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Buhari Blames ‘Disgruntled politicians’ for Violent Killings in Nigeria

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Some of the killings across Nigeria are sponsored by “disgruntled politicians” who have lost out politically, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

The president was quoted as saying this in Borno in a statement by his media aide.

Mr Buhari also vowed to deal with such people sponsoring the violence.

Hundreds of people have been killed in separate violence in different states across Nigeria. Some of the states affected include Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara and Taraba.

The killings are sometimes caused by herders and farmers conflicts and sometimes carried out by criminals.

The president has been criticised by many Nigerians for not doing enough to stop the killings.

On Friday, Mr Buhari said he would do more to stop the violence.

“We shall fish them (violence sponsors) out and punish according to the provisions of the law,” he said.

Read the full statement by the president’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, below.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Monguno, northern Borno, promised to fish out and punish politicians who are deliberately instigating violence in some states as a way of seeking relevance in the country’s politics.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the closing events of the 2018 Army Day celebrations which the army chose to stage in the one-time stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, 136 kilometres from Maiduguri, the president repeated what he told Christian leaders on Thursday, that a solution is being found to the deadly clashes between farmers and herdsmen, and whosoever is found culpable will be brought to justice.

While thanking the armed forces for keeping the country safe, President Buhari acknowledged that there were still challenges faced by the nation.

“This does not mean there are no challenges. There are pockets of violence in several states. Some deliberately instigated by disgruntled politicians who have lost all arguments and are desperate to cause mayhem as a way of seeking relevance. We shall fish them out and punish according to the provisions of the law.”

Making a self-assessment of the administration he has led in the last three years since his election, the president said, “We have worked tirelessly to ensure and preserve the dignity and sanctity of life. When I was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I promised that this administration would tackle the challenges of Insecurity, poor Economy and Fight Corruption.

“We are all witnesses to the fact that our once battered economy as a nation has exited recession and is once again vibrant. Our nation is safe again, thanks to the efforts of our security agencies.

“I want to use this opportunity to reassure the world, Nigerians and the families of the remaining kidnapped Chibok girls and Leah Sharebu of the Dapchi School girls that this administration will not relent in our efforts to see that they are all released. I also want to reassure all Nigerians that the issue of farmers and herdsmen clashes is being tackled and all those found culpable would be brought to justice. Let me quickly remind us at this point to always be tolerant, loving and ready to give peace a chance.”

President Buhari reiterated what he said to the Christian Association of Nigeria, Northern Chapter, that none of our religions or cultures permitted the killing of one person by another.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who spoke at the occasion said triumphantly that, “we have cut the rubicon of insurgency in the Northeast, Thank God, we have come to the end of insurgency. Suicide attack is a sign of weakness, not strength.”

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, commended the army for establishing a motorcycle battalion that is enhancing quick mobility and providing security in areas of unfavourable vehicular movements, and the Air Force for setting up rapid response groups in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He assured that “appropriate measures are being put in place to address security challenges in the nation; the Armed Forces are currently handling Operation Delta Safe in the South-South, Operation Safe Haven in the North Central and Operation Awatse to combat militant activities in the Arepo general area and other parts of the Southwest. Recently, the Nigerian Army established Operation Whirl Stroke to tackle insecurity in the North-central states.”

In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, said that the military operations in the North-east were moving from engagements of a combat nature to humanitarian and civilian support services to assist the victims of the insurgency to return to their communities which they were forced to abandon.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, said the choice of Monguno for the 2018 events was intended to celebrate the achievements of the army in its combat efficiency, civil-military relations and its efforts in research, development and technological attainments.

He said the army had accomplished the president’s objective of stabilising the North-east and other parts of the country, and assured of their unwavering support and loyalty to the president and the constitution.

On arrival at the Kinnasara Army barracks in Monguno, President Buhari inspected military equipment on display by the 21 Specialized Corps of the Nigerian Army, and inaugurated the first indigenous Mines Resistant and Ambush Armoured Vehicles (MARAPS).

Before his departure, the president also toured one of largest camps housing Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Monguno town.

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Follow Me to APC or Resign, Umo Eno Tells Appointees

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The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says he has concluded plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in no distant time.

He has reportedly mandated his commissioners and other appointees to either join him in the APC or resign if they are not comfortable with his decision.

A Government House source, who confirmed the development, said the governor broke the news during the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said Governor Eno warned his appointees that he had nothing to negotiate with them other than for them to follow him or leave.

The governor was quoted as saying, “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century.

“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you.

“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”

Eno disclosed that he is in love with the leadership style of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and, as such, would like to align with him.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in the state, Aniekan Akpan, could not confirm the development at the time of filing this report, as his lines were busy. However, the Director of the APC Media Network, Mr. Iniobong John, confirmed the news to journalists.

John said, “It is no longer a rumour. I think there are some confirmations that the governor is defecting to the APC. Though unofficial, I can confirm that the governor is joining our party sooner or later. No official date has been confirmed yet, but all plans have been perfected for his defection to our party.”

He described the proposed defection as great news for the APC in the state and for Akwa Ibom in general, adding that the state would now be better connected to the national power center.

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Glo Urges Girls to Focus on ICT for Future Careers

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Digital solutions company, Globacom, has advised young girls to dream big and never to be deterred in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations, promising that the company would always be behind them to power their ambitions.

Adeboye Adeniji, Vertical Head, Financial Institutions and HNI at Globacom, shared this encouraging insight with a select group of secondary school students during the 13th edition of the Girls in ICT Day observance in Lagos. The event, which had students from various secondary schools in Lagos, was organised by e-businesslife Communications Limited.

She called on girls not to see themselves as users of technology service, but to see and envision themselves as creators, leaders, and innovators.

“At Globacom, we know that when girls have the tools, the training, and the confidence, there is no limit to what you can achieve. Whether you dream of becoming a software engineer, a robotics expert, a cybersecurity analyst, or even the next big tech CEO – it’s all possible”, she said.

Warning the girls not to be discouraged from pursuing their dreams, Adeniji advised them not to let “anyone tell you tech is ‘only for boys’. You are smart enough. You are strong enough. And you have every right to dream as big as you want”.

She counselled the students to “keep learning, stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to try, because the future of technology in Nigeria isn’t just being built in labs and boardrooms but in classrooms”.

She promised that Globacom, a wholly owned Nigerian brand, will always be ready to support the dreams and aspirations of young people in Nigeria. “We believe in you, we support you, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll change the world” she added.

The convener of the yearly event, who is also the CEO of E-Business Life Communication Limited, Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, while welcoming the students and guests to the event, noted that the “world of ICT holds limitless possibilities. It is a realm where creativity knows no bounds, innovation thrives, and dreams are transformed into reality through lines of code and digital solutions. Yet, despite its vast potential, the representation of women in this field remains disproportionately low.”

She said her effort is geared towards challenging the narratives, breaking down the barriers, defying stereotypes, and paving the way for a “future where every girl, regardless of background or circumstance, feels empowered to pursue her passion for technology.

“That means ensuring that women and girls have equal access to leadership training, career development, scholarships, and fellowships. It means addressing gender bias and challenging societal norms and stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing ICT careers,” she noted.

Apart from lectures, round table discussion and a quiz, the students from the various schools also demonstrated their prowess in developing obstacle-avoiding robots. Though they were not perfect at it, but their commendable efforts indicated the growing interests of young girls in ICT and science.

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Happy 65th Birthday Dear Egbon Dele Momodu

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By Dr. Seye Oyeleye

Happy birthday egbon, thank you for inspiring a lot of us over the years, your kindness, candour, bravery and unparalleled demonstration of empathy in many a situation, is indeed a lesson in leadership.

I celebrate you today and it is a privilege to have come across you more than a few times over the last 42 years starting from Oscas Ife as a coper😁 to becoming one of your early distributors of Ovation magazine out of your dockland office on westferry road. 😁

Congratulations Sir.

Dr. Seye Oyeleye is the DG, DAWN Commission

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