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ECOWAS Parliament: Kalu says Crisis In S’East Nigeria Is Reducing Through Non Kinetics Means

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By Gloria Ikibah.

 

Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and member of the Nigerian Delegation at Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, had said the crises in the South-East region caused by the various agitations have drastically reduced.

Hon. Kalu credited the development to the new approach of non-kinetics adopted by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even as he said it is a paradigm shift from the norms.

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Kalu stated this after the presentation of country report by Nigeria during plenary at the ongoing 2024 First Ordinary Season of the Sixth Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament in Abuja.

According to him, the military has toned down their operations and have heeded the directive of President Tinubu in subscribing to the non kinetics means of settling the conflicts in the zone rather than wielding the guns.

He also revealed that this understanding has helped to restore tranquility in region and enabled the zone to appeal to the authorities to release the agitators who are in prison by activating a political solution.

Hon. Kalu further urged the sub-regional body to adopt the same measure in resolving similar issues, saying it is yielding positive results.

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He said: “The usual tradition has been to send the military with their arms to crisis areas, to the battle of barrels of gun against barrels of gun. But there is a new wave now in my country where issues are being resolved without sending a military task force with guns. And it’s a non kinetic approach. It’s happening in my region, the southeastern region.

“Before his (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) emergence, it was about Operation Crocodile, Operation Lion, Operation this and that. But through his initiative, he has been able to speak to the military, to look at sociological problems that remain the causative factors for the crisis and begin to look at ways of interpreting them and finding ways to bring the people to the table for resolution purposes. It’s a good template that Africa should actually absorb. ECOWAS should also look into..

“And it’s working in my region, the nerves that we are frayed before now, those who were agitating, the radicalized ones are beginning to see opportunities to look at non kinetic approaches towards resolving the conflict in the area. Remember I mentioned that my zone is the zone that suffered from the civil war.
So the pain is still there but the approach Mr President is using now is calming the tension there and it’s commendable.

“And we also hopeful that the region, through this non kinetic approach, also is reaching out to the administration to release some of the people who are in prison for the agitation for separation through non litigious ways. And it is working. My region is getting calmer than it used to be. So, it’s something that we must report.”

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Ahead Ondo Poll: IGP Bans Amotekun, Others

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun and Vigilante Corps, among others, from participating in the Ondo governorship election.

No fewer than 17 political parties will participate in the election slated for November 16, 2024.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG ordered the deployment of officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 Unit among others.

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He added that aerial patrols would be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats would patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.

Adejobi said, “As the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, draws near, the Inspector-General of Police has unequivocally assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.

“The IGP has confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.

“The deployment will see officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working in concert with other security agencies. These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.

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“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains. These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”

Adejobi also said the IG vowed to deal with political thugs or individuals planning to disrupt the elections.

He said, “The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law. The message is clear — those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.”

Adejobi said the IG stated that only the federal security agencies and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be allowed to participate in the election.

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He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.

The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and by the highest standards of electoral integrity.”

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“SEE Top 5 Countries With Shortest People In The World’

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The global average height, approximately 166.99 centimeters (5 feet 5.7 inches), shows considerable variation across regions, with the shortest people primarily located in Southeast Asia.

In contrast, the Netherlands is home to some of the tallest people in the world, with an average height of 177.07 centimeters (5 feet 9.7 inches)—almost 10 centimeters above the global average. Countries with the shortest average heights are mostly found in Southeast Asia and parts of Central and South America, due to a combination of various factors

Below are the top five countries with the shortest average heights:

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Timor Leste: 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches)
The world’s shortest average height is found in Timor Leste (East Timor), where the average height is estimated at 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches), which is mainly attributed to genetic factors that affect growth from childhood. The typical Timorese lady is approximately 151.15 cm (4 feet 11.5 inches), and the average Timorese male is approximately 159.79 cm (5 feet 2.9 inches).

Guatemala: 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches)
Guatemala has one of the lowest average heights in the world with the shortest people found therein. With an overall average height of roughly 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches). Women in this region have an average of about 149.38 cm (4 feet 10.8 inches), and men average about 163.4 cm (5 feet 4.3 inches). The reason for this is attributed to genetic factors that mostly influence indigenous cultures.

Laos: 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches)
In the Southeast Asian country, Laos, the average height is 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches), with women around 151.26 cm (4 feet 11.6 inches) tall, while males are about 160.51 cm (5 feet 3.2 inches). This is attributed to socioeconomic variables that impact diet health and hereditary factors.

Nepal: 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches)
Nepal is one of the nations with the smallest populations in the world with the average adult height in Nepal is around 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches), with women standing at 150.86 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) and males standing at 162.31 cm (5 feet 3.9 inches). This is due to a mix of genetic and socioeconomic factors, especially those related to healthcare and nutrition.

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Bangladesh: 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches)
Bangladesh’s average height is 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches), with women typically around 150.78 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) tall, while men are typically 163.8 cm (5 feet 4.5 inches) ranking it among the lowest in the world.

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PDP Official: ‘Atiku Believes Our Ticket Is His Birthright , But We’re More Cautious Now

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

As Nigeria’s primary opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for the upcoming 2027 general elections, concerns are emerging regarding the leadership style of Atiku Abubakar, who has long been viewed as the party’s key figure in opposition politics.

Several party stakeholders have expressed reservations about his ability to effectively lead the opposition, particularly in light of his personal ambitions.

Some party insiders argue that Atiku’s leadership as the head of the opposition has been hindered by his overwhelming presidential aspirations, which they believe have compromised his focus and commitment to the party’s broader goals. These sources contend that Atiku’s actions and decisions often prioritize his ambitions over the collective interests of the PDP, which has led to disillusionment among certain party members.

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A prominent PDP stakeholder, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their concerns with Daily Independent, stating that Atiku’s financial involvement in the party’s activities has been lacking for an extended period. “For quite some time now, Atiku has not made any meaningful financial contribution to the party’s operations,” the source revealed. This lack of support, according to the insider, makes it challenging for Atiku to effectively fulfill the critical role of opposition leader.

The stakeholder pointed out that, despite this lack of tangible commitment, Atiku continues to seek the party’s presidential ticket, believing that his previous status and influence would guarantee his nomination. “When was the last time Atiku contributed anything of substance to the party?” the source asked, noting that his continued presidential ambitions seemed out of touch with the current state of the party. “He seems to think that anytime he decides to step forward, the party will automatically hand him the ticket. But the party is wiser now and will not just hand him the nomination without considering other factors,” the source added.

These sentiments reflect a growing sense of frustration within the PDP, where many members feel that the party needs fresh leadership and a more strategic approach if it is to regain its political relevance and challenge the ruling party in the next elections. The shift in party dynamics suggests that, going forward, Atiku’s ability to lead the opposition and secure the PDP’s presidential ticket may face significant challenges unless he can regain the trust and support of the party’s key stakeholders.

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