₦airaland Forum

Amid the escalating cost of living, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Tinubu because it is not easy.

Wike assured Nigerians that the current economic hardship was only a temporary challenge that would soon be over because Tinubu’s government was working to alleviate the challenges.

Speaking in Abuja during the flag-off of the Kwa Kwa, Karimo road, Wike urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu and his administration.

According to the minister, the president means well for Nigerians.

Wike said: “Mr President has asked us to tell you that we are not doing you a favour with what we are doing; you are entitled to it. It’s our responsibility to do it, we are not doing anything extraordinary.

“Remember Mr President was campaigning on the mandate of renewed hope, and that is why I thank all the council chairmen who have agreed to work together despite belonging to different political parties. If we don’t work together, the people will suffer and we will not allow that

“Things may not be as we want now, but let me assure you that all you’re seeing today is a temporary thing. I can assure you that the problems we are facing will be a thing of the past soon. We beg for your patience because when things have been bad it takes time to heal, the government will bring policies that will make you recover, but it may be affecting you.

“Pray for President Tinubu to have the wisdom and good health to pilot the affairs of the country; it’s not easy. the President means well for this country.”

amoreobansu:
https://politicsnigeria.com/japa-nigerians-flood-foreign-embassies-as-economic-hardship-bites-harder/

Phoen1X:
Nigerians are hungry,...and a hungry man is an angry man.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration will relaunch the direct cash transfers to benefit 12 million Nigerians to tackle the current hardship in the country.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this during the ministry’s retreat in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state on Wednesday.

According to Edun, the project which was initially created for 3 million Nigerian people, has been extended to more 12 million citizens.

Edun said, “The presidential panel on the social investment programmes, have prepared to go to Mr. President with an internal recommendation to restart the direct payments to the poorest and the most vulnerable. Everything is being done to ease the pain.

“We know that there’s been about 3 million beneficiaries now, but given the way the rates have gone, there are probably another 12 million people, households that can benefit from that payment.”

He said, “The only thing delaying that is not waiting for the end of the report. It is something that the intervention is meant to happen immediately.

“We have experts in technology, the commitment was to make sure that we use technology to ensure that we have a seamless payment, a seamless movement between the registered and the direct beneficiaries, without any manual processes in between. So it’s taking time to automate that process immediately that direct payment will resume”.

DSS ENJOINS ORGANISED LABOUR TO SHUN PROTEST IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE

The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to plans by sections of the organised labour to stage protests between 27th and 28th February, 2024 in parts of the country over sundry economic issues. While the Service recognises such action as the legitimate right of the labour movement, it, however, urges the body to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order.

The DSS further calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions. This is more so that the Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence. The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.

It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt. So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand.

In this vein, citizens are encouraged to recognise that what remains unsolved in peace time, would not be attained in war-time. The timeless piece of the esteemed Poet, JP Clark, “The Casualties” is a resonating reminder to us on the possible dangers of escalated conflicts. In time of trouble, everyone will be a casualty.

Also, ongoing wars in the global scene is a stark reminder of their catastrophic repercussions on the affected countries’ domestic environments thus, the critical need to protect and maintain our internal stability and unity. Those exploiting the fault lines in the country need to have a rethink as resort to negativities will endanger our peaceful coexistence with dire consequences.

Similarly, parents and guardians are implored to exert authority in guiding their children and wards from inimical acts capable of jeopardising public safety and harmony. Additionally, all sectors, including political parties, opposition groups, religious and traditional institutions, civil society and non-governmental bodies are called upon to eschew violence; demonstrate leadership and statesmanship in these challenging times. Making political capital out of the current situation or involving in divisive utterances at a time like this, will be of no benefit to any peace-loving Nigerian. Citizens are advised to be vigilant and not allow fifth columnists and hostile forces or agents to use them to destabilise the peace of the nation.

The DSS stands opposed to violence as a means of settling our present day challenges, be they economic, political or otherwise. Accordingly, the Service will work with sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that lasting peace is maintained in the country.

Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi, mnipr
Director, PR & Strategic Communications
Department of State Services
National Headquarters, Abuja
21st February, 2024

Terrorists Launch Fresh Attacks On Benue, Zamfara, Kill 10 Residents, Two Police Officers, Destroy Several Houses

Ten people have been killed in fresh attacks on four villages in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attacks, which happened within the space of three days, also displaced hundreds of residents, who are now taking shelter in the local government headquarters.

The state governor, Hyacinth Alia, however, accused some indigenes of the state of inviting foreign herders, who are wreaking havoc in many communities.

Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, two police officers were gunned down when bandits attacked Zurmi town, Daily Trust reports.

Another set of bandits burnt over 30 houses and scores of cattle during an attack in the Allawa community, Shiroro Local government area of Niger State.

In Yobe State, three ISWAP fighters were killed by troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai Sector 2 in Damaturu.

The Nigerian Army said the terrorists were killed when troops responded to a report on the presence of terrorist elements at Maltari village near Kukareta, where they were reportedly extorting Zakat levies from community members.

The victims of the Benue attacks, which killed 10 people in Ikobi Council Ward in Apa LGA, said the incidents happened a few days after the invasion of the Imana community where four people were killed last week.

One of the villagers, who is now displaced as a result of the incident, narrated on phone that nine dead bodies were recovered from the affected communities at the time they fled to take shelter at the Apa LGA headquarters in Ugbokpo.

He said, “Nine persons were killed three days back from attacks on Ibele, Ochumekwu and Ijaha by armed herders. It has been sustained attacks on our people for the past two weeks.

“They have been terrorising us. As I speak with you now, in Ikobi, there is nobody and Ikobi has a population of over one million people. All the people have run away and are right now taking shelter at Ugbokpo, the LGA headquarters.”

Barr Eche Akpoko, who is the chairman of Apa Development Association, confirmed the attacks to Daily Trust.

Akpoko said one more corpse was discovered after the nine found earlier, bringing the number of those killed to 10 so far.
He said of the 10 causalities; five people were killed in Ijaha-Ibele, three in Ochumekwu while the remaining two were killed in Adija and Kano villages respectively.
“I can confirm to you that there was a serial attack on the following communities, Ijaha-Ibele 5, Ochumekwu 3, Adija 1, and Kano 1 all of Apa LGA on 14th, 15th & 16th of February 2024, with a total number of 10 casualties ascertained so far! We condemn the dastardly act in strong terms,” Akpoko said.

The police spokeswoman for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, however, said she did not have the report.

‘Benue indigenes inviting foreign herders’
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has accused some indigenes of the state of inviting herders from Niger Republic, who are wreaking havoc in many communities.

Donald Kumun, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, in a statement in Makurdi, said the governor stated this on Sunday at the Chapel of Grace in the Government House, Makurdi, while addressing congregants after the mass service.

“The security report has revealed that some Benue indigenes have gone out of their way to invite herdsmen from Niger Republic to troop into Benue State, all in the name of bringing down this administration and this is unacceptable. The security agents are doing their work,” he said.

The governor, however, appealed to the people of the state to remain calm, stressing that the security agencies are ready to ensure the safety of all and sundry.

He urged the enemies of the state who were not ready to join hands with his administration to improve the well-being of the people to leave.

iwaeda:
Still doing teaching practice from Naija kofa.

Hardship: @OfficialPDPNig Commends Its Governors for Speaking Out for Nigerians
…Slams @OfficialAPCNg, Insists @officialABAT is Overwhelmed, Lacks Capacity to Lead Nigeria

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slams the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Government for attacking State governors elected on the platform of the PDP for speaking out against the failures of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC government which have plunged Nigerians into excruciating suffering.

Our Party restates its position that the APC and the Tinubu administration are responsible for the current biting economic hardship and surging wave of insecurity across the country as they are completely overwhelmed and lack the capacity and competence to lead a nation like Nigeria.

By seeking to allocate President Tinubu’s statutory duties to State Governors, the APC has unambiguously admitted that it foisted on Nigerians an incompetent President who cannot guarantee security and whose administration has devastated our national economy resulting in extreme hunger, hopelessness and desperation as evident in the protests, agitation and rising spate of suicide across the country.

Every Nigerian is lamenting the terrible situation which President Tinubu’s ill-informed and ill-implemented policies have brought upon the nation.

President Tinubu is directly in charge of security and the national economic policies including administration of petroleum resources as Minister of Petroleum Affairs; other national revenues and cannot transfer his incompetence and failure to other Tiers of Government which have no control over national security, fiscal and monetary policies, which mismanagement by President Tinubu’s government has crippled our economy.

Moreover, State Governors have no control over the pervading corruption and continuing monumental treasury-looting under President Tinubu who has failed to take concrete measures to curb the malaise.

It is an assault on the sensibility of Nigerians that instead of charging the government it formed to live up to its billings, the APC is seeking a sordid and depraved approach to divert public attention from its failures.

From its diversionary statement, it is clear that the APC is jittery and afraid that it has been exposed following revelations and reports in the public space that its leaders are involved in multiple scams and fraudulent deals through which they continue to siphon funds meant for the wellbeing of the people resulting in the unbearable hardship being experienced by Nigerians today.

The complicity of the APC leaders apparently informs why they have remained silent in the face of the incompetence, monumental treasury-looting and corruption in the Tinubu administration.

Our Party counsels President Tinubu and the APC to face their self-inflicted woes and heed the patriotic call of the PDP governors who are providing quality leadership with life-enhancing projects and programmes in their various States in line with the people-oriented manifesto and policy thrust of the PDP.

It is evident today across Nigeria that it is only PDP governors and other PDP elected public officials that are commissioning legacy and life-enriching projects and programmes with which they are repositioning their States and various constituencies into Oases of Development.

Nigerians should therefore continue to hold the APC and President Tinubu solely responsible for the suffering which they face. The PDP will not hesitate to name APC leaders allegedly involved in the continuing treasury-plundering as the APC must not be allowed to “grab, snatch and run” with our national patrimony at the expense of millions of our citizens.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

princepeter566:
They are all hypocrites.
Tinubu till 2090

Amid reports that the Federal Government has authorised the release of grains to intervene in the current hardship in the country, states have lamented that their warehouses are empty.

They noted that apart from the palliatives received towards the end of last year, which were distributed, there’s currently nothing to distribute.

Government had approved N180 billion for the 36 states of the federation to procure grains and other items in August 2023.

The measure was to bring temporary solutions to the high cost of living arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

Up until now, the distribution of the items is a subject of controversy across the country as citizens complain of not receiving any.

With the prices of commodities on a steady rise and scarcity of food items spreading across the country, there are growing concerns over agitations among the populace, especially given the recent protests witnessed over cost of living.

To cushion the effect of hardship and possibly reduce the rising food prices, President Bola Tinubu authorised the release of grains to Nigerians at no cost.

But what many called mismanagement of the subsidy palliatives, has given rise to fears that the 42, 000 MT of grains may not be properly handled.

Findings by Sunday Vanguard across the states showed that while many states await the item, there are concerns that the process of distribution may not be transparent.

Further inquiries from the states’ ministries of agriculture showed that many states do not have strategic food reserves. The issue is worsened by current insecurity in the country, especially in states known for high production of crops. At the moment, the twin issues of insecurity and inflation occasioned by fuel subsidy removal has made more Nigerians unable to feed themselves.

As of 2023, the Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO, projected that about 25.3 million people in Nigeria would face acute food insecurity.

A quarterly report released by the global organisation showed that the figure projected was higher than the 19.45 million forecasts in 2022.

Given the current situation in the country, more people now face acute food crises across the states.

ABIA:
In Abia, the state government told Sunday Vanguard it had not received any consignment of food from the federal government for distribution to residents.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Monica Ironkwe, told Sunday Vanguard in Umuahia that the ministry’s warehouse was still empty.

She promised that as soon as the state takes delivery of its portion of the federal largesse, it would be made public and commence distribution at once.

She said: “Once the federal government is ready, it will be shared in the state. When they give us our own share, we will share it with the people but for now, we have not received anything. As soon as we receive something, we will make it known”.

Prodded further to know whether the state had plans to distribute food to Abia residents, the Commissioner said there was no such plan at the moment.

“For now, I will say no. But if we go to EXCO next week, and it is discussed, then it will be made public,” she added.

Meanwhile, prices of commodities, especially food items, have continued to hit the roof top in Abia.

A bushel of rice at the local market, which sold for N15,000 shortly before last Christmas, now sells for between N26,000 and N27,000 depending on the quality.

A cup of garri goes for N150 while a sizable tuber of yam that can go for a family of five is sold for about N2000.

ANAMBRA:
For now, there is nothing to show that the Anambra State government has started the distribution of grains.

It was, however, observed that there are large quantities of grains at stores waiting for distribution.

Over the years, distribution of similar items were done through the presidents of town unions going down the line to the ward chairmen. At the ward level, village heads are supplied with what is due to their people.

Officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture were not readily available with details of the quantity of available grains in the state meant for distribution to the citizenry.

However, it was gathered that what is available would go round to those who need them.

A ministry staff member who spoke unofficially said: “We have laid down a procedure for distributing whatever is meant for people and it has always been smooth. We have 326 political wards in the state and the PGs share whatever is available through the wards.

“Politics does not come into it at all. In some communities, even people who are not on the ground get their allocations through their family members.”

He described as untrue the allegation that officials of the state government might be hoarding the grains for use during the governorship campaign, adding that there are no hidden conditions to be applied in the exercise.

Citing a previous exercise as an example, he said: “The state government recently distributed palm and coconut seedlings to people and every adult in the state received it. Even people residing outside the state received theirs through their family members. The same system will be applied in the distribution of grains when it starts.”

DELTA:
In Delta, the grains are being awaited as the state government has also initiated other measures aimed at addressing food insecurity. Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Secretary of the Delta State Palliatives Committee, Olorogun Jaro Egbo said: “When the federal government removed the fuel subsidy, there was much hardship on the people, so government set up a food security committee.

“Here in Delta, the state government set up the palliative committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu.

“We started with rice distribution and we are done with that and now we are doing maize distribution; after this, we are going into the distribution of fertilizers to address the challenges being faced by crop farmers.

“But with the galloping inflation and cost of living crisis, the President again has said that they will release more grains to the people. We believe that when they are ready, when they have done the arithmetic as to how many bags should get to each state, they will contact us.”

On how they arrived at the beneficiaries of the rice earlier distributed by the committees, Egbo said: “We had a state committee comprising labour unions, those of us in government, religious organisations, NGOs and even security agencies were involved.

“We had another structure at the LGA level consisting of the leadership of the LGAs and all that. From the LGA we moved to the wards and then to the units who drew up the beneficiaries, so it was clear that the rice got to the people and there were no complaints.”

He said 388 tonnes of maize were distributed to poultry farmers while 369 and 151 tonnes went to fish and pig farmers respectively. We kept 10 percent of the grains for those who do not belong to any association,” he added.

On whether there is a strategic food reserve in the state, Egbo said: “We are trying to build our capacity. You can see that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has taken agriculture as a centerpiece of his administration, that is why he just released N2 billion for rice farming.

“If we have our own rice farm, it means that we can have in stock and we are also growing tomatoes and we are also growing other crops.”

BAUCHI:
Findings across the state showed that rising cost of living is negatively impacting residents. There is lamentation among the populace whose income and savings have been wiped out by inflation. As of this moment, the Bauchi State government was yet to receive any food grain from the federal government.

KEBBI:
Kebbi State government said it hadn’t received grains from the federal government.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, disclosed this to Sunday Vanguard in Birnin Kebbi.

He added that the state is waiting for the allocation from the federal government to arrive, saying Governor Idris has concluded arrangements on how the disbursement will take place.

He said: “We are just waiting for the federal government grain allocation. We will add ours to reach the poor like we did before and it got to everyone in the state.”

Ahmed explained that the last distribution was done by a committee, saying it was successful.

His words: “Therefore, the same pattern would be used to reach every indigent person in the state.

“The organised labour would be the channel to follow to reach all categories of civil servants, while associations and groups will get theirs from their leaders. There will also be a house- to-house distribution.”

CROSS RIVER:
Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, James Anam, told Sunday Vanguard that the state has not received directives on the quantity of grains it would get and the category of people expected to benefit from the distribution.

His words: “There is a grain silos where excess grains are stored in the northern part of the state but grains from there are usually distributed among the South-South and South-East regions during emergencies. We have not been told yet when the grain supply or distribution would take place and the quantity coming to our state and who to share it to but be assured that once the supply comes, we will do a good job and will keep the public updated.”

The Commissioner for Agriculture, John Ebokpo, said he had no information on the grain distribution exercise yet.

“SEMA is usually the body that handles such things. Find out from them,” he told Sunday Vanguard.

TARABA:
Taraba State government is yet to commence the distribution of a new set of grains.

Sunday Vanguard confirmed that no new tranche of grains has been received.

However, a senior government official said the grains are still being awaited.

He noted the government has instituted measures to ensure that if there would be any distribution, it would be shared equally across the state. However, in the third quarter of 2023, the state inaugurated a Palliative Care Committee to ensure the equitable distribution of government welfare packages to alleviate suffering.

The committee, headed by Saleh Saad, will oversee the government’s disbursements of grains and other commodities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Measures for seamless sharing, including the identification of beneficiaries, have been put in place, and the template will be used going forward. The committee had, in the last quarter of 2023, disbursed grains and other food items as palliatives.

EKITI:
In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the state has commenced the distribution of grains received from the federal government.

Olatunbosun said: “Yes, I am a member of the palliative distributions committee in Ekiti State. We commenced the distributions last week. We distributed maize to livestock farmers to boost their livestock farming and production. We did that in view of the current economic situation in the country. The development, apart from ameliorating the plights of those in the sector, will also contribute to food production.

“Palliatives go beyond just sharing of foods alone, there are a lot of measures in place. Palliatives, to us, go beyond immediate food that may not necessarily be available to the entire people.

Let me say this, what government is doing in terms of cluster farming is to also support food production, because government is about starting the clearing of lands for our farmers. Across the state, we have taken requests from interested communities with large landmarks and forests, and we will clear all those places and allocate them to farmers. We are equally supporting our farmers with developed seedlings.”

On the 42,000 metric tonnes of maize, he said: “We have shared the maize. It is part of grains as well. It is a continuous exercise as I have said. What we did last week was to share with livestock farmers.

“It’s very important we must speak on facts, so, I don’t want to be frivolous but as soon as I have the authority of facts and figures as we tend to upscale and advance continuous government plan, I will communicate them appropriately.”

OYO:
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the state is yet to receive any grains from the federal government.

He expressed concern over the impact of the food crisis on the state, urging the federal government to prioritise the state in its distribution of grains.

“We have not yet received any grains from the federal government. As soon as we receive the grains, we will begin distribution. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the grains are distributed fairly and equitably.

“The state government is working with local farmers and distributors to ensure that the grains are distributed in a timely and efficient manner when finally received,” he added.

OGUN:
Ogun State government has said that it is awaiting the arrival of grains from the federal government.

Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Ogun State governor, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said this while speaking on measures taken by the state government to ease the hardship.

Akinmade said the state government has put in place necessary steps to ensure that the grains get to the targeted people when they eventually arrive.

His words: “Though, the federal government said it will release grains to the state government for distribution to citizens to cushion the effects of high cost of food and inflation, but as we speak, the state has not received anything from the federal government. I want to assure you that once it arrives, justice will be done, to ensure that such gets to target beneficiaries.”

ONDO:
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard in Akure, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said: “We’ve not received grains from the federal government. The state government hasn’t received any grain from the federal government, but once they’re released and it gets to the state, we would commence its distribution to ease the hardship facing our people.

“Aside from the grains that some National Assembly members bought and distributed during the last festive season, the state hasn’t received any grain from the federal government.

“We want to assure our people that once the grain gets to us in the state, they will be distributed immediately.”

KANO:
In Kano, the Kano State government is yet to receive any palliative. But the Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has set up a committee to procure some essential commodities for onward distribution to people of the state ahead of Ramadan.

According to the governor, “we have taken some drastic measures to ease hardship faced by the people. We convened a meeting with the business community in the state. We met with Aliko Dangote, Aminu Dantata and they promised to support us. We are looking forward to inviting Abdussamad Isiyaku Rabiu.

“Aside from this, we wrote a letter to Mr. President, Bola Tinubu, asking the government to intervene and ameliorate the suffering of the people.

“We have resolved to continue to procure essential commodities to assist the people. We have set up a committee under the leadership of the Secretary of State Government, and the Commissioner of Agriculture as Secretary of the committee.

“They are to come up with modalities to procure some essential commodities for onward distribution to the people as the month of Ramadan approaches.”

In a related development, the Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, bursted some warehouses in connection with alleged hoarding as part of measures to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Muhuyi Rimingado, however, sealed off the warehouses stocked with essential commodities such as grains, millets, sugar and spaghetti among others

Meanwhile, the intervention by the anti-graft agency has recorded some form of impact as traders have slashed their prices.

BENUE:
Despite the announcement, Benue is yet to benefit from the initiative. Though government owns a silo in the Terwase Agbado area of Makurdi town where grains are stored, findings indicate none of the grains have been doled out.

A resident of Makurdi town, James Ukpa, who could not hide his anger over the delay in releasing the grains said: “it could be another political statement. They plunged this country into this unbearable poverty and hunger while their families are living in affluence, yet they still find it difficult to implement a directive that will save the poor masses from dying of hunger.

“We all brought this upon ourselves in this country by our wrong choices. Today, even small neighouring countries are making jest of Nigerians because of bad leadership.

“Given the state of hunger in the land and the uncontrolled rising prices of food, what is delaying the release of the grains to Nigerians. We know for certain that God will not abandoned the sufferng poor masses.”

Also, a civil servant, Maria Kusu, said government was insincere with the promise stressing that “it’s another political talk. They don’t care about the poor masses. Look at how we are suffering. Is this what they told us when they were campaigning? They have made life unbearable for Nigerians and they don’t care. Nigerians are pained because we were scammed by these politicians.”

Reacting, the Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, said the state was yet to receive any grains from the federal government as promised.

He said: “As of yesterday (Thursday), we did not receive any grains from the federal government. We have not seen any so far.”

On his part, the acting Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, James Iorpuu, said the agency has yet to receive information on the grains.

He said: “I am not aware of that .I have not received information about that and we have not received any grains from the federal government.”

keymatt:
In agbado voice, we're dying of hunger o!!!!! But we'll still vote Tinubu in 2027.
Reason is that PDP is evil and APC is our own.




Flash back:
PDP evil era: Dollar - N180, Bag of Rice - N7,000

APC Righteous era: Dollar - N1640, Bag of Rice - N77,000




PDP govt is too evil

No fewer than 200 defenceless civilians were murdered by gunmen and extremists nationwide in January 2024 alone including attacks on Barkin Ladi and Bokkos areas of Plateau State, a report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has stated.

The armed attackers also had a culture of renaming some of the villages they sacked, the report added, while citing how “Rankum was renamed Mahanga; Fass in Riyom (renamed Tafawa), Gwoi in Barkin Ladi (renamed Lugere), Fit ma Bucher (renamed Magaraje), Farandong Hai (renamed Josho) and Horop Mushere (renamed Dajin Gwamna) all in Bokkos.”

The Intersociety report released on Wednesday to SaharaReporters called on the international community to intensify their campaigns against ethno-religious persecution in Nigeria and compel the President Bola Tinubu-led government to respect religious freedom and human rights.

The report partly read, “Many of the Plateau Christian villages uprooted and sacked by Jihadist herdsmen have been renamed including: Rankum (renamed Mahanga), Fass in Riyom (renamed Tafawa), Gwoi in Barkin Ladi (renamed Lugere), Fit ma Bucher (renamed Magaraje), Farandong Hai (renamed Josho) and Horop Mushere (renamed Dajin Gwamna) all in Bokkos; all of which currently serve as staging grounds for more Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen attacks in Plateau State.

“The attacks on defenceless Nigerians in the past 13 months (Jan 2023-Jan 2024) also led to the burning down or wanton destruction of more than 20,000 houses and uprooting and sacking of no fewer than 500 communities in the ten worst hit States of Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna and other parts of the state; Niger, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Adawama, Kebbi, FCT, Kogi and Enugu State where over 22 communities have been attacked or threatened with Jihadist herdsmen and nomad militia attacks.

“The most shocking of it all is that the herdsmen operate freely and unchallenged with impunity and reckless abandon; with the Nigerian Security Forces (NSFs), widely accused of turning blind eyes or looking the other side; except when it comes to protection of cows and their herders.

“Instances of the Nigerian Military’s brazen partisanship and biasness in the massacre of Nigerians are too many to be mentioned.

“Our recommendations are: calling, as a matter of extreme urgency, for the appointment of the UN Secretary General’s Special Emergency Envoy on Nigeria and UN Security Council Resolution authorizing comprehensive UN-backed Commission of Inquiry or International Investigation into systematic and well-coordinated ethno-religious attacks by government-protected Jihadists on defenceless Nigerians and their sacred places of worship and learning, dwelling houses and means of livelihood.

“The International UN Investigation call shall cover the ongoing mass killings, abductions, disappearances, torture, lootings, wanton destruction of civilian houses and other properties and other grievous international offenses ravaging the Old Eastern Nigeria particularly in Imo and other parts of the Southeast.

“Calling for immediate appointment by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; of Special Representatives on Nigeria (.i.e. UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Worship or Belief and a Special Rep of the UN Refugee Agency) to comprehensively investigate the situation of millions of Christian IDPs and other moderate Muslims including those that have crossed international borders (refugees) so as to ascertain their numbers and locations and roles played by the Nigerian Government regarding their welfare; a fundamental part of the country’s international human rights and humanitarian obligations under UN System.

“The UN-backed Commission of Inquiry or investigations shall be comprehensive, timely and conclusive with their outcomes referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in accordance with Chapter Seven (V11) of the UN Charter of 1945; for criminal investigation including arrest, trial and conviction of the individual and group perpetrators including state actors (aiders, instigators, sponsors and abettors) and group and individual non state actors such as MACBAN and FUNAM.”