The Spiritual Head of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) Worldwide, Olumba Olumba has blamed the economic recession which Nigeria is currently going through on greedy leaders who did not love the country even as he said that the recession would soon come to an end if Federal Government continues with its current economic recovery programme.
Olumba who spoke to news men today, Tuesday, in Calabar on the activities lined up for the celebration of the divine manifestation of its founding Leader Olumba Olumba Obu said: “If there is love there will be no recession; recession is a result of mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources by the leaders.
“Nigeria has abundant resources as a nation, but because leaders lack love with one another, they squander the collective wealth of the people.
“President Buhari will succeed in ending recession, if he continues with his current programs, including the fight against corruption among others.”
Olumba, who spoke through BCS spokesman, Mr. Edet Archibong said that, part of activities to mark the event include visit to Motherless Homes; heeling the Sick; Deliverance and giving of Arms.
He described leader Olumba Olumba Obu as a true Son of God who came to fulfill the prophecies about the establishment of the New Kingdom of God and the second advent of Christ.
According to him, the activities which began on Monday, Dec.26, would reach a climax on Friday.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined Arik Air Limited N6 million delaying passengers’ baggage on London – Lagos route between December 2 and 4 thereby contravening the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
The NCAA also ordered the airline to pay each of the passengers with the baggage the sum of $150 as compensation.
This was contained in a statement by the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye today, Tuesday.
The statement said that a Letter of Sanction with reference no. NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1-06/16/439 and dated December 22, has already been sent to Arik Air and that the Authority discovered that Arik Air violated Part 19.7.2 and 19.17.2.1 (ii) of the Nig.CARs 2015.
It said that the authority was earlier inundated with complaints of delay and inability to ferry the passengers’ checked – in luggage on the airline’s services from London to Lagos from December 2 to December 4.
It said upon receipt of the complaints, the NCAA invited the airline to a meeting on December 6 which was duly attended by the airlines’ representative.
“However, Arik embarked on continuous flouting of the Nig.CARs and the authority’s directives to freight all backlog of short – landed baggage to Lagos within 48 hours.
“Similarly, the carrier declined to offer care and compensation to the affected passengers which were unanimously agreed for $150 to each passenger.
“In addition, the airline did not inform the passengers at the soonest practicable time that their checked – in baggage would be off – loaded as required by Part 19.7.2 of Nig.CARs 2015,” the statement said.
It said the N6 million fine must be paid within seven days of receipt of the letter while the $150 compensation to each of the passengers must be made within 30 days.
The statement said “the NCAA expects strict compliance with the provisions of Part 19 of the Nig.CARs by the airline in future.
“This is to assure all stakeholders that the authority exists to protect their rights at all times and as such any violation of the regulation in that regard will be viewed seriously.”
“I am speaking French. You mean you don’t even understand elementary French?”
“No, I don’t. Speak English. How was Christmas?”
“Low-key. Like this, like that”.
“For me, it was a dead-end Christmas”
“God forbid. May we never have a dead-end Christmas. I reject it in Jesus name.”
“If you like, summon the Holy Ghost. We have never had a Christmas like this one. On Christmas eve in Lagos, come and see people just going about, many of them aimlessly. The kind of shopping that heralds Christmas was absent. For the first time, I could see the real colour of sadness, frustration and regret on the people’s faces.”
“It depends on what part of Lagos you are talking about. If you had been in Lekki or Victoria Island, you would have seen a different colour.”
“I know. There are two countries in one: the real Nigeria and the other Nigeria, where people live in a bubble. But the bubble is beginning to burst everywhere. With the Naira now N500 to the dollar, and businesses failing everyday, the pain is spreading. It was an unusual Christmas.”
“Everywhere jus’ dry. I know some people who used to hold Christmas parties every December 25. They just decided to postpone it till next year. But did you at least manage to eat rice and chicken?”
“Anybody that eats rice these days is very lucky indeed, with a bag of rice now N20, 000. And you can’t even be sure it is real rice. I learnt the market was flooded with plastic rice.”
“Plastic rice? What does that taste like?”
“I guess like plastic. “
“Never heard of that. Plastic rice?”
“To be on the safe side, these days, I only eat Ofada rice. Local rice.”
“All kinds of things happen during recession. Plastic rice. Empty pockets.”
“I know something about empty pockets, my brother. Imagine what I went through trying to get money from the ATM, two days to Christmas. I went to about five banks, you’d think people were queuing for fuel, with everyone looking anxious.”
“I know.”
“One queue covered an entire street. When I eventually found an ATM and it was my turn, the machine just started blinking. I didn’t know when I started shouting Blood of Jesus, Blood of Jesus.”
“You should have planned ahead. I don’t know why people have to wait till the last minute before withdrawing money. Nigerians should learn to plan ahead.”
“I did. The ATMs misbehave a lot these days and they are always crowded.”
“There is no money in circulation. I hear the Central Bank is broke. The banks are just managing.”
“You have started, hen? How can the Central Bank of Nigeria be broke? For the past three weeks now, the spot price of crude oil has been over $50 per barrel. That’s some good revenue.”
“May be it is the banks that are broke then. I just hope nobody has taken depositors’ funds to go and invest in the MMM.”
“What nonsense!”
“MMM was giving people better returns on their investments. Even bankers invested in the scheme. And now that the scheme has been frozen till January ending, there is panic everywhere. You would be surprised the kind of revelations that would come up if the profile of investors in the scheme is investigated.”
“Nigerians are always looking for quick profit, but I don’t believe that a bank will invest in MMM”
“Dey there. Look at the way special prayers, night vigils and deliverance sessions are being held over this MMM thing. Some churches are holding get-your-MMM-money-back prayer sessions, and when you attend those sessions, come and see crowd! If that Ponzi scheme should crash eh, a lot of people will commit suicide.”
“One man sold his only car and invested the money in MMM.”
“I know. Some people sold their houses too.”
“The MMM scheme is a comment on the Nigerian banking system. Obviously, Nigerians don’t trust the banks and their miserable deposit interest rates.”
“Tell me, did you invest in the MMM?”
“No. But I almost did. I know some people who made huge profits from it. I was still contemplating putting some money down to test the waters when the alarm blew.”
“You are lucky, then.”
“I guess every investment is a risk.”
“I tried to make fun of some of my friends who invested in the MMM the other day. January 2017 has suddenly become the most important month in their lives. The way they reacted, hen. I was accused of being insensitive and sadistic. I quickly shut up”.
“So, what are your plans for the new year?”
“I have no plans yet. But I have been following what the prophets are predicting.”
“You believe those predictions? I just read them for fun. But this December, I have only read the predictions by Prophet Ayo Fayose”
“Prophet Ayo Fayose. Never heard of him. Which Christian Ministry does he lead?”
“The Ayo Fayose Evangelical Church of Yahweh, Iyana Jogunomi, Ori oke Ekiti-Kete.”
“You are joking!”
“Yes, I am. But you mean you don’t know that the Governor of Ekiti State is a prophet?. Every year, he also makes predictions about the coming year. He has released his 2017 predictions”
“Seriously, is he also among the Prophets?”
“Uhn hun. In his latest predictions, he talks about how the Holy Spirit directed him.”
“I hear, though, that he has been anointed by Daddy G.O. Pastor Adeboye.”
“Anointment comes from God. What happened is that Pastor Adeboye commended Fayose publicly for leading his people courageously and defending their interests.”
“The APC won’t like that”
“Daddy G.O is not a politician.”
“But have you not heard that the Ekiti Chapter of the APC issued a statement to say that Fayose bribed Pastor Adeboye?”
“May the Holy Ghost slap the mouth of anybody who utters that blasphemy. The Bible says touch not my anointed. The Bible also says He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. The word of God is greater than politics. “
“The way you are carrying on, the APC in Ekiti will issue another statement to say you have also been bribed by Fayose. Anyway don’t worry, they have denied the statement. But the PDP in Ekiti has also issued a statement saying the denial is an after-thought. Too much politics in that their Ekiti.”
“Forget about them. But what did the Governor predict, if I may ask? You mean, he has so much free time on his hands; he is busy making predictions. In any case, many of these predictions are somehow. Anybody can predict Nigeria’s future at anytime. It is always something like: I foresee a crisis in the Niger Delta. I foresee a change of cabinet. I foresee deaths in Nollywood. I foresee changes at the Central Bank. I foresee the emergence of a new political party…I foresee Donald Trump creating tension in the world. Three prominent traditional rulers should pray against sickness and bereavement…. Common sense.”
“Oh, oh.”
“But how come no prophet predicted that Nigerian soldiers will capture Sambisa forest and drive out the Boko Haram or that a day after, there will be suicide bombing at a cattle market in Maiduguri? “
“Suicide bombing at a cattle market? What is the target?”
“No prophet foresaw the killings in Southern Kaduna and the waste of human lives or that a white man will be arrested inside Sambisa forest. You don’t have to be a prophet to know tomorrow”
“Whatever.”
“We should thank God for everything and for the joy of surviving Christmas in a season of recession. We should also thank God we are not in Saudi Arabia, but in our country, Nigeria.”
“What has Saudi Arabia got to do with Christmas? I don’t get it.”
“It is a crime to celebrate Christmas in Saudi Arabia. This year, seven Africans – 4 Nigerians, 2 Ghanaians, and one Kenyan were arrested in Saudi Arabia for playing Christmas Carols, they could be sent to jail for 10 years.”
“What? For playing Christmas songs?”
“I understand there is even an Islamic cleric in India, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik who told Muslim brothers and sisters not to wish Christians Merry Christmas, because it is a “big sin, worst evil, worse than fornication or murder.” What is the world turning into: A world of hate, bigotry and intolerance. Tell me it is not true. ”
“It is true.”
“Sad.”
“Sorry about the fire accident at Nigerian Breweries in Lagos. I know you drink beer.”
“If you want to talk about something else, do so”
“I am just concerned that there are too many fire accidents taking place these days. When petrol tankers are not exploding on the highways, markets are being gutted by fire, companies and houses are going up in flames. The Lagos State Fire Service reported for example that 45 markets in Lagos had fire accidents between January and September 2016 alone.”
“The Fire Service should not moan. They need to do a lot more to educate the people about safety precautions and ensure that buildings respect the Fire Code. They also need to be better organized to deal with emergencies.”
“The Fire Service in Nigeria is poorly funded.”
“Harmattan. Dry season. The possibility of more fire accidents is high. The public should be sensitized all the same.”
“Most of the fire accidents are due to electrical faults, either faulty connections or power surge. We need a national safety programme to prevent fire outbreaks. Every market and major company should have a fire station. There should be fire hydrants across every major city.”
“I’d just say that prevention is better than cure.”
“Who is your Man of the Year, 2016?”
“Man of the Year. Who is yours?”
“Yours first”
“Let me see. I’ll choose the Nigerian Soldier. The Nigerian soldier is practically holding Nigeria together. He is underpaid, over-used, overstretched, denied access to equipment, and money and often subjected to the harshest possible conditions. Our soldiers are involved in one operation or the other across the country, protecting the country and even doing police work. Operation Crocodile Tears, Operation Harmony, Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Delta Safe, Operation Gama Aiki, Operation MESA, Operation Awatse, Operation Sharan Daji, Operation Maximum Security. From one region to the other, the Nigerian soldier is busy keeping Nigeria safe from kidnappers, terrorists, secessionists, oil bunkerers, cattle rustlers and extremists.”
“Our soldiers have even been sent abroad to learn cattle rearing because their next assignment includes the management of cattle ranches. I agree with you. I salute their courage.”
“And who is your own man of the year?”
“I’ll choose the average Nigerian for the resilience, the capacity and the courage to suffer and smile at the same time.” [myad]
The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai has announced that Sambisa forest, which the Nigerian Army had taken over from the dreaded Boko Haram on Thursday would be turned into a training ground for officers of the Nigerian Army as from next year.
Buratai, who spoke at Damasak, Borno, while celebrating Christmas with troops of 145 Battalion after the road leading to the town was reopened by Governor Kashim Shettima, three years after closure said: “we are also opening up roads to Sambisa and Alagarno forest. Sambisa forest is going to be one of our training grounds.
“I have already directed that we should conduct Nigerian Army small arms championship in that forest next year.
“And we are going to use it also to test fire our fighting vehicles, other key equipment and weapons that requires testing whenever we want to induct new weapon and equipment into the Nigerian army inventory.
“It will afford us very good ground for basic tactics and indeed advance tactics, including but not limited to tactics at the Platoon, company, battalion, Brigade and even division levels.
“We are going to make it more robust to make sure that these criminals do not come back to that forest again.” [myad]
Jason Miller, President-elect Donald Trump’s spokesman, says he will not take the job of White House Communications Director he was nominated for on Thursday. Miller announced in a statement that he would not continue on to the White House, citing family reasons. “I will hand off my responsibilities as Communications Director to Sean Spicer, the Republican National Committee Communications Director.” Spicer was announced this week alongside Miller as the incoming White House press secretary, a position he would also retain. Miller said: “After spending this past week with my family, the most amount of time I have been able to spend with them since March 2015, it is clear they need to be my top priority right now. “And this is not the right time to start a new job as demanding as White House Communications Director.” Miller added that he was also expecting the birth of his second daughter in January 2017. According to him, however, he looks forward to continue to work with incoming President Trump. “I look forward to continuing to support the President-elect from the outside after my work on the Transition concludes,” Miller said. Miller joined the Trump campaign in June as Senior Communications Adviser. He previously worked for Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign. Trump had named Spicer Assistant to the President and Press Secretary, Hope Hicks Assistant to the President and Director of Strategic Communications, Miller Assistant to the President and Director of Communications, and Dan Scavino Assistant to the President and Director of Social Media. “Sean, Hope, Jason and Dan have been key members of my team during the campaign and transition. I am excited they will be leading the team that will communicate my agenda that will Make America Great Again,” Trump announced in a statement on Thursday. [myad]
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has said that this year’s Christmas is about the best ever celebrated in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State since he came into office in 2011.
The governor, who thanked the gallant Nigerian military, confirmed that they finally chased the terrorist Boko Haram from their Sambisa Forest fortress on Thursday. He spoke at an event to reopen two roads that were shut since 2013 because of the rampaging terrorists.
“I want to start by declaring that since I became the governor of Borno state in over five years, this is the best Christmas season that I have ever witnessed.
“This is the best December we ever witnessed and the year 2016 is my best year so far as governor of Borno state. 2016, for me is Nigeria’s year of victory and Borno year of hope and resurrection.
“It is in 2016 that we began to have access to major roads like Gwoza, Bama, Dikwa,Monguno and Damasak, following their liberation by our gallant armed forces.
“It is in the year 2016 that major highways began to be reopened, it is in the year 2016 that we accelerated our major reconstruction of liberated cities.” [myad]
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the news about the taking over the Sambisa Forest by Nigerian army as a mere propaganda by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government.
He said asked President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to stop what he called the recycled stories of defeat of Boko Haram insurgents, which he said is aimed at diverting the attention of Nigerians from the fact that there is ravaging hunger at this time of the year.
Governor Fayose said that it has become predictable that whenever Nigerians cry of the pains and sufferings they are going through, the federal government will come with stories like; “20 Chibok girls found,” “$1billion found in Mr A, B or C bedroom,” “Boko Haram technically defeated,” “We have captured Sambisa forest,” etc, just to divert attention.
In a statement today, Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said: “it is painful that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has become directionless either due to the cluelessness of the president or his old age that has foisted a purposeless leadership on the country.
“This year’s Christmas is the worse in the history of Nigeria. People cannot afford to celebrate and enjoy themselves due to the hardship caused by the APC government. To make matters worse, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also created artificial scarcity of cash, such that people could not access their hard earned money in the banks as most banks in the country do not have cash to pay their customers.
“Like I have maintained, the main issue confronting Nigerians now is hunger and hunger does not speak the language of political propaganda that is being used by the APC led federal government. It is therefore no longer about diversionary news, it is about preventing Nigerians from dying of hunger.
“The only solution to the myriad of problems facing the country is for those holding power in Abuja to face the sad reality that it was the hard stance of the president, his statements against Nigeria and its people both at home and abroad coupled with his demonstration of hatred against some sections of the country and desperation to crush his perceived enemies that led us to where we are today.
“It was the president that went to foreign countries to de-market Nigeria by calling all Nigerians thieves and dishonest people. He was the one who created atmosphere of economic and political instability in the country by his acts of nepotism and vindictiveness? “Therefore, for the country to move forward, the President must change his attitude from a vindictive military dictator to a civilian president of all Nigerians.”
He lamented that those cabal in the presidency have hijacked the president and his government, running the country aground, saying, “Things were never like this at any time in the history of Nigeria apart from 1984.
“They are not running the economy of Nigeria by the open participation of Nigerians but by some cabal, who see themselves as superior to others. By their failure to involve those who know more than them, they have succeeded in creating unemployment instead of three million jobs that they promised Nigerians per year.
“They have taken Nigeria back to the Stone Age and it will take several years for the country to recover, if it will ever recover.
“With every means of livelihood of the common people taken away from them, free, fair and credible elections becoming a mirage, Nigerians must begin to speak out now before the country is completely destroyed by this directionless federal government.” [myad]
Whether it was borne out of his operational knowledge or out of belief driven decisiveness, the directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, to troops fighting in the North East to deal Boko Haram the final blow turned out to be prophetic. It was similar to the scenario that played out in Exodus 14:13: “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.’” Boko Haram put more fear into Nigerians than the Egyptian overlords put in the Israelites. Few ever anticipated that the terror group would be defeated in their own lifetime. Many had concluded that the scourge is something that has come to stay. This was what made the COAS’ directive prophetic in its daring forecast. Even at that many people were sceptical at the time Buratai saw into the near future. The scepticism may be explained in part as the product of the intense propaganda mounted by Boko Haram sympathizers whose efforts were boosted by the desperate attacks staged by the militant wing to give the impression that the terror group was still invincible. Added to this are the various stories and videos published in some mainstream media and pliant online platforms to create the impression that the Army was fighting a losing battle. On top of that was the collective pessimism among a population of those that have been conditioned to believe their country cannot run its own affairs the right way. Friday December 24, 2016 proved otherwise. The Army took the last Boko Haram camp in Sambisa Forest, effectively ending the insurgency and defeating the terrorists. Only the officers and men of Operation of Lafiya Dole could have easily decoded Buratai’s directive as a clear indication of an imminent end of the war based on their military training and the knowledge they have of him during his many outings with them in the trenches. Under other circumstances those that gave up hope would have been right in thinking that Boko Haram’s reign of terror will never come to an end. Afterall, countries that should sell weapons and military gears to Nigeria repeatedly declined citing trumped up reports of abuses. Another great threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty at the height of the war on terror were the activities of foreign NGOs like Amnesty International that desperately worked to stall any progress in defeating the terrorist by effectively mounting propaganda for them. It was a vicious circle. Amnesty International fabricated reports on which countries based their decision not to sell equipment to Nigeria and the NGO then cite refusal to sell equipment as proof that Nigerian troops were committing atrocities. The group’s questionable reports were usually launched to coincide with whenever troops were poised to carry out decisive offensive – demoralising the troops was the desired outcome of such manoeuvres. Furthermore, dark forces against the war on terror were the intellectual and cyber wings of the terror group that consistently muddled the issue on social media and online platforms. These were the people that produced slick videos to create the impression that the war was being lost. Of course, they had the assurance of being given publicity by western affiliated online newspapers that hide under ethics and a commitment to report all side to support the terror group. These are the enemies that should receive special attention now that fighters of the group’s militant wing is are in flight – they are the ones that will attempt reviving fear using any attacks that the fleeing losers can launch as pivot for unleashing national hysteria. The desperation to keep Boko Haram in place was frantic as it became apparent that there were also those that want the terror group to thrive just so that it can be milked for financial gains as evident from the armsgate scandal in which billions of naira were being fleeced in the guise of buying weapons under the former administration. Those that make money from phoney negotiations and peace talks that led nowhere. The refusal of the Army and the Federal Government to again fall for the cheap tricks was highly condemned by those who would have been beneficiaries of the resulting fraud. These set of people have been hungry for a while since the government resorted to not paying criminals and their hunger will breed more desperation that we must all be on the look out for. We must look across our borders. Our neighbours have not shown a capacity that correspond to ours in dealing with this terrorists, and we must immediately eliminate the possibility of Boko Haram re-grouping in another country. This is thus the time to ramp up our participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to take advantage of the alliance in pursuing the fleeing terrorists into any neighbouring country to enter into. We cannot risk not incinerating the snake now that its head has been cut off since the kind of leadership that gave us this victory is rare. It’s obvious that we won the war with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari as Commander in Chief of the Armed Force with his right choice of military chiefs, whose appointments signalled the beginning of the end for Boko Haram. That decision was crucial to now finally sealing our victory with the decisive leadership of General Buratai. Nigerians are appreciative of the efforts as demonstrated by a father of twin boys born in one of the suburb of Abuja who named them Buhari and Buratai in appreciation of the selfless efforts of the present administration. It is a victory that has united both hailers and wailers. Even the Chief Mourner of GEJ’s failed administration, Reno Omokri, who ordinarily would have been denial as a leader of the disgruntled was forced to say a big thank you to the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government. In conclusion, the Nigerian Army which pride itself as the “Pride of the nation” has proven that this description is beyond rhetoric. The exploit of the troops of the Nigerian Army is thus rightly being celebrated. State governors and other notable persons have been ending congratulatory messages to Mr President, COAS and the Nigerian Army. The euphoria of Boko Haram’s defeat being delivered as our New Year gift must however not make us forget to do the needful. The sacrifices that made the war succeeded must never be ignored and not be forgotten. Members of Operation Lafiya Dole without any hesitation should be promoted by at least one rank including those that paid the supreme price being posthumously so honoured and the difference reflected in the entitlements payable to their families. . Agbese writes from the United Kingdom. [myad]
Former Nigeria Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has rejoiced with President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians over the conquest of the notorious Sambisa Forest by the “gallant military personnel.”
A statement by Media Office of the former Head State today, Monday said: “it is a sign of relief, that the Military has finally smocked out Boko Haram terrorists from their notorious enclave of Sambisa Forest.”
General Babangida saluted the courage and determination of President Buhari, Army chiefs as well as armed men and women and other security personnel for their sacrifice for the painful liberation.
“May I rejoice with the government and Nigerians on the successful dislodging of Boko Haram from their base in Sambisa. With the successful takeover of the sambisa forest, General Babangida hoped that very soon the remaining Chibok girls will be located and reunite with their families.”
He further paid tributes to all fallen heroes for paying a supreme sacrifice in their efforts of keeping the nation from aggression.
Babangida however advised the military to unveil a new strategy of further defeating pockets of insurgents/terrorists, armed bandits and cattle rustlers all over the country.
Also, the Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has described the capture of CAMP ZERO, Sambisa Forest which was the last stronghold of Boko Haram, as a global achievement made possible by the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari and the commitment of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Governor Sani Bello said the destruction of Sambisa Forest is a clear and strong message to all criminal elements in the country of the capacity, willingness of the Armed Forces and other security agencies as well as the political will of Mr President in securing every inch of Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Governor Sani Bello commended the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Airforce for their determination, commitment and bravery.
“I commend the effort of the Army, Airforce and all the security agencies involved in the operation that led to final liberation of the dreaded Sambisa Forest. Above all, I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his political will in seeing to the end of Boko Haram”, he added.
The governor called on security agencies to work together in ensuring that all ‘CAMP ZEROs’ are cleared in Nigeria.
“CAMP ZERO in Sambisa Forest is a metaphorical representation of other enclaves of criminal elements in the country such as armed robbers, kidnappers, cattle rustlers among others. I urge security agencies to work together in identifying and destroying such strongholds.” [myad]
From right to left: President Muhammadu Buhari shakes hand with the Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Cardinal John Onaiyekan while the former FCT CAN Chairman, Rev Dr. Isreal Akanji and The Most Rev Nicholas Okoh look on with interest during Christmas homage to Buhari at his residence in Aso Villa, Abuja today, Sunday, December 25, 2016. Photo By Sunday Aghaeze. [myad]
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“How was your Christmas Day?”
Boko Haram: End Of A Nation’s Woe, By Philip Agbese
Whether it was borne out of his operational knowledge or out of belief driven decisiveness, the directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, to troops fighting in the North East to deal Boko Haram the final blow turned out to be prophetic. It was similar to the scenario that played out in Exodus 14:13: “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.’”
Boko Haram put more fear into Nigerians than the Egyptian overlords put in the Israelites. Few ever anticipated that the terror group would be defeated in their own lifetime. Many had concluded that the scourge is something that has come to stay.
This was what made the COAS’ directive prophetic in its daring forecast. Even at that many people were sceptical at the time Buratai saw into the near future. The scepticism may be explained in part as the product of the intense propaganda mounted by Boko Haram sympathizers whose efforts were boosted by the desperate attacks staged by the militant wing to give the impression that the terror group was still invincible.
Added to this are the various stories and videos published in some mainstream media and pliant online platforms to create the impression that the Army was fighting a losing battle. On top of that was the collective pessimism among a population of those that have been conditioned to believe their country cannot run its own affairs the right way. Friday December 24, 2016 proved otherwise. The Army took the last Boko Haram camp in Sambisa Forest, effectively ending the insurgency and defeating the terrorists.
Only the officers and men of Operation of Lafiya Dole could have easily decoded Buratai’s directive as a clear indication of an imminent end of the war based on their military training and the knowledge they have of him during his many outings with them in the trenches. Under other circumstances those that gave up hope would have been right in thinking that Boko Haram’s reign of terror will never come to an end. Afterall, countries that should sell weapons and military gears to Nigeria repeatedly declined citing trumped up reports of abuses.
Another great threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty at the height of the war on terror were the activities of foreign NGOs like Amnesty International that desperately worked to stall any progress in defeating the terrorist by effectively mounting propaganda for them. It was a vicious circle. Amnesty International fabricated reports on which countries based their decision not to sell equipment to Nigeria and the NGO then cite refusal to sell equipment as proof that Nigerian troops were committing atrocities. The group’s questionable reports were usually launched to coincide with whenever troops were poised to carry out decisive offensive – demoralising the troops was the desired outcome of such manoeuvres.
Furthermore, dark forces against the war on terror were the intellectual and cyber wings of the terror group that consistently muddled the issue on social media and online platforms. These were the people that produced slick videos to create the impression that the war was being lost. Of course, they had the assurance of being given publicity by western affiliated online newspapers that hide under ethics and a commitment to report all side to support the terror group. These are the enemies that should receive special attention now that fighters of the group’s militant wing is are in flight – they are the ones that will attempt reviving fear using any attacks that the fleeing losers can launch as pivot for unleashing national hysteria.
The desperation to keep Boko Haram in place was frantic as it became apparent that there were also those that want the terror group to thrive just so that it can be milked for financial gains as evident from the armsgate scandal in which billions of naira were being fleeced in the guise of buying weapons under the former administration. Those that make money from phoney negotiations and peace talks that led nowhere. The refusal of the Army and the Federal Government to again fall for the cheap tricks was highly condemned by those who would have been beneficiaries of the resulting fraud. These set of people have been hungry for a while since the government resorted to not paying criminals and their hunger will breed more desperation that we must all be on the look out for.
We must look across our borders. Our neighbours have not shown a capacity that correspond to ours in dealing with this terrorists, and we must immediately eliminate the possibility of Boko Haram re-grouping in another country. This is thus the time to ramp up our participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to take advantage of the alliance in pursuing the fleeing terrorists into any neighbouring country to enter into.
We cannot risk not incinerating the snake now that its head has been cut off since the kind of leadership that gave us this victory is rare. It’s obvious that we won the war with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari as Commander in Chief of the Armed Force with his right choice of military chiefs, whose appointments signalled the beginning of the end for Boko Haram. That decision was crucial to now finally sealing our victory with the decisive leadership of General Buratai. Nigerians are appreciative of the efforts as demonstrated by a father of twin boys born in one of the suburb of Abuja who named them Buhari and Buratai in appreciation of the selfless efforts of the present administration.
It is a victory that has united both hailers and wailers. Even the Chief Mourner of GEJ’s failed administration, Reno Omokri, who ordinarily would have been denial as a leader of the disgruntled was forced to say a big thank you to the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Army which pride itself as the “Pride of the nation” has proven that this description is beyond rhetoric. The exploit of the troops of the Nigerian Army is thus rightly being celebrated. State governors and other notable persons have been ending congratulatory messages to Mr President, COAS and the Nigerian Army.
The euphoria of Boko Haram’s defeat being delivered as our New Year gift must however not make us forget to do the needful. The sacrifices that made the war succeeded must never be ignored and not be forgotten. Members of Operation Lafiya Dole without any hesitation should be promoted by at least one rank including those that paid the supreme price being posthumously so honoured and the difference reflected in the entitlements payable to their families.
. Agbese writes from the United Kingdom. [myad]