A team of mobile police officers (MOPOLs) attached to the 40 Police Mobile Force in Jalingo, Taraba State has rejected a bribe of N8.5million from a suspected kidnapper and arrested him.
The state commissioner of police, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this when he paraded some suspected criminals in Jalingo, the state capital.

He said the suspected kidnapper was arrested on Monday at 9:45 pm in a Toyota Starlet car with registration number YLA 321 ZY on the Jalingo-Yola Bypass Road.
Eribo said, “When interrogated, the suspect could not give a satisfactory account of himself, hence a search was conducted on his vehicle and the following items were in his possession: a cash sum of N8.555 million, seven phones, 3,000 unused MTN recharge cards, four amulets.
“The suspect bribed the PMF personnel, requesting them to take the whole money and allow him to go, but the PMF personnel refused and arrested him accordingly. The case is under investigation and the suspect will soon be charged to court,” he said.

Meanwhile, troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, have engaged bandits who kidnapped three persons in Jalingo in a gun duel.
The acting assistant director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Lt. Olubodunde Oni, in a statement, said the bandits were heading to Yorro when the troops engaged them in a gun battle.
He said, “Acting on intelligence regarding the movement of the bandits with their victims from Ardo-Kola to Yorro, troops deployed in Apawa village of Yorro local government area swiftly mobilised to the area and trailed the armed group.

“The troops displayed exceptional skill and determination, engaging the criminals with superior firepower.
“This forced the bandits to abandon their three abducted victims.
“We are pleased to report that the rescued individuals have been reunited with their families as we continue on the trail of the kidnappers,” he said.

• Receive 40 alteration bills as 1999 Constitution review commences

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has revealed that 40 bills have been received for the commencement of the 1999 Constitution review.

He also announced that the review committee would complete its assignment by December, 2025. Kalu made the disclosures at the pre-inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which he also doubles as the chairman.

The Deputy Speaker also said the Constitution review committee would be officially inaugurated on February 26, 2024. Recall that the House leadership recently constituted the committee for the 10th National Assembly, making it the sixth time the parliament would be embarking on amendments of the Nigerian Constitution.

The deputy speaker added that the committee would take into consideration the concerns of Nigerians and bequeath to the nation a constitution that would reflect the yearning of the people.

He added that the committee would also consider some important bills that failed to receive the needed attention in the last constitution review.
Kalu urged sponsors and promoters of the bills to ensure early and thorough advocacy on the bills.

“The Committee is fully aware of the concerns of Nigerians on the need to finalise and conclude discussions around Nigeria’s Constitution. I will like to state, however, that the nature of Nigeria’s Constitution and the history around how it was made and handed over to a new civilian government in 1999, makes it imperative for us to continually revisit the several provisions of the constitution and work towards accomplishing consensus on outstanding constitutional debates.”

Kalu highlighted the scope of reference of the committee to include the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and other Acts that are to be altered, in accordance with Section 8 and Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Others, he said, are receiving and considering any proposal, bills for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which may be made or referred to by the Acts, and ensuring the alterations to the constitution are passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Also, creating a forum for relevant stakeholders and members of the public to make their inputs to the constitution review process, to enact laws to improve the wellbeing and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

In addition, building a robust and collaborative relationship with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 36 states Houses of Assembly, whose resolutions are part of the legislative journey to the bills; liaise with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, multilateral and supranational agencies, to achieve a wholesome amendment to the Nigeria’s constitution; and liaising with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, multilateral and supranational agencies to ensure a wholesome amendment to the Nigeria’s constitution.

[Guardian]

Some civil society organisations have said the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) poses a significant security threat.

The three countries had on Sunday announced their exit from the ECOWAS due to what they called illegal and inhumane sanctions imposed on them following the coups in their countries.

The regional bloc, chaired by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, had said it had yet to receive any notification of withdrawal from the three countries.

The CSOs, in a joint letter addressed to Tinubu, said the withdrawal of these countries posed a direct threat to the collaborative efforts required to combat regional security challenges. The letter, dated January 31, 2024, was signed by Kabiru S. Chafe of the Arewa Research & Development Project (ARDP); Babayola M. Toungo, Arewa Research & Development Project (ARDP); Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Centre for Democratic Development, Research & Training (CEDDART); Massoud Omar, Centre for Democratic Development, Research & Training (CEDDART); Hashim Tom Maiyashi, Joint-Action Committee of Northern Youth Association (JACOM) and Ms. Latifa Abdussalam of the Joint-Action Committee of Northern Youth Association (JACOM).

It specifically said Mali and Niger were critical in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, given their geographic positioning and the nature of cross-border security threats.

The letter titled, “Your Excellency, Upholding Regional Solidarity and Nigerian National Unity: An Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on ECOWAS Challenges and Domestic Policy Concerns,” read in part: “One of the most pressing issues needing serious attention is the fight against insecurity in Nigeria, a battle that is intrinsically linked to the stability and cooperation within the ECOWAS region. The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso poses a direct threat to the collaborative efforts required to combat regional security challenges.

“These countries, particularly Mali and Niger, are critical in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, given their geographic positioning and the nature of cross-border security threats. Their departure from ECOWAS not only weakens the regional security framework but also leaves Nigeria more vulnerable to the spillover of instability and terrorist activities from these neighbouring countries.

“The decision of the Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks a critical juncture in the history of our region. It has significantly altered the political landscape of West Africa, with multifaceted repercussions extending far across political, economic, security, social, and diplomatic spheres. Understanding the depth and breadth of these implications is essential for devising a strategic response that upholds the integrity and objectives of ECOWAS.”

[DailyTrust]

Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has been cleared to feature for the Super Eagles against Angola on Friday, DAILY POST reports.

Nwabali was a major doubt for the game after sustaining a mild ligament injury in the Super Eagles Round of 16 victory against Cameroon.

The Chippa United shot stopper has now recovered fully from the injury.

The 27-year-old trained fully with his teammates at the Police College, Cocody, Abidjan on Wednesday night.

Nwabali has conceded just once in four appearances for the Super Eagles at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles will take on the Black Antelopes in a quarter-final tie at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

[DailyPost]

The immediate past Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Samuel Ohiri, who was recently abducted by unknown gunmen, has vehemently countered social media report, crediting his freedom from the kidnappers’ den to the tactical intervention of the Nigerian Police Force operatives.

He said he paid ransom (undisclosed) in two instalments, after spending 12 days in the kidnappers’ den. He also said that there was no attempt made by the police while he was under abduction.

In his speech at his palace, Eze Ohiri maintained that the police did not play any part in the drama leading to his regaining freedom.

He said, “I wouldn’t have opened up, but I have to act this time to tell the world the truth because of the viral social media report. I don’t like any organization hiding under government cloak to speak lies, deceive the society and self-aggrandize itself.”

Narrating his ordeal, Eze Ohiri said that he came back to celebrate the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year with his family, people of Obi Orodo community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area people, and Imo State at large, only for him to wake up at early hours of that fateful day, on January 6, 2024, to enter into the hands of “what I can describe as “merciless boys (men).”

“They first kept me in an uncompleted building, before I was transferred to another place. I saw hell during the 12 days I spent with my abductors. At first, it looked as if they have some special scores to settle with traditional rulers and politicians, but luckily for me, their leader came to the camp and ordered them not to torture me, that I am a decent man.

“Negotiation started at that point between my people and the kidnappers. It eventually resulted to my regaining my freedom after first and second ransom was paid.”

He said that they took him with another victim to Eziama Obiato, a community in Mbaitoli council area, along Onitsha-Owerri express way at night. It was from there he found his way back to Owerri at popular Control Post junction, where his people came and took him back to the palace.

He added, “While in the den, my food was water, two raps of gala and sometimes bread with water in the night. That is why I described them as being merciless.”

[Punch]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted a decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 23 percent in 2024 and 15.5 percent in 2025.

IMF’s Division Chief of Research Department, Daniel Leigh, disclosed this at the Fund’s World Economic Outlook (WEO) update press conference on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 28.92 percent as of December 2023, and has been on the rise for 11 consecutive months.

Reacting to the foreign exchange reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to curb inflation and the free fall of the naira, Leigh said the monetary tightening stance of the apex bank would help reduce inflation rate.

Leigh said one of the drivers of inflation is the weak naira following reforms by the financial regulator.

He stated: “Now there’s also structural factors behind that high inflation, including, you know, on the fiscal side, financing of the deficit. But this is clearly creating hardship. The perspective that we have is bringing down inflation is top priority.

“And the CBN has already raised interest rates significantly over the past year to 18.8 percent. So that is the monetary tightening that is helping in our forecast to bring inflation down from 24.6 percent in 2023 percent, to 23 percent this year, and then closer to single digits into 2025 at 15.5 percent.”

According to Leigh, while the monetary tightening to conquer inflation is ongoing, Nigeria should prioritise revenue mobilisation, and widen its tax base to provide social support.

“On top of conquering inflation through monetary tightening, there’s also a need to provide social support through the budget and creating the space for that is the challenge.

“Our perspective is that more revenue mobilisation, strengthening revenue administration, widening the tax base, this is what is going to bring in space for development spending while safeguarding fiscal sustainability,” Leigh added.

Bureau De Change (BDC) operators have announced shut down of operation in Abuja as a result of unavailability of dollars.

Chairman of the Association, Mallam Abdulahi Dauran, announced this in the nation’s capital, on Wednesday.

He attributed the development to online business transaction and cryptocurrency.

Daurau said the closure of business would take effect from Thursday, February 1, 2024.

The development comes hours after a senate panel summoned Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), over forex crisis.

The summon was through its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions headed by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos).

Senator Abiru disclosed this while speaking with newsmen after his panel met behind closed doors on Wednesday.

He said the committee, during the meeting, took the decision to summon the apex bank governor to brief the lawmakers Tuesday next week on what is being done to address the economic and Naira value crisis.

Senator Abiru said the state of the economy, especially the inflation index was of great concern to the lawmakers.

He said:“We have deliberated among ourselves. Critical issues were addressed and we believe that the next line of action is to summon the governor of the Central Bank on Tuesday at 3 O’clock to brief us properly on the state of the economy.

“That we have resolved and will communicate to the governor of the Central Bank after which we will have further communication with members of the press.”

Naira continued its free fall on Tuesday, sinking to a record low of N1,482.57 per dollar following demand on the official market.

On Sunday, the coup leaders in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In a joint statement, the three military heads of states said it was a “sovereign decision” to leave ECOWAS “without delay,” because of the “inhumane” sanctions imposed against their countries. They also accused ECOWAS of having “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism”; claiming that the bloc is now “under the influence of foreign powers.” ECOWAS, according to the military leaders, “notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.”

First, we must understand the desperation that pushed the trio of Captain Ibrahim Traore, General Abdourahmane Tchiani and Colonel Assimi Goita to take the action they did. Their three landlocked countries have been under tremendous domestic pressure since being suspended from ECOWAS: Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger last July. The military rulers signed a defence pact, Alliance of Sahel States founded on the Mafia code of ‘one for all and all for one’ and severed military and cooperation ties with France, their former colonial power. They have now turned to Russia, long seeking a foothold on the continent.

Before I deal with the Russian angle, let me state that this is a problem for us in Nigeria only to the extent that we are seen as leader of the sub-region. President Bola Tinubu is also the current ECOWAS Chairman. Yes, there is a lot to say about a whimsical approach to serious problems becoming emblematic of the current Tinubu administration. And I am aware of the enormous economic and security challenges that plague our country. But Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, three countries that collectively account for 8% of the $702 billion ECOWAS Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are not being helped by their military adventurers on this issue.

Not many people remember but ECOWAS was founded by 16 members comprising former British, French, and Portuguese colonies within the subregion. In 2000, Mauritania withdrew its membership in preference for the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) which it had joined, even when there was nothing stopping the country from belonging to two regional bodies. It did not take long before Mauritanians begun expressing regrets. Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghef, a former Prime Minister (2008-2009), has deemed his country’s withdrawal from ECOWAS ‘a big mistake.’ Of the 54 African countries, according to Waghef, 27 are members of two regional groupings, 18 belong to three groupings and one country is a member of four groupings hence “we have the right to belong simultaneously to two sub-regional organizations (ECOWAS and AMU).” With that opportunity lost, Mauritania is back today in ECOWAS but as an associate member.

Meanwhile, the main ECOWAS challenge for Nigeria is in Niger where President Tinubu is walking a tightrope. Last November, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) issued a communique indicating quite clearly that there is no consensus in Nigeria as to how to deal with the Niger coup. “The Northern Senators Forum asks ECOWAS to lift restrictions on Niger Republic in the interest of business at our border communities. It is important that Nigeriens should not suffer as a result of coup in their country just as we are seeing what is happening in Gaza,” said NSF Chairman, Abdul Ningi, who read the statement after their meeting. “We call on Niger and Nigeria that we remain brothers, we remain partners and we remain Africans.”

There are other complexities and sensitivities the president must understand. The Nigeria-Niger border is 1,608 kilometres long and traverses seven states: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina and Borno. People in these states engage in open trade across borders and their livelihood is dependent on transactions that are now hampered. Tinubu’s immediate predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, we must also remember, admitted openly that Niger is a second home for him. So, already there is domestic pressure that relations be normalised with Niger. General Abdourahmane Tchiani understands these dynamics strengthen his hand and perhaps explains why he is playing hard ball. That’s also why President Tinubu (and by implication, the ECOWAS he chairs) cannot afford to be rigid. At some point, there will have to be a compromise. And whatever goes for Niger must go for Mali and Burkina Faso.

Now to the Russian angle. In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, argued that Russia may be “emboldening these three countries to break up ECOWAS as part of the attempt to weaken what one will call the western influence in this part of the world.” Yet, according to Akinyemi, “Russia has not shown that it has the capability to help these three countries to combat the jihadists, the Tuaregs, the ISIS who are running wild in the Sahel.” To the respected diplomat, Nigeria and the regional bloc now contend with a crisis, essentially “because these three countries, in terms of landmass, that’s about half of ECOWAS. So, we’re not dealing with just a little hiccup on our hands.”

Regarding allegations by the three countries that ECOWAS is being teleguided by foreign powers, Akinyemi said it was clear what they mean. “You know the power that they are referring to, and presumably, the fact that our president is in France at the moment kind of reinforces this fear in their minds that the ECOWAS policies are actually French policies,” said Akinyemi. “We’re going to need some clever steps, diplomatically on this matter, and I think that ECOWAS needs some fast thinking to make sure that this situation does not get out of hand.”

I am aware that Russia is investing considerable resources (mostly non-financial apart from wheat donations) to gain a stronger foothold in a number of African countries. Russia has been deploying two vehicles: Military through the Wagner mercenary group and media propaganda, especially against France. In practically all the French speaking countries on the continent, local social media influencers are being contracted to spread pro-Russia (and anti-France) propaganda. “I manage the cyberwar, the media war… and (the late Wagner leader, Yevgeny) Prigozhin conducts military activities,” Luc Michel, who heads the media machine told BBC two years ago. “I think that Russia must replace the French in all of Africa.” So, obviously, there is no altruism in the Russian intervention in these countries.

After almost 50 years, ECOWAS has become part of the political and economic lifeblood of the subregion. To that extent, Nigeria’s very strategic importance and political stability are tied to the survival of the regional bloc. The leadership role we play makes the threat to its existence a serious matter. Therefore, the challenge of the moment requires deft diplomatic leadership that is inclusive and multicultural. That is the best way to neutralize the departure of France from the affected countries. As for the Russian meddlesomeness, it can be dealt with as part of the global anti-authoritarian drive. That of course presupposes strengthening our democracy at home and working for the peace and prosperity of our people.

Nigeria, 105 Years Ago…ll

In the first part of this series started last week, I excerpted from ‘The Nigeria Handbook 1919 (Issued with the approval of the Nigerian Government)’—a 304-page publication which contains ‘Statistical and General Information respecting the Colony and Protectorate’. The main idea was to draw lessons from the Nigeria of 105 years ago. Although I promised to continue the excerpts, I no longer see the need for it given the feedback I received. Most of the mails centre around our colonial experience and ‘where the rain started to beat us’ which, for me, cannot be a justification for our failings. I do not discount the harm of colonialism, but I believe Nigeria is what it is today because of the choices made in the past 63 years. 

The Republic of Cyprus was not only colonised like Nigeria but also shares with our country the same Independence Day: 1^st October 1960. Like Nigeria, Cyprus has faced wars, military coups and all manner of disruptions, instigated from within and without. But unlike Nigeria, the Eastern Mediterranean Island has done relatively well for itself. In practically all development indicators, Cyprus has fared far much better than Nigeria. So, we cannot continue to cite our colonial experience as reason for the rot in our society. The paradox, as I have written in the past, is that while Nigeria may not be doing well as a country, many of our citizens are doing well as individuals—both at home and in the Diaspora. There is hardly any compilation of the Global 100 in any sphere of human endeavour that does not include at least one Nigerian. That has been the consistent pattern no matter the metrics used and regardless of the field profiled.

Interestingly, my young friend, Ejiro Oghenechovwen, who until recently worked with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), seems to understand the essence of my intervention. And I crave the indulgence of readers to publish his mail before I conclude. “I have just finished reading your column on ‘Nigeria, 105 years ago’. I am particularly jolted by your comment that there was no conscious effort at nation building by Nigeria’s postcolonial leaders. Beyond it being painfully true, it strongly suggests that not even national or subnational government and governing processes (which we aren’t even doing well in) are sufficient for a pluralistic country like ours.

“I am delighted that the compiler of the 1919 handbook under reference admitted that organization and order were existent in precolonial Nigeria, contrary to the widespread Western view of an inherently savage and barbaric Africa. Furthermore, hearing a then-active participant in the country’s blossoming political process describe the obtainable government structure as indirect rule is, to me, liberating, as I had always believed that the term was coined in retrospect by future historians. Interestingly, I find astonishing your statistical comparison of the elements of the trade balance between the period covered and that of 2018. The proximity of 1913’s figures to 2018’s is saddening and depicts a merry-go-round affair over a century later, so that, beyond the incredulous fact that we now import palm seedlings – the products of which we earlier exported at two-thirds output volume as you revealed, we have always been a predominantly mono-product economy. When it is palm seeds and their produce, it is majorly palm seeds and their produce; and when it is crude oil, it is equally almost totally crude oil. In other words, we have historically not fared well with diversification.

“It is, therefore, imperative that we pay serious attention to the nation-building question, realizing that the call to leadership goes beyond maintaining, servicing, or upgrading processes, systems, and entities year after year and one democratic dispensation after another. It is also about consciously and masterfully moulding consensus, ensuring that everyone is on the same page – or at least, the same chapter – and journeying collectively, even if in pools and batches, in the same direction. This requires sincerity, courage, and continuous concession-making. I am reminded of a scene in ‘Invictus’, the 2009 movie on Nelson Mandela. Madiba, as he was fondly called, had just been elected South Africa’s first black president and was on his usual pre-dawn walk when he and his two bodyguards saw that day’s newspaper with a banner headline: HE CAN WIN AN ELECTION, BUT CAN HE RUN A COUNTRY? One guard was amazed at such a question when the man wasn’t even up to a day in office. Mandela calmly stated that it was a legitimate query. In like manner, our leaders at all levels and in all spheres must take an informed pause from their routine and reflect deeply on our national question. Why are things falling apart? Why is the nation’s center not holding? What should be done? The real question, perhaps, is, even when we find answers to those questions, are we sincere and courageous enough to respond accordingly?”

Perhaps Ejiro was reading my mind. Despite being blessed with abundant human and material resources, we have failed to aggregate the parts into a collective whole. With no communal sense to build a functioning society, the ‘whole’ of our country remains far much less than the sum of its parts.  Essentially because the accumulation of individual greed far outweighs the collective need. When You apply the law of the jungle in competing for scarce resources without any sense of order which nation building entails, the chaos that we have in Nigeria today is inevitable.

Since the beginning of the year, for instance, the recurring news in our country is that of kidnappings by sundry cartels of criminals who seem to have overpowered the capacity of the state. Not only is the list of victims becoming increasingly long, but there are also thousands of others across the country who have been in prolonged captivity and whose ordeals are heart-wrenching for their families. They remain nameless: mere statistics in a nation where human life has become easily dispensable. What is the national response? Let us continue to pray! 

Notwithstanding misgivings over the 1914 amalgamation, distortions to our federal structure caused by years of military rule, and disappointment with the current crop of leaders and the choices they make; it is also appropriate to remind ourselves that we have come a long way as a nation. Not even the most implacable enemies of Nigeria will deny its socio-economic potential, the enormous capacity of its people and the bright future that continues to beckon. If only our leaders would look beyond artificial differences, apply themselves to the jobs for which they were elected or appointed and rally our diversity as the real source of our strength.