fbpx
Connect with us

Opinion

Strength in unity, shield the flock with resolve, while beast loses its grip, as the nation evolve

Published

on

CDS General Christopher Musa

 

By Suleiman A Suleiman,
A journalist based in Abuja.
suleimanasuleiman476@gmail.com

The persistent issue of kidnapping and other insecurity challenges in Nigeria has raised significant concerns, especially in the prevention of investment in the country. This has been further exacerbated by the targeting of high-value individuals, and strategic locations in the capital city, a sit of the President, which now has contributed to a fear of insecurity at Abuja and it’s environs.

Recent incidents, such as the abduction of five sisters near Abuja, have sparked a national outcry and highlighted the growing insecurity in the country’s capital. The sisters were seized by armed men, resulting in the tragic killing of one of them when a ransom deadline passed. Though they were rescued on Saturday evening, but this case, along with numerous others, has prompted public outrage and condemnation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who expressed concern over the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks

The Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence has documented a significant number of abductions in the Federal Capital Territory, with experts attributing the rise in kidnappings to the country’s economic crisis.

Insecurity around the capital has been a growing concern, with criminal gangs targeting highways, apartments, and even schools. The situation has been further complicated by periodic crackdowns that have not been effective in addressing the problem, allowing the criminal elements to evade capture.

Kidnapping in Nigeria has been identified as a serious national security challenge, driven by factors such as unemployment, worsening political instability, internal grievances, and a “get rich quick” syndrome. The prevalence of this criminal behavior has been linked to joblessness, moral decadence, hopelessness, and frustration among the youth, as well as the exploitation of the opportunity by politicians and disgruntled individuals.

The persistent issue of kidnapping and insecurity challenges in Nigeria poses a significant barrier to investment and economic growth. The government’s approach to addressing these challenges, including the formulation of sound policy programs, job creation, and the resolution of internal grievances, will be crucial in mitigating the insecurity and restoring confidence for investors.

Bello Matawalle, the former Governor of Zamfara State and current state Minister of defense, has a crucial role to play in addressing the insecurity challenges in Nigeria, building on his experience in addressing similar challenges during his tenure as Governor. His experience in Zamfara State offers valuable insights into potential strategies for combating insecurity on a national level.

During a live interview on BBC Hausa Program Ra’ayin Riga, Bello Matawalle emphasized the need to address and prevent the spread of insecurity in Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of understanding the root causes of the security challenges and the need to bring stability to the affected areas, particularly in the northern region of the country.

Matawalle spoke about the impact of banditry and its detrimental effects on the populace, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach that includes addressing the grievances of the affected communities. He also emphasized the importance of engaging in dialogue and reaching agreements and collaborative efforts from the affected state’s governors, drawing from his experience of initiating peace talks in Zamfara State.

Apparently, there is an urgent need for a serious discussion with the relevant media boards on the critical role they can play to defeat the bandits and other terror groups. It is essential to emphasize the importance of responsible reporting that focuses on showcasing the defeat of these criminal elements rather than glorifying their acts through reporting them evil doings.

Media engagement is crucial in shaping public perception and understanding of the security situation. By reporting more on the efforts to defeat bandits and terrorist groups, the media can contribute to demystifying these criminal elements and portraying them as the criminals they are, rather than granting them undue attention and recognition, in their reportage.

Promoting stories of successful operations against bandits and terror groups, highlighting the bravery of security forces, and showcasing the resilience of affected communities can help shift the narrative. It is imperative to outline the progress made in containing and defeating these threats to national security, as well as the efforts being made to restore peace and stability to affected regions.

By working closely with media organizations and setting guidelines for responsible reporting, the government can ensure that the media plays a constructive role in showcasing the defeats of bandits and terror groups while avoiding sensationalism and inadvertently providing these criminals with unwarranted attention. This approach can contribute to building public confidence in the government’s ability to address insecurity effectively and create an environment that is conducive to investment and national development.

Equally important to note is that, the aspects mentioned earlier, the role of collaborative state vigilantes and the restriction of weapon acquisition and movement are critical in combating insecurity. Collaborative state vigilantes, when properly organized and regulated, can significantly contribute to local security efforts. These vigilantes, when working in conjunction with security forces, can provide valuable intelligence, support, and surveillance within their communities.

As stated by Bello Matawalle nigeria’s state minister for Defense called for concerted efforts to combat the activities of criminal elements, focusing on preventing and addressing attacks, abductions, and other criminal activities. Matawalle emphasized the importance of collaboration between security agencies, local communities, and the government to ensure a unified and effective response to the security challenges.

Moreover, it’s advisedly for Nigerian government to impose a restriction to weapon acquisition and movement which is very essential in curbing the activities of bandits, terrorists, and criminal elements.

There is need for a more stricter regulations regarding the purchase and transportation of firearms can help prevent the proliferation of weapons, thereby reducing the capabilities of these criminal groups.

Additionally, the security at the border level is of utmost importance, as highlighted by the statement from the Kebbi State Governor during his interview on the BBC Hausa Program A fada a cika. The governor’s revelation about people mining illegally in Kebbi from Tanzania, Uganda, and some eastern countries underscores the transnational nature of some criminal activities. Strengthening border security and implementing stringent border controls are crucial in preventing the influx of criminal elements and illegal activities across the borders.

By working to strengthen collaborative state vigilantes, imposing restrictions on weapon acquisition, and enhancing security at the border level, the government can advance its efforts to counter insecurity and criminal activities effectively. This holistic approach, when coupled with the other elements previously discussed, forms a comprehensive strategy for addressing insecurity and restoring stability in Nigeria.

Furthermore, it is imperative that all security personnel receive their allowances and salaries on time to boost their morale and commitment to securing the nation. Timely payment of allowances and salaries is crucial in motivating security personnel and ensuring that they can carry out their duties effectively. This measure is essential for maintaining high morale among security forces and demonstrating the government’s commitment to their well-being.

Moreover, there is an urgent need for serious collaborative measures between all state governments to curb the menace of insecurity before it consumes the nation. Inter-state collaboration and coordination in combating insecurity are crucial for creating a unified front against criminal elements and fostering a comprehensive and effective response.

Additionally, mapping out ways to rehabilitate those involved in criminal activities and disabuse the minds of those attracted to evil acts is essential for addressing the root causes of insecurity. By providing avenues for rehabilitation and addressing the underlying factors that drive individuals to criminality, the government can work toward preventing the perpetuation of insecurity in the long term.

As the wise says “Strength in unity, shield the flock with resolve, and
Arrest the beast’s grip, and watch the nation evolve.”

This riddle encapsulates the analysis of the multifaceted strategies required to combat insecurity across Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of unity, proactive measures, and a concerted national effort to achieve lasting peace and security.

#

Opinion

Kano APC Youth Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji and Party Survival

Published

on

 

By Abba Anwar

At cursory look of the title of this piece, what readily comes to mind, is the existing relationship between Kano APC Youth Coalition and Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, in APC realignment process or procedure. This really captures the picture clearly from the surface. But there is more to it.

Kano APC Youth Coalition came into being more as a one-man-show, probably self-styled and crafty moved. But subsequent engagements of the Coalition, proves otherwise. Some people thought, the Coalition came handy canvassing for primary support for some quasi – politicians, unproductive as they appear, who always hide behind the scene and make a cover under good image of the party leadership at all levels.

Many people, including me, thought this Coalition under Adamu Unguwar Gini, would operate in desperation, under the guise of recuperating party youth into one basket for misleading purpose. As some elders, would-be-elders and self – acclaimed elders operate from clandestine position.

For sure the Coalition, prepared before its debut. Party elders, leaders and other stakeholders were contacted for direction and guide. This, I was not told, but I observed. I understand this by looking at its growing process. I equally understood that, the leadership of the Coalition was one time tilted towards particular side of the prism. But experience and good intention, in my view, necessitated for spreading the leadership into all sections of the state.

It is this strategy, among others, that gave individuals like Hon Nasir Bala Ja’o’ji, to see reason in aiding the movement. Though he is the Zonal Leader of the movement, from Kano Central. But his contribution towards having effective and efficient implementation of the core central objectives of the group, that is making the party stronger and domineering at all levels, gives him the courage to be one of the principal stakeholders.

The recently announced donation of Eighty Eight Million Naira (N88m) to the Coalition for the 44 local governments tour and empowerment of 100 people from each local government, says a lot in his enduring commitment to the expansion and making the party strong enough to compete comfortably come 2027, at both state and national elections.

The proposed local governments tour and empowerment programme scheduled for time to come, is an important pointer to the fact that, this Coalition has very strong and fearless individuals that are ready to sacrifice their time, energy and resources towards political alignment and realignment within the party structure.

People like Musaddique Wada Waziri, Malam Abdussalam Ishaq (Kumbotso), Umar Maiwayo Rimingado, my younger brother Inyass Habibu, Ibrahim Danyaro, Jijitar, Abubakar Indabawa, former Vice Chairman, Warawa, Dini Manchester Kankarofi, Abubakar Aminu, Hon Barwa, Sani Gilashi, Danfillo, Idris Zango, among many others, are playing very critical role in strengthening the grip of the party across the state and the nation at large.

One interesting thing about this combination is, here are important actors, who, for strategic reason, come from all “sides” of the party stalwarts. Party stalwarts because they are the shining stars of the party in the state.

Stars like Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, former Deputy Governor and Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs and Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate for 2023 election, HE Murtala Sule Garo, Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi, among others.

But all the Stars above lineup behind our Flagship, the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON.

After critical review of the intention of the Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji comes to believe that, this Coalition means well for the party. And should therefore be facelifted, encouraged, guided and supported. After believing that, the Unguwar Gini led group, “… belongs to everybody and does not belong to anybody…”, Ja’o’ji made it compulsory to always give a helping hand to the group. More importantly, since the Coalition means genuine support for the party at all levels.

Let me still insist that, if Ja’o’ji a political appointee under President Tinubu, as a member Governing Council, of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State, can do this, contributing N88m, I’m sure other political appointees under the same administration can also replicate.

Because supporting Coalition in the same pace and manner, equals to supporting the party, the National Chairman, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the same time. In my view therefore, Ja’o’ji apart from being a pacesetter among all political appointees from Kano, he is genuinely a firm believer of APC programmes and policies.

My appeal is for the National Chairman of the party, Baba Ganduje, and the Tinubu led administration, to kindly see reason for continued support for the Coalition and similar ones across all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

As Unguwar Gini model shows in Kano, Coalition of this nature is not taking away any responsibility of party leadership. We can see how harmonious is the relationship between APC Youth Coalition and state leadership of the party, under Prince Abdullahi Abbas. Another pillar of great substance.

Neutrality of this Coalition, in my own understanding, is clearly manifested in how our shining stars give helping hands to the movement. They are eager to give resources and moral support. It is indeed the neutral posture that gives Ja’o’ji the strength to be of that magnitude.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

#

Continue Reading

Opinion

Open Letter to the Former Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development

Published

on

 

Abba Dukawa

As Muslims, we believe in Al-Qadar, the concept of Divine Decree or predestination. This pillar of faith reminds us that everything, good or bad, comes from Allah. We trust in Allah’s wisdom, love, and plan, acknowledging that our lifespan, deeds, and circumstances are recorded in the Lauhul-Mahfuz.

In light of your recent dismissal, I’m concerned that your public statements blaming certain individuals for your removal contradict this fundamental Islamic principle.

You admitted President Bola Tinubu explained your removal was due to the need to balance Kano State’s political representation. Quoting you: “I was surprised, as I wasn’t found guilty of wrongdoing or poor performance… Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance.”

#

I urge you to reflect on Quran 2:286, “Allah does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear,” and Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 26, “Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, gives the kingdom to whom He will, and takes the kingdom from whom He will.”

Your rise from local government chairman to deputy governor and minister was Allah’s will. Similarly, your dismissal is part of Allah’s plan.

I caution against desperation and blaming others. Instead, trust Allah’s wisdom and providence.

As a Muslim, it’s inconsistent to think anyone can alter Allah’s plan for you. I believe those close to you are misleading you by allowing you to publicly blame others for your dismissal as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development. It’s unwise to grant interviews after being relieved of duty, as it comes across as desperate—and your media handlers are equally at fault for permitting it.

Why have the rest of the ministers who were equally sacked remained silent? Why are you the only one expressing dismay for being relieved?

Dukawa writes from Abuja and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

 

Continue Reading

Opinion

Sokoto:Sen. Wamakko’s 9 Years Of “Poor” Representation In The Senate

Published

on

 

Sokoto is known for leadership and where religious knowledge is deep-rooted. So, leaders from the Caliphate are well respected and honour by people from other parts of the country. The reason is clear, Sokoto is the seat of Caliphate that produced great leaders and Islamic scholars of high repute.

So, nobody expects less when it comes to leadership in the state, but if you are a keen observer and follower of activities in Nigeria, you would wonder if the Sokoto they are talking about today, have any link with the activities of the great leaders and scholars that were in charge of Sokoto of years back. Certainly, not, because the kind of leadership is not the same, today its political leadership and followers of Nigerian politics know that, the present day politics can’t provide the kind of leadership the Sokoto of the past provided.

Analysts questioned the negative trend ascribed to Sokoto state. They asked several questions including but not limited to how can the great Sokoto state be rated among the educationally backward states in Nigeria? Why should Sokoto be rated among the poorest state in Nigeria? They are worried that it is not acceptable to count Sokoto state among states with negative statistics on child and maternal health; malnutrition should not be an issue in Sokoto. In fact Sokoto should not be among the state that should be faced with insecurity challenges.

But all these and more are prevalent challenges in Sokoto state and this call to question the kind of leadership the political class in the state are providing. For those who are concern about the happenings in the state, are begining to doubt all the positive publicities some top politicians in the state are enjoying for years.

One politician in the state that fortune has smiled on since the inception of this political dispensation in 1999 is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, he has been around for so many years, from the grassroots to the mainstream politics of the state Wamakko has been at the forefront of leadership in the state. He was deputy governor for 7 years, governor for eight years and now Senator for nine years.

#

Wamakko enjoyed positive publications as a governor and had some landmark achievements ascribed to his name. He was seen as one of the performing governor in the state. Even though critics and analysts have contrary opinions. They said in terms of impact and cost analysis of some of his projects and or their lifespan/durability, Wamakko’s tenure is more of a disservice to the people of Sokoto than a blessing.

To buttress their argument, the critics and analysts, drew the attention of people of Sokoto to compare what his predecessor Sen. Ibrahim Lamido has done in terms of quality, durability and relevance to the general wellbeing of Sokoto people and the plethora of substandard projects Wamakko littered Sokoto with.

They further argued that to assess the quality and sincerity of Wamakko as a leader, his nine years as a senator should be critically scrutinized and the result of the findings be made public for all to judge. According to the analysts, Wamakko has not represented his people well. As a Senator, they said, he has held privileged committees that should be beneficial to the entire Sokoto, but no soul aside members of his inner circle that has benefitted from his senatorship seat.

They explained that the years of neglect of local governments like Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Silame is the obvious reason why the Lakurawa terrorists group existed in the area for over 8 years unnoticed by the Nigeria government.

Sokoto North senatorial district comprises of Sokoto North and Sokoto South, Wamakko, Kware, Binji, Silame, Gudu and Tangaza, you go round these local government areas and point to one particular thing the senator has done for members of the senatorial district.

Yes the eastern senatorial district of Sokoto is facing serious security threat in the last seven years, and this has affected socioeconomic activities, which has increased the level of poverty in the region. However, for the last 17 months, things have began to change for better. Purposeful leadership and deliberate actions to change the fact of things can be witnessed.

The purposeful leadership of senator Ibrahim Lamido and deliberate attempt to find a lasting solution to the many challenges affecting the region are so glaring for all to see. For instance, the deliberate investment in education of youth from the region is one sure way of liberating the region from the grip of unscrupulous elements taking advantage of poor level of education in the area to recruit terrorists.

In an unprecedented move and boldness to confront the deep rooted challenges of poor quality of education, Sen. Lamido has sponsored about 50 youth from the zone to study in various fields of human endeavours in India. This is in addition to many interventions in the education sub-sector from the senator, who out concern to the education of youth, declared war against poor education in the region.

This is not happening in any of the senator districts of Sokoto including Sokoto central where Sen. Wamakko spent 9 years representing his constituents in the Red Chamber. It has never happened, it is not happening and I am not sure if there is any plan to do anything like this by the two other senators for the teeming youth in their respective zones. All the eight local government areas of the senatorial district need education intervention including the two metropolitan, but nothing close to this has ever happened. Why won’t Sokoto be rated as educationally backward state when leaders don’t see the need to invest in education of the teeming youth?

Due to the security challenges, Sokoto state is faced with a lot of humanitarian challenges as a result of banditry attacks. And Sen. Lamido has responded well to these challenges. He did not stopped at distribution of relief materials and visitation of victims of banditry attacks, rather engaged in a very robust package of intervention where over a hundred of widows were empowered with N250,000 each to engage in micro and small businesses so as to become self-reliant.

This is done, to facilitate the resuscitation of the economic activities of eastern senatorial district that has suffered from bandits attacks and Sen. Lamido is doing all these from the point of knowledge, that no nation can survive insurrection if it’s people are economically incapacitated.

In the entire nine years of Sen. Wamakko, nobody can provide the record that he has done this kind of gesture. Nobody is talking about giving rice and clothing materials to widows and orphans. Nobody is talking of photoshoot with people who genuinely need humanitarian assistance, but leaders are taking pictures to further exploit people in need of assistance.

Sen. Lamido’s contributions in fighting insecurity in the eastern part of Sokoto if replicated by other senators in the state, nobody would be talking about the Lakurawa terrorists group in Sokoto. Sen. Lamido had from time to time assist communities’ efforts towards ending insecurity. In fact, with permission by the federal security agencies, Sen. Lamido funded the civilian JTF to support the mainstream security personnel in fighting the terrorists operating in the zone. This is in addition to many efforts that can’t be express in black and white due to their sensitive nature all in a bid to restore peace and normalcy in his region.

Such exemplary leadership is lacking in other parts of the state including in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Gudu Tangaza Binji, Wamakko, Silame and Kware where Senator Wamakko is representing.

Needless to engage in lengthy write up, if Sen. Wamakko in his 9 years did 10% of what Sen. Lamido has done in 17 months in fight insecurity, the Lakurawa terrorists group wouldn’t have penetrated into Nigeria.

The security challenges in the eastern part of Sokoto is receiving the adequate attention of Sen. Lamido. Beside his contributions in fighting banditry, the senator he has equally provided many communities with good drinking water, relief materials and other supports to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with a view to making their better.

Signed:
Concern Sokoto State Progressive Mind.
Convener

Continue Reading

Trending