NAF Condemns Media For Promoting Terrorist Propaganda On Its Helicopter Crash In Niger

August 17, 2023

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has condemned the social media for helping in promoting the false propaganda of the terrorists on the crashed MI-171 helicopter at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement today, August 16, NAF expressed worry over the consequences of circulating a video on social media platforms allegedly depicting the wreckage of the crashed helicopter, with bodies of victims.
“While the NAF regrets such unfortunate incidents, especially as they involve the loss of lives of our colleagues, the Service will never shy away from unravelling the probable cause of the crash with a view to drawing lessons.
“For those aiding and abetting the propaganda tendencies of terrorists, deliberately or inadvertently, by spreading the videos of the alleged crash site with gory pictures of dead military personnel, the need to rethink the consequences of their actions on the morale of troops, families of deceased personnel as well as on Nigeria’s national security is imperative.”
The statement, signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the
Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said that it is not in the character of the NAF to respond to such claims, particularly one peddled by terrorists, but that concerns expressed by well-meaning Nigerians on the need to address the propaganda became imperative.
“Like all military organizations involved in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, incidences of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable.
“For the NAF, the last 8 years has seen an increased level of air operations in efforts at checkmating the nefarious activities of terrorists and criminal elements in the country. “With heightened levels of air operations, occasioned by an enhanced fleet, the likelihood of air mishaps and accidents at times become unavoidable and inevitable due to various reasons.
“Indeed, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said this much when he hosted Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, yesterday, 15 August 2023, at his office where he noted that the rates of aircraft accidents/incidences are directly proportional to the heightened level of air operations.
“For the NAF and indeed, the entire members of the Armed Forces, our resolve and determination to bring the current security situation in Niger State and indeed, all troubled spots in the country remains unshaken. “Infact, if anything, we are determined more than ever before, to take on the enemy frontally until they are brought to their knees.
“While calling on all Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as we all jointly confront our common enemies, the NAF wishes to appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his message of condolence and words of encouragement. Our appreciation also goes to other well-meaning Nigerians for their support.”

Abuja Hosts Annual Confab Of Corporate Online Publishers October 4, 5

Editorial staff

August 17, 2023

For the first time in many years, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja branch of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) will host its Annual Conference on October 4 and 5 this year.

Danlami Nmodu, mni, and Olumide Iyanda, chairman and secretary of the 2023 Conference Planning Committee, respectively, in a statement today, August 16, said that the conference will be held at the Continental Hotel (Old Sheraton Hotel) in Abuja.

The statement hinted that the theme of the conference will be: “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-Economic Recovery and Sustainability.”

It said that the choice of the theme is informed by current socio-political and economic realities facing Nigeria where a new set of leaders at national and state levels have emerged after the 2023 general elections. The statement stressed that the lecture will provide useful insight to guide the new leaders.

The GOCOP annual conference has always featured a galaxy of experts who spoke on topical issues in the country and proffered sustainable solutions. One of the peakers at the past conferences in Lagos include Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who delivered the 2019 lecture on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”

Also in 2021, Boss Mustapha, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria.”

Similarly, in 2022, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered the address titled: “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”

The GOCOP statement said that all the preparations have been made to ensure that the 2023 event is a resounding success.

CBN Policy May Force Education Trust Fund To Suspend Foreign Scholarships To Nigerians

Editorial staff

August 16, 2023

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that the recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy had created difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends and may lead to suspending foreign scholarships to Nigerians.

The Executive Secretary of the TETFund, Sonny Echono, who spoke today, August 16, in Abuja, at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Engagement on Emerging Issues with the TETFund Intervention, said that since the funds allocation is barely enough to service programmes under its Tertiary Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), the fund is considering suspending foreign scholarships.

He said however, that the Fund is considering an upward review of local scholarships.

”The fund at this material time is also discouraging beneficiary institutions from initiating new Benchwork programmes.

”Additionally, there are issues related to scholars not returning to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

”Infact, the challenge of scholars absconding has undermine and complicated the TSAS programme and brought it under intense scrutiny.

”It is for these and other reasons that this engagement was organised. We need to address these challenges and find solutions to ensure the effective and smooth implementation of our scholarship programmes.”

The executive secretary said that the fund recently signed several MoU’s with some prestigious institutions overseas that include universities in Malaysia, India, Brazil, France and the United States with a view to boosting and enhancing the TSAS programme in the future.

Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki stressed the need to develop new strategies for funding while ensuring sensitivity of the evolving challenging dynamics through qualitative funding.

Maiyaki advised the fund to revamp its monitoring mechanism for quality assurance so as to have a better return on investment on its projects.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on TETFund, Mrs. Miriam Onuoha said that in making essential infrastructure available in tertiary institutions, there was need to ensure inclusivity especially with Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD).

“In our physical planning, we must make accessible the building to be accommodating to the needs of PLWD,” she said.

This was even as the former Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola, called for a monitoring and implementation system to ensure that academic calendars of universities were adhered to.

Okebukola, who spoke on TSAS, emerging issues and possible solutions, clamour for reduced TETFund oversees scholarships while encouraging in-country training in TETFund strengthened PG programmes.

He said that rather than continuously spending a lot of funds on foreign training, local universities should be provided with state-of-the-art facilities while carrying out accreditation of postgraduate programmes.

”In offering solutions to these challenges, there is need to offer TETFund support to top-rate lecturers from oversees universities to come to Nigeria to join local PG training by Nigerian professors.

”We must send professors (of at least 10 years standing) for capacity building to top-rate overseas universities in carefully selected programmes on return to bolster doctoral education and supervision,”he said.

Source: NAN.

Tinubu Marvels At How Babangida Maintains His Voice Of Wisdom 30 Years Out Of Power

Editorial staff

August 16, 2023

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed surprise at how the former military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida has been able to maintain his wisdom

and counsel for many political leaders, both within and outside of Nigeria, 30 Years after leaving power.

In a message today, August 16, to wish ex President Babangida happy 82 birthday coming up tomorrow, August 17, Tinubu marveled at the influential position of the former Nigerian leader, “who has, after 30 years outside of power, consistently remained a voice of wisdom and counsel for many political leaders, both within and outside of Nigeria.”

President Tinubu, who shared in the joy of celebration with family members, friends, and associates of Babangida, acknowledged the service the retired Army General rendered to the nation in many capacities, especially in the Nigerian army, “with distinction, reaching the peak of his career as Chief of Army Staff with indelible legacies for his gallant defense of our nationhood during the Nigerian Civil War.”

The President said that the contributions of Babangida to national development, which include the creation of many states to strengthen the federal structure, physical infrastructure, the liberalization of the media industry and other initiatives across the health and defense sectors can never be forgotten.

He prayed for the continuous well-being of Babangida and his family.

Crisis In Terrorist Camps As Boko Haram Captures, Detains Key Commanders, 60 Members Of ISWAP

Editorial staff

August 16, 2023

File photo: Boko Haram members in operation

Report reaching us indicated that crisis has broken out between Boko Haram fighters and members of another Islamic terrorist group, known as Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), leading to Boko Haram capturing and detaining of 60 ISWAP members, including three prominent commanders from the sect.

The identified commanders so detained, according to informed sources, are Abubakar Saddiq, Abou Maimuna and Malam Idris.

Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, hinted that the ISWAP terrorists were apprehended while en route to Damasak in Borno State.

It was revealed that the Boko Haram Buduma factions, which recently gained an advantage over ISWAP, captured the majority of ISWAP’s camps and as a result, ISWAP members sought refuge in heavily fortified hideouts in the Kukawa, Madayi and Kwatan Mota areas.

“The Boko Haram Buduma Faction’s recent success against ISWAP was due to disaffected ISWAP fighters defecting to join forces with them,” Makama explained.

The captured ISWAP members were said to have been subsequently taken to an underground prison cell near Dogon Chukwu, specifically in KWATAN MOTA, where they are being held as Prisoners of War.

The clash between the terrorist groups was believed to have occurred on Monday during their ongoing supremacy battle.

In a separate development, reports indicate that an additional 78 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members have surrendered to troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

Their surrender followed sustained military operations targeting their hideouts and the internal conflicts with ISWAP, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 terrorists from both sides within the past seven days.

Source: Neptune Prime

DSS Alerts On Impending Terrorist Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Passenger Train – In Secret Memo

Editorial staff

August 16, 2023

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a security alert on a grand plot by terrorists to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train service anytime from now.

It would be recalled that an Abuja–Kaduna bound train was attacked in Katari village, Kaduna State on March 28, 2022, prompting the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to briefly halt operations along the route.

In a leaked/secret letter signed by DSS Director of FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu, entitled, ‘Security Alert: Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’, the DSS cautioned train passengers to be extra vigilant.

The DSS warned of an “impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).”

The secret memo stated that a coalition of banditry syndicate was plotting to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train aimed at kidnapping passengers on board for ransom any moment from now.

”In view of the threat inherent and the need to forestall likely breach of security along the AKTS, it is advised that, existing security arrangements be scaled up within and along the route. In addition, the need for the under listed counter security measures be emplaced ta nip in the bud the impending threats.

i. Air surveillance patrol; Surveillance on the rail track; Military checkpoint/ patrol; Police checkpoint/ patrol; Security raid operation be carry out around Byazhin, Jibi, as well as ja forest Enhance the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (NPMF) operatives with walkie talkie to sustain escort services on train;

“Deploy more Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with walkie talkie to provide escort duty; ie contents of this correspondence are classified: Unauthorized disclostre could lead to prosecution.

“Crisis response team be established in the advent of attack for quick response time; Intelligence sharing amongst all relevant stakeholders.

“Although, the aforementioned threat is yet to be in the public domain, the development is capable of heightening fears over safety of lives and property amongst stakeholders and commuters of trail transportation along the AKTS corridor.

“Therefore, the need to discreetly manage this intelligence provided cannot be, over emphasized.

“This is particularly against the backdrop of fatal attacks along the routes which left casualties and victims hence, some passengers were killed as well as others abducted for several months before their eventual release.”

Nyeson Wike Becomes FCT Minister, Dele Alake Takes Solid Minerals, As Tinubu Assigns Portfolios

Greenbarge Reporters

August 16, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assigned the ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyeson Wike and Ministry of Solid Minerals development to his immediate past Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake.
The facts emerged today, August 16, following the release of the list of the ministers and their portfolios. Below are the ministers with their portfolios:
SOUTH WEST
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
Bosun Tuani
Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management
Ishak Salako
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister Of The Economy
Wale Edun
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
Bunmi Tunji-Ojo
Minister of Power
Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare
Tunji Alausa
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
Dele Alake
Minister of Tourism
Lola Ade-John
Minister of Transportation
Adegboyega Oyetola

SOUTH EAST
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
Doris Anite
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Uche Nnaji
Minister of State, Labour and Employment
Nkiruka Onyejeocha
Minister of Women Affairs
Uju Kennedy
Minister of Works
David Umahi

SOUTH SOUTH
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
Festus Keyamo
Minister of Youth
Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation
Betta Edu
Minister of State, Gas Resources
Ekperipe Ekpo
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources
Heineken Lokpobiri
Minister of Sports Development
John Enoh
Minister of Federal Capital Territory
Nyesom Wike

NORTH WEST

Minister of Art, Culture and The Creative Economy
Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Defence
Mohammed Badaru
Minister of State, Defence
Bello Matawalle
Minister of State, Education
Yusuf T. Sununu
Minister of Housing and Urban Development
Ahmed M. Dangiwa
Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development
Abdullahi T. Gwarzo
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning
Atiku Bagudu
Minister of Environment and Ecological Management
(Kaduna)
Minister Of State, Federal Capital Territory
Mairiga Mahmud
Minister Of State, Water Resources And Sanitation
Bello M. Goronto

NORTH EAST
Minster of Agriculture and Food Security
Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Education
Tahir Maman
Minister of Interior
Sa’idu A. Alkali
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yusuf M. Tuggar
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
All Pate
Minister of Police Affairs
Ibrahim Geidam
Minister of State, Steel Development
U. Maigari Ahmadu

NORTH CENTRAL
Minister of Steel Development
Shuaibu A. Audu
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Muhammed Idris
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Labour And Employment
Simon B. Lalong
Minister of State, Police Affairs
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
Zephaniah Jisalo
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Joseph Utsev
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

NAF Condemns Media For Promoting Terrorist Propaganda On Its Helicopter Crash In Niger

Greenbarge Reporters

August 16, 2023

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has condemned the social media for helping in promoting the false propaganda of the terrorists on the crashed MI-171 helicopter at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement today, August 16, NAF expressed worry over the consequences of circulating a video on social media platforms depicting the alleged wreckage of the crashed helicopter, with bodies of the victims.
“While the NAF regrets such unfortunate incidents, especially as they involve the loss of lives of our colleagues, the Service will never shy away from unravelling the probable cause of the crash with a view to drawing lessons.
“For those aiding and abetting the propaganda tendencies of terrorists, deliberately or inadvertently, by spreading the videos of the alleged crash site with gory pictures of dead military personnel, the need to rethink the consequences of their actions on the morale of troops, families of deceased personnel as well as on Nigeria’s national security is imperative.”
The statement, signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the
Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said that it is not in the character of the NAF to respond to such claims, particularly one peddled by terrorists, but that concerns expressed by well-meaning Nigerians on the need to address the propaganda became imperative.
“Like all military organizations involved in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, incidences of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable.
“For the NAF, the last 8 years has seen an increased level of air operations in efforts at checkmating the nefarious activities of terrorists and criminal elements in the country. “With heightened levels of air operations, occasioned by an enhanced fleet, the likelihood of air mishaps and accidents at times become unavoidable and inevitable due to various reasons.
“Indeed, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said this much when he hosted Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, yesterday, 15 August 2023, at his office where he noted that the rates of aircraft accidents/incidences are directly proportional to the heightened level of air operations.
“For the NAF and indeed, the entire members of the Armed Forces, our resolve and determination to bring the current security situation in Niger State and indeed, all troubled spots in the country remains unshaken. “Infact, if anything, we are determined more than ever before, to take on the enemy frontally until they are brought to their knees.
“While calling on all Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as we all jointly confront our common enemies, the NAF wishes to appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his message of condolence and words of encouragement. Our appreciation also goes to other well-meaning Nigerians for their support.”

Patience Jonathan Storms Aso Rock On Solidarity Visit

Greenbarge Reporters

August 16, 2023

Former Nigerian First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan stormed Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja, today, August 16, on solidarity visit to the current First Lady, Senator Olufemi Tinubu.
From left: Dame Patience Jonathan and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Osun Gov, Adeleke, Swears-In Caretaker Chairmen for Local Governments

Greenbarge Reporters

August 16, 2023

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has appointed and sworn-in Caretaker committees for Local Government Council Areas, Local Government Development Areas and the Area Office in the state.
The Governor had written to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, seeking approval for the appointment of the Caretaker committees, which was promptly approved.
The Governor’s letter to the Assembly reads in part:
“In view of the urgency of need for a functioning local government system and the arising necessity due to non-existence of legitimate and democratically elected Local Government Executives across the Local Government Councils in Osun State, I hereby forward the attached list of Caretaker members for all the Local Government Council Areas, Local Government Development Area and Area Councils across Osun State, for your consideration, pending the holding of Local Government elections in line with the relevant provisions of the law.
“I seek your expeditious approval so as to properly re-shape and direct the administration of the third tier of government in Osun State.”
Immediately after the Assembly approved the appointees, they were screened.
The swearing-in of the Caretaker members, according to a statement by the spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, held earlier today, August 16, at the Bola Ige House, Abere , Osogbo.

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