Former Bayelsa Military Administrator, Captain Olubolade is dead - ITREALMS

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The former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade (rtd), is dead.

He celebrated his 70th birthday on November 30, 2024.

Trending wrongly: Renaming of military institutions, public infrastructure after PBAT by Dr Moses Paul - ITREALMS

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It is profoundly disappointing to witness the alarming trend of naming public institutions, infrastructure, and military facilities after a sitting president. This act runs counter to established principles of honor, service, and public morality. The recent decisions to name critical institutions after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including barracks, airports, and other facilities, reflect a troubling disregard for historical preservation, respect for our fallen heroes, and the collective legacy of the Nigerian people.

The renaming of a military barracks in Asokoro after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is particularly egregious. Military barracks are not mere structures; they are sanctuaries of sacrifice, discipline, and service to the nation. Naming such an institution after a sitting president, while Nigeria has countless soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our security, is a direct affront to their memory. It disregards the values of humility and honor associated with the armed forces and diminishes the legacy of those whose selfless acts secured our freedom.

Segun Olatunji returns: Why we must protect free press, democracy against military misconduct - ITREALMS

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As the cheering news of the return of abducted the Editor, FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji hits newsroom, the trio of the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have adduced reasons why Nigerians must protect free press and guide democracy against military misconducts, reports ITREALMS.

Sequel to the release of Segun Olatunji Wednesday, the trio had a joint press statement accusing the military of usurping the role of the media in a democratic era and violation of fundamental human rights of detention above 48 hours without any court warrant.

Makinde appoints Adekoya, retired military officer, OYRTMA chairman - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has appointed a retired military officer, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), as the chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), reports ITREALMS.

The appointment, which was contained in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi on Monday, October 23, 2023 indicated its with immediate effect.

George writes Tinubu, cautions on planned military invasion, big brother posture - ITREALMS

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War tactician and former Military Administrator of Ondo State, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has written the Nigerian president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the planned miliary invasion of Niger, and warning over unnecessary 'big brother' posture, reports ITREALMS.

On July 26, 2023, Chief George recalled that the Commander of the Presidential Guard in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, seized power and is now the new strongman of the Nigerien Armed Forces.

Military replies FFK, denies allegations, says its unsubstantiated - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Army has replied the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on his viral video which accused the military of complicity in the recent terrorism attacks, especially that of Kuje Prison in which over 800 inmates were set free, denying all allegations and describing it as unsubstantiated, reports ITREALMS.

Director, Defence Information at Defence Headquarters, Major General Jimmy Akpor in a press statement available to ITREALMS on Saturday, said that their attention has been drawn to a video produced by Femi Fani-Kayode, wherein he made wild and unsubstantiated allegations against the Armed Forces of Nigeria, regarding the recent spate of terrorist attacks particularly, the attack of the prison in Kuje - Abuja on 5 July 2022.

Military pledges protection of civilians in conflict, curb human rights abuses - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian military has pledged its readiness to prioritize conflict management and reduce civilian harm in face of the insurgency.

The Commandant National Defence College Nigeria Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir, during a workshop on the protection of civilians in a challenging environment organized by the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defense College (AANDEC), said violence against civilians is an unintended consequence of conflict however he stated that civilians harm perpetrated by security forces will not be tolerated.

FG launches nationwide campaign to support military - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government has launched a nationwide campaign to support the military, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Thursday the campaign is to rally the support of Nigerians for the military, especially in the fight against insurgency.

''The men and women in uniform who are risking all, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep us safe deserve the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification, insults and other acts that are capable of dampening their morale,'' Minister said while launching the campaign, tagged the National Campaign in Support of the Military, in Abuja.

He said it is particularly important for Nigerians to support the military at a time that it is facing a heightened challenge from global terrorists.

''As our gallant men and women in uniform clear the remnants of the home-grown insurgency called Boko Haram, they are confronting a fresh crisis, a global insurgency. A faction of Boko Haram has aligned with the global terror group, ISIS, to form ISWAP, the Islamic State's West African Province. In other words, ISIS now has a strong foothold in West Africa - with Nigeria in the forefront of the battle against them.

''Those who do not understand the fresh threat facing our nation, nor appreciate the sacrifice of our troops, have now made it their past-time to wage a campaign of disinformation against the military, especially in the social media. Doctored videos and pictures purporting to show mass military casualties are willfully circulated online. Such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralizing our troops, and must stop forthwith,'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

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Pix: The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle); Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agbim Hide original message (second right); Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, (second left); Director Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola (extreme left) and the Director Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Sulaiman Dahun (extreme right) at the launch of the National Campaign in Support of The Military in Abuja on Thursday.

FG plans nationwide support campaign for military - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that his ministry will soon launch a massive national campaign in support of the military, especially in their fight against insurgency and insecurity

“We are planning to launch a national campaign to rally support for the military. We believe the men and women who are risking all to keep us safe deserve the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification, insults and other acts that are capable of dampening their morale,” the Minister said at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the campaign, which will be similar to the previous ones launched by the ministry on burning issues such as fake news and hate speech, insurgency and the fight against corruption, will mobilise Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings to show support for the military.

“I think it is high time that everybody, irrespective of political affiliation, joined in supporting the war (against insurgency). It’s not unusual, as a matter of fact it’s usually the practice, that when a country is faced with this kind of challenge, people will sink their differences and work together. So, very soon, you will expect to hear from us on this campaign to support the military in the fight against not just insurgency but in the fight against insecurity,'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said the national campaign, which will be multi-faceted, will include the production and airing of special jingles on radio and television, social media intervention and advocacy.

The Minister decried how some Nigerians, particularly opposition politicians, have made it their past-time to wage a campaign of disinformation against the military on the social media, saying such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralizing the men and women in uniform.

“I think the biggest opposition probably today that the military has is probably not Boko Haram, it’s probably the Social Media because it’s so uncontrolled. Today, video clips are doctored and clips of happenings in other lands are now reported and sent out as if they are happening in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there is no one to hold responsible. This is very discouraging and it demoralizes the military.

“That brings me to the bigger issue of overall support for our military. Recent developments are disturbing. The activities of a section of the media and some opposition political parties are demoralizing the military and strengthening the insurgents. Without seeking or waiting for official clarification, outrageous casualty figures are prominently reported. Without consideration for national security, military plans are recklessly revealed. Not even in the United States, the bastion of democracy, does this happen,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said even though the government would neither censor nor gag the media, journalists must strike a balance between the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to receive and impart information and national security.

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Porbitas condemns military invasion of Dura Du in Plateau State - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Probitas, the Nigeria-based civil society group, has condemned the invasion of the Dura Du community in Jos South Local Government, North-Central Nigeria, by members of the Nigerian military, reports ITREALMS.

Communications Director, Probitas, Amaka Nwankwo in a press statement made available to ITREALMS, alleged that the soldiers who stormed the community three days ago, claim that they are searching for a missing retired General, Idris Alkali, who was reportedly last seen near a pond in the area. 

Probitas questions the legality of this action, which is capable of causing the loss of lives and property in an already volatile community.

The Nigerian Army must respect jurisdictional boundaries. The disappearance of a retired General is purely a criminal matter meant to be investigated by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and not the Nigerian Army. The fact that Mr Alkali is a former Major-General, does not give the army the right to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police.

This mission is being headed by Brigadier-General Umar Mohammed, the Chief of Staff of Operation Safe Haven. Brigadier-General Umar Mohammed's unilateral decision to drain a local pond, revered by community members, must be resisted by the government, civil society and environmental activists.

The right thing would be to hand this matter over to the police and to take into consideration the concerns of locals who fear that the army is planning a full-scale desecration of their community. The authorities must consider other alternatives to draining the community's pond such as using deep sea divers and underwater cameras. 

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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If Buhari, Malu distrust Military medicare, why shouldn't I

Commentary@ITRealms:

As kids growing up in Aba in the 1980s, our parents took us (not once, but many times) to the health department of Aba Urban to be vaccinated. I remember we used to call it 'oku aka'. One fierce looking man would bring out something like a short gun and 'shuk' you in your shoulder. One, two or three minutes of crying would then follow. 

Even in the 1990s as a teenager and young adult, I remember going to Umule Village Hall and Osusu Village Hall at different times to receive free Yellow Fever and Hepatitis vaccinations.

Therefore, the people of the southeast did not reject a good thing (vaccination) as some are already mocking. However, people of the southeast are saying that they are not interested in their children being vaccinated by the Nigerian Army which just three weeks ago invaded their land and killed their unarmed youths. I am cocksure that the people will as usual consent to their children being vaccinated should the Rotary International or the then ubiquitous Kick Polio Out team come today tp give vaccinations.

Indeed, the people have the rights to be apprehensive. History is on their side. Remember that the federal government is still struggling to refute the allegation that they deliberately injected people with monkeypox in Bayelsa.

Remember that there were also rumours that those who carried out the Ozubulu massacre were wearing military uniform. Remember that the Nigerian army has a history of killing unarmed civilians: They did it in Asaba in 1967. They did it in Odi in 1999, They did it in Zaki Biam in 2000.

They also did it in Aba and Onitsha in 2016. In the same 2016, they killed Joseph Izu (a footballer with Shooting Stars) in Bayelsa. Remember, too, that President Buhari does not even trust the medical competence of the Nigerian Army, hence he jets to the United Kingdom (UK) every now and then to receive treatment.

Again, remember, that just four days ago, news came that a former Army Chief, General Victor Malu died while receiving treatment in a Cairo hospital. So, if Buhari and Malu do not trust the capacity of the Nigerian Army to deliver, medically speaking, why should anybody blame the hapless southeast commoners for not trusting the army and their medical overtures?

In any case, the outright rejection of the so-called medical outreach by the people should get the Nigerian Army thinking. Perception is everything. The people see the Nigerian Army as killers and nothing more pretentious. Obviously, there was poor sensitization before the ill-advised outreach.

The Nigerian Army should learn how to engage the public. It is an art. Everything is not show of force. From the statement issued by the Anambra State Government, it was clear that there was no sensitization  prior to the outreach. Even the state government was not carried along. I doubt if the State School Management Board, teachers and parents were carried along too. 

In climes where people reason, the sensitization would have lasted for a month or even more, particularly if such an outreach is to be carried out in an area where the army just invaded and wreaked havoc. And the best combination of media would have been used to reach the target audience.

I believe the Nigerian Army must have learnt a lesson or two from this misadventure and as such will engage the public better next time.

*Contributed by Nnaemeka C.I Meribe

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Odinkalu replies Umar Jibril, says NGO bill anti-democracy, inspired by military tendencies

ITRealms:

The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu has replied Hon. Umar Buba Jibril on the ongoing controversies surrounding the attempt to regulate Non-Government Organisations (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

Odinkalu also described Jibiril attempt to justify the bill as desperate and poor as well as anti-democratic, military dictatorship inspired NGO bill

Reacting to Hon. Umar Jibril, Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Reps attempt in Abuja at the weekend and who now claimed in a press statement made available to ITRealms, that his NGO Bill is needed because NGO's are sponsoring terrorism.

“That needs an immediate response,” he said, arguing that the desperation in the release “doesn't bear thinking about. Almost every line in the release by Hon. Jibril drips with cheap mendacity. It's difficult to think that Hon. Jibril himself has even read the bill that he claims to be sponsoring.

Prof. Odinkalu decried the fact that this is coming from a supposed National Assembly, which has refused to say categorically, how much its members earn.

“It is irresponsible for the leadership of the NASS to claim that NGOs who are sponsoring terrorism or stealing money in the North East can only be dealt with after we have got a new law, surely. Or violating immigration laws? You mean there are no laws, nor means now to put them out of business? You just need to mention this to realise how specious it sounds,” he said.

Pointed out that Nigeria has a report, done by the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, no less, on the stealing by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is being branded under the guess of ‘grass cutting’ in the North East, which is being blocked from being released to Nigerians.

“Would the report still be vegetating on some unknown shelf if it was about some PDP villain?” he asked.

Odinkalu equally noted that in 2011, the Galtimari Report on the situation in the North East made explicit identification and recommendations on those supporting Boko Haram and what to do with them.

“The White Paper on the report explicitly recommended prosecution. Those people are still in, around or hob-nobbing with government. No one in either the Osinbajo Panel's work, or the Galtimari Report or in any of the work since then, has named any NGO as funding terrorism. Obviously, that would be beyond any pale. But the named politicians enjoy protection from the same people conducting this smear,” he observed.

Declaring that “Terrorism has become the currency of the moment” Prof. Odinkalu emphasized that looking at the models they cite: “Israel, where their law is used to target Palestinian NGOs & NGOs that work with Palestinians; Kenya where their NGO law was unlawfully used to try to de-register NGOs that blew the whistle on the rigging of the recent elections.”

The Kenyan Supreme Court decision recently vindicated the NGOs, decrying that in Uganda the NGO law is being used to oppress and de-register those advocating against President Museveni's eternal presidency project as he sets about lifting age limits that bar him from running again.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Social Media monitoring: PAMED wants FG to restrain military

ITRealms:

The Partnership for Media and Democracy (PAMED) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to restrain the Nigerian Army from monitoring the social media activities of Nigerians, describing the action as a violation of the rights of citizens to freedom of expression and the privacy of their communications guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party, reports ITRealms.

PAMED, comprising International Press Centre (IPC), Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Institute for Media and Society (IMS), said in a statement in Lagos that it had painstakingly studied the declaration by the Nigerian Army that it would henceforth monitor the social media for alleged ‘anti-government, anti-military and anti-security’ information and expressed concern that such a move provides enormous opportunities for abuse of power and the violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians by the military.

The group recalled that the Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, said on August 23, 2017, during a live programme on Channels Television that “the move became necessary in the light of troubling activities and misinformation capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country”.

He specifically declared: “What are we doing? In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever. We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security”.

PAMED listed some of the implication to include, the violation of the right of freedom of expression as constitutionally guaranteed for Nigerians and as protected by important international instruments and charters especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to mention a few.

"The undermining of the right of the public to know about the activities of the government including the security agencies which in a democracy are subordinate to civil authorities; The non-guarantee of the safety of media professionals, especially online journalists and those covering the activities of the military;

"The incapacitation of the media to carry out the obligation to monitor governance and hold the government accountable to the people as stipulated in section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended; The infringement  of the right of opposition political parties to take the ruling parties at the Federal, State and Local levels to task on their policies, programs and performance,"

In addition, the group said, "the breach of  the right of the electorate to hold elected politicians accountable for their campaign or electoral promises; and the encroachment of the right of the civil society, unions, pro-democracy activists, etc to express dissent over government policies they may consider injurious to their collective and/or individual interests."

Further, PAMED demanded that in view of the serious implications of the Army’s declaration, the group hereby called  on the army authorities to immediately withdraw the threat to monitor the social media for alleged anti-government, anti-security and anti-military information as it is antithetical to democratic principles and values.

The Partnership also called on the army authorities to promptly dismantle any media centres it might have established for this unwelcome purpose.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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HRW tasks John Kerry on African rights, meaningful military reforms in Nigeria

ITRealms:

The Washington-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has tasked the United States Secretary of State John Kerry to underscore his visit to the continent of Africa and the Saudi Arabi by prioritizing human rights and civilian protection, in addition to advocating military reform in Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

The visit, ITRealms gathered would see Mr. Kerry touch base in Nigeria and Kenya as well as Saudi Arabia between August 22 and 25, 2016.

HRW in a letter to the secretary of state, endorsed by its Washington director, Sarah Margon, noted that as Secretary Kerry meet with senior government officials in Kenya on August 22, 2016, and in Nigeria on August 23-24, he is expected to be in Saudi Arabia to discuss the armed conflict in Yemen on August 24-25.

“Secretary Kerry should press Kenya and Nigeria to ensure that security forces protect instead of prey on marginalized communities, including refugees,” she said, stressing that Kerry needs to tell the Saudis that unless unlawful coalition airstrikes in Yemen stop, US weapons sales will.

HRW pointed out that in Kenya, Kerry should urge investigations into security force abuses including enforced disappearances and torture, as well as urge Kenya not to close Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee camp, or forcibly repatriate Somali refugees to their embattled country.

In Nigeria, HRW urge Kerry to press for meaningful reforms in the Nigerian military, just as the group solicited he uses his visit to address widespread atrocities in South Sudan and urge leaders of countries in the region to impose targeted financial sanctions on individuals responsible for grave human rights abuses and to build international support for an arms embargo.

On Somalia, HRW also called on Kerry to push for strengthening accountability mechanisms within AMISOM, the international peacekeeping mission, with all troop-contributing countries.

In Saudi Arabia, Kerry should raise concerns about serious and repeated violations of the laws of war by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen that have killed many civilians. He should make clear that the Saudi government needs to end unlawful airstrikes or risk losing US sales of munitions and arms. He should also press the government to allow independent investigations into alleged war crimes by all parties to the conflict.

“The Obama administration will have few remaining opportunities to express its human rights concerns directly to leaders in the region. It shouldn’t waste this one,” Margon said.

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Dismantle all check points, Buhari directs CDS, IG

ITRealms:

Nigeria Chief of Defense staff, Alex Badeh and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, in a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Defense at the state house, has both received orders by President Muhammadu Buhari to dismantle all military check points nationwide, ITRealms reports.

In a report released by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) permanent secretary, Ministry of Defence, Malam Ismail, confirmed the statement at a press briefing.

“The President has instructed the Chief of Defense Staff to get the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to remove all the military men along the roads across the country,” he said.

Speaking further on arrangements made so far in the implementation of decisions reached during the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ismail said, “Nigerian armed forces are very ready, we have briefed him but one most interesting thing about it is that we are going out much happier because he has shown us he is still a soldier.”

On the relocation of the military command centre in Nigeria to Borno, he noted that the issue was extensively discussed, stressing that the centre would soon be fully operational.

The Permanent Secretary also expressed optimism on the issue of Boko Haram boldly declaring that based on the hopes given them by the President, he feels happy going to fight the war as he sees peace and security in the very near future

Daniel Nsolibe/GEE

 

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