Headlines
Nigeria Moving Towards Disintegration, Abdulsalami Warns
A former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned that the country may disintegrate if Nigerians do not remain calm and united in the face of recent challenges.
While expressing dismay over the recent attacks in parts of the country, Abdulsalami called on governors to take full responsibility for managing the divergent voices and frustration in their states that could fuel disunity, anarchy and disintegration.
“As if the continued insurgency in the country, the kidnapping and armed robbery is not cup full, the recent happenings in some part of the country of ethnic attacks are unfortunate and adding to the problems,” he stated.
Abdulsalami, who is the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, told journalists on Tuesday at his Minna home that there was the need for all Nigerians to come together to overcome the current challenges being faced.
He said, “In the last two weeks or so, tension has been growing in the country and embers of disunity, anarchy and disintegration are spreading fast; and if care is not taken, this might lead us to a point of no return.
“We at the National Peace Committee wish to add our voice to the voices of millions of Nigerians calling for calm in these difficult times.
“These times demand that we all join hands to resolve our challenges so as to keep our country united. We do not have the luxury of trading blames.
“Thousands of our people are homeless and refugees across the length and breadth of their own country.
“We know the difficulties that our farmers have faced in the last few years and that harvesting will be a serious challenge this year. Therefore, let us all rally together in these hard times, make the required sacrifices and remain vigilant by standing by one another.”
Abdulsalami also appealed to governors of the various states to sheathe their swords, adding, “They should tone down their rhetoric and take full responsibility for managing the divergent voices and frustration within their states.
“It is true that we are all in a state of fear and collective anxiety. However, the last thing we need is for the enemy to sense a lack of unity on our part or a break in our ranks.”
He urged the new service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police to rise up to the urgent demands of the moment, saying, “You need to rally your troops and design the best strategy for ending this tragic war that has continued to consume and destroy the foundation of our dear country.”
“We hope that based on their field experience in this war, they can draw up a well coordinated programme to ensure that all our resources are deployed to achieve the much needed victory in this avoidable war.”
The Punch
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
