FOR THE RECORDS: THE OPPOSITION SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

FOR THE RECORDS: THE OPPOSITION SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

BASHIR MAIDUGU

On Thursday, the 10th of July 2025, His Excellency the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON was Special Guest of Honour at the public presentation of a book by former Attorney General of the federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3Billion Nigeria Oil Block”. He made a speech as expected, to herald the advent of the book into the literary world. 

In his speech, His Excellency the Vice President recollected his own personal voyage during his own trying times as the Governor of Borno State in the midst of the insurgency and appreciated the opinions of two Senior Advocates of Nigeria who were members of the Federal Executive Council at the time, which were rooted on available facts. It is an established fact that in law, opinions of different lawyers and Judges may not necessarily be the same even on issues with the same ingredients. Therefore, Mr. Tanimu Turaki SAN and Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN merely expressed their views based on those facts at that time in those circumstances. Our present advisers also have their own views on Rivers State as dictated by our own circumstances. Vice President Kashim Shettima also merely expressed what happened to him and his State that endeared Mohammad Bello Adoke to his heart. I believe any good person in his shoe would have done the same. It is a personal recollection with nostalgia and has nothing to do with the permutations being blown out of proportion in the social media. For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidency is only one and the Vice President and all aides of the President support the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to succeed in all assignments and decisions of his administration. It is a collective responsibility and everyone working under the President is part of those decisions. 

We noticed that the opposition is excited shouting on the rooftop for a non-existent rift in the Presidency even to the extent of issuing a press release. It is a clear exhibition of the level of joblessness and creativity among them and this is unfortunate. However, we are pleased to announce that their expectations and hopes have fallen short and they should be thoroughly disappointed and ashamed that there is no rift or rancour whatsoever in the Presidency. So pathetic for them. 

Again, those unpatriotic elements should be ashamed of their heinous habits of celebrating any negative development our nation. It is sad and embarrassing that some of them are currently celebrating the US visa restriction placed on Nigerians, forgetting that it is reciprocal. True patriots stay back to build their nation. That is what most of us are doing. 

We must bear in mind that Nigeria is a nation populated by young, intelligent, hardworking and creative people. Let's collectively redirect our energies and creativities towards positivity. With the right policies already in place, the Federal Government is doing optimally to revamp our economy and return our country to growth and prosperity again. The sacrifices made in the last two years has already started yielding positive results with our current economic growth at 3.6% p.a according to the World Bank and projected to reach up to 4% p.a in 2026. Current external reserves at $38.93b USD projected to grow even further according to the Central Bank of Nigeria. These are not little achievements by any standards. It is clear evidence that we are on the right trajectory.

Going forward, it is evident that Nigerians will experience further ease of life each day with the prices of food and petrol on the downward trend. As the security situation improves, so also will be food production. This year's rains are so far satisfactory and farmers are expected to do well. Federal and most State Governments have provided enough fertilizer and pest control chemicals to facilitate bumper harvests. For those of us in white collar jobs, let's develop a culture of agriculture again in Nigeria even on a part time basis. It is a wonderful and dignifying pastime.

Finally, as we approach the election in 2027, our preoccupation should not be criticizing the government at every opportunity. Instead, we should continue to focus on providing solutions to the coterie of inherited problems in innovative ways. This is what the federal government of Nigeria is deeply focused on.

Let's be patient and support the noble efforts of the Government and achieve success for our dear nation. Peace and Stability begets prosperity. That’s the secret of China. 

Thanks for reading.

Bashir Maidugu

Guarding our Infrastructure Assets to Enhance Development

 In #Borno, we must do all things possible to defend and protect our beautiful, newly acquired infrastructure whether with or without protests. Our youths should know that by this, they are defending their future. 

The last 15 years should teach us that destructions lead to poverty and sufferings. Many families have been thrown into poverty. Further destructions will lead to more of these. 

We must also understand that it takes minutes to destroy infrastructure and it costs a lifetime to build a destroyed system. We must say NO to any hostile assembly or protests because crowds are not easy to control. And we must know that there are disgruntled people with hidden agenda that are bent on inviting anarchy and chaos into our society. We must stop them.

This post is relevant to all States in Nigeria. Let's protect our society through peaceful development. #NoToProtests #everyone #followers

MY FRIEND ISA GUSAU — A TRIBUTE.....

By Kashim Shettima, GCON

There couldn't have been a more poignant last chapter to a man's life than my final text exchange with him. He reached out on December 31, 2023, to draw my attention to a Qur'an recital competition in Damaturu, Yobe State, stating that it transpired without deserving prizes. In his typical fashion, he outlined interventions that could align with the noble ambitions of the reciters and organisers. What he didn't say this time around, while preferring the cloak he wore to redirect our concerns away from his health and towards others, was that he was on the brink of existence. He was in a hospital bed far away from home. About a year earlier, Mallam Isa Gusau visited me at home in Abuja, and I couldn't help but notice his sickly physical transformation. He opened up about his health struggle only when I insisted. I disagreed with his philosophy of not wanting his health to be the subject of interest in his line of work. However, he followed the direction we suggested for medical intervention and returned to prioritizing his job. With him, it's always duty first, and that drive for excellence was once a source of trouble for us when we were on opposite sides of the table. 

In 2007, when I assumed the role of Commissioner of Finance in Governor Ali Modu Sheriff's Government in Borno State, Mallam Gusau was the Daily Trust correspondent and later Bureau Chief covering the Borno-Yobe axis. He had been a problem for the government before my arrival. Fresh out of the private sector, I conducted sentiment analysis of my new station, and this inviolable reporter was a recurring problem in our efforts to manage the perception of the state and the government's commitment to the people, especially during the critical phase of an ideological invasion in the North-East by a group that has since become the global calamity known as Boko Haram. I had always admired objective contrarians and critics, and it didn't take long to understand why Mallam Gusau’s journalistic overtures had been a nightmare for the government. His principles were as unyielding as ancient mountains, deeply rooted in the bedrock of his conviction as a chronicler of state affairs. I found myself compelled to acquaint with the fearless man. Ms. Kwapchi Bata Hamman, who was then a reporter at NTA Maiduguri, became our eyes on him and eventually our bridge to him. She, along with the late Zubairu Maina Shani, a fellow Commissioner in Governor Sherrif’s government, formed our troika to untie the Gordian knot that was Isa Gusau. That one man could stir us this much, stand up to us with no fear or susceptibility to compromise, was a credential like no other. So, I knew just then that I wanted to be friends with such a man, a rebel with a noble cause. Our destinies aligned sooner than I had expected. 

In 2011, when I was sworn into office as the Executive Governor of Borno State, I knew immediately that I must be surrounded by perceived trouble-makers if I were to make a difference, and Gusau easily came to mind. I was unconcerned about his origin, only what he was bringing to the table. I have always seen a leader who functions in an echo chamber as a tragedy. Mallam Gusau agreed to be my spokesperson, testing the political divide that his path had crossed as a journalist. He mastered the art of shaping perceptions, traversing lengths unknown to me at the time. He has invested in the well-being of his colleagues and those he serves, and distinguished himself as a mediator and bridge builder in resolving office conflicts. Only many years later did I discover the depths to which he went to protect me, skilfully managing or quashing crosses without seeking the spotlight or credit. Along with his team, he breathed life into the communication of government policies in Borno State, making us realize that even the finest idea or policy by the government is doomed to fail without strategic communications. 

Their legacy turned Borno State into a viable landmark on the topography of governance in Nigeria. He explored traditional and new media to dispel every attempt to caricature the state, whether in mischief or honest ignorance. Gusau's loyalty to friends, matched only by his competence and devotion to duty, sets him apart. This sense of responsibility led him to decline an invitation to serve as a commissioner in his home state, Zamfara, choosing instead to stay with his friends in Borno State. He played a central role among the multicultural aides that we assembled, contributing to our service to the people. 

In that inclusive team of ours, where Borno State was warmly embraced as home, was Lanre Obadiah from Kwara State. Kester Ogualili and Victor Izekor were from Anambra and Abia States respectively. Christopher Godwin Akaba, an Urhobo man from Delta State, and Jack Vicent Fidelis, an Igala man from Kogi State, were also valuable members. Expanding our connections to neighboring states, Ahmed Ishaq Ningi from Bauchi State and Usman Majidadi Kumo from Gombe State were part of this dedicated ensemble.The team was valorised by Mallam Gusau, who also served as my Special Adviser on Strategy while overseeing communications. It's not surprising that he's the longest-serving adviser in the history of the state. He praised your triumphs and intervened when you erred, always having the perfect books for every scenario he painted. This book-exchanging culture made him a refuge and a mirror. So, I had no speck of scepticism in recommending him for employment as an adviser to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, whom he served for four and a half years after advising me for eight years. 

Until three weeks ago, when I brought this up, Governor Zulum himself had no idea that Gusau was a leading voice advocating and justifying my choice of him as a successor. He never mentioned this to his new principal, just as he was always reluctant to divulge his health history. This lifestyle, which we opposed and came to acknowledge as the depth of his fidelity to duty, was, to him, a way to never curry favour and pity. In a twist of fate, Isa Gusau, once perceived as a provocateur during his radical years, found himself forging unexpected alliances in a profound display of irony. Without accommodating compromises, he reconciled with those who had once deemed him a problem. The crescendo of this surprising journey was reached when he, against all odds, entered into matrimony with the sister of none other than Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff. This unexpected union not only symbolised the mellowing of Gusau's feuds or differences with others but also cast a vivid contrast onto the canvas of his life. What also never made the news was his philanthropy, reaching from the younger generation to the elderly. His generosity extended to the procurement of vehicles for media personnel and correspondents working in the hinterlands of Southern Borno. There was a poignant moment when he generously handed over his only vehicle to an indigent journalist colleague. I became aware of this act of kindness when I witnessed him trekking to his residence, a stone's throw away from the Borno State Government House.This incident invoked thoughts of Adam Grant's acclaimed work, "Give and Take," which categorises humanity into two reciprocity styles: Givers and Takers. Givers, characterized by their altruism, quietly assist others without seeking the spotlight, while Takers are driven by greed, desiring more than they contribute. The book celebrates legendary figures like C.J. Skender, the late Stu Inman, and George Meyer as quintessential Givers. Undoubtedly, my dear friend, Isa Umar Gusau, belongs to the distinguished category of these selfless and beautiful souls.The void left by Gusau’s demise, as he departed from the sphere of his influence, transcends Borno State. It even extends beyond those who had feared his honesty. His loss is immense for the entire nation, which requires courageous advisors around our public office-holders, and for the humanity he served until his last breath on Thursday, January 11, 2024. May Allah repose his soul and comfort all those he left behind. Ameen.

*Senator Kashim Shettima was the Executive Governor of Borno State between 2011 and 2019, and Nigeria’s current Vice President..

Shettima's Patriotic remarks under the _Current dispensation_

 Shettima's Patriotic remarks under the Current dispensation

By

BASHIR MAIDUGU

_"Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.".._ E.B White

The furore generated over the remarks of the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, GCON is a consequence of a combination of several intricacies not unconnected with our diversity as a nation. 

During his interaction with Senators-Elect prompted by the intransigence of some Senators aspiring to the leadership of the Senate to concede to the Party's zoning formula, Shettima, being a staunch nationalist and inclusivist, opined that..

 _"...under the current dispensation, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate"_ ....some sections of the press went heywire and deliberately distorted and misquoted the Vice President to the effect that "he insulted Muslim Northerners" and went ahead to present  that distortion to the public. The instant desire for mischief and chaos by the purveyors of the distortion was noticeable by all right thinking faculties. It's a political gimmick and a trademark of some notorious politicians.

The focus of this write up  is on three issues emanating from the speech and a fourth one to be read together with the first three.

1. We have to understand that the words _"under the current dispensation"_ used by the Vice President from the begining of his statement is the context in which he spoke. They were very relevant to the effect that we must juxtapose our own current situation to _whatever crucial decision that would be made_ with respect to our cohesion and progress as a diverse nation. In other words, we must build trust and confidence between ourselves as God Almighty has already Decreed our nationhood as a melting point of  different cultures, ethnicities and religions. The ownership of this land called Nigeria is vested in us as citizens and it is incumbent upon us as responsible people to organise our affairs in such a way that every citizen feels not only carried along but also  respected and protected.

The key to peaceful and progressive existence as a member of the human race rests on  understanding and respect for these diverse values. Therefore, his words "in the current dispensation" must not be  divorced from the rest of the statement. Any other interpretation could mean seeking mischief and chicanery. In politics, these abound.

2. Since the victory of the progressives in 2015, efforts have been made by the Federal Government, party stakeholders and other patriots to convince the South South states and indeed the rest of the country that APC is a nationalistic Party. Consequently in the 2023 elections, the emergence of the Party  as a very strong alternative meant that the zone is ripe for leadership posts within the party. This is a development that requires appraisal and official appreciation. As faithfuls, we are truly thrilled with the performance of the Party in that zone. Ordinarily, this calls for celebration and it was in consideration of these realities that the Party wisely decided to cede  the Presidency of the Senate to the South South..... 

_"what binds us together,"_ in Shettima's words, _"is stronger than whatever divides us as a nation"_, he said. 

This is classic patriotism and our reactions as fellow patriots is to celebrate this posture. 

In a nutshell, the statement he made in that gathering of the distinguished Senators is a simple summation of the mindset of the All Progressiveness Congress as a Party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu...._under our current dispensation_

3. The need to puncture the diabolic machinations of the Labour Party sore losers and extremists to falsely present Nigeria as a state where Christians are _marginalised_. ......

In a democracy, elections are conducted at specific  intervals where leaders of the community are chosen by the people. The overall objective is to provide good governance for the community. Those not chosen by the people would usually try their luck another time. This is not the case with the Obidients' as their failed objective, after losing, was and still is to cause chaos and anarchy and to place hurdles for the new APC government including instigating the international community to disparage Nigeria. It is viewed that the occupation of the top three positions of the Nigerian Government by Muslims will aid them greatly in their unholy propaganda. The leadership of the nation and party are conscious of this evil plot. The VP's posture was simply to convey this message _under the current dispensation_

4. H.E Kashim Shettima was Governor of Borno State (2011 -2019). Without controversy, his tenure was the most traumatised of a Chief Executive of a state in Nigeria. The tragic insurgency during that time has afforded him with a fair knowledge of how conflicts are inflamed and peace and stability  attained and maintained. From the foregoing, we have to concede to him that his experience has afforded him the capacity to sense trouble at a distance. The gyration by the Labour Party in the present run up to the elections of the new Senate leadership is aimed at brewing trouble or difficulty for the young APC administration. The  Vice President simply wants to nip this in the bud and deny them of any oxygen of relevance _under the current dispensation_

We, as true patriotic Nigerians are bound to assist our own situation for peace, progress and prosperity of our nation, always and _under the current dispensation_.

THE TINUBU MANIFESTO...2023

IMPERATIVES OF TINUBU'S "RENEWED HOPE" MANIFESTO......

NIGERIA needs help. As Nigerians, we must face the challenges of repositioning our country to positively transform into one of the top investment destinations in the world. All studies have shown that the country has  what it takes to achieve this initial target....within a short time.

The document identifies that most of the challenges we face as a nation today are similar with those faced by other developing countries. First is the massive gap in transport  Infrastructure......Roads, Rail, Aviation, Sea Ports and even more deficits in social infrastructure....Health facilities and medical Services, Education. The Agric sector and Power are also marked  as top priorities. Among other innovative funding solutions, the Public Private Partnership model is envisaged.

Without progress in these sectors, it further implied, there will be zero manufacturing capacity and no industrial development will take place and thus the nation remains resources dependent. In view of the great opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria has to be cautious to avoid being a dumping ground for cheap goods from other African countries.

Any nation that relies on the export of her natural resources for mere survival is truly sitting on a time bomb. Natural resources are exhaustible items in addition to environmental issues that evolves with time. Proceeds from these resources should be used to sustainably enable the environment for a private sector driven economy and create good living standards for our people.

The revolutionary innovation is the loan proposal by the Government to those willing to proceed on higher studies. This  programme is a game changer. It states that Nigerians have no business being poor.

It is the comprehension of the above objectives as contained in that concise  document launched last year that elicited my desire to post this. I sincerely hope that these beautiful plans will be executed with precision. #nigeria #renewedhope #ppps #economy #economicdevelopment #infrastructure

BORNO IN OUR GENERATION II

By

Bashir Maidugu

Some of our people are so easily forgetful that it was the courage, bravery and sacrifice at the risk of the lives of our Governor and many top Government, Party and Non-Government officials, Gallant Volunteers and village informants that enabled the of Borno to be able to achieve the relative peace that we witness today. We cannot accept the disruption of our hard earned stability by some selfish, fraudulent individuals who would want us back to the reign of darkness and terror, which could be worse than the GEJ regime.... shutting down our telephone network, our airport, looted our resources and restricted commerce and businesses in our cities for years making our citizens live from hand to mouth..... for the first time rendering our dignified people once existed as farmers and traders in their villages as beggars all over Nigeria. 

We must not forget the stigma created against us by this tragedy in other communities in this county. Many of our guests who lived here for generations have left.. We are a proud but not hostile people. Before the tragedy, our people hosted strangers in their homes and ate with them freely. Where are these virtues now? 

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, who as Vice President, before our very eyes, diverted many Zonal offices meant for Maiduguri, the natural capital of the North East, away from the city because of nothing but hatred for our communities. The lists are endless. He will do worse if he ever gets the chance. We will never allow him.

A supposed leader of the North East, having occupied the highest position from the region for Eight uninterrupted years, he has refused to visit Borno to commiserate with our people in all these years of our tragedy. He has not mentored any citizen of Borno. He only visited Maiduguri for one day-wedding events of his bourgeoisie politicians. And yet a few hungry people have the audacity to welcome such a saboteur into our midst? His party stakeholders even engaged in physical combats without decorum among themselves on logistics funds thrown to them by their troubled candidate. He will be a miserable loser, In Shaa Allah in 2023.

Let me say a few things here: there will be no vacancy in Borno Government House and the Aso Rock Villa in Shaa Allah. PDP will be reduced to a very small political party after 2023. Atiku will be retired permanently back to Dubai. And in Shaa Allah, we will witness a period of unprecedented economic growth, prosperity and development. BORNO WILL BE HOME OF PEACE forever again.

MAIDUGURI

11th November, 2022

 MELAYE, PDP AND THE CHALLENGES OF DECENCY.

On PDP's behaviour as an opposition party, we don't expect them to pour accolades on our great candidates. We are actually expecting the worst reaction from them in the history of Nigerian politics. This is informed by the acute phobia of defeat. They are deeply divided, fragmented, frustrated, desperate and therefore can vituperate libelous content. But we won't dignify them with any civil suit. 

Dino Melaye is a  defeated politician, defeated and disgraced in every aspect of politics, defeated into irrelevance and oblivion. He is also currently unemployed and I am truly not sure if he is employable at all, except by someone like Atiku Abubakar, who has himself not improved on his education despite serving as a Douane for 30 years becoming extremely  wealthy. An ex-officer of a revenue generating agency under the Federal Ministry of Finance....involved in so many controversies with his boss who has expressed regret picking him as his running mate in the first  place. He has clearly failed as a Vice President, now re-emerging from his cocoon in Dubai to once again play on our sensibilities and sentiments. No wonder Nyesom Wike discovered his antics early enough.

In his infamous years in the Senate, Dino, was known to have climbed a tree for hours in an attempt to run away from justice. He  dramatised a simple arrest by a law enforcement officer in a live video, absolutely devoid of manners, behaved like a thug in our hallowed legislative chambers, with his horrible voice he dished out obscene videos to the public especially our youths on social media, physically assaulted ladies, glamorised corruption in his attitude to the code of conduct tribunal....totally disgracing himself and his constituency. With his utterances yesterday,  Dino Melaye is not only unfit for any public or even private office, he has exhibited that he is still a huge embarrassment and a disgrace to his family and Nigerians. I am personally offended as citizen of Borno. 

However, the beautiful development is that Nigerians know these political tourists, rogues and fraudsters too well and can never entrust the destiny of our nation and the national treasury to them. They don't depict our cherished values....in any way. I advise those who abhor their shameful behaviours to leave them while there's enough time. PDP will be a very small party after the 2023 elections.

Nigerians also know our revered candidates, as politicians with clear positive records.... Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and  Senator Kashim Shettima. The legacy in Lagos still liveth. While as Governor of Borno State,  Shettima, despite the huge challenges of the Boko Haram terrorists and the disadvantage of a hostile Federal Government was able to inspire our youths to challenge and chase out the terrorists from our cities. Even as a traumatised Chief Executive, he succeeded in ensuring that Borno can be rebuilt despite the damage by the nihilists and the neglect by the PDP led Federal Government. A treasonable behaviour from the Jonathan regime as Borno was abandoned to the insurgents. 

In his second term as Governor and with the advent of a friendlier APC led Federal Government in 215, realising the challenges that faced him, he activated the reconstruction mode and formed a highly dynamic cabinet, created the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and appointed our current workaholic Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum to over see it.  Shettima introduced dozens of the now famous Mega Schools, acquired over a thousand Tractors and thousands of other Agricultural equipments including water pumping machines, pivot irrigation systems, trained hundreds of Borno citizens abroad in agriculture, medicine and other relevant reconstruction disciplines.

These are the Kashim Shettima legacies in Borno. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum fnse, mni CON is the cap. What are the legacies of Atiku Abubakar and Dino Melaye? 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are both achievers in their own states and in their own rights. Great thinkers. They converged in the All Progressives Congress Presidential Ticket not by design but by sheer accident of history. Nigerians have a wonderful opportunity to elect them in February 2023.

BASHIR MAIDUGU

ABUJA, 4th November, 2022

THE NIGERIA AIR PROJECT AND THE REALITIES OF OUR

 THE NIGERIA AIR PROJECT AND THE REALITIES OF OUR 

In my very humble view, the Idea of the proposed Air Nigeria is excellent and long overdue. Even if coming so late, I commend the originators of the concept. However the strategy towards its success and sustainability should not include Ethiopian Airlines. This is because Ethiopian Airlines is a great competitor and Ethiopia as a nation considers her world class airline as the life blood of the nation. Truly, it is the pride of Africa. Their perennial ambition is to continue to dominate African Aviation. No wonder that Ethiopia is still promoting the "Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)", a decision of the African Union in Yamousskro which was rejected as part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The success of their aviation sector did not happen over night. Despite their numerous challenges especially in terms of resources and their penchant for military adventurism, I sincerely admire them for identifying their priorities and relentlessly pursuing them for decades with focus.....the result is what we have today, Ethiopian Airlines! The airline was far smaller than the defunct Nigeria Airways. I decided to bring this to the public space because I would want this to be on record. 

I suggest the following strategic approach for the success and sustainability of the proposed laudable Nigeria Air.

1. As a first step, advertise worldwide and engage a world class consultant to come up with an end to end solution, (comprehensive feasibility) taking everything into account in our circumstances. No specific consultant should be favoured for this job. (This may have been done already but I don't trust the process).

2. Nigeria is blessed with equally strategic locations that can rival Addis Ababa, Dubai and Cairo. Additional advantages Nigeria enjoys include large population and economy. In that light, the Federal Government should encourage private sector investment in large, world class aircraft maintenance hangers and massive airport terminal which can be done through Public Private Collaboration. These hangers will service the numerous airlines coming and earn foreign exchange for the country and the Airport will become the hub and nucleus of the proposed Nigeria Air. Presently, our domestic carriers conduct their routine maintenance in Addis Ababa. 

3. The private sector should be the drivers of the proposed Nigeria Air. They should be properly organised and well funded with massive war chest for the impending hammer from big airlines. With massive funding, they should be able to absorb the relentless onslaught from the very hostile aviation environment. This is informed by the demise of Ghana Airways, Cameroon Airlines, Nigeria Airways and many other African Airlines as a consequence of fierce competition. South African Airlines and Kenya Airways are presently struggling to survive 

4. All the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) signed by Nigeria with other countries should be dusted, reviewed and exploited exhaustively.

5. The proposed airline should also place emphasis on Cargo from the onset. Being the largest economy with the largest population in Africa, Nigeria has an edge on this. We should carefully take advantage.

6. A private sector driven Nigeria Air supported by the Federal Government and Nigerians will surely succeed. Like Emirates Airlines, professionals should be engaged to manage it without any interference from any quarters, subject to our laws. 

7. In addition to the massive terminal, aircraft maintenance hangers, fueling facilities and infrastructure should also be constructed in the two potential hubs, Lagos or Abuja. With the right policies and incentives, this can easily be achieved through Public Private Partnerships. Many flights from the middleeast to the Americas, from Southern Africa to Europe will readily stop for refueling in Nigeria if our climate is conducive. For the moment, they either stop for the same purpose in Accra or Dakar. This should reverse as the commercial prospect is massive.

8. The Federal Government should set up aviation and hospitality training institutions to beep up capacity and skills in view of the anticipated upsurge in the sector. The multiplier effect this will create is immeasurable. 

9. The population should be aggressively encouraged to fly Nigeria Air. Staff and consultants of Government ministries and MDAs at the Federal, State and local levels should be mandated to only use the airline where the routes permit. 

It is my sincere hope that the promoters of the wonderful Nigeria Air project will be guided by our national interests as much as commercial realities permit. 

Bashir Maidugu A

buja, 22nd October, 2022.

ONNOGHEN'S INFAMOUS LEGACY, OUR YOUNG WIGS AND THE LAW

ONNOGHEN'S INFAMOUS LEGACY, OUR YOUNG WIGS AND THE LAW

                        By 
     BASHIR MAIDUGU

"Be ye ever so high, the law is above thee”...Thomas Fuller (1608 to 1661)

The recent conviction of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Nkanu Onnoghen by the Code of Conduct Tribunal is bold, historic and exemplary. As the head of the apex court coupled with his decades of service on the bench, it can be asserted that this Judge must have caused massive damage to our legal and judicial system, the extent of which no one really knows.

As disclosed from the proceedings, his record of service and the drama upon his suspension, Jurists like Walter Onnoghen do not care about our judiciary, the legal system, the law and how his own infamous conduct  may have impact on all of us and Nigeria. 

For his kind, the Judicial Bench is merely a means to an end - their personal,  egoistic ends! For his type, justice is not blind. He wouldn't care less of selling judgments to the highest bidders or for their preferred interests. They would lord over mere mortals and dish out judgements not necessarily founded on law perhaps whenever there's a sufficient vested interests to serve or to where their self-interests may lie, and they have that pompous feeling of invincibility to do and undo as they pleased. Such Judges believe they cannot be touched, given the complex processes and complexities surrounding their statuses. And unfortunately because they know the law and the inherent technicalities, and they can meander within same, they always use it to their advantage, often with impunity. In truth, they've so manipulated the system that today they seem to have almost allotted to themselves an "immunity" where none really exists within our statutes. 

His conviction epitomises how all along a nation helplessly watched as the head of the judicial arm of our national government, armed with the knowledge of the law and vantage position as a serving law officer with enormous resources and strategically placed, exploited our laws and it's technicalities to cover up massive fraud and thereby bastardizing the concept of good governance and possibly derail our democracy through judicial terrorism. 

In this country, as recent events in Zamfara, Rivers and Kano have shown, the issue of some judges issuing out dodgy and controversial court injunctions, orders including certiorari and mandamuses emanating from ex perte proceedings as if in competition.....all probably instigated by politicians with different vested interests must be addressed through the combined efforts of the Bar and the Bench just to save the image of the legal profession and to dispense justice in whole and not in part and to prevent pushing the hallowed institutions and the nation, into a dangerous slide to perdition. 

For those of us who are lawyers in training and striving very hard to live within our means, it would have been truly a great national disservice for the head of Nigeria's Apex Court to be cunningly protected by his colleagues from the same law he knew and knowingly desecrated. His offence is almost a strict liability offence as evidenced by his written and oral admissions and the stupendous undeclared sums discovered in his bank accounts in foreign currencies vis a vis the position of our law on assets declaration. 

I further opine that without a doubt, since resignation isn't in our culture, the judiciary, nay the Nigerian State, must be saved from the embarrassment of judicial officers in Onnoghen clothings. 
Imperatively, one may rationally ask:- 

1.) How many lives or careers of personalities have jurists such as Walter Onnoghen ruined through influenced judgments in their long career as judges? 

2.)What are the extent of collateral damages such judgments has wrecked on our democracy and society ?

3.)To what extent has it impacted on the teaching and learning of law as we know it in the Universities and the Law school and the legal profession? 

4.) Will our law reform commission take up those controversial Onnoghen judgments and other similar case laws and recommend their review to the appropriate authorities? 

All Nigerians arguing this issue ostensibly for the cause of our democracy and nation must ask and answer these questions! 
God Bless Nigeria!

Bashir Maidugu
Abuja, Nigeria

BORNO IN OUR GENERATION AND THEN PEREGRINO BRIMAH

"Prejudice", according to E.B White, "is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts". Otherwise how will one describe the rediculous views expressed by one "Dr Peregrino Brimah", in an obscure online newspaper called "News Rescue"? 

For the records, the insurgency started in this form in July, 2009 and our present trials and tribulations commenced. The subsequent humanitarian disaster that has engulfed our land can easily rival the pogroms of the World War II. In villages, hamlets and towns across the frontline states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, death has become a citizen to the extent that decent burial has become a luxury. Bodies are being stashed in trucks and buried in mass graves while many are abandoned to the vultures in Baga for example. The Boko Haram authors of this horror have murdered upwards of 100,000 innocent souls and have further displaced millions of innocent villagers whose only fault is being alive. The international community largely ignored this tragedy until the 219 Chibok Girls were abducted. The world media have since gone back to recess with respect to Borno as the horror is orchestra being staged. We are not a priority, even with the internationalisation of this tragedy. At best we are given erratic footnotes. In what one can say a twist of luck, the elections approached and our thoroughly traumatised people were offered the luxury of choice and they voted change, to try their luck, just in case our situation could positively change. With the help of other Nigerians, that Government was sacked which was viewed as grossly "incompetent and responsible for the escalation" by not providing the needed political will to win the battle against the insurgents. The people of Borno, the epicentre of this senseless carnage, voted to retain their Government, under the young and dynamic Governor, Hon Kashim Shettima. It is a great miracle that he is still alive and passionately occupied with the mandate entrusted to him in the two difficult elections he contested. Within his reign thus far, he has visited dozens of villages and towns whose occupants were almost wiped away and their properties razed: Baga, Doron Baga, Bama, Gwoza, Gamboru Ngala, Monguno, Marte, Damasak, Damboa, Chibok, Askira Uba, Malam Fatori, Dikwa, Benishek, Gubio, Magumeri, Banki, Mainok, Jakana, Ngamdu and hundreds of hamlets across the state. In each of these visits, he has not only consoled the survivors with tears and a token but ensured that they are relocated to the safer city of Maiduguri, into camps run by the state government. For the first time in our generation, our people became not only internally displaced persons within our shores but also helpless refugees across the border. In Cameroon and Niger, our people were not only abandoned without food and clean water but confined to camps in less than human conditions. Hundreds have died as a result of treatable diseases..... malaria and cholera. The state government has evacuated many back to Maiduguri through long, treacherous and almost impassable paths across mountains, deserts and forests yet thousands still remain in these unfriendly refugee camps. During the previous regime, the state governor has made dozens of attempts to see Mr President, the National Security Adviser, the military chiefs just to avail them of important information which could have helped the situation for our people but he was either rebuked by presidential aides or outrightly condemned and treated with hostility and disdain. He was often blocked from seeing any of them. He was under constant surveillance while Boko Haram conquered Nigerian territory, massacred our people and defiled our women. Is there any other definition of cruelty and dereliction of duty? Is there any reason why these people should not be made to answer questions at the International Criminal Court? For, they swore to "defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". Borno is a part of the Nigerian territory. My fellow citizens, it is against this background that this unknown character named Dr Peregrino Brimah wrote his provocative comments on His Excellency Honourable Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor Borno State. Since the outbreak of this insurgency, this Governor has shown leadership and has become the Icon of our land, a beacon of hope. Without iota of doubt, he is the most challenged and humiliated Governor while still in office in the history of this country. Precisely, he deserves our collective support and sympathy. One finds it truly amazing and really difficult to believe that a person who perhaps have never visited Borno and who is so ignorant about us and considers Borno people as "Hausa/Fulani," could write such rubbish and gain the attention of the public, however minute. At this stage of our existence as a people, what we need is an understanding of our difficulties from the rest of Nigeria. A gentle and sincere "sorry" from the creeks of the Niger Delta could mean a lot to our people. We are a very proud, self-relient and resilient people. With over a thousand years of written history, ours was one of the oldest Kingdom with courts and organised administration in the entire West of Africa. Our ancestors have conquered such challenges in the past and Bi'izinillah, we shall also triumph in our generation.

Bashir Maidugu on Presentation of Report of the Grains Committee to the HMS (Power) Hon. Mohammed Wakil

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN, AD HOC COMMITTEE ON FACT FINDING WITH RESPECT TO THE 2013 PRESIDENTIAL RELIEF MATERIALS TO BORNO STATE Hon Minister of State, (Power) Hon Barr. Mohammed Wakil, O.O.N, The Permanent Secretary and Ministry officials, fellow committee members, gentlemen of the press including ladies, in 2013, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR graciously approved about 650 trucks of various grains for disbursement to the states where state of emergency were declared as a result of the incessant insurgency. This humanitarian gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardships being faced by the innocent population in those states most of whom are farmers. For the last couple of years, farming activities especially in Borno and Yobe states have virtually come to a halt. These relief items were therefore timely. The then Hon Minister representing Borno state, M. Bukar Tijani exited the Federal Executive Council towards the end of August 2013. The distribution exercise was thus halted in the case of Borno. In conjunction with the former Minister of State, Finance, Dr. Yerima L. Ngama, and the Hon Minister of Women Affairs from Adamawa, the three Ministers were placed with the responsibility of distribution of the relief materials to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states respectively. Following the long absence of an anchorman for Borno with respect to the grains and the subsequent emergence of Hon Mohammed Wakil as a Minister representing Borno state in the Federal cabinet, the new minister decided to constitute this fact finding team about four weeks ago for the following reasons: a) Ascertaining the actual quantity of grains allocated to Borno State b) Ascertain the mode of distribution and the number of trucks allocated to the state. c) Ascertain the actual number of trucks delivered to Borno State d) Ascertain the outstanding grains for Borno State still at the silos. e) Recommend suitable action for future improvements on similar exercises. The contents of the documents being submitted to you here today Hon Minister Sir, is the detail of the above terms of reference. In the discharge of our responsibilities therefore, we tried to limit our investigation to only Borno State. This investigation is very important for two reasons: (1) For accountability purposes, so that the new minister will know exactly what he is taking over and (2) It will plug flaws discovered during the exercise in subsequent assignments. Sir, with the submission of this report, we hope that the purposes of setting up this committee is largely achieved. Finally, Hon Minister, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I mentioned earlier that in the last three years, farming activities were practically brought to a halt in those states. The committee hereby requests the Honourable Minister to plead with the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR to consider allocating at least 1,000 trucks this year to the emergency states of the North East in order to avoid famine. Already, food items have skyrocketed in those areas. There are reports of drought in the neighboring Niger republic this year. In Borno State for example, most surrounding villages and towns around Maiduguri have virtually become ghost settlements as their inhabitants have migrated to Maiduguri. This has starved the city with traditional supply of food items and other essential commodities. We must state here that Maiduguri infrastructure is overstretched. The magnanimity of Mr. President last year is commendable as the purpose of the strategic grains reserve programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been achieved. The committee hereby wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister of State (Power), Hon mohammed Wakil, O.O.N for the opportunity to serve our people in this capacity. It is our hope and fervent prayer that subsequent exercises will be seamless and successful. Thank you all. Barr. Bashir Maidugu April, 2014

Of HOME BASED, ABUJA POLITICIANS AND THE "SAS LEGACY"

THE TRAGEDY which has befallen Borno since the emergence of a style of politics based entirely on coercion and enticement (Thuggery and money)in the name of Ecomog is unprecedented. Prior to this democratic experiment, Political affiliation and affinity of the citizens in Borno was entirely based on ideology and the interest of our land. As epitomised by our true statesmen, the likes of Late Alhaji Ibrahim Imam, Late Sir Kashim Ibrahim, Late Zannah Bukar Dipcharima, Late Alh Ibrahim Biu and so on, politics in Borno has never been a cash and thuggery affair. These leaders remained dear and revered by the people. They did their best during their time. They provided service without embezzling the state treasury. Because of their positive contributions, their names will remain indelible in our hearts. As a mark of love and honour, many named their children after them, long after they have passed away. In 1999, Borno was aptly referred to as the "Home of Peace". This title beautifully coincided with the disposition of the God fearing man at the helm of affairs then, the Late Alh Mala Kachalla, Governor of Borno State (1999-2003). For him, there was no earthly thing worthy of a human life or suffering. He was fondly nicknamed "the man of peace". People conceded that he actually earned this precious title. In 2003, even though Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerged the Presidential flagbearer of the then All Peoples' Party, a political militia, known as "ECOMOG" composed of mainly unfortunate youths under the heavy influence of drugs and money had been set up by Sheriff to coerce and harass political opponents who disagreed with his crooked version of politics. Coupled with the Buhari factor, he easily became the Governor of Borno state and the people of Borno had high expectations. These expectations were dashed as the militia harassed and intimidated all decent and educated potential opponents. Among his cronies and beneficiaries, his word was law. The State House of Assembly became a mere rubber stamp. His policies further impoverished the citizens and ensured that he alone could financially empower anyone. The middle class in Borno State was practically wiped out as most citizens lived from hand to mouth. Those who could afford to move out of the state moved to Abuja and other cities and continued their livelihood. Meanwhile, one does not want to dwell on the relationship between the Jamatu Ahlis Sunnah Lid Da'awatu wal Jihad or Boko Haram and the Government of Ali Modu Sheriff. As every Borno watcher must know, it is a fact that the then state government mismanaged the tension that developed between the Nigerian Police Force and the Boko Haram sect which led to the uprising of July, 2009. This uprising is the beginning of the current insecurity which has spilled over to many states costing thousands of lives and loses in their billions. As the Chief Security Officer of the state, he had the singular responsibility of preventing the loss of a single life in the state. Where it happens, he had the singular responsibility of authorising an investigation and ensuring that Justice is not only done but seem to have been done. However, as events would have it, the aftermaths of the crackdown on the sect led to terrorism, including suicide bombings in the country. The role of these unfortunate youths Sheriff used on his way to power in spreading the new culture of violence in Borno need not be over emphasised. The Ecomog militia were armed with clubs, machetes, daggers and other dangerous weapons. Under the heavy influence of hard drugs and money, these youngsters actually engaged in physical combats even among themselves, atimes resulting in the loss of lives or limbs. Political civility, politeness and patriotism became extinct as gangsterism and the politics of self interest took over while educative political discourse disappeared in to the thin air. During the reign of this failed Governor, we witnessed Borno transform from a revered home of peace to a notorious theatre of war. The resultant economic catastrophe this maladministration has invited is too horrendous to estimate. Recently, a highly placed citizen has opined that it has dragged Borno backwards by at least Fifty years. While on his way to power in 2003, Ali Sheriff coined the phrase "Abuja Politicians". In his bid to discredit a cream of better educated, more patriotic citizens of Borno who reside outside the state as a result of business or other opportunities, he called them "Abuja politicians", even though he lived mostly outside the state before he came governor himself. The phrase is now being used by his cronies, godsons and beneficiaries without shame. The emergence of the concept of nation-state in contemporary history is aimed at developing the society to improve quality of life for the citizens and residents. Governments around the world therefore engage in different strategies and techniques to achieve this. In the quest to achieve development therefore, Borno needs to learn about other states, cities, societies and nations. Borno should even send its citizens to other lands on scholarship so that it could benefit from the knowledge gained...in Agriculture, Commerce, Tourism, Technology, Health, Power and other aspects of human endeavour. Borno citizens must not be encouraged to remain at home like cockroaches and be eating their faeces without adding any value to the society. Like the proverbial fish in the well, they will continue to pull down one another and destroy themselves. This should be unacceptable. From the foregoing, it is a sheer act of ignorance and even foolishness to assert that a citizen must reside in Borno before he could contribute his quota to its development. Alhaji Mohammed Indimi among others, is a citizen of Borno who tried his best to establish a pump manufacturing firm in Maiduguri and recently pledged to establish a solar energy outfit for the production of green electricity. He mostly resides outside Nigeria. In a nutshell, our argument is that wealth creation and addition to the GDP of a state or country is a direct function of whatever external investment a state or country could get. Therefore, those who reside outside the state and regularly patriate funds into Borno in whatever form are instrumental to the growth of the economy of the state. No one should therefore dismiss them as "Abuja Politicians", for they represent the hope of Borno. Among serious countries like India, Philippines, Egypt, Israel, Pakistan etc, repatriation of earnings by their nationals living abroad constitute a substantial part of their annual earnings and even incorporated into the national budget. The failed Governor's cronies, political associates and beneficisties should be asked: WHAT IS THIS "SAS LEGACY" they are talking about?

Mai Idris Polytechnic: Ten Years On

MAI IDRIS ALOOMA POLYTECHNIC TEN YEARS ON BY BASHIR MAIDUGU Bashir Maidugu and Co., The story of Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic Geidam exactly ten years since its founding this month encapsulates all the major issues and concerns of not only polytechnic education but the tertiary education system in the country. Established 2002, Yobe State Polytechnic, later renamed Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, after the most powerful and famous of the former Sayfawa Dynasty rulers of ancient Kanem Bornu Empire, Mai Idris Alooma (1571 – 1603), who expanded the frontiers of Kanem Bornu, one of Africa’s foremost of civilized communities to its zenith. One of the problems of the Federal Government in tackling the multifaceted problems in education, despite fantastic initiatives (such as those by the TETF) and increased funding over the years is lack of coordination. No single body, inspite of today’s technological advancement and cacophony of federal educational parastatals, has reliable and routinely updated data of all the programs, personnel, equipment, infrastructure, students per course, etc of all the tertiary institutions in the country in one place for government to use to plan, where owner governments or donor agencies can intervene to remedy a situation in a well coordinated manner. There is simply no authority with a Dashboard coordinating these tertiary institutions. This has denied the nation of a reliable statistical data of, for example, of programs (total and types of degree, diploma and other certificate programs offered), student’s enrolments (per program and total), etc for the purpose of regulating the release into the market of products of various programs. This handicap also translates into the inability of the nation to initiate specific programs that are lacking in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.The proper handling of this coordination would eliminate wastes and duplication as well as stimulate introduction of new courses or programs. This lack of coordination is so bad that today, there are wide gaps in many indices within and between the different types of tertiary institutions. Within germaine institutions, for example polytechnics, there is wide spread movement of academic staff from one institution to the other mainly due to differences in the conditions of service. Consequent upon the constitutional provision of education being on the concurrent list, states are free to establish universities, polytechnics and other colleges "as they wish"! This, despite its obvious advantages, needs some review. There are states that simply pass a law for the conversion of primary schools to universities in this country mainly for political gains. The second major problem is the alarmingly high preference of university education by all students and parents. There are more students in Nigerian Universities than Polytechnics even though at this stage of our development we need more high quality polytechnic diploma holders than university graduates. The employers, disconnected for lack of prioritization of their actual needs, those applicants could blend effortlessly in their production lines, but instead give preference to university graduates than HND holders, who actually have bias in practical skills and experience and thus could be more useful to them. Although there are differences of details, the law envisages polytechnics primarily to produce intermediate and higher level technical manpower. This was aimed at equipping the industrial base of the nation with skilled and competent manpower to achieve rapid industrialisation and economic development.In the long run, all polytechnics may have to be converted into universities. However, it is not advisable to rush this conversion as our universities are far from being world class. As in all major projects, the establishment of a new tertiary institution involves a feasibility study including prospects for sustained funding followed by the constitution of a planning committee of experienced people in the sector, especially representatives from the relevant regulatory agencies such as the NUC for Universities, NBTE for polytechnics and NCCE for colleges of education etc. Other important people who must be in such committees include foremost educationists, preferably former vice chancellors, architects, quantity surveyors, solicitors, chartered accountants and other professionals for the drawing up of a master plan and academic brief for the institutions. Governments, state or federal must consider not just the major needs such as those based on the number of students leaving high schools with its attendant problem of lack of enough places in the schools in the area to take them but consider all the parameters of sustained funding before venturing into establishing a tertiary institution. This should be a strict criterion. As an independent observer, when Mai Idris Alooma was established, we witnessed a silent but bitter initial politics of location which culminated in the reluctant attitude of some of the officials saddled with the responsibility of overseeing its proper planning and foundation. However, ten years on this month, commitment, devotion and sustained hard work over the years from the Rector to the staff and students has paid off and the polytechnic is on the road to becoming one of the best small polytechnics in the country. Data obtained from the school indicates that nearly half of their academic staff is trained in some of the world’s best universities from Malaysia to Universities in the UK among others. Furthermore, most of their academic staff have travelled to many parts of the world for conferences and are still attending. A mini Nigeria located in the extreme northern tip of the country; surprisingly, their academic staff are from all over Nigeria, heading various units akin to a federal institution. If not for the current insecurity occasioned by the insurgency, one believes that their tenth anniversary and modest achievements calls for celebration. However, to Allah is the Glory. The Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam has truly invested heavily in this small polytechnic, just as in other institutions in the state. He ensured that the school is provided with the necessary infrastructure and maintained together with other academic and non academic facilities. This enabled it to be accredited by the NBTE on an interim basis in so short a time. Congratulations, Maipoly!!!