…Embraces non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity in S’East

Vice President Kashim Shettima received a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

The delegation under the auspices of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) visited the VP to present the initiative and invite him for the launch of the project that proposes a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East region.

Members of the delegation included Hon. Leko Gambo, member representing Dass/Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State; Hon. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, member representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta State; Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, member representing Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency of Delta State; Hon. Bukar Talba, member representing the Monguno / Nganzai /Marte Federal Constituency of Borno State; Hon Emeka Wogu, former Minister of  Labour and Productivity; Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mr Elton Onwu.

Speaking, Kalu highlighted the importance of addressing the sociological factors contributing to the unrest, expressing belief that a non-kinetic approach, focusing on changing the narrative and reorienting the minds of the people, can be more effective.

“We understand that many zones in the country face similar security challenges. However, PISE-P proposes a non-kinetic approach to address these issues that have impacted the economy of the South East and Nigeria,” he said.

He stressed the urgency of finding solutions, just as he said, “We cannot ignore these challenges; we must face them head-on. The current situation has severely affected our lives and our sense of unity.”

Kalu expressed optimism that the Peace in South East Project could bring hope to the region, similar to how other parts of the country have seen improvement.

“We want to start a conversation that helps change the perception and mindset in the South East,” he explained, adding that “this cannot be achieved through guns and violence.”

The Deputy Speaker emphasised the need for initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, even as he acknowledged the government’s limitations and stressed the importance of collaborating with development partners under the Peace in South East Project.

Speaking after a brief introduction of the new initiative, the Vice President endorsed the concept, noting that the “approach is the most beautiful I have seen so far.

“We need to build bridges, there is a need for a handshake, that way, those that have not been radicalised can be captured,” he added.

The Vice President further explained the wisdom in adopting a non-kinetic approach in addressing the security situation in the South East, saying it would save the region from endless war.

He stated, “Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East must be explored and deployed. The most atrocious of wars are at the end of the day sorted out on the negotiation table.

“It is how you build bridges that will determine how far you go as a people and society. We have to reach out to the youths; we have to empower them. Once we empower them, the crisis, the agitation and insecurity will vanish.”

The Nigerian Customs Service has come under heat as the Nigerian Senate is probing it for failing to remit N62 billion as revenue.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada accused the agency of under-remitting revenue to the nation’s coffers.

The Chairman of the committee summoned the NCS to come up with their defence on the allegation of under remittance in two weeks time.

Relying on the 2017 Auditor General’s Report forwarded to it, the Senate Committee queried the total remittance of the agency in 2017.

The query read,  “In the report of NCS summary of the monthly collection 2017 total collection for the Federation account was N691 billion.”

“However, the receipt of NCS collection and remittance into Federation account 2017 showed actual remittance into Federation account with the CBN for the year under review to be N629 billion. A comparison of these two documents revealed an under-remittance of N62 billion.

“There was no footnote or any form of additional information attached to the two reports.showing the reasons for the discrepancies neither there was any form of communication of the management on the intention for the future reconciliation or remittance.

“The above anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters Abuja.”

Men of the Nigerian Police Force are reportedly on a manhunt for one Mr. Okechukwu Andrew Ogbonna, of 2, Owoseni Street, Oshodi, Lagos State who has allegedly contravened the Same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2013 by allegedly publicly contracting a same-sex marriage with one Mr. Joshua his alleged partner.

A source noted that the said Mr Ogbonna is now at large, and the police have turned to his aged mother and legal wife to ensure his re-arrest and prosecution.

The suspect was arrested on the 25th day of May 2022 after the duo were seen in a compromised position publicly and he was  subsequently granted bail on the 27th of 2022.