Connect with us

News

Retired Soldiers Urged to Return as Nigerian Army Faces Critical Manpower Challenges

There are emerging signs that the Nigerian Army may be facing a critical manpower shortage, driven by a high rate of voluntary retirements. Sources indicate that the Mechanical Engineering Corps has been particularly affected.

Reports show that over 1,008 soldiers left the Army in the past four years alone. In 2023, the Army approved the retirement of 59 soldiers, while 261 exited in 2022, 127 in 2021, and 365 in 2020.

This August, an additional 196 soldiers resigned.In response, the Army has begun exploring options to rehire former soldiers. An internal memo dated October 16, 2024, revealed that the Mechanical Corps is actively reaching out to discharged personnel, hoping to re-engage those with essential technical skills on a contract basis. Lt. Col. A. Muhammed, who signed the memo, highlighted the urgent need for skilled technicians to ensure effective equipment maintenance.

The memo instructed commanding officers to compile a list of willing former soldiers, to be submitted to headquarters by October 19.Reacting to the situation, Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu stated that the Army’s service is primarily voluntary, but he did not offer further comment on the reported manpower gap.Retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi expressed support for the re-engagement plan, calling it a valuable practice seen in many developed countries.

He emphasized that individuals joining the Army should be driven by a commitment to serve, rather than simply seeking employment. According to him, those with a true dedication to the military are less likely to leave despite challenges.

Adewinbi noted that joining the military is about serving the nation, not just securing a job. Reflecting on his own experience, he emphasized the honor and respect that came with the uniform, a value that went beyond material benefits.

However, Brig. Gen. Peter Aro (retd) took a different view, stating that many soldiers are leaving to secure their futures, driven by fears of an uncertain post-service life.

He emphasized that these soldiers dedicate their youth and strength to protect the nation but are often left adrift after retirement. He noted that many veterans struggle without adequate life insurance or post-service support. According to Aro, soldiers often face harsh conditions, limited opportunities to prepare for civilian life, and inadequate welfare.

The unchecked authority to “hire and fire” also adds to the insecurity, leading many to leave early.Aro recalled past instances of abrupt retirements in the public service, such as under General Obasanjo, which has cultivated a culture of prioritizing personal security over prolonged service.

He lamented that skilled professionals within the Army, such as doctors and engineers, are frequently forced into early retirement without sufficient support or recognition.Reflecting on the treatment of veterans, Aro highlighted a lack of support structures, such as housing projects for retired soldiers, which exist in other countries.

He pointed to the indignity faced by veterans who, after years of service, are often relegated to remote areas while luxury estates are built for wealthier civilians.

He argued that Nigeria’s political leaders have largely neglected the welfare of military personnel.Aro urged a comprehensive overhaul of military welfare and terms of service, cautioning that if these issues are ignored, Nigeria risks a future where there are too few soldiers left to defend the country. According to him, the strength of a nation lies not only in its wealth but in how it treats those who serve in its military.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

EFCC launches chemical forensics lab to fight oil crime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a Chemical Forensics Laboratory at its Zonal Directorate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to fight oil crime.

The new facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, enables the EFCC to independently conduct comprehensive analyses of petroleum products, a move that will streamline investigations into oil-related crimes, including oil bunkering and adulteration.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who led the commissioning ceremony, highlighted that the laboratory was established with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

The facility is expected to reduce reliance on external agencies, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources, which previously caused delays in the analysis of petroleum samples crucial to investigations.

The project, nearly two years in the making, represents a strategic asset for the nation, bolstering Nigeria’s ability to tackle complex economic crimes within the oil sector.

Dignitaries present at the event included Rivers State Chief Judge Justice Simeon Amadi, as well as representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and the Port Harcourt Refinery, who joined Olukoyede in inspecting the laboratory’s facilities.

Continue Reading

News

US Election: Charly Boy mute on divorcing wife after Harris’ loss

Renowned Nigerian musician and social activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, recently shared his disappointment over the outcome of the United States presidential election.

The outspoken entertainer, often known for his unconventional views and strong opinions on socio-political matters, had previously made a dramatic promise in anticipation of the election’s result.

Before the election, Charly Boy had publicly declared his unwavering support for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, even going as far as making a bold vow that startled many of his fans and followers.

In a post written in Pidgin English, he promised that if Harris did not win the election, he would end his marriage to his wife of 47 years, Lady Diane Oputa.

His exact words were, “If dis my crush, Kamala Harris no win the USA presidential election, I swear, I go divorce my wife of 47yrs.

” The statement, which quickly went viral on social media, was seen as typical of Charly Boy’s dramatic and unfiltered style of expression, garnering both amusement and intrigue from his followers.

However, the election results did not align with Charly Boy’s hopes, as former U.S. president Donald Trump of the Republican Party emerged victorious, defeating Harris.

Charly Boy responded to the outcome with a mixture of disappointment and frustration, describing the situation as “unfortunate.

” Despite his earlier promise, he made no direct mention of whether he would follow through with his vow to divorce his wife.

This silence left fans speculating about whether his bold declaration was made in jest or whether he would genuinely act on it.

In a reflective post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Charly Boy expressed solidarity with fellow supporters of Kamala Harris, acknowledging the efforts and intelligence displayed by her during the campaign.

He wrote, “On behalf of all the lovers and fans of Kamala Harris, sorry we lost.

Our alfa woman ran the most intelligent campaign in less than 100 days.” His words captured both his admiration for Harris and his sense of collective disappointment over the outcome.

Charly Boy further shared his observations on the state of global leadership, suggesting that the current era is marked by what he perceives as a decline in quality and integrity among leaders worldwide.

He commented, “We win some, we lose some and that’s life.

It’s unfortunate but leadership globally has gone south as the worst of us rules the best of us. It shall be well.

” His statement resonated with his long-standing criticisms of what he sees as poor leadership and systemic issues within politics, both domestically and internationally.

While Charly Boy has yet to clarify his stance on his marriage in light of the election results, his comments reflect a broader disillusionment with political leadership.

Known for his activism and willingness to speak out against injustice, he has consistently used his platform to challenge the status quo, advocating for accountability and ethical governance.

His recent response to the U.S. election may be viewed as part of this ongoing effort to call for a higher standard in global leadership, even as he wrestles with his own expectations and hopes for political figures like Harris.

Ultimately, Charly Boy’s reaction to the election underscores his commitment to his ideals and his determination to remain a voice for change.

While his initial promise may or may not have been serious, his reflections reveal a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the current political landscape and a desire for leadership that better represents the values he holds dear.

Continue Reading

News

UCL: Liverpool dominate group standings after match day 4

Liverpool have emerged as the dominant force in the UEFA Champions League after Match Week 4, firmly securing their position at the top of the table with a resounding 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

This comprehensive win ensures that Jurgen Klopp’s side remains unbeaten in the competition, having won all four of their matches so far. Impressively, the Reds have not conceded a single goal, showcasing a rock-solid defensive display alongside their potent attacking prowess.

With this perfect record, Liverpool has established themselves as the only team with a full 12 points in the group stage, sending a strong message to their competitors.

The match against Bayer Leverkusen further highlighted Liverpool’s superiority, as they cruised to a comfortable victory with goals coming from various sources, underlining the team’s depth and collective effort.

The performance of their key players, such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, was pivotal in maintaining their dominance, as the German side had no answer to the high-intensity football that Liverpool exhibited.

The Reds’ impeccable form puts them in a commanding position as they aim to top their group and secure a place in the knockout stages.In second place, Sporting Lisbon have also enjoyed a brilliant run, albeit not as flawless as Liverpool’s.

Sporting secured a remarkable 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City, putting them level on points with Monaco, Brest, and Inter Milan, all of whom have accumulated 10 points after four matches. Sporting’s performance against Manchester City was one of the standout results of the group stages, as they inflicted a heavy defeat on the Premier League giants, raising eyebrows across Europe.

The Portuguese side has now positioned themselves as serious contenders for progression into the next round, with their attacking play and disciplined defense making them a formidable opponent.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid, the perennial European giants, have experienced a shock in the group stage. The Spanish club suffered a surprising 3-1 defeat at home to AC Milan, a result that leaves them languishing in 18th place.

This unexpected loss has placed significant pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s men, as they now face a battle to secure their place in the knockout rounds.

Real Madrid’s defense was exposed on the night, and they were unable to recover from a strong Milan performance that left them stunned at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), another of Europe’s elite clubs, are also struggling in the competition, finding themselves in 25th place following a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Atletico Madrid.

Despite a wealth of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, PSG has failed to deliver results when it matters most, leaving them with much to do in the remaining fixtures.With each club having played four matches, the competition is heating up, and the stakes are rising.

After all teams have played eight matches, the top eight from each group will move on to the prestigious knockout stages, while the teams ranked between ninth and 24th will be relegated to the play-offs, with the chance to fight for their place in the last 16.

The current standings set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group phase, as clubs jockey for position and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

Continue Reading

US

Biden congratulates Trump, invites him to White House

President Joe Biden called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory Wednesday and invited his Republican successor to hold a meeting in the “near future,” the White House said.

In his call with Trump, “President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” a White House statement said.

Biden also spoke with Kamala Harris and “congratulated the Vice President on her historic campaign,” the statement said, adding that the president on Thursday “will address the nation to discuss the election results and the transition.”

Continue Reading

News

Harris calls Trump to congratulate him on election win

US Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him for winning the 2024 presidential election, one of her senior aides said, following a bitter and contentious race.

Democrat Harris discussed with Trump the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans, said the aide speaking on background, confirming that Harris will deliver remarks in Washington later Wednesday.

Continue Reading

News

Morocco 2025: Ekong, Lookman, Osimhen, Simon, 19 others gear up for Benin, Rwanda

Super Eagles

Captain William Ekong, Atalanta of Italy’s Ademola Lookman, effervescent winger Moses Simon, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and 19 other players will seek for six points against Benin Republic and Rwanda in the closing rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this month.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen has also called goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Home-based defender Victor Collins will join up with the group for the first time, and there is a return for gangling forward Sadiq Umar, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain.

Defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are also listed, while France-based defender Gabriel Osho will hope to play his first competitive game for fatherland, after his inability to honour a first call-up in the summer due to injury.

The Super Eagles will fly directly to Abidjan on 11 November, for the confrontation with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday, 14th November, before traveling down to Uyo for the final qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday, 18th November.

Currently top of their Group D, the Super Eagles will be certain of a place in the final tournament if they get a point against the Cheetahs, which will take then to 11 points, and with only final-day opponents Rwanda capable of catching up with them on points.

However, with a current tally of seven goals for and none against (following the CAF Disciplinary Board’s award of three points and three goals for the botched Matchday 4 encounter against Libya), the Super Eagles stand head and shoulders above the Amavubi, who have one-goal deficit and five points in their favour going into the final two matchdays.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho

(Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending