Full video: What Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said about Insecurity, herders eviction


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKERERYDDk0

Full video: What Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said about Insecurity, herders eviction


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKERERYDDk0

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has insisted that his home was invaded by cattle belonging to herdsmen.

Soyinka said this while speaking on Arise TV on Thursday.

Recall that the police in Ogun State had claimed on Wednesday that a young Fulani man, Awalu Muhammad, whose cow had got missing, entered Soyinka’s vicinity in search of the animal.

Speaking on the development, Soyinka urged the police not to lie about the incident.

Soyinka said, “The police need to be educated when it comes to the invasion of homes, we are not talking just about the physical building but the home and the grounds. No cattle people attacked me, that is the fact. I am here physically, I have no injury, that never happened, but my home was invaded by cattle.

“Why should the police go to such lengths to suggest that I have nothing to do than to go accosting cattle on the road? What’s my business with cattle on the road? We drove them out of my property with my groundsman. In fact, they began the expulsion process. So, I joined them in herding the cattle out of my premises.

“After that, once they were out of my property, that was when I arrested the cows. Why did I arrest them? On exiting my property just outside by the gate, I beckoned to the herder. I said, ‘Come over here, haven’t I given you a warning before?’ He turned around and proceeded walking along, and then I walked towards him. So, he left into the bush and disappeared.

Read Also: #EndSARS: Why we are yet to unfreeze campaigners’ bank accounts – Malami

“His assistant also disappeared. We were left with the cattle. I peed the cattle by the roadside, called one of my groundsmen to stand there with me, and I sent for the police to come and take over. That is a very simple, ordinary, commonsensical proceeding.

“Why should the police find it necessary to say these cattle and the herdsmen were never in my property? What kind of nonsense? It is a distraction from more serious issues. I hate to be personally at the centre of issues like this. I am more concerned about students in Ondo who were being waylaid by herdsmen, being kidnapped. I am more concerned about people in Ogun State who are being butchered. So, please, I wish to beg the police, don’t make a big issue out of this. Don’t lie.”
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/how-cows-invaded-my-premises-by-soyinka/

Buhari had nominated the ex-service chiefs as non-career ambassadors-designate and sent their names to the Senate for confirmation.

The president also urged the lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nomination.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had criticised the move, accusing Buhari of trying “to shield the immediate past service chiefs from the investigation over alleged killing of innocent Nigerians and crimes against humanity”.

Reacting to the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, Adesina said the president is not known for using and dumping people who have done their best.

“Almost everything in our country is accompanied by some sort of furore. You do, you are damned. You don’t do, you are damned. No wonder President Muhammadu Buhari often says in private conversations, when some tumults occur on certain issues: ‘Head or tail, you never win with some Nigerians.’ And he then smiles, to show that he has learnt to live with it,” Adesina wrote.

“That was what happened last week when the nomination of the immediate past Service Chiefs as non-career Ambassadors was announced. The ululation from certain quarters could almost pull down the sky. They claim the Service Chiefs failed. And these critics are people who will miss the target if they attempt to fire the catapult at an elephant. Poor marksmen!

“But in came Gen Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, and they gave the insurgents bloody noses. Drove them out of places they occupied, even went after them into their spiritual headquarters, Camp Zero, in Sambisa Forest, and took it from them.

“The Service Chiefs did not make a clinical end of the insurgency, banditry, and other criminalities in the country. But not for lack of trying. They did their level best, made huge advances, but the times were very difficult. Did they fail as in FAIL? Only in the eyes of those who appreciate nothing, and don’t even know what success is.

“But President Buhari is not in that mould. He would not use people who did their level best, and dump them unceremoniously so that they become objects of derision in the eyes of those who like to see people fall from elevated positions.”

The presidential spokesman added that Buhari is known for rewarding those who serve him faithfully, no matter their status.

“President Buhari nominated the immediate past Service Chiefs as non-career Ambassadors. And I say, bravo, Mr President. That is why we believe in you. That is why we have followed you through thick and thin and will continue to do so, whether in or out of government. You are always faithful to those who serve you faithfully. You watch their backs, care for them, and that is why we believe. Yes, let everyone else be faithless, let them mock, but we believe,” Adesina said.

Read Also: COVID-19: 938 new confirmed cases and 8 deaths were recorded in Nigeria

“The former Service Chiefs did not end the insurgency, but not for lack of will. I remember when Buratai himself relocated to the front, in Northeast, and he said he would not return to Abuja till the war was over. Under his charge, the insurgents were killed in many hundreds. But they were like locusts. The more they killed them, the more they increased. Very uncanny. They were attacked from the land, the air, and from the waters (where possible). But hell had enlarged itself and continued to spew them out. Quite preternatural.

“The President would have wanted those Service Chiefs to go home as heroes. So he gave them time. Longer than was usual. And having realised that they had fought the war with all that was in them, he decided on some kind of reward, a show of appreciation. Admirable. A display of good heart. No matter who you are; a President, a billionaire, Archbishop, Imam, if you don’t have a good heart, forget it. You should be avoided. Like a plague.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/opinion-ex-service-chiefs-as-ambassadors-and-why-not-by-femi-adesina/

The security situation in the country took a worsening turn on Wednesday with killings and kidnappings across the states.

In Abuja, federal lawmakers kicked off their 2020 plenary with a debate on insecurity in the Senate and a forceful address by House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, which centred on insecurity.

Gbajabiamila lamented that political office holders’ failure to secure lives and properties is underscored each time a person is abducted or killed.

He said: “Every time a citizen going about their business is killed or kidnapped, loses their property or livelihood, we have failed in our obligation. From the abundance of these failures has emerged a culture of self-help in matters of internal security that portends grave danger for our nation’s continued existence.”

The Speaker added: “If ever there was a time for us to put aside all other considerations, especially the petty concerns of partisanship and politics, it is now. If ever there was a time to set aside our differences of tribe and religion to focus on a concerted effort to defeat the challenges of insurgency and banditry, communal violence, and the violent struggle over land; that time is now.”

Yesterday, gunmen killed three people in Anambra State. The assailants gained access to the hall where a meeting was taking place in Nkpor, Idemili Local Government, and shut them dead.

On a Delta State highway, seven travellers in a Warri-bound vehicle were abducted by gunmen.

In Bayelsa State, armed-to-the-teeth pirates kidnapped six people after attacking a speedboat.

In Yobe State, Boko Haram captured three Customs men while in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was abducted on the highway.

Gbajabiamila added: The forces that threaten our lives and property, our sovereignty and nationhood, do not make any exceptions based on the God we pray to or the language of our native tongue. From every region and state, citizens of every tribe and religion have suffered and will continue to suffer the pain of death and the grief of loss until we put an end once and for all to the terrors of banditry, insurgency, and malignant crime in all forms.

“We have to reconcile the obligations we owe to our people with the constitutional limitations under which we operate. But we will not shrink from our role as advocates for the forgotten voices, and we will continue to exercise the appropriation and oversight authority vested in us to hold to account those who bear direct responsibility for the protection of all our nation’s people.”

Senators called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the National Security Adviser, the newly nominated Service Chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police to “rejig the nation’s security architecture and disposition of forces for more effective countermeasures against the current security challenges, particularly in the rural areas.”

This is part of their resolution after the debate on a motion titled: “General Insecurity in Nigeria”. It was sponsored by Senator Ajayi Boroffice and 105 other senators.

The Senate urged governors to re-invigorate rural governance and convene state-wide intercommunal conclaves and dialogues to promote local conflict resolution and inter-ethnic harmony.

They enjoined the Executive to immediately embark on an operation to checkmate proliferation of firearms and enforce the laws against illegal possession of firearms by arresting, disarming, and punishing anyone possessing arms illegally.

The Senate urged governors to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan “which is a modern scheme designed to eliminate transhumance in order to prevent farmer-herder conflicts and activate highly productive livestock sector in Nigeria.”

Other resolutions adopted by the Senate include: “Security agencies to actively deploy drones and helicopters to monitor forests and ungoverned areas to identify illegal camps of armed bandits.

“Equipping the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to police and monitor borders using technology to check illegal immigrants, and checkmate smuggling of firearms and light weapon; and the resuscitation and inauguration of National Task Force (Commission) to combat the proliferation of Light Weapons, Small Arms and Ammunition.”

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said: “There’s no better investment today in Nigerian by the government than making more resources available to our security agencies because security is the major thing that government can do to change the lives of the people for the better.

Read Also: Governor Ortom’s open letter to Buhari

“So, we will continue to discuss and debate it here. This will not be the last, but the tone, the issue, the main theme should change.

“That maybe by the time we discuss this kind of thing, here again, it should be that we have made a shift; that we have moved positively, that we are trying to only make it better.

“We should not be frustrated, we should not be discouraged. What we are talking here is being listened to, even when it appears to us that there’s no sufficient implementation of what we are doing.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/insecurity-weve-failed-in-our-obligation-says-speaker/

As the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, commences the revalidation exercise for its members, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that Millions of Nigerians are returning to register with their darling Party.

Ganduje said, Nigerians have been keenly observing the performances of the party in the last five years and are convinced that APC is the only party that will salvage the nation’s misfortunes and make it great again.

The governor who on Sunday, flagged off the membership registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, said the party has opened its windows for all Nigerians to join it.

The governor who revalidated his membership of the APC at his Ganduje Cikin-Gari ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state, said with more people joining the party, its chances in 2023 are highly bright.

The exercise was done in the presence of a seven-man committee assigned by the national leadership of the party to conduct the exercise.

He also called on members to turn out en masse for the registration exercise, adding that there is the need to expand the base of the party in the state and Nigeria.

“The last time the exercise took place was in 2014 and since then, we have a few people that left the party, and we have so many more that have joined the party.

“The exercise is important as the party is growing due to performance across the country,” he said.

Ganduje also added that there was the need to register non-APC members who voted for the party and are now convinced to join the fold.

He also appreciated leaders and members of the APC in the state for their steadfastness towards the progress of the party.

“I appeal to all stakeholders and party officials to conduct the exercise with all sincerity and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the national headquarters of the party,” Ganduje said.

Read Also: Kidnap: Residents raises alarm over rising insecurity in FCT

The party committee chairman in the State, Kabiru Matazu, said that exercise would be done at the unit level of the wards.

He said there were teeming youths who had turned 18 years and are willing to join the party. He also called on women and youths in the state to come out en masse to register.

Other party leaders at the gathering also admonished party members to see the exercise as a call to duty in order to bring all-round development to the state.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/kano-ganduje-inaugurates-apc-registration-revalidation-exercise/

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has remained coy over his chances of becoming Nigeria’s next president.

Amaechi, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said only God knows the country’s next leader.

The former Governor of Rivers state also insisted he is focusing on his job as a minister under President Muhammadu Buhari and would not like to be distracted.

“I am still the Minister for Transportation and only God can tell who will be the President of Nigeria in 2023,” he said.

Amaechi had earlier said the Kano-Maradi (Niger Republic) rail project will cost the federal government $1.9bn.

“The project is going to cost us $1.9bn and we will source it from mostly Europe. We are about concluding it,” Amaechi said.

When asked how long it will take Nigeria to repay the loan, he claimed it is not within the jurisdiction of his ministry.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/2023-only-god-can-tell-who-will-become-nigerias-president-transport-minister/

Humiliated by Obasanjo, honoured by Buhari: Story of ex-CAN chairman OBJ allegedly called idiot
Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has narrated how the former Chairman of Christan Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter, Rev Yakubu Pam who was described as “a total idiot” by the former president, Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo visited Aso Rock Villa.

Yakubu Pam had on January 14 met President Buhari to brief him on Peace Building efforts in Plateau, Benue Taraba and Nasarawa State, and his building effort with Religious leaders as a way of reducing ill-feelings in the Church towards activities of the government.

According to Adesina, President Buhari who is of another religion was able to receive the cleric with the dignity he deserved, stressing that “for a Matthew to call a priest an idiot, “a total idiot?” Not acceptable by any stretch of the imagination”.

The president’s spokesman who made the remark on Friday in a statement titled “THE PRIEST AND THE PRESIDENT”, said “What Rev Pam didn’t get from a Christian, he got from a Fulani man from Daura, a Muslim. Is there any lesson we can learn from this? Think about it”.

In May 2004 when fury and hatred were unleashed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State, leading to an internecine bloodbath as hundreds of people were killed along religious lines, the then president, Obasanjo accused Rev Pam of inciting violence via preaching.

“What role have you played to bring about peace as CAN Chairman in Plateau State? CAN, my foot! What kind of CAN Chairman are you? Did your own Christianity teach you about revenge? You are an idiot. A total idiot. And I have no apologies for that”, Adesina quoted Obasanjo as saying then.

According to Adesina, Pam who is now the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), is a man of peace who followed the right part by not retaliating against the former president.

“Rev Pam is obviously a man of peace. That was why “when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” (1 Peter 2:23).

“How many of us would be called an idiot, “a total idiot” publicly, and would not talk back? How many of our modern day preachers, who arrogate all sorts of powers and authorities to themselves, would not have cursed Obasanjo publicly, asking him to apologize or be killed by God within seven days? (You know, some of these modern preachers speak as if God was their personal property, who they can command and order around).

“I tell you, this Rev Pam, from Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State is a reconciliator, a peace advocate, and that is why God has lifted him up today. And not through a Matthew, but a Muhammadu, one against whom all lies under the sun have been told: he’s a religious bigot. A herdsman. A nepotist. Jihadist. Everything.

“May God forgive those who condemn the person they don’t know, and have refused to know.

“President Buhari personally congratulated Rev Pam on his appointment as NCPC boss. He encouraged him to continue with his peacebuilding efforts across the country, stressing that no enduring development could be possible without peace”.


source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/humiliated-by-obasanjo-honoured-by-buhari-story-of-ex-can-chairman-obj-allegedly-called-idiot/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjn2EeXqz-g

A renowned Islamic Scholar Sheikh Dr Ahmed Mahmoud Gummi has said that “what is currently happening in Zamfara is insurgency and not banditry”.

Gummi, who briefed Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State at Government House today, said the bandits have completely turned into insurgents following the bad treatment from the people of the state.

“In most of the bandits and Fulani camps we have visited in Zamfara, I come to understand that what is happening in the state is nothing but an insurgency,” he said.

Gummi maintained that most of the bandits he came across during his visit to Zamfara forests were only carrying weapons and attacking people because of persistent attacks and harassment from the vigilante group known as the Yansakai.

Gummi stated that most of the bandits he interacted with during his visit had indicated their readiness to surrender their weapons and embrace peace if the Yansakai stopped attacking and killing them.

He appealed to governments at all levels to embrace dialogue with the bandits and other insurgents in the country, expressing optimism that “dialogue is the only option to end the menace”.

He commended Governor Matawalle for introducing dialogue with the bandits as a means of ending banditry, calling on other governors to emulate him.

Read Also: Herdsmen crisis: Sunday Igboho has been forgiven – Ooni of Ife

“Some people are of the view that the bandits should be fought and killed, but what we understand is that majority of them are illiterates who need proper education and enlightenment,” he said.

He stressed that the steps taken by the Zamfara State Government through dialogue were the best option.

In his response, Governor Matawalle said his administration would continue to dialogue with the bandits no matter what his political opponents would say.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/what-i-saw-in-zamfara-is-insurgency-not-banditry-sheikh-gummi/

Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the extension of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu’s tenure.

The human rights lawyer noted that the President’s decision to retain Adamu in the position is illegal.

President Buhari on Thursday extended the tenure of Adamu for three months.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi made this known while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Dingyadi said that Buhari’s decision to retain the IGP for another three months was to properly select the new helmsman.

But appearing on Channels Television on Thursday evening, Ozekhome said that in “the eye of the law, there is no Inspector-General of Police.

Read Also: El-Rufai kicks against eviction of herdsmen

“What we have here is a retired Inspector-General of Police illegally occupying the office –

“Mr President sir, withdraw the appointment of Mr Adamu. Call your Police Council and appoint from one of the serving AIGs.

“In the eye of the law, Adamu is a retired police officer…you’re denying other members of the Nigeria Police Force who are aspiring to go up to become the Inspector-General.

“The President was wrong… it is illegal, unconstitutional, unconscionable, whimsical… Adamu has done his best for the country.”
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/there-is-no-igp-withdraw-adamus-tenure-extension-immediately-ozekhome-san-tells-buhari/

The frosty relationship between Kogi and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control/ Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19 is getting worse with the state government now threatening to drag the federal government’s body to court.

Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communication declared the intention of the state government to sue PTF-COVID-19 in Lokoja on Wednesday over what he described as an attempt to de-market the state and inflict the citizens with fear.

The State Government accused PTF-COVID-19 of failing in an earlier effort to import Covid-19 into Kogi and as such, has now resorted into creating panic.

Fanwo was reacting to Monday’s description of Kogi as a high-risk state that should be avoided by travellers because of the nonchalant attitude of the state’s government to COVID-19 pandemic by the PTF.

The Task Force had noted that the state was high risk because it has no isolation centre for treatment of COVID-19 cases and was not testing people for the virus.

But Fanwo said the claim by NCDC and the Task Force was directed at de-marketing the state by scaring investors away and ultimately, crippling Kogi economy.

“We very much believe their intent was to ensure in­vestors are scared from com­ing to the state. Despite their unreliable figures, Kogi emerged the in­vestment destination of Nige­ria in the last quarter of 2020.

“They felt embarrassed and the best way to hit back is to create a picture of the health crisis in the state.”

On efforts being made by the state government to fight the disease, Fanwo claimed Kogi was the first to procure thousands of face masks which it distributed free of charge to residents of the state.

He also claimed Kogi State had done more sensitisation on the disease than other states in the country.

“We were the first state to procure face masks in thou­sands and distribute to all the LGAs. We were the first state to set up a Squadron Team to combat the spread of the pandemic. We set up isolation centres with state-of-the-art equipment.

NDDC and PTF-COVID-19 and Kogi have been at each others’ throat over the existence and management Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

Last year, NCDC official hurriedly withdrew from the state over an attempt to quarantine them by the government.

Recently, the State Governor Yahaya Bello came under attack for his comments in a viral video warning people against Covid-19 vaccine and suggesting that the vaccine was designed to kill.

It would be recalled that a former Chief Justice of the State, Justice Nasri Ajanah died of coronavirus complications in August last year. Till date, only five cases of the virus have officially been declared in the state usually in shrouded circumstances.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/covid-19-kogi-threatens-ncdc-ptf-with-legal-action/

A Jos High Court on Wednesday ordered that a 32-year-old nurse, Alex Pam, who allegedly drugged and raped a 22-year-old student, be remanded in a correctional centre.

Justice Christine Dabup, gave the order, adjourned the case until May 21 for hearing.

The police counsel, Ms Olive Okpuru, told the court the defendant on Dec. 11, 2020, drugged a student of the Plateau College of Health Technology, Zawan, and raped her.

The offence, she said, contravened and is punishable under sections 57 and 208 of the Penal Code of Plateau Law 2017.

Okpuru alleged that the defendant, who works in a clinic near the victim’s residence, injected his victim and raped her.

Read Also: Nigeria records 1634 new cases of COVID-19

She prayed for an adjournment to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The Defence Counsel, H.K. Umar, did not oppose the application.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/court-remands-nurse-for-allegedly-drugging-raping-student/\

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, has condemned what he describes as the “unlawful eviction” of citizens, stating that every Nigerian reserve the right to choose where to reside.

His comments come amid calls for herders to leave some parts of the country, over concerns related to insecurity.

First in the series of recent notices was the directive by the Ondo government on January 18, for herders to vacate forest reserves in the state.

Days after the Ondo directive, Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, had blamed Fulani herders for criminal activities in the Ibarapa local government area of Oyo state, and subsequently asked them to vacate the area.

The eviction notice was followed by protesters attacking the Fulani community in Igangan, during which buildings and vehicles were razed. In unclear circumstances, there was a fire outbreak at Igboho’s home in Oyo, days after the notice expired.

Igboho had also extended the notice to all states of the south-west, asking the herders to leave.

The most recent eviction notice was issued on Wednesday when residents took to the streets of Bayelsa and Edo to demand that herders leave their communities.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, el-Rufai condemned the calls for eviction and urged state governors to take a stand before the situation degenerates into anarchy.

“The government of Kaduna State notes with grave concern, video clips circulating on social media platforms like WhatsApp in which citizens of a particular ethnicity are being massacred and their properties destroyed in parts of Nigeria. This is coming amidst avoidable rhetoric, frenzied ethnic profiling, and unlawful eviction of citizens from their places of domicile,” the statement reads.

“Many citizens of Kaduna State have reached out to me as their governor to confirm the authenticity of these video clips. Some allege that these incidents have the support of leaders of the places where attacks have occurred. While I am unable to confirm the authenticity of the video clips, their impact on the peaceful coexistence of our people is a source of concern.

“On behalf of the Government of Kaduna State, I call on all Nigerians living in our State to respect law and order and the rights of all citizens to live in peace and security wherever they reside or work. I appeal to my colleagues governing other States in our country to make similar statements and disavow these attacks and massacres.

Read Also: Why FG, states stopped sponsoring pilgrims to Mecca, Jerusalem – Ekiti Deputy Gov

“We must avoid anarchy and vigorously promote the rule of law and the right of all citizens to life, liberty, and livelihoods wherever they choose to reside.

“Elected and appointed public leaders across the country must act on their constitutional obligations to protect all citizens, uphold order, and contribute to a climate for peaceful resolution of all issues.”

cc: lalasticlala

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/el-rufai-kicks-against-eviction-of-herdsmen/

House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, says President Muhammadu Buhari delayed change of Service Chiefs because he was “studying the situation”.

Gbajabiamila said this in chat with reporters after a meeting with Buhari at the State House on Wednesday.

The Speaker noted that the National Assembly was in support of the president’s decision to rejig the country’s security architecture.

The lawmaker assured that the federal legislature will assist the new military heads to operate efficiently.

“The appointment of new Service Chiefs is what everybody has been clamouring for – the House, the Senate and the public.

“The president took his time, he studied the situation very well and did it at the right time that he thought he should do it. We are in support of what he has done.”

“Everything that is needed, we are all in this today. The National Assembly will not in any way put hurdles before the Service Chiefs”, he said.

Read Also: Court fixes date for suit to stop Kano Govt’s N300bn loan from China

Buhari appointed new Service Chiefs on January 26. Major General Leo Irabor is the Chief of Defence Staff.

Others are Major General Ibrahim Attahiru -Army Chief; Admiral Awwal Gambo – Navy Chief; Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao – Air Chief.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nass-wont-be-obstacle-to-service-chiefs-gbajabiamila/

Roman Catholic bishops are condemning President Biden's decision to reverse a policy that blocks funding for overseas abortion providers, calling a recent executive order on the issue "incompatible with Catholic teaching."⁣
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"It is grievous that one of President Biden’s first official acts actively promotes the destruction of human lives in developing nations," read the statement from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. "This Executive Order is antithetical to reason, violates human dignity, and is incompatible with Catholic teaching. We and our brother bishops strongly oppose this action. We urge the President to use his office for good, prioritizing the most vulnerable, including unborn children."⁣

source: FOX NEWS
Read more @ https:///36Fd9aR

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Tuesday lamented that the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) wasted trillions of dollars without lifting the people out of poverty.
Wike spoke when he played host to the Interim Management Committee of NDDC on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The governor challenged the new interim leadership to determine to make a difference, change the current narrative of the commission serving outsiders interest and abandoning its core mandate of developing the region.
Wike said people are abusing the entire region because the commission has wasted trillions of Dollars without lifting the masses of the region out of poverty or commensurate developmental projects on the ground to show for the funds received.
“The problem with us is that you allow people outside to control you. You want to have godfathers from East, West and North. NDDC is created for Niger Delta. Use the money for the people and the region.
“They are abusing us that Niger Delta is a curse. Trillions of dollars have been spent, and we cannot say this is what we have spent the money on.
“Those Abuja portfolio contractors are part of the people controlling you. They tell you what to do and you do it for fear that they will remove you. But eventually, you will be removed. So, why not work for the people. When you’re removed, you’ll know you did your best for the region.”
Wike also charged the interim management to always work with all the state governors in the region on equal footing, and without politics so that together, they can achieve desired development.
“Go and visit every governor because they are members of the governing council of NDDC and they are the leaders of the states. You don’t need to entangle yourself with unnecessary bickering, politicking. Show a difference.”
The governor cautioned the NDDC management to obey a subsisting court order that makes mandatory for the commission to seek the consent of the state government before embarking on any project, particularly in Rivers State.
He warned that if the commission defies the state government, then, the commission will be dragged to court for contempt.
“I will not hesitate to tell the Attorney General to file contempt against officials of NDDC and NDDC itself. We will not hesitate. Because we have come to the time that Nigerians must understand we must follow rules. The only way you can talk about good governance is when you obey the rule of law. There cannot be good governance when there is nothing to show you obey the law. Good governance is predicated on the rule of law.”
He urged them to conceptualise regional project for execution to end the piecemeal partner they had adopted, which has not moved the region forward in terms of infrastructural development.
“I’ve always said to people, when you have the opportunity to make a contribution to the development of your fathers land, you must see it as the blessing God has given you. You must not see it as a way to set back your region.
Wike also urged NDDC to send their partnership support towards the reconstruction of the ongoing dualisation of Eastern By-Pass Road where the NDDC permanent headquarters is located.
He told them to put their temporary office along Aba Road in good condition before moving out to their permanent headquarters office.
Wike also condemned the posture of some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta Region that behave as if they own the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).
He said the commission belongs to all States in the region and no one particular ethnic group can assert itself as the dominant owner of the commission as has been observed of recent.
Wike said members of those groups always kick against the appointment of people to head the commission because they feel such persons are not from core Niger Delta States, which he stated must stop.
“Anybody can be appointed in Niger Delta. There are people who believe that if they appoint somebody from Edo or Cross River States, for example, they say no. That those people are not the core Niger Delta states. We must have to stop that.”
The governor also said such people also leave their states and come to Rivers state to block the gates of the commission, cause crisis and frustrate economic activities.
“NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region. It does not belong to anybody. There are people who have seen themselves that they are the owners of NDDC. They leave their state and come to NDDC to block the NDDC gate. We are peaceful people, but nobody should push us to the point where we can tell you enough is enough.”
Wike further continued: “The next time they try it again to cause a crisis in our state, I’ll mobilise our people against them. I am not saying if you have a grievance with NDDC you shouldn’t seek how to settle it. But don’t use it to cause a problem for us, to begin to make economic activities not to move on.”
Earlier, the Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa said the visit was first to be undertaken by his team to any governor in the region.
Read Also: Why FG, states stopped sponsoring pilgrims to Mecca, Jerusalem – Ekiti Deputy Gov
Akwa informed the governor that with the newly built permanent NDDC head office now completed, they are ready to commission it on 25th February 2021.
The Interim Administrator on behalf of the commission later presented six waste disposal trucks to the Rivers State Government to improve the sanitary conditions in the state.
Wike noted that this is the first time in his administration that the commission was offering support to the Rivers State Government.
He commended them for demonstrating good corporate social responsibility in encouraging the state government in its drive to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/wike-seeks-end-to-external-influence-on-nddc/

The Fulani settlement in Igua area of Yewa North, Ogun State has been set on fire by some irate youths after Sunday Igboho visited the community.

Igboho had on Monday visited the Yewa axis of Ogun, saying he was there to rescue the Yorubas from killer herdsmen terrorising the area.

Though the Ogun State Government said it did not ask Igboho to help resolve the security challenges facing the people of the state, Igboho went ahead to make good his threat to chase away herdsmen from their hideouts in the bush.

The house of the Sarkin Fulani of Igua, Alhaji Adamu Oloru, was allegedly set ablaze by youths who were in the community with Sunday Igboho.

Other houses belonging to Fulanis as well as a cattle market were reportedly torched.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, also confirmed the incident.

Read Also: Why FG, states stopped sponsoring pilgrims to Mecca, Jerusalem – Ekiti Deputy Gov

According to Oyeyemi, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, led a team of policemen to Igua for an on-the-spot assessment.

He said the Police Commissioner had a peace talk with the Fulanis and the host, saying they have all agreed to work together to fish out the criminal elements among them for peace to reign.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/sunday-igboho-fulani-settlement-set-on-fire-in-ogun/

The Ekiti State Government has advocated more private sponsorship of pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem, following the government’s withdrawal from bankrolling the activity.

Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi told at a meeting with members of the State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, that both the federal and state governments had stopped sponsoring pilgrims on holy pilgrimages, to save funds for development purposes.

He told the board members, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Babatunde Onipede, that individuals interested in performing pilgrimage should do so through private savings, in view of the government’s withdrawal of sponsorship.

“Both the Federal Government and the State Government have said they will not spend their money on pilgrimages again, and that is why there was no budgetary allocation to it.

“Anybody wishing to perform his religious obligation of going to the Holy Lands must do so with his own personal savings, and that was what I told the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) when their executives made a similar request, because we must be fair to all,” Egbeyemi said.

The deputy governor, however, said that the board’s demand for office furniture and utility vehicles were legitimate and would be looked into accordingly, stressing that the state government was ready to assist the board in the performance of its statutory duties.

Egbeyemi also expressed satisfaction with the peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state.

Onipede expressed gratitude to Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the deputy governor, for finding him and other members of the board worthy of being appointed to serve.

Onipede said the board was not run properly during the last administration, hence the need to draw the attention of the present administration to the situation for assistance.

Read Also: Calling for probe of ex-Service Chiefs unpatriotic – Nigerian Govt

“It was not functioning as a board during the Fayose administration; it was just lying fallow there and was not run like aboard.

“In Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, we don’t have utility vehicles. Our utility vehicle in Saudi Arabia has been grounded since 2018,” he said.

Onipede said the board also needed furniture and more funds for the smooth running of the office, for quality service delivery.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/why-fg-states-stopped-sponsoring-pilgrims-to-mecca-jerusalem-ekiti-deputy-gov/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTganLUqWvc

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The Dangote Group has completed Nigeria’s longest rigid pavement located in Kogi State.

It is the first of its kind, top engineers say.

The 43KM Obajana-Kabba road constructed by Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), as

been described by motorists as the country’s most strategic highway that is aiding travellers between the North and the South.

Olatunbosun O. Kalejaiye, the Project Director, said he was excited that the Corporate Social Responsibility Project is being delivered for use by Nigerians, adding that while the rigid pavement has been completed, the company was dressing the shoulders.

Site Engineer Samuel Obosi assured that the dual carriageway will be durable and less susceptible to potholes and repairs like asphalt road, adding that it would crash the rate of road accidents in the country.

Motorists said it is now one of the busiest roads linking the two regions in the country.

“Thank God it is a concrete road. It can withstand any heavy-duty vehicle,” Alhaji Lamidi Sikiru, a driver expressed optimism.

John Moses, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, said his taxi business is booming compared to when the road was very deplorable with potholes and barely used by motorists.

A community leader of Apa Bunu Kingdom and spokesperson for the community Sam Omosayil commended the Dangote Group, saying that the road has attracted a lot of businesses along the road.

Traditional and community leaders eulogized the President of the Dangote Group.

The Bajana of Obajana Land, King Idowu Senibi described the project as gigantic and the first of its kind anywhere in Nigeria.

“Dangote is our son. We would protect his huge investment and gigantic concrete road. I am happy that this is happening in my lifetime and in my Kingdom. This is a great opportunity for us and many generations to come. Our society will be opened as you can see vehicles and commercial activities have started coming up. May God Almighty bless Dangote and all his staff.”

Speaking in the same vein, the traditional head of Akpata Land Frederick Durojaiye Balogun said his people were very proud of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, adding that the Dangote Cement, Obajana plant, which is the single largest cement plant in the world, has brought honour and respect to their Kingdoms.

“His presence has brought a total turnaround in our lives. Also, permit me to appreciate the Federal Government for this joint effort. We are very grateful,” he said.

Speaking, the King of Okebunku Land in Kabba Bunu Local Government, Timothy Omonile commended the President of the Dangote Group and charged other philanthropists to emulate him, adding that that is the only way Nigeria can develop its economy and infrastructure.

He said the construction of the road has helped cut down the rate of criminality in the state while describing the Group President of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote as God sent.

Rechel Olatunji, a businesswoman said she makes more money now and that business is booming because of the road.

Another businesswoman Veronica Samuel prayed fervently for the Dangote Group, adding that the new road has changed her life, and enabled her to sponsor her children to school.

Worried by the huge sum of money used in road repairs, President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote had said plans were afoot to revolutionize Nigerian roads with concrete, stressing that resources used in road repairs and maintenance would be channelled to other more important needs of the nation.

“We are going to be building concrete roads in the country so that anytime we build a road, we do not have to go back to repair after the third raining season, but move on and use the resources to address other pressing needs of Nigeria,” Mr Dangote had said.

It would be recalled that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS), the Dangote Group had earlier commissioned the 26 km Itori-Ibese Concrete Road.

Read Also: Order on herders to vacate forest: Presidency cautions Akeredolu

At the commissioning, the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, had noted that the stride by the Dangote Group demonstrated the unwavering commitments of an indigenous investor towards the industrialization of Nigeria.

A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the Dangote Group said: “Concrete roads last longer than asphalt roads and do not have potholes. It does not require frequent maintenance as asphalt roads. It saves fuel for motorists and protects tires from wear and tears.”

The statement said it is part of the Group’s determination to support the government and Nigerians in order to grow the economy and facilitate ease of doing business.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/dangote-completes-nigerias-longest-concrete-road/

cc: lalasticlala

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Nigerians to stop politicising the issues of security and efforts of security services, particularly the Armed Forces, to keep Nigeria safe.

The party gave the advice in a statement signed by Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, on Friday in Abuja, while celebrating with the military officers on the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“We must collectively shun the practice of politicising issues of security and the efforts of our security services, particularly the Armed Forces to keep the country safe.

“We should rather support their efforts to further degrade the capacity of terrorists and other criminal elements.

“We invite Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the patriotic call contained in our National Anthem, which reads in part: ‘The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain,” Akpanudoedehe, also Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee said.

He said apart from attacks on soft targets, Boko Haram and its affiliates had been seriously degraded, adding, “terrorists no longer control an inch of Nigeria’s territory”.

The APC chieftain said in the areas of barracks infrastructure, healthcare, among other welfare initiatives for Armed Forces personnel and their families, President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had achieved record investments.

Read Also: Calls for service chiefs’ sack unfortunate, says Defence Hqtrs

Akpanudoedehe said this was aimed at improving military personnel welfare for the living and families of the departed.

He said military officers constantly put their lives on the line to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity so that we all could live free and safe.

The party chieftain congratulated President Buhari on many visible and verifiable achievements of the military in the ongoing fight against insurgency and violent crimes in the country.

He said these achievements were contained in the compendium: “Security Checklist: “As Nigeria Marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day’’, which released to the public on Thursday.

“From the country’s 30-month civil war, which ended on Jan. 15, 1970, to the fight against terrorism, banditry and other emerging violent crimes, many servicemen have paid the supreme price for our safety, peace and unity,” Akpanudoedehe said.

The Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee prayed for the protection of the living and remembered the departed heroes and the families they left behind.

He noted that the Nigerian military had undoubtedly made the country proud from the international peacekeeping missions to addressing security challenges within the country and overall discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Akpanudoedehe said that several innovations and inventions by the Armed Forces had resulted in the production of military hardware, infrastructure development, restructuring and reorganisation of its operations.

He said that in terms of investment in military hardware, intelligence and tactical training for servicemen, the country’s defence capacity had greatly improved over the years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed on every Jan. 15 to commemorate the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The day is also used to honour military veterans and their families, especially those who fought and died in the nation’s civil war.

In Nigeria, being a former British colony, the day was formerly celebrated on Nov. 11 as Poppy Day in honour of the end of the First World War.

Upon the Federal Government’s victory against the Biafran troops on Jan.15, 1970, the day was moved off the calendar of the Commonwealth of Nations and changed to Jan.15 in commemoration of the end of the Nigerian Civil War. (NAN)

Read more: https://newstrack.oak.tv/dont-politicise-nigeria-security-issues-apc-advises-nigerians/

The federal government has stated, in addition to its intention to engage in domestic and foreign borrowing to finance the 2021 budget, that it will also sell some government-owned assets for the same reason.

The government also said that it would sell some non-oil properties in order to act as an alternative source of funding for the budget for the year.

This is contained in a presentation to stakeholders on the signed 2021 budget by the finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, made in Abuja on Tuesday.

The presentation, entitled ‘2021 FGN Approved Budget Public Presentation, Breakdown and Highlights,’ was dated January 12. The N13.58 trillion budget for the 2021 fiscal year was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 2020, around N505 billion higher than the budget presented in October 2020.

Read Also: Buhari, Lawan, others honour Nigerian’s fallen heroes

Around N496.5 billion was approved for legislative transfers in the approved budget and N3.3 trillion was approved for debt services.

Recurring expenditure was set at N5.6 trillion, with N4.1 trillion in capital expenditure and N5.2 trillion in fiscal deficit (5,196,007,992,292).

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nigeria-govt-reveals-plans-to-sell-government-properties-to-fund-2021-budget/

very true. sourced from Oak TV. Nigeria number 1 online television

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Uganda Election: Police strips presidential candidate wife, Bobi, naked in front of son before arrest.

watch full video below:
https://fb.watch/32miD6N7ft/

Echoes of Biafra reverberated, yesterday, as fiery Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah, insisted that Nigeria was yet to recover from the wounds, 51 years after it ended.

His position captured the submission of the majority of participants at the virtual second edition of the ‘Never Again Conference: 51 years after the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.’

In the event chaired by elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Bishop Kukah, who was the keynote speaker, said the country has failed to adopt resolutions that were meant to heal the wounds of citizens after the war.

Kukah, at the conference organised by Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, observed that some of those resolutions came from the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission popularly known as Oputa panel, set up by the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

He said while the military laid the foundation for Nigerians to begin a process of rebuilding the nation, “things somehow went wrong” along the line.

“I have met a lot of people who fought the war who are full of regrets. There is a lot of resentment, anxiety and frustration that we have not learnt any lessons.

“Fifty-one years after the war, we are still hearing the kind of agitations that ordinarily, with commitment, dedication, focus and the right leadership, we should have put a lot of the anxieties behind us. Unfortunately, they are still with us.”

He described the Oputa panel which he was part of as the best school he would ever hope to attend.

Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Be fair when criticising my government, we have made progress

“Oputa panel managed to generate quite a lot of data and information that academicians and policymakers would have used to ensure we erect the signpost saying, ‘Never Again’ because it gave us an opportunity, a mirror to look at ourselves after hearing from all sides but we didn’t have the discipline to follow through.

“We have not been able to forgive ourselves as people. The wounds of the civil war have not been able to heal. Coups and counter-coups that followed were more or less miniature civil wars by themselves because they threw up the same contradictions, anxieties and feeling of divisiveness across the country.”

Chairman of the event, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said it was only with justice and equity, restructuring and a people’s constitution that Nigeria could overcome most of her current challenges.

He specifically called for a return to the Independence Constitution or 1963 Constitution our founding fathers such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo agreed to.

Chief Mbazulike Amechi, first republic minister, who decried the marginalisation of Igbo, regretted that Nigeria was no more the country the founding fathers fought for and called for the enthronement of equity, fairness and justice.

Another elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, recalled how what he deemed the largely Igbo coup of 1966 aborted the Nigerian dream and trajectory but said 51 years after, a lot of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation had taken place and Nigerians were living with one another all over the country. He urged joining of forces to deepen democracy and enthrone an egalitarian society.

But the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), in a remark by its spokesman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, claimed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has failed in all aspects of governance, including security, economy and infrastructure.

“As we speak, this nation has never been worse than this – not even during the civil war. The civil war isn’t the worst disaster; the day is the worst disaster we are living in. We have a very poor government and leadership that does not care about Nigerians. You have massive insecurity, no fresh ideas, and a complete vacuum in leadership. It is only going to get worst unless something dramatic happens…

Read more: https://newstrack.oak.tv/51-years-after-nigeria-yet-to-recover-from-civil-war-wounds-kukah/?amp

Buhari to Nigerians: Be fair when criticising my government, we have made progress

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians, especially the elite, to be fair in their criticisms of his administration.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari made the appeal when he received in audience Rev. Yakubu Pam, executive secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission.

The President said: “Those criticising the administration should be fair in terms of reflecting on where we were before we came, where we are now and what resources are available to us and what we have done with the limited resources.

“We had to struggle paying debts, investing in road repairs and rebuilding, to revamp the rail and try to get power. This is what I hope the elite when they want to criticise will use to compare notes.”

On the security situation especially in the North East, the president said: “What was the situation when we came? Try and ask people from Borno, Adamawa for that matter Yobe. What was the condition before we came and what is the condition now? Still, there are problems in Borno and Yobe, there are occasional Boko Haram problems, but they know the difference because a lot of them moved out of their states and moved to Kaduna, Kano and here (in Abuja). We were not spared of the attacks at a time. The government is doing its best and I hope that eventually, our best will be good enough.”

As the country marks the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day today, the Presidency also declared that the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have been weakened compared to what obtained in 2015.

This is even as it said that more than 2,403 criminals, including terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and criminals of other sorts, were reportedly eliminated by the Nigerian Armed Forces, in coordinated operations across the country between March 18 and December 30, 2020.

But mixed reactions have trailed the claims.

According to the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the statement is a monumental joke and an insult on the intelligence of Nigerians who are aware that the security situation in the country has worsened considerably.

“Whoever said the security situation is better now than it was in 2015 must be joking. We are not being political, what we are saying is a statement of fact. Before this administration took over, Boko Haram was so depleted to the level that they couldn’t hold any state because former president, Goodluck Jonathan, did a good job of that and ensured elections took place everywhere at the same time. Remember that at that time, kidnapping, especially in the north was not the norm; it was only Boko Haram playing its pranks in the North East. But now, kidnapping has engulfed the entire country,” Pogu said.

Read Also: APC Kwara elders: Lai Mohammed, Gbemi Saraki lack electoral value to fight Governor Abdulrazaq

Reacting, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), said 2021 security situation could be said to be better if it was about insurgency alone.

“But other forms of criminalities such as kidnappings are worse now. Before 2015, especially in the North, the menace of roadblocks was enough trouble for the masses, but today it’s history. Our hope is the insecurity in Nigeria will one day be history as well,” Kaduna State secretary of SCSN, Abdurahman Hassan said.

For the immediate past Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Anthony Sani, if we compared activities of Boko Haram before 2015 to what obtains now, one could say there has been substantial improvement.

“This regime has succeeded in pushing the activities of the insurgence to fringes of North East, if not Borno State…

“Of course, incidents of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery have upped soon after elections of 2019 which have tested the wit and capacity of the regime due to paucity of funds and logistics. But from the reports one is reading now, there is hope that the government would bring the situation under control.”

However, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) and International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), faulted the president.

While ADF said more northern states have been occupied by terrorists and bandits, the Intersociety said more Nigerians were now killed on daily basis.

ADF’s spokesman, Abia Onyike said Nigeria was actually in a dilemma.

“Nigeria is in a dilemma. We are presently witnessing what looks like a civil war and President Muhammadu Buhari appears to have run out of ideas,” Onyike stated.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, said: “Statistically, there are more Jihadist groups now than in 2015, then numbering only three but now numbering 21 main and splinter groups. Today, more Nigerians put at not least 30, 000 have been killed by Jihadists than 22,000 killed as at May 2015. Not less than 3,000 defenceless citizens have been massacred by soldiers and police unlike near-zero figure recorded as at May 2015. The list is long to be fully mentioned, “ Intersociety stated.

Colonel Hassan Stan-Labo (retd) MD/CEO, Hakes & Partners Limited, said banditry, kidnapping and others were not as bad in 2015.

“Today, farmers cannot go to farms because of the fear of being attacked, today Nigerians are living in fear that once it is getting to 5 pm, people are running back to their homes. The police are not enough to police the country and the military is overworked and overwhelmed. Today people are calling for the private military to come and do the job of the regular security forces.”

In his reaction, Mr Bone Efoziem, MD/CEO Street Guard Security, said: “The president will address us based on the briefing he gets from these service chiefs. Looking at the security architecture since he took over governance, we will see that he had relied on four, five men and at any time he is giving information that there is insecurity in the country, it will naturally mean they are calling for their removal.”

Frank Odita, Commissioner of Police (retd) also faulted the president as he said it was wrong to make a blanket assessment on the security situation as assessment would “always differ from person to person.”

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said the rising level of insecurity had significant implications on food production, youth unemployment, investment and economic growth.

“Nigeria was faced with an escalated level of insecurity in the year 2020 with incidences of killings, kidnapping, vandalism of public and private properties, ethnoreligious conflicts, and bandit attacks. No rational investor would commit their resources in an insecure environment,” he said.

Source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/buhari-to-nigerians-be-fair-when-criticising-my-government-we-have-made-progress/?amp

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said some elements want the newly-introduced Oyo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun Corps to fail.

He said the naysayers have been spreading false news about the Amotekun corps, to bring the agency into disrepute, no sooner it was launched.

He said that the community policing model remains the only way to solve the insecurity challenge in the country.

Makinde spoke Wednesday while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, according to chief press secretary Taiwo Adisa.

Makinde said his government will not sit idly and watch any Amotekun operatives operate outside the ambit of the law and that it would also not yield to blackmail against the new agency.

According to him, the state has identified that there is presently some friction between the Amotekun and Nigerian Police in the state, adding that the state will set up a committee to iron out the frosty relationship between the two institutions and bring about an alignment in their operations.

“Amotekun is not operating in a vacuum. They are a creation of the law of the state. The Nigerian Police is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is normal that we have inter and intra agency friction where possible, but we will get everybody together and seek alignment towards the same end basically,” the governor said.

“For the past six weeks that the Amotekun was deployed, we have seen various reports in the news. Most of these reports are good and a few are bad. And of the bad, quite a number are false information and fake news.

“For example, some newspapers carried the news that Amotekun killed 7 Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa.

“Such a story was circulated to stoke ethnic tension. Even some reputable media fell for this. Whereas, the real story was that Amotekun worked with the community members, including genuine herdsmen to flush out bad elements in that zone.

“It has, therefore, become necessary to put the good people of Oyo State on high alert.

“Each time you see a news item, you want to ask yourself if it is believable or just some no-good-people at work.

“I have to tell you that there are people among us that don’t want Amotekun to succeed and they will use lies and disinformation to push their agenda. We must realise where we are coming from and where we really want to be.

Makinde declared that his government will do everything possible to end kidnapping and insecurity in the state.

The governor maintained that the safety and security of all residents of the state remains a top priority for his government.

He said his administration will work relentlessly to tackle cases of kidnapping and insecurity.

Governor Makinde, who appreciated all heads of security agencies for doing their best to secure the state, explained that the government is already setting up proper information channels for security agencies in the state in order for them to keep the information flow simple.

“Community policing is the way forward and we have to make it work. If somebody says he is abused by Amotekun and cannot pinpoint the Amotekun personnel in such an area, you are probably not from that neighbourhood and you are a fake news carrier.

“So, as I always say, I know we do have trust-deficit between the people and the authorities, and this makes it easier to think the worst of people in authority. But we should not cut our nose to spite our face. We must find a balance so that we do not turn the people trying to protect us to our enemies.”

The governor charged anyone with a genuine case against the members of the Amotekun Corps to come forward with their grievances by using any of the feedback channels put in place by the government.

Read Also: NCDC confirms 1,398 new cases of COVID-19

The governor equally warned traditional rulers and village heads against allocating lands to undocumented foreigners, stating that some undocumented individuals had been contributing to insecurity in the state.

Makinde said the government will go ahead to implement the N500 million MSME fund and employment of 5,000 young persons into government agencies as well as the engagement of youths into direct labour schemes to tackle youth restiveness in the state.

“The safety and security of all residents of Oyo State remain our top priority. We will continue to work relentlessly to tackle cases of kidnapping and insecurity in our state.

“We are also putting in place other policies to address insecurity, especially with regards to youth restiveness.

“Last year, after the END SARS protests, we talked about three things that we will be doing to reduce youth unemployment and improve the security situation in the state.

“We talked about the N500 million MSME fund that we will set up, employment opportunities for 5,000 young persons across all government agencies and the provision for the direct labour agency. We could not do all of these towards the end of last year because we had budgetary constraints.

“But now, we have put these schemes in this year’s budget and we should be implementing them as scheduled this year.”

Source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/most-allegations-against-amotekun-are-false-makinde/?amp

The federal high court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Federal Government from taking further steps towards appointing a consultant for the monitoring and implementation of the $300 million allegedly looted by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, which was repatriated to Nigeria through a tripartite agreement between United States of America and Bailiwick of Jersey.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who halted the process, ordered all parties to the suit to maintain Status Quo Ante Bellum and not take any steps whatsoever to affect the res (the subject matter of disputes before his court), the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United States Government and the Bailiwick of Jersey entered into a tripartite agreement for the implementation of the $ 300 million Abacha loot on the condition that the funds would be used as part of the funding for the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja – Kano dualization and the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

Accordingly, the government sent out an invitation for consultants to submit proposals to the Federal Ministry of Justice, whereupon, the claimant PPP Advisories Consortium was among the 4 prequalified firms among the 17 firms that responded to the request for prequalification. After the evaluation of the financial proposals of the 4 prequalified consultants, the claimants PPP ADVISORIES CONSORTIUM secured the highest combined Technical and Financial score and therefore ought to have been awarded the contract instead of Cleen Foundation which got the least combined Technical and Financial score among the four prequalified consultants. The procurement panel of the Federal government arbitrarily disqualified the claimant and recommended the firm that came 4th (Cleen Foundation) as the preferred bidder to be awarded the contract.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the claimants – PPP Advisories; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Issa Shuaibu & Co (PPP Advisories Consortium) – approached the Federal High Court challenging the legality or otherwise of the Federal Government decision.

Listed as defendants in the writ of summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1449/2020 and dated November 3, 2020, are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF); the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the Federation’ Mr Dayo Akpata, SAN, (sued as Chairman Ministerial Tenders Board) and the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The claimants through their counsel, Dr Daniel Bwala, are urging the court to make an order setting aside the decision of the procurement panel adjudging its Technical and Financial proposal as non-responsive.

Read Also: COVID-19: NANS opposes postponement of schools’ resumption

They equally urged the court to make an order directing the defendants to issue a letter declaring them as the winning bidder, and invite them for negotiation, having achieved the highest score and therefore emerged the winner of the bid.

Among other reliefs, they are seeking a declaration that their disqualification by the defendants as communicated via a letter dated 28 July 2020 wherein their Technical/Financial bids submitted were not adjudged responsive due to the fact that the lead partner is not a registered Civil Society Organization is wrongful, illegal and void. The claimants having satisfied the requirements of the Request for Proposal (RFP) in respect of the Monitoring of the Implementation of the Tripartite Agreement for the sharing, transfer, disposition, repatriation, and management of forfeited Assets and the entire bidding process.

When hearing in the case resumed on Tuesday, counsel to the claimant (PPP Advisories Consortium) Dr Daniel Bwala urged the court to hear the motion on notice for an injunction to restrain the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Bureau of Public Procurement from taking any steps in the appointment of a consultant for the monitoring of the implementation of the Tripartite Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United States of America and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

His application followed the absence of the AGF (1st defendant) in court despite being served with the summons as well as the hearing notice twice.

However, counsel to the 3rd Defendant (Bureau of Public Enterprises), who was present in court urged the court for an adjournment to file their Defence.

Dr Daniel Bwala on behalf of the claimant, PPP Advisories Consortium, informed the court that unless the court makes an order for status quo to be maintained, the Federal government may proceed and award the consultancy contract to Cleen Foundation who scored the lowest combined Technical and Financial score among the four prequalified consultants.

He added that if the action is allowed to take place, it will most likely dent the image and name of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community and make a mockery of the requirements of competitiveness and transparency required in all Federal Government procurements as outlined by the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Bwala informed the court that the $300 million repatriated to Nigeria is to be used as part of the funding for the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja – Kano dualization, and the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

Justice Ekwo after listening to Bwala, consequently made an order for all parties in the action to maintain the status quo and not take any steps towards implementing the subject matter of the dispute pending the hearing of the motion on notice fixed for January 21, 2021.

Source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/court-stops-nigerian-govt-over-implementation-of-abacha-loot-pact/
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The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, on Tuesday, disclosed that out of N8.26 trillion spent on capital projects, debt servicing and payment of salaries and pensions in 2020, N118.37 billion went into COVID-19 related capital spending.

Speaking at a virtual public presentation of the approved 2021 budget, the Minister said N1.8 trillion was expended on capital projects, N3.27 trillion on debt servicing and N3.19 trillion for payment of salaries and pensions.

In the capital expenditure, Ahmed noted that the figure represents about 89 per cent of the provision made for capital projects.

She explained that out of the N1.8 trillion ploughed into capital projects, N118.37 billion went into COVID-19 related capital spending.

She added that while the Federal Government projected N9.97 trillion expenditure for 2020, it actually spent about N10.08 trillion, representing 101 per cent performance.

Read Also: FG orders closure of roads, Federal Secretariat to celebrate Armed Forces Day

To finance the deficit in the 2021 budget, the Minister said that N709.69 billion would be raked from multilateral/bi-lateral loans drawdown, which would be added to the funds expected to be raised from borrowing and sale of public assets.

Ahmed also revealed that the Federal Government generated N3.94 trillion in the 2020 fiscal year, adding that the figure represents about 73 per cent of the target for the 2020 fiscal period.

This implies that out of the projected revenue target of N5.39 trillion for 2020, the government could only achieve N3.94 trillion, thus leaving a revenue shortfall of N1.45 trillion.

The minister said while oil revenue outperformed its target, the non-oil revenue performance was not too impressive.

According to the minister, the Federal Government earned N1.52 trillion from oil revenue representing an over the performance of 157 per cent, while non-oil tax revenue was N1.28 trillion, which was about 79 per cent of the target.

She added that Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) collections were N673.22 billion and N192.66 billion, representing 82 per cent and 68 per cent respectively of the pro-rata revised targets for the period.

Ahmed put the Customs revenue at N410.21 billion which is about 79 per cent of revenue performance, adding that other revenues also contributed N993.73 billion to revenue generation.

The Minister blamed the revenue underperformance on the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that Customs revenue was affected by trade slowdown caused by COVID-19.
Source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nigerian-government-spent-n118-37-billion-on-coronavirus-in-2020-minister/
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Kukah challenges JNI to identify his attack against Islam, says he’s ready to apologise

The Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah says he is ready to apologise if he is shown any part of his Christmas sermon that insulted Islam.

Kukah was reacting to a statement by the Islamic groups JNI, who alleges that he bit the finger that fed him despite being accepted and tolerated.

Bishop Kukah also asked the Islamic groups to show him where and how in all his sermon that he insulted Islam or Muslims.

In his response to the JNI’s statement, Kukah noted that the JNI Secretary dwelt more on politics rather than humanity to have accused him of firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria.

He explained, “Dr Aliyu has accused me of being an enemy of his religion, Islam. He accused me of what he calls, firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria.”

Bishop Kukah explained that the statement said he has been accorded respect and accommodated in Sokoto and has turned around to bite a finger that has fed him.

Kukah added, “He poses a question: How can Muslims continue to be hospitable to one who proves to be an ingrate many times over? How can Muslims be comfortable in associating with a bitterly vindictive person disguised in the garb of a religious cleric?”

Bishop Kukah noted that his area of research is religion, politics and society, saying that he is concerned about how religion can help to form good citizens and also how the state can create an environment that enables citizens to achieve this.

“In all of my writings over the last forty or more years, I have never written a single paper or article on Islam as a religion. If there is any scholar anywhere who knows, let him or her say so.

“I have written about religion focusing on how both citizens and the state deal with it, with a focus on politicians. My concerns are summarised in what the late Professor Bala Usman loosely referred to as the manipulation of religion. This manipulation is what has turned religion into a weapon of war in Nigeria,” he explained.

Read Also: Presidency welcomes report of COVID-19 research team

Bishop Kukah requested, Dr Aliyu as a matter of honour and based on the text of my sermon to formally identify wherein his sermon he attacked Islam or all Muslims in Nigeria, assuring that he would be more than happy to apologise for the offensive part of the statement.

He further stated, “The relevant paragraphs in my sermon focused on the two painful themes of nepotism and the haemorrhaging of lives in our country, a fact that as I said, most religious leaders and statesmen and women have alluded to.

“How a critique of government policies suddenly becomes hater of Islam and the north, beggars belief.”

He called on Dr Aliyu to clarify and validate his accusations against him and advance the reasons why he should incite violence against him.

Bishop Kukah noted, “I am unaware of anyone in Sokoto who has accused me of any misdemeanour or actions aimed at undermining the state or anyone, no least the faith of Islam.”

He reiterated, “I believe that today, nepotism poses a serious threat to our country.”

He added that the issue of the insecurity and how the north has become so affected, saying, “My belief was to add my voice to the voices of millions of Nigerians, Muslims, Christians, Traditional rulers, Statesmen and all who have shown genuine concern.”

He opined that it would be a great pity and a disservice to their efforts at national cohesion if they resort to the kind of diversionary threats that Dr Aliyu has embarked on.

“It only makes the job of insurgents easier if we become enemies to one another,” he noted.

Source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/kukah-challenges-jni-to-identify-his-attack-against-islam-says-hes-ready-to-apologise/
Read more: https://newstrack.oak.tv/