Home Blog Page 2595

Troops arrest bandits’ ring leader and medical aid Monday Chikwunka, neutralize several others in Katsina

-
0
Troops arrest bandits’ ring leader and medical aid Monday Chikwunka, neutralize several others in Katsina

A 36 year old Monday Chikwunka, from Delta state alongside 16 other bandits specialised in rustling cows, killing and kidnapping of citizens have been intercepted by troops of operation Harbin Kunama III in Katsina State.

The troops who were on a joint operation with their counterparts in Operation HADARIN DAJI and personnel of the Nigerian police to clear bandits and other reported cases of robbery, cattle rustling and kidnappings in Katsina state have equally neutralised several bandits and intercepted many collaborators in the State.

In the course of the operation, troops conducted a cordon and search exercise while acting on credible intelligence reports at YAR SANTA village in Kankara Local Government Area and its environ.

At the peak of the exercise, one

Preliminary interrogation and confessional statements by the suspects revealed that the gang are responsible for most criminal activities in the State and its localities.

The ring leader (Monday Chikwunka) also served as medical aid of these criminals by providing medical assistance to the wounded bandits who sustained gun shot wounds and their families. He confessed treating the pregnant wife of the one of the most notorious bandit, DOGO NAHALLI who is still at large.

The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution.

In a similar development, troops while on clearance operations, encountered a group of fleeing bandits and neutralized one of the criminals who tried to escape. Many camps belonging to the bandits were destroyed.

The following items were recovered from the scene:

1. 2× AK 47 rifle
2. 4× AK 47 Magazines and 10 rounds of 7.62 mm
3. 6× locally made Dane guns
4. 1× revolver pistol
5. 1× locally made revolver rifle
6. 20× handsets
7. 2× motorcycles

The locals expressed optimism and appreciation while commending the efforts of Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies for ensuring the safety of lives and properties which enabled them continued with their routine activities including farming in the areas. Troops will continue to exploit by combing all hideouts of the bandits with the view to denying them freedom of action.

Coalition welcomes proscription of IMN as terrorist group

-
0
Coalition welcomes proscription of IMN as terrorist group

….tasks law enforcement agencies to remain at alert

Foremost anti-terrorism group, the Coalition Against Terrorism in Nigeria (CATE), has joined Nigerians to commend the proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist group.

Following recent spate of mindless protests in the nation’s capital, the Federal Government, on Friday, obtained a court order to banish the Shiite organisation.

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court Abuja issued the order in a ruling which designated the activities of the Shiite group in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”

In a press statement signed by Gabriel Onoja, its National Coordinator, on Saturday, CATE hailed the development, describing as a testament of the FG’s responsiveness to the calls of Nigerians.

While hailing the law security agencies for keeping the radical sect in check until the proscription, the group, however, urged them to be on red alert in case of potential attacks.

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, on Friday July 26, 2019, Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave an order proscribing the sectarian Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as terrorist organization. By virtue of the order no person or group of persons are allowed to participate in any form of activities involving or concerning the IMN “under any name or platform” in Nigeria.

We find this development commendable and a testimony to the fact that the government is responsive and considerate of the expert opinions expressed by entities that work in security and peace-building. It is proof that the calls that has been made by stakeholders got to the hearing of those in government.

The Coalition Against Terrorism in Nigeria (CATE) has been at the forefront of the calls for the Federal Government to proscribe IMN the same way the government of Kaduna state outlawed the extremist organization after the release of a white paper that followed a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. CATE, being an organization with knowledge of the dynamics of terrorism based on experiences from its field work, had seen the terrorist inclinations of IMN because they spread their violence into Abuja and other major city.

Had the IMN leader, Mr. Ibaheem El-Zakyzaky not been detained as part of his trial for treason, murder and other offenses before a court in Kaduna state, the terrorists would have looked for another excuse to carry out the same violent acts of terror they are currently engaged in. While many people only became aware of IMN after it entered Abuja, the terror organization has been a long time in evolving; it has a strategy of unnoticeable scaling up of the phases of its strategy, an approach that had worked well for it in over three decades until it met a government that did not brook its nonsense.

For instance, the process of recruiting and radicalizing youths began with training those that are today commanders of IMN; they had in turn trained those that are city leaders, who trained cell leaders, who trained unit leaders – all in a way that created a pyramid command structure. A saving grace is that El-Zakyzaky, who sits atop that pyramid, is on trial and in detention. Their clamour for his release, aside being an excuse to implement their terrorist agenda, is also because they need him freed to implement the final phase of the evil they have planned against Nigeria.

Nigerians must also note how IMN began as a group that was harassing commuters on Zaria Expressway in Kaduna state, transited into a rabble that denied a Chief of Army Staff the right of way before attacking troops. It was to later invade Abuja with its members launching projectiles against troops and policemen before trying to hijack a military convoy transporting weapons. In the final days before the court did the needful, IMN had become a monster that engaged on industrial scale arson against public assets, it went as far as trying to overthrow Nigeria’s democracy during an attack that left a couple of policemen dead and others with life threatening injuries. Within hours of attacking the National Assembly, the terrorist assassinated a Deputy Commissioner of Police, a journalist and many other Nigerians as part of a campaign to instil fear in the population and compel the release of their leader without recourse to judicial processes.

Gentlemen of the press, it is our belief that Nigerians will avail themselves of themselves of details of these evil acts of IMN so that they can better appreciate that its proscription by the court as a terrorist organization was the best possible outcome for Nigeria. We will also like to remind Nigerians of the import of a group being designated a terrorist organization, because it implies speaking positively of such a group would amount to sympathizing with terrorists, which has prescribed punishments. The essence of raising these points is to ensure that Nigerians do not innocently run afoul of the law when they erroneously think they are making social intervention when in reality they are supporting terrorists.

CATE therefore advise Nigerians to be wary of acts that could make them to be held as being part of IMN terrorist infrastructure that has been proscribed by the government. Nigerians should avoid joining their protests because there have been instances in the past where some misguided people joined such protest under the wrong impression that they were in solidarity with IMN. Nigerians must also avoid issuing statements or making other forms of communications that express support for IMN since these will by default qualify as activities carried out in pursuit of terrorism.

To the law enforcement, military and security agencies, CATE gives kudos and commend them for keeping IMN in check until the court proscribed them in accordance with the law. They must now intensify efforts at ridding Nigeria of the kind of extremism and terrorist inclination represented by IMN; they should, on the strength of the court order and a subsequent publication to be made by the Federal Government, ensure that terrorists never again openly hold violent protests to the detriment of peace in Nigeria.

They must also ensure diligent prosecution of all IMN fighters that has been arrested in the course of the violent protests and they should be charged with the highest offense possible since it is important that they are made to know that acts that deprive others of their lives will not be condoned even from terrorists.

Attention must also be turned to those that have been financing IMN as part of a ploy to use them as a political tool. CATE had expressed concerns in the past about how opposition politicians were financing and arming IMN in order to use them to sabotage the incumbent government. Those found to have finance IMN in this fashion should now be investigated and brought to book for the damage they have done to the country.

El-Zakzakky: Human Rights group hail proscription of IMN as a terrorist organization

-
0
El-Zakzakky: Human Rights group hail proscription of IMN as a terrorist organization

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has hailed the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist organisation, describing it as a “relief to Nigerians”.

The Federal Government, on Friday, obtained a court order to banish the Shiite organisation, following violent protests in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court Abuja issued the order in a ruling which designated the activities of the Shiite group in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality

In a statement signed by Helen Akanji, Director of Research, on Saturday, the Human Right group welcomed the judgement and urged the president to expedite the publication of the order.

The group, however, appealed to the FG to immediately initiate a programme to rehabilitate IMN members that voluntarily renounce the group’s campaign of terror and commit to peaceful coexistence with other Nigerians.

Read the full text below:

Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) is pleased that the Federal Government has finally heeded its appeal and those of other conscientious individuals and groups to designate the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist group.

SHAC is even more pleased by the approach adopted by the Federal Government to properly approach a competent court to order the proscription of IMN, which is in accordance with extant legislation that concern terrorism.

The ex palrte order granted by Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, proscribing the activities of IMN in any part of the country, is a relief to millions of Nigerians that are being terrorised by members of the terrorist group across the country.

While SHAC had always appealed to the Federal Government to follow in the steps of the Kaduna State government, which earlier outlawed the group on account of its being violent and militarised, the recent killing spree of police officers by IMN militants under the pretext of protesting the detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky, was a further reason to stop terrorism in its track.

It is our belief that those who were misled to join the group and its violent protests, who are not far gone in being radicalized, can now be jolted back to reality and renounce all affiliations with IMN while seeking rehabilitation and reintegration into the contemporary society.

To this end, SHAC is appealing to the Federal Government to immediately initiate a programme for rehabilitating IMN members that voluntarily renounce the group’s campaign of terror and commit to peaceful coexistence with other Nigerians. Such programme should include transport assistance to help return such repentant members to their original homes as SHAC has found out that many of them have become stranded in different cities far away from their homes having been misled and trafficked to protest cities and are now being used as protestors, sometimes against their will.

Security agencies should exploit the ruling of the Federal High Court to go after IMN leaders that are still on the loose as these are the ones coordinating the killing of security personnel and ordering arson attacks on public infrastructure in line with the terrorist group’s disavowal of the Nigerian state. These IMN leaders should not be allowed to have time to direct further attacks against Nigeria.

The law enforcement agencies should also ensure that the proscription of IMN is followed to the letter by ensuring that even those that give intellectual, propaganda and financial support to the terrorists are prosecuted on the strength of extant anti-terrorism legislation.

Meanwhile, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite the publication of the order proscribing IMN as a terror group by immediately directing the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to do the needful once his cabinet is constituted.

Insecurity: Former Senate President, Ebute writes Buhari, insists Obasanjo pursuing strange interests against the country

-
0
Insecurity: Former Senate President, Ebute writes Buhari, insists Obasanjo pursuing strange interests against the country

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is championing a conspiracy campaign to destabilise the nation and undermine President Muhammadu Buhari’s government according to respected Second Republic Senate President, Sen. Ameh Ebute.

The 73-year-old trained lawyer made this known in a letter addressed to the president on Friday.

In the epistle , Senator Ebute opined that the ex-president’s recent outburst was born out of frustration against the current administration, instigating killings, armed criminality and violent protests.

The former lawmaker added that his assertions were “absurd, farcical, emotional, self-serving and lamentable expression of his emptiness on affairs of Nigeria in blind fury”.

Senator Ebute, however, urged the president not to be deterred by Obasanjo and his veiled agents desperate to return Nigeria back to the old, gloaming days.

Read full letter below:

Sir, let me congratulate you on the constitution of your #Nextlevelcabinet, which process of confirmation of the Ministerial nominees is ongoing at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS).

I am overwhelmingly elated that you have shamed your antagonists and ardent critics by the quality of your nominees. They comprise competent and trusted technocrats, professionals and politicians who can assist you in propelling your laudable vision in the next four years, some of whom also served in your preceding cabinet, but have been retained ostensibly based on their tested and proven capacities of hard work.

May I seize this opportunity to condole with you, the Inspector General of Police, the NYSC, Channels Television and the families of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Usman Umar; a serving corps member, a reporter attached to Channels Television, Mr. Precious Owolabi and all those allegedly killed by the violent protesters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as the Shiites. May their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen!

My sympathies also go to you for Nigerians who suffered various degrees of injuries and incurred losses during the incensed and violent protests by the extremists Shiites sect members. It would have been worse but for the professionalism of the Police and other security agencies who paid the supreme price for the rest of us to be alive. We are immensely grateful.

Mr. President, I have no doubt that our dear nation has been unnecessary troubled and deliberately plunged into needless and avoidable crises. It has now dawned on me clearly that the same forces against public sanity, order and discipline which your administration has brought to bear on the polity and governance of Nigeria are more incensed now than ever as manifest in these evil plots to destabilize your administration and enthrone monumental chaos in the country.

And it is evident these detractors and evil men, are either pulling the strings directly or using hired agents to do everything possible within their powers to upstage you, destabilize your Presidency and the country. This is against the wishes of the overwhelming population of our people who actually came out in their large number to enthrone this administration despite the campaign of calumny and blackmail to disconnect you from your teeming supporters and followers in and outside the country.

Quite unfortunately, the latest anger against your administration and the spate of instigated killings, armed criminality and violent protests by some groups, are spurred by those who are obviously abusing the democratic liberty to lawful assembly, freedom of expression and rule of law with these renewed unrests. Their antics are already known to the security agencies and many Nigerians like my humble self who have had a long standing participation in the polity and by providence as an elder statesman.

It is extremely suicidal for Mr. President to forget or even underrate the capacity of his adversaries for instigative crises since those you defeated at the 2019 general elections are still around. I remain one person among many Nigerians who is not convinced the enemies have given up on their satanic mission to destroy the country in connivance with foreign interests hell-bent on the destruction of Nigeria. Our recent experience in the hands of these paid protesters is a pointer to this well informed fact.

I was perplexed that recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, an elder statesman who openly opposed your reelection ambition for no logical reasons and indeed, worked for your defeat by backing your strongest rival in the presidential poll again, wrote another open epistle to you. It is however not surprising to many of us who have had to tolerate his excesses as statesmen in various capacities.

And while you have not faulted anyone of them in the exercise of his or her democratic rights to freedom of choice, but surprisingly and expectedly, Obasanjo enviously regurgitated the same old, stale, puerile and, whitewashed tales about your Presidency and impressive leadership of the country.

While I do not intend that this letter serve as a direct response to Chief Obasanjo’s letter, it may serve as a tacit reply to his absurd, farcical, unidealistic, emotional, self-serving and lamentable expression of his emptiness on affairs of Nigeria in blind fury. This is because an attempt by any of us to re-write the history of the country will remain a disservice to the younger generation for a long time to come.

The issues raised by Obasanjo in the latest letter to you, in my understanding, only belittles his status and confirms his egoistic subservience to personal agenda, instead of the collective progress and development of Nigeria which we all sacrificed our comfort and pleasure to pursue.

Your Excellency Sir, without a doubt in my mind and having gone through series of commentaries and replies to Obasanjo from Nigerians who love, cherish and hold Nigeria dear to their hearts; and those who believe in the unity and indivisibility of our country, the dominant voices dismissed the contents of Obasanjo’s letter as irritating hogwash.

Therefore, Mr. President and leader of our nation, it may interest you to know that Obasanjo has been isolated, ostracized and indeed, stands alone like someone marooned on an Island, because majority of Nigerians have expressed in words and actions their unwillingness to toe his inglorious line, polluted thoughts and destructive antics.

It smacks of childishness for the same Obasanjo, who glowingly commended your government for its winning streaks in the battle against Boko Haram Insurgency and the anti-corruption campaign, in his first open letter to you in 2018, would turn around to recant his words today on same issues. It was the same Security Chiefs and troops who performed the marvelous feats he previously praised glowingly.

This sudden U-turn is not ordinary, and it gives me the strong suspicion that Obasanjo must have aligned himself with the internal and external forces clandestinely plotting the destruction of Nigeria, whilst he embarks on his usual manner of intermittently gauging public mood by pontificating his fake sanctimoniousness.

Obasanjo truly needs the prayers of all Nigerians to regain himself because he has veered too far off the track of wisdom and reason. It is our hope that despite all the Almighty God will find a place to forgive him his sins and all the wrongs he has done to Nigeria.

Mr. President Sir , it is not controvertible that anyone who does or have not seen your efforts in these past four years in the impactful reforms being carried out in the military in order to give to Nigeria a loyal and patriotic Armed Forces that will its best to the nation is bewitched by Obasanjo’s haunting “disease” which I prefer to classify mildly as senility.

Obasanjo and his dozens of veiled agents want to return Nigeria back to Egypt and thus, saddened that the Armed Forces are apolitical, and no more the politicized Military like his leadership gangsters reduced our Armed Forces and Security Chiefs in the immediate past. Such Nigerians are like “coupists” and must be watched closely before they derail the progressive transformation agenda of your administration.

Mr. President Sir, your defeat of Boko Haram insurgency and its taming to a very weak ragtag group that can only carryout ambushes and attacks on obscure soft targets is legendary. It remains the best thing your administration has done for Nigeria, ditto for the extinction of other armed insurrectional sects.

Please do not be deterred and remain more undaunted in your determination and obsession with building and nurturing a responsible military under your leadership as Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. And stop at nothing to ensure our military continue to receive adequate training and resources to imbue them with even greater capacities to address the renewed threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

It has enormous benefits to the nation and undoubtedly, one of the greatest things that has ever happened to restore the lost image of our country. Nigerians are now proud of a sanitized and corruption- free Armed Forces under your command and the likes of Obasanjo and his demented surrogates are free to yell on rooftops. But the rantings are inconsequential.

Mr. President, believe me or not, but Chief Obasanjo has vengefully and unapologetically spoken for the vested interests which are angling to destabilize the country. It is obvious because the masses revolted through the ballot and thwarted the success of his preferred candidate for the 2019 Presidency and the palpable, unjustified anger against your leadership.

And I feel it behooves on those of us on the side of millions of patriotic Nigerians to speak out because we still believe in a united nation under a Buhari Presidency. We are irrevocably committed to it and shall continue to nurture it for posterity.

Sir, may I further confide in you openly that you should not succumb to any attempt by the paid protesters whether of armed Shiites or any other group to blackmail your administration in order to have a leeway in their evil designs. This is the time for you to take decisive actions against traitors in any guise; remain firm and steadfast in all your undertakings for greater public good and in the best interest of the country.

The sustained killing of security agents, innocent Nigerians and destructions to public properties by members of the repulsive fanatical IMN sect must be brought to an end by your government by whatever means possible. I am happy you are also thinking along this direction with your warning in the aftermath of the latest incident that the Shiites are pushing you to the wall and they should not tempt you any further. The Nigerian people whom you swore to defend and protect are eagerly yearning for a decisive action that will bring these traitors and enemies of human freedom to book.

No Nigerian with the genuine interest of our country at heart will dispute the fact that IMN is a terrorists sect, which has mushroomed in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheik Ibraheem EL-Zakzaky without lawful registration for over 40 years, but operates illegally as a religious body, which publicly proclaims allegiance to the Republic of Iran and vows disobedience to Nigeria’s laws and constituted authority.

The IMN sect members beginning with their leader have dispensed themselves as both terrorists and aggressors that have been radicalized, militarized and funded by foreign elements and should neither have a place nor a chance to operate in our country with such impunity and lawlessness. Mr. Presidsnt Sir, the bulk is on your table to again, save Nigerians from their swords and the looming catastrophe as reflected in the actions of armed protesters in Nigeria.

Finally, I make haste to plead with Nigerians and the rest of the world particularly America’s President Donald Trump and British’s newest Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson to stand with Nigeria against acts of destructive religious fanaticism, which have morphed into embryonic stages of terrorism as demonstrated by the Shiites in Nigeria.

I fear that this dangerous group is fast spreading tentacles around the world and I urge that all Nigerians must stand with Mr. President to get rid of the IMN violent extremism before it is too late. I am urging Nigerians to have uniformity of reason by chorusing with one voice, the monsters we have known of the IMN in Nigeria before they plunge Nigerian into another brand of explosive terrorism. They are terrorists and should have no place in our society.

Mr. President Sir, you must stand firm at this hour and never yield to the gang -up by those who want to take Nigeria back to Egypt. Nigerians are solidly behind you!

Thank You, Your Excellency for the audience.

Abdulsalam, others turn up as NMS holds graduation ceremony

-
0
Abdulsalam, others turn up as NMS holds graduation ceremony

The Nigerian Military School (NMS), in Zaria, Kaduna State, has held its 2019 session ‘Speech and Prize Giving Day’ for its 2018/2019 set of graduating students.

Eminent guests who graced the event at the school premises include former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who was the ‘Special Guest of Honour’, Mr Babatunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who was the Chairman of the occasion.

While unveiling the Junior Leader Magazine, – the magazine of the school, Mr Fowler requested for 500 copies for an undisclosed amount and also promised to project the magazine to several corporate organizations urging them to support and carry out projects for upgrade of educational initiatives and programmes of the Nigerian Army.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, the Chief Host, was represented by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation ‘Army’ , Maj Gen A O Shodunke.

Other Senior Officers and Dignitaries in attendance were Prof Faruk Haruna Rasheed, Provost Federal College of Education Kontagora, the Commandant Depot Nigerian Army Maj Gen S Mohammed, Acting Corps Commander Education, Brig Gen H B Mohammed, and the Representative of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Umaru Mohammed, amongst others.

DG NYSC visits family of slain Corps member

-
0
DG NYSC visits family of slain Corps member

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps  NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu said the death of Precious Owolabi is not just a loss to his family but a gross loss to the NYSC and the entire nation.

Gen Shuaibu was speaking while presenting a condolence message to the   family of late Corps member Precious Owolabi Ayo, who was recently killed by a gunshot in Abuja while covering for Channels TV a demonstration by Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiite)

He said “I am here on behalf of NYSC Management, staff and Corps members to express our heartfelt condolences to you over the death of Precious our son. I was devastated when doctors told me we lost him.

“Although the sad event left us grieving, we are consoled by the fact that he lost his life in the service of his fatherland. I therefore see him as a great hero whose story has become part of the history of the NYSC Scheme. I urge the family to please take heart.

He further told the family that NYSC has an insurance policy for all Corps members, and that the family will be contacted in due course for the collection of the benefits.

The father of late Precious, Mr. Ayo A. Owolabi, who attempted to respond, broke down in tears in appreciation of the visit by the NYSC
family.

The Director General was accompanied on the visit by NYSC Kaduna State Coordinator, Mr. Isa Wana, staff and Corps members.

Buratai’s 3-D Leadership of a Modern Army

-
0
Buratai’s 3-D Leadership of a Modern Army

By Aaron E Audu

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” -Napoleon

Indeed, the Nigerian Army has experienced a rapid transformation in recent times due to the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. This is on the heels that paramount to the success of any army, there must be leaders who not only make life and death decisions but directly control the climate and quality of life of their subordinate.

This is the story of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who since assumption of office indeed set lofty standards worthy of emulation to all that are saddled with the position of leadership in the country.

Today, the story of the rapid transformation of the Nigerian Army under his watch has sent tongues wagging. But for good reasons. There are abound numerous initiatives that buttress this fact. How he has managed to inject life into the Nigerian Army remains a mystery to a large segment of the Nigerian society, but for some of us conversant with military operations are not surprised with his noble exploits.

As a start, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is a military historian as well as an infantry general whose records in the Nigerian Army are replete with tales of dedication, commitment and an infectious loyalty to the country. In the real sense, these traits do run in the blood given the fact that he is an offspring of a world war II veteran.

Aside from that, those in the know of the exploits of the Chief of Army staff right from his days as a young officer would readily tell of a man with an infectious personality that charges all around him to always put in their best wherever they find themselves. So little wonder that within a record period at the helms of affairs of the Nigerian Army he indeed turned around the fortunes of the Nigerian Army.

I recall a conference I once attended on military strategies. One of the issues highlighted was how leaders inspire their troops. Leaders are meant to lead by example, and leaders inspire their soldiers to perform deeds of heroism and sacrifice, which often requires suppression of natural feelings such as fear. Leaders do not encourage their soldiers by saying, onward, but rather, follow me.

My take away from that conference as it relates to the Nigerian Army was that Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s leadership style has been “following me” rather than “onward.” And this can be explained under four sub-themes, and they are in the areas of human rights compliance, honesty, and accountability, discipline and reward system, innovation and researches.

As strange as they sound, these are indeed components of modern-day armies anywhere in the world. The Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has exhibited a high level of human rights compliance with the establishment of a directorate for Civil-Military Affairs that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring a seamless interaction between the military and the civilian population towards building a long-lasting collaboration.

This novel initiative has indeed bridged the gap hitherto experienced between the Nigerian Army and the civilian population. And this much accounts for some of the exploits of the Nigerian Army in recent times. The Nigerian Army has paid a high price in the fight against terrorism by prosecuting the war within the rules of engagement in conformity with the best international practices.

The area of honesty and accountability is another hallmark of the Buratai era in the Nigerian Army. This much was tested when a coalition of NGO’s made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the expenditure of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism. And guess what? The Nigerian Army indeed shocked the country by availing the expenditure and procurement process to the NGO’s, and as they say, the rest is history. What does this tell us? It merely tells us of a rebranded and modern-day Nigerian Army that has imbibed the principle of transparency and accountability in its dealings, which is a first in the annals of the Nigerian Army.

The third area is the restoration of discipline that at some point, was threatened due to the high rate of unprofessionalism. But all of that has changed since the coming of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff. He restored the glory of the Nigerian Army by putting out measures that would ensure discipline, professionalism, and respect for the constituted authorities in the country.

The 2019 general elections provide us with a worthy example of the level of discipline in the Nigerian Army. It is common knowledge that the non-partisan nature of the Nigerian Army during the general elections was indeed the saving grace for Nigeria’s democracy. This is despite the negative narrative pushed forward by some disgruntled politicians who thought they could have their way in the attempt at subverting the will of the people.

Many would recall that the Chief of Army Staff sounded a note of warning to officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on the consequences of taking sides during the elections. In some quarters, it was stated that the Chief of Army Staff was harsh with the directive, but what they do not know is that the constitutional role of the Army does not provide for partisanship in its conduct and operations.

There is also the area of innovation and researches in modern trends in warfare. This much can be seen in the quality of investigations been conducted at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre which was established in November 2015 in line of is the vision to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

I recall that the first major assignment of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre was to conduct a study of the Nigerian Army Command Secondary Schools to reposition them for better performances. This is aside from the mandate of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, which is aimed at optimizing Nigeria’s national security and state-building.

So in a way, his exploits as the Chief of Army Staff indeed did not come to some of us as a surprise given his vast knowledge of leadership and war studies. As one that has followed the transformation of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I say with all sense of humility and sincerity that the there have been tremendous improvements in critical areas of the operations of the Nigerian Army that has made it a modern-day Army by several indicators.

It is, therefore, succinct to state that the above mentioned were brought about by leadership of the Nigerian Army that emphasized bringing out the best and only the best given its strategic role in the protection of the territorial sovereignty of Nigeria.
Lest I forget, the various operations of the Nigerian Army across the country have received commendation from far and near. A good example was the award bestowed on the Chief of Army Staff at the 7th Edition of the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg South Africa in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Africa’s security, economic growth, and development.

At the event, it was stated that the commitment and exemplary leadership exhibited by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai stood him out among African leaders that contributed to the security of the continent.

Need I say more? In my opinion, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai should serve as a lesson in history on leadership for the upcoming generation of leaders, not just in Nigeria but also on the African continent.

Audu, a veteran of the Nigerian Armed Forces wrote from Port Harcourt.

AMCON: Our chronic debtors are ministers, lawmakers

-
1
AMCON: Our chronic debtors are ministers, lawmakers

Ahmed Kuru, managing director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, says it is worrying that the chronic debtors that are behind the over N5trillion debt burden are ministers and members of the national assembly.

Speaking on Wednesday at the July 2019 edition of the Breakfast Meeting, organised by the Nigerian–American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Kuru said the corporation is making plans to produce a full-length television documentary of notorious debtors.

The AMCON MD said the idea was to document in a permanent format for generations yet unborn to know the so-called big men and women that are behind the over N5trillion debt burden, which AMCON is battling to recover.

The worrisome aspect of the issue, he said, unlike what happens in other clime is that these obligors still manipulate their way to emerge as members of the national assembly, ministers, chairmen and women of big organisations and pro-chancellors of universities.

“Sadly, these are the calibre of people we respect in Nigeria but these people are not role models. How can you be a role model when you cannot honour a simple obligation?” he said.

That is why I have been consistent in the call for the return of the failed bank act. The way we are handling the issue in the country suggests that we are encouraging a lot of financial rascalities.

“These are men and women who go to banks borrow monies with no intention to pay and in the process bring down banking institutions. It takes a lot for a bank to fail. AMCON just rescued Skye Bank with an investment of nearly N1 trillion.

“As AMCON, we have no power to arrest these ‘powerful’ people as we depend largely on judicial processes to recover and we all know the slow pace of judicial processes. We now want to go a step further by working with the ICPC and the EFCC, which will enable us to go investigate the credit processes.”

Appraising the Nigerian Army’s Heroic Posture and Buratai’s Enigmatic Leadership

-
0
Appraising the Nigerian Army’s Heroic Posture and Buratai’s Enigmatic Leadership

By David Onmeje

In the annals of the Nigerian Army, there has never been a time where the Nigerian Army had a Chief of Army Staff who upon appointment hit the ground running like a wounded lion. I recall when he was appointed and churned out his vision for the Nigerian Army, some called it grandstanding and that he would burn out soon.

Some went as far as saying the grandstanding were typical of those who just assumed office and therefore warned members of the unsuspecting public not to be carried away by the posture and thus drew conclusions from the initial stages.

I was one of those that disagreed with the hasty classification of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, as one of those Chief of Army Staff because I have had the privilege of scrutinizing his records in the Nigerian Army. I stand to be corrected. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in his leadership of the Nigerian Army had been able to do what others dare not venture. He confronted these issues headlong, and today, the Nigerian Army is better for it.

Brilliant as this may sound, the transformation witnessed in the Nigerian Army in the past four years have been phenomenal for want of a better expression. For clarity purposes, I have decided to take the issues under four subheadings.

The first is in the area of promotions to deserving officers and soldiers. Under the leadership of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, there have been constant promotions as at when due, which in my opinion is indeed a strategy aimed at bolstering the confidence of the service towards effective service delivery. Moreover, this has paid off handsomely with the renewed vigour that is being experienced in the Nigerian Army and mostly responsible for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in Nigeria.

The promotion of Lamidi Adeosun to the rank of a Lt. Gen in reward for patriotism and his exploits in the fight against terrorism is just an example worthy of mention. We have also had instances where the Chief of Army Staff would visit troops in the frontlines and decorate officers and soldiers with new ranks. If this is not a masterstroke, I don’t know what else to call it.

The second area is the issue of welfare for officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. This is a critical area in my opinion in the sense that before now, the issue of welfare for the Nigerian Army has taken centre stage with a call for a reform that would see that officers and soldiers are taken care of adequately. This is one area that the Chief of Army staff has fared brilliantly well. There abound tales of improvements in the remunerations of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, so much so to the envy of other services in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There has been an improvement in the living conditions in most Army barracks across the country. The case of Ojo cantonment is one case study that is worthy of mention where it was like a carnival-like event during the commissioning of projects in the cantonment for the benefits of families of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

Under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, there has been an introduction of a great reward system that encourages selfless and patriotic acts by officers and men of the Nigerian Army. Also, according to impeccable sources within the Nigerian Army, it has paid off handsomely with the renewed commitment to the protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

The issue of patriotism is another area where the dynamic leadership of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has recorded tremendous achievements. Those in the know of things within the Nigerian Army circles readily attest to the dynamic leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff.

The invaluable role played in protecting Nigeria’s nascent democracy during the 2019 general elections would serve as a reference point on patriotism in the annals of the country in the years to come. However, but for the intervention of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria would have gone up in flames with the plot by some unscrupulous elements to interfere with the wishes of the people in an attempt to set the country on fire.

I recall that before the elections, the Nigerian Army launched a 24-hour situation room to respond to incidences of security breaches across the country within the shortest possible time. This initiative was hailed by various stakeholders as a first in the annals of the country. And guess what? The Nigerian Army was able to monitor events across the country and responded adequately and promptly in areas where security breaches were recorded.

I guess that a particular category of politicians in the country who were used to business, as usual, were disappointed with their inability to carry out their electoral mischief due to the firm stance of the Nigerian Army who stood neutral all through the elections. Also, this was made possible by the firm position of the Chief of Army Staff who made it clear to all and sundry that it was not going to be business as usual and he lived up to his words.

I must quickly add that the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff to entrenchment and protection of democracy in Nigeria is indeed legendary and should serve as a reference point to other countries in the world.

I can go on non-stop on the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff because he has indeed through his actions redefined the concept of the sincerity of heart and purpose. Whether we like it or yes, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has shown that with a strong commitment, nothing is impossible under the sun if only we believe.

Lt. Gen Turkur Buratai would remain my hero any day anytime, and I believe that his leadership style should be a subject of rigorous academic research with the aim of documentation to serve as a guide for the upcoming generation on leadership studies.

At this point, I believe that those that posited that Lt Gen Tukur Buratai is a fluke would have a rethink and give him all the support he needs in this critical point of our existence. As stated in numerous forums, some stay awake in the dead of the night to confront those that want to steal our peace. I salute his courage and encourage him to continue to give his best in service to fatherland. Also, if a fraction of the population of Nigeria shares the same mentality with him, Nigeria would indeed be a better place for us and the generation unborn.

Onmeje wrote from the United Kingdom

NYSC berates foreign universities for mobilising unqualified graduate, moves to impose sanctions

-
0
NYSC berates foreign universities for mobilising unqualified graduate, moves to impose sanctions

The National Youth Service Corps says it has began the process of putting a stop to the increasing spate of mobilizing unqualified graduates by some African tertiary institutions.

Addressing heads of African Corps institutions and other key stakeholders at a meeting held at the National Universities Commission, Abuja on Thursday, the Director General Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim lamented over the ugly trend, whereby some Africa universities present to NYSC for mobilization young men and women who have never undergone any academic programme at all.

Brig. Gen. Ibrahim said the situation is very alarming, as investigations have revealed that some of the products of such institutions don’t know how to read or write even simple words.

He said the meeting was convened for participants to brainstorm and come up with meaningful suggestions that will put to an end the sale of degrees by such universities, so that the continent and the entire universe can have graduates that can contribute to development and also be trusted with leadership roles in the nearest future.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Christopher Oha who served as special guest of honour at the event lamented over the ugly trend, and said that stiff sanction be served on any institution that henceforth mobilizes unqualified youth for national service.

In their various submissions, participants from some of the African countries pledged to take the message home, and sanitize their systems to avoid future occurrences.

Similarly, spokespersons from Nigerians federal ministries of education and foreign affairs promised to work with NYSC in checkmating the activities of foreign and domestic tertiary institutions that have been found wanting, in order to curb the unholy illegal act.

The meeting came just a day after the NYSC Scheme organized a sensitization workshop on its enabling Act, with a view to educating the public on its operations.

1...2,5942,5952,596...2,797Page 2,595 of 2,797
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv