₦airaland Forum

The Senate has confirmed the appintment of Musiliu Smith as Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC).

Smith’s appointment was confirmed after report of the Committee on Police Affairs tendered by Abu Ibrahim from Katsina South District, was considered for the confirmation of the nomination Smith and other members of the PSC.

Other members iof the PSC whose appoitment were confirmed are Justice Clara Ogunbiyi from North East, Rommy Mom from North Central, Braimoh Austin from South South, Nkemka Jombo-Ofo from South East, and Lawal Bawa and Mohammaed Najatu from North West.

Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawn, urges the appointees to encourage and motivate our police officers so as to propel them towards better protection of lives and properties.

Congratulating the appointees, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said their appointment gives hope to restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture,

“First, let me congratulate the new members of the Police Service Commission and at the same time, commend the quality of the nominees that have been brought forward by Mr. President.”- Senate Presiden

“This gives us hope and encouragement that all our efforts to see that this critical aspect of our security architecture receives the necessary reform.

“We wish all the members the best of luck in their new role. Before this nomination, they have had a lot of expectations from Nigerians. This is why we ensured that we fast-tracked this nomination.”

He pointed that a lot of people are expecting that the capacity of the individuals on the PSC will support the Police to carry out the necessary reform that is required — particularly ‘in ensuring that we drive a performance driven police force.

”They must also work to motivate all the members to do the right thing to provide security for our nation. At the same time, the new Police Service Commission must look into rewarding great performance and being able to compensate those who work hard.

”They must also look into the unfortunate incidents where Police Officers lose their lives and ensure that the country is there for the families who have to bear this loss.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/senate-confirms-appointment-of-smith-as-psc-chairman/

Human right activists, Joe-Okei Odumakin has said that the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were involved inducement of voters at the recently concluded governorship election in Ekiti state.

Odumakin, who is the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative (WA), one of the accredited observer group that observed the just concluded election is pleased said that it was peaceful and The turn out of voters was impressive.

“In all the 16 LGAs, election materials and election officials arrived early, accreditation and voting started at 8am except in some few wards and polling units where the process was a bit delayed.

“There were few technical hitches where the card reader malfunctioned but the officials were able to get round the challenge a couple of hours after.”

Odumakin in a statement also said that the security agenciesconducted themselves well.

“The party agents though very anxious also conducted themselves well, except in some places like odo ado and oke ila in ado ekiti local government where violence broke out between the agents of the two prominent political parties.

“There were glaring vote buying and inducement of voters across the state, by the 2 major political parties.

“The various LG collation centres collated their results and went to present it to the State Returning Officers at the State collation centre.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/ekiti-poll-there-were-glaring-vote-buying-by-apc-and-pdp-odumakin/

Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose has promised whoever is arrested by security agencies on the matter concerning Saturday’s governorship 50,000 naira per day in detention.

Thre Governor had alleged that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi is using the seciryt agencies to intimidate voters ahead of the poll.

Fayose made the pledge via a tweet on his Twitter handle.

“Henceforth, anyone that is arrested illegally by Fayemi and his rampaging Policemen and DSS on this election issue will get N50k for each
Henceforth, anyone that is arrested illegally by Fayemi and his rampaging Policemen and DSS on this election issue will get N50k for each night spent in detention. "
http://www.politico.ng/ekiti-election-fayose-promises-supporters-arrested-illegally-50000-per-night-in-dentention/

The Presidency as given the acronym of the newly formed coalition for 2019 election as Coalition of Corruption Inc. Corruption United People’s Party (CUPP).

National chairmen of the political parties, spearheaded by the Peoples Democratic Party had on Monday signed the MoU at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, and pledged to work together under “Coalition for United Democratic Parties (CUPP)’’ to produce a Presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

The other political parties in the alliance are Action Alliance, Reformed- All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Africa Democratic Party (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP).

The coalition also has Action Peoples Party (APP), Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Democratic Alternative (DA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Grand Democratic Party of Nigeria (GDPN).

http://www.politico.ng/cupp-is-coalition-of-corruption-inc-corruption-united-peoples-party-presidency/

Others are Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), KOWA Party, Labour Party (LP), Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), National Conscience Party (NCP), New Generation Party (NGP) and National Unity Party (NUP).

Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), Peoples Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL), Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), People for Democratic Change (PDC) and Providence People’s Congress (PPC) are in the group.

They also include Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), All Grassroots Alliance (AGA), National Interest Party (NIP), Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Young Democratic Party (YDP).

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie stated this via her Twitter handle.

“The CUPP of corruption is now full with the coming together of disgruntled partakers/defenders of corruption. There’s hardly anyone of them who has no question mark on his head Nigerians have gone past the era of following corrupt leaders. Congratulations Buhari.

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has dismissed a reported audio going viral where she purportedly endorsed a presidential candidate ahead of 2019 elections.

The former Minister took to her social media handle to dismiss the audio.

She said each candidate should run on the credibility of their person and performance, without adding her name to their political campaign.

“Dear friends,
My attention has been drawn to a social media viral as well as an audio recording (a very poor imitation of my voice) where I supposedly endorse a candidate for president in the coming elections.

“Please disregard these as brain candies of mischief-makers.
I endorse no one.

“Each candidate should run on the credibility of their person and performance, without adding my name to their political campaign. I endorse no one.”

http://www.politico.ng/i-didnt-endorse-any-presidential-candidate-okonjo-iweala/

The Spokesperson for the 2019 re-election campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari, Festus Keyamo, has mocked the Peoples Democratic Party over the grand coalition with 37 other political parties with a bid to return to power in 2019.

Keyamo took to his Twitter to react to the coalition.

The other political parties in the alliance are Action Alliance, Reformed- All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Africa Democratic Party (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP).

The coalition also has Action Peoples Party (APP), Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Democratic Alternative (DA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Grand Democratic Party of Nigeria (GDPN).

Others are Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), KOWA Party, Labour Party (LP), Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), National Conscience Party (NCP), New Generation Party (NGP) and National Unity Party (NUP).

Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), Peoples Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL), Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), People for Democratic Change (PDC) and Providence People’s Congress (PPC) are in the group.

They also include Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), All Grassroots Alliance (AGA), National Interest Party (NIP), Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Young Democratic Party (YDP).

Some political parties made up of just husband & wife have signed an MOU with PDP to form a ‘grand coalition’ against PMB in 2019. This is pure deceit. PDP has only succeeded in registering a few more members into its fold. It’s not a ‘grand coalition’. It’s just membership drive


"Some political parties made up of just husband & wife have signed an MOU with PDP to form a ‘grand coalition’ against PMB in 2019. This is pure deceit. PDP has only succeeded in registering a few more members into its fold. It’s not a ‘grand coalition’. It’s just membership drive.

http://www.politico.ng/pdp-formed-coalition-with-parties-made-up-of-just-husband-and-wife-keyamo/

Sanitary challenge engulfed the National Assembly complex on Monday as its conveniences appeared overstretched and filled the air with foul smell owing to water shortage in the premises.

NAN Correspondents report that the conveniences were messed up by staff members and visitors to the complex, answering the call of nature.

NAN observed that the floors of the conveniences were littered with toilet rolls and faeces, and combined with urination on the floor, emitted heavy stench around the premises.

Some members of staff expressed frustration over the development, disclosing, though anonymously, that the situation had persisted since Thursday.

One of them said, “I was discussing the situation with my colleagues; the situation actually started on Thursday.

“I had to use water from dispenser to perform ablution, but little did I know that it will persist till today.’’

Another respondent said, “We do not know what the cause is, because we were not told. Maybe it is from Water Board.

“It is terrible. It a very bad experience but I believe by tomorrow (Tuesday) when the lawmakers sit, they will do something about it.
“I am not comfortable with the situation but what do you expect me to do.”

Another stated that there was a pipe that burst in the House of Representatives arm of the complex, but said, “they are working on it; so, I am sure that is why they stopped the water.”

The source described the development as “terrible’’ and said that there should have been an alternative arrangement “since people can answer the call of nature any time.

“I have been pressed since morning but I have to endure till I close all, but what about people who may have diarrhoea or other health concerns that would not allow them hold on for long.

Efforts to reach National Assembly management failed as neither the Clerk of the Assembly nor the Director, Estate and Works Department, took calls put to their telephones or responded to short messages.

But, reacting to the development, Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, told NAN that the situation was unfortunate.

“I concur with you 100 per cent. The place is messed up.

“Go and ask Gobir, he is Chairman, Senate Committee on Services.”

There were also several power outages in the complex during the day, particularly in the Senate wing, some lasting over an hour.
The situation caused people to resort to the use of torch for illumination.

Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong has called on electorates not to take their liberty for granted by using their power in choosing the next set of leaders to represent them with the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ahead of the 2019 election.

The Governor stated this via his Twitter handle on Thursday morning.

“The gains of being in a democratic society are massive. There is nothing better than the freedom of choice of who you want, to carry the mantle of leadership in your community, state, or country.

“We must therefore not take this liberty for granted, that is why it is very important for each and everyone of us to vote.

“Get your PVC today in preparation for 2019, be a part of the process that institutes the leadership you want; after all, government is not an alien power over us, government is you and I,” he wrote.

http://www.politico.ng/dont-take-your-liberty-for-granted-get-your-pvc-and-vote-lalong-tells-electorate/

A 15 year-old former Boko Haram bomb maker, Ali Goni, has made a chilling confession about how he made over 500 underwear Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs) used by insurgents for suicide missions on soft targets in the last five years.

Goni was only ten years old and in primary six when he was kidnapped in Bama.

The Military authorities described the teenaAli Goni ger as the most deadly Boko Haram member, who had mastered various techniques that can cause maximum destruction of lives.

Army intelligence sources told NAN that the suspect is the most innovative bomb maker to emerge in recent years. The Military did not allow NAN to photograph him because of his age.

Goni, who is undergoing rehabilitation at a military detention camp in Maiduguri, told NAN recently that he assembled IEDs with fragmented materials and configure them for suicide missions.

He said he introduced the use of padlock to IEDs strapped on bombers that can hardly be demobilised or detected by bomb detectors.

“I was kidnapped along with my mother in Bama’s Kawuri Street by Baba Kaka, a dreaded Boko Haram commander. They took us to Sambisa and kept us in a camp called “Kwalfata”.

“We underwent various training in the camp. During the course of our induction training, I was selected to be trained on bomb making technique, bomb detection as well as identifying and demobilising explosives.

“I refused initially, but they said they would kill my mother just like the way they killed my father when they stormed Bama. So I eventually agreed. During the training, many of my colleagues died while trying to make bombs. At the end I emerged the best among all.

“My job was to make many bombs that would be used for suicide missions. I was working under the supervision of Baba Musa, a 70 year-old. Musa also thought me the new technique of making underwear IED with padlock.

“At some point, I was the only bomb maker when all those I was trained with were killed by the Military during several attacks. So they took me from camp to camps to make IEDs for suicide missions.

“I was in Kangarwa, Pulka, Banki and other camps. I managed to escape when the Military bombed our camp in Baga. I ran to Cameroon where I surrendered to the Cameroonian forces. I was later handed over to the Nigeria military.

Goni said he hoped to be a Soldier in the future to help the military in identifying IEDs.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/i-made-over-500-underwear-ieds-for-suicide-missions-boko-haram-teenager-reveals/

The Presidency has listed the achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration in the Niger Delta region.

The Presidency listed some of the successes of Buhari;s Administration’s New Vision for the Niger Delta to include: 1. Take-off of Maritime University in Delta State on March 12, 2018, with 338 students across 3 faculties – transport, engineering & environmental management.

“Two private Modular Refineries have obtained licenses and have since commenced Construction work. One of them is in Kwale, Delta State, and has reached about 70% completion, while the other is in Rivers State

“The legal and regulatory framework for gas commercialization have been put in place, as well as an upward review of the penalty for gas flaring.

It also listed increased budgetary allocations to key agencies like the Presidential Amnesty Programme, NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry

On Ogoni Cleanup, it said the prequalification of contractors who bidded has been completed, in line with the public procurement laws.

“Actual remediation cleaning exercise will start as soon as procurement process concluded. Escrow Agreement to kickstart drawdown of 1st tranche of $170m signed.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/presidency-lists-buharis-achievement-in-niger-delta/

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

More to come.

Mobile policemen on Monday took to the streets in Maiduguri to stage a protest over non-payment of their allowances.

The protesting policemen barricaded the Command Headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway.

The protest disrupted traffic on the road.

One of protesting policemen who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.

“About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different Commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.

“We have been serving at the Command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.

“We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/policemen-protest-over-non-payment-of-allowances/

Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose has accused the Federal Government of deliberately delaying allocations to states in the federation because of the July 14 poll in Ekiti, with a view to instigating workers in the state against his Government.

Speaking on a radio and television broadcast in Ado Ekiti, over the weekend, Fayose said: “The Federal Government has refused to share the allocation. They decided to delay so that workers in Ekiti would be angry with Fayose.

“They held a meeting last week Saturday and decided to delay the allocation so that workers won’t get salaries until after July 14 poll. They owe me two budget supports. They delayed the salaries of the workers across the nation because of Ekiti State. Is that a government that loves the masses?”

On the July 14 poll, he said: “The power of the people is greater than those of us in power; peoples’ might is greater than federal might. Anything that does not represent the truth in this poll will fail.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/fg-planning-to-instigate-workers-against-me-by-deliberately-delaying-ekiti-allocations-fayose/

Muhammadu Buahri, the President of Nigeria has expressed concern about some modification done to the 2018 appropriation bill.

The Advocate reports that Buhari on Wednesday signed the budget at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.

“I am however concerned about some of the changes National Assembly has made to the budget proposals I presented.

“The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.

“Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to N347 billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion.

Buhari pointed that many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation.

“Some of the new projects inserted by National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.

“As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

“Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows: Provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counterpart funding for Mambilla Power Plant, 2nd Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail were cut by an aggregate of N11.5bn.

“At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.”

Buhari also pointed the provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zonethats/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.

“The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira, which will further delay the completion of this critical project.

“The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.

“About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, they applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote.

“Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.

The President also noted that the increase by of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira.

He said most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.

“An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.

“Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.

“However, it is my intention to seek to remedy some of the most critical of these issues through a supplementary and/or amendment budget which I hope the National Assembly will be able to expeditiously consider.”

Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria has finally signed the 2018 Appropriation Act.

He signed the document a few minutes after midday on Wednesday in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

On his Twitter handle, the President said, “a few minutes past noon today, I signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill into Law.”

“A few minutes past noon today, I signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill into Law. #Budget2018,” he wrote.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/buhari-finally-signs-2018-budget/

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Tuesday charged Judges and other Judicial officers in the country to take decisions as heavens will not fall.

During the swearing in Justice Abdu Adamu Kafarati as the substantive Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Abuja, Onnoghen said the Judiciary would stand behind any Judicial officer hounded for taking bold and courageous decisions that have constitutional backing.

According to him, the Judiciary would remain an arbiter between Executive and Legislative arms of Government.

“Don’t run away from your responsibility, remain courageous and firm. Since God has made it possible for you to be in this position, do what you have to do at the right time. Be bold and courageous. The heavens did not fall in times of old and it will not fall now.

“So I urge you as the Chief Judge as well as all other judicial officers to take decisions, heavens will not fall. The Nigerian judiciary will always do the best to ensure that we remain the arbiter between the other two arms of government and the citenzry,” he said.

While maintaining that the swearing-in of Justice Kafarati will bring stability at the Federal High Court, the CJN, urged the new CJ to respect his oath of office.

“I don’t have to remind you of the oath you have just taken. That oath has been your life since you became a judicial officer. You have no other constituency, so continue to abide by it.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/when-you-take-bold-decision-heavens-wont-fall-cjn-tells-judges/

The United Nations (UN) has urged the Nigerian Government to give more attention to protecting the girls and children, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated this while briefing on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts.

The plight of the girls, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by Boko Haram terrorists, were among the spotlights for the Day.

Under this year’s theme, “The Plight and Rights of Children Born of War,” the Day encourages solidarity with the survivors, who have endured multiple ordeals, in the wake of sexual violence.

A short video clip featured ‘Khadija’, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists at Banki, Borno and impregnated, being tagged ‘Boko Haram wife’ and her baby, ‘Boko Haram sin’ in the camp.

Patten recalled her meeting with the victim girls and children born out of rape arising from the sexual violence and abuse when she travelled to Maiduguri in 2017.

“I met with 200 young girls and there were 162 babies and I was really disturbed by the fact that these young girls and their babies were not only rejected by their families and by their communities but also by the very people they were living with inside the camp.

My visit to Maiduguri made me realise that more attention needs to be given; I think the focus really has to be on the rights.

“There’s a convention on the rights of the child that protect these children and more needs to be done,’’ she said.

According to her, all the girls that she met at the internally displaced people camps in Maiduguri were released from the captivity of Boko Haram.

She said some of them still had complaints about sexual violence and food, explaining that these were issues that she raised with the government, following her visit to the camp.

“I raised the issue with the authority, with the Acting President (Yemi Osinbajo), whom I met and who reassured that actions would be taken.’’

She said Government followed up to ensure the review of the administration of the camp.

She added with further follow up by Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, the distribution of food was handed over to the World Food Programme to ensure cases of sexual abuse were minimised.

“My office is trying to support the Government of Nigeria and other partners and agencies to meet the needs of the very young survivors of sexual violence and their children through access to some kind of livelihoods support.

That’s in the process of negotiation with Nigeria.’’

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said the effects of conflict-related sexual violence echoes across generations, in the form of trauma, stigma and unwanted pregnancy.

The UN chief described the scourge as “a threat to our collective security’’ and “a stain on our common humanity.’’

Lord Ahmad, the British Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, also condemned Boko Haram terrorists’ activities against girls.

“Female illiteracy in some countries is running at 60, 70 or 80 percent and there are bigoted fanatics, who actually campaign to stop girls from going to school, including the numbskulls from Boko Haram who will raid schools, abduct children and inflict any atrocity in order to deny girls an education.

“As recently as February, Boko Haram kidnapped 110 girls from a school in Dapchi and we all remember how 276 were taken from Chibok in 2014.

“When I visited Borno last year, I met girls who had been told they would be shot if they dared learn to read, as the Taliban shot Malala,’’ Ahmad said.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/un-tasks-nigeria-on-stigmatisation-of-boko-haram-wives-children/

Three people were killed and two others injured in the truck accident that occurred on the Ojuelegba bridge in Lagos State.

The General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu, who confirmed this made the disclosure after a truck with an unknown registration number, conveying a huge load of plywood, swerved and poured its contents down the bridge.

The LASEMA boss also clarified that the truck did not fall off the bridge as reported earlier and that four other vehicles were involved in the accident.

“As we are; three people died, two people injured. Initially, two people died and after some time, one more person among those who are initially injured eventually died.”

“We got a call at about 8:25 pm from the call system that a truck fell of the bridge in Ojuelegba but when we got here, we discovered that a truck actually did not fall off the bridge but content at the back of the truck which are mainly plywood.

“Obviously overloaded and when it got to the bridge, it tilted and half of the content fell off the bridge and landed on top of four other vehicles – three yellow danfo (commercial) buses and a Toyota Corolla car,” Tiamiyu revealed at the scene of the incident.

He stressed further that the bridge was consequently shut down and vehicles were diverted to enable officials of LASEMA and other emergency agencies to clear off the bridge to prevent a secondary incident.

Agencies who also took part in the rescue effort include the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Red Cross.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/ojuelegba-truck-accident-leaves-three-dead-two-injured/

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Gani Adams, has said Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria did the unthinkable by honouring the martyr of democracy, late MKO Abiola, with the most prestigious national honour (GCFR),

Adams made the assertion at the 25th anniversary of June 12. 1993, Presidential Election organised by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Lagos State.

OPC organised the event in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.

The anniversary had the theme: “Nigerian Politics and Democratic Process: MKO Abiola and the June 12, 1993, Crisis and Beyond”.

Adams, also OPC National Coordinator, said: “Where we least expected the truth about June 12 to come from, there is where it came.

“ I salute you all for persevering in the last 25 years. Whether the Federal Government’s decision is more political than legal, as argued by some people, for me, it is crystal clear that the journey to make June 12 our Democracy Day started years back.

“I feel relieved to witness this day being recognised as our Democracy Day. Today, we have defeated the evil voices that killed the dream of the late MKO Abiola.

“I will like to express my appreciation to President Buhari for taking the bold initiative of honouring the late Abiola and the late Gani Fewehinmi,’’ he said.

Adams said that posterity would be kind to Buhari for putting Nigeria’s democratic history in the right perspective.

According to him, Abiola, as the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, was committed to the cause of the masses and good governance.

He expressed delight that the reward for Abiola‘s struggle had come.

“The way we clamoured and struggled to have this day as our Democracy Day, we also need to make the needed sacrifices, struggles and make a case for restructuring. We need to stand firm and raise our voices in support of restructuring.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/june-12-buhari-did-the-unthinkable-says-adams/

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has listed the achievements of the 8th Senate since it was inaugurated three years ago.

The 8th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 9, 2015 and is expected to run its course till June 9, 2019.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki acknowledged the achievements of the Senate which he said would not have been possible without the backing of Nigerians.

He said the 8th Senate worked ”assiduously and diligently to meet the demands of Nigerians”.

“In this time, we have passed 213 Bills, cleared 138 petitions submitted by the public. We are happy to say that this Senate is the most productive since 1999. It has surpassed the 5th Senate which with 129 bills in four years had the highest number of bills, as against the 6th Senate with 72 bills, and 128 passed by the 7th Senate.

“The number of petitions we have successfully treated to the satisfaction of Nigerians who filed them dwarfed those treated by the sixth and seventh Senate respectively,” he said.

Saraki added that the present Senate has worked to grow the economy by passing Bills like: the Companies and Allied Matters Act; the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act; the Credit Bureau Reporting Act and the Warehouse Receipts Bill; Nigerian Railways Authority Bill; National Transportation Commission Bill, “which are aimed at providing significant reforms to our business environment and strengthening our lending legislative frameworks”.

“We are particularly glad that the impact of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act and the Credit Bureau Reporting Act became apparent immediately after they were signed into law as they form the basis for which the World Bank upgraded the rating of Nigeria in its Annual Ease of Doing Business rating.

“We expect that when the new CAMA which we just passed becomes law, it will yield an even more significant results in helping small and medium scale entrepreneurs to access capital, grow and multiply,” he said.

The Senate President further said the 8th Senate has also passed Bills like: the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill; the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill; the Witness Protection Bill; the Whistleblower Protection Bill and the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill ”to support the fight against corruption”.

He noted that the National Assembly quickly rose to the occasion to prevent the expulsion of Nigeria from the Global community on the exchange of financial intelligence by expediting the passage of the NFIU bill.

“With the support of the Nigerian public, we were able to break the PIB jinx, by passing the Governance Component of the Petroleum Industry Bill, and now, we have successfully conducted the Public Hearing on the Administrative, Fiscal and Host Community Components of this Bill — taking it to its farthest stage since 1999.

“Also of note is our passage of the Constitution amendment bills, some of which will change the landscape of governance in Nigeria. Some of the bills like, the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, the Financial Autonomy for Local Government Bill, Financial Autonomy for Houses of Assembly among others are aimed at improving governance and ensuring that government serves our people better,” he said.

The Senate President also highlighted some of the interventions of the Senate since June 9, 2015.

He said the Legislature, as the youngest of the three arms of Government, still has a lot of catching up to do in ensuring that Nigerians understand its role in the nation’s democracy.

He explained that the 8th Senate has taken deliberate measures aimed at opening up the institution ”for better understanding by members of the public”.

“These measures include providing details and breakdown of the annual budget of the National Assembly, holding of public hearing(s) as part of the budget preparation process, the proposed Open NASS week aimed at engaging with other arms of Government and Civil Society Groups and the frequent discussions with a view to resolving issues involving labour unions, government and other stakeholders.

“We exposed high-level corruption in the management of the North-east relief efforts, and passed the North-east Development Commission Bill, which has now been signed into law.

“We have also engaged stakeholders on the drug epidemic that is ravishing a significant demographic of our population and we are set to pass new Bills that will help to address the Mental Health aspect of drug abuse and the law enforcement component that has to do with ensuring that all agencies of the Federal Government are working in-sync to tackle this menace,” he added.

Saraki said the lawmakers have been working to ensure that healthcare remains the right of every Nigerian, ”which is why with the passage of the One Percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to establish the Basic Healthcare Fund in the 2018 budget, primary healthcare will be within reach for all 180 million of us”.

“This Fund will help us eliminate the problem of maternal and infant mortality as well as create a healthy population. We will be able to ensure that all our kids get necessary immunisation that keep various diseases away from them and ensure the mothers are well catered for during child birth,” he said.

He however said security issues remain ”work in progress”.

He said the senators ”are tired of the frequent observance of one minute silence following the killing of Nigerians in the various conflicts and criminal activities across the country”.

He added that the Senate was engaging with Security Agencies to ensure that all the necessary laws and funds needed to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country are put in place.

Saraki pledged that the National Assembly, he heads will continue to be transparent, accountable and responsive.

Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, on Monday raised concerns about violent extremism, terrorism and other security challenges in Africa.

They have therefore agreed to collaborate in order to combat radicalisation on the continent and beyond.

These were contained in a joint communique made available by the Presidency on Monday at the end of Buhari’s two-day official visit to Morocco.

The communique read in part, “The two Heads of State, in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, underscored their commitment to moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, as taught by Islam.

“They expressed deep concerns about violent extremism, terrorism and the persistence of security threats in Africa.

“They affirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in efforts to combat radicalisation in Africa and beyond.”

The communique states that King Mohammed VI congratulated His Buhari for his leadership in the regional initiative against terrorism in the Lake Chad region and commended his efforts in the fight against corruption and his role as the African Union anti-corruption champion.

It stated further that Buhari’s visit reinforced the positive bilateral relationship between Morocco and Nigeria since the king’s visit to Abuja in December 2016.

The Moroccan king and Buhari affirmed their willingness to create a model of South-South cooperation.

“In this spirit, they welcomed the significant progress made in various areas of cooperation, such as agriculture, fertilizer production, energy infrastructure and mining.

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Buhari noted with satisfaction the milestones achieved and underscored their commitment to the Regional Gas Pipeline, which will connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of some West African countries and Morocco, thereby fostering integration and development of countries in the West African region.

“The two Heads of State also noted progress made in other areas of the bilateral cooperation, as evidenced by the Agreement between OCP of Morocco and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria to invest in Fertiliser Production; and the Memorandum of Understanding between OCP and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on the establishment of a Basic Chemicals Platform, specifically to develop a significant Ammonia Production Plant.

“On the basis of their exemplary cooperation, the two Heads of State agreed to develop a partnership in the field of agriculture, particularly through the signing of Cooperation Agreement on vocational training and technical supervision,” the communique added.

Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, said the state Government is working with the Security Agencies to secure the release of Methodist priest, Kayode Akande and two others churuch leaders ,who were kidnapped along the Iwo-Osogbo Road.

The Governor via his Twitter handle on Monday said security remains the topmost priority of the state Government.

“I have just been briefed about the kidnap of Reverend Kayode Akande and 2 others. The State government is working very closely with security operatives to ensure the safe and speedy return of the victims.

“Osun is a peaceful state and acts such as this would be met with the greatest form of resistance. Please be rest assured that security remains the topmost priority of the state government.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/we-are-working-closely-with-security-operatives-to-secure-clerics-release-says-aregbesola/

Suspected herdsmen have kidnapped a Methodist priest, Kayode Akande, in Osun State on Sunday evening.

One of the clerics in the church who also spoke to Channels TV on the condition of anonymity said the priest was kidnapped along the Iwo-Osogbo Road with two other church leaders.

He explained that they were returning from a meeting held at Ile-Ogbo when the criminals stopped their vehicles and took them away.

“The three peoples were returning to Osogbo from Ile Ogbo when the Fulani herdsmen took then away! They went for a meeting and they were on their way back to Osogbo when they were waylaid by the hoodlums.

“The criminals released others and the two cars in which they were traveling and took away the three of them,” he said.

The cleric, however, stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Fimihan Adeoye, was immediately contacted and he acted promptly.

“Policemen were deployed on the road immediately and they have been combing the bushes and I just pray they would get these people quickly.

“We are all praying to God so that these hoodlums would not harm these people,” he said.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/priest-two-others-kidnapped-by-suspected-herdsmen-in-osun/

One person has been killed following a suicide bombing attack that occurred in Borno State in the early hours of Monday, with four other injured.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Edet Okon, in a statement said a male suicide bomber had detonated an Improvised explosive device (IED), strapped to his body in a shop along Baga Road in Maiduguri Metropolis, also killing himself in the process.

According to Okon, those injured included two soldiers and two civilian JTF members.

The Police, however, said men of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, were immediately deployed to sanitize the scene and render the area safe.

Also according to the Police, the wounded were rushed to the hospital where they are reportedly responding to treatment.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu has, therefore, urged members of the public to be vigilant and to promptly report suspicious persons to the security agencies.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/one-killed-four-injured-in-fresh-borno-suicide-attack/

The All Progressives congress (APC) has commended Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria for his decision to honour late Moshood Abiola.

Buhari announced the award on Wednesday and also declared June 12 as democracy day starting from 2019, shifting the date from May 29.

This decision has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Buhari also honoured late activist, Gani Fawehinmi, and Mr Abiola’s vice presidential candidate, Babagana Kingibe.

The APC, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the President should also honour Kudirat Abiola wife of Abiola who fought alongside her husband.

The party believes Kudirat Abiola paid the supreme price when she was assassinated in Lagos on June 4, 1996 in the struggle to restore her husband’s mandate as the winner of the 1993 presidential election.

“While joining Nigerians from all walks of life in commending President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day as well as granting posthumous award of Nigeria’s highest national honour (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic) to Moshood Abiola, winner of the annulled presidential election of June 12, 1993, the All Progressives Congress (APC) calls on the President to consider granting similar honour on Kudirat Abiola.

“She deserves to be honoured in her own right as a heroin and martyr of democracy in Nigeria.

“APC recalls how she mobilised market women, students, activists and other human rights community against military rule and the struggle for a truly democratic nation.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/june-12-kudirat-abiola-too-deserves-honour-apc-tells-buhari/

Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise for Change Initiative (WA), on Thursday agreed with the Senate for a posthumous declaration of MKO Abiola as President.

Odumakin also said that Senate was right in trying to make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce the results of the 1993 election and declare Abiola and Babagana Kingibe President and Vice President respectively.

President Buhari on Wednesday declared that June 12 will henceforth be celebrated as Democracy Day.

He also conferred a posthumous national honour of GCFR on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, MKO Abiola.

He had added that Abiola’s running mate in the election, Kingibe, and late human rights lawyer, Gani Fayehinmi (SAN), would be vested with Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON).

While backing the declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, some Senators urged Buhari to take a step further by making the date a national holiday.

They also urged the President to order the INEC to announce the results of the election, declare Abiola and Kingibe president and vice-president respectively, and approve the entitlements due to them.

Reacting to the Senate’s call, Okei-Odumakin said that the official release of the results would clear the air on Abiola’s victory, saying that no one henceforth will call Abiola the “presumed ” winner of that election again.

“’Our attention has been drawn to the resolution by the Senate calling on the INEC to officially declare the results of June 12, 1993 elections.

“This is an encouraging decision and the natural sequence having declared June 12 Democracy Day and putting due recognition for Abiola.

“The official release of the results will clear the air on Abiola’s victory.

“We also demand that Abiola should thereafter be declared an elected President of Nigeria with all posthumous recognition.

“The appeasement of his spirit will be complete with this,” she said.

Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria on Thursday reassured Nigerians that his Administration was working hard to restore peace and socio-economic prosperity in the country.

The President gave the reassurance when he hosted Nigerian Artistes and Youth organisations to breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He stated that the Nigerian constitution had provided him the opportunity to work diligently towards uplifting the quality of life of all Nigerians irrespective of their socio-political backgrounds.

He, therefore, pledged that his Administration would continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at creating enabling environment for the youth to progress in different human endeavours.

“We are trying very hard to normalize situation in the country for you. I’m very pleased with the position of our constitution.

“No matter how good you are you don’t have more than two terms and no matter how bad you are you can hardly last more than the first term. So, this generosity of the constitution I respect very much.

“It gives me the opportunity to round up having been a Governor, Minister, Head of State in uniform and then going to the Supreme Court three times to complain about my being rigged out,’’ he said.

President Buhari also pledged that his Administration would continue to encourage the youth to pursue their careers in meaningful disciplines to enable them become not only self-sustaining but also employers of labour in the society.

He reiterated his call for massive voter education across the country to enable electorate, especially the youth obtain the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the nation prepared for the 2019 general elections.

Kunle Afolayon, who spoke on behalf of the Artistes, lauded the Buhari Administration for its concern for the well beings of all Nigerians through the implementation of various social intervention programmes in the country.

He promised that Nigerian Artistes would continue to mobilise support for the Buhari Aministration to enable it to deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has cautioned Muhammdu Buhari, the President of Nigeria against breaching the constitution in his latest move of conferring the honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Moshood Abiola, the widely acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

Buhari on June 6, 25 years after the election, directed the honour be conferred on Abiola.

He also said June 12 will henceforth be preserved as Nigeria’s Democracy Day to further honour him.

The President also directed Abiola’s running mate, Babagana Kingibe, be conferred with the second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON).

The GCFR was exclusive to Presidents and former Presidents until President Shehu Shagari conferred it on Obafemi Awolowo in the Second Republic.

Citing Chapter 43(2) of the National Honours Act on Thursday, however, Melaye argued that the act does not allow for conferment of the honours on non-Nigerians.

He claimed that Abiola is dead and that automatically makes him not to be a Nigerian.

“I am a democrat, I believe very sincerely that M.K.O Abiola deserve even more than the President has pronounced because he is a true patriot, philanthropist and should be so decorated.

“But President, we are governed in the country by the constitution and extant laws. No matter how beautiful a situation is, the law of the land remains the law of the land.”

The lawmaker mentioned a section of the law which he claims buttresses his point.

“Subsection 2 of the act says a person shall be eligible for appointment to any rank or holder unless he is a citizen of Nigeria. A dead man is not a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We should not be emotional about this. The law remains the law.”

Melaye also argued that the act provides that such honour be conferred on the recipient in person and since Abiola is dead, he cannot receive the award; a similar argument to that raised by a former chief justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore.

“Subject to the next notice, a person shall be appointed to a particular rank of an order when the president receives him in person,” he said.

“President, they said in person for us to do what we are supposed to do, we would have to amend the provisions of this act because anything we need to do, we have to do in accordance with the provisions of the law.”

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that his points of order were noted.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has congratulate the CEO of Innosson Motors, Chukwuma Innososn over his victory in the cse involving his company and the Guarantee Trust Bank over fraud allegation.

The court ruled in the favour of the Autombile business tycoon and awarded him N14bn as compoesation to be paid by the bank withing two weeks.

“I congratulate my friend and brother Innocent Chukwuma, the owner of Innoson Motors, on his great victory against Guaranty Trust Bank at the Supreme Court today. The court has ordered the bank to pay him 12 billion naira within two weeks! Justice has been served.God is faithful,” Fani-Kayode wrote on his Twitter handle on Thursday.

The Coordinator, Uhogua Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Benin, Solomon Folorunsho, has revealed that 30 of the IDPs have been enrolled into different tertiary institutions in the last three years.

Folorunsho made this known in an interview with NAN on Wednesday in Benin.

He said the feat was made possible due to the constant Support of the Federal and State Governments, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as well as the National Logistics Committee (NLC).

Folorunsho also thanked Muhammadu Buhari,the President of Nigeria for his kind gesture toward the IDPs in Benin and the North East.

“You can imagine the distance between Abuja and Benin, yet Mr President is thinking about this place by sending food and other relief materials. It shows that the President is a wonderful man that loves Nigeria.

“The greatest part of achievement that has taken place in the life of these children is in theireducation.

“In the last three years, we have about 30 of them that are now in different universities,polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

“In 2017, two of the children got admission to the University of Benin and one of them is in Edo State University. The State University is a new University Commissioned by the former Governor of Edo Statee Adams Oshiomhole.

“In the last JAMB that was conducted, we enrolled 63 of them, 59 among them scored between 297, 270 and 200 and the remaining four scored between 190 and 180.

“This year, we are going to have about 50 of them (IDPs) gaining admission into tertiaryinstitutions.

“It shows that there is a great empowerment in their academic life and otherwise,’’ Folorunsho said.

On skills acquisition for the adults in the camp, Folorunsho said they had started learning how to sew, bake and make liquid soap.

He said the camp had few sewing machines donated by some persons.

“We want to use this medium to appeal to Nigerians to help in this aspect because one good thing about these people (IDPs) is that they are always willing to learn.

“They are always ready to work, they are not lazy. All they need is support and I know if they get that assistance, they will embrace it,’’ he added.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/30-idps-secure-admission-to-tertiary-institutions-in-benue/

Two more suspected robber involved in the Offa bank robbery have named Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as their sponsor.

The Nigeria Police Force said the Senate President is still under investigation after the suspects indicted him in their confessional statements on Wednesday.

Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, addressing journalists, in Abuja, on Wednesday, said the two suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery and their confessional statements indict Saraki.

The Police claim that the arrested suspects confessed to being political thugs for the Senate President and that they accompanied Saraki to the palace of the traditional ruler of Offa, Olofa of Offa on a condolence visit after the robbery.

This comes after Saraki was earlier indicted by five of the Offa bank robbery suspects who confessed to the crime on Sunday.

The five gang leaders claimed that they were political thugs of the Senate President and the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Moshood added that Saraki was further indicted as the five gang leaders paraded on Sunday celebrated with Senator Saraki during his daughter’s wedding and they appeared in the same outfit (Aso Ebi) with the wife of the Senate President.

The gang leader, Akinnibosun, however, insists that they are only political thugs to the Senate President and that he had no knowledge that they perpetrated the criminal act.

The Senate President, however, denied the allegations. He said on Sunday that he has no link with criminals. He also described the allegations as ‘baseless’ and “another ploy by the Police to implicate him by all means.”

http://www.theadvocate.ng/two-more-offa-bank-robbery-suspects-name-saraki-say-police/

Yero was arraigned alongside a former Minister, Nuhu Wya, ex-PDP chairman in the state, Abubakar Gaya-Haruna, and former Secretary to the State Government, Hamza Ishaq.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a four-count bordering on laundering over N700 million in 2015.

When the case came up on May 30, all the four defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court had remanded them in prison custody and fixed Wednesday to consider their application for bail.

At the resumed sitting, counsel for the defendants, Yunus Ustaz asked the court to grant his clients bail, saying they would not interfere in any way to thwart the trial.

“The defendants were early in 2016 invited by EFCC and at no time were they found wanting when they were granted administrative bail as they did not default.

“If granted bail, the defendants would not jump bail nor commit any offence and would not tamper with EFCC investigation.’’

The prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, however, opposed the application for bail, saying that the defendants may use their influence to tamper with the investigation and prayed the court to remand the defendants.

The Judge, Justice Mohammed Shua’ibu after listening to the arguments of both sides granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two reliable sureties each in like sum.

He said that the sureties should have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge also ordered that the defendants should surrender their International passport to the Registrar of the court.

The case has been adjourned until Sept. 26, for hearing.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/court-grants-former-kaduna-governor-three-others-bail-over-alleged-corruption/