HRH, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar Tours Galaxy Backbone Network Centre

The Emir of Gombe HRH, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar on Friday took a tour of Galaxy Backbone Network Monitoring and Operations Centre and the Government Approved Tier III Data Centre run by Galaxy Backbone

In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO Prof. Muhammad Bello Abubakar, he said that Galaxy Backbone is the information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

"We were also charged with the responsibility of building a common services platform consisting of in-country and offshore VSAT hubs, a data center, a Federal Capital metro fiber backbone and multiple redundant internet gateways.

"A substantial amount of work has been done in this regard and recognizable impact noticed across the Federal Government agencies.

The Managing Director/CEO Prof. Muhammad Bello Abubakar and the the Emir of Gombe, HRH, Alh Abubakar Shehu Abubakar 

"We can state there has been a lot of improvement in the way government communicates with government especially through the deployment of Virtual Federal Executive Council meeting due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Prof. Abubakar reiterated.

Prof. Abubakar further said that Galaxy Backbone has built and operates the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone; a cross-country optical fibre backbone. In its first phase, which has been completed, commissioned and covers a distance of 1484 km, the backbone spans 13 states across the South East, South South, North Central and South West of Nigeria with base stations installed in 17 cities.

"The Services on the infrastructure include Internet Bandwidth, Clear Channel, Dark Fiber, Lastmile connectivity, Video Conferencing, Prof. Abubakar said.

The Emir of Gombe later took a tour of the facilities at the National Shared Services Center (NSSC), the only Uptime Institute Certified Tier III data center within the nation’s public sector.

Our Data Center & Cloud Services consist of Co-location of Servers, Cloud Back-up, Cloud Storage, Disaster Recovery among others.

Our Data center features include: Reliable & Efficient & Scalable, Available Back-Up/Disaster Recovery facility, 128 rack real estate, scale-able to 512 racks, Modular data center design, 600KW of Cooling available, scale-able to 2800KW, 825KW of power, scale-able to 2000KW, A team of certified and well trained Data center experts, 99.982% Uptime, Ability to support carrier class infrastructure, Optimized internet connectivity, Cutting edge, round the clock logical and physical security, with biometric access control, Diesel Generators that can run for 14 days non-stop if public powers fail totally and Robust fuel contracts in case of disruptions to supply

The operations and procedures of the Centre are in compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011 compliant.

The Emir of Gombe, HRH, Alh Abubakar Shehu Abubakar was full of joy after the tour of the facilities National Shared Services Center.

Coalition Asks EFCC To Re-arraign Orji Uzor Kalu & Others

The Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has called on the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC to immediately commence the re-arraignement Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others as promised Nigerians.

Addressing the media on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director General of the Coalition, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, said it is exactly 3 months since the ruling of the Supreme Court nullifying the judgement of Justice Mohammed Idris and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court but unfortunately the ex-governor was given a red- carpet reception and even integrated to a political party campaign committee and seems to give a connotation that Nigerians are a people that celebrate theft and embezzlement of public funds even when Abia state is already hemorrhaging as a result of the alleged massive looting perpetrated by Mr. Orji Uzor.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court; as the Apex Court in Nigeria nullified the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his firm, SLOK Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government.

Excerpt is the full text of the press statement from the coalition;

GLOBAL CENTRE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING AGAINST CORRUPTION. EFCC; LIVING UPTO EXPECTATIONS.

Good morning, Gentlemen of the Press and welcome to this briefing.

On the 7th of April 2020, the Supreme Court as the Apex Court in Nigeria nullified the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his firm, SLOK Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.

The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.

Although the EFCC had responded to this judgment in a letter signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity on the 8th of May, 2020, stating that the anti graft agency considers the judgment of the apex court as ‘quite unfortunate’. He stated that it was a ‘technical ambush’ against the trial of the former Governor. He further stated “The commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course”.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is Tuesday, the 7th of July, 2020 which is exactly 3 months since the ruling of the Supreme Court nullifying the judgement of Justice Mohammed Idris and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court. Again, the letter signed by Dele Oyedele who is the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC reaffirming the determination of the anti-graft agency to re-arraign Orji Uzor Kalu and others, since according to him the evidences against the suspect in the 7.65 billion naira theft is overwhelming. It is also worthy of note that the Apex court did not acquit the ex-Governor and others of the alleged crime.

Again, the manner the ex governor was given a red- carpet reception and even integrated to a political party campaign committee seems to give a connotation that we are a people celebrate theft and embezzlement of public funds even when Abia state is already hemorrhaging as a result of the alleged massive looting perpetrated by Mr. Orji Uzor.

Now, this is a criminal matter expected to be dispensed expeditiously but unfortunately has been on for the past 13 years with the attendant depletion of tax payers money. The question that readily comes to mind of most Nigerians are: (1). When would the re-arraignment of Orji Uzor Kalu and others be or has it been swept under the carpet?

(2). Why would a criminal matter of an individual take as much as 13 years with justice continually eluding the people of Abia State.

(3). The present delay tactics or what we may call ‘SLOW MOTION’; is it punitive enough to deter intending perpetrators of such crime?

By this medium, we hereby call on the EFCC to live up to expectations and commence the re-arraignment and the trial of Ex- Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his company SLOK Nig. Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), and a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government.

It is pertinent to remind the EFCC that the world is watching. Nigerians and indeed the people of Abia state suffering from the direct impact of the alleged embezzlement are also watching, waiting for justice to be served. This is indeed a test of the degree of sincerity and unbiased position of the present administration’s commitment on the war against corruption, a true test whether it is lips service targeted at opposition or a true fight to recover the Nigerian nation from the shackles of political undertakers who have plunged the nation to her present economic quagmire.

Finally, our coalition hereby promise Nigerians a continuous update on this matter as events unfold.

Thank you.

Signed:

Dr. Nwambu Gabriel,

For the Coalition.

Pantami Is Too Focused To Be Distracted

By Kelvin Adegbenga

My attention was called to a publication by the controversial online media; Sahara Reporters on the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami titled “Buhari’s Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami Living Large in Abuja, Purchases Three Houses in Wuse for his Three Wives”.

When I was searching for the news, I came across the excellent response from the Minister’s spokesperson Uwa Suleiman which received accolades from Nigerians who are used to the tissues of lies published by Sahara Reporters.

Browsing through Sahara Reporters this afternoon, I came across a poorly written opinion titled “ Minister Isa Pantami Abuja Houses And The Lies Used To Cover Mores Lies” written by one Mashood Musbau, who I strongly believe is a pseudo name of course.  

To answer his uninformed opinion, I will like to go into who Dr. Isa Ali Pantami is.

Dr. Pantami studied Computer Science at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Nigeria, gaining a BTech in 2003 Session and an MSc in 2008, before obtaining a PhD from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland. He spent his life pursuing both formal and informal education, by switching from one form to another. He is also trained on Digital transformation in Harvard University, USA then Management Strategy in both, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Institute of Management Development in Loussaune, Switzerland. He was also in Cambridge University for Management Programme, among others. Pantami lectured at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Information Technology before joining the Islamic University of Madinah as Head of Technical Writing in 2014.

In 2016, he was appointed as the Director General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). He was confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of 13 newly appointed chief executives for 13 government agencies. His directive for NITDA upon employment was to develop the ICT infrastructure in the North East in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgency. Shortly after the WannaCry ransomware attack, he organized the second annual conference on “Financial Fraud and Cyber Crime” in Abuja with the Federal Ministry of Justice and private sector partners. He also initiated the Nigerian national public key infrastructure (PKI) programme, and went into a security partnership with ESET, an IT security company that offers anti-virus and firewall products. Pantami received an award as the “ICT Promoter of the Year 2017” in London by The Nigerian in recognition of “positive contributions to the ICT revolution in Nigeria, youth empowerment & good governance”. Within two years of his stewardship, he has received over 50 awards and recognitions both within and outside Nigeria.

Dr Isa Ali Pantami is a fellow of both British Computer Society (FBCS) and Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS). He also has many fellowships to his credit. Pantami is a Jummu’ah Chief Imam who has been leading the Jummu’ah prayer for over 20 years in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He serves as a Member of Shari’ah Board of Jaiz Bank. He is also a Shurah member and Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah (SCS) in Nigeria. He was educated in Islam by scholars including Muhammad Umar Fallatah, Muhammad ibn Al-Uthaymeen and Abdulmuhsin ibn Abbad. He is also the Chairman of Board of Trustees of Al’Hudah Islamiyyah & Mosque Foundation, and a Member/Secretary of Bauchi State Elders Advisory Committee and Bauchi state National Qur’anic Competition Committee among other committees. Pantami authored more than a dozen books on ICT, STEM, technology, politics & community reconciliation, religion and peaceful coexistence, as well as over 20 publications in international journals, including International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering and Management (IJIREM), Macrotheme Review, and International Journal of Computer & Information Technology. Religious books authored by him include Islam and Politics, Synonimity or Dichotomy?, The Essentials of Marriage in Establishing An Ideal Family, Month of The Qur’an & Its Virtues, and 63 Steps of Performing an Acceptable Hajj and Its Spiritual and Moral Lesson. On 23th July of this year 2019 he the list of new ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari. He is now the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

In response to the fictitious Mashood Musbau poorly written opinion; full of spelling mistakes, I will like to clarify that the Minister's spokesperson remained professional as testified by seasoned journalists. It is her duty to clear the air around her Boss and she has done an excellent job.

I don’t know the moral right of the fictitious Mashood Musbau to question the Minister's Spokesperson on questions such as the movement of the Minister's two wives; who pay the house rent; his salary at the University in Saudi and the kind of business he was doing.

A man of Pantami's status deserves houses in Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape and any part of the World.

Pantami has occupied his present house since January 2017; more than two years before becoming a Minister.

The other house he rented since 17th December 2019 was as a result of his Status as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he is entitled to like other Ministers.

For the ignorant of the fictitious Mashood Musbau, Pantami as never used religion for worldly gains as most of his staffs are Christians.

I challenge the fictitious Mashood Musbau to show evidences of journalist paid "to quite down the truth".

Kelvin Adegbenga is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Lagos. kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com

@kelvinadegbenga

Pa Clark Endorses Ex Gov Dickson For Bayelsa West Senatorial District Election

...Says Ijaw Nation needs tested men of character, courage, capacity in the National Assembly

Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has endorsed the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, for the vacant Bayelsa West Senatorial District election.

The Media Advisor to the former Governor, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, also quoted the foremost Ijaw National Leader as having called on Ijaw leaders across the country to support the ex-Governor for the vacant Senatorial slot in the collective interest of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

Pa Clark said that Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw nation was seriously in need of men of demonstrable character, courage, capacity and knowledge like Dickson to run for Senate.

He said that the former Governor possesses vast experience in leadership, the political network, and the requisite knowledge to effectively tackle the critical issues of interest to the Ijaw nation such as Resource Control, True Federalism, Restructuring, Power Devolution among others.

The Elder Statesman said that Dickson should be backed for the Senatorial slot as his antecedents have rightly portrayed him as a man of immense courage, integrity and honour who has never for once succumbed to intimidation of whatever form.

Pa Clark stressed that Dickson was well equipped and prepared to defend the interest of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta, the South South and to collaborate with his counterparts in other parts of the country to make Nigeria a better nation.

He said that the ex-Governor left behind a record of sterling performance as a member of the House of the House of Representatives and as Governor of Bayelsa State for eight years.

Pa Clark recalled that the former Governor declared emergency in the education sector, established two universities, a polytechnic, several free boarding secondary schools, the Bayelsa International Airport, Roads and bridges, and several facilities in the health, agriculture, and other sectors.

“The Ijaw nation today, more than ever before, needs people with strong character, to run for the Senate, to tackle the lingering issues, and the interest of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta; such as Restructuring, True Federalism, Resource Control, and other pertinent matters in the defense of the Ijaw interest, the South-South and indeed the country.

“I make bold to declare that His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, has displayed the quintessential Ijaw virtues of honour, courage and integrity, and has never succumbed to intimidation. I believe that he would advance our cause and join other compatriots to work for a better and greater Nigeria.

“He is well versed on issues of Restructuring, True Federalism, Devolution of Power and Resource Control. He has the right language to deploy, the charisma, the right commitment and determination to achieving these objective.

“As a former member of the House of Representatives, he has a hands-on experience on legislative procedures and workings, the leadership acumen to weather through murky waters of parliamentary democracy and gymnastics. Governor Dickson has been a leading voice in the call for restructuring of this country. He makes no pretention about it.

“As the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, we stand to gain more by working together than by singing discordant tunes. We must, therefore, settle for the best to represent our interest at the national level.” He said

Pa Clark’s comment follows endorsements by various groups including leaders of the Ijaw Yourhs Council, other youth and women groups, across the Senatorial District.

Insecurity: Understanding The Coalition Of Northern Group As A Virus

By Adio Waziri

The biggest joke of the century is the so-called Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) which issued an ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to stem the tide of insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria or face mass protest. Ironically, the group is one of the reasons insecurity persists in northern Nigeria. 

A bunch of gerontocrats, who in their old age are claiming to belong to an age they have long crossed and are usurping the chances of the real youths in the society, have done more harm to the north than even some of the violent groups that have taken up arms against the Nigerian state. These mercenaries who hide under the guise of 'youths' to offer their services to political recidivists have again offered their discredited platform to the highest bidder to discredit the current administration. Their aim is to make the President Buhari-led administration look bad so they latched on to the recent security breaches witnessed in some northern parts of the country to make their kill. Unfortunately for them, however, this is one area people know they lack moral ground to issue any warning on as the leaders of this so-called Coalition have been the major cause of insecurity. 

Apart from encouraging laziness through thuggery, they have by their over-reliance on renegade and self-serving politicians built an army of followers from among an otherwise innocent, hardworking and unsuspecting lot and have come to make them believe the only way they can make ends meet is through violence and sabotage.

This group has done the worst service to northern interests by taking away the minds of the youths from usefully engaging in productive activities like farming and another semi-skilled labour and putting them on the streets in the name of hired protesters and some times nudging them into acts of violence. They are like Boko Haram that made young and promising northern youths to abandon school and tear their certificates with a promise of an Eldorado in brigandage and opportunism.

The CNG cannot be absolved from the corollary effect of the drug abuse that is killing northern youths as they have made these young and hapless recruits believe that the only way they can do the bidding of these misguided elements is to take mind-bending substances.

The height of the chicanery of this group, however, was the ultimatum they gave citizens of Nigeria some time back to vacate the North not minding the social, economic and security implication of that statement. To them, satisfying their paymasters to have more zeros added to their cheques was more important to them than the peace and unity of this country knowing fully well that their statement would have led to a major crisis of great proportions if not for divine intervention. 

It is this same set of people who want people to take them serious about the security situation in the north when it is clear to everyone that they are the problem. They cause a problem to happen and then hide behind one finger to pretend that they are doing something about it.

If that had been the only damage it would have been tolerable, but everybody knows that in this particular outing as in others, it is the voice of Jacob but the hands of Esau playing out and there's no denying the fact that they are being sponsored by the failed presidential candidate of an opposition party, who is doing his best to discredit the current administration. 

But that is not even the height of inanities. The stupidity of their position is exposed in the fact that they are issuing a threat to an administration that has done more than any other to secure Nigeria and every of its citizen wherever they find themselves. 

The CNG does not know and will not appreciate the much the government has committed to ensuring peace and security in Nigeria because they have been busy going around collecting money from political opponents and making all manners of careless statements to check. 

Neither would the group appreciate the much the government has done in terms of security when its leaders are busy misleading youths to abandon their lawful jobs to line up as thugs for politicians in the bid to line their pockets with filthy lucre.

However, CNG, even with its nonsensical posture and infantile pretence cannot say it did not know the efforts the current administration has put in place to ensure peace the last time it was asking certain citizens to vacate northern Nigeria. 

If only they know the shuttles top government officials had to engage in to suppress the angst of people and the number of efforts by security agencies to proactively nip the threats in the bud, they would not have been opening their mouths to comment on anything concerning security in the next five decades!

To be sure, the current administration does not need any reminder, least of all from an irresponsible bunch of useless adult delinquents to show commitment to security in Nigeria. President Buhari made it clear even in his inaugural speech that security, alongside the economy and fight against corruption would form the focus of his administration. He has not disappointed. 

The current administration has taken steps that dealt heavy blows on insurgency, banditry and related crimes. Troops recaptured all the local governments under the control of Boko Haram and checkmated the activities of criminal all over the country. 

CNG cannot pretend not to recognize the efforts of the Inspector General of Police Special Team led by ACP Abba Kyari which busted several hideouts of criminals including that of the most notorious kidnapper in the country, Evans, and arrested him or Nigerian troops sacked the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists from Sambisa forest and established a base at camp Zairo and rescued school girls that were captured in Dapchi, Yobe State.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai to show the seriousness of the government towards curbing insecurity, relocated to the Northeast and has been fighting the insurgents with great success. Last week, when there was a security breach in Katsina, all the Service Chiefs went to reinforce their commitment which led to counter operations that destroyed the base of the criminals and many of them were captured.

The government did all these without waiting for any hired group to remind it of its responsibilities to its citizens. The Federal Government is alive to its responsibilities towards citizens and does not need a bunch of lazy adults who prefer to see themselves as 'youths' to remind it, hence they can keep their advice to themselves. 

At the juncture, however, it is right to advice these elders who want to see themselves as youths that the best way they can help in addressing the problem of insecurity is to stop running to politicians for sponsorship on mischief and begin to seek gainful employment. They can lead the youths by example through farming and agriculture or by engaging in other skilled or semi-skilled labour.

Waziri is a development expert based in Kaduna.

US, UK And EU To Blame For Entrenchment Of Boko Haram In Nigeria - Centre

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies (CISS) has blamed the United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union for the entrenchment of the nefarious activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria. 

CISS said the failure of the western powers to come to the aid of the country in arresting sponsors and promoters of the group is responsible for the elongation of the crisis in the northeast. 

In a statement signed by Secretary, Dr Ifure Ataifure, on Thursday, the centre said that the radical Islamist sect have continued to receive external support from foreign countries at the detriment of Nigeria.

According to CISS, instead of joining forces with Nigeria, the US, UK and EU have failed to embargo the sale of arms to the terrorists

The Centre added that these powerhouses' decision to turn a blind eye on the sensitive area is a deliberate plot to begin the process of recolonizing Africa.  

CISS further revealed that French authorities are the most culpable in this regards through the flagrant violations of all known international protocols.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies, however, warned countries covertly fueling Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria and other African countries to desist.

It added that the war against terrorism should be a collective one  and foreign nations must block the sale of arms to the terrorists. 

Read full statement below:

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to state that the entrenchment of the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria is as a result of the lackadaisical attitude of some of the western powers in coming to the aid of Nigeria.  

The United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union have all failed to come to the aid of Nigeria despite repeated overtures from the Nigerian government and other critical stakeholders. 

We wish to state that this attitude is responsible for the prolongation of the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria because the terrorist group has been receiving external support from some European countries that are hell-bent on the disintegration of Nigeria.

These countries have been nothing but uncooperative with the Nigerian authorities by its refusal to sell arms to Nigeria for the prosecution of the Boko Haram war. The United States of America for inexplicable reasons have also refused to activate the necessary machinery for the sale of arms and ammunition to Nigeria in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war. 

The United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union for inexplicable reasons have also refused to block the sale of arms to terrorist organizations in Nigeria and the African continent. This fact has indeed bolstered the activities of terrorism in Nigeria and other African countries.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies views this action as against the provisions of the global war on terror, which had as its goal to prevent another 9/11 terrorist attack by increasing international security worldwide. 

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to state that global commitment has not been extended to Nigeria since the Boko Haram group began its violent campaign in Nigeria in 2009. 

The activities of the Boko Haram group has continued with tactic support from some EU countries that have been engaged in unwholesome trade in arms and ammunition with the Boko Haram/ISWAP group and other terrorist groups operating in the African continent. 

We are tempted to state that this stance of turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by terrorist organizations in the African continent might be a deliberate plot by these western countries to begin the process of recolonizing Africa so that it can have unhindered access to its natural and economic resources.  

The French authorities are the most culpable in this regards through the flagrant violations of all known international protocols by paying ransoms in huge amounts to terrorist organizations in Africa, which subsequently helps these organizations to sustain their terror activities. 

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies is alarmed to state that despite the efforts of the Nigerian Military, the Boko Haram group continues to have an unhindered supply of arms and ammunitions whose origin has been traced to some European countries.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to use this medium to warn those countries that have been covertly fueling the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in Nigeria and other African countries to desist from their nefarious acts in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

This is the time for the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to come to the rescue of Nigeria by blocking the sale of illegal weapons to the Boko Haram terrorist group. 

They must see the war against terrorism in Nigeria as a collective one due to the strategic importance of Nigeria in the African continent. The time to act is now to bring to an end the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group and other terrorist groups in Africa.

N-Power Batch C And Matters Arising

By Dan Ochonu 

There seems to be an uprising concerning the decision of the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to introduce new beneficiaries into the N-Power scheme under a revised and robust template that would be of utmost benefit to the teeming youthful population in the country. 

I am sure it should be surprising to discerning minds that some people would elect to view things only from the prism of their selfish interest. If this is not the case, I wonder on what basis the beneficiaries under the Batch A and B programme are protesting even with the fact that they have stayed in the programme for over 40 months.  

As a first, I think it is essential to understand that the N-Power is a job creation and empowerment programme instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria through its National Social Investment Programmes. In other words, it's a skill acquisition programme where youths from various parts of the country are trained in various skills under four broad categories such as N-Power Agro, where volunteers will provide advisory services to farmers across the country disseminate the knowledge that has been aggregated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the area of extension services. They will also gather data on Nigeria's agriculture assets.

Another category is the N-Power Teach volunteers that are deployed as teachers assistants in primary schools to help improve essential education delivery in Nigeria, and where possible, they will also assist in taking basic education to children in marginalized communities. 

The N-Power Health Volunteers help improve and promote preventive healthcare in their communities to vulnerable members of the society, including pregnant women and children and families and individuals. 

N-Power Build, Tech and Creative volunteers have received extensive training to help develop and expand their respective skillset, which would help foster innovation and creativity among the youths, while ensuring that they can turn their skills into marketable products. The above explains the N-Power initiative of the Federal Government. 

It is therefore pertinent to state that since inception in 2018, the N-Power scheme has catered for over 500,000 youths in the country with 200,000 from Batch A which started in September 2016 and 300,000 from Batch B which kicked off in August 2018. These participants have been trained in various skills as mentioned above that they can deploy to their advantage in future. But ironically, this is not the case as the advocates that have been acting on behalf of these participants wants the programmes to be a permanent and salaried job. 

This, in my opinion, is anti-progressive in the sense that they want others to be denied the same opportunity that they had when they enrolled. This is a sad episode if you ask me given the fact that the Batch A and B beneficiaries have elected to let hell loose because the federal government revised the programme to allow room for new beneficiaries under the proposed Batch C programme. 

Welcome to Nigeria where patriotism is never the watchword if you decide to stand on the side of truth and to do the right thing, you are regarded as a villain. In my view, the actions of those that have launched an attack on the honorable minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development are nothing but greedy, selfish and against the interest of the country. 

If this is not the case, how could one explain a situation where doing the right and putting the interest of the country has become a crime as propagated by the earlier beneficiaries on the N-Power programme. This is a sad tale, and I am glad that someone has decided to change the narrative, not minding the series of coordinated attacks on her. 

It must be stated and expressly so that the N-Power initiative is for the generality of Nigerians and not for a few, so seeing it as a birthright is phenomenally wrong in all ramification. This much these set of greedy fellows must come to terms with. It is also unimaginable considering the fact that Nigeria boasts of one of the highest youthful populations in the world.  

I think rejigging the N-Power scheme to bring in new people on board is not only a welcome development; it is also an act of purposefulness in a bid to address some of the challenges facing the country.  

If only Nigerians would understand that the revised N-Power scheme would run for six months – one year depending on the category. According to available information on the N-Power Scheme website, N-Agro, N-Build, N-Creative and N-Tech will run for six months (with two batches a year), the N-Teach and N-Health part of the programme will run for one year. For the six month programmes, three months will be used for training beneficiaries, while the other three months will be used for mentorship and attachment to partners and stakeholders.

This is indeed brilliant in the sense that more youths would have the opportunity to be enrolled in the scheme in the bid to better their lives, unlike in times past where the programme ran for a duration of 2 years, thereby depriving other qualified candidates the opportunity to benefit from this laudable initiative. 

If not for anything, the honorable minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster management and Social Development has indeed justified the confidence reposed in her by Mr. President to ensure rapid and meaningful implementation of the various social intervention programmes of the federal government.

The proposed introduction of the Batch C under the scheme must go as planned because it is not only laudable; it is in the overall interest of the country that would be of immense benefit to the teeming youths in the country because over 400,000 new beneficiaries would be admitted into the programme in the following order: 200,000 beneficiaries into the N-Power Agro programme, 80,000 into the N-Power Teach Programme, 40,000 into the N-Health Programme, and 80,000 into the N-Power Build, Creative and Tech categories. 

I commend the minister in this regard and encourage her not to relent in her valuable service to the country. And those that think that they have a birthright to stay put for life in the N-Power scheme should have a rethink and retrace their steps. It is expected that the knowledge and experience garnered over 40 months should be put to use for the benefit of the country. 

The N-Power C project must go ahead as planned. The minister must not back down despite the avalanche of attack on her person so long the overarching objective is ensuring that more youths are accommodated in the scheme. This is what Nigeria needs, and our support for the likes of Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq should be unflinching.

Ochonu is an unemployed youth and wrote this piece from MAKURDI, Benue State.