In line with the New Direction Agenda of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Managing Director of Kogi State Investment and Property Limited, Mrs. Aishat Suleiman has commence a nationwide tour to access properties belonging to Kogi state government.

Mrs. Suleiman who assumed office recently said Kogi investment and properties Limited is an establishment whose activities on one spring board cannot be divorced as Property is investment and vice versa.

According to her, the company is saddled with the responsibility of wooing investors to the state in addition to her mandate as a custodian of records of all the investors to the state in general.

“Kogi State is endowed with lots of natural, mineral and human resources. I am calling on all Kogi indigenes within and outside the state to eschew sentiments and join hands to make the present administration achieve its set out goal of making the state occupy its original position of greatness.

“Let us woo investors in Agriculture, Housing, Tourism, Health, Education and all other sectors to Kogi State to tap the numerous untapped natural resources embedded in Kogi state”, Mrs Suleiman stressed.

“It is my wish that as we Key into the New Direction Policy of the present administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello whose resolution is to transform Kogi state to a self-reliant state, we at Kogi state Investment and Property Limited will stop at nothing until we achieve the set goals of generating revenue for the development of our state”.

A civil society under the aegis of Kogi Professional Forum (KPF) and 200 other civil societies yesterday in Abuja berated the Senate of playing politics with the fate of unpaid civil servants in the state.

While addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Secretary General of the group Olusola Thomas said the group was deeply concerned over the donation of 1, 260 bags of rice to civil servants in Kogi which was celebrated all over social media and other news potters yesterday.

In his words “There are states in this country today that are been owed salaries, why did the Senate not find it appropriate to make similar donations to civil servants in other states owed salaries by their state governments.

Thomas said it is very sad that the Senators have decided to ridicule themselves saying their actions and reactions is unguided and a desperate move to toil with the collective sensibility of the good people of Kogi and not only the civil servants.

“We see this action of the Senators as an insult to sons and daughters of Kogi state. I call on all Kogi state citizens to rise to condemn this act. It is being orchestrated by selfish politicians for selfish gains”.

“Kogi might be feeling the brunt of the economic crisis that is currently bedevilling the whole country, but that does not mean a group of people with inordinate ambition should sit in Abuja and paint Kogi state citizens like IDP’s,’’ Thomas said.

Thomas further emphasized that the Senate which is the highest law making body in the country be more decorous and fair in attending to such matters as sensitive as this.

“We expect the distinguished senators to be non-partisan and fair by sending delegation to verify the true state of things before playing to the gallery,’’ he added.

By Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele

Since assumption of office the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has re-invigorated and enhanced the internal working mechanisms of the Nigerian Army like never before, inspiring men and officers alike to professionally give allegiance, patriotism and loyalty to the country. As the country basks in the euphoria of yet another independence celebration, it is pertinent to take stock of one of the oldest military institutions in the country and how far it has fared in spite of the enormous challenges of the 21st century - terrorism, kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, oil pipelines vandalism, cultism, among others.

Under the present leadership of Lt. Gen Buratai, Nigerians have severally praised and commended the army with high approval ratings in terms of professionalism, rule of law, welfare, training provisions of officers, military strategies adopted against insurgency and the institutional capacity building currently taking place including the transparent dogged, innovative and dynamic leadership in the administration of the army.

Though not without its challenges, the Army has also come to terms with the use of sophisticated weapons and accoutrements to fight today’s terrorism, the use of intelligence gathering mechanism from social media and other internet facilities to gather information, hard-wares and weaponry and the shortage of manpower have never been so easy.

But when the current COAS took over the mantle of leadership with the plethora of challenges facing him, he went straight to work by dismantling and decimating the ferocity of the Boko Haram insurgency, reduced criminalities across the country including the herdsmen clashes with farmers by looking inwards to see what have been left undone for decades by his predecessors, and taking them head-on.

First and foremost, the internal working mechanism of doing things was changed from the former to the new where ‘change’ management became the order of the day. In terms of contract specifications and the purchase of military hardware, the Ministry of Defence is wholly in charge of dealing with the manufacturers directly. Human capital development has become the front burner of its cardinal focus as training and retraining are now the order of the day. A lot of military officers now go on courses even beyond our shores to expand their capacity and scope. Improved conditions of work, office environment, welfare policies and the rehabilitation of the barracks across the country are also another major focus of the current leadership. Since the COAS came on board a lot of new barracks have been built and commissioned while the ones that needed rehabilitation have been revamped. In order to conform to the best global practices, a new set of commands, battalions, brigades and departments has been established to keep with the latest development of doing things. Such as the creation of legal department, human rights desk, civil-military affairs, department of procurement, among others, all in a bid to run an efficient and transparent Army of the 21st Century and cater for today’s challenges. This set of departments is today responsible for the smooth running and civil-military relationship enjoyed by Nigerians and the respect for human rights and other standards of engagements have been entrenched.

Consequently, the high espirit de corps enjoyed by men and officers of the Army since its 150 years of establishment is unrivaled, as Buratai’s preaching of peace, professionalism and submission to democratic ethos is now the agenda on every soldier’s heart. The morale is very high as the welfare of the soldiers is very important according to the COAS’ blue-print. The promotion of ranks and file, the postings and those at the war-front is also of major concern to the Army leadership.

The incentives of adequate payment of salaries and allowances has added to the much needed impetus to the fight against insurgents and had also strengthened the resolve of soldiers by creating adequate contingency plans to treat wounded soldiers, rehabilitate and reward them, including compensating the families left behind by soldiers that had lost their lives in battle-fronts.

Under the COAS’ pragmatic leadership, funds meant for procurement, feeding, medicines and the payment of allowances for soldiers had being judiciously disbursed, while it is note-worthy to also say that the General has compelled every officer serving to declare assets with Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Army now has a yearly auditing of its financial accounts, for transparency and accountability to keep pace with best practices across the globe.

Little wonder, the Army has won several laurels and awards to its name numerously, among them are: ‘Best Army Defence Agency,’ the ‘African of the Year Award’, the ‘Man of the Month award,’ the ‘Brazilian Military Order of Merit,’ and the ‘Most Distinguished Chief of Army Staff of the Decade,’ and others too numerous to mention.

The proactive decision making of the COAS has in a long way assisted to keep the Nigerian army on track like never before, in the securing of the territorial integrity of the nation and on issues of national unity and peaceful coexistence. The routine exercises carried out across the country have made Nigerians proud of the Army’s determination to sustain its constitutional role of defending the nation, as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace in the entire country.

These routine exercises which have become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations, theft of weaponry, kidnappings, cultism and violent agitations across the country, as well as, other security challenges that have become prevalent, have been nipped in the bud by the different operations across the length and breadth of the country. The original purpose and aim of carrying out these exercises is to train and sharpen the operational skills of personnel, as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitations when called upon. Such operations carried out includes: Operation Lafia Dole, Operation Delta Safe (Op Pulu Shield), Operation Safe Haven, Operation Safe Conduct, Operation MESA, Operation Iron Fence, Operation Sharan Daji, Operation Safe Corridor, and Operation Egwu Eke II, all in a bid to keep Nigeria safe and secure for economic prosperity. Nigerians will agree that these patriotic operations have assisted in curtailing criminality across the country and dousing tension in the polity; a novel idea indeed by the COAS!

Nevertheless, the military hardware has been vigorously pursued by the COAS with the support of the President, as a lot of weapons and arms have been bought for the Nigerian Army so as to contain insurgency, boost the morale of the soldiers and enhance their ability of weapons handling and usage as in developed countries. The dress code of the soldiers and other paraphernalia given to them freely has been improved.

The COAS has re-invigorated and re-branded the yearly and quarterly military exercises and drills conducted in most army ranges for fire arms display, competition and shooting to enhance the handling of weapons and skills of the soldiers. These drills have assisted the army to keep tab with up-to-date drills and exercises so as to boost their confidence and learn new techniques while the best battalion and brigades are rightly rewarded for their performances.

It is also note-worthy, to mention that the Army has intermittently embarked on medical treatments of ailing Nigerians in war-torn communities and internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). A lot of sick Nigerians have benefited enormously from the free medical services and distribution of drugs, all funded by the Army across all the regions that have been affected by violence from herdsmen, Boko Haram or places where military exercises are carried out. While in such places, also roads, infrastructure including electricity have been built by the army as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Just recently, the army medical corps at the South East distributed and engaged in free medical outreach to people within the zone, repaired roads and schools across the region while the exercise lasted. Over 5,000 people benefited during the flag-off of the free medical treatment in both Ebonyi and Anambra State in spite of the mischief caused and fake news raised by traducers. This has renewed the thinking of the people despite their initial apprehension.

Howbeit, the Nigerian Army needs the support and cooperation of Nigerians just as Nigerians also need theirs, so as to better their relationship for the overall security and collective good of the nation. The current leadership of the Army is a key asset in this administration’s fight against corruption, insurgency and the safe-guard of goods and property and as such should be commended for modernizing, re-positioning and revolutionizing the Nigerian army for professionalism, respect for democracy and the effective service delivery in line with the current administration through dynamic and innovative military policy framework and structures that have kept the Nigerian Army abreast of development and challenges in the world. That the training and retraining of officers has stood the Nigerian Army out while enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies, robust civil-military relationships have endeared the army to Nigerians and indeed the world over.

At a recent function, precisely at commissioning of a human rights desk in Borno State, the COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, charged the Nigerian soldiers saying: “It is just yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari visited here to celebrate the Independence Day with us to boost our morale. That visit of the President has rekindled our will to do our best to restore peace in the North-East and other parts of the country. I charge you to remain loyal and reciprocate the gesture of the President, who has been equipping and supporting our operations’’.

Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, is of Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN), National Co-ordinator, Nigerian Royalty Awards (NRA) and President, COCMEGG.

The attention of Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN), has been drawn to the recent outburst from the Senate to the Army on IPOB proscription and the dismissed officer, Lt. Col. Abdulfatai Mohammed.



Recently, Nigerians have been inundated with condemnations of the Senate leadership over actions taken by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, few weeks back to safeguard and protect the territorial integrity of the nation with the unleashing of exercise operation Python Dance 2 in the South East.

Even when many opinions from across the country favoured the action of the Nigerian army, the Senate leadership took a swipe at them not minding and taking into consideration the police men who lost their lives, the wanton destructions of property and threat to national security.

Today, Nigeria is better by the patriotic decision of the army leadership, the tension generated across the country has reduced significantly, giving Nigerians a sign of relief and security.



In a press release by the Executive Secretary, Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, on the recent senate summon of the COAS and the unprecedented action taken by the committee on ethics and privileges on a matter that is sub-judice at the National Industrial Court (NIC), he emphasized that for the records, the laws governing the military worldwide is quite different from that of civil laws, saying,” when a personnel takes an oath of office to serve and protect the territorial integrity of the nation, he or she instantly becomes subject to military laws when the need arises and if peradventure he or she is punished or court marshaled under the law and approved by the highest military authority, then nothing can be done whatsoever to change that decision or judgement meted to the officer in question''.

For an officer of that rank to have taken the COAS to an industrial court in military circle is an abomination and absolutely unacceptable anywhere in the world.



According to the press release, the senate committee has no powers or right under the law to summon the COAS under a matter already in court and as if that is not enough, a military affair that has been dispensed and decision taken. The rules governing the military and the order through which the senate acted are entirely different and sub-judice. He canvassed that the committee on ethics erred by walking out a representative of the COAS who was sent because of the respect the COAS has for the Senate, knowing fully well the enormous national task on his desk and that the senate has no power whatsoever to summon the army chief based on a case already in court according to the Senate standing rules.



Howbeit, the said officer, Lt. Col. Abdulfatai Mohammed, petitioned the Senate on malicious and compulsory retirement by the army, while it had already on August 12, 2016, filed a suit in the National Industrial Court (NIC) against the COAS and the Nigerian Army, seeking reinstatement which invariably means that the issue now handled by the Senate is already in court and cannot be entertained.



Accordingly, the executive secretary emphasized that the standing rules 2015 of the Senate, that matters in court are not allowed to be entertained by the senate. That the Senate usurp the powers of the National Industrial Court (NIC) by taking up a matter of a dismissed military officer, which is an aberration, null and void. It is clear that the Senate do not have the mandate and jurisdiction to hear or entertain the petition not to talk of summoning the COAS. The said action is a fragrant abuse of separation of powers and prejudicial to the path of justice. It is our candid view that powers of the Senate to invite or summon is not without limitations. The powers of the senate to investigate are not general but limited to the execution of administration of laws enacted by the lawmakers. The senate power to summon are further circumscribed and limited by sub section (2) of the equivalent of section 88 of the 1999 constitution, in which it explains explicitly that the senate can only invite public servants when it is about to gather facts for the purpose of making laws or amending existing laws.

According to the executive secretary, the Senate has powers to screen Service Chiefs after their nomination by the President but they cannot exercise any disciplinary action against such. Therefore, the summons to COAS to appear before it over a pending issue at the National Industrial Court (NIC) is sub-judice, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. We, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on the army leadership for decimating the Boko Haram and the enhancement of Total Quality Management (TQM) of its men and officers including the internal reorganization of the army to conform with best global practices and professionally focused like never before. That the army has proven their mettle with high approval ratings and Nigerians are fully in support of their job performances so far.

The attention of the Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria (COCMEGG) has been drawn to the various unpatriotic hues and cries by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, irredentist movements and few elements within the country calling for the breakup of Nigeria and withdrawal of the army from the South-East due to the patriotic and strategic initiative of operation “Python Dance 2” carried out by the Nigerian army in defence of the territorial integrity of the nation to also safeguard lives and properties. COCMEGG wishes to state that it is a normal army routine exercise to check mate internal strife, insurrection and rising security challenges anywhere else in the world and Nigeria is not an exception, as it is presently being done in the South East due to the rate of kidnappings, banditry, assassinations, secessionist activities and other forms of criminalities.
Since the proactive and patriotic present Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y Buratai, took over the mantle of leadership; the army has greatly reduced the ferocity of Boko Haram insurgents, curtailed farmers/ herdsmen clashes across the country and also nipped in the bud, various unpatriotic elements who are fanning the embers of war within the country. Nigerians have never been so proud of the professional focus of the army as regards to the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of the nation and the high motivation “espirit de corps” of the men and officers including conforming with the best global practices as it relates to human rights and civility of the army in this democratic dispensation. The army leadership has shown leadership, commitment, selflessness and patriotism in the handling of the affairs and security of the nation and as such, should be commended by all and sundry for making Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed.
Arising from an executive emergency meeting convened in Lagos few days ago by the Coalition, we are constrained to issue the following statement.
1. We condemn in strong terms, the pronouncements, threats, deaths, blackmail and secessionist activities being carried out by Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB members within the South-East geo-political region. That their agitations, wanton killings, maiming’s and insurrection are not in tandem with the fundamental rights of the freedom of expression which are critical to any successful democracy. The name calling of the nation and issue of threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty should be treated with all seriousness and Kanu should be called to order. That this nation is greater than any individual or group of persons.
2. The usage of the word “Zoo” to describe the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not only barbaric, unpatriotic but unbecoming of a Nigerian youth who is clamoring for the rights of a few individuals because position begets leadership. These despicable utterances and uncouth languages used against the Nigerian State are unwarranted and therefore should be stopped forthwith. Nigerians are aware that Kanu has broken all known bail conditions granted him by Justice Nyako and he is still a free man in spite of breaking the conditions given to him. Why fomenting and heating the polity unnecessarily and beating the drums of war while expecting the Nigerian nation to stand aloof and watch the shenanigans meted to the public by IPOB members. Enough is enough. The security of the country is sacrosanct and as such, the army as professionally led, has done what can be done to avert the breakdown of law and order in the South-East as a result of these criminalities and insurrectionist activities.
3. While we commend the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo for their fatherly role and the South-East Governors forum for showing leadership, we make hay to state, that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and that the country should not be taken for granted while Nnamdi Kanu makes life unbearable for a lot of Nigerians and still threatens to stop elections in Anambra state. The silence of the nation should not be taken for cowardice. This country is greater than any individual and as such, Kanu should stop heating and creating tension unnecessarily in the South-East and abide by all bail conditions granted him.
4. The indivisibility of Nigeria and the role of the military in contemporary times such as this should be uppermost in our hearts. “Citizenship should be our priority than indigeneship”. We condemn the divisive tendencies, hate speeches and any kind of war mongering by these irredentist movements and so called leaders whose legitimacy as leaders are questionable and who are using the present circumstances coupled with youth unemployment to fan the embers of disunity and hate and as such should be called to order. We urge Nigerians to shun every divisive act capable of further polarizing the country on ethnic lines and discountenance the discordant tunes of Nnamdi Kanu calling for self-agitation based on greed as championed by these so called IPOB members and warn of the dire consequences of another civil war.
5. We call on Nnamdi Kanu to stop championing his selfish agenda and sowing the seeds of discord, disharmony and disaffection in the South-East region in order to feather his nest. To stop forthwith and toe the line of dialogue in the interest of peace and unity. We must create by all means necessary, a country that we can collectively call our home irrespective of tongues, religion and tribe. That despite the diverse identities and our difference in culture, tradition and religion, Nigeria must thrive and we also call for the respect of our plurality and tolerance to ensure that social justice reigns supreme.
6. COCMEGG commends the Chief of army Staff (COAS) and other service chiefs for containing the insurgency and insurrection and therefore pass a vote of confidence on the Army leadership for patriotism and nationalism. The Nigerian Army has rekindled hope and pledged its support for the Nigerian constitution and supportive of democratic structures of the country in whatever aspects. It has always carried out its duties within the acclaimed standards of engagements with the civil populace with due respect to the human rights of Nigerians and sanctity of human lives. What happened at NUJ Aba is rather unfortunate and should not repeat itself.
Signed

Omoba Kenneth Agbegbele Com. Faruk Umar
President, COCMEGG Publicity Secretary