₦airaland Forum

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved the appointment of 513 additional aides to serve as his Technical Assistants (TA).

The governor’ Principal Secretary, Chief Clement Nweke, who made this known in a statement in Abakaliki on Wednesday, said the appointees were drawn from the 171 political wards in the state.

The appointees, according to him, were to report to the office of the principal secretary with their credentials for documentation.

“Appointees from Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ebonyi and Ezza North Local Government Areas (LGA) are to report on November 27 2019.

“The appointees from Ezza South, Ikwo, Izzi, Ohaozara are to report on November 28 while those from Ishielu, Ivo, Ohaukwu and Onicha LGAs are to report on November 29, 2019,” he stated.

It would be recalled that the governor, during a meeting with top government officials in September, hinted that he would appoint 800 aides to add to the 4,000 already appointed.

Border Closure: Nigeria too big to be threatened by Benin ― Prof. Lumumba

…Says Borders can be open without being porous

Former Director of Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission Prof. PLO Lumumba has maintained that the federal government is too big to be threatened by smaller neighbouring countries like Benin to result in the closure of land borders.

Fielding questions from newsmen during the 6 Goddy Jidenma foundation public lecture in Lagos, Lumumba who was obviously peeved by the closure said: ” I can understand why Nigeria is closing its borders but I am of the view that Nigeria is too big to be threatened by Benin.

The apparent lose which we are seeing in the early days which involves abuse of Nigeria’s laws can be dealt with through regulations. If regulations are put in place in a proper manner there would be no need to close the borders.

“There are three ways to deal with it; first the short-term way of dealing with it addressing the regulatory issues which present themselves as an existential threat to Nigeria’s market.

“The medium-term is to look at the movement of goods and determine their source of origin so that Nigerian laws are not abused and to protect the Nigerian industries be it agriculture and textile.

“In the long-term, we must look at the African continental free trade area deliberate on the destroyer of these artificial boundaries for free trade to take place.

“I agree with the government that when borders are porous, so individual take advantage of it to commit criminality, but yet, I believe borders can be open without being porous.

In other words, you institute measures that ensure that malcontent are removed from free entry and yet you do not undermine trade. I understand that this lesson that has been leant now will help Nigeria to control its boundaries without undermining trade going forward”.

While reacting to Benin and Niger not complying with the MoU signed with the Nigerian government in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as reported by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Muhammed, as well as the ECOWAS transit protocol, Lumumba said: “If there is Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed, Fidelity to the MoU is critical.

“If they don’t comply with the MoU, then there must be consequences. But these consequences must be the one brought to bear so that not everybody suffers with those who have not complied.

” In other words, compliance to MoU is critical for the benefit of all”. Lumumba maintained.

Among the personalities present at the event were: Prof. Pat Utomi; Mrs Nike Akande; Prof. Joy Ogwu; Justice Rose Ukeje among a host of others.

Muslims in the South-west region under the auspices of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) have called on Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) to establish Shari‘ah Courts in the region.

The Muslims said the creation of the Shari’ah Courts in the six states of the region became necessary in order to cater for the yearnings of Muslims who are in the majority.


MUSWEN made the demand yesterday in a communiqué signed by the duo of Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Prof. Wole Abbas at the end of 4th MUSWEN General Assembly held in Ibadan themed: “Muslim Unity and Contemporary Political Challenges in Nigeria” and made available to THISDAY.

Sanni, who doubled as Chairman of the event and Abbas who is the Chairman, 4th General Assembly in the communiqué, maintained that the Shari’ah Courts when established would replace Shari‘ah panels being operated presently by Muslim organisations in the region.

The organisation also insisted that institution of Hijab was sacrosanct in Islam and could not be compromised for Muslim girls and women in any part of the country, frowning at what it termed as a political lopsidedness against Muslims in the South-west and at the federal level.

The communiqué also announced the appointment of Prof. Muslih Yahya, a retired Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies from University of Jos as the new Executive Secretary, following the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer Executive Secretary, Prof. Dawud Noibi.

The communiqué read in part: “That Shari‘ah Courts should be established by governments in the South-western Nigeria in catering for the yearnings of Muslims who are in the majority to replace Shari‘ah Panels being operated presently by Muslim organisations. To ensure proper administration of justice, MUSWEN advocates urgent judicial reform, taking a cue from the principle of Islamic Judicial System.

“That there have been some modest improvements in the state of the nation under the present administration. That the federal government should intensify efforts to diversify the economy of the nation. That Muslims in the country should go about demanding for their rights in accordance with the law.

“That institution of Hijab is sacrosanct in Islam and cannot be compromised for Muslim girls and women in any part of the country. That MUSWEN acknowledges the harmonious activities of the indefatigable President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni and urges all Muslim Organisations in the South-west to cooperate with him in his efforts at piloting the affairs of Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

“That MUSWEN should champion the provision of qualitative education to teeming Muslim youths in order to reduce poverty and other acts of insecurity in the country.

“That the Ummah mourned the exit of its immediate past President, Dr. Sakariyau Babalola, and prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings and repose his soul in eternal bliss, Aamin. The Ummah also appreciates its outgoing pioneer Executive Secretary, Prof. Dawud Noibi (OBE) who delivered a valedictory speech, for piloting the affairs of MUSWEN since inception to its current state.

“That material wealth should not be the criterion of eligibility for political office. That the Ummah frowns at political lopsidedness against the Muslims in the South-west and at the federal level. That Muslims in all political positions regardless of their party affiliation should unite to support matters relating to Islam as well as of national interest.

“That MUSWEN further reiterates its commitment to Hijab struggle not only in the South-west but throughout the country as provided for, under freedom of religion in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That the issue of Hijab controversy at the International School, University of Ibadan should be legitimately pursued and that the Ummah should do so within the ambits of the law.

“That following expiration of the tenure of the pioneer Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Dawud Noibi, the General Assembly ratified the appointment of Professor Muslih Yahya, a retired Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies from University of Jos to become the new Executive Secretary effective from the date of the General Assembly.

“That the death of MUSWEN’s immediate past President, Dr. S. O. Babalola calls for the appointment of a new President and other principal officers. The General Assembly gave the task to the Central Working Committee (CWC) to make recommendations to fill the vacant positions within six months.”

Post-election violence: Thugs burn Kogi PDP Women Leader alive

Kogi State is witnessing a rein of fear and anarchy at the moment. Sporadic gunshots could be heard ringing out from major towns in the state, forcing peace-loving citizens to continue to live in fear and angiush. There is terror in land, walking on all fours.

In Monday afternoon, political thugs were said to have gone on the rampage, killing a middle-aged PDP women leader who was said to have been locked up in her house and burnt to ashes.

This was a sequel to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Yahaya Bello had been re-elected for the second term even as the thugs trooped out to celebrate the victory.

The victim, Mrs Acheju Abuh, the Women Leader of Wada Aro Campaign Council, Ochadamu Ward, was said to have been burnt alive in her home by alleged jubilant supporters and thugs said to be celebrating their party’s victory.

Reacting to the banal act, the spokesman, Wada/Aro Campaign Council, Faruk Adejoh-Audu said: “Chanting GYB 4+4, the thugs, shooting sporadically, arrived Hon (Mrs) Abuh’s house at about 2pm this afternoon (yesterday) and surrounded the house, bolting every exit and escape from outside.

“They then poured petrol on the building and set it ablaze as other terrorized villagers watched from hiding. She reportedly attempted to escape through a window but was prevented by the metal burglary proof and gun shots with bullets raining in her direction.

“The blood-thirsty thugs waited, shooting and watching with relish while Mrs Abuh cried from inside the inferno until her voice died out.

“They reportedly left only when the entire house and Mrs Abuh had been burnt to ashes. There are fears that the killing spree may escalate over the night.

“We are calling on all men of good conscience to immediately help the people of Kogi State appeal to the Inspector General of Police to rein in Bello’s thugs and protect our people whose only crime was that they voted for their choice, a vote that was never allowed to count.

“Unless Nigerians of good conscience immediately come to our aid, innocent people may die worse agonizing deaths as the blood lust of Mr Bello and his supporters continue.

“So far there’s no indication that the Kogi State police will arrest her killers or even prevent further attacks and killings of people.”

Sources from Ochadamu said two other houses had been burnt by the thugs. When youths in the community made attempts to stop the rampaging thugs, a serious fight was said to have ensued which led to one of the thugs allegedly hurting himself with his charmed knife which led to severe bleeding.

He was rushed to a popular clinic in the community where health workers refused to attend to him without a police report.

The thugs died shortly after he was brought to the clinic while the his enraged comrades promised to burn the clinic.

Investigations also revealed that since Saturday residents of all major towns in the state including Lokoja the state capital have been taken over by thugs and some security personnels who take delight in shooting sporadically without anyone challenging them

This, it was gathered has created fears for peace-loving citizens especially women and children who are often terrified with serious health problems created for the aged and those suffering from hypertension.

Reacting to the ugly incident the spoke man of the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, expressed sadness over the incident and said those responsible for the crisis would be brought to book.

Nwabufo, first Nigerian to reach Antarctica on world expedition on Russian ‘Pallada’

Arthur Nwabufo, a Nigerian navigator and cadet at the Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University of Russia, is currently on an ”around-the-world” expedition on the Pallada.

Nwabufo is said to be the first Nigerian to reach the Antarctica with the Russian fleet.

The training sailing vessel ‘Pallada’ is described as the pride of the Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University and was built in 1989 at the shipyard of Gdansk in Poland.

The expedition is dedicated to the 200 years’ discovery of the Antarctica by Russian navigators.

A letter signed by Olga Tischenko, head of foreign affairs department of the university, addressed to the Nigerian embassy in Moscow announced the feat.

”This is to inform the Nigerian Embassy, that Mr. Arthur Oge Nwabufo a cadet from the Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University is currently sailing on board sail training ship “Pallada” on the Round the World Expedition and he is the only Nigerian among cadets and crew-members of the sail ship,” it read.

Nwabufo is the younger brother of Fredrick Nwabufo, Nigerian journalist and columnist.

The power play over who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 may have created a wedge in the relationship between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Daily Independent has gathered.

Though he is yet to confirm or deny reports that he is nursing a presidential ambition in 2023, many loyalists of Tinubu, who played a significant role in President Buhari’s election in 2015 and 2019, have confirmed that he is passionate about becoming the number one citizen in the next political dispensation.

It was gathered that Tinubu had decided to lie low in respect of his ambition for now so as not to upset Nigerians and President Buhari, who is just six months into his second term.

It would be recalled that Tinubu’s rumoured plan was to serve as running mate to President Buhari during the 2015 presidential election but some stakeholders such as Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, opposed the move, saying a Muslim-Muslim ticket would affect the fortune of the APC, which was then the opposition party.
Given the option of nominating one of his protégé, who is of the Christian faith, Tinubu nominated Osinbajo, who had served as his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice between 1999 and 2007 when he was governor of Lagos.

However, he was said to be miffed when reports got to him that Osinbajo was also nursing the ambition to succeed President Buhari.

Daily Independent had earlier reported that some stakeholders in the APC were asking President Buhari to ensure that Osinbajo succeeded him so as to continue the programmes of the administration, having worked hand-in-hand with the president as his deputy.

Some others, however, want the North to retain the position in 2023.

Speaking on the relationship between Osinbajo and Tinubu, a credible source in the party said it had not been cordial as both men rarely see and discuss like it used to be.

According to him, “Even a political layman will know all is not well between the duo as Tinubu has not uttered a word since the humiliation of Osinbajo began few weeks ago.

“While many Nigerians also condemned the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, for travelling to London to present the amended Deep Offshore Act to Buhari in London while the vice president is at home, Tinubu saw nothing wrong in that and even praised the president.

“Also, there are two glaring incidents involving the two which shows all is not well. When Asiwaju Tinubu went to Aso Rock some time ago, he didn’t visit the vice president’s office. A lot of people were surprised.

“Also, the vice president was in Lagos few days ago for Hajia Bola Shagaya’s 60th birthday in Lagos. He didn’t visit Asiwaju in Bourdillon before he left for Abuja even though they both met at the function.”

However, speaking on the issue, a staunch loyalist of Tinubu, who preferred not to be named, admitted that while there was no serious rift, both men had been cautious of each other since it was clear that they were both nursing the same ambition for 2023.

“I don’t think there is any serious rift between the two. There is nothing to fight for in nursing an ambition. But I must admit that both men are now cautious of each other and that is logical. We can’t be aiming for the same thing and you expect me to be revealing all my secrets to you.

“As for the vice president not visiting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu after Hajia Bola Shagaya’s birthday, I don’t see anything wrong in that. Both men exchanged pleasantries and they even stepped aside and had a discussion before going their separate ways. The vice president has a very busy itinerary and Asiwaju Tinubu’s schedule is also very tight.

“Tinubu has no reason to fight anybody over presidential ambition. All these people who are talking about presidency, do they have the structures and other necessary things needed?
“He has always said the presidency is like the head of an elephant, which is not something a child can carry. He believes when the time comes, they will all meet at the field and the best will emerge.”

Speaking on Tuesday on the plight of the vice president, Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, said the options available for Osinbajo was either to fight or resign.
Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, also said it had not decided whether to support the embattled second-in-command because Osinbajo had not admitted that he had any problem in the presidency.

“The options left for him at this point are to either fight or resign. As for Afenifere fighting for him, that does not arise as yet as he has not even admitted that there is anything wrong.

“The Yoruba say that if the person beaten says he is very cool and comfortable, what then is your own greeting him over injuries?

“All we are doing is to insist on constitutionalism, which we did for Goodluck Jonathan in the days of power hijack and which we will do for anybody, no matter the nationality,” he said.