Former Minister of Petroleum and Energy under Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime, Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, is dead. He was 83.
Eid-Maulud: Archbishop eulogises role of Nigerian military in sustaining peace, asks citizens to unite in faith, prayers for troops fighting insurgency
As Muslims in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s Eid Maulud, the
National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace, has called for fervent prayers for the Nigerian military.
The group also eulogised the troops for sustaining peace across the nation.
His Eminence, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, the Grand Patron of the religious organisation in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Monday, called on every Nigerian, irrespective of religious affiliation to intensify their supplication to Almighty God for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians.
The statement further enjoined all Nigerians to unite in one voice against those that seek to terrorize the nation.
The statement reads.
I congratulate Nigerians across all faiths, particularly our Muslim and Christian faithful. I felicitate with us all because it the grace of God that has made us to celebrate today in a relatively more peaceful atmosphere than that of last year, which has strengthened my faith that it can only get better from here onwards.
The occasion has become a reminder of the great things that can be achieved together, whether in the spiritual or physical realm when we unite in prayers or work together as a nation ordained by God the almighty to be great.
The shining example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose birth Eid-el-Maulud signposts, should be inspiration to us all irrespective of our creed. It should be a reminder that we can place humanity above selfish interest.
I use this time to call on Christians and Muslims all over the country to pray for the peace of Nigeria, pray for the Nigerian military, the troops and particularly the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai with all the other service chiefs that God will strengthen them in their determination to get rid of terrorism in the country. Let us plead with God to grant these men the kind of valour and exploits recorded by His Anointed as recounted in our scriptures.
In our recognition of the fact that only God gives victory, let use the occasion of this Eid-el-Maulud to intensify our supplication to the Almighty for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians. Mr. President and the military need our prayers and support to defeat and conquer the remnants of terrorist elements in our country and all citizens irrespective of religion or creed are invited to pray for our country.
As we pray for them we must also match our prayers with positive actions for the good of the land. I urge us all to erase our political divisions same way we are beginning to recognize the place of harmony across religious faiths so that we can collectively stand against that which is not right.
We must thus unite and with one voice denounce those that seek to terrorize us because violent extremism poses a great threat to both Islam and Christianity and only total submission to the Almighty God can rescue the nation.
We must therefore, similar to the way we evangelize to win converts to our faiths, begin to preach peace and win converts for the peace of Nigeria so that more and more Nigerians will understand the need to contribute to the defeat of terrorism and extremism.
I pray that the good things God is doing through the Nigerian Army and its leadership that are the instrument of restoring peace shall be permanent.
God bless Nigeria.
Activist Commends President Buhari for his fight against violent extremism
A United Kingdom based Human Rights Activist, Phillip Agbese has commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for taking a tough stance against violent-extremism in the country.
The Middlesex University trained human rights laws expert and publisher spoke with a group of journalists at the Murtalal Muhammad International Airport, Lagos on the state of affairs in the country.
Mr. Agbese stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed risen to the occasion by the introduction of policies and actions geared towards arresting the menace of violent extremism through coordinated positive actions by state actors.
“In Nigeria, it is a fact that various organizations hide under different nomenclature to promote violent extremism, and this has not done the country any good from time immemorial. The perpetrators of these acts know fully well that these are not only un-Islamic but also a crime against God and humanity.”
He further stated that the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are indeed commendable. However, a lot more still needs to be done to nip completely in the bud the menace of violent extremism in the country.
According to him, violent extremism has nothing to do with any particular religion but evil by those that are not comfortable with the unity and peace of Nigeria and making efforts to destabilize the country.
“ The present administration has indeed displayed a high commitment to addressing violent-extremism in the country through several laudable initiatives, positive actions paramount of which is the sensitization that violent- extremism has no place in religion whether Islam or Christianity.”
Mr. Agbese also tasked the government to continue to do more to address decisively the menace of violent extremism in the country irrespective of political or ethnic affiliation of the perpetrators.
“The government should set up a mechanism that would expose those misguided elements that hide behind politics and religion to cause disaffection in the country. If this is not done, the government risk the possibility of been branded as promoters of violent extremism and other vices in the country for political reasons.”
He also heaped praises on the Nigerian Army for its commitment in the fight against terrorism and other militant acts in the country.
“The Nigerian Army has indeed displayed an extraordinary commitment to the fight against terrorism in the country. This much they have exhibited in the North-East, the North Central and other parts of the country where militant activities disrupted peace and tranquillity.”
“Those who initially thought they could frustrate the Army through negative propaganda and falsehood have been forced by the sterling leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY to give up their evil agenda for good of the country.”
“That Nigeria is experiencing peace and stability is a function of the numerous sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in protecting the territorial integrity at all cost, even at great discomfort to the officers, soldiers and their families. I wholeheartedly commend the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the officers and soldiers that have continued to give their best to our fatherland day and night.”
Mr. Agbese also stated that the role of Nigeria in ensuring the security of lives in the West African sub-region could not be overemphasized, hence the need for all hands to be on deck at all times.
“The role of Nigeria in critical aspects in the West African sub-region is such that if anything goes wrong in Nigeria, other West African countries are also affected. And on the area of security, Nigeria has indeed played that big brother role, courtesy of the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.”
He added that “It is a matter of time before the remnants of Boko Haram would be routed out of the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.”
He added that the current state of affairs in the north east at the moment clearly shows that the Nigerian Army leadership shares in the vision of Mr. President to enthrone total peace and tranquillity across the country.
“Mr. President and the military leadership came at a point that it was impossible for International NGOs, troops and civilians to operate anywhere in the North-East. But that has changed positively as normalcy has been fully restored and life is at its peak same way Lagosians enjoy their day to day activities, ” he added.
Falana intoxicated with early wine, group chides Falana over accusation on PMB
Pro-democracy group, National Democratic Front (NDF), believes Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana’s recent attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of “intoxication with early wine”.
In a recent scathing onslaught, among others, the self-acclaimed human rights lawyer had insinuated that President Buhari is contemplating a third-term agenda in 2023.
However, in reaction, the NDF rubbished such notion, describing it as “unfounded, baseless and senseless”.
In a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Secretary-General, Dr Abdulakadir Bolaji, revealed that Mr Falana is nothing but a clout chaser, seeking prominence despite Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation.
According to the group, the latest outing by the ex-chairman of National Conscience Party has “betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria”.
While reiterating that the president is a “Democrat” who respects the Constitution, the NDF advised Falana to emulate the hallowed path of late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses”.
Read full statement below:
We read with utmost dismay, shock and disappointment news on various media platforms credited to Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, aligning himself with the unfounded, baseless and senseless propagation of the incongruous notion that President Muhammadu Buhari is secretly plotting a third term agenda in 2023.
It is stumping that a lawyer of Falana’s status and exposure, who tags himself with the venerated epaulet of “human rights activist,” under the silk should condescend to lend his voice in giving credence to the flyers of desperate attention seekers, internet-based gossips and un-informed media commentaries trumpeting President Buhari’s tenure elongation.
Mr. Falana has decided to defame his character and lower his self-esteem, in spite of President Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation, when the campaign began to gain currency on social media platforms and promoted by debased characters.
A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu eloquently disclaimed that “President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support.” This is articulate and lucid enough to everyone.
There should be honour in what an elder or senior citizen vomits in the public, even if he is intoxicated with early wine. We find it very reprehensible that Mr. Falana’s should attempt to seek attention like common political jobbers by cunningly imposing a third term plot, on the character disposition and personality of President Buhari. It does not blend with the persona of Buhari.
Elsewhere in the world, elders of Falana’s status are known for wisdom, sermons of unification of the people and their avid interest in teaching the younger generation the path of truth and dignity. It is unfortunate that the case of Falana seems to be slightly different and a negation of these cherished values with such illogical comments.
If today, Mr. Falana does not only feel content to dispute or contest the believability of the words from Mr. President on any issue, which is the leader’s personal decision, it is laughable. But it is more ludicrous that Falana should wear the toga of a village sorcerer, conjurer or soothsayer to dispute the President without valid reasons.
More surprisingly, Falana anchored his postulations on the third term plot and campaigns on nothingness, citing archaic trends which occurred under autocratic leaders of Nigeria. Let us reiterate again that President Buhari is a decent, respectable, law-abiding and selfless leader who is conscious of his international rating in the comity of leaders and protects his integrity unlike, Falana’s rapacious power monger and kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who plotted third term with dollars.
Any Nigerian who has keenly followed the leadership proclivity of President Buhari would easily concede that there are no immediate or remote antecedents linked to the President. Nothing even in his body language suggests he is of the breed of power monks and might seek to perpetuate himself in power or elongate his constitutional two terms of eight years.
Falana mouthed that the actions of the President and his men were pointers to a secret plot for tenure extension ambition. It sounds like hallucinations. But the so-called actions cited by Mr. Falana are laughable and ridicules his entire personality.
The human rights lawyer so disingenuously claimed President Buhari’s administration is hounding into oblivion, opposition members and restricting free speech. He also claimed media crackdown and authoritarian moves in the areas of free trade and impunity in the conduct of state matters.
But President Buhari is a democratic leader who is subject to checkmating by the National Assembly. This is a President who allowed even federal government staff against his presidential ambition to connive with the opposition PDP elements unmolested or harassed before and after the general elections.
It is the same President who knew but never reacted to plots by the main opposition figure heads to scuttle his second-term swearing-in ceremony. So, how could any right thinking Nigerian claim Buhari is “driving opposition members underground?” Is Falana tacitly suggesting that President Buhari should slacken the pace of the war on corruption because most of those affected are opposition figures? We are sure Falana knows it is impossible.
President Buhari has no intention to curtail freedom of speech or muzzle the media. His government is only concerned with expression of this freedom responsibly in a manner which neither infringes on the rights of other Nigerians nor promote hate speech with its dire consequences of disaffection and disunity. This is even subject to legislation.
In Falana’s desperation to nail President Buhari on his crucifix, he brought up the issue of Messers Omoyele Sowore and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare facing treason and other charges at a Federal High Court, Abuja before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu . It is to stir public sentiments and sympathy into conferring credibility on his empty tales.
Falana who is a lead defence counsel in the case generously accused the Department of State Security Service (DSS) of refusal to release Sowore and his co-accused despite the court order to that effect. But Falana is aware that after Sowore perfected the bail conditions no one has presented himself to take them on bail, including Falana.
On Friday November 8, 2019, Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya explained in a public statement that the secret agency “has received the Court Order for the release of Omoyele Sowore. It is important that the public notes that since the receipt of the Order, no person has turned up at the DSS to take delivery of him.”
Has anyone or Mr. Falana approached the DSS office and is denied the release of the detainee? If there is anybody privy to this fact is Mr. Falana and it becomes suspect, why he has preferred to tongue-lash Mr. President over his own failings.
If the presiding judge feels it is necessary to restrict the movement of Sowore and Bakare to Abuja and Osun respectively, how is President Buhari linked to the court decision? Or is Falana indirectly insinuating that the judiciary is no longer independent of executive interference? Did he argue the restriction of moment before the trial judge?
But more interestingly, Falana’s latest outing has betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria. For Falana to qualify President Buhari’s closure of land borders to save local goods and service as impunity and an attempt to stifle free trade casts him as an unpatriotic Nigerian.
Mr. Falana should know better than anyone else that the Presidency has not nullified it free trade agreement with neighbouring African countries. It only took measures deemed expedient to stem smuggling, which cheats the local producer in Nigeria and the deprive the country of vital national revenues. For a Lawyer of Falana’s standing to openly and boldly side with smugglers against national interests suggests that he is a covert beneficiary of the activities of the smuggling cartel.
Candidly, we feel if Falana is idle, he should try his hands on something else. Flippancy becomes useless when what anyone utters cannot be discerned by anybody or is absolutely useless.
Falana should rise above such basal levels of guesswork and hallucinatory imaginations. He should crave to emulate the late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses” who fervently stood for the masses, but never betrayed his country or sided dubious characters against his nation.
Again, President Buhari has not; will not and has never nursed or contemplated any third term agenda. So, Falana should apply his sorcery elsewhere and desist from the disgraceful attempts to malign President Buhari, cause discord, disaffection, disunity and consequently overheat the polity. That’s not an enviable mark of a senior citizen in the mould of someone like Mr. Falana.
Boko Haram: The Taming Of A Monster
By Dan Abakpa
In September 2014, the Jonathan Presidency served a pyrrhic victory to Nigerians over claims that it has killed Boko Haram’s most vicious leader, Abubakar Shekau. The public statement excited Nigerians, but sadly turned out to be a ruse like previous such claims in July 2009 and another in late June 2013.
The then Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade told reporters in Abuja that the man posing as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was his moniker adopted by the sect. He insisted that Shekau had been killed earlier during a gun battle with troops. And the military played some videos to back up the fake claims.
To the military, it was another Islamist fighter, who was scoring the shots as replacement for Shekau. They identified him as Mohammed Bashir, claiming he posed as Shekau’s moniker and responsible for recent threats videos in the guise of the real Shekau , but was also killed in clashes at Konduga.
Olukolade said “Bashir had been acting or posing as the deceasedAbubakar Shekau…the eccentric character known as the leader of the group”. But the Military could not explain convincingly how it killed Shekau. It was indisputably fake claims. Abubakar Shekau was alive, hale and hearty, providing leadership to insurgents.
Therefore, in early January 2015, Nigerians were scared stiff. Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, morphed into a berserk monster, threatening Nigerians and its government to prove he is alive and counter the military’s claims that he is dead. Shekau appeared in a 15-minute recorded video and pledged to disrupt the 2015 general elections scheduled for February 16, 2015 at “any cost.”
Shekau vowed in Hausa language in a message released through the sect’s Twitter account; “This election will not be held even if we are dead.” These potent threats from the leader of Boko Haram to disrupt the general elections, one of Nigeria’s most important national events caused stir and made the Jonathan Presidency apprehensive. The government was forced to postpone the elections by six weeks to enable troops dislodge insurgents from their strongholds in Northeastern Nigeria.
But the feeble action of government angered, rather than appease Shekau, who backed his threats by unleashing deadly attacks on communities in the Northeast. Twine suicide attacks on the same day, the video was released, sniffed life out of 38 persons. And the string of bombings continued as on February 15, 2015, as a female suicide bomberkilled at least 10 passersby in a local market in Borno.
It was the extent Shekau and Boko Haram terrorists held Nigeria hostage in braggadocio, mindless bloodletting and carnages. This was before President Muhammedu Buhari was elected the democratic leader of Nigeria. He also vowed to blight the fire of Shekau and his bloodsucking sect.
And keen observers of the operations of Abukakar Shekau would concede that the terrorists leader had a style of asserting his authority. He was in the habit of consistent video appearances to either raise fresh controversies, brag about his might and exploits/atrocities or convey his satanic messages.
Under Shekau’s command, Boko Haram was expansive and virile to the extent it annexed Nigerian territories; named Gwoza and Bama in Borno as headquarters and its subsidiary of the sect’s Caliphate respectively. Its atrocities and horrendous attacks drenched Nigerians in endless tears and sorrows.
However, under the Buhari Presidency, Boko Haram has been decimated and defeated. The COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and troops have been able to run Abubakar Shekau out of relevance. It is quite curious that in the last two years, Shekau nor any moniker has not appeared in any public video issuing threats or bragging or claiming responsibility about gruesome killing and abductions.
Pertinently, at the end of October 2019, a tragedy hit the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). Its leaderAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a US military operation in northwest Syria. Again, the ISIS spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir and a close aide to al-Baghdadi was also killed in a joint US operation with Kurdish forces in the northern Syrian city of Jarablus hours after al-Baghdadi’s death.
Both US President Donald Trump and the ISIL’s legislative and consultative body have confirmed the deaths of these two terror kingpins. It is a sad moment in the terrorists’ world globally, as humanity and governments rejoices.
In a public statement, via the group’s media arm, al-Furqan, ISIL’s new spokesman, Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi, announced Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as its new chief and replacement forAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The statement read in part; “We mourn you … commander of the faithful…Do not rejoice America. The new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden … and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet.”
“The Islamic State shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed on a replacement,” al-Qurayshi stated.
America has designated Boko Haram as a terrorists group. US also placed a $7 million reward for Shekau’s capture as part of its rewards for Justice programme, after its designation of Shekau as a “global terrorist.”
Consequently, in the bid to shore-up his international standing, in March 2015 Shekau publicly pledged its allegiance to ISIL and its now murdered leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Thus, Boko Haram transmogrified into the “Islamic State’s West Africa Province” (ISWAP) and Abubakar Shekau became its first “vali” (Governor).
Shekau had thundered in a video message; “We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims … and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah.”
Therefore, the tragedy which rocked ISIL, the global headquarters of terrorism, as manifest in the killing of two principal leaders, ought to have shuddered Shekau enough to release another video. He would have proudly staged out to express condolence to his martyred lords, threatening Nigerians with reprisals and upping the tempo of atrocities. Shekau has no strength to even congratulate his new terror chief, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Its abnormal that weeks after the incident Shekau or anybody acting at his behest has summoned the courage to mouth out in lashings or comments about the new order in ISIS.
No sign which has potently conveyed the fall of Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau more that the unusual silence over the deaths in ISIL’s headquarters. It is an incontrovertible admission of the final eclipse of Shekau and Boko Haram, a trajectory laid for them by Gen. Buratai.
Gen. Buratai’s reclamation of all the Nigerian territories annexed by Boko Haram in the Northeast; the incapacity of insurgents to retake the freed local government areas, including Gwoza and Bama and troops stoppage of recruitments of vulnerable youths into the sect’s fold as foot soldiers have been serious setbacks for Shekau and his incensed terrorists.
Furthermore, Gen. Buratai’s December 2016’s demystification of Sambisa forest, which provided protective shield for Shekau and his army of terrorists have been a great setback to the operations of Boko Haram and Shekau. As precursor to the final conquest of Sambisa forest, the Army had overran four Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa, where over 300 female hostages were freed in April 2016. The Army presented captured Sambisa forest as Christmas gift to Nigerians on December 24, 2016.
In addition, the overwhelming flooding of troops in the Northeast has been another weakening nightmare for insurgents and Shekau. The relentless and consistent pressures mounted on insurgents in the frontlines for months and years, coupled with eagle-eyed surveillance forced Shekau into an effeminate disappearance from the battle turf, dressed in hijab and disguised as a woman to evade arrest.
That last encounter with troops two years ago reportedly left Shekau fatally wounded, (if not dead) and fatigued. Months later, a Boko Haram commander, Abdullahi Bello (alias Abu Zainab), who was arrested by the Army in Bauchi revealed that Abubakar Shekau veiled himself and sneaked out of Nigeria on bush paths to Kolofata in neighbouring Cameroun. It was his historic fall, as Shekau is a new permanent guest of birds and reptiles in caves and mountains’ of Cameroun.
Shekau is forced to bow out of “active” service and the residues of his lieutenants still parading the fields have not found it easy either. Gen, Buratai and Nigerian troops are not giving them a chance to breath. Clearance operations is fetching out a lot of the remnants of terrorists from far-flung hideouts.
It is unthinkable that Shekau and Boko Haram insurgents would ever again have the chance to attack and massively massacre Nigerians in a manner reminiscence of the January 3-7, 2015, insurgents tragic invasion of Baga, where they slaughtered over 2,000 Nigerians. Shekau has become an inevitable history in Boko Haram terrorism, courtesy of President Buhari and the leader of counter-insurgency operations, the irrepressible Gen. Buratai.
Abakpa wrote this piece from Imperial College, London.
Nigerian Army promotes senior officers to new ranks
The Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of senior officers to the next ranks of Major General and Brigadier General respectively.
Among those lucky to be promoted to Major General are Brigadier General S Idris, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General DC Onyemulu, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi Lagos, Brigadier General BO Sawyer Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, Brigadier General GS Abdullahi Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General IM Obot Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Brigadier General AL Lawal, Nigerian High Commission, Cairo Egypt, Brigadier General LA Adegboye, Headquarters 82 Division Enugu, Brigadier General AB Ibrahim Army Headquarters Training and Operations, Brigadier General PB Fakroga Headquarters Nigerian Army Women Corps, Brigadier General CK Nwosu Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi, and Brigadier General HI Bature, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Minna.
The others are Brigadier Generals AL Dusu, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, MA Masanawa, Ammunition Central Depot Agunu, Kachia, JA Ataguba, Land Forces Simulation Centre, Abuja, AE Attu, National Defence College, Abuja, BA Isandu, Nigerian Army Intelligence School, Lagos, SS Araoye, Command Engineering Depot Kaduna, MS Ahmed, SI List Nigerian Embasy Riyad, GAT Ochigbano, Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, TA Lagbaja, Headquarters 2 Brigade Abak Uyo, LA Fejokwu, Army Headquarters Department of Administration ‘Army’, PE Eromosele, National Defence College, Abuja, AM Alabi, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, GO Adesina, Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, MM Bunza, Nigerian Military School Zaria, AA Adesope, Directorate of Audit and Financial Management Office of the Chief of Army Staff, KI Muktar, Army Headquarters Department of Administration ‘Army’, OO Olatunde, Headquarters 35 Brigade, – (posthumously promoted), EA Ndagi, Office of the National Security Adviser, KO Aligbe Defence Headquarters, UA Yusuf, African Standby Force ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja, OC Ajunwa, Nigerian Embassy Brasilia, FO Omoigui Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, OA Akinyemi Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Lagos among others.
Those promoted to Brigadier Generals are BYD Sakaba, Defence Headquarters Abuja, AY Bwala 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha, AA Adekoya, Defence Intelligence Agency, NJ Edet Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos, EC Obi-Osang, Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Buni Yadi, AO Arogbofa, Headquarters 102 Division Equipment Support, S Nicodemus, Headquarters 6 Division Portharcourt, WB Idris, 17 Brigade, Katsina, IO Olatunji, Headquarters 8 Division, Sokoto, ST Audu, Headquarters 21 Brigade, Yola, UT Opuene, Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, MD Abumawashi, Headquarters Op LAFIA DOLE, Maiduguri, LG Lepdung, Headquarters Infantry Corps, Jaji, Kaduna, AOD Okoro, Department Administration ‘Army’, ASM Wase, Department of Training and Operations ‘Army’, AL Okpodu, Nigerian Army Aviation, S Nuhu, Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, EO OJO, Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN, JR Lar, 31 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Minna, SJA Ilori, Department of Army Transformation and Innovation.
Also elavated to Brigadier Generals are NB Ebulue Defence Intelligence Agency, KO Ukandu Army Headquarters Department of Administration, AG Laka Army War College, Abuja, EI Etuk, Multinational Joint Task Force N’Djamena, ME Onoja, 1 Military Intelligence Brigade, Kaduna, EI Okoro, Nigerian Army War College, MB Wabili, Nigerian Army Super Camp Benisheik, KE Chigbu Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, SO Nwafor 303 Artillery Regiment General Support and I Otu Headquarters 7 Division Maiduguri.
Others are SO Adejimi, Headquarters 6 Division Supply and Transport, SD Makolo Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation, VD Beryo Headquarters Ordnance Corps, MO Erebulu 2 Provost Group, Ibadan, A Idris, Directorate of Army Reserve Recruitment and Resettlement Rear, CA Ataki Department of Policy and Plans ‘Army’, FO Omata, Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, CC Ogbu, Institute of Army Education, AE Owiriwa 82 Division Ordnance Services, ROO Cole, Nigerian Army Ordnance Tailoring Factory Yaba, Lagos, TI Gusau, Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, GC Nkenke, 8 Division Supply and Transport and M Galadima, Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps Apapa, Lagos, M Auta, Nigerian Army University Biu, O Nwachukwu Defence Headquarters Defence Information, I Ahmed Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, S Nuhu Army Headquarters Department of Administration and AAW Hassan Armed Forces Command and Staff College among others.
The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai congratulates the beneficiaries and charged them to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Jungle Justice: Soldier who killed two fellow soldiers shot dead
Corporal Robert Banya, a Malawi Defence Forces MDF soldier who brutally killed fellow soldiers at Tsangano yesterday, has been shot dead by MDF soldiers at Mphate in Ntcheu last night.
Banya was seen around the Boma moving around with the pistol in his hand. As MDF soldiers approached him, he fired some bullets at them, and in retaliation, he was shot in the back of the head twice, his chest three times and two times in the stomach. He died on the spot.
His body was then taken to the Ntcheu District Hospital mortuary.
The operation was conducted by special team of MDF soldiers along with police detectives. At the time of his killing, Banya had a pistol with 13 rounds of live ammunition hid.
The deceased yesterday killed his fellow soldiers, Corporal Keston Mtambo and Corporal Gift Magombo, for preventing him from roughing his ex girlfriend.
Boko Haram: How Nigeria can effectively win her counter-terrorism crusade – Edward Kallon
Last week, Nigeria ‘s who-is-who in the realm of humanitarian affairs converged in Maiduguri, Borno state, for a 3-day “International Workshop on Improving Civil – Security Cooperation” where participants brainstormed on how to foster a better working relationship among all stakeholders.
The event was convened by the minister of the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Saadatu Umar-Faruq, and hosted by Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was represented by his Defence Minister Bashir Magashi, a retired Major General.
Of course, such an event is expected to be colored with speeches from the galaxy of the stakeholders in attendance. The summit which also comes as a kind of training workshop for participants also had journalists and civil society representatives in attendance.
Though the minister, as well as the rep of the president and the host governor, who led other representatives of other state governors, had delivered speeches hammering on the need for robust coordination amongst humanitarian actors, the keynote speech delivered by UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon stood out amongst others. Not necessary because Mr. Kallon has a towering height or because he represents the world’s most powerful nongovernmental, but his speech stood out because he spoke the cold hard fact about the situation in the Northeast states.
Mr. Kallon felt these are “not the time for fiction.”
His overtness about the situation in Borno state particular sent chill down the line of all those who had listened to him.
His revelations about the current state of affairs as pertains to the counterinsurgency efforts of the Nigerian government are quite mind-boggling.
Mr Kallon’s presentation continues below:
Working in a counter-terrorism environment.
“Most of us here are familiar with working in slow-onset emergencies, natural disasters, and complex emergencies. However, working in a counter-terrorism environment with a functioning Government like Nigeria requires: (i) constructive engagement, transparency and information sharing; (ii) adapting strategies and global best practices to the counter-terrorism environment; (iii) needs-based, principled humanitarian action that hold each other accountable; (iv) due recognition of the sovereignty of the Government; and (v) joint risk analysis and mitigation.
“We must pursue a coordinated joint security analysis and establish systematic information sharing with consequences for non-adherence to civil-military coordination. The humanitarian policy of stay and deliver in northeast Nigeria remain challenged and requires enhanced risk mitigation, maintaining access, coordination, enhancing advocacy and more flexible funding.
State-level leadership and ownership critical
“Logistics constraints to deliver humanitarian cargo must be overcome to ensure an effective response.
“We are here today because we share common goals of saving lives and protecting people.
“We want to recognize the role of the military and security forces in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country. We should always remember that in 2015 and 2016 when the Nigeria armed forces liberated most areas of Borno State including Bama, Monguno, and Rann. They were the first providers of basic humanitarian services. They carried out polio vaccination and were amongst the first to fight against severe acute malnutrition. In Bama, for example, every single day, dozens of mothers and children would cross the road separating the IDP camp from the military-run clinic where they knew they could find the support they urgently needed.
“The crisis, which once affected six states, is now contained to the three states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. The international community joined all Nigerian partners to rapidly scale-up the humanitarian response in accessible LGA and provided humanitarian assistance to 5.6 million people in 2017; 5.5 million people in 2018 and over 4 million in 2019 as of October. The Nigerian Armed Forces in the northeast have been a critical component in ensuring a safe and secure environment to enable humanitarian and development partners to carry out their work.
“A continuation of the military effort to deal with hardcore insurgents remains critical. However, this must be complemented with a political process /peacebuilding to find a durable solution to this crisis. Investments in addressing the root causes of the crisis including prolonged development deficit, human rights and Governance deficit, multi-dimensional poverty, and climate vulnerabilities are also essential. There are no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian problems. We must prioritize prevention always, development wherever possible and humanitarian action when necessary.
” The crisis, which once affected six states, is now contained to the three states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe…. “
“Today and over the next three days, while we will be looking at processes, procedures, and frameworks, please keep in mind that these are designed to support our common goals, and think about the impact they have on every single person receiving aid through these old or new systems we will be discussing here.
“Our priorities should remain to see how we can collectively bring back normalcy in their lives, improve their well-being, living standards, and coping mechanisms. The collectiveness and complementarity of the work we do will be key to saving many more lives, building the resilience of others and fostering recovery, stabilization, reconstruction, and development in a safer environment.”
Improving Civil-Security “Cooperation and rebuilding trust is our priority at a time when Nigeria is facing multi-faceted and multi-dimensional humanitarian and development challenges in various parts of the country.
“Having reached its 10th year, the protracted crisis in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe remains the largest humanitarian crisis, with over 7 million people still in need of humanitarian assistance. This crisis deserves our sustained attention and renewed commitment.
“Over the past ten years, over 35,000 people have lost their lives in this crisis. About 14,000 were civilians, but many others were members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“The crisis has also had a heavy toll on aid workers and the past year has marked a turning point in our response. Aid workers, whether they are working for the United Nations, international or national NGOs or ministries, departments, and agencies, have increasingly become the target of attacks by non-state armed groups, criminals and petty thieves. Ten aid workers, all Nigerians, have died as a result of violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups in the past 18 months. Six of our colleagues are still held, hostage.
“Though we are still saving the lives of many every single day, we are also working within a continuously shrinking humanitarian space, and have reduced access to vulnerable people due to insecurity and a complex operational environment. As of this year, two more LGAs have become out-of-reach for the humanitarian community. While we strive to improve the quality of services to people we reach, there are now an estimated 1.2 million people who cannot be reached by the humanitarian community and represent an estimated 50 percent increase in geographic space and a 30 percent increase in numbers of people in comparison to last year.
“Preserving humanitarian access to the affected population within the current context of the BAY states will continue to be the most critical and challenging element to ensuring a response commensurate to the needs in 2020 and beyond.
“Armed conflicts may not be preventable, but there are rules that apply, and they have limits. Adherence and observation of laws of armed conflict is a must. Pain and losses cannot be avoided but they can be reduced.
“Nigeria, as a sovereign state, is faced with the continued fragmentation of different factions of NSAGs, the increase in criminal activities and use of asymmetrical warfare, as well as complex conflict dynamics.
“More than ever, it will be essential to understand these challenges and work with all partners. It is crucial for all of us to do our utmost to foster a principled, effective and efficient response to people’s suffering and to strife for unfettered and safe humanitarian access to people in need.
 |
| Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Saadatu Umar-Farouq , convened the Workshop as part of efforts to engender a harmonised the humanitarian service in the Northeast ———————– |
“Despite challenges, in 2019, the humanitarian community has so far provided critical and life-saving assistance to more than 4 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, most of whom are women and children. This humanitarian assistance ranges from food, protection, water, shelter, and sanitation, to medicine, education and agricultural support, and is being delivered to vulnerable women, children and men across the three states.
“Together with the Government, we have built a transparent humanitarian response.
“Together we have established civil-military coordination mechanisms where we regularly share information, promote common situational awareness, discuss operational issues and troubleshoot them to the best of our abilities, but also exchange information on security incidents and their consequences on the civilian populations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. These coordination mechanisms have been established at various levels: national, State and LGA levels.
“Over 700 people, half of them from the Armed Forces, have developed critical skills and capacities to work in complex humanitarian situations. They were trained by our OCHA colleagues as well as other partners to explore new ways of fostering people’s rights and ensure their protection in some of the most difficult asymmetric conflict situations in the world today.
“It is only by a better understanding of each other’s work, our common rules, the rights we aspire to foster for all Nigerians and the protection they deserve, that we will be able to continue making progress in our collective effort to bring back normalcy in the three most affected states.
“The establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is a clear demonstration that the Government of Nigeria is committed to enhancing coordination and creating a conducive environment for humanitarian assistance, guided by our common principles.
 |
| (From left) Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Umar Farouq, Defence Minister, Magashi, Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum —————————- |
“I welcome the initiative and leadership of the Ministry in organizing this workshop in Maiduguri and enabling us to look at specific aspects of our collective work in some of the most challenging contexts.
“I am confident that the work we are about to embark on over the next three days will generate further integrated frameworks between the international community and national partners, in symbiosis with other mechanisms facilitating greater participation of local authorities, local communities and affected people.
“The seven-point agenda presented by the Humanitarian Coordinator last week presents an opportunity. This framework, which builds on our collective, existing agreed mechanisms, is needed to address the recurrent concerns of the Government, Military and Humanitarian actors in northeast Nigeria with the overall objective to work towards building a stronger partnership through constructive engagement at all levels.
“I am confident that discussions will build on the ‘North-East Nigeria-Specific Guidance on the Interaction and Coordination between the Humanitarian Country Team and the Nigerian Armed Forces or the Multinational Joint Task Force’ that was developed by many in this room a while ago.
“I am confident that all of us will try to better understand the modalities through which we have chosen to operate after a thorough analysis of the topography and terrain – from both the military and the humanitarian perspectives. An analysis of our strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threat will be useful.
“Our role is to make sure nobody in the north-east remains dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive and that we can help local communities help themselves and their neighbors.
“This is the first time that we, as civil authorities, as military, as humanitarian actors, national and international at all levels, are present together in one room. We must seize the opportunity offered this week to build the path for renewed and increased exchanges between all actors, under the leadership of the Government of Nigeria. There could be no better time than now, with one of our own, a true humanitarian, appointed as the first Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
“In conclusion, as your Humanitarian Coordinator, I count on you for your continued support to the people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Let us work together to save lives and contribute to restoring peace and stability to the region in the coming years with the joint goal of ending the crisis once and for all.”
Buratai Was Right, Nigeria Indeed Needs Counter Narratives, Prayers To Eliminate Terrorism in Nigeria
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
There is no doubt that the spiritual to a large extent, plays a big role in whatever happens in the physical realm.
And with the complexity of the fight against terrorism, Nigeria needs a lot of authentic religious education, counter narratives and prayers, done through spiritual warfare, to complete the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism.
That more prominent voices from the clergy, lawyers and ordinary Nigerians are beginning to key into the need for counter extremism/radicalization and prayers, shows that we might just be getting to the end of ugly episodes of criminality expressed through insurgency or terrorism.
The chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai in his wisdom, inspired for the Army on Monday 30th September 2019, a Spiritual Warfare Seminar with the theme, ‘Countering Insurgency and Violent Extremism in Nigeria through Spiritual Warfare’, at the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, was represented at the occasion by the Chief of Administration at Army headquarters, Maj General MS Yusuf.
Speaking to participants which included some religious leaders in Abuja, Directors of Chaplain Services Roman Catholic and Protestant as well as Islamic Affairs of the Army, and other Chaplains and Imams drawn from all Army formations, units and operations theatres across the country, the COAS said there was need for religious leaders, families and groups to join the fight against terrorism, and other security challenges through spiritual means by reorienting the people against warped and senseless ideologies.
He said, “It is easier to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists than their ideology because while we degrade the terrorists and their havens, the narrative of the ideology grows the group”.
“Therefore, communities, families and groups should join in the fight and narratives to reject and prevent the ideologies of the terrorists and extremist groups.
“Religious bodies and organizations in particular who interface regularly with the grassroots should be in the forefront of this spiritual battle and fashion out ways of stepping up their roles.
Lt. Gen TY Buratai added, “The fight against terrorism, against BHT and ISWAP as well as other security threats cannot be left to the troops in the battlefield alone. Yes we will do out duties but the need to tackle terrorists through spiritual warfare and reorientating the followers against the ideology is also a necessity”
Architect Abu Jabir Abdullahi Penabdul delivered a lecture on the Islamic Perspective of tackling and containing the activities of violent extremists through Islamic injunction according to the Holy Quran while Very Rev Dr Uche Obodoechina delivered the lecture on countering insurgency and violent extremism, through the preachings and teaching of Biblical/Christian injunctions.
That seminar, is beginning to yield tremendous results, with the recent trending video of popular Christian cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleiman who in a widely circulated video exposed plans of the terrorists and was optimistic that prayers will thwart same.
Excerpt of the video recording where apostle Suleiman said, – “Many soldiers are dying daily. God told me that Boko Haram are planning for black Christmas, I was asking the Lord what does that mean, the Lord said that’s not your business you need to pray for our soldiers in the North East pray for them against their enemies.”
Prior to that, a well attended Borno Spiritual Workshop brought to the fore hopes of a long term solution to the insurgency, through changing the mind set of potential recruits and even brainwashed followers of terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa province and others alike.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Borno Spiritual Workshop, advocated for proper religious education and enlightenment to counter insurgency and violent extremism in the country.
Buratai at the one-day seminar organized by the Nigerian Army for community and religious leaders on countering narratives of terrorism and violent extremism. which had as its theme: “Countering Insurgency and Violent Extremism in Nigeria through Authentic Religious Enlightenment,” was organized by the Nigerian Army Directorate of Chaplain Services and Islamic Affairs.
Buratai, represented by Brig Gen S.G Mustafa, the Director of Islamic Affairs, said that religious and community leaders had a greater role to play in imparting correct, – not distorted religious knowledge on the people to change the narratives of the terrorists’ ideology.
He said that the Directorate of the Chaplain Services, which included the Protestant, Roman Catholic and Islamic Religious Affairs, were and are at the forefront of enlightening the people on the dangers of violent extremism and its attendant consequences.
In continuation of the noble efforts, the seminar is aimed at producing appropriate narratives to defeat the wrong religious ideologies used by the terrorists and insurgents’ groups to recruit and indoctrinate their followers in the society.
“It is a fall-out of the initial programme of counter narratives conducted in 2018, which generated enthusiasm from leaders in Borno State.
Due to the fact that Boko-Haram terrorism is ideological in nature, there is the need for intellectual discourses to counter extremist ideology by engaging them.
“The seminar will bring to the fore, the urgent need for our spiritual leaders in the Nigerian Army and civil organizations, to come up with modalities and framework through counter narratives in countering terrorism and wrong or warped religious ideologies,” he said.
Buratai added that the seminar would avail Islamic clerics and clergy, the opportunities to identify religious ethos that would bring the faiths together to promote tolerance, peace, understanding, unity, national cohesion and sustainable development.
The army chief commended Borno State Government, community and religious leaders over their support to the counter-terrorism efforts and the de-radicalization process.
On his part, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno called for prayers to help the military triumph in its campaign against insurgency, banditry and other criminality in the country. He enjoined religious leaders to rise to the occasion by preaching against the terrorists’ ideology and the unwarranted killings and destruction across the nation.
In line with the persistent calls of the Chief of Army Staff, Zulum, who was represented by Alhaji Galadima Zanna, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, said such counter narratives, authentic preaching, enlightenment and prayers were/are imperative to end insurgency, terrorism and restore peace in the country.
While lauding the military over the successes recorded in the counter- insurgency campaign and peace restoration process, Zulum pledged continued support to the military.
Following criticism from a few who misunderstood Buratai’s call for prayers a well respected lawyer, Emmmanuel Osuagwu Ugochukwu had slammed such critics, describing them as mischievous.
The Civil Rights Lawyer in a statement issued on October 1, 2019, explained that the Chief of Army Staff’s call for prayers is a good one, in view of its potentials of completely ending insurgency.
In his patriotic statement, the lawyer said, “My attention has been dawn to a sensational headline in THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER publication of October 1, 2019 titled “Knocks as Buratai seeks prayers to defeat Boko Haram”.
“According to the PUNCH NEWSPAPER , “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said terrorism and terrorist groups could not be eliminated alone by the military unless religious bodies and organisations in the country come to the ‘forefront of the spiritual battle.’ According to the PUNCH, Buratai stated these on Monday in Abuja at a spiritual warfare seminar at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, with the theme, ‘Countering insurgency and violent extremism in Nigeria through spiritual warfare.’
“Now, if not for mischief, how does the headline justify the goal of the seminar organized by the Nigerian Army yesterday? How does the entire speech of the Army Chief amount to seeking prayers to fight a physical war as portrayed by the PUNCH?
“The speech by the Army Chief, though represented by the CHIEF OF ARMY ADMINISTRATION Major Gen S.M YUSUF, never in anyway suggested using spiritualism to fight insurgency in the war front. Rather The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, called on religious leaders to support the Nigerian Army in eradicating ideologies fueling insurgency in the country.
“What the Army Chief stated clearly was that aside eliminating the insurgents in the battlefield their ideologies must also be killed spiritually. Ideology is not a physical realm , it is a thought process and you do not kill ideas or ideology by physical war.
“In essence, the PUNCH PUBLICATION of OCTOBER 1, 2019 was an attempt to portray the Army Chief as suggesting the use of spiritualism in the actual battle field and thus try to tarnish his image.
“Nigerians are urged to ignore the unpatriotic and sensational headline of PUNCH NEWSPAPER as no where in the entire speech did the Army Chief suggest that spiritual method will now be used to fight in the battle field. Such publications are thus misleading.”
From such developments, it is clear that the Nigerian Army is blessed with a patriotic and visionary leader, poised at ensuring the total defeat of insurgency, that will leave Nigeria peaceful, prosperous and the envy of others.
All other religious leaders should emulate Apostle Suleiman Johnson and pray fervently for our nation, educate their followers against extremist/terrorist ideology because without security and peace, there won’t be meaningful progress and development.
Breaking: Kaigama takes over Abuja Metropolitan See as Cardinal Onaiyekan bows out
Pope Francis has ratified the appointment of Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama as the new Catholic Archbishop of Abuja. This follows the Pope’s acceptance of the retirement of His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who clocked the retirement age of 75 on January 29, 2019.
Kaigama on March 11 earlier this year was announced by the Pope, who was represented by Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the first plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Filipazzi then named Kaigama as the Coadjutor archbishop of Abuja and administrator of Jos archdiocese, where he served as its chief Shepherd in the last 19 years.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese, Abuja, Rev. Sebastian Musa, said on Saturday in a letter to the “Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful” of the Archdiocese that the Pope has approved the retirement of Onaiyekan and ratification of Kaigama with immediate effects.
“The Holy Father, Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan as the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and has appointed Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama as Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja with effect from this announcement,” Musa said.
Who is Kaigama?
Kaigama was born in Kona, Taraba, on 31 July 1958. He studied for the priesthood at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos. He was ordained a priest on 6 June 1981. At the Pontifical Gregorian University, he earned a doctorate in theology in 1991.
Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of the newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalingo on 3 February 1994. He was consecrated as bishop on 23 April 1995.
The Bishop of Yola, Patrick Francis Sheehan OSA, was the principal consecrator, with co-consecrators Gregory Obinna Ochiagha, Bishop of Orlu, and Athanasius Atule Usuh, Bishop of Makurdi.
On 18 May 2000, Pope John Paul named Kaigama to succeed Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka as Archbishop of Jos.
Kaigama was President of the Nigerian Bishops Conference from 2012 to 2018 and President of the Episcopal Conference of West African Catholic Bishops. He is also chairman of the Plateau State-convened “Interreligious Committee for Peace”.
Together with the late Emir of Wase, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, he has been involved in promoting mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims. After the riots in Jos in January 2010, he calmed the situation and clarified the conflict in the international press.
On 25 July 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Kaigama a member of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation.
In 2014, the Catholic Bishops Conference in Nigeria supported legislation to make participation in a same-sex marriage a crime punishable by 14 years imprisonment. It noted the move as a “courageous act” and a “step in the right direction”.
Kaigama argued that the action was “in line with the moral and ethical values of the Nigerian and African cultures”, and blessed President Goodluck Jonathan for not bowing to international pressure: “To protect you and your administration against the conspiracy of the developed world to make our country and continent, the dumping ground for the promotion of immoral practices”.
Kaigama condemned foreign aid programs for a disproportionate emphasis on contraception. In 2014, he said: “In the first place, children die in infant mortality, in inter-tribal wars and diseases, but yet you come to say ‘decrease your population and we will give you economic help.’ We want food, we want education, we want good roads, healthcare. We are being given the wrong things and we are being asked to accept, simply because we are poor.”
Pope Francis named him Archbishop Coadjutor of Abuja on 11 March 2019 and he became Archbishop of Abuja when Pope Francis accepted the resignation of his predecessor, John Onaiyekan, on 9 November 2019.
