The 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has emerged overall winner of the 2026 2 Division Inter-Brigade Corporals and Below Competition held in Benin City, Edo State.

The four-day competition, hosted by the 4 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ekehuan, took place from April 20 to 23, 2026, and featured participants from various formations under the 2 Division.

In his welcome address, the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, said the competition was aimed at enhancing combat proficiency, leadership skills, teamwork, endurance, and esprit de corps among junior-ranked soldiers. He noted that the exercise also serves to prepare participants for higher responsibilities within the Army.

Balogun emphasized that beyond winning, the competition fosters unity, resilience, and continuous improvement. He also expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for entrusting the brigade with hosting the event and for his commitment to personnel training and welfare.

In his closing remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General Adebayo Adegbite, expressed satisfaction with the conduct and outcomes of the competition. He stated that the various activities had significantly improved participants’ physical and mental capacity, leadership qualities, and operational readiness in addressing the nation’s security challenges.

Adegbite urged participants to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the competition to enhance performance in their respective formations.

He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his continued support towards the development of junior non-commissioned officers, whom he described as the backbone of the Nigerian Army.

Events featured in the competition included drill exercises, combat swimming, map reading, weapon handling and firing, combat cross-country race, and obstacle crossing.

Other participating formations were the 12 Brigade, 22 Armoured Brigade, 32 Artillery Brigade, 42 Engineers Brigade, and 2 Division Garrison.

At the end of the competition, 4 Brigade clinched the first position, followed by 12 Brigade in second place, while 2 Division Garrison finished third.

The closing ceremony was attended by heads of security agencies in Edo State, alongside other dignitaries and guests.

Highlights included obstacle crossing contests, presentation of awards and souvenirs, and group photographs.

A group, Concerned Citizens for Change, on Thursday staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over alleged incompetence and abuse of office.

The group accused the NAFDAC boss of enforcing what it described as an “arbitrary and illegal ban” on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products, allegedly in violation of existing national policy guidelines.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the Executive Director of the group, Amb. Stephen Eriba, said the agency’s action contravened directives of the Federal Ministry of Health and disregarded a presidential order halting enforcement actions against affected companies pending the outcome of a joint review committee.

He also claimed that the move was inconsistent with resolutions of the House of Representatives, which, according to him, had previously advised against the ban after consultations with stakeholders.

The group warned that the enforcement could have adverse economic consequences, including job losses, disruption of businesses, and a potential rise in illicit and unregulated alcoholic products in the market.

Eriba argued that sachet and small-packaged alcohol products were introduced to cater to low-income adult consumers and should not be withdrawn without credible evidence of harm.

He further maintained that claims linking such products to abuse, particularly among minors, were not sufficiently supported by empirical data.

According to him, industry operators have invested heavily in public awareness campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.

While acknowledging the need for regulation to eliminate unsafe products, the group urged authorities to base policy decisions on verified research rather than “public sentiment.”

The protesters, therefore, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss the NAFDAC Director-General, insisting that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.

There was no immediate response from NAFDAC or the Federal Ministry of Health as of the time of filing this report.

Belemaoil Group President Tein Jack-Rich joined Roger Stone, longtime strategist and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, for talks at Mar-a-Lago this week, with both men emphasizing trade expansion between the United States and Nigeria.

Jack-Rich described the trip as “an absolutely wonderful flight from D.C. to Mar-a-Lago with a visionary strategist, master bridge-builder, and one of President Trump’s closest allies.” The visit marks his third to the Florida estate since 2024, and he said “each experience has been even more memorable than the last.”

According to Jack-Rich, discussions focused on commercial ties and investment opportunities that would benefit both nations. “Speaking positively about Nigeria and advancing trade opportunities between the United States and Nigeria remains a vital call to action for the benefit of both our peoples,” he said.

He characterized the atmosphere at Mar-a-Lago as one of “warmth, hospitality, and love … truly beyond measure,” adding that the meeting featured “graciousness, meaningful conversations, and an atmosphere of genuine friendship and respect.”

Stone, a central figure in Trump’s political orbit for decades, and Jack-Rich aligned on what the Belemaoil president called the core objective: “love of country and push for real, big opportunity for national good.”

Jack-Rich leads Belemaoil, one of Nigeria’s prominent indigenous energy firms. He has repeatedly advocated for deeper U.S.–Africa economic engagement, particularly in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Neither Stone nor representatives for Trump have publicly commented on the meeting. The visit comes as both Washington and Abuja signal renewed interest in bilateral trade frameworks ahead of 2027.