Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday made it clear that Defence Minister nominee General Christopher Musa would not receive a cursory “take-a-bow and go” treatment during his screening at the Senate.

Akpabio acknowledged that the Nigerian government is under international pressure, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, to address the nation’s numerous security challenges.

He emphasized that the purpose of the screening was to ask questions that would reassure Nigerians amid heightened insecurity.

He urged Gen Musa to look into reports surrounding the withdrawal of soldiers from the Kebbi school, where hundreds of schoolchildren were recently abducted.

“This is not the time for politics of ‘bow and go’. Even Donald Trump is on our neck. We’ve not asked him what his response will be to Donald Trump,” Akpabio said.

“A nominee for Minister of Defence, and you stand up and say he should take a bow and go, with so many questions on the mouth of Nigerians and over 200 children still in the bush and being tortured. Let’s give the man the opportunity to give Nigerians hope.”

Gen Musa highlighted the importance of building local community capacity and adopting a whole-of-society approach that integrates technology, citizen participation, and coordinated security operations.

He stressed that such measures are critical to ending recurring incidents of kidnapping.

The nominee also called for greater accountability within the armed forces and for full cooperation among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

He noted that many security agencies were not operating at full capacity and must harmonize their efforts with one another and with neighboring countries due to the transnational nature of terrorism.

“Nigeria has more to lose if security institutions fail to work together,” Musa said, adding that terrorists often perceive the country as rich and therefore a prime target.

He reiterated the need for a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and banditry, anchored in collaboration with local communities, since security is localized.

Gen Musa also pointed out that several existing laws remain outdated and require urgent review.

He identified unregulated mining activities as a major source of funding for criminal groups and stressed the need for tighter monitoring supported by modern technology.

Gen Musa’s nomination follows the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down citing ill health.

Musa had been widely expected to take over from Badaru, and President Tinubu formally forwarded his name to the Senate in a letter transmitted to Akpabio on Tuesday.

The screening comes amid escalating security concerns, including the abduction of 303 pupils and students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.

Fifty of the abducted children reportedly escaped and have reunited with their families.

Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, confirmed their return, saying: “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.”

An update signed by his media aide, Daniel Atori, indicated that 251 primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers remain with their abductors.

The Enugu State Caucus in the House of Representatives has praised Governor Peter Mba’s proposed ₦1.62 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as bold, strategic, and anchored on a clear vision for accelerated development.

In a statement signed by the Caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, the lawmakers expressed satisfaction with the consistent rise in Enugu State’s annual budgets since Governor Mba assumed office.

They said the trend reflects a deliberate and well-structured roadmap for economic transformation.

The Caucus highlighted the steady budget progression as follows:
• 2024 — ₦521.5 billion
• 2025 — ₦971.084 billion
• 2026 — ₦1.62 trillion

According to the lawmakers, this upward trajectory demonstrates that Governor Mba’s plan to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion annually is already yielding visible results.

With a projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of ₦870 billion, the Caucus noted that Enugu State is now “emerging as one of Nigeria’s fast-rising economic powerhouses, closing in on the nation’s most competitive and investment-driven states.”

They commended the strong emphasis the budget places on economic expansion, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and social welfare, areas they described as critical to sustainable development and better quality of life for citizens.

“Building on the foundation laid since 2024, this 2026 budget underscores a remarkable trajectory of growth and reform. It reflects a commitment to empowering citizens, strengthening institutions, and positioning Enugu State as a hub of innovation, productivity, and investment,” the statement read.

The legislators also applauded Governor Mba’s adoption of advanced drone surveillance technology to strengthen security across the state.

They noted that the innovation has played a significant role in reducing incidents of kidnapping and improving overall public safety.

Reaffirming their support for the governor, the lawmakers pledged continued collaboration with his administration to advance policies that promote economic prosperity, enhance security, and improve the welfare of the people of Enugu State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put forward the name of Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former Chief of Naval Staff and the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, for appointment as a non-career ambassador.

Also nominated is Abdulrahman Dambazau, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, who will likewise serve as a non-career ambassador if confirmed.

Alongside them, the president included the names of former senator Ita Enang and Chioma Ohakim, the former First Lady of Imo State, in the latest batch of ambassadorial nominees.

This marks the third round of ambassadorial appointments made by the Tinubu administration.

Details shortly…

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence after an intensive five-hour screening session on Wednesday.

Musa’s confirmation came just a day after President Bola Tinubu forwarded his name to the lawmakers as a replacement for former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who resigned due to health challenges.

The new minister’s screening occurred amid worsening nationwide insecurity, marked by repeated mass abductions, many of them in schools.

One of the latest attacks included the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, shortly after troops deployed in the area reportedly withdrew.

Responding to questions from senators, General Musa vowed to investigate the alleged troop withdrawal, stressing that the Nigerian military “is not known for cowardice.”

He assured lawmakers that security agencies would intensify coordinated operations against criminal groups.

“We are going after them fully, working with all security agencies and MDAs,” he said. He also promised thorough oversight of military activities under the Ministry of Defence.

Kidnapping for ransom has remained rampant in several regions. According to a National Bureau of Statistics report, Nigerians paid an estimated N2.23 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024.

Musa maintained a firm position against negotiating with criminals or paying ransom, insisting that such actions strengthen criminal networks.

“Ransom payments must stop,” he said. “And in situations where payments happen, we should be able to track the money. Technology will be key.”

He emphasized the need for a national electronic database where each citizen has a verifiable digital identity to improve monitoring and intelligence gathering.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed Musa’s stance, arguing that negotiating with terrorists only enables them to regroup and acquire more weapons.

“This Senate is against negotiating with terrorists or paying ransom,” Akpabio said. “It has never worked. Even as governor, I never negotiated with terrorists.”

He criticized deradicalisation programmes, saying communities rarely accept rehabilitated militants, which often pushes them back into crime.

Akpabio assured Musa of the Senate’s support to strengthen national security and called for quicker judicial processes for criminal cases.

Musa’s confirmation marks the end of a swift transition following President Tinubu’s nomination.

His appointment comes less than two months after he was relieved of his role as the nation’s Chief of Defence Staff.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the recall of 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023 to fill manpower gaps in public schools across the state.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Sam Ogeh, Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), who said the governor directed a revalidation exercise for the teachers.

“All affected teachers are required to report to the RSUBEB State Office, Elechi Beach, Port Harcourt, for the revalidation exercise, which will hold on Wednesday,” Ogeh stated.

The decision follows sharp criticism from the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amawhule, over the poor state of learning in public schools.

The Assembly accused the executive of neglecting the education sector and failing to employ enough teachers.

Aforji Igwe, Chairman of the House Committee on Education, reported on visits to Township State Schools 1 and 2 along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, highlighting decaying infrastructure and understaffed classrooms. Amawhule added that past administrations left significant funds, which could have been used to improve school facilities.

Governor Fubara, however, said the poor conditions predate his administration and assured that the recall of teachers is part of efforts to bridge the manpower gap in the state’s schools.