Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Olusola Diya, has urged  children living in the barracks to prioritise education as a pathway to success.

Diya gave the advice while treating children to an end of the year party at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, Abia State.

He enjoined them to take their studies seriously in order to benefit from the many opportunities  provided by education.

The commander said  he decided to celebrate the children to make them happy and help them imbibe positive thinking in themselves as future leaders.

“It is a season of celebration, hence the need to bring all the children in the barracks together no matter the status of their parents to celebrate as one,” he said.

Diya assured that every child would have a place to celebrate as long as he is at the helm of affairs in the brigade.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that highlights of the celebration include contests like spelling, egg race, dressing in native and English attire, as well as crowning of the Prince and Princess of the brigade. NAN

FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA

Medical Director, MD, Federal Medical Centre,  FMC, Bida, Niger State, Dr Abubakar Usman, said the recent petition alleging poor performance by the hospital is baseless and unfounded. 

Usman, who was responding to the recent petition by some groups, “titled request for the removal of Dr Usman Abubakar as medical Director of FMC Bida”, said the petitioners are far from the truth on the functions and activities of the center.

 According to him, their alleged claims of unprecedented departure of key consultant doctors, poor management, dysfunctional equipment, CT scan machines, dialysis and non-functional oxygen plants are an imaginary tendency to satisfy their selfish interest.

The medical director, while responding to the allegations, said as a public figure, he is subject to scrutiny, criticism  and disagreement over the  mass exodus  of consultants from the hospital. 

 “We have 60 consultants  as against 39 in 2021 when I assumed office. They offer services  in various specialities and sub- specialties.

 “Also the application of seven other consultants  are  awaiting waiver for recruitment in 2025. There is also an increase in the number of other professionals like nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists in the last three years.”

On the alleged neglect of key medical equipment, he explained that it is far from the truth. The hospital has six functional dialysis machines and a new one is to be installed soon.

 The medical director  disclosed that plan is underway to procure a new CT scan machine with five years maintenance contract, adding that the petitioners claims of  non- functional oxygen plants  is unfounded.

 “Oxygen plants were procured and installed on August 28, 2021, while the one donated by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was installed on  November 9, 2022.

 “I will like to inform you that since the installation of the first plant, the hospital has been the major supplier of oxygen to the entire state and has not procured  from any vendor. The second oxygen plant sited at IBB Hospital supplies  Minna General Hospital, Jumai Babangida Maternal and Neonatal Hospital Minna and other private hospitals in the state,” he pointed out.

Usman, however, disclosed that the only challenge facing the hospital is inadequate bed space and expressed commitment to uphold the highest standard of medical excellence. 

From Our Correspondent

Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, and Kogi Central Senatorial District stood still on Tuesday, as residents trooped out en-masse to welcome the immediate past governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who travelled home for the New Year celebrations.

Koton-Karfe/Lokoja road was literally blocked, as supporters, kinsmen and well wishers stormed the road to join the former governor’s convoy amid cheers.

It took Bello about six hours to finally access the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Tijani Anaje.

He was granted bail on December 19 and released after meeting his bail conditions in the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Kinsmen and supporters, who had been waiting for the big entry of the former governor and the incumbent, Alhaji Usman Ododo, stormed the streets, chanting solidarity songs and praying for the continuous upliftment of the state under the new administration.

Many of those who manged to speak amidst the celebrations eulogised Bello and assured him that their prayers are with them.

Also thanking him for giving them a governor like Ododo, the people said they had been waiting since 9am to welcome their son, whom they said opened Kogi up for laudable development after a very long time.

The former governor, accompanied by Governor Ododo and other past and present key officials, first made a stop at the resting place of his late mother for a special prayer.

Speaking at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Bello called for unity among the people, assuring that the current administration led by Ododo would deliver more dividends of democracy to all parts of the state.

Bello also sought the support and prayers of Nigerians for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He urged citizens to exercise patience and pray specially for the president to be able to continue executing his laudable plans and programmes for the country, saying at the end, Nigeria and Nigerians would be better for it.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Ododo said Bello had laid a solid foundation for the sustainable growth and development of the state.

The governor pointed out that the ability of Bello’s administration to reform the civil service and institute a productive workforce was a solid foundation on which the current administration is thriving.

According to him, the prompt payment of salaries by his administration is the outcome of the efforts and foresight of the Bello administration.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland charged the people of Ebiraland at home and in the diaspora to embrace peace, speak with one voice and prioritise the interest of Ebiraland over personal interest.

The monarch, who offered prayers for Ebiraland and Kogi State in general, solicited support for Governor Ododo to enable him achieve more development for the state.

In his speech, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Bello described the former governor as the one who laid a solid foundation for the state in the areas of infrastructure and human capital development.

He assured that based on the activities of the Governor Ododo-led administration, 2025 would usher in peace, unity and development to Kogi State.

Sokoto State Police Command has announced the arrest of 575 suspects for various crimes and the recovery of 142 items including weapons in 2024.

This was contained in a statement yesterday in Sokoto by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Musa.

Musa said the suspects comprise those involved in culpable homicide, rape, vandalism, drug abuse, theft, fraud, rustling and robbery.

According to him, the 142 items recovered include a General Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG, with six rounds of live ammunition, nine AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 341 rounds of live ammunition.

“Today, I can confidently say that we have made significant progress in reducing these crimes to the barest minimum.

“We have implemented innovative strategies to address emerging security challenges, strengthened community partnerships and enhanced the welfare and training of our officers..

“These achievements were guided by intelligence-led policing, community engagement, increased visibility and adherence to police ethics.

“We also worked in synergy with other security agencies while upholding the rule of law,” he added.

He commended the state government for donating 34 Toyota Hilux vehicles and other support to the command for effective operations.

“We also received one Toyota Hilux and five Hunter motorcycles from the Force Headquarters in Abuja. These have been deployed to areas of need, enhancing the command’s operational capabilities,” Musa said.

He reiterated the commitment of the command to continue to ensure safety and security in the state. (NAN)

The Association of Six Geopolitical Zones has lauded Dr. Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, for his achievements in combating insecurity and pledged support for his efforts to create a safer and brighter future for the country in 2025.

In a New Year message delivered by the group’s spokesperson, Chigozie Emanuel Oyerimba, the association praised Matawalle’s success in tackling criminal activities, particularly in the fight against kidnappers and terrorists.

“We have seen what you achieved in 2024, especially in flushing out key criminal elements like Alhaji Halilu Sububu and thousands of others,” the statement read.

“This year, 2025, promises to be even bigger and more impactful under your leadership.”

The association credited Matawalle’s proactive approach to security for putting Nigeria on the path to becoming an insecurity-free nation.

It highlighted his commitment to fostering safety, including efforts to enable farmers to return to their fields and ensuring Nigerians can sleep peacefully at night.

“Your continuous support for the youth and your dedication to creating a secure environment for all Nigerians are commendable,” the group added.

Matawalle’s leadership was also acknowledged for fostering collaboration between security agencies and local communities, which the group said has significantly restored peace to previously troubled regions.

“Appointing you as the Minister of State for Defence was not a mistake. You deserve this position, and your track record proves it,” Oyerimba noted.

The association urged Nigerians to rally behind Matawalle’s initiatives, emphasizing the importance of collective action in achieving national security and prosperity.

Dr. Bello Matawalle, a former governor, has received widespread praise for his strategies to combat terrorism, banditry, and other threats, focusing on inter-agency cooperation and addressing the root causes of violence.

The association expressed optimism that his leadership would lead to further security improvements in the year ahead.