The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Defence College (NDC) are to partner on overhauling the College’s curriculum to reflect Nigeria’s rapidly evolving security and governance landscape.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Oyewale said the agreement was made when the NDC Commandant, Rear Admiral Ahmed, led senior officers of the college on a courtesy visit to EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.

He quoted Ahmed as saying that the curriculum of the College needed a rejig in line with the present-day realities.

He lauded the EFCC’s expertise in tackling financial and economic crimes and solicited for the infusion of the skills in reviewing NDC’s curriculum.

“In taking over the college. I have discovered that the curriculum has not been reviewed for quite some time, and I feel that it should be reviewed in relation to our current realities.

”I feel that this agency would be of help. So, I want us to work closely in terms of what we put in the new curriculum.

”We cannot do it better than the master. We will need some insights on how to manage public funds. We want participants to learn about managing public funds.

”This is the input we want from this place and we want experts to come and talk to participants by the next course on things like that, so that any office they happen to go and take over they know exactly what to do,” he said.

Ahmed also commended Olukoyede and his team for the wonderful job they are doing for the country in terms of asset recovery and in terms of earning trust for the country.

”I also advise that you should please not rest on your oars. You should continue to do your best as much as you can.

”If there’s any research that you want us to carry out for you as an agency, we have a center for strategic research,” he said.

Olukoyede, in his response, expressed the appreciation of the commission for the visit and the proposal.

He assured the delegation of EFCC’s preparedness to work with the College to enable it achieve greater heights.

“Collaboration is a factor that brings about effectiveness and results. It’s important for us as government agencies to work together.

”We know we have a long history of collaboration with the National Defence College. We have been sending students for its programmes.

”Right now, we also have a student. That is a testament of our working together. We’ll continue to do that.

”We have a very good working relationship with the Navy, particularly in maritime investigation, arrest and prosecution of fraudsters.

”We are ready to take this to the next level, particularly with National Defence College in whatever area we need to work together in sanitizing the economy and the country,” he said.

Olukoyede explained that the commission’s mandate was to fight financial crimes, but there’s always a relationship between the work you do and what we do as well.

He said there were areas of collaboration where we can find synergy and work together in the interest of the nation.

”What you do is to train people, prepare their minds, policy areas and strategies, which are also key to our own mandate as well. In the nature of the crimes we fight, new trends are evolving.

”As a matter of fact, there’s an aspect of cryptocurrency fraud that the world is just waking up to. The world lost over $2 trillion to it last year.”

According these are emerging things, so we need to look at strategy, points of view and review your curriculum along those areas you need to look at.

”We are ready to collaborate with you in that particular area. We will love you to incorporate the development in financial crimes and corruption into your curriculum.

“We can also help you to sanitize your processes. When you are able to guarantee the sanctity of your processes, things will work right.

”It is not many people that come up with this kind of proposal for which you are inviting us over. Not very many people have that confidence.

”I believe that’s what has brought you to where you are today. Continue with that,” he said.

The Ebedaowei, HRH (Engr) Hope Aserifa Torru and members of the Kabowei Clan Traditional Council (Bayelsa) have expressed gratitude to the governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, for the approval of an 18.7 kilometer road linking eight communities in Sagbama LGA.

A statement signed by High Chief John Daria
Ekiopre-owei (Adviser), High Chief Freston Akpor
Ozitua-owei (Spokesman), and High Chief Stephen Kpodoh Fungei-owei (Secretary) Kabuowei Traditional Council, Bayelsa State, on behalf of the Traditional Council notes that the initiative will significantly enhance connectivity, as it will link Odoni-Agbere-Abuetor-Osifo-Osekwenike-Asamabiri-Ekperiwari and Elemebiri and have a sustainable impact on three Kabowei communities to be linked to the road.

The statement commends and salutes Governor Douye Diri for his foresight in extending and expanding the frontiers of infrastructural development to Kabowei and sister communities in Sagbama Constituency Three

It says the approval of the road project which is a counterpart funding scheme with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC would no doubt promote and stimulate the much needed economic development which will positively affect the overall quality of life in the beneficiary communities.

The statement also acknowledged the importance the government attached to the immediate take off of the project and early completion.

“We recognize the significance of reliable infrastructure and how crucial it is in fostering growth. This project is a testament to Governor Diri’s commitment to the welfare of our people”

The statement by the Kabowei Traditional Council also lauded the Governor for what it described as his people-centric leadership style and dedication to addressing the infrastructural gaps in communities across the state.

“While we anticipate the timely completion of the project and its positive impact be felt on our local economy and social cohesion, we are in a state of readiness to support and participate in the process of the flag-off to the completion of the project”.

The statement restated the Ebedaowei, Kabowei Traditional Council and the people’s continued commitment to collaborate with the state government in ensuring peace, progress and prosperity of communities in line with the aspirations of the “Prosperity Government” which has brought governance closer to the people, more than ever before.

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