COVER
The Benue Valley: Contending with Terror, Land Grabbing and Water Ways
By Justine John Dyikuk
The recent killing of Benue terror kingpin, Terwase Akwaza (Gana) by the Army on his way to Makurdi for an amnesty deal with the state government has once again put Benue on the terror spotlight. Benue is a metaphor for what happens in most nations within Sub-Saharan Africa like Nigeria where activities of terrorists and violent conflicts between herders and farmers have led to the loss of lives and property.
Environmental degradation and migration have equally led to conflicts over land and grazing fields across the country (World Watch Research, 2015). A deadly spiral of violence between indigenous farmers and semi-nomadic pastoralists of Fulani extraction has gripped the nation in the last six years fuelling a cycle of tit-for-tat violence (Unah, 2018).The Benue valley, mostly agrarian, is the melting pot for herders from the African sub-region who often migrate into the state to access food and water for their cattle. Since the main stay of Benue is proceeds from agricultural products, often, there is a faceoff between these farmers and the herders who release their animals into people’s farms.
In most cases, local communities in the state resort to courts cases or taking the law into their hands by killing livestock.
This creates a sense of indignation among the pastoralists who embark on a revenge mission to exterminate communities accused of eating their cattle. Last year, the United Nations lamented about these escalating crises.
Sadly, the long standing relationship which has existed between farmers and cattle owners is being lost. Since most Benue indigenes are Christians and the herders are predominantly Muslims, some commentators have fingered ethnicity and religion as factors escalating the conflict.
It is alleged that terrorists have targeted Christians and their places of worship killing over 37,000 people for a decade. Over 2.4 million people are now Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their fatherland.
Fulanis are said to have killed over 3,500 people in Nigeria (Fadugba-Pinheiro, 2020). On 24 April 2018, two Catholic Priests, Reverend Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and 17 parishioners were murdered in cold blood at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom Parish, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State (Vanguard, 2018).
The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (CBCN) have decried instances of killing as a result of clashes between herdsmen and host communities (CBCN, 2019).
The unabated killings resulted in a bill which was passed by the Benue State House of Assembly to proscribe open grazing. Following the implementation of a controversial state law in November 2017 which banned open grazing an d required livestock to be kept in ranches, violence intensified between farmers and pastoral herders.
The State House of Assembly had rejected the proposed 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan that was aimed at building 94 ranches in 10 pilot states by the Federal Government as a way of ending the conflict in Benue (Unah, 2018). The policy was a plan by the government at the centre to create cattle ranches for pastoralists to breed their cattle without allowing them to roam about in search of pasture for their cattle.
However, citizens of the state and some Nigerians condemned the policy as selective stressing that it did not take into cognizance the opinion of locals. Stakeholders in the state felt that ranching would not immediately address the bad blood between both parties and thought that government should have engaged both herders and farmers by visiting their communities to hear from them (Unah, 2018). On its part, the Federal Government seemed to have frowned at the action of the Benue State Government.
In the midst of this, the Federal Government made the move to introduce the National Water Resources Bill. In defiance of the Land Act Use of 1978, which places ownership of land and water in the hand of state governments, the controversial bill attempts to transfer ownership of water bodies to the Federal Government. It also expects citizens to seek permission from the government at the centre before they can drill boreholes for private and commercial purposes.
Although the bill did not secure a concurrent passage by both Houses in the Eighth Assembly, the Ninth Assembly ensured that it passed through second reading in the House of Representatives. It has been referred to a House Committee.
Many Nigerians have criticized the motion. In particular, Vanguard reported that the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on September 1, 2020 threatened that he would sue the Federal Government if the National Assembly does not rescind the passage into law of the water bill which was thrown out in 2018 by the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the herder-farmer conflict in the Benue Valley has led to unending conflicts in various communities between farm owners and cattle breeders leading to loss of lives and property.
Due to the crucial place of peace in the overall development of Benue State and Nigeria in general, it is expected that employing the rich components of conflict management such as engaging in capacity building through strategic identification of the means and ends of conflict for a sustainable peace and development in the region would help.
Sustainable peace is not divorced from justice which involves elimination of unacceptable political, economic and cultural forms of discrimination. It behoves the Federal Government, the National Assembly, Benue State Government and the House of Assembly in the State, traditional and religious leaders as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to create peace-building structures, which would proactively respond to early-warning signs of conflict.
Youth empowerment in addition to establishing peace clubs and training of local peace-builders in the affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo remains crucial. With these in place, the remnants of Gana would not end up like their ilk, Boko Haram insurgents. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fr. Dyikuk is a Lecturer of Mass Communication, University of Jos, Editor – Caritas Newspaper and Convener, Media Team Network Initiative (MTNI), Nigeria.
By David Torough, Abuja
Zenith Bank Plc has assured its teeming customers of exceptional service delivery and improved customer experience following the successful completion of its Information Technology Infrastructure Upgrade.
The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank, Dr.
Adaora Umeoji in a statement expressed her immense gratitude to all customers of the bank for their patience and support during its recent IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system.Umeoji emphasized that the bank was committed to delivering unparalleled service experience, saying “We undertook such an extensive endeavor in other to better position Zenith Bank Plc for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and provide memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints,” adding that the bank now has one of the best technology infrastructure in the Nigerian banking industry, and is well positioned to ensure customers experience exceptional service delivery going forward.
Zenith Bank has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offering, unique customer experience and sound financial indices.
The bank has remained a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions.
The bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine. The Bank was also awarded the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2022; and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2023 and 2024 in the International Banker Banking Awards.
Further recognitions include being recognised as Best Bank in Nigeria for the fourth time in five years, from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024 in the World Finance Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for three consecutive years, from 2022 to 2024, ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.
The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021; Bank of the Year for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best
Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.
By David Torough, Abuja
The death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja has thrown the nation into mourning, casting a heavy pall over official functions at the Presidency and the security services.
The Presidency yesterday announced Lagbaja’s death following what many attributed to his protracted battle with cancer.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Lagbaja, 56, died on Tuesday night in Lagos, “after a period of illness”
“President Bola Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.
He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.According to the statement, Lagbaja, who was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment throughout his service.
He had previously served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion among other sensitive positions.
Incidentally, President Tinubu had, last weekend Wednesday, appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff, to stand in for Lagbaja who had been away on medical treatment.
The President had, last Tuesday, gone ahead to decorate Oluyede as Lieutenant General, deepening speculations that Lagbaja was not being expected back anytime soon.
Following the death of the late COAS, the Presidency postponed the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for yesterday in honour of the fallen COAS.
The President also directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half-mast across the country for seven days.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) was also caught in the sombre atmosphere. A joint statement mourning the demise of the COAS was issued by Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana.
The MOD expressed shock over the sad news recalling Lagbaja’s contribution to the Army and his dedication to duty.
The statement said, “He exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.
“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed in no small measure to the internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.
“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military and the nation as he served the nation with commitment and dedication.”
Similarly, there was palpable grief at the Defence Headquarters over the loss with the leadership expressing deep sorrow of the development.
It noted that the COAS, until his death, demonstrated exemplary leadership. He was credited with spearheading the establishment of the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing and also playing critical roles in multiple military operations across the country.
On its part, the Nigeria Police Force announced the cancellation of all non-essential personal and social engagements for two days. The Force also suspended non-urgent commitments in honour of the late COAS.
In a statement by Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police authorities described Lagbaja as a highly respected figure, known for his tireless efforts in combating insurgency, armed banditry, and violent extremism.
“His dedication to the Nigerian Army and the nation earned him great admiration. The Inspector-General’s gesture reflects the deep respect and appreciation for General Lagbaja’s remarkable service.
“The Nigeria Police Force extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and General Lagbaja’s family, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time. His legacy and commitment to Nigeria’s security will never be forgotten,” the statement said.
President Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday joined other leaders across the globe in congratulating America’s President-elect, Donald Trump.
The world leaders sent their congratulatory messages hours before Vice President Kamala Harris conceded defeat to Trump.
Tinubu expressed his eagerness to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
The Nigerian President’s message was conveyed through a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu said, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.
”According to him, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.
The Nigerian leader congratulated the American electorate on their commitment to democracy.
“President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th President will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States,” the statement said.
Tinubu also acknowledged the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, trusting that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
Atiku, in his message, described Trump’s victory as “a lesson in the art of rising after every fall,” apparently seeing possibilities of his own victory in future elections amid a string of past losses.
Atiku, who contested in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost to Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC).
He has recorded a string of losses in previous election cycles on different political party platforms.
Atiku commended the process that led to the outcome of the US presidential election, hailing the American citizens for their unwavering faith in the power of democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.
He appealed to Trump to stand resolute in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria and the world in general.
“I closely followed the presidential election in the United States of America, watching with bated breath as the nation decided its future.
“It is with even greater satisfaction that I now reflect on the result, which heralds a resounding victory for President Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party.
“This triumph, without a doubt, will stand as an enduring testament to the resilience and vitality of the democratic process – a timeless reminder that democracy, with all its trials and tribulations, remains a force for good in the world.
“The narrative of President Trump’s political journey, marked by his struggles and triumphs, shall serve as an inspiring parable of courage in the face of adversity — a lesson in the art of rising after every fall, and ultimately, emerging victorious.
“As the world rejoices in the euphoria of his remarkable comeback, it is to be hoped that President Trump will continue his resolute advocacy for credible elections worldwide and remain steadfast in dismantling anti-democratic forces wherever they may lurk.
“The lesson for us in Nigeria is the integrity of the process that ensures a credible outcome. It is the expectation of every Nigerian that the Trump administration will stand resolute in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria and other places in the world.
“I also extend my warm congratulations to the people of the United States, whose unwavering faith in the power of democracy and the sanctity of the ballot has once again shown the world the true might of the people’s voice”, he said.
Meanwhile the US Vice President, Kamala Harris, has called Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidential election.
Associated Press (AP) report quoted a campaign aide of Harris’ as having had a discussion with Trump on the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.
Harris was billed to make a public concession speech later Wednesday night, which would be her first appearance since she lost the election to Trump.
Further report said she would be delivering her speech at Howard University, Washington DC.
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