News
NFSS trains 24,000 forest guards nationwide – CG
The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) says it has trained more than 24,000 new officers nationwide as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen forest security.
The Commander General of NFSS, Dr Joshua Osatimehin, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, during the closing of a five-day National Capacity-Building Workshop held simultaneously across six geo-political zones of the country.
Osatimehin said said the training was the second quarterly exercise in the year, adding that it was also to improve local intelligence gathering in support of national security operations.
He explained that exercise focused on refresher courses, inter-agency collaboration, and intelligence gathering, particularly in forested regions prone to criminal activities.
”This year’s second quarter training has been a huge success. We have trained more than 24,000 new recruits across the federation.
”These men have been screened by the police, Department of State Service (DSS), and traditional institutions before undergoing compulsory refresher courses conducted by various security agencies,” he said.
The NFSS commander general also said that the training took place concurrently in key locations within the zones.
He added that the workshop showcased the agency’s collaboration with constitutional authorities and law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the military.
”Security agencies came at different times to lecture our officers on actionable intelligence, inter-agency cooperation, and prompt communication with law enforcement to tackle forest-based criminal threats,” he said.
He revealed that 6,836 operatives were trained in FCT, 4,122 in Plateau, 6,856 in Gombe, and more than 9,000 in the South East.
On legislative backing for the service, Osatimehin appealed to President Bola Tinubu to sign the NFSS Establishment Bill into law, following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly.
”We are using this opportunity to appeal to His Excellency, the President, to assent to the bill establishing the NFSS.
”This will formalise our operations and give our officers the confidence and legal backing to operate decisively against criminals within Nigeria’s forests,” he said.
He urged newly recruited officers to serve with courage and integrity, stressing that Nigeria needed heroes who would rise to the challenge of protecting forest resources and communities.
“Nigerians need heroes, and these officers must wear their uniforms with pride and honour,” Osatimehin added.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence), Dr John Metchie, says Nigerians should expect improvement in security, adding that NFSS is committed to tackling crimes in the forests.
Metchie appealed for continuous support from the citizens to the service in the fight against insecurity.
FOLLOW US ON:
The Kebbi State Government has approved the creation of a new district—Sarandosa—in Maiyama Local Government Area of the state and announced the appointment of two new district heads as part of its ongoing administrative restructuring.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Dutsinmari, and made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the newly created Sarandosa District, with headquarters in Sarandosa town, was carved out of the existing Maiyama District (Sarkin Kudun Maiyama). The new district comprises five village areas: Gubba, Sarandosa, Acikaratu Ubandawaki, Acikaratun Dodo, and Tsalibi.
Dutsinmari explained that the creation of the district became necessary due to the rapid expansion and administrative demands of the area, which required decentralization for effective governance and traditional leadership.
The government has appointed Dr. Faruk Maiyama as the pioneer District Head of Sarandosa with the traditional title of Sarkin Gabas Sarandosa.
Similarly, Haliru Maiyama has been appointed as the new District Head of the restructured Maiyama District, retaining the title of Sarkin Kudun Maiyama.
The statement also noted that the existing Maiyama District will now cover seven village areas, including Dangaladıman Maiyama, Yarıman Maiyama, Giwatazo, Kurya, Rafintofa, Zara Birni, and Idiga.
FOLLOW US ON:
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Wednesday warned political appointees and public officials in his administration to uphold integrity or step aside, following the resignation of the Commissioner for Transportation, Alhaji Ibrahim Namadi Dala, who was involved in securing bail for a suspected drug offender.
Speaking at the 30th State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Yusuf said his government would not condone actions that undermine discipline, accountability, or its stand against drug-related offences.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, Yusuf was quoted as saying, “Let it be clear: we will not tolerate any conduct—official or private—that undermines the values we stand for. Every public official must be vigilant and responsible in their dealings. You are not only representing your office but the integrity of the entire administration.”
He added that the development should serve as a wake-up call to all political appointees and civil servants, warning that any individual who feels unable to uphold the standards of the government should resign rather than compromise its integrity.
“If anyone among you feels he can no longer uphold the trust bestowed upon him, it is better to voluntarily resign rather than engage in misconduct that could tarnish the image of this administration,” Yusuf said.
The governor reiterated his commitment to the fight against drug abuse, trafficking, and other societal vices, particularly those affecting the youth, describing it as one of the key priorities of his government.
“We came into office with a clear mandate to restore sanity, integrity, and progress in Kano. That mission will not be compromised. I urge all appointees to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of this administration,” he said.
Yusuf concluded by reaffirming his administration’s dedication to justice, transparency, and service delivery.
FOLLOW US ON:
Ghana’s defence and environment ministers were killed in a helicopter crash Wednesday, the Ghanaian presidency said, hours after the armed forces reported a chopper carrying three crew and five passengers dropped off the radar.
Edward Omane Boamah became President John Mahama’s defence minister earlier this year shortly after Mahama’s swearing-in in January.
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was serving as the minister of environment, science and technology.
Everyone onboard was killed in the accident, authorities said.
“The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” said Mahama’s chief of staff Julius Debrah.
Boamah was helming Ghana’s defence ministry at a time when jihadist activity across its northern border in Burkina Faso has become increasingly restive.
While Ghana has so far avoided a jihadist spillover from the Sahel — unlike neighbours Togo and Benin — observers have warned of increased arms trafficking and of militants from Burkina Faso crossing the porous border to use Ghana as a rear base.
A medical doctor by training, Boamah’s career in government included stints as communications minister during Mahama’s previous 2012-2017 tenure. Before that, he was the deputy minister for environment.
The Ghanaian Armed Forces had reported earlier Wednesday that an air force helicopter had fallen off radar after taking off from Accra just after 9:00 am. It had been headed towards the town of Obuasi, northwest of the capital.
The statement had said that three crew and five passengers were aboard, without specifying at the time that the ministers were among them.
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Ghana’s deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister, was among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party.
As Ghana has pursued increased diplomacy with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — all ruled by juntas who have broken with the ECOWAS west African regional bloc — Boamah led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May.
He had been set to release a book titled “A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy”, about former president John Atta Mills, who died in 2012.
All flags were to be flown at half-staff, Debrah said, while the presidency said Mahama had cancelled his official activities for the day.
FOLLOW US ON:
-
Education2 weeks agoHow A Class Of 24 Students Produced 2 Presidents, 4 Governors, 2 Ministers, 4 Emirs, 3 Justices, 4 Ambassadors and Other Influential Leaders
-
News3 weeks ago‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in coma
-
News2 weeks agoWhy Do You Continue To Lie Against Your Motherland? Presidency Calls Out Kemi Badenoch
-
News2 weeks agoLagos belongs to no tribe – Sowore kicks against renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, others
-
Lifestyle2 weeks agoPeople Who Abandon Their Heritage Do So At Their Own Peril – Gani Adams Warns
-
Politics2 weeks ago‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me again’ – ADC reminds Tinubu of failed promise
-
News2 weeks agoYou can’t lie about your country and then we keep quiet – Dabiri-Erewa slams Kemi Badenoch over claim on Nigerian citizenship
-
Lifestyle2 weeks agoActor Odunlade Adekola has sadly lost his father