The Governors of Adamawa and Gombe States have held a Peace meeting with stakeholders in Numan, Adamawa State in their efforts to end the lingering hostilities between the Lunguda and the Waja tribes, who are indigenes of both states.

The meeting made up of officials of both states, elders and rulers from both tribes and other stakeholders, resolved to disband all militia and hunter groups and proscribed their activities in both communities of the two States.

It resolved to close all internally displaced persons, IDP camps within the next one week, while urging the IDPs to return to their homes.

The peace meeting equally urged leaders and elders in both States to prevail on their youths and restrain them from causing any distraction or participating in violence.

Other resolutions were that religious leaders should mount and sustain the campaign for peace in both communities, which should be taken up by youth groups from both communities in the two States, while maintaining that the two communities could not be separated having lived and inter-married for centuries.

It also resolved to raise a committee for the rebirth and sustenance of peace among the Lunguda and Waja in both States.

The committees would be made us of the Governors of Adamawa and Gombe States as Co-Chairmen, the Attorneys General/Commissioners of Justice, as well as the Paramount Rulers, His Royal Highness, Kwandi Nunguraya, Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda, His Royal Highness, the Balaa Waja; Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Mohammed from the two communities, who will ensure that the lingering land issues among the two communities are solved and people can go back to farm safely this rainy season.

Also, the Chairmen of Balanga and Guyuk Local Government Areas, Permanent Secretaries on Security matters, would serve as Co-Secretaries.

Other members of the committee are commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Gombe State, the Permanent Secretary, Chieftaincy Affairs, Adamawa State, Commissioner, Internal Security, Gombe State and the Permanent Secretaries, Special Services

Commissioners of Information, His Royal Highness, the Hama Bashama, Humon Daniel Ismaila Shaga, the former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr. John Lazarus Yoriyo, former Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Hakila Y. Heman, among others.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State said he initiated the meeting because of the importace attached to the survival of both states, especially with the recet ugly developmet betwee the two Lunguda and Waja tribes in Nyuwar and Jessu in Balanga Local Goverment Area of Gombe State.

He said he was invited by his Adamawa counterpart, Alhaji Umaru Ahmadu Fintit, to commission a road project, the Izala-Gweda Mallam-Rafa-Wayam Road, in Numan, Adamawa State, but felt the need for stakeholders meeting to thrash out the lingering crisis between the two groups who had lived together since time immemorial.

The Gombe State Governor said it was obvious that the gathering of high ranking stakeholders from the tribes and the state, underscored the importance of restoring peace in the communities of the two neighbouring tribes in both states.

He said because of the harsh turn of events between the two, it became important that the two states find a lasting solution to the problem and provide the needed security, which was the sole responsibility of the government.

He said that way, the dividends of democracy would be felt by the people.

Governor Yahaya urged both sides to be open in expressing their feelings during the meeting, so that the desired reconciliation would take place for the retoration of peace in those areas.

“Let us make sure that as we finish the meeting, the framework on which a continuous and sustainable peace is obtained for our two states, so that our people will go back to their farms. As at today, close to three, four thousand people have been displaced from Nyuwar and Jessu. For them to go ack to their farms, they need a guarantee, they need to have assurance that nobody will touch anything theirs and they will have the noral peace that they use to haveand I believe we can get that from you. That is why we are mentioning that With this calibre of people, I can assure you, Your Excellency, that Gombe has already resolved to find a lasting solution to this issue,” Governor Yahaya said.

He said when all said were achieved, they would be a shining example to the rest of the country in the maintenance of peace and security, while urgig the people in both states to work collaboratively in ensuring the restoration and maintenance of peace and security that were needed for them to progress.

For the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the calibre of people who had gathered for the meeting, would no doubt bring about the needed lasting peace among the Lunguda and Waja people.

The Adamawa State Governor said everyone gathered had the responsibility of stopping the ugly reoccurences between the two tribes, because there was no benefit in conflict, especially not a blood-stained hands.

“So, I think, we should not leave this room without finding the lasting solution to stop the blood that has been flowing on the lad of the Lunguda and the Wajas, who for time immemorial, down history land, have lived together, have married together, have done so many things in common,” Governor Fintiri said.

He lamented that the Adamawa State Government was just about implementing the findings of the panel set by his administration last year to unrevel the causes of the conflict between the two tribes, when the recent attacks in April erupted, describing it as unnecessary and avoidable.

Governor Fintiri said he and Governor Yahaya of Gombe State were seriously committed to ensuring the Lunguda-Waja crisis would be stopped and peace restored during their tenure.

The Paramount Ruler of the Lunguda people, Kwandi Nunguraya Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda II, said for lasting peace to be attained, both sides needed to acknowledge their faults and then seek for genuine forgiveness.

He is saddened by the present realities that the longstanding relations between the Lunguda and the Waja people was being torn apart, but appreciated both governors for their efforts to ensure lasting peace between the two tribes.

“By virtue of this meeting, I will like to appreciate your excellencies for your uncommon leadership qualities, for your support, and being the fathers that you are. That we shall be able at the end of the day to find peace. In fact, not just peace, but sustainable peace,” said the Lunguda Paramount Ruler.

Ime N

The Nigerian Government has been challenged to do more in tackling the protracted insecurity ravaging the country.

The co-Chairman Nigerian Inter-religious Council NIREC and President General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, who is also the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar threw the challenge during the 2nd quarterly meeting of NIREC held in Abuja, Nigeria with the theme ‘Ethnic Religious and Political profiling is avoidable’.

He said that as a voluntary organization of Muslim and Christian leaders, “NIREC is worried with the way things are in the country” and called for sustained prayers from Nigerians.

According to the Sultan, religious leaders, must continue to talk to to the political leaders and reminds them where necessary of the needs and desires of Nigerian people.

“Muslim and Christian leaders, we must continue to remain united and continue to dialogue for unity, peace and development. I believe in dialogue, let’s continue to dialogue”. The Sultan added.

On his part, his counterpart the President of Christian association of Nigeria CAN Reverend Samson Ayokunle who also condemned the level of insecurity in the country, described it as a night mare and urged on the Nigerian government to take the issues of security more seriously.

The Christian leader also charged the federal government to create employment opportunity for the unemployed youths as doing so will reduce youth restiveness.

“Address the problem of mass unemployment. Government must take definite steps to create employment in the country.” Ayokunle said.

Reverend Ayokunle also challenged the government to prosecute criminals whenever arrested to serve as deterrence to others.

He called on the government to address the current inflation in the country and corruption.

Secretary to the Nigerian government Mr Boss Mustapha represented by the Permanent Secretary General Services Mr. Maurice Nnamdi said, “the level of insecurity in Nigeria today is so high that religious and traditional rulers must assist the government to usher in peace.”

“In every ethnic group, there are good people and there are criminal elements. While the leaders in each ethnic group should caution their children, religious leaders should publicly reject the ideology of those who claim to be kiling in the name of religion by giving a counter narrative.” The SGF cautioned.

He said, Nigeria today calls for the deepening of political and religious collaboration at all times pointing out that, “as a body, we must continue to build an environment where prejudice, intolerance, violence and other vices will remain alien to our culture and practices.”

 “We must continue to expose our children to the rich and good values that Africa represents. We must continue to live together and pursue the common good as a community”. The SGF said.He said,the Federal Government of Nigeria would continue to give all necessary support to Religious and Traditional Leaders to promote peace and unity in the country.

“It is high time we called criminals by their proper names without profiling their religion and tribe from the name they bear. We must reject the narrative of those who are predicting war for the nation. By the grace of God, we shall overcome  these challenges.” The SGF prayed.

In a goodwill message Governor Simon Lalong of plateau State and chairman Northern Governors forum challenged Nigerian leaders to put humanity above political, ethnic or religious differences.

He also called on Nigerians to avoid attaching sentiment to criminality, saying, “criminals must be profiled as criminals because no religion encourage criminality.”

In a remark, the executive secretary NIREC Rev Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua said that Nigerians need a change of attitude and values.

He also appealed to Nigerians not to allow tribe and religion to be a source of division.

He urged the media to be honest in their reportage, saying, “the media ought to source news based on truth that promote common well-being.”

“We must avoid using the media as a brain washing machines to manipulate the readers and listeners. Unfounded sources in media coverage can lead to war because ‘until the lion learns to write; the story will always glorify the hunter’.”

Ime N

President Muhammadu Buhari has paid heartfelt tribute to Professor Felicia Adebola Adedoyin, renowned professor of Education and  composer of the National Pledge, saying her patriotic fervour will be remembered anytime the national pledge is recited.

President Buhari asserts that the thoughtful and solemn words of the National Pledge by the iconic composer, have become an invocation to every citizen of the country to serve our fatherland with faithfulness, loyalty and honesty.

The President submits that Nigerians will continue to honour the memory of this legend who in 33 words gave us a timeless promise to keep for the nation.

President Buhari extends his commiseration to the Adedoyin family, friends and associates as well as the Government and people of Oyo State on the passing of the academic and writer, whose immense works will remain indelible in our minds.

He prays Almighty God to grant the departed eternal rest.

Ime N

The Nigerian Navy has underlined its achievement on capacity building in order to improve maritime security in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) to mark its 65th Anniversary.

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe who represented the Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, disclosed this in Abuja when he briefed Journalists on the on the Nigerian Navy 65th Anniversary Celebrations.

 Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe said “the objective of this briefing was to acquaint the citizenry with the focus of the Nigerian Navy and the various activities lined up for the 65th Anniversary Celebrations of the Service.”

He said “as all aware that the country is facing myriads of security challenges coupled with the prevailing COVID – 19 Pandemic, this Year’s Anniversary is planned to be a low-key to reflect the mood of the nation”.

He also used the medium to extend NN‘s condolences to all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones while defending the fatherland as well as through the COVID – 19 Pandemic. May their gentle souls Rest in Perfect Peace.

According to him, the maritime threats that have significant effects in Nigeria’s maritime environment are piracy and sea robbery, Crude Oil Theft (COT), illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), insurgency, hostage taking as well as human and drug trafficking.

He noted that in order to combat these threats, the NN adopted the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS) to guide its operational engagements. The strategy is based on a proactive layered response within 5 conflict spectrums characterised by distances to and from the coast.

According to him, within the last 4 months, the NN conducted and also participated in 13 Exercises (Ex) and operations (ops)geared towards combating illicit activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters especially the back waters. Pertinently, these Ex and opswhich are considered as game changers include Ex TSARE TEKU, Ex SECURED WATERS, Ex AMJI JIJI, Op RIVER SWEEP, Op CALM WATERS and Op TRI-PARTITE JOINT BORDER PATROL amongst others. Some combined Exercises such as Ex OBANGAME EXPRESS were also conducted in collaboration with regional and international navies and other maritime stakeholders for the good governance of the nation’s maritime space including the Gulf of Guinea.

ANTI PIRACY OPERATIONS

The Chief of Policy and Plans added that it is important to state that the NN has deliberately instituted dedicated operations and initiatives to enhance its policing capability towards the peaceful use of the nation’s maritime environment.

These initiatives he said “have engendered several recorded successes in the operations of NN bases. For instance,13 incidents of piracy attacks were recordedfrom July – December 2020. However, as from January –May 2021, there were only 5 pirate attacks. The rate of pirate attacks have been on the decline from what was witnessed in the last half of the Year 2020”.

ANTI CRUDE OIL THEFT OPERATIONS

Ezekobe noted that the Service has also performed credibly well in the fight against COT and illegal oil bunkering considering the short period that this administration has been in the office. The NN has through ops conducted by ops bases and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) cumulatively deactivated a total of 95illegal refineries between January and May 2021. These activities were complemented with series of swamp buggy ops in the areas were illegal refineries were discovered. To appreciate this effort, may I state that from records, 477 illegal refining sites were deactivated between July and December 2020. This figure drastically decreased in the last 4 months (January – May)to 95. The reduction in the number of illegal refining sites deactivated can be attributed to the ongoing swamp buggy operations in the Niger Delta which makes it difficult for perpetrators to reactivate immobilized illegal refining sites.

ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS

According to him, the anti-smuggling ops are another critical area that the NN recorded success during the last 4 months. The NN through 2 key anti – smuggling ops, namely: Ops TRI-PARTITE JOINT BORDER PATROL and CALM WATERS has ensured round the clock presence and effective patrol of all identified hot spots of smugglers. From records, 91 NN ships clocked a total of 7,552 hours at sea during the period under review,leading to a significant decline of smuggling activities in our waters. Notwithstanding, 2 suspected rice smugglers, 2smuggling boats and 7 vehicles cumulatively laden with 1,842bags of rice were arrested within the period under review. In a related development, the Nigerian Navy Ship LUGARD in Lokoja recently arrested 2 suspects with 16 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing a total of 550kg.

He noted that the suspected smugglers and their boats with products were handed over to the respective prosecuting agencies; referring to EFCC, NCS, NIS and NDLEA for further action. Details of the persons and number of bags of rice seized are as shown on the screen. These achievements also reinforce NN drive towards eradicating rice smuggling in support of the FG policy on local rice production.

INCREASED MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS

Ezekobe said the “NN carries out round the clock surveillance of
Nigeria’s maritime space using the Regional and Maritime Awareness
Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye facilities in addition to the use of vessels and helicopters”. The NN has 24 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Centres located across the Nigerian coastline. Due to their availability, NN patrols are now more mission oriented with attendant reduction in operational logistic costs. The infrastructure has been instrumental in several known rescueas well as classified operations.

INCREASED COLLABORATION WITH OTHER MARITIME NATIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS

 The NN recognises the centrality of collaboration with other maritime nations as well as local and international maritime agencies for successful maritime security operations. Accordingly, it holds regular domestic and international conferences as well as sea exercises with navies of other nations and major maritime stakeholders for the purpose of capacity building, intelligence and information sharing.

In line with what he said, the Service is currently planning to host NN Maritime Conference and Sea Exercise as part of activities for the NN Week 2021 Celebrations.

He said “the Conference would have been an International event but due to the prevailing COVID-19 Pandemic,it has been localised”. These conferences have led to shared responsibilities with improved international, regional and domestic cooperation and synergy of effort in tackling the myriad of challenges in Nigerian maritime environment.

FLEET RENEWAL

According to him, in its drive to enhance NN’s response capability, the present leadership of the NN under Vice  Admiral  Awwal Gambo is fully committed to acquiring more requisite mix of platforms for the Service. In this light, the NN took delivery of the Hydrographic Survey Vessel on Mon 17 May 21 in Lagos. The vessel sailed from Saint Nazaire, France for Lagos on 18 Apr 21 and is named after the decommissioned NNS LANA.The renewed emphasis on fleet renewal by this administration is further underscored by ongoing efforts for procurement of another 35 metres survey vessel and 3 Leonardo Helicopters.

He noted that in an effort to boost operations, the Service recently took delivery of 4C- Falcons interceptor boats for Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service. In addition, 90 Rigid Hall Inflatable Boats have been procured.  The NN has continued toengage local companies such as Messrs Epenal, Tuwasco and SEWA to build platforms for the Service. This has not only enhanced local content development but facilitated capacity building in Nigeria’s maritime industry.Importantly, all this would not have been possible without the continuous support of the FG under the  leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

Ime N

The move to get the Nigeria Peace Corps recognised and regularised as one of the Government funded outfits in the country has received a boost in the National Assembly with more stakeholders calling for passage of its establishment bill.

Support to pass the Peace Corps Establishment Bill re-echoed during a public hearing on it and three other bills, by the Senate Committee on Interior.

Chairman of the Committee Senator Kashim Shettima reaffirmed that the reason behind the legislative proposal among others, is to reposition and streamline the Institutional framework of the organization by strengthening its capacity to provide community policing.

In doing this, according to Shettima, the Nigeria Peace Corps when officially recognised and regularised by government through passage of its establishment bill, will offer community service to the citizenry, develop, empower and provide gainful employment for the youths.

“This bill is very important in view of the fact that the Federal Government had made frantic efforts in curbing the menace of insecurity, terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other vices across Nigeria, without expected return of peace in our land “, he stressed.

In his presentation, the founder of the Corps, Professor Dickson Akor, said the major reason for setting up the organization in 1998 is to serve as veritable platform for youth engagement and productivity in the society as against different vices, many of them are indulging in now.

He said : “When I started the organisation, I applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC) and it was registered in 2003 and subsequently, the Ministry of Youths and Social Development accorded it recognition in line with the National Policy on Youth Development.

“The Federal Ministry of  Education also granted the organisation to establish Peace Corps in all Unity Colleges in Nigeria where in terms of enforcement of discipline like  checking of intruders into schools and vandalization of school properties.

“If you visit schools, you will find out the job Peace corps is doing. In the same vein, the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory wanted approval of Peace Corps of Nigeria to establish its formation in all schools and colleges in their various States and I have the written approval to that effect.

“Therefore, the issue that we are duplicating responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Education is completely out of place.

“I want to say Mr. Chairman that based on the dynamic nature of the society, the time has come for the Nigeria Peace Corps to be elevated from the level of volunteerism to that of government driven oprational template “.

Earlier, the President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, in a remark, said observations made by President Muhammadu Buhari in the earlier bill refused assent during the 8th National Assembly have been taken care of in preventing such re – occurrence.

Ime N