Some Facts About The Abuja Light Rail

- The project was conceived since 1977 made up of 6 Lots.
- Lot 1 has just been commissioned by President Buhari - it is a double track line covering a length of 45km
- It has 12 passenger stations

- The Idu Station is to serve as a transfer station, transferring to the national rail line

- The Idu Station would also serve as a maintenance base

- Some of the economic benefits include:

- It would accelerate National Economic Growth; It would provide a better investment climate; it would improve the living conditions of Nigerians in the Abuja metropolis; it would create more employment; it would save energy; it would provide for greater social stability; it would ease transportation in the FCT.

Barely 24 hours after the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 38 other political parties purportedly signed an MoU to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), 22 political parties under the auspices of Coalition for Progressives Political Parties (CPPP) have formed an alliance to back President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja , Chairman of the coalition who doubles as the National chairman of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim declared that the coalition was “made up of like mind political parties who believe in the unity and stability of the country.

He noted that the coalition which was formed in 2014 ahead of the 2015 presidential election aligned with the Presidential candidature of the current president Buhari emphasizing that the coalition the was resurrected to counter the orchestrated PDP coalition against the APC led government. While berating the PDP coalition, he stated that the parties were driven by selfishness and hunger to capture power in 2019.

He explained that the 20 parties that formed the coalition and those who abstained from the PDP charade lacked agenda to drive a new Nigeria.

The PDM chairman alleged that most of the parties in the PDP list were fraudulently included to sign the MoU to deceive Nigerians. He noted that while the Accord Party chairman and himself among other parties abstained from the PDP meeting, their party names were found in the list without their consent which he said raised doubt about the credibility of the coalition.

He said, “Yesterday we woke to a new development where PDP outside power has now managed to create another coalition. As facts continue to emerge, they has listed 36 political parties, our analysis of that coalition reveals that a number of political parties were included in that coalition fraudulently.

“Part of the 42 political parties they listed is Accord party and the chairman of the party is here with us. I’d you are creating a coalition, you need to be honest about it as to who and who are members of the coalition.

“As of today, the membership of that coalition is in doubt. Two members also listed at that coalition are here. We are not part of that coalition because we represent a political type of politics which is in total contradiction of what they are doing.

“We do not believe that our country should be governed by people whose only objective is to capture power. Of what purpose is that coalition built? Is it for ten purpose of taking Nigeria back to 1999 and 2015 or is it for the purpose of building a new Nigeria?

“That purpose has not been stated, even their in their memorandum. The only thing in their MoU is to agree to capture power in 2019. Their programme has not been made known to the Nigerian public . We will not be part of a coalition that does not have a programme for Nigeria.”

On the objective of the CPPP coalition, Ibrahim said it was to mobilise Nigerians to play greater role in political activities  in the country and ensure that they are given the right to elect their leaders in a free. fair and credible electoral process.

He also stated that it included to monitor and exert pressure on INEC to uphold the sanctity of elections and to help identify security threat, amongst others. Also the Secretary of the Coalition and National Chairman of the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) Shittu Muhammed Kabiru noted that the coalition was to advance the course of democracy and to stabilize the economy which was mismanaged by past PDP led government.

Shittu said the coalition would bring Nigeria out if economic impoverishment.

“We want Nigerians to know that our coalition is for a new Nigeria and to advance the course of Nigeria and democrscy and also to change the country from impoverishment to economic prosperity.

“We want Nigeria to survive, we will do everything to defend the economy of this country; we are concerned about the unity and stability of Nigeria, Shitu said.

The political parties present at the meeting were All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), United progressive Party (UPP), Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

Others were Freedom Justice Party (FJP), Fresh Party, (FP) New Nigeria’s Peoples Party (NNPP), Nigeria’s Peoples Congress (NPC), Nigeria Peoples Movement (NPM), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), National Action Congress (NAC), and NDLP.

https://www.abusidiqu.com/22-political-parties-disown-coalition-with-pdp-forms-alliance-to-back-buharis-re-election/

“The APC Government has executed 13 Federal Roads and Intervention Projects in Ekiti State. Some have already been completed and some are near completion.

Those roads that have been completed at the cost of N766,739,968.37 are;

a. The construction of infrastructure, Roads Drainages and Asphalt Finishing at IKERE EKITI.

b. The construction of infrastructure, Roads Drainages and Asphalt Finishing at NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME SITES.

c. The completion of emergency Repairs of failed sections of IFAKI – IKOLE – OMUO Road and;

d. The completion of emergency repairs of failed sections of IFAKI – IDO Road, while the Rehabilitation of EFON ALAAYE-ERINMO-IWARAJA road is 87% completed.

In addition, other Road projects ongoing in the State are; Rehabilitation of ADO-IFAKI-OTUN road; Repairs of IJEBU-IJESHA ROAD; Rehabilitation of ILA-ORANGUN-OKE ILA –ILALE-EKAN Road; Rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay/construction of Reinforced Concrete Drains and Kerbs of 1.33km internal roads in Federal University, Oye, amongst others.

These roads are being handled by 13 different contractors, providing more employment to the people of Ekiti state.”

— President Buhari at the APC MEGA RALLY FOR FAYEMI

Popular Online Activist Segalink Exposed

Popular Online Activist Segalink Exposed

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance. 

The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018. Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media. 

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts. 

Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.  

The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.

Members of the Public in Maiduguri, Borno State are hereby enjoined not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension. 

The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the Country.   

https://thejour.com/news/re-police-officers-protest-in-maiduguri/

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to investigate and prosecute authors of fake news, particularly the controversial publication on Miyetti-Allah’s involvement in the killings which occurred in Barkinladi, Riyom, and some parts of Jos South last week. The organisation also cautioned Nigerians on the need to investigate all news items before jumping to conclusions or taking any action.


MURIC was reacting to reports of fake news published by some media houses on 25th June, 2018 in which Danladi Ciroma, the North Central leader of the apex cattle breeders’ organization was quoted as admitting that the mayhem in Plateau in which 100 people were killed was ‘retaliatory’.

The false story containing admission of responsibility for the killings was greeted with a tornado of rage and criticisms. It also allegedly led to reprisal killings of people of Fulani descent and those identified as Muslims in the city of Jos and environs. Influential politicians from the south as well as members of the opposition called on government to declare war on Miyetti-Allah.

MURIC expressed shock and deep sadness over the false story. The organization blamed the phenomenon of false stories on unprofessional conduct by journalists, personal involvement of journalists in religious extremism and the spread of Islamophobia among Nigerian journalists.

Lamenting the proliferation of false and provocative publications, the human rights organization said Muslims have been the victims of false and hostile publications targeted at defaming Islam and its adherents since a long time ago. It insisted that many fake stories about herdsmen killings have been planted in the media just to cause crisis and further killings.

Expatiating further, the association said, “Some journalists are overstepping their bounds. They deliberately ignore the fact that writing and spreading fake news is an abuse of freedom of speech. The author of the fake story on Miyetti-Allah in particular has violated Allah-given fundamental rights of Fulani citizens by deliberately writing and publishing fake news about them, knowing such to be false.

“He has committed a crime against humanity. He has exposed Fulanis to danger. Nay, he has equally subjected Fulanis in particular, Muslim travelers and other Muslims throughout Nigeria in general to untold hardship, tremendous trauma and immense psychological torment.

“He has also exposed many Muslims to ridicule and grievous physical harm, including death of many Muslim faithfuls. Our hearts bleed for hundreds of innocent Muslim travelers whose vehicles have been waylaid while hoodlums searched, identified and killed them in Jos and environs during crises. Hundreds of Muslim women have been widowed, their children orphaned on this particular road. Enough is enough.

“We therefore urge FG to investigate all fake stories, identify and prosecute their authors for deliberately using their stories to cause mayhem knowing such to be false. Muslims living or passing through crisis-ridden spots need the protection of FG from conflict merchants. Nigeria must teach authors of false stories the lessons of their lives if we are serious about our search for peace”, the association said in the statement signed by its director, Ishaq Akintola.

Continuing, MURIC said, “FG must follow the example of Kaduna State Government by taking erring journalists to court. Kaduna government did not hesitate to prosecute Luka Binniyat who published a false report in the Vanguard newspaper of January 24, 2017 in which he falsely claimed that five students of a college of education were killed by Fulani herdsmen.”

The organization alleged that although Nigerian Muslims had been complaining for long, evidence is now emerging that some Nigerian journalists are flagrantly violating the ethics of their profession and abusing the constitutionally guaranteed right of a free press by telling lies, fabricating stories and manufacturing fictitious scenario. Their publications have created panic, divided the people and caused breakdowns of law and order.

MURIC commended Premium Times for accepting responsibility and for promptly sacking the reporter. It also gave kudos to the Vanguard which sacked its own reporter in 2017 for the same offence. Applauding the government of Kaduna State, the association called on state governments to hand over journalists who spread fake news within their states to the police for proper prosecution.

“The ball is in the court of the security agencies. They must investigate, identify and prosecute the author of all fake news. The law must be allowed to take its due course. Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State has set a precedent. No state government in a genuine search for peace can afford to harbour those who spread the fire of hate, war and destruction. Some journalists have allowed their religious sentiment to becloud their sense of responsibility. Such journalists are walking bombs. They must be made to face the wrath of the law as a deterrent to others”.

MURIC also cautioned Nigerians on the need to avoid spontaneous reactions. “Nigerians must learn a lesson from the Plateau progrom. We must investigate reports very well before jumping to conclusions particularly in these days of new media. Christians and Muslims must make good use of the teachings in their scriptures in real life.

“The tragedy of the Nigerian nation lies in the multiplication of an extremist religious population. No religion is excluded. Although churches and mosques increase in their hundreds, Nigerians take joy in acrobatic religiousity. Yet, when placed parri passu with our gymnastic criminality, our extreme religiousity is outrageously paradoxical. Our actions do not reflect our faith.

“Whereas the Qur’an warns Muslims to find out the truth ‘fatabayanuu’ whenever any rumour is brought to them (Qur’an 49:6) and the Bible also cautions Christians to “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good” (I Corinthians 5:21), Nigerians rush to kill and maim fellow compatriots at the first breaking news”.

In its concluding remarks, the association called on media houses to caution their employees against overzealousness and unprofessional conduct. “Journalists are first and foremost Nigerians before they joined the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The responsibility to promote the peace of our country must be numero uno on our minds. They must eschew religious bigotry and ethnic jingoism. They must also steer clear of political desperadoes who wish to use them for their narrow objectives”.

MURIC also appealed to governments to be firm in making scapegoats of recalcitrant reporters. It urged journalists to give a human face as well as patriotism and consideration for humanity to their stories. It contended that journalists may be free to write anything but the freedom of those who write hogwash and fake news should not be guaranteed in societies where truth is sacrosanct.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

We did not describe Plateau killings as retaliatory – Miyetti Allah

Samuel Ogundipe| PREMIUM TIMES.

The apex cattle breeders’ organisation, Miyetti Allah, has distanced itself from reports that it justified the recent killings of over 100 people in Plateau State.

The group’s leader in the North-central, Danladi Ciroma, was reported as saying the killings were a retaliation of previous acts of deadly aggression against Fulani residents and pastoralists in the state.

“These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission,” Mr Ciroma was quoted as saying in a statement June 25. “Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled.”

PREMIUM TIMES published the alleged statement, which was the first to be attributed to Miyetti Allah in the wake of the chilling massacre.

But Mr Ciroma has now strongly protested the quotes credited to him in a follow-up conversation with PREMIUM TIMES, and there appears to be no documented evidence to counter his rebuttal.

Multiple accounts said the killings occurred between the afternoon of June 23 and the early hours of June 25 in several communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, about 50 kilometres south of Jos, the state capital. About 100 have been confirmed killed by the police. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said its findings revealed at least 218 people were killed as at June 27. The police could not immediately corroborate CAN’s figures, telling PREMIUM TIMES their own counts have not been updated.

Unlike in recent past when authorities attributed killings to herdsmen, no agency has openly blamed herdsmen for the latest violence in Plateau. But there are already widespread insinuations that herdsmen were responsible for the killings, and President Muhammadu Buhari has once against been called on to act decisively to end atrocities linked to herdsmen, which had seen over 1,500 killed beginning with the January 1 attacks on two local government areas in Benue.

Demands also intensified for Mr Buhari to order a full-scale crackdown on Miyetti Allah from those who interpreted Mr Ciroma’s comments as an admission of responsibility for the carnage. They said Mr Ciroma’s comments were enough to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist group and proscribe it like the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in South-east Nigeria.

While Mr Ciroma acknowledged speaking with a reporter on Monday in Jos, he insisted to PREMIUM TIMES that he did not make the statement credited to him. In fact, he said what he told the reporter was the opposite of what was reported.

“I told the reporter that leaders at the local and national levels should come together and resolve this crisis before it is too late,” Mr Ciroma said by telephone Wednesday night, protesting strongly the comments attributed to him.

Tracing the error

An internal investigation by PREMIUM TIMES found that there was no recording of any interview in which Mr Ciroma made the statement, neither was any statement signed or circulated by him that contained the quotes.

The error was traced to our outstation reporter based in Jos, whose failure to properly attribute the source of the purported statement by Mr Ciroma misled the editors into believing that it was e-mailed to the reporter.

The reporter filed the story on Monday morning based on ‘a statement’ from Mr Ciroma. But checks by PREMIUM TIMES following Mr Ciroma’s protest on Wednesday afternoon showed that the quotes were lifted from The Nation Newspapers.

The Nation’s reporter in Plateau State also circulated the quotes in the WhatsApp group of reporters on the government house beat in Jos, telling his colleagues they were the full transcription of his interview with Mr Ciroma.

The reporter later admitted to PREMIUM TIMES that he did not have a recording of his call with Mr Ciroma, but said the quotes mirrored the Miyetti Allah leader’s position on the latest killings in Plateau State.

The Nation published the purported quotes by Mr Ciroma hours before our reporter in Jos lifted it without attribution, thus misleading his editors in Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES management has initiated an ethics and professional review of the reporter’s work; how it came to be that his sourcing for the story fell below house standards, and how his documentation fails to measure up to expected standards for verification and accuracy.

Even if Mr Ciroma made the purported statement, newsroom managers agreed yesterday, the expectations would be to report it with proper recording or digital footprints, for the simple reason that ethical journalism places the onus on the reporter to document proof of sources’ contribution to a story.

When one of the editors on duty called our reporter to find out how the story was sourced shortly before passing it on Monday morning, he said it was personally sent out by Mr Ciroma. This turned out to be the WhatsApp group broadcast by The Nation reporter, which several other Jos-based print and electronic correspondents sent to their respective media organisations throughout Monday.

Accountability And Remediation

This again brings to fore the limits of a common culture in Nigerian beat reporting where correspondents share stories amongst themselves in the manner of pool reporting. While journalists cannot be at two or more events simultaneously, standards in ethical reporting require reporters to ensure thorough verification of any second-hand information.

PREMIUM TIMES publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, admitted in a meeting with newsroom senior editors yesterday that the paper was substantially in error with respect to its reporting on Mr. Ciroma’s role in the conflict in Jos. “This is very much below the standards of verification we strive to maintain and for which we have come to earn the trust of our readers. As a first step, we are sending an apology letter to Mr. Ciroma regretting the mischaracterisation of his role, and assuring him that a disciplinary process is currently apace to ensure accountability for the breakdown in our editorial procedures.”

The controversial attribution to Miyetti Allah comes as the media were facing allegations of bias in its coverage of the ongoing killings in the country.

In February, presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu disparaged the media for its coverage of the killings. PREMIUM TIMES largely restrains from using potentially harmful stereotypes or slurs save for where authoritative references have linked an incident to a group pattern

Sule Lamido should clear his corruption cases before EFCC first.

By Amaechi Agbo

The recent tantrum by one Georgina Onuha claiming to doubt the pastoral status of the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, is careless, reckless and insensitive.

Understandably, Nigeria is grieving the reckless and barbaric murder of over a hundred persons in Plateau state over the weekend, so utterances of these nature are expected but not from people or someone who should have known better.

As an actress which she claims to be, Georgina should have been able to understand leadership and administration structure and responsibility. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria effectively spelt out the duties of the Vice President. Of which Vice President Osinbajo has been discharging impeccably.

It is in the open public that Professor Yemi Osinbajo, prior to and even after he was sworn in as Vice President in 2015, was and is still, an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. A church that has gone wide in establishing its presence in every nooks and crannies of the country. 

Yemi Osinbajo was (and still is) the Pastor in charge of the Lagos Province 48 (Olive Tree provincial headquarter) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ikoyi before his inauguration into office as the Vice President of Nigeria. 

Even while holding the second most highest position in the country, Pastor Osibanjo still insists that he remains the pastor-in-charge of the province and that he is only on loan to the Federal Government. 

In his words, "Just like Pastor Ibitayo has said we are on loan. I am still the pastor-in-charge of Province 48 in Lagos and my wife remains wife of the pastor-in-charge and wife of the Vice President." 

It is spurious, therefore, that a lady who should no better, if her claims as an actress is reliable, could come out openly to question Pastor Osinbajo's pastoral calling just because the security agents were unable to nip the Plateau killings in the bud. 

Unfortunately, if it were not for mischief, Georgina forgot that Osinbajo's pastoral callings have been the driving force in fostering peace in Nigeria despite pockets of security challenges in some states. 

As a pastor, Osinbajo stands for peace; he restores hope where there is despair, love where there is hatred, joy where sadness has pervaded. 

As a true pastor of repute, Osinbajo is guided by the Bible which he held during his swearing-in.

Christianity, the religion Pastor  Osinbajo professes does not condone evil against one's neighbour neither does it uphold revenge.

Thus the Bible in the Book of Deuteronomy 32:35 says "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”

In the Book of first Peter 3:9, Apostle Peter advised Christ followers not to pay back evil with evil but to treat everybody with love.

For Christians, revenge is never the right option. Peter echoes the teaching of Jesus, as well as that of Paul, in making it perfectly clear that those in Christ—those set apart to a new purpose—are not allowed to "get even." 

President Mohammadu Buhari on Tuesday cut short his visit to Cross River state to commiserate with the people of the state and consequently condemned the killings in its entirety. He directed the security agents to fish out the killers and bring them to justice.

While it is understandable that the presumed actress made the utterance under emotions over the killings, going forward it is necessary that she guard her mouth against reckless comments such as this.

The President while in Jos warned against reprisals and inflammatory statement such as Miss Georgina had just made. 

The security agents are on top of the situation both in Plateau and every other states the killings have been on in recent times.

Pastor Yemi Osinbajo remains a true Christian even beyond his calling as a Pastor but by the singular act that he has always preached for peaceful coexistence of Nigerians - this is what Christianity stands for, brotherliness, peace and love. 

While Nigerians sympathise with the good people of Plateau and other affected states, it is necessary that individuals should guard their utterances and not incite violence.

Very soon, the perpetrators of the heinous act will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law, this is our ultimate prayer.

https://thejour.com/opinion/osinbajo-the-tantrums-of-an-attention-seeking-folks/

Reading through my brother, Yushau Shuaib's article, about some decisions taken by some organizations, I was not too surprised about his motive for the write-up, taken into account his antecedents.

Ordinarily, I shouldn't have responded to this malevolent and unsubstantiated article knowing full well what the writer represents, but, for the fact that it is a deliberate attempt to drag the reputation of a man that has clearly shown a high level of patriotism, the Vice President of our beloved country, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, into mud. I have mandated myself not to keep quiet, without informing the readers about the truth, hence the reason for this rejoinder.
Before I address the issues raised in his boring article, let me briefly inform Nigerians, that Yushau Shuaib is a known articulate and ready tool, to be hired or sponsored by any blackmailer.
Yushau Shuaib's shady deals earned him compensations from powerful politicians into some Federal MDAs. Among them are Federal Ministries of Information, Finance, Health, as well as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The last Federal Government Agency he worked before he was exposed and subsequently fired, was the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), after his sponsorship by some powerful politicians from a particular zone, to attack the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo Iweala. (Link: http://www.informationng.com/2013/04/nema-spokesman-removed-from-office-for-criticising-okonjo-iweala.html)

Now, let me go to the issues raised in Yushau Shuaib’s disjointed and unintelligent article. In his first paragraph, he ignorantly and stylishly accused the Vice President of being the board Chairman of agencies, according to him, that victimize and destroy the career of innocent and competent Public Officers, through illegal and arbitrary means of political appointees.

May I remind Yushau Shuaib, that history would always be kind to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, for being the first State Attorney General that introduced pro bono to assist innocent and competent Public Officers, from illegal and arbitrariness who could not afford the services of lawyers in Nigeria. Think about it my brother Yashuaib.

Thank God, my brother acknowledged the fact that Vice President has a reputation to protect, and it is that reputation, that is free of ambiguity or doubt, that the Vice President is trying to protect, by refusing to compromise his integrity, a posture that has made it difficult for corrupt officers to strive under the MDAs he chairs.

On the issue of Bolouri Opukin, I expected that the personality of Yashuaib's status would have done due diligence, by doing thorough investigaton before coming to the public to make unguided comments against a patriotic Vice President, whose interest is about Nigeria's unity and progress. For your information sir, the case between the lady in question and her organization is about misconduct in service. Her office based its actions on public service rule (PSR) 030407, which defines ‘false claims against government officials’ as a serious misconduct for which an employee should be dismissed as ultimate penalty.
The Public Service Rule is very clear about the penalty for serious misconduct in Public Service. So, it will be unfair and callous for anyone to link the Vice President to petty issues as this.

Although, Yashuaib acknowledged it was a claim, now the question begging for answer is how an experienced and educated character like Yashuaib relies on conjecture to make public comments? It is indeed very unfortunate.
As for Mrs. Mariam Danna Muhammed, I sincerely sympathise with her, but the fact must be told, her case is that of employer and employee relation. The Vice President cannot impose his decisions, or any other person’s for that matter, on a private company that is out to make profit. So, citing the recommendations of the Attorney General of the Federation does not add up, it was just an advisory. The onus is on the company to either re-absorb her or not.
NDPHC is private limited liability company and had the right to hire and fire, they can take a decision to disengage any staff without stating any reason. In Samson Babatunde Olanrewaju V. Afribank Nigeria Plc (2001)13 NWLR (Pt.731) 691, the Appellant’s employment was dismissed by the Respondent in a letter which stated no reason.

The terms of employment gave power to the respondent to dismiss for gross misconduct which was proved at trial. The Supreme Court per Katsina-Alu JSC stated; “the law regarding master and servant is not in doubt. Under this class of employment, there cannot be specific performance of a contract of service. The master has the right to terminate the contract of his servant at any time and for any reason or for none.”

As for the NEMA staff suspended, I expected Yashuaib to have done his findings before embarking on a futile sojourn as this one. The suspension of those officers by the Board of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), came as a result of the recommendation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in order to allow detectives unfettered access to vital document.

It may interest Yasuaib and his sponsors, to note that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, both appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster preparedness, investigating the activities of NEMA and made some salient clarifications backing the legality of the suspension of the affected officers (link: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/nema-suspension-six-directors-osinbajo-board-order-hos/ ).

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation also made it categorically clear, that the suspension of the affected officers were in order, citing the relevant provisions in the Public Service Rule (Link: http://www.nan.ng/news/suspension-of-nema-directors-staff-in-order-hos/)

As for the needless comparison, let me tell Yashuaib that comparing the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, with other people that held that same position since 1999, is like comparing light with darkness. The Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before now, was tagged as “spare tyre” office, but the vibrancy and productiveness of Professor Yemi Osinbajo has changed that mind-set!

May I strongly inform my brother Yashuaib, and his sponsors, that the Vice President is known for his diligence and has not disappointed the majority of Nigerians that elected him in 2015. No amount of campaign of calumny and blackmail, can deter the Vice President from continuing with the good job he is doing.

God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria

Wada Yahaya

Prophecy everywhere, come when Buhari wins in 2019 I wonder what their project will n about

political evolution is to be evaluated the role being played by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will not go unnoticed or be swept under the carpet. In the last three years of this administration he has worked tirelessly with President Muhammadu Buhari to help realise the vision and mission of the administration as encapsulated in the ‘’change agenda’’ and several other policy documents. In doing this he has brought his extensive knowledge of law, public and private sector experiences to bear in the many successes of the Buhari /Osinbajo administration.

Like President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has equally through a dint of hard work and commitment to the Nigerian project emerged as a man of the people, hence the incredible show of love he garners wherever he goes. His wide acceptance across the country has added value to the administration and will surely attract needed support in the 2019 general elections.

His focussed leadership of the administration’s economic team has helped to rejuvenate the weak economy they inherited from previous PDP administrations. Today Nigeria has become the preferred investment destination in Africa, while several policies the administration has enunciated have alleviated the plight of the poor. For example the N-Power, school feeding programme and anchor borrowers programme have translated into life-changing experiences for a good number of people.

For the myriad of problems facing the country, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has never shied away from proffering workable solutions and a typical example is the farmers/herders clashes which he has been in the forefront in addressing the fundamental causes. This has contributed along with the security approach in restoring relative peace in the restive communities. Professor Osinbajo has proven that his position can be used to give support to his principal President Muhammadu Buhari rather than fight for supremacy or undermine the principal as we witnessed in past dispensations.

As a loyal party member he has at critical periods brokered peace towards ensuring the cohesion necessary for the growth of the party and democracy in the country. He has also earned the confidence of President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress as a peace maker, solution provider and out-of-the box thinker in resolving several knotty issues that crop up from time to time.

His interventions in other issues of national importance are also worthy of mention. Recently he opted to intervene in redressing the action of the Lagos state government in forcing Luxury Bus Owners to relocate to a location that is obviously unsuitable for them to continue rendering seamless transport services to travellers from Lagos to other parts of the country.

By offering to help find solution to the transporters’ plight he has demonstrated responsible leadership, especially considering the pivotal role transportation plays in the economic development of the country. Added to the fact that he leads the administration’s economic team, he is the most suitable to help find solution to such unnecessary disruption in the movement of goods and services across the country. Even in the United States, transport companies own bus terminals as we have in the Greyhound Bus Company and many others.

It can therefore be said that Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a blessing to the Buhari administration and Nigeria in general. History is replete with examples of such highly rated statesmen like President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who had rare opportunities of leadership to transform their societies and presently Nigeria is witnessing a focussed leadership that is positioning the country well.

By Chukwudi Enekwechi

Pictures of the President welcomed by the people of Morroco

All of a sudden everyhody now cares about MKO Abiola. The president has done the right thing. Who else are you expecting on the list

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed in a statement signed personally on Wednesday that after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth June 12 will be celebrated as the Democracy Day which means June 12 would now replace May 29 as the Democracy Day

He further stated that government has decided to award posthumously, the highest honour of the land, GCFR to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed Presidential winner of the June 12, 1993 annulled election.

Also, his running mate as Vice President, Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe will be invested with a GCON while the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualisation of June 12 elections and indeed for democracy in general, the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, is to be awarded posthumously a GCON.

A former minister of aviation and one of President Buhari’s major critics has commended the President on the declaration via his twitter personal page. He said ” I commend @MBuhari for announcing June 12th as our new Democracy Day. This is long overdue and I am pleasantly surprised. I also commend him for honoring Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12th 1993 presidential election, with the posthumous award of GCON.This is great news!”

In addition, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for this remarkable move. He said the motivation was right.

However, In a swift reaction, Chief Abiola’s daughter, Wura also expressed her profound gratitude to Mr President through her twitter account for the honour conferred on her late father.

While the opposition sees this phenomenal move by Mr President as an opportunity to score political points, Lagos State Governor debunked this.

Mr Akinwumi Ambode praised the President for this declaration. He gave the commendation on Wednesday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna who described the development as a historic and symbolic moment in the nation’s political trajectory.

Mr Ambode said ” This is a welcome development. It is a historic moment in our nation and I join other Nigerians to commend President Buhari on this announcement.”

” By this move, he has done, he has done what previous administrations failed to do,” the governor added.

He annotated that the President’s action has depicted that he is a man of history and character.

Ambode also said such development has given a hope to the heroes of democracy as it confirms that their demise is not in vain.

https://thejour.com/news/accolades-for-buhari-as-he-immortalizes-nigerias-democracy-hero/

It is important to highlight that the Senate President was not indicted in the confessions of the armed robbers.

Indicted in the sense that he was not alleged to be a sponsor of the armed robbery operation. With the resources available to him, he does not need the spoils from filthy robbers. But he needs their services to maintain his power and empire in Kwara State. And their confessions alluded to that.

He had bought them cars; given them monetary empowerment and though not directly, even given them weapons.

These facts raise serious questions for any prosecutor. And thus it is not out of place that the Police have asked Senator Saraki to answer pertinent questions involving his relationship with these gang members and criminals.

An important lesson from this event is the fact that Nigeria is building its institutions - a fact that we must glean from the seeming imbroglio.

In past times, a call may have simply been put through to the powers that be to end the investigation because a highly placed individual is involved. Fortunately, this did not happen. If it did, it would have been a dent on the image and independence of the Nigerian Police Force.

Another lesson of note from this drama is the reality that most of the violence being unleashed across the country are indirectly sponsored by our political elite class.

From Rivers, to Oyo, to Ekiti, to Taraba, to Benue - where we are now finding out that the massacre of my Catholic brothers in the sanctuary of a parish, had the tacit blessing of the Governor, as the lead suspect, a certain Tashaku, is his aide - and now to Kwara, where the gruesome killing of 33 innocent Nigerians, including pregnant women, by a criminal gang of robbers under the payroll of the Senate President has just been uncovered.

Our politicians are not just looting us. They are killing us. Literally!

by Lewis Adeniyi

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, fulfilled the age long promise to former Super Eagles coach, Bonfrere Jo,  handing him the keys to a three-bedroom apartment  in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Recall that the Dutchman was promised a house after guiding the national U23 team to  win the men’s football event at  the  Atlanta  ’96 Olympic Games.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,  who handed  Bonfrere  the  keys  during a brief ceremony  in Abuja,  said the reward would  inspire the Eagles at the 2018 World Cup competition in Russia.

Fashola said, “Let me on behalf of the President apologise to you that it has taken so long for the Nigerian government to come through. We thank you for your contribution to the development of our country, our youth, football and to say that it is better late than never. Nigeria always come through, we have come through for you.

“It is proper that with just few days to another World Cup, Nigeria fulfils and redeems this pledge and I hope that this will serve as an inspiration to our players going to the World Cup and the officials that this government will be there for you all the way.

“Ordinarily, this ought to be a short meeting but if it take 24 years for the government of the country to respond to its citizens, it must assume a news making event. This is consistent with the commitment that the President has made that once again, he will make Nigerians proud of their country. This country should always be there to respond to the needs and expectations of the citizens.”

The 71-year-old thanked the Federal Government and stated that the gesture would encourage sportsmen and women to work hard, knowing that their achievements would not go unrecognised.

https://www.abusidiqu.com/president-buhari-fulfils-housing-promise-to-ex-super-eagles-coach-bonfrere-jo/

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, fulfilled the age long promise to former Super Eagles coach, Bonfrere Jo,  handing him the keys to a three-bedroom apartment  in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Recall that the Dutchman was promised a house after guiding the national U23 team to  win the men’s football event at  the  Atlanta  ’96 Olympic Games.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,  who handed  Bonfrere  the  keys  during a brief ceremony  in Abuja,  said the reward would  inspire the Eagles at the 2018 World Cup competition in Russia.

Fashola said, “Let me on behalf of the President apologise to you that it has taken so long for the Nigerian government to come through. We thank you for your contribution to the development of our country, our youth, football and to say that it is better late than never. Nigeria always come through, we have come through for you.

“It is proper that with just few days to another World Cup, Nigeria fulfils and redeems this pledge and I hope that this will serve as an inspiration to our players going to the World Cup and the officials that this government will be there for you all the way.

“Ordinarily, this ought to be a short meeting but if it take 24 years for the government of the country to respond to its citizens, it must assume a news making event. This is consistent with the commitment that the President has made that once again, he will make Nigerians proud of their country. This country should always be there to respond to the needs and expectations of the citizens.”

The 71-year-old thanked the Federal Government and stated that the gesture would encourage sportsmen and women to work hard, knowing that their achievements would not go unrecognised.

https://www.abusidiqu.com/president-buhari-fulfils-housing-promise-to-ex-super-eagles-coach-bonfrere-jo/

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue State, presided over by Isaac Ajim, has remanded the Commander of Livestock Guard, Alhaji Tashaku Aliyu, for the death of two priests and 17 worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor, Ayar, Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government.

Five other suspects remanded are Husseini Manga, Ngyohov Shin, David Akenawe, Agada Tsesaa and Tarza Orvanya.

Prosecutor Edward Imo alleged Aliyu, Husseini, Akenewa, Orvanya and Agada, all members of Livestock Guards, unlawfully and illegally secured guns and assisted herdsmen to terrorise and kill farmers.

He noted that the act is contrary to the anti-open grazing law enacted by the government.

Imo said based on intelligence, a combined team of F-SARS, DSS and the Army moved to Quararafa quarters, arrested Aliyu and took him to FCT Police Command, Abuja for interrogation.

The prosecutor told the court investigation was on.

He said the accused be remanded in Makurdi prison.

Chief Magistrate Ajim ordered that the accused be remanded in Makurdi prison, and adjourned the case till July 17 for further hearing.

http://thenationonlineng.net/court-remands-six-over-catholic-priests-killings/amp/

By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju

On May 30, 2018, middle and upper level administrators in the American University of Nigeria Yola got an email that their May salaries will be "delayed" as it was in March. Since the Intels bubble bursted, there has been several indicators that all is not well with the Atiku business empire. The salaries of his domestic employees at his Yola and Abuja houses have been epileptic since the Intels bubble bursted. Same for the Gotel employees. This is not surprising to anyone who follows money and wealth creation in Nigeria. The era of hardworking business men are long gone. What we have are government beneficiaries who feed fat on our commonwealth, exploit loopholes to milk Nigerians, supported by government to create monopolies or oligopolies, granted fee hand to plunder our natural resources or create unstable internal investment climate by getting import waivers or licenses to the detriment of indigenous business concerns.

Atiku's business empire is a cesspool. An investigation into labor practices and tax issues will yield a treasure. His expatriates have always exceeded lawful quota and no government in Nigeria ever checked his expat quota. Despite the huge unemployment in the land, our labor system and administration has been a huge joke and ready tools of exploitation for the likes of Atiku. He seem to be having his comeuppance though as expatriates at his university in Yola are presently using their long vacation to source for new employment as many of them will not return to Yola in August. His empire is crumbling on all fronts and he is crawling on all fours financially. He, and his foot soldiers are banking on the Presidency in 2019 to prop his finances. That is why he has chosen Port Harcourt as his locus for the declaration of his ambition He wants Nyesom Wike to do for him what Amaechi did for Buhari in 2015. Governor Wike is the only and surest moneybag he has on his side.

As 2019 approaches, the stakes are never higher! The calculation in his closet is that once Atiku gets the ticket of a major party, his bevy of media aides will unleash a barrage of sustained media offensive on Buhari's ailments and frailties that would dampen the minds of Nigerians and pull the psychological credit towards Atiku as the 'rescuer'.

The politics of 2019 will be interesting. The waters will get murky. Look out for a dark horse.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed report trending online that the service has withdrawn its personnel attached to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

The report had claimed that the DSS, on Sunday, recalled half of its operatives assigned to the presiding officers, ahead of the talks between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) team to be led by Dogara.

It further claimed that the withdrawal order came from the directives to them “to report to the DSS headquarters with immediate effect”.

However, reacting to the report in a telephone chat with Daily Sun, the spokesperson of the service, Nnanna Nnochiri, said that the service never issued such directive.

“I can tell you authoritatively that the service never gave such directive. For emphasis, we have not withdrawn neither are we planning to withdraw our personnel in the security details of the two presiding officers of the National Assembly. There is no iota of truth in that report,” he said.

http://sunnewsonline.com/dss-denies-withdrawing-saraki-dogaras-security/amp

Is 4 years enough

The opposition are still in control of funds looted during the previous administration. But Nigerians are wiser now. There is no room for money politics again.

FACTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2ND NIGER BRIDGE

1. Construction of box and pipe culverts of different sizes and at different locations are in progress.

2. Site clearance, removal of unsuitable materials/dewatering, provision of geotextile and filling of the embankment with sharp sand are also in progress.

3. Pile driving in progress. Out of 615 piles required for the construction of the Bridge , 310 piles have been driven into the earth, i.e more than 50% has been completed.

4. These are piles of 900 milimetres in diameters and all to a depth of 40 metres and above.

5. Construction of pile caps also in progress.

6. Construction of piers in progress.

7. Fabrication of reinforcement precast members in progress at the contractor’s yard.

The cleric simply does not like Buahri. It is not Buhari that will decide whether the ex gov. must take a mugshot or not. Other people have been taken mugshot since.

Come 2019, Both the South and North will vote for him overwhelmingly.

Achuwa1:
Pls what history did he make?
Is it by deducting 5 years from the stipulated age of political candidates of various positions so that their children that studied abroad will come & take over where their parents left with the help of the money their parents stole from the govt.

He did not reduce the age. It is national assembly that can do that.

PMB MAKES HISTORY: SIGNS NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN BILL


President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Not Too Young to Run Bill, a landmark piece that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young nigerians.

The president who received in audience the coordinators of the bill at the State house earlier today applauded them for establishing a formidable legacy.

The bill which was proposed to reduce the age qualification for President from 40 to 30; Governor from 35 to 30; Senator from 35 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25 had the omission of age reduction for Senators and Governors as originally proposed by the sponsors.

However,The president assured that the omission issue will be addressed while going forward.

President Buhari notified the youths that their focus and contributions has successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy hence, expanded their playing field for their participation in politics.

The President pointed out that the youths are undoubtedly Nigeria's most important resources and assured that this administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria Work for them and the good people of Nigeria.

Moreover, he implored young people to be innovative, inculcate the spirit of self help, engage in legitimate work that will result in long term sustainability and also take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria's boundless prospect.

Finally,the president expresses his delight on the accomplishment and hope to see young people transform Nigeria in their own way through various means for the present and future generations.

History is made, President @MBuhari has signed into law the #NotTooYoungToRun bill. Congratulations to all young men and women at @YIAGA and all the supporters of the movement.

We paid NASS N17b as "election expenses" for its members, in order to have 2015 Budget passed.

-Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Eighteen Federal Government’s revenue generating agencies failed to remit N526bn and $21bn into the Federation Account between 2010 and June 2015, an audit commissioned by the National Economic Council has revealed.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has therefore recommended that the affected agencies be made to refund the money.

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the NEC presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The council chaired by the Vice-President has all state governors, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and relevant ministers as members.

Dankwambo explained that the shortchanging by the agencies was detected by an audit firm, KPMG, which was contracted by the NEC to carry out a forensic audit of revenue remittances to the Federation Accounts by the NEC.

The governor listed the government agencies indicted of underpayment by the audit report to include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Others are the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, among others.

Apart from refunding the money, Dankwambo said a sub-committee would be set up to look into the details of the infringement.

He said those found to be criminal in nature would be handed over to the Attorney General of the Federation for action.

The governor said, “KPMG presented the report of the technical audit of RGAs, concluding that a total sum of N526bn and $21 bn was underpaid to the Federation Account.

“NEC’s Ad-hoc Committee which I head with members including governors of Edo, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Lagos states and the finance minister recommended refund of the amounts underpaid.

“Council adopted the presentations and reports of the KPMG and the recommendations of its Ad-hoc Committee including a resolution to identify instances where there appears to have been criminal infringements and forward such to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Legal Committee of the National Economic Council for further action.
“Council resolved to pursue the strengthening of the NNPC’s governance structure to prevent further recurrence of such gross underpayment by the NNPC and other RGAs.”

The governor said it was resolved that the audit period be extended to June 2017.
“One of the resolutions of NEC is to extend the audit to June 2017. So the audit will continue for the remaining agencies.
“It is NNOC, NPDC, DPR, Customs, Federal Internal Revenue Services, NPA, Maritime Authorities, all the revenue generating agencies and the details of the infringement are contained in the report. It is a voluminous report; there are a lot of items that are there.

“The most important decision that was taken is that a sub-committee will be set up which will be an arm of the legal committee of NEC that will look into the details of these kinds of infringements and make sure that those issues that are criminal and require prosecution will be handled by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.”

Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said the issue of whether states should henceforth determine how much is paid as fuel subsidy and not NNPC came up at the meeting.

He, however, said a final decision on the matter would be taken at the next meeting.

He said, “We are doing the nitty-gritty with the NNPC in terms of remittances. Don’t forget that the reason we got it right in 2016 on the NNPC side was that the oil prices were too low. It was easy for everyone to get fuel into the country and then make their profit.

“So, when the price started jacking up, then marketers started adjusting back because they needed to have a template of cost recovery and how they are going to make up the difference from the pump price to the landing cost of what they are importing.

“Our problem is the volume, the quantity of consumption which is not acceptable. Working with the governors, so many decisions were taken but by next month, we are going to adopt that position either for the governors to take responsibility for the subsidy in their states based on the consumption or we look at other ways.

“For instance, if you say we paid N800bn subsidy, you will ask who are we paying the subsidy to? And if you look at the infrastructure development and capital programme of the Federal Government, it is about N1.1trn, almost 70 per cent of what you are spending on developing the economy.

“If there is no infrastructure development, then you cannot talk about the development of the economy. N800bn is a huge amount that we must look at it, who is benefiting from it.

“So, we are coming up with a strategy; we are going to meet in the months of May and June. By next meeting, we will definitely come up with a position of the government at both the level of volume of what is being brought into the country and what the state and federal governments collaborate to check.”

Adeosun reported to the council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account as of May 14, 2018, stood at $1, 830, 682, 945.30.

She also reported to Council that the current balance in the Stabilisation Account as of the same day stood at N15, 725,456,963.83.

She put the balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund at N116, 104,644,763.39.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, gave an update to council on the just-concluded Economic Recovery Growth Plan Focus Labs.

Udoma told members that the Labs identified 164 projects spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He said the outcome indicated that over 500,000 jobs were likely to be created by 2020 and that more labs would be conducted in due course for other sectors.

http://punchng.com/nnpc-npa-firs-others-failed-to-remit-n526bn-21bn-nec/amp/

Bishop William said: “The point I’m trying to make is that a day is going to come when you, as the Vice-President, will bear the brunt of that problem of injustices in our land, especially those perpetrated on smaller ethnic groups that have no one to fight for them. So, as a Christian person, exonerate yourself from this situation.”

Responding, Osinbajo said: “My Lord Bishop, you said you are not a politician, I am also not a politician. As a matter of fact, I’m also a priest and I’m a Christian, a born again Christian.

“Because I’m a born again Christian, my destiny is not determined by any man but by God who I serve.

“Let me assure you that under no circumstances, none whatsoever, will I give up my faith or refuse to stand up for my faith.

“You can take that to the bank.

“Even the position that I currently occupy, I did not ask for it and I’m prepared to leave it at a short notice. It doesn’t mean anything.

“I became a born again Christian after I became a professor, a professor of the law of evidence, a professor of proof.

“But when the Lord Jesus Christ met me, He persuaded me by showing me clearly that there is such a thing as the evidence of things that are not seen.

“It is because of the evidence of things that are not seen, it is because you can make something out of nothing that I stand here today as Vice-President.

“How possible can anyone say that the killing of women and children doesn’t matter because he is Vice-President or because he is President?
“How is that possible? Certainly, it cannot be for a person who i born again.

“A renewed mind will know that there is justice, there is consequence even if there is no justice here on earth.”

The Vice-President, while reacting to the issue raised by another speaker, Dr. Magdalene Dura, that the invasion of the state was an ethnic agenda, said no one would deliberately kill his own people.

Osinbajo said: “I do not accept and I do not believe that there is an agenda.

“No one will deliberately kill his own people.

“No one will do so. But we cannot bring back the dead but we can make life more bearable for the living.

“This is why coming here today at the behest of the President is first, to look at the situation myself, to get a first-hand view of the situation because the President has mandated me to take this on board and deal with the issues.”