News
Maj-Gen Husseini Ahmed laid to rest [Photo]
The remains of the former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, late Major General Huseini Ahmed has been laid to rest at Guards Brigade Cemetery Abuja. Late Major General Huseini Ahmed was killed on 16 July 2021 by unknown gunmen while travelling on Lokoja -Abuja road.
In his remarks during the funeral rites, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya described the late senior officer as an articulate, dedicated, loyal and highly professional officer in the discharge of his duties.
He eulougise the senior officer for his sterling qualities and immeasurable contributions to the Nigerian Army while he was alive.
Major General Ahmed was born on 16 February 1968 in Maiduguri. He hails from Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State. He attended Yelwa Comprehensive Secondary School Makurdi, where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education. He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1988 and was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 25 September 1993 as a member of 40 Regular Course in the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was of the Military Police Corps and rose to the rank of Major General before his unfortunate demise.
Late Major General Ahmed held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Defence Studies, as well as a Master Degree in Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was one time the Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army and until his death he was the Director Veteran Affairs at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The late senior officer attended several courses including Young Officers’ Course Infantry, both Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and National Defence College among others.
In recognition of his meritorious services to the nation, late Major General Huseini Ahmed was honoured with several awards and medals including the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal and Fellow Defence College among others.
The burial ceremony had in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff ,General LEO Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, representatives of other Service Chiefs, representatives of the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Heads of Security Agencies, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, Field Commanders, Senior Officers both serving and retired, members of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the deceased senior officers immediate family members, friends and sympathisers among others.
In medals including the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal and Fellow Defence College among others.
Nairobi, Kenya: April 8, 2025 – The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has called for the immediate release of three journalists detained in Burkina Faso and forcibly conscripted into the armed forces. Guezouma Sanogo, president of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private TV station BFI, were arrested by National Security Council intelligence officers on March 24.
Sanogo and Ouoba were detained after speaking out against increasing violations of press freedom during the AJB Congress. Pagbelguem’s arrest followed his media outlet’s coverage of the congress, where Sanogo also advocated for the release of four other journalists who were abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024.
A video surfaced online last week showing the three journalists in military uniforms in an undisclosed location, flanked by armed men in Burkinabe army uniforms. The CAJ has strongly condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, urging them to release the journalists immediately and uphold press freedom.
“We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely,” said Christopher Isiguzo, president of CAJ.
He expressed deep concern over the growing crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Burkina Faso, which has included suspending AJB’s operations.
Isiguzo also highlighted the detrimental effect this crackdown is having on press freedom, warning that it fosters fear and self-censorship among journalists, thereby undermining the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.
The CAJ president further called for the release of three other journalists forcibly conscripted into the army in 2024: Serge Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Evénement newspaper, Adama Bayala, and Kalifara Sere from BF1, a private TV channel. These individuals went missing in June 2024, with the authorities confirming their conscription in October of that year. The fate of Alain Traore, a columnist with Omega Media, remains unknown, as he was seized by masked gunmen in July 2024, with the authorities refusing to comment on his whereabouts.
As the repression intensifies, many journalists have fled the country, fearing arrest and forced conscription. Notably, Newton Ahmed Barry, a prominent journalist, was placed on a list of individuals “wanted for association with a terrorist organization” by the Burkinabe authorities on April 1.
During the AJB Congress, additional concerns were raised regarding the disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali, highlighting the ongoing threat to press freedom in Burkina Faso.
The CAJ continues to monitor the situation closely, calling on international bodies to exert pressure on the Burkinabe government to respect the rights of journalists and ensure their safe return.
Troublesome 27 Rivers State House of Assembly legislators werenhosted to dinner in the United Kingdom by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom.
The dinner took place on Monday April 7 which has been confirmed by Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson for the minister.
Olayinka said the lawmakers who were suspended amidst plot to impeach the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara were hosted during their stay in the UK for a Legislative Capacity Building Course.
In a video post shared on X, Olayinka said the minister departed Nigyon Sunday night to host the meeting.
Olayinka wrote, “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner.
“Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” he said.
Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner.
Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt,… pic.twitter.com/EOr3SwTMMA
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) April 8, 2025
The lawmakers are Nyesom Wike’s loyalists and bowed to remove the Governor from office for having altercation with their political godfather.
……says this will promote Nigeria value system
Former First Lady of Lagos State, Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro as an ambassador designate, saying the move will promote Nigeria value system.
Expressing her joy, Sen. Raji-Rasaki said President Tinubu, is branded of appointing reputable individuals to serve in his administration, adding that the crops of the newly screened Ambassadors is a testament of putting a round peg, in a round hole.
Speaking further, she pointed out that Pedro has never shy away from building serious interest of all Lagosians, this she stressed, “Pedro is a technocratic to the core. President Tinubu could not be mistaken in the choice of Femi Pedro as an Ambassador from Lagos State. Born in Lagos, he becomes a voice to reckon with in the politics of Lagos State within a short stint of time.
“His wealth of experience in the banking sector as a leader, entrepreneur and investor came to fruition as he humbly served in the transformation of Lagos State. Pedro was also part of Governor Tinubu’s unprecedented revenue drive which saw Lagos State restructured the entire revenue generating mechanism, the results is the ongoing economic evolution being witnessed in Lagos today.
Raji-Rasaki urged Mr. Pedro and other newly appointed ambassadors, when screened by the Senate and resume duties, to support and as well identify with all Nigerians residing in their various places of assignment to ensure they succeed in their legitimate works and businesses and by extension, contribute to the nation building., “I can only urge you never to relent in creating a conducive environment from Nigeria government for developmental drive of the nation from the Diaspora. Congratulation, I wish you a successful tenure in office.”. Sen. Raji Rasaki prayed.
DEPOWA College Project: A commitment to nation building – Badaru
NES: Basiru rejects leadership award, accuses Osun Govt of political interference
Spiritual Sabotage: Unmasking the merchant of Ayija and Co.’s betrayal in Igala’s political downfall
-
News1 week agoAbia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
-
News4 days agoSenators Natasha, Abbo unite in peddling dangerous falsehood against me – Akpabio
-
News2 days agoEchocho provides food items, cash to victims of windstorm in Kogi East
-
Politics4 days agoAbure’s Supreme Court Sack: Peter Obi, Nenadi Usman, LP faction react
-
News1 week agoKogi government bans rallies ahead of Natasha’s homecoming slated for Tuesday
-
News2 days agoAt 76, Governor Ododo extols Ibrahim Idris’ statesmanship, service to Kogi
-
News1 week agoIran may secure a deal before Trump’s deadline – or face Israeli strikes in Tehran – analysis
-
Energy and Power3 days agoMinister of Power signs performance contract with agencies