Coalition Asks Gov. Wike To Apologize To Dickson, PDP And Bayelsans

The Niger Delta Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has asked the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to apologize to the people of Bayelsa State, the PDP and to Governor Seriake Dickson for speaking in a most unruly manner and for maximum betrayal of the party.

Speaking to the Media in Abuja on Tuesday, 31^st December, 2019, Comrade Fubara Briggs, on behalf of the Niger Delta Coalition of Civil Society Organizations also accused Governor Nyesom Wike of funding the opposition in Bayelsa State to the tune of N5Billion just to ensure that the PDP is humiliated.

Excerpt is the text of the press briefing:

Gentlemen of the fourth realm, you are welcome to this all important briefing. We the Niger Delta Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have been watching with keen interest the unguarded words and utterances from a man who is supposedly a leader and the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike against the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson.

It is rather surprising that in all the insults, abuses and accusations, the Governor of Bayelsa state has remained calm, unperturbed and docile which are fundamental characteristics of quality leadership.

Mr. Wike had accused Governor Dickson of selling out and betraying the PDP for losing the 16th November Governorship election in the state and for this reason, Governor Dickson should resign from the party.

Firstly, the entire world is aware now that there was no election in Bayelsa state. What took place in Bayelsa was that all the collation/Returning officers from Benin City were handed over to the APC chieftains in various communities and already prepared results were adopted and returned. The killings of over 20 persons in Nembe Local Government Area during the PDP campaign was a major indicator. The fact that territories were already controlled by some blood thirsty militants who refused and prevented even observers from getting to some areas was a major threat to our democracy. The fact that communities were sacked and driven away and these people became IDPs in Yenagoa  due to their preference for one political party was mind burgling and an indicator that the election was already compromised. Ordinarily, the election couldn't have been lost going by the unprecedented giant -stride achievements and monumental infrastructural developments of the Seriake Dickson's administration.  

Again, the fact that Seriake Dickson was able to institutionalize the culture of transparency in the state makes him stand out from most Governors. Every month, Bayelsans are assembled and all the federal allocation, IGR, expenditure, salaries, etc were stated clearly with inputs from labour, formal and informal private sector, civil servants, etc were made.

So it becomes evident that Mr. Wike is really the one who has sold the PDP by first congratulating the opposition president on his victory in the court of Appeal. Wike's candidate did not emerge in the presidential party primaries so he worked for the opposition against his party, the PDP.

The Governor of Rivers state had also funded the opposition in Bayelsa state to the tune of 5 Billion naira just to ensure that the PDP is humiliated. So if there is anyone to resign from the PDP for anti-party activities, it must be Governor Nyesom Wike. No responsible leader can achieve any meaningful milestone with the kind of flippancy, unguarded utterances and random bullying as demonstrated by the Governor of River State.

As our kinsman, we have known Wike as a local government chairman, as a chief of staff to Governor Amechi, as a Minister of the federal republic and now as a Governor.  For us we do believe that something is wrong somewhere as the Wike we used to know is grossly at variance from the Wike of today who now speaks randomly before he thinks. We strongly believe that these characteristics are synonymous with alcoholism and strong intake of tramadol.

By this medium we wish to ask the Governor of Rivers State to issue an unreserved apology to the people of Bayelsa state, his party, the PDP and to Governor Seriake Dickson for speaking in a most unruly manner and for maximum betrayal of the party within a fourth night of this briefing.

Finally, it is our firm belief that leadership models across the world are competing, they are also contending. But utterances that are derogatory is by all means and ramifications certainly antisocial and inimical to all leadership qualities globally.

Thank you.

Signed: 

Comrade Fubara Briggs,

For the coalition.

Count IGP Ibrahim Idris Out Of Niger State Politics – Youth Alliance

The Integrity Youth Alliance said its attention has been drawn to news on section of the social media that the former Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris (rtd) is contesting the Governorship of Niger State in 2023.

In a press release on Monday, 30th December, 2019 in Abuja, the National Coordinator of Integrity Youth Alliance, Kelvin Adegbenga said that the former IGP, Ibrahim K. Idris (rtd) is away abroad with his family enjoying his retirement and does not have any interest in politics not to talk of contesting the Governorship Election in Niger State.

“IGP Ibrahim K. Idris (rtd) has been outside the country since he retired, after reaching the mandatory retirement age, with member of his family, Adegbenga said.

Adegbenga further said, “He is not a member of any political party and he has not shown interest in politics since his retirement, even when he had the opportunity to do so, dragging him into Niger State politics is laughable and figment imagination of those behind the falsehood.

“We called on the general public especially the good people of Niger State to ignore the fake news as IGP Ibrahim K. Idris (rtd) is not interested in the politics of Niger State, the statement concluded.

Boko Haram/ISWAP: Centre Decries Tacit Of International Support

…..berates UN for doing little too late to address terrorism in Africa

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has frowned at the United Nations and other international organizations for being relatively mute, without any strict measure to address terrorism in Africa.

According to the Centre, the UN is doing little and doing late by not sanctioning countries that promote and watch Boko Haram/ ISWAP spread its ideology of senseless killings across Africa.

This was made known at a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja on the “worrisome bid by Boko Haram/ ISWAP to regain relevance from the tacit support enjoyed from unscrupulous countries and international organizations”.

In a statement signed by convener, Princess Ajibola, the Centre revealed that the UN’s failure to interrogate what is unfolding in the northeast of Nigeria and adjourning territories of Niger, Cameroon and Chad has encouraged nations backing Boko Haram to grow bold.

CALSER, forthwith, called on the UN to condemn the activities of the terrorists rather than destructive indifference.

It further advised the intergovernmental organization to create a coalition of willing nations that are committed to do what the right-thinking citizens of the earth expected.

Read full address below:

Gentlemen of the press, the Centre For Africa Liberation and Socio- Economic Rights (CALSER) is an apolitical, non-religious, not for profit humanitarian organization that was born in response to the untold rights abuses unleashed against the civilian populations by non-state actors in conflict impacted areas in Africa. CALSER’s focus on abuses by non-state actors was informed by the fact that the reported or alleged instances affecting government forces have been adequately taken care of by local, regional and international rights groups.

These rights groups have however not paid attention to the series of abuses committed against civilians by known non-state actors like separatists, terrorists and insurrectionists, who often get no mention in the slew of reports that emanate from established rights groups.

Ignoring the atrocities committed by such groups have further imperilled local populations. Because government forces are often wrongly accused for and credited with the human rights abuses, including murder, committed by these groups, they are able to continue killing knowing that there is no effort to hold them accountable or brought to justice for the crimes they have committed against humanity.

There is also the troubling pattern of rogue nations, even though they parade impressive democratic credentials, scaling up their tactical, policy and, material support for criminal groups such that they are able to continue launching attacks against non-combatant population while making attempts at staging spectacular stand offs against established militaries. These countries have a need to retrace their steps and begin to side with common sense and logic while stopping support for terrorists, something that CALSER is committed to achieving.

BOKO HARAM/ISWAP

In the period leading up to the Yuletide, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ratcheted up their activities ostensibly in a bid to cause the most outrage possible, with a troubling pattern to their strategy.

Specifically, on Christmas Day, Boko Haram killed 11 abducted persons. This act is condemned in its totality as it is despicable, wicked and barbaric. Equally condemnable are the attempts by both Boko Haram and ISWAP to increase their attacks in order to create a sense of terror in the affected areas and by extension in the rest of Nigeria and neighboring west African countries.

These attacks should provoke consequences from other countries that had asserted their commitment to deal terrorism crippling blows. These countries should be driven by the United Nations (UN), which should take the lead in guaranteeing that no set of the earth’s population have to be put through the horrors these terrorists are making Nigerians go through.

This failing on the part of the UN to properly interrogate what is unfolding in the northeast of Nigeria and adjourning territories of Niger, Cameroon and Chad has encouraged the countries backing Boko Haram to grow bold. This has in turn made these countries funnel more support to the terrorists. In recent weeks, it seems this support has. Now been further increased to include the recruitment of corporate media to help amplify terrorist propaganda. At such, the murders being committed by Boko Haram/ISWAP are being glamorized in a manner that not only trivializes the lives of the victims and trample on the emotions of their loved ones, the accompanying videos and the way they are reported have become materials for supporting the recruitment drive of terrorists.

MISSING ACTIONS

We are yet to see the UN condemning the activities of the terrorists, which it has not also called for actions against. This has given the terrorists and their state backers the boldness to commit more atrocities on daily basis. So long as they see the UN as incapable of playing its roles the situation will only get worse.

Yet, the actions that are needed demand that there is no prevarication. They demand that the UN immediately stops its culture of destructive indifference. It must step out to boldly demand an end to state support for terrorists. It must then back such demands with resolutions that impose sanctions for any country that breaks rank to support Boko Haram, ISWAP and any other terrorist organization.

Additionally, the UN must create a coalition, an alliance, of willing nations that are committed to do what the right-thinking citizens of the earth expected. Such coalition must condemn and a take a stand against any nation that fails to sell military hardware to nations that are being tormented by Boko Haram/ISWAP and their sponsors.

We demand that the UN immediately take these steps.

Call Wike To Order, PDP Youth Urges Governors

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth, under the aegis of PDP South South Youth Vanguard, has appealed to the governors under the platform of the party to call River State Governor, Nyesom Wike to order

The call is coming against the backdrop of the rift between Wike and Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson.

Wike and Dickson have been on each other's throat in the past few days over the Soku oil wells returned to Rivers State by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Wike had, however, rejected the PDP's decision to intervene in the matter, insisting that Dickson must resign so that the party can move forward in Bayelsa State.

He had in Port Harcourt said: “I don’t know why they are interceding. They have no power to resolve the issue of oil wells. Secondly, the matter has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Anybody who is not satisfied should go on appeal. Are they interceding on behalf of someone who betrayed the party? They know that Governor Seriake Dickson betrayed and sold out the party. They know that during the 2019 elections in Rivers State, Dickson worked with my opponent.

“Throughout that period, the PDP National Chairman (Uche Secondus) himself knows that people were calling from all over the country to know the situation.

“Dickson never called one day. This was because of his alignment with the opposition. I can show proof that Dickson has already made up his mind to go over to the APC. I am not going to sit down with anybody to discuss anything as it relates to Governor Dickson. I have no business with Governor Dickson.

“In fact, Governor Dickson ought to have resigned from the party by now, so that the leaders of the PDP in Bayelsa would rebuild the party. The national leadership of the party should know that the only option left for the PDP to be strong in Bayelsa is for Dickson to leave the party.”

Reacting to this development, the PDP youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure said Wike cannot continue to rubbish a governor, who has put up visible developments in Bayelsa State in the last eight years.

Lambasting Wike over his decision not to allow the party leadership to intervene, the PDP Youth Vanguard said that the Rivers State governor is not far from what he accused Dickson of.

The group added that Wike had also work against the decision of the party when he congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari when Appeal Court ruled in his favour.

The youth also alleged that they are privy to Wike's action during the general elections, adding that he was among those that sponsor President Buhari during the election.

They alleged that even while supporting the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, he was also financing President Buhari campaign.

The PDP Youth Vanguard added that the Rivers State governor cannot be exonerated from the problems bedevelling the party, adding that he also contributed to what the party is facing.

"Wike’s plan to hijack the party ahead of 2023 is one of the problems facing the party today. He's among those fueling disunity in PDP and should not pretend or distance himself from what the party is facing.

"We know his plan, we know the havoc he has caused the party, he should not continue to blame others, when he's neck deep in the problems facing the PDP.

"To this end, we are calling on the PDP governors to call their counterpart in Rivers State, Wike to order, he's not a superman, he's one of the members of the PDP. He should learn to humble himself because very soon, he will also become a former governor of the state," the PDP Youth said.

UN Security Council Receives Report To Place US On Global Conflict Escalation Watchlist

The United Nations Security Council has been alerted to the United States of America's (USA) alleged role in escalating and encouraging the spread of conflict and crisis across the globe.

This notice was sent to the UN by the International Centre for Global Crisis and Conflict Management (ICGCCM) in a detailed report highlighting factors fuelling global conflicts around the world.

In the document carefully signed by Andrew Young and Chris Ratzinger, ICGCCM’s chairman and co-chairman, the group said it came to this conclusion after extensive research on the trends and some of the factors that shape/influence global conflict.

According to the international centre, this research work took an estimated seven months and three weeks to undertake and complete.

Among others, the group recommended that the US should be placed on the watchlist for negligence and aggravation of global conflicts through despicable actions and inactions.

It further revealed that the US' ban on arms procurement to counter-terrorism has led to more deaths as many countries are unable to fight terror.

The Centre added that the US has been identified to be covertly supporting extremists and terrorists through unsubstantiated allegations on home countries involved in the war against terrorism.

The International Centre for Global Crisis and Conflict Management, therefore, called on the United Nations Security Council to initiate sanctions on the United States in a bid to ensure that there is justice for all concerned.

Read full report below:

Introduction

The world has become less peaceful over the last ten years, mostly due to conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. An international index paints a dark picture, although with some brighter spots. Europe was the most peaceful region in the world in 2017, while the Middle East and North Africa were the least peaceful, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), said in its 12th annual report. 2019 was a year of global unrest, spurred by anger at rising inequality – and 2020 is likely to be worse if urgent steps are not taken.

There is an ongoing deterioration in global peace. The conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and the spillover effects into other areas have been the main drivers in the decline of universal peace. In a word, the world is in a mess, made more threatening by the retreat of the Trump administration from America’s traditional role as a stabilizing force.

Consequently, the International Centre for Global Crisis and Conflict Management, a think tank of crisis managers and conflict resolution experts based in Geneva-Switzerland, undertook extensive research on the trends and some of the factors that shape/influence global conflict.

This research work is a partial fulfillment of our 2019 strategic goal, which is to identify how conflicts can be mitigated around the world.

Research Findings

It must be stated that quite substantial efforts were put into making this research work worth the while. Documents were studied, conflict zones were visited, interviews were conducted, on the spot assessment tours were carried out, victims of the conflict were identified, as well as the military strategies of some select countries were examined.

The research work took an estimated seven months and three weeks to undertake, with particular emphasis on primary sources of data. The highlight of the research work was the identification of the critical factors responsible for rising global tension, which would be highlighted and discussed below.

The Factors necessitating Global Unrest

Negligence: was identified as one of the significant causes of tension and conflict around the world. This, it was also identified to have been primarily motivated by the United States of America whose military, in some instances, has been negligent in the discharge of their responsibilities.

In some instances, there were established cases of deliberate instigation of conflict in some regions/countries by agents of the United States of America in an attempt to ensure that their whims and caprices are carried out, or for the United States to control or access economic resources in such locations.

In the several locations and interviews conducted, there was always finger-pointing in the direction of the United States of America for inexplicable reasons, and that largely explains where in some cases where they have an interest, the United States is quick to assert authority. In places where they do not have an interest, they feign ignorance.

The sale of arms and ammunition: to countries in war is always at the behest of the United States of America. This factor has led to a wanton loss of lives around the world. The United States sanctions the sale of arms to some countries, where its interest is adequately protected. This tread was also identified as responsible for the proliferation of small and light weapons in most African countries.

Religion, Governance, and Politics: These issues and their allied topics of human rights, justice, have historically caused many of the world’s most significant conflicts, and continue to do so as often these issues are the most fundamental in the structure of a society.

If anything, the United States of America is a disruptor in its abandonment of international agreements. These include the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, previously the Trans-Pacific Partnership, aimed at liberalizing the Asia-Pacific trade. The US has also withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that froze Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

US’s defenestration of the JCPOA and its re-imposition of tough sanctions on Iran has further destabilized the world’s most volatile region. This is not helped by the administration in Washington that has yielded ground to authoritarian dictatorships at a time of global unrest in which stable Western leadership has hardly been more necessary.

Recommendations

In the light of the above revelations, it is expedient on the United Nations Security Council to impose some sanctions on the United States of America for aiding and encouraging the spread of conflict and crisis across the globe.

The United States of America should, as a matter of urgency, be placed in the watch list for negligence and aggravation of global conflicts through despicable actions and inactions.

There must be sanctions for the inglorious role of the United States of America in the covert sponsorship of violence and for making more people die, especially in instigating crises globally through the use of NGOs in espionage activities and compromising national security in most cases.

The ban by the United States of America on arms procurement to counter-terrorism leads to more deaths. Many countries are unable to fight terror because of such a ban and embargoes that are often not justifiable. They must be held accountable for the deaths that have occurred as a result of this.

The United States of America has been identified to be covertly supporting extremists and terrorists through unsubstantiated allegations on home countries involved in the war against terrorism.

The United States of America must be warned to deviate from actions that would embolden the criminals; they should stop funding NGOs, media organizations, and narratives that promote terror, extremism in foreign lands.

Conclusion

The International Centre for Global Crisis and Conflict Management concludes that the United States of America is indeed fueling conflicts in the regions of the world in his quest to dominate the socio-political landscape. In achieving this, nocturnal and covert activities are initiated and sponsored with the sole objective of causing unrest anywhere it deems to have an interest.

The United States sponsorship of humanitarian organizations in war-torn countries is also the avenue with which the spread of terrorism is sustained.

The consequences of such actions are that the world might erupt in flames in the nearest future if the relevant bodies do not begin the process of checkmating the unbearable attitude of the United States of America on the rest of the world.

The United Nations Security Council must initiate sanctions on the United States of America in a bid to ensure that there is justice for all concerned. The United Nations Security Council must set in motion a strategy that would ensure that the United States of America does not infringe upon the sovereignty of other countries under whatever guise.

Ndume: Why Buhari Can’t Appoint New Service Chiefs

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari cannot afford to change or appoint new service chiefs for now.

He told medium  in an interview that Buhari could not afford to change the military leadership because Nigeria was in a complete state of war.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; and Chief of Naval Staff,  Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas. 

Ndume told this medium that the president could not but retain the service chiefs because Nigeria is in a state of war, not only in the North-east, but all over the country with serious military deployments to quell crisis and maintain peace

He said: “We are in war. Definitely, we are in war. We are fighting the insurgents in the North-east and in the North-west.

The military is so much involved and are being deployed in so many zones of the federation. The security situation is such that that the military is involved almost in all parts of the country. So, we are in war.

“The military is so involved in so many security challenges. In fact, in almost the 36 states, in fact, this is a pointer that we are at war.

“Coincidentally, the president is a retired army general and he knows this war situation better than most Nigerians; and he knows when to change his army commanders and when not to do that. As a commander-in-chief, he understands this war situation better than we the civilians.

“I’m sure he is doing the right thing as the commander-in-chief and when he finds it necessary, he will effect changes.”

He stated that he didn’t think that changing the service chiefs would solve the insecurity in the country.

“I don’t think that changing the service chiefs will be the solution to the insecurity in the country. I don’t think that this war is not won because the service chiefs are still there and have not been changed.”

Businessman Accuses Police DIG, CP Of Fraud, Demands Investigation

Engineer Kenneth Ndubisi Amadi has petitioned the Police Service Commission against DIG Anthony Ogbizi (DIG FCID) and DCP Augustine Sanomi (CP Legal) over the withdrawal of charges between Inspector General of Police and Chika Ikemga, Suraj Yakubu and Eunisell Chemicals Limited and the filling of charge between FRN Vs Kenneth Ndubisi Amadi & IDID Nigeria Limited.

In the petition made available to Swift Reporters, Engineer Kenneth Ndubisi Amadi is accusing both DIG Anthony Ogbizi (DIG FCID) and DCP Augustine Sanomi (CP Legal) of conspiracy to charge him for fraud despite the fact that the Nigeria Police has exonerated him, his wife and IDID Nigeria Limited.

“I know that all DIG Ogbizi and DCP Sanomi want to achieve is my humiliation and arraignment which they believe will serve the purpose for which Mr Ikenga has recruited them, Engineer Kenneth Ndubisi Amadi said.

Attached herewith are the Petition; Police Investigation Report dated 3rd April, 2017; Investigating Report from EFCC dated 24th November, 2017.

No Judges And Staff Will Be Side-lined – Justice John Tsoho

…..Improved welfare awaits Judges and Staff in 2020

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has called on all the Judges and Staff of the Federal High Court of Nigeria to feel free to approaches him if they have any complain in respect of the welfare.

The Chief Judge made the remark during the End of the Year Get-together and the Chief Judge’s Merit Award ceremonies on Friday, 20^th December, 2019 at the Federal High Court of Nigeria premises, Abuja.

Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho also promised the Judges and Staff improved welfare in the year 2020 as he wishes all retirees happy retirement lives.

In his welcome address, the Chief Registrar of the FederalHigh Court, Emmanuel Gakko Esq. commended Chief Judge making the welfare of Judges and staff top priority.

“It is pertinent to state that the Hon. Chief Judge has given approval for us to acquire a Mini-Estate for staff who may be in dire need of accommodation, Gakko said.

Trophy and Medalswon by the Federal High Court Sports Club was presented to the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Terhemba Tsoho.

Also, gifts were presented to retired staff by Justice Abdul Kafarati (Rtd) and Justice Binta Nyako.

Mr Danlami Lawar, who retired as Chief Executive Officer on Grade Level 14 thank the Chief Judge and the entire Judges on behalf of the Retirees for the send forth and end of the year get-together ceremonies.

The Chief Judge’s Annual Merit Award went to two staff of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja.

The event also witnessed the public presentation of selected judgement and rulings of Hon. Justice A. A. Kafarati.

In her vote of thanks, Justice Binta Nyako thanked all the guest present for honouring the invitation to be part of the 2019 Send Forth for Retired Staff and End of the Year Get-Together ceremonies. She also thanked Federal High Court of Nigeria staff for their dedication to duty.

Justice John Tsoho And Justice Benedict Bakwaph Takes Oath Of Offices

…… As the President of the National Industrial Court, Honourable Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip also takes oath of office

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, on Friday swore in Justice John Tsoho as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria and Honourable Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip as President of the National Industrial Court.

The ceremony which took place at the Ceremonial Court of the Supreme Court in Abuja has in attendance, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

After they took their oath on Friday, the CJN asked Chief Judge and President of the National Industrial Court not to allow anybody disturb their principles as they justifies the oath of office they took

Muhammad said, “The Law is not respecter of anybody; deal with the situation as they are presented before you. Don’t have personal interest in any case before you, the CJN cautions

Justice Tsoho was born on June 24, 1959 in Mbaduku in Benue State.

He obtained his law degree from the University of Lagos in 1984 and was called to Bar in 1985.

Pantami : An Unstoppable Game Changer

By Uwa Suleiman

Long before he was called to public service, Dr Isa  Ali Ibrahim  (Pantami) had  prepared for the task ahead. His life- long foray into the highly complex, intellectual world of digital scholarship, long before we even embraced technology in these climes, is testimony that nature had behooved on him the role he is so excellently playing today. It is neither accidental nor a mistake or even some inexplicable phenomena that at this very auspicious time in our nation’s history, a man of Pantami’s standing  and repute is exactly where he is today. No great leader happens by accident and nature makes no mistakes. In fact, it is God’s grand design that a leader is born, shaped, prepared , tested, purified and molded for the task ahead. Like the true worth and weight of gold is tested by fire, so is the life of a great leader tested and strengthened by trials and the stormy weathers of life. 

However one looks at it, whether from a microscopic or a telescopic perspective, Pantami is one of the greatest , most influential leaders of this generation, a living attestation that the wisdom of Solomon has nothing to do with Methuselah’s age. Pantami was born ready, armed with uncanny wisdom, knowledge, focus, determination, resilience, an awe inspiring fearlessness in the pursuit of justice and truth, a doggedness that defies distraction and the ability to set the pace in the most unpaved paths.

The renaming of the Ministry which he oversees to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which has become a thorn in the flesh of some myopic, misguided or out rightly unpatriotic elements, gives an insight into the depth of Pantami’s understanding of where we should be and how to get there. A man who is thoroughly meticulous in his actions and responsibilities, he initiated and pursued the name change to properly position the Ministry, expand its scope to include the requisite functions and give legal backing to it, in line with global best practice. He took his team back to the drawing board and laid a formidable foundation for the process of digitalising the economy. This is the same strategy deployed by technologically advanced societies globally, the same strategy that has put them ahead of us, the same strategy we have always yearned for but lacked the leadership to implement. Pantami has risen to the occasion and filled the vacuum, by demonstrating the will and courage to execute his mandate, as tasked by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, and the very people who should lend their support are indeed the crusaders of stagnation and retrogression.

Judging from the numerous feeble and cowardly recent attempts, at distracting or even stopping the laudable strides of Dr Pantami in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector, through cheap blackmail, it is only logical to conclude that quite a number of hitherto, “lords of lawlessness” have become quite uncomfortable with his mass oriented, people friendly policies which uphold the rule of law.

It is both ironic and shameful, that while fifth columnists are working against the very principles and ideas we should all project, our neighbours on the continent both near and far flung, are inspired by Dr Pantami’s strategies and have refocused their countries’ digitalisation agenda drawing from his policies back home. At the Cyber security Conference for ECOWAS ICT Ministers, held in Ghana in October, his Ghanaian counterpart, Honourable Ursula Owusu-Ekufu after Nigeria’s presentation, stated that they were inspired by Dr Pantami’s policy of deactivating all improperly registered SIM Cards and right there and then, she followed in his footsteps and issued the same directive to the sector in her country. And that is not enough for an African female leader who has publicly declared Dr Pantami as a source of inspiration, she has also demonstrated her government’s willingness to collaborate with Nigeria for knowledge transfer as she has requested that a team from Ghana, visits Nigeria for the sole purpose of understudying NITDA, so they can benefit from Dr Pantami’s legacies and implement them in their country. There is no history of such a feat based purely on exemplary leadership and merit in the sector.  

On the 2^nd of December 2019, South Africa’s Communications Commission ordered its Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reduce the cost of data, a clear twenty six days behind the same directive by our own proactive, forward thinking Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. If indeed there is any justification in the attack and totally baseless criticism of the policy, I expect that the same venom should have been directed at the South African Authority, for after all, the pursuit of what is right and just, should not be selective or discriminatory. Commissioner for communications Tembinkosi Bonakele, went even further to threaten legal action against MTN and Vodacom if they fail to comply within two months.

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), in its latest report released on the 22^nd October 2019, declared that Africans face the most expensive internet charges in the world! The A4AI’s report is based on its definition of affordability as, 1GB of mobile broadband data, costing no more than 2% of average monthly income. Studies conducted across the continent reveal an appalling 7.12% averaging almost a sixth of monthly income in some cases. The cost of data is a major determinant of access.

In Nigeria, a reported forty million citizens have no access to the internet and Dr Pantami finds this situation totally unacceptable. He has the mandate to change the narrative and has proceeded to act accordingly. I personally, and millions of other Nigerians find it totally incomprehensible as to why anybody would stand against it. This ilk of illegality, who feed fat on the deprivation and dry milking of the ordinary consumers, and have no sense of loyalty or duty to country, should know that Dr Pantami’s ultimate objective transcends local recognition not for himself, but for Nigeria. The A4AI, for the purposes of clarity, is a globally credible initiative of the Web Foundation founded by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the Web, in partnership with Google and Facebook. This organisation has put in place a Good Practices Database which monitors improved access and affordability. Namibia and Kenya have already been cited on the platform for improved access and tax eliminations. Dr Pantami aims to effect such a phenomenal change in the sector as to put Nigeria on that pedestal. So unless the naysayers have more credibility than the A4AI, or nobler patriotic intentions than the Honourable Minister, I humbly advice they desist from their ignoble acts as no cabal will survive under the leadership of Dr Pantami in the ICT Sector.

The precedence he has set in NITDA, has become the solid bedrock on which sanity, the rule of law and professionalism now thrive. That same inherent leadership quality is what is manifesting in his capacity as Minister today. You cannot change or stop a man like Pantami from following his convictions, the law and his heart, when it comes to the discharge of his duties especially in upholding justice for the benefit of majority.

Here is a man who has staked everything to give his very best to the service of country, here is a man who is inspiring governments of other nations and galvanizing them into action, here is a man who has proven his mettle through his antecedents, one of our own, willing ready and committed and all some nitwits can do is attempt to discredit his efforts by ascribing petty politics to his office for their own selfish gains.

Dr Pantami is not a man to make loose or unguarded statements, so when he speaks, his words resonate substance. At a meeting with stakeholders in his office recently, he declared his stand. In his words, “They say, it is unwise to put all your eggs in one basket, I have deliberately put all my eggs in one basket, so my attention remains undivided. I have no choice but to commit all I have to ensure my eggs are protected and productive”. There is no Agency or Parastatal under his purview, that is left out of his transformation drive. He attends to issues with equal zeal as they exist and arise in every facet.  

In the event of doubt or ignorance, let me make it categorically clear that if I have  not learnt anything in the three years and three months I have been privileged to serve, under the impeccable leadership of this great Nigerian and extraordinary human being, it certainly is not his strength of character. This is a man whose determination and focus is further fuelled by criticism. The failure to support worthy leadership, and the oppression of it has been the bane of development in these climes. Both challenges however, do not apply to the intellectual par excellence, as he has the full backing of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to deliver his mandate, legal might, a formidable and competent team loyal to his cause and the support of millions of Nigerians. Every strategy, policy, reform, directive and action, is inextricably linked to the President’s three (3) point Agenda of National Security, Anti Corruption and A Digital Economy. He is effectively blocking the leakages deployed as conduit pipes to siphon national resources and shortchange the people, he is deploying technology to enhance security and address distress situations across the country, and of course doggedly pursuing the Digital Economy Agenda, with the strategy document in green mode already.

We are at a point in our nation’s history where business as usual cannot hold. The world is developing at the speed of light aided by technology and Dr Pantami is too busy, trying to make sure we are on board that train as a nation to reckon with, in the areas of innovation, capacity and infrastructure. He is too busy delivering his mandate to the millions of Nigerians who benefit daily from his mass-oriented leadership style. Those who cannot add value to the system should not sabotage the laudable efforts and achievements of those who are.

Pantami will not be oppressed or suppressed, he will not be intimidated and he will not abandon his mandate.

Uwa Suleiman is Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.