A middle age man, Chinedu Samuel, who was alleged to have stolen N31, 000 from a female worshiper, Mrs. Josephine Mofe at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lagos, suddenly turned deaf and dumb, but began to talk when the court to which he was charged ordered him to be remanded in prison.
Samuel became ‘deaf and dumb’ after he was arraigned at an Ejigbo Magistrates’ area court today, Saturday.
A mild drama played out when the suspect was brought before the court for stealing the said money and after the court registrar read the charge against him, he started to demonstrate with his hands, pretending to be impaired. He did not take his plea.
The presiding judge, Akeem Fashola then ordered him to be remanded in prison custody since he refused to talk and when he heard the order and realized that he was being sent to the prison, the accused person started to talk, pleading with the court for leniency.
However it was already late as he had to be taken to the prison.
The suspect was arrested by the Police at Shasha Division for stealing N31, 000 belonging to a female worshiper, Mrs. Josephine Mofe.
He accused who later confessed that he pretended to be deaf and dumb so that Magistrate Fashola would have pity on him and release him, said that he wanted to take his plea but the prison officials had moved him into the awaiting vehicle en-route to the prison where he will stay up to the time he will be allowed to take his plea. [myad]
A 29-year old man, identified as Nurudeen Fatai has been charged before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ court for flashing phone torchlight at the palace of an Oba at night.
Fatai was said to have committed the offence, described as sacrilege, at the Oba of Ijegun’s Palace in Ijegun land in the outskirts of Lagos. He was immediately arrested and handed over to police at Isheri Oshun Division and was later charged for the alleged offence.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of the Station, CSP Camellius Emordi ordered that the suspect be charged for wandering and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The magistrate A.O. Ogba granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
Since I read the expose by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the looted public funds that have so far been traced to the former minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, I have been beside myself. The Commission has advisedly used the words -so far – which means its investigation is still on and much more illicit funds and items of property procured with laundered money could still be traced and apprehended.
I have been optimistic that the anti-corruption agency is spot-on this time round on Diezani being the actual owner of the sums of money and items of property disclosed in a syndicated article by two staff members of its Public Affairs Directorate, Mr Tony Orilade and Aisha Gambari. On looking at the essential thread that runs through the property acquisition and money deposits, I was at great pains to doubt the Commission’s narratives. The modus operandi and modus vivendi of the acts appear the same.
Assuming arguendo, that only a half of the disclosed details of funds looted outright as well as money laundered was correct, Diezani would still have dazzled many of us. What the elegant Amazon has proved in very clear terms is that she can do better; and, has, in fact, done better than a vast majority of men whose preoccupation in public office is believed to be looting of public treasury and conversion of our commonwealth to private estates.
The Diezani persona that the EFCC has presented to the world has shattered the gender characterisation that has, in the annals of independent Nigeria, created a perception of men as being the only corrupt folks in public office. It is sad that the gorgeous Diezani is the one trapped in the centre of the melodrama of diverted public funds, which stench is upsetting the sensibilities of all Nigerians. I am sure that former president, Goodluck Jonathan, must have been terribly embarrassed by the emerging sleaze perpetrated by his petroleum minister.
The dimensions of the alleged looting alone are benumbing. What exactly was Diezani’s problem? Was she kleptomaniacal? Or was she keeping money in trust for some extended interests in government? Anyhow, something must be propelling her to acquire, almost ad-infinitum, what she would not have been able to finish spending in her entire life, even if she were to live for 100 years on earth and if she were to be spending extravagantly every day.
Let us envision that former President Jonathan had won the 2015 presidential election; Diezani would certainly have been retained. And for her, it would have been business as usual. I can imagine Diezani eventually becoming as rich as, or even richer than the state. But if, indeed, her hands have been caught in the cookie jar of these crimes, then I concur with the view expressed by some friends that she is nothing but a disgrace to womanhood.
Consider what N47.2 billion and $487.5 million (well over N120 billion) both in property and in cash, could do to the infrastructure development of our nation. She has reportedly forfeited a skyscraper in Banana Island Foreshore Estate, which value was put at $37.5 million. A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos also ordered that the sums of $2,740,197.96 and N84, 537,840.70 realised as rents on the property be forfeited to the Federal Government. More details are coming up.
I imagine the other hidden funds yet to be discovered and I cannot help getting more and more flummoxed as to what point Diezani was trying to prove. Was she in competition with some persons in the cabinet of Jonathan or with some contemporaries in similar position in some oil-producing nations? What niche did she want to cut for herself? Did she want to become a super woman by appropriating to herself the funds that belong to all of us?
Was Diezani aiming to be richer than King Croesus, the last king of Lydia (c. 560-546 B.C.) who was so famously rich that his name became a byword for wealth in the expression “rich as Croesus”? Was Diezani planning to be the ultimate money-woman to whom all men and living beings must defer? Exactly what was Diezani up to? She has splashed the alleged “stolen” funds, with the sybaritic indulgence of Adnan Khashoggi, on exotic items of property and jewelry. Khashoggi, who died on June 6, this year, at 81 was a Saudi Arabian billionaire who lavished his wealth on exotic parties, estates, yachts, etc. In his heyday, he spent $250,000 a day to maintain his lifestyle.
Diezani has also reportedly kept the raw filthy lucre in some accounts traced to companies that allegedly have links to her, according to the EFCC. The Commission said that aside from jewelry and property, she has N23, 446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) in various Nigerian banks. The Commission’s breezy narrative is widely published in the print and online media for citizens’ contemplation.
As for me, at what point did Diezani lose the good motherly nature that is purportedly innate in all women? Women have become the quintessential reference point in humility, discipline, integrity and accountability? Men have been known from the beginning of time to represent the good, the bad and the ugly of society, especially as far as public office is concerned. The narrative is fast changing and Diezani is presenting a bizarre comparative complexity.
Has the EFCC almost completely unraveled Diezani? Is there a correlation between the looted funds uncovered by the Commission and the allegedly missing $20 billion under her watch as petroleum minister? Did the diverted funds come from other sources outside the controversial $20 billion to which former Central bank governor and now emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, drew public attention? There must be some nexuses at some points in time. We keep our fingers crossed. The Commission should also do well to disclose the sources of these Diezani’s heists.
Personally, there are no tears for Diezani for her overwhelming proclivity for the grotesque “looting” of our commonwealth and our patrimony. She has, no doubt, dazzled us. She should be given the opportunities to defend herself. Justice must be seen to be done so that equity can also dazzle her within the purview of the essential element of quid pro quo. Indeed, the entire episode is nauseating.
The activities of Boko Haram Terrorists have resulted in the death of an estimated 20,000 people with over two million people displaced. The economic impact on the North East is estimated at $9 billion with Borno State bearing the brunt of $5.9 billion, whereas loss of agricultural production is in the region of $3.5 billion. Over 400,000 housing units were damaged with Borno State having 95 percent of this.
Full text of a lecture presented by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, at the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) First Annual Conference held at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on August 10, 2017 goes thus:
INTRODUCTION
I feel greatly honoured to be invited as Guest Speaker at the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers first annual conference with the topic ‘’Counter-Insurgency and Role of the Nigerian Army in Creating Conducive Environment for Nigeria’s Economic Development. I believe this is based on the premise that there is a clear nexus between security and development since development can hardly take place without security being in place. According to Robert Mc Namara, “Security means development, security is not military hardware, though it may include it. Security is not military force, though it may involve it. Security is not traditional military activity, though it may encompass it. Security is development. Without development, there can be no security. A developing nation that does not develop simply cannot remain secure.” If the most essential security needs of a society cannot be assured, there is simply no way that economic development can take place. Nobody invests in a war zone since people with empty stomachs are often faced with the temptations of grabbing an AK 47 to join organized crime or migrate.
Let me start by acknowledging the widespread internal security challenges that have permeated almost all the geo-political zones of the Nigerian nation. Need I recall the fact that we had barely overcome issues of militancy in the Niger Delta and threat to our critical national infrastructure before the Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency reared its ugly head in 2009. As if these were not enough drain on our national and economic resources, the agitation for secession by the MASSOB/IPOB in the South East also became a challenge to the Nation’s security. Other security challenges that the country has to contend with in recent times included kidnapping, armed robbery as well as cyber related crimes, which directly affected investment and economic development in Nigeria.
It is also worthy to note that the challenges facing the country are not limited to those stated above but extends to the widespread cases of the nearly ubiquitous cattle rustling and clashes between herdsmen and farmers. Extrapolating from these myriad challenges and its effect on the economy as well as the life of the average Nigerian, the Armed Forces of Nigeria was tasked to come to the aid of the civil authority in line with constitutional provisions encapsulated in Section 217(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended which states that “the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic shall be employed in suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly” and by extension the promotion of economic development. Consequently, the military has had to place its men and equipment at the disposal of nearly all state governments to support internal security operations under the umbrella of Operation MESA. The aim of these deployments is to assure a secured environment that would allow citizens to go about their activities without let or hindrance thus providing a conducive environment for economic activities.
Furthermore, outside OP MESA, the military has also created special response outfits to combat specific cases of insecurity in areas with special needs. These include outfits like Operation LAFIYA DOLE to deal with the insurgency perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorist group in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. Others are Op SHARAN DAJI to deal with the issues of cattle rustling in the North West and North Central as well as Operation DELTA SAFE to deal with cases of militancy and pipeline vandalism in the South South and South Eastern parts of the country. In the same vein, Operation AWATSE was set up to deal with cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Lagos general area.
In all these cases, the involvement of the Nigerian military assisted other security agencies deal with security issues that created conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Let me say at this juncture with all modesty that the involvement of the Nigerian Military and particularly the Nigerian Army has led to a more secure Nigeria. Nigerian Army in close collaboration with other security agencies has been working assiduously to provide the enabling environment for economic activities to thrive.
AIM
The aim of this paper is therefore to discuss Counter-insurgency and the role of the Nigerian Army in creating conducive environment for Nigeria’s economic development.
SCOPE
The paper will cover the following:
Overview of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria.
Appraisal of NA Counter-Insurgency Campaign.
Role of the NA in creating conducive environment for Nigeria’s economic development.
OVERVIEW OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA
An insurgency is a rebellion against a constituted authority while Counter-Insurgency (COIN) can be defined as “comprehensive civilian and military efforts taken to simultaneously defeat and contain insurgency and address its root causes”. Boko Haram started as a local religious sect as far back 2009 with the name Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad in Arabic, which means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad” later metamorphosed into ‘Boko Haram’ – which literarily means ‘Western education is a sin and forbidden.’ The new ideology makes social and political activities such as wearing Western attires and voting in elections, a sin. Secular education is also considered ‘haram’ – forbidden.
Consequently, as the narrative goes, the activities of the group which was inimical to national security necessitated the Federal Government to take decisive action to halt their activities resulted in the arrest and death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf. This led to the rise of the violent and erratic Abubakar Shekau, Yusuf’s deputy who in July 2010, released a video statement claiming to be the new leader of the group. The new leadership apparently gave the terrorists renewed vigour to confront the state and its citizens in the North East and beyond.
On May 29, 2011, during the inauguration day of the former President, Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, Boko Haram terrorists detonated three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) near the Eagle Square in Abuja killing up to 10 people. Quite a number of other attacks followed thereafter. By 2013, Boko Haram operations assumed an international dimension as it was reported to have began operating in neighbouring Republics of Cameroon, Chad and Niger inflicting unprecedented loss of lives and properties. In May same year, the Federal Government declared a state of emergency in the three North Eastern States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe where Boko Haram attacks had been more prevalent.
Furthermore, the Boko Haram activities continued its bloody campaign in urban cities through the use of improvised explosives and bombing with FCT being the first target in April 14, 2014. Also, the group engaged the military and in some cases, took over some Nigerian territories. Many people, mostly women and children were taken as hostages and forced into being child soldiers and concubines, with some married to BHT commanders. Significant of mention also was the abduction of over 200 school girls at Chibok which attracted an international outcry.
APPRAISAL OF NA COUNTER-INSURGENCY CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTH-EAST
Nigeria, like many African countries has continuously revamped its counter-insurgency strategy to decisively nip the scourge of insurgency and indeed terrorism in the bud. As it is widely known, no state can effectively progress when such levels of insecurity pervade the land. As such, the NA has consistently over the years, devoted resources and manpower towards the Counter Insurgency campaign in the North-East, to ensure that the Boko Haram insurgency is defeated and peace restored to the region. I will briefly evaluate the NA Counter Insurgency campaign in the North East.
The NA introduced Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA in Aug 13 as the successor operation to Operation RESTORE ORDER and Operation BOYONA which hitherto were the prevailing operations at the time. This was as a result of the emerging insurgency and the need to put in place effective mechanisms to arrest the situation. The introduction of this operation subsequently led to the creation of 7 Div in Maiduguri to curtail the spate of killings and destruction. Since the inception of Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA, 3 and 7 Divisions have made commendable efforts to recapture all the territories that had fallen into the hands of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs). Additionally, there was creation of 8 TF Division in Mongono in order to dominate the area. Air operations were also conducted by HQ NAF in support of the Divisions’ offensive.
To further confront the strategy of the BHTs, on 16 Jul 15, Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA was replaced with Operation LAFIYA DOLE by the COAS, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, in order to infuse a renewed vigour and a rejuvenated spirit into the counter insurgency effort in the NE. Accordingly, in order to meet with the changing nature of the operation in the NE for the desired result, the Theatre Command North East with HQ at Maiduguri was created on 16 Aug 15. Since the creation of the Theatre Command North East, concerted efforts have been made to achieve the HQ’s mandate of coordinating and overseeing the operations of 3, 7 and the newly established 8 Task Force Division, the 3 Logistics Bases, and the Air Component under Operation LAFIYA DOLE. These strategic initiatives have further sustained the momentum of various operations in order to finally bring the overall mission to the desired end state. Presently, all recaptured locations are being consolidated upon while still pushing to clear the remnants of the BHTs.
In the entire crisis that had taken place in Nigeria necessitating the deployment of NA troops, the NA was able to restore peace and prevent further escalation of violence. It is therefore necessary to take a cursory look at the efforts of the NA in curbing terrorism and insurgency in the country, which includes but not limited to the appropriate deployment of equipment and modern war arsenals in the NE. Various combat and support units were also established to support the operation. Others included the training and welfare of personnel, which is one major instrument that led to the current success in the fight against insurgency, coordinated media communication strategy, as well as robust civil-military activities were some of the factors responsible for the successes recorded.
OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE IN PERSPECTIVE
The activities of the BHTs have resulted in the following:
Estimated 20,000 people killed and over 2 Million displaced.
Economic impact on the North East estimated at $9 Billion with Borno State bearing the brunt of $5.9 Billion.
Loss of agricultural production of $3.5 Billion.
Over 400,000 housing units damaged with Borno State having 95 percent of this.
In July 2015, Operation ZAMAN LAFIA transmuted to Operation LAFIYA DOLE with more aggressive posture. Along the line, the NA restructured its Counter Insurgency efforts in the North East with the establishment of Military Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri (MCCC) to coordinate Counter Insurgency activities in Borno State under 7 Division and Yobe and Adamawa States under 3 Division. Subsequently, 8 Task Force Division was established in January 2016 in Northern Borno and the Lake Chad axis. This restructuring changed the Counter Insurgency strategies by adopting aggressive posture, effective command and control, efficient use of weapon and logistics with particular attention to welfare of the troops.
This new strategy has culminated in the recapture of all territories, which were hitherto lost to BHT. From Mallam Fatori, Damasak, Kareto, Munguno, Baga, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, Bama, Bitta, Pulka, Gwoza, Limankara and Madagali in October 2016 which is the last territory occupied by Boko Haram Terrorists. This degraded the capability of the terrorists. By January 2017 a large percentage of the much talked about Sambisa Forest has been captured, 24 Chibok Girls rescued, while about 300,000 hostages and displaced people have been secured. Furthermore, not less than 1,009 Boko Haram Terrorists have surrendered voluntarily while 1,140 others have been arrested while another 1,500 confirmed Boko Haram Terrorists are currently under investigation. It is worthy to note that the concept of clearance operations of BHT enclaves and camps to reduce challenges of holding grounds by troops as well as conducting ambushes along BHT crossing points has led to destructions of over 200 BHT camps and enclaves.
In ensuring the capture of Sambisa forest, Operation CRACKDOWN was launched in April 2016 and this decimated the capacity of Boko Haram Terrorists as weapons and equipment were captured. The efforts of own offensive mounted pressure on the terrorists which led to their factionlisation. The faction loyal to Shekau occupied Sambisa Forest while that loyal to Al Barnawi/Mammar Nur are at the fringes of Northern Borno and Lake Chad. Although, at the period of Operation CRACKDOWN, the weather condition’s effect on terrain and mobility, culminated to laying of siege on Sambisa with blocking positions by units which created condition for Operation RESCUE FINALE.
The climax of Operation RESCUE FINALE was the capture of Camp Zero which is regarded as the heartbeat of Boko Haram Terrorists activities in Sambisa on 22 December 2016. The troops are currently on exploitation of other camps to prevent escape of fleeing BHT from Sambisa and its fringes. Nevertheless, based on antecedent of BHT, they have intensified attacks on soft targets through infiltration of Person Borne Improvise Explosive Devices. Therefore, all efforts, especially, effective vigilance by troops, community awareness, information gathering, Civilian Joint Task Force, Police and all stakeholders should intensify efforts to defeat Boko Haram by being aware of their environment and promptly reporting suspicious activities around them.
NIGERIAN ARMY STRATEGIES IN THE COUNTER INSURGENCY CAMPAIGN
The Nigerian Army has re-strategized its operations in the North East leading to the restructuring, introduction of new platforms and equipment which has considerably changed the tide against the insurgents and has led to so many successes recorded in the theatre of operations. Some of these strategies include:
Coordinated Strategic Communication and Information Operations. This is the integrated employment of media and psychological operation during military operations in concert with other Lines of Operation. This is done to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting own troops and allies. In line with this, the NA has aggressively pursued a media strategy that focuses on timely dissemination of information that reflects operational priorities and objectives. These strategies include periodic briefings and interviews, press releases, publication of Soja Magazine, formation journals and regular updates of NA social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter accounts), as well as embedding journalists in some of its operations. The purpose is to identify the target audience, and develop key narratives/messages that support mission priorities and disseminate such through the most appropriate medium. Other information activities to dominate information space over the terrorist include:
The Establishment of Media Campaign Centre. At operation LAFIYA DOLE to provide real-time and accurate information on military operations in the North –East and serve as a venue for proper coordination of military-media activities. Similarly, the NA has established the LAFIYA DOLE FM to bolster its information and media operations drive. The radio station which broadcasts in English, Hausa and Kanuri, and other major local languages with a view to sensitize them on the danger of the BH ideology as well as reorient the locals on the tenets of the 2 religions which both uphold peaceful coexistence, love and denounce violence of any sort. Furthermore, active online media (social media) is continuously used by the Nigerian Army through various social media platforms. The essence is to reach the whole world and to bring down the Boko Haram propaganda machinery using social media. As the COAS has once said “we have defeated Boko Haram physically and we follow them to social media and defeat them as well”.
Robust Utilization of Psychological Operations. Psychological operations (Psy Ops) are an essential component of military operations, having the specific goal of influencing perception. Psy Ops are organized operations to broadcast information targeted at influencing the “sentiment” (e.g. emotions, motives, objective reasoning) of large masses, such as a population or the policies of government. It is a planned operation to convey selected truthful information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately, their behavior. Nigerian Army has used different physiological operations in its narrative through leaflet, jingles, clips, posters etc, this instrument has helped to open doors of opportunities for some BHT to surrender which many have done through the introduction of Operation Safe Corridor. The capture of Camp Zero as well as the decimation of the ranks of the group was exploited for Psy Ops purposes through the upload of pictures and videos to the media space to play down the assumed superiority of the terror group.
Utilization of Cyber Operations. Boko Haram terrorists for instance use computer-generated intelligence to execute their atrocities. In response to this, the government, security agencies and the general public now use the same medium to provide access to critical, real-time information, as well as crucial and timely location of the insurgents proactively to stop them before they unleash terror on unsuspecting citizens. To achieve this, the government in 2011 mandated the NCC to register all mobile telephone lines in the country in order to enhance the security of the state and its citizens and to enable operators to have predictable profile about the users in their networks. With this information, the intelligence gathering capability of the Nigerian Security Services was remarkably enhanced, and a number of key Boko Haram commanders were captured, including Sani Mohammed, Kabiru Sokoto and Shuaib Mohammed Bama to mentioned but a few. Another instance was on 23 May, 2013, when the Government shut down mobile communications in the three Northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. The objective of the shutdown was to limit Boko Haram’s communications capabilities, restrict their ability to regroup and reinforce and also limit their ability to detonate improvised explosive devices. Although, this action had its adverse effect on social, economic and security situation in those areas, the success of the action led to the sect being driven from Maiduguri and its environs to the vast and treacherous Sambisa forest where the Army recently captured their main base and is also carrying out methodical clearance operations to put a final end to their activities.
Exploitation of Open-source Intelligence (OSINT). OSINT has been used by the NA to gather publicly available information on specific targets. The NA employs several modern techniques available in today’s highly sophisticated operations environment to conduct OSINT operations on certain targets which has helped the operations in the North East and other parts of the country in the arrest of many terrorists and economic saboteurs in the theatre of operations.
ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY IN CREATING A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The popular saying that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity, conflict and war encapsulates the role of the Nigerian Army in the nation’s economic development by creating the enabling environment for this to be achieved especially in crisis areas.
The visible role of the NA in creating a conducive environment for economic development is often seen in the activities of the NA in the on-going counter insurgency and terrorism operations in various parts of the country.
These roles are very important in ensuring that economic life in affected conflict areas return to normalcy. At a time when the federal government is vigorously pursuing the diversification of the Nigerian economy, the North East which is very rich in agricultural and solid mineral resources is embroiled in a counter insurgency and terrorism crisis which if not tackled is capable of affecting the positive plans of the government in diversifying the nation’s economy.
The NA realizing the importance of peace in economic development of the federal government and in keeping up with its constitutional mandate of offering aid to civil authority, has embarked on a number of measures aimed at restoring peace and economic activities to the areas it is currently involved in internal security. The measures embarked upon by the NA include:
Stabilization Operations. Stabilization operations encompass various military missions, tasks, and activities conducted in coordination with other instruments of national power to maintain or re-establish a safe and secure environment. It also provides essential government services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. The mechanisms of stability and stabilization are the primary methods through which friendly forces affect civilians in order to attain conditions that support establishing a lasting, stable peace. Whenever the NA conduct stabilization operations, it generally focuses initially on securing and safeguarding the populace, re-establishing civil law and order, and restoring public services and key infrastructure.
Supporting Economic Stabilization. The NA enables the economic conditions that usher in the nascent stages of growth, allowing for the resumption of commercial activities. These conditions include re-opening and operating businesses, the increase of or the reversal of downward trends in private sector employment, and re-establishing or maintaining functioning markets. The NA is currently involved in several interventions to facilitate economic growth and rebuilding of affected communities in the North East. This it has done by reconstructing and re-opening some roads such as Gamboru-Ngala, Maiduguri-Gubio – Damasak and Maiduguri-Mungono – Baga roads), it has also done same for bridges and re-opening some local markets hitherto disrupted by the activities of the Boko Haram Terrorists. The crisis in the North East according to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) resulted in the displacement of over 3 million persons while about 8.5m people require life-support humanitarian aids. The decimation and degrading of the insurgents since the beginning of 2017, has led to substantial voluntary repatriation of the refugees and IDPs back to their localities that were certified cleared of Boko Haram insurgents. The success of the military led counter-insurgency operations in the North East has created enabling environment for economic development through improved socio-economic activities by both States and Federal government. For instance, in Borno State, the State Government constructed the Benisheik General Hospital, Kaga Local Government that was inaugurated by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2017. The government then commenced work on the 40km Miringa-Gunda and other drainage/road projects in Biu; completed reconstruction of four towns and villages destroyed by Boko Haram within Kaga Local Government Area, while those in Bama, Gwoza and Askira Uba and Gamboru-Ngala are work in progress. Most public schools remained closed since March 2014 due to insurgency until October 2016 when many were reopened as a result of improved security. It was observed that oil exploration activity also commenced in the Lake Chad basin before the recent killing and abduction of some explorers/lecturers from University of Maiduguri. In Adamawa State which also suffered from the menace of Boko Haram before they were flushed out, the government successfully embarked on the construction of 46 roads within one year among other projects occasioned by improved security. Currently, the World Bank is to spend 150 million USD on 9 sectors of the state economy over a 4-6 years period. These projects will enhance the economic development of the State and the country at large. Dangote’s reopening the Sugar factory in Numan Adamawa State among other investments in Nigeria is an investment made possible due to a more secured environment.
Create Security Conditions Needed to Facilitate Employment Creation. The Army on realizing the importance of gainful employment in the actualization of lasting peace especially in the operations environment, has been able to provide security for employment activities to take place. Establishing an environment where the local population is able to move to and from potential employment is essential.
Employment Generation. Employment generation is both an immediate peacekeeping and post-conflict objective, and a means of establishing the foundation for future economic growth and political stability. The primary emphasis in the immediate post-conflict period is to provide employment quickly, even if those jobs are temporary and not sustainable. The Army in collaboration with other agencies often engage the services of youth in the operation areas to carry out some reconstruction and provision of some basic services to effectively engaged them. Even though the military focus will be on quickly implementing short-term quick impact project, it contributes to the longer term economic and political development strategies. The NA contributes to economic development as it also keys into the development agenda of the federal government by coming up with various schemes to improve the economic growth and development of its personnel and host communities. The Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP) initiated by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai where personnel of the NA and their spouses are supported with the enabling environment and financial assistance to go into farming and life stock agriculture is also a way of promoting economic development especially in agriculture. Similarly, the establishment of the Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies in Biu, Borno State has created a boost to the local economy of the community and has also generated employment.
Civil Military Operations. Civil-Military Operations (CMO) is a broad term used to denote the activities by military commanders to establish, maintain, influence or exploit relations between military forces and civil authorities, both governmental and non-governmental and the civilian populace in a friendly, neutral or hostile operational area. CMO may include activities and functions which normally falls under the responsibility of the local government. These activities may occur prior to, during or subsequent to other military actions. The NA has provided medical assistance and schools to IDPs in the NE and other parts of the country. It has also engaged key stakeholders in affected communities toward the restoration of peace and constantly disseminate information to the public especially in the aspect of ensuring normal economic activities return to liberated communities affected by crisis.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, the paper has made efforts to critically highlight Counter-Insurgency and Role of the NA in Creating Conducive Environment for Nigeria’s Economic development. There is a positive relationship between peace and the actualization of economic development. The Nigerian Army in keeping up with its constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of the nation, is also kin on ensuring that the right atmosphere to promote economic development is maintained all over the country. Thank you for the invitation and singular opportunity to speak to this highly respected audience.
Contemporary Warfare and War Reporting: The Dilemma of Military Leadership”, being a paper presented by Lt Gen TY Buratai, Chief of Army Staff at the DAPR 3rd Quarter 2015 Study Period Maiduguri.
Remarks By Lt Gen Ty Buratai Chief Of Army Staff As Guest Of Honour At The 2017 Editionof The Security Meets Dialogue Series Of The Lagos Chamber Of Commerce And Industry On 9 February 2017
Sara B K. (2010). Military Social Influence in the Global Information Environment: A Civilian Prime. Retrieved fromhttps://www.gwern.net/docs/terrorism/2010-king.pdfon 20th June, 2017.
United States Joint Forces Command Handbook for Military Support to Economic Stabilization. Unified Action Handbook Series Book Four. 27 February 2010.
USAID, A Guide to Economic Growth in Post-Conflict Countries (2009). [myad]
The issue of diversification is a recognition of a fact and a presumption that a mono-culture economic practice is bad, as it is susceptible to vicissitudes of market forces, to the extent that, if a product is no longer viable, or no more valuable to consolidated consumers, the single-product economy suffers. Thus, there is always the need for a society to ensure that it trades in many goods and services, believing that such a tactical approach is a guarantee that a society’s strategic objective is never at peril.
“I suspect that this elementary economic theory is in line with peoples native intelligence to wit, ‘do not put all of your eggs in one basket.’
“Let me say this, and it is with all sense of responsibility, that the proponents of this ‘diversification’ theory, with respect to the chronically ill Nigeria economy, are not being honest. Indeed, I dare say they are being mischievous, just as they insist on playing Nero as our Rome prepares to go up in flames. Truth is, for Nigeria, it may well be one-minute to midnight, if we continue to ignore the ‘first principle’ in nation-building.
Nigeria economy is in recession. Many reasons have been advanced for the perilous state of the nation. We have heard of ‘corruption’ as the cause, except that my ordinary level economics class taught me that recession is a factor of drop in productivity. Economists call it Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is to say that an economy need not go into recession simply because stealing is abroad, otherwise, all capitalist countries will be on permanent recession mode because ‘corruption’ is built into capitalist or market-force driven economy. So, what is responsible for Nigeria’s arrested development, to put it in a counter thesis to GOCOP request: Nigeria economy cannot enjoy a sustainable growth and neither can it be diversified because there is even no basis for economic growth.”
Read the full text of a lecture delivered by Professor Akin Onigbinde at the First National Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), held on Thursday, August 10, at Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos:
Let me begin, as should be expected by the code of conduct amongst people of Yoruba extraction, a Nigeria ethnic-nationality group and say, e ku ile o, se daadaa ni mo ba yin. This salutation is for everybody here present, that has come in felicitation with our common host at this auspicious gathering.
Yet, I cannot proceed with my short commentary without due and specific commendation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) who had considered me worthy of being accorded a space, as Guest Speaker, on the occasion of its first Annual Conference which also coincide with the occasion for the election of new executives’ to speak on critical national issues, especially as they relate to online publishing and the social media.
When my dear friend and brother, a compatriot and ready ally in my own convened interventionist group engagements on critical national issues, our own Gabriel Akinadewo, called on me about two weeks ago to offer me a privileged platform to be here, today, I was inclined to decline, albeit for a clear and present reason. The reason being that I was already scheduled to depart the shores of the country, later today, and was too immersed in the preparations for the very business of my engagement, as an academic and a researcher for which purpose I was due out of the country.Thus, for me the invitation to deliver an address to a forum of seasoned journalist-writers a challenge I considered too tasking, and definitely too risky to accept, ‘just like that’
However, on reflection, I saw in the invitation by GOCOP, through Gabriel Akinadewo, an opportunity to pluck a low-hanging apple, of a platform, from where I am able to discharge a truck load of gratitude to publishers of some of our nation’s on-line publications, who has been willing collaborators in my own-led New Independence Group (NIG) interrogations of the Nigeria nation space. And in this seemingly ‘subvertive’ activities, Gabriel Akinadewo’s freedom online publication has been most guilty of ‘treason’ for its unconditional obligation, always.
What economy, what diversification and towards what end?
I have elected to speak on my own adopted title of: “Diversification of the Nigeria Economy, Restructuring As First Principle” in apparent subversion of GOCOP “Command” Topic of: “Sustaining Growth Through Diversification of the Economy.” But I assure you, I am not just a rebel against the “constituted authority” of this plank of the Fourth Estate of the realm, represented by the Guild of Editors. The point is, a proper deconstruction of my chosen topic would reveal a mere varied version of GOPOC theme because, at the end of the day, it will be seen that your Guest Speaker has only insisted on the need for the resolution of the ‘first principle’ to enable the business of ‘diversification’ to proceed on an unclustered pathway to growth and development. And I can only hope that your group, made up of journalists, placed in a vantage position to constantly engage our nation unfolding history, will help to correctly articulate and ventilate this ‘first principle’ in our quest for nation-building. This, however, is on the assumption that GOCOP has not permitted itself to be sucked into ‘false consciousness’, to the extent of being unwittingly dragged into a revisionist theory on diversification of a so-called economy, outside of a wholistic theory of political-economy that ensures growth and development. The point is ‘nothing can be built on nothing’, just as it is idle speech making to talk of sustenance growth in the absence of crop-planting.
Let us put it like this: the issue of diversification is a recognition of a fact and a presumption that a mono-culture economic practice is bad, as it is susceptible to vicissitudes of market forces, to the extent that, if a product is no longer viable, or no more valuable to consolidated consumers, the single-product economy suffers. Thus, there is always the need for a society to ensure that it trades in many goods and services, believing that such a tactical approach is a guarantee that a society’s strategic objective is never at peril. I suspect that this elementary economic theory is in line with peoples native intelligence to wit, ‘do not put all of your eggs in one basket’.
Let me say this, and it is with all sense of responsibility, that the proponents of this ‘diversification’ theory, with respect to the chronically ill Nigeria economy, are not being honest. Indeed, I dare say they are being mischievous, just as they insist on playing Nero as our Rome prepares to go up in flames. Truth is, for Nigeria, it may well be one-minute to midnight, if we continue to ignore the ‘first principle’ in nation-building.
Nigeria economy is in recession. Many reasons have been advanced for the perilous state of the nation. We have heard of ‘corruption’ as the cause, except that my ordinary level economics class taught me that recession is a factor of drop in productivity. Economists call it Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is to say that an economy need not go into recession simply because stealing is abroad, otherwise, all capitalist countries will be on permanent recession mode because ‘corruption’ is built into capitalist or market-force driven economy. So, what is responsible for Nigeria’s arrested development, to put it in a counter thesis to GOCOP request: Nigeria economy cannot enjoy a sustainable growth and neither can it be diversified because there is even no basis for economic growth.
As I had earlier suggested, what economy are we to diversify? And As I had also insisted on, there can be no economy to be diversified, hence there will be no growth as to speak of ‘sustainable growth.’ If we recall the idea of diversification of the economy, as a major policy option of the present administration, was first hinted at by the Acting President. To be clear, Professor Yemi Osinbajo thunder, like Zeus, from Mount Olympus, was no more than political-gallery acting, as his widely reported statement was a deliberate subversion of strident calls, by different sections of the Nigerian polity, for a review of terms of co-existence by Nigerians.Such agitations by different sections of the polity, calling for the rebuilding of the Nigerian state, is contained in the code-name of ‘restructuring.’
Restructuring is a loaded issue, and we would not be delayed with its explication on this platform. But let us, however, say that Nigeria will continue to remain in a state of suspended animation, economically, so long as some sections of the Nigerian nation space feel short-changed by the Nigeria political economy, due, largely, to the operations of present structure of the Nigerian state. It think it too obvious to serious-minded minds to bother pontificating on benefits that Nigeria wait to harvest if the over-extended central government will thinker with the ‘Exclusive’ of the military imposed constitution of 1999, and devolve some of its functions. It is only in Nigeria, purporting to run a federal system.of Administration that a serious business of policing in centralized, with a Zamfara-born and nurtured police office is expected to secure the people of Iberekodo in Abeokuta. But why is it difficult for policy makers to know that policing, as subset of security matter, is a local affair
Truth is, so long as the centre holds a ‘veto power’ over the economic activities of Nigeria so-called federating units, so long will Nigeria manifest destiny remain dormant
We speak, rather gleefully of ‘diversification’ of the economy. For clarity or understanding, ‘diversification’ may mean that states should seek other areas of income (IGR), instead of depending on monthly allocations from the centre, which income has dwindled, due partly because less of our mono-cultural product is being demanded on the international market because alternatives to our (only) export are being daily patronized. Yet, even our quota cannot be met because those on whose geographical space the exportable crude oil reside makes smooth operations of the explorers difficult because they are not happy with the rest of the country on account of not being given their due ‘as the goose that lays the golden egg.’
Again, let us agree that even if there is peace in the Niger Delta, and we are meeting our quota for export, we must also agree that oil is a vanishing and non-renewable product. Hence, the need for ‘diversification.’ Regrettably, ‘diversification’ can hardly proceed as a policy-option without the requisite infrastructure procurement. And infrastructure procurement is hinged on the constitutional resolution of the ‘First Principle’. Today, as we speak here, in this August gathering of nation’s information purveyors, I know of no geo-political zone of six zonal structure, into which Nigeria’s pseudo-federalism is subdivided, that is not endowed with extractive mineral resources, literally begging for exploration, and made maketable for the much needed foreign exchangeearnings to boost Internally Generated Revenue, one way by which states of the Federation can be freed from feeding bottle of the Nigerian government over extended state. Here, we are not even talking of Agriculture productive sector of which no state isimpoverished. Let us look at the mineral resources endowments.
Taraba: Kaoline, Soda Ash (Partially investigated)
Zamfara: Coal, Cotton, Gold.
But because of the way our country is structured, politically, as enshrined in the 1999 fraudulent constitution that ascribed a military imposed document to “…we the people…,” Osun State, for example, can do very little in accessing the mineral resources underneath its soil, as only the Federal Government can accord explorers/miners that the government of Osun State may encourage to come, the requisite license to proceed to Ijeshaland where the gold deposit is much. And given the atavistic nature of our retail politics, hinged, essentially on zero-sum equation, where it is “winner takes all”, such requested mandate on economic activity in Osun State may be denied in Abuja, especially if the Osun government is under the administration of a different political party from the one in the nation’s capital. It once happened to an idea of electricity power generation, as conceived by the government of Lagos State in 1999, when the PDP-run Federal administration, at dagger-drawn encounter with AD-administered Lagos State, ensured that the project was nonprofitable for the foreign investors, with which Lagos State government was in business under some public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. Yet, today, the same Lagos State government is reported to have approached, literally on its bended knees, to seek the permission of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to enable it retain for the good people in Lagos State, the 3,000MW it wishes to generate, through the activities of some private investors. Perhaps, the Leviathan in Abuja will oblige, afterall, Lagos State, this time around, waves the same broom with the party that controls the levers of power in Abuja. Yet, the minister in charge of power once ran the shop in Alausa, Ikeja. But this is also assuming that the zero-sum political sensibility, currently running within the ruling party in Lagos State, is not brought to bear on this ‘begging’ mission of the incumbent in Alausa.
But it is this ‘begging’ culture, a presumed ‘privilege’ to be accorded a unit in a supposed federal arrangement that we must constantly interrogate, if really we are interested in building an economy to be nurtured for ‘sustained growth.’ And, on this simple, yet herculean task, the over 50 membership of Guild of Editors Corporate Online Publishers has its job already cut out, provided it hopes to be in business through patronage of advertisers. After all, only a vibrant economy, within a free political environment, where rights are claimed and citizens welfare, through the provision of requisite infrastructure, is not subjected to sets of privileges to be ‘dashed’ out, albeit it, conditionally to peoples representatives by a coordinate power at the centre.
The imperative of restructuring
I reckon it is time to bring this short address to a close, but it is also important to remind ourselves of where we were before the locusts arrived in 1966, adorning military fatigue and studded boots to eat off the very foundation of our nation’s economic growth. Again, we should remind ourselves of why we are being asked to ‘diversify’.This call, when it came, was meant to veer us from the ‘feeding bottle’ federalism, of each and all – from all corners of Nigeria, including my local government of Ifo, in Ogun State – to proceed to the centre of power, every month end, to receive from the ‘lord of manor’, its benevolence.
Let us not forget, for a moment, that what we are being ‘dashed’ by the putative benefactor are proceeds from the beneficiaries, constitutionally warehoused to Abuja, for where, for example, the Lagos, Bayelsa, Ogun, River states, receive a token of their contributions – less than what was ‘seized’ from them. Let us, again, not forget that, presently, not all are ‘equal’ contributors to this national coffer. Indeed, some do not bring any edible to the village eating mat, even when we all know that no member of our large family is a destitute, poor enough as not be in a position to feed itself, and still have enough to donate to our monthly ‘egungun’ festival for the blessing and benefit of our community. But this is only feasible if and when we resolve to arrange the terms and conditions of our relationships, to co-exist under equity and justice.
At this stage, perhaps for the necessary illumination on why we must commence an urgent dialogue with the Nigeria’s future ask the question: why has successive leaders of Nigeria acquired the dubious post-office tag of ‘corrupt’, ‘tyrant’ ‘clueless’ and indeed,’incompetence’. Yet, we may ask, why has our immediate post-independence leaders, adjudged as relatively successful, at least in terms of democracy and governance deliverables. For example, years, long after Obafemi Awolowo left office as Premier of Western Region, which comprised of what now constitute Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Edo, Delta, he remains a reference point in good governance and competent leadership. For instance, and this was inspite of Awolowo public disagreement with Odumegwu Ojukwuover his misrepresentation of what transpired over the Biafra course, the Biafran leader, at Awolowo’s funeral, saw in him, ‘the best president Nigeria never had’.
Before him, in a goodwill message, made public, on the occasion of Obafemi Awolowo last earthly celebrated birthday, the then military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, described Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the ‘main issue of Nigeria politics’
Let us get it right, lest we run into the ‘Bermuda triangle’ of historiography: the enduring crisis of legitimacy between individual role in history and the counter claim of de-legitimising the individual in the dynamics of historical reconstruction. To be clear, I am a firm subscriber to the doctrine of the individual pivotal role in the eternal movements of history, through its many modes and trajectories. But this is in so far as we do not lose the fact that, the ‘super hero’ of history is a ‘mere’ product of the environment, a variable among other contending, cooperating and conflicting forces that shape a declared end of historical activity, in which the individual is involved as co-participant. And those contending and cooperating variables include the way the operating theatre, where the drama of history is played out, is structured to enable the various actors to act their allotted parts in the various scenes. We should also not ignore the roles of the ‘prompters’, the ‘costumers’, the make-up artste. And indeed, the lightening of the stage.
My social sensibility and political relationship makes me a subscriber to Awolowo political philosophy, but I shall not be found amongst those who will submerge Awolowo’s operating environment under his richly deserved greatness, as an achiever of many firsts.Indeed, to do this is to do a great disservice to a man’s ‘political manifesto’ of a life-long struggle to achieve a country properly structure along a federalist agenda, befitting a nation made up of multi-ethnic nationalities and multi-religious persuasion.
Obafemi Awolowo in the West, and his fellow premiers in the North, East and later mid-West, were in healthy competition to out-perform one another, simply because the ‘First Principle’ Nigeria being, as enumerated under Lyttleton constitution of 1954, as adopted for the 1960 independence constitution, and later upgraded to the Republican constitution of 1963 gave them sufficient elbow room to operate as the imperative of the needs, based on their respective region’s incomes dictate. The Western region, for example, had its Marketing board from where it was able to lend money to the federal government of Nigeria when the latter needed a bailout fund to offset a budgetary deficit. Yet, it is on record that civil servants of Western region received monthly salaries and emoluments than their counterparts at the federal level, then based in Lagos.
Thus, my friends and colleague in the media, your task is to assist in the struggle for the re-making of Nigeria, so that we can have an economy to grow and sustain.
Regrettably, the option before us, even if we choose to live a lie, is between restructuring of the warped and indolent pseudo-federal arrangement and seccession-the option being offered us by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and other ethnic-nationality groups that has, since Nnamdi Kanu launched his secession bus, joined the long and bumpy road to Somalia.
I thank you all.
* Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde, a Senior Research Fellow in programme, Centre for West African Studies, University of Birmingham, UK, is the Convener of New Independence Group (NIG), a socioeconomic Think Tank. [myad]
Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General I-Attahiru
The Nigerian Army has reacted to impression created in the media that its officers intentionally raided a house purported to accommodate some staff of an international humanitarian organisation under the United Nations (UN) in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, saying that the house in question did not even bear UN sign. The Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, who spoke to news men in Maiduguri, said that the army conducted condone operation in the Pompori area of Maiduguri in search of high profiled Boko Haram insurgents. General Attahiru said: “Our actions, like previous successful exercises, were based on intelligent reports made available to the military and never intended to tarnish the image of the UN body, an agency we so much respect and hold in higher esteem.” General Attahiru explained that the house in question did not bear UN designation but was later discovered to accommodate some staff of UN humanitarian agency. “The condone and search operation was not specifically targeted at the UN facility, but rather done in the general area of operation. About 30 houses were searched during the exercise and no arrests were made. “The military recorded significant success in various operations conducted in the theatre in the past two weeks. For instance, our troops under the Operation LAFIYA DOLE neutralized several Boko Haram insurgents, made arrests and discovered a bomb making factory. “The development assisted to reduce the spate of suicide bombing and insurgents’ attacks. “It should not be misconstrued that the Nigerian Army is trying to stop the UN from discharging its activities. We are partners in progress in the counter insurgency operations”. “We will continue to collaborate with the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agencies to achieve the goals of the counter-insurgency campaign and other developments to address the humanitarian crisis in the North-East region. “The Nigerian Army is very aware of the need of the UN agencies to discharge their duties and we are ready to support them by providing enabling and conducive environment to UN and other agencies to enhance their operations.” The Director Defence Information, Major General John Enenche also denied the alleged invasion of UN house in Maiduguri, saying in a statement in Abuja: “the house being referred to as United Nations building, is an unmarked accommodation without any sign that it was occupied by United Nations. Notwithstanding, the search operation was conducted peacefully at the premises, when the troops were allowed into it, just like other buildings. “Furthermore, the relationship between the Nigerian Military and United Nations has been cordial, aimed at working towards a more secured world in general and Nigeria in particular, which will be sustained. Thus, everything will be done by the Nigerian Military to ensure that United Nations activities and interests are given adequate protection and encouragement. “Therefore, the general public is hereby requested to disregard the information that “United Nations building in Maiduguri was raided by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.”[myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari with R-L: Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant Media & Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu, Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina and Personal Assistant Digital/Online Media Lauretta Onochie as he receives Presidential media team as well as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters at the Abuja House London on 12th August 2017.
President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that he now feels okay and wishes to start coming back to Nigeria, but that this time, he has to obey his doctors. The President, who received the minister of information, Lai Mohammed, members of the Presidential media team and Presidential advisers at the Abuja House in London said: “I’ve learnt to obey my doctor’s orders, rather than be the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctor is absolutely in charge.” Buhari said in a lighter mood: “I feel I could go home, but the doctors are in charge. I’ve now learnt to obey orders, rather than being obeyed.” President Buhari said that he has been following events at home closely through the media, and commended Nigerian television stations, and the media generally, for keeping him informed. Buhari thanked Nigerians, Africans and others across the world for their fervent prayers for his recovery, saying: “what we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent. It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank all those who are praying. May God reward them.” President Buhari sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would be with them soon. Those who were in the entourage to London on visit to President Buhari today, Saturday are information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Mr Femi Adesina; Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu: Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media, Lauretta Onochie and Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”” source=”https://greenbreporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Buhari-1.jpg”] [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”” source=”https://greenbreporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Buhari-3.jpg”] [/image_slider]
Nigeria Secret Police, known as Department of State Security (DSS), has smashed notorious kidnapping gangs that have been terrorising motorists on Kano-Kaduna-Abuja road for sometime now. Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters said that the Service arrested one Haliru HASSAN and six (6) other members of a notorious kidnap gang operating along the Abuja – Kaduna High Way at Kakuri Industrial Area in Kaduna State. The gang is said be made up of Usman ABDULKADIR, Yusuf SAIDU, Abubakar SHUIABU, Abukakar SULEMAN, Uzairu BAWA, and Sani ABUBAKAR. The gang is confirmed to have been terrorizing motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. The DSS also busted another kidnap gang and apprehended its kingpins, Rabiu SANI aka DOGO and his close associate, Abubakar SANI along Zaria–Funtua Road in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State. SANI is said to be a notorious kidnapper and gun-runner who has been supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States. DSS said that items recovered from the duo are: i. A Blue Volkswagen Vento car with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, ii. One (1) Pistol, iii. Four (4) AK-47 Magazines, iv. Five (5) FN rifle, v. Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine (989) rounds of Ammunition, vi. One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition, vii. One (1) Beretta magazine, and viii. The sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand One Hundred and Forty Naira (N457, 140). Similarly, two high profile kidnappers, namely: Rabiu DAHIRU aka KACHALLA and Umar YA’U were said to have been apprehended by the Service at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, . DAHIRU and YA’U are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State. Twenty six live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest. That was even as a suspected gunrunner, Haruna MUSA was arrested at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. MUSA is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements, especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs. The following items were recovered on him during his arrest; Opel Vectra V6 car with Reg. No. 899-MKA (grey colour), Thirty one (31) AK-47 magazines. DSS said it had also smashed a kidnap syndicate led by one Ebifagbe DICKSON aka GINIKACHI and five others namely: Williams JEPHTER, Messiah PHILIPS, Sample REUBEN, Prosper EBITARI and Charles Krobo JAMES at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This gang was said to be responsible for the kidnap of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass Local Government Area. The gang was said to have been intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory.[myad]
Outgoing President of GOCOP, Musikilu Mojeed delivering his speech during the conference in Lagos| Photo credit: Premium times Nigeria
President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), who had just stepped down, Musikilu Mojeed has narrated the measures taken by the Guild to make sure that only qualified and genuinely trained Journalists are registered to run online media in Nigeria. Mojeed, who spoke shortly before handing over to the newly elected President, Dotun Oladipo, who was elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guild in Lagos, said that the Guild was formed about four years ago to check all forms of professional misconduct by new media proprietors and their journalists, “be it blackmail, fake news, rumour mongering, or copyright infringement.” Mojeed, who said that GOCOP had only nine members at its inaugural meeting on October 9, 2013, said that now the membership has grown to 55 even as many more are queuing up to join. “Yet, becoming a member of GOCOP does not come easy. Our constitution demands that to be admitted: a. You must have practised journalism for at least 10 years. b. Non journalist who establishes an online news publication must appoint an editor who has practised for at least 10 years. c. Your company must be registered as a media entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission. d. Members must have verifiable and functional office in Nigeria. e. You must have a minimum of two reporters and other layers of staff. f. Your online publication must have been in existence for a minimum of one year. g. You must be recommended by at least two financial members of the association. h. To be admitted to the Association, the Screening Committee must certify that you have met the requirements (a to g) above. You may lose membership: a. If you fail to keep your financial obligations to the Association for at least three years. b. If you are proven to have engaged in any form of unethical conduct.” Mojeed said that GOCOP has an Ethics/Disciplinary Committee, adding that membership of GOCOP is usually revoked once it is proven that a member engaged in any form of misconduct. “Over the years, we have peer-reviewed each other, and ensured that members remained on the path of professionalism. At one of our meetings we agreed to name and shame members who indulge in any form of professional misconduct. We have engaged authorities and private sector entities in our country on how to enhance professionalism in our country and deepen trust in the media. Since the inception of this Guild, the online media space in Nigeria has ballooned. “A number of online news platforms have sprung. This exponential growth has, understandably, come along with a lot of positives and not a few negative developments. While this expansion in the space signify healthy increase in access to information by Nigerian citizens, as well as democratization of the space to give way for diversity of voices, it at the same time portends series of problems. “Chief among these is the unhealthy dose of fake news and hate speech being dished out through some of these websites and blogs. Indeed, some of the platforms appear to have been set up solely for propaganda, smear campaigns or for the spreading of hate. Just like security agencies and those in authority, we are equally worried about the proliferation of fake news sites that trade in fake news, and those who exist to spread hate. We are concerned beyond our standing as patriotic citizens but also as online publishers because of how the activities of some unscrupulous elements are giving us all a bad name. While we will continue to advocate for widening of the space for citizens to express themselves, GOCOP is ready to support authorities concerned in a bid to sanitize this industry. “We however demand that all stakeholders, including this guild and all other identified Nigerian media stakeholders join hands to find solution to this problem. We are for sanity but we do not want a regulatory environment that gags or muscle the nation’s media space.”
Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, congratulated the Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, on his emergence as the President of GOCOP.
A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, said that the Corps Marshal used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Guild for the zeal with which the members have helped the Corps promote its safety messages through their different online platforms.
Kazeem said that the Corps Marshal equally congratulated Maureen Chigbo, the Publisher of RealNews magazine, who emerged the Deputy President of the Guild; Danlami Nmodu, Publisher of NewsDiary online as Secretary General; Segun Adeleye, Publisher of World Stage as Financial Secretary; Janet Mba-Afolabi, Publisher of the Scroll as Treasurer and Olumide Iyanda, Publisher of Qed.ng as Publicity Secretary. [myad]
From left: President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and Editor-In-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES, Muskiliu Mojeed; representative of the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission; Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina; Key-note speaker, Professor Onigbinde; representative of Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi at the First Annual Conference of GOCOP, held on Thursday, August 10, in Ikeja GRA, Lagos. [myad]
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Nigeria Secret Police, known as Department of State Security (DSS), has smashed notorious kidnapping gangs that have been terrorising motorists on Kano-Kaduna-Abuja road for sometime now.
