PENGASSAN VS Dangote: Tinubu’s utility player, Ribadu scores another goal
By Mohammed Ismail
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) has again saved Nigeria from going through another major crisis by resolving the vexatious lingering impasse between Dangote refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
(PENGASSAN).
By that feat, he scored another crucial decider for the nation and staved off an impending energy crisis that could hurt Nigerians and stymie all economic activities which will prove detrimental to the government, the citizens and businesses considering the contagion effect of any crisis in the energy ecosystem.
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Before his intervention, the trade dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote refinery has degenerated into a full blown confrontation with the former vowing to commence industrial action which will have crippled the economy and brought the country to its knees.
All hope in finding a lasting solution to the lingering stand-off was lost as Nigerians braced for another episode of energy crisis with its negative portents on lives and livelihoods. But out of the blues, Ribadu stepped out in his characteristic statesmanship and accepted another daunting responsibility of settling the industrial imbroglio in the interest of toiling Nigerians.
In the last two years of this administration, Ribadu has become the most visible, versatile and efficient appointee of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully carrying out spectacular interventions in the areas of diplomacy, leadership, mediation and good governance.
And he has juggled these responsibilities with utmost finesse, panache, wisdom and professional aplomb. He has in the last two years made accountability and transparency a watch word in the operations of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) by removing layers of opacity which hitherto made accountability in security operations a no go area.
Ribadu, one of Nigeria’s finest police officers cum administrator has earned the trust, respect and confidence of Nigerians through years of dedicated service to the fatherland. An honest, incorruptible, no-nonsense and fire brand policeman renowned for his feats in fighting corruption and corrupt government officials, Ribadu has over the years etched his name in gold.
A man who stoutly refused to vow to the powerful antics of corrupt politicians and government officials in the context of Nigeria’s corrupt ecosystem, definitely deserves the respect of all and sundry.
Such made him a rallying point in the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and placed on him, huge responsibilities apart from his core official mandate of fighting insecurity.
Since assuming office as NSA in 2023, Ribadu has repeatedly demonstrated that the job of stabilizing a nation goes beyond commandeering soldiers or the deployment of the barrel in addressing issues. He knows that in our age and time, his duty also include, networking, deployment of technology and most importantly, establishing synergy at national and international levels.
In addition, his neutral disposition has made him a successful mediator of even the most intractable and ferocious conflicts. These successes have been well documented in the history books.
For instance, in November 2023, Ribadu on the orders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully resolved a raging trade conflict between the organized labour and the federal government preventing a major industrial action by the labour unions.
Emma Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary, said the decision to suspend the action was reached at an emergency virtual joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) following a plea by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Again in January 2024, Ribadu mediated and resoled a 15-month crisis between Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Lagos State government.
Reports indicated that the accord was brokered by the National Security Adviser at a meeting with the leadership of the organised labour.
Before Ribadu’s intervention, Lagos State government has banned the operations of RTEAN for 15 months after the organization was torn into splinter groups over an unresolved leadership crisis.
In addition, Ribadu has been playing outstanding roles in promoting Nigeria at the global stage based on the confidence and trust the international community placed in him because of his established reputation as a corruption fighter.
The NSA has leveraged on his credibility to reassure foreign partners about Nigeria’s commitment to governance, reforms, accountability, and security sector transparency.
As NSA, he has worked closely with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, INTERPOL, and the African Union Peace and Security Council, aligning Nigeria’s domestic strategies with international frameworks.
Ribadu has also facilitated diplomatic engagement to secure donor support for humanitarian interventions in the North East, ensuring that the fight against terrorism is matched with humanitarian and development aid.
His intervention in resolving the latest PENGASSAN, Dangote refinery spat adds to the list of his major successes at using diplomacy not the barrel in resolving critical national issues making him the most visible, hardworking and meticulous NSA in history.
Ismail is the Editor-in-chief of FACTCHECKNEWS.
