By Aliyu Musa

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has disclosed that it is prepared to commence local production of weapons, ammunition and other military hardware.

The Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a press conference to unveil the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026.

Organised by dmg events in partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), AFRIDEX complements the recent African Chief of Defence Staff Summit (ACDSS), which underscored the federal government’s efforts at tackling insecurity both internally and regionally.

General Alaya noted that ongoing partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)with companies will not only boost local production of equipment, but also cut foreign exchange substantially.

“We have some companies, partner companies, that are coming on board to produce ammunition, weapons, and other equipment.

“For instance, we are already assembling. Additionally, we have some additional companies who are already producing Mine Resistance Armoured Protected (MR-AP) vehicles, and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

“And we have signed a memorandum of understanding with other partners who are already producing the machinery and equipment.

“Very soon, Nigeria (and its partners) will start producing …and its partners will start producing gunpowder in Nigeria.

“And from our understanding, one of the major components of producing ammunition is gunpowder.

“Before we import from all over the world, we have signed a memorandum of understanding with all of our international partners, and in about eight months’ time, we will start producing gunpowder in Nigeria” he stated.

The general informed that DICON has also signed a memorandum of understanding with another indigenous company, to start producing marine-shaped charges for marine exploration.

“So we have a lot of partners. There are just so many things. Some of our partners are already producing personal protective equipment for our troops.

“We don’t need to import any of those again because we have sufficient collaborators in Nigeria ecosystem to produce that.

“We also have other partners that are producing uniform and boots. So, the scope of partnership to produce locally is vast.

Speaking on the exhibition, the Minister of State (Defence), Bello Matawalle, said the Federal government will showcase its newly-acquired capabilities to contain insecurity.

The former Zamfara State Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for investing heavily in advancing the nation’s defence capacity and capability.

By Son Tertsea

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on journalists to be resilient in the face of many challenges.

Prof Yilwatda who was Guest Speaker on the theme; Strengthening the Media for Credible Reporting and Democratic Accountability at the public Lecture organized by the Benue State Council of NUJ as part of activities to mark the Media Week stressed that “The rise of misinformation, political toxicity, commercial constraints, security threats, and the disruptive technology” should not deter journalists from serving well. Instead, he called on them to be resilient.

The APC boss also advised that their criticisms should be rooted in facts, not propaganda, describing the quality of journalists that Nigeria needs at present to be those who; “Verify before publishing, Prioritize national unity above political rivalry, Hold power accountable without becoming political actors” and who ” Use the pen to heal society, not divide it” adding that, ” When the press loses objectivity, the nation loses direction”.

The APC boss while commending the leadership and members of NUJ in the state for inviting him to be part of the event, however cautioned them against fake news and misinformation, urging them to take the lead in the media space. “The pressure for speed sometimes replaces accuracy, Professional journalists must not surrender the information space. Instead, you must lead it”.

He called on the media to always work hand in hand with citizens and the government saying “This partnership between the media, government, and citizens must remain strong anchored on mutual respect, transparency, and patriotism”.

In his address, Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Chief Host and Hon. Commissioner of information, Dr Peter Egbodo, commended NUJ in the state.

The Governor promised to renovate the state secretariat of NUJ and pay outstanding cut off dues of members from the state.

Dr Egbodo called on NUJ to forward the drawings for the lock-up shops to his office for further action.

Earlier, Bemdoo Ugber, the state council chairman welcomed guests and other invitees to the event stressing, it is “One of the most important events in our professional calendar. It is indeed an opportunity to reflect on our obligations, celebrate excellence, strengthen partnerships, and recommit ourselves to the noble ideals of journalism”.

Mr Ugber also called on the state government to come to the aid of NUJ in building the lock-up shops, renovate the state secretariat and to provide a serviceable car for the council’s chair in the state, among other demands.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike revealed has terminated the Apo/Karshi Road contract over incompetence and reawarded to another contractor.

The project was re-awarded under emergency project and will be flagged off by the FCT minster soon.

Wike revealed this Thursday when he inspected Karu, OSEX and Gishiri Road , Abuja.

It would be recalled that, the Apo-Karshi Road contract was awarded in 2011. The project was given to M/S Kakatar Nig. Ltd by the administration at the time and was initially expected to be completed within 20 months.

And due to the inability of M/S Kakatar Nig. Ltd, to execute the project, the administration terminated the contract and awarded it to SCC.

According to Wike, “Let me tell you the truth, we have terminated that contract; it has been reawarded to SCC. If you go there now, you will see that they have started work. It is a road that so many people are very interested in because it will decongest some of these areas. So that’s why we should do it, and like I said, we cannot continue to play politics when it comes to the welfare of the people. That road has been terminated.

“And the road leading from Kubwa to Bwari has also started, so that there will be an alternative route to Bwari. That’s also awarded to SCC. So, we can assure you that things are moving very well according to plan”.

Speaking on Karu, Gishiri, and OSEX, he said, “Well, I have always said, what makes the government feel relaxed is when the people are happy. Of course, the very essence of governance is to make people be happy and make them have what improves their lives. When we went to Karu, you remember the first time we went to Karu to flag off, it was one road. And there, I made a promise that all the other connecting roads would be included.

“I am very happy to report the progress on the job. The contractor is doing very well. And that shows this is one of the projects we are going to line up for the 3rd anniversary of Mr President. I am quite impressed. And those houses that blocked the water channel, we are going to bring them down, to enable water to have its own way.

“And then we went to Gishiri, and you see the level of work being done by CGC. All those roads that were done by them, which were inaugurated by Mr President sometime in June this year, and that project also will be inaugurated on the 3rd anniversary of Mr President. Now we are in OSEX. This leads you from Apo to Wassa. And it’s also part of the road by the grace of God, certainly will be inaugurated in his 3rd year in office.

“So, you can see the happiness of everybody. And that’s what shows that the Renewed Hope Agenda is really working. People had never seen this type of development in Abuja before. And that is why you can imagine when we were at Karu, just mere coming down, see how the students were very happy. As we went to Gishiri, look at how the pupils there are all very happy. And so, it makes us happy too”.

On the woman in Karu that built on water channel, the FCT Minister promised some compensation. He said the woman did the wrong thing and her property must go down or this can cause flooding later.

“You cannot do something to block the water channels, and we are even sympathetic by saying that we were going to give you money, but we must allow the water to have its way, because if not, it will cause a lot of flooding. That will also not be good for the people living around there. So sometimes we should not be emotional. She’s crying.

“She did the wrong thing.
she caused the problem. But we are giving the human face by saying, okay, we’ll give you some funds so that you can find an alternative. Ordinarily, we don’t need to have done that. What she has done was to violate the building regulation”, he said.

For 2026, Wike, said Abuja residents should expect more infrastructural development that will lift the lives of the people, that will improve the economic activities.

“We have started procurement around all our health centres. So next year, we believe that what you see in 2025 will be nothing to compare to what we’ll see in 2026. And I must tell you the truth, in 2026, we are not likely to put any new projects.

“We want to make sure that the projects we have started this year will be completed in 2026. Those projects will come in the 2026 budget. Mind you, that year appears to be a political year. So, you don’t expect to start projects that you may not be able to finish within the period that you’re appointed to stay. So, we want to make sure all projects we have started, by the grace of God, were completed”, he noted.