Connect with us

News

Insecurity: Northern forum demands service chiefs’ removal

Published

on

The Northern Ethnic National Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security and immediately sack the nation’s service chiefs, citing worsening violence and leadership failures in tackling insecurity across the North.

In a statement on Sunday, NENF Convener Dominic Alancha said that while the administration had taken bold economic reforms, the deteriorating security situation and ineffective leadership demanded urgent corrective action.

“The security situation in northern Nigeria has degenerated into a full-blown catastrophe. Daily, our communities are ravaged by bandits, terrorists, and criminal elements who operate with impunity. This is unacceptable,” the forum said.

NENF accused the service chiefs of failing to deliver despite huge security funding, insisting that the entire architecture required a “fundamental overhaul.”

“We angrily and unequivocally demand the immediate dismissal and replacement of all Service Chiefs. The President must appoint fresh and innovative military leaders with a clear mandate and timeline for results,” it stated.

The forum also called for a cabinet reshuffle, faulting many ministers for poor performance and failure to translate the “Renewed Hope” agenda into tangible results.

It urged Tinubu to bring in “doers, thinkers, and strategists” capable of driving national development and building political goodwill ahead of 2027.

It urged faster palliatives, heavy investment in agriculture and manufacturing, and improvements in power, transport, and infrastructure to ease citizens’ suffering.

NENF’s demand comes days after the Northern Elders Forum similarly called for a state of emergency on security, warning of looming anarchy if urgent steps were not taken.

Meanwhile, youth stakeholders in the North-West under the National Youth Council of Nigeria expressed support for a mix of dialogue and military action in addressing insecurity.

At a meeting in Kaduna, convener Saleh Kuba said young people backed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, arguing that global best practice combined force with dialogue to ensure lasting peace.

The youths also urged closer collaboration between federal authorities, governors, and security agencies, while unanimously adopting Ahmad Rufai Khalifa, grandson of late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, as their consensus candidate for NYCN president ahead of the council’s October elections.

At the meeting in Kaduna,  Kuba said insecurity dominated discussions despite not being on the agenda, reflecting widespread concern among young people.

“We expressed our commitment to support the security agencies, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who, in his wisdom, decided to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in addressing insecurity,” Kuba said.

He argued that the dual strategy was consistent with global best practices:

“When you deploy kinetic means, you also deploy non-kinetic ones. You must understand the underlying issues causing insecurity so that you can come up with long-term solutions. We are in support of sustained, honest dialogue across the geopolitical zones.”

The youth leaders further urged greater synergy between federal and state governments and security agencies, stressing that governors must be recognised as chief security officers in their states.

On the adoption of Khalifa, current NYCN Chairman of Kebbi State,  as consensus candidate for the NYCN National President ahead of its elective congress in October, Kuba said, “The North-West zone has spoken with one voice. We have unanimously adopted Comrade Ahmad Rufai Khalifa as our consensus candidate. We believe he has the capacity, experience, and character to lead Nigerian youths at this critical moment in our nation’s history.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Trump administration cuts energy projects, freezes New York funding

Published

on

The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate dozens of clean energy projects and freeze billions of dollars for major projects in New York, intensifying a stand-off with Democrats over a US government shutdown.

US media outlets described the moves announced by the energy and transportation departments as part of the administration’s efforts to pressure Democrats in Congress to agree on a deal to end the shutdown.

US President Donald Trump had raced to enact hard-right policies even before the shutdown began after midnight on Tuesday, threatening mass firings and to slash government departments, and blaming Democrats for Congress’ failure to resolve a funding stand-off.

The Department of Energy announced on Thursday “the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects, resulting in a savings of approximately $7.56 billion for American taxpayers.”

It said in a statement that those projects — overseen by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and other bodies — “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs… and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.”

However, recipients of federal funding have 30 days to appeal against a termination decision, and some have already begun the process, the statement said.

It did not list the projects in question.

In a post on social media platform X, Russell Vought, who heads the powerful Office of Management and Budget, called the slashed projects “Green New Scam funding” that was used to advance “the Left’s climate agenda”.

He listed the states affected by the decision. They include California, New York and 14 others — all blue states where Trump failed to win in the 2024 presidential elections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Trump administration had decided to cancel “up to $1.2 billion” slated for a major hydrogen energy project, threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Newsom said in a statement, vowing to keep pursuing a “clean energy strategy… no matter what DC tries to dictate.”

In New York — the home state of top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — the Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday it was freezing nearly $18 billion in federal funding for two major infrastructure projects, the Second Avenue subway and Hudson Tunnel.

The move takes aim at diversity, equity and inclusion policies, according to the department’s statement, saying that subsidizing projects with “race- and sex-based contracting requirements… is unconstitutional, counter to civil rights laws, and a waste of taxpayer resources.”

The funds would be frozen until a “quick administrative review is complete,” it said.

“Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time,” it added, saying that the department “has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement that halting funding for “critical infrastructure projects” was “political payback and an attack on New York.”

“Donald Trump has been clear: he is intent on using his reckless government shutdown to hurt the American people,” she said.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Shettima returns to Abuja after attending UNGA, meetings in Germany

Published

on

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and high-level engagements in Germany.

The vice president’s aircraft touched down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Thursday, where he was received by senior government officials.

During the week-long engagements, Shettima delivered the President’s national statement at the UNGA, calling for comprehensive reforms of the global body.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is being welcomed some government officials at the airport. Photo: State House

He also advocated Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated $700 billion mineral resources and strengthened Nigeria’s partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

In New York, Shettima met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The vice president also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunities to global investors and assured members of the Nigerian diaspora of continued engagement in the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.

He later proceeded to Germany for further strategic meetings before returning to the country.

Continue Reading

News

Lagos unveils artisan certification to curb building collapse

Published

on

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending