From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The National Command of the Man O’ War Nigeria has kickstart its 4th National Camping Exercise in Jos with over 3000 participants to undergo morden security intelligence and detection of threats to school environments across Nigeria.

The National Commander, Man O’ War Nigeria, Adedamola Gbenga charged the participants of the 4th National Camping to see the exercise as a mission to build safer schools and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

He stated this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the Camp, held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State.

The Camp which runs from 9th to 15th August 2026, brought together volunteers, officers and partners from across the country. 

The Commander stressed that the National Camp is “more than a gathering, more than a camping exercise, and more than an annual organizational event. It is a strategic platform for strengthening our volunteers, renewing our commitment to national service, building leadership capacity and preparing Man O’ War Nigeria for greater responsibilities in the years ahead.”

The theme of the camp is, “Strengthening Community Based Safe School Framework; for a Secure and Resilient Nigeria” with the sub theme: “Building Safer School through partnership, Preparedness and Collective Responsibilities.”

A major highlight, according to the Commander, is the capacity-building program for Safe School Awareness and Preparedness Training (SSAPT) with resources drawn from across the country. 

Some of the areas listed for the training include; “safeguarding and child protection, early warning and early response, emergency preparedness, security awareness, school risk management, community mobilization and resilience building, more so, to speak in strong terms against the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.”

Commander Gbenga urged participants to approach the camp with all seriousness, “To all participants, particularly our SSAPT Coordinators, I charge you to take this training seriously. Do not see this camp merely as an opportunity to meet colleagues, participate in drills and enjoy the beautiful environment of Jos. See it as a mission”, he tasked the participants

The National Coordinator of Safe School Initiative Hajiya Halima Iliya said the training activities of the Man O’ War Nigeria is part of the efforts to challenge the federal government’s safe school plan launched in 2022.

Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang represented by the Commissioner for EducationDr. Kacholom Gang disclosed that the state is set to train 1000 Safe School security personnel that will be deployed across the state.

The Governor reassured the safety of children in school across the state and the participants of the 4th National Camping Exercise in Jos.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed their strategic partnership with the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja in the presence of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr.

The renewed agreement builds on a partnership that dates back to 2007 and has been sustained through successive renewals. The latest MoU is expected to further align the mandates, capabilities and expertise of the two institutions while improving operational coordination and delivering measurable outcomes in maritime safety and security.

Speaking ahead of the signing, Mobereola described the renewal as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment of NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy to the security, safety, sustainability and prosperity of Nigeria’s maritime domain and Blue Economy.

He stressed that Nigeria’s economic wellbeing is closely linked to the sea, making the protection of the country’s maritime space a national imperative. He also acknowledged the Nigerian Navy’s role as a critical pillar of the nation’s maritime security architecture and its operational support to NIMASA in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

Abbas, in his remarks, described the renewed MoU as an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two organisations, which he said was founded on decades of cooperation and shared national interests.

The Naval Chief expressed confidence in NIMASA’s leadership and progress, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to supporting the agency in the effective discharge of its mandate over the next five years.

He emphasised that sustained inter-agency cooperation remains essential to securing Nigeria’s maritime space, protecting national interests and creating an enabling environment for the development of the Blue Economy.

Under the renewed framework, the Navy and NIMASA will expand cooperation in key areas including maritime safety and security, marine pollution control, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, intelligence and information sharing, hydrography, training and professional capacity development.

The collaboration is expected to enhance maritime domain awareness and improve coordinated responses to incidents at sea, while supporting the safety of ships, crew, cargo, passengers and navigation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The MoU also provides for greater institutional cooperation through timely intelligence and information exchange, appropriate utilisation of relevant facilities and capabilities, and collaboration in other areas of mutual interest.

To ensure sustained implementation, the agreement will be subjected to regular institutional reviews. The two organisations will also jointly convene an annual Maritime Safety and Security Conference to assess progress, identify emerging challenges and refine their priorities.

The Nigerian Navy said securing Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone remains central to protecting lives and property, safeguarding legitimate maritime activities, preserving national security and supporting the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.

The Navy further reaffirmed its commitment to working with NIMASA, sister Services and other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The renewed partnership, the institutions said, is expected to contribute to a safer, more secure and prosperous maritime environment for Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea.

The Adamawa Government has inaugurated a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Child Nutrition to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

The wife of the governor, Lami Fintiri, inaugurated the strategy on Wednesday in Yola as part of activities marking the global event.

The 2026 theme is: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.

Fintiri said the strategy would provide a practical roadmap for promoting positive healthcare and nutrition practices across the state.

She described exclusive breastfeeding as the simplest, most effective and affordable way of providing infants with adequate nutrition.

“Every child deserves the best start in life through exclusive breastfeeding and proper nutrition.

“Breastfeeding protects babies against illnesses, while helping mothers recover faster after childbirth and reducing postpartum bleeding” she said.

She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health through sustained investments in primary healthcare and nutrition programmes.

She said the government was creating an enabling environment for mothers and children to survive and thrive.

Fintiri also commended UNICEF and other development partners for supporting healthcare service delivery in Adamawa.

Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sulaiman Bashir, said the agency was promoting exclusive breastfeeding and tackling misconceptions surrounding the practice.

Bashir said the agency had intensified public awareness campaigns on the benefits of breastfeeding for child survival and healthy development.

A beneficiary, Augustina Sunday, said exclusive breastfeeding also reduced mothers’ risk of breast cancer and other childbirth-related health complications.

Healthcare kits were presented to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women during the event.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods up to two years or beyond.