Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The House of Representatives is to investigate the activities and accounts of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2015 to date, while resolving to take appropriate action aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability of NFF, with a view to restoring national and international confidence.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dr Adedayo Samuel Adesola (APC, Lagos and Nwaeke Felix Uche (PDP, Rivers), the House asked the leadership of NFF to appear before the House Committee on Sports with records of activities, receipts and disbursements of funds from 2015 to date.

Leading debate on the motion, Adesola recall recent lamentation of former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh, accusing the NFF of undermining the growth of soccer in Nigeria through misappropriation of grants from FIFA and CAF, citing the questionable handling of USD 1.0 Million NFF got from FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.

He said between 2015 and 2025, NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of USD 25 Million from FIFA and CAF with nothing tangible on ground to justify the huge capital inflow from these soccer bodies.

He said ‘in December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of US$1.1 development grant to NFF and reported that USS802,000 lacked proper documentation; prompting Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and asked NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.

According to him, between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials (including the then President, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies. One of these monies, US$1.2 Million is the subject of a news item currently trending on the social media which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.

He said a physical inspection of the Stadium In Birnin Kebbi showed a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 claimed to have spent on the project by the NFF,whereas Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility, to further raise eye brows on the profligacy in NFF F.

He said with another African Cup of Nation round the corner and the World Cup play off, both involving the Super. Eagles of Nigeria, there is need to take decisive action on further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF.

It is strange that, after all that the city of Warri, in Delta State, suffered in lives, limbs and resources for years at the turn of the century, some are imagining another spasm of bloodbath. Yet, in human experience over centuries, we have never foresworn wars in spite of documented blood trails.

It makes sense, however, to strike a note of warning to all those who are obliterating commonsense in the former vibrant metropolis. They stand the risk of wiping out Warri from the face of the earth if they continue with their rancour.

It all began with a new effort to remap the city for the next round of elections. Even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has not concluded its redistricting effort or what is called the delineation of constituencies, divisive rhetoric has fouled the air.

Although it is taking ethnic shapes, it is actually the politicians across the various political parties who are fuelling the fire. In the quest to win elections, they seem ready to slaughter one another.

The major ethnic group in the centre are the Itsekiris, Urhobos and Ijaws. They have been neighbours for centuries, and have engaged in all that neighbours do. They trade together, party together, intermarry, and they betray linguistic affinities, cuisines and fashion sense. They suffer and battle common foes like want and diseases. The differences in their ways of life are often subtle.

It is this cooperation that welded them together into a formidable region and strengthened Warri into a commercial and cultural powerhouse. To help its prosperous run, oil was discovered in its environs and a major refinery sprung up in its precinct.

Warri became, especially in the 1970’s and 1980’s, one of Nigeria’s iconic places for work and leisure. With proud ease, the residents called it Wafi, or oil booming city, and they called themselves Wafarians. Pride became hauteur and hauteur led to ominous complacency. It was in the midst of this feeling that hate developed.

It was a fight between the Ijaws and Itsekiris over a delineation, and hell broke loose. The two ethnic groups went after each other. Day and night, slaughter defined time. Waves of violence moved from street to street. Innocents died in their thousands.

The leaders of both groups acquired arms, stoked the rhetoric and drums of war. It began during the military era, and even soldiers on both sides supplied arms and strategy. It was the war of brothers.

If in the past they did what neighbours did, the only feature of their relationship was bloodletting. So terrible was it that no one wanted to come into the city. Those who had made home of the place wanted to leave. And they left not to return.

What was lost was its soul. That soul was characterised by great business names, like Shell Corporation, Texaco, Chevron, John Holt, Leventis. That meant jobs of high value had left the city, and it also implied that its cherished men of means and middle-class culture disappeared.

When commerce goes, people go, and the result is a rump of its culture. When the hostilities ended, they faced a new battle to bring back its halcyon days.

For decades, that has been the challenge. If the big businesses have not forgotten the bad memories, the politicians atop the tribes seem to have.

The governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has focused on infrastructure programmes while lamenting that he is trying to bring life to it when some politicians want to snuff it out. He has set up a peace committee.

We hope that commonsense will prevail over malice and the greed of the politicians will not becloud them to the appeals of the better angels of the city.

Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager with the Scottish giants’ major shareholder accusing him of ‘divisive, misleading and self-serving’ behaviour.

Former boss Martin O’Neill, 73, and ex-player Shaun Maloney will take charge until a permanent successor is appointed, the club said Monday.

Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic ended after Sunday’s 3-1 Scottish Premiership defeat at Hearts left them eight points adrift of the Edinburgh side in second.

‘Brendan leaves with our thanks for the role he has played during a period of continued success for the club and we wish him further success in the future,’ a statement said.

‘We are pleased that during this interim period former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and former Celtic player Shaun Maloney have agreed to take charge of Celtic first-team matters,’ it said.

The club added that the search for a replacement was already under way, with former manager Ange Postecoglou among the bookmakers’ favourites following his recent sacking by Nottingham Forest.

Rodgers, 52, returned for a second spell at Celtic Park in 2023, winning successive titles, to add to his league triumphs from 2017 and 2018.

But clouds have gathered over the club this season with Celtic knocked out of the Champions League by Kazakhstan minnows Kairat Almaty.

Rodgers had appeared at odds with his employers over their summer transfer policy.

After Celtic’s first defeat at Dundee in 37 years this month, he said the team had ‘lost a lot of firepower, a lot of goals’.

‘And there’s no way you’ll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say, ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari’. It’s not going to happen.’

In a separate statement on Monday, Celtic’s main shareholder Dermot Desmond hit back, saying Rodgers’ criticism had come ‘entirely out of the blue’.

‘Despite ample opportunity he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had obstructed or failed to support him. The facts did not match his public narrative,’ he said.

‘Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving.

‘They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.’

Rodgers previously managed Swansea, Liverpool and Leicester, and arrived at Celtic for the second time in June 2023 to succeed Postecoglou.

The Northern Irishman had been at Celtic between May 2016 and February 2019, completing successive league and cup trebles.

His first season in charge saw Celtic finish with a record 106 points and become the first Scottish side to complete a top-flight season undefeated since 1899.

Rodgers continued Celtic’s domestic supremacy by winning league titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, and also lifted the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has sued the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and othera over alleged plot to impeach him.

In an originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2212025, Ewhrudjakpo alleged among others, that members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly were being pressured to impeach him for failing to resign, like the governor, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform they got to office.

Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, recently resigned for the PDP but with the Deputy Governor failing to resign his membership of the PDP as well.

In the suit filed on his behalf at the Federal High Court in Abuja, by his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, it was alleged that members of the House of Assembly were currently being plotting to impeach Ewhrudjakpo.

It was also alleged that some Local Government Chairmen, including that of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mrs. Alice Tange, are also being threatened with sack for allegedly failing to abandon the PDP along with the governor.

On October 27, after listening to Egwuaba, who moved an ex-parte motion, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the interim reliefs being sought against them by the plaintiff should not be granted.

Listed as defendants in the suit are: Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, the state’s Chief Judge and the Clerk of the state’s Assembly.

Justice Nwite, in the October 27 ruling, held that that the interest of justice will be met by issuing an order for all the defendants to appear and show cause why an order of interim injunction should not be granted against them pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the plaintiff

The judge adjourned till November 13 for the defendants to show cause, failing which he would proceed to hear the motion on notice.

The interim reliefs being sought in the motion on notice includes an order restraining the defendants from removing or impeaching Ewhrudjakpo by disregarding the provision of Section 188(5), (6), (7)(a), (b), (8), (9) and (11) and Section 36(1) of the Constitution based on his decision not to defect/decamp from the PDO to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any registered political party before the expiration of his four years tenure as an elected deputy governor of Bayelsa state pending hearing of the motion on notice.

He also wants an order restraining the defendants from initiating impeachment notice, impeachment proceedings/meetings of the Bayelsa state House of Assembly against him on his decision not to defect/decamp from the PDP to the APC before the expiration of his four years tenure as an elected Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Ewhrudjakpo also wants an order restraining the defendants from conducting any meeting, sitting, conference for the purpose of initiating or igniting impeachment proceedings against him as well as an order restraining the defendants from recognizing and dealing with the appointment of any member of the APC as the Deputy Governor of the state.

He is also praying the the court for an order restraining the IGP, the DG of the SSS and the Bayelsa State AG from withdrawing his security protection as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Cameroon’s opposition leaders rejected presidential election results that extended President Paul Biya’s rule for another seven years, saying the outcome did not reflect the will of the people in a country already battling a separatist conflict.

The central African nation’s constitutional council on Monday declared Biya, 92, as the winner of the disputed vote with over 53% of the ballots, triggering violent protests in several cities in the oil- and cocoa-producing nation.

The court’s ruling, which is final and cannot be appealed, signals a potentially prolonged post-election standoff.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary , Biya’s main challenger, had earlier declared victory and warned he would not accept any other outcome. His supporters have angrily taken to the streets, clashing with riot police and blocking roads in the commercial capital Douala with burning tires and debris.

The protests killed at least four people over the weekend and two others on Monday, according to the opposition.

There were scattered celebrations in Biya’s strongholds and government ministers held a party. The usually bustling streets of Douala remained quiet yesterday as rain and riot police kept protesters away.

The European Union expressed ‘deep concern’ about the recent violent repression of protests and called on authorities to tackle the excessive use of force. It also urged leaders to engage in dialogue to preserve national stability.

Africa is home to some of the world’s most seasoned political leaders, individuals who have not only stood the test of time but have also helped shape the destiny of their nations over decades.

1. Paul Biya (Cameroon) – 92 Years Old*: Born on February 13, 1933, Paul Biya has been the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982, making him the world’s oldest serving president and the longest-ruling non-royal national leader.

2. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové (Togo) – 86 Years Old*: Born on May 7, 1939, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové became President of Togo on May 3, 2025, making him the oldest person ever to assume the presidency in Togo.

3. Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast) – 83 Years Old*: Born on January 1, 1942, Alassane Ouattara has been President of Ivory Coast since 2010, navigating his country through periods of political instability and economic recovery.

4. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) – 83 Years Old*: Born on June 5, 1942, Teodoro Obiang has been President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979, making him Africa’s longest-serving president.

5. Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe) – 82 Years Old*: Born on September 15, 1942, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been President of Zimbabwe since 2017, facing challenges such as economic mismanagement and human rights concerns.

6. Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) – 81 Years Old*: Born on September 15, 1944, Yoweri Museveni has been President of Uganda since 1986, leading his country through progress and political challenges.

7. Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of Congo) – 81 Years Old*: Born on November 23, 1943, Denis Sassou Nguesso has been President of the Republic of Congo since 1979, with a brief interruption, focusing on maintaining national stability.

8. Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Algeria) – 79 Years Old*: Born on November 17, 1945, Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been President of Algeria since 2019, facing pressure to implement democratic reforms and diversify the economy.

9. Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) – 77 Years Old: Born on November 27, 1946, Ismail Omar Guelleh has been President of Djibouti since 1999, making him one of the longest-serving leaders on the continent.

10. Bola Tinubu (Nigeria) – 73 Years Old*: Born on March 29, 1952, Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s 16th president in 2023, known for his strategic coalition-building and significant force in Nigerian politics.

These leaders set an outstanding remarks in leading their countries going forward and also, gaining supports round the world for a sustainable Nation.

Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has sued the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and othera over alleged plot to impeach him.

In an originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2212025, Ewhrudjakpo alleged among others, that members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly were being pressured to impeach him for failing to resign, like the governor, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform they got to office.

Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, recently resigned for the PDP but with the Deputy Governor failing to resign his membership of the PDP as well.

In the suit filed on his behalf at the Federal High Court in Abuja, by his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, it was alleged that members of the House of Assembly were currently being plotting to impeach Ewhrudjakpo.

It was also alleged that some Local Government Chairmen, including that of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mrs. Alice Tange, are also being threatened with sack for allegedly failing to abandon the PDP along with the governor.

On October 27, after listening to Egwuaba, who moved an ex-parte motion, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the interim reliefs being sought against them by the plaintiff should not be granted.

Listed as defendants in the suit are: Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, the state’s Chief Judge and the Clerk of the state’s Assembly.

Justice Nwite, in the October 27 ruling, held that that the interest of justice will be met by issuing an order for all the defendants to appear and show cause why an order of interim injunction should not be granted against them pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the plaintiff

The judge adjourned till November 13 for the defendants to show cause, failing which he would proceed to hear the motion on notice.

The interim reliefs being sought in the motion on notice includes an order restraining the defendants from removing or impeaching Ewhrudjakpo by disregarding the provision of Section 188(5), (6), (7)(a), (b), (8), (9) and (11) and Section 36(1) of the Constitution based on his decision not to defect/decamp from the PDO to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any registered political party before the expiration of his four years tenure as an elected deputy governor of Bayelsa state pending hearing of the motion on notice.

He also wants an order restraining the defendants from initiating impeachment notice, impeachment proceedings/meetings of the Bayelsa state House of Assembly against him on his decision not to defect/decamp from the PDP to the APC before the expiration of his four years tenure as an elected Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Ewhrudjakpo also wants an order restraining the defendants from conducting any meeting, sitting, conference for the purpose of initiating or igniting impeachment proceedings against him as well as an order restraining the defendants from recognizing and dealing with the appointment of any member of the APC as the Deputy Governor of the state.

He is also praying the the court for an order restraining the IGP, the DG of the SSS and the Bayelsa State AG from withdrawing his security protection as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Single-Use Plastics Ban in Nigeria has proposed the introduction of a green tax on industries involved in the production of polypropylene – one of the most widely used materials in plastic manufacturing.

According to the committee, the move aims to tackle Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis and ensure that manufacturers bear responsibility for the environmental costs of their operations.

Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the House will also consider legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a broader national strategy to reduce pollution and protect public health.

Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked use of polypropylene-based products has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s already strained waste management systems.

‘Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,’ he said. ‘During production, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk. It is responsible for enormous carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion.

‘As waste, polypropylene isn’t biodegradable, it lingers in landfills for up to 500 years, polluting our oceans and harming marine life in the process.’

The lawmaker said the committee will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to design policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into the national waste management system.

‘Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of environmental neglect,’ Ugbor added. ‘Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind.

This committee will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented.’

Nigeria ranks among the top 20 countries globally contributing to marine plastic pollution. Studies by the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate that the country generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 percent being recycled.

Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the worst affected, with clogged drainage systems and waterways littered with plastic waste contributing to frequent flooding and water contamination.

Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while burning plastic waste releases toxic emissions that worsen air quality and increase respiratory illnesses.

Only a few private firms currently engage in large-scale recycling, while the absence of a coherent national policy continues to hinder sustainable waste management efforts.

With the committee’s proposal, lawmakers hope to stimulate investment in recycling, strengthen enforcement of environmental standards, and align Nigeria’s waste management policies with global climate and sustainability goals.

Ugbor said the committee would also hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is both effective and fair.

‘This is not about taxation,’ he emphasized. ‘It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Instruments of Clemency and Pardon, formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy while directing the exclusion of individuals convicted of grievous crimes from the list of beneficiaries.

The President’s final approval, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, came after consultations with the Council of State and extensive public input.

It followed a comprehensive review of an earlier list of 175 names, which had generated public criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted for serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms.

Following the review, the list was pruned to 120 beneficiaries distributed across four categories: 15 persons granted full pardon (including pre-independence nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay and the Ogoni Nine), four whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, 15 granted clemency, and 86 inmates whose prison terms were reduced.

Onanuga said the President’s decision was guided by ‘the seriousness and security implications of some offences, the need to respect the feelings of victims, to sustain public trust, and uphold Nigeria’s bilateral obligations.’

He added that the President viewed justice as a ‘three-way traffic’-balancing the rights of offenders, victims, and society.

Among those whose sentences were reduced under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence, 2025) are several inmates convicted of manslaughter, culpable homicide, fraud, firearms, and conspiracy offences.

Notably, Maryam Sanda (37), convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to death in 2020, had her sentence commuted to 12 years imprisonment ‘on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of her children, and for good conduct.’

Others include Yusuf Owolabi (36) and Ifeanyi Eze (33), both serving life sentences for manslaughter, now reduced to 15 years each; Markus Yusuf (41), whose 13-year term was cut to 8 years; and Alhaji Abubakar Tanko (61), whose 30-year sentence was reduced to 20 years.

Under the drug and narcotics category, Patrick Mensah (40) had his 17-year sentence cut to 13 years, while others such as Obi Edwin Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Pereira Erick Diego, and Uchegbu Emeka Michael received reduced terms of 12 years each.

Dias Santos Marela Christiana (44), a foreign national convicted of importing cocaine in 2017, had her sentence cut from 15 to 12 years ‘for remorsefulness and deportation.’

In financial and fraud-related cases, Buka Adamu (40) saw his 20-year term reduced to 9 years, while Mustapha Ahmed, Inibong Imayen Nuikidem, Ada Audu, Chief Jonathan Alatoru, and Umannah Ekatte received varying reductions for age, remorsefulness, and good conduct.

In firearms-related offences, Abubakar Mamman (38) and Muhammed Bello Musa (35) had 10-year sentences cut to 7 years, while Nnamdi Anene (67)’s life sentence was commuted to 20 years.

Under maritime and conspiracy offences, 10 convicts – including Bright Agbedeyi, Babangida Saliu, and Jude Saka Ebaragha – had their 12-year terms reduced to 8 years, with fines waived ‘based on remorsefulness and impecuniosity.’

For unlawful mining, at least 45 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Oyo State – including Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, and Habeeb Suleman – had their sentences reduced from three to two years following rehabilitation assurances facilitated by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis.

The President also approved a major structural reform: the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

He directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to establish new, stricter guidelines for future clemency exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies to ensure only deserving individuals benefit.

Onanuga said the reviewed list and signed instruments have been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

According to the statement, President Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their vigilance and engagement on the issue, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to strengthen the justice system and ensure that the prerogative of mercy ‘remains a symbol of fairness, not a loophole for impunity.’

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal (AVM)Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has said air power pressure would be on terrorists such that they won’t have the time to plan attacks.

Aneke said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under his watch would keep the insurgents running without time to think or plan, assuring that he would lead a versatile, disciplined, and lethal service.

‘I use the word lethal in a professional sense because a man running from you will not have the time to plan to hurt you,’ he said.

A statement Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the CAS gave the assurances during his confirmation before the National Assembly.

Ejodame said the Air Chief stressed that his leadership would be anchored on training, technology, safety, and strategic innovation, emphasising that ‘true military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.’

‘The new CAS vowed to build an Air Force that responds swiftly, strikes precisely, and acts intelligently across all spectrums of military operations, a force defined not only by strength, but by precision, professionalism, and purpose,’ said the DOPRI.

Aneke’s confirmation followed his nomination by President Bola Tinubu in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.With this confirmation, he legally succeeds Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, joining other Service Chiefs as a member of the Armed Forces Council.

Lawmakers at the confirmation session praised AVM Aneke’s depth of experience, operational leadership, and intellectual grounding.

They particularly commended his tenure as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, where he improved strategic airlift capability, strengthened joint operations, and enhanced the

NAF’s responsiveness in complex security environments. His leadership in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations was also lauded for its critical role in shaping Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts and internal security outcomes.

Beyond the individual merit of his appointment, AVM Aneke’s confirmation carries constitutional and strategic significance. Constitutionally, it reinforces the principle of civilian oversight in military leadership and underscores the National Assembly’s role in ensuring transparency and democratic accountability within the Armed Forces. Strategically, it marks continuity and confidence in a leadership transition aimed at consolidating NAF’s modernisation drive, expanding airpower projection, and deepening civil-military trust.

A scholar and strategist, AVM Aneke is a graduate of the United States Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, and holds multiple advanced degrees, including Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies, International Affairs and Diplomacy, and Political Economy and Development Studies. With more than 4,300 flight hours across several aircraft types, he stands among Nigeria’s most accomplished pilots and forward-looking airpower professionals.

The confirmation session was witnessed by key dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Defence, Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado. As he assumes office, AVM Aneke’s message to Nigerians is clear: the Nigerian Air Force under his command will be swift in action, precise in strike, and intelligent in execution, a force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress.