DEFENCE
MOD Donates 20 Single Bedroom Flats For Non-Commissioned NAF Officers In Abuja

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
In an effort to meet up with accommodation needs of personnel of the Armed Forces for effective and efficient service delivery, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had handed over a Block of 20 single bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The new building, which is located at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja, was named after late Sergeant Adeoti Idowu who paid the supreme price while on internal security operations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria on 30 November 2013.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary MOD, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, stated that the accommodation facility was executed in realization of the Ministry’s desire to ensure that personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), who continually devote their lives to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, have befitting welfare packages.
According to her, the MOD was determined to accord due attention to the well-being of troops and also continue to pursue welfare projects steadily, within the limit of available resources.
She added that the MOD recognized its complementary role in enhancing the efforts of the AFN.
Accordingly, the Ministry would continue to provide needed administrative and policy support for the AFN’s operations geared towards the realization of the Administration’s determination to restore and entrench security in every part of Nigeria.
Mrs Batagarawa expressed her appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the cooperation extended to the Ministry by the NAF which aided the successful implementation of the project.
She charged the beneficiaries to utilise the accommodation conscientiously and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by renewing their commitment to duty.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration (COA) Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, noted that the newly completed building and other projects awaiting commissioning by the MOD would go a long way towards ameliorating accommodation difficulties in the NAF.
He said it was remarkable that in the space of just 4 years the MOD had delivered an unprecedented number of completed projects for the NAF, which, he said, was a marked departure from what used to be the case.
He also noted that this feat was a testament to the current Federal Government Administration’s commitment to the welfare of personnel and their families.
The COA therefore expressed the appreciation of the Service to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing the necessary support and enabling environment that had facilitated the execution of numerous projects for the AFN, thereby enabling the accomplishment of several operational feats.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of keys to the beneficiaries of the new accommodation.
DEFENCE
Army to Review Troops’ Conduct During Elections, other Operations

The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.
The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.
-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.
He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.
He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.
He added that it would also help in evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.
According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.
Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.
“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.
“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.
“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.
Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.
“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Buhari Pleased with Troops` Performance in North East – Gen. Irabor

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says that President Muhammadu Buhari is happy with the troops performance in the fight against insurgents in the North East.
Irabor stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri while addressing troops at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai.
“The Commander in Chief is happy with you and has asked me to relay to you to keep up the standard and momentum that you are displaying in the north east operation,” Irabor said.
The CDS also lauded the successes being recorded by the troops, adding that it was based on their sense of patriotism and resilience.
He said that the troops` performance showed the true manifestation of the training provided to them.
Irabor said that commanders in the theatre were putting final touches for more onslaughts on remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“You must ensure that the criminals wherever they are hiding you smoke them out
“I know that you will do that, very soon we will be back to celebrate together,” Irabor said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CDS also held a meeting with the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, GOC 7 Division, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu and other operational commanders.
He also interacted with wounded soldiers at the military hospital in Maimalari Cantonment. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Former CGS, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya dies at 79

Former Chief of General Staff under Gen. Sani Abacha’s government, retired Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya(GCON), is dead.
The former military governor of Ogun died at the age of 79.
His death was announced on Sunday in a statement by his son, Oyesinmilola Diya.
It read, “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather and brother, Lt- Gen.
Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd).“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of March 26, 2023.
Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period.Further announcements will be made public in due course,” he said.
(NAN)