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Army, Navy, Air Force promote hundreds of senior officers
The Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force have promoted hundreds of their senior officers.
The Air Force Council approved the promotion of 19 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 33 Air Commodores (Air Cdres) in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The Navy Board on its part approved the promotion of 146 senior officers to various ranks in the Nigerian Navy. The board promoted 24 Commodores to the rank of Rear Admiral, 26 Captains to the rank of Commodore, and 96 Commanders promoted to the rank of Captain.
Similarly, the Army Council approved the promotion of senior officers to the next ranks of Major General and Brigadier General, respectively. The council promoted 35 Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General, while 73 Colonels were also elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.
The Air Force in a statement by its spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, yesterday said the newly promoted officers had demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional competence, and dedication to duty in various operational and administrative roles, to earn the elevation.
The statement said: “Those elevated to AVM are: Osichinaka Ubadike, Olusola Akinboyewa, Olasunkanmi Abu, Yohanna Katabiya, Nosiru Folaji, David Pwajok, Albert Bot, Ibitayo Ajiboye, Mikail Abdulraheem, Kennedy Mataluwo, and Gbolahan Oremosu.
“Others are Ayodele Hanidu, Mohammed Omar, Atang Sambo, Jibrin Usman, Ernest Owai, Adindu Ekwuribe, Garuba Bello, and Muhammed Isah.”
Officers promoted to Air Commodore, according to the statement, include Abdulahi Abu, Sani Ma’aji, Olamiju Obasa, Eyo Benson, Bashiru Amunemi, Nuhu Hassan, Oluwasegun Okeniyi, Abang Oyong, Eze Onu, Folarin Agbebi, Mohammed Aliyu, and Muzamil Muhammed.
Other officers elevated to Air Commodore are Gp Capts Ibrahim Musa, Nkechi Esionye-Uzodinma, Rapheal Garba, Daniel Komo, Eric Kpokpogri, Bature Usman, Adebunmi Ola, and Dooyum Laha. Also promoted are Gp Capts Bello Argungu, Bello Aliyu, Ahmed Saidu, Isiaka Yakubu, Abba Muhammed, Olusoji Olarenwaju, Joshua Nalazai, Kingsley Obi, Hafsat Ali, Ademola Adejimi, Abdullahi Abubakar, Ayuba Abubakar, and Mustapha Elkhojah.
Also providing details about the promotion of its officers, Navy’s spokesman Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, yesterday said the Navy Board released the promotion on Thursday December 19.
The newly promoted Rear Admirals, according to the statement are: Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina, Suleman Dahun, Gideon Jinjirim Kachim, Abolade Olanrele Ogunleye, Seminu Adisa Adepegba, Bob-Manuel Kokoete Effiong, Yusuf Sani Idris, Danjuma Mohammed Ndanusa, Ifeanyi Chidi Okpala, Mushin Yahaya Abba, and Victor Dabess Choji.
Other are Vincent Burabari Gbaranwi, Madumom Ide, Desmond Okechukwu Igbo, Kolawale Olumide Oguntuga, Adedokun John Siyanbade, Raheem Taofeek, Kabiru Tanimu, Bai Haruna Sabo, Jonathan Ojone Ajodo, Paul Efe-Oghene, Musliu Olatokunbo Yussuff, Abiodun Alade and Samuel Innocent Ngatuwa.
“The newly promoted Commodores are Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi, Kabir Umar Rabiu, Bashir Abubakar, Olayinka Ayodele Aliu, Uche Aneke, Temitope Adeshola Bamidele, Ekuma Raphael Ekuma, Nsikan Friday, Ibrahim Ari Gwaska, Maksum Abdullahi Mohammed, Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, Murtala Aminu Rogo, Umar Saidu, Aminu Shehu, Mohammed Saghir Shettima, Jelani Umar, Olusegun Abiodun Awofe, Manga Salisu Danjuma, Mohammed Auwal Jibrilla, Adamu Mohammed Mohammed, Kelechi Kingsley Ogbonna, Makanjuola Yakub Olowu, Saidu Sulaiman, Yahaya Jaja Muhammed, Sylvester Kennedy Ogogo and Babatunde Usman Quadri,” the statement said.
Announcing the promotion of its officers yesterday, Army spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a press statement said “those promoted to the rank of Major General, according to the statement are: Brig Gen A Garba Acting Provost Marshal Nigerian Army, Brig Gen UM Alkali Deputy Chief of Administration, Directorate of Veteran Affairs (Army), Brig Gen AGL Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen IA Ajose Acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 North West Operation FANSAN YAMA, Brig General NB Ebulue Headquarters Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen LG Lepdung Commander Operation WHIRL STROKE, Brig Gen OA Awolo, Director Military Training Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen UG Ogeleka Commander Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig Gen OA Fadairo Commander 12 Brigade, Brig Gen OD Williams Commander 22 Brigade , Brig Gen JR Lar Commander 32 Brigade, Brig Gen AG Mahmuda Commandant Warrant Officer Academy, Brig Gen VD Beryo Commander Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brig Gen AOD Okoro Director Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes, Brig Gen SO Adejimi Director Movement Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Brig Gen TT Sidick Director of Finance Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen MCE Ejike Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen MF Babayo Commander Sector 3 North East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen H Yanet Commander 51 Signal Brigade and Brig Gen MK Gara Army Headquarters Department of Training.”
Others promoted to the rank of Major General are Brig Gen BP Koughna Deputy Chief of Military Affairs, Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs, Brig Gen I Otu Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen AO Adegbite Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Brig Gen IE Ekpeyong Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Brig Gen AA Idris Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Brig Gen SA Gumel Nigerian Army Resource Centre Strategic Management and Policy Studies, Brig Gen MT Jinadu Commander 82 Division Ordnance Services, Brig Gen SA Jimoh Deputy Director Tender Board Department of Procurement, and Brig Gen UT Opuene Deputy Director Policy and Plans Defence Intelligence Agency, among others.
Officers promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General are Col SM Iliya Commander 43 Engineers Brigade, Col O Igwe Commander 78 Supply and Transport, Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Col UR Okoroji Commander 404 Engineers Brigade, Col GS Oyinwola Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Col S Ahmadu Defence Intelligence Agency, Col CI Nwonyi Commander 81 Division Provost Group, Col AS Aliyu Commander 1 Division Military Intelligence, Col T Garba Commander 77 Supply and Transport Brigade, Col K Imam Commander Army Headquarters Garrison Ordinance Services, Col NS Onuchukwu Chief Medical Director 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Col A Musa Commander 108 Division Equipment Support, Col DM Baba Office of the National Security Adviser, Col OA Obochi Defence Headquarters, Col PAJ Ebuk Commander 1 Division Supply and Transport, Col IP Omoke Office of the COAS Directorate of Procurement and Col P Elayo Headquarers Department of Space Administration.
Others elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are Col NI Abdullahi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Col JC Mbanefo Army War College Nigeria, Col IO Amah Department of Operations Defence Headquarters, Col M Jimoh Defence Headquarters Garrison, Col TA Ayoola Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations, Col SA Jimoh Office of the Chief of Army Staff Department of Procurement, Col OC Ameni 103 Division Equipment Support, Col OU Okwuosa 2 Division Medical Hospital and Services, Col AO Odubiyi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, among others.
Customs lifts 4,291 officers; confirms DCG, 8 ACGs
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), at its 61st regular meeting held during the week promoted 4,291 senior officers and confirmed the appointment of one Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) and eight Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs).
The occasion was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The newly confirmed Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Management Team members according to the statement issued by its National spokesman, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada include, DCG S Chiroma (North-East) and ACGs ZM Gaji (North-East), OA Adebakin (South-West), GM Omale (North-Central), MS Yusuf (North-Central), DA Nnadi (South-East), HK Ejibunu (North-Central), and D Hassan (North-East).
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with trade, consular matters, education and cultural cooperation taking centre stage during talks between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, held bilateral discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted by India.
The summit is being held under the theme, “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze, said the welfare of Nigerians living in India was among the major issues discussed by the two ministers.
A key concern was the situation of Nigerians who have overstayed their visas. Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to the Indian authorities for an extension of the existing amnesty arrangement to allow affected Nigerians to return home voluntarily without facing penalties.
The ministers also discussed the possibility of concluding a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
The proposed agreement would establish a framework for the humane and orderly transfer of eligible prisoners between Nigeria and India.
On economic relations, the two sides examined opportunities for increasing trade and investment, while stressing the importance of building stronger and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Education and cultural exchanges also featured in the discussions, with both countries recognising the sectors as important tools for strengthening people-to-people relations.
Greater cooperation in these areas, the statement said, is expected to promote mutual understanding while creating more opportunities for citizens of Nigeria and India.
The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to use its participation in the BRICS platform to strengthen bilateral partnerships, attract greater economic opportunities and advance South-South cooperation.
Nigeria’s engagement with India comes as both countries seek to broaden their areas of cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic relations, particularly in trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges.
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria is seeking to tap into India’s experience in technology and youth engagement as Vice-President Kashim Shettima leads the country’s delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Vice President Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit, where Nigeria is expected to pursue opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, manufacturing and industrial development.
The high-level Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since used the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand economic and diplomatic relations with major emerging economies.
A major focus of Nigeria’s engagement at the summit will be India’s progress in technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, particularly its approach to harnessing its large youthful population.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said India’s experience offered important lessons for Nigeria, especially in agriculture, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and the participation of women in the technology sector.
She said Nigeria was determined to learn from India’s expertise and its “greatest strength” in engaging young people to promote innovation, economic growth and inclusive development.
The minister stressed that India’s ability to deploy technology while creating opportunities for its youthful population could provide useful ideas for Nigeria as it seeks to expand its digital economy and create more opportunities for its young people.
Beyond technology and youth development, Nigeria is expected to use its participation in the BRICS Summit to strengthen economic ties with India and other emerging economies.
The country will also seek to attract investment and expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing and industrial development as it explores ways of turning its BRICS partnership into tangible economic opportunities.
Nigeria’s participation underscores the Federal Government’s broader push to deepen engagement with emerging economies and strengthen partnerships capable of supporting technology-driven growth and sustainable development.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware of his “Rainbow Coalition” and all his political activities.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday night while speaking on Arise News Prime Time.
“There is nothing that I do that I don’t tell Mr. President,” he stated.
The FCT Minister said he was mobilizing support across party lines for the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027 under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition.”
He has consistently maintained that his support is solely for the President, and not for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a party.
Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), said his actions are not done in secret, stressing that the President is carried along at all times.
Wike also said he is not answerable to governors elected on the platform of the APC.
“I’m not answerable to APC governors.
“If people fail to learn from other people, they don’t grow. I took 31 days to commission projects in the FCT and they are not happy,” he added.
Turning to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, Wike said: “Hope Uzodimma should be lucky that I’m not in the APC. Hope fears for nothing.
“When I look at the APC governors who held the press conference, I see some people who are smart but politically lazy. Hope Uzodinma was the governor of Imo State, yet President Tinubu could not secure 10% of the votes there.
“Hope in his own state, Imo state, he was Governor. President Tinubu didn’t get 10% votes in the 2023 elections, but he took two senators and Labour Party took one senator. Is he saying Imo people were confused, or were they not confused?
“The governors of Osun, Anambra and Abia States are supporting the President reelection. Won’t they still support the candidates of their parties in other elections? So where is the confusion?”
Speaking about Rivers State, the Minister said; Becauseof our rainbow coalition, we no longer have Rivers of blood. There is no litigation on party candidates in Rivers State, unlike Imo State.”
When asked where else in the South-South the President can win, the Minister replied: “That can happen in Bayelsa State. The whole PDP there is working for the President. The founder of the NDC is not the founder of Bayelsa.”
“As I sit here today, I will tell you that the President will win in the FCT,” he added.
Nigeria-India Deepen Ties as Trade, Consular Issues Dominate BRICS Talks
Nigeria Eyes India’s Tech Edge, Youth Power at BRICS Summit
Wike: Tinubu privy to my rainbow coalition, says I’m not answerable to APC governors
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