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High Above Its Owners …Rise, Invisibility Of Boko Haram
The seed of terror by its nature, is watered by a range of factors, some of which include, tacit support and or subservience of the community, patronage of influential people to oil their selfish ends and above all, weakness of the state’s intelligence-gathering capacity. Perhaps, the most dangerous of all others is the now perceived connivance of fifth columnists within the ranks of Security Agencies, naturally depended upon to check the menace.
At the beginning of what is today known as Boko Haram, while the state described its flock as a bunch of misinformed and irrational miscreants, the immediate community obliged them tacit support, either out of fear or conviction. That was perhaps, why no known protest was staged against its activities.
Part of the reasons for its immediate acceptance was rooted in its messages: To Islamise the Northern part of Nigeria and if possible the whole country, to abolish Western education which in their view, does not only guarantee brighter fortunes for Moslems, but prevents the girl child from getting married while still a virgin, and finally, that such insurgency would attract National attention to parts of the North and thus arm-twist the central government into appropriating huge resources towards addressing their fluctuating fortunes, as did for the Niger Delta.
There was also the selfish political class, who hoped to benefit from the insurgency and thus donated handsomely to the group, the agenda of the class being: to restore political power to the North and also seek and win tickets into plum political seats without much challenge.
But like all monsters often groomed by man, Boko Haram became an international terror group too awesome to be controlled by their original sponsors. And because such sponsors are faceless and would wish to remain so, their patronage became inconsistent, being watched by security agencies.
This perhaps accounts for why from its initial modus operandi of attacking Christian places of worship ‘infidels’ and schools the group expanded its targets to include attacks on motor parks, markets, media houses and even traditional rulers who seem non-supportive of their campaign.
It was no secret that apart from occasional bank robberies, Boko Haram benefited from contributions from highly placed Northern politicians for their protection while many others made various contributions, at one point or another, for self-relevance.
While these were on, the local and state governments on ground looked the other way, even if council chairmen and governors are chief security officers of their various areas and states for which they enjoy security votes that are never accounted for.
Perhaps, if the national security forces’ intelligence – gathering capacity had been what it should be, Boko Haram would have been checked during the Obasanjo Presidency, when it started rearing its head.
Added to this, is the protracted lack of political will on the part of the Jonathan presidency to confront the ménace as it should. The declaration of a state of emergency with a governor and other politicians in place clearly under-estimated the resolve of Boko Haram to make parts of Nigeria ungovernable.
If the Governors of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa were competent to tackle the menace, there should not have been a need for state of emergency in the first place. Who do military commanders take instructions from? Of course, their generals and the Commander-in-Chief. So, what is the role of a civilian governor in times of war? No meaningful development can take place in a clime of unabated bloodletting and carnage, so what are civilian governors doing, keeping their jobs?
This is why the Federal government must take the blame for all attacks during the period of the declaration of state of emergency, rightly or wrongly.
At normal times; the kidnap of more than 200 Chibok school girls from a school in a local government area, within a state should not have been blamed on Federal forces. But with the state of emergency, it is indeed a federal government responsibility, hence the campaign ‘bring back our girls; the sincerity or otherwise of the campaigners, notwithstanding.
My Agony is that up till now, the Federal government is unable to make public the list of Boko Haram sponsors which many Nigerians believe, the Presidency should have.
The Federal Government has honoured 12 teachers from across the country with national awards, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the education sector through improved welfare, incentives, and professional development for teachers.
The awards were presented yesterday at the Nigeria Teachers’ Summit 2026, held in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the government would sustain reforms aimed at empowering teachers and restoring dignity to the profession.
Alausa explained that the selection process was transparent and merit-based, with three teachers nominated from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory at both the basic and senior secondary school levels.
From the pool of nominees, 12 teachers; six from basic education and six from senior secondary education, emerged as national award recipients.
Each of the 12 awardees received a cheque of N25m.
The Overall Best Teacher of the Year, Solanke Taiwo from the South-West category, received an additional N25m, bringing his total prize to N50m.
In addition to the cash prize, Taiwo is to receive a brand new car from the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, as well as a fully furnished two-bedroom flat from the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Also, the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, pledged to give each of the award winners an additional N5 million.
The minister described the awardees as exemplifying professionalism, integrity, innovation and dedication to learners, noting that they represent the best of the teaching profession in the country.
“This is more than a reward. It is a national signal that teaching is a noble, respected, and valued profession in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking at the summit themed ‘Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability,’ the minister said the recognition of the teachers reflected the FG’s broader education reform agenda under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Teachers are the foundation of education, and education is the foundation of national development. No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
“No reform, no matter how well designed, can succeed unless teachers are empowered, motivated, supported, and respected,” Alausa said.
He pledged that the government would continue to invest in teachers through structured training, improved career pathways and fair rewards, noting that education remained central to national development.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, he said, “sustainable development, economic growth, innovation, and social cohesion depend on a strong and responsive education system and that system depends on teachers.”
As part of this commitment, the minister announced the launch of EduRevamp, a nationally coordinated Continuous Professional Development programme designed to modernise teacher training and improve classroom outcomes.
While the programme is open to teachers in both public and private schools, Alausa said performance-based incentives would be reserved for public school teachers who complete certified training.
“Professional growth must never be restricted. Every teacher deserves access to quality training, modern tools, and updated skills,” he said, adding that incentives would be tied to measurable performance.
He also highlighted complementary initiatives, including the Ignite digital platform to reduce teacher workload, the Diaspora Bridge programme to strengthen STEMM education, and the provision of 60,000 tablets for teachers with zero-data access to approved training platforms.
The minister further announced reforms to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria’s digital platform, the expansion of Communities of Practice, and progress on the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme aimed at fast-tracking professionalisation for in-service teachers.
To provide long-term stability, he said the government had introduced a National Teacher Policy to guide teacher development, welfare and professional standards nationwide.
Addressing the award recipients and other educators at the summit, Alausa described the government’s message as “professional growth, dignity in service, and renewed hope,” urging stakeholders to focus on tangible outcomes in classrooms across the country.
In her welcoming remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, underscored the central role of teachers in Nigeria’s education reform agenda.
Ahmad said the gathering was both timely and strategic, noting that the quality of any education system is inseparable from the quality, motivation and empowerment of its teachers.
She explained that the theme aligns directly with Nigeria’s current education priorities.
According to her, investing in teachers is the bedrock of sustainable reform and national development.
“Empowering teachers is not an isolated intervention; it is the foundation upon which sustainable education reform is built.
“When teachers are supported, trained, motivated, and valued, the entire system is strengthened, learning outcomes improved, equity expands, and national development is accelerated,” she said.
Describing the summit as a strategic national platform, Ahmad said it was designed to unite key stakeholders to address challenges in the education sector and advance practical reforms.
She noted that the forum brings together teachers, policymakers, education leaders, regulators, unions, development partners and private sector actors to strengthen teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Audi Amba, described the summit as a historic milestone in the recognition of teachers’ roles in national development.
Nigeria’s education sector has continued to grapple with longstanding challenges, particularly around teacher welfare, access to regular professional development, classroom capacity and infrastructure.
These issues have raised concerns among stakeholders about the quality of teaching and learning in many public schools. At the same time, industrial actions by education unions in recent years have further highlighted the pressures facing educators nationwide.
The Rivers State Government has declared that it draws its confidence from the assurance that God is more than sufficient to guide its leaders, strengthen its institutions, and sustain its communities in peace and progress.
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?Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, made this declaration during the 2026 Holy Ghost Rally organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
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?Speaking through his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the governor stated that “with the Almighty God on our side, our challenges are surmountable and our future remains hopeful,” noting that the theme of this year’s rally, “The All-Sufficient God,” is both timely and reassuring.
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This was contained in a statement from the office of the Deputy Governor, signed by the Head of Press, ?Owupele Benebo.
?According to Fubara, the theme serves as a powerful reminder that in a world filled with uncertainty, God remains our unfailing source, sufficient in wisdom, strength, provision, and grace.
He stressed that when human ability reaches its limit, God’s sufficiency prevails.
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?The governor commended the Redeemed Christian Church of God for its consistent spiritual impact and unwavering prayers for Rivers State and the nation, expressing appreciation for the Church’s contributions to promoting moral values, unity, and faith in God.
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?In his sermon, drawn from Genesis 17:1, the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, described the Almighty God, whose name is above every other name, as all-sufficient and capable of meeting every human need.
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?He noted that the God who created all things also has the power to repair and restore them.
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?Adeboye explained that while human effort, including medical intervention, may reach its limits, there comes a point where only God steps in to turn situations around, bringing hope where none seemed possible.
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?In his address, the Pastor in charge of the Rivers Family of the RCCG, Pastor Adesoji Oni, stated that the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally, which began in 2015 and has now become an annual event, has been a tremendous blessing to the people of the State.
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Adesoji noted that the rally has drawn thousands of souls to God while impacting lives spiritually and physically.
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?He further disclosed that the Church has gone beyond preaching the gospel to actively engage in impactful initiatives through its Christian Social Responsibility programmes.
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?These include skills acquisition centres, maternity centres across the State, a rehabilitation centre for persons battling substance abuse, and an Innovative Mind Hub.
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