Coalition Congratulates Oluyede on Appointment as Acting COAS

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria has congratulated Major-General Olufemi Oluyede on his appointment as the acting Chief of Army Staff, (Ag COAS, Nigerian Army).

The Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, in a statement, said General Oluyede has the responsibility to consolidate the success achieved by the Nigerian Army under General Taoreed Lagbaja.

President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday, October 30, appointed Oluyede as acting COAS pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Coalition said his appointment is a welcome development. It said: “Major-General Olufemi Oluyede is well qualified for the position. He was a member of the 39th regular course and commissioned as an officer in 1987. Aged 56, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General in September 2020. A professional and top-notch security expert, he brings a lot of hope and inspiration to younger officers as acting chief of Army Staff.

“His appointment is the way to go. As the acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede has the responsibility to lead an army that will administratively manage the institution, consolidate on the success achieved by General Lagbaja and his team to mop up remnants of insurgents, bandits and the ragtag criminal elements in the North, and dismantle the ethnic militias in the Southeast to bring peace in the country.

“The 56-year-old Oluyede shares a long history with General Lagbaja, with a track record and excellent service to the nation. Both are members of the 39th Regular Course and were commissioned as officers in 1987.

“Oluyede’s meritorious career began as a Platoon commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, advancing to Company commander at 177 Guards Battalion and later Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade and commandant of Amphibious Training School.

“Oluyede has been part of many notable operations, including the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

“He has received honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, and Grand Service Star, all recognition for passing the Staff Course and membership in the National Institute, and his dedication and achievements in service.”

General Buratai Urges Dangote Not To Succumb To Marketers Blackmail, Reveals Why

Former Chief of Army Staff and erstwhile envoy of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lt. General TY Buratai Rtd (CFR) has lent his voice to the lingering issues between Dangote Refinery and petroleum marketers in Nigeria. The decorated General urged Dangote, not to succumb to the marketers blackmail.

In an exclusive chat with some journalists on his opinion over the imbroglio between the two gladiators, he raised a fundamental question as regards who is blackmailing Dangote?

According to Buratai, Dangote refinery can not operate outside the global oil system. Just because it refines locally and gets its crude in Naira is not a reason to sell it cheaper. He stated that the government must susidise because it is making a profit. However, the question of subsidy is very sensitive now. But when subsidy is reintroduced, it should be only for locally refined products. At the same time, our borders must be closed for all smugglers, especially in petroleum products.

“Our borders are porous, and high-level smuggling is witnessed in every sphere. Dangote must find markets elsewhere to be able to maintain its operations. It is good news that Ghana and other African countries are approaching Dangote to buy his products.

“If Dangote refinery sells its product cheaper, be rest assured the products will be massively smuggled. The petroleum marketers are not sincere. They want cheap Dangote products to be able to smuggle them outside our shores. In this case, both Nigerians and Dangote will be the losers.”

Continuing, Buratai believed that “Unless all our borders are properly manned and all the smuggling routes are blocked, then the government subsidy will work for our benefits”

“Dangote should not succumb to the marketers’ blackmail”, he concluded.

It would be recalled that the row between Dangote Refinery and petroleum marketers in Nigeria has taken a new dimension following the comment by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote that petroleum marketers were not approaching his refinery for purchase of petroleum products.

There has been an uneasy calm since the roll-out of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from the Dangote Refinery in September. Their were discordant tunes between the management and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other petroleum marketers.

Dangote refinery has disclosed the price of its petrol, revealing that it sells petrol at N960 per litre for ships and maintains a price of N990 per litre for trucks.

The statement follows claims from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) that they can import fuel at cheaper rates than Dangote’s.

In an earlier interview, the marketers alleged they were buying fuel more affordably from abroad and called on Dangote Refinery to collaborate with stakeholders.

In response, the refinery argued that only substandard products could be obtained at prices lower than its own.

Kingibe Salutes Buratai’s Dedication to Nigeria’s Educational Advancement, Youth Development

By Lawrence Bilal Audu

Elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has commended Ambassador Tukur Yusufu Buratai for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s educational development, particularly in fostering youth leadership and critical thinking.

Ambassador Kingibe, who gave the commendation while chairing the 2024 Young Adult Literature Prize Award Ceremony organized by the TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI), praised Buratai’s dedication to nurturing young talent.

Remembering his years in the military, Ambassador Kingibe recalled the massive research-based transformation the Army witnessed during his administration as Army Chief, as well as the capacity and intellectual development of both officers and soldiers.

Ambassador Kingibe underscored the enduring power of literature as the foundation for effective communication, despite technological advancements. “Technology cannot erode the power of the written word,” he said, pledging his partnership in TYBLI’s next edition to continue nurturing young talent in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chief Host former Chief of Army Staff, and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), emphasized the importance of writing in personal development, communication, and leadership. “Writing is very important in developing one’s knowledge, vision, and ability to communicate,” he stated.

“Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write.”

Reflecting on his own experience as a member of literary and drama clubs during his school years, Buratai emphasized the importance of writing for personal development, communication, and leadership. “Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write. If you don’t document what you have in mind, you may tend to forget it. But once you document it, it opens opportunities to benefit society,” he added.

He expressed gratitude to participants, supporters, and partners, including Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu and the British Council. Buratai also hinted at plans to increase prize money and potentially offer scholarships to winners pursuing secondary or higher education.

The event, held at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Nasarawa State, saw zonal winners from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones receive N250,000 each, while overall winner Taofeek Olatunbosun took home N1 million.

Taofeek Olatunbosun, the event’s star, thanked TYBLI and Ambassador Buratai for the honor. He promised to serve as a worthy ambassador for the initiative, committed to honing his writing skills and inspiring others in the literary community.

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative seeks to develop Nigeria’s youth into leaders by encouraging them to engage in writing, critical thinking, and self-expression. This aligns with the importance of critical thinking in leadership development, as it enables leaders to understand the impact of their decisions on the business as a whole and ensures alignment with organizational goals and accountability for results.