The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, has called for the combination of military and civilian efforts in tackling the complexity of security challenges in Nigeria and globally.

Montgomery made the call at a two-day Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Collaboration with the British High Commission, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in promoting civil-military collaboration and adoption of kinetic and non-kinetic action in addressing the menace of terrorism and insurgency in the country.

“At the heart of all this is recognition of the importance of upholding the rule of law, human rights, humanitarian law and international humanitarian law.

“We need to consider the different legal principles and frameworks that apply to criminal violence or to violent conflicts and how we deal with them in protracted conflict zones.

“We had a legal frameworks roundtable with the Nigerian military officers earlier this year, and a really good debate about how we adapt to different situations.

“I am hoping today we will help progress that dialogue on which Nigerian legal frameworks are appropriate in which circumstances,’’ he said.

Montgomery highlighted the positive and open relationship between the UK and Nigeria, noting that both countries were learning from each other’s experiences in tackling security challenges.

He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to continue this productive dialogue and hoped that the symposium would result in actionable insights and further strengthen the partnership.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Tuesday presided over the swearing-in of two new commissioners to replace those who died while in active service.

The State Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zannah, administered the oath of office at the ceremony held at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The new commissioners are Muhammad Lawan-Dalorima for the Ministry of Finance and Isa Haladu for the Ministry of Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (RRR).

In his speech, Zulum expressed gratitude to the Borno House of Assembly for their prompt scrutiny and confirmation of the nominees.

He urged the commissioners to uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in their new roles, while emphasising the administration’s strategy of periodically rotating commissioners to different ministries to promote fresh ideas and effective governance.

“You have been chosen for your exceptional qualities and expertise. I have no doubt you will make valuable contributions to our administration,” he said.

The governor also paid tribute to the late commissioners who previously held the portfolios, reflecting on their contributions to the development of the state.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Haladu thanked the governor for finding them worthy of the appointment, and promised him of diligent service delivery.

Edo Government says it has ordered an immediate review of the state’s Electronic Governance (e-governance) Platform initiated by the previous administration for breach of data and control.

The state government disclosed this on Tuesday via a Government Special Announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement was a reaction to an allegation that the new government had suspended the digital innovation initiated by Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

The SSG said the review became necessary following a discovery that the entire e-governance platform was being run and operated from the backend by unknown non-state actors.

According to him, no one within the entire public service of Edo has administrative control of the platform.

Ikhilor urged all officials and staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to continue to work on the e-governance platform, pending the outcome of the review.

“This statement is to also dismiss as untrue, some reports in a section of the social media that the state government has shut down the platform.

“This is considered a serious data security threat as it has placed the entire governance structure of the state at the mercy of non-state actors or so-called consultants.

“This, therefore, calls for an urgent need to review the process.

“In the light of the foregoing and in order to remedy this clear and present danger, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate review of the entire e-governance platform.

“This is to enable the state government gain total administrative control of the platform and restore institutional memory of government, which the current platform lacks.

“All officials and staff of MDAs are to continue to work on the e-governance platform pending the outcome of ongoing review,” Ikhilor said.

But in a counter-reaction, Obaseki through his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, described the statement as shameless excuses.

According to Crusoe, we read with surprise and deep disappointment the ridiculous statement by SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilor, where he laboriously attempted to justify the illogical shutdown of the platform.

Age said the decision by the current administration to revert the state’s civil service operations back to paper files to run the government was irrational.

“This irrational decision is not only shameful and regressive, but also an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state.

“It further exposes the government’s cluelessness and lack of the depth and knowledge required for effective governance and administration in the 21st century.

“The platform is operated by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with the support of consultants, to ensure efficient system for government processes and operations,” Osagie said.