Wednesday 29 April 2020

Banks Open In Abuja, Lagos, Ogun From Monday – FG

Dr Sani Aliyu


The Federal Government says banks will open for commercial operations in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States beginning Monday, May 4.

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday.

Aliyu said banks would be allowed to open between 8am and 2pm in the three places.

He said, “In terms of the banks, this continues to be a recurring issue for all of us. We have been in touch with the CBN governor.

“Moving on from Monday, banks will open and they will operate normal services from 8am to 2pm. That is six hours but there will be the usual restrictions. For instance, self-distancing and the use of temperature monitors, hand hygiene, and making sure the capacities of banking halls are restricted so that people do not come together.”

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari during his address to the nation on Monday night, announced the gradual easing of the more than four-week lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

He, however, imposed an 8pm to 6am curfew in the three places while mandating the use of face masks in public places.

Pantami Commissions NITDA Training And Research Academy




In an unprecedented move in the history of the country, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on Wednesday 29th April 2020, virtually commissioned the NITDA Training and Research Academy.

In a press release by the spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs.), she said that this is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, to empower citizens with Digital Skills in the race to digitalise the nation’s economy.

The statement read, “This move, amid the global health crisis COVID19, ensures that Nigeria and Nigerians are abreast of latest skills in emerging technologies.
In his keynote address, Dr Pantami encouraged Civil Servants, students and indeed all Nigerians nationwide, to key into the opportunity to acquire and develop digital skills as the current lockdown affords us time to seek, explore and improve on digital literacy.

“We have leveraged on existing technologies in line with our mandate, to provide the requisite training needed to put Nigeria on a globally competitive pedestal inspite of the pandemic to ensure that Nigerians are ready for a post covid19 digital era”

The virtual event which held on the Microsoft Teams Platform, is streamlined to meet the requirements of all categories of trainees. This laudable project is being executed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and NITDA in collaboration with Microsoft, Huawei Technologies, Oracle and Cisco. It will be recalled that the NITDA Training and Research Academy project, was initiated and conceptualized by the Honourable Minister during his tenure as the Director General of the Agency.

The virtual event was attended by over 200 participants, the statement concluded.

Monday 20 April 2020

COVID-19: Gov Diri Begins Second Phase Distribution Of Foodstuff In Bayelsa



  • Cautions Council Chairmen against Discrimination on Party Lines
  • Unveils Donors List


Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, commenced another round of distribution of the COVID-19 relief items, calling on the coordinators to ensure that the foodstuff get to the less privileged and vulnerable people in the state.

Senator Douye Diri gave the charge during the flag-off of the distribution of the items witnessed by legislators from the state and the national assembly, local government chairmen and some stakeholders at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

A press release by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as having directed the eight council chairmen and their councillors to demonstrate integrity in the distribution of the foodstuff and ensure that it cuts across political party lines.

According to Senator Diri, "as you go to your various local government areas to distribute these relief materials, make sure that there is no distinction between PDP and APC. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic does not know who is PDP or APC. The underlying issue is that they are all Bayelsans. The relief materials should get to all who need them, particularly the downtrodden, because this government is poised to carry everyone along.

"I urge you to ensure that the distribution of these items is successful and done peacefully. Having experienced the first distribution of garri in the state, this time around we are following it up with enough security. 

"So, we have invited more personalities and leaders to be part of the distribution process. The security will follow these items to their various local government headquarters. 

"We have also invited other leaders to be involved in the distribution of items to their wards and communities."

The governor disclosed that the state had begun the process of setting up its own laboratory and testing centre for viral infections apart from the Coronavirus disease.

He said he had already approved N60 million for the procurement of equipment for the centre to be established at the Bayelsa Medical University.

He added that officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) would be invited to inspect and certify the centre when it is ready. 

The governor enumerated food items procured by his administration to include 6,000 bags of beans, 6,070 bags of garri, 10,750 cartons of noodles and 185 packs of bottled water.

Others are 175 cartons of tin tomato, 700 cartons of soft drinks, 35 gallons of palm oil, 68 bags of salt, 69 bags of sugar, 38 cartons of seasoning and 70 gallons of vegetable oil. 

Senator Diri, who equally highlighted items donated by corporate organisations, expressed gratitude for their gesture and enjoined others to follow suit.

According to him, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board donated to the state government 75 bags of beans, 300 bags of rice, 70 bags of garri, two ambulance vehicles and other pharmaceutical items.

He said 7Up Bottling Company also donated 2,004 packs of bottled water, 8,400 cartons of soft drinks while Mee&Kay Ltd gave 100 cartons of instant noodles.

The state government, he noted, also took delivery of 350 bags of rice and 300 bags of garri from Ecobank Plc while Crunchies, a fast food outfit in Yenagoa, donated 50 cartons of noodles.

Other items donated include 300 bags of rice from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, Sterling Bank N100 milliion, Niger Delta Development Commission N100 million while the Nigerian Agip Oil Company promised that in partnership with the NNPC it would build a South-South health centre for the fight against COVID-19 and other viral diseases in the state.

The distribution chart of the relief items had Brass local government area with 50 bags of rice, 500 bags each of beans and garri, 900 cartons of noodles, 10 packs each of water and tin tomato, salt and sugar 7 bags each.

The chart indicated that Ekeremor local government had 60 bags of rice, 600 bags each of beans and garri, 1,080 cartons of noodles, 12 packs each of water and tin tomato, salt and sugar 7 bags each.

Kolokuma/Opokuma received 55 bags of rice, 650 bags each of beans and garri, 1,170 cartons of noodles, 11 packs each of water and tin tomato, 7 bags each of salt and sugar.

Nembe had 65 bags of rice, beans and garri 650 bags each, 1,170 cartons of noodles, 13 packs each of water and tin tomato, salt and sugar 7 bags each.

Ogbia got 65 bags of rice, beans and garri 650 bags each, 1,170 cartons of noodles, water and tin tomato 13 packs each, salt and sugar 8 bags each.

Sagbama is to distribute 70 bags of rice, 700 bags each of beans and garri, 1,260 cartons of noodles, water and tin tomato 14 packs each, salt and sugar 8 bags each.

Southern Ijaw received 85 bags of rice, beans and garri 850 bags each, 1,530 cartons of noodles, water and tin tomato 17 packs each, 12 bags each of salt and sugar. 

Yenagoa received 75 bags of rice, beans 750 bags, garri 750, noodles 1,350 cartons, water and tin tomato 15 packs each, 9 bags each of salt and sugar.

Other beneficiaries include the physically challenged persons, internally displaced persons, youth corps members, Bakassi returnees, motherless babies home and non-indigenes.


The Cable.ng Publication: Sambo Abdullahi Knocks Babalakin & Co’s



......Says it is astonishing that a law firm of a silk can drag the legal profession into the mud

The Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, (NBET) Sambo Abdullahi has debunked the story published by the Cable.ng that NBET has appeals against the court order on removed internal auditor.

In a right of reply sent to Swift Reporters, Sambo Abdullahi said that the letter dated 17th March, 2020, which was said to have come from Babalakin & Co attached to the Cable.ng story bears no name of the author which is against the tradition of lawyers.

He further said, “An x-ray of Babalakin & Co’s letter shows a clear misrepresentation of fact on what transpired between my good self and NBET and the judgement of the National Industrial Court. It is astonishing that a law firm of a silk can drag the legal profession into the mud. Abdullahi said

Excerpt is the full text of the Right of reply:

Right of Reply
RE: NBET appeals against court order on removed internal auditor

You reported a story on the appeal of the judgement delivered by Hon Justice Oyejoju O. Oyewumi of the National Industrial Court on March 11, 2020, in suit No-NICN/ABJ/349/2018 between Sambo Abdullahi (myself) vs Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Dr Marilyn Amobi, Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. After evaluating and analysing of the evidence before her, the judge declared and ordered as follows:
1.   That the suspension of the claimant’s salary and emoluments is wrongful
2.   That the refusal of his annual leave for 2017 and 2018 is wrongful, and unfair labour practice and against international best practice.
3.   That his claims for denial on access to National Health Insurance Scheme benefits fails.
4.   That the second defendant (Dr. Marilyn Amobi) lacks the vires to unilaterally suspend punish and/or withhold the salary, emoluments and all other benefits accrued to the Claimant.
5.   That the Claimant is entitled to all his salaries and emoluments and all other benefits accruable to him as staff of the first defendant from 22nd December 2017 till today 11th of March, 2020.
6.   The Claimant claim d fails.
7.   All sums awarded in this judgement is to be paid within 30 days of this judgement, failure upon which it attracts 21% interest thereon per annum.
I wish to note from the outset of this Right of Reply that the letter dated 17th March, 2020, which was said to have come from Babalakin & Co attached to your story bears no name of the author. This is against the tradition of lawyers. I know very well that all documents so generated in respect of my case by Babalakin & Co have names and seal of lawyers who authored them, and they were properly signed and sealed. This particular letter is suspect!

What I see on this particular letter is an inscription, “Babalakin & Co” as signature. I want to believe that there is no human being bearing Babalakin & Co.

NBET acted on the advice of the law firm of Babalakin & Co in appealing the judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered on the 11th of March 2020, as contained in their letter attached to your story (https://www.thecable.ng/nbet-appeals-against-court-order-on-removed-internal-auditor/amp) dated 17th March, 2020, addressed to the Managing Director, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc with attention: Dr Marilyn Amobi. An x-ray of Babalakin & Co’s letter shows a clear misrepresentation of fact on what transpired between my good self and NBET and the judgement of the National Industrial Court. It is astonishing that a law firm of a silk can drag the legal profession into the mud. For clarity and integrity, I will respond as follows to the misrepresentation of facts as contained in the letter of Babalakin & Co:

Background: This grossly misrepresented facts and also concealed vital information on what happened in the court. This paragraph failed to give the actual chronicle of the fact of the case. As an appointed NBET head of internal audit, I flagged serious irregularities in the dealings and transactions involving Dr Amobi which she started barely 2 months of her resumption as MD/CEO. These allegations have been confirmed by the EFCC, ICPC, BPP and Auditor General of the Federation in their various reports widely published in both electronic and print media indicting Dr Marilyn Amobi and exonerating me. (https://www.thecable.ng/exposed-how-nbet-md-raked-in-millions-through-fraudulent-contracts)

In an attempt to get me traumatised through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation who was Dr Amobi’s colleague at the defunct Continental Merchant Bank, she redeployed me to Learning and Development unit which I petitioned to then Hon Minister of Power, Works and Housing (the Supervising Ministry). My salary and other emoluments were then stopped via a memo dated 27th December, 2017, pending the outcome of my petition to the Hon Minister. This was contained in the document tendered before the Court and not challenged by either by Dr. Marilyn Amobi or her Counsel Babalakin & Co.

The Ministry on 3 (three) separate occasions directed Dr Marilyn Amobi to rescind her decision on stoppage of my salaries since the Ministerial Committee did not find any wrongdoing on my part. Dr Marilyn Amobi defied the lawful directives of the ministry and this necessitated the then Permanent Secretary (Power), Mr Louis Edozien, to escalate the matter to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on 26th November, 2018, which till date has not said anything on the matter. Because the OSGF kept mute on the matter and the injurious act continued to the extent that my employment was threatened, I approached the National Industrial Court as my last hope on the 7th day of December, 2018.

Review of Judgement- I was perturbed by paragraph 2.1.1 of Babalakin & Co’s letter wherein it alleged that NBET Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court on competency of the suit was not ruled upon in the 11th March, 2020, Judgement of Hon. Justice Oyewumi. This is not true as the decision of the Court is contained in page 13 of the copy of the judgement attached to the story published by TheCable. Also, Paragraph 2.1.2 of the same letter misconstrued and misinterpreted the Federal Government Circular on dissolution of Board dated 14th August, 2015. The said circular clearly directed all the Chief Executive Officers of parastatals, NBET inclusive, to refer all matters requiring the attention of the Board to the President through the Permanent Secretary (PS) of their supervising ministry. For avoidance of doubt, Dr Amobi since her assumption of office in August 2016 has been complying strictly to this circular to the extent that she receives directives from the PS (Power). It may interest you to note that as at 30th December, 2016, a clear 19 months after the pioneer Board of NBET was dissolved, Dr Amobi’s annual leave was sought and approved by PS (Power).

By an email between Dr Amobi and PS (Power) in which I was copied, she acknowledged and confirmed the supervisory role of the ministry of power over NBET where she wrote “Thank you very much for granting me the opportunity to have this 5 days working annual leave, ………. Sambo Abdullahi will be available to attend any engagement. He will also steer forward strategies to implement any directives that you set out for NBET. Of course, if there are things that statutorily I should not do during this 5 days, and whilst I am on annual vacation, I am very confident that Sambo will make appropriate decision that would promote the public interest whilst being in the best interest of the organization. He comes highly recommended”. (Emphasis are mine).

From this paragraph and the findings of the court, it is a clear fact that Ministry of Power has supervisory role over NBET. Dr Marilyn Amobi’s refusal to pay my salaries despite the ministry’s directives is unconscionable act which was supposed to have ended with the judgment of 11th March, 2020.

Lawyers are supposed to be ministers in the temple of justice. As such, a lawyer is supposed to advise his/her client without fear or favour truthfully. Paragraph 2.1.3 of Babalakin & Co’s letter is another clear misrepresentation of what happened in the court. The letter dated 20th March 2018 was admitted in court as Exhibit SA18 and a clear preview of Babalakin & Co’s final written address signed by one Olayinka I. Arasi Esq on behalf of NBET and Dr. Marilyn Amobi, did not challenge or object to the admissibility of the document. Other documents they challenged were succinctly dealt with by Hon. Justice Oyewumi in her judgement. It beats my imagination for a lawyer who had in his address confirmed that Exhibit SA18 was admissible to turn round and inform his client that he objected to same, but the court did not rule on it. Court proceedings are public documents. Dr. Marilyn Amobi should do herself a favour by obtaining the Certified True Copy of the proceedings and confirm the concocted stories bandied in the advice of BABALAKIN & CO.

I want to believe that the law firm of Babalakin & Co was ill briefed on the issue of the alleged Disciplinary Hearing Committee (DHC) proceeding which was orchestrated 12 months after the stoppage of my salary and other emoluments. Babalakin & Co alleged in their letter that the DHC was diversionary as same was constituted for an entirely different infraction(s).

It is important to appreciate the chronology of events in NBET after the stoppage of my salaries to the setting up of the DHC. The allegation being tried by the DHC were already in public domain months before I was alleged to have divulged same.

The DHC committee were members of the NBET Parastatal Tenders Board who are part of the approval of the fraudulent activities I raised audit queries on which necessitated the stoppage of my salaries and which was being investigated by anti-graft agencies then. The complainant (Ms. Itohan Ehiede) was also part of the judges. There is nowhere in the whole world you can be a judge in your own case.

In fact, it was documented to the management that considering the composition of the DHC membership, I cannot get fair hearing. Expectedly, two of the DHC members were lawyers who ought to rightly recuse themselves having registered my fear of denial of fair hearing via memos to the DHC. The DHC was also one characterised by violation of the NBET Human Resources Policy Manual and other extant circulars.

On the issue of denial of annual leave, it is common sense and the practice in the civil service that all leave should adhere to the policy of the organization. For NBET, it is compulsory that I obtain the approval of my line manager before proceeding on annual leave which I sought and secured from Mr Abba Aliyu, GM, Project, Research, Learning and Development, contrary to when I was head of internal audit where I was expected to obtain approval from Dr. Amobi who was my line manager in that department.

The leave for 2017 was approved by my line manager, but returned by Ms. Itohan Ehiede (Head, Corporate Services) which prevented me from proceeding on the leave till date. NOTE: Ms Itohan Ehiede is not Abba Aliyu’s line manager. I was perturbed by the authority exercised by Ms Itohan Ehiede over my leave till date. The court held that this was wrongful.

Recommendations/ further steps: Paragraph 3.1.1 recommended to Dr. Amobi to proceed on appeal based on the grounds debunked above. The suggested recommendation for stay of execution was to further dehumanise me and my family for exposing fraudulent activities running into billions of naira perpetrated by Dr Marilyn Amobi.

The law firm of Babalakin & Co also recommended to Dr. Marilyn Amobi to continue disciplinary hearing proceedings which she started in 2018 to punish me for an act which the anti-graft agencies and the court had vindicated me and indicted Dr. Marilyn Amobi on. The law firm also suggested that Dr Marilyn Amobi should set up a fresh or new disciplinary hearing committee to try me for an offence which is yet to be committed: https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-how-not-to-fight-corruption/amp; https://www.thecable.ng/icpc-to-prosecute-nbet-md-indicts-her-of-fraud

Babalakin & Co in paragraph 3.1.2 advised further that the new DHC which Dr. Marilyn Amobi will set up should comply strictly with NBET Human Resources Policy Manual in order not to give any room for a successful challenge of NBET’s action in court. Paragraph 3.1.5 further advised that, I “may be suspended with half or no pay” pending the endorsement of the DHC recommendation to none existing NBET Board Committee on HR.

By this suggestion of Babalakin & Co, it literarily means that the law firm admitted that NBET and its management have not been complying with the approved NBET HR policy manual. How does the law firm of Babalakin & Co fit into the operation and policy of NBET by making such suggestions? What is the legal profession turning to if this is coming from a learned silk’s office? 

CONCLUSION: SUMMARY OF COURT JUDGEMENT

In as much as every individual is entitled to his personal view and observation, I wish to unequivocally make the following review of the court judgement of Hon Justice Oyewumi delivered on 11th March, 2020, as my own understanding and perspective: A closer look at the 23-page judgement gives an insight to her Lordship’s stand on each order pronounced.

On the wrongful suspension of my salary and emoluments, the judge on pages 19-20 confirmed that my remuneration was stopped long before disciplinary process was taken against me. This in her words was putting the cart before the horse. It is germane to state that my salary was stopped since 27th December 2017 and I was issued a query in 2018 for absence without leave which was never a reason adduced in a memo communicating the stoppage of my salary. More so, the court said that assuming but not conceding that absenteeism was a ground for the stoppage of my salary, the stipulated procedures as contained in the NBET Human Resources Policy Manual which governs the relationship and conditions of service between NBET and myself was never followed by NBET.

On the wrongful refusal of my annual leave for 2017 and 2018, the judge noted that it was unfair labour practice and against international best practice. “It is trite in the world of work that annual leave is a statutory right of an employee and every employee is entitled to same. In fact, the contract of claimant’s employment recognizes his right to leave as expounded in Exhibit SA9”. Her Lordship went further to support her stand with ILO Convention C32 Revision in 1970 for holiday with pay.

Dr Marilyn Amobi (2nd defendant) was said to lack the vires to unilaterally suspend, punish and/or withhold the salary, emoluments, and all other benefits accruable to me. Successfully, this matter broadly shows the power of the Hon Minister of Power on its supervisory role over NBET and its management. The Minister by the Guideline Regulating the Relationship Between Parastatal/State Owned Companies has power to direct the Boards of any parastatal under it on issues which border on policy that affects conditions of service of staff. The Minister in this regard is the Minister of Power as same was confirmed by NBET through its sole witness (Ms. Itohan Ehiede) where she confirmed before the court that NBET and its management since the dissolution of the pioneer board in 2015 has been taking instructions from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and that Dr. Amobi attended and cooperated fully with the ministerial committee on NBET staff matters which she accompanied her. The import of which is that Dr. Amobi agreed to the supervision of Ministry of Power, Works and Housing through the Minister over the management of NBET.

Furthermore, the court confirmed the provision of the above guideline on the issue that the Board of any parastatal under it and/or even the Managing Director i.e. in this case MD NBET must consult the Minister (Minister of Power, Works and Housing) before any change in policy which bothers on public interest and/or can generate public controversy. By this pronouncement of the judge, we can safely conclude that the Accountant General of the Federation erred in his duty by posting its staff to NBET without recourse or request for the approval of the supervising ministry through the NBET MD/CEO, as posting of treasury staff to NBET (Finance and Internal Audit) bothers on policy issues in which Dr. Marilyn Amobi must secure approval from the Minister of Power before implementing same. The court affirmed that the Board is responsible for the conditions of service of staff in any organization. Salary and emoluments bother on conditions of service. Dr Marilyn Amobi was held to lack the vires to unilaterally suspend my salaries.

The crown of the judgement was the order of the judge for the payment of my salary and emoluments and all other benefits accruing to me as staff of NBET since 22nd December 2017 when same were stopped. On this, the judgement reads at page 21: “It is right to re-emphasis that claimant’s employment in this case has not been determined but that his salary and other entitlement were withheld by the 1st and 2nd defendants. I have held Supra that the 1st and 2nd defendants, contrary to its terms and conditions of service withheld the claimant’s salary and other emoluments wrongfully. Although, the 1st and 2nd defendants argued that he did not work as stated by his line manager vide Exhibit SA13, I find from Exhibit SA13 that his line manager did in fact state at paragraph 1 of that memo to the 2nd defendant that he engaged the claimant on different tasks. The import of which is that the claimant did actually work and thus entitled to be paid his salaries and emoluments.

THE ABOVE QUOTATION CONNOTES JUSTICE FOR THE OPPRESSED!

Sambo Abdullahi
Deputy General Manager
Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, (NBET)
Abuja

Exclusive: Over 100 Boko Haram Terrorists Killed By Nigerian Troops In Buni Gari



It has been gathered that troops of Sector 2 command of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed over 100 Boko Haram terrorists in Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

According to a top military source, the operation was carried out using the new operational strategy introduced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, who is now in charge of the activities of Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole. 

“The new operational policy of the Chief of Army Staff is yielding the desired results as the Boko Haram group have been enduring a hard time recently. We had credible Intel that a part of the group felt they needed to take their destinies into their hands, embarking on a headless journey outside the Timbuktu Triangle. Unfortunately, however, they met their waterloo,” our source said.

“I can tell you that the revised operational code of conduct has an emphasis on credible Intel and this is responsible for the feat recorded in Buni Gari. Our troops engaged the terrorist squarely and amid the battle, reinforcements were sent in on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, who monitored the operations himself.” 

It was also gathered that the move by the Boko Haram group was a decoy by Abubakar Shekau to take the attention away from himself and some of his top commanders that have been trapped in their hideouts for weeks. 

“We got the Intel that there was a mass movement of terrorists along the Gombi-Baromari axis. But the movement didn't align with the numbers trapped. What we did was to reinforce the Sector 2 command in Damaturu while the focus was still on the Timbuktu triangle. And this yielded positive results. We initially thought the number of casualties was not much. However, after a follow up exploitation operation, we realized the number of fatalities was over 100 and with several gun trucks destroyed and a large cache of arms and ammunition recovered” 

Many locals and villagers who spoke to this medium were full of praises for the gallantry of the troops. According to a resident of Buni Gari, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,  they noticed movements into their communities late in the night of Saturday. He stated that they knew it wasn’t soldiers because the movement was uncoordinated, and the whole community subsequently took cover. 

“We have been in this crisis for long, and we, to a large extent, know the movement of soldiers because they are always coordinated. But on Saturday night, we sensed an unusual movement of vehicles coming towards our community. At some point, it halted. Not long after, we started hearing gunshots from the other flank and I can tell you that it was a very tough battle. “

The source further added that the gunshots lasted well into the early hours of the morning before it subsided. 

“We came out from our hiding in the morning to see corpses of Boko Haram terrorist littered everywhere. Not long after, we saw soldiers who came to clear the place. We saw lots of weapons everywhere. We are grateful to the soldiers.” 

Another resident of Buni Gari also stated that, but for the intervention of the soldiers, Buni Gari would have been consumed by the Boko Haram terrorist just like they did in Buni Yadi in 2014. 

“The event of 2014 in Buni Yadi is still fresh in our minds. But we are very grateful to the Nigerian Army for saving us from the evil of Boko Haram. The soldiers displayed gallantry that led to the death of these Boko Haram terrorists.” 

This medium was able to gather that the Chief of Army Staff was pleased with the operation in Buni Gari that he ordered a 24-hour surveillance around Yobe State to track fleeing Boko Haram terrorist that might have been fortunate to escape the Buni Gari onslaught.  

A top source in the theatre command stated that “The Chief has instructed that surveillance operations are carried out within that sector to ensure that all feeling terrorists are tracked. As we speak, troops from Sector 3 are currently combing the area for remnants of Boko Haram terrorists that might have escaped and I can tell you that they would be apprehended.”  

He added: “ The clearance operation is structured in such a way that these terrorist are boxed to a corner using a triangular format where the only option would be to surrender because it is no longer business as usual and no commander wants to incur the wrath of the Chief of Army Staff.

“The Buni Gari experience tells a lot of the reinvigoration of the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria led by the Chief of Army Staff. The new operational code is yielding the desired results, and we can’t but thank the Chief of Army Staff for his ingenuity in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.” 

It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff recently relocated to Borno State to coordinate the operations of the Theatre Command in a new offensive against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Buni Gari 105: Intensify Onslaught Against Fleeing Terrorists, Arewa Youths Beg Nigerian Army


The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has urged the Nigerian Army to sustain its momentum against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists following a successful onslaught in Buni Gari, Yobe State that left 105 casualties on the side of the insurgents.

AACP made this plea in a statement signed by its President, Hon. Haske Abdulmuminu, on Monday.

The gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Saturday, neutralised an attempted attack by terrorists on Buni Gari Village in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

This comes barely a week after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai relocated to the Theatre of Operations, promising not to leave until the Northeast is rid of fleeing terrorists.

With the recent development, Arewa Action for Change and Peace believes this mission is closer than envisaged, especially with the charismatic, dogged and resilient COAS on ground.

However, the group said even more can be achieved with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens.

While urging the nation to rally behind the troops, ACP assured of its unflinching support, especially in dampening the work of Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news on social media.

On its part, the Arewa youths appealed to the troops to intensify efforts to flush out the remnants of insurgents and also be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations.

AACP, though, advised the troops to approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives to avoid the Chadian situation where 44 of 58 captured terrorists committed suicide.

Read full statement below:

The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has called on troops of the Nigerian Army to intensify the ongoing war against Boko Haram to ensure that the final defeat of terrorism as ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai is actualized on a timely basis and with lasting results.

The catchment area of Arewa has been on the receiving end of Boko Haram’s murderous acts and lawlessness, which makes the defeat of the terrorists of key importance to us. With the success of the army, we envisage that our economy in the north of Nigeria and our way of life can be restored to levels that are consistent with our aspiration as a people.

It is on this note that we describe the war efforts of the Army as impressive even as we are citing the recent neutralization of 105 terrorists during an operation in Yobe state as proof that the Army would have completely wiped out Boko Haram if they were not finding safe havens within the borders of Nigeria’s neighbors to the northeast. We will like to see more unrepentant Boko Haram fighters bite the dust, the ideology that drives them is in no way related to the Arewa way of life or the religious piety they are using to brainwash their members to take up extremism.

Now that the terrorists are no longer free to escape across the border, beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction, we can see that troops led by Lt. General Buratai, who relocated to the theatre of operations, have made enormous gains beyond the expectations of Nigerians. The troops could do more with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens and AACP will not be found lacking in providing this non-material and non-monetary incentives to the troops. They have found in us a cheerleading group that is confident of their capacity to deliver victory.

We consequently want to assure the troops and the leadership of the Nigerian Army that Nigerians are fully and in total support of all their efforts. Citizens will continue to pray for the troops to vanquish the evil represented by Boko Haram. AACP will on its part dampen the efforts by Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news in the social media. We will as part of our support regularly appraise citizens about the efforts the Army is making to restore peace to our region.

AACP is however appealing to the troops and the leadership of the Nigeria Army to be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations. The pandemic makes it imperative that the Army finishes this war once and for all especially at a Time that the enemies are in disarray whilst their cyber assets are in hiding for fear of Covid-19. The other imperative is the need to mop up the remnant of Boko Haram during ongoing COVID-19 lockdown so that they will not be in a position to spread virus later on account of trying to escape into other major Nigerian cities.

While not being insensitive, AACP is of the view that the current onslaught should be merciless on the account that previous instances where troops showed mercy were abused by terrorists who later storm detention centres to free their members in captivity. Captured terrorists that regain freedom have proven to be more vicious and disproportionately more bloodthirsty than those that have never been captured.

It is also important that troops approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives in order to avoid the kind of mess in which the Chadian authorities have now found themselves after 44 of 58 Boko Haram terrorists they captured during battle committed mass suicide while in custody. Boko Haram NGO assets are now using the incident to criminalize the Chadian government; and it is on record that the international NGO conspiracy against Nigeria is more intense so it will be catastrophic for Nigeria to fall into such situation where captured terrorists die in captivity.

Boko Haram/ISWAP: PMB As Another Nostradamus

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By Gabriel Onoja 

“The future will show whether my foresight is as accurate now as it has proved heretofore.” –Nikola Tesla

Writer Nikola Tesla has made a definitive exposition on the power of foresight on the future and its rewarding potency in needy times, if appropriate preparations are finalized today. Clairvoyance in leaders is an indispensable and powerful asset. 
It gives the leader, a calculative mind that predicts what is to come and the best means to reposition in the immediate to absorb the unexpected.  A leader who is barren of foresight is like a General without troops.  
President Muhammadu Buhari is one gifted leader, with the exceptional ability to glimpse the future like a soothsayer. And uses this rare power to initiate and embark on actions that will salvage any dimension of an ugly scenario in the future.  He sees tomorrow coming and prepares for it.
Insecurities have been the bane of Nigeria under President Buhari. But the President has not been overwhelmed by its multiplicity because he saw tomorrow since yesterday and prepared for it. In the olden days, philosophers would have widely celebrated President Buhari as a man who saw tomorrow on the fate of his country and prepared adequately for it.   
Boko Haram Insurgency as we all know  was one of the  nagging and pronounced problems  of Nigerians when President Buhari campaigned in 2014 to be elected Nigeria’s democratic leader. By his impeccable credentials, Nigerians had no misgivings in trusting in his competence to  blight Boko Haram insurgency and they endorsed him massively at the ballot to lead the country of Nigeria on all fronts.
But beyond the glaring problem of Boko Haram, President Buhari suspected the emergence of other monstrous security problems. And true to his suspicions, Nigeria has slipped into the hands of other multiple insecurity challenges. The country presently contends with multifarious insurgencies and insurrections which have culminated into the spate of insecurities assailing the country.
Good enough, President Buhari envisaged it and their manifestations did not take him by surprise. What terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, religious extremists, ethnic warlords and a pantheon of other armed criminals have failed to discern is that the President  had sufficiently prepared for the experiences of today through his first and choice Service Chiefs.

President Buhari assembled a dependable, reliable, and very competent team of Service Chiefs to lead the battle on insecurity. Among them, the President also went for a perpetual, unbending and unbreakable warrior cum strategist, Lt. Gen. Tukur  Buratai. And after emerging as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Buratai’s responsibilities doubled with his appointment as the  coordinator  of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

Candidly, President Buhari saw the dark clouds of tomorrow, by the appointment of Gen.  Buratai to coordinate and lead the military assault against the  terrorists. In action with the Nigerian troops on the battlefield, Gen. Buratai smacks as an exact replica and direct shadows of Mr. President in the counter-insurgency wars, reminiscent of Buhari’s hey days in the Nigerian Army 
As soon as Gen. Buratai moseyed on the coast; the warzone became a place too hot for Boko Haram terrorists to handle. Gen. Buratai terminated the dream of terrorists to hold the whole of Northern Nigeria to ransom; he ended terrorists satanism in holding Abuja inhabitants captive with detonated bombs and the COAS has eradicated the shadows of Boko Haram terrorists in extending their atrocious acts to the Southern part of the country.    
Gen. Buratai has ingeniously obliterated the practice of terrorists recruitment of Nigerian youths as foot soldiers of the sect; he has buried the act of female suicide bombers; he is able to put a halt to the reckless abductions of vulnerable Nigerians by Boko Haram and he has frustrated Boko Haram agents and sympathizers’ with a fatal blow on cyberspace terrorism.  
The Army Chief has arrested the anxiety terrorists camps raised in Nigeria through amplification of fake news. Now, ever since, the Army become noted for the timely dishing out of accurate information to the public about counter-insurgency operations.  
Every day and with Gen. Buratai on the saddle of the Theatre of war, Nigeria has ceaselessly feted good news from the frontlines since 2015. From the outset when Gen. Buratai assumed the commanding height of the anti-terrorism war, Nigerians began to celebrate reclaimed Nigerian territories annexed by Boko Haram; tens of thousands of rescued Nigerians holed in Boko Haram secret camps and the demystification of Sambisa forest deified by Boko Haram insurgents’ as their impenetrable shield.  

Furthermore, Nigerians have remained elated with the continuous return of normalcy and restoration of security, as attested by the depletion of IDPs camps. Nigerians are excited with the endless return of hundreds of thousands of IDPs to hitherto desolate communities in the Northeast.    
Nigerians keep expecting better news from the theatre of war and Gen. Buratai and Nigerian troops have not disappointed them. Very often, Nigerians hear of how Nigerian troops repelled Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists which ambush or attack them, and in all instances, the insurgents are neutralized in droves. 
 The people of Nigeria are infinitely joyous that the capacity of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to go berserk in gruesome attacks, killings’ and arsons has been decapitated. Nigerians are proud of Nigerian troops for confining the intermittent operations of terrorists to the Lake Chad vicinities.   
Nigerians are excited that the combined force of the Super Camp strategy and the “Operation Last Hold,”  as well as the  “Operation Deep Punch,” in the last phase of clearance operations against residues of terrorists in the Northeast are yielding expected results. 
There was thunderous applauses from Nigerians a few days back, as the COAS relocated to the Northeast together with the entire focus of the Army Intelligence, strategy and infrastructure to the warzone. Surely, it signals the end of terror as far as the counter-insurgency operations are concerned.  This was soon as Buratai ended his operational tour to troops locations in the Northeast. 

By this move, Gen. Buratai is again in the trenches personally “overseeing and directing the overall operation in the theatre and other Nigerian Army operations across the country.”  The Army Chief told troops at the Special Super Camp Ngamdu in Kaga LGA that he will trudge with them to all the nooks and crannies of the theatre of war.

Now the die is finally cast against the elusive remnants of Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast and elsewhere in the country. Nigerians shall not wait for long   before they news of the ship of final victory against terrorists will be anchored on shore with rent the air. And the results will be sure beautiful and resounding enough to attract national eulogies for Gen. Buratai and Nigerian troops. 
Certainly,  like Jim Butcher said,  “One can have only as much preparation as he has foresight.”  President Buhari’s foresight as a man who saw tomorrow and prepared his country to face the emergent realities anointed Gen. Buratai to lead the counter-insurgency operations ab initio. This is justified by the day with lasting impression Gen. Buratia’s leadership capacities has brought to bear rewardingly on the counter- insurgency operations in Nigeria despite its multiplicity. 

 Onoja is National Coordinator, Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism.

Sunday 19 April 2020

COVID-19: Community Under Quarantine Gets Food Items From Niger State Government



Sequel to the directive of the Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, to quarantine Limawa Community in Minna, the State Government has supplied food items to its people.

In a press release release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Mary Noel Berje,, she said that the gesture was to cushion the effect of being quarantined after an index case of COVID-19 in the State was recorded from the area thereby placing the people of the area on two weeks quarantine vis-à-vis the total lockdown in the State.

Food items supplied by the State government include bags of Rice, Maize, Millet and vegetables amongst others.

Secretary to the State government and Chairman Taskforce on COVID-19, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane stressed that government will ensure that the fight against the spread of Coronavirus becomes a success in the state.

Minna- Bida Road Construction Begins



.....A..Gov Sani Bello urges timely completion according to specification.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has urged Dantata and Sawoe, contractors handling the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Minna - Bida road to expedite action and ensure that the project is delivered in good time and according to specification.

The Governor's appeal is coming as the construction firm begins work on the 82 kilometers road which is expected to be completed in 18 months.

Governor Sani Bello, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, underscored the socioeconomic importance of the road and the need for its timely completion.

"As you mobilised to site and began construction, it must be emphasized that the road means a lot to all of us because, as you are aware, it serves as the major road linking the southwest and the northern parts of the country and its completion will bring succour to us and improve the economic activities".

The Governor also enjoined villages, towns and communities along the route of the road construction as well as other road users to cooperate and assist the company, where necessary, to facilitate and fast track its completion.

He expressed the present administration's commitment to ensuring that the road project, which is costing the state government N23.9Billion, is delivered for the overall benefit of the people.

Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company was awarded the Minna - Bida road project earlier this year after following all due process in line with the state government's transparency and due diligence.

Group Recommend General Alwali Jauji Kazir (rtd) As Chief Of Staff

The Media Integrity Group has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider General Alwali Jauji Kazir (rtd) as the next Chief of Staff after the demise of Late Abba Kyari.

In a press release by the Director General of Media Integrity Group, Rufai I. badanga, he said that General Alwali Jauji Kazir wealth of experience as Military Governor and Chief of Army Staff will go a long way to boost the office of the Chief of Staff. 

Excerpt is the full text of the press release;

In a bid to save the soul of our country Nigeria. The present vacant position of Chief of Staff to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria must not be undermined.

The position of Chief of Staff to the president needs person of high mental capacity. A prudent and tactically intelligent person. It needs someone with a proven and prolific track records. And here we found a man who can put on the shoes left behind by Late Abba Kyari.

He was born August 2nd,1947 in Kazir Village, Jakusko L.G.A in present Yobe State. 

He attended Amshi primary school between 1955 - 1957 and Gashua primary school in 1958.

He is retired but refined Artillery officer who was a military Governor of Kwara State from December 1989 to January 1992 during the military regime of Major General Ibrahim Babangida.

As a Brigadier General, he was the Director of Army Faculty at the Armed Forces command and staff college Jaji in 1992.

After the sudden dismissal of Major General Chris Alli as the Chief of Army Staff. He was promoted to Major General from GCO 1 Division and was made the Chief of Army staff serving from August 1994 to March 1996 during General Sanni Abacha's regime.

After his retirement, he was installed as Madakin Bade by the Emir of Bade Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman in April 2009.

He is married to Hajara whom together have six children.

He is no other person but General Alwali Jauji Kazir(rtd)CFR DSS Usawc psc(+).

He is worthy to be considered for the position of Chief of Staff to the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria.