Author: Dodo Elias Denen

In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing joint military operations, the General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, on Tuesday paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos.

The visit, which took place on March 4, 2026, underscored renewed efforts by the Armed Forces to deepen inter-service cooperation in tackling evolving security threats across Nigeria’s coastal and inland operational environments.

Major General Babalola was warmly received by the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, alongside senior naval officers, in what observers described as a symbolic display of unity among Nigeria’s armed services.

During the engagement, the Army commander lauded the Western Naval Command for its relentless operational drive in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain, particularly in the fight against sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminal activities threatening economic assets along the coast.

Babalola noted that the complexity of modern security challenges requires seamless collaboration among the armed services, stressing that synergy between land and maritime forces remains vital to maintaining stability in Lagos and its surrounding corridors.

He emphasised that sustained cooperation between the Army and Navy would not only enhance operational effectiveness but also ensure rapid response to threats that cut across both land and maritime theatres.

Responding, Rear Admiral Mustapha expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening existing bonds between the two strategic commands operating within the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

The naval chief reiterated the Command’s readiness to deepen collaborative engagements with the 81 Division, particularly through enhanced intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols and joint operational planning.

According to him, closer coordination between the Navy and the Army is indispensable in addressing the complex security dynamics within Lagos and adjoining states where maritime and land-based threats often intersect.

The visit ultimately reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to unity of purpose, highlighting a shared determination to strengthen joint capabilities in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and critical economic waterways.

In a moment rich with symbolism and renewed purpose, Mrs. Oluwafunmilola Mutiat Disu on Tuesday formally assumed office as the 23rd indigenous President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), unveiling an ambitious five-point agenda aimed at strengthening welfare, unity and empowerment among families of police personnel nationwide.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mrs. Disu pledged to steer the association toward a new phase of transformation, placing priority on mental health support, economic empowerment, education and youth development, national unity among members, and strengthened welfare structures for police families.

She emphasised that her administration would focus on building an inclusive and compassionate organisation that supports police families not only materially but also emotionally, noting that the demands of policing often place enormous pressure on the home front.

Describing POWA as the “backbone behind the badge,” the new president underscored the quiet but critical role played by police wives in sustaining family stability while their spouses confront the rigours and uncertainties of safeguarding the nation.

“In every late-night call, emergency deployment, sudden transfer and uncertain moment, we remain the pillars that hold our families together. While the police officer protects the nation, the police officer’s wife preserves the home. Together, we secure the future,” she declared.

Outlining her strategic priorities, Mrs. Disu said her administration would establish safe platforms and targeted programmes to address the mental and emotional challenges confronting police families across commands.

She also announced plans to expand economic empowerment initiatives through structured skill acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship training and improved access to sustainable financial opportunities for members.

According to her, education and youth development would form another critical pillar of the administration’s focus, with scholarship schemes, mentorship initiatives and leadership programmes designed to support children of police families.

On strengthening unity within the association, she promised to bridge existing gaps among commands nationwide and ensure that every member, regardless of location, feels recognised, valued and actively included in POWA’s activities.

Mrs. Disu also paid glowing tribute to the outgoing president, Dr. Elizabeth Egbetokun, commending her leadership for expanding welfare programmes, deepening empowerment initiatives and strengthening the association’s voice both nationally and internationally, while affirming that her administration would build upon the solid foundation already laid.

Unveiling the slogan for her tenure, “United in Strength, Empowered for Impact”, the new POWA president called on members to actively participate in the association’s programmes, expressing confidence that with unity, innovation and shared commitment, the organisation would continue to evolve into a formidable support network for police officers and their families across the country.

At the beginning of 2024 — the year she introduced herself to the world as Ivana, Etieno was just a normal girl chasing her dreams, with a passion for music and a desire to entertain. In less than 2 months, she went viral in a blink of an eye, a phenomenon that would change the trajectory of her life forever. The viral freestyle video was just one of millions of videos vying for attention on the platform, but it was hers that captured the hearts and ears of millions.

Born in 2004, the TikToker grew up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, a city known for its vibrant culture and rich musical heritage. She was born in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, a place that would later become a part of her remarkable story.

Growing up, she experienced a lot of setbacks every now and then, but she never let them define her or deter her from pursuing her passion.

Blowing up on TikTok is not very much easy, but for the 22-year-old Etieno, who was just mustering the courage to share freestyles and hyping, it just made it easy and she blew up in for it.

“It was so funny — I didn’t even expect that, but when I heard my freestyles sound all over TikTok, I knew something was about to happen, but it took me a lot to get there. When I saw it going so viral, I was like, ‘Damn, imagine that was my freestyle I just did for fun.’ The next thing, I saw my followers increase and increase, that was really crazy.

Nigeria’s content creation global expansion for content creators has opened doors at an unprecedented pace. New content creators are stepping into the mainstream. People like Peller, Jadrolita, JoBlaq, Smart BM, Lumberboy, Iphea, and many others. But with that access, most of these successes didn’t come easily, as they think. Anthony Success’s success story didn’t follow a straightforward path.

Being a newcomer to the mainstream is not, and has never been, a justification for a bad name. Neither is being niche, alternative, or stylistically unconventional. A TikToker’s job is just to post, avoid bad language, and perform live sessions. Anthony Success has occupied an interesting space within TikTok.

Her videos have gone viral on TikTok, and her fanbase mirrors that specificity. Her audience is largely teenage, and viewers are also drawn to TikTokers like Purple Speedy, Chioma Naledi, Youdeserveamara, and others operating on the fringes of Nigeria’s TikTok ecosystem.

This current world, teenagers are very easy to impress. But a TikToker positioned for a breakout moment is no longer performing for a niche. The moment mainstream visibility enters the picture, so do adult audiences. The components of good TikTok videos are not a mystery at all. It is a condition for good quality driving videos, fun facts, trendy hashtags, dancing, transitioning videos, lifestyle videos, and even day-to-day teachings. All these can make one a breakout star on TikTok.

And yet, Anthony’s video performances repeatedly falter across several of these axes. History offers little sympathy for the argument that youth should soften wider expectations. Like some sensitive trend posts about twerks and bwerks on TikTok nowadays. When Purple Speedy broke out as a TikToker, she was known for her dance moves; she was 24 years old then. In both cases, Anthony Success is following some steps from back in the day and has met discipline time to time.

A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors has pledged to unlock strategic investment opportunities aimed at developing Nigeria’s vast but largely untapped maritime tourism economy for the benefit of littoral communities in Lagos and across the country.

The group, Allied Concessionaries and Blue Economy Alliance, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, on Tuesday at the NIWA Lagos Area Office.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, explained that the alliance is made up of reputable and experienced maritime tourism and transportation operators committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality by integrating safe and efficient water transportation systems. He noted that the initiative is designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism, and expand economic opportunities within Lagos and beyond.

“We came to formally introduce our coalition, which is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators, mostly concessionaires, who are willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure. We are also focused on opening up littoral communities through destination marketing and the promotion of resorts,” Olasade stated.

He added that the group seeks to reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry.

In her remarks, the Secretary of the coalition, Barrister Dorcas Aderemi, emphasized that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only thrive when the inland waterways ecosystem is strategically aligned for sustainable investment and funding. She called for a structured public-private partnership model between the private sector and NIWA to fast-track development and enhance inland waterways utilization.

According to her, such collaboration would not only stimulate economic growth and job creation but also significantly boost government revenue and national development.

The group commended Engineer Braimah for her leadership and commitment to industry growth, particularly her zero-tolerance stance on boat transportation accidents and security infractions on inland waterways in Lagos. They also congratulated her on her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, describing it as a testament to her dedication to national service.

Responding, Engineer Braimah welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for their interest in partnering with NIWA. She assured them of the Authority’s willingness to collaborate in unlocking opportunities within the inland waterways corridor in Lagos and across Nigeria.

“We are pleased to receive you and have listened carefully to your intentions to collaborate with us. We recognize that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry. We will communicate your proposals to our headquarters in Abuja to explore how your group can leverage existing opportunities,” she said.

The Area Manager further highlighted the need to modernize inland water transportation by introducing new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and value across the waterways transportation and hospitality sectors.

She concluded by urging the coalition to remain united, avoid internal conflicts, and focus on delivering meaningful impact, particularly for littoral communities that must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from maritime tourism and transportation opportunities within their environment.

The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, alongside other distinguished leaders across Nigeria’s financial and corporate landscape, at an investiture ceremony held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

Also honoured at the ceremony was the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank, Yetunde Oni, in recognition of her contributions to institutional governance and financial sector advancement.

Similarly, Mrs. Olushola Momoh, Vice Chairman of Channels Television, was conferred with the Professional Fellowship in recognition of her leadership contributions and professional impact.

In addition, the Founder of Xpress Payment Solutions Ltd, Dr. Awa Ibraheem, received an Honorary Fellowship Award, recognising his strategic influence and impactful contributions to Nigeria’s payments ecosystem and financial innovation landscape.

The Fellowship represents the Institute’s highest professional distinction and is awarded to individuals whose leadership has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s credit environment, institutional governance frameworks, and financial system integrity.
The ceremony brought together senior financial sector executives, policymakers, regulators, and distinguished guests to celebrate excellence in credit administration and professional practice.

In their remarks, representatives of the Institute emphasised the importance of visionary leadership in sustaining economic growth and strengthening responsible credit culture across the financial ecosystem.

“Mr. Kayode Lawal embodies the values of professional excellence, integrity, and strategic leadership that the Institute seeks to promote.

His contributions to strengthening financial discipline and institutional governance make him deserving of this distinguished honour,” a representative of the Institute stated.

The recognition further reinforces Mr. Lawal’s deepened distinction within Nigeria’s professional financial leadership community.

He was previously conferred with the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at the Institute’s Fellowship Investiture Ceremony held in November 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

At the sideline of the event, Mr. Lawal expressed appreciation to the Institute and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing professional standards within Nigeria’s financial sector.

“This recognition is deeply appreciated and serves as encouragement to continue promoting responsible financial practice, institutional integrity, and sustainable growth across the banking and credit ecosystem,” he stated.

Polaris Bank described the recognition as a proud milestone reflecting the institution’s enduring commitment to professionalism, innovation, and ethical leadership.

The investiture featured formal proceedings, goodwill messages from industry leaders, and recognition of excellence across Nigeria’s credit management and financial services profession.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, GSS, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, CON, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen civil-military collaboration and enhance strategic partnership within the maritime domain.

During the visit, Rear Admiral Mustapha highlighted the critical role of inter-agency and public-private cooperation in sustaining maritime security within the Western Naval Command’s Area of Responsibility. He emphasized that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters, ensuring safe navigation, and protecting critical national infrastructure that supports economic growth.

The FOC further noted that robust collaboration with corporate leaders and industry stakeholders is essential to addressing emerging security challenges, particularly in the areas of port operations, offshore installations, and maritime trade corridors.

In his response, the Chairman SIFAX Group represented by the Group Coordinating Director, Mrs Wummi Eniola Jegede expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the Western Naval Command for its unwavering commitment to securing the nation’s maritime environment. She reaffirmed her organization’s readiness to sustain cooperation with the Nigerian Navy in areas of mutual interest, especially those that promote operational efficiency, safety, and national development.

The courtesy visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, on Tuesday formally inaugurated the Mid and Senior Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Course 17/2026, urging participants to begin early preparation for life after active service. The ceremony, held at the Centre’s Resource Complex, marked the commencement of the first quarterly edition of the programme for 2026.

Addressing the 40 nominated officers, Ilo described their selection as both an honour and a responsibility, stressing that the course was designed to equip them with the mindset, discipline and strategic skills required to thrive in the civilian business environment. Though not a pre-retirement programme, he noted that the training would help officers confront the initial challenges of post-service life with confidence and foresight.

The Commandant underscored the Centre’s longstanding mandate in resettlement training, revealing that over 49,000 senior non-commissioned officers had benefitted from pre-discharge programmes, with 724 participants currently undergoing Course 1/2026. According to him, many alumni now run successful small and medium-scale enterprises across the country.

He explained that the extension of entrepreneurship training to officers still in service followed the approval of the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Empretec Nigeria Foundation, a private-sector initiative linked to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. So far, over 312 senior officers from the Armed Forces and other security agencies have participated in the programme.

Ilo reminded participants that entrepreneurship demands more than bright ideas, noting that strategic management, adaptability, financial literacy and resilience were critical ingredients for sustainable success. Quoting former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Baba Abubakar, he declared: “The race to success has no finish line,” adding that the officers’ journey had only just begun.

He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Service Chiefs and heads of defence agencies for approving the nominations, and extended gratitude to the Minister of Defence and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustaining institutional support for capacity-building initiatives within the Armed Forces.

In a symbolic moment, the Commandant invoked his authority to formally inaugurate the participants “singly and collectively” as members of Course 17/2026, drawing applause from senior officers and guests in attendance.

Earlier, the Director of Training, Brigadier General Isang Akpaumontia, disclosed that the Centre received 23 nominations for the Mid-Level and 17 for the Senior-Level course, drawn from Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration and the three Services. He announced that the programme, previously held twice yearly, would now run quarterly to widen access and deepen impact.

Akpaumontia detailed the curriculum structure, which commenced with agricultural management and entrepreneurship modules covering crop and animal production. Participants are scheduled for strategic study tours to Spectra Industries, Agege; the Nigerian Conservation Centre, Lekki; Commint Buka, Surulere; and an international excursion to Songhai Farms in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, initiatives jointly facilitated by NAFRC and Empretec.

In her goodwill message, delivered by Dr. Lemmy Omololu, Director at Empretec Nigeria Foundation, Dr. Mrs. Onari Duke congratulated the new Commandant and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to strengthening leadership and enterprise capacity among officers. She described retirement not as an end, but a new beginning capable of unlocking value creation, employment generation and national development, urging participants to embrace the course with curiosity, discipline and purpose.

Justice finally caught up with a high-profile couple who operated a clandestine baby factory in Ilutitun, Ondo State, as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) secured a historic conviction after 11 years of painstaking prosecution.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Lagos Zonal Commander of the agency, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, speaking on behalf of the Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, described the judgment as a watershed in Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking fight and a stern warning that no offender, regardless of status, is beyond the reach of the law.

The convicts, Ogundeji Happiness Ayodele and Prince Ogundeji Abiodun, both described as prominent socialites, were sentenced on February 26, 2026, to 14 years imprisonment without option of fine by the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State.

Trial Judge, F.A. Olubanjo, convicted the couple on a 10-count charge bordering on unlawful detention and deprivation of personal liberty, offences punishable under Section 19(c) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003.

Beyond the prison terms, the court delivered what Agboko termed a “double-barrel judgment.” Eight vehicles, two bungalows, and N4 million recovered during investigation were forfeited to the Federal Government through NAPTIP. Other assets are to be auctioned, with N1 million each awarded to three victims who testified during the trial.

The case, which began in January 2014 following a referral by the Nigeria Immigration Service, exposed a grim operation at No. 10 Sarajo Street, Ilutitun, where underage pregnant girls were detained against their will until delivery, after which their babies were sold to the highest bidders.

Investigations led to the recovery of hospital cards, luxury vehicles, cash stashed in a car trunk, residential properties, and other assets suspected to be proceeds of crime. A court order secured in May 2014 enabled authorities to seal and attach the properties pending the conclusion of trial.

Agboko, however, admitted that prosecuting trafficking cases in Nigeria remains arduous. With no designated courts for such offences, cases often restart afresh when judges are transferred, prolonging trauma for victims and stretching prosecutorial resources. “It takes determination,” she said, noting that some prosecutors attend court up to 20 consecutive times on a single case.

She reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption within its ranks. According to her, any officer found complicit would not only be dismissed but prosecuted. She also dismissed allegations of misconduct in victim handling, insisting that NAPTIP operates shelters staffed with caregivers, nurses and counsellors, and forbids any officer from taking victims into private homes.

While acknowledging progress in public awareness, Agboko called for the establishment of special courts dedicated to human trafficking cases, arguing that the specialised nature of such crimes demands swift and focused adjudication. She urged parents to take responsibility for their children and warned against pushing young people into exploitation under economic pressure.

Declaring the conviction a deterrent to criminal networks nationwide, NAPTIP pledged to intensify its enforcement and sensitisation campaigns. “No matter how long it takes,” Agboko stressed, “perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.”

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, has reiterated the importance of joint warfare and strategic synergy among Nigeria’s Armed Forces to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity.

​Rear Admiral Ibrahim made these remarks while hosting the Commandant of the Airforce War College Nigeria (AFWCN), Air Vice Marshal GA Mbaka, and participants of the college’s “Operational Visit 1” at the Headquarters Central Naval Command in Yenagoa.
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​Welcoming the delegation, Rear Admiral Ibrahim congratulated the Commandant on the college’s ability to attract participants from across the continent. He described the diverse enrollment as a “great milestone” that would significantly broaden the strategic thinking of the participants.

​The FOC noted that the visit aligns with the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas’ Strategic Guidance and Leadership Ethos, emphasizing that modern security challenges require a unified approach.

​”The Nigerian Constitution mandates the Armed Forces to defend our territorial integrity, specifically through joint warfare,” Rear Admiral Ibrahim stated. “With global unrest on the rise, participants must take this course seriously, as it exposes them to the strategic level of thinking required for national defense.”
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​In his response, Air Vice Marshal GA Mbaka expressed his delight in leading the AFWCN team to the Command. He commended the Central Naval Command for its recent operational successes, specifically highlighting the institutionalization of a new Emergency Plan and the high volume of arrests involving oil thieves and illegal vessels.
​”I want to congratulate the CNC on its multiple achievements,” AVM Mbaka said, thanking the FOC for the “resourceful brief and warm reception.”

​The visit featured a comprehensive briefing on the operations of the Central Naval Command followed by a robust interactive session between the naval officers and the visiting scholars.

​Concluding the visit, the AFWCN team assured the FOC that a copy of the strategic paper developed from the insights gained during the visit would be shared with the CNC to further enhance operational synergy.