₦airaland Forum

*Boko Haram: Centre accuses Red Cross of peddling falsehood to discredit Nigerian authorities, local CSOs*


The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has accused the International Committee on Red Cross (ICRC) of a deliberately peddling falsehood to undermine the efforts of the Nigerian military in the North-East.

The Centre believes the international humanitarian organisation is misrepresenting facts in a bid to mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

This trails a recent report where the Red Cross alleged that nearly 22,000 Nigerians are missing in the North-East.

This figure, according to the ICRC, represented the highest number of missing persons registered in any country.

At a world press conference on Monday in Abuja, CESJET revealed that there is a campaign of calumny by the ICRC against the Military’s counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of CESJET, Executive Director, Isaac Ikpa, said that there's no element of truth in the piece, describing it as a propaganda to dampen the morale of the troops, especially at a time the military recorded massive gains in the fight against terrorism.

The Centre, therefore, advised Red Cross to desist from commenting on issues outside their operational purview and concentrate on providing humanitarian services that it is known for.

While urging Nigerians to always verify such reports, the Centre, however, called on the ICRC to tender an unreserved apology to the military authorities, as well as withdraw the statement credited to it.

Read full statement below:

I most warmly welcome you all to the World Press Conference put together by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) in the light of the recently misrepresentation of facts by the International Committee on Red Cross on the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria where either by omission or commission erroneously stated that over 22,000 Nigerians have been declared missing in North-East Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, having been conversant with the counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria, is alarmed by the fact the International Committee on Red Cross would condescend to the unenviable height of misrepresenting facts and attempting to mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

The disposition of the ICRC is an affront to the efforts of various civil society organizations that have devoted time and resources in monitoring the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. It is as well an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians for such a false statement to be made public by the ICRC.

This is also cognisant of the fact that the parameters used in arriving at such postulation might either be defective or outdated, as there is no element of truth in the ICRC report on the number of missing persons in North-East Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency see the recent move by the ICRC as covert terrorist propaganda aimed at damping the morale of the Nigerian troops in operation in North-East Nigeria.

It is also somewhat curious that this is coming on the heels when the Nigerian Military has made considerable gains in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria that has seen the remnants of Boko Haram flee to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.

It is also curious that the ICRC would feign ignorance to the fact that the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria has been conducting search and rescue operations that have resulted in the rescue of thousands of women and children and reunited them with their families.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency wishes to highlight the fact that on November 17, 2019, Nigerian troops deployed in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State rescued women and children, as well as an older woman in her 80s from Boko Haram captivity.

On May 19, 2019, The Nigerian army rescued 54 women and children held captive by the extremist group Boko Haram. On June 24, 2019, over 120 women and children were rescued by the Nigerian military from Boko Haram captivity. On March 7, 2018, over 1000 women and children were rescued by the Nigerian military from Boko Haram captivity. On June 5, 2018, the Nigerian Military rescued 54 women been used as sex slaves by the Boko Haram terrorist. And the list goes on and is verifiable.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, believes that the report by the ICRC is intended for mischief purposes as there is no iota of truth in the claims made therein. It consequently behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard whatever postulations the ICRC has canvassed with regards to missing persons in North-East Nigeria, as well as a probe of military operations in North East.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency are worried about this trend that is capable of misleading unsuspecting members of the general public on the actual state of affairs in North-East Nigeria, as well as the efforts of the Nigerian Military in Search and Rescue operations.

The ICRC has, by their action, demonstrated that they are either not conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, or they have so chosen to take the dishonourable path like others that do not want the war on terrorism in Nigeria to come to an end.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, therefore, states that the report by the ICRC is highly condemnable and must be retracted for lack of objectivity and an outright attempt at smearing the image of the Nigerian Military in operations in North-East Nigeria.

The ICRC must, as a matter of urgency, desist from commenting on issues outside their operational purview and concentrate on providing humanitarian services that it is recognized for. The ICRC must not allow itself to be used by agents of Boko Haram terrorist groups to spread propaganda that would mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

The Centre of Social Justice, Equity and Transparency as a result of this calls on the ICRC to tender an unreserved apology to the military authorities, as well as withdraw the statement credited to it.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency wishes to advise the ICRC to always verify the information before going to press, else it might lose its credibility before the relevant authorities in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian people.

RevolutionNow: Civil rights group protest at AGF's office, demands investigation of foreign associates in plot to destabilize Nigeria


The last seems not to have been heard on the embattled publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore as a group of civil rights activists today in Abuja took to the street to demand the investigation of his foreign  counterparts in the RevolutionNow protest which authorities have claimed is targeted at destabilizing the country.


The protesters, led by the Congress for Defence of Democracy (CDF), ended their walk at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, calling for an urgent probe on the nefarious activities of Mr Sowore and his foreign collaborators.


In a petition signed by Convener, Stephen Okenarhe and submitted to the AGF, the CDF revealed that it would be a disservice to the unity of Nigeria should Mr Sowore be granted bail without identifying his foreign sponsors.


According to Okenarhe, the controversial human rights activist have proven to be acting a script by “enemies of Nigeria that are envious of the giant strides recorded in critical sectors of the economy in the past four years under President Muhammadu Buhari”.


Besides the ongoing seven-count charge trial, the group pointed out that Mr Sowore has secretly been receiving illicit funds from some foreign sources while also covertly running the propaganda wing of Boko Haram.


Okenarhe added that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress even signed a pact with the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and some disgruntled opposition politicians to destabilise the nation.


Mr Sowore, the group reckoned, could eventually jump bail and continue with his nefarious activities – just like Nnamdi Kanu.


The protesters, therefore, called on the AGF “ to use his good office to institute discrete investigation by the concerned authorities to track down and arrest those involved.


“The Attorney General of the Federation may wish to know that the charges brought against Omoyele Sowore are not a reflection of the enormity of the havoc he intended for the country with his planned Revolution Now,” the statement reads in part.


“ The Honourable Attorney General may wish to be informed that Omoyele Sowore has been secretly receiving illicit funds from some foreign sources since the build-up to the general elections for vote-buying. However, he mismanaged the funds, and the alternative was to stage a violent revolution to impress his paymasters.


“ This is on the heels that the Omoyele Sowore indeed planned to cause unrest in the country by receiving a massive amount of monies from questionable sources to procure arms and ammunitions.


“Omoyele Sowore is also known to be courting the members of the opposition party, and because he runs a popular internet news site (Saharareporters.com), he availed himself to members of the opposition to aid their destabilization plot after they lost the elections.


“Omoyele Sowore has been covertly running the propaganda wing of Boko Haram in conjunction with other intellectual asset of the terrorists group in Nigeria. This has seen his news outlet receiving and publishing information on troops' movements, casualty figures in attacks that never took place or just before they take place etc. But to our greatest surprise, these were neither investigated by the DSS or featured in the charges against Sowore in court.


“Omoyele Sowore also planned to orchestrate mass outcry against the Federal Government of Nigeria in order to trigger wanton killings by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu. We have it on good authority that he had a meeting with Nnamdi Kanu and these were discussed before his subsequent arrest by the DSS.


“Omoyele Sowore secretly entered a pact with sponsors of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) being Iran to cause unrest in the country in line with an earlier threat that Nigeria will pay for disallowing the lawless activities of the IMN. He has served as the conduit for the transfer of funds to the IMN through the accounts of SaharaReporters where the funds come in donations.


“ Omoyele Sowore in collaboration with the major losers of the 2019 are still nursing the intention of destroying our democratic ethos instead of waiting for the next general election to test their self acclaimed popularity through the ballot.


“ We wish to inform the Honourable Attorney General that with the avalanche of established cases against Omoyele Sowore, it would be indeed a great disservice to the unity of Nigeria should he be granted bail without identifying his sponsors, as well as those with whom Omoyele Sowore plotted with to destabilize the peace and unity of our country.


“ The Honourable Attorney General may also wish to know that as it stands, Omoyele Sowore poses a significant threat to peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, as credible information at public disposal indicates covert plans to organize protests across the country against the government in the name of freedom of expression or bogus claims to fighting for human rights at the detriment of national security.


“The case of Ibraheem El-Zarzarky is also worthy of mention where he plotted to be airlifted to Iran through a brief stop over in Dubai but was intercepted through the vigilante eyes of the security agencies.


“We are by this letter calling on the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to use his good office to institute discrete investigation by the concerned authorities into the nefarious activities of Omoyele Sowore to track down and arrest those involved in the destabilization agenda.


“We are constrained to add that not until a proper investigation is carried out by the relevant security agencies, releasing Omoyele Sowore will endanger the lives of other citizens, particularly the youths, to carry out actions that will disintegrate the country.


“It is good to mention that the parallel government which Sowore intends to form is already reaching out to countries like Iran for recognition whereas people like Deji Adeyanju, Dayo Ariyo etc are being penciled as Ministers in that arrangement.”

*Sowore: Beware of emergency activists faking as pro-democracy fighters, group warns*

Following recent protests calling for the release of Sahara Reporters founder, Omoyele Sowore, the Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance (IDGG) has raised an alarm over the upsurge of misleading Pro-Democracy organisations purportedly defending human rights in the country.

The group gave this warning on Saturday in Abuja to address what it described as the “Upsurge of Private Enterprises as Pro-Democracy Fighters”.

Speaking on behalf of IDGG, Executive Director, Comrade Joseph Idoko described the trend as “worrisome" and “dangerous” for the entrenchment of democracy in the country.

The group reckoned this is the handiwork of politicians who are hell-bent on making the country ungovernable having lost relevance in the nation's political space.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance, therefore, called on security agencies to begin the profiling of these “overnight groups to nip in the bud their nefarious activities”.

Read full statement below:

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance is compelled to call this press conference in light of the sudden upsurge of groups under various nomenclatures parading themselves as pro-democracy groups and fighting for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

This is indeed a worrisome trend given the fact that some persons and individuals have turned pro-democratic activities in a private enterprise where they can smile to the bank, not minding whose ox is gored.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance views the trend as dangerous for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria due to the tendency for disgruntled politicians to hijack the system and wreak havoc of unimaginable proportion.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance is also alarmed by the way and manner these supposed pro-democracy groups has carried on with such legitimately, even when it is glaring that the quest for monetary benefits buoys actions and activities.

The danger of this is that those interests against the progress of Nigeria can easily use these supposed pro-democracy groups to make the Country ungovernable in exchange for monetary gains.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance suspects that there is a likelihood that the emergence of these groups is the handiwork of politicians who have lost out in the present political arrangement in the Country and, as such, one of the ways to get their pound of flesh is to instigate crisis.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance wishes to use this medium to bring to the notice of the relevant authorities in Nigeria that the various groups parading themselves as pro-democracy groups are nothing but an outright fraud which is inimical to the national interest.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance consequently charge the various security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, begins the profiling of these “overnight” groups to nip in the bud their nefarious activities.

The overall implication of the activities of these groups is that they would avail themselves as willing tools to those that are bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance wishes to also bring to the notice of the generality of Nigerians that these groups are extremely against the interest of Nigeria. As such, they should view with a pinch of salt, any form of advocacy coming from them.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance believes that should the relevant authorities fail to act in good stead, Nigeria might be dealing with a more significant challenge in the nearest future.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance as a result of this state in unequivocal terms that the unity and progress of Nigeria are sacrosanct and all those masquerading under various pro-democracy nomenclatures to enrich their pockets should desist from such private enterprises in the interest of national security.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has condemned in totality the indiscriminate use of children as a shield by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to accomplish its violent protests across the country.

The group made this known in a press conference on Friday to express displeasure in IMN's unwholesome violation of children’s rights in its violent campaign against constituted authorities.

In a statement signed by Executive Director, Joyce Ogwu, the Centre raised an alarm, calling for an end to such violations.

While acknowledging that the Islamic sect have the right to advocate for the release of their leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zarzaky, the SHAC reckoned that due process must be followed as there is an on-going court case .

The Centre, however, frowned at what it described as “enslavement of children in their various terrorist cells in the country”.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to put an end to the barbaric practice.

Read full statement below:

I welcome you all to the all-important press conference put together by the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre to condemn in its totality the flagrant abuse of the rights of children by the obnoxious Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

The IMN as an organization has constituted itself into a parallel government in Nigeria through its violent campaigns and protest across the country for a cause that is before a competent court of law.

While it is understandable that they have a right to advocate for the release of their leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zarzaky from detention, they must also realize that there is an on-going court process that must be exhausted before such request could be granted so long he is not found guilty of the charges levelled against him.

The worrisome part of the activities of the IMN is the indiscriminate use of children as a shield in its violent protests across the country.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre frowns at such outright abuse of children by the leadership of the IMN and as a result of this, insists that such violations should be discontinued henceforth.

The IMN must also stop with immediate effect the continued enslavement of children in their various terrorist cells in the country. They must realize that keeping children in camps against their will and wish is a gross violation of their inalienable rights.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre wishes to use this medium to call of the relevant authorities to put an end to the barbaric practice by the IMN of using children as their foot soldiers in their violent campaigns.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre wishes to state that the IMN should be compelled to discontinue the outright servitude of children in their possession, mostly whom they have severed from their parents and families through unorthodox means.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria must be circumspect in the way and manner they put children in harm’s way in a bid to demand the release of their spiritual leader.

The leaders of the IMN must come to the realization that the activities of the IMN stand banned and also outlawed as a terrorist group by a competent court of jurisdiction in Nigeria until otherwise declared by a competent court of jurisdiction.

This much they are challenging in court, and it is expected that status-quo be maintained until the final determination of the suit by the court.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre wishes to advise the leadership of the IMN to desist from further heating the polity and subjecting hundreds of children to physical and psychological torture, which is unacceptable in any democratic society in the world over.

The leadership of the IMN must realize that they cannot take the laws into their hands by engaging in violent street protests across the country. They must come to the understanding that Nigeria is indeed not their fiefdom where they want everyone to either identify with their ideology or sink.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre believes that lawlessness, as exhibited by the members of the IMN, is an indication that should the court grant bail to its spiritual leader; Nigeria might go up in flames because of their evil and extremely violent tendencies.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre wishes to state in unequivocal terms that the time for IMN to stop its use of children in its violent campaign against the constituted authorities in Nigeria is now.

They must also respect court orders and understand that Nigeria is not a banana republic.

Exposed! Imo State Debt Profile Skyrockets as it sets to lose over ₦25Billion to Public and Private Partnerships Agreements

Barely One year into Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s first term in office, Imo State Government’s debt profile has hit an unsustainable level with its recent breach of a public and Private Partnership Agreement with five investors amounting to over a sum of ₦25,000,0000,000 (Twenty Five Billion Naira).

A reliable source within the has it that sometimes in April, 2019, the Imo State Government (IMSG) advertised some concession assets for the purposes of generating internal revenue for the state, and several investors bided and won same. Consequently, the Government signed Special Concession Agreements with the investors.

Having fulfilled all the obligations in the agreements, the investors mobilized their sub-contractors to the sites and commenced work on the project after the ground work was laid by the Imo State Government in accordance with the tenor of the Agreement.


Report has it that surprisingly, on the 6th and 7th of June, 2019, contrary to the Agreement between the parties, the various Concession Assets were invaded by armed operatives and the personnel of Imo State Government who thereafter arrested some of the personnel and took them to the Police Station. The construction equipment, building materials and Company’s personal properties were confiscated and the concession asset taken over by the personnel of the Imo State Government.

Sources also hinted that these investors have started taking steps to recover the amounts already expended on the projects and monetary claims of over ₦25,000,000,000.00 (Twenty Five Billion Naira).

For a state with less than ₦6billion IGR, it means the government may spend at least 24 months paying the debt which may further plunge the state into further debts.

There is a rising fear in some quarters within the Imo State government about the possibility of the Central Bank of Nigeria, complying with the demands of the investors, in line with the MoU guiding the concession. This is coupled with the alleged strong political connection of the Investors, to the Presidency, as notable Aso Rock officials are believed to have thrown their weight behind the steps about to be initiated against the Imo state government. The investors have also secured the service of a foremost Abuja based lawyer to enforce the terms of the company's agreement with the Imo state government, by putting the relevant authorities, including the CBN, on notice.

Several prominent indegenes of the state, are also worried about the Ihedioha administration's approach to dismantling any visible intervention, associated with the administration of his predecessor.

It is hoped, that the Imo state government will move to remedy this looming economic danger as the cost of fighting and losing this case look substantial.

The challenges of delivering on the electoral promises by the administration is so weighty, that it should not allow itself to be dragged into another avoidable crisis.

By Dan Abutu

The recent clamour for the release of “The Revolution Now” proponent, Omoyele Sowore by a segment of the population is at best the most unpatriotic endeavour that has come out of Nigeria in recent times. I say this for obvious reasons. The quest for pecuniary benefits has blinded people so much so that anything goes.

To think that all of a sudden, there are more human rights activists and democrats in the country clamouring for the release of Omoyele Sowore and criticizing the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for its firm stance in protecting our nascent democracy is indeed worrisome. What they failed to realize is the nefariousness of the violent revolution that Omoyele Sowore canvassed for.

The pertinent question that must be asked as a first is thus: can there be a democracy without a country? If the answer to this question is a yes, then the clamour by the overnight activists and democrats can stand. However, if the answer is a no, then the same activists and democrats should bury their heads in shame for insulting the sensibilities of the over 180 million Nigerians.

The import of the call by Omoyele Sowore is such that if by any stretch of imagination it succeeded, the level of violence and bloodletting in the county would have been unprecedented in the annals of the country. Yet, some misguided individuals masquerading under the toga of democrats and activists are organizing street protests and attempting to also instigate the people against the government for taking proactive steps towards protecting our democracy.

I am still at a loss of what democracy means to these set of individuals who have sold their conscience for a plate of porridge. For them, it has to be business as usual for the filthy loot to go round while forgetting that Nigeria is indeed bigger than any individual and would indeed stay united for years to come with the quality of leadership been provided by the present administration.

I stand to be corrected, the amount of monies that has exchanged hands within the Sowore circle is indeed unprecedented, else, how can one come to terms with a situation where people of supposed sound mind openly call for violence in a country that is contending with threats of terrorism and other security challenges?

In my opinion, the possible explanation for this malaise is a combination greed, unpatriotism, moral degradation, ignorance, selfish interest, and the pursuit of pecuniary benefits to the detriment of the destinies of this generation and the generation unborn of Nigerians. This is the case with Omoyele Sowore and his co-travellers.

Interestingly, those organizing these ill-fated protests are worse than Omoyele Sowore because it is a case of advancing a course that is geared towards causing the disintegration of Nigeria. If they understood what indeed democracy meant, and what it also means to keep a country as diverse as Nigeria united, they would have indeed commended the government for rising to the occasion and protecting the country’s nascent democracy.

I can’t but thank President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the country sound leadership, especially in the area of protecting the country’s democracy and putting all those that have connived with some external forces to destabilize the country so it can be business as usual for them and their cronies to shame.

For them, good governance should elude Nigerians, so they can continue to enrich themselves and their cronies with our commonwealth. This is also their grouse. Be that as it may, Nigerians have seen through their gimmick and come to terms with the fact that the street protests that they have been organizing are despicable and borne out of their selfish interest.

As it stands, Nigerians know better between those that are protecting the interest of Nigeria and those against the interest of Nigeria. Nigerians now know that since the advent of this present administration, governance has taken a turn for good. The likes of Omoyele Sowore and his co-travellers cannot deter the progress of Nigeria.

I am also of the opinion that with the way and manner the overnight activists and democrats have carried on with the mobilization of street protests for the release of Omoyele Sowore, Nigerians know that there is an ulterior motive which is ultimately aimed at causing the disintegration of Nigeria.

In conclusion, there is a need for retracing of steps by the overnight activists and democrats that have feigned ignorance of what good governance and democracy means. If they indeed do, the street protests would be discontinued in the interest of the country.

This is also a charge to the relevant authorities in Nigeria to see that Nigeria does not derail and succumb to the cheap blackmail by agents of destabilization who would never see anything good in the leadership strides as exhibited by the present administration.

The accidental democrats should think of a better way to deceive Nigerians with their gimmicks because, as it stands, street protests would not deter the government from carrying out its responsibilities to the people. Nigeria is earmarked for greatness, and so shall it be. Nigerians are wiser and appreciative of the efforts of the present administration in the quest to make Nigeria great.


Abutu is a pro-democracy activist based in Abuja.

In a final offensive to clear out fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, the Nigerian Army troops took it upon themselves to mend bad portion of a road for effective operation.

The gallant troops had a brief stop between Kekeno and Cross-kukawa, patching dilapidated roads to ensure smooth transit to their destination.

In photos that have gone viral on social media, the officers were seen mixing cement, sand and water.

This isn't the first time, though, the Nigerian troops have displayed bravery, patriotism and selflessness in their line of duty.

On Saturday, the troops of 26 Task Force Brigade rescued an 80-year-old man, three women and four children from the terrorist sect after subduing them with superior fire power.

The troops then served the freed hunger-stricken Boko Haram captives water before taking them to safety.

It will be recalled that the troops of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command (NASFC) Operation Lafiya Dole dislodged terrorists in Kukawa early this year.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has hailed the Nigerian Army for its professional conduct during last Saturday's governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The gallant troops, alongside other security agencies, were on ground in the usually hostile oil-rich state, ensuring that armed militia don't stop Nigerians from performing their constitutional obligation.

Unlike in time past where unprecedented violence and bloodletting was the day's order, the exercise in Bayelsa was relatively peaceful and calm.

In a press conference on Monday, the NDF was full of praise for the Army for its “invaluable role in the peaceful conduct of polls in the country.”

The group, in a statement signed by Secretary General, Dr Abdulkadir Bolaji, believes it is a “ testament of the commitment of the Army in protecting the country’s nascent democracy and upholding the sanctity of the constitution”.

The pro-democracy group is particularly impressed with Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for “the institutional reforms introduced in the Nigerian Army that has seen to the renewed vigour and commitment of officers and soldiers in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.”

Read full statement below:

The National Democratic Front commends the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their invaluable role in the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial elections, and it wishes to state that. However, for this intervention, the polls would have witnessed unprecedented violence and bloodletting.

This is indeed commendable because our country’s democracy was preserved, and the will of the people prevailed in electing leaders of their choices during the elections.

The National Democratic Front particularly commends the Nigerian Army for its invaluable role during and after the polls in Bayelsa state, which gave rise to the relative peace and tranquillity that pervaded the state that is known for high militant activities.

This is indeed a testament to the commitment of the Nigerian Army in protecting the country’s nascent democracy and upholding the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army, by every standard, lived up to the expectation of Nigerians and the international community by seeing to the peaceful conduct of the polls.

The National Democratic Front believes that despite the myriads of security challenges that were witnessed during the gubernatorial elections in Kogi state, the intervention of the Nigerian Army indeed saved the day in Kogi state; else, the level of destruction and loss of lives would have been disastrous.

This is also on the heels that there was some noticeable connivance by some security agencies in abetting the anomalies that were witnessed during the elections. However, it is on record that the Nigerian Army stood tall and was able to minimize the level of casualties during the elections in Kogi State.

The National Democratic Front wishes to specially commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for the institutional reforms introduced in the Nigerian Army that has seen to the renewed vigour and commitment of officers and soldiers in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as preserving the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at all times. The Chief of Army Staff also deserves special praise for ensuring that soldiers are not used to disrupt elections anymore, but rather, on the ground to preserve the integrity of the electoral process as with the case in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

The National Democratic Front notes with enthusiasm that with the way and manner the Nigerian Army has been restructured by the present leadership led by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Nigerians should expect that gone are the days where officers and soldiers would be used by politicians to subvert the will of the people.

The National Democratic Front commends the Nigerian Army and other security agencies that worked round the clock to ensure that the electoral process in Bayelsa state was peaceful, and the voters were able to exercise their electoral franchise without fear, and also for its timely intervention in the Kogi state polls to save the day by minimising incidences of violence, bloodletting and other acts of electoral brigandage.

This is indeed commendable and an indication that our nascent democracy shall thrive with the commitment exhibited by our security agencies in recent times. The National Democratic Front also notes that all of these would not have been possible without the inputs of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who indeed promised Nigerians that the country’s nascent democracy shall thrive under his watch.

The fact that we are experiencing peaceful electoral transition in the country indicates that Nigeria is indeed on the path to greatness, and the efforts of the various security agencies cannot be overemphasized.

This much the National Democratic Front identifies and encourages the various security agencies not to relent in their efforts so far in the best interest of the generality of Nigerians and our nascent democracy.

The National Democratic Front wishes to use this medium to state that with the level of professionalism in the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, Nigerians do not have any reason to entertain any form of fear towards the preservation of our democracy.

The National Democratic Front also wishes to encourage Nigerians to continue to extend their support to the security agencies in the country in their quest towards protecting the territorial integrity of the country, as well as the preservation of our democracy.

The Nigerian Army's dedication and determination to flush out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists is never in doubt.

In the line of duty, however, the gallant troops make selfless, noble and philanthropic sacrifices for the safety of Nigerians.

A bulk go unnoticed as only a handful is reported in the media.

On Saturday, the troops took this brave gesture to another level by serving freed Boko Haram captives water before taking them to safety.

The troops of 26 Task Force Brigade rescued an 80-year-old man, three women and four children from the terrorist sect after subduing them with superior fire power.

Media Coordinator of the Nigerian Army Operations Centre Col Aminu Iliyasu in a statement said, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade embarked on a Clearance Patrol to Dalu Village within the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State following credible intelligence report on the presence of some of the criminal insurgents in that area.

The Nigerian Soldier is a humanitarian per Excellence.

Such selfless gesture should surely qualify for the Nobel peace prize for 2019.

*Bayelsa Decides: Army, security agencies deserve commendation not vilification, CDC cautions Gov Dickson*

The Nigerian Army and other security agencies deserve massive commendation for a near-perfect election in Bayelsa State, according to the Centre for Democracy and Change (CDC).

At a press conference on Saturday in Yenegoa, the group of election observers stated that rather than vilify the Army and other security agencies as done by Governor Seriake Dickson, our gallant troops and other security agencies should be applauded for again rising to the occasion.

The outgoing governor had called for the cancellation of the election even before the exercise fully commenced, insinuating that the security agencies are conniving with the All Progressives Congress.

However, in response, the Centre for Democracy and Change accused Mr Dickson of plots to truncate the election meant to produce his successor.

In a statement by Executive Director, Gbenga Badamosi, the CDC disclosed that Mr Dickson and his likes would have had a field day if not for the brave soldiers on ground to support the police and other security agencies.

While calling him to order, CDC, however, apprised the governor that he will be held criminally liable for any breach of the peace in his state.

Read full statement:

The Centre for Democracy and Change (CDC) is alarmed at the plot by the outgoing Governor of Bayelsa state, Mr. Seriake Dickson to truncate the election that is meant to produce his successor.

Mr. Dickson has taken the unprecedented step of a governor calling for the cancellation of an election even before voting was properly underway. The instances and incidents he is latching onto to make this questionable call have been proven as being blown out of proportion, which raises the question of his motives for attempting to deny Bayelsans of their franchise when they have used the same instrumentality to keep him office for almost eight years.

Part of the justification for this treacherous call by Mr. Dickson is the lumping together of militias with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, something that has exposed the desperation on his part to have his party’s candidate win the election, possibly in order to install a lackey that will cover his tracks for whatever unacceptable acts he might have committed in his eight-year rule.

CDC elections observers are on ground in Bayelsa state and at no time did we witness the incidents that the Governor claimed to have occurred. Remarkably, neither local nor foreign observers have made any comment as to the conduct of the election along the line that Mr. Dickson did.

We are concerned that he made these indicting comments to provoke the army and other security agencies to abandon the electorates to his militias that have been paid to disrupt the vote. There have also been reports that the so-called army and police personnel are the militias that the governor procured fake uniforms for in order to use them for the agenda that he has now fully activated.

CDC is aware that the presence of legitimately deployed Army and other security personnel is the saving grace in Bayelsa at this electioneering moment as thugs loyal to politicians had made up their minds to destroy our democracy by sabotaging the governorship election.

We consequently call Mr. Seriake Dickson to order even as we warn that he shall be held criminally liable for any breach of the peace in Bayelsa state arising from his incitement of the populace against military and security personnel on election duty.

It does not matter whether his party or another political party wins the election because CDC will take this matter up when his immunity expires with his tenure as what he has done is capable of triggering a genocide.

The Nigerian Army has maintained its onslaught against Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters.

The gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have left no stone unturned in its bid to totally wipe out the fleeing insurgents.

As seen in some photos that went viral on social media a couple of months ago, the troops were pictured constructing a bridge leading to secret hideout of the radical Islamic sect.

Yet again, the gallant troops have displayed selflessness and rare patriotism.

This time around, though, the troops proved that they are not only engaged in the counter insurgency operations but are also working hard to mend the abandoned roads into the areas.

The gallant troops of Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole were spotted fixing bad portions of the road from Monguno-Kekeno-Cross Kauwa, Borno State.

It will be recalled that no fewer than 50 Boko Haram fighters were killed by the Nigerian Army around the said road in April.

http://www.signalng.com/troops-renovate-road-leading-to-boko-haram-hideout-in-borno/

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Sowore: Before we crucify the secret Police

By Idoko Ainoko

The recent attacks on the Department of State Service (DSS) with regards to the handling of the demonstrators demanding the release of the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, is at best uncharitable. I say this for the fact that the demonstrators acted out of ignorance, and as usual, some segment of the country that does not see anything right with this present administration went to the market.

They were quick to cast aspersion and attempt to crucify the secret Police. This is somewhat not surprising in the sense that the nation has witnessed the upsurge of individuals and organizations that are hell-bent on causing unrest in the country. And the free Sowore protesters fall under this same category.

We must get the issues in proper perspectives and counter the harmful intentions of those that are hell-bent on causing unrest in the country. The Omoyele Sowore issue is a case of an attempt to instigate the people against the constituted authorities and by extension effecting a change in government by calling for a revolution. If this is not a treasonable offense, I don’t know what else to call it unless the gang of monetarily induced protesters would feign ignorance to the consequences of calling for a revolution that would see to the overthrowing of a democratically elected government.

Let us make no mistakes; national interest should always surpass personal interest if we are desirous of making progress in this country. We must learn to call a spade and spade in the interest of the sensibilities of over 180 million Nigerians who have nowhere to call home other than here.

I also wonder how some individuals’ would think they can attempt to cause mayhem in the country and walk away scot-free. Even in civilized climes, there are consequences for our actions and inactions. Can an Omoyele Sowore go to the United States and call for a revolution and street protest if he has some reservations about the effectiveness of government? The answer is a huge no. And so, the question is why such anomaly should be tolerated in Nigeria?

That aside, when an individual is viewed as a high risk to societal peace, would it be wise to have such an individual in circulation to cause more damage? There are cases of such individuals in Nigeria that, for the sake of National interest, they must be kept outside circulation till the determination of their cases by a court of competent jurisdiction.

This, in a way, explains the case of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, as well as the founder of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zarzarky. You would agree with me that these individuals, as well as Omoyele Sowore, are high-risk individuals and by extension, agents of destabilization.

The law is clear on this, and this much we must come to terms with. I am quite sure that if the revolution that Omoyele Sowore had planned succeeded, the bulk of the people clamouring for his release under various nomenclatures would have been greatly affected. Again, just maybe they either by omission or commission refused to see the disservice in that revolution agenda. And just perhaps, they thought calling for violent change would do Nigeria and Nigerians any good.
My opinion has been this, and it won’t change anytime soon. There are decent ways of expressing grievances if such grievances are genuine. But to call for violence is a no and would remain one, especially in a democratic setting. The wounds of the civil war in Nigeria are still fresh in our minds, and to think someone somewhere would opt to set Nigeria once again on that dangerous path is most despicable.

So, just before we elect to crucify the secret Police, we should task our conscience to understand that an offense was committed in the first place, and that gave rise to the actions taken by the government in the overall interest of the generality of Nigerians. Some might want to argue that a court had granted him bail and he was refused bail. But what they failed to understand was that there were conditions that must be fulfilled before bail would be granted. And is it on record that his bail conditions were met and the secret Police refused to release him?

We should not be deceived by the antics of some people who are gifted in the art of spreading fake news to win public sympathy. Some also argued that the bail conditions were stringent, and my answer is: calling for violence to set the country on fire is grave enough for strict bail conditions to be issued.

I believe that the government must act decisively to serve as a deterrent to others. This is the case with Omoyele Sowore. And my advice for those that pursue public causes blinded is that they should employ objectivity and sound reason because National interest is the watchword, and no individual is bigger than the country. Nigeria cannot afford any attempt at truncating its nascent democracy. We must call a spade a spade.


Ainoko wrote this piece from Kaduna.

Fake news more dangerous than Boko Haram--- Abubakar

A human rights activist, Comrade Ibrahim Abubakar, has raised an alarm over the rise in fake news in the country, describing it as a “higher threat than terrorism”.

Mr Abubakar made this known on Thursday at a one-day workshop/presentation of assessment report on the impact of fake news on the war against terrorism organised by the Centre for Social Justice and Transparency (CESJET).

In his paper presentation, Mr Abubakar, president of Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) revealed that fake news “ is inimical to national security; hostile to the morale of the troops, and by and large, it is one of the demoralizing factors making the counter-insurgency operation more difficult.”

According to him, fake news, over the years, has proven to be an undermining factor in countering terrorism engagement as well as a sponsor and promoter of acts of terror in Nigeria today.

The human rights activist added that “the rampant spread of fake news and its efficacy in relegating the real story to the bottom discourages the counter-insurgency efforts of the Nigerian Military both tactically, psychologically, and otherwise.”

To curb further wreckage, Mr Abubakar recommended that:

“ The Nigerian media should report and analyse terror as a matter of international priority. Yet striking the right balance between informing the public without unnecessarily stoking fear or giving disproportionate publicity and attention to a terrorist organization has proven to be more difficult than it should because of the rapid spread of fake news about insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts that are most times exploited by Boko Haram.

“CSOs should mount sustainable pressure on broadcast Media that gets easily distracted by shiny ratings, which usually come with the spread of fake news, to desist from promoting contents that are fake and harmful to national development. CSOs should continually encourage reliable broadcast Media to regularly get factual information out, especially those associated with national security, even if it feels like it is falling on deaf ears amid widespread fake news.

“ The people should also be taught how to use and rely upon vital fact-checking organizations even as they also cite sources as to what they post or tweet, making sure those sources are reliable. CSOs, instead of undermining the work of the military in countering terrorism in Nigeria, could be instrumental in limiting the spread of fake news that aggravate terrorist activities by raising the populace awareness towards boycotting news media and its relatable sponsors.”

Reward For Gallantry and Gen. Buratai's Leading Example

By Robert Audu

"For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.” – Sun Tzu

A great leader motivates and inspires his followers. He continuously craves for excellence and erects favorable templates or incentives to compel and induce hard work. Rewards are the oyster of performance in any workplace. And leaders conscious of success imbibe the policy of reward for hard work, dedication and exceptional performance as bait for outstanding productivity.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) and emperor of the anti-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a perfect leader in this sense. Though, it is the natural and constitutional duty of the Army to fight wars, but he knows soldiers need to be emboldened to go the proverbial extra-mile in battles.

The job of a soldier is quite a difficult one. A soldier in the battlefield is perpetually under the threats of death or life deformities. He is the bulwark of nations and citizens against deadly enemies in peace or war times.

Gen. William T. Sherman of the American Army captures the dreariness of war in these scary words; “It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.”

War is really hellish, but the life of a soldier is confined to it. Besides the era of the unfortunate Nigerian civil war of 1967-70, Gen. Buratai is presiding over the Nigerian Army in the country’s second most difficult phase in history. The age of ravaging Boko Haram insurgency is certainly not a storm in a tea cup. Terrorism has proven to be an obstinate malignant turmoil on souls of nations and successive leaders of Nigeria.

But President Buhari has made the difference. Under Gen. Buratai as the helmsman of the counter-insurgency operations, Nigerian troops have performed exceedingly commendable. The Army boss has vanished the spirit of spinelessness, soldiers’ feminine retreats from the frontlines and the remonstrative balking of troops before enemy forces in tales of mutiny at the battlefield.

Joyfully, the years of gloom, hesitance and frustrations to battle insurgents by Nigerian troops have eclipsed. Gen. Buratai has reactivated the reward system for his troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He rewards gallantry, but punishes indolence or dereliction of duty.

Like the US war veteran and diplomat, Collin Luther Powell, the Nigerian Army Chief has inculcated in soldiers that "All work is honorable. Always do your best because someone is watching.” And rewards in special promotions’ have been Gen. Buratai’s perfect weapon in bolstering the performance ego and strides of Nigerian troops battling Boko Haram.

Chinese war veteran, Sun Tzu once echoed that “Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.” So, Gen. Buratai does it promptly and indiscriminately once any soldier earns it by dint of gallantry, valour and hard work.

Iconic warlords have theorized on the reverence of soldiering. Gen. George S. Patton Jr for instance says; "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

Therefore, Gen. Buratai has consistently elevated deserving soldiers to stimulate what Collin Powell clarifies with his timeless and immortal philosophy in positing that; “The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average.”

From the outset, part of Gen. Buratai’s intrinsic vision and policies sighted reward for gallantry and hard work. Barely weeks after assumption of duty in 2015 as COAS and leader of counter-insurgency, headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole Command Theatre went agog in wild celebration. Gen. Buratai effected the promotion of over 5,000 soldiers fighting insurgency in the Northeast and allied operations in the country.

He took the action to boost their combat readiness and willingness to serve fatherland. The promotion was a pledge made to the soldiers by his predecessor. Gen. Buratai stated at the opening session of the 2015 COAS Third Quarter Conference, in Army Headquarters Abuja that; “Since we came on board, we have introduced several measures aimed at encouraging our troops to give their best in the service of their nation. “

“The approval of the accelerated promotion of 5,000 soldiers was to redeem the promise made by my predecessor to the troops fighting insurgents in the North-East. It is my belief that this promotion, coupled with other incentives, will encourage our troops to fight for our country,” he added.

And the leader of counter-insurgency operations has kept faith his vision and pledges of reward for gallantry and exceptional impact in the course of battling insurgencies and insurrections in the country. It is outside his implementation of normal promotions timely and promptly to soldiers, like he caused the promotion of 34 senior Army Generals last week.

Therefore, in August 2017, Gen. Buratai also splashed special promotions for 3,729 troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who participated in “Operation Deep Punch II” in Sambisa Forest.

The then Army’s spokesperson articulated in a public statement that the Army Chief specially rewarded the gallant troops in recognition of their valour and uncommon commitment to duty during the “Operation Deep Punch.” It was an operation that laid to rest the ghost of the much dreaded Sambisa forest.

So, 223 Staff Sergeants were promoted to the rank of Warrant Officers, 511 Sergeants promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeants; while 994 Corporals were promoted to the rank of Sergeants. Others are 1064 Lance Corporals promoted to the rank of Corporals, while 932 Private soldiers were appointed Lance Corporals. Such magnitude of special promotions were seldom in the Army until Gen. Buratai reactivated it as morale booster for troops.

Later the same year, during one of his frequent visits to the frontlines in Bama, Borno state, Gen. Buratai, also gave special automatic promotion to two soldiers for their gallantry in fighting Boko Haram.

The COAS visited troops of 21 Brigade at Bama and was impressed with their performance against Boko Haram. Troops of the brigade had liberated Bama from Haram terrorists after hours of fierce battle. Many terrorists were neutralized during the encounter, and a cache of arms and Improvised Explosive Device, IED, making materials were recovered from insurgents. Therefore, Corporal Thomas Orim of 202 Battalion and Corporal Abubakar Usman Usman of 150 Task Force Battalion were rewarded with this special promotion.

To Gen. Buratai, it is inconsequential whether it is a single soldier or bunch of soldiers who demonstrates acts of valour or gallantry and merits a reward. A soldier, Master Warrant Officer, Garba Abdullahi of 159 Battalion, Nigerian Army was elevated to the rank of Captain in recognition and reward for his outstanding military professionalism, gallantry, courage and selfless service and enjoyed the special privilege of Executive Commission.

The then Director army public relations officer, Brig. General Sani Kukasheka explained; “Garba Abdullahi’s leadership qualities endeared him to his Commanding Officer who deemed it fit to assign him a higher responsibility as platoon commander of one of the arrow head sub-units of the Battalion, the role he played excellently to the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates alike

“Under his able leadership, his platoon achieved great exploits of daring bravery and courage for which the Battalion was reputed. The 159 Battalion is of one the rugged and most experienced cohesive fighting unit that make up Operation Lafiya Dole…the Battalion primarily occupies a blocking position from where it conducts Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency operations to defeat Boko Haram terrorists, deny them freedom of action….”

Gen. Buratai has sustained the string of special elevations, rewards and promotions of deserving officers and soldiers to date. Even in October 2019, he recommended for accelerated promotion to President Muhammadu Buhari two Army Generals and a Subaltern of the Nigerian Army as reward for their gallantry and exemplary leadership.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations,Col. Sagir Musa explained that the soldiers earned the President’s approval for the special promotion for their “extra-ordinary feats, courage, exemplary leadership, loyalty, uncommon commitment and valour in the counter insurgency operation in the Northeastern part of the country.”

The benefitting two senior officers were Maj.Gen. L.O Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations at Army Headquarters, who was also promoted to the rank Lieutenant General; Brig.-Gen. A.B Biu, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander, Sector 2, “Operation Lafiya Dole” Maiduguri was decorated with the rank of Major General and the subaltern, Lieutenant A.J Danjibrin of 211 Demonstration Battalion, Bauchi was elevated to the rank of a Captain.

Also, Lt. Col. Mohammed Abu Ali (aka BH killer) who commanded the Army’s 272 Tank Battalion under “Operation Lafiya Dole” enjoyed this rank for the recognition of his outstanding efforts in blighting the fire of insurgents under his area of jurisdiction. Shortly afterwards, he was killed in an ambush by Boko Haram.

The quantum of special rewards and promotions extended to soldiers in the counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast is an apt indication that Gen. Buratai meticulously picks his postings of officers and soldiers. He ensures only his best and competent hands are deployed to every area of military operation.

In the counsel of Collin Powell, "There are no secrets to success: don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work, and persistence." So, through Gen. Buratai Nigerian soldiers clearly understands that hard work and loyalty is beneficial.


Audu wrote this piece from Abuja.

Eid-Maulud: Arcbishop eulogises role of Nigerian military in sustaining peace, asks citizens to unite in faith, prayers for troops fighting insurgency

As Muslims in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year's Eid Maulud, the
National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace, has called for fervent prayers for the Nigerian military.

The group also eulogised the troops for sustaining peace across the nation.

His Eminence, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, the Grand Patron of the religious organisation in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Monday, called on every Nigerian, irrespective of religious affiliation to intensify their supplication to Almighty God for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians.

The statement further enjoined all Nigerians to unite in one voice against those that seek to terrorize the nation.

The statement reads.


I congratulate Nigerians across all faiths, particularly our Muslim and Christian faithful. I felicitate with us all because it the grace of God that has made us to celebrate today in a relatively more peaceful atmosphere than that of last year, which has strengthened my faith that it can only get better from here onwards.

The occasion has become a reminder of the great things that can be achieved together, whether in the spiritual or physical realm when we unite in prayers or work together as a nation ordained by God the almighty to be great.

The shining example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose birth Eid-el-Maulud signposts, should be inspiration to us all irrespective of our creed. It should be a reminder that we can place humanity above selfish interest.

I use this time to call on Christians and Muslims all over the country to pray for the peace of Nigeria, pray for the Nigerian military, the troops and particularly the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai with all the other service chiefs that God will strengthen them in their determination to get rid of terrorism in the country. Let us plead with God to grant these men the kind of valour and exploits recorded by His Anointed as recounted in our scriptures.

In our recognition of the fact that only God gives victory, let use the occasion of this Eid-el-Maulud to intensify our supplication to the Almighty for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians. Mr. President and the military need our prayers and support to defeat and conquer the remnants of terrorist elements in our country and all citizens irrespective of religion or creed are invited to pray for our country.

As we pray for them we must also match our prayers with positive actions for the good of the land. I urge us all to erase our political divisions same way we are beginning to recognize the place of harmony across religious faiths so that we can collectively stand against that which is not right.

We must thus unite and with one voice denounce those that seek to terrorize us because violent extremism poses a great threat to both Islam and Christianity and only total submission to the Almighty God can rescue the nation.

We must therefore, similar to the way we evangelize to win converts to our faiths, begin to preach peace and win converts for the peace of Nigeria so that more and more Nigerians will understand the need to contribute to the defeat of terrorism and extremism.

I pray that the good things God is doing through the Nigerian Army and its leadership that are the instrument of restoring peace shall be permanent.
God bless Nigeria.

A United Kingdom based Human Rights Activist, Phillip Agbese has commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for taking a tough stance against violent-extremism in the country.

The Middlesex University trained human rights laws expert and publisher spoke with a group of journalists at the Murtalal Muhammad International Airport, Lagos on the state of affairs in the country.


Mr. Agbese stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed risen to the occasion by the introduction of policies and actions geared towards arresting the menace of violent extremism through coordinated positive actions by state actors.

“In Nigeria, it is a fact that various organizations hide under different nomenclature to promote violent extremism, and this has not done the country any good from time immemorial. The perpetrators of these acts know fully well that these are not only un-Islamic but also a crime against God and humanity.”

He further stated that the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are indeed commendable. However, a lot more still needs to be done to nip completely in the bud the menace of violent extremism in the country.

According to him, violent extremism has nothing to do with any particular religion but evil by those that are not comfortable with the unity and peace of Nigeria and making efforts to destabilize the country.

“ The present administration has indeed displayed a high commitment to addressing violent-extremism in the country through several laudable initiatives, positive actions paramount of which is the sensitization that violent- extremism has no place in religion whether Islam or Christianity.”

Mr. Agbese also tasked the government to continue to do more to address decisively the menace of violent extremism in the country irrespective of political or ethnic affiliation of the perpetrators.

“The government should set up a mechanism that would expose those misguided elements that hide behind politics and religion to cause disaffection in the country. If this is not done, the government risk the possibility of been branded as promoters of violent extremism and other vices in the country for political reasons.”

He also heaped praises on the Nigerian Army for its commitment in the fight against terrorism and other militant acts in the country.

“The Nigerian Army has indeed displayed an extraordinary commitment to the fight against terrorism in the country. This much they have exhibited in the North-East, the North Central and other parts of the country where militant activities disrupted peace and tranquillity.”

"Those who initially thought they could frustrate the Army through negative propaganda and falsehood have been forced by the sterling leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY to give up their evil agenda for good of the country."

“That Nigeria is experiencing peace and stability is a function of the numerous sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in protecting the territorial integrity at all cost, even at great discomfort to the officers, soldiers and their families. I wholeheartedly commend the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the officers and soldiers that have continued to give their best to our fatherland day and night.”

Mr. Agbese also stated that the role of Nigeria in ensuring the security of lives in the West African sub-region could not be overemphasized, hence the need for all hands to be on deck at all times.

“The role of Nigeria in critical aspects in the West African sub-region is such that if anything goes wrong in Nigeria, other West African countries are also affected. And on the area of security, Nigeria has indeed played that big brother role, courtesy of the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.”

He added that “It is a matter of time before the remnants of Boko Haram would be routed out of the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.”

He added that the current state of affairs in the north east at the moment clearly shows that the Nigerian Army leadership shares in the vision of Mr. President to enthrone total peace and tranquillity across the country.

"Mr. President and the military leadership came at a point that it was impossible for International NGOs, troops and civilians to operate anywhere in the North-East. But that has changed positively as normalcy has been fully restored and life is at its peak same way Lagosians enjoy their day to day activities, " he added.

By Dan Abakpa

In September 2014, the Jonathan Presidency served a pyrrhic victory to Nigerians over claims that it has killed Boko Haram’s most vicious leader, Abubakar Shekau. The public statement excited Nigerians, but sadly turned out to be a ruse like previous such claims in July 2009 and another in late June 2013.

The then Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade told reporters in Abuja that the man posing as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was his moniker adopted by the sect. He insisted that Shekau had been killed earlier during a gun battle with troops. And the military played some videos to back up the fake claims.

To the military, it was another Islamist fighter, who was scoring the shots as replacement for Shekau. They identified him as Mohammed Bashir, claiming he posed as Shekau’s moniker and responsible for recent threats videos in the guise of the real Shekau , but was also killed in clashes at Konduga.

Olukolade said “Bashir had been acting or posing as the deceasedAbubakar Shekau…the eccentric character known as the leader of the group". But the Military could not explain convincingly how it killed Shekau. It was indisputably fake claims. Abubakar Shekau was alive, hale and hearty, providing leadership to insurgents.

Therefore, in early January 2015, Nigerians were scared stiff. Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, morphed into a berserk monster, threatening Nigerians and its government to prove he is alive and counter the military’s claims that he is dead. Shekau appeared in a 15-minute recorded video and pledged to disrupt the 2015 general elections scheduled for February 16, 2015 at “any cost.”

Shekau vowed in Hausa language in a message released through the sect’s Twitter account; “This election will not be held even if we are dead.” These potent threats from the leader of Boko Haram to disrupt the general elections, one of Nigeria’s most important national events caused stir and made the Jonathan Presidency apprehensive. The government was forced to postpone the elections by six weeks to enable troops dislodge insurgents from their strongholds in Northeastern Nigeria.

But the feeble action of government angered, rather than appease Shekau, who backed his threats by unleashing deadly attacks on communities in the Northeast. Twine suicide attacks on the same day, the video was released, sniffed life out of 38 persons. And the string of bombings continued as on February 15, 2015, as a female suicide bomberkilled at least 10 passersby in a local market in Borno.

It was the extent Shekau and Boko Haram terrorists held Nigeria hostage in braggadocio, mindless bloodletting and carnages. This was before President Muhammedu Buhari was elected the democratic leader of Nigeria. He also vowed to blight the fire of Shekau and his bloodsucking sect.

And keen observers of the operations of Abukakar Shekau would concede that the terrorists leader had a style of asserting his authority. He was in the habit of consistent video appearances to either raise fresh controversies, brag about his might and exploits/atrocities or convey his satanic messages.

Under Shekau’s command, Boko Haram was expansive and virile to the extent it annexed Nigerian territories; named Gwoza and Bama in Borno as headquarters and its subsidiary of the sect’s Caliphate respectively. Its atrocities and horrendous attacks drenched Nigerians in endless tears and sorrows.

However, under the Buhari Presidency, Boko Haram has been decimated and defeated. The COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and troops have been able to run Abubakar Shekau out of relevance. It is quite curious that in the last two years, Shekau nor any moniker has not appeared in any public video issuing threats or bragging or claiming responsibility about gruesome killing and abductions.

Pertinently, at the end of October 2019, a tragedy hit the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). Its leaderAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a US military operation in northwest Syria. Again, the ISIS spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir and a close aide to al-Baghdadi was also killed in a joint US operation with Kurdish forces in the northern Syrian city of Jarablus hours after al-Baghdadi's death.

Both US President Donald Trump and the ISIL's legislative and consultative body have confirmed the deaths of these two terror kingpins. It is a sad moment in the terrorists’ world globally, as humanity and governments rejoices.

In a public statement, via the group's media arm, al-Furqan, ISIL’s new spokesman, Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi, announced Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as its new chief and replacement forAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The statement read in part; "We mourn you ... commander of the faithful…Do not rejoice America. The new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden ... and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet."

“The Islamic State shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed on a replacement,” al-Qurayshi stated.

America has designated Boko Haram as a terrorists group. US also placed a $7 million reward for Shekau's capture as part of its rewards for Justice programme, after its designation of Shekau as a "global terrorist.”

Consequently, in the bid to shore-up his international standing, in March 2015 Shekau publicly pledged its allegiance to ISIL and its now murdered leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Thus, Boko Haram transmogrified into the "Islamic State's West Africa Province" (ISWAP) and Abubakar Shekau became its first “vali” (Governor).

Shekau had thundered in a video message; “We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims ... and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah.”

Therefore, the tragedy which rocked ISIL, the global headquarters of terrorism, as manifest in the killing of two principal leaders, ought to have shuddered Shekau enough to release another video. He would have proudly staged out to express condolence to his martyred lords, threatening Nigerians with reprisals and upping the tempo of atrocities. Shekau has no strength to even congratulate his new terror chief, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Its abnormal that weeks after the incident Shekau or anybody acting at his behest has summoned the courage to mouth out in lashings or comments about the new order in ISIS.

No sign which has potently conveyed the fall of Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau more that the unusual silence over the deaths in ISIL’s headquarters. It is an incontrovertible admission of the final eclipse of Shekau and Boko Haram, a trajectory laid for them by Gen. Buratai.

Gen. Buratai’s reclamation of all the Nigerian territories annexed by Boko Haram in the Northeast; the incapacity of insurgents to retake the freed local government areas, including Gwoza and Bama and troops stoppage of recruitments of vulnerable youths into the sect’s fold as foot soldiers have been serious setbacks for Shekau and his incensed terrorists.

Furthermore, Gen. Buratai’s December 2016’s demystification of Sambisa forest, which provided protective shield for Shekau and his army of terrorists have been a great setback to the operations of Boko Haram and Shekau. As precursor to the final conquest of Sambisa forest, the Army had overran four Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa, where over 300 female hostages were freed in April 2016. The Army presented captured Sambisa forest as Christmas gift to Nigerians on December 24, 2016.

In addition, the overwhelming flooding of troops in the Northeast has been another weakening nightmare for insurgents and Shekau. The relentless and consistent pressures mounted on insurgents in the frontlines for months and years, coupled with eagle-eyed surveillance forced Shekau into an effeminate disappearance from the battle turf, dressed in hijab and disguised as a woman to evade arrest.

That last encounter with troops two years ago reportedly left Shekau fatally wounded, (if not dead) and fatigued. Months later, a Boko Haram commander, Abdullahi Bello (alias Abu Zainab), who was arrested by the Army in Bauchi revealed that Abubakar Shekau veiled himself and sneaked out of Nigeria on bush paths to Kolofata in neighbouring Cameroun. It was his historic fall, as Shekau is a new permanent guest of birds and reptiles in caves and mountains’ of Cameroun.

Shekau is forced to bow out of “active” service and the residues of his lieutenants still parading the fields have not found it easy either. Gen, Buratai and Nigerian troops are not giving them a chance to breath. Clearance operations is fetching out a lot of the remnants of terrorists from far-flung hideouts.

It is unthinkable that Shekau and Boko Haram insurgents would ever again have the chance to attack and massively massacre Nigerians in a manner reminiscence of the January 3-7, 2015, insurgents tragic invasion of Baga, where they slaughtered over 2,000 Nigerians. Shekau has become an inevitable history in Boko Haram terrorism, courtesy of President Buhari and the leader of counter-insurgency operations, the irrepressible Gen. Buratai.


Abakpa wrote this piece from Imperial College, London.

*Falana intoxicated with early wine, group chides Falana over accusation on PMB*

Pro-democracy group, National Democratic Front (NDF), believes Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana's recent attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of “intoxication with early wine".

In a recent scathing onslaught, among others, the self-acclaimed human rights lawyer had insinuated that President Buhari is contemplating a third-term agenda in 2023.

However, in reaction, the NDF rubbished such notion, describing it as “unfounded, baseless and senseless”.

In a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Secretary-General, Dr Abdulakadir Bolaji, revealed that Mr Falana is nothing but a clout chaser, seeking prominence despite Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation.

According to the group, the latest outing by the ex-chairman of National Conscience Party has “betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria”.

While reiterating that the president is a “Democrat” who respects the Constitution, the NDF advised Falana to emulate the hallowed path of late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses”.

Read full statement below:

We read with utmost dismay, shock and disappointment news on various media platforms credited to Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, aligning himself with the unfounded, baseless and senseless propagation of the incongruous notion that President Muhammadu Buhari is secretly plotting a third term agenda in 2023.

It is stumping that a lawyer of Falana’s status and exposure, who tags himself with the venerated epaulet of “human rights activist,” under the silk should condescend to lend his voice in giving credence to the flyers of desperate attention seekers, internet-based gossips and un-informed media commentaries trumpeting President Buhari’s tenure elongation.

Mr. Falana has decided to defame his character and lower his self-esteem, in spite of President Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation, when the campaign began to gain currency on social media platforms and promoted by debased characters.

A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu eloquently disclaimed that “President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support.” This is articulate and lucid enough to everyone.

There should be honour in what an elder or senior citizen vomits in the public, even if he is intoxicated with early wine. We find it very reprehensible that Mr. Falana’s should attempt to seek attention like common political jobbers by cunningly imposing a third term plot, on the character disposition and personality of President Buhari. It does not blend with the persona of Buhari.

Elsewhere in the world, elders of Falana’s status are known for wisdom, sermons of unification of the people and their avid interest in teaching the younger generation the path of truth and dignity. It is unfortunate that the case of Falana seems to be slightly different and a negation of these cherished values with such illogical comments.

If today, Mr. Falana does not only feel content to dispute or contest the believability of the words from Mr. President on any issue, which is the leader’s personal decision, it is laughable. But it is more ludicrous that Falana should wear the toga of a village sorcerer, conjurer or soothsayer to dispute the President without valid reasons.

More surprisingly, Falana anchored his postulations on the third term plot and campaigns on nothingness, citing archaic trends which occurred under autocratic leaders of Nigeria. Let us reiterate again that President Buhari is a decent, respectable, law-abiding and selfless leader who is conscious of his international rating in the comity of leaders and protects his integrity unlike, Falana’s rapacious power monger and kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who plotted third term with dollars.

Any Nigerian who has keenly followed the leadership proclivity of President Buhari would easily concede that there are no immediate or remote antecedents linked to the President. Nothing even in his body language suggests he is of the breed of power monks and might seek to perpetuate himself in power or elongate his constitutional two terms of eight years.

Falana mouthed that the actions of the President and his men were pointers to a secret plot for tenure extension ambition. It sounds like hallucinations. But the so-called actions cited by Mr. Falana are laughable and ridicules his entire personality.

The human rights lawyer so disingenuously claimed President Buhari’s administration is hounding into oblivion, opposition members and restricting free speech. He also claimed media crackdown and authoritarian moves in the areas of free trade and impunity in the conduct of state matters.

But President Buhari is a democratic leader who is subject to checkmating by the National Assembly. This is a President who allowed even federal government staff against his presidential ambition to connive with the opposition PDP elements unmolested or harassed before and after the general elections.

It is the same President who knew but never reacted to plots by the main opposition figure heads to scuttle his second-term swearing-in ceremony. So, how could any right thinking Nigerian claim Buhari is “driving opposition members underground?” Is Falana tacitly suggesting that President Buhari should slacken the pace of the war on corruption because most of those affected are opposition figures? We are sure Falana knows it is impossible.

President Buhari has no intention to curtail freedom of speech or muzzle the media. His government is only concerned with expression of this freedom responsibly in a manner which neither infringes on the rights of other Nigerians nor promote hate speech with its dire consequences of disaffection and disunity. This is even subject to legislation.

In Falana’s desperation to nail President Buhari on his crucifix, he brought up the issue of Messers Omoyele Sowore and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare facing treason and other charges at a Federal High Court, Abuja before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu . It is to stir public sentiments and sympathy into conferring credibility on his empty tales.

Falana who is a lead defence counsel in the case generously accused the Department of State Security Service (DSS) of refusal to release Sowore and his co-accused despite the court order to that effect. But Falana is aware that after Sowore perfected the bail conditions no one has presented himself to take them on bail, including Falana.

On Friday November 8, 2019, Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya explained in a public statement that the secret agency “has received the Court Order for the release of Omoyele Sowore. It is important that the public notes that since the receipt of the Order, no person has turned up at the DSS to take delivery of him.”

Has anyone or Mr. Falana approached the DSS office and is denied the release of the detainee? If there is anybody privy to this fact is Mr. Falana and it becomes suspect, why he has preferred to tongue-lash Mr. President over his own failings.

If the presiding judge feels it is necessary to restrict the movement of Sowore and Bakare to Abuja and Osun respectively, how is President Buhari linked to the court decision? Or is Falana indirectly insinuating that the judiciary is no longer independent of executive interference? Did he argue the restriction of moment before the trial judge?

But more interestingly, Falana’s latest outing has betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria. For Falana to qualify President Buhari’s closure of land borders to save local goods and service as impunity and an attempt to stifle free trade casts him as an unpatriotic Nigerian.

Mr. Falana should know better than anyone else that the Presidency has not nullified it free trade agreement with neighbouring African countries. It only took measures deemed expedient to stem smuggling, which cheats the local producer in Nigeria and the deprive the country of vital national revenues. For a Lawyer of Falana’s standing to openly and boldly side with smugglers against national interests suggests that he is a covert beneficiary of the activities of the smuggling cartel.

Candidly, we feel if Falana is idle, he should try his hands on something else. Flippancy becomes useless when what anyone utters cannot be discerned by anybody or is absolutely useless.

Falana should rise above such basal levels of guesswork and hallucinatory imaginations. He should crave to emulate the late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses” who fervently stood for the masses, but never betrayed his country or sided dubious characters against his nation.

Again, President Buhari has not; will not and has never nursed or contemplated any third term agenda. So, Falana should apply his sorcery elsewhere and desist from the disgraceful attempts to malign President Buhari, cause discord, disaffection, disunity and consequently overheat the polity. That’s not an enviable mark of a senior citizen in the mould of someone like Mr. Falana.

Nigeria Customs Service Directive to Halt Petroleum Products supply to Towns within 20 Kilometers to the National Borders not Well Thought -Out~~~~Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

The world has gone beyond the crude mode of operations of Nigeria’s security architecture; its shortcoming is further being brought to the public glare by the directive of the Controller General of Nigerian Customs Service, Col (Rtd) Ali Hammed, to halt the supply of petroleum products within 20 kilometers of our national borders to prevent export to neighbouring countries.

The policy would be disastrous to the livelihood of those living and working in and around these areas, who also depend on petroleum products for survival.When has it become a crime to live around the borders?We can't behave as if they have forfeited their citizenship because they live around the borders.

The federal government must, as a matter of its primary responsibility of providing for the welfare of all its citizens direct the Nigerian Customs Service to rescind on such an anti-people policy and seek other forms of stopping smuggling.

The primary responsibility of the government shall be the enhancement and provision of welfare for its citizens. No one has the power to choose where he comes from or place of ancestral lineage. Some people have even over the years situated their daily means of livelihood in and around border towns. Nigeria is a member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Charter of ECOWAS provides for free movement and cross-country movement within its neighbouring and member countries.
Fundamentally, there is a huge security lacuna in the mode of operations in Nigerian Security architecture and procedures. For instance, there are many non-South Western security personnel being posted and attached to our borders in the South West as against what is obtainable in the Northern region boarders where a chunk of the Northern Vigilante extraction of security personnel are posted and attached to such areas. Such action is not in national interest and it poses a great threat to our national cohesion, peace and progress.

America can go to war over just a citizen,it is amazing we take decisions that affect several thousands of our citizens without putting paliative measures in place.


Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
President, Centre for Change.

Deep offshore and inland basin Bill; NANS Zone B Coordinator Etinyene lauds President Buhari.

The Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerians students (NANS) Zone B, Comrade Etinyene Offongekpe has on behalf of Nigerian Students in the zone, has commended President Mohammadu Buhari for signing the Deep offshore and inland basin production sharing contract (PSC) Amendment bill into law.

Comrade Offongekpe made this known while thanking the president for signing the bill, adding that this will go a long way in sustaining improving Nigeria's gain as an oil producing country, while also enabling government to invest more into the welfare of Nigerian students and the country at large.

In a statement issued in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, the NANS zonal leader said the signing of the bill, is a positive steps, towards salvaging the challenges in the oil sector and addressing the rising poverty in Nigeria. He also said the law, will bring rapid growth and development to the nation and it citizen at large.

The students leader also reminded Nigerians that NANS remains a pressure group and non-partisan.

He therefore prayed that God continue to protect President Buhari, as he continues his various reformation programmes, which are for the benefit of our the country.

*Positive Identification: Middle-Belt group lauds Buhari, Nigerian Army over operation to sanitize region*


The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over what it described as “timely" introduction of the ‘Operation Positive Identification’.

The group reckoned that the exercise is crucial to restore sanity in the region, especially at a time foreign criminal elements have infiltrated the country.

The MBCG made this known on Friday at a press conference in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its President, Prince Raymond Nero, the group revealed that the operation is a thoughtful security sanity and the final push to flush out remnants of terrorists.

Like previous operations, the Middle-Belt expressed confidence that OPI would be a massive success, filtering, identifying and apprehending hired foreign criminals.

The group, therefore, commended President Buhari and the Army leadership for coming up with such thoughtful and proactive measure.

Read full statement below:

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard’s (MBCG) is most delighted to warmly welcome you to this Press Conference. We are grateful to Almighty God for our robust lives and the steady progress of our nation in the#NextLevel.

We are encouraged to address the media and by implication the Nigerian public for two reasons. First, to once again drum attention of our compatriots to the commencement of the “Operation Positive Identification,” (OPI) today Friday, November 1, 2019 by the Nigerian Army.

It is an exercise that will cause an increased presence of soldiers on major highways and locations nationwide. And soldiers are expected to politely and courteously request travelers to identify themselves before proceeding on their journeys.

Secondly, MBCG is constrained to interact with Nigerians on OPI exercise to explain reasons the military civil operations have become expedient. And also, to canvass support from the civil populace for the Army throughout the three-week duration of the exercise.

To this end, we advise that during the Army’s outing on OPI, Nigerians in transit are expected to carry in their possession a valid and authentic means of identification such as national identity card, voter’s registration card, (PVC), driver’s license, international passport and or, other valid official identification document.

All civilians are expected to be cautious, conduct themselves responsibly and comply with official directives by security agents during this interface. The Army will not violate the human rights of any Nigerian in the course of this exercise.

The MBCG is excited with OPI because everyone will concede to us that most parts of Nigeria, especially the Middle Belt region have been plunged into meaningless and rampant crisis. It ranges from bloodletting and destructions, armed banditry and cattle rustling, terrorism, kidnappings and so forth, fueled by suspected foreign criminal gangs who have illegally migrated into the country.

Regrettably, it is the Middle Belt region that is very susceptible and the worst hit by the atrocities and criminal activities of these foreign criminal agents, killer mercenaries, terrorists, armed bandits, cattle rustlers and their ilk, who invade us from outside Nigeria. They are contracted, sponsored and imported into the country by satanically possessed political actors to destabilize our peace as a region and the nation.

It is only the vigilance and alertness of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army that have saved us from total doom and destruction by the invasion and toxic insecurity orchestrated by these suspected foreign criminals.

The MBCG profoundly salutes Mr. President and the leadership of the Nigerian Army for continually rising to the defence of Nigerians from the invasion by foreign criminal elements and their internal collaborators.

We are already in the yuletide season and it is the most auspicious time, which spurs the zeal of criminal elements to unleash assorted terrors and criminalities on innocent and law abiding citizens. Therefore, the OPI is crafted to checkmate the widespread insecurity occasioned by the exigencies of this celebrative season.

The MBCG consequently fully identifies with the FGN and the leadership of the Nigerian Army on OPI. We appreciate this laudable and proactive initiative on taming insecurity in the country in our region and the country.

The Nigerian Army particularly has been performing a wonderful and commendable job on Internal Security (IS). We recall the Army’s intervention with the “Operation Python Dance (I & II) for Nigerians domiciled in the Southeast to be extricated from the pangs of bloodshed, armed robberies, kidnappings and allied criminalities to enjoy a peaceful yuletide and New Year.

The Army instantly flushed out armed gangs and militias terrorizing the peace and security of the Southeast region. Similar military operations like “Operation Delta Safe” conducted by the Army also cleansed the South-South region, of armed militants, kidnappers, armed robbers, armed pirates and related criminalities. Many other parts of the country have benefitted from the solace of the Army’s soothing and reliving interventions on insecurity.

The OPI exercise is a thoughtful and proactive security measure, fashioned on a similar template. It is honed to identify and apprehend hired foreign criminals who invade our country and perpetrate all manner of atrocities. So, we have no doubt that the Army will do a clean, neat and commendable job with OPI for our enduring peace and security.

Once again, we assure all Nigerians that no Nigerian would have his human rights abused or violated by soldiers during OPI. We therefore, call on all citizens of Nigeria, especially, those domiciled in North Central states, which are intensely terrorized, to come out en masse in discharge of the obligation of moral encouragement and support to the Nigerian Army for a resounding success of the OPI.

Thank you all and happy new month, as we wish you journey mercies to your various destinations.

By Yakubu Mohammed

“Soldiers would marry the prettiest women, live in the best homes, eat the best food, wear the best cloth and drive the best cars because when war comes, they die first” ---Muhamadu Ribadu

I stumbled on this quote of Nigeria’s first Defence Minister after independence and a reputable Northern politician of his time, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu. He lived an eventful life between 1909 and 1965.

He was not a soldier, but knew exactly the pains of a soldier. So, I was fascinated at this catchy wisdom. In Ribadu’s time, Nigeria knew no war, but peace. However, it was clear to his mind that peace could only, but be ephemeral, as there would come a time to war, when only soldiers are the dutiful rescuers.

It has struck me strongly that Ribadu must have been gifted with a stunning clairvoyance. He correctly envisaged that an Army in Nigeria would one day face war. He had the power of prediction; he had prophetic wisdom. Ribadu never lived to see the fulfilment of his prophesy, as he answered the divine call on May 1st, 1965, the eve of the 1966 coup, which disrupted the politics of the first republic and the eventual three-year Nigerian civil war.

Like Ribadu predicted, scores of soldiers laid down their lives to break the cord of secessionists in Nigeria. These soldiers died so that we could live and for the nation to thrive in unity, peace and progress. The need to give soldiers absolute comfort in peace times was the strong message conveyed by the ditty of the cerebral Ribadu.

He was lucid that a soldier must be entitled to all the niceties and luxuries of life, hence in times of war, the soldier is the first to sacrifice his life for others to live.

Is there any justification for anyone to claim, a soldier does not value his life or entitled to the epicurean lifestyles of the rest of us? There is absolutely no reason.

So, as the then serving Minister of Defence, Ribadu ensured rapid expansion of the Nigerian Army and other arms of the military. In tandem with his mindset of welfare for the soldier, Ribadu established the Defence Industries Corporation and many other such initiatives designed for the comfort of soldiers.

It is the same philosophy, the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency war, Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has imbibed in his leadership of the Nigerian Army. The Army Chief believes soldiers have signed a pact to die for us. They keep vigil for us to sleep in peace; they accept the bullets of the enemy for us to have life. The Army is a call only for the strong-hearted and soldiers deserve maximum comfort.

Naval war veteran and former US President, John F. Kennedy, fondly exhumes this pride in military service when he said; "Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.”

Gen. Buratai is a combatant soldier who is fired by the innate passion of service to humanity. He is an epitome of an ideal soldier anywhere in the world. My perception of him is that of an officer who embodies selflessness, patriotism, excellence and loyalty in leadership. Like Ribadu, he prioritizes the welfare of soldiers. Sun Tzu admonished military commanders to give every comfort to their soldiers and they can follow “you to the deepest valley.” Gen. Buratai is today fondly referred to as Sun Tzu of Africa by his patriots and mentees within the military for religiously upholding soldiers' welfare and comfort like a commandment.

Gen. Buratai’s adoption of this philosophy is responsible for the Army’s winning streaks in the anti-insurgency battles. What has propelled our Army officers and soldiers to fight unflinchingly and win the war on terrorism is rooted in the policy of Gen. Buratai’s fixation on the absolute comfort and niceties his administration is building for soldiers nationwide.

Famously, the Army Chief instituted the culture of prompt and timely payment of salaries and allowances of soldiers. He considers it an inviolable and sacrosanct obligation especially for soldiers in the frontlines. The era of soldiers grumbling for non-payment of legitimate entitlements is long gone with Gen. Buratai on board.

Furthermore, Gen. Buratai knows a soldier deserves a decent and habitable shelter for himself and family. In 2016, barely months after he assumed office, Gen. Buratai’s heart was drenched in sorrow as bemoaned the years of neglect of accommodation for the Army thus; “The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate!” Therefore, his administration embarked on massive renovation of Army Barracks and offices to provide both residential and office accommodation for soldiers.

Such imprints of Barracks renovations or constructions signposted very early in his administration as noticeable in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos; Obienu Barracks in Bauchi and Nigerian Army Barracks in Bama among others. Gen. Buratai has also made provision of portable water in Army Barracks a fundamental objective, where it is also extended to host communities.

A few examples like the Army Division in Enugu and its host community, Abakpa feels this impact; the Rukuba and Miango communities are also serviced by the Multi-Purpose Dam at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos. And it is replicated fairly in all Army Barracks across the nation.

The Army Chief has also initiated the building of new schools and refurbishment of old ones. He aggressively embarked on renovation and construction of new Army schools across Nigeria for children of Army officers and soldiers, starting from Abuja to elsewhere in the federation.

Access roads in Army Barracks are also rehabilitated, much like Army hospitals. Under Buratai’s leadership, soldiers enjoy a large dosage of comfort. He is aware that happy troops are the backbone to the success of any military expedition.

Its apparent that Gen. Buratai’s passion for the Army and service to his fatherland is innate. It can be gleaned from the background that in his time as a teenager, many of his peers naturally dreaded the Army. The military was perceived as a fearsome and hazardous vocation. Existing and working to die for others to live is a hard decision to adopt. But the young Buratai opted for it.

Himself the son of the World War II veteran, Mallam Yusuf Buratai who served under the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) from Nigeria, Gen. Buratai is a descendant of the lineage of chauvinists. So, he dreads no war and aims to conquer enemies of the state at all times.

Shortly before his demise two years back at the age of 106, the elder Buratai revealed that he never prodded his son to enlist in the Army, and that Gen. Buratai voluntarily opted for a military career. Pa Buratai said,“I did not ask him to join the army. He joined willingly. When he finished school here in Maiduguri, there was an advertisement urging young men to join the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He applied and was successful, so he voluntarily joined the army.”

Mallam Buratai believed that mankind must be freed from the excesses of demonically possessed souls and the only way to contribute his quota in enthroning global peace was the romance with the boots. He had a conviction that a soldier lives and dies for his country. He was infinitely sad with tales of soldiers these days, retreating from the battlefield in the face of enemy forces. That was his notion of the Army.

Therefore, Gen. Buratai has stood on these principles and perception of his father throughout his military career. It accounts for his superfluous performance as a soldier, crack combatant and leader for what his admirers have described as a rewarding military career to his nation.

As a leader of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai finds the wisdom of Gen. Colin Powell worthwhile. Powell proclaimed that "The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow."

Thus, under Gen. Buratai’s leadership, the Nigerian Army has been on a steady progressive match in excellence and performance in all ramifications because he is an ardent exemplar in official duties. Nigerians have seen a reformed and re-professionalized Army, which is loyal and patriotic. Soldiers are recording remarkable and uninterruptedsuccesses in the battles against Boko Haram and bile insurrections in the country.

Soldiers under Gen. Buratai’s guidance have stamped their dominion in all special assignments in Nigeria. Soldiers engaged on Internal Security (IS) observe the highest professional standards, maintain maximum respect for human rights of Nigerians as well as humbly sticking to the Rules of Engagement (ROE).

The Nigerian Army under Gen. Burataiis not only excelling in war, but expanding its base. From five Divisions of the NigerianArmy, which Gen. Buratai inherited in 2015, he has increased it to eight Army Divisions for ease of military operations. There are thousand Army Forward Bases stationed in crisis prone areas. Gen. Buratai has been able to establish an Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, the first Army varsity in Africa within theshort time of his leadership.

In Gen. Buratai’s prosecution of the counter-terrorism war in Nigeria, he is resolute and resilient. Like the British Field Marshal Sir Herold Alexander said, Gen. Buratai knows, “The knowledge of not only the enemy’s strength and disposition, but also how, when and where he intends to carry out his operations; brought a new dimension to the prosecution of the war”

When Gen. Burtai hops into the trenches against insurgents, in the words of the British Air Marshall ‘Bomber’ Harris, he steps out vengefully because “They sowed the seed, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind.”

In all the military engagements by Gen. Buratai and soldiers, they are exposed to grave dangers for no fault linked to them. Some have even paid the supreme price fighting to enthrone peace in a conflict they are oblivious of its causes. But they have remained loyal and patriotic to the entrenchment of peace. It now struck the wisdom of Ribadu in me, justifying why a soldier needs the best in peace times.

No doubt, Gen. Buratai has been inspired and guided by the advice his father offered him the first day he enlisted into the Army. Pa Buratai counselled the young officer Buratai to , “… be loyal to his superiors and constituted authority. I warned him to avoid any form of vice and I am grateful to God, he obeyed what I told him.”

It is the religious observance of this self-discipline or ethical code that has guided Gen. Buratai’s service elevation in the Army. This philosophy has always compelled Gen. Buratai to go the proverbial mile to seek comfort for soldiers. It explains why his leadership and administration of his office as COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria is a success story.


Mohammed, a public affairs commentator wrote this piece from Minna, Niger State.

Applauding the Giant Strides of Comrade Osadebe in Oshimili South Local Government; Towards Consolidating on Okowa's Prosperity for All Agenda.......by Okafor Uche



"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”---Ronald Reagan


Today in Delta state, it is no longer news, but visible reality, that the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is like a house built upon a rock, which cannot be hidden. Since inception, Dr Okowa has in an unprecedented matter promoted unity, peace, justice, fairness, equal distribution of the commonwealth of the people of Delta through his administration's practice of all inclusiveness in governance.

What is rather remarkable is the replication of the above feats at the local government levels by some local council chairmen, in other to be at par with the state government’s commitment to ensure no part of the state is unfairly treated in the distribution of the state’s common patrimony.

Governor Okowa, whose sterling style of leadership has ensured security of lives and property of indigenes and residents of the state, has equally made Delta the envy of other states in the country, following his dedication to service and transformational leadership model in the state, which can be directly seen across the Local Government Areas in the state, as witnessed in the sterling qualities of the Oshimili South Local government Council Chairman, Comrade Uche Osadebe.

In Oshimili South local government, which coincidentally has her Headquaters in Asaba, the state capital, where Comrade Osadebe currently preside as the Chairman, governance has been completely returned to the people, an occurrence seen as a true manifestation of the definition of democracy, as defined as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Comrade Uche Osadebe since assumption of office, have completely broken down the walls, which often separate the citizens from their leaders, as his leadership of the local government today epitomizes the scene as a meek, simple and easily accessible servant leader.

Upon being sworn in as the Executive Chairman'l of the local government in January 2018, Comrade Osadebe and his team left no one in doubts about the determination, towards complementing the efforts of Governor Okowa, in his urban renewal projects. Without any delay, the local government moved out graders to do justice to many access roads to communities within the local government, many of whom have been denied of government attention and access in the past. This brought major relief to residents of this area, as they ease of getting to their business and residential premises with vehicles, became easier than it has ever been. In consolidating on this efforts, Governor Okowa also gave his nod for the construction and completion of several other roads in the metropolis, all with the intention to open a new vista of life for the people of the State.


On security, the Osadebe administration in Oshimili South has continued to work effectively with the various security agencies, in order to ensure sure an adequate security of lives and properties and maintenance of law and order, which is one fundamental responsibility of government to its citizens.

So, why are the people not applauding and celebrating these uncommon feats?

In the near two years, Comrade Osadebe leadership has been paying salaries without backlogs; he has even continuously serviced accumulated debts of the Local Goverment, inherited by his administration.

At present, there is no worker being owed either his salary or otherwise, following his Excellency’s directive that no government worker should be owed a dime as workers deserve their wages.

While there were unprepared interventions that went unreported while the Osadebe administration such as the resettlement effort for persons displaced as a result of the perennial rising and overflow of the Nigerian river into various communities in the local government.

This is simply because Comrade Uche Osadebe, a protege and thorough groomed Servant Leader, pro-democracy activist and dogged follower of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led people oriented governance is not just a simple, intellectually-driven and humble leader of the local government council, but typifies and embodies what one can best describe as ‘a leader who leads his people from within’; so as to ensure their pulse and heartbeats are inculcated into government projects.

His style of leadership in the local council, which is a direct influence of His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa purposeful and responsive administration in the state has no doubt, endeared the council boss to everyone within and outside the local government; thereby, ensuring and guaranteeing the present support being enjoyed by him, among his people, in order to ensure even development and further growth of the the local government.

However, the great and elated people of Oshimili south are hopeful that when the early days of January, 2020 comes, the two years memorable administration of Comrade Osadebe as council chairman of Oshimili South LGA will be written on the marbles of both history and posterity for men and women of good conscience to judge.

In the next few months the people will have more reasons to evaluate the scorecard of one of their best hands and one of its finest in Comrade Uche Osadebe, as other landmark projects currently being embarked upon by his administration, would have been completed. No doubt, the people of Oshimili South will come smooching and canoodling with the council head in appreciation for remaining true to genuine service delivery in the past two years.

At present, the headquarters secretariat of the local government, is about wearing a new look, as a total facelift is currently being undertaken by Osadebe administration. This is just among others such as the ultramodern Vocational Skill acquisition centre is nearing it's completion. Also in a radical move Comrade Osadebe is leading an unprecedented environmental operation, aimed at keeping Asaba consistently clean, as the state capital. This, he is doing by working closely with communities, markets, small and major business organisations within the local. He has dedicated himself and other officials of the LGA, to a daily advocacy and campaign, towards promoting environmental sanitation among his people, while also recommending sanctions for offenders.

Comrade Osadebe represents simplicity, humility, credibility and accountability. He has maintained a sustained commitment to youth development through creating job opportunities for a good number of young people in the local government.


His dedication is unwavering and no doubt, this vanguard of democracy and good governance, will continue to work tirelessly towards ensuring the realization of the prosperity for all Agenda, of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.


Oshimili South great days are ahead.



Okafor Uche is an Investment Banker and Public Commentator.
He sent in this piece from Asaba, Delta State.

NANS Zone B Coordinator Arrives Home State of Akwa Ibom amidst Warm Reception.


The Newly Elected Zonal coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students NANS ZONE B, Comr. Etinyene Friday Offongekpe yesterday arrived Akwa Ibom to a warm embrace by Senior Stakeholders and other student' Leaders across the Zone.

Comr. Offongekpe emerged the winner and was declared duly elected by the Convention Chairman Comr. Ezekiel Sunday after a motion was moved and he nominated on the floor of the senate by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom state Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua and seconded by the SUG president of Ebonyi State University.

The Coordinating Coordinator of the largest Zone on touching down expressed optimism at such warm reception adding that such was a clear indication that his Leadership is appreciated.

He further thanked the over 1,000 aluta conscious Foot soldiers who amidst busy schedules oozed out time to receive him noting that The Glory has come to Akwa Ibom.

Shortly after his arrival, the NANS ZONE B COORDINATOR led the entourage on a Thank you Visit to the Dean, student's Affair of the Prestigious University of Uyo where he was warmly received.

As part of the concluding formalities, the Zonal Coordinator visited The Department of State Service, DSS where he briefed the agency on the outcome of the election.
The train later visited University Of Uyo, Annex where he paid solidarity to students of the JTF who logged horns in a friendly encounter at the Annex football field.

The train retired shortly after the delegation concluded the formalism on a spiritual note by visiting the Church in Thanksgiving to God.

Those on ground to receive him Included: Comr Mike Ibanga, Comr. Iberedem Eshiet, Comr. Nkereuwem Mendie, Comr. Emmanuel Aniedu, Comr. Edemumo Jr
Past and present NANS stakeholders, Worldwide Presidents, SUG presidents, Legislator of Student's Senate and other Student leaders.

BREAKING: NANS Zone B, Elect Friday Etinyene Offongekpe as new Coordinator.


The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS ‘Zone B' has at a convention held at the University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN), Enugu State, Elect new leadership, for the organization in the Zone.

According to reports by observers, Nigerian Students and the Chairman of the Convention, Comrade Ezekiel Nwankwo, the election had about 82 Senators who are Presidents of the Students' unions in their various institutions that cover 11 states of NANS Zone B. South South and South East.

The convention witnessed the Emergence of Comrade Etinyene FRIDAY Offongekpe of University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom state as the new Coordinator of NANS Zone B.


Meanwhile, the new leadership of the NANS in the Zone have appealed to the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU to reconsider its threat of an industrial action over issues bothering on the inclusion of Universities Academic staff members, on the Integrated Payroll Personnel System (IPPS).

Comrade Friday Etinyene Offongekpe said the nation currently requires the declaration of a state of emergency on its education, and any action due to be taken by stakeholders within the sector, particularly ASUU, must be thoroughly considered.

He further said the federal government must declare a state of emergency in the education sector in order to address the decay in infrastructure and increase funding for the sector.

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress (PYYC) has hailed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, for preserving and promoting harmonious working relationship with the National Assembly.

The group made this known in a press conference tagged “NASS, Executive Interface: Good Synergy; Pregnable Results” on Sunday in Lagos.

In a statement signed by convener, Comrade Kola Salawu, the Yoruba Youth extoled the renewed synergy between the executive and the parliament, particularly, on the joint visit of the National Assembly (NASS) Committees on the Nigerian Army and the fair appraisal of the Boko Haram insurgency by both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The PYYC expressed satisfaction with the “ visionary, purposeful, focused and result-oriented leadership of the Nigerian Army which has flawlessly aligned in conformity with Mr. President's transparency and accountability in leadership”.

The group, therefore, called on other security agencies as well as MDAs to emulate Buratai's leadership style and quit unnecessary bickering with the legislature.

The Yoruba Youth, however, appealed to the parliament to increase budgetary votes for the military to finally extinguish the ghost of terrorism and insurrections in the country.

“ The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress (PYYC) is persuaded by very caustic nationalistic reasons to identify and salute Mr. President. It is for his consistent running of a transparent government of Nigeria, where the legislature is uninhibited in any manner, whatsoever, to engage stakeholders legitimately in order to get the country perfectly working in the#NextLevel,” the group began.

“ This is yawningly clear from the recent visit of the Joint Committee of the NASS to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja. This was after the national parliamentarians visited the Northeast region, where Nigerian troops are busy with final stages of Clearance Operations to rout out residues of Boko Haram terrorists from their remote hideouts.

“ PYYC is excited by the NASS Committees’ oversight functions visit to the Army, especially as the national legislators stretched to the frontlines and had mutual interactions with Nigerian troops face to face on the counter-insurgency operations.

“The legislators led by Senate Committee Chairman on Army, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume and his House of Rep's counterpart, Abdulrazaq Namdas expressed satisfaction with troops' commitment to committing the Boko Haram war to a victorious end. We consider this a fair commentary on Nigeria’s success on the anti-terrorism campaigns under the Buhari Presidency.

“With this development, we are prodded to thank the leadership of the Nigerian Army, led by the resolute and unconquerable Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and emperor of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai for translucently administering the Army in a style that has flung its doors open for all stakeholders to be part of the transformation of our country in tandem with the vision and intendment of President Buhari.

“The Army Chief, Sir, we want to bring to your notice that the PYYC is impressed with your visionary, purposeful, focused and result-oriented leadership of the Nigerian Army which has flawlessly aligned in conformity with Mr. President's transparency and accountability in leadership. It shows both Mr. President and you have nothing to hide in the prosecution of the counter-terrorism campaigns.

“As a group, it is our unbending desire to see a fully regenerated and prosperous country in consonance with the authentic principles of selfless and patriotic leadership as articulated by President Buhari, ab initio from the kick of his administration years back. It gladdens our hearts to observe that leaders at lower rungs like Gen. Buratai are replicating the President’s exemplary leadership disposition and style in the public institutions they lead.

“Therefore, without any hesitance and in further appeals to the sensibilities of leaders at lesser levels and Heads of government agencies, we invite them to copiously emulate the Nigerian Army by ignoring unnecessary bickering with the National Assembly. The odyssey to the#NextLevel is our collective responsibility and everyone ought to play his part outstandingly.

“Permit us to seize this opportunity to appeal to our national parliament, especially, the Committees on the Nigerian Army in both Chambers of NASS to look into the pleas of the COAS, Gen. Buratai on the possibility of excluding the Nigerian Army from the subsisting envelope budgetary system.

“A review of the ceiling bar of budgetary votes for key agencies like the Army has become expedient in view of the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Army and the resurgence of insurgency in the country, which indisputably requires additional funding to finally extinguish the ghost of terrorism and insurrections in our country.

“May we bring to the attention of NASS leadership and the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning that the Nigerian Army has embarked on ambitious and positive innovations in the institution designed to stimulate capacity-building, competence and effective discharge of their Constitutional responsibilities of preserving and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“PYYC is aware that the leadership of the Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai has embarked on innovations and structural changes such as the establishment of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Special Intelligence Command, Land Forces Simulation Centre, and Nigerian Army Aviation School among hordes of others.

“Therefore, an insufficient budget allocation and the sustenance of the prevailing envelope (ceiling) budget system for the Nigerian Army has the tendency to hamper the Army’s determination and capacity to meet commitments extended to it in the performance of these added responsibilities.

“In effect, the PYYC therefore, implores the parliament to use its powers to canvass for more votes for security agencies especially those directly involved in Boko Haram anti-insurgency operations and other Internal Security assignments in the collective synergy to propel the nation forward in the#NextLevel. We shall be pleased of this plea is heeded.”

By Philip Agbese

In my proud African-ness, I subscribe to the tradition of polygamy as inherited from my fore fathers. It is not because I am unmindful of the strains or sometimes, its near fatal consequences in a family. But only a polygamous man knows and can actually vouch on who among his wives is the best in whatever nuance.

I celebrate Nigerian politicians, activists and public affairs commentators and even antagonists for their consciousness in enlivening public discourse on Any Government in Power(AGIP). Straightforwardly, these revered personalities of different camps have tasted the previous administration in Nigeria and the current leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. And like the proverbial two wives, they know which one is better.

And I have read some refreshing consensus verdicts a long time ago, concluding that President Buhari is indeed, the better wife, if I am permitted to adopt this euphemism in my description of his leadership of the nation. The conclusion reminds me of its blend with an American writer, Elbert Hubbard who praised the concept of polygamy as “… An endeavor to get more out of life than, there is in it.”

Personally, I have no smidgeon of doubt about the steller leadership qualities of President Buhari and his impactful outings on Nigeria’s leadership rostrum in the near five years of his sojourn in Aso Rock. He has accomplished much and really made the difference in more ways than I ever imagined. But life and security of lives is everything in the existential struggle of nations and its leaders.

Therefore, I intend to appreciate and interrogate my write-up from the perspective of President Buhari’s courage and commitment in tackling insecurity, particularly, Boko Haram insurgency. I shall concentrate on popping up salient benefits Nigerians have derived from Buhari’s suppression of infectiously toxic Boko Haram terrorism in Nigerian and the compelling need to appreciate his Presidency in superlative thankfulness.

Firstly, no one can dispute that the national capital of any country in the world is its symbol and pride. It expresses all such a country embodies. But we are all witnesses to the destructive fangs of Boko Haram terrorism on Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before the Buhari Presidency. Bomb explosions and killings everyday submitted the country’s fate to boundless mourning.

Fear in Abuja residents replaced courage and the belief, even among ardent believers that God alone protects or that any Nigerian leader could eclipse this burden. But President Buhari has transcended this challenge, as Boko Haram bombs have ceased to explode anywhere in Abuja since he became leader of the nation. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

We should be glad that President Buhari has been able to curtail Boko Haram aggressive expansions, with bomb explosions in the ancient city of Kano and Kaduna among others, where the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as well as other top personalities, worship centers and other places were regular targets of insurgents attacks.

Mr. President deserves our collective panegyrics for enabling the release of nearly 20,000 Nigerians silently held in captivity, including almost all the abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls by Boko Haram. More families under Buhari’s reign have had respite than sorrows after years of reunification with beloved ones severed by insurgency.

We should all be indebted to President Buhari for dislodging commercial Boko Haram agents and mercantile proxies, who invaded the forests and caves of Kogi state manufacturing Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other devices. It was their avowed determination to create an easy transit route to export terrorism to Southern Nigeria.

And I also think Nigerians should be grateful to the Buhari Presidency for ensuring religious and tradition leaders deposed from their fiefdoms at the peak of insurgency are back home today. They were forced to take refuge in alien lands and their domains occupied by insurgents. But these deposed leaders have been reinstated in their kingdoms.

The Shehu of Bama , Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi; his Dikwa Masa II counterpart, and many others were some victims of insurgency forced to desert their communities for asylum in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. But they have all returned to their domains because of the pervasive peace and security in the Northeast region. At the last Muslim feast of Eid-el-Kabir, the Shehu of Bama Kingdom confessed to elaborate celebration of the festival in his domain with his people, for the first time in five years.

I am also excited with President for asserting the supremacy of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the independent state of Nigeria. Under the Buhari Presidency, 18 LGAs coercively annexed and occupied by insurgents, who declared Gwoza as their “Islamic Caliphate’s” administrative headquarters have all been reclaimed by the Nigerian Army. No part of Nigeria is under Boko Haram annihilation now.

Hitherto, I observed that Boko Haram insurgents made it a favourite past time to inflict pains and sorrows on Nigerians at special festivities like Sallah, Christmas and New Year celebrations by freely visiting horrendous atrocities on celebrants. These seasons were full of apprehensions, anxieties and phobia in Nigerians. But President Buhari’s expert handling of insurgency through the Nigerian Military has vanished these tensions. For years running, insurgents have become impotent to violently disrupt such festivities with blood and tears anywhere in Nigeria.

The United Nations (UN) years back pegged the number of IDPs by insurgency at 2.4 million Nigerians. They were scattered in IDPs camps in Nigeria and neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun, while the number kept multiplying. We have to be thankful to Buhari for creating the enabling secured environment for the massive return of IDP to deserted communities and villages in the Northeast. The returnees have not only settled down to eke a living, but are also picking up from the ruins and devastations caused by terrorism, as populations in IDPs camps depreciate thinner and thinner.

Buhari’s administration has been able to halt the trend of Boko Haram’s free recruitment of thousands of our youths who were hypnotized and consecrated into killers for the Boko Haram sect. They served as insurgents’ foot soldiers and provided the manpower for a thriving terrorism. But this phenomenon has been extinguished, thereby saving our youths susceptible to Boko Haram recruitment and an endangered life. Buhari deserve praises.

And closely related, everyone is aware hundreds of agile youths were already victims of Boko Haram’s charmed enlistment into the evil sect. They were trained by insurgents in the art of killings through bombs detonations and other murderous acts. But through the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai’s adoption of the “stick and carrot,” hundreds of these initiated Nigerian youths voluntarily denounced Boko Haram and surrendered to the Nigerian Army. Souls have been saved under this administration.

The Army has gone a step further to de-militarize and de-radicalize repentant insurgents after months in camps specified for the purpose. Therefore, the repentant insurgents have been re-absorbed into a sane society and reunited with estranged families. It’s worthy of appreciation to President Buhari that his government has rescued some of our youths who went astray, and reoriented them, something akin to poet John Milton’s rendition in “Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.”

It pained us that the Northeast region was completely ruined by the activities of Boko Haram insurgency. Aside gruesome killings, the quantum of destructions to public and private properties was awful. Schools, hospitals, roads, markets, banks, and offices were reduced to rubbles as Boko Harm held the Northeast region spellbound every day. But since Buhari has ensured the return of substantial peace and security, the destroyed public buildings are being rebuilt. Through the Northeast Development Commission and Presidential Initiative on the Northeast, the arrested development denied populations of the region by insurgency is gradually being restored.

I must appreciate President Buhari for ensuring the return of peace and security especially in the trilogy states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and with it, the animation of normal life in all spheres. Markets, banks, farms, nightlife and flocks of activities have resumed in these states, where Boko Haram was an everyday experience and surviving residents or natives recoiled into their shells for the fear of terrorists. Life is sweeter for a man physically and mentally free from any inhibition of fear.

Our people have every reason to sing acclamations to President Buhari for warming his path into the hearts of Governments of Western nations who have accepted to sell combat equipment to Nigeria for the combat of Boko Haram terrorism. These previously hesitant foreign nations have also consented to extend military technical assistance to the Government of Nigeria. Such western nations declined the requests in the past citing human rights abuses by the military in the prosecution of the counter-terrorism war, against extant laws international laws.

But President Buhari’s diligent prosecution of the terrorism, with the Chief anchor officer, Gen. Buratai, dispensed it in accordance with international best practices, sacred respect for the human rights of Nigerians and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement (ROE) by the Army has vacated the ban on arms sale restriction to the FGN. Therefore, by 2020, America which was the first country to kick against sale of military equipment to Nigeria will supply 12 Tucano fighter jets to the Nigerian military to fight Boko Haram.

And a few days back, President Buhari signed a military deal with Russia at the just concluded Russia- African Summit in Sochi for the renewal of Nigeria-Russia Military Technical Agreement. The agreement will be a springboard of Nigeria’s efforts to purchase military hardware from Russia on government-to-government basis. It will also nose at Russia’s military training of Nigerian soldiers on terrorism. Precisely, Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed support of Nigeria with military equipment, Infrastructure and training facilities.

Its apt confirmation that as difficult as the asymmetrical counter- terrorism warfare appears, President Buhari has scaled international standards on human rights violations, without which the country would have been continued to suffer pariah status on military aid and deprived of the necessary military assistance to finally terminate Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

What has gladdened my heart more jubilantly in the prevailing peace in the troubled Northeast region is the temperate environment it has created for internal development initiatives. It raised the peaceful conditions for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to work for the discovery of oil and gas in the Northeastern part of the country in commercial quantities at the Gongola Basin.

NNPC’s Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji who broke the cheering news in a public statement said, the oil and gas discovered in Gongola Basin will attract foreign investments, generate employment and increase government revenues for Nigeria. Every Nigerian should thank Buhari for this novel accomplishment in Northern Nigeria.

Why won’t Nigerians be grateful to President Buhari when he has ensured children in schools in the Northeast displaced by Boko Haram have returned back to learning centers’, under a better and conducive atmosphere? It is a remarkable departure with the past, when a daring or vicious Boko Haram sent more and more school age children out of school into IDPs camps, thereby mortgaging their future and that of the country.

And quite surprisingly, most of us are not aware that Boko Haram has graduated from a small gang of armed political thugs to terrorists of international backing from the Republic of Iran. Boko Haram factional leaders, Abubakar Shekau and Musab Al-Barnewi have both professed affinities with Iranian-based and globally recognized terror groups in the Middle East.

These include ISIS, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda and many others who provide cash funding in foreign currencies and equipment supply to Boko Haram terrorists. It implies a strong and smoldering desire to takeover Nigeria at all cost. The desperation is palpable.

But President Buhari through the Nigerian military held have remained firm and assertive in combat of terrorism. With Gen. Buratai in the trenches, Boko Haram insurgents have spiritedly and fruitlessly attempted to retake territories reclaimed from them by the Nigerian Army, much less expansion. Nigerians should be excited with Buhari , without him Boko Haram would have overran Nigeria by now and so easily like floods.



There is no doubt in my mind that President Buhari is a leader, who knows where the nation aches deeper and how to apply the soothing balm for peace and security. He is my metaphor of a South African proverb which says, “ A clever king is the brother of peace,” or like the Ethiopians would say, “Even in the monastery, there is occasion for songs and merriments. Nigerians, let’s celebrate President Buhari, my iconic leader on counter-terrorism.

Agbese is a researcher in human rights laws and contributed this piece from the United Kingdom.

RE: CHIEF OKOI OBONO OBLA DECLARED WANTED BY THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMISSION, ICPC


We are Solicitors to Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, and issue this Press Statement in that capacity.

Our attention was drawn to a widely circulated press release by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC wherein they declared Chief Okoi Obono Obla, the erstwhile Chairman of the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public property, wanted for failing to honour a purported invitation extended to him pursuant to an investigation they claim they are conducting.

Though it is obvious that the whole intent of the ICPC Press Statement declaring Our Client wanted is an unfortunate episode in a well oiled media trial orchestrated to ridicule and embarrass a man who spent the last two years of his life fighting corruption to its knees, let us put some record straight as succinctly as possible.

Chief Okoi Obono Obla was never ever invited by the ICPC for an interview or questioning. Rather, we read on social media and blogs that a purported invitation letter was left at the law office of Obono, Obono & Associates, a law firm which Our Client resigned from since 2015 to accept the appointment of President Mohammadu Buhari, first to serve as Special Assistant on Prosecution and then as Chairman of the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property. The ICPC knew this; for they should know that he was not combining private legal practice and public service.

An invitation of this nature must be done by personal service on the invitee, failure of which the proper legal steps should be taken to serve the invitee through substitute means. ICPC cannot just drop a purported invitation letter meant for a person anywhere and claim that they have invited such a person. So, we repeat, Chief Okoi Obono Obla has never been invited by the ICPC.

Secondly, a case has been filed by Our Client against the ICPC challenging the purported investigation on the grounds that the agency is already prejudiced against him. Our Client took this action after a full blown media trial was launched against him. It was/is crystal clear that the ICPC has already declared him guilty even before they started their investigation. No sane man will trust an investigative agency to be fair, just and decent when it is clear from their conduct and posturing that such an agency has already taken sides.

The ICPC has been served with court processes in the said suit, but they have refused to react to the suit but rather they have chosen to carry on as a law unto to themselves, ignoring the suit and going on with the media trial by declaring Our Client wanted without even first obtaining an order of court in that regard.

This is most unfortunate. The ICPC should obey the law and due process by first serving Our Client an invitation letter, joining issues with Our Client in court and when that is disposed off, one way or the other, justice can be said to have been done. To arrogantly ignore the case in court and carry on as they are doing cuts a riotous image of President Buhari’s administration. It paints the administration as one without adherence to the rule of law, one that sacrifices its anti-corruption crusaders for political expediency. It is most unfortunate.

Exploitation and Abuse of Children: Need to Create Awareness on Childs Rights-------Olajide Olanipekun Esq


Being the text of lecture delivered by Michael Olajide Olanipekun Esq., during the Annual One Day Lecture Organized by Oladele (Mogba) Foundation, Oyo, Oyo State on Thursday 24th October, 2019 at Oladele (Mogba) Foundation Secretariat, Beside Oyo West Local Government Secretariat Complex, Ojongbodu, Oyo, Oyo State



1.0 I will like to seize this opportunity to thank the organiser of this programme for finding me worthy as a resource person to deliver a lecture on the above stated topic. Creating awareness to prevent child abuse and exploitation becomes very important given the high level of ignorance of the Law concerning the Rights of a child and the attendant commission of crime which carries prison penalties and fine as punishments that may follow such exploitation and abuse of children.


1.1 Introduction
It is highly expedient to define and explain some key words that form part of this topic of discussion in order to put the discussion in proper perspective.


1.2 Exploitation: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines exploitation as a situation in which somebody treats somebody in an unfair way, especially in order to make money from their work; the fact of using a situation to get an advantage for yourself’

1.3 Abuse: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines abuse as unfair, cruel or violent treatment of somebody’


1.4 Awareness: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines awareness as Knowing something; knowing that something exists and is important; being interested in something.


1.5 Child (Children Plural): the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines a child as a young human being who is not yet an adult’;
Child Rights Laws of Oyo State 2006 defines a child as a person under the age of Eighteen years.


1.6 Right: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines right (in the context of this lecture) as ‘a moral or legal claim to have or get something or to behave in a particular way: the same dictionary goes ahead to define human Right (which put our discussion in an appropriate direction) as one of the basic rights that every one has to be treated fairly and not in a cruel way, especially by their government
Invariably, the discussion of today is about letting people know and interested in how to treat fairly, without molestation or taking undue advantage of a person under age of eighteen. We will also highlight the repercussions of not treating fairly any young human being by making it known, the punishment prescribed by Nigerian Law that is protecting children Rights.

2.0 Child Abuse and Exploitation In Nigeria.

It is not a gainsaying that child abuse occurs in Nigeria, it has however received little attention. This is largely due to the general assumption that in every African society the extended family system always provides love, care and protection to all children, yet there are traditional child raising practices which adversely affects children and against the modern trend of care for children which are protected by Legislations.


According to the United Nations, it is estimated that there are 15 million working Nigerian children under the age of 14. These children have been exposed on the street and forced into long hours of dangerous situations that are not developmentally appropriate as those children are at the risk of accident, violence, sexual exploitation and various disease due to these exposures have been reported.


In recent years the abuse and exploitation of children for political purposes in Nigeria has been on the increase, for example, on the night of 14-15 April 2014, the 276 Chibok girls that were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok, Chibok Local government Area of Borno State, North East Nigeria by the Boko Haram terrorist group while on the 19 February 2018 110 school girls between aged 11-19 were kidnapped by book haram terrorist group from the Government Girls science and Technical College (GGSTC, Dapchi, Bulabulin, Yunusari Local Government Area, Yobe State, North East of Nigeria. There is no higher exploitation for political purposes or any form of abuse that any young person could be exposed to as the girls were subjected to all kind of sexual, physical and psychological abuse and forced labour.


There is also the case of the domestic workers in which majority are girls. These domestic workers popularly known as House helps are denied education, forced to work long hours with little or no pay, usually underfed, forced to live in terrible conditions and are also vulnerable to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.


The vulnerability of children to various forms of abuse and exploitation in situations of conflict has increasingly been recognized as a major and serious protection issue.


There is considerable overlap between the terms abuse and exploitation. Abus eas earlier defined as the process of making bad or improper use, or violating or injuring, or to take bad advantage of, or maltreat, the person, while exploitation literally means using for ones own profit or for selfish purposes" clearly show the overlap
Child abuse includes the physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a child, or the neglect of a child, in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, resulting in actual or potential harm to the childs physical and emotional health, survival and development.


Physical abuse: the deliberate use of force on a childs body which may result in injury, e.g. hitting, burning, shaking, choking;
Sexual abuse: should be understood not only as violent sexual assault but also other sexual activities, including inappropriate touching, where the child does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared.
Emotional abuse: persistent attacks on a childs sense of self, e.g. constant belittling, taunting or humiliation, isolation and intimidation.


Neglect of a child may be based on repeated conduct or on a single incident or omission that results in, or should reasonably be expected to result in, serious physical or mental injury or a substantial risk of death to the child. Neglect can include, but is not limited to, the failure to provide sufficient food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision and medicine. It can also include the failure to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from abuse, exploitation or neglect by another person.


Exploitation of a child refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit of others and to the detriment of the childs physical or mental health, development, and education. Exploitation includes, but is not limited to, child labor and child prostitution. Both terms, however, indicate that advantage is being taken of the childs lack of power and status.


The term child labour also presents some ambiguities because of its very negative connotations. Does domestic work within the family constitute child labour? Not all childrens work should be considered as exploitative, and in some situations may be regarded as beneficial to the child to make him/her have a robust and full development in domestic house chores which will enhance a balance adulthood when of age.


In many societies, almost all children undertake work, for example within the home or on the familys land. Many consider that work within certain limits contributes to childrens development and education, especially if that work can be combined with education. In some situations, the family can only afford school fees if the child works. On the other hand, certain types of work are unquestionably exploitative - e.g. bonded labour and work which is harmful to the childs health or wellbeing.
In determining whether childrens work in a particular context should be considered as exploitative, it is important to examine the totality of the childrens situation. It will be important to consider such factors as;
the age of the child;
the hours spent working each day;
the level of physical or psychosocial stress work creates;
the conditions of work;
the amount of pay;
the level of responsibility;
whether the child attends school;
the level of dignity/self-esteem children maintain;
Whether work contributes to or harms the childs psychosocial and physical development.


3.0 Rights of a Child in Nigeria and Penalties for failure to protect Such Right
Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees certain rights for all Nigerian citizens children inclusive.
3.1 The following are the fundamental Rights enshrined with chapter IV of the 1999 constitution:
Right to life Section 33 of the constitution.

Right to Dignity of Human person Section 34 of the constitution.
Right to personal liberty section 35 of the constitution.

Right to fair hearing section 36 of the constitution.

Right to private and family life section 37 of the constitution.
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion section 38 of the constitution.

Right to freedom of expression and press section 39 of the constitution.

Right to peaceful assembly and association section 40 of the constitution.

Right to freedom of movement section 41 of the constitution.
Right to freedom from discrimination section 42 of the constitution.

Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria section 43 of the constitution.

Right to compensation for any property government acquired compulsorily section 44 of the constitution.


Section 45 & 46 f the Constitution provided for procedure for enforcement of those above mentioned rights if any of them is trampled upon. The provisions of Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 are very clear on which court to approach to seek redress.

3.2 All the above stated right are subsumed and made part of child Rights taking into consideration of peculiar and special need of a child.


The child Rights Laws of Oyo State 2006 made copious provisions in section 5 (1) to cater for the provisions of the Chapter IV of the constitution stated above.
Other beneficial Child Rights provided for in 2006 Oyo State Laws which are largely unknown to the general populace are as follows:

Right to a name (Section 17) and compulsory registration of such name at birth pursuant to compulsory Registration Act of 1992.


Right to Leisure, recreation and Cultural activities (section 14).
Right to health Services every child is entitled to enjoy best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health [section 15 (1)]. Under this, the Oyo state Government is under obligation [section 15(3)]
to reduce infant mortality rate
ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care services to all children with emphasis on the development of Primary health care
ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water
ensure provision of good hygiene and environmental sanitation
combat disease and malnutrition within the frame work of primary health care through the application of appropriate technology
ensure appropriate health care for expectant and nursing mother
support through technical and financial means, the mobilization of the state and local community resources in the development of primary health care for children
Parents and Guardian Role: Every Parent and guardian or person having care and custody of a child under the age of two years shall ensure that the child is provided with full immunization [section 15(4).


Failure to ensure immunization, the parent, guardian or person having the care of such child has committed an offence and is liable to (a) a first offence, to a fine of not exceeding Five Thousand naira, and (b) a second or subsequent offence, whether in respect of that child or any other child, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month
Right to Parental Care and protection: No child should be separated from his parents against the wish of a child except (a) for the purpose of his education and welfare or (b) in exercise of a judicial determination in accordance with provision of the Law (section 16)


Right to Free and Compulsory Education: Every Child has right to free, compulsory and universal basic Education and it shall be the duty of the Government of Oyo state to provide such Education [Section 17 (1)]


Every Parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward attends and complete (a) Primary School Education; and (b) junior Secondary education
after completion of the basic education, parent or guardian should endeavour to send the child to a senior secondary school or make him to learn appropriate trade and the employer of the child shall provide the necessaries for the trade.


A female Child who becomes pregnant before completing her education shall be given the opportunity, after delivery, to continue with her Education.
Failure to ensure the above by parent/guardian, such person commits an offence and is liable:


(a) on first conviction to be reprimanded and ordered to undertake community service (b) on second conviction to a fine of Two Thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or both fine and imprisonment (c)on any subsequent conviction to a fine of not exceeding Five Thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two moths or both fine and imprisonment
Right of a child in need of special


Protection Measure (section 18): The are children with physical or mental challenges
Right of Unborn Child (section 19): A child may bring action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child willfully, recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after birth of that child.

An unborn child is entitled to the estate of his late father that died intestate an unborn child is entitled to the estate of his late mother that died intestate.


Prohibition of Child marriage(sections 23, 24 and 25): No person under the age 18 is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly, amarriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect
No parent or guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person.

Such betrothal is null and void
a person that marries a child or to whom a child is betrothed or who promotes marriage of a child commits an offence is liable to conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of Five years or to both imprisonment and fine.

Prohibition of Female Genital mutilation (section 26): No female Child should be subjected to genital mutilation.


Any person who subject a female child to genital mutilation is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of Twenty thousand naira of for a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or both fine and imprisonment.


Prohibition of Tattoo or Skin Mark (section 27): No person shall tattoo or make skin mark or cause any tattoo or skin mark to be made on a child.


A person who tattoos or makes skin mark on a child commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding One month or to both imprisonment and fine
Prohibition of exposing a child to narcotics or usage of (section 28): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to life imprisonment without fine.


Prohibition of usage of a child in commission of Criminal activities (section 29): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fourteen years imprisonment without fine
Prohibition of Removal of a Child from the custody of his parents, guardian or any person having lawful care (section 30): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fifteen years imprisonment without fine (if the child is within oyo state or Twenty years imprisonment if the child was taken outside oyo State.


Prohibition of Child Labour (section 31): No Child shall be subjected to any forced or exploitative labour or as a domestic help outside his own home or family environment.
any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding Fifty thousand Naira or Five years imprisonment or to both fine and imprisonment.

If the offender is a corporate body it is liable on conviction to a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty thousand naira.


Prohibition of having sexual intercourse with a child ( section 34): any one that does that commits an offence of Rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life without fine
where a person is charged with an offence of child rape, it is immaterial if the offender believed the Child to be above 18 years or the sexual intercourse was with consent of such child.


Prohibition of other sexual Abuse of a child (section 35): a person who sexually abuses or sexually exploits a child in any manner apart from rape commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fourteen years imprisonment without fine
Prohibition of Harmful publication that may be injurious to a child (section 37 and 38): any one that imports harmful publication commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of Thirty thousand Naira or a term of Three years imprisonment or both
- any one that print, publishes, sells or let on hire any harmful publication that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of fifty thousand naira or Five years imprisonment or both.

4.0 Recommendation

It is crystal clear that exploitation and abuse of children have serious legal implications under our law with far reaching consequences in term of punishment attached to the offences as a result of child abuse and exploitation.


It is quite unfortunate that we the full weight of the Law has not been felt by those that abuse and exploit our children largely because parents or guardian of those victims are mostly guilty of the offences or refuse to report to the Law enforcement agencies under the disguise of protecting the victim.

Consequent to non reportage of such offences, Child abuse and exploitation is on the increase.


I wish to humbly urge parents and guardians to make sure that report any such abuse and exploitation to the Law enforcement agencies through Non governmental Organization Like Oladele (Mogba) Foundation that will ensure that the needful is done to get justice and also protect the identity of such victim.


Also, I wish to recommend to Oyo state government to provide the manpower that will allow to function adequately the Family Court that will take care of the adjudication of such cases in the best interest of such child. Also, the Government should ensure that Childs right committee both at State and Local government Levels are constituted because they necessary for implementation of Child Rights Law 2016 of Oyo State.

5 Conclusion

I want to conclude that to have a community that will be free of Child abuse and exploitation, all hands must be on deck to promote our age long traditional values that recognise the usefulness of children as pride of the society and its future.


I once again thanked Oladele (Mogba) Foundation for inviting me to share my thoughts with you and also commend the Foundation for living up to its objectives with this awareness on Child rights and other laudable programs it has been carrying out since inception. I also thanked the audience for your rapt attention.

By David Onmeje

Africa by conception is designed by God Himself to be a great continent. But very often, Africans privileged to mount leadership positions on the continent are devoid of the essential ingredients which empowers a leader towards success in the nations they rule.

The phenomenon became widespread after most African states kissed the romance of independence from colonial masters. The aspiration to leadership and the zeal to succeed while on the leadership podium requires courage. A leader in the truest sense is a carrier of the destiny or fate of millions of people. So, to succeed itself demands a consistent dosage of courage or else, frustrations easily beckons a leader to the path of failures.

Unfortunately, Today, purveyors of leadership history only mention a few African leaders (past and present) who have conquered this standards of leadership. There are really very few African leaders qualified for citation in exemplary leadership courage that should lead to success.

Great African leaders whose names often pops up under such leadership interrogations include Ghana’s Kweme Nkurmah; Burkina Faso’s Captain Thomas Sankara; South Africa’s Nelson Mandela; Ethiopia’s Halie Selassie, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and of course, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria among a few others.

But there is an indubitable sense in arguments by those who think what is Africa’s heaviest burden is lack of leadership courage. Most African leaders know the right thing to do, but are barren of the courage to dare it or what is commonly referred to as the “political will,” because of the ungodly allures and fascinations of leadership. It explains why there are few of such individuals and personalities across Africa.

Nonetheless, the incumbent President of Nigeria, a reputable retired Army officer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari stands out tall in leadership courage. President Buhari has twice been on Nigeria’s leadership saddle. He first came as a military Head of State in 1984 and in 2015, he returned as a democratic President. To say, he is one of Nigeria’s finest leaders of all times, for all the times he has mounted the leadership mantle is to emphasize the obvious.

What is inseparable with his persona is that in all instances, President Buhari has demonstrated leadership courage to succeed and leave landmark legacies for his country. Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern; but President Buhari has persistently manifested the courage to wither the storm to success by confronting the nation’s teething problems unflinchingly and boldly.

John Maxwell once said; “ A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” President Buhari is a replica of this reconstruction of the thoughts of a leader. Therefore, Buhari does not flinch in taking the right leadership decisions insofar as it leads to light at the end of the tunnel. He steps on toes and wade off the lobbying shadows of even close political associates once he is bent on doing the right thing.

Every Nigerian is aware of the severity and toughness of the problems which engulfed Nigeria when the Buhari Presidency was inaugurated. It was more intensified on insecurity as signposted by Boko Haram insurgency and other crumbling insurrections around the country.

President Buhari knew he had to urgently tackle the Boko Haram menace. And it required courage to make the right decisions on the rightful, competent and trusted military officers to lead the battle against insurgency. And President Buhari has not left anyone disillusioned in the manner he has handled insurgencies and insurrections. He has demonstrated rare courage; unbelievable courage and uncommon courage to explore the fields in anti-terrorism combats where his predecessors dreaded.

Mr. President astounded Nigerians when he assembled his team of Security Chiefs. He opted to appoint serving military officers whom he has never met before. But he had reason to trust their capacity and competence to perform the task as certified by their worthy profiles.

In the Nigerian Army, President Buhari spotted Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and anointed him the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Further justifying his explicit confidence in Gen. Buratai, he crowned him leader of the counter-insurgency operations.

What many Nigerians failed to decode in Mr. President’s choice of Gen. Buratai was the desire to have a COAS and helmsman of counter-terrorism in Nigeria in the personality of an officer who could personally go to the trenches, comb the caves, forests and mountains of the Northeast in search of insurgents hideous camps. He wanted a leader of counter-insurgency who will take the war to insurgents’ doorsteps.

And Gen. Buratai’s antecedents fitted into President Buhari’s ideal leader of the war. And the Army Chief has neither failed the President nor Nigerians, as he is doing it without fear or favour. The Army Chief is also delivering on this mandate and meeting his targets in the frontlines’ rewardingly.

Thus, in Gen. Buratai presence on the turf in combating Boko Haram terrorism, one is assailed with the courage of Mr. President’s decision to anoint him leader of this battle, which Nigeria is poised to win at all cost. It is President Buhari’s courage in the appointment of Gen. Buratai that has ensured the reclamation of all the 18 local governments in the Northeast under the captivity of insurgents.

The courage of the President’s decision is mirrored in Gen. Buratai’s leading of troops to halt the spread of Boko Haram terrorism to all parts of Northern Nigeria and its aggressive attempts to extend tentacles to Southern Nigeria.

Nigerians can see and feel the courage of the Presidential decision in the freedom of about 20, 000 Nigerians held hostage in Boko Haram gulags in the Northeast. And the same courage has emboldened Gen. Buratai to demystify the dreaded Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s formerly untouchable haven.

The same Presidential courage in leadership decision has propelled Gen. Buratai to confine Boko Haram operations in a few far-flung areas in the Northeast and the Lake Chad Basin. The resultant effect has been the desertion of IDPs camps and the corresponding return of internally displaced persons to abandoned villages and communities in the region. The development is made possible because there is palpable peace and security in a sizable proportion of the devastated Northeast.

Gen. Buratai is again ennobled by the presidential courage in appointing him leader of counter-insurgency operations by ensuring the rehabilitation and rebuilding process of communities ruined by insurgency in the Northeast are progressing seamlessly to resettle a once pauperized and distressed villagers’.

So, whatever positive changes or bliss Nigerians have experienced in the country’s Boko Haram combats are plausible testimonies of the outcomes of that rare leadership courage. It is the incredible and uncommon courage exhibited by President Buhari by appointing a trusted and competent Army General like Buratai to lead the battle against insurgency.

This presidential courage has harvested for Nigerians unbeatable gains in the combat of Boko Haram terrorism. It is a remarkable departure from the tradition of the past, when excuses reigned and insurgency expanded unimaginably in helpless indignation of the nation’s military.

President Buhari’s courageous actions has aligned with the preachments of Alan Cohen, who said; “It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”

Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.