NEWS
‘We’ve Convince Ourselves a Soldier’s Job is to Die’
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By Prosper Okoye
How can Nigeria achieve peace, security, and stability? This pivotal question formed the core of discussions during the two-day national stability dialogue.
Among the panelists, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, highlighted both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address these issues.
The discourse was organized by International Alert Nigeria, in collaboration with the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), which is the National Early Warning Centre of the Vice President, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Fr. Barkindo said, “My primary focus in the kinetic approach is the welfare of soldiers,” he emphasized.
“This is because, in 2013, my younger brother, who was 27 years old, taller than I am, and quite handsome, joined the Nigerian military. Immediately after his short service, he was stationed in Baga, a town in Borno State.“He and his colleague had to fetch water from a well to drink during battle, and sometimes they had no food to eat. Allegedly, the well they drank from was poisoned by terrorists, and that’s how my brother met his death.
“We had to transport his body back to the village. There were no gun salutes, no uniform; he was laid to rest without any formalities. The same fate befell other families of security personnel. How can we expect people treated in this manner to provide stability and willingly offer themselves for the country?”
Nnamdi Obasi, Senior Adviser at the Nigeria International Crisis Group, noted that the country has moved beyond the traditional image of a soldier confined to boots, beret, rifle, or uniform.
“We are now dealing with a more complex situation and must consider how to enhance equipment, resourcing, and the welfare of our security services to boost their effectiveness. This constitutes a vital aspect of defense, policing, and security that we must address. Simultaneously, we need to assess the competencies we introduce into the system. It’s incongruous to assign individuals with only primary school certificates to solve crimes committed by people with higher degrees and competencies.”
However, the International Alert Country Director, Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, called for the integration of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
“We have reached a stage where certain concerns should be integrated into the military’s campaign strategy.
“I recall a conversation with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of a region when we paid him a courtesy call to address the region’s issues. He stated, ‘You can continue with your conversations and engagement because we are the military, meant to fight, and, if necessary, to kill.’ Yet, this made me wonder: if we keep efforts separate, can we make progress?”
Citing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) menace in the South Eastern part of Nigeria as evidence of the lack of a comprehensive approach to security, Major General Bamidele Shafa (Rtd) noted that the term “unknown gunmen” was misleading. “Effective civil-military cooperation would have unmasked such anti-state elements.”
Furthermore, The priest decried weak national identity, exacerbated by poor governance, as a factor driving national restiveness and chaos.
“It’s challenging to combat terrorism in a democratic context where elections occur every four years, and politicians prioritize winning over ensuring security.
“Do we genuinely identify as Nigerians?’ he pondered. ‘I reside on the Cameroon border in Adamawa State, an hour’s walk to Cameroon, but a 12-hour car journey to Abuja. Many fellow Nigerians disassociate from the country because they feel it doesn’t care for them. To engage ordinary citizens in the fight against terrorism, they must feel a deep connection with the nation.
“In Mozambique, a professor detailed how terrorists gather information; commercial motorcycle and taxi drivers, often seen as uninformed, play a critical role. Similar challenges arose when we tried to locate Governor Fayemi; Google Maps failed, but a motorcyclist guided us directly to his destination.”
Rev. Barkindo urged the involvement of religious leaders in addressing unrest in the country.
“While we promote democracy and the rule of law here, some religious figures preach against it due to their dissatisfaction. Our differing interpretations of this concept explain why Bishop Kukah argues that we die as Christians or Muslims, or as Igbos and Hausa, but not solely as Nigerians.
“Our communities are deeply divided. Religious leaders wield significant influence, as poverty pushes people to the brink. We must create pathways for forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Also speaking at the dialogue, a participant, Gbenro Oladungbe, blamed the country’s violent condition on constitutionally backed inequality.
“We got into this situation of violence because we refuse to provide sustenance. Several leaders are unwilling to address the issues that led us here.
“Equal access to opportunities is denied; whether you attend school today depends on your economic status, and this continues to exacerbate inequality. Inequality is a critical driver of the violence in Nigeria today.
“Poverty isn’t the sole driver; what drives violence is unjust wealth and poverty. This is widespread, rights are denied, and this further fosters violence.
“We have provisions in our constitution that promotes injustice, and we think we will have a peaceful, secure nation? It’s as if we live in a dreamland.
“Today, we have a multitude of young people that couldn’t find employment. We lack a national plan to support this young population, and we continue to recruit and train soldiers who may end up killing them because they are rebelling against a society that has consistently denied their rights.
“The state is inciting the crimes that people are committing; for instance, just two weeks ago, there was a policy to support some households. A budget of 25,000 Naira was allocated to each family for three months, and in the same country, those who are expected to make sacrifices are buying cars worth 160 million Naira. Do we really believe there will be peace, security, or stability?
“I commend the organizers of this event, but it would be even more commendable if the output were a national dialogue that could revisit the constitution,” he added.”
It was supported by the UK International Development through the Promoting Stability, Access to Justice, and Accountability in Northwest Nigeria Project (Samun Adalchi Shi Ne Kwanciyar Hankali).
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.