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Meet Nuhu Ribadu, The Newly Appointed NSA
Nuhu Ribadu, the newly-appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), hails from Yola, Adamawa State, and was born on November 21, 1960.
His educational journey includes attending Aliyu Mustapha Primary School in Yola from 1966 to 1973, followed by Yelwa Government Secondary School in Yola from 1973 to 1977.
Continuing his studies, he enrolled at the College of Preliminary Studies (CPS) in Yola from 1978 to 1980 for his A-levels.
In 1980, Ribadu secured admission to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria to study law, completing his degree in 1983. He subsequently graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984. Immediately after his national youth service, he joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In addition to his academic achievements, Mr. Ribadu holds an LLM degree from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, with a focus on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria.
In 2008, he furthered his education by participating in a program on the strategic management of law enforcement agencies at Harvard Business School.
The name Nuhu Ribadu has gained widespread recognition and acclaim in Nigeria and beyond, thanks to his remarkable track record in public service and unwavering personal integrity.
As a trained lawyer and a fearless crusader against crime, Mr. Ribadu has established himself as a patriotic, passionate, honest, courageous, and compassionate individual, carving a unique and respected reputation for himself.
Mr. Ribadu played a pivotal role as the pioneering Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a government commission entrusted with combating corruption and fraud.
Under his leadership, the EFCC underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming one of the most effective and renowned anti-graft agencies in recent history.
However, his most significant contribution to the fight against corruption was his selflessness, resilience, and exemplary conduct in his relentless battle against this destructive menace.
With unwavering commitment and unwavering dedication to his duties, Mr. Ribadu diligently worked to eradicate the pervasive corruption and fraud that had plagued the nation.
Despite facing temptations, traps, and life-threatening challenges, he fearlessly held accountable numerous fraudsters, as well as high-profile looters and individuals involved in economic sabotage.
During his tenure, the EFCC, under Mr. Ribadu’s guidance, accomplished notable milestones.
Within a span of three years, the agency constructed the highly acclaimed Crimes Training and Research Institute, which stands as the most revered institution of its kind in the West African region.
Furthermore, under his leadership, the EFCC achieved an impressive record of over 200 criminal convictions.
In recognition of these exceptional achievements, Mr. Ribadu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in March 2007.
His expertise and accomplishments also garnered international attention, leading to his appointment to the advisory board on anti-corruption matters by the African Union (AU).
Additionally, he received an invitation to join the advisory board of the Friends of the World Bank/UNODC initiative on Stolen Asset Recovery, further solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in the fight against corruption.
Mr. Ribadu has received numerous awards throughout his career as a police officer, prosecutor, and Chairman of the EFCC, further highlighting his exceptional contributions to the field.
He was honored with the Inspector General of Police Awards in 1997, 1998, and 2000, in recognition of his successful prosecution of various cases involving advanced fee fraud, banking fraud, and other economic crimes.
In 2005, he received a Special Commendation from the President for his remarkable achievements in these areas.
Moreover, since 2004, esteemed newspapers and magazines in Nigeria have consistently recognized him as the Man of the Year, acknowledging his remarkable accomplishments as a dedicated crusader against corruption and related crimes.
In 2008, Mr. Ribadu successfully completed the senior executive course at the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies. As a result, he was honored with the Membership of the National Institute (MNI), recognizing his notable contributions in the field.
In June 2010, Babcock University in Ogun State awarded Mr. Ribadu an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (honoris causa) as a testament to his unwavering courage and unwavering dedication in the fight against corruption.
The university acknowledged his fearless stance against corruption, even in the face of sponsored attempts to discredit him and threats to his life.
Additionally, in 1999, the Accountant General of the Federation specifically commended Mr. Ribadu for his successful prosecution of corrupt public servants.
Nuhu Ribadu who was named special advicer on security on June 15 is to replace Babagana Monguno as the new national security adviser (NSA).
The announcement was made through a statement signed by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government on Monday.
As the newly appointed NSA, Mr. Ribadu’s responsibilities include providing advisory support to the president on matters concerning Nigeria’s security and its citizens.
He will also oversee the coordination of various security agencies and intelligence services under his supervision, such as the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In addition to Mr. Ribadu’s appointment, President Tinubu has also announced the appointment of new service chiefs and an acting Inspector-General of Police as reported by BIZTELLERS.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.
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He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.
“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.
He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.
“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.
Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.
“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said
He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.
“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”
Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.
He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.
“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.
“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.
He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
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The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
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Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.
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