By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC), AVM Francis Edosa, has revealed that the continuous conduct of research and development will help in resolving most of the challenges confronting Air Force.

Edosa, represented by the Chief of Staff, TAC, AVM Emeka Ashiegbu, made the disclosure  in Makurdi at a one day Intra Command Research and Development Competition.

He explained that  through research  the service had deployed several platforms to quell crises in most troubled parts of the country, adding that it also build the capacity and enhances service delivery.

The AOC further explained that in the military industry, research involves the continuous development and upgrading of prototype of new military systems without necessarily going into full scale development or production.

Edosa said that the competition “is germane  to our effectiveness as a service and imperative to the myriad of security challenges confronting our country. ”

He charged participants to contribute meaningfully at the competition to implore the service.

The Guest of Honour at the occasion, Air Commodore, Albert Bot, charged them to contribute their quota through research and development to advance the service to greater technological heights.

He said such contributions would help in curbing the menace of insurgency faced in most parts of the country.

Bot commended the Air Force for the application of air power in joint and interagency counter insurgency operations, which he attributed to modest outcomes in research and technology.

He said through research and development crisis had been brought down speedily across many troubled parts of the country.

He also commended the Federal Government (FG) for having deep interest in research and the promotion of local content.

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

Ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo State, a female governorship aspirant, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, has called on the national leadership of APC and Presidency to support her aspiration to be the first female flag bearer of the party in order to transform the state.

Waheed-Adekojo, while addressing journalists on Friday at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure ahead of tomorrow’s APC governorship primary election said the Ondo state was desperately needs more women in government, especially to occupy the number one seat in the state towards unlocking the full potential of its abundant resources and improve the livelihoods of indigenes and residents.

According to her, if given the ticket of the party to be the next governor of Ondo state, it would send a great signal to the world about Nigeria’s leadership maturity and it would rank the APC party as the best in the country.

She said; “I am in the race to raise the standard of living of people of the state and to save the party from losing Ondo state to the other party in the coming elections because I am a woman of the grassroot and I can tell you all that the music has change tuned. Our people want a woman, they want change and the good people of Ondo state are poised to come out immerse purposely to ensure that I emerged as their governor in the forthcoming election in Ondo state.

“I have always been of the opinion that the governorship ticket should not be given as compensation or based on arbitrary zoning arrangements but on an assurance of the capacity of the candidate to provide visionary and inclusive governance that will help in wealth creation, agricultural, rural and human capital development.

“My coming on board as the state governor will also open opportunities for both women and youths following the agenda of our dear President to institutionalized the 30 per cent of women and youths in governance.

“I can see women salvaging this country, being wives of elected or appointed political office holders is not enough. I believe that it is salutary to have spouses who are very supportive of their husbands in many ways.

“Our women must feel that their gender is free and we must not limit their freedom. Under my administration, I will ensure the deep seaport serve as a catalyst for the socioeconomic development of the state and move it towards tong-desired prosperity.

“Apart from boosting water transportation connectivity between Ondo and the rest of the world, it will automatically attract the construction of a rail line to the port, which will invariably connect Ondo state to the national rail system for the very first time.

“I will focus more on job and wealth creation, provide adequate security, give special attention to agriculture and empower women and youths. The welfare of the party members will be paramount to me, and I am openly declaring my 100 percent loyalty to the party of APC, both locally and nationally.”

Former Deputy National Secretary, DNS, and frontline national chairmanship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Emmanuel Agbo has been appointed as the Director General of PDP Governor’s Forum.

This was announced by the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, during the BoT meeting of the party in Abuja on Thursday.

Agbo is expected to assist in repositioning the PDP-GF to play its role in nation building under the leadership of the Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

He is a former Chairman of Benue State chapter of the PDP, an engineer and an experienced party administrator.