NTAC DG Dedicates Award to President Tinubu, Emerges “Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year 2025” in Parliamentary Publication’s Annual Event

By: Michael Mike

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has dedicated the award of “Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year” received at the Nigerian Assembly Orientation and Award 2025 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Award,which was held, Wednesday,at the National Assembly Library Trust Funds Hall, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, was aimed at recognizing the best performing public servant in the non-legislative category across the country for the current year.

The event,which drew participants from across the country,is the 9th Edition of the Awards.Speaking at the event,the Publisher of Assembly News,a foremost Nigerian Parliamentary news tabloid,Prince Adeboye Omoboye explained that the NTAC boss emerged best-peforming Public Servant from a national poll.

He lauded the NTAC DG for his commitment and sacrifice to national service and for, particularly,using the Technical Aid Corps Scheme in the last two- years-and-half of the Tinubu Administration to reposition Nigeria as a global giant in the areas of soft power and development diplomacy.

While thanking President Tinubu for the opportunity to even serve the nation,the NTAC DG praised the promoters of the Awards for their visionary approach to progressive and developmental journalism. He also noted that diverse fora such as the day’s occasion were important to chronicle the nation’s history in an era when younger Nigerians were beginning to lose touch with the nation’s evolutionary processes.

Earlier, while speaking on the theme of the day’s event, “A New Nigeria,”Director General of the Nigerian Orientation Agency,Issa Lanre-Onilu admonished Nigerians to rethink their responsibilities for the country, informing that the new 7 for 7 National Value Charter of the NOA has emphasised not only the aspects of what he termed “National Promise”, but its corresponding “Citizens’ Code”. He called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of placing Nigeria above every consideration at all times.Onilu was represented at the event by his Special Assistant on Media, Tolu Meduna.

The event, which saw the recognition of other Nigerians, including those from across the States, for various award categories,ended with a pledge to continue to push for a better Nigeria through parliamentary advocacy and media campaigns.

Among those who accompanied the NTAC DG to the event were the Director of Administration,Amb.Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed; that of Programmes, Amb.Zakari Usman as well as the Deputy Director and Head of Accounts, Mrs Meimunat Haruna-Mustapha.Others were the Assistant Director and Head of Internal Audits, Mr Adekola Lawal; his colleague, Mr Mustapha Aliyu, an Assistant Director and Mr. Fehintola Adebowale, Assistant Director,Programmes, among others.

NTAC DG Dedicates Award to President Tinubu, Emerges “Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year 2025” in Parliamentary Publication’s Annual Event

Analysts question US motives in Nigeria, warn against foreign military intervention

By: Zagazola Makama

Growing conversations among security analysts and policy observers in Nigeria are questioning what they describe as the United States’ “renewed interest” in Nigerian security, especially following recent international reactions to killings in parts of the North.

In recent weeks, statements by some U.S. politicians and evangelical groups have framed the attacks by armed groups in Nigeria as a “persecution of Christians”, throwing debates among local diplomats and defence experts that the narrative could be used as justification for foreign military involvement.

Several analysts who spoke to Zagazola Makama said history shows that no foreign military power deploys troops across oceans purely on humanitarian grounds.

A geopolitical researcher in Abuja, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, stated: “There is no such thing as military charity. Wherever the U.S. deploys troops, there is a strategic economic interest – oil, minerals, or military positioning.”

He cited examples of American involvement in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan, where interventions were initially framed around “rescue missions”, democracy, fighting Islamist Jihadist or counter-terrorism, but ended with prolonged military presence, destruction, or resource access.

According to him, the narrative of a “Christian genocide” could be a psychological operation to create public sympathy and legitimacy for intervention. “Once intervention is framed as saving victims, public resistance becomes weak. That is how foreign bases are negotiated.” said the sources.

Nigeria sits on an estimated 37 billion barrels of crude oil and possesses rare earth minerals, including lithium, uranium, and gold. These are increasingly vital to defence, tech, and energy industries worldwide.

Very soon Nigeria may start receiving proposal suggesting a U.S. military presence in strategic locations tied to resources. Places like Port Harcourt (oil-rich Niger Delta), Tsafe in Zamfara and Sokoto (gold and uranium belt), and Konduga in Borno (reported uranium deposits) as areas repeatedly discussed informally by foreign security actors.

It is a well known fact that the United States holds vast intelligence on all activities of bandits in the North West and ISWAP or Boko Haram terrorists in the North but has declined to share actionable data or lift restrictions on military procurement. Even after Nigeria secured financing to acquire long-range surveillance drones, the U.S. declined to approve the deployment, despite Nigeria meeting all requirements.

US has the biggest surveillance platform in West Africa, they monitor the entire Sahel and West Africa from satellites and aerial ISR platforms. They see every movement of bandits and terrorists. They know their coordinates,” the source said but when it comes to enabling Nigeria to end terrorism, the response becomes diplomatic and procedural.”

He also cited instances where U.S. legislation restricted Nigeria’s access to key military equipment, leading to the prolonged war on terrorism including the recent blocked transaction of equipment from Saudi Arabia.
Security analysts argue that the same countries expressing concern over insecurity frequently frustrate Nigeria’s attempts to strengthen its own capability.

“You cannot claim to be worried about terrorism while blocking the tools needed to fight terrorism,” the analyst said.

In recent years, African countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali have removed U.S. and French military partnerships, accusing Western governments of interference or resource-driven agendas. Transitional leaders in some of these countries have alleged that foreign actors undermined internal political stability. While the U.S. government has repeatedly denied involvement in any such activities, African analysts maintain that Western foreign policy is often transactional.

Despite the concerns, the Nigerian government insists that any international partnerships must respect national sovereignty.

“Nigeria welcomes support, not dominance. Assistance must strengthen Nigeria’s capability, not replace it.”said top Government official.

Analysts question US motives in Nigeria, warn against foreign military intervention

Murder of Fulani herder triggers reprisal attack, leaves three villagers dead in Anwule, Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Three persons have been killed and one declared missing following a reprisal attack by suspected herders on Anwule community in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, was triggered by the alleged murder of a Fulani herder by some suspected villagers in late August

The tragedy traces back to late August, when a young Fulani herder was reportedly assaulted and killed by some villagers who accused him of grazing cattle on their farmland. His death, security sources say, was the spark that ignited the deadly cycle.

“They attacked the cattle, and in the process, the young boy herding them was killed,” a security source told Zagazola.
“Up till now, his body has not been found. That incident changed everything.”

After the killing, tension became the village’s new normal. Security sources said the herders launched a desperate search for the boy’s body, while villagers, anxious over possible retaliation, kept night vigils around the community.

Instead of de-escalation, the situation worsened. On Monday, some villagers reportedly launched another attack on herders in a separate encounter, killing more cattle and a Fulani herder.

“That second attack was the tipping point,” another source disclosed. Once a human life was involved again, everyone knew a reprisal was almost certain.”

By Tuesday morning, the herders struck back.
Before troops from the Army Forward Operating Base, Otukpo, could respond to distress calls from villagers, the attackers invaded Anwule, shooting sporadically and torching homes. When the gunfire stopped, three villagers – Simon Nbach, Adoya Ejigai and Ejeh Loko – lay dead. One resident is still missing, and community members fear he may also have been killed.

One Simon Nbach, who was later identified as a pastor of the Flaming Fire Ministry, was among those caught in the attack.

Troops later assisted locals in recovering the bodies. The villagers who survived now live in fear; many have fled to neighbouring communities, abandoning their farmlands and homes.

In the aftermath, senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Joseph Har, and the Chairman of Ohimini LGA, Mr. Gabriel Adole, visited the community. They appealed for calm and promised reinforced security surveillance.

“We understand the grief and fear, but peace must be maintained. Security agencies are already on the trail of the perpetrators,” Har told the community leaders.

Murder of Fulani herder triggers reprisal attack, leaves three villagers dead in Anwule, Benue