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Privatisation Of Security Apparatus
Without mincing words or shying away from the truth, there is a palpable fear in many quarters that the nation’s security apparatus as currently constituted has been designed to serve some private agenda. Obviously, every nation is concerned about its security and interests, but it is also common that some private sectional interests can feature as serving national interests. In their book titled, National Security and the American Society, Trager and Simonie defined national security as “the part of government policy having as its objective the creation of national and international conditions favourable to the protection and extension of vital national values against existing or potential adversaries”. We value what gives purpose to life!
What are the “vital national values” of Nigeria that must be protected and extended against any “existing or potential adversaries”? Values, personal or national, derive from ideological orientations, rooted in religion and culture, whose survival qualities fire and sustain national patriotism. As a developing nation, Nigeria is still trying to evolve sustainable national values serving as common impetus towards nationhood and patriotism. At best, what predominates at the moment is rooted in economic and political interests which vary according to nebulous considerations potentate need of an average Nigerian now is “stomach infrastructure”.
The Tide newspaper of Friday, June 7, 2019, had a front-page headline: “Insecurity: Danjuma, Lekwot, Others Drag Buhari to U.K. Parliament”. The issue at stake has to do with the spread of Sharia law across a secular state. References were made to “pursuing a jihad or Islamisation agenda”, Boko Haram and armed Fulani herdsmen and possible suspicion of a conspiracy, etc.
In the same newspaper of Monday, December 30, 2019, there was the following headline: “Insecurity: Reorganise Security Chiefs, NCEF Challenges Buhari”. The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) reminded President Muhammadu Buhari to stand by his words that the Islamic terrorists are godless, callous gangs of mass murderers by reorganising the National Security Units, to comply with the Federal Character Principle in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution. This would mean that the security apparatus is one-sided, not reflecting the Federal Character Principle.
Like similar complaints before now, there were references to “excessive Pro-Islamic direction of this government since 2015”, and a recycling of “repentant terrorists into the Nigerian Army.” We were also told that “presently, Nigeria is divided under its conflict of ideologies which produced ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” i.e conflict between DEMOCRACY AND SHARID Ideologies. The fear is that the terrorists are emboldened and driven by Sharia ideology.
No honest person would dismiss the suspicion that there are subtle moves to introduce Sharia law into the legal system of a secular, democratic Nigeria. Therefore, the antics of Boko Haram terrorists, armed herdsmen and the Islamic of State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are the harbingers of the shape of things to come. Obviously, there would be spirited denials of any encouragement of the activities of a “remorseless, godless, callous gangs of terrorists that have given Islam a bad name through their atrocities.” Some say the terrorists are not Muslims!
Can any honest person deny the NCEF observation that “the National Security Units that are solely in control are Muslims from the North of Nigeria”? the National Christian Elders Forum also noted that “President Buhari should be held responsible for the audacity, expansion and unbridled atrocities of ISWAP, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.” Under these aforementioned observations and circumstances, would anyone dismiss the fact that there is a privatisation of the security apparatus of the Nigerian nation?
Is it not possible that there are subtle efforts to raise or install Islamic ideology as embodied in Sharia Law as the “Vital national values” of the Nigerian nation? Taking “National security” as defined by Trager and Simonie, is it not possible that the one Sidedness of the nation’s security apparatus is a deliberate ploy to actualize some private agenda under the umbrella of national interest?
If Nigeria must put together, embrace or adopt some “vital national values”, then, must such project not follow due process, according to law? Same way that Nigeria was made to become a member of the Organisation of Islamix Conference (OIC) without a national debate and agreement is the same way Sharia Law is being introduced. It was with the same strategy, under limitary fiat, that Decree No. 51 of 1969, on oil and gas, was made as serving national interest, at the expense of a section of Nigerians. Does democracy operate that way?
It is a pity that whenever there is an effort to have a genuine national dialogue for the purpose of resolving contentious national issues, some people make deliberate efforts to sabotage or turn such a project into travesty. The result is that agitations are suppressed via the instrumentality of security apparatus and a state of anomie allowed to linger. The task of nation building demands a template designed to foster justice as the basis for unity, freedom and peaceful coexistence.
Professor Omo Omoruyi pointed out long ago that the nation’s military and security apparatus are skewed in favour of the Muslim North. Have the calls for a revisitation of the lop-sided arrangement not been persistent enough to warrant some realistic and courageous change? The use of security personnel for protection of private business empires has implications. Is it not corruption to use public resources for private interests?
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.