The Way To Avert Worse Farmers/Herders’ Clashes Next Year Is Provision Of Ranches – Agric Minister, Audu Ogbe

April 9, 2018

Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe has said that the best way to avert the worse form of farmers/herdsmen clashes next year is the provision of adequate ranches.
“We have to move the cattle to the good old grazing reserves and we just have to create environment for them, clusters of ranches where they have water, grass and security against rustlers.
“For nearly 40 years we didn’t do much about cattles, we also forgot that cattle contribute 6 percent to GDP. The cheapest way of rearing cattle is by roaming around with them as you see now. If you go into a ranch is not cheap and government cannot subsidized cattle rearing like they do in Europe, where they subsidize every cow with €6 which is about N2,400. We cannot afford that.
“So the thing is, to create those ranches and the herdsmen are prepared to pay tax to support the programme. If we don’t do it, next year will be worse than this year I assure you.”
Audu Ogbe, who spoke to news men today, Monday, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the Food Security Council at its meeting today made some recommendations, that include Afro-rangers.
Governor Samuel Dalong of Plateau State who was at the meeting said: “we noticed that if you are talking about farmers/herdsmen crisis, you have to train a specialized group of security outfit to handle those issues, it is not to concentrate on conventional security.
“So there is a recommendation before Mr. President for the employment and training of Afro-rangers. What we are still appealing to Mr. President is to hasten the process so that it can help solve some of the problems that we have in various states on the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.
“We extensively discussed about food security in our country. We extensively discussed the price of good in the market, availability of food, the challenges facing us some are emergencies, others are rather long term. We also discussed the credit in agriculture which is a major challenge.
“The cost of borrowing funds on agriculture has been a bit too high in this country and that has been one of the factors impeding the growth of agriculture in the country and one of the factors stopping young people especially and women participating in agriculture and making it.
“Today, we resolved that we must make Agric lending cheap and we are looking at interest rate at the lower end of one digit. We don’t have any figures yet but we are hoping that by the time we meet again we can announce that.
“We also looked at the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen and what steps to take, possibilities of draught, security issues impeding on agriculture growth and the fact that agriculture has to become the mainstay of our economy over and above oil and gas.
“This is basically what we discussed and our recommendation will go to Mr. President and the next time we meet we will give you more details on what we want to achieve.”

2019: Let The Others Simply Run Away, By Femi Adesina

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2018

File photo: President Muhammadu Buhari and Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina

There are two options for those in contention for the presidency in 2019: run, or run away. Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated his intention to run, dwarfs trying to wear a giant’s shoes should simply run away. The cat has returned from a journey, let the rats scamper for safety.
Show clean pairs of heels? But this is a democracy! Everybody is free to run in the direction he or she fancies. True. So, what I’ve said is mere advice, which they can take, or choose not to take. Nigerians will decide early next year. The greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory.
I have always said it privately and in public. If President Muhammadu Buhari decides to run for a second term in 2019, I would support him. It doesn’t matter whether I am in government or not. For some of us, the man Buhari is a conviction, a resolution, a man to admire and adore since 1984, when he became military head of state.
Is he perfect? Show me the man who is. Is he running a perfect government? Show me the government which is. Is he sincere? Very. Does he love the country? Dearly. Will he take Nigeria to the Promised Land? As the good Lord helps. And he is on the way there. Does he need more time? Sure, he does. The rot was too much, benumbing.
Nigeria is doing a lot more with a lot less today. There was a time we were awash with money. Oil sold for as high as $120 dollars per barrel, and we produced up to two million barrels per day. For many years. But we had no roads, no electricity, no health care, no security, nothing. The money was simply looted. They sat round the table, as if gathered for lunch, and hundreds of billions of dollars were shared.
Now, after oil prices crashed to as low as 30 dollars per barrel in 2015, and currently oscillates between 50 and 60 dollars, Nigeria is doing great things. Electricity has been taken to over 7,000 megawatts, from the inherited 3,000. The economy is now being truly diversified, after five decades of lip service. Agriculture is now the second biggest thing after oil, and is poised to become number one in the not too distant future. Farmers, in their millions, now smile to the banks. The farmer is now king. He sends himself on pilgrimage to Mecca or Jerusalem, paying his own way. Those who want more wives among them have even taken. And not on credit. Lol.
With income standing at about 60% less than what we used to earn, N1.3 trillion was spent on capital in 2016. The 2017 budget will close with about the same amount being expended on capital projects. Simply because you have a honest man in leadership. Not that corruption has been wiped out, no, but it has been drastically curbed. And anyone serving with the man knows that stealing is now corruption. When fish rots, it starts from the head. But we now have a head that shows the way. Mai Gaskiya. The Honest Man. Shine the light, and people will find the way.
How about our foreign reserves? They say we should stop talking about the past, and simply face the future. So that Nigerians would not be reminded of how they ran the country into a hole? With oil at its highest prices for many years, what they left in foreign reserves was a miserly $29.6 billion. It dropped to as low as $24 billion about a year ago, because of collapsed oil prices. But then, by divine mercies, prices began to inch up in the international market. It reached $60 per barrel, just about half of what they earned for many years. We cut unbridled importation of what can be produced locally. Prudence became the watchword. And foreign reserves now stand at over $46 billion. Why? Simply because the money is not being pocketed by those in power, as it once happened.
And then, some voodoo priests came: don’t run for a second term. Give way to younger people. Take a well deserved rest. Blah blah blah. As if they were the beginning and end of democracy. The motive was simple: we must dissuade this man from running, so that he wouldn’t become the greatest ever Nigerian leader. He must not become the authentic national hero. All types of cards were being flashed, yellow, green, red, purple, as if they had become emergency referees. But President Buhari kept his peace. No abuse for abuse, no railing for railing. When you are in the marketplace, you concentrate on the person you are transacting a deal with, and ignore the noise of the market. Now, the Tower of Babel has been resoundingly ignored, and democracy will be the victor.
Early next year, Nigerians will decide what they want. Go ahead on the journey to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, or go back to Egypt, a land of eternal bondage, and excruciating pains? Nigerians will do it again. They will freely elect the leader they want, without pandering to ethnic, religious, and other primordial sentiments being currently whipped up. There will be no doomsday, as the election will be free and fair. No wuru-wuru or mago-mago under Buhari’s watch, no matter what. A man that swears to his own hurt.
Nigerians, President Buhari is on the march again. For the sake of our tomorrow and the ages to come, for the sake of our children and generations yet unborn, let’s do it again.

Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Nigerians Are Not Happy With High Food Prices, Agric Minister Admits

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2018

Minister of agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe has admitted that Nigerians are not happy with the high cost of food stuffs in the markets.
The Minister, who spoke to news men shortly after a meeting of Food Security Council at the Presidential Villa today, Monday, said that government is taking measures to bring down the prices.
Audu Ogbe, who was flanked by Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi and governor Samuel Dalong of Plateau State, said that one of the measures is to create conducive transport system for the movement of farm produce.

Buhari Has Not Approved Controversial $1 Billion Security Fund, Presidential Aide, Enang Clarifies

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2018

Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly, Senator Ita Enang has said that the President has no approved for release, the controversial one billion Dollar security fund.
Enang told news men in Abuja today, Monday that the Security Fund which was sourced from Excess Crude account to combat Security challenges in the country and the several misreadings attending same, “has not and cannot be approved for spending by Mr. President.”
He said that in accordance with best practices, the President, having received approval of sum from National Economic Council made up of all the Governors, had a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, among others to collate the need of each of the Services and the money available for appropriation
According to him, having collated the need of each Service and the amount involved, the President would present it to the Federal Executive Council for detailed Consideration, or in exercise of Presidential powers would communicate same to the National Assembly for appropriation.
“This may be done as usual upon Mr. President Consulting prior with the Leadership of the National Assembly through the whole body of principal officers or the presiding officers of each chambers only, before originating the communication to the National Assembly
“As at now, the process of approving the money for use is inchoate and still undergoing Executive standard operating procedure before laying same before the National Assembly for appropriation.
“The processes now being worked on is to fast-track this procedures so that it may be forwarded to the National Assembly while it is still considering the 2018 Appropriation Bill (Budget) for incorporation as Mr. President’s supplementary request under the 2018 Budget, or if completed, after the 2018 Budget, it may be forwarded as supplementary Appropriation Bill
“Succinctly stated, Mr. President has not approved the sum for any release of this procurement or application howsoever.”
Senator Enang said that before any Sum is released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, there must be Appropriation Act, Vote of Charge and Warrant which is legally predicated on appropriation authorization Sub-head under the Act.
He said that the Executive is conscious of the provisions of the Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution which states:
“(3) No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorized by an Act of the National Assembly.
“No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly
“We are also conscious of the provision of Sections 4 and 5 of the 2017 Appropriation Act (relating to Excess crude Account) and would not take any action in breach thereof.
“Just as the Legislature in processing legislation starts with conceptualizing, drafting, scrutiny of the draft, gazzetting, First reading, 2nd reading, committal to appropriate committee, public hearing, consideration of the Report by Committee of the whole or supply, passage and 3rd reading in plenary, so also does the Executive have and maintain standard operating procedure, or due process or due diligence in all actions. And at this stage, the matter is ongoing these processes.
“Therefore, the matter of the Security fund is still undergoing standard processes for laying before the National Assembly for appropriation.”

Looting As State Policy, By Emmanuel Yawe

Yawe Emmanuel

April 9, 2018

We love to romanticize our founding fathers in Nigeria. To be politically correct, we speak of the founding fathers of our country only in positive terms. I have no issues with that. In African tradition, you do not speak ill of the dead.
The fact of the matter however is that corruption has dogged our path since the amalgamation of 1914. None of the big names we normally refer to as founding fathers of Nigeria and proceed to idolize has escaped the ugly tar of this national malady.
Looking back at the careers of a few of them, the facts stare in our faces about allegations of financial malfeasance they faced at one time or the other. Herbert Macaulay in his career as an officer in the colonial government was once jailed on charges of corruption. In 1956, the Foster-Sutton Tribunal investigated the Premier of the Eastern Region, Nnamdi Azikiwe for his involvement in the affairs of African Continental Bank (ACB). Similarly, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had to contend with the Coker Commission which indicted him on charges of corruption. Not to be spared was the Sardauna of Sokoto who was dragged to court on allegations of embezzling tax funds in 1943.
It is not my intention to delve into the details or the credibility of these allegations here. What remains without dispute is the fact that these leaders set up high standards of governance at their time. They may have differed in their approaches to issues but they were certainly committed to a viable and progressive country. Their vision and hopes for the generation to come were aptly captured in the words of our first National Anthem which promised “to hand unto our children a banner without stain.”
But according to the man who terminated the life of the First Republic that banner was stained with corruption. In his first broadcast after he assassinated leading politicians and military men in Kaduna, Major Chukwuma Nzeagwu Kaduna alleged that: “Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.”
Even with such stain, what the military did with the power they inherited by booting out the squabbling politicians was something else. Compared to the politicians, these military interventionists were so thoroughly corrupt that the politicians they accused and assassinated on grounds of corruption look like saints today. The history of military governance in Nigeria portrays them as spoilt children who broke down everything in a well-organized house and brought in complete disorder.
In his broadcast in 1966, Nzeagwu spoke of 10% bribe takers who have corrupted the society and made the country look big for nothing in international circles. But by the time the military left the political space in 1999 (hopefully for good), we were not talking of mere 10% demands for contracts awarded. It was under General Sani Abacha that the style and magnitude of corruption advanced from bribery to looting. The man at the helm of affairs did not want to be bothered by the intricate inconvenience of contract bidding, awards and percentages for kickbacks. He simply ordered his soldiers to drive trucks to the Central Bank of Nigeria and make away with as much of local and foreign currency as the trucks could carry.
It was at that stage that looting became a fundamental directive principle of state policy in Nigeria and has refused to go away. If Nigeria looked big for nothing in the eyes of world leaders in 1966, when Abacha was in full control and thereafter, Nigeria was a special spectacle to the outside world. General Collin Powell when asked about Nigeria in an interview while he was Secretary of State in the United States simply retorted that it is a country of “amazing, marvelous scammers”. And not too long ago, David Cameron as s sitting British Prime Minister described Nigeria as fantastically corrupt while briefing the Queen on the anti-Corruption Summit he was hosting in London. He said “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain. Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.”
During his Inauguration speech of 29th May 2015, President Muhammad Buhari painted a gloomy picture of where we are as a country and his resolve to tackle the menace head on. He said: “At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.”
Three years have gone since that solemn promise was made. How far have we faired as a nation in the fight against corruption or more appropriately looting? The President may be sincere about his willingness to fight corruption and looting. But it is doubtful if the system on ground supports his personal commitment and enthusiasm or has given Nigerians a new orientation.
I have watched with dismay the current debate on the list of looters who helped themselves from the National kitty. There is no sign of remorse anywhere. Nigerians in privileged positions still think and behave as if this country were a conquered territory and the victorious invaders have the rights to loot to their satisfaction. No Nigerian has so far spoken against the use of the word looting by people in government and in opposition.
Under the circumstances, we may just resign ourselves to fate and consider looting as state policy in Nigeria.

Buhari Has Not Violated The Constitution By Declaring To Run For Second Term – Borno Gov

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2018

Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has not violated the Constitutions of Nigerian and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by formally declaring to run for a second term in the 2019 elections.
Speaking to news men shortly after the presidential declaration in Abuja, the governor said: “it is part of democratic culture. Traditionally, the president has the right of first refusal of the candidature of the party, so its not something that is unusual or unwarranted or unconstitutional. He has done the right thing. He is going to contest and we are solidly behind him.”
Governor Kashim said that President Buhari is not under any obligation to consult governors or anybody, adding that he has been under tremendous pressure to make that pronouncement “so we should heave a sigh of relief since he has finally announced his intention to contest.
“We will give him the kind of support we gave him in 2015.”
The governor argued that Buhari’s declaration will calm down governance so that people will concentrate on the real act of governance and deliver the dividends of democracy.
When asked to evaluate chances of Present Buhari winning the election in 2019, the Borno governor said: “certainly, he is the single kinetic President in Nigeria’s political life till date.”

Why I Want To Contest 2019 Election For Second Term, President Buhari Reveals

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2018

File photo: President Muhammadu Buhari waving his supporters during his visit to Plateau State, last month.

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the reason he wants to contest 2019 presidential election for a second term in office is due to barrage of calls on him by Nigerians.
The President, who spoke today, Monday in Abuja at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed that he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians.
He said that he wanted to notify the NEC of the ruling party first before going public.
Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.
The full text of the speech goes thus:
I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important meeting in the affairs of our party and our country. I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.
It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.
With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, It is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.
Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.
Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.
I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.
However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.
Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.
Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.
Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.
Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.
Thank you.

CBN Boss, Emefiele, Bags The Guardian Economic Personality Of The Year Award

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2018

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has bagged The Guardian Economic Personality of the Year 2017 award in recognition of his contribution to stabilizing the Nigerian financial sector amidst recession as well as the Bank’s effort in development financing.

Presenting the award to Emefiele yesterday, Saturday, at a ceremony held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, the President and Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Segun Ajibola, commended the CBN strong man and his team for their efforts at managing the Nigerian financial sector and intervening in critical sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

In his acceptance remarks, Emefiele expressed appreciation to The Guardian for selecting him for the award and commended the outfit for its foresight and thoughtfulness at publishing the report on “Financing the Economy.”

Speaking on the economy, the CBN Governor said that the exposure of the Nigerian economy to global shocks was a reflection of the fact that Nigeria is unable to sufficiently produce what its people consume and therefore dependence on foreign goods.

He attributed the inability of the country to sufficiently produce what it consumes to heavy dependence on oil sector to provide the foreign exchange needed to finance the country’s imports and the poor diversification of the economy and low factor productivity in key non-oil sector.

He also identified the ostentatious and elitist taste for imported goods in Nigeria and the inadequate finance to strategic high impact and high employment multiplier sectors as major challenges facing the economy.

He said that the level of credit in the domestic economy channeled to productive private sector is critically below the levels required to place the Nigerian economy on the path of balanced, sustainable, and inclusive growths, even as he assured that the CBN and the banks in Nigeria would continue to be catalysts to development in Nigeria, particularly as it concerned the vulnerable and needy in the society.

According to Emefiele, following a joint initiative by the banks in 2016, each bank contributed five per cent of its profit after tax to support the development initiatives of the government.

He further disclosed that the contributions to the fund was nearing the N60 billion mark, adding that the CBN and deposit money banks had concluded plans to unfold the disbursement criteria of the funds to the vulnerable sector in Nigeria, which he said needed access to credit.

On the efforts by the Bank in countering the adverse effects of the global shocks, he said the CBN embarked on a number of short- term and long-term policies such as a cycle of monetary tightening to rein in inflation; external reserves management through the restriction of foreign exchange for imports of goods that can be produced in Nigeria.

He said the Bank also established a decisive withdrawal of the “de facto” subsidy for the importation of 41 non-essential commodities with unfolding successes, introduced various policies to eliminate FX speculators, bettors, round-trippers and rent-seekers and thereby stabilise the exchange rate with the establishment of the Investors-Exporters Window among others.

Emefiele said that the sum of ₦393.5 billion had been released to 478 large scale agricultural projects since inception in 2010, even as the Bank was poised to disburse up to ₦400 billion at only 9.0 percent interest rate under the Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF), adding that the strategic initiative was targeted at projects in manufacturing and agriculture, given the mutual interdependence of both sectors for the complete industrialization of agro-allied business.

He said that under the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), established in 2011, more than 224 projects valued at over ₦33.0 billion were guaranteed for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s Growth Enhancement Scheme.

He said that under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), the domestic rice production had increased many folds and its imports had crashed substantially.

He enumerated the Bank’s intervention efforts in the power sector, which he said is key to industrialization, as well as the Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), adding that it is the nucleus of sustainable growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

He said that the intervention of the CBN in key sectors had resulted in a significant boost in local production, adding that as a result of the Bank’s strategic development finance initiatives supported by the dogged implementation of its foreign exchange restriction on certain items, Nigeria had recorded spectacular improvements in domestic production of most items that were hitherto imported.

In spite of the gains recorded by the Bank, he said that Nigeria remained significantly below its potential and must ensure that it sustains a properly functioning financial system that channels credits to critical high impact productive real sector.

The CBN boss insisted that a lot still needed to be done if Nigeria must achieve the desired balanced economic growth and development on a sustainable and inclusive level, he stressed the need for a well-coordinated and effective public private partnership to enable Nigeria achieve its potentials.

Present at the ceremony were the CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad; Chief Executives of Deposit Money Banks; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Professor Adeola Festus Adenikinju; and Departmental Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others. [myad]

Group Rates Osun, Kogi As Most Peaceful States In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2018

An independent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP), has rated Osun and Kogi States as most peaceful states in Nigeria.

The group said that Ekiti, Kwara and Imo State, come 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively in the rating even as it rates Yobe, Kebbi, Bauchi, Zamfara and Sokoto State as the five least peaceful states in Nigeria.

“This is apart from Borno State that was not considered in the research due to insufficient data and the Boko Haram red light.”

The Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP), Ambassador Abdulrazaq Hamzat who made the rating said that explained the methodology used in developing the index, adding that in attempting to rate the level of peace in Nigeria, NPI investigated the extent to which states experience social, economic, political and environmental factors that either hinders or promote peace.

“Five broad indicators were adopted for the index and they include, Level of Poverty, Crime Rate, Level of Education, Rate of Human Rights Abuses and Level of Incarceration.

“We collected data for year 2010-2016, an average of which gives us the result of Nigeria peace Index 2017.

“The NPI was referenced in a special report presented at the United Nations in 2017 by United Network of Young Peace builders titled ‘’Mapping a Sector: Bridging the Evidence Gap on Youth-Driven Peace building.”

At regional level, he said that South West emerged as most peaceful region in Nigeria, having two of its states, Osun and Ekiti as 1st and 3rd most peaceful states on the Nigeria Peace Index.

He said that despite the activities of militancy groups, the South South region still has more tendency of peace than South East, North Central, North West and North East region.

Abdulrazaq noted that measuring peace at the national level allows a country to assess the social, political and economic factors that create peace.

“Human attitudes, which often impede peace is a total summation of human life experiences, which if improved upon may lead to a more peaceful society, and failure of which leaves us with constant unrest.”

The representative of Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ichedi S.J commended the efforts of FPP, stating that the organizations effort is an attempt to begin the process of changing Nigeria’s narrative.

He asked FPP to seek collaboration and endorsement from statutory government agencies, even as assured them of the willingness of NBS to provide all necessary support in the future.

Engr. Chinedu Okpalanma, Co-Convener of Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) who unveiled the document expressed delight with the effort put into the index.

According to him, this research work came at a time when Nigeria dearly need peace in its quest for nation building, adding that it will go a long way in providing appropriate policy direction for peace building. [myad]

We Will Continue To Intervene In Internal Security Operations, Nigerian Army Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2018

The Nigerian Army has vowed to continue to intervene in maintaining internal security of the country, debunking insinuation in some social media that it is in phased withdrawal of troops on Internal Security Operations in some parts of the country.

“We wish to inform the public that it’s not true. The Nigerian Army will continue to live to the expectations of Nigerians in the discharge of its constitutional duties of defending the territorial integrity of our dear nation and in aid to civil authorities.”

In a statement, Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, said that the troops on the ground will continue to intervene decisively to checkmate any form of criminality.

While appealing to the general public to give the army understanding, support and cooperation, the spokesman called on state Governors and Local Government Councils Chairmen to also be responsive to the needs of the citizens through the provision of social and developmental infrastructures.

“This will help reduce incidences of crime and criminality in our society.”

He announced that troops of 72 Battalion Special Forces, while on clearance operation in Gbajimba, Baka, Tomanyi, Iyode and Dogon Yashi in Benue State, made contact with armed herdsmen militias who engaged the troops in a fire fight.

“In the exchange of fire, one militia herdsman was killed while one other with gunshots wounds and three others were arrested. One Ak 47 assault rifle was recovered after the encounter.”

Brigadier General Texas Chukwu said that two other herdsmen who engaged in destructive activities on farmlands were arrested at Chembe community.

This was even as troops of the Battalion on patrol at Jatoaka town effected the arrest of 10 armed robbery suspects linked to an armed robbery incidence, adding that all the suspects have been handed over to the police.

“Similarly, in Taraba State, at about 0030hous to 0230hours (12:30am to 0230am), Troops of 101 Special Battalion conducted clearance operation along road Suntai-Muji-Kungana.

“During the clearance operation, troops encountered armed bandits who blocked the road and were harassing and dispossessing road users of their valuables. The bandits fled into the bushes on engagement by own troops. A search of the general area led to the recovery of a dane gun. The barricade was cleared and traffic restored.” [myad]

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