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By YEMISI SULEIMAN Bezhiwa Idakula, simply known as Bez, is an explosive soul singer with a truly unique voice and playful stage presence. In addition to an amazing performance at the 2012 ‘Super Sun Concert’ held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Soul and Rock star had an outstanding year in 2012, from being inducted into the MTV Iggy Hall of Fame and premiering ‘Stupid Song’ ft Praiz on BET International to being honoured at the ‘Top 40 Personalities Under 40’ by Applause Africa magazine, amongst others. He begins year 2013 with his European and American tour and an upcoming album. As he prepares for the release of his second album, the Nasarawa State-born star says fans should expect a bit more of African sound in his music, shielding it with a bit of mainstream Rock while keeping the Soul genre very much present in the music. Sitting casually in his studio, Bez talks to Allure about the beginning, his meteoric rise and fame, expectations for the second album and more. First of all, congratulations on the success of your ‘Super Sun Concert’. How would you describe the experience? It was very exciting to have my own mega-concert in Lagos. I’ve been doing a lot of mini-concerts around Lagos and Nigeria. It was amazing to have it. The turn up was great and we had great sound. The whole thing was just really amazing. It was the first and you know how it is with first (time out). So, it was really exciting. What were your early musical influences? My dad used to play the guitar. He was a politician, late Honourable Amos Idakula. He taught me how to play the guitar when I was 9. I just kept practicing because I have this love for the instrument and I love music. I grew up in a very musical home. My sister sang; my dad used to sing and record stuff with my mum and my mum will back up for him. Yes. Just for the fun of it. They will hit the record button, sit down and create their own tape. So, it was amazing to grow up in that kind of environment. It sort of just set the path for me automatically. I did some plays and musicals in primary school. When I got to secondary school, I joined the choir and I was there for like six years; the whole (time I spent in) my secondary school. When I got to the university, I joined the choir for one year and left because it wasn’t just for me. I think I had my own style of music by then and the choir was more like playing worship and praise songs. I started to create my own style of music and started to practice a lot more by myself. Eventually, when I left the university in 2007, I started playing somewhere named Taruwa. That was where my sister started. Taruwa is mainly for spoken word poetry, music. It’s somewhere in Ikoyi, Lagos. It was a platform for people to express themselves. I played there every two weeks for years. In 2009, I was picked for Hennessey Artistry, through Cobhams Asuqwo. That was where it started really growing. So, I released some songs in 2009 and in 2011, I released an album. At what point did you decide to do music full time? It was when I was in my 2nd or 3rd year in the university. One of my friends, Dr Frabs, had left school and was working with KUSH. They had a gig in some church and called me to put a young band together. So, he called me and a couple of my friends in school; that we should put a band together and play for them. It was great to have that kind of experience with KUSH because I was a huge fan. So, we played for them and Emem asked me if I was really thinking of going into music? I said I wasn’t really sure and she said: “Well, I think you are in music already because I can just tell you are in it already”. I think that stirred me and I started reading a lot about purpose. I started reading a lot about why I’m here on earth; what I’m going to do career-wise. I figured that I was created to create music and then to add value to people, using music as my tool. So, it came together for me recently. But before then, I just did music for fun. I never knew I was going to flow into it professionally. The ‘Stupid Song’, whose idea was it? How did you get it together with Praiz? We were in the studio and needed to create a song that was going to resonate with people. Now, it came by mistake, totally by mistake. Somebody stepped into the studio and said he wanted to do a stupid song because Nigerians really like stupid songs (laughs). Cobhams was like: “Ha, which kind of stupid do you want to do now?” Then, he started thinking in a more creative way and the guy said: “No, I don’t want all those ‘oyinbo’ kind of songs. I want a proper stupid song”. At that moment, the idea came to Cobhams to create a song that was a mixture of different songs that we sang back in the day. So, we got into the studio and he created music almost immediately. Then, I started giving him the different songs that we sang and so we added some things and removed some. It was amazing. One of our friends, Omolara, came and heard it and was like “Wow. I think you should bring in somebody who has the same voice texture with you in this song; just do collaboration and create something really nice.” So, we got in Praiz the next day. He was supposed to be travelling but he came really early, did his part of the song and we had it done in two days. So, did you think it was going to be this big? Did you think it was going to be well received? I knew it was going to be well received because of the way the Nigerian market is and how the Nigerian market relates to certain things in music. But I did not actually know it will be loved this much. I didn’t know it was going to blow like it did but I knew it was going to be well received. Your induction into the MTV Iggy Hall of fame, how does that make you feel? MTV Iggy is all about discovering talents around the world; talents that are not mainstream at the moment. They go round the world like Asia, Africa, discovering talents. When they do that, they induct them into the hall of fame; all that is saying is watch out for these people next year and these people are really going to be huge. So, it was amazing for MTV Iggy to discover me in whatever way they did and to induct me into their hall of fame. I think it was just more of a confirmation that we are doing the right thing and we are in the right path, so we’ll just keep going and keep moving. The way MTV Iggy will discover you, that is the way a lot of us people around the world will discover you as well. So, with time, you will be really huge. I think it was really important for me. Do you write your songs? Yeah. I write most of my music. For my Super Sun Album, I had one song that wasn’t written by me and then two or three other songs that I co-wrote with some of my friends. But I do write most of my songs. For my new album, I have been doing a lot of writing with a great artiste called Simi. It will be more like 50-50 writing for my new album. I really believe in two heads being better than one. When you have a partner in writing, you can come up with really great ideas. Tell us about growing up. What was it like for you? I grew up in Jos. Jos is now really different from the way it was back then. It was really nice growing up in Jos. It has very cool weather and during Harmattan, it could get really cold so, sometimes, you find us sitting outside, burning wood to keep warm. Not that you can’t be warm inside, but it was fun; just like burn fire night. It was like an oyinbo town. It was really great growing up in Jos. We used to have family gathering burn fire night. We go to my sister’s school and perform as a family. I would play the guitar and the rest of my family would sing. These days, if you are not so well to do, you don’t have a house with a large compound. Even if you are well to do, you probably live in a flat in Lagos. Then, in the north, you have a large compound; you have space to play and ride your bicycle in the house; you have trees to climb. It was just fun growing up as a kid in Jos. Musically, a lot of people would play music for the fun of it. You hear of a new guy in town, you go check out the guy; go back home and practice to sing like him. Sometimes, you go to a garden and some musicians are playing, and you hang out with them. With time, you find out that you are building your social circle around musicians and you are just honing your skills continuously. Eventually, you discover that you have honed perfectly and can go commercial. I think, that is one of the most important things about artistes that come from Jos. You are from Nasarawa State. What fond memories do you have of it? A lot of people do not know much about Nasarawa State. When I go around the world and people ask me where I’m from, I tell them I’m a Nigerian from Nasarawa State. First of all, Nasarawa State is the next-big-thing when it comes to resources. It’s the next big thing after oil and the more people start focusing on solid minerals, we can have alternative means of income for the country. There are loads of things I want to do with the youth in Nasarawa State; adding more value to their lives by creating more opportunities for the youth in school and more. If you have a word for the governor, what would that be? The governor has been doing a lot and it’s great to see somebody coming in, seeing the way things are and trying to create something amazing from it. We have a university in Nasarawa State which is really great. I think there are more things to be done and people like us, sons of the soil, can join hands with the government to create something really amazing for the state. Let’s talk about your Europe/America tour. What is it all about? Most of the time, musicians just want to play around the world. It’s great to be able to be invited for a couple of gigs. We were invited to play at the Colombia University, New York for their African Economic Forum. There is a place called the Rock Wood Music Hall. That’s a great venue in New York that has booking agents coming through with a lot of booking; we will be playing there as well. That usually turns out into more gigs. There was a time we played in South Africa. We went there for one gig and when we got in on Sunday and played that Sunday. By the time we finished, we were booked for like three or four more gigs during the week. So, it is a process; you go, you do two or three and find doors open for you to do more and you keep going. I will also be recording my new album in New York, shooting a video and then recording with an artiste, Ambassador, who is a rapper from Ghana but lives in Brooklyn. So, there is a lot to do. What should your fans expect from your new album? My new album is taking a bit of departure from the sound that they know Bez for. First of all, I have evolved into another level, so it’s not a complete departure. It’s just a small evolution. I think I’ve found a stronger voice, so that will be very prominent in my music. I’m putting a more African sound in my music as well, shielding it with a bit of mainstream and Rock while keeping the Soul genre very much present in the music. So, it will be much more exciting. The album and the new music will be very exciting for my fans. Musically, is there any musician you look up to? Who do you admire? Who would you have actually learnt from? There are a lot of musicians that are my colleagues in the industry that I admire. For example, Tu Face, who is first of all, a really humble person; but this is somebody who knew exactly what he wanted to do from the word go and he pursued it. I’m sure he had loads and loads of setbacks but he just kept on. It’s amazing to see his growth over the years and he is growing stronger and stronger. Those are the kind of people I admire; that you can look up to them and say: ‘This person was able to do it and he wasn’t able to do it in just a year or two’. You could see that there is a period of paying dues; there was a period of growth and there was this period when he became a mega super star. So, those are the kind of people I look up to. You always wear a fedora. Is that your style signature? Apart from the fact that I think sometimes it makes me look cooler (laughs). First of all, I wear prescription lenses (medicated lenses) so, I thought if I am going to wear glasses, why not make it look really nice. I thought to use fashionable frames and then the Fedora; I used to wear face caps before. I had different types of caps but at a point, I just settled with the Fedora. It works for me and it gives me that extra look. My style could be very laid back; sometimes, jeans with t-shirts, beads, hats with glasses. I just jazz it up to make it look interesting. To me, it’s just how I feel like expressing myself. I am not so fussy about wearing too many things. Do you have a designer that makes clothes for the red carpet for you? In Lagos, I am very good friends with MAI so, he does a lot of stuff for me. Orange Culture does for me as well. I have a lot of people that I have worked with randomly but these are the more consistent ones I use. You were one of those honoured at the ‘40 Personalities Under 40’. What was it all about? By Applause Africa magazine; they had an edition on the ‘Top 40 Personalities Under 40’ making a mark in the society and I was on the cover for that edition. Once again, to be recognized in an industry as one of the leaders is amazing. That way, you know you are doing the right thing and people are noticing. They flew us over to New York for the launch and I performed as well at the show. Apart from music, what else do you do? Music is (not) the only thing I do. I do advocacy as well for Friends Africa. I am working with them; teaching people how to protect themselves against malaria, tuberculoses and AIDS. I am also working as a board member of Ovie Brume Foundation. Again, I have great passion for education because, when I was in secondary school, I lost my dad and somebody paid my fees throughout secondary school and also part of university (a lot of people assisted). So, I thought to myself, where would I be now if people didn’t give me that opportunity to finish my education. So, I always think of working with people to give back to society and help when it comes to education. That is what I do with education. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/attack-not-igbo-sultan-northern-youths/amp/stupid

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By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja Despite the indefinite postponement of the inauguration of the campaign council by the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on Wednesday, the Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa said he had kick-started with his 4 wives and 28 children. It will be recalled that the campaigns for the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections officially commenced on Wednesday as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, formally lifted the ban on street campaigns. Speaking when he was called to move a motion for the adjournment of the day’s plenary, Doguwa who sauntered into the chamber almost at the eleventh hour said he was held back by the campaigns. The lawmaker who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State was notably known for his penchant to speak about his harem of women and the community of children at each given opportunity on the floor of the House. Doguwa however assured the votes of his large household were for the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Today is the 28th day of September, which is the flag off of presidential and National Assembly campaigns. Even though my party had cause to reschedule their programme and activities, I have done my flag off with my 28 children and four wives, who will vote for Tinubu and every other candidate of the APC. “I came in very unusually late into the chamber. I had to flag off my campaign and the campaign of my presidential candidate, Tinubu. I was actually doing something worthwhile,” he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/2023-ive-flagged-off-apc-campaigns-with-my-4-wives-28-children-says-doguwa-reps-leader/

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Sanusi backs relocation of CBN units, departments to Lagos Former Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has supported the relocation of some departments of the apex bank from Abuja to Lagos. He said it was right thing to do, dismissing those against the relocation as playing dirty politics. There have been criticisms in some quarters since the CBN announced the relocation of some departments and units to Lagos. Some northern politicians kicked against the move, warning it would have political consequences. But Sanusi, who was 14th Emir of Kano, in a statement said the relocation is an “eminently sensible move”. According to him: “Moving certain functions to the Lagos office ( which is bigger than the Abuja head office) is an eminently sensible move.” He said he had it in mind to do the same thing while in office but didn’t have sufficient time to see it through. “In my mind what I would have done was to move FSS and most of Operations to Lagos such that the two Deputy Governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja , the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos. “Economic policy, Corporate services and all the departments reporting to the Governor directly such as Strategy, Audit, Risk management, Governors’ office etc would remain in Abuja. “It makes eminent strategic sense. And I would have done this if I had stayed.” He dismissed the opposition against the policy as “absolutely unnecessary” because “The CBN has staff manning its branches and cash offices across the Federation.” Sanusi added: “Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management. “The problem we have now is that many employees are children of politically exposed persons and their Abuja life and businesses are more important than the CBN work. “The CBN is just an address for them and if they have to choose between their spoilt Abuja life and the job, they would gladly leave the CBN. “All the more reason for the Governor to put his foot down and get rid of those elements they are dangerous for the bank’s future “The question of locating functions is a STRATEGIC and not tactical one. A proper analysis should be done to identify which roles are best suited to Lagos and which to Abuja. Once the logic is clear the people then follow. Non communication of strategic intent opens the door to mischievous misrepresentation and arbitrariness. “I don’t like the idea of arguing that the office structure can not handle the staff numbers. I am sure Julius Berger would refute that if they wanted to engage.” On how the relocation of staff should be done, he suggested: “Individual situations should be considered. As much as possible we should be empathetic. For example young mothers with kids in school who do not need to move can be prioritised to stay in Abuja or those with medical conditions etc.” He advised the CBN not to bend to political pressure, saying it must push through decisions hoe matter tough. According to him: “My advice to the Governor is to go ahead with his policy. Once the CBN starts bending to political pressure on one thing it will continue doing so. “Northern politicians will shout that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. Abuja is a federal capital not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision the noise should be ignored. “When i was about to license Jaiz bank there was a lot of religious noise from CAN etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me to court on religious grounds. I ignored it and licenced the bank. Nothing happened. “A christian Governor after me licenced at least two more non- interest banks. No one is even noticing again. “Ethnic and religious bigots will always shout. The CBN should rise above it and just do what needs to be done. It is a very unpopular and difficult job and the Governor needs to be tough.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/sanusi-backs-relocation-of-cbn-units-departments-to-lagos/

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PENGASSAN threatens to embark on nationwide strike The leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has asked Nigerians to stockpile enough petroleum products that will last them throughout the upcoming festive period, saying except the government intervene in the unfriendly Labour practices going on in the oil and gas sector, it will call out its members for a nationwide strike with effect from Monday, December 18, 2017 In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja signed by the General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union singled out one of the companies operating in the Sector, Neconde Energy Ltd (of Nestoil Group of companies) as one of the companies that has entrenched unfriendly Labour practices in contravention of the nation’s Labour laws. It accused the company of failing to remit taxes and pensions deducted from workers to government, while boasting that no government official can call it to order, adding that workers who decided to join unions are treated as slaves in their own country and dismissed from work” The union is asking the government to compel the company to recalled all sacked workers within seven days and stick to the nation’s Labour laws, adding that failure to do that, the union will have no other option than to call out its members on a nationwide indefinite strike action. The union said that the strike action will lead to shutting down all oil and gas installations, including disruptions to fuel supply and distribution, adding that the company has not only conducted itself as being above the provisions of extant laws and regulations guiding the operations of oil and gas companies in Nigeria, but has also severally boasted that no government agency can call it to order. The statement said: “The Association recalls her communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of October 13, 2017 held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. One of the resolutions thereof was the condemnation of Indigenous Oil and Gas Companies and Marginal Field Operators, concerning their anti labour posture and practices including the termination of the employment of any workers who has indicated willingness to belong to the union. “Those who are threatened and compelled to disown the union are then treated as slave workers within their own country. The case of Neconde Energy Ltd (of Nestoil Group of companies) is particularly worrisome as the issue of dignity in labour and infringement on workers’ rights to freedom of Association is foreign to them leading to mass sack of workers that joined the Union and dehumanization of same in total disregard to rule of engagement and the laws of the land. “The actions of companies such as Neconde in mass sack of Nigerian workers contribute in no small measure to the unending militancy in the Niger Delta. “This company has not only conducted itself as being above the provisions of extant laws and regulations guiding the operations of oil and gas companies in Nigeria, but has also severally boasted that no government agency can call it to order. “It was therefore no surprise that Neconde has defied multiple interventions from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the top Management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) for the company to toe the path of law and order and comply with Nigerian labour laws. “The company is apparently bolstered by the fact that it has continued, without any sanctions from government regulatory authorities, to flagrantly breach the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Amendment Act (PITA) and Pension Reform Act (PRA) by not remitting deducted income taxes and pension contributions to the Lagos and Delta states’ boards of internal revenue and authorized Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) respectively. “The owners and management of Neconde have therefore made themselves to believe that they are above the laws and government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “Having explored all options without getting the necessary understanding, and an apparent failure of relevant authorities of Government to call to order these recalcitrant organizations especially Neconde, PENGASSAN gives the Federal Government and its relevant Agencies seven (7) days’ notice to embark on a nationwide strike effective December 18, 2017 if government fails to direct the Management of Neconde and other companies to recall our sacked members as the only option to address this injustice and lawlessness. “PENGASSAN appeals to all Nigerians to show understanding and to use this window to stockpile adequate quantity of premium motor spirit (PMS) and other petroleum products that will last them during the upcoming festive period as this strike will be indefinite.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/pengassan-threatens-embark-nationwide-strike/

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By Femi Aribisala Between 1983 and 1985, Peter Onu of Nigeria was Acting Secretary-General of the OAU. At the 1985 Summit in Addis Ababa, statesmen like Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania, lobbied for his election as substantive Secretary-General. However, there was a major stumbling block to Peter Onu’s candidature: his Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, was campaigning against him. Buhari claimed: “This generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country than Nigeria.” But when the crunch came, his allegiance to Nigeria disappeared. In the election of the OAU Secretary-General in 1985, Buhari voted against Nigeria and for Niger instead. He secured the election of Ide Oumarou, a Fulani man from Niger; as opposed to an Igbo man from Nigeria. By so doing, Buhari became the first and only Head of State in the history of modern international relations to vote against his country in favour of his tribe. Years later, General Buhari marched all the way from Daura to Ibadan to demand of Oyo State Governor, Lam Adeshina: “Why are your people killing my people?” Again, he was not referring to Nigerians as his people. Instead, he was an advocate for the rights of murderous Fulani herdsmen who killed Yoruba farmers that objected to their cattle grazing on their land and damaging their crops. This same Buhari who voted against Nigeria in 1985, and said in 2003: “Muslims should only vote those who will promote Islam,” is now shopping for votes nationwide. He should be rejected outright. Ignorance running riot If APC had wanted to be taken seriously, it would have come up with a better presidential material than Buhari. There is something anomalous about a party whose mantra is change, recycling a 73 year old man as its candidate for the president of modern Nigeria. Buhari has little or no understanding of public policy. That is why APC will always come up with some excuse or the other not to have him participate in a debate with Jonathan. Buhari fought corruption by imposing ridiculous 300-year sentences on offenders. He fought exam malpractices by imposing 24-year prison sentences on school children. He dealt with indiscipline by flogging people to queue at bus-stops. He dealt with food shortages by sending soldiers to break into private warehouses and shops. He fought trade imbalances by taking Nigeria back to the stone age of trade by barter (counter-trade). He sought to extradite a Nigerian from Britain by drugging and crating him. There is so much about Buhari ending the Boko Haram insurgency as he did the Maitatsine insurgency in the 1980s. But the General needs to be advised that Boko Haram is not Maitatsine. Maitatsine was in two towns: Boko Haram is in three states with spillover effects into others. Maitatsine fought with bows and arrows: Boko Haram fights with sophisticated weapons. Maitatsine was a local insurgency, Boko Haram is an international phenomenon. Anti-corruption hypocrisy: Buhari does not know what corruption means and how to fight it. He became Nigeria’s Head of State through the corruption of a coup d’état and he then tried to fight corruption with corruption. Imposing retroactive decrees and killing Nigerians under them is corruption. Putting an Igbo vice-president in Kirikiri, while placing the Fulani president under palatial house arrest, is corruption. Detaining people like Michael Ajasin in jail, even after they were discharged and acquitted by kangaroo courts, is corruption. Jailing journalists for telling the truth is corruption. Putting pressure on a judge in order to jail Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is corruption. Shepherding 53 suitcases of contraband unchecked through Customs during a currency change exercise is corruption. Swearing an affidavit that your school-leaving certificate is with the military when it is not, is corruption. Transforming Nigeria: Buhari’s shameful past is dwarfed by the achievements of Goodluck Jonathan. Under Jonathan, Nigeria has emerged as by far the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $503 billion; nearly double the previous estimates. South Africa now comes a distant second with $350 billion. With the unbundling of PHCN after 52 years of gridlock, and with now the realizable target of 20,000 megawatts of electricity by 2020, Nigeria’s GDP will soon double that of South Africa. CNN Money projects that the fastest growing economy in the world in 2015 will be China (7.3% growth rate); followed by Qatar (7.1%); and then followed by Nigeria (7%). This belies all the misinformation about the Nigerian economy dished out by the APC and attests to the astute management of the economy by the Jonathan administration. The seemingly ambitious Vision 20 2020, proclaimed under the Abacha regime to make Nigeria one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020 is now well in sight. Today, Nigeria is already the 23rd largest economy in the world. Kudos to Jonathan, we have overtaken such European countries as Austria and Belgium. In 2010, when Jonathan became acting president, life expectancy in Nigeria was 47 years. Today, it is 54 years; an improvement of seven years. Adroit application of SURE-P funds has reduced the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria by 26%. Under Jonathan, Nigeria has become Guinea Worm-free; a disease previously affecting 800,000 Nigerians yearly. In the last six months, there has been no new case of polio in Nigeria. If this goes on for another two and a half years, Nigeria will be declared polio-free. Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, hailed Nigeria’s fight against polio as one of the great world achievements of 2014. He said: “The infrastructure Nigeria has built to fight polio actually made it easier for them to swiftly contain Ebola. The fact that Nigeria is now Ebola-free is a great example of how doing the work to fight things like fighting polio also leaves countries better prepared to deal with outbreaks of other diseases.” Investors’ haven: In the last three years, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as the number one country for foreign investments in Africa. We also receive more home-remittances than any other African country; a vote of confidence in our economy by Nigerians living abroad. They remitted $23 billion in 2013, a figure far more than the $18 billion received by Egypt; the country with the second highest home remittance in Africa. It is a testament to Goodluck Jonathan’s adroit management of the Nigerian economy that the richest African is now a Nigerian. In 2010, when Jonathan came to power, Aliko Dangote was the 463rd richest man in the world, with a total fortune of $2.1 billion. Today, he is the 23rd richest man in the world, with a total fortune of $25 billion. Dangote’s billions are “made in Nigeria.” Indeed, under Jonathan, Nigeria now has the fourth highest rate of returns on investments in the world, according to UNCTAD. Crisis of unemployment The big challenge has to do with jobs. Every year, another 1.8 million people are offloaded into the job market. However, while the APC says Buhari will create 720,000 jobs a year if elected, Jonathan created 1.6 million jobs in 2013. He has established such innovative programmes as Nagropreneurs and YOUWIN that support young farmers and entrepreneurs with grants, training and mentorship. He has also instituted internship schemes to enhance the capacity of university graduates to secure gainful employment. The unemployment problem is compounded by the more than doubling of the education budget under Jonathan. Every Nigerian child now has the opportunity to go to school. Indeed, there has been a 10 million increase in school enrolment in Nigeria under this government. There has also been a 75% increase in O’ Level credit pass in Maths and English. Jonathan established 125 Almajiri schools in 13 northern states. He also established 14 new federal universities. There is now a federal university in every state. Indeed, the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls derives from the disenchantment of the Boko Haram that many Northern girls are now going to school. Dealing with corruption: According to Transparency International, Nigeria has not become more corrupt under Goodluck Jonathan. Out of 178 countries ranked in 2010, Nigeria was the 134th most corrupt country. In 2014, Nigeria was ranked 136th. Unlike Buhari, Jonathan understands that corruption has to be attacked institutionally, from the roots. Therefore, he proposed the abrogation of the petroleum subsidy; one of the biggest avenues for corruption in government. However, Nigerians refused. Jonathan has sanitized the corruption in fertilizer distribution. The Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina, lamented that between 1980 and 2010, Nigeria lost 776 billion naira to corrupt fertilizer racketeering. That effectively came to an end under Jonathan. Through the innovative e-wallet system, farmers are given cell-phones through which they now have direct and easy access to government-provided fertilizer, chemicals and seedlings. Jonathan has also sanitised the banking system by removing dinosaur managing directors, recovering indigent loans and using AMCON to mop up bad loans. By instituting e-payment systems, he sanitized the civil service by removing 50,000 ghost-workers in one fell swoop. He has equally got rid of ghost voters from the electoral register; over 1 million ghost voters were removed from the Zamfara INEC register alone. Under Jonathan, we have had free and fair elections one after the other; in Edo, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun. Agriculture has been transformed under this administration. Thanks to Jonathan, agriculture now accounts for 22% of Nigeria’s GDP, more than oil and gas which only account for 15.9%. Under Jonathan, Nigeria has recorded a more than 50% reduction in food imports. Prior to his presidency, we had a food import bill of 1.4 trillion naira. But now, it is less than N700 billion. With the innovation of dry season rice-farming, Nigeria has reached 60% self-sufficiency in rice production. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Nigeria is now the largest producer of cassava in the world. The Jonathan government built six strategically-located perishable cargo airports in Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Lagos, Makurdi andYola; in close proximity to Nigeria’s food baskets. It is remarkable that Northern farmers were able to donate five million tubers of yam in order to raise 5 billion naira for Buhari’s presidential election campaign. If Jonathan’s transformation agenda in agriculture was not working as planned, they would not have been able to do this. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/jonathan-superior-presidential-material-buhari/#sthash.8tVjoR1z.dpufAnother

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Says Sen Grassley’s claim of Magu’s detention of Buhari’s critics unfounded and baseless The attempt by a United States lawmaker to block the return of $320 million Abacha loot to Nigeria has been resisted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The commission said on Friday in a statement that the allegation by the Chairman of the U.S Senate Committee on Finance, Charles Grassley that the money should not be released to Nigeria because EFCC was detaining critics of President Muhamadu Buhari, was a lie from the pit of hell. The statement, which was signed by the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said that the commission only arrests and charges to court Nigerians who have stolen public funds and does not have any critic of Buhari in its custody. The Commission said that among those currently in prison were key political allies of President Buhari and those from the opposition who were properly convicted for corruption by courts of competent jurisdiction, and not on partly affiliation. The 86-year-old US Republican Senator had in a letter dated April 1, 2020, and addressed to the Chief Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the U.S Department of Justice, Deborah Connor, maliciously accused Magu of “detaining individuals who have spoken against the Buhari government.” ALSO READ: COVID-19: U.S. lifts 997 Americans back home But EFCC regretted the action of the lawmaker, which it said was borne out of ignorance on the part of the Senator and the actions of some desperate Nigerians to frustrate the Nigerian government from recovering the huge amount which was traced to the late former head of state. The commission said that Magu could not have been faulted by the lawmaker if he had got his facts right because only recently the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, singled out the EFCC boss and honoured him for boldly tackling corruption in Nigeria. The statement said it was in recognition of Magu’s transparent work at the EFCC that the FBI recently gave an Award of Excellence to Mr Magu for his unique role in a joint field operation codenamed with the American agency entitled, “Operation Rewired”, which led to the arrest and prosecution of hundreds of wire fraud suspects in Nigeria and abroad. “It is worrisome that a high-ranking US lawmaker of the status of Grassley could not get his facts rightly nor establish a credible premise of attacking an FBI- celebrated Magu. Would the FBI have come out to acknowledge the effectiveness and credibility of the EFCC under Magu’s watch, if such allegation of oppressing opposition to President Buhari’s government had any merit? “Besides, only recently, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), and an opposition PDP politician, poured encomiums on Magu on the visible achievements of the EFCC under his watch. According to Adoke, “President Muhammadu Buhari is highly celebrated for fighting corruption and the poster boy of this celebrated achievement is clearly Magu. “It would interest Sen Grassley to know that three former governors who are ranking members of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, which is President Buhari’s party, are currently serving jail terms for corruption. Is the EFCC also persecuting members of the President’s party? “Grassley evidently lacks any sound basis for linking the EFCC and Magu with any oppressive or separatist agenda against government opposition. “Records of convictions of the Commission are in the public domain as well as cases before the courts, which can be subjected to unbiased analysis and scrutiny. “We wish to reiterate that the EFCC under Magu is too focused on the anti-graft agenda of the government to be distracted by such empty claims of the lawmaker. Grassley and his sponsors are clearly on quicksand on this issue,” the commission said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/efcc-blasts-us-senator-over-attempt-to-block-320m-abacha-loot/

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THE 2015 race for Anambra central Senatorial seat is getting keener. A horde of aspirants are now on the prowl angling to snatch the seat from the incumbent Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC). By Clifford Ndujihe AMong the leading contenders are: Senator Ngige; National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, SSG (1999-2003), Prince Victor Ossy Ezenwa; Dr. Kodilichukwu Okelekwe; Mrs. Christy Okoye, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo. Senator Ngige, who is going for a second term in the Senate made his mark as governor of Anambra State for three years before he was thrown out of office by the law courts for election rigging. He is considered popular in Anambra central, which benefited immensely from his botched administration in terms of projects. Having lost the last governorship election, the APC legislator, who has not indicated whether or not he is re-contesting, has however, said that most of those angling to stop him are political lightweights. Sir Umeh, whose reign as APGA national chairman saw the party winning electoral laurels such as two governorship seats, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly slots, while declaring his intention to run for the seat, said the state of affairs in the country now requires the Igbo, Anambra and Anambra Central to put their First Eleven forward. According to him, his experience as APGA leader and a delegate to the just concluded National Conference shows that much work is yet to be done and he is the most qualified person to execute the onerous duty for Ndigbo, South-East, Anambra and Anambra central. He is running on the banner of APGA. Hon. Ekwunife is one of the two women in the race so far. The ranking Rep is aspiring on the banner of the PDP the platform that gave her, her first mandate in the House. She left the PDP for the Progressives Peoples’ Alliance (PPA), contested the governorship and lost. She defected to APGA and retained her Reps’ seat. Now, she is back to the PDP from APGA. She believes that her popularity in Anambra central and PDP’s political muscle will see her through. Dr. Okonkwo is the leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, the apex socio cultural and political organization of Idemili in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Political and Economic Adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha & Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province; President and Founder, Nigeria – Belgium Business Forum (NBBF) Coordinator of the Anambra State Good Governance Forum (ASGGOF). While declaring his intention to run on the plank of the PDP, he said: “We want to restore pride in the people, rebuild their confidence and make them believe again that power resides in them and in representing the people in the Senate, it will be with the awareness that power is in the hands of the people in which we shall demonstrate the will to deliver on the community charter of the senatorial zone, propagate quality representation anchored on accessibility, consultation, responsiveness and accountability to my constituents.” Dr. Okelekwe, who boosts of knowledge of multimillion-dollar budgets and keen business experience from running his own flourishing business as C.E.O, wants to banish poverty from the zone through education. The former governorship aspirant, who is aspiring on the platform of the PDP said: “I don’t believe that any individual should be denied the right to education on account of poverty. That is what drives me. That’s why I am contesting. I am not contesting for a Senate seat to indulge in primitive accumulation of wealth. Life is not about self. Life is about touching others. It is about living for others. That is why I am aspiring to go to the Senate.” He said he wants to “get the people involved in the process of lawmaking. If I get elected as a senator, I will institute what I call monthly town hall meetings, which will rotate from one local government to the other. “In Anambra central, there are seven local government areas. We will use this mechanism to sound out the people, get their opinion and take into account their input in either proposing a new law or proposing an amendment to existing ones or moving a motion to draw the attention of government to certain areas.” Ezenwa, who was SSG under former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju and former chairman of Njikoka local council said he is disturbed by the high rate of unemployment in the zone. Making his intentions known during a consultations meeting with his constituents and journalists at his Abagana country home, Ezenwa, said he was aware of other heavyweights in the race but that the odds were in his favour. Gale of endorsements Ahead of the polls, the polity is awash with a gale of endorsements for the aspirants. Umeh got the endorsement of Anambra Central Women Forum (ACWF), which described him as a man of action, principle and integrity, tested and trusted to effectively represent Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate. ACWF President, Mrs. Adanma Chukwuma, said the group is backing Umeh because “we cannot sacrifice effective representation at the altar of partisan politics.” In like manner, Idemili Action Movement, IAM and a socio-cultural association, Nzuko Imeobi, have thrown their weights behind Dr Obiora Okonkwo and urged voters and stakeholders in the Anambra Central senatorial zone not to repeat the mistakes of the past in electing their representatives in 2015. Making the calls at different for a recently, IAM Chairman, Dr. Uche Ezeliora and Nzuko Imeobi President, Chief Edwin Ekwuno said: “We don’t support parties, we support candidates and it is in this regard that we are supporting the various calls for change and adopting Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the PDP as our choice for the senatorial seat in the Central. His track record is people oriented and he has shown a sense of service to the people, which we believe will lift the state of development in the zone if he gets to the Senate.” Also, writing about the aspirants, Professor Ben Nna Okoye said given the protracted problems facing Anambra Central, the zone needs a disciplined, focused, pragmatic, logical, creative, organized, problem-solver as its senator. According to him Dr. Okelekwe fits this description because he is a skilled and competent leader who is widely admired for his civility, diligence and political acuity. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/2015-knife-edge-battle-anambra-central/#sthash.WlepCUVY.dpuf

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Women from the Ipo community have blocked the entrance to the Port Harcourt airport. As early as 7:30 am on Tuesday morning, the women from Ipo which is one of the host communities of the airport, blocked the gate at the airport roundabout, waving placards, singing, wailing, and even cooking at the gate. Some of the inscriptions on their banner include ‘We Demand Our Citizens Rights’, ‘Ipo Women Peaceful Protest’, among others. Channels Television gathered that the aggrieved women were trying to get government’s attention to their lack of electricity, good roads, and poor schools despite their community playing host to the airport. As of the time of filing this report, their actions had caused a buildup of traffic as passengers could not access the airport. This is the second time this year that the women are protesting. It would be recalled that they protested on the 27th of March this year, but were pacified by the former Chairman of the Rivers Traditional Rulers Council, Sergeant Awuse. The development comes as the Rivers State Police Command, on Monday, warned against planned protests by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE). In a statement released on Sunday night, police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the police are aware of the protest. “The Rivers State Police Command has become aware of the planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), scheduled for June 24, 2024. While the Command recognizes and respects the right to lawful assembly, it has credible intelligence that this protest will be infiltrated and hijacked by hoodlums seeking to cause disruption and mayhem within the State. “Consequently, the Command strongly advises the organisers to suspend the planned protest to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. The Police will take all necessary lawful measures to protect the lives and properties of every resident in Rivers State. The Command has vowed to apprehend and prosecute any person or group that attempts to disrupt the peace,” the statement read in part. To ensure the safety and security of the public, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, said he had deployed police officers to the secretariates of all 23 Local Government Areas in the State. “These officers will remain in their respective locations until the threat of disruption of peace is deemed to have ceased,” the statement added. The NULGE later shelved the protest after police warning. Details of the IPO community women protest soon…

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/06/25/rivers-crisis-community-women-barricade-airport-passengers-stranded/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1eJssYaGffOxOJQ2FouyenCbRZSMoF4oN1wO3AmTmAwcH6trT6-3Kxl3U_aem_aQFZYJs7ehWSQrYCHTc9lA

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By Chinedum Nwajiuba I am moved to write this piece after reading an article in the VANGUARD of Thursday, August 6, 2015 by Is’haq ModibboKawu titled, “ Bukola Saraki in Maiduguri: Tentative first steps for 2019 Presidency”. It is evident that the article reeks of hate and seems aimed at either getting President Buhari to regard Saraki his enemy, or fortifying whatever grievances might exist, if that is the case. That is sad, because in no way does that motive contribute to nation-building, and in no way does it help Buhari whom history will ultimately hold responsible for what becomes of Nigeria from May 29, 2015. It is true we are in a democracy and people should have freedom of communication, but I believe we should exercise some self-control in the enjoyment of the freedom. I do not know the author in person or even by reputation, but I bet he seems to have some personal ‘agro’ against Saraki. I met Saraki sometime in 2011 after he became Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment. I as well as others in the civil society engaged with environmental issues in Nigeria were pleasantly surprised to be invited by that Committee for interaction. Saraki sat through the meetings with a note book in which he took copious notes as people made contributions. He also enriched the conversations by asking poignant questions. He was very civilized and we had the impression that he is educated in the real sense. It was this very positive impression that Saraki made upon my colleagues and I that encouraged my organization and others to take a closer look at the state he had just left as governor. About that time, some international organizations asked us to advise on states towards which they could direct their interest in development activities. From our analysis, Kwara was highly recommended. The points that counted for Kwara included accessibility by air from Lagos/Ibadan and Abuja, having minimal security challenges, and a very positive civil service and receptive government. I am not sure how much of these were put in place by the governments before Saraki became governor of Kwara State. We subsequently took specific projects into rural communities in the state. Before doing that we approached his office in the Senate, and were introduced to an officer who took responsibility to lead us into Kwara. The government of that state received us in a very professional manner. Kwara was one of six states in which we unveiled the National Adaptation Strategy on Climate Change. During this period, Saraki’s name resonated so much in urban as well as rural areas of the state. With respect to the article I read which I consider unfair, there are some specific observations to make and I itemize few out of the lot of them as they appear in that article. - The first is the title of the article: “Bukola Saraki in Maiduguri: Tentative first steps for 2019 Presidency”. My reaction would be that if truly Saraki’s Maiduguri trip is part of his seed planting towards the 2019 presidency of Nigeria, then it is commendable. Nigeria can ill-afford a reluctant President in 2019, or whatever other year for that matter. We’d rather an aspirant that has his sleeves rolled up and is tirelessly working towards actualizing his dream than one that suddenly wakes up one morning in 2019 to tell us that he is running for presidency in response to pressures from his people. Better to have presidential aspirants with hunger in their bellies and fire in their eyes which are fixed on a faraway goal than have 2019 overnight microwave presidential aspirants that treat the race to our much-cherished Aso Rock Presidential Villa like an after-thought. - The author had complained about the fact that “…most newspapers carried a syndicated picture of the ‘august visitor’ waving to the IDPs.” To that I ask, is that strange? Isn’t that what you see in governments including more mature democracies? What is wrong with this, one dares ask? - The author further inveighed that Saraki’s ultimate goal “remains presidency and he can’t even wait for 2019 before beginning to show his hands”. To this I say only a fool interested in 2019 presidency will wait till 2019 to start showing his hands. Is the office of the President of Nigeria not serious enough to warrant long-term thought and work? President Buhari provides a good and recent example of a long-distance runner in the presidency race and if, as the writer of that article tried to portray, Saraki’s Maiduguri trip was indeed his first step in a four-year marathon, then it should be a plus, not a minus as the writer inveighed. People with political ambitions should be encouraged to show their hands early. That way, the society gets them to act with a greater sense of responsibility than might have otherwise been the case. - Another difficult assertion to accept is to the effect that the distinguished senator “is fighting a battle against public perception because in many quarters in Nigeria, he has not been able to live down the feeling that he betrayed his party”. To this I say perhaps “many quarters” but certainly not majority of Nigerians share this sentiment. I believe majority of Nigerians prefer inclusive broad-based governance that reflects the country’s diversity, rather than governments that are highly skewed and based on an ideology of exclusion of sections of the country. - The writer’s anger was revealed the more when he stated that Saraki “remains defiant and continues to ignore the APC and PMB’s openly expressed preference that APC senators bow to party supremacy; he fills positions with members of his own group, daring the party and PMB to do the worst!” I see this as simply meant to incite. Sensible Nigerians remember President Buhari’s statement after the election of the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives on June 9, 2015. Our much respected President took the view that a constitutional process occurred. He accepted those elected, and said that he did not have any preferred candidates for the Senate and the House of Representatives leadership, and that he was willing to work with whomever the lawmakers elected. The Presidency is a serious office and cannot issue public statements that are meant for nothing. It is an honourable office and Nigerians want to believe it ended with that. If the President goes on after that date and that statement to antagonize Saraki, that is a minus for Buhari among honourable people. I refuse to believe the hidden insinuation of that writer that our President who is noted point above is another vexatious one which stated that Buhari publicly ignored the Senate President at the Abuja Eid praying ground. To this I wail, the Nigerian President publicly ignoring the Nigerian Senate President elected within the laws of Nigeria as acknowledged by the Nigerian President! Who loses? Who becomes a smaller man by that, if that was really the case? Anyway, I doubt that it’s fact. - He further asserted that Saraki missed the photo-op with President Barack Obama by not accompanying Buhari to the United States. This can’t be serious. How many times have we seen Senate Presidents going on foreign trips with a country’s President? - That “…Bukola Saraki, unable to secure an audience with PMB, was corralling the Emir of Ilorin to service to find every opportunity for him to get to see the President.” This is commendable. He who seeks peace means well. - That “…he nevertheless continues to defy the same President and party in respect of the extant problems arising from his demarche on June 9.” Shaking my head in disbelief, I ask: But where is the proof of defiance to the President? Has Buhari asked Saraki to resign as Senate President? Or is this suggestive of a possibility that the statement issued after the election of Saraki as Senate President was not with the knowledge of the President? Is there a crack in the Presidency? - The apparently angry writer complained that OlisaMetuh of the PDP had asserted that they were working for Saraki’s return to the PDP. Now, I wonder what is strange about that. I would expect PDP to work for the return of not only their former members, but other senior APC members as well. Recall that APC lured them away from PDP. What is wrong with PDP doing the same? - The writer also accused Saraki of “… embarking on the next chapter of his own personal agenda for presidency…” But who, among the big names in Nigerian politics, does not have a personal agenda? Is it Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku, or who? What is peculiar with Saraki having a personal agenda? - The following comment in the article is perplexing: “…instead of working to further enhance the North-Southwest alliance, these shortsighted and opportunistic Northern politicians who bought into Bukola Saraki’s anti-Tinubupropaganda endanger PMB’s CHANGE Agenda and willy-nilly, have become as disruptive as Bukola Saraki and are working for his personal agenda NOT the interest of Northern Nigeria or those of our country, in the long run.” This, to say the least, is scandalous. Is Mr Kawu by any means implying that the whole essence of Buhari’s government is to exclude two of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones? Federal Character and inclusiveness are products of Nigeria’s political history, and Constitution which the President swore to uphold. Is he stating that Buhari is implementing a policy of exclusion? That frightful comment forces one to compare what PDP did for geopolitical zones in which they did not do well in presidential elections with what the author appears to certify the APC as doing now. Is it possible that a trend has emerged with two contending visions/ideologies – those who want an inclusive Nigeria (PDP and APC elements like Saraki and Dogara), versus the APC apostles of exclusion? - The writer had asserted that, in his own words, “By getting Ike Ekweremadu into the loop as Deputy Senate President, and contrary to the norms of Senate in respect of ranking, also making Godswill Akpabio Minority leader, BukolaSaraki will claim his political IOU in 2019”, Not done yet, he added that Saraki will “posture as having given the South-East and the South-South recognition and platforms of relevance, when they ordinarily would have lost out in 2015, for voting against the APC and PMB.” This line of writing and, particularly, the reasoning that produced it are as unfair as they are scary. If that writer represents the view of the anti-Saraki APC, then it is saddening to note that APC still has not appreciated that the votes secured by former President Goodluck Jonathan in South-East and South-South could have been higher if it were not for the hardwork and determination of APC leaders and members in those zones. Now these valiant men and women who fought for their convictions appear to have been made to lose their voices by the emerging scenario in their otherwise beloved APC. People are asking what Ogbonnaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Chris Ngige, Rotimi Amechi, and others who were very vocal in asking the South-East and South-South to come along with the APC have to offer as explanation for what is happening. What sin has the South-East, the South-South and Saraki committed? If the elements of the Change Agenda of the current government is good for all Nigeria, why the fear of persons from the South-East and South-South being around even in minor positions? - A curious accusation against Saraki in the writing is that he “… has been appointing legislative aides from different parts of the North and beyond…” If that is the case, then he is a new generation Nigerian leader indeed. A multi-ethnic, multi-everything country such as Nigeria can no longer afford political office appointments that are skewed in clear favor of one group to the exclusion of others. - The writer’s vituperation to the effect that Saraki’s trip to Maiduguri was presented as a humanitarian trip to give succor to people displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency was curiously meant to reduce the person of Saraki. To the contrary, it has ended up improving the person and persona. A politician must be known for something. Buhari brand appeal is in his anti-corruption posture. If Saraki’s is humanitarianism, then that is desirable in the hard times Nigerians all over the country are in. The simple conclusion to this is encapsulated in the question we employed as the title of this piece: Who is afraid of Bukola Saraki? It has to be fear of the man that is generating the level of antagonism contained in that article. Once again, that has no place in national development. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/who-is-afraid-of-bukola-saraki/#sthash.o4cZkTN8.dpuf

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Tunisian Football Federation (TFF) has submitted a bid on Thursday to host the final of the 2019/20 CAF Champions League. The bid was submitted on deadline day for applications as Tunisia will be facing competition from Morocco and Rwanda. Morocco had applied on Wednesday to host both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup finals. It’s noteworthy that the format of the CAF Champions League final has changed this season where the winner is decided through only one game. Read Also:Zamalek dominate Esperance in CAF Super Cup The final is set to take place on 29 May as the venue for the game is yet to be determined by CAF.

https://sportinglife.ng/tunisia-submits-bid-to-host-2019-20-caf-champions-league-final/

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Fowler, FIRS and more cash for Fed Govt Since assuming office in 2015 as Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler has elevated the Service to a level higher than his predecessors in terms of performance, writes Assistant Editor Nduka Chiejina. Babatunde Fowler was appointed Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to replicate what he did in growing the tax net in Lagos at the federal level. Since he assumed office, Fowler has introduced innovative tax ideas designed to make non-oil revenue a veritable alternative revenue source that will challenge revenue from oil as a major revenue source to the nation’s purse. Appointed in 2015 to head the FIRS, Fowler has transformed the operations and elevated the performance of the FIRS with a series of proactive initiatives that have resulted in a robust tax administration. These initiatives include automation/ICT deployment for the Service’s processes, tax education for members of the public and sustained growth of total tax revenue collected, and ICT deployment for transparent and easy collection of taxes. The automation of all tax processes has given birth to e-Solutions, for transparent, convenient and faster tax administration. Under the e-Solutions, the initiative is the e-Receipt system which is generated once payment is received from a taxpayer with a notification sent to his/her e-mail or phone number instructing the taxpayer to download their receipts and print them out for the record. Still, under the e-Solutions initiative, taxpayers can access their Tax Clearance Certificate by applying for the certificate online and same is received online immediately. The FIRS has continued to build on other aspects of the e-payment channels, to make it easy to pay taxes anywhere in the world, real time-all time (24/7) and also download receipts any time and from wherever a taxpayer wants desires. Another feather to Fowler’s cap is his handling of the Value Added Tax (VAT) component of the Tax system and administration. The FIRS’ automation programme has reflected positively on VAT collection occasioned by the information exchange with third-party databases and other government agencies. Under Fowler, the auto VAT Collection has shown a 31% VAT increase over the N25billion collected in 2017 through the new scheme. In terms of the automated deductions at source and remittance of VAT and Withholding Tax from state governments, the FIRS was able to collect N13 billion. During the year, the use of ICT and automation has facilitated the growth of taxpayers who have used these facilities from 9,574 to 59,350. In administering stamp duties remittances, the FIRS imported a hundred new Stamp Duty machines to be placed in every state of the federation. The electronic Stamp Duty process has grown the Stamp Duty revenue and made it more convenient for taxpayers. In 2016, the FIRS collected N5.6 billion; in 2017, N10.9 billion and in 2018, N15.66 billion. The Service made it more convenient, with the use of technology, for taxpayers to choose where their tax files reside. Now, as a taxpayer, you can choose the tax location. If a taxpayer is in Kano, for example, and for whatever reason, he/she wants the tax file to reside in Lagos, it is allowed. The FIRS has also deployed systems to all its stations. Taxpayers, unsure of how the systems work are shown how to use it to make their payments or file their returns. Under the tax education/enlightenment and robust enforcement initiative, the FIRS under Fowler has the Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Teams (FEETT) directorate, which continuously interacts with taxpayers to help them file and register as taxpayers, provide answers to any questions they may have in terms of ease of payment of tax. With regards to greater revenue generation, Fowler has marshalled the FIRS to consistently grow tax revenue under his watch. In 2018, the FIRS collected a total of N5.32 trillion, considered to be the largest ever collected by the Service. In 2017, the FIRS collected N4.02 trillion and in 2016, N3.3 trillion. Despite these impressive tax revenue collection efforts, the FIRS which collects 4% as the cost of collection only from non-oil revenue has progressively recorded a gradual slide in its cost of collection. In 2016, it was 2.6 per cent; 2017, 2.49 per cent and 2018, 2.14 per cent, the reason for the downward slide in the amount that goes to the FIRS as cost of collection is the deployment of technology which has resulted in a more efficient tax collection process. Since 2015, the focus has been on non-oil revenue. Non-oil revenue from tax collection in 2016 was N2.149 trillion; in 2017, N2.5 trillion and in 2018, N2.852 trillion. In percentage terms, 2016, non-oil tax revenue accounted for 65 per cent; 2017, 62.25 per cent and 2018, 53.62 per cent. What this means is that non-oil tax revenue has been growing in absolute terms. Non-oil tax revenue has performed well in excess of oil tax revenue, suggesting that the effect of the diversification of the Nigerian economy by the Federal Government has gained traction. In the area of VAT performance, in 2018, the FIRS crossed the N1 trillion mark. Prior to that, in 2016, the FIRS collected N828 billion as VAT; in 2017, N972 billion and in 2018, N1.1 trillion. 85% of VAT is distributed to state governments and local governments every month. Another approach employed by the government but anchored by the FIRS to make taxpayers comply with the civic duty of paying tax without the use of force and to make tax payment as painless as possible, the government with the Ministry of Finance launched the VAIDS (Voluntary Assets Income Declaration Scheme) programme. In 2016, the FIRS on its own gave a tax amnesty, which saw N92.6 billion was declared as unpaid taxes. In 2017, the VAIDS programme was also launched. Under VAIDS, N92 billion was also declared in unpaid taxes. In terms of the audit process, the FIRS generated N12 billion from under-remitted tax payments. Another initiative introduced saw the FIRS looking at businesses/ partnerships that had banking turnover in excess of N1 billion. Under this, the FIRS found that about 6, 000 of them do not have a tax ID, did not file returns and did not make any payments. Businesses in that category have paid N21.75 billion and are also paying the balance in instalments. The initiative also saw the FIRS looking at businesses/partnerships with a banking turnover between N100 million and N999 million. The Service reviewed this group category of businesses through commercial banks. So far, there are 45,361 that have TIN and are making payments. There are also 40,611 that have TIN but have made no tax payment and 44,504 that have no TIN and therefore have made no payments. The FIRS similarly has another special project through which corporate organisations that own companies or properties were not found within the tax net in 2017. Through this, it generated N1.33 billion in 2017 and N2.88 billion in 2018 in just Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory. This is an exercise is expected to cover the whole of the country to ensure more taxpayers are brought into the tax net. Last week, there were media reports, which alleged that taxpayers’ money in the custody of the FIRS is missing. It was reported that some officers of the FIRS explored irregularities in the Service’s accounting system on Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) to collect claims that they are not due for. However, a statement issued by the FIRS on Wednesday noted that “on the DTA (Duty Tour Allowance), it claimed that some staff applied for and were granted, allowances to travel for official trips. Some are alleged not to have travelled for the number of days, for which they were slated. The EFCC is looking into that. Sometimes, it is good to have a third party investigate matters like this instead of having a staff investigate another staff. Investigation by a third party is more objective. FIRS has since taken steps to remediate this. The EFCC will soon complete its investigation. Anybody found guilty will be dealt with through our administrative process.” The issue at stake in this inquiry are operational/travel funds within our expenditure budget, Fowler said. Speaking further on how the FIRS operates, Mr. Tunde Fowler explained that “taxes collected by the Service are not paid into the coffers of the Service. Rather, all taxes, are PAID DIRECTLY INTO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT, electronically, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).” The FIRS he said “does not have access to taxpayers money. Its operations are funded by appropriation of the National Assembly, through monthly remittances by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, (FAAC). Fowler affirmed that no taxpayers’ money is missing in FIRS. “We have a relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. We have a partnership, through which we combat evasion of taxes. People don’t want to get into trouble with EFCC. So, they pay on time. He added that “FIRS acknowledges the statutory rights and responsibilities of anti-corruption agencies and other government agencies such as the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), State Security Services, (SSS) to inquire into the operations of the Service. The FIRS Chairman promised that “the Service would continue to give access to agencies with statutory rights and all those who seek information on the operations of the Service. Invitations of officials of the Service by EFCC, the Police, SSS and ICPC to shed light on financial transactions and operations of the Service, in the past, are not uncommon and are continuous.” He noted that “the FIRS is a public trust, which we operate on behalf of Nigerians. He also affirmed that no officer of the FIRS is at large.” He re-assured the general public of our unalloyed commitment to public accountability and transparency in the sacred mandate of tax collection.

https://thenationonlineng.net/fowler-firs-and-more-cash-for-fed-govt/

Politics

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Did anybody go to jail? NIS recruitment: Job, Money or Death! I remember sharing a bottle of drink with two of my South African friends in Randburg. I knew the self-acclaimed largest economy in Africa would come to the table for mockery. Dr. Reuben smiled and made a joke about my country-that if he needs to choose a country in the second world, he would request to come as a Nigerian. Very unpleasant statement for me, but had to put up a cool face. He said Nigerians are human beings like any other Americans, Europeans or Asians, but they act like animals. Anything goes and no question is asked in your country, Bimboo. For example, he asked if anybody went to jail after the tragedy that happened in 2014. I promised myself to revisit this shameless process that took innocent souls, refresh our minds about it and wake up authority, in case they are still sleeping like my new baby boy, Temidun. Saturday, the 15th march 2014 was a black Saturday for families whose loved ones set out to take part in the Nigerian immigration Aptitude test but never returned home… Killed in the stampede that ensued. Most of the applicants were told to arrive the venue as early as 7am but the test was supposedly originally stated for 3pm. Some lucky job seekers are alive to tell the story. According to our listeners, authorities of National Hospital, Abuja, confirmed seven persons among 67,000 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) job applicants in the FCT dead. The applicants had converged at the National stadium, Abuja, one of the venues for the test to fill 5000 vacancies in NIS and many were said to have arrived at the centre before 6a.m. The service had fixed the test nationwide for 7000 available jobs. However, a Stampede ensued at the FCT centre about 7a.m, when the screening of candidates was to start for the test scheduled for 4p.m. Mr. Tayo Hassstrup, the spokesman for the hospital, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that seven, five women and two men were brought in dead and that the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary. The hospital received some casualties from the stampede from the ongoing Immigration recruitment at the National Stadium. He said the hospital was stabilizing those brought in unconscious from the stampede, while other casualties had been taken to other hospitals, including Asokoro General Hospital. While, in Lagos, the thousand of job seekers invited to take an aptitude test by NIS have took control of all access roads to the National Stadium, Lagos. They started chanting anti-government songs and not ready to go home, after all, they have no jobs. So what is the need to return home! NAN recalls that in 2008, no fewer than 20 people died in various states of the federation during a similar exercise conducted by the ministry of interior for Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and customs Service. My questions are simple friends! Is it true people paid 1000 naira to apply to die? How much was made from this test? And where is the money? Can we have the list of the applicants that finally got these jobs? I need answers before I visit my friends soon in Randburg this January.

https://thenationonlineng.net/n11-5bn-school-chairs-contracts-smuggled-into-nddc-budget-imc/Did

Politics

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As many as 25 percent of people with the coronavirus may never show symptoms, says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield. In a Monday interview with NPR, Redfield said that COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, spreads “far easier” than the flu, in part because it appears people can spread the virus up to 48 hours before they feel sick, if they even show symptoms at all. “This helps explain how rapidly this virus continues to spread across the country because we have asymptomatic transmitters and we have individuals who are transmitting 48 hours before they become symptomatic,” he said. The virus is spreading quickly in the U.S., with 165,870 cases confirmed as of Tuesday morning. Because there is still not widespread testing for COVID-19 in the U.S., it’s not known how many people actually have it. The federal government is urging people to practice social distancing measures, such as working from home and staying at least six feet away from others, to slow the spread of the virus and prevent an influx of patients from overwhelming the health care system. It is especially important for people who appear healthy to follow those measures since they could carry the virus to more vulnerable populations. “So this social distancing that we’re pushing … is a powerful weapon, and that will shut this outbreak down sooner than it otherwise would have been shut down,” Redfield said. Redfield said he expects transmission of the disease to decrease in the U.S. in the late spring and early summer, but the CDC is preparing for a second wave to hit in the fall or early winter. “Hopefully, we’ll aggressively re-embrace some of the mitigation strategies that we have determined had impact, particularly social distancing,” he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/490391-cdc-head-up-to-25-percent-of-those-with-coronavirus-never-show

Health

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ASUU suspends strike next week – Fagge ... Union signs MoU with FG The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will suspend the five months strike next week after the union signed a Memorandum of Understanding to that effect with Federal Government on Wednesday ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, who signed the agreement on behalf of the union, confirmed to journalists that the strike would be called off next week following agreement signed by both parties. Fagge said the MoU contained all the demands presented by the union.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/strike-fg-ASUU-sign-mou/

Education

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Between a general and a president Dwight Eisenhower was the four-star general of the United States army who went on to become the 34th president of the country after a blazing military career that saw him take charge of the Allied Forces during World War 2. His time as the supreme commander of the expeditionary forces in Western Europe oversaw the successful allied attack on the shore of Normandy a year before the end of the global conflict. Under Eisenhower, Western Europe was freed from the grip of the Nazis. Later, this American soldier fondly called Ike, took his place in history as he accepted Germany’s surrender and moved on to command the US occupation zone in Germany. But, according to a BBC profile, Ike wasn’t done with mere military triumphs. BBC writes: “In 1952, the popularity which Eisenhower had gained during the war helped him win the Republican nomination for presidency and then the presidency itself. His time in office was dominated by the Cold War. In July 1953, he agreed to an armistice to end the fighting in Korea… Eisenhower was re-elected in November 1956.’’ The historian H. A. Davies in his book, An Outline History of the World, adds more of the outstanding feats of the Eisenhower presidency: it expanded the American nation by admitting Alaska and Hawaii into the Union to bring the number of America’s states to 50. At a critical point when race relations got to a boiling stage, Ike sent fully kitted paratroopers to enforce a Supreme Court ruling on desegregation in a school in one of the states. But although Eisenhower’s flight to fame found its cradle in the military, Americans and observers of contemporary history have shrouded him in ‘presidential’ robes, hardly in military drill. For, they believe, as Ike himself did when, after a victorious military campaign, he chose to go into politics; that you serve your people best on the platform of their summons through the ballot box. So all through his two-term presidency that ended in 1961 and paved the way for JF Kennedy, Ike was never referred to as General Eisenhower. It was President Eisenhower. To be sure, he struck great feats as a soldier. But his martial accomplishments couldn’t take him where the presidency took him. The presidency took him to the abode of the gods on Mount Olympus, whereas his generalship held him to the ground. Eisenhower himself never sought a look into that past. For it would remind him of a discarded past, a yesterday that reminded him of a period he thirsted for fulfillment. Who would wish for a baneful past in a pleasant present? If then, the media or citizenry should take it upon themselves to dress Eisenhower in his old military garment, it would amount to driving him from the present to yesterday. It would be penalty for perceived breach of a sacred duty. That is the bold point The PUNCH newspaper group was making when it announced that its titles were no longer obligated to address Muhammadu Buhari as president in view of his government’s ‘’assaults on the courts, disobedience of court orders and arbitrary detention of citizens .’’ The newspaper declared in its famous editorial with the title, Buhari’s lawlessness: Our stand:’’ As a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and military-style repression, PUNCH (all our print newspapers, The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, PUNCH Sports Extra, digital platforms, most especially Punchng.com) will henceforth prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.’’ Buhari’s media gaffers and all the others rising to lambast the newspaper understand what it translates into to disconnect an old soldier from his new-found presidential love and return him to his ancient habits. It’s real term demotion. It does greatly matter, contrary to what one of the media aides says. There’s something in a name in this case. A name announces who you are. It also announces who you are not, which is more important, if you ask me. If you are an elected president, donning presidential apparel but your gait, outlook, vision and conversation are incongruent with presidential appurtenances, you are a pretender. I should be worried that I am not dealing with the real man. The hood doesn’t make the monk. The hood and monk must come together to make the monk. The hood without the monk is a pretense, a profanity, a pariah. A man and his presidency must abide in the same boat. They can’t be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Those hitting The PUNCH hard understand what is at play. The newspaper understands too. It is the reason it has decided to take such a strong position. It is a fulfillment of the media’s solemn pledge to protect the people when the other bulwarks of preservation of the land crumble or are cowed into acquiescence. There must be voices to stand up in defence of society. One of such voices has been Wole Soyinka, who himself has lately been recuperating from a blistering shock at Buhari’s ‘lackluster performance’. The Nobel Laureate was among the main characters that created Buhari. That’s where it pains, that what you labour to bring into being turns at you to destroy you and your community. So days before PUNCH, Soyinka began the psychological war that employs titles and prefixes to challenge leaders. Knowing how madly we adore titles, Soyinka, exasperated with the way the Omoyele Sowore has been handled by the Buhari regime, addressed the Nigerian leader thus: President-General Buhari. Did we notice what Soyinka was up to? He refused the president his full regalia to protest his ‘desecration’ of the judiciary when operatives of the executive were running rings around court rulings. So he, Wole Soyinka, master of literary language, also drew a circle of words around our beloved president: President-General Buhari. Pray, what does it mean? Splitting one man into two: a general and a president! I wonder why those at The Presidency didn’t notice it to summon Soyinka to the Villa for questioning. Or did they?

https://thenationonlineng.net/between-a-general-and-a-president/

Politics

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The Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) on Wednesday said the unions might be forced to embark on strike if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands by Thursday. The President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim made the intention of the unions known while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme. AllNews had reported that the unions had threatened a three-day nationwide protest on Tuesday over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and their demands for an equitable share of the N40 billion ‘Earn Allowance’ to university-based unions, among others. While the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, justified the amount promised lecturers out of the N40bn, non-academic unions have since described the Federal Government’s sharing formula as illogical and a "divide and rule" tactic. The union kicked against the N30bn promised ASUU, saying the sharing formula was 75 per cent (N30bn) for the lecturers and 25 per cent for other unions. Speaking at the interview, Ibrahim said, “The major aim of our protest is to sensitise government that look, you have a problem. The problem is that you are not honouring agreements. "From agreements, you have moved to MoUs and MoUs are becoming just a charade – you sit down and take tea and the MoUs will never see the light of the day. “After day 3, we will meet and appraise the situation and let the world know our next line of action. But whenever you see the two unions NASU and SSANU meet, any decision we take will be in the best interest of the students and our membership.” The SSANU president said the option of industrial action cannot be overruled, adding that the government caused the problem at hand. He said, “In the labour laws, the strike is not an abnormal thing. We can also go on strike. But whenever you see us go on strike, it is the last option. "We don’t just jump at strike; we are not strike-triggered unions, we go on strike when it becomes inevitable. I will not foreclose that if the government does not listen, which I don’t want to believe because engagement has already started, we will go on strike. “Government is making this problem self-induced. In the first place, if the government is serious about peace, harmony and tranquillity in the system, it shouldn’t have given the money in the name of union; it should have given it to the universities because board members of ASUU, NASU, SSANU are staffers of the universities. “If these monies were given to the university managements, all these hullabaloos would not be there because the right thing will be done. But when you call out a union and say I am giving you this, when have unions become institutions of governance? Unions are supposed to be pressure bodies.”

https://allnews.ng/news/n40bn-allowance-ssanu-nasu-threaten-strike

Education

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File: Buhari during the 2016 budget presentation to the National Assembly. Abuja – Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South) on Wednesday in Abuja, berated the 2016 budget and called on President Muhammaduu Buhari to withdraw it and go back to the drawing board. Abaribe while making contributions during the consideration of the budget, said the proposal was faulty on many grounds and could not be implemented at it was. He said that predication of oil benchmark at 38 dollars per barrel when the crude oil price had fallen below 30 dollars per barrel made the budget unrealistic. Abaribe faulted the government for increasing spending by 30 per cent based on borrowing. “Mr President, my colleagues, this budget is indeed unique. After the budget presentation, the finance minister has never come to explain the details of the budget as it is normally done. “It is a budget of change I agree, but it is a change in the wrong direction. I say it is a change in the wrong direction because it says that it is based on zero budgeting requiring all expenses to be fully justified. “Mr President, a budget that increases spending up to 30 per cent based solely on borrowing, in what way are we justified? That is the question we want to ask the people who brought this budget. “We know what is going on in the global economy: this budget is predicated on an oil benchmark of 38 dollars per barrel and I can now say that with oil being 28 dollars today, this budget is dead on arrival. “The job of the opposition is to help the government to get its priorities right, so I want to please urge this government to withdraw this budget and go back to the drawing board,” he said. The senator also faulted the adjustments made in the budget as well as allocation for spending in the Aso Rock Villa, saying that it was too exorbitant. He said that the adjustments rather than reduce spending in areas where they were not necessary only spread it into different offices. “Mr President, a budget that moves domestic spending within Aso Villa from N580 million to N1.7 billion cannot be a budget of change. “We were told that in the revised budget there was an adjustment due to error, we agree but what has happened is that up to N7 billion were moved from buying vehicles and spread to offices. “It also increased the spending that is due to renovations within the Villa. “They are going to renovate the Villa with N3.9 billion: what else do you want to renovate there that Nigerians will see in the Year 2016?” he asked. However, in his contribution, Sen. Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North) blamed the previous administration for the lack of funds due to the embezzlement witnessed in previous governments. He said that this was the 17th budget he would be debating as a legislator and noted that not more than 40 per cent implementation was achieved in the last 16 years. “The proposal before us is the first budget where the executive has deemed it necessary to give ordinary Nigerians genuine hope. “N500 billion allocated for school feeding and social SAFTEY NET is commendable. “It is time to say oil should not continue to play dominant role as we have suffered economically and politically: it is time to diversify this economy. “The direction of the executive is the way to go. `That is, we should make every effort to have the real sector-agric mining and manufacturing. “The budget deserves the support of everyone, including my colleagues on the other side. When we were in the opposition we supported the PDP, they should support us,” he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/602809/

Politics

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A Retired Wing Commander from Kaduna State, Danladi Kwasu, has accused the authorities of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) of murdering his son, who was until his death an officer cadet in the Academy. The retired Air Force Officer, accused the NDA officials of pushing his 19 year old son, El-Shadai Kwasu, with academy number NDA/10037, deliberately into a 100 metre-deep lake and drowning him during a training exercise on April 30, 2015. A letter from the management of the NDA showed that the deceased died from cardiopulmonary arrest after he was drowned inside a river while undergoing a routine watermanship training exercise at Kangimi Dam in Kaduna State. Mr Kwasu, who is devastated by the sudden death of his son, wants an explanation from the NDA on what could have led to his son’s death among the 500 officer cadets that took part in the swimming exercise. According to him, his son died out of negligence by the Academy’s instructors who took him to the river. He also alleged that about 20 officer cadets had been killed in similar circumstances over the years with the NDA authorities doing nothing to change the situation, although the NDA authorities declined making an official comment on the allegation. Channels Television obtained a letter written by the NDA Commandant, Major General Mohammed Idris, conveying the news of the late El-Shadai’s death to his parents. In the letter dated April 30, 2015, titled ‘Notice of Casualty: NDA/10037 Cadet El-Shadai Kwasu’, the Commandant said that the late Officer Cadet died as a result of cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to drowning while undergoing watermanship training during one of their routine exercises called Exercise Camp Highland at Kangimi Dam in Kaduna State. The Commandant’s letter also informed the deceased parents to authorize a postmortem on the corpse before burial and also requested that the academy would bear the burial cost. This was said to have been rejected by the father who took his son’s death as an act of God. However, with Kwasu’s insistence on knowing what actually killed his son, sources at the NDA have accused him of blackmail. The Defence Academy wonders why Kwasu, a retired military officer who knows all military doctrines and had during his son’s admission into the Academy, signed the parents/guardian consent form, which includes not to claim any compensation or relief for any injury or death in the course of his son’s training, suddenly made a U-turn to challenge his son’s death.

http://www.channelstv.com/2015/07/10/retired-military-officer-accuses-nda-of-murdering-his-son/

Politics

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*Sranded persons numbering about 70 allegedly dumped at the upper axis of Onitsha, Anambra State at about 3:20 a.m. by unknown persons, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN. lSee story on page 14. By VINCENT UJUMADU AWKA — NO fewer than 70 persons allegedly deported by the Lagos State government were sighted in the commercial city of Onitsha yesterday, some non-Igbo speaking. It was the second time such human cargo was dropped in the town this year. Vanguard gathered that they were brought in a trailer and escorted by a police patrol van with heavily armed police men which, after discharging them at the popular Upper Iweka flyover at about 3.20am, made a U–turn and headed back to Lagos. Many of them showed signs of lunacy as they could not say their names and home towns, while a few others who could speak claimed that they were brought into the city by the Lagos State government. Some of them said they had been in detention for many years before they were finally released and put in a trailer and brought to Onitsha. An eyewitness said when he saw the trailer stop at night, he initially thought it was carrying contraband goods and perhaps wanted to beat the customs officials by using early morning to come into Onitsha, adding that he was shocked to see human beings were forced out of the lorry. The eyewitness, who simply gave his name as John, said: “I was woken up by the light from the police escort van when it reached the fly over. I noticed that a trailer was coming behind the police patrol van and suddenly the trailer stopped and they began to ask these people to come down. “It was then I noticed that there were some people who could not alight from the trailer on their own and the driver and some policemen helped them and brought them down. Immediately after dropping them, the lorry and the police van made a “U” turn and headed back to Head Bridge”. “When the day broke, I saw about 70 persons that looked malnourished, some of them were already insane.” According to him, some of the people who looked healthy started running into the commercial city after they were brought into the town, while the apparently insane ones stayed till the day break when residents of the city came to catch a glimpse of them and started buying food and other consumables for them. Some people at Upper Iweka said some of the people were not Igbos as they spoke Yoruba and Edo. At about 1 pm yesterday, few of the deportees were still hanging around the area. One of them who gave her name as Chima said he hails from Abia State, adding that she was arrested some time in May last year by a group of people in uniform on her way to Okokomaiko in Lagos where she lived. She said that she was kept in a dark room that looked like a warehouse for several days along with many other people, adding that up till the time she was brought into Onitsha, she never knew what she did that warranted her arrest. She also said that many of those arrested along with her died in detention The Area Commander of the police at Onitsha, Mr. Benjamin Woru said the police would investigate the incident. He also said that the police would monitor the movement of the victims to ensure there would be no security breach in the commercial city of Onitsha and the state in general, especially with governorship and local government elections drawing near. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/70-persons-deported-to-onitsha-from-lagos/3

Politics

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By Michael Eboh ABUJA— Director-General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, Professor Akpan Ekpo, weekend, blamed the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for the country’s current economic woes and its recent plunge into recession. WAIFEM was established July 22, 1996, by the governors of the Central Banks of The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In an email response to Vanguard enquiries in Abuja, Ekpo, an economists, former CBN director as well as ex-Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, noted that the delay in passing and implementing the 2016 budget and the CBN’s monetary and foreign exchange policy stance helped worsened the country’s economic situation. Laments near absence of fiscal policy He said: “There was a near absence of fiscal policy – the economy lacks the necessary fiscal buffers. Money and exchange rate policies were the only voice. Rather than implementing quantitative easing, the CBN was interested in tightening monetary policy. When an economy is almost in a recession, monetary expansion would help towards recovery.” He further argued that the CBN’s foreign exchange framework was another policy in the wrong direction, stating that rather than implementing a robust managed exchange rate regime, the CBN allowed the naira, which is not convertible, to float freely looking for a non-existent stability and equilibrium in both the short and long-terms. “When a commodity is in short supply, market forces cannot determine the ‘correct’ value. The only source of foreign exchange for the economy is crude oil export, hence unrealistic assumptions under a competitive market cannot work in the foreign exchange market,” he added. Faults CBN’s forex futures market, other policies Ekpo faulted the CBN’s decision to introduce a futures market within a foreign exchange market, stating that it further complicated Nigeria’s economic woes, especially in view of the fact that the Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on imports of goods and services and has only one major single source of earning foreign exchange. He said: “The delay in adjusting the band of the value of the naira to the dollar, when the market provided a guide through scarcity, heightened the crisis. If recession persists, monetary, fiscal policies would be ineffective.” He, however, warned that if the recession persists, monetary and exchange rate policy would be ineffective, adding that except drastic measures to reflate the economy were put in place, the third quarter of 2016 would not be different. Lists conditions for economic revival For the country to be able to get out of recession, Ekpo said the Federal Government should place emphasis on spending on capital projects and recurrent expenditures, especially in the area of payment of salaries owed workers, while also increasing its spending on power, roads and other infrastructure. He disclosed that the Federal Government must assist states to pay workers owed salaries to stimulate aggregate demand, adding that the time to design policies to diversify the economy was now. “I hate to disappoint Nigerians, the private sector cannot get us out of the recession. Government must lead for the private sector to follow until recovery sets in. As part of stimulating aggregate demand, the social programmes in the budget must be implemented urgently. “Furthermore, government has no choice but to borrow externally and domestically to spend and get the economy out of the recession. “Our economy consumes what it does not produce, hence there is need for a re-orientation for citizens to prefer locally produced goods and services. Heavy tariffs must be placed on imported goods and services. Lending rates are just too high to revamp the real sector.” “Government must be strategic and think outside the box by grafting policies and programmes which would enable potential investors produce and supply both domestic and external markets. “There has been too much emphasis on producing to earn forex; we only need a productive economy and other things would adjust. ‘’However, it must be noted that recessions are regular occurrences in a capitalist economy, hence the need for proper economic management in order to minimize its adverse effects. “There is no doubt that this recession would pass away but another one would come, for no two recessions are alike. Therefore, managing an economy is not a tea party,” he added. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/recession-fg-cbn-blame-economic-woes-waifem-dg/

Business

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By Demola Akinyemi ILORIN-Scores of staff of Kwara State Water Corporation in Ilorin commenced three days warning strike Tuesday over non payments of their three months salaries which led to the untimely death of five of them. The angry staff locked the main gates to their expansive office along Sulu Gambari road Ilorin,and displayed various placards to express their grievances. Spokesman of the workers, Mr. Taiwo Oladimeji,who spoke with journalists said the action became necessary because they have run out of patience. He lamented that five of them have died as a result of the non payment of salaries while majority of the dams across the state are no longer functioning, thereby resulting to their inability to supply water to the residents as expected. Oladimeji also called for the removal of the General Manager who he accused of gross incompetence. According to him,”No fewer than five staff of the corporation have died due to non payment of salaries.” “They are owing us three months salaries; cooperative arrears eight months; deductions of union dues is one year and four months; deduction of N3,000 minimum wage two years; deduction for the building of mosque.” “From today we have commenced three days warning strike after the warning strike and our salaries are not paid we will embark on indefinitely.” Similarly,Issa Olusesan (negotiating committee member) explained how every effort they made to make the management see reason failed which led to the warning strike. His words,”This morning we are protesting against non payment of salaries, cooperative deductions, promotion and N3,000 salaries for the senior civil servants.” “Before now we have gone through a lot of negotiation processes; we have written many letters and given a lot of ultimatums to no avail. After all these letters management invited us for series of meetings which did not yield any positive result.” He also said that,”The amount being owed us put together is in the region of N100 million. As we are demanding for the payment of our salaries we discovered that a lot of damage has been done to the ministry of water resources; we no longer have confidence in our management. We want the General Manager to be changed. We are putting the gate under lock and key because we want our problem to be solved.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/kwara-water-corp-staff-protest-in-ilorin-over-non-payments-of-salaries/

Politics

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By Umar Yusuf Yola— Tension is mounting in Adamawa State as Igbo traders, yesterday, shut shops and other businesses to protest the killings of their kit and kins. The protest over the killing of an unidentified Igbo man almost turned violent as the protesters clashed with security agents. Most of the major streets in Yola, the state capital, were deserted even as economic activities were paralysed. The traders, in their hundreds, matched through the major streets, chanting solidarity songs to register protest. They appealed to the state government to address the insecurity situation in the state as the ugly situation had made them to live in fear both at home and in the markets. The situation, however, heightened when three Igbo traders were killed by unknown persons at about 1pm in the commercial area of Muhammed Mustafa way. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Nemuel Yoila, was said to be with the state Police Commissioner for a security meeting when Vanguard contacted his office for his comments on the issue. Meanwhile, Adamawa State government has banned the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly referred to as Achaba in the Northern part of the country, in Yola. Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Ari Timnu, in a statement, yesterday, said the government had considered it necessary to ban commercial motorcycles in five major towns in the state because most crimes and security breaches were committed by men of the underworld on motorbikes in those areas. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/05/tension-in-adamawa-as-igbo-protest-killings/

Politics

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Biafra: The war rages on by other means “Sincerely speaking, the South-East has not had a fair-share/ since the civil war. Their marginalization is quite obvious/ But if the policy of reconciliation of Gen. Gowon and late/ Gen. Murtala's administration had continued, the agitation by few/ Igbo for Biafra would have been a thing of the past” –– Balarabe Musa IT is fiftieth anniversary of the Nigerian civil war, the war that the people of the defunct Eastern region of the country fought for the survival and sustenance of one of the world's shortest lived states –– the Republic of Biafra. While it is not surprising that the federal government is mute about the significance of the event, in that many conditions –– as Balarabe Musa pointed above –– that made the war inevitable still haunt us today, it is regrettable lugubrious(apologies to Patrick Obahiabon) that no commemoration is planned or organised by any state in the South-East or South-South. The war was declared by Gen. Yakubu Gowon's led military government on 6th July 1967 to bring the defunct Eastern region back to the Nigerian federation. The unity of the country which one of the federal war cry said “is a task that must be done!” was compromised by then Col. Ojukwu who on 30th May 1967 declared the Republic of Biafra. He did that as survivalist mechanism against what could be called state sponsored pogrom against the Igbo people. Igbo people living outside the Eastern Region had since the “Return March of 29th July 1966” made victims of mass slaughter. These for Northerners were in retaliation of their leaders killed in the failed 15th January 1966 coup––the coup they believed, tenaciously, to be “Igbo coup.” So, it was against this backdrop that Ojukwu's declaration of Biafra was greeted with pomp and pageantry. To an average Igbo man then, it was an epiphany of the Igbo race. But that was not to be as what started as a police action in the wee hours of 6th July 1967 turned out to be a full blown war that lasted for thirty months. The events of the war were economically rendered in my poem titled “In the Shadow of Biafra”: Agreement suffered disagreement And canons were let loose Raining in the sky of Biafra, The scavengers called for feast Life and death brawled in a free-for-all But the scavengers had their ways With their cups overflowing in the presence of their enemy, Psalm 23 was in their lips. Were these Biafrans that “heroes fight like”? Ah! Hunger was the weapon of the enemy. Kwashiorkor came knocking at the door, And the death dominoes began to fall. The grim-reaper was the zeitgeist, In the genocidal engagement The rising sun hurriedly departed, And cessation was the secession. With defeat in sight, on 11th January, 1970, Gens. Ojukwu and Alexander Madiebo, the commander of Biafran army, fled for exile. It was the man that the white reporters called F-young (Gen. Philip Effiong) that did the needful by handing over to then Col. Obasanjo the instrument of surrender. So on 15th January 1970, Gen. Gowon received the Biafran delegation and thus announced the end of the war on the terms of “no victor no vanquished.” The argument whether there were victors and vanquished in war was perfectly put to rest by Ojukwu himself who in the BBC documentary on the 40th anniversary of the Biafran war anchored by Prof. Wole Soyinka asked: what did he (Gen. Gowon) do to stop the victor from being the victor and the vanquished from being the vanquished? One glaring indication that Nigeria has failed as a country is that fifty years after the civil war, Biafra is still on the air. This therefore buttressed the incompatibility logic always put forward by many Biafran nationalists. But if after fifty years, the people of the defunct Biafra have not been fully integrated into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, can we say they can ever be integrated? The question that successive Nigerian leadership has failed to answer is: why is Igbo people a threat to the rest of Nigerians? Achebe made us understand in his short masterpiece The trouble with Nigeria that “Nigerians of all other ethnic groups will probably achieve consensus on no other matter than their common resentment of the Igbo. They would all describe them as aggressive, arrogant and clannish.” A cursory foray into the Nigerian history will show that no ethnic group has contributed and sacrificed so much to the development of “one Nigeria” that our Northern brothers are now singing today than the Igbo people. Even when Zik's emergence in the Western Assembly was foiled by chief Awolowo through the infamous cross-carpeting he orchestrated, Prince Umoro Altine of Sokoto successfully emerged as the mayor of Enugu. Zik scarified the post of prime-minister because of “one Nigeria.” Igbo people do not just live in all the nooks and crannies of this country but are also developing them as their homes because of the one Nigeria philosophy ––so where have they wrong their other Nigerian brothers? Any objective analysis of the post-civil war public policies of Nigerian State must come to the views that Balarabe Musa expressed above. This is so because we are still at war. From the 20pounds bank and indigenization policies of Gowon's administration to the present day removal of South-East from the proposed rail project of the federal government, Ndigbo are shortchanged. The problem with Nigeria and the Biafran question can be seen in the Igbo adage that says: Oji onye n'ani ji onwe ya–– 'He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.' Nothing will work in Nigeria so long as the notion that NdIgbo are 'defeated people' still holds water in the process of authoritative allocation of resource. To wake up the sleeping giant that Nigeria is, we must look to the direction of restructuring and fiscal federalism. That said, the governors of states that made up the defunct Eastern Region should bury their faces in shame for not recognizing the sacrifices made by all that were either killed or died in the war especially those that fought on the Biafran side. My greatest epitaph for them is to be found in the words of Robert Laurence Binyon who in his poem –For the Fallen– wrote: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Asikason Jonathan, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra state. *Mr. Jonathan, a public affair analyst, wrote from Enugu-Ukwu, Anambra state. Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this site are those of the contributors or columnists, and do not necessarily reflect TheNigerianVoice’s position. TheNigerianVoice will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."

https://m.thenigerianvoice.com/amp/news/254723/biafra-the-war-rages-on-by-other-means.html

Politics

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Ex Chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—With about 10 days to the scheduled presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, said it was yet to print only 500, 000 copies of the Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC. Chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega who made the disclosure at a dialogue session he had with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja yesterday, said the contract for printing of the remaining PVCs was awarded to an indigenous firm that is based in the Federal Capital Territory. Prof. Jega explained that the inability of the Abuja firm to print and deliver the voter cards on time was due to the fact that it ran out of “blank cards” for the production. The INEC boss described the development as regrettable, even as he assured Nigerians that all the PVCs that will be used for the impending elections will be ready for distribution before Sunday. Besides, Jega who noted that as at February 14 when the presidential election was initially billed to hold, only 67 per cent of the PVCs were ready for use, said that as at yesterday, INEC had achieved 81 per cent success with regards to the production and distribution of the cards. He stressed that the cards in the last phase of the production will be distributed at the polling unit level. He said: “I want to further assure Nigerians that anybody who has registered and has the PVC will be allowed to vote. We have done our best to look at every aspect and angle. We have tried to see what improvements that can be brought about so that the 2015 election will be free, fair and credible. Though our deadline would have expired by Sunday, we have concluded plans for targeted distribution of the remaining PVCs. All the new cards that are taken in this last phase are to be distributed at the polling unit level”, he added. Jega said that INEC was able to surmount challenges it met in the distribution of the PVCs, especially in Jos and Owerri North, adding, “As I am talking to you today (yesterday), all outstanding cards for Edo state would have been distributed”. On the feasibility of all eligible voters getting their PVCs before the March 22 deadline for collection, Jega said the commission has considered the idea of further extending the deadline, “but we are still holding back in the meantime because if we go ahead and make that announcement now people will relax. That is why we decided to still peg the deadline at Sunday. However, when push comes to shove then we can make announcement of the new date”, Jega said. He noted that there has been remarkable improvement on the issue of security within the North Eastern part of the country, saying that information within his disposal showed that only three Local Government Areas in Borno state are still within the grip of insurgents. Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman warned that the commission would not allow Governors, Ministers, Senators and other highly placed public officers to parade the streets with armed security men on the election days in the guise that they are monitoring the electoral process. “This is an area that we really want the security agencies to do a better job than they did in 2011 and all the subsequent elections we have had in this country. No public officer should be accompanied to the polling unit by armed security men. “The Governors while going to the polling units to vote may be accompanied by two unarmed security men on plain clothes. Some of the breaches we had in previous elections were from high profile people. We want the security agencies to be more diligent in ensuring that the guidelines are complied with this time around”. While reacting to questions pertaining to the workability of the card reader machines, the Director of ICT at INEC, Mr. Chidi Nwafor, said the machines were programmed to work with all the terrestrial networks in Nigeria, “like MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat, using dedicated lines”. He said: “It is a known fact that Nigeria is not covered 100 per cent by the network providers, however, the unavailability of network will not stop the card readers from carrying out the authentication and verification of voters on the election days”. Nwafor said that though the accreditation is supposed to stop by 1:30pm on the election day, he said that the card readers can still continue the accreditation of voters till 6pm. “The machines are not programmed in such a way that it stops accreditation at 1:30pm. People tend to get us wrong on this issue, we are not saying that once it is 1:30pm then nobody should be accredited again, no! The process will continue until the last man on the line is accredited to vote”, he stated. Jega gave instances that could lead to the postponement of election in any given polling unit. He said: “If a card reader fails to function at all at a polling unit, we agreed with all the political parties that it should be replaced. However, if it fails and is not replaced before 1pm on the election-day, we agreed that the election in such polling unit should be postponed till the next day. We have learnt from Ghana where such incidences occurred”. He said that INEC is currently in possession of 182, 000 card readers, adding that 400 of the machines were dead on arrival as they could not boot after several attempts. “We are comfortable with the credibility of the card readers and in all the tests we have conducted none of the card readers failed”, he said. Jega revealed that INEC will use the International Conference Center, ICC, in Abuja as its collation center. “If there is any result that we feel lacks integrity, we will not hesitate to cancel that result. Likewise, wherever a ballot box is snatched, we will cancel election in that place. We will work together with the police towards making sure that we prevent snatching of the card readers. If people target the card readers and start snatching them, it will constitute a sufficient reason for us to cancel the election”, Jega added. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/abuja-firm-yet-to-print-500000-pvcs-for-inec-jega/

Politics

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Few months after winning the Africa Cup of Nations under Stephen Keshi, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari says they will also be involved in selecting players for the coach even though they have no experience in coaching. à Maigari insists coach Stephen Keshi will no longer be solely responsible for selecting the squad following their unimpressive showing atà the Confederations Cup. Maigari queried Keshi's selection for the tournament in Brazil, which Nigeria exited at the group stage, and said he is dissatisfied with the current set-up. "The Confederations Cup is a big tournament and that's why the other teams brought their best players," Maigari told Supersport's Soccer Africa show. "Spain brought their best players, but we did not. Why would you bring a local player to play Spain at such a big stage? "This is unacceptable. We have experienced players that were not selected and this is where we have to step in. 'The coach doesn't have the sole responsibility on squad selection. We all have to contribute. This team belongs to 165 million people. "Selections should affect all these people so we cannot continue to let this happen because we need to compete well with others." Maigari received widespread criticism for his revelation that the NFF will interfere with team selection. And Keshi has been quick to assert his belief that the NFF will not meddle in team affairs. "I understand Nigerians are emotive and sentimental sometimes but all the players that went to Brazil deserved to be there," Keshi told BBC Sport. "I'm the coach and I can honestly listen to constructive ideas on how we can improve as a team. "But no-one has come to tell me who to pick and not to select. If the team fails the coach is responsible. "As the coach, it's my decision and responsibility. For now, the local players have earned the rights to be in the team." Back in February, Keshi offered to quit his post just hours after leading Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations crown since 1994, following disputes with the NFF. But he made a U-turn after an emergency meeting with Nigeria's Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi in Johannesburg. Do you think this is the right decision taken by the Nigeria FA? Do you think they have the right to select players for the coach? Do you think it is the recipe for disaster or recipe for rightness? Make your views known in the box below:

http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/nigeria-on-suicide-mission-as-fa-will-interfere-in-team-selection

Sports

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By Miftaudeen Raji After two years of intense hostility, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and his ex-beauty queen wife Precious Chikwendu have finally settled their rift. The controversial couples resumed a renewed marital relationship on Saturday after a long-running marital crisis which broke out in 2020 and followed by legal battles. In the heat of the crisis, Precious was docked in a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja for the attempted murder of her then former husband, Fani-Kayode following charges of attempted culpable homicide, before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Precious and three others, were charged for alleged attempt to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on Nov. 24, 2018, at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction. Others arraigned alongside Precious include Emmanuel Anakan, Prisca Chikwendu and Osakwe Azubuike as 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, while others are said to be at large. In a 13-count charge dated and filed on Jan. 7, the defendants were also alleged to have committed offenses bordering on cybercrime, intimidation to kill Fani-Kayode by use of the Internet, threat to kill one Lauretta in order to cause her to leave her relationship with Fani-Kayode. But surprisingly, on Thursday Fani-Kayode issued a statement, describing their reunion as a truly surreal and historical moment. Fani-Kayode said: “For the first time in two years, totally unexpectedly and out of the blue, and after she took our sons Aragorn, Ragnar, Aiden, and Liam out for yet another beautiful outing, Mama Aragorn came to the house to visit with us. “For two years she and I had not seen or spoken to one another but on Saturday afternoon we spent no less than four hours together in which we talked, laughed, and shared some beautiful moments. “It was touching to see members of my household and staff receive her and, led by our first son Aragorn who held her tightly by the hand, usher her through the gates and into the compound as I watched in utter disbelief and surprise from the balcony.” He said, “Moments earlier I had seen them walking down from the top of the road through the CCTV cameras and from the same balcony. “It was a small crowd, led by Aragorn and his mother. They walked slowly with radiant smiles and laughter whilst a convoy of cars followed them from behind. “It was the dramatic return of a great and beautiful queen who was simply resplendent and who shone as brightly as the morning star. “There are some moments that words cannot capture or express and this was one of them. After two long years of contentious silence and acrimonious separation, she graced us with her presence and came home,” he said. The All Progressives Congress chieftain further said, “It was joy all around to see the return of this great lioness. Every single one of the 60 people that live and work in our home was happy to see her and some even shed a few secret tears of joy. “Mama Aragorn displayed such courage, grace, dignity, and class. This was a moment that I shall cherish for many years. This was a triumph for all lovers of peace and sons and daughters of righteousness. “This was the day that the power of God was made manifest, that joy came to Zuma close, and that the Lion of Aso Drive roared in glory, victory, power, and strength. “This was a moment that proved beyond all reasonable doubt that patience, restraint, understanding and peace bring nothing but joy and blessings. “This was a moment when light overcame darkness and when the secret prayers of four handsome little Princes were answered. “This was a moment when love, mutual respect, truth, and mutual forgiveness triumphed and Satan was put to shame.” He said, “Thanks for coming, Mama Aragorn. We love and appreciate you. Always did, always will. And though we have gone our separate ways the bond and cord that exists between us through our four beautiful boys can never be broken. “I also offer my thanks to my loyal and faithful wife and a true Daughter of Zion, Mama Remi, and to Mama Folake, Mama Arwen, my beautiful daughters Folake and Remi, my son Nicholas and my entire family and household for their collective and unconditional love, understanding, resilience, loyalty, support, and patience. “You stood firm, strong, and bold and you kept encouraging me even through the raging storm and darkest moments. Love conquered all and saw us through and so it shall continue to be. “From generation to generation our circle of love, our fellowship, our family, our children, and our loved ones shall rise and go from strength to strength. “In every situation and circumstance, we shall prevail and the God that we serve shall never forsake us. So it is and so it shall be. God bless you all.” he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/lioness-is-back-fani-kayode-gushes-over-return-of-ex-wife-precious-chikwendu/

Politics

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Retired Nigerian Footballer, Olusegun Odegbami, says he believes his colleague, Rashidi Yekini, may have been murdered in 2012. Prior to his death, Yekini was reported to have been ill for an extended period of time after allegedly suffering from bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric condition. But Odegbami in an interview with The Chat disagreed with the claims, saying “nobody could explain the circumstances of his death”. “His people actually went and abducted him from his car and took him to a native doctor of some sort to cure him of his ‘insanity’, he explained. “Why insanity?…because he was funding so many philanthropic projects, giving people his money which he had kept in the bank for so long. “All through his professional career, he didn’t spend a dime of the money he was getting from Europe, so he had a lot of money in UBA at the time, because one of the managers was my friend. “They had even advised him to invest but with his own native intelligence, he did not do much investment. “He built his house, did some things but he had a lot of money so he felt like distributing and they said he was mad so they took him to the native doctor and started giving him all kinds of concoctions and the man passed on. So, that’s why I said he could have been murdered”. Speaking of his life after football, the retired player said himself, as well as many of his colleagues who are still alive, are now suffering the consequences of over-exerting their joints. According to him, most of them are not doing so well and have been faced with various challenges especially health-wise and with no support at all from the government. “You’ll see me walk with a limp these days… that’s what happens to the rest of us,” the 67-year-old former footballer said. “Probably we would have demanded (not for any payment of some sort) but to have created a system or an institution that will take care of us in old age which is something we have found out now”, he added.

https://www.channelstv.com/2019/09/08/why-i-think-rashidi-yekini-was-murdered-segun-odegbami/amp/ignorance

Sports

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Port Harcourt – The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah has said the army will soon launch a massive military offensive to end insurgency in the North-East. Minimah made this known when he addressed troops of 2 Brigade Port Harcourt at a two-day visit to army formations and units in Rivers on Sunday. According to him, military hardware’s will soon arrive into the country in furtherance of the Federal Government resolve to end Boko Haram activities. “The equipments ordered by the Federal Government will soon be coming into the nation’s shores in a few weeks time. “As soon as the equipments come in, we will launch a major offensive toward ending this madness of insurgency in the North-East of the country,” he said. Minimah said that under President Goodluck Jonathan, the army had witnessed significant improvement in personnel welfare and institutional capacity to confront the nation’s security challenges. He said that efforts were also being made to reduce oil theft in the Niger Delta in response to new techniques devised by oil thieves to sabotage the nation’s economy. “We cannot say we will completely stamp out oil theft in one day, but then the greater act in pursuing oil thieves is ongoing, and we will see greater result with time,” he said. Minimah, who also inaugurated six blocks of 28 flats, and a block of five flats officers’ quarters built by the 2 Brigade, said the project would reduce accommodation deficit in the barrack. He commended the Commanding Officer of the 29 Battalion, Lt.-Col. Olusegun Oladuntoye, for building an ultra-modern state-of-the-art Quarter Guard for the brigade. (NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/boko-haram-army-will-launch-offensive-north-east-says-minimah/#sthash.BV7NHrVz.dpufIs

Politics

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By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South SOME Niger Delta leaders and stakehol-ders, yesterday, urged the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, CNDA, to return the favor of Arewa youths, who, Thursday, suspended and withdrew their earlier quit notice and 90-day ultimatum to Igbo to leave the north by correspondingly vacating its counter quit directive to Hausa, Fulani and Yoruba in the oil region. Former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Idada Ikponmwen (retd), factional presi-dent of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eric Omare, Itsekiri rights activist, Amechi Ogbonna, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, said it was the right thing to facilitate unity in the country. Meanwhile, three Niger Delta militant groups, the Reformed Egesu Fraternity, REF, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders, NDRC, have also expressed their support for the withdrawal of the ultimatum with the REF saying that it would reach out to the CNDA to vacate its ultimatum. Ikponmwen stated: “Arewa’s withdrawal of the quit notice is a very welcome one, it certainly must go on record as one of the measures that are imperative for dousing prevailing tension in our country at the moment. For me, it was a necessary outflow to the widespread reaction of abhorrence that followed the quit notice from within and outside Nigeria.” “It is my ardent hope that other quit notices that followed the Arewa one would be vacated soon. The withdrawal of the quit notice across board is one the measures that will pave way for conducive environment for national effort for placing our country in the mood for the inevitable reorganiz-ation that has become necessary for peace, guaranteed prosperity in national cohesion that visibly needed for our country’s corporate existence,” he added. Factional President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Mr Eric Omare, told Saturday Vanguard: “The IYC is glad that reason has prevailed over emotion and divisive tendencies of the Arewa youths with the withdrawal of their ultimatum to the Igbo living in the north.” “However, such politically motivated quit notice must not repeat itself in the future. Those calling for restructuring and self-determination have a right to do so, hence it should not be a basis to issue them a quit notice. “And the way to avoid a repeat of such quit notice in the future is to address the issues underlying the inter-ethnic crisis, which is to restructure Nigeria. Nigeria must be restructured for peace to exist in the county,” he asserted. Itsekiri rights activist, Mr. Amechi Ogbona, said: “It is a good omen for the country to be informed that the Igbo man is a Nigerian, the misleading songs on Biafra do not add value to the Igbo man.” REF spokesperson, Tamarakuro Owei, said: “We commend the coalition of Arewa youths for their suspension and withdrawal of the ultimatum to Igbo of Southern Nigeria and wish to say that we will reach out to our sister Niger Delta youths to do same.” He, however, added: “This does not foreclose our determination and resolve to our quest for total overhaul of Nigeria.” Leader of RNDA, self-styled “Major-General” Johnmark Ezonbi, who spoke guardedly, asserted: “What we are agitating for in the creek is resource control, true federalism and 50 per cent derivation of oil produced from the region as it was done for the northern region. The issue of quit notice by Arewa youths to the Igbo living in the north was uncalled for and it was the only highly treasonable offence ever committed against the country.” “However, if Yerima and his group withdraw it, which does not mean they are above the law because the north is in command, it does not mean anything to us in the creek. What we want is unity and fairness. Reacting through its spokesperson, W O I Ezon Ebi, the NDRC said. “It is a welcome development because we all need one another to build great Nigeria of our dream in this 21st century, where there will be justice and equity, devolution of power and true federalism.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/notice-quit-hausa-fulani-yoruba-leaders-stakeholders-ask-ndelta-militants-reciprocate-arewa-youths-gesture-2/

Politics

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The Nasarawa State Government has urged residents to always keep their environment clean to enhance healthy living and for the overall development of the state. Mr Yakubu Kwanta, the state Commissioner for Environment, made the call during a sensitisation visit to the chairman and management staff of Karu Local Government Council on Wednesday. Kwanta said that a healthy nation was a wealthy nation, hence the need for residents to always keep their surroundings clean. He said that the visit was to appraise sanitation in the local government and discuss strategies for its effectiveness, considering the daily influx of people to the area. “I want to use this medium to call on the residents of the state to keep their environment clean in their interest and for the overall development of the state,” he said. The commissioner threatened to deal with offenders of the monthly exercise to serve as deterrent to others. He however said that the government under the stewardship of Gov. Abdullahi Sule has approved a monthly support fund for every local government to strengthen sanitation for positive result. ALSO READ: Makinde receives last batch of 3,300 participants in agribusiness project from Nasarawa He solicited the support of the media, civil society organisations, traditional councils and trade unions on the need to sensitise people to ensure the success of the exercise. Kwanta noted that Karu was a hub and gateway to Nasarawa state which required government and all stakeholders’ attention to create enabling environment for people to live, work and invest. He, therefore, said that all hands must be on deck to ensure clean environment for healthy living. The commissioner further restated the state government determination to key into good policies and programmes that would promote environmental cleanliness in the state. Earlier, the council Chairman, Mr James Thomas, commended the commissioner for the visit and expressed readiness to support and ensure the success of the exercise. Thomas said that the stakeholders have already deliberated ways to enforce strict compliance during the forthcoming environmental sanitation in Karu and environs. He also urged the people to cooperate with the government for the overall development of the area. (NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/nasarawa-govt-tasks-residents-on-clean-environment/

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Coronavirus: Research reveals where it lingers, how to kill it New research from Singapore published shows that patients with the novel coronavirus extensively contaminate their bedrooms and bathrooms, underscoring the need to routinely clean high-touch surfaces, basins and toilet bowls. The virus was, however, killed by twice-a-day cleaning of surfaces and daily cleaning of floors with a commonly used disinfectant — suggesting that current decontamination measures are sufficient as long as people adhere to them. The research letter was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and comes after Chinese cases in which the pathogen spread extensively through hospitals, infecting dozens of health care workers and other patients. This led scientists to believe that, beyond catching the infection through coughing, environmental contamination was an important factor in the disease’s transmission, but its extent was unclear. Researchers at Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases and DSO National Laboratories looked at the cases of three patients who were held in isolation rooms between late January and early February. They collected samples from the rooms on five days over a two-week period. The room of one patient was sampled before routine cleaning, while the rooms of the other two patients were sampled after disinfection measures. The patient whose room was sampled before cleaning had the mildest symptoms of the three, only experiencing a cough. The other two had moderate symptoms: Both had coughing and fever, one experienced shortness of breath and the other was coughing up mucus. Despite this disparity, the patient whose room was sampled before cleaning contaminated 13 of 15 room sites tested, including a chair, the bed rail, a glass window, the floor and light switches. Three of the five toilet sites were also contaminated, including the sink, door handle and toilet bowl — more evidence that stool can be a route of transmission. Air samples tested negative, but swabs taken from air exhaust outlets were positive — which suggests that virus-laden droplets may be carried by air flows and deposited on vents. The two rooms that were tested after cleaning had no positive results. “Significant environmental contamination by patients with SARS-CoV-2 through respiratory droplets and fecal shedding suggests the environment as a potential medium of transmission and supports the need for strict adherence to environmental and hand hygiene,” the authors wrote. SARS-CoV-R is the official name of the pathogen.

https://thenationonlineng.net/coronavirus-research-reveals-where-it-lingers-how-to-kill-it/

Health

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By Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji ONE evening in Medford, Massachusetts in March 2017, I was seated at the back of an elegantly designed classroom at the renowned Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. The master’s degree students were from various countries including the USA, Japan, India, Switzerland, Canada, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The Fletcher School was jointly established by Tufts University and Harvard University in 1933 as an exclusively post-graduate institution to train leaders in the field of international affairs. Its curriculum covers international law, politics, economics, and diplomacy. Its privileged students typically end up in leadership roles in governments, business corporations and non-profits around the world. The teaching slides lit up with the caption: “Business 273: Emerging Africa in the World Economy. Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu. Spring 2017”. The topic of the day’s class was “Foreign Investment”. For two hours, the erudite former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lectured and led a class discussion on foreign investment, economic policy and the business environment in emerging market countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the “transition economies” of Europe. He holds the formal title of Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at The Fletcher School. ‘Professor of Practice’ Prestigious American universities confer the rare title of “professor of the practice” on leaders in their fields who combine intellectual knowledge with outstanding achievements. This Nigerian is the only black man on the teaching faculty of one of the top schools of international affairs in the world. I was a 2017 Mason Fellow and Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, just five miles away, and both Tufts and Harvard are located in Greater Boston. In the months that I was at Harvard I saw some impressive professors, nearly all of them white men and women. Kingsley Moghalu is in a league of his own: knowledge, experience, humility, and eloquence, all rolled into one. I was excited when I heard that there is a Nigerian professor at Tufts University. I was even more surprised to learn that it is Kingsley Moghalu. In 2013, I spoke alongside then CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the Leadership Lecture of the Isaac Moghalu Foundation (IMoF) that Prof. Moghalu had founded in memory of his deceased father. Maryanne Moghalu, Kingsley’s wife had invited me to speak at the event, and is the Executive Director of IMoF. I was impressed by the Moghalu family’s powerful vision for the education of poor youth and children in Nigeria’s rural areas, which is the mission of IMoF. I emailed the former CBN chief and secured an appointment to see him in his office at Tufts. After we reviewed my experience at Harvard, I decided to sit in on his class. Intrigued, I asked the distinguished professor afterwards to tell me the journey of his illustrious life. From academia to banking and finance, from economic development to international law and diplomacy, from the global stage to national service in our country, this remarkable man has made an impact as a leader and a change agent. Early life: Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu was born in Lagos in 1963 as the first of five children of his parents. Nnewi, the famous commercial town in Anambra State, is his hometown. His late father Isaac Moghalu, a retired Permanent Secretary, was a Nigerian Foreign Service Officer in the 1960s. Kingsley and his parents lived first at Webb Road in Ikoyi, Lagos and later in Geneva, Switzerland and Washington DC, USA in his early years. His mother, Lady Vidah Moghalu, a retired dietician, is now a Christian evangelist. Kingsley’s Igbo name Chiedu literally means “the Lord is my shepherd” or “led by the Spirit of God”. Little-known, he also has a Yoruba name, Ayodele, given to him by the late Mrs. Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti who was a friend of his parents in the early sixties. After secondary school education at Government College, Umuahia and Federal Government College, Enugu, Kingsley graduated in law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment as a Legal Officer in Shell Petroleum’s headquarters in Lagos followed. He then worked in the late 1980s as the General Counsel of the now-defunct Newswatch magazine, the leading light of the Nigerian media at the time. But his sights were set firmly on the global stage. To further burnish his CV, he moonlighted as a special correspondent for prestigious foreign newspapers including South magazine in London, Christian Science Monitor in Boston, and Africa News Service in North Carolina (now the Washington DC-based AllAfrica Global Media) in the United States. Kingsley was admitted to the M.A. programme at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1990. With a letter of recommendation from Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria and an alumnus of the renowned institution, The Fletcher School awarded Moghalu the Joan Gillespie Fellowship for future leaders from developing countries. The young man with the determination of a long-distance runner turned down an opportunity to become the company secretary of one of several new-generation banks sprouting in Lagos at the time and left Nigeria for Boston. Kingsley Moghalu graduated with an M.A. in International Relations in 1992 and was appointed into the international civil service of the United Nations as an entry level officer on his individual merit. He worked in strategic planning, legal affairs and executive management roles in Cambodia, New York, Croatia, Tanzania, and Switzerland. A man who admits to having “workaholic tendencies”, he studied part-time and obtained a Ph.D. at the London School of Economics and Political Science while working as a senior UN officer assigned to The Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland. Shuttling between Geneva and London, and in between frequent international official missions to various countries, he completed his 500-page doctoral dissertation in 12 months, shattering previous records at the University of London. As if a Ph.D was not nearly enough, he studied further at the UK Institute of Risk Management in London and became a professionally certified risk management professional. Hard work and professional competence brought recognition. By 2006, aged 43, Kingsley Moghalu had attained the highest career rank of Director in the UN system, and served for six months in New York (at the rank of Under-Secretary-General) as a member of a high-level panel appointed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to revamp the accountability, regulatory and internal dispute resolution system for the 60,000 global UN workforce and management. His interests now began to shift to the private sector. In December 2008 Kingsley resigned from the UN system, deployed 100,000 Swiss Francs of his personal savings as capital and established Sogato Strategies S.A., a risk management and global strategy consultancy in Geneva. This calculated risk later paid off in unexpected ways. Sogato Strategies soon acquired impressive clients like the Swiss bank UBS and Syngenta, the Swiss agrochemicals multinational. Life in the private sector was looking up. But an encounter with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town, South Africa in mid-2009 changed Moghalu’s trajectory. Sanusi had just been appointed Governor of the CBN. He was looking for a deputy governor to help him execute an ambitious agenda of banking sector reform after the global financial crisis. The governor was on the lookout for an executive with credibility, international exposure, and knowledge of risk management. Kingsley fit the bill. Sanusi persuaded him to return home to Nigeria as a deputy governor of the central bank and recommended him to President Umaru Yar’Adua, who appointed Kingsley to the coveted position. By November 2009, after his confirmation by the Senate, the new Deputy Governor was at his desk at the CBN heading the reserve bank’s Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate. He left the CBN in November 2014 after completing his term of office. Does he have any regrets? “No, not at all”, he replied. Does he miss the central bank? “I gave my best in service at the Bank. But, in hindsight, it was best that I moved on to other things when I did”. A man with a strong global pedigree, just weeks after he left the CBN he was appointed a professor at Tufts University and a member of the Advisory Council of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) in London, UK. In addition to his academic duties in Boston, the professor’s schedule is packed with public speaking engagements around the world and consulting assignments. He has advised the investment bank Goldman Sachs, and global private equity and asset management firms such as Actis, TPG and Eaton Vance. Devoted family man Kingsley is a devoted family man. In 1994, while living in New York City and working in the UN’s headquarters, he married the then Miss Maryanne Ezike, a banker, lawyer and a daughter of the late medical doctor and former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Christopher Ezike. Kingsley and Maryanne Moghalu have four children. A short while after we left his classroom at Tufts University, Prof. Moghalu and I had a memorable encounter with Hillary Clinton, the former United States Democratic Party presidential candidate, at a dinner event at Henrietta’s Table restaurant in The Charles Hotel at Harvard Square in Cambridge. In conversation as we took selfies with the famous American politician who lost her bid to become her country’s first woman President, it turned out that she has read the professor’s Emerging Africa, and she told me that I have a bright future. I tweeted pictures of my encounter with Prof. Moghalu at Tufts University and it drew many positive responses. As in America and around the world, the ex-CBN Deputy Governor is well- regarded at home in Nigeria. One typical response from one of my tweeter followers, @ibsanusi read: “Kingsley Moghalu…one of the best brains of Nigeria. Unfortunately, we don’t know how to maximize our best hands.” As we left Henrietta’s Table after our time with Mrs. Clinton, the global professor inspired me as we parted. “Our country belongs to us all. We have a duty to make it better for our children and our youth”, he told me. Nigeria has not heard the last of one of its most accomplished sons. - Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji was a 2017 Edward Mason Fellow and MPA graduate of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/global-leader-kinglsey-moghalus-inspirational-life/amp/

Politics

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The Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday vowed to mobilise its members across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to achieve victory for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in next year’s presidential election. NLC National President, Ayuba Wabba, said stated this on Monday at the National Retreat of the party in Abuja. “One issue that we must take very serious is actually conscientising our members and also Nigerians because Nigeria is so much divided along many primordial interests and many interests that are self-centred that we need to address,” he said while speaking about how the party can achieve its objectives and better Nigeria. “No country in the world can prosper and work in unity if the country is so divided. So one of the responsibilities of Labour Party is to unite Nigerians along a common goal of development and prosperity,” he said. Opponents of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate have often dismissed Mr Obi’s chances of achieving victory at the polls on the grounds that it lacked the needed structure. But Mr Wabba has no doubt about the structures in place. “Let us organise at all levels. Let us send a message at all levels. I assure you that as Britain did it in 1945 when all the structures were actually won by the Labour Party and recently… Australia also did the same,” he said. The NLC President added, “It’s not that we don’t have we have structures; human beings are the structures. It is just to activate the structures and put them to use. It’s just like a weapon in military circles. You service them when the need arises. “So the need has (arisen) for all the structures of the political commission of both TUC and NLC to be activated in all the 774 local governments. Importantly, also the structures of all our affiliates, both TUC and NLC, membership together is 12 million.” In his speech, the NLC President defended the youths of the country, insisting that they are not lazy and have been failed by various governments. Mr Obi is known to have built significant support and following among youths in the country, and Mr Wabba believes that their support is critical to the success of Mr Obi and the future of the country. “I am so happy that the youths have aligned themselves with the structures and the struggles of the working class – we, their parents – because we are actually parents to the students and the youths because they are actually realising that agonising alone without organising cannot take us anywhere,” he said.

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/09/12/2023-nlc-vows-to-mobilise-support-for-obi-nationwide/

Politics

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By Henry Umoru ABUJA—FOLLOWING sharp argument for and against holders of university degree and Higher National Diploma, HND, obtained from the polytechnics, over the qualification of the person who should man the Federal Roads Authority, FRA, the Senate was, yesterday, forced to stand down discussions and consideration of the bill. The bill was stepped down till next week to enable Senator Kabiru Gaya’s Committee on Works address some grey areas in the document. The heated debate came up during the consideration of the report of the Committee on Works, led by Senator Kabir Gaya (APC, Kano). The bill sets out to repeal Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act 2017 and to Re-enact Federal Roads Authority Bill (FRA) 2017 and other Matters Connected Therewith. The bill recommends Bachelor’s of Science (B.Sc) degree or Higher National Diploma( HND) certificate as equivalent with COREN membership as compulsory qualification for headship of the proposed agency. This prerequisite did not go down well with Senator Clifford Ordia PDP, Edo Central), who was visibly angry at what he considered an attempt to equate university degree with polytechnic education. Ordia, who is a trained engineer, said B.Sc holders were engineers, while HND certificate holders were technologists and should not be placed at par with each other. Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), quickly fired back, arguing that the bill was discriminatory against the community of polytechnic graduates to which he belongs. He also implored the Senate not to entertain the bill any further and asked that it be thrown out immediately. Senator Marafa, who decried the situation where the position for the director of the board should be for a university degree holder, said: “This is not in line with our tradition in passing bills. We have graduates for both HND and university. ‘’The issue of HND and university dichotomy had always generated heated issues, which have held back the progress of this nation. It has been lingering. “HND is equivalent to a degree. This matter is not in line with our constitution which says that any law passed that is not in tandem with our constitution is null and void. We must not be shut down.” Following the disagreement among senators, the Senate deferred the bill till next week for further legislative action. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/senate-halts-debate-fra-degree-hnd-dichotomy/

Politics

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By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja Barring at last minute change of plans, Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today announce his running mate as the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission draws to a close. There were indications within party circles that the party may have settled for a Muslim/Muslim ticket. Some of those currently in contention are Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a kinsman of the president, Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari from Katsina state, former Secretary of the Buhari Support Group (BSG) and ally of the President Muhammadu Buhari from the days of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change ( CPC), Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda as well as a former Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima. Dauda, a management consultant from Borno State is said to have the support of party chieftains, especially the CPC bloc since the New PDP and the ACN have taken the National Chairman and Presidential ticket respectively. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/apc-tinubu-to-announce-running-mate-on-thursday-as-party-settles-for-muslim-muslim-ticket/

Politics

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Nigeria sinking under weight of debt — Obasanjo Nigeria is rapidly sinking under the weight of foreign and domestic debts, and this should border us. This was part of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s opening lines on Friday as he presented a paper titled ‘Nigeria: The Challenges of Debt and Sustenance of Democracy.’ Speaking after Dr. Olurotimi Badero, the Nigerian American cardiologist and international nephrologist who was recently recognised as world’s first and only fully trained cardio-nephrologist, Obasanjo said: “There is a dangerous emerging trend today in Africa, and it is eerily familiar with developments on the continent in the 70s. “Our political leaders have suddenly developed not just a taste for, but a voracious appetite for debt. “As usual, most of such debts procured are hardly thought through. “Predictably, ability to repay such debts is lacking. “Unfortunately for us and unlike in the past, the new creditors are less tolerant of our limitations and inadequacies and are now demanding to manage institutions and agencies with a view to recouping their loans.” Read Also: Obasanjo backs Buhari on Border closure Flaunting his nearly 12 years as head of state, Obasanjo, who was guest speaker before a largely youthful audience at an event tagged ‘The Nigerian Story, Why I am Alive Campaign’, sponsored by Unity Bank, in Lagos, said: “Using debt to finance growth and/or development is a double-edged sword that must be wielded with a high degree of discipline, responsibility and foresight.” Stressing that a well-caliberated debt for infrastructure and other developmental goals could be positive, the former president said: “Everyone knows that our governments are notoriously deficient in serious and adequate discipline and most often lack competence and consistency as well.” He cited the case of Lagos, which borrowed to build a light rail, but which the succeeding government abandoned for its full four years even at “65% completion when it should have started paying down the loan.” Stressing that such problem is not limited to states, he said, “The federal government built a nice looking extension to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport that looks completed from outside but not in service. “To rub aboniki on the injury, some clowns are talking of demolishing the main airport and rebuilding from scratch. Where on earth is a poor country wasting resources that way? he queried. Obasanjo also said defaulting on debt repayment is very easy and convenient, which also favours the creditor. “Deliquescent behaviour allows the opportunity to impose stipulated sanctions and later appear friendly by offering to restructure your debt. “At the end of the day, what is done is simply to add to your interest payments and other fees to the principal sum at a high premium. “So, overnight, a debt of USD$1 million will become $5 million in spite of the fact that you had repaid $1.2 million. “I say this without fear of contradiction. I have borrowed from banks as a private sector operator and I have borrowed as a political leader, so I believe you would understand my fears and experience about jumbo loans and my agony in getting rid of our external debts and developing a sustainable approach to address our domestic debts.” He added that to now see all those efforts go to waste barely less than 15 years is more than disturbing to him. Obasanjo, who noted that the situation he found the government in his second coming was such that the country owed both the Paris Club and London Club a whopping $36 billion and servicing it annually with $3bn, said the situation was, to say the least, suffocating. He also lamented a situation where Nigeria’s debt, which stood at $10.32 billion in 2015, has risen to $81.274 billion in just four years, stressing that the nation will need to commit at least 50 per cent of its foreign earnings to service such humongous debt profile. “As if this is not bad enough, we are currently seeking to add another $29.6 billion loan to our already overburdened debt portfolio,” he said. The former president warned that the oil which Nigeria is banking on to pay up this debt is fast losing value, with at least 50 per cent of African countries already discovering oil and gas in reasonable quantities. He also warned that getting debt relief like Nigeria got under him may not be so easy anymore, citing the case of Algeria, which under President Bouteflika tried to no avail to get debt relief like Nigeria did. He said: “I fear for the future we are bequeathing to our children and to their children and their children s children. “I believe that it will be foolhardy, irresponsible and wicked for us to tie a mill of stone around the neck of the successor generations of Nigerians. “We need to take hard and important decisions that will facilitate a balanced allocation of resources to both capital and recurrent expenditures.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-sinking-under-weight-of-debt-obasanjo/

Politics

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has dismissed the statement being credited to him on the travail of Senator-Elect, Buruji Kashamu in the hands of men of the NDLEA, saying he never made any such statement. Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the comment must have been generated by desperate political spin doctors to link him with what he knew nothing about. The statement read; “Kindly disregard any press statement being circulated that I made on Prince Buruji Kashamu today. “I have not made any press statement on the travail of Buruji Kashamu today both on Twitter and Facebook or any social media platform. “Obviously, the comment being referred to was generated by desperate political spin doctors with ulterior motives and their motive must be to drag me into what does not concern me as a governor. “For all intent and purposes, the issue relating to Prince Buruji Kashamu is not political and I as a governor does not have anything to do with it.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/i-didnt-make-any-press-statement-on-buruji-kashamus-travail-fayose/#sthash.7G7jr3zO.dpuf

Politics

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The Edo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, impeached the Deputy Speaker of the House – Festus Ebea – on allegations of misconduct and misdemeanour and elected Victor Edoror to replace him. This act thickens an on-going crisis which began after four members of the House were suspended on allegation of misconduct. After their suspension, the four lawmakers and five other members of the State House held a session and suspended the speaker and few other members of the House, insisting that they had been suspended without an offence. Prior to their suspension, the suspended lawmakers had decamped from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. There were talks that the Deputy Speaker, Ebea was also making plans to decamp to the PDP. However, 15 Lawmakers belonging to the APC carried out the impeachment at the Old Assembly Complex inside the Edo State Government House owing to ongoing renovations at the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly. “This renovation work going on there was caused by the fact that the former Deputy Speaker and a group of aides forcibly entered the place, destroying doors and windows. “Of course, we had to repair them and put them back to shape,” Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe said, maintaining that they will have to continue carrying out their duties in the old Chambers for now and that the crisis has not stopped them from working. Although 15 lawmakers sat for plenary, 16 signed the impeachment. The 16th person was reportedly Abdulrazak Momoh, the PDP lawmaker yet to be suspended. Our correspondent reported heavy Police presence at the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly.

http://www.channelstv.com/2014/07/02/edo-house-of-assembly-impeach-deputy-speaker-festus-ebea/

Politics

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*The Lekki-Epe Toll gate BY INNOCENT ANABA, DAPO AKINREFON & GBENGA OKE With just two days to the planned commencement of tolls collection at Admiralty Circle plaza on the ever-busy Lekki –Eti-Osa Expressway, palpable anxiety is already being generated in the area as residents of Eti-Osa, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki have vowed to resist the move. Messrs Lekki Concession Company Limited LCC, the concessionaire handling the expansion of the 49 kilometre road, had early this month, announced December 18, as the new date for the commencement of tolls collection on the road. The company hinged its decision to begin tolls collection on the first toll plaza on its provision of alternative routes to motorists who may not be favourably disposed to the payment of toll. The decision which is coming barely one year after the Babatunde Fashola led government suspended the initial move to toll the road, was immediately resisted by the residents and other stakeholders. The Lekki-Epe axis houses both the highbrow and poor segments of the Lagos population. The reality on ground is that majority of the residents of Lekki-Epe corridor are the struggling masses – farmers, fishermen and labourers. The decision to single out that area of Lagos for a Public Private Partnership PPP, and the length of time granted to the concessionaire (Lekki Concession Company Limited, LCC) to recoup their money, have been faulted by many concerned Lagosians. They are not comfortable with the contents of the agreement between the Government and LCC, the rate of construction of the road and the haste with the company wants to commence collecting tolls. Residents kick, plan 10,000 man march Already, community leaders from Lekki are threatening to mobilise over 10,000 aggrieved protesters in 73 estates in Lekki, Etiosa and Ibeju lekki to block the road should the LCC go ahead with the plan. At a press briefing at the Ikota Shopping Complex, representatives of the Residents’ Association called on the LCC and the Lagos State Governor not to create what they called “uncontrollable chaos” in Lagos with the planned tolling against the wishes of the people. Speaking at the event, the Acting Chairman of the Lekki-Eti-osa-Epe Residents Association, Mr. Abioye Akerele, said: “We are peace loving people and the government should not take our posture for granted. This road that they want to toll, has been existing for over twenty years and if LCC came to add an additional lane, they cannot insist on tolling the already existing lanes. It is unacceptable that those of us who are from here will have to pay money to enter our ancestral homes. It is totally unacceptable. There are over 73 villages along this axis made up of peasant people; how does government expect them to cope with the attendant rise in cost of living that will arise from the tolling?” Mr. Akerele warned the government of the possible consequences of going ahead with the plan. His words: “We will have no choice than to call out our people to protest this move and we don’t know what that might lead to.” A lawyer, Mr. Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, said the government was toying with the lives of Lagosians and deliberately discriminating against the people of Eti-osa by putting three toll gates in one local government when none exists in other parts of the state where the state government is undertaking development projects. He also accused the government of not being sincere with Lagosians over the construction and tolling of the road and the concession agreement with LCC. “The Lagos State Government in 2005 borrowed $43million from a bank in South Africa for LCC to begin construction of the Lekki-Epe road using lands in that axis as collateral. Why are they now talking about tolling the road as though LCC is using their own money to construct the road?” Continuing, he said:”What have the people of Ibeju Lekki done that the governor is talking about tolling the only developmental project that this administration is undertaking here when it is not doing the same thing in other parts of Lagos? I recommend that the tolling should begin from other parts of Lagos like Surulere, Bode Thomas, Adeniran Ogunsanya, and so on.” Adegboruwa also disclosed that he has already instituted a legal action against the LCC, the Lagos State Government and three others. Unable to get the matter heard at the Lagos State High Court, he took it to the Federal High Court which later referred it back to the Lagos State High Court for hearing. He said that following the announcement of the commencement of tolling, he filed a restraining order on the LCC, the Lagos State Government and three others from commencing tolling pending the determination of the matters in suit no. CA/L/1170M/2011. Adegboruwa urged the parties, particularly the Lagos State Governor, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, respect due process by maintaining the status quo pending the determination of the matters. In its reaction, the LCC faulted claims made by Adegboruwa alleging misrepresentations and misinformation on issues relating to the toll gate fee. In a press statement made available to Vanguard, the company said: “The attention of Lekki Concession Company Limited LCC, has been drawn to various news media reports, including on radio and in the print media, extensively quoting one Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a legal practitioner, who has persistently misrepresented and misinformed the public about his various claims to have a pending suit or suits in court to restrain the Lagos State Government and LCC from proceeding with the collection of tolls along the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway, including a purported application for injunction filed on the December 2011 before the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, also by the same Mr. Adegboruwa.” Although we have patiently observed while Mr.Adegboruwa’s misrepresentations and misinformation have continued, including his attempts to incite the public to civil disobedience and disorder, which we believe is conduct unbecoming of the noble legal profession to which Mr. Adegboruwa belongs, LCC now feels compelled, in view of his persistent misinformation and misrepresentation, to advise the general public of the true facts.” Setting the records straight, they company said: “On 23rd August 2010, Mr. Adegboruwa filed a suit in the Lagos High Court seeking to restrain the Lagos State Government and LCC from commencing the collection of tolls or proceeding with the concessioning of the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway. Hearing commenced on 28th September 2010, and arising from Mr. Adegboruwa’s denial of the existence of an alternative route for motorists who do not wish to pay the tolls, the court conducted a physical visit to the locus in quo on 11th November 2010, and recorded its findings, which demonstrated that Mr. Adegboruwa’s allegations were false for the most part, and were misleading in others. After continuing tactical delays by Mr. Adegboruwa, the Court on 21st February 2011 that is six months after filing his suit, firmly called upon Mr. Adegboruwa to present his arguments on his substantive suit. Mr. Adegboruwa was again unable, or unprepared, to present any arguments.” “The case was therefore struck out on the said 21st February 2011, with a verdict that Mr. Adegboruwa shall pay costs to both the Lagos State Government and LCC. Assessment of the quantum of costs to be paid by Mr. Adegboruwa, which was to be carried out by the Chief Registrar, remains pending at the Lagos High Court, as Mr. Adegboruwa has resorted to all manner of tactics to frustrate such assessment, and LCC has since petitioned the Chief Judge against such unfair tactics,” LCC said. It pointed out that “immediately after his loss at the Lagos High Court, Mr. Adegboruwa on 22 February 2011 filed a fresh suit on the same facts, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, seeking exactly the same remedies which he had failed to substantiate at the Lagos High Court. This case was also struck out of court on 11th July 2011 by the Federal High Court, which gave an order that the matter be transferred to the Lagos High Court as the appropriate court for such a matter.” Faulting Adegboruwa’s claims, it stressed that “unable or unwilling to comply with the Federal High Court directive, Mr. Adegboruwa then filed a Notice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal on 13th July 2011. However, till date, Mr. Adegboruwa failed to compile the record or to take the proper steps required for the appeal to be properly constituted before the Court of Appeal. Not having taken any such steps, but following the recent announcement by the Lagos State Government lifting its suspension of commencement of tolling, Mr. Adegboruwa then purported to file an application for Injunction before the Court of Appeal on December 7, 2011, and has continued to misrepresent to the media, and to the general public, that he has a proper case before the courts, when, in fact, he has failed to substantiate any of his cases so far, and has also not succeeded in obtaining any injunction restraining commencement of tolling so far. Rather than properly pursue the natural course of justice, Mr. Adegboruwa has brazenly continued to resort to trial by media, and to attempting to incite civil disorder and disobedience, which behavior he was cautioned against by the High Court on January 11, 2011.” While urging Lagosians not to be perturbed with the claims made by the lawyer, LCC said “the general public is encouraged to take note of the true facts of this matter and to discountenance the misinformation and misrepresentations by the aforesaid Mr. Adegboruwa. The status quo regarding the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway remains as announced by the Lagos State Government, since no injunction restraining the collection of tolls has been issued by any court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Obanikoro faults govt Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro described as insensitive, the announcement by the state government to collect fees at the toll gate mounted on Lekki axis of the state. Obanikoro, in a press release personally signed, said he has followed the development since it came into the public domain and was surprised at the level of insensitivity exhibited by the state government against the tide of public outcry. The High Commissioner who was Senator between 2003 and 2007 cited the toll gate controversy as a related development. According to him, “despite the absence of alternative access to road users along Lekki axis of the state, the ACN-led government has decided to inflict more pains on the people of this state. There is no reasonable and sensitive government anywhere in the world where people are not given the option to choose between toll and non-toll roads. It is obvious the ACN government has outlived its usefulness.” Continuing, Obanikoro said the state government will not get away with this “because it is unacceptable, insensitive, insensate and completely anti-people”. Residents and motorist berate plan Aside Obanikoro, motorists and residents have been airing their grievances on the state government’s resolve to commence collection of toll fees at Lekki. On his part, Mr. Yinka Odumakin called on the “government to make an alternative route for people who do not want to pay tolls. According to him, “it is not everybody that could afford to pay toll fee at three points before going to his office or house and does it mean that if you do not have money to pay, you won’t go out to find your daily bread or you have to stay indoors for the day if you could not afford toll fee”. “It is not responsible for government to resurface an existing road and ask people to come and pay toll fee. So government needs to open a route for those who may not be able to pay the toll fee”, he added. A Red Cab driver, Mr Olajide wondered why government would bring back the toll gates after demolishing them. Also, a Lagos-based businessman, Mr. John Akhiemen said “I am not really surprised with the development. People were commending the government for the suspension but deep down inside me, I knew it was just a gimmick because of the election which was coming up. Is it not suspicious that the Governor waited until the local government elections last month to rescind his decision? Well, we would see how far they can go with this one, but as for me, it is highly disappointing of the governor”. Leader of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran, also criticized the planned tolling of the road. He described it as “a manifestation of the capitalist mentality of the ACN that will deepen the rift between the rich and the poor.” Mr. Adeniran wondered why any government will want to turn the freedom of movement to an exclusive preserve of the rich by forcing indigenes of those communities to pay whenever they are returning to their ancestral homes. Lagos ACN calls for understanding Similarly, the Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, explained that the Lekki-Epe Expressway was concessioned to a company, adding that the toll was natural since the company must recover what it spent on the road. He called on Lagosians to demonstrate understanding on the issue. “We want to point out that alternative roads have been provided for those that do not want to pay. We believe this is fair enough to encourage competent companies to invest in our decaying infrastructure.” The party’s spokesperson noted that concessioning was a way of saving funds for other sectors. “If we acknowledge that Lagos requires over $50 billion to build and upgrade its infrastructural needs, we will see the wisdom in getting companies to build, manage and transfer some critical infrastructure in Lagos.” Igbokwe explained that Lagos was experiencing massive population pressure everyday, which put great challenge on the resources of the state. He said the government alone could not meet the demand. While calling for understanding, he urged “Lagosians to understand that the little toll paid on the Lekki-Epe Expressway is only a little price we all must pay to get standard infrastructure and encourage others to come here and deliver better infrastructures in our state.” wants plan aborted On its part, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cautioned Governor Fashola to shelve the planned commencement of tolling on the Lekki-Epe axis. It however, said the move was aimed avoid overheating the already tensed polity. According to the party, this is the period in the life of the State that Lagosians should enjoy true social services commensurate to the huge taxes they have paid to the state. In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party lampooned the state governor for attempting to defend what it described as “the outrageous commissions paid to the state tax consultant Alpha Beta, confirmed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR) is now at the highest.” The party also faulted the planned tolling of the said Lekki –Epe Express road concessionaire agreement noting that the plan is “tainted with fraud and we challenge the governor to make public the full contents of the agreement for Lagosians to know if indeed it is in their interest to pay tolls.” Reiterating its stand, it said “for the umpteenth time, we state emphatically that Lagos State and its Local Governments collect the highest federal allocations and IGR in the whole 36 states, yet at least 65 per cent of the assumed developments were done by Concessionaires, NGOs, FG; and individual philanthropists.” Continuing, it stated that “it should be noted that any tolled road must have alternative road. This is not the case in this Lekki-Epe Express road. The purported alternative Oniru road is through a Private Estate that can be shut at anytime as the owners so wish.” While warning of dire consequences if the state government goes ahead with the toll gate collection, it maintained that the governor has “indeed betrayed the public trust and thus no longer fit to enjoy the people’s vote of confidence.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/tension-as-lagos-govt-insists-on-toll-collection/

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….demands explanation on N18bn off-circle election budget By Gabriel Ewepu WITH nine days to off-circle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States, the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, Thursday, cautioned political parties and their supporters not to turn the election into ‘war’. The call was made by the Chairman, TMG, Auwal Rafsanjani, during a press conference held in Abuja ahead of the elections. Rafsanjani said it has become worrisome to see pockets of violence and tension in Bayelsa, Kogi and the Imo States, therefore cautioning party candidates and supporters to allow a peaceful electoral process before, during and after the elections. He also explained that the press conference was to draw the attention of the public and government to some of the pressing pre-election situations in the three States as well as the state of the nation at large which could have a bearing on peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections on November 11th 2023. He said: “Insecurity in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa. It is even more worrisome that the pre-election environment in the three states is a concern for the successful conduct of the November 11th elections in the States. “Assessments conducted by our partners including the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Kimpact Development Initiative have reported widespread violence across many local government areas of the three States ahead of the elections. “On the back of this evidence that is before the public, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) would like to remind every stakeholder, especially the political actors, that elections are not war, but a democratic exercise aimed at giving the people the chance to freely elect and decide those who govern over them. “These violent conducts are undemocratic and pose serious threats to the development of democracy in Nigeria. Security agencies need to ensure citizens can vote in a peaceful electoral atmosphere across the three States. “Ambiguity relating to the Candidacy of the APC in Bayelsa Fillers from Bayelsa state pointed out that the disqualification of the candidate of the APC by the Federal High Court had set the ground for violence ahead of the election in the State. “While it is also public knowledge that the Court of Appeal had reinstated his candidacy in the election. Has this been communicated effectively to the people of Bayelsa to avoid associated rancour that was already building up?” However, he expressed deep concern over the N18 billion earmarked for the three off-circle elections and, therefore, demanded an explanation about the huge sum, which he said the suspicious supplementary budget might be allegedly used for vote buying. “TMG also noted the recent supplementary budget by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, which has also scaled second reading at parliament. “The allocation of a whooping ₦18 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to facilitate the conduct of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi elections is completely shocking as INEC had assured that the funds for the off-cycle elections were parts of funds received ahead of the general election. “To this end, the Commission had since gone ahead to perfect preparations towards the election without any complaints about funding. What part of the election is this supplementary budget of N18 billion looking to cover? “Nigerians perceive this allocation as very suspicious and fear that it could be allocations to perpetrate malpractices. Hence, the federal government must explain this huge sum to Nigerians and why it is budgeting again for what has already been budgeted”, he queried. Meanwhile, he also expressed concern over allegations and rumours making the rounds that a purported memo from an agency of the Imo state government allegedly procuring every room in every single hotel in Owerri covering the period of the election. “Deprivation of Election Observers in Imo State It is very disheartening to see in circulation a purported memo from an agency of the Imo state government procuring every room in every single hotel in Owerri covering the period of the election. What this simply implies is that the state government has effectively barred domestic and foreign observers from visiting Imo ahead of the election. “For the sake of democracy in Nigeria, TMG hopes these allegations are not true, and that the purported memo is also not true, as this would present a blow to the democratization process in Nigeria and give others in power the boldness to thwart democratic processes through barbaric acts and practices. “TMG urges the State Government to immediately debunk this allegation and assure observers of their safety in Owerri and other parts of the state. Also, the federal government must investigate this weighty allegation and prevail on the state government to revert to democratic tenets”, he said. However, the TMG boss condemned political parties for their failure to enlighten electorates on the forthcoming off-circle governorship elections in their states. “Political Parties Failure to Engage in Civic Education in the Off-Cycle Election. It is very disappointing to see that political parties have neglected their role of providing civic education toward the elections in the three States. “The political parties appear to have relegated this important function to the civil society while they concentrate on perfecting their rigging mechanisms. “This also tells a lot about how political parties perceive citizens in Nigeria and that they are more concerned about winning at all costs than engaging in clean citizens-oriented campaigns”, he pointed out. Meanwhile, he (Rafsanjani) disclosed TMG’s observation deployment plan, ” TMG has also concluded plans to deploy observers across all the local government areas of the three States. “The observers are currently undergoing training and will be deployed to observe and report through a digital on-the-spot reporting tool which has been developed. At the same time, a Central Data Centre will also be situated in Abuja with trained Data Clerks to collate and analyze reports from the field.” While speaking on citizen participation, which he described as crucial to the credible election, called on the voters in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa “to troop out in their numbers to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. “Citizens must understand that democracy is about citizens’ participation and elections present the best opportunity for citizens to express their will and power. “Citizen’s participation especially in large numbers also reduces manipulation opportunities for the political actors. “Hence citizens should desist from aiding and abetting malpractices, shun vote trading and keep an eagle eye on their votes. TMG wishes Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states a free, fair, transparent, violent free and credible election.” Still, on transparent and credible electoral process, TMG urged INEC to make its assurances on the deployment of IReV during the elections. “Even as INEC has given the reassurances on the deployment of IReV for the off-cycle elections, the Supreme Court judgement does not give confidence in technology as the court should have looked at protecting the greater election credibility in Nigeria. “Nevertheless, TMG implores INEC to look back at the credibility of the off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun States as a basis for improvement ahead of the November 11 election. The Commission should effectively deploy technology to enhance credibility”, he added. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/2023-its-lame-to-deny-s-east-president-cos-of-Igbos-agitation-ohanaeze/November

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The Bayelsa State government on Wednesday organized a one day symposium with the aim of promoting the makıng of fılms ın Izon and other indigenous languages in Nigeria. The governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, who was represented by hıs deputy Gboribiogha John Jonah, told guest at the symposium, that the government is interested in the project and will support the rich heritage of the Izon race. In hıs remark, Mr Jonah stressed on the resolve of the state Government to encourage mandatory teachıng of the Ijaw language ın schools. “When we can produce students that will be proficient in writing in our language then they can actually act in the language. They must be able to read and write in the language before they are able to act,” the deputy governor said. The symposium, which attracted top Nollywood actors, took place in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital. Nollywood actor, Olu Jacob emphasızed the need for fılms to be made ın our ındıgenous languages. “There are already Hausa language movies, Igbo language movies, why should there not be Ijaw language movies,” he asked. Mr Jacob said acting movies in indigenous language is good for communication. “English is not our language. It is our joy; it is our pride to use our language to communicate. The power, the joy and love in that language will be lost when you translate it,” he said. Veteran actress Hılda Dokubo also applauded the ıdea, referrıng to ıt as a welcomed development. “This is not only a welcome idea but an idea that is very fruitful and productive,” she said. Wıth thıs ınnovatıon the Nollywood ındustry ıs gradually taking ıts root ın Bayelsa State.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/09/06/nollywood-to-start-producing-ijaw-films/

TV-Movies

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Brutality & Suzerainty Wars: Signs Of Killer Instinct Out Of Insecurity How do humans explain in this century, that we still elect and rally round leaders with a killer instinct sending our Youths to wars over crude suzerainty to fight those that want to decide their own political economic survival? The worst friends we have are those enemies that claim they love us by force, Africans call Tipatipa. Yet, all species of animals protect and mourn their own from death. Brain and emotional fatigue have killed our sympathy and ability to empathize with those unable to defend themselves against the might of the powerful. Even those who were the victims of atrocities yesterday have become indifferent as the perpetrators today, for the fear of becoming victims again of yesterday's suffering. If the Africans know the real Mission of explorers like Mungo Park when he fell deadly ill in the south-west Malian village of Kamalia, a Mandinka man would not have nursed him back to health over a period of seven months. He came back again until he met his Waterloo in the rapids of Bussa. Even the American Indians would not have rescued Columbus wandering on the sea, if they had known it would lead to their subjugation. Humans have evolved with a propensity to kill one another that is six times higher than the average mammal, new research demonstrated. Scientists calculated that when we first developed into modern humans about two per cent of deaths were caused by fellow Homo sapiens, according to a research article in the journal of Nature. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/human-evolution-violence-instinct-to-kill-murder-each-other-a7335491.html We witness many barbaric acts around the world dressed as retaliation, collateral damages, preemptive strikes, in defense of democracy and socialism. If these repulsive rituals for suzerainty, domination and exploitation are now at its peak in our time since the worst of World War I and II, it must not be repeated during the civilized age. Politicians are like the fanatics that use economic leverage, religions and missionaries to change the world order so that they can rule every corner of the world from Africa to Asia. Yet humans are becoming the most vicious of all animals to completely eliminate or threaten the very existential survival of one another. There must be a blind spot for the choice of these leaders that plunges us Into deep mourning when they encourage the massacre of other human beings inside or outside our countries. The only way to become indifferent is when we demonize other people that are left to die because we cannot rescue them from our own selfish interest. Most of those voters do not see beyond their immediate needs. This is how corrupt politicians and big business win the trust of the Union bursters that gave them middle class privileges. The anti women politicians get women votes. Military dodgers corner military votes and hoarders of food meant for the poor that raise food prices; obtain votes by distributing the same food as stomach infrastructure. The biggest threat to any democracy is an uninformed electorate. However, looking at statistical averages overlooks those vulnerable groups that have lost their high paying Union jobs while the Government bailed out big Banks and Investment companies that gambled recklessly with Pensions and small stocks at the markets. The big boys came out richer paying a lower percentage of their income than the working class. The conservatives captured their votes by promising jobs they had lost to new technologies. The return to their good old days without the new migrants taking the old jobs. This class without a college degree make up the majority of voters and if over half of them are persuaded, the Extremist parties win. Replacement theory fears (Remember Jews will not replace us!) have raised the angst against the influx of migrants. They elected Right extremist leaders comforted by Christian Right. The angry working classes fell to the lower side of median, not mean incomes. They find themselves competing with minimum wage workers and new immigrants for the first time in their generation. They are the ones that lost their old income which covered all the food they want, cars and houses in the suburbs. They become part of the folks on free food lines for the poor. So, the new immigrants are seen as threats to the middle class life they had without college degrees. What and how can the majority of the world be better informed to take actions that will expose the burden they carry against their own interests? They are promised freedom of choice while opponents are violently denied. Leaders' choice is between Autocracy, Theocracy, Dictatorship. But are lured into the worst form of governance in the name of democracy! No matter how close we are in origin and history, people will exploit people. Africans should love one another the way other people do, not kill the way they do. We look at how the refugees in Ukraine are welcomed at their borders by different countries around and far from them and see humanity in action. Of course, white people love one another. There is nothing wrong with people loving one another. The love did not prevent the bloody massacre that split Czechoslovakia after the reign of an inspiring leader. But look closely in Ukraine, the people killing one another have the same Slavic and Rus origin divided by political economy. The line between hate and love can become combustible and repulsive. It only takes a rancid minded partner with a killer instinct to turn love into hate. Unfortunately, we reason that fires are used to combat fires. Indeed, the rationale for nuclear deterrence is acquisition of nuclear power. Somehow, we rely on the judgment and pledges of these leaders not to use what they have when they are desperate. It is humans that developed the weapon of mass destruction, not only to eliminate one another but to vacate every living animal in the world. If these were other species that became so cannibalistic, humans would destroy them. One of the few times we condemned people to death is when they commit heinous crimes against humanity. If these people are so out of character, it does not fit into the factors needed to be a leader. This is exactly what voters or constituted bodies choose when people we know are horrendous, become leaders. Recent research has found that individuals who boast dark personality traits, such as narcissism, can still retain high levels of cognitive and affective empathy. The study, recently published in Personality and Individual Differences, identifies these types of people as “dark empaths.” Farouk Martins Aresa @oomoaresa

https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/308328/brutality-suzerainty-wars-signs-of-killer-instinct-out-of.html

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…Ibori vows to fight till touchline …as final verdict maybe pronounced today (Friday) A state prosecutor has asked a London court to order the confiscation of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from Nigerian politician and ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori. The popular Ex-Governor had earlier been convicted for fraud in the United Kingdom and the spent years in prison in Britain. Ibori was extradited in 2011 from Dubai to London, where he was charged with laundering a “corruptly acquired fortune”. He pleaded guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence, an outcome hailed by Britain as a landmark in the struggle against corruption. With its highly developed financial and legal services and lucrative property market, Britain is a global money-laundering hub, but it is rare for the foreign kleptocrats it attracts to be prosecuted and Ibori’s case remains an outlier. After more than a decade of legal wrangling and court delays, attempts by prosecutors to confiscate funds considered to be the benefits of Ibori’s fraudulent activities now appear close to conclusion. Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court has made factual findings regarding the funds. At a hearing last Thursday, both sides made competing arguments about how the confiscation figure should be calculated, taking into account the judge’s findings. He is expected to finalise and formally issue his order on Friday or shortly afterward. Lead prosecution counsel, Jonathan Kinnear, told the court that the total amount that should be confiscated from Ibori was 101.5 million pounds and that if he did not pay up he should be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison. Having served half of his prison sentence in pre- and post-trial detention, as is common, Ibori returned to Nigeria in 2017 and did not attend last Thursday’s hearing. He told Reuters by text message he planned to appeal against the confiscation order. Ibori remains influential and well-connected in Nigerian politics. President Bola Tinubu, who was inaugurated in May, has hosted Ibori twice at the presidential villa, along with other former governors. Britain has pledged to return any money recovered from Ibori to Nigeria. In 2021, it returned 4.2 million pounds that had been confiscated from Ibori’s ex-wife and his sister, who also served jail time for helping him launder money. But reacting to Thursday’s proceeding on his Facebook page, the former Delta government said his hope was “rapidly fading” for a fair hearing. He also announced plans to seek redress and fight for justice in the highest courts in UK. He said, “Finally, the shenanigans in the Southwark Crown Court are drawing to a close. Judge Tomlinson is due to make a confiscation order which should be both realisable and not punitive. “However, after what transpired in court today my hopes are rapidly fading for any degree of fairness. “In the 2 years it has taken to write this judgment it seems apparent that he has forgotten many of the salient points and is prioritising expediency over justice. “The next step will be to take my fight for justice to the highest courts in the UK.”

https://thenewsguru.com/news/alleged-loot-uk-set-to-confiscate-129m-belonging-to-ibori-risks-10-yr-jail-term-see-details/

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How to Create a Messaging Application from Scratch in 2025 A messaging app is a platform or a chat application enabling users to send and receive instant messages and connect. Think of the most popular messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber. Which one do you use? Are you interested in developing software for messaging? Possibly you require a new chat app to streamline business processes inside your own organization? Or simply want to innovate the messaging app market? Online communication has become a new normal these days. Communication software like WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and other tools that are an integral part of our lifestyle. Just imagine, over 100 million messages are sent out each minute globally, stated by Microfocus. No wonder why the messaging app market grows rapidly. As of April 2024, 2 billion users were accessing the WhatsApp messenger on a monthly basis. It's one of the most common social apps on mobile around the world. WeChat amassed over 1.3 billion users, and Facebook Messenger amassed around 1,010 million users worldwide. Why Do People Use Messaging Apps? Can you imagine that over 41 million messages are sent every minute? With over 80% of smartphone user engagement, messaging apps are the most popular types people use. People do need messenger apps to stay connected not only for entertainment but also for business purposes, so the segment has all the driving forces to get bigger. This data visualization video shows. go., the most popular instant messaging apps based on monthly active users. The current state of thing with coronavirus crisis also underlines the importance of stable, secure, and high-quality online messengers. If you have a concept of creating a unique messenger, this article is a complex guide into the tech and business details, as follows: - what features are must-have in messaging software these days - advance functionality that will help you to stand out - tech stack to use and technologies applied in the market leaders (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype) - building the revenue stream in a messenger - challenges during messaging app development Get right into the key insights. For starters, let’s outline what functionality you should implement to develop a viable product. These days, it is necessary to include the must-have features that would make the system work and apply some sort of innovation to make the app appealing to the target users. The idea is to start a messaging app with core features and unique selling points represented by the unique experience and exciting features. The next step is to scale this chat app MVP further based on the real-user feedback. KEY FEATURES IN MESSAGING APPS Let's take a look at what core features should be used to make messaging easier in 2025. App users should have the possibility to create a personal account. The wise idea is to implement a user sign-up option in one click via social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Depending on the app’s objectives, you may include authorization via email, phone number. For increased security, it is possible to interconnect with the device with the help of confirmation SMS. 2. ACCESS TO CONTACTS For enhanced user experience, your messaging app should automatically access to existing user contacts and get them imported to the messaging app. A strategic step is to highlight for end-users which contacts already use this messenger and give an option to invite those that still don’t. It is also a wise aspect if users can engage others to join the messenger with a simple invitation. 3. ADVANCED CHAT OPTIONS It is hard to create a product on the same level as the giants like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger in in this highly competitive market. As a startup project, your messaging app should have minimum functions to be validated. For the update and final deployment, think of advanced options that will bring value. Integrating top social channels and developing a more personalized user experience can help your product succeed on the market. 4. EXCHANGE MESSAGES AND FILES These days, users need to have the possibility to exchange files, videos, photos, and other content. Therefore, make sure that your messaging app supports different app attachments. This feature can be implemented by using distinct APIs. Do not forget that your app should have an option to send files from the device and capture real-life moments from the app directly. 5. SHARING REAL-TIME LOCATION INFORMATION Users can share their location with others in many apps, like parking spots, offices, restaurants, etc. This feature is developed by utilizing packages of Location Manager Class on iOS and Android. Telegram messenger has implemented this feature, which provides excellent user experience. App users can even create routes from the starting to the destination point. 6. PUSH NOTIFICATIONS It is an essential element in any messaging app development. It is the function that allows the user to check whether someone sends a message or not. Developers use Google Cloud Messaging and Apple Push Notifications to implement this functionality. 7. CLOUD STORAGE AND BACKUP To generate user satisfaction and get user retention, your application needs to be customizable. The users do like the idea of playing with app interfaces, themes, and colors to make it more personalized and attractive. Keep this in mind when comprising the app functionality list. TOP 7 most secure messaging apps in 2025 Digital technologies are all about making life comfortable, but at the same time, it is about security concerns. Sharing messages, photos and files may not be safe especially if the platform is not powered by security technologies. Today there are secure messaging apps with end-to-end encryption built on blockchain technology that is absolutely safe and secure. Still, before thinking of making a secure app, consider whether it meets your business objectives or not. Do you want to know which are the most secure messaging apps out there and how they can protect your valuable data? We compiled a list of reliable encrypted messaging apps because the struggle to keep our data secure is fiercer than ever. TECHNOLOGY STACK TO BUILD APPS LIKE WHATSAPP AND TELEGRAM First, we list possible tech stacks to utilize in chat app creation, followed by for a few successful messaging apps. It makes sense to understand how these applications are created. WhatsApp tech stack The Technical Stack used to develop WhatsApp includes Erlang, FreeBSD, Yaws, PHP, and XMPP. - Erlang - functional language used to script real-time chat apps. - FreeBSD - open-source operating system to power modern servers and embedded platforms. - Yaws - Erlang-based web server used for dynamic-content apps to run WhatsApp as a standalone web server. - PHP - general-purpose scripting language for web development. - XMPP - the communication protocol - the core of WhatsApp for sending real-time messages. Let’s dive right into these insights. TECH STACK TO BUILD YOUR MESSAGING APP Depending on your product’s goals and functionality, you should understand creating a cross-platform or native messaging app. The difference lies in the app availability of the app across the majority of platforms simultaneously or individually for each operating system. Both options have their pros and cons. Native app development ensures higher system performance, stability, security but requires more investments. MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT Android | iOS | | Programming language | Java, Kotlin | Swift, Objective-C | Local Storage | Core Data | Shared Preferences | Preferences | User Defaults | Shared Preferences | Social Authentication | Facebook SDK | | Chat | Starscreen | OkHttp | Video and voice calls | WebRTC | WebRTC | Programming language | Java, Java, HTML5, CSS3 | Automation frameworks | RSpec, PhantomJS | SQL data storage | PostgreSQL | Social Authentication | Facebook SDK | Web server and web application server | Nginx | Hosting | Amazon Web Services | Key Value storage | Redis | Server-side software can be coded in PHP, Ruby, Erlang, and similar. Your software development vendor should advise you of what is more suitable to use in your case. Also, one of the most common product architectures is a software bundle of LAMP. Linux as the operating system, Apache- web server, MySQL database, PHP as a back-end language. It is also necessary to use distinct services and libraries, namely: - Amazon services - for data storing - Socket.io - library for real-time communication between a browser and server - Social media integration - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. - Analytical tools - Flurry, Google Analytics, Firebase, MixPanel, etc. - Maps & Navigation - Google Maps, Google Places - SMS services - Twilio - Email marketing - MailChimp, Elastic emails - Payment gateways - Braintree, Stripe, PayPal, etc. - Push notifications - APNS (iOS), FCM (Android) The general idea is to go for open-source technologies, which prevent building everything from scratch. Instead it is possible to use existing well-proven libraries and frameworks. When selecting a tech stack for your messaging app, put users and their experience in a priority and consider the speed, performance, and security of the chat app. TECHNOLOGIES USED TO BUILD A WHATSAPP MESSAGING APP Operating system FreeBSD is used in this app. Its developers believe that the Linux system is more bug-creating, which is a somewhat debatable statement. Initially, the system used XMPP (Extensive Messaging, Presence Protocol) to manage one-to-one and group communications. Further, the team created the internal protocol to support communication with end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp uses YAWS (Yet Another Web Server) for data storing and HTML5 WebSockets to create a solid connection between a server and messenger. The system uses LYCE/LYME architecture consisting of open-source solutions to develop highly available and dynamic pages. - Operating system- Linux - Web server – Yaws - Databases – Mnesia, CouchDB - Programming language- Erlang To note, Elixir programming and its Phoenix framework are great to utilize for complex and high-load projects. These technologies ensure smooth system operation, remarkable efficiency, and the ability to handle lots of traffic. TECH STACK WITHIN THE TELEGRAM APP Telegram is one of the most significant messaging apps with the high protection and smooth performance. As far as it is known, the messenger was coded with the following technologies: - iOS app – build by utilizing Objective C and partly Swift - Android app – created with Java programming language - Windows Phone app – uses C# - Mac app – is developed with Objective C Also, the Telegram team developed a specific data protocol, MTProto Mobile Protocol, that ensures the speed and security of its service. TECHNOLOGIES UTILIZED IN THE SKYPE PRODUCT Before Microsoft purchased Skype, the product used C++ for the back-end in Debian servers. Further, the team included new services by using Azure Suite (written in C#). The client Skype apps include the C library to support the low-level app functionality. To mention, Skype is a cross-platform product, and only a thin layer of client apps (UI layer) uses Java and Objective-C for Android and iOS apps correspondingly. CHAT APP MONETIZATION STRATEGIES How can you monetize your messaging application? We have an answer for you with a few options to build revenue streams in this app type. These strategies include: - In-chat advertising – these are multiple ways to include ads inside the messaging application. This can be a banner ad, pop-up ad, native ad, and similar. Viber messenger uses this strategy and shows targeted ads and messages and earns millions. - In-app purchases – this model implies users pay for some advanced app features, access specific content, remove the ads in the messaging app, purchase sticker packs or games. The latter option is used in the LINE chat app, where users play right in the messenger. - In-app payments – corresponds to the typical monetization strategy, where users make payments inside chat applications. - Integration of a chatbot – this is an advanced monetization possibility once your app gets user interest and base. It allows you to gain revenue from CTR (click-through rate) by providing relevant recommendations. - Sponsorship – in this model, revenue is generated via in-app sponsorship to create brand awareness. This method is best to utilize once you have enough pull of app users. - Pay per download – you may use this method if you are sure to provide a unique and new app functioning, and you tested the hypothesis that users will purchase the app. In general, users buy only those apps that are very specific and have top performance. - Subscription fee – similar to pay per download, but the payment is made regularly, only when clients use a messaging app (e.g, monthly, annual basis). Interesting fact, that the WhatsApp initial cost $0.99 per year after a trial period. - Content merchandising - creating chat themes, wallpapers and stickers related to any brand. The promotion of the brand brings win-win results for the app and the brand. - Official accounts - this type of messaging app is built for brands, public figures or celebrities who are willing to get close interaction with followers. - White labelling - this strategy supposes chat app development for enterprises’ internal use or customer support. Either method you select, base your monetization strategy on the market analysis, current user experience. Also, these days users demand top-notch app performance and service quality to pay for it. Our team is ready to help you build intelligent technology solutions to get your brand closer to your potential customers with a chat app. Get in touch with our team, and we’ll provide you with a free initial consultation and project estimate. How much does it cost to build a messaging app? Regardless of the application type, the development cost is estimated based on its complexity and features. Even if you try to make a rough cost estimation, we still need to consider details like platform, app complexity, development team and hourly rates. The average price for MVP starts from as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. Drop a line for a free consultation, and mobile application cost estimation, and our team will get back to you with an offer. CHALLENGES OF BUILDING A CHAT APPLICATION Before you proceed with the actual development of the messaging app, consider the following challenges on the way and further. This information will help overcome pitfalls and remove risks and future troubles in a messaging app functioning. 1. DEFINING REAL-TIME FEATURES The industry of messaging apps is led by giants that have raised the bat and, to tell the truth, it will be hard to compete with them. On the other side, we have users that demand new features, stability, and functionality. To become a competitor, the messaging app should be way much more than a chat app. After a successful launch of MVP, think of all the features for user satisfaction: - Custom fonts and stickers - Chat muting - Privacy status updates - Video and voice calls - File transfer 2. SECURITY ISSUES High-end app security and protection is the number one task during messaging app development. It is necessary to provide personal data protection, message encryption, and build secure project architecture. Ensure that you provide as much protection as possible, namely: - end-to-end encryption via protocols (e.g XMPP) - usage of cryptographic keys - plan the product architecture for secure data storing - include privacy policies when using your chat app - develop extra functionality, which users can enable, for messenger protection 3. THE TOOL STACK To make your app work, it should first be well packed and built. Think of existing apps and find case studies that will help to define the tech stack best working for your project. 4. OVERLOAD OF THE SERVER This issue may arise with the growing number of app users. Optimization of an app like WhatsApp requires loads of technical efforts and capable developers. Choose the server setup and capacity, also supported by proper hardware, to quickly ensure app scalability. Make sure that servers are tuned up to provide stable work during the peak load periods. It is highly recommended to plan and create a list of potential server bottlenecks with a precise action plan. 5. FLAWLESS APP UPDATES Messaging apps have a constant connection with their users and constantly process their data. During new functionality deployment and app updates, make sure not to lose existing data by servers and architecture configuration. Scalability of the real-time chat apps is a rather challenging assignment, which is highly dependent on the set architecture. 6. STABLE CONNECTION Many reasons can influence the network loss and switch from smartphone internet and Wi-Fi. To note, during such losses, the last message can be lost in case of a temporary disruption. Thus, you should create your messaging app to outline your app as a reliable tool that keeps the connection stable and reproduces lost messages during disconnection. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DEVELOP A CHAT APP The timeline required to develop your messaging app depends on several factors. These include but are not limited to: - number of platforms you plan to build your product for - the complexity of features and design - number of features included - attributes of the selected software development vendor (location, rates) - number and peculiarities of 3rd party services to integrate Any software development consists of special services like UX/UI design, Architecture planning, iOS development, Android development, Backend development, Quality Assurance, etc. In general, be prepared that it takes around 3-5 months to develop an MVP of the chat app. Note that in most cases, this involves only basic app functionality. In terms of the budget, the sum is highly dependent on the development vendor you choose. The 3-5 month of development corresponds to $25,000 – $50,000 for one platform (iOS or Android). At this cost, usually, you receive a team of 4-6 specialists like iOS/ Android developer, Backend developer, QA engineer, Project manager, Designer. To visualize what to expect, here is a chart with development time per feature. Keep in mind that we are discussing MVP features for the first launch. Later the app may be updated with new functionality. App Features | Development Time | User registration | 12-16+ hours | The messaging feature | 200+ hours | Multimedia file transfer development | 12-16 hours | Contact sharing | 8 hours | Location | 8+ hours | Voice and video calls | 200+ hours | Establishing settings | 8 hours | UX/UI design | 100+ hours for prototypes | Thus, plan your timeline and budget accordingly. A wise strategy is first to finalize your product concept, business vision and prioritize app functionality. CONCLUDING IDEAS FOR CHAT APP DEVELOPMENT Online communication is a core part of our daily life – 80% of adults, 91% of youngsters text each day. This area will evolve and innovate each year, which has a vast potential for your investment today. The more modes of communication exist, the greater social satisfaction is. Here is a short case study for more practical information about the messaging app and the development experience. The expertise of Addevice covers the development of different apps, including entertainment and messaging. One of the relevant projects was “WOO – Women’s dating platform app,” a dating app and messaging platform to get connected. The MVP of the app was built on stakeholder requirements based on the following tech stack: - Swift, Java - CoreData, Socket.IO, Game KIT - MongoDB, Java, Big Data (Hadoop, Casandra) - AWS and AWS File Storage The chat applications business model In the first stages of project planning and defining the business model, a significant portion of decision-making goes to research and case studies. For messaging apps, the best working model of messaging apps so far is WhatsApp. It means when building your messaging app business model. As an alternative to SMS messages, WhatsApp became the second chat app globally for being secure, private, and reliable. The first funding of WhatsApp was equal to $250K; the next two investments were the most significant, about $60 million that was the primary source of income for WhatsApp employees for a long time. Later, WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook as a valuable asset and started implementing new business projects. As a recent strategic change, Facebook launched the WhatsApp Business application and API allowing businesses to integrate WhatsApp for business purposes. The Customer Journey Map (what are the critical problems faced by your customers?) - Users can’t keep in touch with the nearest and dearest ones while they are apart - Expensive phone calls & SMS (what are your solutions for your customers’ problems?) - Cheaper SMS & voice calls via the internet (what value do you deliver to your customer?) - Free application - Real-time messenger - Be reachable by everyone - Simple, intuitive interface - Secure messaging (which metrics indicate how well your company is doing) - Monthly active users - Customer retention rate - Audience engagement (Though which channels do your customer segments want to be reached?) - Word of mouth advertising - WhatsApp web application - App Store/Google Play - Social Media (who is your intended customer?) - Families and friends who are apart but have smartphones to stay in touch (what is your edge over competitors?) - First app to market - Technology solutions FOLLOW THE NEXT PROCEDURE WHEN STARTING A MESSAGING APPLICATION - Prepare a solid and complex market analysis. Review what the competitive products do, the functionality they have, and check on how you can offer the improved service - Figure out a unique selling proposition of your messaging app - Finalize your strategy, business objectives, and define a course of actions - Find and partner with a highly experienced and capable IT vendor - Develop and launch the MVP of the chat app to test user feedback - Launch a creative promotional campaign to spread the word about your product - Collect and analyze user feedback to continuous chat app updating and improvement As a final word, success pursues only the brave. The messaging app market has unrealized functions and experiences that the clients will be fully engaged with. You can simply start by studying WhatsApp, Facebook, Slack, Telegram products and contact the Addevice team. We can elaborate on the project development process, define app functionality with you based on your goals, and estimate your project cost and timeline roughly. In the end, you will have a solid plan of how to develop a unique messaging application. How to Build a Messaging App, Communication Applications, how much does it cost to build a messaging app, Chat App Development, Cost to Build a Messaging App, How to Make a Social Media App, Hybrid Apps, Build an App Like Uber, Messaging App, Table of contents Follow the major steps to build a chat app from scratch: - Plan the chat app structure. - Choose app monetization - Find experienced add development team - Prioritize features - Design your idea Platform App Development Time App Development Total Cost iOS 700-900+hours $35.000 – $45.000 Android 800-1100+hours $40.000 – $55.000 backend 500-700+hours $25.000 – 35.000 UI/UX (one platform) 60-80+hours $3.000 – $4.000 The development of messaging apps requires relevant expertise, skills, and knowledge of a development team. Collaboration with an experienced team can help you turn your idea into reality. Follow the major steps to build a chat app from scratch: - Plan the chat app structure. - Choose app monetization - Find experienced add development team - Prioritize features - Design your idea

https://addevice.io/blog/how-to-create-a-messaging-application-from-zero/

Programming

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Bauchi The police in Bauchi on Thursday declared missing, a middle-aged man who left on foot to Abuja, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari. According to a statement from DSP Haruna Mohammed, Bauchi Police Command’s spokesperson, Nurudeen Maimako, a resident of Dass town in Bauchi state, left his town on May 15 to Abuja, but has not been seen since then. “ On the 3/6/2015 at about 11:15am,one Muhammadu Hussaini ,male, of Dass town, reported at Dass Divisional Police Headquarters, that on 15/5/2015 at about 6.00am,his son, one Nuruddeen Maimako, male and 38 years, left Dass on Foot Solidarity to attend the swearing in ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. “Since then, his whereabouts is not known and all efforts made to locate him proved abortive. “The last contact he (father) had with Maimako was when he (son) informed them that he was in Jos, Plateau State. “Particulars of the son are: 1.50 metres tall, Jarawa by tribe, light in complexion and speaks English and Hausa fluently. Members of the public who know his whereabouts are to report at the nearest Police Station, or contact his father through GSM no 07051789119,” said the statement. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/man-on-solidarity-trek-to-honour-buhari-declared-missing-on-transit/#sthash.6CGUZWlE.dpuf

Politics

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By Olu George Tongue speaking in most churches today has become a disturbing phenomenon, so much so that some genuine servants of God are now wondering if some of these pastors, who make a public “show” of it, have not read the scripture, about tongue speaking, or have read it but do not understand, what the Holy Spirit says about tongue speaking. Believers in Christ must understand the fact that these tongues, whether of men or of angels, are mere gifts of the Holy Spirit, like any other gifts of the Holy Spirit, which differ from one another in administration, as written in 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-10. And in VERSES 29-30, Apostle Paul questioned, and I quote, ‘’Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gift of healing? DO ALL SPEAK IN TONGUES? DO ALL INTERPRET? It is clear, therefore, that not all believers in christ have the gift of speaking in tongues. And even those who have the gift of speaking in tongues are advised, in 1 CORINTHIANS 14:13, to pray that they may be able to interpret, otherwise if they cannot interpret, or if there is no other, in the church, to interpret, then such believers in Christ are warned to keep silence in the church, as written in 1 CORINTHIANS 14:28, and I quote, “BUT IF THERE IS NO INTERPRETER, LET HIM KEEP SILENCE IN THE CHURCH; AND LET HIM SPEAK TO HIMSELF AND TO GOD.” Otherwise, if the unlearned or unbelievers, come into the church, and hear them speak in an unknown tongue, which they do not understand, they will say they are mad, as we can read in 1 CORINTHIANS 14:23, and I quote, “IF THEREFORE, THE WHOLE CHURCH COME TOGETHER INTO ONE PLACE, AND ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES, AND THERE COME IN THOSE WHO ARE UNLEARNED OR UNBELIEVERS, WILL THEY NOT SAY THEY ARE MAD?” And they will even be like barbarians unto them, as written in 1 CORINTHIANS 14:11, and I quote, “THEREFORE, IF I KNOW NOT THE MEANING OF THE VOICE, I SHALL BE UNTO HIM THAT SPEAKETH A BARBARIAN, AND HE THAT SPEAKETH SHALL BE A BARBARIAN UNTO ME.” Speaking in tongue, without any interpretation is like speaking into the air, as written in 1 CORINTHIANS 14:9, and I quote, ‘’SO LIKEWISE YE, EXCEPT YE UTTER BY THE TONGUE, WORDS EASY TO BE UNDERSTOOD, HOW SHALL IT BE KNOWN WHAT IS SPOKEN? FOR YE SHALL SPEAK INTO THE AIR.’’ On the day of Pentecost, the tongues that were spoken, by the apostles and the other disciples, numbering about one hundred and twenty (120 ), were tongues of men, spoken in different languages of the different countries of the world, from whence came all the Jews to Jerusalem to observe the Pentecost. Pentecost was a Jewish festival, held on the fiftieth day after the Jews Passover. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/do-all-speak-in-tongues/

Religion

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There were indications yesterday that the Federal Government may exempt Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and several other agencies from the Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy. It was learned that the decision to exempt the agencies from TSA was reached after a meeting of officials of the affected agencies with the Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris and Directors in his office. Sources told Vanguard that President Muhammadu Buhari had been fully briefed by the AGF on why some agencies had to be allowed to receive revenue into bank accounts other than the TSA. It was disclosed that the agencies’ operations would be hampered if all their revenues were to be paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, before they secure approvals through the bureaucracy to make withdrawals to finance such operations. All affected agencies are commercial organizations. In addition to NNPC, it was learned that Bank of Industry, BOI, Federal Mortgage Bank, Bank of Agriculture, Urban Development Bank, Nigeria Export Import Bank, Nigeria Independent Power Project, NIPP, Galaxy Backbone and Nigeria Railways were equally exempted. President Buhari’s administration has been under tremendous pressure over the TSA. Banks fear that it would adversely affect their operations should all Federal Government funds be pooled into the apex bank. The quasi-commercial entities also mounted pressure on government as they argued that the TSA would not allow for the smooth operations of their organizations. As learned, when the guidelines are announced by the AGF, there could be a long list of many departments and agencies of government that would be exempted from the policy. However, the AGF had repeatedly said that there would be no going back on the implementation of the policy. He told journalists last weekend that the detailed guidelines would be announced within a short time. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/fg-to-exempt-nnpc-others-from-tsa/

Politics

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A Nigerian player has been fired by a club in Slovenia for impregnating the daughter of the president of the second division outfit after just six months with the side. The player, whose name has been withheld, said he was fired for 'gross misconduct and indiscipline' over the pregnancy which he has claimed full responsibility. Four Nigerians are registered with second tier clubs in Slovenia with Bede Osuji, Temitope Nelson, Gerald Chiyoke and Sulaiman Adedoja playing in that league but it is uncertain which of them is involved in the pregnancy issue. The player, who fears public backlash over the situation, has returned to Nigeria after his ordeal and he is worried over the girlfriend and her pregnancy. The player is considering FIFA action against the club following the decision to sack him over reasons he feels are unjustified after joining the club just in May. " I signed a three year deal with the option of another year but last month I ran into trouble when my girlfriend who happens to be the daughter of the president said she was pregnant for me", he said. " The club got to know about it and summoned me for a meeting. I got there and admitted that I am responsible for the pregnancy and I was told to stay at home and not to be seen around the club premises until I am instructed to return. " A week later I was called to the office and told that my agent has been informed about their plans to terminate my contract for gross misconduct and indiscipline. The news came to me as a surprise because I have not been found wanting in any area since I arrived the club six months ago". The Nigerian player says he is considering legal action at FIFA over the claims of the club that he went beyond the boundary set for players of the club. " My agent called me up and said we should file a case with FIFA that he has a recording of the president saying my contract was terminated for having an affair with his daughter. She's an adult for God sake, we both love each other and decided to have a child. " Now I don't know what will happen to her and the child since I'm back in Nigeria. They have forced her to block me on all social media platforms so we have not been communicating. The few friends I made at the club are also scared of speaking to me about her apparently they don't want to run into trouble with the team. I'm confused right now", he concluded.

https://mobile.ghanasoccernet.com/slovenian-team-sacks-nigerian-player-for-impregnating-club-presidents-daughter

Sports

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By Kazeem Ugbodaga A former presidential spokesman, Reno Omokri has attacked a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi for politicising the stampede in Lagos. Seven people had died while trying to purchase cheap rice being displayed by the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos. Obi had lamented the stampede in voluminous tweets on X, castigating the Federal government over the issue. According to Obi, “This sad occurrence reflects the level of hardship, hunger, and starvation prevalent in the country, with millions of people not knowing where their next meal will come from. It is very disheartening that our national economy has been driven into perhaps the worst state in all of our national history. “We have seen our government spend more money on car parks for politicians than for the running of half of our teaching hospitals. In all this, there has been scanty attention to the living conditions of the ordinary people they were elected to care for. “The huge amounts of borrowed resources that should have been channeled into production, especially food production, to guarantee an abundant supply of food in the nation, were rather consumed on inanities, rather than invested. Today, we are one big nation united by hunger and starvation, to the point of dying to make ends meet. Again, I strongly urge the government to lead the crusade against hunger by investing aggressively in our agricultural sector.” Reacting to Obi’s tweets, Omokri said it seemed Obi is always happy when bad things occurred in the country. Omokri tweeted: “Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.4%, Obi did not react. Fuel import reduced by 50%. Obi did not react. Capital importation rose by 66%. He did not talk. Nigeria Stock Exchange attained 100,000 ASI. The highest ever. Obi did not react. Oil production rose to 1.55 MBD. Obi was quiet. “There was a stampede while the Nigerian customs sold cheap rice. Obi released a voluminous statement. Is Peter Obi only happy when bad things happen in Nigeria?” Omokri added that there was a stampede in Anambra on Sunday, November 3, 2013, while Peter Obi was Governor, with 17 people dead. “Nobody politicised it. Yet, this same Peter Obi is now politicising the death of seven citizens who died during a stampede for cheap rice in Lagos. Stampedes happen even in the wealthiest countries on Earth. Again, fact-check me: Multiple people die almost annually in America during stampedes on Black Friday when shops have their sales. Does that mean America is finished? Must we politicise death? “Maybe President Bola Tinubu should appoint Peter Obi as minister for politicising bad news,” he said.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2024/02/26/omori-attacks-obi-stop-politicising-lagos-stampede-stampede-killed-17-under-your-tenure/?amp=1

Business

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Following up on the news of the BlackBerry Dallas getting certified for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the device has now appeared at the FCC using the known model number of L6ARHR190LW / SQW100-4. As with most FCC listings, the filing doesn't offer much by way of new information but it does mean the device is progressing through all the proper channels. Assuming it's a device for general release, we should hopefully be hearing more about it officially soon. As a bit of a side note, BlackBerry CEO John Chen and BlackBerry COO Marty Beard were both spotted using the still unofficially unannounced device during the BlackBerry Security Summit in New York. PS: Rumored specs are identical to that of the BlackBerry Passport, whether or not that's the case still remains to be seen. Source: FCC H/T: Lawguyman

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-dallas-arrives-fcc

Phones

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The leadership of the non-indigenes community in Delta State has distanced itself from the 10-day nationwide protest billed for August 1. The non-indigenes comprising Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Idoma, Tiv, Edo, and others, said after a careful review of the planned protest, it directed its members not to embark on the proposed protest as it would worsen the nation’s economy like the #ENDSARS protests. The non-indigenes resolved that the current economic crisis bedeviling the nation was a global one, adding that the state government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was addressing the issues frontally. This was disclosed at a press conference in Asaba on Tuesday. In a communique read by one of its leaders Babatunde Ishmael, the non-indigene leaders said after a careful review, they agreed that while there is actual economic hardship in the country, it was a global issue that responsible government has been addressing. READ ALSO: [Planned Protest] Threats Won’t Work, Falana Tells Govt The communique read that “the non-indigene community executive also believes that another round of protests after the last #EndSars protests will actually worsen the precarious economic and security situation being witnessed in the country. “The Delta State Government has provided a conducive environment for the Non-Indigene community in Delta state to carry out their businesses without any form of discrimination or molestation. “Also, as a government that has promised all-inclusiveness, the Oborevwori administration has appointed non-indigenes into his government. “In order to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Tinubu administration, the Delta State government has been giving palliatives to vulnerable groups in Delta state and also carrying the non-indigene community along in this. “The Executive of the non-indigene community believes that the community should not be dragged into politics and should not be used by politicians to settle political scores”. To this end, the non-indigene community, arising from a crucial meeting resolved that “the current economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians is a global issue and we should exercise restraint and should not be seen ruffling feathers in a matter that can be settled amicably. “The executives of the non-indigene community in Delta State appealed and directed its members not to be involved in the upcoming national protests as it would worsen the already fragile security and economic situation in the country. “The Delta State Government has been partnering with the non-indigene community in Delta State in the form of political appointments and empowerment schemes for some of its members and as such we should support the Oborevwori administration and desist from engaging in a needless protest that is not a panacea to our challenges. “We have security information that some detractors are planning to penetrate the ranks of the non-indigene community in the State and we advise our members not to be used to destabilize the polity. “The Delta State government has been giving palliatives in tranches to vulnerable groups, widows, the aged, and the disabled and this includes the non-indigene population of Delta state. “The planned protest with the hashtag #endbadgovernanceinnigeria seems to be politically motivated and our members are advised to steer clear of a protest that is likely to be hijacked by hoodlums that can potentially lead to fatalities and injuries. “We advise all our members to remain law-abiding, be vigilant, and avoid any act that could lead to a breach of law and security of the state and country.”

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/07/23/delta-non-indigenes-shun-proposed-nationwide-protest/

Politics

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Uzodinma exposes eight persons indicted in N330m pension fraud By Chris Njoku, Owerri Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma has announced eight persons fraudulently receiving N330million annually as pension. The Governor said the indicted persons who received their pensions annually are: Ajokubi H. A (N65, 685, 491. 00); Njoku Damian (N 5,042,439.58); Obasi Canice (N 3, 460, 366.64); Anyanwu F. N (No, 150, 336. 00); Emenalo Theresa (N 3,058, 592.00); John Sunday (N 2,320624. 00) and Ajaegbo E. O (N2, 298,910.34). Uzodinma said the eight persons were earning N330million annually as pension. He said a retired judge was earning N300,000 monthly above what was due to him as pension and a late Secretary to the State Government(SSG) was still earning pension many years after his death. The Governor made the announcement at a meeting with the leadership of organised labour comprising the Nigerian labour Congress (NLC), the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at Government House. Uzodinma revealed that so much irregularities had marred the pension system, forcing him to investigate further into the payroll of retired workers where it was discovered that over 1000 pensioners who retired in 1976 were still receiving pension. He noted that over inflated pensions were paid to numerous pensioners, which on investigation was not consistent with their last pay slips or basic salaries as stipulated by the Pensions Act. According to him, the decision to automate the payment process was in line with the new World Bank order for all states and pointed out the delay was due to the fact that there was no handover from the former administration. However, he disclosed that all verified pensioners and government workers in the state, including teachers have been paid their pension and salaries up to June, adding that those who had issues with their data would have to resolve them before they can receive payment. He explained that the delay in payment of some few months of pensions was caused by the monumental fraud discovered in the pension payroll which caused a pause in payments to enable the government cleanse the system. The Governor said he will not be party to denying senior citizens who spend a better part of their lives working for the state their legitimate rights to pensions but added that it was necessary to also secure the future of the senior citizens by stopping a few criminals from defrauding the state of millions of Naira in the name of the Pensioners. Uzodinma declared that by next week the names of all the persons milking the state through pensions and salary payroll fraud would be made public. In their separate remarks the NLC and NUP chairmen, Comrade Austin Chilakpu and Sir JB Ugochukwu respectively appreciated the open door policy of the Governor and tendered apology for the protests by some members of the union while dialogue and negotiation was ongoing. They expressed total support and cooperation with the government to achieve all its aspirations to take the state higher.

https://thenationonlineng.net/uzodinma-exposes-eight-persons-indicted-in-n330m-pension-fraud/

Politics

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One of the governorship aspirants in the February 22nd primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State Dennis Idahosa has staged a protest at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, demanding justice. Mister Idahosa, who was initially declared winner of the February 17, 2024, primary election by the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also threatened to drag the party to court if justice is not done. He, however, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the National Working Committee (NWC) to order by restoring his candidature as pronounced by Governor Hope Uzodimma. READ ALSO: Okpebholo Declared Winner Of Edo APC Gov’ship Primary His protest comes days after the APC canceled the election which produced him as the party’s candidate for Edo State governorship poll billed for September 2024. The party later appointed Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State to conduct a fresh governorship primary which produced Monday Okpebholo as the party’s candidate. Okpebholo scored 12, 433 votes to defeat the other eleven aspirants. Idahosa polled 6,541 votes. According to Otu who was the Chairman of the Revised APC Edo Gubernatorial Election Committee, 41,784 votes were cast in the primary. He said there were 31,863 accredited voters, total votes cast 31,863, valid votes 31,863, and zero invalid votes in the race that featured 12 contestants.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/02/24/idahosa-protests-demands-cancellation-of-edo-apc-primary/?fbclid=IwAR3WmUlLrh2rbsO9CCQkimnzKXdKsIfscou01jY9T_NTPAMi0eKYh1ijuRohehehe

Politics

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By Kazeem Ugbodaga Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has described as reckless and dangerous call made by Second Republic Minister of Steel Development and convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Paul Unongo, to President Muhammadu Buhari to send soldiers to Southwest to protect northerners. Fani-Kayode, reacting to the statement on Sunday “the suggestion that Buhari should deploy soldiers to the SW to “protect northerners” by Chief Paul Unongo is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous. “Fulani terrorists are killing our people all over the Southwest and now he wants soldiers to kill us too? Unongo is begging for war! The worst thing is that the man is not even a Fulani. He is a Tiv man and we in the Southwest love and respect the Tiv people. “We know that they are great and courageous warriors but Unongo is not talking like a Tiv man but rather like an old slave who has lost touch with reality.“ According to Fani-Kayode, the same terrorists that “are killing your people are the ones that are killing ours and you want them to be protected? Northerners are not in any danger in the Southwest but Fulani terrorists and killer herdsmen who slaughter, rape, torture and kidnap our people most certainly are. “We make no pretence and have no apology for that. If the state refuses to protect us from terror we have no choice but to protect ourselves. That is perfectly lawful. The only reason you need to worry for your safety in the Southwest is if you are a killer herdsmen or a terrorist.” Fani-Kayode added that “We will not tolerate such beasts anymore and we will not alow them to slaughter our people. The overwhelming majority of Fulanis and northerners are not terrorists so they have nothing to fear. Only the wicked run when no-one is pursuing them. ”Unongo should know that the Yoruba people are slow to anger but irresistable in battle. Our heads may be bloodied but they can never be bowed. He should stop testing the will of the people of the Southwest with such absurd suggestions and desist from attempting to spark off a civil war. “He should face his Benue State, help his Governor fight the army of killer Fulani herdsmen that have plagued and overwhelmed the state and leave the Southwest alone. The Yoruba are not Nigeria’s sacrificial lambs and neither are we slaves. No-one can threaten or intimidate us!”

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/02/07/unongos-call-on-buhari-to-send-soldiers-to-southwest-to-protect-northerners-dangerous/

Politics

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By Sola Ogundipe & Olasunkanmi Akoni TWELVE weeks after doctors employed by the Lagos State government embarked on strike to press home demand for payment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, the state government finally consented to the doctors’ demands as Governor Babatunde Fashola approved 75 per cent salary increase for the aggrieved medical personnel. But the end may not have been heard about the face-off between the two parties as the body of doctors have complained that the government circular was made public before it received their blessing, in conflict with an earlier agreement. In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, a copy of which was made available to Vanguard, yesterday, Fashola directed the implementation of an increase in the salaries and allowances of medical/dental officers in the state public service. The statement read: “Further thereto, having painstakingly examined the issue, His Excellency has directed in line with the newly approved pay policy of the state, an implementation of an increase in the salaries and allowances of medical/dental officers in the state public service to an amount equivalent to about 75 per cent of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure in order to prevent further loss of lives and protect the welfare of the citizens of the state.” To review Dr.Olaifa’s dismissal In addition to the above and response to the doctors’ demands, the government also agreed to review the dismissal of Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa; the commencement of the deduction of the Guild’s check-off dues through the state Treasury Office;and review of the issue of tax deduction in order to comply with relevant tax laws of the state. The government thereby urged the striking doctors to call off their strike. It will be recalled that the doctors had embarked on indefinite strike for nine weeks due to the failure of the government to address their plight. The protracted doctors’ strike called by the Medical Guild, took a dramatic turn last week when their counterparts in the federal health institutions embarked on a three-day solidarity strike. The development, on the orders of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, removed the only respite left for Lagosians seeking healthcare services in the state. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/doctors-strike-fashola-approves-75-salary-increase/

Politics

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… she was fine after surgery, surgeon claims By Efe Onodjae A 23-year-old girl, Destiny Benjamin, has been reported dead four days after a hip surgery, popularly known as Brazilian Butt Lift, BBL, at Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Lagos. Various social media platforms have been awash with the viral video of the procedure since her death. Confirming the development, owner of Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ogbe Omoruyi, denied the allegation that the lady died in the hospital during the surgery. Omoruyi, who spoke to Vanguard, explained that the deceased underwent the surgery on March 8, and had complained of difficulty in breathing before she was referred to the Genesis Specialists Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where she gave up the ghost. Omoruyi, who is also a plastic surgeon, further told Vanguard that the deceased was 23 years old and not 20. He said: “She is a 23 years old girl according to what she wrote on documents. She had a surgery and after that she was fine, her surgery went well. “I can show you in our case note to show that everything was fine. “However, after days she was having difficulty breathing. We placed her on oxygen and she was stabilised before we referred her to an intensive care unit, which is 10 minutes away from our facility. “Unfortunately, as we all know, surgery has its own risk, and if you ask any professional doctor or surgeon, who knows about life consumptions and tractions, it is very easy to think that she could have fat embolism or clot embolism, but she had difficulty breathing. “A very important investigation was done. It is called CT Pulmonary Angiogram. This can detect any clot that is present within the pulmonary system. “The test was done in the facility where she was referred to. When I was informed and showed the results, it was said that she didn’t have an embolism. “Her cousin, Sunset, was with her after her surgery. They went around because they were together. She came here to see her and they took pictures together, moving around the clinic compound two days later. “This is to let you know that she was fine after the surgery. “However or unfortunately, an autopsy hasn’t been done; I don’t know if the family is going to consent to that.” Contrary to social media reports that the medical clinic recorded five deaths in a year, Ogbe said only two deaths have been recorded in the clinic, noting that it happened in the year 2018 and 2021. He said: “This can be verified with the Local Government because all local governments have primary health centres where practitioners give reports on the death toll. “So, we have only two recorded deaths.” When the Lagos Police Command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, was contacted, he said: “To the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of the incident. “The family of the deceased have not reported to the police authorities.” However, efforts to get Genesis Specialist Hospital’s reaction proved abortive. But the person who answered Vanguard’s call at press time said he does not know what happened. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/23-yr-old-lady-dies-4-days-after-hip-surgery-in-lagos/

Health

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Mr Michael Okonkwo, the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, says the monthly internally generated revenue of the state has increased from N500 million to N1.5 billion. Okonkwo told newsmen in Awka on Saturday that the Authority`s revenue profile also increased from N13 million to N20 million monthly. He said that Gov.Willie Obiano`s administration inherited a monthly N500 million as IGR and directed that something is done to increase the revenue profile of the state. “ When Gov. Obiano came in, he met a monthly figure of N500 million monthly as internally generated revenue. The governor said that the situation was unacceptable and that he expected N3 billion. “ It has not been easy, but we have been able to reach N1.5 billion monthly,” he said. Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, said revenue from the six Local Government Areas that make up the capital territory, contributed N20 million to the state`s internally generated revenue. According to him, the production of a base map for the capital territory assisted to raise revenue for the state and led to the completion of an aerial photography of the state. He said that the revenue drive had made the state to work towards self-sufficiency because of dwindling revenue from the federation account. He said that work on the complete master plan of the territory was on-going. “ While the comprehensive master plan of Awka territory is on-going, we have put together what we call the Awka Capital Territory Concept Masterplan. “It will be released soon for people to see the new Awka capital territory urban design framework plan, in which we will offer new land use, new urban renewal initiatives, and implementation strategy,” Okonkwo said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/anambra-hits-n1-5bn-monthly-revenue/

Politics

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DAKAR, Senegal — Hundreds of mercenaries from South Africa and other countries are playing a decisive role in Nigeria’s military campaign against Boko Haram, operating attack helicopters and armored personnel carriers and fighting to retake towns and villages captured by the Islamist militant group, according to senior officials in the region. The Nigerian government has not acknowledged the presence of the mercenaries, but a senior government official in northern Nigeria said the South Africans — camped out in a remote portion of the airport in Maiduguri, the city at the heart of Boko Haram’s uprising — conducted most of their operations at night because “they really don’t want to let people know what is going on.” He said the mercenaries’ role was crucial, part of a new offensive against Boko Haram after a nearly six-year insurrection. The Nigerian military, under pressure because of a presidential election to be held this month, has recently claimed a string of successes against Boko Haram, boasting about the recapture of a number of towns. The mercenaries “are in the vanguard in the liberation of some of the communities,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. A senior Western diplomat confirmed that the South Africans were playing “a major operational role,” particularly at night. Equipped with night-vision goggles, the mercenaries “are whacking them in the evening hours,” the diplomat said. “The next morning the Nigerian Army rolls in and claims success,” the diplomat added. The mercenaries “are doing the heavy lifting,” said the diplomat, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/world/africa/nigerias-fight-against-boko-haram-gets-help-from-south-african-mercenaries.html?_r=0The

Politics

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By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor A fresh pressure has come on the Naira exchange rate with the local currency depreciating to N410/ USD1, a whopping N8 loss in the parallel market as apprehension continued over the banning of some banks from the interbank foreign exchange market. The currency also dipped further at the interbank market closing at N316.8/ USD1 as against N315.9 the previous day. The currency had lost N5 and N10.4 to the USDollar in the parallel and interbank market segments respectively a day after the ban was ordered by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Banks’ forex dealers, however, told Vanguard that the renewed pressure on the Naira had more to do with scarcity than the ban placed on some banks. But they also said that many dealers and buyers were speculating that the apex bank was showing some desperation in controlling access to foreign exchange and weakening its intervention with supply of foreign exchange to the market, a situation which drove negative sentiments in the market. Parallel market dealers corroborated the scarcity concern when they told Vanguard that though they do not have demand pressure, the supply was also not coming in as the banks have not been fulfilling the directives of the CBN to sell to Bureau de Changes, BDCs. They explained that the initial moderation in rates last week when CBN gave the directive had given way to further apprehension when the banks refused to comply fully. But amidst these, CBN was able to settle the USD152.48 million of Naira futures contracts it sold two months ago which matured yesterday at an exchange rate of N279/ USD1. The apex bank also executed a fresh 12-month contract at N241/USD1 which is scheduled to mature on August 16, 2017. Bank executives have been meeting with CBN officials to resolve the forex issue with some of them indicating that the suspension would soon be lifted. One of the affected banks, United Bank for Africa Plc, has already been lifted while executives of other banks are still meeting with the apex bank and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as at yesterday to secure a settlement on the issues involved. The other affected banks are First Bank of Nigeria Plc, FCMB Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc. The apex bank suspended the banks from forex transactions on Tuesday for failing to remit money they received from NNPC into the Treasury Single Account, TSA. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/pressures-naira-depreciates-n410-usd/

Business

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PHOTO: Getty Images As COVID-19 tests become more widely available across the US, scientists have warned about a growing concern: Many people with negative results might actually have the virus. That could have devastating implications as a global recession looms and governments wrangle with the question of when to reopen economies shuttered as billions of people were ordered to stay home in an effort to break transmission of the deadly disease. The majority of tests around the world use a technology called PCR, which detects pieces of the coronavirus in mucus samples. But “there are a lot of things that impact whether or not the test actually picks up the virus,” Priya Sampathkumar, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, told AFP. “It depends on how much virus the person is shedding (through sneezing, coughing and other bodily functions), how the test was collected and whether it was done appropriately by someone used to collecting these swabs, and then how long it sat in transport,” she said. The virus has only been spreading among humans for four months and therefore studies about test reliability are still considered preliminary. Early reports from China suggest its sensitivity, meaning how well it is able to return positive results when the virus is present, is somewhere around 60 to 70 percent. Different companies around the world are now producing slightly different tests, so it’s hard to have a precise overall figure. But even if it were possible to increase the sensitivity to 90 percent, the magnitude of risk remains substantial as the number of people tested grows, Sampathkumar argued in a paper published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. “In California, estimates say the rate of COVID-19 infection may exceed 50 percent by mid-May 2020,” she said. With 40 million people, “even if only one percent of the population was tested, 20,000 false-negative results would be expected.” This makes it critical for clinicians to base their diagnosis on more than just the test: they must also examine a patient’s symptoms, their potential exposure history, imaging and other lab work. – Timing is everything – Part of the problem lies in locating the virus as its area of highest concentration shifts within the body. The main nasal swab tests examine the nasopharynx, where the back of the nose meets the top of the throat. This requires a trained hand to perform and some portion of the false negatives arises from improper procedure. But even if done correctly, the swab may produce a false negative. That’s because as the disease progresses, the virus passes from the upper to the lower respiratory system. In these cases, the patient may be asked to try to cough up sputum — mucus from the lower lungs — or doctors may need to take a sample more invasively, when a patient is under sedation. Daniel Brenner, an emergency physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, described to AFP taking a test after performing a procedure called a bronchoalveolar lavage. This was done on a patient whose nasal swab returned negative three times, but who showed all the signs of COVID-19. Eventually, the patient’s medical team placed a camera down his windpipe to examine the lungs, then sprayed fluid in and sucked out the secretions, which were then tested, resulting in a positive. – No perfect test – Uncertainty in clinical diagnoses is not new, and clinicians are well aware that no type of test for any condition can be considered perfect. What makes COVID-19 different is its newness, said Sampathkumar. “Most of the time when you have tests, you have test characteristics outlined carefully and warnings about tests interpretation,” she said. “We had no test for so long, and when we got the test, we started using it widely and sort of forgot the basics.” After being slow to start mass testing, the US has ramped up production and has tested almost 2.5 million people, with pharmacists now authorized to carry out the procedure. But “the real fear of that is people who are given a false negative test and then decide that they’re safe to go around their daily life and go out and expose people,” said Brenner. Much hope is placed on newly available serological tests which look for antibodies produced by a person’s body in response to the virus and can tell whether a person was infected, long after they recovered. They could also be used to help diagnose a person who is currently infected but whose PCR test results showed a false negative, by waiting a week or so for the body to produce its immune response. “We are excited about the serologic test, but we don’t know how well it will work and we are starting to study it,” said Sampathkumar. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/how-false-negatives-are-complicating-covid-19-testing/

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President Muhammadu Buhari …Gives 2 notice to US Secretary of State to act, threatens to apply for WRIT of Mandamus if no action upon Expiration By Dapo Akinrefon A United States-based group, Global Advocates For Terrorism Eradication, GATE, on Friday, petitioned the office of the United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinke, demanding that the United States Government should designate some Nigerian Government officials as sponsors of terrorism, alleging that “from all available indices, what is happening in Nigeria is State-sponsored Terrorism”. GATE said its core objectives are to stop the provision of material support, funding and prosecutorial protection of terrorists by state actors. In a statement by its Principal Advocate, Robert Berry, the 26-page petition alleged that the Nigerian government was allegedly sponsoring terrorism by carrying out terrorist activities including training, fundraising, financing, and recruitment of terrorists and terrorist activities. The organization said that “the Nigerian Government officials have deployed the instrumentality of power and are using the veil of sovereignty in knowingly consenting and with malicious intent allowing and promoting the use of Nigeria as a breeding ground and recruitment nursery for international terrorism activities contrary to foreign relations authorizations act fiscal years 1988 and 1989 (P.L.100 to 204:22 U.S.C 2656f), as amended.” The letter chronicles numerous terrorist activities that establish the culpability of the Nigerian govt and its officials. Some of those acts include providing funds to terrorists and terrorist organizations; providing material support including weapons and equipment to terrorists, actively and expressly encouraging and inciting terrorist activities. Other allegations against the Nigerian Government are prosecutorial protection to terrorists by directly engaging in acts of terrorism and extrajudicial killings, using security agencies. GATE, in the petition, accused the present administration of aiding terrorism in Nigeria. The group stated that the US Government designating Nigerian officials as sponsors of terrorism will have far-reaching legal implications, including potentially arrest and criminal prosecution in a federal US court if they visit the country. The petition reads in part: “The balance of terror of government’s false narrative has further exposed the complicity of the Nigerian Government in the anti-Christian butcheries and its monumental failure in discharging its constitutional duties of protecting and safeguarding the citizens irrespective of their religion, tribe or creed. “The Government has not only failed to provide official credible data of the killings, maiming and Christian properties destroyed or burnt but also undermined, mangled and denied same when independently presented. “The Government has also failed woefully in letting Nigerians and the International Community know, with verifiable statistics, the proportionality or dis-proportionality of such interfaith asymmetric killings, maiming and destroyed or burnt or lost properties. “That is to say that there are no credible data from the present central Government of Nigeria or its security and law enforcement agencies including Nigeria Police Force and Defense or Army Headquarters, showing the percentage or number of attacks against defenceless Christian communities by the state-backed and protected Jihadist Herdsmen or reprisals by the victim Christian communities, if any. “In other words, there are no credible Government’s records or from its security and law enforcement agencies showing the number of attacks against Christians since mid-2015 by Jihadist Herdsmen, number of Christians killed, a number of their lands seized and occupied by the Jihadists and number of Christians’ properties including dwelling houses, worship and learning centres destroyed or burnt or lost to Jihadist Herdsmen. Government or security or law enforcement records are near totally absent, if not totally absent regarding the number of Jihadist Herdsmen arrested and investigated, convicted and jailed since mid-2015 for killing Christians or seizing or destroying their properties especially their sacred learning and worship centres. Independent records have continued to indicate that such perpetrators are often not arrested but shielded by the security forces. “On the other hand, there are also no credible records from the same Government or its security and law enforcement agencies showing the number of attacks against Jihadist Herdsmen or Fulani citizens or settlements by the victim Christian groups or communities, number of Fulani citizens killed, number of their lands seized and occupied, number of Fulani properties including dwelling houses, Mosques and learning centres destroyed or burnt by same Christian avengers. “On our part and independently speaking, the evidence on the ground grossly shows the contrary or contradicts all the Government claims. Apart from attacks on Christians in Nigeria being brutally asymmetric or ‘98%/2%’ ratio; or radical Islamists’ attacks or violence against Christians 98% and reprisals against such attacks or violence 2% or less; the Nigerian Government, adding to its monumental failure to protect Christians and fish out and punish their attackers, has also repeatedly repelled such reprisals if rarely risen or rarely about to occur. Under the same Government, any reprisal killing of Herdsman is given the widest media attention locally and internationally; with the wheel of justice speeded up against the perpetrator(s). But when Christians are massacred, Government rolls out industrially its media censorship and inaction including aiding and abetting; for purpose of dwarfing or mangling the same. “Both in principle and in practice, the present Government of Nigeria has provided and still provides maximum protection for Fulani settlements and their jihadist groups and turned and still turns blind eyes, including little or zero response, to an early warning or distress calls on the side of the persecuted Christians and their properties, especially when under attack or about to be attacked. “Naturally, individual or group victim citizens’ reprisals become inevitable when governing or securing authorities woefully failed in their duties to protect them and go after their attackers; or whereby same governing or securing authorities take sides and shield the perpetrators and cover up their atrocities. “In the case of persecuted Christians and their communities in Nigeria or any part thereof, they have remained substantially pacifist, nonviolent, peaceful and law-abiding; allowing themselves to be massacred at will; only for the same Government and its security and law enforcement agencies especially the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to torment and punish them for being nonviolent. “Even in the midst of vicious, systematic and coordinated attacks or violence against them by the Jihadist Herdsmen, the Government does little or nothing to protect and secure them other than to criminalize and collectively frame them up with all manners of false labelling and accusations.’’ Tackles FG on Igboho, Kanu Besides, the group said: “The Department of State Services (DSS), which is the secret police of the Nigerian government, raided the house and killed two domestic staff of a Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. The activist, Chief Igboho, was protesting the incessant killings by herdsmen in Yoruba land. It also accused the Federal Government of “conspiring with Kenyan officials to carry out the kidnap, torture extraordinary rendition and continued detention of the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who has waged an effective resistance against jihadists.” “The current Nigerian Government is executing a Global Jihadist agenda that is comparable, if not more insidious than that of the Taliban’s of Afghanistan. It is even more dangerous because it is mixed with genocidal tendencies. It is in the best interest of the United States and all the democratic countries of the world to identify this threat early and address it now. This is to prevent the further spread of the global jihadist agenda of the Buhari government and to arrest an imminent ethnic and religious genocide.” “We, therefore, urge that the United States Secretary of State, designate the Nigerian Government and the listed State Actors as State sponsors of terrorism to kick start the statutory process and legal instruments of holding them accountable for their high crimes of sponsoring international terrorism. You may kindly note that at the expiration of the two months’ notice, GATE, shall proceed with applying for a writ of mandamus to enjoin the United States Secretary of State to issue the designation”, it stated. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/gate-petitions-us-over-alleged-state-sponsored-terrorism-in-nigeria-tackles-fg-on-igboho-nnamdi-kanu

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Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney Hundreds of Don Wanney’s fighters, who had earlier rejected all government’s overtures to them to surrender their arms have finally done so. They surrendered their arms including explosives, rocket launchers and high-calibre rifles such as AK-47, at Heroes Square yesterday. Before the event, Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier told journalists, who met with him at the Government House, that he had been busy with several phone calls about the success story that the followers of Don Waney had agreed to handover their arms, describing the development as a healthy one since it is believed that it would ensure lasting peace in the oil-producing areas of the state. The governor remarked that “it is very shocking to note that most of the activists of the Avengers and those of Don Wanney operatives are our sons and daughters from the militancy business and their surrendering arms will end the security challenges we have in the Ohaji/Egbema, Awara and the rest of the areas where people have been on self-exile for many years”. He said “Today we are welcoming back our brothers and sisters who have remained in the creeks and forest for so many years perpetuating all kinds of evil, killing and maiming human beings. “But today, glory to God, these our children have decided on their own to come back to the society and be part of the society. “They are doing so on their own, surrendering arms which they have used in committing criminal activities for what they called expression of grievances of different sorts. “We, as a government, are happy particularly that these young boys and girls will now come back as good citizens of Imo State. We are here to receive them and listen to them. “What they say today will determine the role of government in assisting them and making sure they become good citizens once more. It is the wish of the Niger Delta people to welcome you back as good citizens. “You could recall that three weeks ago the notorious kingpin Don Waney was killed and most of these boys are his colleagues and generals in the bush. Today, we are gladdened that the lives of these boys have not been left in the hands of the Military and Police who would have wasted them but today they are been reintegrated into our society to become good citizens.” He continued: “We as a government that is sensitive to the plights of the people are here to intervene before the matter gets out of hand. Last year and last two years we did a similar exercise and most of those youths are now doing well. “We want to remove terror from Ohaji/Egbema. This is one of my campaign promises, that I will change the lives of Ohaji/Egbema people. Terror is going out from the region. “These are the children that drove away their traditional rulers, parents and brothers but today the story is different. We don’t want to hear the stories of Avengers and Don Wanney again, “The state has forgiven them and will subsequently give their names to the Federal Government for amnesty.” In his speech, Don Wanney’s fourth in command, ‘General’ Red Squad, whose real name is Emenike Agamu, said the militancy group led by the late Waney killed several people and blew up many oil pipelines. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/don-waneys-followers-surrender-arms-owerri/

Politics

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The Nigerian naira has magically gained grounds against the United States dollars a night to the Nigerian presidential elections. Recall that the country heads for its presidential poll Saturday (tomorrow) after it was postponed last week by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) over logistic related problems . According to checks by TNG on google on Friday night, the naira gained grounds from N362 to a dollar to N184 to a dollar. Further checks by TNG an hour later on same google placed the naira at N54 to a dollar. However, it was a different scenario on other currency sites as the naira ranged from N358 – N362 to $1. Reacting to the conflicting value of the dollar, a Bureau De Operator based in Abuja told the TNG that they were unaware of such developments and that dollar still sold for N360 till 8 pm on Friday night. ‘I don’t know where the confusion is coming from. People have also been calling us to confirm if the exchange rate is true. We don’t operate on computer or internet. As at this evening, the value of one US dollar to a naira at black market was N360. If you know where they sell less, please take me there. Its election eve, anything is possible’, Musa told TNG correspondent on phone. However, the Nigerian currency on Friday gained N1 to close at N358 to the dollar at the parallel market in Lagos. TNG reports that the naira traded stronger on the eve of elections than Thursday when it closed at N359 to a dollar. The Pound Sterling was sold at N470 and the Euro at N408. At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment, the naira traded at N360 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N470 and N408. Trading at the investors window saw the naira closing at N361.49 to the dollar as market turnover stood at 292.34 million dollars. Meanwhile, the President of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, last week said the naira has in over 18 months remained stable at both the official and parallel markets despite several odds facing it ahead of the 2019 general elections. Speaking recently to financial journalists in Lagos, the ABCON boss commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) financial sector reforms and the contributions of the Bureau de Change (BDC) operators to the current exchange rate stability, as against the common practice of currency devaluations and depreciations across the world at election times. Gwadabe said that the absence of foreign exchange spikes and volatility before and during the 2019 election year is a major achievement by CBN and the Federal Government. He said: “The dexterity of the government policies in ensuring that naira remained stable in an election year is commendable. Election years, as witnessed during the 2015 general elections, are marred by exchange rate volatility and spikes in the market.” He disclosed that financial pundits had in early 2016, speculated that the naira would depreciate to as low as N1000/$. The election period of 2015, he added, witnessed over $100 billion capital flight outside the country. The activities of currency hoarders, speculators and rent seekers reached its peak in 2015. He disclosed that ironically, the trend in the foreign exchange market during this year’s election showed hope for the economy, sustained exchange rate stability, adequate dollar liquidity, increasing foreign capital inflows and most importantly, a unified and convergent exchange rate of BDCs and the parallel market. These feats, he said, are commendable by all standards. On deepening capacity/skills of industry operators, Gwadabe appealed to CBN to issue Letter of Consent to ABCON proposed training institute. This, he added, is going to boost the current ABCON management’s commitment to capacity building for its members to stimulate competence in the sector and make room for better foreign exchange management. Continuing, Gwadabe also listed factors that led to the current successes in the foreign exchange market. He said: “First, I want to congratulate the leadership of CBN for a well coordinated, proactive exchange rate management strategies, which include creation of several foreign exchange windows to deepen liquidity and price discovery, restriction of foreign exchange on 42 items that can be produced locally, self-sufficiency in rice production and continuous partnerships between the apex bank and BDCs, all led to the current exchange rate stability enjoyed in the country.”

https://www.thenewsguru.com/news/nigeria-news/article/confusion-dollar-crashes-heavily-naira-google/

Business

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By Rotimi Fasan Let us take a few steps back to a section of last week’s column, and please pay attention to the emphasised words: “Here in Nigeria, the beginning of this year should remind us that the present government in Nigeria has less than 18 months to remain in office. Yet many Nigerians have great expectations on what it can still do and are hanging hopes on it for a better governed country. “Well, government may have come to the end of its tether. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, is always a polarising figure whose messages are almost always entangled with his person with many confusing the message with the messenger. “But he may have said it all when he recently advised Nigerians to more or less accept the truth of his own submission that expecting more from the present All Progressives Congress-led government would amount to beating a dead horse. The government appears spent having given all it can to address the problems plaguing Nigeria. There is pretty little left for it to do to bring about a turn-around in the fortunes of the country.” When I wrote the foregoing words the two televised interviews the President, Muhammadu Buhari, had with Channels Television and the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, were yet to be broadcast, supposing they had been recorded earlier. The Channels interview, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye and Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, came in the evening of last Wednesday, many hours after the column had been published in the early hours of the day (it had been written three days before publication), while the NTA interview came a day after. For a media-wary president, granting both interviews hours apart must have felt like killing two birds with a stone. It was a way, it seems, of dispensing with a disgusting chore in quick order to concentrate on more comfortable things. The last major interview the President had with the media, if I recall correctly, was in June last year and it was also like this: first with Arise Television and shortly after, NTA. It would look like the NTA interviews were meant to balance and smoothen out the rough edges that could have emerged from the earlier interviews with the independent broadcasters that would be expected to be less scripted. Talking points from the last two interviews bear this out. While critical Nigerians have debated the relevance or irrelevance of the president’s responses to the more probing questions of Channels, they have had to discuss the NTA interview in terms of the president’s personal wishes, in other words the interview took a light-hearted approach. Thus, while Channels wanted the president’s clarification to issues of galloping inflation, unemployment and exchange rate figures that have quadrupled since 2015 when Buhari became president, the NTA was massaging the president with questions on his aspirations after he leaves the presidency and how he would like to be remembered. ALSO READ: Still in search of the nation Nigeria While to the Channels question Buhari left the clearly blazed track and made for the bush, uprooting weeds and bulldosing timber, as he resorts to his familiar tune of calls for a return to the farm when many thought the question had nothing to do with agriculture to say nothing of farms. To the NTA, he also walked the familiar terrain: he would return to his beloved farm after serving. Here’s another excerpt from last week’s column: “If Nigerian politicians will permit, Nigerians can yet experience the good times even as we move close to the last year of President Buhari in office and the old man is allowed to return to his Daura farm as he has promised to.” So, there you have it. President Buhari has not only assured us he has given his best but he has also maintained he is eagerly looking forward to life on his farm where his ageing bones can find some rest among his peers who have long since retired. And who can or should deny an old man such a simple wish? Those who want to may look at the weakening energy of the president as a metaphor for the staying power of his government, its mental alertness and the energy it has left to function. If things are properly put in perspective, then Nigerians may be better advised to moderate their expectations of the president and pray more for the deliverance of the power profiteers surrounding him, hoping they would take less advantage of him as a secret security memo recently warned. But while waiting for the president to retire to his Daura farm, Nigerians cannot fold their hands and die in silence. Something has to be done about the matter of the crumbling economy, rising inflation, quadrupled unemployment, which at 33.3 per cent, is the second highest in the world. They would have to address the question of insecurity that has never been this bad with people being kidnapped from their homes and entire villages held hostage if not destroyed. The president recognised this in his acknowledgment of the fact that the job was not thrust on him, rather he applied for it. He may be exasperated as his statement that he has served in all possible capacities indicate: governor, minister and now two-term president. It is, indeed, time for him to be freed. As Nigerians could say in a different context: no be only di president kill Jesus, we plenty for dia. Buhari alone didn’t cause our misfortune. Come to think of it, for a man who has served in various capacities in a country where public office is seen as a meal ticket, an opportunity to quick wealth, President Buhari may well be one of our ‘poorest’ presidents ever barring Shehu Shagari and Umar Yar’Adua. Not a few local government chairpersons would be richer than him. Which is to say, he could be far richer than he presently is. His vision of farming as the way out of Nigeria’s economic woes is not entirely unfounded and comes from the folkloric wisdom that a well-fed person cannot be poor and once hunger is out of the way, one’s poverty is at an end. Yet it is a vision, viewed from the perspective of Buhari, that is entirely bucolic and romantic given the complexity of today’s world. Buhari’s idea of farming is frozen in time. Which may be why his farm in Daura does not have the sophistication of the farm holdings of another farmer-president: Olusegun Obasanjo. One may also ask: which farm does the president want Nigerians given access to? The same from which bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal elements have chased farmers, aggravating our food crisis? Anyhow, Nigerians must cut Buhari a slack. He seems genuinely committed and patriotic within his own understanding even when his best does not seem good enough. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/the-president-said-he-has-given-his-best-2/

Politics

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Warn of consequences of a repeat As APC condemns attack By Henry Umoru ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation have accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), of allegedly masterminding the attack on President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, in Katsina State and asked the APC and Buhari to call their supporters to order. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, described the action of the APC supporters at Buhari’s home state as despicable, barbaric, shameful and highly reprehensible, warning that Buhari would be held responsible if anything untoward happened to Jonathan. They also warned that the consequences of a repeat of such an act would be grave. In his address, Fani- Kayode said: “Let us take this opportunity to also serve them notice that if anything untoward happens to our candidate or his supporters during the course of this campaign we shall hold Buhari and his party responsible and the consequences would be grave, unimaginable and far-reaching. Despicable, barbaric and shameful “Meanwhile, we call on our millions of supporters all over the country to remain calm and not to indulge in any form of violence or revenge attacks despite this massive and unwarranted provocation. “Yesterday (Tuesday), while going to Katsina for his scheduled rally, a group of broom-wielding vandals, chanting ‘sai Buhari’, hurled stones at the convoy of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who, as you all know, is our presidential candidate in the February 14 election. “We consider that action despicable, barbaric, shameful and highly reprehensible. It shows very clearly the violent nature, disposition and character of those individuals that were involved and the presidential candidate that they support. “The Katsina show of shame was the first case of violence unleashed on our candidate by supporters of the candidate of the APC, General Buhari, after the signing of the historic Abuja Accord by the presidential candidates of all the parties participating in the election. The purpose of that accord was to discourage violence before, during and after the elections. “The laudable intention of the accord has now been irresponsibly violated by a group of miscreants and vandals whose leader has proved to be wholly incapable of keeping them in check and restraining them from indulging in violence. It is worrisome that this kind of violent reaction would manifest when the election has not held and their candidate has not yet lost.” Buhari’ll suffer crushing defeat Speaking further, Fani-Kayode said Buhari and his party would suffer very serious defeat next month, adding: “We are taking this opportunity to serve notice today that by the grace of God and the support of the well-meaning Nigerian electorate, General Buhari will suffer a crushing defeat in the hands of our candidate, President Jonathan, at the polls. “When we remember the post-election violence of 2011 after this same candidate lost, you must appreciate the reason why we are raising these concerns. “Were it not for the gallant efforts of the security personnel, this small group of violent vandals would have harmed the President and caused damage to the vehicles in his convoy. “It is pertinent for us to point out the fact that our candidate, our party and our numerous supporters have so far behaved reasonably and responsibly during the course of this campaign and the world can attest to this with the peaceful rally that General Buhari had in Bayelsa State, the home state of our candidate.” APC was never committed to the Abuja accord Also, the national leadership of the PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, while condemning the attack on Jonathan, said the attack was “a clear indication that the APC is not ready to dial back on its rabid desire to attain power through violence despite signing a peace pact a week ago in Abuja. He said the party would “no longer tolerate such acts of violence on any of its members. “This brazen attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our presidential candidate clearly shows that the APC was never committed to the spirit and letters of the Abuja peace accord which they signed in the presence of prominent Nigerians and international personalities. “It is unfortunate that while the PDP and other parties are busy ensuring that their members and supporters remain committed to a peaceful electioneering, the APC has been hatching plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members. “We invite Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon. These early developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations by the leaders of the APC that Nigeria would be thrown into chaos and bloodshed should it lose the February general elections were real. “We commend the maturity and the ever peaceful disposition of President Jonathan and the leaders of the PDP even in the face of this unwarranted attack.” APC condemns attack Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has strongly condemned the reported stoning of the campaign convoy of President Jonathan in Katsina State, saying “violence of any kind is totally unacceptable to the party.” In a statement signed yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hindrance. It said: “Even though the attack on the President’s convoy took place a day after the provocative death-wish newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, nothing justifies the stoning of the President’s convoy anywhere in the country.” The party restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections, and urged other parties to follow suit.” ‘’We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/apc-buhari-behind-attack-jonathan-katsina-pdp/

Politics

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Nigeria’s flagbearer Marya Usman leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow on July 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO By Solomon Nwoke Nigeria began on a good note yesterday at the ongoing Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland as the country won her first medal in weightlifting. Youthful Nkechi Opara gave Nigeria her first medal when she won a bronze medal in the Women 48kg weight class. She lifted a total weight of 162kg behind the duo of India’s Sanjita Khumukcham and Mirabai Chanu Saikhom who won the gold and silver respectively at the Clyde Auditorium. Opara making her debute in the sport competed alongside, Khumukcham who began her weightlifting career in 2006 in Manipur, India and won her major cap at the 2011 Asian Championships in Tongling, China hauled a total lift of 173kg while Saikhom who emerged Best Lifter at the 2013 Junior National Championship in Guwahati, India lifted a total weight of 170kg to settle for the silver medal. Nigeria topped the weightlifting medal charts in 2010 edition with five gold, four silver and five bronze followed by Samoa (3, 0, 0) and India (2, 2, 4). This time also, India, with six lifters from 2010 Games, are likely to maintain that level of performance. Nigeria’s preparation was not too good as lack of funds did not allow them go for foreign training and exposure. They have, however, named a strong squad, including 2010 63kg gold winner Obioma Agatha Okoli. India had done exceedingly well in the 2013 Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg last November. Many Indian lifters are among top three of the latest Commonwealth rankings. 2010 CWG gold medallist in men’s 69kg, K Ravi Kumar is again in the team but he is competing in 77kg this time, and is not expected to win gold in his new weight category having laid low for a long time due to injury. Khumukcham Sanjita and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu are competing tomorrow in women’s 48kg and India has the chance to win two medals from this category. This has been a strong category for India since the days of Kunjarani Devi. India had won a silver and bronze in this category in 2010. The Indian duo will have a strong competitor in Chika Amalaha of Nigeria, who had won silver in 53kg in Commonwealth Championships, but is competing in 48kg class. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/opara-wins-nigerias-first-medal-glasgow/

Sports

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File: Herdsmen attending to their cows By Ugochukwu Alaribe ABA—Traditional ruler of Abala community in Obingwa council, Eze Paul Ekwenye, has cried out to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to save his community from Fulani herdsmen who invaded their farm lands. The monarch told Vanguard that herdsmen numbering 10 with over 200 cows attacked some women in their farms, as well as traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to the Orie market in the community. Eze Ekwenye who appealed to the state government to deploy security agents to the community which is a border town with Akwa Ibom State, lamented that his people would soon face starvation since they no longer have access to their farms. According to him, “For five days now, Fulani herdsmen invaded our farm lands; they attacked women who went to their farm. Traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to our Orie market said to me that they were also attacked. Some of the women said the herdsmen were shooting guns. We invited the Police, but the herdsmen ran away and came back when the Police left. There is tension in this community; every resident is afraid of his life and property. They have used their cows to destroy our crops. “This is the way they invaded Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu state and killed people. We don’t want to be killed in our home. So, we are appealing to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to deploy security agents to help secure Abala community.” Chairman of the Council of Village Heads, Abala community, Ndubuisi Sampson, who said he has warned the community vigilance group not to take laws into their hands, disclosed that some residents of the community have fled their homes and are now taking refuge at the Eze’s palace while others have relocated to their relations in neighbouring communities. Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Police Command, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta, who had earlier denied the incident, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/fulani-herdsmen-have-invaded-our-farmlands-for-5-days-abia-monarch-cries-out/

Politics

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In their usual tradition of keeping true to promises, the organisers of the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will on Monday present two Kia Saloon cars to winners of the 10km races in the 2020 edition. Oyebode Dada Sunday and Vera Yohanna Dovou emerged tops in the 10km men and women’s races respectively and they would effectively become car owners on Monday. The 10km fun race is one of the innovative ways organisers have been encouraging more participation in the Lagos Marathon. In a statement issued by Olukayode Thomas, Head of Media and Communications for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, he explained that while cash prizes have since been paid to winners, there is a slight delay in the presentation of the cars due to the unexpected coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted many activities around the world. He said: “We are grateful that we now have a window to finally, do what we projected to do long ago but had to put on hold due to the peculiar situation we found ourselves” “The winners have all been contacted and they would be officially presented with their prizes on Monday.” Now in its fifth edition, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is proudly ranked high among road races across the world with a Silver Label. The General Manager for the race, Yusuf Alli while expressing satisfaction with the 2020 edition held in February has revealed that options for the 2021 edition are already being studied. “With the car presentation now set to be done, that means we are done and dusted with 2020 and now looking forward to 2021,” he said. He continued: “We are already considering various options which include a reduced number of participants to allow for social distancing if required and many other things I don’t want to divulge for now” For Monday’s car presentation, Alli assured that all protocols, as prescribed by the NCDC, will be strictly followed. He said: “This year’s presentation will be devoid of the usual fanfare with very few journalists in attendance along with the winners as well as representatives of the organizers and sponsors” read also:Kenyan Athlete Wins 2020 Lagos Marathon The 2021 edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is billed to take place on Saturday, February 13.

https://sportinglife.ng/lagos-city-marathon-10km-winners-set-to-receive-car-prizes/

Sports

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Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last few years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership has soared to record levels. There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition. There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt. One thing worth considering before making a decision is that certain breeds of dog are very loving and affectionate, liking nothing more than snuggling up to their owners for a cuddle. Meanwhile, others just aren’t so demonstrative, having a more independent attitude and more likely to keep themselves to themselves in their own bed of an evening – rather than on the couch next to you. So, here are the 10 most and least affectionate breeds of dog. For all the latest dog news, chat, advice and information, join our Scotsdog Facebook group here 1. Labrador Retriever It'll come as no surprise to anybody who has owned a Labrador Retriever - the UK's most popular dog - that they feature prominently in this list. They are famously gentle, loyal and very affectionate.Photo: Canva/Getty Images 2. Golden Retriever Just like their Labrador cousins, the Golden Retriever lives to love humans - forming particularly strong and affectionate bonds with children.Photo: Canva/Getty Images 3. Bichon Frise The Bichon Frise's favourite spot is on your lap, shortly followed by being curled up at the end of your bed. Their sweet nature means they are guaranteed to get on well with pretty much anybody, but will reserve a special amount of love for their family.Photo: Canva/Getty Images There's nothing that a pug likes more than being snuggled up on its owner's lap, spending hours happily being patted. They'll also follow you around like a shadow - leading to their nickname of the 'velcro dog'.Photo: Canva/Getty Images

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/family-and-parenting/dog-affection-here-are-the-10-least-and-most-loving-breeds-of-adorable-dog-from-afghan-hound-to-affectionate-labrador-retriever-3589268

Sports

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…Sanwo-Olu, Dare, Hamzat, lead others at novelty match in Lagos By Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; led other dignitaries on Sunday, to honour the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with a novelty match in celebration of his 70 birthday. Other dignitaries were: Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, public office holders at federal and state levels among others. The novelty match between ex-Super Eagles players and Team Lagos, which took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos included former and present members of the National Assembly, Lagos State Executive Council, Lagos State House of Assembly and local government chairmen, as well as members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Lagos State APC executive members, among others. The match, which also had in attendance, Tinubu, kicked off the ball, as part of the programmes organised by the Tinubu Support Group in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, to celebrate the APC National Leader’s 70th birthday, coming up on Tuesday, March 29. Former Super Eagles Striker, Victor Agali scored two goals for the ex-international team led by Austin Jay Jay Okocha to defeat the Team Lagos, which was made up of former players of Stationery Scores and other clubs in Lagos State. Agali scored the first goal 10 minutes into the second half from a brilliant pass from Julius Aghahowa. Agali net the second goal 12 minutes later through his head from a cross by Austin Okocha, who displayed brilliant and dribbling skills during the match. The ex-internationals team also included; Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Taribo West, Garba Lawal, Mutiu Adepoju, Victor Ikpeba and Abiodun Obafemi, among others. Team Lagos was captained by the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa. Other members of the team were: Waidi Akanni, Godwin Okpara, Friday Ekpo, Sanni Doherty, Akeem Ogunlade, Wasiu Ipaye, Taiwo Oloyede, Yusuf Ayinla and Alhaji Gafar, among others. Prior to the novelty match between the ex-international and Team Lagos, there was a football match between Team Abuja comprising members of the National Assembly and Team B, made of up members of the Lagos State Executive Council, House of Assembly and council chairmen. The Team Manager for Team Abuja was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, while Team Lagos was led by the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/tinubu-at-70-ex-super-eagles-players-defeat-team-lagos-20/

Sports

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By Emeka Aginam Oladapo Oluwadora Glory, Aboluwarin Olaluwa David and Banjo Mofesola Paul of the Federal University of Technology FUTA , Akure have won ISPON software cup 2013, they were among the 70 students from the Nigerian higher educational institutions that competed in the 2013 Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON national software conference and competition holding in Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross Rivers to win Software Innovation price. Vanguard checks revealed that twenty one schools including Usman Danfodiyo, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, University of Benin, Delta State University, Anambra State University, uli, Federal Polytechnic, Okoh, Niger Delta University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Uyo City University, Covernany University, Ajayi Crowther University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife among others are participating in the national software contest hosted by the Cross Rivers State government for three years running. However, 24 teams in different categories including mobile app, web app, desktop app, and mobile game battled to win software innovation price sponsored by Main One, Nigerian Communications Commission, NEXIM Bank, NITDA among others. At the event that attracted key industry stakeholders and university Vice Chancellors, participants among other things discussed how best software strategies can help retool the workforce. Earlier in his opening speech on Monday, the Governor of the Cross Rivers, Senator Liyel Imoke said with optimism that future belongs to the competing students. According to him, there was need to review Nigerian educational curriculum to match global standard. While urging the students to use the tools and knowledge in their hands to contribute to the economic development of the country, he said that CrossRiversState was well positioned for IT hub in Nigeria. “How the winners will contribute to local economy is the next challenge. In this conference, we have the future of the country. We have the capacity. We can drive knowledge economy with right policies. The students in the software competition here are entrepreneurs of the future. Your destiny lies in your hands” he said. For the ISPON President, Chris Uwaje, unless the workforce were retooled with local software, the challenge of the knowledge society may not be resolved. According to him, there was need to retool the workforce with innovative sofware strategies for national survivability. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/futa-students-win-2013-ispon-national-software-cup/#sthash.EdOW4Dgy.dpuf

Education

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Bandits have attacked the permanent site of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State, killing two officers and abducting one other officer. The Spokesman for the academy in the state Major Bashir Muhd Jajira confirmed that that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. “The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen,” Jajira said in a statement. “We lost two personnel and one was abducted.” The bandits who came in a vehicle were said to have passed through the security gate into the academy, disguised in military uniforms, after which they proceeded to the officers’ quarters. On arrival, they began shooting sporadically and in the process, killed two officers (a Major and a Squadron Leader), and later on, took another Major away through the nearby bush inside the academy. The sound of the gunfire, however, alerted the troops of the NDA Quick Response Team, who arrived at the scene, but were unable to rescue the kidnapped officer as the bandits were already gone with the victim. A combined team of security operatives has now launched a manhunt of the bandits inside the bush including air surveillance with a view to arresting them and rescuing the kidnapped officer. The Nigerian Defence Academy is located few metres away from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where 39 students were abducted by bandits in March.

https://www.channelstv.com/2021/08/24/breaking-bandits-attack-nda-kill-two-officers/

Politics

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Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, also decried the deployment of soldiers especially in Lagos and wondered whether it was part of the deal Labour reached with government. Demanding immediate withdrawal of the soldiers, Soyinka described their deployment as “an intolerable act of provocation that has taken underhand advantage of the willingness of the people to negotiate and give the government a breathing space” and makes absolute nonsense of the Belgore machinery for resolution that was set up, even before it has commenced work. “It has turned future dialogue into negotiation under the gun, which is nothing but a charade and will only be challenged at no distant date.” He urged Labour and Civil society to boycott further talks with the government until the soldiers were withdrawn. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/troops-deployment-a-gross-betrayal-soyinka/

Politics

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No automatic ticket for Shehu Sani -APC NWC The National Working Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it has not handed automatic ticket to any Kaduna Senator. Senator Sani is the only APC Senator from Kaduna state following the recent defection of his colleague from Kaduna North, Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi. The party in a statement signed by its Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Mohammed Sani Ibrahim said, the rumour that automatic ticket has been given to a Senator should be disregarded. According to Ibrahim, “the National Working Committee of the APC has not handed over an automatic ticket to any senator in Kaduna State.” He added that, automatic ticket does not apply in the party’s constitution and that whoever is interested in contesting has to slug it out at the primaries. According to him, “As a compatriot, I feel deeply disturbed by the recent developments in our great party, especially the unfounded rumours regarding candidates for the various offices, as we approach the 2019 general elections. “More disturbing is the story of the so-called endorsement or automatic tickets that people have been spreading on social media, especially as it relates to Kaduna central and many parts of the Northwest Senatorial District. “For the records and in the interest of our great party’s constitution and its public image, I wish to declare that the party’s constitution is supreme and decisions at the National level is not a one-man show as some people wrongly assumed,” he said. Ibrahim said the issue of automatic tickets can only happen after decisions are reached collectively by the National Working Committee in conjunction with the NEC which is vested with such powers. Read also: 2019: APC raises alarm over fake registration website “It follows logically therefore, that the stories being branded on social media are misleading, in the sense that our party is governed by its constitution and not individual wishes. And that is why we have the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee. “Let me make it categorically and abundantly clear that the APC will not and could not have given automatic ticket or endorsed any single candidate without recourse to guideline on nomination as stipulated in our party’s constitution. “And right now, no such meeting has taken place yet and no publicity to that effect. The Senate of any senatorial district is not the exclusive preserve for any special favour,” he stated.

http://thenationonlineng.net/automatic-ticket-shehu-sani-apc-nwc/

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Should we close churches to reopen cinemas? ONE of the ways that foreigners have mocked the slow growth of cinema business in Nigeria is to say that we have closed down cinemas to open churches. Indeed, while the cinemas of yesteryears have been bought over by modern businesses, and painfully axed down with nostalgia, it is not unlikely that some of them may have been replaced by annexes of some big church brands. The foreigners’ perception of the irony of cinema story in Nigeria is relative to the extent that cinemas dwindled until the recent but slow revamp, while churches have grown in geometric progression. This is not what you find in other climes. As you walk along tube stations in London, adore billboards on the streets of New York and Toronto, or take a pleasure trip round Johannesburg, or Durban in nearby South Africa, you can’t miss the captivation of film posters which rival most product advertisements. Whereas in Nigeria, posters of church revivals, bearing photos of the pastor and his Mummy Mission-wife compete with the popular MTN slogan of ‘Everywhere You Go’. Vono Andile, my South African friend who had imagined that Nigeria is such an unrivalled football loving nation came visiting last year, but found it amazing that there are more church posters than advertisement of local football leagues. We joked and laughed. The question that comes to my mind is, how do we see the future of African cinema, when apart from that ‘lousy’ comparison between film and church advertisement, there are more Hollywood posters in our re-emerging cinemas than Nollywood’s? The other aspect is that although the analogy of the church posters may sound heretical, it is illogical in my Public Relations’ media point of view for a charity or non-commercial and untaxed organisation, under which the church falls to rival a commercial organisation like Nollywood in advertisement. Of course, the churches are not to blame, for how else do you promote the work of the Lord effectively without the modern techniques of evangelism that also have more TV channels dedicated to ‘deliverance’ dramas than all the Africa Magic and Mzanzi Magic channels put together. The present government, in its readjustment of priorities, must begin to identify potentially viable non-oil sectors of the economy and give them some feathers to fly. This is talking about enabling environment that not only reduces the cost of film production, but also walking the talk of piracy minimisation. Cottage and community cinemas should be encouraged to change the cinema-going culture from the elitist recreation that some Nigerian cinemas have made it. With these in place, it can only be a win-win for the Nigerian motion picture industry and the Nigerian government, as filmmakers will not only be able to repay loans conveniently, there will be more employment and basis for government to tax the filmmakers and jump start the country’s GDP. Art and entertainment must continue to hit our psyche as real businesses and not the ‘play’ thing for which it has been carelessly underrated like other sectors of the economy, as against the almighty oil.

http://thenationonlineng.net/should-we-close-churches-to-reopen-cinemas/

Religion

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Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has regained his freedom after spending more than four years in detention. Dasuki was released by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday in Abuja, following the directive of the Federal Government. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, had ordered the DSS to release the former NSA, as well as the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Mr Omoyele Sowore. In a statement personally signed by him, Malami explained that the decision to release the two men was in compliance with the bail granted to them by the court. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and lawyer to the former NSA, Ahmed Raji, confirmed the release of his client. He thanked the AGF for ordering the DSS to comply with the various court orders granting bail to Dasuki. Dasuki was arrested in December 2015 over an allegation of diverting $2.1billion arms funds while serving as the National Security Adviser during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was arraigned in court and was granted bail with certain conditions, but the Federal Government refused to release him in disobedience to the court order. On July 14, 2019, the Court of Appeal in Abuja declared the continued detention of the former NSA since December 29, 2015, by the DSS as illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional. The appellate court held that the DSS and its Director-General acted outside their constitutional powers on the long period of the detention of a Nigerian citizen and imposed a fine of N5 million on them to be paid to Dasuki as compensation for breach of his fundamental right. Four months later and in view of his continued detention, the Court of Appeal varied the terms attached to the bail earlier granted the former NSA. It expunged the requirement that Dasuki should produce a Level 16 civil servant who must own a property worth N100million within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as surety. Rather, the court ordered that the former NSA produce two sureties with property worth N100 million within the FCT.

https://www.channelstv.com/2019/12/24/breaking-sambo-dasuki-released-after-over-four-years-in-detention/

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EFCC grills Emefiele over alleged $15b foreign debts, new currency - AGF seeks Tinubu’s approval for EFCC to take over ex-CBN gov’s probe - Special Investigator Obazee submits interim report to President The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday began a full-scale probe of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, with alleged $15 billion foreign debts topping the investigation. Emefiele will also account for how the apex bank spent N74.84 billion to produce and roll out currencies, including new naira notes. The allegations are in addition to alleged fraud uncovered by the Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, who is looking into the activities of the CBN. Obazee, whose committee is collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Nigeria Police, has also submitted an interim report on the CBN to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was learnt yesterday that the ex-CBN governor was transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the EFCC because the fresh investigation is not covered by the mandate of the security agency. The DSS does not have the core competence to investigate the weighty allegations of financial crimes against Emefiele, a highly placed source said yesterday. There were fears that if the DSS continues with the investigation, the ex-CBN governor might win in court on technical grounds. The source said only the EFCC can put Emefiele on trial, not the DSS, based on the findings made so far. Emefiele was transferred (technically released) to EFCC on Thursday afternoon to allow for in-depth investigation and trial. The swap was kept under wraps in order to avoid what the source described as a “distraction.” Having appraised the allegations against Emefiele and the interim report on the ongoing probe of the CBN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) sent an advisory to the President that the EFCC is the right agency to probe Emefiele, it was learnt. “As a man of due process, the President approved the advisory of the AGF. It was on this basis that the DSS handed over Emefiele to the EFCC on Thursday,” The Nation learnt yesterday. About two to three weeks ago, the Special Investigator on CBN activities, Jim Obazee, submitted an interim report to the President with a lot of findings requiring in-depth investigation. This was another reason the AGF was very strong in his opinion that the EFCC should manage the ongoing probe. “The truth is that such an investigation is not within the mandate of the DSS. Or else, if Emefiele is put on trial by the DSS, he will win on technical grounds,” the highly placed source said. At press time, it was confirmed that a panel of EFCC operatives had started grilling Emefiele on the allegations against him, including the following: •Alleged foreign debts of $15 billion •Spending of N74. 84 billion on Naira redesign, production and roll out of currencies •Alleged fraud in Anchor Borrowers Scheme •Suspicious audit of CBN accounts •Acquisition of bank, Fintech licences by some top officials of CBN •Award of suspicious billions of Naira contracts Another source in EFCC added: “Emefiele is in our custody and he is already responding to issues or allegations raised for him from a team under the supervision of the Director of Operation, Abdulkarim Chukkol. “As a commission, we won’t talk on his case in order not to compromise ongoing investigation.” The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, was yet to pick his call at press time.

https://thenationonlineng.net/efcc-grills-emefiele-over-alleged-15b-foreign-debts-new-currency/

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Three persons were Saturday, killed in the botched National Assembly elections in the Ekeremor council area of Bayelsa State. Though there were conflicting accounts of the incident, which led to the death of the youths, sources told Vanguard that the incident occurred at about 11.30am along the Ekeremor waterways when some armed youths allegedly laying ambush for election materials engaged men of the Joint Task Force in a shoot out. According to sources, the violent clash between the armed youths and the JTF occurred close to the waterside of the Ekeremor town. It was gathered that the refusal of the youths to heed the order of the JTF to vacate the waterways triggered the violent shoot out. The youths, according to sources, opened fire on the Joint Task Force Gunboat prompting the security forces to respond fire for fire and the resultant deaths. While the Ekeremor council chairman, Eddy Julius confirmed the incident and said three persons died, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre of the JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha said he was yet to get any official details on the incident. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/botched-poll-three-killed-in-bayelsa/

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Florence Ita Giwa By Charles Kumolu Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has urged the executive and legislative arms of government to avoid politicising the Calabar-Lagos rail project, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari should be encouraged to develop the Niger Delta region. Ita-Giwa, in a statement, noted that the controversy over the project was unnecessary, adding that the rail line when completed would turn around the economy of the South-South region. She said: “The Calabar-Lagos rail project is a significant one that must not be trivialized or politicized because it has the potential of opening up the economy of the South-South region. I am, therefore, urging my colleagues in the Senate and the executive arms to ensure that the project is included and adequately catered for in the budget because it will serve the common good and will complement the Cross River State Deep Sea Port. “I also want to advise my colleagues to guide and keep an eagle eye on all projects earmarked for their constituents. Only through that can they be called good representatives. The region has suffered enough. Buhari should be encouraged to deliver dividends of democracy to the area even beyond the rail project.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/ita-giwa-presidency-nass-dont-politicise-calabar-lagos-rail-project/

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By Chioma Gabriel What do the Igbo want? Is it Biafra or restructuring or a Nigerian president of Igbo stock? This question has become pertinent in the face of a majority tribe in Nigeria becoming a minority. There is a strange statistics that the Igbo are the list registered amongst the ethnic groups in Nigeria and this assumption is being used in many quarters against the people. This assumption is being used to shortchange the people politically and many a political party would not field a presidential candidate or the vice –presidential to the south east. Personally, I don’t care where the political parties zoned their candidates to as long as we have good governance in Nigeria and problems of infrastructure in the south east are addressed. But are Igbo minority? The answer is no. If anything, they are the majority tribe in Nigeria. It is only the Igbo that you will see living in large numbers anywhere else in Nigeria. Despite being butchered and hated by many, the Igbo man has remained resolute and committed in what he believes in. Despite being oppressed and intimidated, the Igbo have a dream and have remained committed to that dream. Despite being hated by fellow Igbo, the Igbo man has remained unshakeable in what he believes. The last opinion is a fact. Sometimes, the Igbo is so complicated that it becomes known amongst the others that to deal with an Igbo man, it is a fellow Igbo man that will help and it has been working for them. But does that make Igbo a minority tribe in Nigeria or the least registered? The answer is no and I will explain. More than 50% of the Igbos lives outside that southeast, scattered in the north, west, midde belt, south south and outside the shores of Nigeria. If anything, statistics has shown that Igbo is the largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The South East consists of 99.9% resident Igbo while Igbo have a huge population in other regions. To be fair, at-least Igbo consist 30% to 35% of Lagos populations and Igbo also have big population in South South and Northern States. According to statistics, North Central has 10,586,965 of registered voters and the Igbo are at-least 700,000. The North East has 9,929,015 registered voters out of which Igbo voters are at least 600,000. In the North West, there are 18,293,093 registered voters and the number of registered Igbo voters are at-least 1,000,000 even though 25% of people that registered to vote in North West are from Chad and Niger. In the South South where they have 11,101,093 registered voters : Igbo voters in South South are at-least 3 to 4 million people In the south east with 8,293,093, Igbo voters constitute at-least 8.2 million people while in the South West with 14,626,800, the number of Igbo voters is at-least 5million people. Can anyone compare the number of people from other regions living in the south east/south south to those of people from the south east/south south living in other regions? The answer is no. There is no basis for comparison. The problem is that the Igbo have not been able to stick together to decide on what they want and other zones are taking this to advantage. Nobody from other zones has ever sympathized with the Igbo position. Hence, after since 1999, nobody is thinking seriously about the Igbo in a presidential position whereas others who have had it are striving to have it again and again. Just the other day, in a reminiscent of Aba women riot of November/December, 1929 in Aba and Calabar Provinces against the policies of the British colonial administrators , the women of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, protested in Owerri . The Aba women protested the “special task” foisted on the market women having seen it as anti-development and capable of ruining their businesses. They refused to be intimidated and mobilized into the streets to demand that the special task on market women among other things be proscribed. That show of what many pictured as Aba women riot almost happened again in Owerri when the women said to be members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, numbering over 2000 conquered fear and protested against government actions on proponents for Biafra republic. Since the existence of IPOB, it is about the most pronounced protest by pro Biafra women. A good number of the women came out topless. They wore black attire. They had with them Biafra insignias. There were young girls, mothers and grandmothers. Some are pregnant. They met the strongest force of armed police officers and in the process, they were rounded up and bundled to the Imo police headquarters. IPOB had campaigned against registration of voters exercise and discouraged Igbos from partaking in the exercise which many especially hundreds of thousands of IPOB members obeyed. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo and some groups in the south east have been talking about restructuring while many others are talking about a different thing altogether. What do the Igbo want? Is it a Nigerian president from the south east? Is it restructuring or Biafra republic? Discordant tunes emanating from the south east require that the people go back to the drawing table and articulate a position on what they want in the Nigerian federation. The way things are, the Nigerian federation has moved on and left the Igbos behind. Currently, this majority tribe is neither here nor there. Il flotte dans l’air (It is floating in the air) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/revisiting-the-igbo-question/

Politics

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IN a country of more than 42 Ministers, and more similarly ranked government officials, you would be forgiven if you have not heard about Mr. Samuel Ortom. He is the Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Mr. Ortom announced himself with the threat that the Federal Government was considering sanctions for government agencies and parastatals that bought imported vehicles rather than the ones assembled in the country. As one whose brief included promoting investment, he probably was saying the right words. Words are important to government. In fact, they are everything. Mr. Ortom on a visit to a motor manufacturing company in Kano was surprised the company manufactured so many vehicles. He wondered why government agencies bought vehicles made abroad. The threat to sanction government organisations that bought imported cars was the Minister’s proposed solution to the matter. He knows it would not happen. For purposes of headlines and media attention, on which the fulcrum of major government decisions rest, he scored the bull’s eye. Mr. Ortom did not arrive at the event in a Nigerian made car. He knows that the capacity of the assembling plants in Nigeria cannot meet the demands of government. He also knows why they cannot. His bosses do not use cars assembled in Nigeria. They think too that is below their office to use vehicles assembled in Nigeria. They can give reasons they will not touch those cars. In 2009, Nigeria spent N175 billion on imported cars according to the National Automotive Council of Nigeria, NACA. Mr. Ortom, we would assume, knows that manufacturers have had issues for decades with government. The most telling of these is poor electricity supply which, among other factors, results in goods made in Nigeria not being competitive. How many years have we talked about electricity? Three years ago, then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan visited the foremost motor assembling plant in Kaduna. He promised (words again) that by the end of 2009, electricity would be so cheap and its supply so regular that the plant would not require to generate its own electricity. The company had complained that electricity was its major cost and that its unavailability was affecting its capacities. Electricity supply has since degenerated. The only improvements are on celebrated increased generation while the company entrusted with supplying it lacks the capacity to do so. What is the point in wasting resources to generate electricity that we cannot distribute? “We have met with the stakeholders in the auto industry and they have come up with a position paper which we are looking into. Our problem is lack of discipline. This time we shall apply sanction for those who go against Federal Government’s policy on patronage for locally assembled vehicles,” Mr. Ortom said. We think there have been too many stakeholders meetings, barely producing results because government’s interests lie in other things. “Nigerians have no choice than to patronise their auto assembly plant because they have the potentials to create new jobs and if we patronise our own industries, we will recycle our wealth to the benefit of all,” the Minister said in the same magisterial manner that discards the interests of Nigerians who will buy cheaper products, with the meagre resources that the mismanagement of the economy awards them. Words are no longer enough to address issues. When will government provide electricity? When will it have an industrialisation and investment policy that speaks volumes in action? Mr. Ortom should walk on those already ignored paths. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/how-to-avoid-nigerias-breakaway-in-2015-ibb/Words

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Teachers under the aegis of Basic Education Staff (BES) in Kogi State have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in their present predicament over unpaid salaries and allowance by the State government. The teachers made the appeal while protesting what they described as maltreatment of the highest order which has culminated in both physical, mental and emotional trauma, occasioned by their aggravating condition of service in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State. The protesting teachers gathered at the Holy Trinity Primary School in their numbers, carrying placards with different inscriptions in their hand to press home there demand. It is also recorded that this is not the first time that the protesting teachers are protesting unpaid salaries, as they were prevented from meeting with the Governor. Addressing reporters, the Chairman of the BES in Kogi State, Comrade Ohino Baiye, pointed out some alleged atrocities the board had committed to divert their allowances and also underpay them. Comrade Baiye said they were more resolute in the struggle for emancipation and to oppose and resist the payment of salaries by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) due to the trauma they have experienced in the hands of the present board. He stated that payment should be handed over to Local Government Education Authorities for accountability. Comrade Baiye also said that their association became necessary because the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) was no longer fighting their cause, but was rather using them to trade. On his part, the SUBEB Chairman said the board had paid salaries to Basic Education teachers in the state, with the fund available to them.

http://www.channelstv.com/2015/08/16/kogi-teachers-protest-unpaid-salaries/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Politics

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday revealed that the state will borrow N350 billion to fund the 2023 budget. The governor presented had presented a budget of N1.69 trillion to the State House of Assembly for approval for the 2023 fiscal year. The budget is deficit and to be financed by borrowing, which is pegged at N350 billion. Currently, Lagos’ domestic debt as at June 2022, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO) stands at N797,305,312,602.53, while the foreign debt stands at 1.27 billion US Dollars (N555.828bn). This pegged the state’s total debt profile in the region of N1.35 trillion. However, in presenting the 2023 budget tagged: ‘Budget of Continuity,’ the governor said it comprised a Total Revenue of N1,342,670,649,640 and Deficit Financing of N350,000,000,000. The budget comprises total Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1,108,435,649,640 and Total Federal Transfer of N234,235,000,000. Sanwo-Olu added that the budget has a recurrent expenditure of N759,958,569,792, comprising Total Overhead Cost of N403,653,328,479; Total Personnel Cost, N247,295,312,088 and Recurrent Debt Service, N109,009,929,224. The N403,653,328,479 Total Overhead Cost is broken down into Overhead, N221,957,283,661; Subvention, N93,501,258,220 and Dedicated, N88,194,786,596. The 2023 budget has a Capital Expenditure of N932,712,190,102, comprising capital expenditure, N670,134,079,150 and Repayment, N262,578,110,952. “The budget size is made up of recurrent expenditure of N759,958,569,792 (45%) and capital expenditure of N932,712,190,102 (55%).The deficit financing shall consist of external and internal loans and bonds which are well within our fiscal sustainability parameters,” Sanwo-Olu said. In the sectoral breakdown, Economic Affairs has the highest budget of N339,482,825,430 which represents 20.06 percent of the budget, while General Public Service came second with N308,363,331,313, representing 18.22 percent of the budget. Education came third with N153,445,318,140 (9.07%) while Health came next with N67,358,643,068.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/10/27/sanwo-olu-to-borrow-n350-billion-to-fund-2023-budget/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

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By Dirisu Yakubu – Abuja Despite the loss of yet another governor to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remains upbeat of its chances of returning to power at the centre in 2023. Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle, Tuesday, crossed over to the ruling party, a development that did not go down well with the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party. Addressing newsmen at a meeting of party leaders on Tuesday, national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the PDP’s chances of winning the Presidential election in 2023 will not dim owing to Governors’ defection to the APC. He labelled Matawalle as a man “who has probably lost memory of how he became governor,” adding that the party will go the whole hog to protect the mandate given to it by the Supreme Court when it ruled in favour of the PDP. He added that the party’s optimism is premised on th support of the masses nationwide while APC “is busy after governors in their bid to rig elections in 2023.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/2023-pdpll-be-back-in-aso-rock-secondus/?

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Maina’s N1b assets seized Yusuf Alli, Abuja •32 SIM cards •13 flash drives •U.S. ID card THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an application at the court for the forfeiture of 29 additional assets, worth N1.054 billion, traced to Abdulrasheed Maina. Maina, the fugitive former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was arrested in an Abuja hotel in September, when he sneaked into the country from his United Arab Emirates (UAE) base. He was picked up with his son, Faisal, who pulled a pistol to prevent his father’s arrest. Since his arrest, Maina has been undergoing interrogation at the EFCC. Some foreign assets believed to belong to Maina have also been located in the UAE and other jurisdictions. The government is set to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to seize Maina’s choice properties in the UAE. Sources close to the investigators said other items retrieved from Maina and his son, included about 31 SIM cards of UAE, MTN, 9Mobile and Airtel. Also, between him and his son, “they were in possession of 19 handsets and each of the handset either has one SIM card or two/ three cards”. Other items recovered are one iPad and two laptops. Also recovered are: 13 flash drives and Kentucky U.S. ID card in the name of Maina Abdulrasheed Abdull; a UAE Certificate of Naturalisation for Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina; a UAE ID card in the name of Abdulrasheed Maina. The rest are a Nigerian passport and a UAE passport for Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina; ATM cards/ cheque books both for Nigerian and UAE banks being used by Maina and charms, including a traditional jacket (top) with charms and in their luggage.” The source gave an insight into Maina’s offshore investments and assets. He said there is documentary evidence linking Maina to companies in the UAE and Nigeria through his son. The father’s name does not appear in the profile of these companies but the son’s name does. A luxury and car rental company Northridge Rent A Car in Dubai, have been undercovered a cleaning service firm – Spotless and Flawless International, also in Dubai. Maina has also admitted the ownership of Ostrich Oil and Gas Company, the source said. The source added that EFCC detectives have “located many accounts operated by Maina but opened in different names. “For example, he got the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of his sister, Fatima Abdullahi, and opened an account with it. But it is Maina that is signing the cheque, to withdraw money from the account. The sister was not aware of the existence of the account until Maina was arrested. “He used the names of many of his relatives to open accounts between 2014 and 2017. In some accounts operated by one of his suspected firms, there were deposits of about N183 million and $323, 396 between 2014 and 2017. According to sources, the list of the properties was discovered during the search on one of his relatives in possession of the titles. The source said: “Maina has filled the asset declaration form and he did not declare these properties which he brought in different names. “Our investigations showed that many of these properties were paid for in cash. For instance, he paid N100 million for a property on 16A Katuru Road, Kaduna. “EFCC detectives succeeded in linking the assets to Maina from the Deeds of Sale and other documents. We were able to compute the cost of 29 properties at over N1billion. ”With his denial of ownership of these assets, we have already filed an application in a High Court for their forfeiture to the Federal Government,” the source said Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause. Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the court. Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the court to be just or convenient so to do. “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.” Besides the 29 assets newly discovered, on December 9, 2017, the Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu, said seven properties had been seized from Maina. Read Also: Internet fraud: EFCC arrests 17 The properties are a two- storey commercial building located on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, a bungalow located on Katuru Road and four separate properties located on Kano Road in Kawo New Extension, all in Kaduna. The other property which is still under construction is a set of four one-storey block of flats located at No. 5, Sokoto Road adjacent to the Zamfara State Governor’s Lodge, Kaduna. Other properties linked to Maina include No. 12, 11th Road, Kado Estate, Abuja; No. A5 Omenai H.O (B Close) Kado Estate; No. 9, Eneli TCM Close, (A Close) Kado Estate; No. 8, Kolo S Close (A Close) Kado Estate; Luxury apartments (eight blocks of flats; six units of three bedrooms; two units of two bedrooms) located at Plot 965, Cadastral C2, Life Camp, Abuja and a sprawling edifice located at No. 10 Hamisu Musa Road, Jabi, Abuja. He said: “Maina had a total inflow of over N2.7 billion between 2010 and 2013, with 95 per cent of the deposits being in cash. It was discovered that Faizal Abdullahi’s Account (his son), had a turnover of over N1.5 billion in less than a year.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/mainas-n1b-assets-seized/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

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Jonathan and Oshiomhole By Joseph Erunke Abuja — SENATOR Ighoyota Amori, representing Delta South Senatorial Zone, has taken a swipe at Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State over what he referred to as the latter’s “unnecessary attacks on former President Goodluck Jonathan.” Amori, who said the former president silently worked to ensure the victory of the governor during his first and second election contests, and accused Oshiomhole of being ungrateful to the former president. Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, the lawmaker said the claim by the governor that he borrowed the sum of $75 million because the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led government looted all the money from the country was baseless. He said: “We have heard the governor of Edo State saying that ‘oh, I am borrowing the sum of $75 million because PDP looted the treasury. This is somebody who has been governor of Edo State for almost seven years now. “In his last days in office and because he is an APC governor, he is borrowing $75 million to do what he could not do ever since and he is putting the blame on the PDP! “First of all, how did he come to power? He came to power through PDP. Both in his first and second tenures, he came to power through PDP; it was the PDP votes that brought him to power. But today, he is biting the finger that fed him! And he is putting his blame on the PDP.” Even as the PDP did not only present candidates in the Edo governorship elections but also contested the polls keenly, Amori insisted that the votes that made Oshiomhole the governor were from PDP members. But he refused to explain why his party did so: “You must know that in politics, a lot of things happen. So, let us not go into that. But I can tell you that Oshiomhole was friendlier to the people then. You remember that in Imo State in the last election, PDP members worked against their own candidate to install Ohakim. When Ifeanyi Ararume was the candidate of the PDP, the party asked Ararume to leave and when he refused, the members worked against him and Ikedi Ohakim emerged as the governor. “So, in politics, a lot of things happen. Oshiomhole knows very well that he was a PDP-installed governor, both in his first election and in his rerun and he has not hidden it but tries to counter the argument by saying ‘well, I equally supported Jonathan in his presidential election.” “We, as a PDP, supported Oshiomhole in all ramifications, we provided everything for Oshiomhole to become governor and the first target of Oshiomhole was of course, Aneni and Igbinedion. Because he believed that power was already in his hands and he could attack and abuse them anyhow,” the senator fumed. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/jonathan-pdp-votes-brought-oshiomhole-to-power-sen-amori/

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi The immediate past Governor of Benue state, Chief Samuel Ortom has debunked social media reports that he has been nominated for Ministerial appointment by the President Bola Tinubu led administration. Benue state went agog on Thursday with social media reports and rumours that the former Governor had been nominated for the appointment while several of his political associates and supporters took to their social media handles to congratulate him. However, the former Governor in a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi by his media aide, Terver Akase debunked the rumour describing it as false and misleading. The statement read, “the attention of the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has been drawn to the speculation on social media that he has been nominated for a ministerial appointment. “We urge members of the public to disregard the report as it is false and misleading. “Chief Ortom deeply appreciates those who have taken time to call and verify the information.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/06/ortom-debunks-reports-of-ministerial-nomination/

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The The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) today released the names of 23 governorship candidates for the Anamabra polls, for the people of Anambra to begin the process of choosing candidates of their choice in the fourth coming November 16 election. INEC says it has made use of the court orders and the form submitted by parties to compile the names on its candidates list. For APGA and pdp which had issues with its candidates, INEC has published Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu as the pdp candidate and Mr. Willie Obiano is for APGA. While Mr. Ifeanyi Uba is for Labour Party and Mr. Chris Ngige is for the APC. INEC says the names on the list are the people permitted to stage campaigns for the election. The battle to resolve the pdp candidate has been on for several weeks, a tough contest between Mr. Tony Nwoye and senator Andy Uba, but both men didn’t make INEC’s list. The INEC however warned that only those on the list published by it are allowed to conduct electioneering campaigns, and any violation of this rule amounts to an electoral offence and security agencies are urged to intervene as such. To view List click here.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/09/24/inec-releases-list-of-candidates-for-anambra-polls/

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APC chieftain donates building to Tinubu support groups The presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, received a boost in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday. An APC stalwart in the state, Elder David Okon, donated his five-storey building to serve as a secretariat for Tinubu support groups, to achieve the presidential ambition of the former Lagos State governor. A meeting of support groups in the state for the advancement of the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Tinubu ended on a high note, with the offer of the campaign secretariat by Okon, a former deputy governorship candidate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Cross River. Speaking during the meeting at 65, Mayne Avenue, Calabar, Okon, who presided, said he had accepted a proposal from the groups that his building should serve as a secretariat to coordinate the activities of the groups across the 18 local governments. He said Asiwaju Tinubu was the answer to the clamour of Nigerians, who wanted him to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari, to consolidate the strength of the party and achieve more progress for the country in critical sectors.

https://thenationonlineng.net/apc-chieftain-donates-building-to-tinubu-support-groups/

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Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai (L) watches on July 14, 2014 Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan look at a book at the State House in Abuja. Malala on July 14 urged Jonathan to meet with parents of the schoolgirls kidnapped three months ago by Boko Haram. Malala, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012 and has become a champion for access to schooling, was in Abuja on her 17th birthday to mark the somber anniversary of Boko Haram’s April 14 abduction of 276 girls from a secondary school in the northeast Nigerian city of Chibok. AFP PHOTO The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a compound embarrassment the fact that it took 17-year-old girl-child education campaigner, Pakistani Malala Yousafzai, to visit and convince President Goodluck Jonathan to agree to a meeting with representatives of the parents of the kidnapped school girls. ”President Jonathan, who has already embarrassed himself and the entire people of Nigeria by his inexplicable failure to visit Chibok since the girls were abducted over 90 days ago, has compounded the embarrassment and insulted Nigerians by waiting for Malala to goad him to meet with the girls’ parents, not in Chibok but in Abuja,” the party said in a statement in Lagos, Thursday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. It said after the meeting failed, because the parents were not properly informed and invited, a shameless presidency turned around to blame the opposition and the patriotic and selfless Nigerians who have been campaigning daily, under the #Bringbackourgirls group. ”Fortunately, and to the eternal discomfiture of the presidency, the Chibok community has said the decision not to meet with President Jonathan in Abuja was theirs and theirs alone, and that they took that decision because their sole reason for coming to Abuja was to meet with Malala, and not the President who did not invite them anyway. ”With this explanation, one would have expected a presidency that has regard for the truth to immediately retract its earlier panic statement, which it issued to save face after what was nothing but a PR gimmick blew up in their face, and apologize to the opposition and the #Bringbackourgirls group that were unjustly pilloried by them. ”Instead, the presidency has persisted in its distortion of the truth, for which they have now become infamous, even as a new date has been agreed for the meeting. This is unfortunate, condemnable and irresponsible,” APC said. ”If indeed, as the presidency claimed earlier, that the opposition was behind the earlier refusal by the parents and escaped girls not to see the President, what has then happened to make them change their minds? Has the opposition now asked them to meet with the President?” The party alerted Nigerians that the reason President Jonathan, whose wife bullied and harangued the girls’ parents on the grounds that they were lying and that no girl was missing, agreed to meet with the parents is so that he could use the meeting as a photo-op, after Malala pushed for it and the President’s US-based image laundering firm acceded to it. ”Mr. President, your frantic effort to meet with the Chibok parents now is too little too late, and no amount of photo-op will change that. If your handlers had been sincere, Mr. President, they would have told you that the best venue of the meeting is Chibok, not Abuja where your people tried, but failed, to waylay the parents who came for a meeting with Malala. ”Mr. President, you have ceaselessly compared yourself to the great leaders of our time, including US President Barack Obama. But do you think Obama would have refused to visit the parents of these abducted school girls if the abduction had occurred in the US? Do you think Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, would have refused to visit his troops in the front line of the anti-terror fight as you have done? ”Do you think, Mr. President, that a band of rogue elements like Boko Haram would have restricted Obama’s movement within his own country as they have done to you? No true and caring President will ever fail to visit the sites of disasters and offer solace to his compatriots,” it said. APC reminded President Jonathan that neither in Nigeria’s culture nor in any other culture are those hit by tragedy invited to be offered solace, adding that the practice is to visit those to be offered solace ‘in situ’. The party reiterated its earlier call on the President to shake off his lethargy and bring the abducted school girls home safely, instead of playing politics with the lives of over 200 human beings. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/meeting-chibok-parents-jonathan-embarrassed-nigeria-apc/#sthash.M5PowVZz.dpuf

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JOF Nigeria Limited, the organizers of the U-13 JOF Kids Cup said the winner of this year’s edition will go home with the sum of N300, 000 as the cash prize alongside a giant trophy. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JOF Nigeria Limited, the sponsor of the tournament, Dr. Olusegun Olugboyegun, stated this in a press conference on Tuesday. The CEO, who was represented at the press conference by the company’s Director of Strategic Support Services, Adeyinka Adetunji, said the runners-up would get N200, 000 while the third-placed team will smile home with N150, 000. The fourth-placed team will also earn the sum of N100, 000. “In addition to the trophy and cash prizes, we have also made provisions for some gift for the individual players who have distinguished themselves during the tournament,” he said. He added that “in JOF Nigeria Limited, we believe we have a duty to encourage, support, and project this type of competitions and other constructive youth events in our country.” However, this year’s edition started on the 27th of Febuary and will end on the 2nd of May. This means the final match of the competition for this year will be played on Sunday. Ayo Babes of Ajeromi will clash with Junior Arsenal at the final scheduled to take place at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos. The match will be played by 3pm.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/10/11/lagos-assembly-reacts-to-proscription-of-f-sars-sends-message-to-buhari/u

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From Middle: The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) flanked by the National Secretary, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, and other members of the association at a press briefing on the position of the association to stem farmers-herdsmen clashes in Abuja on Sunday. …Says no peace in 10 years time unless Fulani are settled By Ibrahim HassanWuyo Chieftains of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, have alleged that due to the lack of education of the Fulani children, drug dealers and other merchants of crime used the Fulani to perpetuate crime and banditry in Nigeria. Speaking at the Headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, in Kaduna on Thursday during the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Forum, the National Secretary of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma said they have come to ACF which is now the father of Fulani in Nigeria ,as the prevailing situation in the country has turned them into orphans with no homes . He said MACBAN came to meet the ACF to narrate the plight of 30 million Fulani in present day Nigeria. Chairman of the ACF, Chief Audu Ogbe assured MACBAN that they would look into their grievances and approach the relevant authorities. According to Ngelzerma, “the ignorance of the herders and pastoralists is being exploited by crime merchants and drug merchants in the country, who supply the herders drugs”. He alleged that these crime merchants collected the millions in ransom and only dropped peanuts for the foot soldiers. He therefore warned that unless the Fulani are put together in the Grazing Reserve, the country may not have peace. “In the next 10 to 20 years, if the problem is not resolved nobody can travel within and around Nigeria because the herders are scattered all over,” he averred. READ ALSO: We’re tired of open grazing— Miyetti Allah According to him, they also came to seek for ACF’s support to put pressure on the Federal and State Governments to immediately accommodate all the Fulani herders and pastoralists in the 400 Grazing Reserves in the north to avert imminent catastrophe. MACBAN said that apart from the 400 Grazing Reserves in the North, there were others in the South, including Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States. He said “If the facilities are made operational, this will put an end to the food crisis and security Challenges currently facing the nation.” “The only solution to Nigeria’s problem is to accommodate all the Fulani Herders and Pastorialists in the Grazing Reserves with the provision of modern facilities,” he said. ACF, he said ,must put heads together with MACBAN in ensuring an end to herders- farmers crisis and the general insecurity in Nigeria. He said the Government should bring all the fulani pastoralists together in the grazing reserves and provide them with educational, health and other social facilities. He said the level of insecurity in the country was linked to Kidnapping and armed banditry, which affected the economic life of the country. “The Government should see to settling the Pastorialists in the grazing reserves and avoid the present situation where they are scattered all over the country. This is the cause of the problem we have today”. “These Pastorialists should be provided the necessary educational, health and other facilities in the grazing reserves. When their status improves, this will boost their productive capacity and the productivity of the country. The operation of the grazing reserves should be carried out as urgent as possible”. “Lagos State alone consumes 6,000 cows on daily basis, while 250 lorries of cows enter into Southern part of the country on daily basis”. “But, because of the poor management of the Herders crisis, that is why we are where we are today. If we want an end to the problem, the 400 grazing reserves in the Northern States should be put to use and developed better. We have 3 in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos. If the grazing reserves are utilized, half the problems will be solved.” He said that the fulani pastoralists have lost over 4 million cows since the crisis started in the country, stressing that the problem is not a problem of the North alone, but that of the entire Nigeria. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/04/drug-barons-crime-merchants-exploit-our-children-to-perpetuate-crime-macban/

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‘It’s not science’ Is evolution ‘science’ and creation ‘religion’? Anti-creationists, such as atheists by definition, commonly object that creation is religion and evolution is science. To defend this claim they will cite a list of criteria that define a ‘good scientific theory’. A common criterion is that the bulk of modern day practising scientists must accept it as valid science. Another criterion defining science is the ability of a theory to make predictions that can be tested. Evolutionists commonly claim that evolution makes many predictions that have been found to be correct. They will cite something like antibiotic resistance in bacteria as some sort of ‘prediction’ of evolution, whereas they question the value of the creationist model in making predictions. Since, they say, creation fails their definition of ‘science’, it is therefore ‘religion’, and (by implication) it can simply be ignored. What is science? Many attempts to define ‘science’ are circular. The point that a theory must be acceptable to contemporary scientists to be acceptable, basically defines science as ‘what scientists do’! In fact, under this definition, economic theories would be acceptable scientific theories, if ‘contemporary scientists’ accepted them as such. In many cases, these so-called definitions of science are blatantly self-serving and contradictory. A number of evolutionary propagandists have claimed that creation is not scientific because it is supposedly untestable. But in the same paragraph they will claim, ‘scientists have carefully examined the claims of creation science, and found that ideas such as the young Earth and global Flood are incompatible with the evidence’. But obviously creation cannot have been examined (tested) and found to be false if it’s ‘untestable’! The definition of ‘science’ has haunted philosophers of science in the 20th century. The approach of Bacon, who is considered the founder of the scientific method, was pretty straightforward: observation → induction → hypothesis → test hypothesis by experiment → proof/disproof → knowledge. Of course this, and the whole approach to modern science, depends on two major assumptions: causality1 and induction.2 The philosopher Hume made it clear that these are believed by ‘blind faith’ (Bertrand Russell’s words). Kant and Whitehead claimed to have solved the problem, but Russell recognized that Hume was right. Actually, these assumptions arose from faith in the Creator-God of the Bible, as historians of science like Loren Eiseley have recognized. Many scientists are so philosophically and theologically ignorant that they don’t even realize that they have these (and other) metaphysical assumptions. Being like a frog in the warming water, many do not even notice that there are philosophical assumptions at the root of much that passes as ‘science’. It’s part of their own worldview, so they don’t even notice. We at CMI are ‘up front’ about our acceptance of revelation (the Bible). Unlike many atheists, we recognize that a philosophy of life does not come from the data, but rather the philosophy is brought to the data and used in interpreting it. Perceptions and bias The important question is not, ‘Is it science?’ One can just define ‘science’ to exclude everything that one doesn’t like, as many evolutionists do today. Today, science is equated with naturalism: only materialistic notions can be entertained, no matter what the evidence. The prominent evolutionist Professor Richard Lewontin said (emphases in original): “We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfil many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.”3 Now that’s open-minded isn’t it? Isn’t ‘science’ about following the evidence wherever it may lead? This is where the religion (in the broadest sense) of the scientist puts the blinkers on. Our individual worldviews bias our perceptions. The atheist paleontologist, Stephen Jay Gould, made the following candid observation: “Our ways of learning about the world are strongly influenced by the social preconceptions and biased modes of thinking that each scientist must apply to any problem. The stereotype of a fully rational and objective ‘scientific method’, with individual scientists as logical (and interchangeable) robots is self-serving mythology.”4 So the fundamentally important question is, ‘which worldview (bias) is correct?’, because this will likely determine what conclusions are permitted to be drawn from the data. For example, if looking at the origin of life, a materialist will tend to do everything possible to avoid the conclusion that life must have been supernaturally created. Science a creationist invention Of course the founders of modern science were not materialists (Sir Isaac Newton, widely considered the greatest scientist ever, is a prime example) and they did not see their science as somehow excluding a creator, or even making the Creator redundant (see The biblical roots of modern science: A Christian world view, and in particular a plain understanding of Scripture and Adam’s Fall, was essential for the rise of modern science.). This recent notion, that science = philosophical materialism, has been smuggled into science by atheists. Michael Ruse, the Canadian philosopher of science also made the strong point that the issue is not whether evolution is science and creation is religion, because such a distinction is not really valid. The issue is one of ‘coherency of truth’. See The religious nature of evolution. In other words, there is no logically valid way that the materialist can define evolution as ‘science’ and creation as ‘religion’, so that he/she can ignore the issue of creation. A valid distinction However, we can make a valid distinction between different types of science: the distinction between origins science and operational science. Operational science involves discovering how things operate in today’s world—repeatable and observable phenomena in the present. This is the science of Newton, Einstein and Planck, for example. However, origins science deals with the origin of things in the past—unique, unrepeatable, unobservable events. This is why it could also be called ‘historical science’. There is a fundamental difference between how the two work, even though both are called ‘science’, and operational science does have implications for origins (or historical) science. Operational science involves repeatable experimentation in the here and now. Origins science deals with how something came into existence in the past and so is not open to experimental verification / observation (unless someone invents a ‘time machine’ to travel back into the past to observe).5 Of course it suits many materialists to confuse operational and origins science, although I’m sure with most the confusion arises out of ignorance. Tertiary (college / university) courses in science mostly don’t teach the philosophy of science and rarely make any distinction between experimental / operational and historical / origins sciences. Both evolution and creation fall into the category of origins science. Both are driven by philosophical considerations. The same data (observations in the present) are available to everyone, but different interpretations (stories) are devised to explain what happened in the past. Note that this distinction between operational science and evolution is not an invention of creationists. High-profile evolutionists such as Ernst Mayr and E.O. Wilson both acknowledged the distinction. The inclusion of historical science, without distinction, as ‘science’, has undoubtedly contributed to the modern confusion over defining science. This also explains the statement by Gould (above), who, as a paleontologist, would have liked there to have been no distinction between his own historical science and experimental science. Gould rightly saw the paramount importance of presuppositions in his own science and assumed that it applied equally to all science. This is not so. Although some presuppositions play an important role in operational science, historical science depends much more strongly on philosophical assumptions.6 Do you believe in hot water? Creationists have absolutely no problem with operational science, because the evidence drives operational science. It does not matter if you are a Christian, a Moslem, a Hindu, or an Atheist, pure water still boils at 100 °C at sea level. However, the true Hindu might still think it is all an illusion, and some atheists embracing postmodernism espouse that ‘truth’ is an illusion. However, origins science is driven by philosophy. One’s belief system is fundamental to what stories one accepts as plausible. Now if the majority of practitioners of origins / historical science have the wrong belief system (materialism), then the stories they find acceptable will also be wrong. So a majority vote of ‘contemporary scientists’ is hardly a good way to determine the validity of the respective stories. And origins science, or historical science, is essentially an exercise in story-telling—Lewontin alluded to this story-telling in the quote above. James Conant, past President of Harvard University, made the point quite forcibly, with a scathing assessment of the inventive scenarios that often characterise historical science. See also Naturalism. The evidence matters Now in pointing out that presuppositions drive what stories are acceptable in historical science, I am not saying that it is merely or solely a matter of those philosophical/religious assumptions. The stories still have to account for the evidence in a coherent manner. That is, the stories provided can often be tested according to the evidence. For example, the claim that coal-bearing geological strata were laid down over many millions of years is flatly contradicted by the evidence of polystrate tree fossils, with their roots broken off, traversing those strata (how did they stand there for millions of years while the layers of deposits built up around them, and all without rotting away?). There are many facts that contradict the evolutionary story: here are 101 evidences that speak against the billions of years of age claimed for the earth: Age of the earth. There are also many counts against the story of biological evolution; see 15 Questions for evolutionists. If the same data could be consistently interpreted in two entirely different ways, then Romans 1 would have no basis for saying that people have no excuse for denying that things were created by God because it is clear from the physical evidence. We can speak of a ‘coherency of truth’ as a test; that a truthful account of history will give a coherent (logically consistent) account of the evidence. Define terms consistently! It also suits materialists to shift the definition of evolution to suit the argument. Let’s be clear that we are discussing the ‘General Theory of Evolution’ (GTE), which was defined by the evolutionist Kerkut as ‘the theory that all the living forms in the world have arisen from a single source which itself came from an inorganic form’.7 Many, perhaps inadvertently, perform this switching definitions trick in alluding to mutations in bacteria as corroborating ‘evolution’. This has nothing to do with demonstrating the validity of the belief that hydrogen changed into humans over billions of years. The key difference is that the GTE requires not just change, but change that substantially increases the information content of the biosphere. See also this discussion of definitions. Predictions or ‘postdictions’? Many evolutionists claim mutations and antibiotic resistance in bacteria (operational science) as being some sort of prediction of evolution (origins science). In fact, genetics (operational science) was an embarrassment to evolution, which could have been a factor in Mendel’s pioneering genetics research going unrecognized for so many years (Mendel’s discovery of discrete genes did not fit Darwin’s idea of continuous unlimited variation). When mutations were discovered, these were seen as a way of reconciling Darwinism with the observations of operational science—hence the ‘neo-Darwinian’ synthesis of Mayr, Haldane, Fisher, etc. What about the predictions of evolution vs creation? The track record of evolution is pretty dismal. See How evolution harms science. On the other hand, modern science rides on the achievements of past creationists—see How important to science is evolution? and Contributions of creationist scientists. For just one clear example of modern-day predictions based on a creationist model, see Beyond Neptune: Voyager II Supports Creation. Many ‘predictions’ of evolutionary theory have been found to be incompatible with observations; and yet evolution reigns. For example, there is the profound absence of the many millions of transitional fossils that should exist if evolution were true (see Are there any Transitional Fossils?). The very pattern in the fossil record flatly contradicts evolutionary notions of what it should be like—see, for example, The links are missing. The evolutionist Gould wrote at length on this conundrum. Contrary to evolutionists’ expectations, none of the cases of antibiotic resistance, insecticide resistance, etc. that have been studied at a biochemical level (i.e. operational science) have involved de novo origin of new complex genetic information. In fact, evolutionists never predicted antibiotic resistance, because historically it took the medical field by surprise—see Anthrax and antibiotics: Is evolution relevant? Contrary to evolutionists’ expectations, breeding experiments reach limits; change is not unlimited. See the article by the creationist geneticist, Lane Lester. This matches what we would expect from Genesis 1, where it says that God created organisms to reproduce true to their different kinds. Another failed evolutionary ‘prediction’ is that of ‘junk DNA’. Evolutionists long claimed that 98% of the human DNA is junk, mere leftovers of our supposed evolutionary ancestry. This has hindered the discovery of the function of this DNA, now known to be at least 80% functional, and probably 100% is functional. See Dazzling DNA. Evolutionists expected that, given the right conditions, a living cell could make itself (abiogenesis); creationists said this was impossible. Operational science has destroyed this evolutionary notion; so much so that many evolutionists now want to leave the origin of life out of the debate. Many propagandists claim that evolution does not include this, although the theories of abiogenesis are usually called ‘chemical evolution’ and normally included within undergraduate courses on evolution.. See Origin of Life for an explanation of the many profound problems for any conceivable evolutionary scenario. Note: Claiming fulfilled predictions as proof of a hypothesis is known as the fallacy of affirming the consequent. However, if a prediction is falsified, it amounts to formal disproof of the proposition, so evolution has been formally disproved with multiple failed predictions. Falsified but not abandoned So, why do evolutionists persist with their spurious theory? For many it’s because they have never heard anything else. For avowed materialists it’s the ‘only game in town’—the only materialistic story available to explain how everything came to be; the materialist’s creation myth. It’s a bit like the proverbial ostrich putting its head in the sand, thinking that all that exists is what it can see under the sand. The ostrich’s worldview excludes everything that it does not find convenient. In the darkness of the sand, all unacceptable facts cease to exist. The persistence of evolutionary thinking in the face of so much contradictory evidence indicates that the philosophical presupposition of materialism (atheism) trumps the facts. The paradigm has priority, no matter what the evidence, because the secularist ‘cannot allow a divine foot in the door’. For a summary of the failed arguments for evolution, see Arguments evolutionists should not use. Light in the darkness! Jesus Christ came as ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12), when the Second Person of the Trinity took on human nature (see The Incarnation: Why did God become Man?). He came to shed the light of God in dark places. The greatest darkness is to live without God; to live as if you are a cosmic accident, just ‘rearranged pond scum’, as one evolutionist put it. Sadly, many are being duped into thinking that way, and we are seeing the horrendous consequences in escalating youth suicide, drug problems, family break-up, violence, etc. How much we need the light of Jesus to shine! God will hold each one of us accountable—all of us deserve His condemnation. But the Bible says that He has provided a way of escape through Jesus Christ for all that turn to God, humbly admitting our need of forgiveness. See Here’s the Good News. For more information about the above issues, and more, check out the Q&A section, or use the search window to search for articles on subjects of interest. Updated: 20th March 2023 Re-featured on homepage: 25 March 2023 - Causality: the principle that all effects or events are caused by something preceding it that is sufficient to explain the effect or event. This is a basic principle of rationality. Return to text. - Induction: that conclusions drawn from limited observations are applicable to the universe at large. Return to text. - Lewontin, R., Billions and billions of demons, The New York Review, January 9, 1997, p. 31. Return to text. - Gould, S.J., Natural History 103(2):14, 1994. Return to text. - One might object that looking through a telescope to view a star that is a thousand light-years away involves observing the past, because you are observing the star as it was a thousand years ago. However, the observations are of the light rays entering the telescope at that moment. What those observations might tell you about that star 1,000 years ago are inferences, however reasonable. And it is not possible to do an experiment, which requires repeated observations of causes and their effects. As an example of how astronomical observations are subject to interpretation driven by presuppositions, see Clear picture—blurry story? Return to text. - See Sarfati, J., Why does science work at all? Creation 31(3):12–14, 2009. These presuppositions are not controversial because everyone involved in experimental science tacitly accepts them as true. Return to text. - Kerkut, G., Implications of Evolution, Pergamon, Oxford, UK, p. 157, 1960. Return to text. Comments are automatically closed 14 days after publication.

https://creation.com/its-not-science

Religion

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The Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Monitoring Committee, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) has praised the new tactics employed by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring a hitch-free election. Speaking to Channels Television in Awka, Akpedeye said: “INEC keeps tweaking things and try to get them better. One of the challenges we have had is the issue of ballot snatching” adding that “you could snatch a ballot box and take it to another unit and it could go back”. He further noted that “what INEC has done is that they tied each ballot box to a particular polling unit, so if you took a ballot box away, the chance of you getting it back to that polling unit is next to nothing and that is why you haven’t seen any issue of ballot box snatching today”. He also noted that about 700, 000 persons were tweaked out of the voter register because they “didn’t do their due process” thereby pruning the number of voters from 2.4 million to 1.7 million. Akpedeye further noted that “INEC keeps thinking of better ways of doing things” insisting that “the challenges are still there”. He however berated the late arrival of voting materials to the polling units saying; “I would have thought we would be able to seamlessly deliver voting materials for the voters latest by 9AM”. He noted that the bad state of the roads made traveling from one spot to the other took quite more than normal. Money Exchanging Hands An election observer, Festus Okoye, confirmed that there was an exchange of money between the voters and representatives of the candidates. He however noted that those who collected the money claimed they were getting back their money. “The money belongs to us (voters) so we are going to collect it and still vote in accordance with pure conscience,” the voters were quoted as saying.. Okoye praised the attitude of INEC officials and voters in the polling unit he monitored but maintained that “there are operational and logistics challenges that INEC must overcome”.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/11/16/nba-commends-conduct-of-anambra-election/

Politics

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When I started preaching, people wanted to bring me down, says Ooni of Ife’s wife The Ooni of Ife’s wife, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi, has admitted that she has always loved the white garment church, Cherubim & Seraphim. Speaking on Saturday at the Seraphim Media Summit held at Seraph Land, Maba, Ogun State, Olori said she was born and raised up in a Bible-believing church but whenever she preached as a young girl, they said she sounded like a member of C&S. She said, “When I began preaching at a tender age, it was strange to the church I worshipped. They said I preached like the people from C&S. I thank you for bringing me here today because I have always wanted to be identified with the people they say I preach like. I love the church so much and I will always speak for you anywhere.” She advised members to shun negative criticisms, saying that it was a deliberate act by certain people to ridicule what the church stood for. She explained, “I rejoice with the church today because of the foundation. When I wanted to learn about indigenous men of God, the first person that came to my mind was the late founder of the church, Moses Orimolade. I want you to know that you are a beautiful brand regardless of what people say about you. You have a beautiful mark of identification; with your white garment, you don’t need any further introduction to anyone. “We all know that in every original product, there are fake ones. People will always try to bring you down. When people said I was preaching like a C&S member, they were trying to bring me down,” she said. Delivering her keynote address, the Founder of Love of Christ Generation in London, Rev Mother Esther Ajayi, said the mission of C&S was to renew the image of the church. He said, “This summit is important because we live in a world that is changing. We are called all sorts of names by people. Even people who come to us for help tarnish us in the daylight. But like other denominations, we all have our shortcomings and humans will always be humans.” READ ALSO: Ooni’s ex-wife congratulates him, new queen She also said the founder of the church was never a cultist, maintaining that C&S is the only indigenous church that doesn’t have any western influence, “Our late founder was not a cultist but he was feared by cultists. When I met with Pastor Enoch Adeboye recently, he said his late mother was always saying that fetish people feared C&S because they knew they were powerful. “I urge the media to be free and fair when reporting C&S like they are with others. Nollywood practitioners should stop using white garment to portray bad characters. Members must also avoid dragging the name of the church through the mud,” Ajayi added. Meanwhile, the Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Dr Prophet Solomon Alao, who appreciated the organisers of the summit said that with all the church has done to provide spiritual and physical supports for humanity, that it was unbelievable many take joy in tagging the church in ungodly names, which negate the essence of the church. He added, “We are pleading with them to fear God. I admit that we have a few bad eggs among us but this is not peculiar to our church alone.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/when-i-started-preaching-people-want-to-bring-me-down-says-ooni-of-ifes-wife/

Culture

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Biafra: Uwazuruike, MASSOB back Asari-Dokubo By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM-MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has hailed Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo on his emergence as the leader of the new Biafra De Facto Customary Government. Asari-Dokubo, a former militant in the Niger Delta region, had a few days ago, announced himself as the leader of the new Biafra de facto Customary Government, citing “injustice and marginalisation” on the Igbo people found in various zones of the country as the reason for his aspiring for a “better life for his people.” In a statement issued on his behalf by his media assistant, Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike described Asari-Dokubo’s emergence as a clear manifestation of “our monthly concerted efforts at reconciling different pro-Biafran groups towards achieving greater harmony against our common enemy”. The MASSOB leader, who extended his unalloyed support to the new leader of Biafra Customary government, also congratulated Asari-Dokubo for towing the line of non-violence agreement in the crusade for the emancipation struggle of the people of Biafra. “Asari-Dokubo is a fearless principal actor in our quest for Biafra actualization mission and has remained ever assertive and vocal and indefatigable. His principled stand on Biafra restoration project is an encouragement to all and a deterrent to the warring enemy. And in this struggle, he finds favour in my endorsement.” Uwazuruike said Dokubo’s unrelenting contributions and efforts made by notable leaders from different pro-Biafra groups. Uwazuruike said, “As we march on, we ask all to be part of this commitment and in our efforts towards unifying eastern region; certain that we are building for ourselves, and for our generations yet unborn.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/biafra-uwazuruike-massob-back-asari-dokubo/

Politics

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Sheik Ahmad Gumi Challenges military to show evidence -Harps on dialogue, diplomacy By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo As the nation celebrated onslaught by the Nigerian military in decimating bandits who continued to make life unbearable to many citizens, especially the recent bombing by Nigerian Airforce jets in Zamfara where two bandit leaders were reportedly killed,the camp of renowned Islamic Sheikh, Dr.Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has called on the military to further convince the public by showing evidence. A member of the Gumi camp and traditional title holder of ‘Dan Iyan Fika in Yobe State, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, told journalists in an interview, that “the simple question is that we should ask ourselves…for example these reports that they are saying that they’ve bombarded this camp and that camp,is there any evidence on the ground?” “There is a particular forest we visited in Niger State. The whole of the settlement had been bombarded. This settlement has nothing to do with bandits Infact they showed us two wells full of innocent people, dead, inside, casualties of these bombardments.” READ ALSO:It’s hypocritical Buhari signing padded 2022 budget, but rejected Electoral Bill —Wike “That’s exactly what these bandits were telling us.They said “whenever we hear the sound of an aircraft, we run to our caves ,and then run.If they will succeed in killing anybody, it is the small children ,the wives or the cows. “ “That’s their own testimony.So you can imagine a country where,for example, bandits would gather in a forest and be celebrating. You don’t even have intelligence to track them and eliminate them.Then for you to say you will succeed in killing them?” “I hear them yesterday., celebrating the reported death of bandit leader.So , for example if you kill one bandit leader and another one emerges,what benefit did you derive?” “For example you killed Dogo Gide, a person more dreaded than him.emerged.When they killed Buharin Daji, Turji emerged. So what’s the success there?And for us to even be celebrating. There is nothing to celebrate,the only thing we can celebrate is that if our military succeeds in crushing them all and they cannot.” He said if America could go to Afghanistan and spent 20 years, “spending 3 trillion dollars andvwasting 3600 personnel,over 20000 citizens killed after 20 years,they are coming to dialogue with the Taliban…what do you expect in Nigeria?” “These ( Americans) are people that have so much transparency even in their military spending. You will not hear even the cases of corruption like the one we hear in Nigeria. So if they would do that after all these 20 years, what do you expect from Nigeria?” “I can tell you without any fear of contradiction, Buhari would spend the next one year 7 months without addressing this issue. And if the next President comes snd he will follow the same process , he cannot succeed.” “You have to address so many economic issues and so many issues of injustice. And then for you to pursue the path of dialogue. It is not the sign of weakness. That’s what Yar’Adua initiated in Niger Delta. “ “Do you think the silence we used to hear now from Niger Delta,is it because of gun? Is it because of military might?There are many top militant commanders that have been on the payroll of the Federal Government for the past 8 years. They are the richest now, top militants, Commanders,” he alleged. “But this is a silent issue that nobody knows. But that is the reason why you can explore oil and then.ecploit it.The only reason why their own is different is because the Federal Government knows that if they didn’t do something there,it will affect the whole economy. That’s the issue.” Speaking further, Mamu who said he was also a media consultant to Sheikh Gumi, said the isue of security has no religious barrier as it affected everybody. “It is something that is really consuming the society. Our major problem as a nation is how to go about solving this crisis that has defied all solutions,so far.” “Alot of people are giving their own perspectives, a lot of people are giving their own thoughts about the way they think it is the appropriate way to manage the whole crisis.” “But for Sheikh Gumi,we believe people are making comments out of either naivety or out of ignorance about the quantum of the problems that we have and how to go about it.” “I think by now we are authorities especially on issues that have to do with banditry. Genesis of the crisis, how to go about it, and then what we’ve actually seen on the ground. This is because nobody in Nigeria have seen what we saw.” “We’ve quite alot of experience to narrate, to say it.One may ask what is even the reason why, for example somebody like Sheikh Gumi would leave the comfort of his own house , sacrifice his own life and visit the forest?: “Is it just for the media publicity?So one would imagine ,how would somebody be so stupid, because he wants to be in the headlines to sacrifice his own life, don’t know whether he will be coming back after visiting the bush or not.” “So there are certain things that rationally one would find answers to.For the benefit of the audience,Gumi has passed the stage where he will solicit media headlines. That is the truth,first. There is no benefit at all financially,apart from using your own resources,as far as these visits that we used to do.” He said the primary focus and interest was for the “respected and revered religious leader” to play his own part in making sure that the spill of blood, the quantum of innocent blood being wasted everyday, is stopped which Gumi believes is very dangerous for the nation. “If the nation allows that to happen or to continue to happen,only God knows the kind of calamity that will happen. This is because what God dislikes is wasting innocent blood especially of those that did not even know what’s happening. Most of the victims of this banditry and issues of insecurity are very innocent people across the religious divide.They don’t even know what is happening, they’re just victims of the society and the failed leadership that we have,” he alleged. He recalled an interview in which a Christian clergy spoke on the activities of Sheikh Gumi, saying “coming back to that particular interview,it’s not the first time you will hear people,for example,saying Gumi is protecting bandits, governments are supporting him,he supposed to be arrested, and all sort of comments.” “We used to laugh when people say government is over protecting or having interest , or something like that regarding the activities of Sheikh Gumi.” “The reason why I said so, I gave a very clear example. The relationship between the current President and Sheikh Gumi is not a cordial relationship.If it were cordial,the Sheikh wouldn’t spend months trying to see the President and would not be even granted access to see him.This is something they should know.” “What I emphasised is that if there is anybody, I want to be on record,if there is anybody,that is looking for anything no matter how small in Gumi to arrest him,that person is President Buhari .I want to say it without any fear of contradiction.” “We know what’s happening. The President is aggrieved with the Sheikh because of so many reasons. For that,no matter what the Sheikh initiated,no matter how laudable anything that will come from the Sheikh,the President will not welcome it.” “If not we’ve gotten the support of top security officers including the NSA,the DG SSS, Nigerian Police Force, all the top security chiefs,at one time or the other,they had cooperated with what we were doing.” “But no matter what you do, you’ve to get the encouragement or the approval from the above for you to even succeed. That is why most of the missions ended in failure despite our sacrifice and determination to reach out to these people.” “For the record, I would have wished for the respected pastor will reflect on so many other things. Part of the things he will reflect is ,for example, if you said you will approach…..what the government has done so far related to bombardment which we believe is more of propaganda than reality.” “What the government has done so far related to wasting billions of Naira in tax payers money to buy Tucano jets, most of them over inflated projects, contracts that end up enriching few people in the military. What the government has so far succeeded compared to the amount of resources that has so far been spent,is not commensurate at all,” he alleged. “It is something really , very questionable that every sensible Nigerian should ask himself…there are very few cliques within the military that are really benefitting from these war against insecurity. That is why anytime you will hear the name of Sheikh Gumi.” “Some of them even sponsored write ups in newspaper houses, for example to either condemn the initiative or to discredit it.To give it a different picture that will even create more division, for example between Christians and Muslims. But the Sheikh is telling them, ..how can you even put religion, for example, on issues that have to do with security?” He alleged. “If these bandits are attacking or are on rampage,are they targeting Muslims only or both Muslims and Christians?They don’t care who you are.They don’t care whether you are a Muslim or a Christian,what faith you belong to.Most of them that have,in one way or another,became victims, they can tell you how barbaric they are. How criminal they can be.” “So, what the Sheikh is saying is that,if for example as a nation,we know that we are honest in our military spending, we know that we are prudent in our military spending,if as a nation we know that most of this money is not diverted to the pockets of few military officers,if we know as a nation we have proper intelligence,to extract information and then ,apprehend these criminals head on,if we know that as a nation, for example we have the capacity to crush these elements once and for all ,so that the nation will live in peace,then go ahead and do it.” “But in a country whereby,you are lacking in all these things that I’ve mentioned,then what option do you have as a responsible leader to ensure that you preserve even one single soul?” “Is negotiation, is dialogue, is amnesty, not the best option as long as you will protect innocent lives from being killed everyday?From being kidnapped everyday? “ “So that is what the Sheikh is saying everyday and that’s what alot of critics failed to understand. And what difference does it make , for example now out of media blackmail,…bandits are terrorists today. And then tomorrow, you don’t have any new method that will make sure it ends the terror action..What difference does that make?” “So,what we are saying is that,if for example there will be something new,for example the announcement of the prescription of anything that has to do with banditry or terrorism,…we know it is a terror act.But he is afraid, these people have not being indoctrinated like Boko Haram. Because Boko Haram people believe if they die they are going to heaven. So this is a religious war,as far as they are concerned.” “These people are fighting economic war because of so many things that happened in the past. Most of them are victim.of cattle rustling,you will find that one Fulani man will have more than 200 cows. He will wake up in a day they’ve been rustled. At the end of the day a Fulani man values his cow more than his religion. “ “So what option do you have, if for example somebody that is dispossessed of everything he has,then he got AK 47.He doesn’t have Islamic knowledge,no conventional knowledge, a completely ignorant person and you think he cannot be exploited?” “So that is why the approach of the Sheikh is that for you to even bring this thing to an end,you must go back to the drawing board. You have to understand the genesis of the crisis. If there’s any issue of injustice that’s been done to these people,you’ve to address this injustice first.” “For example if you say you will condemn any idea of educating the Fulani,which as a result of lack of education that they have so much ignorance to even go into this kind of criminality,then what are you encouraging in the next ten to twenty years? More banditry,more kidnapping,anything of that nature will also increase.” “But as the Sheikh is saying, when you educate a society,like the Martin Luther Kings are saying,once somebody is educated, I’m telling you no matter how the society cheats him, he will not go into criminality.He will, instead, adopt a very civil means of earning a living.” “But living in ignorance,these people even during visits,they used to say since the nation was created,they don’t know anything about Nigerian budget. It has never benefits them.They don’t have water,they don’t have schools ,they don’t have clinics.Anything that you see that government has the responsibility to provide,they don’t even know it exists. They live virtually,the whole of their lives in the forests.” “And then ,they are catering for themselves and at the end of the day,their means of livelihood is no longer there. That’s the reason why the insecurity persists.” “That’s why we are saying that when for example you don’t put rationality in analysing security issues, honestly there is so much danger. One of the dangers is you will succeed in creating division among the Christians and the Muslims. That’s the area of concern I discussed with my colleagues in the South when I went there.i said if we people did not come together as media men,see the kind of crisis we have and have a common way of reporting,honestly we would end up,the bandits would destroy us,we would destroy ourselves at the same time.” “That’s exactly what’s happening now because,for example the tune of reports of the Northern media and the Southern media for example,related to issue of banditry or insecurity,you will see it ,they are coming out along religious line.” “Instead of us to confront the whole issue as it is and then find a solution,that will benefit the entire society.” When asked that during one of their visits to the forests, the Governor of Zamfara welcomes them wholeartedly and the Governor of Sokoto too, bought in. But why was it that the President don’t want to accept their proposal? He alleged that the President was not in touch with basic realities. ” He is somebody,for example,that relies hundred percent on security reports. As a President you don’t rely hundred percent on security reports. The security reports can be distorted Security reports can be made in a way that can favour certain interests.” “You’ve to try certain channels of communication. Channels of getting additional information as a President,especially regarding sensitive issue’s to do with security.” “Most of the problems we used to have especially during the former service chiefs, with even these present ones,is that,you know ,most of them,sadly to say,they don’t want this war to end because there’s alot of money inside A lot of billions inside,” he alleged. “Infact, apart from top politicians in this country that are really in strategic positions,the richest people in Nigeria today are the military.That is why they are quite. So much money is been diverted in the name of security,our security spending is one of the most corrupt in the history of the whole world.So with this for example ,if a commander or chief executive did not understand this line of politics,I tell you there’s no way we can eliminate or tackle the issue of this kind of banditry,” he alleged. “From what the state government and the Federal Government..,there is no way …because a Governor,for example would say I’ve released N2 billion for security vote;at the end of the day he will take half and then, they will also share there own…” He alleged. “This is what is happening in most of these states.As an ex military officer,these are some of the things that Gumi understands and that is why he has been consistent in trying to educate even those that didn’t understand for them to understand the politics and then, the reason why a lot of people especially in those position of power and authority would not support these kinds of initiatives. “ Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/naf-killing-of-bandit-kingpins-gumis-camp-reacts/

Politics

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The Federal Ministry of Environment has terminated the controversial N9.2 billion clean cook stoves and wonder bags project, initiated by the former Goodluck Jonathan administration, for rural women under the national clean cooking scheme. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs Fatima Mede, said the German contractor who was given three months to supply 750,000 units of the stove and 18,000 wonder bags under the project had failed on his part to deliver the items. Mrs. Mede noted that five billion Naira had been released to the Ministry by the government out of which the contractor was paid N1.3 billion. She urged Nigerians not to be apprehensive over the remaining N3.7 billion in the ministry’s coffers, which according to her remains untouched. The Permanent Secretary noted that the stoves which were to be assembled locally were meant to provide jobs to Nigerians among other benefits. According to the former administration, the programme was launched to engender clean cooking culture amongst rural women, in order to reduce and eliminate cooking with solid fossil which is considered detrimental to health.

http://www.channelstv.com/2015/06/03/environment-ministry-terminates-n9-2bn-clean-cook-stove-contract/

Politics

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By Adesina Michael The people’s democratic party has called out President Muhammadu Buhari to tender his West African School Certificate(WASC) to the presidential election petitions tribunal. This is coming after, Festus Keyamo who served as the official spokesman for the re-election bid of the President said Buhari doesn’t need a WAEC certificate to be eligible to contest in the February 2019 presidential election. According to the PDP, President Buhari should tender the WAEC certificate he claimed he has to the presidential election petition tribunal instead of allowing his campaign spokesperson, Festus Keyamo, to insult the sensibility of Nigerians with lame attempt at diversionary tactics. The party also called on Nigerians to note that by claiming that an aspirant does not need WAEC certificate, but the ability to speak English to contest for the office of the President indicates that Buhari Presidency, through Festus Keyamo, has finally admitted that President Buhari does not have a WAEC certificate as he claimed in his INEC resume. A statement released and signed by PDP’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan read: ”The PDP says it is incompletely unacceptable for President Buhari to swear to an affidavit to claim the educational qualification he does not possess. ”An attempt to deceive the public using a defective reading and skewed interpretation of a section of the constitution cannot exonerate President Buhari. “Moreover, Section 295 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is very clear on issues of interpretations and reference to questions of law. “The PDP, therefore, maintains that the onus is on President Buhari, as ‘Mr. Integrity’ to tender the certificate he claims to possess before the tribunal instead of this lame diversion from Presidential aide.”

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/04/15/pdp-to-buhari-tender-your-wasc-at-the-tribunal/

Politics

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