NIPSS: US is nothing but a shadow of past glory, Prof Audu blasts Nigerian leaders for depending on other nations

…says Obasanjo, Yar’adua’s only President with successful policy implementations

By Tom Garba, Yola

Professor Audu Nanven Gambo has blasted Nigerian leaders for their over-dependency and believing in the imperialism of the American government to survive the country’s economy.

He said the reason is not far-fetched from the crop of leaders the country kept on producing over the years to lack some basic principles of strategic thinking and making strategic decisions.

Audu said this during his lecture time with the participants of the National Institute and Policy Strategic Studies (NIPSS) course forty-nine of the Policy Strategy and Leadership course (PSLC) in Kuru, Jos.

He revealed that the United States of America is nothing more than a Shadow of past glory which is also grappling with leadership issues across many spheres of the country’s economy.

He lamented how African leaders, especially Nigerians see Americans as the world champions worshipping them despite their exploitative behaviors in other nations of power dominance to their own selfish interests.

Audu, a Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Karl Kumm University (KUU) Vom, a well-accomplished academic, with a special interest in international Relations and strategic studies who served as a professor of political science in University of Jos some years ago said Nigeria is a sovereign nation capable of standing alone that doesn’t need American government to survive.

Audu,a former Directing Staff at NIPSS, a scholar who has distinguished himself academically told the course participants that Nigeria is blessed with both human and endowed abundant mineral resources that need not bother much of any interference from other nations.

During his stay in the US in 2006 serving as a Fulbright Fellow on the study of US foreign policy at the United States Institute on US Foreign Policy, University of South Carolina, Columbia Audu told the participants that Nigerians are glorify America nation beyond what it is.

Gambo a visiting scholar at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2011 and published widely in reputable national and international journals said imperialism from any so-called world power should never be allowed by any right-thinking government.

“No America is interested to know who is the President of Nigeria as such no Nigerian should care much who is the president of America. I detest the way and manner Nigerians are worshipping Americans, they are just nothing.

“We are still trapped in the power of imperialism, a new neocolonialism concept they are using to control us. If only we can have good leaders, no value Will be given to the US.” Gambo said

Gambo who gave his lectures on strategy thinking and strategic decision said all through the years of democracy Nigerians have not been blessed with strategic leaders but rather comfort seekers.

He however praised Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua to have take firm decisions that were strategic in turning the course of history in Nigeria.

He said Obasanjo is the only President of Nigeria who brought about an effective policy-making body like NIPSS and tried his best to strengthen institutions in the country.

He admired the former President’s boldness, courage, and focus in implementing some of his policies but some were not well implemented.

According to him, Obasanjo is the only Leader who has a passion for education, and haven developed himself to a PhD level graduate of the many reasons for establishing the National Open University (NOUN) with full implementation.

He said Yar’adua is another good President that came with a focus, haven introduced the Amnesty program in the Rich oil region of Niger Delta, South-South Nigeria but dead couldn’t allow him to stay long in reviving the country’s ailing economy.

In terms of Leadership strategic thinking and strategic decision former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was rated by Audu as one of the worst governments in the history of Nigeria.

He scored low on Buhari’s regime which according to him inflicted Nigerians with poor leadership unsuccessful policy implementation.

“Buhari promised Nigerians heaven and earth but ended up messing up the Country. Under his watch, we have witnessed all forms of corruption. We are scammed in this country. We are not sincere with ourselves if I must tell you the truth.

“I’m saying this because I’m interested in the progress of the nation but it’s unfortunate few individuals, and also-called cabals are holding the country to ransom., Gambo stated.

He gave an overview of the country’s leadership Creeds by saying:” Nigerians are only good in rigging elections but they are not strategic in getting good leaders. A great nation with huge potential but it’s the crops of leaders we produce that make us what we are.”

He charged the 49 of the PSLC course to be more Patriotic by liberating themselves with good policy and thinking strategically to make sure the right leaders emerged

Labour Party cannot afford to fail Nigerians, I support NLC for better resolution.
-Fadojoe

A former Presidential Aspirant under Labour Party and the leader of Rescue Movement for Nigeria, Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph popularly called Fadojoe has asserted that Nigerians have high expectations in Labour Party is the third force, hence the party cannot afford to dash the high hope of Nigerians.

This he disclosed during a live interview on ‘Inside Politics’ program on SilverBird Television, anchored by Chris Kehinde Nwadu on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Affirming that he doesn’t belong to any faction in Labour Party. But “part of the stakeholders who come together and want to resolve the internal crisis. Right now, what the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is doing is resolving the crisis. Don’t forget that Labour Party is a baby of NLC. So since we lack leadership at the top to resolve the crisis, the NLC had to set in. For instance at the beginning of the Crisis, if Mr Peter Obi had managed it on time and handled it well, it wouldn’t have gone this bad. So because the man at the center could not handle it, that was why the NLC had to come in”.

Adding that the Anambra State Labour Party convention was mere political kangaroo, “what Abure did in Anambra State and tagged it national convention was a mere kangaroo gathering. It’s now that the NLC will organize a real convention from the Ward to the Local Government, to the State and finalized at the National level. Abure Kangaroo convention in Anambra State was never endorsed by any stakeholder in the party and even INEC didn’t agree with it. Everything is just about greed and greed and greed and that is why we are where we are today. Everyone fighting for selfish interest, personal interest and not national interest”.

Emphasizing the legitimacy of NLC intervention he noted, “within the confide of the law, NLC has the power to take over the party to resolve lingering crisis, if the situation is getting out of hand.

“Labour Party has no national leader for now. Because Mr Peter Obi that supposed to intervene on the issue of the crisis has not been proactive to initiating amicable resolution. So NLC had to step in.

“I came from US because of the NLC intervention in resolving the crisis as I was invited, though I couldn’t meet up on the day of the meeting, but my media director represented me there and it was a robust engagement.

“Note that a house divided against itself cannot stand. With the crisis in Labour Party, it will be easier for the enemy to penetrate and even use people from within against Mr. Peter Obi and that is another reason he should have been more proactive in handling the internal crisis”.

On the solution to the conflict in Labour Party, Comrade Fadojoe noted that, “the solution to the lingering problems in Labour Party is restructuring and reorganizing the party. First and foremost, these set of leaders – The Abures the Apapas, – need to step aside for new leaders who are ready to work and have the interest of the nation at heart. And give the younger generation opportunity to be part of the leadership. Nigerians are looking at Labour Party as alternative, and we cannot afford to fail them. So we shouldn’t see in Labour Party what we are seeing in APC and PDP. Therefore let’s support the good move by the NLC to reposition the Labour Party.”

As his parting words, he briefly highlighted that if he is the present president of Nigeria, what he would have done differently as follows, “I would not have removed subsidy in day one. But before I remove subsidy I would have held various meetings with the marketers, meet with everyone involved in that sector and agree on something cogent and put measures in place to cushion the effects.

“On the monetary policy, I would have also first entered into the system, see the way money is played within the system and see what to do before unifying the currency.

“And most importantly on the issue of electricity supply, I would have done everything within my power in my first year as president to ensure we have stable power supply in this country. A country that has stable power has cut its problems half way”, he concluded.

Banditry: Kaduna CAN Branch , Family Demand Justice for  Killed ECWA Pastor  

The Christian Association of Nigeria , Gure Branch and family members have  demanded justice for the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Kaduna Central District Church Council was attacked and killed by Bandits recently . 

The Pastor, according to information gathered was attacked  on Tuesday April 23rd, 2024 was attacked and killed by suspected bandits along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road, Kaduna State, Nigeria. 

He was on his way from an official Church assignment from Kurebe area in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Before his untimely death ,Rev Manasseh was a pastor serving with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) at Kaduna Central District Church Council (KCDCC). 

In a press statement jointly signed  by and family and CAN Chairman ,Gure branch Rev. Yahaya Kinge, the family of the deceased urged Governor Uba Sani led government  as well as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to help  secure justice for killed cleric . 

According to the statement, the Nigerian youth and women who are direct victims of banditry and insurgency are fed up inability of federal government to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings of innocent people. 

The statement further reads: “The hard push to the wall is enough for us to bear no longer. As at the time of filing this report no statement is made either by Kaduna state Police command nor the state government. “

” The remains of his body has been deposited in Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria.”

Good Governance Forum Praises Tinubu, Ribadu for Spare Heading Efforts to Tackle Terrorism in Africa

Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria (FGGN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu for spare heading efforts to tackle terrorism across Africa.

According to the group, it’s worthy of note that the two-day high level counter-terrorism summit held at Abuja is a well attended conference by African leaders ; United Nations Officials and several stakeholders across the world .

In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna today, the Forum said ,in the face of rising insecurity in the country and africa , the summit will no doubt be more comprehensive in finding solutions.

In the statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara, the summit organised by the federal government with the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) with the theme: ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism’ will enhancing multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and reshape the international community’s collective response to terrorism in Africa.

While aligning with President Tinubu on his position about illegal mining activities as a source for terrorism funding, the group in the statement expressed satisfaction that the summit has served as a formidable avenue for African leaders for the first to converge to review the threat of terrorism on the continent.

“We are happy to see African leaders discuss regional cooperation in addressing terrorism with a Frontline solutions and the urgent need to have an Integra security strategies to combat terrorism in Africa .Stating further, This is of paramount importance , especially with the increasing diverse threats posed by terrorist groups .

“We strongly backed the idea of President Tinubu’s,who is the chair of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to establish and strengthen a regional standby military force.Noting that it will be the beginning of end of terrorism in our dear continent .

“At this point, we are left with no option than to join other Nigerians to commend President Tinubu and his NSA for putting the security of lives of the citizens as a priority in line with the constitution.

“It is evidence in the manner the security challenges,such as: banditry and insurgency are being handled by this government that there will an end to problems . As we pray for better days , we also express hope the there will a day Nigerians can go to bed with their two eyes closed “.

Fadojoe Commends the DSS, Advocates for the support of Nigerian in fighting crime.

The leader of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria and a presidential Aspirant under Labour Party, Mr. Faduri Oluwadare Joseph aka Fadojoe, has commended the Department of State Security Service DSS for their roles in combating crime in Nigeria.

The commendation came when Fadojoe paid the DG a courtesy visit at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja on Monday April 21, 2024 as part of his working visit to Nigeria.

Fadojoe stressed that, “This visit to the DSS is to familiarize with them and to commend them for the good job they are doing in a country where everything is politicized. Therefore on behalf of our group, Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, we want to give the DG kudos and to encourage him to keep giving his best for the country. And as well advocate for the support of all Nigerians in combating crime as we all have our roles to perform in making the country a better place.”

Adding that any country that must survive, the secret service must be up to date and up and doing and the citizens too must play their parts where necessary.

Appreciating the warm and kingly reception accorded the team, he stressed that, “the reception is overwhelming, from the gate to every office, as if we are all these big names in Nigeria, in fact, we never expected this level of reception. In deed, I have concluded that the DSS is really not just about big names but service to the nation. And we as citizens need to come to terms with the fact that the DSS is a friend of Nigerians”.

The Deputy DG receiving the team on behalf of the the DG who had to attend to an emergency, appreciated the visit and commended the group for taking out time for this visit as well as for the belief in the department of State Security. He also expressed the readiness of the personnel of the DSS to continue to give their best for the country, though in most cases some of the efforts they put in may not be visible to the public.

Confederation of All Progressives Congress Support Groups(CASG) has reassured Nigerians about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to implement all campaign promises and the Renewed Hope Agenda to the later. 

The APC Support groups expressed satisfaction that the Renewed Hope Agenda is overtly yielding positive results and Nigerians are already  feeling the impact of a visionary and resourceful leadership with just one year . 

The Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups, Prof. Muhammad Kailani, who disclosed while addressing journalists in Abuja on state of nation said, “It is not in doubt that Nigeria has transited through many huddles and challenges in the last few decades .And also not in doubt that the journey so far, has been rough and tough on the nation and her citizenry. 

“It is for this reason that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu crafted the Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition Nigeria from the brink of collapse back on the pedestal of socio- political re- orientation and economic development.

“Since assumption of office as President and Commander- in Chief, Bola Tinubu has zealously templated re-engineering synergies to move the country from its decaying position to a pivotal footstep to stimulate economic recovery. 

“One of such of his initiatives has manifested in the reversal of the crash of the Nigerian Naira against the US Dollar, from $1 to about N1,950.00 in the recent past to the present exchange rate in the parallel market of $1 to less than N1,000.00. This to some people will seem impossible to achieve within this short time frame, but our capable President Bola Tinubu did it! 

“This achievement of President Bola Tinubu prompted the US investment bank, Goldman Sachs, to pronounce the Nigerian Naira as the best performing currency in the world in April 2024.

“Although, in economic theory, it will take some time for the appreciation of the Naira against other currencies to impact on prices, this is a big reprieve to many Nigerians who have been battered by the negative effects of the seemingly perpetual depreciation of the naira against the dollar. 

“This is just the beginning of the manifestations of the Renewed Hope Agenda gains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu- led government. This is why we are appealing to Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu’s government that is positioned to give us the true benefits of democracy in due course.”

Prof. Kailani however acknowledged the  resilience of Nigerians noting,  “That is why, come rain or sunshine, we were able to absorb all the shocks and are marching forward with one accord and determination in the spirit of One Nation One Destiny.

“There is no alternative than to tread this path because, if we had done otherwise, we would have failed the African continent and by extension and implication, the global black race at large.  

“For this singular reason, simple logic dictates that Nigeria will not and cannot afford to go down and stay down. Doing so will indicate that we have woefully failed nature which bestowed on us the leadership responsibility of the entire black peoples on earth given to us by the Creator of the Heaven and the universe; Almighty God. “

Mele Kyari: Confederation of APC Support Groups Lauds Development Template Deployed to Revive NNPC 

Confederation of All Progressives Congress Support Groups (CASG) has  appreciated the template of development deployed by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited , Mal Mele Kyari to revive the country’s  giant national oil company. 

According to the support groups, Mele Kyari made tremendous contributions at the National Assembly on the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA), which led to its actualization and subsequent commercialization and other positive reforms of the oil and gas sector with Nigeria benefiting from the template and will continue to reap potential economic rewards from the venture for years to come that will benefit generations yet unborn.

Speaking during a press conference held at Headquarters of CASG,Abuja ,the Director General,Prof. Muhammad Kailani said ,”Mele Kyari has made a milestone in the overall development of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector, through his discovery of many oil wells across the country and repositioning of the NNPCL through his Transparency, Accountability, Productivity and Efficiency (TAPE) programme. 

While stating that those calling for his replacement are mere mischief makers, who are trying to distract President Bola Tinubu from the good works he is doing, The DG furthest said:  “A critical assessment of the chronicle of Group Managing Directors (GMD), of the NNPC since its inception about 42 years ago, clearly indicates that Mallam Mele Kyari, is adjudge to be the best result- oriented Group Managing Director and subsequent Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

“Those crying wolf and singing songs of woes at their backyards for selfish reasons must desist henceforth. They should allow Mr President and Mallam Mele Kyari, to concentrate on performing their constitutional roles for the betterment of our dear country. “

Speaking about the former Governor of Kaduna State political ordeal,Prof Kailani said ,”It is another interesting dimension  unfolding in the political space . 

According to him, El- Rufai is busy using every available space and time to criticize the Bola Ahmaed Tinubu’s government in the hope to attract attention to himself.

“Having woefully failed to secure the post of the Chief of Staff to Mr President or the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), he has taken criticism of the Bola Tinubu’s government as a pastime. 

“It is alleged that after realizing that his efforts are not achieving the desired result, he is now romancing with the National Chairman of   the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This could be a preamble of an intention of moving with his dilapidated camp to the SDP. Only time will tell.

“Unfortunately, It would seem that Mallam Nasir el- Rufai, like some people in Nigeria, still believes in the theory of the George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where some animals are more equal than others. He is hereby advised to discard this illusion and comes to terms with the reality that Nigeria has come of age.”

Meanwhile , the Support groups spoke on  the skyrocketing prices of foodstuff, goods and services ,adding ,”Shylock merchants, foodstuff vendors and traders have hijacked fuel subsidy removal and crunch of the Naira value as an excuse to subject Nigerians to unwarranted and untold hard ship in all spheres of livelihood, through highly inflated price tags to these essentials.

“The Naira has substantially appreciated against the Dollar for some time now, but prices still remain the same and are likely to remain so for a long time to come. Fortunately, the federal government is intervening by going through direct engagement with dealers and traders in the markets to reverse the unfortunate trend.”

Northern Group Backs Defence Minister, Matallawe for Blasting NEF over Attack on Tinubu

Apparently dissatisfied over recent attack by Northern Elders Forum on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,the Progressive Northern Elements have come out strongly to back the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Mohammed Matawalle for lambasting the Northern Elders Forum.

The Northern Elders Forum came under fire for saying it regretted supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election and will not support him in 2027 if he decides to contest.

Reacting to the comment , the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle had described NEF as political burden on the North.

However, the Progressive Northern Elements in a press statement signed by the Chairman ,Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Modibbo and made available to journalists in Kaduna today, the group said it’s too early for Northern Elders Forum to start finding fault lines in a President it supported to win election .

According to the group, President is doing well in our estimation and there is no reason for this attack from NEF.

The statement further reads :”Rather than stirring unnecessary up tension and over heating the polity without recourse to the sustained efforts to make Nigeria, especially the north ,a more economically vibrant region ,we expect the north to rally round President Tinubu led administration to succeed .

“We have noticed Tinubu’s sincerity and commitment to tackling the prolonged security challenges facing the north and frantic efforts towards revamping the economy the entire country .

“So,we were worried to hear our northern elders speaking too early when former President Buhari from the northern extraction, exhausted 8 years in office with several unresolved challenges ranging from severe insecurity, high unemployment , collapsed of agriculture activities due banditry,and bad economy, yet the voice of the Northern Elders was not heard.

“At this point,we have no option than to join Matawalle to say members of NEF lack the authority to speak for the entire region as they have become political burden to Northerners.

“We also agreed with Matawalle when he said the so-called Northern Elders Forum are a group of political paperweights and selfish individuals,who cared less about development of the region.We vow that any destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute by NEF for personal and selfish gains will be met with stuff resistance.

“The former Zamfara Governor was equally right, when he said NEF is just a group seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.”

While stating that the Northern Elders Forum should know that an average northerner is wiser now and can’t be cajoled to fight any southerner in power as President, the group said, “Our position is clear , we believe in any government or leader that will the north and every other region better. Nothing less”

” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the February 2023 presidential election convincingly and has a four-year tenure to execute his campaign Promises to Nigerians, until then , he must be allowed to work without distractions.”

Security threat: DSS swoop on Aisha Galadima in Kaduna

Apparently working on credible intelligence about a plot to ridicule the Federal Government by one Aisha Galadima group, the DSS has swooped on her Kaduna residence and arrested her on Sunday.

A source in Kaduna said the lady and her group were planning to forment trouble in order to incite violence and “along the line, destabilize Kaduna’s security”.

The source said the DSS must have acted upon credible intelligence and moved to preempt a breach of security in the state, moreso with the relative peace that has been witnessed in the last one year.

We’ve lost a dedicated public servant,True Nigerian, Wamakko  mourns Ogbonnaya

Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako has described as a huge loss for Abia, Ebonyi States and Nigeria, the death of former governor and ex-minister of Science and Technology – Ogbonnaya Onu.

The lawmaker, in a statement on Friday noted that he was shocked by the news of Ogbonnaya’s death, describing the deceased a consumate politician and a dedicated democrat.

Wamakko, in the statement,  opined that the late ex-minister would be remembered for “his uprightness, passion for a united  Nigeria and remains a guide for the nation’s intelligentsia”.

The former Sokoto governor, also described the late Ogbonnaya “as an accomplished scholar, an engineer of respectable standing, who stood for progressivism and good governance”.

He explained that the late Ogbonnaya’s  legacy  of illustrious political career “leaves a huge gap on Nigeria’s political firmament” adding that “as a true patriot, Ogbonnaya’s exemplary private and public life stood him out as a dedicated servant of Nigeria”.