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Nigerian Army Deploys 177 Personnel To Guinea-Bissau For Peacekeeping
The Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday the deployment of 177 personnel for a peacekeeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.
The Chief of Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General Boniface Sinjen, made the announcement at the graduation ceremony of troops of Nigerian Company 3 ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji.
Sinjen said, “Guinea-Bissau is grappling with political instability and institutional crises, which pose a significant threat to peace and sustainable development in the sub-region.”
He, however, said the Nigerian government, through ECOWAS, stood united with the government and people of Guinea-Bissau.
Sinjen said the graduation reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau to consolidate its authority.
This is in order to address the security challenges, strengthen democratic governance, and foster stability in the country.
”This deployment is in line with the mandate of the mission, which has been extended several times to consolidate the relative peace and stability in the country.
“You gallant men of the Nigerian Army have been trained by this renowned Centre of Excellence to play that critical role.
“This Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) has equipped you with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge to support the government of Guinea-Bissau in stabilising the country.
”I therefore urge you to remain committed to upholding the principles of ECOWAS peacekeeping operations, “he said.
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The chief of operations charged the troops to conduct themselves professionally in accordance with the guidelines of the mission.
“You will be operating in a complex and diverse environment where various ethnic groups coexist.
”I implore you to maintain the highest level of professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights and the sovereignty of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
“As ambassadors of Nigeria, your behaviour will reflect on the nation’s image, so I urge you to uphold the highest standards of conduct and maintain the integrity of our esteemed profession,” he said.
Sinjen urged them to embody the core values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and refrain from any actions that could compromise the mission’s objectives or undermine our nation’s reputation.
He emphasised that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation and abuse.
“Any personnel found guilty of such offences will face severe consequences,” he warned.
Sinjen cautioned that drug trafficking and abuse were grave offences that would not be condoned in any form.
“The Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of discipline and integrity remains unbroken,” he added.
Sinjen appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his unwavering commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping troops through realistic training, which was one of the key pillars of his command philosophy.
“His leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the readiness and capabilities of our troops, and I am deeply appreciative of his support,“ he said.
Earlier, the Commandant, MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said the PDT that began on May 19 was designed to prepare the contingent on contemporary peacekeeping operations for a successful tour of duty in Guinea-Bissau.
Adedoja said during the course of the PDT, the troops were exposed to a series of lectures on contemporary peacekeeping operations, with an emphasis on the peculiar nature of the security challenges facing Guinea-Bissau.
He said the training package also included comprehensive lectures on the background and current situations in the mission area, as well as the mandate of the mission.
“Additionally, the troops were exposed to mentally and physically engaging exercises to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tactical skills required in peacekeeping operations in line with the United Nations Core PDT modules.
“As you stand ready to embark on this critical mission, I urge you to carry the spirit of excellence with you.
”Your contribution to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission will be instrumental in shaping the future of Guinea-Bissau, thus promoting peace, stability, and development in West Africa.
“You are not just representing the Armed Forces of Nigeria but also serving as ambassadors of our great nation,” Adedoja said.
NAN
By Gloria Ikibah
The African Union Simulation has officially named the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, as the Grand Patron of Traditional Institutions in Africa.
This recognition comes ahead of the Africa Day celebration scheduled to take place in Abuja.
A delegation led by Ambassador Dr. Young Piero Omatseye, Africa Coordinator of the African Union Simulation, visited the Ooni at his palace in Ile-Ife on Friday, May 9, 2025, to present the honour and formally invite him to the upcoming event.
“We are here today on behalf of youths and leaders across 54 African countries to inform His Majesty that Africa Day will be commemorated through a blend of cultural traditions, training expeditions, and youth empowerment initiatives. Ooni of Ife, being a natural symbol of tradition, unity, and visionary leadership, has been unanimously nominated as the Grand Patron of the traditional institution in Africa,” Ambassador Omatseye said.
He added that the event will bring together African Heads of State, ministers, ambassadors, global partners, and experts in agriculture, energy, economy, innovation, and technology, all focusing on youth empowerment.
Ambassador Omatseye also recalled the participation of Her Regal Majesty, Amb. (Dr.) Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, in a similar event at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa last year, highlighting her role in promoting unity and youth development across the continent.
In her response, Her Majesty expressed her appreciation for the honour, praising the African Union Simulation for recognising her husband’s work in uplifting young people.
“My husband’s throne has become a platform for youth transformation across Africa. This prestigious nomination affirms the values he champions for the betterment of young Africans. We deeply appreciate this recognition,” she said.
The Ooni, in his remarks, thanked the delegation for the honour and promised his support.
“I thank the entire delegation and African youth who have traveled from across the continent to present this honour. I pray for the success of the Africa Day celebration and assure you of my support and presence, God willing,” he said.
The visit ended with the presentation of a plaque, officially confirming his role as Grand Patron of Traditional Institutions in Africa.
A police Inspector, Christian Gbaratee, was killed after gunmen ambushed a team of police officers on Tuesday along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road.
A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this via his X handle on Thursday.
Quoting police sources, Makama stated that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. while the officers were returning from a trip in Rivers State.
He also disclosed that the armed assailants, numbering five, were dressed in combat attire during the ambush.
He wrote, “A team of officers, including ASP Victor Eze and Inspector Nwanochi Ndubuisi, were returning from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when they were intercepted by five armed assailants dressed in combat attire. The attack took place on a narrow road after a filling station along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road, Asa.
“During the confrontation, Inspector Christian Gbaratee was shot dead, while Inspector Ekoro Isong went missing. The gun stolen from Gbaratee during the attack, as well as the suspect who had been in custody, were taken by the assailants.”
He further disclosed that a prompt response by the police led to the recovery of a Toyota Corolla and other items, including expended ammunition, a laptop, and three travel bags.
“Additionally, Inspector Isong later surfaced unharmed. The body of the late Inspector Gbaratee has been deposited at the Euro Allied Medical Centre Mortuary for autopsy.
“A search operation in collaboration with military personnel is ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the stolen firearm,” he added.
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu has stated that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child, even as he said plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.
The event was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said his administration is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child.
“Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children.
“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference.
“That is why our national strategy also embraces prevention and early intervention.
“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability, Tinubu said.
He stated that the real hope lies in action — concrete, deliberate action.
“Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems. This is the soul of our human capital development strategy,” he said.
Tinubu added that every Nigerian child should grow and learn in a safe environment.
“We aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not simply a policy objective; it is a moral obligation.
“We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum.
“We are rolling out the National Guidelines on Alternative Care to ensure that even children without parental care are raised in love, safety, and stability,” he said.
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