Celebrating A Philanthropist And Selflessness, Engr (Dr) Sule Haruna

By Abubakar Yusuf 

In life whatever you do , positions you have attained in this journey, selflessness and goodwill will never go unnoticed no matter how hidden .

It is just like a smoke of a fire and a good deed that had remained a reference point both when alive and after you must have left the earth.

These were the virtues of Engr (Dr) Sule Haruna, a seasoned and contented public servant who had won many accolades in the service including the prestigious National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award, even while in service and confered/decorated/recognized by former Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

Without pretences, accolades and vainglorious, Engr Dr Sule Haruna joined the services of the federal government under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security many decades ago , and since he has dedicated his life to the services of humanity, hence the secret of his continuous thriving successes in life.

Haruna , a trained Agricultural Engineer rose to the peak of his career after many years with his appointment as Director , Strategic Grains Reserve Division SGRD of the Ministry, a position he had handled without levity and fear of God.

Without exaggeration, Engr Dr Sule Haruna has been a consistent and unrepentant philanthropist, and has rendered many selfless, religious and communal services to both his immediate communities, extraction,  state and Nigeria at large.

Not to mention, he has in the last few years, attracted many projects to his community from the federal level and was involved in direct execution of both communal , religious and other programs that is beneficial to his immediate community and by extension the entire area.

Though, from his personal feelings, he is not susceptible to pinpointing his achievements in these areas, but the society will not allow such status quo to remain, especially when he wrote his name in gold in the anals of public history.

Today , Wednesday 24th , April, 2024 marked another year of your birthday, an indication that Almighty God is still keeping you for the selfless and humanitarian services you have been rendering to the society.

As you mark another year in 2024, may Almighty God continue to sustain you and the family, while wishing you many more years on the surface of the earth.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday Dr.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on [email protected].

Appraising Ibrahim and the reward for hard work

By Amos Akintunde 

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” Vince Lombardi

The above quote aptly describes the exploits of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim, the director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). A lot might have been said about the recent innovations at the NYSC. However, not enough credit has been given to that man, who has demonstrated an unalloyed commitment in service to the country. 

He has exemplified hard work and devotion. He brought to bear his experiences as a scholar and administrator, little wonder he was able to implement policies that positioned the NYSC into that viable institution to fulfil its mandate.

I recall when he assumed leadership of the scheme, not many knew much about him, and they thought it was going to be business as usual. But little did they know that the NYSC was about to experience rapid transformation into that hub for the actualization of dreams for our teeming youths. 

Under the leadership of Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, the NYSC was able to introduce a mechanism that reduced issues of fake results drastically. We all know that the issue of students presenting fake results was almost a pandemic. It was so rampant that it brought phenomenal embarrassment to the country. We were regaled with tales of our supposed corp members who could not compose a proper grammatical sentence. Some didn't even know the meaning of the NYSC. It was that bad. 

Today that is history as stringent measures have been instituted to ensure that those with fake results or unqualified do not get enrolled in the NYSC scheme. Instead, we are laced with innovations from corp members towards nation-building. 

Another critical aspect of the leadership of Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, amongst others that I would like to emphasize is the role of corp members in the electoral processes in Nigeria. A vivid example was the recently conducted gubernatorial elections in Anambra state. It is on record that the DG was physically present in the state and toured almost all local government areas inspecting the conduct of corp members. 

He not only inspected their activities, one could see a bond between the corp members and the DG. This bond bears a semblance of a father and son/daughter relationship. That is the mood in the NYSC today, where corp members see the DG as not the DG but as a role model. His penchant for work resonates with every corp member, which has increased the productivity level of corp members in their various places of primary assignment. 

The staffers of the scheme are also not left out. They would readily tell you that it's a new dawn at the NYSC since Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim's coming. Some attributed this to the fact that he has had an earlier stint as a military assistant to a former DG as a young officer. And it was easy for him to understand those issues that needed to be addressed to reposition the NYSC. 

My summation of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim is when intelligence meets hard work. Some might not realize that beyond wearing the rank of a Major General, the DG is also a professor of military history. At a time in his brilliant career, he headed the History and War studies department in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was also the pioneer Registrar of the Nigerian Army University Bui, Borno state, where he laid a solid foundation for the smooth takeoff of the university. And till date, his records at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Nigerian Army University stand tall.  

Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim is also a testament that the country indeed recognizes and rewards hard work with his recent elevation to the rank of a Major General. It is instructive to mention that he was a Brigadier General when he resumed at the NYSC. And the elevation to the prestigious rank didn't come as a surprise to many who are conversant with his style as a scholar and administrator per excellence, and one who sees what others do not see, and who thinks outside the box in solving problems. 

A good example is the proposed NYSC Trust Fund that recently passed the first reading in the Federal House of Representatives. In muting the idea for the NYSC Trust Fund, it was gathered that the objective was to ensure that corp members are availed the required funds to translate their business ideas into reality. 

In my opinion, the NYSC Trust Fund is not about corp members; it is about the teeming youths in the country. From all indications, the NYSC Trust Fund would prove a vital medium to address youth unemployment in the country. 

If we must admit, youth unemployment remains one issue that requires all the necessary attention it deserves. And here we have a man who has looked beyond what the NYSC holds for hundreds of thousands of youths that passes through the scheme yearly to thinking of how to harness their potentials even after they complete their service year. 

The likes of Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim are exemplary in their conduct hence the carnival-like atmosphere when news filtered in that the DG has been decorated with the rank of a Major General. The mood was electrifying at the various NYSC offices across the country. Staff and corp members were joyous and sang his praises to the high heavens. The display of love by all and sundry are signs that indeed merit and hard work has no religion or tribe. It’s a friend to all.

For Major General Shuiabu Ibrahim, the price of success is hard work, dedication to the job, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. I salute this exceptional Nigerian who has redefined leadership. Congratulations, Major General Sir! may this new rank bring you more work.

Akintunde is a public affairs analyst based in Ado-Ekiti.

Impeachment Bid: Nigerians will hold National Assembly responsible - NDF

... demands recall of pro-impeachment members

By Dansu Peter 

The National Democratic Front (NDF) says Nigerians will hold the National Assembly liable should the president be illegally impeached, thereby truncating the nation's democracy. 

The NDF said any attempt to overturn the mandate of Nigerians will be met with stern resistance.  

The group made its position known in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadir on Tuesday. 

Recall that President Buhari had last week met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other principal officers of the House and agreed to address the lawmakers on the country’s security challenges on Thursday.

But a member of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus, called for the impeachment of the president. 

Despite distancing itself from the lawmaker, the NDF warned the House leadership to call the PDP to order against inciting a section of the population to revolt and cause a breakdown of law and order. 

Dr Abdulkadir noted that the country is already reeling from security breaches that have PDP discontent written all over it and now coming up with the impeachment bid will only further inflame the situation. 

According to the group, the "power-thirsty" PDP has continued to work with other opposition elements and commercial activists to force a change in the country's leadership.  

The NDF, therefore, urged that the NASS to curtail the activities of its PDP caucus as "Nigerians will hold the legislature responsible should anything happen to threaten our democracy". 

As a show of our zero tolerance for unpatriotic elements, NDF, however, called on the constituencies of the "rogue" reps members to immediately begin their recall process for pursuing sectional political interests. 

Read the full statement below:

The National Democratic Front (NDF) is alarmed at the misguided calls for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari particularly as demonstrated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives and the opposition’s propaganda machine.  NDF has resolved that Nigerians will hold the National Assembly liable should anything happen to the nation’s democracy.

Such calls and attempt to illegally sack President Buhari’s government can only be contemplated by anti-democratic forces and those who do not wish Nigeria well. It is most unfortunate that they are hiding behind the façade of being democrats when in reality they abhor the very tenets of democracy, which is why they are keen on using crude tactics to overturn the mandate that Nigerians gave the government.  

NDF is worried that the PDP caucus is exploiting its position as a vocal minority to incite a section of the population to revolt and cause a breakdown of law and order so that they will then use this as a basis to accuse the President of being autocratic. The country is already reeling from security breaches that have PDP discontent written all over it, coming up with the impeachment bid will only further inflame the situation. 

The thugs that the PDP once used to snatch ballot boxes, manipulate elections and intimidate political opponents have graduated to becoming the bandits, kidnappers and robbers that the House of Representatives caucus is today complaining about. Rather than grandstanding and maligning President Buhari who is doing good work despite being constantly sabotaged by the opposition, the PDP caucus members should be brave to own up to how they created the terror machine that is now tormenting Nigerians. This would at least offer meaningful insight into dismantling it.

It is disheartening that these House of Representatives Members claimed to represent millions of youths from nooks and crannies of Nigeria, but in reality, they have made it their mission to cause division and disunity among citizens. They hired themselves out as mercenaries to the opposition to threaten Nigeria’s democracy and causing strife by hijacking what was meant to be peaceful protests held across the country.

NDF is stating this because it is now obvious that the #EndSARS protests, the degenerating state of security, the coup plot being packaged as impeachment attempt and the desperation to emasculate the military are all the grand plan of the PDP and certain elements that are out to destabilize Nigeria. 

We remind Nigerians that in the runup to the 2019 General Elections NDF had severally raised the alarm about PDP’s plot to wreck Nigeria by precipitating crises that will result in the formation of an interim government populated by its members after it would have illegally ousted the President Buhari out of office. Sadly, every single scenario that NDF anticipated in those warnings is now playing out. 

PDP working with other opposition elements and commercial activists has continued to attempt forcing a change in the leadership of the military, its killers are running riot across the country under different names – bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other, it has hijacked a citizens’ movement for unleashing destructive protests in several cities of the country and it is now attempting a full-blown coup plot under the guise of an impeachment demanded by its caucus in the National Assembly.  

PDF categorically demands that the National Assembly should curtail the activities of its PDP caucus as Nigerians will hold the legislature responsible should anything happen to threaten our democracy. The National Assembly has no business tolerating the excesses of people that have clearly outed themselves as enemies of the State.

As a show of our zero tolerance for unpatriotic elements, NDF is calling on the constituencies of the rogue House of Representative Members to immediately begin the process for the recall of their errant representatives, who have continued to pursue sectional political interests as part of a PDP caucus instead of providing wholesome representation to the people they represent at the National Assembly. These members must also be booted out parliament because they monetized their roles by receiving payment in hard currency to overthrow the government, an action that jeopardizes national security.

Insurgency: Retired officers behind troops in battlefield – Gen Marwa

By News Proof

Former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd) has said that retired military officers in the country are solidly behind troops fighting insurgency battle in the northeast notwithstanding the complaints and in some cases, distractions against the nations’ gallant military.

Speaking as a guest of the 2019 West African Social Activities (WASA) of the Army Headquarters Garrison which held at Mogadishu Cantonment at the weekend, General Marwa whose community, Michika, in Adamawa state has witnessed Boko Haram attacks, noted that troops were fighting under difficult conditions like bad weather, marshy terrain, and mines laden stretches of land.

“We retired officers appreciate the difficulty of the counter-insurgency operation. We recognize the difficulty, commitment, and doggedness, as well as sacrifices of our troops.

” Please be aware and know that we retired officers are 100 percent with you and are ready at all times to offer our advice if needed in tackling the counter-insurgency operation. We also appreciate the widows and their families for the sacrifices.

Describing the 2019 AHQ Garrison WASA as one of the best he had witnessed both as a serving and retired military officer, General Marwa advised youths in the barracks to be hardworking, religious, respectful and follow the path of discipline noting that the sky is their limit if the do so.

“As I was going round the various stands with the representative of the Chief of Army Staff (Lt. General Lamidi Adeosun), I could see myself in these youths because 60 years ago, I was like these boys attending WASA.

Commenting on the promotion of Lt. General Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army, to s 3 star General in the Nigerian Army, Gen Marwa said, ” It only takes a man like Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to agree and to recommend another officer to be a Lt. Gen while he is still in the same service.

The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. James Gwazs Kalifa Myam in his address said the Army Headquarters Garrison had a very successful year 2019 adding, “The Command continued to provide operational, administrative and logistics support to AHQ departments, formations, and units, as well as to conduct training activities throughout the year in line with the COAS’ Training Directive and NA Forecast of Events.

“This is in spite of the numerous security challenges confronting the country at this time in history and the arduous multiple tasks the command had to undertake within the year.

“It is on this premise that it becomes quite gratifying to thank ‘the Almighty God for granting the Army Headquarters Garrison a very successful Year 201 9.

“During the year, the command successfully executed Annual Medical and Physical Efficiency Test; Annual Range Classification; Corporals and Below as well as Warrant Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers’ Competitions. Also, the Command successfully conducted the Operations Planning Cadre for middle-level 0fficers in order to horn their skills at Operations Planning.

“In addition, the command hosted several conferences including the First, operations and the combined Second and Third Quarters COAS’ Conferences, which brought together PSOs, Field Commanders, and Commandants of NA Schools to deliberate on NA activities and to chart a new course going forward. It is indeed heartwarming that the staging of these activities were quite successful in the Year 2019.

“The Army Headquarters Garrison also within Year 2019, made significant strides in terms of welfare in the form of administration of personnel and rehabilitation of some living quarters. Worthy of mention is the taking on board of Phase 1 of the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, which was recently constructed by the Army Headquarters and commissioned by the minister of Defence in a bold move to mitigate the acute accommodation challenges confronting personnel of the NA in Abuja.

“Similarly, an ultra-modern housing estate was acquired and tastily furnished at Kurudu for NA officers in Abuja by the Army Headquarters.

“Other interventions that border on personnel welfare are the continued renovation and furnishing of officers and soldiers living accommodation virtually across all the barracks in Abuja and the provision of a new block of quarters and Corpers Lodge respectively at Mambilla Barracks extension, just to mention a few.

“In terms of logistics, the Army Headquarters Garrison formations and units are proud beneficiaries of the issuance of several state of the art office equipment as well as repair and refurbishment of all the unserviceable vehicles on their inventory currently being undertaken by the Command Engineering Depot (CED); courtesy of the COAS.

“Indeed, we make bold to state that no NA formation has had it so good like the Army Headquarters Garrison, in terms of operational, administrative and logistics support of the COAS.

“We, therefore, owe the success of this command and its modest achievements in the outgone year to the unflinching support of the COAS, in providing us with the tools, funds, and requirements necessary for the accomplishment of assigned tasks.”

“As the activities for Year 2020 commence, we wish to assure the COAS that Army Headquarters Garrison has already received his ‘Strategic Directive to NA personnel for Year 2020’ (SD: 2020), which has charged all personnel to ‘sustain professionalism and responsiveness .in the discharge of their constitutional roles’.

“We have studied the letters of the SD: 2020 and wish to state that personnel of the command are poised towards approaching their duties with renewed vigour and commitment in terms of professionalism and responsiveness in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

“Let me also use the opportunity to convey, the deep appreciation of the personnel of the Command who benefitted from promotions as well as various training courses within the year to the COAS. This has greatly boosted their morale and enhanced their professional competences."