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General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

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General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

By: James Bwala

It was difficult to convince some active-duty and retired military personnel to talk to them about the former Army Chief Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Meeting some of these serving officers in the barracks was like daring to enter the lion’s den to steal part of his prey. But even on dangerous terrain, I have done so several times in my job as a journalist. Soldiers are just ordinary folks like us. The difference is the brutal training they underwent to transform from civilians to war machines with the aim of defending a nation’s integrity.

Unless one hits on their beast of prey, these brothers in green uniforms and welding with weapons while standing in their boots in their solidly guts are frequently soft and gentle. Since I have been an investigative journalist with a focus on security reporting for many years, I am aware of the circumstances in which troops would wish to be featured in a story while discussing a sensitive issue. As a result, I gave them the normal assurances of anonymity in the spirit of journalism. And I stick by my commitment to these hapless soldiers who are confined within the barracks’ four walls.

Although they spoke well of the former Army chief, the fear of being witch-hunted by those who may not like their positions on General Buratai should be respected. As such, I have given my words not to mention them in my stories but their mouths have spoken many truths that makes the former COAS the envy of some comrades who lost the spirit of comradeship, which should continue for a lifetime as members of the war spirits.

General Buratai (rtd)

One of the men who spoke with me described former Army Chief Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as a cherub with eyes over all his wings and therefore, nothing would catch him off guard. ” He is gentle yet strong. I am not surprised that some of his colleagues are envious of his rising political status after retirement. I know some of these stories from your questions but you did not hear anything from me.” One of the Officers said.” You know what they always said, just act like you don’t know, “he added.

I think there should be a curriculum for retired generals and soldiers who are delving into politics after retirement. The unethical approaches and loss of comradeship is tiring the long-known military sayings from the regimented wombs. It was said that, when you have an enemy, he tags along with other enemies to discuss you. But in the end, they are all enemies of one another. As such, whatever they discussed about you in the closet, everything is made open by one of them in the final analysis.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/unhcr-ukraine-other-conflicts-have-forcibly-push-displaced-persons-worldwide-over-100-million-mark/

The Legendary Buratai

One of them may have revealed the gathering of a few retired generals at the home of one of those hosting them to talk politics and how to keep the former army chief general Tukur Yusuf Buratai away from the Tinubu camp at the table where dirt was hatched on how to control the Tinubu administration in the coming days. Some of the former generals present at the conference, as well as the opponents, are entering politics on the wrong footings. I purposely chose not to reveal their names in this article, but we do have lists of them.

“They just got together and decided to do all in their power to keep former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai far away from the Tinubu administration.  They also had big plans for a smear campaign against him. We must pay close attention to these politics and the flood of retired military personnel. I would like a scenario in which retired military commanders or any other uniformed individuals should be sent back to school to refresh their knowledge of civilian life before re-entering society. Concern is warranted given certain former officers’ actions and what is now going on in our nation with politicians and uniformed personnel.” An impeccable source revealed

Last Tuesday, we revealed efforts to discredit the former chief of the army, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, due to internal political conflicts and anticipations for the appointments the Tinubu government is expected to make in the coming days. Truth be told, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, as reserved as he was, was a crucial component of the security architecture and made a lasting impression on the Nigerian military, making him a legendary figure. It makes sense why he has been the target of those who believe they can erase his accomplishments by tearing him down.

Gen. Buratai

“If the barracks could talk, they would be able to tell you numerous tales about General Buratai that set him apart from other army chiefs who came before him, especially this one who is inviting guests to his home to talk about Buratai. Buratai is still the only military Chief, who receives the same positive feedback from many comrades as the former military president (IBB) does within the military enclaves, if for no other reason. Therefore, it follows that General Buratai won the soldiers’ respect not because he has been the COAS the longest, but rather because he is familiar with their way of thinking.” One of the troops explained.

Indeed, when a general treated his troops as his own children, as they said, they would accompany him into any valley to vanquish his foes. Because of this, nothing concerning the former Army Chief that occurred within or outside the barracks would escape his notice within a 24-hour period. I believe that his soldiers are still showing him thanks by doing this.

General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character

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NSE: Capital Market Investment for Dividend and Capital Appreciation 

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NSE: Capital Market Investment for Dividend and Capital Appreciation 

By: Balami Lazarus 

The piece is written with an understanding of the capital market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Group Exchange (NGX).  I am a part owner of some listed companies, a bona fide shareholder, and a member of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN). Therefore, I believe that this will open the eyes of someone out there to this profitable and protected business investment through the laws, rules, and regulations under the watch of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria. 

Recently, my friend and I were listening to the Network News on NTA at 9 a.m. when business news came up on the capital market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. My friend was not following the simple breakdown of the transactions known as deals, which quickly informed me he was a novice in the activities of the capital market, its transactions, and the lush investment opportunities that abound therein. 

However, students of business and financial management are aware of shares, common stocks, bonds, and other securities instruments available on the floor of the capital market for investors to take positions in the shares of the companies listed for daily trading at the stock exchange market. To my knowledge, some people are ignorant of the investment windows in the stock market and how they are done and carried out, where your money, time, and patience work in your favor depending on how you position yourself in the market as either a long-term, mid-term, or short-term investor. 

There are differences between capital markets and financial institutions. Financial institutions are the banks, while capital markets are the stock exchange floors where sellers and buyers transactions are expressly carried out on their behalf by brokers through securities firms, provided that they are mandated to do so by their clients, who are the investors. 

Common stocks have been the backbone of the capital market. Owership of common shares by individuals, directly or indirectly, has built individual wealth, which has helped in the expansion of the Nigerian Business Environment (NBE)..     

Therefore, investment in the capital market is safe and secure because investors are highly protected by the laws of the land. Interestingly, as a shareholder, you are a part owner of the company. “When you invest in common stock of a company, you become a part owner of the company.” This makes you a direct owner of a portion, with the privileges thereof provided by law.

Balami, a Publisher/Columnist: 08036779290

NSE: Capital Market Investment for Dividend and Capital Appreciation 

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Presidency: Why Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s partnership will continue beyond 2027

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Presidency: Why Tinubu and Kashim Shettima's partnership will continue beyond 2027

Presidency: Why Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s partnership will continue beyond 2027

Dr. James BWALA

Some politicians and their calculations of events, incidents, and expectations leading to the 2027 presidential elections have so far exposed their wicked agenda against the Tinubu-Shettima partnership and the recreation of good governance in Nigeria. History has recorded beautiful scenarios that this administration has brought to play in changing the old narratives of governance in Nigeria. And we have seen these numerous plays, from the dollar narratives to market trading and the ideas of price control. Tinubu and Shettima’s table of governance has been full of ideas, and the partnerships have been supportive of mutual respect. But evil hunters in the political domain would always prefer the idea of scattering the table to put leaders afar just to gain their mutually conceived and derailing ideas into play.

It is laughable to compare reasons for Tinubu’s needs as Governor of Lagos State when he replaced Kofoworola Bucknor as Deputy Governor with Femi Pedro in 2002, who served with him until 2007. That was Lagos, and this is Nigeria, for which the ground and outlook are miles apart and the North is not against itself. For sometimes, some politicians in the game of Troy have fashioned for themselves a belief on the contrary to Mr. President’s thinking towards achieving many goals he had been working alongside his vice president to achieve and make history not only for Nigeria but also for themselves.

Never in the history of Nigeria have the two first families been seen coming together from the days of struggling to power to governance, as demonstrated by the Tinubu and the Shettima families. Long before now, the two leaders had built a relationship of trust and respect that fortified their wine of understanding despite forces from within and outside the party they are leading today. The calls from such separatists did not start today, and nothing they do can amount to this administration losing focus on giving over two hundred million Nigerians the desired dividends of democracy, and neither Tinubu nor Kashim Shettima are losing focus on their promises to Nigeria.

The idea they are circulating on social media for 2027 and the possibility of the vice president being replaced by Kwankwaso from the Northwest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a fabrication of their own imagination. Who are those powerful people around Tinubu who got his mind on what they were trying to sell on social media? And what also do they know about the discussions Tinubu and Kashim Shettima are having when they meet behind closed doors to share their views on governance? 

The NNPP presidential aspirant, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has made it crystal clear during his campaign that he cannot be VP to anyone given his pedigree and belief in the political circle, even at a time when he has a better opportunity to bargain with the APC. Despite the outcome of the 2023 general election and the crowd he seemed to have pulled for the NNPP, the Ganduje factor still speaks loud even as of today. And politics in Kano has many faces, which has recorded a time when great politicians have failed to deliver even the Almighty Kwankwasiya movement. As such, Kwankwaso, even though he is not speaking publicly, cannot have an effect on the Tinubu and Kashim Shettima relationship and partnership in leading Nigeria to the Promise Land.

READ ALSO:https://newsng.ng/the-plight-of-farida/

I believe these mischief makers are already putting Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s administration on trial, as they did promise to do so both in court and in public opinion. The court case that the former governor of Kano State and National Chairman of the APC is having has nothing to do with the presidency and the administration of Tinubu and Kashim Shettima except that Ganduje belongs to the APC family and holds a vintage position in the party. These criminals in political circles are trying to pin the case on the party or the presidency to the effect that they are claiming that the move to dethrone Ganduje was equally a move to replace Kashim Shettima as VP in 2027.

The 2027 presidential election will come and go like any other election before it, and we shall be witnesses to the fact of history that the Tinubu and Kashim Shettima administration have recorded, which shall speak for them in the deciding factor. No one, either in person or group, can change the destiny of Tinubu’s golden boy.

** James BWALA, PhD writes from Abuja

Presidency: Why Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s partnership will continue beyond 2027

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Borno: Why would an NGO sponsor a fire outbreak in IDP camps?

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Borno: Why would an NGO sponsor a fire outbreak in IDP camps?

By: Dr. James BWALA

Although the commissioner for information in Borno State refused to mention in his statement those NGOs trying to malign the Zulum administration’s efforts towards the internally displaced people, IDP, a video in circulation with the confession of one of the arrested suspects alleges that an international INGO with the name ALIMA and others are behind the numerous fire outbreaks being experienced at various IDP camps across the state lately. 

It could be recalled that on one of his outings, to support the IDPs in Borno, the governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, received hurtful news of such experiences that made him lose it. But I ask again: why would an NGO sponsor a fire outbreak in IDP camps? A statement reads:

PUBLIC NOTICE ON SUSPECTED CASES OF FIRE INCIDENCES IN IDP CAMPS IN BORNO STATE 

The Borno State Government has received situation reports (SITREPs) from reliable sources regarding suspected cases of fire outbreaks in some IDP camps within the state. This recent rise in the frequency of infernos in IDP camps has been a matter of concern, and all hands are on deck to forestall any further occurrence of fire outbreaks in the state. The government has been investigating the occurrence of the infernos on a case-by-case basis, with a view to establishing the remote and extant causes and developing a strategy to stem future occurrences.

On March 29, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Internal Security received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some NGOs (names withheld) to set IDP camps on fire. This matter is under investigation, and further necessary action shall only be taken on the basis of the outcome of the investigation. Those arrested are in detention undergoing intensive interrogation, while the NGOs who were pinpointed in the alleged violent practice have been summoned for preliminary interrogation.

The government assures members of the public that this matter will receive appropriate and expedited attention, and any culprit will be dealt with according to the law. 

Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to be calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. Any breach of security should be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency or traditional rulers for transmission to the relevant authority.

*Announcer*

Prof. Usman Tar,

Honourable Commissioner, 

Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Borno State

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/police-witness-tells-iip-sars-how-peter-ekwealor-slumped-after-allegedly-confessing-to-killing-asp-akoh-ude/

I have worked in a camp while working with some INGOs in Maiduguri, sometimes before returning to the field as a journalist. I can say without mincing words that some INGOs can do everything possible to keep their jobs. However, I am pained by such a move at the detriment of the efforts and support of the people of Borno State and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. If there are such NGOs, they must be exposed! 

The government of Borno State and its resilient people have suffered enough in the last 13 years of insurgency. It is not a palatable experience for the governor to be moving from one point to another, trying to see that his people are met with the needed support and shelter after having fled their homes in the wake of the death harvest by agents of darkness. Governor Zulum has become a touring governor on mines fields with sweat-sucked clothes, trying to reach out to the needy across the landmines field. As such, he does not deserve this sabotaging move by the organization, which should also come to help as well.

The suspect, who made mention of the names of INGOs sponsoring the outbreak of fire in IDP, should be thoroughly investigated because some are also alleging that he could have actually been under duress to mention the names of some organization as a result of the beating he received. If at all that was the case, these partners alledgedly in crime can be acquitted; otherwise, they actually should not have a place to operate in the state or anywhere else on Nigeria’s soil because the need for them is to help our people and not to add salt to injury in a place where deaths mounted.

James BWALA, PhD, writes from Abuja.

Borno: Why would an NGO sponsor a fire outbreak in IDP camps?

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