New police boss and Nigeria’s security challenges

Mohammed Abubakar, Nigeria Acting IG of police

The emergence of Mohammed Dikko Abubakar as Nigeria's new Inspector- General of Police (IGP) came at a time when the country is inundated with a plethora of security challenges that are threatening its sovereignty and the peaceful coexistence of its people. Apart from the ubiquitous and incessant terrorist attacks by the Boko Haram sect, Nigeria is currently besieged by rising crime, kidnapping, swindling cyber fraud, etc., among other nefarious acts that have continued to damage the image of the country.

These challenges have also exposed the inefficiency of Nigeria Police Force which lacks the training to combat contemporary security threats. In recent times, dare devil robbers and terrorists take their battles to the doorstep of the police and escape with ease after their deadly attacks. The Boko Haram attack on the Force Headquarters in Abuja last year and the recent mayhem members of the same sect unleashed on a Kano police station really testify to the calibre of police the country now has and the dire need to overhaul the entire police apparatus and equip the rank and file with training on modern policing.

The real fuel cabal and saboteurs

The word cabal, a coinage from cabalocracy, became more pronounced during the recent anti-fuel subsidy removal strike and protests. It was the recurring term Nigerians used to condemn in unequivocal terms, those short-changing them under the cover of fuel subsidy. While all attention focused on the invisible and faceless economic saboteurs, Nigerians must not forget that the economic felons could not, on their own, milk the country dry without readily available official collaborators and accomplices.

It won't be strange to say that the majority of Nigerians occupying various spheres of human endeavour in the country are enslaved under the burden of corruption. However, the intimidating aspect of this is when those who consider themselves clean are disappearing, or battling with their resolve to remain steadfast. Nevertheless, the murky enticement corruption offers is making many to compromise or lose faith as they see the situation as irredeemable.

Why government can’t subdue Nigerian protesters

Nigerians protesting fuel subsidy removal

In recent times the world has witnessed several protests and revolutions in countries where people are dissatisfied with their governments. The Arab Spring started with one man in Tunisia, when Mohammed Bouazizi set himself alight and the fallout was the dethronements of the Tunisian President , Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.

In Egypt and Libya, President Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gaddafi respectively lost out in the power game. While the latter paid with his life and those of some of his children, Mubarak who is bedridden, is currently undergoing trial for mass killings while his Tunisian counterpart is in exile in Saudi Arabia. In all these anti-government protests, despite the killings and maiming, running into thousands, the people usually emerge victorious. For instance in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has killed over 6,000 people since last March to suppress the protest calling for his ouster. Despite this high death toll the protesters are still unrelenting.

Time to redefine our democracy

Paul Arhewe

(Published 10/1/2012)



Nigerians protesting over fuel price hike

The simplest and most popular definition of the term ‘democracy’ is that proffered by the former American president, Abraham Lincoln (1809 -1865). For him democracy is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Nigeria may claim she is administering the American presidential system of government; however, it is funny how our leaders continue to taunt us that democracy is in place here.

Let the truth be told, what the country is practicing as democracy is a far cry away from any resemblance of its tenets and principles. In an ideal democracy the people are supreme, because they are the ultimate sovereign since power resides in them. The masses’ wishes most always count; prior to, during and after elections and in all government policies. Can we attest that Nigerians wishes are been recognised and upheld during any of these phases of electioneering and the consummation of government policies and programmes? Since the intension of government to discard fuel subsidy was unveiled last year majority of Nigerians have openly kicked against it. However, in an obstinate demeanour, President Goodluck Jonathan and his government want their wish to supersede those of the masses. It is an aberration when our government chooses each time to dance to the drumbeats of Breton Woods Institutions in total disregard to the wish of the people. It is amazing, how each time cronies of World Bank and IMF are around the corridors of power some unpopular anti-Nigerian policies are introduced with non-appealable seal.

New year, new security challenges in Nigeria

PAUL ARHEWE
(Published 03/01/2012)

Christmas Day bombing in Niger state

Those of us who are alive to witness and partake in the celebrations that ushered in the New Year, especially against the backdrop of the enormous security challenges facing our country Nigeria, would definitely be grateful even when the country is still in a lugubrious disposition following the last Christmas Day bombings amid other senseless serial killings and maiming that characterised 2011.

While as a country we may be optimistic that the New Year comes with a miraculous salve that would immune it from the not too pleasant security malaise Nigeria experienced last year, the reality is that the New Year indeed comes with more new challenges for the country; especially in the area of securing the lives and properties of the people. It then behooves President Goodluck Jonathan to take charge and revamp the country's security apparatus by discarding ineffective and wane hands, or allow the situation to crumble his government in the New Year
The country's security network that should be a soothing factor and beacon of hope to the already traumatised and fear engrossed Nigerians, is even seeking for protection from the conscienceless Boko Haram sect. The National Security Adviser (NSA) General Owoye Azazi last week, to the bewilderment of the public, said it is difficult to effectively police a large country like Nigeria. It is absolutely difficult to man every point of the country when there are security problems. Like I have said before, there is need for security awareness.

Foreign policy to spur economic diplomacy

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan and his US counterpart, Barack Obama. Photo: USAfricaonline.com

Paul Arhewe

(Published January 6, 2012)

Foreign policies adopted by any countries have some reflections of internal happenings on homefronts. Nigeria’s foreign policy over the years has nosedived after the many decades of concentration on Africa. The interventions to restore peace in Liberia, Sierra Leone and the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola amid other missions of mediating in conflict prone countries like Gambia , Mali, Burkina Faso among others signify the height in foreign interventions in the 1990s. Since the last few years the country’s foreign relations have been tamed, mainly due to internally overwhelming problems associated with finding footings for our nascent democracy amid pressing economic malaise.

Last year, government charted a new path for the country’s foreign policy thrust, with the concentration to be on policy that promotes growth and national development. In this new policy both private partnership and foreign missions would be utilised as new vanguards and foot-soldiers in economic diplomacy.

Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, while throwing more light on the new paradigm shift emphasised that “We will redress existing imbalances and forge a strong partnership with organised private sector, OPS to assist economic growth. Consequently, members of OPS would frequently constitute part of any bilateral discussions between our governments and other foreign delegations, so that Nigeria can benefit from visits to and from other countries.”

Let subsidy removal start from the top



President Goodluck Jonathan



PAUL ARHEWE

 Published (27/12/2011)

The huge wave of discordant divisiveness that the intended removal of fuel subsidy has garnered is unprecedented in regards to issues invoking public opinion. The tempo at which proponents and antagonists are trying to outmanoeuvre each other to attract public sympathy to their stance on the issue is really startling. The raison d’être of federal government’s oil subsidy removal thrust is to accumulate more funds for capital projects and relax the ‘pampering’ of the oil sector. While, this writer takes a neutral stance on oil subsidy removal, it is believed that most Nigerians opposing the proposed policy have lost trust on government.

The intension of saving billions of naira for other capital intensive projects to them is another phantom venture that may end up worsening the plight of the people, as huge funds may end up again to fatten the private bank accounts of few at the expense of the masses. Government expects to recoup N1.2 trillion annually if the subsidy is eventually discarded. While this is admirable, Nigerians would no doubt want to enjoy expanded social infrastructure, good healthcare facilities and many public utilities that are available to advance countries, but the fear is what percentage of these will actually go into capital projects? The mistrust of the people on government boils down to the many years of thriving corruption and lip service paying in the war against it.