CAS Kelvin Aneke Commends Troops Sacrifice, Reaffirms Operational Resolve At Eld-el-fitr Luncheon In Kaduna

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 21 March 2026, hosted Nigerian Air Force personnel at an Eid-el-Fitr luncheon held at the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma Sector 1 in Kaduna, in recognition of their sacrifices in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Represented by the Chief of Communications Information Systems, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal DD Pwajok, the CAS commended personnel for their resilience, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to national security.

He emphasised that the spirit of sacrifice and devotion symbolised by Eid reflects the core ethos of military service, while reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s continued focus on operational readiness, personnel welfare, training, and the enhancement of air capabilities. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained support to the Service.

In his remarks, the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore OA Okpara, conveyed profound gratitude for the CAS’s unwavering support, noting that it has significantly strengthened morale and operational effectiveness.

Kelvin Aneke

He highlighted the impact of sustained air operations, precision engagements, intelligence, surveillance, and rapid mobility missions in disrupting terrorist activities, constraining their freedom of movement, and improving security conditions across affected communities. He reaffirmed the resolve of personnel to maintain operational momentum and consolidate gains achieved in the theatre.

The event, marked by cultural performances, entertainment, and the presentation of souvenirs, reinforced unity, camaraderie, and esprit de corps among personnel, while also providing an opportunity for reflection on shared values of sacrifice, discipline, and service to the nation.

Such engagements continue to strengthen cohesion, inspire renewed dedication, and underscore the Nigerian Air Force’s enduring commitment to professionalism and mission success in the defence of Nigeria.

ADC Tells Tinubu: Your Port Rehab Agreements Is A ‘Mugu’ Deal, Says Nigeria Taking Loans To Fund British Economy

ADC Tells Tinubu: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the £746 million agreement signed by President Bola Tinubu during his state visit to the UK as a ‘mugu’ deal, which disproportionately favoured the United Kingdom and its economy, while leaving Nigeria with a massive debt.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said while the APC government has tried to pass off the deal as President Tinubu’s major achievement, it is in fact an achievement of the UK Government, which, through this deal, has managed to save its steel industry, protect thousands of UK jobs, and get Nigeria to pay for it.

The party calls on the Federal Government to provide full transparency by disclosing comprehensive details of the agreement, including the applicable interest rates, repayment terms, and any local content provisions or obligations associated with the deal.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) views the £746 million agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Federal Government of Nigeria, concluded during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to London, as disproportionately skewed in favour of the UK, which already enjoys a significant balance of trade advantage over Nigeria.

Although the APC Government has tried to hoodwink Nigerians by portraying the agreement to rehabilitate the Tin Can and Apapa Ports in Lagos as a diplomatic success, it is, in reality, a commercial loan arrangement with conditionalities that ensure that a substantial portion of the funds either remains within the United Kingdom or is repatriated back to it.

Based on information available on the UK Government website, which described the deal as a “major vote of confidence in UK manufacturing,” the £746 million agreement will be delivered through UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Buyer Credit Facility and arranged by Citibank, N.A., London Branch.

UKEF is the UK Government’s export credit agency. Its Buyer Credit Facility enables foreign buyers to access financing from commercial banks to procure UK goods and services, typically for projects that require significant UK content participation.

In simple terms, UKEF guarantees a loan obtained by a foreign buyer from a commercial bank, which is then used to pay for UK goods and services, with the bank paying the UK exporter directly on behalf of the buyer.

Under this agreement, at least £236 million of the £746 million in supplier contracts will be awarded to British companies, while British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets under a £70 million contract, representing its largest UKEF-backed export order, for port rehabilitation projects.

The ADC is particularly concerned that the Nigerian government has entered into an agreement that leaves the country at a clear disadvantage, seemingly in exchange for a few hours of pomp and pageantry, and as part of a broader attempt to secure foreign validation, even as millions of Nigerians continue to face poverty, unemployment, and worsening insecurity.

ADC, Tinubu

There are still several unanswered questions regarding this agreement. These include: what are the repayment terms of the commercial loan, including its duration and applicable interest rate? What percentage of local goods, services, and subcontracting is involved in the port rehabilitation project? How many direct and indirect jobs will be created for Nigerians? What is the project timeline, and when will the ports become fully operational? What provisions exist for training, apprenticeships, and skills transfer? Finally, what are the limits on expatriate staff, and are there defined quotas for SMEs and community benefit obligations?

If the APC government has answers to these questions, it should make them available to Nigerians. Otherwise, Nigerians are justified in concluding that, 66 years after independence, President Bola Tinubu has travelled to London to sign an agreement that resembles a colonial-era treaty, one that risks mortgaging the country’s future for limited value and symbolism.

Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Eld-el-fitr Luncheon: CAS Reaffirms NAF’s Unwavering Resolve Against Terrorism

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Saturday, 21 March 2026, hosted Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel at an Eid-el-Fitr Luncheon at NAF Base Maiduguri, marking the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan while honouring the sacrifices of frontline troops engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, the CAS conveyed his goodwill and profound appreciation to personnel for their professionalism, resilience and unwavering dedication in a challenging and evolving operational environment. The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, was represented at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar.

In his address, the CAS underscored the evolving and adaptive nature of contemporary security threats, noting that adversaries continue to employ desperate tactics in their attempts to undermine stability in the region.

He reassured personnel of the Service’s sustained resolve, highlighting intensified intelligence-driven air operations, including precision strikes, close air support, armed reconnaissance and interdiction missions, which have continued to significantly degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt their logistics networks and restrict their operational freedom across the theatre.

Air Marshal Aneke further reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to maintaining relentless operational pressure through enhanced inter-service synergy, the acquisition of advanced platforms and precision-guided capabilities, and sustained investment in personnel welfare and capacity development.

CAS Air Marshal Aneke

He paid tribute to fallen heroes and expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Honourable Ministers of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Government and people of Borno State for their steadfast support.

The luncheon, attended by senior military leaders, government officials and distinguished guests, reinforced the NAF’s enduring dedication to restoring lasting peace, stability and hope across the North-East.