Connect with us

News

Senate confirms Faruk Yahaya as Chief of Army Staff

Published

11 months ago

on

Chief of Army Staff , Major General Farouk Yahaya
Share
  1. The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Major General Faruk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff.

His confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Joint Committee of Defence and Army.

Faruk was appointed on May 27, 2021, by President Muhammadu Buhari following the death of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, in a plane crash which occurred in Kaduna on May 21, 2021.

Before his appointment, Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding Division 1 of the Nigerian Army and Theatre Commander of the Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North), in his presentation said the Committee was satisfied with the comprehensive and robust nature of the engagement and interactions with the nominee during the screening exercise.

According to the lawmaker, Faruk’s nomination was in line with section 217 (2abc) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and in accordance with the provision of sections 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He disclosed that the Committee did not receive any petitions on the Nominee was cleared by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

Senator Wamakko said that during the screening exercise, “the nominee’s knowledge of the strategic capabilities of the Army was exhaustive and impressive.”

“He showed a clear knowledge of the Army with apt for a Chief of Army Staff. Despite the Army being the largest of the Armed Forces, the nominee was clear in his vision to encourage joint operational synergy with other services for success in all theatre of operations”, he said.

The lawmaker further noted that the nominee agreed on the need for the command to have more transparency and disclosure to the Committees on Security in the Legislature in order to ensure a harmonious working relationship, considering that they are critical stakeholders in the security sector governance.

He added that Faruk underscored the need to ensure peace in the forthcoming elections, stressing that all hands must be on deck to deal with non-kinetic issues such as the settlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Boko Haram’s insurgency.

Giving insight into the dynamics of the challenges of the North East, Wamakko said that the Chief of Army Staff disclosed to the Committee that under his command in January 2021, Nigerian troops advanced into enclaves of Shekau-led position in Alagarno forest-Timbuktu triangle axis.

Senator Wamakko observed that the Committee during an interaction with the nominee recognized the current security challenges confronting the nation.

He added that the Committee urged the COAS and military to do everything they can to ensure that peace is maintained and returned to all parts of the country.

Senator Ali Ndume said, “due to the nature of the appointment as part of our security apparatus, the Committee decided to do the screening in a closed session after the preliminaries.

“And, therefore, I want to appeal to the Senate, to expeditiously approve this confirmation so that the Chief of Army Staff be decorated accordingly to enable him start some of the jobs he cannot do now because he is still in acting capacity.”

Senator Gabriel Suswam, on his part, said given the track record of the nominee in the Nigerian Army, he is rightly equipped with the required experience to sufficiently tackle the issues of insurgency and terrorism bedeviling the country.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, while commending the Joint Committee of Defence and Army for a thorough job done, advocated support for the military in the fight against insecurity.

He said, “Let me also remark here, that what our country faces may be military, but the military alone cannot resolve the security challenges.

“The military needs the support of each and every single citizen of this country.

“In whatever capacity we find ourselves, either a legislators, government functionaries, businessmen or simple citizens, we must give the military the kind of support that it requires.”

 

Post Views: 152
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

News

NISS hails Oyetola on security intervention, making Osun model of socioeconomic development in Nigeria

Published

17 hours ago

on

May 15, 2022

By

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola
Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola
Share

…says govt’s genuine intervention across sectors incredible

The National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) has commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun for turning the State to a security asylum and a model of socioeconomic rejuvenation in the country through his social security interventions, genuine and purposeful leadership.
NISS also hailed the state government for the giant strides it has recorded in sustaining the status of Osun as the most peaceful State in the country despite its socioeconomic realities.
The Commandant and the participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 15 of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, gave the commendations at the weekend in Osogbo.
Specifically, the Commandant, Ayodele Saheed Adeleke, spoke while addressing the people at the get-together dinner organised by the State in their honour.
The participants were in Osun for a one-week  study tour as part of the requirements of the Course.
The Participants  drawn from different security agencies in the country and beyond had come to Osun on Study Tour with the theme: “Global Climate Challenge: Prospects and Priorities for Economic Development and Conflict Resolutions in Africa,” as part of the Course requirements.
Speaking at the Dinner, Mr. Adeleke, extolled the state government for its huge investment in the security sector, saying “We have travelled round the entire state and we have seen several things. We must commend you and your team for the giant strides you have made in all sectors.
“Your government has taken security as topmost priority; you have continuously invested in the sector with the resultant effect on the peaceful atmosphere reigning in the nooks and crannies of the State.
“As we all know, security is the bedrock of socioeconomic development.
If there is no security, nothing can be achieved. It gladdens our hearts that your government has done a lot to change the face of Osun and you are still doing all to keep the State.
“Indeed, your record will speak for you. Whether they like it or not, Osun will continue to remain great and peaceful.
“Our presence here has further exposed us to so many good things you have achieved. We have been briefed on your tremendous support for security outfits and personnel and for this singular reason, we are ready to continue to support you in this regard to keep Osun safe.
“In the course of our tour, we were taken to some of the Primary Healthcare Centres revitalised and fully equipped by your administration. I have seen all you have done in the health sector. Even my village was not left out of this benefit.
“Our prayer is for God to continue to guide and protect you as you move the State forward”, he said.
In his brief remarks, Governor Oyetola thanked the members of the delegation for choosing the State and for taking the trouble to travel down to Osun on the need to proffer solutions to adverse effects of climate change in the country.
Oyetola who seized the opportunity to reel out some of his government’s interventions to ensure favourable climatic and atmospheric conditions in the state said several efforts had been made to keep Osun afloat despite the effects of the global climate change.
Governor Oyetola reiterated his administration’s commitment to continuing to champion the cause of the masses through the provision of quality, responsible and responsive leadership on all fronts.
Post Views: 13
Continue Reading

News

SANWO-OLU ASSURES LAGOSIANS OF ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

Published

1 day ago

on

May 14, 2022

By

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
Share

 

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has assured Lagosians that the State will continue to sustain its enviable status as the fifth largest economy in Africa and also achieve its vision to become Africa’s model megacity as well as a global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the Year 2022 edition of the Punuka Annual Lecture with the theme:
“Taxation of the Digital Economy: The Challenges and Prospects for the Nigerian Economy”, held recently at Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the
Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business through the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and ensuring overall prosperity for every citizen.

He averred that the Lagos State Government will continuously seek ways of improving revenue generation through a tax system that is modern, efficient and effective, noting that it is in this regard that the present administration considers the lecture timely and relevant.

Sanwo-Olu said the State faces major challenges in taxing income/profit accruing from e-commerce and digital activities as the transactions more often than not transcend borders, while the contracting entities usually do not have a fixed base (tax residence rule) in the State.

Explaining that the trend has made it difficult to trace, track and establish taxing rights over the huge profits made by multinational enterprises and individuals, the Governor said the inability to garner the requisite tax income from such e-commerce businesses is detrimental to revenue collection/generation.

According to him, the emerging trend requires laws to regulate their operations, just as monitoring will also help to establish the economic presence of these entities for tax purposes.

Mr. Governor reiterated that the State is always open to ideas, strategies and ways to effectively and comprehensively improve tax administration processes and procedures in line with emerging trends in the digital economy towards maximising its revenue generation capacity.

Post Views: 12
Continue Reading

News

EndSars: Osun govt compensates Police brutality victims, presents cheques of N53,290,000.00

Published

3 days ago

on

May 12, 2022

By

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola ,presenting cheque to one of the beneficiaries
Share

 

…Our quest is to redress past wrongs, set our society on the path of true healing — Oyetola
The Government of Osun on Thursday presented cheques of N53,290,000.00 as compensation to victims of police brutality in the State.
The State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, affirmed that the motive was a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set the State on the path of true healing.
He said the gesture was a further testament to the commitment of the State Government to peace, fairness, unity, justice, equality, and indeed, the rule of law.
Governor Oyetola, in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government, constituted the Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings.
The Panel, which was headed by the retired Judge of the High Court, Hon. Justice Akinwale Oladimeji, was charged to look critically and painstakingly into cases of assault, illegal arrest, killings, brutality and other forms of rights abuse by the officers and men of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.
Oyetola further said the presentation of the cheques to the victims was a fulfilment of the financial component of the recommendations of the Panel and that the state had also, in adherence to directive to States, submitted the report of the Panel to the Federal Government.
The Panel had in its report recommended the sum of N53,290,000 as compensation.
Presenting the cheques to the victims as recommended by the Panel and approved by the State government, Governor Oyetola reiterated the  Administration’s commitment to continuously maintain peace, guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens and advance the course of the security agencies through the provision of state-of-the-art security architecture.
Oyetola who appealed to the citizens to continue to be law abiding and always demonstrate the virtues of Omoluabi ethos that the State is known for, said the State would spare no effort to create an ambience of peace and tranquility for the citizens across the nooks and crannies of the State.
“Today’s occasion should therefore be regarded as a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set our society on the path of true healing.
“Our decision to pay compensation, which ordinarily is not the responsibility of the State, since the Police is not directly under our control, is a further testament to the commitment of our Administration to peace, and the rule of law.
“Let me however reiterate here that the list of all those that have secured judgement debts have been passed on to the federal government for necessary action, in line with the recommendation of the Panel.
“As an administration, we understand that no society can truly progress where the reign of injustice, inequality and lawlessness is encouraged to thrive.
“On behalf of the Government and our people, I passionately appeal to all those who are justifiably aggrieved for the wrongs meted to them in one way or the other to forgive and allow the next chapter of true and sustainable healing to open up for the good of all.
“I assure you that we are committed to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in fully implementing relevant reforms that would enable it play its role of maintaining law and order.
“Today’s event is a further testament to the commitment of our Administration to peace, and the rule of law. As citizens and officers of the State, let us reciprocate this  gesture by continuing to relate with each other with the highest mutual civility, respect and understanding in the interest of sustainable peace and development.
“I salute the leadership of the Civil Society Organisations and youths for their understanding and tolerance over the years. I assure you that we will never let you down as a government in ensuring that we secure your future.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Osun, I express immense gratitude to the Hon. Justice Oladimeji-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings for their impeccable services to the State”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin David Oladimeji, extolled Governor Oyetola for deeming it fit to compensate the victims despite the lean purse of the State.
Oladimeji who described the gesture as a right step in the right direction noted that the decision would further register confidence in the minds of the people.
Speaking after receiving their cheques, some of the victims, who narrated their ordeals at the hands of police, expressed their profound gratitude to the Governor for the kind gesture, saying he has indeed demonstrated that he is people’s Governor.
Post Views: 17
Continue Reading