Simon Ekpa: Tinubu breaks silence, commends Finland’s intervention

President Bola Tinubu on Friday commended the intervention of the Finish government with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa.

Tinubu spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The president said that government would not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.

He also commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.

“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible.

” We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.

“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness.

” We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development.

” Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.

“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means.

” The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values.

” We must respect the rule of law,” the president said.

Similarly, Tinubu received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.

The president noted that the ambassador’s priorities, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture and education, would directly impact the country’s development.

“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity.

” Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East.

” I believe that we can work together,” he added.

Responding, the Ambassador of Finland extolled the president for his courage in initiating reforms that would benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future.

“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations.

” The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now.

” The National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador noted.

“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country.

” They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.

“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well.

” We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.

In a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, Tinubu noted that the group remained one of the highest trading partners of Nigeria.

He urged the envoy to work toward elevating the volume of transactions and strengthening the ties.

According to the president, Nigeria needs support in digitalising and automating operations and processes for rendering services.

The president said the Nigerian economy could support investments with its vibrant and youthful population.

Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.

“We need to lift one another in Africa and we will be stronger together.

” We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves.

” We must lift Africa together,” the president said.

Mignot told the president that Nigeria holds “many untapped potential ” adding that more could be realised through development, cooperation and technology leveraging.

“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.

The Algerian Ambassador also said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects would significantly impact the continent.

He said Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihood on the continent with multilateral institutions. (NAN)

JUST IN; Rear Admiral assumes duty as new JTF Commander

Rear Adm. Noel Madugu, has resumed duty as the new Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), South-South, with a promise to continue from where his predecessor stopped.

He made the remark on Friday during the handover ceremony at the Headquarters of the Operation Delta Safe, in Yenagoa.

He took over from Rear Adm. John Okeke, who has been moved to Abuja, to assume his new office.

Madugu, thanked the outgoing Commander for his leadership style, and assured that he would add a proactive driven effort to curb all forms of criminalities and their networks.

According to him: “A mandate has been given to us by the Federal Government, we must sustain the fight against crude oil theft and any form of illegality in the oil industry.

“So the mandate is for us to achieve at least 2.5 million barrels per day, which the former commander has done his best but I assure the public and the government that we will strive hard to achieve that task given to us.

“The former commander did a lot of things including the host community relationship building on the task of crude oil production.

“It was low but it is high as he is handing over to me. So the momentum will be kept so that we sustain the fight against crude oil theft and to ensure that the mandate of 2.5 to 3 million barrels per day is achieved,” he said.

He disclosed the strategies he will use to include strengthening the synergy and coercion among the various units, components and formations of the taskforce for effective results.

The immediate past Commander, Rear Adm. John Okeke, expressed his gratitude to officers and men of the JTF, for their support and cooperation during his tenure as the Commander.

According to him: “Your professionalism and dedication to telling the story of our operations have been invaluable in promoting awareness and understanding of our mission.

“I am proud to say that together, we have made significant progress in maintaining peace and security in our joint operations area.

“As I hand over the reigns to my successor, I urge you to extend the same level of cooperation and support to him.

“Your role in shaping the narrative of our operations is crucial, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do so with the same level of excellence,” he said. (NAN)

BREAKING; War college inaugurates 25 officers for warfare course 9

The Nigeria Navy War College, on Friday, inaugurated 25 officers as participants for its warfare course 9 programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration ceremony was performed by the College’s Commandant, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed.

Speaking at the event, Ahmed said that the course which officially started on Jan. 15, had participants from the navy, army and air force.

“We have 17 naval officers, two army personnel, two air force officers, and one civilian from the Nigeria Defense College,” he said.

The commandant further said that two Cameroonians and a Ghanian were participating in the course.

Delivering a lecture, Rear Adm. Silvester Umusen (Rtd), said that operational level leadership was important in the country’s quest to defeat insurgency and other security challenges.

In the lecture titled: “Operational Level Leadership: A Requirement for National Security in Nigeria” Umusen urged the participants to take the programme seriously.

“I urge you to take the course seriously, it is a rare opportunity to be selected as a participant.

“We require operational leadership to translate instructions or directives from the headquarters to the field,” he said.

He said that to effectively tackle the nation’s security challenges, more resources should be deployed to strengthen the military.

The retired naval officer said that resources were needed to conduct training, and procure equipment.

Umusen commended the Federal Government for its commitment to the campaign against insecurity, and urged it to do more by releasing more resources for training and equipment.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, urged the participants to understand the complexities of the contemporary security environment.

“You should then situate the military within these complex changes and ask yourself how best to function in the face of such challenges.

“This is where the naval warfare course becomes relevant, it is to equip you with the necessary skills to critically analyse complex security situations.

“You need to develop robust and failure-proof plans, and implement them to achieve the strategic directives you will be given from time to time,” he said.(NAN)