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We ’ll Win War Against Boko Haram, Buhari Assures
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured members of the Bring Back Our Girls (#BBOG) group that a Multinational Task Force has outline strategies and tactics to win the war against Boko Haram.
Buhari, who met with the group in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the multinational task force put in place by Nigeria and its neighbouring countries would begin operation at the end of July.
“Strategy and tactics have been drawn, multinational task force has been put in place – more or less – with headquarters in N’djamena with a Nigerian General as the Commander and then the troops dedicated by each of the country are to be put in place by the end of the Month.
“And Nigeria, I assure you, will do its best, because we, as I said, are the battle ground and I will help our neighbours.
“It is paradoxical what the Nigerian military has achieved from Burma to Zaire to Liberia to Sierra Leone to Southern Sudan. But, now Nigeria has to be helped by Niger, Chad and Cameroun. How the mighty have fallen.“
The President praised members of the group for their steadfastness and seriousness in carrying out their activities and said that his administration would never disrupt their ongoing agitation for the release of the Chibok girls.
He also assured that observations and criticisms directed at his administration would be accommodated.
“We will do our best to restore the respectability of our country and its institutions.
“And with you, your steadfastness, and your seriousness we will allow you to do whatever you can do.
“We will accommodate all your observations, especially the negative ones, about the performance of the government and its agencies.
“I thank you very much, madam, for your aggression and your leadership. I assure you I will continue to do my best.“
Buhari described as unfortunate the conflicting reports from security agencies and the immediate past Federal Government concerning the abducted girls, saying that they portrayed the government and its agencies in “very bad light“ both nationally and to the international community.
“It’s unfortunate that the security and Federal Government conflicting report initially presented the government and it’s agencies in a very bad light, both nationally and internationally, because the law enforcement agencies and the government were conflicting each other sometimes within hours or within weeks, that is not very impressive, “ he said.
While applauding the comprehensive presentations of the leaderships of the #BBOG and the Chibok community, the President pledged to look into the various demands of the two groups.
He said: “I thank the leader of Chibok Community for the articulated priorities he has drawn about welfare of the families, the communities and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
“I think government should provide these infrastructures as a matter of right.“
Earlier, the Coordinator of the #BBOG, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, demanded public apology from the Federal Government for its failure to provide adequate security that led to the abduction of the Chibok girls.
According to her, government should also apologise for its failure to rescue the girls for over 450 days.
She urged the Federal Government to spare no resources in urgently rescuing the 219 Chibok girls as promised by the government at various times.
“Our Federal Government has the constitutional duty to give justice to our #ChibokGirls by ensuring their immediate rescue.
“The rescue of our #ChibokGirls will amount to the strongest statement that our government has respect for the sanctity and dignity of every Nigerian life,“ she added.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria is close to ending attacks from Boko Haram in spite of recent attacks by the group in some parts of the North, a statement said in Abuja on Wednesday.
The statement was issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
It said the president made the statement while conveying his sincere and heartfelt condolences to all Nigerians who lost relations in the latest terrorist attacks in Jos, Kano, and Zaria.
“The president is convinced that with recent increases in troops’ deployment, improvements in the supply of arms and equipment to the military, as well as the ongoing effort to mobilise greater international cooperation and support, the end of Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria is in sight.
“He calls on Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to security agents as his administration continues to give the highest priority possible to eradicating Boko Haram and ensuring greater security of lives and property across the country,’’ the statement added.
According to the statement, Buhari joins the relations in mourning their loved ones brutally murdered in the suicide bombings and attacks which have also caused horrifying injuries to others.
The president urged Nigerians not to be disheartened by the seeming resurgence of terrorist attacks and atrocities in the country as his administration remained fully committed to overcoming the challenges of insecurity, terrorism and insurgency as quickly as possible.
He noted that already, the intensified onslaught by the military on terrorists’ strongholds had led to significant seizures of weapons and vehicles, a blockage of their sources of arms and ammunition and a decimation of their fighting men.
Buhari assured Nigerians of the ability and readiness of the armed forces and security agencies to contain the“ frantic resort by the terrorists to attacks on soft targets, such as crowds and places of worship’’.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi