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Buhari’s hammer on AIT
The Buhari presidency’s animus against AIT has a four-year history. On April 26, 2015, a reporter and a cameraman of the TV station were estopped from covering the affairs of then President-elect Buhari at the Defence House.
And since then, it has been a test of wills. The fount of this hostility is the government’s perception of the broadcaster as an opposition medium.
I have perused the long and winding statement of the NBC, explaining the reasons for its “regulatory blitz” on AIT. It is clear the government wants tamed and docile media that will panegyrise it.
The NBC said the broadcaster is “patently partisan.” I liken this to a Gestapo utterance, but what can be said of NTA, the broadcast appendage of the APC and the government?
Really, it is not expected of an independent TV station in a democracy to be the dog of the government; it is not expected that it should be partisan either.
And talking about partisanship, the NBC DG, Modibbo Kawu is a known member of the APC; in fact, he vied in the party’s governorship primary election in Kwara state in October, 2018. Naturally, Kawu’s grail will be to protect the interest of his party rather than that of citizens.
This is the hypocrisy that has so demarked this administration, and the fallout of appointing people to positions in government on the basis of patronage and loyalty.
The NBC also instanced the use of social media content as one of the offences of AIT. But why the severe migraine over social media? Only governments known for abuses and violations, like in Cameroon, are these convulsive about the citizens’ media.
In history, the endgame of non-democrats has always been secreted in good intentions and the law. This is not the first assault on the media. The onslaughts have been gradual, calculated and persistent.
For example, an online newspaper had its operations compromised owing to some reports that rattled the government. The news platform was put out of circulation in the interest of “national security”.
A popular columnist was disengaged from an official assignment a night before the event for criticising the government’s handling of a security situation. A few other writers have had their columns suspended by newspapers owing to fears of sanction by the government.
Even a foremost online newspaper has not been spared of attacks despite its unbiased and middle-ground approach to reporting.
Months ago, the website of the newspaper was hacked and shut down for a few days after it published a series of reports of corruption in the handling of the Abacha loot by the office of the attorney-general of the federation.
Really, I believe the Buhari government’s onslaught on the media is deliberate and targeted at crushing the last phalanx of check, and perhaps, the opposition.
The government reduced the national assembly to a broken cymbal; it clamped down on the judiciary, and the PDP, which should ordinarily play the obverse role, is destitute of capacitance for opposition.
With the media as the only “surviving” institution of check, I think, the government is resolved to dock it to garland its path to an unchecked reign.
As matter of fact, I have a feeling that when the government is done with the mainstream media; it will breathe down, ferociously, on the spines of citizens on social media – its fiercest opposition.
I believe, the reason for this desperate approach is the non-performance of the government because a government that is delivering good governance to citizens will not be scared stiff of opposition.
The Buhari administration is asphyxiating dissenting voices because it knows it has not delivered on its promises to the country, and it does not want citizens to complain of its failure.
The government must realise that the most effective way to shut out opposition is to make Nigerians happy by delivering the benefits of governance to them.
This piece was written by Fredrick Nwabufo
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FG Pledges Enhanced Security for Southeast Region
… Adequate security is vital for business prosperity – Badaru
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured the people of the South-East of enhanced security measures, emphasizing that a secure environment is crucial for business growth and prosperity.
During his operational visit to Enugu in the South-East, the Minister addressed officers and personnel of the 82 Division/Joint task force south East Operation Udo ka under the General officer commanding, Major-General H.T Dada .He appreciated their performance while urging them to intensify their efforts in combating insecurity in the region. He also engaged with key stakeholders, including heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, students, and other community leaders, to discuss collaborative strategies for addressing the current security challenges. Other military platforms visited by the Minister included the Nigerian Airforce base Emene, Enugu.
“President Tinubu has directed me to engage with you all to find sustainable solutions to insecurity. Without security, there can be no peace or development,” Badaru stated. He acknowledged the entrepreneurial spirit of the South-East populace, asserting that security and peace are essential for businesses to thrive. “We seek your candid suggestions and information on how we can practically enhance security and foster lasting peace in this region,” he added.
The Minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to eradicating all forms of insecurity in the South-East . He elucidated on the progress made by the Tinubu administration over the past year in combating insecurity across the nation, particularly in these region.
“There is a renewed determination to intensify our efforts against all forms of insecurity under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he declared.
In his remarks, Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division/ JointTask south East Operation Udo ka, announced that the Army is implementing robust strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment for the upcoming festive season. “Through the Joint Security Task Force in the South-East, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’, we aim to create a secure atmosphere that facilitates the usual mass return for Christmas,” he stated.
Additionally, retired Major General John Nwoga emphasized the role of social media in exacerbating insecurity, noting that the circulation of old videos depicting criminal activities contributes to fear and panic within communities. “It is imperative for our people to collectively address the negative impact of misleading information and fake news proliferated through social media,” Nwoga urged.
Furthermore, the Minister visited Imo State in continuation of his operational tour of southEast on Friday 22nd November 2024. He addressed the troops at the FOB okigwe, 211 Quick Response Group, Nigerian Airforce owerri and Naval Base Oguta in Imo State. He expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR message to them and that they should improve on their successes.
The Honourable Minister also paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma of imo state to extend his gratitude to the Governor for all his support to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army/ Joint Task force south East, Operation udo ka. “All the officers and men appreciates you.”
The Ministry of Defence remains committed to fostering a secure and peaceful environment conducive to business and community development in the South-East. We are determined to end insecurity in Nigeria.
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Rented Crowed, APC AKIDA Leader with Zamfara State Govt. Buses Embark on Campaign of Calumny at DSS Office
Godiya Hamza, a Media Analyst, writes from Abuja
The orchestrated campaign of calumny against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence H.E Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle MON by a group of street orchins recruited by the leader of APC AKIDA Tijjani Ramallan is very preposterous and indecent.
This is politics too far, Ramadan has been attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR right from campaign days. He never supported or participated in APC activities, he has been jealous of Matawalle loyalty to our President.
Tijjani Ramallan has been sponsoring Banditry and romancing with criminals.
The leader of the APC AKIDA Tijjani Ramallan is being sponsored by the state government to attack the person of Dr Matawalle. It is expected that by now the DSS should have arrested him . He has found himself as a willing tool to be manipulated by Governor Dauda Lawal in attacking Dr Matawalle.
The earlier smear campaign embarked by zamfara state government which was stopped by a court order has forced them to shift to the use of APC AKIDA to carry out their mischief.
What zamfara people need is good governance and not wasting the state resources in trying to pull Matawalle down.
Pull him down syndrome pays no body.
In December 2022, aged one and a half years old, the world’s first surviving nonuplets went on their first plane flight.
They travelled from Morocco, where they were born and lived for 19 months, to their parents’ home country of Mali.
And now, two months shy of their third birthday, the nonuplets have made their first trip to Europe, visiting Italy to appear on our televised talent show Lo Show dei Record!
We bet it feels so beautiful to see them all grow and wish them the very best 🥳
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