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Nigeria: There’s Fire on the Mountain, and no one is a runnin’

It is sad that foreign armed groups are able to overrun the nations’ security apparatus not minding the mind bugling amount of funds voted every year in the nation’s budget on security.

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2025

OCHEFA

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By John Segun Odeyemi

Image credit: Burnt Community in Benue

Until now, I have refrained from writing commentaries about the political landscape of our country, Nigeria.

I have become disenchanted with the downward spiral of the absurdities that have become common place within the political space.

Within the last few days, I have read several articles on the killings in Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States, and I am convinced to add my voice to the outcry of government’s inability to act proactively in securing the safety of Nigerians from marauding and murdering Fulani insurgents, Boko Haram terrorists and the incessant and now common place kidnapping for ransom.

Anywhere in the world, the first duty of any government is to secure the safety of its citizens in and outside of the country.

It is clear that the government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is either incapable or unwilling to tackle the continuous decimation and subjugation of our people.

In most other climes that claim democratic principles, those in leadership should have resigned from office.

Not in Nigeria! Here we glorify ineffectiveness and inefficiencies.

In the epic 2008 song titled, “There is Fire on the Mountain,” by the Nigerian musician who goes by the name Asa, she makes the claim even though this fire is raging, surprisingly, no one is running.

I find two corollaries, one in an old English idiom, and the other in traditional Yoruba oral tradition; for the English, “The proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the sand.

And the Yoruba wisdom, “No one lights a torch and leaves it burning around a thatched roof.”

In both instances, the culprit is inertia or the lack of desire to act in preventing a disaster.

Either of which does not describe, even at the minimal level, a people willing to act fundamentally from a place of common sense!

Unfortunately, when I see the shenanigans, politicians have reduced my country to, I can only conclude we have politicians who have knowingly set a fire to the country.

And we have a citizen who see the fire and refuse to run.Human life is sacred and each individual’s life should be protected.

Sadly, the entire nation seems inured to a culture of bloodletting, savagery and the disposal of human life.

Our social media space is diffused with gory videos and pictures of unthinkable scenes of inhumane accounts of man’s inhumanity and cruelty to other humans.

Anywhere in the world, the first duty of any government is to secure the safety of its citizens in and outside of the country.

More specifically, of brigandry to defenseless communities.

A situation where aggressors over run entire communities, displace the communities and inhabit their homes without re-adjudication or lawful intervention by constituted authority and, or state intervention.

I continue to hear of “insecurity” in the nation when in reality, what we have is the invasion of our sovereignty as a nation.

It is sad that foreign armed groups are able to overrun the nations’ security apparatus not minding the mind bugling amount of funds voted every year in the nation’s budget on security.

One is forced to question the usefulness and functionality of government sponsored and funded state security agencies.

One cannot but wonder why insurgents are better equipped than the nation’s army in arms and intelligence gathering?

Who are the invested players who supply them with arms and ammunition?

How can bandits become so powerful as to brazenly over run our country’s army encampment, capture Nigerian soldiers, take their armored cars and weapons and put all of this on social media?

There are multiple narratives circulating and making the rounds especially on social media.

Unfortunately, there is no way of verifying the authenticity of some of these claims.

Some shadowy entities trace the incessant bloody and extremely violent attacks on a bid, either for the Islamization of the country or Jihad aimed at a land grab in favor of all shades of Fulanis from the Sahel.

Some even make the claim that it is both issues morphed into one.

I find some plausibility at least in the Fulani bid to find a home in Nigeria.

The current governor of Borno state made that claim on national TV. When asked if the Fulanis coming from outside Nigeria are Nigerians.

He blatantly said “Yes.” Immediately, when I encounter political impropriety and lack of diplomacy at this level, my mind goes into a default.

I try to find a matching partner for buffoonery; in this instance, I thought his less- cellency should be sent to Donald Trump’s school of diplomacy and should not be allowed to return without a doctorate.

For far too long, we have behaved like the ostrich, unable to confront, nationally, the real issues we need to confront; our federalism vis-à-vis regionalism, state policing, our current constitution, our so called “democracy”, and the relationship between the North and the rest of the country.

I believe there is enough land and space in the North to accommodate kith and kin from other climes to settle and graze their cattle up north.

Ranching versus grazing and any other animal husbandry is fine as long as your business does not disrupt mine.

But we all know that grazing is intentionally done to destroy people’s hard work on their farms.

We all know it, but we are looking the other way and mumbling the fool’s mantra, “It is well!”

It is not well, and there is no way it will be well, if some psychotic, marauding murderers, rapists, and demented drug addicts are allowed to kill innocent citizens of our country.

We can no longer be silent if we are human and sane.

If the corridors of power are playing politics with our fellow citizens’ property, security and lives, we have a moral obligation to rise up in holy and righteous anger to stump on evil.

Just last week, we witnessed in the United States, how an entire country came out en-masse to protest what was perceived as oligarchy, an affront on the idea of American democracy, which was tagged “No King.”

Why are we unable to hold our politicians accountable? Why is it that it seems we do not understand that they work for us (even though they steal from us all the time!)

If we do not force a change by our action as citizens, knowing that our so-called politicians are only interested in their own welfare; we must then ask ourselves the mother of all questions… pardon me to borrow from Asa again; “…

One day, the river will overflow and there will be nowhere for us to go.

And we will run, run, wishing we had put out the fire.”

When all has been said, we need to all agree as Nigerians, that these killings are too much! If you do not feel this empathy, then know you are a part of the killing spree.

Those who nurture this theater of war are not interested in building a nation or having a viable ecumenical union among religions in our country. it is all about disorder so they can continue to steal and enrich themselves; “… the more you see, the less you understand, Abracadabra!” If we keep quiet, they continue to eat away at the innards of our country and the rest of us, shall be unaware of what our infestation is coming from?

From within, they will polarize our peoples, dislocate the unity of our communities.

From our jaded communities, we help spew hate and hate and more hate. This in turn corrodes our ability to build a unified front.

Our politicians place their lighted touch under a thatched roof and go to bed on their watch.

When the fire starts, where are we going to run? We can douse the fire now if we imagine the conflagration that a burning Nigeria will look like.

∆ John Segun Odeyemi, is a Catholic Priest and assistant professor of Systematic theology at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of Louisiana.

News

A Review of Akwa Ibom State Government’s July Delivery Meeting

Stakeholders at the meeting delivered goodwill messages, commending Governor Umo Eno for institutionalising the Delivery Meeting as a platform for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2026

OCHEFA

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Image: Governor Umo Eno

The Akwa Ibom State Government’s Monthly Delivery Meeting concluded its two-day July session, with Governor Umo Eno presiding over an extensive review of the administration’s strategic projects across key sectors.
Hon. Aniekan UmanahCommissioner for Information, reported that the meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and ensure the timely delivery of projects under the ARISE Agenda.
In his opening remarks on Day Two, Governor Eno reiterated that the Delivery Meeting has become a vital accountability mechanism for tracking the performance of government projects and ensuring that every initiative delivers measurable value to the people of the State.
He stressed that the sessions provide an opportunity for honest appraisal, collective problem-solving, and improved coordination among implementing agencies as the administration continues to deliver on its commitments under the ARISE Agenda. Quoting the Greek philosopher Socrates, the Governor said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Before the commencement of the Day Two session, Governor Eno paid an unscheduled visit to the ARISE Palm Resort, an audacious tourism project built on a 73-hectare gully reclamation site, to verify claims made during the previous day’s presentations and assess firsthand the level of progress on the facility, which is scheduled for commissioning later in the year.
The meeting received comprehensive presentations on key projects across multiple sectors of the state’s development programme, including agriculture, trade and investment, maritime and transportation, health, internal security, housing, tourism, local government administration, direct labour projects, and other flagship initiatives.
Under the agricultural sector, presentations were made on the Ibom Model Farm, Agric Equipment Leasing Company, Distribution of Oil Palm Seedlings Programme, Dakkada Global Oil Palm Project, and the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP), with emphasis on mechanised farming, food security, and job creation.
The Ministry of Trade and Investment presented updates on the International Market, Ikot Ekpene, highlighting its role in boosting commerce, attracting investment, and strengthening regional trade.
The meeting noted the significant progress recorded on the project and urged the contractors to sustain the pace of work.
In the maritime and transport sector, updates were presented on the Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project, which is aimed at improving maritime transportation, boosting commerce, and stimulating economic growth as part of the administration’s broader Blue Economy development initiatives.
The health sector presentation covered the Ibom International Hospital, General Hospitals in Ukanafun, Ibiono Ibom, Ikot Ekpene, Iquita-Oron, Ikot Ekpene Udo, and other State of Emergency Health Projects, reinforcing the government’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services.
The Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways presented progress on the Counter Terrorism Unit Base, aimed at strengthening security infrastructure and enhancing public safety across the state.
The Ministry of Housing provided updates on the Doctors’ Residence and the Executive and Legislative Quarters, projects aimed at providing decent accommodation while supporting urban renewal and improving living standards.
In the tourism sector, progress on the Ibom International Hotel at the Convention Arena was reviewed, with emphasis on repositioning the facility to boost tourism, hospitality, and investment opportunities.
Updates from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs covered the Chairmen’s Lodges, with an assurance that all 31 lodges will be completed by December 2026 to strengthen administrative efficiency at the grassroots level.
The Direct Labour Committee reported progress on the Youth Development Centres, the One Project Per Local Government Area (Phase II), the Judiciary Village, and the House of Assembly Complex, all aimed at strengthening governance infrastructure and promoting youth development.
Other strategic projects reviewed included the ARISE Shopping City, ARISE Park Beach Villas, AKBC Project, Model Secondary School, Senior Citizens Centre, and the Nigeria Formr Women Project, reflecting the administration’s broad development agenda across multiple sectors.
Stakeholders at the meeting delivered goodwill messages, commending Governor Umo Eno for institutionalising the Delivery Meeting as a platform for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Senator Effiong Bob commended the Governor for consistently engaging stakeholders in the governance process, noting that the ARISE Agenda is making measurable progress while praising the administration’s openness and transparency. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Assam Assam, described the meeting as the most impactful yet, citing visible progress across sectors, particularly in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, lauded the Governor’s leadership and assured him of the continued support and collaboration of the State House of Assembly.
The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Dr. Solomon Etuk, JP, expressed pride in the administration’s developmental strides and commended Governor Eno’s inclusive approach to governance.
In his closing remarks, Governor Umo Eno appreciated all participants, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Delivery Advisors, stakeholders, and contractors for their contributions to the two-day review exercise, noting that the sessions were rigorous but necessary in strengthening governance and ensuring accountability.
The Governor stated that the administration is entering its “harvest season” as it gradually winds down its first term, adding that observations from the meeting would be used to further improve service delivery and implementation efficiency.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects within set timelines and urged implementing agencies to sustain the momentum and maintain high standards in project execution for the benefit of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
At the conclusion of the Delivery Meeting, Governor Eno led stakeholders on an inspection visit to the Ibom Convention Arena to assess ongoing work on the 200-bed Ibom International Hotel project, which is billed for commissioning later in the year.

News

Explosion rocks Apapa tank farm; NPA, NIMASA move to curtail spread

Following the outbreak the fire service departments of both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) moved in to curtail the spread of the inferno.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

Panic erupted at the Lagos tank farm cluster at Ibafon, Apapa, on Friday morning after a fire broke out at the Bono Tank Farm, located within the Best Energy Tank Farm complex.

The inferno sent residents and workers in the area fleeing for safety as emergency responders moved in to contain the blaze.

Efforts to obtain comments from the management of Bono Tank Farm and Best Energy Tank Farm were unsuccessful, as phone calls and text messages sent to their representatives were neither answered nor acknowledged.

News

FG slams 8-count charges on Adeyemi over fake agency ” I’m not a criminal”, he defends

It was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

OCHEFA

39 Views

Photo: Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi

The Federal Government has filed an 8-count charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over the controversy trailing the agency.

Adeyemi, however, fought back claiming that he was given an appointment letter.

Adeyemi, during an appearance on Channels Television claimed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter, insisting that he is not a criminal.

However, it was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed by the Police on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Onanuga said Adeyemi is expected to appear in court on July 27, 2026.