News
NDSF Berates Former Flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval command, Admiral Babalola
The President, Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NSDF), Julius Daukoru has described the period of Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (rtd), was the flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval command of the Nigeria Navy as one of the darkest days were oil thieves and barons illegally had a field day to the destruction of the country’s economy.
Daukoru who was reacting to the Arise TV Morning Show anchored by Rueben Abati on Sunday night, clearly showed the Naval officer worked assiduously for the oil cartel ,hence economical with the truths.
He maintained that the top Naval officer showed lack of dedication, commitment, brilliance with discipline and truth thrown to the wind in the services of his fatherland.
The Group President said Rear Admiral Henry Babalola contradictory and incoherent response was an indicator that he was not only an accomplice in agreement with the baron while in office as Flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval command, but deeply involved in the siphoning of national assets.
He said the allegations against Tantita was misplaced , half truth and fabricated to sooth the whims and caprices of Rear Admiral Henry Babalola and his cohorts , describing it as a national shame and embarrassment.
While asking Rear Admiral Henry Babalola to retract his statement and retrace his years in service as awkward, stating proverbially that the former Naval officer was already a rotten piece of wood that cannot be utilised by a sculptor, no matter how good, stating that he had already built a questionable characters while in and out of service.
Daukoru stressed that the opportunity given to the naval officer to clear his dented image , was a demonstration of the extent of his involvement in collaboration with oil barons to milk the country highly earned foreign exchange, stating that Tantita as one of the early body that struggled against the activities of oil thieves and development of the Niger Delta region, transformed into a formidable security surveillance outfit trailing him and his co- travelers.
He queried the stupendous wealth and assets he acquired while in service both at home and abroad, stating that having spent 35 years in service was not enough to legitimise his ill gotten wealth acquired from the oil cartel/ thieves , illegal bunkerers among other of his collaborators.
“His assets in Abuja, Lagos , and Multi Billion assets in the U.K., the United States of America, offshore including his home state in Ondo is desiring searchlight by the anti graft agencies, stating that he is supposed to be cooling off in a correctional facility.”
Daukoru further described the Navy investment in Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (RTD), as huge loss both to the country and the service.
“It is sad that rather than regretting his ugly days , many years after leaving the Navy, he is still protecting the ugly days he held sway.”
“Tantita is a reputable and recognised security surveillance company who had won many awards on the adequate security of Nigeria’s oil installations and even on Friday, 2nd February, 2024 was rewarded with an award by Nigeria Daily Newspaper, New Telegraph.”
The Troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, ambushed bandits and neutralised three of them off the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Yahaya said, “In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday, troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna – Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.”
The spokesman said that the success of the operation was based on acting on credible intelligence that the VEI was sighted near Ngwagi Hill.
He said that troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents.
According to him, the troops got to the location at about 5.30 p.m. on the same date. They successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.
“During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition.
Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothing, and dry rations, ” Yahaya said.
He said the operation’s success was a testament to the troops’ high fighting morale and combat efficiency.
“This achievement is also due to the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.
He said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation.
He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector’s area of operational responsibility were neutralised.
NAN
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has flagged off the commencement of the Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Link Dual Carriage Road, a project abandoned by the previous administration after completing only 30 per cent.
The Governor, who performed the ceremony near the Kabala Costain link bridge on Wednesday, said that his administration has already mobilized the contractor to ensure that the remaining 70% of the project is completed in record time.
“This road is a vital artery that will connect the vibrant communities of Kaduna South to Kaduna North Local Government Areas.
“It is more than an infrastructure, but a lifeline, channel for commerce and a pathway to opportunity,” the governor said.
He added that the road would also serve as an alternative route for long-distance travellers, enhancing easy movement from the northeastern and northwestern parts of the country to the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
Sani recalled his campaign promise to construct 50 kilometres of road in all 23 local governments.
“In the past 20 months, our administration has initiated over 78 road projects across Kaduna State, covering a total of approximately 775 kilometres.
“These projects are not just numbers; they represent the dreams and aspirations of our people. We are steadily fulfilling our promises to the good people of Kaduna State. We are simultaneously transforming rural and urban poor communities that have often been overlooked,” he added.
The Governor praised the state’s people for maintaining peace, emphasizing the nexus between peace and development.
“I want to commend the people of Kaduna State for the prevailing peace in the state. We have not experienced any ethno-religious crisis in the last 22 months. This is a testament to the resilience and determination of our people,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency, Dr Abdullahi Ahmed, disclosed that outstanding debts related to the completed portion of the project totalled N2.2 billion.
“I am pleased to announce that Governor Uba Sani has already approved and mobilised the contractor with more than 50 per cent of the funds to complete this great project,” he said.
Ahmed explained that the project was initially abandoned due to significant geological challenges, including poor soil conditions and waste deposits.
“However, Governor Sani has ensured that the contractors are adequately mobilized to overcome these challenges,” he added.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
In their dedication to ensuring zero dose, the African Health Budget Network (AHBN) has appealed to mother’s and caregivers in Sokoto State to always prioritize child immunization always.
Making the appeal in a signed press release as part of their commitment to the ongoing International Women Day’s celebration, AHBN) State Focal Person,
Umar Garba Kadi, said vaccines are safe and protect children from preventable diseases.
Garba Kadi who also appreciated Sokoto State government for it’s support to ensuring meeting a zero dose, however, appealed for more commitment and support to make immunization more appealing and accessible especially for parents and caregivers at the rural areas.
Continuing, Kadi said,
“The observance of the International Women Day, is draw attention to the importance of women and the critical roles they play generally. And in line with that, we want to also use the avenue to send a reminder of the importance of prioritizing our children’s health.
“We therefore, urge all mothers and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines,” Garba Kadi advised.
Talking on the mission of African Health Budget Network, the Sokoto State Focal Person, Garba Kadi re-affirmed that it is dedicated to advocating for health budget transparency and sustainability and ensuring all children receive life saving vaccinations.