By Achile Danjuma

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has moved to alleviate concerns regarding the presence of United States military personnel in Nigeria, stating unequivocally that they are in the country “purely for training assistance and advisory role.”

Gen. Musa assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would retain full command and control over all military operations conducted within the nation’s territory. He made this clarification while presiding over the maiden edition of the newly introduced Monthly Operational Briefing at the Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had confirmed the arrival of 100 US military personnel and associated equipment at Bauchi Airfield on February 16, 2026. At the time, the DHQ emphasized that the deployed personnel were technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity, not as combat forces. It further stressed that “all training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

During the briefing, the Minister provided strategic guidance to the military high command. He outlined the multifaceted threats to national security and urged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs to intensify their efforts. He called for the development and implementation of new, decisive strategies to ensure the timely eradication of terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.

Gen. Musa commended the troops for their “professionalism, resilience, and gallantry” in the face of these challenges. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to improving troop welfare and enhancing the operational efficiency of the Armed Forces.

In a statement released after the event, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Col. Timothy Antigha (rtd), noted that the new monthly briefing is designed to provide a platform for reviewing ongoing operations and ensuring cohesive strategic direction across all services.

In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi to remain “dogged and relentless” in their efforts to combat violence and criminality. He directed them to deal decisively with any individual or group threatening peace and stability, “irrespective of status, influence or affiliation.”

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) for their resilience and steadfast commitment to restoring security in affected communities across Benue State. He highlighted the strategic importance of OPWS within the broader national security framework.

The COAS stressed the need to consolidate recent gains through intelligence-driven operations, enhanced inter-agency synergy, and sustained community engagement. He reminded the troops that operational success must be matched with professionalism and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, in line with international best practices.

Acknowledging their sacrifices, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu noted that the troops’ perseverance has not only degraded criminal networks but has also created a more secure environment conducive to socio-economic activities. He described the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities as a clear testament to their operational effectiveness and unwavering resolve.

By Salisu Baso

The Kano State House of Assembly has advised the State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to honourably resign from office or face impeachment.

The House Leader, Hon. Lawan Hussaini Dala, revealed this to journalists shortly after the plenary session headed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jubril Ismail Falgore, today (Thursday).

He said the decision of the members followed allegations against the Deputy Governor of financial misappropriation and embezzlement uncovered by the legislature.

Hon. Dala added that the members have considered Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers the House to impeach the Governor or his Deputy if they violate the law or engage in misconduct.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo marked his 89th birthday not with quiet celebration, but with a characteristically frank discourse on the nature of power, using his own dramatic life story—from military commander to imprisoned dissident to democratically elected president—as the central case study.

Delivering a keynote address at an international colloquium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Obasanjo described leadership as a double-edged sword: a profound burden that is also a deep privilege. The event, titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” saw the elder statesman argue that the quality of a nation’s leaders is the primary determinant of its fate.

Obasanjo opened with a stark personal testament, recalling his imprisonment by the late military ruler Sani Abacha. He framed the experience not just as personal suffering, but as evidence of a core principle.

“My imprisonment proves the price of a principled stand,” he told the audience. “Leadership without principle is mere management. True leadership demands that you say no when yes would be more convenient — and that comes at a cost.”

He argued that many who seek power are seduced by its perks, underestimating the immense personal sacrifices required. Drawing on his experience commanding the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, he painted a vivid picture of leadership’s isolating core.

“There is the loneliness of the final decision,” Obasanjo explained. “When all the briefings have been received and all arguments made, you alone must decide. That weight does not distribute itself.” He recalled the final days of the war in January 1970, when he chose restraint to protect civilians. “No textbook told me what to do. The decision was mine alone,” he stated, underscoring the immense moral weight that leaders must carry.

Despite the hardships—including more than three years in detention—Obasanjo insisted he would choose the same path again. He spoke of the profound fulfilment found in service, describing Nigeria’s first peaceful transition from military to civilian rule in 1979, when he handed over power to Shehu Shagari, as one of the most rewarding moments of his career.

“There is the blessing of having been given the opportunity to matter—to serve at the hinge of history,” he reflected. “It was the relief of having been tested and not found wanting. The greatest burden a man can carry is his country on his shoulders. The greatest blessing he can also receive is that country’s gratitude. At 89, I now understand that the burden and the blessing are often the same.”

Shifting his focus from the personal to the continental, Obasanjo offered a sharp diagnosis of Africa’s struggles, arguing that the root cause is not a lack of resources but a failure of governance.

“Africa is richly endowed—with mineral wealth, vast arable land and the world’s youngest population. By every measure, we should be prosperous and stable,” he noted. “Instead, too much of our continent remains trapped in preventable suffering.”

He placed the blame squarely on poor leadership, weak institutions, and systemic corruption, warning of the fragility inherent in personality-driven governance. “When a country’s trajectory depends solely on the character of one person, that country is permanently fragile,” he cautioned.

Looking forward, Obasanjo called for a fundamental rethinking of the continent’s political and economic models. He urged leaders to adapt democratic systems to local realities without sacrificing the core principles of accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness.

He advocated for a massive investment in leadership development and institutional strengthening, emphasizing that sustainable progress requires systems that outlast any single individual. He also identified the global African diaspora as a critical, underutilized asset and urged governments to create conditions that encourage their engagement and investment.

On the economic front, Obasanjo pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative opportunity that, if fully implemented, could reshape the continent’s global standing.

He concluded with a message of hope and a charge to the next generation, framing leadership as the key to unlocking the continent’s vast potential.

“Africa is not a problem to be managed,” Obasanjo declared. “Africa is a promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”