City Crime
Disunity In Diversity
Nigeria, the world’s most populous black nation is on the edge of a precipice. She is on the brink of being a failed state, yet the leadership of this nose-diving country is very much at peace with the ugly state of affairs.
The Boko Haram insurgency which intends to create a sovereign Islamic state in the Northen Eastern part of Nigeria is wreaking unprecedented havoc in the area. Apart from the Nigerian Civil War, no other disturbance has claimed millions of lives like the Boko Haram. The simmering war against terrorism has gulped billions of naira but to no avail. The abduction of children in schools has characterised their quest for Islamic state in the Northeast. Forceful marriages, rape, decapitation, murder and a helluva of other heinous crimes are committed by the militia on a daily basis.
Some people believe that the war against terrorism in the Northeast is not likely to abate because of sabotage. Many Northern Muslims are sympathetic with the Islamic fundamentalists, who want to foist an Islamic state in the area. The countries that fall under the Lake Chad basin are largely Muslims whose interest is how to form an Islamic state within the West African sub-region cutting across countries.
On the one hand, the simmering war is fueled by the rapacious greed of the military brass hats who are supposed to prosecute the war against terrorism but have chosen to exploit the situation for filthy lucre amidst unpardonable carnage and destruction. This class of persons has no compunction in worsening the war; they are the persons in charge of purchasing weapons of war. Reports have it that many weapons of war used by Boko Haram insurgents are gotten from armoury of the Nigerian military.
International communities have traced the supply of Boko Haram weapons to the Nigerian military headed by the apologists of the insurgency.
Soldiers, especially from the Southern part of Nigeria, are often amazed at how classified information gets to the Boko Haram camp. Most times, Boko Haram insurgents are able to nip invasion or onslaught of the Nigerian military in the bud. This has often led to the killing of many patriotic Nigerian soldiers.
Northern extremists are gratified by the presence of the Islamic militia in the northeast. They want the Federal Government to negotiate with Boko Haram so that they can be settled as the Niger Delta militants have been settled.
Unfortunately, this line of reasoning goes against the grain because the Niger Delta Militants are only asking for what is justifiable. Revenue sharing formula changed to a paltry 13% of derivation merely because the country is sustained by the revenue from the southern minorities.
But before the 1st military coup in 1966, the derivation principle as entrenched in both 1960 and 1963 constitutions was 50%. Consequently, the Niger Delta people are faced with the pollution of their ecosystem in spite of the marginal benefit that accrue to them from oil exploitation. Much of oil revenue is dissipated in feeding regions that contribute nothing to (national pool) the Federation Account.
On the other hand, the Boko Haram has no reason whatsoever for their acts of terrorism. Just like the devil, who is their master, their mission is to steal, kill and destroy. The barbaric acts of terrorism have been pulsated by both internal and international condemnations. Boko Haram has been described as an offshoot of Al Queda, yet international community has shut its eyes on the horrible things happenings in Nigeria. The war crimes being committed by the Boko Haram insurgents are both hallucinating and horrifying yet international community has done nothing to checkmate the carnage.
But the truth of the matter is that a civil war is imminent judging by the current happenings today and the sheer lack of national cohesion.
Only recently, Boko Haram insurgents invaded Niger State and hoisted its flag in that area. The area in Niger state, which is under Boko Haram annexation is only two hours drive to Abuja, the country’s capital.
The Niger state Governor, who made broadcast on the issue could not hide his resentment over the Federal Government’s inability to secure the country given that security is a basic need of the nation. Many people have been displaced.
Federal Government’s complacency in the face of festering violence in the Northeast is worrisome.
In the Southeast, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who are asking for self-determination, are wreaking havoc. In Owerri, Imo State, the state police command headquarters was attacked by the militant arm of the group. Many policemen were killed by the militia.
The personal home of Imo State Governor, Mr. Hope Uzodinma was demolished by the separatist militia. Following the attack on Imo State Police Command at Owerri, the police have killed the commander of the IPOB and captured others who are making useful statements to them.
But the IPOB is not still sated; their reprisal attacks have spilled to Rivers State. Between Omagwa and Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area of River State, more than eight security agents have been killed. Two soldiers, three customs officers and three policemen were killed recently.
Another five security operatives were felled in similar circumstances at Obua in Obua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State. The separatist agitations by sundry ethnic militias underpin the fact that the sustenance of a united Nigeria is at best of a counterfeit.
For example, the Ibos have never ruled Nigeria for more than 50 years after the Nigerian civil war. They have become second class citizens in the country of their birth. The stance of denying the Igbos a shot at the presidency and sundry other deprivations have fueled the separatist agitation in Igboland.
In the southwest, the Odua People’s Congress (ODC) is inclined to self-determination. The Nigerian project is no longer beneficial to any of the regions, what appears to bind Nigeria together is the greed of the ruling class in the country despite their political leanings.
It is evident from the widespread violence, crisis, and separatist agitations that “this house has fallen.”
In debris of the fallen house will arise; Biafra, Oduduwa Republic and Islamic state of Boko Haram. This arrangement appears imminent unless the Federal Government is roused from coma. But the fate of the middle belt hangs on the balance. The choice is theirs.
By: Chidi Enyie
The Rivers state Government has urged the Federal Government to address the high rate of maternal deaths in the country.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Mekele Comfort Igwe, made the call while declaring open a four-day capacity building workshop in Port Harcourt, recently.
The workshop, which was organised by the State Ministry of Health with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was aimed at developing realistic and effective operational health plans for 2026 that will shape the state’s health budget and improve public health outcomes.
Themed “Realistic and Effective 2026 Annual Operational Plan That Informs Health Budget for the People of Rivers State,” the training brought together selected health managers across the State to enhance their capacity in evidence-based health planning under Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach.
Igwe stressed the need for the country to address the issue of maternal mortality, describing the present ranking of Nigeria as the global capital for maternal deaths as a poor assessment of the nation’s health sector.
He described the workshop as a critical step in addressing the state health challenge through strategic planning and collaborative problem solving.
“Today marks another step in our journey towards effective health planning for the people of Rivers State. This workshop builds on the foundation laid by the Master Trainers’ training held in Abuja from June 30 to July 4. We are here to cascade that knowledge to ensure more people are equipped for the tasks ahead,”she said.
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative and praised development partners for their continued support.
“I thank all our development partners for their unwavering commitment and financial support under the new funding arrangement.
“Their intervention has been crucial in helping us survive our worst health challenges,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Dozie Nwokedi, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the health sector through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nwokedi stated that the ongoing reforms are aimed at reducing physical and financial burdens on Nigerians seeking healthcare, increasing health insurance coverage, and promoting the local production of medical consumables and equipment.
“We are here to support Rivers State in strengthening the capacity of its health workforce.
“The goal is simple: save lives, reduce pain, and provide quality healthcare for all Nigerians. These reforms are built on a strategic blueprint that includes four pillars, three enablers, 27 priority initiatives, and 265 interventions,” he said.q
Also speaking at the workshop, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Juhanne Woke, explained the rationale behind holding the workshop in July, noting that it aligns with the national health planning framework.
“This program is a vital part of preparing for the 2026 health sector budget. By Quarter 3 of each year, we are expected to begin planning using data and evidence generated within the current year,” Dr. Woke said.
She called on participants not to lose faith in the system despite past frustrations.
“I know some of us may be weary with the thought of ‘same old garbage in, garbage out.’ But I urge you to believe that meaningful change starts small. Let us all pull in one direction towards better health outcomes,” she added.
John Bibor
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned against the practice of scooping fuel from accidented tankers, noting it has led to the loss of many lives and property.
The agency’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, Mr Kadiri Olanrewaju, cautioned during a sensitisation programme on tanker fire accidents, held on Wednesday at Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) in Akinyele LGA and other stakeholders.
Olanrewaju said Akinyele LGA was selected for the awareness campaign because of its strategic location as a trailer route from the northern to the southern part of the country.
“These agencies felt that it was necessary to bring this important message to critical stakeholders in communities under the Akinyele LGA, where we have major trailer parks.
“The campaign kick-started in Ogun; we will soon move to Osun.
“The focus is to drive strong sensitisation against the scooping of fuel at the grassroots level, especially for local governments along the trailer routes to reduce needless loss of lives and property,” he said.
He charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to enforce the laws against underage driving and ensure the proper certification and retraining of drivers.
The Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, said that Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in the campaign to reach a larger number of people.
Busari noted that people still scoop fuel from accidented tankers because there had not been any serious punishment attached to the offence.
She, therefore, called for stiff penalties for anyone caught perpetrating the act.
“Apart from the risk of fire outbreak that may occur during the practice, it is stealing, which is a serious offence,” she said.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested that fuel transportation should be handled through the rail system, while leaving tankers for intra-city fuel transportation.
The chairman called for an urgent review of laws and policies related to fire services and road safety to meet the urgent and modern demands.
He said that the implementation of stricter fuel transportation regulations, vehicle maintenance, drivers’ training and retraining, and safer fuel handling practices remained crucial to the fuel distribution system in Nigeria.
“The attendant costs of tanker fire accidents have been huge, both in terms of the high number of fatalities and the loss or destruction of property, environmental damage, and public infrastructure,” he said.
NAN reports that the event featured technical sessions, lectures, and presentations from the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, traditional and market leaders, among others.
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