Soludo: Anambra group denounces Peter Obi, demands refund of stolen treasury

The Anambra Concerned Citizens (ACC) has distanced itself from the presidential aspiration of former Governor, Peter Obi.

The group said, fresh revelations made by incumbent Governor, Charles Soludo, confirmed that the Labour Party candidate defrauded the state to assuage his ego and greed.

In a statement co-signed by its president, Mazi Chijioke Ude and secretary-general, Dr Andrew Young, the group further said Obi’s supposed investments aren’t just a scam but stolen funds used to shore up his family business.

“Professor Soludo properly exposed how Mr. Obi impoverished Anambra people while parading himself as the best thing that has ever happened to the state. The incumbent Anambra State Governor’s explanation has now made us know that the so-called investment Mr. Obi purported to have made is worth next to nothing, which implies that the Labour Party presidential candidate defrauded the state to assuage his ego and greed,” the statement said.

“Being a renowned economist, who has had the benefit of managing Nigeria’s monetary policy as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Soludo is in the best position to analyze the shady investment that Mr. Obi made. It is tragic that in addition to being scammed, the investments translated into the Labour Party presidential candidate using Anambra State funds to shore up his family business. The funds Mr. Obi claimed he saved were yielding interest into his personal and family accounts.

“We, therefore, agree with the Anambra State government that the money Mr. Obi poured into his family business should have gone into stimulating the economy for the benefit of citizens. We could imagine if the funds went into building infrastructure that supports businesses and provides employment like rail, roads and industrial parks that would have stimulated the economy.

“Anambra Concerned Citizens hail Professor Soludo for his boldness to speak out on the purported achievements of Mr. Peter Obi at a time when the latter has turned himself into a demagogue that bristles at criticism. Professor Soludo has proven that he is nationalistic to the point of exposing Mr. Obi at a time when political and ethnic correctness has forced people to ignore the lies of this failing presidential candidate.

“We warn Mr. Obi and his supporters that Anambra Concerned Citizens will not hesitate to expose him if he dares to utter any further words on the exposure of how he defrauded the state. We issue this warning knowing that he has been relying on his lynch mob that he calls his supporters for intimidating and silencing those that dare expose his fraudulent rule in Anambra state”.

The Anambra Concerned Citizens, therefore, denounced Obi, adding those who currently support him are on their own and risk the same fate as Anambra.

The group, however, demanded a refund of state funds “fraudulently cornered into his pocket under the guise of savings or investment failing which we shall initiate steps to compel him to”.

The statement added: “He must as a matter of honour, if he is capable of such, halt his presidential campaign until he can refund what he took from the state through the failed investment and saving. It is in Mr. Obi’s interest to comply with our demand before continuing with his failed presidential bid as we will not relent in exposing him as the con artist that he is.”

Evaluating NEDC’s efforts in flood response

By Nkechi Odoma

The impact of flooding in communities in Yobe and Adamawa states in North East Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. People were displaced, and farmland was submerged in what could be regarded as one of the worst floodings in North East Nigeria.

This is a trying time for communities that have experienced the effect of the Boko Haram insurgency for several years. Now that life is beginning to return to normal, the floods came in torrents, displacing many and with the potential to cause a humanitarian crisis, but for the swift intervention of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

It is a statement of fact that since the establishment of the NEDC, among other things, to receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federal Account and international donors for the settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy level, ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the North-East states. The NEDC has so far lived up to expectations in fulfilling this mandate.

The various intervention of the NEDC in North East Nigeria has been noteworthy. The flooding in Yobe state and other parts of North East Nigeria provides us with that where the NEDC has been relentless in ensuring that life returns to normal in the region. I marvelled at the response rate of the NEDC in this regard.

It is on record that disaster victims were identified with swift and relief materials distributed to mitigate the effect of the flooding in affected communities. This is a plus for an interventionist agency working round the clock to rebuild the region to bring about a return to normalcy after the devastating effect of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Those of us in the know of the efforts of the NEDC would attest to the fact that its various activities have been notable in the North East region. This is where I rate the agency’s leadership highly concerning understanding what matters most in affected communities and the urgency with which laudable policies and programmes are implemented.

Another strong point of the NEDC is its seamless collaborations with the various state governments in North East. This is strategic and little wonder the many gains recorded so far. Also, the emphasis on timly and effective interventions, especially in crises, indicates that the agency is alive to its responsibilities.

If the tempo is sustained, humanitarian crisis will be averted promptly. I commend the leadership of the NEDC for this laudable drive, as in the case of Yobe state and other states in North East. And the commendation has not been in short supply from stakeholders, members of affected communities, and development partners.

For example, The Good Governance Watch in Africa recently applauded the North East Development Commission over its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the sub-region. It also commended the 10-year North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP), adding that it will facilitate transformative growth and further lift citizens in the sub-region out of poverty.

Similarly, The North East Peace Foundation commended the North East Development Commission for its laudable intervention initiatives introduced in the region. According to the group, the Commission’s impact has been visible in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency, as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological problems and any other related environmental or development challenges. It emphasized that the NEDC has shown the capacity to undertake humanitarian activities with its record of excellent service delivery.

The testimonies for the efforts of the NEDC have been that of an outpouring of appreciation for an agency that, in record time, has impacted positively in North East Nigeria. This again brings to the fore the leadership question and how sound leadership could guarantee sustainable growth and development in the country.

The NEDC example is worthy for other interventionist agencies in the country to emulate. It has entrenched transparency and accountability in its operations by giving a good account of its utilization of funds for developmental projects, which indicates an agency that means business.

The Mohammed Goni Alkali-led management team at the NEDC deserves commendation for hitting the ground running through the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address the socio-economic challenges in North East Nigeria occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency.

It must be noted that, indeed, other communities outside Yobe state were affected by flooding and the NEDC response in this regard ensured that those affected were adequately taken care of through the prompt provision of search and rescue operations and the delivery of relief materials, and the provision of shelter to those displaced.

This is NEDC at work in North East Nigeria, and the cheering news is that it has continually elicited support from host communities who are ever appreciative of their efforts towards addressing the myriad of challenges in the region.

There is no doubt that the NEDC is one of the best interventionist agencies in the country. It has redefined the concept of addressing challenges occasioned by conflict and disasters. We must admit this was brought about by the provision of sound leadership by Mohammed Goni Alkali and his management team.

The NEDC intervention in the flooding in parts of North East is the tip of the iceberg compared to other areas the agency has been involved in North East Nigeria. I salute this rare feat and wish to encourage the NEDC not to rest on its oars. I also encourage other government agencies to emulate the NEDC example in service delivery.

Odoma is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

China-Indonesia win-win cooperation to yield fruits of long-term common development


By Li Qiang, People’s Daily
Veiled in drizzle, the Tegalluar station in Bandung, Indonesia’s West Java province, saw the first bullet train of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway (HSR) pull into itself a few days ago.
Several young men were livestreaming this moment outside the construction site. Apart from construction workers, these video content makers were the busiest people in the recent days.
Eko Azza was one of them. He started recording the construction progress of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR six months ago, and has so far uploaded over 380 relevant videos, with the most popular one receiving nearly a million views.
His videos clearly present the development of the major engineering project – the erection of piers, box girders being hoisted, the pavement of crossties and rail tracks …
These videos earned Azza a huge number of followers. There are people waiting for him to update and leaving comments on his page every day.
The Jakarta-Bandung HSR is the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia. It has attracted huge attention from the Indonesian people and become one of the hottest topics on Indonesia’s social media platforms.
Painted in silver and red on the outside with the abstract pattern of Komodo dragon, the heaviest lizard species on Earth and a treasure of Indonesia, the carriages of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR are nicknamed “Red Komodo” on the internet.
Many Indonesian internet users have left comments on Azza’s page, saying they are proud that the first “Red Komodo”HSR of Southeast Asia is in Indonesia and they can’t wait to board it.
Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. The heated discussion over the “Red Komodo” fully mirrors the profound significance of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR. The railway not only shortens the trip between Jakarta and Bandung, but also brings closer the Chinese and Indonesian peoples. It reflects the strong appeal and cohesion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China seeks not only its own development, and the BRI aims to achieve development that brings win-win outcomes to all countries that are willing to cooperate with China and finally realize harmony for the entire humanity.
It was during a state visit to Indonesia in 2013 that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The two countries jointly promoted synergy between China’s BRI and Indonesia’s “Global Maritime Fulcrum” Vision, pushed forward major cooperation projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the “Two Countries, Twin Parks.” Together, they have set a good example of major developing countries seeking to strengthen themselves through win-win cooperation.
From the China-Laos Railway to the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, from the Port of Piraeus to the Haifa Port, and from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to the China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, the BRI has brought tangible benefits to participating countries over the past nine years and become a popular global public good.
Now, “Red Komodos” are standing by to welcome Indonesian passengers. This high-speed railway of win-win cooperation and long-term stability signifies the friendship between China and Indonesia. The two peoples will keep working together to build a more prosperous future.

Head-of-state diplomacy charts course ahead for China-U.S. relations

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 14, local time.

The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional issues.

They highlighted the global significance of China-U.S. relations. Both stressed the importance of working out the guiding principles for China-U.S. relations. Both expressed the hope to put bilateral relations back on a steady and upward trajectory. They agreed to strengthen communication and exchanges, and advance practical cooperation. This has charted the course ahead for China-U.S. relations.

Head-of-state diplomacy is the compass and anchor of China-U.S. relations, and it plays an irreplaceable strategic role in guiding the growth of the relationship.

The meeting was very important. It featured three “firsts” for the two leaders – the first face-to-face meeting between Xi and his U.S. counterpart over the past three years, their first face-to-face summit since President Biden took office, and their first interaction after China and the U.S. completed their respective major domestic agendas this year. It was closely watched by the international community.

Their exchanges were comprehensive, profound, and candid, as well as constructive and of strategic importance. The meeting covered the most important aspects of the bilateral relations and the most pressing regional and global issues at the moment.

It has achieved the intended purpose of having in-depth communication, clarifying intentions, making clear where the red lines are, preventing conflicts, setting the direction, and exploring cooperation.

As two major countries, China and the U.S. should enhance their sense of responsibility when handling their relationship, which helps prevent China-U.S. relations from getting derailed or out of control and helps the two countries play their due roles in coping with global challenges.

The world is at a major inflection point in history. Countries need to both tackle unprecedented challenges and seize unprecedented opportunities. This is the larger context in which China and the U.S. should view and handle their relations.

Xi stressed that China and the U.S. need to have a sense of responsibility for history, for the world and for the people, explore the right way to get along with each other in the new era, put the relationship on the right course, and bring it back to the track of healthy and stable growth tothe benefit of the two countries and the world as a whole.

Biden said the U.S. and China have a shared responsibility to show the world that they can manage their differences, and avoid and prevent misunderstandings and misperceptions or fierce competition from veering into confrontation or conflict.

Both the history and reality of China-U.S. relations show that forming a correct perception of each other’s domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions is a precondition for the two countries to handle their relations well.

The domestic and foreign policies of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government are open and transparent, with clearly stated and transparent strategic intentions and great continuity and stability.

China is advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, which heralds bright prospects of development and brings opportunities to the rest of the world.

China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. It is committed to safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. Adhering to peaceful development, open development and win-win development, the country will always contribute to the peaceful development of the world.

The U.S. regards China as “the most consequential strategic competitor” and “the most consequential geopolitical challenge.” It is a misperception of China-U.S. relations and a misunderstanding of China’s development. It will only mislead the two peoples and the international community.

It would be problematic if two major countries like China and the U.S. do not have overarching principled common understandings. Only with principles can there be a direction, and only with a direction can the two sides properly handle differences and expand cooperation. It is exactly out of this consideration that the Chinese side proposed that China and the U.S. should respect each other, coexist in peace, and pursue win-win cooperation, to ensure that their relations move forward on the right course without losing direction or speed, still less having a collision.

China always believes that China-U.S. relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other. The successes of China and the U.S. are opportunities, not challenges, for each other. The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together. Under the current circumstances, China and the U.S. share more, not less, common interests. It is in their mutual and fundamental interest to prevent conflict and confrontation and achieve peaceful coexistence. The two sides need to respect each other, pursue mutual benefit, focus on the larger picture, and nurture a sound atmosphere and stable relations for cooperation.

The U.S. side should put into practice the “five noes” (i.e., not seek a new Cold War; not seek to change China’s system; the revitalization of its alliances is not against China; not support “Taiwan independence”; not look for conflict with China) proposed by PresidentBiden, and fulfill its commitment not to seek decoupling from China, not to halt China’s economic development, and not to contain China.

As Xi said, observing the basic norms of international relations and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques is vitally important for the two sides to manage differences and disagreements and prevent confrontation and conflict; indeed, it is the most important guardrail and safety net for China-U.S. relations.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and China’s internal affair. China urges the U.S. side to match its words with action, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, fulfill its commitment of “not supporting ‘Taiwan independence'”, stop fudging and hollowing out the one-China policy, restrain and stop “Taiwan independence” separatist rhetoric and activities, and prevent the situation from moving to a point of no return.

On issues of democracy and human rights, and social systems and paths, China and the U.S. must respect each other and avoid ideological confrontation and bloc confrontation. It represents the trend of the times and the common aspiration of the international community.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations benefit both sides. Starting a trade war or a technology war, building walls and barriers, and pushing for decoupling and severing supply chains run counter to the principles of market economy and undermine international trade rules. Such attempts serve no one’s interests.

The Chinese nation has the proud tradition of standing up for itself. Any suppression and containment will only strengthen the will and boost the morale of the Chinese people.

China has its own principles and red lines that it has long upheld, and has legitimate and lawful interests that must be firmly protected. China will not yield to any acts of hegemonism or bullying.

Managing and stabilizing China-U.S. relations is an ongoing process to which there’s no end. The Bali meeting will not only provide important, practical guidance for China-U.S. relations at the current stage, but will also have a major and far-reaching impact on the relationship in the next stage and even beyond.

In accordance with the priorities identified by the two heads of state, the two teams will maintain dialogue and communication, manage tensions and differences, and advance exchanges and cooperation, so as to add positive energy and a safety valve to China-U.S. relations, and bring about stability and certainty to this turbulent and changing world.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

Entrepreneurial skills a viable career path, Dr Kamsi told Corp Members

In the face of the growing unemployment rate in the country especially among the youth demographic, Nigerian undergraduates have been enjoined to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

The lead consultant for the world bank sponsored (Youth enterprise with innovation in Nigeria) YouWIN Connect, Dr. Kamsi Oby Onyeuche,made the call at a one day capacity building workshop for the 2022 Batch C Corp members.

The program is a multi media based program of the Federal Government of Nigeria implemented by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. The objective of the training is to inspire, motivate and spur an entrepreneurial mindset within the youths. Trainings are carried out in NYSC Permanent Orientation Camps and tertiary instustutions all over the country.

Dr. Kamsi who tasked the Corp members to take advantage of the many opportunities government has put in place to help entrepreneurs, urged them to start small within the boundaries of their available resources.

While delivering a keynote lecture on the topic ‘What a would-be Entrepreneur should know before venturing into business’, Dr. Kamsi stated that a good vision is a vital guideline for achieving goals in business.

According to her, “to be successful in business, you need to solve a problem for somebody, to help them cope with something they are struggling with.

“The way to properly identify a business opportunity is to look for an unmet need. Are there enough people in that area or sector facing the same challenges to form a market for you? Can you profer a cost-effective/affordable solution to that challenge they have? Can you provide these solutions efficiently and effectively? If you can answer all the questions above, then you have a good business opportunity.

“Knowledge is the next thing you need. You need to know how to provide this solution. You also need a very solid business plan. Everybody thinks their idea is great until it is subjected to rigorous analysis. Somebody else needs to vet your ideas, probe/test it and say, ‘Yes, this is good’.

“We also trained graduate interns in the same World Bank sponsored Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) on career development and employability skills. We’ve been doing the YouWIN trainings since 2016 till date. Every year we train at least 10,000 youths”, Dr. Kamsi stated.
The head of lecture Abia state NYSC camp,Mrs Gift Candid while thanking the team said the Enterprise Education for the youths is really needed at such a time as this.

China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways

By Liu Zhiqiang, People’s Daily

China has basically completed the construction of the framework of its expressway network after four decades of endeavors. The total mileage of the country’s expressways stands at nearly 170,000 kilometers, the longest in the world.

However, the country is still seeing unbalanced and inadequate development of its expressway network. Transport service capacity of some expressways built in the old days is on a decline.

To meet new demands and strengthen areas of weakness, China has accelerated its steps to expand and renovate its expressways.

Key technologies have been widely applied to connect new and old roadbeds, reinforce old bridges, and recycle pavement materials and safety facilities, said an official with the Ministry of Transport.

According to the official, China has approved over 70 projects of expressway expansion and renovation since 2016, with a total mileage of more than 6,000 kilometers.

Expressway expansion and renovation has played an positive role in improving road transport service and promoting regional development, as indicated by projects that were completed in the recent years.

For instance, a 248.7-kilometer section between Luzhai and Nanning along the Liuzhou-Nanning Expressway in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been expanded to a two-way eight-lane road.

“The section was once the busiest expressway in Guangxi and the most jammed one on holidays,” said Zhu Zhiqin, vice general manager of the company responsible for the expansion project.

He told People’s Daily that the section’s traffic capacity has significantly improved thanks to the project. Nowadays, about 54,600 vehicles are running along the section per day on average, up 62.8 percent before the project was implemented.

The Nanjing-Hangzhou section of the G25 Expressway that connects the northeastern city of Changchun and Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province has significantly improved its capability in diverging traffic after a renovation project was implemented. The project effectively alleviated the traffic pressure of Hangzhou.

Due to limited capital, technology and cognitive level, some expressways built by China long ago were not very satisfying technically. Expansion and renovation projects can effectively improve the performance of these expressways and upgrade them in an intelligent manner, thus improving traffic safety, capacity and services, said Shi Liangqing, vice president of the Transport Planning and Research Institute under the Ministry of Transport.

According to relevant planning, China will renovate a number of busy expressways in its central and eastern regions such as the G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, the G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, the G25 Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway, the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and the G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway.

Akwa Ibom indigenes appreciate NEMA’s donation of multi-million naira relief materials

Some natives of Akwa Ibom State have commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its prompt responses to the humanitarian needs of the state.

The indigenes, under the aegis of Ibom Progressive Forum, hailed the interventionist agency, for the donation of multi-million naira relief materials to flood victims.

A statement by Obong John Umoh said NEMA has always been prompt with its responses to humanitarian crises in the state and indeed across the country.

He recalled that in September, NEMA donated relief materials to 761 families of communal clashes in Oku and Iboku councils.

Umoh noted that earlier in May, the agency carried out a post-impact assessment of the areas and obtained approval for relief materials to assist the victims to recover from the impact of the attack.

He added that NEMA returned early in November to support victims of flooding with relief materials worth millions of naira.

According to Umoh, “the relief materials donated by NEMA include; 1, 000 bags of 10kg rice, 1, 000 bags of 10kg beans, 1, 000 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of 20kg salt, 75 kegs of 20litres vegetable oil, 150 cartons of seasoning cubes and 75 cartons of tin tomato.

” Other items include; 8, 000 pieces of nylon mats 1, 000 pieces mosquito treated nets, 600 cartons of bar soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade, 1, 000 pieces of children’s wear, 1, 000 pieces of women’s wear and 1, 000 pieces of men’s wear among others. This has gone a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of our people”.

But Umoh reckons that the icing on the cake was another visit to the state by NEMA and this time, the management team was led by its Director-General, Habib Mustapha Ahmed.

According to him, not only did the NEMA team monitor the current situation of things in the state, but they also donated more items.

“Yet again, NEMA demonstrated proactiveness by returning to Akwa Ibom. The DG handed over relief assistance in form of food and non-food items, including; clothing and hygiene materials to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom. Grains and Garri from the Strategic Reserves of the Federal Government were received too.

” What more can my people ask of? They have been adequately taken care of by NEMA. No wonder our governor reciprocated the kind gesture by donating an office complex to the agency for use to ease their services during disaster management within Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

“On behalf of the good people of Akwa Ibom state, we wish to thank the NEMA DG and his team for always coming through for our people. We want to charge them to sustain the momentum and aggressive response across the country.

” On our part, we must avert future occurrence. Hence, the state government must yield to all the warnings of NEMA. This is not a time to be ignorant. All hands must be on deck”.

SECURITY: YAHAYA’S SILENT TRAILS ON INSURGENCY WAR

By Philip Agbese

While necessity remains the mother of invention, experience has proven to be the soul attribute of successful leadership. The steady disruption of peace in northern Nigeria by widespread insurgency was a clarion call that needed to be answered by the best and most-effective personality who understood the severity of the challenge. This was a call for one who had led war and is used to the frontlines; a person with a clear distinction between peace and war.

Enter General Yahaya Farouk. On May 27 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his usual thoughtful act of redirecting and refocusing this country along the lines of greatness appointed Gen Faruk as Chief of Army staff. The Sokoto-born General had to return from the Northeast where he was hitherto serving as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, which is the Boko Haram counterinsurgency operation.

General Yahaya Farouk has always imbibed the right attitude from his early days as a professional soldier. He never gave room for laxity and assumptions, dealing decisively with terrorists. He pursued them to the very end with strength, vigour and technical support until they were ultimately crushed or left with no option but surrender. He was that cruel.

His ruthlessly calculative approaches paid dividends aplenty. Troops never had it better against the terrorists who were neutralised at every instance. This made him stand out among his counterparts. As Theatre Commander, Ops Lafia Dole, he further enhanced his burgeoning reputation.

The COAS flaunts impeccable records with little or no casualties in many confrontations with terrorists. His return to the trenches was therefore not surprising as he continued to make positive efforts towards ensuring that the last terrorist in the northeast is either exterminated or arrested.

Not done yet, Gen Faruk has broken new ground as Army Chief. No surprise. Beyond his record of success, the gallant COAS is a born leader with a charming aura and intimidating fragrance for criminals. He hit the ground running, directing timely focus to troubled areas while adopting the necessary modalities to achieve his intended results. Jackpot!

In less than two years, Faruk Yahaya has attained demigod status, surpassing every benchmark. His unique skills have come to the fore being a war veteran, peacekeeper, and administrator with efficiency in maintaining order and stability in conflict-ridden areas. This General respects the boundaries of religion too, careful to avoid discrepancies in his judgements and decision-making.

But beneath the tough, no-nonsense soldier lies a compassionate and adoring man. Humane and passionate about the plight of the less privileged, Faruk is kind to a fault, humble and amiable. He is loved by all owing to his willingness to support soldiers and citizens without showing any tolerance for nepotism.

On the field, he works earnestly to implant his cheerful disposition in the Army. First, as a human being and then as a soldier, whose shadows should reflect in every army personnel, so long as he remains the COAS. He is the shining light among the current service chiefs and is reputed as the most charismatic on the continent.

Silent but wise, calm yet ferocious, jovial and decisive at the same time, Faruk has inspired men and officers alike to professionally give allegiance, patriotism and loyalty to the country. This is in spite f the enormous challenges of the 21st century.

However, in the last year, he has proven to be that crack soldier who will obey the last order. His persistent commitment has remarkably made the level of insecurity drastically reduce over time, while the alarming Book Haram insurgents have been dealt with in a pragmatic approach taken by President Muhammadu Buhari. Many successes have been recorded under his leadership as he has been steadfast in the discharge of his duty and providing aid to civil authority.

Yet the earlier we all recognise that no service can do it alone in this fight against banditry and insurgency, the better for us as Armed Forces and a Nation to surmount the current security challenges. This fight needs the support of all and sundry.
On this note, Yahaya Faruk has requested everyone to continue to partner, collaborate and cooperate with the security agencies despite daunting challenges in our collective aspiration to keep Nigeria safe, prosperous and a home for all.

Mr President got it right with the appointment of General Yahaya Faruk. Thanks to the right decision made, now, the dreaded and blood-thirsty members of the insurgent group called Boko Haram have been sacked from many villages they formerly occupied, and majority have been frustrated to flee through the borders.

Security is development, without development, there is no security and without security, there is no development. These two are what help every nation to exude unending greatness. And together, we all can sustain Nigeria’s greatness.

Agbese is a security expert/human rights activist based in the United Kingdom

NEMA: Where Habib is redefining governance

By Jacob Ezra

The flooding experienced in some parts of the country had devastating effects. People were displaced, sources of livelihood were destroyed, and in some instances, lives were lost. Indeed it was a challenging period in the country as socio-economic activities were also disrupted.

Flooding, like other natural disasters, are sometimes beyond our control; however, what is imperative is the preparedness to mitigate the effect of such disasters in affected communities, and the emphasis has always been on mitigating and minimizing the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

This brings me to the recent operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). I have had some reservations about the preparedness of NEMA to address natural disasters in the country. This is on the heels of the not-so-pleasant news that has characterized its operations in times past, where the agency was bedevilled with numerous issues that undermined its operational effectiveness.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established via Act 12, as amended by Act 50 of 1999, to manage disasters in Nigeria by formulating policies on all activities relating to disaster management and coordinating the plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters at the national level.

The recent flooding experienced in parts of the country and the response by NEMA are noteworthy. For once, we saw a well-coordinated disaster management regime that indeed buttressed the point that the leadership of NEMA got it right with how it responded to mitigate the disaster.

I recall sometime last year when Ahmed Mustapha Habib was appointed as the agency’s director general. There were reservations in some quarters concerning his ability to deliver on the job considering the agency’s sensitivity in the country. I also recall that one of the first decisions made was to understand the issues that hindered NEMA from carrying out its mandate effectively.

It is therefore not surprising that in a year; an agency that had been bedevilled with numerous issues is now refocused and strategically positioned to address national emergencies in the country. I gathered that this feat didn’t come on a platter of gold, as much effort went into making NEMA what it is today. Of course, the transparency and accountability aspect was very critical and meant that leadership must be by example.

I believe the NEMA DG understood this complexity hence his emphasis in this regard which has paid off handsomely with the era of diversion of relief materials and other essentials for victims of disasters in the country now a thing of the past. The DG was also able to establish that it wasn’t business as usual with the agency’s funds.

Those in the know of the new regime in NEMA would attest that since the coming of Ahmed Mustapha Habib, the operations of NEMA, which was literally on life support, have bounced to life with structures and mechanisms that address malaise, redundancy and operational ineffectiveness.

NEMA today is a hub of activities that has bolstered confidence in stakeholders and development partners. The handling of the recent flood disaster is an example of what Nigerians should expect moving forward. This is not to say it is Uhuru. However, the indices point in the right direction with regard to our preparedness for mitigating the effects of emergencies brought about by natural and artificial disasters across the country.

What Ahmed Mustapha Habib did differently is the provision of purposeful leadership, which has consequently translated to the many gains recorded in the operations of NEMA. This also reinforces the notion that sound leadership is essential in our quest for sustainable growth and development in the country. Those in leadership positions must rise above sentiments and self-gains in discharging their duties. They must see the bigger picture, which remains in the country’s interest and consequently understand that leadership is about service in every sense of it.

The Ahmed Mustapha Habib example at NEMA is a commendable one. He has displayed foresight and a solid commitment to introduce and sustain laudable reforms in emergency and disaster management in the country. This is yielding the needed results as we are all witness to how NEMA coordinated efforts towards mitigating the effect of the flood disaster.

We saw search and rescue efforts at their best. We also saw the effective distribution of relief items to affected communities very transparently, unlike in times past. We also have witnessed renewed support from the international community through the donation of relief items for flood victims across the country.

Ahmed Mustapha Habib no doubt redefined governance through his leadership strides at NEMA. The onus lies on critical stakeholders to support this visionary leader burning with a passion for service to the country.

Ezra, a public affairs commentator wrote this piece from Yenegoa.

Health: Centre recommends Gov Yahaya Bello for Nobel Prize

Governor Yahaya Bello has been put forward for next year’s Nobel Prize.

The Centre for Peace and Justice in Africa recommended the governor for his “groundbreaking feat in healthcare”.

The Nobel Prizes are awarded “to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”.

And in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ifure Ifure, the centre said Bello has bucked the trend with health infrastructures uncommon in Africa.

Ifure listed the Reference Hospital Okene (RHO), Maimunat and Usman Yahaya Foundation Hospital, a community-based hospital in Ankpa and remodelling and re-equipping of 21 existing Primary Health Care Centres (one per Local Government) with solar-powered boreholes and electrification as part of the governor’s footprints.

He added that the Psychiatric Center in Lokoja, Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Ultra-modern General Hospital Badoko, in Ajaokuta, Ultra-Modern General hospital in Gegu Beki and Ultra-modern Clinical Center Isanly, in Yagba are others.

” In particular, the Reference Hospital is one of a kind. It is no longer news that Governor Bello built this state-of-the-art facility in Kogi to end the trend of medical tourism. But he didn’t stop there. The governor has continued to cram the hospital with world-class equipment,”he said.

“For example, the 1.5T MRI Scanners designed by GE Health is the first to be installed in Africa. The device examines organs, tissues and the skeletal system, producing high-resolution images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of problems.

“Our findings reveal that the MRI scanner installed in Kogi is the second in the world manufactured and installed by GE and first in Africa. This is an absolute phenomenon considering the state’s low internally generated revenue.

” Governor Bello is reputed as the best governor in security. This has somewhat overshadowed his achievements in other critical areas such as healthcare.

“With the Bello Cares initiative, citizens now enjoy free medical care in the state – the first of its kind in the country. Pregnant women, children under the age of five, people with disabilities and persons above the age of 65 are currently enjoying free healthcare services.

” We are, therefore, using this medium fo recommend Governor Bello for this international recognition to motivate other African leaders to invest more in healthcare. This will also lead to better lives for Africans.”