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My binoculars: Nigeria’s lingering security Challenges 65 years after, DAPOWA and General Musa’s non Kinetic approach to ending the brutal wars

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5 months ago

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My binoculars: Nigeria’s lingering security Challenges 65 years after, DAPOWA and General Musa’s non Kinetic approach to ending the brutal wars

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Watchers of war campaigns in the different theatres in the country can easily tell you that if there is any active celebrated warrior against insurgents in Nigeria today, it is General Chris Musa, Nigeria’s Defense Chief. As a matter of fact, if Army headquarters had allowed this General to stay a year longer in the Hadin Kai theatre as Commander (TC), the war in the North East of the country would have ended using the kinetic. This is because, just before his transfer to the respected infantry corp, he had concluded plans to go after the insurgents in the belly of the Tumbus Islands which had always been the most difficult terrain in the lake Chad for previous TCs who had dared to walk the north east of Nigeria.

The Hadin kai war theatre has seen quite a number of Major Generals since the command and control centre of the entire military was moved from Abuja to Maiduguri. Army Generals like Chris Musa came around during a terrible period of the history of the war. Manpower was at its lowest ebb while other theatres in the country needed more boots on the ground too. Equipment was not enough to effectively stand up to the back and forth being encountered in the front lines of the Hadin kai theatre. The list goes on and on and 16 October ones have passed by with the military cemetery on baga road keeps expanding yet no end in sight.
We the war correspondents had a litany of woes to narrate each time our troops were hurt and some buried like it happened in Metele. Others were merely missing in action like it happened during the Vietnamese war. Now that we have a palace full of generals, it is no longer a case of using the theatres as practicals for the boys. Most of the generals who saw wars in Freetown, Port Loko, Bo, Moyamba, Monrovia up to the failed Sudan are struggling to pin their troops down.

Stabilizing the uncertainties in the Palace

General Farouk Yahaya had just started to understand the terrain and tactical inadequacies in terms of logistics and men in the Hadin Kai theatre. The then serving Army Chief Attahiru suddenly dies in a plane crash. There was deep uncertainty in the Palace because so many Generals saw themselves as qualified to take over his position. But General Farouk had to proceed when it was clear that he must move from the front line to head the Army as the new Chief following the demise of Chief Attahiru in the plane crash. Thus creating the vacancy for General Chris Musa who had become the new TC. General Musa was fortunate, he came to replace General Farouk Yahaya who had to leave the theatre suddenly to become the nation’s Army Chief. For us watchers, we knew that this sudden twist with fortune was when oga Farouk had a complete overview of the realities on ground and how to counter same. Happily, that was why some of us felt very safe with the disposition and management style of the new TC then General Chris Musa.

Of course, he was getting better equipment from his predecessor General Farouk who knew where the shoe pinches, having had a very close shave with war confrontation on the frontline with the insurgents. All the Generals who had worked in the command and control centre here in Maiduguri as TC’s had their strengths and weaknesses. Watchers could easily sense these idiosyncratic tendencies by the way they respond to embarrassing situations like the mistakes of their field commanders who lost equipment and men. Or the way some carried the media as vital partners in the war against terror.
Between the sudden deaths of Chiefs Attahiru and Labaja there was an interregnum of Commanders displaying their strength and weaknesses by the way they handled the Kinetic and non kinetic.But the Chiefs appointed to the Palace never lost focus which is ending the war till this day that General Abdulsalam Abubakar another celebrated warrior is the TC.

Painfully, for over fifteen years of fighting however, the military had struggled to end the existence of boko haram insurgents in the north east theatre but like an infectious epidemic, the irritants have refused to give up. The more they are taken out or degraded, the more they find a way to recreate themselves. This back and fourth made nonsense of the efforts of some of these fine officers who have served the country here. Most of the TC’s mixed the kinetic and non kinetic while some maintained their grip specifically with the kinetic because their political masters obviously will not negotiate with terrorists. But how long shall we go on fighting a non conventional war like this? Does the political leadership of this country have a plan B to avoid this mounting loss of resources?

Improving on the infusion of the non kinetic as a matter of policy in Counter Terrorism

For the last decade I have watched this war in the theatre, one can easily pick out those TC’s who had grip of the kinetic and non kinetic. General Musa was a strong kinetic advocate whose vision was to end the war in record time. Army policy on how long they stay in the front line deprived us of his on the spot expertise to march troops into the Tumbus.

He however started developing non kinetic blue prints by involving the media in all his doings before leaving. He had a generation of religious people he used to reach out to till this day for them to assist in stopping their wards from being radicalized by the insurgents. He was responsive to the little things that touched on the life of troops.

But for how long will this policy of the kinetic from the military continue in the face of lingering resistance from the insurgents in this asymmetric warfare? Is it possible to win this war with only the kinetic focus which the former and present Commander in Chief are obviously insisting on? Is it not getting to the time to return to the table which has refused to turn in spite of the billions of naira that has been sunk into logistics and the procurement of superior platforms? For watchers of events in the entire theatre, it is actually not as if there has not been a deliberate policy for the non kinetic. It’s just that the burden of application was left on the shoulders of each Theatre Commander as an albatross which they needed to carry as they managed this strange war.

This is obviously why the present Defense Chief General Musa, is now leading from the front on a serious campaign aimed at stepping up the non Kinetic objective to end the war. He recently launched a book titled: ‘Taking A Stand Against Insurgency, Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria, Admonition to Nigerian Youths’ which was authored by him for the young people within the nation’s war theatres. Even though such a book would be read mostly by students who can read and write, it will surely go a long way in helping out so that such age brackets who are mostly generation Zees would not have to be lured into being radicalized like the corp member who was seized by the insurgents only for him to get to the edge of his freedom which he ultimately rejected and returned to the insurgents whom he called his brothers when doors of freedom was opened for him. Nobody knows if he is still alive out there today.

Why the government should support the building of a fence on our borderline to end insurgency

Recently again, Defence Chief General Musa called for the country’s borders with its four neighbors to be completely fenced to curb the entrance of armed groups amid escalating insecurity.
He made this call in the light of the fact that the military has been over stretched by massive security issues which has sent hundreds of people to the great beyond. General Musa maintained that “border management is very critical,” citing countries like Pakistan with 1,350 km fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia having a 1,400 km barrier with Iraq as successful precedents. This to the General is the first time a top Nigerian official has publicly suggested such a measure to safeguard its sovereignty with other countries, because of the level of insecurity.

Nigeria he pointed borders Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad, which are all grappling with escalating insurgent campaigns across the Sahel. Nigeria’s longest border (1,975 km) is with Cameroon. It also shares 1,500 km with Niger and 85 km with Chad. There is no reason why such a fence should not be built. As a matter of fact, it would create massive employment for hundreds of young people who otherwise would have taken up arms against their own people. This fence General Musa is advocating for can be built purely from the social responsibility of the numerous billionaires the nation has paraded since independence. When this is built, we would have less casualties in the front lines and less women will become widows nation wide.

DEPOWA’s plans for a College or Academy in Abuja for orphans of service personnel.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of the ongoing non kinetic campaign led by the defense chief, his wife Lilian Musa has said that the Association plans a big academy to take care of children of fallen heroes. She made the pronouncement when she came to Maiduguri recently to flag off a thank you campaign for troops who have been sacrificing their lives for the country. Lilian said that the master piece edifice will be completed in phases because of the largeness adding that phase one will be completed in September 2027. Just two years from now. “Every qualified child of a fallen hero will receive automatic scholarship in the school. 100% of kids of fallen heroes will receive scholarship to attend schools nationwide. This from my binoculars is a noble way to reach out to troops who always feel unhappy with the dynamics surrounding their welfare.

Showing gratitude to troops

Lilian appealed to the people to actually see the pains of troops who daily sacrifice their lives nationwide. He expressed satisfaction for the campaign which has just been flagged off in this particular theatre. To this lady who has seen it all in the barracks, the nation must continue to show gratitude to troops for the endless sacrifice and risks they keep taking to keep the people safe.
” Let’s make thank you to troops a household slogan nationwide. As a wife of a soldier, i understands the pains of the troops especially what they have been doing which is why we are around to say thank you in our own way. This thank you tour is actually going to be a movement aimed at bridging the gap between the civil and military sector so that there would synergy.

“I believe also that the media is a critical partner which is why we are having this parley and which is why I want to call upon you to be deeply involved in sharing our campaign stories and visuals to the populace.”

Madam Lilian Commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his support for the troops in the theatre. She said that she was on a nationwide thank you tour and is actually flagging it off from Hadin Kai because of the importance of the theatre to the stability of the country. While weeping openly to sympathize with families who have lost loved ones, Lilian noted that she will God’s willing extend the “thank you” campaign to all active theatres where troops have been fighting to rid the nation of criminals.

My binoculars: Nigeria’s lingering security Challenges 65 years after, DAPOWA and General Musa’s non Kinetic approach to ending the brutal wars

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IBUAM: Redefining the Nigerian Aerospace and Systems Through Aeronautics Disciplines

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1 week ago

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February 17, 2026

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IBUAM: Redefining the Nigerian Aerospace and Systems Through Aeronautics Disciplines

By: Balami Lazarus

The Wright brothers invented and flew the first airplane in 1903. They never knew that they had set the growth, development, and progress of the aviation industry with their invention.

Following the establishment of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Nigerians are optimistic that it will redefine with sophistication the aerospace systems, giving a new definition of the aviation through her academic courses by the quality of graduates that shall come on board sooner or later with made-in-Nigeria aircraft, their parts, and other related inventions.

I remembered one of my bright students whom I taught some years past, who has clamped and insulated her mind and interest to studying aeronautics engineering; my encouragements for her were endless.

And here we are, with a university that will give every candidate equal opportunities in his or her course of study, where future global stars are going to be trained to rule the aviation industry and her economy—national and international—through IBUAM academic disciplines.

The emergence of specialized universities in Nigeria was a big reality in the realm of our educational systems. These universities are no doubt making progress towards improving specialization by their trained professionals in various fields of studies for economic growth and industrialization, like what IBUAM is intended to do through one of her courses rarely taught in some Nigerian universities.

IBUAM is here to cater to the near-starved aviation needs of human capital and material resources through aeronautics engineering systems/management.

All courses at IBUAM are important for our nation’s development and in the aviation sector. Interestingly, IBUAM has state-of-the-art facilities to enhance teaching and learning—hangers, special workshops, tools, materials, and equipment. Her classrooms/lecture halls are also equipped with modern/standard facilities meant for effective and qualitative academic teaching and practical lessons for excellent performance of her students in their various courses. Therefore, IBUAM is doing the right thing in our education space and time.

Before I started this work, I was focused, mind made up on one fundamental course offered at IBUAM, and by all standards, that will automatically change the foundation and structure of the aerospace, which will provide Nigeria with aircraft and parts through the Aerospace Engineering course (B. Aerospace Engineering). This academic discipline is where students are expected to be trained in the science and skills of aerospace engineering “meant for designing, building, aircraft maintenance, and spacecraft systems.”

Therefore, this course of study and its related associates (metaphorically) will redefine the aviation aerospace and its science of engineering arts/skills, provided IBAUM academic teaching and learning are capped with practicals.

Engr. Isaac David Balami

whose passion for education and aeronautics is rooted in IBUAM, said that courses of study are all in the womb of JAMB requirements for candidates seeking admission in IBUAM: “For better and further understanding of our admission requirements and equal opportunities, I refer intended candidates to go through the JAMB prospectus.”

With no iota of doubt in my mind, this university will put Nigeria on the international aviation map of progress and value.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist. 08036779290

IBUAM: Redefining the Nigerian Aerospace and Systems Through Aeronautics Disciplines

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Fela, Seun Kuti, Wizkid and the Erratic Beliefs of The Generation Zees in Nigeria

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1 week ago

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February 16, 2026

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My Binoculars:

Fela, Seun Kuti, Wizkid and the Erratic Beliefs of The Generation Zees in Nigeria

By: Bodunrin Kayode

One of the most unintelligent discussions I have heard in recent times is the comparison of a human institution like Fela Kuti to any ordinary individual. It sounds so dumb, awkward and misplaced that sometimes one wonders why so called “right thinking people” wander into such useless discussions like the impulsive Z generation known popularly as genzees. Most generation Zee fellows are adventurous and misuse communication using the latest Ai technology which makes them to assume they are smarter than even the millennials, born before 2000 who are much more closer to them than the generation X which reigned long after legends like Fela Kuti was born.

This is because they can make enormous amounts of money through music or any crafts with the help of the AI technology. Those who find themselves in the culture, art and music are the worse because they become millionaires by just talking or singing any rubbish like they do in the contemporary music at times and it is called “content” fit for consumption. Some even use very foul languages not fit for the airspace yet unfit presenters and uneducated DJ’s call them influencers following after the way of the west where all manner of crude and uncouth behavioral pattern becomes the norm. There is no reason for the comparison of Fela a “baby boomer” to a restless kid like Wizkid. It is an abomination and should never happen under the sun. It’s a sin for anyone to make such comparison because Fela is the founder of the genre of the music most of the genzee musicians are singing today. How does an angel or a mere mortal compare himself to their Creator? Such thoughts should not be allowed to take place at all. It’s disgusting.

Wizkid’s obscene challenge of Fela’s position as the founder of afro beat as it is known today

Imagine a badly influenced genzee element who calls himself Wizkid wakes up and suddenly realizes that he is actually an adult fit to contest superiority with an institution like Baba Fela Kuti. As far as some of us who witnessed the great “anikulapo” Kuti first hand in his shrine can remember, Wizkid was not born when Fela challenged ruthless military authorities to account for their wicked deeds against the people. Consequently, it is really needless for even Seun Kuti to be in a hurry to defend the larger than life pedigree of his father. That too will be heavy for Seun to stand up, carry on his head and defend. He should have allowed all those who were mentees of Fela to get up and take up verbal arms against attention seeking detractors led by this Wiz Pekin way nor know say the thing way elders de see at the foot of a palm tree e nor go see am at all even if he climbs up to the top of the tree. It is often said in Yoruba language that ” Atari ajanaku kii se ewu omode” meaning that the head of an elephant is not the kind of load a child can carry.” And this is for Wizkid who has refused to grow up. Fela’s daughter aunty Yeni and Femi Kuti have placed it succinctly in recent responses to the altercation between Seun and WizKid. And the summary of what they said is that it was pointless fighting for someone who became an institution long before his demise. And long before Wizkid was born or started imitating the nuances of Baba Fela in the name of Afro beat. Fela was idolized by millions of mentees all over the world and we don’t need to ask the family to produce evidence of this. That history was removed from the curriculum of genzees making it difficult for them to understand the past is not their fault. It is a calculated plot of the oligarchs who have an agenda and would not want even millennials to remember who was Funmilayo Ransome Kuti the mother of Fela and what role she played in raw activism against the jack boots of colonialists in Nigeria.

Abani Eda, the deity who walked around with death in his pocket

Fela regarded himself as the ” abani Eda” the strange one who changed his name from Ransome Kuti to Anikulapo Kuti meaning he walked around with death in his pocket. That itself was a dangerous threat to the military who hunted him day and night looking for faults to kill him. He never gave them the opportunity to humiliate or intimidate him even after killing his mother Fumilayo Ransom Kuti whom they thought was his spiritual backbone. Rather, it made Fela more daring and horned the activist in him further. Incarceration equally never broke him because that is always the bottom line of any dictatorial government involved in repressive tendencies.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, Fela Kuti was not just an individual that can be messed around with but a deity of some sorts who fought the deadliest battles in his life against injustice. A man that built the foundation for a genre of music which is now called “afro beat” today and one badly brought up genzee brat just wakes up to name drop and equate himself to Fela the oracle of afro beat in the whole world..it’s so insulting and unintelligent of him to even conceive this kind of talk about “I big pass your papa” “or i get money pass your papa” while thrashing a beef with Seun Kuti. It was arrant nonsense that should never be allowed to be prolonged afterwards Fela reached out to the entire world with his popular pidgin English lyrics which dominated even interviews with international news media houses. Of a truth, this talk about who is greater should not even arise because it is uncalled for, insulting and a dangerous mark of disrespect against the iconic statue of Fela Kuti.

For young people like Wizkid who do not know who Fela is, they should go take a look into his background because none of them were born when Fela dared to speak to power including military governments which was in vogue in Nigeria before 2000 when the generation zees started coming into this world.
My advice to the Kuti Family is to ignore the young man because we all know about his dangerous genzee influencing roles and exigencies way beyond what Fela would have tolerated in his Ikeja Shrine.

Fela, Seun Kuti, Wizkid and the Erratic Beliefs of The Generation Zees in Nigeria

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Anatomy of Electronic Platforms: The Honey Badger Attitudes/Character

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2 weeks ago

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February 14, 2026

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Anatomy of Electronic Platforms: The Honey Badger Attitudes/Character

By: Balami Lazarus

As a young boy I have heard of this small-sized animal, the honey badger, called “Dagi” in the Hausa language, that belongs to the Mustelidae family of otters, weasels, ferrets, and a few others of its kind. It has a white, single stripe pattern on its back. Honey badgers are rated the most fearless animal on earth today, its size notwithstanding. It has no respect for territorial boundaries or the privacy of other animals in the wild.

Honey badgers move and hunt freely at any point in time. They are known for their large appetite; anything goes for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Honey juice and snacks are their favorites. Honey badgers fight other animals without hesitation, undermining the consequences. This is the behavior and activities of some individuals on their platforms.

The pictures painted in words are typical of the anatomy of some electronic platforms in this age of digital systems, where many more honey badgers have emerged.

I am a member of some platforms and am writing this piece from experience. As a groping participant of my platform who always tried to make meaningful contributions with glitches of qualitative and educative postings in an attempt to facilitate the free flow of information among members of my group.

Social platforms have made it easier for the free flow of ideas and information accessible to every member of the group, with information at his fingertips.

Platforms that are not properly organized or are not professionally inclined in accordance with their professions, trades, or vocations are always overtaken and controlled by members with the character and attitudes of honey badgers.

Electronic platforms are supposed to be a place where members are informed/receive good information or put on notice.

While bereavements, ailments, and other unfortunate postings are the traffic of some electronics platforms. More so, some are flooded with all such birthdays—humans and animals. In fact, some members are known for soliciting birthday wishes. Without apology, many are birthday beggars: “I am one today; celebrate with me.”

I pray leadership of platforms that are faced with such viruses should endeavor to make corrections to achieve their objectives.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist. 08036779290

Anatomy of Electronic Platforms: The Honey Badger Attitudes/Character

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