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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’’.
News
Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.
He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.
Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.
Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.
“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.
“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.
The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.
“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.
He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.
In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.
“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.
He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.
He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.
The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.
Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.
Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.
Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.
The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.
He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.
“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.
“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.
“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.
“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.
“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.
Enoch Epelle
Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.
He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.
He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’
Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.
According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.
“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.
“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”
Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.
He, however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.
On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.
“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.
“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.
He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.
Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.
Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.
Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.
He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.