₦airaland Forum

A man identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Maigandi was arrested by Zamfara state police after he impersonated the state police commissioner Usman Nagogo and duped the senator representing Zamfara West, Lawali Hassan Dan Iya, of N1.8 million. Parading the suspect at the state police command SP Muhammad Shehu said the suspect, who hails from Moriki in Zurmi local government area of the state, was arrested after they received a report from the duped senator that one man claiming to be CP Usman Nagogo called him and demanded for a sallah gift.

He said when the suspect called, Senator Dan Iya directed his personal assistant to collect the suspect’s account number and transfer N200,000 to him.

“Thereafter , the suspect called the senator again and told him that he had given him nine slots for Cadet ASP’s and Cadet Inspectors and asked the senator to pay N2 million for the all the slots. The senator again directed his PA to pay N1.6 million into the suspects account number,” Shehu said.

The police spokesman said the suspect was tracked and apprehended by police detectives in Gusau and a Mercedes car and N1.4 million was found on him, and investigation has begun to arrest other members of the syndicate. Meanwhile, the suspect had confessed to his crime saying that he knew what he did was bad. He said he is a polytechnic graduate with two wives and eight children. “I did it to foot the medical bill for my sick wife who is battling cancer.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/man-impersonates-zamfara-cp-duped-senator-of-n1-8m-to-pay-wifes-medical-bills.html

Buhari's certificate is with Nigerian Armed

Toh

h

Chai!

Rest in Peace

The United Nations on said it received 38 allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) involving its personnel, in the second quarter of 2019.

Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, released the figures to UN correspondents in New York. According to him, those involved include civilian and uniformed personnel from peacekeeping operations, and those from agencies, funds and programmes.

Dujarric said not all the allegations had been fully verified, and many were in the preliminary phase of assessment. He stated that only one of the 38 allegations had been substantiated through investigation, while eight were pending further investigation by Member States. Additionally, two allegations were “found to not be substantiated”, while 16 cases are in the process of being investigated.

Of those, 14 are under preliminary assessment to determine if there is sufficient information for them to remain active. The organisation received 37 similar allegations in the first quarter of the year, making the Q2 figure higher by just one unit. Of the latest data, the spokesman said two allegations were still under review as “limited information has been provided”, and four had closed. Forty-three victims comprising 19 women, 10 girls and 10 females of unknown age, have come forward with allegations.

There is one male, two boys, and one unknown victim, whose gender has not been identified, according to the figures. Twelve of the allegations are categorised as sexual abuse, defined by the UN as “actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions”. Nineteen cases were considered sexual exploitation, meaning, “any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.” Another 10 allegations have been categorised as “other,” while two are of unknown nature, Dujarric said. He added that 24 of the 38 allegations were related to agency personnel, funds and programmes, while 14 were related to civilian and uniformed personnel in peace operations.

“This quarter also saw 39 allegations involving non-UN personnel working for implementing partners — those mandated by the UN to carry out its programmes. “These involve 42 victims, and 39 perpetrators,” he said. In a statement, the UN said it was steadfast in its implementation of the Secretary-General’s strategy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. “From this quarter onwards, the organisation will publish monthly updates on the status of previously reported allegations, dating back to 2017, when the current reporting framework began.

“Strengthening engagement with Member States, and encouraging their Governments to join the Secretary-General’s Circle of Leadership on prevention, launched in September of last year, is another measure the organisation is taking to stamp out further incidents. “Finally, Secretary-General António Guterres is continuing to encourage all Member States to become signatories to the Voluntary Compact to which 101 States have committed so far, in a firm commitment to implementing a Zero Tolerance policy”, it said.(NAN)UN

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/38-sexual-abuse-allegations-against-un-personnel-reported-in-3-months.html

Good profile!

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the federal government to take steps to nationalise all South African companies operating in Nigeria to protest the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. Oshiomhole, who gave the advice on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja, also urged President Buhari to cut off all diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to bar South African Airways from flying to any part of the country to protest the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and implored all Nigerians to stop patronising South African businesses in Nigeria in order to show concerns to the killings of Nigerians.

The South African businesses which Oshiomhole mentioned included the telecommunications giant, MTN; Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Multi-Choice, owner of DSTV and GoTv. “The best way to deal with these issues, I think right away, Nigerians in our individual capacity, this is the time to show commitment to our citizens and show sympathy to those our loved ones by boycotting South African goods and businesses. Beginning with Nigerians refusing, from today, to use MTN services. “Happily, we have indigenous network like GLO, Airtel and I believe 9mobile is still standby.

If Nigerians desert, at least for the next 30 days, as a first step to stop using MTN, it would have sent a clear message and pay befitting tribute to the lives of those that have been wasted in a very crude and barbaric manner by the South African authority,” he said. Oshiomhole flayed the statement credited to the National Youth Leader of the ruling party in South Africa, African National Congress (ANC), Julius Malema.

The former labour leader said the statement showed that the South African government was behind the crimes being committed against Nigerians. He appealed to Nigerians to strictly respect the party’s call by desisting from patronising South Africa’s businesses rather than protesting on the streets which he said could harm fellow Nigerians. Oshiomhole said, “We have discussed the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly blacks who are predominantly Nigerians.

Having listened to all the explanations from the authority in South Africa, we have come to the conclusion that these people are not being accused of being illegal immigrants nor are they involved in any illegal activities. “Those who have business permits to set up businesses, whatever business they are involved in, they are operating within the letters of the law.

Over the last one year, virtually every week, Nigerians are being wasted in one part of south Africa or the other. “We know that the government has had conversation with the South African authority, drawing their attention to these and other abuses that Nigerians have been subjected to. But the escalation of the attack on foreigners which include Nigerians has reached a level that is no longer tolerable. “At one time, people wonder whether these attacks have the backing of the south African government. What has been clear over the period is that the South African authority has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to bring these attacks to an end.

“In spite of the fact that the lives of many people have been wasted, not one South African is known to have been convicted and sentence to prison for their role on the attack on foreigners, killing them and looting their businesses. He added, “It is not a secret any longer that Nigeria contributed over 60 billion dollars to the struggle against apartheid. You will recall that even Nigerian students contributed their allowances to the struggle.

“However, what we find completely unacceptable is that where as South Africans have continue to benefit from Nigeria and repatriating billions of dollars to South Africa, the South African authorities appeared envious of the menial jobs and petty trading activities of Nigerians. “Having reviewed all these, the NWC commends President Buhari for the leadership in boycotting the World Economic Forum in South Africa.

That was a decision well taken and some other African countries have taken similar position. “We cannot be talking about African economic integration at a time when the world is talking about the role of small scale businesses and those involved in the small scale businesses in South Africa are having their economy destroyed and sometimes, their lives lost. “What is the essence of having a pan African trade arrangement if African government cannot protect Africans that are doing legitimate businesses in their country.

“However, we believe that we need to make some bold statements to leave South Africa in no doubt that there is no time to lose if Nigerian must protect our own interest when South Africa is protecting their own interest by preserving economic opportunities only for South Africans. “We have come to an era when Nigeria can no longer talk of Africa as the centre piece of our foreign policy. It must be Nigeria first, Nigeria second, Nigeria third and thereafter, anything that is consistent with Nigeria national interest.

“We should no longer sacrifice our own national interest just because we want to be a big brother of a people who does not recognise the role and huge sacrifices that our country has made over the years to defend and protect the interest f the African continent. “For example, MTN is making huge profit including sometimes, breaching our national laws. South Africans cannot be envious of small businesses over there while their business giants are smiling to their foreign banks where they keep profits that they repatriate from Nigeria.

“We are aware that not too long ago, MTN was enlisted in the stock exchange and some Nigerians have bought shares from MTN. I think that in moments like this and to send strong message to the South African authority and their people, it is worth it for the Nigerian government to take over the remaining shares of MTN that are owned by South African so that MTN become fully Nigerian own.

“While government think of how to deal with this, I think that in our individual capacities, this is the moment to show our commitment to our fellow citizens and show sympathy to those who have lost loved ones by boycotting South African goods and services, beginning with Nigerians refusing to use MTN services. “This should also give us opportunity to reflect on why we should continue to allow DSTV to continue to repatriate millions of dollars to South Africa every year arising from their activities in Nigeria. We have to review all those things that give South African companies monopoly such that they make so much money with little value addition.

“To show that we mean business and as a practical step of discouraging more Nigerians from going to South Africa and encouraging those already there to return home, we should know that it will be an appropriate message to the South African government that until they find appropriate satisfactory explanation and pay appropriate compensation to those Nigerians whose property has been looted and those killed; South African Airways should be stopped from landing in Nigeria. “Nigeria needs to show that we are not chickens to be molested because the life of every Nigerian matters and need to be protected whether at home or abroad.

“Among the businesses that South Africans are involved in, many Nigerians believe that Shoprite is owned by South Africans. They are repatriating money purely based on franchise. As we know, both the capital with which those shops are built belong to Nigerians and the shop owners are Nigerians.

“But these guys make profit just with the franchise. I believe that this moment imposes obligation on government to review any of the agreement to enable any South African to begin to develop monopoly in our commercial life. “We also know that Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic Bank are South African Banks, with Nigerians having little shares.

It is time to ask them to wind up so that Nigerian banks can take advantage of their departure to expand their operation and maximise their profits and Nigerian government makes legitimate tax from the profit generated by these bank. “I believe that taking these and other measures which the government will be able to do without wasting much time, we would have enough to save by transferring these businesses to Nigerians and use the profit to rehabilitate those Nigerians whose property has been lost and attempt to provide some succour to those who have lost loved ones.

“Obviously, the situation in South Africa require bold imaginative and direct message that we are willing and ready to match the South African government lukewarm attitude to this attack as if our lives are not important.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/xenophobic-attacks-apc-wants-south-african-companies-nationalised.html

Noise everywhere...we need actions

T.Y the hero of our time

Bandits operating in Katsina yesterday gave conditions for ceasefire. They demanded the release of their members held in various prisons and requested that “the excesses” of security operatives, traditional rulers and local judges allegedly disposing them of their animals be checked.

Speaking yesterday during an engagement meeting with Governor Aminu Masari at Dankolo village, they said most of them were forced into banditry by perceived hatred from community members, security officers, traditional rulers and local judges.

Idris Yayande, one of the bandits, said: “We have our complaints as well, most of it was some of our people that were arrested like Alhaji Baldu, Alhaji Lawal and Ibrahim Nakutama who were picked on return from hajj. I was arrested also and up till now, I have not been told of my offence. I was detained for 15 months before I was released. “For the past 5 months, since the fasting period when we met with the community, we have not attacked them. We have no one in captivity, if you hear anything of such is not from this camp.

Of course, there are places where attacks and kidnappings are happening because we don’t have control of such places, but this place that we took oath to stop, they are protected, we are doing our best” “You can see farms nowadays which we had in the past vowed that no one will farm them, but you can see people on them farming”. We are tired of hiding as well, please and please, since government has moved in, let us stop this.” The leader of vigilante in the area, Lawal Tsoho, advised the governor to be wary of some politicians and top government officials who did not want the peace initiative to succeed.

Responding, Governor Masari affirmed that some bandits had been in detention for more than 10 years, saying “you cannot be keeping people for over two years without any charge. So, for those kind of people, we are going to release them on bail, if the police are able to have charges against them, we will look at the charges.

“The hope is that it will bring peace to Katsina state and northwest, we believe we have started well and there is nothing better than peace and dialogue. Once you are exchanging views, certainly, there will be a solution”.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/katsina-bandits-give-conditions-for-ceasefire.html

Sambo Dasuki?

Nigeria must go...some of south African are wicked!

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, has stated that Nigeria is committed to winning the war against corruption. Prof Owasanoye made the statement in a speech he delivered on behalf of Nigeria at the Resumed 10th Session of the Implementation Review Group (IRG), on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) holding from 2nd to 4th September 2019.

A statement yesterday from the spokesperson of the ICPC, Rasheedat Okoduwa said he spoke about Nigeria’s contributions to the ongoing review of the Convention document as “a comprehensive remediation plan to address identified gaps and vulnerabilities”.

She added that Owasanoye said the proposed pieces of legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill, the Mutual Legal Assistance Bill, and the Whistleblowers’ Protection Bill, which will augment the existing Whistle-Blower compensation policy, indicate that Nigeria was prioritizing the anti-money laundering regime and strengthening processes in order to stay ahead of criminal elements.

On the management of assets recovered from corrupt persons, he revealed that the processes across relevant agencies have been energized in order to improve transparency, accountability and boost public confidence in the fight against corruption, as well as assure much-needed resources for critical social initiative programmes benefitting the poor and vulnerable.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-committed-to-war-against-corruption-icpc-boss.html

chai!

Toh

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Delta State Executive Council has approved the release of N1.5 billion counterpart fund to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for funding of primary education in the state for 2019. Another N1.1 billion was approved for the state job creation office for the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

The state commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this at a post council media briefing presided by Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba.

Aniagwu, in a joint briefing with his Youths Development counterpart, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said Delta was one of the few states consistent with payment of the counterpart fund to UBEC. He explained that the state government was consistent with the payment because of the premium it attached to education and resolve that Deltans should have the best of every positive development in the country. “Delta is a peculiar state and our governor is passionate about education and as such, when the issue of counterpart-funding for UBEC was raised and deliberated on, it was approved by the Exco.

“This has made Delta the most consistent in paying of the counterpart fund,’’ he said. The commissioner also stated that “because of influx of people to Delta and Asaba in particular due to the peaceful and progressive nature of the state, Exco approved the establishment of one new primary school and another secondary school in Asaba metropolis. “We know the importance of education to the lives of our people and we are also aware of the passion of the people when it has to do with education. So, we should expect more schools to be established in the future. “We must give accolades to the administration of our Governor, because a lot of schools were also established during his first tenure.

“It is also gladdening to note that a Project Monitoring Unit was approved by the Exco to ensure that projects executed in the state are done to specifications and delivered on schedule. “The approval is in line with our governor’s desire to deliver projects that will touch the lives of the people for a long time to come’’, Aniagwu explained. He disclosed that in addition to other approvals, Exco also approved N1.1 billion as the 2019/2020 Work-Plan for the Job Creation Office, and that all markets constructed by the state government had been handed over to local government councils for management.

“The issue of job creation was also discussed and based on the need to ensure that more Deltans, especially the youths, are positively engaged in the next four years, the Directorate of Youths Development will collaborate with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to engage the youths,’’ he added.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/delta-approves-n2-6bn-for-2019-ube-counterpart-funds-job-creation.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are absolutely unacceptable, reckless and unreasonable. Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, quoted the vice president while fielding questions from reporters on Tuesday in Kano on the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The vice president said the violence was reckless, unfortunate, and against the ideals South African leaders fought for.

Osinbajo recalled the role Nigeria played in pulling down apartheid in South Africa. According to him, the recent attacks are condemnable. “It is very sad and very unfortunate that the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians living in South Africa are once again being destroyed with such wantonness and with such carelessness and recklessness.

“It is unfortunate because Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the pulling down of apartheid. “Besides, these acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders, including the present president fought for, and for which many gave their lives.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has already spoken about this; and obviously we are very concerned and certainly intend to take this up with the authorities in South Africa in order to ensure that this sort of thing does not repeat itself. ” This is absolutely unacceptable and unconscionable,” he said. (N

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/attacks-on-nigerians-in-south-africa-absolutely-unacceptable-unreasonable-osinbajo.html

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai yesterday said the army would take decisive action against its personnel involved in the killing of policemen in Taraba State.

Buratai, who made this known during the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarters conference in Abuja, also said the military has concluded investigation on the killings. He said the circumstances of the incident call for better inter-agency collaboration to forestall future occurrence.

He also charged unit commanders to reorient their soldiers on civil-military relations and inter-service/inter-agency relationship. He said such clashes reflect negatively on the image of the Nigerian army, noting that “It is imperative to be more proactive in ensuring discipline and professionalism of our personnel in dealing with other agencies of government and indeed the larger society.”

He said “We should all note that the Nigerian Army as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is mandated to support the civil authority and the Nigerian Police Force in internal security operations.” “However recent occurrences have shown that there is need for more reorientation on civil-military relations and inter-service relations at the junior level,” he said. He added that “Unfortunately incidences such the one at Ibi in Taraba State which generated intense media comments are not healthy for the smooth cooperation and operation of our security forces.

“Investigations have been completed and decisive actions will be taken to ensure it never happens again,” he said. Buratai also said the army has redefined Operation Lafiya Dole with the Super Camp concept to end terrorism in the Northeast. He said the Super Camp Concept entails the concentration of fighting forces in strongholds that have the capacity to respond swiftly to threats.

The COAS said 20 Super Camps have been established in the Northeast with more platforms deployed to support the initiative.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/taraba-police-killings-military-concludes-investigation-buratai.html

A former Nigerian education minister, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has been awarded a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin from September 2019 to February 2020.

Others who bagged the fellowship are an international mediator from South Africa, Brian Currin; former Irish ambassador, David Donoghue; and former Mayor of the city of Wroclaw, Rafał Dutkiewicz. Among others are a professor of science and engineering at the Harvard Kennedy School, Sheila Jasanoff; Furosemide Manji; and Natalie Nougayrède.

Since its foundation in 2014, more than 65 decision-makers and experts from around the world have spent a residency at the Academy.

While announcing Ezekwesili’s award of the fellowship, the Academy said, “She will design a pathway for Nigeria out of its stagnant politics” after the programme. Ezekwesili, an economic policy expert and Senior Adviser at the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, will spend a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin from September 2019 to February 2020.

She is a co-founder of the global anti-corruption group, Transparency International, and a former Vice President of World Bank’s Africa programme. She was also a former cabinet minister of Solid Minerals in Nigeria.

In a statement, the academy said the fellowship was offered to her and others for being “decision-makers, opinion leaders, and experts who are solution-oriented on global affairs.” “The Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship was established in honour of the former President of Germany.

“The fellowship offers a residency of several months in Berlin to outstanding personalities from around the world. Residencies at the Robert Bosch Academy provide fellows with the intellectual and physical space to pursue individual research and outreach activities on topics beyond their normal professional commitments.

“During her fellowship, Obiageli Ezekwesili, a technocrat who recently ventured into politics and ran for the office of President of Nigeria in the 2019 election, will investigate the nexus between politics and the unsatisfying results of economic management and nation-building process of Nigeria and more broadly, Africa. “Drawing immensely from her experiences in the 2019 election and her years as an economic reform expert, she plans to propose as well as execute a rescue plan to structurally change politics and political outcomes in her country, Nigeria and Africa widely.

“Combining Analytics, Work Study Group, Case Studies, Experimentations and Experiential activities during her fellowship, Ezekwesili will interrogate political incentives, political institutions and the standard of political actors necessary to raise the quality of governance in her country, Nigeria and Africa broadly. “Ezekwesili is convinced that setting Africa’s politics and political landscape right is fundamental to instituting a strong pattern of good governance that will help convert her country and the continent’s huge endowment of natural and human resources into lasting assets for equitable economic growth and development.

“The Presidential candidate in the 2019 election considers her mission of fixing Nigeria’s and Africa’s politics a creditable pathway for attaining good governance, inclusive and shared economic prosperity, harmony and political stability,” the statement read. Similarly, in a statement shared by her spokesperson, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, to journalists across the globe, Ezekwesili said, “It is the worst variant of politics that breeds poor governance in my country and continent, leads to dismal economic performance and entrenches pernicious poverty.”

“Politics badly trumps economics in Nigeria and Africa broadly. The bad politics and poor governance then combine to terribly trap majority of our citizens in extreme poverty. Nigeria has the largest number of extremely poor people in the world and is ignoble designated as the global capital of poverty. “By 2030 Africa will be the continent with more than 80 per cent of the world’s poor. There is thus a fierce urgency, intentionality and deliberateness required to fix the root cause of poverty in our country and continent.

I have identified as bad politics,” she noted. She however added that “My time as a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellow of the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin will combine academic, experimental and experiential activities to design a #RescuePlan. The overriding goal is that #FixPoliticsDotOrg will transform politics as we currently know it in Nigeria and Africa.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ezekwesili-currin-manji-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany.html

EFCC are now facing Yahoo yahoo boys instead of corrupt politicians

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had arrested four Boko Haram insurgents’ suppliers in Borno, as part of a renewed campaign to stifle the insurgents’ economy. The Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, made the disclosure during the destruction of four vehicles and essential commodities seized from the insurgents in Maiduguri.

Adeniyi disclosed that the military authorities had banned sales of petrol and other trades in the hinterland to deny the insurgents access to logistics and monies to fund their activities.

He decried the nonchalant attitude of some traders and commercial vehicle operators who supplied and transported logistics to the insurgents.

“There are no petrol stations in the Sambisa Forest, Algarno, Baga and Gwoza; the logistics sustaining the insurgents is coming from Maiduguri, Damaturu and other settlements. “Some commercial vehicle operators fabricated their tanks to a 200-liter capacity, to enable them to supply and sell petrol to the insurgents at the rate of N245 per litre.

“Troops at check points arrested four vehicles on their way to deliver large consignment of logistics to the insurgents in the hinterland. “The insurgency will have stopped if not for the people who patronise them; our effort is to arrest illegal business aiding the insurgency.

“Boko Haram logicians will neither be tolerated nor ignored, anybody who engage or allow his vehicle to transport insurgents’ logistics would be prosecuted because you are part of them and an enemy of the state,” he said. Adeniyi listed the items seized to include diesel concealed as palm oil; bread, grain, mats, sacks, motorcycle spare parts and items used by the insurgents to produce Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The commander called on the people and the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers to sensitise its members on the need to desist from transporting goods for the insurgents, warning that such vehicles would be seized and destroyed.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the army had on Aug. 23 destroyed fisheries products, hides and four vehicles seized from the insurgents’ suppliers arrested on Maiduguri-Gamboru Road. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/army-arrests-5-boko-haram-suppliers.html

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given reasons why the ruling party will win the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

Tinubu, who spoke yesterday in Benin during the 90th birthday celebration of the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, said APC would win the elections because all stakeholders would work in unison, like the bunch of brooms that swept the debris of the past for a better Nigeria.

“What I expect in Bayelsa and Kogi is victory. There is no other party in the states…politics is a market of many branches and this is the broom; the broom will come together as a bunch to sweep all the debris of the past. That is it, and we are going to win the election,” he said.

Speaking on complaints that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State did not perform, the APC national leader said democracy would not exist if there were no complaints in politics. He urged Nigerians not to pay attention to what he described as noise in the market, saying “there are many apples, oranges and various fruits of different character.

But one thing that is consistent is the broom that will come together as a bunch during the election.” On his part, the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, tasked politicians on the need to always speak the truth, stressing that it was possible to get desired position in politics without bending the truth.

He said many politicians started well by telling the truth to get power but at old age, due to one challenge or the other, deviated. He described the celebrant, Chief David Edebiri, as a personality that always speaks the truth.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tinubu-tips-apc-to-win-bayelsa-kogi-govship-polls.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has not abandoned the victims of flood in Daura, Katsina, the presidency has said. Daura community in Katsina State, where President Buhari hailed from was hit by massive floods last week. A presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu said the people will receive additional assistance from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“Contrary to the allegations that President Muhammadu Buhari has turned his back on the people of Daura, we can confirm that pre-assessment relief materials were dispatched to the victims within 48 hours of the floods.

“Ten trailer loads of building materials including zinc, planks and cement, as well as tons of grains, cereals and other edibles have so far been delivered. “The flood victims also received blankets and mattresses.

“Materials were delivered to and signed for by stakeholders while the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar welcomed the prompt emergency response from NEMA officials,” he said.

He said NEMA has equally promised that in line with establishment practices all over the country, as soon as the assessment of the damage to the flood-ravaged communities is reported upon, more food items and building materials would be dispatched.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-has-not-abandoned-daura-flood-victims-presidency.html

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The Forum of PDP Professionals in Kogi has asked the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to disqualify three aspirants who are from the same family but seeking the party’s ticket to contest the November 16 governorship election in the state. The group said this should be done before the party primary scheduled for next Tuesday.

A letter to the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar Tsauri, which was signed by the group’s Coordinator, Dr Temitope Atteh, said unless the three aspirants were pushed out of the race, the party would ultimately be defeated by the APC at the polls.

The PDP aspirants included the former governor of the state, Idris Wada; his younger brother, Engr. Musa Wada; and the brother in-law of Engr. Wada, Mr Abubakar Ibrahim Idris.

“There is palpable fear across the leadership and rank and file of our party that if this danger is not confronted and contained before we go into primaries, it may become intractable thereafter and could ignite series of actions and reactions that will lead to failure of our party at the polls ,” he said. Dr Atteh lamented that the party’s stakeholders and elders were divided, stressing that the development was dangerous for the party.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-urged-to-disqualify-3-aspirants-from-same-family.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto and President, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and other eminent Nigerians have urged the citizens to embrace peace and ignore war mongers in the interest of the country.

They made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the one-day youth summit on peace building in the country, with the themed “Towards Peaceful and Harmonious Nigeria: The Role of Christian and Muslim Youths”.

President Buhari, who challenged the youths to live up to the tenets of their faith and the best values of human kind, said it is unfair in the nation’s now historic juncture for some people to be beating drums of tribal division.

The President was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the summit jointly organised by Community and Youth Development (CYD) and Christian Youth for Peace and Development Initiative (CYPDI). The vice president, who narrated how on the 30th of May this year, received in audience with Plateau State based Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, an 83 year old Muslim cleric who saved the lives of 262 Christians, said Nigerians must emulate the cleric.

The Sultan represented by the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, said both Muslims and Christians must live in peace with one another. Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, represented by the Director, Legal and Public Affairs, CAN, Evangelists Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, said Nigeria is leading the world in peace building. Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Idris Wasse, urged the youth to shun corruption. In his keynote, Prof Ishaq Oloyede of the NSCIA, urged Nigerians to build bridges rather than erecting fences.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-religious-leaders-urge-nigerians-to-ignore-war-mongers.html