Tag: Musa

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has assured Nigerians that the recent surge in terrorist attacks will not deter the Armed Forces from intensifying efforts to combat terrorism across the country.

General Musa gave the assurance while breaking the fast with Christian military personnel at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

His statement came in the wake of concerns raised by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, at a Special Expanded Security Meeting (SESM) in Maiduguri, where he lamented persistent terrorist attacks on communities, the killing of civilians, displacement of military formations, and rising cases of abductions.

Read Also: CDS Musa warns against disrespect for Nigeria

Terrorists had attacked four military formations in the state and dislodged troops. Many civilians and security agents were killed.

According to him, the insurgents operate without confrontation or resistance, which he said indicates they are gaining more ground.

But the defence Chief in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said troops are more dedicated to duty despite difficult challenges.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu was committed to providing the military with needed resources and equipment to prosecute the fight against terrorists and other enemies of the country.

“ The CDS noted that the task ahead was no doubt daunting, and called on personnel to work together as a team for more success stories in all the theatres of operation across the nation,” the statement said.

“He also noted that although there was a notable increase in the tempo of attacks, that would not diminish the military efforts in combating the scourge. He therefore charged members of the Armed Forces to forge forward, remain focused and be committed always.”

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has been appointed as sports ambassador for Kano State.

The appointment was confirmed via a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi PhD on Wednesday titled “NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT AS KANO STATE SPORT AMBASSADOR”

The statement reads in full: “It is my singular honour to formally convey to you that His Excellency, Governor Abba K. Yusuf of Kano State has approved your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador with effect from 24th July, 2024.

The decision to appoint you into this exalted position of trust and confidence was predicated upon your professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State. It is hoped that you will bring these sterling qualities to bear on your new assignment.

It is my ardent prayer that your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador will assist the Government significantly in attaining the objective of promoting the overall sporting activities especially as it relates to our home based clubs and players.

While congratulating you over this well-deserved appointment, it is my sincere hope that you will live above board and justify the confidence reposed in you by the Government. I pray that God in His infinite mercy accord you the wisdom and determination to execute the assignment diligently and to the expectation of the administration. Accept my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment and prayers of good will.

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Best wishes.”

Ahmed Musa, who recently joined Kano Pillars, for a second spell has registered three goals and two assists in four appearances for Kano Pillars.

Internationally, Musa made history as the first Nigerian to score multiple goals in a FIFA World Cup match, finding the net twice against Argentina in 2014 and repeating the feat in 2018 against Iceland. With 108 caps, he holds the record as Nigeria’s most capped player.

Over his career, Musa has played in the Netherlands, England, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, securing trophies across three continents.

He won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria, three Russian Premier League titles with CSKA Moscow, and both the Saudi league and Super Cup with Al Nassr.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has directed Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai to offer all necessary assistance to victims of flood disaster in Borno State.

The CDS issued the directive in a statement through the Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Wednesday.

General Musa expressed sadness over the loss of lives, destruction of property, and the displacement of thousands of citizens as a result of the flood from the Alo Dam.

Read Also: Raging floods submerge more Borno communities

He said: “On behalf of the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria I convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the government and people of Borno State at this difficult time.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Borno State and will ensure all affected communities are evacuated to safety and, in addition, will give support to the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

“ We prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.”

The CDS assured that the military would work with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant authorities to provide immediate relief and support to the affected communities. 

He said the military remained “committed to the efforts of both the Federal and Borno state governments to alleviate the suffering of those impacted by this tragic event.”  

…Flying foreign flags on Nigeria’s soils is treasonable — Gen Musa

The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to defending democracy and resisting any attempts to undermine the democratic process.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian security and intelligence forces have declared that flying foreign flags on Nigerian soil is a treasonable offence and will not be condoned by the armed forces.

Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, made this clear while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, after the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

General Musa emphasized that Nigeria is a sovereign and democratic nation, and all security agencies are dedicated to protecting democracy and ensuring its continued success.

He warned that the military will not tolerate any actions or agendas aimed at effecting an undemocratic change of government, reiterating that democracy is the cornerstone of the nation’s political system.

“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation, all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to thrive.

“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what will continue to defend”, he said.

General Musa has also warned that flying foreign flags on Nigerian soil is a treasonable offence and will not be condoned by the armed forces.

The warning followed the indiscriminate display of the Russian flag by protesters in some of the gatherings in Kano and Kaduna states in the past three days.

Musa warned that individuals or groups found flying foreign flags in Nigeria will be treated as enemies of the state.

He noted that the military has identified areas where foreign flags have been flown and is taking steps to address the situation, including prosecuting those responsible.

General Musa specifically mentioned the flying of Russian flags in Nigeria, describing it as a “red line” that will not be tolerated, warning that subversive elements pushing individuals to carry foreign flags will be brought to book.

“Besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria and that is unacceptable. We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria.

Read Also: Military on standby to restore order, CDS warns protesters

“That is a treasonable offence and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual.

“For those of them flying flags and if you see a lot of them are kids being pushed to do that. We’re following up with those ones that are sponsoring them, those are pushing them because you know the flags were also made. We have identified those areas and we are going to take serious action against them.

“We’ve said that clearly that the military is going to step in when it is out of bounds and you can see that for people, subversive elements, to push individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria, Nigeria’s sovereignty, that is crossing the red line and we will not accept that and those who have done that will go in for the books and they’re going to be prosecuted”, he warned.

On the ongoing protests, Musa issued a stern warning to individuals or groups planning to disrupt Nigeria’s peace and tranquillity, stating that the military would not accept such actions.

He said the President has given clear instructions to security forces to maintain peace and stability in the country.

He assured Nigerians that the security agencies are working closely together in synergy to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail, and warned potential troublemakers to desist from their plans.

“We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on the ground and we know that since the riot has started all the security agencies you can see all of us together. Initially, when the riot started they said it was a peaceful riot, but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem and we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening.

“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria and we are all standing here together to show Nigerians that we’re working closely, we are working together, in synergy to ensure that there’s still peace and tranquillity in Nigeria. That we have assured Mr. President”, Musa said.

Asked about allegations that military personnel participated in looting of property in some states in the course of the ongoing protest, the CDS debunked the notion, disclosing that investigations have proven the allegations to be false.

“No. I think we have cleared that, it has been cleared. I think it was just a misconception. They actually have seen those things and then wanted to clear them away from the area and that’s what was done.

“We have investigated thoroughly, the Chief of Army Staff is here, we have investigated thoroughly and there is nothing like such. No member of the Armed Forces will fall into doing that and it’s very clear”, he explained.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, has said that to overcome the challenge of poor funding in Nigeria universities, the government must increase investment in education, diversify funding sources, and university administrators must ensure effective management of funds,

Speaking on the paper titled “A March to the Future: Addressing Issues of University Administration in Post-Subsidy Nigeria”, at a Public Lecture and book launch in honour of Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Egbewole, said funding is one of the most critical issues that confronts university administration, as operations and standard of a typical university depend on funding in terms of staffing, infrastructure, teaching, research and service.

He said: “One major grouse that staff unions have with their governments is that of funding including payment of entitlements. The usual excuse by the government is that there is a problem with money. The reality in our view is not paucity of funds in the system but what I call misplaced priority. Our governance structure is too money-driven.

“Without proper planning, a university will be gasping for breath if it does not have appropriate funding. In Nigeria, funding remains a challenge as budgetary allocations significantly vary year in and year out.

“It is therefore imperative that to overcome the challenge of funding, university administrations have to think outside the box by not expecting all funds to be provided by the government or proprietors alone.

“Where tuition fees are paid, appropriate charges that will match the quality of the education provided should be introduced. The tentacles of universities also have to be spread to attract research funds, grants, donations and endowments for members of the public.

“In essence, overcoming the challenge of funding requires increased government investment in education, diversification of funding sources for maximum impact, effective management of funds by the administrators, public-private partnerships and attracting quality staff that can attract quality funding and grants to the university.”

He said political interference, poor leadership, corruption, lack of transparency, limited participation and rigidity are some factors mitigating against effective governance and management of the university.

Read Also: Unilorin VC urges FG to declarestate of emergency on education

He said these factors impact negatively on the system through declining academic standards, brain drain, strikes, student unrest and systemic inefficiency.

He said: “To overcome the challenges associated with governance and management, efforts must be made to put the round pegs in round holes right from the constitution of the Governing Council to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. The university law should be respected regarding academic autonomy, transparency and accountability, staff and student discipline, stakeholder participation and adherence to due process in everything.”

Earlier in his opening address, the Executive Director of El-Mavericky Centre for Educational Research and Development, Sulayman Nafiu, the organizer of the event, said the removal of fuel subsidy by the present administration had ushered in a period of significant economic adjustment, impacting every sector, including higher education.

He said: “The subsidy removal has caused transportation costs to rise, burdening university students and staff. Universities face higher operating costs, forcing budget cuts to academic programs and research. To cope, some institutions have increased tuition fees, risking decreased enrollment and further financial strain. This cycle may disrupt the academic experience, leading to instability and undermining education quality. Innovative solutions and collaboration are necessary to address these issues.

“As we stand at this crossroads, it is crucial to address the multifaceted challenges that university administrations are encountering and explore sustainable strategies for moving forward.”

Nafiu said the lecture was an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges facing the university and explore viable strategies for adaptation and resilience.

“We must be proactive in our approach, ensuring that our universities continue to provide quality education and remain beacons of knowledge and innovation despite the economic headwinds.”

The event was attended by some important personalities in the country’s education sector, including the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Chris Maiyaki, Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Arch. Sonny Echono, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)

Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, Justice Suleiman Belgore, and representative of the State Minister of Education.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the Nigerian military is deploying a more non-kinetic approach due to its effectiveness in combating terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

He said the traditional notion of war relying heavily on kinetic means is gradually being relegated and that the Nigerian military now seeks to possess and apply non-kinetic approaches to project power, secure interests and solve problems.

The CDS said this in his keynote address at a one-day seminar organised by the Defence Correspondent Association of Nigerians (DECAN) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

Gen. Musa said the theme of the seminar, “Civil-Military Relations: Non-kinetic efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, and Prospects”, was timely, considering the significance of a non-kinetic approach in winning the battle against terrorism and other security challenges.

The CDS said: “Nigeria, as a diverse and complex nation, faces a mirage of security threats that demand our varying attention and concerted efforts to address.

“From separatism, insurgencies and terrorism to inter-communal conflicts, transnational organized crimes and the mirror of other security challenges, the task of securing our nation is formidable and tasking. In tackling these threats, we are not unmindful of the shift from seeking victory through kinetic means.

“Though the overall power potential of the country is still being determined by conventional military artists, there is no doubt that the non-kinetic means are becoming more relevant in the power potentials of Nigeria.

Read Also: Family petitions IGP, CDS over alleged extra-judicial killing by troops

“The armed forces of Nigeria, being the key driver encountering the myriad of security threats nationwide has sustained non-military and soft strategies as a means to an end of these multifaceted threats.”

He said the military all over the world had noted that when dealing with non-state actors, the military and the adversaries struggle for the hearts and minds of the citizens, hence the Nigerian military tries to be ahead of the adversaries.

He noted: “It is not worth the enforcement of Nigerians’ non-kinetic efforts towards winning the hearts and minds of citizens and encouraging other sectors of the society to take ownership of the situation in order to contribute meaningfully to defeating the multifaceted threats.”

According to the CDS, some of the non-kinetic activities conducted by the military include Operation Safe Corridor designed to deradicalize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate surrendered, willing, and repentant members of the terrorist groups.

Others, according to him, are civil-military cooperation and engagement with key leaders of various communities and stakeholders, especially those that are directly affected by security as well as the veterans.

“Our main focus remains the targeting of the will of the people through the application as a combination of soft and non-military means,” the CDS said.

Earlier in his welcome address, DECAN President, Ismail Musa, said patriotic members are from reputable organisations that are interested in protecting national security and the development of the country.

Musa said the theme of the event was carefully chosen as a way “to reshape our minds towards effective service delivery.”

He added: “It is also part of our noble mandate to educate our members and the public about the ongoing soft approach adopted by the military in the quest to further secure the nation.”