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Insecurity: Give soldiers modern weapons, training ― IBB

Published

3 years ago

May 16, 2021

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Former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida ( IBB) has expressed concern over the state of insecurity in Nigeria, saying he advises government on the matter, but does not make noise about it.

He said it is imperative for the citizens to support government and our soldiers in order to bring an end to the crisis. The former President, who called on the government to equip the soldiers with modern weapons and the necessary training, spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored on Sunday.

Commenting further on insecurity, he said it has become necessary for citizens and government to synergize and work together. On whether our politicians are playing the desired role in bringing an end to insecurity, he said there are many things they have to put right.

“If they agree to sit down and think over, I believe success will be achieved,” he said.

When asked further on things to put right, he said it is important to rally round the soldiers and other security agents, support them and let them know the citizens are behind them.

READ 2023 elections: Soldiers intercept N2m cash in transit to politician in Gombe

“Provide them with all they require and let them know this is their country, they’ve no other country better than this.”

Asked if he believes that Nigerian soldiers need modern weapons, he said yes, they do.

“They also need to be trained on how to use the modern weapons, not to get weapons and just hand over to them. They should be trained.”

On whether he has ever advised the Federal Government on ways to end insecurity, he said, “we give advice, as we can..but we don’t make noise about it. We don’t announce that this is what we say.” “We should unite, we should support those in power, we are all working towards achieving the same goal.

“Between the leaders and citizens, we need peace and a harmonious relationship.” ” This problem of insecurity, every government had its experience… but if we unite..I remember how we fought the civil war for 3 years, the people supported the government, the government did its best, bought what was necessary, those who fought were made to understand that this country is the best for them.

READ Babangida speaks on Nigeria's political activities, unity

“It’s not only in Nigeria, many countries encountered this kind of problem, some had it for ten years, but through concerted effort, they are out of it. I believe we can get out of this problem.”

“Both citizens and those governing are trying, but we should know that it is not an easy task,” he said.

Related Topics:Babangida Insecurity Soldiers

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FG extends FEC meeting to Tuesday, says ‘far-reaching decisions will be made’

Published

8 hours ago

May 13, 2024

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The Federal Government has extended the federal executive council (FEC) meeting to Tuesday.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and culture, announced the extension of the FEC meeting on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents.

The FEC meeting was held on Monday for the first time since March.

Idris said the FEC meeting will continue on Tuesday at 12pm.

“The council meeting will continue tomorrow, therefore, there will be no press briefing today,” the minister said.

“A lot of far-reaching decisions are being taken and the conclusions will be made available to you tomorrow. FEC will continue at 12 noon tomorrow.”

During the FEC meeting, President Bola Tinubu swore in two additional commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).

The two commissioners are Fasuwa Johnson from Ogun state, and Amidu Raheem from Osun state.

Earlier, the cabinet observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Fabian Osuji, a former minister of education; and Ogbonnaya Onu, a former minister of science and technology.

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Electricity tariff hike: We’ll go back to drawing board, FG tells labour

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2024

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The Federal Government has said it will go back to the drawing board with relevant stakeholders to address the issue of the electricity tariff hike.

Mamudah Mamman, permanent secretary at the federal ministry of power, spoke in Abuja on Monday while addressing members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Members of organised labour were out to picket offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), ministry of power and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in Abuja over the tariff hike.

The NERC on April 3 approved an increase in the electricity tariff for elite customers.

Organised labour is calling for a reversal of the increase and a return to the negotiating table.

Mamman said members of the national assembly have told the ministry to do a wide consultation with relevant stakeholders on the matter.

The permanent secretary assured that the ministry would sit down next week with the leadership of the NLC to see how the issues could be resolved.

READ Babangida reveals real reason he annulled MKO Abiola's election

“The national assembly had written the ministry to go and do a wide consultation with all the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

“What the ministry does is give policy directions. We realise that the policy direction given is pushing Nigerians to the corner, and we need to do things differently.

“What we need to do is for all of us to come to the table, look at it, and decide what is the best way. I don’t have the power to reverse the tariff, so we will go back to the drawing board with the regulator and NLC.

“I’m going to take your message to the relevant authority, and we will look at it and inform you.”

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Reverse electricity tariff — we won’t accept band classification, Ajaero tells NERC

Published

12 hours ago

May 13, 2024

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The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, says the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should reverse the electricity tariff.

Ajaero spoke on Monday when members of the labour body picketed the headquarters of the NERC in Abuja over the increase in electricity tariff.

The NERC on April 3 approved an increase in the electricity tariff for elite customers.

Ajaero said the protest was due to NERC’s unresponsiveness to the multiple letters sent by the NLC.

He added that the increase in tariff was arbitrary, noting that NERC did not consult relevant stakeholders before taking the decision.

The NLC president argued that Nigeria has 4,000 megawatts of electricity for over 200 million people, as against the global index of 1,000 megawatts for one million citizens.

“We are here on a peaceful protest having written so many letters to NERC that they cannot increase tariff without meeting with Nigerians, that the process of adjusting tariffs in every tariff methodology requires that they meet with all stakeholders, including labour, that we don’t know where this tarrif is coming from,” Ajaero said.

READ Babangida reveals real reason he annulled MKO Abiola's election

“And that NERC is not oblivious to the fact that Nigeria is wallowing in power poverty, that while the whole world gave a global index of one million people for 1,000 megawatts, Nigeria has 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people.

“What Nigeria is generating today is not enough for Lagos, and it is bad enough to say some Nigeria are better than others; some will get 20 hours, some will get two hours; even in South Africa, such has never happened.

“Use the same magic that you are using to give some Nigerians 20 hours to give everybody in Nigeria 20 hours. Nigerians are saying no to discriminatory power allocation.”

He noted that the Manbilla power plant in Plateau state can generate 3,600 megawatts of renewable hydropower but has remained underperforming 30 years after its inauguration.

Ajaero urged the federal government to put an end to all taxes that could further increase the burden on Nigerians.

READ Insecurity: Defence minister, service chiefs meet South-East governors, others