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Why Babangida was not appointed as my ADC – Former Nigerian reveals

In a surprising revelation, former Nigerian military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Rtd, disclosed that he almost appointed General Ibrahim Babangida as his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) during his tenure.

Gowon, who served as the country’s military leader through the tumultuous Nigerian Civil War, shared this personal insight in the Foreword of Babangida’s memoir, ‘A Journey in Service’, which was officially launched in Abuja on Friday.

The ex-military leader expressed pride in both Babangida’s career and the remarkable journey chronicled in the book.

Highlighting their long-standing association, Gowon reflected on his first encounters with Babangida, whom he first met as a young officer.

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The two have remained close throughout Babangida’s military and political ascent, with Gowon noting the significant role Babangida has played in Nigeria’s history.

“At some point, I was so impressed by his intellect and outstanding professionalism that he almost became my Aide-de-Camp,” Gowon wrote, adding that “that story belongs elsewhere, and I will leave him to tell it for the benefit of others who did not have the privilege of proximity to our careers.”
“I can assert with pride that General Babangida was arguably one of the most remarkable military officers this country is blessed with.
“Brilliant but unassuming, gifted but sociable, a natural leader but also a devoted follower, Ibrahim was destined for great things. It did not come as a surprise when it pleased God to elevate him to the summit of political leadership in our country’s days of military rule.

“In the post-civil war period, his tenure in office is easily the most remarkable in the lineup of military leaders that our nation has witnessed. I say this without equivocation for so many reasons.
“Unlike some of us, his seniors, he tried to be the best of two opposing worlds. He sought to be an officer and a gentleman in the finest tradition.
“At the same time, he had unusual political sophistication and savvy, which enabled him to freely navigate the complex world of politics without losing grip of his command and control of the military establishment.

“He was proud of his military background, just as the military institution remained proud of his achievements in the political management of the nation.”

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Deputy Senate President donates 61 cars, motorcycles to APC Leaders

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Deputy Senate President donates 61 cars, motorcycles to APC Party Leaders

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau jibril, on Sunday donated 61 cars and 1,136 motorcycles to the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the grassroots in Kano State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gesture aims to empower APC members and facilitate grassroots mobilisation for party activities.

Jibril said during the presentation that the motorcycles were meant for ward chairmen while the cars would go to party leaders, including local government and zonal chairmen.

He also announced plans to empower university graduates with a N5 million loan to start small businesses.

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The National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Jibrin for the donation, saying that it would enhance the socioeconomic well-being of party members and promote its ideals.
Ganduje expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing key party members from the state as ministers and to other key positions.

” We appreciate President Tinubu for making it possible to appoint Dr Mariya Bunkure as Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Alhaji Abdullahi Atta as Minister of State for Works and Housing.

” We also thank President Tinubu for appointing Mr. Rabiu Bichi as Managing Director of Hadejia River Basin Development Authority,” he said.
He said the people of Kano State would continue to support the progressive party due to the love Tinubu has shown to the state.

The APC chairman in the state, Abdullahi Abbas, praised Barau Jibrin’s empowerment scheme, urging other politicians to provide palliatives to their constituents, especially during Ramadan.

Abbas encouraged party supporters to remain vigilant and focused on winning the 2027general elections.( NAN)

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Thirteen-year-old Boy dies after ‘attempting viral Social Media stunt

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Thirteen-year-old Boy dies after ‘attempting viral Social Media stunt

A Southern California family is mourning the loss of their 13-year-old son, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who they believe died after participating in a dangerous social media challenge similar to a past trend that claimed multiple young lives.

The teen was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Murrieta on the morning of February 3, just a day after spending time with his family watching the Grammy Awards.

When his parents discovered him, his mother immediately began performing CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbor and called emergency services.

Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead. While initial signs suggested the possibility of suicide, his parents were unconvinced and began their own investigation. They soon learned that their son may have been influenced by a hazardous social media challenge circulating among his peers.

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The challenge, similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” reportedly dares participants to render themselves unconscious. This trend has been linked to several deaths in recent years, prompting warnings from parents and authorities alike.

However, Ohaeri Jr. had no social media accounts, and his phone was equipped with strict parental controls, leading his parents to believe he learned about the challenge from classmates or friends.

The grieving parents now hope their son’s story will serve as a wake-up call for other families. They urge parents to be vigilant about the content and trends their children may encounter, whether online or through peer interactions.

Ohaeri Sr. reflected on the tragedy, acknowledging that while he had been proactive in discussing topics like drugs with his sons, he hadn’t considered the dangers of social media challenges.

“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “And maybe we need to.”

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In the aftermath of their son’s death, the family is left grappling with guilt and unanswered questions. “I’m going through the Rolodex of guilt now, wondering if we checked in enough or if I should have been less strict years ago,” Ohaeri Sr. shared.

The family hopes their heartbreaking experience will encourage other parents to have open conversations with their children about the hidden risks of social media and peer pressure.

Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a suicide or an accidental result of the social media challenge. The Murrieta Police Department has not provided further details on the case.

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Several gunmen neutralised as Military personnel hit suspected Bandits in major ambush

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Several people neutralised as Military personnel hit suspected Bandits in major ambush

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) soldiers have killed a number of bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA), Zamfara State, in a decisive operation that involved targeted airstrikes.

The strike came after a well-planned intelligence operation, according to a report from “Zagazola Makama,” one of the top counter-insurgency publications in the Lake Chad region.

According to sources, the robbers had left Tsafe LGA and were thought to be connected to the notorious bandit boss Ado Aliero.

Their mission was to rustle cattle from nearby communities, a crime they successfully carried out before attempting to escape with the stolen livestock.

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However, their retreat was cut short when they encountered resistance from local security forces. As the bandits moved into a mountainous area, security forces, tracking their movements, set up an ambush. Upon confirming the bandits’ location, the Nigerian Air Force was promptly alerted.

With precision, air assets were deployed to engage the fleeing bandits. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that numerous bandits were neutralized, though the precise death toll remained unverified at the time of the report.

Sources further revealed that at least 23 bandits were killed, with several others suffering injuries. Additionally, a significant number of rustled cattle were recovered by the troops, dealing a severe blow to the criminal operation in the region.

This successful strike underscores the growing effectiveness of coordinated intelligence and military operations in the ongoing fight against banditry and insurgency in northern Nigeria.

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