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Insecurity: Security News Publishers Challenge FG to Action
The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has challenged the Federal Government to provide adequate security for Nigerians as the 21st year of new millennium gets underway.
The Association, in a statement signed by it’s president, Samson Oki, frowned at the increasing level of killings, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry prevalent in the country, and called on all relevant agencies to buckle up.
The Association’s statement in details:
Nigeria is beset with plethora of insecurities ranging from kidnapping, banditary and terrorism, inter-cult rivalries, attacks by herdsmen and armed robbery incidences.
These, apart from the Covid-19 that struck the country in February 28, 2020, have infested the country like a behemoth, emasculating people and depleting their economic prosperity.
In the last few months, most Nigerians have developed lack of interest in embarking on interstate travels, not because of lack of what to do in those states but afraid that they might not arrive their destinations for fear of been kidnapped, abducted by bandits and herdsmen, who brazenly block expressway and seize vehicles or the entire passengers.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the biggest organised crime in Nigeria and this has posed a huge national security problem in the country, sending countless victims to their early graves as any resistance always result in death of victims.
In extreme cases, some have had their lives terminated while those that are lucky enough, either forced to pay millions to regain their freedom or had the women gang raped by the bandits.
Sadly, despite been rescued, the kidnapping of over 334 students from Kankara Government Science Secondary School, Katsina on the 11th December, 2020 was a slap on the collective sensibility and sensitivity of Nigerians having had cases of students abductions at Chibok and Dapchi with some many of them still not released by the terrorists till now.
We, at the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) wish to use this opportunity to call on all the security apparatuses to redouble their efforts and extricate our country from this mess we have found ourselves.
Nigeria used to be a reference point in terms of peace and security in its ambience but such enviable status cannot be held at the moment – as one of the most secured country in Africa. Unfortunately, due to self distrust, political manipulation and flagrant disregards for the sanctity of human lives, have descended to such a level that we are made a laughing stock in Africa.
As it is hitherto, nowhere seems safe in Nigeria. Even Churches and Mosques have been inflitrated by terrorist gangs and bombed them or clergymen kidnapped. Every geopolitical zone is either contending with one insecurities problem or the other leading to; in recent times, the formation by some states of regional or ethnic security Organisations. Aren’t these indexes of failed efforts of the Government to provide security and protect properties of citizens?
Pathetically, it has been observed with disdain that men of the Nigerian Police have lowered the guide at providing required security since the aftermath of #EndSARS protest. No matter what has happened, the Nigerian Police cannot shy away from its primary responsibilities.
Despite the hijack of #EndSARS protest, which was unfortunate and condemnable in its ramifications, NAOSNP urge the police to take the challenge as a bold step to change the negative narratives and prove all the doubting Thomases WRONG. It would also be an expression of their strongness, doggedness to live above their shortcomings by providing robust security to the citizenry.
As the Federal government has reassured Nigerians of robust security as espoused in President Mohammadu Buhari New Year broadcast, we, at NAOSNP appeal to the Government to invest heavily on the military by procuring necessary equipment to deal with the terrorists terrorising lives in the NorthEast and North Central with a reminder that any country that politicises security matters would bleed.
Similarly, other Paramilitary organizations need massive investment in the area of Equipment, Training and Welfare of officers to meet contemporary security hiatus. Based on those premise, the welfare of officers cannot be compromised and as such, will serve as added motivational factor that would challenge them to do more to secure the rest of us.
Lastly, 2021 holds so much in trust for all and sundry. Everyone needs to assist in intelligence gathering to aid our security agencies and the Government must begin to reevaluate its security architecture, make necessary changes at the top hierrachy, appropriate more funds and monitor its disbursement with a view to getting results but not the uncouth narratives that have kept us in this unfortunate insecurity problems.
It is only when adequate security of lives and properties are guaranteed that both foreign and local investments would be attracted. The moment this is done, the reflection on Gross National Domestic Product (GDP) would climb to the roof and by extension, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and infrastructural development will accelerate.
As a country, nation and people, we deserve more than this. NAOSNP declares 2021 a year of peace and hope; a year where auguish and lack will be relegated; where plenty food will replace starvation; where peace and love will replace nepotism and tribal division and where slaughtering of people will no longer become a daily identity but hopes of progress and developments for all and sundry.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the winner of the just concluded Ondo State governorship election, held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The Returning Officer for the election Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State declared Aiyedatiwa winner of the election on Sunday, extending the governor’s stay at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure.
Governor Aiyedatiwa polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival and a former deputy governor of the state Ajayi Agboola who flew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag. He scored 117,845 votes, more than twice lower than the APC candidate.
“That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the returning officer said at exactly 2:30 pm at the INEC collation centre in Akure.
The declaration came hours after the collation of results for the election began in the early hours of Sunday. Although the collation centre went on breaks, the APC took a commanding lead with over 200,000 votes ahead of the PDP.
The final results showed that the APC won the election in a landslide, clearing all 18 local government areas.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There is no gainsaying the fact that everyone desirous of making impact in life must live a life of purpose. This is where knowledge and information come to play. It is these knowledge and information that will set an individual apart from his contemporaries.
I strongly believe, if one is not informed, they are ill-informed, and when they are ill-informed, they can’t perform well in any given endeavour. This is because information leads to reformation and transformation. We can therefore, confidently say that information leads to formation because everyone is a product of what they know.
Knowledge acquisition is one of the best things that can happen to anyone. People with knowledge are revered, and highly respected. Having knowledge is like having money. People from all walks of life will seek you.
There are different kinds of knowledge, and they include Revealed Knowledge, which comes from those who wrote the Bible and Intuitive Knowledge, which comes from the mind. It is the ability to gain knowledge without conscious reason or explanation.
Others are Empirical Knowledge, which is information gained through observation, experimentation, and direct experience, rather than through theoretical reason or intuition; Authoritative Knowledge, which is the knowledge a man has because of his expertise in a particular field; and finally but not the least, Rational Knowledge, which is a form of knowledge that uses reasoning and philosophy to understand the world.
From this illustration, a decisive mind can see that knowledge is priceless. Knowledge is like education. It can provide security and access. Even the Book of life says in Proverbs 4:13, “your education is your life, guard it very well”; and in Hosea 4:6 that “my people perish for lack of knowledge”.
From my personal experience in life, apart from death, one of the greatest levelers of all time is education. This is because the child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow if properly educated. That explains why children from humble backgrounds ought to take their education very seriously, especially if they don’t have affluence.
On a personal note, I come from a very humble background, my late parents didn’t have the opportunity of acquiring a decent education, but they knew the value of education and endeavored to give me and my siblings a decent education. In retrospect, when I look back and see some of my contemporaries whose parents couldn’t give them a decent education, I bless my late parents because education has exposed me to lots of opportunities in the United States, and the global world in addition to granting me an audience with the high and mighty in society.
Sometimes, when I look at my modest achievement, I’m deeply humbled because I know it is the grace of God. Who am I to author two amazing trailblazers’ books, get featured and profiled by the New York Times, engage in high level conversation with leaders of thought and captains of industries. Apart from the grace of God, intentional seeking of knowledge, and wise counsel from mentors and strategically positioning myself have been some of the cornerstone to my success.
Imagine if my late parents didn’t give me a decent education and opportunity of travelling to the United States, most of these opportunities and exposure wouldn’t have been readily available.
When one is decently enlightened, educated and informed about life, their level of reasoning and understanding differ from an ordinary man. If one desires to go far in life, one must seek knowledge.
It is your knowledge that sets you apart from others.
According to Dr. Yomi Garnett, an accomplished Ghostwriter, “If you are a man of great knowledge, people will have great respect for you. If you are a man of great wisdom, people will have great reverence for you. And if you are a man of both, great knowledge and great wisdom, you will be the most eminent of men. But in real terms, people don’t care how much you know, or how much wisdom you have, unless they know how much you care.”
The moral of this quote is that despite the knowledge and information at one’s disposal, if one lacks empathy, their knowledge, experience and whatever they have mean nothing.
The importance of knowledge cannot be overemphasized. In our contemporary society, a fast way of attracting opportunities is by showcasing the knowledge at one’s disposal. It is so sad that many people don’t take time to read, research and learn new trends applicable in their industry, and in the world generally and as such, they find it difficult to fit in and grow.
It is instructive to note that when you seek knowledge, opportunities will seek for you. A major reason people are poor is simply because they are not solving problems and to solve problems, one ought to have understanding. Do you know that if you don’t have money, the reason is often because you are not solving a problem, or you are not solving enough problems, or you are not solving the right problem or you are not solving problems for the right people. Generally, we make money because we have something unique to offer to the world. Therefore, to solve problems, one must have knowledge and information.
We currently live in an age of technological, where skills, talent and creativity are in high demand. Any progressive being that desires to go far must be intentional in seeking knowledge. Successful acquisition of knowledge, information and understanding can lead to discernment and wisdom.
In conclusion, as you journey towards life, if you want to make an impact, seek opportunities, and earn more money, do yourself a favour by endeavoring to seek knowledge, wisdom, and information. You can’t get these by sitting on your sofa or staying in your comfort zone.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications (State House).
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement, on Thursday.
A former aide of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Bwala worked actively for his former principal who lost to Tinubu.
However, after the elections, he worked his way into the camp of Tinubu, sparking controversy.
Onanuga also announced the appointments of three directors-general of various agencies.
They are:
(1) Mr. Olawale Olopade — Director-General, National Sports Commission
(2) Dr. Abisoye Fagade — Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism
(3) Dr. Adebowale Adedokun — Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement
Olopade, the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector.
He served as commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun state and was chairman of the local organising committee of the 2024 National Sports Festival.
The new Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions.
Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of Research/Training and Strategic Planning at the bureau before his appointment.
Daily Trust
