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CDS inaugurates emergency, trauma centre, vehicles, other projects at NDA
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday inaugurated an emergency and trauma centre and a fleet of vehicles at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
The CDS also inaugurated the Department of Security and Defence Studies, basic officers training wing, Department of Psychology and NDA Primary School Children’s Park , Sports Centre and the NDA Boarding Secondary School.
He also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the NDA Hospital, with a maternity ward, courtesy of the 38 Regular Course.
The other projects were the academy’s Officers’ Mess and Golf Club, with 39 Suites and Studios, in honour of the 39 Regular Course.
Musa also inaugurated the construction of the NDA Officers’ Wives Association Secretariat and Skills Acquisition Centre.
Musa said NDA has remained a symbol of the nation’s commitment to defence and security as well as a testament to the values of courage, loyalty and sacrifice.
He added that investments in the NDA were investments in the stability, security, unity and prosperity of the nation.
Musa emphasised that the projects were not just mere structures, rather they represented a significant strategic investment in the future of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and by extension, the future of the nation.
He also said that the facilities were essential pillars of excellence designed to empower the academy to fulfill its mandate of producing officers of the highest calibre.
The CDS equally said the projects would serve as critical enablers of the armed forces; vision to develop a robust, innovative and adaptive military force,
”This is while demonstrating commitment to providing the cadets of the NDA with the best possible facilities and resources for training and promoting their individual development.
“These projects been earmarked to enhance the well-being of the cadets.
”They have also been constructed to cater for the needs of the NDA community constituting troops and their families.
“These projects, therefore, stand as a testament to the academy’s commitment to progress, innovation, and the well-being of its community,”he said.
Musa said the inauguration of the projects further reflected the people centrism of the military particularly in the consideration of the wider community.
This, he said, aligned with his leadership concept, which is “To Nurture a Professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that are People -Centric, Capable of Meeting its Constitutional
Responsibilities in a Joint and Collaborative Environment”.
The defence boss, therefore, emphasised the importance of ensuring the facilities were used optimally to uplift standards, improve welfare and enrich the training environment.
To the cadets, he said, they were the next generation of leaders who would be entrusted with the sacred duty of defending the nation.
“Some of you will graduate into a violent and extremely difficult security climate and will certainly be relied on for solutions amidst daunting challenges.
“The threats confronting our nation are complex, ranging from terrorism and insurgency and much is being invested in you today because much will be expected of you tomorrow to tackle these threats,”he said.
Musa explained that the cadets’ ability to succeed would depend on their capacity to embody the core values of leadership, character and competence.
He said that the armed forces of Nigeria and the nation required officers who embody the core values and lead by example.
Musa said,” These are officers who are morally upright, intellectually agile, and capable of adapting to a rapidly evolving operational environment.”
He, therefore, urged them to remain resilient in the cause of their training, thanking President Bola Tinubu for his immense support to the armed forces of Nigeria.
He also commended the Commandant of NDA for his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to excellence.
Earlier, the Commandant of the academy, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, appreciated the CDS, the armed forces of Nigeria and the President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, Mrs Oghogho Musa.
Ochai said that the key projects represented a significant investment in the future of the armed forces of Nigeria and by extension, the future of the nation.
He said the academy would continue to do its best to produce cadets that would meet modern military training and education of global standards.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Musa, also Inaugurated some of the projects.(NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.
Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, says 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Kano-bound travellers in Uromi LGA of the state have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
The suspects were detained after a mob attacked a group of hunters travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a condolence visit to Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Okpebholo also announced that his government had set up a committee to support the families of those killed.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy,” Ismail Mudashir, media aide to Barau, quoted Okpebholo as saying.
“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also.
“The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.
“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”
Responding, Barau said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction,” Barau said.
“And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.
“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.”
He urged the Edo government to ensure all those involved were held accountable, adding that such attacks must never happen again.