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Tag: Sadiq Abubakar

  • Our strategies working, say Service chiefs

    After about a three hour parley with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, service chiefs say their strategy is working. They told reporters that they are in not in a hurry to change strategy.

    The service chiefs told reporters that the meeting was “all about the security of Nigerians and Nigeria”. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, maintained that the strategies being adopted against security challenges in the country are working.

    When asked the outcome of the meeting, he said: “The message coming out of that meeting is that the Armed forces of Nigeria and other security forces will continue to work much harder to ensure that every Nigerian is secure and the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by anybody.”

    Read Also: Buhari tells Service chiefs to wake up

    Asked if the service chiefs are considering to change their tactics, he said: “I think the strategy has already been changed and from what we are seeing, the current strategy is working.

    “What we are going to do is to ensure that all hands are on deck and every Nigerian equally has a role to play by passing relevant intelligence to us.

    “So far the strategy that we have on ground is really working and that is the one we will continue to pursue.”

    Others at the meeting were: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Inspector-General (IG) Mohammed Adamu; National Security Adviser Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno; National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ahmed Abubakar and Department for State Service (DSS) Director-General Yusuf Bichi.

  • Buhari assure youths of appointment as ministers, head of government agencies

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians youths of a ministerial appointment and appointments as heads of government agencies and parastatals if re-elected for a second term.

    Director of Youth Mobilization of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. Tony Nwoye, who disclosure this at a news conference, said that his group has secured the commitment of President Buhari to positively change the involvement of youths in his administration in his second term in office.

    Nwoye however assured the President that his campaign group will mobilize over 20 million Nigerian youths to ensure a landslide victory for the president.

    “Since my recent appointed to head the Youth Mobilization Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, I had embarked on nationwide consultations with the national youth polity to reach, understand the disposition and aspirations of Nigerian youths and students towards Buhari-Osinbajo 2019.

    “During the over one week of non-stop nationwide consultations that l spearheaded, in the company of my able assistant and deputy directors, Comrade Sadiq Abubakar, the APC National Youth Leaders, Ismaeel Ahmed and Jasper Azulatam, I became convinced that while Nigerian youths deeply appreciate the improved regime of youth development and empowerment under President Buhari, from 2015 till date, the polity is ready for Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 if and only if the prestigious good leadership team is ready to take its youth development programme to the ’Next Level’ of higher youth inclusion in leadership and the economy.

    “Upon this all-important realization, I and my assistant and deputies quickly came back to Abuja to consult with Mr. President. This round of consultations happened intensively over a period of two days in which myself, my assistant and deputies were able to extract strong commitments from Mr. President on his readiness to take his youth development programmes to the ’Next Level’ of higher youth inclusion in leadership and the economy through the following:

    “A youth quota in the headship of Ministries, Departments and Agencies that is above the quota of Men, Women and Politicians. The activation of a policy targeted at Nigeria being the largest high-quality factory of the world by 2030 leading to fully legislated and well-funded youth-based programmes in entrepreneurship and industrialization.

    “The activation of another policy targeted at Nigeria being the African global hub of ICT leading to fully legislated and well-funded youth-based programmes in ICT software and hardware development.

    “After extracting these commitments from Mr. President, the Directorate quickly reverted back to the leadership of Nigerian youths and had regional consultations and engagements. Thereupon, the youths and students of Nigeria and the Directorate agreed that Nigerian youths will deliver an Avalanche of over Twenty Million Votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019.

    Read Also: Buhari fit for another term, says Osinbajo

    “I am today very pleased to inform you that based on the decision of Nigerian youths to deliver 20-Million votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 in February, the Youth Mobilization Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council is kick-starting a nationwide youth mobilization campaign starting today.

    “It will interest you to know that this nationwide youth mobilization campaign is targeted at convincing Nigerian youths and students that they can trust Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 based on: the positive youth development credentials of Buhari-Osinbajo from 2015 till date. The solid commitments of Mr. President to take youth development to the ‘Next Level’ if voted to continue power come 16th February 2019.

    “The positive infrastructural record of Buhari-Osinbajo from 2015 till date; such as: the reawakening of Nigeria’s national Railway Network; the visible upgrade of Nigerian Airports; and, the revamping of the National Roads and Highways Network.

    “The record of visible and impactful Poverty Alleviation Strategies , such as the Traders’ Money Scheme which has empowered over 350,000 MSMEs across the nation; the National School Feeding Programme; the Anchor Borrowers Programme which has added over three million metric tonnes to our annual food supply having, so far, created over 500,000 jobs for Nigeria youths.

    “The N-Power Volunteers Scheme which has recruited 500,000 graduates; the N-Power Volunteer Corps which has trained over 200,000 youths; the N-Buiid Category which has so far trained over 10,000 non-graduates in vocational skills in 23 states of the Federation; the Special Training Programme of NITDA that has trained several hundreds of young Nigerians with disabilities on ICT skills.

    “Our directorate is fully primed to work with the leadership of Nigerian youth and students to deliver the avalanche of over 20 million votes to Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 in the patriotic interest of Nigerian national development.

    “We hereby call on all Nigerian youths and students to remain steadfast in their resolve and support for Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 despite concerted attempt by some would-be-detractors to blackmail them with share sentiments that has no grounding in our national reality,” he said.

     

  • Council suspends NHIS Executive Secretary indefinitely

    The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has been suspended indefinitely by the governing council.

    The chairperson of the NHIS governing council, Ifenne Enyanatu announced the suspension at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday after a two-day closed door meeting.

    Mallam Sadiq Abubakar has been appointed to act in his place.

    This would not be the first time that Prof. Yusuf is placed on suspension.

    In July last year, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole placed him on suspension to allow administrative investigation following a directive from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, then Acting President. “That he (Yusuf) be investigated over many allegations of mismanagement against the Executive Secretary.”

    He was however reinstated by the president without any recourse to the suspension and the allegations in February this year.

    The latest suspension, Enyanatu argued was based on various petitions and infractions against the EX.

    Consequently, she said an administrative panel would be set up to examine allegations leveled against Mr. Yusuf.

    The panel she said, would have three months to complete it’s assignment and report back to the council.

    The reason for the suspension, she said is to allow the panel an ‘infetted’ space to do a thorough investigation.

    “We consulted and got the approval of the honorable Minister of Health before this suspension. ”

     

    Details Later…

  • NAF trains Provosts on crime investigation 30 years after

    Inaugurates forensic laboratory, provost group

     

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday said it had trained 16 Provost personnel on core crime investigative skills and others in crime scene investigation.

    These trainings, according to the Chief of the Air Staff  (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar were last conducted 30-years-ago.

    Abubakar spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the NAF’s remodelled Forensic Crime Laboratory and the new 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    According to him, the accuracy in the collection, review and analysis of evidence by law enforcement agencies and the ability of the court to fairly judge the strength of evidence was the bedrock of criminal justice administration.

    He said after a gap analysis of the structure of the NAF, it had become obvious the new expanded NAF Force Structure required a law enforcement arm with the capacity to effectively employ scientific approaches in all facets of its critical competencies.

    “Already, in conjunction with foreign partners from the United Kingdom, we have trained 16 Provost personnel in the Core Investigative Skills and Interview course.

    “Another set of 16 personnel will in four days’ time be concluding the Crime Scene Investigation Course here in 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    “In another development, the investigative capacity of the provost would be enhanced through the training of 10 Provost Officers in Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, within the last quarter of the year.

    “Akin to the development of investigative and forensic skills, the NAF is also at an advanced stage of expanding and enhancing its utilisation of Military Working Dogs to boost the physical security of NAF critical mission essential areas.

    “This growth is equally projected to create the capacity for the Air Provost to be integrated in the conduct of Combat Search and Rescue operations in the Service.

    Read Also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

    “In the same vein, 140 Air Provost personnel will commence the Force Protection in Complex Air Ground Environment training, in conjunction with the British Military Advisory Training Team (B-MAT).

    “Furthermore, the rejuvenation of the Air Provost’s Explosive Ordnance Detection capability is projected to commence by the end of this year,” he said.

    Abubakar said the NAF’s recent push to make inroads in the development of the capacity and capability of the Air Provost was premised on the need to have a proactive police force that would nip threats in the bud.

    He said: “This would also provide the enabling environment for NAF personnel to freely discharge their duties in furtherance of the Service’s constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

    Inaugurating the facility, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris said without the objective evidence obtained through scientific analysis, many crime cases would have gone unsolved and the perpetrators unpunished.

    He said: “Forensic science is an integral part of the criminal justice system. It is vital in aiding the investigation of a crime and detection of criminals, as well as proving the innocence of people suspected of crimes that they did not commit.

    “It is thus, a veritable tool for not only detection and prosecution, but also deterrence.”

    The IG said that evidence was the cornerstone in modern police investigation, adding that witnesses could fall, be misunderstood, be influenced or contaminated.

    “This effort by the Chief of the Air Staff in providing a befitting and functional environment and making inroads in the application of forensics in policing is laudable.

    “It is a testimony of the Nigerian Air Force leadership’s commitment to push the boundaries and improve on the methodologies and technological platforms to detect and analyze evidence of crime in the service,” he said.

    Commander Air Provost Investigation Group, Group Captain Garba Bello said the provision of the facilities would enhance the capacity of the NAF provost personnel in carrying out their duties, especially in the area of criminal investigations.

    “These would significantly assist Air Provost Investigators in obtaining credible evidence for successful prosecution of cases in a court of law while at the same time adding to the country’s crime fighting resources,” he said.

     

  • Buhari inaugurates locally made drone, restates commitment to security

    Buhari inaugurates locally made drone, restates commitment to security

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Kaduna inaugurated a new drone developed by the Nigeria Air Force ( NAF ) for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.

    The Unmarked Areal Vehicle, named Tsaigumi, was to boost the capacity of the military.

    “From the military perspective, the added capacity for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance provided by the TSAIGUMI will boost ongoing and future security operations.

    “As this project moves into the next stage, which is mass production, it would create employment and possibly generate revenue as Nigeria’s first military export product,’’ the President said.

    According to him, the technological feat is an indication that there is potential to apply the same innovative mindset to addressing other areas of indigenous technological needs.

    “While I commend the Nigerian Air Force for this accomplishment, I enjoin you not to rest on this achievement but to strive harder in your research and development efforts for greater innovation.

    “Be assured of this administration’s support towards the attainment of greater technological milestones for our nation.’’

    Buhari reiterated the commitment and firm resolve of his administration to take Nigeria to the next level of growth and development.

    “We remain determined to overcome all challenges to our security and development as a nation. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with us to make our collective dreams of greatness a reality.’’

    He added: “Government remains determined, despite numerous challenges to bring about the much-needed CHANGE that will lift our beloved nation to its rightful place as a major economic and political force on the world stage.

    “Part of our drive to achieve this goal is to enable enterprise and the improvement of the quality of life through massive improvement of national infrastructure.

    “Accordingly, as I outlined in my New Year Day broadcast to the nation, this Administration has designed series of key projects to dramatically overhaul national infrastructure and overcome the deficit in that vital area.

    “The role of the military as an enabler of national development cannot be overemphasized, as efforts would be futile if national security is not first guaranteed.

    “In this regard, let me once more commend the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, for their tireless efforts towards defeating Boko Haram and all other threats to our nation’s security, thus ensuring that the government can proceed with its developmental activity without hindrance.

    “Let me again commend the Nigerian Air Force leadership for the unprecedented feat it has attained on Research and Development.

    “I am aware that the Air Force was the overall best in the recently concluded 2017 National Technology and Innovation Exposition under Research Institute category.

    “Accordingly, its drive, determination and unwavering support brought about numerous significant innovations, not least of which is the TSAIGUMI which I am inducting today.

    “It is indeed most gratifying that the Nigerian Air Force has gone a step further than simply acquiring them, to developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities with indigenous technology.

    “This outstanding accomplishment, which we are gathered today, holds promise of both military and economic benefit to the nation.’’

    Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, said the unmanned vehicle has a “mission range of 100 km, a service ceiling at 15,000 feet and operational endurance of about 10 hours.’’

    He pledged NAF support “to harness, promote, commercialise and diffuse locally developed technologies for the production of globally competitive goods and services that intensively utilise Nigeria’s raw materials for national development.

    “ This is necessary because it is through R&D that nations technologically advance and enhance their productivity, spur economic growth and address societal concerns such as health, energy, environment, defence and security.

    “Besides, to be effective and efficient in dealing with contemporary security challenges posed by non-state actors, there is the need to build capacity to develop smarter and highly sophisticated indigenous platforms as well as compact and mobile forces that use information technology to get real time intelligence necessary for military operations.”

    Sadiq added that the NAF Research and Development Centre established in 2015, “has so far successfully repaired the CH-3A Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) that had been grounded for over four months due to the lack of spares.

    “Since its reactivation on 2nd January 2018, the UCAV has conducted several missions which have positively impacted on our Operations in the North East. As I speak, the UCAV is engaged in combat missions in the North East.

    “Only last week it acquired and destroyed Boko Haram Terrorists and their equipment in the Sambisa general area.

    “We have also tasked the centre to address gaps in specific areas of operational needs of the Service.

    “One such area of need has been that of enhancing NAF’s Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to meet national security imperatives.

    “In this regard, AFRDC has been charged to build capacity to maintain all ISR platforms that are currently in the Service.

    “Similarly, the AFRDC was tasked to operationalise the Gulma UAV prototype taking into cognisance the peculiar challenges associated with our operating environment.

    “It is gratifying to state that the efforts in this direction have, yielded positive results which include among others, the production of the TSEGUMI UAV.’’

    NAN

  • Court jails two labourers two months each for stealing

    Court jails two labourers two months each for stealing

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced two labourers, Dainel Ofologhe, and Bayo Solomon, to two months imprisonment each for stealing two cell phone worth N200,000.

    Ofologhe and Solomon, who reside at Lagos Street, Garki II, Abuja, were convicted after they pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    The judge, Sadiq Abubakar, gave the convicts an option to pay N5, 000 fine each, and warned them to desist from committing crime.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mrs Florence Auhioboh,  had told the court that one Young Piero of Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on Jan. 25.

    Read Also: I’ll name my sponsors in  court – Otobo

    Auhioboh said that the convicts formed a criminal intention and made away with the complainant’s two cell phones, value at N200, 000 .

    The prosecutor told the court that during police investigation, the phones were recovered from the convicts .
    The offence contravened Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Court jails businessman for assault

    Court jails businessman for assault

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 57-year-old businessman, Haruna Isah, to three months imprisonment for causing grievous hurt.

    Isah of Utako village, Abuja, was convicted on a charge of causing grievous hurt. He pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    The Judge, Sadiq Abubakar, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N10, 000, and said that it was intended to serve as a deterrent to others.

    The prosecuting counsel, Auhioboh Florence, had told the court that the convict used his goods to block Bamigbade Nurudeen at Utako Market on December 12.

    She said that when Nurudeen asked him to remove the goods, the convict refused and in the process, violently attacked Nurudeen with a broken chair.

    Read also: Police arraign businessman for cheating

    According to the prosecutor, Isah used the chair to inflict serious injury on Nurudeen’s right eye and ran away.

    She said that Nurudeen reported the incident at Utako Police Station on the same day, adding that the complainant also lost N35, 000 during the attack on him.

    “So far the complainant has spent N15, 000 on his treatment,’’ she said.

    The prosecutor said that the Isah committed the offence at about 4.30 p.m.

    She told the court that during police investigation, the convict confessed to committing the crime, and said that the offence violated Section 196 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Air Force treats 200 IDP’s in Benue

    Air Force treats 200 IDP’s in Benue

    The Nigerian Air Force has administered free treatment to no fewer than 200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the flood in Benue.

    Squadron Leader Jeremiah Amase, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi that some of the patients were suffering from hypertension, Malaria, diarrhea, upper and lower respiratory infections among others.

    The Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, had earlier inaugurated the “Medical Outreach Programme” to assist IDPs as part of the Nigerian Airforce’s ( NAF ) social responsibility to the people of the state.

    Amase explained that the over 200 patients attended to responded to treatment.

    He said that the clinic had not received any case beyond the medical team’s capability and commended the efforts of medical doctors from the Benue State University Makurdi for their collaboration.

    He, however, disclosed that the major challenge facing the camp was lack of water and poor sanitation system which he said was being addressed.

    NAN reports that the NAF is collaborating with the State Government, UNICEF and other international and local organisations to assist the flood victims.

  • CDS to NAF cadets: No compromise on loyalty, patriotism

    CDS to NAF cadets: No compromise on loyalty, patriotism

    Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, on Thursday challenged officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) to remain loyal, disciplined, dedicated and patriotic in their assignments.

    Olanisakin gave the challenge during the graduation of 106 direct short service cadets held at the Military Training Centre, NAF Base, Kaduna.

    He particularly told the cadets that the service would not compromise on discipline and patriotism, adding that they must gear up to be part of the efforts to restore peace in parts of the country.

    “You must at all times, subordinate yourself to constituted civil authority and protect democracy.

    “Indeed, you must remain absolutely loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal of Nigeria,” he said.

    According to him, the security situation in the country was largely caused by criminal vices which directly or indirectly provide impetus to the existential threat posed by insurgency and terrorism.

    Olonisakin however stressed that a lot have been achieved in degrading the capacity and capability of insurgents and terrorists.

    “Much more need to be done to achieve the level of peace and security we desire for Nigerian people,’’ he stressed.

    The Chief of Defence Staff told the cadets that their “ commissioning into the service should therefore be regarded as part of government’s efforts to restore normalcy.”

    He said, “It is imperative to state that your decision to choose military profession must be one borne from the desire to make sacrifices because of your love to our country.

    “You are passing out at a time when our nation is facing numerous security challenges in the face of dwindling financial resources.’’

    The general noted that the NAF and the Armed Forces was at the forefront in ridding the country of criminal elements and restore normalcy.

    He pledged that the Federal Government would continue to provide the resources required for the NAF to perform its statutory responsibilities.

    The Chief Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, said NAF would continue to build on the capacity of its personal, to produce a very proficient and mobile attack force.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were given to four best cadets, who displayed exemplary conduct during the training.

  • Osinbajo unveils five Super Mushshak aircraft to tackle insurgency

    Osinbajo unveils five Super Mushshak aircraft to tackle insurgency

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday in Kaduna unveiled five Super Mushshak trainer aircraft acquired by the Federal Government to boost the capacity of Nigeria Air Force personnel in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five aircraft are among the 10 acquired by the government from Pakistan.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said Nigeria would welcome more support from friendly nations in its efforts to mow down Boko Haram insurgency.

    “I will not fail to mention that the decision to acquire the Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan has greatly promoted the existing bilateral relationship between the two sister countries.

    “It is our hope that we will continue to have the support and collaboration of other friendly nations, especially as we continue to combat insurgency and other security challenges in our country.’’

    The Acting President, who also witnessed the graduation of 16 young Student Pilots from 401 Flying Training School, for the first time in 30 years, pledged that the administration would continue to invest in the country’s air arsenal.

    He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had two years ago pledged to build the capacity of the armed forces to effectively address Boko Haram insurgency and other national security threats.

    “These achievements are a demonstration of the commitment and visionary leadership of the administration,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo stressed that the administration had remained committed to its desire of ensuring a peaceful country.

    “This has been a major security policy thrust of this administration.

    “We have since embarked on qualitative training and acquisition of new platforms and other supporting equipment for the Armed Forces and security agencies.

    “We have also sanitised the procurement process of military hardware with a view to eliminating corruption and inefficiency.

    “I make bold to say that we have achieved remarkable savings and infused quality into the system.

    “This has contributed in no small way to the acquisition of these new aircraft without any encumbrances.

    “It is now your responsibility to make good use of the aircraft as we await the delivery of the last batch by the end of the year.

    “I have no doubt that the acquisition of the Super Mushshak aircraft would add impetus to the training efforts of 401 FTS.’’

    He lauded the achievements and transformations taking place in the military, linking the feat to “focused and visionary leadership.”

    “It is heart-warming to see the Nigerian Air Force striving to meet the nation’s security needs through the sacrifices, dedication of the officers, airmen and airwomen,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said the NAF has attained 70 per cent aircraft serviceability as against 30 per cent two years ago.

    He said that the training of several combat pilots and other capacity building initiatives had raised the morale of air personnel and their efficiency.

    “We now have the capability to embark on and sustain major operations simultaneously within and beyond our national boundaries,’’ he said.