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

Locating Nigeria in the Global Digital Landscape by Y. Z. Ya’u, CITAD

Published

on

 

 

Late last year, the Portulans Institute, an independent, nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington, DC, released the 2024 Global Network Readiness Index (NRI 2024). The NRI annually ranks countries across over 100 indicators grouped into four broad areas or pillars: technology, people, governance, and impact. The extensive data used for the ranking allows for an assessment of countries’ progress (or lack thereof) in the preceding year.

In the 2024 ranking, Nigeria is placed 112th out of 133 countries, positioning it near the bottom of the ladder. This ranking indicates a lack of progress, as the country dropped from 106th last year to 112th. Nigeria is not even among the top 20 performing countries in Africa.

The results show that Nigeria’s performance declined in three of the four pillars. For instance, in the Technology pillar, the country dropped from 88th last year to 94th in 2024, while in the People pillar, it fell from 96th to 112th. Similarly, in the Impact pillar, Nigeria moved down from 116th to 118th. The Governance pillar also reflects a low ranking, holding steady at 114th.

Among the three sub-pillars of Technology, Nigeria performed relatively well in Content, being ranked 49th. However, in Access and Future Technologies, it was ranked 110th and 99th, respectively. Access remains a key challenge to the effective utilization of digital technology in the country. With the arrival of Starlink, there is presumably universal coverage, which should improve access. However, affordability has worsened over the year due to predatory pricing by Starlink and the collapse of the national currency. This situation is expected to worsen as telecom operators plan to increase tariffs. Additionally, there have been no significant efforts to improve both connectivity and accessibility in the country.

Despite advocacy for community networks as a means to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities, the country has yet to embrace this solution. While the recent launch of the National Broadband Alliance includes an ambitious plan to roll out more fiber, the reality is that fiber deployment without initiatives to reduce costs will not effectively bridge the connectivity gap.

In the Governance pillar, Nigeria’s rankings are 119th, 113th, and 114th for Individual, Regulation, and Inclusion, respectively. In the Impact pillar, the country is ranked 98th in the Economic sub-pillar, 105th in Quality of Life, and 112th in SDG Contribution.

The overall picture becomes even more worrisome when examining the scoring details. Nigeria’s overall score dropped from 35.73 in 2023 to 34.87 in 2024. Similarly, the Technology pillar regressed from a score of 34.42 in 2023 to 32.50 in 2024. Notably, the Access sub-pillar score fell from 55.57 in 2023 to 38.87 in 2024. The People pillar also saw a decline, from 33.89 to 32.50, while the Governance pillar score fell from 37.40 to 28.40. A slight improvement was observed in the Impact pillar, which increased from 37.20 to 39.89.

Among the indicators where the country performed relatively well are Regulatory Environment (ranked 46th), Cybersecurity (55th), Data Capabilities (55th), Annual Investment in Telecommunication Services (27th), AI Scientific Publications (13th), and Domestic Market Scale (26th). However, indicators such as e-commerce, where Nigeria scored 75.00, reflect a ranking of 87th, indicating that most countries performed well in this area.

It is concerning that several of Nigeria’s higher-ranked indicators are not directly related to digital technology. For instance, the highest score of 86.90 for Regulatory Environment reflects the policies and regulations in place rather than technological achievements. Similarly, the scores for Domestic Market Scale (69.39), AI Scientific Publications (61.77), and Annual Investment in Telecommunication Services (63.90) emphasize the size of the population, academic activity, and speculative investment rather than tangible technological outcomes.

Once again, as in the previous year, many indicators for Nigeria had no data available, which negatively impacted the country’s score. These include critical areas such as Internet Access in Schools, Robot Density, Gender Gap in Internet Usage, AI Talent, Government R&D Expenditure, and Quality of Education.

It seems that as a country, we have not learned lessons from previous rankings. No deliberate efforts have been made to ensure data availability in areas where zero scores were recorded in prior years. Despite advocacy and repeated commitments from the government to bridge the gender digital divide, there is still no relevant data to determine whether these efforts are yielding results. This lack of interest or inability to collect disaggregated data along gender lines highlights the absence of a genuine commitment to addressing the gender digital divide. Progress cannot be achieved within a gender-blind framework.

The government has developed a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, but it has yet to move to the implementation stage. Meanwhile, two bills are currently before the National Assembly, both aimed at ensuring the “proper control of AI usage.”

Rather than progressing, Nigeria appears to be falling behind, as several countries have overtaken it, pushing it further down the rankings. After the release of the 2023 NRI, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) convened a stakeholders’ meeting to review the ranking and made recommendations to improve the country’s performance. One of the key suggestions was for Nigeria to localize the NRI process, conduct state-by-state assessments, and provide incentives to high-performing states to encourage competition. Unfortunately, this suggestion was never implemented, and the release of the 2024 NRI did not even elicit a press statement, let alone a stakeholders’ forum.

While the NRI itself does not fully reflect how countries use and benefit from digital technology, it provides valuable insights into areas for improvement. To address these challenges, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) offers the following recommendations:

1. Convene a stakeholders’ forum to review Nigeria’s performance and implement recommendations from last year’s forum. This would help the country develop strategies to improve its ranking and address the digital divide’s various dimensions.
2. Learn from global best practices by licensing a new tier of last-mile connectivity providers to address gaps while considering affordability. Community networks, managed by communities to meet their communication needs, should be promoted.
3. Reform the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to support community-based communication operators with loans, grants, and technical assistance rather than relying solely on private sector subsidies, which have proven ineffective.
4. Prioritize data collection and management. The lack of data for key indicators significantly affects Nigeria’s ranking. The government must take data seriously across all sectors, not just ICT.
5. Focus on inclusive policy-making through consultation with key stakeholders to address critical gaps, such as bridging the gender digital divide and improving connectivity. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy must pursue more inclusive processes to steer the country’s digital transformation effectively.

#
Continue Reading

Opinion

Izala Sect: Crisis of Leadership, Accusations of Shiism Meddle in Polarising Its Members, History Repeats Itself

Published

on

 

By Yakubu Nasiru Khalid

Formally, the Izala sect was formed in 1978, created to eradicate innovation (bid’a) within the Islamic doctrine. It has a modern structure and leadership both at the state and national levels. Therefore, the leadership of the Izala has come with a well-structured and hierarchical bureau and the feeling that they are different from who they see as the “Conservative Islamic Group.”

The structure comprises three arms: the Council of Ulama, the Administrative Council, and The First Aid Group. Each of the councils has its own head and followers to achieve designed goals. Even with this structure, the sect experienced crises at both levels, which polarised its leadership.

The reasons attached to the polarisation of Izala at the national level later descended to many states where the organization has a large following. The reasons were multifaceted, from jurisprudence, political, financial, and external meddling to sundry issues.

Initially, there was a problem regarding the leadership of the organization, especially the question of who was the supreme leader of the organization between the Administrative Council and the chairman of the Ulama Council. At the time, the head of the Administrative Council was Alhaji Musa Muhammad Maigandu, from Kaduna, and Sheikh Ismail Idris was the chairman of the Ulama Council, Jos faction recognized Ismail Idris.

#

The Jos faction rejected Maigandu for not being a scholar but a businessman, arguing that an Islamic organization should be led by a scholar, not a businessman. This added more fire to the crisis.

Furthermore, the Kaduna faction was very critical of some views and fatwas of Ismail Idris, especially those that dealt with the issue of bid’a. According to Ismail Idris, the followers of Izala would not pray behind an Imam who’s not a member of Izala, they would also not marry from the family of a person who inclined to Sufism and would not eat the meat of an animal slaughtered by a follower of the Sufi group.

The Kaduna faction was outrightly against these views and opposed them. Another vital factor that played a role in the split of the Izala group was the accusations and counter-accusations of financial management. Ismail Idris was accused of organizing in the Arab countries, and he was further accused of personalizing vehicles donated to the Izala sect.

In addition, Ben Amara argued that the eruption of the Gulf War in the 1990s between the USA and Iraq was another important factor in the polarisation of the Izala. The Jos faction supported the American invasion of Iraq because of the Saudi Arabian interest, while Kaduna supported Iraq. The Jos faction called Kaduna “Saddamawa” meaning (supporters of Saddam) while Kaduna called Jos “Bushawa” meaning (supporters of American interest).

The leadership of the Jos faction blamed Shia for the internal crisis of Izala and accused some Ulama of being secret agents of Shiism who were working toward dismantling the group.

yakubunasirukhalid@gmail.com

 

Continue Reading

Opinion

Gov. Yusuf’s executive order extending retirement age for HoS, Kano Assembly Clerk, and others unconstitutional

Published

on

 

Sani Usman-DanAbdullo, a Director of Admin and General Services at the Kano State Agency for the Control of Aids, KSACA, has written to the state assembly, seeking its intervention in the
Executive Order issued by Governor Abba Yusuf.

Mr DanAbdullo, in a petition dated January 6 and addressed to Speaker of the Assembly, Jibrin Ismail Falgore, recalled that the governor had in January 2025 issued Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, extending the service period of some civil servants.

According to him, the governor extended the service year of the Head of Service, Assembly Clerk, some judicial officers, Permanent Secretaries and a host of other staff in the state health sector for 2 years after they were due for retirement as of December 2024.

The lawyer also recalled that the state assembly had enacted a law fixing the retirement of staff at 60 years of age or 35 years of service, depending on whichever comes first.

Mr DanAbdullo, therefore, asserted that the governor’s executive order was unconstitutional, “since the House has already made laws which the order seeks to alter”.

He noted that that executive order is not meant to alter, amend, modify or expand the law made by the legislature.

“This act, is, therefore, a clear violation of the principles of rule of law and separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution being not only a clear attempt to usurp the legislative powers of this Honourable House, but to contradict the existing laws already enacted by it in exercise of its powers as such,” the petition added.

While dismissing a claim that the governor issued the order in the spirit of the Doctrine of Necessity, Mr DanAbdullo said there was no justification for extending the service years of the affected retired officers since there are many competent hands with adequate qualifications to be appointed.

“And as for the staff in the health sector, they can be retained on contract arrangement in line with the existing service law of Kano State,” the petition added.

Mr DanAbdullo, therefore, warned that the provisions of the Constitution must not be subordinated to any other law, and must not be subjected to the indignity of deletion of any section or part thereof.

“In view of the foregoing, I urge this esteemed House to employ all legal mechanism at its disposal to overrule the Governor’s decision in the act complained of, which is capable of setting a very dangerous precedent that will ruin the entire public service system of our dear State, if allowed.

“TAKE NOTICE Sir, this act of indiscriminate issuance of executive order, if allowed, will cause the entire Kano State the following catastrophic effects,”

The State Assembly failed to attend to the petition even if it means dismissing it for fear of the governor, if the petition is not attended to we will have no option but to go to court”. He added

#

Continue Reading

Trending