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AMCON: Our chronic debtors are ministers, lawmakers

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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

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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

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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.

Boko Haram: Defeated, broke terrorists asked to repent, release abducted workers

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Boko Haram: Defeated, broke terrorists asked to repent, release abducted workers

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has demanded the release of Action Against Hunger workers abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect in Borno State.

The group, which made this demand on Thursday, said it was saddened that Boko Haram terrorists continue to quest for relevance even though the beatings they have taken at the hands of the Nigerian military do not leave them in a position to continue such pursuit.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Gabriel Onoja, the National Coordinator of CATE said Boko Haram trying to raise funds to finance its terror activities with the adduction of the aid workers.

It also urged the Federal Government to take stiff punitive measures, beyond what has been done before, against Boko Haram fighters if they hold onto longer than another 48 hours.

Full text of his speech below.

Such pointless show of bravado is the abduction of workers of Action Against Hunger, an interventional non-governmental organization that is committed to bringing relief to the population impacted by Boko Haram’s atrocities in the Northeast of Nigeria.
This action of Boko Haram is condemnable in the highest sense possible. It shows that the terrorists are not intelligent enough to embrace the offer of surrender made by the military. This rejection of an otherwise sound offer is a death wish on the part of the remaining Boko Haram fighters, for which we commiserate for them.

The Nigerian Government through the military has been kind and magnanimous enough in its approach towards ending Boko Haram by allowing those who cannot withstand the firing power of the Nigerian military to surrender and be re-absorbed back into the society.

In the past, when Boko Haram took hostages, it usually coincides with when the terror group was broke and desperately in need of money. Knowing that the military has seriously destroyed Boko Haram’s cache of weapons and food stuck, in addition to the fact that the terrorists had overstretched themselves and exhausted their resources in recent months.

The abduction of the NGO workers is all about Boko Haram trying to raise funds for financing its terror activities. The terrorists are broke and seeking means to extort money from either the Federal Government of Nigeria or international organizations operating within the areas affected by their terrorist activities.

We call on Boko Haram to unconditionally release the workers of Action Against Hunger. They are into work that help the population forget the wickedness that Boko Haram is about so the terrorists should see these courageous workers as pleading for mercy on their own behalf. Boko Haram should know that there shall be consequences if any harm befalls their captives. The terrorists must also know that the captives’ prolonged stay in captivity will further expose it as a group whose members must be hunted off the face of the Earth. This is the one abduction that will prove expensive for Boko Haram.
The Boko must not deceive themselves any further but to do the needful by releasing the aid workers and turning away from their evil ways.

If they fail to do so, Nigerians are confident in the military to fight to the finish until the last captive is released and last Boko Haram is seen by the Nigerian authorities.
We urge the Federal Government to take stiff punitive measures, beyond what has been done before, against Boko Haram fighters if they hold onto longer than another 48 hours. The government should give the marching order to the military to decimate the terrorists accordingly.

Knowing that Boko Haram has become desperate to raise money from abductions, we appeal to the military and intelligence community to intensify efforts at thwarting further attempts to abduct aid workers and foreigners. The military curtail free movement of foreigners into the region so that they will not provide ready funds to Boko Haram. Nigeria’s international partners should be updated in this regard so that they can advise their nationals against falling into Boko Haram’s trap. Particular advisory must be issued to French nationals who have a history of getting abducted and paying ransom that has kept the terrorist organization running.

Send El-Zakzaky to us for treatment, Iran tells Nigeria

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Send El-Zakzaky to us for treatment, Iran tells Nigeria

The Prosecutor-General (Attorney-General) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammed Montazeri, has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria and the judiciary to allow the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Shiekh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, to come to Iran for medical treatment.

According to AhlulBayt News Agency, an Iran-based news organisation, Montazeri said this in a letter on Saturday.

The Iranian official also called on the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man, to grant bail to El-Zakzaky who is the leader of all Shi’ites in Nigeria.

Montazeri also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis, adding that El-Zakzakky’s current medical condition had become a source of worry.

The letter read in part, “I, as the prosecutor general of the Islamic Republic of Iran, urge the Nigerian judicial authorities (to take steps) in line with their judicial independence and support for a captive citizen, and provide the ground for his release and transfer him to the Islamic Republic of Iran for treatment.”

Sheikh El-Zakzaky, who is in his mid-sixties, lost his left eye when Nigerian government forces raided the northern town of Zaria more than three years ago.

The raid started after Shi’ites refused to allow the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen Tukur Buratai, to ply a road.

His wife also sustained serious wounds while more than 300 of his followers and three of his sons were killed in the violence that ensued.

The cleric has been kept in custody along with his wife and a large number of his followers ever since.

Nigeria can defeat terror progress in unity -Benedict Aguele

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Nigeria can defeat terror progress in unity -Benedict Aguele

The One Nigeria Is Possible Initiative having carefully observed and analysed the current situation of our dear country hereby wishes to contribute to challenges confronting contemporary Nigeria.

In a press statement realease to media houses on thursday in Abuja by the converner Benedict Aguele said The One Nigeria Is Possible Initiative has held series of engagements with its membership, which is spread across all the states of Nigeria, and indeed members of the public and other key stakeholders from all walks of life.

It is our observation that many politicians seem to frame narratives about this challenges that confront our country, a sizable number of which are the results of their failure to strengthen institutions of governance at all levels, as though these things occur in isolation or independent of other factors.

First and foremost the security challenges confronting Nigeria are complex requiring a mix of local and transnational interventions from multiple actors and institutions, rather than the current trend of trading blame and heating up the polity.

Aguele further stated that History teaches us that nations at different levels of development are confronted with different degrees of challenges, incidental to their internal and external peculiarities.

Nigeria is not an exception as the challenges like terrorism that confront her are multinational on nature and caused by decades long failure on so many levels, requiring multi constitutional and multinational effort to combat and defeat.

Our series of town hall meetings and other engagements reveal that indeed Nigerians remain committed to the continued corporate existence of Nigeria, in spite of the tendency of certain selfish interests to divide them across ethno religious cleavages.

Aguele also urged Nigerians to rise above these primordial seeds of division, being down by these divisive elements amongst us, and live together in peace and progress. Through dialogue to establish and strengthen common grounds, Nigeria can defeat all terror in all forms and reclaim her place as the giant of Africa.

We all must put the Nigerian project over and above any other interests, be they religion or tribe, as we can not afford to fail our founding leaders that sacrificed personal comforts to set Nigeria in the right path.

The One Nigeria Is Possible Initiative will continue to preach peace through its networks of members and structure nationwide as we embark on the arduous task of building an egalitarian society that defends all citizens without prejudice to their tribal affiliation.
Long live Nigeria!

Protest in UniOsun as security operatives invade hostels, arrest students

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Protest in UniOsun as security operatives invade hostels, arrest students

Students of Osun State University, Osogbo main campus are protesting the arrest of several students from their various hostels on Thursday morning.

The students blocked the Osogbo/Ibokun road to protest the arrest by the security operatives.

A student of the institution, Tayo Mosadope, told our correspondent that armed security operatives stormed some hostels in Oke Baale area of Osogbo around 7:00 a.m. and arrested about 20 students and some non-students living in the area.

Mosadope said, “The security men that came did not say anything to indicate where they came from. But we know they are operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    

“About 20 students were arrested. Some non-students, who are living around were also picked up. A staff of the university that was caught recording activities of the security was also arrested.”

Acting Dean of Students Affairs, Mr. Dare Adeyemi, confirmed the arrest of about 15 students of the school by security operatives, adding that the management was making efforts to stop the current protest.

BREAKING: Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi dies at 92

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BREAKING: Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi dies at 92

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi is dead.

The North African country’s first democratically elected leader, died Thursday at the age of 92, his office said.

The veteran politician, the oldest head of state after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, came to power in 2014, three years after the Arab Spring uprising toppled longtime despot Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked revolts in several Arab nations.

He had been hospitalised with a severe illness in late June and was returned to intensive care on Thursday.

Precious Owolabi: Channels TV commiserates with NYSC

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Precious Owolabi: Channels TV commiserates with NYSC

The Chairman Channels Television John Momoh has described the late Precious Owolabi Ayo as a diligent young man who was very dedicated to his duties, while expressing sadness over the recent death of the Corps member who was serving in Abuja with the media outfit.

Mr Momoh was Speaking on behalf of the Channels Television family during a condolence visit to the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the death of the upcoming journalist came as a rude shock to the entire media organization. He commiserated with the NYSC Scheme and the immediate family of the deceased Corps member and patriot.

Mr Momoh equally stated that, as a mark of respect for the talented Theatre Artist, the television station has assigned some senior officers to attend his burial, which is billed to take place in Zaria, Kaduna state on Thursday.

In his Response, the NYSC Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Ibrahim thanked Channels TV for identifying with the late Corps member’s family and the Scheme at this moment of grief.

He further narrated the efforts that were made by medical personnel at National Hospital Abuja to save the late Corps member’s life, but to no avail.

It could be recalled that Precious Owolabi Ayo passed on after sustaining wounds from gunshot while covering a protest by Shiites in Abuja on Monday, 22nd July, 2019.

Bandits block Lagos-Ibadan Road, kidnap CMD’s son, two others

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Bandits block Lagos-Ibadan Road, kidnap CMD’s son, two others

Bandits on Tuesday evening blocked the Ajebo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and kidnapped three persons.

The Chief Medical Director of the Lafia Hospital, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr. Oladipupo Sule said his son, Kayode and two members of staff of the hospital were kidnapped during the attack.

According to him, the kidnapped members of staff are Opeyemi Abifarin and Dele Adigun.

Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers blocked the road around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and abducted their victims

The hospital’s vehicle, a Toyota Sienna car, in which the victims were travelling as of the time of the incident, was abandoned by the kidnappers.

The CMD said the vehicle had been recovered by the policemen at the Ogunmakin Police Station in Ogun State.

The family is still waiting for the kidnappers, who were said to be 15 in number, to contact the families of the victims.

Sule said, “I’m presently in Ogunmakin police station as I talk to you. I am distressed and seriously devastated. My son and two others went to Lagos to buy drugs for the hospital and were on the way back from the trip when they were ambushed and kidnapped.

“The driver said one of the kidnappers communicated in English and others were speaking in Hausa or the Fulani language. They have yet to talk to me for us to know what their real identities and intentions (are),” Sule added.

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