Category: Daily Trust

The recent shake-up in Nigeria’s military is set to sweep out dozens of senior officers from the system.

Findings show that no fewer than 60 Generals are expected to retire.

This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of new Service Chiefs.

SPONSOR AD

The move, announced on Friday, saw General Christopher Musa removed as Chief of Defence Staff alongside other top commanders.

Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, who was until now the Chief of Army Staff, has been named the new Chief of Defence Staff.

While Major-General Waidi Shaibu was named the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke took charge as Chief of Air Staff.

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas becomes Chief of Naval Staff.

Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Military sources said the reshuffle will trigger a major round of retirements among officers senior to the new Service Chiefs.

‘The newly appointed Service Chiefs will be decorated with their ranks any moment from now. As such, their seniors who are still in service will exit,’ a source confirmed.

Officers from the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Courses 38, 39 and a few from Course 40 are said to be affected.

The changes, sources added, are in line with military tradition to maintain discipline, hierarchy and command structure.

The Presidency said the shake-up was aimed at strengthening national security and improving coordination across the Armed Forces.

The new appointments came days after reports of an alleged coup plot circulated in the media.

Daily Trust could not confirm any link between the rumours and the changes.

Security watchers say the mass retirement will open the way for a new generation of commanders across the Armed Forces.

The belief, in some quarters, is that the change could inject fresh momentum into ongoing military operations and unsettle, briefly, the command structure as new officers take over.

A former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka (rtd), said the move was not unusual.

‘It is a regular practice in the military. Leadership rotation brings new energy to operations,’ he said.

A statement signed by Sunday Dare said, the president’s aide, praised the outgoing officers for their ‘patriotic service and dedication’.

He said the president made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts to strengthen the national security architecture

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted illicit drugs valued at N562.5 million in the Gbaji area of Badagry, Lagos State.

The drugs were uncovered during a stop-and-search operation carried out by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, along the access road to the Seme border.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed this during a brief handover ceremony held at his office on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

SPONSOR AD

According to the Comptroller, the interception took place at about 1700 hours on the 17th of October, 2025, when a patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Uduak Monday.

The suspect was reportedly found in possession of a nylon bag tightly wrapped with sellotape.

He stated that upon examination, the contents of the bag were discovered to be Ice Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 25 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N562,500,000.

Shuaibu said that ‘the seizure underscores the unit unwavering commitment to combating smuggling in all its forms and highlights the importance of robust inter-agency collaboration.’

The Comptroller added that the unit remained resolute in its mission to work in synergy with relevant agencies and stakeholders to dismantle smuggling networks operating within the zone.

He also disclosed that the seized substance had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

While receiving the exhibit and the suspect on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, the Commander of Narcotics, Lagos State Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman, was quoted as commending the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in the fight against drug trafficking.

He said, ‘The contributions of the NCS in the ongoing war against drugs trafficking are remarkable. We will continue to update the unit as the trial of the suspect progresses in court.’

Liman also commended the Unit ‘for deepening the realization of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two agencies.’

The House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the prevalence, regulation and impact of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and illicit trafficking on Nigeria’s economy and public health.

The committee, chaired by Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, was constituted following a House resolution to probe the growing rate of drug abuse among Nigerians.

In a statement yesterday, Adelegbe noted that the committee had been given an urgent mandate to identify the root causes, institutional weaknesses and enforcement lapses fueling substance abuse across the country.

SPONSOR AD

He urged Nigerians and relevant organisations to submit memoranda addressing their concerns and recommendations, which would guide legislative interventions ahead of its investigative hearing.

‘This process is both investigative and participatory. The House wants a coordinated, data-driven and sustainable response to the menace of drug abuse,’ he added.

He said the committee had invited key stakeholders, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Justice, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN (PMG-MAN), and major pharmaceutical firms, such as Emzor, Fidson, May and Baker, Juhel and Dana.

Also invited are beverage and tobacco companies like Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria, and International Distillers Ltd, as well as law enforcement bodies, including the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Professional and advocacy groups such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), and Civil Society Network on Substance Abuse (CSNSSA) will also make inputs.

Adelegbe said the House was determined to use the findings to craft strong policies that would curb substance abuse and its devastating effects on the country.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Annual Conference of the Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK), scheduled to hold in Manchester on Sunday, 26th October.

Themed ‘Ethical Digital Economy: The Future of Community-Centred Islamic Digital Banking,’ the conference will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the intersection of technology, ethics, and Islamic finance in today’s digital age.

Other distinguished speakers include Dr Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of JIBWIS (Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah), and Mr Raza Ullah, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pfida, a leading ethical finance platform.

SPONSOR AD

In a statement, the National Ameer of NMFUK, Dr Bilyaminu Romo, said the event forms part of the activities marking the Forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and will ‘serve as a platform for intellectual exchange, cultural appreciation, and communal strengthening.’

According to Dr Romo, discussions will explore how Islamic principles can guide innovation in digital finance, ensuring inclusion, accountability, and shared prosperity.

‘The theme reflects our commitment to building a just and ethical economic system that benefits individuals and communities alike.’

‘Professor Pantami’s keynote address is expected to highlight the role of digital innovation in expanding access to Islamic financial services, as Nigeria continues to consolidate its position as a regional leader in ethical finance.

‘Nigeria’s Islamic finance ecosystem, currently valued at over $4 billion, underscores the sector’s rapid growth and potential in supporting national development and financial inclusion.

‘Beyond finance, participants will also discuss community cohesion, intercultural dialogue and collaboration in pursuit of shared values of compassion and service,’ the statement read.

The Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK) is the umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims in the United Kingdom.

Registered as a charity, the Forum supports both UK-based and Nigerian communities through medical outreach, education, orphanage support, and humanitarian initiatives.

Literally translated, Mahaukata means people with mental illness in Hausa language. However, in Bauchi Emirate, it carries a respected cultural meaning, conferred only on individuals who are bold and courageous enough to speak the truth to authorities, even to the emir whenever the need arises.

The role of the Mahaukata is to fearlessly advise the emir on matters affecting his subjects without fear or favour. The holder of the title is known by all due to the nature of his role in the palace.

Any time you hear someone speaking loudly at the palace and drawing the attention of the emir on some pressing issues affecting the lives of the common man, he is nobody but the Mahaukatan Bauchi.

SPONSOR AD

Origin of the title

The title of Mahaukata was instituted by the Emir of Bauchi, Malam Ibrahim Dan Yakubu. The first to hold it was his close friend, the late Malam Dauda.

Although Dauda was not from a royal lineage, he grew up alongside Ibrahim under the care of Emir Yakubu.

Their bond endured even after Ibrahim became emir. Dauda was one of the few who could boldly correct the emir whenever he erred. This is a testament to the title’s essence.

Dauda, the first Mahaukatan Bauchi and the Emir of Bauchi Ibrahim grew up in the palace like brothers; and because of their intimacy, the latter used to correct the former’s mistakes whenever the need arose. So, even after Ibrahim became emir, that did not stop Dauda from correcting him, even in public.

Because of this attitude, anytime Dauda approached the palace with the intention to correct the emir, the people around would start saying the mad man had started. The emir, on his part, was not comfortable with Dauda’s attitude and decided to tackle it. After consultations with relevant personalities, the emir came up with an idea of conferring a title on Dauda, with a view to controlling his attitude towards him.

However, when the emir approached Dauda and requested to choose a traditional title of his choice, Dauda chose to be conferred with the title of Mahaukatan Bauchi. He told the emir that he wanted to be conferred with the title the people already knew him; hence the emir conferred him with the title of Mahaukatan Bauchi. His main duty was to tell the emir the truth about the condition of the people.

Alhaji Ado Danrimi Garba, the current Wakilin Tarihi of Bauchi Emirate, told Weekend Trust that contrary to the misconceptions, Mahaukata is not a mad man and is the only person in the whole palace allowed to tell the emir everything in public, noting, ‘In a nutshell, Mahaukata is not a mad man. He is a physically sound person saddled with the responsibility of telling the emir the truth anytime and anywhere. So, Mahaukata is a brave, loyal and highly respected person in the palace.

‘If you are not brave you cannot be conferred with the title of Mahaukata. The duty of Mahaukata is to tell the truth, but he doesn’t have the authority to enforce it. Mahaukata is always after correcting the emir to do things correctly,’ he explained.

Since its inception, several individuals have served as Mahaukatan Bauchi. Today, Ahmad Lawal Aliyu holds the title. Despite its misleading literal meaning, he proudly bears the role and the responsibility that comes with it.

Aliyu, who is the 10th Mahaukatan Bauchi, told Weekend Trust that his major work in the palace is to tell the emir the naked truth no matter what, saying, ‘Once he sees some things that need the emir’s intervention, I will go directly to the emir and inform him. I am the only person that has the power to approach the emir on anything that requires his intervention.

‘I do not have any barrier with the emir. Whenever something happens in Bauchi and it needs the emir’s intervention, I will go to the palace and inform him. Also, during the palace session, if the emir errs, I will correct him.’

I feel angry if I am not called by my title – 10th Mahaukata

Alhaji Aliyu said he always felt embarrassed and dishonored whenever he is called by his real name, saying, ‘I always prefer to be called by my title than my real name. If I am called by my real name I feel like I was stripped naked.

‘I cherish the title so much that I can fight you if you underrate it. This is something I inherited from my forefathers, so I am always proud of it. Nine people from my family held this title before me and they all acted the way I am acting now. My family is always proud of this title.

‘There was a time I made a speech at a public function at the Emir of Bauchi’s palace. People from various states attended the function, including the then Wazirin Kano. After my speech, he wondered why I was called Mahaukata despite my appearance and eloquence.

‘Another incident happened at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto when I accompanied the Emir of Bauchi to Sokoto. When I greeted the Sultan and turned to the Emir of Bauchi and greeted him, he said, ‘Thank you Mahaukata; you arrived? The Sultan asked, ‘Emir, of all the available titles, a complete man like this chose to be called Mahaukata?’ The Emir of Bauchi replied, ‘He is Mahaukatan Bauchi, who always tells me the truth. The Sultan said Allah shi yi ma dubun hauka.

‘When I was sent to Niger by the Emir of Bauchi and I introduced myself as the Mahaukatan Bauchi to the traditional ruler there, the emir became angry. He simply picked his phone and called the Emir of Bauchi and inquired if truly there was a traditional title like that.

‘The Emir of Bauchi laughed and confirmed to him that it’s true and I am the holder. The emir further explained in detail about the title and my role in the palace. That was what saved me from the emir’s anger.’

Interestingly, the neighbourhood where the Mahaukata resides is popularly known as Anguwar Mahaukata, which has led to widespread misconceptions.

Despite the community’s honourable background, many outsiders wrongly associate its name with mental illness. Residents and observers have voiced concern over this misunderstanding.

Malam Danlami Lawal, a resident of Mahaukata community, told Weekend Trust that despite the misconceptions associated with the word, residents of the community are proud of the name. He said, ‘Residents of the community are not people living with mental challenges. On the contrary, we are physically sound.

‘We don’t have bad feelings when other people call this community Unguwar Mahaukata because we don’t have a history of any mental disorder. We are normal people. The name of the community emanated from the title of Mahaukata; that’s all. Residents are proud of the community. I have never heard a resident of this community complaining about its name.’

Another resident, Muhammad Auwal, said he had never bothered about the misconceptions regarding the name of the community, adding, ‘Although many people thought residents of the community were not mentally sound, that doesn’t bother me because I am hundred per cent sure that we are mentally okay. Many people ask whether we have any mental illness, but sincerely speaking, it is just a name. We are mentally sound.

‘Of course, the word Mahaukata has a negative meaning, but it doesn’t concern us because as far as we are concerned, ours is just a traditional title with dignity, which one of us is holding. We are proud of this title and we always cherish it. I am always proud to be a member of the Mahaukata community.’

Isa Muhammad Mahaukata also said there was nothing wrong if the community retained its name. According to him, the misconception about the name does not in any way affect the dignity of residents.

He said: ‘Once people are briefed about the name of the community, they always end up commending residents for accepting it. You know people always like culture. It is a culture in Bauchi to have the title in the palace, so there is nothing wrong in naming the community Mahaukata.’

Alhaji Aminu Musa of Jahun Quarters said if not that he is from Bauchi State, no one would have convinced him to believe that Mahaukata is not a community meant for people with mental illness. He said, ‘Ideally, whoever hears the name for the first time will assume that the community is meant for people with mental illness.’

He, however, said it would be better if the government could change the name of the community to something else as that would address the issue of misconception.

A devastating accident occurred in Lagos early Saturday when a truck skidded off the Oshodi bridge and plunged into the bus station below.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, inward Mile 2.

The truck, which was fully loaded with toner printing materials, reportedly lost control while descending the bridge, resulting in the crash.

SPONSOR AD

No lives were lost in the incident. However, the truck driver sustained severe injuries, including fractures to his limbs and arms.

Emergency responders arrived promptly and rushed him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The accident caused significant disruption to traffic in the area, as officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) worked tirelessly to restore normal flow.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver may have experienced brake failure or lost control of the vehicle while navigating the descent.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, said operatives of the agency rescued a severely injured male victim following a ghastly accident involving a fully loaded six-tyre truck with registration number AKD 135 YK, which suffered brake failure and plunged off the Oshodi Bridge into the terminal ditch while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2.

Oki explained that preliminary findings indicated the ill-fated truck, laden with toner printing materials, suffered a critical mechanical fault while descending the bridge, causing it to lose control and tumble into the terminal below.

He described the accident as an unfortunate incident that could have resulted in multiple fatalities but was swiftly mitigated through the prompt intervention of LASTMA personnel, who arrived at the scene within minutes.

‘Upon arrival, our officers immediately commenced rescue operations and successfully extricated a male victim who sustained grievous injuries.

‘The injured man was taken to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the truck driver was apprehended and handed over to security operatives from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.

‘To prevent secondary collisions and ensure road safety, LASTMA operatives cordoned off the accident scene, diverted traffic, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage, restoring normalcy within a remarkably short period,’ he said.

Oki reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property on Lagos roads, particularly during the ember months when traffic volume and accident risks are typically higher.

He also emphasized that LASTMA’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations were designed to ensure seamless vehicular movement across the state before, during, and after the festive season.

The recent 5-1 thrashing of the reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars of Ikenne by South African giants, Mamelodi Sundowns in Abeokuta in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League is not only embarrassing, it has also lent credence to the suspicion in some quarters that the ‘Sky Blue’ boys were aided to win their first-ever NPFL title.

Although they had suffered early exits in the continent in their previous appearances, many thought that having learnt useful lessons playing against some of the best clubs in the continent, Remo would use the present campaign to announce their arrival on Africa’s biggest stage. Unfortunately, their fate is now hanging by a thread as only a miracle would make them progress at the expense of the more illustrious and highly motivated Mamelodi Sundowns, who are poised to complete the job at home.

Considering how Remo Stars sustained their brilliant start to the 2024 NPFL season until they won the title, almost everyone in Nigeria believed that they would flex muscles against the big boys in the CAF Champions League. It will be recalled that with well-deserved away wins against Abia Warriors, Kano Pillars, Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and regional rivals 3SC, and away draws at Enyimba, Ikorodu City, as well as the now relegated Lobi Stars, Remo Stars successfully garnered 18 points on the road, the highest by any club in the 2024 season.

SPONSOR AD

Interestingly, Remo Stars didn’t suffer any home defeat in 38 matches as their worst results at home were the two draws against Rivers United and Katsina United in week 12 and 33, respectively. So, in 19 home matches, they dropped only two points. In fact, Remo Stars suffered only 11 defeats in the whole season. It is imperative to note that even formidable sides like Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors, and Akwa United suffered home and away defeats in the hands of the NPFL champions.

It was, therefore, not surprising that the ‘Sky Blue’ stormed to their first-ever title in style with three matches to the end of the season. Remo Stars had opened an unassailable 10-point gap when they defeated Niger Tornadoes 1-0 in week 35 to amass 68 points. Their closest rivals, Rivers United, had suffered a painful 0-2 loss at Kano Pillars to remain at 58 points, meaning that Remo Stars had to beat Tornadoes to clinch the title. It was a nervy moment, but Remo Stars’ best player of the season, Olamilekan Adedayo, scored the decisive goal at the death to give them the historic title.

Honestly, it was difficult to question Remo Stars’ victory, yet a few football stakeholders alleged that it was facilitated by the magnanimity of their proprietor, Kunle Soname. Those who know closely say he is generous to a fault. Therefore, there was this feeling in some quarters that Remo Stars were getting some of the results as a reward for his magnanimity and tangible contributions to football development in Nigeria.

But amidst such suspicion, Remo Stars recorded impressive results, both at home and on the road, making many believe that their victory wasn’t artificial or fabricated. However, the scandalous defeat suffered by the club in the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns and the poor performance of the Remo Stars-dominated CHAN Eagles at this year’s African Nations Championship has revived the doubts that trailed their emergence as NPFL champions.

The match against Mamelodi Sundowns was a golden opportunity for the Nigerian champions to justify their title, but ‘Sky Blue’ lads melted without a fight. Right in front of their home fans, they were beaten like an amateur team that found its way into an elite competition by mistake. It was indeed another sad commentary on Nigerian football. After the match, many asked if Remo Stars truly deserved to win the league title.

As if he had a premonition of what was to come, a few days to the massacre in Abeokuta, the proprietor of Remo Stars granted an interview in which he said categorically that Nigerian clubs lacked the financial muscle to compete against the big clubs in the continent. He declared that it would require a miracle for Nigerian players who are paid poor salaries in the highly devalued naira to withstand their counterparts whose payment is usually in dollars. According to him, the gap between Nigerian clubs and some of the top clubs in Africa is wide and worrisome.

Consequently, when the better-motivated Sundowns whitewashed his boys in the Champions League preliminary round match, many people concluded that Soname had foreseen the embarrassing defeat. However, it is still difficult to understand how a club like Remo Stars, which boasts of the best structure among the clubs in the NPFL, faltered like Kwara United and Abia Warriors, who exited the continent even before the blast of the whistle.

When the two clubs were dumped out of the Confederation Cup at the first preliminary round stage, many of us believed Remo Stars would wipe away our tears. In fact, when the Ikenne boys were paired with Mamelodi Sundowns, we thought that Nigeria’s dominance over South Africa would prevail. Sadly, it wasn’t to be as Remo Stars were instead taught some lessons in elite football.

So, at the moment, Nigerians are left to wonder if Rivers United who finished as runners-up and are on the verge of making it to the CAF Champions League group stage after a slim 0-1 loss away to Black Bulls of Mozambique deserved to win the NPFL title. Indeed, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ gave Remo Stars a hot chase for the title.

Of course, five away wins in a league synonymous with the infamous home team-must-win syndrome underscored Remo Stars’ dominance in the NPFL and a chance to do well in the continent, but how they crumbled like a pack of cards before Mamelodi Sundowns, only heaven knows.

If it were possible to abandon the return leg, that would have been the only way for Remo Stars to avoid another beating. But the second leg must be honoured, which is giving supporters of the club sleepless nights. Even as it is said in football that it is not over until it is all over, such motivational quotes may not work in the case of Remo Stars, who have a mountain to climb on Sunday, October 26 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

As it is, the only thing Remo Stars can do is earn a respectable result. Even as they won’t be able to upturn the first leg result, returning home with a truckload of goals would be unacceptable. If they can get at least a draw in the return leg against the Brazilians of South Africa, to some extent, it would help redeem part of their battered image.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday appointed new Service Chiefs following the sack of Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff and some others.

In a statement issued on Friday by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Musa was replaced by Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, who until the new appointment was Chief of Army Staff.

While Major-General Waidi Shaibu was named as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is the new Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

SPONSOR AD

However, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, retained his position.

‘President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.

‘The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

‘The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.

‘The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria,’ the Presidency’s statement said.

The change is coming barely a week after some newspapers reported that there was an alleged plot to topple the government. However, Weekend Trust could not confirm if the change was connected to the alleged coup plot.

The new service chiefs

Lieutenant-General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

Lieutenant-General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is a seasoned officer with a career in the Nigerian Army spanning over three decades.

A graduate of the 39th Regular Course, Oluyede has a wealth of experience in military strategy and command, and he has consistently demonstrated leadership excellence in numerous operations.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Army Staff and the Defence Chief, he served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army’s elite Infantry Corps, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 (retroactively effective from 1987), Oluyede steadily rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army.

By September 2020, he attained the rank of Major-General. Throughout his career, Oluyede has taken on many leadership roles, including Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.

General Oluyede’s record extends to significant peacekeeping and national security operations. Notably, he served with distinction in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, a key deployment aimed at maintaining peace and stability in West Africa.

He further contributed to Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, focusing on protecting Nigeria’s interests in the region, and later commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade in Operation HADIN KAI, which combats insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.

Historically, Oluyede became Nigeria’s first-ever Acting Chief of Army Staff. He also holds the prestigious title of ‘Passed Staff Course,’ a hallmark of distinguished military achievement. He hails from Ekiti State.

Major-General Waidi Shaibu as army chief

Major-General Waidi Shaibu, who is the new Chief of Army Staff, has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. He was former Theatre Commander, Northeast ‘Operation Hadin Kai’.

He was once the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Div, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. During his tenure, he recorded successes in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. After his stint as the 11th GOC 7 Div, he proceeded to the Defence Space Agency in Abuja having served for a period of 14 months.

He is a former Director of Training at the Army Headquarters Department of Training in Abuja. He is also the former commander, 21 Special Armour Brigade Bama.

He was a member of the College of International Security Affairs (CISA) before he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He also served as principal staff officer at the Defense Headquarters Abuja.

In 2024, he received the Security Watch Award for the most outstanding defense command in Africa.

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was born on 20 September 1969 and hails from Nassarawa LGA of Kano State.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on September 12, 1987 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on September 10, 1993, as a member of NDA 40 Regular Course with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

The newly appointed Chief of the Naval Staff began his early education at Gwagwarwa Primary School Kano, then proceeded to Airforce Military School Jos from 1981 – 1986 before his admission into NDA in 1987.

The newly appointed CNS is an Above Water Warfare (AWW) specialist officer who has attended several military courses at home and abroad including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at NNS QUORRA in 1994, the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji in 2001 and 2005 respectively.

From January to December 2003, he attended the Officers’ Long Course (OLC XII) at NNS QUORRA Apapa Lagos specializing in Above Water Warfare. Rear Admiral Abbas also attended the United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania in 2009 and in 2014 he graduated from the prestigious National Defence College (NDC) Abuja as a member of NDC Course 23.

The newly appointed CNS has held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy. After his commissioning in 1993, he served onboard various NN ships as a Watch-Keeping Officer.

In January 2004, he was appointed Staff Officer III, Marine Services at Naval Headquarters (NHQ) and later Gunnery Officer NNS OHUE in 2006. In 2007, he became an instructor at NNS QUORRA and in 2008, he was appointed Commanding Officer Burma Battalion of NDA.

Rear Admiral Abbas later served as Base Administrative Officer of NNS PATHFINDER and Naval contingent Commander of Joint Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

He was the Maritime Guard Commander (MGC) of NIMASA in 2015 and Commander Task Group (CTG) of NN Operation Tsare-Teku in 2017.

Between 2018 and 2022, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas steadily climbed the ladder of appointments in Central Naval Command first as the Command Admin Officer (CAO) then as the Chief Staff Officer (CSO) culminating in his appointment as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC CNC) of Central Naval Command and within this period, he also served as Commander NNS VICTORY, Calabar in 2020.

In July 2023, he was appointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standard (CNASS) at NHQ and in February 2024, he became the Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations (CDCMR) and Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

In January 2025, Rear Admiral Abbas was deployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre as a Senior Research Fellow, the appointment he held before his elevation to the post of 25th Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy.

The newly appointed CNS is a thoroughbred professional Seaman Executive Officer who rose through all the ranks in NN before his appointment. He became a Midshipman on 18 September 1996, 2001 and 2006 respectively he was promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander and Commander.

He became a Navy Captain in September 2011, a Commodore in 2016 and a Rear Admiral on 10 September 2020.

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas enjoys playing hockey and driving. Rear Admiral Idi Abbas is married to Mrs Aisha Abbas and the marriage is blessed with two boys.

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke

Aneke was born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, but hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The son of an Air Warrant Officer (Rtd) Sylvester and Mrs Ngozi Aneke, he had his early education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976-1982) and Government College, Kaduna (1982-1987).

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 10 September 1993. Air Vice Marshal Aneke holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, and two Master’s Degrees, one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja.

He also possesses a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Air Vice Marshal Aneke has attended some military institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed the Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and the United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies.

He has held numerous command, instructional, and policy appointments that shaped his operational and strategic acumen, among them Director of Policy, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters, Command Operations Officer, Tactical Air Command, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Until his appointment as CAS, he served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa.

His operational experience spans domestic and international theatres, from Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta to United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations, Kindu Region.Air Vice Marshal Aneke is married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and their union is blessed with three sons.

Many Generals to go

Following the appointments, findings by the Weekend Trust revealed that senior military officers who are of NDA Regular Course 38, 39 and a few others in Course 40 will exit the force in line with the tradition of the military.

Sources said not less than 60 Generals are expected to begin the process of exiting their respective force after the official decoration of the newly-appointed service chiefs with their new ranks.

‘The newly-appointed service chiefs will be decorated with their new ranks any moment from now. As such, their seniors, who are still in the force will exit,’ one of the sources said.

Commenting on the matter when he appeared on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka (rtd), said the change is not unusual in the military, saying it is a step in the right direction to reinvigorate the fight against insecurity.

Reactions trail appointment

Reacting to the appointment, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) asked the president to be honest with Nigerians on the real reasons behind the ‘sudden and abrupt change in the leadership of the Nigerian military’.

In a statement issued on Friday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party expressed concern that the change happened after a ‘rumoured coup plot’.

‘While we acknowledge that the president, as the Commander-in-Chief, reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup.

‘We reiterate our earlier view that the reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity.

‘We note that nearly all the Service Chiefs that have been removed were appointed only 28 months ago, with the current Chief of Defence Staff himself appointed just a year ago as Chief of Army Staff.

‘We also note that this kind of decision has serious and far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks and therefore could not have been taken without strong reasons.

‘Our position remains, therefore, that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened.

‘As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy. In the light of developments in our neighbourhood of Chad and the Sahel States, we are gravely concerned.

‘Without prejudice to what might have happened in recent weeks, it is obvious that the Tinubu administration is distracted. Insecurity continues to spread with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in other parts.

‘But this is not the reason the government is changing the Service Chiefs. Instead, the administration’s attention appears fully focused on regime politics rather than securing the lives of Nigerians.

‘This action of near wholesale change in the leadership of the country’s military, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories.

‘We, therefore, reiterate our earlier position that the Federal Government must address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that our democracy is not under threat.’

But a former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, described the shake-up in the Nigeria’s military leadership as a necessary step in the country’s fight against insecurity.

Reacting to the development on his X handle, Shehu Sani, also a human rights activist, noted that periodic changes in the leadership structure of security services are essential in order to achieve results.

Sani hinged the country’s struggle with insecurity to lack of courage by past leaders to execute such changes in the military architecture.

He, however, commended Christopher Musa for his service during his stint as Chief of Defence Staff, wishing him well in his future endeavours.

Sani wrote: ‘Periodic changes in the leadership structure of our security services are essential in order to achieve results.

‘The lack of courage to do this in the past partly attributed to the failures of the nation’s battle against insecurity.

‘For us in Kaduna, we appreciate the service and stewardship of the outgoing CDS General Musa. We are proud of his accomplishments. We wish him well in his future endeavours.’

Similarly, Nigerians took to their social media to express their feelings regarding the new appointments.

On X @reuel4real said: ‘Don’t you think a democratically elected president should not have power to sack military service chiefs, let the military be a standalone institution and the highest office to be attained through qualifications only to retire after service.’

@Adeshina Oluwatosin: ‘Wow !!! I thought General CG Musa was doing well’.

@LanreOmotosho: ‘Was the coup attempt real or did he just need a reason to reshuffle his Defence cabinet.’

Halisu Hasiya: ‘That means the coup was true if not what was his offense’.

Yusuf Abdulwahab Sani: ‘This is a commendable and strategic move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his continuous effort to strengthen national security and restore lasting peace across the country.’

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has defended the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lawal said the decision was in line with the party’s constitution, which provides for consensus as a legitimate means of selecting leaders.

Northern PDP stakeholders had, earlier in the week, adopted Turaki at a meeting in Abuja attended by governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Lawal himself, and the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Also present were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-Minister of Information Jerry Gana, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and former Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau.

SPONSOR AD

However, the endorsement sparked opposition from some North-West PDP stakeholders, who said they were not invited to the meeting where Turaki was chosen.

Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the accreditation sub-committee for the forthcoming national convention, Lawal described the disagreement as part of normal political dynamics.

‘No matter what we do, some people will still be aggrieved. It is part of politics,’ he said.

‘What we are doing is to try to bring everybody together in the interest of this party. It is an ongoing process, and I can assure you that things will be okay. But it is normal to have agitations.’

He stressed that the process of adopting Turaki was legitimate and aligned with the PDP’s guiding principles.

‘In the constitution of our party, there is a provision for consensus. So, there is nothing new. It is okay; it is normal. It is part of our constitution in the PDP,’ the governor stated.

Lawal expressed optimism that the party would overcome its internal disagreements and emerge stronger ahead of its November 15-16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new National Working Committee (NWC) members will be elected.

‘You can see: we have gone through a lot in the past, and now, things are getting better day by day. I am very sure and optimistic that we will bounce back. In fact, we are already making a comeback,’ he said.

The Zamfara governor also urged members of the various convention subcommittees to work harmoniously for the event’s success.

‘To the members of the special duties committee, the trust reposed in you is immense. You are the architects of our convention’s solvency and the guidance of its operational integrity. I have every confidence that you will rise to this challenge with distinction,’ Lawal added.

In the dimly lit ward of the Unguwa Uku Primary Health Care Centre in Kano, the weak cry of a toddler pierces the air, a haunting reminder of Nigeria’s deepening hunger crisis. The tiny body of two-year-old Rahama lies in a hospital bed, a feeding tube taped to her fragile arm. Around her, dozens of other children – thin, listless and fighting to survive – share the same fate. Their parents hover helplessly, clutching hope like a lifeline in a country where food has become a luxury.

Across Kano and Maiduguri, families are grappling with hunger-induced malnutrition, a growing tragedy in Africa’s most populous country. As the cost of food continues to soar and insecurity ravages farmlands, parents are left with painful choices: eat less or watch their children waste away.

The rising wave of hunger

Families and victims of hunger-induced malnutrition in Kano and Maiduguri have shared their harrowing experiences as Nigeria battles one of its worst humanitarian crises, marked by hunger, poverty and severe malnutrition.

Analysts suggest that this development may be linked to recent reports by the World Bank on the country’s poverty situation. According to the Nigeria Development Update released by the World Bank in October, 139 million Nigerians were living in poverty as at 2025. The figure, however, has been disputed by the federal government, which insists that its economic reforms are yielding positive results.

Available statistics show that more than 30 million Nigerians are at risk of extreme food shortages. Rising food prices, insecurity, climate change, and cuts in foreign aid have left millions sleeping on empty stomachs. This deepening hunger crisis has led to widespread malnutrition, with hospitals overwhelmed by children competing for bed spaces while health care workers struggle to cope.

Beyond food shortages, millions of Nigerian children lack adequate nutrients and vitamins. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), about two million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

To ascertain the scale of the crisis, Weekend Trust gained exclusive access to malnutrition treatment centres supported by Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) in Kano and Maiduguri, where it observed victims of malnutrition in both urban and rural areas and spoke with caregivers.

The Kano ordeal

At the Kano centre in Sabon Gari, a 38-year-old Mustapha Ismail’s two-year-old daughter, Rahama, is battling malnutrition. He visits her at the Unguwa Uku Primary Health Care Centre, also supported by MSF.

Before Rahama’s admission, her parents had visited four different health centers – all of which were full. It took a week before they found a bed at the Unguwa Uku Primary Health Care Centre. The facility, originally designed for 120 patients, now accommodates 200 children – far beyond its capacity.

The ward where two-year-old Rahama receives treatment is overcrowded. Two mothers and their babies share a single bed space, making the already stretched facility even more congested. Rahama now depends on oxygen and therapeutic milk to survive. It was her sixth day in the ward. Doctors say she is recovering, but her mother, Rukayya Ibrahim, fears the family may not be able to afford the recommended diet after she is discharged.

‘Before now, we could afford nutritious meals like beans, fish or meat. We used to get plenty, but life has changed. I am appealing to the government to help. Truly, the poor are in a difficult situation. Nowadays, a child can’t get nutritious meals,’ she said.

Father’s income can’t provide healthy meals

Weekend Trust also spoke with Rahama’s father, Mustapha, who repairs bicycles in the market. The job brings in little, and most days, he struggles to stay afloat. His family survives on less than one dollar a day – one of millions living below the poverty line.

Mustapha’s income cannot provide a balanced diet, and meals are often starch-heavy, lacking basic nutrients. Speaking on a Tuesday afternoon in Kano’s Sabon Gari area, the 38-year-old said that with prices soaring, he could only afford half a mudu of rice, which is barely enough to feed his wife and three children.

‘Because of the high cost of living, even when I sell my goods, I can’t make new orders to replace what I sold, not even a single bicycle tyre. I used to earn N2,500 daily, but now, I earn only N1,500, and even that is not consistent. We can’t afford to buy meat because of our low income. If I earn a little above my daily average, I buy two oranges – they make four slices. I take two and give the rest to my wife and children to share,’ he lamented.

Other mothers at the facility shared heartbreaking stories of how food shortages have led to the malnourishment of their children amid the rising cost of living in the country.

A mother who identified herself simply as Hauwa said doctors had prescribed nutritious meals for her baby to gain strength after discharge, but she worried that the family could not afford them due to poverty.

‘To be honest with you, I can’t afford to buy some of these food items because of financial constraints. My husband and I are poor, and we have children to cater for. I normally feed my babies with akamu until I wean them. If I experience a shortage of breast milk, I also take akamu,’ she said.

Lantana Jibrin, another mother, is caring for her two-year-old daughter, Shema’u, who has been battling malnutrition. It is their 13th day at the Unguwa Uku Primary Health Care Centre. ‘I feed my daughter with swallow, rice and spaghetti. I can’t afford to buy meat or fish for her,’ Lantana said.

Doctors speak as 26,000 malnourished children treated in Kano

Dr Arinze Osigwe, the medical activity manager in charge of MSF’s medical operations at the Unguwa Uku Primary Healthcare Centre, shed light on the organisation’s ongoing efforts to treat malnourished children at the facility. He said many mothers trekked long distances to seek help for their starving children.

‘There was a case of a child brought by her mother who had travelled a very long distance because she didn’t have money. And she trekked for most of the journey. It took her two days to get to our facility. The child had been sick for two weeks and was severely acutely malnourished. When she arrived, there was really nothing we could do to save the child. It was a very painful period for us,’ he said.

A nursing team supervisor, Nasir Muhammad, who provided estimates of the facility’s daily admission rate, noted that hunger and malnutrition were inseparable.

‘In the last three months, we have had an increase in patients. Last week alone, we admitted about 1,000 cases of malnutrition here at the Unguwa Uku PHC. Hunger directly leads to malnutrition. If there isn’t enough food,

it could result in malnutrition. Malnutrition has to do with two things: quantity and quality. The quantity of food needs to be adequate, and the quality needs to be balanced. Eating the right quantity and quality of food is what helps. Hunger eliminates both – if there is no food, it is neither adequate nor nutritious. So yes, there is a direct relationship between hunger and malnutrition,’ he said.

MSF runs five centres in Kano. Between January and August 2025, the organisation treated over 26,000 malnourished children in outpatient care and admitted 5,533 for intensive treatment. Sadly, 469 children did not survive.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 30.6 million Nigerians currently face acute food insecurity. Kano, the most populous state in northern Nigeria, is among the worst affected. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 51.9 per cent of children in Kano are stunted due to chronic malnutrition.

Many initiatives developed to tackle malnutrition – Kano govt

In an interview with Weekend Trust, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, said the state government had rolled out several programmes to address malnutrition and hunger.

He said, ‘Many initiatives have been developed and implemented to address malnutrition and hunger in Kano State. Apart from the recent intervention of about N500 million set aside to tackle the problem, one of the outcomes of our efforts so far includes the development of the Food and Nutrition Policy (2025-2030), a five-year plan dedicated to combating malnutrition. We cannot fight poverty or hunger when people are not empowered. That’s why, every month the state government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, provides empowerment support funds for 5,200 women.’

Cut foreign aid worsens hunger, malnutrition in Maiduguri

Our reporters also visited facilities in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where malnourished children are receiving treatment. An estimated 4.6 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states – all in the North-East geopolitical zone – are at risk amid escalating food shortages in Nigeria. Armed conflicts and climate change have further exacerbated the crisis in the region.

The situation is particularly dire in Borno State. After 16 years of insurgency, poverty and hunger have deepened as many residents walk the streets of Maiduguri in search of food.

At MSF’s hospital in Maiduguri, dozens of children are treated daily for malnutrition. Among them is 20-year-old Khadija Abubakar, who cares for her 22-month-old daughter, Fatima, diagnosed with severe malnutrition.

‘They said my daughter is malnourished; it is a hunger-related disease. No one would want to go hungry if he has the means to prevent it. Today, if you have something to eat, you will eat until you are satisfied. But if you don’t have it, even if you want to, you must endure,’ she said.

Borno State has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the country. The hospital has expanded its bed space to meet growing demand. Between January and September 2025, 9,335 malnourished children were admitted across MSF-supported facilities in Maiduguri. Within the same period, 8,946 patients were discharged.

Dr Muhammad Bashir, the medical activity manager at the MSF hospital in Maiduguri Metropolitan City, described how they have managed the influx of patients thus: ‘On average, before this surge in admissions, we discharged more than 97 per cent of our patients monthly. More than 97 per cent of them recover here and are moved to the outpatient unit, where they continue receiving therapeutic food for four to six weeks before full discharge. But in the last two months, the discharge rate has dropped slightly between 95 and 96 per cent, meaning that 3 to 5 per cent of patients unfortunately die here.’

Borno govt speaks

Speaking on the crisis and the state government’s response, the executive secretary of the Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response, Dr Babakura Mamman, said farmers were receiving necessary support and security escorts to their farmlands. He said vehicles were also provided to transport farmers, a move that has improved security and agricultural output.

He said, ‘In previous years, we witnessed serious food insecurity in this part of the country. But the level of farming has now increased from a very minimal percentage to at least 70 to 80 per cent.’

In early 2025, the United States cut 92 per cent of USAID funding to Nigeria. The United Nations also reduced its humanitarian budget from $910 million to $300 million, leaving a $610 million shortfall.

Experts say these cuts – compounded by climate change and the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 – worsened food insecurity across northern Nigeria. Dr Mamman highlighted the devastating impact of foreign funding cuts on vulnerable communities.

‘Funding cuts mean fewer children getting food and fewer mothers accessing the health care support they need. Millions of people will be affected, especially in regions with large displaced populations. Many partners and non-governmental organisations have scaled down or even closed their operations in local areas, where the most vulnerable people are found,’ he said.

Impact on IDPs

A 70-year-old Kakaja Kolo lost everything when Boko Haram attacked her village in Jere 13 years ago. Since then, she has lived as a refugee in Maiduguri, surviving on street begging. With rising cost of living and cuts in aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs), life has become unbearable. At the end of each day, Kakaja returns to her makeshift shelter in Bulabulin after the closure of formal IDP camps.

Her story mirrors that of thousands who now struggle to survive amid deepening poverty and hunger.

‘I must beg for alms to survive. I have three children – one is blind, another crippled and the third jobless. I used to live with my grandchild in a village under Jere Local Government Area before Boko Haram attacked with heavy weapons. We fled to Maiduguri. After the IDP camps were closed, a man sheltered us,’ the elderly woman recounted.

At Almiskin IDP camp, residents said they had not received food aid in over two years. The state government has shut all official camps, focusing instead on resettlement. A 50-year-old Muhammad Aji, a father of 9, said he had not eaten since the previous day.

‘As at now, we don’t have anything to cook. Without Allah’s intervention, we can’t light fire in our kitchen. And there are many of us in this situation. We used to do menial farm work, but men can’t go out anymore. Once a man goes to the bush, Boko Haram will kidnap him and demand ransom – sometimes N4 million. They recently kidnapped our brother and are demanding N7 million. Where can we get N7 million? If we even had N100,000, we could start a business. Now, only the women do petty trading – selling vegetables to raise money to feed the family,’ he said.

We’re rolling out interventions – FG

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction says it is working with state governments to tackle the crisis. In an exclusive interview with Weekend Trust, the Minister of State, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sun, said President Bola Tinubu was deeply concerned about the scourge of hunger and malnutrition in the country.

‘We have key programmes addressing hunger, poverty and job creation. Once you employ an individual, you have given him a means of sustenance – he can work and feed himself. Under the Social Investment Nets programme, the president’s ambition is to reach 15 million vulnerable Nigerians with conditional cash transfers of N25,000 each in three tranches, totaling N75,000. As at today, over 8.1 million Nigerian households have received the first, second or third tranches – totaling N340 billion expended,’ the minister said.

Asked about government’s measures to curb malnutrition, Dr Yusuf said President Tinubu had approved a special intervention.

‘The president has given his support for an intervention that will provide supplements, high-nutrient food, medications and related assistance. We are working to ensure equitable distribution, especially in 11 states with high incidents of severe acute malnutrition and displacement. For instance, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will soon make over $2 million available to support food supply, including highly nutritious food for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition,’ he added.

As Nigeria confronts its deepening economic and food crisis, the human cost continues to mount in hospital wards and forgotten communities. For parents like Mustapha and Rukayya, hope is the only thing they can still afford – and even that is growing thinner by the day.