By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

Nigeria and Rwanda are exploring new areas of military cooperation, including personnel exchanges, specialised training and local defence equipment production, as both countries seek to strengthen regional security.

The proposals were presented by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during an official working visit to Rwanda, where he held talks with the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.

In a statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the discussions focused on expanding professional military cooperation and improving the operational capacity of both armies.

Shaibu proposed that two cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) undertake a four-year training programme at the Rwanda Military Academy, with similar opportunities to be made available to Rwandan cadets in Nigeria.

He also called for collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and relevant Rwandan institutions to boost local defence production and encourage technology development.

Other areas identified for cooperation include logistics, Military Police training, pre-deployment preparation for peace support operations and the exchange of operational experience in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency.

The Army Chief said both countries could draw on their respective military experiences to tackle emerging security threats, improve operational readiness and promote stability across the region.

He further stressed the need for closer ties between DICON and Rwanda’s defence engineering and procurement institutions to support indigenous equipment manufacturing, technological advancement and greater self-reliance.

During the visit, Shaibu paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, particularly the 600 personnel who defended Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He described their resilience and patriotism as enduring lessons in national determination and military leadership.

In his response, Nyakarundi commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and Intelligence training to Rwandan personnel.

He called for expanded professional military education through institutions such as the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and the National Defence College.

The Rwandan Army chief also welcomed the proposed cadet exchange programme and defence industrial partnership, describing the visit as a reflection of growing mutual trust and professional solidarity between the two armies.

The proposed initiatives are expected to provide a framework for deeper military engagement between Nigeria and Rwanda, particularly in training, defence technology and regional security cooperation

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant a one-year extension to senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) due to retire by December.

The association said the extension would help maintain stability in the service and the maritime sector while giving younger officers more time to prepare for the challenges of international trade.

The appeal was made in an open letter to the President titled, “The Matter of Mass Due Retirement of Seasoned Management Officers of Nigeria Customs Service.

NAGAFF urged Tinubu to approve the extension in the national interest, warning that the simultaneous retirement of experienced officers could pose challenges for the service, which plays a key role in revenue generation, fiscal policy implementation and trade facilitation.

“Mr President, we write this letter to you from our strategic position in maritime trade and transportation at Nigeria gateways,” the association stated.

It expressed concern that the departure of several senior officers at once could disrupt operations and affect the smooth administration of the service.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team to place younger officers in strategic positions, NAGAFF said the proposed extension would give them more time to gain the experience needed to handle their new responsibilities.

“This underscores our worries, and to that extent, a one-year extension shall be most appropriate to stabilise young officers for challenges ahead,” the association stated.

It added that younger officers were willing and ready to take on greater responsibilities when called upon, but stressed the need for a smooth transition to ensure continuity.

The association also raised concerns over the influx of fake products into Nigeria, describing the country as a dumping ground for substandard goods.

“Mr President, we are speaking to you from the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy. Nigeria is virtually a dumping ground for fake products,” it stated.

NAGAFF attributed the problem partly to lapses in the implementation of the National Single Window platforms, which it said had affected the statutory responsibilities of regulatory agencies at the ports.

It specifically cited the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), alleging that the agencies had been hindered from fully carrying out their duties.

According to the association, the Customs Service was working to tackle the problem through its longstanding relationships with freight forwarding practitioners at entry points across the country.

NAGAFF also commended Tinubu for removing the petroleum subsidy, expressing support for the administration’s economic reform agenda.

“All of us in the NAGAFF family are most grateful to you for having the courage to disengage and dismantle the petroleum subsidy regime. Remain strong at heart in the interest of Nigerians,” it stated.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the President’s efforts to revive the economy through effective trade facilitation and reforms.

The letter was copied to NAGAFF Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; the President of the Senate; and the Comptroller-General of Customs.

From  Dan Amasingha, Minna

​In a major bid to bolster renewable energy infrastructure in North-Central Nigeria, News Engineering Nigeria Limited, in partnership with India-based Mahashakti Energy, has formally declared interest in executing Niger State’s proposed 100-megawatt (MW) solar power project.

​The multi-million-dollar clean energy initiative is slated to be funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

​The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of News Engineering, Lady Josephine Nwaeze, disclosed this during a strategic visit to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Niger State Liaison Office in Abuja.

​Leading a joint delegation of both firms, Lady Nwaeze noted that the visit was designed to present the consortium’s technical capability, track record, and readiness to deliver the project in line with international best practices. 

She praised the Bago-led administration for improving security and creating an enabling environment for private sector-driven development.

​Presenting the consortium’s technical profile, Business Development Manager at News Engineering, Engr. Henry Akoji, highlighted the firm’s extensive footprint in Nigeria’s power sector. He revealed that News Engineering has successfully executed over 1,000 electrical installation projects nationwide, spanning high-voltage transmission lines, power distribution networks, and rural electrification infrastructure.

​”Our renewable energy division has deployed over 100 solar mini-grid projects and distributed approximately 5,000 solar home systems across the country,” Akoji stated. 

He emphasized the company’s end-to-end expertise in substation design, transmission line upgrades, project management, and technical capacity building.

​Adding a global perspective, the Director of Mahashakti Energy, Ashok Kansal, highlighted his firm’s specialization in power loss reduction and sustainable grid management. Kansal pointed to successful interventions in India, where Mahashakti reduced aggregate technical and commercial (ATC) losses by 30 to 40 percent.

​He assured the governor that the partnership would leverage cutting-edge technology in solar evacuation and distribution infrastructure to minimize energy losses and guarantee a stable power supply across Niger State.

​Responding to the proposal, Governor Bago commended both entities for their presentation and demonstrated capacity. However, he emphasized that the state government would conduct rigorous due diligence and technical audits on their past projects before finalizing any contractual agreement.

​The proposed 100MW solar initiative forms a cornerstone of Niger State’s broader strategy to bridge its energy deficit, drive industrialization, and expand electricity access.

 The state government is expected to complete its technical evaluation before announcing a preferred partner for the Is isDB-backed project.

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