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Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation Poised for Transformation – Matawalle
Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) is set to lead the way in indigenous defence production and innovation, according to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Speaking at the DICON 2024 End-of-Year Celebration at the corporation’s factory in Kaduna, Dr. Matawalle praised the organisation’s contributions to national security and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
“I am here not only to celebrate your success but also to offer words of encouragement as we step into the year 2025,” said the minister in a statement issued by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Matawalle highlighted key achievements, including the Africa Defence Industries Conference, held in August 2024 in Abuja, which attracted over 3,000 participants from more than 30 countries.
The event fostered collaboration among governments, military officials, and industry leaders to boost Africa’s defence capabilities.
Other milestones included the 60th anniversary of DICON and the unveiling of a redesigned corporate logo.
A major development for Nigeria’s defence industry came with the DICON Act 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 23 November 2023.
Dr. Matawalle described the legislation as a “game changer” that would strengthen Nigeria’s military-industrial complex, reduce dependence on foreign imports, and promote innovation through public-private partnerships.
“This Act provides the necessary framework for a self-sufficient military-industrial complex that will meet the evolving security challenges of our nation,” he said.
Dr. Matawalle also praised the newly inaugurated DICON Board, which he chairs, for its efforts to reposition the corporation for greater productivity.
He reiterated DICON’s vital role in advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring national security, economic prosperity, and technological advancement.
Expressing gratitude to DICON’s leadership and workforce, the minister described the corporation as “the backbone of Nigeria’s security and industrial resilience.”
“Your hard work and commitment inspire confidence in our ability to build a stronger, self-sufficient nation. Together, we will drive the future of Nigeria’s defence industry,” he said .
The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kano State Censorship Board Amendment Bill 2025, granting the board broader regulatory powers over entertainment and media content in the state.
The passage followed the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House and the third reading by the Clerk, Bashir Diso, during Monday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.
Briefing journalists after the plenary, the lawmaker representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Husseini, explained that the amendment empowers the board to oversee the registration of event centres and enforce strict compliance with Islamic principles in entertainment-related activities.
He further disclosed that the board’s name had been officially changed from State Censorship Board to Kano State Censorship Board to reflect its jurisdictional authority.
All films, series, and serials must now be censored and certified by the board before they can be aired,” Husseini stated.
Additionally, the amended law prohibits the indiscriminate shooting of films within the state without obtaining prior approval from the board.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Water Users Association Bill 2025 has passed the second reading in the Assembly.
Beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers, associated with the Northern States Governors Forum, have expressed their deep frustration over the prolonged issue of unpaid benefits totalling N2.1 billion. As of January 2025, the death toll of members awaiting these payments has tragically reached 106.
A statement issued by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum, and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers, highlights that “following the recent out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co, which was ratified on 27th November 2024 by the Federal High Court, expectations have soared due to the extreme poverty exacerbated by the delay in these benefits.”
It is worth noting that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers, had previously taken the Northern Governors to court over the payment of check-off dues. They successfully secured a garnishee order that froze the account of New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL), where the proceeds from the sale of NNN assets were held.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the case was eventually dismissed, and all previous garnishee orders were vacated, with all parties duly settled except for the New Nigerian Beneficiaries,” the statement emphasised.
The statement further lamented, “More than 100 days have passed since the resolution of this decade-long court battle, yet all New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors continue to suffer in silence, overwhelmed by pain and despair.”
However, the workers have praised the current Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna for providing some relief through strategic discussions with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariats. “These efforts are comforting, but in light of the harsh economic realities, the over 800 beneficiaries who have nearly 10,000 dependants are left in tears,” they added.
The statement reiterated, “The Northern Governors, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, possess the authority to shape the futures of nearly 1,000 New Nigerian Beneficiaries.”
“We take this opportunity to implore our Northern Governors’ Forum to extend their support, as the death toll of NNN beneficiaries awaiting payment has sadly risen to 106 as of January 2025.”
“In the spirit of Ramadan, we beseech our Northern Governors to show compassion towards our families, as many of us are struggling to break our fast.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks.
Rewane attributed the reduction in fuel price to a fall in global crude oil price.
Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has predicted that the cost of premium motor spirit also known as petrol will continue to decline until June 2025.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks, easing the pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on fuel for their energy needs.
But Rewane says the recent reduction in the pump price of the product is expected to continue until mid-year.
“So, generally between now and June, we will see prices begin to decline. But after June as things stabilize, depending on what happens in the global oil and currency market, we might begin to see some stabilisation,” Rewane said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Business Morning.
According to him, the price war between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL will benefit the consumer more.
“In a price war, nobody wins, the consumers win in the short run then eventually the market goes back to where it should be. But, at the end of the day, between now and June, the price leadership will be firmly established,” Rewane said.
He attributed Dangote Refinery’s reduction in the pump price of petrol to production cost efficiency.