Nation
CAS Charges Troops To Eliminate Criminals, Restore Peace
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has charged troops of “Operation Whirl Punch” and “Operation Bada Mamaki” to eliminate all criminal elements and restore peace in the country.
Amao gave the charge at the CAS Christmas Lunch with Air Component frontline troops of Operation Whirl Punch and Operation Bada Mamaki, held at the NAF 401 Flying Training School in Kaduna.
The Tide’s source reports that frontline troops of Operations Bada Mamaki and Whirl Punch are engaged in fighting banditry in Kaduna, Niger, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The CAS was represented by Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM Nnamdi Ananaba.
Amao said, “We must sustain the tempo of our operations and continue to fight gallantly until all insurgents, bandits and all other criminal elements are completely eliminated, and peace is restored to all troubled parts of our dear country.
“We must continue to operate synergistically with our sister services and other security agencies whilst leveraging each other’s capabilities to secure the nation. This is our professional duty.”
Amao said that the Christmas launch was an opportunity to not only bond with the frontline troops but also promote comradeship within the service.
“It affords us the opportunity to spend time with you, knowing that you should ordinarily be spending this period with your loved ones, but have sacrificed the time to remain in the theatre to ensure that our country remains secure.
“The security threats currently facing our dear nation and the challenges they present to the attainment of our national developmental goals require the emplacement of a robust security architecture, which of course will include the ability to rapidly employ airpower within the full spectrum of warfare.
“The paradigm shift in the way air warfare is waged, necessitates a highly versatile air force capable of executing a wide range of airpower roles across multiple theatres of operation to deal with these security threats,” he said.
ground operations by the Land Component.
According to him, the air support has been immensely instrumental in curtailing activities of terrorists and other enemies of the state, denying them freedom of action and providing respite for Nigerians who have been on the receiving end of the excesses of these criminals.
He commend all personnel of the operation for their commitment and contributions towards ensuring that peace and stability is restored to all parts of the North Central.
“Please do not relent in your dedication and hard work towards ensuring that peace returns to our land.
“I assure you that your efforts and sacrifices in this regard, both individually and collectively, are highly appreciated by the nation.
“Let me also re-assure you that, on our part, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, will continue to ensure the provision of your requirements for the successful execution of the war,” Amao said.
The Air Chief appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari ,for his continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in general, and the NAF in particular, towards the achievement of its desired airpower goals.
In his speech, the Guest of Honour and General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, commended the leadership of NAF for placing high premium in boosting the morale of those at the frontline.
Lagbaja said the lunch would boost the strength and agility of personnel of the NAF in the optimal performance of their assigned tasks.
“It is imperative to use this occasion to extend sincere appreciation to personnel of the NAF for assiduously working in synergy with other security and law enforcement agencies in securing the entire areas of operation.
He said the resilience and patriotism of members of the Nigerian Air Force in response to contemporary security challenges is quite commendable.
“The enduring harmonious relationship between the Nigerian Army and the NAF and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been a force multiplier in our collective drive to return our state to its initial Center of Learning. and the peace it is known for.
“We look forward to a more robust and fruitful engagements between all the security agencies and the leadership of the NAF here in Kaduna.
“I will like to assure you all of our constant support and partnership towards improving the security disposition in the state,” Lagbaja said.
The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.
Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.
“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.
“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.
Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.
He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.
While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.
“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.
He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.
“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.
Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.
“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.
Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.
Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.
The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.
The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.
Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.
Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure landslide win in the 2027 Presidential polls.
The Governor’s Aide stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen against the backdrop of Tuesday’s pioneer Stakeholders meeting of the party convened by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as leader of the Party in the State upon his recent defection late last year.
He averred that Party stakeholders in the state were prepared to give the President the massive support needed to return elected, come 2027 following his sterling trajectory of performance and qualitative leadership prowess.
Dr Suokiri stressed that the reason for the governor’s swapping of party was in the best interest of the state, while also noting that the governor took the right decision as there was no need continuing with opposition politics even as the state has to align with the national government for rapid socioeconomic and political advantages for the state and its people.
“Governor Diri’s defection like you’ve personally heard him saying was for the best interest of our state, Bayelsa. When you’ve a President performing well at the national level and being very supportive to your state as a governor, I don’t think you’ve to be in an opposition party anymore, but rather align with the centre.
“Diri is a bridge builder. He is at peace with everybody and willing to work with all, irrespective of party affiliations or political differences for the interest of the state.
“As Stakeholders we’ve resolved to collectively work to return President Tinubu elected for second term in 2027. And you can see the Governor is not pressuring anybody or the structure of his former party, the PDP to defect like he has done.
“The PDP structure in the state is still intact, and for the APC, his new Party even as current leader in the State, he has been working with the structure and everybody he met on ground, hence you can see that the APC Caretaker Committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio has been maintained at the pioneer Stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor.
“But you must also know like you’ve seen and I’ve previously said that Governor Diri has outperformed expectations of Bayelsans in all sectors, be it economy, infrastructure, health, education, etc.”, he said.
Meanwhile, as against insinuations that some political parties were not working with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, the Governor’s Aide has revealed that as it were currently, all the 19 registered political parties with presence in the state are working in unity with his office as members of the Inter-party advisory council (IPAC).
“IPAC is working in unity with my office. Before the Governor’s defection the only party that wasn’t working with my office was the APC. But since after his formal defection, the APC and even those other parties that were either sympathetic to the APC, the governor’s new party or the PDP, his former Party are all now working together with my office as members of IPAC”, Suokiri added.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
