According to Nivo News, the Federal Government has bestowed national honours on a number of serving officers and retired personnel of the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general who lost his life in active service, in recognition of outstanding bravery, innovation and exemplary leadership.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The honours were presented on Tuesday night during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. Details of the awards were disclosed in an official statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

Among those honoured was the late Brigadier General Musa Uba, who received a posthumous Gallantry Award for his exceptional courage and frontline leadership during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State. The army noted that General Uba was killed in November 2025 after his team was ambushed by terrorists near Wajiroko along the Damboa Road while transporting military equipment.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was decorated with the Service and Sacrifice Award in recognition of his leadership in military operations and his role in strengthening internal security strategies across various operational theatres. The same category also recognised Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division in Lagos, for their outstanding operational leadership and commitment to duty.

Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for his decisive role in repelling multiple terrorist attacks under intense pressure while sustaining operational effectiveness. In the area of innovation, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was honoured for designing a modified ballistic gunboat now deployed under Operation DELTA SAFE.

The late Colonel B. Umaru was posthumously awarded the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his contributions to Operation HADIN KAI, while Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari received the Fallen Heroes Award in recognition of his efforts in counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.

In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), was presented with the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award for his military reforms between 2015 and 2021, as well as his diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called on members of the Armed Forces to remain disciplined, loyal and united, describing them as custodians of Nigeria’s democracy. He also announced the approval of two national initiatives, the “Thank-A-Soldier Electronic Wall” and the “My Nigerian Hero Campaign,” aimed at deepening public appreciation for military service.

The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is observed annually to honour fallen heroes, celebrate serving personnel and acknowledge the enduring contributions of veterans in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.

According to Nivo News, Super Eagles assistant captain Victor Osimhen has revealed the Nigerian football legends who continue to inspire his journey in the national team as he edges closer to a historic goalscoring landmark ahead of Nigeria’s crucial clash with Morocco.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Osimhen, who currently plays his club football with Turkish giants Galatasaray, is just two goals away from equalling the long-standing Super Eagles record of 37 goals set by the late Rashidi Yekini. Although he did not witness Yekini’s exploits firsthand, the Napoli-born striker said the legendary forward’s achievements remain a major source of motivation.

He explained that Yekini’s legacy has inspired generations of Nigerian footballers, including himself, adding that the record represents something deeply meaningful to him. Osimhen also acknowledged the influence of two other former Super Eagles strikers, Odion Ighalo and Obafemi Martins, noting that their careers and dedication have shaped his mentality and approach whenever he pulls on the national jersey.

The prolific forward described the prospect of challenging Yekini’s record as an honour he would cherish for the rest of his life, stressing that the achievement carries immense personal and national significance.

While individual milestones continue to draw attention, Osimhen’s former international teammate, William Troost-Ekong, insisted that the striker’s primary focus remains team success and winning trophies. Troost-Ekong praised Osimhen’s humility and respect for past legends, expressing confidence that the forward still has many goals ahead of him and will serve as a benchmark for the next generation of Nigerian players.

Osimhen’s influence within the Super Eagles camp has also been widely acknowledged, with respected football journalist Oluwashina Okeleji describing him as the new face of Nigerian football. Okeleji noted that Osimhen has long been tipped for greatness since his under-17 days and now commands immense respect within the squad, even without wearing the captain’s armband. According to him, the team’s performances often revolve around Osimhen’s presence and leadership.

Meanwhile, the semi-final encounter against Morocco is set to be a memorable occasion for midfielder Alex Iwobi, who is expected to earn his 97th international cap for Nigeria. The Fulham star is closing in on becoming the third most capped player in Super Eagles history, trailing only Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo. Since making his debut in 2015, Iwobi has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the ongoing tournament in Morocco.

According to Nivo News, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), has urged the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to either promptly charge Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol to court or release him without further delay, following his continued detention over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Pastor Gbeneol, a Port Harcourt-based cleric, was reportedly taken into custody after a leaked telephone conversation surfaced online, allegedly linking him and a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to a plan involving the recruitment of foreign nationals to carry out an attack on the former Rivers governor. The viral audio triggered widespread reactions and prompted police intervention, leading to the pastor’s arrest and detention.

Reacting to the development, Osigwe expressed deep concern over what he described as a violation of constitutional provisions, noting that the prolonged detention of the cleric without formal charges raises serious questions about adherence to the rule of law. In a statement personally signed by him, the NBA president said reports of Gbeneol’s arrest and his continued detention for nearly two weeks without arraignment strike at the heart of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

While acknowledging the duty of law enforcement agencies to safeguard national security and protect public officials, Osigwe stressed that such responsibilities must always be exercised within the confines of the Constitution. He emphasized that security concerns do not override constitutional safeguards, nor do they justify indefinite detention without due process.

The NBA president reiterated that the Constitution guarantees personal liberty and clearly outlines procedures for arrest and detention, including the requirement that any suspect be informed of the allegations against them and brought before a competent court within the time prescribed by law. He maintained that detention beyond these limits, without a valid court order or formal charge, remains unlawful regardless of the gravity of the allegation.

Osigwe further noted that the NBA is particularly troubled by reports indicating that Pastor Gbeneol has remained in custody for an extended period without being charged, stressing that allegations, no matter how serious, remain unproven until tested in open court. He warned against allowing investigative delays, media narratives or executive actions to erode the presumption of innocence, which he described as a cornerstone of the criminal justice system.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force to act strictly in line with the law by either charging the pastor before a court of competent jurisdiction or releasing him immediately if investigations fail to establish sufficient grounds for prosecution. Osigwe cautioned that continued detention without judicial oversight undermines public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

The NBA also urged that investigations into the matter be conducted professionally and transparently, without unlawful detention or coercive tactics, adding that the same constitutional standards must apply to all individuals involved. He warned against the criminal justice system being weaponised or allegations of political or security nature being used to justify actions that erode fundamental rights.