The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, has charged the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to intensify cadet training driven by purposeful leadership, discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking in order to bridge gaps in Military operations.

The COAS gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Commandant, NDA, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to Army Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 26 November 2025.

Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed the need to strengthen research centres, particularly the NDA Department of Military Science, as a strategic step towards boosting the National Defence Industry and enhancing indigenous capacity for military innovation and self-reliance.

He underscored that a robust research framework would provide the intellectual backbone required for a modern, responsive and technologically advanced fighting force.

The COAS further advocated for a curriculum overhaul that reflects contemporary security challenges, with emphasis on night training, physical fitness, artificial intelligence and other emerging warfare domains.

According to him, these measures would ensure that young officers are fully attuned to the realities of modern battlefields and equipped with the warrior ethos and battle-oriented leadership skills required to drive his Command Philosophy which is

*“To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”

* He also pledged his full support to the Commandant in achieving these objectives, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian Defence Academy produces officers who are strategically sound, operationally competent and fully prepared to meet the evolving security demands of the nation.

In his remarks, the Commandant, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye congratulated the COAS on his appointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

He further expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the military for the confidence reposed in him to lead the nation’s premier military training institution, describing the NDA as the “training factory” for future officers of the Armed Forces.

The Commandant assured that he would build on the legacies and structures established by his predecessors while soliciting sustained support from the COAS to effectively realise the vision and mission of producing competent, disciplined and professional officers capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s security interests.

Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria LCCN most Rev Musa Panti Flibus has decried the worsening cases of school abductions and church attacks in Nigeria

Speaking during the 200th general Church council of the Lutheran Church in Numan, Adamawa State, the Church leader observed that is going through one of its worst security moments and called on the federal government to rise to the challenge

It is the 200th General Church Council of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria holding in Numan, Adamawa state Northeast Nigeria

The event which drew delegates from across the country and beyond. became a platform where several concerns about the growing insecurity in Nigeria were raised

In his keynote message, the Archbishop of the LCCN, Most Reverend Musa Panti Filibus, expressed deep worry over what he described as the worsening security crisis in the country

He lamented the recent abduction of church members in Kwara State and the kidnapping of students in Kebbi State, calling them heartbreaking reminders of the state of insecurity affecting both faith communities and the education sector.

Most Reverend Filibus said the Church can no longer remain silent as Nigerians live under fear of attacks, kidnappings, and violence. He called on the government to place national security at the top of its agenda and take urgent steps to protect innocent lives.

The Archbishop also reacted to the United States government’s declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, a designation often linked to serious violations of religious freedom. He described the label as troubling but warned that dismissing it would be a mistake.

He said the declaration should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian authorities to address threats to religious liberty, ensure justice for victims of violence, and restore public confidence in security agencies.

Participants at the council prayed for peace in Nigeria and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting unity, dialogue, and support for communities affected by insecurity.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the livestock sector, stating that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “means business” and will no longer allow the sector to suffer neglect.

The Minister made the remark in Yola on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Model Veterinary Hospital constructed by the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He also commissioned a veterinary ambulatory vehicle to enhance outreach to pastoral communities and livestock clusters.Mukhtar described the facility as a new chapter for animal health service delivery in Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.

“Mr President deemed it fit last year to create the Ministry of Livestock Development for the first time in 64 years. We are here today as testimony to that commitment,” he said.

The Minister revealed that through L-PRES, seven model veterinary hospitals have already been constructed and equipped across Adamawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Niger, Ondo, Edo and Borno States.

An additional 14 are at various stages of completion, making a total of 21 new veterinary hospitals across participating states.

He added that the Adamawa facility will not only provide a decent workstation for veterinary professionals but will also serve as a centre of excellence for animal health services, offering quality care to livestock farmers within and outside the state.

The ultramodern hospital is equipped with consulting rooms, a diagnostic laboratory, and a surgical theatre capable of handling both elective and emergency procedures.

Mukhtar further urged veterinary officers to ensure the judicious use and maintenance of the facility for the benefit of present and future generations.

Speaking at the event, the President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the L-PRES initiative has brought renewed hope to pastoral communities, demonstrating that government recognises their challenges and is committed to delivering meaningful solutions.

The Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, commended the Federal Government and L-PRES for the landmark project.

He called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders as a necessary condition for livestock sector growth.Similarly, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edgar Amos, encouraged residents to take full advantage of the facility to improve animal health and support the objectives for which it was established.

Also speaking, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, described the hospital as a gateway to better disease control, early detection, reduced livestock mortality, increased productivity, enhanced food security, and expanded employment and training opportunities for veterinary professionals.

During a dinner organised by L-PRES, both the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, were recognised for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.