NIGERIAN ARMY AND WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY BEYOND Slogan, By Isaac Ikpa

By Isaac Ikpa

I don’t know him; may be, only a few Nigerians might have encountered him in the sanctuaries of books and there is no possibility that any Nigerian would ever have a chance of knowing him personally, but Frederick C. Blesse is a living legend or a genius of wisdom by conquering the essence of existence with his timeless philosophy. Blesse told his generation and those who cared to listen that “No guts; no glory.”

So, Nigerians are fervently asking; where are the guts of the incumbent Service Chiefs barely three months after they sauntered on the turf of anti-insurgencies and insurrections as Nigeria’s chief sentinels worthy of a glory? Could it be physical and intellectual fatigue this early in office? Or, are some gods or invisible celestial forces chasing their shadows to the point of disarmament?

It is incredible to the discomforting reality that we are now tethered to the mercy of armed gangs, in ceaseless torments and wails. We are now operating on a frequency akin to a typical village market in the countryside, directionless and unfocused. We are forced to sleep, wine and dine with terrorists and bandits near Abuja. Is it the new glory the incumbent Service Chiefs wish to earn for us and the nation?

Peace and security have eluded us. Our enclaves are seized by gunmen, known and unknown. The unending fires in Southern Nigeria, specifically, Southeast region have felled both civilians and soldiers.  The infamous leader of the outlawed IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has changed the configuration of his rogue armed gangs several times and boldly dare the Nigerian Military. Yet, we appear helpless and rather enter a plea of bargain for mercy? Nigerian Military Chiefs, where is the glory?

We are only searching for the glory in the number of our kidnapped or abducted children by bandits in the Northwest; we only sight a tainted glory in the dingy dungeons of terrorists who have held our people captive. We are forced to sing lullabies to sword-brandishing hoodlums and miscreants; the plain rogues whose only strength is the uncontrolled thirst for bloodshed, in the excitement of feasting on our soldiers.

Asking further, I repeat; where is the glory of our Military or they’ve got no guts anymore? What else can we remember in this quagmire? The ceaseless bloodbath, arson and ashes staring us in the face? We are now standing on rooftops and selenic heights to inspect the ruins brought upon us, as our military fumbles and trembles before deadly enemies.  Like romantic poets, Nigerian Military chiefs now are inured to sloganeering and have turned deaf ears to the lamentations around them. 

I reminisced on what the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru voiced out when he took the mantle of leadership from his predecessor in Abuja. Gen. Attahiru was stern and appeared like a ferociously devouring lion.

He told his eager audience and pledged to Nigerians on January 28th 2021 to sustain the giant strides of Nigerian Army as he experienced and inherited from his predecessor. Sadly today, Nigerians can neither sight the giant nor the strides in Attahiru’s actions. The spirit has waned unceremoniously.  Sometimes, he appears more phobic than the civilian Nigerians he has the mandate to secure.   Where are the guts, to transform into glory? Blesse was right!

The guts starts and ends with slogans of the Army Chief. Gen. Attahiru told another audience two months later in March 2021, at the opening of the Combined Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference and Nigerian Army Operations Retreat 2021 in Abuja that;

“I want to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute in decisively dealing with any threat confronting the country…I have directed that serious attention must be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army operations across the country…Commanders must therefore glean from my command philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiency of Nigerian Army formations and units are sustained and improved upon.”

Sometimes, it is not good enough to overstretch limits of reasonableness in assessment of anybody on a hot seat, like where Attahiru has found himself. He is not in the game alone. His colleagues, other Service Chiefs are also there with him. But we cannot divorce the reality that Attahiru is the Chief honcho of counter-insurgency operations and together with his colleagues are absolutely lost on positive impressions in the terrorism combats in the country.

So, it’s a tedious task to attempt to discern Gen. Attahiru’s philosophy of “operational and administrative proficiency” now. Is it the proficiency which has allowed terrorists and bandits surround Abuja? Is it the proficiency of the everyday kidnapping of our children and adults all over the North or the closure of schools in Abuja because of the unexpected influx and infiltration of the capital city by truckloads of bandits?

In case Gen. Attahiru and the other Service Chiefs forget, I chose to remind them now. That at the point they took over from their predecessors, the Nigerian Military was only battling with Boko Haram insurgents/ ISWAP terrorists most dominantly on the fringes of Borno’s Lake Chad Basin area. Now, they are very close; the terrorists have come too close to us in courageous braggadocio.

 We can no longer sight the guts to which any glory can be earned by the leaders of the counter-insurgency operations. Who will deliver us now? Nigerians now are only entertained with the barrage of slogans from the Military Chiefs than dexterity in warfare. Military Chiefs often assure us of protections from armed gangs; but the assurance consistently fails every time and everywhere.

Hesitantly, our Military Chiefs are compelling Nigerians to trust the haughty spews of Boko Haram’s factional leader, Abubakar Shekau more than their actions have so far espoused on the battlefield. Shekau boasted two days after these Military Chiefs came into office in a nine-minute video that the new Service Chiefs can’t outshine their predecessors in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast or elsewhere in Nigeria.

Shekau thundered; “(General) Leo Irabor, the head of the military, you should have sympathy for yourself, repent and convert to Islam. There is nothing you can do.” I am confused now! Whose words should I trust as stronger and bear any consequence on Nigerians? That’s why Generals Irabor and Attahiru must tighten their seat belts beyond sloganeering.

Nigeria is running out of patience with itself. Terrorists and bandits are making merriments; whilst Nigerians mourn and agonize in bloodshed, abductions and arsons. Shadows of bandits and terrorists loom large and freely roam our city centers, villages, communities, highways and every conceivable place. Courage has given way to numbing fear in our homes and offices.

One is infinitely perturbed watching the effeminate actions of the COAS and leader of the anti-insurgency operations, Gen. Attahiru and the new Service Chiefs in the theatre of war these three months. It is easier to conclude that Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are infinitely endangered.  It has been donated to the terrorists under these new sheriffs or Military chiefs who initially, held so much promise, but have faltered terribly.  

There is neither spark nor gusto in their deportments in the frontlines of the Northeast, Northwest or Southeast. Jubilant armed gangs have seized our peace and security, shattering dwelling places. We are pathetically tossed on bended kneels under these new masters of terror, as Gen. Attahiru gazes elsewhere.

Therefore, Nigerians make bold to demand that at this time in the history of insurgency in the country, there is the dire need for quick actions and not slogans; we want deafeningly positive results beyond the niceties of rehearsed speeches in the conference halls of Abuja and elsewhere. Will the slogans ginger the troops? Will it deliver the desired results? These and many more are the issues confronting us today as a nation. What ought to be done that has been left undone?

We abhor the demons of terror and the Nigerian Military should not foist them on us. We neither want to worship Abubakar Shekau nor bow to the praxis of the bloody swords of  the ISIS-backed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists commanded by Musab Al Barnewi. The armed bandits in the forests and caves of Zamfara, Katsina to Niger states have tormented us enough.  Herdsmen should give us a break; and it is a break, which Gen. Attahiru must necessarily impose on them because he is not crowned for a feast of romance with insurgents in the theatre of war.

The rogues camouflaging as secession agitators in the Southeast must be reined in. We seek no protection from some gods; other than our Military. Gen. Attahiru and his colleagues, the Service Chiefs must wake up from slumber to redeem their names and salvage our fatherland in patriotic and true sacrificial service without further delay. We want to again, make bonfires of celebrations, as against the feasts of blood and whines. Like Blesse intoned, our Service Chiefs should immediately show us the guts and the glory now.

Chief Ikpa writes from Abuja.

NYSC and Ibrahim’s two years’ impactful leadership, By Leonard Aluor

By Leonard Aluor

A Congolese proverb says; “You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla.” The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (DG-NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim is an old administrative gorilla in Nigeria. He has dispensed himself perfectly, both as a soldier and administrator per excellence. Anywhere he berths his feet, it leaves in its trail, remarkable accomplishments.

Like his brief sojourn at the Nigerian Army University (NAU), Biu, Borno state, as pioneer registrar, Gen. Shuaibu’s two years’ stint as the DG-NYSC have similarly ingrained his peculiar mark of excellence as a scholar, an astute administrator, innovator, reformer, team player and goal getter in administering the scheme.

 He has proven exceptionally, the ageless wisdom in the old Ghanaian adage that “All heads are the same, but not all thoughts are the same.” Gen. Shuaib’s thoughts bubbles with germinative ideas, which he monitors closely to fruition.

Gen. Shuaib has changed the fortunes of the NYSC from a wobbling, but sensitive agency of Government to a formidable youth scheme, through dexterous management.

NYSC is now amply meeting its core mandate of bridging the gulf between the years of academic work and the first practical experiences of young Nigerian graduates towards the ideals of ethnic inculturation, repulsion to religious prejudices’, self-reliance and personal development and national productivity.  

The DG-NYSC has determinedly faced and overhauled the hitherto dormant Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the scheme and turned its dwindling fortunes into harvestable gold for corps members. He has successfully utilized the one month’s practical skills training in the orientation course content for corps members during camps for expansion of personal knowledge in various trades; an antidote to personal development and self-reliance.   

Through faithfulness to this policy thrust, Gen. Shuaib is dialoging with The FGN and other relevant stakeholders to formally establish a legislation-backed   NYSC Trust Fund.  The NYSC Trust Fund envisages to source funding from a certain percentage of profits netted by some mega corporate bodies operating in the country; which in addition to financial empowerment of passing out corps members, would confer financial independence in funding NYSC projects such as expansion of orientation camps and renovation of dilapidate camp facilities.

Gen. Shuaib has tenaciously fought and purged the scheme of the menace of corruption in NYSC, evident in the admittance of prospective corps members with fake results. NYSC is no longer an abode for jobless Nigerians or roadside artisans, who never went to school, but dubiously sneaked into the scheme and became perpetual corps members, through his stern physical verification.

The NYSC boss, prioritizes the welfare of corpse members. Under his leadership, the Presidency approved an increment in the monthly allowance of corps members to N33,000, above the prescribed New National Minimum wage. It is intended to create a window for prudent NYSC members to save part of the stipends to invest into employable initiatives after service. And when the NYSC Trust Fund finally takes off, employment would have been dealt devastating punch in the country.   

The NYSC leadership is restless and relentless to gain its financial independence, by harnessing initiatives designed to increase revenue flow into the agency. Therefore, the scheme is aggressively pursuing its investments initiatives to boost its income generation, rather than depend on the mono-source of revenue which at the moment majorly falls on the FGN and intensifies its financial stress.

Consequently, the abandoned NYSC water and bakery factories at NYSC orientation camp Kubwa have been revived and functioning maximally.  The NYSC now uses its own water at orientation camps in many parts of the country and the products from these investments are competitively visible in the markets of neighboring states such as Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and, Niger among others.

Furthermore, Gen. Shuaib’s leadership, the NYSC   has constructed a two thousand bird capacity poultry farm at Kwali, FCT. And it has almost completed the resuscitation of the NYSC Poultry Farm, Ita Ogbolu, Ondo state. He is injecting life into moribund NYSC ventures, as the NYSC Rice Mill Ezillo in Ebonyi is nearing completion for full operations; likewise, the NYSC Feed Mill in Lagos state, which is primed and technologized for the production of animal feeds.

The highly innovative DG-NYSC, in alliance with stakeholders have dialogued and obtained the consent of the State Governors of Edo, Ekiti and Nasarawa states on support for the scheme’s investment drives. These State Governments have graciously donated land for the establishment of NYSC Garment Factories for South -South, Southwest as well as a whooping 16 hectares of land for crops production for revenue generation and platforms of training of more corps members in industrial and agricultural capacities.

And through the direction of the NYSC boss, the first time ever, NYSC Wood (Film Company) and NYSC National Cultural Troupe have been established.  And he has secured their thriving and sustenance by striking a smooth relationship with National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for the proper indoctrination, training of corps members and technical supports.

Gen. Shuaib has repositioned the NYSC to begin to disseminate and articulate its activities to the public. He has therefore secured an operational license for the scheme’s proposed radio station, where corps members will directly be empowered to speak to Nigerians wherever they are domiciled for the primary assignment.  

Partnership with relevant agencies, bodies and corporate organizations for the benefits of serving corps members is a focal policy of the Brigadier Gen. Shuaib’s administration.  So far, the NYSC under his directorship has partnered a dozen of such organizations for the personal development of corps members and national productivity.

Gen. Shuaibu recognized instantly that the diversification of the economy through agriculture was a central policy and obsession of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has spared no stone in ensuring corps members are trained on the latest farming techniques and encouraged to embrace agriculture as their contribution to national food security.  

In the pursuit of this laudable vision, as soon as Gen. Shuaib assumed duties at NYSC, he revamped the scheme’s four farm settlements across the country as part of efforts to key into the FGN’s agriculture diversification initiative. NYSC mega farms in Abuja, Bauchi, Kebbi and Oyo states have been activated.

Corps members have also been compelled to embrace the FGN’s rice policy programmes  and excitingly, the scheme massively  cultivated  rice in  its Abuja  and Kebbi farms in the 2020 cropping season; as in  the  2021 farming season,  its  rice farm at Ezillo, Ebonyi state, would join the fray of robust NYSC rice fields. And the hectarage of its farmland rose astronomically from 60 hectares to 160 hectares in the 2020 farming season.

To this end, the NYSC also partnered for the training of   68 corps members among the 269 pioneer graduates,  trained  as soil doctors and extension services workers,  by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in collaboration with the  Government of Borno state. It is a major step towards the rejuvenation of agricultural engagements in the country.

Additionally, the NYSC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leventis Foundation Nigeria on training of corps members in agricultural best practices.  The initiative is also to fully empower corps members with the relevant skills, bolster self-reliance and avail them incentives that would encourage the pursuit of food sufficiency in the country.

Similarly, the modalities’ have been worked out between the NYSC and the British American Tobacco Nigeria   Foundation for the training for corps members on agro-allied related ventures. And Gen. Shauib also induced corps member to enlist in the national battle against the raging Covid-19 pandemic, which they participated excellently.

The Ghanaians have also posited in a proverb that; “If we put a hammer in every person’s hand, could they all become blacksmiths?” But Gen. Ibrahim Shuaib has demonstrated his competence as a blacksmith, who has effectively applied the hammer in his hands in the management of NYSC. 

Aluor is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Oduduwa University, Ife.

Lawyer Writes Buhari, Calls For IGP Removal ...Cites Due Process

By Dansu Peter 

An Abuja based legal practitioner, Barrister Silas Onu has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to avoid the embarras sment of being documented as a serial law breaker in the court records by acting in accordance with the very law he assented to.

Barrister Onu also urged the President to avoid being misled into the destruction of State Institutions with unnecessary politics and influence peddling.

The legal practitioner said these in an open letter he wrote to President Buhari in respect of the appointment of Usman Alkali Baba as the acting Inspector-General of Police and the implication of appointing a legally unqualified person to such position.

Barrister Onu encouraged the 

President to heed his admonition in the overall interest of our nation, especially at this precarious time that legitimacy will go a long way in covering the gap created by obvious acts of nepotism at the expense of our law and national unity.

Barrister Onu in his open letter dated May 10, this year to the President, pointed out that Nigeria is currently going back to the same scenario of unnecessary distractions of lobbying and attempts to subverts the clear provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 by desperate politicians who are only interested in 2023 elections and are out to impose an unqualified IGP who they believe will do their bidding.

The legal practitioner, in his open letter asked, "Why do we enjoy the destruction of State Institutions with unnecessary politics and influence peddling? 

He added, "It is widely rumoured that so much money have and is being spent in the bid to retain the appointment of anyone as Inspector-General of Police, irrespective of the obvious lack of qualification – whether this is true or not, it should not be allowed to degenerate to this level before Mr. President does the right thing and act by the law.

"I am hopeful that Mr. President will heed to this kind admonition in the overall interest of our nation, especially at this precarious time that legitimacy will go a long way in covering the gap created by obvious acts of nepotism at the expense of our law and national unity.

"If Mr. President knew that he was not willing to abide by this law, why did he assent to it? 

"Is the application of law now subjected to political, ethnic and religious considerations? 

Continuing, Barrister Onu said, The subject matter of appointing a new Inspector-General for the Nigeria Police Force has been one that I saw as an opportunity for this great nation to rise above primordial cleavages and, for once, abide by the letters and spirit of our laws devoid of politics, nepotism and or religious and tribal sentiment. "That was my driving force when I challenged the tenure extension granted to the former Inspector-General, Adamu Muhammed upon his statutory retirement. 

"That case was due for judgment before Mr. President realized the error and effectively removed him from office.

"My action was not borne out of hatred for the former Inspector-General of Police, neither is my present resistance for the appointment of Usman Alkali Baba as the Acting Inspector-General borne out of tribalism or religious consideration. 

"My action is solely a passionate pursuit of justice for Nigerians and the need to uphold our laws as they are presently in effect. 

"My action is a patriotic public interest activism aimed at ensuring that our foremost internal security institution is insulated from politics and unnecessary favoritism in the appointment of its leadership.

"Mr. President will agree with me that the wrongful extension of the tenure of the former IGP led to an unnecessary distraction in the core responsibility of the police as the then IGP became pre-occupied with lobbying to secure his office rather than securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. 

"He hired lawyers to present bizarre argument on his behalf with the intention of turning the law on its head in order for him to remain in office beyond his mandatory statutory retirement age.

"Your Excellency, we are currently back to the same scenario of unnecessary distractions of lobbying and attempts to subverts the clear provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 by desperate politicians who are only interested in 2023 elections and are out to impose an unqualified IGP who they believe will do their bidding.

"One wonders why the President of the Nigerian Senate whose chamber was involved in the enactment of the Police Act, 2020 will be silent when a clearly unqualified person is appointed as the IGP of Police at a time that our nation is in need of 100% lawful actions required for legitimacy in the security sector of our nation. 

"At least, the Nigeria Senate should be seen and heard insisting that the law they passed to reform and professionalize the Nigerian Police Force is strictly adhered to in implementation. 

"However, it seems the Senate is even in support of totally breaching that law for their political convenience.

"Also, it is greatly depressing to imagine that the Attorney-General of the federation might have advised in support of such an unlawful appointment as he has remained silent after openly defending the most illegal tenure extension of the former IGP. 

"The Attorney-General of the federation seems to be more interested in politics than upholding our laws. 

"There is no other reason for the Attorney-General to turn a blind eye over such an illegal appointment except politics or genuine lack of understanding of our laws – that is most unfortunate. In both circumstances", he said in the letter.

My Passion For Badagry's Development Beyond 2023 - Prince Sesi Whingan

By Dansu Peter 

A renowned business mogul and young philanthropist turned politician, Prince Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan has said his passion for Badagry's development is beyond politics and his 2023 Federal House of Representative ambition.

Sesi made the declaration while playing host to some political leaders, bigwigs and gladiator within the corridor of Badagry who recently met with him in his country home, Ikoga Zebbe Badagry Lagos State.

The renowned leaders, who preferred not to be named numbering about 22, representing all 11 wards in Badagry  Federal Constituency had visited him to pledge their supports for his ambition.

They declared that their resolved to support him was purely based on his antecedents. They said, they have been keenly monitoring and following his philanthropic and developmental gestures to various communities across the length and breath of Badagry for the past six years. According to them, no individual in the history of Badagry has done so much for the common people without holding any political power. They said if he could be doing that much to the people without being in power, how much more he would do if elected.? 

One of the leaders on behalf of others said, "... Sesi has rehabilitated some bad roads in some communities, he recently re-equipped  a Primary Healthcare Centre located in Pota, where the whole hospital was refurbished and re-equipped with both medical and non-medical equipment worths several millions. During the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, when no one could go out to fend for our families for survival, when most of our political leaders were nowhere to be found, Sesi came to our rescue by regularly ditching out fantabulous relief materials;funds and foods packages to virtually all our communities in the three local government council. There are physically challenged individuals who have benefitted from his kindness, on every festive period, his welfare packages are second to none. On behalf of the other leaders, we are using this our visit to appreciate your kindness, philanthropic gestures and to also tell you that we are solidly behind you in your quest to contest for the Federal House of Representative seat to represent Badagry. You have our unalloyed support "

Sesi in response to the leaders' comment thanked them for the confidence repose in him and stated that he will by no means disappoint them. The young philanthropist further reiterated that he is passionate about Badagry and it's development. That either he is offered the honour to represent the constituent at lower chamber of the National Assembly or not, he would continue to do his best to develop Badagry. But given the opportunity to serve will make him serve them better with every available legislative powers.

Sesi, however concluded that his ambition is subject to the will of his people. He said no individual ambition is more than the collective will of the electorates. He said despite his passion to serve the people, his ambition is hinged basically on the will of the people. 

"No doubt, we are in democratic dispensation; democratically, you can't force or foist yourself on people. It's the people that must chose you, reason why I am seeking for your supports. My ambition to contest for Badagry Federal House of Representative is totally borne out of my passion to serve my people at that level, but if you don't want me there's nothing I can do, because your will come first. But I am assuring you, if you send me, it will not be business as usual. I will ensure Badagry's lost glory is restored. I will ensure we bridge the Socio-economic and infrastructural gap between Badagry and development at all cost. All I need is your genuine supports and prayers. " he concluded.

The meeting, which was well attended by his foundation team members led by Prince Wale Adesina, the former Secretary to the Local Council, Olorunda and several other leaders from his home ward, Ikoga ward.

UVOBPI Clocks 10: Our Past, Present and Future Advocacies and Developmental Drives for Badagry, By UVOBPI-TEAMCO

BY UVOBPI TEAMCO 

Established exactly 10 years ago, the United Voice of Badagry People Initiative, UVOBPI’s advocacy role not only introduced economic development challenges, inequities and injustice affecting Badagry and her communities to the leaders in Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria at large but significantly, outside these communities, our team has helped build community networks in Nigeria and across frontiers reaching out to over fifty million online. Many read our online campaign awareness articles, updates, news updates and engage in discussions, our fight against corruption awareness campaign and many more.

Here are a few highlights of our success. Despite the number of challenges, we were able to stand our ground because of your support and participation on our platforms and on behalf of all our team, thank you for your volunteering spirit and support. We look forward to your continuous support and together we are stronger.

For some of the highlights of our success and challenges, visit us here for information: https://www.thevoiceofbadagry.org/uvobpi-programmes-projects-2

For some of the highlights of our challenges, and how you can support us, why not visit us at the following link to read about our May 2011 – December 2020 Reports at: https://www.thevoiceofbadagry.org/annual-performance-review

For some of our UVOBPI-TEAMCO projects and how you can be part of this dedicated team working behind the scenes for the good of our communities in Badagry, Lagos State and Nigeria, why not visit us at this address for information: https://www.thevoiceofbadagry.org/teamco-project-history

Here is some good news why you should join and support us (you can support by volunteering to work for us or by your volunteer donations). Please have a look at our forthcoming projects and do not miss out to be part of one of these. We look forward to hearing from you.

Our Active and Upcoming Projects:

UVOBPI TEAMCO Skills Acquisition Centre Empowerment Project RE: UTSACEPC/001/ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/001

UVOBPI TEAMCO Inter-School Competitions to Encourage Academic Excellence Project RE: UTISCEAE/001/ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/002

UVOBPI TEAMCO Scholarships for Indigent Brilliant Students RE: USIBS/001/ ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/003

UVOBPI TEAMCO Provisions for Aged People Project RE: UPAPP/001/ ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/004

UVOBPI TEAMCO Soft Loans for Small and Medium Enterprises RE: UTSLSME/001/ ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/005

UVOBPI TEAMCO Medical Outreaches Empowering Project RE: UTMOEP/001/ ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/006

UVOBPI TEAMCO Transparency International Conference Project RE: UTTIC/001/ ELPD/004/O3/PHB/005/O4/TEAMCO/001 Vision 2021

Contact us here for information and how you can support one of these projects:

[email protected] or [email protected]

MASSIVE PURCHASE OF APC NOMINATION FORMS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IS PLEASING - LAGOS APC SCRIBE

By Dansu Peter 

The Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State Honourable Lanre Ogunyemi has described as pleasing, the massive response and show of interest in the purchase of nomination forms by aspirants willing to contest in the primary elections aimed at electing councillorship and chairmanship candidates to flag the ship of the party in the 2021 local government polls in the state.

Ogunyemi sees the large quest for nomination forms as an indication of continued public interest in the party.

According to him, the fact that as at the time of this report, close to One Thousand people have picked their nomination forms to jostle for the 57 Chairmanship and 377 Councillorship seats is a testament to the continued grassroots appeal, popularity and acceptance the party enjoys in Lagos State. 

He said sales of forms is still ongoing.

“Over the years, our party has remained the party to beat owing to our people-centred policies.“

“As you know, the local government is the closest tier of government to the people and our party is determined to produce credible hands who can further deliver on democracy dividends in these most challenging times”.

“We have also deliberately encouraged more youth, women and people living with disabilities to come on board by giving special consideration to them in our guidelines”, Ogunyemi concluded.

The Alarming Security Situation in Nigeria, By Independent Researchers at NACT-PVS

By NACT-PVS

Nigeria’s security situation is alarming. This is 2021. The security situation in Nigeria is alarming just reading these news headlines. And these are just a few to mention. The failure of past leaders in Nigeria is the reason why insecurity is so prevalent in present-day Nigeria. The future is in the hands of the young, talented and experienced. These ones need to be educated to be able to see insecurity, challenge and stop it. If the solution to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges is left to the leaders of Nigeria, then there will be no solution. Insecurity affects everyone, not just the wealthy few. So, these individuals should give the opportunity for new talent to thrive. Times change, the world is modernising and quite frankly speaking, so should Nigeria.

Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi on Thursday: the present insecurity in the country is a result of the failure of past leaders who failed to address the future of young people.

Elusoji, S. (2021, May 06). Insecurity Is A Result Of The Failure Of Past Leaders – Umahi. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/06/insecurity-is-a-result-of-the-failure-of-past-leaders-umahi/amp/

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to suspend the planned 2021 census until the insecurity situation in the country is addressed.

Channels Television. (2021, May 05). Insecurity: Reps Ask FG To Suspend 2021 Census. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/05/insecurity-reps-ask-fg-to-suspend-2021-census/ 

Former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana has lamented the worsening state of insecurity in the country, saying Nigerians do not deserve what they are going through. Gana stated this in Abuja on Wednesday. 

Channels Television. (2021, May 05). Insecurity: Nigerians Do Not Deserve What We Are Going Through – Jerry Gana. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/05/insecurity-nigerians-do-not-deserve-what-we-are-going-through-jerry-gana/ 

The remaining 29 students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Kaduna State have regained freedom.

Ajibola, A., & Enyiocha, C. (2021, May 05). VIDEO: 29 College Students Abducted In Kaduna Regain Freedom. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/05/breaking-29-college-students-abducted-in-kaduna-regain-freedom/

Insecurity: ‘Where Are The Arms We Bought For $1bn?’ – Wike Asks FG

Igwe, I. (2021, May 04). Insecurity: ‘Where Are The Arms We Bought For $1bn?’ – Wike Asks FG. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/04/insecurity-where-are-the-arms-we-bought-for-1bn-wike-asks-fg/amp/

As part of measures to tackle the security challenges in Benue, stakeholders in the state have sought the recruitment of Community Volunteer Guards.

Igwe, I. (2021, May 06). Insecurity: Benue Seeks To Recruit Community Volunteer Guards. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.channelstv.com/2021/05/06/insecurity-benue-seeks-to-recruit-community-volunteer-guards/amp/  

Nkasi Wodu, a New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute, is a lawyer, peacebuilding practitioner, and development expert based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

"The Nigerian minister of defence recently enjoined Nigerians to take up arms to defend themselves against marauding bandits in their communities. The minister’s statement aligns with the grim reality that Nigeria has a serious internal security problem—and nobody knows exactly how to solve it."

Council on Foreign Relations. (2021, February 26). Nigeria’s Internal Security Problem. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.cfr.org/blog/nigerias-internal-security-problem 

Nigeria is confronted by multiple security challenges, notably the resilient Boko Haram Islamist insurgency in the north east, long-running discontent and militancy in the Niger Delta, increasing violence between herders and farming communities spreading from the central belt southward, and separatist Biafra agitation in the Igbo south east. Violence, significantly by the Boko Haram insurgency, has displaced over two million people, resulting to uncontrollable humanitarian problems, and with this is the increased of civilian vigilante self-defence groups with new look into security structures, all of these are challenging for the modern day Nigeria.

Crisis Group. (2021). Nigeria. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria 

LG Polls 2021: Eko Youths Commend APC as Party Subsidizes Nomination Fee By 50% for Youths, Ask Other States to Follow Suit

By Dansu Peter 

Youths across the Centre of Excellence have commended the Lagos State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for subsidizing the nomination fee of any youth within the age bracket of below forty years by 50%.

A youth leader in the state, who also doubles as the the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Youth Development, Akanbi A. Saheed Afonja made the commendation in a Press Statement made available to the media  on Friday, 7th May, 2021. 

Afonja said the youths in the state are very grateful to the ruling APC over what he described as harkening to the voice of the young people by subsidizing 50% of the party nomination fee for the forthcoming local government elections, just as it did to the female contestants. 

The youths in the party had earlier canvased and appealed to the leadership of the party, through the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Youth Development, to consider subsidizing the party's nomination fee charged for youths contestants, just as it did to the women. The plea, the party leadership obliged almost immediately. 

According to Afonja, the commendation became necessary  considering the spontaneous positive response to the request by Youths to the party hierarchy in this regard. 

He said this uncommon gesture, will not only allow and encourage youths participation in politics, but will also enable the youths in governance to take decisions that will determine their future.

 He also argued that youths participation in governance, especially at the grassroots will reduce youths agitation and foster peace in our various communities. 

He, however urged the youths across the state to seize this golden opportunity and get themselves involved in the forthcoming local government elections in the state. 

He advised youth to shun all forms of violence and thuggery as the elections fast approaching.

“Is it difficult for the Govt. to identify the sources of supply of arms and other provisions to Boko Haram?” - The Expert Views

Independent Researchers Update: Security Expert Views 

BY NACT-PVS

Following up from NACT-PVS’ Article on the security situation in Nigeria entitled, “Constructive And Deconstructive Of Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: The Buba Galadima NACT-PVS’ Special Study, By Senu & Daranijoh.” We have been receiving updates from Nigerian security experts around the world and NACT-PVS will be analysing these experts’ comments as they emerge. 

To start with this debate, we gathered this comment from a renowned and talented Security Expert, Security Consultant and Training Director bestowed with many laurels and medals to his honour, educating divers security agents in Nigeria, Prince Fred Wilson Oribhabor. According to the expert: 

“The insecurity situation in Nigeria is beyond mere rhetorics. Government is just playing the ostrich as I find it extremely difficult to believe that the insecurity situation in Nigeria is beyond government capability to address. Is it difficult for govt to identify the sources of supply of arms and other provisions to the Boko Haram? If any country is found culpable there are international laws, treaties and conventions to deal with such. The question is has Nigeria taken their security challenges to international organisations for assistance? NO! I have been listening to Buba Galadima I am his fan. He is one of the few Nigerians who are still courageous enough to tell the government the truth but how are his views being perceived? I listened to him on channels TV few days ago. What we are seeing is Islamization and Fulanization of Nigeria agenda. If Buhari govt wants to solve the problem they know and have the solution.”

Considering Nkasi Wodu, a New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute, is a lawyer, peacebuilding practitioner, and development expert based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria statement, "the Nigerian minister of defence recently enjoined Nigerians to take up arms to defend themselves against marauding bandits in their communities. The minister’s statement aligns with the grim reality that Nigeria has a serious internal security problem—and nobody knows exactly how to solve it" (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021). 

Boko Haram in the north is just but one of the many security challenges faced by Nigerians and among others is the rise of the militancy in the Niger Delta, the rise of the violence between herders and farming communities emerging from the central belt southward, and separatist Biafra agitation in the Igbo, South east, and the Oduduwa nation. Notably is the terrorism by the Boko Haram insurgency, has displaced over two million people, resulting to uncontrollable humanitarian problems, and with this is the increase of civilian vigilante self-defence groups with new look into security structures, all of these are challenging for modern day Nigeria (see Crisis Group, 2021). Following this discussion, we bring the question raised in this Article to our readers quoting Prince Fred Wilson Oribhabor, “is it difficult for the government to identify the sources of supply of arms and other provisions to Boko Haram?”

Nigerian security experts at home and abroad with a shared determination have begun speaking out. Do not be left out in this conversation!

We’d love to hear from you. Engage with us with this conversation at:  https://www.facebook.com/nactpvs/posts/3904948652952394 or email us your thoughts at: [email protected] 

References

Council on Foreign Relations. (2021, February 26). Nigeria’s Internal Security Problem. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.cfr.org/blog/nigerias-internal-security-problem

Crisis Group. (2021). Nigeria. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria

"KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES"

To read our newly published academic articles, please follow these links: 

Access links here!

A critical assessment of anti‐corruption strategies for economic development in sub‐Saharan Africa: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12442  First published: 18 May 2019

African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub‐Saharan African insecurity: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12397 First published: 05 July 2018

Email us at: [email protected] 

Group kicks against plot to destabilise Buhari’s government, ... vows to defend nation’s democracy

By Dansu Peter 

The Nigeria First movement says it will resist any attempt by vested interests to destabilise President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. 

The pan-Nigerian organisation said it is aware of the plot by disgruntled elements hiding under the nomenclature of activism to perpetrate evil in the country through the sponsorship of acts of violence along ethnic and religious lines. 

Nigeria First which raised the alarm at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, however, vowed to defend the country's democracy. 

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on Sunday alerted Nigerians on sinister moves by misguided elements to wreak havoc on the government, sovereignty and corporate existence of the country. 

The Presidency echoed this warning on Tuesday, adding that the intention is to eventually throw the country into a tailspin, which would compel a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership.     

And speaking on behalf of the group, National Secretary, 

Richard Augustine-Adie said urgent and proactive steps must be taken, else Nigeria would end up in ruins.  

He, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to "stay united in one spirit, body and soul, for it is neither East nor West, South or North but One Nigeria, and the Nigeria of our dreams which is within reach if we stay united". 

While commending security agencies for their efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country, the group further cautioned these "unscrupulous elements to channel their resources and time to more productive ventures". 

The Nigeria First added that it would mobilise Nigerians to the streets should they continue with their despicable attempt at destabilising the country. 

Read full statement below: 

The leadership of Nigeria First welcomes you all to the important press conference in light of the recent happenings in the country that portends grave danger if the relevant stakeholders do not take urgent and proactive steps in the country. 

Nigeria First, as a pan-Nigerian organization with membership across the country, is alarmed with the turn of events in the country regarding the activities of some disgruntled elements that are hell-bent on causing disaffection in the country through a nefarious plot to truncate our nascent democracy. 

It is consequently despicable that the harbingers of violence and destruction have perfected the plot to destabilize the country to fulfil their desire to see the country burn and seize to exist. 

Nigeria First is aware of the seriousness of the plot and, as such, wishes to inform members of the general public to be wary of individuals and groups hiding under the nomenclature of activism to perpetrate evil in the country through the sponsorship of acts of violence along ethnic and religious lines. 

These individuals and groups have been behind the religious and ethnic tension in the country in an apparent attempt to divide the country along these lines and eventually set the country at war at this critical point of our existence. 

We wish to state in unequivocal terms that should urgent and proactive steps not taken, these harbingers of violence and conflict would have their way, and Nigeria would end up in ruins to the chagrin of the vision of our founding fathers. 

This is indeed the time for all well-meaning Nigerians to stay united in one spirit, body and soul, for it is neither East nor West, South or North but One Nigeria, and the Nigeria of our dreams which is within reach if we stay united and resist overtures from these unscrupulous elements to destroy the country. 

Nigeria First, as an organization in the vanguard of promoting the ideals of good governance, peace and unity in Nigeria, is sending a clarion call to all religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria to see this trying period as an avenue to prove to the world that there is strength in our diversity. 

This is also an avenue to send a strong message to these unscrupulous elements to channel their resources and time to more productive ventures that would have a meaningful impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians instead of promoting and sponsoring acts of violence across the country.

Nigeria First wishes to remind Nigerians that the pledge to Nigeria our country, to be faithful, loyal and honest. To serve Nigeria with all our strength, to defend her unity and uphold her glory, is indeed sacrosanct. 

It is, therefore, our considered opinion that this is indeed time to come together and defend the unity of Nigeria in this critical point of our existence. If we don't do this, nobody will do it for us. It consequently behoves us to ensure that those plotting the destabilization of Nigeria are put to shame.   

Nigeria First, as an organization, is also using this medium to inform all those that have been fueling religious and ethnic tension in the country that Nigerians shall indeed expose and reject them in totality. 

We shall also mobilize Nigerians to the streets should they continue with their despicable attempt at destabilizing the country. We shall march for the unity of Nigeria, and we shall ensure that Nigeria stays united as ever. 

We also wish to commend the efforts of our security agencies in their efforts at addressing the security challenges in the country. It is indeed a statement that they have been proactive and doing all within their means that Nigerians are protected across the country. 

We must also remind Nigerians that the task at hand requires all hands to be on deck in our quest to stay united as a people and as a country, for united we stand and divided we fall. 

Nigerians must also do well to realize that the gains recorded in critical sectors of our economy have rattled some vested interests. As such, they are hell-bent on throwing the country into chaos by all means necessary. 

Nigeria First shall continue to engage critical stakeholders in this regard, and we make this solemn pledge to ensure that Nigeria continues to enjoy peace and tranquillity. 

Our support for the strides of the Muhammadu Buhari administration remains unflinching. This much we have demonstrated over the years, and we shall continue to in the quest to translate the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians across the country into tangible realities. 

It is our firm belief that Nigeria shall overcome its adversaries, and we shall come out as one solid and indivisible entity. 

We thank you all for your time and attention and implore us to take this message of peace and unity to our various constituencies.

Lagos Assembly urged to suspend Somolu LG boss over abuse of office, nepotism, falsified certificate, others

By News Proof 

The Lagos State House of Assembly has been urged to suspend the chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Hon. AbdulHamed Salawu, over gross abuse of office, nepotism, disregard for constituted authorities as well as falsified identity and certificate. 

The call was made by some well-meaning indigenes of the local government under the auspices of the United Somolu Congress (USC) after due consultation with some councillors.  

This follows the suspension of three local government council chairmen over alleged disregard for the guidelines governing their activities. 

The suspended chairmen include Ogidan Mukandasi Olaitan of Lekki LCDA, Suleiman Jelili of Alimosho local government area, and Tajudeen Ajide of Surulere local government area. 

Reacting to the news of the suspension, the group in a statement signed by its secretary-general, Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday, expressed shock that Sawalu was exempted all along. 

According to him, Sawalu's "many sins can not be swept under the carpet because of his links to the forces at the top", noting that he has done worse than the crucified trio. 

Dullar, as he is fondly called, has ruled with nepotism and total disregard for those in his domain whom he was elected to govern, the group said. 

As chairman, the indigenes further revealed that Sawalu, at different points, had his family member in charge of juicy committees, thus aiding him to misappropriate funds without a trace.

" How can a sister of a sitting local government chairperson head almost all committees set up? Is it a family business? If she was that competent, why was she deported from the United States?" Ibrahim queried. 

"We have carried out extensive research and gathered enough evidence against Dullar. We also have the blessing of some councillors to demand the suspension of our local government chairman. Obviously, they are anonymous because of fear of their political future ". 

Ibrahim added that plans are underway to submit a petition to relevant authorities to nail Salawu who, he says, also had his identity and certificate falsified. 

Dullar who was based abroad is said to have switched his identity after being deported. 

The embattled chairman, was initially known as Abdulsalau Ogembe, but reportedly changed his name to Abdul Hamed Salawu without any legal document to back the change. 

A source, who pleaded anonymity told Sahara Reporters, "Dullar is living a fake life with a false identity. If he changed his name legally, he should provide a newspaper where he did so. I only pity Somolu people who know nothing about this fraudster.

"A man who can change his name, is there another fraud bigger than that? Please Salawu, clear your name, your people deserve to know the truth," he said.

This implies that the Somolu LG boss uses a false certificate which makes him illegible to hold any elected position according to the Constitution. 

In sections 66 (1) (i), 107 (1) (i), 137 (1) (j), and 182 (1) (j), the Nigerian Constitution disqualifies candidates from gaining a public seat under review if “he has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission”.

The source, however, expressed hope that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) will do due diligence in screening him out if eventually escapes the state Assembly. 

He said, "With Salawu seeking re-election, it is expected that the commission will put aside partisanship and the 'Dullar' effect and screen out the incumbent.

"We know that he enjoys the goodwill of national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, hence he may emerge the party's candidate. But we are hopeful that this rogue will be exposed. This German deportee is only using political office to evade prosecution.

“It is no longer news that Salawu's papers were seized in Europe and America. He has written to the German and Canadian governments to demand them but to no avail.”

Group asks Ortom to resign over poor governance in Benue State

By Dansu Peter 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has called on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to resign over poor performance and gross ineptitude. 

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Hwande Titus Akase, on Wednesday, the group said the governor has failed to provide credible leadership since assuming office in 2015. 

According to Akase, the state has been reduced to a "fiefdom controlled by Ortom's family, friends and cronies, so much so that this group of people has consistently siphoned the resources of the state".  

 

The coalition noted that the result is deteriorating infrasture, zero development and untold hardship in the state, especially with the governor owing pensions and salaries for 72 and 10 months respectively

Instead of concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to his people, Akase said Ortom has found solace in the media where he diverts attention. 

The group said Ortom amassed hundreds of hectares of land for his cattle rearing business, leading to farmer-herder clashes while arming militias to do his bidding. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, therefore, concluded that there is no moral justification for Governor Ortom to remain in office. 

It, however, called on all relevant stakeholders to join hands and rescue the state from the governor for sustainable growth and development. 

Read the full statement below:

We welcome you all to this press conference converged on the heels of the decadence in governance in Benue state, which has become a source of worry to all concerned stakeholders in the state and the country at large. 

Benue State, under Governor Samuel Ortom since 2015, has experienced an astronomical level of decadence. Governor Samuel Ortom has elected to play to the gallery at the expense of providing credible leadership. 

The Governor has over the years turned Benue State into a fiefdom and controlled by his family, friends and cronies, so much so that this group of people has consistently siphoned the resources of the state under the direction of Governor Samuel Ortom. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice is indeed worried that a state governor who claims to be working for the interest of the people could go to bed at night and sleep comfortably when 72 months (6 years) pension arrears of retired local government workers in the state have not been paid. 

It is also despicable that under Governor Samuel Ortom, the state government also owes teachers ten months' salary arrears, nine months of local government workers, and five months salaries of state government workers. It is consequently foolhardy for Governor Samuel Ortom to blame insecurity for his administration's inability to be up-to-date in the payment of salaries and pensions.

Thus, it is our considered opinion that governance in Benue state has been thrown to the dogs, and there is no moral justification for Governor Samuel Ortom to continue to remain in office as Governor of Benue State. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice uses this medium to inform members of the unsuspecting general public that Governor Samuel Ortom has been engaging in media grandstanding, all to take the attention from his woeful performance in governance in the state. 

The general public might wish to know that there is a dearth of infrastructures in Benue State. The roads are bad and littered with potholes, there is a lack of portable drinking water, and farmers do not have access to fertilizers, rural dwellers do not have access to necessities of life and other instances on how Governor Samuel Ortom and his cronies have succeeded in impoverishing the people of Benue State. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice is also alarmed that Governor Samuel Ortom has over the years busied himself with amassing several hundreds of hectares of land for his cattle rearing business in Benue state and to a large extent; this has been responsible for the frequent conflict in the state between herders and farmers.  

It is also worrisome that a governor would stoop low to arming militia to go after peaceful herders in the state just because he wants to dominate the business. After such attacks are carried out, the Governor is quick to blame it on Fulani herders. In truth, the Fulani herders are the victims of Governor Samuel Ortom’s plot at ethnic cleansing in the state. 

Thus, our opinion is that Governor Samuel Ortom does not have any business remaining as Governor of Benue State. As such, he should tender his resignation for the peaceful and loving people of Benue state to have a breath of fresh air. 

This is also on the heels that democratic governance has been bestialized in Benue State, as so the people. This is unacceptable and a reason why Governor Samuel Ortom must, as a necessity, vacate office as Governor of Benue State. 

Governor Samuel Ortom has betrayed the mandate of the people. He has subjected the people to untold hardship. He has deprived the people, and he has set Benue State back some donkey years using all available indices of governance through his actions and inactions. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice is calling on all relevant stakeholders to join forces to rescue Benue State from the serpentine rule of Governor Samuel Ortom in the quest to restore the glory of the state. 

The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to emphasize that his antics must not deceive Benue State under Governor Samuel Ortom and the general public. We trust that those present at the press conference would take this vital message to our various constituencies. 

We thank you for your time and attention. We desire that Benue State experiences sustainable growth and development.

Insecurity: Between Ortom’s crocodile tears and the Presidency, By Simon Wayo

By Simon Wayo 

Governor of Benue state, Mr. Samuel Ortom is a disingenuous thespian. He seeks to recreate the absurdist theatre of ancient Greek, but replicates it very poorly.  But in his die-hard posture of dramatizing the bizarre, the Governor competes for fame, which sophistry has outclassed Sophocles, the great Greek playwright.

Governor Ortom is recognized nationally and even globally, as the master of wails and whines! He erects the stage and sources his raw materials or contents for the dramatic and propagandist showmanship from alleged herdsmen atrocities in Benue state. He is not popular among the clan of Governors in Nigeria for landmark development projects.   

Each time, he parrots and howls like a strangulated prisoner, it’s about insecurities in his state. What is suspect and triggers anger is his proclivity of his very translucently, dishonest approaches to the crises of different shades and dimensions plaquing his state.

No one can dispute the extremely porous state of security in Nigeria today. Armed aliens, foreign merchants and their local conspirators are really making a mince meat of Nigeria’s national security. This is indisputable.  But what is the Presidency not doing to curb the trend of viral insecurities in Nigeria?

President Muhammadu Buhari has not flinched from doing the needful. He is funding, equipping and deploying   all security agents to crisis flashpoints. The widespread tendency of the crisis has apparently over-tasked and overstretched the Nigerian security apparatus. It is very glaring. Yet, the Federal Government has not relented on its oars to enthrone peace and stability throughout the country.

It is accepted that where human lives are affected, it sprouts emotions, some genuine, while others partisan. But a cliche says, security is everybody’s business. Leaders at the lower rungs in the corridors of power particularly, have a lot to do in complementing the strength of the Federal Government in securing the lives and property of Nigerians. Regrettably through, it is a philosophy Benue’s Governor Ortom has refused to imbibe.   

The central Government’s concern for security is the reason each state of the federation has monthly security votes. It is supposed to be expanded in whatever way to tame crisis at its embryonic stage through proactive steps.  Unfortunately, some rogue-State Governors have abused it. They are eager to collect the huge sums, but very hesitant to use it for the purpose it was budgeted.

Ortom is a perfect example. He allegedly collects about N900 million monthly as security votes. But to cover-up his leadership loopholes, Mr. Governor has made it a hobby to tongue-lash, brickbat, grandstand, harshly scold and assail the personality and office of Mr. President with accusations’ of failing to tackle security challenges in the country.

 President Buhari has received consistent reproaches from Governor Ortom who accuses him of permitting his Fulani kinsmen to kill and bloodily evict the people of Benue out of their ancestral lands. The Governor knows, what he spews are half-truths; malicious lies and egoistic grandstanding against the Presidency to coverup his abdication of his basic responsibilities. This is public knowledge.

Killers operating in Nigeria whether clothe as terrorists or bandits have permeated the land, including the President’s home-state of Katsina. By Ortom’s extrapolations, is it likely that Mr. President would also prod the killers to kill his own direct kinsmen, who share same affinity with the same armed assailants? The answer is clearly in the negative. That’s why every leader must play his role faithfully to end this scourge in Nigeria.

Now, some few days back, Governor Ortom again addressed Nigerians alleging the invasion and killing of about seven persons housed in an IDP camp, Abagena at the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital. (May the souls of those who lost their lives rest in perfect peace). But there were a lot of lacunas in Ortom’s wailings and castigations of the Presidency, flowing from the latest incident.

The Governor accused President Buhari of failing on security of his state and the entire country. But strangely, Ortom exonerated himself from his actions and inactions which have aggravated the deadly conflict between farmers and herders or he generally porous security in his state.

Have Nigerians imagined that in the scenario of incessant attacks by killer gangs on communities in Benue, a place housing IDPs would have no security guard, even of local vigilantes? It is the responsibility of the state Governor. These are the minor things, but very crucial, which he ignores, but prefers to blame Buhari.   

Benue state is generally a hotbed of violent clashes or insecurities. There are internal communal clashes, and conflagrations in various parts of the state, which have added its force to the invading armed gangs to terrorize the state. These seems entrenched in the state. Perceptively, there is poor leadership discharge in Benue state, as exemplified by Governor Ortom.

The Benue Governor has mismanaged everything in the state. He has refused to pay salaries and pay pensioners. He has thwarted flow of funds into the Local Government system, despite NFIU enforcement; he has built no cottage industries to create jobs, and he has resuscitated none! Penury smiles ferociously in the state; whilst, hunger and starvation are perpetual tenants in Benue.

And even agriculture which is the main traditional occupation of the people is in shambles because of failure of the Governor to encourage and support farming ventures. What he supports is the Oracle Farms Limited, the Governor’s private farms. He spends more time on his private farms, than he commits to governing the state.  

It is this leadership deficit in the state that has created cracks on the wall and birthed the awful insecurities tormenting the people. Gov. Ortom has never thought of exploring alternatives in solving evolving security issues in the state. He ignores these issues until they explode dangerously to create a platform for him to shift the blame on Mr.  President. He saves his monthly security votes under his pillow and waits for the next allocation.     

Governor Ortom sounds all the time as if it is President Buhari who is opposed to the Anti-Opening Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment Law, operative in the state. The ban on open grazing in the state is a law passed by the State House of Assembly. It means, it is what the people of Benue have collectively endorsed, which is subject to violation like any other law in the country. It is instructive that the Anti- Open Grazing law was conceived and enacted by the APC led government in Benue State at the time and was initiated by civil society groups in the state.

The anti-open grazing law also has restrictions, spells out penalties for violation and prescribes punishments for offenders, including prosecution and payment of fines to reclaim impounded livestock. But Governor Ortom has consciously abused or violated the stipulations of a law he signed himself.

 

Ortom is aware that confiscated cows from herders who violate the law ends up missing, or diverted, when the owners eventually appear to pay the prescribed fines to reclaim their livestock. Intelligence reports indicate that sometimes, impounded livestock are even shared among operators or enforcers of the anti-open grazing law, immediately they are seized.

And when the owners come to reclaim back their goods, the consignment is most times incomplete or dubiously pilfered. It’s evident in Ortom’s Livestock Guards, who are merely on monthly stipends, but are now living epicurean lifestyles from the business of illegally selling off confiscated cattle.

These are some of the actions sparking reprisal attacks from the same herders, who are angered that the Government has shortchanged and unfairly dispossessed them of their treasures. And Governor Ortom is aware of this defective application of the anti-open grazing law, but he is strangely reluctant to insist on the right thing.  By implication, Ortom is a beneficiary of the disrupted peace he has brought on people of the state and doesn’t want an end to it.

 It’s high time Nigerians are told the truth. Governor Ortom is the main architect and culprit of the insecurities bedeviling his state or the heist by herders in his state. He is even suspected of diversionary hiding under the cover of the killers to settle political scores with enemies.

This is the reason its difficult for federal security to assist Ortom restore absolute security sanity in the state. Nigerians should ignore his flippancy and propagandist tendencies, as well as the persistent scolding of President Buhari.   Ortom is the real cause of insecurities in the state and thereafter, shed crocodile tears to attract empathy. 

Each time he has to render accountability to his people, he ups the ante of insecurities. He has used this template to divert monthly entitlements of workers and pensioners’, citing insecurity in the state. The people should be wise to identify their real enemy; and it is Governor Ortom who has turned the herdsmen killings into a business. Those in doubt, should ask Gov. Ortom’s kinsman, Alhaji Aliyu Tashaku!

 Had Ortom approached herder’s mayhem in Benue honestly and genuinely, the killings would have ended or at least, the tempo would have reduced. Therefore, the Governor lacks the moral right or rectitude to criticize President Buhari who is doing his best to contain the situation. To this moment, Operation Whirl Stroke is still operating in Benue and parts of the North Central states. It is this  same team that tackled the notorious Gana militant group that once kidnapped and murdered the wife of Justice Tine Tuu. The jurist himself died from what is suspected to be the trauma of the tragic death of his wife .         Ortom should utilize them as assets to restore durable peace and security in Benue state. #

Wayo wrote from Federal Government College, Gboko Benue State.

Gen Buratai’s footprints and the task ahead of COAS Attah irú, By Philip Agbese

By Philip Agbese 

Combating terrorism or insurrections are acknowledged globally as  quite  arduous assignments. Soldiers who command such warfares must be necessarily be   brave, courageous and determined  combatants of the trenches. It's not a task for the faint- hearted! 

The  ex-Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, retired Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai remonstrated these rare qualities abundantly when he scored the shots on the podium of terrorism combats in the country. 

But a  very honest verdict on the ex-COAS, as the honcho of anti-insurgency operations in the country from May 2015 to January 2021 can only be gleaned from the enduring  whirlwind of his exploits, long after he quitted active service. 

Even unpatriotic misanthropes can sight the legacies of Gen. Buratai  (rtd) which  have refused to be fogged by the thickness of  billowing smokes; whether  of  partisan and ethno-religious  flavors,   as  peculiarly Nigerian. 

 Buratai’s successor, the incumbent COAS and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt.Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru might not be caught unawares by the new assignment. But its certain, his predecessor, Gen. Buratai left a big-sized shoe, quite uneasy to wear effectively.

An introspection of what constituted the defining  principles and convictions, Gen. Buratai weaponized to wilt the storm of insurgencies and insurrections in the country for six long years would certainly prop up the image of a strong leadership character in his persona. 

Even dispassionate outsiders attested loudly to Gen. Buratai’s (rtd) palpable, unshaken and unfractured patriotism and loyalty to Nigeria. He could be jovial with his subordinates to a fault; but upheld the sacred military doctrines of professionalism, loyalty and  discipline.

He dispensed himself to soldiers generally as a father, blood brother, welfarist, amiable boss, compassionate leader, trustworthy compatriot and courageous warrior in the trenches.  Boko Haram factional leaders, both Abubakar Shekau and the ISIS-backed Musab Al Barnewi, in alliance with Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky of the IMN or Shiites in Nigeria, another terrorist’s sect, wished Gen. Buratai dead for his uncompromising stand.

Leaders of these sects operating in Nigeria, vigorously pursued the agenda of eliminating Gen. Buratai (rtd) through terrorists’ ambushes of his convoy in the Northeast   and the   assassination plot hatched against   him in Zaria by IMN. Though he faced death multiple times in the trenches, but remained resolute and undeterred.   

Retired Gen. Buratai’s NDA course mate and friend, who retired much earlier, Major Daniel Banjo, (rtd), recalled when he requested for a thanksgiving Service in his home state for the ex-COAS; “I remember, about three times, he (Buratai) called me in the middle of the night. He was at the warfront. He would call and say things are happening here and Nigerians are not appreciative of what we are doing…He wouldn’t sleep for weeks. He was ambushed three times and he jumped into the bush with his men, with Kalashnikov (AK-47 rifles) and they would be able to kill some and arrest some.”

Hate or love him, but it never escaped the sight that Gen. Buratai was relentless and untiring. His troops often chortled among themselves whether this boss ever slept or thought of a beloved family which also needed his attention.

He sprung surprises of a talisman with his presence everywhere in the warfront, day and night, from North to South. He constantly visited troops and supervised Army units and formations to ensure planned Internal Security (IS) operations or projects progress smoothly and unencumbered.  He tolerated no excuses for failure from troops on any assignment.

And to bolster performance and unalloyed loyalty, Buratai also, religiously fulfilled his own part of the bargain by ensuring troops legitimate entitlements and allowances were promptly delivered to them, even in the frontlines. It was one of the many things Gen. Buratai got right and it really worked for the Nigerian Army, especially for the troops in the frontlines on terrorism combating expeditions.

He treated the families of troops like his cherished assets and personal family. Gen. Buratai (rtd) paid frequent visits to Army Barracks, interacted with wives of soldiers, listened to their problems and remedied them immediately. Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) explored new frontiers in economic empowerment of wives of soldiers through various multi-purpose cooperative investments initiatives.

The ex-Army Chief further boosted the morale of his troops with packages such as the COAS special allowances and incentives, like special recognitions’ and instant or accelerated promotion of troops who demonstrated proven gallantry, courage and exceptional excellence in the frontlines.   

The expansion and re-equipping of the of the Nigerian Army was another was a focal policy of retired Gen. Buratai’s leadership.  He relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of manufacturing its own small and light weapons in the combat of terrorism, innovatively using home-grown technology and human resources’.

Under his reign, the Nigerian Army established two new Army Divisions 6 and 8, in  Borno and Rivers states;  a dozen Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) and Special Task Force units  across the country in strict compliance with the new Order of Battle (ORBAT). The initiative brought security closer to Nigerians, boosted   troops rapid responses to distress calls from entrapped Nigerians and the operational effectiveness of soldiers in operations.  

Nigerian soldiers were endeared to Gen. Buratai and performed their official assignments with glee because he prioritized the building of infrastructures for soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army. He had stringent focus or absolute belief in the welfare of troops in multiple ways and he knew, soldiers deserve at least minimum comforts to function splendidly. So, he erected new office and residential accommodation for soldiers.  

Therefore, Gen. Buratai (rtd) aggressively   relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of its lost glory in revolutionary style.  The former Army Chief embarked on ambitious projects such as the massive construction of new Army Barracks, renovations of dilapidated Barracks and Army formations, their upgrade and re-equipment with state-of-the-art facilities; resuscitation of moribund Army training institutions and the building of new ones, namely, the Army War College, the Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University Biu.

Buratai garnished it with the generous renovations/upgrades of existing, but outdated Army hospitals and the building of new Army Referral Hospitals to carter for the Medicare of soldiers, their families and members of Army host communities. These were legacy projects, signposts of focused leadership, the pillars and inerasable footprints of his leadership that publicized a reformed Nigerian Army in conduct and performance.    

The former Army Chief understood clearly that the success of Nigeria’s anti-insurgency combats basically depended on the assistance of foreign nations in weaponry and technical support. He was conscious of the prohibitions on human rights abuses by soldiers as enshrined in the Leahy Act amendment law. Besides, as a humane and compassionate leader, Gen. Buratai was conscious of the human dignity of all Nigerians. He never shirked from punishing erring soldiers.

Consequently, records of his observance of human rights were unequalled in the history of the Nigerian Army. He established the novel Human Rights Desk in the Nigerian Army, manned by a desk officer, and structured in an accessible manner to all Nigerians by its replication in all major Army formations throughout the country. The Army human rights desk handled, redressed and dispensed hundreds of cases between soldiers and civilians.

The Nigerian Army was under the plague of meagre budgets for its operations, even in the age of consuming insurgency. Therefore, Buratai imbibed the spirit of transparency, accountability and judicious application of Army resources for maximum effects. Lack of transparency in the administration of Army resources’ engendered distrust, dissension and rebellion among officers and soldiers.    

Foremostly, Gen. Buratai resolved the problem by switching over to e-governance in consonance with the policy of the Federal Government. He established the Army Procurement Department; migrated the Nigerian Army into the IPPIS payment system, and halted the culture of table payment of allowances/entitlements to troops in the warfront, which often led to avoidable complaints of diversion.   

The former leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria was a famed Military strategist, tactician and foresighted leader. Therefore, his clairvoyance pricked him of the looming threat of Cyberspace terrorism in combating insurgency in Nigeria. In order to clip the wings of cyberspace terrorists, who were largely Boko Haram sympathizers’ and agents, Gen. Buratai built and launched the Nigerian Army Cyberspace Warfare Command. Its mandate mainly is to secure Army’s classified information from leakage to enemies and certify the preservation of sensitive documents.

Added to it, Buratai upgraded and re-equipped the Department of Army Public Relations (DAPR)) to handle fake news and propaganda syndrome on the counter-insurgency operations in the country. The DAPR operated 24hours a day and proactively deflected terrorists’ propaganda which previously caused unnecessary public anxiety and panic.   

To this end, good leadership examples are worthy of emulation. The onus falls on Gen. Attahiru, who is also an old horse in the game to sustain and improve on these legacies of Gen. Buratai (rtd) by moving a notch higher to turn the table against Boko Haram.  It is the necessary antidote the incumbent Army leadership has to adopt, if it wants to really succeed to finally cripple insurgents.  

It’s no longer news that Nigerians are unwittingly beginning to celebrate the Buratai days. But Nigerians want to celebrate the Army at all times and the only alternative is to kick harder, harder than Gen. Buratai (rtd) ever did.  Gen. Attahiru should be mindful of news of Boko Haram dreadful presence in Niger state and predictively, Abuja is now donated to the mercy of terrorists.

But fundamentally, all the incumbent Service Chiefs have already clocked 100 days since their appointment on January 26, 2021. Quite unimpressively, media reports are awash with news that 741 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, armed bandits, herdsmen and arsonists across the country. Neither is  it exciting that the Southern part of the country is also contending with lethal kidnapping syndicates and killer herdsmen conundrum. Nigerians are no longer singing joyful songs which heralded the new Service Chiefs and there is need to redouble the efforts. #

Agbese wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: The Buba Galadima NACT-PVS' Special Study, By Senu & Daranijoh

By Femi Senu & Folarin Daranijoh

(Independent Researchers at NACT-PVS) 

The security situation in Nigeria has gone beyond greed and grievance. Our research has forecasted that if this act of greed and grievance is not managed then Nigeria is heading for a civil war. Most significantly, the lack of human security, systemic corruption, and kidnapping all over the place just a few to mention. All these variables are fuelling civil war. Lastly, we have also gathered outstanding evidence that heavy use of coercive approaches against insurgencies without addressing the underlying causes will continue to fuel conflicts and more insecurity. These conflicts or violence will potentially, or gradually spread across the nation.

To enlighten on these subjects, we have gathered the extracts from the online video statement of Alhaji Buba Galadima on the Security Situation in Nigeria, dated 30 Apr 2021. We watched and observed this statement at the Nigerian Association of Criminology Terrorism and Political Violence Studies (NACT-PVS) with our team and experts and we have constructed the following analysis on the current security situation in Nigeria.  We ask our readers to watch this video with the following YouTube link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJIIhSqa-E but pay close attention to our collective examination of Alhaji Buba Galadima’s statement and our analysis of Nigeria’s security challenges discussed in this matter. In this constructive and deconstructive article, you will be reading the following topics:

·         NACT-PVS’ Analysis Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria’s Security Challenges.

·         NACT-PVS’ Extracted Discourse of Alhaji Buba Galadima’s Statement.

·         Extracted Comments from Nigerians: Views on Nigeria’s Security Situation.

Nigeria’s security situation concerns everyone, but is Nigeria in a state of confusion right now? The kind of uprising seen with the Arab Spring that started on 17 December 2010 - can this happen in Nigeria (see Ruthven, 2016; Maleki, 2011)? Hold your thoughts and read our analysis, watch the video and observe what Nigerians are saying, analyse these comments and send us your reply.

NACT-PVS Analysis: Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria Security Challenges

Considering insecurity and security issues in Nigeria, there are many explanations to this and the current narratives on this matter has disconnected between Nigerian leaders and its citizens unwillingness to open doors to winning strategies or bring about a reduction to Nigeria’s security challenges. For example, Alhaji Buba Galadima has discussed that inviting Mercenaries to fight Boko Haram will be a solution to Nigeria’s Boko Haram, however, this discussion has not considered the negative impacts of foreign professional soldiers fighting a war or engaging in political violence related conflicts in another country. Case examples has shown that this will result in disaster and will worsen Nigeria’s situation; this is not a sustainable solution but rather will aggravate Nigeria’s existing insecurity situation. There are comparable data examples from around the world. Examples are seen in Libya, Syria, Yemen and many parts of the world and it would be reasonable for Nigeria’s leaders to learn from these. It is regrettable that Nigeria’s many talented individuals have been left out in the discourse of the country’s future and security.

Second, compliance with the rule of law in Nigeria is essential and this needs to be efficient and consistent. It is unnecessary for anyone to be above the law. Ministers, military gladiators, the senates and the president do not have to place themselves above the law. It is reasonable that Alhaji Buba Galadima in his discourse video stated that “no big head, all agencies of government, all tiers of government, to do their own proper jobs not sharing money alone” and that “we have taken loans running to billions of naira.”

Many Nigerians have shied away in the discourse of corruption. Nigerians need to wake-up to reality; there is no need to shy away from the reality that well known to all Nigerians that corruption is systemic in the country and corruption is at the heart of the reason why Boko Haram still exists and prospers today. Corruption is one of the prime reasons why many Nigerians, including mainstream journalists and some media organisations have failed to speak the truth about Nigeria’s insecurity situation. Corruption is at the heart of unemployment and the reasons why economic development is hampered. Corruption is the reason why Nigeria’s leaders have failed to use talented Nigerians and experts to help address insecurity situations and development matters in Nigeria. This includes exploring the talents of Nigerian scientists at home and abroad. And the fact remains that corruption has corrupted the corrupted and the corrupted have corrupted the uncorrupted. In this circumstance, it will be improper to discuss security with the corrupted. Incorruptibility has been corrupted in this matter, and engagement in this manner will resolve to a deep catastrophic insecurity phenomenon. To escape the consequences of these, such as seen in Libya, Yemen or Syria will be inevitable. The insecurity that Nigerians are witnessing today are the effects of corruption, mismanagement, incompetent leaders, a lack of ethical standards, of proactiveness and a conflict of interest at the edge of these levels amongst many more. It is not that Nigeria is lacking the strategies, laws or mechanisms to achieve all of these but it is corruption that has rendered inactive proactiveness, enforcement of laws and justice against corrupt leaders, and hampered genuine dialogue and strategic success (see Senu, 2019; Senu & Daranijoh, 2018). More political violence and civil wars are knocking at the door heavily and Nigerians need to wake up from their slumber before it is too late. There is already systematic political violence occurring in Nigeria every day and it is a matter of time before this escalates.

Are journalists’ part of Nigeria’s problem? This is in consideration to one of the comments extracted following Alhaji Buba Galadima’s video statement from one Nigerian who has watched the video. Our analysis on this is that, exploring the relationship between mainstream media or journalism into why some individual journalists or media organisations may or may not be part of Nigeria’s problems is crucial for Nigeria and our discussion above provided insight into these narratives. Notably of this is systemic corruption at all levels of Nigeria’s society and system. This has a part to play in the level of insecurity suffered by every single Nigerian today and in many cases, Nigerians themselves are part of the insecurity problems we face today, so no one is exempt. Corruption is at both the top and the bottom level of Nigerian society (see Senu, 2019; Senu & Daranijoh, 2018). 

Considering military solutions to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, Nigeria needs to learn from other countries who love military solutions to every insecurity problem and the reason why human security concepts were introduced by the United Nations Development Programmes in the first place. Those who are taking the lead in Nigeria’s affairs need to be humble and educated into the national constraints in national security matters, the country’s citizens human security and state security needs and why political violence and civil wars occur. These discourses are essential and both Nigeria’s military and leaders needs a complete humble mind to understand deconstructive and constructive mechanisms of these variables. 

Extracted Discourse from Alhaji Buba Galadima Statement

By Buba Galadima, Elder Statesman

National Security Challenges in Search of Panacea

The security situation in Nigeria is scaring

There are:  Pressure 24/7 on security situation in Nigeria

The solution

“It is not arrogance, it is not big head. We have to subsume to the eventualities of the situation today in the country. The military is overwhelmed, the military is overstretched, the military is under-armed, and the military is not receiving any motivation. Their moral is low, they can not do what we expect them to do, which is supposed to do their job. We are sending our children directly into the gallous, that is what it means but there was a solution. Somebody tried it that we have accused and called the names. Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan. When he came under pressure in 2015, he stopped the election by six weeks and imported mercenaries into the country after six weeks, election was able to be held in every polling-booth in this country and we promised the nation that we can stop the security challenge because we have experienced the people, tested people supportively, we can right the wrongs of the economy and this is where we found ourselves. There is something compounding this situation, which Nigeria don’t know and I want them to know because with the death of President Idriss Deby (additional information: the President passed away on 19 April 2021) we have become exposed, we have become vulnerable not only in Nigeria but in almost all the countries surrounding Nigeria, that is central Africa and West Africa. Idriss Deby has about two Southern strong armed, brave men that is holding (the) fort for Government in Niger Republic. Idriss Deby has got an unknown number of military people that is now probing the Government in Mali. So also, he has military people in Burkina-Faso. He is the one that is managing the security situation in Central African Republic. Then he is the one that is assisting Nigeria and Cameroon to stop the overtake of our territory by Boko Haram. Today Idriss Deby is no more. He was in Nigeria only five days to his death and signed a security memorandum with Nigeria for Nigeria’s Government. Yet, when this man died no Nigeria official, let alone a high-ranking person was sent for his burial. With this the government missed the opportunity to dialogue with other world leaders on surrounding insecurity challenges.”

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, Nigeria has missed the opportunity to discuss “security situation with the vacuum created by General Idriss Deby.”  It is a known fact that the Chadian Government is the eye and the ears and the heart of the French government in Africa. Right now, Chad is facing a rebellion, a civil war because of the tribes that killed him and currently, there are now four rebel groups heading to Capital of Chad (N'Djamena; based on the countries listed by Alhaji Buba Galadima, these groups are supported by proxy foreign powers). And the current discussion is the refusal of the current Chadian government claiming not to negotiate with the alleged groups to have killed Idriss Deby and that if the Nigerian government was there, they would have facilitated negotiation.

Why is Chad important to Nigeria’s National Security?

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, “the Multi-National Joint Force uses Chadians military equipment, uses Chadians military personnel”, and “one thing you must give the Chadians soldiers, they are very brave, they are very courageous, they are very resilient, and they can work under any condition not even afraid to die and that is why Idriss Deby, a sitting president of Chad, left his comfort zone and flew to the war front where he met his death and that is the kind of soldiers that Chad has.” It was claimed by Alhaji Buba Galadima that civil war is imminent now as the various groups are not negotiating with others. The narrative here is that, when Chad pulls its forces from Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and the Central African regions it would make the whole region vulnerable and Nigeria would suffer the most. According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, “all the Governments will fall to the Bandits” and “where do we go to” as the “military now overstretched.”

What is the solution then?

The solution is simple according to Alhaji Buba Galadima “for me, first, the president must establish the war cabinet, we are in war, where every morning at 9 o’clock, they will sit down to review the security situation in the past 24 hours in Nigeria.” According to him, “if the president is not disposed, to doing that, he should get the Vice President to chair that committee or get the national security adviser to do that every morning, review what has happened within 24 hours.” Second, “no big head, all agencies of government, all tiers of government, to do their own proper jobs not sharing money alone, taking loans running to billions of naira. Just last week the National assembly approved loans for Mr. President. Have they asked, all the trillions that they have approved in the last six years, show us what you have done with the money? I hear, they tell us that they are not corrupt, its ok, you are not corrupt. You borrow this, this, this, what have you done with it?”

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, it was also discussed that some of the projects initiated in Nigeria such as the Niger bridge, “is not Federal Government money” and “railway from Lagos to Ibadan” and the “Kaduna” railway “was constructed by (Sani) Abacha (Nigerian General whose years of service ran from 1963–1998: this was one of the former military presidents in Nigeria), even the wagons brought in to the port were not cleared until Yarudua time (born 1951 and died 2010; this was also one of the former civilian presidents in Nigeria) for clearing. I know this because I have been a member of delegation that have gone to China several times.” Discoursing the rail ways issues, Alhaji Buba Galadima confidently claimed that, “we know history” and “they cannot do that” and that “No Nigerian trusts this government” (i.e., we analysed that this is resulting from the many unfulfilled promises considering the effects of corruption discussed). The question was raised concerning these issues according to Alhaji Buba Galadima:

·         Are we secure?

·         Is there employment?

What should be done and secure life?

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima,” advising this government, even though I know that they will never take it. Once you say anything, they classified you as: are you for us or against us. Even if you tell them the truth and give them the best of advice, they will not take.”

The way out

“We can see even the president is not strong enough to give 24 hours of his time for this work, let him please, appoint anybody, even if it is his son, somebody.” That (i.e., somebody) “is proactive and can act on his behalf so that people sit down and analyse all these issues every 24 hours and proffer solutions and one of the solutions is that, they must use intelligence and technology in order to defeat” all these problematic challenges of insecurity discussed and “lastly, since the military is overwhelmed, the best he could do is to hire mercenaries” and “it is going to be cheaper for us, to advice our military.”

Extracted Comments from Nigerians’ Views on Nigeria’s Security Situation following Alhaji Buba Galadima statement

Tony Akubue:  Journalist are part of the problem in Nigeria because some of them are covering up the truth. Why is the journalist pretending that all is well with Nigeria or is she not aware that Nigeria is bleeding?

Anthony Odo: So Chad president want to catch Shakau they start calling him name that is why we said Nigeria government is sponsor of Boko Haram, this man always said the truth,

Daniel Chukwu: What convinces you to believe that Buhari who has ludicrously showcased displayed his incompetence throughout his tenure will suddenly have the wherewithal to handle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges? None of this man’s suggestions address the fundamental issues that has led Nigeria to this point. Military solution is not the absolute answer.

Tony Obodoechina: Big shame. A country of 200m with about 50% unemployed are talking about recruiting mercenaries. Conscription is a great option. Absence of Law and order, population explosion is our urgent problem. Those who are taking the leads must often sort for help from outside the country.

Mimi Owoeye: He said Chad is the one holding Nigeria security.  Idiots everywhere.  Our soldiers are brave!! The Nigeria Generals are the ones stealing all resources needed for the soldiers. Buhari wants a Fulani caliphate. All these information is noise making. Buhari is a big mistake.

Valgie Odukwe: Nigeria can only be saved when they agree to admit the true identity of person in Aso Rock and condemn the killing of BIAFRANS/IGBOS/ODUDUWA.. You all talk about the killings in the North and never the killings in the Southern parts of Nigeria.

Olumide Martins: We don't need massinary to fight for Nigerians  we are better and stronger than that....the northerners are very week niger is done  God help us no more security sir galadima just said the truth...no more security be were. That is why you northerners sold us out...are you now telling me that Chad military is stronger than nigeria Amy miss management of nigeria security by the northerners. We are over 200milion I know you sir that is why I respect you.

Alfred Anakwe: This is very serious but our leaders don't seem to care. I don't understand why our president won't speak with Nigerians. If he continues like this there will be another civil war in Nigeria. Only God can save us.

We thank you for reading this article but most importantly we ask that you leave us your comments to help us serve you better. Thank you! 

References:

Maleki, A. (2011, September 2). Uprisings in the Region and Ignored Indicators. http://www.payvand.com/news/11/feb/1080.html.

Ruthven, M. (2016, June 23). How to Understand ISIS. Retrieved May 03, 2021, from https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/06/23/how-to-understand-isis/

SYMFONI (Director). (2021, April 30). Alhaji Buba Galadima Speaks on the Security Situation in Nigeria [Video file]. In Youtube. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJIIhSqa-E

Senu, O. (2019). A critical assessment of anti‐corruption strategies for economic development in sub‐Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review. doi: 10.1111/dpr.12442  

Senu, O., & Daranijoh, F. (2018). African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub-Saharan African insecurity. Development Policy Review, 36. doi: 10.1111/dpr.12397

"KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES"

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A critical assessment of anti‐corruption strategies for economic development in sub‐Saharan Africa: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12442  First published: 18 May 2019

African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub‐Saharan African insecurity: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12397 First published: 05 July 2018

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