The Nation Newspaper

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  • Jonathan, Dickson in strange romance ahead of guber poll

    The sight of former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson walking, sitting and laughing together in a state function at the weekend surprised many onlookers.

    Most people described the romance between the two political leaders ahead of the November governorship election as strange following reports hitherto suggesting that the duo were not in good terms.

    Jonathan hardly attended state functions. He was conspicuously absent in important state functions including ceremonies for inauguration of critical projects, which had  former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in attendance.

    Besides, Dickson’s and Jonathan’s paths hardly crossed in public as each of them would either send representative or find cogent reason to be absent in events that could bring them together.

    Speculations of frosty political relationship between the duo became rife at the buildup to the last general elections especially after the primary elections that produced the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The duo were said to have worked in cross purposes with Jonathan and his foot soldiers reportedly working against the candidates of the PDP in Ogbia, his local government area, following misgivings that Dickson frustrated Jonathan’s preferred aspirants at the primaries.

    But the atmosphere at the launching of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, on Friday betrayed all the speculations as the two leaders worked harmoniously throughout the programme.

    Jonathan and Dickson including the governor’s wife sat together, constantly engaged in whispering and cooperated with each other.

    In fact, Jonathan stunned the guests when he praised Dickson’s achievements in the educational sector. A day before the event, Jonathan in another function organised by Ijaw elders in search of peaceful election, also poured encomiums on Dickson.

    Read Also: Dickson is chair PDP govs forum

    In his goodwill message at the launch of the fund, Jonathan said: “Let me just say that I appreciate what the governor and government of Bayelsa state is doing regarding education and we all know, and I tell people that the only way you can liberate people, you can uplift people is through education.

    “Only on Wednesday when our elders, from Lagos came up with a programme, though our governor was not there himself, the deputy governor was there. I did mention that we must all commend what the state Governor was doing regarding education.

    “The governor has gone much higher than we projected in 2006 in terms of the expansion of educational web. I have to thank you sincerely and for today, for this initiative because most problems we have in governance, is to come up with a good idea but how will that endure in most cases, immediately you leave the system collapses.

    “By setting up a board, established by law for the educational development trust fund , he has made this to endure beyond his eight  and that really makes me very happy, I have two meetings with the board and  I promised that even my foundation as little as we are will continue to partner with this trust fund board”.

    Dickson after speaking had earlier invited Jonathan to the podium to make his remarks and stood beside the former President throughout his speech.

    Jonathan also accepted an appointment from the governor to serve as an Honorary Special Adviser to the board on fund donations and promised to use his contacts to attract funds to the board.

    Many people, however, believe that unfolding events in the buildup to the November governorship election especially in the PDP will determine whether the cordial relationship between Jonathan and Dickson will last beyond the launch of the trust fund.

  • Ayade’s aides donate to orphanage, nursing mothers in Calabar

    The Forum of Special Assistants to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State have donated food items and toiletries, as well as cash, to the Infant Jesus Orphanage Home and nursing mothers at the General Hospital in Calabar.

    Chairman of the Forum, Mr Charles Ushie, said the items were donated to the children with a view to improve their nutritional value and to express gratitude to Crossriverians for re-electing Ayade.

    “We want to express gratitude to God and to the governor for giving us the opportunity to serve in the first term of his administration.

    “We cannot go back to the governor to say thank you, but we need to reach out to the people that elected him to say thank you.

    “As a forum of Special Assistants, we want to sincerely thank the governor for appointing us to serve in his first term.

    Read Also: Ayade seeks prayer for Nigeria

    “We decided to visit this home because we want to encourage the children that they are not forgotten and abandoned; we are here to show them love and care,’’ he said.

    Responding, one of the officials in charge of the home, Sister Udo Kristy, who received the items on behalf of the children, thanked the Forum for their show of love and support to the home.

    At the General Hospital Calabar, Forum also went round the post natal ward and the emergency unit to donate cash to the nursing mothers and accident victims.

    At the post natal ward, 15 nursing mothers received an undisclosed amount of money from the forum, while six patients at the accident unit also got same gesture.

    Speaking on behalf of the management of the hospital, Mrs Philomena Atambi, a Senior Nurse in the hospital, thanked the forum for coming to the aid of some of the patients in the hospital.

  • Why we took campaign to Onitsha traders, by NCC

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has taken its telecommunications campaign to traders in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.

    The campaign which was carried out in partnership with the African Entrepreneurial and Human Development Initiative, was targeted at reaching traders in their shops.

    The Head, Consumer Protection and Advocacy Consumer Affairs Bureau, AyanBanji Ojo, in a chat with the Nation, said the commission decided to bring the awareness campaign to markets in view of traders’ time constraints in attending their programmes.

    He however regretted that over 70 percent of traders in the Nigerian markets were ignorant of the commission’s policy on their rights as telecom consumers in the country.

    He said, “Our findings from the questionnaires administered on traders at markets in Karu, Abuja and Kano revealed that traders are ignorant of the policies of government on NCC.

    “We also observed that South Easterners hardly complain anything about their telephone.

    Ojo explained that the choice of Onitsha for the exercise was informed by the large concentration of traders in the market.

    Read Also: NCC to fight cyber crooks, internet fraudsters

    “We decided to come here because we discovered that Onitsha market is the largest in the South East, if not West Africa.

    “We want to reach out to the traders who hardly leave their shops to lodge complaints or attend to our programmes like the town hall meeting or the consumer parliament where these issues are explained,” he added.

    He appreciated the management of the market for providing the space for the campaign, saying it was an indication that they were interested in the programme.

    Also speaking, Head, Information and Reference Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ismail Adedigba stressed that the campaign was extended to the market due to the importance the commission attached to its consumers.

    “In NCC every consumer matters to us especially when it comes to the protection of their rights and privileges.

    “We believe that information and enlightenment is a catalyst to consumer empowerment,” he said

     

  • Declare persona non-grata on Obasanjo, Jonathan; they turned Nigeria to personal ATM machine – Coalition

    Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have come under attack for failing the nation when they held sway.
     
    Obasanjo led Nigeria between 1999-2007 when he handed over the baton of leadership to the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. 
     
    Jonathan stepped in following the death of Presdietn Yar’Adua in May 2010. He won the 2011 presidential election but lost his second term bid to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress in 2015. 
     
    However, a civil society organization known as Coalition for Nigeria Movement said the duo milked the nation’s treasury dry during their tenures. 
     
     
    According to the National Convener, Patriot Sabo Odeh lametented that under the governments of Obasanjo and Jonathan, Nigerians were almost misled to believe that democracy is synonymous with corruption.
     
    Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Sabo noted that when the duo held sway, the country was parceled out to friends and family – government funds became ATM where they, their associates and cronies withdraw money to finance their debased lifestyles.
     
    He, therefore, recommended that the Federal Government should conduct a comprehensive audit of government funds by probing national finances from 1999 – 2015 so as to bring the ex-leaders to book. 
     
    The group also opined that Nigerians should declare former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as persona non-grata and not accord either of them any respect either in public places as former presidents or elder statesmen.
     
    Full text of his speech below. 
     
    Gentlemen of the press, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement congratulates Nigerians on the attainment of 20 years of uninterrupted democracy. Considering our history of truncated democracy and aborted republics, our successfully keeping at democracy for upwards of two decades is a feat that is worth celebrating, which the country has rightly celebrated.
    Thankfully, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has woken up to the realization that we must as a people go beyond merely celebrating our achievement. He has taken steps to stamp the significance of our commitment to democracy by institutionalizing the day in our consciousness by documenting June 12 as Democracy Day, in recognition of the importance of the election of June 12, 1993 to where we are today. 
     
    President Buhari has further broken away from the denial syndrome of his predecessors, who refused to recognize and honour the heroic role of late Chief MKO Abiola as the catalyst of what the country enjoys today. 
     
    Mr. President’s choice of actions has placed Abiola on the list of Nigeria’s past presidents as of today, which is something that will encourage even more patriots to be willing to lay down their lives to defend democracy.
     
    These developments that have elated Nigerians cross class, ethnic, religious and political divides. It is however alarming that there is a pocket of evil people that are saddened by the very fact that Nigeria’s democracy have survived their repeated assault on it, which has made their intentions to abort two decades of continued democracy to fail serially. So toxic is their bad wish for the country that they are unable to hide their disappointment and anger that the country is on the path of thriving in spite of their willful acts of sabotage against the nation.
     
    These axes of evil have in recent times spoken through two former presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. It is interesting that these are men that Nigerians have the misfortune of enduring as leaders for fourteen out of the twenty years of democratic rule. These are men under whose administration Nigerians were almost misled to believe that democracy is synonymous with corruption; they presided over fourteen years of the country being parceled out to friends and family – government funds became ATM where they, their associates and cronies withdraw money to finance their debased lifestyles.
     
    There is a long list of national assets that were fraudulently privatized against the interest of the country. Proof that these entities were sold under questionable terms is in the very fact the sectors are being held hostage while the supposed buyers are unable to meet basic benchmarks. 
     
    One would have expected that the disgrace of being found to have looted the collective treasury would have forced these men to seek out the path of honour but it appears they are too far gone to the dark side for them to be remorseful. Instead of finding ways to atone for their sins in the hope that they will one day be considered in the light of legends like MKO Abiola and President Buhari, they have rather resorted to piling more sins on their existing transgressions. Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have decided to continue assaulting the country on several fronts and in various guises.
     
    We are of the opinion that their resort to attacking the integrity of Nigeria while making it appear as if their target is President Buhari is a strategy to draw attention away from the years of bad governance that they inflicted on Nigerians. It is a concept of making the current state of affairs appears dismal so that the horrible foundation they had laid for our democracy can be forgiven. 
     
    While they are free to attempt exonerating themselves from their misdeeds, what they are not allowed to do is to go about it in a way that further does damage to our body politics. The utterances of Obasanjo and Jonathan in recent weeks are capable of sparking off ethno-religious crisis in the country because they continue to speak in ways that pitch one section of the country against the other. 
     
    They incite Christians against Muslims, they pitch other ethnic nationalities against the Fulani even as they encourage some parts of the country to wallow in victimhood, a situation that has fueled separatist agitations of different shades.
     
    They even went beyond merely making inflammatory and inciting utterances to actually courting foreign support to destabilize Nigeria.  Taken with their recent ugly remarks and posture in the public domain, these subversive actions all point to the fact that Obasanjo and Jonathan not have the interest of the country at heart as erroneously believed in certain quarters. 
     
    Let us point out that these evil utterances are not in any way intended to be fair criticism of the government of the day. They are rather intended to make the country fail. It must be noted that in the era of both men as presidents, they would not tolerate such from anyone as those who criticized them are summarily dealt with.   
     
    We must further state that Nigeria is not the property of a few people. The country belongs to us all. A consequence of this is that we must rise up to ward off the attacks by these men and their agents on the long term stability of Nigeria. They have cornered enough resources to buy citizenship in other countries for themselves and their family members; in order to retain what they have looted they have no qualms about plunging the country into crisis.
     
    Nigerians owe it a duty to protect themselves from these kind of desperate men and any measure necessary to curtail their excesses and stop their evil plans against the country. Desperate times they say call for desperate measures. Our belief is that the unethical behavior of these two men should be visited with unorthodox responses as a deterrence. To this end, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement hereby presents a 7-point demand to the Federal Government, which must be met to prove that the present administration is no colluding with Obasanjo and Jonathan to ink the country. Our demands are:
     
    That the Federal Government conduct a comprehensive audit of government funds by probing national finances from 1999 – 2015. This probe should be with a view to unravel the mysteries surrounding the loss of Nigeria’s resources, which has become imperative to unveil the true identities of those who stole Nigeria blind but are today parading as elder statesmen. 
     
    That anyone indicted by the aforementioned investigation should be made to stand trial and handed the stiffest punishment applicable where they are convicted. This is to serve as deterrent to those that think they can loot the treasury and then assume the roles of critics in order to evade justice.
     
    That the federal government, as another phase of the anti-corruption war, prioritize the recovery of assets that were illegally privatized or sold to family members and associates of Obasanjo and Jonathan. In addition to recovering the said assets, government should open corruption probe and trials of those that took part in this heinous crime against Nigeria.
     
    That the nation’s anti-graft agencies should get a marching order to trace foreign assets that were illegally acquired using looted funds using international collaboration platform that exist for this purpose. Countries where assets are domiciled should be encourage to cooperate with Nigeria while the necessary procedure for asset recovery and forfeiture for proceeds of crime should be lodged with those nations to recover that has been stolen from Nigeria.
     
    That henceforth Nigerians should declare former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as persona non-grata and not accord either of them any respect either in public places as former presidents or elder statesmen. This stance shall persist is until such a time that all the sponsors of terrorism either directly or indirectly are unraveled in the country.
     
    That the Federal Government should henceforth not extend any invitation to state functions to any of Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan for using their positions in the past to enrich themselves and families to the detriment of the common masses of our beloved country.
     
    That the federal government notifies friends and partners of Nigerians to stop further transactions and interactions with both men or risk being enemies of Nigeria. Countries that continue to hobnob with either men would have proven that they are the international components that are fanning the embers of the security breaches in Nigeria. 
     
    That no Nigerian will be harassed, arrested, prosecuted or criminalized for publicly humiliating, insulting or taunting these men for what they have done to Nigeria. This should be a new approach to treating treasury looters and those that have proven that they are enemies of the country.
     
    The Coalition for Nigeria Movement will not stop at just making these demands but will begin a nationwide mobilization and contact activities to get more Nigerians on board in the quest to properly criminalize the theft of public assets and running subversive activities against the country irrespective of who is involved. We shall also be mobilizing Nigerians to join us on piling pressure on the government of the day not to shy from its responsibility of defending Nigeria’s democracy against subversive past leaders.
    We want Nigerians to remember that it a sacred duty for all of us to ensure that our democracy survives into perpetuity. This is a task that requires that all sentiments are discarded while national interest takes primacy.

  • Breaking: Theresa May to resign as British Prime Minister

    British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced her resignation, finally bowing to intense political pressure over the failure to deliver her signature policy — Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

    May said Friday she would quit as leader of the Conservative Party on June 7, but would stay on as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen.

    May was forced into making the announcement after losing the support of her Cabinet, many of whom were fed up with the ongoing turmoil over Brexit.

    The last straw for Cabinet ministers appears to have been the latest version of May’s Brexit plan, which she unveiled on Tuesday. In an attempt to win over opposition lawmakers, May offered the House of Commons the chance to vote on a second referendum — a concession that was bitterly opposed by some senior members of her government.

    Her fate was sealed by the leadership of the 1922 Committee — which represents the interests of rank-and-file lawmakers in May’s Conservative Party — who threatened to change party rules to allow a vote of no-confidence. May survived an earlier confidence vote in December last year, and under current rules was immune to challenge for another year.

    May’s announcement will set off a frantic race to succeed her. One leading candidate is Boris Johnson, the buffoonish but wily former Foreign Secretary who commands significant support among grassroots members of the party.

    Read Also: Breaking: Theresa May sacks Defence Secretary

    Johnson has bitterly opposed the withdrawal deal that May negotiated with the EU, and resigned from her Cabinet over it. But it’s unclear whether her successor would have any luck reopening the deal, which Brussels has insisted is locked down. May’s successor as prime minister will face the same deadlocked House of Commons, which has repeatedly rejected May’s plan but failed to vote in favor of any kind of alternative.

    That may raise the prospect of a new Conservative leader calling a general election in an attempt to break the impasse.

    May’s decision to step down is an inglorious end for a prime minister who was ushered into office on the back of the Brexit vote, promising to deliver on the results of the referendum.

    But the deal that resulted from a tortuous set of negotiations with the EU was rejected three times by the House of Commons.

    On Tuesday, in an attempt to repackage the plan, May rolled it up into a wider set of legislation dealing with Britain’s departure. As well as the offer of a second referendum, it also contained pledges on workers’ rights, environmental provisions, as well as a temporary customs relationship with the European Union.

    But her “new Brexit deal” was greeted with significant opposition from across the political spectrum. Hardline Conservatives who had supported May’s last deal, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs who prop up May’s minority government in Parliament and supporters of a second referendum alike all rejected it.

    CNN

     

  • LG Financial Autonomy: Groups lambast Akwa Ibom Governor

    Movement 1960, a civil rights group in Nigeria, has called for the immediate resignation of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
    This is even as a political pressure group in the state, Akwa Ibom State Leadership Vanguard, blasted the governor, labelling him  “a devious exploiter and pilferer of the Akwa Ibom commonwealth.”
    The groups were reacting to a suit filed by the state government in collaboration with the 31 Local Government Council Chairmen, seeking a restraining order barring the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from implementing financial autonomy in Local Government Areas of the state.
    Movement 1960, in a media briefing in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said “the governor having failed to live up to his promises of acting in  the overall interest of Akwa Ibom people should resign with immediate effect.”
    National President of the group, Barr. Eteka Ambrose, while addressing the media, said “The desperation on the part of the Governor to sponsor the 31 LGA chairmen to court against the will of the people is appalling .”
    He accused the governor of using the State House of Assembly to frustrate the efforts of the National Assembly to amend the constitution by abrogating the State/ Local Joint Account.
    It could be recalled that the House of Assembly declined voting on the constitutional amendment proposal on LG autonomy.
    This, according to him, was “a connivance between Udom Emmanuel and his colleagues in other states of the federation.”
    “As a legal practitioner, I know how state governors are doing everything humanly possible to frustrate the process of financial autonomy to the Local Government. Section 162 (6) of the 1999 Constitution which validates the existence of State Local Government Joint Account is to be amended, but our Houses of Assembly opposed ratifying the amendment proposals.
    “The planned conspiracy  by the State Government, who is the plaintiff in the suit  joined by the Local Government Chairman is a major economic sabotage just to divert monies meant for the development of the rural communities.
    “What the federal government has done now is a matter of necessity, and I stand by it. NFIU’s action has been endorsed by the Senate. The process of amending Section 162 (6) of  the 1999 Constitution has been revived. Udom should resign if he is not comfortable with the directive”, he explained.
    Barr. Ambrose, however, called on the state government to quickly withdraw the case from court “as it constitutes an embarrassment to the state.”
    The Akwa Ibom Leadership Vanguard, in a statement signed by its convener, Comrade Daniel Esitikot, said Akwa Ibom people should ask questions about how the state’s allocation and revenue are utilized.
    Esitikot, who noted that “Governor Emmanuel’s body language presents him as a devious exploiter and pilferer of the Akwa Ibom commonwealth”, decried the level of underdevelopment in the grassroots.
    “Despite being the highest federal allocation earner in Nigeria, the Local Government in Akwa Ibom have nothing to show for such huge cash inflow.
    “We condemn the state government’s action in its entirety, and commend the federal government and the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), for this people-oriented initiative”, the group stated.

  • Buratai and a new narrative for Nigerian Army

    Often times, I hear Nigerians refer to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai as the digital Army Chief.  This epaulet on the COAS is not fancy, but a true reflection of the leadership qualities and competence of a soldier who is transformative and visionary.
    Since his appointment in July 2015, Gen. Buratai has never relented on his oars to restructure, reorganize and reposition the Nigeria Army (NA) which will be a pride to the military and the nation. He has never concealed his contempt and disdain for the poor shape and status of the  Army he met, which was peopled by unprofessional, undisciplined, disloyal and unpatriotic personnel. Nigeria had soldiers who were uncommitted and irresponsible. They flinched at the battlefield regrettably.
    Gen. Buratai instantly promised to change the narrative. His mission in leading the NA  has been to re-organize and restructure the Army institution in a manner that would make it responsible and responsive to the national security challenges confronting the nation. And rewinding yesterday, it is easy to see clearly the impact of Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the NA as manifest in reforms and innovations as confirmed by the performance of Army personnel on national assignments.
    The Army Chief knew that the excellence of soldiers is only determined by constant training, knowledge update and exposure to latest technology in warfare. I saw his interest in establishing special schools for the NA and upgrading facilities in existing ones as the pursuit of this agenda. The Nigerian Army Aviation School and the Nigeria Army University, Biu (NAUB) are some of the practical statements the Army boss has made on his passion for the country to have a properly trained Army personnel.
    With the manner Nigeria was pleasurably celebrated in degeneration before the Buhari Presidency, it never struck me that the narrative will change this soon to have the Nigerian Army School of Artillery revived to now manufacture weapons. The school functioned only in name, but I was amazed to understand, the school now source materials locally to manufacture some of the weapons troops use in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast and elsewhere in Nigeria.
    This is the expectation of President Muhammadu Buhari when he opted for the choice of Gen. Buratai as COAS. The Army boss has also changed the tradition of de-prioritizing the welfare of troops. Salaries and allowances are paid promptly. Army barracks or formations around the country have gone renovations as part of Buratai’s bargain for decent accommodation for Army personnel.
    And I noticed that among the three arms of the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Army was first to get its Account Department to key into the Federal Government’s  policy of Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the  Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPS) to enhance quick and easy computation of salaries, ensure transparency and eliminate any possible  fraud in the preparation of emoluments of NA personnel.
    Gen. Buratai has impresses me as a leader. At no point that he feels satisfied with his performance. His crave to improve on the existing standards he has attained is infectious. He appraises the NA constantly and sets targets for himself. At the 2017 Chief of Army Staff Conference, Gen. Buratai explained his mindset;
    “The Conference provides an opportunity for the Nigerian Army to appraise training and operations activities as well as logistics and administrative matters. The Nigerian Army also wishes to use the conference to reflect on its performances in 2017 in order to make projections for 2018. This is with a view to consolidating on the successes so far achieved in repositioning the NA for better performance in the discharge of its constitutional roles. These would be based on the lessons drawn from the activities of the year ending in pursuance of the NA’s responsibilities of maintaining and defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.”
    That the  Islamic State West Africa Province (Boko Haram) has been unable to retake the territories the Army under Buratai’s leadership reclaimed in the Northeast   is indication that the NA reviews its strategies and tactics in the battle against insurgents frequently. Insurgents have tried hard to break new grounds, but they are checkmated by Nigerian troops.
    It is easy for a leader to have a vision, but to surmount all encumbrances to transform the vision into reality is the biggest challenge for most leaders. It is what makes the difference and Gen. Buratai is gifted in both ways. His initiative of deploying technological innovations like the use of drones and  the Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAV)  in the battle   against Boko Haram terrorists exposes the extent he has improved on Nigeria’s technology-based  warfare.
    The Army Chief understands and appreciates the importance of technology in crime prevention and he has exposed the Nigeria Army to its multiple benefits. So, months back, Gen. Buratai launched digitized uniforms in the Army. It is capable of transmitting signals if the user in distress or danger.
    The   Army boss explained that the uniform is technology-based, it  is tagged with sensors  anywhere a troop has found himself  and  it sends a signal when he or she is in danger. It is very significant in ensuring the safety of troops in warfare. We can only appreciate the Army leadership for the uniforms, which is an expression of the desire   to protect troops fighting insurgency in the rough and complex terrains of the Northeast.
    The foresight of the COAS to understand that terrorism war is fought on the battlefields, much as it is tackled in the media points to his ingenuity. When he initially led the war assaults against terrorists, their sympathizers’ and agents stepped up propaganda about fake supremacy in the battle against Nigerian forces. They churned out fake and crafted news reports to embolden Boko Haram commanders and their foot soldiers.
    I know,   cyberspace terrorism became pronounced in the war on terror in  2016 and it was clear insurgents’ were suffering unimaginable defeat in the battle due  to the superiority and might of Nigerian troops.  That was the time Boko Haram’s seized territories in the Northeast were being gradually reclaimed and hundreds of Nigerians, mostly women and children held in the captivity of insurgents in different locations had their freedom secured by soldiers.
    Therefore, Gen. Buratai deployed his talents on cyberspace terrorism to subdue the enemies of state or terrorists. First, he reorganized the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) and equipped it with modern communication gadgets. And he appointed capable hands to manage information dissemination especially on the Boko Haram combat wars. Proactive steps were adopted in countering terrorists’ propaganda and official confirmation of news on the counter-insurgency operations was consistent.
    The Army’s increased presence in the media with information on terrorism combat operations to Nigerians and the world clipped the wings of terrorists and the veiled agents.  The impact was so tremendous that former American Secretary of States, Mr. Rex Tillerson commended Gen. Buratai over his cyberspace terrorism affront. He pleaded with other nations under the menace of terrorism to emulate the Nigerian example, elucidating that cyberspace terrorism is also a very potent aspect of the war on terror and has dire consequences.
    And for the first time, the NA operated an Army Situation Room when they were directed by the President to embark on election duty in providing additional security for a peaceful general election in 2019. Gen. Buratai explained that the essence of the Army Situation Room was to monitor flashpoints of violence, easily detect them and rapidly respond to the emergency.
    Under Gen. Buratai, the NA has romanced Military/Civil relations on a different mutual plane. The Army has launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by devoting part of its approved budgets to execute community-based projects in water, electricity, healthcare, and roads construction among others.  The natives of Abakpa community in Enugu state, whom the Army supplied portable and hygienic drinking water can attest to Nigerian soldiers’ new orientation and thinking.
    Similarly, the NA has been almost the sole factor in opening up Sambisa forest and its environs after the demystification of the hitherto much dreaded forest which was terrorists most secured haven. NA has either rehabilitated or constructed new roads and provided other social amenities in the area. These are the various ways the NA under Gen. Buratai is proving that it is a responsible institution to its country and the people in the 21st century.
    As part of the reorganization effort, the Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai has established two focal departments I consider necessary in projecting and propelling its competence and also, renew its inclination to respect the human rights and dignity of Nigerians. So, Buratai deemed it necessary to establish the transformation and innovation department to drive the new initiatives.
     It is designed to serve as the springboard for research and developments on army equipment, scientific and technological innovations that could be harnessed to support the Army in the arduous task of combating insurgencies and insurrections in the country.
    The Human Rights Desk (HRD)  at the Nigerian Army Headquarters’ (AHQs) and  Army  Divisions are conceptualize to provide answers and solace to occasional cases of professional misconduct arising from abuse of the human rights of Nigerians in the course of military operations.
    And in further pursuit of this agenda, NA personnel have been conditioned or orientated to know that where they infringe on the rights and dignity of Nigerians, they will respond to court summons against them and answer to the allegations in a court of law. It is a remarkable departure from the tradition of the past where it was impossible to approach any Army formation to serve them court summons.
    In spite of these lofty heights, Gen. Buratai thinks, its not time to relax. He recently assured Nigerians that “Let  me at this point state that the NA will continue to uphold its core values of loyalty, courage, professionalism, discipline, respect and sacrifice. Our loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains sacrosanct in the interest of a united and prosperous Nigeria.”
    I believe the narrative has changed for the good since Gen. Buratai stepped on the podium. And this is affirmed by the improvements we can see and feel on security around the country, despite the deliberately orchestrated drums of war. But whatever has been done to sabotage the efforts on security, it has not blurred the positive differences and winning streaks of the COAS, Gen. Buratai.
     President Buhari confirmed it in his June 12 2019 Democracy Day speech. He reminds Nigerians that “When I took the oath of office on 29 May 2015, insecurity reigned. Apart from occupying 18 local governments in the North East, Boko Haram could at will attack any city including the Federal Capital, could threaten any institution including bombing the United Nations building and Police Headquarters in Abuja.”
    “Admittedly, some of the challenges still remain in kidnappings and banditry in some rural areas. The great difference between 2015 and today is that we are meeting these challenges with much greater support to the security forces in terms of money, equipment and improved local intelligence. We are meeting these challenges with superior strategy, firepower and resolve.”
    Okanga wrote from Agila, Benue State.

  • How to prevent building collapse

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    In the last three months, many buildings have collapsed around the country, the latest being the collapse suffered in  Ezenwa Street Onitsha, where a four-storey building collapsed, killing six people.

    The incidence of March 13, 2019 remains fresh in the memory of Lagosians and Nigerians in general, where 20 people died and 45 people suffered series of injuries at 63 Massey Street in Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island, after a three storey-building collapsed.

    Research reveals that there have been 175 building collapses across the country, from 1971 to 2016, resulting in 1,455 deaths.

    And of the 175 building collapse, 83 occurred in Lagos. Of the 1,455 recorded deaths from building collapse nationwide, 702 were in Lagos.

    These tragedies have been partly caused by the bad works done by unqualified building contractors and the use of sub-standard materials for construction. Solutions are however provided on how these tragedies can be avoided.

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    The use of quality building materials is one major way to prevent a building collapse.

    Experts say that one of the major causes of building collapse is the failure and lack lustre effort of building contractors to pay strict adherence to quality building materials.

    A research by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria show that poor quality building materials, especially the cements, are major causes of building collapse in Nigeria.

    To therefore ensure the avoidance of building collapse, builders should always ensure that the right materials and cement specification is used for the appropriate construction types.

    Many people build without hiring the services of a competent building contractor. The engagement of a competent contractor is very important for building construction.

    In using local builders, they must be able to do the job. A good way to discover this is to check their previous work, speak with their previous clients, and check their staff strength including number of skilled and unskilled workers.

    Poor maintenance culture is another reason buildings collapse. Even the best constructed buildings need constant attention and if the attention is delayed, what starts as something very minor can turn quickly into an expensive man-made disaster.

    It should be noted that all buildings deteriorate and so maintenance is necessary. Experts believe that maintenance work commences on the day the contractor lives the site.

    Soil testing is very important before a building is erected. It enables the builders to determine soil strata, foundation type and where to lay the foundation for the building proper.

    Places like Lagos have swampy grounds and many estates are built on recovered grounds. This means that the foundation of such buildings needs to be strong and carried out after a proper soil test.

    It is also important to have the right design structure for a building. These designs must be reviewed and approved by appropriate authorities before construction begins.

    There are many designs in Nigeria that are copied from other countries without considering the conditions that led to such design.

    The national building code must be implemented to the fullest. It is a document expected to regulate the conduct and operations of professionals and stakeholders in the construction industry.

    It is believed that the absence of a National Building Code has been largely responsible for the incessant incidence of collapsed buildings being witnessed across the country and that passing the national building code into law will regulate the use of non-professionals in the building and ensure the compliance by contractors to stop the use of untested products and materials to prevent structural downfalls later on.

  • FG takes delivery of two helicopters, 20 speed boats

    The Federal Government said it has taken delivery of two helicopters, 20 speed boats and other equipment to secure Nigerian waters.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last year approved the sum of $195million to boost maritime security and reduce other criminal activities.

    To achieve the security, the federal government engaged an Israeli company to train some personnel on security of the waterways.

    Speaking on achievements made in the maritime sector, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi during his valedictory press briefing said: “Maritime security; our water today is extremely bad. The Gulf of Guinea is the worst in the world but we are about to clean it up.

    “We won a contract of $195million approved by the president to ensure that we have maritime security. So, they bought equipment and they just arrived the seaport and we are clearing.

    ‘’They are bringing in two helicopters, 20 speed boats with flat bottom because of Niger Delta and communication equipment.

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    “All those have arrived Nigeria and we believe they will be fixed in  the next one to two months.

    “This will enable us see Nigerian waters from anywhere and also make us see those who do bunkering and those who kidnap people in the water. We will know whether they will be faster than the camera or not.”

    He continued: “The moment the camera picks you, then the Navy will respond. We are bringing in infrastructure that enables us see our waterways from beginning to end and to abort criminal activities.

    “Since the equipment have arrived and we have already trained personnel, the moment they finish installing the equipment, then criminal activities on the waterways will be checked.”

    The Minister also said that the arrival of the equipment will also help the Nigerian Customs Services, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the general public.

    He also hinted the FEC recently approved the National Single Window which is aimed at reducing the hours used to clear goods at the ports.

    He said: “The number of months we used to wait to clear our goods has reduced to days.

    ‘’At the second to the last cabinet meeting, the National Single Window was approved. The National Single Window makes it possible to clear goods in 48 hours.

    “With the approval, goods will be cleared within 48 hours if there are no issues or offences committed by the owner of the goods.”

  • FG loses N4.6tr to import waivers in two years

    The Federal Government says it lost N4.6 trillion from waivers granted to importers in 2017 and 2018.

    The loss came as a result of the ministry not implementing the Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) project.

    To plug this drain, the Federal Ministry of Finance wrote to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for assistance, and on Thursday, the ICRC issued the Full Business Case Certificate of Compliance for the Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) waiver, to the federal ministry of finance to check further loss of revenue from import waivers.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance on Media and Communications, Mr Paul Ella Abechi, the Minister of Finance Mrs. Zainab Ahmed while commending the Director General of ICRC for expediting action on the project, urged the Ministry staff to “take full advantage of the IDEC portal and put it into full use to enable the Federal Government get full value for its revenues.”

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    The Full Business Case Compliance Certificate is for the Development, Deployment and Management of Automated Customs Gateway Portal for Import Duty Exemption Certificate under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Forecore Technology Solution Limited, as the preferred partner to Develop, Deploy, Manage and Transfer for a 10-year concession period.

    Zainab Ahmed lamented that government has “been experiencing significant drain in revenues due to the inability to adequately control the IDEC processes. It is really a good time for me that this project that I was really particular about since I came is coming to operation.”

    While calling for the full implementation of the project, she noted that “the Ministry of Finance will have to get the approval of the Federal Executive Council before the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the project will take full course.”

    The Minister added that, “the portal will help us control, track and monitor the IDEC that we issue, but also to monitor the performance of the companies that we give this IDEC to and we will also be able to interface the IDEC system with the Nigeria Customs Service.”

    Director-General of ICRC, Engr Chidi Izuwah noted that IDEC project is a very laudable one, which is considered to be of great and urgent importance to enable the country cut the huge revenue loses to the tune of over N2 trillion due to manual processes.

    He said: “The statement in the minister’s 12th June, 2018 letter that the non-implementation of this project caused a revenue loss of N2.5 trillion in 2017 and N2.1 trillion in 2018, we considered this a national revenue emergency and we gave it the needed attention and turned it around very quickly.”

    Izuwah further noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance under Section 12 of the ICRC Act is required to diligently supervise this project and ensue that government realises full value, the interest of government protected and it reap the full benefits of the project.