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By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its defence cooperation with the United States of America. Oluyede gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Department of State, Mr Frank Garcia, to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Francis Edosa, described the Nigeria-US relationship as one built on mutual respect, shared democratic values and a common interest in promoting regional and global peace and security. Edosa acknowledged the continued support of the United States to Nigeria in key areas, including military training, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism efforts and institutional development. He said the changing security environment across Africa required stronger international partnerships to effectively tackle terrorism, vio...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has identified illiteracy and poverty as two of the most significant drivers of Nigeria's persistent insecurity, arguing that sustainable peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of violence through quality education, stronger institutions, and constitutional reforms. Speaking as the inaugural guest lecturer at the Quarterly Lecture Series of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly the University of Abuja), Governor Alia delivered a lecture titled "Insecurity and Education in Nigeria and the Quest for Development." His presentation examined the relationship between education, governance, and the country's security challenges. According to the governor, Nigeria has experienced an alarming rise in insecurity over the past decade, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts to other forms of violent criminality that hav...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja.  The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has presented the party's presidential nomination forms to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing the exercise as a demonstration of the party's confidence in their leadership ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Yilwatda said the event represented more than a constitutional requirement, describing it as a reaffirmation of the APC's commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration's development programmes. According to him, the President emerged through what he described as a transparent and democratic internal process, with widespread support from members of the party. He added that the APC's digitally verified membership register and grassroots structure positioned the party strongly for the 2027 elections. The APC chairman highlighted severa...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday passed out more than 3,000 newly trained recruits at the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army's manpower and enhance national security. Speaking at the passing-out parade, Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the new soldiers to uphold the highest standards of discipline, loyalty and professionalism as they begin active military service. He said their training had been carefully designed to prepare them for the realities of modern warfare and Nigeria's evolving security challenges. The Army Chief urged the recruits to remain vigilant, disciplined and committed to their duties, stressing that their allegiance to the Constitution and constituted authority must remain unwavering. He noted that the nation had invested significantly in their training and expected them to justify that confidence through ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Ebonyi State Government on Tuesday hosted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to a state banquet in Abakaliki, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Army in promoting national security and sustainable development. The banquet, attended by the Chief of Army Staff's wife, senior military officers, government officials, traditional rulers, security stakeholders and other dignitaries, highlighted the partnership between the state government and the Nigerian Army, particularly following the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda. Speaking at the event, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices in defending the country's territorial integrity and maintaining peace across the nation. He described the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, as a strategic national asset that would strengthen the Army's forc...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the intervention programmes introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are fulfilling campaign promises by expanding access to finance for small businesses and empowering young entrepreneurs across the country. Yilwatda, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, said the Presidential Intervention Funds demonstrate the administration's commitment to stimulating enterprise, creating jobs, and promoting economic inclusion. According to him, inadequate access to affordable financing has remained a major challenge for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite their significant contributions to Nigeria's economy and employment generation.  He said the Federal Government has responded with targeted intervention programmes aimed at unlocking the entrepreneurial potent...