President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday it was “impossible” to isolate Russia, as the country faces unprecedented Western sanctions over its military operation in Ukraine.
“No matter how much someone would like to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do this,” Putin told the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Pacific port city of Vladivostok.
The coronavirus “epidemic has been replaced by other challenges, also of a global nature, threatening the whole world,” Putin said in televised remarks.
“I mean the sanctions fever in the West, its undisguised aggressive attempts to impose behaviour patterns on other countries, deprive them of their sovereignty and subordinate them to their will,” Putin added.
Washington and Brussels have pummelled Moscow with a barrage of economic and personal sanctions after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for the successful hosting of the well-attended “Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security” held recently in Abuja. He stated this when the President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Zubair Sirajo paid him a courtesy call at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Abuja. According to Air Marshal Amao, going by the theme of the Summit, ‘Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust’, it was obvious that it aimed at bridging the widening trust gap between the leaders and the citizens, as well as amongst the citizens, through promotion of national integration and enhancement of cross-country peaceful co-existence. He went on to add that, ‘For us in the Nigerian Air Force, we see your efforts as non-kinetic means of frontally confronting and addressing the myriads of security challenges facing us as a nation in view of its import to national integration and cohesion, reconciliation, peace and unity of all Nigerians.’ Air Marshal Amao went further to state that the NAF concurred with the notion that most Nigerians care less about the country’s political problems, but rather its accelerated development and a stronger Nigeria built on equity, fairness, and justice. ‘Indeed, a Nigeria built on these ideals will surely minimize the risk of conflict and violent which are inimical to national security,’ he noted.
The CAS went on to aver that a whole-of-society approach towards tackling the various security challenges confronting the country remains the surest bet towards finding lasting solutions to the security challenges and Summits such as the ‘Citizens Summit’ are the non-kinetic means deployed to give Nigerians a sense of national cohesion and integration. He also added that though the NAF, in synergy with other sister Services, has stepped up its air operations against enemies of the State with varying degrees of success, the efforts can barely address 20 percent of the security challenges being faced while the remaining 70 percent will be resolved via non-kinetic means such as the recently held NIPR Summit. The CAS then assured the NIPR team of NAF’s support as they continually seek ways to foster cohesion, promote understanding, build relationships, and improve peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
Earlier, Mallam Sirajo had intimated Air Marshal Amao on the raison d etre behind the NIPR-organized ‘Citizens Summit’ which according to him, arose from Nigeria’s future being plagued by several developmental issues, lingering insecurity and unabating wave of agitations for cessation, among other challenges. This challenges thus informed the need for the Summit which wasn’t necessarily an event per se but a process that will fast-track national integration, peace and security. Mallam Mukhtar also briefed the CAS on NIPR’s solution-driven platform initiated by NIPR which necessitated the Institute to tour the 6 geo-political zones of the Country to feel the pulse of Nigerians on the need for national cohesion and reintegration. While informing the CAS that NIPR remains the only legal entity approved by law for the regulation of PR practices in Nigeria, the Chairman added that though it frowned at the appointment of non professionals as PR Managers of government organizations, the Institute now conducts crashed master classes for such persons to enable them to be absorbed into the fold of the Institute.
In commending the CAS on his military leadership style which has seen the NAF play frontal roll in the decimation of terrorists, Mallan Sirajo noted that the outcome of NAF’s targeting of terrorists’ enclaves is there for all to see and appreciate. He thereafter solicited for NAF’s support in subsequent summits and other people-oriented projects. On the Chairman’s entourage were Vice President NIPR, Assistant Controller General of Custom Wale Adeniyi, Dr. Ike Neliaku, Chairman, NIPR Citizens Summit and other Council Members.
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned in totality, the attack and heinous killing of many worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owa-luwa Street, Owo town, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The students’ body, in its reaction, charged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and the Ondo State Government under the watch of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to nip in the bud, the rising insecurity in Owo town and to ensure that the perpetrators of the “massacre” are brought to book.
The Executive Director, Campus Intervention, NANS National Secretariat, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, condemned how some gunmen on Sunday invaded the church during its Pentecost Sunday mass and shot many dead.
It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, some unknown gunmen attacked and opened fire on members of the church, leaving many feared dead and scores of others injured. This is sad. It is inhumane, sardonic, satanic and pathetic,” Uthman said.
He expressed worry that Owo Local Government Area houses one of the state-owned tertiary institutions, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, asking security agencies to ensure that the assailants do not go scot-free.
“It is sad and inhumane waking up to such heart wrecking news as this is an unexpected development. The perpetrators of Owo massacre must not go unpunished.
“The leadership of the students body condemn in totality, this satanic activity as this unfortunate incident is highly condemnable and it poses a serious threat to our collective existence as a people.The various heads of security agencies should as a matter of urgency deploy their men to the community to monitor and restore normalcy as the lives of our students studying in Owo town is so precious to us as a leadership.We call on all Nigerian students in the Sunshine State to be law abiding, vigilant and not to take laws into their hands.NANS also commiserates with families of those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate attack and bring succor to the wounded,” he said.
The Russian ruble rallied to its strongest levels against the euro and dollar since June 2015 and March 2018 respectively on Friday, which analysts attributed to EU countries preparing to pay Russia for gas and to capital controls imposed by Moscow.
Russia said on Thursday that half of gas giant Gazprom’s 54 clients have opened accounts at Gazprombank, as European companies approach imminent deadlines to pay for their gas supplies.
Opening such accounts became possible after EU executives allowed member states to keep buying Russian gas without breaching the slew of sanctions they have collectively imposed on Russia over what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine that started on February 24.
One of the main reasons for the ruble rally is the switch to rubles from euros that will take place in European payments for Russian gas, said Yuri Popov, a strategist at SberCIB Investment Research, a unit of Russia’s No.1 lender Sberbank.
At 0807 GMT the ruble had firmed more than 5 percent to 61.10 against the euro in volatile trade on the Moscow Exchange after touching 59.02, its strongest since June 2015.
Against the dollar, it added more than 4 percent on the day to 59.10 after hitting 57.0750, a level not seen since late March 2018.
The ruble has firmed around 30 percent to the dollar this year despite a full-scale economic crisis in Russia, making it the best-performing currency, albeit artificially supported by controls imposed in late February to shield Russia’s financial sector after it sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.
The ruble is being partly driven by export-focused companies that are obliged to convert their foreign currency revenue after Western sanctions froze nearly half of Russia’s gold and forex reserves.
“Exporters are forced to sell [foreign currency] and there is no one to buy it,” a trader at an investment company in Moscow said.
Preparations for month-end taxes due next week have also boosted demand for rubles, while demand for dollars and euros remains low due to disrupted imports chains and restrictions on withdrawing foreign currency from bank accounts and moving it out of Russia.
“The key question is whether the central bank will step in as the excessive ruble firming is not in the finance ministry’s and budget’s plans,” Evgeny Suvorov, an analyst at CentroCreditBank, said.
Kirill Tremasov, the head of the central bank’s monetary policy department, said on Friday that the ruble remained a free-floating currency, RIA news agency reported.
The central bank declined to comment on the ruble rate.
Inflation brake
Outside the Moscow Exchange, the ruble remained much weaker. Sberbank was selling cash dollars for 68.83 rubles and euros for 71.24 rubles.
A stronger ruble will help put a brake on inflation and is beneficial for importers, but it hurts those who sell goods and services abroad for foreign currency, meaning reduced incomes for Russia’s export-dependent budget.
Analysts say Russian authorities are not interested in a substantial ruble strengthening from current levels and expect the currency to weaken by the end of the year.
In a sign that the authorities are ready to gradually lift capital controls, the central bank allowed banks to sell people’s foreign currency without any restrictions from May 20, with the exception of US dollars and euros.
Meanwhile, Russian stock indexes were mixed on Friday.
The dollar-denominated RTS index rose 2.6 percent to 1,278.9 points. The ruble-based MOEX Russian index was 1.4 percent lower at 2,402.9 points, pressured by the ruble’s appreciation.
banknotes in this illustration taken on April 7, 2022. (Reuters)A Russian ruble banknote is placed on Euro banknotes in this illustration taken on April 7, 2022. (Reuters)Russia Ukraine conflict
The Nigerian Army, on Friday, pulled out 14 Infantry generals from active service in a colourful ceremony in Kaduna.
The retired officers who were pulled out in a parade at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna, included eight Major Generals and six Brigadier Generals.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pulling out parade was in line of activities marking the end of the seven-day Combat Arms Training Week.
Combat arms are the Infantry and Armour Corps of the Nigerian Army which are specially and directly involved in battle.null
Speaking on behalf of the pulled-out Generals, retired Major General Ahmad Muhammad said the pulling out parade was a recognition of their positive contribution to the Infantry Corps when they were in active service.
Muhammad, a former Commander of the Infantry Corps, added that the honour of pulling them out was also borne out of their positive contributions to the nation while serving at respective commands in the Nigerian Army.
“Pulling us out in such colourful event is a way of giving us back what we have given to the system.
“The strategic intent is to encourage those coming behind us to work hard, diligently,” he said.
Muhammad noted that as retired officers, they would continue to respond to calls towards contributing positively to the development of the Infantry Corps and the Nigerian Army at large.
“Based on our exit dates from active service, we can contribute at different levels of response; based on our exit dates, we can only contribute at strategic levels.
In a colourful Passing Out Parade (POP)) held on Saturday, 30 April 2022, at Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), witnessed a boost to its manpower strength with the combined POP of additional 1,549 recruits of Basic Military Training Course 42/2021 and 49 Branch Commission Officers of Course 1/2022. In his address, the Reviewing Officer, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, advised the graduands not to see the military profession as just another job, but one that requires absolute discipline, loyalty, hard work and all seriousness especially at this crucial time when the Nation is battling the challenges of insecurity on several fronts. He also reminded them that the military as a noble profession demands extraordinary courage, commitment, and patriotism, and Nigeria will continue to count on them and demand such qualities from them. The Reviewing Officer also noted that the training they have received was deliberately made to be demanding to simulate, as closely as possible, the real-life scenarios they were likely to encounter going forward. Indeed, while they have every reason to feel proud and fulfilled for what they have achieved, it also marked the beginning of another challenging but rewarding phase of their careers as officers and airmen/airwomen in the NAF. He then encouraged them to ensure optimal utilization of resources while subordinating their personal interests to those of the Service and the Nation. According to him, “Above all, you must exhibit the core values of ‘Integrity’, ‘Service before Self’ and ‘Excellence’ for which the NAF is known.” The Reviewing officer also appreciated the President, Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mohammadu Buhari, for his unflinching support to meet the Armed Forces operational and logistics requirements in general and the NAF in particular. In closing, he commended the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao for providing the right leadership to his officers, airmen and airwomen. According to him, “I have noted with satisfaction, measures that you have emplaced to engender transparency, accountability, and prudent utilisation of resources for optimal results. I implore you not to relent and assure you of my continued support to sustain your capacity development efforts.” In his welcome address at the pipping ceremony, the CAS stated that the ceremony marked the first time the NAF was solely training and graduating Branch Commission cadets, believing that the enlistment of duly qualified airmen/airwomen as officers through Branch Commissioning will bolster morale towards more hardwork, excellence and loyalty in the NAF. The CAS also added that the NAF has since taken cognizance of its primary duties in the maintenance of security and promotion of peace in the country which, he said, has been facilitated through the active support of the Honourable Minister of Defence. Consequently, NAF force structure has been modified to emplace a strong air force that more effectively provide support to surface forces and responsive to the security needs of the nation. “I therefore make bold to say that the NAF is poised to enhance and sustain critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives,” he stated. Air Marshal Amao then appreciated President Mohammadu Buhari for his tremendous support to the NAF in the last 7 years towards accelerated capacity development of the Service through the acquisition of new platforms such as the J-F17 Thunder Multi-role aircraft and the Super Tucano ground attack aircraft. He also revealed that the Federal Government was on the verge of procuring additional combat platforms for the NAF. These include the DA-42 surveillance aircraft, A109 Trekker attack helicopters and Beechcraft KA-360i surveillance aircraft. Commensurately, the upgrading of weapon systems, establishment of network centric command and control systems, maintenance of operational support facilities and improvement of personnel working conditions and welfare are on-going. These, according to the CAS, were essential enablers to expeditiously prosecute the current fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping among other threats facing the country. Air Marshal Amao also reiterated that the NAF would remain fully committed to the successful execution of her assigned roles and be loyal to the Nigerian Constitution. A day earlier, the Guest of Honour at the Regimental Dinner organized for the graduating Branch Commission Cadets, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Sam Aruwan, reminded the cadets that their graduation was just the beginning of yet another challenging but rewarding phase of their careers in the NAF. He then urged them to see their new status as an opportunity to make more significant contributions to national development bearing in mind that the military is a catalyst for national cohesion, which is a critical pre-requisite for ensuring a peaceful and prosperous nation. While admitting that Kaduna State have enjoyed a good working relationship with the NAF, through the Air Components of Operations Thunder Strike, Safe Haven, Badamamaki and the 271 Detachment in Birnin Gwari, he noted however that there were undoubtedly room for more radical and innovative approaches and solutions towards solving the myriads of security challenges in the State. He thereafter challenged the graduands to contribute their quota by bolstering existing efforts, while injecting fresh ideas based on their own distinctive perspectives. According to him, “All of these must be brought to bear in your future assignments and deployments to various theatres of operations to deal with the threats confronting our Nation, in order to restore peace to troubled areas.” He however sounded a note of caution, stating that, “Your duties will not only require personal professional competence but will also test your abilities to effectively lead men in the field. You are therefore expected to ensure that you show good examples in both conduct and turn-out. An excellent way to show this is by embodying the core values of the Nigerian Air Force: Integrity, Service before Self, and Excellence.” Highlights of the Passing Out Parade was the presentation of awards to cadets and recruits who distinguished themselves during the course. The ceremony was witnessed by the Chairmen of Senate and House of Representative Air Force Committees, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Honourable Shehu Koko respectively, representatives of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, Branch Heads from the various Services, Heads of Tri-service institutions in Kaduna State, as well as families, friends and well wishers of the graduands. Edward Gabkwet Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force
The Kaduna State Government on Wednesday reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to enable the state forge ahead.
Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication, stated this when officials of Kaduna State Council of the NUJ visited him.
Adekeye explained that the priority of government was to ensure that people were informed adequately about government policies and programmes in the state.
“I want to extoll the virtues and the roles of the media in keeping the people abreast of developments around them, as well as building their capacity through information sharing.
“The state government has in the past trained Public Relations Officers (PROs), Directors and Permanent Secretaries of ministries, as well as journalists for effective communication of the government’s policies.
“I assure you that Kaduna Government will redouble its efforts to ensure that good working relationship is sustained between the State and the NUJ,” the media aide said.
Earlier, Mrs Asma’u Halilu, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council, had also
assured the state government of her administration’s commitment to promote professionalism that journalism was known for.
She said that the council would not in any way support journalism of bigotry, unfairness, and fake news. (NAN)
assured the state government of her administration’s commitment to promote professionalism that journalism was known for.
She said that the council would not in any way support journalism of bigotry, unfairness, and fake news. (NAN)
An Air Force trainer Aircraft has reportedly crashed in Kaduna state, with the two pilots on board feared dead.
Although the Airforce authorities are yet to confirm the incident, a security source told Channels Television that the trainer Aircraft crashed at the Air Force training base in Kaduna during a training session on Tuesday.
The aircraft reportedly belonged to the 401 flying training school.
The 401 flying training school of the Nigerian Airforce has continued to fulfil its statutory role of providing effective flying training for almost 40 years as evidenced by the quality of its graduands over the years.
However, This is not the first time that an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Airforce is involved in such mishap either within or outside its training facilities.
In 2018, a pilot sustained injuries after a jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force was involved in a mishap in Kaduna state .
The student pilot was said to have forced-landed the aircraft – a Diamond 40 trainer – on the outskirts of Kaduna while on a solo mission as part of flying training at the 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.
Diamond 40 is a one-person seater training aircraft used for the training of air force personnel.
Air craft crashes are not uncommon in Nigeria’s military history.
In May 2021, a NAF aircraft crashed in Kaduna killing the then Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other military officers.
Also in March 2021, a military jet crashed in Sambisa forest with two crew members onboard.
The army last month said it uncovered the wreckage of the crashed Alpha Jet during a clearance operation in Sambisa forest.
The National Identity Number (NIN) will become a mandatory requirement for all train passengers in Nigeria from May, 2022.
As a result, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria, advised that all Nigerians intending to travel by rail should get their NIN ready.
The commission disclosed in Abuja on Thursday, April 14, 2022, that the NIN would be needed to enhance the profiling of passengers, which he said would also enhance the safety and security of rail users.
This move may be connected to the recent terror attack on an Abuja-Kaduna bound train, where many passengers were killed and injured, with hundreds yet displaced – purportedly abducted by the yet-unidentified suspected terrorists.null
The NRC suspended the Abuja-Kaduna route following a March 28 daring attack by terrorists.
Okhiria said the security agencies were working tirelessly to ensure the rescue and release of all abductees, noting that 362 passengers and 20 crew members were aboard the train when it was plundered.
Okhiria added that as part of security measures in forestalling future occurrences, the NRC had re-railed the last rolling stock affected in the attack.
“This means that all the 14 de-railed rolling stock (11 coaches, two rescue coaches and one locomotive engine on the rescue train) have all been re-railed – from the incident site to our stations at Idu, Abuja and Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Intensive track repair work continues at the site. An advanced level of track repairs has been achieved and hopefully, it will be rounded off in 10 days,’’ he explained.
The NRC expressed its profound gratitude to security agencies for the continued support, especially for the security cover availed its officials and staff at the incident site.
Russia stepped up air strikes on Kyiv on Saturday, hitting another military factory a day after Moscow warned it would renew attacks following two weeks of relative calm in the Ukrainian capital.
Smoke rose from the Darnyrsky district in the southeast of the capital after what Moscow said were “high-precision long-range” strikes on the armaments plant.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said authorities were still determining whether anyone had been killed or injured in the attack.
A heavy police and military presence was deployed around the factory, the day after a similar strike on a plant that produced the Neptune missiles Kyiv and Washington say sunk Russia’s Black Sea naval flagship on Thursday.
Russia, which used sea-based long-range missiles to hit the Vizar plant on Friday, says that the Moskva missile cruiser sank while being towed back to port after ammunition exploded on board.
Amid escalating tit-for-tat sanctions since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, Russia on Saturday said it was banning entry to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several other top UK officials.
“This step was taken as a response to London’s unbridled information and political campaign aimed at isolating Russia internationally, creating conditions for restricting our country and strangling the domestic economy,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry accused London of “unprecedented hostile actions”, in particular referring to sanctions on Russia’s senior officials.
“The British leadership is deliberately aggravating the situation surrounding Ukraine, pumping the Kyiv regime with lethal weapons and coordinating similar efforts on the behalf of NATO,” the ministry said.
– Sanctions –
Britain has been part of an international effort to punish Russia with asset freezes, travel bans and economic sanctions, and Moscow’s new entry blacklist includes Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Saturday’s strike on the Ukrainian capital was among the first since invading Russian forces began withdrawing from regions around Kyiv last month, instead turning their focus on gaining control of the eastern Donbas region.
Kyiv regional governor Oleksandr Pavliuk said there were at least two other Russian strikes on the city Friday and that civilians thinking about returning should “wait for quieter times.”
Residential areas of Kyiv were struck repeatedly at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from late February. Moscow has denied intentionally striking civilian infrastructure.
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