Like a Cat with “Nine Lives”: A testament of resilience and patriotism

By Senator Iroegbu

Col. Bello Fadile’s ‘Nine Lives: The Bello Fadile Memoirs’ is not just a book; it is a gripping account of survival, resilience, and faith. The memoir takes readers through the remarkable journey of a man who defied the odds, from surviving a death sentence under General Sani Abacha’s regime to carving a legacy as Nigeria’s first military-trained lawyer with a PhD in International Law. It is a story of bravery, patriotism, and the enduring quest for justice and democracy.

Having had the privilege of knowing Col. Bello Fadile through my work in the media and security sectors, I can attest to his brilliance, wit, and humility. His life exemplifies resilience and an unyielding faith in God, inspiring hope for a better Nigeria.

A Landmark Event: The Book Launch

The public presentation of Nine Lives on November 18, 2024, at the Shehu Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, was a momentous occasion chaired by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former military head of state. Dignitaries from diverse spheres, including former military President General Ibrahim Babangida (represented by his daughter Aisha Babangida), former Senate President David Mark, and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, graced the event.

The five-chapter memoir has been lauded as a vivid account of Col. Fadile’s life, chronicling his early struggles, groundbreaking achievements, near-death experiences, and ultimate triumph. It offers insights into Nigeria’s turbulent history and sheds light on the struggles for democracy and justice.

The book offers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of the author, a native of Kogi State, whose remarkable journey is a testament to perseverance and unwavering faith in God. As a trailblazer, Fadile achieved several milestones, including becoming Nigeria’s first military-trained lawyer with a PhD in International Law. His impressive career spanned serving as the Nigerian Army’s inaugural lawyer to founding the prestigious Council for African Security Affairs. Fadile’s story is a powerful narrative of bravery and resilience, marked by his imprisonment and death sentence during General Sani Abacha’s regime. Yet, with the return of democracy in 1999, he emerged free, underscoring his unshakeable spirit.¹ This inspiring account serves as a reminder that strong faith in God can help overcome even the most daunting challenges, a notion echoed in various Christian teachings.

Key Themes and Insights

The Military as Guardian of Nigeria’s Unity and Democracy: General Abdulsalami Abubakar, delivered a powerful keynote address, highlighting the military’s vital role in stabilizing Nigeria during turbulent times. He aptly described the military as a “guardian of national unity”.

Resilience and Service as National Virtues: General Abdulsalami Abubakar described the book as a testament to the transformative power of service and faith. He called on Nigerians, particularly the youth, to emulate Col. Fadile’s unwavering commitment to democracy and nation-building. “Fadile’s story is a reminder that resilience and patriotism are vital to overcoming the challenges of nationhood,” he remarked. Also, former President General Ibrahim Babangida, represented by his daughter Aisha Babangida, lauded Col. Fadile’s courage and intellectual contributions, remarkably demonstrated during his imprisonment under General Sani Abacha’s regime.

Rebuilding National Institutions: Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), emphasized the need to rebuild Nigeria’s critical institutions—military, civil service, judiciary, and industrial sector. He linked the decay in these institutions to Nigeria’s insecurity and advocated for investment in professionalism, discipline, and governance reforms. To inspire future leaders, Adebayo announced the donation of 1,000 copies of the memoir to military schools and institutions.

A Call for a People-Centered Military: In his review, Prof. Agbo Madaki called for a military that prioritizes human rights, peace, and the rule of law. He described Nine Lives as a must-read for students of history and governance, offering critical lessons on resilience, democracy, and institutional accountability.

Youth as Pillars of Nation-Building: Speakers across the event urged Nigerian youth to draw inspiration from Col. Fadile’s life and embrace patriotism, courage, and service. Prof. Maurice Iwu noted that the future of Nigeria depends on a generation willing to tackle challenges with purpose and determination.

Notable Quotes from the Event

“At a time when our nation faces internal and external threats, it is essential to remember that the military is not an isolated institution, but a guardian of national unity.” – Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar

“Even in the face of tribulation, [Fadile] remained undaunted and consistent in the best tradition of resilience.” – Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (represented by Aisha Babangida)

“The book serves as an inspiration to those who may want to give up on their dreams because of trials. It shows how to remain strong and keep faith in God during adversity.” – Prof. Agbo Madaki

“We must encourage the rebuilding of four institutions, and four of them needed to be rebuilt immediately. We need to rebuild our military. We need to rebuild our civil service. We need to rebuild our justice system and we need to rebuild our industrial sector. In an era where modern challenges are timeless in the face, we need to build these institutions and to build them; you need to find your way to extract who will say, I dedicate my entire life to one of these four institutions, like Retired Colonel Fadile.”–Prince Adebayo

“To my fellow heroes of democracy, this is also an opportunity to relive your experiences and relieve yourselves of the burden of history should you be moved to give credence to the contents of my Memoirs or go as far as filling in any gaps that I might have wittingly or unwittingly omitted, due to effluxion of time, battle fog or blind spots. Also, on many fronts, this memoir will clarify issues for many and bring together many who had reasons to disagree. In some forums, differences of opinion may emanate from discussions around the Memoirs. Nevertheless, what is beyond dispute is that this memoir is sure to get us all talking; and from such dialogues, healing occurs, and we jointly relish the sunlight of mutual enlightenment”–Col Bello Fadile.

A Legacy of Hope and Patriotism

Col. Bello Fadile’s memoir is more than a recount of his trials and triumphs—it is a call to action for a better Nigeria. His life is a beacon of hope, reminding us that resilience, faith, and determination can overcome even the most insurmountable odds.
As Nigeria grapples with multifaceted challenges, Nine Lives offers a timely reminder of the transformative power of patriotism and institutional rebuilding. The event echoed a collective aspiration for a more secure, united, and progressive nation.
Col. Fadile’s gratitude to the audience, alongside his reflections on his years of service and sacrifice, underscored the essence of true leadership. His memoir serves as both a history lesson and a roadmap for the future—proof that even in the face of adversity, greatness is attainable.

Senator Iroegbu; a journalist, security analyst and geopolitics enthusiast is the Convener of Geopolitics Series and Editor-In-Chief of Global Sentinel and can be reached at senator.iroegbu@yahoo.co.uk

Like a Cat with “Nine Lives”: A testament of resilience and patriotism

General Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army, and the myriads of unfinished businesses

By: Bodunrin Kayode

If there is any personnel in military uniform in Nigeria today who would be extremely devastated about the death of General Lagbaja, it is the Chief of the defense staff General Chris Musa. He obviously had a very smooth working relationship with the late Army Chief before his demise. General Musa is one of the few military Commanders who have swallowed the bitter taste of asymmetric warfare in the battle fields of “Hadin Kai” and the entire country. He is a warrior whose patriotism General Lagbaja emulated.

Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja would be sorely missed by all his colleagues and men whom he walked with through the valleys of torments and came out in one piece. They will never forget another fine General who often led his troops from the front following after the pattern of predecessors like Generals Tukur Buratai, Lamidi Adeosun, Chris Musa and many other warriors who have passed through this theatre. Even at the 7 division level we had warriors like General Abdulsalam Abubakar who have since left the theatre for another front of banditry torment at the 3, division of the Nigerian Army and Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna current General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 7 division who had served the city of Maiduguri as Garrison Commander before now. They have all crossed his path at one operation or the other as ordered by army headquarters(HQ).

Lagbaja’s battles against Boko Haram

For the one decade I have worked within the “Hadin Kai” war theatre, I have seen and reported the activities of many Army Generals coming and leaving their sector posts at close range. As a matter of fact, they are too many to mention who came and left at a time we needed them most like Major Generals Abdulkalifa Ibrahim who is now the infantry Chief of the Army and Ibrahim Ali holding fort at the Multinational joint task force (MNJTF) HQ. From the kinetic proactive Commanders, to those who spend more time in the non kinetic realms than in the battle field. All directed to end the insurgency with their strengths and weaknesses as we reporters hear from the interpretation of the residents who judge their respective fighting prowesses. In all these, I have only encountered Lagbaja as the Army Chief coming on operational visits which may not be regarded as close range but close enough to sense the signs of the tides and his body languages which was always that of a warrior screaming “end this war” to his troops. Military sources hinted this reporter that in all his command positions he held under the days of “Lafia Dole” interacting between sector one and three even around the brutal mine fields of Baga, he had always maintained the same pattern of motivation of his troops by leading from the front and not expecting anything special for doing the job. His style was obviously more of less talk and more action. I never had that close working relationship with lagbaja as I had with others like Generals Koko Isoni, Rogers Nicholas, Ibrahim Attahiru, Faruk Yahaya, Ibrahim Ali, Nura Mayirenso Saraso and many others but from a distance and judging from what my colleagues used to report about him at the Bernin Gwari front, he was indeed a warrior. He cared about his troops which is why immediately he assumed duty he started fighting for increased welfare for them. It is only a general who have had keen encounters with his troops that will know exactly what their challenges are. And Lagbaja knew their challenges.

Efforts by the military to maintain sanity in the war theatre

A lot of efforts have been channeled into the maintenance of peace and sanity in the Hadin Kai war theatre and history will remember Taoreed Lagbaja as one of the few Generals who faced fire at the frontline in this theatre before moving to others to fight for his country. From General’s Buratai to Lamidi Adeosun to Victor Ezegwu to many others like Chris Musa who got double promotion and today he is the Chief of the entire Nigerian military. They all tried their best to make their impacts before leaving. Most of them left as warriors except for Ibrahim Attahiru who had to contend with the shortest and bloodiest attacks here before leaving. On his movement to headquarters, he was later made the Army Chief but lost his life in a plane crash making his reign an equally short lived one. Attahiru it was who actually changed the name of “Lafia Dole” to Hadin Kai to suite the exigency of that time.

Lagbaja’s meteoric promotion from GOC to Army Chief

No General in recent times has being promoted to become Chief from outside “Hadin Kai” except Lagbaja who had passed through the theatre as an unsong warrior. Of course Hadin Kai had become a big bone in the throat of the military and it was obvious that only warriors from this theatre that could be made Chief of the Nigerian Army. If one did not understand the dynamics of the asymmetric warfare down here, one’s ability to review operational strategies and change tactics would be highly impaired. However, General Lagbaja’s case was unique which is why his own elevation never came from this theatre as the likes of General Faruk Yahaya who followed the footsteps of Attahiru. Rather he was busy leading from the front as General Officer Commanding GOC the one division of the Army at the Kaduna theatre axis when he was told to drop his weapons and prepare to propound and approve policies for tactical warfare at the Army headquarters as the first Army Chief for President Bola Tinubu. In other words, while troops were busy taking out the enemies in Sambisa and the Lake Chad region from this axis Lagbaja was leading from the front in the north west theatre where he was the GOC 1 division of the Nigerian Army. It is from this point that he rose to the rank of Army Chief. Even as army chief he still maintained his style of seeing things for himself. Feeling the pulse of his troops and impacting his style on them.

“He led from the front and was always ready to take the bullet for his troops.” Said Chiroma a private soldier who fought along side him in the Lafia Dole theatre. One thing I have learnt inside the Hadin Kai war theatre as a defacto defense correspondent is that troops always celebrate their Generals or Commanders who led from the front. Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja was a highly celebrated officer who had many dreams for a modern Nigerian Army. His humility never allowed him to adorn himself with all his medals of a true warrior because they were so many.
His introduction of the first air platform components for the Army was a huge success for the administration of President Bola Tinubu who wanted to prove his mettle at the management of the security sector. Lagbaja had received two Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters registered as NA 010 and NA 011 in June this year. With that introduction the Army has stepped up its operational efficiency especially in dangerous sections of the fight against terrorism in the North East and Western flanks of the country. Too many times the air force had delayed in giving them the spontaneous service they used to require. With the development of the aviation component of the Army, troops will now be well protected whenever they need to break through short range barriers. This new development will equally reduce the prevalence of erroneous mistakes sometimes on own troops in any of the troublesome theatres.

Motivational speaker and press ups exercises

The passage of General Lagbaja to the great beyond is not only a huge loss to the Nigerian army, it is also a loss to the entire country. He was a great motivator to his troops wherever he went to.
Seeing that his troops lacked motivation in certain instances, he had personally gingered them up in press up exercises while observing their faces and body languages. Breaking protocols at times to discuss with troops over their challenges. He was not heavily built and kept an average tummy which spoke volumes to those officers who had massive tummies hindering them in their movements. He was an obviously big time dreamer with lots of thoughts for his people.

Goodbye General Lagbaja

Sadly for me I only had one instance to say hello to this great General who some of us felt was a bit media shy and may not like any sudden form of interaction with us especially our electronics colleagues who sometimes are unable to read body languages to know when not to cross some lines. He was shy initially but as he kept coming to the theatre, his countenance improved. His case was a bit better than General Faruk Yahaya who kept journalists at arms length like some dangerous irritants while in the theatre but adjusting when he became the Chief. All thanks to the Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, they always fall in line to accept the media as Co-fighters against evil when they become chiefs. Nwachukwu is also an acknowledged pen warrior who did so much in moulding these Generals to understand that the army is not part of the secret service so they always opened up after they hit the ground running.

Ambushing Lagbaja

Lagbaja had arrived Maiduguri with his defense Chief General Chris Musa and they had done their usual operational reviews inside the hall of Hadin Kai HQ while we milled around pinging our phones or snacking as we wait for them to tell us why the war still lingers. They came out for group pictures and interactions with the media which is the style of General Musa before they took off to see wounded troops in the hospital. Then I cornered him as he ruminated over what may have happened inside the hall. Some of them had loosened up but not Lagbaja. He was always at red alert. As a matter of fact, while the interaction continued he had a cold stare common with the ogas when their boys have not met the yard stick they had given them. As if he should come down and lead them through the valleys of the shadow of death. That “I fear no evil” sight of a warrior. I was taking aback a bit and hesitated slightly. But I then introduced my experience to engage him looking straight into his eyes and retorted: “Good day General” I said to him. He looked at me with that windless stare that would not allow you to construct his mind from his face. I later learnt that is his trade mark as a toughie when on duty. He gave me a nod. Clear sign don’t ask further questions. I smiled in my mind and said this one is really a tough one. And went further, “I wish you the best General and be sure that we will continue to fight with our pens along side your troops at this side of the theatre”. He gave a second nod of approval and walked off like one of his mentors in the American war college where he trained. It was time to go so his ADC who had kept a distance went tugging along with the General into the air conditioned bus waiting for the entourage to embark and finish the tour. It was a chanced meeting and I enjoyed it though. Later that month, I would hear him in another theatre commending the gentlemen of the pen for fighting along with his troops. He obviously have done his best being the Chief of a badly overstretched Army. It’s up to his predecessor to keep the flag flying by clearing all the terrorists bragging around the country and increasing the army alone to at least 100,000 men and officers before the end of the first term of the Commander in Chief President Tinubu. The Army, Airforce and Navy should not be less than 500,000 officers and men by 2034. It’s practicable if the new Chief in conjunction with defense and the National Youth Service Corp creates a corp of reservists which can always supply the main stream as it is done in Israel and many other countries. We cannot continue to allow terrorists to be embarrassing and humiliating the biggest economy on the African continent except if it is for a purpose.
Smoking these people out once and for all does not mean that there would not be theatres for troops to practice their trades. There are many theatres of war they can be shipped to outside the country when our borders are cleared and sealed. These are the tasks before the new Army chief. Nigerians expect better deals in terms of security and Lagbaja understood that and was deliberately going after the well-being of the nation.

He will be enjoying his peaceful sleep till we meet to part no more. May the Lord console the entire family of the Lagbaja’s especially his uncle who is going to live the rest of his old age in regrets that his nephew was buried before him which to him is a deep stab in his fragile heart. My condolence too goes to the Commander in chief of the armed forces of Nigeria President Bola Tinubu.

General Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army, and the myriads of unfinished businesses

“Freedom of the Press and the Portrayal of Women in the Media”

By : Atifete Jahjaga

Dear Mr. Orav,
Dear Mr. Fontana,
Dear journalists and media professionals from all over the world present here today,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear all,

Freedom of the media and the safety of journalists are essential in societies that want to prosper, aspire to be just and to be guided by accountability. Their work is essential. It has been such in Kosovo’s not so short tradition of media pluralism that has defined our republic’s making and even now when we find ourselves as the only country in Europe that no longer has a printed newspaper.

We are well aware and we should be reminded every day that Democracy has no chance to survive and no ability to thrive in information darkness. We have lived in one and we will never go back there again. A free and thriving press is a value – one of the greatest values I may argue – and we need strong willed, responsible journalists and editors in the newsrooms as we forge Kosovo’s way forward. They need to remind us of who we are and who we are committed to be and hold us to account every single day of how we are measuring up to our goal of being a free and fair country to all that call Kosovo their home. They need to inform the public of promises kept and promised unkept.

Media not only creates social and national cohesion by helping build a sense of community, as Benedict Anderson so diligently described in The Imagined Communities, but it also sets an agenda of priorities, big and small, that come to construct our public engagement mosaic and define our roles and responsibilities.

And here in lies the challenge. Given this enormous expectation that the public vests on media and journalists, this enormous power to keep institutions and all entities honest, it is just as essential for media to live up to their duty to serve the public’s right to know and to foster a fact-based conversation that keeps the institutions and the citizens at the receiving end of the decision-making engaged and responsible.

While this may have been a more straightforward matter in times of national tormet, during the Kosovo war, since its liberation Kosovo, like many democracies, has struggled to define these roles and responsibilities. We have seen institutions, both local and international, limit media’s access to information. We have seen them use and misuse national interest as a way to limit transparency, accountability and the public’s right to know. And we have seen that it has damaged all parties involved – it has weakened the political processes that are key to Kosovo’s future, it has shaken the trust in media and it has undermined the democratic progress.

In my public engagement, I too have stumbled upon challenges and I have had my share of frustrations, especially with the ways media characterized my presidency and how my gender became a target. Sometimes it felt personal, but most times I worried about the repercussions it will have on the general portrayal of women in public office and the discouragement that comes with it.

We need to do our outmost ro ensure the freedom of the media for it is essential, so that the information it disseminates is fact-based and reliable, so no hand or power should affect or try to affect the dignity of this institution. When I talk about the pressfreedom, I also emphasize their moral, professional and legal obligation to provide reliable news, deep and qualitative analysis, and especially the immediate avoidance and elimination of gender and sexist prejudices against all women who are part of public life.
The portrayal of women belonging to public professions by the media is an area that requires our attention but also our criticism, focused on big and significant changes, despite the positive changes in some aspects of the functioning of the media, this area we can say that still leaves a lot to be desired for further improvements.
As the first female president of Kosovo, I faced unique challenges in how the media portrayed my leadership. Local media coverage often focused more on my gender, my appearance, my private life than my policies. When I stop and reflect on my tenure, I cannot ignore the unfair and unprofessional treatment I have received from the media, and all of this treatment has come as a result of my gender identity, being a woman, and the President, for someone it was too much. Despite my dedication and raising the state of Kosovo to high pedestals, the country’s media focused on other aspects, such as my appearance or wardrobe.

The media’s portrayal of women often reinforces stereotypes, affecting public perception and limiting women’s roles in politics and society. This not only undermines women’s contributions but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination. It’s crucial to address these biases to foster an inclusive society.

For my part, I learned to engage with the media strategically, using interviews and press conferences to amplify my message while advocating for more balanced coverage of women in leadership, something that I try to do to this day.

Dear all,

To understand better this current state of affairs, we need to identify the challenges that the media face, and their struggles are many. Not only have media faced unprecedented challenges with the rise of social media and lately AI, which require them to constantly change and adapt to an ever shifting environment of wants and needs, but they are often a function of a market competition that is outside of their control.
Yes, indeed, we often think of media as a public service, a right and a good which ensures that every citizen is informed if she or he chooses to, but in a free and open market, media are dependent on business models that could make them susceptible to influences that in the long-term undermine their objectivity, their impartiality and eventually the public’s trust.

Some of these forces don’t have immediate fixes. They are part of a longer chain of events interlinked and interdependent that are tied to our ability to create stable economies and strong democracies that withstand the earthquakes of today’s rapidly changing world.
But what we can do is to ensure that we – institutions, civil society and the public – do our outmost to ensure the freedom of the media, for it is essential, so that the information it disseminates is fact-based and reliable, so no hand or power should affect or try to affect the dignity of this powerful and key estate.
When I talk about the pressfreedom, I also emphasize their moral, professional and legal obligation to provide reliable news, deep and qualitative analysis, and especially the immediate avoidance and elimination of gender and sexist prejudices against all women who are part of public life.
Dear,

We are living in the time of clicks, everything revolves around the number of clicks a news story gets, without worrying about its authenticity or analysis, it is enough to publish it quickly, with a bombastic headline and a picture that will attract readers to click on the news, but what that text contains is not important at all.

There are many reasons why such a thing happens, but the most important is the financing. Many media have serious economic problems, so they compete with each other as to who will publish the news first, without worrying about its content as well as professional and human ethics.
Disinformation, hyperbolization of events, and the apparent decline in the quality of work are unfortunately characterizing journalism in Kosovo and beyond, and this is quite worrying.

Yet I am optimistic for the fact that Kosovo enjoys a media pluralism with a variety of voices and figures heard on television, radio and other online platforms, which are owned by different entities, allowing room for independent reporting and a diversity of viewpoints.

But unfortunately the political polarization and politicization has affected every field, profession, and person, so even the media have not been immune to this challenge.

But there is one essential element to anchor us through all this. In a democracy, it is essential that every power be independent of each other, no one should try to extend force or influence in any sphere that falls outside its responsibility.
In order to preserve their educational and sensitizing role, the media should be allowed to exercise their profession and their role unhindered. For its part, the media should also be committed to an ethical standard so that the dignity of each and everyone is preserved.
We all need to better ourselves – Institutions need to become more transparent and let media do their job. Media executives should do some soul-searching about their impact on the fabric of the society and perhaps rethink how they themselves could agree to hold themselves to an account through stronger self-regulation to ensure equitable representation and to challenge harmful narratives. In an increasingly globalized world, Kosovo faces significant challenges from foreign entities attempting to manipulate public opinion and destabilize its young democracy. It is essential to educate the public about recognizing misinformation and understanding the sources of their information. Supporting independent journalism and promoting fact-based reporting is vital in building resilience against external narratives that threaten our democratic values.
It’s crucial for all stakeholders-government, civil society, and the media-to work together to safeguard our democratic institutions. Encouraging transparency in media ownership and funding sources can help combat the influence of foreign actors seeking to disrupt our democracy. Engaging citizens in dialogue about their rights and the importance of informed decision-making is essential for a robust democratic process. I remain committed to advocating for gender equality in media and politics while ensuring that Kosovo’s democracy is safeguarded against external threats. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive society.
Dear,
I am more than aware of the fast flow of time and life nowadays, everything is commercialized, but I am also convinced that we still have people who do their work with dignity and do not allow anything to touch the sanctity of their work, as every work is valuable. There are many issues that must be raised, many things that must be eliminated so that we all feel safe to speak, work and act freely in our country, without fear of who and what will write about us. Truths are always welcome, but blackmail, fake news and infringement of privacy are a line we should pledge not to cross.

Strongly advocating for the freedom of the media, their protection by law, as well as not violating the identity of the media and all professionals in this field, as well as for a quality, educational and informative work of the media, I also want to convey this message:
Dear Media,
You have the opportunity to bring the whole world together, you are one of the fastest and most important connectors today, you have the power to do great things, so please use this opportunity with honesty and dignity, with dedication and work tireless. There is nothing more important than being the eyes, ears and voice of the people, and you are, you have been given and have earned this opportunity, so that there is as little hesitation, threats and interference in your work as possible, let law, work ethic and professionalism be your guide.

Let me repeat it again: we should be reminded every day that Democracy has no chance to survive and no ability to thrive in darkness. We need a free and thriving press and we need strong willed, responsible journalists and editors in the newsrooms as we forge Kosovo’s way forward. They need to remind us of who we are and who we are committed to be.
Atifete Jahjaga, is the first Kosovo’s Female President.

“Freedom of the Press and the Portrayal of Women in the Media”