NEWS
Defence Minister Restates Commitment to Tackling Insecurity
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru on Wednesday assured that the Federal Government would continue to prioritise the welfare, training, and equipment needs of the Armed Forces in order to maintain their operational readiness and efficiency towards putting an end to the nation’s multi-faceted security challengesThe Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr.
Ibrahim Abubakar Kana gave the assurance while briefing Defence Correspondents in Abuja on the activities lined up to commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrationHe added that the Government would also look forward to adopting a proactive approach to combating the security challenges by harnessing intelligence resources and having stronger partnerships with our West African neighbours. According to him, “the Federal Government will also continue to equip the Armed Forces with combat capabilities, training and equipment with a view to reducing to the barest minimum, casualties due to operations“Indeed the untapped potential of our domestic defence industry is quite immense, and the Ministry is dedicated to revitalising this sector to meet the needs of our Armed Forces.”He said that in a landmark achievement towards addressing the needs of the nation’s Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu signed the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act into law late last year.According to him, “The revised legislation empowers DICON to produce, stock, and dispose of ammunition, consequently establishing a reliable supply chain for our military.“The DICON Act establishes the Defence Industry Technology, Research and Development Institute; and will leverage multidisciplinary research to drive the commercialization and evolution of new military technologies, strategically positioning Nigeria as a leader in defence innovation in the process.“The revitalisation of DICON represents more than just an enhancement of our defence capabilities; it is a statement of national pride and self-sufficiency. This initiative will create jobs for our youth, advance Nigeria’s technological and military stature, and position us as a key player in the global defence market.“Our goal is to develop a robust domestic industry capable of meeting Nigeria’s security needs and, in the future, serve international markets. I would therefore like to call on corporate Bodies and individuals to invest in DICON for the production of defence equipment and hardware.“Furthermore, the Ministry has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between DICON, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.“This agreement paves the way for the establishment of a munitions production facility, ensuring that our troops are equipped with the tools they need to defend our nation. By producing these munitions domestically, we are not only enhancing our security but also saving hundreds of millions of Dollars that would otherwise be spent on imports, thereby strengthening the Naira and boosting our economy.“It is gladdening to note that the opportunity created by the DICON Act is being explored by many hardworking Nigerian entrepreneurs and their foreign partners.“As a result, there has been the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between these entities and DICON towards the establishment of a Military Industrial Complex. This will in turn lead to more dependence on our local companies for defence equipment supplies and a boost in job creation and employment generation. The ultimate goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in the defence sector for Nigeria as well as contribute to the global defence industry.”He explained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration was being organized annually to continue to serve as honour to the departed heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price for peace and also serves to appreciate the surviving veterans, serving personnel of the Armed Forces as well as raise funds to support the widows and dependants of fallen heroes/heroines.Activities lined up for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration , according to the Minister are as follows: the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Day, Emblem Launch by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Religious Services and Wealth laying ceremonyHe stated that the climax of the celebration would be the Laying of Wreath by Mr. President and other dignitaries at the National Arcade, Abuja on Wednesday, 15th January, 2025 while Governors would also lay wreaths simultaneously in their respective States.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Engineering construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has won the maiden Award for Leadership in Sustainable Construction organized by global industry watchdog, American Society of Engineers, ASCE, through its Sustainable Infrastructure Recognition Awards, SIRA platform.
At the just ended 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Conference of the Society held in Lagos, ASCE stated that SIRA is Nigeria’s premier platform for celebrating excellence in sustainable, climate-resilient and impactful infrastructure delivery for which individuals, organizations and projects that transform the built environment through innovation, resilience and bold leadership, are honored.
Accordingly, the ASCE said Julius Berger Nigeria PLC is eminently qualified to be crowned with the Leadership in Sustainable Construction Award for its groundbreaking achievements across sustainable construction and engineering practices, green energy infrastructure, indigenous construction leadership, and climate-aligned design.
Citing the company’s application of the novel Bitumen Stabilised Materials, BSM initiative in construction works, especially on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project in one of the presentations, ASCE declared that, we are celebrating those who are not just building but building better for our future; adding that this is the moment to move from policy to performance, from ideas to impact and from construction to conscience.
The Society’s Nigeria Section President, Engr. Austin Odibi, in applauding Julius Berger’s initiative declared that JBN’s BSM technology is a compelling novelty in construction works even as the ASCE Executive Director, Tom Smith praised the application of BSM technology and recommended its use globally.
“I commend Julius Berger for the BSM technology. That it is being awarded the Leadership in Sustainable Construction today underscores this fact. Kudos to the company. We recommend BSM technology for general construction applications globally, even in the United States,” he said.
In a presentation on Statistical Evaluation of Indirect Tensile Strength and Unconfined Compressive Strength in Bitumen Stabilized Materials: Case Study of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway as constructed by Julius Berger, by Dr. Abdulmuminu Ahmed Shauibu of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he concluded that, the innovation is a welcome development in the construction sector which must be encouraged.
The Academic concluded his presentation thus: Julius Berger has attempted to contribute to developing cost-effective infrastructure, environmental-friendly infrastructure, as well as sustainable infrastructure by the use of cold recycling technology by means of bitumen-stabilized material; … and the federal government actually accepted it due to its numerous potentials to address sustainability problems, like going to explore virgin materials which can affect the ecosystem, destroy wetlands, etc was mitigated. And because this type of maintenance activity relies heavily on the milled material from the asphalt pavement, which means you are using the distressed pavement. It is now effective.
In accepting the Award, the Director of Administration, Alh. Abdulaziz Kaita appreciated the honour and recognition given to Julius Berger and its efforts at uplifting the country construction industry by pioneering the BSM technology. He added that beyond the BSM technology, Julius Berger has done a lot and still doing much in the built sector.
The BSM technology has been able to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 9 and 13, industry innovation and infrastructure and also climate condition. And in terms of energy consumption and energy release, you can tell that it is very low. In this light, our collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering of Ahmadu Bello University on the BSM technology, knows no bound. We are seriously nourishing the arrangement, and we are doing a lot in the built sector, beyond the BSM technology issue, Kaita said.
Apart from the Director, Administration of Julius Berger at the event, a Project Coordinator in Region West, Engr. Fatima Kosemani among others were at the event.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.The Deputy Governor, Sen.
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation recently when the Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa. He expressed delight that the CCN had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make free will donations to support their programmes and projects.He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now placed more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as taking care of the needy.On the CCN’s request for land in Bayelsa, he expressed the government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research institute for the South-South zone.In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.Rt Rev Onyemara explained that aside from its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assists in developmental issues.He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev Dr Innocent Ordu and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.The Highlight of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the Blue Economy sector of the state.The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, indicated the state’s readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Ewhrudjakpo, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck.To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look at Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port.He also reiterated the foresightedness of the present Bayelsa State Government in establishing a ministry of marine and blue economy, and assured prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state.The Deputy Governor urged the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 to act as ambassadors of Bayelsa and tell the world about the potentialities of Bayelsa in the blue economy sector.Ewhrudjakpo equally implored the team to make its report available to the state government in good time, stressing that Bayelsa was looking forward to the outcome of their study in the state believing it will help in the development of the sector.His words: “We are happy that you are happy. We are here to round off what we started some few days ago. As we all know, everything that has a beginning must have an end.”We believe that in Bayelsa we have the potential for a vibrant marine and blue economy. That is why the present administration created a separate full-fledged ministry to oversee that critical sector. We are the first state to do so in the country.”Just as oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is also very important to us. And so, we are looking forward to the outcome of your study so we can see what we can achieve with it in the area of blue economy.”We want you to be our ambassadors and tell other people that Bayelsa is investment friendly. Bayelsa is also very safe for investment.”For the participants, I believe that your coming today will add to our thinking capacity and we are open to all the critiques that will come with it.”Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, lauded participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 for their choice of Bayelsa and the discipline they all exhibited throughout the period of the study tour.Prof Ayawei, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Felix Asingbi, expressed optimism that their visit will open up opportunities for the state to make progress in the development of its blue economy potential.Also speaking, the Leader of the NIPSS Study Team, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umar, commended the Bayelsa State government for what he described as exceptional hospitality accorded to members of the team.He said going round the state enabled the team to have first-hand knowledge of Bayelsa’s huge potential in the blue economy sector, and urged the government to vigorously pursue the development of the sector.
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