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Insecurity: FG Procures Four Warships
The Director, Naval Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, has said the Federal Government has procured four warships for the Nigerian Navy.
Aliyu, whose comments were contained in a statement, yesterday, said the four warships would be inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said the new ships would enhance the Navy’s operations against contemporary security challenges especially on the nation’s maritime domain.
Aliyu said the exercise was unique because this was the first time the Navy would take delivery of four warships at once.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force yesterday in Lagos said it had incorporated some new systems and ammunition aimed at the continuous fight against insurgency in the country.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the National Air Defence Corps in Ikeja, said that the new systems and ammunition were currently being tested in Lagos to bring additional capabilities to the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North-East.
“We are incorporating some new systems and some new ammunition to the platforms we have. We also need to intensify the day and night operations and we are here essentially to flag off the operations,” he said.
Amosun urged the citizens not to panic as occasionally there might be gun fires and ammunition being delivered, adding that the Air Force had been on air, notifying the public accordingly.
“We have been notifying the public that there is an ongoing operation to recalibrate our weapon system and to fine tune our tactics,” he said.
Amosun also said that the operation was an opportunity to take a look at the maritime environment, adding that challenges were not only in the North-East but also in the maritime environment.
“We have some new ammunition to test and the range here in Owode, Lagos, is the most ideal for this operations, so, we have to make use of the facility. Everything that the nation has in terms of land space, equipment and capabilities, must be brought to fight insurgency, terrorism and to take care of emerging threat all over the country,” he said.
Amosun, however, said that the Air Force was not in the operations alone, adding that the Nigerian Navy and the Army were also part of the operations.
“All the various leaderships of the forces are here to ensure that these operations are carried out successfully,” he said.
Amosun said that fighting insurgency and terrorism was not an easy task, however, there were well trained military to fight and conquer insurgency.
“Although, we are aware of the variables which may not be disclosed, that could prevent an operation from being completed in a spade of time. But we are satisfied with the period allocated to us now and we should be able to carry out the exercise within the period. I am optimistic that capability wise, we are good to go and the six weeks is more than adequate,” he said.
He said that there were collaborations from the French forces from Chad, Niger and Cameroon, adding that there had been support even before now which was still ongoing.
“Don’t forget that we have capable armed forces that should do the fighting but then, these days, worldwide, you hardly fight alone,” he said.
On the coming general election, Amosun said the Air Force would also play its role by moving materials from major locations like Abuja and Lagos to other areas where you have airports.
“We have Bancroft aircraft when it comes to some maritime areas and some difficult areas to penetrate. We have also deployed our soldiers to mount the unmanned airfields so that they can have materials and prevent the bad ones attempting to bring in bad materials to mess up the election,” he said.
Amosun thanked the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan, for his support because he is the reason why we can achieve all these.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
