News
Nigeria’s Army Chief says personnel and funding inadequate for operation
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, yesterday, said that the country’s two million security personnel are not enough to protect a population of over 200 million people.
The army chief also expressed concerns over the inadequate funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria which he said significantly affected the military’s operational performance.
Gen Lagbaja made this remark during the 2024 International Day of Peace Lecture organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji.
At the event, held in Ilorin, Kwara State, Gen Lagbaja said ” In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.
Represented by the Chief of Army Training, Sanni Mohammed, he said: “We import over 90 per cent of our military needs, noting that despite some local production efforts, the country’s dependence on foreign military supplies remains overwhelming.
“The pursuit of national development alongside national security is a costly endeavour, as defence policy is capital-intensive.
“In 2023, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria had a budget of about $2.8 billion, with an additional supplementary budget of around one billion dollars. However, not all budgetary allocations were fully released.
In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.
“Although funding for the AFN has been improving annually since 2017, the country’s economic downturn has eroded the actual value of what is released.
“The lack of funding affects the AFN’s equipment holdings, which directly impacts performance.”
On the security personnel gap, Lagbaja said: “The considerable resource gap is being exploited by criminal elements.
Addressing this requires investment in expanding and strengthening security forces, ensuring adequate personnel and resources.
“National security requires all citizens to be part of the security framework, fostering vigilance, trust, and community engagement.
This will create a more resilient citizenry, better equipped to respond to national emergencies.”
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole stressed the importance of peace and security for sustainable development.
News
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved a major increment in the monthly subvention to the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government as well as the subvented institutions in the state.
The increment which amounts to N438.9 million monthly is to enable the institutions take care of the new minimum wage and the attendant consequential adjustment for workers.
In a statement,Olayinka OyebodeSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Governor, disclosed that the
beneficiaries of the increment include the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State High Court of Justice; Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission, and Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU); Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polythecnic, Isan Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and associated Institutions.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers, in fulfilment of his promise to defray all outstanding entitlements of workers inherited from previous administrations.
While restating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing and welfare of workers and retirees, Governor Oyebanji says efforts are being made to ensure payment of all outstanding entitlements including gratuities in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the government.
He urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery and to see themselves as strategic stakeholders in the Ekiti Project.
The first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi’s, known as Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, is dead.
It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday.
She died at the age of 42.
According to reports, she died in the United Kingdom.
Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
The Special Adviser to the former governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.
The House of Representatives on Thursday reversed its decision on the second reading of a bill which sought to strip the vice-president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.
The lower legislative chamber made the U-turn after the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion.
The bill, which is sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State, passed second reading on Wednesday.
Bob noted that the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors and their deputies.
Section 308 of the Constitution states that “the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor, during the period he/she is holding the office, shall not be subjected to civil or criminal proceedings.
“The occupants of the office shall not also be arrested or imprisoned and no process of any court requiring or compelling their appearance.
”Bob stated said the move is to curb corruption, curb immunity, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The green chamber also rescinded its decision on the bill to abolish the death penalty.
The bill also passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday.
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