Northern Independent

…Succeeds General Eyitayo as the Number 11 GOC. 
Major General Waidi Shaibu has on Friday, 21 January, 2022 assummed command and leadership of 7 Division Nigerian Army as the number 11 General Officer Commanding and Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI.
General Shaibu a member of Course 41 Regular Combatant Course and from the Nigerian Army Armour Corps whom until his appointment as the GOC was the Director of Training at Army Headquarters Department of Training Abuja. He was also the former Commander, 21 Special Armour Brigade Bama with wealth of experience in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North East having been at the forefront of the Sambisa Forest and environs.
The handing and taking over ceremony was conducted in 3 phases in accordance with the Nigerian Army tradition. It commenced on Thursday, 20 January with a facility tour to notable ongoing projects within Maimalari Cantonment. A guided tour was also taken to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital where they met and commisserate with wounded in action troops.
The second day of the handing over ceremony and grand finale was the signing of handing and taking over notes, address to officers and troops by the outgoing and incoming GOC as well as the lowering of the old flag signifying the end of an era and hoisting of a new flag also signifying the begining of a new command.
Earlier, the outgone GOC Major General AA Eyitayo expressed immense gratitude to God Almighty for the gift of life and blessings upon him. He also appreciates the immense support, sacrifices and commitment of Formations and unit Commamders, officers and troops of the Division adding that their absolute cooperation and loyalty earns him the accolades and successes he recorded during his tenure. He therefore urge them to extend same cooperation to his successor.
In his remarks, the new GOC commend the outgone GOC for his leadership style in ensuring the Division maintains the tempo in the fight against insurgency.  While soliciting for same cooperation and supoort accorded to his predessesor, he charged officers and troops to remain resilient, dogged and more committed with  determination, we will bring an end to this insurgency he stated.
Highlights of the occasion were the signing of handing and taking over notes, address to officers and troops, lowering of old and hoisting of new flags at the quarter guard, group photograph with officers and finally departure by the outgone GOC.

The ceremony was witnessed by Formations and Units Commanders, Principal Staff Officers from Headquarters 7 Division and gentlemen officers amongst others.

The transformation of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) into a formidable force commenced in 2014, when Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) scaled up their nefarious activities leading to the wanton destruction of lives and properties of the communities in the Lake Chad Basin.

According to a statement signed by the Chief of Military Public Information HQ MNJTF N’Djamena Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole, dated January 21, 2022, this necessitated the members nations of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to fall back on the existing security framework of the MNJTF.

Accordingly, at its 484th Meeting of Heads of States and Governments held in Addis Ababa on 29 January 2015, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) decided to support the efforts of the LCBC Member States and Benin through an authorization of the deployment of the MNJTF.

Thus, the MNJTF was remodeled and re-operationalized with an increased capacity of about 10,000 troops and its new Headquarters located in N’Djamena – Chad.

The MNJTF was then mandated among others to “create a safe and secure environment in the areas affected by the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, in order to significantly reduce violence against civilians and other abuses.

The Force started operations on 30th July 2015 with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria as Troops Contributing Countries.

In a reminiscence of the activities of the Force against the BHT/ISWAP terrorists, the AUPSC at its 1057th virtual meeting held on 14 January 2022 considered the report on MNJTF and decided to renew its mandates for another period of twelve (12) months with effect from 01 February 2022 .

During the meeting, members of the Council, Chairpersons of ECOWAS, and ECCAS, the Head of Mission MNJTF, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu and the Force Commander MNJTF Major General AK Ibrahim extensively deliberated on the progress and challenges of the Force.

The Council noted with appreciation and commended the significant recorded progress and display of commitment by the Force in fighting the insurgents.

They applauded the dedication and determination of the troops towards degrading the operational capability of the BHT/ISWAP terrorists in the region.

The Council equally paid tribute to the soldiers and civilians that have paid the ultimate price and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and Governments of those that have lost their lives in the course of fight against terror.

While condemning the obnoxious activities of the terrorists against the civilians and troops, which have exacerbated serious humanitarian crisis in the region, the Council reiterated its resolve to mobilise adequate resources and support for the MNJTF to enhance its professional capabilities in combating the menace of the insurgents.

In recognition and appreciation of the tremendous support of the European Union (EU) to MNJTF, AU repeated its appeals to members states, other strategic partners and international community to redouble their humanitarian support to the affected communities to enable them safely resettle in their ancestral home.

The AU Commission assured the MNJTF of its necessary support to enable it consolidates on the recorded operational successes against the BHT/ISWAP terrorists and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region.

Adding that it will heighten its efforts to supporting the LCBC to deepen the partnership with the ECOWAS and ECCAS, as well as other relevant regional institutions and non-Governmental organisations.

The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force, Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim made an operational visit to Headquarters 3 Battalion in Gamboru Ngala on January 18, 22.

According to a statement signed by the Chief of Military Public Information HQ MNJTF Ndjamena Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole dated January 19, 2022, the FC was received by the Commanding Officer (CO) Lt Col AS Olasegbe.

The FC and his entourage were given an operational brief by the CO and thereafter, entertained by the cultural dancing groups of the Ngala community.

The FC addressed troops of the Battalion and thanked them for their courage doggedness and dedication.

He encouraged them to be more focused and ruthless in decimating the remnants of the BHTs/ ISWAP by supporting their CO in his operations.

He also informed them that he has been briefed on their extended stay in the mission area and he is also aware being their former general officer commanding,he however assured them that the AHQ was working assiduously to rotate them soonest and that they should remain patient disciplined as always.

The FC then addressed the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hunters in Gamboru by thanking them for volunteering to assist the military whenever called upon and assured them that plans were underway to ensure an end is brought to the menace of the BHts/ISWAP. He also met separately with government officials and representatives of security agencies in the area.

Thereafter, the FC and his entourage accompanied by the CO 3 Battalion visited the MNJTF Sector 1 (Cameroun) troops at Wulgo.

The Commander Col Njock John William received the FC and his entourage and gave them an operational brief at his Headquarters.

The FC commended the Commander and his men for their hard work in holding their ground in-spite of the repeated attacks by the BHTs/ISWAP. He thanked them for their service and promised to support them at all times.

The FC called for more collaboration between the MNJTF troops and the 3 Bn troops in order to rid their AOR of the terrorists. The FC then addressed the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hunters in Wulgo by thanking them for volunteering to assist the military whenever called upon and assured them that plans were underway to ensure an end is brought to the menace of the BHts/ISWAP.

The FC was taken on a guided tour of Wulgo town where it was observed that normalcy had been restored as traders were in the markets and farmers were in their farms.

The FC also had a meeting with the Theatre Commander Op HADIN KAI who was also on an operational tour of his area of responsibility. Issues discussed bordered on improving synergy and cooperation between the 2 operations.

Visit was hitch free and the FC has returned to his Headquarters in Ndjamena Chad.

In another development, the FC MNJTF Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim assured the United Nations (UN) continuous collaboration and synergy with its agencies in the course of execution of MNJTF mandates.

The FC made the remarks when he received a UN delegation led by the Deputy Director, Regional Operations Division, United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Mrs Poussin Florence at the HQ MNJTF on 19 January 2022.

General Ibrahim welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit, which he said will surely reinforce and enhance the exiting relationship.

As part of the activities marking the visit, an information brief detailing the MNJTF activities was presented to the delegation and thereafter an interactive session took place.

While highlighting some of the MNJTF mandate, the Force Commander was emphatic on the positive impact of critical roles of the UN agencies and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the implementation of the MNJTF mandate.

He added that, the MNJTF facilitates the return of the IDPs and refugees to their ancestral homes, hence the urgent need for UN intervention to stabilize the situation in the Lake Chad region.

“The personnel of the MNJTF across the sectors are equally engaged in retraining on Human rights and International Humanitarian laws, so as to keep abreast with contemporary global best practices” he said.

In her remarks, while acknowledging the unique nature of the MNJTF of using a collective approach to solving the security challenges within the region, Mrs Poussin Florence thanked the FC for the detailed brief and warm reception to the delegation.

She said, UN will continue to support and collaborate with MNJTF to enable it achieve its mandates. Explaining that, the UNDSS is responsible for risk management by assessing the level of risks of any programme proposed by the UN to its different strategic partners.

She commended the recorded successes of the Force, as she noted that the intensity of the terrorists’ obnoxious activities have considerably reduced in the Lake Chad basin. The visits were hitch free.

A political support group ‘Got Your Back Nigeria’ said Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has the support of even the opposition party to run for the presidency come 2023.

National coordinator of the group, Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, stated this in a press statement on Tuesday.

Prof. Nwaokobia Jnr was reacting to a recent debate on Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’.

He said Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation in the 2019 presidential election and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, both profound speakers had their turns as the anchor grilled them on the politics of 2023 and the chances of presidential aspirants seeking to emerge as candidates of the two leading political parties.

He said: “The names listed on the PDP side were Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Bala Mohammed, Peter Obi, Sam Ohuabunwa, Goodluck Jonathan and Pius Anyim. And on the APC side were names like Bola Tinubu, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Yahaya Bello, Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Fashola. And Kingsley Moghalu, Akinwunmi Adesina, Jack Rich Tein, Oby Ezekwesili, and Tunde Bakare were those mentioned outside of the two major parties.

Prof. Nwaokobia Jnr said the guest from the PDP, Segun Sowunmi, was seen clearly in admitting that besides his boss, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) was perhaps the most prepared to take Nigeria to the next level.

“He admitted that GYB is broad minded (can carry along Nigerians of different tendencies), sagacious (creative and has the capacity to generate the ideas needed to make Nigeria work), youthful (has age and fitness), is competent, and can unite Nigerians. He practically craved and called on GYB to move over to the PDP to make real his ambition. It was an endorsement beyond Partisanship, and a testimony of the competency and the capacity of the phenomenon called GYB

“GYB is a pan Nigerian political and social vehicle, GYB is young, fit, active and vivacious, GYB has the ideas and is 21st century compliant, GYB is passionate about the Nigeria of our dreams, GYB is an apostle of human capital development, and GYB in so many ways have proven that the call to berth a new Nigeria is his unalterable commitment and destiny.

“Finally on the program in reference, the Guests and the Anchor of that didactic show on politics (Politics Today), were unanimous in the chances of the name that stole the show. It was Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) everywhere throughout the duration of the show. It was Atiku Abubakar a few times, it was Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Fashola once or twice, and the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu BAT hardly featured in the 1hour long program because apparently his age, fitness, and perhaps ideas needed to weave a united and cosmopolitan Nigeria is suspect. Baba BAT is obviously old and tired, and should be asked by all men and women of goodwill to rest,” he claimed