News
Restructure Security System, US Tells Jonathan
President Goodluck
Jonathan may have to redesign the office of the National Security
Adviser in the Presidency in the fight against Boko Haram, in line with new
suggestions for a clearing house for intelligence gathering against terrorism
being proposed by the US government.
Sources in the United States said the Secretary of State,
Hillary Clinton, left her meeting with Jonathan
at Aso Rock content that the Boko Haram menace could be defeated in
Nigeria if the government took advantage of new tools and ideas put on the
table by the US government.
Specifically, the US government, during the Clinton-Jonathan
meeting, asked the FG to create a central office in the Presidency that would
combine all intelligence units just like the US government did after the
September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Again, after the December 2009 Abdulmutallab’s failed US
jetliner attack, the Barrack Obama administration further consolidated American
government’s counter terrorist attack.
Sources said it is the same model that the Americans are now
suggesting that the Federal Government adopts; and, already, it is believed
that President Jonathan is very receptive to the idea.
Recall that the US government had explained to the Federal
Government that, if by the end of this year, the Boko Haram problem had not
been contained, the US State Department would proceed to designate the entire
sect, a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), a decision the Nigerian Embassy
in the US is strongly opposed to.
But the offer of new assistance by Clinton on Thursday on
how to deal with problem is seen as an expression of the US government
readiness to work with Nigeria on the proactive side in dealing with the terror
group, and a last ditch effort before designating Boko Haram an FTO, as the
Republican-controlled Congress is pressurising it to do.
The Tide recalls an Associated Press report, over the
weekend, which said the US Secretary of State had asked President Jonathan to
“create an ‘intelligence fusion cell’ that would combine information from the
military, spy services, police and other federal, state and local agencies.”
When the US first adopted a similar strategy after the 2001
attacks, then US President George W. Bush had to name a new National Director
of Intelligence (NDI), who then became responsible for combining all the
several US government intelligence-based outfits, including CIA, FBI, Military
Intelligence and many others.
The NDI is the one that briefs the American president on a
daily basis on all matters of intelligence gathering.
In addition to that office, which still exists in the US
government, the White House also has a presidential adviser on
counter-terrorism, who advises the president directly on matters of the fight
against terrorism.
But it was not clear whether President Jonathan, in
accepting the idea, will appoint people to similar positions, considering that,
in the current model of the Nigerian Presidency, the National Security Adviser
(NSA) is seen as the clearing house for all security matters.
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.
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