Personality in Focus
2023 NAOSNP National Security Conference: Panelists Proffer Solutions to Arms Proliferation, Call for Synergy
By Eric Elezuo
The main hall of the Civic Centre in Lagos was a beehive of activities as stakeholders, experts, security practitioners and the general public gathered to proffer solutions to an age long challenge of proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The event was the 2023 edition of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers’ (NAOSNP) National Security Conference with the theme Uptick of Lethal Weapons As a Threat: Arm-full, Harm-full in New Dispensation under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) IGP Solomon Arase (Retd).
The cynosure of the high profile event was the showcasing of a panel session of highly rated society security professionals comprising the Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) Lt. Col AY Ngulde; Assistant Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Zone F, South West, Chika Njoku; Force Publice Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Commandant, Lagos State Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Alfadarai; Director, Public Affairs, West African Examination Council (WAEC) National Office, Ms Moyosola Adesina; Managing Director, Safety Signatures, Dr. Cynthia Gregg; Head of Enforcement, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Kayode Odunuga, and Head of Security, Leadway Assurance, Mr Ufot.
Moderating the panel discussions, the Editor of the Boss Newspaper and Public Relations Officer of NAOSNP, Mr. Eric Elezuo, took the discussants on a round robin journey of proffering assessment of the security situation of the country, with special emphasis on the proliferation and use of light weapons in the perpetuation of crimes and criminality by non state actors.
Lt. Col. Ngulde, who set the ball rolling identified non cooperation from the members of the public to enhance the security agencies’ efforts in ending criminality occasioned by prevalent of illegal weapons in the public space. He called on the public, especially the media to rise to the occasion, join hands with the security agencies, who are already on top of their game, to curb the menace.
In his remarks, Commandant Alfadarai lauded the efforts of NAOSNP in leading the way to ending insecurity. He enumerated the achievements of his agency in arresting the activities of the criminals as it regards the protection of national assets and infrastructure.
Security expert, Cynthia Gregg, identified the inordinate ambition of certain individuals to intimidate and dominate their fellow man as one of the reasons for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Nigerian Civil space, thereby resulting in insecurity and unsafe habitation.
She also advised the security agencies to up their games in manning the borders, which according to her, have become so porous that anything and anyone can go in and out with little or no restrictions.
In his assessment, Adejobi, who stood in for the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun as the special guest of honour, went down memory lane to expose the activities of the members of the underworld. He called on diverse security operators to harness their energies as one indivisible unit to fight the scourge. He frowned at the idea of the agencies acting without synergy, noting that criminals are attacking and killing everyone irrespective of the agency they belong to, using the recent Imo attack as a case study where soldiers, policemen and NSCDC officials were slaughtered.
Adejobi also called on residents and community leaders to be vigilant in the area of security stating that individuals can arrest offenders where necessary, according to the Criminal Code, in section 12. He warned however, that arresting offenders by civilians should be with discretion since they don’t bear arms, and that mobbing and beating up of suspects is not part of ‘arresting’.
He added that anyone, who wishes to possess fire arms must have them licenced by the appropriate authority.
“The law empowers military personnel, and law enforcement agencies to carry arms. It’s however frightening to see many individuals possessing firearms without being licensed by the authority.
“In Nigeria, everybody wants to posses firearm for one reason or the other which is the basis of the current problem we have now,” he said.
He further informed that dane guns, as used by hunters in villages across the country, ought to be licensed, but because they are seen as part of culture, law agencies do not arrest the owners, stressing that such guns still need to be licensed.
Adejobi raised the alarm, saying that most light weapons are not imported, but fabricated within the Nigerian space by locals just as unfavorable landscape has remained a prohibiting factor in tracking offenders, most of whom domicile in the interior parts of the communities.
Speaking from the perspective of conducting exams, Ms Adesina, recounted how exams, which involves five West African countries could have been stalled by activities of criminal elements in whose hands light weapons and arms are rested. She lamented that the activities of criminals place extra task of re-setting exams each time they attack men and materials of the exam body.
In his contribution, LASTMA’s Odunuga lamented that the spread of light arms is the reason behind ‘one chance’ incidents frequently experienced on the highway. He advised commuters to always board their bases at the right garages and bus stops where a certain element of security is guaranteed.
All the panel members agreed that the issue the curbing of proliferation of arms and light weapons is a collective responsibility involving all the security agencies, the media and the general public. They concluded that everyone should operate on the policy of ‘see something, say something’.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has officially wed Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The announcement was made public on Friday by a facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, via a celebratory social media post.
He confirmed the union between the high-ranking government official and the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom.
The Dajoh family described the union as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” as they formally welcomed her into their fold in Benue State.
In a statement that quickly went viral, the Dajoh family expressed their collective joy, signalling a significant chapter for the SGF’s household.
“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the post read.
The family further extended their appreciation to the political associates and supporters of the SGF, urging them to remain steadfast in their loyalty to him as he embarks on this personal journey.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post further read.
Queen Zaynab, who was previously known as Olori Wuraola during her 17-month marriage to the Ooni of Ife (which ended in 2017), was ushered into her new home with deep cultural reverence.
The Dajoh family emphasised the importance of their ancestral roots in Mbakor and the wider Benue State.
“Welcome to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, welcome to Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation and welcome to the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband. Welcome home, Queen Zaynab,” the statement concluded.
The announcement coincided with the festive period, as the family used the opportunity to wish Nigerians a happy holiday season.
“We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year,” the post read.
Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and a politician, currently serves as a key figure in the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The news of his marriage to Queen Zaynab—a prominent humanitarian and former royal—has become a major talking point across the country’s social and political circles.
When contacted on the telephone on Friday, Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the marriage.
He, however, said contrary to reports that the wedding was held on December 24, the marriage is over a year old.
“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old,” Odunuga said.
Source: The Punch
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has appointed a renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, isiting professor as part of the drive to reposition the institution on the global academic stage.
Also appointed visiting professors are African Development Bank (AfDB) executive, Prof Kevin Urama, and Prof James Robinson of the University of Chicago.
The appointments were announced through official letters dated December 18, 2025 and signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya.
Among the roles expected of the trio, according to the letters, included teaching engagements, research collaboration, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions.
Adichie, it was gathered, was appointed based on her outstanding contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse.
According to the university, Adichie’s visiting professorial would enrich the arts and humanities of the institution through lectures, scholarly engagements, and mentorship of students and young academics.
Prof Urama, a renowned development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was appointed because of his “versatile expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking”.
“His engagement is expected to strengthen teaching, research, and policy-oriented programmes, particularly in economics, development studies, and related disciplines,” UNN said.
On Prof James Robinson, a political economist at the University of Chicago, UNN said his appointment was intended to deepen academic collaboration, advance research, and expose students and lecturers “to cutting-edge global scholarship in political economy and development studies”.
The acting Public Relations Officer of the institution, Inya Agha Egwu, said that the appointments align with the commitment of “the vice-chancellor to attracting eminent global scholars and industry leaders to UNN, in line with the vision of its founding fathers”.
He said: “The University of Nigeria was founded to be a globally competitive institution; the latest appointments represent a significant step towards reclaiming that legacy and enhancing its global relevance.”
Inya said the visiting professorships are designed to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice, adding that the latest appointments “bring the number to four visiting professors appointed by the vice-chancellor in December 2025”.
Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, the former lawmaker who represented Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has passed away. He was 68.
Reports said that Nwaoboshi died on Friday in Abuja following a brief illness.
His demise was confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Expressing sorrow, the governor described Nwaoboshi’s passing as a monumental loss to Delta State, the Anioma nation, and the Nigerian federation.
In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori hailed the late Senator as a “fearless advocate” of the Anioma cause whose contributions to nation-building remain indelible.
The governor recalled Nwaoboshi’s impactful tenure in the Red Chamber, particularly his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs.
He noted that Nwaoboshi’s consistent advocacy for the development of the oil-rich region distinguished him as a passionate and committed leader.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” the governor said.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Anioma nation, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all those whose lives he touched. I pray that Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest.”
Before his elevation to the Senate in 2015, he served meritoriously as a two-term Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, where he was instrumental in consolidating the party’s grip on the State.
