₦airaland Forum

The Police, Monday, discovered another torture centre meant to be a reformation place for children with character deformation in Daura, Katsina state.

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari is a native of Daura.

TVC reports that the Police raided the centre following a riot by the inmates over excessive abuses.

The centre is being operated by one Malam Bello in Daura town and had been in existence for decades.

Last month, a similar centre with over 400 inmates was discovered in Kaduna state.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/10/14/breaking-police-discover-torture-centre-300-inmates-buharis-village-photo/

Customs Service, retried Col. Hameed Ali has insisted that all import and export of goods from the nation’s land borders remain banned until there is an agreement with neighbouring countries on the kind of goods that should enter and exit Nigeria.

According to him, the measure is for the security agencies to be able to scan the goods entering the country.

He maintained all goods must only enter through the legitimate air and sea ports where they can undergo thorough scanning and certified fit for consumption.

According to him: “We hope that by the time we get to the end of this exercise, we would have exactly between we and our neighbors agree on the type of goods that should enter and exit our country.

“For now, all goods, whether illicit or non-illicit, are banned from going and coming into Nigeria.

“Let me add that for the avoidance of doubt that we included all goods because all goods can equally come through our seaports.

“For that reason, we have deemed it necessary for now that importers of such goods should go through our controlled boarders where we have scanners to verify the kind of goods and how healthy to our people can be conducted.”

The Customs boss broke the news in Abuja during a joint press briefing on joint boarder patrol that is codenamed ‘EX-SWIFT RESPONSE.”

The Ex-SWIFT RESPONSE is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) comprising the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to address trans-boarder security issues.

He insisted that despite the rights for movement of persons the enabling ECOWAS protocols, there must be primacy of security over such rights.

Ali, who was asked whether the Federal Government had not breached the rights of the citizenry to movement and international trade, said that “when it comes to security, all laws take back a seat.

“We want to our nation, we want make sure that our people are protected. You must be alive and well for you to begin to ask for your rights. Your rights come when you are well and alive.

“Go and the people in Maiduguri when Boko Haram was harassing their lives, the only question was survival, there is no question of right. This time Nigeria must survive first then before we begin to ask for our rights.”

Details shortly…

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-customs-orders-complete-border-import-export-ban/

The Presidency on Sunday attacked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saying the party went missing and abdicating its responsibility to the nation on recent national issues.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity said this in a statement on Sunday.

Garba pointed out that the opposition completely went missing last week during the reintroduction of anti-sexual harassment legislation in the Senate and 2020 Budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly.

He said that rather than concentrate on national issues, the PDP was carried away by fake news of President Buhari’s rumoured wedding to one of his ministers.

The missing of the opposition and failure to hold the government to account, he said, was dereliction of duty.

He said, “Last week, the Nigeria’s senate majority leader reintroduced anti-sexual harassment legislation to parliament, following a serious exposé by the BBC of a sex for grades scandal at the University of Lagos.

“The bill had been tabled before – in 2016 – but it was not passed: some members of our party, working with the opposition, then stronger in numbers than today, blocked it.

“This time around, there has been no such attempt by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to scupper the legislation. We cannot tell whether they remain opposed to it, for they have been too busy to let the 200 million citizens of Nigeria know. Instead, last week – whilst this matter was in the Senate, and the first Federal Budget following our February General Election, was being tabled before the House – the opposition’s full attention was elsewhere: on the affairs of the President, who we were told by the internet, was planning to marry in secret to one of his cabinet ministers.”

According to him, the menace of fake news is not unique to Nigeria

“The interminable nonsense of fake news is hardly unique to Nigeria. In the United States, Britain – indeed across much of the democratic world – we see waves of falsehoods and untruths peddled across digital and mainstream media.

“It has led to journalists and the press to become less trusted than almost any other profession or estate. Yet elsewhere, whether the fake facts emanate from governments or oppositions, neither have sought to abdicate their unique responsibilities in the act of governance.”

Speaking further on the opposition, he said “In Nigeria, the opposition is close to reneging completely on the compact it holds with the voters. Every modern democracy exists for its checks and balances. Voters may elect a government to govern but they also elect an opposition – to oppose, to scrutinise, and to hold the majority to account.

“In the absence of either weight or counterweight, the scales of democracy become imbalanced. This cannot continue for long without the full functioning of governance being affected.

“Whether citizens voted for President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), or for the opposition’s presidential candidate and his People’s Democratic Party (PDP), no one voted for failure.

“They may have voted differently on policy and personality, but regardless of a voter’s choice of candidate and party, for their vote they expect responsibility. No voter expected, nor wanted, the opposition somehow to simply go missing. But that, effectively, is what they have done.

“Immediately after the February election that saw President Buhari re-elected to a second four-year term, and his APC secure a workable majority both in the Senate and House, the PDP went to court to challenge the result.

“The world over election losers tend towards “lawfare” once they have lost the campaign battle in the field. None can begrudge the PDP their day in court: yet it was never in doubt that they would fail to persuade the judiciary to overturn President Buhari’s 4 million votes and 14 percent margin of victory over his opponent.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/10/13/pdp-carried-away-buharis-rumoured-wedding-farouk-presidency/

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Sunday cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news shortly after she returned from a medical leave from the United kingdom.

Mrs Buhari gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday.

The first lady was received at the Airport by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani and wife of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, among others.


Aisha Buhari, Nigeria
2'
First lady Aisha Buhari speaks with newsmen after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja early Sunday morning
Aisha Buhari returns, cautions Nigerians against spreading fake news
ON OCTOBER 13, 201910:42 AMIN NEWSBY BANKOLE

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Sunday cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news shortly after she returned from a medical leave from the United kingdom.

Mrs Buhari gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday.

The first lady was received at the Airport by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani and wife of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, among others.


She expressed gratitude to almighty God for journey mercy back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a medical was advised by her doctor.

”It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend the holiday with them.

”I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.

”So, the same this year’s holiday in the U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.

”From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.’’


Aisha Buhari, Nigeria
2'
First lady Aisha Buhari speaks with newsmen after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja early Sunday morning
Aisha Buhari returns, cautions Nigerians against spreading fake news
ON OCTOBER 13, 201910:42 AMIN NEWSBY BANKOLE

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Sunday cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news shortly after she returned from a medical leave from the United kingdom.

Mrs Buhari gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday.

The first lady was received at the Airport by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani and wife of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, among others.


She expressed gratitude to almighty God for journey mercy back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a medical was advised by her doctor.

”It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend the holiday with them.

”I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.


”So, the same this year’s holiday in the U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.

Also read: First Lady, Aisha Buhari calls for urgent action to protect girl-child against abuse
”From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.’’


She expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving some Special Assistants to her office to assist her to achieve the mission of improving the lives and wellbeing of women and children in Nigeria.

The first lady cautioned Nigerians against spreading fake news, saying that it does no good to anyone and urged relevant stakeholders to make efforts to stem the act.

”The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake Ambulance, Hospital and dead body suggesting that my husband is dead.



Aisha Buhari, Nigeria
2'
First lady Aisha Buhari speaks with newsmen after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja early Sunday morning
Aisha Buhari returns, cautions Nigerians against spreading fake news
ON OCTOBER 13, 201910:42 AMIN NEWSBY BANKOLE

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Sunday cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news shortly after she returned from a medical leave from the United kingdom.

Mrs Buhari gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday.

The first lady was received at the Airport by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani and wife of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, among others.


She expressed gratitude to almighty God for journey mercy back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a medical was advised by her doctor.

”It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend the holiday with them.

”I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.


”So, the same this year’s holiday in the U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.

Also read: First Lady, Aisha Buhari calls for urgent action to protect girl-child against abuse
”From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.’’


She expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving some Special Assistants to her office to assist her to achieve the mission of improving the lives and wellbeing of women and children in Nigeria.

The first lady cautioned Nigerians against spreading fake news, saying that it does no good to anyone and urged relevant stakeholders to make efforts to stem the act.

”The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake Ambulance, Hospital and dead body suggesting that my husband is dead.

”That time, I received so many calls from other first ladies and presidents of other countries to confirm; so I called the attention of NCC, NBC and the National Orientation Agency.

”Fake news will lead this country to something else if actions are not taken with immediate effect,’’ she said.

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anaocha branch, Anambra state, Chris Adimora on Friday said Igbo presidency would be determined in 2023 by those he referred to as “cabals.”

He said it would be difficult for an Igbo man to become the president without the cabals’ blessings.

Speaking to newsmen in Onitsha, Adimora maintained that the blessings of the cabals would speed up the aspirations of the Igbos.

He said, “It is the cabals that will determine whether or not an Igbo man will become a president of Nigeria in 2023, as is being agitated.

“Once the cabals give their blessing to an Igbo man, the road to the presidency would be an easy ride for Ndigbo and the presidency will be accompanied by good governance.”

The legal practitioner however advised the cabals to look for a president from the Igbo extraction who would dismantle the evil forces holding Nigeria down.

His words, “An Igbo man in Aso Rock will dismantle all the retrogressive forces and institutions that make good governance impossible for the past 59 years but if the cabals insist on not fielding an Igbo man in 2023, this country will cave in on all of us.

“For instance, the corruption in Customs and Police force, the rot in the civil service cannot thrive under an Igbo presidency, just as inequity in the system cannot thrive under Igbo presidency because Ndigbo are known for equity.

“The poor state of road network in the country cannot be allowed under an Igbo man in the Villa because Igbo men are travelers and they live all over the country. There will be justice in the system.

“An Igbo man in presidency will champion a rebirth, rejuvenation and bright new day for Nigeria in all the institution in Nigeria.”


https://thenationonlineng.net/cabals-will-determine-igbo-presidency-in-2023/

The House of Representatives has passed the 2020 budget for second reading.

The House had commenced debate on the general principles of the appropriations act on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented a spending plan of N10.3 trillion to the National Assembly, making next year’s proposed budget the country’s highest ever.

The proposal shows that about a quarter of the sum (N2.5 trillion) will be used for debt servicing, while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.1 trillion which excludes the capital component of statutory transfers.

A further breakdown presented by the president shows the expenditure estimate includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.8 trillion and provision for Sinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors is N296 billion.

The budget was prepared on the assumption of $57 per barrel with crude oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day and the exchange rate assumed at N305 to $1.

Other assumptions include real GDP growth of 2.93 per cent while “inflation is expected to remain slightly above single digits in 2020.”

Deliberations
On the first day of deliberations, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) raised a point of order stating that it was improper for the budget to be attended to without its breakdown.

“The budget is very very ‘unripe’ for hearing,” he said.

President Buhari had during his presentation on Tuesday stated that the minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, will provide the full details of the budget to the National Assembly

“The minister yet to provide us with the full details that will enable this budget to be ripe for hearing,” he told the house.

The Speaker then ruled Mr Chinda our of order, stating that the house does not need full details to debate on general principles.

“What the president laid yesterday was actually in line with our constitution.”

Concerns
During the continuation of debate on Thursday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), said he commended the fact “that this is one of the time that budget is brought in early.”

“The capital expenditure has been reduced from 2019, the debt servicing of 2.8trillion,” he said. “There is no country that can make progress with this. Health budget is (N)48 billion. How can we make progress? This time, we are putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

“Nigerians are burdened with so much tax, I believe the budget will not work. I believe the money bill should have been brought before this.

“I was House committee chairman for works, I stated that the commitment of the Ministry is N4 trillion of contract awarded. Any belief that the country will move forward with this budget is a mirage.”
Another lawmaker, Nnaji Nnoli, (PDP, Enugu) said he was concerned about the aviation sector.

“Out airports are our gateway, I believe our airport should be given attention, I do not believe that our aviation is getting enough.

“I believe that if we can consolidate the 25 per cent of FAAN IGR to the federal government, that will help the airports.

“We can have a 10 years plan for the funds to be used by FAAN. We can develop our airport,” he stated.
Benjamin Kalu, the House spokesperson, said he is in support of the bill “but that will not be right without speaking on the timing of the budget”.

“It helps the private sector to plan, as they know the direction the policy is going, I commend them, but we cannot discuss 2020 without discussing 2019.

“One of the man things is the digitisation of tax collection. Over the years, it has been difficult to meet our tax target, the current budget is proposing a new tax burden.

October 10, 2019Nasir Ayitogo
The House of Representatives has passed the 2020 budget for second reading.

The House had commenced debate on the general principles of the appropriations act on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented a spending plan of N10.3 trillion to the National Assembly, making next year’s proposed budget the country’s highest ever.

The proposal shows that about a quarter of the sum (N2.5 trillion) will be used for debt servicing, while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.1 trillion which excludes the capital component of statutory transfers.


A further breakdown presented by the president shows the expenditure estimate includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.8 trillion and provision for Sinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors is N296 billion.

The budget was prepared on the assumption of $57 per barrel with crude oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day and the exchange rate assumed at N305 to $1.

Other assumptions include real GDP growth of 2.93 per cent while “inflation is expected to remain slightly above single digits in 2020.”


Deliberations
On the first day of deliberations, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) raised a point of order stating that it was improper for the budget to be attended to without its breakdown.

“The budget is very very ‘unripe’ for hearing,” he said.

President Buhari had during his presentation on Tuesday stated that the minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, will provide the full details of the budget to the National Assembly.

“The minister yet to provide us with the full details that will enable this budget to be ripe for hearing,” he told the house.

The Speaker then ruled Mr Chinda our of order, stating that the house does not need full details to debate on general principles.

“What the president laid yesterday was actually in line with our constitution.”

Concerns
During the continuation of debate on Thursday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), said he commended the fact “that this is one of the time that budget is brought in early.”


“The capital expenditure has been reduced from 2019, the debt servicing of 2.8trillion,” he said. “There is no country that can make progress with this. Health budget is (N)48 billion. How can we make progress? This time, we are putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

“Nigerians are burdened with so much tax, I believe the budget will not work. I believe the money bill should have been brought before this.

“I was House committee chairman for works, I stated that the commitment of the Ministry is N4 trillion of contract awarded. Any belief that the country will move forward with this budget is a mirage.”

Another lawmaker, Nnaji Nnoli, (PDP, Enugu) said he was concerned about the aviation sector.

“Out airports are our gateway, I believe our airport should be given attention, I do not believe that our aviation is getting enough.

“I believe that if we can consolidate the 25 per cent of FAAN IGR to the federal government, that will help the airports.

“We can have a 10 years plan for the funds to be used by FAAN. We can develop our airport,” he stated.

Benjamin Kalu, the House spokesperson, said he is in support of the bill “but that will not be right without speaking on the timing of the budget”.

“It helps the private sector to plan, as they know the direction the policy is going, I commend them, but we cannot discuss 2020 without discussing 2019.

“One of the man things is the digitisation of tax collection. Over the years, it has been difficult to meet our tax target, the current budget is proposing a new tax burden.

“What this does to an emerging economy is that activities are reduced which causes unemployment and low productivity, which is like a cycle that will continue unless there is a paradigm shift,” he noted.

“The business environment… will it allow things to take place? It is important to copy from Rwanda. It is the first country that has started the manufacturing of smartphones from scratch.

“I commend the government for the shift to the non-oil sector,” he added.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/357005-just-in-reps-pass-2020-budget-for-second-reading.html/

President Muhammadu Buhari returned olto Abuja on Friday after a three-day official visit to South Africa.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while in South Africa, the Nigerian leader held bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two African leaders also co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the 9th Bi-National Commission at the seat of government, Union Building, Pretoria, on Thursday.

At the meeting, President Buhari urged the South African government to open up its economy to allow the influx of more Nigerian businesses.

The Nigerian President also urged the South African government to create a business environment that would guarantee their safety.

While stressing the need for reciprocity in promoting trade and investment between both countries, President Buhari said that South African companies had enjoyed not only the unfettered access to the Nigerian market, but protection and enabling laws as well.

In his remarks, President Ramaphosa said that the attacks on foreign nationals by his countrymen was regrettable.

He gave the Nigerian President the assurance that his government would do more to safeguard lives and property.

NAN reports State a Banquet was also organised for President Buhari by the South African government on Thursday night.

While expressing appreciation for what he described as ‘legendary South African hospitality’, Buhari invited President Ramaphosa to pay a state visit to Nigeria for ”a return match where we as the Super Eagles will surely revenge against you the Bafana Bafana!”

”Mr President and dear brother, as I said, you have overwhelmed me and my delegation with your legendary South African hospitality.”

Before he left Pretoria, today, the president had met with Nigerians in that country where he advised Nigerians in The Diaspora to always remember their country with skills, resources and talents, and work towards living decent and dignified lives that bring honour to their fatherland.

The President said he was shocked at the outbreak of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

“The recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa.

“It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole with the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace,’’ he added.

President Buhari also commiserated with those who were injured, praying for their quick recovery, and sympathized with those who lost property and other valuables.

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned in the strongest terms, attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

He also condemned the looting of their shops and businesses and burning of their properties.

President Buhari, who had since retired to his official residence at the Aso Rock, will on Saturday preside over extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

NAN gathered that the meeting would deliberate on a single agenda – the 2020 budget proposal which will be presented to the National Assembly by the President on Tuesday.(NAN)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/just-in-buhari-returns-from-south-africa/

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, announced on Thursday that the federal government would have to lay off workers to be able to meet a wage bill of N580 billion needed to meet labour’s demand on the new wage.

Mr Ngige told labour leaders in Abuja that the sum was what would be needed by government to pay the consequential adjustments as demanded by labour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister’s announcement is the latest in the increasing drama over payment of the new wage.

A Bill for the New Minimum Wage was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18.

Mr Ngige was speaking when the leadership of the United Labour Congress (ULC), paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Government and labour have been locked in an endless tussle over modalities for the payment of the new wage, long expected by workers.

Mr Ngige said that federal government was avoiding a situation where it would have to lay off workers, noting that throwing workers into unemployment would add to their burden.

The minister pleaded with labour to accept the consequential adjustment from levels 7 to 17, adding that government had only three months left to implement the new wage.

He stated that government would not promise labour what it could not pay, noting that no worker deserved to be owed salary.

Mr Ngige disclosed that the federal government had so far paid arrears of N500 billion to workers, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

He restated that implementation of the new wage had since commenced for workers on grade level 1 to 6, adding that the development had helped those on the lower cadre in the civil service to move up.

It will be recalled that government had told labour unions that it could only pay 9.5 per cent salary raise for employees on grade levels 07 to14 and five per cent for those on grade levels 15 to17.

But labour is demanding 30 per cent raise for officers on grade levels 07 to 14 and 25 per cent for those on grade levels 15-17.

Public sector workers in Nigeria receive some of the lowest pay cheques in the world, although political office holders receive fat salaries, analysts said.
The President of UCL, Joe Ajaero, appealed for payment of the new wage, stressing that the private sector should also be compelled to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage.

He said there was need to review obsolete laws that were not in tune with present realities, noting that a situation where some private sector employers paid their employees N10, 000 and N15, 000 was unacceptable.

(NAN)

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/355904-minimum-wage-fg-will-retrench-workers-to-meet-n580-bn-wage-bill-ngige.html/

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, Oct.1, as public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

The Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

She said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on behalf of the federal government.

The minister congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the commemoration of this year’s anniversary.

He assured citizens of government’s commitment to end the current spate of insecurity in the country.

According to him, peace and stability are necessary conditions for the development of any nation.

Aregbesola, therefore, called on Nigerians to emulate the nation’s founding fathers in their love for fatherland.

Aregbesola reminded Nigerians of the immense potential the country was endowed with, and assured that with commitment, ” we can move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.”

” As Nigerians, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and that we are blessed with both human and natural resources, tourism, cultural diversity, selfless spirit of unity and love for one another.

” As well as bonded brotherhood, all of which are potential we must exploit in the years ahead to make Nigeria the nation of our dreams,” he said.

Aregbesola enjoined all Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its avowed determination to build a secure, economically viable and corruption free nation, in line with the dream of the country’s founding fathers.

The minister wished all Nigerians a happy Independence Anniversary.

https://thenationonlineng.net/independence-fg-declares-tuesday-public-holiday/

SimDan95:
all dis bloggers sef labeling him a Yahoo boy without investigation or evidence.

Y'all need cane

So The Nation Newspaper is now a blog?

Okay, come and flog me then

There was drama on a major highway in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, when a young man suspected to be an Internet fraudster ran mad in full public glare on Sunday evening.

The suspected Yahoo boy stripped himself naked completely and was making strange statements nobody could understand.

The incident happened in Adebayo area near the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) School of Nursing.

Eyewitnesses revealed that he had earlier parked a Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) by the roadside, emerged from the vehicle and removed his clothes one after the other.

Nobody knew where the guy, who is believed to be in his early 20s, came from before he started behaving abnormally.

He went ahead to remove his singlet and boxers and was stark naked, a scene which drew bystanders and passersby.

At intervals, the young man would kneel down and stand up singing some songs and making incoherent statements.

He later moved from one place to the other with some residents shaking their heads in disbelief while others were recording the drama with their mobile phones.

His action cause disruption of traffic along the federal highway with some motorists and commercial motorcyclists parking their vehicles and bikes to behold the drama.

A good samaritan had tried to save the young guy by trying to tie his hand but he broke loose again and ran forward to continue the show.

An eyewitness said: “This is what we have been telling our young men that they should stop mad pursuit of wealth.

“This guy that has just run mad showed traces of a Yahoo boy and the rituals they are into has backfired and the result is what we are seeing now.

“A good number of them have run mad and died in places like Ado and Ikere and this is a lesson to others who are into Yahoo scam and Yahoo Plus.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/suspected-yahoo-boy-runs-mad-strips-self-naked-in-ekiti/

Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has lost her father, Obi (Prof) Chukwuka Okonjo, Obi of Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha South L.G.A, Delta State.

His Royal Majesty Obi (Prof) Chukuka Okonjo died at the age of 91 in the United States of America.

The late monarch, who was a professor of mathematics, ascended the throne of his ancestors in 2007.

Following the completion of traditional rites, a new monarch has been crowned.

The new monarch, Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo, is a financial management expert and CEO of Chevy Chase Consulting.

The processes include the new Obi’s endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi Kingmakers in Ogwashi Uku.

The new Obi, who also worked for Halliburton Nigeria, attended Federal Government College, Enugu.

He obtained his A’ levels as an external student of the University of London before proceeding to United States of America where he bagged two degrees in Economics and History from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

He is pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration from University of Paris, in France.

A transformational minded leader with a deep and abiding love for his people, His Royal Majesty, ObiIfechukwude Chukuka Okonjo’s focus is to be a forward-looking and inclusive traditional ruler who will elevate his people by serving as a champion of translating progressive and practical ideas into action.

https://thenationonlineng.net/ex-finance-minister-iweala-loses-dad/

A criminal complaint has been lodged against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the Hague, Netherlands.

The complaint dated September 2nd, 2019 was filed by one Thomas Carroll of GAYLORD POPP, LLC, acting on behalf of the Incorporated Trustees of Make Nigeria Better Initiative (MNBI).

The body based its complaint against Kanu on the fact that he issued a threat to attack President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit to Japan to attend the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held in Yokohama, Japan from August 28-30, 2019.

The group, among other things, asked the ICC to order the arrest and prosecution of Kanu.

MNBI noted that, “Apart from the recent physical attack carried out by the group against former Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, by IPOB in Nuremberg, Germany, acting on the orders of the accused, similar threats have also been issued against the five south east governors, including Governors David Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

“IPOB also put on notice Ndigbo leaders such as the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, whom it accused of supporting “Operation Python Dance” which was launched by the Nigerian Army in the South-East in 2016 in the wake of protests by IPOB members who were causing havoc and forcefully demanding secession from Nigeria.”

MNBI prayed the court for the following request:

“That the ICC Prosecutor opens an investigation of the Accused on her own accord under Article 15 (1) of the Rome Statute;

“That the ICC Prosecutor also formally “submit to the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC a request for authorization of an investigation” of the Accused under Article 15 (3) of the Rome Statute;

“That the ICC Prosecutor obtain International Arrest Warrant for the Accused from the ICC in accordance with Articles 58 (1) (a), 58 (1) (b) (i), 58 (1) (b) (ii) and 58 (1) (b) (iii) and proceed to arrest the Accused from wherever he is hiding so he can face their trial.

“That the ICC Prosecutor compels the Accused upon conviction under the Rome Statute to pay the sum of $1,000,000,000 (One Billion US Dollars) as punitive damages for causing death, injury and maiming of several Nigerians through his acts of terrorism.

“That the ICC Prosecutor compels the British Government to expeditiously begin the process of cancelling the citizenship of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, entering an Exclusion Decision and or Order barring him from all territories of the United Kingdom so he can return to Nigeria and face his treasonable felony trial pending before Honourable Justice (Mrs.) Binta Nyako sitting at the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

https://www.independent.ng/nnamdi-kanu-to-face-intl-criminal-court/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has obtained orders for the interim forfeiture of assets traced to a former Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha, and his wife.

The Head, Enugu Zonal Office of the commission, Mr Usman Imam, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the activities of the commission in the last eight months.


Imam said that the commission also obtained similar order on a property traced to a former aide to Okorocha, Mr Paschal Obi, and the former governor’s daughter.

He said that the commission had established prima facie cases against the suspects which they would answer to.

Imam said that the commission would like to know how the Rochas Foundation and other accomplices acquired and or converted some of the property for personal use.

He listed some of the property to include a 16-block cum 96 flats and an eight-bungalow multimillion naira estate, hotel, two schools, shopping plaza, supermarket, hospital and four vehicles.

The EFCC chief said that while the hospital was traced to Obi, the remaining property were traced to the former governor and his family, including his wife and daughter.

“We hope to get permanent forfeiture orders on the property in order to return them to the people of the state,” he said.

Imam said that all the facilities, including the schools, would remain functional as the commission would not like to shut them down for the sake of the students and other users.

“Other recoveries were made and are awaiting forfeiture, but for the court vacation. They include a twin three-storey building with a three bedroom bungalow and a duplex, both in Enugu.

“The property were recovered from cyber fraudsters,” he said.

Imam said that the commission, within the period, recovered N213.85 million and 10, 600 US dollars.

“In one of such recoveries, one Augustine Ejimokor, who defrauded his victim of the sum of 5,000 US dollars and used it to acquire a Mercedez Benz C300 was ordered to forfeit the vehicle.

“So far, the zone has arrested 88 suspected fraudsters since 2015, with 70 of them in 2019. This underscores the efforts of the present zonal head in conformity with the acting chairman’s directives,” he said.

Imam said that the zone also obtained 59 convictions out of whom were the 51 arrested and prosecuted in 2019.


https://thenationonlineng.net/okorocha-wife-others-to-forfeit-assets-to-efcc/

Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday burnt MTN mast in Lugbe over killings in SouthAfrica.

https://thenationonlineng.net/photos-xenophobic-attacks-protesters-destroying-mtn-mass/

By Nwafor Sunday Sources have revealed to Punch that South-east governors and some Igbo leaders are afraid of travelling abroad, owing to the threat issued by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu had asked his group to be vigilant and attack any of the governors from the south-east sighted in any foreign country.

He had also placed N1m bounty on any useful information on overseas traveling schedule of South-East governors and other Igbo leaders.

Recall that the group had last weekend attacked the former senate president Dr. Ike Ekweremadu in Germany. Ekweremadu’s attack has long been condemned by Nigerians and international communities, but Kanu in his reaction, applauded his group, noting that it was a polite warning to all the south-east leaders and governors. In his argument, Kanu said that they (governors and south-east leaders) stood akimbo, watching the current administration marginalizing and trampling upon the rights of the Igbo in the country.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/revealed-south-east-governors-afraid-of-travelling-abroad-because-of-kanus-threat/

By Nwafor Sunday

With the statement released yesterday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which indicted about 88 Nigerians, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Friday asked those accused of fraudulent activities to submit themselves to the American authorities, noting that Nigerian government would extradite them if they fail to do so.

In her statement Abike utterly frowned at the incident, noting that those accused are still innocent pending courts pronouncement against them.

Her words, “We acknowledge the fact that accusation does not mean guilt, and we hope that all the accused will be given fair and speedy trial.

Buhari’s Ministerial Inauguration, A poor parade – PDP(Opens in a new browser tab)

“We also ask those accused in Nigeria to voluntarily turn themselves in to American authorities to clear their names without which the Nigerian government should extradite them if relevant international treaties between the two governments are invoked.

“While such actions ultimately have negative effect on the image of the country, the commission, however, reiterates as it has always done, that the actions of a few Nigerians involved in criminal activities is not and can never be what the majority of Nigerians represent.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/breaking-turn-yourself-in-to-fbi-fg-tells-indicted-nigerians/

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday paid a familiarization visit to the agencies in the ministry: Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

https://thenationonlineng.net/photos-aregbesola-assumes-duty-visits-nscdc-headquarters/

The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed the petition of Senator Shehu Sani of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) challenging the victory of the elected Kaduna Central Senator, Uba Sani of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for lack of merit.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice A. H. Suleiman, in a two hour judgment on Wednesday described the sitting as successful based on evidences presented to the Tribunal.

Lead Counsel to Senator Uba Sani Barrister Frank Ikpe, said the Tribunal upheld the election of the APC Senator based on the evidences before it.

Also commenting on the Tribunal’s judgment, the second lead councel to Senator Uba Sani, Barr. Sulaiman Shu’aibu described the judgment as appropriate, urging those that are not satisfied with judgment to go to the Court of Appeal.

In a reaction to the Judgement, another Senator Uba Sani’s Lawyer Barrister Abdulra’uf Atiku hailed the tribunal for fair judgment and thanked all those that contributed to the success of the case.

https://thenationonlineng.net/shehu-sani-loses-at-tribunal/

Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are raiding the residence of Akinwumi Ambode, former governor of Lagos state, in Epe area of the state.

Tony Orilade, EFCC spokesman, confirmed this to TheCable on Tuesday.

More to follow…

Sen. Walid Jibrin, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged Nigerians to embrace the establishment of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) programme of the Federal Government.

Jibrin told newsmen at his Nasarawa country home on Tuesday in Nasarawa State that the proposed settlement policy for herdsmen would promote peace and security in the country.

He also explained that the programme would boost food security and improve on the health and standard of living of rural communities.

Jibrin, who is also the Sarkin (leader) of Fulani in Nasarawa state, commended the federal government for introducing the RUGA programme in the country considering its importance.

“I am not in APC, I am a PDP chieftain. But when we talk of development and security, we should leave anything about politics, religion and tribe.

“Whoever is ruling in Nigeria, if he brings any programme that will do away with insecurity, killings.

“And will take care of the welfare of the people, I will go by that. My politics is not a do or die and I play politics without bitterness.

“That is why I am and we Fulani commend the Federal Government for introducing the RUGA project in the country.

“I and our tribe (Fulani) had embraced the programme. RUGA project include provision of hospitals, schools, water supply and electricity, among other facilities, which will have direct bearing on the lives of the herders.

READ ALSO: Walid expresses regrets over herders’ activities in Nigeria
“Apart from that, it will also tackle incessant farmers/herdsmen conflicts as well as boost food security in the country,” he said.

Jibrin also called on the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups to embrace the programme in the interest of national development.

“About 12 states in the North have already embraced it and have already started the project including Nasarawa State.

“So, I am calling on the Southerners, the Igbos, the Yorubas, among others, to embrace it, eventhough the project is not compulsory.

“The project will keep the herdsmen one, safe and will improve on their welfare as some states in the South East have already promised to donate land for the project,” he noted.

He therefore called on all herdsmen and other Nigerians to shun armed robbery, kidnapping and other negative tendencies in the interest of peace and development.

The PDP BOT chairman also urged Nigerians to live peacefully irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation for development to reign.

(NAN)

https://thenationonlineng.net/pdp-bot-chairman-supports-ruga/

The Federal Government has attributed delay in the implementation of the “Consequential Adjustment” of the N30, 000 new minimum wage to the unrealistic demands of labour unions.

The Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Chief Richard Egbule made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Egbule explained that the current demand of the labour unions would raise the total wage bill too high and that was why government could not accept their proposed salary adjustments.

“Labour is asking for consequential adjustment and government in its wisdom had made budgetary provision for an adjustment of N10, 000 across board for those already earning above N30, 000 per month.

“However, the Unions have refused this offer, saying that because the increase in minimum wage from 18,000 to N30, 000 was 66 per cent, therefore they want 66 percent increment across board.

“We told them that the minimum wage was not raised from N18, 000 to N30, 000 through percentage increase but as a result of consideration of economic factors including ability to pay.

“However, we said that if they want consequential adjustments in percentage terms, we will use a percentage that when applied will not exceed what has been provided for in the budget.

“The computation based on percentage which government had given to labour, was 9.5 per cent from level 7 to 14 including level 1-6 of those salary structures that did not benefit from the minimum wage.

“And then five percent from level 15 to 17. Labour countered the offer and proposed 30 per cent increase for level 7 to 14 and 25 per cent for level 15 to 17.

“One point we keep repeating is, it will be unfair that because you gave the person earning minimum wage N12, 000, you give a level 17 officer almost N100, 000 if you apply 25 percent,’’ he said.

Egbule said that at the last meeting between the Federal Government and the labour unions, the government proposed a 10 per cent increment for level seven to 14 and a 5.5 per cent increase for level 15 to 17.

He advised labour to come to a compromise because government had so far been magnanimous in agreeing to increase salaries without any threat of downsizing.

“Labour is currently stretching out and eating up the time that people could have used in benefiting from the adjustment because the new minimum wage was implemented since April.

“My advice is for labour to accept the terms for now and prepare to fight for the harmonization of salaries that is coming up. Harmonization of salaries will take care of this issue.

“The committee has already been formed and awaiting inauguration. I want them (labour) to know this and liberate us from this unnecessary log jam,” he said.

Egbule reiterated the commission’s commitment to giving sound advice to the government on the portion of national income that should be devoted to the payment of salaries and wages.

https://thenationonlineng.net/minimum-wage-fg-blames-labour-for-delay-in-implementation/

President Muhammadu Buhari says the greatest challenge to Islam is violent extremism.

The president, who said this in his Eid-El-Kabir message, regretted that activities of religious extremists were negatively affecting the image of Islam.

He challenged Muslims to distance themselves from those preaching violence in the society, emphasisng on the importance of putting the virtues of the religion into practice and making justice and righteousness their guiding principles.

“We should be the mirror through which others see the virtues of our faith. Islam is a religion of peace and we should avoid violent extremist ideas that give Islam a wrong name because our conducts will leave more lasting positive impressions than what we say by word of mouth,” he said in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant on media and publicity.

“Violent extremism is the greatest challenge facing Islam today and the only way we can neutralise its evil influence is to distance ourselves from the activities and teachings of those who preach indiscriminate violence against innocent people.

“This flies in the face of the teachings of Islam.”

He advised parents to protect their children from the deadly exposure to violent extremists who, he said, manipulated and exploited children for their own evil agenda.

“Boko Haram became a deadly force and major security scourge because Muslim societies were indifferent from the beginning to the activities of extremist preachers, who manipulate their innocent and gullible followers,” he said.

“Extremism is like cancer which must be detected and destroyed from its early stages of growth.”

He, however, assured Nigerians that Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and other forms of banditry would be dealt with “uncompromisingly until we see the back of these evils plaguing our country”.

https://www.thecable.ng/buhari-islams-greatest-challenge-is-violent-extremism

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the freezing of three accounts allegedly belonging to the Lagos State Government over alleged N9.9billion fraud.

Justice Chuka Obiozor made the order following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He ordered the accounts’ “suspension” pending conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution of the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Adewale Adesanya.

The accounts are domiciled in First City Monument Bank (numbered 5617984012), Access Bank (0060949275) and Zenith Bank (1011691254).

In a supporting affidavit, an EFCC investigator Kungmi Daniel said the commission discovered huge inflow of N9,927,714,443.29 from the state accounts into the FCMB account.

It said the account, operated by Adesanya, was opened last September 17 during the Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

According to the deponent, investigators found that Adesanya and other signatories made fraudulent transfers from the state’s accounts and dissipated the funds.

“The trend is that the account always witnessed huge inflow from Lagos State Government in the above scheduled accounts managed by the respondent (Adesanya).

“There have been concerted efforts and attempts to dissipate the contents of the accounts listed in the schedule to this application.

“Without freezing the nominated accounts and temporarily forfeiting the money to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is no way the fraud being perpetrated using the scheduled accounts can be stopped,” the EFCC said.

EFCC counsel Mohammed Abbas urged the court to grant the order temporarily attaching the accounts to enable it to conclude its investigations.

Justice Obiozor granted the prayers and adjourned until Friday.

https://thenationonlineng.net/court-orders-freezing-of-lagos-govt-accounts-over-alleged-n9-9b-fraud/

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi has rubbished the call for revolution by former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, and some others.

Akanbi described the RevolutionNow protest by Sowore and some Nigerians as unpatriotic.

In a statement he signed and issued yesterday, Akanbi expressed disappointment that a candidate in the 2019 elections could immediately call for revolution instead of supporting the current government in resolving the current challenges of insecurity.

The monarch warned those calling for revolution to respect Nigeria’s constitution and be sensitive to moves capable of causing unrest across the country.

He insisted that the call for revolution was not timely due to the current insecurity issue bedevilling the country.

According to Akanbi: “The call for a revolution at this fragile moment is not patriotic, it is out of love, uncivilized, non-digital and anti-people. Revolution consumes sensing the fragility of our current security situation. We should behave moderately, act patriotically and complement government at addressing their perceived weaknesses. Let the world see us as enlightened and not conspirator.

“As an aspirant in the last general election, I expect collaboration, fusion and constructive criticisms where necessary. I see the mastermind of the revolution as an asset. He can be part of the system, if he can’t be, there are better way of making an impact. He should be more tutored, study situation and respect our togetherness.

“For example, if I contest against someone and lost the contest. Should I because of that shut down his administration because he won the contest? No, is that what the opponent does in advanced nations? If you see the government as your adversary, you can write an epistle.

“I want to appeal to Nigerian youths most especially the jobless ones to respect the law, be patriotic and complement leader’s effort at achieving a new Nigeria of our dream. Good governance is a gradual process. If what you wish is not what is obtainable, you can wait at the poll, not a revolution that could consume the nation.

“We need peace not blood. We need togetherness not secession. We need unity love not hatred. We need complement not division. The time is now for us to contribute. It is left to all of us.”

Recall that Sowore was picked up by the DSS from his apartment at about 1am on Saturday morning and he managed to post a distress tweet at exactly 1:25 am.

Despite Sowore’s arrest, the RevolutionNow protest held in some states yesterday.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/08/06/sowore-fire-calling-revolutionnow-protest/

NIGERIAN author, Chimamanda Adichie has faulted the structural arrangement of the country, saying that other sections of the country have treated the Igbo race irrationally 50 years after the civil war ended. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie She spoke, on Sunday, shortly after planting a tree at the Nelson Mandela Gardens, Asaba, Delta, where Nigeria’s environmentalist and Conqueror of the Sahara Desert, Dr Newton Jibunoh received her.

Her words: “I think we should have a sort of Truth and Reconciliation Committee in this country, not just to address Biafra, which should be a central part of it, because it is impossible to understand Nigeria without understanding her history from around 1965 to 1970.”

“For Nigeria to thrive as a nation, we have to acknowledge the truth. In Asaba for instance, brutal massacres happened during the war and not yet acknowledged and so a lot still needs to be done, let us just air our history, sometimes all people need to hear is sorry.

“There are houses in Port Harcourt today that were named abandoned properties and were illegally taken from their owners. There were people who lost everything they owned and just given a tiny amount to start all over. That is injustice that has not been addressed,” she said. The author asserted, “Acknowledging our history does not mean we will have to divide Nigeria AND dissent does not mean treason.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/nigeria-unfair-to-igbo-50-yrs-after-civil-war-chimamanda-adichie/

The police have warned Nigerians to stay away from the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest planned for August 5 by Omoyele Sowore and other Nigerian rights activists, saying the demonstration would amount to a felony and terrorism.

Police chief Muhammad Adamu said in a statement Saturday afternoon that the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest could incite anarchy in Nigeria, warning that anyone who may want to join it to have a rethink.

The social media have been awash with preparation for the protest on August 5. Mr Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has been the main figure of the planned demonstration.

Mr Sowore and organisers said the demonstration would be peaceful, and they released a list of demands that they saw as necessary to take Nigeria out of its current malaise.

Nigeria is currently ranked to have the highest number of extremely poor people in the world, with the World Bank expressing fears that the country’s huge population could linger in multi-dimensional poverty.

Insecurity has also afflicted the country in recent months, with Boko Haram, killer herdsmen, armed bandits and deadly kidnappers having a field day.

The Buhari administration and security forces said they had been working heavily to address the multi-faceted crises, calling on citizens to be patient for the efforts to yield the desired result.

Mr Sowore and other members of the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest said Nigerians should ignore further excuses and take to the street in peaceful demand a better society for themselves and future generation.

At no time did the ‘RevolutionNow’ activists call for violence, and they drew inspiration from recent peaceful demonstrations in Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world.

The full demand of the protesters, which they said would be pursued peacefully, was published early Saturday by PREMIUM TIMES.
Armed officials believed to be personnel of the SSS, in the early hours of Saturday, took Mr Sowore into custody allegedly in connection with the coming protest.

A witness, who identified himself as Mr Sowore’s driver, said the officers left in a manner typical of deadly kidnappers.
Lagos-based human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, called for Mr Sowore’s immediate release, saying a call for revolution “is not treasonable under any guise.”

However, the organisers of #RevolutionNow said the protest would go on despite Mr Sowore’s arrest.

In their statement, the police acknowledged Nigerians have a constitutional right to speech and peaceful assembly, but warned, still, that the protest planned by Mr Sowore should be scrapped because it may turn violent.

The statement claimed that a video had been circulating online that called for violence during the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest, although the video was attributed to a name not known to be associated with Mr Sowore or any of the multiple leaders of the planned march.
The full statement of the police as released by Force Headquarters spokesperson, Frank Mba, is reproduced below:
The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a video circulating on the social media by the ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria and others’, inciting Nigerians, home and abroad, to join a planned ‘revolution’ march against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday, 5th August, 2019 with the sole aim of forcing a regime change in the country.

The Force wishes to state unequivocally that the call amounts to treasonable felony and acts of terrorism and will therefore not stand idly-by and watch any individual or group in the society cause anarchy in the land.

While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to embark on protest, the Force wishes to note that such rights should not translate to a violent and forceful change of government which clearly is the meaning of ‘revolution’. Needless to state that Nigeria is a democratic republic and has well-defined processes for change of government, exercised periodically during various cycle of elections.

The Force therefore warns the organisers, sponsors, allies, supporters, associates and sympathisers of the group ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’ to, in their own interest, steer clear of any such planned protest, demonstration, acts of incitement and proposed “revolution”, as the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on any individual or group engaged or found participating in the above planned criminal act.

Parents and guardians are therefore enjoined to impress on their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used in whatever form by any person or group of persons to cause breach of law and order in the country.

The police will work with other law enforcement agencies and positive minded Nigerians to protect, defend and secure our public peace and space.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/344622-sowore-revolutionnow-protest-an-act-of-terrorism-police-ig-adamu.html

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has condemned the killing of the Catholic Priest in charge of St. James, the Greater Parish, Ugbawka, in Enugu State, Rev Fr. Paul Offu.

Offu was reportedly shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday evening.

Reacting, Kanu said such death would have been prevented if South-East governors had allowed the establishment of Biafra Secret Services, BSS, in the region.

Kanu, consequently, charged the people of the region to hold South-East governors responsible for such death.

He stated this in a statement signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful.

The statement reads: “Rev. Fr. Paul Offu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu was shot dead last night by Fulani terrorists along Ihe/Agbudu road in Awgu L.G.A of Enugu State.

“His death is a direct consequence of a disgracefully timid and failed leadership model of acquiescence to the dictates of Fulani rulership in return for crumbs, instituted and perfected by the likes of Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Willie Obiano, Okezie Ikpeazu and others in Igboland.

“Years of slavish submission to the whims of semi-literate Fulani cattle herders have reduced two successive generations of Igbo leadership since after the war to mere tools of the Fulani caliphate in their agenda of conquest and subjugation of the south.

“Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi, Rochas Okorocha, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Willie Obiano were the key men that connived with this same murderous Fulani terrorists killing us to today, to ban, proscribe, kill and clamp down on IPOB- the only hope of the people.

“Had Ohaneze Ndigbo, Igbo governors and their cohorts supported IPOB in the formation and deployment of BSS, this senseless loss of the life at the hands of marauding primitive Fulani savages from the far north would have been prevented.

“The family of Rev. Fr. Paul Offu and all besieged communities in Enugu and Ebonyi must hold Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Dave Umahi, Nnia Nwodo, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Aka Ikenga, Nzuko Umunna, South East Governors’ Forum and other mushroom Lagos-Abuja based Igbo/Fulani socio-cultural associations responsible for these preventable deaths in our land.

“They are the people that conspired and supervised Operation Python Dance 2 that killed, detained and disappeared many IPOB in the calculated effort of Caliphate to neutralise the credible threat IPOB posed for their invading Fulani terror herdsmen.”

https://dailypost.ng/2019/08/02/nnamdi-kanu-reacts-killing-catholic-priest-paul-offu-names-held-responsible/

Olaide Oyelude, Katsina

Eleven governors in the North-West, in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed, banned herdsmen from carrying arms in public places, including markets and places of worship.

Similarly, volunteer groups, known as Yansakai, have been banned in all the states that make up the North-West in the country.

The volunteer groups were also directed to surrender all weapons in their possession, following their ban.


These were part of the four-point resolutions arrived at, after a meeting of 11 Northern state governors and the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed, in Katsina on Thursday.

The meeting lasted for four and a half hours.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who read the communique after the meeting, said efforts would also be made to ensure that herdsmen have access to improved breed of cattle.

Masari added, “Herdsmen and their families should be allowed to attend markets and worship places, as well as their day-to-day activities, provided that they don’t carry arms into the public places.

“That herdsmen should conduct themselves and live peacefully with one another.

“That those who stole animals should return them through government or the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.

“That the repentant bandits, including the Yansakai, should surrender all arms and ammunition in their possession to the authorities and release people that are in their captivity.”

Governor Masari said secretaries to the governments of the 11 states that attended the meeting have been directed to stay behind and further perfect the resolutions.

https://punchng.com/herdsmen-now-forbidden-from-carrying-arms-publicly-govs/

President Muhammadu Buhari opened his defence on. Tuesday by tendering some 26 documents, including copies of his academic credentials, including certified true copy (CTC) of the Confidential result sheet of University of Cambridge, West Africa School Certificate 1961 for Provincial Secondary School, Katsina.

Buhari,listed as the second respondent in the petition by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has also called his first witness.

The first witness, Major General Paul Chabir Tarfa, said he was a mate with the President in the Nigeria Army and that they were all enlisted on April 16, 1962.

He said they were enlisted upon passing the examination and that they were thought in all the courses they attended in English.
Under cross-examination by lawyer to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yunus Usman (SAN) the witness said they were not asked to submit their certificates to the Nigeria Army.


Usman: “You submitted all your school certificates to the Nigerian Army when you were enlisted?”

Witness: “There was nothing of such.”

Details shortly…

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-buhari-tenders-ctc-of-school-certificate-in-court/

Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial district on Monday, urged a ministerial nominee, Babatunde Raji Fashola, to accommodate Senators’ plea for employment slots to their constituents.

The female lawmaker remarked that she hadn’t asked for employment slots in Fashola’s Works and Power Ministry in the last administration, but said all Senators should be considered this time.

“Mr. nominee, all of us here have our Constituents back home looking for employment opportunities and I want you to consider our request when you get to office.

In your last administration, I did not look for employment slots for my Constituents, but this time, we all need you to consider us.”

For over an hour, the former Lagos governor and Minister for Works, Housing and Power in the last administration, was overwhelmed with questions bordering on his Ministry in the last administration.

Senators, who asked questions, were unanimous in their concern over the collapse of road infrastructure and housing deficit across the country.

Senator Lillian Ekwunife (Anambra) lamented that Federal roads in Anambra have collapsed completely, saying that a ” journey of one hour takes four hours.”

She revealed that she was almost looking for a chopper to airlift her to a function which held at Awka, Anambra state capital, on Saturday due to heavy traffic occasioned by bad roads.

https://www.independent.ng/tinubu-begs-fashola-for-employment-slots-when-made-minister/

The Federal Government is set to commence the implementation of the Friday’s court order proscribing the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, by publishing the order in the Official Gazette Monday.

The publication of the order in the Official Gazette is part of the Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, designating the Shiites movement as a terrorist group and proscribing it.

Justice Nkeonye Maha had also ordered the government to publish the order in two national newspapers.

The Federal Government’s Printing Press, which publishes the Official Gazette, is based in Lagos.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as “Shiites” was declared a terrorists organisation after series of deadly protest by its members led to the death of Usman Umar, a Deputy Commissioner of police and Precious Owolabi, a Channels Television reporter.

Justice Nkeonye Maha, of the Federal High Court in Abuja, made the declaration on Friday.

The group had engaged the Nigerian police and other security agencies in several clashes over the continuous detention of its leader in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzakky and wife.

With the order according to Punch, the court restrained any person or group of persons from participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the IMN under any name or platform in Nigeria.

A copy of the ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019, was filed in the name of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Reports say Justice Maha granted the four prayers contained in the application shortly after the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, argued the application on Friday.

The IMN was the sole respondent to the application but the group was not represented by a lawyer on Friday since it was an ex parte hearing.

N19.4bn arms funds : Court fixes April 29 for trial of Dasuki, others(Opens in a new browser tab)

It would be recalled that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was also proscribed and declared terrorist group two years ago by the Federal Government following the activities of its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/shiites-proscription-order-to-be-gazetted-on-monday/