₦airaland Forum

The world watched in shock on January 6, 2021, when pro-Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Hill, Washington DC, the seat of the United States Congress. The US Congress was in a joint session as constitutionally required to confirm Joseph Biden the winner of the recently concluded US Presidential Election.

Peaceful protests are a part of the constitutional right of citizens to embark on in a democratic nation such as the USA. But the protest at Capitol Hill was far from peaceful with scenes of protesters smashing doors and windows, it was also reported that at least 5 people were killed including a policeman.

One of the most amazing aspects of the protest witnessed at Capitol Hill and its aftermath was the portrayal of the protests by major US media agencies like CNN and the absolute silence of international human rights groups like Amnesty International.

CNN and other US media groups claimed the protests were an “insurrection” because it is a more favorable narrative, meanwhile, protests in countries such as Nigeria, China, Iran, Venezuela, etc are portrayed differently.

CNN’s double standard is more apparent when the US-based news agency released an in-depth exclusive report of the Lekki Toll Gate Incident where #EndSARS protesters were allegedly shot at by members of the Nigerian Army. The news agency was quite vocal about why armed men would be deployed on the streets during the #EndSARS protests. During the Capitol Hill protests, policemen, soldiers, personnel of FBI, and other security agencies were deployed to disperse the rioters; CNN was surprisingly silent about the deployment and depicted it as a necessity to restore law and order.

There are currently 18,000 American troops protecting the Capitol from a potential security threat to the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president, Joseph Biden; the highest amount of troops ever situated in the Capitol throughout the nation’s history. America and its European allies will not condemn this massive deployment of troops but are justifying it is for a worthy security reason, on the other hand, the Nigerian government was highly criticized by the USA and its allies for deploying security agencies to disperse #EndSARS protesters.

Also complacent in this high level of double standards areCNN, Amnesty International, and other similar groups who apparently understand differently when it involves developed countries like the United States but refuse to apply the same standards to other countries such as Nigeria.

Blackmail is now a career i see....

FULL REPORT : https://www.vigil360.com.ng/nationwide/61-security/17970-endsars-ohanaeze-ndigbo-dissociates-self-from-nnamdi-kanu-s-outburst.html

The highest socio-cultural body of the Igbo tribe, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Yesterday Thursday, October 22, denounced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, saying that his recent frenzy was merely targeted at exacerbating discord in the nation and also to soil the age-long cordial relationship that has been existing between the Igbo and the Yoruba.

Kanu had on Tuesday called on his supporters who are at the moment disguising as #EndSARS protesters to among other things ambush and kill any policemen, soldiers, governors, their children and destroy properties of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, as well as government infrastructures.

The acclaimed IPOB leader claimed responsibility for burning down Oriental Hotel in Lagos and other government infrastructure in the state, even as he suggested that the ongoing crisis in Lagos which has consumed properties worth billions of Naira was because of the state governor’s decision to impose a 24-hour curfew.

Link:- https://www.vigil360.com.ng/nationwide/61-security/17970-endsars-ohanaeze-ndigbo-dissociates-self-from-nnamdi-kanu-s-outburst.html

Abeg ooooo, I understand us as citizens’ have the constitutional right to protest, I have participated myself, but I don’t think it’s necessary to completely block access and major roads and leave them inaccessible in case of emergencies.... If you or your friend’s house is on fire and the road is blocked by us the protesters How will Fire service help out? What about emergencies of women in labor who need to get to hospital fast. This blocking of roads can lead to more deaths sef. So I think there is no need for us to protest and block major roads Abegggggg, na beg I Dey beg ooooooo.

Nigerians everything is fake news even when they are told the truth. God please liberate Goddy from the hands of evil men.

The tired old man is supposed to be holding the wheelbarrow, while his successors clean up his mess. He is bereaved of any meaningful contribution to the countries problems. He should go and sit down jooor.

Him go do the bad belle tire. Na only to dey criticize government na im dey sabi, never making tangible contribution.

Nigeria, just like most other nations of the world is currently transiting through uneasy times occasioned by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic which has caused socio-economic uncertainties leading to the near collapse of economies even global super-power like the US, UK, Russia as well as the Asian tigers are dealing with the exigencies of the times. Sports and entertainment industries across the globe are in the doldrums.

The wave of terror across the globe from armed groups including ISIS, ALQAEDA, ISWAP, among others also pose another cause of major concern to all and sundry. The activities of ISWAP Boko Haram terrorists and other violent armed groups in West Africa and Nigeria in particular has assumed a different dimension in recent times due to the increased killings, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes it has brought about.

This recent development which is flourishing in the Northern part of the country has continued to elicit reactions and outcry from the citizenry with majority blaming the present administration for these woes bedevilling the country. There has been series of protests and agitation in Northern States like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kastina all in a bid to draw the attention of government.

However, a critical assessment of security situation in the country will clearly suggest that since the return of democracy in 1999, successive administrations have faced different economic and security challenges. For instance, the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo faced security challenges of the Odua’s People’s Congress (OPC) armed robbery, kidnapping among others.

That of President Yar’Adua was greeted with Niger-Delta militancy that witnessed bombing of oil installations and abduction of expatriates. Then ex-president Jonathan administration saw the evolution of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria which witnessed the attack of sensitive installations of government including military barracks, bombing of the UN building in Abuja, abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State among others that left scores of people dead.

These challenges persisted and became more sophisticated with time as successive governments failed to address them adequately. The current banditry ravaging the north western part of the country, particularly in the rural areas of Katsina and Zamfara States has become heinous, what initially presented to be a conflict between pastoralists and farmers over land evolved into banditry with loss of lives and property.

Local government administrations and Traditional leaders in these areas have not done enough to ensure that these issues are addressed. Most times, they are found guilty in playing enabling roles where as it is their responsibility to assist security forces to identify the unscrupulous individuals involved in these attacks. This is in spite of the huge security funding they receive from the federal government.

Another enabling factor to these challenges can be attributed to the dearth of infrastructure, poverty, hunger and unemployment coupled with the porosity of the nation’s borders which is as old as the existence of the country and as such can only be addressed by proper policing of the borders, job creation and introduction of Social Investment (SI) packages among others.

The present administration has no doubt made effort to address these challenges by providing adequate funding and equipment for security agencies. This has led to the domestication of attacks by insurgents in the hither lands unlike before. Also, the introduction of SI packages including NPOWER, Conditional Cash Transfer to the poorest of the poor, all aimed at creating jobs and reducing hunger and poverty seems to be variable road maps to addressing insecurity.

Terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes ought to be seen as a common enemy to all Nigerians as such requires a unified effort to address it. All levels of government and entire citizenry must work together to defeat insecurity.

It is from the write ups that we will get the appropriate attention that will provoke the right actions.

Hypocrites will always throw stones when they themselves have glass houses. We must also realize we have a big responsibility in keeping ourselves and people safe. NEF should focus more on preferring realizable solutions and take a leave from playing the blame game.

AGAIN! THE UNENDING HOSTILE POSTURING OF THE NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM AGAINST PRESIDENT BUHARI



The sustained hostile posturing of the now disreputable Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has come to the fore again with the recent harsh and unjust criticism of President Buhari’s handling of the long established security challenges bedevilling the country. Again in its usual manner the NEF is playing to the gallery like the proverbial ostrich, the NEF has buried its head in the sand claiming to be oblivious of their role in further worsening the situation in the North rather than provide genuine solution to the challenges they highlighted.

Be that as it may, the Federal Government has put in place measures and is consistently implementing comprehensive security strategies with a view to overcoming the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation. Some of the strategies on ground include but not limited to, the expansion of the National Command and Control Centre to 19 states of the federation, resuscitation of the National Public Security Communication System and commencement of the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy etc.

Firstly, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the self-acclaimed convener of the NEF, whom the Presidency responded to his criticism with some scathing acidic words of themselves highlighting Prof. Ango’s-led NEF in its antipathy against President Buhari, and its preference for another candidate which could not stop the president’s re-election in 2019. The NEF has failed to realise President Buhari’s good intentions and his commitment to the Nigerian project as well as securing all lives and property across the country as his constitutional mandate states.

Secondly, in enumerating the challenges faced by the country, the NEF, is to say the least, is only playing the ostrich as I have earlier noted. However, the NEF needs to bring out workable solutions to nation building, peace initiative and strategies that will have the buy-in of the northern populace in addressing the security challenges of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, rising numbers of out-of-school children, sedentary farmers and nomadic herdsmen clashes etc in the north.

Thirdly, the likes of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who was in the forefront of NEF’s vituperation against the President was a seasoned technocrat with vast experience in governance and administration. Following his retirement by the then Yar’adua’s administration, he sought political relevance by lobbying for political appointment in the advent of President Buhari’s administration in 2015. In the aftermath of failing to clinch any position, he later aligned with Atiku Abubakar in the run up to the 2019 elections. Suffice to note that disparaging the President instead of joining hands towards nation building is simply not statesmanlike. For Prof. Ango, there is no better response that what he was rightly referred to as an irritant and featherweight by the Presidency.

To build this nation is a task we all must strive towards irrespective of tribe, religion, ethnic affiliation, political orientation and beliefs.

Isa Umar writes from Zaria, Kaduna State.

Some certain truths have been said here, with all due respect to our brothers, a call to secession is a call to war.

This is as much threat to Nigeria’s unity as that of the Biafran struggle. This deserves adequate attention. Meanwhile, we r still waiting for them.

Amidst the global pandemic, Coronavirus aka COVID-19, nations across the world have not only raised concerns about the virus, but they have also categorically warned about its devastating impact on our post COVID-19 World economy. This has precipitated the call for debt relief, especially for third world countries, which Nigeria is one of. The idea is to enable such nations deal with the depression that will follow after the pandemic has been successfully contained.

However, while such external considerations are being fine tuned, it is very expedient that internal economic measures be set in motion, to compliment such global gestures and set the nation on the path of quick recovery from the imminent economic turbulence.

This was the premise on which the Federal Government considered the decision to ease the lockdown; a painful but necessary decision, which a few have decided to twist into looking like a deliberate government attempt to put citizens in harm's way. While the need to ensure public safety cannot be overemphasised, there is also an underlying need to save the economy from imminent doom, so as not to erode the gains we have recorded in that sector, as a nation; a situation, which if not curtailed may likely trigger opposition reaction.

It is expected that opposition will have a different view, after all that's why they're called an opposition. However it is not healthy to paint a false image of Government complicity in harming the citizenry.
The decision to ease the lockdown was a carefully thought out plan aimed at ensuring economic continuity and sustenance, in a bid to keep the nation's life line up and running and avert the impending doom.

This decision was made with the input of professionals in disease control, citing best practices such as social distancing and wearing of nose masks. While it is unfortunate that Nigerians have failed to comply, the Government in collaboration with enforcement agencies and the NCDC have re-strategized, to ensure full compliance with safety rules and prevent further spread of the virus.

It is therefore important for all Nigerians to support the Government and the professionals to whom we have entrusted our safety and shun politics of opposition. It suffices to add that while politicking is for politicians, disease control is for health professionals. Let us allow them do their work. The Government has appointed the best hands and given them free room to work; let's tow that line.
Like they say, too many cooks spoil the broth.

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na her mama she dey ask "what is wrong with you" If na naija mother the girl for dey intensive care unit by now.

This is properly projected, PMB yesterday declared that d Abuja stadium will be name after MKO Abiola.

it will take more than fifty years for that kind of agenda to be realized abeg.

Women that once slept with Obasanjo and had kids by him, Mrs Oluremi, Mrs Stella, Gold Oruh, Mrs Taiwo, late Mrs Lynda, Mrs Mabel Okosode, Mrs titilayo, Kofoworola mojisola, Mrs Bola, Mrs Mofo, Mrs Oluremi, Mrs Labo salako, Mrs Lamide Adegbenro, the list goes on. This comedian is a sucker for women.

Presido Buhari is the JOSE MUJICA (Uruguay's poorest president) of our time.

OJB is annoyingly fond of throwing accusing finger and blames here and there, its not like he did any better during his own time

hmm

This is an unfounded assertion by one of this governments' biggest critics, FFK always be spewing trash, calling Nigerians weak and trying to instigate confrontation, gradual positive change will come through collective change of attitude, not violent confrontation or revolution.

This story sounds fake, what was she doing with a knive in d bedroom, was she anticipating her husbands return hence d need to stay prepared.

Better days are coming, this is a new feat, for the first time in over 20 years Nigeria's central bank governor will serve a second term. Also PMB is probably the first president in the history of Nigeria that didn't bring "Na mu na mu" "my personal person" to be the CBN governor.

Atiku's loss began at his polling unit where Buhari beat him, he is only attempting this suit to hoodwink Nigerians and ultimately waste the time of the country's judiciary. If the presidential elections were to hold ten times Buhari will still win, Atiku should stop this pipe-dream and focus on his business for now.

Accomplishments don't erase venal tendencies, Nigerians have refused to forget Atiku's role in corruption proliferation in this country, he should unfortunately accept that he has lost his best chance to redeem himself, shikena....

THIS IS SO IGNOMINIOUS

Asari dokubo said it, same kanu ordering the deaths of prominent Igbos, using the struggle to attain popularity and self enrichment, which leader will abandon every iota of dignity and decorum and venture into soft porn, if not for the desperate bit to retain popularity. And again his promise to continue such shameful charade should help discredit him d more, it is pitiful. It is high time the Igbos realize d scam that this opportunist is.

Hope all this northern governors will be able to pay

This woman again, she has not been able to move on

My girlfriend said she hates it when a guy saggs his pants