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Army Chief Says Why He Can’t Defeat Insurgents

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Army Chief Says Why He Can't Defeat Insurgents

Despite a yearly budget for the military, it is not in a position to defeat insurgency and other forms of Insecurity in the country.

Making this lamentation on Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, said that security challenges confronting the country including banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and secession would be difficult to defeat without the required weapons .

“To curb and finally defeat these threats, the Nigerian Army requires equipment, weapons, armour fighting vehicles, platforms and various combat enablers,” he said.

The COAS made this known when the Senate Committee on Army, led by its Chairman, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume visited the Army headquarters, Abuja as part of oversight functions.

He said: “As we all know, Nigeria is faced with a lot of security challenges that include insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West and part of North Central as well as secessionist agitations in the South East and South-South geo-political zones of the country.

I urge you to as a matter of urgency consider these critical needs as you legislate and appropriate funds. I will be counting on your support so that we can efficiently perform our constitutional roles and defeat all our threats.

“This courtesy visit is timely because it affords us the opportunity to interact and discuss issues that would impact on the funding of Nigerian Army activities and operations while also strengthening the cordial relationship between the National Assembly and Army Headquarters.

While appreciating the Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Army for the relentless support extended to me during the process leading to my confirmation as the Chief of Army Staff, let me assure the Senate Committee on Army that the Nigerian Army under my leadership remains apolitical and committed to the protection of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, said the purpose of the visit was to have a close understanding of the issues and needs of the Nigerian army and find a way to address them. Ndume said that the army had a daunting task of mitigating the various security challenges confronting the country, adding that the National Assembly played an important in terms of giving the necessary legislative support to the Nigerian army.

“I want to assure you that even though Nigerians are already expecting so much from the service chiefs, we have been given the assurances that they would do their best. But the bottomline is that they must be given what they need in order to carry out the assignment and that is money, equipment, personnel and all those translate into money.

“That is why we are calling on the government to give the Nigerian army the necessary support and tools to execute the mandate that is highly expected.

“Fortunately, we understand that the supplementary budget will be laid before the National Assembly to take care of some of the loopholes and lapses that we saw in the 2021 budget and knowing the new security challenges that we are facing in various regions”, he said.

In a similar vein, the army chief while hosting the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali on a courtesy visit assured the police of the Nigerian Army’s collaboration in the nation’s effort to confront the security challenges in the country.

He told the IGP, “Your appointment coming at this time when the country is grappling with a barrage of security challenges shows the confidence Mr President and commander in chief has in your ability to deliver. I am therefore confident that you will in the shortest possible time restore confidence in the security landscape of the country.”

 

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AMCON Denies Dispute With Heyden Petroleum

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The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has denied having any dispute with Heyden Petroleum Limited.

In a statement by Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications of AMCON, he said that the attention of the corporation had been drawn to a publication in the media regarding a pending litigation between it and Heyden Petroleum Limited .

The statement read: “We hereby notify the general public that AMCON and Heyden Petroleum Limited have settled all issues between them amicably, and Heyden Petroleum Limited has demonstrated commitment to meeting their obligations and has been making payments accordingly.

“Given this latest development, AMCON has formally discontinued its pending litigation against Heyden Petroleum Limited, particularly Suit No. FHC/AMC/67/2024.

“As a responsible debt recovery agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is not the practice of AMCON to engage in a media trial of obligors who are meeting their obligation. Accordingly, the general public is urged to disregard any negative commentaries on the relationship between AMCON and Heyden Petroleum Limited.”

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BREAKING: Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja Is Dead

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By John Michael Ojo

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, is dead.

Lagbaja’s death was announced by President Bola Tinubu in a statement signed by his aide on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

It reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”

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New Education Minister Rejects 18-year Age Limit For University Admission

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Why I Stopped Using Social Media - Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

It is victory  for university admission seekers who are below 18 years of age as the new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the policy barring them.

Alausa also noted the possibility of reviewing the nation’s education policy. But he ruled out the reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Alausa spoke on Tuesday at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja.

He stated that practical education would help to address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions would not continue to churn out graduates every year without providing jobs for them.

The minister said that the federal government would collaborate with private sector operators to train students and realise their potential.

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