NIGERIAN SECURITY CHALLENGES: THE WAY FORWARD.

NIGERIAN SECURITY CHALLENGES: THE WAY FORWARD.  

By Dr. Yusuf J. Aliu

As a security consulting professional; I still find it difficult to comprehend the current lacuna in the Nigerian Security System owned to unhealthy rivalry of superiority complex existing amongst these agencies, (that, expectedly synergy is the key word) and how this situation has degenerated, allowing miscreants to unleashed overwhelming security breach prevailing across the country. The attention of Mr. President is drawn here to engage professionals to address this ugly trend; it is urgent and now. But one thing am certain about is the zealous efforts of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle these Hydra headed monsters bedeviling our rich nation.

Honestly, I agree with many security analysts and other political commentators who have called for or demanded for declaration of a state of emergency in these affected States in the country. But one thing I don’t agree with is the notion that the president is not doing his best to tame these restless anti-social forces that has become a log in the hitherto smooth wheels of the nation. I always allow myself a wide grin whenever i hear or read about how the president and his team have turned blind eyes to the spate of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry currently witnessed virtually across all regions in the country.

I consciously believe that no sane leader would fold his hands and turn blind eyes to these negative forces in his country. We must accept that, there is a threatening security situation in the country. It’s also very important to stop apportioning blames and patriotically halt the blame game and unite to fight these demons. The situations to be candid are not good for the ears, neither something enticing for the eyes to see. From the deadly attacks by Boko Haram across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states; to the rampant cases of banditry in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states; the sporadic cases of kidnapping along Kaduna-Abuja road, and other states across the South-South, Southeast and Southwest; and the repulsive attacks of unknown gunmen unleashing terror in Benue, Plateau and Taraba states.

The narratives are terrifying and if not properly tackled, are fast becoming tags on the country. But what must be done to checkmate these maladies? Because it is unacceptable to continue to live in fear in one’s country, as it is equally unacceptable to allow these wanton killings by armed men to continue without effectively nipping the dangerous bud. It is sad that a United Nations (UN) report estimated that over 2.4 million Nigerians were displaced by the Boko Haram alone, what about the uncounted numbers of Nigerians equally displaced as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the other terrible crimes of banditry, armed robbery and kidnappings across the country? It is time we must come together and get it right for the love of our country and for God. We cannot allow these villainous bands of rogues to continue every day without resolving to collectively end this menace. We must stop the blame game and rally around the present administration to end these carnage as patriotically displayed by the President through his frequent travels abroad to solicit for supports to end these blights.

It is high time we zoom out our lenses to see and appreciate the efforts so far carried out by this administration, especially the fact that government forces have so far gallantly been able to subdued and decimate the Boko Haram terrorist to appreciable level and rally round the government in order to win this decisive war. We should appreciate the efforts of the men and women in uniform who are at the front battling this evil and also pray for the repose of the souls of those who have sacrificed their lives in the battle against all forms of insecurity in the country, so that we should live and continue being a nation. 

Top among our goals is to encourage the government positively and also formulate logical templates on how to deal with the security situation across the country, which rationally should be better and more productive than castigating those at the forefront of ensuring that our lives are safe and our country still remains identifiable in the world map. It is critical that Nigerians come together in community participation in fighting the current security situation threatening our coexistence and the fabric of our foundation. It is pertinent to note that no security operation can succeed without active community involvement of the citizenry just as the fact remains that no nation is conquered without the contribution of its people.   

Also important is the need for the government, corporate bodies and able individuals to synergy and contribute to a well-equipped team with modern technologies like effective surveillance tools, drones, helicopters, sophisticated arms and other 21st century security apparatus necessary to confront any threat to the nation and its people. It is equally important that the welfare of the men and women fighting these criminal elements, including their families are properly catered for and well trained and equipped to confront these criminal elements and smoke them out wherever they hide; because they can only run but can never hide under the sun. The need to gather intelligence and adequately share same among the various security agencies is important. 

This should be broadened across border nations and other countries with bilateral security agreement with Nigeria. Of importance is the security challenges faced by countries like Cameroon, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Libya, including those faced in Europe, America, France, Britain and other countries battling these negative forces of human coexistence and development. What has failed Nigeria is not lack of the manpower to tackle these menaces but the general will to come together and confront a common enemy. Nigerians must eschew their religion, tribal and ethnic difference to win this war or the marauders will keep having a field day. These security challenges involve all and sundry as the bullet of a terrorist, a kidnapper, and a bandit knows no color, shape or size, nor tribe or religion. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to be cautious of his environment and all its activities daily.

Finally, I think it is logical to rally round the present administration in its efforts to defeat the present security challenges by patriotically saying and doing the right things. Positive words and outputs that has power and force to propel our military and other security agencies confidently as they continue to battle these greedy and salvage forces trying to dismantle our togetherness as humans with the right to life and existence.

Dr. Yusuf J Aliu

Management & Consultant writes from Paris, France.

He can be contacted by Email: draliu5th@gmail.com

Ahmed Bobboi: the Man who changed the Face of PEF

‘’The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.’’ -- Brandon Sanderson

By Ahmed Ali

Among the first positive things Ahmed Bobboi did when he took over the mantle of leadership at the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) was to introduce a staff posting and deployment policy, the first of its kind in the history of PEF. It was a sign that the Petroleum Equalization Fund was into a new dawn.

Not many people, even among the staff envisioned the remarkable positive change that was to take over the running of affairs of this important government agency when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ahmed Bobboi as the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Equalization Fund (Management) Board in October 2016.

Although many who worked with him or have came in contact with the unassuming public servant described him as a man full with ideas and very passionate in doing his job. Ahmed Bobboi no doubt has etched his name in golden ink in the history of Nigerian petroleum management within the short time he took over an organization set up in the 1970’s to ensure uniform pricing regime of petroleum products across the country and its distribution.

 Most critics would agreed that the Bobboi led management effectively checkmated the hitherto scarcity of petroleum products and also efficiently ensured that the products get across the country as of when due. One glaring fact was that the Ahmed Bobboi led management stepped into the murky water of Nigerian oil and gas sector and made a tremendous impact in an agency that was facing a myriad of challenges. It is therefore logical to commend him going by the unprecedented achievements he has made just within one year in office. Among some of his achievements is the patriotic zeal at which he has been able to breakdown nepotism and favoritism the two degrading factors that had previously held down the wheels of the agency which has now been stabilized with his collective policy direction. The current giant stride being experienced today since the past four decades when PEF was established is as a result of this new visionary and nationalist approach by the Bobbi led management.

His unique staff posing and deployment policy has refocused PEF in as much that the staff now works in harmony as team players with refocused energies and a mindset blended with patriotic and nationalist focus.  The workforce is now more vibrant and skillful as they are constantly transferred to various departments in the agency to build up their skill and capacity.

It is also commendable to note how the Ahmed Bobboi led team have effectively improved and deployed Information Technology ( IT)  in the daily operations of PEF and the remarkable achievement recorded so far. Top on the list is the automation of the 130 locations of PEF operations at various depots and tank farms to deliver services at the best minimum cost.

Again, the fund synergy with various stakeholders and other government agency like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is yielding fruitful results. Commendable is the innovative idea to develop software that will make it possible for PEF to ascertain the quantity of products available in ships, tank farms, depots, trucks, pipelines and outlets. Also worth mentioning is the idea by his management to implement transportation of petroleum products across the country through the rail, and already a task force is already in the peak of working out the logistic for a smooth take-off targeted at early 2019. It is reported that Ahmed Bobboi who is vigorously driving the process has given the task force all the necessary support and order to ensure that the take-off deadline was met.

 The current operations by PEF with its efficient IT arrangement have made payment easier to marketers and more credible. Payments and allowance are now being remitted regularly.    It is equally important to mention and commend his focus on staff development and training which are two important elements Ahmed Bobboi has so far deployed in his managerial proficiency. He has used these important factors to uplift the staff confidence and also brought out the best in them which in turn resulted in the current stable distribution and deployment of petroleum products being experienced by Nigerians across the country.

No doubt that the President Muhammadu  Buhari led administration rightly placed the right peck in the right hole when it appointed Ahmed Bobboi  to steer the ship of this cumbersome agency and so far the administration’s change agenda, including Nigerians are benefitting tremendously from his effective managerial skills and vision as he boldly steers the country petroleum fund towards prosperity.

Copyright SEE Magazine 2019

Appreciating Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai reforms in Nigeria education sector

By Bashir Bello (Dollars) &  Ali Ahmed

The Nation newspaper in a last report of a three-part serial of assessment of the performance of some minister under President Goodluck Jonathan had this to say about Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, the current Minister of Education “Though the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, joined the cabinet shortly after the then President Goodluck Jonathan became a substantive President, she was one of the few new ministers who hit the ground running. Immediately she resumed at the Federal Ministry of Education, she ensured that everybody was kept busy on how to improve the sector. Most of the parastatals under the ministry have been engaged in several developmental activities which, according to sources, were left unattended to before the arrival of the woman who many describe as hardworking. Her latest achievement is the recent public presentation of the nation’s education data survey and the launch of the Digest of Education Statistics for the period, 2006 to 2010 which gingered President Goodluck Jonathan to assure Nigerians of increase in budgetary allocation to the sector.”   The paper went further to award her a well deserved ‘Good’ performance scorecard, unlike her other colleagues who mostly got an ‘average’, and below average pass mark.

No doubt, only a prejudiced analyst would have failed to see the truth in the paper’s assessment that the professor on resuming duty as the Minister of Education hit the ground running, and that patriotic sprint by this erudite woman to revamp the sorry state of our education sector has brought about some positive success.

This write up is to really put in view the remarkable silent achievements   of this unsung Amazon who within the shortest possible  period  as minister of education in our country history had been able to revolutionized our education sector and also set a standard  that many of her male counterparts who had a long grace period  as education ministers, including resources, and a then  peaceful security situation failed to hit their masculine feet on the ground to restore sanity to our  almost sunk education sector.

According to an article published  online by a Nigerian focused website www.nigerianin America.com,titled : Education in Nigeria: The Return of Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai as Minister, while analyzing the needed reforms to save  the  Nigerian education sector, had this to say “When Minister Rufai took over the ministry roughly 18 months or so ago, she quickly identified four areas of focus: (1) access and equity, (2) standards and quality assurance, (3) technical and vocational education and teacher training, and (4) funding and resource utilization as part of her plan to reform the education sector. Professor Rufai has strategically aligned herself with state commissioners of education and selected board members of the National Universities Commission (NUC), particularly Chris Okojie and others in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to re-conceptualize the tertiary education or higher education. The strategy is now paying dividend as fidelity in compliance and rigor in action returns to the federal ministry of education”.

Over the years, since the country’s return to democracy, the Nigerian schools have witnessed a shameful sliding among other schools in the Africa continent, away from its hitherto number position. Helpless citizens were forced to watch as public schools in Ghana, Benin, Zambia, Kenya, Togo, Botswana and other African countries with little resources compared to Nigeria continued to modernize their schools, and yearly churned out educated and intelligent graduates from their various cradle of learning.

It was still this poor state of schools that Professor Ruqayyatu met on assuming office as the minister of education, but today the story cannot say to be the same as this woman of substance has within the shortest time changed the face of schools in Nigeria. Still fresh in mind, was the actualization of a change in the country’s outdated curriculum which became a reality under her tenure, a long expected change that finally saw the light of the day following a decision reached during the last National Council of Education meeting, a new curriculum was approved for Senior Secondary Education.
 This decision was made public at a meeting between the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, and Commissioners for Education from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, in Abuja. The Executive Secretary of the National Educational Research and Development Commission, Prof. Godswill Obioma, while presenting a brief structure of the new curriculum at the meeting informed the public that under the new structure, a total of 42 subjects were approved. He said the new SSE curriculum structure specifies 42 subjects, distinctly categorized into four distinct fields of study namely: “Senior Secondary Education (Science), Senior Secondary Education (Humanities), Senior Secondary Education (Technology) and Senior Secondary Education (Business). He further explained that the structure also indentified compulsory/ cross cutting subjects; core subject i.e. subjects selected from any of the four fields of study; and elective subjects for each field of study. In addition, 34 entrepreneurial trades subject are to be offered in secondary schools to encourage self reliance and wealth creation.
Looking at this transformation in our hitherto out of date secondary school curriculum, one would but agree that the coming of professor Ruqayyatu was part of the catalysts that brought about a much needed change in our secondary schools, initiated the students to learn how to be self reliant and importantly propelled our schools to meet up to the 21^st Century teaching techniques in this globalised age. Also worthy of mentioning is the undisputed fact that it was during the tenure of this woman achiever that more federal universities where approved and established across the various regions in the country; a remarkable achievement that will no doubt live in the sand of time, with her name reechoing in our minds whenever the issue of education reform in Nigeria is being mentioned.
It is an undisputable fact that this woman as rightly positioned by the nation newspaper hit the ground running on assuming office as the minister of education. A race she won by creating various positive records in our education sector and setting a landmark that our schools are identifiable with today.

BEST PRACTICE OF INTERNAL DEMOCRACY IN PERIL

 By Sani Aliyu

Bad governance in a democratic setting has its roots in the lack of coherent best practice of internal democracy at political party level. Being the leadership brewing center, the political party is foisted with the obligation of setting the pace, but where people at the helms of affairs are not democratically elected but selected, it follows therefore, that the nation’s leadership takes queue in abandoning democratic tenets in governance. This is the crux of today’s popular lamentation by the electorates.

Setting a good precedence is synonymous with good parenthood, thus, what the political party stands for is parenthood to a nation’s leadership. Therefore, garbage-in-garbage-out, exactly what we must expect given the current happening, where someone would declare that the President is with him and, not only that, the president stoops so low as to be begging Governors to support this individual. Naturally, a President is expected to play neutral, because everybody in the party belongs to his camp and there is no exemption just like a good father who is expected to administer justly amongst his children.

If today the administration of the largest party in Africa would depend on the decision (s) or want (s) of an individual or a handful of individuals as against delegate election, then it is very unfortunate and tantamount to bad leadership. A trade-by-barter form of governance would therefore be given root. Or would it be governance by blackmail? Going by the disturbing show of desperation exhibited by the so called government-favoured candidate, expressed through a show of arrogance, calling peoples’ fathers kids, then I am afraid those he refers to as kids fall in the same age bracket with the President and more so they were Mr. President contemporaries either as Governors or otherwise.  Be that as it may, with my concern as an individual championing the advocacy of sustenance of democracy in Nigeria through best practices, I find it very unethical for someone seeking the headship of an institution that has the onus of sieving quality leadership for Nigeria to condescend this low.

Taking account of the recent melodrama of this very distinguished African roundtable icon, one would but wait to ask what his desperation is for? At his age and time he should be in a better position to know that certain assertions are capable of impairing whatever vantage position one occupies.  If his easy access to Mr. President is deluding him to undermine delegates to the extent that he is calling for consensus Chairmanship, is this not a direct indication that he lacks the capacity or content to face contenders with better track records? This and many more disturbing lingering questions are begging for answers. However, from my perspective, the President would need a man with the qualities highly regarded by all, whose pedigree represents best practice of democracy, calm not loud, easily accessible by the downtrodden and has the capacity to foster peace across the regions. A highly experienced politician with high level of integrity whose words counts weight and his contribution to the party and elections are immeasurable.

The man that has youth development and empowerment as his testimonial engagement, a man whose achievement stands tall and speaks for him, a man that has the vision and share and understand Mr. President’s vision. Of course, we need a man that would harmonize the ruling party and by extension be a pacesetter for others to follow.

Let Mr. President distance himself from building acrimony and instead showcase neutrality, for even his secret support of and intention to force a particular candidate on the party, is no more a secret. Nigerians already see no good in PDP, and this notion must change. Let Mr. President allow the good practice and not corrupt practice of democracy. PDP SHOULD GO FOR THE POLLS, LET THE DELEGATES DECIDE. 

Sani Aliyu

Country Director (RDV)

Email: aliyusani@yahoo.com

Kaduna Board of Internal Revenue seals off school in Zaria

In continuation of its drive to  improve in it internally generated revenue, the Kaduna State Board of Internal Revenue yesterday sealed off the Zaria children’s school for it inability to settled it tax liability from 2009 till date which amounted to N2.3million.

In an operation led by  Ado Usman Garba the  head of  enforcement  unit of the board,  which included other  board officials, the  media and security operatives, the board sealed off the  principal’s office and the administrative block with a distrain order  in accordance with section 104 of the personal income tax liabilities ,after officials of the school failed to give out a clear cut on how they intend to settle their accumulated tax liability after various correspondence with the management.

Speaking to newsmen after the exercise the  executive chairman of the board Alhaji Ahmed  Jibril said the exercise is a continues one  and the board had no option than to sealed off the  school as the management has failed to meet up to its responsibility of settling it tax deficit despite their huge  annual generated income. He said the board intends to go round other parts of the state in it bid to improve the state internally generated revenue which will assist the government in meeting up to its promises to the people and help fast track development in the state in general. He called on those still owing the state to as a matter of urgency settle their outstanding tax liability and avoid an embarrassing situation of having their premises sealed.

T.Y Danjuma Foundation partners ACCIF to train disables

A ray of  hope recently shone on some physical  challenged  people living in Kaduna  state has the  T.Y Danjuma Foundation in collaboration with a popular NGO in  the state  the All  Children Charity Foundation (ACCIF)  has promised and finalized arrangement to train  40 most vulnerable people with disabilities in the state on various skills.

This was made known by the Team Leader of ACCIF, Barrister Mrs. Ranti B. Daudu at a media interactive session with stakeholders held at ACCIF training centre Barnawa Kaduna. In a welcome address at the well attendee session, she reinstates ACCIF commitement to assist the physically challenged people in the society and train them to be productive member of the society as well. She informed the gathering that ACCIF was organized 7 years ago as a non – government organization with the purpose of joining hands with stakeholders to promote and defend the rights of the physically challenged children and young people with disabilities such as hearing, visually impaired, physically challenged, autistic, educationally challenged, emotionally disturbed, cerebral palsy, chronic diseases, mental illness and the less privileged.

While enumerating some of the achievements of the NGO which includes the reconstruction of Kaduna State Special Education School Clinic which has over 900 specially challenged students and also commissioned a computer class room for the same school. She said the current collaboration with the T.Y Danjuma foundation was an initiative to stem the tide of the neglect of people living with disabilities who over the years have been neglected from policy issues and welfares schemes.

According to her “  it is important to note that young people living with disabilities have been relatively neglected  from policy issues and welfare schemes, they are confronted with a situation where they are discriminated in area of jobs even when they qualify, emphasis has been on  abled bodied persons, this has created a state of powerlessness, economic burden, negative societal attitude  and constant reliance on others to be their voice and survival, street begging and the female have been sexually exploited and abused.” She noted.  ACCIF, she said with support from the T.Y Danjuma foundation is to train and empower 40 most vulnerable young people living with disabilities in tailoring, computer and shoe making to enhance their capacity for self reliance.

Speaking at the occasion the representative of the Australian consulate Engr. Hermman Hulfnag, who also is a board member of ACCIF, appreciated the initiative and the qualitative skills of the Nigerian physical challenged. He advocated for a free trade shop for the disables as being practiced in Australian and promised to assist the body in whatever capacity necessary and also ensure that their finished products are adequately patronized by his consul and friends.

 In a thank you address, the state chairman of the Joint National Association of People living with Disability, Mallam  Rilwanu Mohammed Abdullahi thanked the organizers and specifically ACCIF for the humanitarian assistance it has been rendering the association over the years and called for  the setting up of a monitoring team to  monitor the progress of the training during and after the exercise.

Inside NNN

Working as a staff of one of Nigeria’s most famous newspapers, the New Nigerian  Newspapers, NNN, has been quite an experience and educative; an experience that no amount of money can ever buy nor take away from me.

 I came into the legendary  publishing house sometime early last year and I met  some group of  enthusiastic hard working men and women who to me are some of the most resilient and patient workforce I have ever come across in my  working career as a journalist. I actually found it hard to believe that some of them had spent over twenty years working for the newspaper and are still working diligently everyday.

One dominating feature of the NNN is its conspicuous gigantic structure, which to me no other newspaper house has till date, despite the fact that the structure was part of the early days of Nigerian independence. I am still marveled at the one -in -town building that houses this famous Nigerian publication.  To be honest, I am still in admiration of Mr. Charles Sharp, the hard working British man who conceptualized and built this magnificent   newspaper company. I wonder how he would feel if he were to visit the NNN today.  My view is that Mr. Sharp would definitely be a disappointed man at the way things have changed in this hitherto vibrant house.

The NNN to me is a resilient working ground where both the building and its workforce have refused to give way despite all the troubles and setback they have been encountering over the years. The structure, just like its workforce ,is still standing and pushing  not minding that those whose responsibilities it is to see to the efficient running of this northern legacy  has since  closed their eyes and ears to its plight and watch as things go further deep down. Show me anywhere else in Nigeria where staff of a government establishment are owed long months of arrears and yet the workers are still found doing their job diligently. Or which other government owed media organization has the luck to have hundreds of men and women with families and other responsibilities and still come to work every day?

 One baffling aspect of my experience in NNN is the fact that some of its staff daily comes to work from long distant part of the metropolis. We have those from Trikania, Nasarawa, Sabo, Kakuri, Barnawa in the southern part of the state, and their counterparts from Mando, Kawo, Rigachukwu, Badarawa, Malali and Tudun Wada in the northern axis of the once liberal state.  All these places are long distances that cost much transport fare and surprisingly the NNN staff still sacrifices and make it to the place of work on a daily basis. They leave their homes daily, with the hope that things might miraculously change one day.

To be honest, I am still baffled at the present situation of this hitherto vibrant newspaper company, which to me is not only an ordinary newspaper publication organization but an institution with authority in the Nigeria media history. There is no way the history of the Nigeria press will be complete without the golden name of NNN standing out at the topmost part of the list boldly. Then what really happened to NNN the publisher of the famous Gaskiya Tafi Kobo, New Nigerian daily, New Nigerian Weekly and New Nigerian on Sunday? What happened to this great establishment that has produced ministers, commissioners, professors, university chancellors, senior special assistants to presidents, governors and other topnotch government officials and heads of various private organizations across the country and beyond? What happened to this famous trustworthy house of news and its strongest weapon of truth? Are those who have benefitted from this great legacy of the Sarduana, Sir Ahmadu Bello and are still alive really listening and seeing what has happened to this unquantifiable bequest?  I am sure if the Sardauna were to have the chance to take a glimpse at this wonderful gift he left the north and Nigeria as a whole, he would definitely find it a bizarre and a big betrayal by the present leadership in the north, on whose hands rests the baton to change the present fortune of this resilient company and its equally resilient workforce and pensioners, who are still working, praying and waiting patiently for a miracle to happen and put a well deserved smiles on their faces.