Fuel Hike: Don't Take Nigerians' Patience for Granted, Arewa Youths Warn FG

 

By editor

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned the Federal Government against taking Nigerians for granted following the recent sharp increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

In a statement, AYCF President-General Yerima Shettima said the current situation suggests that the government may have lost touch with the realities faced by Nigerians.

Shettima expressed disappointment that the same government, which had urged citizens to avoid protests by promising to improve their lives, has now imposed further hardship.

"Even the blind can feel the hardship, and the deaf can hear the cries of poverty and hunger across the country. To add more pressure on Nigerians is highly insensitive and must be addressed," Shettima said.

He added that food prices are now beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians, and the recent minimum wage increase to N70,000 is inadequate to meet the basic needs of one person, let alone a family. "This increase can barely cover transportation costs to work for a month," he said.

Shettima called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to reconsider its approach, urging the government to allow Nigerians to breathe. He warned that the growing anger and frustration among Nigerians could lead to unpredictable consequences.

"The government’s primary responsibility is the welfare of its citizens. The recent fuel price hike has caused a ripple effect, raising the cost of food, transportation, and other essentials," he said.

Shettima urged the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of the people and take swift action to prevent potential unrest.

ASM to Honour 50 African Leaders for Contributions to Continent’s Growth In Tech, Health, Others

By Editor

The African Solidarity Movement (ASM), in collaboration with the Oodua Youth Parliament (OYP), is set to host a four-day summit in Ghana and Ivory Coast to honor 50 successful Africans for their significant contributions to youth development across the continent, particularly in the fields of technology, Health, empowerment, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and climate change.

The honorees, all under 50 years of age, hail from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, and Togo.

In a statement, the Secretary-General of ASM, AbdulMajeed Oladimeji Oyeniyi, emphasized that the summit would provide a platform for young Africans to learn, network, and exchange ideas on issues affecting the continent. 

He highlighted the event’s significance in advancing Africa's position on the global stage noting that,“the event will bring together young people, policymakers, development partners, and international organizations to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing African youth and to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges,” Oyeniyi said.

Established in 2022 with a mission to champion the growth and development of African youth, ASM on 18th of December 2023 held elections for its interim executive members on December 18, 2023. 

The elected leadership includes Amb. Amad Kouassi from Ivory Coast as President, Amb. Kojo Addo from Ghana as Vice President, and Amb. AbdulMajeed Oladimeji Oyeniyi from Nigeria as Secretary-General. Lethabo Omari from South Africa serves as Financial Secretary, while Emmanuel Kossi from Togo heads Inter-Government Intervention.

Oyeniyi, however, affirmed ASM's commitment to promoting African heritage and culture on a global scale, stating that the movement would continue to collaborate with its partners to advance the continent's development and ensure the welfare of its youth.

AYCF Tackles Bwala Over Comment On Defence Ministers

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has condemned the recent remarks made by Daniel Bwala, a former aide to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, concerning the security apparatus under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Mr. Bwala in his comment suggested that the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and Bello Matawalle, might be shown the exit door which the leadership of AYCF find such statement as not only unfounded but also a diversion from the real issues that plague our region and nation.

A statement issued by the President General of AYCF Yerima Shettima reminded Mr. Bwala of his positions during the recent electoral cycle. His open opposition to the Tinubu candidacy and his support for Mr. Atiku Abubakar which positioned him on the other side of the political divide. 

It begs the question: where exactly was Mr. Bwala when the electorate strongly endorsed President Tinubu’s vision for a secure and prosperous Nigeria? His sudden shift to become a self-styled supporter of this administration raises eyebrows about his motivations and credibility, Shettima said.

He further stated that it is imperative for stakeholders in our political landscape to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to unfounded attacks on individuals who are collectively working towards the primary goal of securing the North, adding that Ministers Badaru and Matawalle have made significant strides in addressing the unique security challenges that our region faces.

"We commend their efforts and encourage their continued service in cracking down on insecurity, which remains a pressing concern for all northerners. Furthermore, we take exception to Mr. Bwala’s thinly veiled ambition as he appears to be attempting to usurp the narrative for his own gain.

"We remember his earlier declaration about aspiring to hold the position of Mr Ngilari, which could have influenced his harsh rhetoric against established leaders who are dedicated to the safety and advancement of our communities".

The AYCF said, Bwala 's motives come into question when juxtaposed with the realities faced by the North, which requires unity and cooperation rather than divisive political machinations.

"As representatives of the northern youth, we express concern over any attempts to undermine President Tinubu’s administration through baseless criticisms. The ongoing initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security in the region deserve the support of all stakeholders, including critiquing voices.

"It is precisely this spirit of collaboration towards a common goal that we hope Mr. Bwala can embrace rather than spiral into personal grievances. We caution President Tinubu to be wary of allowing such individuals to undermine his reputation and initiatives within the North.

"The youth of Arewa stand firmly behind those in positions of leadership who are genuinely focused on the security and welfare of our people. Our collective will is directed towards recovery and proactive measures that can only be realized through steadfast leadership and dialogue, eschewing the toxicity of political opportunism.

"We urge Mr. Bwala to redirect his energies to addressing his self-created challenges and refrain from disparaging ministers who are striving to create a safer, more secure North. The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum remains committed to holding accountable not only public officials for their responsibilities but also those who would seek to mislead the public or distract from crucial efforts underway" the statement stressed.

Yoruba youths warn Bwala to stop peddling falsehood against Matawalle

The Yoruba Youth Council has condemned an online post credited to a former aide of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, one Daniel Bwala, who suggested that the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and Bello Matawalle (State) might be sacked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he perceived as lack of cooperation between the Army and the Air Force.

Bwala had in a post on his X handle on Sunday insinuated that his perception caused the seizure by bandits of Nigerian military armoured vehicles somewhere in Zamfara State in the Northwest region, leading to a reported video victory celebration by terrorism kingpin Bello Turji and his armed bandits.

Reacting through its leader, Comrade Eric Oluwole, the umbrella Yoruba Youth organisation said: "We wish to state that Bwala just expressed his jaundiced personal opinion to which he is entitled. 

'A keen, careful reading of this shows that his wrong and misleading opinion had an undertone of selfish interest, which he portrayed erroneously as a news story to hoodwink the unwary, and instigate hostility against the persons of the performing ministers for reason(s) best known to him.

"It also shows that he has a hidden agenda in pushing such an unintelligible and illogical opinion to the media space. It was an opinion that brimmed with vendetta, the destructive, and blind pull-him-down syndrome hosted by the writer, his co-travelers and paymasters alone.

"The post was fictitious, cooked out of beer-parlour stupor and borne out of the writer's wild and reckless imagination.  

'The Presidency never said anything of such. The post was not attributed to anybody. The emergency and mercenary reporter only pushed his personal opinion and wish to the media space. He reported no one but himself, and thereby showed the type of a human being he is. One who should not be taken seriously by right-thinking persons.

"And who is this writer of falsehood?

'Daniel Bwala was a member of the opposition People's Democratic Party, PDP, working with that party's former presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, but who is now looking for ways to identify himself with the Tinubu administration. He has been lobbying that he should be appointed as the president's spokesman. 

"However, Yoruba youths advise that such a character cannot be trusted in that the Borno State-born politician, Bwala, portays himself as a betrayal, as his antecedents show.

"A former member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, where he served as a thorn in the opposition PDP's flesh, he decamped from APC in July, 2023 claiming  that he was not convinced in the Ahmed Tinubu/ Kashim Shettima same-faith joint on muslim-Muslim ticket. He said that he would not support any ticket that allegedly excluded a major section of the country from democracy dividends.

"He then jumped into the boat of Tinubu's most fearsome opponent and the PDP''s presidential flag bearer, Atiku, He immediately became Atiku's spokesperson, and maligned Tinubu whom he said he held in respect despite his initial promise."

Oluwole said: "In view of his antecedents, and the implications of the utter falsehood that he peddles concerning this sensitive issue, Bwala should be cautioned not to jeopardize the commendable efforts of the Nigerian security apparatus especially the office of the Minister of State of Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle.

"Where on Earth did he confirm that the ministers might "be shown the way out"? 

"We see his post as a baseless attack on the persons of the Defence ministers who have been leading the Nigeria's security apparatus, especially the Armed Forces in the gallant fight against terrorists and bandits who, for many years before this administration assumed office, had been attacking and killing innocent Nigerians not only in the Northeast and Northwest zones of the country, but across the country generally."

In his words: Oluwole said: "We wish to state, and it may interest Bwala to know that the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle has swiftly moved in and directed the military to relocate its command structure to the North West as part of efforts to crush the bandits terroring the region."

"And the fictitious writer insinuated in his post that the ministers were not working and that there was no harmony among the armed forces, the same armed forces that Matawalle has mobilised to the troubled zone to flush out the bandits, an operation he would supervise himself directly on the battlefield.

"We will advise Bwala, and his cohorts and paymasters to desist from peddling lies and falsehood just to malign their perceived enemies"

Specifically on Sunday, Matawalle, in an intensified move to crush banditry and terrorism in the  Northwest, directed the nation's top military brass led by the Chief of Defence Staff to relocate to Sokoto, the headquarters of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) for Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states.

Also, he assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, and the entire North West region, that the security forces with all their might, would fight the criminals to finish and restore peace, as he directed the Armed Forces to flush out the bandits and terrorists."

Matawalle said:  "We must act decisively against these terrorists to allow our people to live freely. The time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases." 

"I will be on the ground in the North West with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform."

The Defence Minister of State stressed the determination of the President Tinubu administration to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians, and that the people's security and well-being remain the administration's topmost priority. Besides, he urged the people of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces. 

Matawalle who described the incident as unacceptable in view of the support that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been giving the Armed Forces, assured that the Federal Goovernment would do everything possible to crush banditry and terrorism, and endure peace in the troubled communities.

The ministry's spokesman,  Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, said in a statement on Sunday that "This strategic move underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region. While in the North West, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his bandit gang are eliminated."

APC sweeps Kebbi LG polls

By eiditor

The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC), on Sunday, declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s local council polls in the state.

Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, Chairman of the commission, who announced this in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, said the party won all the 21 Chairmanship seats and 225 Ward Councillors.

Muhammad-Mera, said that 17 political parties participated in the polls, including, APC, NNPP, LP, AAC, Boot party, AP, and SDP among others.

He announced that the commission had ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the LGAs as announced by the various councils’ Returning Officers and the Councillorship results as announced at the electoral wards.

Muhammad-Mera, expressed joy that the exercise was peaceful and hitch-free and commended the security agencies and all other stakeholders for their invaluable support.

PDP had since boycotted the elections, insinuating that the KESIEC Chairman and his Commissioners were card carrying members of APC.

The PDP alleged that the commission’s leadership would not in any way be fair to opposition parties. 

North-West Solidarity Forum Applauds Minister of Defence's Bold Initiative Against Banditry

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The North-West Solidarity Forum (NWSF) expresses its profound support for the recent directive issued by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, to mobilize the Chief of Defence Staff and senior military officials to Sokoto. This strategic move aims to enhance joint military operations against the dangerous bandits wreaking havoc in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states.

NWSF commended the minister’s commitment to allocate the necessary resources for the eradication of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his criminal gang. This decisive action follows the alarming dissemination of videos showing a Nigerian military armored vehicle immobilized in a waterlogged region of Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Such bold leadership is both encouraging and reassuring to our communities suffering from the scourge of banditry.

According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the group Tanimu Danlawal, the presence of Minister Matawalle and the Service Chiefs in the North-West signifies a determined effort to oversee military operations firsthand. This proactive engagement underscores the gravity with which the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is addressing the ongoing threat posed by these criminals.

“The time has come for the Federal Government to take concrete steps to combat the menace of banditry head-on. The commitment to deploy all necessary assets demonstrates a firm resolve to restore peace and security to our communities.”

As we collectively face this challenge, the NWSF stands in solidarity with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which have received unprecedented support from the current administration. The determination to eliminate the criminal elements threatening the fabric of our society is both commendable and imperative.

We remain hopeful that this initiative will weaken the bases of these bandits, allowing for a restoration of peace and normalcy in our regions. We call upon residents of the North-West to stay vigilant and cooperate closely with security personnel to prioritize their safety and the well-being of all Nigerians.

Together, we believe that the tides are turning, and the time for change is at hand. We pray for the success of our brave men and women in uniform as they confront and dismantle these criminal networks.

Escalating Insecurity in N/West, NAN Calls For Safety , Stability,Action

By editor

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has noted that in recent months, the North-West region of Nigeria has been engulfed in an unprecedented wave of violence, characterized by rampant banditry, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism that have instilled fear and uncertainty among our citizens. 

A statement by the Chairman of the network Salihu Suleiman said, the situation has escalated alarmingly and necessitates a decisive response from the federal government while standing united in addressing the critical situation, amplifying the collective call for safety and stability across our communities.

The group also noted that the  recent directive issued by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, mandating the Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto, exemplifies a serious commitment by the government to curtail these formidable threats, adding that such bold decision represents a powerful symbol—a lion’s roar—signaling strength that resonates throughout our nation and instilling a renewed sense of assurance among our citizens regarding their safety.

"Our region, in particular, has suffered greatly at the hands of notorious gangs, particularly those led by infamously brutal figures such as Bello Turji. The rampant attacks, abductions, and assaults on innocent communities have severely damaged the security infrastructure of the North-West and eroded the socio-economic foundations that bind our society. 

"The humanitarian toll of this violence cannot be underestimated, causing widespread displacement and despair.

Dr. Matawalle’s strategic directive serves as a harbinger of hope, signaling the Nigerian government's renewed effort to restore stability and peace to our beleaguered communities. The selection of Sokoto as a strategic command center underscores its crucial role in overseeing security operations across neighboring states, including Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi.

"This centralized military oversight is crucial for orchestrating coordinated efforts against the complex web of banditry entrenched in the region.

Moreover, this decisive operational strategy aims to restore public confidence in our military forces. Recent distressing incidents, such as the unfortunate saga involving an armored vehicle trapped in a waterlogged area in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area, have regrettably served to amplify doubts regarding military effectiveness".

To counter this narrative, NAN said it is imperative that the military showcase its capacity to address and neutralize these insidious threats, reaffirming its credibility as protectors of the citizens.

"These developments transcend mere tactical adjustments; they reflect a broader strategy encapsulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to fortifying the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The primary goal is clear: to not only quell violence but to cultivate sustainable peace through strategic military campaigns and collaborative partnerships that extend beyond the battlefield".

NAN however stressed that, military interventions must form just one strand of a multi-faceted approach aimed at addressing the underlying causes of insecurity. Socio-economic drivers of banditry—such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity—must be tackled with determined vigor to dismantle this pervasive issue affecting our society.

It also emphasized that, as we mobilize military efforts, we must concurrently strengthen our social and economic fabric through community engagement, infrastructure development, job creation, and educational initiatives, adding that it is vital that local communities become active participants in the battle against banditry. Engaging community leaders in the development of security strategies will foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility, ensuring that citizens feel both safe and empowered in their environments.

"Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle's directive to establish a military stronghold in Sokoto marks a pivotal step in addressing the severe and multifaceted security challenges that have beleaguered Nigeria's North-West region. This initiative not only seeks to counter the immediate threats posed by insurgency and banditry but also serves to reinforce the government's authority and commitment to safeguarding its citizens. 

"However, while the establishment of a military presence is crucial, it must be complemented by robust socio-economic strategies and active community engagement. Security is not merely about military might; it necessitates addressing the underlying causes of unrest, such as poverty, unemployment, and social disintegration. Sustainable peace will require a holistic approach that involves not just defense capabilities but also investment in development programs that empower local communities and foster resilience.

"In expressing our support for this strategic move by the Defence Ministry, we must also remain vigilant. The history of security initiatives in the region suggests that detractors may surface, attempting to undermine efforts to restore order and stability. Thus, we urge the federal government to stay alert and to respond decisively to any opposition that may arise, particularly those voices that may collaborate with elements contributing to the existing insecurity".

The group concluded by saying that, the establishment of a military stronghold in Sokoto, while commendable, is just one step in a broader journey towards enduring security. It requires a concerted effort to integrate military action with comprehensive socio-economic initiatives, all while safeguarding against dissent that threatens the fragile peace we strive to achieve.