Author: society_admin

Introduction:

The Good Governance Index, a non-profit organization dedicated to the entrenchment of good governance and accountability in governance at all tiers of government in Nigeria undertook systemic research on factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria with a view to identifying the factors responsible for the escalation of insecurity in Nigeria.

It relied on primary sources of data in interviews, on the spot assessments tours, interactions with key stakeholders at the various tiers of government as well as close review of documents and policy papers on governance in Nigeria.

The Issues:

Every country has her fair share of security challenges, but when the state of insecurity rises by the day, then there is a need for urgent action. This has been the situation in Nigeria in recent years. Thus, the problem of insecurity in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.

Consequently, insecurity has taken various forms in different parts of the country. In the South-West, armed robbers have taken over, while in the North, cross-border bandits operate with ease. However, in the South-South, there are rampant cases of kidnapping. Also the continuous wave of crime and armed robbery attacks, cult killings etc all point to the fact that insecurity is fast becoming a norm in Nigeria and have somewhat suddenly become attractive to specific individuals in seeking to resolve issues that could have ordinarily been settled through due process. The end-products lead to the decimation of innocent lives, disruption of economic activities, and destruction of properties, among others.

Governance at the Local Government Areas:
Local government in Nigeria have more significant challenges than other tiers of government since they have the responsibility of ensuring equitable social and economic development at the grassroots. Chairmen of the council are expected to prepare programmes of work and related financial implication, manage and supervise the allocation of financial and human resource coupled with appropriate monitoring of project execution.

Unfortunately, apart from lacking the above requirements both the elected and civil service officials at the local government lack the ability to establish excellent working relationships, ability to build the consensus, negotiation skills and the commitment to develop a partnership for improved development effectiveness throughout all the Local Government Areas.

From all indication, it was observed that local government administration as a whole is increasing in scope day to day with resulting increased responsibilities. This means that Local Government administration does not merely require people with academic paper qualification, but people with initiative ability to lead, ability to enthuse and to guide. Unfortunately, the Local Governments have failed in their both their statutory powers and political will to address these issues.

The role of the state governments:
It must be stated that the role of state government as a tier of government in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. It has been increasingly noted that the various state governments have been notorious in rendering local government areas in the states ineffective and mostly underfunded. It has also been stated in numerous forums that state governors are in the habit of depriving the bulk of the people in the local government areas the dividends of democracy, and this is somewhat responsible for the spate of agitations at the local government levels which gave rise to all sort of anomalies at the grassroots levels.
Insecurity at Local Government Areas:
The people who reside at the grassroots constitute nearly sixty percent of the entire Nigerian population. But the economic wellbeing of the local government area councils is not sound. This means that poverty is more in local areas than it is in urban centres. And this fact has its attendant implication on the security situation in Nigeria.

According to reliable findings in the cause of the research work, it was observed that the bulk of the security challenges emanates from the state and local government levels. For example, kidnappers and other forms of criminal elements are planned in rural areas. Recruitments into terrorist groups are also carried out at the local government areas because of the level of deprivation and poverty.

Poor governance and lack of accountability:
This research indeed revealed that Local governments in Nigeria experience varying levels of interference from politicians and state governments and there have been contending views on whether interference is desirable or not considering the poor performance of local governments.

The revelations indeed portend grave danger because interference is not desirable as it has been the bane of the security challenges in the country.

Conclusion:

The Good Governance Index as a result of the above, concludes the level of insecurity in the country is fueled substantially by the ignoble role of the state and local governments in the governance structure in the country.

There is an apparent lack of accountability which is a bane in the entrenchment of good governance in the country and provided that ready market for the recruitment of willing foot soldiers by criminal elements into the web of crime and criminalities in the country.

Recommendations:

The Good Governance Index as a result of the preceding herby make the following recommendations;

The federal government should begin the process of demanding from the state governor’s accountability and transparency in the administration of local government funds. This, in our considered opinion, would bring about the much need accountability in governance at the state and local government levels.

The federal government must also do all within its powers to ensure the entrenchment of transparency and accountability at the state and local government levels in a bid to ensure that terrorist and other criminal gangs do not find the local government areas as veritable grounds for the escalation of violence in the country. I

*This report was put together by Dr. Thomas Uzah, a special rapporteur and made available to National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.*

The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, 7 December 2020, in Abuja, commission the Army Cyber Warfare Headquarters, warned that any form of hooliganism hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests will be dealt with decisively to ensure peace and stability in the country.

Buhari made the comments while Virtually declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020, President Buhari commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts at swiftly restoring law and order in various states during the large-scale criminality that ensued in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests.

While President also reiterate Government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land, the President recounted that the #ENDSARS protests were sadly hijacked by hooligans to cause wanton damage to lives and property in many cities across the country.

He described the Year 2020 as a very challenging one, citing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on almost every aspect of national life.

”Despite this, I am pleased to note that the Army remained resolute in the discharge of its Constitutional roles and in keeping the wealth and welfare of our soldiers a priority.

”The Army’s support of Civil Authorities in the management of the COVID – 19 Pandemic is a case in point.

” Also, the peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the Army,” he said at the conference themed “Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.”

The President commended the Army for its unwavering commitment towards curtailing the activities of insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other violent criminals through ongoing exercises and operations in different parts of the country.

Notably, he said the Exercise SAHEL SANITY launched a few months ago in the North West states to rid the Katsina-Zamfara corridor of marauding bandits had recorded commendable progress.

”I have also been briefed about the tremendous successes that have been achieved by troops during the ongoing Operation FIRE BALL in the North East.

”I charge you all to sustain these efforts until the full restoration of peace and security in the nation is achieved,” the President told members of the armed forces at the conference which provides an avenue for the leadership of the Army to re-assess its preparedness and operational readiness in carrying out its Constitutional roles.

President Buhari also used the occasion to pay tribute to men and women in uniform who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence and security of the nation, commiserating with their families, comrades and friends.

”As we pray for the repose of their souls, we must strengthen our collective resolve to address those issues that will make every part of our country a safe and secure place to live and carry out our normal business,” he said.

He pledged that his administration will not relent in its efforts to take adequate care of families of fallen heroes who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight against insurgency and other forms of crimes across the country.

At the conference, the President launched the Housing scheme for Next of Kin of personnel of the Nigerian Army killed in action.

”It is in line with this that the Army as part of its welfare initiative and in line with the Federal Government’s housing programme is undertaking the Housing Scheme for families and next of kin of troops that were killed in action in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities in the country.

”I believe this initiative will act as a huge morale booster to the troops on the frontlines as well as project the Army in good light.

”On our part, I assure you that this administration will continue to do all within available resources to provide for your operational and welfare needs,” he said.

President Buhari said he had been briefed that some of the major capabilities procured for the Army will soon be inducted into the various theatres of operations, urging personnel ‘‘to make judicious use of these capabilities, even as we await the arrival of others currently pending shipment to the country.’’

On the choice of the theme of the annual conference, President Buhari noted that it is only through human capacity development that any institution can attain the level of professionalism needed to effectively and efficiently carry out its Constitutional roles.

The President, therefore, congratulated the Army on holding this Conference at the magnificent edifice housing the Army’s Cyber Warfare Command with its state-of-the-art Cyberwarfare Operations Centre, adding that this shows that the Army is alive to the changing nature of warfare which is gradually moving into the cyber domain.

”By the same token, I commend the visionary leadership that has worked assiduously to emplace this vital capability that will fill an existing gap in our nation’s security and defence architecture.

”This and other numerous infrastructural projects that have been embarked upon in recent times by the leadership of the Army has shown good utilization of scarce national resources,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi appreciated the President for always approving funds for operations of the military in the country, assuring that all resources will be judiciously utilised.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, noted that the Nigeria Army was well poised to confront all security challenges, which includes cyber threats.

“We have intensify our civil military relations effort and in bide the best global practices in the conduct of our operations inline with principle of law.

“Within the period under review, the Nigerian Army embarked on massive infrastructural development, undertook further fort restructuring, Carried out various operations as well optimized logistic and support element.

Highlight of the event was the commissioning of Headquarters Cyber Warfare Command by the President, as well as flagging off on the development of an Army Smart estate LifeCamp Abuja.

It is a gathering of Generals both serving and retired, dignitaries from all walks of life were also present as the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai officially launch of the TYB International Golf Resort and the foundation laying of the its clubhouse.

The event which took place at the premises of Mambilla Barracks have in attendance the representative of the Corps Marshall General of the Federal Road Safety Corps, representatives of Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and representative of Nigerian Golf Federations (NGF) as well as for captain of Ikoyi Golf Club, Brigadier General Musbau Amolegbe and other dignitaries and golf lovers.

In his opening speech the Chairman of the golf resort Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun is full of thanks to the Chief of Army Staff who he said conceive the vision of constructing the golf course from what was in the plan to what can presently boast of 18 holes, and also making sure that a befitting clubhouse was also added to replace the temporary gazebo currently serving that purpose.

The golf course which was formerly known as Eagle International Golf Resort and Country Club is formerly owned and maintained by members of the armed forces of Nigeria both serving and retired. The latest level was however the innovation pioneered by the club’s Life Patron who is the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, whose aim is to establish a world class golf course to encourage recreation and sporting activities amongst Nigerian Army personnel and other services as well as the provision of conducive golfing experience for other golfers.

The golf resort covers an expanse of 230 acres of land and house a temporary clubhouse with the new clubhouse works set to begin. The permanent clubhouse which will include facilities for multipurpose center, driving roads, parking lots, storage facilities, equipment maintenance and shopping center.

The establishment of the golf course within the barracks community was significant in that it has enhanced civil military relationship and has provided a veritable avenue for engagements of youths within the barracks as caddies who are also aspiring to be golfers in future.

Chief of Army Staff T.Y. Buratai in his speech was happy at the turn of event for deciding to use the land for the purpose it was earmarked for in the Abuja master plan. He was full of praise for the work prudently done with scarce resources to take the resort to its current state, he also wants the army to constructively engage energetic youths both male and female to expose them to opportunities that may be impossible to access when left on their own.

Gen Buratai, was happy that the resort recent tournament stands as the first of such where female golfers were allowed to showcase their talents in a professional golf tournament in the country, and that it affirms that the country has the talents to compete at global level if given appropriate exposure and support and in an effort to ensure the sustenance of the tournament the CAoS decided that the professional and amateur of the golfing event be made an annual event of the army.

He also promised that the newly commissioned clubhouse will be completed in no time so that people will be able to make use of the facilities for the betterment of the country sporting world. He also appreciated Gen Amolegbe who had promised to write to Garmin to calibrate the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort on the international golf watch.



His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo, {Ademoyebo 11} Obateru of Egbin Royal Kingdom, Ikorodu, Lagos, has joined the league of speakers in the 2020 Security Annual Dinner / Discourse Programme organized by the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.

The highly respected traditional ruler confirmed his attendance on Friday, December 4 at a meeting which held at his Palace in Ikorodu, Lagos when NAOSRE executives led by Mrs. Favour Benson visited him.

In her presentation, Favour Benson, who is the immediate past President of NAOSRE, extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Oba Abdul-Akeem Oyebo.

She hinted that the choice of the Obateru as a representative of the traditional institution in the security dinner event stems from his commitment to security and safety, a development that ranks his kingdom as investor’s haven.

In his response, the highly respected Oba appreciated the invite extended to him by NAOSRE and promised to be physically present to lend his voice to security issues for safer Nigeria.

The 2020 Annual Dinner / Discourse Programme which holds by 5pm prompt on Friday, December 11, 2020 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, is the association’s annual evening of get-together, in a convivial environment, to review security issues and re enact media strategies in playing crucial role of professionally bridging the gap of information between security agents and the public.