₦airaland Forum

There are strong indications that a crisis has hit Nigeria’s moves to procure more COVID-19 vaccine doses as the budget estimates for the procurement are grossly inadequate.

It was gathered on Sunday that the budget estimates the Ministry of Health submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning were based on AstraZeneca vaccine, which is $4 per dose.

Findings, however, indicated that because of the scarcity of AstraZeneca vaccine, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis in India, Nigeria might opt for Pfizer vaccine, which is $20 per dose.

It was learnt that with the cash crunch facing the country, it might be difficult to get additional funds to purchase all the Pfizer vaccine doses needed.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had at a meeting with the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in March said he would submit to the National Assembly, a supplementary budget for arms purchase and COVID-19 vaccines.

But the National Assembly on Sunday told The PUNCH that it was still awaiting the supplementary budget.



Recall that the Federal Government on March 2 received 3.9 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX, an initiative co-led by the Vaccine Alliance, GAVI, and the World Health Organisation.

The initiative seeks to ensure equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccine by dividing about two billion doses across 92 low-and middle-income countries.

As of May 1, 1,222, 109 Nigerians had been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

India, which manufactures Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, has halted its export following the spread of a devastating strain of the virus in the country.

According to a BBC report, 190 countries that are under the Covax scheme are likely to be affected as India battles to meet its local vaccine needs.

On Sunday, India recorded 3,689 COVID-19 deaths, 24 hours after it recorded more than 400,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time.

According to CNN, several Indian states were forced to postpone their vaccination plans on Saturday due to supply shortages.

On Sunday, it was learnt the Federal Ministry of Health’s budget proposal, which was based on AstraZeneca vaccine, might be increased so that the fund could be used to procure Pfizer vaccine.

A top health official, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak with the press, said the proposal submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, were estimates of AstraZeneca which are now scarce.

The official said with the scarcity of AstraZeneca, which cost about $4 per dose, Nigeria may opt for Pfizer, the only other vaccine which had been approved by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control.

She said, “The estimates we submitted were for AstraZeneca which is the cheapest vaccine on the market. We estimated that each dose would cost $4.

“However, with the scarcity of AstraZeneca, we may have to opt for Pfizer. Unfortunately, Pfizer will cost us about $20 per dose and each person will need two doses. That is $40 per person. They are now talking about a booster jab which will cost an extra $20. In essence, it may cost $60 (N24,600) to vaccinate one Nigerian.

“This problem is not peculiar to Nigeria, but this is what we are facing now due to the scarcity of vaccines. Also, I am sure you are aware that Nigeria is facing a scarcity of funds. So, advocacy remains our best strategy. These are non-pharmaceutical interventions like wearing masks, social distancing and washing of hands.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had in a memo last week stated that it would be making no contribution to the Federation Account because of its huge oil subsidy payments, a situation which has put the government in panic mode.

In a related development, it was learnt that over a month after the Ministry of Health had submitted its COVID-19 budget estimates to the finance ministry, the proposal had not yet been submitted to the National Assembly.

The Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, had on March 31 told State House reporters that the health component of the supplementary budget – which included vaccine estimates – was being delayed by the failure of the Ministry of Defence to submit its own estimates for military hardware.

When asked the time the finance ministry would send the COVID-19 supplementary budget to the National Assembly, the media aide to the finance minister, Yunusa Abdullahi, told one of our correspondents that he would respond later.

He had yet to provide the response up till the time of filing this report neither had he replied to a text message sent to him on the matter.

Also, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, did not take his calls when The PUNCH attempted to get his reaction to the crisis over the vaccine budget.

He also did not respond to the text message sent to him on the matter.

In the text message, the minister was asked if it was true that the WHO met with him and some others to review the usage of expiring COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria and whether it was also true that the scarcity of AstraZeneca would increase the nation’s budget for vaccine as Nigeria might opt for a more expensive vaccine, Pfizer.

He has yet to either return the calls or respond to the text message as of the time of filing this report at 9.30pm.


WHO may review usage of expired COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria, others

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation will this week consult Indian health authorities to determine if expired AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can be used for countries like Nigeria which benefit from its COVAX facility.

The Director, WHO, Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, stated this during an interview with select journalists on Thursday.

The idea, it was learnt, had been discussed with all ministers of health in Africa including Nigeria’s Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

The PUNCH was informed that the move had become necessary due to the scarcity of AstraZeneca vaccine caused by the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in India which is the manufacturer of the vaccine.

Moeti said, “On Tuesday I met with ministers in the African region to discuss key issues, particularly around expiring doses, supply shortages, vaccine safety and misinformation. The WHO is awaiting additional stability data from the Serum Institute of India to determine if the shelf life of AstraZeneca COVID-19 doses can be extended from six months to nine months.

“For doses that have already expired, the WHO is looking closely at the regulatory, scientific, logistical and problematic challenges and will issue a statement next week (this week).”

The BBC had reported last week that many vaccines could be used up to 36 months after manufacture, but because COVID-19 jabs are relatively new, there is not enough data to prove their effectiveness over longer periods.

The British medium noted that the WHO had in April urged African countries not to destroy COVID-19 vaccines that might have passed their expiry date but keep hold of them and wait for further guidance.

The PUNCH reports that the WHO may this week determine if Nigeria can extend usage of its over 1.5 million doses which are expected to expire between June 28 and July 10, 2021.

The WHO regional director said, “We are encouraging countries to prioritise the first dose to reach more people rather than saving supplies for the second dose.

“It is imperative that the available doses are used as quickly as possible to protect people from severe disease and death due to COVID-19.”


Govs await FG, states running out of vaccine stocks

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, stated, “Most manufacturers of these vaccines do not want to deal with sub-national, they want to deal directly with the Federal Government. So, we have to wait, no matter the situation on what the Federal Government wants to do.”

“We are a sub-national, before we take any step we have to go through the Federal Government. The FG has some policies about vaccination which we must follow. We are still waiting for the Federal Government before we make decision on vaccine importation.”

Bauchi State Government has declared that it has no plans to buy additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for the state.

The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed, told one of our correspondents that the state government had just received additional 24,000 doses of the vaccine from the Federal Government in addition to the earlier 80,570 doses it received.

Mohammed, who is the Contact and Surveillance Sub-Committee Chairman, Bauchi State Task Force on COVID-19 said, “Bauchi State is not ready to import any COVID-19 vaccine because the Federal Government just yesterday (Saturday), released additional 24,000 doses to us. This is in addition to the 80,570 we had earlier received.”

On its part, the Sokoto State said this week it would exhaust the remaining doses of the vaccine it had.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Inname, told one of our correspondents that out of the 68,660 vaccines the state received, it had exhausted 34,000, on 21,000 people.

Inname stated, “Plans have been concluded to take the remaining vaccine doses to all the local government areas in the state. This will be done in the next ten days, to exhaust the remaining 34,000 doses.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Public Health, Dr. ‘Siji Olamiju, stated, “Once we know Federal Government’s plan, I can assure you that the state government of Osun will be the first to kick start process of getting vaccine because Mr Governor places high premium on the healthy living of the residents.”

Also, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said that vaccines were only available to countries, not states.

He said “Yes, plans are still in place to bring in vaccines by the country. Vaccines are available only to countries, not states.”

The Kano State Coordinator of the Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Tijjani Husain, said that it was the sole responsibility of the Federal Government to provide COVID-19 vaccine doses to the states.

He disclosed that the Federal Government recently provided 10,000 additional doses of the vaccine to Kano State after it exhausted the 209,520 doses of the Oxford Astrazenica vaccine it received earlier.


We are still expecting COVID-19 vaccine budget from executive – Senate

Meanwhile, the Senate on Sunday said it was still expecting the supplementary budget for the purpose of procuring additional COVID-19 vaccines from the executive.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents.

Asked for the update on the plans by the Federal Government to procure additional vaccines, Utazi said, “We are still expecting the supplementary budget from the executive arm of government.”

By Gbemisola Adesola


Undoubtedly, the term ‘Friends with benefits’, also known as FWB, has become a common trend in our institutions of learning.

According to Merriam Webster, ‘Friends with benefits’ is a friend with whom one has casual sexual relations without commitments. It involves sexual partners that usually enjoy the freedom of having constant sex when needed without any relationship commitment.


The male partner involved tends to enjoy regular sex benefits while the lady involved also enjoys material things in return on a mutual ground. The aim is to satisfy each other’s needs.

During my year one in school, I witnessed something like that. A close friend of mine got involved in relationship with various guys due to lack of contentment. She felt she was not getting enough from home and she also wanted to top the list of the “Bigger girls” on campus. It later ended on sad note because she lost concentration and had to leave school in her third year because of numerous carryovers and sexually transmitted diseases.

Ignorance, financial dependency, lack of parental guidance, academic dependency, comfort, peer pressure, loneliness, social influence,among others, are some of the factors responsible for such.

Financial dependency is also a major factor that leads one into this bad relationship. Lack of basic school needs can make a student toe that wrong path. These sets of students do not want to be committed, but they only see the relationship as the best option to get what they want. The saying: “You use what you have to get what you need” sums it up.


Also, lack of parental guidance is a factor. Some students misbehave when they have access to freedom outside home. Some parents neglect their children once they gain admission into higher institutions, they feel there is no need for frequent monitoring of their children while in school.

Academic dependency has also been identified as a factor. Most female students tend to rely on male students for good academic performance. Hence, female students pay back with what they can offer like sex, performing some domestic chores, washing of their partners clothes etc. The two partners involved most times are not ready to take responsibility, so they opt for abortion.

And frequent abortions can result to damage of the uterus and sometimes death for the female partners. It can also lead to damages that can’t be repaired or fixed for life.



The act has also led to domestic violence and abuse between the partners involved.The female partner is always at the receiving end.

Indeed, ‘Friends with benefits’ relationship on our campuses is a threat to good moral conduct among youths, especially students.

However, to curb this act, parents have a lot to do. They should endeavour to instill good attitudes into their children because a child that is well trained will be cautious and will not be wrongly influenced.

Also, proper upbringing of a child by the parents is necessary. Parents should follow-up on their children even while in school. They should monitor their activities and also check on them frequently without informing them. Parents should also provide basic needs for their children in school.

The school authorities should also set regulations, and disciplinary measures that will guide the conduct of students, especially those who stay off campus.

The school authority should also try to provide enough hostels that will accommodate all students to aid their effective monitoring.

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, has debunked a purported video of Boko haram members converting residents of the state to Islam.

In the viral video, many residents especially women could be seen gathered in what appeared to be a remote location.

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, shared it to his 970,000 followers on Twitter and wrote: “Boko Haram and ISWA forcefully converting people to Islam in the parts of Niger state that they have captured, conquered, occupied and flown their flag.”

Bello, however, disproved the claim, saying the video is not from Nigeria.

TheCable also found that it emanated from Kolia, a town in Ivory Coast.

The Governor Said: “This widely shared video on social media is totally misleading and the work of those who wish to see the country up in flames. This video is an old video that does NOT even originate from Nigeria, talk more of Niger State.

“As citizens, we should rather use our vantage position to complement the peace efforts of the government than spread fake news, cause disunity, raise unnecessary alarm capable of causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Niger State and Nigeria at large.”

The viral video surfaced days after Boko Haram insurgents reportedly hoisted their flag in a community in Niger after sacking residents.

ABUJA – The incident of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet air­craft (NAF475) and two pilots that went missing on March 31, 2021, has unset­tled the Service, with reports indicating that it was search­ing for the best approach to resolve the mystery.

Military sources told Sunday Independent in Abuja that the NAF was being very careful in the way it handles the matter considering its sensitive nature.

A source said the NAF had chosen the path of silence to avoid implicating statements that may jeopardise ongoing operations.

However, it appears that all is now set for the NAF to take a final position on the matter this week, as the source said there were serious engage­ments in that direction.

Sunday Independent con­tacted the Service to clarify this, asking why it had been so quiet on the matter.

The Service said it was not quiet but that it had been working assiduously on the matter and would speak this week.

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), who spoke with Sunday Independent, said lives were involved in the unfortunate incident and, as such, information on it must be property managed.

“We are not quiet. We are very careful. It is not some­thing we rush into. Lives are involved. We must put their families into consideration. We are not quiet. We will speak next week,” the DO­PRI said, assuring that they had been doing something about the incident these past weeks.

It is now one full month since the unfortunate in­cident occurred in Borno State, when the NAF raised the alarm that its Alpha Jet aircraft on mission in Borno state was missing.

A young lady has shared a sad story about her love life.

The woman took to social media to narrate how her boyfriend’s father stopped his son from getting married to her, because they had an affair years ago.

She wrote; “Please let nobody judge me. I had an affair with my boyfriend’s father years before I knew his son.

Three years ago, my boyfriend proposed to me and his father is saying over his dead body would he see us get married.

He invited me over a week ago to come and see him, but I refused to go because I know he wants something to do with me. Should I tell my fiance or continue to fight the battle?”

A former senator representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye has alerted Nigerians that the failure of the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to remit to the federation account for some months this year will make it difficult for states to pay salaries for the affected months.

Melaye spoke about a recent letter written by the NNPC to the Accountant General of Federation, informing him about the economic challenges facing the petroleum corporation.

SaharaReporters had reported how the NNPC on Wednesday raised the alarm that it recorded a value shortfall of N111,966,456,903.74 in February 2021 which will affect its contributions to the federal allocations to states for April and May.

The NNPC in its correspondence dated April 26 explained that its shortfall is as a result of the landing cost of fuel which went up to “N184 per litre as against the subsisting ex-coastal price of N128 per litre” as the Nigerian government and labour unions were still negotiating how on not to hike fuel prices.

The NNPC Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajlya Isa, wrote the letter, which was copied to the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, the Director General, Nigeria Governors Forum, the Director Home Finance and the Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum.

He stated that the NNPC would therefore not be contributing to the FAAC for April and May which will in turn affect the revenue to be shared among states of the federation

The former Senator, in a video posted on social media, said the NNPC cited the landing cost of PMS in the month of March which was N184 as against N124.

He said, "I am terribly worried as we faced insecurity challenges in this country. The more alarming danger of economy crisis that is looming is ahead of us. I want to announce to Nigeria because I know we have a government that is not sincere, not honest and would not tell Nigerians the truth.

"I owe it as an obligation to tell Nigerians the bitter truth. I stumbled on a letter written by the NNPC and specifically signed by the chief financial officer of the NNPC, Umaru Ajia Issa to the accountant general of federation intimating him that there would be zero contribution from NNPC to the national purse in the months of May, June and July. Meaning that we should expect zero allocation from NNPC for those months.

"The implementation is that the revenue in these three months will only come from Nigeria customs and FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Service). We all know that the bulk of the revenue comes from NNPC. But now, the NNPC had written the accountant general of federation to announce to him officially that NNPC will not be able to contribute to FAAC in the said months because the landing cost of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol) in the month of March was N184 as against N124. So because if this, NNPC is not in position to contribute to the revenue that will be share among the three tiers of government.

"The implication is that state will not be able to survive. States won't be able to pay salaries. This is a major catastrophy. This is happening because of the ineptitude of the leadership.

"It is happening because we have no leadership at the moment. The President is absent and it is the time for Nigerians to know so that we can act. We are in a precarious situation and a very perilous time. The leadership is absent. We can only run to God. In unjust society, silence is a crime."

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Yekini Nabena, has cautioned the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, against making statements that could cause instability in the country, threatening to expose him to the Pope.

Mbaka had called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari if he fails to resign over increased insecurity in the country.

Reacting to Mbaka’s statement Friday in Abuja, Nabena said it was unfortunate for a man of God “who is supposed to deploy all known spiritual means of averting crisis but rather threatening a democratically elected government for his own personal benefits while pretending to be speaking for the people.”

While making reference to the book of Mark 4: 35-40 where Jesus Christ calmed the storm when a wild storm came up and the waves crashed over the boat, Nabena said Jesus did not blame anyone but prayed and calmed the storm.

“One would wonder who Father Mbaka is emulating because the Lord Jesus Christ did not threaten to bring down the government during his own time, in fact, Jesus Christ obeyed and honoured constituted authority. That’s why he paid his tax.

“We are calling on Father Mbaka to concentrate on his spiritual calling and stop speaking like politicians who it is obvious he (Mbaka) has been dining and wining with. If Mbaka has found another political ally, it is better to leave a political message for politicians.

“Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to either resign or be impeached because of the current challenges is ungodly. Father Mbaka should not, however, take his luck too far because there is a lot to tell the Vatican and the Pope about his person and his sources of inspiration”, Nabena said.

The APC chieftain also called on other clerics to “emulate the likes of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG and Pastor WF Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Bible Ministry and many other true men of God who will rather fast and pray to avert a crisis in the country instead of threatening the government of the day”.

The factional leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, has appointed Abu Muhammad as the new Amirul Jaysh “Commander of War, for the faction he is leading after killing the former Commander, Abu Fatimah.

PRNigeria gathered that Mr Shekau personally shot and killed Abu Fatimah, last week, for allegedly betraying their sect.

A source disclosed that two other senior Commanders were also eliminated by the ‘daredevil’ Shekau.

“Following an internal dispute, Shekau killed Abu Fatima, one other Commander and Amirul Fi’ya, who is a son to a renowned Bama businessman, Alhaji Modu Katakauma,” the source added.

President Muhammadu Buhari could face impeachment proceedings if the security summit to be held by the House of Representatives fails to improve the security situation in the country, an opposition lawmaker has said.

Dachung Bagos (PDP, Plateau), who represents Jos South/Jos East federal constituency of Plateau State, said the security summit to be organised by the House is the last opportunity for the President.

He said this while appearing on a Channels TV Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the House inaugurated a special ad-hoc committee, chaired by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila. The committee will organise a security summit between May 24 and 28.

Mr Bagos said if the summit fails to yield the needed changes, the lawmakers will call for the resignation of the president or impeach him.

“After this last resort with this summit, if nothing is done by the executive, after some months, we will call for the resignation of the president. We have the power to impeach the president.

“…. So this is like the last resort, we are taking it seriously. We know the discussion we had to make. We know how members were being talked to.”

He added that “We can assure Nigerians that this summit, the National Assembly will hit the gavel and tell the president if he cannot protect lives of Nigerians, he should let someone else do it”

On Tuesday, the House had an executive session during which 12 resolutions were reached including organising the summit.

It is unclear if Mr Bagos’ statement has the broad support of the lawmakers. The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), controls both chambers of the National Assembly.

The president has called the bluff of the House in previous attempts to hold him accountable for general insecurity in the country, including an invitation by the House in the aftermath of the Zabarmari killings in 2020. He had said he would attend the summon by the lawmakers but later refused to.

As the security situation in the country worsens, PREMIUM TIMES reported that in the second week of April, over 239 people were killed and 44 kidnapped. Furthermore, states like Niger and Yobe have seen an increase in terrorists taking over territories.

Senior Special Assitant to President, Garba Shehu, has lamented that the way killings are being reported under the Muhammadu Buhari-administration is like it had never happened before.

Garba Shehu explained that killings had been in existence since forever and President Buhari seems to be a target in the way it is being reported now.

Speaking on Channels’ Politics Today, the spokesman, who also answered questions on the ongoing controversy surrounding the embattled Communications Minister, Isa Pantami, said that those who “stand in criticism of the minister are not willing to forgive him.”

Garba Shehu, reacting to comparison of Pantami’s case to alleged forgery that consumed former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said the cases are different and opined that the latter was more critical than the terrorism accusation against Pantami.

He also stated that if Pantami forged a certificate before coming to office, the attitude from the Presidency would have been different.

The Presidency has been hit with heavy criticisms following the backing of Pantami in the midst of terrorism comments, which the minister said were utterances made in ignorantly, stating that he is now more mature and knows better.

A statement signed by Garba Shehu said: “The Administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.”

The Presidency noted what it said was an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they have later rejected them.

The statement added: “This insidious phenomenon seeks to cancel the careers of others on the basis of a thing they have said, regardless of when they said it.

“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is, currently, subject to a ‘cancel campaign’ instigated by those who seek his removal. They do not really care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him. But they will profit should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.

“The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.

“In the 2000s, the Minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change.

“But all discerning Nigerians know this manufactured dispute is nothing to do with the Minister’s prior words, but solely concern his actions in the present.”

Here are the beautiful faces of Dorathy Tirnom Yohanna, the Greenfield University student, wasted by the terrorists of Kaduna state.

She was among the three students found dead today at a village near the school, few days after 20 of them were abducted from their school in Chikun LGA.

Her brother-in-law, Yamai with Twitter address @ydcoal, identified her in a post on Friday, as he tagged presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi.

Dorathy seldom posted on Facebook and she revealed very little about herself, apart from stating she was a Southern Kaduna girl, single and attending Greenfield University.

Her last post on Facebook was on 15 April, her birthday. She was kidnapped by the terrorists five days after on 20 April.

Yamai said her death has been devastating to her mother and the family.

In multiple tweets to Tolu Ogunlesi, Yamai wrote: “Hi @toluogunlesi..

“My sister-in-law was among the 3 dead students found today from Greenfield University. We are all trying to unpack our feelings. People’s children have become sports for bandits & kidnappers. I know you get a lot of stick on here…

“Where do we go from here Tolu? Do we worry about tomorrow? Do we believe in a fair, just and righteous God? My mother-in-law hasn’t eaten or showered in 3 days since her daughter, whom she saw on Monday, got kidnapped & this death was the answer to her prayers.

“You’re not the president, I know, but please talk to your boss. The evil we do or our negligence surely does come around one way or the other. That’s the circle of life. Do something!! Bless you!!”.

Yamai then identified her: Her name is DORATHY TIRNOM YOHANNA …and she died by a plague created by an uncaring government.

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

In its commitment to opening access to higher education in the country, the Senate is poised to upgrade the Federal Polytechnics, Ilaro and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba to universities of technology as well as grant legal status to the Nigeria French Village, Badagry.

To this end, a public hearing for three bills sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West) was held at the National Assembly on Thursday.

Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita, the Chairman Senate Committee of Tertiary Institution and TETFUND at the hearing said upgrading the two institutions would go a long way in calibrating the spread of educational infrastructure and balance access to education among the diverse of Nigeria.

He added that the passage of the inter-university centre for the French language in Badagry will improve the French Language proficiency and language skills required across professions at the global levels for ease of imparting knowledge and business practices.

Senator Adeola in his contribution to the public hearing as the sponsor of the stated the bills are pursuant of one of his legislative agenda to enhance and develop the educational institution as well as human resources development adding that the passage of the bills will address the need to expand the opportunities for our teeming youths seeking admission into universities.

Adeola noted that the upgrade of these institutions will address the issue of unemployment by providing education with the potentials to create jobs by its products as well as boost the economy of the host communities through the usage of technological innovations.

Stakeholders from the host communities and the academic communities of these three institutions presented oral and written memoranda in support of the bills among them the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle who came with the 5 royal fathers namely Onipokia of Ipokia Oba Olusola Olaniyan, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, the Abepa of Joga Orile Yewa, Oba Ebenezer Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Jaiyeola Agunbiade, the Alagbara of Agbara Yewa, Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, Otunba Akkem Adigun and Mr. Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo, a popular actor.

Others who supported the passage of the bills as it relates to them includes Professor Babatunde Aileru, the registrar of the Nigeria French Village, Professor Austin Moye Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Benin and President of University French Teachers Association on Nigeria, Dr.(Mrs) Lauretta Offodile the President of YabaTech ASUP, Apostle Shegun Shodipe President Yabatech Alumni and Dr. Kunle Salako of Ogun State Ministry of Health among others.

By Ibrahim HassanWuyo


Hours after abducting students of Greenfield University in Kaduna state, gunmen on Thursday kidnapped two nurses who worked overnight at the General hospital in Idon of Kajuru Local Government,

While confirming the incident, Chairman of Kajuru local government area, Hon. Cafra Casino, called on the people to remain calm as investigation has commenced into the kidnap of the two nurses.

Though the authorities are yet to respond to the incident, Dr. Shingyu Shamnom, Medical Director of the hospital, told journalists that the gunmen wielding dangerous weapons gained access to the hospital through the fence.

According to Dr.Shamnom, the gunmen forcefully gained entry into the hospital, shot sporadically and whisked away the two nurses on night duty who came out and identified themselves as medical workers.

He explained that after hearing the gunshots, they had to stay at their various houses. “We were in our homes until a call was put through to us that it was kidnappers who invaded the hospital, only to discover that two of the nurses on night duty have been taken away by the bandits.

“The kidnappers went away with the phone of one of the staff whom we thought was also kidnapped but he later returned,” he said.

SOURCE

The Senate on Wednesday questioned allocations by the Nigeria Customs Service for 2021, where N1.6 billion was voted for “borehole and other water facilities” and N180 milion was earmarked for cleaning.

Some of the senators also frowned on a vote of N2 billion for retirement incentives.

This followed the presentation of Nigeria Customs Service 2021 budget report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).

Out of the approved sum, N99.7 billion was voted for personnel cost, N19.5 billion for overhead, and N137.9 billion was approved for capital cost.

In 2021 fiscal year, Customs revenue target was pegged at N1.67 trillion comprising N1.5 trillion for Federation Account and N178 billion for Non-Federation Account.

Details of the budget showed that N2 billion was set aside for retirement incentives for Customs operatives; N3 billion for local travels and transport.

Customs will spend N200 million to maintain its aircraft and N100 million to fuel it.

Internet access charges got N100 million; maintenance of vehicles got N250 million; while N400 million will be spent to fuel the vehicles — this is aside from the N5 billion already earmarked for motor vehicle advances.

Under capital expenditure, Nigeria Customs Service voted N1.6 billion for borehole and other water facilities; N15.9 billion for motor vehicles; N87 million for photocopiers and N81 million for shredding machines.

Before the budget was passed, some senators picked holes in the fiscal document, especially regarding expenditure.

Senator Sam Egwu from Ebonyi queried why the agency is spending N2 billion as welfare packages for retiring officers, while they have retirement benefits.

Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who also raised the issue of N180 million for cleaning and fumigation, asked what the NCS is cleaning and fumigating to have budgeted such a huge sum.

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger) expressed concern that Customs is spending huge sums on non-essential items while officers are being attacked at the borders.

Reacting to this budget presentation and consideration, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the plenary, berated the committee chairman for failing in his oversight function.

He urged the committee to upscale its oversight of the agency and ensure that the budget is implemented within the fiscal year.

There was confusion in Owakande 2 in the Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State following the disappearance of the body of a lawyer, Mr Egbara Owan, which was scheduled for interment at the weekend.

According to Vanguard, the programme for interment of the man had begun with a lying-in-state at the Obubra Magistrate Court on Saturday but family members and sympathisers who gathered there had to disperse when an ambulance sent to the local mortuary to take the corpse for the ceremony returned without the corpse.

“Apparently someone had gone to the mortuary to remove the corpse and when the family went there yesterday, Saturday, to remove the body, it was nowhere to be found, a source from the area, James Okpa said.

He said the morticians could not explain who removed the body and investigation had been launched by community elders to find out what happened to the corpse.

“The family seems to be in disagreement on the date for the burial but it is not known who took away the corpse,” he added.

He said the police had not been invited into the matter yet because it was still seen as a family issue.

“The matter is being handled internally first but from what the elders are saying, if by next week the body is not located the police would be contacted,” he said.

The deceased was a member of the Cross River State Judicial Service Commission.

Tragedy befell Ikyangedu community in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State when John Abugu, a would-be groom, was crushed to death a few hours to his wedding.

According to The Nation, a Toyota Hilux van ran into the deceased two hours to his wedding.

Abugu reportedly met his tragic end while on his way to pick up his wedding suit at the shop of a nearby drycleaner.

The van crushed him and he was rushed to the hospital where he died in the course of treatment.

Mr Julius Abugu, a friend of the deceased, who was with him on the bike at the time the accident occurred, recalled that he and the late groom had gone to pick his wedding suit at the dry cleaner at about 8.30 am on the fateful day as the wedding was scheduled for 10 am.

According to Julius, while they were trying to cross the road, Abugu did not look properly before entering the road and was knocked down by a Toyota Hilux van.

He said the injuries Abugu sustained were on his forehead but he appeared to have mostly internal ones.

He attributed Abugu’s inability to sight the Hilux van to the dizziness that might have resulted from the pressure of running around to see that things were in order for the wedding.

Things were said to have taken a turn for the worse when Abugu started vomiting uncontrollably at the hospital.

Julius said: “I can’t really explain how the whole event turned out that way. John (Abugu) was full of life and we were together going up and down to see that the arrangement was in order.

‘He really looked forward to the wedding’

“He was so happy that he was going to get married the next day. He was busy the previous day receiving his friends who were coming from long distances.

“We went to see the drycleaner the previous day, but because there was no light, he could not iron the suit. But he assured that once there was light in the night, he would do it for us to pick it up early in the morning the next day, and that was what we did.

“When he wanted to go to the dry cleaner, I insisted that I would ride the motorcycle but he said I shouldn’t worry, that he would ride. He was actually telling me about one of his friends whom he was expecting that morning to use his car to convey them to the church for the wedding and after the wedding.

“Due to the excitement in him, he didn’t look at both sides of the road before entering the highway where the Hilux hit the two of us. We both sustained injuries but he was more affected, and we were rushed to the hospital immediately.

“Even at the hospital, we were being treated together. But a few minutes later, his situation worsened as he was bleeding from his ears, eyes and nose, and he suddenly died.”

Julius described his late friend as a committed young man who was very accommodating.

Speaking to our correspondent, the father of the bride, Mr Patrick Hudu, said: “We do not want this. We did not pray for this. It is not our desire. It is not our expectations.

“I was with my son-in-law yesterday (penultimate Friday) and he was full of life. If anyone had told me the wedding would not hold, I would not believe it. But God has done it.

“We are human, we are flesh, so we are not going to see it the way you see it, Lord. We are going to see it the way you see it Lord, we are going to be pained and we are actually pained, but God knows better.”

by Taiwo Adebulu

Monday Ubani, a former vice-president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says he prayed for God to disgrace Ibrahim Magu out of office for keeping him in detention for 23 days against a court order.

Magu, former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.

He was alleged to have mishandled recovered loot and sold seized assets to his associates.

Ubani, who was counsel to Ngozi Olejeme, former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), said Magu flouted court orders and embarked on media trial of suspects.

Ubani had stood as surety for Olejeme after the EFCC declared her wanted in September 2017 over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering” to the tune of N69 billion.

But Olejeme jumped bail and travelled abroad, and the former EFCC chairman allegedly ordered the detention of Ubani.

“About four years ago or thereabout, a woman by name Dr Mrs Ngozi Olejeme sought my legal representation over an allegation that she converted about N69 billion of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to herself while she held sway as the chairman during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Ubani said.

“She opined that her medical condition made it impossible for her to honour their previous invitations, however she was prepared to honour them if she can be guaranteed fair trial without illegal detention. My client naturally was afraid, having been abreast of the antecedent of EFCC under Magu but I assured her that she will get a fair trial as we were not under a Banana Republic.

“On the date we agreed, she returned from abroad and on the following Monday morning I took her to the office of EFCC in Abuja. Her interrogation on the first day lasted about eight hours after which they told me politely that they will not allow her to go home that day. Her detention that we all thought will be short later entered the ninth day.

“On the date slated for the hearing of the application, the court did not sit but the EFCC prosecuting counsel wrote and convinced the then Acting Chairman to release the woman on administrative bail. We provided two senior civil servants of grade level 14 and 15 as sureties as required by their condition of bail and presented to them. When the application was presented before Magu, he blatantly refused to approve, insisting that the sureties must be ‘Elder Statesmen’, contrary to the bail condition. We were wondering who these elder statesmen should be.

“The Unit head then quipped that the chairman will not mind if I will stand surety for her since I was the one that convinced her to come down for her case. My client heard him clearly that my suretyship will grant her freedom to go home. At that point I had a moral burden to get her out of detention having been denied that opportunity after returning from abroad for 14 days.”


UBANI: MAGU PLAYED GOD

Ubani further noted that the EFCC under Magu “played God”. He alleged the commission was more interested in Olejeme forfeiting her properties while she had not been convicted of the allegations brought against her.

“In course of the investigation, two things happened that startled me. One was that EFCC’s investigation was anchored only on one witness whose evidence was mere hearsay and uncorroborated. It was the witness’s words against the accused and secondly, EFCC was more interested in the properties of the woman more than the facts of the case that will secure her conviction,” the lawyer said.

“Ibrahim Magu disobeyed the court order and kept me in detention for 23 days contrary to the order of the court.

“I prayed two “dangerous” prayers while in and out of detention. Yes you heard me right. One, is that as long as Ibrahim Magu has refused to see the wrong he has committed against me and several others and has not apologised including making peace, that God should disgrace him out of office.”

Ubani further noted that he withdrew his suretyship of the former NSITF chairman on April 16.

The Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir, has illegally married off Aisha Mani, a Christian teenager, to her abductor, Mohammed Samaila, without her family's consent, Hausa Christian Foundation (HACFO) has alleged.

In a Facebook post, the foundation narrated how the Emir, in cahoots with the District Head of Kafur Local Government Area (LGA), Abdulrahman Rabe, conspired to perpetrate the unlawful act.

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The report said Aisha Mani was married off to her abductor Mohammed Samaila by the monarch despite police efforts and a petition by a law firm.

Aisha's family was said to have relocated her from Gidan Dandada, Rafin Iyaka, to another relative in Funtua after they suspected romantic advances from Samaila.

However, the teenage girl was said to have gone missing from Funtua and after long hours of searching, the case was reported to the police.

"Two days later, on February 12, 2021, Aisha's parents received a call from the District Head of Kafur telling them to stop searching for Aisha because she is safe with him in his house. He claimed that one Idris Shehu brought her to his house," HACFO said.

Rabe was said to have disregarded her family's plea that she be returned and refused them access to see Aisha "on the ground that she wanted to convert to Islam."

The traditional ruler reportedly called Aisha's parents after ten days, stating that her abductor wanted to marry Aisha, but they refused, insisting that due process must be followed.

Subsequently, Rabe "went ahead to arrange a marriage between Aisha and Mohammed Samaila without the consent and approval of Aisha's Family."

"The Area Commander told the District Head not to go ahead with their marriage plans between Aisha and Mohammed Samaila, but the district head ignored it," the NGO said in its report, adding that the agreement was that Aisha be brought to the police station, one which the District Head ignored.

HACFO said the girl was instead taken to the Emir of Katsina the same day the district head was supposed to take her to the police station, adding that "on reaching there, the Emir of Katsina joined Aisha and Mohammed in marriage without the consent of her parents."

The group highlights that the incident was not the first time the predominantly Muslim community would be oppressing native Christian Hausas, forcefully abducting their daughters for marriage without parental or family consent.

According to the NGO, a total of nine girls have been abducted and forced into marriage. One of such ladies was said to have been returned after she ran mad, another returned dead, while another was returned to her parents with pregnancy.

Names of other abductees, according to the NGO, are Jamima Solomon, Christiana Mamman, Deborah Habila, Phoebe Dankano, Rifkatu Markus, Saratu Isah (Returned her when she went mad after two years), Dije Yakubu Nalami (Abducted as a married woman, and returned when she died), Rebeccah Ado (Returned Pregnant) and Aisha Mani (Currently in captivity).

The foundation alleged that crimes against Christians "are always swept under the carpet" in Rafin Iyaka Sabuwar Kasa, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina.

It noted that despite a petition filed by lawyers to Aisha's parents to the police through the Malumfashi Area Command, demanding the arrest, investigation and prosecution of Rabe and Samaila, the police had done nothing to secure the release of Aisha.

HACFO claimed that Kabir and Rabe, on several occasions, abuse human rights and "do everything possible to stop the constitutionally recognised law enforcement agencies like the police from rightly carrying out their statutory duties."

The NGO claimed that Mr Rabe had been involved in supporting similar acts right from the time of his father, who died years ago and "is also backed by the Emir of Katsina."

When contacted on the telephone by Peoples Gazette, the state's police spokesperson, Gambo Isa, claimed he was not aware of the incident.

"I'm not aware of the matter; I don't know because it was reported by an NGO if it is something reported by a tabloid…, but I cannot confirm the NGO's report," Mr Isa said.

Efforts to reach the HACFO proved abortive.

Ibrahim Bindawa, the spokesman to the Emir of Katsina, promised to get back to The Gazette when reached for comments on the matter Saturday morning.

"I am reciting the holy Quran, please. I will get back to you in the next one hour," he said.

Bindawa did not revert as promised, hours later.

There are more than eight former governors who were once arrested and were being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before their cases came to a gradual halt, SaharaReporters can report.

The EFCC caused a stir on Tuesday when it arrested a former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in Abuja, over alleged misappropriation of the funds of the state to the tune of N7.9 billion.

There has been a prolonged battle between the former governor and the EFCC in recent months following his claims and counterclaims that his hands were clean and he was only a victim of witch-hunt by his successor, Hope Uzodinma.

Two days later, Okorocha was released by the EFCC, although it was not sure whether he would still be re-invited.

On the list of former governors with corruption cases with the EFCC include:

1. Former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji

Orji governed Abia from 2007 to 2015 before becoming a senator.

The EFCC had in November 2018 invited Orji, who represents Abia-Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, over allegations that he mismanaged about N27 billion during his two-term tenure as governor.

The money was allegedly diverted from several state and federal agencies including the Abia State Oil Producing Development Area Commission.

After more than two years of invitations, no charges have been filed against Orji as he continues to enjoy his senatorial role in the National Assembly.

2. Former Kebbi Governor, Danjuma Goje

Goje was governor between 2003 and 2011 in Kebbi State and he was arrested by the EFCC and arraigned in 2011, after he completed his tenure.

The former governor was alleged to have mismanaged over N5 billion while in office.

The EFCC pursued the case against Goje up till 2019, before the then Justice Babatunde Quadri of a Federal High Court in Jos.

In May 2019, in a dramatic twist, Goje, who was also running for President of the Senate, wormed his way into the hearts of the All Progressives Congress chiefs who advised him to step down for Senator Ahmad Lawan who eventually became the Senate President.

Shortly after, his case with the EFCC was taken over by the notoriously controversial office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and subsequently dropped.

Nothing has been heard on Goje till now.

3. Former Sokoto Governor, Aliyu Wammako

Wammako was governor in Sokoto State from 2007 to 2015 but was alleged by the EFCC to have embezzled N15 billion while in office.

Wammako quietly sneaked into the Senate and after becoming a senator, his probe by the EFCC has gone really cold.

The senator, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, is an APC ally and he played a key role in President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign in Sokoto State in the 2019 elections.

It is not surprising that he has not been charged to court till date.

4. Former Bayelsa governor and current minister, Timipre Sylva

Timipre Sylva, who is now the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, was at the helms of affairs in Bayelsa between 2008 and 2012.

The EFCC in 2012 accused Sylva of laundering funds in the state to the tune of N19.2 billion. The former governor was charged for using three proxy companies to siphon the funds.

The EFCC commenced a court action against Sylva when it filed a motion seeking for an interim order for the forfeiture of 48 houses allegedly belonging to Sylva – the order which was granted by Justice Mohammed.

Sylva was also being prosecuted for another separate N6 billion fraud case.

The former governor then filed a motion challenging the competence of the fresh suit, describing it as an abuse of court process.

In the end, by 2015, the cases against Sylva were struck out, and the houses allegedly seized from Sylva have since been returned to the minister.

5. Former Enugu governor, Sullivan Chime

Chime was governor in Enugu State from 2007 to 2015 and he was alleged to have part of a N23 bilion fraud also involving a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC began Chime’s probe in 2016 for mismanaging some state funds.

But Chime’s “breakthrough” came when he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress before the 2019 general elections.

There has been no update on his case since then.

6. Former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff

Sheriff was governor in Borno from 2003 to 2011.

The EFCC said in February 2016 that former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State was being probed for over N300 billion state funds mismanaged by his government.

He was first arrested in June 2015 and granted bail.

Sheriff also before the 2019 general elections joined the All Progressives Congress and his case with the EFCC appears to have died a natural death.

7. Former Akwa Ibom Governor and minister, Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio was governor of Akwa Ibom between 2007 and 2015.

He is being probed by the EFCC for mismanaging N108 billion state funds. He was arrested and quizzed in October 2015.

The EFCC had gone the extra mile to write letters to Zenith Bank, Keystone Bank, First City Monument Bank, Skye Bank (now Polaris bank), and United Bank for Africa, seeking information on the funds.

Akpabio, amid the probe, switched political camps and defected to the APC.

After his romance with the ruling party which saw him play a role during the 2019 elections, he was “rewarded” by Buhari with a ministerial appointment and his probe was swept under the carpet.

8. Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel

Daniel was governor in Ogun State between 2003 and 2011.

He is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly diverting state funds and also for false declaration of assets to the tune of N211.3 million.

The former governor is facing trial on a 38 counts of stealing and fraudulent conversion of public property.

Daniel, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s campaign director in 2019, in his latest move, also joined the APC and even met with Buhari.

His probe is gradually being relegated to the dust bin as his “sins” seem to have now been forgiven.

Though Buhari had promised to fight corruption during campaigns ahead of the 2015 presidential election and even after winning elections for first and second terms in office, there is not much to suggest his government is taking the promise seriously.

It is however not surprising considering that the ruling APC's former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had in January 2019 urged members of the opposition party to join the party so that their sins could be forgiven.

At an APC rally in Benin, the Edo State capital, while receiving some members of the opposition PDP into the APC, he said, “We have some PDP defectors. They are, Henry Tenebe, Iluobe….Iluobe means I have done something wrong. Yes, once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven.”

The German government says it will support the launch of a German-West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention.

Christoph Retzlaff, German ambassador to Ghana, announced in a tweet on Thursday that the centre will be located in Ghana.

Retzlaff said the Ghanaian centre is one of eighth others worldwide. He, however, did not mention the locations of the seven others.

“Excellent news: Germany will support launch of a new “German-West African Center for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention,” Retzlaff wrote.

“It will be located in Ghana and be part of 8 new centers worldwide to fight global challenges.”

The development comes just when the dust is yet to settle on Twitter’s choice of Ghana over Nigeria for its African office.

There is an ongoing conversation over how Africa’s giant somehow manages to lose opportunities to neighbouring countries, Ghana especially.

Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO, said the company’s choice of Ghana was based on the country’s history of being a “champion of democracy” and “a supporter of free speech, online freedom and the open internet”.

Check out TheCable’s analysis of seven times Ghana has beaten Nigeria to the prize here.

While Nigeria may pride itself as Africa’s giant, Ghana is gradually positioning itself as the apple of the continent’s eyes, especially to foreign investors.

The National Youth Service Corps may consider deploying corps members to the 16 member states of the Economic Community of West African States Corps, going by one of the suggestions offered at its top management retreat in Niger State.

A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof Oka Obono, gave the proposition to the NYSC top management during the retreat in Suleja, while delivering his lecture titled; “Strategies for Sustaining the NYSC in a Changing World.”

Obono stated that the advantages of Nigerian corps members deployed across the West African sub-region would include the vast reduction of unemployment among the youths as well as regional exposure.

He advocated that all stakeholders should embrace expansion strategies that would be of benefit to the youths.

“Expand operations to the West African region thereby reducing internal graduate unemployment and reducing pressures on the Nigerian labour market,” Prof Obono told the NYSC management.

The don, who described inter-ethnic distrust as the bane of the county's problems, lauded the NYSC Director-General, Brig Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim for his leadership style since assuming duty as the 18th DG of NYSC.

He further advised that all stakeholders must adopt a high level of diplomacy and advocacy to positively engage the unlearned youths who are potential threats to societal peace and national development.

The NYSC DG, Ibrahim, in his remarks, said that the retreat was a platform for the scheme's appraisal of its operations by the top management.

According to a release by the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the agency will consider the suggestion.

The DG added that the retreat would also help to formulate new strategies to guide its operations in a changing world.

"We will intensify more on our proactive disposition to official engagements to move the Scheme Forward", Ibrahim added.

Security personnel deployed to man key Nigerian land borders have not been paid their mandatory allowance for 10 months, multiple sources involved in the operation told Daily Trust.

An inter-agency operation tagged Joint Border Drill Operation was jointly piloted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to ensure total compliance with the ban on movements along the border routes.

Hundreds of personnel were drawn from the NCS, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), police, Department of State Service (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the military, to form the border-manning teams.

Though the borders were reopened in December 2020, the operatives were retained and redesigned to continue surveillance and counter-smuggling. The codename for the operation was changed to Joint Border Patrol.

Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, confirmed the change of status and expectations from the operation while speaking in February.

“We just set up a joint border patrol. It is an offshoot of the joint border drill, which was the operation we launched to close our borders,” Ali said.

In addition to other responsibilities, the operatives were tasked to stop the importation of illegal arms and contraband goods as part of efforts to address rising security challenges while at the same time boosting local production of assorted food items like rice, oil, among others.

The non-payment of the Duty Travel Allowance (DTA) for a long period is affecting morale of officers and threatening a key security operation of the country, security sources familiar with happenings said.

Located at the extreme inner corner of the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa, Nigeria occupies an area of 923,768 sq. km (356,669 sq mi), extending 1,127 km (700 mi) East to West and 1,046 km (650 mi) North to South. It is bordered by Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin, with a total boundary length of 4,900 km (3,045 mi), of which 853 km (530 mi) is coastline.

The deployed officers are expected to contain smuggling and protect the territorial integrity of the country which is largely porous.

Some of the affected personnel who spoke with our correspondents on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said months of unpaid allowances had rendered them all covered in debts and unable to meet up obligations to hoteliers, landlords and food vendors.

Besides low morale, officers involved in the exercise lamented that the government’s inability to meet up with its obligation is affecting the operation as it was becoming increasingly difficult to enforce discipline and ensure accountability in the line of duty.

The owed allowances were meant to cater for accommodation and feeding of the personnel who were deployed specifically to man the country’s borders following the closure of the land borders in August 2019.

The federal government, through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had justified the closure of the land borders at the time, which she said will help the government address the proliferation of arms and influx of other contrabands.

The security operatives were deployed to key towns affected by the border closure including Idi-iroko, Seme, Jibia, Kamba, Kongolom, Maigatari and Illela.


The entitlements

“Like with all special operations, we were posted from different areas to join this new operation and that was why we were entitled to DTA,” one customs officer said.

The deployed operatives were placed on a daily allowance of N12, 000 for officers and N6,000 for junior ranks.

While payments were made for the first few months of the operations, largely in arrears of two to three months, it became prolonged later with personnel having to wait for months before getting anything.

Last year, after a long delay, arrears for four months was paid. However, since May last year, not a dime was paid to the personnel in the name of the allowances.

Sources at the customs and ONSA told our reporter that the delay was being caused by the Federal Ministry of Finance, which has the mandate of funds releases.

“The office in charge of that operation at ONSA has written nothing less than three letters to the Ministry of Finance on this issue but they are yet to oblige,” said one source who craved for anonymity as he has no permission to speak.


Dire condition

Some operatives who spoke on the condition of anonymity lamented that they have been neglected despite the enormous responsibility placed on them.

“Morale is low because there is no motivation, which is very important for the success of any operation,” a unit commander involved in the operation told one of our reporters.

He said the personnel involved in the operation are being “made vulnerable to compromise”, with many of them owing hoteliers and giving out personal belongings as collateral.

“Our people are sacrificing. A number of our people have been killed either by smugglers or insurgents yet we have made huge recoveries all over the place. But with this nonchalant attitude, morale is honestly diving,” the source said.

He explained that it was becoming increasingly difficult to enforce discipline as men often challenge their superiors or justify their acts of compromise.

“The low morale is also breeding insubordination as enforcement of discipline is becoming very tough. You will ask your men to do something but they will be very lethargic about it or even reject it outright. This is dangerous for the success of the operation.”

With the dangers insecure borders pose to Nigeria’s security as major entry points of light arms, a senior security source familiar with the operation lamented that toying with the welfare of the men may have a dire consequence on Nigeria’s security.


Finance ministry, Customs shifty

The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Customs appeared to be shifting roles over the unpaid allowances.

When contacted on the delay in paying the border operatives their entitlements, Yunusa Tanko, who is the Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said the issue was purely a customs matter.

“Please, I don’t understand this enquiry honestly. Did customs tell you their money is released and that of the patrol team held back?

“This is purely a custom issue not ministry of finance so direct your enquiry to the proper channel/agency.”

Contacted, NCS spokesman, Joseph Attah, said he was not aware of the issue.

He, however, noted that customs has been at the fore of the operation and had provided all the required needs for the operatives to ensure high morale.


It’s dangerous to toy with security

A security expert, Salihu Bakhari, said the federal government must always fulfil its own part of the obligation to discourage security operatives from compromising themselves.

“You see, most of the operatives deployed for such exercise were brought together from different places. They left their families behind in order to protect the territorial integrity of the country.

“I know that most VIPs especially politicians and chief executives of agencies collect their allowances long before they travel…It is therefore very sad to hear that security operatives who put their lives on the line are neglected.

“This attitude makes them prone to corruption because they are easily compromised by high profile smugglers who would give them a lot of money to have their way.

“There is a strong correlation between the infiltration of illegal arms and our porous borders. The federal government and the frontline state governments must come together and fund border security,” he said.

Major sugar producers in the country have slowed down the Federal Government’s Backward Integration Project, thereby leading to massive importation of raw sugar into the country. Findings revealed that the development could affect the country’s economy in the long-term as 3.76million tonnes of the commodity, valued at N581.5billion ($1.53billion), was imported in the last two years through the seaports. Also, it was gathered that due to the huge importation of raw sugar, the country’s refining capacity had increased to 3.4 million metric tonnes per annum from 2.75 million metric tonnes per annum. The Federal Government had targeted 800,000 tonnes of raw sugar production by 2022, but it has not met five per cent of the target as at March, 2021, leading to a deficit of 1.81million tonnes.

The commodity is not among the food products affected by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s forex restriction because of the incentive granted to local sugar firms under the backwards integration programme of the Federal Government. The companies have been enjoying a five-year tax incentive for sugar production; 10 per cent import duty and 50 per cent levy on imported raw sugar; 20 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy for imported refined sugar. As at December, 2020, the country had the capacity to produce only 75,000 tonnes as the companies involved in local sugar production preferred to import raw sugar. Between 2016 and 2020, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), through the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), introduced a 10 per cent duty and additional 80 per cent levy for raw sugar; 20 per cent duty and 85 per cent levy for refined sugar imports. Also in 2019 and 2020, refined sugar attracted 10 per cent duty, 30 per cent levy for raw sugar imports.

Meanwhile, the major investors, Dangote Group, Flour Mills and BUA Group are currently at war over who controls the sugar market. Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Chairman of Flour Mills Nigeria, Mr. John Coumantaros, had written to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, to investigate the quantity of sugar imported by BUA. The two firms accused BUA refinery in Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt of undermining the national sugar master plan, NSMP.

They called for a fair and disciplined implementation of the NSMP by Nigerian Sugar Development Council (NSDC). The firms said: “This investment in the Port Harcourt refinery was clearly done with the intention to undermine the NSMP. “We are particularly surprised by the brazenness as we believe that the choice of location and the publicity campaign behind the investment has been deliberately engineered to provoke public sentiment and put the Federal Republic of Nigeria against its people.” They also asked the ministry to ensure that no additional allocation of quota was given for raw, very high polarity sugar or refined sugar for the refinery in Port Harcourt for local market production.

Responding, Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said that his company’s project was governed under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act and the Free Zone approved by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, both players already had 80 per cent of raw sugar allocation (Dangote-55 per cent, Flour Mills, 25 per cent) without commensurate investment in backward integration to actually warrant such allocation. Rabiu said: “We see this as an affront to the powers of the president and an attempt to undermine Nigeria and its institutions as well as edge out competition, to gain a monopoly that holds the country to ransom.

“They are only just acting as friends in connivance because of their interest to push out competition and create a monopoly for themselves.” The chairman explained that under the NEPZA Act, companies were allowed to process and, if they so wish, sell 100 per cent of their production in Nigeria with payment of duties based on the current raw material tariffs.

By Tunde Asaju


Bola Ahmed Tinubu the BAT is on the road. Twenty years after positioning himself as governor before transforming into the Babasàlẹ̀ of Lagos and western Nigeria politics, Tinubu is pregnant with higher ambitions. On the surface, he seems on speaking engagement missions doling out money to groups and causes likely to favour his political calculations. It is not for fun standing in Arewa House to deliver the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture, He was in Kano to mark his questionable‘69th’birthday anniversary. He has hobnobbed with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and politically romanced Governor Zulum. He made donations to Aisha Buhari’s book launch and put victims of the Katsina fire disaster over and above those of Shasa in his home base.

Tinubu is a maverick politician. Weeks ago, Wikipedia had to lock his account after it was edited a whopping 84 times, a record for the Guinness Book of Infamy.

Nothing about Tinubu’s life adds up. From his background to his meteoric rise to fame and uncommon fortune. Tinubu would have to keep adjusting records to erase the gossips about his life. As Nigeria’s former capital and now its most viable commercial hub, Lagos retains its cosmopolitan outlook. Except for a brief moment under Babatunde Fashola, Lagos has welcomed every tribe, tongue, region and religion. But Lagosians are asking, how did Tinubu become the quintessential Lagosian?

Those who know will tell you he was born in Iragbiji in Osun State. Even in the era of DNA tests, our culture and tradition permit natural adoption, no questions asked. If Tinubu had been adopted into the Abibatu Mogaji clan, it would have been okay that he retains his purported natural name – Lamidi Amoda Sangodere. What bothers many is why today’s Tinubu wants the natural part of his life history wiped off the records. Did he change his name, as the law permits or did he assume the identity of a dead person? Is that why his age did not seem to match the personae he wants to present?

Tinubu’s attempt to write a resume of the schools he attended is another mystery his PR managers would find hard to explain. The schools he purportedly attended had a record of a Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but his supposed peers swear they have no recollection matching the current Jagaban Borgu. They have excluded him from alumni meetings except with proof of a facial surgery. Basically, none of them remembers him.

People change names everyday, but they hardly change face. It wouldn’t be the first time a ‘famous’ politician would attempt to wipe clean their questionable records. James Onanefe Ibori tried to wipe clean, records of theft and conviction in London as well as robbery in Nigeria when he presented himself and went on to win two terms as governor of Delta State. As he discovered, records could always be altered with affidavits, but altering character is a harder task. Ibori’s itchy fingers did not abate when he became the most powerful man in Asaba. Not even his purchase of traditional titles could wipe the trait of theft. As the past came knocking, Ibori attempted to run but ended up an ex-con, albeit a powerful one.

Experience confirms that where there is one deliberate attempt to falsify records, there is more hidden muck. We have not always kept clean records as a nation. Many almajirai have no birth records. They share the same misfortune with Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua both of who have no birth records. Both made it official and the heavens have not fallen as a result. Why is this BAT so bent on fixing his with remarkable sloppiness?

The world is filled with scam artists who tried to con the universe into believing they are what they are not. From Charles Ponzi to Frank Abagnale and our own Salisu Buhari. Most fix their ignoble records and walk the road to redemption rather than try to edit their past.

It is obvious that Tinubu eyes the biggest office in the land, knowing that the Nigerian presidency is the most powerful in the world; it allows its occupant to get away with blue murder. Buhari edited his lack of elementary certificate with sentiments.

Why is Tinubu simply not content with his acquired status as the godfather of Western Nigerian politics? At such a time when the survival of our nation hinges on true federalism and finding a unifying candidate, why is another Yoruba power monger gunning for the presidency? Any conscientious Yoruba or Hausa/Fulani should steer clear of the 2023 presidential contest. From military adventurism to transmogrifying into the civilian voting space, these two powerful ethnic groups have had their fair share of ruining the nation.

The only exception is the Igbo of the South East. Fifty years after plunging the nation into civil war in which we declared no victor nor vanquished, the Yoruba and the Hausa/Fulani have vanquished every attempt by a candidate of Igbo extraction to show us what they have to offer.

While it is true that there are elements in Igboland bent on re-plunging Nigeria back to its war past, the majority of the Igbo are peaceful citizens settled everywhere moving the nation forward. Don’t tell that to Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi who said on tape that the Igbo could not be trusted. She is a senator of the federal republic.

Tinubu has had ample chances to erase the inconsistencies of his life. From buying out a whole edition of a news magazine that exposed him to his latest tiff with Wikipedia, he should content himself with being the Emir of Bourdillon.

While life and death are in the hands of the divine, Tinubu does not have enough fuel left in the tank to beat Salisu Buhari’s road to redemption. His control of media outlets and his large financial war chest notwithstanding nor should his manipulation of his closeness to certain religious persons. Pastor Tunde Bakare, who staked the dregs of his ecclesiastical integrity on him, staked the substance of that integrity on Buhari. The results are obvious for all.

Instead of acting as celestial seer behind Tinubu’s candidacy, methinks Bakare should send him some verses of St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy. In the sixth verse, of the sixth chapter, Paul reminded his friend that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain.’Tinubu should steer clear of further political ambition, for his and all our sakes.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has doled out eye-catching Sport Utility Vehicles, Ford Explorer, to 20 judges in Sokoto.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gesture was to boost senior judicial officers’ morale, just as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has urged the judiciary not to be partial in delivering judgments.

Mr stated this on Monday while speaking at the inauguration of the reconstructed Sokoto High Court complex.

He noted that as the last hope of the masses, the judiciary should remain impartial at all times.

The justice minister commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal for reconstructing the complex and equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities.

“This should be a morale booster towards effective justice delivery. The job done on this complex shows how seriously the state government takes the judiciary,” he said.

Mr Malami added that a high-level conversation was already ongoing concerning a better welfare package for judicial officers.

“Several meetings have been held to ensure that the welfare scheme for judicial officers reflects current realities.

“A committee on the review of judicial officers’ salaries and conditions of service has been constituted to ensure a better welfare scheme.

“Let me assure you that the efforts of that committee will soon come to fruition and to the advantage of judicial officers,” the justice minister explained.

Mr Tambuwal noted that the complex project offered an opportunity to overhaul the judicial system in the state.

“We are doing our best to support the judiciary. This is because we believe in its independence and ability to give hope to the common man,” he said.

The governor commended the minister for accepting the state government’s invitation to inaugurate the project.

Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko, described the reconstructed project as a good omen to judicial service delivery in the state.

Represented by Justice Amina Augie, Mr Tanko commended the state government for the gesture and urged judicial officers in the state to exude good maintenance culture while using the complex.

According to NAN, 20 high court judges in Sokoto received the SUVs during the event to boost their morale.

Simplyleo:
The president is back to Nigeria

The 31-year-old songwriter spoke in an interview with Chude Jideonnwo, TV host, a few days after the release of his debut studio album.

In the interview, Peruzzi narrated how Davido asked him to come to Dubai the first time they were going to meet.

He added that the ‘Assurance’ crooner requested an account so money could be transferred for him to facilitate his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Peruzzi said he made a mistake by sending the account number of an Uber driver he patronised as he didn’t have one to himself at the time.

According to him, the Uber driver switched off his phone after receiving the flight ticket money and went on the run.

“So he just told me I should come to Dubai. Because when he called me I was in the room doing nothing. He asked ‘do you have a passport?’ I said I don’t have a passport and he okay that he would call somebody,” Peruzzi said.

“I got the passport the next day. Then he said ‘send your account for ticket’. Me, a very useless guy at that time. I didn’t have an account, I was using different accounts. The account I copied was the Uber guy that carried me.

“Omo, Uber guy switched off his phone after collecting 400k. I screamed. I was like my ticket money is gone! I was looking for the Uber guy on Facebook.

“I went crazy. I went to Uber’s office and they said they had stopped the guy from working like a month ago. I was like where will I see 400k? What will I tell this guy that I just met? He would think that I have spent the money.

“David just asked me, ‘have you gotten your ticket?’ I told him what happened. He told me to send another account. I did. He said to resend and reposted it. I got the ticket and met him in Dubai. Next, we’re on a flight to Lebanon.”

Peruzzi earlier made headlines after he spoke of his feud with Golden Boy Entertainment, his former record label, in a way that prompted his ex-boss to leak their contract documents and private conversations with Davido.

Bauchi State Government says it would conduct headcount of commercial sex workers in the state with a view to having an accurate data on them.

Malam Aminu Balarabe-Isah, Permanent Commissioner in charge of Hisbah and Sharia implementation, made this known in Bauchi on Monday during a sensitisation workshop organised for commercial sex workers.

He said the information generated from the exercise would help the commission in taking measures aimed at discouraging them from continuing with their dangerous trade.

Mr Isah disclosed plans by the state government to organise empowerment programmes for them, as well as provide them with capital to start small scale businesses.

He explained that investigations conducted by his agency indicated that most of the sex workers took to prostitution as a result of illiteracy, poverty or maltreatment meted on them by their step-mothers.

He said that minor family squabbles also contributed to their decision to take to prostitution, assuring that government would make efforts to reunite them with their parents.

The commissioner expressed readiness of the state government to organise mass marriages for those of them who were lucky to get serious suitors.

Hafsatu Azare, who spoke on behalf of the sex workers, assured that they were willing to quit the trade if government would empower them economically, describing their condition as pathetic.

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo


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Former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose has declared Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde as leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest.

He spoke at the Southwest zonal congress of the PDP in Osogbo capital of Osun State on Monday.

When Fayose entered the venue, he went straight to where Makinde sat and greeted him.

Both of them had a warm hug.


Fayose, speaking while addressing the congress before the commencement of the election at WOCDIF Event Centre, admitted Makinde is the leader and father of the party in Southwest.

He urged supporters to be wary of creating discord among the leaders in PDP.

He apologized to congress if he had offended anybody.

According to him: “Governor Seyi Makinde is our leader. Our supporters and lovers should not continue to put hedge in between us. Either way this election goes, I will accept.

“Even though Arapaja has abused me so much, I will be the first person to visit him in Ibadan. Nobody has offended me and if I have offended anybody, I sincerely apologise. Seyi Makinde remains our father come what may.

Makinde, also addressing the delegates said: “This is a family affair. It is an attempt to reposition our party in the Southwest. It has ramifications for our party nationally.

“Whatever the outcome is, we will take it in the spirit of a family contest. We don’t want to defeat ourselves; we want to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“At the end of this exercise, there will be no victor, no vanquished. As the only Governor of the party in the zone, whoever emerges, I will work with them to reposition the party. I thank you for the peaceful conduct.”