World Bank, Nigeria and the Partnership on Road Constructions

No nation is an island and no country can stand on its own without dependence but not a precarious dependence. Dependency must be based on shared trusts and benefits. The Nigerian government just like most African countries has continued to seek external supports in almost every aspect of its national activities. Borrowing and has become a norm even when the regime will not live to pay the massive debt.

The Federal Government of Nigeria called for more financial support from the World Bank to enable it develop more economically viable roads. The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen pleaded for the assistance when speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank's Federal Road Development Programme.

Onolememen acknowledged the efforts of the bank in assisting the Federal Government to transform the country’s road sector. He solicited for more funding to enable government open more arterial roads. The minister told the visiting team that work would begin on the Akure-Ilesha road project before the end of October, adding that the government signed the contract a few weeks ago.

He gave an update on some of the road projects being financed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government. The World Bank Federal Road Development Project Team was led by Mohammed Essakali. The team paid a visit to the minister to give an update on a number of road projects being funded by the Federal Government and the World Bank, and supervised by the ministry.

Onolememen said that the road would be given the needed attention in view of its importance to the economy of the South-West states and the country as a whole. According to the minister, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has in the last three years invested heavily in road construction. Earlier, Essakali noted the improvement in the country’s road network, and urged the government to keep up the pace.

Earlier Nigerian President begged President Obama to help him develop Nigeria nay Africa. The country is almost tilting towards accepting the US covert control in counter-terrorism measures. Nigerians know their country is capable of standing without begging but the leaders prefer the begging style because it gives them more avenue to perform obnoxious magic with state finance.

The World Bank is not a charity organisation. It has a way of getting back whatever fund it releases. The hidden deal is always kept secret which obfuscates the reality of such financial support. Nigeria is rich enough not to beg for any external assistance on the large scale it does but the forces to keep it at the lowest rung of the ladder internally are mammoth and strong.

Nigerian Army and Terrorists' Deaths: 30 killed again but where is the Peace?

Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces is a crucial one especially in the war against the notorious and inhuman terrorists in the nomenclature of Boko Haram. After the state of emergency was declared, many logical Nigerians expected the army to perform reasonably well and within months the armed forces did not disappoint Nigerians. The armed forces were able to drastically reduce the acts and activities of the dreaded sect.

This became a real plus to the Nigerian Armed Forces coupled with the high level of professionalism in which the war was conducted though skeptics rained lots of issues based on human rights violations. However, the armed forces deserve their praises. What is now worrisome is the daily records of killings and deaths revealed by the army. The army which took over from the Joint Task Force is always quick to state it has killed numbers of Boko Haram members almost on a day to day basis.

This is really disturbing considering the kind of cloudy operation that occurred in Apo in Abuja in which some people believed and suspected to be Boko Haram members were killed amid doubt among the citizens. Despite these numerous records of deaths, Boko Haram continues to carry out its heinous acts. Though, it is understandable that a guerrilla warfare like that of the Boko Haram war is not an easy one but then, the army should be able to start thinking of better ways at arresting the situation as written in this article long ago.

The Nigerian Army reportedly killed more than 30 suspected terrorists during raids on Boko Haram camps and hideouts in Borno state. The military said the clampdown was aimed at frustrating planned attacks on Bama town by the members of the sect. According to press statement, they were killed in both air and ground attacks.

During the attack, five Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns conveying terrorists and one 18-seaters bus conveying the terrorists stores were destroyed. In a related development, troops of 7 Division pursued and engaged Boko Haram terrorists who fled Damboa town following encounter with security forces, resulting in the killing of 30 of the terrorists.

Army Public Relations Officer of 7 Division, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja informed the public that the division was currently conducting aggressive operations on terrorists' locations along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road. The highway is a bedrock of terror activities. He said: "This is in order to ensure safety of citizens not only within towns and villages but also those plying roads within the division's area of responsibility."

Announcing deaths everyday, even if it is to dampen the psychology of members of the sect, will be doing more harm than good. The army risks estranging itself from the people who should naturally be their confidants. To win this war perfectly, high level of intelligence is needed. The hearts of the people are needed. With numerous deaths being announced daily, the army will look more like killing agents than soldiers fighting its own citizens.

This is not an external war, the people can never be comfortable hearing of deaths everyday especially when the sect continues to appear indirectly defiantly strong. Recently, students were butchered in Yobe despite the state of emergency. All these successful invasions of Boko Haram risk casting a serious shadow on the triumphant records of the army. The army needs to begin the process of winning the hearts of the people for a long term victory not rushing to announce deaths which could get the people scared as the soldiers' activities cannot be verified factually.