The Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) has praised the efforts of the Minister of Defence for the victories recorded in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. This is a culmination of victories being recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria over insecurity.
The Chairman of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and the Director General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Comrade Salihu Dembos who was represented by BON Vice- Chairman, High Chief Tony Akiotu stated this during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Defence in Ship House, Abuja.
High Chief Tony Akiotu praised the Minister’s efforts in combating insecurity saying that: “The new collaboration has helped curb insurgents and banditry across the country.”
“As a foremost media body in Nigeria with members in over 500 licensed tv and radio stations in the 36 states and Abuja, we have observed the continuous victory of Armed Forces of Nigeria are recording over insecurity and the continuous arrest of high profile bandits in the last one year, with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies using kinetic and non- kinetic strategies to subdue insurgency,” this is highly commendable he said.
Furthermore, “BON will like to commend members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for it enormous sacrifice it has made to ensure the security and peace of all and sundry in Nigeria,” he said.
In his response, the Honourable Minister of Defence H. E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, highlighted the significant progress Nigeria has made in the fight against insurgency while leveraging on the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Military and other agencies.
Badaru expressed appreciation for the media’s role in informing the public and shaping national discourse, particularly in matters of security.
Furthermore , he acknowledged the importance of the synergy between the Armed Forces and other security agencies in curbing insurgency and banditry across the country, emphasizing the role of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in recent military successes.
“Our Armed Forces have demonstrated unparalleled commitment in addressing the security challenges we face, and we are witnessing significant victories. Insurgents are being neutralized, and high-profile bandits are being arrested. These efforts have not only led to greater security but have also restored confidence across affected regions,” he stated.
The Minister further noted that security breaches have reduced significantly due to enhanced military operations, and he commended the continued collaboration between security agencies. “Our goal is to ensure that peace and stability are not just restored but maintained,” he added.
In response to BON’s proposal for collaboration in training and capacity building for broadcast media, the Minister expressed readiness to work closely with the organisation, recognizing the media as a critical partner in promoting national security. “Together, we can harness the power of radio and television to inform, educate, and promote security objectives,” he remarked.
This courtesy visit reaffirms the shared commitment between the Ministry of Defence and the media to foster peace and stability in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni, has cast his vote in the Jigawa State local government council elections at his Babura Kofar Arewa polling unit.
This was made available in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike , Director Information Ministry of Defence.
Accompanied by APC chieftains, family members, supporters, and well-wishers, Badaru commended the electoral process, describing it as peaceful and orderly. He expressed confidence that the outcome would reflect the will of the people.
“The Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has conducted a credible and transparent election,” Badaru stated. “I urge all stakeholders to maintain this peaceful atmosphere, ensuring the democratic process is respected.”
When I was privileged to be offered an appointment by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake in October, last year, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to tap from his immense wealth of experience and depth of knowledge, spanning over four decades in private and public service.
I had been enamoured by Dr. Alake since his name, alongside that of President Bola Tinubu, became a recurring decimal in the struggle for the actualization of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential elections.
He had carved a niche for himself as a renowned political strategist, communications and public relations juggernaut that not only gave verve to the pro-democracy struggle but later became one of the leading lights of Asiwaju Tinubu’s transformational leadership as Governor of Lagos.
Dr. Alake’s role in the presidential campaigns that culminated in President Tinubu’s ascendancy is already public knowledge as it will be recalled he fired from all cylinders to defuse the propaganda of the opposition as Media Adviser, superintending over the media and communications directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
Having watched him closely as a member of the then Strategic Communications Directorate of the same PCC, I was captivated by his grit, grasp of issues and the impeccable intellect with which he dissected issues and marshalled our campaign’s arguments.
Asides from giving me a free hand to excel in my role, he has been a mentor that has helped to hone my skills. Under his tutelage, I have grown to become a better communications professional in barely one year.
Today, Alake’s vision has given rise to a 2,570-strong mining marshals leading the charge to secure the mining environment; revised guidelines for Community Development Agreements (CDA); revocation of dormant mining licenses and those that defaulted in payment of annual service fees; the launch of the innovative online platform, the Decision Support System (DSS) that aids investors’ access to information about Nigeria’s mining sector, enabling them with a click of a button to make informed decisions about investing in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Efforts have reached an advanced stage to establish the largely private sector driven Nigeria Mining Corporation alongside the amendment of the 2007 Nigeria Minerals And Mining Act (NMMA) in collaboration with the National Assembly to back reforms with requisite statutes.
We have also seen novel engagement with sub-nationals that has led to reduction of conflicts through his principle of cooperative federalism. In deference to Alake’s vision, several states have applied and obtained licenses to participate actively in the mining sector and operate as Limited Liability Companies.
As you celebrate your 68th birthday, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our country, the President, and the solid minerals sector.
Your infectious zest and passion for transforming the hitherto neglected mining sector has captured global attention, and we are all motivated to support your vision of making solid minerals a leading contributor to our nation’s GDP.
…Says MOD has the infrastructure to make both systems work effectively
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni has inaugurated the Project Steering Committee and Project Implementation Technical Team for the Performance Management System (PMS) and the Enterprise Content Management of the Ministry of Defence with a charge on the members of both Committees to make the Ministry shine.
This was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Director (Information and Public Relations)
Inaugurating the committee at the Ship house, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary said that the Ministry of Defence has the infrastructure and human resources that are experts to drive the process to success. “We have experts in the Ministry that can drive the process. We have Directors and Deputy- Directors from different departments who are experts and can help in cascading the processes down to other staff of the Ministry,” he said.
He therefore called on the Ministry’s Performance Management System (PMS) Champions to demonstrate unwavering commitment and excellence in driving service delivery and achieving set targets in line with the ministry’s mandate towards fulfilling the renewed hope agenda.
While he acknowledged that there might be initial hiccups, he charged the PMS Champions to be resilient in overcoming the initial challenges that may arise with the programme’s rollout and re-emphasized the need for a continuous training. “In MOD, training is not going to be an issue. We can afford to be organizing training on PMS and ECM every week.
Furthermore, Dr. Kana said that the PMS and ECM Champions are expected to lead the charge towards ensuring efficiency, productivity, and accountability across the Ministry, with the ultimate goal of achieving total compliance with government performance standards.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H. E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, has urged the graduating students of Army War College Course 8/2024 to uphold national security in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
The Minister made the call during the graduation ceremony for the participants of Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024 at Army War College, Abuja.
The ceremony is a celebration of the achievements of the graduates who completed 35 weeks of rigorous training in national security, military strategy, and operational art.
In his keynote address, the Minister who was the Special Guest of Honour commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance throughout the course, emphasizing the significance of their newly acquired skills in leadership and strategic thinking.
He said: “It is a great honour to stand before you today at the graduation ceremony for the participants of Army War College Course 8/2024, I am privileged to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduates. Your journey to this moment involved 35 weeks of rigorous training, intellectual stimulation and growth, as well as personal sacrifice. Today is a testament to your resilience and commitment to excellence.”
Addressing the graduates on their future responsibilities, the Minister highlighted the importance of their roles as operational and strategic leaders in Nigeria’s Armed Forces. “Today’s graduation marks your gradual transformation from tactical into operational and strategic level leaders. Leadership is the cornerstone of military service, extending beyond mere orders to inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal. As graduates of the Army War College Nigeria, you are now equipped with the tools that will enable you to lead and navigate the geostrategic landscape,” he opined.
The Minister encouraged the graduates to lead with integrity, courage, and compassion, reminding them of their pivotal role in addressing complex and ambiguous challenges:
“Gentlemen, the world is constantly evolving and the challenges we face are increasingly complex and ambiguous. As officers skilled in operational-level planning, you will encounter uncertain and often perilous situations. I thus encourage you to embrace these challenges with confidence, aptitude, and determination.”
Furthermore, Badaru extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his support to the Nigerian Military and also acknowledged the sacrifices of the Chief of Army Staff, the College Governing Board, the Commandant, Faculty members, and families of the graduates.
He congratulated the graduates of the Army War College Course 8/2024, saying “Your future is bright, and I have no doubt that you will all serve our nation with distinction.”
In a strategic move aimed at combating misinformation surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN) has launched a national essay competition. The competition, which is part of the youth engagement initiatives spearheaded by SSCCEN, is designed to place adolescent girls at the forefront of efforts to raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer, as well as dispel the myths surrounding HPV vaccination.According to a statement released by Dr. Ishak Lawal, Secretary of the Scientific Committee, the essay competition is expected to empower Nigerian youths with accurate information. Dr. Peace Shalom, National Director of the Technical Office on Cancer Awareness and Advocacy (TOCAA), chairs the youth engagement committee overseeing the initiative. The competition’s theme, “Empowering Families and Youth: HPV Vaccination as a Pathway to Prevent Cervical Cancer and Foster Positive Health Discussions,” aims to promote HPV vaccination as a crucial preventative measure while encouraging positive health discussions within families.With over 7,000 women in Nigeria succumbing annually to cervical cancer, a disease preventable through timely HPV vaccination, the essay competition is expected to generate critical youth-led awareness. It aligns with Nigeria’s recent introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. The competition will culminate with awards presented during the second SSCCEN Summit in November 2024, a gathering designed to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration towards achieving Nigeria’s cervical cancer elimination targets.
***The restraining order stays pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion
The Kano High Court has restrained Zamfara Governor and his cohorts from smear campaign against Alhaji Bello Muhammed Matawalle as well as granted restraining order on the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector- General of Police, Government of Zamfara State, Attorney General of the Federation,Zamfara State government, Vision Media Services Ltd, Vision Fm, Farin Wata Tv, Liberty Radio and Tv, Shuaibu Mungadi and Tijjani Ramalan on Alhaji Masuda Abdulkadir.
It could be recalled that Governor Dauda Lawal has been visiting Media houses recently trying to smear the character and good reputation of Matawalle by linking him with banditry and corruption charges without proof.
All these are calculated desperate attempts by Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit him before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR due to his rising political profile in Zamfara and Nigeria in general.
These are parts of the gimmicks of Governor Lawal Dauda who has been a continuous guest to media houses with the aim of tarnishing the image of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr. Matawalle and also to block his re- appointment as a Minister since the news of imminent cabinet reshuffle .
Governor Lawal or his proxies campaign against Matawalle is not acceptable and befitting of his status in trying to run down his own brother who is a top government functionary . The public should be careful of deceitful information being spurned out by the Governor of Zamfara or his proxies and are advised to disregard such information as the Kano High Court has placed the matter in the right perspective.
Going by the Order of Interim Injunction, all the respondents and Security Agencies either by themselves, agents, servants or proxies whatsoever called are restrained from inviting, further inviting, arresting, detaining, arraigning, prosecuting the applicant, Alhaji Masuda Abdulkadir and bar the Governor of Zamfara State and his paid media agents from further smear campaign against Matawalle in respect of the matter, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion.
Furthermore, the High Court has also granted restraining order on the 6th ( Vision Media Services Ltd) and the 11th ( Tijjani Ramalan) respondents respectively, their Officers Staffs, agents, servants, employees, Aids, and or any person howsoever described acting on their behalf, instructions, instigation , and instance from making further instigation, airing, broadcasting, television, disseminating in whatever form any issue regarding the said Alhaji Bello Muhammed Matawalle as per the facts of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application before the court.
***As Nigeria marks its 64th Independence Anniversary, we celebrate our resilience, unity, and the sacrifices made to safeguard our sovereignty….
On this historic occasion, the Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni congratulates the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and also extends his heartfelt congratulations to the Armed Forces and all Nigerians. Reflecting on the nation’s journey, he stated: “Our Armed Forces have played a pivotal role in preserving the integrity and security of this great nation. Their unwavering dedication remains a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future.”
As we celebrate this milestone, the Minister emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort, adding, “Our strength lies in our unity. Let us continue to work together in the pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
“As we mark our 64th independence, I commend President Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Military and the military’s dedication to serving the nation,” Badaru stated. “Together, we can achieve the change we desire.”
Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard. As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world. Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers. The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it. While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together. Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide. Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war. Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union. Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation. Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians. While we celebrate the progress we have made as a people in the last sixty-four years, we must also recognise some of our missed opportunities and mistakes of the past. If we are to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined us to be, our mistakes must not be allowed to follow us into the future. My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture. On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country. We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this. Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country. After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble. At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies. Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters. The economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably. If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences. Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year. Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector. The move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy. The more disciplined approach adopted by the Central Bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in our foreign exchange market. We inherited a reserve of over $33 billion 16 months ago. Since then, we have paid back the inherited forex backlog of $7 billion. We have cleared the ways and means debt of over N30 trillion. We have reduced the debt service ratio from 97 per cent to 68 per cent. Despite all these, we have managed to keep our foreign reserve at $37 billion. We continue to meet all our obligations and pay our bills. We are moving ahead with our fiscal policy reforms. To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly. These transformative bills will make our business environment more friendly, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden on businesses and workers once they are passed into law. As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments. The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide. My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home. I commend the Governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme. I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months. Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation. Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace. As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanize their creative energy towards a better future. We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects. Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow. The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria. Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world. We are implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone. We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP). It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country. As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024. The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) . Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances. I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success. As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations. Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise. May God continue to bless our nation and keep members of our armed forces safe. Happy Independence anniversary, my fellow Nigerians!
As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON, congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Armed Forces and the entire nation on this significant milestone.
The Minister expressed pride in the nation’s progress and the enduring spirit of its people. “Nigeria’s journey has been one of resilience and strength. As we commemorate our independence, we must renew our commitment to safeguarding the unity, peace, and security of our nation,” he said.
Dr. Matawalle also paid tribute to the Armed Forces, stating, “Our military remains the cornerstone of our national sovereignty. Their dedication and sacrifices ensure that Nigeria continues to stand strong as a free and secured nation.”
In addition, Matawalle called for national solidarity, saying, “Let us unite as one people, with a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
Matawalle notes that the milestone we are celebrating today call for more unity and commitment and reflection on the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present government, acknowledging Nigerians’ resilience and strength in the face of challenges. “Nigerians have demonstrated unyielding spirit and capacity, and we must build on this,” he said.
He commends President Tinubu’s efforts in supporting the Military through training and capacity building to combat insurgency, banditry, and other criminalities. He urges the Military to redouble their efforts, working closely with other agencies to eradicate insecurity.
“As we celebrate our 64th independence, we recognize the progress made and challenges overcome. Nigeria remains one indivisible country, and we thank God for that,” Matawalle stated. “I wish Mr. President, the Military, and all Nigerians a wonderful anniversary celebration.”
