On 27 January 2023, troops of OPERATION FOREST SANITY deployed at Danali in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State on patrol arrested two gunrunners in a Golf vehicle at Yahaya vill near Maidabino general area. Suspects on interrogation, claimed they were in search of their missing brother. Items initially recoverd from suspects include 1 x Golf vehicle, 3 x Techno Mobile Phones, 3 x ATM cards, 1 x NIN card 1 x Driver licence, transaction receipt and the sum of Sixty Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (#64,650) Only.
However further search on the vehicle revealed, 6 x AK 47 rifles and 27 x AK 47 magazines were discovered hidden in the vehicle. Suspects in custody for investigation.
Major General Musa Danmadami, Director Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, in a press released on 27 January 2023, said, The military high command commends troops of Operation FOREST SANITY and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities.
The Social democratic Party (SDP) has promised to reduce the rate of poverty in Nigeria and provide opportunities for the youths if elected into office.
The Vice presidential candidate of the party, Yusuf Buhari made this known while representing his principal, Prince Adewole Adebayo on a visit to HRH Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola Ajibise Ogo 1 (Ogunsua of Modakeke) of Ile Ife, Osun State on Wednesday, 25th January.
While speaking to the traditional ruler, he said the SDP is inspired by chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria which states that sovereignty belongs to the people, hence when leadership is set up by the people, their job is to look out for the welfare of the people.
He highlighted some of the problems faced by citizens of Nigeria as a result of poverty, saying these are the things the party aims to address if elected. He said, “We are trying to keep it as simple as possible. We have major problems in this country kabiyesi, poverty is all over the place. “In the north, some of them go to the dustbin to pick the back of the watermelon, scrape it, they will just leave the white part, cut it like yam put salt and that is what they will boil for their children. “If you go around some areas at night, you’ll see some people sleeping everywhere on the streets, no shelter. If you go to the hospitals, patients are all over on the floor, no bed, only one doctor with thousands of patients. Nigerians do not deserve this. Nigeria is a blessed country. We have resources, we have professionals, If we can put our house together, all of these things we are seeing, we’ll not be seeing them Kabiyesi”, he added.
He noted that the past 16 years have not improved the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the ruling party has no intention of making things better. He added that the SDP is on this journey in order to make things better for Nigeria. “16 years have gone 8 years have gone, we notice that it only gets worse every four years. Now again they’ve come with stories telling us that they will improve our welfare but then but before God, before man, before all of us, right on international TV, they are accusing each other of criminal activities. “I think this is the only time we should pay attention to them and actually listen to them. These criminal accusations that they’re making against each other has nothing to do with us. Kabiyesi, we are on this journey because we make a difference and we are convinced that Nigeria will come first”.
He noted that his principal, prince Adewole Adebayo has decided to dedicate the rest of his life to public service in order to change things for the better in Nigeria. “My principal Prince Adewole Adebayo said he has dedicated the rest of his life to public service. I share in that vision of what he’s saying, I share in that. This is why we are on this journey. “We are here to assure you of all the plans that we have set out, even when we get there we’re going to achieve them. We know it’s going to be difficult but we will achieve them by the grace of God”.
While addressing journalists, the Vice Presidential candidate assured that Nigerian youths would have a lot to benefit from the party because they believe the youth are the ones making great achievements for Nigeria as it stands, despite the failure of the government.
In his response, HRH Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola Ajibise Ogo 1 prayed for God to help the SDP accomplish its race. He said, “Well once again I welcome you all. Iwure is better done in Yoruba than in English,so I’m going to do it in Yoruba. But I must say that I am touched by your plan and your vision, so I pray that God will help you to accomplish your race”. He further gave his ‘iwure’ (royal prayer) for the SDP presidential campaign team.
The campaign team entourage consisted of Dr.Olu Agunloye – National Secretary of SDP, Mr Silas Alani – National Vice chairman south west, Chief Godwin Osigbeme – Director of protocol, Sen. Ugochukwu Uba – Director of Finance and Prof Femi Olufumilade.
As Nigerian general elections draw closer, the Lagos State Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, Comr. Adeyemi Adewuyi has called on Lagos State youths to remain supportive of the resilient efforts of security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in ensuring a smooth transition of power in a few weeks from now.
The NYC state chairman Comr. Adeyemi Adewuyi made the call while passing a vote of confidence on the Lagos State commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu over immeasurable heights attained in the development and empowerment of youths in the state. ” Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu has severally demonstrated his love and passion for the youths of Lagos state and the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, can’t play ignorance. We have been watching closely his programs and activities and we are glad to proudly Identify with him, to tell him that we have noticed all your good deeds and passionate dedication to the upliftment of the youths in the state.
Outlining a few remarkable projects of the Commissioner, Adeyemi said, The Chicago Exchange Programme which is one of the commitments of the state government to further build the capabilities of the youth and transform them from local champions to global citizens that can compete favorably with their peers from any part of the world, is a remarkable one. ” The State Government under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mr. Segun Dawodu sent a lot of youths to Chicago and today these youth beneficiaries are doing well in their sundry endeavors.
“Also, the Ibile Youth Academy is a leadership training platform designed to inculcate in young people the virtues of citizenship, leadership, and volunteerism for the development of our personality, society, the state, and by extension the nation. The leadership training will also ignite our personal development and transformation required for a bright future. All of these we don’t take for granted. Thousands of youths have benefited and more would continue to benefit. What can we say than say thank you? We are grateful to you, Hon. Commissioner, Segun Dawodu”.
Speaking on PVCs collection, Adeyemi Adewuyi urged youths in the state to be determined to claim theirs at INEC offices pointing out that the purpose of production is to be used by the owner to cast their votes.
NYC Lagos State Chairman, Comr. Adeyemi Adewuyi
However, he charged INEC to increase the number of staff or volunteers to help hasten the distribution speed to avoid unnecessary population in the collection centres.
UNITED Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Laureate, and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University International Incorporated, USA, Prof Bashiru Aremu, has called on the Federal Government, FG, to urgently review the educational curriculum to meet objectives of global education standards.
Aremu in a press statement personally signed by him, and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, stated that the country needs a review of education curriculum to appreciate, values, diversity, equity and full implementation of global sustainability standards.
The statement partly says: “Prof Aremu sees agenda 2030 as United Nations 17 SDGs- Sustainable Development Goals, precisely goal number 4 on global quality education as a universal plan for all countries, a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”
He stated that curriculum helps to standardize the learning goals for an entire school and provide a clear path for students to progress from one grade to another.
The UNESCO Laureate defined a review as a formal assessment, critical investigation, appraisal, evaluation, judgement, critique of something with the intention of instituting change if necessary.
He sees Curriculum as a specific course; program, lesson, academic content, inventory activities, interactive system of instruction; strategies, measurement and resources, plan on education and training, and a multitude of learning experiences taught by a school to its Students.
He added that the main objectives of global standards is to ensure that social work education adheres to the values and policies of the profession as articulated by the IFSW, IASSW in line with the international Sustainability Standards Board.
While enjoining stakeholders to ensure that curricular and methods of instruction are consistent with the school’s program objectives, he explained that the five elements of Standard Authentic Instructions, ASCD that should be considered while instituting change in curricular activities should include amongst others are: Higher-order thinking, dept of knowledge, connectedness to the world beyond the classroom, substantive conversation, and social support for students achievement.
The statement reads in parts: ” We enjoin education stakeholders all over the world to work towards adhering to global standards by constantly reviewing their curriculum if need be to meet global educational objectives.
“The benefits of new curriculum development or planning are enormous. Curriculum documents should include practical guidelines as it helps centres, faculties, departments in schools to meet international guidelines or standards on education resources management.
“It gives practical expression to teachers, schools, students, IASSW. It helps for the formulation of international standards for social work and training as core business of IASSW or International Sustainability Standards Board.
“The reasons for global standards in education and why education stakeholders should develop new curricular activities are emphasized here. Curriculum helps for consumers protection, impacts on globalization, facilitates articulation across the globe, facilitates the movement of social workers from one country to another, Benchmark National Standards against International standards, promotes partnership, international students and staff exchange Programmes, gives a clear distinction between social and non- social workers.
“Educational Institution(s) ready to adhere to international guidelines must embrace practical training; specify a classification, acknowledge, recognize learning experiences, identification of core competencies, knowledge and Skills, as applied to context specific realities.
“New curriculum development that is of international standards must embrace school core purpose and mission statement; program objectives and outcome, program curriculum and field education, core curricular with local, national, regional and international needs and priorities; adequate professional staff, social work students: Admission criteria; Good education structure, administration, governance and resources; standard ethical conducts, codes; gender inclusiveness, cultural, ethnic diversity and equity.”
The feminine political voice is personal. It’s intimate. It’s caregiving and life-enhancing. It’s about bringing more love, caring, and justice into the world. It’s also fierce and determined. It is a voice that doesn’t go unnoticed, it influences, it changes strong hearts, and lobbies its way through to the unseeing realms of the mind.
These and much more all these achieve as women have taken the political lead as Nigeria draws closer by seconds of the clock to the days of its general elections.
The Director General, ANG Associates, member PCC, APC Presidential Women Campaign Council, Matron Women for Tinubu & Shettima and National Trustee Member Asiwaju Women Cooperative Society, Barr Aisha Galadima Gana has in Bauchi urged the people of the state to support and Vote His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima as President and vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming presidential election, pointing out that the only way corruption, poverty, insecurity, and the dwindling economy can be averted is by having in power these two political warlords in as chief pioneers of the affairs of the nation.
Ran a made stated this in an exclusive interview with newsmen at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on Monday, 24th of January, 2023.
In her words, ” Sai Jagaban, Sai Tinubu, Asiwaju Loma je President Insha Allah. Sai Marshall a Bauchi No doubts”.
Speaking further, she urged the people to come in mass and give APC a block vote for a better Nigeria stating that electorates who have not gotten their PVCs should do so by all means. “PVC is your voting strength, don’t deceive yourself, vote counts, go and get your PVC and vote for APC at all levels”, she said.
Earlier, the founder, Amazon Peace Initiative, API, Nana Aisha Abu-Ali expressed delight at the turnout of people for the campaign rally at the stadium and urged the masses not to be distracted by other presidential candidates that would be coming with sugar-quoted mouths to earn their votes. ” Nigerians are voting APC, Tinubu, and Shettima for President, and this is who you should vote for”, she added.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration would be leaving behind a legacy of zero tolerance for corruption disclosing that the fight against corruption has been in the front boner of his administration right from the onset.
President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, stressed further saying, “as I depart office in a rely of months, I have left in the back of a legacy of zero-tolerance for corruption for our teaming youths and to each and every citizen. For me, corruption is Evil and must be vehemently rejected in all ramifications via all Nigerians anywhere, anytime.
“It is by using integrity, respect for rule of law, due process, and true patriotism that we will make Nigeria the kingdom of our dream.”
The President made the statement in Abuja while declaring the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC event open at the National Judicial Institute, Jabi, yesterday 26th January 2023.
The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption’s (PACAC) conference with the theme: “The Fight Against Corruption. The Past, the Present, and the Future” examined the anti-corruption campaigns and evaluated the fight against corruption in the country holistically.
Earlier, giving a goodwill message, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, lamented that the judiciary has not shown authentic dedication to the warfare in opposition to corruption.
He said, “I express regret to the several Judges in this who have tested their commitment to the struggle, solely to discover their patriotic efforts set apart and dismantled at the best level. This re-occurring phenomenon has no doubt dampened the enthusiasm of the decreased Courts.
“I have no intention of going into any detail about these judicial lapses in a public forum, however, I am compelled to request the Supreme Court to evaluate the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Justice Ngajiwa v. FRN [2018] four NWLR (PL. 1609) 301, in which that courtroom held that no judicial officer may want to be arrested and tried for a criminal offense committed in the route of his judicial obligations besides the rely being first referred to the National Judicial Council. In this case, the Judge did not even deny that he acquired the bribe, yet he used to be discharged.
“The reverberations of that decision have been genuinely devastating in the fight against corruption. All Judges under trial for corruption in quite a few courts had been discharged due to the fact of this judgment and thus, all back to their obligation stations consisting of the Supreme Court, to carry on as judicial officers.
“It used to be a terrible blow to the anti-corruption agencies and the hostilities against corruption. How does a Judge discharge on technical grounds in a charge of corruption deal with a man or woman charged earlier than him for corruption? What will be the destiny of the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, if each expert association is given the pre-emptive proper to deal with crimes committed by its members alternatively than being charged and tried in a court? “The hostilities towards corruption can’t be successful in these circumstances. The Judiciary has to be dedicated to it, otherwise, the conflict cannot be won”, he urged.
Also speaking at the event, Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice at the High-level Stakeholders’ Conference in a keynote address fashioned innovative ways to which corruption can be inhibited if not totally curbed. According to him, “engage with the anti-corruption agencies to improve investigation and prosecution of corruption cases. Engage with judges to address delays and other constraints. Build effective consensus among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. Ensure compliance with due process and rule of law in the fight against corruption”.
Kogites have been urged to support the movement seeking power rotation to the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State.
A member of the Presidential Campaign Council for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Doctor Bolufemi Olarewaju stated this while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja.
Doctor Bolufemi who is also a Governorship Aspirant under the party said the call becomes necessary given future strategies to ensure equity and balance among the senatorial districts of the state.
According to him, the East has occupied the position for nineteen years and the Central is about to complete eight years of tenure under Governor Yahaya Bello, hence the need to think in that direction.
The aspirant urged politicians from the Western Senatorial District to speak with one voice to actualize the dream emphasizing that such development in the future would promote peace and unity, and reduce tension generated due to power struggles.
He also appealed to people to vote for his party in the next election to get the nation back on track.
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo has stated that Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy hasn’t brought reciprocal benefits to the country.
Prince Adewole Adebayo disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ platform for 2023 presidential candidates, with the theme, “The world of Nigeria and Nigeria in the world: Foreign policy as an adjunct of domestic priorities,” held in Lagos.
Adebayo said he decided not to go outside the shores of the country to speak to the electorates because he has high respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The SDP flagbearer lamented that Nigeria’s presidential candidates that were in Chatham House in London had, “further ridiculed and devalued the nation before the world by their appearances.”
He added, “NIIA was set up in 1961 exactly for this purpose that our foreign policy thinking should be scientific, strategical, well reasoned, well researched, and this institution has the legacy at the background and the capacity to advise you on what to say on the world stage.
“All over the world, before you go out to say anything about Nigeria or your country, you go to the premier diplomatic institute in your country and exchange ideas so that outsiders will understand that what you are saying is in tune with diplomatic policy and doctrines of your country.”
On what he will do if elected as Nigeria’s President, Adebayo said he would continue to abide by all international agreements signed and executed by the country.
Adebayo noted that he will make sure the finest of the finest represent the country internationally.
He further stressed, “Nigeria has more than enough to abolish poverty, and it must manage its sovereignty well and have full control of its land.
“I have been able to establish the fact that Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy hasn’t brought reciprocal benefits to the country.
“It is noteworthy that the theoretical pathway to a beneficial foreign policy is the realist, power-focused school of thought and action.
“I want to submit that economic diplomacy, spelt out in clear terms, is the way forward if Nigeria would use foreign policy to advance its domestic priorities in the spheres of fighting poverty and ending insecurity.”
In his remarks, The Institute’s Director General, Professor Eghosa Osaghae said the world has opened its doors to Nigeria in recent times; hence, the need to sound out the candidates on what the candidates’ foreign policy agenda would be.
Professor Osaghae noted that Adebayo was the first of the candidates to honour the Institute’s invitation.
…Advocates New Border Security Template To Minimise Crossborder Crimes
By Emmanuel Daudu
The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) CFR has appealed to the United Nations to support the overall good performance of the Nigerian Military to completely end insecurity in parts of the country.
According to Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence (Media &Publicity) in a press release, he signed on the 24th January, 2023, said, General Magashi stated this during a meeting with the delegation of the experts of the United Natlons Independent High Level Panel on Security, Governance and Development in the Sahel, held at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House Abuja. He stated proudly that Nigeria is doing pretty well under the watch of the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari in curtailing the effrontery and the audacity of the Terrorists especially in the North Eastern part of the country.
The Defence Minister put it on record comparatively that Nigeria is contributing more than other Cooperating States in counterpart funding, deployment of manpower and provision of other logistics in Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF.
He however made serious case for improved resources on the Part of the United Natlons towards the promotions of global peace and regional economic prosperity to reduce the high level of Poverty at all levels.
The Head of the UN Mission and Leader of the four-man delegation Mr Abdullahi Boureima alongside Nigerian panelist Professor Jibrin Ibrahim put the mandate of the UN High – level Panel in context bothering on Security, Governance and Development concerns facing the Sahel Region.
They said part of the reasons for the meeting in all countries of their assignments including Nigeria is to articulate and aggregate views on how to effectively summount the existential challenges facing the Sahel Region.
While thanking the Minister for approving the visit, they said capturing Nigeria’s perspective on the way forward is germane to their assignments which set the tone for the meeting.
The interface which had the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni in attendance and other top management as well as the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Danlami Ibrahim dovetailed into questions and answers session to bring the strategic meeting to its logical end.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has launched its scholarly 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction in Abuja which has dragged other African countries (The Gambia and Niger Republic) to seek help from the Agency.
It is no longer news that NiMet under the leadership of Prof. Mansur Matazu has made Nigeria proud through its predictions and other services it offers. This has not only benefited the aviation industry both also the Agricultural sector which has birthed several benefits within and outside the boundaries of Nigeria.
The 2023 SCP launching/ unveiling ceremony which took place at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja-Nigeria on Tuesday 24th January 2023 with the theme: “Strengthening Climate Risk, early warning services for improved food security and disaster reduction in Nigeria” was grazed by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Interior, Hon. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Meteorological officials from the Gambia and Niger Republic, and several others.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Host, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika said, the rainfall amount over the country in 2023 is predicted to be average to above average in most parts of Nigeria. NiMet anticipated temperature to be generally above the long-term average across the country. It envisaged both daytime and nighttime temperatures to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, March, and May.
“However, parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe in the North and Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the South are likely to experience a delayed onset.
“The onset dates for parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos are likely to be near than long-term averages.
“The onset is expected to start from the coastal States of Bayelsa, River, and Akwa Ibom in early March and around June/July in the northern states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno,” it said.
“On rainfall cessation dates, NiMet predicted an early end of the season over parts of the South comprising Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and the eastern parts of Ogun and Lagos States. “Parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi States are also predicted to have early end of the season when compared to long-term average conditions.
“However, an extended rainfall season is predicted over parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos State.
“The cessation is anticipated earliest in September over parts of Sokoto and Katsina States, while it would occur much later in December over most parts of the coastal region,“ it said.
NiMet forecasted the length of the growing season in most places to be near the long-term average, except for some parts of northern states like Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano where shorter than the long-term average length of the growing season was anticipated.
“However, the prediction shows that parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna States, and FCT are likely to observe below average annual rainfall amount.
“Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo States and FCT are expected to have 1190 mm to 1590mm of rainfall, while Bayelsa, Akwa- Ibom, Delta, and Cross River are predicted to record annual rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above,” it said.
“The agency, however, predicted cooler than long-term average day and night times in February.
“On dry spell, mild to moderate (8-16 days) dry Spell is predicted to occur in April 2023 in the South after the onset is established.
“Furthermore, following the establishment of onset in the North, a severe dry spell that is likely to last between 15 to 21 days or longer is predicted in June to early July in parts of the Northern (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Borno, Kano) and central states.
“A moderate dry spell is predicted over Niger, Nasarawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, and the FCT,” it said.
“NiMet predicted a mild dry spell over Ekiti, Edo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Imo states in July”, he said.
Africa Security Investigation News 