Headlines

Baraje calls for dialogue to solve Nigeria’s security challenges

Published

6 years ago

February 3, 2020

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

Former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has called for dialogue among various interest groups, individuals, governments and security agencies on how best to solve Nigeria’s seemingly intractable security challenges, lamenting that the unabated security problems and mass killings of innocent citizens are becoming too worrisome, alarming and getting out of the control of the nation’s security outfits.

The PDP chieftain, who is the Founder and Financier of Kawu Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Gerewu, made this call in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, while fielding questions from journalists on the occasion of his 69th birthday.

To him, “the most difficult, most concerned and most retrogressive of the problems the country is facing is insecurity” and he therefore urged Nigerians, particularly the youths, to be more security conscious about their environments and report strange people as well as suspicious objects around them to the appropriate authorities.

He said: “I wish to appreciate all Nigerians for their resilience, perseverance at this very difficult times in Nigeria.

“Everybody is now feeling the punches of the difficult times, good governance is really difficult to get these days. I therefore wish to say that the most difficult and most depressing of the entire situation is the insecurity in the country.

“I want to also enjoin Nigerians to go back to their culture, the culture of working together with our neighbours in ensuring that our environment is safe as this is the period that we must be at alert, live up to our responsibilities and be our brother’s keeper.

“As people analyse issues now in the social media, write ups, opinions, the conventional media and even the notorious video messages, they must put on their thinking caps and sheave the corn from the shaft, truth from lies before they jump into conclusions, particularly in their perceptions and beliefs in good governance.”

On the establishment of Amotekun by the South West governors, Baraje described the security arrangement as appropriate more so that it would complement the efforts of security agencies, explaining that similar outfits have been in operations in other regions. He, however, called for dialogue over their mode of operations and resolve the grey areas with the Federal Government.

Alhaji Baraje lamented that the security apparatuses of Nigeria have failed and collapsed, claiming that the centre could no longer hold as there seems to be no control whatsoever anymore.

He charged the legislatures that he described as the eyes, the brain and the conscience of the people to insist on good governance, while the judiciary should also deliver justice to the masses. He called for decentralisation of the authorities and the institutions of the state so as to make them more effective and efficient.

Speaking on the 2023 general elections in the country, the PDP chieftain said the party is intact and preparing for the elections and urged PDP leaders and supporters to remain focused and more united more so that the electorate have now realised the difference between the present APC administration and that of the PDP.

Commenting on the committee set up to resolve the issue of Ilearugbo, he said the idea is a welcome development stressing that Ilorin Emirate is known for peace and peaceful coexistence among families and individuals.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.