NEWS
Army Organises Inter-Brigade Competition for Officers for Combat proficiency
The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army based in Kaduna says that the ongoing inter-brigade sports competition for its corporal and below officers is to enhance their proficiency in fighting insecurity in the country.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1Division, Maj.
-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, said this on Tuesday when he declared the five-day competition opened in Kano.He added that the competition was to boost the officer’s morale to counter security challenges.
According to him, the participating officers were drawn from 1Division Garrison, Kaduna; 31Artilary Brigade, Minna in Niger and the host, 3 Brigade, Kano.
He said, “The event could not have come at a better time than now when there are growing concerns on the numerous security challenges confronting the nation.
’’He added that security challenges had made the Nigerian Army increasingly engaged to counter the threats.
“The current security challenges in the country have brought to the fore the need to continuously reinvigorate our training and operations, especially, in the aspects of physical and leadership trainings.
“Thus, your physical and emotional preparations are of paramount importance and can only be achieved through regular training.
“It is, therefore, necessary for all of you to adequately train in order to ensure optimal performance at all times,” he said.
The special guest, Maj-Gen Mukhtar Imam, the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry Kaduna, explained that the objective of the competition was to improve the officer’s physical fitness.
According to him, it is also to enhance their leadership capabilities, organisational abilities and use of initiative to promote esprit de corps amongst them.
He said that the exercise was also intended to prepare them for battle in view of the present security challenges.
“Therefore, the importance of this exercise to the overall vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles’ cannot be overemphasised.
“I, therefore, implore you to conduct yourselves professionally throughout the competition.’’
The Commander, 3 Brigade, Kano, Brig.- Gen. Bamidele Alabi, said that a team of impartial and professional officials had been carefully selected to ensure no team was unnecessarily favoured or victimised.
“I am glad to note that all necessary measures for a hitch-free competition have been put in place,” he said.
He, therefore, urged all the participants and officials to take the competition seriously and abide by the rules.
The events to be competed for would include: half marathon, drill, combat swimming, and skill-at-arms and shooting, map reading and obstacle crossing. (NAN)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
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