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Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

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Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kyaoka Aneke, on Wednesday delivered a stirring and inspiring address before the Senate, declaring his unwavering commitment to build a “lethal, intelligent and combat-ready” Nigerian Air Force that will defend the nation with precision, discipline and purpose.

Speaking with rare candour and conviction, Aneke said his duty as Air Chief was not just a professional obligation, but a sacred covenant between the Air Force and the Nigerian people.

“As the Chief of the Air Staff, my duties are very clear, direct and simple to secure the lives, liberties and aspirations of Nigerians through the instrument of air power,” he said.

“This is not merely a professional mandate. It is a sacred trust between the Nigerian Air Force and the people we serve.”

Aneke, a battle-tested pilot and strategic thinker, told lawmakers that every decision he makes, every policy he drafts and every mission he authorises will be driven by a single objective to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and preserve peace.

“Every decision I make will be guided by one purpose to protect our people and ensure that the Nigerian Air Force remains the shield of the nation,” he said.

He vowed to transform the Air Force into a force of speed, precision and intelligence capable of overwhelming threats before they emerge.

“If confirmed, I will dedicate myself to building a combat-ready Air Force one that is operationally versatile, disciplined and lethal,” he declared.

“I use the word lethal in a professional sense, because a man running from you will not have the time to sit down and plan. The Nigerian Air Force will respond swiftly, strike precisely and act intelligently across the full spectrum of military operations.”

Aneke said his vision was anchored on training, technology, safety and strategic innovation, noting that true military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.

“When you find yourself in a battle, it is not the strength you have that matters. It is the brain you have that solves the problem,” he said.
“We must use technology wisely and meet our adversaries with intelligence, not just strength.”

The Air Chief, known for his pragmatic leadership style, pledged to deepen inter-agency synergy, especially with the Navy and Army, to ensure unified and effective operations.

“I have served with the Navy and seen firsthand the challenges of joint operations. I will energise and strengthen collaboration among all the services. Together, we will fight as one force for one nation,” he said.

On the question of funding, Aneke offered a blunt but insightful reminder about the real cost of national security.

Aviation is a very expensive business,” he told the senators. You may hear N1.2 billion and think it is a lot, but in the aviation environment, that is like a spoon fetching from the ocean. To train one pilot or fire one missile costs tens of thousands of dollars and we do this every day.”

He appealed for sustained legislative support, insisting that national defence must never be compromised by budgetary hesitation.

“The Armed Forces is that part of government which you must spend money on and hope not to use,” he said.

“If you do not have it, you are a chicken waiting for the hawk. But if you have it, you can look anyone in the face and defend your country with pride.”

Drawing from his experience flying alongside top airmen in the United States and across the world, Aneke said Nigerian officers command respect globally for their professionalism, discipline and intellect.

“I have flown with Americans and officers from other nations. They respect us. A Nigerian is a proud person anywhere in the world all we need is support,” he said.

He concluded his address with an impassioned pledge to the nation:

“I will lead an Air Force that is fearless in the face of danger, relentless in the pursuit of excellence, and uncompromising in the defence of our homeland. We will make Nigeria proud.”

The Senate applauded Aneke’s vision, describing his words as both inspiring and reassuring a reflection of renewed determination within the Nigerian Air Force to defend the nation with courage, intelligence and strength.

Chief of Air Staff vows to build a fearless, intelligent and combat-ready Air Force

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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