Chief of Defence CDS unveils plans to increase pay, welfare of Military personnel
Chief of Defence CDS unveils plans to increase pay, welfare of Military personnel
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria that concrete steps are underway to enhance the salaries and overall welfare of uniformed men and women.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night for soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen.
He said the initiative was being pursued in conjunction with the Service Chiefs and with the approval of Bola Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“If I tell you we are working on something, please be hopeful. Something positive will come up,” he said.
The CDS pledged that 2026 would be a better year for personnel of the armed forces.
Beyond salary enhancement, he disclosed that arrangements were also being finalised to improve post-service welfare for personnel, particularly through access to soft loans for spouses and affordable housing schemes for serving and retired members.
According to him, discussions are ongoing with financial institutions to provide low-interest loans to spouses of service personnel to enable them establish sustainable businesses, while housing loan options are being expanded to ensure personnel retired into dignity.
The defence chief commended soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen for their resilience and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty across all theatres of operation.
He noted that their sacrifices had continued to yield significant operational successes nationwide.
He also paid tribute to fallen heroes and acknowledged the crucial role of military families, describing their prayers and sacrifices as a silent but powerful force behind every successful mission.
Oluyede expressed appreciation to the President for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces, as well as to the Service Chiefs for their leadership and commitment to improving the welfare and morale of personnel.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Administration (CDA), Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, described the Social Night as a deliberate and special gathering designed to give personnel the opportunity to unwind, reflect and celebrate.
Kachim said the occasion also provided a solemn moment to honour and remember fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in the defence of the nation, stressing that their sacrifices remained a timeless source of inspiration to serving personnel.
The Social Night was part of the activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
In attendance were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving personnel for outstanding performance and dedication to dity.
The event also featured performances by legendary music icons Tuface Idibia, Zule zoo, Magnito amongst others. (NAN)
News
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
News
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
News
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Two additional lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as calls for restraint within the legislature continue to grow.
The legislators, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their position known on Wednesday, barely 48 hours after two other members of the House publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment effort.
Earlier on Monday, Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo and Peter Abbey had broken ranks with the Assembly leadership, urging lawmakers to approach the unfolding crisis with caution, dialogue, and a spirit of compromise rather than confrontation.
The dissenting lawmakers argued that impeachment should not be the first option in resolving disagreements between the executive and legislative arms, suggesting that alternative mechanisms could help de-escalate tensions and open the door to reconciliation.
The appeal was delivered during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where the lawmakers said pressure was mounting from political leaders and stakeholders within and outside Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma Constituency, disclosed that several interventions had been made by respected figures calling for moderation and restraint.
He urged his colleagues to suspend the impeachment process and give room for dialogue in the interest of political stability in the state.
Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency, acknowledged allegations that the governor may have breached constitutional provisions but cautioned against an irreversible step such as impeachment.
He noted that while errors may have occurred, the focus should be on corrective measures and ensuring that any identified lapses are not repeated going forward.
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