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Tag: Jos

  • Two days with IDPs in Jos

    Two days with IDPs in Jos

    After spending 48 hours in Jos with thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram, the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have dire words: the IDPs need much more than relief materials. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports  

    They are sheltering almost everywhere in Jos, the scenic capital of Plateau State. In Bukuru, on one end of the city, no fewer than 12,000 of them are quartered at Zawan Commercial College. At Tati Hotel, on the other end, another set has been grappling with the realities and challenges of camp life. Others are hosted in various parts of the city, to say nothing of the majority being accommodated by relatives. You could say the Tin City is home to a grieving mass forced from their homes in the Northeast by Boko Haram fighters.

    Jos has offered them shelter, for which the people are grateful. They see the beauty of the city and take in its rocky landscape, but it is clear that their one wish is to return home if only the insurgents can be kept at bay.

    Members of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) from their Abuja national headquarters spent two days with them, coming away with a heavy heart and an urgent call for more action. Individuals have thrown in some relief materials, as have some organisations, even the government, but the visiting Christian youths said that more needed to be done.

    The visitors did not come empty-handed. They brought in bags of rice and cartons of noodles, which their hosts gladly received.

    The IDPs, drawn from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, ended up in Jos after Boko Haram insurgents attacked and took over their homes.

    At one of the camps in Zawan Commercial College Bukuru, Jos, there at least 12,000 people comprising 114 families. There are some others at EYC Church Jos, another group at Tati Hotel while majority of others have been accommodated by their relations as well as well-to-do individual who have rooms to accommodate these victims of terror.

    After going round the various camps on December 23, the Christian group was obviously touched.

    The group said, “After a visit to the displaced persons camps, we, the Christian youth of this country, are deeply concerned over what is happening to our nation as it affects the growing generation. As witnesses of the camps we visited, you could see the pathetic condition of individuals and family members who have been made refugees in their country.

    “People have been subjected to surviving in unhealthy conditions under the harsh weather of Jos for no just cause. This is just the sample of the so many camps spread over the nation. We are not to mention the families and individuals that have been killed, some missing and others living in the rocks waiting for their death.

    The question begging for answers in our minds is, when will this brutality come to an end? This is the question that has defied every attempt to answer but we are so sure that at the appropriate time our God will bring the horrible act to an end.

    “We are all created by God for His purpose and pleasure regardless of religion, tribe, location and belief. The creator’s desire is for us to express His love for each other.

    “We decided to undertake this visit to express our concern and love for those in the camps who are not just our mothers and younger ones but also our peers whose future, and by implication, that of our nation, is threatened.

    As Christian youth leaders, we will continue to preach peace and restrain not because we lack the capacity to fight back but that we see those killing us as ‘ripe filed for harvest’ and we cannot afford to join in destroying our God given nation.

    “We will continue to show love to those who hate us and will not be deterred from propagating the gospel of Christ no matter the condition of our country.

    “We wish to appreciate the governor, non-governmental organisations, churches and individuals who have made efforts toward ensuring that the victims of attacks are cared for.

    “May we appreciate specially the Plateau State people and government under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Jonah David Jang for creating the enabling environment for hosting the various displaced persons in homes, churches and various camps.

    May we also appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the leadership he is providing for Nigeria and his efforts towards making sure that the security agents have the needed equipment and personnel in combating the insurgency. We wish that more is done to the victims of the various attacks. We wish that Government would not only provide reliefs materials to victims but adequate compensation and rebuilding of the houses and property.

    The Christian youths presented mainly food items to the displaced persons like bags of rice and cartons of noodles. National President of the Youth CAN, Ekiye Ekiye, who presented the items on behalf of members said, “We have come to identify you to demonstrate our concern. We actually share in your moment of grief and we share in your pains. But remember that as Christian, let us placed our trust and hope in a God almighty. Let us not lament endlessly like a hopeless one, at least we have hope in the God we worship, so we are not hopeless.

    “Apart from that we have to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, desist from holding grudges but pray for those who persecute you; your persecution is a challenge on your faith in God. Please, you should not give up due to this temporary setback, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus is Lord forever; don’t hate those who put you in this situation. Pray for them and remember that you have to love your enemies irrespective of the circumstances. We believe God will help us as a country to overcome these challenges.”

    Responding on behalf of Stefanos Foundation, Ayuba Planji who is the organisation’s Project Manager, appreciated the gesture but appealed to public-spirited people and organisations to donate medicine and vaccine to take care of the health needs of the people.

    Plangji said, “We have 1,000 people from 114 families here and they are mostly women and children. We tested them when they arrived and so far, 45 people have been diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Health-wise, there is a risk so we plead for people to come and donate vaccine and medicine to treat the people and curb the spread of the sickness in camp.”

    As it is, more is still needed to cater for the housing, feeding, education, health and empowerment needs of the people and government at all levels and individuals are urged to meet these needs the little way they can so that the society can be improved,” he said.

  • How to woo taxpayers in Jos

    The Plateau State government has found new ways to convince the people that paying tax is better than waiting for dwindling allocations from Abuja. Staff of the government hit the streets, showed up at markets, offices, even homes, telling everyone in spectacular fashion that the state’s cash hopes lie in tax money, not revenue allocation. Samuel Pam, chairman of the state internal revenue service, led the campaign team.

    The tax campaign mascot was also unveiled in the carnival-like drive. The team looked colourful in lemon-green T-shirts and matching caps.

    As the revenue staff filed out of their offices into the streets, they were armed with the tax campaign leaflets and handbills which they distribute to residents especially motorists, passersby, women traders and shop owners during the road walk that lasted four hours. The road walk took the revenue staff to the major business streets of Jos like Ahmadu Below way, Old Bukuru Park, Tafawa Balewa Street, Kashim Ibrahim Street, Rwang Pam Street, Bank Road, etc. while giving reasons for the campaign, Pam said: “Tax is the major source of government revenue after the monthly statutory allocation from the federation account. The federation account itself is based on crude oil. In recent times the share of the monthly allocation has continued to dwindle steadily based on what is happening at the international oil market. The lesson from the dwindling federal revenue is for every state to look inward for revenue. In other words, states cannot continued to depend on the federal allocation because it is not a dependable source of revenue. So the only alternative source of revenue for a state like Plateau is our internal revenue. Incidentally, what is happening in the federal revenue is equally affecting our internal revenue negatively. For instance, if you talk of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) which is a major source of our internal revenue, is badly affected by the dwindling federal revenue because when civil servants are not payed salaries which also comes from the federal revenue, it will be difficult to collect PAYE because it is only when salaries are paid that you talk of PAYE.So we have to look beyond the formal revenue sector and try to mope up what you can get from the informal sector like the shop owners, traders etc. But to succeed in these area we have to sensitize these categories of tax payers. We have to create the understanding between tax payers and government. We used the road show to educate tax payers on their responsibility to government.

    According to Mr. Pam, “We also need to showcase how government has been able to apply the tax collected do far, we see tax payment as a social contract between government and its citizens. Government has to be accountable to tax payers by prudent utilisation of the tax collected, citizens of the state who enjoy the social services provided by government must be able to fulfil their own part of the social contract by paying their tax promptly all the time. As the head of the tax collector in the state, I can confirm that tax payers fund are been effectively utilised by the state government through the massive infrastructural development. The new road network in the urban and rural centers across the state, water treatment and supply has improved tremendously, public school structures are looking new and solid etc. I can assure all tax payers that their efforts in tax payment are not in vain, they should keep it up and even improve on it. That is all we are asking for because Plateau has no other source of revenue apart from these taxes”.

  • NFF Exco appeals Jos Court ruling

    NFF Exco appeals Jos Court ruling

    • Files for stay of execution

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has swiftly filed for appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Jos Judicial Division of Thursday, which annulled the NFF Elective Congress of 30th September, 2014.

    The Judge had given the order annulling the elections despite a Preliminary Objection filed by the NFF challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi said: “We have been notified of the ruling of the court, which was made in spite of our filing for a Preliminary Objection concerning the jurisdiction of the court.

    “However, our lawyers have gone to work immediately the order was made. We are appealing the ruling and also filing for Stay of Execution of the order.”

  • ‘Ibadan, Jos now gemstones centres’

    THE Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has designated Ibadan and Jos as gemstone centres to harness the country’s raw gemstones.

    Its Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Awolowo, said this yesterday at a workshop for Gemstone Miners and investors with the theme “Prospects and Investment Opportunities in the Export Development and Marketing of Gemstones in Nigeria” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Awolowo said gemstones earn more foreign exchange than agricultural products.

    Represented by the Director, Product Development Department of NEPC, Williams Ezeagu, Awolowo said the establishment of the two centres would boost trading in Nigerian gemstones and gemstones export value and volume; attract foreign buyers and enhance the branding of Nigeria for an international ethical trade fair certification for Nigerian gemstones.

    “For example, it was projected in 2010 that Nigeria will have to export one million tonnes of coal to earn $3million while it needs to export less than five tonnes within the same period of top quality gemstone to earn about $200million, if properly developed. Therefore, Nigeria’s gemstones are capable of earning more foreign exchange than agricultural products.”

     

  • Sharks: Our ordeal in Jos

    Sharks: Our ordeal in Jos

    The match between Giwa FC and Sharks FC in week 33 of the Nigeria Professional Football League was called off due to violent conduct by fans of Giwa FC, according to Sharks FC officials in a release.

    The game was goalless at half time when trouble started.

    According to Sharks FC media officer, Peter Abaje in a release made available to SportingLife: “The players and match officials were going back to their dressing rooms, when some angry Giwa fans blocked referee K.S. Akinwale  and started beating him up for not awarding a penalty to Giwa. They also gave him an ultimatum that if they do not get a penalty in the second half, he will not go unpunished. It took the intervention of two military officers to rescue the referee from the fans.

    “On resumption of play in the second half, Sharks re-started the game with their brilliant passing style which left the Giwa players searching for the ball. The Blue Angels continued to press hard thereby causing some section of the supporters to turn their allegiance to the away side because of their brilliant passing game. Just after the hour mark, the referee awarded a penalty kick to Giwa FC.

    “The penalty happened when Gabriel Olalekan of Sharks jumped to head  the ball from the Giwa half, in the process a big stone was thrown at him by a Giwa fan and while trying to gain his balance with blood all over his face, the Giwa player threw himself at Gabriel and the referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty to the homers, no thanks to the slap and death threat he received from angry home supporters during the interval. Sharks players, however, protested against the penalty, and refused to continue playing while on the field of play.

    “Our players also called for the attention of the match commissioner and security operatives to the stones that were thrown onto the pitch, and it did not take long before the centre referee went to the centre half and called off the game.  Sharks players and officials were guarded out of the stadium by security men and could not stay in Jos that night due to security concerns.

    “The match commissioner is a pastor and as a man of God he will not be diplomatic with the truth.

    “We just hope that the LMC guy clement will be sincere enough to tell his people in Abuja what he saw and what the match commissioner told him about the slaps the referee got from fans,” Abaje said in a release sent to SportingLife.

  • Gunmen kill two policemen in Jos

    A police Inspector and a Corporal were allegedly gunned down by unknown gunmen in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday.

    The attack took place at about 7:30pm .

    The two officers were said to have died immediately as they were allegedly shot at close range on their duty posts near the University of Jos, Jos North local government area of the State.

    Full identity of the slain police officers could not be immediately obtained by newsmen, just as no reason was given for the attack in which the attackers made away with their rifles.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer , Abu Emmanuel, who confirm the death of the two officers expressed dismay over the development.

    “It is sad that these officers had to pay the supreme price while trying to protect citizens, ” he said.

    According to him, efforts are on to track down the killers  and bring them to book.

  • Fresh breath for troubled Jos Wildlife Park

    Fresh breath for troubled Jos Wildlife Park

    The Jos Wildlife Park used to be a centre of tourists’ attraction on the Plateau. But due to neglect by successive administrations, the tourists’ first-choice destination is now a shadow of itself. The animals that made the park famous are no longer there.

    After its establishment 42 years ago, the park, which had a collection of about 160 animals, comprising 40 species, received little  attention from successive administrations. As a result, it no longer boasts of more than 50 animals and birds. This is because there were no deliberate efforts to replenish the stock.

    Investigations revealed that some of the animals became very old and died; some died as a result of fire, and others were poached by hunters; a situation that has left the park almost empty.

    The symbols or signs that remind visitors of the past glory of the park are the photographs of animals that habited the park and the labelled but empty cages.

    Some of the animals available at the park are one species of ape, chimpanzee, baboons, vultures; guinea fowls, two lions, a python, one elephant and crocodiles. Major games such as buffalo, zebra, tiger and hippopotamus are not there.

    General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation John Doy said the Jos Wild Life Park was established in 1972 along with Pandam Wildlife Park and Wase Rock Games Reserve by the Joseph Gomwalk administration in the then Benue-Plateau State.

    Gomwalk, who was a Commissioner of Police, was said to be a zoologist. Doy said: “Jos Wildlife Park is located in Jos South Local Government Area of the state; it covers a land area of eight square kilometres. It was established under the Northern Nigeria Wild Animal Law of 1963, which was enacted primarily for the conservation, preservation, protection and management of indigenous and exotic wildlife resources against endangerment and extinction.

    “It was also meant to promote and encourage tourism and related activities to improve the economy of the state through ecotourism. It was equipped with 160 animals comprising 40 species.”

    Currently, the Wildlife Park is dilapidated because there has been no form of renovation in the past 35 years. However, when Governor Jonah Jang assumed office in 2007, he promised to give tourism the desired attention. He was of the view that revamping the park and other tourist sites will go a long way in authenticating the state’s motto of Home of Peace and Tourism.

    The Jang administration pledged to revive the park. But less than one year to the end of his administration and over seven years after, nothing has been done with regard to resuscitating the ailing park.

    However, the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Pastor Abraham Yiljab told our correspondent that government has worked out a strategy to breathe life into the park.

    He said: “The administration of Governor Jang has worked out a strategy to secure the Wildlife Park. The project plan is being considered at the state executive council level, after which a contract will be awarded for its fencing. Construction of Safari Road network will be part of it so that tourists can walk and drive around inside the park. The contract will also include the renovation of structures and construction of new office accommodation for members of staff working there.”

    He further said that government deliberately delayed commencement of work at the park as expected since 2007 because tourism itself cannot be handled in isolation. The state itself had to be attractive enough for tourists. The entire state requires total turn-around.

    “So, Governor Jang had to concentrate on opening up the state to tourists through massive road network. The tourism potential of the state will make no meaning if there was no good road network. That was why Governor Jang invested nearly N100 billion on road construction across the state.

    “There are also other aspects of tourism that took the attention of the state government; the gigantic Indoor Theater is one of those. It is first of its kind in Nigeria. It has a sitting capacity of 5,000 and serves multi-purpose benefits to government and citizens. There is also the newly completed Government House which cost about N9 billion and the renovation of the state secretariats, among others.

    “These massive infrastructural developments had to be done in the interest of tourism of the state. The new plan to redeem the wildlife park also includes the construction of animal clinic. The original plan for the establishment of the wild life did not include the medical aspect. But government has come up with a design of a clinic at the park for the animals.

    “Government had to bring in the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to help in taking care of the animals. The NVRI also took care of the health of members of staff working there so that there will be no infection that can pass from man to animal or from animal to man. So, NVRI with its expertise has been doing very well in taking care of the health of animals and that is why you hardly hear of any form of epidemic.

    There will be restaurants and chalets; this will give tourists an opportunity to stay within a very natural environment.

    “The issue of depletion of the wildlife has already been addressed. We are looking forward to securing more animals. Recently, we have secured a very huge male python which we have introduced to the female python in the park. They already co-exist without any tension among them.

    “Currently, we are working with some other zoo facilities in the country for animal exchange. Where we found we have more males we will exchange with another zoo that has female species. We are currently doing that with Aso Rock Zoo. We are also on exchange programme with the Kano Zoo and that of Maiduguri.

    “These are some of the plans government has towards replenishing the lost stock. Animals have their own lifespan, and so some of them died of age. We lost some of them due to some adverse situation such as bush burning.

    “We lost some of them to hunters who poached on the park. That is why even before we restock it, we have to secure the place. We have to provide adequate security for the animals and protect them from hunters.”

     

  • Jang orders demolition of bombed market

    The Plateau State Government has given directive to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) to demolish its market at the central areas of the city capital, Jos.

    The JMDB market, popularly known as Abuja market comprises over 200 locked up shops and stores.

    It was badly affected by the twin bomb blast in Terminus Market, which killed over 100 traders.

    The impact of the heavy explosions shook the story building to its foundation.

    The General Manager of JMDB, Brigadier General Musa Gambo(Rtd.), confirmed the directive while speaking with reporters in his office yesterday.

    He said: “The building hosting the Abuja market has become a death trap as a result of the twin bomb blast that rocked the market on the 20th of May 2014.

    “The walls of the building have cracks all over because the explosions caused serious damage on the foundation of the building.

    “Government has carried out assessment on the building and found out that continuous occupation of that building can lead to more loss of lives its citizens because that structure can collapse any time without warning.”

    He added: “The market has been marked for demolition since it has become obvious that it is not safe for human occupation which was why the market was shot down since May this year. Now government has concluded plans to demolish that market.

    “Government has therefore directed all traders who own shops at the market to evacuate their stock within seven days for the demolition to commence. Any trader who ignores this directive does so at the risk of his or her goods in the market.”

    Gambo confirmed he has met with all the traders and explained why the shops would be demolished.

    He advised traders affected by the planned demolition to seek alternative spaces available at Rikkos, New Market, Katako and Kabong Satelite markets.

  •  Jos Rotary Club rewards orphanages

     Jos Rotary Club rewards orphanages

    The popular Eliel Centre in the Rayfield area of Jos came alive when the Rotary Club of Jos assembled four ophanages for special recognition for their service to humanity. It was the first time they were doing such a thing. Even though the occasion was supposed to be installation of the 44th President of the club, the club found it an auspicious time to appreciate the good efforts of others.

    Our Lady of Apostles Ophanage home owned by the Catholic Church,  Gidan Bege, also owned by Christian missionaries and the Awareness for Educational Development Initiative (AWEDI) owned by the Muslim community in Jos were selected for appreciation. The President of the Rotary Club of Jos, Rotarian Santos Ayuba Larab told his guests which included Rotarians from across the state and non-Rotarians that “this kind of charity to an unknown community of beneficiaries, we must say, is consolidated by your patronage, gift of hearts and surely in tandem with the constantly professed dicta of our Rotary leaders of ‘giving until it hurts’ and ‘Giving even when we have nothing’.

    He said further that “ours is a year that will be packed full with small but impactful community service projects to light up the Rotary. This will be possible through God’s guidance and your kind donations towards the actualisation of these projects. As a show of our commitment to these project, we are beginning the year with three projects which key appropriately into three areas of focus; water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and disease prevention and treatment”.

    Known worldwide for their humanitarian services, Rotary Club often goes to rural areas to offer help to the segment of the society that hardly get government’s attention while rendering selfless service to the needy.

    Rotarian Santos describes Rotarians as slaves to service saying, “We are slaves to service. We give even when we have nothing and we spend our personal income for charity in our immediate communities. At times we go cap in hand to beg money from influential individuals and corporate organisations which we use in helping the less privileged in our communities. It is a way of strengthening the bonds of humanity, bringing people in their diversities to a common fellowship for community service and also for the purpose of collaborating to foster unity and solve society’s problems. This is synergised and weaved through the sacrificial aspect to which Rotarians give their time, talent and treasure for the wheel of rotary to keep flowing since 1905 when it was established”.

    The services rendered by these homes marked them out for the Rotary award which also included donation of some items and officials of the club said that such humanitarian services is the best thing to have happened in the society and their gesture meets the core objectives of Rotary Club worldwide. With a large population of under-privileged Nigerians in their camp, they try hard daily to fend for them and provide their daily need. The Nation gathered that the OLA Orphanage home caters for motherless babies that are sometimes picked up from the gutters and dustbin where their teenagers mothers dump them, while some others are willing taken to the home by mothers who claim they cannot take care of the babies and would also not want to throw it into gutter like others do in the city. The home provides the needed shelter and training for the children. Gidan Bege on the hand renders services to orphans and children with poor background. With four centers in Jos and other parts of the country, the centre provide training for the less privileged and provide little capital to set up in life in addition to providing food, clothing and shelters. The Awareness for Educational Development Initiative (AWEDI) owned by the Muslim community also provides similar humanitarian services like Gidan Bege.

    The event also marked the commencement of the 2014/2015 programes of the club. Santos said “Our focus in the year ahead which falls within the framework of Rotary’s six areas of focus are; peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development”. The club presented bundles of Blankets, Treated Mosquito Nets and Water Filters to the three orphanage homes. He said, the blanket is to warm up the users from the harsh cold of Jos, the treated nets will prevent mosquito bites and Malaria diseases, while the Water Filters are to ensure the users have access to hygienic, clean portable water source at the centers.

    Rev. Sister Lydia Audu who oversees the OLA orphanage home expressed deep appreciation to the Rotary Club for the recognition and assistance. She said, “We feel great and appreciated with this award of humanitarian service, it shows the society is appreciative of what we do at the orphanage. The items presented to us has even encouraged us the more. We want to use the opportunity to send our appeal to the general public to emulate the Rotary Club and come to the aid of these motherless babies. Nothing is too small to be given to us”. Director Planning, Reaserch and Statistics of AWEDI, Engr. Ya’qoub Saleh Isa said the organization feels elevated with the award as well as the donated items, saying “these items is coming at the right time, the rainy season when cold and mosquito attack is at its peak in the city of Jos”. On his part, the unit head of Gidan Bege, Elisha Akwai who received the items on behalf of the organization said the award came when they least expected. He promised that the items will be used strictly for the purpose it was meant. He was full of appreciation to Rotarian Santos, the 44th President of the Club.

  • Inter-faith coalition protests in Jos

    An inter-faith coalition, The Joint-Action of Student Movements and Concerned Christians and Muslims, last week held a solidarity rally to protest last month’s twin bomb blasts that left over 120 dead in the city. It also condemned rising terrorism and insecurity across the nation, urging Nigerians to unite against insurgents. The coalition pasted posters containing names of the abducted Chibok school girls in strategic parts of Jos, calling on the terrorists to release the innocent children. In a communiqué at the end of the rally, the group condemned the twin bomb blasts and commended “the people of Jos city for shunning every provocation to embark on retaliatory or reprisal attacks.” The communiqué was signed by the convener, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam; Uztaz Farouk, Deputy Imam, Nasco Fibre Mosques, Jos; Ahmed Salihu, Secretary, Jos North NACOMYO & Muslim Students Society (MSS) and Mrs. Elizabeth Rimdans. Some of the groups that participated in the rally include: International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in English and Portuguese Speaking Africa (IFES-ESPA); Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS); Great Commission Movement of Nigeria (GCMN); Christian Research International (CRI) and Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES). Others were: Fellowship of Christian Nurses(FCN); Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI); Christian Women For Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society(CWEENS);  National Council of Muslim Youths Organizations (NACOMYO);  Reconciliation Trainers Africa(RETA); Muslim Students Society(MSS) and The Navigators, Nigeria. They appealed to security agencies “to be proactive and act swiftly in response to security information received and respond to early warnings.” The stakeholders also called on  parents, teachers and religious leaders to teach younger ones the sanctity of life while also appealing to governments to create special parking areas to avoid cars being parked just anywhere on the roads. They called for the installation of security cameras and other such devices to detect criminal activities while encouraging shop owners in commercial areas to install cameras to support government’s efforts. On the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls, they asked the federal government to ensure the safe return of the girls. The coalition called for “comprehensive audit of the funds made available to the security agencies and demand a better and more prudent management of approved and disbursed funds as well as increased training and better equipment for the security agencies.”