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  • Sen. Monguno pledges commitment to advancing education 

    Sen. Monguno pledges commitment to advancing education 

    The Chief Whip of the Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator M.T. Monguno, has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing education in Nigeria. 

    This pledge came during a courtesy visit by the management team of Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, to his office.

    Led by the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Babagana Gutti, the delegation sought to establish a collaborative relationship with the 10th National Assembly to enhance the university’s developmental projects. 

    The discussions focused on leveraging Senator Monguno’s influence to attract constituency project support, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the university’s community engagement initiatives.

    Prof. Gutti highlighted the university’s dedication to academic excellence and its role in fostering community development, urging the senator to support key projects that would further these goals.

    In response, Senator Monguno lauded the university’s proactive approach and reiterated his commitment to promoting education as a catalyst for national development. 

    Read Also: Tinubu has directed rebuilding of our national values, says Information Minister

    He assured the delegation of his readiness to advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit the institution and the education sector at large.

    “This visit aligns with my belief in the transformative power of education. I am committed to supporting initiatives that uplift our educational institutions and empower the youth,” Senator Monguno said.

    The university team left the meeting optimistic, describing the senator’s enthusiasm as a sign of a promising partnership.

    The visit marks a significant step towards strengthening ties between Kashim Ibrahim University and the National Assembly, paving the way for impactful collaboration.

  • AFTERMATH OF DAURA’S SACK: Pressure mounts on Buhari to fire NSA Monguno, Magu

    •South-West govt joins fray for removal of EFCC chair

    Loyalists of the immediate past Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura have launched a move to make the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu pay for his sack.

    The loyalists, including some members of the President’s kitchen cabinet and kinsmen, are understood to be putting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to fire Monguno and Magu.

    They have already made a representation to the President on why the duo must go, The Nation gathered authoritatively yesterday.

    On the side of the Daura loyalists is a South West governor.

    In their view, the sacked DSS boss was a “victim of a palace coup”   who was sacrificed for the survival of the NSA, Magu, and a few other security chiefs.

    They said the president must now proceed to overhaul the nation’s security architecture, sparing neither Monguno nor Magu.

    But some other members of the cabinet are said to be kicking against any fresh plot to tie the fate of the NSA and EFCC chair to Daura’s travails.

    They claim that the duo had no hand whatsoever in the sack of Daura.

    A source said that the EFCC steered clear of the de-briefing and interrogation of Daura by other security agencies to avoid being accused of bias or retaliation.

    Two letters to the Senate from the DSS under Daura were largely responsible for the decision of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly to deny Magu confirmation as substantive chairman of the EFCC.

    The Nation also gathered that the Presidency has however called for “performance brief on the NSA and Magu.”

    A well- placed source familiar with the development said the ripples over Daura’s removal have not abated.

    “Those loyal and sympathetic to the ex-DG of DSS are up in arms by mounting pressure on the President to overhaul the nation’s security and anti-corruption architecture,” the source said.

    “They specifically demanded the sack of the NSA and Magu too.

    “They alleged that the ex-DSS DG was sacrificed in the absence of the President to ease him out of the equation in the presidency.

    “They also alleged that the removal of Daura was timed to achieve a purpose for the NSA and the EFCC boss.

    “Some of these forces even added spiritual connotations to the sack of Daura. They said some marabouts did the job on behalf of some key figures around the President.

    “It is unfortunate that a governor from the South-West, who has links with a few corrupt ones, has been vehement in the sack of Magu.”

    Continuing, the source said: “those backing Daura’s sack prevailed on the President not to bow to pressure to remove the NSA and Magu who has done so much to put the anti-corruption fight on proper footing.

    “Some of the lobbyists and influential people from the Northwest are alleged to be getting tired of the Northeast elements around President Buhari. They are asking him to remove a few of these Northeast hands including the NSA and Magu.”

    Another top source added: “Some of us are worried at the latest twist to the sack of the former DG of DSS. Some loyalists and a few influential kitchen cabinet members are trying to personalize the sack by fingering the NSA and Magu.

    “The NSA and Magu had nothing to do with the fate of Daura. It was not a case of investigation for corruption or any financial crimes; it had to do with wrongful deployment of forces on a critical arm of government, which is the Legislature (the National Assembly).

    “The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was then the Acting President, had told the nation that the disciplinary measure was necessary to end impunity in the country. He described the DSS operatives’ invasion of the National Assembly as ‘a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and accepted notions of law and order.’

    “Attributing such removal to the NSA and Magu will be unfair. It is even sad that a Southwest governor is among those driving this latest initiative to achieve selfish ends.

    “The vice president also stayed away from elements of bias by disallowing the NSA and the EFCC from being part of the detention and debriefing of Daura in a safe house in Abuja. The Nigeria Police and other security agencies were directed to handle Daura’s matter.

    “It will be disastrous for Buhari to start his anti-corruption war afresh because the ultimate target is to make the war a failure. Some of us have been warning against these Fifth columnists who are out to bring this administration down.”

    A government source said: “There is a whole lot of confusion because some forces are desperate to create a wedge between the President and Osinbajo.

    “At a time the nation is getting international recognition for its anti-graft war and arresting the killings and insecurity in many parts of the country, some forces have launched attacks on the NSA and Magu.

    “It is on record that the ex-DG of DSS never took directives from the NSA who took it with equanimity. At a point, a former DG of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke brokered peace between Monguno and Daura to work as one.

    “Oke maintained the equilibrium among security chiefs; he also united all of them. He later introduced an interaction between the Intelligence community and the media which the NSA and Daura benefitted tremendously from.”

    The source traced the cold war between the NSA and Daura  to  the constitution of the Special Investigative Panel on Arms Procurement on the $2.1billion arms deal in the Armed Forces, which was headed by AVM Jon Ode.

    The ex-DG of DSS was said to be unhappy that no representative of his agency was part of the probe.

    “Since then, a battle line was drawn by the two security chiefs,” the source said, adding: “Daura also felt that the eventual recommendation of Magu for EFCC’s job (after excellent outing as a member of the investigative panel) was meant to achieve a purpose. Unknown to him, the NSA only acted on merit, he did not know Magu.

    “Despite curious letters to the Senate on why Magu should not be confirmed as the EFCC chairman, he never treated Daura with disdain. We do not know why these forces want to cause crisis in the presidency by pressurizing the President to sack those giving him results.”

    The performance brief on the NSA and Magu

    “The performance brief of the NSA and Nagu which the presidency is said to have requested is expected to guide President on his next line of action.

    A source said: “the brief might determine the fate of the NSA, Magu and probably other security chiefs,” It was unclear as at press time whether or not Daura has been released from a “safe house” in Abuja.

     

  • Northeast needs food intervention for 3m IDPs – UN

    The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) says an estimated three million displaced persons face critical food and nutrition insecurity in the northeast.

    OCHA, in its humanitarian situation report for the month of June, said no fewer than 1.7 million persons were displaced by the conflict in the region in the past nine years.

    According to the fact sheet, the number of people estimated to be facing critical food and nutrition insecurity is projected at three million, following recent assessments exercise in the area.

    It said that humanitarian actors and partners were carrying out a re-targeting exercise in Borno and Yobe to ensure that the most vulnerable people receive food assistance.

    OCHA also said: “Large-scale displacements continue to take place weekly; in the past seven months, since hostilities intensified in the northeast, more than 130,000 people have been displaced.

    “In May alone; 21, 207 people arrived in various locations. Bama, Ngala, Gwoza, Dikwa and Biu recorded the highest number of new arrivals.

    “These movements present major humanitarian challenges as resources are already overstretched in the locations where these civilians arrived.

    “Given that military operations have been announced to continue throughout the 2018 rainy season, displacement trend is likely to continue until end of August.’’

    To cope with the situation, the UN agency disclosed that it had adopted a contingency response plan for the expected high level displacement due to military operations.

    It explained that the plan aimed to provide life-saving assistance to about 115,000 IDPs, expected to move from hard-to-reach areas to key towns in Mobbar, Kukawa, Monguno, Ngala, Kala Balge, Dikwa, Bama, and Gwoza local government councils of Borno.

    “About 41.7million dollars is urgently needed to ensure sufficient preparedness and response activities to facilitate life-saving assistance for the new arrivals.

    “These include shelter and non-food items; health care, food, water and sanitation, protection and nutrition,” it said.

    The organisation revealed that it had initiated resource mobilisation efforts for the Rainy Season Contingency Plan, to support 463,000 vulnerable persons in extreme weather localities such as Bama, Damasak and Rann.

    OCHA noted that it had already commenced distribution of life-saving items including food, seeds, medicines, emergency shelter, non-food items and hygiene kits.

    The UN humanitarian body expressed satisfaction with effective response to control cholera outbreak in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, recorded between February and May.

    It lauded the timely response of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme and government to control the disease, adding that surveillance, monitoring and hygiene promotion activities were ongoing in the affected areas.

    The document further showed that the agency had set up five humanitarian hubs in Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Ngala and Dikwa while additional four others would be established in Banki, Damasak, Monguno and Rann liberated communities.

    OCHA explained that the hubs were designed with safe accommodation and internet connectivity, to enhance aid workers’ presence in the field and stimulate effective response.

    “Following an early recovery perspective, the maiden Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilisation, Peace Building and Sustainable Development was held in Maiduguri between May 7 and 8.

    “The aim was to promote continuous dialogue to strengthen coordination and collaboration on cross-border initiatives at the sub-national level around the Lake Chad Basin.

    “In preparation for the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview, data collection for a multi-sector needs assessment will be launched by mid-June in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, while data analysis is expected to start in July.’’

    The organisation noted, however, that despite the generosity of donors, humanitarian response in the northeast was hampered by lack of fund for the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

    “As at May 31, only 39.7 per cent of the $416.4 million total funds needed have been received, according to the funding levels reported on the Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

    “For the response to be sustainable and to avoid interruption in life-saving services, it is crucial that additional funding is urgently received across all sectors,’’ OCHA stated.

  • Buratai cautions Nigerians against celebrating insecurity on social media

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Friday pleaded with Nigerians to desist from celebrating insecurity by helping terrorists and criminal elements in spreading their propaganda on the social media.

    According to Buratai, if we celebrate insecurity, we will continue to live with insecurity.

    The army chief made the plea, while fielding questions at a news conference to herald activities to mark the 2018 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Maiduguri.

    NADCEL is scheduled to hold between June 29 and July 7 in Monguno, Borno North.

    “Insecurity generally is a challenge to everybody, but there is no challenge that is insurmountable.

    “I think if we get the support of the media and other stakeholders against negative publicity, I think we will be able to reduce drastically the spread of Boko Haram propaganda.

    “As far as I am concerned, the major challenge is the Boko Haram propaganda which wittingly or unwittingly is being spread by so many others, especially the social media.

    “If we are patriotic enough, we should see the insurgency and all other security challenges across the country as a national challenge.

    “If we eschew propaganda by Boko Haram and other individuals who have their own interest to destabilise this country, then I assure you we will find the quickest solution to all the security challenges.

    “If we celebrate insecurity, then we will continue to live with insecurity,’’ Buratai said.

    On why NADCEL is being held in Borno North, the army chief explained that it was to consolidate on the achievement so far recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

    “Bringing the celebration here, we want to show that the Nigerian army has lived to its billings, it has walked the talk.

    “We have degraded the Boko Haram terrorists, but many people across the country still believe that the terrorists have not been degraded to the point that people move around normally to do their own businesses.

    “This is the stabilisation phase of the operation. We want to stabilise, this is why many people – IDPs are moving back to their communities.’’

    Read Also: Buratai: Liberated Captives And Loud Songs Of Joy From Northern-Borno 

    Buratai said holding NADCEL in Borno North was an indication that peace was returning to the area, which he said had the greatest challenge in the nine years of insurgency.

    According to him, the area is not only vast but shares border with neighbouring countries.

    On Sunday killings on the Plateau, Buratai described it as unfortunate, but added that appropriate steps were being taken to forestall a reoccurrence of such incident.

    He said more troops, including Special Forces had been deployed in the state.
    On NADCEL, the army chief said it was celebrated as “a constant reminder of the sacrifices paid by troops, most of who laid down their lives to ensure we remain united as a nation.

    “This celebration is also designed to array Nigerian Army personnel and equipment as well as showcase the combat capability of the Nigerian Army.

    “Furthermore, the celebration affords us the opportunity to celebrate our evolution, achievements and also to showcase our transformational strides in the area of innovation, research and development, civil military relations and technological advances.

    “This is in addition to projecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development.

    “This year, the Nigerian Army will be marking 155 years of its existence, dating back to its inception in 1863,’’ he said.

  • Senate summons Monguno, Malami over plan to outlaw vigilante in Kogi

    The Senate on Wednesday summoned the National Security Adviser, Maj. General Babagana Monguno (retd)  and the Attorney General of the Federal (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over plan to disband vigilante group in Kogi State.

    The Senate mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to invite Monguno and Malami to explain the reasons behind the plan to outlaw vigilante group in Kogi State.

    A similar proposal to disband vigilante group in Rivers State failed after Senate President, Bukola Saraki put the proposal to vote.

    The resolution to disband vigilante group in Kogi State followed a motion of national urgent importance presented by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    Melaye in his lead debate claimed that the Kogi State Government was planning to introduce state police in the state through the back door.

    He said: “I bring to the Senate a law passed by Kogi and signed into law by the governor about the establishment service.

    “Mr. President, I heard that it is a law of the government and when I went through this law, the law is in conflict with the constitution of Nigeria. This law alters the Nigeria Police Force as stipulated in section 214 of the constitution.

    “It is a fact that states can make laws through the State House of Assembly. But the law they make must not be in conflict with the constitution. I seek your indulgence to read a section of the law passed by Kogi State Government it reads: “The vigilante group will be involved in the prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of criminals, preserving law and order, protection of lives and property and will assist other paramilitary agencies in the discharge of their duty.”

     

     

  • NSA inaugurates panel on abducted Dapchi girls

    NSA inaugurates panel on abducted Dapchi girls

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), on Wednesday inaugurated a 12- man committee to look into the circumstances leading to the abduction of 110 school girls from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    He said the girls’ abduction did not portray Nigeria in good light, lamenting the level of inactivity by relevant organisations on the matter.

    Monguno said: “The abduction of the school girls by the terrorists is a worrisome incident that requires deliberate, urgent and relentless efforts on the part of government.

    “There has been conflicting reports from various quarters on the event that led to the abduction, the number of persons abducted, as well as their identity.

    “This does not portray the country in good light. There have also been reports, especially in the social media which tends to support some level of inactivity by relevant organizations.

    “Therefore, there is a need to verify the circumstances surrounding the abduction of these girls from the Government Girls Secondary School.”

    Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the NSA said “for the avoidance of doubt, I will quickly re-emphasis that the terms of reference of the committee are as follows: to determine the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the students from the school on February 18.

    “To determine the exact number of persons abducted alongside their identity as there are conflicting reports in this regard, to confirm the presence, composition, scale and disposition of security emplaced in Dapchi, as well as the school itself before the incident.

    “To ascertain the existing communication in Dapchi and their functionality.

    “To suggest measures that can lead to the location and immediate rescue of the abducted girls.

    “To recommend measure to be emplaced in preventing future occurrences and any other detail the committee may deem necessary.”

     

  • Shettima presents N170bn budget for 2018

    Shettima presents N170bn budget for 2018

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Thursday presented N170.2 billion Appropriation Bill for 2018 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

    ‎Shettima said the bill tagged: “Budget of Resettlement and Empowerment”, was less than that of 2017 by N13. 560 billion or 7.38 per cent.

    He explained that the capital expenditure was allocated N108,408,580 billion while recurrent vote got N61,870,934 billion.

    ‎Shettima disclosed that the budget would be financed from projected Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) of N16,075,548 billion; allocation from the Federation Account of N115,734,194 billion, and Capital Receipt of N38,469,772 billion.

    Major highlights of the budget showed that education got the highest allocation of N27 billion.

    Breaking down the budget portfolio, Shettima said that N12.6 billion was set aside for infrastructure development and management of secondary school education, and N10.3 billion for tertiary education, while N4.4 billion for the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) programmes.

    Read also: 1.6m Borno IDPs benefit from UNFPA in 12 months

    The governor revealed that N22.6 billion was earmarked for construction of major roads, drainage and transport services through the State Ministry of Works and Transport.

    “N17.7 billion for healthcare infrastructure, consumables‎ and other related needs, and N9.8 billion for completion of reconstruction work of destroyed communities, rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of insurgency while N8 billion was set aside for agricultural sector,” he said.

    The governor recalled that his administration had made deliberate efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate public structures and residential homes in the liberated communities.

    “I am happy to announce that most of the schools, health centres and residential houses in some of the local governments destroyed during the insurgency, have been reconstructed and services fully restored,” he said.

    Shettima listed Konduga, Damasak, Dikwa, Askira/Uba, Kaga and Mafa, as some of the benefiting local government areas.

    He added that the state government had returned the displaced persons to their ancestral homes in the affected areas.

    The governor said the government had also trained youths and women on various trades to build resilience and provide means of livelihood to the returnees.

    “Also, Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) in Damboa, Ngala and Monguno have been safely returned to their homes, to ensure that the displaced persons engaged in productive economic activities.

    “The state government trained youths and women in skills acquisition, provided them with entrepreneurship kits and farm inputs while building materials were also distributed to some of the IDPs to enable them to rebuild their homes within the period under review,” he said.

    According to him, the state government had achieved significant feat in areas of school development, roads, hospitals, agriculture and housing development projects as well as humanitarian services.

    NAN

  • Borno free of cholera outbreak – Commissioner

    Borno free of cholera outbreak – Commissioner

    The Borno Government on Thursday declared that the state is cholera free sequel to the successful control of an outbreak of the disease.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri.

    He said the state government in collaboration with World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and development partners had effectively controlled the cholera outbreak which was first recorded on August 16.

    “Today, we are more than two weeks without any case reported and this signifies that we have come to the end of this outbreak,’’ Mshelia, who was represented by Dr Muhammad Ghuluze, said.

    “The preparedness of the health cluster to respond to cholera outbreak; effective partner coordination, and swift activation of the emergency operation centre, efficient case management and surveillance were the strong points that helped disrupt transmission and reduce mortality by about one per cent,” he said.

    Read also: Cholera spreads through IDPs camps in Nigeria – UN

    Mshelia disclosed further that over 5,000 cases of the disease were recorded with 61 deaths in the six affected local government areas of the state.

    He listed the affected areas as Jere, Maiduguri, Dikwa, Monguno, Mafa and Guzamala.

    The commissioner attributed the outbreak to the weakening health system due to Boko Haram insurgency and over population at Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camps.

    According to him, the state government has inoculated 950,000 persons against the disease as part of effort to prevent future outbreak.

    Mshelia reiterated the state government commitments to enhance quality healthcare delivery in the state.
    He commended WHO and other organisations for their contributions to the improvement of healthcare services in the state.

    NAN

  • Borno vaccinates 1.6m children against measles

    Borno vaccinates 1.6m children against measles

    The Borno Government says it has inoculated 1.6 million children against measles in the past three weeks.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia, said that the children were immunised under the first and second phases of the exercise.

    Mshelia explained that the first phase exercise was conducted in Borno South senatorial district and four local government areas of the central zone.

    He disclosed that the first phase exercise recorded 92 per cent coverage, while that the second phase of the immunisation exercise was conducted in the northern part of the state and the remaining four local governments of the central senatorial district.

    He said: “Collation of coverage in the second phase is on-going due to accessibility issues.’’

    The state government has also vaccinated about one million residents in a maiden cholera immunisation exercise.

    Read also: Measles: Kaduna begins immunisation of 1.5m children

    More than 950,000 doses of oral cholera vaccines were administered to people to contain outbreak of the disease in the state in the past three months.

    Oral cholera vaccines were administered to children above one-year of age and adults in Maiduguri, Konduga, Jere, Monguno and Dikwa local government areas.

    The state government in collaboration with World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and other humanitarian partners scaled up activities and successfully controlled the outbreak.

    NAN

  • $43m Ikoyi cash: Reps summon Emefiele, Magu, Monguno, Oke

    THE House of Representatives may be on a collision course with some key agencies of the Federal Government over its plan to probe the $43 million cash belonging to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    For three times, top officials of the government invited to appear before the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence refused to show up.

    At yesterday’s hearing, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele informed the lawmakers through a letter that the CBN would not be able to appear before the committee because the National Security Agency Act identifies information coming from the agency under scrutiny as classified.

    However, he said the provisions quoted by the lawmakers in their letter dated May 10, 2017 has merit.

    Emefiele added that the National Security Agency Act also refers to Section 9 of the Official Secrets Act, hence the CBN will not be able to appear to give insight into the issue.

    He added that the issue is delicate and that it had been investigated by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s panel.

    But chairman of the committee, Aminu Sani Jaji, said all public officials are bound to appear before lawmakers because Sections 88 and 89 of the constitution as amended empower them to investigate anyone, ministry, department or agency.

    The lawmakers consequently rejected the CBN governor’s letter and ordered Emefiele, the suspended Director General of the NIA Mr. Ayo Oke, National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno and Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu  to appear on May 23 at 2pm.