Nigeria has been chosen to host the Third Edition of the Forum of African Defence and War Colleges’ Commandants (FADWCC) 2026.This is contained in a statement released to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer of the National Defence College (NDC), Navy Capt. Muhammed Tukur, on Sunday in Abuja.

Tukur said the hosting right was announced by the Director of the Royal College of Higher Military Studies (CREMS), Morocco, Col. -Maj. Lahcen El-Hajjami, at the recently concluded 2nd Edition of the forum.He said the announcement was sequel to a unanimous vote by member-countries in attendance.According to him, the hosting right makes Nigeria to become the second host and first Anglophone country to play host to the Forum.“The FADWCC was conceptualised in 2024 to forge partnerships among the defence and war colleges.“It also aimed at proffering solutions to common problems facing African nations in addition to enhancing collaborations in higher professional military education.“The leader of Nigeria’s delegation and Commandant of NDC Nigeria, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, had accepted the hosting right on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and received the symbolic hosting flag from his Moroccan counterpart,” he said.Tukur said the 2025 FADWCC with the theme, “Artificial Intelligence and Defence”, was attended by commandants of defence and war colleges from 14 African nations.The countries that attended the 2025 edition, according to him, included Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. Others are Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia.“The attendance witnessed a remarkable increase from 8 countries in the maiden edition in 2024.“It is expected that the Third Edition in Abuja in 2026 would witness attendance by more commandants of defence and war colleges across Africa.“The Nigerian delegation also had the commandants of the Army, Navy and Air Force War Colleges, their spouses and some academic staff members from the four colleges,” he added.In his remarks, Olotu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host a befitting Forum in Abuja come 2026.He thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in Nigeria to host the next edition of the Forum with a promise to surpass the high standard set by Morocco. (NAN)

Rep. Abdulmalik Zubairu (APC-Zamfara) has disbursed a total of ₦35.1 million to 1,100 tertiary students from Bungudu and Maru Local Government Areas.Report says that Zubairu represents Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The 1,100 students were drawn from five different tertiary institutions within Zamfara State.

Speaking during the disbursement exercise in Bungudu town on Sunday, Zubairu said the gesture was part of his interventions to support education. Zubairu, represented by the Chairman of his Scholarship Committee, Malam Muhammad Adamu, said the beneficiaries were studying various courses. The students came from Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, and Zamfara College of Agricultural Technology, Bakura, among others. Other beneficiaries attended the College of Health Science and Technology, Tsafe; Federal College of Education Technical, Gusau; and Zamfara College of Arts and Sciences, Gusau. Zubairu noted that the gesture aims to support students from less privileged families who struggle to pay their school fees. “Today, we are disbursing a total of ₦35.1 million as scholarship grants to 1,100 tertiary students,” he added. Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Isah Shehu and Sharifa Bashir commended the lawmaker for his support. According to them, the gesture would reduce the economic hardship faced by less privileged students. “We extend our gratitude to the lawmaker for his kind gesture,” they said. (NAN)

The Federal Government has condoled with Iran following an explosion that claimed 28 lives and left over 800 people injured. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed the condolences in a statement issued on Sunday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran, near the Strait of Hormuz, on Saturday. Tuggar stated, “The government extends its deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the devastating explosion. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with Iran during this difficult time and shares the grief of families who lost loved ones in the unfortunate incident. “We commend the swift response of emergency services and encourage continued efforts to assist the injured and affected communities. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire nation of Iran.” (NAN)