***Pledges Development for Border Communities

The Niger State government has called for the reopening of the Babanna land border in the Borgu local government area to revitalize economic activities and promote development in border communities.

This appeal was made by Alhaji Mohammed Garba Danladi, Director General and Chief Executive of the Niger State Babanna Border Development Agency (NIBBDA), during a stakeholder engagement meeting in Minna on Tuesday.

With the federal government’s recent approval for establishing border markets in Babanna, Danladi emphasized that reopening the border would enhance economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
“The Babanna border market, when fully operational, will not only improve the lives of the people in these communities but also address security challenges in the region,” he noted, adding that insecurity often arises in ungoverned areas.

Danladi highlighted the state government’s vision to develop Babanna by implementing sustainable projects that would provide essential social and infrastructural amenities. The agency’s focus includes improving education, healthcare, water supply, agriculture, and economic empowerment in the area.

To maximize the potential of the Babanna border market, NIBBDA has identified key opportunities such as fostering trade and foreign investments, supporting agriculture, and reducing rural-urban migration.
Danladi added that the agency would prioritize revenue generation, agricultural development, mineral resource management, trade liberalization, and basic infrastructure provision to drive the border’s growth.

The District Head of Wawa, Dr. Mahmoud Aliyu, stressed the importance of addressing security issues to ensure the market’s smooth operation. Although security has improved recently, Aliyu noted that banditry remains a challenge for Borgu local government and called on the state government to prioritize this issue.

Chairman of Borgu local government, Alhaji Yarima Kilishi, expressed optimism about the federal government’s approval of the Babanna border market and the establishment of an agency to oversee its development. He pledged the local government’s support for the market’s launch, which he believes will significantly boost revenue and economic activity in the region.

In a vibrant ceremony on Friday, the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquarters in Minna, Niger State, recognized 36 officers for outstanding achievements in academic performance and dedication to duty throughout 2024. The prestigious TRADOC merit awards, in their fourth year, honored officers who excelled in the 2024 promotion exams for advancing to the ranks of Captain and Major.
The event brought together high-ranking military personnel, including current and retired commanders, led by the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Olufemi O. Oluyede.
Among the notable guests was Maj. Gen. S.O. Olabanji, the former TRADOC Commander who launched the awards program in 2021.

In his opening remarks, TRADOC Commander Maj. Gen. Kevin O. Aligbe said the award’s mission is to promote a culture of excellence, hard work, and professionalism within the Nigerian Army.
“These awards are designed to enhance the quality of training, elevate standards, and drive the commitment needed to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational efficiency,” he said.
The awards, alongside evaluations conducted by TRADOC, have already shown substantial improvement in training standards across military formations and units nationwide.

This year’s ceremony also marked the reintroduction of the Best Division Award, which evaluated divisions based on the activities of their training schools.
This initiative recognizes the divisions’ efforts to build combat-ready troops and develop skills specific to each unit’s unique challenges.
The 81 Division, based in Lagos, was named Best Divisional Training School for 2024.

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Oluyede, represented by Maj. Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, reinforced the importance of recognizing and rewarding excellence. “By celebrating these officers, we inspire a drive for professionalism and commitment to duty across all ranks,” he said, congratulating each award recipient for their exceptional performance in the TRADOC promotion exams.

The awards reflected outstanding achievement in the Nigerian Army’s rigorous promotion exams. In 2024, the Lieutenant to Captain exams had 440 candidates, with 438 passing, while the Captain to Major exams saw all 289 candidates pass.

The ceremony concluded with the inauguration of a newly built multi-purpose hall named in honor of Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja, symbolizing TRADOC’s ongoing dedication to professional growth and development in the Nigerian Army.

The Niger State House of Assembly has sounded the alarm regarding the takeover of a significant military training camp by bandits. Located at the Nagwamase military cantonment in Kontagora, this camp has reportedly been occupied by armed groups, forcing approximately 23 surrounding communities to flee.

The Nagwamase cantonment is known as one of Nigeria’s largest military training facilities, primarily for the artillery corps. However, recent developments have raised serious concerns about security in the area. During a plenary session on Tuesday, Hon. Abdullahi Isah, representing Kontagora II, highlighted the urgent situation, stating that the bandits have established at least eight camps within the cantonment.

“This military camp, which spans a vast area from Kontagora to parts of Mariga local government, is now a haven for bandits,” Hon. Isah reported. He detailed the plight of the local communities, noting that the bandits’ continuous attacks have driven them from their homes and that some abductees from recent raids remain in captivity.

In light of these alarming developments, the assembly has called on the state government to work closely with military authorities to expel the bandits from the camp. They emphasized the necessity of restoring security to the area, allowing displaced communities to return home safely.

Furthermore, the assembly urged the government to provide the military with adequate support to secure the training camp and restore peace to the region. As the situation evolves, residents and officials alike are hoping for swift action to address this pressing security crisis.