The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Onoja said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, working in close synergy with other security agencies, had intensified operations across identified vulnerable areas of the country.

According to him, troops have been redeployed to strategic locations and major routes, while special forces units and air support elements have been placed on high alert to guarantee rapid response to any emerging threat.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria have emplaced robust and proactive measures aimed at preventing attacks during the Christmas festivities,” Onoja said.

Onoja added that surveillance activities had also been significantly stepped up, with enhanced aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering to track the movement and communication patterns of suspected criminal and terrorist groups.

He said that unit commanders across all theatres of operation had been directed to strengthen patrols, establish reinforced checkpoints and deepen collaboration with community leaders, local vigilante groups and state security outfits to improve early warning and response.

Onoja reiterated that the Armed Forces remained fully committed to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians, stressing that national security and stability remained the military’s top priority.

“As we approach this festive period, every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that Nigerians celebrate Christmas in peace, unity and joy,” he said.

Onoja, however, emphasised that public cooperation remained critical to the success of ongoing security operations, urging citizens to remain calm but vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation.

He assured that all information provided by the public would be treated with urgency and confidentiality.

The defence spokesman also conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

He called on members of the public to support security agencies by sharing timely information and adhering to security advisories throughout the festive season.

Source: NAN

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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, in a statement on Friday blamed China’s visa process for the withdrawal.

The federation regretted that despite beginning the application process in February, “the embassy delayed till a last-minute visa issuance” making it impossible for the team to participate in the event.

“With deep regret, we, the AFN, announce our withdrawal from the World Relays following unacceptable visa delays by Chinese authorities.

“Despite our diligent efforts processing documentation since February, our athletes have faced numerous obstacles.

“This includes embassy embarrassment to last-minute visa issuance that made competition attendance physically impossible.

“The impact has been severe.

“It has wasted training preparations, significant financial losses, lost qualification opportunities, and devastating psychological effects on our athletes,” AFN noted.

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The federation also lamented various documentation requested by the embassy noting that they were “poorly communicated”.

“Chinese authorities frustrated our participation by claiming they didn’t have contact with their own Embassy in Washington and Abuja, also providing incorrect invitation letters and changing the application portal twice.

“Their requirement for a special “Verification Letter of Invitation” was poorly communicated and inconsistently applied while they demanded police reports and even bank statements from all participating athletes, coaches and officials.

“We stand by our decision to withdraw as it became clear our team wouldn’t receive fair treatment or opportunity to compete,” the federation said.

Team Nigeria comprising nine women and eight men, were scheduled to compete in four events: the men’s and women’s 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, and mixed 4x400m relays.

The tournament is slated for Saturday and Sunday.

Source: NAN

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Akawo was arraigned by the commission before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, sitting in Abuja, on allegations of corruption bordering on money laundering and fraudulent diversion of public funds.

ICPC had filed a 10-count charge before Justice Ekwo, in which it accused the former Secretary General of diverting monies released by the International Association of Athletics Federation, IAAF, for the successful hosting of the CAA Grand Prix Competition in Delta State, popularly known as 2017 Warri Relay Competition.

The offence was allegedly committed in July and August 2017, when Akawu, on multiple occasions, fraudulently diverted funds from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development into personal use.

He is alleged to have had other fronts receive the money.

His actions violated Sections 1 (a) and 16 (1) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 and are punishable under relevant Sections of the same Act.

Akawo entered a not guilty plea when the charge was read to him.

His counsel, Emmanuel Aghedo, moved his application, praying the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

Counsel to ICPC, Mashkur Salisu, who did not object to the bail application, however urged the court to grant him bail on stringent terms that would ensure he stood his trial.

Justice Ekwo, ruling on the bail application, admitted him to bail in the sum of N15 million, with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the surety must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and that the accused must deposit his international passport with the court registry.

The matter was then adjourned to 16th, 17th and 18th May, 2022 for hearing.

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The consignment which includes Track suits, vests, shoes back packs, wheel bags, face masks and others items whose open market price runs into millions of Naira was delivered on Sunday, July 13.

The AFN president, Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, said on Tuesday that the shipment which was part of the 2019 partnership signed between AFN and the German multinational corporation in Doha, United Arab Emirates was received on June 12, 2021.

Engr Gusau who recently won another term to head the AFN at the just concluded elective congress in Kebbi on Monday, expressed satisfaction with the timeliness of the delivery.

“Having these kits on ground before the Olympic Games is really a morale booster. The federal government and the AFN can now focus on other things in their quest to get the best out of the athletes at the games.

“This has been one of our cardinal points when we came on board in 2017 with a promise to reduce the direct financial demands on government. Having Puma on board is massive and we hope to build on this in future.”

Plans for the official unveiling of the Puma kits, he said, would be announced soon.

Puma who are one of the leading companies in designs and manufacturing of athletics and casual foot wears, apparels and accessories, is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany.

So far, Ese Brume (Women’s long jump); Amusan Tobi (Women’s 100m hurdle); Blessing Okagbare (Women’s 100m/200m); Divine Oduduru (Men’s 100m/200m; Raymond Okevwo (Men’s 100m); Utseorise Itsekiri (Men’s 100m) and Chukwuemeka Enekechi (Men’s shot put) have all qualified for the Olympics.

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He polled 20 votes while Uche Muoma got just two votes from the 22 delegates present at the venue as he emerged the favoured candidate to lead the federation for the next four years .

For the 1st Vice President, North West Zonal Representative, Sunday Omotayo Adeleye got 15 votes, to emerge winner ahead of Solomon Abari who had 4 votes and Patrick Estate with 3 votes.

For the 2nd Vice President role, Nneka Ikem Anibeze polled 13 points ahead of Esther Hindi Mallim who came close with 8 votes while Janet Wilson managed one vote.

Patrick Estate (South East), Dr Paul I Wakama (South South), Solomon Abari (North East) and Vitalis  Lashimi North Central all emerged from their zones as representatives.

Other members of the board include Olu Sule who is a representative of the technical officials and coaches alongside Moses Suleiman as athletes representative.

In his acceptance speech, Gusau thanked the delegates for their support in making his first term a success while counting on their continued support for the next four years.

“This is really humbling. I will like to thank all the delegates for finding time to come to Kebbi in the face of intimidation.

“We call on everybody to join hands with us to build athletics because the 14 of us cannot do it alone.”

He revealed that, “Very soon, we will be constituting commissions to oversee the daily affairs of the federation while we have time to face other serious matters.”

He thanked the World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics for their continued support as he said he did hope for stronger ties with the two bodies.

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