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Multinational JTF Records Multiple Achievements in Lake Chad Region

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The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has significantly stepped up its clearance operations within the Lake Chad basin, according to a statement signed by the Chief of Military Public Information, Lt. Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).

The statement observed that the act is aimed at strengthening free movement as well as rejuvenating economic activities across the region.

“This initiative has led to an encouraging trend, with multiple terrorists surrendering and the interception of a major arms haul meant for insurgents’ use. From 10 to 20 February, all the 4 Sectors of MNJTF recorded various successes which portrayed the surge in troop’s effectiveness through surrender of terrorist elements, offensive operations and curbing of arms smuggling.

“Consequently, troops of Sector 1 MNJTF in Mora, Cameroon, triumphed in a notable engagement at the locality of Soueram. This offensive resulted in the neutralization of 2 Boko Haram terrorists and the seizure of 92 of linked ammunition belts, enhancing the safety of the area and disrupting the terror group’s supply lines,” the statement noted

Complementing the success of the operations, on 10th and 19th of February 2024, 2 Boko Haram members each surrendered to troops in Sectors 2 and 3, stationed in Litri, Chad, and Doron Baga, Nigeria respectively, the statement further clarified, adding that items recovered from the four repentant insurgents included a collection of arms and ammunition, significantly consisting of an AKM Rifle, an AK-47 Rifle, 3 magazines, and 29 rounds of 7.62 millimetre Special Ammunition.

The MNJTF’s persistence in offensive campaigns brought additional victories, with notable operations conducted by the troops of Sector 2 Bagasola, Chad. During a high-impact offensive at the locality of Tchokou, a Lake Chad Island, the troops inflicted casualties on Boko Haram elements and recovered 3 “teke-teke” canoes among other terrorists’ logistics items. Furthermore, in separate operations on 19 February 2024, troops recovered 5x 155 millimetre High Explosive Shells used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, debilitating the operational capabilities of the terrorist factions in the region.

In a concurrent strategic move, the Chadian Air Force, guided by reliable intelligence, conducted a successful air strike on 20th February 2024. The mission targeted Boko Haram strongholds along the southern rim of Lake Chad, near the Chad-Cameroon-Nigeria border, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and destruction of terrorist equipment on water ways. Several terrorists were seen jumping into the Lake from their boats and are believed to have died.

In Sector 4 Diffa, Niger Republic, capitalizing on precise intelligence, the troops effectively disrupted an arms smuggling attempt north of Nguigmi near the Niger-Chad borderline on 10th February 2024. Their timely intervention led to the confiscation of a substantial arms cache comprising 6 x AK-47 rifles, 11x magazines, and 50 x rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition, dealing a substantial blow to the clandestine network supporting the insurgency.

However, the statement also noted a sad to the successful operations as two soldiers, each from Nigeria and Chad paid the supreme price while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“We commend their gallantry and pray for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace. The MNJTF remains devoted to its mandate of restoring peace and security while fostering the conditions necessary for economic growth and the free movement of people within the Lake Chad basin. These recent achievements underscore the task force’s resolve and effort in confronting the challenges posed by terrorist activities. The MNJTF will continue its comprehensive approach, combining military action with collaborative efforts to support affected communities in overcoming the threats to regional stability,” the statement concluded.

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Mass Demolition of Homes: Wike Must Go Protest Rocks Abuja

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The recent demolition of homes in the Ruga settlement along Airport Road in Abuja has sparked public outcry, as residents took to the streets on Friday, demanding that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike be held accountable for the destruction of their community.

The protesters led by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, accused Wike’s task force, known as “Operation Sweep,” of heavy-handed tactics that have left scores of residents homeless.

Adeyanju condemned the demolition, highlighting that homes were burned and property worth millions was destroyed.

“There is no justification for this demolition. We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the displaced residents, who are barely surviving,” Adeyanju said.

Several of those affected, he explained, have already been forced out of their homes in northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe due to insecurity, leaving them in a precarious situation.

“These demolitions are excessive,” he continued, “and Mr. President needs to act to prevent further harassment of the people. We are sounding a warning to those in government that peace is only achievable if the poor are allowed to live peacefully. When the poor cannot sleep, it affects everyone.”

Vincent Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, joined the protests and criticised the government for ignoring the needs of the less fortunate.

“This is strange,” he remarked. “The repercussions of this will have a heavy toll on Abuja. These people have been rendered homeless amid the ongoing hardship in the country. They are evicting these people without compensating them. It is sad that the elite think the poor are not part of society.”

The protesters urged President Tinubu to halt further demolition and prevent land reallocation that would favour the wealthy.

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How Nestlé is Making Nigerian Communities Competitively Viable

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By Eric Elezuo
A saying has it that development begins with communities; the real grassroots. This means that when communities are catered for and developed, the ripple effects hits off everyone and of course the total surroundings. This is the notion Nigeria’s biggest beverage and daily products manufacturing giant, Nestlé Nigeria Limited, has propagated, and sustained to set the Nigerian people on the path to positive impact, and all-round development.
From the global stage to the national level, Nestlé’s stock-in-trade has remained  community and rural development, affecting the rural dwellers and enhancing their livelihoods. As a result, the brand has taken it upon itself to among other things engage the dwellers in their day to day production business thereby sourcing a large chunk of its raw materials from their host communities.
In giving the communities the best they deserve, Nestlé has a comprehensive understanding of where and how the  ingredients for their factories are produced, and the challenges farmers and their communities face. These firsthand knowledge enables the brand to support rural development.
The company noted that “By working closely with farmers, we can promote better agricultural practices, work towards responsible sourcing and help to improve their livelihoods, as well as secure a long-term supply of raw materials.”
It is worthy of note that 57% of Nestlé’s ingredients purchased in 2017 were responsibly sourced just as 63% of raw ingredients purchased in 2017 were traceable.

It is also a statement of fact that 431,000 lical farmers were trained in good agricultural practices also in 2017

Generally, Nestlé’s efforts to develop communities, according to an article on nestle-cwa.com include:
1. Improving livelihoods
Nestlé aims to improve the livelihoods of 30 million people in communities connected to their business activities. 

Nestlé works with farmers, partners, and suppliers to support rural development. 

3. Helping young people

Nestlé’s coffee sustainability programs help address agricultural challenges, such as climate change, low farmer incomes, and aging farm populations. 

5. Sustainable agriculture

Nestlé also invests in infrastructure, trains and educates and employs people.
In 2020, Nestlé Nigeria launched the Community Scholarship Programme, which reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders, and opened to high-achieving senior secondary and tertiary students pursuing studies in Science and Technology, and within communities surrounding Nestlé operations.

With a whopping N18 million set aside for the present season, where 90 verified indigenes will benefit, the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other essential expenses, ensuring the students have the resources they need throughout their education journey.

“These scholarships reflect our unwavering dedication to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic challenges place added strain on families nationwide, we’re proud to provide meaningful financial support that eases this burden. By investing in education, we’re not only empowering individual students but also fostering the growth and prosperity of our entire community,” Nestlé enthused.

This investment in the education of young people, is Nestlé’s avenue of seeking to create long-lasting positive impacts in its host communities, helping to shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators.

Recently, 65 recipients of the scholarship were produced from schools in Abaji, Agbara and Sagamu, and decorated with the benefits of the scholarship.

In 2023, Nestlé Nigeria launched its Flowergate Technical Training Centre (TTC), a broader technical training initiative, which has been running since 2011. Since its inception, the program has seen over 200 young Nigerians successfully complete the rigorous 18-month curriculum.

It has also invested over six billion naira in this initiative, and continues to prioritize developing the next generation of skilled professionals to drive the country’s industrial future.

Nestlé’s bond with Nigerian communities has necessitated the growth and development of mostly the host communities, and have spiraled into neighbouring communities. This is seen in its attention to education of indigenes, agriculture, empowerment of women and youths in various businesses.

A Nestlé in any community has remained the best thing to happen to that community.

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Glo Jolly Win Promo: More Millionaires Emerge

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The latest winners of the thrilling monthly Glo Jolly Win promotion, have received cheques of N1 million each from Globacom and its partners. This is in addition to the data and airtime bonuses that other Glo users who take part in the promotion receive every day.

At the monthly presentation ceremony in Lagos, five winners were credited with their winnings immediately after the symbolic presentation of their cheques.

Olieh Somtochukwu, a realtor based in Anambra State, became the first person to win N1 million in the promotion in September.

The promotion is being done by Globacom in partnership with Tetragrammaton, the value-added service provider for these services, and Nitroswitch, an aggregator firm licensed by the NCC.

If not that she doubted the veracity of the promo, Mrs. Adebayo Idowu, one of the winners, would have received her check during the first presentation in September. She was reluctant to accept that she had won a million naira, even after multiple conversations, including video calls.

After later becoming convinced, Mrs. Adebayo, a recently retired school teacher, was there with the new batch of winners to receive her prize at last.

Abiodun Oluwasanmi Temitayo, a mechanical engineer; Ashimiu Aminat Idowu, a teacher; Abdul Mumuni Oseni, a corporate driver; and Sanni Ganiu Bayo, a printing and publishing agent from Lagos, are among the other winners.

Speaking about the rewarding promo, Mojeed Aluko of Globacom’s Value Added Services department, said that “the Glo Jolly Win is a lottery service in which subscribers can answer trivia questions or spin a wheel to win loads of airtime, data and cash prizes for as low as N100/day, with no need for downloads or any storage usage on their phones. Subscribers can select their preferred services from the options of Jolly Trivia, Wheel, Win & Life to join in the fun and excitement of the lottery with the potential to become millionaires.”

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