Campaign Against Terrorism, Shiite Activities Launched In Lagos

Following activities of extremist groups and the wanton killing of Nigerians, a group known as, Nigerians United Against Terrorism has launched a hash tag #KickAgainstShiiteExtremismTerrorism to discourage and curb activities of such groups.

The President of the group, Jude Feranmi who led other members of the group to launch the campaign yesterday in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously said from what he has seen, Shiites are mere common criminals disguising as adherents of a brand of Islam.

He said Nigerians must not take the threat posed by this group lightly because in the aftermath of their attack on the Army, they have issued video in which they threatened to unleash mayhem on the entire Nigerian state, whose authority-like Boko Haram can't be recognized.

Speaking at the launch, Feranmi said Nigerians must unite to defeat any form of extremism in the country, saying that experiences from the Shiite sect has shown how extremism breeds violence.

He said, "the launch of hashtag #KickAgainstShiiteExtremismTerrorism is a watershed in citizens’ contribution towards creating a secured Nigeria that is not at the mercy of terrorists.

"Do not be disappointed that we do not have any tangible to show you as you would have witnessed at the launch of a new building, product or any other thing with physical attributes."

He explained that the launch underscores the essence of Nigeria's unity and its supremacy over every form of worrisome terrorism, stressing that as the war against Boko Haram insurgents is being won in the north-east of the country, the consciousness Nigerians must be awaken to every other form of extremism that might crop up again as opposed to in 2009 when lack of vigilance allowed terrorism to gain roots.

He said, "#KickAgainstTerrorismShiiteExtremismTerrorism is a movement with a campaign to proactively act in manners that ensure extremism is not allowed to grow into full blown terrorism.

The campaign is driven by social media activists, bloggers and other well meaning Nigerians that are committed to safe and united country. In addition to what we are doing here today, we have resolved to launch street rallies in Owerri, Imo state and Port Harcourt, Rivers state against threats of terrorism to our country in pursuit of our determination that Nigeria remains peaceful."

According to him, the launch is a pointer to the world that Nigerians have collectively resolved to defeat every content of Boko Haram and their building cells. This is our contribution towards dismantling the terror group’s mystic. Proactively, we are also acting to prevent the Shiite Sect from remaining on the path of extremism, we are committed to ensuring that the Shiite Sect is not allow to militarize as being currently pursued by some of its leaders.

He said, "This is Nigeria, our constitutionally secular Nigeria. No group of persons or individual should again contemplate taking the nation through the horrors unleashed by Boko Haram again in the name of religion.
We must at this stage commend President Muhammadu Buhari, whose purposeful leadership heralded the containment of Boko Haram terrorists in record time and will facilitate their eventual defeat. The information available in the media and from people who have visited places that used to be hot spots indicate that displaced victims of the insurgency are now returning to their towns and villages to rebuild their lives with support from the Federal, State and local governments.

"Even with the uplifting news, , we cannot however afford to shut our eyes to emerging threats of extremism from the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which also goes by the name of Shiite Sect. Available information and trend show that the terrorists are now regrouping under the leadership of the sect’s leader, Mr Ibrahim El-Zakzakky, a Kaduna state based Islamic scholar. We strongly believe this should not be dismissed as an issue for the army alone to handle. The federal government needs to act NOW."

A New Shopping List For NASENI

By Nkechi Odoma.

The current economic situation has finally forced us as a nation to accept the truth that a monoculture economy that is almost dependent on crude oil exportation is not in our collective interest. Our dependence on oil revenue is only rivaled by our unrealistic and unsustainable culture of importation, to the extent that a fruit like banana that grows in abundance here is imported. Both variables have in large measures been responsible for the pressure on the naira thus the chant has been strident in promoting consumption and usage of made in Nigeria products.

This growing awareness and support for locally made goods is great, but the reality is that years of neglecting indigenous manufacturing has stunted domestic capacity to produce, even some industries have collapsed totally or simply relocated to neighbouring countries. Reviving or re-establishing such industry will entail importing machineries at the current prohibitive exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar, which will consequently translate into still ending up with overpriced products. So in practical terms, while the movement to promote made in Nigeria products has grown, the capacity to meet any resulting demand for local goods is to a great extent left at the theoretical stage, we all know it should be done but no one agency or grouping of agencies has taken the initiative to make it happen on a larger scale as much as National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has done.

All is however not lost as the present situation presents opportunities that can be harnessed to great advantage. A suggestion to save the day is to get all relevant government agencies and organisations working together to actualise this vision of embracing made in Nigeria goods and ensure there is no shortage of locally made products when people’s confidence in them increase and they are ready to buy. The repositioned NASENI can be the nucleus for this particularly in the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that this agency should explore ways of converting all its technology products, innovations, machines and equipment to achieve industrial revolution for the country.

NASENI, under the Vice Chairmanship of Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, has unveiled an array of products that it developed in conjunction with local partners. These products can be deployed towards boosting local manufacturing. They will also serve the purpose of reducing the number of heavy machineries to be imported for jump starting the ‘made in Nigeria revolution’.

For instance, a promise by the Bank of Industry (BOI) to provide support fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operator that adopt technological innovations developed by NASENI should be revisited. Activation of such programme will leave all parties as winners: BOI gets to fulfill its mandate of growing the industry, NASENI provides the technology, and the SMEs get funding and affordable technology, while the economy gets a boost. Other financing schemes for SMEs should key into this idea for the sheer possibilities it offers the nation to get out of the woods financially.

Similarly, without prejudice to the several bilateral and multi-lateral trade pacts that Nigeria is signatory to, the relevant agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service should consider updating its import list to factor in products that NASENI has developed. Professor Haruna had once hinted that such step could help the NASENI M1 motorcycle gain ground. The 80C engine motorcycle, which has been successfully tested was locally conceived, designed and manufactured by Nigerian engineers at the National Engineering Design Development Institute (NEDDI)-one of the nine research and development Institutes that NASENI supervises. There are a host of other innovations developed at NASENI whose production can be scaled up in conjunction with the private sector to reduce our dependence on importation.

It is visionary on the part of Professor Haruna to have gotten a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coscharis under wrap over the NASENI M1 motorcycle as it demonstrates to other companies in Nigeria that the agency has been positioned to fully collaborate with indigenous firms. This is what the other government agencies can replicate as we collectively push for a Nigeria with increased local manufacturing capacity. It would have been pointless to develop an innovative product only to have it manufactured abroad and shipped back to Nigeria. Should this happen, we would have lost the potential to save on the forex and also the jobs that would have been outsourced to the manufacturing country. The NASENI example should thus be emulated by companies in the private sector that currently contract their manufacturing to other countries when the local capacity is there.

Even on the security front and considering how much the country has to spend on procuring arms with the attendant difficulties occasioned by international protocols and conventions in buying arms, NASENI has equally proven that it is strategically positioned to contribute towards addressing Nigeria’s problems with sourcing arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency. If the light arms the agency has developed can be locally manufacture, it will also save the country some forex that is badly needed at this point in time. The realization of this must have prompt Mr President to ask NASENI to partner with the Defence Industries Corporation to manufacture the light weapons it has designed.

Since President Buhari had also urged NASENI to do more to publicize its inventions for the benefit of Nigerians, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and its supervising Ministry of Information have to step in to create awareness about the products that the agency has developed. They should promote the products to the various state and federal government empowerment programmes that often need to set up youths in small and medium scale businesses.

Now that we have found an agency to champion the ‘made in Nigeria revolution’, it is important to ensure that NASENI does not succumb to the plague that had crippled other promising government ventures in the past. A thriving organization is automatically seen as a gold mine that is soon plagued with internal bickering and nepotism driven interference. This is why President Buhari should insulate the current leadership of NASENI from any form of distraction for it to be able to deliver on the directive he has handed to the agency. Mr President must also impress on the other organization he has asked to collaborate with NASENI the need for them to ensure that it gets all the support needed to succeed.


Odoma, President, Africa Arise for Change Network wrote in from Abuja

Group Demands Semenitari's Confirmation As NDDC MD

The New Initiative for Credible Leadership, a civil society group, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ratify the appointment of the acting Managing Director of the Niger Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, following her numerous achievements since her appointment, though in acting capacity.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, Executive Director, Rev Stephen Onwu also expressed confidence in Semenitari’s as she has not only proved her competence, but ability to mainstream the NDDC’s mandate with the Change Agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the NDDC has a critical role to play in the development of the oil rich Niger Delta region and Semenitari has shown she understands the yearnings of the people of the region and also has the capacity to achieve same.

Onwu said recent opposition from certain quarters against the leadership of Semenitari is just a prove that she has plugged all loopholes from where many hitherto siphon funds meant for projects and many who thought it will be business as usual are disappointed.

He said, "Just like many people are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari over stringent decisions he has taken to stop massive looting of our common wealth, its the same scenario that is playing out at NDDC."

He said the continuing effort to distract the MD is counterproductive since the pressing issue is how to develop the region and not score settling.

The Executive Director charged that “We found it unthinkable that youths that should be championing national integration are whipping up sectional sentiments simply because they think the position of NDDC MD should be zoned to their clan.

“Mrs Semenitari has the support of Nigerians to continue with the change she is implementing at the commission. One must commend her efforts to refocus the NDDC for developing the Niger Delta while also exposing the corruption that took place there before she took over.

“This clarity of purpose since her assumption of office is an impetus for Mr. President to confirm her for a substantive appointment. This will in no doubt has sent a clear signal to those who think they can hide under pseudo and clandestine platforms to tarnish her good image.

“Instead of bickering over non-issues, those who think they have something to offer should join hands with Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the NDDC to speed up the development of the Niger Delta region.” He urged.

Rev. Onwu asked the Federal Government to similarly disregard would be detractors since it is now clear that they are pursuing narrow interest and not that of the region.

Arewa Youths Beg Army To Forgive Shiite Members

Following the incident that occurred between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, the Arewa Youth Leaders' Forum has appealed to the military authorities to pardon and release detained members of the group as it apologised to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over the incident of December 2015 when his life came under threat as the sect members obstructed his convoy in Kaduna state.

The Forum’s decision to appeal on behalf of the detained sect members was reached at a roundtable dialogue held in Abuja on Saturday, February 5, 2016.

Isah Ocheja and Jonah Ali, President and General Secretary, in a statement jointly issued on the outcome of the gathering said “we resolved at our roundtable in Abuja on Saturday, February 5, 2016 to apologize to the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Government and beg for pardon for detained members of the (Shiite) sect to be released with a promise not to engage in further acts of terrorism.”
The statement disclosed that the group plans to reach out to the National Assembly while consultations would be embarked upon with traditional rulers on why no individual or group of persons should allow their children to be indoctrinated and radicalised to commit any act of terrorism again.

It however kicked against the solidarity extended to the region and the sect by the Iranian authority as they demanded that Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Saeed Koozechi must desist from making utterances that cast the population of northern Nigeria that has been known to be peace loving over the years as terrorists and promoters of extreme sectarian views.

“We passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent successes on the war against terrorism. Nigerians are happy that despite the situation of helplessness that he met on ground he has been able to raise the bar. Nevertheless, we appeal to Mr President that any religious sect whose activities are not in tandem with the laws of the land should be proscribed and declared persona non grata” The Forum’s leadership said.

Reacting to videos of Shiite leaders calling for retaliation against officials, the Forum noted that some disgruntled elements are still threatening violence against innocent members of the state, which it described as saddening, unacceptable and condemnable in view of the lasting peace initiatives set in motion by the government of Kaduna state and the entire northern region to nip the unfortunate incident to the bud.

“Whoever is in the video that is in circulation should apologize to Nigerians, our security agencies and all men of goodwill who had hitherto supported and sympathized with them before now.
“The video has proven that there is more to the Shiite’s grand scheming to unleashes mayhem on the state and that its followers’ to past security incidents over the years must be thoroughly investigated.” The statement urged.

Wanted: Legislation To Prohibit Radical, Extremists Religious Scholars

By Israel Abiodun

After the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence passed on Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Rev King), the General Overseer of Christian Praying Assembly, the Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN) was quick to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria not to carry out the death sentence. NCSN leader, Chief Udo Udeogaranya defended this call with the logic that “This plea is premised on the ground that many Nigerians still hold Rev. Ezeugo as their spiritual leader even in various prisons”.

It doesn’t matter that Rev. Ezeugo on January 11, 2007 murdered one of his church members, Ann Uzoh when he doused her with petrol alongside five others and set them ablaze. What is important to those who want to see him escape the hangman’s noose is that he has a fanatical following that must not be allowed to die.

There is no ethnic undertone intended in using this example, it just happens to be the most recent case of pleading for people who had the benefit of thinking through their fanatical extremism before acting but still went ahead to take the law into their own hands anyways. People have pleaded for Boko Haram terrorists to be treated humanely, Ombatse cult members garnered some sympathy when they unleashed their murderous rage and even other groups that practically rose up against the state always have some interest appealing on their behalf as if no laws have been broken or that their victims are of a lesser caste.

In the Cross River – Akwa Ibom axis, to our national shame, there are extreme preachers that claim to be pastors who regularly subject minors to traumatic abuses in the name of ridding them of witchcraft. In extreme cases these phonies have successfully incited parents to kill their own offsprings.

The foregoing is a prelude to the major trust of this write up. There is need to work on a legislation to prohibit the activities of radical and extremist religious leaders. Not quite unlike Rev King, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) or Shiite Sect, Mr Ibrahim El-Zakzaky drove adherents of his sects to death when he facilitated the build up to a faceoff with the Nigerian Army. The result was the incident in Zaria, Kaduna state in December 2015 when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf was reportedly the target of an assassination bid and the resulting military operation led to regrettable loss of life and property.

El-Zakkzaky might not have physically doused his followers with petrol and strike the match like Reverend Kings but his teachings and indoctrination primed their psyche to be willing fodders for his canon. Save for the differences in inscriptions on flags and choice of uniforms, videos depicting drills by IMN members is highly reminiscent of Boko Haram propaganda clips as far as inferred belligerence goes. So how does a sect leader brainwash his followers to that level of aggressiveness and not expect a catastrophic outcome in any resulting faceoff with the authorities in a secular state?

The legislation should also have provisions to keep the finances of preachers and organisation to which they are affiliated under watch. This is because some of these people preaching extremist views are merely puppets of greater interests that could sometimes be a rival nation or a country that has ulterior aims in Nigeria.

Apologists and beneficiaries of sectarian and religious extremism will be quick to point out that legislation to curb propagation or preaching of extreme views will stifle the freedom to worship, association, and expression. But these apologists must ask themselves if it was also right that the Shiites, Reverend King and others deprive fellow Nigerians of their right in the course of living their extreme views.

In Germany, the Holocaust Denial Legislation is in place because they have decided that the right to free-speech must be balanced against the right not to be subjected to racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and a potential revival of Nazism. Austria, Hungary, and Romania have their own versions of the law.

In France, the French Council for the Muslim Religion (CFCM) has suggested that the country’s imams should be given a certificate – “like a driving licence” – that ensured they promoted a “tolerant and open Islam”. This of course tallies with what Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has in the works – only that the Kaduna State’s “A bill for a law to substitute the Kaduna State religious preaching law, 1984” will encompass all faiths. That the Council in France came up with this suggestion is a testimony to the dire need to be decisive in caging extremism and propagation of hate speech under the cover of religion.

This is why we must stand up to the time bomb called Shiite or IMN, those that kill children on the pretext of witchcraft or any other sect and faith that threaten the corporate future of Nigeria by seeking a law at the national level to ban the activities of questionable organisations.

Perchance, if we had such legislation in place, Reverend Ezeugo might not have had the followership that emboldened him to set a congregant ablaze and might just not be on the condemned list. But we still have that chance to set out a federal legislation to criminalise extremism now. We need to ensure that Mr El-Zakkzaky and IMN lose the capacity to continue using the pretext of preaching to incite hatred against the state of state officials.

For those who think this is an extreme suggestion for dealing with extremism they should ask themselves what role hate preaching extremists played in recruiting the army of murderers that became the killing machine called Boko Haram.

Abiodun is a security strategist based in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, CESJET has threatened to take legal action against the Nigerian Government if it refuses to take firm action against the Iranian Government over the role it played in the Army/ Shi'ite clash.

CESJET made this known in a submission made to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna state government to look into the clashes between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN) and the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.
The submission, a copy of which was obtained by our reporter in Kaduna this afternoon said it will explore court action against the Nigerian Government if the Iranian Ambassador continues to stay in Nigeria to instigate the citizens against themselves.
The submission signed by CESJET legal Adviser, Edward Omaga wants the Commission to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow a leaf from countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia by severing all diplomatic relations with the Iranian Government forthwith.

The group also wants the Commission to ascertain the extent to which Iran has supported the Shiites financially and in terms of weaponry.
"We also want the Commission to recommend the expulsion of the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi on the ground of undue interference with the internal affairs of Nigeria.

"The Commission should also impose heavy fines and ensure payment by members of the shiites sect who were summoned but refused to appear for hearing to give evidence on Monday 22nd February, 2016 "The Commission should also recommend to all security agencies to keep their personnel under careful check given the insinuation in some quarters that Nigeria's security network has been infiltrated by the Shiites"he said

Group Petition PMB Over Fraud In NEXIM Bank

Only weeks into the sack of the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export – Import (NEXIM) Bank, Mr. Robert Orya, there seems to be palpable tension within the establishment even as its interim leadership has already been petitioned on grounds of fraud.

In the petition written by a group, Concerned Common Citizens of Nigeria, the group has accused the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Bashir Wali, of conniving with the Executive Director Corporate Services, Folake Itohan, to promote 92 staff who are their known cronies, without recourse to the governing board.

According to the protest letter signed by the group’s President, Halima Yusuf and its General Secretary, Unekwu Abubakar, the promotions go against directives of the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who had previously held a meeting with the Bank’s interim leadership where she warned against taking actions that can increase the operating cost of the institution.

Accusing Mr. Wali of Financial terrorism, the group claimed that the recent steps by the interim administration pointed to the fact they were hell bent on over burdening the economy via increment of wage bills of over 92 staff, even with the current financial crisis faced by the government.

The group has further accused the Wali led management of conducting a fraudulent recruitment exercise aimed at smuggling 120 names into the bank’s payroll.

“ …the Executive Director Corporate Services working as a proxy for the acting Managing Director has commissioned agents in a cash-for-employment recruitment exercise that is planned to smuggle 120 names into NEXIM Bank’s payroll without any form of interview or advertisement in violation of the principle of Federal Character. Their agents have now occupied the social media to con unsuspecting citizens and defraud them of their hard earned resources in an illegal exercise”. It read in part.

Meanwhile the letter has demanded that while the Presidency orders an investigation into the finances of the bank, it should also as a matter of urgency direct the interim management of NEXIM Bank to revert and return the 92 staff that benefitted from its questionable promotions to status quo until a substantive Managing Director and management board is appointed.

It is worthy to note here that NEXIM in recent history has been in the media over issues concerning the appointment of Miss Folake Itohan, who was severally accused of manipulating her appointment and also dropping the name of her godmother, the former First lady, Patience Jonathan to intimidate the board.

Economic Hardship: Time To Put NASENI To Good Use

By James Enejoh

All right thinking and patriotic Nigerians that have weighed in on the current economic realities have consensus on one issue: that this is the best opportunity we have of breaking free of the vicious circle of a consumption heavy and import dominated economy. The truth however is that while we can easily break away from the ridiculous importation of agro-based product, finished and innovative products pose their own challenge. We must first develop the capacity to produce them.

This, fortunately, is the point where the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) comes into play. The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Haruna has done a good job at the agency and there is no better time than now to harness his wealth of experience for getting the nation out of the woods.

It is on record that Professor Haruna has been recognized severally for the impact he has made at NASENI. For instance, this is a man who has received the Fellowship Award of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) at its just concluded National Delegates Conference in Abuja in recognition of the his superintending over unprecedented technology products development feats and general transformation of NASENI since his assumption of office in 2012.

The national body of NASU summed it up nicely when it said it recognized the giant strides recorded by NASENI under the leadership of Professor Haruna towards actualizing the dream of the Federal Government in the attainment of technology advancement of the country.

Such is the level of confidence he has in the quality of products churned out by NASENI that the Executive Vice Chairman had in the past repeatedly urged the Federal Government and its other agencies to adopt and patronise them. Only a man that has given his best can summon that level of confidence. As far back as the third quarter of last year, he had predicted that the agency alone has the capacity to help the nation become strong economically.

A cursory review of what Professor Haruna has done in NASENI reveals lessons that are immediately applicable on a national scale and can be adopted by other government agencies. He has this remarkable strategy of planning and we are talking the kind of planning that integrates the private sector from scratch. This has in its own way been useful to boosting adoption rate of the products from the organisation since those in a a position to scale them up for commercialization are carried along from inception. The agency has been amply opened up to strike partnership deals with the private sector, which will explain why

The other good thing he has done at NASENI was to give free hand to staff of NASENI to explore their creativity contrary to the norm where those connected to government establishment are stifled. The creative juices this flow freely yielding innovative products that are going places.

The Presidency should therefore give a marching order to Professor Haruna to provide a compendium of the products developed at NASENI. These should then be reviewed within the shortest possible time by a team drawn from the public and private sectors with a view to identifying the ones that can be scaled up to address Nigeria’s industrialization needs. Another facet to the task that the Presidency must set for the NASENI Executive Vice President is that his agency must speed up its activity because of the desperate situation the country has found itself with the plunging crude oil prices.

For other agencies, it will be worth the while of their leadership to take cues from the NASENI Chief executive with a view to replicating things that have worked for him in their own organizations. Where possible, they should create avenues for him to come around and inspire the staff of their organizations.

Nigerians believe that President Muhammadu Buhari must assemble persons in the mould of Professor Haruna and add them to his change agenda to re-write the story of our nation as oil revenue dependent nation.

On his part, it is important to urge that Professor Haruna does not relent on the exceptional standard he brought on board when he resumed at the agencies. Several organizations might have honored and recognized him with awards but the greatest honour would be making it possible for NASENI to help Nigeria overcome the current challenges. He should for the sake of us all put the agency to good use for the good of the country.

James Enejoh wrote from Ajaokuta

CSOs Disown Planned Anti NASENI Protest

Sequel to news of a planned protest by civil society organization against the the Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, another Civil society group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has dissociated itself from the plan .

CESJET in a press briefing on attempt to abuse CSO platforms for blackmail which held in Abuja today, said they were dissociating themselves from the planned protest since they were yet to determine the veracity of the allegations against the organization, even as they were aware of such protest.

“we want to dissociate ourselves from being part of such misleading impression. It is true that a particular group has circulated letters to civil society organization on the pretext that they are being mobilized to rally against corruption. Since we have never jumped to conclusions on any issues without first independently verifying the genuineness and relevance of what we are being asked to support or kick against.” It said.

According to its Executive Secretary Sunday Attah, the planned protest is a sub-judice and It will therefore not speak well of the centre, or any CSO, to be caught up in such a scenario considering the fact that the allegations raised by the organizers of the protests were fraudulent and were only out to extort the Executive Vice Chairman. A background they craftily hid from CSOs when they sent out the invitation to be part of their protest.

They said it did not want to join issues with the CSO but as a matter of duty see it necessary to caution those that intend to over burden the system as well as make mockery of President Buhari and his change agents as well as the anti-corruption agencies.
This is even as they accused the organizers of the planned protest of trying to cause distractions from the fight against corruption by sending the nation on a wild goose chase which can only backfire on those behind such plots.

Meanwhile it has urged well meaning Nigerians to disregard the antics of this group while also advising other CSOs and NGOs to look beyond the deceptive claim of fighting corruption, but also querry how their so called colleagues are able to mobilize the resources for the logistics of the planned protest as revealed in their letter.

Nigerian Troops Intensify Rescue Operations As 1890 Boko Haram Captives Are Freed

In continuation of the clearance operations by troops to mop up the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, troops have rescued over 1890 persons held captives by Boko Haram terrorists at various locations within the last two weeks.

Those rescued include 800 Nigerian refugees that crossed to Cameroon that were brought back to Banki town in Nigeria by troops of 21 Brigade yesterday.

Troops of 121 Task Force conducted joint patrols with Cameroonian forces at Mararaba, Angwan Fada, Dale and Wizha Bokko Timit, Bokko Nasanu and Bokko Hidde up to Ngoshe in which they rescued 17 women and 28 children.

Similarly, troops of 7 Division Garrison, in a joint operations with 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and Armed Forces Special Forces at Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja, and Marya in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas rescued 350 people including 5 Cameroonian girls that were held hostages by the Boko Haram terrists in those areas.

Also troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, and Armed Forces Special Forces on 17th February 2016, conducted clearance operations at Kwaptara, Mijigete, Garin Boka, Mosole, Ngubdori, Ma'asa, Dukje and Gulumba in Dikwa and Bama Local Government Areas in which they rescued 195 persons held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists.

On 23rd February 2016, troops of 21 Brigade in conjunction with troops of MNJTF on clearance operations at Kumshe general area, rescued 250 and persons, mainly women and children held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists and brought back 800 refugees from Cameroon. On 23rd February 2016, troops of 7 Division rescued 150 persons at Kodo.

Troops of 21 Brigade had also intercepted over 3,000 Nigerian refugees crossing from Wambatche, Liman and Kodo Fata villages in Cameroon into Nigeria. The refugees have been moved to Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp. Also, in a clearance operations troops of 25 Task Force Brigade today, at Galmasku, Muli, Chiralia, Maisani, Talala, Ajigin, Shetimalau, 1 and 2 and Dalomi also rescued 250 civilians held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists.


http://www.nationalhelm.com/2016/02/nigerian-troops-intensify-rescue.html?m=1

Amnesty International And The Nigerian Army: Separating Facts From Fiction
By Philip Agbese

Last week there was a reported meeting between the Nigerian Army and the international non-governmental organization (NGO), Amnesty International (AI) in Abuja, Nigeria. From what we gathered was at the instance of the Nigerian Army. Although it was a closed door meeting, feelers from the meeting pointed to the fact that the Nigerian Army briefed the organization and also answered all the questions it raised in its numerous reports and documentaries.

The meeting was indeed a welcome development as both sides acknowledged that it was first of its kind; it was the first time that any armed service of any country accorded the NGO such respect. Similarly, for the Nigerian Army, noted for its tendency to insulate itself from exposure to such organizations in the past, the interaction was the first time. Therefore, there were high hopes and expectations especially from the military and the citizenry as it provided an opportunity to explain or answer the allegations levelled against it over time by the AI.

For whoever has doubt about the genuine intentions of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of its Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, needs to have a rethink as he has always matched words with deeds. They have defeated the terror group Boko Haram making it possible for many communities to return home picking the pieces to continue with their lives. A feat that could not be achieved in six years was accomplished within six months!

The concerted efforts to improve civil-military relations brought about renewed vigour in interfacing with so many stakeholders, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and the media. It has also been collaborating with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) amongst others. The collaboration led to training workshops and continued consultation for the benefit of the society.
It is not surprising that the Army initiated a meeting the AI.

Unfortunately, the comments of the leader of the delegation to the meeting were to say least, very disappointing. After acknowledging the commendable commitment of the Army for a thorough investigation of all the allegations and explaining the line of action taken or disciplinary measures meted out to those found wanting, the NGO was not satisfied but brought new sets of unrealistic demands.

It is really curious to understand the motive and interest of AI or what they want to achieve. Whatever it is, such motives I dare say, were not in the best interest of our collective wellbeing or for the peace and security of our great nation. Apart of being rude, the posture of Amnesty really left so many questions as to its sincerity.

Moreover, there a lot of loopholes in the process of its investigations to discredit any report produced from such exercise. The Nigerian press and indeed all Nigerians should be very cautious of the AI. Their reports mainly were based on hearsay. Those that AI decided to access and interact with in arriving at its conclusions are those criminals and misguided elements that propagate anarchy and misinformation.

AI needs to review its mode of investigations. It must recognise sovereign states and the legally constituted organs of the government like the Nigerian Army. It must recognise the layers of administration and authority within such government institutions.

The Nigerian Army has its established legal system. Therefore, infringements, if any, on the rights of individuals by personnel of Nigerian Army are independently and impartially investigated by the higher administrative command of those involved. The AI must accept this and respect every institution of a sovereign state. In similar vein, our local human rights organisations are advised not to blindly echo antagonistic positions of the so-called human rights watchdogs at the detriment of national security and our sovereignty.

I think it is about time that AI should critically examine all those allegations and know that they were nothing but cheap blackmail and should therefore consigned to the dustbin of history. AI officials should also apologise to the Army and all the officers they falsely accused.

I shall at this point echo the wise words of General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State that "AI should also apologize to Nigerians and the Army and all the officers they falsely accused.
“The Army should make its investigations and the punishments meted out to all those found wanting public to enable Nigerians and indeed the whole world appreciate its efforts."


Agbese is a public affairs commentator based in the United Kingdom.

Orya’s NEXIM And The End Of An Era
Lady Nkechi Odoma

There is a Yoruba adage to the effect that the world licks your hand when it is coated with honey but will never lick the same hand when it is dripping blood. It has been only a few days – not even one week, since Mr Robert Orya was, along with 26 other Managing Directors and Director-Generals of various parastatals, honourably relieved of his appointment as the MD/CEO of Nigeria Export – Import (NEXIM) Bank and the diverse knives are already being out.

As Hermann Göring said, “The victor will always be the judge, the vanquished the accused…” The cyberspace and even some legacy media are already awash with opinion pieces that have only one goal and that objective is to demonise Mr Orya. Today, such writers and those whose interest they serve may appear the victors and thus arrogate to themselves the assignment of writing the history of NEXIM Bank and Orya’s stay at the helms of its affairs.

The distortions being peddled make no efforts to conceal the real object of the campaign of calumny that only gathered steam after the former NEXIM helmsman was out of the saddle. This will suggest that anything is possible going by the degree of desperation so far exhibited by those after Orya. Files that will prove his achievements in history could be disappeared or entire cabinets that could properly tell the Orya magic story could go up in mysterious flames while one will also not rule out the possibility that phantom files could be planted just to manufacture evidence to smear the man’s image and superlative tenure.

The envy for Roberts Orya’s trailblazing work at NEXIM Bank is however not new. In the ranks of those driving the vendetta against are those who thought they have been wronged by him because he refused to short-circuit due process to meet their spurious demands. The ranks include those who wanted loans without collaterals; and not to be left out are those who were made to pay back what they borrowed. Many of these elements even as early as 2012 had started sending death threats to, and sponsoring calumnious media campaigns against him through various outlandish means and platforms. The records are both in High Courts where Orya sued most of them, and various media platforms. Their present point of departure is therefore obvious. Now that the man is no longer in office it is time to kick him – they forget that he is out of NEXIM as MD but he is not down so the idea of kicking is ridiculous to start with.

They can try their best to tar him but the marble achievements he recorded while his tenure at lasted in NEXIM are such that no amount of mudslinging will stick. Orya did enough at the Nigeria’s Trade Policy Bank to leave whoever his successor will be to be permanently challenged.

For a start, as opposed to what the next Managing Director of the Bank will meet, when Orya stepped in 2009, the bank was in appalling shape with the greater number of the accounts it was holding being in the non-performing class. NEXIM Bank’s total loan portfolio was N14.6 billion as at that time and 72% of this was non-performing; a large portion of these, more than two-third was considered as completely lost. This was a time the world was still grappling with the fall out of a global financial crisis and NEXIM Bank has such dismal capital base that there was not much it could do by way of meeting its mandate.

This situation was compounded, at that time, by the Bank’s over bloated work force that largely lacked the requisite technical skills to deal with the specialized needs of the organisation. In the period he presided over the institution’s affairs, Orya saw to it that the staff were trained to meet their job specification while additional efforts were made to right place them for optimal performance. The challenge posed by poor staff motivation was also addressed and the result was discernable as the revitalised staff were able to come up with world class ideas to drive the institution. One result from the empowered staff with automated system was the significant slashing down of the turnaround time that saw delivery time 80% Turn Around Time and 95% IT efficiency rate and uptime.

For the first time since its inception in 1991, it was under Orya’s watch that NEXIM was able to pay dividends to its owners. He achieved this feat despite the dismal state in which he took over the running of the Bank. It took only sixteen months to move from making a loss of N5.460billion in 2009 to turning an impressive audited profit of N189million in 2010. The momentum was sustained until his noble disengagement from the Bank.

Then there was the overall issue of what NEXIM had been doing wrong prior to Orya’s advent. Here was a specialised bank that was drawn out of its area of mandate for political expediency. It was spreading its resources so thinly trying to satisfy everyone without satisfying anyone. But the quick thinking of the Orya led management saw the institution streamlining and re-focusing its area of intervention. Instead of attempting to unsuccessfully cover the entire world, the West African sub-region became its area of focus with resounding success stories following. Nigerian businesses were able to make inroads into the neighbouring countries with their products.

Even as NEXIM redefined its focus, other sectors of the Nigerian economy continued to enjoy the stability and funds injection made possible by its creativity. Beneficiaries went beyond the traditional businesses to break new grounds like the entertainment and creative industry which benefited both technically and financially from the Bank’s facilities.

Under Orya, NEXIM initiated the facilitation of a transnational shipping company under the auspices of the organised private sector associations in West and Central Africa and in partnership with the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Transimex S. A Cameroun. The Sealink Project was conceived to address the non-tariff barriers and high logistical costs that had slowed intra-regional trade and competitiveness of Nigerian manufactured exports in the region. The promoters of that project are keen to see it to completion, nonetheless.

The bank also moved from an institution that operated in isolation to one that signed several Memoranda of Understanding with sister Export – Import Banks from other countries. Relationships now exist between NEXIM and most of the EXIM banks in the world. The U.S EXIM Bank, the African Import-Export, Afrexim, EximIndia, and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) are among those working with the Nigerian counterpart. Collaborative relationships have been established with various other development finance institutions around the world including China, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico.

All the other achievements of the bank went a long way towards creating thousands of desperately needed jobs and foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria. These include direct and indirect jobs that were added to the economy.

Recognition may be scanty in Nigeria but the world acknowledged the strides covered by NEXIM under his unique leadership. The 24-member Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID) elected Roberts Orya as its Honourary President in 2015 in recognition of his globally relevant contributions.

His sterling performance was such that he was again reappointed for a second term by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Thankfully, the President Buhari Administration has proven that its change mantra is hinged on meritocracy, so there is no gainsaying that the baton of excellence Mr Orya has wielded for almost the past 7 years would be handed over to another patriotic Nigerian. This would ensure the consolidation and escalation of the manifest achievements Orya had wrought in the Bank. This position has nothing to do with self-interest. Orya’s achievements has at the very least benefited the West African sub-region and it would be sad to see the bank slide back to those awful days when it was but a political appendage for settling and repaying party loyalists.

Those who have decided that ill-treatment is the reward for serving the fatherland on this scale will do well to have a rethink. Whatever they may think they have against Robert Orya, there is the comforting knowledge that the legacy he built at NEXIM will outlive him and his assailants. This is because he built a system, an institution and not the cult of an individual. In this, Robert Orya, the Managing Director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016, is a victor. Like all victors, he will by his achievements judge the vanquished, the accused, who today think they are his persecutors.


Odoma is President, Africa Arise for Change Network, Abuja.

Amnesty Office: Group Warn Against False Alarmists
By Jerry Emmanson, Abuja

Rights group, The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has thrown its weight behind the amnesty office in the alleged N48billion scandal rocking the organization.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, CESJET executive director, Sunday Attah said upon investigations, it discovered that the figures thrown around in the report were inaccurate as they clearly differ from the reality on ground.

He said, “Contrary to the claims that the school fees of those studying abroad have not been paid, it was also discovered that the fees have been paid up to date.

“As opposed to the picture of ongoing sleaze painted about the Amnesty Office, we rather found that General Boroh has turned the programme around to the extent that new set of repentant militants – as many as 1500 – were set to turn in their arms. We even discovered that the office under the present leadership returned unspent funds from last year back to the government account.

“Rather than revealing any untoward act, our investigations of the true state of affairs in the Presidential Amnesty Office completely exonerated General Boroh of all wrong doings in the supposed fraud being peddled around him. Had we started castigating him on the strength of the misleading publication, this press briefing would have today been about tendering unreserved apologies to him. We believe tendering such apology is the least those behind the rumours can do.

“It is on this note that we urge the Federal Government to work out modalities for cutting down on the number of frivolous allegations and accusations that are now the order of the day as people try to wrongly drag perceived opponents into trouble. This turn of event can compromise the anti-corruption efforts by raising too many false flags that will distract all of us. The anti-corruption agencies and the media should be wary of such erroneous leads both to cut down on time wasting and to guard against unnecessarily tarnishing the hard earned reputation of those who offered their services to the country.

“Our earlier planned protest was called off when we realized that the entire country was sent on a wild goose chase. We will however not hesitate to revive the protest and direct same at those who are trying to sabotage the anti-corruption efforts by raising false alarms.”

When Politics Enters The Citadels

By Philip Agbese

The decision of the present administration to sack all the vice chancellors of 12 federal universities that were established by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan is generating ripples and rightly so. Even angrier reactions are trailing the removal of Professor Vincent Tenebe, Vice Chancellor of the National Open University (NOUN), whose fate was announced alongside others that included the Vice Chancellor of the Federal Wukari.

The media might have captioned the sack with various headlines that attributed the sack to the federal government as may be expect under the concept of collective responsibility but it is glaring here that the call was that of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu. The minister threw morality to the wind and adopted nepotism and rascality to announce successors for the Vice Chancellors before their tenure properly ended.

True, nine of the twelve have ended their tenure but what happens to the others who were lumped into an exercise whose objectivity will be a subject of controversy for a long time. For instance, Professor O. Geoffrey Okogba of the Federal University Wukari resumed in August of 2011 and gave all the appropriate notices to the authorities including the National Universities Commission (NUC). He did not take any entitlement as VC, which stipulates that his tenure started in August 2011. More perplexing is the case of Professor Tenebe of NOUN, who has been regarded as a change agent in the sector, but he was simply kicked out of office by this latest fiat.

In the academic community, a position is already being put forward that the Governing Council of NOUN has the sole power to remove the vice chancellor. The institution could thus be in for some tough time of fence mending should the minister persist in this foolhardiness.

He seemed to have also overplayed his hand. Yes, he has been under intense pressure lately as his office and residence have taken on the status of pilgrimage grounds for lobbyists that besiege him round the clock to beg for appointments. If Adamu Adamu felt that strongly that he owes these supplicants the duty of finding them jobs he could have at least asked them to exercise patience until the occupants of the positions they sought had properly ended their tenure. In the alternative, he could have gone ahead to establish new schools, assuming he can find the money in this economy, and send his beneficiaries to man them.

The Minister of Education might have also violated the enshrined principle of Federal Character as four of his twelve appointees are from one state in the north. It remains to be seen if the apprehension expressed in some quarters in the run up to the 2015 general elections are not now being substantiated.

The outrage that has greeted the minister’s decision clearly indicates that President Muhammadu Buhari has again been fed the wrong brief by an appointee who is out on his own mission. This act of administrative brigandage must have been packaged and presented to Mr President as some form of reform. Unfortunately, the widespread fear now, to say the least, is that with the blanket sack of the these vice chancellors our educational sector has entered into the same reverse gear that the nation's economy is presently running on. It is a further attempt to irk Nigerians and make them miserable for whatever offence officials of the present government feel they have committed.
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One must ask: where is the sensitivity of the Minister of Education? Series of faux pas in managing the economy saw the naira taking such unprecedented drubbing against major world currencies in its history of existence. The outrage that greeted the series of missteps in the management of the economy was disregarded as the ranting of the disgruntled. Today, the education sector has been similarly placed on the path to accelerated decline over the selfish and parochial interest Adamu Adamu and whoever it is he covertly answers to as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
Of course part of the complaints in the past has been the undue government interference in the administration of tertiary institutions. Such interference played roles in the decline of the quality of education in Nigeria since government actions had at such times seen several institutions shut down for weeks on account of disagreeable government policies or decisions. Those in the ministry of education or whoever emerges as minister have consistently failed to accept that our Ivory Towers should be insulated from the muddy politicking that only serves to derail progress in learning.

Even though the sacked Vice Chancellors were appointed by a former administration that the appointees of the presented government will do anything to vilify, including unleashing suffering on the larger populace, they could have at least recognise the fact that these are eminent scholars who possessed the requisites competences. Removing them in the manner the minister did has sent out the message that competence and excellence has no place in the contemporary Nigeria where budding academics could lose their tenure at the pleasure of another appointee. The moral of the gist is that those appointed and to be appointed by the present administration have no business striving to excel once the government reaches its twilight since the incoming government will likely sack them simply because they were appointed by another government.

This is not the change we sought. This is not the change that millions of Nigerians were willing to die for.
In the coming days, the minister will make futile attempts to defend his indefensible action. He will pay talking heads to do the circuits on television networks and radio programmes with the barrage of write ups that will try to force feed nation the junk about how the decision was taken in our best interest.

Adamu Adamu, in line with the trending fad, might even resort to the slogan of war against corruption to nail some of these people that he had already victimized. As of now, there are no known cases established against the former Vice Chancellors and phantom allegations should not materialize overnight. Those that attended schools that did not fall under Adamu Adamu’s imperial reign should be able to read between the lines.

Agbese is an international public affairs commentator based in the United Kingdom.

NGO Alleges Massive Corruption In NASENI, Calls For Probe
By Collins Olayinka, Abuja


The Friends of Change Foundation has tasked the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to carry out a comprehensive cleaning of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) if it must be taken seriously by Nigerians in its war against corruption.

In a statement signed by Mr. Eric Ameh, the Foundation's President , says recent brouhaha trailing the budget by the actions of the civil service mafia will be a child's play compared to what the leadership of NASENI under Professor Haruna Mohammed has done in recent times to the collective patrimony of Nigerians under his watch.

According to the statement, "this is a wake up call for the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offenses related Commission to investigate the massive corruption that has been unraveled by some civil society organizations at NASENI."

"Anything short of this spell doom for the implementation of the budget by President Muhamadu Buhari that has inherited very dubious civil service and heads of agencies that are yet to readjust themselves to the body posture of President Muhammadu Buhari."

It also said that, "There is need for a clear statement for these hooligans in government to know that it is nolonger business as usual and the war against corruption will have no boundaries until the last public officer in Nigeria is punished for their crimes against humanity."

The NGO alleged that the agency has received billions of Naira in recent times with no visible achievement to show for it, an indication that it has been embezzled and squandered by those whose duties it is to provide service .

It further said that Nigerians are ready to demonstrate to the street to ensure that the war against corruption is boosted with mass action to send a clear signal to all that the Federal Government's policy in this area has been endorsed by overwhelming majority of the citizenry.

They must bring back our money for justice sake, the statement added.

Benue South Re-run: Militants plot to disrupt poll


As preparations towards the February 20th senatorial re-run election between David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and Comrade Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC heat up, the Onjeh Campaign Organisation has accused the former Senate President David Mark of importing militants into Otukpo ahead of the poll.

The Director Media and Publicity of Onjeh Campaign Organisation, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi in a press statement stated that David Mark is turning Benue South into a theatre of war.

"David Mark's militants arrived Otukpo last night and are being lodged at a hotel, 25th May, Asa Otukpo, the hotel owned by Mark's son Inalegwu Mark is currently hosting the first batch of the Niger Delta militants who arrived from Asaba, Delta State while the second batch moving from Bayalsa State are currently camped at Uturu, Abia state on their way to Otukpo”.

Ogenyi recalled that the Gov. of Bayalsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson was in Otukpo where deals were sealed on how to forcefully rig the re-run election. “The importation of the militants shows the desperation of Mark and the opposition PDP towards the re-run election, it's more glaring that Mark has lost grip of his people hence he's resulting to war situation”.

“We believe on the credibility of our security agencies and their capacity to avert the impending mass murder planted by Mark. We hereby call on the chief Security officer of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, the inspector general of Police and other security outfits in the country to immediately come to the aid of the Idoma - Igede Nation before we are completely wipe out by David Mark's militants”.
Ogenyi said the people of Benue South should be allow to choose their senator as it's evident that democracy is of the people.

“The Och'Idoma, Agabaidu Ikoyi Obekpa has said, the Idoma people are not at war, but the current importation of the dreaded Niger Delta Militants into Otukpo calls for immediate intervention of the security agencies” Ogenyi added.

Coalition Threatens Protest Over Invasion Of King Turner’s Residence By DSS


A coalition of civil society organizations, community based organizations and pro democracy organizations threatened to stage a nationwide protest, following what it described as gradual decent of Nigeria to a dictatorship.

The coalitions which condemned in strong terms the invasion of the Maitama residence of Bayelsa State monarch, King A.J Turner, by operatives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) said this is not the democracy Nigerians fought for.

Addressing a press briefing, National Coordinator of the coalition, Abubakar Abubakar esq said it is worried that security and anti-corruption agencies are being unleashed as attack dogs to hound down anyone or group perceived to be in opposition to the government

He said though, it is in support of the current administration's anti-corrupt measures which are genuinely aimed at recovery of stolen funds, but stressed that Indicted persons must also be treated with their fundamental human right constantly considered.

He said, "Having said this, we must express our worries about the way security agencies and anti-corruption agencies are being unleashed as attack dogs to hound down anyone or group perceived to be in opposition to the government. It possibly would have been considerable to maintain some air of indifference if those on the receiving end were active politicians only, but an ugly dimension has now been introduced into the on-going purge and campaign of intimidation that has now been extended to include those who decline to openly come out in support of the party that runs the government of the day."

He said the raid on Turner's residence is an attack on traditional institution in the country.

"The alarm bell first went off for us when non-political public office holders started making the list of targets of intimidation by security operatives. Had we raised this alarm at that point, it might have been termed premature. Now it has got to a panic mode as even traditional rulers, who are neutral by virtue of their position, are now being harassed on account that they did not align with the ruling party.
The raid of the Maitama residence of Bayelsa State monarch, King A.J Turner, by operatives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), falls into this latter category."

He said the invasion of the residence of the monarch has nothing to do with corruption investigation, but because of his insistence on playing the role of a royal father by sensitizing Bayelsans on the need to exercise their voting rights in peaceful manner during the recent Governorship elections in Bayelsa.

Abubakar said, "In the strongest terms, we condemn this attack on King Turner as an attack on the freedom of all Nigerians. We equally condemned the tendency for the secret police to protect members of the ruling party alone while deriving sadistic pleasure from harassing those who have refused to compromise their beliefs and jump ship.

"We are calling on the international community to take the recent events in Nigeria as early warning that democracy in Nigeria is on trial. Only a timely international intervention can save the situation if the democratic progress made in the West Africa region is not to be rolled back. The fight against corruption has been covertly transmuted into a war on democracy and personal freedom.

We use this opportunity to call on all other traditional rulers that maintained neutrality during the general election to speak out in condemnation of this act of aggression. It is a matter of time before the secret police come for them too on trumped up charges since they too refused to be politically biased during electioneering."

You Are Acting Like Boko Haram Spokesman, Northern Group Blast Sen Garbai

The Northern Inter-Faith Religious Organizations For Peace (NIFROP) has accused the Senator representing Borno Central, Baba Kaka Garbai of acting like a spokesman for the Boko Haram terrorists following his claims that Boko Haram still controls 50 percent of the state.

Speaking at a press conference, National Spiritual Leader of the group, Bishop Musa Phomson said beyond spreading terrorists’ propaganda, the kind of utterances from Senator Garbai and others who may take this kind of dangerous descent with him have strong impact to emotionally terrorise IDPs and take away the last thing they hold unto, the hope that they will be able to return to their homelands.

He said this must not be allowed to happen, adding that the IDPs are not just in need of relief materials, but are in need of reassurances that all is being done to return their lives into balance.

He however said the comment by Garbai must be investigated by the Department of State Security and the police as it shows that Garbai is sympathetic to the terror group.

Thomson said it is obvious that following the annihilation of the terrorists by the military, the political wings have now stepped up their attacks in an attempt to demoralise the gallantry of the troops

He said, "The fallout of the political Boko haram is the on-going vituperation by those acting the script. We have read what they put out in the public space to mislead the public by suggesting that ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, the Army operations against the insurgents is at variance with the overall military command as embodied by the Defence Headquarters. They even went as far as insinuating rivalry between the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff to make things look like the CDS is being outshined by the successes of the Army in curtailing the war against terrorism.

"There are even the outrageous speculations that there are arrangements to use the present crop of soldiers on the battle field, who are being coordinated by the Army leadership, to visit the President with all sorts of negative stories just to disconnect the President/Commander-in- Chief from his Service Chiefs and when it was not forthcoming one of them rushed to town with the story that Borno is under the control of Boko Haram.

"To us, the Senator’s conflicting information is not the product of error but a desired trajectory meant to be part of a campaign of disinformation in support of Boko Haram’s propaganda. This is proof to those fighting the insurgency that the political content is still active and growing strong even when those fighting terrorists are being degraded. This clearly indicates that the fight must again scale up on intelligence gathering."

He commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai as their gallantry made it possible for the liberation of the communities formally under the control of the terrorists.

He further commended General Buratai’s prompt inquisition into the attacks on Dalori, Mairi and Malari communities in Konduga area of Borno state, saying it demonstrated that the Army acknowledges attempts by the terrorists to regroup.

He however expressed concern that while the terrorists are being decimated at the war front, the political content of the insurgency has stepped up its attacks that come in form of media propaganda, planting of stories to divert attention from the war scenes and hijacking legitimate platforms and assets to attempt creating panic and public hysteria.


He urged the DSS and Police to wade in and investigate individuals and groups whose allegiance and support for Boko Haram borders on a cult like followership as this could well be one of the strategies used in building new cells and recruiting young persons into the ranks of the terrorists.

He said, "The military, particularly the Army must work on the intelligence so gathered to nip the activities of these political collaborators of Boko Haram in the bud.

"May we also appeal to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin to debunk the damaging rumour that these Boko Haram political elements have put in the public space since such stories about cracks in the military constitute recruitment marketing for the terrorists."

---- Agency Reports

Arms Gate: Group Exonerates Emefiele of Complicity

The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum has urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele to disregard the noise being made in some certain quarters to indict him on the Arms fraud as the handiwork of disgruntled politicians who are desperate to have their cronies replace him.

The Forum vowed to match any protest by pro-corruption groups, street for street and city for city.
The National President of Arewa Youth Integrity Forum, Alhaji Audu Zakari told newsmen at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday that the demand for Emefiele’s sack or resignation by the certain individuals was calculated to spook the Nigerian economy for the benefit of currency speculators, who are waiting in the wings to benefit.

Zakari warned that “Should the markets be spooked on account of this kind of irresponsible behaviour, the economic fallouts will be felt by all of us. Jobs would be lost and those of us with jobs would be pushed into the unemployment market and would have thus fulfilled the wishes of these jobless youths who want the country to collapse.”

The group expressed displeasure with those demanding Mr Emefiele’s sack and arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the explanation that such position can undermine the credibility of the anti-corruption agency with implications for its ability to discharge its responsibilities.

“The faulty premise that Mr Emefiele was part of the Dasukigate arms scandal is laughable because the EFCC would have so indicted him if that were true. We therefore find the castigation of the EFCC for not arresting a man who has not been indicted ridiculous and something that can only come from people who are ignorant of how the system works.” Zakari declared.

He said those behind the call are disrespecting the office of the President by suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is globally acclaimed to be committed to fighting corruption, is shielding a corrupt official.

According to him, “This insinuation that the CBN Governor was complicit in the armsgate scandal is also an insult to the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an affront to the sincerity of its present occupant, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has consistently demonstrated commitment to stamping out the menace of corruption.

“It is insulting to suggest that Mr President is looking the other way in Mr Emefiele’s case. It is even more sickening to be asking President Buhari to sack the CBN boss to satisfy the whims of people who cannot even get the their facts right.” He noted.

Zakari further declared that “As for the management of the economy, while we admit that the economic environment is harsh, we also realise that Nigeria is not alone in experiencing the negative consequences of a threatened global economy. If things are exceptionally hard, it is because the previous government did not do enough to create an economic buffer but instead allowed a robbery bazar.

“Mr Emefiele has been creative enough under the current circumstances to prevent our economy from taking a full hit from the fall in crude prices. He should rather be commended for this even though currency speculators would want us to believe otherwise since he has refused to dance to their tune to effect a devaluation of the Naira.

“The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum therefore call on the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to disregard the purported 72 hours ultimatum to resign, whether from ASJA or any other paid entity, as it does not reflect the wish of Nigerians. Even were the groups making such demands were credible, they do not have the mandate of Nigerians.

“We urge Mr Emefiele to press on with his programme for protecting the naira and the economy from those that want to benefit from their collapse. We will rather endure a few months of discomfort than allow the country to suffer a total collapse.

“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to discountenance fraudulent calls from paid groups. The mandate of these groups also include finding a roundabout way of sabotaging Mr President’s government and part of the strategy is discrediting the leadership of strategic organisations in the country.

“We call on the EFCC to begin tracking the finances of organisations that are being used to discredit its work. We are certain that such exercise will establish links between the paid groups and individuals currently under the commission’s scrutiny as sponsors. What they are doing is waging a psychological war to sustain corruption as an industry.

“Because we know the implication of people organising a “mother of all occupy protest”, so we have also concluded plans to counter with the father of all occupy protest. We will match any protest by pro-corruption groups, street for street and city for city.” He asserted.

Group Wants PPMC Boss, Oil Marketers Probed Over Sabotage
By Jones Ozu, Abuja

For trying to sabotage the federal government efforts in making petroleum products available to Nigerians, the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group has urged the minister of state for petroleum and NNPC GMD, Dr Ibe Kachikwu to immediately probe the managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs. Esther Nnamdi Ogbue and some marketers.

Coordinator of the group, Philip Agbese in an electronic statement made available to journalists accused the PPMC boss of trying to undermine the federal government efforts. He said the probe becomes necessary to ensure stability and transparency in the sector

He said PPMC boss and her cohorts are yet to align themselves with the new thinking of the new administration.

He said, "we have noticed that the PPMC MD and his cohorts have been engaged in underhand dealings within the sector as saboteurs to cause hike in the availability of oil products.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, also commended the Nigeria's minister of state and NNPC GMD, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on the plan to replace the oil swap deal with the Direct Sale-Direct-Purchase (DSDP) in March this year and also for the removal of subsidy.

Agbese said the minister has shown that he is not only courageous but has proven that he is the best man for the job.

He said, "This DSDP which re­places the crude oil swap initiative and the Offshore Processing Arrangement (OPA) will entrench transpar­ency into the crude oil for product trans­action in line with glob­al best practices.

"The initiative, like the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has said, would save Nigeria a lot of money that would then go for other developmental projects. $I billion, is a lot of money that can finance a lot of capital projects."

On the removal of fuel subsidy, he said the Federal Government has no justification to retain the controversial fuel subsidy, arguing that the falling oil price and the attendant revenue shortfall have combined to make fuel subsidy absolutely uneconomical at this period of the nation’s history.

Agbese said the minister deserves commendation for his courage despite the pressure from corrupt beneficiaries of the subsidy regime.

Recall that the minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said yesterday that federal government will save $1billion annually, from the decision to scrap the oil swap deal.

Kachikwu, has disclosed that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will next month begin a new product import system of Direct-Sale–Direct-Purchase (DSDP).

The DSDP is to replace the controver­sial crude-for-products exchange arrange­ment popularly referred to as crude swap.

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transpar­ency Initiative (NEITI) reported last year that a whooping $966 million was lost by the country between 2009 and 2012 through the crude swap arrangement.

Taraba Youth Frowns At Attack On Taraba Varsity VC
By Esther Onjeh

The Taraba Youth for Peace, Good Governance and Development has condemned what it described as attacks meant to distract the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba state, Professor O. Geoffrey Okogbaa.

In a communique jointly signed on Sunday by Samson Bwacha and Innocent Audu, President and Secretary of the group respectively, the Youth group said Professor Okogbaa should rather be commended for turning the institution around at a time when there is widespread concern over the standard of education.

The group said it is on record that the current VC conducted the affairs of the school in the most transparent, accountable and judicious manner since the establishment of the institution and should not be rewarded in a manner that suggests Taraba people are ingrates.

The communique reads in part, “Those sponsoring the allegations against Professor Okogbaa do not have the interest of Taraba at heart. The stage is open for any qualified person that will double the efforts already put in the establishment of the University and ensure its rapid growth not minding any ethnic or political affiliation. The professor should therefore be allowed to focus on his work irrespective of his ethnic background.”

The group said the current attempt at politicizing the affairs of the University is highly uncalled for and unacceptable to the youths of Taraba State particularly when it is being done through trumped up corruption allegations.

It noted that it would not have been possible for the alleged financial infraction being touted by some groups to take place because the National Assembly oversight of the institution would have exposed any underhand dealings.

The youth group posited that “There is a Governing Board for the school so it is perplexing that some people can start writing petitions alleging lack of due process in the award of contracts and that those contracts were inflated when the Vice Chancellor does not have the sole discretionary powers to make such decisions.

“We also have a strong feeling that those behind the petitions are either ignorant of how the processes work or that they are simply being deliberately mischievous. For instance, their claim about non-compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) failed to understand the peculiarities of tertiary institutions.

“Committee of Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities had expressed fears that the introduction of TSA would disrupt the operation of their tertiary institutions. Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had urged the Federal Government to exempt the universities from TSA. In both instances the concern was over disruption to running a university. So for some groups to now be writing a petition over the time it took the Federal University, Wukari to make that transition, despite the resulting disruptions is purely irresponsible.” The statement said.

The group stressed that it would rather have a non-indigene running a world renowned university in Taraba state than having an indigene that will make the place into a glorified secondary school.

It appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to help strengthen the university by finding out and providing what it needs to excel instead of entertaining frivolous petitions.

Sabotage: Group Calls For Probe Of PPMC MD, Others
By James Ekong, Abuja

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group has urged the minister of state for petroleum and NNPC GMD, Dr Ibe Kachikwu to immediately probe the managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs. Esther Nnamdi Ogbue and some marketers for trying to sabotage the federal government efforts in making petroleum products available to Nigerians

Coordinator of the group, Philip Agbese in an electronic statement made available to journalists accused the PPMC boss of trying to undermine the federal government efforts. He said the probe becomes necessary to ensure stability and transparency in the sector

He said PPMC boss and her cohorts are yet to align themselves with the new thinking of the new administration.

He said, "we have noticed that the PPMC MD and his cohorts have been engaged in underhand dealings within the sector as saboteurs to cause hike in the availability of oil products.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, also commended the Nigeria's minister of state and NNPC GMD, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on the plan to replace the oil swap deal with the Direct Sale-Direct-Purchase (DSDP) in March this year and also for the removal of subsidy.

Agbese said the minister has shown that he is not only courageous but has proven that he is the best man for the job.

He said, "This DSDP which re¬places the crude oil swap initiative and the Offshore Processing Arrangement (OPA) will entrench transpar¬ency into the crude oil for product trans¬action in line with glob¬al best practices.

"The initiative, like the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has said, would save Nigeria a lot of money that would then go for other developmental projects. $I billion, is a lot of money that can finance a lot of capital projects."

On the removal of fuel subsidy, he said the Federal Government has no justification to retain the controversial fuel subsidy, arguing that the falling oil price and the attendant revenue shortfall have combined to make fuel subsidy absolutely uneconomical at this period of the nation’s history.

Agbese said the minister deserves commendation for his courage despite the pressure from corrupt beneficiaries of the subsidy regime.

Recall that the minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said yesterday that federal government will save $1billion annually, from the decision to scrap the oil swap deal.

Kachikwu, has disclosed that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will next month begin a new product import system of Direct-Sale–Direct-Purchase (DSDP).

The DSDP is to replace the controver¬sial crude-for-products exchange arrange¬ment popularly referred to as crude swap.

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transpar¬ency Initiative (NEITI) reported last year that a whooping $966 million was lost by the country between 2009 and 2012 through the crude swap arrangement.

Iran’s Poisoned Chalice And The Making Of Another Insurgency
By Philip Agbese

The December 2015 killing of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMV) better known as Shi’ite in Zaria, Kaduna State drew international condemnation and rightly so. Human life is sacred so the condemnation that trailed the killings during a military operation is understandable. Countries and organisations that issued statements in the wake of the incident made the reasonable suggestion that a probe is necessary to understand what went wrong.

One can to some extent surmise that those who made such calls are friends of Nigeria who want to strengthen enforcement of fundamental human rights in the country. Such countries and agencies have history of assisting Nigeria in other areas so this intervention in the aftermath of the Shi’ite incident is not out of the blues.

Unfortunately, one country, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been strident in its interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs using the Shi’ite –
Army clashes as the pretext to assume the position of an imperial or colonial master. It has through diverse avenues sought to bring Nigeria under undue pressure to compromise its own sovereignty.

The issuance of statements calling for investigation into the incident was followed by calm, ostensibly to enable authorities probe the occurrence, but Iran has done everything possible to exacerbate the situation since that time. It had been short of calling on the Shi’ite in Nigeria to attack government institutions. The country’s posture has ranged from warning Nigeria to outright threatening descent into chaos over the handling of the matter.

Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi has been at the forefront of the verbal belligerence. He has never let go of any opportunity to verbally attack the Nigerian state even to the extent of openly making incendiary statements. Koozechi goes as far as using the Nigerian media to push his country’s agenda. He went as far as comparing the continued detention of the Shi’ite leader, Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky, to pouring fuel on fire. This is a luxury that the opposition or other nations cannot enjoy in Iran.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari even said Iran has “used all those channels to warn” Nigeria over the Shi’ite situation. Other senior Iranian officials have quipped one response or the other with airs that suggest Nigeria is just one of the provinces in Iran.

While it is easy to dismiss these developments as high level international diplomacy at play, indications to the true intention of the Iranians can be gleamed by the array of talking heads they have lined up on their government backed Press TV. These so called analysts’ only goal is to twist the narrative in a manner that can jeopardise the peace in Nigeria.

The foregoing is worrisome given Iran’s antecedent in its geo-political sphere of influence in the Middle East, where its meddlesomeness has acted to blow what started as internal issues for some countries into full scale global crises that currently defy solutions. This penchant for interference in the internal affairs of other countries possibly the result of a desire to grow the Shi’ite population worldwide but it should have been reasonable enough to recognise and accept that Nigeria is a different case.

Interference from Iran in Nigeria’s affairs is dangerous and must be condemned as such. Unfortunately, there are some people who tend to misunderstand this intervention as genuine – anything that demonises our Armed Forces or the Army is welcome by such people, who have largely been unable to divorce their anger over previous years of military rule from the statutory responsibility to protect the territorial integrity of the nation. The open castigation and threat to the nation by Iran is thus misconstrued as desirable so long as it is bashing the Army. No. It is not about the Army. It is about Nigeria.

Whereas it is up to the investigation ordered by government to decide if the Army’s response was disproportionate to the reported provocation by IMN, we are all witnesses to the fact that Nigerians across various divides had condemned the occurrence. Even the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) did not hesitate to carpet the Army. So why is Iran suddenly strident on this matter, making it look like the entire nation is out to kill off Shi’ite?

It is understandable that each nation has the right to pursue a foreign policy that is beneficial to its interests. Iran, no doubts, has its political, economic and even religious interests in taking this hard-line stance on Shi’ite in Nigeria.

By virtue of this same reasoning, it must understand that Nigeria has its own set of interests. One of this is the desire to remain a secular country that, in line with its constitution, has not adopted any religion(s) as state religion. The implication of this is that all Nigerians must respect the rights of others not to be burdened or intimidated by the way they chose to practice their own faiths. It implies that institutions of the country are able to enforce the rights of citizens.

It must also be stated that we have a recent bitter history of extremism that snowballed into the monster called Boko Haram today because it was not nipped in the bud early enough. Perhaps, that experience influenced the dispatch with which authorities dealt with the Ombatse sect and also the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). So why shouldn’t we also promptly contain IMN given that it was becoming rapidly militarised?

So, no thanks to Iran, Nigeria has no desire to drink from the poisoned chalice you are offering in the guise of advice and warnings. We will not sit by, on account of your threats, and allow another insurgency grow on our soil just to please you.

—Agbese is a trainee lawyer based in the United Kingdom

Time to End the Iranian Bid at Imperialism
By Sunday Attah

Until the recent faceoff between the Nigerian Army and Islamic Movement in Nigeria, better known as Shi’ite, not many Nigerians were aware of the activities of the sect. However, immediately after the incident, many were vocal in condemning what they had described as the high handedness of Nigerian Army in handling the situation.

However, the recent incident beyond anything exposed how the sect operates. For instance, not many Nigerians knew that members of Shi’ite led by Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakyzaky constitute itself into a parallel authority, with no regards for the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. residents of Zaria, Kaduna state and environs have been living under the reign of terror of the Shi’ite.

Several steps are being taken by Nigerian authorities not just to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of life and property but to also prevent a reoccurrence. The life of any human is sacred and for us in this nation, the life of a Nigerian is even more precious and the consciousness to treat it as such is improving. The deaths from the incident are thus condemnable since a different outcome would have been possible.

Similar to the sanctity of life is the right to freedom, hence concerns about those still in custody over the Zaria Shiite incident. It continues to elicit reactions in Nigeria. This is an indication that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or sectarian affiliations, continue to defend the right of their fellow citizens and have never hesitated to hold the authorities to account. This is a gain from our growing democratic credentials and something that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria MUST protect at any cost in line with the provisions of the constitution it is swore to uphold. It must similarly constantly defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity, which the Armed Forces are on ground to do.

It is on this note that we must all as Nigerians condemn the meddlesomeness of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its totality. One had hoped that the Iranian government would have recalled its envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Saeed Koozechi, on account of his incendiary utterance in the past weeks. The latest of such umbrage from the ambassador was him warning Nigeria not to pour fuel over fire with the continued detention of El-Zakyzaky. The fact that he has not been recalled is enough proof that he speaks for his government as an envoy.

This Iranian interference is apparently part of a desperate attempt to create a Shiite axis of power as compensation for the sliding influence of the sect in the Middle East where the Sunni brand of Islam is gaining the upper hand. Unfortunately for Iran, it blatantly ignores the reality that Islam in Nigeria is not known to be as heavily polarised along sectarian lines as it would want it to be.

The guarantee of secularism in the Nigerian Constitution ensures that adherents of any faith or sect are citizens of Nigeria, who must submit to constituted authorities, including our Armed Forces. No group or sect has the right to hijack public infrastructure and consequently inflict hardship on other citizens. Similarly, bearing of unlicensed arms is a crime in any functional country. So Nigeria, particularly with the benefit of our experience in the north-east, cannot be an exception.

Nigeria, being a member of the United Nations (UN), is bound by all the relevant conventions on human right and does not require a lecture from Iran on how to manage its internal affairs, particularly when the issue under consideration borders on security and survival of the nation. By the way, Iran should first put its house in order before trying to lecture another country on what constitutes human rights. Here is a country where executions are as rampant as tooth extraction at a dentist’s; people are flogged or amputated for minor offences; minorities are hounded; freedom of expression is lacking; and women rank a little above property. It should be crystal clear by now that the era of imperialism is past and Iran does not have the kind of right it is arrogating to itself over Nigeria.

Nigeria should have by now reported Iran to the UN. The arms reportedly found in the Shiite enclave during the military operation came from somewhere; our intelligence agencies certainly must have details of this. As a nation, we should be worried that sometimes ago a cache of firearms and other weapons were uncovered in Kano and it has all the fingerprints of a couple of countries on it. The right thing therefore is for Iran to have tried hiding its involvement in the militarisation of the Shi’ite sect in Nigeria and not try to intimidate a sovereign nation for defending itself against its proxies.

The nation is already grappling with the horrors of Boko Haram, which has ties with an extreme brand of Islam. We face the insidious activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, whose activities were also coordinated offshore until its leader was recently arrested on a visit to Nigeria. The Iran sponsored Shi’ite extremism was another front that was opened against the country. The army responded to the existential threats posed by Boko Haram, IPOB and the militant faction of the Shi’ite sect, with casualties and arrests being part of the fall out. Iran must therefore not expect a different treatment from those who bear arms against the state simply on account that they belong to the same sect that is dominant in the Islamic Republic.

We should be concerned that the whole of this support on so called humanitarian grounds is a ploy to plunge Nigeria into further crisis, disrupt sales of Nigerian crude oil in the international market, and create space for Iranian oil since it is just emerging from crippling sanctions that had prevented it from selling oil.

The Islamic Republic of Iran must respect international laws and allow Nigeria to function as a sovereign nation. It should find ways of getting buyers for its oil without fomenting trouble in Nigeria. It should build its Shiite axis of influence elsewhere as Nigeria is a secular, pluralistic country that does not recognise any state religion. If it genuinely feels that Shi’ites are endangered here, it should offer them citizenship and relocate them to Natanz or Qom.

The Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces must without delay expel the Iranian Ambassador, Saeed Koozechi from Nigeria. The President must take the further step of severing all diplomatic ties with the government of Iran until they commit to staying out of the internal affairs of Nigeria. That Iran can continue to undermine Nigeria after Mr President’s recent visit to that country makes the message obvious and clear that cordial relations with Iran will not add value to us.

One must also appeal to the media to consider national interest in the course of reporting. It will be counterproductive to help a belligerent country further its propaganda that is aimed at destabilising our country as it is obvious that the Iranian Ambassador is counting on Nigeria’s liberal media environment to help spread fear and encourage insurgency. In his home country, no media organisation would have dared publish a story that is critical of the government, how much more of stories that are meant to undermine Iran.

Attah is Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency based in Abuja.[i][/i]

Pension Scam: Who Is Afraid Of Maina?
Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi,

For some time now, the former embattled Chairman Pension Reform Task Force Abdulrasheed Maina has been in the news in a manner that suggests vested interests are out to silence him by all means, condemning him as guilty without listening to his side of the story.

It is on record that before Maina was put to flight by combination of factors, he had told the whole world via different media how he had saved over N200 billion. The task force he chaired had representatives from the Office of Head of Service of the Federation, the Police, the EFCC, ICPC, Retirees Association and other Agencies of government.

Maina could not have misappropriated funds without the knowledge of the others and their active collaboration if indeed he is guilty! It is instructive to note that when Maina came under the search light of the Senate, he accused the Chairman of the committee carrying out the investigation of demanding a humongous sum as bribe, that the matter was swept under the carpet and Nigerians with their usual short attention span forgot the matter.

Monies recovered could not have been tempered by him because it went straight to the Treasury and only the Finance Minister can access it. The young man’s zeal and passion for the job made him to mind boggling discoveries of scam involving the high and mighty who are responsible for his present predicament, deploying their immense illegally gotten resources to accuse, prosecute, judge and sentence Maina as guilty of financial scam using willing media and hack writers to mislead public opinion. When PMB went to Abu Dhabi for the World Future Energy Summit recently, he also signed agreements on repatriation of looted funds stashed in U.A.E. by Nigerians and it went viral that Maina is one of the targets! In some of today’s papers there are more sponsored articles about Maina imminent arrest by INTERPOL which has purportedly given a “Red Alert” for his arrest anywhere in the world over his role in the N2.1billion (another says N2billion) Pension Scam.

In most developed or saner climes, Maina would be wooed by the State to serve as a Principal State Witness based on his intimate knowledge of the scam and the involvement of highly influential Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and the top echelon of the Civil Service. The orchestrated report about Maina’s Eminate arrest is a mere propaganda. Maina would have his day in court one day and the public would be wiser for it.

His accusers of today may well turn out to be guilty!

A forensic Historian and PR Expert based in Abuja.
[i][/i]

Kachikwu’s Endless Battle With Nigeria’s Oil Czars
By Samson Ekele

When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Dr. Ibe Kachikwu immediately after assumption of office on May 29, 2015 as the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it bemused many Nigerians. Those more dazed and disarmed by the decision were members of the cabal which has dubiously gripped the oil sector and troubled it for decades by ensuring that nothing works in the best interest of the generality of Nigerians.

The cabal which has survived many governments in the country erroneously believed President Buhari would also genuflect to their antics by appointing an NNPC overall boss based on their counsel, who would be amenable to their dictates. They were even more surprised when Buhari expressed his desire to also head the Petroleum ministry and to elevate Kachikwu to double as his deputy and NNPC boss. Their aspirations crashed before daybreak, as Nigerians applauded the choice of Mr. President in Kachikwu.

But to fight back, the cabal which comprises top politicians and businessmen with vested, but criminal interests in the running and control of the oil sector has never seized unleashing attacks on Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum. The attacks manifest through surrogates or faceless groups who take solace in rushing to the public to fault or allege multifarious wrongdoings in the current management of the oil industry.

Even Dr. Ibe Kachikwu weighty credentials in academics and the oil industry which advertised his competence made little sense to his adversaries. But from his elementary school to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied law to the Nigerian Law School and subsequently, his LLM programme at Harvard University, Kachikwu carved a niche with distinctive first class performance, just like in his Doctoral degree programme.

His records of hard work and unblemished service in several oil companies abroad and in Nigeria were testimonies of his competence on the job. Kachikwu’s experience in the oil industry in policy- making positions included General Counsel/Legal Adviser, Texaco Nigeria and Texaco Overseas Petroleum Co (1984 -1994); General Counsel/Secretary, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (2001); Executive Director, ExxonMobil Group of Companies (2003). The Minister of state has also served as the Executive Vice Chairman/General Counsel, ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria and Oversight Counsel, ExxonMobil Companies in Africa since 2009.

Yet, some corporate oil thieves in Nigeria stepped up pranks to dismantle and deliberately frustrate his vision and mission in re-engineering of Nigeria’s comatose oil sector. It gladdened the hardened hearts of these unscrupulous elements more not to remember that before Buhari and Kachikwu’s emergence on the managerial ladder of the oil industry, Nigeria’s economy suffered stagnation.

The anomalies in the oil sector, where Nigeria derives its main strength and sustains its foreign reserves defiled virtually all remedial actions. No one is in doubt that revenues from the sale of crude oil in billions of dollars could untraceably develop wings or get missing; national revenue nosedived incredibly, and acute scarcity of all petroleum products was the nightmare of Nigerians and could rage for months intermittently and government of the day feigned helplessness.

Furthermore, the cabal also frustrated the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) designed to impose sanity in the operations of the oil sector and also abused the oil subsidy regime through outright embezzlement of funds. Pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil on high seas were not only celebrated acts, but reached alarming rates and the culprits crawled to their safe havens freely. While Nigerians wailed under this yoke, oil crooks who masterminded the blight in the sector smiled to the banks.
But the scenario has changed with Buhari and Kachikwu as the helmsmen. The Minister of State whose credentials attest to excellence in his over 30 years’experience in the administration of the oil industry has so far not only demonstrated determination to rescue the NNPC and Nigeria’s oil sector, but he has proven within seven months that resources from oil, which is the nation’s cash cow can be now harnessed and deployed for the benefit of Nigerians.

It is on this premise that many have perceived the threatening invitation of the Petroleum Minister, President Buhari and by extension, his Minister of State, Kachikwu to appear before the House of Representatives Ad hoc committee to explain sour SWAP deals more of veiled attempts at blackmail than scouting for sanity in the oil industry.

The fuss is about the controversial Refined Product Exchange Agreement (SWAP) contracts consented by NNPC and the Pipelines Product Marketing Company (PPMC), between 2011 and 2015. Under the deals, 445,000 barrels of crude were allocated to trading companies in exchange for refined petroleum.
Rep Zakari Mohammed’s committee is rightly livid with anger that crude oil worth over $24billion was involved in the deals, but two marketing companies Duke Oil and Tranfigura still had questions to answer.

It followed PPMC’s disclosure that Ontario still had $98m balance of refined products to deliver, while Aiteo which was sub-contracted the another deal by Duke Oil is still keeping Nigeria’s $37m worth of refined oil.

The twist in the tale is that the Chief executives of the two oil companies have declined personal appearance before the committee, preferring to send legal representatives. But why Zakari is more interested in causing the appearance of President Buhari before a House ad hoc committee in whatever guise to explain petroleum ministry’s role in the deals and damned any caution that Buhari or Kachikwu were not privy to the signed contracts casts doubts on the motives of the investigation.
Exposing his mindset, he declared that “Let the minister come and tell the committee that he knows nothing about the transactions because he was not the minister at that time.“They should lead us to the minister (ex-ministers) who have the right information.”

Zakari’s tantrums on Buhari or Kachikwu can hardly find justification in the light of the facts of the case. If not acting a script or political arm-twisting, the former Ministers of Petroleum who masterminded and signed the deals are still alive and not out of reach of the committee to invite for explanation.

To understand why the House is more interested in screaming at Buhari or Kachikwu over such a simple matter is confounding. Could this be a ploy to cast fears into Kachikwu and scar him from continuing with the arduous task of reforming the rotten oil sector in Nigeria? Nigerians believe he will not succeed, no matter how loud he bullies Kachikwu, as they are solidly behind him. Let the House adhoc committee summon the appropriate persons and stop playing to the gallery.

Ekele is a forensic analyst on Oil and Gas based in Port Harcourt.

Why Kachikwu Must Dare the Oil Cabals
By Lady Nkechi Odoma JP

It is usually tough explaining the intricacies of the business and politics of oil to everyday folks. For instance, people outside some major cities still have to buy petrol above the N87 belt announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu. The expectation had been that the years of maladministration in the sector will miraculously revert to perfection on account that a new minister is in charge. Those who hold such views do so without reckoning with the cabals that can only be dismantled over the course of time.

It is however obvious that machineries and strategies being put in place by the minister are beginning to yield results towards freeing the nation from these oil cabals and bringing normalcy to the oil industry. But these people behind the nightmarish scenarios Nigerians had lived through over the past one decade are not ready to go down without a fight. The dubious ways of doing business preferred by them bankroll their private jets, yachts, exotic getaways and out of this world lifestyles with spoilt mistresses and toy boys. It does not matter that they get these things at the expense of our own tears and blood.

Prior to the coming of Kachikwu, the reformer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the oil cabals ran riot all over the place. They decide whether we get fuel or not. They decided the price at which we buy outside of Abuja and Lagos. They decide how long we spend on fuel queues. In addition to these holds they have on our daily lives, the cabal make us pay the interest for the bank loans they took for business, we paid or demurrage on imported products and also paid for when they stored products at tank farms – all these after they have collected subsidies and continue to hold the federal government to ransom over the same subsidy.

Kachikwu’s coming burst their bubble. We exiting the subsidy regime without the apocalyptic outcome they had always paid people to chorus around. Unlike in the past when they were able to browbeat the system, the Minister of State for Petroleum took the wind out of their sails with the concept of price modulation. Consequently, Nigerians have for the first time in a long while live through almost a month without the spectre of subsidy payment hanging over them. Prospecting in petroleum products by hoarders no longer hold promises of high return on investment as there is no more incentive for panic buying.

The stability, in part, can be attributed to the fact that the nation’s refineries, which were once described as mothball, are back to contributing products to meeting part of the daily national demand. These were the same facilities that were earlier unable to refine products despite the several billions of naira spent on Turn Around Maintenance, TAM. From the assurances the minister has given to Nigerians, it is only a matter of time before these refineries are able to scale up their daily output and further reduce the nation’s dependency on imported petrol and diesel – the largest leverage of the rent seeking subsidy predators. This will have implication for not just the consumers but also for the economy since the pressure of sourcing dollars to finance imported products contributed to wiping out the value of the naira. Our currency will thus be able to make significant recovery once Kachikwu’s reforms in the oil sector take further hold.

In the private sector, the confidence engendered by Kachikwu’s approach to managing the oil sector has seen the private refineries being built by the Dagote Group making progress. The opacity in the running of the NNPC and the oil sector in general had once been an obstacle for investors with interest in building refineries. Within the shortest time, however, it is glaring that the new refinery project is picking speed, which could also be on account of the reassurances that can only come from a competent and focused leadership.

It could be described as unfortunate that Kachikwu came on board at a time when crude looks like it is headed for the $20 mark down from over $105 just a few months ago. What is to be commended no doubts is the way he has been able to manage the affairs of the sector in such a way that there is no panic that could have stampeded the industry into destruction. He recently told Bloomberg TV that Nigeria will still make profit even if oil were to trade at $20 since the production amount is less than that. Such optimism, openness and transparency was not the case in the past. What would have happened was for members of the cabals to cash in on the situation and further loot the country blind citing global falling prices.

Another first for Kachikwu was the firmness with which he has addressed the other franchise of the cabals, saboteurs that vandalise pipelines to steal petrol and other products. These economic criminals had in the past had a free reign as they enrich themselves by destroying national infrastructure to steal products. Such was their reign in the past that they kill security operatives and government officials and tend to get away with it. Their activities have been linked with the huge cost of transporting products and some instances of fuel scarcity. The approach to this clear brigandage in the past was to treat the vandals, collaborators and accessories with kids’ gloves – there was that government’s indifference to the fact that vandals and host communities for the facilities were in cahoots. There is no way they can operate freely if the host communities do not give them cover or refuse to alert security and other relevant agencies of crimes in progress.

The warning from Kachikwu to indigenes of Tarkwa Bay, where the Atlas Cove Jetty is located, that their place was at risk of possible acquisition by the Federal Government if they continued to shield pipeline vandals and oil thieves, will certainly achieve something. This is the one approach that was never considered in the past while Nigeria hemorrhaged to thieves. Apparently, there would be no need to repeat this warning to other host communities.

It will be naïve to think that these steps being taken, to the extent that they disrupt the cabals and their minions, would go unchallenged. This is why it would not be surprising to any discerning mind that attempts have started in earnest to drag Kachikwu’s name in the mud. The strategy includes using groups that are claiming that his family members are meddling in the affairs of the NNPC even though no one has been able to publish any proof that this is the case.

The cabals will update and modify their strategies to retain their stranglehold on the oil sector at all cost. Kachikwu must accept this as a reality such that he must never succumb to the blackmail of this band of cutthroats. In addition to the popular mandate that President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti corruption fights enjoys, the Minister of State for Petroleum has the support of citizens to cage these cabals and send them out of business. The tremendous support and goodwill that trail his stand on subsidy is enough indication that he enjoys such support.

Dr Ibe Kachikwu must dare the cabals some more. He should run them out of town. Nigerians support him.

Lady Nkechi Odoma, Chairperson, Africa Arise for Change Network contributed this piece from Abuja.

Oil Sector Reforms: Arewa Youth Urge Kachikwu Not To Be Distracted
By Jacob Saleh

A pan ethnic group, Arewa Youth Integrity Forum, has called on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu to remain resolute in his drive to sanitize the petroleum sector from the rot of the past.

The youth group led by its National President, Alhaji Audu Zakari while speaking with journalists in Abuja said it has great confidence in the ability of Mr Kachikwu to manage the affairs of the ministry

Zakari who condemn the recent attempt to link the minister to alleged manipulation in the NNPC urged Kachikwu not to be distracted or deterred by the cabals in the sector who he said are not happy with new reforms introduced by the minister.

He said, "the recent attempt to blackmail the minister by a faceless group known as South-South All Progressive Congress Youths which tried to fruitlessly to link the minister to alleged manipulations in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is a typical demonstration of corruption fighting back".

He said its investigation has revealed that Dumebi whose name has become a tool in the hands of these mischief makers has no single experience in the oil sector as his core area is Telecoms and Agriculture, especially animal husbandry.

Speaking further, he said, "It is obvious that every Nigerian is now happy that for the first time the High Tower is experiencing peaceful and positive changes without the usual hardship that citizens were made to go through in the past as a result of deregulation and would like to commend the team led by Kachikwu. His choice by President Muhammadu Buhari is a clear demonstration of his full understanding of the sector being a former Minister and active player in the industry.

According to Alhaji Zakari the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu deserves commendation over his handling of the oil sector since assuming office, warning that it is no longer business as usual.

It will be recalled that a group known as South-South All Progressive Congress Youths had recently accused the younger brother of the Minister was interfering with the operations of the NNPC.

Alhaji Zakari also called on the Minister to remain resolute in his drive to ensure the proper functioning of the petroleum sector and ignore the scab also which have held the sector hostage in the past.

This is even as the group has also applauded the anti-corruption position of the Buhari administration, which has according to them has began to yield dividends.

“ They are angry that the President has appointed somebody that has refused to share our money for them to sleep at Nicon Hilton Abuja…the same persons yesterday could sit down to allocate to themselves oil lifting licenses and are bitter that the system has changed”. He chided.

Kachikwu's Relations Not Involved In The Affairs Of NNPC, Says CSO

Reacting to media publications aimed at discrediting the Minister of state for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, the Coalition of Civil Society for Change (COSOC) has expressed concerns that unscrupulous persons are perfecting plans to undermine the anti-corruption efforts in the oil sector by making allegations that relations of the Minister are involved in the running of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

In a press conference with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the group disclosed that those behind the campaign of calumny also claim that the minster’s brother, Dumebi Kachikwu is funneling cash from the corporation to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

National President of the 14 member COSOC, Ibrahim Abubakar, said the allegations are meant to derail the anti corruption fight by suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointee are corrupt and using their family members to steal public funds.

Ibrahim stressed that, “As People who believed in President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about change when others were still sleeping, it will be wrong for us to go to bed and allow criminal elements within the People Democratic Party, PDP or any other political party or group to, through their agents, destroy the recent gains which the administration has made since its inauguration, particularly in the oil industry.

“It is with great concerns that we therefore alert Nigerians to a plot to discredit the good work being done by Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Ibe Kachikwu. The plot includes sponsoring stories that would be branded as “exclusives” to allege that the minister’s brother, Dumebi Kachikwu is unnecessarily meddling in the affairs of the NNPC.

“Dumebi Kachikwu would be further accused of accumulating money earned from NNPC to fund the PDP on account of allegedly being a close associate of one of the party’s chieftains.

“The people behind this campaign are agents being sponsored by the oil cabal who have become bitter because they no longer profit from the fraudulent subsidy regime as obtainable in the oil sector under the previous administration.

“From our informal investigation, Kachikwu's brother has no hand in any oil dealings or at anytime involved in sponsoring any member of the opposition, which by the way is in total disarray as a result of the ongoing war against corruption.” He insisted.

Ibrahim explained that the President knows the pedigree of the NNPC GMD before appointing him to such crucial position and that the desperate attempt to question his integrity by linking his relations to the running of the NNPC shows that the oil cabal has been dislodged.

He noted that “Mr President made the right call by appointing a man who has unsettled the all powerful cabal. Kachikwu has proven to be a man that cannot be assailed with corrupt tendencies.

“Members of the oil gang should be reminded that the era where village chiefs relocated to Abuja and controlled the tower from hotel suites is over. The unnecessary bashing of Kachikwu's family will not bring back the cabal to lord it over Nigerians again.” He concluded.

Armsgate: 'Boko Haram Sponsors Behind Campaign Linking Buratai To Scandal'

Following recent publications in the media linking the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to the arms deal scandal, a Civil Rights Organisation, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), has cautioned against roping in the army chief, saying that the elements behind the campaign are likely sponsors of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram.

The group in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Comrade Ikpa Isaac, the group has described the ongoing allegations of complacency in the recent arms scandal as a deliberate attempt to discourage the army from their ongoing onslaught to end insurgency.

The group further informed that the propaganda against the army chief was as a result of his recent drive at transparency through his call for all officers to declare their assets which they claim is the first step at sanitising the military which according to them has enmeshed itself in corruption and is in need of such sanitary steps.

“We are aware that certain elements in the Military are very uncomfortable with Buratai since his call for declaration of assets, but let it be known that as a civil society we are in total support of this move. The army needs to be sanitised, too much sleaze has infiltrated in the last eight years and it needs to be brought up to task". It read in part.

Condemning further they said, "This desperate attempt at demonizing the military as an institution is responsible for the monumental fraud being uncovered by the ongoing probe of Defence allocations, we therefore warn that never again should Nigerians under any guise draw these defenseless patriots into unnecessary controversy in the media to satisfy the interest of a selfish few."

CESJET has also called on Nigerians to give the current drive to transparency as initiated by the Army chief all the support it can give as they have described it as the first step to ensuring peace and complete sovereignty of the Nation through strengthening its military.

It also hailed the timely reaction of the Army Spokesman, Col. Sani Usman who according to them has opened a new vista in army and community relations with the provision of facts to the allegations as counter "to the frivolous tissues of lies being peddled by some faceless organizations has proven that the COAS has no skeleton in his cupboard".

Speaking in defense of the Chief of Army Staff, the groups stated categorically that from their investigation, "General Buratai as Director of Procurement never awarded or authorized any payment and therefore the nexus between his office and the arms purchase funds can only exist in the imagination of mischief makers".

Meanwhile the group has called on the Chief of Army Staff not to relent in his quest to sanitise as well as quell insurgency in the nation. According to them attack on the leadership is a desperate way to twist their attention from the core operational mandate to pettiness which will lead to failure.

Lamorde: The Task Before EFCC
By Abubakar Duniya

The bilateral agreement recently signed between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is definitely beginning to yield results earlier than one would have expected. When President Muhammadu Buhari signed that deal, the expectation was that some more weeks would go by before the anti-corruption war will see benefits from the agreement.

The publication of the list of Nigerians with properties in the Gulf States has however signaled that era of politically exposed persons from Nigeria stashing stolen funds in the property market in that destination is over. Gone is that sense of security that made the UAE a destination of choice – the absence of such treaty has in the past made it a location of choice when exporting proceeds of corruption.

For those who are eager to see corruption tamed in Nigeria, the publication of that list should naturally lead to questions being asked. The responses to those questions should lead to demands for specific actions.

For instance, prior to the publication of that list, there are Nigerians who are widely known to own assets in this nation either on account that their interests in the Middle East is public knowledge, they are known businessmen-billionaires or that we just simply know that people as corrupt as they are must have something stashed away in such locations.

Then there are those whose names are absent from the list even though events around their persons would have suggested that they must be property tycoons in Dubai. The public perception bubble got busted on that one.

Somewhere in between these two categories are the surprise names. Their names appearing on the list, regardless of recent events and allegations around them, simply sucker punched the average right thinking person. For instance, the former supremo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Lamorde has his name on that list. The outrage of it!

Even the controversies and allegations that he might have diverted as much as one trillion naira in recovered money and assets for his personal use could not have prepared one for the fact that Lamorde would be brazen enough to openly hold assets in his own name in that nation with impunity. Lamorde is alleged to have over a $60 billion investment in Dubai and neighboring Islamic countries. Any lingering doubts as to whether he appropriated over N1 trillion in recovered funds to himself have now been cleared with this discovery. How can Lamorde explain being worth that much on his police and later EFCC salary?

On the contrary, Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, whom Lamorde spent his entire tenure at the EFCC demonizing was nowhere to be found on the list of persons who own property in the United Arab Emirates. That is another jaw dropping one there. The impression that Lamorde and his hordes of jobbers had created was such that the good work that Maina did with pension reforms was almost rubbished. Fortunately, pensioners, who know better, have come out severally to commend the changes that Maina engendered in pension administration.

With this development in Dubai, there is the instinctive reaction one to begin mentally revisiting earlier assertions by Maina that the accusations against him were the direct consequences of not succumbing to extortion and blackmail. Many of those demanding for him to be crucified turned out to have demanded bribes that he refused to give. Instinct will also make one to begin to ask questions about the veracity of claims, not just by Maina, but several others, that Lamorde ran an extortion racket while at the EFCC directly and through proxies. How much of these can be true?

One must further probe to know why Lamorde is not just keen but is making spirited efforts to see that Maina’s name make the list of property owners when he never succeeded in trying him in a competent court in Nigeria for the entire duration of his tenure as the EFCC helmsman. To expose the bad faith in Lamorde’s latest antics, he totally failed to explore the option of using Maina as state witness even after he has made revelations about those that the then Lamorde led EFFC should be going after.

Fortunately, while Lamorde deals with his baggage and Maina continues with efforts to clear his name, it is noteworthy that part of the job of the present EFCC’s leadership has been made easier. As the incumbent EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu step up the attack on graft, he must realize that Nigerians deserve to see the authentic list from Abu Dhabi. When Nigerians know for a certainty that the list in the public domain is the authentic one, there is the increased likelihood that more whistleblowers will step forward to assist investigations.

Lamorde’s presence on that list should also prompt the EFCC to quickly act on his case. The commission must act fast not because of personal sentiments but to send a clear message to Nigerians that what the former EFCC boss did is not in the character of the agency.

In the meantime, the EFCC can take a leaf from what went down in Abu Dhabi. For the authorities to come up with a list within the shortest time possible in the wake of signing the treaty with Nigeria spoke of database put to good use. We are not without database in Nigeria. What has to be done to is to activate the usage in the existing fragmented state, even though there are extant directives to harmonize them. The Commission use Abuja as a start, since the Abuja Geographical Information System, AGIS can significantly yield information to identify property ownership. The list of property owned by politically exposed persons in Abuja will definitely trounce that released from UAE and should create the basis for more thieves to go on trial.

The EFCC must also recommend to the presidency to go beyond the Gulf States in signing bilateral agreements that will aid the anti-corruption fight. Recent events suggest treasury looters bought citizenship of several island nations. The likes of Lamorde may be considering towing this line now that the safe haven that Dubai once was is no more. Not only should such people should be closely watched in the UAE, where they are currently in hiding, to ensure they do not surreptitiously acquire citizenship of these island nations, the Federal Government must also get such micro nations on board so that they fleeing criminals would be shipped back should they try fleeing there.

Meanwhile, the EFCC must, acting on the strength of the Nigeria’s new relations with UAE, declare its former chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde wanted so that he can be apprehended over there and sent back to stand trials for his crimes.

ABUBAKAR, a public affairs analyst, contributed this piece from Abuja.