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Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., a leading consumer packaged goods company and member of the Coca-Cola HBC group, has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment and financial inclusion through its sponsorship of the FinTribe Finance Fair 2025 for the second consecutive year.

Themed ‘Level Up,’ the fair aims to unite thousands of women, offering opportunities to learn, network, and access essential tools and resources for making informed financial and business decisions.

The event holds today at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

For nearly 75 years, NBC has remained a key player in Nigeria’s socio-economic development, consistently investing in impactful initiatives designed to uplift people and communities.

Women are integral to NBC’s value chain, serving as dynamic entrepreneurs, distributors, and retailers who drive business growth and innovation.

Through diverse empowerment programmes and targeted incentive schemes, NBC actively enables these women to expand their businesses, enhance their livelihoods, and make significant contributions to the nation’s economic advancement.

The Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) is set to celebrate its 22nd edition from November 6, 2025 to November 10, 2025, with an opening ceremony and a closing awards gala.

The festival, which has run consistently for over two decades, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, received over 1,592 entries from 80 countries for the 22nd edition.

The festival will screen 70 films and feature several panel discussions and capacity-building workshops.

Nigerian films dominated the top honors, with ‘Ajaga,’ ‘Kakanda’ and ‘Safari’ among the top nominees. They were joined by international contenders ‘Iriso’ from Japan and ‘I just live,’ from Russia, which were leading nominees in the golden jury.

In the acting categories, Nigeria’s Lateef Adedimeji, Daniel Erin Effiong and Ikechukwu Onanaku made the outstanding actors category, while Osas Ighodalor, Amina Shehu, and Uche Montana were amongst other nominees in the outstanding actresses’ category.

In a statement released by festival media officer Abah Duker, several distinguished individuals would receive the Special Recognition Award for their contributions. Honorees for the 22nd edition include: Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos, Alhaji Abah Mohammed of Kano and Dr. Supo Olusi, the MD/CEO of the Bank of Industry.

‘If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand.’ – Howard Schultz, former CEO, Starbucks

What is branding? What distinguishes a branded product or service? How can you and I depict and differentiate one brand of product or personality from another, in business or politics? These and some other questions are likely to pop up as someone reads and reflects on the topic of this essay. In a recent article published in the Nation newspaper, the author provided a precise premise to the subject of branding. He stated, inter alia: ‘In organizations, a brand is synonymous with the name, design, symbol, or any other feature that distinguishes a firm’s products or services from those of its competitors and creates a unique identity in the minds of customers . Walter Landor, renowned brand designer, opined that ‘products are made in a factory but brands are created in the mind.’ This author concurs with this statement in toto! Presently, with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) in the saddle for 3 years, most followers in the political landscape of Ekiti can identify values of humility, compassion, generosity, and doing what he says he will do (integrity), with BAO; and summing all these up is that the are ready to vote him in again as their Governor for the 2nd term. This sits and situates pretty well with Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, who succinctly stated: ‘if people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand’.

BAO: Building blocks

‘A brand is a voice and a product is a souvenir.’ – Lisa Gansky

Ab initio, Oyebanji stepped out on the 16th of October 2022 with Ekitikete in mind. He did not take faulty and faltering steps of dealing with people based on their political leaning or party affiliation. BAO, as popularly called by adherents and admirers, places a high premium on people. He, in the prism, of human resource experts and scholars, view Ekitikete as the greatest resource in the leadership – followership dyad. In the colour, content and context of Ekiti, where he was involved in the creation of the state rubbing minds then with statesmen, traditional rulers and elders, he knows, first hand, the sociology of Ekiti people. In addition, having served in previous administrations of the erstwhile Governors – Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Dr John Kayode Fayemi – he has apparently comprehended the nuances of governance more than any player in the political arena of Ekiti presently. Moreover, it will be inadequate, without expiscating Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s (BAO) leadership approach or style, to conclude that he is a novice or starter in the political emancipation of the Land of Honour – Ekiti. Aare Afe Babalola, one of the founding fathers of Ekiti, sometimes in 2024, while attesting to BAO’s giant strides in all sectors, was down to earth in succinctly stating: ‘It pains me that you didn’t become governor of Ekiti much earlier than now . However, this governor is doing a yeoman job.’

BAO: Breeding and boosting inclusion

Saliently and succinctly stated, the humane and humble personality of BAO starting from inception of his administration till date is laudable and loud for all to bear witness. His exemplary laced with inclusive leadership style has warmed him into the hearts of most Ekitikete, especially those who will by now be in opposing or adversarial camps firing and fighting against his return to office. In this vein, the people with special needs have a voice in the government. Mr. Governor has paid uncommon attention to people living with disabilities in the state by appointing a specialist, Princess Adetoun Agboola, as the Special Adviser of Special Education and Social Inclusion in the Executive Council of Ekiti State, to nurture them. In addition, Mr. Governor, shunning publicity, during his birthday, always directs all his friends and family members to channel whatever gifts they intend offering him to his ‘friends’ – people living with disabilities. This is seemingly unique and uncommon in the corridor of power, especially in the context of Nigeria!

By and large, without gainsaying it, his style has garnered great gains for the ruling party – All Progressives Congress (APC) – in the state and national level, taking cognizance of the fact that the Ekiti Gubernatorial election coming up on the 20th June 2026 is the first off season election preceding the presidential election of 2027! In essence, the APC must get it right in dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. It is on the heels of this that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should be lauded for acting swiftly in granting BAO a clean bill of health to contest the June 2026 election whilst disqualifying two other contenders, who failed to satisfy the minimum prerequisites to becoming the party’s candidate. As yours sincerely was stating while appearing on the TVC News Breakfast edition of Saturday, 11th October 2025, that any missteps to the contrary by the highest administrative organ of the party, the NWC, could result in litigation that may negatively affect and/or afflict the gubernatorial quest of the APC in Ekiti.

BAO: Boasting best brand?

Remarkably, from the outset of his administration, he mouthed the shared prosperity mantra as the social contract he signed with Ekitikete. This is encapsulated in the 6 Strategic Actionable Pillars of his administration. In this vein, he directed the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), over which this essayist superintends to scrutinize work plans of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before adoption into the budget. The work plans should be in sync with the 6 Strategic Pillars of his administration, namely: (1) Youth Development and Job Creation; (2) Agriculture and Rural Development; (3) Human Capital Development; (4) Infrastructure and Industrialization; (5) Arts, Culture and Tourism; and (6) Governance.

Presently, BAO’s administration is 3 years in office. Is the BAO brand speaking? There are at least nine roads awaiting commissioning in diverse locations of the State during this 3rd anniversary celebration, among which is the construction of the Ado Ekiti Ring Road (Phase 1). Moreover, there are 5 General Hospitals already renovated and retrofitted with state of the arts equipment and facilities. These are located in Ifaki, Ilawe, Ayede, Efon Alaaye and Okemesi – all spread across the 3 Senatorial Districts of Ekiti State. In addition, as we speak there are about 5,000 young farmers engaged in farming under the Bring Back the Youth into Agriculture programme of the incumbent administration. The BAO’s administration expended, and is still expending, huge and humongous resources on Agribusiness involving land clearing (up to 4,000 hectares), tractorization, subsidized farming inputs and extension services. The output was mass harvest of farm produce flooding the markets, whilst the outcome is that for the first time Ekiti is adjudged to have the lowest food price index in the south west of Nigeria. Oyebanji is bringing back the hey days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to Ekiti State. There are 3 Renewed Hope Dormitories earmarked for commissioning for young farmers located in Eporo, Iyemero and Ikere. This author as the head of the Project Subcommittee of the 3rd Anniversary led other critical stakeholders round these projects and others due for commissioning. These dormitories are designed and equipped with common rooms possessing cable television and other ancillary facilities to attract and retain the young minds on the farms. Kudos to the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, and his team for working in tandem with the agreed work plan with OTSD.

On top of these laudable feats, God has been gracious to give Ekiti unprecedented peace in Ekiti. This is not without the yeoman’s traversing and conversing with relevant organs of government and critical stakeholders in Abuja handling the security architecture of the country. It is no fluke that with less than 9 months to the next gubernatorial election, the Land of Honour is embracing and enjoying all round peace and progress. BAO’s leadership style is really boosting uncommon confidence among Ekitikete and making BAO’s brand unbeatable in the political landscape of Ekiti. This is the first time that peace is boosting progress in the trajectory towards prosperity!

BAO: Bracing Best Brand!

‘If you don’t give the market the story to talk about, they’ll define your brand’s story for you.’ – David Brier, author and brand identity expert.

In construction engineering, bracing is the utilization of structural elements, which may be permanent or temporal in nature, to stabilize a building or structure with the aim of resisting lateral forces from wind, seismic activity or some other external loads. In essence, when engineers make use of bracing it is to prevent the building from buckling, cracking, deflecting or collapsing, as the case may be.

It is a truism that many of the achievements of the BAO’s administration have been adjudged as mostly under-reported to the chagrin of some of us who are critical and core stakeholders in the Ekiti project. Any wonder, David Brier, celebrated author and brand identity expert, opinionated thus: ‘If you don’t give the market the story to talk about, they’ll define your brand’s story for you.’ It is high time Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) invested more in robustly publicizing or disseminating the good works of his administration in order to forestall any denigrator to diminish and denounce his good works. He needs not be told to blow his trumpet in this day and age of internet technology taking cognizance of the fact that ‘internet does not forget.’ The indecorous mien of some unscrupulous business people and politicians is even the raison d’etre for protection and preservation of one’s brand, be it in the marketplace or in the political arena. This is in sync with the assertion of Warren Buffet, American investor and philanthropist who stated inter alia: ‘It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.’ Going forward, and as we approach the gubernatorial election of 20th June 2026, it is high time, BAO, in depicting his brand as the best among the seeming motley of contenders, attempted in altering the status quo ante by propagating more media presence befitting his transformational strides in Ekiti – the Land of Honour!

Veteran actress Ngozi Nwosu has revealed why she married her late husband despite ‘red flags’ of physical violence.

In an interview with Ayo Adesanya, Nwosu said despite her initial decision to call off the wedding, her elder sister begged her not to discontinue the marriage plans, urging her to endure the abuse, assuring that it’d get better

Nwosu said that the physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her late husband almost led her to walk away from their wedding day.

Nwosu revealed that her late husband’s violent behaviour was a recurring issue, citing an incident where he dragged her by her hair, causing her to bleed.

She said: ‘I don’t believe marriage is a do-or-die affair. When the domestic violence is too much, you’ve got to move. If you take it once, get ready, you must be ready to take it for the rest of your life.

‘My husband is this kind of violent person. I went to the kitchen to boil water, and he broke the kitchen door. I will never forget that day till I die. I plaited Bob Marley, he drew me, and one strand of the attachment came out with blood.

‘I didn’t know where I got the strength from, but I picked up a pestle. I was ready to kill him that day and go to jail. My neighbours saw me naked.

‘When I saw the domestic violence coming from his side, I walked away a day before our marriage and refused to sign the registrar.

‘Don’t fall for any man who beats you and begs you later. Once bitten twice shy. If you take it once, you just be ready to take it for the rest of your life’.

Ngozi Nwosu emphasised that women should never tolerate abuse, stating that if a man is violent, it’s a clear sign to walk away.

She urged women to prioritise their safety and well-being, recognising that abuse can escalate over time.

Ten years ago, from her home in Lagos, Nigerian fashion entrepreneur, Toyin Popoola-Dania began Cèdre Expressions with little more than determination, culture and a vision.

What started as a passion project from home has grown into a brand that celebrates African heritage through modern fashion.

Today, the brand marks its 10th anniversary, having reimagined traditional fabrics for a new generation. Its youth-focused arm, the Cèdre Creative Academy, also celebrates five years of nurturing young creatives, providing children and young adults with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to explore their creative potential.

Cèdre Expressions was founded on the belief that culture can be contemporary. Reflecting its vibrant green and orange identity which symbols of growth, confidence, and creativity, the brand reworks Adire, Aso-oke, and Ankara into silhouettes that move seamlessly from the corporate boardroom to weekend outings and owanbe celebrations.

Over the past decade, Cèdre has gained recognition both locally and internationally. The brand has exhibited its distinctive styles and artistic innovation on several platforms, including Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), the Wear Naija runway, British Council Lagos showcases, and Oakville Canvas and Catwalk in Canada.

Unique Cèdre pieces now live in wardrobes across Africa, the UK, the US, Europe, and Canada.

In August 2020, amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cèdre launched the Cèdre Creative Academy to engage young people creatively beyond academics. The journey began with a small group of 10 students and has since run every summer, with cohorts ranging between 10 and 35 participants aged 9 to 17, alongside young adults who support as volunteers and budding mentors.

The Academy teaches sewing, styling, and digital creativity, with special touches like music-infused Fridays, making learning fun, expressive, and holistic. In 2024, students staged their first public runway showcase, ‘Cèdre at the Park,’ where they presented their handmade pieces to family, friends, and the community.

‘Impact for us isn’t about large numbers,’ Toyin explains. ‘It’s about giving each child or youth the confidence to create, to finish something with their own hands, and to believe in their own potential.’

Through these experiences, the Academy has offered not just skills but creative empowerment, the courage for young people to see themselves as capable makers and innovators.

Running a fashion brand and academy in Nigeria comes with its share of challenges; high operational costs, infrastructural gaps, talent shortages, and fluctuating economic conditions have made consistency demanding. Yet, Cèdre has pressed on, holding programs every year without fail and keeping its vision alive, even when parents were hesitant to embrace creative training as an extracurricular activity.

‘Every summer, no matter the challenges, we’ve shown up. That’s what legacy looks like to me, not perfection, but consistency,’ Toyin says.

Beyond professional challenges, Toyin has also found personal ways to connect creativity with legacy. In July 2025, the same month as her birthday, she lost her father. As a way of keeping some of his clothes as living memories, she began transforming them into timeless, redefined pieces. It is both a personal act of remembrance and an invitation for others to see fashion as a way of carrying legacy forward.

‘Every thread carries a story,’ she reflects. ‘Reworking my dad’s clothes has shown me how creativity can turn grief into something lasting and meaningful.’

In 2025, Cèdre extended its influence with Styled to Lead, a media platform that reframes style as a tool for leadership, confidence, and presence. Styled to Lead connects fashion to professional identity and has quickly carved out space in conversations around culture and corporate life.

The next decade for Cèdre Expressions promises to build on the wins of the last ten years. The brand is exploring new frontiers in fabric innovation, continuing to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and design.

Through the Academy, the vision is to deepen partnerships with schools. Having already worked with two primary schools and one secondary school, Cèdre hopes to see fashion design formally recognised as a standard extracurricular activity in Nigerian schools, giving children and young people early pathways into creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride.

Ten years in, Cèdre Expressions remains what it was on day one: a Lagos story stitched with culture, ambition, and resilience. Only now, its reach stretches across borders, its Academy nurtures the next generation, and its founder is shaping a future where African creativity is both celebrated and sustained.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday approved major changes in the leadership of the armed forces with a charge to newly appointed service chiefs to be vigilant and unifying.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, yesterday, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff replacing Gen. Christopher Musa.

Maj-Gen. W. Shaibu was appointed the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice-Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

Maj-Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

All appointments, the statement said, take immediate effect.

President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, and other retired Service Chiefs for their ‘patriotic service and dedicated leadership’ during their tenure.

He charged the newly appointed military heads to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating ‘enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship’ in the discharge of their duties.

The shake-up in the military hierarchy comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reposition the security sector, improve coordination among the services, and sustain momentum in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges across the country.

In a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Thursday, the President charged the newly appointed service chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces as they serve the nation with honour and dedication.

He said the new appointments were part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and enhance operational effectiveness.

He said: ‘I have approved changes in the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

‘I charge the new Service Chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within our Armed Forces as they serve our nation with honour.’

President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other former Service Chiefs for their ‘selfless service and dedicated leadership,’ assuring that the new appointments reflect his administration’s resolve to ensure a secure and stable Nigeria.

The Presidency clarified that President Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs was a routine administrative exercise carried out in line with his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, stated this while reacting to media reports suggesting that the leadership changes signaled internal discord within the administration.

He described the appointments as part of the President’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

He emphasised that appointments and reappointments in the security sector remain the exclusive preserve of the President, guided by his duty to safeguard national security and ensure effective leadership within the Armed Forces.

‘It is a routine. The President, as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic can make such appointments just as he changed ministers a few months ago,’ he added.

The latest changes mark another strategic recalibration of the country’s security leadership under President Tinubu’s watch, aimed at consolidating gains in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other threats to national peace.

Shake-up in military remarkable – Gen. Atolagbe

Maj-Gen Anthony Atolagbe (rtd), a former Commander of Operations Safe Haven, yesterday commended President Tinubu for the shake-up in the military amid the security challenges facing the country.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Atolagbe, a former Director of Peace-keeping Operations with the Nigerian Army, said the President, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief, did something remarkable by replacing the service chiefs.

‘This is a very bold step; it is going to make the military align properly with the procedures and the necessary steps that need to be taken in the career progression of officers. When you allow officers to overstay, you dim the light of the other ones that are behind.

‘But this President has done something that is remarkable. I know that the system will be quite excited with this development,’ he said.

Asked if Tinubu made some special considerations by retaining some senior officers, he said the appointments were made because the officers met the requirements for their new positions.

‘They fit appropriately to where they are right now. Career progression allows for continuity in the operations that are being carried out in the country.

‘Both the Chief of Army Staff and the CDS are people who are coming from the theatre and broadly aligned with the security situation within the country.

‘The Chief of Defence Staff is an infantry officer, the Chief of Army Staff is an armoured officer. This aligns with proper steps that are being taken,’ he added.

ADC urges transparency in changing service chiefs

On its part the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on President Tinubu to provide clear and honest explanations to Nigerians on the reasons behind the recent changes in the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC acknowledged that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional authority to appoint or remove service chiefs.

However, it expressed concern that the decision came abruptly, amid public speculation about an alleged coup attempt.

The party noted that government responses to these rumours had so far lacked clarity, saying that an issue of such national importance required openness and transparency rather than what it described as ‘mixed signals and confusion.’

Noting that most of the outgoing service chiefs were appointed only a few months ago, making the sudden changes more surprising, it stressed that such decisions have far-reaching implications for morale and stability within the military, and therefore should be based on strong and clearly communicated reasons.

‘The Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,’ the statement said, adding that public trust and national cohesion depend on transparent communication, especially during sensitive times.

The party reiterated that, as a responsible opposition, its primary concern remains the stability of Nigeria and the protection of democratic governance.

It expressed worries that developments in neighbouring countries such as Chad and across the Sahel underscore the need for vigilance and steady leadership at home.

While acknowledging the security challenges across different regions of the country, the ADC cautioned that the federal government appeared distracted by political considerations rather than focusing on restoring public confidence and addressing the resurgence of insecurity.

It warned that the near wholesale replacement of the military’s top hierarchy without a clear explanation could further fuel rumours and conspiracy theories, thereby undermining confidence in the government’s handling of national security.

The party urged the government to communicate openly with citizens, dispel growing speculations, and reassure the public that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and secure.

It affirmed that transparency, accountability and responsible leadership are essential to maintaining peace, unity and public confidence in the country’s governance institutions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday replaced the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in a decisive move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.

Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Additionally, Major-General W. Shaibu has been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the new Chief of Air Staff.

Lt.-Gen Oluyede

Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, the new Chief of Defence Staff (COAS) is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was appointed the Acting COAS in September 39, 2024, after the demise of the former COAS, the late Lt.-Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, and confirmed on December 9, 2024.

Oluyede, an infantry officer, has a military career spanning numerous command and staff roles across Nigeria and in various international deployments. He has held command that have included Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer with the Guards Brigade, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade in the North East, leading operations under Operation HADIN KAI, and Commander Infantry Corps, a position he held before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff in 2024.

During his one-year tenure as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Oluyede championed troop welfare in all ramifications. Five months into his appointment, he increased the daily Ration Cash Allowance for Nigerian Army troops from N1,500 to N3,000. To address accommodation challenges, he introduced a housing scheme to ensure officers have a place to live after retirement. Consequently, his welfare packages improved troop morale, enabling them to fight effectively on the frontline and contributing to successes against terrorists and other non-state actors.

His appointment as the new Chief of Defence Staff has not only placed a battle-tested commander at the helm of Nigeria’s highest military structure, but also a commander who values personnel welfare and civil-military relations as significant factors enhancing operational successes. Having understood the importance of welfare in troop morale, Gen. Oluyede is likely to translate this understanding into tangible improvements for all service members, boosting morale while driving a comprehensive modernization agenda.

The new CDS will also have an easy transition, building on the legacy of his predecessor, who championed a whole-of-society and government approach to combat current security challenges, having successfully done so at the Army Headquarters where he combined kinetic and non-kinetic means to fight insecurity with appreciable results.

The new CDS is expected to build on the effective interoperability among the services, which has enabled all branches of the armed forces to work in synergy, achieving desired objectives in defeating the country’s enemies.

Maj-Gen. Shaibu

Major General Waidi Shaibu, a member of 41 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, is from the Armour Corps. He was GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai in the North East.

Prior to this role, he was the Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies at the National Defence College and has held other key positions, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai, a military operation against terrorists in the North East.

He also served as Commander of 21 Special Armour Brigade Bama, Director of Training at the Army Headquarters Department of Training, Principal Staff Officer at Defense Headquarters.

The new Chief of Army Staff has extensive experience in the fight against insurgency in the North East, including operations in the Sambisa Forest area.

Maj-Gen. Shaibu is an advocate of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in counterinsurgency operations, including de-radicalization and using trips to broaden the worldview of former extremists.

One of his notable achievements as GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 during his 14-month tenure was the successful deep clearance operations into the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle in February 2024. These operations significantly degraded terrorist hideouts and supply routes.

Additionally, the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) initiative held from February 12 to 17, 2024, fostered trust with local communities and created a conducive environment for peace-building activities.

During an award ceremony organised in Maiduguri, both the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, and the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Sambo Ali, described Maj-Gen. Shaibu as an asset to the Nigerian Army.

While paying tribute to Maj-Gen Shaibu, Maj.Gen Ali saluted his gallantry and exploits in the battlefield.

‘Before I came here, I had been hearing about his exploits. But when I came to the theatre, I knew he was an asset to the Nigerian Army, based on what I have seen him displayed,’ Ali said.

On his part, Governor Zulum reflected on how Gen. Shaibu contributed to peace building in the state.

‘Shaibu is a simple person, dedicated and unassuming. During his tenure, we resettled many communities, such as Kauri, Malaria, and a larger part of Banki, and we defeated the insurgency.

‘He is one of the pillars in the success in the fight against more than a decade-long insurgency in the North East,’ Zulum said.

Rear Admiral Abass

Rear Admiral Idi Abass hails from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, and enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on 12 September 1987 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 10 September, 1993 as a member of 40 Regular Course.

He is a 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, United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania, and National Defence College (NDC) Abuja.

He held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy, including Base Administrative Officer of NNS PATHFINDER and Naval contingent Commander of Joint Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, Maritime Guard Commander (MGC) of NIMASA in 2015 and Commander Task Group (CTG) of NN Operation Tsare-Teku, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC CNC) of Central Naval Command and Commander NNS VICTORY, Chief of Naval Safety and Standard (CNASS), Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations (CDCMR) and Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Heritage Centrethe; an appointment he held before his elevation to the post of 25th Chief of Naval Staff.

The new Chief of Naval Staff is expected to intensify the fight against maritime crime by combating oil theft, piracy, and sea robbery in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, as well as countering illegal bunkering and fishing activities that pose economic and environmental threats.

He should enhance operational readiness by promoting professionalism within the Nigerian Navy through training and capacity development, investing in fleet renewal, logistics, and infrastructure upgrades, and developing human capital through quality training and education for naval personnel.

Rear Admiral Abass is expected to strengthen strategic partnerships and collaboration by fostering inter-agency synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders, engaging in international collaboration to combat transnational maritime crimes, and building partnerships with maritime stakeholders, including government agencies and industry.

He is also expected to prioritise personnel welfare and integrity by ensuring high-priority attention to the welfare of naval personnel, upholding professionalism and ethics through a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy for indiscipline and corruption, and implementing a system to reward personnel who demonstrate high integrity.

Air Vice Marshal Aneke

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is the 23rd Chief of Air Staff. He hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, and started his military career on 10 September 1988 when he was enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 40th Regular Course. Consequently he was commissioned as a pilot officer into the Nigerian Air Force on 10 September 1993.

Air Vice Marshal Aneke attended various military courses in the course of his career. These include the certificate in Aeromechanical Engineering from the officers Engineering School Technical Training Group (now Air Force Institute of Technology). Ab-initia Flying Training from 301 Flying Training School and Basic Flying Training from 301 Flying Training School now 401 FTS. He attended the Prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the United States Air Force Air University Montgomery Alabama.

Air Vice Marshal Aneke has had numerous appointments, including Commander 307 Executive Air Lift Group Abuja, Deputy Director Evaluation (Air) Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Command Evaluation Officer Air Training Command Kaduna, Command Operations Officer and Evaluation Officer Tactical Air Training Command Makurdi, Chief of Staff Air Training Command Kaduna, Command Operations Officer Tactical Air Command Makurdi, Director of Safety Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja, Deputy Director Operations Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Director of Policy Headquarters Nigerian Air Force and he is currently the Deputy Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (Africa’s Foremost Military University) Kaduna.

The new NAF boss has flown Air Beetle 18, Air Beetle 18 extended version, Dornier – 228, Citation – 500, Falcon 900, Gulfs tream V, Gulf Stream 550 and the Hawker – 4000. He has an Advance Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with a total 4,359 flying hours.

Air Vice Marshal Aneke is expected to bring with him a wealth of experience, intellectual rigour, and operational dexterity that position him to steer the Nigerian Air Force towards greater efficiency in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and emerging security threats.

The new Chief of Air Staff faces significant challenges, including ensuring continued synergy between the Nigerian Air Force and ground troops by providing adequate air support during operations. His predecessor had excelled in this aspect, contributing to successes in various operations nationwide.

The new Chief is also expected to build on his predecessor’s innovative strides, particularly in infrastructure and platform maintenance. Additionally, he will likely focus on maintaining the Nigerian Air Force’s strong Civil-Military Relations, an area where his predecessor achieved notable success. Furthermore, he is expected to continue the Civilian Harm Mitigation initiative, aimed at protecting civilians and reducing air crashes during operations.