Author: bibncollar

The federal government has engaged elite foreign military experts to train Nigerian soldiers in special operations, with a focus on counterterrorism and hostage rescue. Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar made this known during the launch of a training program for 800 soldiers in Kaduna State. He emphasized that, in addition to training, the government will equip troops with modern technology and advanced weaponry to enhance their ability to combat security threats. According to Abubakar, the first phase of the program will train 800 soldiers, with another 800 set to follow. He explained that bringing in foreign experts was necessary to counter…

Former Head of State and founding father of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), General Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that Nigerian students initially opposed the introduction of the Scheme. Speaking at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, when the newly appointed NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, paid him a courtesy visit, Gowon commended the managers of the Scheme for sustaining its vision over the years. He acknowledged that at its inception, the NYSC faced strong resistance from students across the country. However, he noted that despite the early opposition, the Scheme had evolved into a nationally recognized initiative promoting…

A group of registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District has formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate the recall process of suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The petition, submitted on Monday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, was signed by the lead petitioner, Salihu Habib. The petitioners, operating under the name Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, cited a loss of confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s leadership. They urged INEC to act swiftly and impartially in upholding democratic accountability, governance integrity, and the interests of Kogi Central constituents. “We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby…

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has accused Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, of undermining democracy through alleged repressive actions against members of the State House of Assembly. At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Centre condemned what it described as Governor Lawal’s undemocratic conduct, calling on President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara, similar to recent measures taken in Rivers State. Speaking on behalf of the group, Ibrahim Yakubu alleged that the governor’s actions amounted to economic sabotage, fostering instability and anarchy in the state. He highlighted the 13-month suspension of…

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. Fr. Ubaechu was abducted on Sunday evening in Ejemekwuru, Imo State, while traveling to attend the Priests’ Annual Retreat. The incident was confirmed by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah. In a circular issued on Monday, the Archdiocese called for prayers, urging the faithful and the public to intercede for the priest’s safe release. “We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for…

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has denied allegations that lawmakers received a $5,000 bribe to support emergency rule in Rivers State, clarifying that the money was given as a “Sallah gesture.” Nigerian investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar disclosed this via his X handle, stating that Betara personally reached out to explain that the money was not an inducement. According to Betara, the gesture is a long-standing tradition among lawmakers and has no connection to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. Jaafar quoted him saying, “I maintain the tradition—like Santa Claus—every year.” Meanwhile,…

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has stated that he will comment on President Bola Tinubu’s administration when he deems it necessary, urging Nigerians not to impose a timeline on him. Speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television program, on Monday, Soyinka addressed those reminding him of his earlier remark about assessing Tinubu’s government after one year in office, which elapsed on May 29, 2024. “People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me. I have not swallowed an alarm clock. I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say, ‘One year has passed, now…

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will become stronger than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections. However, he asserts that the party will ultimately fail to defeat President Bola Tinubu. In a statement released by his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, on Monday, Ayodele warned that the influx of politicians into SDP would be driven by personal interests rather than a genuine bid to challenge the ruling party. He cautioned the party against allowing greed and poor candidate selection to undermine…

On a democratic track or paradigm, Rivers State of Nigeria is presently on a reverse state characterised by anomie and infamy. By extension and deductive reasoning or logic, Nigeria is on reverse too. You cannot have a whole without a part. Things are not the way they should be in Rivers State. Nigerians cannot be celebrating that a part of their country is driving or moving backwards. Although many men and women of enlightened consciences saw it coming, the dramatis personae, gladiators were pig headed, stubborn, stiff-necked, uncompromising and mulish, if you like. The combatants were simply blinded by ego,…

Multiple people have been killed, several others injured, and hundreds displaced following a series of violent attacks across Zamfara State between Thursday and Friday. The attacks, believed to be carried out by armed bandits, targeted villages in Talata-Mafara, Bukkuyum, and Kaura-Namoda Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared the details on X on Friday. In Tudun-Biri village, Talata-Mafara LGA, gunmen stormed a Fulani settlement around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, setting houses on fire. “One person was killed, while many residents fled for safety,” the post stated. Witnesses reported that the assailants arrived in large numbers,…