The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

The Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Mr. Semiu Olorunkemi Surakat has been alleged by his family members, THE OJUILE DESCENDANT FAMILY of criminal attempt to assassinate some members of his family over a land tussle situated at Bolorunpelu/ Okerekere Village in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the secretary of the family, Chief Razaq Oludaisi, the family alleged Mr. Surakat of dividing Ojuile family for his selfish interest, noting that the family has been enjoying peaceful and quiet possession of the land until recently when one of the family members, Mr. Surakat became Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government and claimed to be enjoying the support of Governor Akinwumi Ambode to seize and sell the family land without  consent of the Ojuile Family members. He sold to Catholic Church, Polaris bank and now hired Landwey as agent to clear and demolish the structures on some of the properties on the land.

“Kemi Surakat wants to kill me and many members of my family. He has single handedly appointed four heads (Baale) to our various settlements in the village and these are the people he used to perpetuate the criminal act of selling the collective resources of the family. The family has instituted various court charges against him but he reigns with impunity claiming to be enjoying the support of the Governor of Lagos state. He sees me and some other members of the family as knowledgeable hence he attempts to assassinate us. Right now I can’t sleep at home, I sleep in different hotels as his thugs such as Yakubu Adeniyi, Sikiru Salami and eight others are said to be hunting for me hence I petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP and the petition is being given a deserving response as Kemi Surakat has been invited by anti fraud unit of Nigerian Police Force for questioning last week Monday and Thursday.

When contacted, Mr. Surakat debunked the allegation of threat to life but affirmed there is crisis over land and baaleship within his family. According to him, “I am the number one citizen of Ibeju Lekki Local Government and it is imperative that I should allow peaceful resolution of any matter. I can tell you that the family will meet and resolve the matter”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intention to import more foreign nationals into the country to influence the general elections, especially the presidential election.

Consequently, the party charged security agencies to immediately carry out comprehensive investigation on the security and political implications of the presence of two Nigerien governors and other foreigners during the APC presidential rally in Kano on Thursday.

National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, speaking at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, venue of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in the state, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify APC’s presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, from the February 16 election for allegedly importing foreign nationals to influence the polls.

Secondus described as shameful, the APC rally in Kano, where governors and other persons from neighbouring countries, especially Niger Republic, attended and openly campaigned for Buhari, saying such action shows that the ruling party intends to import more foreign nationals into the country to influence the elections.

He said a vote for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was a vote for freedom from poverty, hunger and insecurity, adding: “Governor David Umahi is the best governor and I know that you are going to vote for him again.

“Let me warn INEC that what we witnessed yesterday (on Thursday) was the worst that we have seen in the country, where people from other countries, like Niger and Chad, came to influence the elections in Nigeria.”

Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, PDP, through its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged: “President Buhari and the APC, in their desperation, have compromised our territorial integrity as a nation and this portends grave danger to our national security and the sanctity of our electoral process.

“For a nation contending with insurgency and banditry, the involvement of mercenaries from neighbouring countries in the APC rally must be condemned by all and sundry. This is particularly against the backdrop of claims by Buhari that killer herdsmen ravaging our nation are mercenaries who are infiltrating from the Sahel region.”

The PDP noted that already, there was apprehension that “miscreants who came from Niger Republic to Buhari’s rally are being offered accommodation in our country by the APC to unleash violence immediately it is clear that Buhari is losing in the February 16 presidential election.”

On account of this, PDP demanded an urgent and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the presence of politicians and thugs from Niger Republic at the rally, urging the Presidency and APC to immediately explain the “roles being played by Issa Moussa, Governor of Zinder, and his counterpart from Maradi, Zakiri Umar, both of the Niger Republic, who were sighted decked in the attires and official logos of the APC in our political affairs”

“Our security agencies must immediately investigate and lay in the public domain, the circumstances leading to their presence.”

In PDP’s opinion, “the presence of the Niger Republic Governors at President Buhari’s rally signposts a direct assault on the credibility of the Presidential elections. This is particularly against the backdrop of INEC’s plans to allow Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in that country to vote in our election, a situation that opens the way for aliens to infiltrate as IDPs and participate in our elections.”

It asked: “What was the true purpose of the invitation of these foreigners to the APC rally in Kano on Thursday? What secret deals did APC leaders make with them at the expense of our national security?

“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians, irrespective of creed, ethnicity and political affiliations, to rise in total condemnation of this direct assault on our territorial integrity as a nation. Our citizens must henceforth be at alert and get prepared to defend the sovereignty of our nation.”

Speaking at the party’s rally in Abakaliki, Senate President Bukola Saraki lamented the high rate of hunger and unemployment in the country since the coming of the APC to power, which he attributed to the inexperience of the ruling government in the management of the economy.

Abubakar’s running mate, Peter Obi, said the party wants to replicate what Umahi is doing in Ebonyi State and in the entire country.

Abubakar’s wife, Jennifer, noted that the huge crowd in the stadium was an indication that Umahi was solidly behind her husband.

In his speech, Abubakar commended Umahi for the huge transformation going on in the state and promised that such would be replicated in the entire country if he is elected President, promising that the Southeast would not be marginalised in his government and urged the people to vote and protect their votes to ensure that their votes count in the end.

Earlier, Umahi, while welcoming party members and faithful, assured that the state would vote massively for Abubakar and all candidates of the party.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has accused the Amnesty International of working for the Boko Haram sect against the interest of Nigeria.

According to the group, the stories about 60 persons killed by Boko Haram in Rann was not only false but contrived by Amnesty International in its usual attack to diminish the efforts of the Federal Government as a failed state whilst dampening the moral of troops to confer advantage on the fleeing elements of Boko Haram.

SHAC said it is now evident that AI appears more desperate that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in dissemination of false information and propaganda just to whittle down the government’s efforts against insurgency.  

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, SHAC, through its Executive Director, Intelligence and Investigation Bereau, Adams Odoh, called on the Federal Government to review its stance and expel Amnesty International from the country. 

It also opined that the AI should be officially listed as an affiliate of Boko Haram to pave way for the organization and its staff to be treated as terrorists in view of their terrorism-supporting activities.

He said, 

“You may wish to note that Boko Haram’s propaganda infrastructure suffered some measure of decline as the media in Nigeria has increasingly become aware of the dangers of helping the terrorists to promote instances in which they carry out attacks. Some of the so called activists and pseudo-journalists that help Boko Haram to promote its propaganda were also identified, which has made media houses to be wary of posts and comments from such individuals. 

“This lack of visibility on the part of Boko Haram must hurt the confidence of its fighters since they rely on the mainstream and social media to hype their evil deeds for them to be able to strike terror in the heart of Nigerians.

“The loss of access to these identified channels must have prompted Boko Haram to explore extreme options irrespective of whether this would expose its hidden long-term collaborators. This is exactly the risk that the terror group has taken by frontally activating Amnesty International to publicise the attack on Rann. This scenario may appear farfetched but the choice of words used in relating Boko Haram’s acts of terror in the town are consistent with an organization that is desirous of causing widespread terror and panic, which is the same objective that Boko Haram has.

“Close watchers of the unfolding situation in Nigeria’s northeast should at this point begin to question if Amnesty International is scheming to usurp the role of the Nigerian military in verifying and investigating attacks carried out by the terrorists. This development, in which Amnesty International hijacked the role of the Nigerian state, should begin to convince those in doubt that this so called NGO not only have a morbid disdain for the Nigerian state but is also concluded in doing all that is possible to lead to the demise of the country.

“Note that the only acknowledgement that Amnesty International has for Nigerian authorities was to cast aspersion on them, viz alleging that they abandoned civilians to the terrorists. The fable about troops leaving Rann before the attack has all the makings of an organization that want to corral public opinion against the military and the state. Yet, the same Amnesty International has on too many occasions manipulated the situation to allege that the presence of the military in civilian areas was a recipe for abuses of civilian rights. This makes it confounding how this organization wants the military to stay away from civilian areas and protect civilians while staying away at the same time.

“What makes this latest development worrisome is that the military authorities have asserted that there was no attack in Rann, which confirmed that Amnesty International has again engaged in spawning fake news. The intention for doing this is not farfetched. Amnesty International engaged in propagating fake news as part of its efforts to influence the outcomes of the general elections in favour of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for which it is known to be working. At this point, it is no longer possible for Amnesty International to deny that it is the liaison between Boko Haram and the PDP, which has been discovered to have recruited the terrorists to disrupt the elections.

It must also be mentioned that there had been allegations in the past that organizations like Amnesty International are in the business of passing military intelligence secret that they gather in the course of their work to Boko Haram terrorists. For the same NGO to be the one promoting the story about the attack in Rann raises concerns about what links it has to this particular attack, which it became aware of before even the residents of the community. We sincerely want to know what other shady dealing Amnesty International has been able to conclude before it began exposing its role in the persistence of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state and environs.

“On the side line, let us quickly mention that there has been a kind of deafening silence on the part of Amnesty International whenever Nigeria’s francophone neighbours suffer Boko Hara attacks. Perhaps the explanation is that Amnesty International does not have French speaking operatives on ground in these places to carry out its questionable activities.

“The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) will restate its earlier position that Nigeria must reconsider the political correctness that makes it allow a subversive entity like Amnesty International to freely operate in the country in a manner that undermine the security of the entire country while putting the lives of citizens at risk. The activities of this NGO are bad enough that the work of other interventionist NGOs that are working to bring succour to displaced persons is being hampered. Staffers of these NGOs are placed at risk from the manner of operation that Amnesty International is running in Nigeria.

In reviewing this situation, it is pertinent that the wellbeing of the citizens takes precedence because each successful operation that Amnesty International carried out, whether by way of its dubious report, tipping off terrorists or clandestinely colluding with them and more recently running their propaganda, makes the quality of life of citizens compromised. 

“This timely warning to the government becomes necessary to prevent a repeat of what happened in the past when aggrieved groups and Nigerians almost resorted to self-help to expel the controversial NGO from Nigeria. Nigeria cannot continue to wait for Amnesty International to commit more crimes against the people before taking steps to protect citizens from its criminal activities.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office have arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters yahoo boys with pants, charms and other assorted items used for fraud.

They were arrested at the Ologuneru Area of the metropolitan city of Ibadan and at Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

They are, Bamidele Ayodele Samson, Bamidele Philip, Tunji Oladapo Sowale, Bololaji Olalekan and Abdulrauf Abiodun.

Others are: Olaleye Pelumi, Anuokuwapo Olanrewaju, Paul Damilola, Olateye David Tobi, Arewa Adekunle Ibrahim, Oyesanmi Ayomikun Oluwaseun, Olaleye Israel, Adediran Kemisola, Omobolade Alarape and Olowolusi Oluwatomisin.

The four other suspects arrested early hours of Friday, February 1, 2019 at their hideout at Akobo, Ibadan are, Babatunde Afeez, Akorede Ahmed Olalekan, Adeleye Damilola and Moshod Richard.

In a sting operation led by the zonal head, Friday Ebelo, Ibadan zonal head, the suspects who are between the ages of 21 and 35 years were taken by surprise when operatives swept on them at one of their notorious havens in the city.

Five of them allegedly claimed to be undergraduates while the other 10 claimed to be self-employed in varied vocations.

They are already helping operatives with useful information.

EFCC arrests 19 yahoo boys with pants, charms in Ibadan

The Commission got wind of their activities following series of intelligence report, alleging that they engaged in various fraudulent activities ranging from obtaining money by false pretences through sending of scam emails to unsuspecting victims mostly in the United States of America, while others were engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered four different models and brands of exotic cars, five laptops, 20 telephones (10 iPhones) and one small bag containing items suspected to be fetish objects (juju) from them. Several documents, including international passports, and ATM cards were recovered from them.

In a related development, operatives also arrested four other suspects on February 1, 2019 at their hideout at Akobo, Ibadan. The suspected cyber criminals are between 21 and 30 years.

Their arrest followed series of intelligence alleging that the suspected fraudsters engaged in fraudulent activities of obtaining money by false pretences from unsuspecting victims.

At the point of their arrest, EFCC operatives recovered SIM cards, one exotic car, laptops, telephones, female underwear’s and four bags of fetish objects (juju) from them. Several documents containing false pretences were also recovered from the suspects.

They will all soon be charged to court.

By Orinya Agbese 

“He has got the Midas touch. Anything he touches turns to gold”. Many of us might be familiar with that famous line in the beautiful soul rendition of the ’80s. Well, we are no longer in the ’80s, as someone is replicating the Midas touch once again. But this time around, in the Nigerian Army.

The educational landscape in the Nigerian Army has been hit by that Midas touch so much so that lines have been falling in pleasant places. It has never been so good if you ask me and this is why I call the Chief of Army Staff. General Tukur Buratai the man with the Midas touch.

I will start with the Nigerian Military School in Zaria. Popularly known as the NMS, whose graduates are often referred to as Ex-boys, an acronym that gained popularity in the country that made the NMS the choice school for most young people. At the NMS, students were tutored alongside military drills. And this was the fun of it all as most parents take pride in telling people their wards are enrolled in the NMS. But like a bang! The then leadership of the Nigerian Army decided to step down full military training for the students, and the NMS lost its glory.

But in 2017, that glory was restored with the restoration of full combat training at the Nigerian Military School by the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai. This singular act has returned the NMS to its pride of place as a citadel of academic and military excellence.

According to insider’s sources, the Chief of Army Staff wondered why combat training would not be a part of a military institution that has produced countless generals in the Nigerian Army. And consequently, he set out to work until he got the presidential nod to reintroduce combat training in the NMS. That is the quintessential Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

It didn’t stop there. The famous Command secondary schools of the Nigerian Army across the country were in comatose as a result of neglect by successive administrations in the Nigerian Army. So sad that at some point, the level of infrastructural decay at the various Command Secondary Schools across the country was abysmal. And the schools were a shadow of itself. Some us that knew what it takes to get enrolled at the any of the command schools were disappointed with the level of decay at these once promising military institutions.

And again. Lt Gen Tukur Buratai came to the rescue by causing a total transformation of all the Command secondary schools across the country. The transformation was not limited to infrastructures alone, but also in the academics by ensuring an assemblage of highly resourceful teaching staff. The transformation was indeed total as the various command secondary schools across the country are wearing new looks courtesy of the man that places much value on education as well as military combat. 

In some quarters, the Chief of Army Staff has been quoted as saying that academic excellence should not be elusive in any 21st Century Army, and the Nigerian Army should not be an exception. I am of the opinion that this drive can only be initiated by someone that wants to leave his name in the sands of time because of the invaluable role of education in any given society. So when you have such academic excellence in the various Nigerian Army institutions, the general notion the Nigeria Army is all about “cork and shoot” would be dismissed. And yes, there are could also be intellectuals in the Nigerian Army who would bring their intellectual abilities to bear when needed. 

This brings me to a very noble one that was also recently introduced by the Chief of Army Staff in the Nigerian Army educational space. Enter the world of the Nigerian Army University Biu  which has commenced academic session as a unique and specialized institution that would serve as solutions centre, especially to specific challenges facing the military and North East region.

This is a first and another brilliant initiative of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. Some might wonder why the aggressive drive to improve the educational space of the Nigerian Army. Some might also wonder why Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has taken the educational space in the Nigerian Army so seriously to the envy sister services. In my opinion, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai understands that military education is valuable because it provides an intellectual architecture for battlefield success, contributes to stable civil-military relations, builds a culture of reflection, and a capacity for critical analysis.

Military education also helps establish the conditions for military success by creating the intellectual architecture to make military operations more effective, and to do so on a continual basis. And in the words of the Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai “The university is designed to create the critical mass required for research, innovations, testing, and development of military equipment in the 21st-century setting”. Do I need to say more?

It didn’t stop there. The Nigeria Army Depot in Zaria responsible for training recruits into the Nigeria Army was not also left out of the revolution. Its operations have been reshaped to reflect modern realities in warfare. This much can be seen in the quality of recruits coming out of the Nigerian Army Depot.

I recall many years back, enlistment into the Nigerian Army as a recruit was a function of proximity to the Nigerian Army depot or a note from a highly placed individual in the country. But not anymore as the enlistment process has been structured in a way that you must meet some specified criteria that would ensure that recruits into the Nigerian Army are not misfits or dullards.

And finally, the sponsorship of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for training abroad also received a significant boost under Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai. It can be safely stated that the number of officers and soldiers that have been sponsored for training abroad between 2015 to date is unprecedented in the annals of the Nigerian Army.

In some quarters it was stated that the aggressive sponsorship of officers and soldiers for training abroad was as a result of the reluctance of past administration to send officers and soldiers for training. So much so that it affected the operational effectiveness of the service. So when in 2015 Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was appointed Chief of Army Staff, he vowed that the issue of training and retraining would be a significant policy drive of the Nigerian Army and he has stayed true to his words.

I am quite impressed with the exploits of the Chief of Army Staff in the critical educational sector of the Nigerian Army. It tells the story of a Commander who understands that military education creates the ‘intellectual architecture’ to make military organizations better. And also the fact that military thinking is the link between military education and battlefield success.

Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has indeed displayed a hunger for educational excellence in the Nigerian Army which is quite commendable and should be emulated across the board in the security architecture in Nigeria. If that is done, it would not only increase the efficiency of the nation’s security services; it would also equip the various services with the required skills and knowledge in dealing with 21st-century security threats, which are mostly asymmetric.

For Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, I doff my hat for that gentleman with the Midas touch that has been felt in the educational landscape of the Nigerian Army.

Agbese is a certified educationist and writes from Aberdeen.

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG), has slammed the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) led by the trio of  former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd) and former Governor of Old Anambra state,  Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife over their recent comment on the state of the nation.

The group said the trio do no represent true Christians and as such can not speak for Christians in the region.

The National Christian Elders Forum had on Wednesday staged a protest against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group described the decision as an Islamic agenda, calling on Nigerians to mobilise themselves to resist the Islamists in the country. 

Reacting to their comment, President of the MBCG, Prince Adamu Enero and Dr. Paul Itodo Secretary –General, in a joint statement, frowned at NCEF’s brazen attempt at incitement of Nigerians against themselves and the negative profiling of Mr. President, veiled personalities, religious sects and ethnic groups in the efforts to explain their bitterness in public domain.  

According to Enero, as religious leaders, whether Christian, Islamic, traditionalists or even atheists, “we have a sacred responsibility to always preach peaceful co-existence and harmony, as copiously admonished by the  doctrines and scriptures of the various religious sects. Christians particularly believe God fights their battles; it is not man.  

“We therefore, find it strange that these elder statesmen, who have served this country in various capacities and for decades would condescend to such level of intolerance and immaturity in handling a perceived grievance.  We are compelled to conclude that they prefer to see this country in flames, than peace, which merely thinking about its possibility is very scary.    

“The MBCG is appalled at the dexterous twisting of facts by  the NCEF’s leaders just to find justification for the evil preachments, which would be potent enough to incense perverse minds to  amplify the subsisting sectarian,  ethno-religious and  political   crises bedeviling Nigeria.  This is thoughtless.  

“It is outrightly perfidious to infer or even claim a section of Nigeria, where the President Buhari hails is intent on truncating the country’s democracy and to enthrone Sharia as “national ideology,” because of the existence of recurring conflicts. Yes, these conflicts are “recurring” as they know, and it predates the Buhari Presidency. It smouldered stronger when a Christian, former President Goodluck Jonathan was at the helms of affairs leadership in Nigeria.

“Worse still, to classify President Buhari as belonging to the Salafist sect is equally baseless negative profiling, as the President is a known member of the Sunni sect, unknown to such Islamic extremism to the extent of imposing what NCEF described as “political Islam” on Nigeria.

“The Judiciary religiously, like other institutions of government strictly adheres to seniority in succession. There should be no furor or ill-feelings on the choice of Onnoghen’s successor in Acting capacity  because in the latest case of  suspended Justice Onnoghen, had the next senior  Supreme Court Justice to him been a Christian, he would have still stepped into CJN’s  shoes.    

“Besides, the Buhari Presidency has pragmatically demonstrated aversion to threats to public peace and security by aberrational Islamic sects and extremists. The case of the Sheik Ibraheem EL-zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) is a clear example. 

“The NCEF cannot deny that Boko Haram, which later became monstrous and expanded unimaginable tentacles started under a Christian President in 2004, but he could not nip it in the bud.  The six years of the Jonathan Presidency amply energized the sect.

“It is undeniable that only under a Buhari Presidency that Nigerians are now experiencing any respite from Boko Haram insurgency. Can a clear conscience ascribe such a leader as bending undemocratic or Islamic agenda?  

“ What is built on falsehood hardly stands and it is ensnared by its own traps.  NCEF clearly overstretched its wisdom by claiming in August last year,  the Presidency planned a “coup” against the  National Assembly (NASS). It is an allusion to the leadership struggles in NASS. But the incumbent Senate President is a Muslim and ditto, the Speaker is a Christian. This has always been the composition.

“Such utterances are disgraceful and unbefitting of elder statesmen of their status, irrespective of the forum of their assemblage. It is a flagrant disregard and abuse of extant laws to use ethnicity or religion for political campaigns. And it amazes that NCEF leaders are angling for compliance with tenets of liberal democracy and constitutionalism, yet freely make utterances which clearly undermine law and order,  the tripod upon which democracy flourishes.”

The House of Representatives Hopeful for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency Barrister Kehinde Adebayo Somoye earlier today made his intentions if elected known during Ogun State Political debate organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Chapter. 

Somoye during the debate – pledged to ask for appointment of independent auditor to regularly audit and publish use of constituency funds in his Constituency.

He further said:

“I am a new breed politician firmly and sincerely committed to changing the way politics is played in Nigeria”

Barrister Somoye also said he would give the representation that the  people of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency have long sought for and deserve. 

According to Barrister Somoye, he promised to listen to the people of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency and pledged to work with communities to address their needs and concerns, including water, electricity, bad roads, security, youth unemployment, educational system, public transportation, etc.

By Tunde Eso, 

Public Relations Specialist

To further enrich world’s economy business sector knowledge base elicit the aforesaid topic, thereby providing logical trend to specialists in the duo thus.

 

Without a battery in a mobile phone, the phone tends to be non functional, whereas without a charger to boost up this battery, the battery seems to be non functional in turn.

Symbolically, a company seems to be non functional with public relations which stands for the battery that serves as the life of an organisation, while human resource stands for the charger that helps in boosting up the battery to make it functional, which is public relation.

The duo, are two different fields, which partners together to build a relationship and grow a business. Although it has been noted that effective public relations is about being proactive, not just reactive to situations on brand. In this context the public relations officer is bagged with the responsibility of the pro-activeness of brands.

Taking out public relations from an organisation is more or less like toiling with the progress of such organisation. Public relations as a context may sound simple, but it involves tremendous effort in strengthening the progress of an organisation.

On the other hand, the importance of human resources in an organisation cannot be over emphasized as it helps in monitoring the progress of an organization towards achieving their stated goal through strategic planning.

No doubts, over the years public relations has proven to be a field that is highly essential to organisations, as it has helped organizations in promoting and increasing relations in the domestic market by enabling collaborations between organizations. Benefits like brand reputation, improved relations with personalities and management of crisis has been ensured through public relations.

Public relations, has also helped in improving ties with industries. It is a very powerful tool which has been employed in organisation, especially in the advertising sector, to maintain reputations, creation of image and image building.

Since image is the important trait and it speaks of the status of an organisation, among every other professions, public relations tends to stand firmly and maintaining a great seat in the height of image creation and building.

Human resources, on its own part, performs various typical functions, some of which includes; interviewing, hiring, training, maintaining employees benefit, recruitment, overseeing disciplinary measures, supervisions and providing counseling for employees.

As earlier stated in the introductory paragraph, referring the human resources as a charger that boost up the battery which is public relations, one can likely conclude that it is through the activities of the human resource that public relations comes about.

The human resources are centered with the responsibilities of hiring, training and counseling employees, public relation officers are not exemption of these employees. When i say the duo works hand in hand, I am undeniably stating the fact.

Communicating on the benefits and importance of public relations and human resources without spelling out its meaning and definition would be highly unethical, that is what brings us to the big question of what is a public relations and what is human resources?

Public relations practitioners have defined public relations from their different perspective. According to Rafael Salak (communication lead at Prowly), he defined public relations as a communication of an intended message, that aims to result in a shift of audience towards attitude (towards a person, brand and event).

Jordan Townley (PRS/CSR Specialist) defines it as ensuring that one’s brand has a clear message and successful public relations is ensuring that the message is effectively interpreted to the right audience.

Tunde Eso -2019 (Public Relations Specialist) defines public relations as the department that stands as the ‘picture symbol’ of an organisation thereby saddled with the responsibilities of projecting and maintaining the internal and external image of such organization. 

Public relations specialist must be sensitive to the needs, attitudes, and opinions of their audience because he or she must keep the public informed of their employers’ current goals and policies.  All companies most have a department of public relations or a person in charge of public relations.

Stephen Waddington, on his own part, describes public relations as the practice of understanding the purpose of an organisation, and its relationship within the society.

Just like public relations practitioners have defined public relations; scholars in the field of human resource have also defined human resource.

Storey (1995) see, human resources as a distinctive approach to employment management which seeks to achieve competitive advantage through the strategic deployment of a highly committed and capable workforce, using an array of cultural, structural and personnel techniques.

According to Bratton and Gold (2007), they described it as a strategic approach to managing employment relations which emphasizes that leveraging people’s capabilities is critical to achieving competitive advantage, this being achieved through a distinctive set of integrated employment policies, programs and practices.

Undeniably, it is crystal and evidently clear that the duo has multiple functions to play in every organisation, although they happen to convey under different bodies, they are still inseparable, as they need each other to reach the organizations goals and objectives.

The duo partners to build relationship and growth of a business. Public relations, is the public eye of the organization, while human resources bags the responsibility of hiring, firing and training of employees while public relations sector can also perform some of human resources duties.

Human resources deal with the administration of human resources policies, procedures, and programs. Specialists in the field of human resources have reached a conclusion that, Human resources officer’s responsibilities are preparing, updating and documenting employment records related to hiring, transferring, promoting, and terminating. They also explain human resources law, policies, procedures and standards to new and existing employees. Human resources personnel process new hire paperwork.

An organization without public relations and human resources is undeniably incomplete, as public relations and human resources serves as the life of any organization.

Tunde Eso

Public Relations Specialist

tundeeso8@gmail.com

+2348038272210

Lagos, Nigeria.

The Taraba Good Governance Council has expressed elation at the commissioning of the newly established Forward Operation Base, Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General TY Buratai. 

The group, while commending the army chief for being responsive to the demand of the people, said the establishment of the Forward Operation Base was prayer answered for the community.

Leader of the group, Istifanus Kifasi, while addressing newsmen in Jalingo, Taraba State on Thursday, said the community was confident that the activation of this Forward Operation Base will put an end to all the ills – sectarian violence, farmers/herders conflict, kidnapping, armed robbery, economic sabotage and insurgency.

According to Kifasi, “Dealing with these crimes is strategic to providing security across Nigeria.

“It is noteworthy that the people of Taraba had given up hope that their safety and security will forever be at the whims of political prevarications but the COAS has proven that all Nigerians matter and that Taraba has a special place in the country with the establishment of the base to deal with challenges that affect the lives of our people.

“It is in this light that we recognize the step taken by the Nigerian Army as being directed at bringing lasting peace not only around the Mambila Plateau and communities ravaged by ethnic clashes in the north eastern state of Taraba but to also to ensure that the Nigerian Army continues to prove its mettle in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria from internal and external aggression. The instability plaguing he Anglophone region of Cameroon makes the establishment of this base imperative.

“The reassuring gesture of the Nigerian Army will go a long way to prove naysayers wrong in their earlier claim that the Nigerian Army was not committed to the restoration of peace in the state and neighboring states. The Forward Operation Base will now show how much the Army cares and how far it has gone in discharging its obligations to the people of Taraba state. 

“We, in similar vein, acknowledge the efforts of the state Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for partnering with the Army and other stakeholders towards bringing about lasting peace in the state. The place of peace, security and development in bringing about a Taraba of our aspiration cannot be overemphasized and we implore Governor Ishaku to continue along this path of cooperation with the Nigerian Army as an institution with the capacity to restore security to our state. The governor should make it a point of duty to mentor other politicians that need guidance and encouragement in becoming exemplary leaders by prevailing on them not to incite or arm youths to commit crimes.

This singular decision by the Governor and the Nigerian Army will mark a new turn in the security, peace and development of our beloved state and eventually put an end to every wrong notion in the air about our cooperation with the Nigerian Army or not. It is hoped that it will further endear the efforts of both the Governor and the Nigerian Army to the hearts of our people. 

“The Taraba Good Governance Council uses this opportunity to appeal to our compatriots in the state to see the launch of the base as a kind of reset button that should prompt all of us to reassess our relationship with each other and come to the realization that there can be better inter-ethnic and sectarian interaction that will reduce the tendencies for violent clashes. Our belief is that once we manage our affairs in Taraba state with the least incidences to require the intervention of the Army, troops can better focus on on dealing with external threats to Nigeria, like containing the separatists from Cameroon.”

There has been quite an upheaval on the operations of the Nigerian Army in Taraba state in recent times. So much so that it portrayed the Nigeria army as having ulterior motives in its activities in Taraba state, especially as it concerns the farmers/herders conflict. 

I recall that the Nigerian Army had on numerous occasions denied any form of favouritism in its operations in the state. But some citizens would hear none of it. They went further to allude that the Nigerian Army was taking sides with herdsmen in the state. A claim that was uncharitable and far from the truth. 

There was mutual suspicion amongst the various stakeholders, which led to a very unhealthy relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Taraba state government and a large extent did affect the operations of the Nigerian Army in the state. But, all of that, is now history with the renewed partnership for peace and security in the state. 

In my opinion, the Taraba state government indeed realized that the Nigerian Army under the present Chief of Army staff could not have been so unprofessional to takes sides with a section of the population, whereas it is constitutionally mandated to protect the territorial integrity of the country. I stand to be corrected, would such a scenario be ever possible in a country as plural as ours? Unless the bulk of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army are from a particular ethnicity or religion before such can be possible. but as they say, let bygone be bygone as we focus on the task ahead. 

I am elated and as well of the opinion that with the renewed partnership between the Taraba state government there seems to be an excellent working relationship that has yielded positives in the operations of the Nigerian Army in the state. 

The first victory for peace, security and development everywhere in the world is overcoming mutual suspicion and clear understanding of the issues at stake which in the present case is the security of lives and properties of the common masses. And this gives rise to appreciation of the efforts of the Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai. 

While this may not be news to some out there, for some of us in the know of the intricacies that greeted the operations of the Nigerian Army in the state as a result of the misinterpretation of the stance of the Army in securing lives and properties, would readily agree with me that indeed this is a welcome development and worth bringing out the drums. 

The centrality of Taraba in North Central Nigeria makes it greater responsibility for the Nigerian Army to ensure a peaceful atmosphere that would bring about the needed development in the state. And this much it has strived to do in recent times, and of course, without the cooperation of the people, there would always be hitches and frictions. 

But now that the various stakeholders in the state have come to terms with the invaluable contributions of the Nigerian Army in their area, they have no choice but to extend the needed support the Army needs towards the success of its operations. I am of the opinion that this partnership should not be restricted alone to Taraba state, but other states in the North East like Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states that experiences a similarity of security challenges.  

I know for a fact the governor of Taraba state Darius Ishaka played a tremendous role in winning the confidence of the stakeholders in the state to extend their support to the Nigeria Army and I also know that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai also ensured that the activities of the Nigeria Army in the state is guided by professionalism. So much so that it was able to win the confidence of a people who were once suspicious of their operations. 

That the Nigerian Army was indeed able to rise to the occasion in such an atmosphere of suspicion and all sorts of insinuations from certain quarters and citizens in the state, is a testament of the dynamic leadership of the Chief of Army staff in line with its mandate of Civil-Military relationship. 

It is, therefore, sufficing to state that the role of the Nigeria Army in internal and external security in the country cannot be overemphasized given the multitude of security challenges confronting the country. The Nigerian Army has been able to rise to the occasion. However, it must be noted that it’s a product of collective responsibility for such feats to be recorded. The case of Taraba state readily suffices, and that was why I mentioned the need for other states, not just in North Central to key into this partnership because there is nowhere in the world where there can be meaningful development in a state of insecurity. 

I commend the governor of Taraba state Darius Ishaku for understanding that good working relationship with the Army is a panacea for the security and lives of the people of the state. I also commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for standing resolute even in the face of provocation, falsehood, and distrust of its operations in the state. 

What does this tell us? It tells us that once the head is good, the body would also be useful. This is the case in the Nigeria Army. I could safely say that professionalism and a clear cut understanding of its roles and functions in democratic settings and the need to abide by international best practices were the watch words. 

In as much as this is a welcome development, it behoves on the relevant stakeholders in Taraba state to see that this renewed relationship with the Nigeria Army is sustained for peace to continue to reign and which would ultimately bring about meaningful development. And at the end of the day, Taraba and indeed Tarabans would be the greatest beneficiaries.

Hosea writes from Jalingo.