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Terrorism: Trump’s Approval And End Of The Black Days

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The conjured and demonic opinions of skeptics on the unabated degeneration of Nigeria under a Buhari Presidency is the least of my nightmares. I am the more comfortable with myself because only falsehood struggles to be concealed, but truth breaks the most secured of jails to quench he thirst of man with its effervescent aura.

But every day and across the globe, relations with Nigeria, comments about Nigeria and the engagement of her people by other nationals render these theorists of doom prostrate. Nigeria is unstoppably regenerating under President Muhammedu Buhari. Its war on terrorism is a resounding success and the administration’s no nonsense posture on fighting the monster of corruption in all spheres of public life attracts world-wide acclaim.

And it is evident in a hitherto obstinate America under President Donald Trump also identifying with Nigeria on its drive to reinvent itself on all fronts. This has expressed in the approval the United State Government has granted Nigeria to sale 12 high-tech, Super Tucano A-29 attack aircrafts worth N219 billion ($600 million) to Nigeria’s Air Force to assist in battling Boko Haram insurgency.

We do know that America had resisted such offer to Nigeria in the past, under the Obama Presidency, a development exacerbated by the mistaken bombing of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Rann, Borno State. And that America has recounted its position is a consideration of several factors, including transparency, accountability and respect for human rights of people.

But we are today consoled because we have not stopped improving ourselves and making amends where possible. The Holy Scriptures says, in Exodus 14:13 that “These Egyptians that you see today, you shall see them no more.”

Whilst the torment of Boko Haram lasted, lives were lost and properties destroyed and varying layers of social dislocation, some nations in the world in the position to assist Nigeria looked at terrorism as an isolated Nigerian problem. Nothing griefs the heart more like when a neighbor sits in celebration of your misfortune. That was the fate of Nigeria and international organisations also conscripted into the conspiracy against Nigeria.

One cannot help but frown at the destructive roles played by Amnesty International (AI) and its array of local franchise and extremists sects like the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and some briefcase Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which only existed on letterhead papers.

They spared generous time to mock the plight of Nigerians in the time of sorrow and some went to the extent of initiating actions that inflamed the situation. These entities deployed fully to add to the deep pains and afflictions Boko Haram brought upon our land. They were everything an enemy would be to his neighbor; but today the narrative has changed for good.

We cannot hold our joy that the Service Chiefs came and turned the tables against Boko Haram insurgents, which these soulless detractors and extremists used as canon folder in the destabilization plots against Nigeria. Their motley of minions satanically added some paraffin to the conflagration.

But our courageous military have proved them wrong, by decimating and defeating Boko Haram. Nigerian troops have shattered the dreams of those who wanted to see more of a sinking Nigeria and embarked on nocturnal voyages to frustrate its bounce back to full economic life or harnessing its full potentials, with her blessed children.

Today, we see a Nigeria where love and patriotism are returning back, after some statesmen came out to disown IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and his agents. We are on the path of a new Nigeria where everyone will be proud of his country. And a new nation where ethnicity would no longer be a factor against merit and talents would saunter on the center stage.

We are proud to say, it is not in doubt that Nigeria defeated Boko Haram before the end of the Obama administration in America. That our military took over every lost territory before the end of 2016 is not also in doubt. To also say the current Service Chiefs and the last soldier in Nigeria are true patriots is also not in doubt.

These rare breed of Nigerians came at a time we had lost our integrity, pride and honour to a ragtag Army of street urchins. But they restored this dignity. It may not be good to continue to keep reflecting in this direction, but to appreciate the Nigerian military.

It is in this light that we celebrate the recent approval by President Trump to sale military warplanes to Nigeria. It is an undeniable confirmation of the victory which our military secured for us over the terrorists. It is also a certification that Nigerian military played according to the rules of engagement in the counter-insurgency war. And the international organizations which operate in league with detractors and destabilization agents of Nigeria by fabricating stories about imaginary human rights abuses by the Nigerian military in the counter-terrorism campaigns have had the veil removed from their eyes in shame by America’s reversal of its position.

I again reiterate, much as millions of patriotic Nigerians that it is an open endorsement of the professionalism and transparency in our military operations as being marshaled by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olonishakin ; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai and the rest. The appreciation for saving our collective destiny stretches down to the lowest on the rung of military personnel, obviously down to even a Private A A Goodluck. They have all done well and deserve all the golden applauses from us as a people.

And to the extent that the gift of the Tucano attack aircrafts is coming after the rain, does not imply that the Nigerian military has not appreciated the approval, in spite of its belatedness. It is in reality a testament to the fact that our military is one of the best in Africa and have a leading role to play on the continent as the first to defeat Boko Haram.

Nonetheless, a new vista of collaboration has been opened between Nigeria and the United States as both strive to work together in the global fight against terrorism. America soldiers can now freely share notes with Nigerian troops on how to defeat any insurrection against a sovereign state. The aircraft gift embodies many other lessons beyond the mere package, as it also signifies the overall endorsement of the war against insurgency in Nigeria.

More exciting, President Trump has re-invoked the essence of the Biblical verse that the “Egyptians we saw yesterday, we shall see them no more.” So, those who are already afraid of the military procuring such hardware must now know it has become a reality. And they are powerless to bring back the era of horror and sorrow anywhere close to Nigerian soil anymore.

They should lick their wounds quietly. I mean the likes of Amnesty International and all the dissident elements who once held us to the jugular should know that the world is now aware of their antics to destabilize Nigeria and nobody will ever take them serious again.

Anthony Kolawole PhD, a University teacher writes from Keffi, Nasarawa State.

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There’s Political Genocide Against Christians in Northern Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Sociopolitical activist Aisha Yesufu has accused Nigerian political leaders of perpetuating what she described as a “political genocide” against Christians in Northern Nigeria.

Yesufu made the remark on Tuesday in response to American comedian and TV host Bill Maher, who recently alleged that Nigerian Christians are facing coordinated attacks.

Maher, speaking on his HBO show, said, “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009 and burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram.”

Reacting via her X handle, Yesufu criticized what she called hypocrisy among Nigerian politicians who express concern over Christian persecution yet supported the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections.

“You are shouting that Northern Christians are being persecuted, but you championed a Muslim-Muslim ticket! Their Christianity was not Christian enough for you during the 2023 election,” she wrote.

She concluded by calling for greater attention to what she termed the “political genocide” against Northern Christians, urging consistency in both words and actions when addressing religious and political marginalization in Nigeria.

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Jagunmolu to Kwarans: Don’t lose hope in govt on security challenges

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Jagunmolu and Asiwaju of Igbomina, Alhaji Chief (Dr) Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji, has expressed optimism that the rising insecurity in parts of Kwara State would not overwhelm the state.

He identified the incidences of banditry and kidnapping for ransom as a passing phase, which was designed by unscrupulous elements to destabilise Kwara.

Oladimeji, who is the Founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Baba Oba of Offa Kingdom, said this in a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday in response to the recent security breaches in some communities in Kwara North and Kwara South.

He urged the residents of affected communities, and Kwarans at large, not to lose hope in the ability of the government and security agencies to tame the roughnecks and restore peace to their communities.

The Arogundade of Lagos described the terror campaign as an unconventional warfare that requires tactics and wisdom on the part of the military to tackle, pointing out that the attackers often cowardly withdraw to their shells after visiting attacks on their victims.

He cautioned those who are out to profit from the ruins of the affected communities by making mockery of the situation with reckless comments to stop forthwith.

Oladimeji also warned against scaremongering being created over the security challenge, urging vigilance and making useful information available to security agencies on any strange movements in their communities.

“Let us be wary of scaremongers, who have made it their daily habit to create imaginary fear as a result of which people are thrown into panic mode. That there is security breach has not been denied. However, we need to be careful and circumspect on the information unauthorized individuals circulate on the issue of insecurity,” the varsity founder noted.

Jagunmolu, who doubles as President-General, AROIF, appealed for calm, unity, security consciousness, while commending the government for its proactive intervention to rout out the unscrupulous element.

He praised the gallantry of military personnel and other security operatives, calling for words of encouragement among the people to boost the morale of the armed personnel.

Oladimeji sympathised with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the recent tragedy and called for additional deployment of security personnel to troubled areas for quick restoration of permanent peace.

“We need to pray for peace and justice to return to Igbomina land, Kwara and the entire country so that we can overcome our moment of trial and tribulation. Our people should take it as a matter of duty to report strange movements to the security agencies and constituted authorities,” Jagunmolu added.

END.

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Northern Christians Urge Tinubu to Resettle Displaced Persons in Benue, Plateau, Borno

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Northern Christian leaders have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently resettle displaced persons in Benue, Plateau, and Borno States, many of whom have remained in camps within and outside Nigeria years after violent attacks forced them from their ancestral homes.

The appeal was made in Jos, Plateau State, during a meeting with the President, which clerics described as a renewed opportunity to highlight the plight of displaced communities in Northern Nigeria. The leaders were in Jos to attend the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwata, mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwata, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Rev. Dr Amos M. Mohzo, President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and Chairman of the Heads of Denominational Leaders on the Plateau, lamented that more than 200,000 people from Gwoza in Borno State still remain in refugee camps in Cameroon and Chad.

“We humbly appeal to you, Mr President, to help bring them back home. In the same vein, we are calling for a lifeline for displaced communities in Plateau and Benue States. Rebuilding their livelihoods and housing will reposition them for meaningful life and productivity,” Mohzo said.

He commended the President’s efforts to strengthen national security and support for state police, stressing that resettling displaced families was critical for peace and stability in the North. Mohzo also thanked Tinubu for key appointments of Northern Christians—including Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, and Prof. Nentawe Yilwata as APC National Chairman—and urged broader inclusion of Christians in governance.

Similarly, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, reinforced the call, urging Tinubu to establish a Special Presidential Reconstruction Initiative to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and provide social infrastructure for displaced families.

“Our people cannot continue to live in camps when their ancestral homes have been taken over. We are appealing to Mr President to act with urgency so that these Nigerians can return home and live meaningful lives again,” Hayab said.

The clerics pledged continued commitment to peace and national unity, assuring the President of their support for policies that promote justice, inclusivity, and human dignity. They also extended condolences to Prof. Yilwata, the Ngas nation, and the people of Plateau State over the loss of Mama Lydia Yilwata.

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