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Simple, Jovial and Caring Who Loves Journaling

Category: Uncategorized

Apr 7

OUTCOME OF 2023 HAS CHANGED POLITICS,THERE IS NO MORE EASY ROUTE TO POWER SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARIPresident Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday said the 2023 elections have proved the growing strength of our democracy and more especially, the sophistication of the Nigerian voter when it comes to the choice of the leaders.Speaking when he received the newly-installed Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State Capital, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi at the State House in Abuja, President Buhari said the stunning outcome of 10 Governors failing to make it to the Senate meant that there is no longer a guaranteed route to power and the voter is truly the king when it comes to elections.“It is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and to the amazing sophistication of the voter. What shocked me was that the ordinary citizen who is usually underrated has made the point of his political understanding of things. Assumption is always that you are Governor for eight years and you go to the Senate to crown the career. No one should underrate the Nigerian voter anymore. Politics will be more difficult, henceforth,” the President said.After listening to the Emir who listed several government projects put in place for Jigawa State under the Buhari Presidency, and a request for some more, the President promised to do his best for the State in the remaining time left, and to brief the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on those requests, agreeing with visitors that the particular problem of water supply to the State Capital is worrisome.The President told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council who accompanied him that he and the entire nation will continue to miss his friend, the late Emir, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, saying that he will continue to pray for the repose of the deceased.The Emir and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim thanked the administration of Muhammadu Buhari for helping Jigawa State to excel in major rice production, for approving a rail link to Dutse from Kano and for the restoration of peace to the State, the entire nation and the neighbouring countries that had suffered past insecurity.The Emir also welcomed the upgrading of the Army Battalion in Dutse to a full military Brigade and requested the President to do something about the acute water shortage affecting the State Capital.Garba ShehuSenior Special Assistant to the President(Media & Publicity)April 6, 2023
Apr 7

✍🏾Chimamanda writes Biden, says Nigeria’s presidential poll was ‘deliberately manipulated’Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian novelist, says the process of the Nigeria presidential election was not marred by technical faults but deliberately manipulated.In a letter on Thursday addressed to Joe Biden, the US president, Adichie expressed dissatisfaction over the process of the presidential election conducted on February 25.She said the election was full of discrepancies and irregularities which were all shunned by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC).“Since the end of military rule in 1999, Nigerians have had little confidence in elections. To vote in a presidential election was to brace yourself for the inevitable aftermath: fraud,” she said.“Elections would be rigged because elections were always rigged; the question was how badly. Sometimes voting felt like an inconsequential gesture as predetermined “winners” were announced.“A law passed last year, the 2022 Electoral Act, changed everything. It gave legal backing to the electronic accreditation of voters and the electronic transmission of results, in a process determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).“The chair of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, assured Nigerians that votes would be counted in the presence of voters and recorded in a result sheet, and that a photo of the signed sheet would immediately be uploaded to a secure server.“When rumors circulated about the commission not keeping its word, Yakubu firmly rebutted them. In a speech at Chatham House in London (a favorite influence-burnishing haunt of Nigerian politicians), he reiterated that the public would be able to view “polling-unit results as soon as they are finalized on election day”.“Nigerians applauded him. If results were uploaded right after voting was concluded, then the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has been in power since 2015, would have no opportunity for manipulation. Technology would redeem Nigerian democracy. Results would no longer feature more votes than voters.“Nigerians would no longer have their leaders chosen for them. Elections would, finally, capture the true voice of the people. And so trust and hope were born.“By the evening of February 25, 2023, that trust had dissipated. Election workers had arrived hours late, or without basic election materials.“There were reports of violence, of a shooting at a polling unit, and of political operatives stealing or destroying ballot boxes. Some law-enforcement officers seemed to have colluded in voter intimidation; in Lagos, a policeman stood idly by as an APC spokesperson threatened members of a particular ethnic group who he believed would vote for the opposition.”INEC AND ELECTRONIC ELECTIONShe said Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, despite promising a free and credible election, hastily announced a winner without investigating reports of irregularities recorded during the polls.She said the elections were not only rigged but also insulted the intelligence of Nigerians as there was no legal action to issues of evident manipulations reported.“Most egregious of all, the electoral commission reneged on its assurance to Nigerians. The presidential results were not uploaded in real-time.“Voters, understandably suspicious, reacted; videos from polling stations show voters shouting that results be uploaded right away. Many took cellphone photos of the result sheets. Curiously, many polling units were able to upload the results of the house and senate elections, but not the presidential election,” she said.“No one was surprised when, by the morning of the 26th, social media became flooded with evidence of irregularities. Result sheets were now slowly being uploaded on the INEC portal, and could be viewed by the public. Voters compared their cellphone photos with the uploaded photos and saw alterations: numbers crossed out and rewritten; some originally written in black ink had been rewritten in blue, some blunderingly whited-out with Tipp-Ex. The election had been not only rigged but done in such a shoddy, shabby manner that it insulted the intelligence of Nigerians.”INEC SHUNNED RED FLAGS“As vote counting began at INEC, representatives of different political parties—except for the APC—protested. The results being counted, they said, did not reflect what they had documented at the polling units. There were too many discrepancies,” she added.“It seemed truly perplexing that, in the context of a closely contested election in a low-trust society, the electoral commission would ignore so many glaring red flags in its rush to announce a winner. (It had the power to pause vote counting, to investigate irregularities—as it would do in the governorship elections two weeks later.)US RESPONSE MUST NOT BE BUSINESSAdichie said it was shocking that the US state department congratulated Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, and further described the election as a “competitive election” that “represents a new period for Nigerian politics and democracy”.“American intelligence surely cannot be so inept. A little homework and they would know what is manifestly obvious to me and so many others: The process was imperiled not by technical shortcomings but by deliberate manipulation,” she said.The Nigerian novelist asked Biden to uphold his stance on the need for a true democracy, adding that congratulating Tinibu will be endorsing the illegitimate process that produced him as president.“I hope, President Biden, that you do not personally share this cordial condescension. You have spoken of the importance of a “global community for democracy,” and the need to stand up for “justice and the rule of law.” A global community for democracy cannot thrive in the face of apathy from its most powerful member,” she added.“Why would the United States, which prioritizes the rule of law, endorse a president-elect who has emerged from an unlawful process?“This Nigerian election was supposed to be different, and the U.S. response cannot—must not—be business as usual.“Congratulating its outcome, President Biden tarnishes America’s self-proclaimed commitment to democracy. Please do not give the sheen of legitimacy to an illegitimate process. The United States should be what it says it is.”
Apr 7

🗳 How Tinubu won presidential election – American ObserverJohnnie Carson, says Bola Tinubu has three things that his opponents did not have going to the presidential election:An American diplomat and a foreign observer in the 2023 general elections, Johnnie Carson, says three factors were responsible for the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.Mr Carson, an Executive Officer of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), spoke in Washington DC when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, paid an official visit to the institute to engage on the concluded elections.The diplomat said he co-led National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria during the elections.According to him, Mr Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, undoubtedly won the polls and will be sworn-in come May 29, except something happens dramatically with the court.“Do you know why he won, he got the money, he had the best national organisation that worked for him and the ground game,’’ he said.Mr Carson emphasised that for a candidate to win an election in Nigeria, like a lot of democracy in the globe, the three things, including substantial and significant financial resources were needed.Others, according to him, are a national working organisation and a grassroots acceptance.He said while Mr Tinubu had all the three criteria in his kitty during the polls, the other major contenders did not have all.Speaking specifically on the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Carson said, “on the part of Mr Peter Obi, he did not have the ground game and a national organisation.“Obi is, however, very popular, particularly among the young, educated, urban and sophisticated,’’ he said.Mr Carson said the presidential election was one of the most competitive polls in Nigeria and in Africa.He, however, observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needed to up its game.“Nigeria deserves the very best electoral process.“To me, the problem is not with Tinubu and the other candidates,’’ he said.Mr Carson hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment in delivering a free and fair election for Nigeria.He said the president “is a man of outstanding integrity’’ and he demonstrated the attribute in the past elections.On his part, the minister said considering where INEC was coming from and where it were today, there were massive improvements in the conduct of the 2023 polls.Conceding that there was room for improvements, the minister said the introduction of a new technology Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by INEC underpinned the credibility of the elections.According to him, BVAS cut out fraudulent votes, ghost voters and multiple votes.Mr Mohammed said the election was conducted against the backdrop of fuel shortage, mounting insecurity and poorly timed cash swap policy.
Apr 7

“‘Obidients’ is one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions” — Prof. Wole SoyinkaA NOBEL LAUREATE REPLY TO THE OBIDIENTSIt would appear that a record discharge of toxic sludge from our notorious smut factory is currently clogging the streets and sewers of the Republic of Liars. It goes to prove the point that provoked the avalanche EXACTLY! The seeds of incipient fascism in the political arena have evidently matured. A climate of fear is being generated. The refusal to entertain correctlve criticism, even differing perspectives of the same position has become a badge of honour and certificate of commitment. What is at stake, ultimately is – Truth, and at a most elementary level of social regulation: when you are party to a conflict, you do not attempt to intimidate the arbiter, attempt to dictate the outcome, or impugn, without credible cause, his or her neutrality even before hearing has commenced. That is a ground rule of just proceeding. Short of this, Truth remains permanently elusive.The ensuing cacophony has been truly bewildering. It strikes me as a possible ploy to smother recent provocations by other, far more trenchant issues, such as revelations of declarations of a religious war.If so, let it be known that I have long declared war against religious fundamentalism, the nature of which justifies the butchery, kidnapping and enslavement of students in the name of religion. That aspirant’s alleged gaffe cuts no ice with me. Far more alarming was the grotesque fantasy of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court disguised as a wheelchair, zooming off in space to a secret meeting with other parties of the conflict. On its own, that is sufficiently scary.Swiftly followed thereafter by a television tirade of intimidation, it strikes one as more than the mere antics by the mentally deranged. The tactics are familiar: ridicule, incriminate, then intimidate.Objective: undermine the structure of justice .Just as a reminder: this writer was not being rhetorical when he declared, on exiting prison detention: Justice is the first condition of humanity.The instigating contest – Nigerian Democracy 2023 – has witnessed much that is innovative – largely in the retrogressive vein. Violence and ethnic profiling.“Spiritual” warfare in the shape of sacrificial rams to keep “disloyal” communites under restraint – in short, intimidation yet again! Easily overlooked however are those missives of violence directed against dissenting voices, real or suspect. Such, for instance, were the virulent attacks and threats to the musician Seun Kuti, his family and iconic music Shrine. His crime consisted of nothing more than declaring the name “Obidient” derogatory to his sense of civic dignity and activist history. Such beginnings – and instances are numerous – have culminated in the open intimidation of the Court of Last Resort, even before proceedings have begun. By the way, I do agree with Seun Kuti; ‘Obidients’ is one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions I ever encountered in any political arena. Some love it however, and this is what freedom is about. Choice. Taste. Free emotions. By contrast, I have no quarrel with “Yes Daddy”. Roman Catholics are used to saying “Yes, Father”. Secularists say “Enh, Baba”. The context and content are what matters, and lies – where established – raise bothersome issues such as Integrity Deficiency.Let us remind ourselves of the following: in any adjudication, society finds it unacceptable that a party to the dispute resort to influencing tactics by extra-judicial means – such as bribery. Intimidation and threats are merely the obverse complements of material inducement. Those who fail to appreciate this are entirely free to their existence in an illusory world.We shall add the following pointer for this particular electoral tussle – the news may be unpleasant, but here it comes. Quite a few pundits have set out in some impressive – not necessarily persuasive – detail the- possibility that the complainants in this presidential election are not as strongly planted on the victory podium as they presume – see, for instance – Ambassador Haastrup’s fascinating analysis in Newspeak etc. April 6. Right or wrong? That is not the issue. What the nations needs to know right now is if you are planning to send assassins after such negative analysts.! Coming to terms with an unpalatable projected eventuality – sorry – possible eventuality, counsels deep reflection, not demonization of the bearer of sour news. For the seriously committed, it requires pulling back the horns a little in order to regroup, rethink and resurge. Democracy is sometimes a long haul. Some of us have been at it for quite a whileI am well aware that the foregoing is further invitation for more nauseous bilge from the besotted. Please, be my guest. It is, after all, one of those special seasons of convergence of two seasons of self-flagellation. Fasting makes bearers of constricted minds even more light-headed. Delusions fill the vacuum.Oh yes, could these rabid parochial minds of easy excitation also kindly stop flattering themselves that one’s energies are consecrated solely to the nation space known as `Nigeria? The whines of “silence” are relative to the reading scope and world knowledge of idle complainants as well as their grasp of the chain of continuity. I choose my methods of intervention without the permission of social media border patrols, so where you find a gap, just pick up the baton where last deposited and stop whining and belly-aching – “he stopped talking all this while, why now?” etc etc ad nauseum . Flat, easy disposable lies that gain traction by repetition. However, even more importantly, they remain irrelevant to the rights and wrongs of ongoing material issue. Sadly, these virtue vigilantes succeed with the ignorant and susceptible – especially among the younger, confused generation.The consequence is that the nation is plagued by fake CVs compiled by all kinds of amateur commentators, still wet behind the ears, who have too few truths to build on before they are corralled into positions of No-Retreat. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the effrontery of attempts to place the present contention on the same podium as the twenty-year old anti-Abacha struggle! This gross abuse of historic licence actually provides smug satisfaction for rookie activists. I advise them to seek out the school of survivors where pertinent lessons still exist for those with sufficient humility to LEARN before MOUTHING! Otherwise their world of false mythologies will collapse under their feet, and leave them dangling in the void.May I cease this opportunity, by the way, to condemn the sanctions imposed on CHANNELS Television which anchored the performance of the LP candidate. As stated, I watched the programme keenly – saw the valiant efforts of the interviewer to ensure fair hearing. I fail to understand just where the station could be faulted, except from a disposition for injustice. To sustain that penalty is to give joy to others who turn Internet into a soakaway for their rancid emissions, yet feel that others should be silenced. If CHANNELS feels up to it, I offer myself willing to engage Mr. Datti – or any nominee of his – on its platform on this very bone of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer as mediator. That should be taken as a serious offer.Project NIGERIA, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain but – first we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers. In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is of course, always the possibility of a Revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors. Revolutions are not however based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news, or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less. Revolution is not about lining up behind the nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously on offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.Before I take myself off for – well, next port of call – the final word goes to a favourite maverick, propagated even as he matched his words by action. I suspect that in this instance we find ourselves on opposite sides of the strategic fence – that is democracy. This now coopted watchword of his formulation remains apt, applicable to all who strive for authentic social transformation: Your mummu done do!Ramadan Kareem. Happy Easter!Wole SOYINKA
Apr 7

Prof. Kingsley Moghalu:🗣 “𝐈𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐚’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝’𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐒 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐧 “𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲”.“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡, 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.“𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞a𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢-𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝), 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲.“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝒊𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝒓 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞.— 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇. 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝑴𝒐𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒖
Apr 7

NLC PRESS RELEASE 👀✍️
Apr 7

EASTER: NSCDC DEPLOYS 30,000 PERSONNEL TO ENSURE PEACEFUL CELEBRATIONDetermined to ensure a hitch-free Easter celebration, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR has ordered the deployment of 30,000 personnel from FCT, states, zonal commands and the National headquarters to beef up security across the country.The CG gave this order at the National Headquarters, Abuja, while addressing personnel on the need for effective policing of the nation against any atrocious activities of dangerous elements planning to cause breakdown of law and order.He directed all Special Forces in the Corps such as the Armed Squad, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, CG’s Special Anti- vandal monitoring Squad, CG’s Marine monitoring unit, Special Female Squad, Diretorate of Intelligence and Investigation (DII), RRS, Agro Rangers, SWAT, K9, Counter Terrorism unit and CBRNE to join forces with the regular officers to ensure a hitch-free celebration across the country.”As the Easter celebration approaches, I want to see massive deployment of personnel everywhere in the country.”All special forces and regular officers must go all out to protect lives and properties of citizens.”You must look out for criminals, hoodlums and mischief makers seeking to compromise the integrity of the country and deal decisively with them,” CG said.Audi explained that the massive deployment will cover all public utilities, suspected flashpoints, worship centres, markets, recreational facilities, shopping malls, parks, gardens and other crowded locations.He stressed that the tight security measures being put in place is to protect lives, infrastructures and prevent any occurence of national emergencies given reports of various political agitations and planned protests in different parts of the country.”Reports have it that some people want to take advantage of the Easter celebration to cause breakdown of law and order, chaos and destruction of critical national assets in the name of election protests and other political agitations but we will not allow that to happen.”You must prevent any unlawful gathering, assembly or protests which failed to obtain necessary permission from the police which is the lead agency in internal security.”You must also ensure proper synergy with other security agencies to forestall any threat to the peace of the nation.”Note that I will not tolerate any excuse for failure, so, ensure you quell any form of insecurity in sights to sustain the relative peace the nation is currently enjoying, CG charged.He added that the Corps will be working in collaboration with other security agencies and no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that adequate security is provided and sustained in the country.The Corps helmsman congratulates all Christians in the country on the celebration of Christ’s ressurection and charged them to pray for peace, progress of the nation and a successful transition of power to the incoming government.He warned holiday makers to celebrate in moderation and be law abiding in their activities, urging them to assist security agencies by giving timely and credible information to nip crime in the bud.SIGNED:CC ODUMOSU OLUSOLADIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONSNSCDC NHQ, ABUJA.
Apr 6

In fighting terrorism, Africa might need its own “Daughters of Kobani”.By Amb Abdullahi BindawaIn 2014 while writing my presentation on sectarian conflicts in the Middle East, an interesting development was unfolding in the region.ISIS had surprisingly taken most parts of Northern Iraq and the second largest city, Mosul. It had also taken eastern Syria. Regional and global forces were overwhelmed with the speed with which the group took territory.However, a particular event of resistance against ISIS stood out among the group’s attempt to sweep across the two countries—the battle of Kobani.A Syrian located close to the Turkish border, Kobani had become a strategic town the violent jihadist were determined to take. The resistance was impressive. However, what stood out was an all-women militia that became the centre of the resistance and later sent the fight to ISIS.Later an author had labelled these brave women “Daughters of Kobani”. They had come to represent a unique feature of Kurdish resistance against ISIS.What has this got to do with Africa?Interestingly, the effectiveness of the all-female force was not limited to only their combat efficacy and dexterity. There was an underlying religious belief or conviction that made them effective. What was this?The all-men ISIS combatants found it an abomination to be killed by a woman during combat. They believed it could affect one’s destiny in the afterlife—yes they did and still do.Consequently, the all-women force terrified the insurgents who tried everything possible to avoid them. They had became the “chased” in the process.With many parts of Africa experiencing violent extremism that is driven by same beliefs and superstition, Africa forces having their own all-female force well-trained to deal with the scourge will be a good strategy.In war, you use all legitimate means to defeat the enemy, including utilising his idiosyncrasies against him. Having an all-female regular force and making the terrorist know you have them could work.Interestingly, Africa has got a history of all-female soldiers that were most feared by the forces that came into contact with them. The Dahomey Amazon’s of West Africa is an example. The all-female unit was in the front lines of a powerful kingdom that existed between 17th and the 19th centuries. Its exploits are well known even to European chroniclers.West African littoral states, Somalia, Mozambique and security partners dealing with the terror threat may study the efficacy of the “Daughters of Kobani” and put in place a comprehensive training programme that put willing women against extremism while limiting the dangers they could face.This could prove more consequential than Wagner.Many more…African UnionEcowas – CedeaoOffice of the National Security Adviser, State House, Abuja.United Nations Security Intelligence Services – UNSISDepartment of State ServicesUnited Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel – UnowasNigeria Army University-BIUAfrican Union Youth ProgramMinistry of Defence, Ship House, AbujaInternational Symposium on Security and Peace (ISSP) 2023National Defence College Abuja NigeriaThe Fund for PeaceMinistry of Foreign Affairs, NigeriaUnited States Institute of PeaceNational Institute for Security StudiesURI Center for Nonviolence & Peace StudiesNigerian Defence AcademyUN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive DirectorateDefence Headquarters NigeriaCreative Associates InternationalHQ Nigerian ArmyEU International PartnershipsNigerian NavyUNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and CrimeNigeria Police ForceUN Security CouncilWorld Bank AfricaUnited Nations NigeriaFrance Embassy NigeriaDaura EmirateBelow: ISIS presence in Africa. Got worse in some places since this image.
Apr 6

Why peace between Iran and Saudi Arabia could be consequential in Africa.By Amb Abdullahi BindawaWhen President Obama signed the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2015, I was elated. Having researched on the sectarian rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia for my investigation, I knew what the deal meant for peace in the Middle East.Unfortunately, President Trump had later reversed the deal. The set-back escalated regional tensions. The recent Chinese brokered deal while surprising to many pundits, could prove positive for regional peace.Also, any peace between the two regional powers could have positive ramification on Africa.How?To start with, Iran and Saudi Arabia are self-declared leaders of the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam respectively. While the latter sect forms over 80% percent of the global population of the faith, the former covers less than 20%. None of them is monolithic.The 7th century schism that had resulted from disputes on who was the rightful successor of Prophet Muhammed (SAW), had later died down as Sunnis and Shiites lived “peacefully” among themselves.However, the 1979 revolution and the rise of the Mullahs in Iran had given Shiites global leadership that was political and revolutionary in nature.And so what?The missionary efforts of the Iranian regime and its support of other Shiite communities in the Middle East and elsewhere over the decades has led to some religious revival and growth of Shiite Islam.In Africa Shiites populations that were either persecuted or were unrecognised, have become more vociferous and assertive of their faith. In West Africa in particular, the numbers of Shiite adherents have increased significantly.One research cited by the Wall Street Journal in 2016 gave interesting figures. Nigeria had 12 % of its Muslim population identity as Shiite. In Chad, it was 21% and Ghana 8%. Some of these states had “almost” no Shiite communities in 1980. Tanzania has 20% of its Muslim populations identifying as Shiite. Egypt also has “significant” minority.Despite these, the Shiites minority have faced overt persecution and antagonism in some of these countries. In Nigeria and Egypt, the sect has had its leaders or adherents jailed for either engaging in protests or preaching their faith. States like Chad are still wary of the group. Interestingly, these states are majority Sunni.Furthermore, Iran and Saudi Arabia have over the last decades supported their sides of the divide in Africa, just as they do in the Middle East. This has exacerbated tensions and security threats in some African states.If the peace deal is able stand the test of time therefore, Africa may benefit from its fruits—peaceful co-existence between different Islamic sects in the continent.Many more…African UnionEcowas – CedeaoThe Fund for PeaceMinistry of Foreign Affairs, NigeriaInternational Symposium on Security and Peace (ISSP) 2023Office of the National Security Adviser, State House, Abuja.African Union Youth ProgramMinistry of Defence, Ship House, AbujaURI Center for Nonviolence & Peace StudiesNational Defence College Abuja NigeriaUnited States Institute of PeaceNigerian Defence AcademyCreative Associates InternationalDepartment of State ServicesUnited Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel – UnowasNigeria Army University-BIUUnited Nations Security Intelligence Services – UNSISNational Institute for Security StudiesEU International PartnershipsNigerian NavyUnited Nations NigeriaDefence Headquarters NigeriaWorld Bank AfricaDaura EmirateKatsina Emirate CouncilBelow: map showing different Islamic sects in Africa.
Apr 6

No Individual, Groups Can Threaten Our Resolve as A Democratic Nation – COASThe Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has assured Nigerians the Army will not relent in its mandate of dealing decisively with individuals or groups who want to subvert Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy and peace.General Yahaya who made the remarks at the opening of the First Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference and Research Exhibition at the Command Officers Mess 1 Asokoro Abuja noted that, concerted efforts, commitments and dedication to duty by field commanders, officers and soldiers to ensure successes in various operations are very commendable.He further emphasized that troops’ adherence to all guidelines and implementation of decisions taken were largely responsible for the success of the last general elections.On the issue of the IPOB/ESN insurrection in the Southeast, General Yahaya assured that no group would be allowed to disrupt Nigeria’s democratic process.“the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections across the country including in the South East despite the sense of insecurity created by criminal elements in the region, is a testament to our resolve to ensure security in the entire nation.”The Nigerian Army will continue to perform its constitutional roles in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies as well as civil authorities in the region”In the South-South region, the Army Chief noted that the efforts of the rejuvenated joint operations in the region have led to the discovery and destruction of several illegal oil refining camps and arrest of criminal suspects.”These anti-illegal bunkering operations have significantly increased crude oil production in the country to over 1.3 million barrels per day as affirmed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC as at March, 2023.”General Yahaya also announced the operationalization of three maneuver brigades namely, 12 Brigade Lokoja, 18 Brigade Bida and 26 Brigade Dutse in addition to several Units and Forward Operating Bases for the security of the general areas.The Army Chief equally announced the newly established COAS welfare and loan schemes that would take care of the immediate needs of soldiers and their families.“This is a scheme where interested officers and soldiers are granted interest free soft loans. Similar schemes are afoot to facilitate interested soldiers own houses on specially arranged affordable mortgages. I believe those schemes and many more to come will further contribute to enhance our overall welfare packages for the Nigerian Army personnel.”The event featured exhibitions of latest advancements in Science and Technology by the Nigerian Army and its partners.High point of the occasion was the presentation of brand-new Hilux vehicles to Regimental Sergeant Majors of various formations and units of the Nigerian Army.

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