₦airaland Forum

_...says few emperors can't dictate to majority over date_

More stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined the clamour for the postponement of the ruling party's planned February 26 national convention.

As highlighted by other faithful, the APC Youth Development and Progressive Forum said some northern governors have hijacked the APC, pushing for a convention that could ultimately destroy the ruling party.

The group made its position known on Monday at a press conference in Abuja calling on its members and other party faithful to boycott the exercise.

It said a boycott is the "only way of saving the day now as it has become apparent that the cabal of some northern governors has shredded the last vestige of democracy around them to give reign to full-blown dictatorship in the APC".

In his address, Secretary-General, Hon. Tobias Ogbeh, said with a lingering factional crisis in over 16 states, the party is headed for destruction should it proceed with the convention.

Ogbeh added that mass defection and legal tussle awaits the party if the February 26th convention is not postponed.

The group, therefore, urged all loyal stakeholders to unite and agree on a genuine way forward, devoid of the destructive tendencies that this cabal has brought into the party

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, thank you for joining us at such notice. Your presence here attests to your commitment to the Nigeria project and must say we are proud of the good work you are doing for the nation.

We crave your indulgence to immediately delve into the subject matter of today, which is the need to save Nigeria from spiralling out of control by addressing what is happening in the All Progressive Congress (APC). As the party that is in government, including holding the majority in the National Assembly and controlling more states of the Federation, the fate of Nigeria is tied to the stability of the APC.

As you are aware, like any other political party in this country, the APC is presently weathering its internal issues, which have been made worse by certain northern governors that have declared themselves emperors and absolute rulers that dictate what happens in the party.

The most recent dictatorial act from these overbearing governors is their imposition of a date for the National Convention of the APC, which they are touting to hold on February 26, 2022. It is a date they are tenuously holding onto even when it has been conclusively established that it flies in the face of logic, equity, and fair play. This is because these self-seeking elements have hijacked the party and are now insisting that a convention that is not in the interest of the party must take place on their appointed date.

We would not go into details of all that has been at play in the APC since these are already in the public domain. What is obvious is that these people want the party to fail to oversee the affairs of the party from their secret covens. Serious-minded people and lovers of the party cannot and will not be a party to that kangaroo national convention that they are planning to hold.

All reports available to stakeholders – political, strategic, logistics and security reports - now point to the fact that no convention can take place on February 26, 2022. Those that are peddling this phantom date have other plans as they are certainly not interested in the success of the convention they claim would be taking place on that date. In whose interest are the promoters of the February convention deriving their authority or inspiration knowing fully well that the party is not ripe now?

We want to draw the attention of Nigerians to the following:

With the lingering factional crisis in as many as 16 APC State chapters, even with the deployment of security on an industrial scale, there is no way of preventing the existing crisis from escalating. This implies that the promoters of the February National Convention are encouraging the staging of the event in the expectation of an outbreak of violence. Even when the security operatives can prevent violence at the National Convention, there is no way they can fan out to the 36 states – at least most of these states – prevent the post-convention violence that would be imported to the state chapters from the national event. The only way to prevent this is to postpone the national convention until thorny issues have been addressed.

Pundits and reputable national publications are already predicting massive defections if the National Convention goes ahead. This poses several risks. First is that there would be a contagion as the defecting APC members would snatch up tickets and roles that existing members of their new political parties have heavily invested in. That means within weeks of the convention and the resulting defection, all other promising political parties would be thrown into crisis.

Should the National Convention go ahead on February 26 as these people are planning, it would create a legal conundrum that could prove catastrophic for the nation. We do not want to contemplate the kind of constitutional crisis that would arise if the ruling party is thrown out of the 2023 General Elections based on its candidates being the end product of a contested convention. Nigeria, as we know it would be disrupted.

The gang of northern governors that are behind this twisted hijack of the APC need to be taught a lesson that they cannot package dictatorship in democratic garb and expect it to sell among right-thinking Nigerians. If they get away with this behaviour within the APC it is a matter of time because they give national spread to their irresponsible attitude and the entire country would then be at their mercy. This must not be allowed to happen.

After thoroughly reviewing the situation of the party and bearing in mind that the stability of Nigeria comes before party interest, the APC Youth Development and Progressive Forum hereby call on APC stakeholders and all lovers of democracy to boycott the February 26t APC National Convention. A boycott is the only way of saving the day now as it has become apparent that the cabal of some northern governors has shredded the last vestige of democracy around them to give reign to full-blown dictatorship in the APC.

In calling for this boycott, we hereby put the ruining cabal in the APC on notice that we will follow up with a legal challenge to invalidate whatever criminal outcome they procure from the event, which has already failed even before it held.

We urge all loyal stakeholders of the APC to unite and agree on a germanane way forward, devoid of the destructive tendencies that this cabal has brought into the party.

God bless Nigeria.

FORMER APC REPS MEMBERS MEET TO DISCUSS STATE OF THE PARTY, NATIONAL CONVENTION AND THE ROAD TO 2023


Former members of House of Representatives in the All Progressives Congress(APC) will Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 hold a Round Table/General Meeting in the nation’s capital, Abuja to discuss critical issues affecting the party.
A statement jointly signed by the Protem Chairman of the Forum, Hon Ibrahim Zailani and the Protem Secretary, Hon Idris Yahuza said the purpose of the meeting is " To discuss The State of our Party, Issues, Challenges and the forthcoming APC National Convention- The Role of Former Members of the National Assembly and the Road to 2023".
The Statement urged all Former House of Representatives members in APC to endeavour to attend the meeting in order to be able to aggregate opinions on sundry political issues.

By Philip Agbese

“The rule of law is the basis for any democracy. And without the rule of law in any democracy, you have chaos” --Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian soldier and politician.

Nigerians are exciting lovers of equity, justice and the rule of law. It is the reason, Nigeria’s statute books are replete with laws, which are periodically reviewed. The campaign for justice among Nigerians usually gain ascendency under democratic settings in the country. In the nation’s recent history, ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua was a strong advocate of justice and the rule of law.

The then Attorney -General and Minister for Justice, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, was the poster boy of the rule of law mantra under the Yar’Adua Presidency. After the expiration of that government, the rule of law seemed to have gone extinct to the angst of Nigerians. Does it therefore mean, the rule of law no longer exists in Nigeria? The answer is No!

Today, the emphasis on the rule of law is replicated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. From the onset, President Buhari left no Nigerian in doubt about his avowal to run a Government of Nigeria premised on the words and letters of the rule of law.

President Buhari, like the retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of America, Justice Sonia Sotomayor clearly discerned and firmly believed, “… in the rule of law as the foundation for all of our basic rights.” He has been a stickler to this dictum in his leadership of Nigeria.

This mindset pulsated President Buhari’s advocacy and declaration in his inaugural day speech May 29, 2015 that; “The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution…The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past…It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.”

There is no gainsaying, President Buhari has walked his talk on the “Rule of Law” mantra, in his near seven years reign in Nigeria’s Aso Rock, the seat of power. Unlike his predecessors, Nigerians have experienced Mr. President’s due recognition and observance of the constitutional independence of the other arms of government in a democracy. His sermons are always centered on the non-interference with the operations and rights of other arms government as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria. That’s why he does not wear the toga of President and leader of his Party.

Buhari is tenaciously upholding the sanctity of the rule of rule, even where the people’s offensive indulgence into lawlessness bruises the pride of nation and defames or undermine his Presidency. And the enabler of Buhari’s towering heights in the compliance with the rule of law and the redefinition of the Nigerian Justice system is the current Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Barrister Abubakar Malami, SAN is law personified. He has fruitfully proven his mettle as an effective chief law officer of the federation. He has created innovative paths in ensuring the smooth administration of justice in Nigeria for effective governance based on the tenets of law as practiced by all democracies globally. He is strengthening old laws and engineering new legislations in areas where there are none.

Abubakar Malami is a translucent compliant with the rule of law. His office is active in offering genuine legal advice to government and appropriate interpretations of legislations in resolving thorny national issues. Minister Malami is silent or less vociferous about his assignments, but has many pluses to his credit. The justice minister has operationalized grandeur institutional reforms in the Nigerian Judiciary which have placed Nigeria in top ranking among nations in Africa attuned to the rule of law.

Barrister Malami has instituted solid sector reforms which have placed the Nigerian justice system on the path of expeditious dispensation of justice for the benefit of Nigerians. The Ministry of Justice has formulated multiple policies, and through the executive, it has sponsored fresh legislations to close up gulfs in existing laws and it has been relentless in offering appropriate legal advices in the prosecution of civil and criminal cases which have saved the FGN several trillions of naira in judgment debts these past six years.

Malami’s reforms in the justice sector reflects in the strengthening of the laws of anti-graft agencies, which have repositioned them for optimum performance. The result is the amazing volume of cases investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC and ICPC under the Buhari Presidency.

Under Minister Malami, Nigeria has domesticated legislations and international agreements, which have led to the passage and signing of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2019 by President Buhari. And through Malami’s professional guidance, Nigeria has signed Agreements and MOUs with numerous countries to ginger international cooperation for the investigation, tracking, freezing and return of stolen assets which is actively operating.

In the area of prisons, the Minister of Justice has constituted a committee with the mandate of formulating policies and strategies for prison decongestion throughout the country. This is besides, the multiple legislations it has instituted before the National Assembly to backup the decongestion of prison formation process. The committee is working assiduously in clearing the backlog of cases of awaiting trials and those who have spent years in incarceration because of failure to pay minor fines imposed on them by the courts.

The Ministry of Justice under Malami has equally prosecuted various civil and criminal cases diligently. And through its sheer expertise, it has saved the FGN trillions of naira that would have been expended on judgment debts.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Nigeria has sustained a culture of interminable duration of cases before the courts. Therefore, Barrister Malami is working hard to end the reign of limitless court trials by defining a reasonable time-frame for justice delivery in Nigeria. What he is contemplating is restricting or pegging a 12-month time limit on the hearing of criminal cases from the High Court to the Supreme Court. Similarly, the succor to Nigerians will also extend to hearing and conclusion of all civil cases within 15 months from the day of its initiation across all the tiers of courts.

The initiation of the whistle blower policy of the Federal Government among other adjudgments effected in Nigeria’s legal system under the Buhari Presidency have strengthened the Nigerian judiciary. Therefore, delivering to Nigerians, an effective, trustworthy and flawless legal system are Malami’s salient reforms in the Judicial sector. Surely, it is another legacy, the Buhari Presidency will bequeath to Nigerians when its tenure eventually runs out in 2023.

Barrister Abubakar Malami will be remembered in Nigeria’s history as an incorruptible law officer who stood and defiantly defended the Constitution of Nigeria. He is likened to the likes of Justice Brenda Marjorie Hale, the Baroness Hale of Richmond, who served as the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2017-2020) and famed for defending the Constitution. Malami is also famed for defending and protecting the Constitution at all times.

Ambassador Buratai, a national security asset, Nigerian envoy to Congo Iliya , Adekojo laud former COAS.

Nigeria's Ambassador to Congo, Deborah Nana, has described the country's former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) as a national asset.

This was as renowned project consultant, businesswoman, philanthropist and singer, Engr. Dr. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo hailed the exploits of the nation's current Ambassador to the Republic of Benin Republic.

The pair recently joined other distinguished Nigerian women to celebrate the former COAS at a book presentation in his honour in Abuja.

Amb. Deborah Samaila Iliya, the wife of late Army general, Samaila Iliya, was the chairlady of the event while Adekojo was the co-presenter.

In her remarks, the envoy said Buratai is the nation's greatest asset due to his strategic endeavors for peace and security.

She further described the former Army Chief as a distinguished gentleman and rare enviable leader.

She said, "Strategic leadership today has played an ever critical role in shaping and tackling global events, most especially the security challenges affecting our nation. Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality, it is the art of communication; it is about action not position. This book draws deep into the qualities; leadership, challenges, overall wealth of experience required to lead successful administration.  

"General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), the Former COAS and Current Ambassador to  Benin Republic, has proven to be a distinguished gentleman, rare enviable leader, who in recent times can be best described as one of the nation's greatest assets in the strategic endeavors for the peace and security of our great nation. When you are a leader, your utmost success is all about growing others; this is what we are celebrating today.

"I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the author, a celebrated political analyst, seasoned author and security commentator, Best Agbese, for his laudable efforts in further immortalizing his laudable leadership, determination and sacrifices of Gen. Buratai and other military personnel through this great book. It serves as an inspiration to emerging leaders and to many at large".

On her part, Adekojo said Nigerian women should reciprocate Buratai’s gesture as COAS when he saw the creation of the Nigerian Army Female Corps and ensured equality for women and made sure that many female officers and soldiers got their promotion as at when due.

She also said women shouldn’t only pray for the Armed Forces but devise ways to support the Federal Government in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

The founder of FunmiAyinke Foundation, however, assured that she will continue to use her foundation to support the non-kinetic approach in the war against insurgency by lifting many youths and vulnerable women out of poverty.

The philanthropist, also known as Funmi Ayinke, said Nigerians should expect more trailblazing performances from Amb Buratai in the diplomatic world.

The Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in ensuring youth development in the country.

The Executive Director of the Organisation, Mr Richard Audu who gave the commendation on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja, also commended the National Assembly for considering the NYSC Trust Fund Bill for second reading.

He said that after a critical observation of events under the current administration, it is crystal clear that there is a synergy between the Executive and the Legislature on youth development.

“We have studied events critically, and we wish to state that the indices speak positively about the concerted efforts by both arms of government towards ensuring issues that bother of youth development seem to have been granted special attention by both arms of government.

“We are elated with this development. We desire that this fruitful relationship will eventually yield the desired results in no distant time.

“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently displayed an unalloyed commitment to addressing issues of national concern, not just youth development issues.

“The National Assembly has, in like manner, complimented the efforts of the executive arm of government by ensuring that matters of national concern are without rancour.

“The recent rejigging of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is indeed a testament that both chambers of the National Assembly remain committed to the sustenance of our nascent democracy,” she said.

Audi also commended the parliament for its commitment to harnessing the potentials of the youths in the country.

He said that the deliberations on the floor of the House of Representatives at the second reading of the bill seeking to establish the National Youth Service Trust Fund was a clear example.

He said that the green chamber were unanimous about the bill which gives hope to to the aspirations of the Nigerian youths.

“It indicates that the resolve to initiate policies and implement plans towards addressing youth unemployment in the country has a special place in the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

“We are confident that the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, if passed into law, will undoubtedly take over 50million youths out of the unemployment market within the shortest period.

“We are calling on the relevant committees in the House of Representatives to continue to display the strength of character and the unity of purpose in ensuring the smooth passage of the NYSC Trust Fund bill in the overall interest of the unemployed youths in the country,” he said.

Audi said that when the bill in passed into law, it would serve as a vehicle for youths in the country to maximize their potential and their contribute their quota to the growth and development of the country.

He said it would strengthen youth commitment to the sustenance of democracy, considering the invaluable role of the youths in national development.

“We, therefore, call on Mr President and the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the NYSC Trust Fund Bill becomes an Act for the good and wellbeing of the suffering Nigerian masses.

“The multiplier effect on the value chain of an enterprising youthful population cannot be overemphasised.

“The Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative is using this occasion to drive home the potent point that the potential returns of capturing the opportunity to engage today’s young people in terms of food security, poverty reduction, employment generation, and peace political stability are enormous,” he added.

He urged all Nigerians to support the bill stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that laudable initiative is given adequate consideration as exhibited by the lower chambers.

BY: PHILIP AGBESE

The announcement didn't come as a surprise. It was greeted with widespread jubilation in the Naval Headquarters. They sang and praised him to the high heavens. Even though not much was known about this gentleman officer in the public space, there was no doubt that a new sheriff was in town in the Naval headquarters.

Vice Admiral Auwal Zubairu Gambo, the Chief of Naval Staff, is a man of few words but plenty of actions. He walks the talk and abhors mediocrity. His penchant to work is infectious. I recall several instances when our paths crossed at several fora. He always painted a picture of an introvert.

He would make comments in passing and leave it there. But to my astonishment, most times, the recommendations or takeaways from such stakeholders gathering would manifest in a week or weeks in the operations of the Nigerian Navy. That was how responsive and proactive he has always been.

The primary responsibility of the Nigerian Navy is to protect the nation’s maritime environment of about 84,000 square nautical miles. The nation’s maritime area of interest includes the entire Gulf of Guinea (GoG), about 574,800 square nautical miles spanning 2,874nm from Senegal to Angola.

It won’t be out of place if the Chief of Naval Staff is labelled a silent achiever. His style is different and a departure from the past. He is uniquely different in his style. This much has been responsible for the successes recorded in the operations of the Nigerian Navy in securing our waterways in recent times.

For example, the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in the protection of our waterways have been outstanding. It is on record that the smuggling, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), insurgency, hostage-taking, human and drug trafficking have been reduced to the barest minimum.

Given the sustained operations and exercises the Navy has continuously carried out against the numerous maritime illegalities, the latest piracy report from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recorded a drastic reduction of piracy in Nigerian waters and the GoG.

According to the report, piracy in the GoG and Nigerian waters is now on a record low, as pirates’ activities in the first nine months of 2021 are the lowest reported in 17 years. And this bears testament to enhanced maritime security and response coordination measures adopted by the Nigerian Navy in recent times.

In my opinion, this is in line with the renewed operational policy of the Nigerian Navy that emphasises “leveraging all factors of national location, technology, training, teamwork and synergy to re-energise the Nigerian Navy and enhance her as a well-motivated and ready naval force in the discharge of her constitutional mandate and other assigned tasks in fulfilment of national security objectives”.

On record, the Nigerian Navy had contributed tremendously to the freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Guinea by strengthening coordination in the fight against insecurity for socioeconomic activities among member states to thrive.

There have also been collaborations between the Nigerian Navy and other strategic partners to enhance maritime security. For example, in the last couple of months, the Nigeria Navy has brought to bear its dominant status in the West African region by sustaining an aggressive presence in the nation's maritime environment, leading to the drastic reduction in acts of criminality in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Nigerian Navy has concluded collaboration efforts with the Ghana Navy to combat piracy further, and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea as plans are ongoing to establish a standing multinational task force in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigerian Navy recently hosted the maiden virtual sea power for Africa. The symposium brought together 33 African Navies and six other foreign Navies.

Since his appointment, these and many more initiatives were embarked upon by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo. Lest I forget, the contributions of the Nigerian Navy in the war against insurgency in Nigeria have also been commendable.

It is thus necessary to state that the last year has been a beehive of activities in the Nigerian Navy. The various operational reforms introduced within this short period have placed the Nigerian Navy in a prime position to fulfil its constitutional mandate. These are indeed no mean feats. The Chief of Naval Staff has demonstrated that we can make a difference in every endeavour only if we are committed and patriotic.

Vice Admiral Gambo has lived up to expectations by displaying an uncommon commitment to improving the operations of the Nigerian Navy, and some of us are not surprised with the turn of events. I can bet that President Muhammadu Buhari is as much impressed.

I also gathered from reliable sources within the Nigerian Navy that in the annals of the history of the Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Gambo has proven to be one of those that prioritised the welfare of naval officers and ratings. Under him, it was stated that there had been a sustained emphasis on training and sophistication of its operations.

For example, the Nigerian Navy recently acquired a new hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel, NNS LANA, to replace the previous one, which was decommissioned ten years ago. The ship is expected, among other benefits, to allow the Nigerian Navy to have a better knowledge of its maritime territory and its exclusive economic zone; enhance coastal and deep-sea scientific research and studies; provide assistance and supplies to other boats, as well as helicopter winching and towing of ships.

It can also conduct geophysical studies, search and rescue operations, and patrol duties. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art modern survey equipment and a well-equipped 7.6m surface vehicle for shallow water surveys. Furthermore, the vessel has an Automatic Weather Station, AWS, wet and dry laboratories, scientific and technical workshops, and operating and processing rooms for survey data.

Another area worthy of mention is the U.S Coast Guard training exercise with the Nigerian Navy on Maritime Law enforcement, a part of a series of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against piracy. The training explored various internationally recognised techniques and procedures for maritime law enforcement at sea safely and professionally.

To think all of these happened in just one year in the saddle is most notable that one wonders what to expect in the months and years ahead. Be that as it may, I wish to state that Vice Admiral Gambo has been writing his name in gold in one year at the saddle. He has set the navy on the path of progress and helped to ensure that the nation's territorial waters are not only safe, but economic saboteurs are denied the opportunity of constituting themselves as clogs in the wheels of our progress. This is on the heels that Maritime security has already become a global concern in the present world. Severe threats could be posed if maritime security is jeopardised, as proven by many incidents of such kind.

In conclusion, the Nigerian Navy made significant strides in its operational activities and exercises in the past year under the dynamic leadership of Vice Admiral Auwal Zubairu Gambo. Notable successes were recorded in the number of hours at sea, anti-piracy/sea robbery, anti-COT/illegal bunkering, and anti-smuggling operations, as well as in NN's contribution to joint operations in the hinterland.

Vice Admiral Auwal Zubairu Gambo is indeed a lesson in leadership. The past year has proven this, and we must give credit to whom credit is due. I say a big congratulations to this silent achiever.


Agbese is a security and human rights expert based in the United Kingdom.

By: Bishop Charles Obe

The general elections are due in Nigeria in 2023. And the buildup to the elections is usually electrifying with scheming and political permutations at its best. Also, it's common to find political parties putting their house in order by reconciling warring factions to avoid electoral misfortunes and guaranteeing electoral success.

The same is applicable for individuals who, by their assessment, are suitable for certain positions in the country, ranging from the president to the councillor at the local government councils. And the list becomes endless. Political jingles rent the air. Billboards are not spared either, and the advertising mediums always smile to the bank because it's harvest time.

I love the election period in Nigeria; it allows me to see things from a different perspective and hope for better days in the country. For whatever it is worth, elections are good and, at the same time, terrible because it comes with their attendant consequences, not for the now, but the future with regards to those elected in office to pilot the affairs of the country.

My focus in this piece is on the presidential election. This is the father of all elections, and it is usually twofold; either we get it right or get it wrong. Experience has taught us so over the years.

So, the 2023 elections have again thrown into the ring political titans. Those who feel that their name is enough to aspire for the highest political office in the land have indicated interest. Those who think they control party structures have also shown interest. Those who feel that Nigeria's president should have an ethnic or religious consideration have also signified interest. And those whose track records in governance are also present in this hot race that is not meant for the weary.

After a careful analysis of the contenders, I pitched my tent with the aspiration of Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi state. Yahaya Bello is a rare being who would be difficult to discountenance in the affairs of Nigeria. He represents a new age, the age of thinking outside the box in proffering solutions to the governance challenge in the country.

I have heard people talk about his age as a factor that would work against him. I have also heard people say he behaves like he is acting in a movie in Kogi state. But I have heard people talk about how he has been able to confront the monster that held Kogi state moribund for several years and how he could give the people a breath of fresh air.

It is understandable if there are misconceptions regarding his stewardship in the state because people are at liberty to believe what they want to think. But I am not sure this sentiment is shared in Kogi state. I am sure any well-meaning individual from Kogi state would pat Yahaya Bello on the back for a well-done job. For some of us who are resident in the state but non-indigenes, we are marvelled at how this man quickly took charge of the state despite the mountain of issues that held the state down like a leprous finger.

Yahaya Bello is brave and one who is a master strategist. He knew from the word go that the road would not be smooth, and he adequately prepared for it. He changed the narrative, and as expected, the cartel who saw the state's commonwealth as their birthright could not believe their eyes.

I must confess that some of us felt he would run out of steam along the line. But we were continuously disappointed. He not only continued, but he also gathered momentum every passing day. Most people would not realize that he inherited a state in complete comatose, where state allocations are shared without conscience.

The civil service was over-bloated with a backlog of salaries and pensions. The educational sector barely exists on the lips. The security situation was horrible. Infrastructures were dilapidated and with no hope of any revival. The only thing that thrived in the state was gas stations and hotels belonging to government officials. It was so bad that as a public office holder, if you don't own a hotel or a gas station, you are not viewed as a man of the people for failing to employ people in hotels and gas stations. The situation was so bad that the people lost their senses, entirely preferring the life of misery and deprivation that successive governments in the state legalized.

Yahaya Bello braved the odds and changed the situation slowly but steadily. He addressed the rot in the civil service and restored its glory through laudable reforms. He embarked on an infrastructural revolution without the usual religious and ethnic consideration. He made the state uncomfortable for criminal elements that initially turned the state into their havens.

The security model he introduced indeed changed the situation for good. Today, Kogi is a no go zone for criminal elements hence the nickname White Lion. He is undoubtedly the White Lion that Nigeria needs at this critical point of our existence.

Yahaya Bello is individual that does not brook nonsense. He is very detailed. Little wonder why Kogi state remains one of the states where the cost for executing government contracts remains the lowest because the process is rigorous. You must deliver as at when due, else there would be consequences.

I can go on non-stop on the new Kogi state under Yahaya Bello, and I can't but wish that he gets the opportunity to lead this country. Yahaya Bello as President of Nigeria would be interesting and exciting. Nigerians would wake up to realize that those things that held us down would be removed in a record time. You might not like his methodology, but trust me, you would love the results that would come around because he would leave no stone unturned. That is Yahaya Bello for you. Those of us that have been residents in the state for decades can attest to his drive, sense of direction and focus. And lest I forget, he can be comical, especially when he hits the gym.

Today, Kogi state works because of a governor who stamped his feet on the ground to insist that it won’t be business as usual. If we are indeed serious about moving this country forward, we must look in the direction of Yahaya Bello. His name might not be as heavy as some of the big wigs that have indicated an interest in the highest office in the country. However, I can vouch that none of them is as passionate as Yahaya Bello. None of them could have achieved what he achieved under the same circumstance in their various endeavours.

At this point, we must be careful not to believe some of the issues peddled in the media with his stewardship in Kogi state. As an insider and one who witnessed Kogi in its shame and glory, I say emphatically that the situation in Kogi state before Yahaya Bello is the same as what Nigeria is experiencing, but on a larger scale. And if he has shown that it is possible for things to turn around in Kogi state, I do not doubt his ability to lead the country most exceptionally.

The choice is before us as we enter the elections. We must have at the back of our minds that our destiny is in our hands. Yahaya Bello has all it takes to lead the country. His central message is that everything is possible only if we believe and work towards it. Ladies and gentlemen, I recommend a rare gem for Nigeria.


Obe is a servant of the gospel based in Lagos.

A brand's digital PR strategy is an essential part of any marketing campaign. A successful digital PR campaign will build a level of trust, create long-lasting business relationships, and add a sense of professionalism.


Here is Boapr Agency's three keys to successful digital PR campaigns.


The first and most important key is understanding your target market. You need to understand who they are and where they’re interacting online if you want to be able to reach them, communicate with them, and get your product in front of them.

The second key to a successful digital PR campaign is using data. You have to have data to determine how well your PR campaign is doing, who’s listening, what language they speak, etc. This will give you a better understanding of why you should focus on social media platforms or other tactics going forward rather than continuing with ones that aren’t getting you results.




The third key is personalization. If you want people to listen and engage with the messages of your marketing efforts, then you should make those messages personal so that customers and potential customers will feel like they are being listened to by their peers rather than a corporation trying to sell them something.


Whether you’re an agency or you handle your publicity, the principles of effective PR apply the same. You’ll want to make sure your materials are aligned with your overarching marketing strategy, that you know what you’re aiming for in terms of coverage and positioning, and that you know where to share your materials and when.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello has commended the managers of NYSC Scheme for its laudable achievements and mentorship roles for Corps Members.

He also said the services rendered by the Corps Members deployed to the Capital Territory cannot be underestimated.

The Minister stated this today in Abuja in his address as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 NYSC Annual Management Conference, themed, "Repositioning the NYSC for improved Healthcare Delivery; Revenue Generation and Corps Employment for Self-Reiance".

Alhaji Bello, whose address was read at the conference by the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat FCT, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir promised that the FCT administration would continue to partner the Scheme for the successful implementation of its lofty programmes.

The Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare in his goodwill message said the National Youth Service Corps, being a foremost youth organization in the country, has made numerous accomplishments in the promotion of national unity and development, as well as mentoring and empowerment of youths for self rellance.

Dare, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties in the Ministry, Mr Abumere Akhindewor added that the youth of every nation constitute its strength, and, as NYSC deals with this most agile, innovative and highly mobile segment of the country's population, it is important that the operations of the Scheme are responsive to societal dynamics.

"Successive Managers of the Scheme, therefore, deserve a big applause for initiating and sustaining this Conference, which
is a step in the right direction", he said.

He urged the Conference participants to use the forum to share experiences and generate fresh ideas that would improve the operations of the Scheme.

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the Conference will further strengthen and position the NYSC for more positive contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

The Minister promised that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development would continue to give necessary support to the Scheme for the successful discharge of its mandate, especially in sustaining the mentorship of members of the Service Corps for entrepreneurship development and self-reliance as it will contribute immensely to the success of the economic agenda of the present administration.

Dare also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to the actualization of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund.

He said, "This is based on our firm belief that the Fund will enhance the operations of the Scheme, especially with regards to the training and empowerment of Corps Members for self-employment and wealth creation".

He enjoined all stakeholders, including State and Local Governments to continue to support the Scheme, especially through the discharge of their statutory
obligations as spelt out in the NYSC Act.

NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his welcome address added that the Annual Management Conference is a forum where NYSC Top Management and other key officers make critical review of the Scheme's operations with a view to evolving new policies and strategies for improved performance.

He said despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scheme has continued to operate effectively in line with the established safety protocols.

"We have been working closely with the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, as well as Federal and State Ministries of Health for safe and efficient conduct of Orientation Courses and other aspects of our operations.

I am glad to mention that the Scheme has become a reference point for other organizations due to the measures we put in place in response to the pandemic" he said.

Ibrahim added that since its establishment in 1973, NYSC has continued to play vital roles in areas of national unity and integration, promotion of peaceful co-existence among people of different socio-cultural backgrounds, and free movement of labour among others.

Speaking further, he said the contributions of the Scheme to national development, especially in the areas of health, education, rural infrastructure, culture and tourism, sports, conduct of elections and job creation have attracted commendations from within and outside the country.

"The Scheme's accomplishments are also being showcased through our in-house news magazine, print and electronic media and the newly established NYSC Museum/Archives", Ibrahim said.

The Director-General added further that while the Scheme appreciates stakeholders' roles in the achievements recorded so far, the Annual Management Conference seeks to consolidate them by generating new ideas for greater impact.

He said despite the aforementioned achievements, there is need for some critical stakeholders to be responsive to their statutory responsibilities to ameliorate the challenges facing the Scheme such as; dilapidated Orientation Camp facilities, inadequate Corps Lodges and lack of befitting office accommodation in some States.

"As we continue to call on the relevant stakeholders to help in addressing the foregoing challenges, I wish to also use this medium to appeal to the appropriate authorities and well-meaning Nigerians to support the establishment of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund.

Among other benefits, the Fund will make the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the Scheme more impactful through the provision of training facilities and start-up capital for Corps entrepreneurs. It will also assist in addressing our infrastructural needs for enhanced operational efficiency", he added.

There was also a goodwill message from the NYSC National Governing Board Chairman, Ambassador Fati Bala Abubakar.

*Progressive women raise alarm over plots by some APC Govs to destroy party at February Convention*

The Coalition of Progressive Women in Nigeria (CPWN) has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress to reschedule its proposed February 26th national convention over alleged plots by some governors to hijack the exercise.

The APC women also urged its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to instead focus on uniting aggrieved faithful.

The coalition made this known today at a press conference in Abuja ahead of the APC's planned convention.

In her remarks, the convener, Hon. Cecilia Ikechukwu noted that the "postponement would allow for party members to further air their grievances while exploring the path of reconciliation".

Ms Ikechukwu further raised the alarm over the overbearing influence of some governors running the affairs of the party and putting their interests first.

She specifically urged the party's National Executive Council to call Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Simon Lalong and Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to order.

The group, therefore, warned the three governors that any attempt to proceed with the convention will be resisted by women both in the country and abroad.

The group vowed to mobilise and take steps to prove to them that they can be demystified by party members.

They, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, other APC state governors and all leaders of the party to stand up to save the party before it self destructs in the hands of these emperor governors.

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, the Coalition of Progressive Women in Nigeria is a pressure group within the All Progressive Congress (APC). It should be noted that our concept of a pressure group is in the sense of playing that motherly role women are imbued with to keep societies stable. We believe that women can ensure stability when they play their role in being peacemakers.

These role expectations notwithstanding, we have largely refrained from pitching into the challenges that beset our party, the APC, in recent months. As it is well known, these challenges might have been worse than what we currently have had the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) not done a great job of dousing tension and reconciling brothers whose differences boiled over in form of what some people refer to as internal party crisis.

We had thought that the Committee would continue to expand its peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts but were rudely shocked when the elective national convention was announced on February 26, 2022. This development is disconcerting for the very reason that it has further frayed already strained intra-party relations.

The logical thing would have been to as much as was possible try to further reconcile the various state factions of the APC. That way, whoever emerges as a candidate for any position will enjoy widespread support going into the 2023 General Elections. But pressing ahead with the National Convention without first putting the house in order is calling for disaster. We have seen it happen in other political parties in the past whereby those who would be dissatisfied with the outcome of a major incident like the National Convention will end up defecting to another political party.

No right-thinking politician will assert that it is a desirable thing to lose members, strategic and high worth members, in an election year, which is the bleak prospect that our party now faces unless something drastic is done to correct the error of fixing a date for the national convention without first addressing underlying issues that threaten the wellbeing of the party.

Consequently, the Coalition of Progressive Women in Nigeria, as concerned mothers, hereby appeals to the National Executive Council (NEC) for the postponement of the APC’s February 26th National Convention until a later date when the party would have made further progress in unifying its members. We firmly believe that the postponement would allow for party members to further air their grievances while exploring the path of reconciliation.

It is our fervent prayer that this appeal does not fall on deaf ears because the consequences could be grievous. We would not like for the appeal to take on the tone of an unheeded warning in the future when irreparable damage would have been done to the party with attendant electoral losses.

In addition to rescheduling the National Convention to a more practical date, we implore the APC NEC to prevail on some of the party’s governors to curtail their excessive intrusion in the running of the affairs of the party. We will specifically ask that the NEC calls the trio of Kaduna State’s Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Plateau State’s Governor Simon Lalong and Kebbi State’s Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to order. It is callous for the likes of Nasir El- Rufai, Lalong and Bagudu to think that their words should be law and the interest of the party should no longer matter.

The overbearing way these people try to foist these personal ambitions and agendas on the party is largely responsible for where the APC has found itself today. Had their excesses been curtailed before they pushed the party into this mess, we would not have been trying to do damage control at a time when we should finalize our victory plan for the elections ahead.

We are therefore warning that we would hold El- Rufai, Lalong and Bagudu responsible for whatever ills the APC suffers should they go ahead with the convention and those aggrieved parties whose grievances have not been addressed decide to leave the party. We would then be compelled to prove to these overbearing governors the power of women as mobilizers as we will take steps to prove to them that they can be demystified by party members.

As women, we are saying that we cannot see danger and keep quiet. We cannot see the party digging its own grave and keeping quiet. We cannot know those acting against the interest of the party and shield them. President Muhammadu Buhari, other APC state Governors and all leaders of the party should stand up to save APC before it destructs at the hands of these emperor governors.

The only way forward is to reschedule the national convention from February 26, 2022 date.

Thank you.

By Mark Okeke 
The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) finally scheduled its national convention for February 28. Sadly, rather than being a thing of joy the date now has all the markings of a dark cloud hanging ominously over the ruling party, which is now on the threshold of going the way of the former ruling party, the People Democratic Party. 
One pertinent question to ask is how the APC got to this point. A background to this inquiry is necessary. We seem to have all forgotten that the impetus for the formation of the APC, in addition to its war cry of wanting to salvage the country, was that of creating a political party that thrives on internal democracy and devoid of the internal wrangling that sounded the death knell for political parties in Nigeria.  
The dark cloud above the APC could perhaps have been prevented from gathering has the party curtailed the excesses of certain individuals who reckoned that they owned the party more than others. The most overbearing in this category are certain governors from the northern part of the country who practically passed across the vibes that what other party members and leaders want do not matter. It was their own way or the highway. 
Those who had argued against a February national convention for the APC had put forward their arguments. Such people posited that the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has done such a good job that it should have gotten an additional lease of life to further actualize its mandate of smoothening relationships within the party. The APC was riddled with widespread crises and infighting before the Committee came on board.
While the Committee had done much to repair relationships and reconciled aggrieved factions at state level, some states remained in crises that will likely amplify in the run-up to the convention, which would then spell doom for the party.
There was also the argument that it would have been globally consistent to defer the national convention such that it holds at the same time with the convention to select the APC presidential flagbearer for the 2023 elections. Those that pushed this position reasoned that it would allow more time for further reconciliation. 
But the hardliners that have somehow appropriated the party to themselves will have none of these arguments. They practically passed it as a decree that the elective convention must hold in February. 
Unfortunately, with the overbearing disposition of these democratic dictators, that which should have been forgotten has now been named. Righteously disgruntled members are now beginning to discuss in terms of the constituent blocs that were cobbled together to from the APC – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP - faction of the People's Democratic Party.
The danger from this development is that it is setting the tone for those aggrieved by the high handedness of some APC governors to contemplate pulling out their blocs and reverting to a semblance of pre-merger days or to go find expression in other political parties.
If those who think they have pulled a coup by fixing and announcing a date for the national convention feel the limited protestation that greeted the development is a good sign, then they have major surprises coming for them. The seeming silence should rather be construed from perspective of being ominous. These people that are unhappy at being muscled are keeping silent apparently because they have their own game plan, a fallback position that will ensure they can make the people they perceive as usurper to pay steep prices at the polls come the 2023 General Elections. And one way of giving a bloody nose is for them to pursue courses that will ultimately cause implosion in the APC.
For APC’s death not to be near and being of its own doing, genuine stakeholders must step forward to see if there are remedial steps that would salvage the party. There is an urgency to find solutions and expose those that are out to kill the party. Interestingly, these would be assassins and undertakers of the APC are neither PDP nor any opposition. The situation is that the APC is about to consume the APC. 
Stakeholders must confront the stark fact that these people currently dictating for the party do not have a single strand of the APC’s interest at heart. No. They are out for their own interests, which would only make February more brutal for the APC. The fallout will not be contained within the APC as there would be a spillover that will make Nigerians call for some people’s head. There will be reckoning. These same characters behind the APC debacle are those that connived with Bill Gates to keep Nigerians perpetually hungry in the wake of global coronavirus outbreak. By seizing the soul of the APC, they invariably target pocketing Nigeria and owning its citizens. People will revolt against this.  
If the new self-appointed owners of the APC can still activate their capacity to listen, then they should hear this. Nobody wants a Convention in February. More than half of APC members have issues to resolve. Yet these lords want to deceive party members and Nigerians that a crisis-free convention is possible in February without making visible efforts to build consensus and secure the buy-in of party members. 
As the party is made to press ahead with the ill-advised February 28 national convention date against reason and in spite of the dark cloud that hovers above it, one is compelled to ask a profound question. Who bewitched the APC?

Okeke wrote this piece from Abakaliki.

NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu lbrahim today inaugurated the NYSC Mega Printing Press in Kaduna.

He said the project, which was conceived almost a decade ago, is a testament of the commitment of NYSC Management to the functionality of the six Mega-Printing Presses, as approved by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

He expressed appreciation to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for the unwaivering support being offered the Scheme.

Ibrahim added that the birth of the printing press is a confirmation of one of his administration's policy thrust, which is centred on reinvigorating the NYSC Ventures.

He said, "It will be a veritable source of revenue with attendant increase in our remittances to the Federal coffers.

This facility and similar ones that will be sited in other geo-political zones will be open to public patronage, and in addition to handling the printing of publications of the Scheme, thereby cutting down our running costs".

The Director-General stated further that the Printing Press would also serve as a training platform for NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as interested Corps Members would be accorded the opportunity to acquire skills in publication and digital printing.

He charged the Managers of the Printing Press to hit the ground and ensure efficient and effective handling of the facility so as to meet the printing and publication needs of all NYSC formations in the North-West Geo-Political Zone and the general public.

"This is a strategic project which must be placed in good stead to complete favourably in the printing market.

I expect you to be above board in canvassing patronage from individuals and organizations in both the public and private sectors", General Ibrahim said.

The DG also directed all the NYSC formations in the North-Western part of the country to ensure patronage of the printing press as it is set to offer a wide range of services in digital printing technology.

He used the forum to also canvass support from well-meaning Nigerians for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, which will address infrastructural deficit in the Scheme, as well as enhance the training and provision of start-up capital for Corps Members under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the Scheme.

He said this will go a long way in making them self-employed with the multiplier effects of lifting millions of other Nigerians out of poverty.

General Ibrahim added that his administration would continue to use the potentials of Corps Members for national development.

In his welcome remark, the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Emeka Mgbemena commended the Director-General for his laudable achievements, including the NYSC Radio and Television which would be inaugurated soon.

He assured him that the printing press would not be a flash in the pan, but would run profitably as a strategic business unit of the Scheme.

All is set for the public presentation of a book that details the meteoric rise of Nigeria's former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd).

The book titled 'The Great Exploits of Buratai', written by UK-based scholar, author and lecturer, Engr B. O. Agbese will be unveiled on January 25th at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Agbsese aptly captures Buratai's journey from a reputable soldier, combatant, anti-terrorism campaigner to a diplomat in this literary work of art.

The author said in over three decades of service to humanity, both in the military and public service, Amb Buratai has proven his grit as a rare gift to the nation, Africa and the world.

He noted that after several years of research, interviews and facts gathering, he has put together this literary work of art for future generation of Nigerians.

According to Patriot and Sage Digital Communication Ltd, organisers of the event, the book will be reviewed by renowned scholar, Prof Udenta O. Udenta.

A statement signed by Toby Prince revealed that Governors of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Nasarawa States are among the dignitaries expected to grace the event.

He noted that the event will also feature a public lecture with the theme: 'Appraising Civil-Military Relations in the Fight Against Insurgency/Insecurity and the Way Forward for Nigeria'.

Toby said the topic has been well researched to address a serious national issue that is of immense importance to both state and non-state actors in the fight against insecurity and peacebuilding.

He, however, assured that at the end of the event, Nigerians will appreciate the legendary former COAS better.

Among distinguished Nigerians expected at the event as Special Guest of Honour are Governors of Borno and Yobe States, His Excellencies, Governor Babagana Zulum and Governor Mai Mala Buni as well as other state governors.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Leo Irabor will lead a powerful delegation of serving security chiefs to the event.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruq Yahaya and other military scholars are expected to deliver keynote address at the event while the VKS Group, a Turkish business group based in Akwa Ibom State, will lead the business community to the event with a strong delegation led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Onur Kumral.

The book will be preseted by Alhaji Nasiru Halidu Danu (Dan Amana Dutse), Ambassador Funke Ayinke, a renowned project consultant, businesswoman, philanthropist and singer as well as the Chairman of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.

His Excellency Ambassador TY Buratai, his friends and family have all confirmed their availability to be part of the event.

*Postpone APC convention in the best interest of party, Nigeria's democracy - Diaspora Group*

The All Progressives Congress in Diaspora Network (APC-DiNET) has called on the ruling party to cancel its proposed February 26th national convention date.

According to a statement signed by Dr. Makama Omeri, the Coordinator, APC-DiNET, United Kingdom, the move would be in the best interest of the party and nation.

Omeri said failure to consider another date for the convention could ultimately hamper the party's chances at next year's general elections and truncate the nation's democracy.

The Diaspora group also cited the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as a lingering issue that could affect the convention.

Following the amendment of the mode of primaries, Omeri noted that the process between the transmission to the Presidency and assent could take more than the six weeks slated for the APC convention.

The APC-DiNET also lamented unresolved congresses in many states of the federation as well as other unresolved disputes.

Under the prevailing circumstances, Omeri said it is "absolutely mindless, insensitive and counterproductive to hastily fix APC national convention date in six weeks from today".

The APC-DiNET, therefore, called for a revisit and extension of the national convention date of February 26,2022 to allow space and time to fraternally resolve pending crises issues

Read full statement below:

The APC In Diaspora Network (APC-DiNET) heartily felicitates with all the leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), home and abroad in the New Year! May the New Year splash endless blessings on us and Nigeria.

We also fully identify and support the very genuine commitment of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee's (CECPC), leadership, led by the Yobe State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni to reposition, strengthen, deepen internal democracy within the Party and the reconciliatory initiatives within our great Party ahead of 2023 general elections. Sir, you are a worthy leader, with a wisdom only akin to King Solomon.

APC- DiNET is more excited at the efforts of the Buni -led CECPC to enthrone credible leaderships for APC at lower levels. But we are also convinced that this can only be done after the proper internal assignment of sanitisation of the APC is completed in order to lay a template that will vigorously pursue, sustain and entrench the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, as we unstoppably coast to landslide electoral victories in 2023 at all levels.

Therefore, APC- DiNET finds it incongruent with subsisting realities, the impromptu decision of CECPC to suddenly fix the APC national convention date on February 26, 2022, to crown the process of electing new set of leaders for our great Party which started last year. The CECPC's adoption of the timetable for the APC national convention at its 19th regular meeting this week, held in Abuja has raised fresh pertinent issues pregnable with implosive signals, if the national leadership of the Party fails to reconsider a reversal or ignore them for convenience .

And topmost on the sensitive issues is the uncertainties and controversies which have engulfed the clause of " Direct or Indirect Party Primary Elections" as contemplated by the National Assembly ( NASS) in the Electoral Act 2021 (as amended). It created a cold war between the executive and the legislature. We dare say, these issues have not been finally resolved; but unfortunately, the APC national convention depends on its template.

However, within the week, NASS took a bold step to clear the impasse on the Bill by expunging the "Direct Primaries " clause from the Electoral Act 2021 (as amended). It's expected that the Bill will again be forwarded to the Presidency, together with the other knotty clauses for Presidential assent. We feel, the time- lag of six weeks slated for APC national convention is extremely limited for the Bill to journey to the Presidency and back to NASS to invoke its veto powers, (if necessary) to pass the Bill into law for the ruling APC to contemplate a national convention, which is dependant on it.

Also, an insight into the concluded APC State Congresses nationwide indicate a troubling hangover of unresolved issues in many states of the federation. Some of these pending cases are premised on claims of inconclusive Party Primaries or wrong adoption of zoning or use of consensus principle. These have thrown up multiple legal issues to the legitimacy of the exercises in such states. Other lingering cases also dwell on unresolved disputes or intra-party rivalries in some of the states, which have also graduated into litigations and resultant court injunctions!

APC- DiNET belives, under the prevailing circumstances, its absolutely mindless, insensitive and counterproductive to hurriedly fix APC national convention date in six weeks from today. More so, without amicably and conclusively resolving these internal Party crises. Indeed, proceeding with the February 26, 2022 date for APC national convention with these serious issues is ill-timed, thoughtless on the part of CECPC and a recipe for an unimaginable magnitude of crises which have the potential to sprout more disaffection, enmity and bad - blood within the ranks of our great Party. This is not a good omen for our Party and reason the national convention date should be revisited before we fall prey into the membership drive and harvesting fields of the opposition elements!

APC-DiNET is not only keen on the progress of our great Party back home under President Muhammadu Buhari, GCON and Gov. Buni; but it also monitors the Party's reformative transformations under CECPC's leadership. Its doing a wonderful job, which should not be truncated now for whatever urgency. It is incumbent on all of us to dodge, avoid and support the APC to skip the traps of yesterday, which slammed a CECPC on our laps. We are consciously heading on this path again and and therr is every need to be cautious!

We are not unmindful of the apparent vestiges of PDP in our midst, which are discreetly playing the cards of spoilers in the fold. Again, there are certain APC topshots who are elements of the opposition. These clan of Party members loathe or are against reconciliations or efforts to reposition APC, and so, desperate to deploy the 2014 new- PDP- G5 strategy, which beefed up membership and national clout for the APC at that time. And their target is the pending APC national convention exercise and if, we fail to handle it wisely, they shall use it to cause mass implosion within the Party, whilst they harvest our disenchanted bigwigs and members gleefully. Let's act with circumspection and should not consciously give our opponents a smoothened ground to ride roughshod on us in the 2023 general elections!

That the CECPC through its Secretary is now debunking earlier media reports that it zoned APC's national offices, six weeks to convention date intimates of a serious and delicate problem on our hands. APC's national leadership must be careful, or alert, least, they donate our great Party and Nigeria's leadership to the opposition vampires for devouring. Therefore, APC-DiNET immediately calls for a revisit and extension of APC's national convention date of February 26,2022 to allow space and time to fraternally resolve pending crises issues! Thank you.

... say it’s plot to end the party’s reign and unity ahead of 2023

Some stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the proposed February 26th date for the party's national convention.

The group, under the auspices of APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum, said the ruling party could potentially disintegrate should it proceed with the convention.

The APC stakeholders made their position known in a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Secretary General, Hon. Tobias Ogbeh, some party faithful have been working with foreign agents to destabilize the party at the convention.

He noted that the plan is to run a parallel secretariat and institute legal cases against the party to ensure that it doesn’t produce any candidate in 2023.

Ogbeh added that if not properly managed, this could ultimately lead to mass exodus of party members over unresolved and lingering legal issues.

The APC stakeholders, therefore, urged the party leadership to announce another date for the convention to save it from being hijacked by some vested interest that does not wish the party well.

If this is done, they, however, assured that the APC will remain united and all those scheming to undermine the party would be put to shame.

Read full statement below:

We welcome you to this important press conference converged in the light of the recent happenings in our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). We are glad that despite your busy schedules, you have elected to be here because of the unalloyed commitment to see to the political advancement of the party as we approach the next general elections.

The recent events regarding the date fixed for the party's national convention indeed give a cause for concern in the sense that if things are not handled properly, we stand the risk of the party disintegrating before the general elections.

Based on a security report, we have it on good authority that a segment of our party members have been working with foreign agents to destabilize the party at the party convention. They have perfected plans to run a parallel secretariat of the party institute legal cases against the party to ensure that it doesn’t produce any candidate in 2023.

This is chiefly being coordinated by some governors who recently joined the party from the South-South region, another from one of the North Central states and another from the North West. They are working together with foreign mercenaries to cause an internal implosion within the party.

We also have it on good authority that these elements have also perfected plans to use the instrument of the court to disrupt the party activities by sponsoring frivolous court cases against the party with regards to the outcome of the convention.

Sadly, these elements that do not mean well for the party are being accorded tremendous patronage at the federal level, not knowing that these same individuals are planning to rock the party's boat by all means necessary.

The leadership and members of the APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum is alarmed with the turn of events in our great party as the elections approach. The signs that all won’t be well with the party are apparent, and our leaders have elected to put their interest first before that of the party.

They have forgotten that the opposition party is consolidating and putting in measures to stage a dramatic return to power as we have it on good authority of plans, also to infiltrate our party with moles who in turn feeds them with our strategies towards the elections.

We wish to state boldly that the overarching objective is for a mass exodus of party members from the party due to unresolved and lingering legal issues. So much so that it would deny party members and candidates the time to fulfil the INEC stipulated requirements.

As concerned stakeholders in the party, we wish to state that all is indeed not well and should the party elect to go ahead with the planned national convention of February 26, 2022, that would undoubtedly mark the journey of the disintegration of the party.

We wish to warn the leadership of the party to see this threat as real and do all within its means to avert the looming crisis in the party by looking for an alternate date for the party convention to save the party from being hijacked by some vested interest that does not wish the party well.

The APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum is aware of the tremendous sacrifices by the party's founding fathers. It would be a great disservice for all the stakeholders in the party to watch the party disintegrate.

We as stakeholders must rise to the occasion to ensure that the party stays united and strong to face the opposition during the general elections. We must also be mindful that the APC as a party remains the hope of the common masses. Any attempt to destroy it would be disastrous to our democracy.

We must sustain the tempo and ensure that the very ideals for which the party came into existence are maintained and built upon. We must also do all within our means to continue to be that medium that Nigerians can rely on in delivering the dividends of democracy in the country.

As a result of these, we call on the party leadership to act now in the best interest of the party and the country at large. The NEC of the party must have a rethink with regards to holding the party convention under a rancorous circumstance and atmosphere.

Our firm belief is that our party would remain united, and all those scheming to undermine the party would be put to shame.

We thank you all for your time and attention.

God bless us all.

*Nnamdi Kanu: Apologise to Nigeria, Malami, Coalition tells disgraced Canadian Minister*

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has called on Kelechi Madu, the suspended Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Government of Alberta in Canada to apologise to the Nigerian government and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami over his utterances following the re-arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Coalition said Madu has been exposed to be a sham, who lacks capacity in evaluating legal issues.

Recall that the embattled Alberta minister had attacked Malami in July describing the AGF as a bigot who "who does not understand what it means to live in a pluralistic society governed by the dictates of the rule of law".

But after his suspension, the Coalition said Madu’s traffic infraction in Alberta and his subsequent indiscretion proves he is unqualified for such exalted position.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Timothy Charles, the Coalition for Truth and Justice said Madu should apologise for attempting to normalise terrorism.

According to Charles, the Alberta official must "reflect on the facts around his poster boy, Nnamdi Kanu, whose ongoing trial for treason enjoys the support of right-thinking Igbo leaders".

Charles noted that the decision to prosecute Kanu for his crimes against Nigeria is one that any AGF would have taken for statutory and security reasons and not one that Malami took as an individual.

The group, therefore, demanded an immediate public apology from Madu to the Federal Government and to the AGF if he has "any iota of honour still left in him".

Read full statement below:

The Coalition for Truth and Justice is pleased to learn that the Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Government of Alberta, Canada, Kelechi “Kaycee” Madu, has been exposed for the scam that he is even as the coalition demanded that the disgraced Canadian Minister immediately apologizes to Nigeria and Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami SAN.

The Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney asked Madu to step aside after he was reported to have inappropriately contacted the police chief of the province over traffic-related offences committed on March 10, 2020. Madu got fined $300 for using his phone while driving and subsequently called the police chief, which he was not supposed to do and ought to know being Alberta’s chief law officer.

We demand that Madu apologizes to the Federal Government now that he has been exposed as a sham and in view of his misguided tantrum last July in which he attempted to normalize terrorism while upbraiding Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami SAN over the re-arrest of the then fugitive, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the terrorist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

With the benefit of hindsight, Madu’s traffic infraction in Alberta and his subsequent indiscretion of contacting the police chief attest to his lack of capacity in evaluating legal issues hence the vehemence with which he projected his pro-terrorism biases when he attempted to justify IPOB’s crimes against humanity and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s criminality as vestiges of a pluralistic society. He had at that time, in July 2021, packaged his criminal endorsement of IPOB as the position of the Canadian Government while attempting to build an international coalition to demand the release of the terrorist leader, which for us is the height of rascality for anyone in the temple of justice.

It is therefore not surprising that Kelechi Madu was unable to conceal his predisposition to sabotaging the system for long. There is only so much that dapper suits and neckties can hide, the cowl does not make the monk and while one can take the monkey out of the jungle, one can never take the jungle out of the monkey. Madu, with his IPOB pro-terrorism indoctrination cannot in the true sense shed the penchant for gaming the system in the manner that IPOB members do. So, no one is surprised that the disgraced Minister is one of those few Nigerians who give this country bad reputation abroad.

One lesson that is evident from this development is that IPOB has placed its members in strategic positions in other countries in the hope of using them to pressure Nigeria into allowing the terrorist group run riot without being challenged or its members and leadership held to account. Fortunately for Nigeria, in Madu’s case he was unable to resist the lawlessness for which the group is known.

Now that he has been stripped of the office that wrongly amplified his sense of power and relevance, we expect that Kelechi Madu would take time to reflect on the facts around his poster boy, Nnamdi Kanu, whose ongoing trial for treason enjoys the support of right-thinking Igbo leaders.

Majority of Igbos support the trial and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu as someone who has continued to inflict pains and injuries on his fellow kinsmen more than anyone else. The courts would decide if the multimedia recordings of him inciting IPOB members to commit murder and arson are not enough grounds to hold him accountable for the resulting loss of life after his instructions were followed.

The decision to prosecute Kanu for his crimes against Nigeria is one that any AGF would have taken for statutory and security reasons and not one that Malami took as an individual. AGF Malami by nature is a true nationalist and has the highest respect for every Nigerian hence the decision by Mr. President to make him the Chief law officer. For Madu, with his addiction for breaking the law, to have attacked Malami’s person in the manner he did last year is uncalled for.

Irrespective of the outcome of the independent inquiry ordered by Alberta’s Premier, we therefore demand an immediate public appology from Kelechi Madu to the Federal Government and to the AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN if the fellow has any iota of honour still left in him.

*APC Youth Sacks Lukman Salihu as Progressives Governors DG over alleged anti-party activities*

_...gives Govs ultimatum to announce replacement_

The Progressives Youth Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 'sacked' the Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Dr Salihu Moh Lukman, over alleged anti-party activities.

The APC Youth council also gave the APC governors 72 hours to name a successor for the embattled DG.

The group made this known in a communique signed by its co-ordinator, Prince Danelson Momoh, alongside nine others on the recent development in the APC.

According to the statement, Dr Lukman has shown that he is a mole in the ruling party with a mission to undermine it and ultimately hand advantage to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

The APC-PYC said that Lukman, in recent time, sponsored series of protests and media propaganda against the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

The group also alleged that the PDP mobilised Lukman with the funds for this purpose while the DG collected money from some governors but failed to declare same at the last stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.

While urging the APC governors to name Lukman's successor immediately to avoid further doom, the APC youth advised party faithful not to do any business with hi..

They, however, called on the Governor Buni-led committee to continue discharging their responsibility to the party and not be distracted by anyone.

Read full statement below:

The Progressive Youth Council of the All Progressive Congress (APC), PYC-APC has been following developments within our party with kin interest in recent months and have to a great extent identified the clog in the wheel of the progress of the only party that holds hope for Nigeria.

The Director General of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Dr Salihu Moh Lukman is the problem we have identified as being major among the challenges besetting the APC ahead of next year’s General Elections. This development is most unfortunate bearing in mind that the Progressive Governors Forum is a forum of governors elected on the platform of the APC, which implies that whatever is coming from that forum is by necessity progressive in nature, not just for the states superintended by the APC governor but for the country at large. This makes it sad that forum, under the administration of Dr. Lukman, has become synonymous with churning out of regressive ideas on an industrial scale where the APC internal issues are concerned.

We are saddened to state that Dr. Salihu is complicit in several anti-party activities that were targeted at undermining the APC from within for the benefit of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

APC loyalists will recall the series of sponsored protests to the National Secretariat of the Party in Abuja, which the Director General has been implicated as the one who mobilized these shows of shame, ostensibly to destabilize the party’s (interim) leadership as presently constituted. If Dr. Lukman has genuine grievances, there are established procedures and channels, hence there was no need for him to attempt reducing the APC into a den of thugs.

Several anti-APC media campaigns – open letters, features and opinion articles, planted news stories and even radio and television appearances of certain pseudo-pundits have been directly linked with Dr. Lukman. These media activities have been damaging to the reputation and perception of the APC to say the least.

Dr. Lukman has also been linked to funds reportedly provided by the PDP for the sole objective of creating implosion within the APC. These funds, we believe, he deployed for bankrolling the sponsored protests and the media campaign against the APC.

We appreciate that a few APC Governors, driven by inordinate ambition are in pursuit of personal agenda in the forthcoming General Elections but our expectation is that a Director General that is worth his office would prevail on such persons to align with the party’s interest. It is to our dismay that Dr. Lukman has rather actively encouraged such governors and their associates to rebel against the party.

It is further alarming that Dr. Lukman is the one anchoring a plan by recalcitrant elements in the party to stage a so called “mass defection” to one of the existing political parties in scheme that would be given widespread propaganda coverage to project a fake demise of the APC.

When it comes to integrity, there are also grievous issues. The Director General collected money from some governors and failed to declare same for the last stakeholders meeting held in Abuja. We wonder the extent to which he has shortchanged the party in other financial dealings.

Consequently, by virtue of the POWERS VESTED in the Progressives Youth Council of the APC Dr. Lukman is hereby declared persona non grata and his position declared vacant. In announcing the sack of Dr. Salihu Moh Lukman as the Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, we warn APC members not to have further dealings with him.

We give the Progressive Governors 72 hours from now to fill the vacant position. If a new Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum has not been named by 12noon on Monday January 17, 2022, the Progresive Youth Council will do the needful by announcing a replacement for the vacant position. We will then take all the necessary steps to give effect to our announcement.

This is because we can no longer keep quite whilst Lukman and his group of merchants continue to destroy the party.

Finally, we urge the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to continue discharging its responsibility to the party and not be distracted by anyone. The Committee should do exactly as it has been instructed by NEC to position the party for victory ahead of 2023.

Signed:

1. Prince Danelson Momoh ( Coordinator)

2. Alhaji Audu Ibrahim

3. Engr. Gowon Maxwell Amos

4. Dr. Pate Kabiru

5. Alhaji Dagana Rabiu

6. Alhaji Mustafa Abdullahi

7. comrade Egboh U. Egboh

8. Hon.Bagudu U. Bagudu

9. Hon. Joyce Alli

10. Olusegun Oni

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has called for the review of school curriculum and introduction of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development SAED, as it would expose students to vocational skills before they graduate.

The Director-General disclosed this in Abuja when the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, led a delegation from the institution to deliver a congratulatory message to Major General Ibrahim on his elevation to the new rank of Major General in the Nigeran Army.

He said the Scheme has partnered many institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BoI), Access Bank, Heritage Bank, Leventis Foundation and other agricultural institutions like NALDA and ARMTI towards the training and empowerment of corps members that have passion for agriculture.

The DG added that efforts are on top gear for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund which will make funds available to corps members to start their businesses as they exit service.

He further stated that the proposed Trust Fund would also improve maintenance of Orientation Camp facilities and NYSC Skill Acquisition Centres across the country.

“We urge the Federal University Lokoja and other stakeholders to support us in youth empowerment”, the DG added.

He disclosed that NYSC has been interfacing with relevant institutions like the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), among others to inject more sanity into the mobilisation process of eligible graduates for national service.

Major General Ibrahim, congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on his appointment and also lauded him for the congratulatory visit.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokojo Professor Akinwumi, said the university is delighted to associate with the landmark achievements recorded by the DG since he assumed duty in NYSC.

“We are proud of what you and your team are doing. NYSC must be protected because it is for the unity of the country” he said

The Vice-chancellor, therefore, called for continuous support for the NYSC Scheme especially the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, saying that SAED has empowered a large number of graduate youths to become self-reliant across the country.

The Management of Federal University Lokoja has joined the league of eminent Nigerians to congratulate the NYSC Director-General on his elevation to the new rank of Major General in the Nigeran Army.

The Institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, who led a delegation from the institution to deliver the congratulatory message to Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his office in Abuja today, said the University is delighted to associate with the landmark achievements recorded by the DG since he assumed duty in NYSC.

He canvassed support for the continuity of the NYSC Scheme especially the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, adding that SAED has empowered a large number of graduate youths to become self reliant.

The don, who relayed his service year experiences added that, “We are proud of what you and your team are doing. NYSC must be protected because it is for the unity of the country.”

In his response, the NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on his appointment and also lauded him for the congratulatory visit.

He added that NYSC has been interfacing with relevant institutions like the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), among others to inject more sanity into the mobilisation process of eligible graduates for national service.

Major General Ibrahim said there was the need to review the school curriculum and introduce Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as it would expose students to vocational skills before they graduate.

He said the Scheme has partnered many institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BoI) Access Bank, Heritage Bank, Leventis Foundation and other agricultural institutions like NALDA and ARMTI towards training and empowerment of Corps Members that have passion for agriculture. This was contained in a statement signed by Emeka Mgbemena, Deputy Director, Press & Public Relations.

The DG added that efforts are on top gear for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund which will make funds available to Corps Members to start their businesses as they exit service.

He said the proposed Trust Fund would also enable improved maintenance of Orientation Camp facilities and NYSC Skill Acquisition Centres across the country.

“We urge the Federal University Lokoja and other stakeholders to support us in youth empowerment”, the DG added.

During the visit, the Director-General led the University team on a tour of the NYSC Museum and NYSC Radio Studio, both at the National Directorate Headquarters Abuja.

In a similar development, the Abuja Zonal Head of TAJ Bank, Mellisa Adesina today led a delegation from the bank to congratulate Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim on his recent elevation.

She said the bank is working on a modality to partner NYSC on Entrepreneurship Training for Corps Members and also contribute its quota to national development.

General Ibrahim appreciated the bank and promised the Scheme’s readiness to improve SAED programme and reduce unemployment in the country.

“We will partner with you”, he said.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, is set to host the first-ever National Progressive Women’s Conference in Abuja during which several topics including gender inclusiveness in politics and greater role for women in governance will be discussed.The Conference, which has "One Voice Uniting for Progress" as theme, is being spearheaded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) through Hon. Stella Erhuvwu Okotete, member of its Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) - Women Representative.The First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, will deliver the keynote address. The Vice President of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor will share her experience as a top government functionary with participants at the Conference, which will be attended by more than 1,000 women drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.The Conference, which is scheduled to hold on the 18th and1 9th of January 2022, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, will brainstorm on ways to strengthen women political rights, address barriers to women participation in the political process under democratic systems and evolve strategies for getting them fully involved.More than 200 leaders from the three tiers of government in the country and some prominent business women and captains of industry have confirmed participation in the Conference. They will make presentations focused on inspiring and propelling women to greater successful forays into politics, governance and leadership roles in businesses.

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has expressed satisfaction with the level of work carried out at NYSC ultra-modern Printing Press, Kaduna, in readiness for commencement of its operations.

Speaking on monday when he inspected the new building and the various equipment installed, Ibrahim said what he saw was delighting, adding that the outfit would soon be inaugurated. 

According to the DG, the establishment of the Printing Press was in line with his administration's policy on reinvigorating the NYSC Ventures as well as promoting human capital development. 

The Director-General added that the completion of the outfit in Kaduna would provide more impetus for the setting up of  similar platforms in the remaining five geopolitical zones of the country. 

He announced that all State Secretariats of the Scheme within the North West Zone and other contiguous States would be mandated to patronize the new outfit while also charging its managers to embark on aggressive drive for public patronage.

Conducting the DG around the complex, the Head of the NYSC Printing Press, Kaduna, Mr. Sam Nkwopara, hailed him for the bold initiative in setting up the outfit, and described it as another major feat added to the long list of the DG's outstanding accomplishments.

Nkwopara said the outfit was ready to handle general printing work for NYSC formations and the general public in the North West zone and other contiguous states.

 He congratulated the Director-General on his promotion to the rank of Major General,  and prayed God to grant him the grace to do more for the NYSC Scheme and the nation at large.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General IM Yusuf, has commended the NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim for his giant strides in the Scheme. 


He made the commendation today when he played host to the Director-General, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. 


Describing Ibrahim as a source of pride to the Nigerian Armed Forces, he remarked that his achievements in NYSC were consistent with the qualities of hard work, dedication, selflessness and dynamism, which he demonstrated in his previous appointments. 


General Yusuf recalled the Director-General's contributions to the success of the NDA, especially as Head of History and War Studies Department as well as TETFUND Desk Officer.


He noted Ibrahim's leading roles in securing accreditation for courses of the History and War Studies Department, adding: "It was to his credit that NDA hosted a conference of the Historical Society of Nigeria for the first time," he added.


He said his achievements in NYSC did not come as a surprise given his known standard of performance. 


The Commandant congratulated Ibrahim on his promotion to the rank of Major General, describing it as well deserved. 


He said the Academy would continue to support the Scheme, especially in the area of Corps Welfare. 


Earlier, the Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, thanked the Commandant for the mentorship he enjoyed from him, describing him as a thoroughbred senior officer. 


He expressed appreciation of the support NDA had been extending to NYSC, especially as one of the largest Corps employers.


Ibrahim particularly thanked the Commandant for prioritising the welfare of Corps members, including provision of accommodation and feeding for them while on transit. 


He assured that the Corps Members would continue to put in their best in the service of the fatherland.


In another development, the Director-General has commended Corps Members serving at the Nigerian Defence Academy for being good ambassadors of the Scheme, urging them to sustain the tempo of dedication and contribution to national development. 


He advised them to be security-conscious and avoid night travel. 


The Director-General also enjoined the Corps Members to use the social media only for the promotion of national unity and development as against hatred and ethnic jingoism. 


He advised them to develop vocational and entrepreneurship skills and pursue their dreams with passion.

Contrary to the information by the Osun state police command that some men of Department of State Services were arrested for kidnapping, Investigation has revealed that what happened was a debt collection that went sour.
Sources hinted that on 28 December 2021, three staff of 3 NSCDC met a gold merchant customer who they have been patronizing of shortchanged during their transactions with him.
After much argument, the gold merchant agreed to settle the one hundred thousand shortfall which they accused him off. He was later left off the hook and his neighbors who witnessed when he was arrested thought he was kidnapped.
It was at this stage that Osun state police command who had an axe to grind with the DSS joined the fray and indicted the DSS during a parade and accused four of its men of kidnapping.
Sources within the state police command said there were inconsistencies in the account of police during the so called parade that shows that the whole thing was a set up to paint the DSS black.
First, the account of four DSS men as reported by some media was outright falsehood. It was only one DSS that joined the three NSDSC to collect the debt.
Second, even the officer has been released without pressing any charges against him because the whole thing was premeditated.
Third, why did the Osun police command not inform the DSS that one of its men was in custody before the parade? There ought to be inter agency cooperation and coordination to rid the security agencies of bad eggs in the system without compromising security of lives and property. All these are indications that there exists deep seated animosity against the DSS because of some unresolved issues and vendetta.
The source said there was a case of female inspector of police who held a birthday bash and argument ensued after some of her men who came to celebrate with her were drunk. During the scuffle that ensued thereafter, one of his men who was already drunk fell and died three days after the incident because he was not properly treated. The Osun Police was later to accused a DSS officer who was at the birthday of murder.
As the source puts it, “Apart from vendetta, Osun Police Command use to do shoddy investigation. That was why the Adedoyin’s case was taken from them by the Force Headquarters. You will noticed a lot of inconsistencies during the preliminary stage of the case when the OAUTHC counters the PPRO when she said the corpse of late Timothy Adegoke has been taken the teaching hospital for autopsy, despite the information to the contrary.”

By Amos Akintunde

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” Vince Lombardi

The above quote aptly describes the exploits of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim, the director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). A lot might have been said about the recent innovations at the NYSC. However, not enough credit has been given to that man, who has demonstrated an unalloyed commitment in service to the country.

He has exemplified hard work and devotion. He brought to bear his experiences as a scholar and administrator, little wonder he was able to implement policies that positioned the NYSC into that viable institution to fulfil its mandate.

I recall when he assumed leadership of the scheme, not many knew much about him, and they thought it was going to be business as usual. But little did they know that the NYSC was about to experience rapid transformation into that hub for the actualization of dreams for our teeming youths.

Under the leadership of Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, the NYSC was able to introduce a mechanism that reduced issues of fake results drastically. We all know that the issue of students presenting fake results was almost a pandemic. It was so rampant that it brought phenomenal embarrassment to the country. We were regaled with tales of our supposed corp members who could not compose a proper grammatical sentence. Some didn't even know the meaning of the NYSC. It was that bad.

Today that is history as stringent measures have been instituted to ensure that those with fake results or unqualified do not get enrolled in the NYSC scheme. Instead, we are laced with innovations from corp members towards nation-building.

Another critical aspect of the leadership of Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, amongst others that I would like to emphasize is the role of corp members in the electoral processes in Nigeria. A vivid example was the recently conducted gubernatorial elections in Anambra state. It is on record that the DG was physically present in the state and toured almost all local government areas inspecting the conduct of corp members.

He not only inspected their activities, one could see a bond between the corp members and the DG. This bond bears a semblance of a father and son/daughter relationship. That is the mood in the NYSC today, where corp members see the DG as not the DG but as a role model. His penchant for work resonates with every corp member, which has increased the productivity level of corp members in their various places of primary assignment.

The staffers of the scheme are also not left out. They would readily tell you that it's a new dawn at the NYSC since Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim's coming. Some attributed this to the fact that he has had an earlier stint as a military assistant to a former DG as a young officer. And it was easy for him to understand those issues that needed to be addressed to reposition the NYSC.

My summation of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim is when intelligence meets hard work. Some might not realize that beyond wearing the rank of a Major General, the DG is also a professor of military history. At a time in his brilliant career, he headed the History and War studies department in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was also the pioneer Registrar of the Nigerian Army University Bui, Borno state, where he laid a solid foundation for the smooth takeoff of the university. And till date, his records at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Nigerian Army University stand tall.

Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim is also a testament that the country indeed recognizes and rewards hard work with his recent elevation to the rank of a Major General. It is instructive to mention that he was a Brigadier General when he resumed at the NYSC. And the elevation to the prestigious rank didn't come as a surprise to many who are conversant with his style as a scholar and administrator per excellence, and one who sees what others do not see, and who thinks outside the box in solving problems.

A good example is the proposed NYSC Trust Fund that recently passed the first reading in the Federal House of Representatives. In muting the idea for the NYSC Trust Fund, it was gathered that the objective was to ensure that corp members are availed the required funds to translate their business ideas into reality.

In my opinion, the NYSC Trust Fund is not about corp members; it is about the teeming youths in the country. From all indications, the NYSC Trust Fund would prove a vital medium to address youth unemployment in the country.

If we must admit, youth unemployment remains one issue that requires all the necessary attention it deserves. And here we have a man who has looked beyond what the NYSC holds for hundreds of thousands of youths that passes through the scheme yearly to thinking of how to harness their potentials even after they complete their service year.

The likes of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim are exemplary in their conduct hence the carnival-like atmosphere when news filtered in that the DG has been decorated with the rank of a Major General. The mood was electrifying at the various NYSC offices across the country. Staff and corp members were joyous and sang his praises to the high heavens. The display of love by all and sundry are signs that indeed merit and hard work has no religion or tribe. It’s a friend to all.

For Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim, the price of success is hard work, dedication to the job, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. I salute this exceptional Nigerian who has redefined leadership. Congratulations, Major General Sir! may this new rank bring you more work.


Akintunde is a public affairs analyst based in Ado-Ekiti.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called off their initial plan to protest against the party's Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee.

The group, under the auspices of the APC Core Supporters Network, had last week issued a threat to shut down the national secretariat of the party over its interim leadership.

But in a statement signed by its national president, Maxwell Gowon, the group said its members were misled, misinformed and misguided by some disgruntled elements.

Comrade Gowon said they know better now and have already apologised to Governor Mai Mala Buni-led committee for almost being used by enemies of the APC to truncate the progress recorded.

Speaking after its consultative meeting held in Abuja today on the state of the party, the group alleged that they were initially carried away by some elders whom they thought meant well for the APC.

He said they, however, made a U-turn after discovering that these so-called leaders were attempting to brainwash them into turning against progressives.

The group, therefore, said it cannot allow itself to be used against the Committee that has done so well to rescue the party from where these very so-called elders had taken the party.

It added that it's now convinced that holding the party’s congress anytime in February without resolving the issue which the committee was first appointed to resolve will be playing into the hands of the opposition that has planted moles to destroy the party.

While urging the Governor Buni-led committee to sustain its transformation, the group unequivocally called on all APC support groups, supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari and all progressives in the country to hereby know that the earlier threats of protest against the Committee is hereby withdrawn and suspended indefinitely.

*Expect completion of more abandoned projects in Niger Delta, says Niger Delta Development Commission boss*


      


The Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Effiong Akwa, has asked youths and other stakeholders to expect completion of more abandoned projects within the region in the New Year.


Akwa in a zoom meeting that had hundreds of stakeholders from the nine states of the Niger Delta and the Diaspora in attendance said the NDDC under the supervision of the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, would complete and inaugurate abandoned power projects, hostels among others.


Akwa, who was represented at the meeting by his Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Udengs Eradiri, particularly harped on the completion of the transmission substation in Okitipupa area of Ondo State.


He said when completed, the transmission station would provide power to over 2000 communities across six local government areas of Ondo State.


Akwa at the virtual meeting, which was described by participants as commendable, said efforts would be made to finish another power transmission  line in Ikot Abasi area of Akwa Ibom State.


He said more hostels would be completed in line with the mandate given to the Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari to finish abandoned people-oriented projects and put them to use.


The NDDC boss also said the commission would make efforts to complete the abandoned hostels at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa State.


He said the NDDC would build a replica of Lagos State's boat terminals in the Niger Delta to facilitate maritime transport and urged the youths to get ready for sports festival and talent hunt in the new year.


He heaped encomiums on Buhari and Akpabio for their leadership style saying 2021 was the first time the NDDC completed and inaugurated three massive projects in a single year.


He named the completed projects as the corporate headquarters of the commission in Port Harcourt abandoned for over 20 years; office and residential complex for the police Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Omagwa, Rivers and the over 1050-bed hostel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.


Among other activities, Akwa said the commission last year engaged governors of the region; distributed yellow fever vaccines, waste disposal trucks to states; trained over 1000 in ICT; distributed science equipment, e-learning tablets and desks to secondary schools and ensured prompt payment of staff salaries.


He said: "This year more hostels will be completed because we are looking at projects that direct impact on the lives of the people of the region. We are going to be building boat terminals in the region. 


"It is difficult for people to go to the waterfront and have somewhere they can go and relax, buy tickets and board their boats in the Niger Delta. But if you go to Lagos, you will see boat terminals in most areas in Lagos. That kind of terminal is what we will be bringing in.


"Soon, we should be inaugurating the power project in Ondo State that is meant to power six local government areas. There is another power project in Eket and it will be concluded. 


"During the forensic audit, it was discovered that the NDDC had a lot of equipment abandoned in the ports for years. And we have put machinery in place to get the equipment and ensure the other power projects are completed".


Akwa called for the support of the youths and other stakeholders to enable NDDC deliver on the mandate of President Buhari.


Most of the youths, who spoke during the meeting, commended Akwa continually engaging them, saying the meeting was the third in series since he took over the commission.


One of the youths, Emmanuel Umana, said he was happy that Akwa created a platform through the office of his Special Adviser on Youths to explain  the activities of NDDC.


He said: "We should come together to encourage the system when it is working. I am happy your office is trying to update us on issues of the commission. It was not like this before".

END.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) commends the Super Eagle and the entire Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Team for the thorough preparation ahead of the competition, declared unwavering support to the team.
In a statement issued to pressmen by the Vice president of the Council, Ambassador Akoshile Mukhtar in Abuja on the chances of the Nigeria team in the AFCON tournament, the Vice President expressed his confidence that the Super Eagle will have an entertaining and successful outing in Cameroon, owing to the fact that the technical team of the Nigeria Football Federation have mobilized skilful and agile international footballers of Nigeria extract doing exploit in popular clubs around the world.
“The readiness of the Nigeria team excel in the AFCON tournament in Cameroon is not questionable, as it is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that the quality of players that the Nigeria Football Managers have mobilized for the competition despite the reluctancy of the players’ club management is an indication that the Nigeria team is not just ready but formidable enough to conquer other teams in the tournament”
Beyond that, NYCN believes that the Ministry of Youth and Sport Development as well as the Management of the Nigeria Football Federation are always ready to provide the necessary support for the team as the tournament kick off on Sunday 9th of January 2022. Feelers from different quarters shows that the support for the Super Eagle for this tournament would be massive like never before.
“The smooth and rancor free disengagement of the former Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr have shown that Mr Sunday Dare and Amaju Pinnick are in agreement of the fact that the good old days of the Super Eagles must be reawakened, thus the duo are ready to provide the team with the required support and more” and thereby declare our total support for the Leadership of the President of the NFF Amaju Pinnick.
Furthermore, the Vice President acknowledged that since football is one of the few centripetal forces anywhere in the world, it would be easy to mobilize support to cheer the team from all over the country. Since the role of supporters (on-site and online) to the performance of football team cannot be overemphasized, the Council would consistently cheer the Super Eagles to come out victoriously in the tournament.
“We have come to realize that international football competition like AFCON is an international relations platform, where promotion of National Interest is essential. The Council would use the opportunity of the tournament to promote the image of Nigeria by supporting the team to win the AFCON cup to defend the innate title of “Giant of Africa” even in Football”
Finally, the Vice President advised the Nigeria team that would be in Cameroon and Nigeria supporters across the world should take ownership of the representative we would be having on the pitch in the AFCON by supporting and cheering them to emerge victoriously in the Campaign.

CROSS RIVER DG MIGRATION CONTROL, ABUO CONFERRED WITH DOCTORATE DEGREE BY REPUBLIC OF BENIN VARSITY

The Director General, Migration Control Agency Cross River State, Prince Michael Abuo has been conferred with an honourary doctorate degree in public administration by Escae University, Republic of Benin.

Abuo was conferred with the honourary doctorate degree in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the development of humanity both as an activist, non governmental activities and as a public servant for a period spanning over 15 years of which he has shown administrative prowess.

In a letter dated 30th December, 2021 the Governing Council of the University communicated the ratification of the Council conferment of a PhD in Public Administration (Honoraris Causa) on Prince Michael Nku Abuo Wellington,JP. The event is slated for January 19, 2022 at the Federal Republic of Benin.

Prince Michael Abuo holds a degree from the University of Calabar and is an alumnus of the prestigious United States Government International Visitor's Leadership Program, a leadership educational initiative held in Washington and national delegate to the recently held United Nation COP 26 Conference in Glasgow,he is also a winner of several national and regional awards etc.

He has held several leadership positions from his secondary, tertiary and post tertiary institution days such as Senior Prefect of St Patrick's College, a senator of his student faculty of science, an ex student union government leader and currently is the state chairman of the Nigeria Youth Organization and is the National Vice Chairman South South of the Nigeria Youth Chambers of Commerce, NYCC.

He has served with an international non governmental organization Children of Rural Africa, a U.S registered non governmental organization as their Nigeria Project Coordinator and he is the founder and leader of Cross River State largest online and offline sociopolitical organization the Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON), he has held several government appointments as well and is currently the pioneer Director General of one of Nigeria's only regional Migration Control Agency.

It was gathered that his was selection for the conferment of the award following his nomination by a group and investigation by a panel of the University who were convinced beyond reasonable doubt deserving of the award of the honourary doctorate degree.

Escae University is a technology-oriented higher learning institution. One of the best universities in the Republic of Benin that is dedicated to delivering and teaching training of the highest level.It was founded by Dr. MEHOBA D. Theodore, PhD in Economics and Management Sciences, the University was accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and formally opened on October 2012 under the authorization number n°040/MESRS/CAB/DC/SGM/DPP/DGES/DEPES/SP.

ESCAE-BENIN is affiliated with a number of well-known universities in Niger, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoir, Chad, Ghana and other countries and runs several degree and post graduate awarding programs that is recognised within Nigeria and across the world.

APC Convention: Group asks Governors to sack Salihu, threatens massive nationwide protest

The All Progressive Congress Youth Development and Solidarity Forum (APC-YDSF) has demanded that All Progressives Congress (APC) state governors must immediately sack Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh Lukman.

The group hinged thier reason on the fact that Lukman has outed himself as an agent of a few selfish interests and that of the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

The development followed an open letter that Lukman recently authored to party leaders, which he purposefully promoted in the media to achieve his objective of destabilizing the APC for his true masters within and others in the PDP. Nigeria’s recent political history has shown that resort to such a line of communication is usually by people that perfected plans to jump ships.

The forum noted that while it was within the rights of Lukman as a supposed party member to air his views, his fixation on promoting the PDP throughout the letter amounted to kite flying for the opposition PDP.

The group in a state signed by its Secretary-General, Hon. Tobias Ogbeh, said what Lukman has done was to practically provide reference materials for a contrived PDP win at the 2023 General Elections, such that the opposition can assert that even the DG of the Progressive Governors’ Forum predicted victory for them.

The statement reads below;

"We find it most unfortunate that the DG decided to exploit the timing of our great party’s National Convention to ply his poisonous ware by pretending to make a legitimate intervention. It is ironic that Lukman was unable to conceal the agenda he has for truncating the successes recorded by the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), which even him admitted has done a great job in stabilizing the APC.

"As our Forum struggle to come to terms with the reality that the man who administers the umbrella body of APC governors is a mole within the party and being used by some forces to destroy our organization from inside, we find it pertinent to alert stakeholders to the dangers that the DG’s continued occupation of that office poses to the success of the APC in the months ahead.

"Our concern and resolve in this regard are borne out the realization that aside from acting under inducement from external forces bent on destroying the APC, we have also become aware that Lukman is alleged to have received some dollars to import thugs into Abuja to disrupt the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

"Parts of the plans in his well oiled campaign of calumny against the party is to sponsor miscreants to stop every activity at the party’s National Secretariat with some of the thugs already briefed to stage similar paid protest to the Presidential Villa.

Lukman has consequently declared himself as an enemy of the APC and should by virtue of this have no further business with leaders and members of the party. He has firmly established himself as an existential threat to the APC given his open canvassing for the PDP.

"While he has reportedly been bragging that he has the backing of at least two APC governors, we nonetheless demand that the Progressive Governors’ Forum, his employer, must immediately sack Salihu Moh Lukman as Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) within the next seven (7) days or face revolt from members of the party in APC controlled states.

"Only such decisive assertion of party authority will send the message across that no form of indiscipline and undermining the party’s interest will be tolerated."

http://www.theleaderng.com/apc-convention-group-asks-governors-to-sack-salihu-threatens-massive-nationwide-protest/

By Philip Agbese


Thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, the North is actually healing. Once upon a time, the North was bleeding. But today, the narrative has significantly changed. Who says it isn't.

It is no longer news that the security crisis in Northern Nigeria indeed disrupted socio-economic activities. It is also a statement that since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgent group began a violent campaign, there has undoubtedly been a regime of sorrow, tears and blood. But thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, whose efforts at addressing the security challenges in the country, northern Nigeria inclusive has been outstanding. Who can disagree with this?
In Nigeria, I have observed a penchant for turning the truth on its head. Some do this for financial reasons, while some do this for mischief purposes or to score cheap political points. I would go with both reasons because some of the issues been peddled in the media space with regards to the situation of things in the north remains the figment of the imagination of a select few that have in their wisdom become disillusioned because its no longer business as usual.

I recently stumbled on a statement credited to a group- Coalition of Northern Groups demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari returns Nigeria to the Boko Haram days pre-2015. I was alarmed but not surprised that such a call could elicit media attention. It was a most puerile attempt by the group's promoters to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians, especially victims of the fangs of the Boko Haram group in North-East Nigeria.
I was also amazed how any right-thinking individual or group would elect to be so forgetful to the situation of things then and would wish that Nigeria returns to such an era where the Boko Haram group almost succeeded in bringing Nigeria to its knees. I am forced to ask if those individuals were so forgetful not to remember that at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, nowhere in the country was safe.

How did they forget so quickly how places of worship, public motor parks and other critical government infrastructures were severely hit by bombs detonated at will by the Boko Haram insurgents? Ordinally, it is curious that this request comes from a group whose supposed spectrum area is supposedly northern Nigeria.
One thing readily comes to mind, which is that indeed some vested interest in the north are, after all, not happy with the healing process in the north. We all know that the Boko Haram insurgency was big business for most of these nomenclatures; however, it remains absurd that some would elect to play politics with human lives. During the day, they are advocates for good governance, but at night, they are vampires looking for human blood.
From the preceding, it seems their thirst for blood is insatiable. It also seems their pockets have run dry since the Nigerian Army gained ascendency over the Boko Haram insurgents since 2016. And the list is endless. However, for emphasis’s sake, I would remind them of a few instances where the north really bled and why no right-thinking human would ever wish that Nigeria returns to such inglorious years.
Have they forgotten in a hurry the story of the Chibok girls? Have they also forgotten the Buni Yadi massacre where fifty-nine school boys at the Federal Government College of Buni Yadi in Yobe State were slaughtered? Have they also forgotten the Baga massacre where hundreds of thousands innocent people were killed and the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force overrun by the Boko Haram insurgents? What about the Nyanya Bomb blast that left over 200 persons dead?
In Nigeria, was there a time when the Boko Haram group controlled over 16 local government areas in North-East Nigeria? Was there a time when the Boko Haram group attacked communities in North-East Nigeria at will, and the Nigerian Military seemed handicapped with little or no meaningful response to the constant attack on women and children.
Is the Coalition of Northern Groups aware that in most villages recaptured by military forces, all social infrastructures had reportedly been destroyed? The education authorities reported that 338 schools had been damaged or destroyed between 2012 and 2014 in the States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. In some areas, Boko Haram destroyed bridges linking villages, such as in Kubroshosh, in Borno State ? On 6 April 2015, in Kwajafa village in Borno state, Boko Haram set fire to a local mosque, leading to an unknown number of casualties. In June 2015, it used improvised explosive devices and suicide bomb attacks against a church, in Postikum. On 7 July, two separate bomb attacks on a restaurant and a mosque in Jos, killed 44 civilians. And the list is endless.

Is the Coalition of Northern Groups saying that all they wish for the Northern part of the country is a return to those anomalies? Your guess is as good as mine, and I dare say we might be dealing with the actual sponsors of crime and criminalities in Northern Nigeria. Now let's assume it was a political statement since its politics time; it goes a long way to tell any discerning mind that something is fundamentally wrong, and Nigerians should look no farther than those that came under the umbrella of Coalition of Northern Groups.

In my considered opinion, they are the real Boko Haram insurgents and recently bandits attempting to disrupt the healing process in Northern Nigeria since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed leadership of the country. At this point, I am afraid for this country and only God knows what these groups aim to achieve at the end of the day.

But the good news is that President Muhammadu Buhari indeed matched his words with actions. Today, over 80% of those displaced have returned to their communities. Today, the Boko Haram group does not control any local government area. The factional leaders of the group (Abubakar Shekau and Al Barnawi) have met their waterloo. This is aside from other top commanders that have either been eliminated or surrendered to the superior power of the Nigerian Military.
Nigerians can also testify when was the last time a bomb was detonated in any public place. Nigerians can also attest that those road barricades have disappeared from our streets and roads. Nigerians can also testify how the once dreaded Sambisa Forest was overrun by troops who dislodged the Boko Haram insurgents.
More recently, Nigerians can also testify on the intensity of the military's efforts in addressing the threats posed by bandits in parts of Northern Nigeria. Nobody can doubt what our Air Force has been doing in the last few weeks. The stats are impressive and most commendable because the prosecution of the war against terrorism and banditry have conformed with internationally accepted standards.

I also need to mention that the level of coordination amongst the security forces has been outstanding for emphasis. The troops are well equipped; Nigeria recently took delivery of some Super Tucano fighter jets and many more positives recorded under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Let us also look at the agricultural sector in Borno state that was badly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. The Coalition of Northern Groups may wish to be reminded that Benue State recorded the highest rice yield in the country last year. Thanks to the improved security situation that allowed farmers to return to their farms once again. The herdsmen and farmers crisis has equally disappeared from the north gradually and almost completely .

This is same for other states in the North Central that has had issues with farmers-herders conflict. And if this is not healing I wonder what else to call it. Maybe the Coalition of Northern Groups in their wisdom can help us out.
Suppose the Coalition of Northern group does not recognize these feats. In that case, they should develop a counter-narrative with stats and stop wishing the country a return to Armageddon. If indeed they are a group, they should do us well to reveal their identities and not masquerade under a nomenclature with a northern tag.
They should spare us their diatribe and allow the healing in the north to continue until final peace returns.

Agbese is a UK trained human rights activist and publisher based in London.

The Director General , National Broadcasting Commission Balarabe Shehu Illelah has expressed deep satisfaction with the adequate provisions made by the NYSC towards the commencement of radio transmission as soon as Broadcasting licence is approved.

The NBC boss commended the present NYSC Management for procuring standard Radio equipment and building a digital studio preparatory to a preliminary inspection which confirmed their commitment to publicising the activities of the Scheme especially through mainstream Broadcast media.

Mr Illela was speaking today while assessing the Studio facilities Installed at the proposed 'NYSC Radio' complex located at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Maitama- Abuja. He said with the standard facilities he had seen, NYSC is on the right track towards obtaining a broadcast licence after a thorough screening procedure.

While taking the NBC DG round the studio, the NYSC Director General Major General Shu'aibu Ibrahim disclosed that the proposed NYSC Radio was initiated to reach out to the grassroots and make the Scheme more visible in its drive at promoting national integration, self reliance and socio-economic development. He said the Radio will compliment other multimedia channels deployed in informing the public all the invaluable contributions of corps members to national development.

While reacting to the observations made by his Guest, the NYSC Director General, Maj General Shuaibu Ibrahim assured the NBC that all arrangements have been made to start Broadcasting as soon as licence is granted through the commission. He said NYSC has competent personnel to operate optimally considering its multidisciplinary graduate manpower across the federation.

Before leaving NYSC Headquarters, the Director General NBC was taken round the resourceful NYSC Museum where he inspected historical artefacts and documented information on the evolution of the Scheme , its activities, interventions and contributions to national development agenda over the years.

The Member representing Ikeja federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee on Finance, Hon. Abiodun James Faleke and his wife Mrs. Bukunola Faleke, will be installed as the Atulushe Akorede and Yeye Atulushe Akorede of Ikeja Land on Friday.

Faleke was a two term Ojodu LCDA Chairman before elected as the Member representing Ikeja federal constituency for the third term.

Reports has it that the conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on him and his wife will be part of activities to honour him for his empowerment and development of Ikeja federal constituency which is unprecedented since 1999.

Parts of dignitaries expected at the event include Speaker House of Representatives, members of National Assembly, Poilitical associates and suporters.

The event is slated for friday 7th january 2022 at ikeja police college.