Month: February 2026

Nigerian Navy pays tribute to late Rear Admiral Katagum, consoles family

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has honoured the legacy of the late Rear Admiral Musa Bello Katagum, described him as a distinguished senior officer whose contributions significantly strengthened the Service’s operational effectiveness. In a statement issued following a series of condolence engagements, the Navy said the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed high-level visits to commiserate with the bereaved family and recognise the late officer’s enduring impact on naval operations. The outreach formed part of efforts to honour Rear Admiral Katagum’s service and provide institutional support to…

Navy Chief appoints Commodore Adoki as Maritime Guard Commander

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the new Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Commodore Adoki succeeded Commodore H.C. Oriekeze, who has been redeployed following the latest restructuring within the service. A Principal Warfare Officer with over 25 years of experience, Adoki bring extensive expertise spanning communication and intelligence, operations, training, and staff duties. Throughout his career, he has commanded several Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS ANDONI,…

Yoruba Nation: prospects and perils post-2031 – (1) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Last week, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) – a body I once served as pioneer Administrative Secretary – gathered in Ado-Ekiti for a colloquium marking former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s 61st birthday. Beyond the celebration, the event was a platform to advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and drum up support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO)’s second-term bid.   With the June 20 Ekiti polls right around the corner, the political temperature in the South West has reached a boiling point. It’s now the talk…

Nigeria, Pakistan strengthen military cooperation to tackle emerging security threats

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Pakistan as both countries move to strengthen joint responses to evolving security challenges. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made this known on Friday while receiving Pakistan’s Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Colonel Kamran Mushtaq, at Army Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on expanding bilateral military collaboration to enhance operational effectiveness and collective security. Shaibu described Nigeria–Pakistan military relations as longstanding and strategically significant, noting that increased cooperation in joint training, intelligence sharing, defence technology,…

NAF, NIMASA deepen strategic partnership to secure Nigeria’s Blue Economy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have reinforced their operational partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security and advancing Nigeria’s Deep Blue Economy initiative. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja on 20 February 2026. The high-level engagement focused on consolidating air–maritime collaboration in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project…

NCC invites stakeholders’ input on review of Nigeria’s telecoms policy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on industry stakeholders and the general public to submit written contributions toward the ongoing review of Nigeria’s National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000, as part of efforts to reposition the country’s communications sector for emerging technological realities. In a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, stakeholders were urged to review the consultation paper published on the NCC’s official website and submit their inputs on or before Friday, March 20, 2026. Submissions are to be addressed to the Executive Vice…

NITDA, Abia deepen Enterprise Architecture reform to accelerate Data-Driven Governance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting state governments in developing integrated digital systems designed to enhance governance efficiency, improve public service delivery, and stimulate sustainable economic growth. The renewed commitment was highlighted at the Future Enterprise & Data Architecture of Abia State workshop themed “One Citizen, One Identity: Unlocking Data-Driven Governance,” which convened policymakers, technology experts, and development partners to advance a unified and citizen-centric digital public sector anchored on interoperability. The workshop, organised by Abia State’s Ministry of Budget and Planning, was…

Troops deal heavy blows to Terrorists, rescue hostages, recover weapons in nationwide onslaught

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded major operational gains across the country, neutralised terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims, arrested criminal suspects, and recovered large caches of arms and ammunition in coordinated military operations conducted between February 13 and 19, 2026. This was disclosed in a release signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who said ongoing intelligence-driven operations by troops across various theatres continue to significantly degrade terrorist capabilities while strengthening security and restoring public confidence in affected communities. According to the military, troops sustained…

Nigerian Navy hands over 500kg seized Cannabis to NDLEA in Lagos

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has handed over five bags of seized cannabis sativa, weighing approximately 500 kilograms, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following a successful intelligence-led operation in Lagos. The handover was conducted on Friday, February 20, 2026, by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT to officials of the NDLEA Festac Area Command. The illicit consignment was intercepted on February 18, 2026, when the NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team, acting on credible intelligence, stopped a van suspected of conveying illegal substances around Abule Osun in Amuwo Odofin Local Government…

DHQ workshop sets new standard for Military Doctrine , Regional Cooperation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has successfully concluded a four-day Capacity Building and Regional Doctrine Workshop organized by the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s military operations and regional cooperation. Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal FO Edosa, described the establishment of the JDWC as a decisive move to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces…