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Air mishap: CDS constitutes Accident Investigation Board

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Air mishap: CDS constitutes Accident Investigation Board

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has constituted an Accident Investigation Board to investigate the causes of the air mishap that led to the death of Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and his entourage.

Late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru

The sad event occurred at about 1800 Hours on the 21st of May 202. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in company of his entourage, who were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, were involved in an air mishap. The unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather.

In a press release made available to this medium by the Acting Director of Defense Information, Brigadier Onyema Nwachukwu, the Acting DDI said that the “Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has therefore directed that an

Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.

“As we pray for the repose of the souls of our gallant and committed Chief of Army Staff and other personnel on board with him, the AFN solicits the support and understanding of all Nigerians in the face of this tragic incident. We wish to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combatting the security challenges bedeviling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain.”

General Irabor also condols members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria because of this tragic loss.

According to the DDI, ” The CDS urges all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on this tragic loss.

The CDS also reassures all Nigerians of the commitment and loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as it continues to carry out its responsibilities.

COAS and the air crew shortly before take off

COAS, Others to be Buried Today.

Meanwhile, the Burial proceedings of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 6 other senior officers who lost their lives in an air mishap in Kaduna has been slated for today Saturday, 22 May 21.

In a statement, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said it will commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 1000hrs respectively.

Consequently, the interment for the late COAS and 6 other senior officers will take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja today by 1300hrs.

 

Buhari expresses shock, sorrow over death of Attahiru, others

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Buhari expresses shock, sorrow over death of Attahiru, others

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness  over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

The President condoling with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, described them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”

While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President said the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.”

The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.

Kaduna Speaker Mourns Chief Of Army Staff, Condoled Buhari, Army, Family

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Kaduna Speaker Mourns Chief Of Army Staff, Condoled Buhari, Army, Family

The Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly/Chairman Northern Speakers Forum, Rt. Honourable Yusuf Zailani has expressed shock over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, on Friday May 21, 2021 from a plane crash in Kaduna.

Zailani in a statement signed by his SA Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani said his demise is a huge loss to Nigeria.

“The unfortunate plane crash that killed the Chief of Army Staff alongside his aides is tragic and had thrown NIgeria into mourning,” he said.

Rt. Honourable Zailani said that besides being the Chief of Army Staff, he was a proud citizen of Kaduna State where he was born and grew up, making the loss even more painful to the government and people of the state.

The Speaker condoled President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Nigerian Army and his family.

He charged them to take solace in the fact that he died while serving NIgeria patriotically.

“I pray for the repose of his soul and those that died with him. May Almighty Allah Grant them Aljannah Firdaus,” he prayed.

Breaking: Chief of Army Staff General Attahiru dies in plane crash

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Breaking: Chief of Army Staff General Attahiru dies in plane crash

General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff, has died in a plane crash.
Details of the incident are still sketchy but a military source said it happened in Kaduna on Friday.

In a statement, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not go into details.

“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon,” read the statement signed by Edward Gabkwet, the force’s Director of Public Relations and Information.

A source said there were eight persons on board the aircraft.

Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021.

Born on 10th August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, he graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He commenced cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer. He holds a Masters’s degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

General Attahiru has held several appointments on the staff, instructional, and in command during his military career. He had a tour of duty with the United Nations in Sierra Leone as a Military Observer, where he facilitated United Kingdom military engagement, Operation BARASS in September 2000.

He was an Operation Officer and later Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations in Liberia. Also, he had the unique privilege of having commanded with distinction all through the chain of command in the Nigerian Army.

Prominent among these appointments is Commanding Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. He was a one-time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

Group decries plot to blackmail Buratai, other former service chiefs

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Group decries plot to blackmail Buratai, other former service chiefs

 

The Nigeria First movement says a grand plot is underway to blackmail the immediate past Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) and other recently retired service chiefs.

According to the group, a well-orchestrated campaign of calumny is already in motion with a report aimed to denigrate their personalities and incredible track record while in service to the country.

Nigeria First made the revelation at a press conference on Friday in Abuja.

In his address, Secretary-General, Comrade Richard Adie Augustine said it is alarmed that such a plot could be hatched despite the tremendous sacrifices of the former service chiefs in addressing the country’s security challenges.

The group rubbished reports which claimed allowances of soldiers and officers under the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017 (MAFA) had not been paid since 2017.

Augustine noted that Buratai, in particular, not only responded to a Freedom of Information request by a coalition of civil society organizations led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Enough is Enough (EiE), and BudgIT, requesting information on spending on military operations across the country but received credit from the groups.

Nigeria First, therefore, concluded that this is indeed the height of mischief that all well-meaning citizens must resist as it is tantamount to insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians.

Describing the former COAS as an “incorruptible Nigerian”, Comrade Augustine added that he and others should be regarded as heroes of our democracy for their efforts at entrenching transparency and accountability while in office.

The group, however, urged Nigerians to disregard these recent attacks for lacking in merit and yet again another puerile attempt at giving them a bad name in envy of their track records while in service.

Read the full statement below:

The Leadership of Nigeria First welcomes you all to the important press conference put together in light of the recent campaign of calumny launched by some despicable elements bent on dragging the immediate past service chiefs into a disjointed narrative all in a bid to malign their character and rubbish the numerous successes recorded by the Nigerian Military during their tenures.

Nigeria First is alarmed that such a campaign could be hatched given the tremendous sacrifices of the immediate past service chiefs in addressing the security challenges in the country during their tenures.

This, in our considered opinion, is a sad tale in the sense that it is capable of setting a dangerous precedent where those that sacrificed and devoted their time and energy in service to Nigeria would be rubbished by some disgruntled elements all in a bid to score cheap political points at the detriment of national development.

While we are not surprised by this despicable campaign, Nigeria First, as an organization devoted to promoting the ideals of good governance and the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria, is duty-bound to lend its voice by outright condemning this anomaly in the collective interest of the country.

It also suffices to add that under the immediate past service chiefs, the welfare of troops took a front burner through improved remuneration and a general improvement of the living conditions of officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria First wishes to state that the report indicating that allowances of soldiers and officers under the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017 (MAFA) had not been paid since 2017 remains a figment of the imagination of the propagators of the campaign as under no circumstances could such happen given the transparent way and manner the finances of the Nigerian Army was administered during the tenure of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai ( Rtd).

Nigeria First consequently wonders how allowances of soldiers and officers would be left unpaid over five years, and t would go undetected given the periodic scrutiny of the expenditure of the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the war against terrorism and other acts of criminalities across the country.

It is thus becoming evident that the promoters of the campaign of calumny did not do their homework well to realize that under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Nigerian Army indeed responded to a Freedom of Information request by a coalition of civil society organizations led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Enough is Enough (EiE), and BudgIT, requesting for information on spending on military operations across the country, particularly in the Northeast.

We wish to state that not only was the request honoured, but the coalition of civil society groups also went further to commend the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, wherein it stated that “while we ascertain the level of compliance of the information provided, we welcome Mr Buratai’s demonstrated commitment to the Freedom of Information Act by responding to our request.”

Accordingly, the coalition of civil society groups went further to state that “a quick look at the documentation shows a list of several projects implemented by the Nigerian Army. Among those listed and displayed, which appeared to show certain projects the Nigerian Army said it carried out with budgeted funds, include: places where operations were carried out; renovation of barracks and military hospitals, spending to honour late soldiers; training and workshops; repairs of some old military equipment; and completion of offices and housing projects. Others are feeding of soldiers; building of new barracks and schools; acquisition of arms and ammunition and vehicles for military operations; as well as provision of welfare for soldiers.”

It is thus baffling what the promoters of the recent campaign to malign the personalities of the former service chiefs stand to benefit when the records are there for all and sundry to peruse at any given time. Nigeria First wishes to state that this is indeed the height of mischief that all well-meaning Nigerians must resist as it is tantamount to insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians.

It is also a statement that the performance of the former service chiefs while in office remains outstanding. It would be in the best interest of the promoters of the recent campaign of calumny to desist forthwith and instead accord the former service chiefs the respect they deserve for their numerous sacrifices while in office.

Nigeria First, as an organization wishes to put it on record that the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai ought to be regarded as one of the heroes of our democracy in Nigeria for his efforts at entrenching transparency and accountability while in office.

Nigeria First as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria wishes to use this medium to inform members of the general public to disregard the recent attack launched against the former service chiefs as it is dead on arrival for lacking in merit and yet, again another puerile attempt at giving them a bad name in envy of their track records while in service.

Nigeria First, as an organization, reckons with the fact that the former Chief of Army Stagg, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, remains an incorruptible Nigerian who would never deny anyone his rights and privileges as well as earned entitlements.

We stand by this position and wish to advise those bent on castigating him to desist from such uncharitable endeavours as a matter of urgency and necessity. This despicable campaign of calumny must stop.

We thank you all for your time and attention, and God bless.

Pam’s transformational leadership at NCPC and matters arising

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Pam’s transformational leadership at NCPC and matters arising

By Steven Onwu

Purposeful leadership can do wonders. It can turn things around in a twinkle of an eye. And it can make tedious tasks seem simple. The aforementioned aptly describes the Yakubu Pam adventure in the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission since he assumed leadership some months ago.

I have been a fan of Rev Yakubu Pam for his numerous contributions to the entrenchment of peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians. This much he has diligently pursued in the past 30 years of his life, where he has been advocating for religious and ethnic harmony, especially in Northern Nigeria. Rev Yakubu Pam is not a stranger to leadership. Hence, he hit the ground running since his well-deserved appointment as Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission. It is sufficient to add that before his appointment; he was the Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Board, a position where he distinguished himself by introducing institutional reforms that placed the Board in good stead towards achieving its strategic mandate.

This much Rev Yakubu Pam has brought about in the NCPC. It is therefore not surprising that in less than one year at the helm of affairs, his impact has been felt, and the fortunes of the Commission have taken a turn for the best.

This is what I call the Yakubu Pam magic, which was not surprising to some of us that have followed his success story for several years. He is a man with many parts, and he is also a man filled with passion for service to humanity.
I recall that it was stated in some quarters that Yakubu Pam would reinvigorate the operations of the NCPC within a record time. Even though some quarters expressed reservations, he has proven all those that expressed reservations wrong with his sterling performance at the NCPC.
If not for anything, Rev Yakubu Pam has entrenched the regime of transparency and accountability at the Commission, which has been a challenge in the Commission’s operations for several years. That it has become possible within a short period indeed explains the leadership acumen of Rev Yakubu Pam and what it entails to be a leader with eyes on the ball.
Today, the NCPC is a success story. It results from the provision of sound leadership and a commitment to render service when it matters most, with the example of Rev Yakubu Pam, I dare say that Nigeria can overcome its challenges if those in leadership positions tend to lead with sincerity of heart and purpose.

The Yakubu Pam revolution at the NCPC was naturally expected because of his track record that speaks volume of integrity, accountability and transparency. His vast knowledge of diplomacy saw him excel in the position of Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Northern Nigeria (which includes the 19 Northern States and Abuja) from 2016 to date, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, 2013 to date and District Superintendent, Jos mainland Assemblies of Nigeria, 2010 to date, including as Chairman, Plateau State Inter-Religious Council; and Chairman, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Committee, Plateau State, were contributory of how he has been able to turn the fortunes of the NCPC around and in record time.
I cannot but commend President Muhammadu Buhari for identifying such a man as Rev. Yakubu Pam for a leadership position in the country. I do not doubt that he has not only reposed the confidence of Mr President, he has also set a standard for leadership in the country. This much has been stated in numerous forums by relevant stakeholders, whom have never been short of words for the transformation at the NCPC under Rev. Yakubu Pam.

Rev Yakubu Pam falls under the category of silent achievers whose impact doesn’t dot pages of newspapers. However, silently, they are making exploits and making life more meaningful through the provision of purposeful leadership, as with the case of the NCPC, whose fortunes has taken a turn for the better.
And the commendations have continued to pour in from home and abroad for the man nicknamed the Apostle of Transformation by stakeholders for obvious reasons associated with his stewardship at the NCPC. And one whose coming has redeemed the image of the Commission.
I can’t but charge Rev Yakubu Pam to continue to render selfless service to humanity in the light of the above. He should not rest on his oars and refuse every temptation to deviate from the lofty standards he has set in the areas of transparency and accountability.
I also want the relevant stakeholders to realize that the task at hand is a collective one. As such, it is worth extending their support to the reforms introduced by the Yakubu Pam led administration at the NCPC.
I can go on non-stop on Yakubu Pam’s transformational leadership at the NCPC. However, the lessons that should resonate are that in all that we do as a people and as a country, sound and purposeful leadership remain that magic wand needed to translate our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities. At this point, I would say well-done to Rev Yakubu Pam.

Onwu is a civil rights activist and wrote from Badagry.

Boko Haram: Shekau Dead as ISWAP Militants take over the Greater Sambisa Forest

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Boko Haram: Shekau Dead as ISWAP Militants take over the Greater Sambisa Forest

Shekau had surrendered and engaged in an hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters, where he was asked to voluntarily relinquish power. He refused and instead opted to commit suicide.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is dead, Television Nigerian has been able to gather from multiple sources.

This incident took place on Wednesday evening following the invasion of the terror group’s stronghold in the Sambisa forest area by a column of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.

ISWAP, which had broken away from the Shekau-led Boko Haram faction in 2016 after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), raided the group’s hideout using multiple gun trucks.

Shekau’s enclave was tracked down by ISWAP using its forces based in the Timbuktu Triangle. His fighters were killed in the process, followed by a long gunfire exchange between the invading group and Shekau’s bodyguards.

Television Nigerian  gathered that after his bodyguards were subdued, Shekau surrendered and engaged in an hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters. During the parley, he was asked to voluntarily relinquish power and order his fighters in other areas to declare bai’a (allegiance) to ISWAP’s authority. They had expected Shekau to issue a statement.

Sources within the insurgency, however, said that Shekau who secretly had a suicide vest on eventually blew himself up alongside everyone present during the negotiations.
The identities of the people within ISWAP’s leadership who lost their lives to the explosion remain unclear at this time.

Shekau had been the leader of Boko Haram since 2009 following the death of the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf. He had been rumored to have been killed at least four times between July 2009 and Aug. 2015. In Aug. 2016, the Nigerian Air Force claimed he had been “fatally wounded” by military bombardments, but the terror group released a video only a month later showing he was alive and in good health.

Shifting dynamics
The Sambisa forest area had been a stronghold of the Shekau-led Boko Haram group, also known as the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah Wa’l-Jihād (JAS).
Although confrontation and skirmishes between the two rival factions (JAS and ISWAP) are common, the situation recently spiked to new levels.
The clashes, according to the monitoring of the group’s communications, followed attempts to advise Boko Haram about overusing takfir (non-believer) designations or doing so incorrectly.

Seizing Sambisa forest from JAS also holds the promise of offering increased protection to ISWAP fighters from military airstrikes, which its strongholds in the Lake Chad area are prone to.

The recent development comes on the tail of persistent ISWAP attacks on military bases and garrisons as well as events within the group that included the arrival of visitors and reemergence of Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf) as an interim leader.

Abu Musab, a son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, previously served as the group’s spokesperson. But he later joined a sub-group of fighters, including top lieutenant Mamman Nur, who broke away due to Shekau’s rigid methods and extreme position on takfir.

The breakaway faction, now known as ISWAP, moved into the Alagarno and Lake Chad Basin, dislodging or taking over Boko Haram assets in the areas and subsequently becoming the dominant terror group in the axis.

Clashes between both groups not uncommon
According to a study published by Brussels-based International Crisis Group, following their split five years ago, dozens of ISWAP fighters were killed in one such battle in July 2016, near Chukungudu, Nigeria, on the shores of Lake Chad. ISWAP survived, defeating several JAS subgroups and absorbing others.

The report added that, since then, fighting between the factions has reduced in intensity and the two groups reportedly reached a ceasefire agreement, which included a deal for JAS to free the families of ISWAP commanders that it had been holding since ISWAP broke away.

“Occasional clashes still occur, particularly when Shekau’s raiders seek to rob and kidnap civilians in ISWAP-controlled areas on the Nigerien and Nigerian shores of Lake Chad, as well as in the Konduga local government area in Nigeria, and ISWAP units try to fend them off,” Crisis Group stated.

In February, Al Thabat, an al-Qaeda affiliated media outfit, revealed that a fierce ISWAP-Boko Haram battle took place in a border area between Nigeria and the Niger Republic, where ISWAP lost some of its fighters.

The battle occurred after ISWAP abducted dozens of women linked to Boko Haram. The group subsequently attacked the ISWAP base and rescued the women.

While it was unusual that the clashes were reported by a third-party terror group with no “presence” in the region, it has learned that another segment that broke off from ISWAP had set up an al-Qaeda position in the Lake Chad region.

ISWAP’s advance into the traditional Boko Haram enclaves is likely to increase security risks on roads and threats to garrison towns like Maiduguri and Konduga.

Incidentally, if it keeps Sambisa, Alagarno and the Lake under its control, ISWAP can weigh decisively on all major access roads to Maiduguri,” said Crisis Group senior analyst Vincent Foucher in a tweet.

The dislodgement of Boko Haram could further create problems for the civilian population and security forces in the receiving locations, considering ISWAP’s different approach and increased capacities for warfare.
COV/MNT/FIL/NA/NPF/NIS/NIA/BBW

Military Airstrikes Driving ISWAP, Boko Haram Confrontations In Sambisa Forest

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Military Airstrikes Driving ISWAP, Boko Haram Confrontations In Sambisa Forest

 

Vulnerability of the Lake Chad islands to multinational military air raids is forcing ISWAP fighters to find new shelters even at the risk of open confrontation with rival terror groups in the region.

The exposure of the Lake Chad islands to military air and artillery strikes is part of the reasons behind the Islamic State West Africa Province’s recent incursion into the Sambisa forest area in Borno, Northeast Nigeria, as it picks interest in the Mandara mountain range.
These areas have been the stronghold of the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram faction also known as the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (JAS). It is unclear if ISWAP’s shifting interest will lead to the dislodgement or absorption of Boko Haram cells in the area or force the latter to move to other areas.

Northern Borno and Lake Chad are geographically flat arid land with wetlands, islands, and rivers. These environmental factors were exploited by ISWAP for offensive and defensive reasons particularly against ground operations by the military.

As previously observed that, they also provide the resources that sustain the local economy in areas where the group has influence.
The seasonal rainfall in northern Borno impacts the terrain by turning the soil muddy, increasing vegetation cover, and sustaining rivers that form barriers and hinder military operations.

Despite the usefulness of Lake Chad and its wetlands, it does not provide natural concealment and protection from aerial bombardment, surveillance, and long-range artillery weapon systems.

The Sambisa forest, savannahs, and the Mandara mountain range are conducive for hideouts that are less vulnerable to these strikes.
Over the past few years, the Nigerian military has rapidly expanded the use of aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and combat aircraft for the bombing of ISWAP and Boko Haram enclaves.

The Air Force extensively uses fixed-wing combat aircraft comprising the two variants of the light attack and advanced trainer Alpha Jets, the L-39ZA Albatros attack aircraft, and F-7NI fighter jets.
The F-7NI jets, which are usually utilised in deep air support and air interdiction, are temporarily out of service for in-depth overhaul and maintenance. The Air Force also uses the MI-35M gunships and the weaponised MI-171 helicopters.

There are plans to induct more armed unmanned aircraft such as the CH3, CH4, and Wing Loong from China which will increase the capacity of the Air Force to conduct both surveillance and targeting missions simultaneously.

Similarly, the service is expecting the arrival of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States of America, with the first batch of aircraft expected in Kainji Airbase at the end of the second quarter of 2021.

In the coming days, the Air Force is expected to officially induct three JF-17 Thunder multiple fighter jets. However, the small number of the aircraft will hinder their deployment due to technical and mechanical constraints.

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Group lauds Pam’s leadership at Christian Pilgrims’ Commission

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Group lauds Pam’s leadership at Christian Pilgrims’ Commission

 

Some Christian youths have hailed Rev. Yakubu Pam’s exemplary leadership since taking charge as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

The group, under the aegis of Young Christians Forum of Nigeria (YCFN), said the commission has recorded tremendous progress in its operations in the last 10 months.

The Christain youths made this known in a strategic report released on Monday after a thorough appraisal of the NCPC’s activities in fulfilment of its strategic mandate in the country.

A veteran preacher of over three decades, Pam’s appointment in July last year was greeted with excitement owing to his deep knowledge of the commission and understanding of inter-religious harmony and conflict resolution in the country.

Among others, he was Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Board, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 Northern states and the FCT, a position he holds to date.

And in the report signed by its President Rev. Enya Peter, the group said Pam has entrenched transparency, accountability and probity in NCPC’s operations.

In less than one year, Peter said that the respected preacher activated periodic strategic assessment and feedback mechanisms, enhanced staff welfare and also engaged relevant stakeholders irrespective of religion.

The Christian youths, therefore, admitted that Rev. Pam has so far set lofty standards and urged other government officials to emulate his lead to attain sustainable growth and development in the country.

While calling on the Executive Secretary and his team not to relent but continue to introduce more positive policies and initiatives, the body also urged relevant stakeholders to continue to extend their support to him.

Read the full report below:

Introduction:

The mission of the NCPC is to provide a conducive environment for the smooth airlifting of pilgrims to Holy sites and to ensure enhanced welfare, responsible leadership at all levels, Federal and States, for hitch-free pilgrimage exercise throughout the year; and to supervise any interested body or organisation for Christian Pilgrimage to the Holy sites globally.

On this heel, the Young Christians Forum of Nigeria undertook a strategic assessment of the NCPC, intending to identify the efforts of the present leadership toward fulfilling the mandate of the organisation.

The assessment report identified key governance indicators aimed at critically assessing the operations of the NCPC to put issues in proper perspectives for members of the general public with regards to the leadership of the organisation.

This report relied on primary sources of data that includes but not limited to interviews, distribution of questionnaires, news reports, feedback from pilgrims and other critical stakeholders.

Key Governance Indicators:

Organisational Structure:

The assessment report revealed a dynamic organisational structure at the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission led by its Executive Secretary Yakubu Pam, who, upon assumption of office, introduced far-reaching measures towards repositioning the NCPC. It was also discovered that the operations of the various zonal offices had been boasted for optimal performance through periodic strategic assessment and feedback mechanisms from intending pilgrims across the country. This much was also identified in the seamless procedures for intending pilgrims scheduled to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy land.

The Executive Secretary also introduced incentives for staffers towards enhancing their productivity in the discharge of their responsibilities, which has led to an improvement in the operations of the NCPC.

Transparency and Accountability

The report also identified transparency and accountability as the core of the operations of the NCPC. According to information gathered, the entrenchment of transparency and accountability has seen a drastic improvement in the processes of the NCPC. This much was corroborated by staffers, pilgrims, stakeholders and regulatory authorities under whose purview the NCPC falls.

The report identified that under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, the NCPC had received numerous commendation as an example in the conduct of government business that is devoid of any form of anomaly or unwholesome practices.

This much has gone a long way in the restoration of confidence regarding the judicious use of funds available to the commission for its day to day operations. The mechanism put in place to ensure transparency and accountability is also topnotch and quite commendable as there are various checks and balances to ensure that the processes and procedures of the commission are not violated at any point.

Thus, it is a statement that the NCPC ranks high in the prudent management of resources, which is lofty and should serve as an example to other government agencies.

Probity and leadership:

It was observed that the operations of the NCPC are anchored on probity, and this drive is led by the Executive Secretary, who, alongside the management team, has provided sound and exemplary leadership.

It was discovered that the NCPC has been able to record a complete turnaround in its operations in record time due to the aforementioned, which are laudable and strategic toward achieving the mandate of the NCPC.

Stakeholders Engagement

The NCPC, under the present leadership, has been noteworthy in the engagement of relevant stakeholders in Nigeria and partner countries in ensuring the success of its operations. It was identified that the various stakeholders had extended commendation to the leadership of the NCPC for recognising the importance of stakeholders’ engagement in its critical operations.

Improved Welfare:

It was observed that the leadership of the NCPC had placed a premium on the welfare of staffers, which has translated to an astronomical level of productivity in a positive workplace environment.

This much was also corroborated by the workplace ambience occasioned by mutual respect and collaboration amongst staff.

Conclusion:

The Young Christians Forum of Nigeria, as a result of the strategic assessment of the NCPC, wishes to state that under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Yakubu Pam, the organisation has recorded tremendous progress in its operations. The entrenchment of transparency and accountability stands as one of the organisation’s hallmarks and primarily responsible for its smooth operations over the years and in record time.

We consequently wish to add that the various initiatives introduced in the organisation are noteworthy and should be emulated by others in the position of leadership in the country towards attaining sustainable growth and development in the country. The Executive Secretary of the NCPC has set lofty standards that by all indication were brought about by the provision of sound leadership and a passion for service.

It is, therefore, our conclusion that the NCPC under the leadership of Yakubu Pam is well positioned towards attaining its mission of an organisation with high spiritual content capable of being translated into action for national development, security, probity and accountability, in line with the policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Recommendations:

The Young Christians Forum of Nigeria, as a result of this, makes the following recommendations:

The relevant stakeholders should continue to extend their support to the leadership of the NCPC by making suggestions that would assist in fulfilling the mandate of the organisation.

That the leadership of the NCPC should not rest on its notable achievements but to continue to introduce policies and initiatives that would ultimately boost its operations in ways too numerous to mention.

The Executive Secretary and the management team should continue to provide sound and credible leadership at all times.

Anambra State government stated that the deductions being made from salary of state employees would be to stabilize the capital of NMFB

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Anambra State government stated that the deductions being made from salary of state employees would be to stabilize the capital of NMFB

The Anambra State government, on Tuesday, stated that the deductions being made from the salary of state employees would be to stabilise the capital of Ndiolu Micro Finance Bank (NMFB) Limited.

Ndiolu Macro-Finance Bank, established more than ten years back, is owned by Anambra State Workers.

Mr Harry Udu, Head of Service at Anambra, who briefed newsmen in Awka, stated that the deductions were made after due consultation with labour unions.

Udu explained that it was quite unfortunate that some opposition political parties were playing politics with this matter.

The HoS reported the board and management of the bank introduced the challenge to stakeholders and leaders of the workforce, after which they consented that deductions be made based on grade levels to ease capitalisation.

According to him, the lender was solely owned by employees of Anambra and not the state government as insinuated by the celebration.

Read also: BREAKING: Anambra Governor ballot holds Nov 6

He said, “Some parties accused the authorities of deducting varying proportions from employees’ into recapitalising NMFB in accord with the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Our labour leaders, for example, state NLC Chairman, have rebutted these false politically motivated statements and allegations.

“The Service is there to serve some other Government that is duly elected, the effort to connect these deductions into Obiano is a futile one since the workers know the reality.

“It is also untrue that employees welfare isn’t receiving sufficient attention since governor Obiano is one of the finest in that regard.

“We plead with political leaders to not waste effort and time in attempting to introduce acrimony between the governor and workers as the weakest terms have lasted for seven decades.”

The Head of Service was flanked by the management team of the lender and representatives of both NLC and TUC during the briefing.

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