Appointment
Retired Airforce officer advises Tinubu to appoint only Security experts for Defence ministry
Retired Airforce Officer and Security Consultant, Squadron Leader, Ben Williams, has counselled President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that only security experts are appointed to manage the ministry of Defence for seamless outcomes.
Ben Williams who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said the party wants the best for the country and the President who has been elected on the strength of the party needed to be guided when stakeholders perceive such need.
According to him, the need for experts in security is clearly required in the defence space stretching over 923,000km land space.
“It is the duty of the pool of retired officers across the service who have been invested in by the Nigerian state to draw the president’s attention to these facts.
Sharing his concern with the media he said he aligns with the thoughts of the political analyst, Mahdi Shehu who appeared on Arise TV to describe as an “insult” the appointments of Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle as Ministers and Minister of state for defence respectively.
He charged the President to save Nigeria the ‘insult’ and source square pegs of retired military assets to fill the square hole in the defence ministerial slots because the task of ‘superintending’ or supervising over critical formations and commands across the nations in the police Commands and in the military required the guide of experience all the way.
He stated that the appointment of the former governors of Jigawa Mohammed Badaru and Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle was completely off-mark for the President and should be reconsidered as ministers for defence.
He said Defence matters are not to be experimented upon or should not be politicized as they involve lives of millions of Nigerians. Therefore, the president should be deliberate and explore professionals whose lives have been moulded over the years based on security matters.
According to him “The task of superintending over critical formations across the country in the police Commands in the military cannot be done on experimental basis or requiring people tgat will learn on the job.
“Security matters are very specialized, the training are detailed and demanding, it is why military resources and assets are not taken for granted anywhere in the world whether they are serving or retired, Nigeria cannot be an exception,” he stated.
He wondered what message President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was trying to pass across to Nigerians when he appointed the duo, whose track record do not speak of security excellence, especially the minister of state who governed a state apparently under siege of bandits who could not control the situation.
“What exactly is the president up to with this “insulting” appointments to use the words of the analyst Mahdi Shehu who conveyed the minds of many serving and retired military officers and the whole of Nigeria who have records of incapacitation, especially of the former Zamfara state governor who did not impressively handled the security challenge that tested his will in his home state while he governed.
“I want to believe the President deliberately made these names public to sample public opinion and that would help him fine tune his decision on the final list. For a listening president, I would advise that he does not create an ego problem in the ministry of defence from the outset of ministerial appointments.
“The President has access to retired military generals, who rendered their invaluable service to the security committee during the presidential campaigns. He cannot deny that the services offered by these officers led by a distinguished gentleman was top notch, he should tap into that asset.
“This call is very important because The security challenge in Nigeria today required experience to tackle, we are dealing with criminals of all kinds, pirates and economic saboteurs of all kinds, kidnappers, bandits, Terrorist, armed groups in different part of the country stretching the capacity of the military.
“Only a tactician with specialized military training can appropriately deploy men and resources to tackle this challenge.
“President Tinubu must know that it is the right of Nigeria as a nation to use her assets which she has invested in their training over the years.
“These assets are replete in the pool of retired military officers available for him to access, assess and explore for national defence benefits, we all know the president means well for Nigeria, therefore he should remove the “insulting appointments ” on the nation’s security and make us all feel safe.
“Let me directly request the President to tap into the national asset of retired officers and ensure “Inclusion” of the defence team” the Squadron leader stated.
In a move signaling a commitment to impactful reforms, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, has congratulated Mrs. Ogunlola Oluyemisi Adefoluke on her appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission.
The announcement, made on Thursday, January 16, 2025, underscores the administration’s confidence in Ogunlola’s ability to lead transformative legal initiatives.
Mrs. Ogunlola, a seasoned legal professional, previously served as a Director (State Counsel) GL 17 in the Ministry of Justice. Her track record of exceptional dedication, diligence, and expertise positioned her as the ideal candidate for the role.
Mr. Agoro described her appointment as a well-deserved recognition of her selfless service and expressed confidence in her capacity to effect meaningful change. “Mrs. Ogunlola’s wealth of experience and expertise will undoubtedly drive impactful reforms within the Commission, further enhancing the legal landscape of Lagos State,” he said.
As Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ogunlola is expected to spearhead initiatives aimed at modernizing and aligning the state’s laws with contemporary challenges.
Her appointment has been met with optimism from stakeholders, who anticipate significant strides in the Commission’s operations under her leadership.
The Head of Service wished her a successful and fulfilling tenure, highlighting the critical role of the Law Reform Commission in shaping a progressive legal framework for Lagos State.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Celebrated Nigerian poet and visual artist Ayo Ayoola-Amale has won the 2024 Justo Bolekia Boleká International Prize for African Literature.
The prestigious honor, conferred by the Sial Pigmalión Publishing Group, acknowledges her exceptional literary career and her acclaimed poetry collection, The Suns Chased Us.
In a statement issued by Mrs. Folusho Ogar, Country Director of the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation, Ayoola-Amale was praised for her unique ability to weave African and universal themes into her work.
Her poetry collection, The Suns Chased Us, explores the intersection of nature, culture, and human emotions through evocative and accessible language, presenting a shared vision of humanity.
Since its inception in 2017, the Justo Bolekia Boleká International Prize has celebrated African and Afro-descendant writers who excel in poetry, narratives, essays, and translation. Named after the distinguished Spanish-African scholar Justo Bolekia Boleká, the award aims to amplify African voices in global literature.
Ayoola-Amale’s literary contributions include six poetry collections, such as Where the World Sings, Life Script, and The Weight of the Rat’s Nest. Her works are featured in the Casa de África collection and have been presented at international platforms like the Madrid Book Fair, Berlin Literature Festival, and COP27.
Known for blending art and activism, Ayoola-Amale is the founder of the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation and co-founder of Poets of the Planet. Her work addresses critical issues such as social justice, racism, and violence, using art as a vehicle for global understanding and transformation.
The international jury for the 2024 prize, chaired by Justo Bolekia Boleká, praised Ayoola-Amale’s lifelong commitment to promoting peace and unity through literature. The jury included experts from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, who recognized her ability to create compelling art that transcends cultural boundaries.
Mrs. Ogar described The Suns Chased Us as a profound work comprising 100 poems in seven parts. “It invites readers to journey through the complexities of human emotions while celebrating the beauty of our shared existence,” she stated.
Ayoola-Amale’s achievement is a significant milestone for African literature, demonstrating its power to shape global narratives. The Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation hailed her accomplishment as a beacon of hope for writers, readers, and advocates of social change.
“We celebrate Ayo Ayoola-Amale’s creative journey, which continues to inspire a more inclusive and just world. This recognition solidifies her place as one of Africa’s most impactful literary voices,” Mrs. Ogar concluded.
In a decisive move to enhance governance and improve service delivery, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed five commissioners from his cabinet and nominated replacements.
The development was announced in a press statement on Tuesday by Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor. According to the statement, the reshuffle reflects the administration’s commitment to injecting fresh ideas and energy into governance to tackle emerging challenges effectively.
The commissioners affected by the shake-up included Commissioner of Education Jamila Dahiru, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abdulhameed Bununu, Commissioner of Information and Communication Usman Danturaki, Commissioner of Agriculture, Madugu Yalams and Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Yakubu Ibrahim –
Governor Mohammed expressed gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their dedication and contributions to advancing key policies and initiatives of his administration.
He commended their efforts in promoting growth and development across the state.
In a bid to maintain momentum, the governor has submitted the names of eight nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners.
The nominees are:
Babayo Tilde – Toro Local Government
Abdullahi Mohammed – Misau Local Government
Bala Lukshi – Dass Local Government
Usman Shehu – Shira Local Government
Iliyasu Gital – Tafawa Balewa Local Government
Titus Ketkukah – Tafawa Balewa Local Government
Babayo Gabarin – Darazo Local Government
Lawal Rimin Zayam – Toro Local Government
Gidado emphasized that the reshuffle aligns with the governor’s vision of strengthening the machinery of government to deliver impactful development and improve the welfare of all citizens.
Governor Mohammed reassured the people of Bauchi State that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its mandate and sustaining developmental progress through innovative and people-centered governance.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News12 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro10 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News1 year agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu