News
Military Power Alone Cannot Defeat Terrorism – US
R-L. Former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose R. Zapatero, Special United Nations Envoy, Mohamed Ibn Chamber, former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles, former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, MP, House of Commons, Eric Joyce, former Prime Minister of France, Francois Charles Fillon, former President of Poland, Lech Walesa and Consul General, People Republic of China, during the Energy Evironment and Investment Forum in Port Harcourt, recently.
The United States of America has said that it wants Nigeria to win the war against terrorism in the North-Eastern part of the country and other areas where Boko Haram is disrupting the socio-economic life of the citizens.
It stated that defeating terrorism required more than just military power, noting that it entails protecting civilian populations despite terrorists’ disregard for human life in their campaign to wage war on the state, working to develop impoverished areas where extremism takes root, and making education accessible to all.
The US also insisted that winning the war against terrorism required empowering a free and fair press to report openly and without fear of reprisal, among other things.
Speaking at the 238th Independence Day anniversary of the US in Abuja on Friday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, described Nigeria as America’s long term partner, adding that the US will continue to support Nigeria to succeed against insurgency and insecurity.
He said, “Defeating terrorism required more than just military power. It requires protecting civilian populations despite terrorists’ disregard for human life in their campaign to wage war on the state; It requires working to develop impoverished areas where extremism takes root.
“It requires ensuring that education is accessible to all, it requires empowering a free and fair press to report openly and without fear of reprisal. And, perhaps most importantly, it requires engaging the growing youth populations that are being swayed towards extremism due to lack of economic opportunities, education, and trust in government.”
The envoy explained that security partnership was at the forefront of its assistance to Nigeria against the backdrop of the recent spate of kidnappings, bombings, and other despicable acts of terrorism by Boko Haram.
Speaking further, he averred that winning the war against terrorism required a comprehensive, “whole-of-government approach and the work we’re doing with the Nigerian government and people addresses all of these needs.”
He said, “Let me be clear, we want Nigeria to win its war on terrorism. And we are here to support you in that effort. It may seem that we suddenly sprang to Nigeria’s aid in the wake of the Chibok kidnappings, but the truth is we’ve been providing support for a long time. You’re our partners, and we’re going to continue this journey together.
“As we stand with Nigeria on its democratic journey, I want to make it clear that the assistance that we have offered over the years is in the same spirit as that offered to us by other nations as we began our democratic journey.
“You have many friends and partners who want Nigeria to succeed, and the United States stands at the front of that line.”
He added that his country was deeply committed to helping Nigeria ensure that elections, particularly the national ones in 2015, are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.
According to him, the Ekiti elections were an excellent example of what happens when all players, the government, citizens, security forces, and political parties commit to ensuring respect for the electoral process and for one another.
The ambassador expressed optimism about the unity of Nigeria, saying he was struck by the fact that what united Nigerians was more than what separates them, adding that every citizen wanted to participate in a strong, active democracy, they all want better roads, better schools, and more access to basic services like clean water and electricity, as well as more economic opportunity for themselves and their families.
Entwistle identified the role of partnership in improving democracy stressing that the democratic experiment in the United States would not have been possible without the influence and support of its international partners.
He said when America’s Founding Fathers authored their Declaration of Independence, they were inspired by British and French philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Charles Montesquieu with the building blocks of their democracy derived from the thoughts of individuals from other nations.
“As our fledgling democracy grew, we relied on security assistance from a number of international partners. As time went on, our democratic ideals began to inspire the rest of the world. Through diplomacy and cultural exchanges, an idea took root that changed human history,” Entwistle said.
He added that the idea that humans are all created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, combined with the belief that governments derived their authority from the consent of the governed, became a source of inspiration to the world.
The envoy also pointed out that the US did not get to where it is by itself but took international partnership, diplomacy, an effective military, and government representatives who responsibly exercised their power to develop and improve their democracy with some coming from within the character of the American people while some came as inspiration or direct support from their partners.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.