Leader of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, on has owned up the Monday’s bombing in Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja that killed at least 75 people. Shekau in a video message today said, “We are the ones that carried out the attack in Abuja.” Shekau said in the 28-minute video, referring to the deadliest attack ever in Nigeria’s capital, which targeted a bus station packed with morning commuters. Seated with a kalashnikov resting on his left shoulder and dressed in military uniform, the insurgent commander spoke in both Arabic and the Hausa language that is dominant in northern Nigeria. The message was delivered to AFP in a manner consistent with previous videos from Boko Haram. The bombing at the Nyanya bus terminal on the outskirts of Abuja was the first major attack in the capital in two years. Most of the insurgents’ violence in recent months had been concentrated in the group’s remote northeastern stronghold in Borno, where the military is waging an 11-month-old offensive. The attack in Abuja underscored the serious threat the insurgents pose to Africa’s most populous country and top economy. Shekau indicated that Boko Haram has fighters based in the capital. “We are in your city,” he said, addressing President Goodluck Jonathan. Shekau has been declared a global terrorist by the United States of America, which has put a $7 million bounty on his head.
Former Nigeria Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has said that the current security challenges in Nigeria, though sad, but provide an opportunity for Nigerians to come out as one people and one nation, to stand together against any persons or forces trying to divide them. In his message today to Christians at Easter and Nigerians, Atiku advised Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and sacrifice as they celebrate Easter. He asked the citizens to watch out for the wellbeing of one another and to internalize the spiritual gains and benefits of the season for an improved society. According to him, this is the only path to enthroning a Nigeria where the basic human rights of the rich and poor are respected and upheld, and where citizens can dwell in peace and safety. “We need to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and, above all, make sacrifice an integral part of our existence. That is the only way the sacrifice and life’s lessons of Jesus Christ will make meaning in our own daily lives and the life of our nation,” Atiku said. The message of Easter, he explained, is love. Unconditional love for each other and “not as people from different tribes or places of birth, not as Christians or Muslims, but as members of a commonwealth of humanity. We must love each other as Nigerians first.” The former Vice President also advised Nigerians to contribute their quota to national security, by reporting any suspicious activity to the police. “Until we begin to care for one another and to realize that every single human life is precious in the eye of God, Nigeria will never actualise its destiny as a great nation capable of playing a leading role in the world.”
The adverse security situation in Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general is being felt by all of us. While every State Government is doing everything possible using virtually all its resources to stem the tide of near disaster facing all of us especially in the North, it is a well-known fact that the present Federal administration has now become a government of impunity run by an evil-minded leadership for the advancement of corruption that is apparently enjoying the protection of the Federal administration as a citizen of this country should enjoy but is being denied by the administration using its mass murderers/cut-throats imbedded in our legitimate and traditional Defence and Security organizations. It is very clear that the protection of life and property of innocent citizens in Northern Nigeria and recognizing their Human rights and Voting right in the forthcoming general elections is no longer a cardinal principle of the administration. Clearly the victims of the Administration’s evil-mindedness are substantially Northern Nigerians. The administration is bent on bringing wars in the North between Muslim and Christians and within them and between one ethnic group and another or others in various communities in the region. Cases of mass murders by its bloody minded killers and cut-throats are well known, but it attributes the killings to so-called Boko-Haram. Thousands of our young girls and boys have been kidnapped by clearly organised militia in the last few years and kidnapping is now a random affair all over the far North. These organized kidnappers must have the backing of the Federal administration for them to move about freely with abducted children just as those who convey ammunitions and explosives from the Ports to the safe-houses of so called Boko-Haram in the North. Hurrah we are no longer being deceived! We no longer accept let alone believe that our prominent Mallams in the Mosques in Kano and Zaria have been killed by ‘innocent’ Boko-Haram members or Christians in the North, nor do we believe that the killing of the Pastor and other worshipers in the Christ Apostolic Church in Jimeta-Yola was done by any Muslim or Boko-Haram members. We know where we are now pointing our fingers. There have also been attempts to assassinate the Senate President (Northerner) in Imo State, two Executive Governors of States in the North (the Governor of Benue State and my humble self), two of our most prominent Traditional leaders (Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Kano), Senators and others too numerous to mention, all from Northern Nigeria. This is in line with the demonic policy of the evil-few in and around the administration that have advocated how Northerners, both Christians and Muslims, are to be so dealt with, ill-treated and oppressed! No wonder, we in the Northern Nigeria are now facing an organised ethno-religious campaigns of hate fuelled by the Federal administration to make communities which hitherto have remained peaceful for centuries to start killing the minorities in their midst and to facilitate mass killings of the innocent and the arbitrary arrests and torture of elders of minority ethnic groups in the various Northern communities. The reader is please requested to note what has been happening in Plateau State and the recent happenings in Benue and Nasarawa States. We, in Adamawa State, have been battling this heinous machinations in the last 3 years. Yes, we noticed it! We also saw it as the Beginning of Genocide. Genocide kingpins are now on prowl in Northern Nigeria! Fulani communities in parts of the North who have been in their locations for over 100 years are now being raided and uprooted by paid killers within the Nigerian Army for the satisfaction of the Federal administration instead of being protected as citizens with their rights and dignity safe-guarded. This has happened to those communities at Keana L.G. in Nasarawa State and Laddoga and Kachia in Kaduna State. It is presently extended to Benue, Zamfara and Katsina States. Furthermore it is a well-known fact that virtually all the soldiers of Northern Nigerian origin recently recruited to fight Boko-Haram have been deceived in that aspect. They are being poorly trained, totally ill-equipped, given only uniform and are killed by their trainers in Nigerian Army training centres as soon as they arrive in the Nigerian Army camps being used by so-called Boko-Haram insurgents. Virtually all the Nigerian Army soldiers killed/murdered in these operations so far are of Northern Nigerian origin. The Administration has also hired militia from all across especially North Africa who have been deceived into accepting to come because they were made to believe that they would be fighting infidels. The Federal administration’s affront to frame Northerners is also an open secret. Senior Special Assistant to Mr President tried to hoodwink us into believing that Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was kingpin of Boko-Haram. Typical bullshit from the Federal administration. Mr Henry Okah, the convicted leader of MEND also stated under oath that he was being put under pressure by the administration to implicate senior Northern elements such as IBB and Buhari as financiers of Boko Haram terrorism. We are in deep trouble. We have begun to sleep with ‘both our eyes widely open’! Let me paraphrase what humanity has been humming over the ages: When they killed the Jews, we watched unconcerned because we were not Jews. When they murdered the Blacks we were still unconcerned because we were not Black. When they massacred the Asians we kept mute because we were not one of them. Then we saw the Marauding Murderers coming and we realised they were coming for us and we were not safe. That was when we knew that if we had collectively protested the Killings of the Jews, the Murder of the Blacks and Massacres of the Asians, we would all have been safe. They started killings in Borno State we kept quiet. The hired killers got to Yobe State we remained mute They proceeded to Adamawa State we watched They attacked Kano, Katsina and Sokoto we said nothing The North-East is under occupation The North-West is under assault Now their tanks and marauders have begun rolling into the North-Central Yet we are still silent! Nigerians stand-up and talk! Injury to one is injury to all! It is fortunate that the people of Northern Nigeria and indeed Nigerians have friends namely the good people of this country and other nations, International Court of Justice and NGOs dealing with the protection of humanity against Genocide etc. The International Criminal Court Charter broadly defines genocide as: ∙Mass killings of human beings∙ A deliberate action by a government that embarks on a policy that denies a group basic social amenities.∙ A deliberate action by a government or group of people who embark on campaign of hatred against the innocent. The International Criminal Court Charter also empowers any aggrieved person(s) or NGO to approach the Court to intervene when a Nation/State party fails to prosecute perpetrators of genocide or grave human right violation or human right offences. One must confess that all these elements of genocide have been perpetuated by the present Federal administration against the people of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States and is beginning to rapidly spread to other 14 States of Northern Nigeria. The dead bodies being dragged daily from the Nigerian Army hitherto armouries now turned into killing chambers as identified by Human Right organizations and the last weekend massacre of inmates of SSS cells in Abuja speak volumes on genocide being committed in our country today. Mass killings of students and children in their schools’ dormitories and on their way to take exams are now virtually daily occurrence in Borno and Yobe States. We in the North must now have an open agenda to protect our people from acts against us similar to those in the foregoing. We should demand our Human Rights; we should demand protection against the evil acts being done to our people and environments; we should demand the Right to Vote in forthcoming General Elections as the people of war-torn Afghanistan did and were able to vote in smooth General Elections on 5th April, 2014. If it could be done in Afghanistan, it should be done in Nigeria, the whole of Nigeria! It is overdue for us to commence the very serious business of purging all Northerners and fellow Nigerians of mutual hatred and suspicion against fellow countrymen and to inculcate true love and patriotism in the minds of all of us. How could we be nonchalant to the activities of the Federal administration which is involved in the daily massacre of our young men and women, selected elders and eventually all and sundry? It is also time to mobilize International NGO to bring to an end all the atrocities being committed by the evil-few in Abuja against millions of our innocent people. We need international support to compile an accurate data on the dead, maimed, wounded, displaced and missing in the North-East Zone especially Borno State and Yobe State and now other Northern States for payment of full compensation for the loss of life and property. We need the Red Cross to help us set up an efficient medical and ambulance services etc. We need the services of other international organizations such as UNICEF to assist us trace the whereabouts of our abducted children and return them to their parents. They should also assist us to rehabilitate all those who have been adversely affected by the evil machinations of the Federal administration and those evil-few around it. We also need the services of appropriate NGOs to help us arraign all those involved in the genocide before the International Criminal Court at The Hague! We urgently require the services of all those that could help us achieve the objective of the UN Millennium Declaration 2000 where all parties agreed viz “We recognize that, in addition to our separate responsibilities to our individual societies, we have a collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level. As leaders we have a duty therefore to all the world’s people, especially the most vulnerable and, in particular, the children of the world, to whom the future belongs”. Nigeria is a signatory to this Declaration. WE NEED ONE ANOTHER IN NIGERI Nigerians, this is the first time we have collectively elected a citizen of this country from the former Eastern Nigeria as a President. Dear citizens of Eastern Nigerian origin please note that this Federal administration under your son is giving you a very bad name! He takes wrong decisions and seems to be heading us to the abyss. Let’s therefore team up to save our freedom, dignity and rights. The issue now is not between North and South or Northern Nigeria vs Eastern Nigeria or Western Nigeria. We must save our communities, State and Nigeria from the Hitler-like evil-mindedness of a few. Let me remind ourselves that when Hitler walked out of the 1938 Olympics because a Blackman was winning all his events, humanity pretended it did not notice the beginning of genocide; when he started tracking and killing the Jews, it talked glibly about it as if it did not concern us; when he embarked on his racial cleansing, humanity then began to shiver, but it was too late to avert disaster that engulfed our world. The 2nd World War became a reality! We have the duty not to allow our country to be taken to the abyss! We should always condemn any action by any group of people that would set our communities and nation aflame. One is quite sure that if you had condemned the cold-blooded murder of political and military leaders of Northern and Western Nigerian origins in the night of 15 January, 1966 by your sons it would not have led to the subsequent massacre of the innocent and the Nigerian Civil War. We should never be silent or tolerant of such action by anybody. We have the duty not to be nonchalant or dormant on the fundamentals of our life. We should never take any ethnic group however small or unorganized for granted! The Federal administration under present leadership has truly become absurd in its approach to vital decision makings as it could be seen in its declaration of State of Emergency and the deployments of the Armed Forces! How could such decisions be made without Exit strategies? The administration should know that declaration of State of Emergency is a very serious affair requiring proper analysis on all items of its Check-list. Nigerians are wondering why the administration has not yet declared a State of Emergency on FCT Abuja in view of the numerous explosions attributed to phantom Boko-Haram, one at Eagle square on the 50th Independence anniversary and others at United Nations Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, ThisDay offices etc. and terrorist attack at SSS Headquarter since the administration did declare such on Adamawa State where there was not a single incident of explosion! Perhaps this would happen soon; the absurdity of the administration’s conflict resolution is such that it is wise for Nigerians and foreigners residing in Abuja to braze up for a Declaration of a State of Emergency on Abuja in view of another carnage there at Nyanya District a few days ago! God help us! We seem to be led by a bunch of ‘HuHun-ma-ahun’ (courtesy of Kwankwasiyya which is being led by the one and only Dan Musa who was the former Minister of Defence) Let me say, on the final note, with all seriousness that each and every one of us whatever is our religious or ethnic background and regardless of where we were born, needs this country, Nigeria, for self-actualisation and greater possibility. The various ethnic groups too by their individual traits require the space and the great population of this country; such ethnic group as Fulani, who are nomadic by vocation, require pasture and grains for their cattle; the Hausa and Igbos require further reach to fulfil their commercial ambition; some other Nigerians e.g. Yorubas require higher job opportunities for employment and profits that should exist in a united Nigeria; the aristocratic Kanuri/Shuwa who are presently under siege need the vocal amongst us to save them from further destruction by deliberately recruited murderers embedded in our traditional Defence and Security forces/organization; and other groups would like expanding markets for their yams (the Tiv/Munci) and other farm produce far beyond the boundaries of their domains. Quite a number of us should simply be happy to have an erosion-free area where we could build houses and offices of our desire and enjoy the liberty to partner with persons of our choice regardless of primordial divides! Even my father who by today’s standard could be said to be untutored fully realised the need to seize the opportunities a greater Nigeria offered him from the 1920s. His cattle business and commercial activities were spread to all the big towns in Eastern Nigeria operating from Adamawa and northern Cameroon. So let us please sort ourselves out and stop at all levels wicked leaders from venting their evil hearts and committing genocide against fellow Nigerians. We must not ‘walk together’ with the evil-few especially those located in Abuja. Our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said something to the effect that the consequences of breaking up of Nigeria would be to traumatic to even be contemplated. We all should therefore perish the thought of Nigeria falling apart. Let’s enjoy the opportunities Nigeria offers to all!
This is a Memo to the Northern Governors Forum by His Excellency, V/Admiral Murtala H. Nyako (rtd.), CFR, GCON, rcds Executive Governor Adamawa State
It is quite unfortunate the controversy over the statement of a military spokesperson on the abducted students of Government Secondary School Chibok in Borno State. As a member of PRNigeria Mailing List for Press Releases distribution from spokespersons of government, especially security agencies in Nigeria, I realise that two Press Releases were issued by Major General Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information on the abducted students before the denial by officials in Borno. The first Press Release on the evening of April 16, 2014 with a title “More Students Of Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok Freed; Normalcy Returns To Wukari,” the spokesperson only used one paragraph to provide information on the development on Chibok which goes thus: “More of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State have this afternoon been freed as troops pursuing the terrorists close in on the den of those believed to have carried out the attack. A total of 129 students had earlier been abducted by a group of terrorists.” About an hour later, another Press Release came with a title “Update on Abducted Students.” The storyline made the press release as most controversial ever issued by General Olukolade who had been a spokesperson on several military operations under ECOMOG and UN Peacekeeping Missions. The controversial Press Release goes thus: “More students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok have been freed this evening in the ongoing Search & Rescue operations to free the abducted students. With this development, the Principal of the school has confirmed that only 8 of the students are still missing. One of the terrorists who carried out the attack on the school has also been captured. The military intervention and search and rescue operation to ensure the safety of the remaining students is ongoing in the suspected areas.” While most of the media celebrated the cheering news with different captions the following day, the Principal of the School came out to fault the military’s statement. The Principal Mrs. Asabe Kwambura said she was shocked when she heard of claims by Nigerian military authorities that only eight girls are yet to be found. She was quoted to have said: “There is nothing in the military statement that is true about our abducted girls. Up till now we are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students; all I know is that we have only 14 of them, and the security people especially the Vigilante and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them. “The military people too are in the bush searching. So we have not received any information that they have gotten the students yet. So let it be clear that all the information passed on the media by the military concerning 107 girls is not true.” “I, as the principal did not tell anybody any figure on released students other than what our Governor, His Excellency Kashim Shettima had informed the media,” she said. The conflicting reports become the major item in various social media. It was therefore not surprising that the Director Defence Information had to issue another press statement (the third on the abducted students) under a title “Update on the Abducted Students of Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok.” The Press Release goes thus: “The controversy that has been generated around the efforts at securing the lives of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok is unfortunate. The ongoing frantic efforts of security forces along with vigilante groups including hunters working to locate and free the abducted students have continued to be keenly monitored at the Operation Centre of the Defence and Army Headquarters as regular progress reports are being received from troops on the ground. “In this regard, a report was filed in from the field indicating that a major breakthrough had been recorded in the search. There was no reason to doubt this official channel, hence the information was released to the public immediately. Surprisingly however, the school principal, one of the sources quoted in the report has denied all that was attributed to her for whatever reasons. This is an unfortunate development indeed, yet the Defence Headquarters would not want to join issues with anyone. “It has to be reaffirmed however, that the report forwarded to the public on this issue was in good faith and not intended to deceive the public as is being interpreted following the denials by the School principal and Government of Borno State. Like all other citizens, the military is deeply concerned to ensure that the students are safe and freed alive. There is indeed no reason to play politics with the precious lives of the students. The number of those still missing is not the issue now as the life of every Nigerian is very precious. “In the light of the denial by the principal of the school, the Defence Headquarters wishes to defer to the school principal and Governor’s statement on the number of students still missing and retract that aspect of earlier statement while the search continues.” While the military has sincerely retracted the statement, it is worrisome to observe the preference of hunters and vigilantes over the military in the ongoing operation in some stories attributed to people and official of affected communities. We should avoid statement that could demoralize our military and dampen their spirit. Many of them are sacrificing their lives to keep us safe. We should also avoid playing politics with the life of the people.
Thousands of Malaysian Muslim activists protested today outside the US embassy against the visit of President Barack Obama on April 26 and 27, saying that he is Number one terrorist in the world. The Protesters called Obama an enemy of Islam.
The demonstration underscored the delicate nature of Obama’s trip to Muslim-majority Malaysia, which will make him the first sitting US president to visit in nearly half a century, a period marked by mutual distrust.
The protesters marched to the embassy in Kuala Lumpur from a nearby mosque after Friday afternoon prayers, shouting “God is great” and “Obama is the enemy of the Prophet Muhammad.”
They also bore placards and banners saying: “US is axis of evil” and handed out leaflets saying “Reject Obama, World’s No. 1 Terrorist.”
They dispersed after about 15 minutes.
Malaysia has opposed US wars in the Middle East and supports the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Obama embarks on a week-long Asia tour next week that will bring him to Malaysia April 26-28.
The last US president to visit was Lyndon Johnson in 1966.
US-Malaysia relations have been marked by rancour in recent decades, particularly during the tenure of former authoritarian premier Mahathir Mohamad from 1981-2003, who was harshly critical of US policy around the world.
Current Prime Minister Najib Razak has taken a more friendly tone toward the West, but he is restrained by conservative elements in his Muslim-dominated government.
Obama will also visit South Korea, Japan and the Philippines at a time of unease around the region over China’s rise.
Nigeria’s Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda has given an assurance that the Federal Government is fully ready to host the World Economic Forum next month, reassuring members of the international business community coming for the Forum of their safety. The minister, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, expressed gratitude to the international community for their confidence in Nigeria and its economy, adding that the Government is doing its best to protect its citizens as well as foreigners. According to him, the security sub-committee of the local organizing committee has been given all the necessary attention, adding that government places high premium on the security of lives and property. “The security sub-committee of the local organizing committee is headed by the Inspector-General of police himself. That goes to show the importance we attaché to the safety of the delegates coming. It is also our responsibility to ensure the safety of all Nigerians before, during and after the event.” Yuguda said that President Goodluck Jonathan has given all the necessary support for the successful hosting of the event and that he (Minister) met with the Inspector-General of police yesterday to confirm that all the security arrangements are already in place. “Nigeria is guaranteeing the security of all the delegates and we shall do our best as a nation to ensure that the event holds without hitches. It is our responsibility to protect the lives of all the delegates coming. Mr. President is on top of the situation and hasgiven all the support needed to ensure the success of the event. Yuguda said that Nigeria stands to benefit economically from hosting the event, stressing that the essence of the forum is in line with the Government’s Transformation Agenda. “How do we create a conducive environment for the private sector to develop, How do we attract more foreign direct investment. How do we maintain and sustain the economic progress Nigeria is making?” “These are all our interests which coincide with the aspirations of the World Economic Forum.The theme of the forum is on increasing growth and job creation.” The minister noted that the theme is in line with Nigeria’s aspirations, saying: “it is in line with what Mr. President is trying to do on how to make our growth inclusive.” He commended the World Economic Forum for issuing a statement to indicate that despite Nigeria’s security challenges, they are going ahead with the event because of their confidence in Nigeria.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state has advised Nigerians wherever they may be to purge themselves of the old prejudices that have kept the country away from rapid progress in peace and unity. He said in a message to Christians and Nigerians today as they celebrate Easter that the best time for Nigerians to purge themselves of those burdens that have impeded the nation’s progress as a people over the years is now. He called on them to continually demonstrate love in its fullness not only to one another but also to the country. Governor Uduaghan insisted that Nigerians should drop all types of attitudes that seek to hinder peace and unity of the country. According to him, Easter offers ample opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on renewal and sacrifice, saying that this is the time for them to look at old challenges in new ways as well as to strengthen their faith in God. “The lessons of peace, love, selflessness and sacrifice for the common good must be imbibed by all Nigerians for national progress. I wish to task Christian and Muslim leaders to preach harmony, peace and co-existence for the good of all.” Dr. Uduaghan appealed to all Deltans and all Nigerians to continue to live together in peaceful co-existence and harmony, devoid of bitterness, divisiveness and intolerance. He recommended mutual understanding, love and respect even as he said: “Our common progress lies in peaceful existence anchored on friendship and good neighbourliness.” He restated his administration’s commitment to making life better for all citizens and residents of Delta State, expressing confidence that on-going projects will be completed before the end of his tenure.
The leadership of the 20 standing committees of the National Conference has been released with Ibrahim Coomasie, Florence Ita-Giwa, Bola Shagaya, Olu Falae and Rasheed Ladoja heading various committees. A document released by the conference secretariat on Thursday in Abuja shows that five committees are headed by co-chairmen, while each of the remaining 15 has a chairman and a deputy. The Committee on Devolution of Power has a former Akwa Ibom governor, Obong Victor Attah, and a former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, is co-Chairmen. The committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government has Mr Mohammed Kumalia and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd), as co-chairmen. Similarly, the committee on Politics and Governance has Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Olu Falae, as co-chairmen. Mohammedu Gambo Jimeta, a former IGP, and a former Chief of National Intelligence, Chief Albert Horsefall, are chairman and deputy chairman respectively for the Committee on National Security. Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, heads the Committee on Environment, while Bukar Mandara, is the deputy chairman. Justice Gabriel Oguntade (rtd) is chairman of the Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reform, while Prof. Auwalu Yadudu is the deputy chairman. Iyom Josephine Anenih is chairperson of the Committee on Social Sector which has Prof. Ruqaiyatu Rufa’I, as deputy chairperson. The Committee on Transportation has Sen. Musa Adede as chairman, while Ralph Osanaiye, a retired IGP, is the deputy chairman. Dr Daniel Maddo is the chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Development, while Chief Raymond Dokpesi is the deputy chairman. The Committee on Agriculture has Umaru Hadeija as chairman, while Mrs Ifeoma Idigbe is the deputy chairperson. The Civil Society, Labour and Sports Committee is headed by Mrs Bola Ogunrinade, with Issa Aremu, as her deputy. The Committee on Public Service is headed by Mrs Ebele Okeke, with Amb. Adamu Aliyu as deputy chairman. The Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters is headed by Dr Iyorcha Ayu, while Sen. Ken Nnamani is his deputy. The Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters Committee is chaired by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, while Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu is his deputy. Land Tenure Matters and National Boundary Committee has Gen. A. B. Mamman (rtd) as chairman, and Oba Michael Adedeji as his deputy. The Economy, Trade and Investment Committee has Bola Shagaya as chairman, and Fola Adeola as her deputy. The Committee on Energy is headed by Sen. Rashid Ladoja, while Mr Bello Suleiman is his deputy. The Committee on Religion is chaired by both Bishop Felix Ajakaiye and Alhaji Nurudeen Lema. A former Kebbi State governor, Sen. Adamu Aliero and Sen. Azu Agboti head the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue Generation as chairman and deputy respectively. The Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters is headed by Dr Muhammed Abdullahi, while Chidinma Uwajumogu is his deputy. The Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), told the delegates shortly after adjourning plenary indefinitely on Thursday that committee work would begin on Tuesday after the Easter break. The submission of the list of committees members and their leadership generated complaints at plenary from most delegates. Kutigi told the delegates that 10 of the 20 committees would hold their sessions at the National Judicial Institute, while the other 10 are to sit at the Sheraton Hotel. The conference agreed through a voice vote that delegates with genuine complaints on the composition of the committees and their leadership should sort it out with the secretariat.
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state has clarified the issue surrounding the absence of all the governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a security meeting President Goodluck Jonathan held with governors today. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the two-hour meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Akpabio insisted that he had the right to invite whoever he wished. The governor who was responding to a question why none of the APC governor was in attendance, said that the President himself had now scheduled an elerged security meeting with all the 36 governors for next week Wednesday at 4.00pm. He said that today’s meeting was a fallout of the meeting held recently by all the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At today’s meeting were governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state from Labour Party and Enugu state governor, Sulivan Chime of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). A statement issued by special adviser to President Jonathan on media and Publicity yesterday, announcing the meeting today said all the 36 governors were invited. The statement said that President Jonathan summoned members of the National Security Council, all the governors and security chiefs to series of meetings at the Presidential Villa to find ways out of the security mess. It said that those expected at the meeting that would take almost the whole day, include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency. The statement said that the meeting of the National Security Council will be followed by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited all the State Governors. It said that the President, members of the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward. Governor Akpabio told newsmen that President Jonathan is serious about putting an end to the security challenges in the country by involving all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation. “We cannot afford to politicize insecurity in this country. All Nigerians must be part of the solution to the problem. We must be our brothers’ keepers.”
Expectedly, Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, Rochas Okorocha of Imo state and other governors from All Progressives Congress (APC) were absent today, at a meeting convened by President Goodluck Jonathan to reveiew the security challenges facing the country. The President initiated the meeting, which began at about 2.00pm today, to involve all the state governors in finding solution to incessant security challenges posed mainly Boko Haram. The meeting, Presided over by President Jonathan, was attended by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Minister of Defence, Major General Aliyu Gusau, Foreign affairs minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs. There were eighten state governors mainly from states Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), two deputy governors. They are Governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Idris Wada (Kogi), Others include Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar as well as Deputy Governors of Bayelsa and Kebbi states. The Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party walked into the venue of the meeting few minutes after it started. There were also Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong; Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. President Jonathan had earlier in the day, held a National Security Council meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Security Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Director-General of SSS and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The President, members of the National Security Council and the state governors are expected to review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward. The meeting with governors is still in progress….More details later
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Leader of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, on has owned up the Monday’s bombing in Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja that killed at least 75 people.
Former Nigeria Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has said that the current security challenges in Nigeria, though sad, but provide an opportunity for Nigerians to come out as one people and one nation, to stand together against any persons or forces trying to divide them.
The adverse security situation in Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general is being felt by all of us. While every State Government is doing everything possible using virtually all its resources to stem the tide of near disaster facing all of us especially in the North, it is a well-known fact that the present Federal administration has now become a government of impunity run by an evil-minded leadership for the advancement of corruption that is apparently enjoying the protection of the Federal administration as a citizen of this country should enjoy but is being denied by the administration using its mass murderers/cut-throats imbedded in our legitimate and traditional Defence and Security organizations. It is very clear that the protection of life and property of innocent citizens in Northern Nigeria and recognizing their Human rights and Voting right in the forthcoming general elections is no longer a cardinal principle of the administration.
Nigeria’s Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda has given an assurance that the Federal Government is fully ready to host the World Economic Forum next month, reassuring members of the international business community coming for the Forum of their safety.
The leadership of the 20 standing committees of the National Conference has been released with Ibrahim Coomasie, Florence Ita-Giwa, Bola Shagaya, Olu Falae and Rasheed Ladoja heading various committees.
Expectedly, Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, Rochas Okorocha of Imo state and other governors from All Progressives Congress (APC) were absent today, at a meeting convened by President Goodluck Jonathan to reveiew the security challenges facing the country.
Politics Of Abduction And Military Retraction By Labaran Saleh
It is quite unfortunate the controversy over the statement of a military spokesperson on the abducted students of Government Secondary School Chibok in Borno State.
As a member of PRNigeria Mailing List for Press Releases distribution from spokespersons of government, especially security agencies in Nigeria, I realise that two Press Releases were issued by Major General Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information on the abducted students before the denial by officials in Borno.
The first Press Release on the evening of April 16, 2014 with a title “More Students Of Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok Freed; Normalcy Returns To Wukari,” the spokesperson only used one paragraph to provide information on the development on Chibok which goes thus: “More of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State have this afternoon been freed as troops pursuing the terrorists close in on the den of those believed to have carried out the attack. A total of 129 students had earlier been abducted by a group of terrorists.”
About an hour later, another Press Release came with a title “Update on Abducted Students.” The storyline made the press release as most controversial ever issued by General Olukolade who had been a spokesperson on several military operations under ECOMOG and UN Peacekeeping Missions.
The controversial Press Release goes thus: “More students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok have been freed this evening in the ongoing Search & Rescue operations to free the abducted students. With this development, the Principal of the school has confirmed that only 8 of the students are still missing. One of the terrorists who carried out the attack on the school has also been captured. The military intervention and search and rescue operation to ensure the safety of the remaining students is ongoing in the suspected areas.”
While most of the media celebrated the cheering news with different captions the following day, the Principal of the School came out to fault the military’s statement. The Principal Mrs. Asabe Kwambura said she was shocked when she heard of claims by Nigerian military authorities that only eight girls are yet to be found.
She was quoted to have said: “There is nothing in the military statement that is true about our abducted girls. Up till now we are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students; all I know is that we have only 14 of them, and the security people especially the Vigilante and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them.
“The military people too are in the bush searching. So we have not received any information that they have gotten the students yet. So let it be clear that all the information passed on the media by the military concerning 107 girls is not true.”
“I, as the principal did not tell anybody any figure on released students other than what our Governor, His Excellency Kashim Shettima had informed the media,” she said.
The conflicting reports become the major item in various social media.
It was therefore not surprising that the Director Defence Information had to issue another press statement (the third on the abducted students) under a title “Update on the Abducted Students of Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok.”
The Press Release goes thus: “The controversy that has been generated around the efforts at securing the lives of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok is unfortunate. The ongoing frantic efforts of security forces along with vigilante groups including hunters working to locate and free the abducted students have continued to be keenly monitored at the Operation Centre of the Defence and Army Headquarters as regular progress reports are being received from troops on the ground.
“In this regard, a report was filed in from the field indicating that a major breakthrough had been recorded in the search. There was no reason to doubt this official channel, hence the information was released to the public immediately. Surprisingly however, the school principal, one of the sources quoted in the report has denied all that was attributed to her for whatever reasons. This is an unfortunate development indeed, yet the Defence Headquarters would not want to join issues with anyone.
“It has to be reaffirmed however, that the report forwarded to the public on this issue was in good faith and not intended to deceive the public as is being interpreted following the denials by the School principal and Government of Borno State. Like all other citizens, the military is deeply concerned to ensure that the students are safe and freed alive. There is indeed no reason to play politics with the precious lives of the students. The number of those still missing is not the issue now as the life of every Nigerian is very precious.
“In the light of the denial by the principal of the school, the Defence Headquarters wishes to defer to the school principal and Governor’s statement on the number of students still missing and retract that aspect of earlier statement while the search continues.”
While the military has sincerely retracted the statement, it is worrisome to observe the preference of hunters and vigilantes over the military in the ongoing operation in some stories attributed to people and official of affected communities. We should avoid statement that could demoralize our military and dampen their spirit. Many of them are sacrificing their lives to keep us safe. We should also avoid playing politics with the life of the people.
Labaran Saleh
salelabaran@yahoo.com