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Kaduna, Nigeria – May 13, 2025 — The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially announced the commencement of its screening process for applicants seeking admission into the 77 Regular Course for the 2025 academic session. The announcement, made by the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Major Mohammed Maidawa, outlines the requirements and key dates for prospective candidates.

According to the statement, all applicants who participated in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and selected the NDA as their first-choice institution are eligible for consideration—provided they meet the minimum score requirements.

“A minimum UTME score of 180 is required for all courses, while candidates applying for engineering courses must have scored at least 210,” the release stated. Only those who meet these criteria will be allowed to select a screening centre and sit for the NDA Screening Test.

The nationwide NDA Screening Test is scheduled for Saturday, 24 May 2025. Candidates who are successful in the screening phase will proceed to the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) held at the Academy in Kaduna. There, they will undergo comprehensive evaluations including medical, physical, and psychological tests, as well as other assessments.

The final list of successful candidates is expected to be published in national newspapers and on the official NDA website in due course.

Meanwhile, the Academy has raised an alarm over a growing trend of online fraudsters impersonating NDA officials through fake social media accounts. These individuals reportedly disseminate false information and solicit payments under the guise of facilitating admission.

“The NDA has not authorized any individual or group to collect money on its behalf. Admission into the Academy is strictly based on merit, and the process is transparent,” warned Major Maidawa.

Prospective applicants and the general public are urged to rely only on the NDA’s verified communication channels for authentic updates. Official information is available on the Academy’s social media platforms, including:

TikTok: @ndefenceacademy

Facebook: facebook.com/@ndefenceacademy

Twitter (X): x.com/ndefenceacademy

Instagram: instagram.com/ndefenceacademy

YouTube: youtube.com/@ndefenceacademy

For direct inquiries, applicants may contact the NDA Registry via email at academyregistrar@nda.edu.ng.

The NDA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of training, discipline, and academic excellence, and looks forward to welcoming the next generation of officer cadets.

Malik Musa

Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Organizations has taken a swipe on Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, saying rather than him concentrating on developing the state, he instead choose to engage in blame games and attacks on those he considered political threats.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, convener of the coalition Aminu Abbas Arabi averred that since the assumption of office, Governor Lawal, a man who contested elections with a clear manifesto and blueprint has suddenly become overtly obsessed with the administration of his predecessor Bello Muhammed Matawalle without anything tangible to show for the huge allocations coming into the state.

Arabi further noted that it is on record that with the removal of subsidy, State allocations have more than doubled and no Governor or state has any excuse not to deliver democratic dividends to its people.

“In Zamfara State, instead of continuity and good governance, Governor Dauda Lawal has focused his attention on trying to demarket his predecessor pursuing imaginary probes and writing petitions upon petitions against a man who has never been found guilty or indicted of any crime.

“Instead of showing his scorecard and justifying the billions of naira allocated to Zamfara State since assumption of office, he has chosen to chase shadows and abandon the task he was elected to perform. This is a pure distraction from his core mandate and we find it not only repulsive but repugnant. It is, therefore, our firm position that his behavior is unbecoming of a sitting Governor, and if he feels inadequate to perform his duties, he should resign with immediate effect”.

The coalition also posited that under Governor Lawal’s administration, Zamfara has turned into an open abattoir and cemetery of sorts, adding that as the chief security officer of the State, the Governor has failed to stop the killings, stressing “all he does is blame others for his lapses. Communities are being sacked and terrorists have gained a foothold in many communities to the extent of collecting taxes and levies from vulnerable indigenes.

“Less than 72 hours ago, an imam and His son were killed in cold blood. His inability to act should be an embarrassment to everybody who identifies with good governance, and this is the time to tell Dauda the truth – he should either resign or act as a sitting Governor for once.

“It is also troubling that instead of concentrating on improving the internally generated revenue base of Zamfara State, the inefficient Dauda has rather prioritized bashing his predecessor about loans that were taken to develop the state. If he feels the funds accruable to Zamfara State are not enough, he should work towards increasing the internally generated revenue and attracting investors. It is sad to note that no investor has pitched a tent in Zamfara because of the widespread insecurity and unfavorable government policies since Dauda Lawal took over the mantle of leadership.

“Based on our objective observation, Governor Lawal Dauda is in no way interested in developing the state. His interest at this material time is to accumulate as many resources as possible to prosecute his reelection bid come 2027. This is totally unacceptable and we cannot sit idle and watch our Governor convert our revenue and resources to his personal estate at the expense of the suffering masses.

“Let us reiterate that Zamfara has no business with underdevelopment because the State is blessed with resources both physical and human. We insist that the Governor must wake up and go to work like other Governors are doing. He must intensify the revenue drive, block leakages, and come up with policies that will attract investors to Zamfara State. Other states such as Kaduna, Rivers, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and a lot more have done it, and he can also do it. We are tired of excuses and the blame games that have not taken Zamfara anywhere in the past two years.

“Let it be categorically clear, that the inefficiency of the Governor of Zamfara State has turned the military against the state. That’s why there’s no success in the fight against the bandits. The trinity of any war is the government, the military, and the people. In Zamfara State, the Governor has denied the people the opportunity to be part of the success story. He must take a cue from the Governor of Sokoto State who took power from a PDP Governor but has never come out to criticize his predecessor despite the pockets of insecurity incidences in the State.

The Sokoto State Governor, who is his next-door neighbor, has remained resolute, consistent, and determined to bring progress to his state. That’s what we expect of Mr. Dauda and not the shenanigans he’s displaying at the moment.

I”nsecurity and blame games have sadly become the mantra of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration. He has abandoned the concerns of his people and is obsessed with attacks on the personalities of his opponents. That’s certainly why he is not succeeding, unlike his counterparts in Katsina, Kaduna, and Kebbi, who, despite the insecurity in their states, have continued to advance the welfare and well-being of their people.

“His failures are directly responsible for the insecurity we are experiencing in the state even though he might want to make people believe the contrary. We are no longer comfortable with his cowardly tactics and failures. This is time for him to act decisively or forget about reelection entirely.

“As representatives of the people, we are issuing a 7 days ultimatum to the Governor to retrace his steps and avoid all forms of distractions that have so far retarded our progress. Failure to act will result in a massive protest, with more than 73 million of our registered members occupying the Government House, the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary Complex, and the State Secretariat. Our motive is clear, we can no longer tolerate inefficiency and the mundane politics of blame games not only in Zamfara but the whole of Northern Nigeria and elsewhere”.

ENDS

By Sowore Gbengha

The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has cleared a misconception surrounding recent attacks on Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, through a sponsored fake protest calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate him.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani, described the protest as another shameless and dishonest act perpetrated by a so-called faceless and non-existent group that claimed to be the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA), which staged a protest demanding the probe of Matawalle.

“This is nothing but another episode in the series of sponsored, devilish, and character-damaging campaigns by certain unpatriotic, dishonest enemies of democracy threatened by the gigantic successes achieved by the Minister. The opposition has allegedly set aside a sum of 2 billion naira for such purposes.

“All their campaigns are nowhere close to the truth but are full of jargon, falsehoods, and devilish notes meant for destructive purposes. This is not the first attempt — they have tried using different organizations and persons, all of which have failed, yet they refuse to back down.”

He added, “We are here to expose them to Nigerians, reveal their real identities as the criminals and frauds that they are, and bring an end to their sponsored and unpatriotic plot. The APC-YLA is non-existent and nonfunctional, created solely for this smear campaign against Minister Matawalle.

“The address they provided is fake; it is merely a marketplace with no proper location. The protest itself was a farce — only a few participants were above 18, while the rest were minors, hired and paid peanuts to carry placards and chant slogans they did not understand.”

CNF also reported the matter to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing concern that the party’s name was being used in vain. The forum called on the APC and security agencies to investigate the group and publish a full list of its alleged members and affiliates.

The group expressed confidence that the ruling party would not allow itself to be used as a tool for witch hunts or personal vendettas and urged security agencies to act swiftly to expose and stop the imposters.

“We maintain that this madness must stop, sanity must return, and the normal status quo must be followed,” it stressed.

ENDS

By Christian Simon

Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has withdrawn allegations previously made against former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defense, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, admitting that the group was misinformed by political opponents.

At a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, CNF Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed declared that the earlier statements were based on misleading information aimed at tarnishing Matawalle’s image.

“I wish to unequivocally state that I was misled by the information presented to me, and the content of the press text was blown out of proportion,” Mohammed stated. “It was a political witch hunt, deliberately orchestrated and propagated by the opposition who are envious of the Minister’s achievements.”

The chairman had earlier urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Matawalle for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor, but has now retracted the call, labeling it part of a broader political strategy.

Mohammed praised Matawalle’s leadership in Zamfara, citing numerous achievements across critical sectors including security, infrastructure, health, education, and economic development.

He highlighted key projects such as the construction of a new airport, major road projects, water system improvements, and the procurement of over 200 Hilux vehicles and ambulances. He also noted the installation of solar-powered streetlights in the state capital and the establishment of primary healthcare centers in all 147 wards.

In education and technology, the former governor was credited with settling examination backlogs for NECO and WAEC, and establishing a Digital World ICT Center and a Command and Control Room in Gusau.

Mohammed also mentioned investments in infrastructure such as the renovation of the State House of Assembly, construction of a governor’s lodge in Kaduna, and the acquisition of Best Premier Hotel in Abuja as a state asset.

The CNF chairman alleged that the Zamfara State Government had released over two billion naira to fund a smear campaign against Matawalle, whom he described as a political threat to the current administration in the state.

“We call on the general public to disregard such toxic news and any future press conferences sponsored to malign the Minister,” he said. “Matawalle to the best of our knowledge did well as Governor and is presently doing extremely well in the security sector towards actualizing the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.”

Mohammed concluded with an appeal to Nigerians to support the administration’s vision: “We deeply acknowledge and commend the efforts of this administration in restructuring and ultimately building a new Nigeria.”

ENDS

By Grace Manaya

A prominent youth advocacy group in Zamfara State, Zamfara Youth for Progress (ZYP), has strongly condemned what it describes as a politically-driven plot to discredit the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, warning that such moves could undermine the ongoing progress in the fight against insecurity across the North.

In a statement released to the media on Monday and signed by its chairman, Tijjani Musa Tsafe, the group alleged that a press conference was being planned by certain individuals, purportedly sponsored by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to malign the image and efforts of Minister Matawalle.

“We hereby issue this statement as a clarion call to the youth and citizens of Zamfara, urging them to reject any attempts to destabilize the ongoing fight against insecurity in our region,” the group stated.

According to the youth group, the North—especially Zamfara State—has witnessed a significant reduction in banditry and other violent crimes, thanks to the focused and strategic operations led by Minister Matawalle in collaboration with the military and other security agencies.

Chairman Tijjani Musa Tsafe noted that several notorious bandit leaders have been neutralized under Matawalle’s leadership, resulting in the restoration of relative peace to many communities that were once under siege.

“It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate these achievements rather than allow ourselves to be drawn into divisive politics that serve only the interests of a few,” he said.

The group criticized the alleged plan to host a press conference targeting the Minister as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and a distraction from the urgent task of securing the region.” According to ZYP, the individuals and groups behind the move are “disorganized, unrepresentative, and motivated solely by personal ambition and the desire for public recognition.”

“They are hungry for attention and recognition, but their actions threaten to derail the progress we have made in combating insecurity,” the statement added.

The group emphasized that Zamfara—and by extension, the entire North—cannot afford any distractions at this critical time when real gains are being recorded in the war against banditry.

“We call upon these non-existent groups to desist from their misguided plans. The people of Zamfara deserve leaders who prioritize the welfare of their constituents above personal ambitions,” Tsafe said.

He urged political actors to allow Minister Matawalle and the Federal Government the space and support needed to continue executing effective security strategies that are already showing results. “The stakes are too high, and the consequences of such distractions could be dire for our communities.”

The youth group went further to describe Matawalle as a “beacon of hope for the North,” noting that his leadership and commitment have brought tangible changes to a region long plagued by insecurity.

“The reduction in banditry and violence is not merely a statistic; it is a testament to the lives saved and the families reunited,” the statement said. “As a community, we must rally behind him and support his efforts, for he is now the only remaining hope for the Northerners.”

ZYP concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and united against any schemes meant to destabilize the fragile peace currently enjoyed in many parts of the North.

“We must focus our energies on supporting those who are genuinely working to improve our lives rather than engaging in futile political squabbles,” the statement concluded. “Let us stand together in solidarity, championing the cause of peace and security for Zamfara and the North as a whole.”

Would you like this formatted as a press release or ready for newspaper publication layout?

By Ada Odeh

The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a state-sponsored smear campaign allegedly being orchestrated by the Zamfara State Government to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Danjuma Paul, the forum alleged that approximately two billion naira has been released to certain groups to hold press conferences and circulate media content aimed at tarnishing the image of Minister Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, and to question his appointment into President Tinubu’s cabinet.

Comrade Paul stated that the forum, known for promoting peace and national unity, viewed the alleged campaign as politically motivated and dangerous to national cohesion. He accused certain political actors within Zamfara of instigating the media assaults due to their fears over Matawalle’s growing national influence.

“These campaigns of calumny are not grounded in evidence,” the statement read. “They are a deliberate attempt to destroy the reputation of a man who has dedicated himself to addressing Nigeria’s deep security challenges.”

According to the NSCF, the campaign includes plans to pressure the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigations into Matawalle’s tenure as governor—despite the lack of new evidence or legal grounds.

The group argued that such efforts are meant to weaken the Defence Minister’s credibility and distract him from his national responsibilities. It warned that the political attacks are not only unfair but could also undermine ongoing security operations in the North.

“Matawalle’s appointment as Minister of State for Defence came at a time when Nigeria urgently needed a hands-on approach to rising insecurity,” Comrade Paul said. “His experience as a former governor of a crisis-ridden state gives him a practical understanding of the threats facing our people.”

NSCF further claimed that the coordinated attacks appear to coincide with intensifying political maneuverings in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 general elections. The forum alleged that these smear tactics are designed to weaken Matawalle’s influence both within the state and nationally.

“The timing of these attacks is too strategic to ignore. Political actors are clearly preparing for the next elections and are using these campaigns to eliminate perceived obstacles,” the statement continued.

Beyond the politics, the forum expressed concern that the continued circulation of falsehoods and half-truths could further divide the country at a time when national unity is essential.

“This isn’t just about one man,” Comrade Paul warned. “The kind of divisive rhetoric being peddled by these groups has serious implications for our national security. It creates distractions and undermines confidence in the government’s security agenda.”

He stressed that the fight against insecurity must be devoid of political interference, especially in states like Zamfara, which have been ravaged by banditry and violent crimes.

“We cannot afford to let personal ambitions sabotage the collective goal of peace and stability,” he added.

The NSCF called on law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police and relevant security institutions, to investigate the funding and origin of the defamatory campaigns. It argued that spreading disinformation for political gain should be treated as a form of political violence.

“This is a deliberate assault on democracy and governance,” Paul said. “Those responsible must be identified and held to account.”

Zamfara has long been a flashpoint in Nigeria’s security crisis. Frequent clashes between state and federal officials over how best to tackle insecurity have fueled tensions. Despite this, Matawalle’s appointment to the federal cabinet was seen by many as a step toward synergy and more effective policy coordination.

In a previous statement, Matawalle dismissed the accusations as baseless, politically charged, and designed to derail his work. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the nation and commitment to working with all stakeholders to secure Nigeria.

“My focus has always been on the safety and well-being of Nigerians,” Matawalle said. “These distractions will not deter me from my mandate.”

The NSCF ended its statement with a broader warning: that unchecked misinformation and politically motivated attacks can corrode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.

“As the political climate heats up ahead of 2027, we must be vigilant. We must put Nigeria first,” the forum stated. “Unity and collaboration, not division and deceit, will deliver peace to this nation.”

ENDS

The Kaduna Youths for Peace and Development (KYPD) group has denied reports of the arrest of Nura Usman, a self acclaimed youth activist and advocate for good governance, by the Kaduna government.

According to the group ,Usman was invited by the police to explain a malicious Facebook post, but he evaded arrest and switched off his phone to create a false narrative.

Sahara Reporters claimed Usman was abducted and tortured by security operatives over his Facebook posts criticizing government policies.

But in a reaction, KYPD denies Usman’s arrest and torture, calling the report false and a cheap blackmail.The group claimed Usman posted a false and inciting statement capable of breaching public peace in the state.

In a Statement jointly signed by the Chairman,Comrade Musa Lere and Secretary,Comrade Joseph Maigari the group which expressed sadness over
the Sahara Reporters’ story on Kaduna Government Critic, Nura Usman Abducted, Tortured Over Facebook Post As Wife reported is nothing but false.

It stated further, “He was never arrested and still on the run.He is running away from the law. He posted a false and inciting statement capable of breaching public peace in the state. He couldn’t substantiate his claim. His invitation by the security operatives has nothing to do with Kaduna State Government as reported.”

Nura Usman had posted on Facebook handle:”Information reaching my desk just now has revealed that some aides of a governor from Kaduna State have met with some selected student leaders of the state-owned university.

“These aides have commissioned the student leaders to hold a press conference and publicly condemn the ongoing strike by lecturers, who are urging the state government to fulfill outstanding demands after multiple unmet promises.

“Sources indicate that the student leaders have received the sum of N20,000 from the aides in question to facilitate this press conference. We shall see”.

On those behind Nura Usman inciting post ,the group averred,” We see him as someone allegedly being sponsored by former Kaduna State Governor,Mal. Nasiru Elrufai against Governor Uba Sani.

However, the Sahara Reporters quoted , a petition dated May 2, 2025,where he stated that ” a law firm alleged that Mr. Usman was abducted on the night of April 30 by heavily armed operatives of Operation Fushin Kada, a joint security task force comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, DSS, Police, and other agencies.

“The law firm in the petition claimed the arrest was ordered by powerful officials within the Kaduna State Government, allegedly in retaliation for Facebook posts made by Mr. Usman on April 28 and 29 that criticized certain government policies.

“This is untrue and should be disregard by the public.”it stressed.

A former Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, has lambasted Senate President Godswill Akpabio, asking him to directly address the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and others, rather than hiding behind what he described as “hired blackmailers and image launderers.”

Abdullahi made the call while referencing the recent public campaign led by one Professor Mgbake, who has emerged as a vocal critic of Senator Natasha.

He accused Mgbake of peddling falsehoods and engaging in a calculated effort to distract from the serious allegations against the Senate President.

“While Mgbake publicly denied any link to the Senate President, she contradicted herself by revealing Senator Akpabio’s private phone number during her media attacks,” Abdullahi said, adding that such an act strongly suggests coordination between her and Akpabio’s camp.

He described Mgbake’s involvement as “a desperate media campaign” to shield the Senate President from accountability, urging Nigerians not to be distracted by what he termed “a circus of deception.”

Abdullahi further raised concerns about Mgbake’s reputation, citing past allegations of fraud and deception.

He referenced multiple online reports, including a Nairaland thread labelling her a con artist, and an investigative piece by Secrets Reporter, which accused her of defrauding clients using front companies.

He also linked her to a recent smear campaign against Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, shared on her Facebook page.

“It is both disgraceful and cowardly for a high-ranking public officer like the Senate President to associate with individuals of such questionable reputation,” Abdullahi said. “Rather than defend himself with honour, Akpabio has chosen to hide behind people whose public records are smeared with controversy and criminal allegations.”

He also cast doubt on the credibility of Mgbake’s academic qualifications, saying her claim to a professorship remains unverified.

“It is unfortunate that a matter as sensitive and serious as sexual harassment is being reduced to a media circus involving paid agents and individuals who themselves lack public trust,” he added.

Abdullahi concluded by urging Senator Akpabio to respond to the allegations with the dignity and transparency expected of a national leader.

“This is about integrity and accountability. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed should be above scrutiny,” he said.

“The Senate President must rise to the occasion and prove his innocence through facts, not hired propaganda.”

The Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria (FGGN) has called on Nigerians to ignore what it described as “sponsored groups” mobilized to discredit the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari.

In a statement made available to journalists, the group said Kyari had served the nation with dedication and patriotism, and therefore did not deserve the wave of attacks being orchestrated against him.

“Nigerians must learn to reward hard work and commitment to service, as is the practice in most developed countries,” the group stated.

The FGGN expressed disappointment that the protesters had failed to acknowledge Kyari’s significant contributions, particularly his efforts to revive the country’s ailing refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.

Describing Kyari as the most outstanding GCEO in the history of NNPCL, the group dismissed those behind the attacks as “jobless individuals with no vision for the future.”

The statement, signed by its Chairman, Comrade Bala Usman Sani, highlighted some of Kyari’s key achievements during his tenure. It noted that Kyari inherited a struggling NNPC but succeeded in transforming it into a more efficient and credible institution.

“He was recognized as the Outstanding Employer of the Year 2022 by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria,” the statement noted. “He maintained a national strategic fuel reserve that served the country effectively during fuel shortages and worked tirelessly to stem the smuggling of petroleum products across borders.”

The group also credited Kyari with encouraging private investments in refinery development—such as the Dangote Refinery and other modular refinery projects—and for pushing forward the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.

It added that Kyari played a pivotal role in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which led to the successful incorporation of NNPC under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

“Under Kyari, the national oil company recorded significant progress, including increased domestic natural gas consumption, an oil production boost to 1.8 million barrels per day, and the revival of two major refineries,” the statement read.

The group also pointed to the introduction of the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda under Kyari’s leadership, which it said helped address inefficiencies and restore public trust in the national oil firm.

FFGN concluded its statement by calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and not allow “politically motivated distractions” to undermine the achievements of those who have genuinely served the country.