Category: Online Special

A lot has been said in recent times as regards the activities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).  Some who might be somewhat ignorant of the activities of NEMA, it is more like a rapid response agency meant to mitigate the effects of national disasters like flooding, humanitarian crisis and other disaster situations in the country. But the pertinent question is, has NEMA lived up to expectation? I say this because of the recent revelations on the activities of NEMA, especially in the last political dispensation.

The only word that can describe my feelings as I write is that of shame. The shame of a nation for want of a better expression. When on March 31, 2017, the presidency announced the sack of the director general of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Sidi, I knew a can a worm was about to be unleashed unto the polity because of the way and manner the agency fared during the Goodluck Jonathan era. In some quarters, it was speculated that the agency was the slush fund for campaign expenses for the northwest because the sacked DG was the political son of the former vice president Namadi Sambo. And naturally, he had to play ball.

This fact was corroborated by a recently released report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that not only indicted the former DG, but also some directors that diverted funds of the agency meant for interventions into private pockets.

Imagine this: “the immediate past NEMA Director General, Mohammed Sani Sidi, maintained 20 different accounts in various banks despite his public servant status. The EFCC found suspicious deposits amounting to 164,000 US Dollars in his domiciliary account at Standard Chartered Bank alone, all within 18 months. At the same time, he had up to £58,000 in his Pound Sterling Account.”

“The suspended Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan, also maintained many bank accounts with questionable transactions. In particular, his account in GTBank where suspicious deposits were found, totaling N27, 650,000 which is, also, the over £37,000 and $120,000 found in his domiciliary accounts, and his Naira account which has several suspicious deposits more than N50 million, much of which flowed directly from NEMA.”

“The acting Director of Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike, diverted funds meant for programmes and maintenance of the South-South Zone operations of NEMA under his supervision. The funds were paid directly into his accounts (14 of them have been discovered by EFCC in various banks), instead of the Zonal Office Account. And he was found to have withdrawn freely in cash, by electronic transfers or through ATM Machines, without any evidence of the money being used for NEMA activities.”

Hold your breath for a second. Was there a chief executive when the above heist took place? Who was the chief executive? Was the chief executive complicit in the whole saga or he was ignorant? The answers to the above questions can be answered by the EFCC and by extension the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, which had recently called for the immediate reinstatement of the directors, saying they were suspended without due process by the NEMA governing council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

I am somewhat lost by what our honorable members meant by lack of due process. Are we talking about due process here or economic crimes? Does it bother our honorable (dishonorable) members that over 17 billion naira emergency funds were stolen by some directors and the former chief executive officer of NEMA?

And these guys with a vast war chest are throwing everything at the current Director General Mustapha Maihaja apparently in a move to cover their tracks and cause a systematic distraction by wiping up allegations of fraud against the current DG. While I am not surprised with this, I am also very disappointed with the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management. I say this because, from their body language, they are poised to deliver a predetermined verdict on the Mustapha Maihaja led administration at NEMA.

Are we a serious people in this country? There have been allegations of N1.5 billion against Engr Mustapha Maihaja, and he appeared before the House Committee and told them that contract in question was awarded by the previous management. But the ad hoc committee felt otherwise, rather than inviting the former leadership of NEMA, including the suspended directors for questioning, the lawmakers immediately ordered that the erring directors be reinstated, as their suspension did not follow due process.  After all, anyone who finds favour in the sight of Speaker Dogara can do no wrong.

I mean, where is that done? Only in Nigeria. In my opinion, most of the honorable in the National Assembly are dishonorable in their actions and inactions. And I won’t be surprised if some Ghana-must-go bags have exchanged hands. If not so, despite the damning report from the EFCC, why has the committee not deemed it fit to at least invite the former DG, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi?
What about the case of one M. Kanar Mohammed, the Director of Welfare, where  his six bank accounts were found to be replete with NEMA funds, including N214 million, meant for displaced traditional rulers in the North East, N184 million paid by him to one Crystal Chambers and N29.5 million paid by him to a former Minister, Abdul Bulama.? Are these not weighty enough to warrant their suspension? Or is the committee trying to tell us that a part of the funds is resting in their accounts? Else, there is no moral justification for insisting on their recall from suspension because it defeats every sense.

I would at this point advise that the energy with which the committee members are bent on crucifying the current DG of NEMA should be used in unraveling the circumstances on how NEMA funds were diverted to private pockets. They should also use this medium to prove to the whole world that members of the house representatives are indeed honorable, and not people easily moved by pecuniary gains.

Not until this is done, I doubt if Nigerians would take the National Assembly members seriously moving forward. This is on the heels of the National Assembly dealing a battered image. And in my opinion, on this very contentious issue of missing NEMA funds, it would be a make or mar episode for the National Assembly as a whole.

Ogwu is a forensic analyst.

Students of Taraba State  origin under the auspices of Southern Taraba Students’ Peace Initiative yesterday applauded the successes of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba state and environs, lauding the Nigerian Army Leadership for its intervention in the protection of lives and properties across the state.

The  students drawn from various higher institutions in the country whilst paying  a ‘thank you visit’ to the Commanding Officer of 93 battalion Nigerian Army, Ada Barrack Takum, Taraba State, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gambari,  they further lauded the Commander for his exceptional roles and landmark achievements within the state.

The students applauded the charismatic leadership roles of the Commanding Officer and accorded him a leadership award of excellence as an “Icon of Peace and Humanitarian Service”.

In a speech read  by the National President of the group, Comrade Fahad Ahmed Sule, he said the students felt the achievement of the Nigerian Army in general and the hero in particular must not go unrecognized.

He said, Lt. Col. Gambari, is an individual whose attainment in life: socially, economically and politically among others have brought fame, honour and respect not only to 93 batallion but the Nigerian Army at large.

Part of the statement read:

“The life of Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Gambari right from junior cadet to senior cadet, junior officer to senior officer is akin to the proverbial grass to grace story.

“Lt. Col. Gambari in 100% compliance with the Nigerian Army Headquarter engaged in scrutinizing each house within his territory in order to  fish out all illegal arms and to maintain the sustainable peace and stability in our land is commendable and legendary.

“He stands out as a distinguished professional with an enviable pedigree earned as a philosophy, his reputation as a man of principles with integrity as his watchword remained intact and indeed grown  by the day, we believe you are in the class of great men that have taken the best place in the world, as a natural leader of men, you are accountable, approachable, adoptable, bold step brave, candid, challenging, charismatic, compassionate, honest, cool and calm.”

The students thanked the Nigerian Army for restoring peace and security in the general area of Taraba south and hoped that the relative peace enjoyed at the moment will be sustained across the entire state.

Ajogwu Jerry

Customarily, the atmosphere is adequately charged in anticipation of the 2019 general elections. The heat in the polity has intensified and hit many politicians in Nigeria very badly, with supersonic fever of expected defeat at the ballot.

Some serving Senators are the most exasperated, having sensed the unfavourable electoral tide against them. They exude and manifest symptoms of desperation for electoral relevance at the eleventh hour.

Doggedly in pursuit of selfish ambitions, the Senators in crisis-prone areas have animated their deceptive emotions. They have centered it on artificial interest in the welfare of constituents now.

But unfortunately, in presumed ‘indicting’ outbursts and blanket condemnations of everything to impress constituents to posture as workaholics, these Senators exhibited confounding ignorance on security issues. They shocked many by peculiarly berating security agents for dissatisfactory roles in the handling of the internecine armed local conflicts in some parts of the country.

Perusing recent “lamentations” and attacks on the Federal Government of Nigeria and Security agents by these indignant Senators, the feeling of deceit is arising from frustrations seared through so deeply.  Suddenly, and for the first time in years, constituents are listening to the loud voices of their representatives in the Red Chamber.

Therefore, Senators like Suleiman Asonye Adokwe who represents Nassarawa South Senatorial district and his counterpart for Benue North East senatorial district, Chief Barnabas Andyar Gemade have transmuted into accidental activists and critics of a “failed” government, security agents.

From the fire of their reincarnation came the chants of the agenda of unmitigated killings and ethnic cleansing against their people, only known to their imaginations and vocabulary.  Yet, just another peculiar crafty move, to dubiously hoodwink constituents into voting them again, in 2019.

Before this hour, the duo of Adokwe and Gemade had a national reputation as backbenchers, benchwarmers and swelled up the clan of “I concur” and sleeping lawmakers on the floor of the Senate. Hardly are their shadows even spotted during plenary.  The dozen TV cameras in the chambers would always miss them during hot debates on national issues.

Indubitably, the duo have estranged themselves from their constituents, compelling many to wonder whether they were  on sabbatical leave in  exotic night clubs in the Bahamas or Dubai. They were constantly global trotting in the guise of medical tourism in India, Germany or the United Kingdom at the expense of their constituents.

Any time they were back from the veiled pleasure trips, constituency projects funds would be deployed to organize sham mobile medical treatments in their constituencies. Even at it, they would leave the people more burdened with medical afflictions.

If history was potent enough to hold a reflective mirror, it would show these two Senators consistently over the years, as aligned with the unenviable records of poor performance in the parliament with virtually no sponsored Bill to their credit. It does not matter whether the assessment is conducted by the media or some other independent organisations, they riposte same results on these characters.

So, Senators Adokwe and  Gemade have  not just lost touch of happenings at home, but their knowledge of current affairs in Nigeria is leprously diseased and plagued by leisure of insomnia at the expense of responsible representation. But each time they retire into their palatial and cozy mansions in Abuja and elsewhere, as 2019 is next door now, the thoughts of how to again, dupe the people of their mandate, assails their senses.

The easiest escape route in the dubious quest for another electoral victory is to conjure all manner of gimmicks against a credible establishment to lure their unsuspecting, neglected, milked and dumped constituents. But even some of their colleagues were bemused, when they mixed raw anger with senselessness in blind fury.

Therefore, when Senator Adokwe claimed in a repulsive public statement a few days ago, mesmerizing about killings in his constituency, he unconsciously confirmed his absenteeism and insensitivity to the plight of his people when he submitted; “I am not one given to emotions easily, but what I have gone through this weekend is very horrifying.” He had to wait until the eve of 2019 to vent his spleen, assuming his postulations were true?

And in a haze of craziness, Adokwe who by self-confession convicted himself, began to curse everybody for “sleeping” over his responsibilities. But the Senator forgot easily that he has slept worse on discharging his obligations to his constituents.

On his regular sleeping seat in the Senate, none of the leaders he poured vituperations shared it with him, yet could not perform. So, afraid of his shadows, he cornered some of the security agents that would have been drafted to contain armed militia as his personal bodyguards. This unconscionable leader of the lower rung cannot blame anyone else for his own failures.

Posturing in somewhat rehearsed conspiracy, Senator Gemade, who is about rounding eight years in the Red Chamber, copied his comrade in indolence, Senator Adokwe. With nothing to advertise as achievement, but desperate to come back for a third tenure in 2019, this infectiously renounced Senator felt lambasting the FGN and security agents would deceptively assuage the anger of his constituents to vote for him again in 2019.

So, in loud preachments on the floor of the Senate during the week, Gemade, after suspending his snoozing escapades, his favourite pastime, he trumpeted to an unwilling audience, the ethnic cleansing of his people in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.

What belated and fantastic emptiness! It was nice to his senses, but very shocking to many of his colleagues who assumed him, a somewhat demented soul, by veering too far off the track.  Through the outbursts, Nigerians knew both Adokwe and Gemade are just out to remind the people of their familiar tricks of winning elections through masked faces of their real personage.

But the duo cracked hard nuts indeed, exposing their ignorance on security matters about Nigeria. The Nigerian security agencies, especially the Nigerian military, drafted in aid of civil security, under the tireless watch and supervision of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin have performed marvelously, as attested by mitigating the impact on these crises.

If Senators Adokwe and Gemade now sleep comfortably in their Abuja mansions without the phobia of daylight or nocturnal visits by Boko Haram terrorists, it only illustrates how much the Military have been alive to their responsibilities. The CDS team and troops have sacrificed so much to make Abuja and other cities in Nigeria, peaceful and habitable abodes for Nigerians.

There are other threatening armed struggles which suffocated Nigeria before the arrival of President Buhari. There was the lethal and provocative IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu. But the CDS ensured its quiet extinction. The satanic IMN or Shiites sect virtually grounded most parts of the North with killings and almost morphed into another terrorists   sect. It was the Nigerian military that softened these hardened and violent religious extremists.

In Northwest, armed bandits and cattle rustlers caused much pains and nightmares to communities and villages. They had already seized swathes of lands and territories in Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states among others. They dislodged locals and were already spreading tentacles to other parts of the North. But the CDS’s dexterous and co-ordinated military operations checkmated them.

But the Adokwes and the Gemade’s were either on AWOL in chambers or sleeping their souls away, so could not know. It is therefore, uncharitable, unreasonable and symptomatic of persecution of the Nigerian military for anybody, much more, such breed of Senators to disparage the ongoing efforts by the military to repress the herders/farmers clashes.

To cross the red line by campaigning for the sack of Security Chiefs is unpardonable. It is even more irritating,  when pontificating very flimsy excuses, which the likes of sleeping Senators Gemade and Adokwe epitomize on mandates entrusted to them.

Certainly, these Senators are oblivious of the numerous sacrifices the military have made to rescue the nation from the claws of insurrections. To so freely market gibberish out of prejudice is just a  confirmation of their absence, but poisonous focus on 2019.  Playing politics with human lives, by turning the whip against their protectors won’t earn them victory at the polls. Like the Bible says, by their fruits, we shall know them.

Okanga writes.

A group, The Citizens’ Right Congress (CRC) on Wednesday held their quarterly review of security situation in Nigeria in Lagos. According to Comrade  Israel Abolaji, the president of the group said the CRC assemblage of Nigerians was shocked to the bone marrow when it heard some mouthy and excited Senators passed remarks’ during yesterday’s plenary canvassing or contemplating calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all Nigerian Security  Chiefs,  alleging  security lapses but before we delve into the evil intentions of the Senators, the hollowness of such calls and the belated deceptive posturing of these Senators on matters of security is unreservedly condemnable, self-serving and undignified. We beg to reject it unequivocally at this point in time.”

 Speaking further, he said “let us make it unambiguously clear to the undiscerning Senators that such calls or resolutions are very unnecessary, derogative, insensitive,  a mockery of democratic liberties and plight of Nigerian people,  as reflected in their various contributions to the motion raised by Sen. Suleiman Adokwe (Nasarawa). We cannot but laugh at the pretentious and belated posturing   of Senate’s concern for the security of Nigerians.   It is the same Senate which refused for no apparent reason to grant a $29 billion loan request facility President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded to it for consideration in 2016. Part of the loan fund was to be devoted to “protection of Nigerians” (security issues) for the internal security of Nigeria. But the Senators rejected it.”

“We are aware of  the recent controversy instigated by the same Senate over the State Governors consent to the release $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the subtle plots to frustrate utilization of the funds for arms procurement to battle insurgency by the Buhari Presidency. These are public indications of the deep-seated hatred some of these Senators nurse on the security of Nigerians.  You cannot say, after Lucifer led Adam and Eve to commit a sin in the Garden of Eden, through the serpent, the same devil cannot come back preaching salvation through the backdoor.”

“The CRC therefore, finds it resentful, despicable and bemusing, the meaningless trumpeting of  a pretentious concern about the security  of Nigerians by the Senators. We are astonished by the clever manner the Senators are seeking to shift blame and transfer the burden of their irresponsible leadership to a team of security working hard to quell the internal crises some of them have instigated in their domains. We want to state without mincing words that the  debate by Senators in plenary, which called for the removal of Service Chiefs, and their replacement,  citing fresh killings in parts of the country, particularly attributed to  the remarks of Sen. Solomon Olamilekan  (Lagos APC) and his other colleagues is nauseating, to say the least. It underscores’ the extent some national parliamentarians’ have downplayed  the efforts of the Federal Government and the sacrifices Nigerian security apparatus have made in the face of biting armed internal insurrections.”

“It is perplexing how these Senators think security can function effectively, when they are more aligned to playing the ostrich and politics with the lives of Nigerians.  If we should ask, how much of defence budget have they appreciated in line with the enormous and widespread insecurity in the last two years to empower the military and other conventional security agencies to effectively perform their constitutional responsibilities? The Nigerian Army in particular has consistently complained of inadequate funding to cope with the increasing demands of the consuming internal security threats.  But the Senators have shown more interest in chasing mundane issues in the vexatious and unacceptable promotion of their ego and blind appetite for power. We think they should be a time for reality.”

“This Senate cannot sound this sanctimonious at this stage. Is it not the same group of lawless and unfocused Senators at the National Assembly who cooked the unjustifiable suspension of Sen. Ali Ndume, representing Borno South for 180 Legislative Days, at the peak of Boko Haram terrorists terror on his people and worsening humanitarian crisis? Barring other reasons, did it ever appeal to the conscience of these Senators that the suspension was ill-timed, insensitive and callous, but they refused to submit to reason in spite of a court order nullifying it? Where is the sudden passion for the security of Nigerians emanating?”

“The CRC assembly has met and reviewed the calls by NASS and has resolved thus; It has passed a vote of confidence on all the Security Chiefs particularly the Army, Air Force and Navy Leadership for the sustained collaborative efforts that have been deployed to curtail the various hydra headed monsters created by our politicians in the name of unrest across the country. We implore President Buhari to ignore, discountenance and reject the calls by the Senators for sack of Service Chiefs because it is malicious, vindictive and politicized. In effect, the CRC is calling on the NASS under the leadership of President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki to change their negative perception of the administration of security in the country. Security is a collective responsibility and the parliament should henceforth concentrate more on discharging the patriotic and lawful parts of the bargain. If this task is too much for them to execute on behalf of Nigerians, they should do the needful by quitting the stage. It is pedestrian and hogwash for the Senators to call on sack of Security Chiefs to cover their own failures at NASS and bargain for public sympathy and appreciation. We therefore, call on the Senators, to declare themselves as failed representatives instead; humbly resign and retire home for the glaring evidence of the abdication of their lawful responsibilities, he added”.

The campus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto is a world of different structure and atmosphere to different inhabitants of the school. For many students, life on the campus can be fun and fair and for many others, the environment seems a paradise. But for Jemimah Dauda, Saliat Salahudeen and her elder sister (who pleaded that her identity should not be unveiled in this story), the academic hustle and bustle are dreadful and scornful. For them, it is a world full of pains, agonies, loneliness and negligence.

By Ibrahim Adeyemi

While able bodied students are privileged to wake up in the morning, rush down to pray, visit the loo, swiftly run straight to the tap to fetch water, say hello to friends, quickly run to catch up with morning lectures, go to the library at will, and return to the hostel after having fun enough to retire in bed, all these, the special students do with difficulties, due to the environment of the school which is not friendly to students with disability.

Though beaming with a smile, Saliat’s eyes became reddened by the sudden tears that took over her, while speaking to the reporter. She spoke about her travails in life, despite her academic achievement as one of the best students in her department.

Now 18-year-old, she was seized by muscular dystrophy when she was nine, while in junior secondary school. Muscular dystrophy is a group of disorders that involve a progressive loss of muscle mass and consequent loss of strength.

Apart from her lame sibling and her mother, Saliat has no bosom friend, playmate or reading mate. As peopled as the campus is, she and her sister are unfrequented by fellow students. She does everything solely and lonely. Asked how she feels being unaccompanied by friends, she said: ” I don’t feel sad, because my parents do not allow me to feel sad. I feel normal, I feel free.”

Interestingly, despite the odds against her, she is a high achieving academic student. With a Grade Point (GP) of 4.12, Saliat is leading a number of able bodied students who are hale and healthy in her department. A second-year student of Adult Education, she majors in the Sciences and has special flair for Chemistry.

She further disclosed that the motivation to be a graduate is motivated by her desire to make impact. “My aim is to be someone that will be remembered in the society. I want to build my society,” she said.

When Saliat was asked whether she has a boyfriend, she grinned heavily, cleared her throat and said: “I have no boyfriend, but I will like to marry a man of God.”

SALIAT’S SISTER

The tragedy that befell Saliat appears simpler than her sister’s. She is not only crippled, she also has deficiency in her fingers, which makes her a slow illegible writer. She appears fragile, timid and shy.

Our correspondent met with one of her lecturers, Dr Muftau Olarinde of the Department of Economics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Despite her disabilities, Dr Olarinde attested to her seriousness and eagerness to learn.

“I don’t know much about her younger sister, but for her (the elder), her performance is okay. She’s average in her performance but compared to other students, she’s above average. She has a big disadvantage in term of writing fast,” he affirmed.

“She has never sought help from anybody in exams. Even if she scores ‘D’ in exam, I still give kudos to her because those that score more than her may have had the opportunity of copying answers from others,” Olarinde added.

Apart from the normal hectic academic routine, she still struggles despite her condition to engage in some beneficial extra-curriculum activities.

“I believe there is something that most students of her mate cannot do which she does. She has been coming to learn about a software called ‘strata’ in my office. ‘Stata is a software that is used in running data analysis’,” he (the lecturer) noted.

He emphasised on her deficiency is in term of writing. “Her handwriting is not that legible and I’m sure that may be a disadvantage in term of marking because some lecturers may not be patient enough to read her writing,” he said. The lecturer however commended the efforts of the lame student, remarking that she comes early to classes despite being physically challenged.

AGONY OF A PARENT

The kneeling of motherhood could not allow Saliat’s mother to abandon her two lame children. She lives with them in the hostel; keeping their company and doing domestic works in the hostel.

A source revealed that, apart from the mother, two other female aids are employed and are being paid monthly by Saliat’s father who is a civil servant.

Efforts to speak to the mother did not yield result as she was always busy taking care of her two physically challenged daughters.

HELP, I’M LAME, I NEED HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION!

Jemimah Dauda is a beautiful 21-year- old student who faces tragedy on daily basis. The brilliant chap would always have to be pushed on wheel chair from a very far miles to her lecture halls in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

“I love reading novels and art works right from my secondary school. That is why I choose to study Literature-in-English,” the 200-level student said.
Prior to the calamitous trauma that resulted in the sudden lameness, Jemeemah could walk around like any other person. Her lameness stopped her from schooling for two years while in Secondary School. “I wasn’t born crippled; the problem began when I was 6-year-old. I had to stay at home for two years without going anywhere,” she narrated.

Revealing her ordeal, she pored over how stressful and saddened she feels whenever it is time to go to school. “I encounter lots of problem before getting here (the campus) every day. You know, I live in the town, which is far from the school premises. Coming from the town to school every day is always a battle,” she lamented sorrowfully.

Jemimah is always aided by a young girl, Aisha, who takes her everywhere around the school, from classes to cafeteria and to the ladies.

“I would have loved to be in the hostel which is closer to the school premises, I have applied so many times, but I was not given accommodation,” she said. ” I seriously need help, I’m lame and I don’t have hostel accommodation. It is really not easy,” she cried out.

Although she hails from Kebbi, a state where there is low interest in girl child education, Jemimah built the courage of being educated despite her condition.
“I already made up my mind that I will go to school,” she said, adding that, reading motivated her to go to school. She told our correspondent of her vision to become a broadcaster. “I believe I can do it, for, I’d one time watched a broadcaster on TV, whom I was told is also lame,” she said wearing a warm smile.

NGO SPEAKS ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

In a bid to eradicate discrimination against children with disabilities, a disability activist, David Anyaele, who works with the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged the legislative arm of the government to pass a bill on disability rights.

While surveying the aims and objectives of the organisation for students with disabilities, he said: “What we’re doing is to work and lobby at the National Assembly to secure students with disabilities from discrimination and marginalization in Nigeria.”

Mr Anyaele however, emphasized on the need to pass the bill of Disability Rights in Nigeria. “If the bill is passed into law, what that means is that no institution will conduct the affairs of the school in a manner that will discriminate or isolate students with disabilities,” he remarked.