News
Army chief hails NAOWA on supports, humanitarian activities
The Chief of Army staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended the wives of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their support to their husbands and the humanitarian services rendered to the society.
Lagbaja gave the commendation at the First Anniversary celebration of his wife, Maria Lagbaja, as the 21st President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), on Saturday in Abuja.
The theme of the celebration is “Journey So Far: Next Level”.
According to Lagbaja, it is said that behind every successful man, there is a good woman, saying the adage rings true for them in the Nigerian Army, where their women have been the bedrock of their successes, providing unwavering support and strength.
He said his wife and NAOWA president had been leading the wives of army personnel and had been doing so much in support of him in the last one year, adding that he had always been away to units and formations across the country.
According to him, his travel log as of Friday revealed that he had been in the air for about 40 hours and on the road, travelling around formations and units of the Nigerian army for about 200 hours.
“In my travels, I have met with strong, industrious, and supportive NAOWA and NASWA members who have undoubtedly supported their spouses.
“Many of our women have evolved into strong decision-makers running the home front effectively while the spouses are in the frontlines, on courses, and even lost in the rhythm of our busy peacetime rear units.
“I must confess that NAOWA has been hugely instrumental to the NA’s successes this past year.
“I thank my dear wife, the President of NAOWA, for her leadership and inspiration.
“We have come together today to celebrate my wife’s one year of purposeful and impactful leadership of NAOWA and mentoring of NASWA.
“The transformation the association has witnessed in one year of her leadership is truly remarkable,” he said.
Lagbaja expressed confidence that NOAWA under his wife’s leadership would continue to undertake impactful projects in the second year of her administration.
He challenged the association to expand its activities in close concert with the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA) to accommodate wider participation on the barracks women.
He assured NAOWA of Army Headquarters’ support to achieve more going forward, having realised the enormous benefits of both NAOWA and NASWA.
The President of NAOWA, Mrs Lagbaja, in her remarks, thanked members, for their constant support and cooperation, which enabled the association to achieve its goals within the past year.
She said the event provided an avenue for them to to reflect on the remarkable journey they had undertaken together, and to plan a progressive course for the future.
According to her, it is a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of every NAOWA member, whose unwavering support has been the backbone of my success.
Mrs Lagbaja said that the association had embarked on numerous outreaches, programmes, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of its members, uplifting the barracks communities, and supporting the humanitarian efforts of the Nigerian army.
“I have also commissioned several projects initiated by some NAOWA Chairpersons which effectively demonstrates that NAOWA presiding members at all levels have fully embraced and keyed into my vision of “Sustaining Legacies Through Unwavering Commitment to Unity and Service for the Betterment of Humanity.”
“This vision remains unconditional, and I am committed to ensuring that NAOWA continues to uphold a great reputation in the public eye.
“I am also dedicated to sustaining our association’s legacies by upgrading and improving upon our assets and institutions.
“I therefore urge you all to sustain these efforts,” she added.
NAOWA President said that key projects, such as the modernised NAOWA National Secretariat, remodeled events centre, guest house, and a tecreational park would soon be inaugurated.
These projects, according to her, are a testament to their collective efforts in creating lasting and meaningful impact within our communities.
“Today’s celebration is not just a reflection of our achievements but also a platform to inspire us to greater heights.
“Together, we shall continue to build on this foundation, driven by our shared vision of unity, service, and empowerment, in line with my vision,” she added.
A special highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of her ‘Next Level’ project for all NAOWA members.
The initiative, according to her, aims to further empower and uplift NAOWA members, providing new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
She said the project was also a demonstration of her commitment to the continuous improvement of NAOWA and the betterment of their community.
Mrs Lagbaja thanked the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for providing them the needed support and directions as well as her husband for his unwavering support to the association. (NAN)
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.