THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, LT. GEN. WAIDI SHAIBU COMMENDS CONFLUENCE TRUST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER, ASSURES MEDIA COLLABORATION

THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, LT. GEN. WAIDI SHAIBU COMMENDS CONFLUENCE TRUST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER, ASSURES MEDIA COLLABORATION

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the Confluence Trust Newspaper, Hon. Solomon Agada, alongside the Board of Directors and management staff of the organization, for their objective, balanced, and adequate reportage of the activities of the Nigerian Army.

The commendation was conveyed during a familiarization visit by the Publisher and members of the Board of Directors of the newspaper to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff on Wednesday, 29th January 2026, in Abuja.

Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Chief of Civil–Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Major General A. M. Umar, who received the delegation on behalf of the COAS, alongside other senior officers from the command.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Solomon Agada expressed profound appreciation for the warm reception accorded his team. He explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening media–military collaboration, stressing that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu has recorded remarkable successes in the fight against insecurity across the country. According to him, bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, their sponsors, and other criminal elements have been dislodged from several strongholds and are currently on the run.

Hon. Agada further commended the Nigerian Army for the establishment of an Army Barracks in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, describing it as a strategic intervention that has boosted security and public confidence in the area. He urged the military to sustain its efforts towards restoring lasting peace and stability nationwide.

During the interactive session, the organization appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to continue prioritizing the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. The appeal included a call for scholarship schemes for the children of military personnel, in recognition of the enormous sacrifices made by officers and soldiers who spend long periods away from their families, with some paying the supreme price in the line of duty.

Speaking earlier, Editor I of the newspaper, Mr. Dele Onolulebi, noted that the visit was the first of its kind by the organization in the year. He disclosed that the newspaper has operated without financial support from any organization, despite consistently covering and publishing activities of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. He therefore appealed for the military to play a critical role in supporting the sustainability of the media outfit.

On her part, the Director of Administration of the Confluence Trust Newspaper, Miss Mercy Benjamin, appealed to the Nigerian Army for institutional support, noting that the newspaper is a privately owned organization grappling with rising operational costs occasioned by current economic realities.

Also speaking, Editor II of the newspaper, Mr. Ugbede Ojo Andrew, commended the Nigerian Army for its gradual restoration of peace in previously troubled areas, which has enabled farmers and business owners to return to their activities. He appreciated the Army’s recognition of the role of the media and assured that the Confluence Trust Newspaper, alongside other credible media organizations, would continue to give wide and accurate coverage to military activities. He called for the sustenance of the existing cordial relationship.

The visit climaxed with the presentation of branded face caps bearing the name and logo of the Confluence Trust Newspaper, copies of previous publications featuring reports on the Nigerian Army, and an Award of Excellent Performance for 2025/2026 to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu. The award was received on his behalf by Major General A. M. Umar.

Responding on behalf of the COAS, Major General A. M. Umar expressed appreciation to the Board of Directors, management, and staff of the Confluence Trust Newspaper for their confidence in, and accurate reportage of, the activities of the Nigerian Army. He emphasized that collaboration with credible media organizations remains critical, noting that the military cannot win the war against insecurity alone.

He acknowledged the quality and consistency of the newspaper’s publications and assured the delegation that their messages and requests would be duly conveyed to the Chief of Army Staff. He explained that he was directed to receive the delegation due to the COAS’s unavoidable absence on official duties and assured them of appropriate feedback.

A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of the Most Adequate Reportage Award of Excellence to the Publisher and CEO of the Confluence Trust Newspaper, Hon. Solomon Agada, by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja, followed by a group photograph with the representative of the Chief of Army Staff.