₦airaland Forum

The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday said that the take -off date for the implementation of the newly signed Finance Law would be announced in due course.

Homicide detectives have arrested some people at Umuezeoka Umueze, Effium Autonomous Community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in connection with the murder of two lovers, Ifeanyi Nwokwu and Nkechi Ezaka Ucha.

Nkechi, who lost her husband years ago, was Nwokwu’s lover.

The lovers were alleged to have been murdered on Sunday night, when Nkechi went to spend the night with Nwokwu.

Their bodies were discovered on Monday night and police have made some arrests.

A villager said Nwokwu was married and had children, but his wife and children were not residing with him.

Another resident, who gave his name simply as Nweke, disclosed that aside from Nwokwu, another man in the community was also dating Nkechi.

Nweke alleged that Nkechi’s second lover might be responsible for the lovers’ murder.
He added: “Nwokwu and Nkechi were lovers. The woman lost her husband years ago. The man invited the woman to where he built his house.

Meanwhile, the wife of the man stays in her father’s compound. In the night, the man and the woman were found dead inside the man’s house.

The two lovers had wounds on their foreheads and police had made some arrests. There is another man in the community, who is also dating the Nkechi. He has been arrested.”
A resident of the area, Jeremiah Obaji, who confirmed the incident, described it as worrisome.

He said similar incidents have occurred in the community.

Nweke said: “Killings and armed robbery activities in Umuezeoka Umueze in Effium Autonomous community have reached an alarming proportion. Many of our illustrious sons and daughters can no longer visit home because of the fear of the unknown.

“Our aged fathers and mothers have been living at the mercy of these terror men. I am pleading with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Ebonyi State government to come to our aid as our people can no longer sleep at home and those of us who are in the cities cannot come home. We’re pleading for a police post which can help in securing the lives and property of our people. We are also pleading with the police to use their high powered intelligence gathering to unravel the killers of these people.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident. She said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Effium Police Division has not sent details of the incident to her office. She added that investigation into the matter has commenced.

The staff and management of Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) between 2016 and 2017 helped themselves with several ‘irregular’ and unapproved allowances totalling N6.8 billion, a recently released audit report has revealed.

These infractions were recorded during the reign of Usman Yusuf, the controversially sacked NHIS Executive Secretary, according to the 2017 Annual Audit from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF).

The report adds a new layer to the barrage of allegations of fraudulent activities that tainted Mr Yusuf’s trenure.

ILLEGAL ALLOWANCES

The 2017 report, which is the latest by the auditor-general, listed several irregular allowances within the period under review.

They include Upfront Allowance; Upfront differential Allowance; 13th Month Salary Allowance; Pre-retirement Overseas Training Allowance; and Sitting Allowance.

The above payments totalling N4.9 billion violated Public Service Rule 130102, as they are not part of the allowances listed as payable to officers in the Federal Public Service, the report found.

The OAGF submission revealed that these allowances were paid without providing approvals of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, contravening the act of the commission.

The report said differential payment is “illegal and alien” to the public service.

Another N1.8 billion was paid to staff as ‘administrative allowances; Children Education Allowances; and domestic allowances’.

These payments were not approved by the relevant authorities, contravening 2004 circular which states that “all self-funded federal Parastatals and Agencies which wish to monetise their fringe benefits should always submit the proposal package to the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for necessary evaluation and approval before implementation”.

SHOCKING SLEAZE?

Besides irregular payments to staff, the report said the federal health insurance office engaged in at least another 13 illegal financial dealings amounting to N748 million during the period under review.

The scheme spent a total of ₦355 million on capital projects which were not appropriated for in 2016 and 2017 Capital Appropriation Act – a practice “contrary to Financial Regulations 417”, a further breakdown of the document revealed.

According to the report, NHIS also spent ₦161 million on International travels ”without any evidence of approval by the Head of Service of the Federation.”

Similarly, ₦20 million was paid to retiring officers to attend pre-retirement workshops outside Nigeria.

The report said further examinations revealed ”there was no letter of invitation/admission or certificates of attendance from the various institutions where the conferences and training were held.”

Also, there were no air tickets and visas attached to prove that the officers embarked on the training.

The NHIS was equally accused of paying N72 million and N31. million respectively for the verification and accreditation of Health Maintenance Organizations without any form of evidence to confirm if the verification and accreditation exercises took place.

The report observed that several vehicles were illegally allocated to the Executive Secretary, ”his personal aides and allies”.

The AOGF highlighted several extant regulations contravened by the aforementioned irregular financial dealings. It recommended a total refund in most cases.

AGENCY STEEPED IN FRAUD

The 2017 OAGF report has shed more light into several accusations of fraud that characterised Mr Yusuf’s reign at the NHIS.

In his three-year stint (2016 to 2019), the controversial official was sent on suspension twice within a year; accused of fraud, gross misconduct, insubordination and continuous infighting with staff and management of the scheme.

In November 2018, the governing board of NHIS raised an alarm that the agency was near a “tipping point” and may collapse within the next three years.

Reached by phone on Monday, Mr Yusuf dismissed a PREMIUM TIMES reporter and the audit report using expletives.

But even before Mr Yusuf, monumental fraud, opacity and impunity had become standard practice at the NHIS, a PREMIUM TIMES 2018 report revealed.

The 2016 annual report from the OAGF revealed that billions of naira were unaccounted for by the management of the NHIS in the previous seven years.

The NHIS, which was meant to reduce out-of-pocket spending on health, has remained stuck due to fraud and controversies as indicated in the OAGF report. It has also faced technical, legal and administrative challenges.

A decade-and-a-half after its inception, the NHIS covers only about five per cent of the Nigerian population, mostly civil servants. While millions of Nigerians remain uncovered, the few enrolled under the scheme complain of poor service delivery.

Reformer on board?

As at press time, Ayo Osinlu, the NHIS spokesperson, had not returned nor responded to calls and text messages seeking clarification from the scheme over the new findings.

Meanwhile, the scheme appears to be moving on from its dark days.

After the axe fell on Mr Yusuf last June, Mohammed Sambo who was appointed as his replacement, has been taking steps to get the scheme back on track.

In his maiden interaction with staff and management of the NHIS, the new Executive Secretary revealed his three-point agenda for the scheme.

They include ”restoring value system that will transform NHIS into a credible result-driven organisation”, he said.

This he said, would resolve the crisis and restore public confidence in the scheme.

Mr Sambo, a professor of Health Policy and Management, has also been engaging with several stakeholders in the scheme.

By Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon, Ola Ajayi & Rotimi Ojomoyela

IBADAN —THE newly launched joint security outfit, Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun, was threatened, yesterday, by the Soludero Hunters’ Association, SHA.

Members of the hunters’ association rejected the proposed N13,500 monthly payment for personnel of the outfit.

The hunters also called on the initiators to organize a parley where all the personnel would meet to identify themselves.

But reacting, the Ondo State Government said the six South-West states have not agreed on remuneration for the personnel.

This came on a day the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Ado Ekiti, threw its weight behind the outfit, saying the South-West governors acted in consonance with the spirit and letters of the 1999 constitution.

Hunters reject N13, 500

Speaking through its National President, Oba Nureni Anabi, the hunters who would be active members of Amotekun said the motive for setting up the outfit would be counter-productive if the personnel didn’t know themselves.

Anabi said the six states, which formed the outfit should reconsider the meager salary of N13,500 to be paid to the members of the outfit.

Anabi said: “We are happy at the proactive move of our governors. They have shown good leadership qualities by launching the Amotekun
security outfit. Now, we can sleep with our two eyes closed.

“We, the Soludero Hunters Association, will do our best to ensure that the outfit remains.
“Having launched the outfit, I want a forum where all of us that would work in the outfit would meet ourselves.

“This is very important because as of now, we don’t know ourselves and this is very dangerous when we talk of security. This will enable us to familiarize and know one another.

“I heard that the Oyo State government alone purchased 33 patrol vans, while other states donated 20 vehicles.”

Start with N50,000 —Agbekoya

Frowning at the proposed remuneration, the Agbekoya Farmers’ Association, called for an upward review for personnel.

Its President-General, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola, who commended the governors for the launch of the outfit, said the proposed remuneration was poor.

Okikiola said: “The Operation Amotekun is a welcome initiative by the governors but they do not have a concrete plan as regards recruitment of personnel. What kind of people will be recruited? Are they going to recruit those without any security experience? How much will they be paid monthly? You cannot pay someone who wants to confront armed criminals N13,500. Let us tell ourselves the truth, the Police cannot venture into the forests to confront these criminals. If the governors are serious, they should start with N50, 000 as monthly pay. This will motivate those who will be part of the outfit.

“If the governors do not want casualities, they (governors) should recruit personnel who have a background in security and can confront the armed criminals.”

States yet to decide on salary — Ondo gov

But making clarifications, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, said the six South-West states are yet to agree on the remuneration for the personnel, saying “we are meeting today again in Ibadan (Oyo State) and that is one of the agenda that would be jointly agreed on.

“All those to be employed should be rest assured that the states would remunerate them handsomely for their services. We are yet to decide on the amount to pay the personnel. All that you read on social media are not true.

“After our meeting in Ibadan today, we will jointly agree on a uniform amount to pay the personnel including the hunters, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, and Agbekoya that are ready to lay down their lives to ensure that our people in the zone sleep with their two eyes closed.

“But at the same time, I want to appeal to them to consider what they are about to do as service to humanity and not make the remuneration as their priority.

“The security of the lives and property of the people in the region is of paramount importance to the six governors, hence, this concept should be applauded.”

S’West Govs’ action constitutional —Ekiti NBA

Meanwhile, the NBA in Ado Ekiti has backed the new outfit, saying the governors acted in consonance with the spirit and letters of the 1999 constitution.

The NBA Chairman, Ado Ekiti chapter, Mr. Samuel Falade, in a telephone conversation argued that though Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution mandated the Police as the agency responsible for the protection of lives and property to provide security, that this doesn’t preclude the governors from taking further measures to reinforce protection for the citizens.

Falade said: “However, Chapter 2, Section 14 (2b) gives mandate and rights to president and governors to provide security across the country and in their respective states, that the primary duty of government is to protect lives and properties.

“Also, Section 20 of Administration of Criminal Justice allows a private citizen to arrest any criminal and hand over to the police for investigation and prosecution. Under this context, operatives of Operation Amotekun can arrest and handover to the police for proper action.

“I see no reason people should criticise the body or entertain fears, because the governors had spoken about the modus operandi of Amotekun, which was that they would work alongside the Police, NSCDC and Army.

“We have had several cases of kidnapping, killings and ritual cases among other crimes in the region in the last few years and there must be proactive action to complement conventional security architecture to rise to these sordid situations.

“The essence of Amotekun is to rise to the present insecurity in the South-West and governors as Chief Security Officers can design ways to protect their citizens as long as such step is in line with the law, which is the case with Amotekun.”

He described the noise about Amotekun as unwarranted and unnecessary, saying it has a precedent in the history of the country.

“Let me emphasize that Amotekun has precedent. We have the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, in the North-East to help combat Boko Haram, so Amotekun has both constitutional and judicial backing for the protection of lives and property.

“As usual, once anyone is arrested, he will be immediately handed over to the police. With this, it’s a welcome development and it is a right step in the right direction.

“Any citizen or governor in the South-West ,who refuses to support this laudable and great idea is several years behind time,” he said.

Amotekun not a military wing of OPC —Aare Adams

Similarly, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, said the outfit should not be seen as the military arm of OPC.
In a communiqué by the Aare-in-Council at the end of its meeting, yesterday, Iba Adams said: “Contrary to fears in certain quarters, the outfit will complement the security architecture of the region, and the nation at large, as well as boost the security of lives and property in the land.”

He dispelled insinuation that the South West security network is a military wing of the OPC, saying “the long history of OPC vis-à-vis its contribution to regional security is not in doubt.”
The congress stressed that it “will leverage on its rich experience, to support any initiative that will help secure Yoruba land and make it a no-go area to career criminals and their tribes.”

Obascoetubi:
PIX OR I DON'T BELIEVE IT

Fresh concerns have been raised by health experts on Nigerians’ increasing use of paracetamol, a drug meant for pain relief, to cook meat for household and commercial consumption.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that hundreds of households, restaurants and bars, especially those owned by small operators, have continued to use paracetamol to tenderise meat to save cost as the prices of firewood, kerosene and cooking gas hit the rooftop.

Some food vendors admitted that they use the drug to cook meat because it helps them to spend less on kerosene, cooking gas, firewood or charcoal.

According to them, no matter the quantity, paracetamol softens meat within a few minutes of being placed on fire. They added that the drug is also accessible and affordable as one sachet of 12 tablets is sold for only N50.

This claim was buttressed by a bar attendant in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, who told LEADERSHIP that when some tablets of paracetamol are used to cook cow leg and skin popularly known as “ponmo”, they get softened and ready for eating within a few minutes.

He said: „It is really helpful because now we don‘t spend so much money on charcoal since our pepper soup (local delicacy) doesn‘t take long to cook anymore.“

But medical experts have warned that paracetamol, when cooked, loses its pain-killer property and becomes highly acidic and dangerous for human consumption.

The president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, described the use of paracetamol for cooking as a “wicked act”. The renowned pharmacist said that paracetamol is paraspecific acid of aminophenol and also a chemical substance.

He said that every such substance has both chemical and physical effects, adding that they can help in softening tender materials.

Ohuabunwa expressed worry that the consumers of meat cooked with the drug would only end up consuming something they don‘t need or deserve thereby creating problems for them.

He said: “I don‘t know why people should involve themselves in this kind of wicked act against themselves and consumers of their products. Paracetamol is a medicine and it is paraspecific acid of aminophenol and it is a chemical.

“Every chemical can have some chemical, physical effects and then can help in softening, tender materials but the critical thing is that you are therefore giving people along with the meat, something they don‘t deserve and what they are not in need of, and you are loading up their body with the chemical they don’t need. You are creating problem for them because you are overloading the liver because the liver has to metabolise the chemical and take it out through the kidney,” he said.

This, Ohuabunwa said could lead to liver necrosis because the organ is the chemical factory. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to desist from the act.
He also called for adequate enlightenment because it is assumed that those who indulge in the practice do not understand what they are doing.

He said that anyone found engaging in the illicit act should face the law, lamenting that “it is an act of poisoning people.“

The chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Ekpe Phillips, warned that paracetamol is not a drug that should be abused. He said that the primary area where it is being metabolised is the liver and could, therefore, expose consumers to liver problems.

Philips, who is also the chief medical director (CMD) of Nyanya General Hospital, said that the “normal amount of paracetamol that an individual is supposed to take is two tablets three times a day and it cannot be taken for more than three to four days, maximum of five days if you must.

“If you are using it to cook food, you are going to consume the quantity that you don‘t even know. So, there is no place for paracetamol in the cooking of meat. It is extremely dangerous. Apart from the fact that they are cooking it, they are consuming more of it and the primary effect is in the liver.

“You know that liver problem is on the increase, with that, we don‘t even know if people have been practicing this for a very long time for us to be having this increase in liver diseases; some unexplained liver failure, liver cancer are emanating. Some of these things and unorthodox use of orthodox medications may be the cause.

“Also, you don‘t use paracetamol alongside alcohol because alcohol also is being metabolised in the liver,” he stated.
On the way out, Philips said that national health education should be carried out by both practitioners and other relevant stakeholders.

According to him, „the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should get this information across so that we will have a good health-seeking culture. The government should seriously educate the people on the issue. I don‘t know why the Nigerian governments are allowing things to happen haphazardly. So, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should take lead.“

While also decrying the practice, the immediate past president of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Godswill Okara, said that paracetamol is not a drug to be taken on a regular basis.

He said that research had shown that when humans take paracetamol, the breakdown period stays long in the tissue and builds up over time, which means it is not completely excreted from the body.

Okara said that to that extent, “it is really dangerous, which means the medicine is not to be taken anyhow.

“Certainly, it has health implications because even the use of paracetamol is normally controlled because it can cause liver failure if taken in an excessive dose.

“I wonder how people came about using it to cook meat because the chemical and pharmacological content of paracetamol is not what one should be consumed on a regularly basis,“ Okara warned.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had on December 31, 2019, issued a public alert on the dangerous and unapproved Use of paracetamol tablets in food preparation.

The agency asked Nigerians to use genuine NAFDAC registered table salt (in moderation) to tenderise meat by soaking it in salted water for about 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent serious health consequences that may result from dangerous and illegal use of paracetamol tablets in food preparation.

Other established and safe methods for tenderising meat, according to NAFDAC, are cooking with a pressure cooker, marinating (soaking) with vinegar, citrus juices or wine before cooking.

In its reaction, the Federal Ministry of Health said that NAFDAC is the agency responsible for food and drug advocacy, noting that it had done so by issuing a public alert on the use of paracetamol.

The ministry‘s director of Food and Drug Services, Mosud Lawal, however said that the ministry had a food safety programme through which it communicates with the state ministries to ensure that there is adequate education at the grassroots.

“We do advocacy as issues emerge. Definitely, this issue (paracetamol) will be included,“ he said.


EHORECON Challenges Academia On Toxic Paracetamol

Relatedly, the Environmental Health Officers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has challenged the academia to embark on research to certify the correlation between the toxic chemical in paracetamol that damages the liver.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP, the director of Education and Training of EHORECON, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba, lamented that food vendors use paracetamol to cook meat to cut the cost of burning firewood, kerosene, and gas.

Baba said: “Paracetamol is an analgesic and when you take it ordinarily, it will go through the normal process of digestion and kill the pains in the body. But when it gets heated by using any fire mechanism, it will hydrolyse and produce four-aminophenol which can cause kidney failure and it also affects the liver.”

Baba said that there have been reported cases in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where eateries cook meat with paracetamol, adding that the council was yet to receive any formal report in Abuja that food vendors or eateries cook meat with paracetamol.

He posited that the skyrocketing cases of kidney and liver diseases might be related with the eating habits of Nigeria, especially in public places, adding that the issue of food safety was part of the cardinal principles of the council.

Baba maintained that the council had a series of Mandatory Professional Development Programmes (MPDPs) to enhance and build the capacity of its members on health and environmental issues, noting that the practitioners were ready and well-equipped to address the issue.

The EHORECON director stated that the council set standards and guidelines on food safety and hygiene, adding that it’s the responsibility of local governments to provide the logistics for the environmental health officers (EHOs) to do their jobs, especially in the areas of food safety and hygiene.

Also, the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) said that about 25million Nigerians have kidney failures, adding that hypertension was a major effect. It said that drugs such as paracetamol used for cooking meat may be a major contributor.

A staff of the department of environmental health and safety, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said that his section only monitors the environmental sanitation of places where food is sold to the public.

He said that the department does not go into the technical aspects of monitoring the content of food sold to the public because it does not have the relevant instruments to conduct such test.

The official maintained that the responsibility of testing the content of food sold to the public lies with NAFDAC, which has all the equipment for testing food meant for public consumption.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance and Economy, Sarah Alade, has demanded N500 million from two journalists, Alfred Olufemi and Gidado Yushau, over a report on hemp smoking published on May 19, 2018.

The investigative report titled: “Inside Kwara factory where Indian hemp smoking is ‘legalized,” was authored by Mr Olufemi, a student journalist at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Mr Yushau is the Editor-In-Chief of NewsDigest, an Abuja-based online newspaper that commissioned and published the story.

According to the report, Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industry, a company owned by Mrs Alade, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), allowed the smoking of cigarettes, as well as Indian hemp by workers within its vicinity.

The report also stated that the firm refused to respond to Mr Olufemi’s inquiry on the situation after he had put several calls and text messages to the industry’s hotlines.

Last year, the two defendants were arraigned by the police before a Magistrate Court in Ilorin for criminal conspiracy and defamation based on Sections 97 and 192 of the penal code. The duo pleaded not guilty.

Following the bail application made by the defence counsel, Usman Belgore, the Chief Magistrate of the Court, A.O Muhammed, released the defendants on self-recognizance and on the basis that they are innocent until proven otherwise.

The conditions of bail include two sureties each who are relatives of the defendants with a bail bond of N200,000.

The case was then adjourned to January 13, 2020. However, when the matter was called on Monday, the prosecutor could not provide his witness and as such, the magistrate further adjourned to January 28.


Fresh Case:

After the adjournment on Monday, the two journalists were served with a writ of summons by the legal practitioner of Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

In the document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the company demanded N500 million from the duo.

The company also seeks an order compelling the defendants to retract and delete the links of the report from their platform and ensure the deletion of same from all platforms on the internet that have copied it.

Hillcrest is also asking for an apology from the online news platform and two national dailies.

The journalists have insisted that the story was accurate and they stand by its content.

Eniola Akinkuotu,

Following her visit to Bauchi State last week with the Presidential jet to cover the Durbar organised by the Emir of Bauchi , Rilwanu Adamu , the daughter of the President , Hanan Buhari, said she cannot wait for her next project.

However, it remains unclear whether she will be using the Presidential jet for her next trip following the criticisms that have trailed the use of the jet for private affairs by the President ’s children.

On Monday morning , the wife of the President , Mrs . Aisha Buhari, had posted a video of Hanan, relaxing in the jet and waving .

The video, a panorama of Bauchi cultural heritage , also showed Hanan taking photographs of persons on cultural display and horseback at the Durbar .

On Instagram it had been viewed 8 , 818 times .

One of Mrs Buhari’s followers , Rukkayah Suleiman , responded, “ It is so beautiful Hanan Buhari. Your love for culture is what makes your culture unique and beautiful . Telling our story our own way . Masha Allah Tabaraka Allah. I ’m excited and looking forward to the next one .”
Responding , Hanan said , “ Thank you . Insha Allah I also can ’t wait . ”

The Presidency had on Saturday , argued that the children of the President had the right to use the Presidential jet for private engagements.

However, some anti- corruption advocates described it as an abuse of power even as they pointed to the fact that the N 8 .5 bn budget for the maintenance and running of the Presidential fleet was high.

Findings show that the N 8 . 5 bn is equivalent to the combined Internally Generated Revenue of 17 States including Bauchi , Abia , Zamfara , Kogi , Anambra , Bayelsa , Jigawa, Ebonyi , Ekiti, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Katsina , Kebbi , Borno , Taraba , Yobe and Gombe in the first and second quarters of 2019 .

Hanan, who is a professional photographer, was said to have been given permission by her father to use the Presidential jet to attend the programme and cover the event as part of her Master ’s Degree project.

Hanan, who did her undergraduate project in Kebbi State, graduated with a First Class in Photography from Ravensbourne University , London a few months ago.

Pedrotina11:
Wat is this one saying Which one is one day pay of ur January earning First fruit is all ur earnings for the first month of the year...

Demaduka:
Fr Kelvin Ugwu MSP,
YOU ARE TOTALLY WRONG OR MISCONCIEVED . PAYING MONEY TO A CHURCH IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM PAYING MONEY TO A PASTOR. IT IS WRONG TO SAY THAT THE MONEY YOU PAID IN THE CHURCH IS MONEY YOU PAID TO THE PASTOR. BY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, IF YOU ARE A REAL FR. AS YOUR NAME SUGGEST, IT SEEMS THAT YOU USED TO CARRY THE OFFERING GIVENG IN YOUR CHURCH SAYING THAT IT IS MONEY MEMBERS GAVE TO YOU. IS IT RIGHT OR WRONG?

IF ON THE OTHER HANDS AN INDIVIDUAL DECIDES TO PACKAGE HIS OR HER JANUARY SALARY FOR A PASTOR, WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE IF IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG?

Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai says he will not release the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, due to the pains the sect leader and his supporters had caused the people of Kaduna State for over 30 years before he was arrested.

El-Rufai who spoke at a live radio interview on Friday, explained that the fate of the IMN leader does not lie with the Kaduna State Government but with the courts.

He said what the Federal Government meant when it said El-Zakzaky’s fate lies with the Kaduna State Government is that it was not the one currently in court with the IMN leader.

The Governor explained that after the IMN leader was arrested and detained by the Federal Government in 2015, the Kaduna State Government recalling the many alleged offences of the IMN leader and his supporters against the people and government for over 30 years, undertook an investigation that looked into their alleged disregard for laws, harassment of other citizens right from when they were in Zaria City till they moved to the Gellesu Quarters.

IMN members have always denied any wrongdoing and instead accused government of launching unprovoked attacks against their members. He said it was when investigations were concluded that the Kaduna government based on its findings requested the federal government to release him to it so it could seek legal redress.

The Governor said it was based on the request that the IMN leader was brought to Kaduna and subsequently charged to court.

The governor said foreign bodies intervening in the matter are wasting their time as the pains El-Zakzaky and his people have brought to the people of Kaduna are much hence the state government will not release him until his case is determined by the court.

Governor El-Rufa’i also spoke on 2023 pointing out that his successor might be a woman as he denied anointing any person as his successor.

The governor said while some people are busy thinking his successor would be a male he may decide to pick a female just as he did when he selected his deputy Hadiza Balarabe.

But he said as far as he is concerned it’s too early to start talking about the 2023 election, saying only God knows who will replace him as the governor of the state. The governor said so far he discovered 10 persons who have already indicated interest to be governor in 2023.

Juliana Francis, Johnson Ayantunji and Emmanuel Onani


Many Nigerians literarily went into shock following President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement last week that soldiers would be withdrawn from some parts of the country, where the war against insurgency had been raging on the belief that peace and normalcy have been restored to those areas.

The big idea is to withdraw the soldiers from the communities believed to have been captured from the Boko Haram insurgents and replace them with policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials, who would be expected to take charge of the internal security.

According to Buhari, the Federal Government, with effect from this year, will begin the process of withdrawing military from some parts of Nigeria that had been facing insurgency. This, he said, would enable civil authorities to take over the job of protecting lives and property in those areas.

Victims in the war torn states, some other Nigerians had waved aside the decision, describing it as an attempt to send policemen and NSCDC officials on suicide missions.

Indeed, the outrage against the idea has been so much that Buhari had quickly come out to state, that the plan to withdraw the soldiers from some parts of the country would be gradual and wouldn’t cause any problem.

The President said: “The withdrawal of the soldiers will not be sudden. It will not happen in a way that will expose any part of Nigeria to harm or danger. The withdrawal is to allow the military to focus on their primary duty, which is defending the nation against external aggression. It is the duty of the police to handle internal security since Nigeria is not at war.”

The plan, naturally caused anxieties among security stakeholders, who strongly believed that the war against Boko Haram members should be won completely and not, ‘technically.’

Although Buhari has assured Nigerians that there was no cause for alarm since the withdrawal process would be gradual, many are not buying his latter statement, as the first continued to lie supreme in their minds.

Some of them, who spoke with our reporter, described the plan as, “sending policemen and NSCDC officials on suicide missions.”

The Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, while reacting to the FG plan, said that this was not the first time that the FG would be muting its intention to commence the withdrawal of the military from the Northeast.

He said: “It first muted this idea between January and February 2019. In response to that announcement, a team of independent experts was dispatched to Borno State to conduct an assessment of the preparedness of the Police to resume full charge of internal security in so-called liberated areas in the Northeast. I was in that team and we spoke to the military, the police, NSCDC and other relevant security stakeholders.

“In summary, our finding was that nothing has changed with regards to the conditions of service of the police to prepare them for taking over security in the terror-stricken zone. Whether in terms of manpower and personnel strength, training, equipment or motivation, the situation of the police has been deteriorating rather than improving.

“The police officers deployed to the zone are themselves endangered species. It would be expected that considering the special security challenges Borno State is confronted with, Borno State Police Command would get additional or special funding to match the needs and demands of the problem. But we were shocked to find that Borno and other state commands confronted by insurgency still get the same level of budgetary funding as other state commands.

“In fact, many state commands without the level of security challenges as Borno, are relatively better equipped and better manned.”

Nwanguma, noted that Police divisions in many localities in Borno State had been attacked and dislodged.

“They take full responsibility for their treatment. The families of those who died are abandoned to their tragic fate. No help from any quarters despite their outcries. We were told that many officers serving in Borno deserted while those newly posted refused to report or even resigned or went AWOL.

Is this the condition under which the Police will take over from the military? Even for the military, which is better equipped and provided with special funding to tackle insurgency, many of the personnel have been killed or injured with some resigning, voluntarily retiring or simply walking away. How much more the far less equipped police!”

However, Nwanguma, while stating that the military could not continue to perform the statutory functions of the police, added: “It is an anomaly that comes with dire consequences.

The military’s training does not equip them or make them suitable to handle internal security. The Police must be transformed, prepared and equipped to eventually assume primacy for internal security. But even when that happens, military withdrawal has to be gradual.

Withdrawing the military and returning the Police at this time would be like sending our police officers on a suicide mission. I see many of them resigning.”

Also speaking, the President Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, said: “The situation has become so bad it could have been the best decision, but it has to be systematic and tactical because the fact of the matter is that the problem has been there over time.

But Major-General David Jemibewon (rtd), a former Military Governor of the defunct Western State and later governor of Oyo State and later Minister of Police Affairs during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, took a more pragmatic view.

His words: “The Police were in charge of the security of the area before the insurgency which necessitated soldiers being drafted to the trouble areas to address the insecurity problem. And now that FG feels that the security situation could be handled by the Police, there is nothing wrong in withdrawing soldiers from the areas and allowing “The Police have to be in charge of security in the areas, otherwise we will find soldiers doing Police jobs and nobody to do soldiers’ jobs. So, it is difficult to say it is correct or not correct, but I want to believe it is correct. The only situation you can say, it is not correct, is if the situation there shows that the area is not peaceful to say Police should come.”

A retired Assistant-Inspector General of Police, Donald Iroham said: “If you would recall, at the onset of the Maitatsine religious riots in Kano in the 1980, it was the Police that continually engaged the group until the situation deteriorated and they could no longer cope. The military was now invited to help the Police. One may therefore assume that government must have done their homework very well to contemplate such a move.”

But, a serving senior police officer has taken exception to the President’s recent announcement that there will be a gradual withdrawal of troops from the theatre of war.

The officer, who for obvious reasons did not want his name in print in an exclusive interview with Sunday Telegraph said it would be suicidal to withdraw the federal troops as doing so will be counterproductive.

Our source said: “It is suicidal to withdraw the soldiers from the trouble spot and replace them with policemen. Military personnel are being killed daily. They are no longer announcing it.

What the insurgents are doing is to lay ambush for the soldiers. A very good example is the recent attack on the convoy of the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole.

“What they (insurgents) do is wear uniform and drive vehicles that blend with the desert. They just jump on the road and spray the troops with bullets. They are on that axis everyday. The withdrawal is not in anybody’s interest. It is going to be a wastage. The Police are not well equipped and no one is trained to combat Boko Haram. We do not have the equipment and the required training is not there.

“Even with the Counter terrorism Unit that was created some years back, no one wants to die, If Mobile Police men were sent there and they ran away, till today no one has heard about them.

What will others go to do there. Some are there already and facing the fire. Casualties are being recorded daily. It is not an ideal thing and you know the Nigerian factor, where adequate attention is not given to the family of a slain officer.”

However, a onetime head, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Nigerian Army, Major General Ishola Williams said men of the Nigeria Police are capable of getting the job done.

Ishola who backed President Buhari’s pronouncement said it was not going to be sudden as “the President has since confirmed that there is no rush.”

Hear him: “The Mobile Police training include anti terrorism operations, therefore, they are able to do the job.

“More training will be required and I am sure the Indians can help because they have Commando Police fighting Insurgents in India. They have the equipment including the vehicle.

“The Civil Defence too has antiterrorism Units that are trained to protect infrastructures.”
However, on his part, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, over the weekend, said the Force had begun deployment of personnel in areas liberated by the military.

Specifically, the IG said the deployment cut across North East states of Borno and Yobe, which have suffered years of terrorism and insurgency perpetrated by combined elements of Boko Haram, and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Sunday Telegraph recalls that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas had, shortly after president Buhari’s security meeting with Service Chiefs, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, announced the decision to begin a gradual withdrawal of the military from some volatile areas in parts of the country.

He said the withdrawal will commence from first quarter of this year.

“With respect to operations within the country, it was generally agreed and noted that the security agencies have done their very best in ensuring that the deliverables are made clear.

“You will recall that the various operations in the country in the northeast, northwest, north central, the southeast as well as the southwest where all members of the armed forces are taking part as well as the intelligence agencies have ensured that we all enjoyed a better holiday period that has just been observed.

“We also recalled that in those areas where the military have been able to achieve desired objectives, from the first quarter of next year, the civil authority will be preparing to take back those responsibilities as the military draws back its forces from those areas.

“This will enable the military to focus its attention on other emerging threats and areas of concern,” Ibas had said.

Reacting to the planned withdrawal, the police chief assured of continuous deployment in liberated areas.

The IGP, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, apart from the police, the civil defence, local government authority among others, were also asserting dominance in liberated areas.

Abeokuta – Facts have emerged on how Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State appointed as the Ogun State Education Commissioner-designate, Professor Sidi Osho, who was dismissed from the state-owned university, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

According to a dismissal letter, a copy of which was obtained by INDEPENDENT, Professor Osho was dismissed in 2016 by the Governing Council of the institution over alleged misconduct.

The letter dated 18th April 2016 with reference number OOU/ACA/P.1200/237 was addressed to the Professor who was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University and signed by the Secretary of Council, Mrs O. A. Osunsanya who doubled as the registrar of the School at that time.

Professor Osho was the Special Advisers to Governor Abiodun on Higher Education before she was elevated to the position of Commissioner.

She was also the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State.

There is unease in the camp of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the presidential bid of the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George.

Tinubu is believed to be warming up to take a shot at the presidency amidst agitation for the zoning of the position to the South-West.

Already, many groups and supporters of Asiwaju in Lagos have started mobilizing and canvassing support for the presidential bid of their principal, a former governor of the state.

Though Tinubu has not formally declared intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as he has repeatedly said the time for 2023 electioneering is not ripe, his supporters are going ahead with the Tinubu project. But those advocating for Tinubu presidency are jolted by the aspiration of George.

Indications emerged recently of George’s aspiration following the floating of a political group which was ostensibly a platform to kick off the Bode George’s project.

Findings by our correspondent indicated that the camp of Tinubu views Bode George’s ambition with mixed feelings.

Though both are in different political parties, the reality that another candidate is emerging early from the South-West and Lagos in particular is being viewed seriously. An APC source said, “We have no problem with Chief Bode George declaring for the presidency.

But we expect him to rally round behind Tinubu who has done a lot for the South-West and remains a rallying force for the region in the present APC-led federal government.” But another source in the PDP hinted that the Bode George’s presidency fireworks would take a full swing by month end.

“We are going to come out with a bang and take on the issues with maturity and wisdom. This is a new order that we are convinced would take Nigeria to the desired level.”

Speaking with Daily Trust yesterday, a former organising secretary of the PDP in Lagos, Chief Mutiu Okunola, who had since defected to the APC and a strong promoter of Tinubu 2023, however, saw the aspiration of Bode George as good for agitation for power rotation to the south-west.

According to him, he was convinced that Bode George would see the need to step down for Tinubu. “Bode George is an asset and not a threat.

Tinubu is younger than Bode George, he has won Lagos before and he is still winning Lagos. Therefore, he is the main person contesting for presidency in the south-west,” said Okunola who is the coordinator and founder of Tinubu 2023 Not Negotiable (TNN).

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly invaded the Abuja residence of Senator Shehu Sani over alleged extortion.

It was gathered that the EFCC stormed the apartment in Wuse, Abuja at about 3:30pm on Wednesday to look for incriminating evidence against the former Kaduna senator.

The EFCC had last week arrested Sani for alleged extortion of $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors.

Sani was elected senator in 2015, under the All Progressives Congress platform. When he could not get the party’s ticket in 2019, he ran on the ticket of the Peoples Redemption Party but lost to Uba Sani of the APC.

He has been a trenchant critic of the APC government, both in Kaduna and Abuja, since then.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that Israel would strike a “resounding blow” if attacked by arch foe Iran, as regional tensions soar after the US killing of a top Iranian general.

“Anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow,” the premier told a Jerusalem conference after Iran launched a salvo retaliatory missile strikes on bases used by US troops in Iraq.

Netanyahu has described the target of last week’s US drone strike — Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards foreign operations arm — as a “terrorist-in-chief”. (AFP)

The Imo State Police Command are still trying to unravel the mystery behind an attempted suicide by Ifeanyi Onuoha, 30, from Umuoye Imeriewen in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to the state police public relation officer, Orlando Ikokwu, Onuoha, at about 3pm on Monday, saw an oncoming commercial vehicle along Nkwoala, Ahiazu Mbaise road owned by Chinedu Ibiam and jumped in front of it.

But the driver of the vehicle was quick to apply his brake, preventing Onuoha from accomplishing his suicide mission.

However, the driver of the commercial bus was later confronted with the most shocking scene of his life when he came down to check on the man and discovered that he had already ripped part of his stomach open with a knife and attempting to draw out his own intestines when the driver raise the alarm.

The man was later caught up and rushed to Crown Hospital, Ahiazu and later Aboh General Hospital when his condition was not improving.

The police image-maker said that the victim has been transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia for better treatment while efforts are ongoing to trace his relations.

The police have promised to get to the root of the incident just as it has called for calm.

In what came up as a surprise to many people, a 45 years old man and father of a number of children, Salisu Matagwa of Kumbiya-kumbiya quarters in Gombe metropolis has called together family and friends to perform the religious rites, to change the name of one of his children, a 9 years old boy called Buhari to Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In order to make the change of name real and acceptable in accordance with Islamic injunction, Salisu Matagwa slaughtered a ram and organized a feast attended by his relatives, friends and neighbours to saying that the decision became necessary in order to save his son from embarrassment, humiliation and attacks by members of the public who thought that he was named after President Mohammadu Buhari.

While speaking to Tribune Online in Gombe through the phone, Salisu Matagwa said that the boy was initially named Buhari in honour of one time Speaker of the House of Reps who was disgraced out office, Salisu Buhari, lamenting that some people are mistaking it for President Muhammadu Buhari’s namesake and even nicknamed him “General Buhari” a development he said was not comfortable with him.

He expressed disaffection with the performance of the President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that on a daily basis, as President, Muhammadu Buhari is losing popularity in the area, due to what he described as “poor performance and unfavourable policies, which have inflicted hardship on the masses, thereby making some critics of the government to boo, and mock the boy whenever being called “General Buhari” by his fellow children on the road”.

A visibly angered Salisu Magwata claimed that in view of the development and in a move to save the life of his son, he decided to rename him Rabiu Kwankwaso to avoid potential attack on him by aggrieved citizens.

He expressed happiness that, “Since people don’t have good view of President Muhammdu Buhari now, I deemed it necessary to change the name of my boy from Buhari to Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is a more popular and reputable in the country, I love him and I am one of his ardent supporters”.

He explained that, ” Kwankwaso never knew me. He has not given me any money to rename my child after him. It is my discretion. So nobody should suggest that I am sponsored by Kwankwaso to change my son’s name.

“I have an occupation from which I earn a living. Therefore I am not looking for money from any politician. I only cherish Kwankwaso in view of his integrity”.

Salisu Matagwa revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was very popular among the people of the area in the past, such that anyone who did not like him would be humiliated by his fanatical supporters, alleging that the President’s popularity has now reduced drastically.

Salisu Matagwa expressed happiness that with the decision he took, many people have commended him saying that he took the right decision which will go down in the annals of history.

Molly Kilete, Abuja


The Army has detained a Brigadier-General following the discovery of $16 million in a bank account belonging to his wife by the United States security.

The officer, Brigadier-General Charles Nengite, is currently being detained by the Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), a department in the Nigerian Army that handles matters relating to fraud and money laundering.

It was gathered that his arrest was effected after the Presidency directed both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the army authorities to investigate the matter, upon receiving complaints from the United States government.

Daily Sun gathered that trouble started for the officer after the NFIA in the United States of America, discovered the huge amount in his wife bank account in that country.

It was gathered that upon the discovery, the wife was arrested after which the author wrote to the Presidency to furnish it with the occupation of her husband.

Upon the directives from the Presidency, the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Butatai, ordered the SIB to take over the matter.

Sources, however said the wife was not arrested as the money was believed to have been proceeds from dirty deals while the officer was on secondment to the Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC) between 2016 and 2019.

At the time of filing this report, the officer is still being kept in custody of the SIB in Abuja.

Authoreety:
Respect people's believe

Sale Mamman, minister of power, says the “cabal” in his ministry who are bent on denying Nigerians electricity.

The minister said this while reacting to the criticism which trailed his suspension of some top officials in the ministry.

Mamman had suspended Damilola Ogunbiyi, former managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Marilyn Amobi, managing director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), pending investigation into allegations levelled against them.

However, some critics accused him of ethnic bias.

But in a statement on Monday, the minister denied the allegations, saying he acted in the interest of Nigerians.

Mamman, who spoke through Aaron Artimas, his media aide, said cabals have held the ministry by the throat.

He said Nigerians should be more concerned on why there is no improvement in the sector despite billions of dollars spent by the administration to make electricity available.

“This obviously affected their performance in impacting the entire industry. No responsible leadership will tolerate such chaotic situation and expect success on the ultimate goal of improving power in the country,” he said.

“When he assumed duty barely five months ago, Mamman was never under any illusion that his job was going to be a walk in the garden.

“Soon after we began to hear of a cabal which held the ministry by the throat and denying Nigerians the full value of their huge investments in the power sector.

“As early as November last year, this cabal began to sponsor insidious reports using some faceless groups in Lagos, claiming that the ministry under the new minister was biased.

“It is the same untouchables who want to perpetuate themselves in power that are now resisting any form of re-organisation meant to re-position the Ministry for optimum performance.

“The Ministry should not be tied down by individuals whose only concern is the retention of power at the expense of service delivery.”

Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

About ten states have concluded negotiations with workers on consequential adjustments and ready to implement the N30, 000 national minimum wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has said.

Already, workers in Lagos and Kaduna, along with those at the Federal level, have started enjoying the new minimum wage.

The states, which have concluded discussions on consequential adjustments, according to NLC are:
Adamawa,
Bauchi,
Borno,
Jigawa,
Kaduna,
Kano,
Katsina,
Kebbi,
Lagos and
Ebonyi.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Monday, said the ten states met the December 31, 2019 deadline set by organised labour.

Organised labour had on December 11, 2019 at a meeting with its state chairmen in Abuja, set December 31 of the same year for all state governors to conclude negotiations with workers in their states following an agreement with the Federal Government on October 18, 2019.

President Buhari had in April 2019 signed the new wage bill aimed at boosting the morale of the Nigerian workers into law.

On October 18, 2019 after about six months of negotiations, the Federal Government reached an agreement with organised labour on the consequential adjustments after a lengthy negotiation process that dragged for months.

The federal government and organised labour agreed on per cent increase of 23.2 for workers on level seven and 20 per cent for workers on level eight, while it agreed on 19 per cent increase for workers on level nine.

Also, both the federal government and organised labour reached an agreement on 16 per cent salary increase for workers on level 10- 14 and 14 per cent increase for workers on level 15-17.

Wabba said about 23 states were still on the discussion table with labour leaders in their states on consequential adjustments.

He insisted that state governor do not have any reason not to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.
According to Wabba, the new wage is binding on all states following Buhari’s assent.

He said: “We are actually on tract. The Federal Government has set the pace. They have been able to meet up with all the obligations, including payment of arrears. Let us also not lose sight of the fact that from the day the President assented to the bill, it becomes a law. Therefore, states have no reason not to respect a law that had been enacted.

“So far so good, we have about ten states that have concluded the process of collective bargaining and some have commenced payment. They are in three categories. First are the states that have respected the deadline (December 31). They are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos and Ebonyi.

“We have those (states) that are still on the table and they have until yesterday (January 5) to complete the process. This constitutes about 23 states that are on the discussion table and we have seen commitments.

“We insist on the process of collective bargaining because we don’t want an allocation of peanuts to workers. The principle of collective bargaining is enshrined in international law that workers should be able to know what they will be paid because the N30, 000 is already a law. What we are discussing is the consequential adjustment.

“That is why the unions are interested in looking at the details before they sign. Some (states) will want to pay peanut and that is what we are trying to avoid.”

The NLC president said that three states – Cross River, Kogi and Taraba, had yet to set up a committee to negotiate the consequential adjustments, warning that organised labour may be forced to declare a strike.

Wabba said the leadership of the NLC will meet with those of the Trade Union Congress and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) to review the situation state by state and take action.

“We have three states that are yet to commence anything. We have Cross River, Kogi and Taraba state. These states are yet to even constitute the negotiating committee and these three states have not shown enough commitment to actually start the process of negotiating and implementing the minimum wage.

“We will engage them but certainly there must be a time to conclude all those processes. Because when we allow the arrears to accumulate then it becomes compounded.

“Certainly, we are not going to set another deadline. That will be on the basic of specific request from states but the deadline we have set for December 31 2019 certainly stands.

“We are going to engage all those states (still on the negotiating table) in the weeks to come in the normal way of labour. We are not fully satisfied but we need to commend those states, particularly the ten that I have mentioned that have actually complied. If the ten that I have mentioned have complied then other states have no reason (not to comply).

“If need be in a particular state where government remains adamant workers will have no option than to go on strike because workers are not slaves. That is the only instrument that we have which is recognised by law.

“Our structures will have meet within the week. The NLC leadership, TUC and JPSNC. We will review the situation state by state and where we need to send in intervention we will send intervention from the leadership and where we need to take some action we will also make sure that workers’ interest are not undermined,” he added.

President Donald Trump on Monday repeated his insistence that Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, amid mounting tension over the US killing of a top Iranian commander.

Writing in all-caps, the US leader tweeted: “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
The tweet came a day after Tehran announced it was further winding down observance of parts of an international deal struck to ensure that the country does not secretly develop a nuclear weapon under cover of its civilian nuclear industry.

Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 deal negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama. Last year, Iran resumed uranium enrichment, reporting a tenfold increase in production.

Tensions between the two countries spiked last week when a US drone strike in Baghdad killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force.

While Iran has threatened retaliation for the killing, Trump has warned that the US will strike “very hard and very fast” at as many as 52 Iranian targets if the Islamic republic does attack US personnel or assets.

Huge crowds turned out on Monday in Iran for the 62-year-old commander’s funeral, while in neighbouring Iraq, parliament has voted to expel some 5,200 US troops stationed in the country.

Trump’s tweet did not add any details about the steps he was considering to prevent Iran from reviving its nuclear program. Iran has always denied any military dimension to its nuclear project.
(AFP)

Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Eeben Barlow said President Buhari did not have any choice but to end the contract to rescue the Chibok girls because he came under pressure from the US – a country he said sponsored the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s campaign in 2015.

Boko Haram insurgents abducted 276 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state in 2014. So far, 112 of the girls are still held captive by the insurgents. Fifty-seven were lucky to escape while 107 were released in batches in Swiss-coordinated negotiations.

In the build-up to the 2015 elections, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration made some successes in combating Boko Haram but after the Buhari administration came on board, the momentum went down temporarily.

Barlow, chairman of Specialised Tasks, Training, Equipment and Protection International (STTEP), a private army, said his army was initially engaged to rescue the Chibok girls but that changed to combating Boko Haram.

“Our initial aim was not Boko Haram per se, it was to rescue the Chibok girls. They were the girls that were kidnapped and the western response was #Savethegirls (#BringBackOurGirls),” he said.

“That type of nonsense does not save girls. Unfortunately, these girls became victims of a situation where the security had broken down in a specific area, they were kidnapped and that was the first mission – rescue the Chibok girls.

“We ended a selection process of the Nigerian soldiers, the soldiers were retained after a selection process, they were trained in a specific way to conduct a hostage rescue operation.

“However, after about five or six weeks of the training of the hostage rescue team we were asked to change our mission and that mission was to go to a town called Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria that had come under severe threat of Boko Haram and we rapidly had to transition what we were doing and suddenly train an offensive force with the minimum of equipment.

“We rushed to Maiduguri and we met with 7th infantry division commander, he was under pressure, we finally understood the pressure he was under and our suggestion to him that the force that we have trained which named the 72nd mobile strike force would actually spearhead the division and that is precisely what we did.

“The operation was in three phases, the first phase was to cut a dividing line across north-eastern Nigeria and isolate Boko Haram into two isolated areas and mop up. One area in the south was the start and after that then mop up in the north. The division will follow behind and occupy terrain.

“But we were never allowed to execute the entire operation. In one month, we took back terrain larger than the terrain of Belgium from Boko Haram. We were not allowed to finish because it came at a time that governments were in the process of changing.

“President Jonathan’s government saw the entire Boko Haram contract, if we call it that, as a last grasp to regain popularity. The incoming president, President Buhari was heavily supported by a foreign government and one of the first missions was to terminate our contract.

“We were told it was the United States and they had actually funded President Buhari’s campaign and the campaign manager for President Buhari came from the US.

“I’m not saying the United States is bad, I understand foreign interests but I’d have thought that a threat like Boko Haram on the integrity of Nigeria ought to be a priority but it wasn’t.”

When asked why the US allegedly aborted the mission, he said: “I think the US can answer that, I have come to realise that when a foreign interest clashes with a state’s interest and domestic interest, conflict is bound to ensue and those conflicts continue with no end.”

An organizer for a funeral procession for General Qassem Soleimani called on all Iranians to donate $1 each 'in order to gather an $80million bounty on President Trump's head'.

The organizer made the remarks during the procession in Mashad.

Iran has also announced it they will no longer abide by any of the limits of its 2015 nuclear deal.

A statement issued by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's administration said the country will not observe limitations on its enrichment, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium as well as research and development in its nuclear activities.

It did not elaborate on what levels it would immediately reach in its program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog observing Iran's program, could not be immediately reach for comment.

Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted for US troops to be expelled from the country. The vote will 'obligate the government to work towards ending the presence of all foreign troops on Iraqi soil,' the country's media office stated.

As tensions escalate after Soleimani's death, Iranian MP Abolfazl Abutorabi threatened to launch an attack on American soil in retaliation.

'We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time,' Abutorabi said, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency.

Abutorabi went on to say that 'this is a declaration of war, which means if you hesitate you lose'.

'When someone declares war do you want to respond to the bullets with flowers? They will shoot you in the head,' he added.

Abutorabi's threat was made during an open session of parliament in Tehran just days after Iranian military Soleimani was killed in a drone strike on Friday at Baghdad airport. Soleimani was the architect of Tehran's overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force.

Iran is mobilising its citizens to donate a dollar each to raise $80million to be used as bounty for Donald Trump’s head.

An NBC News reporter, quoted an unidentified organizer for the funeral procession for Gen Qassem Soleimani, as calling on all Iranians to donate $1 each ‘in order to gather an $80million bounty on President Trump’s head’.

He spoke during a funeral procession for General Qassem Soliemani in Mashad.

‘We can attack the White House itself, we can respond to them on the American soil. We have the power, and God willing we will respond in an appropriate time,’ the organiser said, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian MP Abolfazl Abutorabi threatened to launch an attack on American soil in response to the president’s warning that any strike on American interests in the region will bring massive retaliation.

‘When someone declares war do you want to respond to the bullets with flowers? They will shoot you in the head,’ he added.

Abutorabi’s threat was made during an open session of parliament in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday, and just days after Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehran’s overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport.

Following massive funeral marches in Iraq, Soleimani’s body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran on Sunday.

Video from the scene shows a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band plays and the crowd angrily chanted ‘Death to America’

The battle for the 2023 presidential run is beginning to embrace some new thinking amongst the active players, such that could force the emergence of one of the outgoing governors as successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Already, these permutations had thrown up a Northwest governor and one of his counterparts from the Southwest, whose ambitions were reckoned, could help get the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, out of the way by installing a new executive that might be favourable to them.

But the snag in their plot against Oshiomhole is that the first term governors of the APC are believed to be on the side of their national chairman in the survival battle and also boasting sufficient number to help him keep his job.

Directly connected to the moves, THISDAY gathered, was the plot to put forward a former governor of Zamfara State, Abdullazizi Yari as replacement to Oshiomhole, in the event that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party bought into the removal plot against the national chairman.

THISDAY, however, learnt that a majority of other members of the coalition against Oshiomhole were opposed to the choice of Yari for different reasons, chief amongst which was the fact that he could be worse than Oshiomhole especially, considering how he allegedly mismanaged Zamfara.

Even more central to the plan, THISDAY further gathered, was the move to truncate the presidential aspiration of a former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the ruling APC, Bola Tinubu.

APC sources claimed Oshiomhole might have become a major casualty in the scheming by some entrenched forces, allegedly determined to derail Tinubu’s presidential bid.

The forces championing the move against Tinubu, sources claimed, included serving and former governors as well as those from Edo State, who had put aside the fact that both Tinubu and Oshiomhole too were governors of Lagos and Edo States for two terms each.

“If Oshiomhole remains as national chairman, then you can be sure that Tinubu’s chances are 50% of getting the presidential ticket of the APC,” a source privy to the plans told THISDAY.

It was against this backdrop that second term governors and some immediate past governors were said to be canvassing the idea that Tinubu might be an “old school” and that a governor fresh from office or who might have just left office is better to succeed President Buhari, because of his understanding of what the issues are.

Curiously, the governors, who were said to have been contacting themselves on the issue, come from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Yet, the desperation to ensure that a governor of their choice succeeds President Buhari in 2023, the source said, might see the governors sacrifice any of the National Chairmen of the parties involved in the anti-Oshiomhole movement, because the APC national chairman was seen as the main obstacle in their plot.

“A governor should succeed Buhari and the idea of having someone, who has not governed a state governing Nigeria must never be allowed again,” the source further disclosed.

Among the current governors and former governors being touted as likely to run in 2023 are Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun, Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kashim Shetimma, Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola.

Another factor that seemed to be going well for the governors was that a part of the presidency, which had not been disposed to Tinubu’s aspiration, had begun to detach from Oshiomhole as a way of stopping Tinubu’s ambition.

Interestingly, while that might be true, what is not being factored into account deservedly is that the president, Muhammadu Buhari, is still sympathetic to the national chairman, thus complicating the plot to remove him even as members of the cabal, who are disposed to the plot, are said to be treading with caution.

Some of the disciples to this group from the PDP included the party’s governors from the Southeast especially, the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who sees himself already as a potential running mate.

The calculations of the second term governors from both PDP and APC, THISDAY was told, was to consider the possibilities of a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, of running, even though his associates were already asking that he flies the PDP ticket again in 2023.

This was why their plan was to ensure that both Tinubu and Atiku were frustrated out of the presidential race in 2023, whilst pushing a better candidate, that they would be comfortable with and from amongst them.

Inside sources have also claimed that the cabal in the presidency “Are watching keenly and will key into it, depending on the forces that have the upper hand in the fight for supremacy. The governors are seen as the foot soldiers”.

The belief of the second term governors stemmed from the fact with one of them as president, his understanding of the issues particularly, the challenges they face in the states, would not be in doubt, adding that the implications of that would be the kind of camaraderie required to address serious issues of governance, politics and development.

They were quick to cite the era of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a handy example of why a governor should emerge president, insisting it was the only way to get the nation out of its many challenges.

Meanwhile, the move to first get Oshiomhole out of the way might not come as cheap as it is being made to look, because according to sources, whilst he did not stand any chance with the two terms governors, the first term governors had resolved to stand with him because they owe their emergence to him.

Although there were said to be more second term governors on the assignment to oust Oshiomhole than their first term counterparts, sources feared the assignment might not fly at NEC, a development which could afford Oshiomhole the opportunity to buy time and rally support to save his job.

Kidnappings

The Abuja-Kaduna highway remained one of the hotbeds of kidnapping in Nigeria. While the police made several arrests in 2019 as they did in preceding years, the road remained a nightmare for users throughout the year. The chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Mohammad Abubakar and his daughter, Yasmin, were one of the numerous victims on the road.

There were several reported cases of kidnappings and banditry attacks around the Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State.

Further down South, there were several high-profile cases of kidnappings including the abduction of Justice Abdul Dogo of the Federal High Court, Ondo State, who was kidnapped in Edo State. Also, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, was abducted in October, 2019, with her orderly shot dead. These are only just a couple of examples of reported high profile kidnappings that occurred in the year wherein there hardly was a day without a reported case of abduction, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital had its own share of kidnappings.


Withdrawal of military from volatile areas

Following a security council meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, told the nation that the military will from the first quarter of 2020 begin gradual withdrawal of its forces deployed to some volatile areas across the country.

While the police had indicated its readiness to be fully in charge of internal security of the country, security experts and citizens have continued to raise questions on the timing of the plan withdrawal of troops. This, they say, was not unconnected with the sophistication and the increase in the spate of crimes across the country and whether the police with its about 400,000 manpower have what it takes to handle the situation.

Some of them opine that in 2019, with the combine strength of the military and the police in the country, crime rates were not significantly reduced, as such, leaving the entire internal security to the police might be an uphill task.


Nigerians to pay more taxes

In 2020 Nigerians will pay more in taxes given that there are a couple of increases in taxes while new ones are being introduced.

These taxes include the Value Added Tax (VAT) by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), electricity tariff, communications tax and the return of tollgates taxes which analysts although believe will increase FG’s revenue base,
said would impact negatively on the income of Nigerians. They said an average Nigerian would bear the brunt if the taxes are not judiciously utilised.

Also the ministry of power in 2019 had disclosed that there is a need to increase the electricity tariff, which might make Nigerians start paying more on electricity supply.

The Senate is also in the process of seeking a legislative action to impose a 9 per cent tax on Communication Services. The communication service tax shall be levied on Electronic Communication Services like Voice Calls; SMS; MMS; Data usage both from Telecommunication Services Providers and Internet Service as well as Pay per View TV Stations.

Also the FG announced plans to ensure the return of toll gates on federal highways in the country, and if that it concluded it may be implemented in 2020, of which analysts believe one of the resultant effect will be increased in transport fare across the country.


Increase in debt profile

Nigeria’s debt stock increased by 3.11% from $81.27 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2019 to $83.88 billion (N25.70 trillion) at the end of June 2019.

Analysis of the debt figures showed that this is 12.72% increase year-on-year from the $73.21 billion at the end of June 2018.

Further analysis of the data shows that the federal government’s external borrowing climbed 32.38% to $27.16 billion, while states including FCT grew by 5.10% to $4.27 billion.

On the domestic debt side, the national government debt increased by 52.19% to $43.78 billion, while the States and the FCT rose by 15.43% to $12.94 billion as of June 2019.
Overall, total external debt stood at $27.16 billion, while total domestic debt stood at $56.72 billion, according to DMO data.

In addition to that in December 2019, President Buhari had asked the senate to approve the loan request of $22.7 billion in the External Borrowing plan to fund critical infrastructure projects.


Will subsidy end in 2020?

Analysis by Daily Trust on Sunday shows that payment for subsidy on petrol is expected continue in 2020 as the federal government is yet to officially announce its removal.

Instead, the government provided N450 billion as under-recovery (subsidy) on premium motor spirit (PMS or petrol) through NNPC in the 2020 budget recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

But trend analysis based on data from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) showed that subsidy on PMS may overshoot the N450bn budget in 2020 due to the fluctuation and instability in the international price of crude oil.

For instance, the federal government in the 2019 budget earmarked N305 billion for under-recovery for the NNPC but by July of 2019 NNPC, the sole importer of PMS, had already spent N383.2bn, the corporation’s July financial report showed.

Also, subsidy on PMS alone, gulped N731bn in 2018, according to a comprehensive review of under-recovery figures published by NNPC.
Data from the PPPRA in December, 2019 indicates that under-recovery on PMS (commonly called subsidy) stood at N21.22 Kobo per litre or N1.2billion daily based on 58.46 million litres average daily PMS truck-out.


50 years after Nigeria’s civil war

The Nigeria’s civil war ended in January 12, 1970. The three-year long war led to deaths of over one million people, most of them children and women died of starvation. Fifty years after the war, while Nigeria celebrates the unity of the country, there are still agitations for secession. A group led by Ralph Uwazuruike had attempted resurging Biafra with the Movement for the Actualisation of Independent State of Biafra (MASSOB). He introduced a currency and passport but was arrested in 2005 for treason. Since his release in 2007 not much was heard about MASSOB.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was birthed in 2014 by Nnamdi Kanu. With the aid of Radio Biafra, he was able to spread the message to several youths in the region. Their celebration of the independence declaration leaves several deaths in its wake. Kanu was arrested in 2015 but was released in 2017.


Rice and cotton boom

The closure of the land border, which began in August 2019, brought unprecedented opportunities that widen farmers’ access to markets.

In the rice industry, more farmers are eager to take advantage of the incentive created by the current government policy on the border.
About one million rice farmers are currently mobilized to produce about 5 million metric tons for the 2020 dry season programme, which has begun in many states. For the forthcoming wet season, about 12 million registered farmers will be expected to produce over 10 million metric tonnes across the states. Kebbi Jigawa, and Zamfara are targeting over 6 million metric tonnes.

On the processing side more large scale mills are been mulled across the country to join the over 500 small and medium scale mills.

One other crop that will witness a revolution in the 2020 is the Cotton production, which will revive the moribund textile industries across Nigeria.

The introduction of the two new Bt. Cotton seeds which yield an average of 4.1 ton per hectare has already registered over 2000 farmers across Katsina, Zamfara, Gombe and other places.

Cutting across all sectors of the country, 20 things are expected to shape and shake the first year of this new decade, 2020. In these sectors, politics, economy, judiciary, entertainment, communication and security, top politicians, government officials, business moguls, technocrats, lawmakers, captains of industries, security chiefs and others will play key roles in making the 20 things happen. Daily Trust on Sunday looks at some of the issues.

Edo, Ondo governorship elections

Nigerians in Edo and Ondo states will go to the polls to elect their governors this year. The polls will be conducted after the swearing in of David Lyon and Yahaya Bello as governors of Bayelsa and Kogi states, respectively.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the forthcoming governorship poll in Edo was responsible for the feud between the state governor, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the APC.

The feud between Obaseki and Oshiomhole is going the way of Tinubu and Akinwumi Ambode, the immediate past governor of Lagos state.
Like Obaseki, his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN is also seeking a second term. The two governors will attempt to retain their seats this year.

Constitutional amendment

At the National Assembly, the review of the 1999 constitution of the country is expected to dominate debate of the both chambers when the parliamentarians resume from the Yuletide break this month.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had before the commencement of their recess said, “Very soon, we will constitute our Committee on Constitutional Review. We haven’t done so yet because we have been engaged so much more with other issues.

“We believe that by the time we passed the budget, and then our committee on Constitutional Review will be put in place. By next year January, the committee will start some work because we already have some references that require some kind of constitutional review,” Lawan said.

The parliament resumes on Tuesday, January 28.
Atiku/Tinubu/Realignments

The year will witness many political activities that will shape Nigeria’s gradual democratic development ahead of the 2023 general elections. The build-up to the next general elections is already eliciting debates between some elements from the North and their counterparts in the South.

The South-West political bloc led by Senator Bola Tinubu faces a dilemma ahead of 2023. It is evident that Tinubu nurses a presidential ambition, albeit in line with the gentleman agreement for power rotation between North and South.

Pundits believe that the preliminary part of the scheming will unfold this year while the real politicking will commence next year and get messier by 2022.

Also, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is expected to subtly step up his underground schemings for the presidency this year.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, lost his bid to sack President Buhari from the presidential villa at the Supreme Court.
Defections

Many Nigerian politicians will change their tents ahead of the 2023 general elections.

This is part of plans to position themselves for future elections. Heavy and lightweight politicians in both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition PDP, especially those who feel the present arrangement does not favour them, will decamp to other parties.

Jega and others as well as PRP option

In August 2019, a former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, joined the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

Analysts believe that Jega who played key role during the 2011 and 2015 general elections is a man to reckon with, and his recent decision to join partisan politics is not taken lightly by advocates of power shift between the North and South.

Aside from joining the PRP, Jega, according to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdul Gombe, will head the SWOT Analysis Committee of the party to reposition it ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Jega will most likely vie for the presidency in 2023; he is a credible material and enjoys acceptability from across the divide,” a PRP stalwart told Daily Trust on Sunday.

US election

On November 3, 2020, the United States will elect its president in an attention-grabbing election, whose outcome will reverberate beyond the country’s borders in a number of spheres.

U.S. elections are difficult to predict. Trump White House was characterized by unpredictability. Though his administration has not been as disruptive to the US-Africa relationship as had been feared based on his campaign rhetoric and pursuit of a self-interested “America First” policy, Nigeria is among the biggest victims of his immigration clampdown.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Trump had a fruitful meeting in the White House in April 2018. Trump immigration policy saw upward review of visa fees for Nigerians. Washington’s policy targeted at Nigeria is likely to remain unchanged if Trump is re-elected.

In the next eleven months, the world’s attention will focus on whether Americans will give Trump four more years or choose his democratic opponent. But whoever emerges the winner, the implications for Nigeria and other African countries are profound.

Nigeria’s ties with post-Brexit Britain

Three and a half years after the referendum was held; Britain has been haggling over the withdrawal from the European Union.

President Muhammadu Buhari, while congratulating Johnson on his election, said Nigeria hopes to build a stronger tie with post-Brexit Britain.

But Johnson seems to show little interest in securing new deals with African nations. He had, instead, focused on building closer relations between London and Washington.

Theresa May had, during her tour of Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in 2018, reeled out sweet pledges that Brexit would provide their nations with new and lucrative trade and investment partnerships with the UK.

But Mrs May’s proposals and dreams for a “global Britain” did not have the backing of Johnson. So, the UK-Africa lucrative trade partnership and stronger ties with post-Brexit Britain Mrs May and Buhari had wished for hang in the balance. Whether they will ever materialise or not, time will tell.

Adherence to rule of law

Lawyers have advised the Federal Government to ensure adherence to rule of law in 2020 and the new decade to ensure the rapid economic development of the country.

Speaking on the rule of law in the country, Ibrahim Abdullahi Esq said there was disobedience to court orders in previous years, adding that the situation was not good for law and the development of the country.

Abdullahi said the electorate have a role to play in ensuring they elect people who have shown from their antecedents they have respect for the rule and not to circumvent the laws.

“The lawyers need to also practice the law not to defeat the aim of the law. We shouldn’t just go to court to defeat the aim of the law but to ensure justice of the matter and to follow what is provided by the law. And the judiciary should give judgment without fear or favour but based on the law and the right thing to do,” he added.

In his view, Hamid Jimoh Esq said the rule of law will be enhanced if the three arms of government “respect the doctrine of separation of powers.”

Nigerians will be watching in 2020 to see if the government will improve its rule of law credentials. There are concerns that kidnappers will continue to operate in Katsina and other places if efforts are not made to check them.

Will Nigeria switch off analogue broadcasting?

Nigeria is most likely to continue with its analogue broadcasting throughout 2020 as funds paucity and graft allegation against top officials of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) put the country’s digital switchover (DSO) on hold.

Despite wasting close to 10 years on DSO journey, Nigeria will still not attain it this year, Daily Trust on Sunday can report.
Though partial switch-over had been done in some states across the country, scarcity of funds is said to be delaying the completion of the project across Nigeria.

The NBC said about N45 billion is needed to complete the project.

According to the plan (known as the GE06), the latest set date for switch off was June 17, 2015 (except for some countries in frequency bands where the deadline is June 17, 2020).

But due to lack of political will, inadequate funding and corruption, Nigeria could not transit by the set date and opted to go regional in phases.

Dasuki, Sowore trials proceed

The cases of former of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore is expected to make progress in 2020.

Dasuki’s trial is expected to resume in 2020 following his release by the Federal Government on December 24, 2019 after four years in detention.

The trial of Sowore is fixed for February 11 and 12 before the Federal High Court in Abuja following his arraignment on allegations bordering on treason, money laundering, cybercrimes and insulting the president.

The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher of the online newspaper Sahara Reporters, was first brought to court on August 8, 2019 by the Department of State Services after his #RevolutionNow called for nationwide protest over alleged bad governance in the country.
Sowore was released on December 24, 2019 after the Federal Government failed to obey two court orders for his release.

Judgment day for Olisa Metuh

Judgment in the case of former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh before a Federal High Court in Abuja has been fixed for February 26.

Metuh was charged in February 2016 with money laundering alongside his company, Destra Investment Ltd, after he allegedly received the sum of N400m from former NSA Dasuki funds meant for purchase of arms.

Good buzzes in the entertainment industry

In Nigeria’s entertainment industry, there are high expectations in 2020, particularly since the Grammy nomination of Burna Boy’s latest album ‘African Giant’ in the Best World Music Album category last year. The entire nation looks forward to this win.

In Kannywood, star actress Nafisa Abdullahi is set to make her debut as movie director for her film ‘Zainab Ali’ in 2020 under NAFS Entertainment. Meanwhile, the popular and controversial Rahama Sadau has since spread her talent beyond Kannywood to Nollywood. She rounded off 2019 by opening a beauty salon and fans are eager to find out what she has up her sleeve in the New Year.

Ratnik, produced and directed by Dimeji Ajibola is a Nollywood science fiction movie set to be released in March 2020.

Farmers/herders clashes

In 2018 and the years preceding, majority of the reported clashes between farmers and herders were documented to have occurred the most in the North-central states of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa. However, in 2019, the clashes went further south of the country with some reported cases in the South-West and South-East.

While the reported cases of these clashes reduced in 2019 compared to the preceding years, more concerted efforts are still needed from the authorities to address the root causes of the clash in order to finally put to rest the pockets of clashes.
The clashes are expected to subside further.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the third term continued as the PDP has accused the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole of masterminding the APC third term discourse in the public space.

The national chairman of APC had earlier accused the PDP of being the brain behind third term as it was President Olusegun Obasanjo elected on the platform of PDP that attempted a failed third term agenda.

Answering questions from State House reporters after leading members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on a New Year visit to the president, Oshiomhole said contrary to the criticism of Buhari’s New Year message, which reassured Nigerians that he would not seek a third term in office, such a repeated denial was necessary because the earlier attempt by a former president for a third term remained in the sub-conscious of Nigerians.

He accused the former president, elected on the platform of the PDP of emptying the treasury to pursue his third term agenda.

But PDP in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan further counselled Oshiomhole to desist from going to the Presidential Villa to push the impossible as such would not save him from the axe of suspension dangling over his political head or his inescapable prosecution over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of Edo State resources while he was governor of that state.

PDP further noted that such mission to the Villa, like the one Oshiomhole made Thursday, would also not save the APC from fizzling before 2023, as even alluded to by President Muhammadu Buhari in his apprehensions about the gloomy future of the APC.

According to the spokesperson of PDP, “Mr. Oshiomhole should therefore stop sounding like a broken brass in his attempt to launder a failed merchandise.

“Of course, Nigerians need not be reminded, of the exit date of an administration that has caused them so much pains, abused our law, trampled on their rights and undermined our electoral process,” PDP stated.

The main opposition party said that it would interest Oshiomhole to know that if anything, Nigerians were already counting days for May 29, 2023, when the APC and the Buhari administration would be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Oshiomhole, PDP said should therefore accept the fact that Nigerians had moved ahead towards 2023 and that the APC was not in their equation.

From From Chris Oji, Enugu and Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki



The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday said it would work to win in at least three of five Southeast states in the 2023 general elections.

The party’s Southeast zonal caucus met at the Uburu country home of Science and Technology Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was adopted as APC’s Southeast leader.

Onu said the party would strategically reposition in the Southeast ahead of 2023 to produce no fewer than three governors.

His words: “We are the only zone without a governor elected on the platform of the APC. Is that right? Is that correct? Is it what we want? So, we want a change.

“We have our best people representing us and the national working committee of our great party will be giving us good leadership.

“We believe strongly that by 2023, we should be aiming at a minimum of three governors elected on the platform of APC in the Southeast.

“We will have the majority of the seats in the National Assembly coming from the Southeast.
“We will also have the majority of the seats in the Houses of Assembly in our various states so that we will produce a minimum of three speakers.”

Dr Onu said support for President Muhammadu Buhari increased during last year’s general election, compared to 2015.

The total vote from the Southeast may be the smallest, but if you look at the percentage increase between the two elections, the greatest among the six geopolitical zones came from the Southeast.

“This signal is reassuring and is telling all those who can look deep into matters that there is the potential for the Southeast to turn around and be the base of APC in the future.

“This we can do and this I believe, with the help of the almighty, we will do it. When we do this, there will be more opportunities for our members.

“We will not only be looking for appointments at the federal level, but we will also be getting those appointments at the states,” the former Abia State governor said.

APC last year lost Imo, the only state it controlled, to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

Four out of the five states in region ars controlled by the PDP; Anambra is controlled by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

APC regretted that the PDP was being credited with the Buhari administration’s achievements.
It added that low publicity was given to the APC-led Federal Government’s programmes, projects and policies in the zone.

Onu said most of President Buhari’s achievements in the region were being downplayed by the PDP.

“Lack of adequate information and awareness of Mr President’s achievements in Igboland has made the people believe that PDP leaders championed and brought them in the zone,” he said.

He urged APC leaders in the region to position the party for success in 2023.

“Our achievements are not known by the people. There are so many things the Buhari’s regime has achieved, but our people know little or nothing about them.

“This is why it appears the current Federal Government under Buhari has done nothing in Igboland. This must not continue.

“Think of the Enugu International Airport that the President released N10billion for its repair. We may not know the importance of this project until it is fully completed.

“The Minister of Aviation has given us his word that by Easter, the airport will be up and running. This will boost the economy of the Southeast, among other benefits.

“Think about the Second Niger Bridge. The President said he is not going to play politics with that project as the PDP government did in 16 years.

“So, let’s continue to sing our praises and let our people know what the government is doing for us in this zone. This is important so that the opposition party will not take our glory.”
Dr Onu urged members to develop the spirit of forgiveness.

“If any member of APC has offended you, please try and forgive because all of us are Christians.
“We believe very strongly that when we forgive, we are lifting a great burden on ourselves,” he said.

The minister said there were no factions in the party.

Former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, blamed party leaders in the zone for not adequately projecting the Federal Government’s numerous developmental strides.

He said they should not allow PDP governors to take glory for APC’s achievements.

“A lot is happening under this Federal Government, but our people don’t know about them.

“There was a surprise in this festive period. One could drive from Enugu to Aba, hitch-free, without some traffic hurdles.

“Although there are some portions of the road that are still bad, it’s better than what we had before.

“The PDP is taking glory for the achievements of the APC government.

“Things they could not do in 16 years are being done and they are posing as if they are the ones doing them.

“We need to create a lot of awareness to let our people know what is going on,” Chime said.
The APC endorsed Dr Onu as its leader in the zone.

It followed a motion by the National Vice-Chairman (Southeast), Chief Emma Eneukwu, which was endorsed by everyone in attendance.
Also at the meeting were Senator Ayogu Eze, Chief George Moghalu, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, Chief Mark Wabara, amongst others.

The issue of 2023 presidency was raised at the meeting but discussions were deferred to another date.

The Nigeria High Commission has been forcefully evicted from its diplomatic property in Accra.

The property located at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra, has been reallocated to Amaco Microfinance since 26 August, 2019 by Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with the consent of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

According to a statement by Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana, Michael Olufemi Abikoye, dated 31st December, 2019, a terse letter dated 27th December, 2019, was received from Solicitors acting on behalf of Amaco Microfinance Company Limited, Accra, “giving instructions for the High Commission to vacate its diplomatic property at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra.

“The letter further stressed that; failure to comply within stipulated time will lead to depositing the Mission’s belongings at the nearest Accra police station.” Giving the latest update on the property, Abikoye said “as at 31st December, 2019, the property has been broken into by the company and is being ransacked with the likelihood of being effectively occupied.”

Abikoye therefore, enjoined the Federal Government of Nigeria to convey appropriate response to the Ghanaian leadership as regards the reallocation and request for vacation of diplomatic property.

The High Commissioner said the letter came following the continuous violation of the diplomatic property and a formal notification that it has been reallocated to the Microfinance.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that Nigerian Government failed to renew the property following expiration thus, “the property reverted to the state in compliance with Article 258 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.”

However, Abikoye expressed surprise that the reallocation was done “ without recourse to the High Commission” despite having requested severally for “a mutual resolution of the matter, affirming that Nigerian Government is examining the situation and that an appropriate directive was being awaited.”