Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), has said strengthening family values is essential to addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at the closing of the 2025 edition of “Exercise Haske Biyu” at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji, Kaduna, Musa explained that the exercise placed emphasis on family values, civic duty, and moral resilience as core responses to security challenges facing Nigeria and other participating nations.

“The family is the bedrock of every community. Without the family, there can’t be a good community,” he said.

He noted that the breakdown of the family system has contributed to rising insecurity. “What we have realised is that because the family system is failing, insecurity is growing, which means if we address the family issues, insecurity will go down,” Musa added.

The defence chief stressed that families must instil discipline, respect, and love in children, values that shape responsible citizens. “That is why you have the regulations. That is how people grow up to understand what it is to be human, what it is to respect one another and what it is to love one another,” he said.

Musa urged families to remain united, stating that strong family bonds promote national cohesion. “If families are united, then we are our brothers’ keepers and will not allow harm to happen to any other person, and Nigeria will be better,” he said.

He described the theme of this year’s exercise, “Family and national security”, as timely, noting that security begins with strong families and cohesive communities, not just with the actions of security agencies.

The CDS said the programme reinforced the relevance of the AFCSC in shaping Nigeria’s internal security strategy through joint training, intellectual engagement, and collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies. He added that the participation of the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who delivered a keynote address at the opening, highlighted the importance of values and civic responsibility.

According to him, the first lady’s interaction with participants left a lasting impression that would inspire policy dialogue and collaborative efforts in tackling insecurity.

He urged participants to put lessons from the training into practice in the pursuit of peace and stability. Musa also inaugurated the remodelled staff duties wing of the college during the event.

Hassan Alhaji, commandant of the AFCSC, said the exercise underscored the importance of strong families as the foundation of society. He warned that weak family structures could fuel extremism, radicalism, and disunity, threatening national stability.

The commandant said the exercise enabled participants to design practical solutions to national challenges and empowered them as stakeholders in development. He added that the 2026 edition would build on this year’s progress by involving all arms of government, wider society, and persons with disabilities.

Atiku Abubakar has denied reports claiming that he promised to step down for a “younger candidate” in the 2027 presidential election.

Paul Ibe, the former vice-president’s spokesman, issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that Atiku’s remarks during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service had been misrepresented.

“It has become necessary to clarify certain misrepresentations arising from the reportage of an interview granted by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to the BBC Hausa Service by some sections of the media,” Ibe said.

According to him, after reviewing both the video and transcripts of the interview in Hausa and in English translation, it was clear that Atiku “at no point expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone”.

“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest,” Ibe explained.

He added that Atiku only stressed his willingness to support a younger candidate if such a person were to emerge through a competitive primary, noting that he would do so “without any hesitation”.

Ibe cautioned that while interpretative journalism is part of reporting, stretching interpretation “to the point of mischief” was unacceptable.

“For the records, therefore, the insinuations attributed to the Waziri Adamawa from his BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said,” the statement read.

Atiku is expected to contest for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has been adopted by several opposition politicians as a platform to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Earlier report had it that the three-time presidential candidate had said he could accept defeat if a younger aspirant emerged victorious in the ADC primary election.

The Lagos State Government has announced a two-day traffic diversion in Victoria Island to accommodate the Electric Powerboat Racing Championship (E1 Series), scheduled to take place on the lagoon from October 4 to 5.

In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi said there will be a total closure of the 1st Lekki junction, inward Ozumba Mbadiwe, throughout the event.

According to him, motorists coming from Ajah and heading to Lekki are expected to make a U-turn at the Lekki 1st junction by the pedestrian bridge to connect Yesufu Abiodun, Maroko Police Station, City of David, Ligali Ayorinde, Ajose Adeogun, and Eko Hotel roundabout before continuing through Ahmadu Bello Way, Independence Bridge, and Onikan.

For motorists heading from Ajah towards CMS, Osiyemi advised using Abraham Adesanya to connect Ogonbo Road and Okun Ajah Road, before linking Coastal Road to Ahmadu Bello Way, Independence Bridge, and Onikan.

The advisory also directed motorists from Lekki and its environs heading to Ikoyi or the mainland to take Admiralty Way through the Lekki Link Bridge, connecting Alexander Road, Bourdillon, Gerrard Road, and Osborne Road. Those traveling from Lekki to CMS were advised to connect Yesufu Abiodun to Oniru Road, then through Aboyade Cole and Ligali Ayorinde, before proceeding to the Eko Hotel roundabout and Ahmadu Bello Way.

However, motorists coming from CMS, Independence Bridge, and Ozumba Mbadiwe inward Lekki-Epe expressway will not face any disruption and will have uninterrupted passage to Ajah and other parts of the axis.

Osiyemi said designated parking spaces will be available at Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, and the Nigerian Law School premises in Victoria Island. He noted that the coastal road would remain open to traffic during the restriction period. He urged road users to cooperate with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), whose personnel will be deployed along all event routes.

“Motorists are implored to be patient as the diversion is part of the traffic management plans for the E1 boat race event,” the statement read.

The E1 Series, described as the first international championship for electric powerboats, was created to showcase clean technology and sustainability in water sports. The contest features RaceBirds, battery-driven hydrofoil vessels capable of reaching speeds of about 93 km/h while gliding above the water surface to reduce drag, noise, and carbon emissions.

The series, which began in 2024 with races in Jeddah, Venice, and Monaco, will make Nigeria the first African country to host the event with the Lagos Grand Prix. Organisers said the championship aligns with the state’s vision to promote eco-friendly transportation and innovation on its waterways.

Each team in the series must feature male and female pilots, giving the contest a unique gender balance. Beyond racing, the event is expected to draw international attention, promote tourism, and strengthen Lagos’ image as a cultural and economic hub in Africa.