DEFENCE
NICO to Digitise Indigenous Nigeria Language Programme

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), says it will digitise the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), to provide participants the opportunity to access it online.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Institute, Mr Louis Eriomala, who was represented by the Director of Orientation, Mr Alex Omijie, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of a two-month language programme at the Mogadishu Barrack in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said, “Plans have reached advanced stage to digitise the language programme, very soon interested participants can have access to the programme online.
“That is in addition to having it in a regular classroom setting; participants can then use their computers in the privacy of their homes to log on and learn a language.
“We are working on that and very soon, interested people will have the benefits,” he said.
He said the maiden edition of the ‘Language in the Barracks’ programme was designed for officers and men of the military, para military agencies and their family members.
Eriomala said that the institute was working toward fine-tuning the programme to be organised on a regular basis.
He said the training would enable the officers understand and speak more Nigerian languages, adding that being multilingual would enhance the officers professional efficiency and effectiveness.
“Aside from that, it will promote espirit-de-corps, better understanding among officers, facilitate information gathering and enhance cordial relationship.”
He stressed the importance of indigenous languages to national pride and identity, saying it would also promote national unity and integration.
“The more the officers understand each other, the more they can interact, if we understand each other’s languages, we understand ourselves better.”
Eriomala said the maiden edition of the ‘Language in the Barracks’ programme was designed for officers and men of the military, para military agencies and their families.
The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.Gen.Jak Myam said the programme had helped officers gain professional proficiency and had engendered the spirit of togetherness among various ethnic groups, clans and culture.
Maj. Gen. Francis Ohunyeye, represented Myam.
Myam said such trainings would enhance cultural awareness, cultural orientation and foster unity amongst the officers.
He said the programme was timely considering the current security situation in the country.
Mrs Grace Anthony, a participant expressed delight about learning the three major indigenous languages, saying she could now speak Igbo language fluently.
“My husband is a soldier and as a wife I keyed into the programme so that I can better co-exist among other families in the barracks, who speak different languages to me,” she said.
NILP is one of the core programmes of the institute aimed at addressing language extinction and endangerment in the country.
The best participating students were given N5,000 each, in each class. (NAN)
DEFENCE
FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

The Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.
The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.
The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.
“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.
Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.
“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Road Construction: Gov Mbah Meets UN Road Safety standards- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the ongoing road reconstructions in Enugu State by the Gov Peter Mbah led administration, meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on road safety.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, made the observation on Wednesday in Enugu during a press briefing for the commemoration of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week in the state.
The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is: ‘Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe’, and it runs from May 12 to May 18, 2025.
Agbakoba noted that with the spacious walkways and putting other necessary road furniture such as well-designed bus stops and lighting, the Gov.
Mbah led administration had achieved one of the major goals of the UN.According to him, with new road design with spacious walkways and other furniture made compulsory in all roads, Gov. Mbah has prioritised the safety and security of pedestrians walking in all major roads within the state.
Agbakoba noted that during the event, the FRSC stakeholders and the Command awareness would be focusing on education that dealt with safety of vulnerable road users, who were those walking and cycling within roads in cities and communities.
He explained that the event was meant to reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for everybody as
established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly as efforts would spotlight the need to prioritise non-motorised transportation safety.
“As a Corps, we have continued to generate strategies to meet these glaring challenges. We have intensified our public enlightenment campaigns both in the state and nationwide.
“The establishment and sustenance of road safety clubs in schools to catch-them-young and ensured walkways, Zebra Crossing and cycling lanes are incorporated into new and existing road projects.
“FRSC is also monitoring drivers’ behaviour in high-risk routes, enforce speed limits and also ensure well-structured safety education for children and youths to imbibe positive road culture and habits,” he said.
He urged road safety stakeholders in the state to sustain the call for action meant to build a road environment and culture where pedestrians and cyclists were protected and where no life was lost needlessly on the roads.
“As a lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management, FRSC will continue to drive interventions to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own; we needed everyone’s support and cooperation,” he added.
The week long event included: a press briefing, sensitisation rally and distribution of fliers, strategic visit to selected schools for safety education and Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) visit to fleet operators.
Others are: commemorative juma’at prayer on Friday, ROSOWA visitation to orphanage homes and commemorative church service on Sunday among others. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Fatal Road Accident Claims Lives Of 4 Pedestrians in Port Harcourt

At least four individuals lost their lives, and two others sustained life-threatening injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along G.U Ake Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko attributed the collision, which occurred at about 11:42 p.
m. on the day, to excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.“The driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number ABJ 10 EM, lost control and struck six pedestrians.
“Tragically, four of the pedestrians died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for medical attention,” she explained.
She further stated that the vehicle had another occupant, identified as Benson Michael, aged 36.
According to the police spokesperson, the driver was promptly arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
“The accidented vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.
“The case will be transferred to the State Traffic Department for further investigation,” she noted.
She added that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary.
Iringe-Koko extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that justice would be served. (NAN)