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Air Force Institute Matriculates 1,673 Students

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2023

Editor

The Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna on Saturday, matriculated 1,673 students for its 2022/2023 academic session.

The Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Emmanuel Wonah, while addressing the matriculating students, charged them to be good ambassadors of the Institution.

Wonah commended the institute for increasing the courses available at the undergraduate level from 11 to 28.

“This is indeed very commendable,” he said, adding that as a premier hybrid institution in Nigeria, it concurrently runs both polytechnic and university systems.

“This makes you, the students, very unique in your training,” he said.

Wonah told the students that they are expected to be better than students from other contemporary universities, who, unlike them, do not have the benefit of theoretical and practical training.

He enjoined the students to remember their major reason for being in the institution, saying that it was to read, study, make good grades and be good ambassadors of their homes, school and the nation.

He urged them that while not losing sight of their academic goals, they should also have an active social life with their fellow students.

“You have sworn an oath of allegiance to remain committed and disciplined all through your period of study here.

“I, therefore, urge you all to look carefully at the contents of the oath in your spare time.

“Those words are binding, hence, you must be careful not to breach any aspect of the oath, which may lead to your suspension or expulsion.”

Wonah appreciated the AFIT commandant and the staff for their relentless effort towards providing an enabling environment for students to achieve a successful academic and career path.

Earlier, the AFIT Commandant, AVM Paul Jemitola, said this was the institution’s 6th joint matriculation ceremony for National Diploma and Degree Programmes.

Jemitola said the occasion marked the official and statutory admission of qualified and deserving students into institutions of higher learning.

According to him, AFIT occupied a very unique position in Nigeria as the only hybrid higher institution offering a blend of University, Polytechnic, and Military programmes.

The commandant said that the institution was under the supervision of NUC, NBTE and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.

“As we conduct your joint matriculation into the Institute today, may I remind you that you are fortunate to be in a place where emphasis is placed on both research and technical knowledge.”

He told the students to remember that certificates are awarded based on learning and character, therefore, they must find a balance between their academic, social and emotional lives in order not to lose sight of their goals.

“On our part, the Institute will continue to focus on her pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, service to society, well-being of staff and students.”

He advised the students to show respect to the staff and their fellow students in order to make their stay fruitful and productive.

“We are working tirelessly to provide more facilities to make your stay in school pleasurable.

“You are reminded that the oath you have taken today is for allegiance to the institute, obedience to the commandant, and all those in authority over you and to be of good conduct throughout your stay in the Institute.

“Be warned that a breach of the oath taken today will attract appropriate sanctions,” Jemitola said.

The commandant prayed that God Almighty would watch over all the students, and make them a source of pride to their families, states, country and humanity.

Also, the Provost of the Institute, Prof. Mohammed Dauda, said that AFIT was established for the purpose of generating, disseminating and applying knowledge through conduct of research, training and result-oriented utilisation of innovative research findings.

He added that these enhanced roles and objectives conferred considerable potential on AFIT to contribute strategically towards technological development of the Nigerian Air Force specifically and the country in general.
NAN

News

Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

Published

5 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has expressed optimism that his predecessor in office, Hon. Philip Shaibu will excel in his new role as Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The deputy governor expressed his optimism during the Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the appointment at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Sunday.

Idahosa, who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, said Shaibu will bring to bear on the new job his experience as an astute sports administrator.

“We are indeed grateful for what God has done. We will continue to thank God on his behalf, because, he has served our state.

“Now, God has given him the opportunity to serve the nation. We will continue to pray for him for a successful tenure,” he stated.

The former deputy governor appreciated Idahosa for according him the honour with his physical attendance at the Thanksgiving Mass.

He assured the state of his readiness to effectively be a good ambassador effectively by working to reposition of the NIS in line with the renwew hope agenda of the President.

“I will try my best to bring the institute back to life. I will ensure that the reason for setting up the NIS is achieved,” he stated.

News

Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the Federal and Benue State Governments for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with ongoing violent attacks across Benue State.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged or brought to trial.

The legal luminary’s reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state. However, Falana described the president’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

Falana also berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers. He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

On January 17, 2024, Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.

According to Falana, between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. Despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows,” he said. “The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served.”

Falana stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

News

Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Patigi, in Kwara have nabbed eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade in Ilorin on Sunday.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

“During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance, but swiftly subdued the criminals with superior firepower,” he said.

Nwankwo said that the operation led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Amos Moses and Philip Michael, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.

He, however, said that one Mohammed Mohammed sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

The brigade spokesman said that further operational exploits in the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to be used by the suspects.

“All arrested individuals are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution,” Nwankwo said.

He said that the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensure safety of lives and property across the country.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to security forces in order to dismantle criminal networks.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to safeguard communities and restore lasting peace in all regions of deployment,” he said.