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Fight Against Terrorism: CSOs Thumbs-Up Service Chiefs, Nigerian Army

Published

5 years ago

March 9, 2020

Recently, the media, as well as public discourse, has been inundated by calls for the sack of the service chiefs. Nigerians at the forefront of these calls including members of the National Assembly gave the security situation in the country including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as reasons.

But following a thorough assessment of the war against insurgency in the Northeast, over five hundred representatives of different Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have passed a vote of confidence on the service chiefs, lauding the efforts of the military.

This decision was reached at a high-level meeting to appraise the situation and the rationale behind the call for the change of service chiefs amidst ongoing fight against terrorism.

The meeting which was tagged: “An Appraisal of the Performance of the Service Chiefs in the Fight against Insurgency in Nigeria,” was attended by no fewer than 500 representatives of various CSOs from all the states of the federation.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting by the President of Coalition of Civil Society Group, Mr. Etuk Bassey Williams, he dismissed the call for the sack of service chiefs, having seen tangible evidence of the progress of Nigerian troops at the frontline.

Williams noted that given the dexterity with which the Military is curbing insecurity in the Northeast and other parts of the country, complete victory over the insurgents is insight. He insisted that the Military has made remarkable achievements when the current state of insecurity is juxtaposed with what it used to be.

“Today, incidences of bombs detonating at our Worship Centres, Markets, Motor parks, Government buildings, and other strategic places have disappeared and is no more a recurring event except for a very few insignificant cases.”

Painfully, Williams cited the following: “Abuja Police Headquarters bombing which was believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history. The attack occurred on 16 June 2011, at the premises of the Louis Edet House in Abuja by Boko Haram, left at least six people dead.

“The 2011 Abuja bomb explosion on Friday, 26 August 2011, at the United Nations building in Abuja Nigeria’s capital which killed at least 21 and wounded 60.

On 14 April 2014, a bomb exploded at a crowded bus station in Nyanya, Abuja, killing at least 88 people and injuring at least 200.

“On December 2010, Boko Haram bombed Jos, killing 80 people; they were also blamed for the New Year’s Eve attack on military barracks in Abuja.
“In December 2011, multiple bomb attacks on Christmas day, left dozens killed.

“The January 2012 wave of violence across Northern Nigeria; Kano bombing killed at least 180.”

He noted that the frequency of attacks was phenomenal in the past but that has become a history today since the coming of the present service chiefs.

“It was observed that Nigerians in the city centers are no more keeping vigil in anticipation of a likely attack by the Boko Haram terrorists, the agony of insecurity and fear of the unknown has eluded the major cities except the fringes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

“It is true that a lot has been achieved by the present crop of service chiefs, not just in the battlefield but also in disabusing the forcefully recruited members of the Boko Haram as many have repented and have willingly surrendered to the Nigerian Army.

“Unlike before, the Nigerian Military has prioritized training and equipping of its Soldiers with modern military hardware. More than ever before the welfare of our military personnel has gained more attention.

“It is true that the terrorists are no more in control of any territory and today Boko Haram is being ousted from the last stronghold in the Sambisa forest effectively reducing and disorganizing the group.

“It is true that thousands of captives have been freed from the hands of the insurgents and many of the insurgents are surrendering to the Nigerian Army as a result of intensive effort and gallantry.

“The renewed vigour and tact engendered by the service chiefs and particularly the chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai has yielded a very appreciable success in their effort to completely defeat Boko Haram.

Williams acknowledged the fact that some people might not appreciate the effort of the military in the fight against insurgency but said it is quite interesting that all Nigerians celebrate the reduction in the frequency of attacks, the magnitude of impact and casualties recorded under the present service chiefs.

The CSOs said owing to the many progress of our gallant troops who are closing in on total victory against the insurgents, it is pertinent that they are appreciated and commended.

“We salute the courageous effort of the military, and call on Nigerians to pray and wish that the enthusiasm to make Nigeria again will not be in vain.

“We mourn with the bereaved and salute the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers who laid the lives for our comfort peace.

“We celebrate your gallantry, commitment and patriotism to your fatherland; the successes against the insurgent are a testament to the capacity of the service chiefs, especially Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai: the chief of the Army Staff.”

Also, the CSOs urged all Nigerians to shun views or positions motivated by ethnic or political interest and support the service chiefs and the entire military with prayer and useful information to enable them to end the insurgency and return peace to the affected areas.

Experts have also thrown their weight behind the continued retention of the service chiefs especially now that Boko Haram Insurgents have been degraded to a very large extent.

AljazirahNigeria recalls that former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, recently commended the Chief of Army Staff and his gallant troops for a display of sheer “gallantry and patriotism” against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to Mr. Tsav, Buratai has once again silenced his critics and proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he is worthy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trust and that of Nigerians despite the conspiracy.

Scores of insurgents lost their lives on Wednesday after the gallant troops repelled an attack in Damboa, a town 85 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Nigerian soldiers were unscathed from a five-hour gun duel which left dead bodies of the insurgents and their 19 abandoned trucks littered on the ground.

Being a security expert himself, Alhaji Tsav likened the Nigerian troops to its American counterparts with zero tolerance for terrorists. He expressed pride in their consistent show of bravery and courage amidst distraction by paid critics behind negative scripts.

Mr. Tsav added that this may not have been achieved without Lt. Gen Buratai’s focused leadership and tenacity, who he says has done enough to earn his respect and that of all Nigerians.

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Dikko And The New Vision Accountability and Development in Sports

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Felly Mammah N.

Since the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko assumed office on the 30th of October, 2024, he has systematically and deliberately been putting in place structures that would result to proper development of sports in Nigeria. Shortly after he was first appointed by President Bola Tinubu as a leading strength of sports, the Director General (DG), Hon. Bukola Olapade was appointed to compliment his efforts.

Many sports analysts believe that the duo of Dikko and Olapade who have been very visible in sports administration will be one of the best combination to take the sports sector to the next level. The DG no doubt, is the head of administration in the Commission, but it should be noted that the financial enablement to manage the affairs of staff and the political might that shops for the finance needed in the running of the sector rest on the Chairman who has the task of liaising with the President directly.

It is also, worthy to note that there is a huge difference between the administration of in the Civil Service as it is controlled by a Permanent Secretary and Directors while the administration of a Commission involves Board Members and experts whose voices and actions are also, game-changing; more so as Commissioners are likely going to take charge of the different zones to proffer solutions for a way forward. The defunct Ministry of Youths and Sports Development which later in 2023 metamorphosed into the Ministry of Sports Development on the assumption of President Bola Tinubu, produced a minister who was not versed in sports administration and as a result, faced mass criticism especially from men of the media.

These men of the pen profession are the torchlight of global sporting activity; they equally keep the history of both sports participation globally as well as the records of athletes’ performances. Their torchlight on past Minister’s and particularly the recent past, have revealed that most of the people who presided over sports administration do not really have any knowledge of the sector before their appointment.

The exit of the immediate past Minister, Sen. John Owan Enoh, refreshingly paved the way for change and this has brought in sports personnels that are expected to place sporting activities in the digital world. Suffice it to also, say that the new management of Sports Commission in parts of her changes is expected to sanitize athletes’ attitude and character for better reflection of children who have seen and communicated with their peers in the Western world.

However, the clarion call for President Tinubu to remove politics in sports may have changed the leadership of sports going by what many sports fans saw in the last outing of both Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, where a country like Nigeria did not measure up to her potentials.

Despite the poor performance of atheletes during the World Olympics Games, the past immediate past Minister deserves to be commended that during his tenure, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Games was reawakened as the participation of our Super Eagles brought back hope and jubilation to sports fans including the President and higher authorities. Yes whopping sum of N12 Billion was released two weeks to the Olympics Games and at a time the country was not financially stable. Despite the presidential financial support, the medals presented to the country were crisis and ignorant of both the atheletes, Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Atheletic Federaton to do the needful.

Therefore, it is heart-warming that the President harkened to the appeal of his fellow sports lovers to handpick a known figure in the sports arena to share his wealth of experience that gave him both a name in Sports and positions as the former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Chairman League Management Company (LMC), FIFA match Commissioner of significance, 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and presently, CAF Committee Member, in addition to his new portfolio as Chairman NSC.

My reference point here is that Alh. Dikko has been given the authority to effect positive change in sports sector, co-ordinate over 40 Sports Federations in the sector, welcome ideas of both sports stakeholders, individuals and veterans of sports that will enable him x-ray the reasons for poor performances in the sector and to chat a way forward for success story. There can never be a new testament without an old testament, thus the reason Alh. Dikko’s doors have remained opened to receive courtesy calls that included the visits by past administrators and foreigners who want to facilitate with whom the cap fits.

Still, in the mood of celebration to formally welcome Alh. Dikko to office was the peculiar power of sports which gathered momentum and the crowd for happy moments as seen in the recent novelty match organized by his friends, associates and sports veterans at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja recently. That gathering clearly announced not just a man who has made a name for himself at a height in global political decision making in sports circle, but a man who has also, given voice to our country’s leagues and international activities.

Sports is a significant sector that comprises emotion, tension, happiness, sadness even death and hope irrespective of the fact that it has the potential to feed many mouths. The sector cannot be compared to other Ministries with delayed bureaucracies and frustration of abilities. While in the civil service the head will rather submerge a growing talent for fear of power thrown, a coach who discovers a talent takes the credit for showcasing a star athelete discovered. Sports has been proven to generate revenue as well as attract public partnership which are all aimed at enhancing podium performance by the athletes.

Shehu Dikko’s business vision and wide participation in football contributed in making him the right candidate to place the sector in its expected level, increase the GDP of the country’s economy and equally be accountable with administrative roadmap for success.

The novelty match organised for him by his sports fans and League managers had the likes of Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju, Dominic Iorfa, Ahmed Musa in attendance to share their joy with him as they displayed their talent with their foot.
Others that graced the occasion were Super Sports General Manager, Felix Nwogu, former and present Chairmen of House Committee on Sports, NFF President, NOC members and persons from across the globe. That singular act indicated a clear fact that Dikko can actually gather momentum with persons that can support his ideology to deliver as charged by the presidency.

However, the Chairman’s meekness to open his doors to all does not mean weakness neither does it mean that he has not commenced work officially. His work is more of brain tasking because ideas actually rule the world. I will boldly say that he has resumed work with like minds that will not only be on the same page with him but will as well be on success Guinness Book with him.

Felly Mammah N.
Press Officer (NSC).

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