The Nigerian Army has indefinitely suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for hundreds of officers, citing the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on November 26.

The directive, contained in an internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, aims to preserve critical manpower and experience as the Armed Forces rapidly expand to tackle escalating insecurity.

November saw over 600 mass abductions, including more than 300 schoolchildren in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State, among numerous others.

Invoking Paragraph 3.10(e) of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers) 2024, the Army has halted retirements for officers who:

– Have reached the age ceiling for their rank

– Have completed 35 years of service

– Failed promotion examinations or conversion boards three times

– Were passed over for promotion three times.

Affected officers may apply to continue serving, but those granted extensions will be ineligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental postings.

Commanders have been ordered to widely disseminate the policy, manage troop morale, and assure personnel that the suspension will be reviewed once the security situation stabilises.

The retirement freeze is the latest in a series of emergency measures following President Tinubu’s directive for the military, police, and intelligence agencies to significantly boost recruitment and deployment.

A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet has crashed in Niger State.

The aircraft went down near Karabonde village in Borgu Local Government Area this afternoon.

Initial reports from military sources confirm that both pilots ejected safely and survived the crash with no fatalities reported.

Authorities have ruled out hostile action, stating that the incident was caused by a technical/mechanical fault.

Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the crash site. Further details are awaited.

Watch vvideo below:

Renowned journalist and media strategist, Emeka Monye, has launched an annual award of N1 million for the best-performing student in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Anambra State.

The award, which is aimed at promoting academic excellence, is open to all Anambra students – both public and private schools – who sat for the WAEC examination.

Monye, who is the Anambra State Correspondent for ARISE TV, said the initiative is part of his efforts to give back to the society and encourage students to strive for excellence.

According to Monye, the award is a way of recognizing and rewarding outstanding academic achievement, and he hopes that it will inspire other students to work hard and emulate the winner’s success.

The award winner will be selected based on their performance in the WAEC examination, and the announcement is expected to be made soon.

Monye, who has been a driving force in media innovation, has instituted this award to motivate students to aim high and achieve their goals.

He believes that education is key to personal and societal development, and this initiative is his way of contributing to the growth and development of Anambra State.

The launch of this award has been welcomed by the state COMMSIONER for education, Prof. NGOZI Chuma-Udeh who described the initiative as a great motivator for students to excel academically. Prof. Chuma-Udeh, while receiving the founder and initiator of the EMEKA MONYE SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE, Emeka Monye in her office, asked other well-meaning individuals to emulate the good gesture of the journalist whose charity work will make impact in the education sector.

The award, which commences in 2026 academic session and runs through to 2035, is expected to be presented annually in the sum of one hundred thousand naira for the next ten years, and Monye has called on other stakeholders to join him in promoting education and academic excellence in the state in particular and the country as a whole.