News
FG Needs Mercenaries To Win Insurgency War, NEGF Insists
The Chairman of the North-East Governors Forum (NEGF), Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has declared that for Nigeria to win the war against insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, particularly abduction of school children across the country, the Federal Government must as a matter of necessity seek the support of mercenaries.
This is as Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said that public opinion at the moment is that government has failed, stressing that the over centralization of the security arrangement in the country is an obsolete school.
Zulum said that his recommendation is to enable the government win the terror war considering the fact that the country’s military might is not enough to fight the terrorists to submission.
This was just as he advised that as a matter of urgency, government should convert all boarding schools in the North to day schools in the face of incessant abductions of the students due to lack of adequate security in the schools as demonstrated in the Katsina, Niger and Zamfara mass abduction of students.
Zulum, who stated these at the opening ceremony of 4th meeting of the North-East Governors Forum in Bauchi, noted that it is clear that the country is fighting a war it cannot win alone and lamented the devastating effects of insurgency in Borno State which he noted is the theatre of the war.
He said, “It is regrettable that for seven weeks now, the entire Borno State has been cut off from the national grid of electricity power supply due to the damage done to the main line of supply to the area”.
He therefore called for action by the government at all levels, particularly the North-East sub-region which is mostly affected by terrorism, adding that the current escalation of deadly attacks by terrorists and the various causes of actions being pursued to fight insurgents has some limitations in terms of the expected impact, hence the need for a new set of pragmatic and result oriented initiative.
Zulum further said, “The government should also seek for support from neighbouring countries such as the Republic of Chad, Cameron and Niger with a view to providing a joint action that will look into the possibility of ending this crisis.
“Federal government has to look into the possibility of involving machineries with a view to ending this insurgency because it seems that the commitment is not there. Therefore, for us to end this insurgency we must be committed enough, we must bring in external support to ensure that machineries are hired to end this insurgency.
“On our part, in addition to the logistic and financial support we are rendering to the armed forces in their fight against general insecurity in the sub-region, we should also look into the possibility of forming a security outfit within the ambit of constitutional precedent and operational feasibility as has been done in other parts of the country,” he advised.
Zulum also advised the new service chiefs to device new strategies to counter the attacks of insurgency and forestall any future acts of terrorism in the North-East.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State as the host, stressed the need to stand up and fight the insurgency war with all vigour.
Mohammed said that insurgents when defeated will not be able to regroup again which will ensure the return of peace to the sub-region”.
In his words, “Our fight against insurgency must be total because by the time Maiduguri is subdued, then we are not safe here too. Security infrastructure must be put in place to be able to fight this war considering the sophistication of the terrorists.
“We will not just sit down and watch terrorists overrun us. We must stand up to fight them, chase them away and ensure that our areas are well secured. We must do everything possible to protect our people from the terrorists.
“If we must be honest, the public opinion at the moment is that we have failed. Many of our people have resorted to self-help in order to get away from this despondency. We must accept the fact that the over centralization of the security arrangement is an obsolete school,” he stressed.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Opinion2 days ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News2 days agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
City Crime2 days agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands
-
News2 days ago“PenCom Raises Capital Requirement For PFAs To N20b …Sets December 2026 Deadline
-
Sports2 days agoEzeji Urge NFF To Investigate Igenewari George’s death
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
D’Gov Hails Amananaowei-Elect, Ogboloma Chiefs Council …Wants Accountability, Transparency In Traditional Administration
-
Sports2 days agoGroup Plan To Discover Africa next football stars
-
News2 days agoMake in Nigeria conferences and Exhibitions; PHCCIMA, others laud organisers for boosting SMES