That EL-Zakzaky Interview

By Philip Agbese

I read the news making the rounds due to the interview granted by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zarzaky, with laughter on how he attempted to be clever by half with allusions and statements that were not credible. I ordinarily expect that Ibrahim El-Zarzaky should at this point be reflective of his life and all that his group has put Nigerian through from time immemorial.
In my opinion, the interview is intended to serve as a comeback strategy for his group to attract public sympathy. Else how could one justify a statement alleging that he paid for electricity and other bills while in detention?
More hilarious is the mention of him paying for his feeding while in detention. But he forgot to add that he also spent on accommodation while in custody. I am entirely at a loss here. What was Ibrahim EL-Zakzaky trying to achieve, or what message was he trying to pass? Whatever be the case, the attempt was comical.
It is on record that the activities of the IMN group have caused untold hardship to the people of Zaria and other parts of Northern Nigeria. So much so that at some point, they constituted themselves into a parallel government in the country and with no regard for the laws of the land. And when nemesis caught up, he is now trying to change the narrative most feebly.
I am not convinced the interview strategy was effective. I say this because there was a systematic attempt to paint the IMN as not a group but an ideology. Just maybe Ibrahim El-Zakzaky forgot that he has a history of violence. Let me refresh his memory.
A Google search on IMN brought the following out: “The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is a religious organization which hopes to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. It was founded by Ibrahim Zakzaky, who was inspired by the Iranian Revolution and rejected the authority of the Nigerian Government.”
It’s getting interesting as the IMN is only an ideology and nothing more truly. There are no members; they do not congregate. They do not have a flag. They have not been associated with acts of violence in their years of existence.
They have not also been receiving financial, and logistics support from Iran in their quest to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. The list is indeed endless. And what Ibrahim El-Zakzaky should do in this instance is to retrace his steps and instead tender an unreserved apology to the families of all those who fell victim to the nefarious activities of his group over several years.
He should spare us details of his travails when the long arm of the law caught up with him. He should also spare us the drama of poisonous substances moving around his body. And let me also remind him of one of his many tricks that failed when he was granted permission to travel to India for medical treatment.
On record, upon arriving in India, he asked to be checked into a five-star hotel instead of a hospital. According to John Campbell, a senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Zakzaky may not have liked the strict terms of his trip. Zakzaky wished to be checked into a hotel upon arrival in India, Campbell said, but instead was taken directly to a hospital and surrounded by security personnel, restricting his ability to move freely in the country.
“What he had wanted to do in India was to resume, essentially, his political activity,” Campbell said. “And so he anticipated being unfettered and found himself to be very fettered, indeed, and that, I think, is at the heart of his discontent.”
That is El-Zakzaky for you, the ever garrulous fellow whose motives is always ulterior and laced with violent tendencies. This same loquacious fellow who has blood all over his hands would still have the temerity to come to the public space, churning all manners of incoherent allegations.
Maybe he wished to be availed a five-star hotel treatment while he was in detention. And hear him: “We were even paying electricity and water bills while in detention. We were also paying for the fuel to power the generator. We bought our generator in Abuja, even when we were in detention, and we were buying fuel to run it.” If this is not despicable, I do not know what else to call it.
I am convinced that his long absence from violence has affected his cognitive skills hence his analysis in the interview he granted. Hear him again: “what I learnt was that about N4m was taken out of the FIRS coffers for our feeding every month. But that money was going to their pocket; not a single kobo was given to or spent on us. They were taking the money out of the treasury, but they did not spend it on our feeding. It is a lie that they were feeding us with this money.”
I could not help but let out a big laugh when I got to this point in the interview. The only thing that came to my mind was that this man was aiming at something. Maybe he is systematically calling for funds towards rebuilding his empire. Or perhaps he is acting the script of some influential people to divert attention. Whatever the case, the delivery is poor, and no Nigerian should take him seriously. He is delusional about what has befallen him. To think that he cannot constitute himself into an authority in Nigeria anymore might be the remote cause of his ramblings.
Reading the interview was comic relief for me. I encourage others who want to get a good laugh to read the EL-Zakzaky interview as we await more comics from the stable of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Agbese is a human rights activist and founder, Global Amnesty Watch based in the United Kingdom.

NEMA DG, NPA counterpart bag TheNigerian Star Awards

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ahmed Mustapha Habib and the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko have been nominated for awards by UK-based media group, TheNigerian News.

While the NEMA boss will be conferred with an award of excellence as “Agent of Change”, his NPA counterpart is shortlisted for “Integrity Icon”.

The pair will be recognised at the company’s fifth anniversary scheduled for the NAF Conference Centre Abuja.

“In less than six months on the job, Mr Habib has stamped his feet, already surpassing expectations. Under his watch, NEMA has beere-engineereded to meet up with present humanitarian challenges bedevilling country,” a statement by Bridget Agada, the secretary of the award’s planning committee said.

“To enhance performance, staff have undergone retreats while mechanisms at community, local government and staff levels have been put in place for effective emergency preparedness, early warning and quick response,” she noted.

The company added that Bello-Kobo has repositioned the NPA for better efficiency and service delivery.

“The new boss have been all about improving the revenue base of the nation, enhancing the maritime sector while also ensuring that the country is not shortchanged in anyway,” the statement said.

“Revenue leakages have been effectively blocked with the automation of key ports operations, periodic introduction of cost-cutting measures and financial management strategies. Bello-Kobo also worked closely with externally audited accounts that are International Financial Reporting Standard compliant”.

The event will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties, Senator (Dr) George Akume while His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano is Father of the Day.

The National Youth Service Corps and its Director-General, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, His Excellencies, Ambassador Tukur Buratai, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Governor Abdullahi Sule and Governor Bala Mohammed will also be awarded.

Understanding the New Shadow of Buhari at NEMA

By Philip Agbese

Sometime in 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari effected a change in the leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Not many understood the president’s mind, as it were. Not many also knew that the president wanted more from the operations of NEMA, being that critical government agency saddled with the responsibility of mitigating national emergencies and disasters in the country.

There was also a masterstroke! The establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. And since then, there has been no turning back in the efforts of ensuring that NEMA fulfils its strategic mandate.

I must add here that heading such a sensitive social intervention ministry is quite a herculean task because it is emotionally, psychologically, and physically demanding. All of these combined is the daily routine of the Hajia Sadiya Farouq, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Tow attributes have defined her since she assumed the headship of the ministry; fear of God and the selfless service to the country and humanity. I say these for two reasons. One is the manner she has devoted herself to her job, and two, how she has been able to stay focused despite several attempts at blackmailing her to succumbing to the whims and caprices of a select few.

The Hon. Minister of humanitarian affairs has constantly evolved strategies to position that agency for optimum service delivery. Let’s salute Saadiya for heading a critical agency. Despite the efforts by many to derail her, she has remained focused.

It is on record that Hajia Sadiya Farouq has a penchant for getting results and would stop at nothing to ensure that tasks are accomplished and within record time. She is also known as one that brooks no excuses and, most importantly, abhors acts that undermine the process of the system.

A good example could be seen in the case of NEMA, where she strategically effected a change in leadership that saw to the coming on board of Alhaji Ahmed Mustapha Habib, a seasoned administrator, to lead the critical interventionist agency.

Those in the know of the pedigree of the Director General of NEMA are not surprised with the manner he has handled the affairs of the agency, with active supervision of the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development.

Ahmed Mustapha Habib is a man of ideas. According to feelers from the agency, it was stated that the norm had been jettisoned. It is a new era where every voice counts. And Staffers are tasked with effective service delivery, no matter how lowly placed the agency.

He has also placed a premium on a proactive response to issues, given that the agency is meant to be a rapid response agency in the attempt to mitigate issues relating to human lives and properties. This is indeed brilliant and thus resonates with the agency’s objective in managing disasters across the country.

In less than a year, the operations of NEMA have evolved dramatically and thanks to the leadership provision of Ahmed Mustapha Habib. In my opinion, the Ahmed Mustapha Habib example in NEMA is by every inch an indication that with exemplary leadership, Nigeria would experience sustainable growth and development.

An example of the resourcefulness of the Director General is the recent inauguration of a Technical Working Group on Flood Preparedness, Mitigation and Response to strengthen partnership among stakeholders towards efficient flood management in-country. This might sound strange to the ears because we are not used to such planning, hence the fire brigade approach we employ most times.

I recall that Habib stated that the inauguration of the Technical Working Group was in line with the recent National Consultative Workshop on 2021 Flood, organized by the agency, which drew participants from the State Emergency Management Agencies and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Another good example is at the practical level, where the Director General has restructured the distribution of relief materials so that there is accountability and transparency in the processes. The NEMA of today is quite different from the NEMA of previous years, where a lack of accountability and transparency has caused untold embarrassment to the government. I can bet that these and many more informed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring onboard well trusted and principled personalities to take charge of the critical social intervention agency in the country.

And the result has been outstanding in the sense that critical stakeholders have commended NEMA’s disaster management in the country for the way and manner it has carried on with its operations most efficiently and proactively.

These and many more are the hallmarks of the Ahmed Mustapha Habib leadership strides at NEMA. However, it must be noted that this was made possible by also the examples set by the Honorable Minister of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry and also, by extension, the examples set by President Muhammadu Buhari. It can be thus said that the NEMA of today indeed reflects the new shadow of Buhari.

It is thus a new era at NEMA, and this much the staffers of the agency have acknowledged. They have rated that new DG high in works ethics since the establishment of the agency; they have also applauded his emphasis on rewards for hard work and penalties for questionable acts that would bring the agency into disrepute.

The new helmsman of NEMA has, by his actions, set standards in leadership in the country. He has proven that it is not how long but how committed one can be to discharge his duties and responsibilities. He has also displayed that in whatever we do once we lead with sincerity of heart and purpose, the tendency for success and the buy-in of critical stakeholders in policies and plans are always high.

This is the pleasant situation at NEMA, and it is hoped that in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, the DG would continue to improve the operations of NEMA and not get distracted by the antics of a few whose stock in trade is to cause a distraction in the polity for their selfish interests.

The NEMA DG must stand his ground and always have at the back of his mind that his action and inactions either put smiles on the faces of people who are faced with dire emergencies or compound their situations and lead them eventually to their early graves.

I am convinced that the NEMA DG desires to bring as much as possible comfort to victims of disasters in the country. This much he has displayed and this much he should continue to do in service to the country and humanity.

Agbese is a public affairs analyst and publisher based in the United Kingdom.

Audi, Pam, others for TheNigerian News’ awards

Some distinguished Nigerians, including the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi and the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christians Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam will be conferred with awards of excellence at the fifth anniversary of UK-based media group, TheNigerian News.

While Dr Audi will be recognized as “Security Icon of the Year”, Rev Pam is nominated for ” Icon of Peaceful Co-Existence”.

The pair will receive their awards at an event to be held on Thursday at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja.

According to Bridget Agada, secretary of the awards planning committee, since coming on board as the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Audi has embarked on various structural and institutional reforms in the paramilitary agency, making its operations more effective and highly efficient.

Agada said “the high-point of his strategic reform was repositioning the NSCDC to stepping into the gap in our quest for a better secured Nigeria. A gap necessitated by the overstretched security formations across the country. The successes witnessed by the NSCDC in partnering with other relevant security agencies to relentlessly repel bandits attacks across the country has been attributed to the resilience and firm leadership of Abubakar Audi. It was also his NSCDC that has continued to fight for a more secured atmosphere for Nigerian students, even as bandits and other criminal elements continue to mount aggressive attacks on schools across the Northern part of the country. It is to the credit of Audi-led NSCDC that so many schools in Nigeria today has continued to learn under a peaceful atmosphere”.

She added that Rev Pam have consistently used his office to preach peace, emphasising that the nation’s unity is non-negotiable.

“At a time the country’s corporate existence is being threatened by insurgency, insurrection and other criminal vices, it takes men of courage like Pam to speak out in support of one, united, indivisible Nigeria,” she stated.

The event will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties, Senator (Dr) George Akume while His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano is Father of the Day.

The National Youth Service Corps and its Director-General, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, His Excellencies, Ambassador Tukur Buratai, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Governor Abdullahi Sule and Governor Bala Mohammed will also be awarded.

Naming Ambassador Buratai as Icon of Patriotism in Africa and Matters Arising

By Kolawole Abe

“A good name is better than bags of gold.” Miguel de Cervantes

I choose to start this article with the quote by Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world’s pre-eminent novelists, because my excitement knew no bounds when I learned of the nomination of the former chief of army staff, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic by TheNigerian News as African Icon of Patriotism. Initially, I struggled with the classification of the award, thinking that he ought to have been African of the Century or something of that nature.

I won’t mince words on Ambassador Tukur Buratai. He remains an exceptional Nigerian whose service record speaks volumes of an unalloyed commitment to the Nigerian dream and an equally astonishing level of patriotism to those ideals that define us as a people and country.

In my opinion, TheNigerian News through this award to Ambassador Tukur Buratai has once again reminded us of the lofty exploits of Ambassador Tukur Buratai while he held sway as the chief of army staff. I call those days the impeccable days in the annals of the Nigerian Army in terms of strategy and tactics; Ambassador Tukur Buratai indeed came to the party.

What most people seem to have forgotten so soon was the precarious situation we were in before the coming of the Muhammadu Buhari administration regarding the level of insecurity in the country, and especially the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria. It was indeed a desperate situation for Nigeria that required desperate measures to deal with.

And as God would have it, President Muhammadu Buhari delivered to Nigerians one of the best gifts in the appointment of Tukur Buratai as chief of army staff. This was a decision that indeed changed the narrative in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria and the activities of other militant groups in the country.

I dare say Ambassador Tukur Buratai; while he held sway, dramatized military might, yet, adhering to the rules of engagement in warfare. As a fact, one of the strong points of Ambassador Tukur Buratai was the effective handling of relationships amongst sister security agencies. This information might not have graced newspaper headlines, but it was evident through the various military operations carried out by the Nigerian Army. And he never seized to commend the efforts and cooperation he received from sister agencies whenever gains were recorded, especially in the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

The way and manner he was able to turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian Army were also outstanding and in record time. From a lethargic situation to a combatant position in less than a year, the result was felt across the country with regards to addressing the security situation in the country. That was the vintage Tukur Buratai.
Again, Ambassador Tukur Buratai was able to contribute his quota in service to the country because the President and Commander-in-Chief recognized his capacity to deliver in that critical assignment and eventually provided the enabling environment for him to flourish.

Today, most of us are not surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari rewarded the exceptional record of Tukur Buratai with an ambassadorial posting, which in my opinion, is to ensure that he continues to render selfless service to the country. And this much he has lived up to in his new posting.

Therefore the nomination by TheNigerian News is a testament to the famous saying that a good name is better than riches. And that aptly captures the personality of Ambassador Tukur Buratai, who, in my opinion, is well-deserving of the African Icon of Patriotism award. Let us not also forget that this award adds to the array of others that have come his way in his service years.

For Ambassador Tukur Buratai, the award is well deserved. It should spur others to realize that a good name is better than all the riches in this world, and there is always a reward for hard work and excellence. This award is coming at no better time than now, where Nigeria needs patriotic individuals willing to sacrifice their comfort in service to the country.

I commend the management of TheNigerian News for their steadfastness in celebrating those Nigerians that have been outstanding in public service. I would assume that the overarching strategy is to recognize, appreciate and encourage other Nigerians in public service to render selfless service to the country in our quest for the Nigeria of our dreams.

For Ambassador Tukur Buratai, the African Icon of Patriotism award is indeed a big one, and he must realize that uneasy lays the head that wears the crown. This is both a commendation for selfless service and a charge to continue to do more. I say a big congratulation for it’s an award well merited. And it is hoped that the legacies would outlive him and encourage others to put the country first wherever they find themselves.

Kolawole is former Spokesman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) writing from Akure.

Breaking: Transportation, Aviation correspondents launch maiden Journal in Abuja

The maiden edition of the Abuja Transportation and Aviation Correspondents Association, ATACA Journal will launch in Abuja on December 16, 2021.

The Journal, which is the first of its kind, is packed with transportation and aviation industry stories and insightful interviews that speak to happenings in the Industry.

The Association which began in 2015, has blossomed over the years, as its members, with years of experience on the job, have ensured that it remains relevant in all ramifications.

Speaking on the upcoming launch, the ATACA Chairman/ATACA Journal Editor-in-chief, Chris Agabi, expressed excitement over the Journal which he said, was coming at the right time.

According to Agabi; “This Magazine is coming at a great time when Nigeria and Nigerians have witnessed great transformation in the Transportation and Aviation Ministries. It is also coming at a time where these Ministries and Agencies under them have worked assiduously to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic is contained.

“It is no news that transportation involves moving humans and goods from one place to another, but with the COVID-19, this activity was put under strain as the need for social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols became immensely necessary. However, the Aviation and Transportation Ministries took initiatives to ensure that the disease was not spread any further.

“With these and many more, ATACA thought it wise to document the activities of these Ministries and their agencies in the face of COVID-19, as well as how they have been able to bounce back so far”, he said.

He further added that going forward, the Journal will be published quarterly, so as to keep the nation abreast of happenings in the Transportation and Aviation Ministries.

For his part, the Editor of the ATACA Journal, Mr. Victor Nord, emphasized that the Journal will go a long way in informing, educating and enlightening the public on the activities of the Transportation and Aviation sectors.

The 40-page Journal is loaded with interviews and articles from several Ministries and Agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation, Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), SpaceXchange and many more.

The launch is scheduled to hold by 9:00 am at the Anabel Apartments and Suites, 14, Otuoke Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The general public is cordially invited.

ITF, NCC bosses to receive TheNigerian News Awards of Excellence

The heads of the Industrial Training Fund and Nigerian Communications Commission have been nominated for awards of excellence by UK-based media group, TheNigerian News.

According to the company, the awards will be received by ITF’s DG, Sir Joseph Ari and NCC’s Executive Secretary, Prof Umar Danbatta respectively at its fifth anniversary.

In a statement signed by Bridget Agada, the secretary of the award planning committee, the ITF boss willl be conferred with the Icon of Transformation while Danbatta will be recognised as the Icon of Security Innovation.

Agada said ITF has made numerous contributions in placing Nigeria on the path of steady economic growth and industrialization through human resources development.

She added that, “There’s been emphasis on skills acquisition with the knowledge that it is the most sustainable solution to reducing poverty and unemployment, and the catalyst to growth arid development. ITF is now reputed for its proactiveness and farsightedness, which more than anything else accounts for its longevity and relevance.

” Nigerians can not forget the brainchild of ITF, the maiden made-in-Nigeria phones and how it has positively impacted the economy of the country”.

On the part of Danbatta, the company said that the NCC boss has introduced groundbreaking reforms that has positively influenced the war against insecurity.

It noted that owing to the expertise, innovations and foresight of Danbatta, the country is enjoying a new lease of life.

The event, which will be held at the NAF Conference on December 16th, will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties, Senator (Dr) George Akume while His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano is Father of the Day.

The National Youth Service Corps and its Director-General, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, His Excellencies, Ambassador Tukur Buratai, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Governor Abdullahi Sule and Governor Bala Mohammed will also be awarded.

Akume: That National Chairman APC Deserves in 2023

By Philip Agbese

There would hardly have been anything to deeply excite my spirit passionately had I professed membership of any other political Party, outside the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) in this age. I am infinitely fascinated by the ululations of its alphabetical combinations , with endearing hagiograpic connotations, particularly the word, “progressives.”

Quite lucidly, I have no scantilla of doubt that the APC is truely a political association of progressives on the mission of mass liberation of Nigerians from the cuffs of crass neglect and kleptomanic and self- centered leadership.

And with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helms as Nigeria’s democratic leader, his focused, purposeful and result- oriented leadership has impinged profound affection of the APC on the pysche of Nigerians as a Party with a difference, evidenced in the breaking of new grounds and exploring fresh frontiers in governance and development of Nigeria.

Definitely, I am neither the only Nigerian charmed by the aura of APC for a rebirth of Nigeria nor merely prodded to praisesing its beauty because I am contesting the 2023 Ado/Ogbadibo/ Okpokwu federal constituency’s seat for the House of Representatives on the APC platform. But nature has taught us that what is good deserves to be embraced and men of good conscience are divinely obliged to to trumpet it.

Truly, I am not of the Nostradamus lineage. But with my little gift of prescience, I foresee the gains of Nigeria from an APC sustained leadership of the country, in greater magnitude in future, than currently experienced today.

Some other Nigerians have also seen this certainty like me, and with even more crystal lucidity than myself. It is raison d’etre the APC has become the most patronised honey for politicians at the moment. It offers the plank for fulfilling dreams or actualising ambitions for both individuals and communities in Nigeria.

That APC’s popularity soars minutely is not delusionary or a mere propaganda hype! Its the reality as attested by the roving tsunamic defections of tens of thousands of opposition Party chieftains, together with their massive support- bases into APC in recent times.

The APC’s nest of membership has stretched to the near of explosion now. But we are excited and prepared to welcome more Nigerians into its fold because APC has dispensed itself as a Party overtly hostile to the ideologies of the bandwagon political undertakers and power hawks in Nigeria. The Party only anchors and plays politics of development, which I believe is a dire necessity for our people.

However, I have sensed an arduous task for leaders of the reigning APC, Africa’s most popular, finely co-ordinated and effective political organisation on the continent. My experience in politics tells me, managing human resources or human political capital is not a storm in a coffee cup, but an enamous responsibility.

This assignment needs gifted leaders who are competent, honest, foresighted and weaponised with all the fundamentally necessary ideas or strategies to succeed. Its not something as easy as a peck off the shelves as others would perceive it.

Therefore, and like others, I eagerly look forward to the upcoming APC national convention to crown a new set of officials to superintend on the affairs of our great Party. I appreciate every Party for the godly support in coming this far in victorious strides, despite circumstantial hiccups.

And from the coterie of topflight Party chieftains vying for the seat of APC national chairman, the Party has technically conceded to the North central region, one aspirant, Dist. Sen. George Akume’s candidacy is outstandingly catchy and plausible in every sense.

I have no modicum of misgivings that the APC deserves to again, overwhelmingly trounce the assemblage of other political parties at all levels in the 2023 general elections. But I also know, ballot victories are not earned on a platter of gold. Its planned consciously, and powered by deliberate strategies.

This sensitive assignment requires the competitive or innate resourcefulness, competence and managerial acumen of a Party’s leaders to puncture the prosecuting mechanism of rivals. Only this approach dismantle serial hurdles to penetrate bulwarks in opposing camps in order to create the desired impact in the masses to attract mass appeal, support and victory.

So, we need an APC national chairman with these expressive capacities and qualities. The expected national chairman, the APC needs now to extinguish the roguish opposition powermongers and permenantly blight their dubious shadows in Nigeria’s leadership temple is someone who is urbane, a shrewd tactician, an administrative prodigy, quiet schemer, an adroit personality, highly connected, versatile in the antics of cosmopolitan politics or power play in Nigeria and its leadership. Most significantly, we need a national chairman with a massive blend of rurality or grassroots appeal, an exceptional conciliator and a dogged spirit of political battles, with an infectious aura of general acceptability beyond Party confines.

These essential qualities are all embodied in the Benue – born, political bulldozer, Sen. George Akume, Nigeria’s current Minister for Special Duties and Intra- governmental Affairs. I am convinced, Akume parades enticing and captivating credentials as a public servant, reputable administrator, consummate politician, tested and trusted public leader of edifying magnificence.

Akume started his public service as a civil servant. He rose to the peak and retired as a Permanent Secretary in Benue state. His first romance with public service and politics was when he served as Sole Administrator of Gboko LGA in Benue state. His foray into active partisan politics manifested when he made the first attempt to contest the governorship of Benue state under the platform of the CNC ( Center for National Consensus) Party, in the aborted Abacha transition to democratic rule.

However, Benue people discovered the immense administrative and leadership treasures in Akume and elected him Governor of the state, upon the restoration of democracy in 1999.

From my personal investigations, a Benue gasping for life desperately needed a leader of Akume’s mien to quench the thirst on the land by berthing succour. Proudly and to his credit, we are alive to testify to his rewarding leadership of the state for eight years.

Minister Akume served Benue as an Executive Governor for eight years. While serving in that capacity, he extended his political outreaches to other parts of Nigeria, cultivating and harvesting friendship across ethnic and religious divides. I know Sen. Akume as an unrepentant democrat, who believes absolutely in democratic ethos. He was one of the few State Governors of his time on the platform of the PDP who galvanized resistant forces to oppose ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo’s unconstitutional third term agenda or what some of us branded as “dubious tenure elongation.”

Thereafter, Akume was elected into the Senate in 2007 under the platform of PDP to represent his people of Benue North West Senatorial district. As first timer in the Senate, Akume vied for the seat of Senate President zoned to the North Central. Amazingly, Akume narrowly lost the highly competitive seat in the contest to a three-time serial Senator, Dist. Sen. David Mark.

Akume lost the seat, but won the hearts of many for the daring and impactful move. I interpreted the action as bold and strikingly, a rare outing, genuinely reflective of Akume’s widespread political outreach and acceptability in the country.

Akume’s sagacity and thickness has made him trudge successfully in seemingly rough political terrains. In 2011, irreconciliable differences pitched him against his successor, now Sen. Gabriel Suswam, the then Governor of the state under PDP. It compelled him to ditch the PDP for the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) predominantly domiciled in Nigeria’s Southwest region. ACN had very faint presence in the North, specifically, North Central. But Sen. Akume pulled the party to Benue, contested and won his 2011 senatorial seat effortlessly. In the Senate, Sen. Akume was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader. He became the lead parliament voice of opposition parliamentarians of different political Parties in the Red Chambers for four years. Here too, Akume excelled in leadership and deepened his political clout across Nigeria.

Interestingly, Sen. Akume’s 2011 shadows in ACN marked the beginning of the entrenchment of the ACN and opposition politics into the soul of the North Central, a region hitherto almost near exclusive to the party politics of the then ruling PDP. ACN later merged with other opposition political parties in Nigeria to birth the powerful ruling APC.

So, Sen. ( Dr.) Akume is one Nigerian politician, with the blue blood from the lineage of the late political sage, Sen. J . S Tarka, the famous minority rights crusader. It is not strange that Akume survives the hardest and toughest political hurricanes basically because of his infectious democratic credentials and amiability. The personality of Sen. George Akume personifies him as a core grassroots schemer, consummate leader, a humble man and an uncommon philanthropist. A personal perusal of Akume’s persona betrays him as a leader more interested in investing in human resources development than accumulating personal wealth.

In 2019, greater vistas were opened to Sen. Akume, the APC leader, North Central, when he served as Vice Chairman North, All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Council. And despite deliberate political sabotage by the opposition gladiators, APC still still sustained its winning streaks with impressive outings in majority of states in the North, including the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term mandate.

Akume has continued to exalt and expand this political influence in the North and Nigeria. I gleaned this pleasant reality from the array of top leaders, elderstatesmen, Party chieftains, political groups and cultural associations from across Nigeria which paid solidarity visits to Sen. George Akume after his appointment as Minister and member of FEC by President Buhari.

His Abuja Maitama residence ceaselessly hosted these dignitaries for months. This was long before he indicated interest in contesting the national chairmanship seat of the APC. I have seen a replication of such fondness of Sen. Akume more intensely now that he is vying for the APC’s topmost job. It has been another season of terrorents of supports all over Nigeria . The support is overwhelming and the campaigns at his behest to become the APC national chairman are very trenchant.

And Minister Akume earned my eternal respect as an unrepentant and faithful party man in 2015 over a little, but significant political incident. After the presidential and national assembly ballot of 2015, and despite the wind of change blowing across Nigeria with Buhari as President -elect, Nasarawa South senatorial district predominately peopled by Tiv voters, threatened to vote against the reelection of the then serving Gov. Tanko Al-Makura who flew the ticket of the APC in the election.

Irreconciliable political differences caused the chasm, which estranged the Tiv community from Gov. Al-Makura’s reelection gambit.
It took the immediate intervention of Senator Akume to visit and dialogue with the Tiv community in Nasarawa to restore support and return Sen. Al-Makura as Governor for a second term, as their bulk votes to another party would have bruised APC’s chances of state victory. That’s the true spirit of a core party man and leader as examplified by Sen. Akume.

Frankly, Akume is the verdict of a wide spectrum of APC Party stakeholders, I have been privileged to sample their opinions. They insist that with all these qualities, connections and mass appeal going for Akume in every nook and cranny of the country, he neatly fits into that bill perfectly and correctly.

I foresee an added icing of the cake for Akume with the anticipated endorsement of his candidature by President Buhari, the national father- figure of APC in Nigeria . With this step in the kitty, President Buhari would have unwittingly sealed the victorious electoral fate of the APC for another eight years after his Presidency.

Surely, with an Akume APC national chairmanship and his team of competent lieutenants , the electoral pandora’s box would have been unstoppably opened for the perpetual power hawks, scavengers and looters of Nigeria’s commonwealt. I mean, the opposition Party which is already weakened by the scandalous shadows manifest in the disappearance of the over N11 billion Party funds in the fixed deposit account for the building of its national Secretariat, as Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman -elect threatens audit probe. Its shameful!

I have no slight hesitation that if given the opportunity, Sen. George Akume will be fair and just to all party members, and Nigerians.

Agbese is an aspirant for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal House of Representatives writing from Agila.

NEDC gets TheNigerian star award nomination for national intervention, recovery

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has been nominated for an award of excellence by UK-based media group, TheNigerian News.

In a letter addressed to its Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, the company said the NEDC will be recognised as Most Outstanding Agency for National Intervention and Recovery.

According to the company, NEDC alongside other agencies and distinguished Nigerians will be awarded at its fifth anniversary scheduled for Thursday.

” We are rewarding NEDC’s efforts since 2019 in fulfilling its core mandate of reconstruction and development of the North-East. The NEDC has risen to the responsibility of receiviing and managing funds from allocation of the Federal Account, 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,” TheNigerian said.

“In particular, the completion of ICT centres, construction of housing units and completion of abandoned projects across the region have attracted the attention of Nigerians beyond the North-East”.

The event, which will be held at the NAF Conference, will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties, Senator (Dr) George Akume while His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano is Father of the Day.

The National Youth Service Corps and its Director-General, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, His Excellencies, Ambassador Tukur Buratai, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Governor Abdullahi Sule and Governor Bala Mohammed will also be awarded.

Cleaning the Augean Stable at the NBC

By Toby Prince

The National Broadcasting Corporation is a regulatory agency. As such, it must never be seen that regulatory agencies are complicit in enforcing standards, especially in the critical broadcast industry in Nigeria.

It was, therefore, a worrisome situation when it was observed that the agency was enmeshed in untoward practices as enshrined by the former director-general, which led to his suspension from office and eventually sack after investigations into allegations of graft.

However, there seems to be a new lease of life at the NBC since the coming on board of veteran broadcaster Balarabe Shehu Ilelah as Director-General. I recall that when the appointment was announced, there were immediate reactions from stakeholders in the broadcast industry. While some raised eyebrows, the majority were elated with the quality of the experience and pedigree of the new DG.

The recent happenings at NBC today indeed justified the positions of those elated stakeholders. Their position was hinged on the pedigree and professionalism of Balarabe Sheu Illelah. And he has not failed in his efforts towards repositioning the NBC and cleaning the Augean stable.

My excitement knows no bounds with feelers from the NBC, where many innovations have been introduced to better position the NBC in delivering its mandate of serving as the watchdog of the broadcasting industry in Nigeria. This is indeed a new era at the NBC, where the mechanism has been introduced to ensure that the NBC stays true to its mandate.

This is indeed an example of leadership at its peak. The question is, are we surprised? The answer is no because the new DG comes onboard with a rich cv that speaks volumes of an exceptional career as a broadcaster par excellence that rose through the ranks both in practice and at the administrative levels.

He is a seasoned administrator who has substantial experience in the broadcast industry in Nigeria. I recall that a professional colleague once said that one of the best decisions of the Muhammadu Buhari administration was the appointment of Balarabe Shehu IIelah. Please permit me to reproduce here: “Balarabe would hit the ground running. He would be soft and hard. He would turn around the fortunes of the NBC in record time, and it won’t be business as usual.”

True to his prediction, Balarabe Shehu Illelah has been outstanding in the short period he assumed the agency’s leadership. The reforms he introduced has been yielding dividends in the sense that professionalism and adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability are strictly adhered to. The era of compromising or cutting corners is gone as there are in place various levels of checks and balances in the agency’s operations.

According to reliable information gathered from the agency, it was stated that the new DG does not mince words regarding what he wants to achieve. He has read the riot act, and the level of compliance has been astonishing. It was also gathered that the DG made it clear that he would lead by example, and he has reportedly gotten the assurances and buy-in of the management team of the NBC.

In all of these, one thing stands strong: once there is a will, there is always a way. And in my opinion, that is essentially what is required in Nigeria in our quest for sustainable growth and development. We need leaders with a penchant for putting the country first. We need leaders who can translate the hopes and aspirations of the people into tangible realities. And that is what the NBC DG has demonstrated since he assumed leadership of the agency.

Let us make no mistakes; there would be resistance from some merchants that have benefited from the rot in the NBC in times past. They will throw all sorts of spanners and engage in character assassination to derail the DG. They will also peddle falsehood to create an atmosphere of doubts regarding the sincerity of heart and purpose of the DG in fulfilling the critical mandate of the agency and other ignoble acts too numerous to mention.

In all honesty, I think some of these despicable acts are beginning to manifest as I read somewhere recently where it was stated that the DG had busied himself with awarding indiscriminate contracts to friends and cronies. It was expected and indeed a puerile one. And some of us were not surprised because it has become a norm in this country where the “Pull Down” syndrome reigns supreme.

At this point, the only advice I have for the DG is for him not to be distracted by the antics of the select few who are bent on blackmailing him to submission. For him, he must not lose sight of the overarching objective, which is to reposition the NBC for greater productivity.

I will also advise the DG to continue to ensure that the reforms he introduced to block leakages and compromises are sustained. He must also stay true to his values of providing leadership through his words and actions.

Therefore, it behoves on all stakeholders in the broadcast industry to extend their support to the ongoing reforms introduced by the DG. They must come to terms with the reality that the ultimate aim is the common goal of ensuring that the broadcast industry in Nigeria conforms to international best practices.
The embarrassing era of controversial regulatory policies should be replaced with the era of proactive policies that address the issues in the broadcast industry in Nigeria. This, I believe, is the hallmark of the Balarabe Shehu Illelah era at the NBC since he assumed leadership.

It is thus glaring that should the DG continue in this fashion; greater days indeed lies in wait for the NBC and the broadcast industry in Nigeria. And those whose stock in trade is to slander and misinform; I think they ought to have a rethink. The Balarabe Shehi Illeha that I know is a man on a mission, and no amount of blackmail can deter him. The new NBC leadership deserves all the support it can get.

Prince wrote this article from Guzape.