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Emulate IBB’s approaches to address banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria – General Akilu

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Retired Brigadier General Halliru Akilu

 

The former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Retired Brigadier-General Halliru Akilu, has called on leaders in Nigeria to emulate the security approaches adopted by former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to address the security challenges facing the nation, especially banditry and kidnapping that are currently bedevilling Nigeria.

General Akilu made the call while contributing to a Virtual International Colloquium on the Legacies of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in Ghana over the weekend.

Organized by the Africa Islamic Education Forum, the event attracted eminent participants, including former Presidents and Heads of State, political leaders, academia and researchers from across the continent.

General Akilu said the eight-year rule of President Ibrahim Babangida went through a tough terrain of turmoils and uncertainties capable of derailing the country but always took decisive steps to restore peace and order.

He said it was a leadership shaped not only to direct Nigerian affairs but also to guide the West African sub-region and Africa as a whole.

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“The government firmly believed in laying the foundation of stability, promoting regional integration and economic reforms throughout the continent.”

General Akilu advised leaders in the sub-region to take a closer examination of the IBB reforms in the sector which resulted in the splitting of the defunct Nigerian Security Organization( NSO) into three new security outfits namely the Defence Intelligence Agency( DIA), the National Intelligence Agency ( NIA) and the Department of State Services( DSS).

He emphasized that “with the current spate of banditry, kidnappings and general insecurity in the region, now is the time for leaders to replicate the ECOMOG model enunciated by the Babangida government to restore peace and economic freedom.”

On human development, General Akilu told participants that IBB deeply connected with the people he served, citing the founding of the famous Better Life for Rural Dwellers by his late wife, Hajiya Maryam Babangida; and the establishment of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure ( DFFRI) which littered the national space with roads, water, health and other essential amenities for the benefit of the rural populace.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, General Akilu profoundly thanked the former Mauritius President for her kind compliments on General Babangida and the legacies he put in place.

He said the participation of President Ameenah and other contributors had gone a long way to further enlighten the world about the IBB government’s accomplishments.

The former Director of Military Intelligence described the holding of the Colloquium as an honour to President Babangida and the people of Nigeria.

In her keynote address earlier, the former Mauritius President, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib- Fakim noted that the IBB era was a period of giant reforms and the intensification of Infrastructure building.

She hailed the establishment of the two political parties, SDP and NRC during the regime, saying it was a good move to foster lasting democracy.

Dr Ameenah advised West African heads of government to emulate the resilience IBB had shown during ECMOG operations, stressing that there was a serious need to rejuvenate the security of the region in all ramifications.

The daughter of General Babangida, Hajiya Aishatu Babangida expressed gratitude to the former Mauritius President and other speakers, saying that the forum was a great honour to the family of the former Nigerian leader.

Hajiya Aishatu who had taken over as head of the Better Life Project after the demise of her mother, reaffirmed her resolve to execute with rigour all the key objectives of the programme through massive empowerment of local communities.

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Hon. Bichi Sponsors 200 Postgraduate Scholarships in Constituency

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The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation led by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the member of the House of Representatives for Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has sponsored 200 constituents for postgraduate studies in various Nigerian universities.

The secretary General of the Foundation Zahraddeen Bello stated this to newsmen in Kano

He said among the beneficiaries of the scholarship program are 37 PhD candidates and 163 students pursuing master’s degrees.

According to him ,the lawmaker has allocated over N46 million (N46,171,792.50) to fund the scholarships. His sponsorship initiative also includes providing support for students from Bichi Local Government Area studying in various Nigerian universities. Additionally, he sponsors all science and technical boarding students from Bichi and the distribution of educational and instructional materials to all SS 1 students of the constituency.

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The distribution of beneficiaries spans several institutions, including:

1.Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU) – 3

2.Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 19

3.Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – 26

4.Al-Qalam University, Katsina – 3

5.Bayero University, Kano – 95

6.Federal University Dutse, Jigawa – 3

7.Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina – 22

8.Federal University of Technology, Minna – 5

9.Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola – 3

10National Open University of Nigeria – 1

11.Sa’adu Zungur State University, Gadau – 1

12.Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina – 2

13.University of Benin – 1

14.University of Ibadan – 1

15.University of Jos – 1

16.Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – 1

17.Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano – 13

He pointed out that the initiative is part of Honourable Bichi’s broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in his constituency.

Accordingly ,the distribution of the postgraduate scholarship by Rep. Bichi through his foundation is a yearly gesture since his election as member of the House of representatives in 2019 and 2023 respectively .

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Nigerian Youth Movement Mulls Over Strategy to Capture Power from Establishment

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A Nigerian youth movement is considering strategies to wrestle political power from the nation’s establishment in a bid to reposition the country, according to human rights lawyer Barrister Abba Hikima.

Hikima, in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tracker, revealed that the movement aims to address the challenges facing Nigeria by reorganizing the country’s political structure. “The youth movement is borne out of the present situation; there is a need to reorganize Nigeria,” Hikima said. “The youth are at the receiving end, and we want to come up with a political solution, either by contesting or by presenting good people to contest.”

He emphasized the importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that they constitute the largest demographic. “Youth are the highest in number. Repositioning Nigeria is a must, and since democracy is a game of numbers, let the youth start,” Hikima stated.

Highlighting the dissatisfaction with current leadership, Hikima urged the youth to take action if they believe those in power are not governing effectively. “If we say somebody is not doing the right thing, let’s use our numbers,” he added, suggesting that the movement could establish its own political party or align with an existing one. The goal, according to Hikima, is to “retire the present tyrannical leaders.”

Barrister Abba Hikima

Barrister Abba Hikima

The lawyer disclosed that the movement has its origins in Northern Nigeria but plans to expand across the federation in the near future. “The idea started from the North, but in the near future, the movement will spread all over the federation,” he concluded.

The group has yet to formalize its structure but has already sparked interest among Nigerian youth who are eager to see a shift in the country’s political landscape.

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KANSIEC Praises Police Efforts in Safeguarding Democracy

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Prof Sani Lawal Malumfashi KANSIEC Chairman

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as a crucial institution in any political dispensation. Prof. Sani Lawal Manumfashi emphasized that as custodians of law and order, the police also play a key role in safeguarding democracy.

The Chairman made this statement during a visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1, Ari Mahd Ali, at his office on Tuesday.

Professor Manumfashi noted that the police are key players in providing security, protecting the electoral process, and maintaining law and order in society during and after elections. He stressed that this vital role makes the police force the true guardians of democracy, as their presence is essential in every electoral process.

He further added that with Kano being the most populous state in the country, having 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and 11,222 polling units, the need for police service in the state is paramount.

In his remarks, AIG Ali assured that his command is fully prepared to provide maximum support and cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming local government elections in the state. He also mentioned that his phone line is available 24 hours, and the commission can reach him whenever necessary. AIG Ali commended the Commission Chairman for demonstrating his academic expertise by providing essential information about Kano during his brief speech.

In a statement signed by Director public enlightenment of the commission Bashir Habib Yahaya said the visit included the presentation of election guidelines and the 2024 election calendar to the AIG by the Chairman of the Commission.

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