Category: Featured

By Dauda Pam

New General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim has said that the military is re-strategising under the Super Camps concept to end Boko Haram terrorism in Borno and Northeast region.

The GOC hinted that the new strategies are to project fighting powers on wheels to emergency response areas of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

He unfolded the fighting strategy last Wednesday, while addressing troops at the Damboa road front lines, in Borno and that the strategy, was to force the terrorists to surrender and restore economic activities with increased surveillance and intelligence sharing.

Hear him, “I’m just coming to the theatre at a time when we have the change in our strategies.

“What we have now, is the Super Camp concept. It’s a concept in warfare, whereby we have strongly held positions with reasonable fighting resources.

“From the super camps, we are able to project fighting powers into the various response areas of insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.”

According to him, the army has discovered that criminal and Boko Haram elements have the mobility of attacking forward operational bases (FOBs); with losses of fighting equipment, stressing that “We still have remnants of Boko Haram terrorists marauding to be dealt with the super camp new fighting strategies.

“Our aim is to force the terrorists to surrender and restore economic activities with increased intelligence sharing,” the GOC said.
Ends

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke, Lafia.

The Lafia-Akwanga highway in Nasarawa has been opened to commuters, following the successful blasting of rocks by the construction company working on the dualisation of the road.

The construction firm, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), had issued a statement alerting the public of plans to blast rocks around Nasarawa-Eggon between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on September 2.

The company advised commuters to exercise caution or take alternative routes within the period.
As at the time of filing this report, our reporter observed that the road had been opened to commuters, with traffic flowing freely.

Eche Amos, a commuter who witnessed the exercise, told journalists that the rock blast began a few minutes past 10 a.m. and lasted for about one hour.

Mr Amos, who said that the road was shut within the period, added that commuters were kept at a distance of about one kilometre from the scene of the blast.

“The traffic build-up occasioned by the temporary closure has eased off at the moment,” he said.

Mr Amos pointed out that traffic on the road was not as heavy as it used to be, attributing it to the early warning by the company.

Aliyu Ibrahim, one of the commercial drivers plying the route, said that the alert by the company had affected their businesses for the day in terms of passengers’ turnout.

Mr Ibrahim noted that contrary to the people’s expectation, the road was not closed for eight hours as some people said. He commended the company for the prior warning as such blast could be misinterpreted and cause panic that could result in fatality.

By Jennifer Yusuf

In furtherance of its continued efforts to boost civil-military relations as well as win the hearts and minds of the populace for effective prosecution of ongoing internal security operations in the Country, the Nigerian Air Force has, commenced a 2-day medical outreach in Irhirhi Community, Oredo Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State.

The outreach, which is taking place at the Akenzua Primary School, Irhirhi Benin, is being coordinated by the Director of Public Health and Humanitarian Services Headquarters NAF, Group Captain Ali Tanko, in compliance with the directives of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the NAF Medical Services Branch to provide medical assistance to host communities of NAF Bases across the Country.

In a statement by Airforce spokesman, Ibikunle Daramols, the healthcare services to be provided during the 2-day outreach include medical consultations, counseling and screening, dental care, visual acuity checks, free minor surgeries as well as deworming of children. In addition, free prescription eye glasses and medications would be provided, along with the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to not less than 500 families.

The Medical Outreach was flagged-off by the representative of the CAS, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, who stated that the initiative was to provide immediate medical assistance to residents of the NAF host communities. “These gestures, especially to host communities, have recently become more frequent and widespread, extending even further to the larger society including internally displaced persons as well as people affected by natural disasters like flooding. All these efforts by the NAF have motivated communities to freely and willingly provide useful intelligence that has helped the NAF to record significant successes in the various theatres of operation it is involved”, he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Commander 107 Air Maritime Group
(107 AMG) Benin, Group Captain Nasiru Saidu said the NAF has enjoyed cordial, mutually beneficial relationship with the Irhirhi community since the establishment of the Unit, which, he said, the free medical outreach would further strengthen. While commending the NAF’s gesture, the Permanent Secretary Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr Irowa Osamwonyi, who represented the Commissioner for Health, said the outreach would further address the health needs of the host community. He further stated that the State Government would work with the NAF and community leaders to ensure that the community takes full advantage of the services being provided during the 2-day event.

The Leader of the Irhirhi Community, the Odionwere Irhirhi, Pa William Omoruyi Osemwunghe, who equally benefitted from the healthcare services, assured the NAF of the support of the host community in the performance of its constitutional role. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Chairman of the Edo State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Omoefo Valentine, the Commander 4 Brigade Benin, Brigadier General Greg Omoroghe as well as other senior military officers.

By: Inuwa Bwala

I left his government in fury, but returned to him like the prodigal son and benefitted immensely from his benevolence, to the contestation and disbelief of those who were beating the drums of war to which I dance. Above statement sums up the story of my relationship with former Borno State Governor, now Senator, Kashim Shettima. So many people never believe that we could come together again following the bitter verbal I fought with him and his government following my rather unceremonious exit from his cabinet. That is perhaps history now.
Shortly after I left his government as Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Shettima invited me to the Government House in Maiduguri and later to another place in Abuja; all in a bid for the two of us to reconcile and remain the compatriots that we were. By then, I had been made to believe that I have all along been working with a devil incarnate. My eyes were blinded to everything positive about him and his government. It is also part of history now, how I fought him using every available space and instrument at my disposal.
Then I received a call one day from a number I was not too familiar with. On picking the call, the person at the other end identified himself as Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State. I was virtually inaudible in my response because I least expected any call for the good from him, and answering the call in the presence of my boss at that time could translate into an offence. I expressed my appreciation for the call, when he said he decided to check up on me since we have not spoken for long.
When my boss inquired about who I was talking to and I told him it was his godson, Kashim Shettima, he was livid with anger, but because he needed me so much at the time as his Canon fodder, he hid his feelings in silence. But that call, coupled with the two previous meetings I had with Kashim Shettima, after the quarrel which saw me exit his government, changed my perceptions. I never wanted the disagreement with Sheriff in the first place and I thought these events may open the window for an all round reconciliation. I did not do anything immediately but I pondered over Kashim Shettima’s disposition towards me and towards our boss, Ali Modu Sheriff. He often referred to Sheriff as his boss and mentor. He had repeated that in secret and in the open.
But Kashim Shettima eventually captured my heart when he came forward for the umpteenth time and offered to help me out of my predicaments, at a time everybody, including my boss, Ali Modu Sheriff had abandoned me to my fate. So many things happened in quick succession and surprisingly I found Shettima there for me at every turn if event.
At a point, a friend confided in me saying, “Shettima has a large heart and he easily forgives, even those who hurt him like you have done. You may not be aware but he is very fond of you and respects you for so many things, especially your fidelity to the late Mala Kachallah. He told me that with what he sees of you you are not likely to betray others, especially your leaders”. I was flattered by that remark and I secretly vowed to confirm this summation. When I reached out to him, he quickly picked and inquired about my health and general wellbeing. I met him several times after and I can confirm what that friend told me to be true. I thence resolved not to disappoint him again in our new relationship.
My personal testimony about him may sound personal, but his actions in recent times to the effect that all those who at one time or the other have returned to him. Some have benefitted from Jim even more than those who claim to be very close associated. One if such persons, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu once opined that Kashim Shettima has a magnetic personality for good, such that those who injure him often end up being his friends. I can confirm that he truly values relationships.
At 53, he may be a mite younger than me, but he towers above me in stature, intellectual candour, eloquence, wealth, morals, connections and even spirituality.
It was not surprising to me that, even amongst his colleague governors, Kashim Shettima’s delivery in leadership lessons had always been a reference point. His emergence as the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum is a further confirmation, that Shettima is perhaps Nigeria’s youngest statesman. Whatever Kashim Shettima may be to others, he is to me a boss, a friend, soulmate and compass in life. I celebrate him and wish him the best in future endeavours.

By Dauda R Pam

The Minister of Defense, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd),has challenged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole,to be more professional in their task to end Boko Haram insurgency that has continued to claim several lives and property.

He made the declaration,while on a visit to, Gubio Response Areas,GRA, nearly 85 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital,which was attacked two times last month, before the Super Camp on wheels fighting strategy,was adopted by the theatre.

The Defence Minister,urged the troops to be efficient, professional and loyal to superior orders to successfully bring an end to terrorists’ activities in the region.

“You’re to carry out the Super Camp Operations on wheels; with the utmost professionalism, efficiency and loyalty to succeed,” he charged.

He said that the loyalty of troops, was key to the success of ongoing operations to secure the nation and its citizens.

His words: “I’m here on behalf of the President to let you know that we appreciate you. We also love you and let you know that nobody has abandoned you in the front lines.

“What we’ve now compared to 2015, is an indication that a lot has been achieved, by liberating 22 Local Government Areas in Borno state.”

While commending the troops for achievements against insurgency, he assured that the government is committed to providing all the necessary support for officers and soldiers in front lines.

He said the federal government was aware of troops’ efforts in combating the menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.

On safety of troops and equipment, Magashi said: “I wish you a safe environment; I wish you successful operations so that in no distant time, we will end this menace.

“We will give you the best and we expect the best from you.”

Earlier the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi has assured that Maiduguri and other parts of the state would not fall to Boko Haram intrigues and assured the Minister of their unflinching loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as guaranteed in the Constitution.

The theatre commander vowed that the troops under his command would carry out the directive of the President towards ending terrorists’ activities in the region.

Hear him: “We are ready, willing to implement the directive of the Commander-in-Chief. I want to dissociate the theatre command from cowardly information on social media.

“Maiduguri is not falling. Magumeri, Gubio is not falling and is not going to fall.

“The theatre command is in charge of the Northeast and we are going to continue to be strong.”

Highlights of the minister’s programme included a visit to the wounded troops at the 7 Division Brigade Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke

Nasarawa State Govt. has Flag- off the planting of 1.3 million trees across the State to control erosion.

The governor, who was represented at the flag off by his deputy, Mr Emmanuel Akabe, said that the trees would be planted within three years across the 13 local government Areas in the state.

“For this year, 1000 trees would be planted in each of the 13 local government areas totaling 13,000.So, each year from 2019 to 2022 the government will plant 13,000 trees,” the governor said”.

He added that the felling of trees without a replacement would expose the environment to flooding and erosion among other dangers.

Sule also directed all local governments Chairmen, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to key into this policy in order to protect the environment.

He, therefore, called on the public to desist from cutting down of trees that would expose the environment to danger.

Similarly, Mr Abubakar Murtala, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the tree planting was part of the effort towards achieving goal 15 of the SDGs.

He called on members of the public to take ownership of trees and protect them in order to keep the environment safe from erosion.

He said that his office would put machinery in place to ensure that the trees to be planted were protected.

In their goodwill messages, Mr Samuel Meshi and Mr Samson Gamu-Yare, Chairman Akwanga Local Government Area and the Chum-Mada, expressed gratitude to the governor for flagging off the programme in the area.

They promised to plant trees themselves and carry out campaigns to mobilise the public towards planting trees in the area.