President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week summoned an emergency National Security Council meeting to deliberate on nation’s security challenges occasioned by the recent attacks by terrorist groups. Perhaps, his sidekick Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was the first to get the memo as things fell apart when a band of bandits attacked Mr Buhari’s convoy and later, Boko Haram launched an audacious attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, the seat of power.
In both bandits and Boko Haram attacks, regime leaders Messrs Buhari and Osinbajo seemed askance.
The bandits Tuesday night attacked Mr Buhari’s advance team to Katsina, his home state, and Boko Haram raided the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, where high-profile Boko Haram inmates were set free.
Summoned to the security council meeting by Mr Buhari were Mr Osinbajo, some cabinet ministers and all security and service chiefs. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari also attended the meeting. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, was represented at the meeting.
Reacting to the attack on the convoy conveying the advance team of presidential guards, protocol and media officers ahead of Mr Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah, the Presidency described the incident, in its usual monotone indignation as “sad and unwelcome.”
On July 6, Mr Buhari visited the overrun Kuje prison, rambling about his disgust aimed at top intelligence chiefs.
“I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it?” lamented Mr Buhari.
The shameful attack did not stop the president from heading to Dakar in Senegal to participate in the inauguration of “the largest financial package” of $93 billion mobilised in the history of the International Development Association (IDA). The IDA fund is geared toward a “robust and resilient economy for Africa.”
Earlier before departing for Dakar, Mr Buhari swore in seven new ministers. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, which preceded the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the president also announced a cabinet reshuffle.
According to him, the reshuffle was aimed at reinvigorating certain sectors where the government desires to accomplish improved results. He claimed his regime was on the home-stretch of its second term, admitting more work still needed to be done.
The newly-appointed ministers and their portfolios include Ikechukwu Ikoh, Minister of State, Science and Technology; Umana Umana, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Udi Odum, Minister of State, Environment and Ademola Adegoroye, Minister of State, Transport. Others are Umar El-Yakub, Minister of State, Works and Housing; Goodluck Opiah, Minister of State, Education and Nkama Ekumankama, Minister of State, Health.
The FEC meeting approved N22 billion for the construction of a conference hostel facility for the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board. The facility is to be located opposite the National Content building in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa.
Mr Buhari also presented a flag to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming governorship election in Osun, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, immediately after the FEC meeting.
The president, who made a ceremonial presentation in the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, commended the performance of Mr Oyetola in Osun.
The president concluded the week with a trip to his hometown, Daura, to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In his Sallah message on July 8, Mr Buhari again reassured that his regime would continue to address the current security challenges and costs of living in Nigeria.
“I won’t rest until I bring relief to Nigerians. I am quite aware of the difficulties people are facing and working to resolve them,” Mr Buhari vowed.
He, however, urged Nigerians to put the country’s interest above self-interests and “use religion as a motivation for the love of our common humanity.”
While in Daura, the president joined hundreds of Muslim faithful in observing the Eid prayer, and later hosted members of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Daura on Saturday. He donated two bulls, 10 rams and N1 million to the corps members to celebrate the Sallah.
(NAN)
