General
Borno Calls TheCable’s IDP Report “Cock and Bull Story”
TheCable
Mohammed Bashir Shuwa, senior special assistant to Kashim Shettima, governor of Borno state, says TheCable’s undercover investigation on the sufferings of IDPs is a “misleading, vicious, malicious, cock and bull story”.
In November, ‘Fisayo Soyombo, multiple award-winning investigative journalist, spent eight days in Borno working undercover as a humanitarian agent, and succeeded in gaining access to public officials in charge of IDP-related matters — such as the State Emergence Management Agency (SEMA), the Civilian Joint Task Force, IDP camp officials, authentic humanitarian workers — and the IDPs themselves. TheCable published the findings on December 29, 2016.
But responding — 33 days after the story was published — Shuwa dismissed the investigation as a “hatchet assignment by a group or individuals who have rightly or wrongly an axe to grind with the state government”.
He accused TheCable of “doing anything Machiavellian not only to test the will of the administration, but undermine its integrity”, and of “going through unethical approach to cast aspersions or innuendos on the good intentions of Borno State government or any of its agencies thus bringing odium on the government, the agency or agencies concerned”.
“This is indeed the unholy mission or objective of the current story or so-called investigation of ‘The Cable’ in relation to the current happenings at the IDP camps in Borno State,” Shuwa added.
Shuwa also said it was “unfortunate that most of the pictures contained in his publication are cut and paste of over used pictures of victims who were already malnourished before their rescue by the military from the den of the insurgents and taken to IDP camps”.
However, only three of the 26 photos accompanying the story predated TheCable’s trip to the north-east.
THE FULL TEXT OF SHUWA’S REJOINDER
RE: IN BORNO CHILDREN ARE DYING IN IDP CAMPS, FOODSTUFFS ARE DISAPPEARING AT SEMA STORE BY A MOHAMMED BASHIR SHUWA, SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO GOVERNOR KASHIM SHETTIMA, REPLIES TheCable
The above title or caption of a story or ‘investigation’ by The Cable, an on-line blog’s alleged happenings at the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Borno State is not only misleading in its entirety, but vicious, malicious, insinuating and indeed a sponsored or hatchet assignment by a group or individuals who have rightly or wrongly an axe to grind with the state governmenT.
With the assertion that a leopard does not change his colour, the concerned group or individuals having fallen from grace to grass with the state government would do anything Machiavellian not only to test the will of the administration, but undermine its integrity.
The concerned did or do through unethical approach to cast aspersions or innuendos on the good intentions of Borno State government or any of its agencies thus bringing odium on the government, the agency or agencies concerned. This is indeed the unholy mission or objective of the current story or so-called investigation of ‘The Cable’ in relation to the current happenings at the IDP camps in Borno State.
According to ‘The Cable’ investigation, the departure of Grema Terab, the immediate past Chairman of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the subsequent appointment of his predecessor in person of Engineer Satomi Ahmed spell down doom for the agency as the Satomi era was alleged of fraud, diversion of foodstuffs and other materials to other sources and outright stealing.
Writing under the sub-title “A TALE OF TWO SEMA CHAIRMEN” The Cable says …Grema Terab is the immediate past chairman of Borno’s SEMA… the former chairman was someone who helped everyone, whether you are IDP or not, he helped everyone but this one? He’s just hoarding all the food…”, a cock and bull story which also expose that Satomi was tried in absentia by ‘The Cable’ when it went on to state “…what manner of SEMA chairman refuses to meet potential donors, refuses to apologies for not being able to meet them, refuses to give another appointment, refuses to delegate one of his subordinates to meet them…” while they claimed being received by same SEMA officials and arranged for how they can help receive their donations when they posed as acting for some foreign donors through their Non-Governmental Organisation.
Fisayo Soyombo, the so-called Editor of ‘The Cable’ unveiled his true character as a sponsored agent with his essay or write up of contradictions, innuendos, conjectures, aspersions and outright falsehood.
It is unfortunate that most of the pictures contained in his publication are cut and paste of over used pictures of victims who were already malnourished before their rescue by the military from the den of the insurgents and taken to IDP camps. A professional and respected journalist must know that facts are sacred and comments superfluous.
Sometimes back, Governor Kashim Shettima while speaking in Abuja at a high-level Emergency Roundtable on the humanitarian crisis in the state, agreed with the submissions of the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Nigeria, Mohammed El-Munir Safieldin who had earlier pointed out that most of the pictures of the critically malnourished infants, children and adults in circulation on social media were those of victims of recently rescued by the armed forces from Boko Haram abductors.
Governor Shettima deplored the statement by Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) otherwise known as Doctors Without Borders who claimed that there was acute malnutrition at IDP camp in Bama with hundreds of child deaths.
The Governor pointed out that the MSF completely ignored the fact that interventions were already being made to address the unfortunate cases of malnutrition.
While acknowledging that the situation in Borno at that time was overwhelming, Governor Shettima explained that the government with the support of a few refutable organisations was doing its best to improve the situation. Shettima argued that a situation of this nature was not peculiar to Nigeria, as displaced persons in developed nations were not without challenges.
He called for restraint and understanding as the government is doing all within its power to end the multi-dimensional problems plaguing the management of the humanitarian crisis in the region. Is the type of Fiyaso Soyombo listening?
Already the Borno State Government has deployed additional officials to various camps especially health officials to attend to the immediate and pressing needs of the internally displaced persons and report any critical situation to the ministry or department concerned.
Similarly, proactive steps are being taken to ensure that only authorised and genuine organisations with intentions favourable to the displaced persons can operate in the internally displaced camps. Besides, the state government has directed that the foodstuffs and condiments meant for internally displaced persons must never be diverted as culprits would be severely dealt with to forestall future occurrence.
In conclusion, it is advisable for the like of Fisayo Soyombo of ‘The Cable’ and his mentor or mentors that if they have nothing to say, they should not say it, here it is on record that Governor Shettima and the concerned agencies of government are doing what is humanly possible to alleviate the problems or sufferings of the internally displaced persons inspite of the limitations of the government.
We are not unaware that indeed genuine organisations and individuals are contributing in no small measure to assist the state government in this tasking assignment, just as some groups and individuals are trying to blackmail and run down the administration out of self-centredness or outright mischief.
Apart from taking several measures to minimise the hardships encountered by the displaced persons, Governor Shettima has gone ahead to relocate some to their home communities as well as relentlessly pursuing the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons.
Let it be known or stated that if at the end of the day, what Governor Kashim Shettima is doing is proved to be the right and just, ten thousand angels cannot hold a contrary view.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerians have been urged to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to intensify prayers against the challenges confronting the nation.
This appeal was made by the independent non-executive director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya.
Mr Gaya described the current situation in the country as a test of citizens’ spiritual resolve and faith, tasking Muslims to reflect on the deeper significance of Eid-el-Fitr, noting that the festival symbolises sacrifice, obedience to Allah, and compassion for the less privileged.
“Every Muslim finds joy in observing the Ramadan fast, a fundamental obligation in Islam. We should not lose sight of the lessons it teaches: obedience to Allah, sharing our blessings with the needy, and being our brother’s keeper,” he said in a statement issued by his media assistant in Kano.
Speaking on the forthcoming general elections, Mr Gaya advised the electorate to vote for selfless leaders committed to national service and the welfare of Nigerians, describing the polls as a choice between progress and regression, stressing the need for voters to support candidates with verifiable achievements rather than empty promises.
He also urged Nigerians to remain mindful of their civic responsibilities by choosing leaders who demonstrate integrity, sincerity, and dedication.
According to him, the country’s future depends on the electorate exercising their voting rights wisely to elect leaders who understand the responsibilities of public office and approach them with humility, competence, and genuine commitment to service.
Mr Gaya expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for His mercies and felicitated with the people of Ajingi, Gaya, and Albasu Local Government Areas, as well as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Nigerians at large, on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Three African subsidiaries of global advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), have been debarred by the World Bank Group for 21 months after being found guilty of manipulating procurement processes for a major cross-border electricity project.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Washington-based multilateral lender said PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd, based in Mauritius, along with its Kenyan and Rwandan affiliates, engaged in “collusive and fraudulent practices” linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, a flagship initiative to transmit hydropower from Ethiopia to Kenya.
The decision sidelines PwC from lucrative World Bank-funded projects on the continent, dealing a blow to one of the region’s most influential audit and advisory firms.
This development could reshape competition for high-value consulting work across emerging markets, potentially disrupting startups and tech firms reliant on World Bank funding, as scrutiny over governance and compliance tightens.
The World Bank, through its private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), offers grants and low-interest loans to startups across emerging markets.
Earlier this week, the IFC committed $20 million to invest in high-growth startups in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
“The debarment makes PwC Associates, PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda, and any affiliates they control ineligible to participate in Bank Group-financed projects and operations,” the World Bank said. “It is part of a settlement agreement under which the three companies admit culpability for sanctionable practices.”
The determination was based on the company’s conduct between 2019 and the award of contracts for consultancy services and asset valuation work for the Ethiopian state power utilities.
According to the World Bank statement, the firm obtained confidential procurement documents to improperly influence the award of a contract for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
They also attempted to steer a separate contract for a fixed asset inventory and revaluation for the power utility towards PwC Associates. During the bidding and execution of that contract, the bank found that the company misrepresented the availability and qualifications of key experts and failed to disclose the full list of subconsultants involved.
According to the World Bank, the debarment is shorter than would otherwise apply because PwC admitted misconduct. The advisory firm also agreed to a series of remedial measures, including internal investigations, disciplinary action against responsible staff, terminating relationships with all subconsultants involved, and additional staff training.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK‑based Asset Green Limited to advance the development of a $496 million large‑scale integrated dairy livestock production and processing platform set to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry and strengthen national food security.
This was signed on Tuesday in London ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit. The MoU outlines the framework for collaboration and the project‑development cost commitments leading up to the formal shareholders’ agreement.
It will combine 20,000 hectares of climate‑smart, regenerative crop and forage production with a modern 10,000‑milking cow dairy operation, supported by a state‑of‑the‑art processing plant capable of producing fresh milk, milk powders, butter, cream, and up to 15,000 metric tonnes of infant formula annually.
Designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk powder, the project aims to modernise agricultural practices, improve nutrition, and integrate up to 10,000 rural households into the supply chain through inclusive out‑grower schemes. Once operational, the platform is expected to generate over $620 million annually and create 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.
Speaking on this, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, said, “Over a decade ago, the UK provided pivotal support to Nigeria in establishing the NSIA, offering legal and financial expertise that helped lay the foundation for its successful launch and strengthening its governance and credibility. That early institutional investment has paid dividends, helping to build a resilient Nigerian institution capable of creating jobs and driving transformational, long‑term development.
“The NSIA and Asset Green partnership is a powerful example of how that groundwork continues to deliver impact – a full‑circle moment that reflects the long-term economic cooperation between the UK and Nigeria and the shared commitment to deepening sustainable, private‑sector‑driven growth.”
The NSIA Managing Director, Mr Aminu Umar‑Sadiq, said, “NSIA is pleased to partner with Asset Green on this transformative investment. With a project size of almost US$500 million, this is one of the most ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security in a generation. By combining climate‑smart farming, advanced processing capacity, and inclusive out‑grower participation, we are laying the foundation for a modern, competitive dairy sector that reduces import dependence, creates meaningful jobs, and delivers long‑term value for Nigerians.”
On his part, Asset Green’s Director & Agrium Capital Ltd chief executive, Mr Rod Bassett, explained that the partnership between NSIA and the firm is the business and investment innovation required to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in Nigeria, with the development of such a future (dairy) food system.
“The foundation of the approach is one of collaborating with NSIA and their shared vision and purpose to establish a platform to catalyse the development of such a national strategic priority. We are incredibly proud to partner with Nigeria’s premier investment institution.”
“The development of greenfield projects has consistently played a major role in our history, establishing industries or nurturing young businesses that are able to deliver catalytic transformation. This $500 million greenfield investment in Nigeria’s dairy industry allows for the development of advanced and necessary infrastructure spanning the full production and supply system to enhance local production, reduce the reliance on the huge imports of dairy goods into Nigeria, deliver environmental services and strengthen national food sovereignty and nutritional resilience,” he added.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn