General Musa Makes Demand as Senate Clears Him as New Defence Minister

The Nigerian Senate has approved the appointment of a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as Minister of Defence after a five-hour interrogation by the legislators on Wednesday.

General Musa, who recently served as CDS, received confirmation from the lawmakers following his screening in the Senate chambers, just a day after President Bola Tinubu put his name forward for the role.

His screening took place amid a period of increased insecurity in Nigeria, where mass abductions, particularly of students in schools, have become a frequent occurrence. One notable case involved the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, accompanied by reports that troops left the scene moments before the attackers arrived.

General Musa stressed during the screening that one of his first actions would be to investigate the alleged withdrawal of the troops.

“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (of government),” the minister said at the event attended by his family members, among others.

“We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Musa as the new Minister of Defence on Tuesday, following the resignation of Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, the former minister.

Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, served as Nigeria's chief of defence staff from 2023 until October 2025.

Serial Child Molester Re-Arrested in Lagos, Group Demands Justice

The Inclusive Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation has raised alarm over the repeated sexual abuse of young boys in the Mile 12–Ketu area of Lagos, following the arrest of a 35-year-old man, Ali Umar, who was caught molesting a 12-year-old boy.

 

The foundation said it became aware of the situation during an outreach in the community, where residents revealed that Umar, who lives at 12 Adebimpe Street, Kosofe, had been previously caught abusing young boys. According to the community, he allegedly groomed victims by promising to buy them mobile phones, after which he lured them to his room and sexually assaulted them. On one occasion, he reportedly kept two boys in his room for two weeks before they were rescued by residents. He was released after pleading for forgiveness.

 

Ali Umar, suspect

 

However, on November 21, 2025, the suspect was allegedly caught again in the act with another 12-year-old boy and was beaten by community members.

Five days later, on November 26, the NGO received another distress call. Two of its social workers, John Thompson and Temitope Oyeniyi, working alongside officers from Ketu Police Station, apprehended Umar and handed him over to the police.

A medical examination conducted at the Mirabel Centre, Ikeja, confirmed that the child victim had been sexually assaulted through the anus.

Umar was arraigned on November 28, 2025, before Magistrate O.A. Daodu and subsequently remanded in custody. The matter was adjourned to a later date.

Ambassador (Mrs.) Pat Isiorho-Eleto, CEO of the foundation, condemned the recurring assaults and assured that the organisation would ensure the case receives full legal attention without delay.

She also expressed deep appreciation to the Ketu Police Station for their prompt intervention, thanking the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Betty Coker, and the Divisional Police Officer for their swift and professional response. She added that the foundation looks forward to strengthening its partnership with the police to protect vulnerable children.

Meanwhile, the assaulted child is undergoing emotional and psychological counselling to aid recovery from the trauma.

The NGO and the victim’s family have appealed to the Lagos State Government to ensure that justice is served without delay.

Factional PDP Issues 'Certificates of Expulsion' To Wike, Anyanwu, Others

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued expulsion certificates to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other officials expelled at the last convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Addressing journalists after a meeting of the NWC on Tuesday in Abuja, National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, said the issue of expelled of members was discussed at the meeting.

Turaki explained that “We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them. Now that they are no longer members of our party, and now that the National Convention which is the highest decision-making organ of our party has expelled them, we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.

“So that, when they go to register with other political parties in Nigeria, they will show these certificates as proof that they are no longer members of the PDP, and so those parties will not accuse them of trying to belong to more than one political party.”

He said the certificates had been dispatched via courier to the 11 persons  namely, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Umaru Bature; Kamarudeen Ajibade,SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Mr Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah Nnanna; George Turna and Chief Dan Orbih.

Turaki said the move became necessary to allow Nigerians, particularly critical institutions involved in managing the affairs of political parties, especially INEC, and agencies managing security affairs in society to know their status.

He asked the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps and other government agencies should “know that these people are no longer members of our party. They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them.”

He also went further to say that soon, members of the society will be informed “via proper disclaimers that any person henceforth who decides to do business with them any or all of them does so at his or her own risk. They are no longer members of the People’s Democratic Party. They have been expelled. You today are living witnesses to their certificates of expulsion. We hope that members of the PDP in Nigeria and the diaspora will know that the party has once again gotten rid of the cankerworms that have been afflicting and creating problems for us in our activities.

“We are now prepared to be saddled with the responsibility of performing our functions as the leading opposition party in Nigeria. We are going to provide a credible alternative to Nigerians. We are going to provide credible leadership to Nigerians by the special grace of God from 2027.”

Why Tinubu Picked Ex-CDS, Christopher Musa, As New Defence Minister

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.

General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.

In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola Lauds Tinubu For Appointing New Spy Chiefs

Chairperson and Convener of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’23), Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing new intelligence chiefs to enhance the security architecture of Nigeria.

It is recalled that the President on Monday announced the appointments of Mohammed Mohamed as the Director-General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Adeola Ajayi as the new Director-General for the Department of State Services (DSS).

Kemi, a behavioural, developmental and child/young persons care professional, gave the commendation to the President in a press statement she made available to newsmen on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

She expressed hope that the action of the president would position the security system to contain the raging kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency and bandidary which had ravaged the country.

She further commended the intelligence chiefs for working hard in the course of their careers to predispose themselves to be appointed to such high profile offices, advising them to see their new national assignments as a patriotic duty to write their names in gold and bring pride to their families if they perform as creditably as anticipated.

She charged them on the task ahead and urged them to be dedicated and committed to the ideals of the intelligence community, one of which is the promotion of intelligence gathering, monitoring and management as well as engendering modern diplomatic practices.

Her statement reads in parts, "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again proved his mettle as a leader who is strong-willed to keep the security and intelligence architecture of the country in right track by appointing thoroughbred and patriotic Nigerians to be in charge of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Department of State Services (DSS). This will truly mark the beginning of new expectations by Nigerians in efforts to tackle the country’s security challenges.

The action of the President would further position the security system to contain the raging kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency, and bandidary, which had ravaged the country. This latest development will also help to deepen career progression and boost officer's moral. It will also help to expand intelligence gathering, monitoring and management as well as citizen's engagement and accentuate modern diplomatic practices. It's a thing of joy for those of us in the diaspora that we now have a country that could be better secured internally and also outside the shores of Nigeria by committed individuals."

Edo Guber: APC Accuses PDP of Plot To Rig Poll

Afegbua

 

 

 

 

As the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election draws closer, the Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) has on Tuesday alleged that it had uncovered a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the election in favour of their candidate.

 

 

 

 

Prince Kassim Afegbua, director of media for the Edo APC campaign council made the allegations in a statement he made available to newsmen.

 

 

 

He alleged that the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki was planning to use the Edo Security Network as a "gambit" to manipulate the election results.

 

 

 

 

Afegbua further alleged that APC had been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo electorates of PDP's game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo voters from exercising their right during the September 21 gubernatorial poll.

 

 

 

He however called on all relevant security agencies to show proactive measures in mitigating the plot by the ruling party in the state.

 

 

The full statement reproduced hereunder:

 

 

 

"We, of the Edo State APC Campaign Council are hereby alerting the public, Edo electorates, and all others concerned, of the clandestine and surreptitious moves by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to rig the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial election using his illegal Edo Security Network as a gambit. We have been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo electorates of his game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo electorates from exercising their right at the elections.

 

 

 

 

We had decried before, the State Government’s activities apropos of arms procurement. Edo State government has been recruiting even more hands into their illegal Edo Security Network, with the sole motive of empowering them for the underhand assignment of rigging the election by intimidation.

 

 

 

We are aware that the State Government has now started producing Police Uniforms and Military Uniforms which the members of the Edo Security Network will be made to wear on the said day of the election, to disguise as real police officers and military personnel; to assist them in carrying out their pernicious assignment. Some citizens with moral rectitude, who were invited for a briefing at the Government House on Monday, raised concerns about this plot and turned down the job offer.

 

 

 

 

 

The State Government is still arranging to procure more guns and other ammunition for them for the D-Day of the election. Before now, the Edo Security Network had started mounting illegal road-blocks and checkpoints across the state, posturing as Police and Military personnel: the APC campaigns in Akoko-Edo were attacked a couple of days back, and our supporters, acolytes and functionaries were also attacked at Ewohinmi area last week after our successful campaign outing.

 

 

 

 

By this statement, we are appealing to the Military Authority as well as the Nigeria Police, particularly to the Inspector General of Police to please come and rescue Edo State, immediately. We adjure these authorities to commission their men to carry out investigations concerning these serious allegations in order to act appropriately, and forestall the breakdown of law and order in Edo Stste. We have been besieged with serious complaints by our members, and other citizens of the need to be particularly overarching about the safety of theirs, and our lives and properties, in order for us all to successfully and peaceably exercise our franchise on the D-Day.

 

 

 

 

 

The fears are becoming disquieting hence our decision to alert the whole world of these sinister plots of Governor Godwin Obaseki. It is wrong, condemnable and abhorrent for a state government to be arming youths in the name of election. This is how the dreaded Boko Haram started, and has grown to become this juggernaut besetting Nigeria till date. We must avoid such a situation in Edo. It is incumbent on the security authorities to act with legerity, even if it comes to banning the Edo Security Network and also arresting those illegally in possession of firearms altogether. The needful need be done lest we allow a total breakdown of law and order in the state.

 

 

 

 

In the APC, we preach one man, one vote; in the exercise of the franchise of every eligible voter in the state. We are concerned that the state governor is deeply desperate and will espouse cutthroat gambits to plunge the state into avoidable crises should the odds be against him. Under a democracy, the freedom to choose is not only a sacrosanct but indeed the least requirement for the exercise to bear that name. Let us leave the power with the people. Governor Obaseki must be called to order immediately. We are for a peaceful process of election and nobody, no matter how highly placed, or in whatever station will intimidate, repress, or withstand us.

 

 

 

We are fervently calling on all concerned, to ensure that the election is devoid of bloodletting and killing by any party, by not leaving any wiggle room for artifice. A stitch in time, saves nine. The IGP and Military Authorities should please act on this with alacrity, to arrest this grave concern."

Free Digital Skills Program: Fish for Life Foundation Launches 'Cohort II'

  

Dr. Ope Banwo

 

 

 

 

The Fish for Life Empowerment Foundation, led by visionary Dr. Ope Banwo, proudly announces the launch of the second cohort of its acclaimed FREE Digital Skills Empowerment Program. This groundbreaking initiative continues its mission to combat unemployment across Nigeria by offering a clear pathway to self-employment for youths, professionals, and senior executives alike who are either unemployed, underemployed or who simply need a new stream of income for their business or retirement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empowering the Next Generation of Digital Entrepreneurs
Building on the success of the first cohort, this edition kicks off with a 7-Day Virtual Bootcamp from September 2nd to 8th, 2024. This Bootcamp is a mandatory precursor to the comprehensive 12-week Digital Business Mastery Course, ensuring participants are well-equipped to dive deeper into the dynamic world of digital entrepreneurship.

 

 

 

 

Exclusive Virtual Conference
Following the Bootcamp, participants will have the exclusive opportunity to attend a Virtual Conference featuring thought leaders and industry experts. The conference will explore the theme: “Mass Digital Self-Employment as a Solution to Unemployment in Nigeria.” This event is designed to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in the digital economy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Program for All Age Groups
The Fish for Life Digital Skills Empowerment Program is inclusive and open to everyone, from young individuals under 21 to seasoned professionals and senior executives over 50. Regardless of age or background, this program aims to provide the essential digital skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

 

 

 

 

“We believe that digital skills are the great equalizer,” said Dr. Ope Banwo. “Our program is not just about learning new skills; it’s about empowering people of all ages to take control of their economic futures and create sustainable businesses in the digital era.”

 

 

 

 

Program Structure and Highlights
* 7-Day Virtual Bootcamp (September 2-8, 2024): Intensive training sessions covering the fundamentals of digital entrepreneurship.
* Virtual Conference: An inspiring event where participants will network with industry leaders and gain insights into digital business success.
* 12-Week Digital Business Mastery Course (Begins September 16, 2024): Advanced training that builds on the skills learned during the Bootcamp, offering practical, hands-on experience in various aspects of digital business.
Key Benefits of the Program
* Expert-Led Training: Learn directly from industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs.
* Certification by the American Internet Business School: Earn a recognized credential to boost your career.
* Practical Digital Business Skills: Master areas such as:
o Book Writing and Publishing on global platforms.
o Freelancing and securing high-paying projects.
o Affiliate Marketing for generating passive income.
o E-commerce Setup for launching a profitable online store.
o Social Media Monetization to turn your online presence into profit.
o Software Creation and Sales without technical expertise.
o Blogging for Profit, and much more.

• Networking and Mentorship: Build relationships with peers and mentors to guide your entrepreneurial journey.

 

 

 

 

 

Who Should Attend the Free Online Workshop?
• Young Individuals under 21: Start your entrepreneurial journey early.
• Youths aged 21-50: Gain the skills to pivot or enhance your career.
• Senior Executives 50+: Leverage your experience to create new digital opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Spots Available—Register Now
Due to the personalized nature of the program, only a limited number of spots are available. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure participation in both the Bootcamp and the 12-week course.

 

 

 

 

How to Register
Interested participants can secure their spot by registering online at https://fishforlifebootcamp.com/.

 

 

 

 

 

About Fish for Life Empowerment Foundation
Founded by Dr. Ope Banwo, the Fish for Life Empowerment Foundation is dedicated to combating youth unemployment in Nigeria by providing targeted digital skills training and entrepreneurship programs. The foundation aims to cultivate a new generation of digital entrepreneurs who will drive economic growth and innovation across the nation.