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Government place citizens on Red Alert; mbarks on mass education to tame monster

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How Prepared is Nigeria?The Nigerian government said, "do not panic." We have no reason to panic yet, but we must prepare for the worst. Ebola virus is the most deadly virus today ravaging West Africa.

How much do Nigerians know about the virus, mode of transmission and what they should do if a case is noticed of the highly contagious disease.

The pictures of doctors being shown on television clad in dress like astronauts treating quarantined victims looks like something out of a science fiction movie, and it is scary.

Ebola itself is scary. Doctors are battling to get a vaccine or treatment and politicians are doing all they can to calm nerves.

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EBOLA : We must prepare Lagos state government shut and quarantined the hospital he was admitted in after a Liberian man died of the Ebola virus, the first recorded case of the highly-infectious disease in Africa's most populous country.

Patrick Sawyer, a consultant for Liberia's Finance Ministry in his 40s, collapsed on arrival at the Lagos airport on July 20. He was put in isolation at the First Consultants Hospital in Obalende, one of the most crowded parts of a city that is home to 21 million people. He died two days later.

"The private hospital was demobilized and the primary source of infection eliminated. The decontamination process in all the affected areas has commenced," Lagos state health commissioner Jide Idris told a news conference. He said the hospital would be closed for a week and the staff would be closely monitored. Authorities were monitoring 59 people who were in contact with Sawyer, including airport contacts, the Lagos state health ministry said. The airline had provided the passenger list for the flights Sawyer and all the people on the flight are being monitored.

Derek Gatherer, a virologist at Britain's University of Lancaster, told Reuters that anyone on the plane near Sawyer could be in "pretty serious danger," but that Nigeria was better placed to tackle the outbreak than its neighbors.

"Nigerians have deep pockets and they can do as much as any Western country could do if they have the motivation and organization to get it done," he said.

Nigeria's largest air carrier Arik Air has suspended flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone because of the Ebola risk, Arik spokesman Ola Adebanji said in an email on Monday.

Ebola has killed 672 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since it was first diagnosed in February. The fatality rate of the current outbreak is around 60 percent although the disease can kill up to 90 percent of those who catch it. Highly contagious, its symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and internal and external bleeding.

Talking of organization, can we confidently say our government is or will be ready for such an epidemic? Many Nigerians who do not trust their government due to past experience and utter distrust for government when asked told NEWISSUES that they are only depending on God. Highly superstitious nation, a lot of Nigerians have completely stopped believing in government, and a lot of the masses are still not really aware of NEWISSUES

AUGUST 2014

Jide Idris

The late Patrick Sawyer and wife Decontee

Ebola or conceive how deadly it can be. So far the Nigerian government is saying everything is under control and Nigerians are not really bothered yet despite the case of the Liberians. Let's hope that would be the only case before this whole Ebola menace is curtailed, contained and controlled. 路 www.newissuesmagazine.com

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The disturbing trend of Female Bombers

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that this problem is dealt with. Government should also engage with the media, especially local media in dealing with this menace.

Government people always neglect local media and give all their time to international media organizations, some of who do not have in-depth knowledge of what is really going on in Nigeria.

The local media are crucial in this war and deserve every attention by all government organizations dealing and in charge of security.

With the attempt on the life of General Muhammadu Buhari, the people's general, we now know that this people masking as fighting a Jihad do not represent Muslims and they have declared war against Nigeria and Nigerians.

Bombs do not discriminate and it kills both Muslims and Christian, believers and non-believers, adults and children.

We must all come together and fight this menace. We as a people must support our government. Patriotism is not about being loyal to individual, political parties or some group; it is about putting every sentiment, prejudice, and primordial feelings aside and being loyal to your nation.

This is a period we all need to stand not by parties, individuals or groups, but by the nation.

What Nigerians require is for the government to have a human face.

The lack of human face of previous governments and to be honest, this government, in meeting the needs and aspirations of the people is part and parcel of why they are struggling with Boko Haram on their own and finding it hard to convince the masses on most things.

Government must do more.

With this trend of women suicide bombers on the prowl, government must ensure they hasten up and bring the Chibok girls and all women and people abducted by Boko Haram home.

he twist this whole Boko Haram problem has taken is really disturbing and must be taken seriously by the Nigerian government. The use of teenage girls as suicide bombers by the terrorist group adds another scary dimension to this whole horrific drama Nigeria is caught up in. This is why the government must ensure they hasten the rescue operation or negotiation to bring back the over two hundred Chibok girls and other women abducted by Boko Haram.

Three teenage girls attacked Kano Polytechnic, Kano Trade Fair ground and the people queuing to buy kerosene at the NNPC, Hotoro-Kano, within two days.

Another ten years old child was arrested in Katsina State with explosive strapped around her.

The government must do more as this war is dividing the country. People have no one to call upon for help but the government because the government is responsible for the safety of the people.

It is time to get religious leaders involved in the war against extremism and give them protection too. The war on extremism cannot be won by military operations alone; it will only be won by educating the masses through public re-orientation.

Religious leaders can play a great role in ensuring terrorist organizations find it hard to recruit citizens to do their dirty jobs for them.

This is because people listen and believe religious leaders more than they listen to, and believe in the government.

Government should work with this people as they work towards dealing with this difficult insurgency problem.

Government should also learn to deal with criticism on this whole insurgency matter and learn to relate with demonstrators. People have the rights to demonstrate.

Government should also work with members of the opposition who are willing to help on the issue of the Boko Haram problem. We must all work together to see

NEWISSUES AUGUST 2014 www.newissuesmagazine.com

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Dr. Aliyu Jibia Chairman, Editorial Board Remi Adebayo Editor

EBOLA: Perilous ‘Health Bomb’ hits Nigeria Brief Issues

George Onmonya Daniel Editor-at-Large Correspondents Isaac Ikpekha Dauda Mbaya Husseini Girgi Ibrahim (Mista) Ali Kayode J. Adden

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10 - 13

The Politics of Boko Haram

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100 days of #BringBackOurGirls

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On secular education and Boko Haram 24 - 27 Boko Haram is politics 28 - 29 Adamu Muazu Reversing PDP’s ugly slide

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Colmnists Paul Udenyi Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prof. Moses E. Ochonu Henry Iwuanyanwu Lola Samuel Aladejana Jolade Adebayo Na-allah Mohammed Zagga Haruna Yusuf Head, Special Project Special Project Anifowose Olusegun Victoria Daniel

Season of impeachment

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Hauwa Musa Gobe Senior Advert Executive Mustapha Y. Ahmed Chief Financial Officer Muhammed Bello Director of Circulation

OSUN 2014: The clock ticks

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Ladoja, Akala should leave the scene

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Wamakko extends benevolence to Zamfara We can BREAK UP, if... -PIP NEWSROOM 08069537684 07038623939 e-mail: news@newissuesmagazine.com newissuesmagazine@gmail.com

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IHEANACHONigeria's new super star 50 The Boiling Frog Syndrome

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What drove Hamas to take on Israel?

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Security operatives also deserve protection

website www.newissuesmagazine.com NEWISSUES AUGUST 2014 www.newissuesmagazine.com

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y thoughts are with the people of Kano, and my home state, Adamawa.

The senseless murders on a day of celebration must be condemned, and perpetrators brought to justice.

-Atiku Abubakar, former Vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Boko Haram attacks on Sallah day in Kano and Adamawa State.

It remains our collective hope and prayer that our girls will secure their freedom and that our country will defeat terrorism and all attempts to subvert its unity and stability.

General Muhammadu Buhari, on kidnapped Chibok girls, on the one hundred days since they were kidnapped.

Buhari you can't succeed.....I will be around Insha Allah in 2015 to celebrate your defeat.

Mujahid Dokubo Asari, leader Niger Delta Volunteer Force.

“It feels like eternity since April 14 when our girls lost their freedom.

How can we move on like that?

This new trend and serial pattern of female suicide bombers surely should particularly worry us.

“Female suicide bombers are again and again becoming the trend and our Chibok girls are still in the enemy's den. It worries me stiff. Are we thinking? Our Chibok girls really need to be rescued from the clutches of evil.

“We must all not stop praying and demanding that the FG acts for results. We have no apology for being agitated. We have nothing to defend for crying out for their rescue,” Oby Ezekwesili, she wrote on her Twitter page.

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BRIEF ISSUES

Umar

Taraba Acting Governor will run in 2015 - Aide

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peculations over the possibility of the Garba Umar, the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar to contest the governorship election in the next election seems to be laid to rest.

Special Adviser the acting governor on political affairs, Senator Ibrahim Goje, gave indication that Garba would eventually run and spring surprises in the election.

He revealed that Acting Governor Garba Umar has large grassroots followership and political strategies in the state to garner enough support to be elected as the Taraba State substantive Governor.

Goje, said that the acting governor gaining the acceptance of the people by the day, emphasizing that the swelling crowd of people around him in recent time was overwhelming and a sign of his acceptance.

He said Umar is still taking his time to plan things well and equally wait in compliance with INEC's approved timetable before he hits the ground running adding that the acting governor has so far been able to prove his capacity to govern the affairs of the state especially his ability in managing the ensuing political and communal crises as well as prudent management of state resources.

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Kwankwaso assures non-indigenes of safety

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ano state governor, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso has declared that the two week ultimatum given to Southerners in Kano to leave the state, by a nongovernmental organization, Northern Youth Development Foundation, is n u l l a n d v o i d .

“No one has the authority to sack you from this place. Kano is your home and you have come to stay”, the g o v e r n o r s t r e s s e d .

Kwankwaso stated this when Kano state Non Indigenes Forum paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Kano on Tuesday, pointing out that his government does not support the call as it will result in acrimony, thus, not in the best interest of Nigerians.

He said the allegation that the administration of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo state planned to take measures aimed at returning Northerners in his states to their states of origin is false as the Imo state governor, being a detribalized Nigerian with substantial investments in the North could not initiate such a p o l i c y .

“I am sure Owelle Okorocha's investments in the North outweigh the investments by Northerners in Imo

Kwankwaso state put together. Look at even the Rochas Foundation School he built here and other investments. Such intention about driving away people from his state could not have come f r o m h i m ” .

“I have personally spoken to Rochas and he openly and candidly told me that the there was nothing like that and

the news was the handiwork of detractors who never wish him well” K w a n k w a s o a d d e d .

Gov. Kwankwaso, however, called on federal government to avoid measures aimed at worsening ethnic, sectional and religious discord among Nigerians, alleging that President Jonathan is creating unnecessary political tension in the country, which is harmful to national interests.

“Tension caused by the government is probably the worst tension; we have cases where governors are worried and concerned either about their security of lives and properties or security of their jobs so also other e l e c t e d o ff i c i a l s a s w e l l a s businessmen and women across the c o u n t r y, ” h e l a m e n t e d .

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Dr. Jimpat Aiyelangbe said they were at the governor's office to lodge complaint over a letter sent to them by a group of youth asking non indigenes to leave the state within two weeks.

Dr. Aiyelangbe lamented that since the letter was delivered to the, they have being having sleepless nights, noting that if government does not take appropriate action on time things could get out of hand.

Cost of International passport goes up August 1st

Paradang

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assport Effective from August 1, 2014, Nigerians seeking to obtain international passports will have to pay more as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reviewed the cost. Besides, a 64page passport that will cater for NEWISSUES

frequent travelers in the country will also be launched on the same day.

The new passport which will be issued to President Goodluck Jonathan on July 31, before presentation to the general public the following day, will be used alongside the 32-page passport.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Comptroller General of NIS, David Shikfu Parradang, said changes were made in the cost of obtaining a standard passport, but with due consideration for children and senior citizens.

The breakdown of the cost goes thus: 64-page passport, N20,000, applicants for 32-page passport but below the age of 18, will pay N8, 750 while those between 18 to 60 years will pay N15,000. Applicants above 60 years applying for a 32page passport will pay N8,750.

Parradang added that for change of AUGUST 2014

data/loss of passport, an additional N20,000 will be paid, while for change of name as a result of marriage, divorce or deceased spouse, will cost N8,750. Change of data on request will be done at the cost of N30,000.

He said in order to make the process easier, the service has concluded arrangements to open more offices across the country. Parradang, who expressed concern over the existence of over 1,400 illegal borders across the country, said the service has commenced the biometric registration of foreigners in the country.

He expressed worry over the abuse of diplomatic passport, saying the Immigration Service is fine-tuning a plan, whereby issuance of such passport would be tied to expiration of tenure of office or when removed from such office and not for life.

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BRIEF ISSUES

CAN praises Gombe govt over peaceful Eid-el-Fitr

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ev. Abare Kala, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe state, has commended the state

Dankwambo

government for providing adequate security during the Eid-el -Fitr celebration.

Kala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday that considering the incidents that occurred in some states few days to Sallah, the state government and security agents deserved a pat on the back for ensuring an incident free celebration.

“We really thank the Almighty God for his protection, the celebration was observed under a peaceful atmosphere.

“The security agents and the state government deserve commendation; we shall continue praying for Almighty God to continue giving them the strength and wisdom to contain the security challenges.

“We will continue to pray for peace in Gombe, North East sub-region and the country at large,” he said.

He then appealed to Muslim faithful, to continue observing the good lessons of Ramadan.

“We should all embrace the tenants of tolerance, and peaceful co-existence,” he said. (NAN)

El Rufai loses son

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former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir El Rufai has lost one of sons, Hamza ElRuai.

The 23 year old young Hamza met his untimely death on Tuesday, July 29 in a car crash in Abuja.

“From Allah we came and to him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the son of my son Hamza El-Rufai, who died in a motor accident in Abuja,” El-Rufai wrote on breaking the news of the death to the public on his facebook page.

The late Hamza, until his death was a student of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Dubai.

Prominent Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwwal have commiserated with NEWISSUES

AUGUST 2014

MD Abubakar bows out as IGP

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uhammed Dahiru Abubakar; Nigeria's immediate Inspector General of Police finally quits as nation's number one police.

Abubakar assumed the office at a very challenging time, when the nation is confronted with one of the most security issues since independence.

Nigeria has been fighting terrorism since 2009 when the Yusuf Muhammed led Boko Haram had its first violent confrontations with the security forces.

Although, MD, as he is fondly called, is leaving the country fighting the insurgency, the former IGP who bows out on July 31 will be remembered for his strong advocacy for living wages and appreciable welfare packages to enhance the living standard of his officers and men aimed at motivating them for optimum performance.

Abubakar perhaps belongs to few men that have occupied the exalted office without any scandal, safe for the initial resistance that greeted his appointment over alleged complicity in the Jos crises.

His dispassionate management of the Nigeria Police Force and the zeal committed to overhauling the Force, often accused as hostile will for a long time be remembered.

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Lies Nigerian rulers tell important people outside Nigeria PROFESSOR PIUS ADESANMI

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iscretion, I decided yesterday morning, is the better part of valour. Cold winter morning in Johannesburg and none of the immigration folks appeared to be smiling. You never know who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. You don't want to start 'pricing an SA immigration officer's market' first thing in the morning with the sight of a particular passport if you have an alternative.

My decision to be processed swiftly under the powerful shelter of Canada proved providential. Had I been delayed on account of my yeye experiment, I would have missed breakfast at the hotel in Pretoria with Professor Craig Calhoun, President of the London School of Economics.

As it turned out, we were on the same flight from Accra where he had gone for meetings with the Government of Ghana before heading out to this conference I am attending.

Humble to a fault, you have to keep reminding yourself that you are at breakfast with the Oga patapata of LSE. After breakfast, he and I had to wait for our rooms to be ready. I gave him a copy of my book and excused myself to go NEWISSUES

somewhere. I came back an hour later. Our rooms weren't ready but he was halfway into my book. Wow. We got into a lively conversation. When you are head of the famous LSE, chances are the leadership of Africa will be hustling for strategic contacts with you.

Chances are that the Nigerians will be running after you, from the very top to State Governors Via Ministers. Whenever I am opportuned to meet powerful people in charge of Western institutions that Nigerian officials fawn over, I love to

“

There is no greater genius than the Nigerian government official when he is telling lies to powerful Westerners about Nigeria. The Nigeria they have packaged and presented to my new friend is even better than Dubai.

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listen to stories they have been told about Nigeria by our rulers.

There is no greater genius than the Nigerian government official when he is telling lies to powerful Westerners about Nigeria. The Nigeria they have packaged and presented to my new friend is even better than Dubai. Power failure now is very minimal. We are fighting corruption very robustly with very robust institutions. And he asks me questions, seeking to confirm these things he's been hearing.

Well, a few years ago, I told one high ranking member of the Nigerian government who was visiting Ottawa that they should pray I never bump into powerful Westerners to whom they have told lies. The lies they have fed my new friend are mountainous but I have the next two days to repair the damage starting with letting him know the difference between stealing and corruption. We shall not be raped twice. You don't loot a country comatose, you don't impoverish 170 million people and crawl behind their backs to tell lies in London and Washington that you have created paradise for them.

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Peaceful protest at this time?

BY NA-ALLAH MOHAMMED ZAGGA

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Peaceful” Protest at This Time? Reports say that 15 people were killed in Zaria today, Friday July 25, 2014, during a procession in solidarity with Palestinians organized by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zak Zaky led Shiite members.

Ordinarily, I have no quarrel with “peaceful protests”, but our experience in the north shows that we are incapable of conducting peaceful protests.

Most of these so-called peaceful protests in the past usually turned violent. The 2002 Miss World protects turned violent; the blasphemous Danish cartoon protests of 2006 were not peaceful either. The cartoon protests claimed 16 lives with many churches burnt. In 1996, Muslim protesters beheaded a citizen of Nigeria, the late Gideon Akaluka, for alleged sacrilege. He killed outside the due process of the law and jungle justice was enough to set Nigeria on fire.

Did we also forget so soon that the 2002 Muslim protests against the Miss World Beauty Pageant to be hosted by Nigeria claimed 100 lives of innocent people and the burning of ThisDay newspaper office in Kaduna?

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Hundreds of others died in 200 in Kaduna following the introduction of politically motivated Sharia by duplicitous politicians that hanged and amputated petty Muslim thieves while the politicians themselves have been stealing billions with impunity.

With the kind of tension in Nigeria today, especially in a notoriously volatile State like

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With the kind of tension in Nigeria today, especially in a notoriously volatile State like Kaduna, it's unwise to ignore the country's security challenges and throw unmanageable crowds into the streets in the name of “peaceful protests” solidarity with the Palestinians

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Kaduna, it's unwise to ignore the country's security challenges and throw unmanageable crowds into the streets in the name of “peaceful protests” solidarity with the Palestinians.

I have no quarrel with the noble intentions of the organisers. But things can go wrong; criminals can infiltrate the protests to execute their own sinister agenda. It's not proper to ignore security advice in the name of freedom of association and freedom of assembly. Such freedoms can be affected by the higher imperative of national security.

The idea that you don't need police permit to protest is too utopian within the context of our security challenges today.

Our religious and other opinion leaders should show great caution and sensitivity in dealing with issues pertaining to the so-called peaceful protests. We have more than enough crises and frequent violent deaths of innocent Nigerians at the hands of the terrorists. Yet, nobody called us out for protests against these Killings. Ironically, the first mass protests against the Boko Haram atrocities was organized in Lagos, outside northern Nigeria.

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

Ayo Oritshejafor

Sultan Abubakar

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...the indigenous Christians of Northern Nigeria felt the whole Sharia drama was intended to dominate them, there was no consultation with non-Muslims on their views NEWISSUES

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COVER STORY

Gusau

Dasuki

Badeh

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COVER STORY

Shettima

Sheriff

Kachalla NEWISSUES

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COVER STORY

The reason why the war on Boko Haram has become very difficult to tackle is the definition of Boko Haram by the political leaders in Nigeria and what each tells their followers that Boko Haram is Ringim

Fani-Kayode NEWISSUES

Mohammed AUGUST 2014

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Asari

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COVER STORY

Shekau

Shekau

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This war can only be won soon if Nigerians are united against an insurgent that has many definitions and has succeed in dividing the country and threatening to turn everybody against the other

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100 days of #BringBackOurGirls and the dilemma of the Nigerian government

BY GEORGE ONMONYA DANIEL

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hey meet every day by 3pm and sitout at Fountain Garden just by Transcorp Hotel, Abuja. This is the most strategic place for any demonstration. The big men, big women and expatriates hotel, the hotel for foreigners. Since they meet there every day, the government people see them every day and they know the foreigners they respect so much and care about their opinions much more than the opinions of their own citizens see all of it. Even though the crowd of #BringBackOurGirls campaigners had dwindled their voice has refused to die down and it echoes all over the world.

This makes the government uncomfortable. This voice brought Miss Malala, the little Pakistani child right campaigner, to Nigeria to see the president and Malala told the president of Nigeria to see the families of the Chibok girls and that has come to pass.

We must give credit to all the members of the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners. This is the longest demonstration in Nigeria's history and they have made history. They are the NEWISSUES

conscience of the nation. If not for them we would have forgotten Chibok. This is a country where people in power sweep everything under the carpet as long as it does not affect them or their children and they don't want it to spoil their enjoyment. Yes, enjoyment.

Government is about personal enjoyment in Nigeria. If one becomes governor, local government chairman, Councillor, minister, commissioner, even president, in fact any appointment that involves government, it is about an individual and his friends and family members. That is what it is about. That is government as far as Nigeria is concern. And nobody is doing anything about it. That is why everything deteriorates in Nigeria and the only people enjoying the country are those in government and those who have connection with government. In this light we must commend those who stood their ground against injustice and are asking the government to do its duties by bringing back these girls home and alive. It is the duty of government to protect its citizens. Nigerians are tired AUGUST 2014

of excuses and want action. This is simple. This is not rocket science.

The most childish thing this government has condoned is allowing Goodluck Jonathan support Groups, to go to the venue of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign to mount their posters and campaign equipment. This is ridiculous.

These harmless people were even attacked by Goodluck Jonathan campaigners and there is deliberate campaign to tarnish the image of Oby Ezekensili, the leader of the #BringBackourGirls. Why is this government uncomfortable with demonstrators? In a democracy people have rights to demonstrate. If the government disagrees with #BringBackOurGirls, they should invite them for a debate on television. People in government must learn to respect Nigerians because they are in government because of Nigerians.

However, the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, from the way some of them are going about this campaign, from the utterances of some of their members and campaigns on the social media, makes it look like they are the voice of the opposition party. Some people are obviously using the whole of this to launder their image. The leaders of this movement must watch their utterances and not deliberately attack government to impress foreign media and foreigners. I have talked to some of the members of this group. Some have grudges against the person of Goodluck Jonathan or this administration and have mixed the whole ideal of the movement with their personal grudges against the government. These utterances are what is causing the discomfort between them and the government.

One hundred days has passed and the government isn't giving anyone information on the missing girls. That is the problem. Nobody knows what is going on between the government and Boko Haram. To add salt to injury, Boko Haram have released videos mocking #BringBackOurGirls and bragging that their members must be released or no deal. A lot of people want government to negotiate and release the girls.

Releasing the girls will not be the end of all of this. Boko Haram keeps attacking villages and killing people indiscriminately. Will negotiating and releasing the girls end Boko Haram? Of course not, from Boko Haram aggression and utterances one could see they are not planning to end this jihad.

Right now we don't know the plans of government considering the release of these girls, but we know conceding to Boko Haram would be as disastrous.

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FEATURE

Secular education and Boko Haram

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...without the history of educational lag and the subsequent inadequate investment in secular education in the north, there would be no Boko Haram

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FEATURE

Secular education and Boko Haram

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One of the tragedies of the Almajiri Islamiyya education system in Northern Nigeria today is that it has departed from its original mission

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FEATURE

Secular education and Boko Haram

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The fear of, and disdain for, Western educated Africans like those protesting colonial policies and making demands in Southern Nigeria caused the Northern Nigerian colonial authorities to limit investments in education

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POLITICS

Adamu Muazu Reversing PDP's ugly slide

BY REMI ADEBAYO

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POLITICS

President Jonathan

Former President Obasanjo NEWISSUES

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POLITICS

Babangida Aliyu

Ali Modu Sheriff NEWISSUES

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POLITICS

Bamanga Tukur

Fani-Kayode NEWISSUES

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POLITICS

Atiku

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...there have been protests in support and against the impeachment plot by indigenes of the state.

At the last count, not less than three lives have been lost to the protest

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POLITICS

Ajimobi

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POLITICS

Maku

Odigie-Oyegun

Chime NEWISSUES

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OSUN 2014

OSUN 2014: The clock ticks

Aregbesola

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he much expected August 9 governorship election in Osun State will finally hold in few days. Contenders to the seat are in high spirit. The incumbent, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, himself being the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is leading a spirited campaign to win back his seat as governor of the State of Osun as he rechristened it.

Although there are over twenty candidates from various parties contesting in the election, analysts told NEWISSUES that the election is strictly between the incumbent governor and his Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) counterpart, Senator Iyiola Omisore, while a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of the Labour Party (LP) would show significant appearance in the polls.

Signal that the election would be a straight fight between the APC and the PDP is not in doubt. The two most populous parties have not lost any opportunity to throw political banters since campaign began.

Aregbesola and Omisore have been flaunting their achievements before voters, impressing it upon them why they should be the peoples preferred choice.

Since he occupied the Bola Ige House, Abere as Governor of Osun State, Aregbesola has devoted energies to deliver services to the people across the state. No one is in doubt on what the Engineer Governor could do.

As eight year-long Commissioner of Works, under the enigmatic Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, Aregbesola was one of the performance tricks of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) when he was governor of the most cosmopolitan city in Nigeria.

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Akinbade The number and quality of roads built; the massive investment in education and the urban renewal programme of the Aregbesola administration are basically verifiable campaign tools and feasible report card to earn the Ogbeni, majority votes to make his reelection a seamless deal.

The Ilesa-born grassroots Aregbesola has won for himself, friends and enemies, depening on who is appraising him. The controversies that followed the unification of schools in the state will continue to be a subject of discussion in this election.

His foremost contender, Iyiola Omisore pointedly revealed this in an interview to journalists where he said people asked him to remove “Aso iya�, meaning suffering clothes from their children during his campaign.

By this, the PDP candidate was attributing the Aregbesola's educational policy to be an irrelevant policy, and one that parents in the state may have rejected.

While this is on, the campaign office of the incumbent governor and its strategists have mounted consistent pressure on the PDP candidate. Omisore has been challenged at different for a to clear his name from the court of public opinion on his alleged complicity in the December 2001murder of erstwhile Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige. Although, that matter has been laid to rest by the courts, the APC still believes Omisore has a case to answer. Omisore on the other hand, has nevertheless denies having hand in the killing of Ige; and has asked anyone with proofs to step forward.

In this build up to the election however, Omisore is a strong contender. He was former Deputy Governor to Chief Bisi Giggs of Osun Akande when he was governor AUGUST 2014

Omisore State. As afallout of controversies and his trial for the death of Bola Ige, Omisore was plunged into the prison, only to emerge therefrom as a senator in an election where he was an inmatecandidate.

Like Aregbesola, Omisore is a politician with connection with the grassroots. He has demonstrated this by the strategies adopted by his campaign organisation to curry favour of voters in Osun.

In a departure from the APC's mega rally structure, backed by a house to house initiative, the former lawmaker's strategy is purely house to house; a plan criticized by the APC as being copycat of the measure adopted by the Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Ayodele Fayose who won the June governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Ekiti election may have emboldened the PDP and boosted the confidence of the party but Aregbesola's camp is quick to respond that Osun is not Ekiti and that the feat recorded by Fasose would be too difficult to be replicated by Omisore in Osun.

A major factor in the election is how the voters will respond to the allegation of capital flight against Aregbesola's government.

The governor is alleged to be stooge in the hand out Tinubu; who they alleged to be de facto governor but this has also been punctured by Aregbesola, who laid bare his scorecard and asked if any of his programmes was cited in Lagos.

As August 9 closes by, only the Osun people will have the ultimate say in who becomes their governor. But observers are watching keenly if the Ekiti treatment would be meted out to Governor Aregbesola or if indeed the APC could assert its control on one of the states considered as its stronghold.

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INTERVIEW

Ladoja, Akala should leave the scene -Olaosebikan ...urges former governors to embrace generational change to leadership in Oyo State.

K

ehinde Olaosebikan, renowned journalist and the Chief Consultant of Midas Communication, an outstanding reputation management firm, is seeking the nod of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) to be its candidate in the 2015 governorship election in Oyo State.

Olaosebikan is not a greenhorn in the political terrain. Aside being a thorough professional in the media, where he rose to be the Abuja Bureau Chief and Regional Editor, North for Vanguard Newspapers at various times; he was Chairman of Oluyole Local Government in Oyo State after a meritorious stewardship as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the former Oyo State Governor, Late Alhaji Lam Adesina.

He won the ticket of his erstwhile party, the NEWISSUES

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Alliance for Democracy in 2003, to contest for the House of Representatives, Oluyole Federal Constituency; although he lost the election to the political wave that blew the South West region then.

Olaosebikan is a strong advocate for the involvement of more responsible professionals in politics. He was adjudged the best Chief Press Secretary in Nigeria by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun and Oyo States Chapters as well as the National Association of Nigerian Students in 2002.

He speaks with REMI ADEBAYO on the issues of governance in Oyo State and how he intends to offer a more credible alternatives if he won the ticket of his party and eventually, the general election in 2015.

Excerpt... www.newissuesmagazine.com

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INTERVIEW

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The only thing being done by the government in Oyo and Iseyin have become more of curse than blessing to the people. This is the most wicked, clueless government we have ever had in Oyo State

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EVENT

Wamakko extends benevolence to Zamfara Donates mosque to Rashen Kuka community

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EVENT

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ENTERTAINMENT ISSUES

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ENTERTAINMENT ISSUES

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God will continue to give us the grace to behave ourselves when the things that cause divisions come into place

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SPORTING ISSUES

IHEANACHO Nigeria's new super star

BY GEORGE ONMONYA DANIEL

Many said Stephen Keshi, the man they call Big Boss, should have taken Iheanacho to the World Cup. In a country where every football fan is a potential coach, everyone has an opinion of what players the Super Eagles coach should take to a tournament. You cannot say they are wrong with the recent performance of Nigeria's new wonder boy, Kelechi Iheanacho. Two goals in two matches in the pre-season with Manchester City and a performance that many Nigerians would tell you he deserves a place in the Manchester City Premiership team, the boys has already impressed many Nigerians.

This is a country looking towards an overhauling of the Super Eagles after a World Cup an unimpressive World Cup performance. Kelechi Iheanacho is the future and Nigerians are looking forward to see him blossom into one of the world's best. At 17 he has shown signs of that brilliance.

His goal against Sporting Kansas in New York was sublime. He is not a fully fledged Manchester City player but he has scored two goals in two matches and the world has seen that he is not just a fluke. “The highly-rated Nigerian striker Iheanacho can only loosely be referred to as a triallist after earning a place on the flight to America during last week's training camp in Scotland,� reported Daily Mail of Britain. From his performance this triallist has shown that he is up and ready for the big stage.

Iheanacho came through the Right to Dream programme in Ghana, which has close links with City, and starred in last summer's Under-17 World Cup where he won the best player of the tournament.

A lot of Nigerians were complaining that he should have gone to a smaller club where he will feature than big club like Manchester City when he signed with Manchester City and was taken to Ghana. The boy has proven everyone wrong so far and from what we are seeing Iheanacho is ripe and ready to be unleashed.

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SPORTING ISSUES

The Boiling Frog Syndrome: Super Eagles performance at Brazil 2014 World Cup as a case study

BY MICHEAL ADEYEMI I wrote and posted some articles on social media warning Nigerians that while Keshi was more than able to enthrone Nigeria as African champions; the hard truth is that he is not qualified to lead us to the World Cup. I was shouted down by a hosanna of Keshi's new-found praisesingers. But people should know by now that abuse and invective never dissuade me from my opinion or from what I believe to be the truth.

The assumption that because Keshi managed the Super Eagles to World Cup qualification he is the right man to lead us to the World Cup itself is wrong. In 2006, Keshi led the Togolese team to World Cup qualification.

However, realizing what Nigeria has failed to realise, they dropped him for the World Cup itself and chose a far more-experienced world-class coach, Otto Pfister of Germany, to replace him... A good coach studies the opposing players and devises the tactics that best neutralize their strengths.

He identifies their weaknesses and exploits them and is the difference between victory and defeat... If you don't believe me look at what happened to Manchester United in the EPL after the departure of Alex Ferguson. With virtually the same players, Man United went from winning the English Premier League to becoming an average team in a matter of months. The answer was to quickly get rid of coach David Moyes and replace him NEWISSUES

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with world-class Louis Van Gaal. ... Van Gaal's Netherlands team made mincemeat of the current world champions by tactically exploiting Spain's vulnerability to high balls played to the left shoulder of their central defender.

I do think the input from the bench, in terms of the execution of the tactics for the match against France was responsible for the poor showing of the Eagles on the day. You vary or evolve your tactics based on your opponent's tactics/approach. I recall Greece in 2010 immediately bringing on another attacker as soon as Keita was red carded....Go figure. Even when he decided to make changes, he just switched personnel. ...As a fan, I will always support the national team but with my eyes wide open. I am very sure that we would have had a better outing in Brazil if Keshi didn't turn his ears off away from positive criticisms. Mark you, the team list was one hundred per cent Keshi's; nobody tampered with the list to FIFA. The matches we played showed we really had no bench.

Every other team here had quality substitutes for every position. But with the Super Eagles it was with fasting and prayers that those on the pitch should not get any knock that could force them out of the game.

I hate the idea of changing a coach after every major competition but for me, it is the only way out now. www.newissuesmagazine.com

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FOREIGN ISSUES

What drove Hamas to take on Israel?

BY DR JEROEN GUNNING

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wo months ago, Palestinians were cautiously optimistic as arch-rivals Hamas and Fatah announced the creation of a national unity government. Twelve days ago, violence flared up between Hamas and Israel. What lies behind Hamas' decision to return to violence?

The immediate trigger for the escalation was the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June 2014. The Israeli government accused Hamas, arrested over 200 Hamas members in the West Bank and closed down organisations affiliated with Hamas.

To Hamas, the clampdown seemed politically motivated to eradicate its presence in the West Bank. The available evidence suggests that the kidnapping had not been authorised by Hamas' political leadership but seemed to be the work of members of a powerful Hebron clan, with a history of carrying out rogue attacks in opposition to the Hamas leadership.

Within this context, the clampdown demanded a response, if Hamas was to retain credibility. But influencing Hamas' response were two deeper, underlying developments: The first was the establishment of the NEWISSUES

national unity government on 2 June and its subsequent breakdown. Palestinian hopes for the national unity government had been high.

Hamas and Fatah had been in tortured, on-off negotiations since Hamas' 2006 election victory, with numerous failed or short-lived attempts along the way.

Hamas desperately needed a way out of its increasing isolation�

This time, polls suggested that Palestinians believed that the experiment would succeed.

Hamas desperately needed a way out of its increasing isolation. It had lost Syrian and (much of) Iranian support in 2011 when it sided with the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

In 2013, its ally, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, was ousted from government. The Egyptian military leadership declared war on Hamas and closed the tunnels under the EgyptianGazan border that had enabled Gaza's survival (and Hamas' ability to arm itself) during Israel's blockade.

Hamas' popularity decreased, as did its ability to pay Gaza's state employees.

The national unity government, which effectively gave control to Fatah, was a desperate move to end this isolation.

Fatah, meanwhile, saw a national unity AUGUST 2014

government as a way to regain control of Gaza through elections, putting it in a stronger negotiating position with Israel and vis-a-vis any future bids for membership of UN bodies.

Both parties sought to bolster their popularity by heeding the increasingly vocal calls from the public for national unity.

Political path H o w e v e r, t h e n a t i o n a l u n i t y government ran into trouble even before the kidnapping.

Israel responded by halting peace talks with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) and announcing an expansion to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, telling Fatah it had to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas.

Sharp disagreements arose between Hamas and Fatah over who should pay Hamas employees in Gaza, and Gaza's police closed the banks in protest.

The kidnapping exacerbated these tensions when the Palestinian Authority's security forces aided the IDF in clamping down on Hamas in the West Bank.

The ensuing street protests, which Ismail Haniya, Hamas' prime minister in Gaza since 2007, described

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FOREIGN ISSUES

What drove Hamas to take on Israel? pointedly as the beginning of the "third intifada", were partly directed against the PA's security forces.

Thus, when Hamas framed its attacks on Israel as showing solidarity with the West Bank protests, this was in part to undermine Fatah and paint Hamas as the "true" champion of Palestinian unity.

Although the national unity government has not been disbanded, its breakdown profoundly affected Hamas' calculus.

While Hamas' decision to join was driven by its isolation, it also indicated Hamas' readiness to consider a political path out of the impasse.

With Hamas' consent, the national unity government upheld the three conditions the international community had set for engagement with Hamas: recognition of Israel, abidance by previous diplomatic agreements, and renunciation of violence.

Hamas' military wing and the militants amongst its political leadership had serious misgivings about the national unity government and dissenting voices were evident.

But the fact that Hamas had formally agreed meant that there was enough support to make a start.

Against this backdrop, Israel's and Fatah's clampdown on Hamas, so soon after the establishment of the national unity government, signalled the futility of a political route at this stage, thus strengthening those favouring a military response.

Economic pressure The second underlying development is the increased hardship Gaza has experienced since the closure of the tunnels to Egypt.

With unemployment already over 40%, reconstruction all but halted, and exports down to 3% of pre-blockade levels before 2013, the closure of the tunnels led to a severe worsening of the situation, with fuel shortages leading to regular power cuts affecting hospitals, schools and the already failing water and sewerage systems.

Hamas joined the national unity government because the status quo was unbearable. When it became clear that a government of national unity would not improve the situation, the belief that violence was its only leverage gained strength.

In addition, Hamas is under constant NEWISSUES

pressure from more militant groups in the Gaza Strip who accuse it of selling out to Israel.

Most of the rockets fired before June appear to have been fired by smaller militant organisations. Hamas has in the past clamped down on those, when it was in its interest to do so.

But not only has Hamas condoned attacks when it suited it. It is also wary of being seen as "Fatah II" - a reference to the notion that Fatah became Israel's de facto enforcer by agreeing to end violence and arrest those continuing with violence without the guarantee of a Palestinian state.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deteriorated, rocket attacks from Gaza increased in the first five months of 2014.

Although Hamas has been weakened, it can still muster significant popular support, and the current conflict is likely to strengthen it, if previous conflicts between Hamas and Israel are any indication.

One of the Palestinians' most respected polling centres, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, found in June that 32% would vote for Hamas in legislative elections, while over 40% supported Ismail Haniya for president.

More broadly, a majority believed that "Hamas' way" to end the occupation was better than "Fatah's way".

While we do not know what levels of popular support Hamas has for continuing its fight, anecdotally, people seem to be resigned to more suffering because the status quo has become

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Although Hamas has been weakened, it can still muster significant popular support, and the current conflict is likely to strengthen it, if previous conflicts between Hamas and Israel are any indication AUGUST 2014

intolerable.

As a reputable source wrote in a recent email from Gaza, "people are suffering in Gaza. People are very, very tired. But even those who hate Hamas do not want to return to the situation before the war.

People want to change the situation."

Strength through rockets What, then, will induce Hamas to end violence?

Hamas rejected the Egyptian ceasefire proposal because, it said, it had not been consulted, and because it was a return to the status quo ante.

Hamas' own ceasefire proposal is too far-reaching for Israel to accept.

But, though bold, the demands focus largely on ending Gaza's blockade, from opening border crossings and an air- and seaport under international supervision, to the reestablishment of industrial zones and the (re)expansion of the marine fishing zone to 10km (6 miles).

Israel is unlikely to agree to these demands without a cast iron guarantee that the opening of borders will not allow Hamas to rearm - something which Hamas' military wing is unlikely to accept. But it is clear from the demands that ending the blockade is the main driver.

The very boldness of the demands suggests that Hamas believes that its rocket attacks - and Israel's apparent inability to stop them - has given it sufficient leverage to demand a significant change in the status quo.

The fact that the demands have been reiterated by representatives of the three main forces within Hamas - the political and military leaderships in Gaza and the political bureau in exile - indicates that the movement is united at this point, although it is the military leadership that seems to call the shots for now.

However, differences may well emerge between (and within) these factions over what further compromises will be acceptable, particularly if Israel's ground offensive affects Hamas' internal balance of power.

Dr Jeroen Gunning is Reader in Middle East Politics and Conflict Studies at Durham University. He specialises in the study of Islamist movements in the Middle East, especially Hamas and Hezbollah, and is the author of Hamas in Politics (Hurst, 2007).

Culled from BBC.

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53

COMMENTARY

Security operatives also deserve protection

BY HASSAN MOHAMMED

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bout 2 years ago, exactly on January 26, 2012; I encountered a situation which most of us living here in the North are probably accustom to seeing.

It is almost a common sight. I shared it on my timeline, stating that, “I saw an policeman frisking another man on a motorcycle with his bare hands. In doing so, he moved closer to the okada man and embraces him, as he ran his palms through the man's body. I saw similar procedure been applied by military men as they rummage through luggage in buses and cars with bare hands. I couldn't help but wonder what will happen if these people they were padding and searching in such a crude way, were actually suicide bombers. These officers would be blown away. That is the extent of sacrifices these junior police and military officers have to make to keep us safe...".

That was 19 months ago. Recently, in my usual social media walkabout, I came across same situation. The Nigeria Police Force page proudly present the picture of another unnecessarily exposed officer on its Facebook page lifting the lead to the engine of a car. Yes, with bare hands, again.

Like other security officers we see on our streets daily doing their best, the police picture shows an officer without any protective gear or bomb detection equipment other than his uniform.

Yes again, when they joined the Force and military they knew what they signed up for; to serve and protect our territorial integrity, and sometimes even make the ultimate sacrifices with their lives in the process. But Nigeria also owe them a duty of care and protection too.

At least, to provide them with all the necessary tools and essentials, also to create the enabling environment to function NEWISSUES

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as an effective Force. Why then do we make them our unwitting guinea pigs? What if the bonnet of that car and its engine are rigged with a bomb to explode upon opening or crash impact?

Better yet, what happened to about 'N1trillion' that was set aside for security in a budget that was passed just this April 8th and 9th. What happen to the billions of Naira in security votes that are budgeted by the states governments?

I'm under the impression that the monies are for providing world-class equipment for, and training and welfare of these officers.

One also is tempted to always say, "considering the serious security challenges facing us, if the extra $1billion (N162billion) they are currently asking for will do the job, let it be given by National Assembly, as we pray that this time the money is effectively and efficiently utilized".

My serious wish! But wishes are never horses. At least, not in our clime. Just look at the montage below and compare our vulnerable and nakedly exposed officer proudly shown on the NPF Facebook page for Nigerians to clap and praise, and compare him with the Boston and Pakistani police officers, fully geared up and complete with mini bomb detection vehicle that is designed to scan a vehicle first before the police officers approach. Ours will go hands, face and tummy first.

As we pray to God for our own protection, we should extend same to our men/women in uniform. May He protect them from their evil bosses, corrupt politicians and criminals of whatever nature.

Mohammed; a lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic writes from Kaduna. www.newissuesmagazine.com

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Shukura Coral Hotel, Sokoto Standard Room Suites (Rooms & Living Rooms) Gymnastics Restaurant

Giginya Coral Hotel, Sokoto.