The Military Is Paying Today For Undermining The Police Yesterday - By Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

It is an oft-repeated assertion and is certainly true that the Nigerian military is overstretched and overwhelmed because the Nigerian Police is not pulling its weight. The Police Force has been so debased that, as we have seen in recent attacks against police formations in the country, it does not have the aptitude to protect itself, not to talk of protecting the rest of us. What has not been talked about is how exactly we got here and how we could escape this god-awful situation. Some military generals last week during a ‘Conference of State and Civil Society Actors on the Intersection of National Security and the Civic Space in Nigeria,’ organised by WISER and OSIWA at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, touched on some of these issues with tender hands in velvet gloves. It really was interesting listening to these soldiers speak about their relationship with the rest of the country. What comes through is a certain superciliousness about their standing in the scheme of things and a certain scorn about the standing of other demographics, such as the civilian population and especially civil society organisations. But perhaps no demographic is at the butt of this condescension like the Nigerian Police. What was even more painful to watch was the military’s failings to see the correlation between its actions over the years, the near-collapse of the Nigerian Police Force and the current entanglement Nigeria finds itself in. At no point was this more glaring than during the comment session when a General blamed the civilian population for the persistence of Boko Haram in fermenting trouble in the country. With as much disdain as propriety would allow, he posed some rhetorical questions: “Who gives Boko Haram food? Who gives them money?” Valid questions by all considerations but inherently flawed. Flawed because they wilfully failed to take into consideration that the villagers, faced with an armed horde of murderous terrorists, and with no protection from the state, would be unqualified idiots not to comply with the demands of men with blood in their eyes pointing guns at them. The most pertinent question this General failed to ask, out of mischief or a skewed perspective, is; who gives Boko Haram the weapons they use to massacre civilians and decimate Nigerian troops considering that a good percentage of the weapons the terrorists use today were seized from the Nigerian Army? A lot has been said about the loss of a number of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, acquired at great cost and trouble, to Boko Haram, which the insurgents used to attack the military super camp in Mainok recently. Conveniently, this General failed to explain how armed soldiers continue to lose military equipment to Boko Haram and expected unarmed, defenceless civilians not to surrender their food and possessions to the terrorists. It was unfortunately the same attitude the military brought to its assessment of the problems created by Nigeria’s abysmal policing situation. In his submission, for instance, one of the panellists, Maj. General EG Ode (rtd), spoke about how the failure of the police to perform its duties has forced the military into the civil space to engage in civil protection, which they are untrained for. Brig. General Saleh Bala (rtd), President of WISER, during my interview with him recently, captured this succinctly: “What business does an air force personnel have on an AMAC task force chasing vendors off the street?” he asked. Today, the Nigerian military is involved in about 40 operations spread across the country primarily to secure civil spaces, mounting checkpoints and dealing with criminal elements the police should have been dealing with. What the military brings to these operations is their peculiar mindset. Armed with a hammer, everything does look like a nail to it. Thus, an out-of-school boy caught hawking sachet water on the street and a robber are often given a similar treatment. But why did the police collapse so woefully that they now need the military to prop them up by taking part of the burden off them? The answer has everything to do with the military. In the 1960s, the Nigerian Police was quite professional with the inherent efficiency of their colonial role models. When the military first inserted itself in the civil arena by overthrowing a democratically elected government in January 1966, the police investigation into the incidents of that night of January 15 remains until today a thing of pride. But that moment that should have been the police’s finest hour also happened to be the death knell of the force. First, the intrusion of the military in the civil space, its imposition and enforcement of curfews by itself relegated the police to a secondary force in their main area of operation. To consolidate their hold on power, soldiers patrolled the streets, controlled traffic, and terrified the populace into submission and compliance. They succeeded in emasculating not only the civilian populace but also the police who have to surrender their roles to the military. In the first 13 years of uninterrupted military rule between 1966 and 1979, and the second stretch of military rule between 1983 and 1999, the police, stripped of their primary roles, became complacent and lost a lot of capacity. Police diligence made way for the crude efficiency of the military, who took over not only the government but also the civil space, shoving the police onto the kerb, reducing them to no more bystanders in the Nigerian State than the civilian population. The police suffered the neglect that would today render it the weightless husk it has become. Of course, in this state, mercantile police officers developed a comprehensive system of further undermining the force for personal gains as amply demonstrated by former police boss, Tafa Balogun’s car farm and massive loot. It has been two decades since the return of civil rule. Enough time perhaps for the police to regain its mojo. But the lingering tragedy of Nigeria’s convoluted yet hasty return to democracy is the failure of various military regimes in their transition plans to account for the rebuild of the Police Force expected to fill in the gap that the withdrawal of the military from public space would create. The focus at the time was rebuilding a political culture without any thought to resuscitating the custodians of law and order. And sadly, since the military withdrew from power, there has not been a deliberate effort to empower the police and restore professionalism within its ranks. Therefore, Nigeria has continued to trundle from one disaster to another starting from the civil unrests of the OPC in the South West, the Sharia riots in the North and the secessionists’ agitations in the South East and inevitably to Boko Haram, banditry, communal clashes, kidnappings and the total chaos we are in now. So if today the police have remained incompetent, understaffed and lacking capacity and the military has to be called in to every village, every market and every traffic gridlock to deal with the situation while also fighting Boko Haram, it is only logical they would be asked to help fill a vacuum they themselves helped to create. Logical only in the sense of it being a short-term solution. But this country has a penchant for making short-term solutions everlasting. Solving this problem is not rocket science. It is inconceivable to say Nigeria does not have the resources to rebuild the police, recruit and train a significant number of officers in instalments over years, create, train, equip and deploy Special Forces to deal with specific security challenges the country faces. One only needs to look at how much is frittered away in maintaining the political class and their various appendages who have now commandeered over half of what is left of the police force for their personal protection and bag-carrying duties at the expense of the rest of us. With an army of unemployed youths eager for work, it is obvious that the only thing stopping the rebuild of the police is simply a chronic shortage of political will and long term planning. Eid Mubarak! May Allah keep you all and your loved ones safe.

BREAKING: Uzodimma sacks 20 commissioners, dissolves cabinet -by Abiolapaul

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma Wednesday dissolved his cabinet relieving 20 of his 28 commissioners of their duties. At the end of the usual weekly Executive Council meeting, Wednesday, the Governor said the dissolution became necessary to rejig and reenergise the system for maximum productivity. The ministries whose Commissioners were retained in the dissolution include Finance, Science and Technology, Health, Works, Information, Youths and Sports, Women Affairs and Tourism. Governor Uzodimma thanked the affected Commissioners and assured them that they will still be found relevant in other areas if eventually they did not make the new cabinet he said will be reconstituted soon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Mbadiwe Emelumba who briefed newsmen with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku added that the Governor took the decision to fast track governance in line with the mission of the government which is to serve the people well. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, said that out of 28 commissioners, the governor retained eight. He said the governor had to rejig his cabinet after one year in office. “The governor promised to reconstitute his cabinet soon,” Emelumba added

Bala-Usman suspended till panel concludes investigations – FG. By Okechukwu Nnodim

The Federal Government on Tuesday said Hadiza Bala-Usman would remain suspended from office as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority until the outcome of the investigation being done by the panel that was established to probe her activities. On Monday the Federal Government inaugurated the panel of enquiry on the management of the NPA and ordered the panel to investigate policies of Bala-Usman, who was suspended last week for allegedly failing to make required remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This came as the Federal Ministry of Transportation faulted a media report that linked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to two Chinese firms that submitted bids to manage some port channels which was allegedly against due process. The report (not in The PUNCH) had stated that Amaechi requested that two the Chinese companies should be selected to manage Bonny and Warri channels and that the request was rejected by the NPA because it violated due process. Reacting to the development, the Permanent Secretary, FMoT, Magdalene Ajani, in a detailed article she personally signed, said the minister had inaugurated an administrative panel to investigate certain alleged infractions within the NPA from 2016 till date. “This panel was constituted pursuant to the approval and directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, who also approved the suspension of Ms Bala-Usman pending the outcome of the panel’s assignment,” she said. Ajani said the panel had since commenced its assignment in the light of the position and consistent with the admonition of the minister at the inauguration. On the allegations against the minister as regards the management of Bonny and Warri channels by Chinese firms, she said channel management contracts had been routinely awarded over the years by the NPA at a cost of between N50bn and N60bn on an annual basis. Ajani noted that while this had been on, the minister had adopted a firm position that the NPA should undertake the job of channel management on an in-house basis through the acquisition of the necessary machinery and professional capacity. This, she said, was due to the humongous annual sums paid out to dredging contractors by the authority. The permanent secretary said, “Indeed, following the expiration of the channel management contracts for the Lagos, Bonny and Port Harcourt channels in 2020 and the initiation of the contractual process for the renewal of the said contracts early in 2021, the minister on January 22, 2021, while responding to a request for the NPA to provide requisite details related to the proposed transactions directed in the following words: Probe alleged looting in NPA under Bala Usman, Reps tell EFCC 4,680 get FG’s investment loans “Para. 10 approved. There is the need for NPA to know that NPA should purchase their own equipment and not award any contract.’” She stated that pursuant to the above directive, the ministry’s Maritime Services Department vide a letter No. T0160/S.30/T4E/T2/61 dated February 2, 2021, to the Managing Director, NPA titled ‘Request for Information on the Expired Channel Management and Managing Agents Contracts’. Ajani added, “The letter, inter alia, requested the NPA to provide the following information for the ministry’s records and further necessary action: “The current status of the managing agent contract and the measures put in place to cover the vacuum created as a result of expiration of the contract to prevent revenue loss to the government; “The current status of the Lagos and Bonny/Port Harcourt channel management companies and the measures put in place to cover the gap created by the expired contracts to ensure the channels are maintained for safe navigation and efficient service delivery; “The volume dredged annually from the channels and the depths achieved from inception management contracts to date and the amount expended; “The number of wrecks removed annually by the channel management companies from inception of the contracts and amount spent; and the total number of buoys replaced or maintained during the life span of the contract and the amount spent.” She said the letter also conveyed the directives on the need for the authority to procure its equipment for the service and cease from awarding any such contract. Ajani argued that it was instructive to note that despite the fact that the letter was duly received by the NPA on the same February 2, 2021, the authority had not deemed it necessary till date to respond to the ministerial directives contained in it. PUNCH.

FG probes hospitals accused of negligence in Peju Ugboma, Omolara’s deaths BY JAMES OJO

Family accuses hospital of negligence as Lagos chef dies after surgery The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it is investigating “possible violation of patient and consumer rights” in the deaths of Peju Ugboma, a popular pastry chef, and Omolara Omoyajowo. The commission broke the news in a statement by Babatunde Irukera, its chief executive officer, on Monday. Peju’s family had earlier alleged that their daughter died due to negligence of health officials at Premier Specialist Medical Centre in Victoria Island where she had surgery for fibroid. Omolara was also said to have died due to alleged negligence by officials at the Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo axis of Ogun state where she received treatment after suffering an ulcer attack. The demise of the pair had provoked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling on relevant authorities to investigate the incidents and ensure those found guilty are brought to book. In the statement, FCCPC said the information gathered so far was enough for the commission to open an active investigation into the two cases. The commission also disclosed that it has already issued “Notices of Commencement of Investigation and Summons to Produce (NCISP) to relevant persons and entities.” It added that it is also collaborating with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in the investigation to determine the extent of possible violation in the cases. “In both cases, relatives and friends allege mismanagement including failure of professional standards; as well as patient care/customer service standards including timely responses to requests,” the statement read. “The commission in 2018, in collaboration with multiple healthcare professional associations led by the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Federal Ministry of Health promoted, created, and secured the adoption of the Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBoR). The rights enshrined therein are provider obligations that otherwise exist in other enforceable instruments/codes governing healthcare delivery. “Further, and in addition, the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) mandates the Commission to enforce “any enactment with respect to the protection of consumers, conduct investigations into matters related to consumer protection; ensure consumer interests receive due consideration, and provide redress to obnoxious practices; ensure service providers comply with local and international standards of safe service delivery” Section 17(a), (e), (s) and (y). “The commission does not investigate or evaluate conduct to determine professionalism, ethics or violation of professional/ethical codes. The Commission does not make determinations with respect to the professionalism or adopted procedures of qualified and authorised professionals. “However, the commission investigates and considers whether service providers sufficiently respect rights of consumers and applicable standards of care in compliance with those rights, including providing redress or remedies for injured consumers. “Initial information gathered is sufficient for the Commission to open an active investigation into these cases. As such, the Commission has today issued Notices of Commencement of Investigation & Summons to Produce (NCISP) to relevant persons/entities. “The Commission is also communicating with the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to expand engagement to the extent that any pertinent conduct may be otherwise unprofessional and, or may be subject of any disciplinary process (if applicable).” Lady narrates how Lagos hospital's 'negligence' led to friend's death Omolara The commission called on the public to provide useful information to aid the investigation with a view to getting justice. “Finally, considering the sensitivity of these sad events, and in respect and deference to families/affected persons or reputation of both professionals and facilities, the commission advises candor and restraint in discussions and pronouncements about the occurrence and investigation,” it added. The development comes hours after the Lagos state government also ordered a probe into the circumstances that led to Peju’s death. TheCable.

Hadiza Bala Usman: I had no power to solely award contracts as NPA MD - by Aderemi Ojekunle

Hadiza Bala Usman, the suspended managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has denied media reports she solely awarded ports contract during her tenure. Advertisement In a statement signed by her on Sunday, May 9, 2021, Usman described such reports as “irresponsible, mischievous and defamatory”. Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of Bala Usman as the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and approved the appointment of Mohammed Koko pending the outcome of an investigation into the maritime sector. TheCable had reported an insider detail of how Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, got Buhari’s approval to suspend Bala Usman. Advertisement Bala Usman said the NPA has an executive management team, which always considers and takes business decisions on all assets of the NPA in the best interest of Nigeria. “To claim that I singlehandedly awarded a contract in my capacity as Managing Director, is, therefore, irresponsible, mischievous, and defamatory,” the statement read. “The report also mischievously lumped the now expired service boat contract between the NPA and the Integrated Logistics Services’ (INTELs), which took off in 2007 with a review of a ten-year extension in 2011 to culminate in expiration in August 2020 with the lease under discussion. “The service boat contract expired through the effluxion of time and the Authority initiated a procurement process in which INTELs participated in line with all extant laws.” Explaining her position on the Onne berths 9, 10 and 11, Bala Usman said the NPA offered these berths to INTELs in 2013 without any contractual agreement even though the offer letter required that the company should pay rent to the Authority for the use of the berths. “In 2018, the Authority realised that INTELs had neither been making these payments for five years nor putting the berths to optimal use,” the statement read. “The Authority then wrote INTELs to request for the payment of the arrears of monies that were unpaid and expand the utilisation of the facility. “With the continued under-utilisation of the facility, the fact that there was no contractual agreement with INTELs from the outset and the urgent need to decongest the ports in Lagos, the Authority offered the berths to an internationally renowned container handling company, Messers International Container Terminal Nigerian Limited (ICTNL) for the use of the berths for container cargo discharging. “ICTNL has signed a contract for the lease of the berths with the Authority and has commenced the installation of container handling equipment when INTELS instituted a court action challenging the withdrawal of the offer. That case is still in court! Bala Usman also refuted allegations that she was involved in a “clandestine ploy to shortchange a company” in favour of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. “This report is false, without any foundation and a figment of some wild imagination of the news platform,” the statement added. “I also note the insinuation of a non-existent monetary transfer between Alhaji Dangote and I during the 2015 elections. As I told People’s Gazette when I was approached about this story, no such transaction occurred. “Having gone through the trouble to give this explanation, I demand that Sahara Reporters publish this rebuttal and give it the same measure of prominence given to the false story, which runs against all known ethics of journalism.”

Customers can buy Tesla cars with Bitcoin, says Elon Musk

Agency Report The Chief Executive of Tesla, Elon Musk, has said customers can now buy cars from the company with their Bitcoin. Musk made the announcement in a tweet posted in the middle of the night US time, The Independent reports. “You can now buy a Tesla with Bitcoin,” he said in one post, going on to clarify that Tesla will be keeping the money received from customers as bitcoin, rather than storing it in a traditional currency like dollars. “Tesla is using only internal & open source software & operates Bitcoin nodes directly. Bitcoin paid to Tesla will be retained as Bitcoin, not converted to fiat currency,” he said in another. “Pay by Bitcoin capability available outside US later this year.” Read Also Elon Musk’s Starlink for launch in Nigeria soon Dogecoin falls after Elon Musk's Saturday Night Live appearance Bitcoin loses market share Open source software refers to programs where the code is available for others to use and change, which are generally beneficial for security as it means that other programmers can investigate for bugs or security breaches. A bitcoin node is a computer on the blockchain network that validates transactions, digitally signing the movement of the online currency and meaning that one bitcoin cannot be spent twice. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, another supporter of Bitcoin, has also set up a full node, which has the appearance on computers as lines of dates and data. The news comes after Mr Musk announced his support for the cryptocurrency in January this year, after changing his Twitter bio to “#bitcoin”, alongside its “B” symbol.

Elon Musk’s Starlink for launch in Nigeria soon -Temitayo Jaiyeola

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is in the process of getting necessary licences to bring Starlink, its satellite-based broadband services, to Nigeria. The company had been in discussion with the Nigerian Communications Commission virtually for several months. READ ALSO: Subsidy removal advice wrong, implementation suicidal, says NUPENG Having made significant progress in the discussion, the NCC granted SpaceX’s request for a face-to-face discussion to gain better insights on the prospects of its proposal. Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, said, “As the regulator of a highly dynamic sector in Nigeria, the commission is conscious of the need to ensure that our regulatory actions are anchored on national interest. “We have listened to your presentation and we will review it vis-à-vis our regulatory direction of ensuring effective and a sustainable telecoms ecosystem where a licensee’s operational model does not dampen healthy competition among other licensees.” The SpaceX’s team was led by SpaceX’s Starlink Market Access Director for Africa, Ryan Goodnight. The NCC said it was interested in making necessary regulatory efforts to increase broadband penetration in the country as contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan, 2020-2025. The agency is empowered by Section 70 (2) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 to regulate the provision and use of all satellite communications services and networks, in whole or in part within Nigeria or on a ship or aircraft registered in Nigeria. Starlink is an Internet service launched by SpaceX to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity especially in areas of the globe where Internet is expensive, unreliable, or entirely unavailable. Starlink satellites are 60 times closer to earth than traditional satellites, hence they are suited to areas where ground infrastructure might be a challenge to ensure that they can deliver high-speed broadband Internet to areas where the infrastructure is missing. PUNCH.