₦airaland Forum

*MARTE: Anti-terrorism coalition applauds Nigerian Army, troops for victory over Boko Haram insurgents*

...says insurgents must not be allowed to regroup

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has hailed the Nigerian Army for another successful onslaught on Boko Haram terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The centre, in a statement on Sunday, said the insurgents suffered decisive damage but urged the troops not to allow them to regroup. 

Recall that troops of Operation Tura Takaibango in conjunction with Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole, on Friday night, eliminated scores of terrorists and destroyed seven of their gun trucks in the outskirts of Marte.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, CATE said the recent outing is a reminder that the terrorists are not superior to the Nigerian state and will forever remain criminals. 

According to Onoja, the war against insurgency is approaching the final stages and all Nigerians have their roles. 

The centre, however, advised that fleeing terrorists should be pursued into whatever warren they run into and be visited with what they have invited on themselves.

The CATE, therefore, called on the inhabitants in adjourning areas to be exceptionally vigilant to new persons arriving in their domains, some of whom are fleeing terrorists with a penchant for seeking cover and treatment in nearby towns and villages.  

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) is pleased to note the success of the Nigerian troops under Operation Tura Takaibango which collaborated with the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole to  on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)/Boko Haram fighters in 

We commend the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed Forces for the success recorded in reminding the insurgent terrorists that they are not superior to the Nigerian state and will forever remain criminals who should be hunted down and neutralized for the safety and wellbeing of the people. We are confident that with the necessary support, the Nigerian military can continue to deliver this kind of cheery news to the country regularly. 

CATE further notes that “reliable information” supplied to the troops made the military operation successful, which goes to the heart of what we have always advocated, which is for the general populace to constantly volunteer information to the military and law enforcement. The war against insurgency is certainly at a stage where the Nigerians have greater roles to play in defeating terrorism.  

It is reassuring that the troops did not get carried away by the achievement of destroying 7 terrorists’ gun trucks and decimating numerous terrorists but have pressed on in pursuit of those that were escaping from the ISWAP/Boko Haram misadventure. Our position remains that such fleeing terrorists should be pursued into whatever warren they flee into and be visited with what they have invited on themselves.

Since some of these fleeing terrorists have a penchant for seeking cover and treatment in towns and villages, we particularly call on the people living in adjourning areas to be exceptionally vigilant to new persons arriving in their domains, especially if such persons are carrying war injuries. They should be given up to the authorities while communities in the northeast should also be more circumspect in providing accommodation or shelter to persons whose identities they cannot vet.

The prospect of defeating terrorism in the northeast and any other part of the country is anchored on preventing terrorists from recovering or regrouping after taking the kind of beating unleashed on them by troops in Marte. Members of the public are strategic to achieving this and it is best attained by supplying credible information to the military and starving the terrorists of the humanitarian support that they have used to recover from war injuries and regrouping. 

Meanwhile, CATE is disappointed by reportage of some media outlets, social media influencers and bloggers who had rushed to credit ISWAP/Boko Haram with victory in the Marte encounter without recourse to the fact on the ground. The haste with which these group of people attributed the victory to the terrorists suggests that they had foreknowledge of the terrorists’ attack and had anticipated that they would inflict damages on the community as was the case in the distant past without realizing that the fundamentals have changed. 

It is most unfortunate that certain individuals and organizations continue to act as if they are not citizens of Nigeria in the way they collide with terrorists by amplifying their murderous activities or even in some cases attributing phantom victories to the terrorists. We counsel such persons and organizations to stop their subversive propaganda activities and rally behind the Nigeria state to defeat terrorism.

By: Martins Itua

The first time I heard about suicide was when I was child. A young man had jumped into a well and killed himself because he had erectile dysfunction. I think he was born that way.

On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide along with his wife. Of course, he knew that the Russians will decapitate him. So he wanted to avoid the embarrassment and killed himself. In fact, he ordered his body to be burnt so nobody finds him.

Are there cases where suicide is justifiable? Can a really sick person ask to get killed. Is euthanasia a good thing? Should we allow someone to suffer continously even when there's no hope of recovery? I found that there are some things that are worse than death.

Some people argue that suicide is applying a permanent solution for a temporary situation. While that may be true, it doesn't always apply. Many people in Hitler's shoes will commit suicide. He knew that he had come to the end of the road. In fact, several thousands of people in Germany also committed suicide as they couldn't envision a Germany without Adolf Hitler.

So is suicide a good thing? I can't say for sure. I do know that many cultures are against it. The Roman Catholic church won't give you final blessings if you committed suicide. Many societies are against it. But fact is that all through history, many people have ended their lives when they couldn't see any reason to continue.

Killing oneself cannot be easy. It would take a lot of convincing that there's absolutely no other way or no way out. Sometimes, suicide can look like the only way out.

Yes, I know that its difficult to discuss suicide intentions with someone. But there might just be a way out. There's probably a possibility you've not seen. This may not be the end of the road. Sometimes, sharing your pain with someone who understands might help. Being alone and dealing with issues alone is a horrible thing. Find help. Go out. Talk to a close friend or even a stranger.

Many problems have solutions. And I will completely understand if your case is as bad as Adolf Hitler's. He absolutely had no way out. And in any case, his suicide was a blessing to the world because it brought an end to the war.

But don't kill yourself due to a failed relationship. Don't kill yourself because of debt. Don't kill yourself because of impotence. Don't kill yourself because life is hard.

And yes I understand that not all problems have solutions and suicide can seem like the only option.

2023 Presidency: "Stop Being Mischievous",TSG advises Karounwi




The Head of Media and Publicity of Tinubu Support Group(TSG) Oluwatosin Johnson, on Sunday, accused Karounwi Oladapo, the Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker Zonal Publicity Secretary of being mischievous for saying that Governor Kayode Fayemi is hugely favoured to get the 2023 APC ticket to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.


Oluwatosin stressed that the National Leader of APC,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently focused on helping President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his mandates.

" Without sentiments, President Muhammadu Buhari is no doubt one of the greatest Presidents Nigeria ever had, yet he's in his 70s.
Saying Asiwaju will soon be 70 and too old for the exalted office of the President is foolish and myopic".

According to him, the " US today elected a President full of energy to make their nation great again, and we are still here thinking the problem of Nigeria is the age of our Leaders. President elect Joe Biden is 78 years old".

" Look at Lagos today, it's a state everyone is proud to be identified with, this is happening because of the developmental blueprint made available by Asiwaju.

" I will advice him to be a good party man and stop all his antics to divide our great party." Oluwatosin said.

Current service chiefs more mentally prepared to end Boko Haram insurgency - Security Expert.

The efforts of the Service Chiefs at ending insurgency in Nigeria have been commended by Philip Agbese, a Middlesex University London trained human rights lawyer and security expert.

Phillip Agbese who is also the President of the pan-Nigerian group, Nigeria First, spoke with select journalists on the sidelines of the occasion of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in Lagos. He stated that Nigeria has indeed made substantial progress in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the country and contributed immensely to the global war against terrorism .

" The 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day is indeed a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our soldiers in preserving the territorial integrity of the country, and there is no doubt that the Boko Haram insurgency has indeed brought to bear the invaluable role of the Armed Forces in keeping Nigeria safe and secured for all. "

He further added that Nigeria had made substantial progress with the present crop of Service Chiefs' efforts in the country.

"The efforts of the present Service Chiefs have been outstanding so far, and this is largely responsible for the numerous gains that have been recorded in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the country."

“I would like to mention that the Nigerian Army, which is at the forefront of the war against the Boko Haram insurgency, has displayed a great commitment which must be acknowledged by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

The President, Nigeria First also noted that competence, character, credibility, and confidence remain the game-changer in the war against insurgency.

"We must admit that there was a time where the Boko Haram insurgents ran riot and took over local government areas in parts of North-East Nigeria. That was also a period where the leadership of the Armed Forces was at its lowest."

“That there is a turnaround in the fortunes of the country is not by accident, but rather a function of sound leadership provided and the Nigerian Army comes to focus under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who led by example in addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.”

"Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has no doubt redefined the rules of engagement through measures that emphasized competence, strength of character and confidence that indeed boosted the morale of the troops in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the country."

“As we all know, there is no Nigerian territory that is under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents, and we are all witness to the fact that the activities of the group have been restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region."

When asked if there is a need to rejig the operational strategy towards ending the Boko Haram war in the country, he stated that current Service Chiefs are mentally prepared to end Boko Haram insurgency.

“For those of us in the security sector, we have followed with keen interest the operational strategies deployed by the Armed Forces and I dare say, it is top-notch and yielding the desired results. If this is not the case, I am sure the Boko Haram insurgents would have run over Nigeria going by the sophistication of their operations and the numerous external support they have been receiving locally and internationally.”

"This is a function of leadership. Like I mentioned earlier, the Chief of Army Staff has indeed distinguished himself in this regard. His strength of character is infectious, and the confidence with which the Nigerian troops display in battle is also worthy of commendation.

He further added that if the current tempo is sustained, the war against Boko Haram insurgency would be a thing of the past by December 2021.

“I am of the considered opinion that the mental preparedness of the present crop of Service Chiefs in leading the war against insurgency is excellent. We should do well to analyze issues objectively. And not until we do that we would still be carried away by the mischievous narrative and propaganda been peddled by associates of the Boko Haram insurgents under various nomenclatures in the country.”

“We must also have at the back of our minds that there are conspiracies against the efforts of the Armed Forces and despite this fact, successes have been recorded in ways too numerous to mention.”

He advised Nigerians to extend their support to the Service Chiefs' efforts in the final push for the decimation of the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents.

"We all have a role to play. We cannot afford to continue to join the bandwagon of those mischief makers against the country's interest. We must extend our support and see to the end of the Boko Haram insurgents in the country. As for the Service Chiefs' mental preparedness, I say that they are more than prepared in this regard and the end of Boko Haram Insurgency might be in sight. This is what Nigeria needs at this critical point of our existence.”

It would be recalled that in some quarters they have been widespread criticism of the commitment and efforts of the Service Chief towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

By: Rose Onda


President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa Rtd as the new Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), DgovScoops gathered.
Gen Marwa was until recently the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Drug Abuse.
Details shortly....

By Philip Agbese

Jesus Christ acquiesced to his challengers because he was on a divine mission. So, it was needless disrupting the course of its divine fulfilment. Nigeria’s leadership by President Muhammadu Buhari aligns with the same tenor.

Like Christ, the President is on a messianic, redemptive and regenerative mission in Nigeria. He came with an unalloyed mind and spirit. Therefore, he silently accepts senseless tantrums hurled at him; he accepts the hurtful banters with admirable mien; the criticisms, spleens, the meaningless blabs and painful persecutions from his adversaries and powermongers resiliently. He has never bulged.

I watched the horrors of the expired Year 2020 and wished it ebbed with the speed of a tornado for a fresh year. The resurgence of insecurities; lethal political combats by muscle-flexing politicians; the economic saboteurs; the inconveniences of the global pandemic Covid-19 and it’s induced economic catastrophes consistently animated my anger against a world and a destiny I deemed cruel.

Nigerians were mesmerized; the President was troubled and terrified at the rapidity of these occurrences which increasingly reinforced the sermons of life’s nothingness. We wrongly assumed the afflictions visited on us is the symbolic failure of President Buhari to offer genuine leadership to the nation.

But while we moaned, lamented and ferociously kicked at Mr. President, particularly on the touchy resurgent insecurities, he was busy working undercover to birth respite to us. I was thrilled when it started manifesting in relieving surges. And from mid- 2020 to this moment, our tormentors; evildoers, satanic agents, detractors, economic sabs, their conspirators and forces of darkness have been compelled to boil in their own pot of hot water.

Mr. had President vowed never to allow the enemies cast Nigeria to the ravenous dogs and cartel of armed criminal gangs and their patrons for a feast. So, the Service Chiefs re- bounced back to assiduous work with a renewed presidential order on quelling insecurities.

Nicely, in the last months, and from Zamfara to Bayelsa ; from Damboa to Idiroko, it’s being incessant hell let loose on our tormentors by our resilient Army. Now, even without the aid of artificial lenses, I have sighted those who schemed furiously to snatch our peace and security. They are languishing in pains and the self-consuming fire they lighted on themselves. They can no longer breathe like America’s Donald Trump. They have lost the nerve, zeal and energy to tether us to the stalk of servile insecurities. Our President is alive; our Armies are ever combat thirsty.

And President Buhari has continued to sustain the fires of organized armed gangs amassed against Nigeria. Even five days ago, in the Northeast region, I learnt troops of the newly launched “Operation Tura Takaibango” under the flagship of “Operation Lafiya Dole” squeezed living juice out of over 28 rampaging Boko Haram criminals at Gujba LGA of Yobe state who assembled in the vicinity and plotted to ambush troops. But it backfired, as the insurgents were neutralized, others severely wounded and weapons, including Anti-Aircraft Guns were seized from the terrorists.

Our troops of “Operation Sahel Sanity” are very impatient with armed bandits, kidnappers and cattle thieves in the Northwest region. I was excited to read news on last New Year day of the arrest of suspected armed bandits at Maraban Maigora in Faskari LGA who had planned to shatter the joy of our festivities. And some of those napped had criminal nexus with a notorious armed bandit leader in Madachi village in Sabuwa LGA of the state. Soldiers are on his trail.

There are countless positive narratives of fruitful decapitations of armed bandits and kidnappers in the New Year. We have assailed them on all fronts. Troops of “Operation Hadarin Daji” accosted the criminal gangs and rescued seven kidnapped victims at Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara state.

Likewise, on the eve of New Year, two women and a child kidnapped at Kimbisawa village of Batsari LGA in the same state were rescued by our gallant troops who are always gallivanting the troubled areas. In the same New Year, troops encounter with armed bandits in Kuriya village of Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara state also sniffed life out of no fewer than 50 armed bandits in a single operation.

Our determined troops are working day and night to deny all criminal elements the opportunity to operate freely in any location in the Northwest. Zamfara state has regained her lost peace. Furthermore, our courageous troops of “Operation Accord,” descended a sledge hammer on armed bandits and rescued some kidnapped victims, also on New Year day at Tungar Ruwa village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State; while soldiers of the “Operation Sahel Sanity,” crushed an armed banditry gang at at Garin Garus and recovered assorted weapons.

And the dossier of victories speaks volumes about the professional competence of the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai. Also troops of “Operation Safe Heaven” apprehended suspected gunrunners at Kafanchan and at Ungwan Carpenter village in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna state as well as in Fobur village in Jos East LGA of Plateau state this year. What about the Kankara and Mahuta schoolchildren?

I was pained that since Nigerians loudly wailed about resurgent insecurities; critics had a field day in lampooning President Buhari and scolding of the Service Chiefs as “expired” military officers; while the National Assembly distracted itself by suspending legislation and oversight functions to resort to frequent passage of somewhat dubious resolutions against Mr. President and the Service Chiefs. But it’s a different tale now. Incredible positive results on extinguishing the fires of resurrected insurgency and insurrections have condemned the vilifiers.

Except some of us who are blind; or have chosen to be blind or veiled by partisan lenses, we can attest that in the last few months, Nigerian troops have neutralized over 2,403 terrorists and armed criminals throughout Nigeria. I believe it is a big blow on the human resources’ strength of these armed gangs.

And the good news is really troops’ rescue of over 864 of our brothers and sisters; whether adults or children from the claws of kidnappers in different locations in Nigeria. On the economic plane, troops have recovered a total of 9,684,797 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,000 litres of DPK from maritime specialized armed criminal gangs; 46,581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22,881,257 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were recovered by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Southern Nigeria in these few months.

And can we truly seek to obviate or beat the records of troops which shows that over 1,910 criminals have been arrested and large cache of arms, ammunitions and equipment are confiscated from them? Who is not excited that our troops overpowered these satanic forces; conquered these terrorists and armed gangs at the point of unleashing their planned heist on us very destructively?

Therefore, when I reviewed the year just ended and the magnitude of successes of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in 2021, I was religiously humbled. I must be economical with the truth, if I fail to admit in all ramifications that the disparaged President Buhari and the Service Chiefs have ushered in the much desired and long-awaited salvation for our country.

The enemies of Nigeria are now in pains. They have made up their minds to let us go; they have no alternative than to free us like the Biblical King Pharaoh who reluctantly released the Israelites’ from bondage by God’s divine command.

Let me ask Nigerians in truth; If we have our ways to sack the Service Chiefs, as vigorously campaigned earlier, would anyone be courageous to agitate for it again for any genuine and patriotic reasons? The answer is obviously NO! I can sense some quietness now. Those who wanted the Service Chiefs sacked have relapsed into what I can best describe as a state of amnesia.

Something pricks me fervently that if the Senate has any option today, they would rather demand that the current set of Service Chiefs be given another five more years to stay on board in order to thoroughly cleanse Nigeria of these conspiratorially armed gangs. This is nothing but the truth. But it’s rather unfortunate that the sack or sustained retention of the Service Chiefs is what only the Commander-In-Chief, President Buhari can determine. And he is satisfied with their performance.

However, let us be human enough to confess that truth has finally prevailed. Our salvation has come. The end of insecurities has come. Our total resolve that a full kinetic approach be given to the resurgent violence and bloodshed is now paying off. I appreciate the Chief of Army Staff for bringing salvation to us.

I eulogize the Nigerian Military for our salvation; I thank President Buhari for being the symbol of our salvation and the Nigerian Armed Forces for beating the drums of our liberation in loud symphonies and gingering exciting dance gyrations. Happy Armed Forces Day to all the citizens of our great country.

Agbese is a publisher and patriot writing from Agila, Benue State.

Capitol Hill has exposed Amnesty International, Falana, others hypocrisy against Nigerian Military - Group

The invasion of the United States' Capitol by pro-Trump protesters has exposed the hypocrisy of Amnesty International, Femi Falana and others in the forefront of the EndSARS movement against the Nigerian military.  

This was the submission of the March4Nigeria Movement in reaction to the violent attack of December 6 at the U.S Congress aimed to overturn the presidential election.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Richard Augustine Adie, on Thursday, the group wondered why AI, Falana, Omoyele Sowore, Aisha Yesufu and others have suddenly gone mute after troops were deployed to forestall law and order in the Capitol. 

Adie recalled that these group had criticised the military for doing the same in Nigeria despite more wreckage, arson and killings. 

According to Adie, the Capitol invasion shows that it isn't unlawful for the government to deploy troops when the other agencies have been overwhelmed in a situation that requires urgent action.

The group, however, advised the activists and all the EndSARS protesters that the country will no "longer tolerate their madness as the government lives up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property". 

It also warned those who want to destabilise Nigeria that a tall task awaits as they will be met with "Citizens’ Soldiers" who will address their madness on the streets of Abuja without hesitation.

Read the full statement below: 

The so called international human rights and civil rights groups and their leaders in Nigeria are not sincere.

During the Anti-SARS protests which rocked major cities and towns in Nigeria last October, these so called civil rights activists and groups frowned at the deployment of troops to quell the violent riots which had  claimed the lives of innocent persons and some security agents.

To people like Lagos based lawyer, Femi Falana, online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, BBOG campaigner, Aisha Yesufu, Amnesty International and the rest, it did not matter that people were being killed and multi million dollar edifices and other facilities were being burned while economic activities were grounded.

The only evil they saw was when the government deployed troops to disperse the mob who have overpowered other security agents and restore normalcy.

Then, it was common to hear from the tribe of these activists, that in saner climes like the US and UK, the government would not send troops in such circumstances, but would have invited the rioters to negotiate ways of discontinuing the protests.

Falana even described the mobilization of troops to contain the excesses of the hooligans who had taken to the streets and were burning public property as illegal saying it is oppressive and despotic.

When the Nigerian army announced its plan to carry out operation “CROCODILE SMILE V1” from 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020, the civil rights groups misinterpreted the action and said it was targeted at the EndSARS protesters even when the army explained that it is a yearly exercise that is pre-planned regardless of what is going on in the country.

Said Falana, "The so- called Crocodile Smile VI exercise should be shelved as it cannot be justified under the Armed Forces Act."

Amnesty International on it's part says it has been investigating alleged rights violations by Nigerian forces and disapproved of the deployment of troops saying it would rather that the police be strengthened to handle such matters.

The Nigeria Centre for Liberty, led by one Ariyo Dare, also complained about the measures taken by the government to restore normalcy in Lagos.

But the hypocrisy of these activists have been exposed with the recent invasion of Capitol hill by supporters of President Donald Trump in part of an insurrection aimed at shutting down Congress as it formalized President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.

The insurrection, just like the EndSARS protests led to several deaths including that of a Capitol Hill police officer, after the pro-Trump mob overwhelmed security lines at the Capitol. 

As the hoodlums broke into the complex, the US Government immediately mobilised a quick-reaction force assembled by the Defense Department which moved against the rioters. The Force was stationed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and authorized for use by acting defense secretary Christopher C. Miller.

It was also established that the Pentagon also approved the use of 154 members of the National Guard at the Capitol who were sworn in to work with Capitol Police.

The combined forces were able to arrest people suspected of involvement in the breach and through that, brought the situation under control. It has been reported that more arrests are expected as investigators scrutinize photographs, videos and social media posts to identify the protesters while the F.B.I. has received more than 40,000 tips, including photos and videos of suspects.

To forestall further breaches, the Pentagon is even moving ahead  to review agents who will be a part of the security detail for the Jan. 20 inauguration to ensure security.

From these, the Nigerian activists should know that Nigerians have now realised that there's nothing wrong for a government to take an action that would ensure the safety of citizens and prevent chaos.

Nigerians now know better how their government should handle any security threat and that what matters is the overall interest of the country.

They know what constitutes unpatriotic actd and that it is not unlawful for the government to deploy troops when the other agencies have been overwhelmed in a situation that requires urgent action.

In the past, the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari had deployed troops to quell the Maitatsine riot in Kano when the police were overwhelmed.

The deployment of troops in the US, serves as warning to people like Falana, Sowore and the rest who would rather the country goes up in flames.

These activists and all the endsARS protesters should note that Nigeria and Nigerians will no longer tolerate their madness as the government lives up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property. 

Those who want to destabilize Nigeria will from now on have a tall task as they will be met with Citizens’ Soldiers who will address their madness on the streets of Abuja without hesitation.

Religious Freedom: Centre ranks Nigeria under Buhari as most tolerant nation in the world

No country in the world enjoys religious tolerance, freedom of speech and political association as much as Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari, the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has said. 

The centre, in a strategic report on the state of the nation, on Thursday, ranked Nigeria as the most tolerant amongst other nations across the world. 

In the report signed by its Executive Secretary, Isaac Ikpa, the CESJET revealed that the level of religious tolerance in the country is unprecedented and an indication of the numerous efforts of the Buhari administration in creating the enabling environment for Nigerians of different faith to co-exist. 

The centre, which based its report on primary sources of data from individuals, groups and associations in sectors critical to the research work also noted that freedom of speech and political association has received a massive boost in recent time. 

This, it said, is despite the grand plot by disgruntled politicians and their foreign collaborators to undermine the current administration.  

The report, however, assured that the country is on the path of greatness thanks to the unalloyed commitment of President Buhari in formulating and implementing policies that translate the hopes and aspirations of the ordinary Nigerians on the streets into tangible realities.

Read the full report below:

Introduction: 

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency in a bid to assess the state of the nation under the Muhammadu Buhari administration undertook a critical assessment of some key indicators of democratic ideals in the country. 

In this report, importance was given to facts on the ground derived from first hand and primary sources. Emphasis was also placed on geographical spread to make a balanced judgment in the final analysis. 

This report is consequently the outcome of a detailed and rigorous assessment of the issues surrounding religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and political association in Nigeria. 

Methodology: 

In a bid to have a detailed outcome that would stand the test of time and put issues in proper perspectives, a data collection method with multilayer mechanism for screening was deployed by the team of researchers’ that combed the nook and crannies of Nigeria. 

It relied on primary sources of data derived from individuals, groups and associations in sectors critical to the research work. Material evidence was also gathered from credible secondary sources and analyzed by an independent team for accuracy. 

The Issues: 

In Nigeria, there have been widespread criticisms of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in its commitment towards sustaining the ideals of democracy such as religious tolerance, freedom of speech and political association. It must be noted that the bulk of the narrative has been centred on conjectures, which, to a large extent, has contributed to disquiet in the country. 

Religious Tolerance: 

The issue of religious tolerance evokes sentiments across the country; there is no doubt that there is mutual suspicion amongst the major religious groups in the country. And this fact resonates in almost all the nook and crannies of Nigeria. However, it was observed that the perceived tension is a function of political intrigues and religion is identified as that basis for the settling of political scores. 

In our assessment of religious tolerance in the country, it was observed that under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, there had been series of attempts to attribute disagreements between the major religious bodies to President Muhammadu Buhari himself. It was observed that most times, these insinuations are not substantiated by any verifiable facts. 

Our assessment also revealed that since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, there have been concerted efforts to rebuild trust amongst the country's major religious groups after decades of hostilities. This fact was buttressed through extensive interactions with religious leaders whose opinion supports the fact that under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the country has witnessed religious tolerance and the indicators for rebuilding trust are high. 

Freedom of Speech: 

Freedom of Speech is guaranteed for every citizen of Nigeria in the Constitution. This much has been practised in Nigeria over the years. However, in the analysis of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, it was observed that freedom of speech had not been stifled as speculated by some segment in the country. 

From our analysis, Nigerians have indeed expressed themselves feely since the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The bulk of the misgivings are hinged on unsubstantiated cases that were best pushed in the public space for mischief purposes. 

Our researchers carried out a comparative analysis of freedom of speech in Nigeria from 1999-2020. It was discovered that from 2014 to 2020, Freedom of Speech in Nigeria was unhindered. 

It was also discovered that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has indeed displayed a strong commitment towards ensuring that freedom of speech was unhindered.  Our findings also indicated that the bulk of those insinuating gaging of freedom of speech in Nigeria is doing so not for its merit, but rather as a tool to score political points. 

Political Association: 

Political association in Nigeria has remained the backbone of our nascent democracy, and this much has been practised in Nigeria. It was observed that this trend had received a tremendous boost in recent times with an increased rate of 65% going by the statistics at our disposal. This is a considerable improvement over the years and an indication of the level playing field created by the present administration. 

Extensive research was also carried out in this regard. The consensus is that political association in Nigeria has received a tremendous boost.  This fact indeed resonated across the country with various stakeholders in uniformity in this regards. 

Conclusion: 

After extensive analysis of the issues highlighted above, the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency herby states that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has witnessed a transformation in critical sectors. 

The issues of religious tolerance in Nigeria were very prominent in all of our analysis. It thus suffices to state that the level of religious tolerance in Nigeria is unprecedented and an indication of the numerous efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in creating the enabling environment for religious tolerance in the country to thrive. 

We also conclude that freedom of speech and the political association has received a boost in recent times. From our interactions and detailed scrutiny of issues in this regard, it is our considered opinion that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has displayed an unalloyed commitment towards setting Nigeria on the path of greatness through the formulation and implementation of policies that translate the hopes and aspirations of the ordinary Nigerians on the streets into tangible realities. 

This report states that Nigeria remains one of the most tolerant countries in the world. This is indeed a statement of the fact that has been objectively scrutinized to put issues in proper perspectives.   

This report also states that there is a grand plot to discredit the Muhammadu Buhari administration as most of the issues advocated in the public space regarding religious tolerance, freedom of speech and political association have been a conflagration of political intrigues that is common with most developing democracies in the world.

We conclude that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari remains one of the most tolerant nations in the world.

By Philip Agbese

All President Muhammadu Buhari's media aides occupy a special place in my heart. It is not easy to discharge the arduous obligation of defending a leader who is deliberately and nastily persecuted. Of all the aides, however, Mr Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu have caught my endless admiration.

Each time I read their pieces and analyses of national issues, it gives me a feeling of soul-renewal and rebirth. Their catchy dictions, choice of words, simplicity, composition mien, conciseness and potency of the message expressed in a subtle ricochet of an otherwise, explosive national issue, disarms and impresses me infinitely.

Just on Sunday, Mallam Garba Shehu stole my heart again when he appeared on a Television Continental (TVC) programme. Mallam Shehu was expected to be all Greek to a question on his superior's insistence on the current Service Chiefs. However, Mallam Shehu displayed bravery, calmness and aptitude with his response, stating that President Buhari sees what his critics don't. It was a befitting reply that is not only true about a leader and his followers but an unassailable fact in every clime.

I know, some people hate President Buhari. The irony is that some of those who hate him cannot give any real reason. All they know is that some leaders must be hated; they must be despised and belittled. But my President does not care about it. He loves everyone and every Nigerian. He believes we all have a shared destiny in this country and everyone should act his part.

But in spite of his apathy to the invasive eruptions of haters and the indifference to their antics against his administration, others have chosen to become wailers. They are nervous that he does not care about their bellicose vituperations on him. So, this clan of Nigerians freely whine about President Buhari. They obtrude faces and cheeks with dry tears every now and then over his “change” administration. They condemn every of his decision.

Sometimes, certain people make me feel the democratic doctrine of the rule of the majority is an ass. But it is not! We cannot all perish with twine on our necks because of the silly and sinister indiscretions of others.

I know a few of the wailers. Where are the wailers now? The obsession now is with the Military and President Buhari’s discretion to retain the Service Chiefs. The wailers want them out by all means. We think President Buhari is brainless enough and so, must govern Nigeria with the template defined by each one of us. Where are those who want the military out of Borno? Where are the political jobbers who want the Service Chiefs sacked? The howling irony is that the campaigners fail to convince me and the man on the street over their verdict on the Service Chiefs.

They tell us the Service Chiefs have overstayed their tenures in office. This is too simplistic. The few sane ones say the Service Chiefs are not performing enough in quelling Nigeria’s litany of insecurities. Therefore, their sight is perpetually blurred to notice the much Nigeria’s Service Chiefs have done in securing the country.

But yesterday, the same scoffed Service Chiefs secured the freedom of the kidnapped Kankara and Mahuta schoolchildren. And today, it is public knowledge that the formerly invincible Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau is crippled in the frontlines and cannot lead his co-fighters to battle against Nigeria. Today, Nigeria is no longer sharing any part of her territory with insurgents or terrorists. But our lips are too heavy to echo a simple and priceless “thank you.”

I am excited that the permanent wailers are silent now. They are hibernating in their cocoons and in shame. The Military has silenced them all. Our service chiefs have put all the naysayers to shame and conducted their mass “funeral”. And in conformity with our sworn idiosyncrasies, we have refused to recognize that the Chief of Army Staff and his men were fully on the ground throughout the last Yuletide/New Year festivities and thwarted all the plans of the enemies to cause us pains.

We never experienced the carnivals of bloodbath akin to such seasons. In Zamfara state alone, over 50 bandits were killed and several of their evil camps and dens, destroyed in less than 30 days by men of “Operation Sahel Sanity.” This milestone forced Deji Adeyanju, one of the paid critics of the Buhari administration to say, 2021 is a year of the Nigerian Army. Lt. Gen TY Buratai is doing the wonders. He is doing all the magic and performing the miracles on insecurities. He desires and labours to see all Nigerians sleep with two eyes closed.

Now, can we sight salvation at last or see the wisdom in President Buhari’s decision to maintain his Service Chiefs or forever remain blind critics. Like my brother and friend, Mallam Garba Shehu said; “it is indeed true that President Buhari sees what wailers cannot see.” The President knows the Service Chiefs by their names; he knows the traits of each one of them and he knows their professional competence. He knows the problem of insecurities in Nigeria and can still tell how best to resolve the challenges.

Not all valleys are decked by blue colours at sunset. The decisions of a leader may not appeal to the peripheral senses of some of us. But incontrovertibly, these actions are proven to be worthy with time, as the issue of Service Chiefs. No leader plans to fail; every leader angles to succeed. In the quiet moments of a leader, his mind is invaded with multiple incongruent thoughts; both genuine and fake. He must be imbued with King Solomon’s wisdom to break even.

Regrettably, unknown to a reasonable proportion of homo sapiens, the most dangerous and tormenting times, one’s life is the bubbles of undulating thoughts in sober moments. I initially underrated sobriety as merely one of the several mysteries of nature. But I have come to understand these moments as the most perilous of times in one’s life.

And it does not matter whether sobriety grips a leader, such as a President, Governor or parliamentarian. The unalterable truth is that sober moments are no respecter of persons, gender, marital status, biological roots or professional calling, urchins and even beggars. We find ourselves on the same plane.

At such lone moments, it becomes extremely difficult to filter from the surfeit of conflicting views, chaffs from the grain or perspectives which are genuine or fake. That’s when a man, especially a leader needs to be careful to allow his conscience and soul speak truth to his person. It’s worse for leaders, who are bombarded with irrationalities in the guise of advice and counsels. These advisory pressures emanate from disparate backgrounds and interests.

Any wrong step or decision automatically translates into an irreversible calamity proportionate to the prophesied apocalypse. Our leaders face this dilemma every day, they wake up and go to bed for a night rest. The faint-hearted hardly withstand these pressures; only the strong breed deflates them to the end in glorious ambience.

My heart is gladdened because President Buhari has overcome these leadership foibles. He easily wades off unnecessary pressures of lobbyists and critics. He sighted the treasures in the Service Chiefs and punched the pressures to retain them.

And like Garba inferred; “The engagement of the Service Chiefs is not a tenured appointment. There is no part of the law that says the Chief of Army staff must serve for two years. Then, after two years, he must go. He serves at the pleasure of the President. Now, the President has said he will make changes. When will he make those changes? It is entirely up to him. I think Nigerians should give him the benefit of the doubt.”

I am a proud nationalist and fully in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria now. I am in support of Gen. TY Buratai and the Nigerian Army. I am a proud supporter of the Buhari Presidency. Nigeria must succeed. No turning back. And in 2021, the Nigerian Army will continue to conduct mass burial for its wailers and maligners. So help us, God!

Agbese is the Okanga 1 of AgilaLand and wrote from Benue State.

By Sharon Pande


It is obvious that members of United Kingdom House of Lords who called on the UK Government to apply sanctions on Nigeria due to their shallow understanding of what constitutes the security problems in the country are, were not looking at the big picture.

From all indication, their conclusion is projected on a myopic mindset at variance with what can be referred to as the general good of the people. 

They assume that the regime of sanctions is imperative only to an administration without scrutinizing the merit for such calls.

Since the EndSARS protest which ended in mass destruction of public property and loss of lives including those of security agents, those who had an axe to grind with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari decided to add the call for sanctions on Nigeria as part of their demand to achieve the partisan and parochial aim of bringing the administration to its knees.

The projection is based on the belief that when the sanctions are imposed on Nigeria and things begin to get difficult for the government and people, then the opposition elements could use the scenario to tar the administration in dour colours and claim it has failed.

But there is no way anyone with a fair knowledge about what is happening in the country would call for a sanction on Nigeria because, 1) there is absolutely no need for that, 2) it willl compound the socio economic problems in the country, 3) it would further encourage the terrorists and their sponsors to step up the campaign towards destabilising the country and 4) worsen the security problem in the country.

Sanctions generally are of different types and they could be applied  either diplomatically, economically, militarily or through sports.

Sanctions in the UK is said to fall under the authority of several different departments like the  Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) which is responsible for negotiating international sanctions and has overall responsibility for the UK’s policy on sanctions and embargoes; the HM Treasury (HMT) which is responsible for making designations under UK domestic financial sanctions and for the implementation and enforcement of all financial sanctions in the UK; the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills which implements some trade sanctions and embargoes.

The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act (2018) allows the UK to impose autonomous sanctions which includes specific provisions for sanctions that punish human rights violations around the world, allowing the UK government to target individuals, organizations, and regimes (rather than countries) that violate international laws. 

This is said to be intended to help the UK address the unlawful killing of journalists, media workers and campaigners, along with human rights abuses that are motivated by religion or belief.

From mere observation, it is from this provision that those calling for sanctions on Nigeria and their sponsors wish to take advantage of.

This is not the first time the misguided elements would try to take this route but each time they try it, they're seriously rebuffed.

Last year, the House of Commons held a debate  on whether sanctions should be imposed on members of the Nigerian government and security services involved in alleged human rights abuses in response to the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian police and the alleged killings of protestors at the Lekki toll gate.

This did not sail through. 

Days before that, a young UK parliamentarian incurred the wrath of Nigerians when in the attempt to call for economic sanctions on Nigeria, claimed that its former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon had ran away with half of the nation's wealth. 

It was clear he acting a script but has not done his homework well.

But from all available records, Nigeria does not fall into the category that warrants the call for the invocation of such measures.

This because since the Boko Haram terrorism started in 2009, the various Nigerian governments have tried to deal with it in ways they considered appropriate but none has been able to take the bold initiative of the current administration. 

President Buhari for instance on assumption of office in May 2015, gave orders to the military to deal with threats to internal security in the country. 

Within six months of the order, the operational headquarters of the millitary action against terrorism and insurgency moved to the Northeast of Nigeria leading to defeat of the terrorists and the capture of their operational headquarters while their leaders and few of their commanders fled.

Territories held by the insurgents were recaptured and many that fled from their homes and were putting up at camps for internally Displaced Persons returned to their communities.

The military has since then secured such places and have constantly repelled the terrorists from launching further attacks on towns and communities and driven them further to border communities.

The Nigerian military has also been commended for the professional manner it has conducted itself in the fight against terrorism and insurgency by avoiding civilian casualties and causing genuine repentant terrorists to surrender. 

On the economic front, the Buhari administration has also been able to recover large sums of money that were stolen in previous administrations and has been able to put in place measures that have it made it difficult to siphon public funds which has revived Nigeria's economy.

So it is shocking for anyone with a fair knowledge of Nigeria to call for sanction on this administration that has done so much to make life better for its citizens. 

It is therefore in order to call the misguided House of Lords members to stop embarrassing themselves by getting their facts about Nigeria right before delving into issues they know nothing about.

It is also most appropriate to warn the UK parliamentarians against promoting meaures that would encourage activities of terrorists in Nigeria as calling on the UK to sanction Nigeria over organized falsehood promoted by terrorists and their sponsors will amount to promoting terrorism in Nigeria. It is a route no House of Lords member should contemplate. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve their peace.

Pande wrote from the United Kingdom.

This world is indeed a very wicked one with men garbed in treachery stalking and hunting for innocent victims.
Nigeria’s news media has been awash with stories of how Tunde Ayeni has turned around to betray his erstwhile benefactor, Captain Hosa who is currently battling ill-health.
One of Captain Hosa’s close friends and ‘brother’ Dede Mabiaku has unveiled a can of worms and promised to come out with an explosive video to tell the world the manner of the character of the person called Tunde Ayeni. Dede is not just concerned with Tunde Ayeni but also names Lawrence Omo-Aligbe Aligbe who once acted as Captain Hosa’s lawyer and film maker, Jeta Amata as a group of traitors who have now banded with Tunde Ayeni.
Dede explains how he took Jeta Amata to Captain Hosa when Jeta approached him with the film script which was to feature some Hollywood stars.
Captain Hosa bought into the idea and invested about $300,000 on the project. However, along the line, Amata was able to convince Captain Hosa to do business with him along the line of distribution.
Dede narrated how Ayeni who was not a part of the deal until then, joined the trio in America and somehow swindled his way into the project. He also said Lawrence Omo-Aligbe, who he described as a known snitch was part of the trip because the initial lawyer who should have been with the team, Efere Ozako was down with an ailment.
“Moji,” Dede thundered on the phone, “I have been boiling since yesterday. Tunde Ayeni sold his shares of the company to Hosa, I am privy to the fact.
“These are characters who have benefited immensely from Captain Hosa and are now running a smear campaign on him, at his lowest moment on his sick bed.
“Hosa and I attended the same secondary school back in Delta State. We were always together. He was like my own father ‘s child, we were always in the house and my father loved him. You can imagine how angry I am that those who benefited immensely from his largesse are the ones now trying to take over his business investments.”
“I was the one who suggested Lawrence should be on that trip, after an acquaintance assured me he had changed his ways. We both attended the University of Benin where he was known to be of very low character”.
” I will tell you that I had to join them in America when Amata began exhibiting some traits.”
Dede says he met Tunde Ayeni when he joined them on that trip and instantly told Hosa that there was something about the man that “did not gel with me.” Tunde and I had a small blow out on that occasion. On that trip, many things happened. At this point, Dede names a top American musician (name withheld) who brought a fake contract. “Lawrence perhaps at the behest of Tunde took the contract to the company and almost got everyone into big trouble and that’s how that deal was lost”.
Dede promised to come out with a video as soon as tomorrow. Which would tell a better story.
However, it is pertinent to note some of his disclosures, Jeta Amata allegedly squandered over a million dollars of Captain Hosa’s money on frivolities which included gambling in Las Vegas.
Quoting Dede again: “Moji I can tell you for free that it was Captain Hosa who brought this treacherous character called Tunde Ayeni back to shore when his ship was sinking, saved his sinking life.
As for Lawrence, he had already stolen over $200,000 of Captain Hosa’s money before he came back and I was told he was ‘born again, repented”.
Dede continued: “This is a man who Captain gave about N10m or so when his house got burnt. Captain kept him in America all expenses paid for over one year. To think he is the one conniving with Tunde Ayeni to betray Hosa makes my blood boil”.
According to Dede :”To know who a man really is, first visit his town. I drove to Tunde Ayeni’s hometown somewhere in Aiyetoro at the behest of Captain Hosa when the ingrate was burying his brother. He built one palatial nonsense of a house, probably inhabited by rats and lizards. He had another nine bungalows for friends’ lodging, in a town where there was no light, no good roads, no quality school. A big man is someone who has people and not someone who surrounds himself with money”.
After all Captain Hosa did for these characters, Tunde Ayeni and the others, they start this high level of ingratitude towards him.
“I wish they die a slow death. They are the most heartless ‘bastards’ on earth. Slimy things starting a smear campaign when they are the worms themselves. They can buy the whole of the press, Moji. For some of us it’s not about money. They shall meet me.”
Dede promises an explosive tell all video soon.

This is the story that prompted Dede to speak out.

As one who has followed with keen interest the business activities of Capt Hosa Okunbo, his business associates in the last few years, both past and present, and Iike many well-meaning Nigerians who know how well he (Hosa) has successfully built his business empire with a hard-earned reputation, I feel obliged to respond to a recent publication being circulated both on print and online news mediums bothering on a petition by a former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank), Mr Tunde Ayeni, against the person of Captain Hosa Okunbo.

In the petition written by his counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Ayeni, who had alleged that Okunbo tried to scheme him out of a company he is a shareholder in, was said to have dragged his former business partner, Captain Hosa Okunbo, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he alleged to be mismanagement, stealing and diversion of funds from the company –Ocean Marine Security Limited.

Who would have thought that a man like Mr Ayeni who led a bank to a state of bankruptcy would resurface from the blue in an attempt to stir up another circle of controversy, to yet again put himself on the spotlight for God knows why?

Mr. Ayeni had alleged that he had since discovered “a lot of stealing and diversion as well as gross mismanagement of large sums of money belonging to the company.”

To which company was Mr. Ayeni making reference to? Can a man be robbed of what does not belong to him? Perhaps, this might be a desperate business gambit to recast discredited accusations that was buried a long time ago.

For any descerning mind who has followed the business relationship between Captain Hosa and Mr Ayeni, and who has also taken the time to read the so called petition, this will amounts to nothing but a smear attempt to drag the name of a respected business man into the mud with what could be best described as cosmetic lies.

For the avoidance of doubt, let’s put the record straight based on the history of Ocean Marine Security Limited, available documents, transactions and the current status of the company in Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as clearly defined by the Company and Alliance Act and its.

Again, let it be reiterated that Captain Hosa has over the years maintained a clean business portfolio in conformity with local and foreign laws and will continue to uphold this principle, as this alone has seen him progressed in the business world in the last decades.

It is true that Mr Ayeni was in 2007 one of the shareholders of the company alongside Captain Hosa, Joe Aikhomu, represented by his father, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, and Gareth Dooley who all came together to form the body, which was later named Ocean Marine Solutions Limited.

As the years went by and circumstances took a better part of it, changes ensued, shares changed hands and Hosa at a point became the Chairman of the company after that death of Aikhumo.

But the highlight of Ayeni’s troubles started in 2016 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took over Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited over its inability to meet the regulator’s minimum key liquidity and capital adequacy ratios. This suggested the bank was already on the verge of folding up due to the huge debt Ayeni at the time in question had plunged it into.

In a letter written to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the new management of Skye Bank had detailed how its former MD, Tunde Ayeni, used his position to destroy the Bank in 6 years of being in charge (2010-2016).

The new management of the bank led by Muhammad Ahmad as the new chairman and Adetokunbo Abiru as group managing director (GMD) had in a letter to Professor Osinbajo, explained just how Ayeni allegedly used loans from the bank to acquire major government companies.

As it was expected, for a bank that was recklessly mismanaged under his watch, a petition was written by the new management of the bank against Mr Ayeni and this led to an investigation into his stewardship at the bank.

Recalled that Mr. Ayeni was also invited by the Vice President to give an account of allegations of misappropriation leveled against him.

Charges were filed against him at both the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

From 2017-2019 investigations were carried out, which was premised on a 2017 petition regarding infractions by the previous Board and Management of Skye Bank under Ayeni forwarded from the Office of the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the course of the investigation, Tunde Ayeni was invited by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and he volunteered in a statement confirming the withdrawal of 29.5 billion naira cash from Skye Bank.

Ayeni, who was this time a subject of discussion and object of criticism in the country, promised to refund the said funds to the bank and further claimed to have interest in Ocean Marine Limited.

Further investigation was extended to the Corporate Affairs Commission where it was discovered that Dr. Tunde Ayeni had on the 8th August 2018 actually sold his 35 million ordinary shares in Ocean Marine Solutions Limited and 37.2 million ordinary shares in PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited to Wells Property Development Company Limited, a subsidiary of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited.

The investigation, therefore, revealed that Dr. Tunde Ayeni was no longer a Director and shareholder of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited and PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited has since sold his entire shares and resigned his appointment as Director and Shareholder of the companies.

Consequent upon the foregoing, the Commission’s investigation so far did not indict the Chairman of Ocean Marines Solutions and its subsidiary companies, Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbo on any wrongdoing as alleged by Tunde Ayeni.

So, at what point did Olatunde John Ayeni again became a Director of OMS and any of its Associated Companies having sold his shares and resigned from OMS since August 2018?

It beats one’s imagination that a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in the person of Femi Falana, would be allowed himself to be misled by Mr Ayeni whose records as a manager of a new generation bank were dishonorable.

Ayeni’s allegations and innuendos against Captain Wells Hosa are baseless and repugnant. In my view, they are designed to impugn his character, tarnish his image, and lower his esteem in the eyes of his business associates, admirers, well-wishers and the general public.

Having lost almost everything out of recklessness and lack of financial prudent, rather than focus on how to bounce back, Ayeni appears to be looking for soft targets among his former associates.

He has also extended his malicious campaign to Mr Ned Nwoko, one of Nigerian finest businessman and politician, who he had also claimed to have dealings with Ocean Marine Limited.

While Ned Nwoko has described Mr Ayeni’s statement as malicious, the Board of OMS has also said it has implicit and unshaken confidence in Capt. (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo in managing the affairs of the company and the lofty heights to which he has taken the company.

The moment Olatunde John Ayeni became aware in September 2020 that the Chairman of OMS Capt. (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo had health issues and was undergoing treatment in London, he had since then started making false claims over the ownership of OMS.

The good news is that the company has stated unequivocally that its accounts are in the good and correct order and its funds are intact and not missing, misappropriated, or otherwise mismanaged as alleged by Mr Ayeni who in the first instance has no locus standi to ask for poke into the affairs of a company he has no investment in.

While it is within Ayeni’s right as a citizen of this great nation to seek redress where it is necessary, but it is absurd to seek for one where it doesn’t exist.

Falana (SAN) holds his client the responsibility to take him into the closet and ask him certain questions bordering on his true state of mind to avoid what could latter appear to lead him into ethical pitfalls.

We have all heard horror stories from the legal trenches of clients giving the wrong information to their counsels, who they later ended up embarrassing in the count room.

Lawyers are stewards of their clients’ most sensitive and personal information. They serve as officers of the court and are in positions of public trust. But failure to hold up to these high standards can lead to steep falls, and a lawyer who doesn’t carefully mind ethics obligations can quickly run afoul of the rules of professional responsibility.

Having studied the several investigations carried out since 2016 when Ayeni was sacked as Sky Bank MD, to the best of my knowledge, Ayeni has placed on Femi Falana a serious ethical and moral burden. It is a temptation Falana must do everything possible not to fall to no matter how attractive the cheques are.

UK House of Lords warned against use of sanctions to promote  terrorism in Nigeria

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has warned the House of Lords in the United Kingdom against promoting terrorism with its call for sanctions on Nigeria.  

According to the centre, such sanction would truncate Nigeria's democracy and ultimately enhance terrorism.

The CALSER made its stance known at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja in response to alleged killings targeted at Christians in the North. 

In her address, CALSER's President/ Convener, Prince Ajibola said the UK lawmakers' move is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the Nigerian government. 

Ajibola noted that the letter to Dominic Raab, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, House of Lords is meant to create discord between Muslims in Nigeria and Christians. 

She noted that Christians are not the only victims of the killings as Muslims has also been targeted. 

Instead of promoting a "religious sectarian debate" and terrorism, Ajibola urged the UK lawmakers to support Nigeria to overcome its current challenges. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, called on the international community to join hands with Nigeria in tackling terrorism rather than placing senseless sanctions against the country.

The centre also advised the lawmakers calling for sanctions against Nigeria to put a stop to their actions and offer their apologies to the country. 

Read full address below: 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio Economic Rights ( CALSER) has expressed their indignation at the call for UK sanction on Nigeria by some members of the United kingdom house of Lords. For we know that, "to be feared is to fear, because no one has been able to strike terror into others and at the same time enjoy peace of mind." The recent calls over the killings of Christians in the North are obviously sightless and intolerably frivolous. We consider this as an odious attempt to stultify democracy and cause disharmony.

Indeed, terrorist organizations have "harvested" the globalization process to improve their methods of operation. They often refrain from using factory-made explosives, for example, and instead use materials that can be easily obtained from local sources (such as ammonium nitrate).

And, ironically, locally-made materials are being used with greater frequency to achieve terrorist objectives. Perhaps the best example of this is the fact that even the well-known Al Qaeda (AQ) used locally-sourced American-made materials (Boeing airplanes) to destroy American targets on September 11 on America soil.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio Economic Rights having dissected the issues raised and canvassed by some members of the United Kingdom house of Lords, wishes to state that their stand is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the government of Nigeria. It worthy of note that most of these terrorist organizations have local and international backings; they disseminate vital information to them on having a good strategic plan, and also help in funding, so that they can procure standard equipment and machineries of war.

It is pertinent to note that it is misleading and unfair for Intersociety and other agencies to infer that only Christians has been the major victims of this attacks by reporting adulterated and exaggerated figures,  just to stir up religious intolerance among the peaceful citizens. Report has it that many of the casualties of the terrorist attacks in the northern part were of the Islamic faith. 

We therefore say that, reducing the act committed by this terrorists to a religious sectarian debate is an irresponsible act that should not be encouraged by anyone or nation. 

It is imperative that the members of parliament who made this calls be aware of the influence and power they possess in parliament. They should therefore exercise this power towards promoting peace in Nigeria rather than create discord and hostility. What Nigeria needs from the UK aren’t sanctions, but rather support towards overcoming the current challenges the country is faced with.

The letter to Dominic Raab, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, House of Commons, London tends to slander the Islamic Religion and its appurtenances. It only serves to create discord between Muslims in Nigeria and Christians. Nigeria has suffered a lot from inter-tribal and inter-religious wars for a long time. The signatories to that fallacious letter should have been aware of the growing tensions between the two religions in the country and would have done well to avoid any offensive innuendos that might stir up hostility in the country. 

The statistics stated in the petition were grossly exaggerated. They claim that over 34,400 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009 by both Boko Haram and Fulani Militia. This is obviously inaccurate as they are merely claims by organizations that are yet to prove these facts. These are figure blown out of proportion in order to put this administration in bad light.

Let us be cognizant of the fact that Christians are not the only ones attacked by these so-called Islamic Militia and Fulani Militia. Muslims are also victims of this senseless terrorism. There have been several proven cases of Islamic women and children being kidnapped and raped by these terrorists, yet, they weren’t mentioned in the petition. This is a clear attestation to the fact that these members of parliament involved had mischievous intentions of sowing discord and disharmony and attempt to defame the Islamic religion.

It was also stated that Nigerian security forces had committed crimes against humanity which according to the petition include: murder, rape, enforced disappearance and other cruel treatments. This is a big insult on the brave and noble men of the Nigerian armed forces who have given their all towards ensuring the protection and safety of the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens. The petition also accused the Nigerian armed forces of crimes such as unlawful imprisonment and conscripting children under the age of fifteen years into armed forces. This is laughable as every good citizen of Nigeria is aware of the fact that the minimum age for enlisting into any division of the Nigerian Armed Forces is 18 years. This has been the law and till date, it hasn’t changed. 

The petition made reference to the publication of a new report by Nigerian human rights group, Intersociety. The reports and statistics regarding the scale of human rights abuse in Nigeria were gravely aggrandized and uncorroborated. A matter as delicate as this shouldn’t be based on unproven reports and publications.

CLASER therefore calls on these members of the UK house of Lords to identify any Nigerian under the age of eighteen who is currently serving in any unit of the Nigerian Military. I also call on them to prove these baseless claims of theirs stated in their petition. It is very unfortunate that the members of the United Kingdom House of Lords are less informed of the challenges and oppositional threats being faced by the present administration in Nigeria. They have left the right focus of looking deeply in the root-cause of terrorism, but are swayed by the counter-effect being manifested.

This current administration has been faced with several challenges left behind by past administrations, and has had to correct years of failure of past administrations. Majority of the £2 billion bilateral aid given to Nigeria by the UK was egregiously misappropriated by members of the previous administration. If members of the UK parliament are concerned with how the funds were spent, then they should question members of the previous administration. They should look into the reports of how the funds were managed, that is if it was even penned down into report.

Many Nigerian citizens might be suffering from human rights abuses, but sanctions are not the answer. They are merely instruments of state policy. The idea of placing sanctions on Nigeria deliberately labels the government as a rogue one that must be ‘punished’. If we go down memory lane, we discover that placing sanctions against a country barely has any substantial impact. Instead, it just makes matters worse.

 The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to seize this opportunity to call on the whole world to join hands with the country Nigeria in tackling terrorism rather than placing senseless sanctions against the country which already dealing with a lot of challenges.

We consider the call for sanction against Nigeria in the same despicable manner the world has greeted the invasion of US capitol congress chamber, which was an assault that was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in the system, and pitting Americans against one another, and we ask that such should not rear its ugly head in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

CALSER is calling on the members who are calling for the sanctions against Nigeria to put a stop to their actions and offer their apologies to the President of Nigeria, members of his administration and the country’s armed forces who they have so ignorantly slandered.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights also use this opportunity to thank the president and the Nigerian armed forces for their selfless efforts in combating insecurity and promoting peace in the country despite the many challenges they are faced with. We say kudos to a job well done.

The Tinubu Support Group(TSG) Calls on Groups that believe in the All Progressives Congress(APC) led government at all levels and Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu's ideals to come for registration under the umbrella of TSG for proper coordination.
Such groups must have structures and functional administrative management in their areas of operation.

The group's Head of media and publicity, Oluwatosin Johnson disclosed this on Sunday.

According to him, TSG membership is open to organisations anywhere in the world, who share the same mission as APC and also believe in the Ideals of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu


"Applicants for membership must be able to demonstrate that they are groups with formidable structure across all the states of the federation.

"TSG accepts both small and large organisations as members. More important than size is the stability, track record and strategic positioning of the applicants in relation to local or regional politics and social movements"

"Applicants need to have a legal identity as a non-profit organisation, voluntary association or cooperative society. They need to demonstrate that their activities promote the realisation of APC’s mission and Asiwaju Tinubu’s ideals." Oluwatosin said.

TSG will soon roll out modalities for engagement and proper coordination.

The interested applicants are advised to apply at Tinubu Support Group, Head Office, No 2 Kainji Crescent Off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama-Abuja or follow the group's social media handles ( Email:tsg2023project@gmail.com, Twitter: Tsg2023. Instagram: tsg_2023. Facebook: Tinubu Support Group-TSG ) for more details.

*Global Amnesty Watch frowns at 'despicable' Congress siege, calls for retrospection of U.S' democracy*

The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has condemned Wednesday's siege on the U.S. Congress, describing it as "despicable" and an "assault on democracy". 

In a statement signed by its Director, John Tom Lever, on Thursday, the group said President Donald Trump showed lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault the Capitol. 

According to Lever, the incident at the Congress affirms the retrogression of democracy in the U.S under Trump's watch. 

The GAW, therefore, noted that it is time for retrospection by the incoming administration led by President-elect, Joe Biden. 

He said the new government must improve the country's internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried out by Trump and his supporters. 

The Global Amnesty Watch, however, advised the incumbent to seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the nation to disrepute. 

It added that the actions of Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world. 

Read the full statement below: 

The Global Amnesty Watch views the events in the United States of America that culminated in the attack on the United States Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump as a most despicable desecration of democracy in the United States of America. 

By all indication, President Donald Trump has proved a lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault democracy in the United States of America in its over 200 year's existence. 

The Global Amnesty Watch is of the considered opinion that the attempt to subvert the will of the American people by President Donald Trump must be condemned in its entirety. 

The Global Amnesty Watch, having followed the events in the United States of America wishes to state that the various actions of President Donald Trump do not reflect the attributes of a leader of the United States of America, which by all intent and purposes ought to serve as a role model in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy all over the world. 

Thus, it is our considered opinion that under President Donald Trump, the United States of America has degenerated and therefore cannot continue to posture as an example of democracy in the world. 

The unfortunate happenings since the conclusion of the presidential elections in the United States of America have brought out the defects in the model of democracy practised in the United States of America. 

This indeed calls to question some of the United States of America's stance in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy around the world and especially in the African continent. 

This much the Global Amnesty Watch has highlighted in some of its reports on the interpretation of the ideals of democracy across the world by some advanced democracies such as the United States of America. 

The Global Amnesty Watch uses this medium to reiterate that democracy around the world remains an experiment. Those at the forefront should do well to exhibit sincerity in the criticism of emerging democracies. 

The attack on the United States Capitol is indeed blighting on democracy in the United States of America. The incoming administration of President-Elect Joe Biden must begin the process of ensuring that the ideals of democracy are reenacted, and charity must begin at home. Not until this is done, the United States of America should desist from setting standards for interpreting and practice of democracy in the world. 

The Global Amnesty Watch further reiterates that democracy has been assaulted in the United States of America. Therefore there must be circumspection and retrospection in this regards by the institutions in the United States of America. 

The authorities in the United States of America must improve its internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried by President Donald Trump and his supporters. 

The Global Amnesty Watch has indeed been vindicated by President Donald Trump's actions, which has been a constant feature in our numerous reports indicating a retrogression of democracy in the United States of America under the watch of President Donald Trump. 

It is hoped that lessons have been learnt with the events that culminated in the attack on the Capitol in the United States of America. 

The Global Amnesty Watch states that President Donald Trump must seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the United States of America to disrepute. 

The actions of President Donald Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world.

It brings us great joy to celebrate with Cpt. Hosa Okunbo on the special occasion of his birthday.

Your visionary leadership and unwavering passion for development in Edo State and Nigeria at large is an inspiration to us all.

May your years ahead be filled with good health, success and happiness. Happy Birthday Sir.

Prince Emmanuel Odigie

Group commences 21 days inter-Faith prayers for Nigeria, Buhari to overcome insecurity, destabilization in 2021.




The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace, NIFROP has commenced a 21 days prayer and fasting session against agents of destabilization and improved security in Nigeria. 


The session which is also aimed at ensuring the success of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration kicked off at the Unity Fountain,Abuja with over 500 clerics in attendance. 


The Grand Patron of NIFRPP, Archbishop Dr Julius Idiwe in his message at the prayer session said there is urgent need to pray and fast so that Nigeria can overcome the demonic spirits fighting against the peace and progress of the country. 


He said, "I am glad to stand before you wonderful people under the Unity Church, and Unity Masjid committed to intercede for Nigeria through our numerous programmes over the years. 


"The year 2020 indeed came with its attendant challenges. We are glad that God indeed proved Himself faithful to us through our numerous interventions, and today Nigeria remains a strong and indivisible entity. 


"We are also grateful to God that God saw us through despite the challenges the country faced in 2020. It is indeed the mercy of God and the pure heart that the President is using to pilot the nation's affairs that saw us through the turbulence in the year 2020. 


"My brothers and sisters, the bible in the book of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. 


"This 21- Days Inter-Faith Intercessory Prayers for the Nation and President Muhammadu Buhari in overcoming the demonic spirits fighting against the country and her people is a fulfilment of a divine mandate given by God almighty to us members of the Unity Church and Unity Masjid to continue to intercede for the country and President Muhammadu Buhari. 


"For we are all aware that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers in high places. We are aware of this much and why we have convoked this unique programme to usher Nigeria into a new phase of greater glory in the year 2021.  


"My brothers and sisters, this programme is indeed necessary for the battle for our dear country's soul, for we know that the gang up against our country and the President is fierce. But if God is for us, who can be against us? No one. 

In the course of the 21 days programme, we shall commit President Muhammadu Buhari to God in prayers for he is indeed a good man whose heart is filled with compassion for the ordinary Nigerians on the street across the country"he said


Archbishop Idiwe said God indeed knows the heart and intents of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the socio-economic upliftment of Nigeria and as such God shall continue to protect and preserve him from the plans of all those that have conspired to discredit his lofty ideals for Nigeria. 


"My brothers and sisters, as we commence this special session for Nigeria, we shall begin to see the manifestation of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living as all those in high and mighty places that have vowed to disrupt the peace and tranquillity in Nigeria shall be exposed and disgraced in Jesus Name. 


"We must not relent in this task before us in the New Year, for we know that the evil forces against President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria would be ferocious in their attacks in 2021. But I tell you all under the sound of my voice that the wrath of God shall visit them in truckloads in ways too numerous to mention. 


"This is indeed the day that Lord has made and we must rejoice and be glad in it. This is also the year of redemption for Nigeria and Nigerians. The year 2021 shall be to Nigeria the year of abundance, peace and sustainable development. 


"My brothers and sisters, I want to inform you all that what God has in stock for Nigeria in the year 2021 shall leave the world stunned. Nigeria shall be a force to reckon with in all aspects of life. 


"The world shall indeed be baffled on how Nigeria can overcome the activities of bandits and their sponsors. Like a pack of cards, they shall crumble in shame and into the bottomless pit of eternal disgrace. 


"My brothers and sisters, we must acknowledge the place of prayers in all our endeavours. We shall pray just like Paul and Silas, and suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed"Idiwe said


He added that at the end of the programme, all the bands that have held Nigeria back shall be loosened, and Nigeria shall enter into a realm of exceeding grace and abundance. The sponsors of acts of violence in the country shall bury their heads in shame. The foreign conspirators plotting to destabilize Nigeria shall lose focus and confusion shall be their lot. They shall see with their eyes the reward for all the evil they have planned against Nigeria. 

I beseech us as lovers of God and Nigeria; I prophesy that Nigeria shall overcome its security challenges. I prophesy that the year 2021 shall be the year where the Boko Haram insurgency shall come to an end. 


"My brothers and sisters, God works in mysterious ways. And I prophesy that all the commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group shall be delivered to the Nigerian Military in absolute surrender. I assure you all that God shall send confusion into the midst of the remnants of Boko Haram and their defeat shall be astounding. 


"The year 2021 is indeed the year of vengeance for all those against the interest of Nigeria. The book of Ezekiel 25; 17 tells us that “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon them."


"Through our prayers, we shall be calling on God to defeat all Nigeria's enemies, including their collaborators within and outside the country and even those pretending to be friends of the President. Anyone who plans evil for Nigeria shall die in 2021.


"My brothers and sisters, we must also use this occasion to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, who is indeed a friend of the church. He has displayed this much in his actions and inactions. For President Muhammadu Buhari, he belongs to all Nigerians regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations. President Muhammadu Buhari is a lover of all and a leader that governs with the fear of God. 


"It is our firm belief that with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, in the year 2021, we shall have a reason to sing halleluiah to the Most High God. We shall dance and sing for the wondrous things in stock for Nigeria in 2021. 


"Therefore, I call on all Christians and Muslims across the country to stand up in unity against the agents and forces against the country and for God to deliver a resounding defeat to them and their sponsors"he said


 Sheik Ahmed Hassan in his own message said the love of Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari also knows no bound because he is an upright man filled with the fear of Allah (SWT) in all his doings as President of the country.  


"His good deeds shall not go unrewarded by Allah (SWT), "he said


"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Allah the Generous, in His infinite mercy, will multiply the good deeds of His righteous servants up to seven hundred times as much or even more.


"Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds, and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed. 

We ought to take advantage of Allah’s mercy in this regard by performing many good deeds. Even good deeds we might see as ordinary, such as sending blessings upon the Prophet or giving the Islamic greeting, praying and interceding for humanity, can be multiplied ten times. 


"My beloved, Allah in His infinite mercies shall record our prayers for Nigeria, and President Muhammadu Buhari as complete good deeds and Allah blessings shall abide with us as we embark on 21 days of prayers and fasting for Nigeria and all the evil forces against President Muhammadu Buhari as he pilots the affairs of the country. The forces of darkness against Nigeria in 2020 were disappointed that Allah kept Nigeria united despite their evil plots. 


"I commend us all for this tremendous sacrifice over the years that have yielded great results to the chagrin of all of those that wants Nigeria to disintegrate. Indeed the prayers of Muslims and Christians who have refused to sell their souls to the devil have continued to keep the country in unity and prosperity over the years.  


"My beloved, we must continue to pray for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari in the year 2021. We must pray against those individuals and groups that have been sponsoring acts of violence in the country. This much they did in 2020 without success, and the year 2021 shall be the year where they will meet their waterloo. May Allah (SWT) bring shame and reproach to those that plan evil against President Muhammadu Buhari. 


"Allah, Almighty and Glorious, said: ‘When the one who has known Me disobeys Me, I will set up, as an absolute master over him, the one who has not known Me. 


"My beloved this is indeed the time for us to pray fervently for our dear country to usher in the year 2021. I tell you all today that at the end of this programme, Nigeria shall indeed experience the mercies of Allah (SWT) that would bring about an astounding regime of greatness in all spheres of our endeavors. 


"I tell you all today that in the year 2021, Nigeria shall defeat terrorism. The terrorist and their sponsors shall be exposed and put to shame. Nigeria shall experience peace and sustainable growth and development" he said

The Media aide to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tunde Rahman has debunked a social media report that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has tested positive to COVID-19 and flown to France for treatment.

See His Rebuttal:

” That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Asiwaju is very okay. He is very fine and not sick. He does not have COVID-19. If you must know, we have done COVID-19 test 15 times, each time he felt we had travelled and mingled with many people and could be vulnerable even though he always wore his face mask, but he has been certified negative 15 times. Yes he is abroad. Not in France, but in London resting. So you can see the falsity in that information you talked about”.

By: Olumuyiwa Jimoh

At this time in our history and the trajectory which various forces are pulling and shaping our nation; lucidity and clarity of thoughts are required to be brought on the factors that we believe are necessary to turn the fortunes of this nation around. Making sense of the complex occurrences and events concurrently pervading our land has become very crucial for the survival and progress of our nation.


It is also important that within the context of the massive, extended and deepening cleavages creating newer challenges and exacerbating the various divides within the nation that the need to search for urgent but workable solutions to exit our nation from tohe developmental morass which it has found itself. Time to reasonably and objectively confront these hydra-headed challenges confronting our nation is now and it can only be done by men and women who would not allow the emotive forces of primordiality distort their understanding of the issues and the proffered solution choices.


Leadership and leadership recruitment processes remains the key to driving the nation out of underdevelopment. Many other nations of the world do have natural disasters and other negative natural occurrences as major obstacles to national development but what we have in Nigeria is the leadership conundrum. This has had a vice like stranglehold upon our nation suppressing its potentials and holding down most of its levers from achieving the critical mass needed to kick start national development.

Our major inability as a nation and as a people to throw off these shackles can only be explained by the fact that we have not been very objective in allowing our leadership recruitment processes the transparency that it needs to produce leaders that are selfless and with the necessary patriotic zeal to lead our nation to achieve its full potentials. We have allowed our emotions driven by ethnicity, religion and clannishness to drive our processes which eventually have all continued producing less than optimal outcomes for our nation.


The development of our nation is therefore a function of the nature and character of its prevailing leadership. Once we are able to get the leadership question and its various processes right, we would largely be in position as a nation to make progress. How can we get it right when almost all of the time, we have kept on throwing up our second eleven instead of producing our best to lead us? How can we peoduce our best when we allow primordial sentiments to drive our choices of leadership so, we kept on putting men and women who do not possess the right capacities and capabilities to lead us out of the woods?


Nigeria since independence has not been able to produce the best kind of leadership that it has the potentials for and this has been its major bane of development. Our choices are mainly ethnic in character and behaviour. This most of the time has produced nepotistic results such as policies and programmes that are inefficient thus incapable in the long run of crystallising development. We cannot continue doing the same thing over and over and expect to get a different result – the saying is that it is only a madman that has such warped expectations.


Leadership at the federal level is very critical for progress and sustainability in a nation like ours. Nigeria runs if not the most but one of the most centralised federal structure of governance in the world currently. It is also important to contextualise this within the understanding of our diverse and multi-ethnic nature with nearly 400 different language groups. We therefore need leaders who understand the implications of this for national cohesion and growth. The challenge then is how do we throw up such individuals within this diversity since politicians would likely negotiate political powers through its prisms?


This explains why some people believe that the character of leadership prevailing in any nation is largely a reflection of the society. It is a indeed a reflection of the choices that we make and truly a reflection of our collective failures or successes in our different persuasions. There is an urgency for us as a nation to build better understanding of how these things work, how nations grow and how nations die. Leadership is capable of causing a nation to go either way – retrogress or develop.


Mao Tse Tsung transformed China! Lee Kwan Yu changed Singapore! Nelson Mandela stabilised his nation – South Africa! Very close to us here in West Africa was the example of Jerry Rawlings in Ghana who ought not to be celebrated because he ran a military government but he changed his nation! They had the right vision and the commensurate energy to drive their pictures of their nation. They also had the capacity to paint these pictures for the citizens to see clearly and be able to follow creating a seamless interface between the leadership and the followers. This created the necessary critical mass internally activating and unleashing citizen’s power for the development of their nation.


One of the basic attributes of a great leader is his ability to vision and paint vivid pictures of abstract realities for his followers to grasp and hold on to. It is his ability to provide solutions in very difficult situations and to make seriously complex situation look so simple that its dynamics are understood even by the lowliest of his followers. Such great leaders have uncanny ability to mobilise and galvanise others consistently towards constructively engaging the challenges and opportunities existing within their leadership matrix. This is the kind of leadership that would make the required difference for our nation and that is what we must collectively pursue as we endure and move towards the general elections of 2023.


Why have we chosen to talk about leadership at this time? We believe that it is important that we begin to proffer solutions to the current challenges confronting us which are getting more complex by the day and if not addressed may lead our nation hopelessly into despair. We cannot close our ears to the strident voices of secession and disintegration being raised in all parts of the nation. The calls have become worrying and raise an ugly sceptre for the survival of our nation into the near future and as patriotic citizens; it becomes our duty to seek an understanding and attempt at finding solutions to protect our nation from the forces trying to tear it apart.


We strongly believe that at the heart of these clamour for separation lies citizenship dissatisfaction thus leading to their seeming disavowal of their loyalty to our nation Nigeria. When a people continues to be surrounded by years of abject neglect and abandonment by the nation, they begin to withdraw their allegiance to that nation. This is simply very psychological and easy to understand. Anything that happens to us at every given point in time has the capacity to either elicit commitment or cause a withdrawal. Positive experiences elicit commitment while negative experiences causes withdrawal. This largely explains why our nation is being pulled apart because the people have been going through very bad experiences all these years. This is the failure of leadership!


Our wish is that the present powers occupying the various corridors of power understand this and the urgency for action that it heralds. A deep appreciation of the role they need to play in driving our nation out of its present predicaments will be a good beginning. Beyond that, crafting the right policies, programmes and actions becomes the next most logical thing to be done but this unfortunately is founded on their quality to envision and act appropriately with the required passion and vigour.


It is clear that there may be something wrong with the nation’s governance at the federal level that needs to be done differently. It is true that our nation has never been this divided and that we have not experienced this level of rancorous clamour in our history as an independent nation. What is more worrying is that the events that led to the unfortunate three years civil war in Nigeria seem to have become child’s play to what currently goes on in our nation which has been defending itself from various wars of attrition by Boko Haram forces and other Militias and bandits that have found serious grip on our nation.


We have not lost hope with the government at the federal level but it seems as if there are forces that presently have some kind of vicious grip of it thus have not allowed it to prosecute most of its noble ideals and deliver benefits to the citizens. Are we giving up on it? No but we have to learn from its strengths and shortcomings as we march into 2023 so that a national consensus is built around those things that will move us forward rather than pleading to the old primordial demons that have held us down all these years continually and perpetually repeating our mistakes and errors.


Having identified leadership as our bane in our quest for national development and having identified our retrogressive romance with the wrong attitude towards leadership recruitment driven by clannishness as the genie producing wrong leaders especially at the national level, it becomes important that as a nation desirous of getting it right, we must do away with all these pleadings to ethnic and primordial sentiments in our leadership recruitment processes. This is the time to change our thinking. This is the time to act differently and this is the time to allow our nation experience its best at this point in time. This is the time for men with the right qualities and capacities to serve and weld our nation into a cohesive whole to emerge. The work must begin now!


It is this sense of duty and civic responsibility that drives our commitment to sound the alarm that it will not pay Nigeria and indeed Nigerians to at this time insist that as power shifts back to the South in 2023, it should not go to particular section of the South believing that it has had its turn in power but we should allow the whole South to be the constituency for that candidate to emerge. It is by having an expanded south that we can have the opportunity of choosing the right person for the job at this time. Our nation remains at crossroads and it can only take men and women of uncommon vision and will to propel us forward and that choice to us is easily available to us right now as a nation. What is needed are the ones capable of playing at the centre stage and capable of leading nationally.


It was the same pandering that denied this nation the services of the great nationalists like the revered Pa Awolowo the patriarch of South West politics. Imagine what would have happened to our nation if he had served as the President of the federation. It was this same pleadings that made it difficult for Dr. Azikiwe to ascend the throne of the highest office in the land. Imagine what would have happened if he had served in that capacity as the President of the federal republic. Ahmadu Bello decided that it was better that he served in the North than at the centre sending his protégé Dr. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. This also denied Nigeria the governance savvy of the Sarduana at that particular point in time. We can then begin to imagine what would have been possible if we had a system that throws up our best at all times devoid of the individual’s ethnic presentations and religious beliefs.


We have kept on walking the same path that has kept yielding less than optimal result and we are about to make the same mistake again in 2023 from every indication. We posit that the time has come for us to begin to gradually withdraw from this primordial persuasions as the foundation for our negotiating political power. Where to begin is now that Power is shifting back to the South. The leaders of the South must provide leadership to the rest of the country by insisting that the whole of the South will constitute a single constituency in choosing and presenting a southern candidate for the 2023 general election.


It is unimaginable that we would at this time deny our nation the services of our great son, visionary leader and one of thte most impactful leader of our present generation. He is our Awolowo, Zik and indeed Ahmadu Bello of this generation. A man who has single-handedly stood his grounds against the onslaught of the destructive powers then resident in the PDP and like a hurricane – Phoenix-like with other great leaders risen in defence of our fatherland to craft the greatest progressive and people-based revolution of the Ballot box in the 2015 elections that ushered the APC into Power at the federal level.


Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a quintessential politician who has continued to demonstrate the required vision for the nation both in his utterances and his actions. He has calmed many storms that threatened our nation since 2015 while riding the crest of many to pursue the interest of our great nation transcending the mundane and becoming nearly ecclesiastical in pursuing national assignments. At this time of great distress, the Jagaban Borgu is what we need.

In Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has fortunately found a man with the qualities of a great leader who has continuously demonstrated both in words and indeed that he will be the man to deliver this nation from the clutches of backwardness and poverty. A man who has remained unwavering in protecting the interest of the downtrodden and the working masses of this nation is exactly what we need going into 2023. A man who turned Lagos from being a slum to becoming the renewed and great city which it has become today cannot but be a great leader. We believe he can replicate this at the national level.


When you understand some of the fundamental attributes of a great leader which we have mentioned, you cannot but be propelled into a discussion of the leadership enigma which the Asiwaju – Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come to represent within the nation’s polity. We have written so much about this personality and are not tired of writing about him because he keeps metamorphosing and consolidating his ideas and basic life philosophies generating new and exciting positions continuously that have not only kept the polity re-inventing itself but creating solutions proactively to interrogate governance issues within the nation’s socio-economic framework.


It is important that at this critical juncture in our quest for national development that we enthrone frameworks that would allow us to put our best foot forward by fielding our first eleven especially as we seek to solve our leadership question at the national level. Tinubu remains to our minds the best possible choice available to us a nation given his qualities as a unifier and a deep networker who is willing at all time to let the nation win instead of pursuing personal goals.


Tinubu stands out amongst the pack to the extent that if the nation fails to have him as a leader in 2023, we would have suffered a great loss but having him is a great gain for our nation and will assuredly set this nation on the path for national development.

Time without number, he has shown clearly that he is willing to spend and be spent for the cause of this nation. He has also demonstrated that he is not just a bridge builder but a bridge. He is always willing to lay himself on the line for others to use him as a stepping stone to their successes never – minding the insinuations that he is a weakling that can be shoved aside easily. In him, we see those qualities that are necessary for building nations especially the ones at crossroads like ours.


2023 beckons! Tinubu is our best foot forward. Let us put it! Allowing the puerile and self-serving argument of turn by turn politics at this time will take us further backwards! May we make the right choice for 2023 and may we allow the best to come forward! It is time to stop the step backwards. Nigeria must make progress!

The North is comfortable with him, The West is in bed with him. The South-South honours him while the East partners with him. A man that is comfortable working with the entire geo-political zones in the country cannot but be the best thing that happens to us at this time when mutual suspicion and distrusts amongst the ethnic nationalities have become deepened. We need him to heal our wounds and heal our nation. We can do it and he will deliver!

–– Jimoh is a member Lagos State House of Assembly Representing Apapa Constituency II.

*We‘ll shame, disgrace terrorists in 2021 – Buratai*

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army will shame and disgrace the Boko Haram and the Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in 2021.

Buratai gave the assurance at a sit-out night to usher in the 2021 New Year at the TY Buratai Institute for War and Peace in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He said the troops of Nigerian Army had done a lot in the fight against insurgency in the North East and banditry in the Northwest in 2020, adding that they were committed to decisively deal with all forms of insecurity in the country.

Buratai urged the troops to dedicate themselves to the task of eradicating terrorism by maintaining the tempo in 2021 with more determination and action to end the insurgency in the country.

He also advised the troops to work with more discipline, commitment and courage, adding that the military had the responsibility to solve the nation’s problem of insecurity.

According to him, they must work extra hard to win the confidence of Nigerians. The nation trusted and believed in us to deal with the security challenges, – issues of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity. We must not fail, we should see it as a challenge and a task that must be done to resolve it once and for all.

“I am very optimistic that 2021 will be different, totally different from a remarkable difference from 2020.

“I want you to see it as a challenge and a task that must be done because we are the one that can do it because Nigerians believe in us and believe that we can do it.

“You should go into the year with full conviction that we can do better to address the insecurity in our country,” he said.
Buratai also promised that officers and men of the Nigerian army would enjoy a lot of welfare packages in 2021.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and confidence in the Nigerian army during the preceding years.

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisation for Peace (NIFROP) has declared 21-day intercessory prayers for Nigeria to usher in the new year. 

The inter-faith group, in a statement signed by its grand patron, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, on Thursday, said the spiritual exercise is themed, " 2021: Our Year of Overcoming Agents of Destabilization, Coup Plotters and Blood Sucking Demons working against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nation and Humanity." 
 
According to the respected clergyman, the programme which runs from 4th to 25th January 2021 would have in attendance both Muslim and Christian faithful from across the country in prayers for the nation and President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Despite the myriads of challenges experienced in 2020, Bishop Ediwe noted that Nigeria witnessed God's faithfulness, hence the need to seek his face in the upcoming year. 

At the end of the prayers, he, however, assured that the forces of darkness that have conspired against the country and President Buhari shall be exposed. 

Bishop Ediwe also prophesied that 2021 will be a year of peace and prosperity for Nigeria. 

While promising to hold periodic prayers and fasting programmes for Nigeria, he called on other well-meaning Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation, to join the group. 

Read the full statement below:

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace is issuing this press statement in its age-long tradition of ushering Nigeria into the New Year with intercessory prayers to God for divine intervention in the affairs of the country. 

In the year 2020, Nigeria witnessed Gods faithfulness to the people despite the myriads of challenges that confronted from the unlikely of places. As an organization, we held several prayers and fasting programmes that witnessed large turnouts of our members from the Muslim and Christian communities in the 36 states of the country. 

In furtherance of the mandate of the National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace we are declaring 21 days of Prophetic Declarations and Intercessory Prayers with the theme:  " 2021: Our Year of Overcoming Agents of Destabilization, Coup Plotters and Blood Sucking Demons working against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nation and Humanity."

This programme is scheduled to hold from 4th January to 25th January 2021. It would have in attendance our Muslim and Christian Faithful from across the country under the same umbrella in prayers for Nigeria and our amiable President Muhammadu Buhari. 

We shall be congregating under the Unity Church and Unity Masjid with Christian and Islamic Clerics in a rare display of unity of purpose in prayers for Nigeria. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace as an organization that consists of Muslim and Christian brethren is encouraging Nigerians to come out in their numbers to join this noble programme intended to put our dear country in good stead to weather through the year 2021 in divine grace and abundance. 

We are declaring that at the end of the 21 days of Prophetic Declarations and Intercessory Prayers, the year 2021 shall be unto Nigeria the year of peace and prosperity and also the year where all those that have conspired against the country and President Muhammadu Buhari shall be visited by the wrath of God. 

As an organization in the business of interceding for Nigeria in prayers and fasting, which has characterized our numerous programmes in the country believes in the leadership strides of President Muhammadu Buhari and enjoins other well-meaning Nigerians to use this opportunity of the 21 days prayers and fasting to intercede for our dear country against the forces of darkness that have conspired to truncate the peace and prosperity of the country.    

The National Interfaith and Religious Organization for Peace with members drawn from the 36 states of the federation including the FCT is the only organization in Nigeria that has brought Muslims, and Christian Faithful's under one roof in prayers for Nigeria. 

Our strength in diversity and unity has indeed been tremendous in all our programmes over the years. And this much we are grateful to all our members that have displayed an unquantifiable belief in Nigeria and our love for Nigeria knows no bounds. 

In the year 2021, Nigeria shall be free from the clutches of evil forces in all sectors of the economy. Our prayers and support for President Muhammadu Buhari in the year 2021 shall not seize. 

In the year 2021, we shall hold periodic prayers and fasting programmes for Nigeria in our quest for Gods guidance. 

We declare that just as the mount surrounds Jerusalem, so shall the divine mercies of God surround Nigerians and Nigeria in the year 2021 and forevermore.

By Idoko Ainoko

In the last couple of years, it is conspicuously glaring to every Nigerian that external forces, which hates unity, togetherness and peace in Nigeria are seriously struggling to destabilize and break up the country. What is however unknown to many is the actual faces and identities of the foreign agents driving the anti-Nigeria agenda through unbearable violence or bloodshed.

And these forces have co-conspirators and collaborators within the country who are clandestinely sponsored to pursue the anti-people’s agenda. They are mostly disgruntled politicians and some thieving political elites who have lost a foothold on the levers of power today. They are angry for no justifiable reasons other than that their perpetual craft of milking Nigeria has been frustrated by President Muhammadu Buhari. So, they have vowed that Nigeria will never have peace.

Therefore, in active connivance with external agents, the internal agents are collectively pulling strings of destabilization and widespread anarchy in the country. They are sponsoring all manner of internal crises in Nigeria. Never in the history of Nigeria has any Government found it expedient to deploy soldiers to virtually every street in the country to assist the overpowered civil security in maintaining peace and security as it is obtainable now.

This is peace time and not wartimes in Nigeria. Ostensibly, Nigeria is not at war with any external aggressor. But unfortunately, soldiers of the Nigerian Army are currently deployed on Internal Security (IS) operations in at least 34 states in the country. Nigeria is nation of 36 states in addition to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

It’s incredible; but that’s the reality today. The situation is warranted by the lethal internal security challenges, which intensifies every day, in spite Government efforts to halt the drift. There are Boko Haram insurgents, armed bandits, armed militants, ethnic militias/warlords, armed robbers and kidnappers. There is also the security challenge of herdsmen/farmers conflagrations, ethnic genocide campaigners and the hordes of other such senseless violence in Nigeria.

There is no nation facing this magnitude of internal and violent expression of grievances would have peace. And those sponsoring the crises are Nigerians who have acquired illicit wealth over the years and now nurse indefinable grudges against the incumbent administration led by President Buhari.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello made a striking observation in the heat of the abduction of the Kankara schoolboys in Katsina state. The Governor canvassed the view that opposition politicians in Nigeria are responsible for the consuming violence in Nigeria. He advised Mr. President to direct heads of security agencies to now concentrate on identifying and prosecuting the wealthy Nigerians responsible ceaseless violence in the country. There is a deep sense in his statement.

The internal crisis entrepreneurs are proving strong and irrepressible because they have external backers. The external influencers of the trouble with Nigeria have tried over the years to shield themselves from public detection. But time resolves all mysteries.

Consequently, the external collaborators are beginning to unwittingly expose themselves in words or utterances. An American diplomat and the country’s former Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell has boldly stepped out as the new face of the anti-Nigeria agenda. Campbell is a member of the think-tank of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa policy studies.

Campbell and his team in the CFR have been propagating very unsavoury lies and falsehoods on Nigeria. The tempo has apparently accentuated in the year 2020, which would roll to an end in the next few days. John Campbell has become a reckless pen activist on Nigeria.

He is an American elder statesman and supposedly, a global citizen. But his outing on Nigeria has always been steeped in controversies. In 2012, John Campbell was credited with statements predicting the break-up of Nigeria in 2015. When Nigerians challenged his position, he later profusely recanted his words. But it has not obviated the fact that it is his mindset and agenda manifest in consistent utterances canvassing this agenda.

In his latest story on the CFR blog, captioned “Darkness in Northern Nigeria,” John Campbell indulged in his favourite game of mouthing meaningless insinuations and insanities on the insecurities in Nigeria. Acting like a spy on Nigeria, Campbell accused the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in the country, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai of directing soldiers to treat every person in the dominant Boko Haran enclaves as a suspect until he identifies himself properly.

For a leader of John Campbell’s status, he resorted to unconfirmed sources to mouth the inanity on Nigeria and the Army Chief. His words that “An internal army communication obtained by the media exhorted Nigerian soldiers to treat all individuals in the region where Boko Haram is active as suspected jihadis until they are “properly identified,” pulsates with street reasoning.

Campbell cannot expect Nigeria to treat her internal security threats with the template of America or any other nation. All over the world, countries have peculiar ways or methods of treating their problems. But assuming what Campbell and his colleagues’ in CFR are vomiting is indeed, Gen. Buratai’s directive, what in their estimation is wrong with the statement?

Did the Army Chief give an untoward instruction? Did he say, anyone in the predominant Boko Haram areas should become a suspect and be extra-judicially executed by soldiers? His statement amounts to defending the jihadists against Nigeria. He has lived with this dream of the break-up of Nigeria and has now staged out openly to agitate for it.

John Campbell and his cahoots at the CFR must strive to understand the local realities in Nigeria, especially about communities embroiled in Boko Haram terrorism before making such thoughtless public comments. Everyone in Nigeria knows, an incredible number of persons in Boko Haram enclaves support the armed criminal gangs to commit the atrocities. They shield, shelter, and protect insurgents from the searchlight of security agents. Some community members are merchants of weapons, food and logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists.

Therefore, if the Army decides to expand the web of identifying Boko Haram suspects, it surprising why it should become the nightmare of John Campbell and his partners in CFR. It is apparent that Campbell is deifying Boko Haram insurgents to embolden them to continue to hold Nigeria captive.

The plot is to allow these armed gangs and their agents free reign in Nigeria to the extent of provoking public revolt to cause Nigeria’s disintegration. John Campbell is the real darkness in Nigeria. That’s why himself and his job men are unleashing the darkness on Nigerians.

Ainoko is a public affairs analyst based in Kaduna.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has accused former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell and the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) of conspiring with opposition politicians to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

The group made this known at a press conference on Sunday to draw the attention of the world to Campbell and CFR's subversive activities in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Executive Director, Barrister Abu Abdulkarim said Campbell and the CFR have never meant well for Nigeria, always pushing a destabilization agenda.

It added that Campbell and the CFR are promoting the rise of terrorism on the African continent to use the United States to set up military and drone bases that are then used to control countries.

According to the group, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar are behind the evil alliance to destabilize Nigeria.

It, however, urged the Federal Government to take the necessary diplomatic steps to draw the attention of the United States to the subversive activities of its ex-envoy in Nigeria.

The group also urged peace-loving Nigerians to henceforth take to social media and other online platforms to flag any content emanating from Campbell as hate speech so that the relevant organizations can take them down.

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, you will recall sometimes in July of the year 2020 that Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council for Foreign Relations and former Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, teamed up with the opposition elements and hirelings of agents of destabilization to host a virtual town hall meeting. That town hall meeting was tagged ‘Insecurity: “State of the State” which this warmonger used to rally agents of destruction to press on with the agenda of undermining the Nigerian state.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has at that time raised the alarm as to the propriety of that town hall meeting while questioning the motives of Campbell, knowing the toxicity that is around the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), for which Campbell works. Our concern at the time was based on Campbell’s track record as a false flag operator who has assigned himself the task of bringing Nigeria to ruin.

Campbell’s townhall meeting turned out to have been a front for mobilizing, organizing, indoctrinating and deploying what was to be later named the #EndSARS protests, a destructive mob action that went on an industrial scale looting, arson and murder of security operatives on the instruction of Campbell and his Council on Foreign Relations.

Please, note that we had always known that Campbell did not mean well for Nigeria. He has made that much known in every one of his articles about and against Nigeria, in which he has been pushing the concept of Nigeria being a country that has already failed. Interestingly, rather than Nigeria being the failed entity, it is Campbell who is a failure as a diplomat, a greater failure as a hitman and an eternal disappointment as an expert on Nigeria as he likes to claim he is.

As for the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), this is the one entity that fancies itself as the vehicle for world dominance by a small band of megalomaniac sociopaths. It is the entity that has decided that the only way it can counter dissent in China is by limiting the Sino-African growth, which it seeks to achieve by undermining Nigeria as a viable nation-state.

Several authorities had cited how Nigeria’s problem with terrorism is anchored on the destabilization agenda of the Council for Foreign Relations, which has promoted the rise of terrorism on the African continent so that it can use the United States to set up military and drone bases that are then used to control countries on the continent. Nigeria’s rejection of the bases, for itself and other African countries, has been the cause of the anger at CFR for which it is punishing the country by facilitating the spread of Boko Haram’s brand of terror, both as a means of coercing Nigeria to accept the bases and a strategy for gaining control of the entire region.

Whatever our anger against the evil entities of Campbell and CFR is, we realize that the damage they are seeking to do is showing the prospect of succeeding only because they have the active support of desperate opposition politicians that are cashing in on the subversive activities of Campbell and CFR in Nigeria.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President, who wants to keep calling the shot from his retirement is one of the people that are validating Campbell’s activities in Nigeria. Obasanjo has remained bitter that successors are outperforming him and are going to overshadow his achievements, if any, is at the core of inciting situations that Campbell feeds on. It is no mere coincidence that the failed diplomat’s tour of Nigeria was during Obasanjo’s tenure.

We are also aware of the unholy alliance between Obasanjo’s then number two, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Campbell. Atiku was the main opposition candidate in the 2019 Presidential Election, who lost woefully to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. It was well documented how Atiku threatened at that time that Nigeria will be ungovernable if the electorates do not vote him in. He ran international circuits, some brokered by Campbell at that time, during which he outlined how insecurity would become the norm in Nigeria because he was rejected by voters.

At that time, as far back as 2018, SHAC and some other groups exposed how Atiku planned to use foreign militias and imported terrorists to undermine the security situation in Nigeria while also pressuring for the sack of the top leadership of the military, he was also flagged as promoting citizens’ revolt that would have the semblance of a popular uprising to sack the popularly elected government. It is unfortunate that Atiku, with other opposition militants like Omoyele Sowore, working with Campbell, has implemented every single one of the dangerous plots he hatched in response to his election loss.

Gentlemen of the press, while it may appear on the surface that Nigeria is fighting a regular band of terrorists and other easily resolvable security breaches, the reality is that the problem is more insidious – it is a dangerous mix of Obasanjo, Atiku and Campbell’s collaboration with the Council for Foreign Relations in an evil alliance to destabilize Nigeria.

As we raise alarm on the dangerous alliance desperately working to undermine Nigerians, Campbell’s latest outing on the blogsite of CFR titled “Darkness in Northern Nigeria” is something that is now making us issue a red alert on the safety of Nigeria. Based on past modus operandi, such write-ups from Campbell are usually followed by an upsurge in terrorists’ activities, which would then be cashed in on by Atiku, who would use the attacks as a basis to attack the government in the media and the public opinion space. Obasanjo will subsequently pile on, often with unsolicited interventions that are unbefitting for a former president while Campbell will, in turn, cite the terrorists’ attacks and the assertions of Atiku and Obasanjo as justification that Nigeria is unravelling.

Even though this has been the style of this unholy alliance for the last few years now, the piece, “Darkness in Northern Nigeria” should be particularly worrisome to all of us because the implied impending intensification of the plots and activities to destroy Nigeria. The choice of words suggests that we shall soon witness worsening attacks on the country unless the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can step in as it has been doing.

Irrespective of whether they will heed our call or not, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) hereby calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, John Campbell and the Council for Foreign Relations that they risk collapsing the entire world if they do not give up on their inordinate agenda of destroying Nigeria. We wish to remind them that they cannot cause a crisis for 53% per cent of West Africa’s population without the entire region going into a meltdown. Should this happen, the refugee problem alone will overwhelm the entire continent and then spill over to other countries of the world. In case they are not ware, the fate of the world is tied to the peace of Nigeria and what they are toying with would be cataclysmic if they do not stop their interference with the choices Nigerians have made.

We demand that the Federal Government of Nigeria take the necessary diplomatic steps to draw the attention of the United States to the subversive activities of its ex-envoy in Nigeria. It is not likely that any country of the world would accept such persistent affront on its sovereignty by someone who had the good fortune of having served as an ambassador on its soil. The government must move beyond treating Campbell’s propaganda drive against the country as a mere rant, he has tangible links with Boko Haram and its activities and must be stopped before he does further damage to our country.

We urge peace-loving Nigerians to henceforth take to social media and other online platforms to flag any content emanating from John Campbell as hate speech so that the relevant organizations can take them down and prevent them from being used to sabotage the country. Gentlemen of the press, we urge you to do likewise.

Thank you for listening.

Bandits, kidnappers are ex-political thugs once armed by Governors to snatch ballot boxes— Report.

Fresh facts have emerged on how governors' political thugs during elections in the country have transformed into bandits and kidnappers terrorizing the country.

According to credible information at the disposal of this medium, it was reliably gathered that some governors in the country who were bent on attaining political success during the last general elections recruited young boys into their network and armed them with sophisticated weapons to do their bidding during the poll, which includes targeting perceived political opponents and the snatching of ballot boxes during elections.

In a security document seen by this medium, it was stated that some governors had armed thugs for electoral purposes. After the elections, most of the thugs felt abandoned and consequently went away with the weapons in their possession and have therefore taken to kidnapping and other forms of criminalities to make ends meet.

A top security source who did not want his name in print confirmed that some governors have been making overtures to some of the thugs to return the weapons in their possession under an amnesty deal that has not been successful.

"These governors know that they have succeeded in creating monsters in their states just for political gains. They didn't realize that a time like this would come when they would lose the allegiance of their thugs. The bulk of the banditry cases experienced in the country are attributable to these thugs that felt used and dumped after the elections."

“Since they have weapons in their possession, they have consequently gone berserk by engaging in acts of criminalities which pays them more compared to the peanuts that they got during the elections. We are in trouble in this country because these thugs are rampaging and are in possession of very sophisticated weapons."

This medium also gathered that a governor from one of the states in the Northern part of the country has been sending overtures to some of his political thugs to drop their arms and embrace peace to no avail. It was also gathered that the governor in question has been most critical of the government's efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country in a bid to cover his tracks.

A former aide of the governor who is in the know of the dealings of the governor stated that the governor has also marked some of his former thugs for elimination in a bid to cover his tracks since he got wind that security agencies are in the know of his dealings with the thugs.

"The situation is awful. I recall that some of us warned the governor on the danger of arming these boys because they would turn against us at some point, and this is exactly what is happening. Who are these bandits disturbing the peace of the country? Are they spirits? How did they get the weapons in their possession? Please, I don't want to say anything further. Let him sort himself as most of us that advised against it in the first place were blackmailed and shown the way out of government because we saw this coming."

Our investigations also scooped that the security agencies have compiled a list of governors involved in these notorious acts, including some former governors. They have been making overtures to some highly placed persons to nip it in the bud because some still have political ambitions. They fear that should this come to the open; they might be ruined politically and possibly face prosecution for aiding and abetting crime in the country.

It was gathered from reliable sources that one of the Service Chiefs has been under tremendous pressure to downplay the new findings, but he is not bulging. He has told his close aides to ensure that all must be done to ensure that none of the governors involved reaches him or any member of his family.

A top aide of the Service Chief confided in this medium that the boss is embarrassed that governors could be this irresponsible.

"It is a shame. Nigerians do not know some of the issues and challenges on the ground. They have been shamelessly trying to cover their tracks promising to call their boys to order, which is impossible. My boss has ensured that he is unreachable by these elements and he has put in place mechanism to ensure that the ring leaders of these thugs are captured alive which is not going down well with some of the governors, and former governors that have their hands soiled"

He further added that his boss had secured the President's backing to go all out and unravel the level of complicity by the governors and other highly placed persons in the country.

“The President has been well briefed on the revelations and this much he hinted in his Christmas message to Nigerians when he pleaded with Nigerians to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation, and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents, and other criminal elements within their communities."
“I can assure you that in some months from now, there would be more revelations that would shock Nigerians when they realize what is responsible for the spate of insecurity in the country.”
It would be recalled that there have been calls for the overhauling the security architecture due to heightened insecurity.

Christmas: Human rights activist, Agbese urges Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ by supporting President Buhari

Renowned human rights activist, Philip Agbese, has urged Nigerians to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ by supporting the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Agbese, a UK-trained legal practioner, made the call on Saturday in his Christmas message to Nigerians. 

According to Agbese, President Buhari, like Jesus, is a redeemer and Nigerians should rally round their leader to take the country to greater heights. 

"I extend very warm greetings to all Nigerians on the special day of the anniversary of the birth our of Lord and personal saviour, Jesus Christ," he said.

"Through Him we graced redemption. We thank Almighty God for His grace in allowing us to see today. Many wished to see today, but couldn’t make it even at the last hour.

"I am very infinitesimal in every configuration of Nigerians. But I wish to say a word to my compatriots. I know a lot has gone wrong with Nigeria and Nigerians over the years and they want quick fixes to have solace. But whatever the past wrongs might have done on us as Nigerians, I think, President Muhammadu Buhari is a redemption leader.

"In President Buhari, I see a germinative hope in the regeneration of Nigeria. I have never believed that leaders anywhere in the world have no flaws and its not peculiar with our dear President. But from what I have seen from our past leaders, even at the risk of flattery, Buhari is far better than the rest".

He, however, urged Nigerians not to lose hope in President Buhari.

His words, "As a leader of our nation, he must have taken certain decisions, which some of us find unpalatable. But I think, President Buhari dreams every day that Nigeria should be a better country for all of us. I have no reason to doubt him. He thinks more of leaving Nigeria better than he met it.

"Therefore, I am using this special season to invite and plead with every Nigerian on the menu of keeping faith in the Buhari Presidency and the security agencies in protecting us from organized, armed criminal gangs. And it is also a call to all patriots who believe in the future of Nigeria to stand up against this criminal gangsterism on Nigeria. Ours is a prosperous nation.  We should be obliged to support our leaders in all circumstances to move the nation forward.

"Once again, happy Christmas and a prosperous New year, in the hope that 2021 would bring more goodies to us under Buhari. I resoundingly salute my compatriots. Journey mercies to all who have travelled. Thank you!"

Insecurity: I stand with PMB on giving service chiefs, security agencies more time 

By Anthony Kolawole PhD

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to give the nation’s service chiefs and security agencies more time to adequately address the security issues bedeviling the country.

The President in his Christmas Message to the people, called on Nigerians to support and cooperate with the service chiefs and security agencies by giving them information on the activities of criminal elements who are bent on exacerbating the security threats in the country.

By this call, Mr. President has succeeded in sending clear messages across that 1) he knows exactly what he is doing about securing the lives and property of citizens, 2) he is not ready to allow people politicise the security situation in the country, 3) he  cannot be stampeded into taking rash actions just to please a few 4) that he appreciates the commitment of the current set of service chiefs to the deescalating the threats to security and 5) that he appreciates the contributions of citizens.

To buttress the fact that the President knows his onions, he reiterated the fact that he is committed to securing the lives and property of citizens as he had promised to do before he came to power. 

He said, “For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.

“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in society.

“As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society."

The President also noted that the problems of insecurity facing the nation is beyond the gibberish being offered by some but requires more than the “simplistic options” being suggested by a few.

These issues raised by Mr. President, take us to the heart of what have been the major factors hindering the complete defeat of insecurity in Nigeria. 

For long, various administrations have either been blackmailed or stampeded into taking hasty actions which they later regretted.

The Yar' Adua administration for instance rushed into clamping down on Boko Haram terrorists in their formative stages when they were operating in known places in Maiduguri, forcing the group to go underground, while the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations were compelled to change service chiefs too frequently without achieving much.

These have shown that people's reactions are most times instigated at best by emotions or at worst due to some selfish considerations.

But President Buhari, whose experience and knowledge of security and defence cannot be faulted, understood better and chose not to be intimidated.

He carefully picked his service chiefs when he assumed office and with them has been able achieve much in securing the lives of Nigerians.

In spite of that, any time there's a security breach, the agitation for the removal of service chiefs would start afresh from certain negating completely the progress being made in that turf.

But if there's anyone who understands that some of the measures required to wage an effective war on insurgency, terrorism and banditry require time and resources to put in place, it is the President who has seen it all in terms military strategies.

For instance when the Nigerian Army made to purchase the Chinese Rotary Wing AVIC AV500 drone to be able to carry out ISR missions at medium altitude, carry out strikes and stay airborne for nine hours while fighting terrorists, it took a long time to conclude the deal.

When it comes to managing the security situation  in the country Mr. President understands these issues better that is why he has received commendation from both local and international experts who have all rated his strategies as top notch.

No war is won in a flash. It requires strategic thinking, planning and coordination and the current service chiefs have shown several times that they know what they're doing. 

They for instance were the ones that changed the story of the fight against insurgency from when soldiers were fleeing from battlefield prior to 2015, to the series of victories being experienced now.

The service chiefs are the ones that made it possible for troops to enter Sambisa Forest and capture Camp Zero and are the ones that recaptured territories seized  by terrorists and brought them back to Nigeria.

They're the ones that stopped the rain of bombs across the country.

Hence the President Buhari administration must be applauded for degrading the terrorists, retaking captured military bases in  Bama, Monguno and Gwoza as well as recapturing territories captured by the terrorists including the 20 local government areas that came under the authority of the terrorists.

It should also be hailed for putting a stop to the activities of the terrorists in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja and confining them to few communities along the Lake Chad,  putting terrorists in disarray and making it impossible for them to launch further attacks on communities.

One is not unaware that as Mr. President is busy trying to return the entire country to normalcy, that there are some fifth columnists working against that by arming bandits to destabilize the country. Same people have been busy sponsoring terrorists in the Southeast and other places in order to paint the current administration in bad light.

The service chiefs can sustain these victories for the greater good. 

Let’s give the service chiefs and the security agencies a chance just like Mr. President has pleaded, and we will all win the war together as one nation.

Kolawole PhD wrote this article from Keffi.

By Joyce Matthew

The year 2020 will be remembered as the year the Nigerian Army recorded its greatest onslaught so far against the evils of banditry, insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

This year has seen the Nigerian Army tackling all forms of insecurity in the almost all the geopolitical zones in the country with tangible and verifiable results!

The previous year, 2019 had not been a bad year for the military as it killed and flushed out Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists from most parts of the Northeast Nigeria which saw them fleeing to neighbouring African countries like Chad, Cameroon and Niger and made it possible for elections to be conducted successfully in all parts of the country including Borno which had high rates of security challenges. 

But as internally displaced persons returned to their communities and the military was trying to consolidate on gains of the previous year so that complete normalcy would return, some of the terrorists who had fled from the superior fire power of the Nigerian Army and settled in Chad rose against the Chadian government and killed over 100 of President Idris Derby Itno's special squad.

The killing saw the Chadian government moving against the terrorists,  killing quite a number of them which forced many of them to run back to Nigeria.

The Nigerian military detected that the return of the insurgents was going to pose fresh security challenges for Nigeria and it quickly took action.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai offered to lead the operation that would check this challenge and flush the terrorists out of Nigeria for good and offered to relocate to Borno State to lead the troops from the front.

Some of the Chadian escapees who ran with their weapons by then have started showing signs of desperation due to hunger and had started raiding communities and killing innocent villagers to feed and dispossess them of their property.

But the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to the theatre of war stopped all that as it introduced new strategies in the fight against insurgency and the Nigerian Army is sustained operations made it impossible for the insurgents to operate.

In one of such incidents, the Nigerian Army stationed in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, repelled attacks by Boko Haram insurgents who swarmed the area at about 2:30 pm.

The insurgents had arrived in about 13 gun trucks and one gulf car and attempted to attack the military location from different angles by trying to envelope their camp, but soldiers countered them and the insurgents took to their heels.

Within the period, the Nigerian  military also penetrated the fortresses of the insurgents and brought many down  on their knees.

The military killed hundreds of terrorists in different locations in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala and in Gorgi, Damboa local government and in Buni Gari all in Borno State.

The Army also overran the camps of the terrorists in places like Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest which led to surrender of the 11 of the ISWAP members.

Attempts to attack Maiduguri were  twice repelled by the army and also  in Damboa, Banki, and Madagali and other places with heavy casualties on the side of the insurgents. 

Within two months of Butatai relocating to the Northeast, the military neutralised about 2,000 of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists while many were seriously wounded or arrested.

But as the military was pummeling the Northeast, the insurgents who could not bear the heat on them ran to the Northwest and Northcentral parts of the country to continue their criminal acts.

This agains drew the attention of Lt. General Buratai who by then had gone to submit reports of the success of the operation he was leading in the Northeast to President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The new challenges posed by the worsening security situation in the Northwest states of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna, moving up to the Northcentral state of Niger, again compelled the Army Chief to personally move there.

By then the Northwest was becoming notorious for the rate of killings and abductions on a daily basis where entire villages are sacked by bandits,  houses were being torched and valuables forcefully taken away.

On a particular day, the terrorists attacked several communities in Katsina and Sokoto States and killed hundreds of people.

In response, the Chief of Army of Staff, On the 6th of July 2020, as part of activities marking the Army Day, flagged off Operation SAHEL SANITY in Katsina State. 

The operation was to complement Operation HADARIN DAJI in stemming the tides of the activities of armed banditry, cattle rustling , kidnapping, incessant killings and other  crimes in the North-West zone of the country and before the end of July, the gallant troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence building patrols within Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States which led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled cattles, arrest of suspected armed bandits, arrest of bandits informants and collaborators. 

The troops also recovered large cache of arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles and other bandits logistics.

In less than a month, troops of the Operation SAHEL SANITY eliminated armed bandits, recovered 943 cows, 633 sheep/rams recovered; 33 suspected bandits arrested; 7 AK47 Riffles, 1 GPMG and 16 Dane guns captured.

The troops also rescued 17 kidnapped victims and arrested 14 bandits informants and collaborators and also penetrated several bandits' camps including the notorious Dangote Triangle and destroyed their logistics bases.

The Army also mounted sentry in areas hitherto occupied by bandits making it impossible for them to regroup or launch fresh attacks.

Within a month of launching the operation, the people of the North-West Zone began to have sighs of relief as thousands of people that ran away from their communities after bandit attacks, began to return.

But last week was the icing on the cake when the army rescued 342 boys who were abducted at a secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State without casualty. 

The operation was so successful that many have called to commend the Nigerian Army for bravery and efficiency. The year 2020 is indeed a great one for the Nigerian Army and its proactive leadership.

Matthew is an author and public affairs analyst based in the United Kingdom.

NYCN task Youth on support for security agencies; Commends NYSC, JAMB for their Youthful agenda.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has called on the youth to support security organizations by providing them with useful information to aid the ongoing fight against insecurity in the country. Speaking at a Press Conference to brief the media on the fallout of a stakeholders meeting of the North Central Zone, the Vice President (North Central), Ambassador Akoshile Mukhtar noted that “the security agencies cannot work effectively without the cooperation of the citizens, of which the youth represent the largest demographic group”.
Speaking on the aftereffects of COVID 19 and the second wave that is ravaging parts of the world, Ambassador Akoshile noted that “the government of President Muhammadu Buhari had taken some proactive steps, including restriction of movement and others, which played a major role in containing the spread of the disease in Nigeria”. He however called on government not to treat the second wave with levity, “especially in the face of the discovery of a new strain of the virus in countries such as the United Kingdom”.
Ambassador Akoshile described the year 2020 as “a major watershed in the history of the Youth Council, as the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development under the direction of President Muhammadu Buhari, midwifed the harmonization of the Council’s legal status and putting to bed the norm of years past when people merely went to the press and announced themselves as leaders of NYCN to serve one or more primordial interests that have nothing to do with advancing the capacity development or welfare of Nigerian youth”.
The leadership of the NYCN also commended President Buhari “for his youth friendly disposition having approved and released funds for the takeoff of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), of which the NYCN was duly represented in the steering committee, while equally acceding to the genuine demands of the youth on police reforms, as presented by Youth Council President Ambassador Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo”.
While assuring that the Council will continue to follow up with relevant government agencies, he called on the youth to “imbibe the culture of dialogue to get their grievances addressed to avoid well intentioned moments from being hijacked as was the case with the End SARS protests, as the citizens are the major factors in the success of the police through intelligence sharing”.
He called on government to “sustain and consolidate the investments made in the youth so far”, singling out a few agencies such as the “National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as government institutions with a clear cut agenda for youth empowerment and capacity develooment”.
The Youth Council acknowledged the current security and economic challenges confronting the nation, but we called for “constructive engagements around those issues with a view to supporting government to find lasting solutions, as development is a marathon rather than a sprint”, while reiterating the resolve of the North Central zone “to support credible stakeholders to collectively work to birth the Nigeria of our dreams”.

Tinubu Support Group(TSG) on Thursday urged Nigerians to imbibe the cardinal virtues of peaceful coexistence, love and unity as Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The group in a goodwill message signed by its Head of Media and Publicity Oluwatosin Johnson, urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the virtues of peace, love, honesty, justice, equity, piety, humility, unity and service to others and country.

He said: “we felicitate with all Nigerians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas. Though it has been a challenging year globally due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic but we are thankful in Nigeria that our government was able to put it under control. On this occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, let us all rededicate ourselves to the virtues which christ preached and taught.
There can be no doubt that a greater manifestation of these virtues and ideals in our lives will immensely help us to become a more united, peaceful, secure and progressive nation.”

Oluwatosin also enjoined Nigerians to reach out in love and compassion to fellow Nigerians who are in distress at this period of the nation’s history.

He, particularly, urged them to remember victims of terrorism and insurgency in the country, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He further urged Nigerians to support President Buhari's administration in it's efforts to fight and curb insecurity across the country.

“We must never again allow any group to hold the nation to ransom under whatever guise. Let us also not allow current socio-economic and security challenges to dampen our expectations for a better Nigeria,” he added.

By Charles Ibekwe

The true worth of leaders is measured by their consistency. True leaders are known for jutting and upholding truth; avoiding actions which might erode public confidence in them. That’s why Bulgarian-born writer, Maria Popova Maria reasoned that “Greatness is consistency driven by a deep love of the work.”

In today’s world, most characters speak before they think. That’s the accident of nature and the burden destiny has foisted on others. Leaders should try as much as possible to avoid what is commonly referred to as slip of the tongue.

That’s why true leaders are not flippant. A leader measures his words and actions. A leader does not recklessly parrot like a woman under menstruation. Leaders who speak based on spur of the moment are the most untrustworthy specie of homo sapiens. Jack weatherford cautioned that “if you can’t swallow your pride, you can’t lead.”

Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum is fast becoming a mere shadow of an ideal leader. In Nigeria’s Second Republic, some politicians were reputed for frivolous public comments. He was later derogatively branded as suffering from diarrhea of the mouth. It is Zulum’s greatest undoing and nightmare at the moment. Reed Markham says, “Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty, rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.”

Gov. Zulum praises the Nigerian Military and President Muhammadu Buhari over counter-insurgency operations today and by the break of dawn, he begins to chant all manner of abusive hallucinations on the same people he eulogized over the same matter. A Governor should rise above such prisms. A Professor should not reason or act like an infantile.

Unfortunately, that’s the toga Gov. Zulum garbs now. The Governor feels no one else in Nigeria is concerned about Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP terrorism in Borno state, except him. It’s a wrong impression by whatever interpretation. Gov. Zulum is prodded to learn some wisdom from Brian Tracy’s counsel; “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” Zulum is not a follower, but a leader of his people.

Zulum has committed too many gaffes on the counter-insurgency operations in Borno, his home state, where he is also the Governor and the Chief Security officer. He spites others, but avoids a step in the direction of the glaring solutions on containing Boko Haram in Borno.

Every life is sacred and so also, the lives of others who stake their necks to ensure the people of Borno have peace and security. They are also human and have families. They have blood running in their veins like any other human being. Gov. Zulum cannot elect upon himself to constantly disgorge upbraids on the same people.

When the Auno Boko Haram attacks on travellers happened, President Buhari cut short his foreign trip to pay a condolence visit to the people of Borno. In Gov. Zulum’s remarks, he spoke of resurgence terrorists’ attacks in the state, which ironically happens to be the only state still held on the jugular by Boko Haram terrorists.

Zulum paid glowing tributes to the administration of President Buhari for dousing the fires of Boko Haram in the state. The Governor was detailed that before the Buhari Presidency, over17 LGAs in the state were under the serfdom of Boko Haram.

And not long ago, Gov. Zulum paid an official visit to the leader of the counter-insurgency operations and Nigeria’s COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Zulum released a carefully crafted symphony of eulogies, on the Army and the Nigerian Military for their relentless efforts in putting out the fires of Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP terrorism in his state. Many mistook his utterances as genuine and reflective of the true realities in the warfront in Borno.

Undeniably, the Nigerian Military have been doing their best in the counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast. Even an outsider knows this fact! Why Boko Haram still strives in Borno state is because it has been commercialized and politicized by Zulum’s tribesmen; himself a recent recruit into the clan of sabs. No amount of blackmail or diatribes by the Governor against the Military would distort this truth.

And from every indication, it appears some political elites in the state, as now symbolized by Gov. Zulum enjoys the business of terrorism in Borno. It is rash for Zulum to think he can mesmerize Nigerians or callously and deviously reprimand the Military over the endless Boko Haram in his state. In the whole of Northeast now, only Borno still glamorizes Boko Haram.

The Chief of Army Staff is not a fool! He is a knowledgeable soldier and a unique professional infantry combatant with a record of excellence in all assignments for many years, within and abroad. As soon as he stepped on the hotbed of leading counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, he introduced the “stick and carrot” approach, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic weapons in battling terrorism.

The non-kinetic approach has yielded impressive results over the years with the massive surrenders of Boko Haram top commanders and foot soldiers since the last quarter of 2015 to date. It was a master stroke in insurgency combats.

It is expected that the political, religious and community leadership of Borno would buy into this agenda as a secured means of ending terrorism in the state. But Gov. Zulum has ignored it; his other political elites have shunned it and the business class in the state have never and do not ever contemplate it. They are just playing politics with it. And Gov. Zulum goes out unconscionably to scout for scapegoats to blame.

The recent comments of Gov. Zulum in Jakana, where Boko Haram sneaked an attack on travelers, where he berated the Army and accused them of failing to protect commuters along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway were truly reckless and unguarded. Zulum harshly reproached the Army, the Rapid Response Squad, vigilantes, local hunters and everybody involved in the counter-insurgency operations. It was nonsensical of him!

Gov. Zulum outrightly proclaimed that ‘the Nigerian Army has failed in discharging their responsibility of protecting the commuters and quite expectedly forecasted that “… how can they (military) keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?” This statement betrayed Zulum’s inner plots and his co-conspirators who are unprepared for the exculpation of Borno state from Boko Haram for purely political gains.

It absolutely nonsensical for Gov. Zulum to arrogate to himself the power and clairvoyance to determine when Boko Haram would end or the impossibility of defeating it. Let Zulum and his partners in this evil tell Nigerians why only Borno and the Northern axis of the state is refusing to let go Boko Haram terrorism?

Zulum knows the game plan and intentions of his political godfathers. That’s why he praises the military today on counter-insurgency operations and lambasts the same Military on Boko Haram. Stupidity is nobody’s baptismal name. Its not good to tag a Professor as foolish. But the arguments canvassed by Gov. Zulum in Jakana are sadly foolish and silly.

A professor should reason better. He should know that in an unconventional war like Boko Haram insurgency combats, occasional security breaches or setbacks could occur. It happens everywhere in other countries under the spell of terrorism. But it does not qualify those dousing this fire as failures as preached by Zulum.

Zulum and his political godfathers have first failed their people. They are exploiting Boko Haram for political and commercial gains. Its an open secret now. If Gov. Zulum doubts it, let him courageously come out publicly and challenge former Borno Governors like Senators Ali Modu Sherrif and Kashim Shettima on whose wings he has ascended to the prime position of Borno’s Governor.

This is the problem. Gov. Zulum knows the truth. He is a man entangled in the web of godfatherism at one end and his ethnic stock who have refused to tackle the Boko Haram problems. Zulum hedges the convoking of a broad-based stakeholders dialogue in Borno over Boko Haram to speak truth to themselves. He is afraid such a forum would a platform for some people to spill the beans and the vaunted secrets on why Boko Haram has refused to depart from Borno.

Gov. Zulum knows, his immediate political godfather, Sen. Shettima beats him in dark rooms each time he publicly tells the truth about Boko Haram and the effectiveness of Military operations in the state. Shettima is a soulless leader and he threatens Zulum with withdrawal of re-election ticket for 2023, if he supports the military. These are things known to many Borno people.

For the Machiavellian Sen. Shettima, Boko Haram should not vanish and there must not be any local government elections; there should be no accountability to the people in order to keep milking Borno. And Boko Haram insurgency offers an automatic excuse-there is no security in the state. So, they cannot make the Nigerian Military their scapegoats!

The persistence of Boko Haram diverts attention from probing Shettima’s past tenure as a two-tenured Governor of Borno. Gov. Zulum should be more circumspect henceforth. Let him demonstrate his sincerity by fighting Boko Haram on the open dialogue plane in the state. They should not force Nigerians to believe Leo Tolstoy’s ideology that “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Ibekwe wrote this piece from Abuja.

By Philip Agbese

It is obvious the Financial Times of London has been conscripted into the gang of fake news merchants. In its editorial titled “ Nigeria at risk of becoming a failed state and published on the 22nd of December 2020 is at best a pernicious propaganda aimed at the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. It was apparent that FT was acting the script of a greater interest and not necessarily based on facts or any verifiable indices that lends credence to their editorial position.
It is remarkable to know that the level of insecurity in Nigeria has drastically reduced over time. The alarming Boko Haram insurgents have been dealt with in a pragmatic approach taken by President Muhammadu Buhari. Many successes have been recorded under his leadership. He has been steadfast in the discharge of his duty and providing aid to civil authority. I can bet FT relied on folklores in its analysis on Nigeria to miss some of the key happenings in Nigeria.

I firmly admit that any government that cannot discharge this fundamental obligation of protecting lives and property loses any iota of legitimacy. President Muhammadu Buhari has been fervent in his handling of security issues in Nigeria. This is a statement of the fact and the promoters of Financial Times must do well to admit.
It was sightlessly stated that Nigeria was at risk of becoming a failed state. A failed state was described as "one where the government is no longer in control". This is a blatant lie as the Nigerian government under President Muhammadu Buhari's leadership has maintained stable control and good governance of the country.
In contrast to what was stated, the country is going backwards economically, and security issues have worsened. In truth, Nigeria's economy has steadily advanced under the current President's leadership. A blind man can also tell how much Nigeria's insecurity situation had reduced compared to over six years ago before the current President assumed office.
Regrettably, many notorious detractors remained blinded to every progressive effort being taken but have resorted to launching slander campaigns and giving poor reports about the President's achievements because of their selfish aggrandizement.
The Financial Times also stated that Nigeria has more people than any other country in the world without providing any real facts or evidence to support their bashful claim. It is crystal clear that the Financial Times is working 'behind the scenes' with unscrupulous individuals who are ardent critics of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. This is against the ethics and principle of fair journalism, which requires non-partisan news and information distribution.
Most of the baseless points outlined in the editorial were the results of the past administration's failures and poor governance. The present administration has been cumbered with a load of struggling to correct these failures. The newspaper failed to mention that most of the current challenges the country is facing are due to the shortcomings of the past administration, which the current administration is tirelessly working hard to correct.

I am not surprised as FT is a UK-based news agency and will lack accurate knowledge and facts of what is happening in Nigeria. It will be much more liable to produce faltered information and point of views. The Financial Times should strictly steer clear off matters concerning the Nigerian government if all they can do is produce 'Fake News' regarding the current stage of Nigeria's economy, development and security challenges. The whole board of the Financial Times should 'restrategize' and comply with journalism's ethics if they plan to continue to produce any more pieces regarding the Nigerian government to prevent breeding animosity towards the government and internal division.
It is unfortunate that Financial Time has lost its credibility, and has become a peddler of political engineered news gotten from a politically paid journalist that does not have the country's interests at heart, but only about their monetary gains. These actions, therefore, put all their citations and writings under questionable test.
I believed it is misleading and unfair for Financial Times to infer that the recent success in the subsequent rescue of over 300 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State can be termed a "Scam".
Same was said of the success in rescuing the Dapchi girls that were abducted. I'm not surprised that the opposition party felt defeated by these recorded successes because the last PDP administration never recorded such fast feat in tackling security matters. The traumatized parents of the Daptchi girls and Kankara boys explained what their wards went through in the hands of their abductors, and they can't imagine what would have happened if they had stayed longer in their hands.
We are not oblivious of the fact that journalism has continued to lose its virtues in the hands of Newspapers like Financial Times and unpatriotic citizens. The light of truth will always shine through every darkness of false claims. President Muhammadu Buhari is unperturbed and very focused in discharging his duty as he has pledged to the Nation. Financial Times has failed, and not Nigeria. Nigerians remain unmoved

Agbese is a law graduate of Middlesex University, London.