News
UPDATED: Tinubu Announces Death Of Chief Of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja
President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, at age 56.
According to a statement released by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness. He, however, did not disclose the illness.
President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.
He wished Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
His military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
FILE: The Chief of Amy Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, addresses troops in Plateau State on January 27, 2024.
Lt. General Lagbaja also served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
Death Rumours
Earlier in late October, there were rumours that the Chief of Army Staff had died in an undisclosed hospital abroad. However, the Defence Headquarters quickly dispelled the rumours, insisting that the CAS was on annual leave.
Also in a statement on October 20, Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, while insisting that there was no leadership vacuum in the Army, noted that the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, had been positioned to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.
He had emphasised that Lagbaja’s absence was not affecting the operations of the service.
“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Nwachukwu had said.
“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.
Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.
“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence.
Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.
”Oluyede appointed as Acting COASMeanwhile, as Lagbaja’s absence lingered, President Tinubu on October 30, appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff.
He said Oluyede will hold sway as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who at the time was said to be indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad.
News
NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.
The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”
The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.
The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.
“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”
The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.
“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.
Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.
Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.
News
Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work
Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.
The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan
Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.
Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.
“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.
The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.
The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.
Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.
The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.
The distributable revenue included:
- N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
- N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
- N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
- N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference
Out of the total distributed funds:
- The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
- State Governments received N660.349 billion
- Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
- N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue
Revenue Breakdown:
Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):
- FG: N613.805 billion
- States: N311.330 billion
- LGs: N240.023 billion
- 13% Derivation: N117.714 billion
VAT (N640.610 billion):
- FG: N96.092 billion
- States: N320.305 billion
- LGs: N224.214 billion
EMTL (N37.601 billion):
- FG: N5.640 billion
- States: N18.801 billion
- LGs: N13.160 billion
Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):
- FG: N19.544 billion
- States: N9.913 billion
- LGs: N7.643 billion
- 13% Derivation: N2.643 billion
The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.
FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.
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