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Northern Elders warns FG against political vendetta in Rivers crisis
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Friday, cautioned the Federal Government against engaging in political vendetta over the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, which has led to the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly members for six months.
The forum expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing that while the President is empowered under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to declare a state of emergency, such action must be justified by specific conditions outlined in the law.
NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, in a statement, reminded the President that the ability to resolve political disputes through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication is a hallmark of democratic maturity.
Jiddere said: “Subject to the provision of this constitution, the president may by instrument published in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.
“However, the president can only do so, if and only if, any the conditions stated in subsection 3 of Section 305 actually occurs which includes war, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, clear and present danger, disaster or natural calamity, other public danger, or a request from the Governor of the State.
“It is a public knowledge and indisputable fact that none of these conditions actually happened in Rivers State. Except perhaps for personal vendetta in alliance with the President’s serving Federal Minister of the FCT and the immediate past Governor of Rivers State who has been in personal conflict with the suspended Governor for selfish interests rather than public good.
“The maintenance of peace, public order and corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot be compromised on personal aggrandizement, and should be the primary concern of each Nigerian.
“As such any form of disturbance in any part of the country will have a serious negative tendency and impact on the whole country.
“The Federal Government and the President in particular must find a viable and permanent solution to the political crisis in Rivers State, and also immediately lift the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor and State Assembly to restore the spirit of democracy, justice and public order.”
NEF urged the Federal Government to prevent the escalation of political disputes in other states, particularly in Kano, where tensions continue over the traditional leadership of the Kano Emirate.
He added, “The naked and brutal abuse of political power can only pose imminent danger to the democratic processes in Nigeria which is currently facing serious numerous challenges.”
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum has strongly condemned Abuja-based pastor Festus Alilu for his recent criticism of Korede Komaiya, the lead pastor of Master’s Place International, Delta State, and a protégé of Bishop David Oyedepo.
In a statement issued on Friday, the forum’s convener, James Paul Adama, described Alilu’s remarks in a Facebook video as “unprovoked and unwarranted.”
“We consider this attack uncalled for, and we extend our sincere apologies to Pastor Komaiya on behalf of our community,” Adama stated.
He clarified that investigations revealed that Alilu’s reported arrest was not directly ordered by Komaiya but rather instigated by some of his followers.
“This highlights the importance of verifying facts before drawing conclusions or making accusations,” Adama added.
The forum expressed its intention to mediate in the dispute, urging a peaceful resolution.
“We want to make it clear that attacks on the Christian faith and its leaders will no longer be tolerated. We are prepared to take all necessary steps to defend Christianity and its leaders in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The group further called for mutual respect among religious communities, warning against inflammatory remarks.
“We encourage everyone to respect the Christian faith and refrain from making derogatory comments or attacks on any religion. Such behaviour has no place in our society and must stop immediately.”
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Christian leaders receive the dignity and respect they deserve.
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed several terrorists in torrents of airstrikes on their fortified hideouts in Chiralia, Grazah, Yuwe, and Zango Hill, in Borno and Katsina.
TheDeputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, announced this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
Ali said the series of decisive and precision-guided air interdiction missions conducted between March 17 and March 19, also crippled the operational networks of the terrorists across the North-East and North-West regions.
He said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) had on March 17, launched a devastating airstrike on Chiralia, a notorious terrorist enclave within the Timbuktu Triangle.
According to him, intelligence reports revealed that the insurgents had been orchestrating violent raids along the Maiduguri-Damaturu and Damaturu-Biu highways, abducting civilians and plundering supplies.
“In response, a formidable force package of NAF attack aircraft unleashed a precise and overwhelming assault, obliterating multiple enemy structures and eliminating terrorists desperately attempting to escape with follow-up strikes.
“The following day, the NAF launched a devastating air interdiction operation at Grazah, a well-fortified terrorist hideout in the treacherous Mandara Mountains, and at Yuwe, a notorious insurgent stronghold in Sambisa Forest.
“At Grazah, intelligence reports exposed extremist leaders indoctrinating fighters, reinforcing urgency of the strike.
“In a ferocious assault, NAF fighter jets unleashed a relentless barrage of precision strikes on key targets advancing purposeful lethality.
“Follow-up strikes intensified the offensive, obliterating fleeing terrorists at both locations and delivering a crushing blow to their operational networks,” he said.
In the North-West, Ali said the NAF executed a relentless aerial assault in Zango Hill, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina, in close coordination with ground forces.
He said the ISR missions uncovered armed bandits entrenched in the rugged high ground, triggering the swift deployment of NAF attack aircraft.
According to him, the precision strikes pounded enemy positions, while follow-up bombardments targeted regrouping fighters attempting to evade destruction.
Ali added that the NAF helicopters delivered decisive Close Air Support, raining fire on bandits engaging friendly forces and ensured the unimpeded advance of ground troops.
He said the operation annihilated multiple armed criminals and obliterated their fortified hideouts, further crippling their operational foothold.
According to him, the recent NAF airstrikes have significantly disrupted terrorist activities across multiple regions.
“Intelligence assessments indicate that the strikes, not only neutralised several high-value targets but also destroyed critical infrastructure used by the terrorists for logistics and coordination.
“NAF remains committed to sustaining the momentum of air operations in close coordination with ground forces to ensure restoration of peace and security in affected areas,’’ he added.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Education and Empowerment Centre for Women (EECW) has called for the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education for girls in rural areas in Kaduna state.
The EECW project coordinator, Mr Ben Dankaka, made the call during a science-themed schools debate in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area.
EECW organised the debate under it’s Laraba Deyjih Akapson Science Innovation Prize for Girls initiative.
Dankaka explained that the initiative seeks to educate and empower young girls in rural areas who have limited access to STEM education and resources.
“The Laraba Deyjih Akapson Science Innovation Prize for Girls is an initiative by EECW, established in honour of the late Mrs Laraba Deyjih Akapson.
“She was the mother of EECW founder, Senator Nenadi Usman, and lived a life dedicated to serving others.
“To continue her legacy, this initiative seeks to bring STEM learning to girls who wouldn’t normally have access to it.
“Since girls make up a large portion of Nigeria’s population, it’s important to provide them with more opportunities to learn about science and technology.
Dankaka stated that the focus on STEM had become necessity as a result of the lack of adequate awareness about it, especially in rural areas.
“Right now, not many students in Africa, including Nigeria study STEM subjects especially compared to countries like China and India.
“In Nigeria, fewer than 25 percent of students choose STEM, and only a small number of them finish with STEM degrees,” he added.
The guest speaker, Mrs Gillian Ashio, Head of Department, Technical Education, Kaduna State College of Education, delivered a paper titled “The Future of Education: How Young Innovators Can Change The World”.
Ashio noted that Nigeria’s youthful population has the potential to transform it’s educational system through creativity, technology and lessons from other countries.
“Young people like you can help solve educational problems by bringing new ideas where traditional methods have failed.
“Finland for example focuses on practical learning instead of too many tests and examinations.
“Students engage in hands on projects such as building models or conducting experiments thereby promoting creativity,” she stated.
Highlight of the event was a debate contest between Girls Science Secondary School (GSSS) Kwoi; Government Girls College (GGC), Zonkwa and Government Secondary School (GSS), Kagoro.
The topic of the debate was “Girls in Nigeria face more barriers in STEM due to cultural beliefs, not lack of interest”.
While GSS Kagoro came first, winning three desktop computers, GGC Zonkwa emerged first runner up and was rewarded with two desktop computers while GSSS Kwoi took home one desktop computer for finishing third.
Flora Samuel from GSS Kagoro, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the organisers for coming up with initiatives aimed at encouraging girls from rural communities to explore careers in STEM fields.