Nigerian Army Commences Verification Of Deceased Personnel Children For 2022/2023 Academic Session Scholarship

By Aliyu Juwairiyat

In fulfilment of the philosophy of effective administration for sustained welfare of personnel and their families, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has directed the commencement of verification and screening of eligible children of personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA)who died in active service, for academic sponsorship.

Addressing families and relations of deceased personnel who were present at the venue of the verification, the Chief of Administration (Army) Maj Gen Wilson Ali stated that the scheme is purposed to give the children of the deceased requisite
educational development that will empower and mold them into responsible citizens. Speaking further, Gen Ali enjoined existing and potential beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to benefit from the exercise, adding, that it will bring succor to children of NA personnel who paid the supreme price, while defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Direction Army Public Relations, in a press released on 19 January 2023, said, The verification/ screening , which commenced 17 January 2023 and ongoing at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro Abuja, targets deceased personnel children in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions.

The screening cum verification exercise will cater for both existing and new applicants, who fall within the following categories:

Primary School : 6 – 12 Years of Age.
Secondary School : 12 – 18 Years of Age.
Tertiary Institutions. :18 –22 Years of Age.

The applicants are also required to provide documents including: Handwritten application for sponsorship containing the names of the children,
Letter of Admission of the beneficiary,
Last School Report Card/results of the beneficiary,
Letter of confirmation from the school of the beneficiary, Birth Certificate of the beneficiary, Death Certificate of the deceased personnel, Part 2 Orders Publication of death, Condolence Letter of deceased Parent, Notification of Casualty (NOTICAS) signal,
Nigerian Army Application for sponsorship form duly completed by the last unit and Formation Headquarters of the deceased personnel, Four recent passport photographs of the beneficiary, Passport photograph of the deceased personnel, Account number and sort code, as well as Telephone number of the surviving parent or administrator.

Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu Describes Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad As Seasoned Educationist, Researcher, Writer, Public Health Expert, Practitioner & Manager

CUICI VC Commends Feats As Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad Bags Ph.D In Public Health

……. CUICI VC Tasks Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad On New Ideas & World-Class Public Health, Educational Management, Administration As A Good Ambassador of CUICI University, USA

By Emmanuel Daudu

Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, UNESCO Laureate and Vice- Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA with its teaching and research hospital campus located at Santa Cruz Province, Argentina South America, with official partners constituent campuses at government regulated universities Worldwide and online operation, has commended Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad over feats, highest qualification, achievements in Health Sector of the nation’s economy, promoting the growth and development of Education in the country as Nigerian Community, Public Health Practitioner bags Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D) in Public Health from Crown University International Chartered Inc (CUICI), USA.

The media learnt this from Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA’s Vice Chancellor, World Acclaimed Distinguished Universities Researcher, Professor Sir Bashiru Aremu in a press statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Prof. Aremu tasked the Crown University product, Educationist, Researcher, Writer, Lecturer, College Provost, Community & Public Health Practitioner, Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad
on global best practices in health, Educational Sectors of Nigerian, global economy towards sustainable health and quality education in Nigeria and globally.

According to Prof. Aremu, “CUICI USA is a global recognized private University that offers vocational training and higher education. Crown University International Chartered Incorporated is licensed, has global accreditation with International Accreditation Agencies, Joint National Accreditation Bodies to serve as an autonomous global recognized University, offering education and practical skill in the courses taught at its official partners constituent campuses at government regulated universities worldwide and online operation. According to the VC, Crown University International Chartered is an entity duly Incorporated under the International Laws of 1704, 1776, and 1787 of United States of America with chartered file number: 7594662 as a worldwide recognized teaching and research University logo with International trade mark number receipt number:668383, customer number: 270163, United States of America”.

Speaking further, UNESCO Laureate, while hailing the Nigerian Community & Public Health Manager, Practitioner, expert, Dr. Sir Samaila Muhammad charged him on hard work for scholarly discovering and innovations.

Giving a brief details about his biography, Prof. Aremu said “Dr. Samaila Mohammed was born on 11/12/1979 In Ribah, Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi state, Nigeria. He attended his Primary school at Machika Model Primary. He proceeded and had his Secondary School Education at Government Science College, Birnin Kebbi where he finished in 1996. Dr. Samaila Muhammad also had his Tertiary education at School of Health Technology, Jega, where he graduated as a Registered community Health Extension Worker in the year 2021. He obtained his BSc in Public Health from Adam Smith University of America in the year 2018”.

“Dr. Samaila Muhammad also, obtained his Advanced Diploma in Health Management from Benue state University, Makurdi, in the year 2010. And Diploma in English Language Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in the 2017. Dr. Samaila Muhammad also, bagged BA in English Language from Hipdet University Cameron. Also, Dr. Samaila Muhammad bagged his Masters in public health from Crown University Int’l chartered Inc., USA. Dr. Samaila Muhammad had attended professional courses in Epidemiology and Monitoring and Evaluation from University of Washington among others. He is the current Provost of Mahawai College of Business Science And Technology, Ribah, & Tanko Ribah College of Education, Kebbi State, Nigeria”.

INEC Commends Dr. Raymond Edoh

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commended the efforts of the UN-Habitat and Nigerian Youth Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Raymond Edoh over his immense contribution to the success of the forthcoming generation elections.

The commendation was channeled toward his volunteerism at INEC offices in Lagos on Friday 6th of January, 2023 helping to distribute over 7000 PVCs to electorates in a day.

This act of his which made newspapers headlines was like a leading pathfinder which should make Nigerians come to realize that success in elections is the responsibility of all and sundry got INEC impressed and overwhelmingly happy for such an unusual understanding.

The INEC Commissioners who made the commendation on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, were the INEC National Commissioner and Chair EPMC, Prof. Mrs. Rhoda Bumus, and the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman OPC-Outreach & Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi.

Dr. Raymond Edoh who scored the Commission 10/10 assured the organization of his continuous support and partnership in ensuring that INEC brings out the best in it to make the elections one of the best and most credible elections in the history of Africa.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chair EPMC, Prof. Mrs. Rhoda Bumus while commending Dr. Raymond on Friday 20th January 2023 at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja stated that INEC needs more of this support pointing out that the best way to have successful and credible elections is for all individuals to contribute in little ways they can to make the best out of INEC.

Earlier, the National Commissioner and Chairman OPC-Outreach & Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi described INEC as a “New INEC”, as innovations invented in the commission target ending inconclusive elections-related issues, double voting, and all other voting-related complications.

In an exclusive interview with Dr. Raymond Edoh, while reacting to the commendation from INEC, he said, with what is on the ground with INEC, soon Nigeria would be competing with the developed world power leading nations in terms of election processes.

Speaking further, he charged Nigerians who registered for their PVCs and have not picked theirs to go and do so stressing that it would be bad for INEC to produce these PVCs and the people who are meant to claim didn’t go for them.
” Election is an opportunity for everyone to participate and change their leaders. The election is the most important part of the democracy of any Nation and as such, every eligible voter must join hands in changing the future of the nation by going out there on the day of the elections and cast their votes.

“As the National Secretary, of the Civil Society Organization of Nigeria, all Nigerians desire a credible election and INEC is willing to do so.
Even though the level of awareness and interest in election processes today is overwhelming, Nigerians without PVCs should go and pick them up, it is important. Every eligible voter should exercise his or her political franchise”, he added.

We Have  Operationalized Usage Of Modern Platforms In Battlefield – CAS

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, on Friday 20 January 2023 said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has operationalized the usage of all its new and modern platforms towards tackling terrorism and insurgency in the country.  The CAS who was speaking during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and 209  Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State, stated that the NAF in recent time, has  effectively operationalized the  usage of new and modern platform in the battlefield.

Air Commodore Wap Maigida, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, in a press release on 21 January 2023, said, according to him, these new and modern air assets are  instrumental in the feats  being recorded against terrorists and insurgents.  Air Marshal Amao, attributed the successes recorded by the NAF in the theatres of operation to the newly acquired JF-17 Thunder aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles. He maintained that the Nigerian military is winning the war against terrorism in the country, with the aid of these modem platforms. 

He  emphasized that more still need to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets. He however warned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to ongoing operations and called for more focus, vigilance and caution.The CAS revealed that the NAF is expecting the delivery of additional new platforms which the President has approved for the Service.

The air assets, according to him,   include:  2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.  He further  disclosed that there are  ongoing acquisitions of 12 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft. He added that some of these additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of first quarter 2023. This, he said would further boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.

Commenting on the upcoming general elections, the CAS urged NAF personnel to remain apolitical but only  exercise their legal franchise which is the constitutional right to vote for any candidate of their choice. “we must continue to maintain our integrity and neutrality as a Service,” the CAS
stressed.

He further urged NAF personnel to remember that as custodians of Nigeria’s constitution, they must ensure that  public perception of the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains positive and unblemished.

The CAS was accompanied by the Air Officers Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Training Command, some Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters NAF.

Humanitarian Ministry Inaugurates Committee On Implementation And Institutionalization Of The Ministry’s Strategic Roadmap And Coordination Framework

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has aninaugurated the Committee on the implementation and institutionalisation of its Strategic Roadmap and Coordinating framework.
The Committee with members drawn from departments and Agencies under the Ministry was inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, in Abuja.

According to Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, Deputy Director Information, in a press release she signed on Friday, 20th January, 2023, stated that the Permanent Secretary said the Roadmap aptly themed “Mapping out a life of dignity for all ” was conceived from the mandate given to the Ministry on its establishment in August, 2019 which is “To develop humanitarian policies, coordinate National and International humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria”.

He said in order to achieve this Mandate, the Ministry developed it’s Strategic Roadmap outlining its initiatives, action plans and strategies. This he said is contained in its seven (7) strategic pillars enumerated as follows: strengthening policies and Institutional Frameworks, Building Evidence-Based systems for Transparency and Accessibility, Enhanced Programme Delivery through Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism, Optimizing Funding and Resourcing Opportunities, Strategic Partnership, Collaborations and Disability Inclusion, Implementation of a robust Humanitarian Coordination system for improved strategic Communication & Governance and Mainstreaming of sustainable Development Goals and Integration of Social Initiatives and Investment Programmes.
Dr. Sani-Gwarzo said the Ministry in actualising the seven pillars of the Roadmap identified the need for an effective coordination and synergy of actions. For this reason he said a standardized Coordination Frameworks was developed to enable the Ministry to “Lead an Inclusive Innovative Future-Thinking Ecosystem (L.I.F.E), this Framework focuses on collaboration between the Ministry, its Agencies and programmes so as to have a central task of aligning all Independent Mandates to execute the overall Ministry’s vision which is “To create sustainable and inclusive systems that promote human dignity in Nigeria.
He said that the Roadmap was launched on 14th February, 2022 and the constitution of a Committee and Institutionalizing the strategic Roadmap and Coordination and Framework is long overdue because the document will help serve as a supportive blueprint for the Ministry and Agencies under its supervision in conceptualizing and driving all its activities, initiatives and programmes in line with the objectives of the National Development plan 2021-2025 of the Federal Government.
He urged all departments and Agencies under the Ministry to take the task of implementing the contents of the document seriously. He urged the members of the committee to move into action immediately, harmonies the work and put up a time line of action.
He also stated that the Ministry will be organising the first Nigeria International Humanitarian Summit on the 9th of January, 2023 and encouraged all stakeholders to key into the event.

The Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr.Peter Nwakpa, in his opening remarks said the Roadmap is a five year strategic plan of action built on seven pillars and developed to provide policy direction for the Ministry and its Agencies with the aim of achieving the Mandate, vision and mission of the Ministry in Coordinating the activities of the humanitarian sector.
He said the Roadmap is such an important document in the life of the Ministry that the Committee should give it all the desired attention, urging the the Committee to work seriously to achieve the aim and also do their best in achieving their target.
In an overview on the Strategic Roadmap by the Deputy Director (PRS), Hajara Ahmed, she said the Roadmap was born out of the National Development Plan which was launched in December 2021, by His Excellency Mr. President, and the roadmap is a follow up of that National Development Plan and it has specific strategic pillars.
She said “some may be aware and some may be seeing the document for the first time, the whole idea is for everyone to key in. As we are aware, the vision of the Ministry is to create sustainable and inclusive social systems that promote human dignity for all, that is why we’re all here to be able to achieve this vision.
The Implementation plan could be done according to the seven pillars so the coordination of this Implementation exercise will be done quarterly. I urge the members for full compliance because this is what is going to drive all the activities of the Ministry going forward”.
The Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre, Mrs. Emem Omokaro, PHD, in her contribution said she was privileged to have the document during the Launch and have studied it. she said it came at the appropriate time because they had just been inaugurated as an Agency and being newly inaugurated, the strategic Roadmap was very important to them.
She said they could not have started without using the document to develop the Agency’s specific strategic Roadmap that the document guided the Agency in developing it’s Roadmap.
In attendance were Directors of the Ministry, National Coordinator NSIP and Heads of Agencies of the Ministry.

Obi Promises To Restructure Security Architecture in Kaduna during campaign

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has promised to restructure the security architecture in order to tackle insecurity in the country if elected the president in the February 25 election.

He made the pledge on Wednesday as his campaign train landed in Kaduna State, two days after his appearance at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom where he discussed his policies with the London think-tank.

“Kaduna State today hosts our best and biggest military formation. Kaduna State is supposed to be most secured place in Nigeria but today, people can’t sleep in Kaduna State with their eyes closed. That is why Datti (Baba-Ahmed) and I will secure and unite Nigeria. We assure you security will come back here again.

“We have insecurity today not because the bandits are more formidable than government but because there is no leadership. We will restructure the security governance architecture. We will get more people into the security system. We will ensure that our security people are well cared for,” Obi said.

Obi also pledged to ensure that the security personnel are well taken care of by insuring their lives so that if anything happens to them on duty, their families will be well taken care of.

“We can no longer allow it when police people are killed, army people are killed and their families go and suffer, we will ensure that they are insured and their families are taken care of if anything happens to them,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor said under his watch as president if elected, the vast land in the northern region of the country will be turned into agricultural field, assuring that jobs will be created from there for the many youths who are unemployed.

Source: KPA

SDP Presidential Candidate To Speak At Nigeria Institute Of International Affairs

The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, will on Monday 23rd January, 2023 be speaking at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

According to a statement signed by the Director-General of NIIA, Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae, the Ondo-born politician will be speaking on The World of Nigeria and Nigeria in the World: Foreign policy as Adjunct of Domestic priorities.

The event will hold at NIIA Ultra Modern Conference Chamber, Lagos at 2pm.

The Nigeria Institute of International Affairs aim is to provide a nursery of ideas on what direction Nigeria should take on international affairs.

The Institute is a specialized instrument of foreign policy formulation in Nigeria. It serves as an intellectual base upon which decision-makers rely for informed opinion and expert advice in order to make rational choices between contending policy options.

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”.