PROLIFERATION OF SMALL AND LIGHT WEAPONS MAJOR CAUSE OF CRUDE OIL THEFT AND OTHER CRIMES IN NIGER DELTA- BADARU

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Muhammed Badaru Abubabar, CON, mni has opined that activities of oil theft, illegal crude oil refining and kidnapping are aided by proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Niger Delta.

According to Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr FCAi Fsca Fcpe Director ( Information and Public Relations), the Minister made the observation while delivering a keynote address at the opening of the 13th National Security Seminar 2024 organized by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in Abuja.

The seminar served as a platform for addressing critical National Security issues and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

He said that crude oil theft and illegal crude oil refining are serious crimes against the nation, economy and the citizenry, and government will not tolerate such crimes.

Speaking on the theme of the Seminar: “Curbing oil theft and illegal crude oil Refining in Nigeria”, Badaru emphasized the need for decisive action to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining, and kidnappings. He stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive strategies to end these activities and restore normalcy to affected communities.

“We must continue to broaden the use of appropriate technology in warfare to enhance our situation awareness and execution.These are essential to ensuring that life in the Niger Delta, especially the host communities, return to normalcy,” he said.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his commitment to national security, he also acknowledged the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and other agencies in tackling insecurity in Nigeria. He said that the significant increase in crude oil production was as a result of the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Minister acknowledged the support of President Tinubu towards the Armed Forces, saying that the successes recorded was as a result of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on security of the nation.

Furthermore, he commended AANDEC for bringing these issues to the fore and added that efforts are being made to achieve the desired national objectives.

ORCHESTRA OF RENTED CROWD AGAINST MATAWALLE YOUR OWN SON: SHAMEFUL ADVENTURE

The recent sponsored protest by some groups of people in Zamfara against Dr. Matawalle is another distraction and a waste of public fund. It is unnecessary and unproductive. Rather than wasting resources on calumny and smear campaigns, we urge these individuals and groups to focus on governance and the Welfare of the people of Zamfara State. A campaign of calumny against Matawalle is campaign against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The campaigns are political machinations by anti-Tinubu forces aimed at distracting the government from its laudable achievements.

If one may ask: Why all these protests this time of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Is it because he is not from the NORTH?

When Buhari was in power, these unprogressive jobers refused to raise their voices but since he finished his tenure and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in, they suddenly woke up and started attacking the government for no just reason. The North is holding almost all the juicy ministerial appointments, yet they cannot let the government be.

They should support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government instead of embarking on mischievous and negative missions to blackmail their own person occupying a sensitive position as Minister of State for Defence . If the position is removed from the NORTH and given to another Zone, they will start shouting of marginalisation. My candid advice to those behind all these sponsored protests to desist from this dance of shame because what they clamouring for is a unpatriotic and evil to their people and region. This is very bad Politics, simply because he exhibits his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he is now an enemy. The is politics taken too far. Mr. President is tackling the problems in the NORTH and other parts of Nigeria effectively and there is no need for such confrontation on Matawalle or any other appointees of Mr. President. He is a President with distinct mind that takes bold decisions that will favour Nigeria. Why all these attacks? Please let MATAWALLE be. Stop distracting him with rented ORCHESTRA dancers. Those hired dancers, can they pronounce N70 billion? If you must dance ORCHESTRA, you must follow the beat. Stop raising issues where there is none!

These choristers are expected to talk about developmental projects that will be beneficial to the NORTH like: Hospitals, Roads, Security, Agriculture, Railways, Airports etc and they are busy wasting resources in hiring dancers to protest against their own son MATAWALLE. Of what benefits will it be to Zamfara state or the North if he is removed as Minister out of myopic protests.

Those petition writers or protesters or their sponsors alleging embezzlement of N70 Bilion by Matawalle, should be ready to pay damages of same amount to him by the time the investigation exonerates him.

Dr. Matawalle is a loyal and dedicated member of President’s team; Please all these arranged orchestra protesters are baseless attackers.

HABIB YISA ALASIA
Public Affairs Analyst

Corpreneur: More corps members benefit in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna

Maryam Aminu

The Minister of State for Youth Development, HM Ayodele Olawande, has extended the reach of the Corpreneur Support Initiative (CSI) to benefit corps members in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna.

Olawande during his visit to the NYSC camp in Karaye, Kano, unveiled the initiative, which aims to provide financial assistance to more than a hundred corps members who have completed the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, with the goal of promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment.

Emphasizing the importance of transitioning from skill acquisition to active entrepreneurship, the Minister highlighted collaborative efforts with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Mr. Temitope Adekunle-Johnson.

He also lauded Wema Bank for its additional funding, showcasing a strong partnership aimed at fostering business skills among Nigerian youth.

HM Olawande revealed that over a hundred outstanding corps members from various skill sets, who have emerged from the SAED program in the ongoing Batch A Stream 2 Orientation Course of the NYSC, would receive varying amounts of financial support to kickstart their businesses.

He urged the youth to leverage the skills they have acquired, while providing them with the necessary support and resources to create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth.

“Implemented in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, led by Mr. Temitope Adekunle-Johnson, the Corpreneur Support Initiative (CSI) also involves Wema Bank providing additional funding to corps entrepreneurs who require more capital injection into their businesses. This initiative reflects a strategic move under the Renewed Hope Agenda to empower young Nigerians to transition from skill acquisition to successful entrepreneurship”

Minister Sets up Task Force To Implement Youth Development Programmes

Maryam Aminu

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has set up a task force for the purpose of implementing youth development programmes with the various stakeholders. This includes government agencies, private corporations and development partners called ‘Nigerian Youth Joint Task Force (NYJTF)’.

He made this known when he received the National stakeholders of various youth groups representing the ethnic nationalities and political parties in Abuja, recently.

During the meeting, the various groups unanimously agreed that the Task Force is opened to membership from all other professional youth organizations and groups, including people with disability that may want to contribute to the actualization of the Task Force’s mandate.

“The mandate is to unite all youth across political, ethnic and religious divide to pursue the common goal of implementing youth development initiatives by all critical actors such as governments, private sectors and development partners.

This according to the groups will serve as a support to augment Mr. President’s effort in youth development.”

In the meeting, they agreed that a new approach would be adopted in the pursuit of youth development in the country that will enable the youth to feel the government and be part of the government.

“A task force will develop practical initiatives for improving youth welfare. They have a 6-month timeline to provide 3 deliverables such as better living conditions for corps members, sustainable skills for the informal sector, and grassroots development initiatives. Other ideas include cooperatives for cottage industries and funding to improve local production capability.”

They further agreed to have a technical committee that will distill ideas and put forward great initiatives to improve the lot of the youth, while others will continue to galvanize support for the implementation of the initiatives.

The committee noted their willingness to accommodate as many youth groups as possible across the federation.

They disclosed that at least three states would be visited by the committee to commence engagement with relevant stakeholders on how to chart a course for youth inclusion and development within the next two weeks.

Youth Minister Collaborates With CSI To Tackle Unemployment Among Corps Members

Maryam Aminu

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has said that the Corpreneur Support Initiative (CSI) in collaboration with NYSC Entrepreneurial Support programme is partnering with strategic organizations to ensure that more corps members benefit from the initiative to curb unemployment in the country.

Olawande made this disclosure, recently, during his visit to the Batch A Stream 2 Orientation Course of the NYSC camp in Karaye, Kano State.

The Minister in a statement by the Director Press and Public Relation, Omolara Esan said the Corpreneur Support Initiative (CSI) is being implemented in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs led by Mr. Temitope Adekunle-Johnson.

“This initiative reflects a strategic move under the Renewed Hope Agenda to empower young Nigerians to transition from skill acquisition to successful entrepreneurship. It is a notable achievement in the quest to provide Nigerian youth with the tools and resources to create jobs and contribute to the nation’s economic growth”, he said.

Mr. Olawande further noted that the initiative presents a unique opportunity for over a hundred corps members to receive financial awards upon completion of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. According to him, the aim of the initiative is to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among Nigerian youth.

The Minister said, “Over a hundred outstanding corps members from every skill group who emerged from the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) in the Batch A Stream 2 Orientation Course of the NYSC would receive varying amounts to set up their businesses”.

He lauded the collaborative efforts of other organisations for providing support to nurture business skills among Nigerian youth.

DODO WILL REMAIN DODO: THIS CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AND NAME CALLING CANNOT DETER MATAWALLE FROM PERFORMING

DODO is a nick name given to Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON by his admirers in Zamfara State. It is a metaphorical expression for someone who instill fear on bandits. The name was given to Matawalle because during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, bandits take to hiding at the mention of his name.

Our attention has been drawn to the barrage of attacks on his personality because of his strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The recent campaign of calumny and name-calling against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, is unfortunate and misguided. Despite these baseless accusations, Dr. Matawalle remains committed to his duties and will not be deterred from performing his responsibilities as Minister of State for Defence.

Dr. Matawalle’s dedication to the security and well-being of Nigerians is unwavering, and his efforts to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda are evident in his various initiatives and policies. It is essential to focus on the issues that matter, rather than resorting to personal attacks and smear campaigns.

We rise in defense of Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, the Minister of State for Defence, against the recent barrage of accusations and calumny directed at him. We condemn these baseless attacks and stand in solidarity with Dr. Matawalle, a dedicated public servant committed to the security and well-being of Nigerians.

Dr. Matawalle’s unwavering support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his tireless efforts to address security challenges in Nigeria are evident in his various initiatives and policies. We applaud his dedication to his duties and his unrelenting commitment to a safer and more secure Nigeria.

We urge the public to disregard these unfounded accusations and instead, focus on the positive contributions Dr. Matawalle has made and continues to make towards a better Nigeria. We stand with Dr. Matawalle and call on all Nigerians to support him in his crucial role as Minister of State for Defence.

On the purported case of corruption by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we see it as another distraction from the great achievements of this distinguished public servant.

Dr. Matawalle’s unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of Nigerians is evident in his tireless efforts to address security challenges in Nigeria. His dedication to his duties and his unrelenting commitment to a safer and more secure Nigeria are qualities that should be commended, not maligned.

We urge the EFCC to focus on genuine cases of corruption and not to allow itself to be used as a tool for political vendetta. Dr. Matawalle’s integrity and reputation are unassailable, and we stand with him against these baseless accusations.

This distraction will not deter Dr. Matawalle from performing his duties as Minister of State for Defence, and we call on all Nigerians to support him in his crucial role.

The recent sponsored protest of some group of youths in Zamfara is another distraction and a waste of government resources. It is unnecessary and unproductive. Rather than wasting resources on calumny and smear campaigns, we urge these individuals and groups to focus on governance and the welfare of the people of Zamfara State.

These recent protests against Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, are political machinations by anti – Tinubu forces aimed at distracting the government from its laudable achievements. Let their sponsors channel their energy and resources towards building a better Zamfara State and a more secure Nigeria, rather than tearing each other down.

These forces, driven by selfish interests and a desire to undermine the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, are desperate to discredit Dr. Matawalle, a loyal and dedicated member of the President’s team.

We urge Nigerians to see through this ploy and focus on the progress being made in addressing security challenges and improving the lives of citizens. Dr. Matawalle’s unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of Nigerians is unshakeable, and we stand with him against these baseless attacks.

In conclusion, let me react to Senator Shehu Sani’s postulation which cautioned on the call of removal of Matawalle from office by some groups in Zamfara State.

Referencing Senator Shehu Sani statement on the ongoing demand for the reopening of the N72 billion fraud case against Minister of Defense Bello Mattawale, he warned against hasty actions that could lead to his removal from office. He said “If Zamfara was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Culture, the People of Zamfara would have accused the President they elected of being insensitive to do their plight. The President’s decision to name a Minister from a banditry dominated state is just and logical.”

We should not be blindfolded by sentiment by calling for the removal of Dr. Matawalle from office. We should instead x-ray his performance in tanden with improved security situation in Zamfara on particular and North-East as an hitherto epic center of banditry and other form of criminalities.

Food for thought!!!!

Some key points to highlight in defense of Dr. Matawalle include:

His commitment to the security and well-being of Nigerians
His efforts to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda
His various initiatives and policies aimed at addressing security challenges
His dedication to his duties as Minister of State for Defence
The importance of focusing on issues rather than personal attacks
His commitment to security and well being of Nigerians
His dedication to his duties as a Minister of State for Defence
His unrelenting commitment to a safe and more secured Nigeria
The EFCC’s purported CASE being a distraction from his achievements
The need for the EFCC to focus on genuine cases of corruption.

Some possible hashtags to use in support of Dr. Matawalle include:

StandWithMatawalle #FocusOnTheIssues #SecurityMatters #SupportOurTroops #DefendTheTruth

MatawalleIsWorking

COMRADE OLIVER HARUNA
Commentator/ Analyst

NSCDC Boss Inducts Newly Trained Incident Commanders, Harps on Compliance with Ethics, Professionalism

By Emmanuel Daudu

As part of measures to uphold the Corps’ statutory responsibilities of ensuring safety, security and providing succour to citizens during emergencies, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has trained and inducted its first set of incident Commanders.

According to a press release signed on Wednesday by the National PRO NSCDC, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi , the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni. OFR while speaking at the event which was held at the National Headquarters of the Corps Sauka-Abuja, said that training and re-training of personnel is necessary for effective performance and career development noting that the incident commanders have been trained for immediate and timely response to crisis and emergencies.

The Commandant General who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General Technical Services Directorate; DCG Ibrahim Zakari Ningi fdc, reiterated that training and manpower development are priotized in the Audi led administration and would definitely continue to enhance effective service delivery.

“The world is advancing technologically and the Corps is doing her possible best to upscale the skills of personnel so as to be at per with international best practices”.

While congratulating the graduands for their endurance and resilience throughout the training period; he further charged them to continue on the part of excellence, professionalism and implicit adherence to the Corps’ ethical standard.

“Let me on this note urge you to embrace this maiden opportunity with humility and sense of responsibility; remember to who much is given much more is expected”.

“It is pertinent that you always act in the best interest of the people you were called to serve and uphold the values of the Corps with pride, humility and credibility….he added”.

Speaking during his presentation, the international Cordinator of the International Crisis Response Course, Commandant Akpan Edike said the training initiative was borne out of the Commandant General’s passion for Personnel capacity building which began in 2021 on a virtual platform; he added that over 11,000 officers are currently learning and graduating from the plaftform.

The Cordinator added that the granduants have succefully passed 10 courses which were drawn from a wide range of specialised areas such as protection and assistance against chemical warfare agents, prevention and countering violent extremism through non- kinetic approaches, paramedics and disaster management, flood mitigation and management, drone piloting and management amongst others.

Commandant Edike also acknowledged the collaborating institutions for Course Certification such as the Prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife Osun State; The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Crisis Response Institute.

In the highpoint of the event an oath of service and allegiance was administered by Bar. Rabiu Muhammed which was followed by issuance of certificates and badges to the graduants.

Governor Alia’s Cars Gift to the Judiciary: A Symbol of Support and Commitment

The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order of Benue State, Hon. Barr. Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim has said the cars gifts to the judiciary by the Executive Governor of the state Rev Dr Hyacinth Alia were symbol of support and commitment as promised when he assumed office.

Barr Mnyim was reacting to a query posed by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria in a tweet on Monday 7th May 2024 challenging the viability of the autonomy granted to Benue State Judiciary if the State Governor was still buying cars for them.

The esteemed Professor had wondered why Governor Rev. Alia of Benue State should procure vehicles for the state’s judiciary when the funds allocated to the judiciary could be utilized for that purpose.

The Attorney General of the State elucidated that the procurement of vehicles for the judiciary constitutes an additional benevolent gesture by the Governor.

He said the gesture was particularly significant in light of the fact that Governor Alia had already granted full financial autonomy to the judiciary in February 2024, encompassing both recurrent and capital expenditures, consequent upon which the judiciary is receiving her complete share of funds accruing from FAAC and IGR, proportionate to the percentage of the budget for the month.

Barr. Mnyim emphasized that the judiciary has the financial wherewithal to procure vehicles of their choice, as the allocated funds are released to them at the end of each month.

However, in demonstrating his commitment to the judiciary, justice, and the law, Governor Alia has opted to supplement the financial autonomy with a magnanimous donation of vehicles to the judiciary.

This gesture is designed to inspire the judiciary to strive for excellence in their service delivery.

The Attorney General further highlighted that Governor Alia’s benevolence extends beyond the judiciary, as his administration has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing staff welfare and effective service delivery across all sectors.

“The Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the judiciary and the entire citizenry of Benue State is evident in his unwavering dedication to fostering an environment conducive to justice, equity, and progress”

The Honourable Attorney General’s response has provided clarity on the Governor’s decision to procure vehicles for the judiciary, underscoring the importance of collaboration and support between the executive and judicial arms of government.

This synergy is crucial for the advancement of justice, the rule of law, and the overall development of Benue State.

In the realm of governance, the concept of separation of powers is a fundamental tenet, ensuring that each arm of government operates within its constitutional bounds. However, this separation does not preclude collaboration and mutual support.

In fact, effective governance often hinges on the ability of the executive, legislative, and judicial arms to work in harmony, fostering an environment of cooperation and collective progress.

In Benue State, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has demonstrated a profound understanding of this synergy, recognizing that a strong and independent judiciary is essential for the advancement of justice and the rule of law.

By granting full financial autonomy to the judiciary, Governor Alia has empowered this critical arm of government to operate with the requisite independence and efficiency.

The procurement of vehicles for the judiciary, as highlighted by the Honourable Attorney General, serves as a tangible manifestation of Governor Alia’s commitment to the judiciary and the broader justice sector.

This gesture not only underscores the Governor’s appreciation for the judiciary’s vital role but also acknowledges the challenges faced by judicial officers in the discharge of their duties.

In a state grappling with the complexities of development, security, and social welfare, the judiciary plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served. By supporting the judiciary through the provision of necessary resources, Governor Alia has demonstrated a keen understanding of the intricate web of governance and the interdependence of its various components.

Moreover, the Governor’s commitment to staff welfare and effective service delivery across all sectors is a testament to his administration’s dedication to the well-being of the citizenry.

By prioritizing the needs of the judiciary and other critical sectors, Governor Alia has set a precedent for effective governance, one that prioritizes the collective progress of the state over individual interests.

In the face of numerous challenges, Governor Alia’s leadership has been a beacon of hope for the people of Benue State. His unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and progress has inspired a renewed sense of purpose and optimism, fostering an environment in which the judiciary, the executive, and the legislature can work in harmony to advance the common good.

As the Honourable Attorney General, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, has so eloquently articulated, the procurement of vehicles for the judiciary constitutes a magnanimous gesture, one that transcends mere symbolism to represent a tangible commitment to the judiciary and the people of Benue State. This gesture serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of effective governance, one that prioritizes the needs of the many over the interests of the few.

2027 Polls: National Youth Alliance Names Interim Executive Committee

In a move aimed at harnessing the energy and potential of young people ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Youth Alliance (NYA) has announced the appointment of an interim Executive Committee to steer its affairs for the next six months.

In a statement signed by the NYA National Chairman and Youth President, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday May 7, 2024, this dynamic team of dedicated individuals will spearhead the organization’s efforts to empower and mobilize young Nigerians to drive positive change.

According to the statement, members of the interim Executive Committee are as follows: Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas – National Chairman/Youth President, Hon. Tamunotonye Samuel Inioribo – National Secretary, Comrade Darlington Agoha – National Organising Secretary, Comrade Hamza Nasarawa – National Youth Leader and Okwor Adanna Martina – National Women Leader

Others are, Barr. Adeola Onikoyi – National Legal Adviser, Comrade Obande Gideon Obande – National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Oladipupo Ogunseye – National Director of New Media, Hon. Abdulhamid Dankyarko – National Director of Finance, Prof Muhammad Sackor – NYA Consultant and Comrade Abubakar – National Director Research & Planning

It informed that fhe Office of the National Chairman/Youth President will be supported by, Hon. Meshack Onyeche – Chief of Staff, Babangida Aliyu – SSA Political Matters, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson – SSA Media and Publicity, Hon. Hauwa Muhammad Kwajaffa – SSA Special Duties, Comrade Abdulrahman Bala – SSA Student Matters, Joseph Orike – SSA Foreign Relations, Anthony Edet Effiong – SSA Protocol and Gloria Z. Collins – Personal Assistant.

The statement said that this interim Executive Committee brings together a wealth of experience and expertise, and is poised to inspire, mobilize and empower young people to drive positive change in Nigeria in line with the objectives of the NYA.

ECOWAS Commission organises a Validatory Workshop on Records Management Policy, Assets Management Policy and Manual

Lagos, Nigeria – The ECOWAS Commission organises a Validatory Workshop on the Records Management Policy and Assets Management Policy and Manual from May 6 to May 10, 2024.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework and assign responsibilities to ensure that complete, accurate and reliable records of the activities of ECOWAS institutions and specialized agencies are created, received, retained, accessed and disposed of in a standard and approved manner.

The objective of the workshop is to enhance the institutional procedures and processes of the ECOWAS Commission for more effective and efficient business delivery.

The workshop is aimed at raising awareness of the use of the asset management policy and manual, improve understanding of the records management policy and manual, prepare for management approval of the validated asset management policy, prepare for management approval of the validated asset management policy and manual.

The workshop brings together selected participants from the various departments of the ECOWAS Commission, its institutions and agencies, and is organized with the support of GIZ.