The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zumach and Associates Limited, to begin local manufacturing of armoured vehicles, weapons and other military hardware.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, said the agreement would elevate Nigeria’s defence-industrial capacity.

Alaya added that the MoU would also fast-track the production of critical systems such as tanks, Mines Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), armoured vehicles and a range of armaments.

He said the breakthrough became possible following the signing of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, which opened new opportunities for collaboration between DICON and both local and international defence manufacturers.

“This partnership marks a defining moment for us. The DICON Act signed by Mr President has given us the mandate and the freedom to collaborate, innovate and produce military equipment here in Nigeria.

“We deeply appreciate the President, the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for their constant support.

“Today’s success is a product of their belief that this vision will work,” he said.

Alaya added that DICON and its partners intend to “hit the ground running” with no delays, stressing that joint teams would immediately begin work from raw-material processing to final assembly and testing.

The Managing Director of Zumach and Associates, Mr Chris Ezumah, said the partnership would boost Nigeria’s defence autonomy and unlock large-scale production capabilities.

Ezumah described the agreement as “a call to higher responsibility” and pledged total commitment to operational excellence, innovation and accountability.

In her remarks, Zumach’s Director of Operations, Mrs Chrital Ezumah, said the company had already supplied over 600 armoured capsules under similar programmes globally, adding that all vehicles in the new partnership were designed for full local manufacturing.

“This is a proven solution. These designs are already in use in several countries. We are ready to begin local production immediately,” she said.

Ezumah described the signing as the beginning of “shared work, strategic discipline and purposeful implementation,” aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence manufacturing base and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

She reaffirmed commitment to work closely with DICON to deliver high-grade military equipment capable of meeting national and regional security needs.

The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the slow pace of negotiations with the Federal Government.

The union has also cautioned that the country may face another round of industrial action if pending issues are not urgently resolved.

The Zonal Coordinator, Dr Abdulkadir Muhammad, stated this on Monday in Kano during a press briefing on the outcome of the Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9 at Taraba State University.

He said ASUU was disappointed that weeks after suspending its two-week warning strike of Oct. 13, the government had not shown the level of commitment required to resolve long-standing issues affecting the university system.

Muhammad said the warning strike was suspended on Oct. 21 to provide room for meaningful engagement and in response to appeals from stakeholders including the National Assembly, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), parents, students and the wider public.

“Unfortunately, the hope for a holistic, amicable and timely resolution is being dashed,” he said.

Muhammad added that some government officials were “peddling false narratives” to create the impression that ASUU’s demands had been largely met.

The coordinator said although the government had cleared some promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and released parts of withheld third-party deductions, the payments had been significantly eroded by inflation and did not translate into improved welfare for academics.

Muhammad described the continued neglect of the education sector as alarming, noting that the trend was contributing to the massive brain drain in public universities.

He also criticised the proliferation of universities without adequate funding, warning that the practice was reducing the quality of tertiary education nationwide.

The zonal coordinator welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal tertiary institutions and urged that the policy be extended to state governments.

“Many state governments establish universities as political projects without a sustainable funding plan.

“With ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government nearing expiration, we appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, students to prevail on the government to address the outstanding issues and avert a fresh nationwide strike,” he said.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has renewed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking wider financial and institutional support for indigenous oil and gas service companies, citing the success of Tamrose Limited and the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as a strong demonstration of what structured, accessible support can achieve.

Speaking at a landmark stakeholder event held at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Headquarters in Yenagoa, the Minister commended Tamrose Limited for its financial discipline and operational growth following the full repayment of its $10 million NCI Fund facility. He noted that the company’s progress underscores the importance of expanding support mechanisms to enable more Nigerian-owned companies to scale capacity and deepen their participation in the country’s offshore and marine logistics sector.

He said, “Over 70 companies have accessed the NCI Fund, yet only 21 have fully repaid their loans — and Tamrose is one of them. Their achievement reflects the very purpose for which the Fund was created: to strengthen local capacity and empower Nigerian service companies to compete at home and across Africa. Through this support, Tamrose has not only grown its operations but expanded beyond Nigeria’s shores, increasing its fleet from four vessels to fifteen, creating jobs for Nigerians, and setting a clear benchmark for operational excellence. As Minister and Chairman of NCDMB, our commitment is to continue fostering this kind of growth by ensuring that indigenous companies receive the support they need to scale, thrive, and deepen their contribution to the nation’s oil and gas sector.’’

Also speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the General Manager, Corporate Communications & Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile, described Tamrose as an example of the outcomes envisioned when indigenous firms apply discipline, capability, and innovation in their operations noting, “Today is not just a celebration of one company; it is a reaffirmation of what is achievable through the Nigerian Content framework. Tamrose has shown strong leadership, financial fidelity, and accountability. Their growth—from a small operator to a major marine logistics service provider—is proof that the NCI Fund is working. This is why we will continue to support more credible Nigerian companies to access this fund and expand their capacity.”

The event themed “Celebration of Growth and Impact” hosted by Tamrose in collaboration NCDMB, brought together senior government officials, leaders of international and indigenous oil companies, financial institutions, traditional rulers, and other strategic partners. Distinguished guests included Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director of the Bank of Industry; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA; Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State; and representatives of Keystone Bank, ExxonMobil, First E&P, and Oriental Energy.

In his remarks, Mr. Ambrose Ovbiebo, Executive Chairman of Tamrose Limited, expressed appreciation to the Ministry, NCDMB, and Bank of Industry for their support and reiterated the company’s commitment to strengthening indigenous capacity in offshore marine logistics. He said, ‘’We are gathered here today using Tamrose as a point of contact, a convergence and amplification of the voices of all Nigerian entrepreneurs in the oil and gas sector and beyond. We are here to say loudly that Nigeria can work, and that indigenous Nigerian companies can scale and dominate Africa and indeed the world — with the right government and institutional support. In 2019, Tamrose accessed and secured a US $10 million facility through the NCI Fund. That singular support from NCDMB turned out to become not just pivotal, but a foundational catalyst that has propelled and continues to accelerate our growth and evolution as a company. Since then, our operations have grown from four vessels to fifteen active units, comprising ten security patrol vessels and five platform supply vessels — all purpose-built and carefully selected, to safely deliver our hallmark excellent services of reliability and efficiency. ‘’

Over the years, Tamrose Limited has consistently demonstrated its commitment to indigenous capacity development, human capital growth, and community empowerment through a range of initiatives. Since accessing the NCI Fund in 2019, the company has expanded its fleet from four to fifteen vessels — achieving about 300% fleet growth and extending operations from Nigeria to Angola while proudly flying the Nigerian flag everywhere they go. Tamrose has created nearly 250 direct jobs, supported over 600 indirect family livelihoods across the maritime ecosystem, and trained more than 100 cadets under the Tamrose Cadetship Training Scheme to international seafaring standards. The company has also enhanced healthcare accessibility for its workforce, enrolling over 1,500 employees in HMOs, and significantly accelerated NCDMB’s goal of achieving 70% local content by 2027. Beyond business growth, these initiatives underscore Tamrose’s ongoing commitment to building a strong, skilled, and sustainable Nigerian maritime sectors

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has strongly condemned what he described as a deliberate campaign of misinformation aimed at portraying Rivers State as unsafe. He reaffirmed that the state remains peaceful and fully open for business, tourism, and major events.

Speaking on Sunday night at the grand finale of the Python Golf Club’s 6th Edition Chief Ikenna Okafor 2025 Pro-Amateur Golf Championship in Port Harcourt, the Governor said the large turnout of visitors from across the African continent was clear evidence that the negative narratives circulating in the media are engineered, exaggerated, and politically motivated.

“I can tell you the truth: more than half of the things you read in the media are not true,” he said. “Worse things have happened in other states, but because they manage their media, people don’t read about them. But in our case, just to run us down and make us look like the devil with invisible horns, they say anything to portray us in a bad light.”

The governor argued that some enemies of Rivers have “weaponised” the state’s challenges in a bid to distort public perception for their own advantage.

While acknowledging that earlier political tensions caused about six months of disruption, Governor Fubara emphasised that peace has since returned, allowing security agencies to function more effectively.

He praised the coordinated efforts of the joint security team, describing their performance as “wonderful” since his administration resumed full activity.

Highlighting the normalcy experienced by guests during the tournament, the Governor noted that visitors moved freely, socialised, and enjoyed the city without any incident.

“Let me thank everyone who has come into Rivers State to participate in this competition. Your presence signifies only one thing: that Rivers State is safe, contrary to what we hear, what we read, and how our state is being presented in the media.”

Governor Fubara pledged continued government support for the competition, including the now to be revived Governor’s Cup tournament, and promised additional assistance to enhance the golf club’s facilities. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to nurturing events that attract national and international participation.

Calling on participants to share their positive experiences when they return to their various states and countries, the Governor said Rivers State is deliberately working to reclaim and rebuild its public image.

“Our mission is simple,” he said. “To change our story, protect our state, and remind everyone that Rivers State is ours and it is safe.”

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, said the prevailing atmosphere of peace motivated them to hold the tournament in Rivers State, and its successful conclusion has validated that decision.

He expressed appreciation to the Governor for attending the event and for offering inspiring words that assure continued state support for future editions.

Earlier, chief celebrant of the Python Golf Club’s 6th Edition CIO 2025 Pro-Amateur Golf Championship, Chief Ikenna Okafor, had expressed delight at having a sitting Governor visit the club premises during the competition, something, he said had not happened in 15 years.

He promised to revive the Governor’s Cup tournament, and ensure more championships are held to bring visitors and tourists to the state every year, soliciting government support for the game.

He added that the tournament attracted participants from eight African countries and players from 36 golf clubs across Nigeria, underscoring its significance and the confidence they have in Rivers State.

Highlights of the event included presentation of prizes to winners, cutting of birthday cake of Chief Okenna Okafor and toast to better tournaments ahead.