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Nigeria’s Major Problem is Docile Citizenry- Pat Utomi
Nigeria’s Major Problem is Docile Citizenry- Pat Utomi
By: Michael Mike
Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has lamented that the major problem of the country is the docility of its citizens, insisting that many Nigerians are just at home with anything ditched at them.
He called on Nigerians to be dynamic and work on new approaches to hold government accountable, especially on their safety and general wellbeing.
Utomi made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a National conversation on building a new value system in Nigeria, with the theme, ‘A Public Sphere Conscious Movement –A Necessary Starting Point for the Journey to Redemption’.
He decried that the main problem with Nigeria is that the people are docile and not demanding accountability from the leaders and rather chose to accept a ‘ko mean’ ,that is just take it like that and manage.
He noted that: “But this is not working. We are creating poverty every day and I think this is a moral burden. Look at what the Zambian President is doing. So we need to re-think what we want and hold the leaders accountable. The day that person shows up in that fancy car, walk away from him and thrown eggs at him.
“We allow them to get away with what they are doing to us, so we need to have a new approach to holding them accountable.”
He also said that the pride and dignity of human beings have been eroded in Nigeria and people engage in ‘verbal terrorism’ in the name of politics.
Utomi said: “From basic changes, we can get to more important national issues for national development. Raising a new tribe of patriots in Nigeria is important for all, thus the need for state of the nation and the urgent need for renewed strategic conversation by a critical mass of patriots.”
He lamented that the present administration is towing the lines of his predecessor and even doing more damages, as can be seen in the appointments of partisan person as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), which shows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not intend to make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) work for democratic development of Nigeria.
Also speaking at the talk-shop, Dr. Sarah Jubril, a former Special Adviser on Ethics and Values to former President Goodluck Jonathan, urged Nigerians not to lose hope of a better Nigeria which pay premium on the wellbeing of citizenry.
On her part, Hajiya Nana Sani Kazaure, a spokesperson of Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, said that it is in the interest of the country for citizens to be positive about Nigeria’s chances to overcome its challenges and doors for prosperity.
Nigeria’s Major Problem is Docile Citizenry- Pat Utomi
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained 34 Community Protection Rights Advocates to protect and promote human rights in Gombe state.
Dr Joseph Wanshe, the State Coordinator of the Commission, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.
Wanshe said that the training was imperative toward achieving the mandate of the commission in the state.
According to him, the trained advocates, who are mostly in rural areas, will penetrate distant and rural communities where human rights violations are rampant.
He said that the training has started yielding the expected results as there have been increased number of reported cases of human rights violations from rural communities across the state.
He said that the advocates have been deployed to the 11 local government areas of the state.
“We are witnessing an upsurge in human rights reporting coming to the office.
“ The numbers are increasing as regards civil and political rights followed by cases of women and children, domestic violence, economic, social and cultural rights.
“ There are many factors involved in the upsurge as the NHRC within the last one month has stepped up sensitisations and stakeholders’ engagements.
“ We have trained Community Protection Rights advocates, who have been working and as a result, awareness has increased and number of complaints received have spiked,” he said.
Wanshe said that the trained advocates have been affiliated to NHRC at the local government levels toward ensuring wider coverage of the state in terms of human rights protection.
He assured residents on the commission’s effort at ensuring that it achieved effectively its mandate of protection and promotion of human rights.
Wanshe commended the people of Gombe State for their improved confidence in NHRC which has resulted in improved reportage of human rights violations
He further urged communities to support the advocates in their domains in the overall interest of human rights protection.
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 11 suspected criminals conveying materials believed to be for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
By: Zagazola Makama
Security sources said the suspects, comprising 10 males and one female, were arrested at about 12:59 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 176 Guards Battalion deployed at Kuchiyako.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in a vehicle along the Kuchiyako–Tipper Garage road, allegedly loaded with IED-making materials.
According to preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed they were en route to mining sites around Kabbin Mangoro in Kuje Area Council to collect mineral resources.
Items recovered from them include explosive charges and three-and-a-half bags of unidentified mineral substances, among other sundry materials.
The suspects are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain their intent and possible links to criminal or terrorist activities.
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Brigade have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Godel community of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:08 p.m. on April 27 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda responded to credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The sources disclosed that troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
According to the sources, the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area following the encounter.
However, during the attack, the assailants reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle belonging to residents of the community.
Three civilians were also said to have sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for medical attention.
The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attacks and recover the rustled livestock.
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Kaduna, rescue two victims
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