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Ministerial appointments: Group makes case for Gen. Danbazzau

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Former Minister of Interior and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), has been described as the best man to oversee the Nigerian military as minister of defence.

Ben Lion Heart Vanguard, a non governmental Organization made this call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a press statement, describing General Danbazzau (rtd) as an officer whose loyalty to the Nigerian State, constitution and national security has remained impeccable.

The Group said General Dambazzau would provide professional oversight on security as he will harnesses the military resources he understands very well, to stabilize Nigeria internally and otherwise.

According to the group, the antecedent of General Dambazzau commands respect from all arms of the military as these officers across military arms know that the quality and character of the Danbazzau was fit for defence assignment, this they said was critical.

The statement signed by Mr. Ben Williams, a retired air force officer and security consultant, said, Nigeria needs a patriot at this time to carry out purposeful security oversight with surgical precision to ensure the safety of Nigerians and their property.

He argued that this has consistently featured in the period of service across various commands of the former minister of interior while serving in the military.

According to Williams, General Danbazzau’s positive impact in the various command and public offices he held have remained a footprint of reference in good and exemplary leadership and he did not perform less as minister of interior in institutional/public administration.

Williams said, for example, the former minister of interior created a situation room for the coordination activities of all security and public safety agencies, for a seamless response to emergencies, anywhere they may arise.

“Another footprint was that he led the US-Nigeria Security Sector Initiatives for the reforms of the security sector in response to emergencies, defence procurements, and activities in the northeast.

“Beside these he developed the idea of establishing the institute of domestic security for the strategic training of senior officers in the security agencies.

“For Dambazzau, national security was a critical stabilizing factor for national development, thus, to allow for easy national security, he proposed the idea of production of passports in Nigeria rather than overseas to make passports cheaper for Nigerians and also protect the database.”

The statement said while Nigeria has a pool of officers who may be deemed qualified for this task, it was of national interest and promotion of national security that the association deem it fit to draw the attention of the president to a square peg in a square hole, in the person of General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rted) at this juncture of our national life.

He said the General’s contribution was immense during the presidential campaigns. This started with the keenly contested National Convention that saw the emergence of the President as the presidential candidate for APC.

As the special adviser, strategic engagement, General Danbazzau deployed his experience and contacts to engage hundreds of interest groups all over the country into the pro-Tinubu campaign and the nation has seen the impact of his right judgement

The statement noted that in the bid to promote food security, Danbazzau created the agro rangers in the Civil Defence Corps for the protection of agricultural investments for individuals, groups and institutions against attacks from bandits and other criminals.

The statement argued that his rise through the rank in the army was due to his responsible disposition to each assignment and office he occupied, as all duties assigned were executed with patriotism and national defence at heart.

For example, the statement recollected that before assuming the position of the 26th Chief of Army Staff, General Danbazzau has functioned effectively to the admiration of his superiors, contemporaries and junior officers in his various command as the Registrar/Instructor, Nigerian Defence Academy (1993-1999) and later Chief Instructor, at the Support weapon Wing of the Infantry Centre and School from 1999 – 2001.

He also served with respect for the codes as Director Staff at the then National War College from 2004 – 2006. Later, he became the Director, Higher Military Organization and Operations at the same Institution in 2006. His excellence here earned him the highly revered appellation of the Fellow of the War College Dagger (fwc [+]).

Lieutenant General Dambazau has also held several staff appointments, being staff officer at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military in 1979 before he became an aide-de-camp to the then Chief of Army Staff.

He was also a Special Investigator at the Special investigation Bureau of the NACMP from 1984 – 1985 amongst other appointments.

The statement said he is a military officer with deep interest in intellectualism which played out in his life as an officer who chosed to go for further study to improve and earn for himself Ph.D in Criminology, a knowledge that has helped him serve the country better in various capacities.

The Group said With Danbazzau, performance he would diminish whatever constitutes inter agency rivalry as the focus is national unity not agency accolade.

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Power Minister Orders Immediate Action on Grid Collapse Committee’s Recommendations

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Chief Adebayo Adelabu

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and related agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a committee formed to address frequent grid collapses.
This is happening as TCN acknowledged potential temporary power disruptions as it begins repair work on the national grid.

The directive followed a recent grid disturbance reported at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, caused by a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
The TCN reported that recovery efforts were promptly initiated, with power partially restored within minutes in the Abuja region, though work continued in other areas.

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, noted that the committee’s recommendations aim to offer lasting solutions for both immediate and long-term grid stability.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah confirmed that the agency has begun implementing these recommendations, which involve technical upgrades and strategic repairs across key areas. Ongoing work includes improvements on the 330kV Shiroro–Mando transmission line, significant upgrades at the Jebba Substation, and restoration of the second 330kV Ugwuaji–Apir line.

According to Mbah, while these enhancements are underway, some intermittent power instability may persist.
The TCN has appealed for public understanding during this period, emphasizing that the measures are critical for achieving a stable and reliable power supply across Nigeria.
The TCN reiterated its commitment to minimizing power disruptions and enhancing the grid’s resilience, recognizing the essential role that stable electricity plays in the country’s economic growth.

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Fuel scarcity imminent as NLC declares support for NUPENG’s nationwide strike threat

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A fresh wave of fuel scarcity may soon hit Nigeria as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), after its threat of a nationwide strike.
The strike warning followed an alleged military intervention to forcefully remove oil workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig, sparking outrage within labor unions.
NLC President Joe Ajaero in a statement released Friday condemned the reported involvement of military personnel, which he described as a breach of labor rights and a threat to the principles of industrial relations. According to Ajaero, the NLC is in total solidarity with NUPENG in its stance against the alleged forced eviction warning that NLC would escalate its response if such incidents continue.

The dispute popped up following a longstanding industrial disagreement between NUPENG and the rig’s management, who allegedly failed to honor contractual agreements concerning worker severance benefits.
NUPENG has criticized the actions of the oil companies involved—Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors—for allegedly ignoring legally binding agreements and resorting to what they describe as intimidation tactics.
Earlier in the week, NUPENG filed a petition with the Federal Government to address the conflict, expressing alarm over the deployment of armed forces.
Despite this, it is reported that a special naval unit was flown to the Oritsetimeyin rig on Thursday to eject workers, prompting NUPENG to threaten a nationwide shutdown if the government does not intervene.
In response, Ajaero highlighted the destabilizing effects of military involvement in workplace matters, which he said could damage an already fragile economy and violate workers’ rights.
“We cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces,” he stated, calling on the Nigerian military, the National Security Adviser, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold labor statutes and prevent further harassment of union members.

The NLC also stressed the importance of keeping industrial disputes out of the military’s purview, urging authorities to allow peaceful negotiations to run their course.
“This matter is strictly an industrial relations issue,” Ajaero emphasized, urging the government to protect workers’ rights to fair negotiation without coercion.

With fuel scarcity on the horizon, Nigerians may face disruptions if the strike goes forward, impacting businesses, transportation, and day-to-day activities across the nation.

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Akpabio Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Laggaja

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Describing Lagbaja as a “fine, committed, and dedicated officer,” Akpabio praised the late military leader for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and unity, even at great personal risk.
In a statement by his special assistant on Media Jackson Udom, Akpabio shared that he was shocked by the news, having recently spoken with Lagbaja, who had been optimistic about his return to office.
The Senate President remarked on the significant loss Lagbaja’s death represents for Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.

“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military community, and the Lagbaja family on this great loss,” Akpabio said.

He extended prayers for strength and comfort to Lagbaja’s family, friends, and colleagues and wished for the late officer’s soul to find peace in Aljanah Firdaus.

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