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Sanwo-Olu Charges Army on Efficient Training As COAS Inaugurates Welfare Projects
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged the Nigerian Army to continue to efficiently train her personnel in order to sustain its combat readiness posture as it fights current security challenges in the country.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde, gave the words of encouragement during his keynote address at the 23rd Combat Service Support (CSSC) Training Week, held on Monday at NEBO Hall, Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Abati Barracks, Lagos.
The training week, with the theme, “Building the capacity of Nigerian Army Combat Service Support Corps (CSSC) in combating contemporary security challenges in joint environment”, is aimed at sharpening the logistics management expertise of Army logisticians.
Speaking further, the Governor stated, that as one conversant with the importance of efficient logistics in organizational operations, he was delighted with the capacity-development efforts of the NA, stressing that it is in consonance with global best practices. He added, that it is plausible for forces to train regularly in order to maintain combat readiness and efficiency. Governor Makinde expressed optimism that the NA Combat Support Services Training Week would evolve more efficient logistical support strategies to enhance NA’s ongoing operational engagements.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya , emphasized, that the role of CSSC of the NA is germane to the execution of NA’s constitutional roles and the attainment of his vision “to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”. Gen Yahaya added, that the training week underscores the critical roles of CSSC in prosecuting ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry. He affirmed that he would continue to ensure that the logistics corps benefit from various interventions in terms of capacity development and service delivery, to provide effective and timely support to all NA operations. The COAS further revealed that in an effort to sustain and improve ongoing operations, the NA has procured requisite combat service support logistics to seamlessly enhance ongoing operations.
The COAS later commissioned several projects including, officers’ transit accommodation at Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, ultra modern Radio Diagnostic Centre at 68 Reference Hospital, Yaba, Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Houses at Headquarters 9 Brigade and Headquarters Nigerian Army Medical Corps, as well as 70 Command Nigerian Army Supply and Transport Safety and Fire Fighting platoon’s accommodation. The event also witnessed exhibition of inventions and innovations by various Combat Service Support Corps and a medical outreach to bring succour to the less privileged.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has formally notified the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, about the receipt of a petition seeking her recall.
INEC confirmed the development through a statement by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Wednesday.
According to the Commission, the petitioners have now provided their contact details, including a mailing address, phone numbers, and email, in compliance with the commission’s guidelines.
This was after the Commission, on Tuesday, said the petitioners seeking Natasha’s recall have not yet met the necessary submission requirements.
The Commission had raised concern that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of its Regulations and Guidelines
But in a statement on Wednesday, Olumekun said the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, dated today Wednesday March, 26, 2025.
“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address. The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website”, the commission said.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency. This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission.
“We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent,” INEC added.
The Federal government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, public holidays to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal government.
He congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
Tunji-Ojo urged all Muslims to embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity and peace, emphasising the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister urged Nigerians to use this festive period to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation.
The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, has resigned his appointment.
The resignation of the HoS, who served under the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was contained in a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator and obtained by newsmen on Tuesday morning.
The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), thanked Nwaeke for his service to him within the short period since he assumed office and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The statement reads, “The office of His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, the Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Ibas has appointed Prof. Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
Worika’s appointment was also contained in a statement from the office of the Sole Administrator also obtained on Tuesday morning.
The statement reads, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) CFR, the Administrator of Rivers State, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
“His appointment follows careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during rigorous selection process.
“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect.
“Professor Worika’s appointment reflects the administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability and security.”
The Punch
