Welfare, morale of troops very crucial as Gen Musa speaks on assumption of office
Welfare, morale of troops very crucial as Gen Musa speaks on assumption of office
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, on Friday vowed to intensify efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges through enhanced coordination and unified operations among the Armed Forces.
Speaking at his assumption of office at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Musa said, “Our goal is to overwhelm the enemy through jointness and seamless coordination.”
He added that a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter-service operations would begin immediately to close gaps between policy and execution, stressing that the nation’s security required collective ownership and responsibility.
Musa, who served as Chief of Defence Staff before his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, also pledged to prioritise the welfare and morale of troops.
“Welfare is not administrative; it is strategic. Morale is a force multiplier. Our personnel must receive their kits on time. Their operational allowances must be paid promptly.
“Accommodation, medical care, and support for injured personnel and families of the fallen must be priorities,” he said.
The minister stressed that those risking their lives for Nigeria deserve utmost respect and that the ministry would ensure seamless support for troops and their families.
Musa concluded by urging all stakeholders to work together to address both kinetic and non-kinetic challenges, including governance, justice, equity, and fairness.
“The shedding of innocent blood must end. Our children deserve to return to school. Farmers must return to their farms. Many of these issues require a comprehensive, balanced approach,” he said,
He reiterated his commitment to lead with fairness, integrity, and accountability.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, described Musa’s return to the ministry as “a homecoming” and reaffirmed the staff’s commitment to supporting his leadership.
Pheelangwa noted that the ministry would continue to uphold professionalism, integrity, discipline, and accountability under Musa’s leadership.
“Honourable Minister, your assumption of duty today marks a significant moment for the Ministry and for the entire defence sector.
Your appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a clear testament to the nation’s confidence in your experience, character and capability to strengthen and reposition our security architecture,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also pledged the full support of the Armed Forces to the minister.
“The Minister is not new to this ministry. As the Permanent Secretary rightly noted, he is a familiar figure who has always been accessible and supportive.
“We are glad to have him back, and we look forward to a more robust and coordinated approach to solving our security challenges,” he said.
Oluyede emphasised the need for sincerity, unity, and collective action to strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in the armed forces. (NAN)
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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