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Army Chief Inaugrates Computer Based Test Centre In Osun
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, General Faruk Yahaya has inaugurated a 275-seat capacity Computer Based Test Centre at Ibokun Grammar School in Osun State.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the project is part of the Chief of Army Staff Special Civil-Military Cooperation Intervention projects to Ibokun in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.
Speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony,
Gen Yahaya pointed out that the Nigerian Army (NA) executes Quick Impact Projects in communities with a view to complement existing infrastructure and provide the desired succor in diverse areas of needs thereby promoting and strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation in such beneficiary communities.
He stressed that he introduced the Special Intervention Projects to support communities of serving senior officers of the Nigerian Army, who through diligence to duty and service to the nation have risen to the enviable rank of Major General. The COAS congratulated the project executor, Maj Gen Adetokunbo Fayemiwo, who is the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), for timely completion of the project and the quality of work done.
In his remarks on behalf of the Osun State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi called on all relevant agencies and stakeholders in the state to promptly activate necessary mechanisms to ensure immediate functioning of the centre for the benefit of students in Obokun and the generality of the state.
The Project Executor, Major General Fayemiwo expressed appreciation to the COAS for his transformational and pragmatic administration of the Nigerian Army, adding that several projects such as this have been funded by the COAS to give back to Nigerians and to put smiles on the faces of many.
He disclosed, that the Centre will afford students in Ibokun and other surrounding communities the opportunity of writing their WAEC, NECO and JAMB Computer Based examinations without embarking on tortuous long distance journeys to the metropolis.
In attendance at the commissioning ceremony were the Executive Governor of Osun State, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; the Chief of Air Staff represented by Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede; the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and a host of other Royal fathers, Senior Military Officers both serving and retired, community leaders and students from the community.
A general court-martial (GCM) in Enugu state has sentenced Adamu Mohammed, a soldier, to death by hanging for killing Hauwa Ali, his girlfriend.
A statement on Tuesday by Jonah Unuakhalu, acting deputy director of 82 division, said the court also sentenced Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbing a mall in Enugu.
Delivering the judgment, Sadisu Buhari, president of the 11-member GCM sitting at the 82 division of the Nigerian Army, said Mohammed was found guilty of murder under section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act of 2004.
Buhari noted that that the judgement was handed down after a “careful” review of the soldier’s record, his compassionate plea for mitigation and in the interest of justice for the deceased.
“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Buhari said.
He said the panel also found Yusuf guilty of robbery, punishable under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act of 2004.
The GCM president added that the court considered the plea presented by the accused and his counsel for leniency, and applied the judgement to uphold societal decorum and protect the reputation of the army.
“However, due to the inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum mandatory punishment prescribed under Section 107(2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004, the GCM, relying on the provisions of Section 140 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, hereby sentences the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment,” he added.
Buhari reassured the public of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
He noted that the findings and sentences pronounced for both soldiers are subject to confirmation by the “appropriate authority”.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he founded Radio Biafra to “promote truth, peace, and the fight for fundamental human rights”.
Kanu made the remarks in a video recording of his interrogation by the Department of State Services (DSS), which was played in open court on Tuesday during his trial for alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.
Kanu was re-arraigned on March 21 before James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.
At the resumed session on Tuesday, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, told the court that he filed an ex parte application dated April 10 seeking to protect the identities of the witnesses.
“The essence is for the safety and security of state officers who would be part of the witnesses,” he said.
Omotsho granted the application after Kanu Agabi, counsel to the defendant, said he had no objection.
The first prosecution witness, who was codenamed “AAA” to protect his identity, was then called.
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AAA, a DSS staff, said he was part of the team which arrested Kanu on October 15, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos.
The witness said Kanu was arrested and several items, including broadcasting devices which were set up in the room, were confiscated.
In the footage, Kanu admitted to setting up the radio station, which he said was registered with the UK government.
He said it was “illegal” to broadcast in Nigeria since he had not registered with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Kanu also admitted that the radio was funded by supporters from different parts of the world and that he makes his account public to the UK government.
In another statement made by the separatist leader and read in court, Kanu said he was interrogated by the DSS “without legal representation” as required by law.
All exhibits were tendered through the witness and admitted into evidence.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.