NEWS
EU Funds: South African University, BSU to Collaborate in Research Innovation
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State University (BSU) is seeking collaboration with the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) located in Eastern Cape, South Africa in the area of research and innovation.
The Vice Chancellor, Benue State University Makurdi(BSU), Prof. Joseph Tor Iorapuu disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, at the weekend.
He explained that the partnership is primarily aimed at accessing funding from the European Union for research and innovation purposes.
The VC intimated that some of his staff who just returned from Germany were told outrightly and in clar terms that for the University to access funding from the EU,it must partner with Universities from South Africa and Ghana.
“Our institution is ready to partner with Walter Sisulu University in fulfillment of the EU request.
“In fact, when I became VC in 2020, I asked myself why am I here, who am I here for and what am I here for! And when I was visiting all the faculties, I asked what we want to be known for as a university. We must be known for something in terms of research. If you are asking for anything, people will tell you to go to BSU and you will get that.
“Unfortunately, we have not gotten there but we are gradually getting there. Few weeks ago I got a call from Prof. Dominic Abaver whom we were together at the University of Jos many years ago but he disappeared, he told me that he is in South Africa and is partnering with Bowen University, Osun.
“He told me that he is excited that since I am the V,C,BSU, there are things we could do together and here he is today talking to us about research and innovation.
“This is what we want, we must move forward. We can not continue to be traditional in everything we do and the conversation we have had with him so far will culminate in signing a Memoranda Of Understanding, MOU with Walter Sisulu University. Because our team just came back from Germany and they told them clearly that if we must benefit from European Union funding, we must partner with Universities from South Africa and Ghana.
“And here is one of us coming from South Africa. So for us we can’t wait any longer. It is like a Hyena that is very hungry lying and waiting and a dog comes its way, it is going to pounce on it. And we are pouncing quickly on this opportunity and we do not want to look back.
“The MOU is going to be open in Health, science and management sciences, law, engineering and humanity but we will concentrate more on science because we have to grow more on technology and innovation. We are partnering with the University of Zagreb and another university in the UK and most of our staff are already in these universities engaging in different activities.”
On his part ,Prof.Dominic Abaver, a Senior Researcher at Walter Sisulu, Eastern Cape, South Africa said part of his job in the University is to scout, identify and bring together organizations to partner with the university for development.
He noted that the hardship experienced in third world countries, Nigeria inclusive, is so bad even when universities have good ideas they lack the funding.
Hear him, “One of the basic problems is funding. The European Union has a lot of funding for development in Africa. I have a research organization that has to do with research, innovation to develop Africa. In Africa there are two countries that the EU have put in so much money, South Africa and Ghana.
“BSU has made strides to see if they can access these funds. I remember that sometime last month, BSU Representatives were in Germany and they were told that for them to access these funds, they must go back to South Africa and Ghana. And good enough my university has those funds. So the first benefit we are looking at aside from research and innovation is funding. So if BSU is in partnership with Walter Sisulu University, they can access those funds. So when we sign the MOU, we will sit down and agree on areas to harvest.
“I want BSU to be a driver in the health sector, the reason is that, what we do in South Africa, I would want the BSU to be in champion of that. We take health to the communities. The concept is to take health to the community. It makes it easier for the people to access health needs.”
TOM CHIAHEMEN
All is now set for the grand celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Club De Pals Abuja, the foremost socio-cultural association of Tiv professionals resident and working in the federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.
The grand celebration, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 6th December 2025 at the Royal Choice Inn Hotel located within the National Christian Centre – behind the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters in the Central Business Centre, Abuja, has as its theme, “30 Unbroken Years of Sustained Unity in Friendship.
”Highlights of the event, according to the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the 30th Anniversary celebration, Dr Cletus Akwaya, include the unveiling of the revised Club De Pals Constitution, inauguration of the newly constituted Board of Trustees, special recognition of deceased Members and, Fund Raising for the construction of a Permanent Club House Secretariat.
Other activities include a keynote address by a former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and current Federal Commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Professor Steve Ugbah, cuttingof the Anniversary Cake and, presentation of Awards to past presidents of the Club and other deserving Nigerians.
Formed and registered in 1995 as a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of Tiv young professionals in the Nation’s capital, Club De Pals has since emerged as the single most formidable umbrella body that articulates the views and interests of the Tiv people of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River and Plateau states, as well as the FCT.
From its initial membership of 10 young professionals, the Club has today grown with well over 100 members, just as the association has produced, within the 30 years of its existence, university professors, directors in the federal civil service, state commissioners, publishers and media owners, senior legal practitioners, engineers, medical doctors, pharmacists, architects and school proprietors.
Within the 30 years of its existence, Club De Pals has contributed immensely to community development, philanthropy, humanitarian services and other good causes, including interventions in the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of ecological disasters, communal conflicts and terrorism and other individuals and groups with health and educational challenges.
TOM CHIAHEMEN
Chairman, Media & Publicity Sub-Commitee
NEWS
Military Neutralises Scores, Rescues 318 Victims as Armed Forces Intensify Nationwide Operations
By David Torough, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops recorded major breakthroughs across all theatres of operation in November, neutralising scores of terrorists and other criminal elements, arresting dozens of suspects, and rescuing 318 kidnapped victims nationwide.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations.
He said the operations targeted terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime criminality across the country.According to him, more than 69 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops during the period under review, while intensive ground, air and maritime operations degraded several criminal networks in the North East, North West, North Central, South East and South South regions.
General Onoja noted that the AFN also foiled oil theft valued at N217.6 million, destroying 16 illegal refining sites and recovering over 289,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined products.
North East Operations
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Borno and Adamawa states, carrying out aggressive clearance operations supported by close air support missions. Several terrorists were neutralised, six informants arrested, and five kidnapped victims rescued. Weapons, vehicles and motorcycles were seized, while terrorist camps were destroyed.
North West Operations
Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops conducted offensive operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa states. Numerous terrorists were neutralised, 13 suspects arrested, and nine kidnapped victims freed. Air strikes on terrorist enclaves in Kankara and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State eliminated scores of fighters and destroyed their logistics bases.
North Central Operations
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE and Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded significant gains across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi and the FCT. Across these missions, dozens of extremists were neutralised, 48 suspects arrested, and 30 kidnap victims rescued. Arms, ammunition, vehicles and motorcycles were also recovered.
South South Operations
Operation DELTA SAFE troops uncovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites and arrested 25 suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states. They also recovered 12,390 litres of stolen crude and AGO during the week, while offensive and air reconnaissance operations neutralised several other criminals.
South East Operations
In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive operations across Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Cross River. Several terrorists were neutralised, four arrested, and four kidnapped victims rescued. Air interdiction missions in Ezeagu LGA destroyed terrorist hideouts and logistics.
General Onoja commended the bravery and professionalism of troops and urged continued public cooperation through the provision of credible information. He also called for support for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem launched by President Bola Tinubu on December 2.
He assured Nigerians that the military is intensifying efforts to ensure the safe rescue of all remaining abducted students, reaffirming its resolve to restore peace and security across the country.
“Despite the challenges, our operational tempo remains high. We continue to operate within the ambit of the law and are committed to ensuring that every part of Nigeria enjoys peace and freedom from fear,” he said.
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…Says He Can’t Work as Team Member with Chris Musa
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Following the resignation of Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, an internationally acclaimed Nigerian security expert, Dr Lekan Jackson Ojo has called on Minister of State (Defence), Bello Matawalle.
Dr Ojo declared that Matawalle, just like the immediate past Minister of Defence, has not shown that he is capable of handling the responsibilities of the office he is presently occupying.
He stressed that Matawalle has been very dormant since his appointment and has exhibited poor response to security challenges in the country.
“I think Matawalle should also follow immediately, that is the Minister of State for Defence.
These two persons are not relevant, they ran their states aground as governors.”Dr Jackson Ojo also called on President Tinubu to appraise members of his Cabinet and sack those that are not performing optimally.
“They came to the federal level and were honoured with positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of State. What has been their contributions to the administration?”
He also raised issues about the appointment of General Chris Musa as the new Minister of Defence, stressing that there could be conflict of interest since the new Defence Minister was once answerable to Matawalle when he was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
“Minister of Defence is gone and I think Matawalle should follow. If Mr President should continue like this there are lots of others we will suggest he should fire them.
“He should bring in technocrats into his cabinet and not politicians. Congratulations to Nigerians that one is gone and more will still follow.”
“I want to congratulate Nigerians that former Minister of Defence, Badaru, has resigned, whether he resigned of was booted out. He was of no positive impact on Nigeria as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The office of Minister of Defense is a very sensitive one because without a good defence minister nothing will thrive.
“The position is occupied now by an experienced retired four-star army general, Chris Musa
“What is Bello Matawalle who was the Minister of State under Badaru still waiting for, is it until Mr President boots him out?
“Both of them did not achieve anything in office as My Minister and Minister of State.
“Recently we saw a video that went viral where Matawalle said verbatim that not all bandits are criminals. If somebody is saddled with the responsibility as Minister of Defence and he is having sympathy for some bandits it means Nigeria was almost doomed.
“There are lots of allegations by bandits that he was one of their sponsors. Let’s not take that on the face value because it can be political but this about having sympathy for bandits, coupled with the fact that both of them failed woefully and both of them should bow out.
“Pairing Matawalle and General Chris Musa together is like addicting pass and fail together – it won’t blend. The two of them cannot co-travel well at the Ministry of Defence.
“The two of them don’t have equal knowledge about defence matters. While General Chris Musa has vast knowledge of defence, Matawalle has no knowledge of defence.
“Chris Musa is an experienced man, we know him well but how can he pair with someone that has sympathy for bandits?
“So Matawalle should honourable bow out and if he fails to bow out Mr President should kick him out.”
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