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Insecurity: Defence Minister Inaugurates Training for 800 Special Forces Troops

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Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru on Monday inaugurated the first phase training for 800 special forces personnel tasked with conducting high-impact operations with precision, speed, and efficiency.Badaru while inaugurating the Special Operations Forces for the Armed Forces of Nigeria at camp Kabala in Jaji military cantonment, Kaduna State, said they would be engaged in rapid response missions.

He also said that the initiative was part of new strategies to address the lingering security issues in the country.
He noted that the evolving nature of contemporary security challenges, demanded for an elite force that was well-equipped and well-trained in advanced tactics, including unconventional warfare, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid response missions.
He added that the vision was to build a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of executing specialised operations in diverse and complex environments.The minister explained that the training of the special force would help enhance operational effectiveness in combating terrorism, insurgency, transnational crimes, and other asymmetric threats that were bedeviling the nation.He further said the elite force would serve as a critical pillar in securing Nigeria’s national sovereignty, protecting citizens, and maintaining peace and stability within and beyond the nation’s borders.“This training has been meticulously designed to develop highly skilled personnel in special combat tactics, counterterrorism operations, intelligence gathering and hostage rescue missions.“The program will prepare trainees for high-risk missions in both urban and hostile environments, ensuring they can adapt to dynamic threats.“Given the inter-agency nature of modern security challenges, the training will foster seamless collaboration among personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Air Force, as well as other security agencies”, he said.The defence minister added that special operations required not only technical skills but also mental toughness and endurance.He noted that in view of that, the training would test and refine the physical and psychological resilience of the troops, emphasise leadership under pressure, foster sense of duty, discipline, and camaraderie among the participants.He added that it was expected that at the end of the rigorous training programme, the Armed Forces would have a force capable of conducting high-impact operations with precision, speed, and efficiency.According to him, such abilities will be a significant improvement in Nigeria’s ability to neutralise threats and respond proactively to security challenges.“The newly trained special operations force will be deployed to critical areas across the country, reinforcing our national security architecture.“This inauguration is for the first batch of 800 out of 2,400 to be trained as part of a long-term strategy to develop world-class special operations capability within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”Badaru assured that Nigeria would continue to collaborate with allied nations and international defence institutions to adopt best practices and improve interoperability in joint operations.He charged the personnel on dedication, resilience, and commitment to duty, urging them to give their best, push beyond limits, and embrace the honour of being part of the elite force.He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and investment in security by providing state-of-the-art equipment and prioritising the welfare of personnel.In a remark, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the training was a significant milestone in the history of the Armed Forces and its commitment to enhancing national security, driven by well-equipped personnel with the necessary skills and capabilities to address contemporary challenges. Musa said modern warfare demanded that forces be well-trained, equipped, and capable of responding swiftly, effectively and decisively.He thanked the Federal Government, saying that that the initiative will significantly actualise his leadership concept of “nurturing a professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is people-centric, capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and collaborative environment”.The CDS urged the trainees to embrace the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead with an unwavering spirit, stressing that the training would be rigorous and tough, but scalable with the right dedication and mindset.Similarly, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State said that the training was a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, combating emerging threats, and ensuring the safety of the country.Represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the governor noted that in today’s security environment, the threats faced by the nation, kept evolving, from terrorism, insurgency, and banditry to cyber threats and transnational crimes.“In response to these, we must equip our Armed Forces with the best training, cutting-edge tactics, and the resilience needed to overcome these challenges.“This special operations force training is a bold step towards preparing a new generation of elite troops capable of defending our sovereignty with precision, intelligence, and courage,” he said.He added that the situation Nigeria found itself, had made it expedient to adapt, innovate, and provide the trainees with skills to not only prepare them for the battlefield but take sound decisions in high-pressure situations.“As the host state for this landmark training, we take great pride in supporting the military in its noble duty.“We recognise the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and remain committed to fostering a conducive environment for this training to succeed.“Our state has always stood firmly behind our Armed Forces, and we will continue to provide every necessary support to ensure the success of this initiative, ” Sani said.He charged the trainees to stay focused, embrace discipline, and commit themselves to the training with dedication and honour it deserves.“I urge all of you to face the challenge you may face ahead with determination and grit because you are not just training to become soldiers, you are preparing to be the guardians of freedom and defenders of peace,” Sani further said.He commended the Federal Government, the Ministry of Defence, and the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the vision in inaugurating the training programme.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the special operations force training is a critical step towards enhancing Nigeria’s security capabilities and addressing evolving threats.(NAN)

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Christian Body Gives Free Medical Treatment to 3,000 People in A’Ibom

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From Christopher Tom, Uyo

The Gilgal Christians centre health awareness campaign program held at the church auditorium witnessed an unprecedented crowd as if it was an end of year crusade.The event witnessed people from different communities take advantage of the various free medical treatment while also the occasion graced by the indigene of the community Ubon Akwa in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

Speaking with journalists during the program, the general overseer, Gilgal Christian centre, Pastor Dr Jerry Udoh commended God for a successful program without relenting despite the uphill task to take advantage to make sure people benefit immensely solving their health challenges.
The general overseer said despite the challenges still wax stronger provide for their medical treatment like drugs, glasses, especially for those who have different sicknesses.He said it beat his imagination experience more than 3,000 people came from different communities to be treated having health challenges while in our own ways try to established a health centre for the community through our humanitarian service after witnessing the unfortunate situation on ground as the community has no health centreThe clergy used the medium to call on government to assist the Ubon Akwa community a health centre as most of them are seriously suffering from health problem having financial challenges which is the worst situation on them witness death on daily basis is very unfortunate and pathetic experience across some of the communitiesHe believe government would surely hear their request and would not failed the community to be free from health problem understanding that government always provide for her citizens while in the same vain, Udoh frowned over the condition he experience at comprehensive secondary school Ubon Akwa was unfortunate where students learn on the floor is not a welcome development encouraging our education systemWhich the predicament break his heart and immediately assist the school of renovating their classrooms, build eight classrooms block that would contain 50 students per class for effective education learning environment, library, agric lab, biology lab, physics lab, which would encourage parents sent their children to school especially also given them access to school while in the same spirit build a police station and would soon be commission and hand over to themThe people where happy, smile on their faces, saying God has sent Pastor Udoh to them if not most of them would have visited their ancestors while general overseer said next edition they would provide wheelchair, other items and thank God for the provision

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Support Group Raises N232m for Take-off of Bassambiri University of Agriculture

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

A group under the auspices of Federal University of Agriculture Support Group(FSG) has raised a total of N232.562 million for eventual take-off of the newly established university in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.While delivering a keynote address at the fundraising ceremony in Yenagoa, the Coordinator of the Support group, Dr.

Ala-Peters David, noted that the group decided to organize the fundraising in compliance with the presidential directive that all newly established universities kickoff by September 2025.
He stressed that Bayelsans would be the direct beneficiaries of the institutions despite the fact that it is a Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambiri, as education is the bedrock of every society.
He further reiterated that this is the first higher institution in Bassambiri, Opu-Nembe which prompted members of the fundraising committee to organize the event to leverage on the granting of the institution by the Federal Government, appealing to well-meaning Bayelsans in particular and Nigerians as a whole to support the growth and development of the school.In the same vein, the state governor, Sen. Douye Diri, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Education, Gentle Emelah noted that the state government had done a critical assessment and appraisal of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambirii with a commitment to assist in the construction of basic facilities for a conducive academic environment for the students and staff of the institution.He also noted that right from the inception of the present administration, the state government has always prioritized educational policy in the state.He was however silent on the donation to the take-off but pledged the adequate logistical support to kick-start the University.While speaking with newsmen at the event, one of the dignitaries, Bob Manuel, who is the Chief Executive Officer of BOBTRACK TRACTOR LTD, donated N1m, saying the time has come to diversify from oil and gas to agriculture as it is capable of being the mainstay of the nation’s economy.He equally opined that agriculture alone is capable of mopping up the teeming unemployed youths across the Niger Delta, calling on all stakeholders in the educational policy in the South/South region of the country to rally round the new university for the overall benefits of the people.

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Benue Sets to Generate N53bn from Digital Infrastructure

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue state government has projected to generate N53 billion from digital electronic management system in the next three years.The Managing Director/CEO, Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), Gbande Terwase, stated this yesterday during his interaction with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council in Makurdi.

He explained that the digital infrastructure is providing three major ICT solutions including software, hardware and digital knowledge, stressing that the digital solutions would generate 100, 000 jobs in the next two to three years.
According to him, BDIC is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the State Governor, Rev.
Fr. Hyacinth Alia to drive the State’s digital transformation agenda of the present administration.He noted that since the formal approval of the company on July 17, 2024 and its registration on August 8, 2024, BDIC has grown into a strategic institution at the heart of Benue’s modernization efforts.”We have rolled out innovations transforming government, education, health, commerce, and security across the state through deployment of over 10 fully operational digital platforms, including Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS), Benue Executive Document Management System (EDMS), powering the newly launched paperless Executive Council system.”The Benue State Virtual Marketplace, Civil Service Management System, Integrated Revenue System, and e-Citizen Identity Registration System as well as web and enterprise platforms for MDAs including the Bureau for Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Justice, Public Service Institute, and Pension Administration while development of over 20 additional platforms are in progress.”We are already into strategic partnerships with top institutions like Huawei Technologies, WIPO, UNDP, NITDA, NBC, NCC, NDPC, NPC, Digital Bridge Institute, and GITEX Global”Investments in local digital hardware production exceeding $170,000, for the manufacturing of laptops, fingerprint scanners, tablets, smart projectors, and self-service kiosks is projected to generate over ₦6.6 billion in revenue and reduce digital hardware dependency.””In order to build capacity and talent in the state, the government has launched the largest digital skills program in the history of Benue State, training 40,000 public servants across the State and Local Governments on the use of digital tools and e-governance platforms.”As of today, over 4,800 civil servants have been trained in areas such as ICT fundamentals, digital workflow systems, and enterprise platforms with weekly training numbers steadily increasing.”Job Creation Vision is 100,000 Jobs in 3 Years. One of BDIC’s boldest and most urgent goals is job creation. Today, I am pleased to publicly announce BDIC’s commitment to create over 100,000 digital jobs across Benue State within the next three years, in alignment with the economic development vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia.”These jobs will be created through digital outsourcing centers and gig work platforms for remote employment in areas like data labeling, digital customer service, and AI training, Start-up support and incubation hubs for tech-driven entrepreneurs and creatives, Local manufacturing of digital devices (computers, tablets, kiosks) to support IT hardware assembly and maintenance services, e-Commerce and smart agriculture platforms, enabling farmers and traders to access wider marketsHe also stated that the government is training 23,000 youth (1,000 per LGA) through the ongoing 3MTT/BDIC Digital Skills Program, with pathways to employment and enterprise”Through these and related programs, digital infrastructure will become a direct engine of employment, empowerment, and wealth creation in Benue.”He called on the media to partner with BDIC, to enable it succeed in building a digital culture in the state.”The digital revolution is no longer a distant future, it is our present reality. BDIC is here to ensure that Benue is not only part of this future but that we are among the leaders shaping it.He expressed deep gratitude to Governor Alia for providing the enabling environment and visionary leadership for digital transformation while praising the journalists of Benue State ND the country for their commitment to truth, transparency, and democracy.

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