By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, says the massive deployment of troops for military operations among the civil populace requires new approach in handling human rights issues.

Ugbo said this at the maiden seminar on human rights,  organised for troops of the Nigerian Army, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The seminar has the theme, “National Security and the Complexities of Human Rights”.

Ugbo said the seminar was part of multidimensional approaches adopted by the Nigerian army in dealing with human rights issues within the contemporary operating environment.

He said the army as a professional force created by law, would always operate within the ambit of the law, including International Humanitarian Law and the Law of Armed Conflict.

“To its credit, the Nigerian army has operated in places like Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Angola, former Yugoslavia and many other places outside Nigeria without any significant infringements on the rights of the civil populace,” he added.

Ugbo however said that the Army would continue to educate troops engaged in internal security operations in all states of Nigeria, to respect the rights of citizens.

“Thus, this seminar is one of the means of dealing with human rights issues arising within the contemporary operating environment.

“The seminar will expose participants to the values and perspectives of organizations engaged in human rights advocacy and the protection of civilians in conflict areas.

“It will also expose us all to the values and perspectives of the Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies engaged in the conduct of operations for the defence and protection of civilians while upholding human rights,” he added.

Ugbo said that whenever troops were deployed for internal security operations, it was pricipally to protect civilians and their rights.

He added that the army and human right groups share common goals, which is the protection of innocent civilians in conflict areas.

According to him, this underscores the relevance of the interface between the Army human right groups provided by the seminar

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Tony Ojukwu, represented by Deputy Director Legal, Mr Kabiru Aliyu, commended the army for organising the seminar.

Ojukwu said the seminar represents a strategic effort to reinforce the constitutional role of the Nigerian army and other services in strengthening national security.

He said it also highlighted the need to promote and protect human rights in line with human rights and humanitarian norms and tenets.

According to him, the National Security Strategy 2019 has indicated that kidnapping, banditry and militia activities constitute about 40 per cent of the security challenges in Nigeria.

Ojukwu observed that the current security challenges had led to widespread violations of international humanitarian and human right laws and raised the risks in protecting civilians.

These risks according to him, loss of lives, the sacking of communities and displacement of civilians from their original places of habitation.

“This has led to multidimensional poverty, sexual and gender based violence and lack of access to justice.

“It is significant that the National Security Strategy and other related policies articulate a human security and people centered approach to deal the emerging security threats in the country.”

Ugbo said this would sustain the country’s political, economic and social stability, and marshal support for the military from the civil populace.

“We are encouraged by the relentless efforts of the Nigerian army to foster a deeper understanding of the intersection between the imperatives of national security and the complexities of human rights in Nigeria.

“It is worthy to mention that the National Human Rights Commission has established a strong synergy with the military and other law enforcement agencies.

“This has resulted in improved relations with the military and recorded tremendous success in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria,” he said.

In a lecture, the Country Director, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Dr Benson Olugbo, canvassed for constant dialogue and discussions between the military and civilians on issues of human right.

Olugbo said the reality was that the military would never win the battle without winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace.

He added that there was need to infuse non kinetic means into military operations, in addition to the protection of the rights of civilians in conflict areas.

Olugbo’s lecture was titled, “Defeating Terrorists While Upholding Human Rights”.

Similarly, Mr Gad Shamaki, Executive Director, Cleen Foundation, said there was need to dispel the wrong notion that the military has no no respect for human rights.

Shamaki delivered a lecture titled, “Combating Violent Security Threats in Nigeria: Balancing Human Rights with National Security”.

He agreed that there were bound to be issues of human rights violation during internal security operations by the military.

He said conversation at the seminar was to strengthen existing relationship and give people more insight into the workings of the army.

Shamaki added that the should also explore what should  be done to ensure that people show respect to the military when doing their jobs and when issues of human rights occur.

“I know there is a lot of effort in the military for civil military relations that need to be made known so that people know who to speak to, where to go and raise those kind of concerns,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The OurNigeria News Magazine has selected former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai to chair its 10th “Unsung Heroes ” award slated for Nov. 11, in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Dr AK Peters said at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja that the award was for those who did “extra ordinary things, in extra ordinary circumstances without being noticed”.

Peters said the award was also “to identify, promote and project men and women of good character and in any little way motivate them to do more”.

According to him, 25 Nigerians who scale through clear cut parametres, criteria, scrutiny and competency will be selected for the award.

“Our unsung heroes will be seen, sung , celebrated, recognized and rewarded for raising the bar in leadership and the quest for a better Nigeria,” the chairman added.

He said that Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River will be the Special Guest at the event, which is expected to be graced by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Leonard Okachie

The wife of the General Officer Commanding(GOC), 82 Division, Mrs Nafesat Dada, has urged wives of army personnel to keep supporting their husbands by making their homes peaceful for them at all times.

Dada, who is the Chairperson of Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) 82 Division Chapter, gave the advice on Tuesday during her familiarisation visit to 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia.

She charged the wives to always keep the home front running well to give their husbands necessary support and peace of mind in order to make progress in the discharge of their national duties.

“We should treat our men as our babies by caring for them because they pass through a lot of pressure and we know that the South-East generally is facing another phase of life.

“We want them to always be strong as we women always know ourselves to be strong people and supportive weapon for our husbands,” she said.

The GOC’s wife charged the women to shun tribalism and any other acts capable of causing disaffection among themselves in the barracks.

Dada, who inspected some of NAOWA facilities, promised to support the army personnel’s wives for them to achieve their goals.

She thanked the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Nsikak Edet, for being supportive and caring to the wives and army personnel in the barracks.

The brigade commander expressed gratitude to the NAOWA chairperson and her team for the visit, while pledging his support for the women’s projects.

He said he was working tirelessly towards addressing some of the challenges being faced in the barracks, including unstable power supply, water shortage, lack of school, poor transportation and others.

“We have a challenge of school and we should have NAOWA school for our children in this barrack.

“We are working very hard to make sure that we overcome those challenges soon,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the GOC’s wife and the brigade commander made presentations to each other.(NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Musa, has stressed the need for wives of military personnel to pay adequate attention to their mental health and wellbeing.

Mrs Musa said this on Tuesday at a seminar with the theme, “Self Care and Work/Life Balance” organised by the National Defence College Officers Wives Association (NDCOWA) as part of activities lined up for the Graduation of NDC Course 31 participants.

She said the wives of officers were often left alone at the home front dealing with so much stress since their husbands were most times not around.

She said that sensitising military wives through such programme would help them to be able to cope with whatever stress or challenge they might face as primary caregivers at home.

“It is very important that we organise such programme for us to be able to educate the children, people around us and then to be able to deal with the total wellbeing of everyone around them,” she said.

The Coordinator of NDCOWA, Mrs Rhoda Olotu, said the programme would help to bring about an intentional attitudinal change towards the wholesomeness of being an officer’s wife and living right.

Olotu said the need to live up to expectations in terms of meeting extended family needs and many more reasons had compelled the modern day woman to go out in search of full time jobs that were mostly demanding while still holding on to their homes.

According to her, it will be stating the obvious that these take tolls on the women, not only physically but mentally.

“As military wives, who, most of the times have spouses that are engaged in service to our fatherland, it is even more demanding, if not chaotic in trying to find the balance.

“Self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health whilst that of work life balance is described as a division of one’s time and focus between working and family or leisure activities.

“Having looked at these two definitions, and from experience critically weighing the possibility of achieving them as officers’ wives seem to a layman like me almost impossible,” she said.

One of the Resource Persons, Dr Isioma Chukwuka-Nwodo, a Psychiatrist, said that mental health could be likened to a car with four wheels that was essential for all to enjoy a productive life.

Chukwuka-Nwodo said that women were vulnerable to a number of mental health problems because of several biological and socioeconomic factors they are exposed to.

She added that wives of military officers were even more stressed by the nature of their husband’s jobs.

According to her, adoptive coping responses like self-care and seeking support and help when necessary can help turn this stress into an opportunity for positive emotions, resilience and wellbeing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Anglican Communion Diocese of Makurdi has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in fighting corruption in the Church and the nation.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

Uwujaren stated that the Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Nathan Inyom, made the declaration when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Commission.

The cleric expressed concern over the way and manner people employed to oversee church resources handle it.

“We are here to interact with you, seeking ways of collaboration in terms of trying to understand the working of the Commission better.

“And, how it can relate with the Church, especially in terms of handling issues of sharp practices that result in malpractices and misappropriation.

“One of my greatest frustrations in ministry, as a minister of God, is that those whom we employ to assist us in overseeing resources end up defrauding the Church.

“And carting away huge sums of money meant for development of the Church,” cleric said.

He added that Anglicans held utmost respect for the pivotal role the Commission had been playing in safeguarding the financial integrity of the nation.

“Your dedication to upholding the rule of law and combating economic and financial offences is truly commendable and has a positive impact on our society,” he said.

The cleric further urged the Commission to intensify public enlightenment on the menace of economic and financial crimes to discourage would-be offenders.

According to him, the church itself is grappling with the menace of corruption within its fold.

In his response, the Zonal Commander, ACE 1 Friday Ebelo, thanked the Bishop for the visit.

He sought the counsel and prayers of the clergy to enable the country to win the war against the scourge of corruption, economic and financial crimes.

He noted the strategic position of the Church as the moral conscience of the society and called on its leaders to speak to their leaders to do the right things.

The Zonal Commander reiterated the commitment of the Commission to public enlightenment.

According to him, Currently, EFCC has sensitisation programmes for schools and an inter-faith programme designed to bring churches and mosques into the public enlightenment orbit of the Commission.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IAA/ADA

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), on Tuesday presented employment letters to families of the seven personnel killed by bandits in Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Jan. 23, 2023, seven personnel of NSCDC Kaduna Command were ambushed and killed by bandits while on official duty in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The employment letters were presented to the families by the NSCDC Commandant in Kaduna State, Mr Idris Adah, on Tuesday.

Adah said the gesture was in fulfillment of the promise made by the Commandant General, Mr Ahmed Audi to the families of the deceased.

“Today it’s with joy that I present to you the CGs good deeds by handling over the appointment letters to the next of kins of the late officers.

“This is in fulfillment of the CG’s promise to the family; this however cannot replace the lives of our loved ones,” he added.

Adah therefore changed the beneficiaries to do their best and represent their families with honour and dignity.

The commandant said that the Corps remained committed to its responsibility of protecting critical national assets.

“We are working round the clock with other security agencies to fight crime in the state so that we all can sleep with our two eyes closed,” Adah said.

He warned that anyone caught vandalising critical national assets will be arrested and prosecuted.

Alhaji Baba Audi-Landan, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the CG for fulfilling the promise.

He said the appointments given to them would benefit not only the families, but society at large. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed

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By Monday Ijeh

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices over alleged palliatives diversion.

The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Afunanya said that the service had received complaints from some states relating to diversion and sale of palliatives meant for their citizens

“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.

“While this operation is ongoing in other states, the Service has for instance, intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives.

“Among those suspects are officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices in the markets, notably Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold,” he said.

The DSS spokesman said the suspects had been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures.

He urged members of the public with information relating to palliatives diversion to report to relevant security agencies for necessary action. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Isaac Aregbesola

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 20 alleged internet fraudsters.

Its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said this in A statement on Tuesday in Abuja

According to him, the suspects were arrested on Saturday at Ologolo and Idi – Ishin areas of Ibadan, Oyo State following intelligence on their fraudulent activities.

“The suspects are Mustapha Adeyemi Afeez, Oluyombo Ayomide, Ayanwola Tobi, Oni Promise, Osifeso Tijesunimi David, Anthony Daniel, OLanrenwaju Adebowale and Ezekiel Olawole Kolawole.

“Others include Abaka Clitus, Adeyinka  Ajayi, Gbolahan Ayinde, Abeeb Bidemi, Augustine Okoh, Ayanwonla Olaoluwa, Azeez Olamide, Ayanwola Segun Victor, Onifade Olabisi, Abaka Moses, Aladelusi  Temitope Mathew and Abolaji Ajibola.

“Items recovered include three Toyota Camry cars, unregistered grey-coloured Toyota RAV 4, laptop computers, and several mobile phones, among others,” he said.

He said that they would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded(NAN)