I had been planning to intervene in Nigeria’s ongoing discussion of the deaf; open grazing, Fulani herders and farmers clash. Here and there, people have been stating their minds, but giving little or no recognition to what another person has said. Not surprisingly, the result is sheer saber-rattling.
Well, I have to let that matter lie for a while until a chance presents itself to really visit it.
I was just surfing the internet to ascertain how some European nations have handled the education sector while shielding themselves from Covid-19 pandemic’s further damage. Yes, I wrote recently against the reopening of schools just when there was a remarkable spark in the covid-19 infections rate all across the nation. I felt and still feel that by reopening the schools we threw our children at the mercy of the pandemic. I pray to God that I was wrong then, and that I am wrong even now, and that on that score, that I will continue to be wrong till the pandemic truly ends.
Yes, I was checking what Germany did in the education sector when I espied this: “MSC Postponed Indefinitely.” I stood still for a moment. Then I stood up, went to my fridge to get myself a drink, for I thought I had discovered gold. If the German government has halted all MS.C degree programmes nationwide, it must be because of the corona virus infection.
Then I read the story; it had nothing to do with any MSc programme at all but the postponement of the Munich Security Conference (MSC). On reading through the article, I had to thank Heavens for the serendipity; I found what I was not even looking for; the nearest to it would be getting an answer to an unasked question. Yes, it gave me my first glimpse of how global experts rated the recent change of Nigeria’s security chiefs. The article titled “MSC Postponed Indefinitely, As Global Partners Applaud Nigeria’s Military Change of Guard”, written by Steepen Claren, was dated February 1, 2021. It read:
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) originally planned for February 19th – 21st has been postponed due to the corona virus pandemic, the event’s organizers said, recently.
“The annual gathering of leading politicians and experts to discuss defence and security policies was expected to be Joe Biden’s debut on the international stage as US president after he takes office on January 20.
Event organizers said they will announce a new date and further details when they are available.
“Given current global threats and challenges to international security and stability the need for the MSC to provide a platform for informal exchanges between international decision-makers as early as possible in 2021 is clear and urgent. Therefore, we have not taken this decision to postpone lightly,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the MSC and a former German ambassador to the US, in a statement.
Some of the participants who spoke through virtual platforms have reached consensus on major issues that affects global security challenges, they also applauded Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s replacement of Nigeria’s service chiefs in a bid to reinvigorate (the answers to the) country’s security challenges.
The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Leo Iraboh is a decorated soldier and competent hand, same with Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao as Chief of Air Staff.
However, the retention of Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) as the National Security Adviser has elicited prompt response from Nigeria’s international partners.
Pentagon and State Department officials expressed delight and confidence that the new team will in partnership with all regional and international partners forge a better response to challenges particularly in the Sahel.
“We are happy to continue working with Gen. Monguno, a team player soldier, scholar and highly efficient Officer.”
A Senior E U official said Monguno enjoys immense respect and has built extensive security and intelligence contacts globally.
“We like working with him on all facets of global security challenges, from terrorism, narco trafficking to fake drugs and narcotic,” a Senior official with India’s RAW told newsplusview.”
As sign of Nigeria’s president’s delights with the performance of his security adviser, recently, President Buhari directed him to coordinate and formulate a holistic approach to stem the tide of the resurgent banditry, illegal mining in the Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina corridor– states in the North-Western region of the country — that has continued to cost lives and the displacement of thousands of families from their towns and villages.
The US Special Envoy for the Sahel, Ambassador J. Peter Pham and panelists from Global Coalition members, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Nigeria, acknowledged and applauded Monguno’s efforts and Nigeria’s roles in the fights against terrorism in the sub-region at providing key perspectives on evolution of ISIS affiliates and their troubling activities in West Africa.
While Nigeria and the USA are committed to lead global coalition against ISIS and other terrorist groups in the world, the challenges of global terrorism had negatively impacted on the economy, polity and livelihoods of people as evident in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin and parts of the North-Eastern Nigeria”.
Yes, the article helped me remember that for the long time Nigerians spent calling for the removal of the service chiefs, nobody included the name of the National Security Adviser in the list of those being excoriated in the national blame game.
Ah, I have not in the least forgotten that this is Nigeria, a country where a terrible code is obeyed, a code of silence when any matter concerns the dead. That is why we have hardly looked inquisitively on any past administration. It was clear that a certain deceased high official that was in Aso Rock, actually controlled the Service Chiefs and they took orders from him instead of from the NSA. I still remember the in your face way the Service Chiefs came to the Presidential Villa, Abuja once, with fanfare, filled into the Chief of Staff ’s office, conferred with him and left without knocking on the NSA’s office nearby. I know some would blame me for remembering such events after the death of the then Chief of Staff, but it is germane to mention it here and now because even after the man’s death, I had often wondered about the sort of official relationship that would have existed between those same Service Chiefs and the same NSA.
Please, don’t get me wrong, as Nigeria was in a state of undeclared war with Boko Haram and the bandits, I wondered what sort of team the NSA would have formed with the Service Chiefs – despite the inflated pride, bruised egos and toes already stepped on.
Now, dear National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Mungono, rtd, President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed a new set of Service Chiefs. This is a fresh set of warriors. Now your time has come. You now have the opportunity to prove your worth. How do I really put it to you, dear General? Do you love music? I bet you do, for I see you, even from afar, as this urbane dude, a real Lagos boy who attended Kings College, Lagos, when that school really meant something. I know you come from Bornu state, but it must stand for something that you speak the three main Nigerian languages, and have emerged tops at all levels of your military education. Then, as Nigerians have been demanding a new security architecture, it may be just right that a real soldier-scholar-Architect (yes, you hold a PhD in Architecture from the United Kingdom as I gleaned online) should be the one to produce that much-needed security architecture.
And if it is true that you are somehow related to the late Educationist, the revered Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, a Minister in the Federal Government during the past 1960s-70s era, the line from our National Anthem, that “the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain” should mean a lot to you.
Surprisingly, of all the things in the world, it is the message in 1970 song from the duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel; BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, that calls to my soul now. Please, could you be that sort of bridge for Nigeria and Nigerians? To refresh your memory, the lyrics go thus:
“When you’re weary/ Feeling small/ When tears are in your eyes/ I’ll dry them all /I’m on your side/ Oh, when times get rough/And friends just can’t be found/ Like a bridge over troubled water/ I will lay me down/ When you’re down and out/ When you’re on the street/ When evening falls so hard/ I will comfort you/ I’ll take your part/ Oh, when darkness comes/ And pain is all around/ Like a bridge over troubled water/I’ll lay me down.
“Sail on silver girl (which is mother Nigeria))/ Sail on by/ Your time has come to shine/ All your dreams are on their way/ Like a bridge over troubled water/ I will ease your mind “
Please, Gen. Monguno, ease Nigeria’s mind. We have cried tears of blood. Hey, bright soldier boy, can you make the much-needed difference? Do we dare to hope in you? Help save Nigeria. Let the tears and dirges disappear. Let triumphant songs resound. Nigeria needs a jubilee. (Independent)
