Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, and Abuja. There were two presentations made by the Subject Experts covering the Indian Subcontinent and West Africa and Gulf of Guinea
The first presentation was made by Maj Gen OO Adeleke (Rtd) subject expert for West Africa and Gulf of Guinea. His presentation gave an overview of the military coup in Niger Republic. Coup is an illegal and overt attempt by the military or other government elites to unseat the incumbent leaders. Equally, it says self- coup is when a leader having come to power through legal means, tries to stay in power through legal means. Like any other third world African country, the republic of Niger has been bedeviled by coups that have largely truncated its democratic and economic growth. It is clearly, the military in Niger has continued to arrogate to itself the power of a watch dog over elected democratic governments, and if this continue unabated, the much desired stability in governance, which is veritable requirement for socio political and economic prosperity will remain a mirage for the country.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Gen OO Adeleke (Rtd) noted that Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and it has equally had its fair share of coups and counter coups since independence in October 1960 and Nigerian has had a total of 8 coup attempts and 6 of them was successful. Regardless, like other West African countries with the shared experience, Nigeria still suffers from the same challenges, which has remained recurring decimal in its 63 years of nationhood. These problem ranges from bad governance, endemic corruption, poverty, disease, ethno-religious crises, greed, socio-economic problems, religious fundamentalism, election rigging and insecurity.
He Recommended that the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), should have an impact on government to promptly resolve the stalemate with the organized labour and not allow the pain of the removal of oil subsidy to be unduly protracted and the president should impel ECOWAS heads of states to use the military only to enforce sanctions.
The second presentation was by Brig Gen OD Donibo subject expert for the Indian Subcontinent. His presentation focus on rise in Religious Intolerance in the Indian Subcontinent, The increase violence have resulted insecurity and loss of life and property. It has also resulted in increased government restrictions on religious life. This is because government often use the existence of social malice to restrict religious life in general through increased regulation of how communities can meet, receive funds and practice their religious believes.
In his analysis and Lessons for Nigeria, Gen OD Donibo noted that across the region of South Asia, religion is an important piece of the identity of a person in the light of its history of colonialism, and its dissimilarity of language and culture, religious identity have naturally strengthen. Although, some social and political groups have influence them to mobilized support.
He recommended that the federal government in conjunction with law enforcement and security agencies to put an end on uncompromising religion preachers and also, the law enforcement agencies and political office holders must execute their task without fear or favor, the federal government at all level must encourage religious freedom, right and equality in the society.
Present at the presentation were the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Director of Research, Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Directors, Subject experts and other management staff of the Centre
