“Home sweet home”: Emigration Challenges

February 19, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies

Volume 1 Issue 5 in a Series of Articles

By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Monday 19 February 2024 | 20:47 GMT

Photo credit: Xinhua / Alamy Ras Ajdir, Libya, 26 July, 2023. “African refugees and migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities following a harsh government crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants. Because of the well-documented human rights abuses committed in Libya in recent years, in 2023 Tunisia and Egypt became the preferred points of departure for many refugees and migrants trying to access Europe from Africa (see Mixed Migration Review, 2023 for full story).

Migration movements

Migration has always been a significant part of human history, presenting various challenges. For insights
into the motivations behind the decision to emigrate, particularly from Africa, our “Home Sweet Home” series delves into these factors in greater detail (refer to our article “Understanding the Drive Behind African Emigration”: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2024/02/04/home-sweet-home-understanding-the-drive-behind-african-emigration/).

The complexities of migration are vast, encompassing the journey from one’s home country, the intended destination, and the various stopovers along the way. These aspects influence not only national migration policies but also the personal experiences and psychological responses of the migrants themselves.

Differences in perception and experience significantly shape how host countries formulate and modify
their migration policies. Similarly, these differences impact how migrants’ thought processes and mental states adapt to new environments.

Migration laws and policies aim to manage these movements but can also affect migrants on a subconscious level, as observed in how they acclimatize to new surroundings.

Policies & Laws

The interplay and disparities among national migration policies and the international agreements
that support them have not only proven inadequate in addressing the modern challenges of migration and border management but have also failed to effectively regulate the movement of people. These policy frameworks influence both domestic laws intended to manage migration and the international accords designed to oversee these movements. The ingrained difficulties within these migratory policies and agreements present significant obstacles for law-makers and contribute to human suffering. This impact is felt by migrants originating from their home nations, the countries they move to, and the nations they pass through.

The challenges, as revealed: Mixed Migration Review, Report 2023

Drawing from the latest insights presented in the Mixed Migration Review/Report of 2023, we have distilled reports of human suffering associated with the process of emigration. These accounts highlight the trials faced during and after migration journeys. These findings prompt significant questions about the effectiveness of migration laws and policies, as well as their impact on migrants and the countries that receive them.

Algeria

“Algeria regularly deports Nigerien citizens under a 2014 bilateral readmissions agreement and takes them to a small Niger border village called Assamaka, many others, mostly people from West and Central Africa (but also from Arab or Asian countries) are deposited via unofficial convoys at the so-called “Point Zero” on the border from where they have to walk 15 kilometres to Assamaka. Most remain in the village there for lack of funds for onward transportation, with little in the way of food, water, shelter or humanitarian assistance. One leading international NGO active in Assamaka, where temperatures can reach 48 degrees celsius, said a health facility it supports there had been “overwhelmed”, with people sleeping in it wherever they could find space, even on the roof and in an area usually reserved for waste”( see MSF, 2023).

Eritrean

“Between August 2022 and March 2023, hundreds of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers were arbitrarily arrested and detained in Sudan as police and other security services stepped up immigration control operations” (see: Human Rights Council, 2023). And, “Refugees and asylum seekers were among hundreds of Eritreans summarily expelled from Ethiopia at the end of June, according to the UN, whose human rights experts noted that such collective expulsions violated international law and, in the absence of “individual risk assessments of their exposure to human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearance”-abuses” (Mixed Migration Review, 2023:26).

Gaza

According to the Mixed Migration Review, “right now, Gaza is a humanitarian situation in a conflict zone, but uniquely, people are being prevented from escaping into neighbouring countries. They’re being prevented from becoming refugees. You previously worked with UNRWA (add-on United Nations Relief and Works Agency) for many years. What are the issues here?.” At NACT-PVS, we are interested to get
your opinion with this question!

Niger

“In the first eleven weeks of 2023, authorities in Algeria expelled almost 10,000 undocumented migrants— including children and women, some of them pregnant— and abandoned them in or near a desert village in a no-man’s land just across the Niger border” (see Alarm Phone Sahara, 2023).

Tunisia

“In July, reports—later denied by Tunis—began emerging of hundreds of Black Africans being arrested in or near the port city of Sfax in Tunisia and then being forcefully expelled without due process to a militarised desert buffer zone on the Libyan border, where little food or medical assistance was available.35 Those allegedly expelled included people with both regular and irregular status from a range of countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Guinea, Chad, Sudan and Senegal. Some were asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Tunisia. They were unable to enter Libya or return to Tunisia, and many of their phones had been smashed by security forces. Dozens of people reportedly died in the no man’s land between the two borders (see: Border. Libya Update, 2023; Al Jazeera, 2023).

United Kingdom

“Based on a three-year investigation, an extensive report into conditions at an immigration detention facility in the United Kingdom found “credible evidence” that human rights law had been breached and that staff at the centre had used racist and derogatory language towards those held there.27 The public
enquiry also found that a “toxic culture” pervaded staff at Brook House, where people are detained prior to deportation. Recorded abuses included the use of dangerous restraint techniques and forcibly moving people when they were naked or near naked. The report called for a range of changes to be introduced into the UK immigration detention system, including a 28-day time limit. There is currently no limit to the duration of such administrative detention” (see: Taylor, 2023).

The Unique Nature of Emigration Decisions

The decision to emigrate is a deeply personal one, influenced by an array of individual circumstances and life experiences. It transcends mere geographic relocation, often embodying a quest for new beginnings or an escape from untenable conditions.

Reluctant Departure from One’s Country

Leaving one’s homeland is rarely a trivial decision and often is not a matter of choice but of necessity. For those who have experienced this, the journey and its outcome can vary greatly. The real question becomes, for those who have undertaken this significant life change to escape and start anew, how has the reality measured up to the expectation?

Photo credit: Miljko / iStock: “The wrecked ship lies in Greek waters while a yacht is moored close by. We chose this photo for our front cover to commemorate the tragedy of 14 June 2023 when the fishing vessel Adriana capsized off the coast of Pylos, Messenia, in Greece with an estimated 750 migrants and asylum seekers on board. Most were from Pakistan, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Afghanistan. Four days after departing from Tobruk in Libya, on 10 June, the Adriana capsized in Greece’s maritime search and rescue zone. Only 104 men were rescued (see Mixed Migration Review, 2023 for full story).

References

Al Jazeera (2023) At least 27 people found dead in desert after expulsion from Tunisia: Libya. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/9/at-least-27-people-found-dead-in-desert-after-expulsion-from-tunisia-libya . (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Alarm Phone Sahara (2023) Urgent appeal: Humanitarian crisis in Assamaka on the Niger-Algeria border: Thousands of people deported from

Algeria in vulnerable conditions and left on their own in the middle of the Sahara without shelter and care. Available : https://alarmephonesahara.info/en/blog/posts/urgent-appeal-humanitarian-crisis-in-assamaka-on-the-niger-algeria-border-thousands-of-people-deported-from-algeria-in-vulnerable-conditions-and-left-on-their-own-in-the-middle-of-the-sahara-without-shelter-and-care . (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Border. Libya Update (2023). Migrant Crisis at Tunisia-Libya Border Worsens as Death Toll Rises. Available: https://libyaupdate.com/migrant-crisis-at-tunisia-libya-border-worsens-as-death-toll-rises/ . (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Human Rights Watch (2023). Tunisia: Crisis as Black Africans Expelled to Libya. Available: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/06/tunisia-crisis-black-africans-expelled-libya-border . (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Mixed Migration Review. (2023). Regional issues through regional perspectives. Available : https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/en/publication/mixed-migration-review-2023 (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

MSF (2023). MSF condemns appalling conditions for migrants abandoned in Assamaka. Available: https://www.msf.org/niger-msf-denounces-appalling-conditions-migrants-abandoned-assamaka . (Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Taylor, D. (2023) Physical and verbal abuse found in Brook House immigration removal centre inquiry. The Guardian. Available : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/19/toxic-culture-brook-house-immigration-removal-centre-inquiry .(Last Accessed: 18 Feb 2024).

Have your say!

This is the last article in this series. Volume 1 Issue 5 is the last series in this series of Articles: Home sweet home., the Author has now completed discussing Issue 1-5, to read Volume 1 Issue 1-4, click the links below!

Current Articles, in the series: “Home sweet home”

Volume 1 Issue 4 in a Series of Articles: “Home sweet home”: The countries people most want to go to: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2024/02/11/home-sweet-home-the-countries-people-most-want-to-go-to/

Volume 1 Issue 3 in a Series of Articles: “Home sweet home”: Understanding the Drive Behind African Emigration: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2024/02/04/home-sweet-home-understanding-the-drive-behind-african-emigration/

Volume 1 Issue 2 in a Series of Articles: A comparative analysis of Nigeria with other nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1119

Volume 1 Issue 1 in a Series of Articles: There is nothing like home: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1087

“Home sweet home” In A Series of Articles: An Introduction: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1048

Emigration News from around the world

Migration News: All around the world: https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/migration/

Death in the Channel – what led a 14-year-old boy to make fatal journey? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68084466

What is the UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-61782866

Channel Migrants: More than 1,300 people cross in January: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-68130596

International students entering the UK labour market: https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/commentaries/international-students-entering-the-uk-labour-market/

‘Japa’ ambitions face hurdle of higher costs: https://businessday.ng/news/article/japa-ambitions-face-hurdle-of-higher-costs/

Home Office set to evict hundreds of asylum seekers from Walthamstow hotel: https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2024/01/23/home-office-set-to-evict-hundreds-of-asylum-seekers-from-walthamstow-hotel/

Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024, Do you think something must have gone wrong almost immediately? Click here to read more- https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1074

Other News: Criminality

10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024: https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/10-african-cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-at-the-start-of-2024/ywhq0yx

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

Access links here!

This month, on the New ODI Development Policy Review Virtual Issue on Corruption and Accountability in Development is Out- Which anti-corruption efforts are, then, likely to be effective? Trending now on corruption: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2024/02/07/which-anti-corruption-efforts-are-then-likely-to-be-effective-trending-now-on-corruption/

A critical assessment of anti‐corruption strategies for economic development in sub‐Saharan Africa: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12442 First published: 18 May 2019

African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub‐Saharan African insecurity: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12397 First published: 05 July 2018 Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

“Home sweet home”: The countries people most want to go to

February 11, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies asylum, immigration, migration, news, refugees

Volume 1 Issue 4 in a Series of Articles

By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Saturday 10 February 2024 | 00:00 GMT

Do people really want to move to another country?

Recent findings indicate that 37% of Africans have considered moving abroad, which represents slightly less than half of those who have entertained the idea. However, the desire to undertake imminent migration is much lower, with only 7% of individuals from Zimbabwe and Lesotho expressing readiness to move, compared to an average of 3% across Africa, as reported by Afrobarometer.

Which countries do most people want to go to?

The report identifies that a significant portion of respondents, over half in some cases, have shown interest in migrating to specific countries. Notably, 57% of those considering migration have expressed a desire to move to Cape Verde and Sierra Leone, with 56% considering the Gambia, followed by 54% showing interest in Togo and São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa. These figures highlight the preferred destinations for potential migrants but do not encompass all data, suggesting the need for further research.

This additional research, spanning from 2020 to the end of 2023, aims to provide deeper insights into migration trends. It is expected to address gaps in current data, such as the impact of conflicts and unrest on migration decisions. The absence of data from South Sudan, for example, due to its exclusion from the Afrobarometer survey, underscores these gaps. Despite this omission, over 2.2 million people have fled the country since the onset of civil unrest in 2013. Similarly, more than 2,500 refugees from Eritrea enter Ethiopia each month, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Despite its limitations, the Afrobarometer survey offers a crucial perspective on migration preferences and the various reasons behind the desire to move to another country.

The Unique Nature of Emigration Decisions

Reluctant Departure from One’s Country

Have your say!

In our next write-up, Volume 1 Issue 5 in A Series of Articles: Home sweet home., the Authur discussed some of the challenges of migration

Current Articles, in the series: “Home sweet home”

Volume 1 Issue 2 in a Series of Articles: A comparative analysis of Nigeria with other nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1119

Volume 1 Issue 1 in a Series of Articles: There is nothing like home: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1087

“Home sweet home” In A Series of Articles: An Introduction: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1048

Emigration News from around the world

Migration News: All around the world: https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/migration/

Death in the Channel – what led a 14-year-old boy to make fatal journey? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68084466

What is the UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-61782866

Channel Migrants: More than 1,300 people cross in January: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-68130596

International students entering the UK labour market: https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/commentaries/international-students-entering-the-uk-labour-market/

‘Japa’ ambitions face hurdle of higher costs: https://businessday.ng/news/article/japa-ambitions-face-hurdle-of-higher-costs/

Home Office set to evict hundreds of asylum seekers from Walthamstow hotel: https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2024/01/23/home-office-set-to-evict-hundreds-of-asylum-seekers-from-walthamstow-hotel/

Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024, Do you think something must have gone wrong almost immediately? Click here to read more- https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1074

Other News: Criminality

10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024: https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/10-african-cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-at-the-start-of-2024/ywhq0yx

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

Access links here!

Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

Which anti-corruption efforts are, then, likely to be effective? Trending now on corruption…

February 7, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies Accountability, Anticorruption, corruption, Development, DevPolicyRev, Law, NewVirtualIssue, ODI, Paperfree, Prvention

This month, on the New ODI Development Policy Review Virtual Issue on Corruption and Accountability in Development is Out

Which anti-corruption efforts are, then, likely to be effective?

Oluwafemi Senu , in “A critical assessment of anti-corruption strategies for economic development in sub-Saharan Africa” [38/5] points out that most governments across sub-Saharan Africa have ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), although it appears to be honoured more in the breach than the observance. Kenya and Nigeria explored the convention’s potential to address the failure of existing anti-corruption institutions, the respective governments showed little real commitment to tackling, much less rooting out, endemic corruption. As Senu concludes: “Less-developed or emerging economies with little respect for the rule of law or enforcement of anti-corruption laws are likely to be the most affected by corruption as it can greatly affect data collection, economic development and impede justice for all. The setbacks in anti-corruption laws or strategies are deeply rooted in systemic social corruption.”

Michael Mbate [36/S1], in “Who bears the burden of bribery? Evidence from public service delivery in Kenya,” also looks at the factors affecting the propensity to engage in bribery to obtain public services. He finds that it declines with high social capital but increases when there are strong political networks—which suggests that the frequent reliance on bribes to obtain public services falls disproportionately on the poor, who depend on basic amenities such as health and education. Further, finding that almost none of his respondents reports corruption through official means “due to fear of reprisal,” he recommends that citizens’ organisations, coupled with a free media, could help exert pressure “by investigation and reporting on government corruption.”

Rajiv Verma, Saurabh Gupta, and Regina Birner ask “What do (future) civil servants think of bribery and corruption? Evidence from India” [41/3], focusing on elite candidates destined for highest echelons in the state bureaucracy. The authors used simulations to explore situations that might deter (or encourage) the participants from accepting or offering bribes. What emerged from these games and discussions is that the broad social acceptance of bribery—everyone knows that everyone does it, so what difference does it make if one individual refrains—combined with the low rate of convictions, means that vigilance without sanctions is ineffective. The best deterrent, participants agreed, is the likelihood of “high public loss and strict punishment.”

Conversely, Linnea Cecilia Mills in “Catching the ‘big fish’: The (ab)use of corruption-related prosecutions across sub-Saharan Africa,” [35/S2] finds that far from ending impunity for corruption among high-ranking politicians, prosecutions are themselves frequently politicized in an abusive fashion; namely, “that corruption-related cases are used in order to eliminate political rivals.” Even more worrying are the perverse effects, “such as incumbents holding onto power to avoid being prosecuted by the next incumbent when immunity is lifted, and political actors not holding the executive and each other to account for fear of being prosecuted themselves.” For that matter, such practices are hardly unknown in mature democracies, either.[4]

Corruption and Accountability in Development, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-7679.corruption-accountability-in-dev

Oluwafemi Senu Paper, A critical assessment of anti-corruption strategies for economic development in sub-Saharan Africa https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dpr.12442

Oluwafemi Senu Online Anticorruption Publications

November 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Concluding the Case on Poverty: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/11/13/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-concluding-the-case-on-poverty/

November 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Sierra Leone Faces the SDGs [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-sierra-leone-faces-the-sdgs-part-ii/

October 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Sierra Leone Faces the SDGs: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-sierra-leone-faces-the-sdgs/

October 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The SDGs Target Peace [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-the-sdgs-target-peace-part-ii/

October 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The SDGs Target Peace [Part I]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-the-sdgs-target-peace-part-i/

October 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The SDGs Target Equality [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/10/09/758/

October 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The SDGs Target Equality: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-the-sdgs-target-equality/

September 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The Sustainable Development Goals: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-the-sustainable-development-goals/

September 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – The End of the Millennium Development Goals: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-the-end-of-the-millennium-development-goals/

September 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Economic Partnership Agreements [Part III]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/09/11/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-economic-partnership-agreements-part-iii/

September 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Economic Partnership Agreements [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-economic-partnership-agreements-part-ii/

August 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Economic Partnership Agreements [Part I]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-economic-partnership-agreements-part-i/

August 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – What about the Judiciary?: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-what-about-the-judiciary/

August 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – Why Steal something that Belongs to you?: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-why-steal-something-that-belongs-to-you/

August 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – An Overview of the Inner Problems: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/%ef%bb%bf%ef%bb%bfafroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-an-overview-of-the-inner-problems/

July 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Tackling Corruption in Africa – An Introduction: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/afroleaks-tackling-corruption-in-africa-an-introduction/

July 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Foreign Aid and Corruption [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/07/24/afroleaks-foreign-aid-and-corruption-part-ii/

July 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Foreign Aid and Corruption [Part I]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/07/17/afroleaks-foreign-aid-and-corruption-part-i/

July 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part VI]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/07/10/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-vi/

July 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part V]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-v/

June 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part IV]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/06/26/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-iv/

June 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part III]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/06/19/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-iii/

June 2016: AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/06/12/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-ii/

June 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Understanding Africa’s Scale of Corruption – A Review of the Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016 [Part I]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/afroleaks-understanding-africas-scale-of-corruption-a-review-of-the-anti-corruption-summit-london-2016-part-i/

May 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Do Anti-Corruption Initiatives Pose a Success or Challenge to Nigeria’s Modern Democracy? [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/afroleaks-do-anti-corruption-initiatives-pose-a-success-or-challenge-to-nigerias-modern-democracy-part-ii/

May 2016 – AFROLEAKS: Do Anti-Corruption Initiatives Pose a Success or Challenge to Nigeria’s Modern Democracy? [Part I]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/afroleaks-do-anti-corruption-initiatives-pose-a-success-or-challenge-to-nigerias-modern-democracy-part-I/

May 2016 – AFROLEAKS: What exactly are we talking about when we say ‘fight against corruption?’ [Part II]: https://nactpvs.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/afroleaks-what-exactly-are-we-talking-about-when-we-say-fight-against-corruption-part-ii/

Email Oluwafemi Senu at: femisenui.reachoutforce@gmail.com or at Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

“Home sweet home”: Understanding the Drive Behind African Emigration

February 4, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies

Volume 1 Issue 3 in a Series of Articles: By Femi Senu |@Femi Senu |Sunday 4 February 2024 | 00:00 GMT

Why do people leave home? The phenomenon of African emigration is a complex one, and recent insights shed light on why individuals might choose to leave their homes for new countries. According to Afrobarometer, over a third of Africans have contemplated moving abroad, with the young and educated being the most likely to consider such a move. Interestingly, contrary to common assumptions, most Africans looking to emigrate prefer to relocate to another African country rather than Europe or North America.

A primary motivator driving this trend is the pursuit of employment opportunities. With job scarcity and economic challenges at home, people are compelled to seek better prospects in other countries, aiming to transcend poverty. The survey across 34 African countries reveals that employment and economic factors are pivotal in the decision to emigrate, with a significant 44% citing jobs as their reason for leaving, followed by 29% who leave due to financial struggles.

Family connections also play a role; those with relatives abroad are often influenced by these ties. Remittances from family members overseas are crucial for one in five Africans, sometimes funding their migration. Additionally, a quarter of survey respondents reported having family members who have lived abroad in the past three years.

Regional Preferences and Destination Choices

Regarding preferred destinations, the study shows a regional preference for relocation within Africa, with 29% choosing to stay within their own region and 7% open to moving to other regions within the continent. South Africans, in particular, show a strong tendency to remain within their region (58%), while North Africans are less inclined to do so (8%). In contrast, those looking to leave Europe largely favor North America, with 27% eyeing a move across the Atlantic.

Demographics of Potential Emigrants

The demographic most likely to emigrate comprises well-educated young adults, with nearly half of this group considering moving abroad. The desire to emigrate is prevalent among both men and women, though slightly more men (40%) entertain this thought compared to women (33%). The inclination to leave is consistent across urban and rural dwellers, with 44% of city and town residents and 32% of rural inhabitants considering emigration.

The Unique Nature of Emigration Decisions

Reluctant Departure from One’s Country

Have your say!

In our next write-up, Volume 1 Issue 4 in A Series of Articles: Home sweet home., The countries people most wanting to go

Current Articles, in the series: “Home sweet home”

Volume 1 Issue 2 in a Series of Articles: A comparative analysis of Nigeria with other nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1119

Volume 1 Issue 1 in a Series of Articles: There is nothing like home: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1087

“Home sweet home” In A Series of Articles: An Introduction: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1048

Emigration News from around the world

International students entering the UK labour market: https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/commentaries/international-students-entering-the-uk-labour-market/

‘Japa’ ambitions face hurdle of higher costs: https://businessday.ng/news/article/japa-ambitions-face-hurdle-of-higher-costs/

Home Office set to evict hundreds of asylum seekers from Walthamstow hotel: https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2024/01/23/home-office-set-to-evict-hundreds-of-asylum-seekers-from-walthamstow-hotel/

Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024, Do you think something must have gone wrong almost immediately? Click here to read more- https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1074

Other News: Criminality

10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024: https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/10-african-cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-at-the-start-of-2024/ywhq0yx

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

Access links here!

Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

“Home sweet home”: A comparative analysis of Nigeria with other nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond

January 27, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies

Volume 1 Issue 2 in a Series of Articles

By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Saturday 27 January 2024 | 00:00 GMT

Assessing Safety and Security: Nigeria in the Context of African Nations

When it comes to safety and security, Nigeria’s situation is concerning. The nation’s position on the 2023 Global Peace Index has deteriorated to 144th out of 163 countries, a slip from the previous year and a larger decline from 146th in 2021. This has driven many Nigerians to relocate in search of safer havens. In sharp contrast, several other African nations are perceived as havens of peace, with Mauritius ranking 23rd globally. Others, including Sierra Leone, Ghana, Senegal, and a host of additional countries like Madagascar and Namibia, all rank significantly higher than Nigeria, indicating a relative sense of peace and security.

The assessment spans a wide array of African countries, with Angola and Morocco at the 84th, Guinea Bissau at 87th, and continues down the list to include nations like Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, and Tanzania. These rankings provide a broad view of the varied levels of peace and security across the continent.

Global Peace Index Insights: From Europe to the Americas

Europe emerges as the epitome of tranquillity, claiming seven of the top ten spots for the world’s most peaceful countries, with the remaining three held by the Asia Pacific region. Conversely, the MENA region is the least peaceful globally. The index identifies Iceland as the safest country, followed by Denmark and Ireland, with New Zealand not far behind.

Canada’s population generally feels safe, with less than 20% reporting unease about walking alone at night. The United States, however, has a significantly higher homicide rate than most Western European nations, which affects its peace ranking. According to the report, “the United States recorded the fourth largest overall increase in its homicide rate, which is now above six per 100,000 people and more than six times higher than most Western European countries.”

The bottom of the peace index is occupied by Afghanistan, persisting as the least peaceful country for the eighth year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The decision to leave one’s country is significant and often a response to seeking security or a new beginning. The effectiveness of such a move varies widely, with outcomes depending on a multitude of factors including personal resilience and the conditions in the new location.

The Unique Nature of Emigration Decisions

The decision to move to another country is deeply personal and stems from an individual’s unique situation and experiences.

Reluctant Departure from One’s Country

Have you ever left your homeland not by choice, but out of necessity? If you sought to escape and start afresh elsewhere, how did that turn out for you?

Have your say!

In our next write-up, Volume 1 Issue 3 in A Series of Articles: Home sweet home., Things we learnt why people want to leave their home and go to another country: African Emigration

Current Articles, in the series: “Home sweet home”

Volume 1 Issue 1 in a Series of Articles: There is nothing like home: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1087

“Home sweet home” In A Series of Articles: An Introduction: https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1048

Emigration News from around the world

‘Japa’ ambitions face hurdle of higher costs: https://businessday.ng/news/article/japa-ambitions-face-hurdle-of-higher-costs/

Home Office set to evict hundreds of asylum seekers from Walthamstow hotel: https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2024/01/23/home-office-set-to-evict-hundreds-of-asylum-seekers-from-walthamstow-hotel/

Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024, Do you think something must have gone wrong almost immediately? Click here to read more- https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1074

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

Access links here!

Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

“Home sweet home”

January 20, 2024January 27, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies

Volume 1 Issue 1 in a Series of Articles: There is nothing like home

By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Saturday 20 January 2024 | 00:00 GMT

Why Do People Emigrate in Search of a New Home? Individuals emigrate for various reasons including the pursuit of employment, economic benefits, education, or to reunite with family. Others may flee from conflict, oppression, or violations of human rights. Additionally, the relentless impact of climate change, environmental disasters, and other ecological challenges often force people to relocate.

Exploring Additional Motives for Emigration

Political upheaval, economic difficulties, social strife, discrimination, scarcity of employment, general opportunities, natural calamities, or concerns for personal safety are also compelling reasons for individuals to leave their country.

The Unique Nature of Emigration Decisions

The decision to move to another country is deeply personal and stems from an individual’s unique situation and experiences.

Reluctant Departure from One’s Country

Have you ever left your homeland not by choice, but out of necessity? If you sought to escape and start afresh elsewhere, how did that turn out for you?

Current News: Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024. Do you believe that a crisis ensued shortly after departure? To delve deeper, visit- https://wordpress.com/post/nactpvs.wordpress.com/1074

Have your say!

In our forthcoming article, Volume 1, Issue 2: “Home Sweet Home,” we present a comparative analysis of Nigeria with other nations across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

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Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

HOME SWEET HOME

January 15, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies gatlinburg-tn, music, records, the-alan-parsons-project, youtube

Migrant deaths, Sunday 14 January 2024, Do you think something must have gone wrong almost immediately?

Background of this report: “Smugglers use phone apps that predict wind speed and sea conditions. Saturday was calm and the waves were small, which is why people set out for Britain,” according to a reporter Adam Parsons from Sky!

It was reported that five people died on Sunday 14 January 2024 in the waters off Wimereux and there is no big police operation to be seen and even there is no grieving families, no incident tape or flowers found on the ground and there is no crowd of journalists found on the ground and no wreckage found. According to Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent for Sky News. “In some ways, it is like nothing happened. Except, of course, for the emotional echoes – the crew who brought lifeless people out of the water, or the unfortunate person who went out for a morning walk along the beach and found a dead body on the rocks.”

Parsons added, “Outwardly, though, there is no sign that death lingered over this pretty town. Wimereux, like much of this stretch of northern France, has long since grown accustomed to the role migration plays in its life.”

It was also alleged that the local in that area say, they… “regularly see people hiding in the dunes, or rushing down to the sea.” And that they “know how inadequate these boats are and so, wearily, they also know that, sometimes, things will go wrong.”

Parsons alleged that, “It used to be that there was a long lull in crossings during the winter months, but that trend has died away over the past couple of years.”

“Rwanda plan won’t stop me crossing from the Channel” An Afghan has told Sky News

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/video/rwanda-plan-won-t-stop-me-crossing/vi-AA1l6zle

“Home sweet home” In A Series of Articles

January 13, 2024January 20, 2024 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies abuses, book-reviews, books, climatechange, conflicts, crime, disasters, discrimination, discussion, economic, frustration, goingabroad, homesweethome, humanrights, movinghome, mystery, newcountry, newlife, newstart, Nigeria, opportunity, oppression, politicalinstability, runningaway, safety, terror, Terrorism, unrest, violence, war

An Introduction: By Femi Senu | @Femi_Senu | Saturday 13 January 2024 | 00:00 GMT

“Home sweet home” is a series of articles created and produced by Femi Senu. Femi Senu, an independent researcher and co-founder of the Nigerian Association of Criminology Terrorism and Political Violence Studies in the UK, is the creator and producer of the article series ‘Home Sweet Home.’ These articles delve into various thought-provoking questions, encouraging readers to reflect on scenarios they might not have considered before.

The series provides contemporary commentary on reasons why people leave their homes. It explores diverse motivations such as seeking work or economic opportunities, joining family, pursuing education, escaping conflict, oppression, human rights abuses, and the impacts of climate change, natural disasters, or other environmental issues. Additionally, it addresses leaving due to political instability, economic dilemmas, social unrest, discrimination, lack of job opportunities, and personal safety concerns.

The articles prompt readers to contemplate the necessity of leaving one’s country for another. They question the underlying reasons driving people to migrate and whether such decisions are made willingly.

To learn more about Femi Senu’s background, visit his LinkedIn profile at: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/femi-senu-1945b170

Have your say!

In our next article, Volume 1 Issue 1 in A Series of Articles: Home sweet home, we assessed, “there is nothing like staying at home.”

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our published academic articles, please follow these links:

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Email us at: nactpvs@gmail.com

“Is It Difficult For The Govt. To Identify The Sources Of Supply Of Arms And Other Provisions To Boko Haram?” – The Expert Views

May 6, 2021 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies

Independent Researchers Update: Security Expert Views-06 May 2021

NACT-PVS

Published May 7, 2021

Following up from NACT-PVS’ Article on the security situation in Nigeria entitled, “Constructive And Deconstructive Of Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: The Buba Galadima NACT-PVS’ Special Study, By Senu & Daranijoh.” We have been receiving updates from Nigerian security experts around the world and NACT-PVS will be analysing these experts’ comments as they emerge.

To start with this debate, we gathered this comment from a renowned and talented Security Expert, Security Consultant and Training Director bestowed with many laurels and medals to his honour, educating divers security agents in Nigeria, Prince Fred Wilson Oribhabor. According to the expert:

“The insecurity situation in Nigeria is beyond mere rhetorics. Government is just playing the ostrich as I find it extremely difficult to believe that the insecurity situation in Nigeria is beyond government capability to address. Is it difficult for govt to identify the sources of supply of arms and other provisions to the Boko Haram? If any country is found culpable there are international laws, treaties and conventions to deal with such. The question is has Nigeria taken their security challenges to international organisations for assistance? NO! I have been listening to Buba Galadima I am his fan. He is one of the few Nigerians who are still courageous enough to tell the government the truth but how are his views being perceived? I listened to him on channels TV few days ago. What we are seeing is Islamization and Fulanization of Nigeria agenda. If Buhari govt wants to solve the problem they know and have the solution.”

Considering Nkasi Wodu, a New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute, is a lawyer, peacebuilding practitioner, and development expert based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria statement, “the Nigerian minister of defence recently enjoined Nigerians to take up arms to defend themselves against marauding bandits in their communities. The minister’s statement aligns with the grim reality that Nigeria has a serious internal security problem—and nobody knows exactly how to solve it” (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021).

Boko Haram in the north is just but one of the many security challenges faced by Nigerians and among others is the rise of the militancy in the Niger Delta, the rise of the violence between herders and farming communities emerging from the central belt southward, and separatist Biafra agitation in the Igbo, South east, and the Oduduwa nation. Notably is the terrorism by the Boko Haram insurgency, has displaced over two million people, resulting to uncontrollable humanitarian problems, and with this is the increase of civilian vigilante self-defence groups with new look into security structures, all of these are challenging for modern day Nigeria (see Crisis Group, 2021). Following this discussion, we bring the question raised in this Article to our readers quoting Prince Fred Wilson Oribhabor, “is it difficult for the government to identify the sources of supply of arms and other provisions to Boko Haram?”

Nigerian security experts at home and abroad with a shared determination have begun speaking out. Do not be left out in this conversation!

We’d love to hear from you. Engage with us with this conversation at: https://www.facebook.com/nactpvs/posts/3904948652952394 or email us your thoughts at: nactpvs@gmail.com

References

Council on Foreign Relations. (2021, February 26). Nigeria’s Internal Security Problem. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.cfr.org/blog/nigerias-internal-security-problem

Crisis Group. (2021). Nigeria. Retrieved May 06, 2021, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our newly published academic articles, please follow these links:

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Constructive And Deconstructive Of Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: The Buba Galadima NACT-PVS’ Special Study, By Senu & Daranijoh

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 NACT-PVS Terrorism & Political Violence Studies #BokoHaram, #HumanSecurity, #NationalSecurity, #NigeriaNigeriaBokoHaram

Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria’s National Security Challenges: The Nigerian Association of Criminology Terrorism & Political Violence Studies on Buba Galadima, Elder Statesman Statement

By Femi Senu & Folarin Daranijoh

Independent Researchers at NACT-PVS

04 May 2021

The security situation in Nigeria has gone beyond greed and grievance. Our research has forecasted that if this act of greed and grievance is not managed then Nigeria is heading for a civil war. Most significantly, the lack of human security, systemic corruption, and kidnapping all over the place just a few to mention. All these variables are fuelling civil war. Lastly, we have also gathered outstanding evidence that heavy use of coercive approaches against insurgencies without addressing the underlying causes will continue to fuel conflicts and more insecurity. These conflicts or violence will potentially, or gradually spread across the nation.

To enlighten on these subjects, we have gathered the extracts from the online video statement of Alhaji Buba Galadima on the Security Situation in Nigeria, dated 30 Apr 2021. We watched and observed this statement at the Nigerian Association of Criminology Terrorism and Political Violence Studies (NACT-PVS) with our team and experts and we have constructed the following analysis on the current security situation in Nigeria. We ask our readers to watch this video with the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJIIhSqa-E but pay close attention to our collective examination of Alhaji Buba Galadima’s statement and our analysis of Nigeria’s security challenges discussed in this matter. In this constructive and deconstructive article, you will be reading the following topics:

NACT-PVS’ Analysis Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria’s Security Challenges.
NACT-PVS’ Extracted Discourse of Alhaji Buba Galadima’s Statement.
Extracted Comments from Nigerians: Views on Nigeria’s Security Situation.

Nigeria’s security situation concerns everyone, but is Nigeria in a state of confusion right now? The kind of uprising seen with the Arab Spring that started on 17 December 2010 – can this happen in Nigeria (see Ruthven, 2016; Maleki, 2011)? Hold your thoughts and read our analysis, watch the video and observe what Nigerians are saying, analyse these comments and send us your reply.

NACT-PVS Analysis: Constructive and Deconstructive of Nigeria Security Challenges

Considering insecurity and security issues in Nigeria, there are many explanations to this and the current narratives on this matter has disconnected between Nigerian leaders and its citizens unwillingness to open doors to winning strategies or bring about a reduction to Nigeria’s security challenges. For example, Alhaji Buba Galadima has discussed that inviting Mercenaries to fight Boko Haram will be a solution to Nigeria’s Boko Haram, however, this discussion has not considered the negative impacts of foreign professional soldiers fighting a war or engaging in political violence related conflicts in another country. Case examples has shown that this will result in disaster and will worsen Nigeria’s situation; this is not a sustainable solution but rather will aggravate Nigeria’s existing insecurity situation. There are comparable data examples from around the world. Examples are seen in Libya, Syria, Yemen and many parts of the world and it would be reasonable for Nigeria’s leaders to learn from these. It is regrettable that Nigeria’s many talented individuals have been left out in the discourse of the country’s future and security.

Second, compliance with the rule of law in Nigeria is essential and this needs to be efficient and consistent. It is unnecessary for anyone to be above the law. Ministers, military gladiators, the senates and the president do not have to place themselves above the law. It is reasonable that Alhaji Buba Galadima in his discourse video stated that “no big head, all agencies of government, all tiers of government, to do their own proper jobs not sharing money alone” and that “we have taken loans running to billions of naira.”

Many Nigerians have shied away in the discourse of corruption. Nigerians need to wake-up to reality; there is no need to shy away from the reality that well known to all Nigerians that corruption is systemic in the country and corruption is at the heart of the reason why Boko Haram still exists and prospers today. Corruption is one of the prime reasons why many Nigerians, including mainstream journalists and some media organisations have failed to speak the truth about Nigeria’s insecurity situation. Corruption is at the heart of unemployment and the reasons why economic development is hampered. Corruption is the reason why Nigeria’s leaders have failed to use talented Nigerians and experts to help address insecurity situations and development matters in Nigeria. This includes exploring the talents of Nigerian scientists at home and abroad. And the fact remains that corruption has corrupted the corrupted and the corrupted have corrupted the uncorrupted. In this circumstance, it will be improper to discuss security with the corrupted. Incorruptibility has been corrupted in this matter, and engagement in this manner will resolve to a deep catastrophic insecurity phenomenon. To escape the consequences of these, such as seen in Libya, Yemen or Syria will be inevitable. The insecurity that Nigerians are witnessing today are the effects of corruption, mismanagement, incompetent leaders, a lack of ethical standards, of proactiveness and a conflict of interest at the edge of these levels amongst many more. It is not that Nigeria is lacking the strategies, laws or mechanisms to achieve all of these but it is corruption that has rendered inactive proactiveness, enforcement of laws and justice against corrupt leaders, and hampered genuine dialogue and strategic success (see Senu, 2019; Senu & Daranijoh, 2018). More political violence and civil wars are knocking at the door heavily and Nigerians need to wake up from their slumber before it is too late. There is already systematic political violence occurring in Nigeria every day and it is a matter of time before this escalates.

Are journalists’ part of Nigeria’s problem? This is in consideration to one of the comments extracted following Alhaji Buba Galadima’s video statement from one Nigerian who has watched the video. Our analysis on this is that, exploring the relationship between mainstream media or journalism into why some individual journalists or media organisations may or may not be part of Nigeria’s problems is crucial for Nigeria and our discussion above provided insight into these narratives. Notably of this is systemic corruption at all levels of Nigeria’s society and system. This has a part to play in the level of insecurity suffered by every single Nigerian today and in many cases, Nigerians themselves are part of the insecurity problems we face today, so no one is exempt. Corruption is at both the top and the bottom level of Nigerian society (see Senu, 2019; Senu & Daranijoh, 2018).

Considering military solutions to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, Nigeria needs to learn from other countries who love military solutions to every insecurity problem and the reason why human security concepts were introduced by the United Nations Development Programmes in the first place. Those who are taking the lead in Nigeria’s affairs need to be humble and educated into the national constraints in national security matters, the country’s citizens human security and state security needs and why political violence and civil wars occur. These discourses are essential and both Nigeria’s military and leaders needs a complete humble mind to understand deconstructive and constructive mechanisms of these variables.

Extracted Discourse from Alhaji Buba Galadima Statement

By Buba Galadima, Elder Statesman

National Security Challenges in Search of Panacea

The security situation in Nigeria is scaring

There are: Pressure 24/7 on security situation in Nigeria

The solution

“It is not arrogance, it is not big head. We have to subsume to the eventualities of the situation today in the country. The military is overwhelmed, the military is overstretched, the military is under-armed, and the military is not receiving any motivation. Their moral is low, they can not do what we expect them to do, which is supposed to do their job. We are sending our children directly into the gallous, that is what it means but there was a solution. Somebody tried it that we have accused and called the names. Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan. When he came under pressure in 2015, he stopped the election by six weeks and imported mercenaries into the country after six weeks, election was able to be held in every polling-booth in this country and we promised the nation that we can stop the security challenge because we have experienced the people, tested people supportively, we can right the wrongs of the economy and this is where we found ourselves. There is something compounding this situation, which Nigeria don’t know and I want them to know because with the death of President Idriss Deby (additional information: the President passed away on 19 April 2021) we have become exposed, we have become vulnerable not only in Nigeria but in almost all the countries surrounding Nigeria, that is central Africa and West Africa. Idriss Deby has about two Southern strong armed, brave men that is holding (the) fort for Government in Niger Republic. Idriss Deby has got an unknown number of military people that is now probing the Government in Mali. So also, he has military people in Burkina-Faso. He is the one that is managing the security situation in Central African Republic. Then he is the one that is assisting Nigeria and Cameroon to stop the overtake of our territory by Boko Haram. Today Idriss Deby is no more. He was in Nigeria only five days to his death and signed a security memorandum with Nigeria for Nigeria’s Government. Yet, when this man died no Nigeria official, let alone a high-ranking person was sent for his burial. With this the government missed the opportunity to dialogue with other world leaders on surrounding insecurity challenges.”

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, Nigeria has missed the opportunity to discuss “security situation with the vacuum created by General Idriss Deby.” It is a known fact that the Chadian Government is the eye and the ears and the heart of the French government in Africa. Right now, Chad is facing a rebellion, a civil war because of the tribes that killed him and currently, there are now four rebel groups heading to Capital of Chad (N’Djamena; based on the countries listed by Alhaji Buba Galadima, these groups are supported by proxy foreign powers). And the current discussion is the refusal of the current Chadian government claiming not to negotiate with the alleged groups to have killed Idriss Deby and that if the Nigerian government was there, they would have facilitated negotiation.

Why is Chad important to Nigeria’s National Security?

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, “the Multi-National Joint Force uses Chadians military equipment, uses Chadians military personnel”, and “one thing you must give the Chadians soldiers, they are very brave, they are very courageous, they are very resilient, and they can work under any condition not even afraid to die and that is why Idriss Deby, a sitting president of Chad, left his comfort zone and flew to the war front where he met his death and that is the kind of soldiers that Chad has.” It was claimed by Alhaji Buba Galadima that civil war is imminent now as the various groups are not negotiating with others. The narrative here is that, when Chad pulls its forces from Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and the Central African regions it would make the whole region vulnerable and Nigeria would suffer the most. According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, “all the Governments will fall to the Bandits” and “where do we go to” as the “military now overstretched.”

What is the solution then?

The solution is simple according to Alhaji Buba Galadima “for me, first, the president must establish the war cabinet, we are in war, where every morning at 9 o’clock, they will sit down to review the security situation in the past 24 hours in Nigeria.” According to him, “if the president is not disposed, to doing that, he should get the Vice President to chair that committee or get the national security adviser to do that every morning, review what has happened within 24 hours.” Second, “no big head, all agencies of government, all tiers of government, to do their own proper jobs not sharing money alone, taking loans running to billions of naira. Just last week the National assembly approved loans for Mr. President. Have they asked, all the trillions that they have approved in the last six years, show us what you have done with the money? I hear, they tell us that they are not corrupt, its ok, you are not corrupt. You borrow this, this, this, what have you done with it?”

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima, it was also discussed that some of the projects initiated in Nigeria such as the Niger bridge, “is not Federal Government money” and “railway from Lagos to Ibadan” and the “Kaduna” railway “was constructed by (Sani) Abacha (Nigerian General whose years of service ran from 1963–1998: this was one of the former military presidents in Nigeria), even the wagons brought in to the port were not cleared until Yarudua time (born 1951 and died 2010; this was also one of the former civilian presidents in Nigeria) for clearing. I know this because I have been a member of delegation that have gone to China several times.” Discoursing the rail ways issues, Alhaji Buba Galadima confidently claimed that, “we know history” and “they cannot do that” and that “No Nigerian trusts this government” (i.e., we analysed that this is resulting from the many unfulfilled promises considering the effects of corruption discussed). The question was raised concerning these issues according to Alhaji Buba Galadima:

Are we secure?
Is there employment?

What should be done and secure life?

According to Alhaji Buba Galadima,” advising this government, even though I know that they will never take it. Once you say anything, they classified you as: are you for us or against us. Even if you tell them the truth and give them the best of advice, they will not take.”

The way out

“We can see even the president is not strong enough to give 24 hours of his time for this work, let him please, appoint anybody, even if it is his son, somebody.” That (i.e., somebody) “is proactive and can act on his behalf so that people sit down and analyse all these issues every 24 hours and proffer solutions and one of the solutions is that, they must use intelligence and technology in order to defeat” all these problematic challenges of insecurity discussed and “lastly, since the military is overwhelmed, the best he could do is to hire mercenaries” and “it is going to be cheaper for us, to advice our military.”

Extracted Comments from Nigerians’ Views on Nigeria’s Security Situation following Alhaji Buba Galadima statement

Tony Akubue: Journalist are part of the problem in Nigeria because some of them are covering up the truth. Why is the journalist pretending that all is well with Nigeria or is she not aware that Nigeria is bleeding?

Anthony Odo: So Chad president want to catch Shakau they start calling him name that is why we said Nigeria government is sponsor of Boko Haram, this man always said the truth,

Daniel Chukwu: What convinces you to believe that Buhari who has ludicrously showcased displayed his incompetence throughout his tenure will suddenly have the wherewithal to handle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges? None of this man’s suggestions address the fundamental issues that has led Nigeria to this point. Military solution is not the absolute answer.

Tony Obodoechina: Big shame. A country of 200m with about 50% unemployed are talking about recruiting mercenaries. Conscription is a great option. Absence of Law and order, population explosion is our urgent problem. Those who are taking the leads must often sort for help from outside the country.

Mimi Owoeye: He said Chad is the one holding Nigeria security. Idiots everywhere. Our soldiers are brave!! The Nigeria Generals are the ones stealing all resources needed for the soldiers. Buhari wants a Fulani caliphate. All these information is noise making. Buhari is a big mistake.

Valgie Odukwe: Nigeria can only be saved when they agree to admit the true identity of person in Aso Rock and condemn the killing of BIAFRANS/IGBOS/ODUDUWA.. You all talk about the killings in the North and never the killings in the Southern parts of Nigeria.

Olumide Martins: We don’t need massinary to fight for Nigerians we are better and stronger than that….the northerners are very week niger is done God help us no more security sir galadima just said the truth…no more security be were. That is why you northerners sold us out…are you now telling me that Chad military is stronger than nigeria Amy miss management of nigeria security by the northerners. We are over 200milion I know you sir that is why I respect you.

Alfred Anakwe: This is very serious but our leaders don’t seem to care. I don’t understand why our president won’t speak with Nigerians. If he continues like this there will be another civil war in Nigeria. Only God can save us.

We thank you for reading this article but most importantly we ask that you leave us your comments to help us serve you better. Thank you!

References:

Maleki, A. (2011, September 2). Uprisings in the Region and Ignored Indicators. http://www.payvand.com/news/11/feb/1080.html.

Ruthven, M. (2016, June 23). How to Understand ISIS. Retrieved May 03, 2021, from https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/06/23/how-to-understand-isis/

SYMFONI (Director). (2021, April 30). Alhaji Buba Galadima Speaks on the Security Situation in Nigeria [Video file]. In Youtube. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJIIhSqa-E

Senu, O. (2019). A critical assessment of anti‐corruption strategies for economic development in sub‐Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review. doi: 10.1111/dpr.12442

Senu, O., & Daranijoh, F. (2018). African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub-Saharan African insecurity. Development Policy Review, 36. doi: 10.1111/dpr.12397

“KNOWLEDGE BREAKS BARRIERS…AFRICA CREATES BRIDGES”

To read our newly published academic articles, please follow these links:

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