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Troops Kill Over 100 Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno

Published

6 years ago

January 8, 2019

Troops of the Nigerian military under Operation Lafiya Dole have killed over 100 Boko Haram Terrorists in various encounters described by the Nigerian Army as aggressive clearance operation. The clearance operation, according to the director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, is part of efforts put in place to wipe out the remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts and crossing points. Usman said the frontline troops who are in renewed positive fighting spirit across the theatre to stop incursions and annihilate the terrorists also recovered various calibre of arms and ammunition in areas around Goniri in Yobe State, Damasak, Kross Kauwa and Monguno, among other locations in Borno State. “Specifically, the 120 Battalion and the newly formed Nigerian Army Special Forces Command have neutralised over 100 Boko Haram terrorists in various encounters,” he said. He added that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) component of Operation Lafiya Dole have been giving close air support to ground troops and also facilitating hot pursuit of fleeing infiltrating terrorists in the ongoing operations. The Army spokesman hinted that the Air Task Force has destroyed several Boko Haram terrorists’ gun trucks and facilities, while providing support to the ground troops. He further revealed that the gallant troops have also been repelling attempted efforts by the terrorists to infiltrate their locations. The battle, Usman said, has now been further shifted to the fringes of Lake Chad and other suspected Boko Haram terrorists enclave along the borders. PMB Restates Commitment To Equipping Military Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to equipping the military to overcome the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East. The president who spoke when a delegation from Borno led by the state governor, Kashim Shettima, visited him at the presidential villa noted that the collective safety and security of civilians would continue to remain paramount in the administration’s strategy to restore peace and stability in the North East region. ‘‘Having been a former governor in the North East, a GOC in the region and very familiar with the terrain, I assure you that as Commander-in-Chief, I’ll raise the standard of the Nigerian Armed Forces and get the resources to encourage them to do better than what they are doing”, Buhari said. The president told the delegation comprising political, traditional, religious, women and media leaders in the state that he is impressed by their leadership roles and participation in helping the government deal with insurgency in the North East. He also commended the contributions of the stakeholders from Borno State, particularly on the need for more air support for ground troops and coordination among different security agencies. ‘‘I am getting at least a weekly situation report from the services and of course from other sources. I encourage the commanders to remain committed”, a statement from presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, quoted the president as saying. President Buhari thanked Governor Shettima for demonstrating leadership in the state during these difficult times. “I have an idea how much you are doing and I very much appreciate it. I’m sure that has earned you more respect from the people,’’ he told the govetrnor. Earlier in his remarks, Governor Shettima recounted how before 2015, Boko Haram had almost completely overrun the state, occupying many local government areas because the state government did not receive the necessary support and succour from the then federal government. On behalf of the people of Borno, the delegation presented a letter containing security-related observations and ten undisclosed demands to President Buhari. The demands are connected to measures the delegation said if granted by the president would help in efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. Governor Shettima said the demands and observations are the outcome of an extraordinary security meeting which he convened in Maiduguri last week Monday. Informing Buhari that he was presenting a letter on behalf of the delegation, he told journalists that because there were matters of security, he was not going to disclose both demands and observations. He also said the delegation would discuss the issues raised in closed door meeting with the president. The governor told the president, “Your Excellency, we came with some observations and 10 specific requests for urgent presidential intervention. These observations and requests are products of discussions in the aftermath of our extraordinary security meeting held one week ago. We didn’t rush to come after the meeting. We felt the need to travel to Northern Borno, interact with displaced persons and the military so as to strengthen public confidence. “I will seek the understanding of journalists by not making public any of our observations and 10 requests. They are matters of security, which we hope to discuss with Mr President in closed door. I will like to recall with profound gratitude that in our extraordinary meeting last week, we brought on board leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Borno State and we took them into confidence. “True to their promise, none of what we discussed in that meeting was revealed through any media platform. Such an attitude displayed by the media is a further proof that Nigerian journalists are, without doubt, devoted to sincere measures in the fight against Boko Haram”. The governor also explained that the people of Borno State have demonstrated the highest commitment to the fight against Boko Haram by donating their sons and daughters who have been fighting in battle fronts as volunteers under the Civilian JTF. He continued: “Mr President, from 2013 to date, more than 20,000 youth volunteers, amongst them young women, have offered themselves in fighting Boko Haram under the Civilian JTF. “These youths are sons and daughters of the same people of Borno State that were accused of undermining the fight against Boko Haram. From 2013 to date, our administration has been solely responsible for funding hundreds of successful operations carried out by the Civilian JTF. “We have been responsible for their recruitment after thorough vetting by the DSS. We fund their training, kit them, provide them operational vehicles and maintain these vehicles. We pay their allowances, supply them surveillance gadgets and we deploy them on the advice of security establishments. “Most importantly, these (members of) Civilian JTF are good in gathering local intelligence and they are experts in identifying Boko Haram members no matter how they try to conceal themselves. They have done so much with our consistent support and we seriously have supported and continue to support all security agencies, particularly the military”. He recalled that a delegation in Borno State was in the villa because unlike in previous years when they were treated with suspicion, President Buhari has demonstrated empathy and compassion to Borno people. The governor said, “Mr President,Sir, the purpose for which we are here comes with one irony. Borno state suffered its worst times between 2013 and 2014. In that period, Boko Haram abducted our children, attacked and took firm control of 20 out of the 27 local government areas of Borno. “In these 20 local government areas, they established caliphates and put in place, sovereign administrators who strictly enforced tax systems and violent laws. “They abused our young daughters. They forced young men to join their fighters. They turned old men women into domestic slaves and they publicly executed parents in the presence of their own children and wives for allegedly offending laws that are even alien to the religion of Islam. “While administering our 20 local government areas, Boko Haram operated from council local secretariats in headquarters of local government areas and lived in palaces of traditional rulers, military barracks and police stations. “On the other hand, from 2015 to 2018, the Nigerian military with you as commander-in-chief was able to liberate all the 20 local government areas hitherto under the Boko Haram. The military even took control of Boko Haram’s main operational base in the Sambisa forest. With these successes, the Borno State government was able to rebuild more than 30,000 homes in various communities with all public facilities restored. “With Mr President’s leadership, many of our hitherto displaced brothers and sisters, including some of our traditional rulers, voluntarily returned to rebuild communities in 14 local government areas, including Bama. Mr President, I recollected all these for the sole purpose of establishing the irony in our visit today. “Mr President, the truth is that in the past we were regarded as the problems rather than the victims. Government, elders and the people of Borno State were seen as undermining the war on Boko Haram. We were treated with suspicion”. Other stakeholders from the state who made comments included chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, Bishop Mohammed Naga; secretary of Borno Elders’ Forum, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio; former governor of the state, Maina Ma’aji Lawal; Emir of Dikwa, Muhammad Masta II bn Al-Amin El-Kanemi, representing the Shehu of Borno; Senator representing Borno North, Abubakar Kyari and leader of Borno caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume.

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ASR AFRICA HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A N250 MILLION ABDUL SAMAD RABIU MEDICAL SCIENCE LABOURATORY FOR CRESCENT UNIVERSITY

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

ASR Africa has commenced the construction of a N250 Million medical science laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

From Right: Mr. G. T. Ogunmefun (University Acting Bursar); Barr. A. M. Ajiobla, SAN (Proprietor); Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila (Vice- Chancellor); Dr. Ubon Udoh (MD/CEO, ASR Africa); Barr. Z. A. Ajibola (Registrar) and Prof. M. K. Momodu (Dean, College of Law) at the ground breaking ceremony of the Medical Science Laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta.

August24news.com gathered that the laboratory will enhance the capacity of the institution in meeting the National Development Plans and Transformational Agenda (NDTA) of the Federal Government of Nigeria, whilst filling the gap created by laboratory scientists who have left the country recently.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, expressed gratitude for the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGs).

He applauded ASR Africa for the award of the grant and noted that the project is the university’s topmost priority, considering its drive to expand its College of Health Sciences programs.

In his response, the MD CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, commended the management of the university for their academic achievements and systematic growth which is evident by the addition of three new colleges recently.

These colleges include the College of Environmental Sciences (COES), Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW) and the College of Health Sciences (COHES). Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of ASR Africa in ensuring a timely completion of the project.

The N250 Million grant will provide fixtures and fittings for the medical science laboratory which features a 300 sitting capacity auditorium, offices for Head of Departments and lecturers, lecture /seminar rooms.

It will also cater as laboratories facility for Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Biology, Hematology, Pharmacology/Therapeutics and Chemical Pathology.

The ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme is targeted at supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and so far over 30 tertiary institutions in Nigeria have benefitted from this grant which ranges from N250 million to N 2 billion.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

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Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

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Olusunle, Now Fellow Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS)

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

…As Society Celebrates 64 Years of Existence

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A research Director of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Dr. Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle has been conferred with the prestigious Fellow of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), one of the oldest professional bodies in the history of Nigeria.

NASENI Research Director, Engr. Dr Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle, FNMGS, (right) receiving the Conferment Award plaque and Certificate from Prof. Akinade Sadrach Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society(NMGS)(left) during the Awards Night which took place at the Chida International Hotels Abuja on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

The Nigeria’s late sage, Pan Africanist and President during the First Nigerian Republic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first patron of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

The Society yesterday in Abuja concluded its 60^th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), and it was time for the body to honour and recognize its members who had contributed tremendously not only to the growth and development of the Mining and Geosciences profession in the country, but the accomplishments of the honourees having direct bearing on the general socio-economic development of the country.

The event which was held between 16^th to 19^th February 2025 at the Chida International Hotel Abuja, came to a climax with Awards Night and recognition. Dr. Olusunle and 42 other members were honoured with the prestigious fellow category, which is the highest election attainable in society.

This conferment has added new appellation to Engr.Dr. Olusunle’s name as FNMGS. In 1977, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) succeeded the Nigerian Mining Geological and Metallurgical Society (NMGMS) which was founded on 15th January 1961 and officially inaugurated on 17th December, 1962.

The society is an international professional organization. Its Objectives include: Advancement and practice of Mining, Earth sciences and Metallurgy, Acquisition, preservation and dissemination of mining geoscientific and metallurgical knowledge, publication of an interdisciplinary learned journal of Mining and Geology (JMG), the CRUST, periodicals and specialized books including annual books of abstracts and programmes of the society’s conferences and activities and upholding the ethics and safeguarding the interests of the professionals covered by the society.

The society also has statutory representation in the council of the Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) established by the Federal republic of Nigeria Decree No. 40 of 1990. The categories of membership are Fellow, Corporate, Graduate, Students, Affiliate, Institutional and Honorary fellow, the highest of all is the Fellow category.

When asked to speak on the significance of the society’s recognition to him and NASENI where he serves as Director Research, a highly elated Olusunle had this to say: “I give God the glory and I am really humbled to be elected FELLOW of NMGS. It should be noted that the mandate of NASENI and the core concerns of NMGS are knittingly related. NASENI has one of its institutes operating within the purview of solid minerals exploitation (SOMMEDI).

NASENI also under wonderful leadership of the EVC/CEO, Khalil S. Halilu, is actively involved in the CNG project of the Federal Government. These and other notable activities/intervention of NASENI are collaborative windows between the agency and NMGS”.

Before he became research director, Dr. Olusunle was former Managing Director, Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) Akure, one of NASENI Development Institutes. Also, he is a FELLOW of the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS)and many others.