₦airaland Forum

lebete3000:
If Utomi no dey here den somethings wrong.

Sir, Kachikwu Ibe the GMD of NNPC has taken the Delta State slot.

Murderers and agents of the devil should voluntarily surrender? I dont get it at all. If you know their hideout, get them immediately and stop this killing madness. They have attacked Chibok again and we are appealing to their conscience? These people have no conscience. Even if they "surrender", are we expected to throw a civic reception to welcome them to sane society or what?

sirmobol:
Do you know who BUHARI is? Did you say fat? Is he fat? You need a good and medicated frame...

Ha ha my brother. I tire for Naija! But seriously, we've got a real problem on our hands because the economy also needs urgent attention. Kidnapping, rape and armed robbery are still going on and boys from the Niger Delta creeks are not smiling. I hope we dont get to fight on too many fronts?

Something is really amiss! Wither Nigeria?

When President Muhammadu Buhari pulled out his kinsman, Lawal Daura, from retirement to head the Department of State Services (DSS), it did not come as a surprise to many.

The DSS with Ita Ekpenyong as Director General had become overtly partisan in the run up to the 2015 general election and the moment former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the vote, it was apparent that Ekpenyong’s days were numbered.

It didn’t also come as a surprise to many discerning observers of the country’s security and power architecture when about 40 DSS top ranking personnel, including its rambunctious and noisy spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, were sacked or compulsorily retired on August 31.
What many Nigerians did not foresee, however, was what happened two weeks later.

On September 11, the appointments of 60 trainee officers out of 452 that belonged to Basic Course 28 of 2014 codenamed COBC28/2014 were whimsically terminated and the trainees thrown out of the State Services Academy (SSA) in Lagos.

Those dismissed had only one month of training to undergo before their commissioning as senior intelligence officers on October 26, 2015.

Those whose appointments were terminated had not only undergone the basic training in the academy but also the three-month attachment at DSS state commands nationwide where they learnt how to handle high calibre weapons, detonate bombs and all sorts of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Security experts from the British Secret Service were also hired by Nigeria to take them on special intelligence gathering courses in counter-terrorism and insurgency. They had been on this since December 2014 and many of them were already in celebratory mood, having only one month left.

Then, the shocker.

None of the trainees had an inkling what was in the offing. It was just like any other normal day in the camp until about noon when some officers (messengers of death) arrived from Abuja, called out their names and handed them their dismissal letters.

They were marched to their various rooms to pick their personal belongings and thrown out of the camp, under the rain, with the gate shut behind them. Just like that!

Even the pictures they took with their colleagues while in training were seized. Their laptops and cellphones were thoroughly pored over. The victims were not told what the issues were. It was all about national security and the DSS did not owe them any apologies.

But one thing was certain. Many of those rusticated were not found wanting. They were not thrown out of the service because they performed below expectation in training.

In fact, some of those sacked had already been commended by their course advisors. They were some of the best trainees, already proficient in the use of sophisticated weapons.

These are young men and women, Nigerian youths, who had looked forward to serving their country with all their God-given physical and mental abilities being treated so shabbily by a country that expects them to be patriotic.

Many Nigerians didn’t get to know about this injustice. It was done in a hush-hush manner. The media has been largely silent over it. There is no outcry possibly because a new sheriff who can do no wrong is in town.

No reason was given for the shabby treatment meted out to the youths, our so-called leaders of tomorrow.

The termination letter dated September 4 and signed by one GK Mohammed on behalf of Daura simply read: “I am directed to inform you that the Director General, State Services (DGSS) has approved the termination of your appointment from service with immediate effect.





“You are, however, required to hand over all government property in your possession, including your study guide/note books to the Director of Studies, State Services Academy (SSA), Lagos, and obtain appropriate clearance before your final exit please.”

Didn’t they have a right to know what the issues were, why they were sacked without any notice?
To add insult to injury, the victims were demonised after they had left camp because the instructors reportedly told those left behind that the rusticated trainees had fake certificates and gained admission through the back door.

But that was an after-thought because many of them had genuine and verifiable certificates.

In any case, shouldn’t anyone who gained admission to any institution, particularly the country’s foremost secret service, with fake credentials be punished beyond mere rustication?

In the same vein, it amounts to being economical with the truth for the service to claim that some of the trainees came through the back door (whatever that means) because truth be told, none of them came through the front door, figuratively speaking.

The DSS does not advertise vacancies and the process of recruitment is always secretive.

The trainees were told it was “Executive Recruitment”, and in one of the forms they filled to gain admission, they were asked to name their sponsors, the person through whom they came to the academy. You must have a godfather to be there.

If sponsorship was the crime committed by those sent parking, then all the 452 trainees were guilty. So, why were some kicked out and others allowed to stay?

When I met one of the victims last week, she was distraught.

“What kind of life is this? Which other country will treat its citizens like this? Where do I go from here?” she asked.

Of course, I knew what she was talking about. Nigeria, her country, has treated her unfairly since she graduated from the university some years ago. With a good first degree and a Master’s to boot, she had looked forward to living a fulfilled life.

But that is quickly turning out to be an illusion.

Her stint in the banking industry was a nightmare. She almost had a nervous breakdown because of the tyranny of deposits. The DSS job was, therefore, God-sent and she put everything into it and had already been commended by her instructors for her dexterity.

And now, this!

Last week, she looked like a ghost. I barely recognised her. The vivacity had gone. The liveliness, the get-up-and-go spirit, had vanished. There was no sparkle in the eyes. The energy was no longer there. There was no laughter.

She was a broken woman. She still does not have any idea why they were sacked but she was emphatic that most of those asked to go are from a particular section of the country.

Those from the right neck of the woods are still in camp, even those that are not supposed to be there.

For instance, one of the rules, I am told, is that the trainees must not be married before coming to camp. But some of the trainees are not only married but also have children. And those who ought to know are aware.

But not to worry. They share kindred spirit with the new sheriff in town. That is all that matters. They understand his body language and he knows theirs.

The flip side is that no country runs on these paradigms ever achieves greatness.

History is our witness.

*Ikechukwu Amaechi is the Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of TheNiche, a national newspaper published in Lagos. (ikechukwuamaechi@yahoo.com)
http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/10/ikechukwu-amaechi-nigeria-the-vendetta-in-dss/

jaxmineo:
...it was really disheartening.....cos the man who was killed is our colleague.well I hope they'll fish out the perpetrators of this inhuman act....may the gentle soul of austin rest in peace...sobs

My brother, please accept my condolence. Lots of questions as to whether this is just a one-off criminality, or signs to something more sinister in the offing.

Youths in Plateau State have said they are expecting the next batch of ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari will reflect his campaign promise which anchored on change, insisting that the first batch of nominees defeats the slogan.

“President Buhari, in his first major action, has shown he lacks the capacity to practice what he has preached in his four consecutive trials at the Presidency. He promised change, and Nigerians took him on the social contract, delivering their own part,” Dindam Isaac Laven, acting chairman of united Arewa Youth Organisation said on Saturday.

“But what do we have, a president betraying the very course that earned him the election victory by recycling the same politicians that have been in the leadership of the country he came to salvage from backwardness.”

He told Daily Trust in Jos that his organization doubts President Buhari’s preparedness to bring the needed change.

“With the same politicians who have held sway as leaders of the same country Buhari came to salvage returning in the reigns today; chances are that change may well be forgotten by Nigerians,” Laven said, insisting that the first batch of list explains Buhari’s body language as not ready to offer anything new.

“If Olusola Saraki, as Senate Leader in the Second Republic screened Audu Ogbeh as a ministerial nominee, and Bukola Saraki, his son, will screen same Ogbeh as ministerial nominee; should we then celebrate change? Where then is the change? Buhari’s body language speaks volume about which directing he is going to take Nigeria.”

The youth leader insisted that Buhari’s second list must reflect his promise, by appointing youths, saying “we want to see a certain age of people in power; those we can go to sleep and not worry about their ability to measure in today’s fast changing world. With persons in the age bracket which capacity in manipulating the latest technology including smart phones, we doubt; I don’t think we have anything yet to celebrate.”
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/ministerial-nomination-plateau-youth-want-change-in-second-list/114362.html

viclawz:
Don't b surprise when u c rotimi amechi as finance minister and fashola as minister of justice

Impossible is nothing in politics BUT what do you want to give "North"?

I have lost count of the number of Boko Haram commanders, financiers and sponsors killed or arrested in the last few weeks yet the attacks continue? I wish the military every success and I continue to pray but please, let the next Press statement be accompanied by live telecast showing the capture of one Abubakar Shekau and more credible leaders/sponsors of Boko Haram. Shekau should address all of us even if it is by undeserved honour of live nationwide broadcast then he should be tried in open court alongside other virgin-loving misguided, misdirected, misinformed and gullible death merchants.

I thought the Kolanut seller or supplier who was identified as so-called financier has been arrested? Why the upscale in attacks?

I thought the Kolanut seller or supplier who was identified as so-called financier has been arrested? Why the upscale in attacks?

I thought the Kolanut seller or supplier who was identified as so-called financier has been arrested?

I thought the Kolanut seller or supplier who was identified as so-called financier has been arrested?

I thought the Kolanut seller or supplier who was identified as so-called financier has been arrested?

All
Please note that new processing time for Schengen visa to Netherlands through the Belgium Embassy is now minimum of 45 working days. Plan your application accordingly.

No disrespect but she may at best, be minister of state for Finance.

agabaI23:
Very true

Thanks. What a shame, a sham, a scam and a scandal!

I pity Nigerians who are insulting each other and insulting their ethnic groups over politicians. A politician in my State has just been nominated as Minister. He is from my tribe but those who know are not celebrating because we know it isnt for our good but for himself going by his reported antecedents. We are happy though that he is being compensated after "suffering" for so long in opposition outside government. At least, he will rehabilitate himself from his legitimate salaries and allowances since corruption isnt allowed under "change government". The list has ex-PDP this and ex-PDP that. And I can tell you that both APC and PDP Senators will sort themselves out and confirm most if not all the nominees. Some of them are friends and only changed parties to achieve their own personal political ambitions.

chino11:
Pictures of the 100 dead BH or you are talking arrant nonsense. .

Even pictures will not do. Anyone can do photoshop. We need massive arrest and prosecution of high-profile leaders and sponsors of the group in open/televised trial and an end to killings as the ONLY believable evidence that we are as usual "on top of the situation" or "winning the war".

A national emergency should be declared while the Daura-led DSS should deploy 80% of its resources to gather intelligence on Boko Haram, the rampaging herdsmen killers, heartless armed robbers and criminal kidnappers. National security should be given utmost priority until these agents of the devil and their human accomplices are brought to book. This is the first key performance indicator for the change government.

There must be something to this Boko Haram that is defying the full might of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Chief of Army Staff has done several press-ups and the presidency has issued several stern warnings to them. In fact, just yesterday, the Army issued a "final warning" to them to surrender. I think the DSS and all security agencies should refocus on Boko Haram until the group is completely defeated and eliminated.

Buhari Housing Estate? Is this for real? A new attack?

Is this a new incident?

Is this confirmed?

Where exactly is Classic Hotel located?

NFF Disappointed with Belgian Embassy over Visa Hitches
Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu has expressed disappointment with the Belgian Embassy in Nigeria over its failure to issue entry visas to six Super Eagles players and backroom staff of the senior national team ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly with Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise.


Eagles are also to play against bitter rivals Cameroun on Sunday in Dendermonde.
In the past couple of days, the international passports of some Super Eagles players and officials have been stuck at the Belgian embassy.


“We are shocked beyond words at the attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria. This action is a strange one in international sports. Football preaches and spreads peace and love, but we are taken aback at the attitude of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nff-disappointed-with-belgian-embassy-over-visa-hitches/222083/

I pity Nigerians who insult each other because of politicians. Most of them are one and the same. Some people decamped to other parties due to issues with the party in ONLY their state -at heart, they have maintained their greed and networks. Watch out, across the party divide, the Senators and nominees will sort things out, strike deals and shake hands/smile to the Banks and to the brim. As we are here debating, they are meeting to arrange how next week screening will be.

Once you join APC you are clean and sinless. I pity those that didn’t decamp early!. Ok, some may even decamp to APC before the supplementary list or other political appointments like Boards of Federal parastatals. My current State Governor lost PDP primaries and was wise enough to decamp to APC and won the election. His personality has not changed at all but since the party platform has changed, he is a saint. Another Senator who saw the handwriting on the wall ran to APC and said he was joining "the wind of change". Today, he is one of those leading the anti-Saraki group in the Senate and he is addressed as a progressive. The ministerial list includes ex-PDP this and ex-PDP that. At least 2 ex-PDP Chairmen are prominent members of APC today but they dropped everything PDP from their political genes and became new born patriots as soon as they joined APC. Even the new Presidential Adviser to the Senate who accompanied the Chief of Staff to deliver the list of Ministers to Saraki was PDP until just before the election. He decamped and has been duly recognized/rewarded. Once you decamp and change party uniform, you are a progressive. I love Naija!

Once you join APC you are clean and sinless. I pity those that didn’t decamp early!. Ok, some may even decamp to APC before the supplementary list or other political appointments like Boards of Federal parastatals. My current State Governor lost PDP primaries and was wise enough to decamp to APC and won the election. His personality has not changed at all but since the party platform has changed, he is a saint. Another Senator who saw the handwriting on the wall ran to APC and said he was joining "the wind of change". Today, he is one of those leading the anti-Saraki group in the Senate and he is addressed as a progressive. The ministerial list includes ex-PDP this and ex-PDP that. At least 2 ex-PDP Chairmen are prominent members of APC today but they dropped everything PDP from their political genes and became new born patriots as soon as they joined APC. Even the new Presidential Adviser to the Senate who accompanied the Chief of Staff to deliver the list of Ministers to Saraki was PDP until just before the election. He decamped and has been duly recognized/rewarded. Once you decamp and change party uniform, you are a progressive. I love Naija!

ArodewilliamsT:
This does not explain why christian middle belt villages burnt to ashes with hundreds killed everytime an Islamic Imam in the core north throws gworo into his mouth.

See my earlier comment too:
Congrats to him and I just hope he will use his new office to draw attention at the highest levels of government to the frequent killings in his home State (Plateau). It has been a festering sore, often blamed on clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farming communities. I see he champions inter-ethnic and religious harmony in the North and the best way to show gratitude to his crusade is for leaders on both sides of the divide to do all they can to end the mindless and ungodly genocide across Northern Nigeria.

Congrats to him and I just hope he will use his new office to draw attention at the highest levels of government to the frequent killings in his home State (Plateau). It has been a festering sore, often blamed on clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farming communities. I see he champions inter-ethnic and religious harmony in the North and the best way to show gratitude to his crusade is for leaders on both sides of the divide to do all they can to end the mindless and ungodly genocide across Northern Nigeria.

Welcome to change!