₦airaland Forum

Nearly four years after leaving office as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, the memories of his leadership remains as evergreen as it were, during his reign as the Chief executive of the State, not when ever the people remember that he once led their prosperity, but also, when they are confronted with the realities of what governance as been reduced to, in a state, we once described, as a place of pride, under the great Iroko.

Since his exit, our people no longer wake to cheering news of government's landmark achievements, such as out famous Mega Schools, an unprecedented innovation of the great Iroko, which had each of the schools with capacity for over 500 pupils providing conducive learning environment with contemporary facilities for the learners. The facilities include among others: computer laboratories, modern library, sick bay, and recreational facilities with magnetic boards. It was a period when school children clad in uniforms freely provided by government and are seen working dexterously with the computer. The aesthetic beauty of the architectural design and landscape of the Mega Schools were food for the eyes!

Nelson Mandela tells us that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It is education that could and would make the child of a ‘nobody’ to compete and most times outclass the children of somebody.



In the light of the greatness and power attached to education, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko's administration invested massively in the sector for the eight years he was Governor and that is why he refined and redefined the parameters of education in Ondo state. His mantra has always been service to motherland, and there can be no better service than to ensure that your motherland has a better future. This is what has informed his administration’s unparalleled investment in education, the provision of several primary school blocks, secondary schools, outstanding world class 50 mega schools, the refurbishment, expansion and reinvigoration of the Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba, and the first of its kind the University of Medical Sciences at Ondo City, the first in West Africa and second in the whole of Africa among several others.

Going by the massive investment by Mimiko in education, history has recorded it as one of his imperishable legacy.

Some critics were quick to query the need for mega schools arguing that most towns where these mega schools are being established do not have sufficient population in their catchment areas to fill up the spaces in such schools. This line of thought is of course either myopic or deliberately mischievous. Nigeria today is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. She is currently the seventh most populous country in the world with her 186,879,760 million people (Source: Internet World Stats) and believed to jump to 225 million in less than 10 years, it is only reasonable that a man with foresight should plan ahead. Besides, mega schools operate on the economics of scale and they are a win-win situation for the people and the state.

Furthermore, the greatest attraction for history is Mimiko’s extraordinary investments in health care delivery facilities making Ondo state first among equals in Nigeria under his administration. This gave birth to the globally recognised Mother and Child Specialist Hospital and the Trauma Centre in Ondo, first of their kinds, in our country.

The environment and surroundings of these hospitals were striking, clean and devoid of the typical hospital smell. It is adorned with well maintained lawns and general aesthetics that can make a visitor feel like being a patient. Dr Mimiko's administration, brought in committed professional caregivers across medical fields that are full of energy and drive to deliver excellence at all times. The hospitals have state of the art equipment, instruments, gadgets and hospital furniture for efficient service delivery and it is remarkable that these were well maintained and the necessary supplies needed for functionality of the equipment were never been lacking, during his time unlike what is now obtainable in these hospitals under the regime of his successor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who have now nearly turned them into a showdow of what they were, as equipments are getting out of use due to lack of maintenance or consumables.

Unpublished data in the hospitals under Dr Mimiko puts the reduction in Morbidity and Mortality at more than 50% as compared to other healthcare centres in the country. The trauma centre for instance, had the record time for carrying out emergency surgical intervention which implies that all the preliminary preparations before surgery are done in a record time. It’s also noteworthy as an objective measure of these feats that the hospital was granted accreditation to train post graduate doctors in surgical specialties, in an unprecedented record time of less than one year after its commencement by the National Postgraduate Medical College, the West African College of Surgeons after a year and later by the West African College of Surgeons and National Post Graduate Medical College.

History will certainly look kindly, on the great Iroko, wherever our people visit the Mother and Child Hospital. The Mother and Child Hospital, performed thousands of major Obstetrics and Gynaecological surgeries free of charge. The hospital is a major battle axe in the Ondo State , World-acclaimed “ABIYE Safe Motherhood Initiative”, a lethal bullet against maternal death and under-5 morbidity and mortality. This was instrumental to the success of Ondo State being the only state in Nigeria to achieve MDG 5, under Mimiko as the Governor. The hospital was recognised by World Health Organisation (WHO) as a research-friendly institution and participated in her researches including the BOLD study, Growth study etc. Mother and child hospital was listed as a Research Centre for several multinational studies including the corticosteroid study, Kangaroo care study etc. Several local studies are ongoing.

The Kidney Care Centre Ondo completes the picture of the One-Stop Centre for health care delivery facilities in the Hospital Complex . According to reports Ondo State Kidney Care Centre surpassed all other public institutions that receive supplies of dialysis consumables from them within one year of commencing operation.

The Centre is the only full-fledged Renal Hospital in Nigeria . The first of its kind. This is because other renal units are sub-units of a medical department of a teaching hospital or medical centre.

It is also the only Renal facility with dedicated Resident Renal dietitians (BSc Dietetics and Nutrition), Clinical Psychologists (MSc Clinical Psychology), Medical Social Worker and Biomedical Engineers ( Ghana trained) working with the Nephrologists and dialysis nurses. This is unprecedented in Nigeria. The centre carries out capacity building for staff of the centre such as international experience and training of the Head of Nursing Services at the Dubai Fresenius Conference for renal nurses in 2014 and review update course for the Consultant Nephrologist at the Hamburg Fresenius sponsored conference in 2014. Continuing Medical Education training for medical doctors within and outside Ondo State holds annually at the Kidney Care Centre while the centre collaborates with Mother and Child Hospital Ondo to reduce maternal mortality. More than a dozen women who developed kidney failure have been saved by such an arrangement in collaboration with the Trauma and Surgical Centre Ondo to care for acute renal failure patients and reduce mortality in the Intensive Care Unit.

Space may not permit enumeration of all his achievements and contributions such as human capital development, urban renewal efforts exemplified by recreational centres, world class event centre ‘tagged the Dome’, modern super markets and modern neighbourhood markets with auxiliary complements built all over the 18 LGs, lush parks which have transformed the state especially the capital city to the cynosure of all eyes. The community development efforts is also unique and highly commendable where over 664 projects emerging from a need assessment process according to the dictates of the people themselves in a bottom up approach and top down support by government were executed in over 360 communities of the state, housing development policy and other inexhaustible life enriching programmes and policies.

No doubt there is a significant place for Mimiko in the annals of history and all the futile attempts at rewriting history, especially by agents of the incumbent regime in Ondo state, amounts to vain efforts. Our people remain one of the most sophisticated groups of people, you can find in any part of the world amd can never be deceived, by the antics of the detractors.

We desire a greater Ondo State, the one that seeks to consolidate on the revolutionary leadership left behind by Iroko in 2016, the one that can salvage the ruins of the past four years under this grossly incompetent leadership of Mr Akeredolu. This demands our collective action and the time is now.



Ondo State is our place of pride.

*Amnesty International, IPOB leading disruptive campaign against Nigeria’s image abroad, CALSER tells Commonwealth Sec-Gen, UK Parliament*
 
Some 'discredited' groups, including Amnesty International and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are steering a campaign to dent Nigeria's image abroad.
 
This is according to the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) in its address to Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary-General and the United Kingdom Parliament.    
 
Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, Executive Director, Abubakar Gana brought the attention of the Commonwealth and UK to the deliberate attempt by these groups to paint Nigeria negatively in the international community. 
 
CALSER said it will be dangerous to depend on AI, IPOB and other organisations with ill-intents to judge the situation in Nigeria. 
 
According to the group,  the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) have also been covertly aiding and abetting non-state actors in the festering conflict towards an overarching aim of destabilizing Nigeria.
 
CALSER said AI lacks the moral right to condemn the Nigerian government especially as it has ignored the numerous crimes perpetrated by proscribed IPOB and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. 
 
The centre, therefore, warned Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group to desist from their despicable campaign against Nigeria.
 
It added that Nigerians will not tolerate any further attempts at undermining the efforts of the government towards the preservation of peace and stability. 
 
CALSER, however, warned that should there be an escalation of conflict in any part of Nigeria, Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group should be held responsible.
 
Read the full statement below:
 
The exigencies of time demand that urgent and proactive steps are taken towards enlightening members of the unsuspecting general public as well as organizations the ignoble role some foreign organizations playing in the perpetuation of violence and instability in Nigeria.
 
CASLER as a key stakeholder in the entrenchment of sustainable development in Nigeria is alarmed that some organizations such as Amnesty International and recently the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) have been covertly aiding and abetting non-state actors in Nigeria in the festering conflict towards an overarching aim of destabilizing Nigeria.
 
We are aware that these groups have been in the vanguard of providing intellectual assistance to militant and terrorist groups in Nigeria by engaging in acts that undermine National Security in Nigeria.
 
These discredited groups recently took their trade too far by releasing a report alleging government-aided genocidal acts against Christians in Nigeria. While we wish to state that this remains a figment of their imagination, there is a danger in allowing this narrative to go unaddressed at the risk of igniting sectarian conflict in Nigeria.
 
The case of Amnesty International presents that of an organization whose mission in Nigeria have on numerous occasions attempted to distract the Nigerian security agencies while bolstering the activities of terrorist and militant groups such as the Boko Haram, Independent People of Biafra, and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
 
Amnesty International has, on numerous occasions, led the recruitment of young Nigerians into the ranks of these militant organizations under the guise of training programmes targeted at youth development. This much has been exposed and necessitated the call for the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria by Nigerians who took to the streets in protest. Amnesty International has also been using its network across the globe to receive funds from terrorist networks around the world on behalf of terrorist and militant organizations in Nigeria.
 
It is also on record that Amnesty International has been receiving funding from some questionable sources in Europe as a result of a strategic partnership it entered to undermine the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the war against terrorism and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
 
The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights consequently wishes to use this medium to draw the attention of the Secretary-General of the Common Wealth that groups such as Amnesty International, IMN and IPOB are pursuing narrowing interests that are against the collective existence of the country.
 
We also wish to state despite the avalanche of crimes instigated by IPOB that has led to countless deaths in the country; Amnesty International has continued to come to their defence while criticizing the efforts of the Nigerian security agencies towards the restoration of peace in the country.
 
IPOB, as an organization has been in the vanguard of instigating violence in Nigeria. On numerous occasions, their members have burnt down police stations and attacked police officers going about their lawful duties. The activities of IPOB has also deprived innocent people their sources of livelihood by disrupting commercial activities by attempting to impose a forceful sit at home order in parts of South-East Nigeria.
 
CASLER wishes to put it on record that IPOB has continued to harass and intimidate innocent people through their nefarious activities and the likes of Amnesty International still supports their activities at the detriment of peace and stability in Nigeria.
 
It consequently defeats common sense that any organization would rely on reports and statements issued by Amnesty International and their affiliates in APPG in interfering in the affairs of Nigeria.
It is thus our considered position that the relying on these organizations to make categorical statements on Nigeria is most uncharitable and a case of giving a dog a bad name to hang it.
 
CASLER in pursuance of peace and stability in Nigeria wishes to send a note of warning to Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group to desist from their despicable campaign against Nigeria.
 
We shall not tolerate any further attempts at undermining the efforts of the government of Nigeria towards the preservation of peace and stability in Nigeria. We also wish to advise them to do well to take their trade elsewhere as Nigerians are aware of their plot to see to the disintegration of the country in fulfilment of the mandate given to them by their paymasters.
 
CASLER also wishes to warn these organizations to take their trade outside the shores of Africa as every attempt at destabilization and disintegration would be resisted in the overall interest of political and Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria and the African continent.
 
It is our considered opinion that interfering in the affairs of sovereign nations, mainly when such is hinged on outright falsehood and an insatiable quest for the escalation of conflict is tantamount to a crime against humanity.e Common Wealth must also be circumspect in their conduct at the expense of ignorantly giving a voice to the activities of terrorist organizations.
 
CASLER is as a result of this putting it on record that should there be an escalation of conflict in any part of Nigeria, Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group should be held responsible.
 
I thank you all for your time and attention, and it is our prayers that as worthy partners in the Nigerian project, we shall join hands to defeat the enemies of Nigeria.
 
God Bless Nigeria

*Zulum Convoy Attack: Borno Elders Charged to Lead Calls on Boko Haram Terrorists to Surrender*
 
The Patriotic Elders Council (PEC) has charged fellow elders from the north-east to lead the call for Boko Haram terrorists to surrender. 
 
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Simon Shango and made available to newsmen on Monday, the PEC challenged leaders and stakeholders from the region to rise up against the terrorists. 
 
The PEC's call follows the recent attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum. 
 
According to the group, some leaders in the Northeast and members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram.
 
It noted that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial in ending the war against insurgents. 
 
"We must unequivocally state that we are extremely unhappy that some leaders in the Northeast axis and even some members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram," the statement reads. 
 
"International and local security experts have conceded in various analysis available in and outside the country and from the experiences of other countries similarly afflicted with terrorism like Nigeria that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial and a strong weapon of defeating terrorists anywhere.
 
"Unfortunately, it is lacking in Nigeria. There is an unbridged gulf on this in Nigeria. While the Nigerian forces have quenched the fires of Boko Haram on the battlefield, leaders and some members of local communities have failed to support or sustain these efforts.
 
"Let us remind ourselves again that our colleagues, the Northeast leaders, elders and stakeholders must rise up now to complement the Military’s efforts by calling on the insurgents, their own children to surrender and embrace peace in Northern Borno now. There is no better time to do that than NOW!
 
"We make this public statement knowing well that everyone is sad at the seeming pleasure of some leaders and stakeholders from the northeast to see their people afflicted for years and Nigerians suffer massively under the scourge of Boko Haram without intervention. All they do is silence or at best, scolding the military each time, insurgents hide in the villages, and communities, shielded by locals to bloodily strike at them. It's extremely unfair for any reason whatsoever.
 
"Today, our patriotic political leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has committedly battled the Boko Haram insurgency to a standstill. He has assembled the best Military experts in warfare as Service Chiefs and funding the counter-insurgency operations devotedly, despite meagre national resources.
 
While saluting troops on the frontlines for their "courage, sacrifices and patriotism", the group, however, urged the leaders, elders and stakeholders in the Northeast to stop the leisure in the comfort of their houses in Abuja or elsewhere outside their troubled region, waiting only to come out to condemn the Military when there is any casualty from an attack by insurgents is condemnable.
 
Read full statement below:
 
The Patriotic Elders Council (PEC) commiserates with the Federal
Government of Nigeria , led by President Muhammadu Buhari; the executive Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum and the leaderships of Nigeria’s security agencies, pointedly, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force and everyone over the sad event in Baga a few days ago.
 
We also condole with families of all the security personnel and the Civilian Joint Task Force, (C-JTF) members and indeed, all Nigerians over the sad incident of Boko Haram ambush and killing of security agents and civilians on a convoy to Baga town to receive returnee IDPs on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
 
The sad incident has again thrown our nation, Nigeria and particularly Borno State into another state of mourning. We mourn all our beloved ones lost in the course of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and associated cross border armed gangs and criminals who have illegally infiltrated our lands with bloodshed.
 
The agenda of these satanic agents , actively backed by foreign interests is clear to all Nigerians. However, what they have failed to understand is the unalterable reality and knowledge by these criminals that forceful campaigns to re-conquer any territory within Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer possible.
 
We deeply appreciate the priceless sacrifices of all Nigerians, especially, security personnel who have paid the supreme price (past and present) for peace and security for Nigerians. PEC is also appreciative of our gallant troops in the frontlines, despite the deliberate frustrations of their efforts, energies and sacrifices for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
 
Our slain heroes, heroines and volunteers are martyrs of this struggle, and we believe, their resolve never to relent in the warfront until Boko Haram and its allied forces are conquered is a true reflection of our resilience, courage to overcome the impossible and enviable spirit of patriotism. They will forever be remembered for their unquantifiable sacrifices to safe guard and preserve the nation , with their names inscribed in gold in Nigeria’s Hall of Fame. Rest in perfect peace heroic compatriots!
 
Let us remind all compatriots again, that our nation faces the most difficult and turbulent times today in our 60 years of existence as a nation by deliberate acts of sabotage and mischief. However we urge everyone never to shudder, but have an abiding faith in the power of God behind us to overcome these tribulations.
 
What we are experiencing today and the touchy sacrifices are not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Other nations also paid the costly prices to have true freedom and liberation. Our determination and support to security agencies should never waver until we conquer the foes against the country.
 
Nigerian troops at the battle front have been given their hearts and minds to the counter-insurgency operations. We must unequivocally state that we are extremely unhappy that some leaders in the Northeast axis and even some members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram.
 
International and local security experts have conceded in various analysis available in and outside the country and from the experiences of other countries similarly afflicted with terrorism like Nigeria that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial and a strong weapon of defeating terrorists anywhere.
 
Unfortunately, it is lacking in Nigeria. There is an unbridged gulf on this in Nigeria. While the Nigerian forces have quenched the fires of Boko Haram on the battle field, leaders and some members of local communities have failed to support or sustain these efforts.
 
Let us remind ourselves again that our colleagues, the Northeast leaders, elders and stakeholders must rise up now to complement the Military’s efforts by calling on the insurgents, their own children to surrender and embrace peace in Northern Borno now. There is no better time to do that than NOW!
 
We make this public statement knowing well that everyone is sad at the seeming pleasure of some leaders and stakeholders from the north east to see their people afflicted for years and Nigerians suffer massively under the scourge of Boko Haram without intervention. All they do is silence or at best, scolding the military each time, insurgents hide in the villages, and communities, shielded by locals to bloodily strike at them. Its extremely unfair for any reason whatsoever.
 
Today, our patriotic political leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has committedly battled the Boko Haram insurgency to a standstill. He has assembled the best Military experts in warfare as Service Chiefs and funding the counter-insurgency operations devotedly, despite meagre national resources.
 
The Military have also justified the spirit of nationhood by putting in their best in the battles to liberate Nigeria. Can we imagine that it is the same Nigerian Military which recovered the over 17 LGAs in the Northeast under Boko Haram control; dislodged the insurgents Caliphate in Gwoza/Baga; freed most of the 276 abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls; neutralized numerous Boko Haram top commanders; demystified the dreaded Sambisa forest; freed over 20,000 hostages of Boko Haram in secret camps and elicited the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram foot soldiers and top commanders?
 
It is therefore unimaginable today, that only in Northern Borno that this has refused to give way for peace to reign. Every Nigerian must be worried at this and silence is no longer Golden.
 
Regardless of anything or the conspiracy of anybody involved in the persisting heist of insurgency, we are strongly prodded to glowingly commend Mr. President and his Service Chiefs, some of whom have narrowly escaped death in the warzone for doing all to restore peace to the Northeast. This is despite the actions/inactions, distractions and frustrations of veiled actors and fifth columnist in festering terrorism. But the imperative of leaders and stakeholders of this region to pair up with Gov, Zulum in calling on insurgents to surrender is very pertinent now.
 
Again, from the bottom of our hearts, we salute the courage, sacrifices and patriotism of the Military and Nigerian troops in all ramifications. They have fared well in the counter-insurgency operations. The recent Boko Haram ambush on the convoy of Government officials on their way to a restored Baga to resettle IDPs returnees after more than three years of deserting their communities and scores of security personnel on escort duty lost their irreplaceable lives should prick the leaders, as we mourn.
 
But a situation where the leaders, elders and stakeholders in the Northeast leisure in the comfort of their houses in Abuja or elsewhere outside their troubled region, waiting only to come out to condemn the Military when there is any casualty from an attack by insurgents is condemnable! It smacks of the worse insensitivity and advertised severance from the counter-insurgency.


It is therefore our considered opinion that all stakeholders in Borno State and beyond come together to prevail on their children to stop this high scale atrocious against innocent Nigerians in the north east without further delay.
 
Enough is enough! Nigeria and Nigerians deserve their peace.

By Adam Bulama

The Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria had indeed festered since 2009 when the group began its violent campaign against Nigeria. Successive governments introduced various initiatives aimed at addressing the scourge but to no avail. Instead of the Boko Haram group losing steam, it gathered momentum and continued to wreak havoc of unimaginable proportion.

I believe there is one hard truth we are not telling ourselves why the activities of Boko Haram have continued to fester in Northern Borno despite the efforts of the Nigerian Military. We might wish to recall that there was a time the six states in North-East Nigeria were once under the constant threat of the Boko Haram insurgents. So much so that over 16 local government areas was under their control. But the efforts of the Military as well as the political authorities at the federal and state levels saw to the dislodging of the Boko Haram group from these local government areas including their operational base in Sambisa forest.

The Nigerian Military toiled day and night, in ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgents were decimated and indeed gains were recorded that five out of the six states in North-East Nigeria were utterly rid of Boko Haram insurgents. However, the case of Borno still presents a mystery as to why the Boko Haram insurgents always find Northern Borno a haven for their nefarious activities.

Today, Northern Borno is the only region experiencing pockets of Boko Haram attacks. The several instances where the convoy of the Governor of Borno State was attacked is in Northern Borno. It is on this premise that the governor has made several attempts at galvanizing the support of the political leaders and stakeholders in Northern Borno in bringing to an end the activities of Boko Haram in Northern Borno.

The governor in doing this has never failed to acknowledge the efforts of the Nigerian Military in restoring normalcy in other parts of the state and wishes for same to be replicated in Northern Borno which would ultimately signal the end of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

There is a famous saying that politics is local as well as happiness is local. And for peace to return to Northern Borno, the actors must come to a consensus because these insurgents are not spirits. They are domiciled with the people, and they are somewhat known, I believe. I say this because strangers cannot come to a foreign land and dominate the people. There must be some level of cooperation with the people in the case of this or it is the people themselves that are perpetuating the dastardly act.

I stand to be corrected, the case of Northern Borno is that of arms struggle, smuggling, criminality and with lots of political undertones. This much has been highlighted in numerous forums, and the question is what has the stakeholders in Borno done in this regard. It is not on record that they have disputed this position and it is on record that they have not been forthcoming in addressing the threats in their region.

This indeed calls for concern and the time for all the stakeholders in Northern Borno to heed to the call of the governor of Borno state for peace in Northern Borno. Like I stated earlier, these insurgents are not spirits. Abubakar Shekau, Abu Musab al-Barnawi and all other Boko Haram commanders are Nigerians, this much we all know and as such it should not be rocket science for these individuals to lay their arms and embrace peace. The Nigerian Military has been playing its role and as such other stakeholders must step into the fray to play their parts in bringing the Boko Haram insurgency to an end.

Aside from the deployment of Military might, there is also a place for other mediums with which these insurgents can be prevailed upon to give up their arms struggle and embrace peace. And this has been the missing link towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency, especially in Northern Borno. I must not fail to commend the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum. He has indeed demonstrated an unalloyed commitment towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the state even at significant risk to his life.

Let us make no mistakes, what is indeed needed now is a call for the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents to embrace peace, and the governor has been leading this charge calling on all stakeholders to join hands with him in the arduous but surmountable task of bringing long-lasting peace to Borno State. All hands are required to be on deck in support of the efforts of the Nigerian Military that have been exceptional, especially in the past five years.

We must admit that this wasn’t the situation five years ago. And who would have thought that in five states North-East Nigeria would be free from the Boko Haram scourge. And even in Borno state, the Military has been able to confine their activities to Northern Borno alone. This is indeed a remarkable feat that must be commended and as well supported in the overarching aim of bringing to an end the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

I very much support the call for peace in Northern Borno. And this would only happen if the relevant stakeholders agree to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in this regard. The principle of structural functionalism suffices, which is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

I can go on nonstop in this regard, but I must, however, warn that all the gains recorded in the past five years would go down the drain if the call for peace in northern Borno is not heeded. Those that can speak should speak. Those that can reach out should reach out. Those that can negotiate should negotiate, and those that can calm frayed nerves should do so in the overarching objective of retuning Borno State to the Home of Peace. This is my two cents.

Bulama wrote from Maiduguri, Borno State.

By Richard Murphy

“We write to highlight urgent concerns about escalating violence in Nigeria, where attacks led by Boko Haram, Fulani herders, and other Islamist militia continues in northern and central-belt states, with reports of increasing violence in the South-East. The state’s failure to protect its citizens is a clear breach of its obligations under the Commonwealth Charter in respect of human rights.”
This is not a Hollywood script even though there is a semblance. It is a part statement in the letter written by some members of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, the British upper legislative chamber to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland. This was apparently about the report by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief wherein very hasty conclusions were inferred from an illogical standpoint.

Indeed these are trying times in Nigeria with the international dimension the threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty has assumed. The activities of the Boko Haram terror group no doubt assumed a regional dimension with support from some foreign interest. “Untold Story of Boko Haram Insurgency: The Lake Chad Oil and Gas Connection” published in the Cambridge University Journal on Politics and Religion (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/untold-story-of-boko-haram-insurgency-the-lake-chad-oil-and-gas-connection/79E48CDC869C9A8A9DA4989C50B58A1A) would make an excellent read to probably bring about some enlightenment on the story of Boko Haram in Nigeria and why these foreign interests would not allow for peace to reign.
I have read the referenced report by the APPG. That was indeed one that lacked objectivity on several fronts. The methodology was faulty, and the intention was for mischief. And this brings me to the earlier stated issue of foreign interest bent on destabilizing Nigeria. As a first, the APPG report on Nigeria was meant to paint a picture of genocidal killings aided by the government against Christians.
And curiously, the report didn't state or highlight where the government of Nigeria was indeed found culpable. Instead, it relied on conjectures and hearsays, which is the same strategy used by those against the interest of Nigeria in fanning the embers of war.
To put it simply, the APPG is on an international campaign of calumny against Nigeria in furtherance of the plot against Nigeria. I make bold to state that majority of the members of the APPG, if not all, have not visited Nigeria in the past five years. And if that is the case, one wonders on what authority they wrote their report and how objective could such a report be when it is evident that the APPG relied on questionable sources and gleaned outdated reports from online sources that probably hadn't updated their sites in donkey years.
I have a strong suspicion, which is the fact that APPG might have joined ranks with the likes of Amnesty International in the fulfilment of their plot to cause the disintegration of Nigeria. As incredible as this might sound, I am also of the suspicion that Amnesty International supplied the bulk of what was contained in the APPG report because there was a semblance in style with the various Amnesty International’s reports on Nigeria.
This is my opinion calls for critical questions from concerned stakeholders. I am sure some must have been surprised at how Nigeria has remained a country despite the avalanche of conspiracies against it. From the activities of International NGOs operating in North-East Nigeria to the agitations from militant groups across the country as well as others too numerous to mention.
What the international community must come to terms is the fact that the Nigerian authorities have been most remarkable in their efforts towards addressing the various security challenges in the country, including those perpetrated by organizations such as Amnesty International and their latest recruit the APPG. But for this, I am sure Nigeria would have erupted in flames.
This also calls for caution from concerned stakeholders in making categorical statements about Nigeria, especially when such is hinged in half-truths and illogical conclusions and with the propensity to escalate conflict in the country. I am not sure that most of the representations on Nigeria with regards to the security situation in Nigeria is a reflection of what is on the ground. Some of us resident in Nigeria have had reasons to task our consciousness if it was ever possible that we would be in Nigeria and not aware of what is happening until a foreign group or association issues a report.
The APPG report is one of such instances that were more baffling to most Nigerians. So much so that we wondered where such genocidal killings were happening that the vibrant Nigerian press missed in its reportage. Even though I have my reservations about the credibility of the APPG as an organization from what I have garnered so far, it still behoves on the leadership of the group to thread with caution.
No doubt there must have been some monetary inducement somewhere. However, I am not sure any amount of money is worth the blood of innocent people. The APPG and its sponsors must come back to consciousness and right their wrongs. Attempting to ignite a sectarian crisis in Nigeria is not a charitable endeavour because we would all be victims in one way or the other.
I would state this again for the umpteenth time; the state has not failed to protect its citizens in Nigeria. That is, at best, a figment of the imagination. It is not reality, and it is not a statement of the fact. However, what is the truth is that there is a grand conspiracy against Nigeria, and this is coming from outside the shores of the country. Sadly after Amnesty International was exposed, the APPG stepped in the fray in furtherance of the plot against Nigeria. This is the starkness of reality on the ground in Nigeria. And it is hoped that institutions such as the Common Wealth of Nations would do well to ask critical questions and extend its support to Nigeria in addressing the various security threats in the country.

Murphy is a security expert based in Calabar.

Ahead of the just concluded Sept 19th governorship election in Edo state, there were a lot of political permutations, expectations, events and plot twists particularly because of the key political actors involved and strategic location of the state to the survival of Apc.

The All progressive Congress under the leadership of the then chairman Adams Oshiomole, ravaged by internal crisis failed to reconcile its internal crisis culminating to the sack of Oshiomole by the party's national executive committee (NEC).

Due to the crisis within the party and coming elections in Edo and Ondo one would have wished that the party hierachy nominated a leader with political presence and personality but all that was not going to happen as APC further gaffed by entrusting the interim leadership of the party to not only an incompetent Governor Buni of Yobe state but shot itself further by allowing Buni to run down the party further by promoting selfish interest against the collective interest of the party.

Buni and his co-conspirators maintained a dangerous status quo which he should have known will be counter productive in the interest of the party. He maintained the evil silence of allowing the APC political actors to sustain a fight which was fast diminishing the chances of the party at the polls without a clear attempt to bring the actors to a negotiation table.

A leader they say leads by example, only Buni knows the reason why barely hours after the election results from Edo was announced, sent out a congratulatory message to Gov Obaseki of PDP, an action which puts question mark on the credibility of Buni and his committee.

Suffice to say that this singular attitude of Buni is enough to showcase what disaster awaits the party should he be allowed to stay beyond the expiration of his interim chairmanship in November.

To further show his evil agenda, Buni as a seating Governor made no effort to persuade his colleagues to attend the grand finale of the APC campaign in Edo. An event which was a veritable opportunity to build bridges across interest and make emphatic statements to the Edo electorates on why Pastor Ize Iyanmu was the man for the job, but he rather joined forces within the party to rubbish all efforts made by Asiwaju and Oshiomole to market the candidate of the party to the electorates.

There is no further prove to show the leadership inadequacies of Buni than his management of the Edo guber election. It was not only an indictment on his competence but an urgent call to rejig the party and position it into the trusted hands of leaders who can lead it into victory and not battles especially as political scheming for 2023 sets tune.

The party hierarchy must realise that if Buni couldn't manage the interests of political gladiators in Edo state then he wont be able to manage the various interests going into 2023 general election.

The All Progressive Congress has to purge itself of leaders like Buni and set its path on the way of unity by setting merchinaries in motion to conduct a credible election to elect leaders that can drive the agenda of the party and not their selfish interest because millions look for war to APC as the hope of the nation.

The Buni led caretaker committee must be shown the way out immediately if the party must be able to move forward or else we all watch it fade away.

The party must convene an extraordinary convention to pick new leaders who will unite the party and place party supremacy above personal interests. The Buni led caretaker committee do not deserve an elongation on its tenure else the party will be in a deeper mess going into 2023. Time is thickening.

Muhammad Abbas

*Convoy Attack: Group urges Borno Gov, Military to remain focused on the fight against insurgency* 

The North-East Peace Assembly (N-EPA) has urged Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and the Nigerian Military to remain focused in its fight against terrorism in the state.

The group's plea is in response to Friday’s attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which resulted in the death of some  persons including soldiers, policemen and members of the Civilian JTF. 

According to the North-East Peace Assembly, the latest attack is a growing desperation of the terrorists and their supporters to reclaim relevance when they no longer have any. 

"We commiserate with the Borno state government, the Military, Police, Civilian JTF and families of the deceased and pray that those that continue to fuel terrorism in parts of the north-east will one day account for their crimes," National President, Musa Babangida, said in a statement on Saturday. 

"We condemn the attack in the strongest terms, it is despicable, repulsive and is a confirmation that none of the terrorists is deserving of any sympathy by any segment of the Nigerian state or within the international community. This attack should attract the harshest response possible from the forces fighting the terrorists.

"Security experts had postulated that newly defected terrorists from Abubakar Shekau’s Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād faction would try to impress the ISWAP faction they recently joined by carrying out extreme attacks. But it is pertinent not to ascribe any undue capabilities to the bloodthirsty terrorists behind Friday’s attack since that is what they crave.   

"Considering that the governor was on an inspection tour of Baga area when his convoy was attacked, it is apparent that the terrorists want to create the impression that people cannot return to their homes even when the military has successfully ejected them from these areas". 

"Analysis of the attack has confirmed the growing desperation of the terrorists and their supporters to reclaim relevance where they no longer have any. The use of landmines and lone wolf attacks in parts of northern Borno just targeted at creating unnecessary noise by the terrorists in efforts to show that they are still active whereas in real sense they have been fully defeated". 

The group, however, urged the military and the Borno state government to handle the aftermath of the attack in a manner that does not give Boko Haram/ISWAP propagandists and cyber agents the opportunity to exploit it for terrorists’ media manipulation.

It said, "There are already ongoing efforts by terrorists’ propagandists to give dubious slants to the attack on the Governor’s convoy in order to strain relations between the Borno State chief executive and the military. This must not be allowed to happen. 

"The military should repeat the clearance operation it carried out the day before the attack on the convoy during which it successfully neutralized several top Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ commanders like Abu Usman, Alhaji Shettima, Modu Mainok, Bukar Gana, Abu Summayya, Amir Taam and Amir Kuraish, among others. It should invade and totally lay waste to the islets on Lake Chad from where the terrorists are staging their last stand.  

"The Borno State government should on its part sustain its pressure on willing terrorists to surrender to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society. Governor Zulum should lead the state’s stakeholders to get the terrorists and their commanders to surrender before it is too late for them.

"We urge the people of the state to support the military and the state government to succeed. Displaced persons should not be discouraged by this attack since part of the intention of the terrorists is to create the impression that people cannot return to their homestead to resume a life of normalcy. The true defeat of terrorism in the north-east will be achieved when the people are able to send a strong message to these killers that they can never win against the Nigerian state".

In furtherance of his operational tour to theater of operation in the North East, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai was at the Army Special Super Camp Chabbal in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday the 25th of September 2020.

While at the camp, he jointly addressed officers and men, after which he had durbar with troops where operational, logistics and administrative issues were discussed. He earlier on Thursday, the 24th of September 2020, visited Army Super Camp Ngamdu where he inspected the construction and renovation works as well as facilities at the camp. During the visit to the Super Camp Ngamdu, General Buratai was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations Army in company of the Commander Engineer Corps and Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major Generals NE Angbazo, JS Malu and F Yahaiya among other senior army officers respectively.

This was contained in a statement Signed by the Acting Director Army public relations Colonel Sagir Musa and made available to the Press

In all the camps, Gen Buratai applauded the troops for their resilience, patriotism and commitment in the war on terror in Nigeria. He directed them to be more courageous and bold to end the war so soon. He said that – “The whole country is hopeful that you should achieve results, you must bring this war to an end very soon”. “You are better trainned, equipped and motivated to do the nation proud, and so you must be more courageous and bold to end terrorism in Nigeria”.

While gingering the troops further, He reminded them that – “Nigerian Army is not in the North East Theatre of Operation for Crowd Dispersal or Peace keeping Missions, we are here for war and so you must be perpetually in war mood if you want to succeed”.

In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff has also commissioned 40 bed capacity accommodation for soldiers on escorts and guards duty at the flag staff house annex in Maiduguri today.

General Buratai also inspected ongoing construction works at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Maiduguri where he expressed satisfaction on the speed and level of the work so far and urged the Engineer on site to remain focused and committed to completing the job in good time.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has condemned the killing of soldiers and the growing spate of violence associated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). 

In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Ifeanyi Igwe, on Thursday, the INM said the escalation of violence by IPOB is unacceptable. 

Recall that members of the proscribed group attacked unsuspecting soldiers of the 144 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Abia State, on Wednesday, killing two and injuring many. 

This comes barely two weeks after similar assault on Police officers in Enugu. 

In reaction, the INM distanced itself from these attacks and urged other Igbos to do likewise. 

According to the group, this act of terror is a dangerous acceleration of the reversal of the fortunes of Igboland, which is currently the most peaceful geo-political zone of Nigeria. 

"Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) strongly condemns the attack by gunmen, which lead to the death of two soldiers of the 144 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Abia state. The attack, which also injured other soldiers, is an unwarranted provocation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The escalation of violence by IPOB is unacceptable," the statement said.

"It is on record that IPOB vowed revenge against law enforcement agencies in the aftermath of its August 24, 2020 bloody clash with the DSS and the Police. Even though the group has cowardly not come out to claim responsibility, It is repulsive that they decided to launch their attack first in a state that is not the scene of their previous clash and secondly against the personnel of an institution that is not responsible for whatever these terrorists are angry about. 

"This attack, masterminded by IPOB, should be condemned by all peace loving Igbo and entire Nigerians, especially since it is coming after an attack on Policemen at checkpoint by fifteen gunmen from the same group in Abia State. 

"Nigerians should especially be concerned by IPOB’s quest to increase its arsenal as confirmed by the theft of the deceased soldiers’ weapons. The modus operandi is consistent with the threats made from pro-IPOB social media accounts online where IPOB members vowed to build their war arsenal from the weapons they will take from government forces".

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement urged "elders and leaders to call IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Emma Powerful and their terrorist members to order before the group’s growing violence turns into a conflagration". 

It, however, appealed to the Nigerian Army not to abandon the region in spite of this recent provocations as that will translate into falling for the trick of IPOB. 

"We therefore call on our elders and leaders to call IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Emma Powerful and their terrorist members to order before the group’s growing violence turns into a conflagration in the south east. Our region, owing to its dense population and highly built up nature cannot survive the kind attacks that those in the desert, creeks and forests unleash on their own homelands in the name of being terrorist," the statement added. 

"INM warns that Igbos should not be misled by the utopic dream of sending the Nigerian Army out of the south-east since this would be suicidal. It is the series of the military operations put up by the Army that freed the south-east from the grip of kidnappers. This is even as the military operations were bundled with free medical outreaches that have brought succor to communities.  

"We appeal to the Nigerian Army not to abandon the south-east in spite of this recent provocations since that will translate into falling for the trick of IPOB, which wants the military to leave the geo-political zone so that it can again resume terrorizing the people. The last quarter of the year that used to be characterized by the kidnapping of Igbo sons and daughters is here and the presence of the Army is key to keeping people safe.

"The international community, including NGOs like Amnesty International and InterSociety are urged to note the terrorist acts being committed by IPOB so that they will not accuse security and law enforcement agencies of being high handed when they conduct clearance operations to rid Igboland of terrorists".

....dismisses fake report on nation’s terrorism index

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) has applauded Nigeria's progress on peace as indicated by the Global Peace Index. 

The centre also dismissed reports which ranked Nigeria as one of the most terrorised countries in the world.

Based on this year's rating by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Nigeria climbed one spot to 147 ahead of some supposed peaceful nations like Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. 

And according to CISS, this is a welcomed development that must be commended despite the barrage of challenges confronting the country. 

The centre made this known in a report unveiled by its Programme Officer Dr. Jude Okunebo at Top Rank Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday. 

In attendance were renowned scholars, Professor Ahmed Danfulani, Dr. Abubakar Gana, Dr. Ifure Ataifure, Brig. Gen Rabe Abubakar and Prof. Peter Maidoki of the University of Abuja as well as presidents and heads of various non-governmental organisations and civil society groups. 

Contrary to speculations, the centre said that Nigeria is not ranked third in the Global Terrorism Index, as this year's ranking is yet to be released. 

While reviewing the report, Dr. Okunebo said the fact that Nigeria wasn't classified amongst the top five least peaceful and top five ongoing conflict domains in the world negate the supposition that Nigeria was amongst the most terrorized countries. 

Okunebo disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari's uncompromising stance, commitment and dedication turned the table around for the country. 

He also noted that the president's emergence birthed an all-new approach that has rubbed off on the troops and their counter-terrorism operations. 

"Nigeria, as a sovereign state, has witnessed several plethoras of challenges emanating from her internal political environment. The country has been under siege for some years mainly due to militancy, and the act of terrorism perpetrated by some individuals against the state. However, the most severe security challenges witnessed in Nigeria between 2001-2019 include; Niger Delta crises, kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, Boko Haram crises and the Farmers –Herders conflict," the report said in part. 

"The Government began to out in measures towards addressing the various internal security threats in the country from 2016. Between 2016 and 2019, substantial progress was made in the management of the internal security crisis in Nigeria with the involvement of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations. 

" The Nigerian Army has also been credited to have liberated communities in North-East Nigeria that were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents. Five of the six northeastern states have been fully liberated, but for Borno State still experiencing pockets of Boko Haram activities, which have mainly been attributed to the lack of cooperation by the political authorities in the state with the Nigerian Military. The Nigerian Army has launched over 40 different operations and exercises in the last five years to contain various security challenges across the country". 

The CISS report, however, concluded that the current administration has lived up to expectations in ensuring that the issues of security take centre stage. 

It disclosed that the involvement and commitment of the Nigerian Army in addressing the various security challenges cannot be overemphasized. 

"Consequently, there has been relative peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, and this is against the insinuation in some quarters that Nigeria is amongst the most terrorized countries in the world.   It is indeed a statement of the fact there that cannot be the case in Nigeria with the commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration towards the security of lives and properties," the report noted. 

"A careful look at the Global indexes for countries experiencing forms of conflict; Nigeria was not listed amongst the top five least peaceful countries and countries undergoing conflict. It this suffices to state that Nigeria has made substantial gains in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminal activities and these campaigns can be adjudged successful and responsible for peace and tranquillity in Nigeria". 

In reaction, Brig.- Gen Abubakar from the National Defence College applauded the CISS for putting up a report that clarifies the issues of peace and security in Nigeria.

"I am indeed very glad that a very important centre of international repute dismissed the insinuations making the rounds by some individuals and groups both locally and internationally to paint Nigeria as the most terrorised and unpeaceful nations of the world," he said. 

Brig.- Gen Abubakar, however, assured that the troops are not resting on their oars.

He added, "They are not there sleeping but to ensure the peace and security of lives and properties of citizens. We have no doubt seen some achievements and changes between 2015 and now when General Buratai took over the mantle of leadership of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff. This momentum, I believe we are able to sustain. – peace and security despite other challenges".

A former Commissioner representing Edo Central on the Board of Edopadec
Prince Emmanuel Odigie,
Has lauded the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu in the just concluded governorship election.

Ecclesiastes 3 A Time for Everything.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

The time for campaigns and elections are over. It is time to work and build a more prosperous Edo.

I congratulate you on your election victory. I sincerely salute your steadfastness, courage and doggedness.

Your excellency, I pray God Almighty grants you divine wisdom, more grace and strength to lead Edo to greater heights in Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

Congratulations sir.

Prince Emmanuel Odigie

Ahead of Nigeria's 60th independence anniversary, the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) has commenced prayer and fasting for President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire country. 

At its meeting on Tuesday at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, the group described October 1st as a "day of convenant" which marked the end of colonial rule.

Speaking on behalf of the group, National President, Bishop Sunday Garuba said now is the best time to intercede for Nigeria as the country has remained united despite the plans of the devil and cohorts. 

"We are gathered here for a very important and serious business as usual, where we shall in one accord intercede for our dear country on the occasion of her 60th-anniversary celebrations.  The occasion of Nigeria's 60th anniversary is a great day not just in Nigeria's history but the rest of the world as the day of the covenant for the freedom of our nation from colonial rule. For 60 years, Nigeria has been through the good, bad and the ugly experiences in our collective quest for growth and sustainable development," he said. 

"My beloved in Christ, the occasion of the 60th Anniversary celebration of Nigeria is indeed a big one for us in the Unity Church and the Unity Masjid because, over the years, we have taken the success of the Nigerian project to God in our various prayers and fasting programmes.  

"We have been steadfast in our request to God for divine intervention in the affairs of Nigeria, and God has indeed been faithful to us. The book of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us of the need to pray without ceasing. And that is why we are all gathered here again to continue our divine routine of praying and interceding on behalf of our dear country. 

"My brothers and sisters, you all would agree with me that there is no better time than now to pray for Nigeria on this auspicious occasion of her 60th anniversary. This is because, despite the plans of the devil and cohorts, Nigeria has remained united and indivisible even under significant threats to our peace and progress as a people as a country. That Nigeria has continued to wax stronger is not by our might or power, but by the grace of God that he has availed to be sufficient for us". 

Garuba recalled how " children of God" went to sleep during the country's 50th anniversary in 2010 and the "devil struck" with a bomb blast in the nation's capital. 

To avoid a repeat, the clergyman urged Nigerians to come together and pray. 

"Our memories are still fresh to Independence Day bombing in Abuja on the occasion of the 50th-anniversary celebration of Nigeria.  The children of God went to sleep, and the devil struck. My brothers and sisters, as I mentioned earlier, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in high places," he added. 

" Let me use this medium to announce to you all that never in the history of Nigeria would God allow such to happen. Listen to me; this is not because God loves Nigeria. It is not also because our security agencies have been up and doing. It is simply the children of God have been fervent in their prayers and supplications to God for his mercies and grace in Nigeria.

"We are buoyed with the fact that as members of the Unity Church and the Unity Masjid, we have played positive roles in ensuring that the forces of evil that ganged up against Nigeria were put to shame because the Bible tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avail much. Jesus Christ also stressed its necessity in the book of Luke 18:1, when He says ‘Men ought always to pray, and not to faint'". 

Garuba, however, assured that Nigeria's diamond jubilee will usher an era of greatness like never before. 

"My brothers and sisters, I see economic boom ahead in the country after the era of COVID 19. Mark my words, the world would indeed marvel at the good news that would come out from Nigeria in no distant time," he prophesied. 

"My brothers and sisters, I have good news for you. President Muhammadu Buhari is on the seat when Nigeria is attaining this feat is an indication that God indeed loves Nigeria. As a result of this, we have the divine mandate to pray for him and his family.

"We shall pray for our beloved President for God to continue to protect him and grant him good health and a sound mind as he pilots the affairs of the country. We shall also pray for God to expose all those that have been fueling acts of terrorism across the country all in the efforts to undermine the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari. Through our prayers, we shall cause a torrent of curses on those that have been conspiring against the peace and progress of Nigeria". 

The preacher added that with prayers, Nigeria would be free from every gang-up of hell aimed at destroying this nation.

By Thomas Uzah PhD

Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai came like a dunce on the hottest seat of battle some five years ago. Many were under the faulty illusion that he sneaked his way unto the path of death on the plains, forests, and mountains of the Northeast in the hands of the merciless and militant extremist Boko Haram sect. At incipience, the odd Islamist sect voiced to the world about their vicious mission to conquer Nigeria and restore an oppressive and alien Islamic Caliphate on the people.

But a patent snag with such discretionary action was that Boko Haram had an identity only its religious cannibals and proponents of the ideology discerned in precise terms and understood by themselves alone; and no one else. Boko Haram quaked meaningless noises to the undiscerning, and loudly, blew the trumpets war with might and energetic boastfulness.

For years, the entire Northeast terrains “were a dragons field”, enclaves dreaded by natives, strangers and even, the security agents. Boko Haram damnably invaded the communities and villages of a helpless people, captured and enforced cruel, ferocious and unorthodox cannons alien to the Islamic world and practices.

The people reaped bountifully in blood, gruesome murders, abductions and arsons. The fire of hell had less fury than the rampaging blades, swords and bombs of insurgents. The people groaned; while the state gazed effeminately at flames ignited by serial detonating bombs of insurgents; more horrified than victims of the butcheries.

But a nemesis awaited in the offing for insurgents unknowingly! By a stroke of misfortune for Boko Haram, it was the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the democratic leader of Nigeria. And insurgents’ greatest regret was the enthronement of an anti-terrorism wizard, Gen. Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations as well as other Internal Security upheavals in Nigeria.

With decades of resourceful military training and enriching experiences as Infantry Combatant; Gen. Buratai, who last served as the Field Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (M-NJTF) rendered himself to this national assignment with all godly determination; while the Pharaohs of Nigeria erroneously perceived him a naivete of the trenches. His facial looks and even physique never betrayed his inside toughness, warfare astuteness and leadership treasures embedded in his tiny physiognomy. His looks are very receptively harmless to both enemies and friends.

And insurgents mistook him for some wishy-washy Army Chief and leader of the unconventional and complex insurgency war. Boko Haram in precise terms proudly underrated the capacity of Gen. Buratai, which was bolstered by their past experiences with Nigeria’s former Military Chiefs who prosecuted the counter-insurgency years unending.

Full of arrogance of fake might, like some characters in one of Nollywood’s thrilling titles “Fatal Mistake,” produced by Mr. Nwafor Anayo, Boko Haram insurgents never realized the warfare expertise in the new leader of the counter-insurgency operations. But beneath Gen. Buratai’s amiable looks, lies the strength of a roaring and devouring lion of the jungles.

Without a second thought, Gen. Buratai knew a formidable, responsible, responsive and adequately equipped Nigerian Army was the indispensable panacea to the Boko Haram challenge, which at that time, appeared to defy all solutions. By his calculations, a voyage of transformation with the overall objective to catapult the Nigerian Army into a modern people’s Army, versatile in fighting Nigeria’s enemies and also, contributing to the security and economic agenda of the government.
Therefore, Gen. Buratai fetched from his deep reservoir of knowledge to introduce resounding reforms and innovations in the Nigerian Army. It did not take long before these reforms begun to trickle in, bearing eatable fruits. There is no bargaining that the transformation has elevated the Nigerian Army into a strong, virile and modern institution worthy of reckoning in Africa.

First, with the approval of Mr. President, Gen. Buratai's unsatisfactory method of salaries and allowances to troops on the frontlines, erased the culture of delayed or sometimes, denied payments. With this done, troops whose spirit was dampened in the warfront became automatically animated. Added to it were special incentives to embolden hard working soldiers at the battlefield in form of accelerated promotions, among others, Nigerian troops began to massively defeat insurgents on the warfront and seized territories reclaimed.

The Army Chief trained and retrained soldiers in batches. The training platforms provided them with the opportunity to refresh their knowledge on modern warfare trends with emphasis on combating terrorism. Gen. Buratai invigorated forsaken and dysfunctional Nigerian Army training institutions to facilitate the internal training of soldiers. The Army which is often described as an independent island anywhere, but which unfortunately lost its prestige in Nigeria for decades because of neglect, regained it smugly, with shiny performance outcomes in the frontlines.

So, the Army’s former institutions like the Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot (CED) in Kaduna, with a vehicle-manufacturing unit was revitalized. Today, Nigerian Army is producing Nigeria’s indigenous and tropicalized war vehicle nicknamed MRAP – the EZUGWU MRAP from materials sourced locally.

The Nigerian Army School of Engineering, and Nigerian Army School of Artillery have come on stream, with capacities sourced locally to provide internal training to soldiers and also, manufacturing of some of the weapons used in the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria. Through these efforts, Nigeria is saved vital and scarce foreign exchange troubles and exemplified all hands-on deck leadership of the Army.

Similarly, actively backed by President Buhari; himself, a leader very sensitive to the issue of security in Nigeria, Gen. Buratai engineered the establishment of special Army schools like the Nigerian Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB). With the Army Aviation school already training pilots and crew technicians, the Nigerian Army has sparked national attention as it looks forward to the launching of the Nigerian Army Aviation wing to battle Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP terrorism; while NAUB is spearheading the training of soldiers on modern technological warfare.

Under Gen. Buratai’s leadership, gone are the days soldiers who served their country meritoriously agonize about shelter with their families after retirement. In partnership with some private organizations, the Nigerian Army is investing in the NA Post Service Housing Development Limited for soldiers, with first and special emphasis on soldiers who served in the counter-insurgency operations.

What’s more, even soldiers still in service are no longer constrained to inhabit ramshackle and dilapidated Barracks with their families. Almost all Army Barracks have undergone a facelift, with equipped schools, hospitals, water and other amenities for convenience of soldiers. The same awe attracted by improvements in Army facilities across the nation have also displayed imprints in office accommodation for soldiers in all Army Divisions, with modern state-of-art facilities.

The provision of tertiary or referral health centers have been the obsession of Gen. Buratai. Just within five years, the Nigerian Army is now the proud owners of two new and additional referral hospitals-one in Ebonyi and another in Maiduguri which have the mandate to serve both the Military and civilians.

But more interestingly and in tandem with global trends, the NA is developing its capacity to contribute to the economic development agenda of the present political leadership in Nigeria. Army investments have marketable identities such as the Nigeria Army Farm and Ranches, Command Engineering Depot, as well as NA Property Limited and NA Welfare Limited by Guarantee; which also offer some of its products and services to the Nigerian public.These Army agro-investments chain are contributing enormously to the challenge of food insecurity in the nation.

It is glaring that Gen. Buratai’s transformational leadership is so far yielding beautiful fruits, which are already consummated throughout the country. One good thing about it is that the Army Chief’s voyage to transform the Nigerian Army has positively rubbed on both Army personnel and the Nigerian public. It’s a reality of excitement that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Gen. Buratai is no longer famed as the womanish, cowardly dependent and hopelessness institution which relied on outsiders to fight its battles or serve its needs.

Uzah PhD is head of mass communication department, Kwararafa University Wukari

*Re: Lt. Gen. Akinrinade (rtd): A stakeholder who missed the path!*

By Simon Shango

The Nigerian media buzzed with news of the visit of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. TY Buratai on Monday 14th September 2020 to the home State of his senior and retired colleague, Gen. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Osun.

The former COAS had a privilege, courtesy of the invitation extended to him by the Osun State Governor, to speak at a banquet dinner in honour of his visiting predecessor to Osun State, which took place at the Osun State Govt House Banquet Hall.

My heart gladdened at this development in the sense that while overtly, the visit to the State was to commission projects executed by the Nigerian Army under its plank of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); underneath that chanced meeting, lied the window of the COAS interacting with his senior colleague to tap from his rich treasure of experience as the former COAS and later Chief of Defence Staff under the Shagari Presidency in the 1980s.

However, media accounts of the speech of Gen. Akinirinade (rtd) reported verbatim left me with a sour taste in the mouth. It contained somewhat “abominable” utterances which undermined his status as an elder statesman, the office of the President of Nigeria, and even his guest, Gen. Buratai. I found his remarks and message to Mr. President extremely distasteful by the sheer misrepresentations and misplacements of existing facts.

Let me admit ab initio that as peers and people within the same age, who are now regarded as elders, I will be unfair to discuss such sensitive issues publicly. But when it becomes a public document like his speech, it is only wise that I respond to Gen. Akinrinade in the same manner and fashion he ventilated his opinions because he politicized the issues by my judgment.

It was my utmost conviction that Gen. Akinrinade (rtd) having climbed steadily through the ranks in the military to become a Lieutenant General, one expected him to have acted better while commenting on a sensitive matter as the security challenges facing the country. He, however, disappointed me and I believe many other Nigerians. First, the retired General should have sought to discuss these issues in private, rather than making it public.

As an elder, a former colleague of Mr. President in the Nigerian Army and stakeholder in the Nigerian project, there is no way President Buhari wouldn’t have granted Gen. Akinrinade a private audience. President Buhari is a listening President, who respects every elder in the country and even the ordinary Nigerian knows this. The outcome of a private visit would have gone a long way in complementing the enormous successes Buhari has recorded in the fight against insecurities in the country. His assertions on the security situation in the country are misleading and they do not portray him as someone very knowledgeable on the subject matter.

It is unfortunate that Gen. Akinrinade easily bought into the cheap propaganda that the President is a sectional leader who promotes the agenda for a takeover of Nigeria by his Fulani tribe as disseminated by the opposition and his detractors. As an elder statesman, Akinrinade should be at the forefront of championing for a Nigeria that is devoid of division. His age and experience should play a part to convince the younger generation that no President can put his immediate tribe above the collective good of the nation. It is rather unfortunate that he has enlisted into the league of those spreading hate against the President’s tribe.

The former Defence Chief has forgotten that the issue of herdsmen and farmers predates the Buhari administration. As the President and Commander-in-Chief, Buhari has accorded appropriate priority in this regard by putting measures in place to curtail the excesses of the herdsmen on farmers.

For instance, in 2018, the Defence Headquarters kicked off “Exercise Ayem A Akpatema” (cat race) phases I, II and now III; which is operating alongside “Operation Whirl Stroke” (OPWS) in the Middle Belt. It features a Joint Military Intervention Force (JMIF), comprising Regular and Special Forces personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy, and working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

The main aim of these Military operations is to counter armed herdsmen and militia groups operating especially around Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Plateau States and environs. These operations have been very successful in restoring calm to its areas of coverage. The Governors of these states have testified to its workability at different times. And with the successes recorded by these operations, it will be unfair for anyone to say the President does not interfere in curbing the brigandage of the Fulani herdsmen.

Again, Gen. Akinrinade said that the President has performed woefully in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. But we all were aware when Boko Haram was infiltrating all the nook and crannies of this country prior to Buhari’s emergence as the President and even making ingress into Southern Nigeria. Markets were not safe, neither were schools and churches. As the Centre of attraction, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, was not safe also for anyone. It is a statement of fact that bombs were exploding everywhere in this country prior to President Buhari’s emergence as Nigeria’s democratic leader.

The fight against Boko Haram and other forms of criminalities have received priority attention under the Buhari administration and the men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have considerably downgraded similar threats across all geo-political zones. In fact, all the Local Governments and territories that were hitherto taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have long been recovered and are now occupied by displaced indigenes of these areas who were hitherto forced to seek a living in areas far from their ancestral homes.

More than a million displaced persons have returned to their homes and communities across the Northeast, since 2016. Thousands of hostages have been freed from Boko Haram captivity, including the majority of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted in April 2014, and 105 of the Dapchi Girls abducted in February 2018.

I think, with these efforts, history will always smile on President Buhari. And people like Gen. Akinrinade, who have chosen to be economical with the truth need to rather support the President to do more, since securing the nation is a collective effort and does not rest with one man.

Gen. Akinrinade also raised the issue of the President’s appointments not reflecting the heterogeneous composition of our country, Nigeria. What the General fails to comprehend is that President Buhari has never refused to honour the constitutional requirement to appoint people across the country in his government. But be that as it may, every President would prefer to appoint people that he/she would work closely with based on their competence, loyalty and trustworthiness, and not their ethnicity or religion. And the president has not hidden this fact. Moreover, all the actions and inactions of the administration will be solely placed on him after his tenure.

Gen. Akinrinade sounded sarcastic as if much is not done on the welfare of the security personnel. But credit must also be given to President Buhari for taking the interest of the military and other security agencies seriously. We are all aware of how the previous government diverted monies meant for the purchase of arms and the welfare of our security for personal use.
The Buhari administration has not only made sure that our security agencies have enough arms to fight terrorism and other forms of criminality, the government has approved and implemented new salary packages for the Military and Police. It has similarly, established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund as a public-private sector vehicle for alternative sources of funding security activities. This has gone a long way to motivate our security personnel to put in their best.

Above all, though, the request by Gen. Akinrinade to the COAS for more projects in Osun states is most baffling. May I kindly remind him that the Nigerian Army is not a projects development and execution agency. It is only Gen. Buratai’s leadership foresight and feeling for humanity that has introduced CSR projects from the Army’s meagre resources.

Again, agitations for succession as alleged by the retired General, have been with us in this country for a long time and this cannot be placed on the doorsteps of President Buhari. I am sure that Gen. Akninrinade knows this. As far as I am concerned, the President has done his best to keep the country as one.

Looking at the motley of problems he inherited, there are obvious signs that the country is heading towards the right direction. Statesmen like Gen. Akinrinade needs to seek the private attention of the President and offer genuine suggestions and advise; not by playing to the gallery or swimming in currents of politics like others.

Again, with all the noise and allegations that the President does not support the restructuring of the country, people like Gen. Akinrinade have suddenly forgotten that President Buhari and his party, the APC included devolution of power, true federalism in their manifesto. The party constituted a restructuring committee in 2019, headed by the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai. That committee has submitted its report to the party caucus which the President is a member. The President too endorsed the outcome.

But one thing people have failed to understand is that restructuring lies with the National Assembly. The President is not a military dictator; he cannot change anything by decree. Sovereignty in Nigeria now is vested in the National Assembly. Before restructuring can take place, there must be an act of the National Assembly to create that referendum. It is not the President that would do it by fiat or by Executive Order. It must go through the National Assembly. But already some Southerners like former President Olusegun Obasanjo are already kicking against the idea of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Let me again touch on the issue of herders/farmers clashes. The allegations that farmers have been forced to abandon their farms as a result of insecurity and as such famine is imminent is totally false because most of our displaced people have returned to their farms as a result of the stability in the security of the country.
More Nigerians have taken advantage of the opportunity in the agri-business sector initiative put in place by the government through the food security initiative, where the government is promoting “Grow What We Eat" and “Eat What We Grow." The CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and other similar schemes have rather attracted more farmers. With these initiatives and bumper harvests that we have experienced from the previous years, Nigeria cannot be borrowing grains from neighbouring ECOWAS countries as the retired General alleged. Akinrinade should know better.

Chief Shango is a veteran journalist and wrote from Abuja.

Edo Election: Read Captain Hosa Okunbo Statement after the outcome of the Election

In the past three months, pitched battles have raved In the airwaves, In the streets, in villages and in every hamlet across Edo State for the governorship seat at Dennis Osadebey Avenue, G.R.A Benin City,

Edo State and also the period I have witnessed the most orchestrated attacks on my person where I was continuously in defense because of my beliefs.

The Candidates presented their manifestos to the great people of Edo State.

Thankfully, the elections have been free and fair and peaceful.

The people have spoken in no uncertain terms.

It is incumbent upon me as a protagonist for the candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie lze-lyamu, to now issue a statement in my personal capacity as a private citizen as I did at various times during the campaign.

First of all, I congratulate the people of Edo State who took their civic responsibility with a sense of urgency and trooped out to express themselves.

I also wish to congratulate His Excellency, the Incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki for winning the mandate to continue for another four years. Congratulations.

May the next four years take the state to the promised land under your leadership.

As a loyal citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an lndigene of Edo State, I urge all of the people at home and abroad to join hands with the governor to build a vibrant democracy, and also to build a vibrant economy where the youths can find gainful employment in an atmosphere of peace and security.
God bless the people of Edo State and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Abu Duniya

In the last few weeks, Nigerians have been inundated with cries of condemnations from the members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) about the behind-the-scenes photos and a 12-minute-clip from the set of Nollywood movie titled, ‘Fatal Arrogance,’ still in the oven or production room. The movie which is produced by Anosike Kingsley Orji, was shot in Enugu, the Coal City and has a veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, playing the lead role.

Predictably, the movie title is derived from the book written by a security analyst cum activist, Mr. Terrence Kuanum. What many are confused is why the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) would be jittery over a movie that is still under production and has not yet been released to the public?

Already, the group has started pointing accusing fingers at some highly respected security institutions and its leadership, claiming those they consider as their enemies are responsible for sponsorship of the movie production. An evil man is perpetually under the illusion that he is being haunted. So, the IMN have also accused the lead actor, Pete Edochie of lending credibility to the movie as well as depicting and portraying the terrorist group and its arrow-head of terror , Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, in a demeaning manner.

But this is a movie whose official trailer is yet to be released, and the name of the IMN leader is not mentioned. How come IMN is already agitated and making allegations? That’s the “Fatal Mistake” in the whole sordid drama by the outlaws in IMN, which best illustrates the efficacy of the axiom that evildoers perpetually dread their shadows, even when they are nowhere near anyone’s target. Are the outlawed IMN members afraid of their own shadows. That’s the power of retributive justice.

The IMN has no right of attacking and condemning Pete Edochie for taking a role in any movie. He is a professional actor and provided his services to the hirer for a fee and it is legitimate. Why are IMN member bothered about the credibility of Edochie? Has their leader, El-Zakzaky any credible credibility, outside lies, incitement to breach of public peace, violence and bloodshed, killings and terrorism ?

Film acting is a trade Edochie has been known for all his life. In the countless movies in which he has featured in the past, some of which he has played the role of a wicked King, from a setting depicting a particular people or culture, did those concerned took arms against him or hurled threats at him or why didn’t the IMN complain then? The IMN has no veto powers to pass judgment on the person of Pete Edochie and his professional career.

The IMN and their violent activities are not new to anyone, hence the people and Government of Nigeria have always been critical of them. First, the movement fundamentally believes and proclaims that there is no government except the tin god they profess allegiance in some foreign country.

The same leader and founder of the group, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, whom they are claiming has been portrayed in a demeaning manner in the movie, has since the early 1980s, called for an Islamic revolution to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, an end to Western influence in the country and the stringent adoption of Islamic legal codes, principles and systems violently. This same group is very critical of Northern Nigeria’s traditional, religious and political elite.

The IMN has a history of violence even though they claim they have a reputation for upholding peace even at the peak of unprovoked attacks. The group has a history of clashes with the Nigerian security forces and other Muslim groups.

In 1991, El-Zakzaky and his followers clashed with security forces in Katsina.
In 1996, his followers seized and decapitated a Christian on the allegation that his wife used pages torn from the Quran to clean their infant baby. What a shame to humanity! Precisely in June 2005, this same group clashed with the emirate authorities in Sokoto, over access to the city’s central mosque. In July 2007, the sect masterminded the murder of a Sunni cleric in Sokoto, Umar Dan Maishiya, who had been highly critical of the IMN and its activities . It sparked reprisal attacks that killed at least five persons and destroyed many of their homes.


Members of the IMN and supporters of El-Zakzaky had in September 2009, clashed with police in Zaria, leading to injuries and deaths on both sides. The group had another major clash with the military, during a pro-Palestinian procession in Zaria on 25 July 2014, and three sons of El-Zakzaky, all undergraduates at the time lost their lives.

Are these imaginary images of the outlawed IMN? Why are they questioning the contents of “Fatal Mistake,” even if directed at them? Normal human beings protest what is falsehoods; but truth cannot be blurred and IMN should not place itself in a position to continue to intimidate and harass other Nigerians with their foolery.

Indeed, the relationship between IMN and the Government has always been characterized by antagonisms and recurrent hostilities. The Government views IMN as an extremist group building up the critical mass it needs to eventually turn incontrollable like the Boko Haram sect, while they (IMN) claim the Government want to wipe it out. No one quarrels with it; but the outlawed IMN must necessarily create its own country to operate by a different set of rules or laws, but not in Nigeria.

Their aberration are serial. In 2015, this same group blocked the road in Kaduna state, denying the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and his convoy passage, while on official duty, when he was en-route to a military ceremony in the city of Zaria. Hundreds of armed members of the group barricaded General Buratai’s way, brandishing clubs and chanting Allahu Akbar (God is great), on the flimsy excuse that their leader was to use the same public road at about that time. What impunity! Even at this incident, the incensed IMN members cracked the trouble first.

They ignored warnings to disperse, then started pelting the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff with dangerous objects. The troops responsible for the Army Chief’s safety had to protect him by clearing the barricades forcefully, but did so in accordance with the Army’s rules of engagement and code of conduct. If a group who claims to be a peaceful religious can go to the extent of blocking and attacking the convoy of COAS of the country, then there is absolutely nobody that the group will be afraid of.

Again the death of a Deputy Police Commissioner, Usman Umar, who was fatally shot, and the many others that were injured in the violent protest by the IMN in Abuja in 2019 is still fresh in our minds. If not for the aggressive and intolerant nature of this group, Precious Owolabi, a youth Corps Member and Channels Television reporter would still be alive. This intolerant group has left a hole in the hearts of the deceased parents and relatives and they will grieve for a lifetime. Nigerians have not forgotten it.

The IMN has no face saving because Nigerians know them as a violent group. What the group fails to understand is that, the movie which they are so much afraid of, has just a fraction of their atrocities to tell Nigerians. The whole world knows about their activities and penchant for violence. Their condemnation and aspersions on the producers and entire cast of the yet-to-be released movie has rather helped to give it the needed publicity. In fact, we are now looking forward to the release date. We are all waiting to watch this movie.

Duniya is a public affairs commentator and wrote from Kaduna.

The National Peace Committee, headed by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, had yesterday ensured that the candidates of the APC and PDP came together to sign the traditional peace pact in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the governorship election in Edo state come Saturday September 19, 2020.

While the two frontline candidates came together to sign and even hugged themselves to the glare of the watching public, the reality on the ground does not seem to reflect that the election will be peaceful, based on intelligence reports gathered so far from various local government areas and flashpoints in the state it shows that politicians from both parties have armed and contracted political thugs that will carry out violence on the day of the election.

Even though we have noticed the heavy presence of armed policemen across the state I am certain that they will definitely compromise and let politicians have their way because there has been inadequate preparedness for these policemen that have been left to sleep on the streets, buses, trucks or in some cases begging to sleep on corridors of some residents.

A University lecturer at the Kwararafa University, Dr Uzah Thomas, has observed the prevailing security situation in Northeast Nigeria and what has been reported in the media and concluded that efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and that of the military in dealing with security situation in the region is grossly underreported.

Dr.Thomas who is also the head of Mass Communication Department of the University, said the percentage of progress by the Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry far exceeds what the public has been made aware of.

"What I've seen has opened my eyes to so many things and I must say that President Buhari has lived up to his promise of tackling the security situation in the Northeast," said Dr.Thomas who is on a tour of the Northeast east organized by an international NGO  with some local CSOs to ascertain the return of peace to Northeast Nigeria. 

He said, "Before embarking on this tour, I am one of those who have expressed reservations about any claim to victory by our troops.

"This is because the reports and comments on both the mainstream and social media on the fight against terrorism and banditry, have not been sufficient to convince me that the progress is being made."

He said the under reportage could be as a result of two things: "either the military has not been blowing its horns enough or the press has refused to do the needful by putting the right and sufficient information across to the general public." 

Dr. Thomas said either way, the low level media coverage is not fair to the military which have given everything including their lives to secure and defend the country. 

"These are men and officers who have given up everything; their comfort, families and even lives to be at the battlefield, yet we have not shown appreciation by projecting the right image of what they are doing at the battlefield," he said.

The University Don said going by what he has seen in the tour of the Northeast, media houses should have in addition to on the spot reports,  written copious editorials and commentaries to commend the military.

He said in saner climes, apart from reporting what happens at the battlefield, media houses make it a point of duty to support patriotic causes and actions by adopting editorial policies that promotes their troops.

Dr. Uzah said he expects no less from the Nigerian press who are aware of the level of destruction by the Boko Haram in the Northeast before they were defeated by the Nigerian military.

He said the fact that no less than 20 number of local governments across three states of the federation have been recaptured by the military should have inspired copious verses eulogising the military. 

He added that from the point of view of a mass communication expert, it would appear that the terrorists are faring better in the media with their cheoa lies and propaganda. 

"Almost every day you hear that Shekau has either done this or that or that he has released a video clip on YouTube either claiming victory or threatening people.

"But reports about military conquests are done without follow-ups and accompanying features and editorials that would put the stories in their right perspectives.

"This is why many are of the opinion that not much has been achieved by the military despite the huge success recorded in the regard," he said.

Dr. Uzah said he can confirm from the tour that peace has returned to most parts of the Northeast and that majority of the communities hitherto living under the threat of terrorists are now living in peace. 

The Don pleaded with pressmen and online journalists to shed more light on the President’s achievements in the six states in the Northeast. 

"I encourage to embark on similar tours to see things for themselves and confirm how roads, markets, worship centres and schools have been reopened," he stated .

He said despite pockets of attacks on soft targets in some parts of Borno State, there are overwhelming evidence that President Buhari has done tremendously well in securing the Northeast. 

Dr. Thomas said if the people of the Northeast want the military to consolidate on its feat so far, they also need to contribute.

He said, "Boko Haram will be a thing of the past if the stakeholders in that area avail themselves of the strategies in other areas.

"These include cooperating with the military and giving the necessary information as well as encouraging the political leaders to engage the youths in productive ventures."

He was full of commendation to the NGOs for initiating the tour saying they have set an agenda for the media.

*CSOs commend FG, for resettlement of IDPs after Boko Haram crisis*

Following an end to Boko Haram hostilities and restoration of peace in Gombe State, the Federal Government and the state government have been applauded for resettling Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities. 

The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) gave this commendation in a communique at the end of its assessment tour round the state alongside local civil society groups. 

In the communique signed by its team leader, Terrence Kuanum and released on Monday, GAW rated the state government high in its efforts to complement the successful clearance operation of the military. 

Gombe was at the thick of things during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis between 2013 and 2014, with hundreds killed and thousands rendered homeless.

In December 2014, a bus station bombing in Gombe city left more than 27 persons dead and over 60 injured. 

However, the state has witnessed a new lease of life in the last five years. 

The GAW said after transversing the entire state in 14 days, it observed that peace has returned and IDPs are now back to their communities, living normal lives. 

It added that the military through combat operations and surveillance effectively chased away the insurgents and secured the liberated communities. 

The group also showered praises on the state government for swiftly resettling IDPs. 

According to the GAW, the recent donation of land by the state government for the building of army barracks and others such gestures are welcomed. 

The GAW also commended President Muhammadu Buhari's administration for "freeing millions of people from the hands of terrorists and restoring their hope in Nigeria by returning them to their communities".

It added that the " Buhari administration has been a source of blessing to thousands of communities in Gombe State and the media and CSO's should not fail to mention that as a way of encouraging the administration to do more.

GAW, however, suggested the need for global vigilance across the state to sustain the peace. 

It further called on other state governments having similar security challenges to learn from the Gombe.

#Edo2020: You Are Not in the plans of Politicians So Don't Be a Tool in Their Hands.

As the Edo state September 19 Governorship election draws closer politicians have begun to run around the nooks and crannies in other to secure the votes of the people, they are not just going around to solicit for votes alone they are also recruiting those who they may want to use to cause violence on that day while they have completely tucked away their kids.

However, it seems that we never get to learn from our past that we are never in the plans of these politicians as soon as they get into office, in the last few weeks we have heard of incidences of violence in the state that has either led to the loss of lives and properties all because our politicians want to win elections.

The people they use to cause this violence around the states are not ghost they are in our communities they live and eat with us.

Therefore it will be wise to exercise your rights and vote your choice of candidates without any form of inducement or contribution to subvert the will of the people or attempt to cause violence on behalf of politicians that do not have you in their equation.

Benedict Aguele is a new media strategists and wrote this piece from the ancient city of Benin. #EdoDecides2020

*Edo 2020: Flash Polls scores Obaseki 76.3%, Ize-Iyamu 23.7% on CHANNELS TV Guber Debate*

*_…respondents rank Obaseki higher on elocution, firm grasp of development issues rubrics_*

Shortly after the CHANNELS Television Governorship Debate which featured candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday night, the result just received from Flash Poller, an international pollster, shows Obaseki garnered 76.3 per cent of the positive votes while APC’s Ize-Iyamu scored 23.7 per cent.

The viewers who were sampled randomly by Flash Poller, noted that the Edo State Governor and standard bearer of the PDP, demonstrated a firm understanding of development issues, namely; resource mobilisation, partnership with development actors such as the World Bank and his high premium on due process, transparency and the rule of law.

Some participants linked Obaseki’s outstanding performance in the area highlighted above, to his vast experience in the corporate world, his finance background, his eight-year job as head of the Economic Management Team in the state and his four years as governor of the state.

“From Obaseki’s presentation, it is glaring that he understands modern tools of development and governance, such as the effective deployment of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and strategic partnership with the private sector, traditional institution and other development actors,” a viewer of the CHANNELS TV Debate, and poll respondent, told Flash Poller.

However, Ize-Iyamu’s 23.7 per cent votes came on the back of his perceived ability to galvanise the political class, given his longer history in partisan politics. But the viewers surveyed said they wouldn’t know how this affinity with the political class would translate to enhanced socio-economic status for majority of Edo people.

Specifically, the sampled population for the poll scored Obaseki higher than the APC candidate in elocution, presentation, comportment, appreciation of issues, use of rebuttal, use of argument, factuality and comportment, amongst other rubrics, with an average score of 7 to 3, in favour of the PDP candidate.

Ize-Iyamu lost points when the viewers surveyed expressed higher readiness to entrust the state’s resources in the hands of the PDP candidate, as according to them “Ize-Iyamu failed to acknowledge some achievements of the Obaseki-led administration, such as education reforms; projects like the Ossiomo Independent Power Plant and the Edo Modular Refinery, which are on ground in the state.”

The respondents added: “In a debate of this nature, debaters score higher when they are honest. Ize-Iyamu should have acknowledged those achievements of Obaseki. Failure to do that means he is not truthful and cannot be trusted by viewers. You must be seen to be trustworthy. He was in a hurry to outshine and outdo Obaseki, so he thought debate is about plenty talk to discredit or rubbish your opponent.”

The debate grading or scoring rubrics used in the survey, included; presentation, comportment, appreciation of issues, use of rebuttal, use of argument, factuality, mutual respect, questions for opponent; elocution and use of time.

Flash Polls, according to Barometr.com, “are a type of survey designed to quickly reach a target audience with a time-sensitive goal. They can take on a variety of forms and are popular in many sectors. Although used frequently during political campaigns, flash polls are common across all sectors.
“Most flash polls are based on pre-built templates. This allows them to be deployed rapidly in response to an event or major topic. Due to their limited time-frame, they rely heavily on statistical inference to make up for a limited sample size.”

The population of the surveyed group comprised people located in Edo State and other parts of the world, who watched the CHANNELS TV Governorship Debate, and are very familiar with the issues surrounding the Edo gubernatorial election.

By: Michael Ovienmhada

We have seven days to go until elections are held in my beloved Edo State, home to a long history of a great people and great Kings who by sheer brute strength and wisdom grew a small city into a large empire stretching through the entire present day Yoruba land, except for Ijebu kingdom through Dahomey and Togo to present day Southern Ghana. Think about this for a moment— where did the name Osagyefoh Nkrumah —- come from? —- Osagie. Where did Dahomey come from?—— Isidahomen. Our peoples have never bowed down to any Empire—- at least, they never did, until the British Empire appeared in the horizon with gunpowder, Bayonets and huge canons with capacity to inflict much casualty. A people are a microcosm of their past and present and future. The core of the character of a people never really changes. It is inscribed in the DNA of its people.

It is in this light we must see the recent award given to Captain Hosa by Forbes Africa. It is instructive to note that there are over 1.3 billion people on the African continent stretching from Cape Coast to Algiers. To be singled out as worthy of honor is a great feat worthy of celebration by one’s own people. Instead, what do we have?

How true resonates the timeless words of the all time Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of glory, when He said —- a prophet is never without honor except in his own country and among his own people.

As Captain Hosa Okunbo is being honored by foreigners who have seen and have evaluated him to be the kind of man who needed to be allowed to shine that he may shine the light on the coming generations —that they too can do it—- we have his home State government actually maligning him and pulling down industrial structures he has built over thirty years in business on the altar of political expediency.

This brings my mind to a larger Nigerian problem where individuals who are not schooled in the intricacies and complexities of power over a State or country are handed the task of governing a people. In Edo State, according to the last population census, there are 4.2 million inhabitants. What this means is that a man charged with the responsibility over such a great number of people must first of all recognize that there are 4.2 million individual opinions that will be expressed everyday and all of these 4.2 million opinions are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic. These opinions are expressed not because any of these individuals hate the governor but because they are breathing and moving entities each of whom is a Stakeholder in the overall well-being of the State. Only a man who is not prepared for power would say over and over—- As the Executive Governor of Edo State—- as the Chief Security officer of the State—- as the number one citizen of the State—- (who dey follow you strungle)?

Let the imposition of Obaseki as Governor in 2016, be a lesson to all of us in how not to choose a successor. We must have a process that allows people come forward to speak freely to a man’s character before we give such a man responsibility over millions of lives.

It beats my mind why anyone who is already governor would still feel so small-minded enough to want to remind us that he is governor. As the governor makes one unforced error after another every single day, I just wonder. The other day at the Palace, as the world watched in real time, Obaseki had a chance to seize the moment but clearly, as the saying goes—- if you don’t ‘garrit,’ you don’t ‘garrit.’ Governor Godwin Obaseki simply does not ‘garrit.’ As he took that microphone, he could have spoken differently—like—- Your Royal Majesty, May the God of heaven establish you on the throne of your fathers and establish your generations forever. You have spoken well. I have heard your admonition very clearly. This matter ends today. Oshiomhole is my political father. Osagie Ize-Iyamu is my younger brother———-and there would have been no further contestation for Osadebey House. Godwin. Nogheghase Obaseki does not ‘garrit.’

There is a stuff, a cloth from which great men are cut. When you look at the list of things Captain Hosa has been involved in and the number of successes he has recorded, you must doff your hat for this ‘Okunrin meta.’ I should know. I started business in 1978 long before he made his first investment in anything. He is older by one year and three days. We share a common history of evolution. Most of all, we share a certain level of courage that you only find in men who have walked where Lions fear to tread. I am talking about real ‘Elephant’ men. Hosa is an Elephant man. He creates a road in the forest. We have a saying in Esan—- (Egie Eni mu uhomo ee olè odé). I have great admiration for men of courage. This is why it would be an honor for me to meet him. I congratulate you, Captain Hosa on the occasion of this award from Forbes.

As Governor, a man like that should be your friend. You need him. He does not need you. As Governor, Hosa should be at your Sunday lunch at Osadebey House every Sunday. Imagine if Hosa brings ten billionaires to Edo State in the course of your 4-year administration, you would have started an industrial revolution in Edo State.

It is sad that as the world honors Captain Hosa, the Governor of his State works up a frenzy to sponsor a new article to demand that Okunbo should disclose identities of 3000 Niger Delta militants who work for him as security personnel for Pipeline protection in the creeks of the Niger Delta. Captain Hosa is not a candidate for election in Edo State. Oshiomhole is not a candidate for election in Edo State. The Obaseki propaganda machine has run its course. The day of reckoning is a mere 8 days away. One thing is clear. When the smoke clears and the thunder abates, only one man will be standing next week Saturday.

Only the man who ‘garrit’ will be standing for only one big reason. The man who ‘garrit’ knows one thing. You don’t fight City Hall.

Michael Ovienmhada.
Farmer, Author, Playwright, Poet and Public Affairs Commentator. I write because I am involved.
Email: omeekey@hotmail.com.

Prince Emmanuel Odigie has congratulated the chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ocean Marine Solutions Ltd Captain Hosa Wells, Okunbo on the occasion of his Forbes best of Africa award for his work in connecting Africa to the world.

Prince Emmanuel Odigie in a statement in Benin City, said the award on the business mogul and philanthropist is a testament to his immense contribution to the society, and one that is well deserved he encouraged other well meaning Nigerians and Edolite to follow in the footsteps of Captain Hosaosa Wells Okunbo so as to make our society, nation a better place.

He also commended the organizers of the award for finding Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo worthy of the award saying there are still organization who can recognize those who truly are contributing their quota even at a time the world is facing great challenges.

Sir. You are a shining star, Edo's finest and pride. May God Almighty continue to strengthen you, perfect your health, favour and bless you richly.
Congratulations sir.

An investigation by the Coalition of Human Rights Groups in Nigeria (CHRGN) has revealed that notorious Benue militia leader, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana was killed after an exchange of gunfire with the military.

CHRGN made its findings known in a report signed by its special rapporteur, Edward Omaga and unveiled at a press conference on Friday in Abuja. 

Gana, whose act of terror lingered for over five years in Benue and parts of Taraba State was finally gunned down on Tuesday at a roadblock mounted by the army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road. 

CHRGN said it then embarked on a fact-finding mission to clear the doubts of the Benue State Government and some prominent political figures in the state over the death. 

The group said it relied on information provided by eyewitnesses, other locals in the area of the incident and aggregated the views of local vigilante groups operating within that area.

It added that opinions of some political actors were aggregated as well to form a background to the amnesty programme initiated by the state government. 

As part of its findings, the coalition disclosed that "indeed there was a shoot-out between Gana and his boys in an entourage of about 20 vehicles driving dangerously along the Makurdi-Gboko road when they were accosted by troops from the 4 Special Forces Command in Nasarawa State who had mounted a spontaneous roadblock acting on Intel on the movement of a large convoy with sporadic shootings".   

It added that "indeed the late Gana who was seating on top of one of the vehicles opened fire at the military checkpoint and at that point, there was pandemonium and sounds of gunshots rented the air. 

" We also gathered that the identity of Gana was not initially ascertained, not until he was neutralized that his identity was confirmed. By then, he had sustained gunshot wounds that ultimately led to his death". 

The coalition also revealed that the state government kept the movement of Gana and his gang from the troops and this indeed caused a communication breach and the Nigerian Army acting in Intel of the movement of a large cache of arms along that axis mounted an improvised checkpoint.  

The report added, " that it was when news reached the governor that he made frantic efforts to reach the military commanders in the state, informing them that Gana was his guest and that he was on his way to Makurdi to surrender for the Amnesty Programme of the State government. 

"It was at this point the governor was informed that there had been a shoot-out with Gana and his team members and he sustained gunshot injuries. We gathered that the governor was furious and consequently called for a press conference alleging that the Nigerian Army killed Gana despite having knowledge of his movement from his base to Makurdi the state capital". 

The Coalition of Human Rights Groups in Nigeria, therefore, concluded, that there was a communication gap between the State Government and the Nigerian Army in the operation in Benue-Taraba Axis. 

It said the movement of such a large cache of firearms should ordinarily attract the attention of the security operatives if indeed the said Gana was on his way to embrace amnesty. 

While repelling the notion that it was an extra-judiciously killing, the report, however, warned state governments against initiating or implementing amnesty programmes without proper communication with security agencies.

Sustainable long-term growth and development is a function of an enabling environment for investment and entrepreneurship to thrive.

Over the years in Nigeria however while there has been a lot of talk, few governments at all levels have ever been able to articulate and give practical meaning to the concept of “creating an enabling environment” for enterprise.

China has been able to move over eight hundred million of her citizens out of poverty in four decades, by understanding and applying the concept of ecosystems.

The Chinese government where the government provides public goods and services and the environment that enables enterprises to be established and to grow, which has made China the manufacturing and logistics capital of the world, with every major industry carrying out their production in China.

The Edo state government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, has successfully applied the concept of ecosystems to unprecedented impact, which has set the state up to become a major hub for an emerging industrialized Nigeria. The Obaseki job creation focus has been able to reach a combined 169thousand beneficiaries directly and several hundred thousand more indirectly, which can be confirmed by the 6% drop in unemployment rate, from 25.1% in Q2 2018 to 19% in Q2 2020, per the recently released numbers by the National Bureau of Statistics.


For political reasons there have been vigorous attempts to pour scorn on the entire programme, by the opposition even when the facts state otherwise. It is clear that Edo deserves to be put on the path of mending, in order to change the negative narratives about the state over the medium to long term, built on a solid economic and productive base rather than propaganda as has become the norm with the All Progressives Congress.

The opposition cannot claim that the World Bank that gave the Edo state government commendation, over the success of its job creation programmes, was bought over by the Obaseki administration, as the World Bank group is known to base its assessments on facts on the ground.

The APC town criers, in the interests of the continued development of edo state, would do well to also refer to the BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit publication of November 2019, which after due diligence, confirmed that Edo State had created over 150,000 jobs between year 2016 and November 2019.

It cannot be denied that BusinessDay is an independent media outfit and one of the few Newspapers in Nigeria that cannot be said to have any partisan interests in its operations, while dishing out business and economy specific publications.


It is a known fact that Edo Jobs has attracted the largest number of private and international partners, and these wouldn’t have keyed into the programme if it wasn’t properly conceptualized and backed by verifiable good faith of the state government.

The likes of Uber, MainOne, Facebook, Google, Amazon, EdoBits, GIZ, Slot Foundation, Pan Atlantic University (SME Toolkit), Curators Academy, Amena Academy, Sabihub, PIND and eOutSource among several others wouldn’t have put their name and brands behind a project that looks or smells like the regular Nigerian government jamboree.


The naysayers would do well to consult the beneficiaries, under the auspices of Edojobs, who themselves as youth, traders, artisans and business owners around the state have come out to testify all over the internet and in their communities about the impact of the Edo Jobs programme in their lives.

Edo state is on course to become a model manufacturing and creativity hub in Africa and the APC would do well to give commendation or highlight areas where the programme can be improved upon to make Edo an investment destination rather than trying to pull down the entire programme for partisanship.

The choice before the people of Edo, in the upcoming election, is whether innovative projects, conceived and executed based on solid data collection and analysis, such as Edo Agripreneurs Scheme, Edo Independent Farmer Initiative, Edo Innovates and Edo Agric Cluster among other, should be sustained and consolidated upon and their decision will be based on facts not the tissue of lies and propaganda that has become the stock-in-trade of the sinking APC ship in the State. To give the notion that its not national but limited to Edo state

*Security: Nigerian troops deserve  commendation for killing Benue most wanted criminal - Group*

The Benue Good Governance Crusade (BGGC) says the military deserves commendation for ridding Benue of its most-notorious militia leader, Terwase Akwaza popularly known as 'Gana'. 

The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa state, Monday Ali, told journalists on Tuesday that Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire.

The Benue State Government had in 2015 granted amnesty to over 500 persons including Gana, who were terrorising parts of Benue and Taraba states, but most of them relapsed into criminality.

Gana was later in 2017 declared wanted by the police while the Benue State Government placed an N10 million bounty on him.

In a press statement signed by its  President, Comrade Boniface Terkula, on Thursday, the Benue group welcomed the killing of Gana, saying it marks the "end of the reign of terror perpetrated by the now-deceased militia leader". 

"We commend the Nigerian troops of Operation Ayem Akpatuma and the military for neutralizing the notorious killer that Terwase Akwaza “Gana” was even as we urge them to note that their job is not yet done on account of the terrorist’s many lieutenants that have taken flight and possibly hiding among the civilian population," Terkula wrote. 

"Gana with his fighters have been responsible for killing many indigenes and other Nigerians during his reign of terror and extortion with him and his gang known to have been responsible for many of the killings around the Benue/Taraba axis. Many of these killings were staged to have ethnic colouration such that even more lives are lost in their aftermath as communities and ethnic nationalities carry out counter-attacks against the wrong enemies because they are unaware that Gana’s evil was at work.

" He was responsible for cattle rustling in the areas where he operated and this had in several instances led to numerous crisis between the Tiv and the Jukun, and on several occasions bloody and catastrophic strife between Tiv farmers and Fulani pastoralists who attack communities where their cattle have been rustled without realizing that Gana’s militants were responsible. 

" We note that Gana had prior to his death reportedly surrendered, was received by prominent leaders in Katsina-Ala and was on the way to Makurdi, the state capital, before he met his end on the way. 

" However, we are aware that Gana staged a similar embrace of amnesty at the Benue State Government House in 2015 when he and his fighters turned in as many as 200 AK-47 rifles and other guns. But Benue people to get the shocker that Gana’s surrender then was a cover to move close up and exterminate those responsible for security in the state with the killing of the Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor on Security,  Denen Igbane, in 2016 being the start of Gana’s return to dealing terror.

" We are not ruling out the possibility that Gana’s last embrace of amnesty was a repeat of his old trick, which would have allowed him moved the supposedly surrendered weapons into the capital and do maximum damage to a state painfully reeling from strings of violence including the ones for which he was responsible. 

" The conflicting accounts of how Gana met his end, however, calls for investigation so that all concerned can get closure. While the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Ali, said Gana was neutralized when he engaged troops at a roadblock other accounts said he was arrested on the way to Makurdi in the company of some those who earlier received him in Katsina-Ala. 

" We believe an investigation will get to the root of what truly transpired. Where the investigation establishes that there was an extra-judicial execution, anyone found culpable in the act should be dealt with in accordance with the law". 

The Benue Good Governance Crusade, however, urged the military and the law enforcement agencies not to dwell on this controversy, allowing the militants under Gana’s command to flee and regroup to do more harm as was the case after the demise of Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram founder. 

" We appeal that the last of Gana’s followers be hunted down and brought to book now unless of course they embrace the amnesty programme and submit themselves for rehabilitation and reintegration into society," the statement added. 

" We further appeal to political, religious and traditional leaders in Benue state not to comment on Gana’s demise in a manner that idolizes him and become rallying cries for his militants since the state will pay dearly for such indiscretion".

Our Members Don't Engage in Illegalities: NYCN to the Self Appointed CBT President

Our attention at the Secretariat of the National Youth Council of
Nigeria has been drawn to certain falsehoods being peddled by
one Maxwell Akwuruoha, who is parading himself as the purported
President of the Computer Based Centers Proprietors Association in
Nigeria, against the person of the Registrar of Joint Admission and
Matriculations Board, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede and on the Integrity of
the teeming Nigerian Youth.

In a Press Conference organized by the Leadership of the NYCN,
The Council President; Amb Sukubo Seraigbe Sukubo said, Maxwell
Akwuruoha, whose status as a self -appointed President of a body
of CBT Centers’ Owners has been summarily denied by several
proprietors of CBT Centers dared to suggest that Prof. Oloyede was
executing a plot “to undermine CBT operators to build JAMB mega
centers across the country”.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria has been a worthy partner of
JAMB and had worked alongside Prof. Ishaq Oloyede in reforming
the hitherto badly run drainpipe that JAMB had become under
previous leadership, while consolidating on the migration to the use
of technology, even at a time some beneficiaries of the old order
were claiming that Nigeria is not ripe for technology-based testing.
Nigerians are aware of the more transparent manner in which the
examinations are now conducted and results disseminated, as
attested to by the broad range of stakeholders that are involved in
the process on different levels of supervision and observation, which
the NYCN has actively participated.

Without even going into describing the person of Prof. Is’haq
Oloyede, who is well known for his unwavering dedication to
defending and promoting the laws in every capacity he has served
in the Nigerian public service, it must be put on record that the said
Akwuruoha is a questionable character and lacks the locus standing
to speak on behalf of CBT operators in Nigeria. It is a verifiable fact
that he is not currently an owner of a CBT Center, having been
blacklisted for serially and intentionally violating the rules of
engagement as provided by JAMB.

For such a questionable character to purport to speak on behalf of such group, with a noble assignment in helping to mold the Nige ria’s leaders of tomorrow, is a travesty of all known principles of justice and fairness.

It is a matter of public knowledge that the management of JAMB
had exercised its right, in the interest of preserving the integrity of its
processes, to ask erring centers in a clear breach of express
procedural instructions they had been given. For anybody, no less
a serial violator of JAMB rules who had been so punished
appropriately, suggest that it was a witch -hunt born of sinister
motives is an unpatriotic act that is tantamount to an attempt to
undermine and circumvent the best interests of the long -term
sustainability of the state.

While we acknowledge that there were some errors, on the part of
JAMB’s technical services provider, as happens from time to time
even under the watch of technology giants, there is no excuse for
the CBT operators to have circumvented the process and
capitalize on the loophole to exploit Nigerian youth and "alleged
that the fraud was committed to allowing innocent Young Nigerians
meet up deadlines" The CBT operators involved should count
themselves lucky that they were only axed from JAMB and that
they were not sued for attempting to smear and defame the
the good name of JAMB as an organization.

The National Youth Council frowns at the self -serving attempt by Akwuruoha to drag
the Nigerian youths into his well deserved travails and shall not tolerate any attempt, under whatsoever guise, to use the interests of the youth of Nigeria to advance personal interests by people who lack credibility. The management of JAMB, for the record, has performed creditably well and given the organization a human face, while making it easier for all stakeholders to access the Board that in turn onboard and resolve them satisfactorily.
Therefore, the National Youth Council considers the position sold to the public by Maxwell Akwuruoha as repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience.

It is necessary for the management of JAMB and the legitimate CBT Centres' owners to take further steps in stripping Maxwell Akwuruoha of his pretenses and attempt to speak on behalf of law-abiding CBT Centres' owners across the country.

This will serve as deterrence to others who might want to toe the unwholesome and puerile steps of Maxwell Akwuruoha to undermine the interest of a national examination body and take undue advantage of Nigerian youths.

Former Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has written to Bancorp Bank in Minnesota in the United States that the alleged $757 million Dollars domiciled in an account in his name; was authorized by him in error; from a Rivers State Government Account with Access Bank Plc. The Nigerian most corrupt governor according to CNN letter reveals that a similar letter was also written to a bank in Switzerland; stating that a similar authorization was made in error.

The letter stated that the said transfers to both banks were for the purchase of security Helicopters, payments to a foreign company to combat malaria in Rivers state by using helicopters to spray mosquito insecticides, and for the purchase of an official residence for Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, in America.

The letter further explains that, the payments for the security helicopters, and mosquito insecticides to fight malaria were made through other sources, after the funds had already been transferred abroad. He reminded the bank that the Rivers state law on his severance package, provides for an official residence for a former governor; of which he chose to have his residence in America.

Amaechi said that, this law was later amended to have his official residence built in Nigeria, after the funds had already been transferred to Bancorp/Minnesota Account. Mr. Amaechi said these changes were the reasons he communicated the consultants for purchase of security helicopters, his official residence in the U.S and the Insecticide companies not to access the funds; since they have been paid through other sources.

On receipt of the governor's letter by the Bancorp Bank, the bank has written to the Federal Government of Nigeria to repatriate the said funds to Rivers State treasury. Investigations further revealed that President Buhari is not disposed to this request to repatriate the said funds without a trial of the former governor; to ascertain the governor's alleged errors in these transactions.

" Why would it take Christiane Amanpour of CNN, to remind Amaechi of such errors of over N80 billion Naira public funds in two different countries, and why in his name ?" Queried the Presidency.
Recall that Christiane Amanpour accused the former governor of Rivers State; Mr. Rotimi Amaechi of stacking the sum of $757 million dollars (N80 billion Naira) in Bancorp Bank in Minnesota in the United State. - Hope For Nigeria.

ATTEMPT TO TARNISH THE REPUTATION OF OCEAN MARINE SOLUTIONS (OMSL) AND CAPT. HOSA OKUNBO

BY JACKSON UDE

Our attention has once again been drawn to another, in the series of orchestrated, sponsored and malicious media onslaughts and blackmails against our company, OMSL and our respected chairman, Capt. Hosa Okunbo.

In the latest tirade tweeted by one Jackson Ude, whose trade in stock has been to fabricate utter falsehood and disseminate via multiple social media platforms, the pen-for-hire writer alluded to an alleged Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) contract, and attached bank statements from January to February, 2018 purported to reflect our transactions.

It is very laughable that Ude and his sponsors, as well as those mischievously escalating the fake news, clearly got it wrong, as their fabrication has holes in it.

Blinded by mischief and pull-him-down syndrome, they ought to have known that OMSL was not in contractual relationship with TFP as at February 2018. That assertion is completely false.

It should be stated that Jackson Ude is in the trade of tarnishing Nigerian brands with unsubstantiated contents. He had unsuccessfully attempted in 2015 to scandalise our company and Capt. Okunbo by creating a non-existent story linking us with the activities of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke while in office.

Only weeks ago, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had to petition the Inspector-General Police, demanding a thorough investigation of the blogger after publishing malicious story, in which he alleged that the suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, facing a presidential probe, told the investigative panel that he gave N4bn to Osinbajo. Not only has Magu debunked the claim; the panel has also released statement putting a lie to Ude’s allegation.

This is calling on unsuspecting public to be wary of Ude’s shenanigans, as we also wish to sound a note of warning to all those who have made it their pastime to sponsor malicious write-ups, tweets and online publications against OMSL and our chairman, that their day of reckoning is not far away.

We have put our legal team on notice to deal with such malicious write-ups.

We also urge the general public to kindly disregard the Ude mischievous tweets and similar others, for what they are: blatantly false and malicious.

Human Rights Activist, Comrade Isaac Ikpa, has described the current peace and security being enjoyed in parts of Borno State as comparable to what is obtainable in Rome and other peace capitals of the world.

Ikpa said he is making the comparison based on what has been achieved in terms of peace and security in the southern parts of the state and some major towns in the state where peace has returned.

The activist, who is currently on a tour the Northeast with a non governmental organisation, said what he has seen in areas that have suffered the worst forms of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists has rekindled his confidence in Nigeria and the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

Contributing an interim report of his findings while assessing the level of normalcy that has returned to the crisis ravaged state, Ikpa said it is unbelievable that within a short period of time, that peace and normalcy would return to certain parts Borno State to the extent that people do not consider threats by insurgents as something to be worried about anymore.

Ikpa said the general climate in Borno South senatorial zone is that of peace, hope and confidence as against the impression that people of the state living in fear. 

The activist said from what he has observed, it is the insurgents that are now living in fear as they are constantly on the run living in bushes and taking to their heels at the slightest view of troops.

He said the people of Southern Borno State from what he has seen so far, consider the Boko Haram terrorists as mere irritants who have been placed where they belong by the Nigerian military. 

"That fear that people usualy have when Boko Haram is mentioned is no longer there. "The military has demystified the group and exposed them to be a group of rag tag urchins seeking relevance.

"The days when people run to hide when the hear the name of Boko Haram is over with the coming of this administration coupled with how they've been degraded and subdued, the people have seen them in their sorry state and no longer fear them but even pity them," he stated.

The human rights activist said residents of the state capital of Maiduguri, are now living a typical example of how to ignore irritants. 

"They go about their normal business with calmness that you begin to ask yourself whether you're in Borno State.

When I spoke with some of the people to know where they derive their confidence from, I got to understand that they have come to realise the insurgents are not what they claim to be going by the defeat they have suffered in the hands of the military in recent times."

Comrade Ikpa said his visit to Chibok, Damboa and Askira Uba which were some of the worst affected areas has revealed to him the extent of the sacrifice made by the Nigerian army to protect the territorial integrity of the country and the success recorded.

He said, "These are areas people dare not go as the insurgents had a at time taken over them and were exercising control over them as if it was their country.

"But go there now and see how the military has secured the place by stationing men and officers in strategic positions."

He said places like Gwoza and Biu which were equally being threatened by the insurgents in the past cannot remember the last time they lost sleep as a result of insurgency. 

"The people of Gwoza, if you remember very well, even came out to applaud Nigerian troops when  they were passing by as a result of the sacrifice they made to liberate them from the insurgents."

He called on the people of the other parts of the state to emulate the people of Southern Borno and extend a hand of coperation to the military. 

The activist is also of the opinion that if the people of the other zones can call on the insurgents to surrender, they would listen to them and lasting peace would return to the state. 

"They'll listen to them because they're their people and in order for the state to reclaim its glory as the Home of Peace," he stated.

Comrade Ikpa lauded the military for their efforts in the Northeast and Borno in particular saying they have won back the confidence of the people and prayed they be rewarded for their efforts.

He also acknowledged the contribution community leaders in the state saying without their coperation not much would have been achieved in sustaining the peace. 

He commended the Buhari administration for doing all in its power to restore the entire country back to normalcy and the much achieved in that regard. 

"Buhari on inauguration as president, promised Nigerians three things and one of them is to improve on the security situation in the country and I think he has achieved that with what I have seen in Borno," Ikpa concluded.

Boko Haram: Zulum and the new direction for peace in Borno State

By Richard Murphy  

It was American author and philosopher, John Fuhrman who once stated that "Successful leadership comes from the willingness to, at first, do something incorrectly, face the consequences, make adjustments, and do it again – until you get it right."

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, as a good leader, has demonstrated a belief in dynamic leadership that learns from experience and brings out the better in him.
The governor may not have heard of the Fuhrman philosophy but going by the current cooperation he is giving the Nigerian military it could be said that Zulum may have decided to make adjustment to his earlier stance in order to bring quality leadership to his people.

Those who did not understand the dynamics of leadership had thought that going by the comments of the Borno governor on the military in the past, that he is one who sees nothing good in the institution and would always prefer to confront the military.

The governor had on few occasions challenged the military in what many have interpreted as his disposition to antagonize the institution. 
He had for instance accosted military men on check point  duties in Maiduguri in January and accused them of extorting commuters.
He also accused troops of abandoning the people and fleeing when there was an attack on Auno, near Maiduguri.

The height of it all was when he blamed the attack on his convoy on the military and threatened that after Sallah that he is going back to Kukawa and that if the military are not ready that he will use hunters to recapture Baga.

But lately,  the governor has shown remorse for his hot air vituperations on the military and has been accommodating and extending hands of cooperation with the troops.
His words at the Nigerian Army University Biu launching of the Buratai Centre at Buratai was captivating enough to show that he is a dynamic leader who wants to solve problems.
He was bold as a leader to apologize to the military at that occasion and even went ahead to praise their efforts. 

Zulum on another occasion at Ajiri village of Mafa Local Government Area while addressing hundreds of the newly returned IDPs,  called on unrepentant members of Boko Haram to lay down their arms saying  his government is doing everything possible to return all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes. The governor said the Boko Haram members should know that the IDPs who have returned or willing to return to their communities are directly or indirectly parents or relations of the insurgents that are eager to pick up their pieces and continue their normal lives.

He said, "I am using this medium to call on Boko Haram sect to lay down their arms for peace to reign in our dear state and the country at large.
"I am appealing to all of you to continue pray for the restoration of peace and cooperate with the security agencies in the fight against terrorism." By these submissions, the governor can be said to be charting a new course for peace in Borno State.

His call on the terrorists to surrender and lay down their arms for peace to return is one of the ways experts have suggested for peace to return to the troubled state. This is because, as troops engage the insurgents in combat, there is the need to appeal to their senses of reasoning and persuade and convince the youths about the stupidity of their actions by people they know and respect. 

This is a genuine call that must be matched by actions and all the stakeholders in Borno State must come together to support him. 
The truth is, if every family in Borno State is calling their own to order and every elite in Abuja is calling out the terrorists, while every stakeholder is denouncing the terrorists as the governor has done, it will mark the end of the terrorists as they will also know that  Borno like other states in the Northeast east is no longer available for their evil ways. 

Experts have posited that once the terrorists are ideologically disarmed, the citizens will see the need to support the military and in less than no time the war would end. As the governor now accepts that the military is working and commends their efforts, it is sure bet that they will be encouraged to do more.

This is preferable to the earlier position of the governor that seeks to undermine their efforts. To be sincere, the military has given much to Borno that they deserve nothing less.

Between April and July this year, the military liquidated over 2,000 of the insurgents including not less than 20 of their top commanders while many of their informants were arrested. 
The military also made many of the terrorists to surrender and lay down their arms having come under superior fire power.

The efforts and sacrifice of the military since the insurgency began in 2009, cannot be over emphasized. The military since the coming of the current administration has been able to overrun the operational base of the Boko Haram terrorists at Sambisa forest and recaptured not less than 11 local councils in Borno State alone.

 The Nigerian military has made it possible for many IDPs to return to their communities and open up roads that were hitherto made too dangerous to travel on by the insurgents such that between 2015 and 2018 people do not need to cross check before setting out on any journey within or outside the state .

The Nigerian military had this year also been able to ward off attacks in so many locations in the state including the latest attempt to penetrate Maiduguri, the state capital. This is apart from the many interventions on the socio economic sphere like the building of universities. 

Of no less significance, is the call by the Borno State Governor on the terrorists to surrender. This is a big initiaitve coming from the governor as it would send the right signal to the insurgents that the political class that they are wary of is ready to accept them. This is Something that the political class in Borno have failed to do over many years ago. 
As Zulum has taken that initiative, it is not too late for others to follow as that would complement what the military is doing .

All Borno and Zulum’s kinsmen that want to support his administration must wake up to this call made by Zulum. They must support the Governor as he leads this politico-diplomacy engagement to end of Boko Haram in not only Borno State, but Nigeria as a whole.


Murphy is a security expert and wrote from Calabar.