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

About 17 million New Jobs Available in Care Economy in Nigeria- Survey

By: Michael Mike

About 17 million new jobs could be available if the recommendations of the Dissemination of the Nigeria Time Use Survey (NTUS) conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in partnership with UN Women Nigeria are implemented.

The survey revealed m that investment in the care economy in Nigeria has the potential of generating about 17 million new jobs in the country.

Speaking at the presentation of the Nigeria Time Use Survey and commemoration of the International Day of Care and Support in Abuja on Wednesday, the Head, Gender and Social Inclusion, NBS, Ms. Caroline Faturoti, said these new jobs, particularly in childcare, would primarily benefit women and contribute to reducing the gender employment gap.

Faturoti further explained that the Survey, being the first of its kind in Nigeria, has provided critical data on how women and men allocate their time to paid and unpaid work.

She recalled that the care economy includes all paid and unpaid activities that involve providing care and support to people throughout their lives, and encompasses sectors like healthcare, education, and social services, as well as unpaid work such as childcare and elder care within households.

She added that this sector is crucial for individual well-being and economic stability, though it has historically been undervalued, with much of the work being done by women and often underpaid or unpaid.

In his address, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said the NBS, through the NTUS has, for the first time in many years, provided robust national data on how Nigerians spend their time, including time spent on unpaid care and domestic work.

He noted that: “The results are revealing. They show that women spend far more hours each day on unpaid care activities than men do.

“These are hours that sustain households and communities but often go unnoticed in our economic measurements. With this data, we can now give visibility and value to the work that truly keeps our society functioning.

“The NTUS provides evidence for policies that can help reduce and redistribute unpaid care work, such as through childcare services, social protection, care infrastructure, and family-friendly workplace policies.

“It also supports Nigeria’s progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5.4.1, which calls for the recognition and valuation of unpaid care and domestic work.”

Adeyemi represented by the Director, Prices and Trade Statistics, NBS, Mr. Ishaku Maigida,noted that recognising care work is not only about fairness but also about economic sense.

He said: “Investing in care and support systems creates jobs, strengthens families, and unlocks the potential of millions, especially women, to participate fully in our economy.

“As we mark the International Day of Care and Support, let us commit to a Nigeria where care is shared, supported, and celebrated, not invisible.

“Let us use the power of statistics to drive compassion into policy and to ensure that care becomes a pillar of national development.”

In her welcome remarks, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, said the International Day of Care and Support, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, recognises care as a universal human right and a foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.

Eyong, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, said globally, women perform over three-quarters of all unpaid care work, contributing an estimated 11 trillion US dollars to the global economy each year, about 9 percent of world GDP.

She said in Nigeria, this imbalance is more pronounced, limiting women’s participation in the economy and public life.

Commenting on the findings of the NTUS, Eyong said women spend between 4.5 and 6 hours daily on unpaid care and domestic work compared to 1.5 to 2 hours for men.

“When unpaid work is counted, women’s total workload far exceeds that of men, leaving less time for paid employment, education, rest, or civic participation.

“This data is crucial to design gender responsive policies, budgets, and care systems that recognise and support the work that sustains families and communities,” she explained.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Care and Support is, “Caring and support for all – addressing all rights-holders, including those providing and receiving care and support.”

About 17 million New Jobs Available in Care Economy in Nigeria- Survey

ECOWAS Court President Calls for Stronger Institutional Collaboration, Efficiency, and Accountability at 2025 Judicial Retreat

By: Michael Mike

Abuja-Nigeria, 26 October 2025 – Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has called for renewed commitment to institutional collaboration, efficiency, and accountability as foundations of service in the Court. He made the call during the opening of the 2025 Judicial Retreat holding from 26 to 31 October 2025 at Zuma Resort in Niger State, Nigeria.

In his opening speech, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves welcomed participants and underscored the relevance of the annual retreat as a forum for reflection, accountability and institutional reinforcement. He commended the judges and staff for a productive judicial year and acknowledged the successful organisation of the 2025/2026 Legal Year Opening Ceremony, which reaffirmed the central role of the judiciary in the ECOWAS integration framework.

Justice Gonçalves also emphasised the importance of internal cohesion and institutional discipline to effective delivery of justice, stressing that the Court’s ability to deliver timely and impactful justice depends on the quality of its internal systems.

“The credibility of this Court is not written merely in our statutes. It is built daily through our conduct, our diligence and our unity of purpose. I therefore hope that this retreat will be not only a moment of reflection, but also a renewal of commitment, discipline and integrity in the service of justice,” he said.

He outlined five priority areas that would guide the operations of the Court in the coming year. They include: strengthening collaboration between the judges’ chambers and all departments; institutionalising the implementation of retreat recommendations; upholding discipline and ethics as non-negotiable foundations of service in the Court; enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of judicial processes; and promoting unity and institutional loyalty within the Court.

In his remarks, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the Court presented the objectives and expected outcomes of the retreat. He said that the ‘retreat aims to reinforce the capacity of staff to effectively support the Honourable Judges in their judicial work. It addresses the critical need for improved efficiency, productivity and synergy in the execution of official duties.’ He added that the retreat will result in enhanced understanding of comparative practices of international courts and clear understanding of applicable procedural laws of the Court in the administration of justice.

The 2025 Judicial Retreat will feature detailed assessments of departmental performance based on the Court’s annual performance report, a review of the implementation status of previous retreat recommendations, and discussions on comparative judicial practices in areas such as summary hearings, interim measures, accelerated procedure and judicial reforms.

The Retreat which is being held under the theme ‘Efficiency and Effectiveness: Streamlining Processes for a Dynamic ECOWAS Court’ brings together the college of judges, registry staff, and legal officers to reflect, review institutional performance, and define strategic priorities for the coming year. Expected resolutions of the Retreat include the adoption of the Annual Performance Report of the Court for October 2024–October 2025 and a Manual of Disciplinary Procedure for Staff of the Court.

ECOWAS Court President Calls for Stronger Institutional Collaboration, Efficiency, and Accountability at 2025 Judicial Retreat