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Category: Politics

  • Middle East War: Netanyahu praises Israeli forces amid ongoing campaign

    Middle East War: Netanyahu praises Israeli forces amid ongoing campaign

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commended the country’s military forces for their role in the ongoing campaign, conducted in coordination with the United States, against elements of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The operation began last Saturday.

    In a statement released on his verified X account, Netanyahu described the campaign as “a fateful struggle for Israel’s existence.” He emphasised Israel’s resolve, saying: “In the past week, we have acted with strength, initiative, and determination against our enemies—and we will continue to act with all our might until we achieve all our goals.”

    The prime minister extended his praise to the Israel Air Force pilots, ground crews, security personnel, and rescue teams. He also acknowledged the resilience of Israeli citizens, highlighting their “steadfast spirit, responsibility, and courageous stand.”

    Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu declared: “Together, we have changed the face of the Middle East. Together, we will continue to fight. Together, we will roar like a lion. And with God’s help—together, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”

    Reported Achievements in the Iran Campaign

    Since the campaign began, Israel has claimed several military accomplishments:

    • High-intensity strikes: Israeli forces, in coordination with the U.S., have carried out a large number of precision strikes against Iranian military targets at an unprecedented pace.
    • Infrastructure damage: Operations have reportedly degraded Iran’s missile launch facilities, drone bases, and naval assets.
    • Air superiority: The Israeli Air Force has maintained operational tempo, intercepting drones and conducting precision bombardments.
    • Joint coordination: The campaign highlights close U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, with American assets supporting Israel’s strikes.

    Strategic objectives include neutralising Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, suppressing drone warfare, and limiting Tehran’s ability to project power in the Gulf. While Israel has achieved tactical successes, Iran retains retaliatory capacity, and the broader regional consequences remain uncertain.

  • Peter Obi officially picks up ADC membership card— Tanko

    Peter Obi officially picks up ADC membership card— Tanko

    POLITICS (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — The Interim National Coordinator Obidient Movement World wide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, has announced that former presidential candidate Peter Obi has officially picked up his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), solidifying his position within the opposition party.

    In a statement on Saturday, Tanko wrote: “We must demystify this criminality.”

    Referring to a recent Al Jazeera interview with presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala, Tanko noted: “The Al Jazeera interview, with the help of the international media, re-echoed our challenges as a nation. Clearly, we all know these facts. We have them on video, in documents, in audio recordings, and they are stamped in our minds.”

    He continued: “So, what do we do next? Do we keep quiet and pretend that nothing happened, or do we stand up as a people who refuse to be captured? For us, we want our country back, and we shall continue the struggle for good governance and responsible leadership in Nigeria.”

    Tanko described Obi’s move as inspirational: “In what seems to be an answer and inspiration, HE Peter Obi has officially picked up his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”

    He urged supporters to mobilise: “So let us get up, people. We can win this. We are more than them; we have the population. All we need is to populate all the 176,000 polling units.”

  • Nigeria Police boost counter-terrorism capacity with new training, bases, and deployments

    Nigeria Police boost counter-terrorism capacity with new training, bases, and deployments

    CRIME DIARY (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strengthened its counter-terrorism capacity through a specialised training programme and the establishment of new Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) bases across the country.

    The training, conducted in collaboration with the British High Commission in Nigeria through the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa, is part of efforts to enhance the Force’s ability to combat terrorism, banditry, and other serious crimes threatening national security.

    In a statement issued Saturday, Acting ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, said the expanded capacity includes new CTU bases and additional deployments.

    “The two-week Close Quarter Battle and Intelligence Analysis training programme featured fifty-six (56) participants drawn from the Counter Terrorism Units of the Nigeria Police Force. The officers were exposed to contemporary counter-terrorism tactics, intelligence analysis, and operational best practices aimed at strengthening coordinated responses to emerging security threats,” the statement read.

    At the closing ceremony in Abuja, Lt. Col. Ian Tyler of the British High Commission commended the professionalism of participants and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.

    Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, represented by AIG Akoh Gabriel, said the initiative reflects his administration’s determination to continually upscale the operational capacity of officers. He expressed appreciation to the British Government for its sustained partnership.

    As part of broader measures, the IGP approved the establishment of new CTU bases in Madagali (Adamawa State), Ikot Odo (Akpabuyo, Cross River State), and Ode-Remo (Ogun State), alongside additional deployments to strategic locations nationwide to enhance rapid response capability.

    “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening partnerships, building operational capacity, and deploying strategic resources to combat terrorism and other emerging security threats across the country,” the statement added.

  • Alex Otti’s big move: Abia’s social contract with senior citizens

    Alex Otti’s big move: Abia’s social contract with senior citizens

    OPINION (NPA) — March 7, 2026 —In most countries, senior citizens — those aged 60 and above — are esteemed and accorded special recognition and care by the state. The United Nations, in acknowledgement of their importance, designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.

    In Nigeria, the National Senior Citizens Act, 2017 established the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) to cater to the needs of the elderly and promote social inclusion. The NSCC has since urged state governments to domesticate the Act to safeguard the welfare of senior citizens.

    In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti is blazing the trail. Recently, he signed the Senior Citizens Welfare Bill into law, providing free medical care and a monthly stipend for residents aged 60 and above. Law No. 4 of 2025 formally established the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre, a landmark initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for the elderly, ensuring dignity, security, and social protection.

    The law sets out a framework for registration, identification, and administration of benefits. Key provisions include free medical care, access to public healthcare facilities, social support, and assistance for vulnerable seniors. Eligibility requires being 60 years or older and an indigene of Abia.

    To dispel misconceptions, Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu clarified that the Centre is not a “free money distribution scheme” but a structured welfare system. “This legislation is a deliberate and compassionate response by Otti’s administration to the growing population of elderly persons in Abia and the long-standing absence of a structured, government-backed system dedicated to their care, welfare, and social inclusion,” he said.

    Kanu emphasized that the Centre is not a retirement home but a hub for support services, social engagement, recreational activities, and advocacy. It will operate under the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, funded through budgetary allocations, grants, and approved donations. “Law No. 4 of 2025 is a bold and humane policy choice that places Abia among progressive states that recognise ageing as a governance issue and institutionalise care for senior citizens,” he added.

    Senior citizens in Abia have welcomed the initiative. Felix Nwadioha commended the governor, saying: “It is not only when you are in service that you are relevant; you are also relevant when you are out of government.” Obike Ukoh praised the programme, noting that it would alleviate challenges faced by the aged: “It is a human approach to help people live longer; not to live a little longer in suffering but to live long in a very healthy living and in comfort.”

    Mrs. Eunice Offor described the law as a game-changer: “The monthly stipend, free medical care, and other benefits will go a long way in improving our quality of life. The fact that this law is now a statutory entitlement gives us a sense of security and dignity.”

    Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo also applauded Otti, calling the law a landmark initiative that embodies compassion and social responsibility. “I was quite particularly touched by the new law for Senior Citizens in Abia, and I think it is one of those very important issues that we have to address,” he said.

    While the governor and the Abia House of Assembly deserve praise, policy analysts stress that the true test lies in the full implementation of this watershed law.

  • Middle East War: Bahrain, UK, U.S. Hold Virtual C-SIPA Defence Working Group Meeting

    Middle East War: Bahrain, UK, U.S. Hold Virtual C-SIPA Defence Working Group Meeting

    Tampa, Fla. (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) convened a virtual meeting of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) Defence Working Group with representatives from Bahrain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

    According to a statement issued by USCENTCOM on March 6, participants included HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council of Bahrain; Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom; and Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command.

    Discussions focused on the current regional security environment, with emphasis on what officials described as deliberate aggression by the Iranian regime and attacks on civilians across the Middle East. The parties underscored the importance of cooperation to safeguard peace and stability.

    The meeting followed recent developments in the Gulf, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring states after Iranian missile and drone strikes. In a televised address, Pezeshkian pledged to halt the attacks and called for diplomacy over escalation, attributing the strikes to miscommunication within Iran’s military ranks.

  • Nigeria Army dislodged separatists camps in Anambra and Imo, recover exhibits

    Nigeria Army dislodged separatists camps in Anambra and Imo, recover exhibits

    Awka, Nigeria (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — The Nigerian Army says it has dismantled camps allegedly belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), during ongoing clearance operations in Anambra and Imo States.

    In a statement issued March 5, the Army said troops under Operation Eastern Sanity are sustaining “aggressive clearance operations” aimed at restoring lasting peace and security in the region.

    On March 3, troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, advanced on Camp Gbadoanya in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The Army reported that several insurgent camps were identified and destroyed. Items recovered included pump-action rifles, locally made firearms, assorted magazines, ammunition belts, cutting machines, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, and Biafran flags. The Army said Nigerian flags were hoisted after the destruction of separatist symbols.

    Continuing operations on March 4, troops reportedly dismantled additional camps within Camp Gbadoanya and uncovered an IED fabrication site. Equipment recovered included welding and drilling machines, car batteries, locally fabricated guns, rifle components, and other bomb-making materials.

    The Army emphasized that the coordinated operations are part of efforts to neutralize IPOB/ESN activities and ensure security across the South-East.

  • UN urges Nigeria to move from policy to action on women’s rights

    UN urges Nigeria to move from policy to action on women’s rights

    Abuja, Nigeria (Agency Report) — March 7, 2026 — UN Women has urged the Nigerian government to move beyond policy commitments toward tangible actions that protect women’s rights, deliver justice for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors, and promote sustainable national development.

    Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made the call during a news conference ahead of the 2026 International Women’s Day, themed “Rights, Justice, Action for all Women & Girls.”

    Eyong highlighted alarmingly high GBV cases in Nigeria, worsened in digital spaces where technology-facilitated abuse was increasing, compounded by poor access to justice for survivors in courts, communities, and informal dispute mechanisms.

    She also noted that only 3.9 per cent of parliamentary seats were held by women, one of the lowest globally, limiting inclusive decision-making and hindering sustainable national progress and equitable governance.

    Eyong urged Nigeria to confront the reality that gender inequality remained the greatest human rights challenge; yet addressing it was a powerful driver for sustainable development, peace, and social stability across the country.

    “We call on government, civil society, private sector, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners to accelerate reforms and investments dismantling gender barriers at all levels in society and governance.

    “Nigeria does not lack policies; the challenge is financing, enforcing, and sustaining them.

    “We must move from commitments to implementation, and from plans to meaningful impact for women and girls.

    “When we secure justice and rights for women, we secure Nigeria’s stability, prosperity, and future. UN Women stands ready, with urgency, partnership, and unwavering resolve, to advance Rights, Justice, and Action,” Eyong emphasised

    According to her, UN Women has advocated for the Special Seats for Women Bill, pushing for constitutional reforms that guarantee women meaningful participation at the decision-making table across all governance levels.

    She said they were supporting the Ministry of Women Affairs to expand and strengthen the National Sexual Offender Database, a vital accountability tool preventing perpetrators from moving undetected across states and communities.

    Eyong explained that UN Women also worked closely with traditional and religious leaders to dismantle harmful norms sustaining impunity, advancing the Secretary-General’s call for zero tolerance and zero excuses for violence against women.

    Beyond policy, she said, UN Women partnered with financial and private sectors to unlock funding for women-led businesses, community-based solutions, and strengthened women’s participation in peace, security, and governance processes across Nigeria.

    “To ensure sustainability, UN Women works with the Ministry of Women Affairs to institutionalise Gender-Responsive Budgeting at federal and state levels, prioritising maternal health, girl-child education, women’s safety, and economic empowerment initiatives,” she stated.

    On the media’s role, Eyong urged journalists to spotlight women’s realities, achievements, and aspirations, expose injustices, challenge discriminatory norms, and keep gender issues central to Nigeria’s public and policy discourse.

    “We call on the media to use its platform to advance women’s rights, expose injustices, and hold institutions accountable.

    “It must amplify survivors’ voices, promote women’s leadership, and keep women and girls central to public discourse.

    “By telling the full story accurately, responsibly, and consistently, the media can help turn Rights, Justice, and Action into lived realities for every woman and girl in Nigeria,” she emphasised. (NAN).

  • Iran apologises for attacks on neighbours, sets tough conditions

    Iran apologises for attacks on neighbours, sets tough conditions

    Tehran, Iran (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an apology to Gulf nations following Iranian missile and drone strikes on neighbouring states amid ongoing military operations in the Persian Gulf involving the United States and Israel.

    In a televised address, Pezeshkian acknowledged the attacks, pledged to halt them, and called for diplomacy over escalation. “I should apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” he said, attributing the strikes to miscommunication within Iran’s military ranks.

    The president clarified that the response came after heavy assaults on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing the strikes as unintended escalations. He warned, however, that Iran would retaliate against any future attacks launched from external territories.

    Analysts note uncertainty over whether the apology reflects a weakened military position, as both the U.S. and Israel have claimed to have destroyed more than 80 per cent of Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy.

    Meanwhile, Pezeshkian rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, dismissing it as “a dream they should take to their grave.”

  • U.S. lawmaker condemns Taraba church burning, says Washington will act

    U.S. lawmaker condemns Taraba church burning, says Washington will act

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 6, 2026 — Riley Moore, a member of the United States Congress tasked by President Donald Trump to investigate the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, has condemned the reported burning of St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Wukari, Taraba State, on March 4, 2026.

    The attack, attributed to Islamist militants, drew widespread attention after images of the destroyed church circulated on social media. In a statement on March 6, Moore offered condolences to parishioners and cited scripture: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

    Moore stressed that Christians in Nigeria continue to face targeted violence, adding: “The United States has declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, and we won’t stand idly by as Christians continue to face this violence.”

    Last week, the congressional committee chaired by Moore submitted recommendations to the U.S. President on measures to address what it described as systematic attacks on Christian communities in Africa’s most populous nation.

    According to the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety Nigeria), Islamist extremist groups in Nigeria—most notably Boko Haram and allied militants—have systematically targeted churches as part of a campaign to intimidate Christian communities, diminish their presence, and advance their goal of establishing a religiously homogenous state. Since 2009, an estimated 19,100 churches have been attacked, burned, or destroyed, averaging about 1,200 per year (roughly 100 per month).

    The primary driver behind these attacks is ideological motivation. Groups such as Boko Haram seek to impose a strict Islamist order, viewing Christian institutions as symbols of resistance to their ideology and as strategic targets for undermining community cohesion and morale.

    The Nigerian government has introduced several measures to address the violence, including military operations such as targeted airstrikes against Islamist extremist groups. However, analysts caution that these efforts remain insufficient, noting that the attacks have continued to escalate in both frequency and scale.

  • Reno Omokri Thanks President Tinubu for Mexico Ambassador Posting

    Reno Omokri Thanks President Tinubu for Mexico Ambassador Posting

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 6, 2026 — Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his approval as Nigeria’s envoy to Mexico.

    In a statement released Friday, Omokri described President Tinubu as “a man with a heart of gold” and pledged his loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the Head of State. He also acknowledged the support of his wife, family, and National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, whom he praised for his integrity.

    Omokri noted that his posting coincides with his symbolic six-day climb to Mount Kilimanjaro, where he intends to hoist Nigeria’s flag at the summit. He linked the gesture to Nigeria’s rising global profile, citing reports from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund that ranked Nigeria among the top contributors to global GDP in 2025.

    He further highlighted Nigeria’s growing reputation as a safe and stable destination, pointing to the success of “Detty December 2025,” which attracted 1.2 million tourists without major incidents.

    “I devote my life again and afresh to Nigeria — to be faithful, loyal, and honest, and to serve and market Nigeria to the best of my ability. So help me God,” Omokri stated.