BILLION

The presidency has ordered immediate arms procurement of critical equipment for the armed forces in line with the Federal Government policy of purchasing such items from the original manufacturers on government-to- government basis. The president also directed the enhancement of the welfare of troops, particularly those serving in operational areas within the country,  Guardian  reports. Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali who disclosed this yesterday during a meeting with the service chiefs at the he Ship House, Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, ordered the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to relocate to the North East pending when the security situation improves. He also directed the General Officer Commanding the 8 Division, Nigerian Army to relocate his tactical headquarters from Sokoto to Gusau, Zamfara State to oversee the conduct of Operation Sharan Dahi. The minister mandated the chief of defence staff and Buratai to effect changes in t

President Buhari has pledged that his government will not rest until the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014 are safely released. He renewed his commitment Monday in Katowice, Poland, at a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP24. The President had spent the whole day at the International Conference Centre, Katowice, where he delivered his national address at the opening of the 12-day meeting of COP24, met with several world leaders and visited the impressive Nigerian pavilion at the climate summit. During his meeting with the Swiss President, the Nigerian leader thanked the Swiss Confederation for its efforts and important role as intermediaries to secure the release of some Chibok girls and assured him that the issue of the remaining kidnapped girls and other abducted persons will remain a ''key priority'' for the Nigerian government. President Buh