Category: Lead

• Belarus President plays peacemaker, secures truce
• US working ‘in close coordination’ with G7 allies

He branded Progozhin’s insurrection   a “stab in the back” and a “betrayal”.

He appealed to Russian military men and those “who have been drawn into this criminal gamble by deceit or threats,” to desist.

His country, he said, was engaged in a historic struggle to safeguard its future while “repelling aggression from neo-Nazis and their masters” in the West.

He added: “We are fighting for the lives and safety of our people, for our sovereignty and independence. For the right to be and remain Russia.”

Announcing his offensive in the early hours of the day, Prigozhin, 62,said he had crossed into Russia with his forces to topple Moscow’s military leadership, saying he and his 25,000 fighters were ‘ready to die’.

He said his forces, who have spearheaded much of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, had entered the Rostov-on-Don and controlled its military sites.

He said: “We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT).

“Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control.”

Prigozhin said planes taking part in the Ukraine offensive “are leaving as normal” from the airfield, and called on Russians not to believe what they were being told on state television.

“A huge amount of territory is lost. Soldiers have been killed three, four times more than it says in documents shown to the top (leadership).”

He had on Friday accused the Russian Defense Ministry of launching a deadly missile strike on a Wagner Group camp, vowing retaliation. The ministry, however, dismissed the allegation, describing it as “an information provocation.”

The Russian authorities later said that they had opened a criminal investigation into the Wagner chief for allegedly calling for an armed rebellion.

Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov had informed Putin of “the initiation of a criminal case in connection with an attempt to organise an armed rebellion”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Biden speaks with Scholz, Macron and Sunak about Russian situation

U.S. President Joe Biden called up German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak,to discuss the development in Russia, according to the White House.

The partners reaffirmed their “unwavering support” for Ukraine, a U.S. government statement said.

Biden was also briefed in the morning by his national security team on developments in Russia, where a mercenary force is challenging the government.

Other attendees included U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Secretaries of Defence and State Lloyd Austin, and Antony Blinken, the statement said.

The whereabouts of Putin could not be ascertained yesterday soon after his broadcast.

Reports said two presidential planes linked to him flew out of Moscow towards Tver and St Petersburg yesterday before switching off their transponders.

Reportedly on board the aircraft were top Kremlin officials, including the Russian President. Other business planes were also seen making an exodus from the capital towards St Petersburg.

• 15 private universities pick 130-120 •Anambra indigene emerges UTME best

Heads of universities on Saturday adopted 140 as the minimum cut – off mark for 2023 admission.

The decision was reached at the 2023 policy meeting on admission guidelines organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Saturday in Abuja.

During the meeting, Registrars of universities agreed that no university, except 15 private universities who picked 130 – 120, should go below the 140 marks adopted.

Rectors of polytechnics adopted 100 as the minimum cut – off mark for admission.

Also, 100  was adopted as the minimum point for admission into colleges.

The decision was adopted by the Provost of colleges at the meeting.

JAMB Registrar,  Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said institutions would not be allowed to go below the minimum points they have adopted for admission into programmes in their schools.

The meeting agreed that students should not be cut off from admission as a result of their UTME score.

It was agreed that students be allowed to take part in all the admission processes, with total score added before a decision on admission is taken.

Meanwhile, JAMB has said that 557,626 candidates from 1.8 million applications have been admitted into tertiary institutions across the country in its 2022 admission processes.

JAMB Registrar,  Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this yesterday while speaking  at the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja.

 According to him, the 2022 admission process was  still ongoing owing to opportunities given to some key players in the sector to conduct admissions.

He named Nkechinyere Umeh  from Anambra State as the best candidate in the  2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) with a cumulative mark of 360.

As at June 19, Oloyede said, tertiary institutions have admitted 557,626 candidates but “as we speak today, the admission is up to 600,000 as we target about 700,000. This is because admission is still ongoing,” he said.

Speaking on gaps in admission vacancies and why candidates were not admitted, Oloyede said rigidity of programme choice and mismatch of demand and supply were responsible.

He also listed lack of interest for existing vacancies and trail-candidates (No o’level results or awaiting results) as responsible for admission gaps in the tertiary institutions.

He said it is the responsibility of the various institutions to determine the National Minimum Tolerable UTME score, often called the ‘cut-off marks’.

Board considers use of personal devices for UTME

A new policy to allow UTME candidates write the examinations with their personal phones and other devices is being considered by JAMB, the Registrar said.

The proposed policy, Oloyede said, was based on the rising cost of logistics in taking the UTME nationwide.

According to him, it cost the JAMB over N1.2billion to equip a Computer Based Test (CBT) centre in Kaduna State with much of the money spent on procuring computers for use by candidates .

“The policy which falls under the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ may require candidates wishing to take UTME in the future to bring their own devices to the examination hall,” he said.

At the policy meeting, the registrar expressed concern over the crave for university education among candidates at the detriment of polytechnics and colleges of education.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Saturday said that the 10th National Assembly would partner President Bola Tinubu-led administration to change policies inhibiting the progress and development of the country.

He thanked the President, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his colleagues in the Senate for supporting him to emerge Senate President.

Akpabio spoke at the Thanksgiving Service in his honour at the Regina Pacis Auditorium, St Anne Cathedral Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

According to a statement by his media office, Akpabio said: “The current National Assembly will rally round and support the programmes of the current administration by eliminating all inhibiting policies affecting the progress and development of the country. We would be partners in progress for the sole benefit of Nigerians.”

Read Also : Akpabio confident President will revive moribund industries to create jobs

Speaking further, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, who arrived the Victor Attah International Airport to a rousing welcome by indigenes across party lines led Governor Umoh Eno, assured the people of his District of quality representation as their Senator and President of the Senate.

“I thank you all for coming out to celebrate God’s goodness in my life and that of my family. I thank you for the support during the campaigns and election proper. To those who didn’t vote for me, I will represent you well. Continue to pray for me and my colleagues as we daily navigate and steer the ship of the National Assembly for the bettermentof all Nigerians.

“I am humbled by this show of love. Humility is all that matters in life. You will see the difference. What I want you to take back home is the fact that Nigerians have elected an uncommon Senate President. We will run an uncommon Senate for the benefit of the uncommon people. That is why I am here today to thank God for what he has done for me,” he said.

I his homily, Most Rev Camillus Umoh, charged the 10th Senate to work for Nigerians and right the wrongs of the past to show that they are different through legislations.

According to him: “We pray for collaboration and unity from your colleagues in both Senate and House of Representatives to make laws that would be just and for the good of Nigerians.

“Our prayer is that at the end of your tenure Nigerians would be able to say that a man from Annangland landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annangland and that you brought to bear the catholic character of justice and fairness.

“That from Ikot Ekpene Diocese, came a Senator and President of the Senate. Let it be said that the kind heartedness of this place would also influence your character. Unite this country with legislations that are not selective and discriminatory.

“As you continue to guide the activities of the NASS , make it that after your tenure, people would be saying when Akpabio was here, this wouldn’t have happened. Destroy things that would scarter this country. Go ahead and do things that you know how to do best; the uncommon transformation of Nigeria. This is the little Nazareth from where you rose. Let it be said that one good thing can come out of Nazareth.”

Heads of universities on Saturday adopted 140 as the minimum cut – off marks for 2023 admission.

The decision was reached at the 2023 policy meeting on admission guidelines organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday in Abuja.

During the meeting, Registrars of universities agreed that no university, except 15 private universities, who picked 130 – 120, should go below the 140 marks adopted. 

Rectors of polytechnics adopted 100 as the minimum cut – off marks for admission into polytechnics.

Read Also: JAMB, tertiary institutions to decide admission cut-off marks June 24

Also, 100 was adopted as the minimum point for admission into colleges. 

The decision was adopted by the Provost of colleges at the meeting. 

Oloyede said institutions would not be allowed to go below the minimum points they have adopted for admission into programs in their schools. 

The meeting agreed that students should not be cut off from admission as a result of their UTME score. 

It was agreed that students be allowed to take part in all the admission processes, with total score added before a decision on admission is taken.

President Bola Tinubu, after participating in the just-concluded summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ in Paris, France, is heading to London, the United Kingdom (UK), on a private visit.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, President Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to return to Abuja after the Paris events, will be arriving London on Saturday. 

The statement assured the President would be back in Nigeria in time for the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

Read Also: Nigerians in UK rate Tinubu’s performance high

“President Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to be back in Abuja on Saturday, will now proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit. 

“The President will be back in the country in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival,” the statement reads . 

On the President’s outing in Paris, the statement said: “President Bola Tinubu on

Friday concluded his official trip to Paris, France, during which he had an outstanding participation in the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.  

“Aside his participation at the event where he represented Nigeria well, President Tinubu also held high-profile sideline meetings with fellow heads of state and government, global business leaders and chief executives of leading multilateral and development finance institutions from around the world. 

“The summit afforded the President the opportunity of projecting, on a global stage, his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.”

The first three weeks of President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been rated high by Nigerians living in the United Kingdom.

Coming under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Professionals in United Kingdom, they lauded the President’s decision of subsidy removal and steps taken to resuscitate the economy.

In a statement by its Coordinator, Comrade Innocent Udoidiong, the group saluted Tinubu for the courage to get rid of the ‘obnoxious’ fuel subsidy regime.

It said noted subsidy had remained a “channel for perpetration of fraud by some criminal elements.”

Read Also: Appoint competent, loyal party men into government, APC group tell Tinubu

The professionals urged the President not to rest on his oars, “given the urgent need to revitalize and resuscitate the economy of the nation’s ailing economy.”

On the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), the group said the President took the right path to strengthen the nation’s financial sector.

It also commended the decision of the President to rejig the security architecture by appointing new service chiefs.

In the statement titled: “Mr. President, keep the tempo”, the group also tasked the President on the need to carefully select his cabinet members and other appointees in order to pick capable hands who would work meticulously to improve the nation’s economy.

The group further prayed God to grant President Tinubu excellent health to enable him serve Nigeria to the best of his ability.

• •Says associates thought he was joking when he said subsidy was gone
• •Pledges to keep Africa as centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu yesterday returned a damning verdict on Nigeria’s financial system under the suspended Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

Tinubu, in his first public comment on the CBN governor since his June 9 suspension, said the financial system run by Emefiele was rotten.

The President spoke during an interactive session with Nigerians in the Diaspora resident in France and neighbouring European countries, on the sidelines of the New Global Financing pact Summit in Paris.

The multiple exchange rates under the ‘rotten’ financial system, according to him, was largely responsible for the reluctance of many Nigerians in the diaspora to remit money home.

But he said all that is now a thing of the past.

“Then the financial system was rotten,” he said.

He added: “Few people were making bags of our money and then you yourself, you stopped sending money home to our poor parents. Several windows… but that is gone now, it’s gone.

“The man is in the hands of the authorities. Something is being done about that. They will sort themselves out.”

Tinubu, who also spoke on the decision of the federal government to do away with the fuel subsidy, said some of his associates and friends thought he was joking when he declared that the subsidy era was gone.

He recalled how his associates he had assembled to put his plans and speeches together ahead of his May 29 inauguration left the issue of subsidy removal out.

He said since he was determined to put an end to the subsidy which has been a stumbling block to Nigeria’s growth, he was seized by courage to make the announcement once he mounted the podium to deliver his speech.

His words: “Some countries were bleeding us. Courage was missing.

“Sometimes I became an advocate of it. Remove this thing. But God gave me the opportunity when I danced around, strategised with my team.

“We won the Presidency, and the day I was declared winner, I fell almost sick with joy.

“A few friends visited me rejoicing. So I asked the question: ‘You asked me to bring this trophy. This victory, what do you do with it?’

“I brought it. I won. We must achieve with it. We must change Nigeria with it. And then Wale Edun and co, we started debating, putting my speech together without the question on subsidy.

“I got to the podium, I was possessed with courage, and I said subsidy is gone. They thought it was the joke of the century until I called NNPC.

“We are tired of feeding smugglers, making few people rich and subsidising the next door neighbour.

“I met with the President of Benin Republic today (yesterday). Everybody is equal now. We are friends. We are conjoined twins, joined at the hips. How we will separate from each other is this fuel subsidy. Let us see whether we will survive or not. But we are going to survive you.”

Tinubu said the palliatives for Nigerians to cushion the effect of the removal on subsidy were being worked out.

Read Also: Why we are holding Emefiele, by DSS

On the strike threatened by organised Labour against the fuel subsidy removal, Tinubu said workers could not be asking for palliative, salary increase and transportation and still want the old order to remain.

He said: “You want money increase in palliative, transportation… what are you protesting about? Are you sharing part of the subsidy? If you protest I will join you and protest against. And they stopped. No protest

“Palliatives we will get, but we have to save the money in order to embark on palliative.”

Africa remains centre piece of Nigeria’s economic, foreign policies

Also yesterday, Tinubu met with President Alain Berset of Switzerland and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic on the sideline of the Paris summit.

He told Talon during their meeting that Nigeria will sustain its spotlight on African countries as the fulcrum of its policies on economy and foreign policy.

He pledged that trade issues, security and border controls would be mutually implemented.

Bilateral relations with African countries, particularly at the sub-regional level, he said, would be enhanced for shared benefits in areas of security, health, energy, education and diplomacy.

“We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” he said.

“I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling and Africa has been left behind.

“On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest rates on borrowing. We are always classified as high risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth,” he added.

President Tinubu described Nigeria’s relations with Benin as that of a Siamese twins joined at the hips and supported by other friendly countries.

“We must recognise the fact that we need each other. We are in a loop and no one should separate us,” he stated, stressing that his administration would always be open and accessible to Nigeria’s neighbours.

“I just appointed someone who will work with you as Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, and he will be available for our common interest,” the President noted.

The President of Benin said he was inspired with renewed hope for the sub-region and Africa at the inauguration of Tinubu in Abuja, pledging to provide support on trade and security policy, especially at the borders.

“We are prepared to work with you, Your Excellency, in implementing policies that will protect our economies at land and sea entries. Whatever is forbidden in Nigeria will also be forbidden in Benin,” Talon added.

President Tinubu also had bilateral meetings with the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.

•Ex-Vice President was to present 100 witnesses •Obi/LP close with 13 out of 50 planned witnesses •I got information about Tinubu’s Guinean citizenship online – Atiku/PDP’s star witness •Ex-VP presents Tinubu’s academic, work records as evidence •Tinubu tenders letters from US varsity, Embassy clearing him of wrongdoing •INEC to open case on July 3

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday closed his case at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) after his star witness told the court that he got the information on the alleged Guinean citizenship of President Bola Tinubu from the website of an online publication.

Mike Enahoro-Ebah, who was Atiku’s 27th and final witness in the case, admitted that he did not crosscheck the authenticity of the document and its current status with Guinea’s embassy in Nigeria.

The petitioners had planned to call 100 witnesses.

The Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Mr.Peter Obi, also closed his case at the PEPC yesterday.

Only 13 of the 50 witnesses he had lined up could testify for him.

Enahoro-Ebah, through whom the petitioners tendered a number of documents, including the bio-data page of the alleged Guinean passport, claimed this was evidence that Tinubu was a citizen of that country.

The witness, who said he is a member of the Obidient movement and was not happy that Obi lost the last presidential election, said he needed not to clarify from the Guinean embassy, having read about the issue of passport and the alleged dual citizenship from the online publication.

He was a petitioners’ subpoenaed witness.

Counsel to Atiku and the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), tendered through him some documents, including what he called academic records and personal particulars of Tinubu.

The activist/lawyer, while being led in evidence by Uche, said he got the documents relating to Tinubu’s academic records with the assistance of his lawyer in the United States.

The documents included Tinubu’s Form EC9 (affidavit in support of personal particulars); what they described as a certificate from the Chicago State University; NYSC discharge certificate (which the witness said contained the name Adekunle); a party membership card and a certificate of service from Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc.

There were also what the witness described as the academic records of Tinubu from the Chicago State University; what he referred to as the actual certificate issued by the university; application for admission allegedly made by Tinubu in 1977; a transcript for admission from the South West College, in which the witness claimed Tinubu was referred to as female.

The petitioners also tendered, through Enahoro-Ebah, a document they referred to as a notarized judgment of a United States District Court (in which he claimed Tinubu was convicted) and the  print out of a Guinean passport, which the witness claimed belonged to Tinubu.

Under cross examination by President Bola Tinubu’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the witness admitted that he was not the official custodian of the documents purportedly from the Chicago State University.

On whether he registered the judgment of the United States District Court in Nigeria, the witness said, having been notarized, he needed not to have the judgment registered in the country.

Read Also: Atiku, Obi to close case at tribunal this week

He denied knowledge of a February 4, 2003 letter by the US Embassy in Nigeria written to the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) clearing Tinubu of any criminal liability in the US.

The witness also denied being aware of a June 27, 2022 letter by the Registrar of the Chicago State University confirming that Tinubu did not only attend the school but  he graduated with honours.

The two documents were admitted in evidence after they were tendered by Olanipekun.

The witness admitted that the document he brought from the US court did not show that any plea was taken from Tinubu nor was he arraigned or convicted.

Enahoro-Ebah admitted that he had earlier in 2022 filed a criminal complaint marked CR/121/2022 at an Abuja Magistrate’s Court against Tinubu on the same issue. He said the case was not decided and that he did not withdraw it.

Following an application by Olanipekun, the court processes relating to the case by Enahoro-Ebah was admitted in evidence.

On how he got a copy of the data page of the Guinean passport he brought to court, the witness said he downloaded it from the internet.

When asked whether as a lawyer and rights activist he took time to visit the Guinean embassy to ascertain the status of the said passport, he said he needed not contact the embassy because he read about it on the internet and a former President of the country confirmed it.

On whether he knew the passport expired in 2022, the witness said the passport could expire but citizenship does not.

Under cross examination by lawyer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the witness said he knew that the Chicago State University is a public institution, but that the documents he brought from the school needed not to be certified.

While being cross-examined by INEC’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Enahoro-Ebah said he was unhappy that his candidate lost the presidential election.

“Yes, my candidate lost the election as announced by INEC. It is not a pleasing outcome,” Enahoro-Ebah said.

He claimed that his investigation of Tinubu’s background was not influenced from any quarter and that his lawyer in the US helped him to obtain the documents from the Chicago State University free of charge.

Asked if he knew when INEC published the final list of candidates for the last presidential election, the witness said it was around June 2022.

On whether he laid a complaint to INEC when the final list was published, Enahoro-Ebah said he had no reason to do so.

The witness said he got the first set of the documents on November 1, 2022 and received the notarized judgment in April 2023.

Enahoro-Ebah said he voted at a polling unit in Gwarinpa in Abuja during the election and was duly accredited and allowed to cast his ballot without any trouble.

Earlier, another lawyer from the petitioners’ legal team, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), tendered more documents from the bar. They were mainly certified true copies (CTCs) of  Forms EC8A (polling unit results) from 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Delta State; 13 LGAs in Ebonyi State; 18 LGAs in Edo; 17 LGAs in Enugu; 27 LGAs in Imo and 21 LGAs in Kogi State.

At the conclusion of Enahoro-Ebah’s testimony, Uche announced the closure of their case after calling 27 witnesses out of the 100 they told the court they planned to call.

Peter Obi and his party, the Labour Party (LP), also closed their case yesterday after calling 13 of the 50 witnesses they had told the court they wanted to call.

Their 12th witness, Yunusa Tanko, who commenced testimony on Thursday, concluded yesterday, telling the court that beyond the polling unit in Dawaki, Abuja where he voted, he was not physically present at any other polling unit.

Tanko said he served as the spokesman of the LP Presidential Campaign Council and the National Director of Media. He said he was at the party’s Situation Room during the election.

Under cross examination by lawyer to INEC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Tanko said the petitioners’ case included the failure of the electoral body to transmit results electronically.

He however admitted knowing about a judgment given by the Abuja division of the Federal High Court on January 23, 2023 in a suit filed against INEC by the LP, marked:  FHC/ABJ/CS/1454/2022, where the court held among others that it was only INEC that could determine the mode of transmitting election results.

The judgment was admitted in evidence by the court despite the objection raised by petitioners’ lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN).

He said he was not aware that that the LP appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court.

 On whether his party had agents during the election, the witness said the LP had 133,000 agents nationwide, but that there were a total of 176,974 polling units throughout the country.

Under cross examination by Olanipekun, the witness, who was once the National Chairman of the now defunct National Conscience Party (NCP), said the LP held its presidential primary election on May 30, 2022 and that he became its member before Peter Obi.

Under cross examination by Fagbemi, Tanko said he was aware of the May 26, 2023 judgment by the Supreme Court in which it held among others, that the Vice President, who is listed as the 3rd respondent in the petition, was not involved in double nomination.

The court also admitted the judgment in evidence upon an oral application by Fagbemi.

Peter Emmanuel Yari, who testified as the petitioners’ 13th witness, said he served during the election in Kaduna State as a Presiding Officer, adding that the election process went well except for the inability of INEC to do electronic transmission of the result.

At the conclusion of Yari’s testimony at about 7:20pm, Uzoukwu, who had earlier told the court that the petitioners had about two to three more witnesses to call, announced that they were closing their case.

Uzoukwu had at the conclusion of Tanko’s testimony at about 6:30pm insisted on calling more witnesses and suggested an adjournment till today. The suggestion was however rejected by lawyers to the other parties on the grounds that the petitioners had exhausted the time allocated to them to present their case.

Following Uzoukwu’s insistence on calling more witnesses, the court and other lawyers conceded to him and asked him to proceed.

The court then suspended proceedings for 10 minutes to enable the petitioners assemble their new set of witnesses.

However, everyone in court was however taken aback when, after calling Yari, Uzoukwu announced the closure of the petitioners’ case.

As it earlier ruled in the Atiku/PDP case, the court adjourned till July 3 for INEC, the first respondent in both cases, to open its case.

NEWLY appointed Service Chiefs by the President Bola Tinubu administration have vowed to deal decisively with criminal elements across the country.

The Service Chiefs listed their targets to include terrorists, bandits, and  oil thieves.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, on Friday lamented that the nation is facing an array of complex security challenges.

Egbetokun challenged police officers to do whatever it takes to surmount the challenges, adding that the police stand at a: “critical juncture where the trust of the people in our institution hangs in the balance.”

He spoke during the inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers comprising members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other Heads of Police Formations in the country, at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The police boss vowed to stamp out crime in the country in the shortest possible time.

His words: “Without mincing words, our nation faces an array of complex security challenges that demand our unwavering commitment and resolve. We stand at a critical juncture where the trust of the people in our institution hangs in the balance. It is our duty to reignite that trust, to be the beacon of hope in times of despair, and to foster an environment where safety and justice are not mere illusions, but the foundations upon which our nation thrives.

“One of the foremost thrust of my administration is upholding the sanctity of our legal framework with a view to standardizing the policing profession viz-a-viz driving transformative agenda, embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while upholding the rights and welfare of both our officers and the communities we serve.

“The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies. This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police.

“We shall embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in our fight against crime. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so we must adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. Criminals today are more sophisticated, more organized, and more ruthless than ever before. We will further leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of those who seek to disrupt the peace.”

Meanwhile, the IGP has appointed CP Olatunji Disu as his Principal Staff Officer. CP Disu holds a B.A English (Education), PGD International Relations and Strategic Studies, MSc. Public Administration, Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation & Criminal Intelligence and MSc. Criminology, Security & Legal Psychology.

He has attended several courses both within and outside Nigeria, and is a Member of several professional bodies including the International Academy of Forensics (IAF), National Association of Investigative Specialist, United States of America (NAIS), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) amongst others. He is Third Dan Blackbelter, and celebrated medalist in Judo who has served in various administrative, investigative, and operational capacities in the Force including as Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos, and DCP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), FIB, Abuja.

Also, other aides appointed by the IGP including CSP Ganiyu Adebowale as Personal Assistant (PA-IGP), SP Adewale Ajibuwa as Chief Protocol Officer (CPO-IGP), DSP Sheriff Lawal as Aide-de-Camp (ADC-IGP) and DSP Olawole Ogunwusi J. as Chief Security Officer (CSO-IGP).

The Inspector-General of Police reassures citizens that the Nigeria Police Force under his command will symbolize excellence, integrity, and compassion.

CDS promises to crush adversaries

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the Nigerian military will come out in full force to crush any of the country’s adversaries, while safeguarding the safety and security of citizenry. 

Read Also: Appointment of Ribadu, Service chiefs excites ex-militant leader

General Musa also assured Nigerians to feel safe wherever they are, as the military is up and doing and highly professional to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian.

The CDS said this yesterday after officially taking over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor, General Lucky Irabor, at the Defence Headquarters Abuja.

He said: “As the CDS, I promise Nigerians that we will continue to improve on our mandate for sustaining peace and tranquility in the country. We assure every Nigerian to feel safe, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are up and doing, highly professional and are there for them. Nobody should doubt our determination to bring peace to Nigeria.

“Anybody, especially insurgents, terrorists, bandits and anyone who thinks otherwise should be ready to face the music. The Nigerian Armed Forces will come out in full force while safeguarding the safety and security of citizenry.” 

He promised to provide the right leadership for the Nigerian military to perform its constitutional mandate, while ensuring improved welfare for its personnel. He commended the former CDS and service chiefs for the achievements recorded in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other criminalities, also improving the level of discipline in the military.  

“The level of discipline in the armed forces has improved drastically. I commend the former CDS and service chiefs for that,” he said.

“Also they have also done their best on the issue of welfare, but as you know it can never be hundred percent. We will continue from where they stopped.

“We will ensure that our troops, whenever they are, will never be left alone. We will make sure that we give them what they need. The issue of their administration is paramount; because a soldier that is well fed and taken care of will give his best. So they should not doubt us. We shouldn’t have any doubt. We are here, ready and willing to do that.”

Earlier, the outgoing CDS, General Irabor, described the new CDS as “professional and tested officer by all standards.” He said that during the two meetings he had with President Bola Tinubu, the president emphasized on raising the professional standard of the Nigerian military. He therefore urged the new CDS to follow up to ensure that such a dream of the President is achieved.

He urged all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian military to give the new CDS the maximum operation and support for him to succeed in his new task.

He said: “My joy is that we are leaving behind a military with high professional standards, and I am also happy that all the officers we are living behind have performed creditably well. You must doubt your efforts to maintain that standard.

“Even after retirement we remain committed to the Nigerian cause. Democracy is the best form of government in our political climate, and as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces we must continue to give our support. We must continue to be loyal to the country, the constitution, and the President Commander-in-Chief. I am confident that members of the Armed Forces will maintain this cause.”      

COAS promises to discharge duties with fairness

The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has assumed command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Army Chief with a pledge to discharge his  responsibilities with fairness and  merit.

The COAS assured that  hard work shall be dully rewarded while appropriate measures  would be taken to bring back in line anyone that errs

Lagabaja took the baton from the 22nd Chief, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya who had been in command since May 2021.

He said that God had made it his turn to receive the mantle of leadership of the Nigerian army, an aspiration of every combatant army officer.

The new army chief said the Nigerian army had in the past 25 months, witnessed milestone transformation under his predecessor, Gen. Yahaya

He said these included unprecedented procurement of equipment and prudent management of human and material resources, which Nigeria had begun to reap the dividends.

Lagbaja thanked the former COAS for mentorship and empowering his military career.

According to him, following the leadership style of Gen. Faruk Yahaya, repentant terrorists have been surrendering in droves like never before.

“Currently we are witnessing more than ever before massive surrender by repentant insurgents in the North East in a manner that beats the expectation of any observer locally and internationally.

“There is no doubt that the experience and exposure garnered under you will help in the discharge of my duties as the chief of army staff, as you transit into retirement on this glorious day.

“I wish to assure you that I shall do everything within my power to improve on your legacy of a proficient, effective and admirable Nigerian Army,” he said.

Lagbaja also promised to improve on the legacies of his predecessors of a proficient and professional Nigeria army, adding that hard work would be rewarded under his watch.

“I promise that I shall discharge my responsibilities as COAS with fairness; merit and hard work shall be dully rewarded while appropriate measures taken to bring back in line anyone that errs,” he added.

Earlier, the former chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yahaya said he was leaving the Nigerian Army better than he met it, adding that the army made remarkable successes in the fight against insecurity.

He said that the adversaries are currently in disarray across all theatres of operations, and charged officers and men to maintain the tempo.

“You must always conduct yourselves professionally in accordance with the ethics, customs and traditions,” he added.

Yahaya said, “You must continue to make deliberate efforts to improve your performance for heightened security, especially at this time of a new administration in our growing democracy.

“I charge you all to re-double your efforts in supporting the incoming Chief of Army Staff to achieve even greater heights.”

 We’ll put an end to crude oil theft, illegal refinery – CNS

The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, yesterday said the Navy under his watch would intensify efforts to curb crude oil theft and put an end to illegal refining.

He said that he would also enhance the navy’s capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain.

Rear Admiral Ogalla gave the assurance in his inaugural speech after officially taking over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor, Admiral Awwal Gambo, at the Navy’s Headquarters, Abuja.

He said: “The task ahead of us is challenging. We continually face significant threats such as crude oil theft, prevalence of illegal refineries, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, sea robbery,  various forms of trafficking and other maritime crimes. These are not just threats to our maritime security, but also to our economic stability and national development. But let me be clear: We are committed to tackling these security challenges head-on.

“I firmly believe that navigating the challenges of maritime security is a journey, not a destination. It will therefore require our unwavering commitment, steadfast resolve, and collective effort. With an ever-evolving mindset, continuous dedication to professionalism, fervent drive towards innovation, and an undying spirit of teamwork, I am confident that we can transform our maritime domain into a safer, more secure, and prosperous space for socio economic activities to thrive in fulfillment of our constitutional mandate.

“To achieve this, I solicit the cooperation of all personnel. Each one of us has a crucial role to play in ensuring the success of our Navy and I am confident that with our collective efforts as exemplified by our motto Onward Together, we can overcome these challenges.”

He urged all officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to duties, in order to build the Navy country can be proud of.

Earlier, the outgoing CNS, Admiral Gambo who deployed emotion when he acknowledged the contribution of his wife towards the success of his career, said the Nigerian Navy must play a leading role in combating maritime crimes to safeguard the nation’s prosperity and wellbeing of the citizenry.

“The adverse impact of these crimes was and remains enormous and should be decisively addressed,” he said.

Gambo said that during his period as the CNS, the devastating effects of maritime crime renewed their vigour to evolve more stringent operations concepts and strategies, which made them to heightened their commitment to anti-piracy operations, anti-COT operations, choke point operations as well as riverine and swamp operations, in addition to  “embarking on massive fleet renewal, robust logistics management, acquisition of additional platforms, human capital enhancement and holistic infrastructural development and effective collaboration with local and international partners.”