SR SahelReporters

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...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Team Lagbaja has emerged champions of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026 Polo Tournament, held on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The tournament, organised as part of activities marking the 163rd anniversary of the Nigerian Army, underscored the Service's commitment to promoting teamwork, resilience, physical fitness and esprit de corps among its personnel. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, presented the championship trophy to Team Lagbaja and commended all participating teams for demonstrating discipline, determination and sportsmanship throughout the competition. He noted that sporting activities remain an important platform for strengthening cohesion, leadership and healthy competition within the Nigerian Army, adding that these qualities are essential for maintaining a professional, motivated and combat-ready force capable of addressing contemporary security chal...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Recent allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and workplace victimisation within the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have sparked renewed concerns about accountability, transparency, and the protection of employees in Nigeria's public institutions . The controversy stems from an open letter written by former NAN staff member, Dr. Femi Ogunshola, to the agency's Managing Director, Ali Muhammad Ali. In the letter, Dr. Ogunshola alleged that a female employee, Miss Ogunola Folashade Adunni, suffered prolonged sexual harassment from a senior official allegedly connected to the agency's recruitment process. He further claimed that after rejecting repeated advances, the employee was unfairly placed on a lower salary grade despite possessing a university degree and years of service as a casual staff member. At the time of writing, the allegations remain unproven, and there has been no public finding by an independent in...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday commissioned 80 housing units under the Nigerian Army Affordable Home Ownership Scheme in Jos, Plateau State, reaffirming the Army's commitment to improving the welfare of its personnel. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on June 30, 2026, General Shaibu said the housing initiative forms part of his "Soldier-First Culture," which he described as a key driver of operational effectiveness and national security. He noted that providing affordable and quality housing for soldiers is a strategic investment in their welfare, morale and combat readiness. The Army Chief said the welfare of personnel and their families remains a central pillar of his leadership philosophy, stressing that motivated and professionally fulfilled soldiers are better equipped to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Army. According to him, the 80 housing units com...