COVER
Army, Air Force, Navy Promote 277 Senior Officers
By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Nigerian military has carried out massive promotion of officers in the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Navy (NN).
The promotion exercise released Sunday, showed that the Army approved the elevation of 74 senior officers, the NAF promoted 99, while the Nigerian Navy elevated 104 senior officers to various ranks.
The Nigerian Army Council disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa and made available to newsmen yesterday, that 31 officers were promoted to the position of Majors General, while 43 officers got elevated to the position of Brigadiers-General.
Sequel to this, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai, congratulated the beneficiaries and charged them to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Those promoted to the rank of Major General are:Brigadier General S Idris, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General DC Onyemulu, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi Lagos, Brigadier General BO Sawyer Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, Brigadier General GS Abdullahi Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General IM Obot Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Brigadier General AL Lawal, Nigerian High Commission, Cairo Egypt, Brigadier General LA Adegboye, Headquarters 82 Division Enugu, Brigadier General AB Ibrahim Army Headquarters Training and Operations, Brigadier General PB Fakroga Headquarters Nigerian Army Women Corps, Brigadier General CK Nwosu Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi, and Brigadier General HI Bature, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Minna.
The others are Brigadier Generals AL Dusu, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, MA Masanawa, Ammunition Central Depot Agunu, Kachia, JA Ataguba, Land Forces Simulation Centre, Abuja, AE Attu, National Defence College, Abuja, BA Isandu, Nigerian Army Intelligence School, Lagos, SS Araoye, Command Engineering Depot Kaduna, MS Ahmed, SI List Nigerian Embasy Riyad, GAT Ochigbano, Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, TA Lagbaja, Headquarters 2 Brigade Abak Uyo, LA Fejokwu, Army Headquarters Department of Administration ‘Army’, PE Eromosele, National Defence College, Abuja, AM Alabi, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, GO Adesina, Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, MM Bunza, Nigerian Military School Zaria, AA Adesope, Directorate of Audit and Financial Management Office of the Chief of Army Staff, KI Muktar, Army Headquarters Department of Administration ‘Army’, OO Olatunde, Headquarters 35 Brigade, – (posthumously promoted), EA Ndagi, Office of the National Security Adviser, KO Aligbe Defence Headquarters, UA Yusuf, African Standby Force ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja, OC Ajunwa, Nigerian Embassy Brasilia, FO Omoigui Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, OA Akinyemi Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Lagos among others.
For the position of Brigadiers-General, the following officers were elevated and they include BYD Sakaba, Defence Headquarters Abuja, AY Bwala 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha, AA Adekoya, Defence Intelligence Agency, NJ Edet Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos, EC Obi-Osang, Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Buni Yadi, AO Arogbofa, Headquarters 102 Division Equipment Support, S Nicodemus, Headquarters 6 Division Portharcourt, WB Idris, 17 Brigade, Katsina, IO Olatunji, Headquarters 8 Division, Sokoto, ST Audu, Headquarters 21 Brigade, Yola, UT Opuene, Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, MD Abumawashi, Headquarters Op LAFIA DOLE, Maiduguri, LG Lepdung, Headquarters Infantry Corps, Jaji, Kaduna, AOD Okoro, Department Administration ‘Army’, ASM Wase, Department of Training and Operations ‘Army’, AL Okpodu, Nigerian Army Aviation, S Nuhu, Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, EO OJO, Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN, JR Lar, 31 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Minna, SJA Ilori, Department of Army Transformation and Innovation.
Also elevated to Brigadier Generals are NB Ebulue Defence Intelligence Agency, KO Ukandu Army Headquarters Department of Administration, AG Laka Army War College, Abuja, EI Etuk, Multinational Joint Task Force N’Djamena, ME Onoja, 1 Military Intelligence Brigade, Kaduna, EI Okoro, Nigerian Army War College, MB Wabili, Nigerian Army Super Camp Benisheik, KE Chigbu Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, SO Nwafor 303 Artillery Regiment General Support and I Otu Headquarters 7 Division Maiduguri.
Others are SO Adejimi, Headquarters 6 Division Supply and Transport, SD Makolo Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation, VD Beryo Headquarters Ordnance Corps, MO Erebulu 2 Provost Group, Ibadan, A Idris, Directorate of Army Reserve Recruitment and Resettlement Rear, CA Ataki Department of Policy and Plans ‘Army’, FO Omata, Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, CC Ogbu, Institute of Army Education, AE Owiriwa 82 Division Ordnance Services, ROO Cole, Nigerian Army Ordnance Tailoring Factory Yaba, Lagos, TI Gusau, Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, GC Nkenke, 8 Division Supply and Transport and M Galadima, Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps Apapa, Lagos, M Auta, Nigerian Army University Biu, O Nwachukwu Defence Headquarters Defence Information, I Ahmed Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, S Nuhu Army Headquarters Department of Administration and AAW Hassan Armed Forces Command and Staff College among others.
NAF Promotes 13 Air Vice Marshall, 86 Other Senior Officers.
Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) council, during the weekend approved the promotion of number of ninety – nine (99) senior air officers to the next higher ranks in the force.
The senior Air Officers affected in the shake-up includes 13 Air Commodores who were promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshall (AVM), 35 Group Captains (Gp Capts) who were promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and 51 wing Commanders to the rank of Group captains respectively.
In a breakdown, those promoted to the rank of AVM are namely; Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Hassan Abubakar, Jackson Yusuf, Austine Imafidor, Dalhat Ladan and Pius Oahimire.
Similarly, Cosmas Ozougwu, Sunday Makinde, Ado Inuwa, Ademola Durotoye, Isah Muhammad, Abubakar Adamu and Abubakar Yusuf were as well promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshall.
Those elevated from the rank of Group Captains to Air Commodores are Abdullahi Bello, solomon Lazarus, Japhet Ekwuribe, Olasunkanmi Abidoye, Ahmed Idris, Ahmed Dari, Isaac Subi, Emeka Ashiegbu and Olusola Akinboyewa.
Also, Alheri Dakwat, Gambo Adamu, Olayinka Oyesola, Yuhana Katabiya, Adedoyin Oyenusi, Edward Gapkwet, Friday Ekpah, Luther Kamat, Joktan Chidama, Felix Uwakara, Mikail Abdulraheem, Ernest Owai and Glenn Nkanang.
Chidiebere Obiabaka, Raphael Ojo, Mohammed Isah, Ibitoye Ajiboye, Shani Bukar, Wapkerem Maigida, Atang Sambo, Daniel Akpan, Olanrewaju Oyename, Boniface Ifeobu, Godwin Udoh, Ayodele Hanidu and Azubuike Chukwuka were also promoted to the rank of Air Cdre.
According to a statement issued by Director public relations and information NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, read that , “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, heartily congratulates the newly promoted senior officers and urges them to see the elevation as motivation to re-dedicate themselves towards more effective and efficient service delivery.
“The newly promoted senior officers will be decorated with their new ranks at a later date” the statement read.
Nigerian Navy Elevates 140 Officers
In the same vein, the Board of the Nigerian Navy (NN) approved the promotion of 140 officers to various senior ranks.
Also, a statement from Navy Spokesman, Commodore Suleiman Dahun,said that the approval was given yesterday.
According to him, the promotion released showed that 65 Lieutenant Commanders were promoted to the rank of Commander, 26 Commanders were promoted to Captain, 32 Captains to Commodore and 17 Commodores were promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Those promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral include Dickson Olisemenogor Elkanah, Jaiyeola Baribuma Kole Othaniel Filafa Akinga Ayafa Danjuma Moses Vincent Okeke, Yakubu Wambai, Emmanuel Beckley Perry Onwuzulike Nuhu Bala Chukwu Okafor Tanko Pani Ibrahim Dewu Monday Unurhiere Joseph Akpan and Olumuyiwa Olotu.
Those would, henceforth, be addressed as Commodore are Kabir Mohammed Shehu Gombe Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Katagum Gideon Kachim Semiu Adepegba Pakiribo Anabraba Bob-Manuel Effiong Suleiman Ibrahim Danjuma Ndanusa Haruna Zego Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan Victor Choji Mohammed Dahiru, Nnamdi Ekwom Stephen Ibrahim Desmond Igbo Mohammed Muye Kunle Oguntuga Aniefiok Uko, Olufemi Adeleke Etop Ebe, Usman Faruk, Paul Efe-Oghene, Michael Igwe Ikenna Ubani Musliu Yusuff Samuel Ngatuwa Omotola Olukoya Dolapo Shittu Abiodun Alade and Emmanuel Anakwe.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Germany, with renewed focus on economic cooperation, investment promotion, energy partnerships, and the effective implementation of existing agreements.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this statement during a visit to the Ministry in Abuja on Monday by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel.
The minister welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly in the early stages of implementation.
He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was pursuing significant economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
The minister said Germany’s support has contributed to Nigeria’s progress in its reform efforts, adding that the country remains grateful for the cooperation and assistance it has received from its development partners.
He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation, noting that discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany advanced talks on key energy agreements.
Senator Bagudu further commended Germany’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and international engagement, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships to address evolving global economic and political challenges.
He noted that Nigeria and Germany had built a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation over the years, with significant opportunities to expand their partnership in areas that support economic growth and development.
The minister disclosed that discussions had covered cooperation involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees, identifying these as important areas for continued engagement as Nigeria seeks to expand investment opportunities and strengthen its capacity to utilise available resources effectively.
According to him, Nigeria’s reform efforts have created an opportunity to place greater emphasis on attracting investment, strengthening productive capacity, and translating international partnerships into tangible economic outcomes.
He assured the German ambassador that the ministry was prepared to work closely with the German government and its relevant institutions to deepen bilateral relations and broaden areas of mutual interest.
Earlier, Ambassador Rössel expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received, describing the relationship between Nigeria and Germany as strong and longstanding.
The ambassador, who arrived in Nigeria a few weeks ago, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to building on the partnership’s achievements and to exploring opportunities for further cooperation.
He acknowledged that both countries were operating in an increasingly complex global environment characterised by evolving strategic, political and economic challenges.
Despite these circumstances, Ambassador Rössel expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany would provide a solid foundation for addressing emerging issues and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.
He also welcomed the ministry’s readiness to continue working with Germany, noting the importance of maintaining established partnerships while adapting to evolving circumstances.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated Ambassador Rössel on his appointment, welcomed him to Nigeria, and expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and with relevant German agencies.
She emphasised the importance of translating bilateral agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes, noting that effective implementation remained critical to achieving the partnership’s objectives.
Dr Uzoka-Anite assured the ambassador that the ministry would continue to facilitate collaboration and support efforts to ensure joint initiatives progressed efficiently and delivered meaningful results.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, also welcomed the German delegation, describing Germany as a reliable partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.
She said the ministry expects the ambassador’s tenure to create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and to advance the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The courtesy visit reaffirmed Nigeria and Germany’s shared commitment to sustaining bilateral engagement, deepening economic cooperation, and exploring opportunities for expanded investment and development collaboration.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
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