Headline

NDC To Incorporate Msc Programme In Its Curriculum – Commandant

Published

4 years ago

January 27, 2022

Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, the Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), says the institution has concluded plans to include master’s degree programme in the school’s curriculum.

Bashir disclosed this at the opening of the Steering Group Retreat of NDC with the theme, “Advancing by Retreating”, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the college had considered the possibility of it awarding master’s degree for the participants on completion of the 11 months course.

According to him, participants of NDC usually had to go to University of Ibadan or the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for another six months for them to get master’s degree.

He said the college felt that after 30 years of existence, it had come of age to award degrees to its participants after 11 months, adding that it was the global best practice.

“That is why we are having partners from the National Universities Commission (NUC), University of Ibadan, NDA and other stakeholders so that we brainstorm and see how we can factor master’s degree into the curriculum.

“In the long run, we will make the curriculum to be more robust and more responsive to our needs as a nation,” he said.

The commandant said the retreat was designed to take stock of the curriculum, most especially, to make it more responsive to current realities such as introduction of new courses.

He added that the retreat was also expected to enhance bonding and understanding of issues facing the nation, as well as supporting the whole of societal approach to addressing the issues.

The commandant said the dynamic nature of the world had continued to affect many things around the globe such as the COVID-19.

Others according to him include security challenges and resurgence of political instability in parts of the world.

“We are also seeing the advent of artificial intelligence that has birthed sophisticated technologies which are becoming game changers in almost everything that we do.

“This and so many other things would definitely dictate global events for some time to come.

“We need to factor all these things into our curriculum to make it more responsive to current realities on ground,” he added.

The Deputy Commandant, NDC, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, said the retreat was organised to take stock and reset for optimal performance, saying that an organisation either transform, innovate or dies.

Onumajuru said the retreat would undertake to approach the activities of the college in the context of its mission.

He said that to this effect, it was important that the college curriculum and programmes be tweaked to reflect contemporary demands in knowledge and research to meet global best practices.

“It is expected that this faculty retreat will assist in repositioning the college to better deliver its mandate to help educate this generation of strategic leaders,” he said. (NAN)

Headline

Russia, China Afraid Of US Under My Administration — Trump

Published

6 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

United States President, Donald Trump, has said Russia and China fear the United States because of the strength of his administration, arguing that American global influence is driven primarily by its military power and leadership.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday stated that rival powers would not take NATO seriously without the United States, claiming the alliance lacks deterrent force in the absence of American involvement.

He expressed doubts about whether NATO members would come to the aid of the US in a real crisis, despite Washington’s continued commitment to the alliance.

The president credited his leadership with rebuilding the US military during his first term and sustaining its strength, describing this as the key reason adversaries show respect and caution toward the country.

He maintained that America’s military dominance has played a central role in preserving global stability and saving lives.

Trump also argued that his administration forced NATO members to increase defence spending, saying many allies had previously failed to meet financial commitments while relying heavily on the US.

He added that his actions helped prevent further escalation in Eastern Europe and contributed to the resolution of multiple conflicts.

According to Trump, the United States remains the only nation that commands genuine fear and respect from both Russia and China, a position he attributed to his administration’s approach to defence, diplomacy, and global leadership.

“He wrote partly, “The only Nation that China and Russia fear and respect is the DJT REBUILT U.S.A. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT.”

Headline

Trump To Withdraw US From 66 UN, International Organisations

Published

6 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to withdraw the US from 66 United Nations and international organisations, including key global bodies focused on climate change, peace and democracy.

The decision was disclosed in a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Wednesday evening, following a review of which “organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States.”

According to Trump, the move will see the US end its participation in the affected organisations and cut all related funding.

A list shared by the White House showed that 35 of the organisations are non-UN bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Although listed as a non-UN body by the White House, the IPCC is a United Nations organisation that brings together leading scientists to assess climate change evidence and provide periodic reports to guide political leaders.

The memorandum also announced the US withdrawal from 31 UN entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Democracy Fund, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on maternal and child health.

Several of the targeted UN bodies are involved in protecting vulnerable groups during armed conflicts, including the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Reacting to the announcement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents on Wednesday evening that the organisation expected to issue a response by Thursday morning.

Despite repeatedly stating his desire to limit US involvement in UN forums, Trump has continued to exert influence on international decision-making.

In October last year, he threatened to impose sanctions on diplomats who formally adopted a levy on polluting shipping fuels that had already been agreed to at an earlier meeting, a move that stalled the deal for 12 months.

The Trump administration also sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she released a report detailing the role of international and US companies in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

During his first term in 2017, Trump similarly threatened to cut aid to countries that supported a draft UN resolution condemning the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US wields significant influence at the United Nations, including veto power, which it has repeatedly used to block efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza before later mediating a ceasefire.

(Aljazeera)

Headline

UK Supported US Mission To Seize Russian-flagged Oil Tanker – Defense Ministry

Published

19 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

The British Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that it provided support to the United States in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.

US seized the tanker, which was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington’s efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.

According to Britain, its armed forces gave pre-planned operational support, including basing following a US request for assistance.

The UK also said a military vessel provided support for the US forces pursuing the tanker, and the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the operation targeted a vessel with a nefarious history linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.

“This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.

According to him, the US was Britain’s closest defence and security partner.

“The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice,” he added.

The British government said that the Bella-1 tanker, now renamed Marinera, is sanctioned by the US under its counter-Iran sanctions,

The MoD statement said the support was provided in full compliance with international law.