COVID-19: Nigeria will overcome like it defeated Boko Haram -Archbishop Ediwe

A renowned cleric Archbishop Julius Ediwe has predicted that Nigeria will overcome the Coronavirus pandemic in the country in no distant time. The cleric stated this during the virtual prayer and fasting conference organized by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) recently.

According to the cleric in his sermon titled “The beginning of the end”, he stated that the evil forces behind COVID-19 pandemic are on the verge of been put to shame in Nigeria and other countries.

“Nigeria shall soon overcome the coronavirus pandemic in no distant time to the glory of God with the avalanche of revelations during our virtual prayer and fasting programme across the country. We prayed to God in our numbers, and God indeed proved Himself faithful to his people. The evil forces behind the coronavirus pandemic shall be put to shame, and Nigeria shall be liberated.”

“God revealed to us in the book of Revelation 17:14 that “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

The cleric further stated that the coronavirus pandemic is akin to the Boko Haram war in Nigeria and just like Nigeria defeated the Boko Haram terrorists, Nigeria shall also defeat COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to state that just like God delivered victory to Nigeria against the Boko Haram terrorist group, He will also deliver Nigeria from the coronavirus pandemic. God was clear about this victory in the book of Isaiah 42:13 which states that the Lord will go forth like a warrior; He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes; He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.”

“God will go forth like a warrior for Nigeria and prevail against all our enemies, including the coronavirus, and there shall be a shout of victory in Nigeria.”

The cleric counseled Nigerians regardless of their religious inclinations to be resolute in prayers in anticipation of the great victory coming.

“God revealed to us during our virtual prayer programme that the victory that is coming for Nigeria shall be a resounding one just like in the book of Exodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.”

“We, as Nigerians must understand the supremacy of the word of God and his promises to us as a nation, is sacrosanct. God did it for us in the Boko Haram case, and He shall do it again for us in the critical time. The coronavirus pandemic cannot be worse than the Boko Haram war in Nigeria. If God delivers us victory, He has also promised to deliver victory to Nigeria again.”

He further stated that NIFROP is an organization consists of people from both Christian and Muslim faithful’s that have come under one voice to pray for liberation for Nigeria over the years.

“NIFROP is for the good of Nigeria, and this has been witnessed in all our programmes where pastors and imams take the turn to pray for Nigeria, and God indeed answered our prayers. We have received prophesies that have come to pass and the victory over coronavirus pandemic is one of them, just like the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.”

Archbishop Ediwe who is also the Chairman Board of Trustees, National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace further charged Nigerians to keep faith in the word of God because every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. He does not change like shifting shadows.

“James 1:17 states that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Isaiah 43:2 also states that when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

“When we walk through the fire, we will not be burned; the flames will not set us ablaze because God is with Nigeria, and this COVID-19 pandemic too shall pass.”

It would be recalled that the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace is holding a 21-Days Prayer and Fasting for divine intervention and solution to Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

Adeyanju’s anti- patriotism

By Ibrahim KabiruDallah

In 1984, Gregory Johnson, a US citizen burned an American flag during a protest outside the Republican Party’s national convention and he was arrested and charged with violating a state law.

But to the surprise of many, Johnson argued that he had not done anything illegal but was only expressing himself and that his action was an expressive activity which is protected by the First Amendment.

When the case came up at the Supreme Court, one of the judges agreed with him but four members of the Court argued that his actions were forms of anti-patriotism, and therefore punishable and unprotected by the First Amendment.

Justice William Rehnquist in his own opinion asserted that the American flag is a visible symbol for the country and therefore should be preserved arguing further that burning the flag expressed disapproval and anti-patriotism for the nation’s policy, and was therefore a symbolic desecration of the U.S. in its entirety.

Over the years, we have had cases of people  like Johnson who have done much to hurt their countries but would argue that their actions were either protected by law or meant to serve the general good.

They fail to differentiate between mawkish pursuits for self interest and what is for the good of the nation. They don’t know when to draw the line between where their interests lie and where it conflicts with national good as they are too far gone in their hatred for symbols of authority to look back.

They are like the ones the Bible predicted in John 16: 2, that, “the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”

In their case, they render harm to the unity and collective well being of the nation while pretending they are fired by democratic and patriotic fervour. 

It is for these set of people that the word ‘anti-patriotism’ was coined. This, as opposed to patriotism, is the wilful act of conflicting  with what is in the best interest of a nation. And  the dictionary puts it,  “stems from the belief that patriotism is wrong.”

In Nigeria, we have had so many of these anti-patriotic elements. 

The easily recognisable ones are those that have openly defied the state and taken up arms against it like the Boko Haram and ISWAP groups. 

But there are other subtle groups or individuals who hide their anti-patriotic traits under the cloak of self delusional acts of defiance and protests to hoodwink the populace into believing they are driven by the fine points of patriotism and concealing their desperation by opposing anything that does not serve their personal interests; and this is the category that Deji Adeyanju falls under .

Adeyanju, who is the Convener of a group, Concerned Nigerians, erroneously being referred to as pro-democracy group when there’s nothing democratic about it,  oscilates in prevarication and deceit without fully comprehending the implication of his action to the well being of Nigeria. 

He belongs to the school of thought that believes that once your political camp is defeated in an election, you automatically become morbidly cantakerous by metamorphosing into a rabid opposition figure who must oppose every policy or action of government whether good or bad.

One would have understood if this is restricted to occasional rants,  but most times in the bid to get public attention, these sort of ‘activists’ resorts to lies.

Adeyanju claimed this year for instance that not a single Boko Haram suspect has been put on trial.

This is deliberate to paint the current administration which has done so much to bring the insurgency in some parts of the country to an end as having sympathy for the terrorists.

But the  most casual scrutiny would expose Adeyanju’s perfidy and lack of respect for truth as the current government has arraigned thousands suspected of Boko Haram links and had succeed in convicting and jailing many of them. 

When his claims on Boko Haram did not impress even the most gullible, Adeyanju abandoned that track and launched unto his main object of hatred, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The pretender could  not sustain his diversion for long and had to expose his mission.

President Buhari’s only sin is that he defeated Adeyanju’s sponsors in an open and transparent election.

He has been on the President with issues ranging from the puerile to the ridiculous. When the President was sick, a malady which every mortal succumbs to at one time or the other, Adeyanju was unrelenting, making it look like the President had committed a crime. 

When the President recovered and returned and citizens in happiness were celebrating, Adeyanju became angry saying there’s no reason to celebrate.

He along with Bohemian musician, Charly Boy, were stopped by patriotic Nigerians during one of their unfortunate protests at Wuse Market, Abuja.

When he couldn’t make any capital out of the sickness that took the president out of the country, Adeyanju is now claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari is failing in his duties by refusing to come out since the outbreak of the Convid 19 pandemic, saying the president is afraid of contracting the virus.

Unfortunate as this claim would appear, Adeyanju thinks it is strong enough reason foe him to  call on the President to resign. 

Hear what is supposed to be the sound bite,  “The President needs to show leadership. Every day we watch the American President, Donald Trump, addressing Americans and meeting with his cabinet on efforts being made to curtail the virus from spreading. This lackadaisical attitude of addressing Nigerians every two-week by President Muhammadu Buhari in such a time like this is totally unacceptable.”

When the President came out and addressed the nation on the issue, Adeyanju was at his wits end.

When the governors resolved for a two-week inter-state lockdown in efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Adeyanju said it was sad that the governors decided to take up the role of the President.

He said, “Currently, there is a leadership vacuum in Nigeria and it’s so sad that it’s the Governors who are now rising to the occasion.”

He on another occasion via his Twitter handle, described the President on account of his age as an ancestor and blamed Nigerians for voting ‘an ancestor’ as President. 

This is the same man who never fails to admire Trump who is also in his 70s and has never described his sponsor who ran against Buhari for the presidency even though his sponsor is only wee years away from 70 as an ancestor. 

It is clear that the likes of Adeyanju are only driven by selfish interests and will never see anything good in the goverment so long as their hench men are not in power.

They would prefer an anarchy once they are not the ones calling the shots and would do anything to insult symbols of authority once they are not the ones in office.

They do not seem to have been listening when the Bible in Hebrews 13:17 enjoined us to 

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

To the tribe in which Adeyanju belongs, anything that does not serve their personal interest must be crushed. 

But for how long are we going to allow these charlatans to take us on this path of perfidy?

Dallah is the Director of Communications and Publicity, Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA), wrote in from Lafia, Nasarawa State

Boko Haram: Coalition salutes Nigerian Armed Forces leadership over results

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces’ leadership for the tremendous gains in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

CATE, in a statement signed by National Coordinator, Comrade Gabriel Onoja, on Monday, hailed the Armed Forces’ high level of professionalism in the prosecution of the war against terrorism.

The Centre particularly applauded Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for demonstrating “unparalleled leadership strides by leading the troops to battle and victory over the years in ways too numerous to mention”.

According to CATE, the recent call for a truce by the Boko Haram group is an affirmation of the remarkable victory by the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

While hailing the troops for doing the nation proud, CATE, however, urged them never to allow the Boko Haram/ISWAP regroup in any part under whatever guise.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism commends the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the officers and soldiers involved in the war against terrorism for their efforts so far in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Their efforts so far have indeed yielded the desired results that have seen to the decimation of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group over the years.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism as a critical stakeholder in the war against terrorism and other acts of militancy in Nigeria, states that the Nigerian Armed Forces have indeed exhibited a high level of professionalism in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has also demonstrated unparalleled leadership strides by leading the troops to battle and victory over the years in ways too numerous to mention.

The most recent example was in past weeks that saw the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to the Theatre of Operations in North-East Nigeria and taking charge of the various operations that saw to the death and surrender of hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists.

The recent call for a truce by the Boko Haram group is also an indication of the numerous efforts of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. They have sacrificed day and night to keep our country safe and secured.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism appreciates the efforts of our loyal troops. It wishes to encourage them to continue to render their selfless service to the country as they push for the final decimation of the Boko Haram group.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism wishes to state that indeed the Nigerian Armed Forces have done the country proud in the war against terrorism in Nigeria. As such, they should do all within their might to protect and preserve the victory over the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

We also charge the Nigerian Armed Forces to ensure that never again should they allow the Boko Haram/ISWAP regroup in any part of Nigeria under whatever guise. The Nigerian Armed Forces must be aware that their sacrifices over the years would go down the drain if they lose focus in this critical period.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism also encourages well-meaning Nigerians to extend their support to the Nigerian Armed Forces in this victory lap against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism lauds the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, whose selfless service to the country has been unparalleled since 2015 when he assumed leadership of the Nigerian Army.

Igbo group allege impostors using Kanu’s social media accounts

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has alleged that some imposters posing as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu are operating his social media accounts insisting that he is dead.

According to the southeast group, Kanu is dead and anyone behind his double body should be immediately arrested and prosecuted.

INM made this known in a statement signed by its Secretary General Mazi Chijioke Udenwa on Monday.

The group insisted that there are a cloned version of Kanu known as ‘Pascal’ currently impersonating the ex-IPOB leader and .

INM, however, advised youths not to be misled by these agents of confusion, exploiting Kanu’s identity for their selfish interest.

The group further urged the Nigerian Army to disregard the lies coming from Pascal as it has always been known for patriotism and remains one of the beacons holding the nation together.

Read full statement below:

Nigeria Movement has observed that the alleged clone of the late Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hacontinuedue to impersonate the deceased towards ends that are not clear at the moment.

The latest of such ploy is an anti-Nigerian Army post on Kanu’s social media accounts that again promised that Pascal, the cloned version of Kanu will address certain issues live in the bid to distract the military from the final onslaught it is unleashing against Boko Haram.

In further proof that those currently impersonating Kanu, including Pascal the clone, have no idea of the depth of discourse that the late activist had engaged in the past. This is why it was possible for the impostors to again surface the issue of the Nigerian Army’s insignia having Arabic inscriptions on it. Kanu had conclusive dealt with the matter in the past and would not have stooped so low as to recycle his thoughts at a time when the world, including the Igbo nation, is facing existential threats.

Had these rabble rousers taken time to research they would have found out that the inscription they are hyperventilating over means “Victory Comes from God Alone” which only have to insist that authorities also inscribe in anglicized Igbo texts as “Mmeri Si n’aka Naanị N’aka Chineke”.

But we do not expect such reasoning from people that have been so consumed by their misplaced and misdirected hatred that they are willing to cut their nose to spite their face. This is why the ongoing successes of the military in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram has become a source of worry to the promoters of the cloned Kanu body double that they want to get back at the Army through divisive posts and clear attempts to instigate disloyalty.

Should our youth be misled into abandoning the Army like these clone sponsors desire it would be the undoing of Igbos as they would be edged out of seniority and ranking. Nigerians and particularly our Igbo sons and daughters in the military are urged to disregard the lies flowing from these trouble makers.

INM is aware that Kanu is dead, which is why we hereby call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those behind his body double. Their continuing to exploit the identity of a deceased person is a serious security threat that must not be ignored since these same people will eventually attempt to provoke a pogrom against the Igbo just to validate the false claims they have been making.

We appeal to the Nigerian Army to disregard the lies coming from Pascal the Clone. The Nigerian Army has been known for her patriotism and remains one of the beacons holding the nation together. The accusation made in the misleading social media posts is one that should not have been directed at the Army because a respected institution like that should never be dragged down to the level of having to manage the lies being told by clones. An Army that had refused to join issues with Kanu despite his many provocations while alive should not now be seen responding to a copy.

Babajide Otitoju: Why the silence whenever Nigeria is winning?

By Lanre Oteniya

When Chadian forces led by their president, Idris Derby Itno, launched an operation which resulted in the death of over 1000 ISWAP terrorists, media analyst, Babajide Otitoju was among those who were upbeat  drumming it into the ears of everyone what a ‘great feat’ the Chadians had recorded by that action. 

Otitoju while analysing the development in one of the ‘Journalists Round Table’ programme, spoke of Derby as a war hero who he said had done 90 percent of the work that needed to uproot ISWAP and Boko Haram for good on the surface of the earth. 

One would be forgiven to assume from the way Otitoju sounded, that he knew the exact number of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that are remaining for him to conclude that Derby Itno had done 90 percent of the work required.

Other fair minded observers of the war against insurgency in the Lake Chad region had pointed out to Otitoju even then, that his claims cannot be factual as Nigerian troops have done far more than what he was ascribing to the Chadians.

A particular commentator had  stated that given the magnitude of the problem, the challenge on the Nigerian soil, given its asymmetric nature was far more than what could be handled in a single operation but was optimistic that given the leadership of the Nigerian army, the terrorists would be defeated.

He encouraged Otitoju and others who prefer to take the glory of the war against insurgency to other lands while mocking Nigerian troops, to however be prepared to be fair enough to give due credit to the Nigerian military like they were doing to the Chadians when this happens. 

Not long after that, the prediction came to pass as the Nigerian Armed Forces stepped up its game when the chief of army staff, Lt. Gen.TY Buratai moved to the theaters of operation to lead the assault on the insurgents.

Within the the first week of his relocation, Nigerian troops launched an attack on Boko Haram fortresses and killed no less than a hundred of them in what has become the precursor to the pressure the military would mount on the terrorists. 

In March, during an operation that was carried out in Gorgi, Damboa local government of  Borno state more than 100 Boko Haram insurgents were killed and one of their top commanders was also liquidated. 

Not stopping at that, In April, Nigerian troops also killed 105 insurgents in confrontation at a town called Buni Gari with remnants of Boko Haram and ISWA that attempted to infiltrate the village. 

Nigerian troops also captured  five AK-47 rifles, three GPMG, one Duska anti-aircraft gun, one PKT gun, two handheld radio, while one terrorists’ gun truck was destroyed and several ammunition and ammunition links, two hand grenades, two magazines with ammunition and assorted hard drugs were also captured in that operation. 

Not done with that, Nigerian troops in their renewed vigour on the first day of this month, launched the Operation Kantana Jimlan, where 78 members of ISWAP and 56  Boko Haram members were killed.

Nigerian troops also arrested 28 informants of the groups and recovered lots of ammunition from them.

In that operation on the Timbuktu Triangle and another artillery engagement in Buk,  Damboa LG of Borno State, Nigerian troops killed134 number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Between March when Buratai relocated to the theater of operation and now, Nigerian troops have killed no less 490 of the terrorists

What is more; owing to the heat from the Nigerian troops, Boko Haram leader, Abu Shekau gave an indication that he was considering turning himself in in an act of surrender.

But with all the feat recorded against the insurgents by Nigerian troops, our vibrant and observant analyste have gone silent.

The tap from which they showered encomiuoms on troops of other countries seem to have run dry.

Otitoju was nowhere to be found when he was needed most. He has become like the misguided football hooligan who hails teams of other countries but goes silent when that of his country is doing wonders. 

But perhaps noticing this bias in reportage foreign media agencies have been upbeat on reporting the gallantry of the Nigerian troops.

A French journal on African intelligence had even gone beyond reporting what the troops have achieved to revealing the level of preparation for the task ahead. 

It reported that the Nigerian Army is engaged in negotiations to purchase Chinese rotary wing AVIC AV500 drone to be able to carry out ISR missions  at medium altitude, carry out strikes and stay airborne for nine hours while at it.

This will definitely accelerate the almost completed liquidation of the terrorists. 

All these efforts are however lost on Otitoju an his ilk who seem to be upbeat only when Nigerian troops encounter defeat or some foreign countries record distant and uncoordinated break in the war.

The truth is, Nigerian  troops have even before now been doing very well in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Nigeria has been the leader on many counter insurgency operations across the continent including the multinational joint task force currently fighting in the Lake Chad region. 

For more than four years since the coming of the current administration, the terrorists have not found it easy operating on Nigerian soil as they  have been under heat from Nigerian troops.

Due to the heat, they run to take cover in neighbouring African countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroun 

Nigeria has been able to up the game and degraded the terrorists and have been able to penetrate the base of the insurgents at Sambisa Forest, took out a great number of them and destroyed their armoury and established a base at Camp Zero.

Nigerian troops have also retaken captured military bases in  Bama, Monguno and Gwoza as well as recapture territories captured by the terrorists including the 20 local government that came under the authority of the terrorists. 

They have also put a stop to the activities of the terrorists in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja, confining them to few communities along the Lake Chad.

Nigerian troops have put the terrorists in disarray and have made it impossible for them tto launch attacks on communities.

Given all these record of achievements, one would wonder how an objective analyst would fail to commend Nigerian armed forces for its efforts if  there’s no deliberate agenda to undermine Nigeria. 

At this point there’s the need to caution Otitoju in the words of Samuel Adams, the American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the founding Fathers of the United States, who said there are people who can be termed as  void of all regards for their country. 

Otitoju should be cautioned  not to allow himself drift into that category because the philosopher has only harsh words for those kinds of people. 

He said:”There is seldom an Instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections.”

Otitoju and his ilk, who derive pleasure in laughing at and insulting the military when the terrorists attack Nigerian troops but will be silent when the military takes the lead need to have a rethink. 

Oteniya, a freelance broadcast journalist wrote this piece from Lagos.

Adieu, Mama Buratai in heavenly bliss!

By Adam Biu

“But let them sleep Lord, and I mourn a space;
For, if above all these, my sins abound,
‘Tis late to ask abundance of thy grace,
When we are there. Here on this lowly ground,
Teach me how to repent; for that’s as good
As if thou hadst sealed my pardon with thy blood”-John Donne (1572-1631)

John Donne has pungently and poetically kept reminding us about the inevitable eventuality of the mortality of human beings on earth. The reality of death, especially for beloved ones, sends nervous emotions. It pains and I mean; a deep pain that touches the marrow and appears permanent.

But, it is a divine order from Almighty Allah (S.W.T):.The birth of a child brings joy, but the death brings sadness. Tears have never solved the mystery of death for us, the bereaved. But mourning is the only human antidote which lessens our grief and purges the pains death inflicts on us.

Today, Nigeria is mourning the passage to eternal glory of Mama, Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf Buratai, whom the cold hands of death snatched from us. The matriarch of the Buratai family, you have left us too soon, mama! How I wish, Almighty Allah (S.W.T) would have extended the grace of longevity to you.

But Almighty Allah (S.W.T) knows why and we think, you are safer in His hands than in this sinful world caging us with countless afflictions and the latest being Coronavirus! But I know, your spirit is on us.

All through lifetime Mama, you lived a worthy life as a wife, mother, auntie, sister and pillar of the downtrodden in communities around the North. We know you as a compassionate mother, a woman of virtue, community mobilizer, the pillar of the needy and epitome of excellence.

Not long ago, we mourned the passing unto glory of the patriarch of the Buratai family, World War II veteran, Mallam Yusuf Buratai. We are still weeping even as we found consolation in your warm embrace and today, you are gone, Mama!

Tears have not yet dried on our faces and today, we are in tears over demise. Oh destiny, you are very cruel to us the people of Biu village/LGA, Borno and indeed, all Nigerians are in sorrow over the sudden passage of the matriarch of the Buratais. But you are above death. Rather you have conquered the mystery of death eternally.

Mama, you came into the world as a heroine and departed as a heroine. We remember your fond love, years of toil, endurance and perseverance while alive. Naturally, your affectionate love drained sorrows from the hearts of many; comforted the millions of wailing souls around you. Words are not enough to express exactly millions.

We remember and will miss your comforting counsels in our moments of torments. Your sagacity transcended boundaries and brought comfort to the known and unknown. Mama, your translucent piousness, generous lifestyle and care would forever be etched on our memories.

But I say again that our Matriarch and indeed, the Buratai family have conquered death. Mama, your sojourn on earth has brought solace and freedom to millions of enslaved Nigerians. In you Mama, I met a compassionate mother, who cares for everyone around her.

I miss your counsel and the last time, I visited you in the village, you told me that your son, Gen. Buratai would end Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, no matter the forces frustrating the efforts of the Nigerian Army. It was not a mere wish, but prayers Almighty Allah has granted.

I believed you absolutely Mama and it is happening already. There are clear signs that your son, Gen. Buratai, leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, a rare gift to Nigeria’s military will end the torment of Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria very soon.

I keep wailing and will keep crying at your demise because the cold hands of death have snatched you away from us, just before the hour of total victory against Boko Haram. I refuse to be comforted because you are no longer alive to relish this victory with Nigerians.

How I wish Almighty Allah (S.W.T) would have preserved your life to be one of those to receive the national plaque of honour, and garlands of triumph of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. But Almighty Allah has done His will. I am a mere mortal to question His will. He knows better. But it is painful!

But Mama, you are not dead! You will live forever in our psyche. An English poet and world acclaimed founder of metaphysical poetry, John Donne, says in a poetic verse titled; “At the round earth’s imagined corners” (Holy Sonnet 7), which says;

“At the round earth’s imagined corners, blow
Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise
From death, you numberless infinities
Of souls, and to your scattered bodies go,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall, o’erthrow,
All whom war, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despair, law, chance, hath slain, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never taste death’s woe.”

Mama, President Buhari and Nigerians feel the pains of your sudden death. Our President sent a condolence and consolation message to your son, Gen. Buratai conveying all the emotional pains he feels over your sudden demise. Let me quote a portion from it verbatim through the public statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu. It states;

“President Buhari also prayed that the Almighty God would comfort Lt.-Gen. Buratai, who has been at the epicenter of war against terrorists in North East, urging the family to find solace in Hajiya Hauwa’s good works.”

I am touched by these words. They have consoled me that you are still alive, Mama! But like late Baba Buratai believed and you actively supported; “…mankind must be freed from the excesses of satanic souls.” Mama, your son, Gen. Buratai has kept every word of his late father, your husband, who told him at a tender age when he enlisted into the Nigerian Army that; “…be loyal to your superiors and constituted authority.”

Before his death, Baba Buratai confessed that Gen. Buratai obeyed every word of his father in service of the nation. And today, he is performing wonders in the frontlines on Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our cherished country, Nigeria. Gen. Buratai, your son is a sacrificial lamb for the freedom of Nigeria. May you find favour in the warm embrace of Almighty Allah.

Mama, like a verse in the song of the Afro-American music maestro, Tony Gaye, mourning the death of his elder brother, Marvin Gaye; “our mother, you are gone, but your spirit is with us.”

Adieu, Mama. Bye and bye, until we meet to part no more!

Adam wrote this tribute from Biu, Borno State.

Group accuses Atiku of apostacy over sack of 450 staff

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has proven that he is enemy of man and God by sacking over 450 staff of American University of Nigeria (ABTI), and Gotel Communications, the Employment Advancement Rights Network (EARN) has said.

EARN, in a statement signed by its President, Barrister Edward Ogenyi, on Sunday, described the move as “inhuman, unconscionable, intolerant and lacking in compassion especially at a time that responsible organizations are holding off on such decisions until after the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The group of legal practitioners wondered how Nigerians would have coped with Mr Atiku as president, knowing that he is so “consumed by extreme capitalism”.

EARN, though, added that this is an eye opener for Nigerians, especially with the ex-VP reportedly nurturing ambition to contest again in 2023.

The human rights group, therefore, warned Atiku that Nigerians are waiting for him at the next polls to “put a final nail in the coffin of his tyrannical style and ineptitude as a manager”.

EARN, however, called on ABTI and Gotel Communication to recall the sacked staff or their founder would face mass action all over the country.

Read full statement below:

As a pressure group of seasoned activists, lawyers and professionals with the sole aim of protecting Nigerian workers, Employment Advancement Rights Network (EARN) has comprehensively reviewed the sack of over 400 staff of the American University of Nigeria (ABTI), which is owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and almost 50 staff of Gotel Communication, also owned by the politician.

We have also reviewed the justifications for the sack of these hardworking Nigerians by the managements of ABTI and Gotel Communication, which both answer to Atiku. The responses to the sack amount to a charade and adding insult to injury. Both organizations sufficiently demonstrated that they place profit over humanity, a policy that could have only been formulated by the owner.

EARN condemns the sack of the over 450 staffers of these Atiku-owned organizations as inhuman, unconscionable, intolerant and lacking in compassion especially at a time that responsible organizations are holding off on such decisions until the COVID-19 pandemic has been sufficiently brought under control. The situation at ABTI and Gotel cannot be more precarious than what obtains in the banking sector, where chief executives have listened to reason and put a planned sack of workers on hold.

We wonder why the university and broadcasting company could not, like the banks, wait until after the pandemic before throwing hundreds of workers and thousands of their dependent into poverty, hunger and uncertainty. This callous decision confirmed that the origin of these organization and the seed fund for setting them up cannot stand up to scrutiny.

In our view, Atiku has by this action declared himself an enemy of God and humanity. Contemplating the sack at a time like this in the first instance is evil and implementing it elevated the owner of the decision to the status of the devil. He is by no means a man that should have a say in the wellbeing of anyone because it is apparent that his only concern is his avarice.

Considering the repeated failed attempts he has made to become Nigeria’s number one citizen, EARN is now imagining what the lot of Nigerians would have been under a person that is so consumed by extreme capitalism. Knowing that he has the intention to again run for president in 2023, right thinking people must now begin interrogating is this profit monster should be allowed anywhere near where issues that affect the ability of citizens to earn decent living.

We hereby put Atiku Abubakar on notice that Nigerians are waiting for him in 2023 to put a final nail in the coffin of his tyrannical style and ineptitude as a manager. The explanation put forward by his companies for the sack confirms that he is incapable of planning and organizing even at such level, which makes it criminal for him to have aspired to high office in the past knowing that his competence is below what is required.

We caution in the strongest term possible that Atiku must get ABTI and Gotel Communication to recall the sacked staff since they already admitted that these people lost their jobs to the incompetence of the owner and management and not gross misconduct. Failure to recall the sacked staff, EARN will launch coordinated picketing in the form of sit-ins, with consideration for social distancing, in Atiku’s houses and businesses all over the country. The properties will not only be picketed but would be fully occupied and locked down once the COVID19 pandemic is over.

North-East: Police, political leaders must act fast to consolidate military gains – NEDA

The North East Development Agenda (NEDA) has called on the police and political leaders in the northeast to build on the tremendous achievements of the military in the region.

NEDA gave the charge in a statement signed by its President Alhaji Ali Tanko on Sunday.

Nigeria’s once troubled northeast zone, a supposed stronghold of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in years past is now enjoying relative peace and tranquillity thanks to the gallant Nigerian Army.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Burarai, himself led the final clearance operation that has consumed hundreds of the fleeing radical jihadists.

However, NEDA believes this progress would be tainted without the support and collaboration of other actors such as the police and the elites.

According to the group, these terrorists have abandoned the fight and fled inwards into Nigeria’s other towns and villages where troops are not stationed.

As it isn’t the role of the military to carry out civil policing, NEDA reckoned that the cooperation of the police and the leaders is required to fish these fleeing terrorists.

The group, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police Force and political leaders from the region to immediately swing into action to consolidate on the gains made by the military in keeping the area free of Boko Haram.

Read full statement below:

The progress that has been made by the Nigerian Army and other services of the military in ridding the north east of Boko Haram has been reassuring given the scale on the terrorists have been killed and their camps decommissioned. But there is urgent need to act in ensuring that there is no vacuum created in places from where Boko Haram elements ts have been eliminated.

The North East Development Agenda (NEDA) is consequently calling on the civil police, being the Nigeria Police Force and political leaders from the region to immediately swing into action to consolidate on the gains made by the military in keeping the area free of Boko Haram. A delay in doing this will make everyone that failed to take action liable should there be a resurgence of terrorism in Nigeria.

The military remains in pursuit of fleeing terrorists as it continues to drive the battle deeper into anywhere that Boko Haram is found to have a presence. Some of these terrorists apparently abandoned the fight and fled inwards into Nigeria’s other towns and villages where troops are not stationed. This is an area in which the political leaders are needed to galvanize the people into providing useful information that will help security agents mop up these fighters.

We also know that the military is not meant for everyday civil policing neither are troops trained for such, which makes it necessary for the Nigeria Police Force to step in and complement the efforts of the military by immediately taking over civil policing to ensure that the fleeing terrorists do not regroup anywhere near the north east again. The emphasis here is that the Police does not have to wait for a Presidential directive or National Assembly motion to resume its statutory duties in the north east now that the terrorists that once put the situation there beyond the functions of the police have been decimated.

What was experienced in the past was a situation where terrorists rebuild their cells from towns and villages that were not adequately policed after the military had cleared them of terrorists. This is a mistake that must not be repeated. A visible police presence, coupled with the necessary structure for intelligence gathering, will be a natural deterrence to any aspiring terrorist not to test the strength of the state.

From all available reports on the ground, the military has won the war against the Boko Haram terrorists and conscious efforts by the political leadership to restore normalcy must be immediately put in place as to forestall the negative consequences of the terrorists ever regrouping again.

In this regard, the political leadership should show direction by speeding up the rebuilding efforts and economic expansion in the north east to address the poverty that made Boko Haram’s recruitment of frustrated and desperate youth easy in the past. For this purpose, political leaders in the region should embrace a sort of peer review mechanism that ensures that public resources are used only for what they are meant for, which is to bring about improvement in the life of the people.

It is equally necessary that politicians collectively commit to engaging in acts that can re-introduce terrorism to the area. The practice of giving tacit support to Boko Haram members or any violent group out of political desperation has to stop while political office holders must also desist from a tendency to politicize anti-terrorism measures as this has proven to be a great disadvantage to the society.

The political leadership must also mobilize the traditional and religious institutions to contribute to the restoration of lasting peace in the north east. The traditional institution can be empowered to keep track of the youth ward by ward such that anyone showing tendency of radicalization and extremism can be immediately helped with rehabilitation. The religious leaders on their part can help correct their colleagues that are involved that are involved in promoting extreme doctrines.

This arrangement would be greatly strengthened if the police prioritizes intelligence gathering and building a network of community volunteers to create a viable information network and a kind of participatory policing in the communities.

Such a synergy among these critical stakeholders is the greatest thank you gift that they can give to the Nigerian military and the troops that have made the supreme sacrifice to get rid of terrorists that once held the north east by the jugular.

Boko Haram: Group hails Buratai’s winning strategies, urges neighbouring nations to learn

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has applauded Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai for his unique strategies which are yielding results aplenty in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to the pro-democracy group, the COAS’ meticulous planning, deep thinking, experience, foresight and profound knowledge of the terrain is the difference in the theatre of operations.

The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have recorded tremendous success in the final clearance since Lt. Gen. Buratai stepped foot in the Northeast almost a month.

Scores of the insurgents have been consumed by the troops’ continuous onslaught, the most recent in Timbuktu Triangle.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General, Dr Abdulkadir Bolaji, the NDF said that this progress is as a result of deep thinking on the part of the military high command as well as painstaking calculations and meticulous planning.

The group added that this isn’t much of a surprise as the COAS is known as a master strategist, a thoroughbred professional and commander with vast knowledge in military warfare while climbing the ranks.

Like George Washington, the NDF noted that Buratai reviewed the old strategies used by troops and out-thought the enemy by adopting a unique fighting approach.

The National Democratic Front, however, urged the COAS to share his secret with the other nations so that rooms are not created for the insurgents to explore through the weakness of one country to hide and nurse their wounds as it happened in the past.

Read full statement below:

Gradually, even those who had disparaged the Nigerian Army over the news that its Chadian colleagues had flushed out Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists from its territory, are beginning to concede that Nigerian troops were misjudged on the basis of a single operation but are more coordinated and better.

In the past two months, the Nigerian army through a streak of victories over Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists has shown that it has not lost the verve and composure it has come to be known for over the years.

Between April and now, Nigerian troops have penetrated the fortresses of insurgents with liquidated top commanders and foot soldiers of the sect, set confusion in their midst, scattered their ranks and pummelled their topiary.

Only last week, within a spate of 24 hours, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole through a coordinated artillery bombardment on Timbuktu Triangle and another artillery engagement in Buk, Damboa LG of Borno State, killed 134 number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

This is in addition to the victories recorded against the insurgents only last month in which over of the terrorists were similarly liquidated.

The National Democratic Front, NDF, wants the world to note, that these victories were not by accident but as a result of deep thinking on the part of the military high command ad well as painstaking calculations and meticulous planning.

We want the world to know that having followed the professional progress of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, we have noted that what is happening now in the theatres of operation is consistent with his character as a meticulous planner, deep thinker, experienced strategist and a sharpshooter.

Right from his days at the Army Headquarters where he served in the Department of Army Policy and Plans, Abuja; from where he became Assistant Chief of Staff Administrative Matters at the Infantry Centre Jaji; to when he became a Major General and was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji; to when he was appointed Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) before he became Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Buratai, has been known as a master strategist and thoroughbred professional and commander with vast knowledge in military warfare owing to his experience and study of military strategy the world over.

We make bold to say that Nigeria is lucky to have a planner- strategist at the helm of the military command at a time the nation is ravaged by the activities of terrorists and insurgents because having personnel with less qualification, foresight and experience would have put Nigeria in quandary.

The Lake Chad Region, which is bordered by four countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria has made the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists quite unique and different from other theatres of operation.

While military expeditions in Afghanistan have only the mountainous terrains to contend with and in Somalia, the vast land and waters, the Lake Chad Region combines all the environmental challenges and more.

From the Nigerian and Cameroonian sides are high mountains with steep and creepy slopes while on the Nigerien side are vast stretches of desert land and between Chad are both land and water.

Past military expeditions that relied on surmounting the challenges from a particular angle have failed until the current Chief of Army Staff used a different strategy that took into cognisance the uniqueness of the challenges posed by the undulating terrain.

Like George Washington, the veteran military tactician who got the highest honour as a military officer did in the battle to win New York, Buratai, reviewed the old strategy used by troops and out-thought the enemy by adopting a unique fighting style suitable to the conditions at hand.

Washington is known for studying through the detail of army operations, including logistics and is said never to have led a large army into battle but relied heavily on the art of surprise, using tactics like ambush to overwhelm the enemy.

In the case of Nigerian troops, Buratai used the element of right timing to take the battle to the insurgents.

He, like Washington, must have reasoned that in a long war of attrition over a large territory with large scale military engagements like the one in the Lake Chad Region, that careful deliberation was the most appropriate strategy and he applied at a time the insurgents least expected which is coming with harvests of victories that we are witnessing today.

These basic elements of applying the right strategy at the right time were what helped Washington achieve a decisive victory which ended the American Revolutionary War.

We therefore commend General Buratai for his brilliance and application of the best military strategies to conquer the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists who have become irritants in the Lake Chad region.

We believe that the recent events in the theatre of war are precursors to a final battle which would route out insurgents entirely from the region and end the war as Nigerian troops have succeeded in regaining the confidence of the citizenry.

Buratai has shown that Nigeria will conbattlefieldain its pride in the comity of nations as the first to defeat this kind of insurgency.

We applaud the efforts of the Nigerian Army Chief and that of the entire troops in the battle field and wish them success in the final push to decapitate Boko Haram and ISWAP.

We urge members of communities around the Lake Chad region to cooperate fully with Buratai and the troops as victory is in sight.

We call on commanders of troops of neighbouring African countries to rise above the mundane and emulate the style of the Nigerian Army Chief which is bringing results.

The Nigerian army Chief must be magnanimous enough to share his secret with the other nations so that rooms are not created for the insurgents to explore through the weakness of one country to hide and nurse their wounds as it happened in the past.

We join our voice with that of others to call on the army Chief to live up to his promise not to leave the theatre of war until total victory is attained.

We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for putting a round peg in a round hole in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

Ebonyi: Association seeks probe, end to killings in Edda community

A group, Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to intervene and quickly bring to an end cases of political violence and killings ongoing in Asaga Owutu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

The association also demanded that the state government should be made to “institute an independent Judicial Panel of Inquiry to probe the causes of the killings in Edda, if the government is sincere about finding a lasting solution to the problem.”

Recall that the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the council chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Eni Uduma and the lawmaker representing Afikpo South East Constituency, Chidi Agemu, over alleged involvement in cult clashes recently.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday and signed by the Chairman of the Association and a political activist, Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, condemned what he described as “the acts of banditry, terrorism and killings which have been imposed on Edda clan since the current democratic/political dispensation in the state.”

Oluchukwu lamented that “the denigration of Edda politics to this level of outright and shameless political criminality dates back to sometime around the year 2007 when people of doubtful character entered into Edda/Ebonyi political horizon as political adventurers and merchants of death. Now, we can look back and note that their outing in the field of politics has destroyed Edda and relegated her into a state of mournful and regrettable degradation with their own political careers relapsing into shameful monumental tragedy.”

While giving background to what he called political terror in the Edda area, the association chairman said findings by his group revealed that there is a group in the area allegedly working with the current Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government “terrorising and specialising in torture of innocent citizens, beating of people with Koboko horse whips imported from foreign countries, among others.”

On the recent killings in the area, the association said: “On the 27th March, 2020, a 19- year old boy, Chidi Oji Arua was killed at Nguzu Edda. It was alleged that some officials of the Afikpo South Local Government COVID-19 Task Force went to Nguzu to enforce the Government policy banning burial of corpses as part of the COVID-19 lockdown. Some villagers resisted and the Personal Assistant to the Council Chairman, Keneth Agha Okoro (aka Mukoro) was rough-handled. He was said to have gone back to base to alert his group who went to Nguzu Edda to unleash mahem and Chidi was found lying dead after sporadic gunshots.

“From Sunday, 3rd May, 2020 to Wednesday, 6th May, 2020, three young men from Owutu Edda were murdered in cold blood. The first boy, Onu Chima Ukpai, was shot dead by an alleged member of a rival cult group. Then on Tuesday, 5th May, 2020, one of the boys, Chinedu Offor Ufere, who was wounded during the Sunday attack and was hospitalized, died. Then again, on Wednesday, 6th May, 2020, one Jarun, the elder brother of the boy who was killed on Sunday, went on a revenge mission and killed one Raphael Okereke.

“The recent killings in Edda reflect the brutal and crude political culture of violence and blood-bath which has been used as an instrument of political domination of the area. It is an extension of the regime of terror, thuggery, intimidation and gangsterism. It is aimed at conquering the people by instilling fear into them for political imposition and exclusion,” the association said.

The association noted that the immediate causes of the bloody confrontations can be traced to three recent events which heightened tension in the major flash-points of the LGA. The events are the sharing of political offices in the LGA in 2019, conduct of the 2020 Chairmanship and Councillorship primaries and the composition of the COVID-19 Implementation/Enforcement Task Force in the LGA.

The Ebonyi state indigenes, however said governor Dave Umahi’s statement recently blaming the Police and SSS for their inability to have predicted the killings and to have stopped it is neither here nor there.

“The Governor should immediately institute an independent Judicial Panel of Inquiry to probe the causes of the killings in Edda, if he is sincere about finding a lasting solution to the problem.

“We will also wish to call on the Federal Government and the Human Rights Organizations in Nigeria to wade into Ebonyi state and engage the government of Umahi to forestall further bloodshed in the area.”