News
Over-ambition fueling coups d’etat in Africa – UNDP
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified lack of core value and over-ambition of young military officers who do not want to wait for their turn as the major causes of coups d’état in Africa.
The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Matthew Alao, said this in an interview with newsmen after the Graduation Ceremony of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in Jaji, Kaduna State.
He said that though the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, but over-ambition by young military officers, eroding core societal values, religious beliefs, and lack of education are the key reasons for more coups in West African countries and Africa at large.
Alao who noted that then fundamental problem the world is facing today is the lack of core values, said this resulted to persistent coups and counter-coups staged in Africa by military officers.
“Our core values are fast breaking down. You will see agitation and expectation on so many issues that may not be reality.
“Most people don’t go to school. Some do go to school but do not have employable skills. This contributes to what is happening.
And because the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, they also feel part of that agitation. When that cry is going on, it speculates and overshadows the event. I think that is one of the reasons for coups.
“Then, maybe over-ambition by the young officers. They don’t want to wait for their turn. The idea of young people wanting to be there is another cause of coups.
“Young people need to learn. Because if young people don’t learn, we continue to somersault. After all, this country was ruled by 27-year-olds. At a point they delivered, but they didn’t deliver well. If the military of those days had the necessary experience and requisite vision when Nigeria was still in the morning, they would have planned our future and laid the foundation and we wouldn’t be where we are today. We wouldn’t be clamoring for roads, infrastructure, and all that.
Suppose the people that found this country, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were able to do something up to the late 80s, Nigeria would have been better than this. The situation we are now is dangerous.
“In those days, Ibadan was flourishing, Kaduna was a hub, Lagos was a factory ground, but within a blink of an eye under the Structural Adjustment Program, everything collapsed.”
He expressed concern that this leadership deficit was taking a toll on the country and should be addressed right from the family unit to the community level
Alao described Nigeria today as very individualistic, saying, “We have lost it. Now it’s all about I and my family. And this is leading us nowhere. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.”
”Leadership start with us as parent that brings little children to this world. Leadership starts from grassroots.
”Unfortunately, we have lost it. Nigeria today is very individualistic. It’s all about i and my family. And this is leading us to no where. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.
”If nothing is done to address the leadership deficit from the family unit, from the community unit and community level, we are not going anywhere. Money can not save our society.”
He said the leadership course, which happened to be the brainchild of the past Commandant of the Peacekeeping Centre, Major General Obinna, was born due to the spate of coups happening in West Africa.
“They felt that providing leadership training to the middle-level military and civilians is an antidote to it.
”They felt that because that quality training, that orientation on subordination is weakening in the military and political space of West Africa. They felt that UNDP, with the funding made available by the government of Japan, is sponsoring it,” Alao added.
Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power portfolio company, has announced another impressive safety milestone.
The company has now achieved 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury (LTI), surpassing the previous 7 million man-hours LTI milestone achieved in 2023.
The landmark achievement further affirms its strict adherence to best practices and safety standards across its assets management, operations, and people practices.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Bolaji Osunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Axxela Limited, expressed his satisfaction with this recent achievement, “We are proud of this significant safety milestone, which underscores our deliberate focus on maintaining the highest standards in our environmental, health, safety, and quality management system. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire team, who continuously strive to create a safe and secure working environment for everyone.”
Osunsanya continued, “Achieving 8 million LTI-free manhours is not just a statistical feat, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of our direct and indirect workforce. It reinforces our position as a leader in our industry and motivates us to aim even higher, ensuring that safety remains at the core of our operations. We make good to say it propels us forward with renewed vigor and confidence in our journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.”
John Okoro, Head of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) in his remarks, “Maintaining a safe working environment is not merely a priority for us; it is a core part of our corporate culture that has been embedded into all our processes. This achievement also echoes the effectiveness of our safety protocols, training programmes, and effective oversight of our project management. We are not resting on our laurels but will remain dedicated to our cause to uphold stringent standards of safety performance and ensure that every service provider, partner, employee, and other stakeholders return home safely to their loved ones.”
Axxela remains ever-alert to reducing the risks within its operations. The company views the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the environment as a top priority as governed by its water-tight Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) management system. It continues to subscribe to national and global standards while embracing innovative strategies to help staff live safer and fuller lives at work and beyond.
About Axxela
Axxela Limited (Axxela) is the pioneer private sector developer of natural gas solutions and captive power development in Nigeria; a company co-owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP and Sojitz Corporation. Axxela is a designated natural gas shipper on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), delivering natural gas to about 200 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of natural gas infrastructure.
With over 360km in natural gas pipeline infrastructure built, Axxela provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited.
By Matthew Denis
All is now set for the commencement of the Orientation Course programme for 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One set of Corps Members.
The prospective Corps Members are to access their call-up letters on their dashboards today.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prospective Corps Members are to report to their various Orientation camps between Wednesday, 26th and Monday, 1st July, 2024 while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024.
In addition to the above, the Director General, Brigadier General YB Ahmed advised all the Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious as they travel to their Orientation Camps. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not travel at night.
The Director General wishes all the Prospective Corps Members and other camp officials journey mercy to the Orientation Camps.
Ogun state Pilgrims have started returning to the country after having successfully completed this year’s Hajj.
The first batch of the State’s 934 pilgrims to this year’s annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia started arriving yesterday, while others are expected today, June 26.
Governor Abiodun in a statement on Tuesday, described their stay in the Holy Land as worthwhile as it was in fulfilment of one of the five pillars of the Islamic religion.
He praised the pilgrims for their peaceful conduct, adding that Ogun State did not suffer any casualty, despite the huge number of deaths recorded this year.
Prince Abiodun called on the pilgrims to let the spiritual journey strengthen their faith and connection to the Islamic tenets.
“On behalf of the good people of Ogun State, I welcome our dear pilgrims back home. Your successful completion of the Hajj is a testament to your devotion and commitment to your faith. We are proud of you and grateful for your safe return.
“Our government is ready to continue providing logistics support to our pilgrims for seamless and spiritually enriching experiences during the Hajj,” he said.
It would be recalled that Prince Abiodun paid the shortfall of N119,560,712.70 in the pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) as a result of unexpected vagaries in the foreign exchange rates.
While NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give $500 as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gave each pilgrim $415 instead of $500 earlier proposed.
Going by this development and in order to give each pilgrim $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the State’s 934 pilgrims stood at N119,560,712.70.
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
NYSC commences orientation camp for Batch B corpers today
