Nigeria Times

By Adedoyin Abayomi

Right from the era of antiquity up until the present age, records have shown that the leadership pattern of a leader is a function of the general wellbeing of the subject he leads and even the territorial integrity of the land. A prominent military juggernaut, General Norman Schwarzkopf, a man who exhibited stellar leadership qualities in the United States Army, once said, and I quote, “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States and former Army Colonel, once quoted that, “If there is not a war, you don’t get the great generals; if there is not a great occasion, you don’t get a great statesman; if Lincoln had lived in a time of peace, no one would have known his name.”
Lt. General Farouk Yahaya is a fantastic example of the above quotes. He has a humble, meek, and unassuming personality and has absolute respect for the Nigerian state and humanity in general. A passionate leader who adheres strictly to the philosophies of collectivism and idealism. Throughout his military career, he has demonstrated that he is a leader who strictly adheres to legitimacy, credibility, and moral authority and possesses a can-do attitude. He believes that the security of lives and property is a vital ingredient in any innovative and aspiring society. Lt.-General Farouk is a perfect gentleman, a game changer, who has an eagle eye for the Nigerian state. A complete compatriot who has been working diligently to defend the territorial integrity of the country. A statesman to the core. A cursory look at his antecedent in the Nigerian Army affirms that he is a man of many colors. He is a man who believes in the supremacy of God and coordinates himself in accordance with His will. Officers and men in the Nigerian Army can attest that he has no room for religious fanaticism, which is why he is loved by all. His big heart for giving and donating to those in need is obviously unrivaled.
Before being appointed as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff by President Buhari, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander of Operation HANDI KAI, whose primary mission was to combat insurgency and terrorism in the highbrow areas of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He enrolled in the prestigious Nigerian Defense Academy’s 37 Regular Course. He began his cadet training on September 27, 1985, and was commissioned into the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 22, 1990. His visionary leadership made him eligible to be appointed to the following prestigious offices: Headquarters Joint Task Force, Garrison Commander, Headquarter Guards Brigade, Deputy Director Army Research and Development, and Directing Staff at the Army Forces Command, Brigade and College (AFCSC). In other capacities, he served as Military Secretary, Principal General Staff Officer to the Honourable Minister of Defense, the commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade, and 29 Task Force (Operation Zaman Lafiya), and General Officer Commanding (GOC). 1 Division of the Nigerian Army. Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya holds a master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy.
In 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari placed a search light on the Nigerian Army to see who was absolutely qualified to oversee the activities of the Nigerian Army, especially to crackdown on the insurgency that had bedeviled the nation. The light beamed on him, and he was appointed. His antecedents spoke for him. President Buhari, having a military background, knew that Lieutenant General Farouk had the experience, charisma, and wherewithal to deliver. A lot of things were put in place immediately after he took office as Chief of Army Staff, and the record shows that the country’s security posture has taken a commendable shape today. In office, he has been known for his leadership strategy, foresight, re-invigoration, and, of course, the internal working strategy of the Nigerian Army. In spite of the daunting challenges of the present day, like kidnapping, terrorism, pipeline vandalism, farmer-herder clashes, and a host of others, the Chief of Army Staff has shown professionalism at its peak, inspiring men and officers alike to be patriotic and resolute in the defense of the nation. More often than not, he has buttressed the importance of teamwork, discipline, and focus in the field of war, and all of these have helped gallant soldiers in the fight against insurgency in the North East and other parts of the country. If you randomly sample the opinion of the general public, I am confident that the majority will attest to the fact that security of life and property has significantly improved. The lieutenant has proven to Nigerians and indeed the world that the country can be very safe and, of course, a haven for citizens and even foreigners to do their businesses. I recently traveled along the Abuja-Kaduna route and found a heavy presence of military personnel, and I asked myself this question: “Has this road not been a dead zone and no-go area in the recent past?” The journey was quite smooth. I saw commuters ply the same road and businessmen and women going about their legal business. This is happening in the administration of Lieutenant-General Farouk Yahya.
Another thing the gallant officer is known for is the healthy and symbiotic relationship he established between the Nigerian Army and other security operatives, namely, the Police, Department of State Security, Navy, Air Force, and even the community-based security outfits. The synergy that has existed among these security outfits has since brought about significant results in battling insecurity. Definitely, this officer, who wouldn’t want the labor of our heroes past to be in vain, is apparently writing his name on the sand of time, which will definitely be indelible. Military formations are equipped with modern weapons that meet international standards; officers are given better field training; and there is a visible infrastructure development drive that will invariably improve the living conditions of the gallant soldiers in the field and their families. It can be succinctly said that this officer has reorganized the military with his wealth of experience as a soldier and uncommon wisdom. The president, in his wisdom, chose this officer to pilot the affairs of the Army, and for me, this is one of the nicest decisions that has been taken in the current administration. Without mincing words, he is one of the finest in recent history.
This man of valor garnered meritorious awards like the Meritorious Service Star, Forces Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Pass Staff Course (Dagger), National Defense College Golden Jubilee Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal, Field Command of Honor, Economic Community of West African State Monitoring Group Medal, and a host of others. Now, let us analyze these prestigious awards critically, without any sentiment of any kind: it takes a man of repute and impact to get them; it takes an officer with great knowledge and who has explored to deserve them. This alone has inspired other officers and soldiers in the Nigerian Army to stay focused and make a significant impact. Leiutenant General Farouk is a hero whose image has undoubtedly launched him onto the world stage when it comes to military capacity, and generations to come will read about him and his stellar qualities of humility, doggedness, intelligence, compassion, and patriotism. On a final note, whichever way one decides to look at it, Farouk Yahaya is an accomplished man, Nigerian, and military officer. His good works will continue to speak for his children, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria, and this generation. Shannon Adler once said, ”Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has carved his name on the hearts of many Nigerians, and they will surely share fantastic stories about him. Happy Birthday to a true General.

Abayomi is a public affairs analyst based in Lagos.

…Nigerian youths asked to resist such candidates

A political organization, The National Peace Movement (NPM) has informed the public of its immediate withdrawal of support for Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi over what it described as his “blatant refusal to condemn the atrocious activities of the terrorist separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)” in the southeast region of the country.

The group is stated that it is in the public good for all other well meaning Nigerian youths to reject candidates with pro-separatist ideological thoughts.

This medium recalls that Obi became heavily linked to terrorist separatist group, IPOB, and its militia unit, Eastern Security Network, ESN after he avowed never to condemn the group despite its heinous crimes and the federal government’s proscription. The former Anambra state governor further compounded reports that he is the patron of the group when he declared that he lives with members of the terrorist separatist group.

According to the National Peace Movement in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by its National Co-Ordinator, Revd Arome Johnson, the Movement called on Nigerians youths, to stop further mobilization for the Labour Party flagbearer following his failure to weigh in on the worsening attacks on the electorates and electoral infrastructure in the southeast by IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The statement further pointed out that IPOB and ESN are also assassinating citizens that they perceived as opposed to their anticipated forceful takeover of the government at the federal level by Peter Obi, being of the same ethnic extraction as them and in pursuit of their realization of the defunct Biafra republic.

“Our movement is worried that Obi has avoided condemning IPOB/ESN’s atrocious crimes even when each successive attack makes it clearer that the terrorists/separatists are bent on jeopardizing the General Elections in his home region. Obi’s silence over this unfolding development, therefore, suggests that his anticipated pathway to the presidency does not include emergence through a popular vote, which makes him a dangerous anti-democratic force,” it stated.

“Furthermore, Obi’s campaign has done nothing to distance his candidacy from the online rants of pro-IPOB/ESN accounts Social media accounts that had run IPOB propaganda online are the ones now campaigning for Peter Obi, a clear indication that the relationship between the Labour Party candidate and the terrorists is systematic rather than random.

“We note that in addition to staying mute in the face of the threats posed to the General Elections by his kinsmen, the Labour Party presidential candidate has taken his support for the terrorists further by structuring his campaign activities in the southeast region to align with the damaging sit-at-home blockade declared by IPOB and enforced by ESN/unknown-gunmen. A confirmation of this is evident in how Peter Obi’s campaign avoided scheduling any engagement for Mondays, the day that the terrorists enforce the sit-at-home.

“Consequently, we now know that Obi has placed his ambition above the unity, safety, and corporate integrity of Nigeria, above the blood of innocent citizens being shed by IPOB/ESN across the southeast, and above successfully conducting peaceful and fair elections. We also find it alarming that Obi has in the last couple of weeks garnered endorsements from treacherous individuals that have a history of pitching Nigerians against each other along ethnic and sectarian lines, which is a red flag that he would subjugate other regions of Nigeria to the southeast,” the statement added.

The movement tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians, especially to families that have been bereaved or impacted by IPOB/ESN’s criminality in recent months, for supporting Peter Obi’s presidential bid in the last few months.

It explained that its earlier support for Obi assumed that he was the best among the lot but after realizing that he has refused to condemn IPOB/ESN’s rising criminality in the three months and has rather become sympathetic to the separatist group, it, therefore, called on other groups that believe in Nigeria to “withdraw their support for Obi and candidates seeking other posts but support separatist ideology in the country.”

The movement advised the Nigerian youth to stop further mobilization for Peter Obi as he has persistently failed to demonstrate that he can stop being a patron of separatist terrorists.

…Sues for cooperation from stakeholders

As preparations for the forthcoming national census gathers steam, the college of Bishops, Imams and Clergy Councils (CBICC) have passed a vote of confidence on the management of the National Population Commission (NPC) for its commitment to the successful conduct of the census slated later in the year.

Addressing a press conference at the Charity House Abuja on Thursday, the group General Secretary, Bishop Abel King noted with satisfaction the level of preparedness of the commission under the leadership of Alh Nasir Isa Kwara.
“Nigerians are anxiously awaiting a successful outing because the commission has demonstrated capacity to deliver on her mandate within the time frame and resources available”

“We all agree that census is a precursor to national development and Nigeria is long overdue for an accurate census which is the only way to gather reliable and accurate data for sustainable development”, the group maintained.

Giving further insights on the importance of national census to the development of the country, the clergy noted that all over the world civilization can only be possible with effective and reliable data. “It is this accurate data that attracts international donors, investors, both and local and foreign as well as help government with the distribution of resources and key infrastructure . “Without accurate data, there can be no meaningful development the group insisted.

“The forth coming census gives Nigerians the opportunity to be counted in order to fast-track development”

As clergymen with direct roots to the masses, we understand our role in creating awareness among our people to actively participate in this historic exercise so that government can have the needed statistics to offer dividends of democracy”

“The overall success of the 2023 national census exercise is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians beyond ethnicity, tribe and religion ” our involvement as clergy in creating awareness for the census among our people is a national call to duty and this forms the basis for the media briefing today” We must take back the message to our people in mosques churches, and everywhere to ensure that we get it right at the end of the exercise “

The group comprising of both Islamic and christian clerics announced a special day of prayer rally for the commission to succeed in the forthcoming census exercise” we have to come back here and pray in solidarity for a successful national census slated a few months away ” we will invite you and fellow Nigerians accordingly “

While commending president Buhari for his tremendous support to the Commission , the group noted that the census exercise will be one of Buhari’s greatest legacies bequeathed to this generation of Nigerians ” A credible census will place us on a whole new pedestal for sustainable development”

“We call on all stakeholders, media , civil society ,students , labor unions and all compatriots to join in the sensitisation of the masses in order to make the best of the exercise”.

The Patriotic Youth Front of Nigeria (PYFN) has rejected former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s imposition of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi; his preferred choice for president in next month’s election on Nigerian youths.

Recall that the ex-president in an open letter to young Nigerians on Sunday, urged the youths to vote for Peter Obi whom he described as his “mentee.”

But PYFN in a press statement issued on Monday by its President, Dr. Maxwell Ogar, said that “Obasanjo’s hands are stained with innocent blood, which makes him unfit to advise the Nigerian youth on whom to vote for president.”

The group described the former president as “a habitual rabble-rouser and the precursor of Nigeria’s ongoing challenges – socio-economic, security, and political” who is attempting to rewrite history and beatify himself “as the hero of Nigeria’s eventual triumph when in reality the former president symbolizes everything that ails our dear nation.”

It maintained that “Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi is rather a disservice to the upcoming national politician instead of being a boost because there is ample evidence that whatever this erstwhile civilian dictator lays his hands upon turns to dust. His endorsement of the OBIdient brand has consequently doomed the Peter Obi candidacy as Obasanjo’s track record of satanic evil will haunt the LP candidate’s presidential bid.”

“We find it necessary to call out former President Obasanjo for his devious double standard and attempt to scam Nigerians as to his true identity. The same Obasanjo, who ceremonially shredded his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership card as he swore off politics, has now appointed himself the Labour Party’s chief marketer. In his characteristic double-faced penchant, he has joined the political fray while masquerading as an elder statesman whereas the saying in 2 Peter 2:22 “Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud,” is true,” it stated.

Recalling the massacre of defenseless civilians in Odi, Bayelsa State, and Zaki- Biam, Benue State during Obasanjo’s regime, the group insisted that the former president’s hands are stained with innocent blood which makes him unfit to guide the Nigerian youth. It, however, noted that “Odi nor Zaki-Biam committed terrorist acts as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) with its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is doing today, yet the mass murderer Obasanjo endorsed a Peter Obi, who is a known patron of the murderous group.

“We want to draw Obasanjo’s attention to the fact that his preferred ‘mentee’ Peter Obi is an unrepentant supporter of the irredentist IPOB/ESN whose terrorists are killing innocent Nigerians daily. As someone who wants to be a Nigerian President, Obi has not for once condemned the horrendous activities of IPoB/ESN, instead, he structured his campaign schedule in the southeast to align with a damaging sit-at-home declared by the terrorists. Does Obasanjo not know that Peter Obi is an apologist and patron of Biafra agitation?

“We also wonder if Obasanjo is unaware of Peter Obi’s ethno-sectarian bigotry that saw him only favouring Catholics and his clan members as the governor of Anambra state. If Obasanjo was unaware of this ugly side of his “mentee” then he definitely cannot play the ostrich in the ugly matter of the expose in the Pandora Papers, including how Obi invested Anambra state’s money in his family business. These behaviours certainly are at variance with Nigeria that the youth are yearning for.

“Given Obi’s track record as a serial liar, whose every utterance has to be fact-checked, we now understand that these are ugly traits he picked up from Obasanjo, his mentor. With the experience of how Obasanjo gifted our commonwealth and national assets to himself, family, associates, and cronies, we reject his proxy, Peter Obi, whom he wants to complete the theft of Nigeria and the conversion of the country into a personal estate,” it added.

PYFN advised Obasanjo to first wash his hands clean of the blood of the innocent before attempting to teach the youth how to elect their leaders. “For Peter Obi, we advise that he should seek and learn from a humane mentor before returning to attempt to be Nigeria’s president as the man he currently holds as his mentor is too evil to have any electoral value.”

Some stakeholders in disaster management have rated the National Emergency Management Agency highly on interventions.

The stakeholders, under the auspices of Disaster Management Situation Room came to this conclusion after an online appraisal.

In a statement by its President Dr. Maxwell Ogar, the group said NEMA has risen to the occasion with timely, proactive and rapid responses to natural disasters.

Ogar noted that the stakeholders carried out an extensive analysis of humanitarian interventions in the country and found NEMA to have exceeded expectations.

He said the agency has shown a mindful value to life, making “sacrificial efforts to ameliorate the recent devastating effect caused by the flooding”.

Ogar recalled how NEMA aided flood victims across the country with relief materials, providing succor and support to the distressed.

He noted that the Ahmed Habib-led agency has also assisted Nigerians stranded in foreign countries to reunite with their families.

The Disaster Management Situation Room boss added that hundreds of Nigerians voluntarily returned to the country every month.

He also applauded NEMA for carrying out sensitization campaigns on disasters as well as routine training for staff in line with global best practices.

Ogar, therefore, urged the agency not to rest on its oars in handling disaster related issues through the establishment of concrete structures and measures.

Describing Habib as a patriot, with an unblemished record of integrity and accountability, he said he has ensured strict and prudent utilization of the agency’s resources to meet the needs of the common people.

The stakeholders also charged the Federal Government as well as local and foreign bodies to continue to support the NEMA.

Ogar, however, urged other agencies to follow the NEMA’s example of proper leadership, accountability, and transparency