politics and should be strategic enough to retire to their sundry villages weeks before the election.
“24 hours to election is very strategic and is capable of faulting the long-made labour and as such this time is critical for our candidate’s success. I have been in politics for 40 years now. I grew from being a Councillor to where I am today so I know what I am talking about.

“We should all go back home and tell our people that Tinubu is the best candidate for Nigeria. I know the power of women and we have so much leverage on all the women in this country to make Bola Ahmed Tinubu the next President of this great nation”, she added.

Similarly, the Director General, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir while addressing the media after the program expressed optimism on the victory of Ahmed Bola Tinubu stating that he is the most credible candidate for the Presidential contest.

However, she urged the women to make use of the platform, “Gida Gida” to ensure that the house-to-house campaign strategy within the 19 States of the north is passionately carried out as stipulated in the aims and objectives of the group’s official documents.

2023: Don’t Enslave Yourselves With Your PVCs – Prince Adebayo To Nigerian Voters

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged Nigerians not to use their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to enslave themselves.

Adebayo said this at the weekend during his speech at the SDP presidential/gubernatorial flag-off in Ogun State.

The presidential candidate told the crowd at the venue of the rally that their brain is the most important they have going into the elections, saying it will guide them to make proper use of their PVCs.

He asked, “People have told me that the most powerful instrument in democracy is PVC. Do you agree?”

The Street Services And Media Resources International account details
To that, the crowd chorused a ‘YES’. Adebayo, however, responded by saying “you are wrong”.

He continued, “The most powerful instrument in politics is your brain because you can have PVC and vote against your own interest.

“You can use PVC to enslave yourself. You can even sell your PVC which is worth more than N30 billion, you can sell it for N10,000.

“So PVC is not your solution, it is good to have it. Your sense is your solution. So after dancing, you go back home and ask yourself ‘these people that I met today, are they sincere? Do they understand my situation? Do they understand how to run a government? Do they have the fear of God and the love of man? Do they have a conscience?’

“Don’t look at my face. I can get somebody to put powder on my face and I will look very nice.

“Don’t look at my poster because that poster is the work of a photographer.

“What you should look at is how can I use 2023 to change my life history, to serve under a government run by human beings for human beings?

“Because when human beings are running a government, you will have water to drink, you will have a house with ventilation. Seven people will not be packing into one room. You will have a gainful job that when you get your employment, you will not call any family member for support again in your life.”

The SDP presidential candidate then noted that the electorate need to be wise as they are the ones in need of an improved way of life and not the politicians, whom he described as deceptive.

He said, “Politics is not for politicians and politics is not entertainment.

“We can dance, we can do whatever but at the end of the day, when you finish dancing the politician will enter his Mercedes (Benz) and go to his mansion. You will enter danfo (public buses that are often rickety) and go to your house without light.

“As you are dancing, the politician’s money is in the bank, immediately he enters his car he will call his bank manager, how many millions there?

“You will be looking for money to buy garri, so, you have to understand that whatever is wrong with Nigerian politics, it is not wrong with the politician.

“That is why a politician who is in (state) House of Assembly wants to promote himself to the House of Reps. The one in the House of Reps wants to promote himself to the Senate.

“The one in the Senate wants to promote himself to governor. Governor wants to go to National Assembly; some governors want to become president. So, whatever happens to Nigeria, the politician is getting promotion.

“When are you going to get your own promotion? So the only thing you can do is to understand your politics.”

He urged the people not to be deceived by leaders who claim there is no money in government.

He said, “When your governor says there is no money in government, he is lying to you. If there is no money in government, 25 vehicles will not be following one governor.

“If there is no money in government, the governor after one year, he will resign and go home. Why is he doing four years and still coming back again if there is no money there?

“So they are saying there is no money for you. The politicians, I have been mixing with them, their life is very comfortable”, Prince Adebayo said.