The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ibrahim Gambari

  • Taraba killings: Police, Army can’t go their separate ways, says Gambari

    ELDER statesman and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Tuesday said the recent killing of three police detectives and a civilian in Taraba State should not compel the police and the Army to go their separate ways.

    Gambari, who said there is urgent need for a national conversation on the nation’s security challenges, warned that if the police and the Army went their separate ways, security would be compromised.

    The retired ambassador called for continuous collaboration and dialogue between the police and the Army as well as among the nation’s security agencies.

    He said the civil society, traditional institutions and religious bodies should support and provide intelligence for the security agencies to tackle the security challenging facing the country.

    Gambari advised the Federal Government to adopt parts of the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.

    Read Also: Taraba governorship tribunal adjourns for judgment

    The former ambassador noted that some recommendations of the conference would enable the government to tackle the nation’s security challenges, especially in the areas of community police or state police.

    He advised the government not to throw away the baby with the bath water.

    Gambari addressed reporters after delivering an address as the chairman of a security summit with the theme: Terrorism, Insurgency and Incidence of Electoral Violence in Nigeria: The Role of Security Agencies.

    It was organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) at NARC office in Asokoro, Abuja.

    Gambari said: “We cannot leave everything to the police and the Army, even leaving highway patrols to Army. The level of the challenge will weaken the police and overstretch the Army.

    “There is need for continuous process of collaboration and synergy between the police and the Army to avoid the Taraba scenario in future. If everybody goes their separate ways, the security of the nation will be compromised.

    “Then, again, we need to assist the police and other security agencies with intelligence and all members of the society, including traditional rulers and religious leaders. We have to look at those institutions that worked in the past and try to really use them in collaborative effort because security is the business of all of us.

    “For community policing, we need a conversation in this country, very urgently, whether it is community police, whether it is state police.”

     

  • ‘Revenue from crude oil not economically sustainable’

    Nigeria must stop relying on crude oil earnings as the revenue it generates from the commodity is not economically sustainable, a former United Nations Permanent Representative and Under Secretary-General to the world body, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, as well as heads of other agencies have said.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the 2018 Leadership Impact and Sustainability Awards programme, organised by the CEO Clubs Network Nigeria in Abuja, Gambari, who received an award at the event, along with a presidential aspirant, Dr. Johnson Edosomwan, said it was high time the Federal Government diversified the nation’s economy.

    Gambari alongside heads of other agencies, in separate interviews, said that the instability in crude oil prices had revealed some of the negative consequences as to why it was wrong to depend on crude as a major revenue source.

    The former UN Permanent Representative, who is currently a member of the UN independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, said: “We can’t afford to fully embark on the process of diversifying the Nigerian economy.

    “And to do this, we have to invest in research and development so as to acquire the right knowledge and skills, because we cannot continue to depend on crude oil for our foreign exchange earnings. When you look at it critically, how many people does the oil sector employs?

    “You will agree with me that the biggest challenge we have now is youth unemployment, not just in Nigeria, but in Africa and to some extent globally. So we have to diversify into the industrial sector, service provision, research and development, education and agriculture, because those are the sectors that have the capacity to employ more people.”

    On his part, Dr. Edosomwan, said that Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil should be discontinued.

    Edosomwan, who also received a platinum award on political leadership at the event, explained that Nigeria’s over-reliance on earnings from crude oil has been one of the major problems confronting the country.

    He urged the government to provide an environment that is conducive for industries to thrive.

    Edosomwan, who is also the founder, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party said: “Many countries have now realized that it is no more safe to continue to rely majorly on crude oil as a major revenue earner. Crude oil should be one of the last resource to rely on. So we need to create a diversified economy where we will have a robust manufacturing, agriculture and other productive sectors.

    Read Also: No crude oil discovered in Bida Basin yet -NNPC

    “Just relying solely on crude oil has been one of the major problems we have because when the price of the commodity drops in the international market we suffer as a nation. But when we have an economy that produces what it consumes and is able to export some of its products to other countries, then the country becomes very vibrant economically.”

    Meanwhile Gambari and Edosomwan expressed happiness for the awards they got and promised to give more to the society, as well as support the growth of the Nigerian economy in their respective businesses.

    “I feel honoured to have received an award from an organisation that focuses on the importance of leadership, its impact, sustainability and development. I am Chairman of Savanna Centre, which is a think-tank and NGO on the link between development, democracy, crisis resolution and peace. And for me, this award means a lot because we must put development back into our politics,” Gambari said.

    On his part, Edosomwan said: “This award will spur me to give more to my society, push for the growth of the Nigerian economy and make more Nigerians see the need to support the government at all levels in nation building.”

     

     

  • Gambari to Nigerians: Shun election manipulation, thuggery in 2019

    A former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Saturday urged Nigerians to see the 2019 general elections as an opportunity to end impunity, thuggery and manipulation of polls.

    He made the call in his address at the 6th Convocation of Kwara State University, Malete.

    Gambari also admonished the graduating students of the institution to be good ambassadors of the university and not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs in the forthcoming elections.

    He said: “As 2019 elections draw near, never allow yourselves to be used by anybody either as thugs or for manipulation during elections.

    “Rather, get interested in who governs you and how the leaders are elected.

    “The government on their part must empower INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2019 and beyond.

    “We must give our support, while insisting on a permanent end to impunity, zero-tolerance for thuggery and manipulation of elections. The election in 2019 must be the game-changer.”

    NAN

     

  • NSWG partners U.S. for united, peaceful Nigeria

    NSWG partners U.S. for united, peaceful Nigeria

    The Nigeria Senior Working Group ( NSWG ), a group of Nigerian senior civic leaders, have converged on the United States Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C., to rekindle hope for peace and stability in Nigeria.

    The group of eminent Nigerians was in the U.S. for a symposium on Nigeria tagged ‘Peace in Nigeria: How to build it, and America’s role’, organised by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.

    The group has as members the Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd) and Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

    Others are Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Amb. Fatima Abubakar, Dr Nguyan Feese, Dr Chris Kwaja, Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Jibrin Ibrahim and Aisha Murtala Muhammed-Oyebode.

    The group was brought together by the United States Institute of Peace in 2016 to represent public issues about Nigeria.

    They also lend their expertise in support of the efforts of the State Governors and national policymakers to address the social, religious and political forces that fuel extremist violence and instability in Nigeria.

    Amb. Hassan Hassan, Ambassador/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, at the symposium, emphasised that Nigeria needed peace now more than any other time in its history.

    The Nigerian envoy also said  that “once there is peace in Nigeria, “it will vibrate across Africa because peace in Nigeria means peace in Africa”.

    Hassan identified the prominent cause of instability and breakdown of peace in Nigeria as religious animosity and rivalry among the adherents of the Christian and Muslim faiths.

    The Nigerian envoy tasked the group to carefully, effectively and incisively consider the issues at stake in Nigeria, extend it to Africa and the world at large.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Agwai stressed that one of the group’s task was to help the Nigerian government to resolve insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    He said that their mandate was to liaise with the U.S. Government through its Think Thank and policy makers to proffer solutions.

    According to him, the group is also mandated to suggest steps Nigeria should take to build and sustain peace as Africa’s most important country.

    Agwai said  the Nigerian government was determined to achieve sustainable peace and development in the country.

    He stressed that there could not be peace without development and there could be no development without peace.

    The outcome of the discussion was to reduce instability and re-weave the social fabrics of the country.

    Amb. Johnnie Carson, the Senior Adviser of United States Institute of Peace, remarked that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari had made military gains against the Boko Haram extremist group.

    Carson emphasised that conflict resolution, peace and security would not be achievable purely through military solutions alone.

    To achieve sustainable peace in Nigeria, he advised that all levels of government, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders must get involved.

    He said every Nigerian  should join to fight to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and other security challenges through dialogue, community policing and promotion of good citizen.

    Thomas Shannon, the U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, praised the various initiatives by the government towards establishing and preserving  peace.

    Shannon said peace was required to foster a prosperous Nigeria and Africa, stressing the U.S. Government will continue to encourage the Nigerian government to take up a call as peace-loving government.

    The U.S. envoy noted that President Buhari had demonstrated that his administration was positioned to strengthen Nigeria’s dignity in the world.

    NAN

  • Gambari calls for review of Nigeria’s judicial system

    Gambari calls for review of Nigeria’s judicial system

    A former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Wednesday called for the review of the country’s judicial system to ensure sustainable peace and conflict resolution in the country.

    Gambari made the call at the fifth international Africa Peace and Conflict Resolution conference hosted by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja.

    The two-day conference has as theme: “Restorative and Community Justice: Challenges, Lessons and Prospects.”

    Gambari, a former UN Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues, also called for establishment of early warning mechanism to end injustice in the country.

    “I think it is time we have to review our criminal justice system in Nigeria because it is due for reform. No one is happy about our criminal justice except the criminals

    “And we have to restore that balance not in favour but against criminal. Justice is imperative in the way of peace; any one denied justice has no interest in peace.

    “You cannot have peace where there is no justice because people must have the feeling of closure, a feeling where violation of human rights is brought to justice,” he said.

    Gambari stressed that restorative justice was a very important tool for peace and conflict resolution, noting that statistics showed that more than 50 per cent of resolved conflicts recurred due to injustice.

     

  • FG tasks governing council of 23 federal universities on funding

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has urged the newly inaugurated governing council of 23 federal universities to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities.

    Adamu gave this advice on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the reconstituted governing board of the universities.

    He also called on the councils to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities with a view to support the universities.

    According to the minister, the governing council should annually review the university budget to monitor its performance and assess the overall impact of its implementation.

    “In view of the current economic situation in the country, I call for the prudent management of the scarce resources while efforts should be intensified to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base of each university.

    “You should also ensure the judicious application of revenues so generated,’’ Adamu said.

    The minister also called on the council to be agents of change by seeing to it that every act of corruption was avoided in their various universities.

    “You should join the crusade of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, by making this fight visible in the universities.

    “As seasoned and successful individuals in the public, private sectors and in your various professions, you will be expected to live above board in the discharge of your duties.

    “ Any corrupt practices by councils including condoling cases of indiscipline by staff, is bound to have a destructive effect on the system and on the products of the system, hence must be avoided,’’ he said.

    He, however, urged universities management to support the governing councils as they implement policies and decisions of the council.

    In his address, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission called on the councils to display a high sense of commitment in the discharge of their duties.

    Rasheed, who emphasized the role of the council in the development of universities, said the commission would continue to support the councils to achieve its desired result.

    “NUC appreciates the critical role of the governing council in the development of Nigerian universities.

    “The NUC will continue to make itself available to ensure that it succeeds in its task and to succeed, every one of you should display a high sense of commitment, teamwork and dedication no matter the challenges,’’ he said.

    Also, Hon. Suleiman Aminu, Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund stressed the need for the councils to synergise with Vice Chancellors of the universities to ensure unity of purpose.

    Aminu promised to work with the legislature to ensure that universities were properly funded, adding that the various leakages in the universities must be blocked.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari sometimes in April constituted the chairmen of governing councils of these universities.

    The selection was made in cognizance with provisions of the respective legislation with respect to composition, competence, credibility, integrity, federal character and geo-political spread.

    Those inaugurated are: Amb. Nimota Akanbi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mukhtar Mohammed, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Bayero University, Kano, Sen. J.N. Waku, Federal University of Technology Akure and Prof. Shehu Zuru, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

    Others are, Prof.  Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. John Ofem, Federal University, Owerri, Mr Muhammad Zayyanu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Mr Bukar Zarma, Modibbo Adama Univrersity of Technology, Yola.

    Also to head are, Aziz Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Sani Maikudi, University of Abuja, Dr Aboki Zhawa, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Alkassum Abba, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Isah Ashiru, University of Benin.

    Others are, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, University of Calabar, Joshua Waklek, University of Ibadan, Dr Jibril Oyekan, University of Ilorin, Tony Momoh, University of Jos, Dr Wale Babalakin, University of Lagos and Prof. Biodun Adesanya, University of Maiduguri.

    Also in the group are, Mike Olorunfemi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. A.C. Awujo, University of Jos and Hon. Pearl Enajere, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

     

  • Gambari proffers multi-faceted approach to war against terror

    A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Thursday in Abuja, called for a multi-faceted approach against the Boko Haram insurgency, in addition to the military onslaught.

    Gambari, who spoke on the theme: “Terrorism in Nigeria: Effects on the Polity and Development,” at the ongoing Nigeria National Security Summit, said Boko Haram represented the greatest threat to Nigeria.

    “Degrading the military capability of Boko Haram is only one of several strategies that are needed to really, in a very sustained way, deal with violence extremism.

    “Following the recent success recorded by the military in the fight against Boko Haram, which must be commended and built upon, the non-military threats to national security must now be given utmost priority,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the ex-minister as saying at the forum.

    Gambari said national security focus must now be the enhancement of human security, which encompasses non-military threats, such as environmental hazards, socio-economic conditions and transnational crime, affecting the individual, communities and states.

    “In other words, while a state or part of a state such as the Northeast Nigeria may be physically secure, there may be human insecurity within its border, ”he said.

    He regretted that in 2014, Boko Haram killed 6,644 people and rendered more than one million homeless, making it the world’s deadliest militant group, according to Global Terrorism Index.

     

  • Peace will attract FDI, boost economy in Nigeria – Gambari

    Peace will attract FDI, boost economy in Nigeria – Gambari

    Former United Nations Under Secretary-General, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has said lasting peace in Nigeria will further attract foreign direct investments and enhance economic growth.

    Gambari said this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the sideline of an event put together to mark the 50th anniversary of the Union of Tanzania at the weekend.

    According to him, the Federal Government’s commitment towards tackling insecurity in the country “has to bring results” as promotion of peace in the country is imperative for sustainable development.

    “There is no country in the world that doesn’t have security challenges but once you are serious about addressing them then you get the kind of response you deserve.

    “The President himself had a major security meeting which means there is a commitment to address it; all the governors were there, traditional rulers, religious leaders but ultimately it has to bring results.

    “We mustn’t leave the issue of security to security operatives alone; security has to be the business of every Nigerian.”

    He urged Nigerians to be security conscious and tackle the insecurity pervading the country with all seriousness.

    “We’ve always lived in peace and harmony, we’ve had challenges but they were not as vicious and as pervasive as now but we overcame them.

    “I believe we have the capacity if we act nationally and not think that this is the problem of the north-east and that it has nothing to do with the rest of Nigeria.

    “It is a Nigerian problem manifesting itself in the north-east and here in Abuja; it can happen anywhere. So, this is a national issue and it requires a national response,” he stated.