Nigeria Times

By Edward Omaga

Amnesty International seems to have its operational headquarters in Nigeria. The organization loves Nigeria because the Nigerian platform is that which it uses to gain popularity with its half-baked annual reports that smacks of a mockery of what a report should look be.

I am a fan of Amnesty International for just one reason. They are easily predictable. I mean, you could quickly tell when they are mobilized to carry out a hatchet job. They usually go full blast with statements that defeat and defile all sense of decorum and professionalism. One of such instance is the recent statement credited to AI, where it stated that the Federal Government had failed families of the 640 recaptured Boko Haram detainees reportedly killed by soldiers.

I want to start on this note. Let’s assume the figure is correct. Let’s also assume these terrorists were killed. Let’s also assume that they indeed have families that were expecting justice for them, and let’s also assume that these 640 recaptured Boko Haram fighters have never held guns and killed innocent women and children all the while they were actively engaged in the war front.

Given the above assumptions, the statement by Amnesty International might make a bit of sense if indeed these groups of people have not spilled the blood of innocent and unarmed women and children, and if they have also not rendered many children fatherless and many women widows.

The big questions for Amnesty International are; Is Amnesty International ignorant of all the atrocities committed by the Boko Haram terrorist group since 2009 when they began a violent campaign in Nigeria? Are they also aware that since 2009 it is estimated that millions have been displaced and hundreds of thousands killed by the group? Is Amnesty International aware that 276 young and innocent schoolgirls were abducted from their hostels in Chibok by the same group? Are they also aware that the Boko Haram group also kidnapped 110 schoolgirls aged 11–19 years old?

Just maybe Amnesty International is feigning ignorance; the Boko Haram insurgency ran a boot where children as young as five years old learned to handle assault rifles and march through the woods in flip-flops. And this is just normal and not a violation of the rights of these young children, I suppose.

Back to the crux of the issue, Amnesty International is indeed an organization of unscrupulous elements that thrives in causing disaffection anywhere they find themselves. And history is replete with tales of how the supposed human rights organizations have been engaged in actions that compromise the sovereignty of countries in fulfillment of their overarching objective of ensuring that conflict thrives in most countries.

In Nigeria, Amnesty International has stayed true to these objectives through its annual reports that aim to destabilize the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria. It has continuously churned out falsehoods against the government. It has often cried wolf where none exists as this recent posturing of accusing the government of not acting with regards to the killing of a supposed 640 Boko Haram fighters.

I think that Amnesty International trusts the efforts of the government when it suits the purpose of its paymasters. As an aside, AI has elected to be the official defense organization of militant groups in Nigeria. This is manifest in its vicious defense of the activities of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Amnesty International was indeed shameless in its defense of the nefarious activities of non-state actors that have brought tears and sorrows to innocent Nigerians. I recall that Femi Falana represented IMN in one of the futile defense of their nefarious activities. They went as far as mobilizing lawyers from abroad to defend all her allegations. Yet these are organizations that have consistently violated the rights of unarmed Nigerians and subjected them to untold hardships. There is nothing wrong in the eyes of AI.

I think the Nigerian government has indeed been tolerant of the activities of AI in Nigeria even though their actions are suspect and a source of concern to well-meaning Nigerians. Indeed Nigerians must see through the veil and understand that AI is on a mission to destroy Nigeria and nothing more. They have consistently supported the activities of militant groups in their violent campaigns in Nigeria. But when the Nigerian government attempts to protect the citizens from these violent groups, Amnesty International rises to their defense to the absolute bewilderment of all and sundry.

Yes, this is what Amnesty International, in their wisdom have elected to do. They accuse the Nigerian Military of human rights violations and praise the Boko Haram terrorist group to high heavens for killing innocent and unarmed civilians. If this is not insane, I don’t know what else to call it.

The activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria are quite despicable. They have indeed, through their actions, displayed that the definition of human rights violations is subjective and for sale to the highest bidder. And since these militant groups are paying the bills, they are duty-bound to continue to protect them at all times. This is the starkness of the reality confronting Nigeria.

Nigerians must be careful not to fall for the AI propaganda. Nigerians must begin to ask critical questions if we are desirous of making progress as a country and understand that AI is on a mission, and that mission is to see that that war against terrorism and other violent acts does not come to an end.

The recent posturing by Amnesty International on the 640 Boko Haram fighters is one of those instances aimed at causing a distraction in the polity in fulfillment of their nefarious mandate. It is one day one accusation with Amnesty International. I am of the considered opinion that the government and the Military need to be vigilant because once we are making progress in the war against terrorism and other militant groups, we are bound to see these enemies of progress coming up with false claims to discredit the Military, and as well as causing a distraction.

I recall that in times past, there have been calls for the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria. I believe that there is no better time than now because, for as long as they remain in Nigeria, we shall not know peace. They would continue to discredit the government and the Military. This is not what we want as a people and as a country now.

Stating that the federal government has failed families of some 640 recaptured Boko Haram detainees reportedly killed by soldiers in 2014 is the height of insanity because there is no evidence to substantiate this. This is an anomaly that is typical of the Amnesty International mandate to bring Nigeria to ruins. But I doubt if Nigerians would be quiet this time around. Enough is indeed enough. Nigerians must rise in defense of our country, sufficing to state that the media has a critical role to play.

The media must, as a matter of urgency, join hands with the government in the quest to protect Nigeria from the activities of dangerous organizations like Amnesty International that mean no good for the country. Nigeria must come first at all times, and we must do well to understand AI’s fuss with Nigeria.

Omaga is the Legal Adviser of Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) and writes from Abuja

By Terrence Kuanum

It was a mark of President Muhammadu Buhari’s rising profile and towering popularity that a young man who was excited over the president’s outstanding achievements attempted to behold and have a handshake with him. This was at the recent Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State which the President had gone to declare open. The international tourism event had been kept in the cooler for about eleven years due to security considerations. As the President was conducted round the arena for inspection, especially to have a view of the rice pyramid and take photographs with farmers which signposts the enviable achievements of his administration, a highly elated young man who was also excited with seeing his much adored President in such a close range attempted to have a hand check with his folk hero.

Naturally, as is the practice all over the world, he was blocked by security aides. As he was being prevented from getting to the President, he protested that he ought to be allowed to greet his President. Now, professional spoilers are trying to make mischief of the event by circulating that the President was attacked by the armless young man. What a misrepresentation and misinformation! They are passing a manipulated version of the video clip off on the social media as an attempt by the young man to attack President Buhari. Because of the apparent scarcity of politics of civility, foot soldiers of vicious politicians are mischievously trying to humour unsuspecting Nigerians with negative narratives. But given President Buhari’s record of verifiable achievements in all sectors of our national economy, the bookmakers will continue to hit their heads on the wall.

A cast of some of the profound breakthroughs by the President since his years in office would surely confound the alliterative desperation of social media emergency journalists and headline casters. When the administration was inaugurated on May 29, 2015 with the imprimatur of the change mantra to tackle insecurity, corruption and put the economy on a sound footings, nobody thought the journey would be a smooth ride. But expected and unexpected challenges have really cropped up. And with the galaxy of serious-minded and devoted men and women in PMB’s team, there are now footprints of irrevocable achievements by a committed and responsible administration. In fact, while inaugurating the National Food Security Council on Monday March 26, 2018 in Abuja, President Buhari had this to say: “Nigeri’s journey in the last three years has been a very turbulent one. The country’s need for critical job creation sectors which have been ignored for decades is now beginning to yield results.”

Yet, to all intents and purposes, the Buhari administration, despite all odds, has been able to weather the storm to record ground-breaking strides. In the area of infrastructural development, taxation, transportation, agriculture, and other critical sectors of the nation’s economy, the government has made remarkable impact. The overwhelming viewpoint amongst analysts is that in spite of all odds, the Buhari administration has broken the jinx of corruption, insecurity and economic stagnation in the country. The President is very well respected in Africa and the world at large. He was recently called the Warrior of Ant-corruption Battle in Africa. Indeed, anywhere Buhari goes around the world, he radiates that aura, charisma and the carriage of a morally upright reformer who is gradually but steadily effecting a lasting change in his country. The hitherto predictable tradition that was so entrenched in the country regarding massive looting of the national treasury is now a thing of the past.

Whereas some of the nation’s intractable challenges have continued to endure since it is usually not possible to fix what has been destroyed for almost two decades in just four and a half years, Nigerians believe that, ultimately, a lot of work has been done. There is a seeming consensus among Nigerians that while the country is not yet where it should be, it is, of course, on the way to the Promised Land under the watchful eyes of Nigeria’s ‘Mai Gaskiya.” Upon assumption of office, he told the Boko Haram insurgents that their days were numbered. With dispatch and elan, he announced the relocation of the Nigerian Army Command Centre, to Maiduguri, Borno State.

The President took this decision in order to put the Nigerian Army in a position of strength to be able to effectively tackle the rampaging sect whose violent activities had accounted for the death of over 15,000 Nigerians mostly poor, defenseless and armless women and children. This was the beginning of the end of the sect as it underscored the level of seriousness he attached to the menace of insurgency. The appointment of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, a distinguished war tactician who has the capacity to dare even death, was what confined the Boko Haram power to only Borno State until the dreaded sect was technically defeated. Today, the sect which attacked as far as the Federal Capital Territory, does not have the capacity to threaten states like Yobe, Kano, Kaduna and Adamawa.

Another area the Buhari administration has not disappointed in the last four years and seven months is in the area of fighting corruption. In line with his antecedents, the anti-graft crusade has been massive and total. To begin with, since May 29, 2015 when power changed hands, it has been a new dawn across the length and breadth of the country – political circles, the civil service, and government offices. Even though the phenomenon of corruption is still rearing its ugly head, there is the general atmosphere of fear in Nigeria that a new Sherif is in town and he is a Big Brother who is monitoring everybody. PMB has not suddenly turned all Nigerians to saints but the mindless impunity with which government officials inflated contracts, misappropriated funds and diverted monies in the past has not been noticed in the present administration. On assuming office in May 2015, the first thing President Buhari did was to implement the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and made sure all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have one central account rather than each having multiple accounts which they used to siphon monies. Billions of naira have been saved for the country through this policy.

In fact, the fear of Buhari is the beginning of restraint. He has ensured that no form of reckless looting is taking place anywhere in Nigeria under his watch. This view can be accentuated in the way he booted out former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, one of his closest loyalists for decades. He also extended the same gesture to former head of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke, the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on the Recovery of Public Property, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, and the former Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Eyo Ita. The President is also dealing decisively with those who stole our commonwealth into their private pockets in previous administrations. Former State governors who were protected by immunity clause while in office have now been on trial and some convicted. Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki is still facing trial, former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State is on trial while former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has been convicted and is serving prison term.

President Buhari and his team of brilliant men and women have demonstrated enormous capacity to lead and make Nigeria stay on course by strengthening the shock absorbers of the economy even in the midst of dwindling revenue and instability in global oil prices. President Buhari has never owed workers’ salaries even during the biting economic recession in 2016. In his characteristic magnanimity, he gave bailout funds and Paris Club refunds to State governors to enable them pay salaries, pensions and to meet other obligations in their respective states. This is what his predecessors never did even when there was oil boom. The Buhari administration has also been deservedly credited for insisting on fiscal discipline and engaging the restive Niger Delta youth in some productive dialogue which has brought sanity to the region and halted attacks on oil installations. This helped the country to exit recession in record time. The World Bank also recently gave the country a pass mark due to the new regulations and reforms introduced by the present administration in the business registration process. The World Bank has ranked Nigeria the 145th out of 190 countries in the Ease of Doing Business index. These and many more that cannot be included here for space constraints have galvanized President Buhari’s popularity index among the poor and downtrodden who would insist on even giving him a hug anywhere they can find him. So, let the wailers continue to rant to the contrary. Nigerians are proud of their performing President.

Kuanum, an author and researcher at the Global Amnesty Watch contributed this piece from Gboko.

By Abe Kolawole

It was Plato who, during the Golden Age, when history was rising as a major sign of the growing sophistication of the Athenian society, declared that a life not examined is a life not worth living. As myth gave way to more accurate chronicling and prose replaced verse as the medium for preserving facts, the fifth century Greek came closer to the scientific spirit of free inquiry in modern times. Memories are made of these! Yet, nothing seems more characteristic of the present age than the homogeneity of its point of view. We may frown at its developmental smugness. But we must admire its optimism, its cosmopolitanism, its intellectual refinements, its spirit of true enlightenment and the critical engagement with which it examines the world and its leaders. For, it is always instructive for the serious student of history to start by trying to determine what an age thought of itself.

Such an investigation is made the easier by studying the lives and times of the important men and women that shaped the age with their actions. In documenting the life and times of a towering personality, exciting experiences are selected, which present emotional and spiritual values, to interpret the tale as it is rehearsed in imagination or told to an admiring listener or hearer. As a revolutionary, a faithful servant, a dedicated realist and reformer, who can bridge all gulfs, level all mountains and put a lamp in every tunnel, as exemplified by his selfless service to Nigeria, his fatherland since he was appointed the Chief of Army Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has undoubtedly, come to be seen as a modern day phenomenon whose corpus requires a large canvas. Under him, the Nigerian Army has come to become the best and most engaging security outfit in the country. For his effort in modernizing the Nigerian Army for global relevance since becoming Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai has been lionized by millions of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora.

Due to his leadership role and gallantry in checkmating the Boko Haram insurgency, Gen. Buratai has been venerated for excellence in Security, Selfless devotion, service, vision, courage, doggedness, the willingness to take action, patriotism, performance and inimitable commitment to the national ideal in our democratic journey. These are the essential characteristics of a national hero. TUKUR BURATAI is, undoubtedly, a reputable military expert, a historian, a philosopher, an administrator, a development expert, an iconic personality, and a perception management expert. Comments of many Nigerians on Buratai reflect the looming intellectual profundity of the man in question. A man who can think out of the box to contain the security challenges facing the country, Buratai builds synergies with other countries armies around the world. He attracted the Chief of Army Staff of South Africa to Nigeria recently. According to him, the outcome was quite tremendous. For him, the understanding that they needed to work together to improve the two African countries’ securities in view of contemporary security challenges in the world, was a major achievement.

He has enthused that the fight against terrorism is a global phenomenon and it requires a global approach. Consequently, Africa needs this cooperation to approach it holistically. The gathering of African military chiefs in Nigeria has brought to the fore the individual challenges African soldiers are facing in the continent and collectively they have put together measures to address the challenges in order to foster peace and security in the region. Nigeria has started receiving the results and reaping the fruits of the summit. There is now a common understanding and strategies on the cascading insecurity in the continent and how to tackle it together. This shows that Buratai is a modern team player and continental leader. Gen. Buratai as COAS believes that national interest can be better secured when there is cooperation among the security agencies, hence the synergy with other security agencies in the fight against criminal elements across the country. He also believes that the solution to criminal insurgency does not lie in military operations alone. Hence he always reiterates the efficacy of joint efforts of all Nigerians: the military and civil populace, in the war against crime and criminality in the country.

It is in recognition of this remarkable leadership quality that he is variously described as a game changer, a man of distinction, a man who places national interest above self, a man who personifies patriotism, courage, inspiration and motivation, as well as the initiator of some uncommon initiatives, a man who rekindles the fighting spirit of the Nigerian Army. Gen. Buratai’s private home in Borno was destroyed by the insurgents at the peak of the battle. But he saw that as a personal sacrifice which could not deter him from his plans for the redemption of his fatherland. This man of distinction changed all that was needed to be changed, especially as regards strategies and policies, all aimed at the rebirth of the Nigerian Army and defeating the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists. Gen. Buratai’s exceptional leadership style as exemplified by his father – son relationship with the troops has changed the known norms. Thus, for the first time, we have a COAS who advances to the battlefield with his troops. This is informed by his belief that one cannot live in absentia if one wants to achieve meaningful results. This uncommon attribute became the magic-wand that he uses to perform uncommon feats. The highly motivated troops had no choice but to charge before the terrorists and defeat them thereby liberating Nigerians from their stranglehold as well as regaining not only the lost territories but also the glory of the Nigerian Army.

The effect of that singular action has led to the massive reduction or elimination in the incidents of bombings and attacks especially in States like Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and the FCT, Abuja. While Borno State is still experiencing occasional attacks on soft targets, there is no doubting the fact that the Nigerian Army under the Eagle eyes of Gen. Buratai has been able to deal a decisive blow on the capacity of the terrorists to plan major attacks on government houses, security formations, police and army barracks, places of worship and others. By relocating to the theatre of war in Borno State, Gen. Buratai boosted the morale of troops and made the soldiers to believe that Nigeria was worth dying for. It was Buratai’s sterling leadership qualities that created the late Lt. Muhammad Abu-Ali who did an excellent job in the war theatre before he was killed by the sect in 2016. He coordinated series of attacks on the sect and launched a massive one on Sambisa Forest where many of the terrorists were killed and their flags and other symbols recovered. Since then, the sect has only been able to launch a few cowardly attacks on soft targets in Maiduguri. Gen. Buratai has a firm grasp of basic leadership principles.

It was a firm grasp of basic leadership principles that enabled Napoleon, an obscured soldier from Corsica, to take a bankrupt and war-devastated France and defeat the most powerful nations on earth, dominating Europe during his time. The great question of history has been: “Did Napoleon make the times, or did the time make Napoleon?” When one understands leadership, one would know that Napoleon made the times in which he lived. One would also realize that any soldier could rise and achieve the same feat. Napoleon called himself “the little corporal” as a way to identify with his men. Hitler literally was a little corporal and was never commissioned as an officer, yet he arose to dominate some of the great generals of his time. For a while he dominated Europe even more than Napoleon had in the past. To do this he seized a few basic principles of leadership and used them better than the generals and other politicians that he dominated. Gen. Buratai did not emerge from the blues. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna as a member of the 29th Regular Combatant Course (29 RC). On the successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on December 17, 1983 into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army. A highly brilliant officer who earned a degree in history from the University of Maiduguri and another in philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka, Gen. Buratai also graduated from the National Defence College, Mirpur, Pakistan. Gen. Buratai, our amiable Chief of Army Staff makes his times. He is an aggressively creative leader.

Kolawole, former public relations officer, National Association of Nigerian Students and wrote from Lagos.