₦airaland Forum

Our news media is one of our greatest problems. Most Nigerian users of these media are also gullible.

In 2011, my car was snatched from me by robbers at gunpoint. That scary experience brought me face to face with and later close to one of Nigeria’s smartest serving police men alive. His soft voice, boyish look, gentle mien and calm disposition belie the lion heart, sharp instincts and intellect and ruthless efficiency of a master crime-buster. Call him Nigeria’s Jack Bauer (of the series 24 fame) and you will not be wrong.

Last weekend, not a few Nigerians were excited by the news of the rescue of the three kidnapped female students from Babington Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, and the arrest of the culprits. The man who cracked the horrible crime was none other than CSP Abba Kyari, OC IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a position he was fittingly and deservedly given by the current IGP, Solomon Arase. Being a “Lagos Boy”, it was only natural that he was brought in to crack the case, and crack the case he did! Just like he found my stolen car back in 2011!

A 1997 Geography graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Abba grew up in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he attended Government Primary and Secondary Schools in Maiduguri. He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State in 1998 and joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 2000. 16 years after, he has earned for himself the reputation of a diligent, no-nonsense and intelligence officer, such that the police authorities and politicians are proud to have and work with. And from get go, he demonstrated to his bosses that he knew why he joined the force, and has kept at it.

After completing his training in the Police Academy WudilKano, Kyari was posted to Adamawa State where he served in Song, Girei and Numan Local Government Area with remarkable successes in crime bursting. He stood out when he led the arrest of a notorious armed robber called, ‘Ndagi’ a.k.a Spirit. Spirit held Numan, the third biggest town in Adamawa State hostage for several years before his eventual arrest. From then, there was no looking back for this intelligent officer with a sharp investigative mind and sometimes deadly courage.

Kyari joined the Police Mobile Force, popularly known as Mopol in 2005 and was there for about five years until his posting to Lagos Command October in 2010. He was deployed as the second in command (2/IC) to SARS and later became the OC SARS on January 15, 2011. It was said that the then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, who decorated him with several awards, resisted ceaseless attempts by the Police high Command to have Kyari redeployed out of Lagos. This was on account of his amazing achievements in combating the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping in Lagos.

Kyari has a long litany of exploits under his belt. He was instrumental in the arrest of the most notorious armed robber in the South West, Mr. Abiodun Egunjobi, otherwise known as Godogodo. Godogodo was arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State, with some of his gang members. SARS recovered 42 AK47 rifles from the gang. Godogodo confessed to have killed over 150 Nigerians, including over 50 policemen during his 10 years reign as the kingpin of South West armed robbers.

There was also the arrest of Benjamin Osinachi a.k.a China and his entire gang of kidnappers based in Ghana, but operated in Nigeria. Their victims included a sitting High Court Judge, a sitting local government chairman, many expatriates, amongst others. China and his gang members held South West residents by the jugulars for long. But Kyari with his men, were said to have deployed, “Advanced Technology and brought the kidnappers down.” Several AK47 rifles and thousands of ammunitions were recovered from the gang.

The defeat of Mr. Andrew and his gang of deadly kidnappers in Igando area of Lagos metropolis was spearheaded by Kyari and his men. SARS recovered 12 AK47 rifles, GPMGs and rocket launchers from the gang. Also during his tenure in Lagos, SARS arrested Chinansa and gang in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos. The SARS men recovered 11 AK47 rifles, rocket launchers and GPMGs from them.

There was also the shocking arrest of the General Overseer of a church located at Ejigbo. The General Overseer was part of the gang of robbers that attacked the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The gang was later discovered to have operated at Ogun, Kwara and Rivers States. When they were eventually arrested, police recovered five AK47 rifles and GPMGs.


Kyari was also instrumental in the arrest of the kidnappers of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo Iweala’s mother. The kidnappers used to operate in Delta, Edo and Port Harcourt. This gang killed the former deputy Governor of Anambra State and kidnapped the wife of a sitting Supreme Court Judge.

Kyari and his men also arrested the kidnappers that abducted Dangote’s cousin. Another gang that kidnapped a British citizen, Mr. Dickson Lee, along the International Airport Road, was also defeated. The Briton was kidnapped moments after landing in Nigeria. There was the arrest of Obinna in Onitsha. Obinna was the most notorious sponsor and kingpin of robbers who specialized in hijacking trailers carrying containers. SARS has also in its feather, the arrest of Emmanuel aka Arab. Arab and his gang members were described as deadly. 12 AK 47 rifles, including four AK47 rifles belonging to Policemen they killed during bank robbery in Kwara State were recovered from them. Kyari and his men led the rescue of a young Kwara female model in Delta State. The policeman and his men also led in the rescue operation of Alhaji Fashola, owner of Kings Petroleum in Isheri Oshun, Lagos.

Lagos residents cannot forget the arrest of the nanny who kidnapped three boys belonging to same parents. The kids were called ‘the Orekoyas kids’. The nanny was arrested within three days that the case was transferred to Kyari and his men. Few days before Kyari got his posting letter to Abuja, he led the arrest of Lekki armed robbers who attacked the First City Monument Bank (FCMB). They killed three policemen and a girl who was hawking fish, carted away money and escaped through the waterways.

Splintered members from the Lekki bank robbery gang recently attacked banks at Ijede and Ogolonto areas of Ikorodu, Lagos. They escaped, as usual, through the waterways and Kyarideployed his Technology and arrested four of the Ikorodu bank robbers.

Kyari has received a lot of awards to mark his achievements. But to mention a few; there’s the IGP Commendation Award for Courage 2012, 2013, 2014. Governors Award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service excellence 2011, 2012, 2013. There’s Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage 2011. Best Anti- Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa, Star Award from CRAN 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

A very shy guy, Abba wouldn’t talk about his work and how he does it, but his men and people who have come across him would attest to the fact that his best attribute is that he sees himself as a Team Leader and not a boss in the discharge of his duties and co-ordination of men and resources to fight crime and criminals. One of his boys told me that” “OC is a whiz kid. He is too much. He understands technology and uses it to track down criminals. Also, he is a leader. He motivates us his men. We eat and drink with him. He attends our weddings, birthdays and naming ceremonies of our children and funeral of our relatives. In short, he is like a brother to us and leads from the front. He is always there for us and even teaches us how to key into technology while doing our work. In short, the OC is wonderful.”

So, here’s a brilliant officer who is also a great leader, who is ever ready to learn and teach others so the war against crime and criminals may succeed. No wonder the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, like his predecessor, was full of praises for Abba Kyari as he broke the news to Lagosians of the rescue of the three female students and the arrest of their kidnappers. He couldn’t be headed anywhere else but the top having stayed on top of his game from the moment he joined the Police.
http://www.wilberforce.com.ng/2016/03/abba-kyari-nigerias-real-life-jack-bauer.html?m=1

Following the exposition by popular activist and media producer Kayode Ogundamisi, the #IStandWithBuhari busuness has in response admitted that it is run by the same TAN Pro-Jonathanians and its DG has resigned.
Read the full gist below:
http://newsrescue.com/breaking-istandwithbuhari-admits-it-is-run-by-jonathanians-exposed-director-resigns/#axzz42DPy6y5u

Pheals:
oya wailers where are thou? Con Land on this guy ! !and cry me a river don't forget to insult him since it was in your DNA !!

Wailing cannot change the course of events. If wailing and insults are effective Buhari wouldn't have become President. So let them wail!

The suspected mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombings, Charles Okah, has sued the Federal Government of Nigeria for allegedly violating the rights of inmates in Kuje Maximum Security Prison.
Mr. Okah also asked the court to compel the government to pay him N350 million damages for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
His counsel, Timipa Okponipere, filed the case on February 15, barely a week before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Abuja High Court halted his trial on health grounds.
Joined in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/118/2016, are the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Prisons Service as first and second respondents, respectively.
Among the reliefs sought by the applicant is the declaration that the failure of the respondents to respond to the letter of a prison inmate is a breach of fundamental right.
He also sought a declaration that his detention in solitary confinement without a charge and a valid court order breached his fundamental right.
Again, Mr. Okah sought a declaration that the refusal of the respondents to return the intellectual property seized from him without compensation is a breach of his fundamental right.
The applicant also sought a declaration that the refusal of the respondents to allow for conjugal visits to the prison breached the fundamental right of both convicted and awaiting trial inmates.
He also sought a declaration that the failure of the prison authorities to allow him access the welfare office at the prison to make calls to his family abroad violates his fundamental right.
The applicant challenged the failure of the respondents to stop illicit sex trade and drug trafficking by prison warders at Kuje Prison and sought a declaration that the acts violated the rights of awaiting trial and convicted inmates at the prison.
He also challenged the selective handcuff of prison inmates based on their status, saying the act is discriminatory and a breach of the fundamental rights of inmates.
Mr. Okah, therefore, sought an order of the court to among other things:
Compel the respondents to recognise the fundamental right of awaiting trial and convicted inmates in the prison;
Compel the respondents to forthwith introduce conjugal visits in Kuje Prison as applicable in other parts of the world;
Compel the respondents to release his intellectual property which were seized by the prison authority since January 6;
Compel the respondents to ban illicit sex trade and drug trafficking by prison warders as well as stop all discriminatory practices in the prison.
The suit was supported by a 58-point affidavit deposed by counsel to the applicant, Mr. Okponipere.
Justice Kolawole had during the resumed hearing of the bombing case on February 22, announced that Mr. Okah could not attend the session because he was undergoing surgery at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The judge, however, adjourned the case till March 10, and ordered that the suspect be brought to court on the new date.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/199648-charles-okah-sues-nigerian-government-wants-conjugal-visits-allowed-prison.html

A friend shared this on Facebook and it makes logical sense:

God truly loves Nigeria, crude oil price rise above 2016 benchmark of $38 today.

Why won't I shout Sai Baba when Boko Haram that used to move boldly with brand new HILUX is subjected to old rickety vans. When today the major arms manufacturer and supplier had been arrested.
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Why won't I shout Sai Baba, when right now, the EFCC is snooping the accounts of all judges, and the revolution that would kick away the corrupt elements shall surpass what Ghana witnessed. Many of the corrupt judges are panicking right now.
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Why won't I shout Sai Baba when the mighty and powerful no longer feel they are above the law. When they use our stolen funds to support their corrupt lifestyle. Now they and their children who are top members of the disciples of corruption complain the most because no more money to steal.
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It is only one year, this man is slowly building the foundations to that Nigeria of our dreams. A nation where we shall not encourage nor applaud shortcuts. A nation where only those who truly seek legitimate money shall strive.
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Home and abroad, our lost glory and values is daily restored mostly because we have a leader whose integrity is world class and renowned. He is taking Nigeria to heights never achieved before. For how else would one explain our own country leading Russia, Saudi Arabia and many others to arrest the slide in crashing oil price?
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Rome they say wasn't built in a day, for the ruins of time past cannot be replaced overnight. For they say it is easier to destroy than it is to build. But verily I say unto you, we are building, and we are on the right path.
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I am sorry for those who fail to see it. Sometimes, we blame you not, for when a people have been subjected to mediocrity for too long, their entire system is resistant to change. In time, like 7Up, the difference would surely be clear.
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I would not only #SupportBuhari, I would also #ThankGodForBuhari and above all #PrayForBuhari.

God truly loves Nigeria, indeed many suspect He is Nigerian. For if not for God, with the many ills that have befallen us, we ought not to exist anymore on the map. But for His grace, we survive still, and now march on to becoming what the world know we are capable of-WORLD POWER.

My name is MICHAEL ILORI, and I just want to make logical sense.

All feats are difficult but which one is more stunning, 1, 2 or 3?

agitator:
Black people sold their people to the whites for power and mirrors. The whites supplied them weapons to provide more of their brothers.

If you like believe it or not, slavery is still very much around. The white owned companies, they still treat blacks like slaves only this time they are not in chains.

lalasticlala come see oooooooooh.

The chain of slavery is still the same:
From a forcible possession of our person to a forcible possession of our land to a forcible possession of our economy.

And more.

More pictures:

IndianBwoy:
Hi its my dream to visit Nigeria since childhood. My top destination. but my parents didn't let me go because they feared for my life. They thought I'd be kidnapped or something like that or else exploded by a bomb.

I wish to visit Nigeria but can I be targeted for my nationality and held at ransom or something like that?

Also most Nigerians hate Indians, even though they like our movies (I hate bollywood btw. rubbish.) or our hair.

Prove that you are an Indian then you get answers.

More:
Watch more pictures down the page.

From the archives of slavery depicting man's inhumanity to his fellow man.
More pictures after the cut.

Joshugee:
tried following the link but giving me error

Try again as its very correct.

alabosian:
I never knew we still have good hearted Nigeria. OP post the decoder pix when u receive the package. I love the spirit of giving.

The spirit is that givers never lack. I personally delivered a fairly used strong 4663 decoder with a brand new remote control to the op and he appreciated:
( https://www.nairaland.com/2962976/how-nairaland-helped-me#43352980)
I reaped a lot of invaluable knowledge/information from Nairaland which has directly and indirectly empowered me to achieve a lot. So giving little a bit of it to a Nairalander in need is joyful. God bless Nairaland and all Nairalanders.

femiranking28:
sir I wanted to ask if the dish is part of it.

You are bringing dish issue rather too late. Unless if you'll come to Bonny to pick it. I can't carry dish and travel anyway. With 2k you can get a dish at Ilaobuchi. Am in PH and coming towards your location.

femiranking28:
okay sir my drop point is oil mill sir. My contact is 08134242732

OK. Expect me in the morning say from 9 to 10. I'll call you as I approach.

hotobo:
is there any need to use 50db rf booster after the 2nd step or the 3 step will serve without having a booster after the combiner. Will 20db booster work well after 100m

Thanks

Check your mail.

hotobo:
is there any need to use 50db rf booster after the 2nd step or the 3 step will serve without having a booster after the combiner. Will 20db booster work well after 100m

Thanks

Supply your email address for further advanced advice.

femiranking28:
wow my God strong 4663 please. Am already rolling and shouting please help me sir. I will forever appreciate.

Sorry for my delay. It's due to my busy schedule. I'll be coming to Port Harcourt Monday morning enroute Oyigbo. Give me any dropping point along Aba road. A used strong 4663 decoder is yours.

Sports 24 is on a satellite called mtnworldwide. A selfless Nairalander and satellite guru named yenum10 has given extensive guidance on how to track this bird. Visit his blog here and your challenge will be over.
http://www.yenum.info/2016/02/useful-tips-for-tracking-mtnworldwide.html?m=1
Goodluck.

amtaken:
So it's no longer GEJ alone?

Military intervention in Nigeria's politics was the harbinger of corruption. It kept growing over time and become the monster it is today. Under Jonathan it only evolved to a statecraft sophistication.

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Monday announced the suspension of three local government caretaker committee chairmen for failing to attend scheduled security town hall meeting.

The governor announced the suspension at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council area of the state.

He listed the affected chairmen to include those of Abua/Odual, Ahoada West and Ahoada East council areas.

It would be recalled that the governor had scheduled a town hall meeting following recent cult clashes, killings and a near breakdown of law and order in the Orashi region of the state.

The Orashi region is made up of four area councils of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Ahoada West and Ahoada East.

The governor said that the chairmen’s failure to attend the meeting showed that they were insensitive to the current issues of violence and crime that had recently enveloped the areas.

Wike used the forum to urge security agencies to clampdown on cult activities and all forms of crimes in the four local government areas.

He said the meeting was to enable government to empathise with the communities affected by the state of insecurity that had engulfed the area.

“It is our duty to protect the lives and property of our people; I must tell you that we are also prepared to do so.

“We have directed security agencies to do the needful to ensure that calm returns to the affected communities,’’ he added. (NAN)

http://leadership.ng/news/503560/gov-wike-suspends-3-lg-chairmen

Many Nigerians would not know where Sao Tome is on the world map, given that the twin island country is of little, if any, strategic importance to Nigeria.
That however did not stop former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2004, from doling out $5 million as loan to that nation. Mr. Obasanjo also paid out $40 million as loan to Ghana same year.
Such were the frivolity and impulsiveness that characterized government spending since the return to democracy in 1999.
Between 2004 and 2014, a catalogue of fuzzy loans was indiscriminately granted in off-budget spending to government agencies in what appeared an attack on the nation’s oil savings.
Extra-budgetary sums were dispensed in the name of loans to the foreign countries, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector General of Police (IGP), the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Ministry of Defence and other agencies.
Minutes of the December 2014 meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Post-Mortem Subcommittee obtained by PREMIUM TIMES show that these funds were discretionary, off-budget loans paid out of the Reserve Accounts especially the 0.5% Statutory Stabilization Fund.
According to the report, the loans granted by Mr. Obasanjo to Ghana and Sao Tome came from the Statutory Stabilization Fund Account.
Over N18 billion was also taken from the reserve account as loan to the Federal Government for its Pioneer Consumer Car Scheme for public servants in paramilitary agencies.
In August 2006, the then President Obasanjo granted N4.58 billion as the first loan while the second and third tranches of N2.8 billion and N10.76 billion were granted in May and December 2007 respectively under the President Umaru Yar’Adua administration.
From the Statutory Stabilization Fund Account, Mr. Obasanjo had pulled out N300 million for IGP to purchase vehicles. In June of 2006 N242.6 million was paid out. Between June and October, two other loans were granted for the same purpose to purchase apparently another set of vehicles.
The amounts were N33.9 million and N32.6 million respectively. Separate loans of N4.57 billion and N1.6 billion, dated February 14 and April 3, 2007 were tagged “Loan granted to Fund for 2006 Virement”.
Notwithstanding provisions already made in the budget, INEC, on two occasions, was granted loans to fund the 2011 and 2015 general elections. In May 2007, over N66.7 billion was given to INEC to fund the 2011 General Election. In December 2013, N3 billion was withdrawn from the Statutory Stabilization Fund Account and given as loan to INEC to speed up its readiness for 2015.
Given that the Statutory Stabilization Fund is a special fund that requires constitutional mandate for its appropriation, the indiscriminate manner in which the loans were approved for these agencies showed a serial disdain for due process.
In September 2010 and February 2011, about N80 billion was taken from the Excess Revenue Domestic and Non-Oil Excess Revenue Accounts as amount borrowed to pay States’ London Club Debt Buy-back. The money was taken in three installments. While the first N48.44 billion was withdrawn from the Non-Oil Excess Revenue Account in September 2010, two other withdrawals of N28.7 billion and N2.83 billion were made from the Excess Revenue Domestic Account respectively.
While some of the withdrawals might be explained as prudent in terms of meeting exigencies associated with economic crisis, the manner they were done were underscored as weak resource governance and mere financial gaieties.
On the part of former President Jonathan, series of loans approved by him were to defence and security. They had the most impact in depleting the nation’s oil reserve. For instance; a loan of N5.5 billion was given to the Office of National Security Adviser in December 2013, for an undisclosed purpose. In the same manner, a loan of N2.56 billion was given to Chief of Naval Staff Coast Guard in December 2013 for equally undisclosed purpose.
In what could be said to be an emerging pattern, a loan of N2.56 billion was given to Chief of Naval Staff Coast Guard in 2013. Again the purpose was not declared. Two outstanding loans to the Nigerian Army for training and kitting of recruits were approved at a cost of N2.6 billion and N1.56 billion respectively.
Other loans given to the military in 2013 included a N7.3 billion loan to fund Military Pension Scheme, N8.48 billion loan to Fund Military Pension Scheme, N2.36 billion loan to the Army as Operation Internal Security and N10.8 billion loan to Ministry of Defence Headquarters.
In 2014, over N2.4 billion was also withdrawn as loan to Nigerian Air Force Operation to meet financial requirements under what was tagged as ‘Air Operation’. Another N2.36 billion was granted as Loan to Nigerian Army Quick Response Group and forward operating Bases.
The establishment of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in 2004 and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in 2011 was essentially to save for the rainy day. These accounts were respectively populated with the excess dollar revenue that came in periods when oil prices became higher than budget benchmarks.
These excess funds would have come in handy for Nigeria as the world is hit by falling oil prices. At various times state governors insisted that these accounts be emptied and shared among the federating states.
Other loans granted between 2013 and 2014 included a N9.19 billion loan for subscription to Islamic Development Bank shares; N2.35 billion loan to the Department of Petroleum Resources as 4% Cost of Collection for month of September, 2014; N8.27 billion loan to the Federal Ministry of Power, another loan of N1 billion to the same Ministry of Power; N3.36 million to the Federal Ministry of Finance for verification of solid minerals and N350 million loan to Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc.
Yet, other loans were N1.99 billion purportedly released to Health Intervention Workplan/Budget on Ebola Virus Disease; N2.39 billion to Standard Alliance Assurance Ltd being 2013 Armed Forces Group Life Assurance Premium.
All the loans, which remained outstanding by October 31, 2015, violated Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility law and this has made the FAAC Post-mortem committee to recommend that the Office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) examine the loans and grants to ascertain those that need to be written off.
Details of the loans to NSA, MoD and other security agencies are shown in the table on the source link below:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/198822-exclusive-3-nigerian-presidents-wasted-n247-billion-oil-savings-gave-illegal-loans-nsa-sao-tome.html

In the difficult moments of our history, looking precisely at the period of Nigeria's war of unity 1966-1971, Egypt proved to be a strategic partner from helping to train our military to support with equipment and aircraft maintenance.

In the course of his bilateral meeting with the Egyptian leader, Abdul Fattah El-Sisi, President Muhammadu Buhari recalled that in the course of his service in the army, he too received military training in Egypt.

This 24-hour visit to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Shaikh was not just a ‘trip to Egypt’ as it has been wrongly portrayed, as if it were primarily bilateral in nature or a ritual courtesy call on President Sisi. The purpose was to promote investment and job creation in Nigeria and throughout West, Central and East Africa, together with other African leaders.

The Sharm el-Sheikh ‘Africa 2016’ conference aimed at tearing down trade barriers between North and sub-Saharan Africa – a partnership anchored by the continent’s biggest and third-biggest economies (i.e., Nigeria and Egypt) by the injection of life into a 26-nation free-trade pact signed by half the number of countries on the continent a year ago.

The organizers brought together more than 1200 delegates to Sharm el-Sheikh, included among these the eight Presidents and Prime Ministers, ministers of trade and investment, representatives of global financial institutions, businessmen and investment executives.

It is expected that this new pan-African initiative will directly benefit Nigeria in its efforts to expand and diversify jobs and exports beyond the oil industry – a core component of President Buhari’s economic vision for the country. Knocking down trade barriers within Africa will create new markets for Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other businesses.



In his opening remarks, Egypt's President El-Sisi said that the forum aimed at "pushing forward trade and investment in our continent to strengthen Africa's place in the world economy."

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari who touted an extensive economic agenda said that this is not without challenges.

"The new problem affecting investment is international terrorism...lots of resources that could be used for development are being diverted to address security issues."

As he and many others noted, the only way this can be redressed is by widening the participation of the private sector in African economies, the very idea behind the conference in Egypt.

One shining example of how this could be done came from the African Development Bank (ADB) which announced through its President, Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina that the bank would be investing 12 billion Dollars in the energy sector in the coming five years to provide access to electricity.

There are 645 million Africans without access to electricity.

President Buhari's visit to Egypt wasn't limited to the business of "Africa 2016" in its success, as it turned out to be one that is a remarkable watershed in bilateral ties between the two states.

While it was not surprising that El-Sisi rolled out the red carpet for President Buhari in line with what many say is a plan by Egypt to rebuild the country's money-spinning tourism industry in tatters since the mid-air bombing in October of a Russian plane, killing all 223 tourists and crew, the truth is also that these two of Africa's three biggest economies had been too far apart when it comes to trade. The two leaders also bonded well with each other at their first meeting in Addis Ababa early in the new year.

By the last count, bilateral trade between the two states amounts to a meager USD 100 million, with Egypt drawing about 80 percent of the benefit.

Egyptian pharmaceutical companies are making good sales in Nigeria. Egypt is Nigerians' preferred destination for medical tourism.

Linked to this is their successful airline business trade in Nigeria. Egypt Air makes seven weekly flights to Lagos, and six each to Abuja and Kano.

There is little or nothing to show from the Nigerian side and this one of the things President Buhari wants to change.

In welcoming our President to the bilateral discussion, the Egyptian leader did not hide his joy at the acceptance of the Nigerian leader to visit.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen ties between their two states, to reestablish that historical closeness which helped Nigeria remain a single country decades ago.

They talked about doing this through enhanced partnership and cooperation in the areas of trade, security and defense.

President Buhari welcomed Egypt's decision to strengthen strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing with Nigeria and from this, a framework for dealing with terrorism would emerge. For this, he gave instructions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up with a meeting. Further progress is expected to follow on security and trade issues. In addition, the President requested El-Sisi to promote Egyptian investment in education in Nigeria.

The two leaders also discussed a range of regional and global issues. As to be expected, terrorism topped them all.

They both expressed concern that the anarchy in Libya, a disturbing situation that had provided a great impetus to terrorism in areas far and around the failed state.

The leaders also emphasized their cooperation on climate change and energy issues.

Experts in the field of diplomacy say that personal bond between two leaders can help pave the way for better relations among states.

In Nigeria and Egypt relations, there is a good chance of this working to the benefit of the two states.


Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/opinion/seven-takeaways-from-president-buhari-s-visit-to-egypt/134757.html?platform=hootsuite

tomakint:
He was more like the mouthpiece of Buhari before the elections. He blasted the hell out of Jonathan for no just cause. He sees Buhari as his Lord and Saviour like many APC followers here. He was the one who said, there is nothing like oil subsidy that its all fraud. The icing on the cake was when he confidently said this...........loading........

You lie! See one of the reasons why he criticised your disgraced hero Jonathan:

jmichlins:
In case you do not know metro has no rights to air here. maybe dstv is now ready to crack down on them. north africa and middle east is their terrain

That's not true and not fair at all. On what authority are you making that allegation? He who alleges shall prove.

femiranking28:
any type bro any type I will appreciate you alot

Were u specific it would have been easier.
Chose one here and it's yours:
Consat
Startimes
Gotv
Strong 4653,
Strong 4663

baddest095:
i have been hearing about FTA!!...pls wat does it mean..and wat do I need..in order to set it up...pls am a jjc

Click this link and read everything there. You'll not remain the same
https://www.nairaland.com/331903/newbie-satellite-installation-introduce-yourself

Happy birthday Mama Nigeria
The woman behind our president
An epitome of beauty and humility
May your reign be long
Wish you LLNP
Happy birthday ma.

Yampotatocarrot:
Sorry if this sounds biased, but z t that rivers in d north flow more than those in d south n other areas or what, cos they have d most number of dams n hydro power plants..... Ibere ni o

Water is not the sole determining factor in siting of a hydro electricity dam. It's constructed on young fast moving rivers that are at their valley stage. This is obtainable in mountains and highlands where rivers are dammed at waterfalls. It's the force produced by the steady sharp descent of the voluminous water that is directed onto rotor blades and through shafts to be turning a dynamo to produce electricity.
The rivers in the south are matured in the centre and dying in the mangrove swamps of the delta. The absence of waterfalls or sharp descents of rivers make it unsuitable for hydro electricity generation.
Niger state has the dams and that's why it's logo is " the power state". No politics.