Opinion

Insurgency:The Silence And Smokescreen Behind The Security Successes

Published

2 years ago

October 12, 2022

President Muhammad Buhari

By Bala Ibrahim.

If there is one person that has been persistently critical of the performance of Gen. Monguno rtd, as the National security adviser, NSA, of President Muhammadu Buhari, then that person is me. I have accused him of everything that has to do with indolence and inaction. Yet, typical of PMB, he continued dealing with him like one that is most striking in content and operational style. As the Commander in Chief, and one that receives all the reports and intelligence, the President knows better than me, far better. To cap it all, yesterday, Gen. Monguno was conferred with the prestigious award of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Critics of the President have said many things, with some even describing the award as the reward of failure, because to them, with the ongoing lecturers’ strike, insecurity, poor economy, the President has no business conferring National honours on the NSA, and the ministers of Education, Defence, Finance and others. But as the Commander in Chief, and one that receives all the reports and intelligence, the President knows better than them all, far better.

The issue of space and time may not permit this article to delve in details, into the issues of the economy and the irritating strike of the lecturers, but it would touch, even if peripherally, on the insecurity, and see where lies the collective conspiracy of silence, on the successes recorded by the security operatives against the insurgents.

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For starters, let me do an overview on the recent activities of the military in the north west and north central axis of the country, where even the blind, dumb and deaf, would admit there are positive changes everywhere. This is in line with the promise of the President, that before he leaves office, as a matter fact, before the end of the year, insecurity would be pushed into the books of history.

Only few weeks ago, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, said, pursuant to the directives of the President, to annihilate the insurgents, the military and other security agencies have synergized and sprang to another gear, by adopting kinetic and non-kinetic measures, as a result of which, they are making steady progress in various theatres of operation, despite the challenges facing the country.

I don’t want to be seen as being too brutal on the critics of the government, I would have referred people to the social media pages of Ibrahim M.K Ahmed, an unapologetic, and celebrated supporter of the Buhari administration, where readers would be bewildered, by the volume and quantum of achievements made by PMB, with special attention to the progresses made on the insurgency. Yes, almost on daily basis, IBRO, as he is fondly called by friends, has an update to give on how the military is obliterating the bandits and their cohorts.

It is no longer news that the bandits, who were responsible for the security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy and kidnapping of students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Kaduna have been killed by the gallant troops of the military. It is also no longer news that countless number of armed bandits and terrorists have been eliminated by the Nigerian military Air Task Force, under the Operation Show No Mercy, in the same axis of the north central. Military sources say the raids are continuous, and that they are being done in collaboration with ground forces, in continuation of the intensive air and ground troop operations on the terrorists and their enclaves.

As I write this article, reports from Kaduna have confirmed that the notorious bandit, Boderi Isiya, has narrowly escaped being killed, while his deadly second in command and several other fighters were gunned down by the Nigerian Army troops. Other reports have confirmed that another notorious bandit leader in Kaduna State, Ali Dogo, and 30 of his fighters have been neutralized. Dogo, also known as Yellow, and his gang members, who fled from Niger State, were neutralized by airstrikes, while holding a meeting in the hideout of one Alhaji Gwarzo, at Yadi, in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The story is similar in Zamfara, where the military is on the chase of the notorious leader of the bandits, Bello Turji, just as a rivalry war between the bandits is also claiming casualties. A security source said to me, the rivalry war might have been engineered by the security operatives, in an effort to accelerate the annihilation process.

Last week, Nigeria was greeted with the good news from Usman Yusuf, Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), that the remaining 23 kidnapped victims of the Abuja/Kaduna train have finally regained their freedom. Nothing can be more cheering than that particular news of relief.

Yet, as if there is something covert or clandestine, a smokescreen seems created, to underreport, or even silence the successes of the security agents. But when the bandits were haywire, evereywhere in the country was cacophonous against the government.

With hindsight, particularly on the recent security successes, I withdraw my criticism of non performance on Monguno and even tender a small apology, while to the critics of PMB, I refer them to the saying of Madame Patience Jonathan, viz: “Diaries God”.

Opinion

The Fleetingness of Our Existence: The Death of Ajia Muhammad Kamil

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

I had resumed to work on Monday 15th April, 2024 in Minna after Eid -L-Fitri celebration in Ilorin, when I received a call from one of my colleagues, who broke the news to me that Ajia Kamil had passed on. Innalillahi waina ilaihi rajiun.

The reality of death is scary as it will visit every soul in an unexpected time and manner. Ajia’s demise is a testament that death has nothing to do with age. He was a jolly good fellow. A straight forward young man. We joined National Examinations Council together in 2010.

If there’s anyone who reached out to me on issues concerning our organization I always referred them to Ajia at the Kwara state office in Ilorin.

He was very honest and would do his job diligently. Many of our staff attested to the fact that Ajia was an easy going person and hardworking

One remarkable thing about our relationship is that sometimes last year, he informed me of what he heard about me and upon telling him my own side of the story, he sincerely warned me to desist from any act that may jeopardize my integrity. I thanked him profusely, because he was very blunt with me. He would tell you the truth without looking at your face. That was the kind of human being he was. I never heard a report of him being in feud with anyone.

Another thing he did that I won’t let slip my mind in a hurry was when I missed promotion in 2023, the way he showed concern about it was overwhelming, loving and convincing. He was promoted but he would always call to admonish me not to brood over it. He was a finest gentleman.

The propensity of Ajia’s death hits us so hard, because we have never recorded any death amongst Ilorin Emirate NECO staff since 2010. May Allah forgive him and other departed souls within our organization and beyond.

The irony of death is, you may be forecasting and envisaging that you are still young while in the record of death you are old enough to be taken. That is the multidimensional mode of operation of death. I’m pretty sure that Ajia was not seeing death even in the next 30 years. Indeed, our existence on earth is fleeting.

As believers death will overtake us at the appointed time which is oblivion to our inclination and expectation. That is why we must do all we can to worship Allah, unite our family members and eschew bad deeds. I pray Allah forgives him, grant him aljannah firdaus and give his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

Opinion

Senate President Akpabio and Religious tolerance

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Senate President Godswill Akpabio

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

It is often said that one should not judge a book by its cover. You can only effectively describe a book after one might have gone through its content in what FR Leavis and Q.D Leavis referred to as the “beautifully woven fabrics of a text”

The Leavis are literary critics; they were husband and wife. Therefore,religious tolerance can’t be seen in abstract because it is a practical disposition. One can’t claim emphatically that he or she is religiously tolerant when his actions, transactions and interactions with neighbours, colleagues and friends are in conflict.

It is on this basis,I feel obliged and enticed to talk write about the recent religious tolerance exhibited by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio when he hosted both Muslims and Christians senators for Iftar on Monday,1st April,2024 in Abuja.As a leader you must work the talk.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Senate president opined that religion cannot divide us,”stressing that it was not a mere coincidence that the Christians Lenten and Muslim Ramadan periods came up again same time.He said despite the different religions, Muslims and Christians have one God.

Mr Akpabio congratulated his colleagues for breaking their fast with him and thanked the Almighty God for enabling them to witness the day alive.He sought for God’s protection and good health for all.

He explained that it was not a coincidence that God is merging the fasting of the Muslims and that of the Christian together.He stressed that it was not the first time the two faiths were observing their fasting the same time.

He stressed the need for them to continue to work together as brothers and sisters of the Almighty God, for the benefit of Nigeria.He asserted that for every human being there is a time to be born and there is a time to go.In his words ” no matter the turmoil,no matter the political disagreement,even families do disagree.But we must bear one thing in mind,that we are serving humanity through Almighty God and that one day,we shall leave this world to go and account for our deeds while we were on earth.I think that is the guiding principle.”

One may not be far from the truth if one opines that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was speaking like a clergyman through his admonition to co-senators that were present at the event.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin,thanked Senate President on behalf of other senators for inviting them for Iftar.According to him “we are really grateful.The invitation is a demonstration of the care that you have for all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.We all know you as a very caring leader, someone who cares about the welfare of all Senators.”

He equally said the invitation has reinforced what they know about Senate President and linked it to Hausa adage that says”inviting you to come is more delicious than the food.”Senator Barau also said they were happy about the invitation, because it showed that the Senate president has them in mind.He prayed to Allah to continue to be their guide and support as they work with the Executive arm of government to face the challenges confronting the country.In his words “..we are going to change the challenges to prosperity”and that Nigeria would become a land of eldorado within a short time by the grace of God.

Religious tolerance is an integral part of National integration; no one can play down its benefit in the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.So whenever I see a leader who have proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is religiously tolerant I appreciate the person,just like the way I’m doing it for the distinguished Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.Similarly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also demonstrated the significant level of religious tolerance by hosting series of Iftar with several religious, political and business community leaders in the country during the holy month of Ramadan.

Interestingly, religious tolerance contributes to robust inter-personal relationships in a pluralistic society like ours.It broadens the society for opportunity in order for a nation to actualize her dream.It also abrogates suspicion among adherents of different faith and promote love.This is why I can’t look away without writing something about what Senator Akpabio has done recently.Even as a Governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, Akpabio had never been in a news for religious intolerance.This is a greatest feat to his personality and it will continue to resonate across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Significantly ,I was joyous when I saw my political principal, Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate sitting by the right hand side of Senate President during the Iftar in Abuja.Senator Mustapha is a top-notch politician when it comes to religious tolerance.He is from Muslim majority Kwara Central Senatorial district, yet he appointed a Christian as a legislative Aide recently.It is obvious that like minds work together.

In conclusion,no Nation can strive where religious tolerance is relegated to the background, therefore we must as leaders and followers imbibe the culture of inclusivity and religious tolerance for a more United and prosperous country.

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com
07037813177

Opinion

The Cost of Incompetence in governance. A wake-up call to governors.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Auwal Saleh Lulu

In the intricate dance of governance, the appointment of key officials holds the power to shape destinies and professional service. However, when political expediency trumps competence, the consequences can be dire. This seems to be the case of many appointments for chief executive officers even for critical professional organisations in the Heath, media and educational sector in most states in Nigeria. This appointment of incompetence tenure, embodies a stark lesson in the perils of appointing leaders devoid of expertise and integrity.

Handling the reins of authority with little regard for meritocracy, lead to character flaws that quickly come to the fore.
Most of these kinds of appointments are characterised by Selfishness, total incompetence to handle or administer professional tasks assigned and driven a voracious greed for personal enrichment, the ill-suited for the weighty responsibilities entrusted turns vaque and rather than stewarding the organization with wisdom and vision, they mostly embarked on a reckless pursuit of quick riches, heedless of the long-term repercussions.

Compounding their incompetence was a glaring lack of proficiency in the field they are appointed to oversee. With scant knowledge of the subject matter, they stumbled through unknown duties, leaving chaos and disarray in his wake.
Most of the organizations where these kinds of appointments are done, are those meant to be a beacon of hope, progress and some even a fighting tool under the government’s auspices, languished under these kind of misguided leadership.

Despite mounting evidence of their ineptitude, with lust most governors remained oblivious and lost to love shadows for their appointees and to the havoc wrought by these kinds of ill-conceived appointments. While some are Blinded or blindfolded to the damages inflicted upon the organization and the broader community.
Oftentimes, most governors turned a blind eye to the signs of impending disaster. Ignoring all signs with complacency shields these kinds of appointments, either from accountability point of view, to subject proficiency and capabilities, prolonging the suffering of those affected by the illusions of their mismanagement.

Yet, time is a relentless arbiter of truth. As the days pass and these kinds of stoothed leadership’s failures become increasingly apparent, the veil of deception woven by political expediency, will inevitably fray.
There will be a time that it will be too late to reverse these kinds of damage wrought by their misplaced trust with a lot of repercussions
.
In the annals of governance, the cautionary tale of a selfish, impatient, and greedy leadership may serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative to uphold principles of meritocracy, professionalism, commitment and integrity in service.
For, in the absence of such virtues, the dreams of progress and prosperity risk being dashed upon the rocks of incompetence and folly.

Just because incompetence is elevated.