National News
CALLING ON THE FGN TO RETHINK THE DOWNGRADING OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY UNIVERSITY BIU
CALLING ON THE FGN TO RETHINK THE DOWNGRADING OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY UNIVERSITY BIU
“.The Nigerian Army University Biu, (NAUB) in Borno State was established as a means to explore a non-kenetic approach in the service operations against insurgency”…Lagbaja, Lt-Gen.
By: A. G. Abubakar,*
The philosophy that guided the establishment of the NAUB was aptly captured by the above statement made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Ge T. Lagbaja during the maiden graduation of about 417 students of the University in 2023. The assertion by the COAS underscores the difference between a formal military academy like the NDA and a conventional University with a military bend.
It recognises the fact that a “military” exists in a larger society that calls for a “strategic” relationship as a bulwark towards sustainable peace and stability. Thus, while the Academy produces combatants along with requisite hardware, the associate University deals with critical non-kenetic matters of “interdisciplinary academic field, centered on the study of peace and conflict strategies and often devoting special attention to the relationship between military history, international politics, geostrategy, international diplomacy, international economics and military power”, among others. That’s why in the USA all the major arms of military have both specialised academies and Universities in tow.
The famous ones being the US Military Academy at West Point and The US Army University (online), West Virginia. China has more than half a dozen of them under a “policy of leveraging the civilian sector to maximise Military power (known as ‘Military-civilian fusion’)”. India established one in Haryana in 2013. Pakistan and indeed many nations concerned with sustainable national security, operate the two systems concurrently. It’s therefore strange the the current Administration would consider diminishing this global best practice.
The strategic location of NAUB, provides government the ample opportunities to even undertake studies as regards the often prenial frosty relationship between Nigeria as an English speaking country with its three French speaking neighbours of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.
The trio share boarders with Borno State, the host state of NAUB. Cross border crimes and illicit weapons have largely fuelled the insurgency in the North East, compounded by dearth of empirical and/or actionable intelligence information from communities in the region.
An Army University could play a decisive role in such cases. The swash of land from Biu, Southern Borno to Cameroon via Garkida, Gombi and Mubi to the East and also through Askira/Uba, Chibok, Gwoza into far north Cameroon enroute Chad had no specialised security-biased tertiary institution like the NAUB. Furthermore, at the time the institution was established, it filled a geopolitical void in Borno State.
Despite the existence of many tertiary institutions in the state such as the Unimaid, the Teaching Hospital, a Polytechnic, College of Agriculture, College of Health Technology, for political reasons the state government didn’t deem it fit to site the Borno State University in the South, where citizens have been yearning for more educational opportunities.
The people’s frustration with this inequitable development was addressed by the arrival of the NAUB. The University has thus, since been seen as a balancing act. The NAUB which is now underway threat has a fundamental role to play in terms of stability in the state, the region and even internationally as a Central Africa security study center.
While calling on Government to consider the NAUB strategic context and save the institution on its own merit, the Borno State Governor Zulum, his Deputy Kadafur, Senator Ndume, Hon. Betara, Haske, Jaha, Balami should impress upon the Federal Government to let NAUB be. They should deem it Honourable to lay the bare facts once more before the government.
The nation stands to gain more in the long run more than the short term resources they want to save. There is no bad education but there could be bad decisions. Let the latter be avoided.
By A. G. Abubakar,
agbarewa@gmail.com
CALLING ON THE FGN TO RETHINK THE DOWNGRADING OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY UNIVERSITY BIU
National News
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected extremists, believed to be members of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), otherwise known as LUKURAWA have attacked a police checkpoint at Garin Natshini Gada in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State in the early hours of Jan. 3, resulting in the death of two police officers.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, reportedly on motorbikes, overran the Nigeria Police Force personnel stationed at the checkpoint, seizing two AK-47 rifles and other items.
They also rustled a significant number of cattle during the assault. A police patrol vehicle was abandoned at the scene.
Troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Argungu, in collaboration with elements from Augie, responded swiftly by conducting clearance patrols to the affected area, approximately 10 kilometers from Argungu town. Upon arrival, they discovered that the extremists had already vacated the scene.
According to local sources interviewed by the troops, the attackers retreated along identified withdrawal routes. The military has since dominated the area and initiated an exploitation operation to pursue the assailants.
The bodies of the fallen police officers have been evacuated to the morgue while efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle are ongoing as security forces intensify their operations to restore normalcy in the region.
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
National News
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
By, Jamilu Abubakar
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed has tasked Corps members on the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria.
Ahmed stated this in his 2025 New Year message to the Corps members and staff, in a statement by the acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
The statement further reminded the corps members of the pivotal role of the Scheme in the unity and development of the nation and urged all the serving Corps members to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead in 2025.
He said: “I want to use this medium to sincerely appreciate your resilience and dogged commitment to duty at your various locations, which culminated in the unprecedented successes we recorded in the year 2024.” The statement said
The statement further added that the scheme was indeed looking ahead, full of optimism that this year will record even greater achievements in our quest to extend the frontiers of development in all the critical sectors of our national economy.
It urged all to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead, in the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the Scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria, our nation.
“May I also reiterate my commitment to engage relevant stakeholders to increasingly make facilities available, and opportunities for Corps empowerment under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED).
“I also enjoin all Corps Members to actively participate and maximally utilise them for self-development,” he stated.
The DG equally used the medium to appreciate all the collaborating agencies and stakeholders for their invaluable support and assured them of increased opportunities for more engagements in the New Year.
“Management would continue to improve on our statutory responsibilities to Nigerians by ensuring that NYSC consolidates on its laudable achievements as we look forward to a rewarding and prosperous year 2025,” Ahmed said.
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
National News
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
By: Our Correspondent.
The Marama community in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in the state over the release of a murder suspect.
The petition which was written under the auspices of MARAMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, and obtained by our correspondent, stated that “on the 17th of December, 2024, a security man, (Henry Musa), attached to the Government Secondary School Marama was attacked and fatally wounded by one James Musa in public glare”.
‘The victim,’ according to the petition, was rushed to the General Hospital, Biu, while the culprit was arrested and detained at the Divissional Police Headquaters in Azare Hawul Local Government Area.”
Signed by Mdahyelya Buba Yirngau and Samuel Bwala, Secretary and Chairman of the association, a few days after the attack, community members noticed the culprit moving around freely in the town, while the victim was struggling for survival on the hospital bed,”
They called the command headquaters’ attention to the development according to them because the victim eventually died on the 26th of December, 2024, while the James Musa, the suspect has been re-arrested, but they have reservations about the action of the DPO in Hawul, on the matter, since he has released him before without charges, when he was first arrested.
The community made an appeal to the police authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of the suspect, and seeks that the suspect be charged appropriately since the act was undeniable.
While affirming that they community is conscious of the gravity of murder, and covering up this one by the Hawul DPO, for whatever reasons, is a great miscarriage of justice to the victim and the community.
When contacted, the DPO, Habila Lemak CSP, c9nfirmed the development, but claimed that he released the suspect after five days because he refused to eat and that the victim was not dead at that time.
He explained that he is making efforts to transfer the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, in Maiduguri.
Investigations by our correspondent reveal that the community has forwarded their complaints to the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, in the event that attempts are made by the police to sweep the matter under the carpet.
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
-
News10 months ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS10 months ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns10 months ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions11 months ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
National News10 months ago
Fraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama