COVER
Nigerian Army Redeploys 37 Generals in Major Shake-up

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, has approved the appointments and posting of senior offices in the Force.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja, said the redeployment was to reinvigorate the system for greater professional efficiency.
The new postings and appointments which will take effect from July 20, according to Musa, include the postings and appointments of Major General LE Irabor from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja Department of Training and Operations to Training and Doctrine Command Minna.
Major General M Mohammed from Headquarters NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos to Office of the COAS and appointed Special Adviser NA University Biu, Major General AM Dikko from Administrative Staff College of Nigerian Badagry Lagos to NA Training Centre Kontagora. Major General US Yakubu was redeployed from NA Corps of Artillery Kontagora to Army Headquarters Abuja (AHQ) and appointed Chief of Administration (Army); Major General BO Sawyer from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to NA Armour School Bauchi and appointed Commandant; Major General IO Uzamere from NA College of Logistics, Lagos now redeployed to AHQ Abuja Department of Logistics and appointed Chief of Logistics (Army).
“Major General JO Irefin from Headquarters 81 Division Lagos to Headquarters 6 Division Port Harcourt and appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), while Major General JO Akomolafe is now redeployed from Headquarters NA Armour Corps Bauchi to DHQ Abuja as Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation.
“Others are – Major General CO Ude from NA Resource Centre Abuja to Defence Headquarters and appointed Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General HR Momoh from Defence Space Administration Abuja to AHQ Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans/ Director Special Duties, Major General AT Hamman from DHQ to AHQ Garrison and appointed Commander.
“Major General OA Akinyemi from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria to Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi Lagos as Deputy Commandant, while Major General MH Magaji has been redeployed from NA Amour School to Headquarters NA Armour Corps and appointed Commander, Major General MA Masanawa from Defence Headquarters to NA Ordinance School Lagos as Commandant.
“Major General JI Unuigbe from AHQ Department of Logistics to DHQ and appointed Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General JGK Myam the erstwhile Commander AHQ Garrison Abuja is now the Commander NA Corps of Artillery.
Major General GA Umelo has been redeployed from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Headquarters 81 Division and appointed General Officer Commanding, Major General SE Udounwa from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to Army War College Abuja as Commandant, Major General MO Enendu from Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre to NA College of Logistics and appointed Commandant.
“Major General GS Abdullahi from DHQ to Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria and appointed Director General, Major General BN Salami from NA School of Supply and Transport is now redeployed to Headquarters NA Corps of Supply and Transport as Commander.
Also affected include – Major General FO Omoigui from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri and appointed Deputy Theater Commander; Major General IO Ehiorobo from NA School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to Headquarters NA Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and appointed Commander, Major General KI Mukhtar from AHQ Department of Army Administration is now the Commandant Depot NA Zaria.
While the erstwhile Commandant Army War College Nigeria Major General C Ofoche has been redeployed to AHQ Department of Policy and Plans as Director Plans, Major General AB Ibrahim from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Defence Space Administration is now Director Support Services, while Brigadier General IO Adewa is to remain in NA Properties Limited and appointed Acting General Managing Director.
Similarly, Brigadier General KA Kazir has been posted from Headquarters NA Engineers to Headquarters 43 Engineers Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General MU Abdullahi From NA Intelligence and Cyber Warfare School to 58 Signal Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MB Dala from NA Resource Centre to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Minna and appointed Director Exams.
Likewise, Brigadier General BR Sinjen has been redeployed from Headquarters NA Corps of Artillery to AHQ Department of Training and Operations as Acting Director of Operations, Brigadier General SI Igbinomwanhia from 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri to AHQ Department of Training and Operations and appointed Acting Director Campaign Plan, Brigadier General HG Tafida from AHQ Department of Logistics to NA School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and appointed Acting Commandant, Brigadier General AO Arogbofa from 102 Division Equipment Support to AHQ Department of Logistics as Acting Director Equipment Maintenance, Brigadier General EC Lot from Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria to Headquarters 52 Signal Brigade as Commander.
Others are – Colonel B Sarki from Defence Intelligence College to 6 Military Intelligence Brigade and appointed Acting Commander, Colonel KO Ogunsoya from DHQ to Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations and appointed Chief of Staff, Colonel TO Antigha from Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force Ndjamena to Defence Headquarters and appointed Acting Executive Director Armed Forces Radio, Colonel MM Dole from Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations to Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force Ndjamena and appointed Military Public Information Officer, Colonel AF Maimagani is to remain in Headquarters Directorate of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic) as Acting Director Chaplain (Roman Catholic).
While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoined them to take their new responsibilities and appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the Nation and the Service.
COVER
Heirs Insurance Posts N61bn Gross Written Premium

Heirs Insurance Group has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showing strong year-on-year growth across business lines and metrics.The insurance group reported a combined Gross Written Premium of N61bn in 2024 for its life and general insurance companies, indicating a 70 per cent increase from the N35.
8bn recorded in the previous year. Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents. The insurance group also recorded a combined insurance revenue of N31.4bn, which is about 53 per cent higher than N20.5bn in 2023. Profit Before Tax rose from N4.8bn in 2023 to N11.2bn, more than double the previous year’s figure, and representing a 133 per cent year-on-year growth, and the group paid about N10.4bn in claims during the year under review compared to N4.18bn. Its total assets grew by 66 per cent, rising from N55.8bn in 2023 to N92.9bn in 2024.Analysing the financial performance of the entities that make up the group indicated that Heirs Life Assurance reported an 85 percent increase in Gross Written Premium from N23.87bn in 2023 to N44.22bn in 2024. Insurance revenue rose by 109 per cent to N15.1bn from N7.3bn in 2023 as its profit before tax grew to N5.5bn, up from N1.88bn, indicating a 193 per cent increase. Claims paid by Heirs Life also rose to N5.67bn, a 120 percent increase from N2.5bn paid to customers in 2023.Heirs General Insurance also maintained a strong growth trajectory as its Gross Written Premium rose by 42 per cent to N16.9bn from N11.9bn in 2023. Insurance revenue hit N14.3bn, a 19 per cent increase from the N12bn recorded in 2023, and profit before tax grew by 104 per cent, rising from N2.4bn in 2023 to N4.9bn in 2024. HGI also demonstrated strong claims responsiveness, with claims paid amounting to N4.7bn, up 25 per cent from N3.7bn in the previous year.The insurance broking and risk management consulting firm in the group, Heirs Insurance Brokers, posted growth as well. Its revenue grew by 54 per cent from N1.28bn in FY2023 to N1.97bn in 2024, driven by increased client acquisition and retention. Profit Before Tax rose by 53 per cent fromN528.59m in the prior year to N805.91m in 2024, highlighting strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.In a statement accompanying the financial results, the group said it had achieved year-on-year growth due to its strong leadership and corporate governance and a focus on driving digital innovation to make insurance simple and accessible.It added, “Beyond technology, the group drives advocacy across all customer clusters, aligning with its purpose to improve lives and transform Nigeria. Its Essay Championship drives insurance literacy among young students and the school ecosystem, and its travel festival advocates for more inclusive policies to enable cross-border travel, among many other initiatives.”Heirs Insurance Group serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.COVER
Confusion Trails Mohammed Babangida’s BOA Chairmanship Appointment

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Presidency has denied reports claiming that Mohammed Babangida, son of former military president Ibrahim Babangida, turned down his recent appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Tinubu.The clarification came after a letter, purportedly signed by Mohammed Babangida and circulated by Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggested that Babangida had declined the offer due to personal and professional reasons.
However, presidential media aide Olusegun Dada swiftly dismissed the claims in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Babangida had not only accepted the appointment but also expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity.“Muhammed Babangida has officially accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture,” Dada wrote. “He thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in him and categorically denies any report suggesting otherwise.”In a statement attributed to Babangida and shared by Dada, the former military president’s son condemned the letter as false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public and discredit the Tinubu administration.Further debunking the claim, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, a media aide to Babangida, described the circulating letter as “fake” and the handiwork of mischief-makers. He insisted that the document was fabricated, bearing a forged signature and incorrect contact details.“Mohammed Babangida did not reject the appointment. The letter in circulation is fake,” Abdullahi said. “He remains grateful for the honour and is committed to serving the nation in this capacity.”The Presidency emphasized that those responsible for spreading the false information would be investigated and prosecuted, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and national cohesion.Tinubu had recently approved a series of high-profile appointments aimed at strengthening key government institutions, with Mohammed Babangida’s BOA chairmanship among the most notable.COVER
Retired Police Officers Defy Rain, Protest Against Pension Scheme

By David Torough, Abuja
In a powerful show of frustration and resilience, scores of retired police officers braved heavy rain yesterday to protest at the gates of the National Assembly in Abuja. Their demand was clear: an immediate exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as exploitative and dehumanising.
The elderly demonstrators, many in their 60s and 70s, carried placards and sang solidarity songs, accusing the government of neglecting their welfare after decades of service to the nation. Among them was retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Manir Lawal, who said: “We deserve to retire in dignity. This scheme has impoverished us.”Undeterred by the weather, the retirees vowed to remain at the protest site until the leadership of the National Assembly addressed their concerns. Security personnel were on hand to ensure order, but the mood remained calm and determined.Meanwhile, a similar demonstration took place in Ilorin, Kwara and Plateau States, where members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) staged a peaceful protest. The group, led by retired CSP Yakubu Jimoh, echoed demands for an exit from the CPS and called for the creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board—similar to pension structures enjoyed by the military and other security agencies.Jimoh cited glaring disparities in pension benefits, stating that while senior police officers such as AIGs and DIGs had successfully exited the scheme, rank-and-file officers were left behind with meagre monthly stipends and inadequate gratuities. “Imagine being paid just N2.4 million after 35 years of service, and receiving N30,000 monthly. It’s insulting,” he said.Legal Adviser of ARPON, retired SP Adekunle Iwalaiye, emphasised that the protest was not about incitement or lawlessness, but a cry for justice. “We are Nigerians too. We have bullet wounds and sacrifices. Our pensions must reflect that.”However, the Nigeria Police Force has warned of attempts by “external elements” to hijack the peaceful movement. According to a statement posted on X, such individuals were allegedly encouraging confrontation and disorder. The police urged retirees to remain calm and assured them of ongoing efforts to resolve their demands.Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with the protesters in Abuja and denied allegations that he was opposed to exiting the CPS.He acknowledged the hardship endured by pensioners and confirmed ongoing high-level engagements, including a recent meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to improve retirement benefits.“I empathise with you. I am not opposed to leaving the CPS, but it’s beyond the power of any IGP to unilaterally remove the force from the scheme,” he explained. Egbetokun encouraged the retirees to remain hopeful, noting that alternative solutions to enhance the current system were being explored.In a related development, civil servants in Abuja have urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to pay four months’ arrears of the N35,000 wage award.Many expressed disappointment over the delay, accusing the government of insincerity and urging it to disburse the payments in full.As protests and demands for improved pensions grow louder across Nigeria, both retired and active personnel are calling on the government to honor its commitments and restore dignity to public service.