NEWS
‘We’ve Convince Ourselves a Soldier’s Job is to Die’
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
FCTA Moves to Curb Medical Tourism
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to provide the necessary support for the successful completion and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence, with a view to reversing medical tourism.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, made this pledge during a site tour of the state of the art facility, of African Medical Centre for Excellence, billed to be operational in early 2025.
Mahmoud noted that the partnership between the African Export-Import Bank and Kings College Hospital London to establish the 170-bed hospital was a testament to the commitment to advancing clinical care, training, and research in specialty areas such as oncology, cardiovascular services, hematology, diagnostics, and general medical services.
The minister further added; “The potential impact of this initiative in reversing medical tourism and reducing healthcare worker migration is commendable.
“I am encouraged by the prospect of over 1000 workers being employed to support the hospital’s operations.
“Therefore, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Federal Capital Territory Administration provides the necessary support for the successful establishment and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence.
“We are happy to see, that the 6.5 hectares of land, which was donated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of the host country agreement, has been developed to accomodate this hospital.”
While conducting the minister round the project, the Chief Executive Officer, African Medical Center of Excellence, Mr. Brian Deaver, commended the FCT Administration for the strategic partnership.
He used the occasion to inform the minister that the management staff of the medical centre are looking forward to further contributions of the Administration to improvement in the management of non communicable diseases in the territory.
Deaver stressed that the potential benefits of the location of this hospital in Abuja is significant, just as he expressed confidence that the partnership would yield positive outcomes for the healthcare sector in the region.
NEWS
Ortom, Ode, Asemakaha Felicitates With Alia on 58th Birthday
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Wednesday, extended their felicitations to the State Governor, Rev Fr.
The former governor in a statement signed by his Media Aide,Terver Akase and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, prayed God to grant Governor Alia the wisdom and health to steer the affairs of the state.
He maintained that God would grant Alia the enablement to surmount all challenges fronting his administration and wished him a memorable birthday celebration and many more years ahead.
The statement read in part: “Your Excellency, as you celebrate, I pray that God grants you wisdom, good health and strength to enable you to continue to steer the affairs of our dear state.
“Leadership comes with its numerous challenges, but I have no doubt that with God’s grace and guidance, all problems are surmountable.”
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of the State, Barr. Sam Odeh, on behalf of the State Executive Council (SEC), prayed that Governor Alia’s birthday would be a celebration of his uncommon passion for speedy transformation of the state.
“On behalf of the Benue State Executive Council, I write to warmly felicitate with Your Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State on the occasion of your 58th birthday anniversary.
“As you mark your years of existence on earth today, we heartily join your family, the good people of Benue State and the entire nation in wishing Your Excellency a very happy birthday.
“May your 58th birthday be a celebration of your positive energy and uncommon passion for speedy transformation of Benue State. As Governor of our dear state, you have, in the last one year, demonstrated pragmatic leadership with selflessness and dedication, by rendering quality service to the good people of Benue.
“Your ability to turn challenges into opportunities is truly admirable. We have every reason to celebrate you today, because your transformation drive has brought the state to national and global prominence with many laudable initiatives and partnerships that are now yielding positive results in various sectors of Benue economy.
“Happy Birthday! Your Excellency, you are truly a special gift to the state and a beacon of inspiration for us all. May your birthday mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with even greater successes and fulfillment.
“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to uphold, keep and strengthen you for His glory and to the benefit of humanity. Congratulations and happy birthday!, Ode stated”.
On his part, the MD/CEO, BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, on behalf of the management and staff of the company, said the governor had so far demonstrated visionary leadership, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to the transformation of Benue State.
Governor Alia’s exemplary governance and dedication to the welfare of the people are truly inspiring, stressing that this milestone birthday marks the beginning of another remarkable year filled with wisdom, good health, and unparalleled success.
NEWS
CBN Unveils Strategy to Boost Remittances
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has activated plans to double foreign-currency remittance flows through formal channels by granting 14 new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
This was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday, by the Bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs.
She said, “This will spur liquidity in Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX), augmenting price discovery to enable a market-driven fair value for the naira.
“It will be recalled that the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had recently declared: “We’ve set ourselves a target to double remittance flows into Nigeria within a year, a goal I firmly believe is within reach.
“We are wasting no time driving progress to remove any bottlenecks hindering flows through formal channels permanently. We have a determined pathway and a sequenced approach to tackling all challenges ahead, working hand in hand with key stakeholders in the remittance industry,” she stated.
Continuing, Sidi Ali, said that the CBN viewed increasing formal remittance flows—one of the major sources of foreign exchange, accounting for over 6% of GDP—as a means of reducing the historical volatility in Nigeria’s exchange rate caused by external factors, such as fluctuations in foreign investment and oil export proceeds.
The increase in the number of IMTOs is one of the primary actions initiated by the CBN’s remittance task force, overseen by Governor Cardoso as a collaborative unit pulling together specialists to work closely with the private sector and market operators to facilitate the ease of doing business in the remittance ecosystem in Nigeria.
The task force was established as a direct result of an executive learning session with IMTOs during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings held in Washington DC, United States of America, in April 2024. The task force will meet regularly to implement strategy and monitor the impact of its measures on remittance inflows.