Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN has attributed the hike in prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG also known as cooking gas in Nigeria to the current price in the international market, activities of middle and political factors.

Rivers State Chairman of PETROAN, Francis Dimkpa in an interview in Port Harcourt on Monday said LPG is traded at international price in Nigeria, despite the fact Nigeria produces part of the LPG consumed in the country. Dimkpa disclosed that some gas plants operators do not have access to LPG from Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, thereby hiking the prices.

In his word “it very painful and difficult to understand how a country like ours that is producing LPG otherwise known as cooking gas is going through such a hike in price of domestic gas like this. But I think it is connected with international price of LPG. I do not know whether it is clear to all of us that LPG in this country is not traded at domestic price, it is traded at the international price. Most times NLNG carries this product to Lagos before even coming to Port Harcourt”.

“We also import LGP to an extent. The business of LPG is shrouded in a lot of diplomatic and political issues where registered LPG plants do not have, so to say, direct access to buy from NLNG. There are a lot of political off-takers in place, making the price of LPG secondary before it gets to the primary consumers.

Dimkpa also called on the government to step in and regularize the price of LPG, adding that retail outlets owners are willing to buy products directly from NLNG.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2021/08/23/reasons-behind-hike-in-price-of-cooking-gas-revealed/

Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife, says medicated, antiseptic soaps and liquids are bad for the skin, noting they can increase risk of developing certain skin conditions.

According to Dr. Cole-Adeife, using antiseptic or medicated soaps and liquid sometimes can wash off the healthy bacteria needed for the skin. Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, the dermatologist said, “I know a lot of us grew up thinking we needed to get rid of all germs on our skin and keep the skin as clean as possible; or that we should use a lot of antiseptic soap and antiseptic liquid, particularly for babies when they are born, but they are actually very bad for the skin.

“Our skin is like an environment of what scientists call a microbiome, an environment of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Some of them are healthy bacteria or healthy germs that can live on our skin and they have a job they are doing -think of them as tenants in a building. Imagine as a landlord, you chase away your tenants and don’t lock up the doors of your property. Imagine what would happen. You would have a lot of hooligans and riff-raff coming into the property and vandalising it. They are not going to pay you any rent because they are not there legally. That is what happens when we use antiseptic or medicated soaps and liquids.

“We actually wash off healthy bacteria that are on our skin. Some of these bacteria make sure unhealthy germs or harmful germs do not come on to the skin and when they are not there, it’s easier for harmful germs to come to your skin. Also, those healthy bacteria have a way of secreting certain substances that also help the skin to function optimally and they regulate our immune system,” she said.

The expert noted that the skin has a natural immune system, adding that there are some cells on the skin that ensure unhealthy bacteria do not proliferate more than they should. She added that the cells also ensure that healthy bacteria do not over-proliferate. We have some healthy fungi that live on our skin but it is the ‘police’ on the skin that prevent them from overgrowing.

“So, sometimes, use of antiseptic soap can disrupt this normal environment and take off healthy bacteria and give room for unhealthy bacteria to grow and keep spreading. Also, most antiseptic soaps and liquids have stronger effect on bacteria than fungi, so they kind of favour the growth of fungi on the skin. That is why we have a lot of people in our environment having fungal skin infection because when you take off all the healthy bacteria, it favours growth of fungi. So the fungi can grow without any hindrance.

“It’s very important we do not make the habit of using antiseptic or medicated soaps and liquids a daily affair.”

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/why-medicated-antiseptic-liquid-soaps-are-bad-for-skin-dermatologist/

Despite barrage of criticisms against some choices of appointees, the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a few round pegs in round holes, one of whom is 66-year-old Is-haq Oloyede, a professor of Arabic and Islamic Jurisprudence who brought innovations to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board since his first appointment as Registrar on August 6, 2016.

Oloyede was Friday reappointed by the President for another 5-year term as registrar of JAMB, the agency established by government in 1978 “to conduct matriculation examinations for entry into all universities polytechnics and colleges of education in the country and place suitably qualified candidates in the available places in these institutions”.

During his first term, Oloyede, amongst other reforms, was noted to have significantly increased the remittances of JAMB to the Federal Government. A top official at the Board told our correspondent that though “JAMB is not a revenue-generating agency but under Prof Ishaq Oloyede in the last 5 years, JAMB remitted over N30bn to the Federal Government purse, an amount far above what was generated by the Board in its 40 years of existence, before Oloyede came on board.

“This was despite the fact he reduced the fee for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination forms from N5,000 to N3,500 in 2017. JAMB had remitted a total of N50m to the FG between 1978 and 2016 before Oloyede,” the source said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, also said Oloyede transformed JAMB through introduction of technology.

“He introduced technology and blocked leakages and avenues for corrupt officials to siphon money from the Board,” the official added. Notably, JAMB’s annual remittances to the FG under Oloyede rival the yearly profit before tax of some banks. The growing figures of the Board have ranked it in the league of top government agencies with high remittances. They include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the NNPC, the Nigerian Customs Service and the Department of Petroleum Resources, amongst others.

In his early months in office, the nation had been entertained with tales of snakes swallowing millions of naira in JAMB offices and associated corruption charges against officials of the Board. A former JAMB Registrar, Prof Adedibu Ojerinde, has been in court over an 18-count bordering on alleged fraud and diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.2 billion.

In an interview in early 2019, Oloyede had complained about “expanded throats” in JAMB, adding that he found a way to put such people aside so they wouldn’t distract him. “I find a way to put such people aside. We sack about 10 to 15 people in a year. We don’t stop at sacking them, we take them to court and insist on their prosecution because we have the facts before us,” he had said.

“I did not increase the charges and I thank the FG for reducing the charges. We charge the lowest fee anywhere in the world. President Buhari was kind enough to say slash the fee from N5,000 to N3,500 and even with that, we will still make a substantial return because we are not stealing their money,” the don had stated.

He had also expressed his thoughts regarding making huge remittances to the government when the money can be used to directly develop the education sector. “It isn’t the best though where you have billions of naira and you return it back to the government. It is not the best. But that is the legal framework we have to work with. A better stage can be to go to similar institutions around the world where they fund themselves and extend it (the money) to tertiary institutions directly by identifying their needs and supporting them,” Oloyede had said.

However, it has not been all garlands and praises for Oloyede as he had also been criticised severely and several times over the number of students who gain admission yearly. Critics have argued that the Board continues to rake in money for the government while some applicants continue to sit for the exam more than 3 times before eventually gaining admission into a tertiary institution of their choice. But Oloyede had maintained it was important for applicants to study well to pass the UTME before being admitted into any tertiary institution.

Married and blessed with children and grandchildren, Oloyede is a doctoral graduate in Islamics. He is a fellow of the Islamic Academy of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Fellow, Academy of Entrepreneurship; Fellow All Nigerian Institute Management; Fellow Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Fellow Association of Islamic Religious Studies among others.

He has served on the board of many university organisations. He was the Chairman, Committee of Directors of Academic Planning in Nigerian Universities – 2002 to 2004; He was the President, Association of African Universities. He served on the board of Association of Commonwealth Universities, 2010 to 2012 and International Association of Universities, 2008 to 2012. He was appointed Co–secretary of the National Political Reform Conference by then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 and also a member of the 2014 National Political Conference. Also in 2006, he was appointed a Consultant by the National Universities Commission on Educational Reforms in Nigeria.

Oloyede served as the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, from October 2007 to October 2012, and Chairman Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigeria Universities as well as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors from 2011 to 2012.

As he starts another term of 5 years as JAMB registrar, the nation and his critics continue to watch keenly, expecting whether he would further drive developmental reforms in the Board or relent, as it is in the habit of many Nigerian government officials and politicians when appointed or elected for second term in office. Only time will tell but for now, congratulations are in order for the native of Abeokuta in Ogun State.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/ishaq-oloyede-varsity-don-who-remitted-n30bn-to-fg-reappointed-as-jamb-registrar/

Residents of Ilupeju-Oshodi, in Mushin LGA of Lagos State, have lamented their losses after suspected cultists unleashed mayhem on the community on Monday and Tuesday. PUNCH Metro learnt no fewer than 30 vehicles were vandalised by hoodlums on 12 streets in the area.

The affected streets are Olateju, Tinuola, Ilupeju, Adegboyega, Iseyin, Shyllon, Idera, Araba, Agunbiade, Fashina, Mustapha and Akinbode. During a visit to the streets on Wednesday, our correspondent observed that the roads were deserted, as street gates and businesses were under lock and key. Also, shards of glass from vandalised vehicles littered the ground.

A resident, who identified himself only as Balogun, said the fight was between Aiye and Eiye cultists. He said, “The fight started on Monday and involved boys from Ilupeju and Ogunmokun. They broke my car windows. They destroyed more than 30 vehicles on the streets. The CDA reported at Olosan Police Station and the police were here yesterday (Tuesday).”

A witness, Isatu Dawodu, said he saw hoodlums breaking into stalls and stealing phones and other gadgets. She said, “We saw the boys rushing into our street. They used an axe to destroy the gate and destroyed things on the street. They looted all the laptops and monitors in a betting shop opposite my house. They also burnt down a loaded foodstuff shop and 5 other shops. They vandalised up to 15 vehicles on my street alone. They destroyed my neighbour’s two Sienna vehicles. They came with guns, axes and other weapons. Government should come to our aid.”

A trader, who identified herself as Adijat Ibrahim, said her shop was looted after she fled for her life on Tuesday. “When I returned to my shop, they had looted it and carted away goods. A lot of people have moved out of the area. This place used to be livelier than this,” she said.

The new Lagos State Police PRO, Adekunle Ajisebutu, promised to send a statement to our correspondent on the incident. He did not send the statement as of the time of filing this report and did not take his phone which rang out several times.


SOURCE: https://punchng.com/lagos-community-laments-as-cultists-raid-12-streets-vandalise-30-vehicles/

Since last December when the Delta strain of coronavirus was identified in India, it has swept rapidly across several countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Nigeria, fuelling fresh anxiety among medical experts and people who initially thought the pandemic was receding with arrival of vaccines.

Instead, the Delta, a highly contagious strain, is a major concern as it is the dominant strain in most countries now. When it was first reported in India, it formed the foundation of the deadly COVID 2nd wave and devastated big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Pune. Amid the deadly wave, crematoriums ran out of space, and funerals took place in car parks. At a point, India reported over 400,000 new cases and over 3,500 new deaths within a day.

Even though the new strain has killed more people across many countries, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist and a vaccinologist at Yale Medicine, Dr Inci Yildirim, however says she isn’t surprised by what’s happening. “All viruses evolve over time and undergo changes as they spread and replicate,” she says.

One thing that is unique about Delta is how quickly it is spreading, says Dr Perry Wilson, a Yale Medicine epidemiologist. Around the world, “Delta will certainly accelerate the pandemic,” he says. “The pandemic is not over, and delta changes the calculus,” Joel Wertheim, an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at UC San Diego, also tells The Washington Post.

Also in Nigeria, which has also recorded cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, states that the figures must serve as a strong warning for people not to let down their guard. The experts state that among other characteristics of the Delta strain, it is more contagious than the other virus strains, it poses a severe risk to unvaccinated people, and it can lead to “hyperlocal” outbreaks.

Even if already vaccinated, it is better to stay safe and not indulge in activities that can expose you to the Delta strain of the coronavirus. The following are, therefore, activities that can expose you to the coronavirus, according to the NCDC, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and infectious disease experts.

1. AIR TRAVEL
Risk of contracting the Delta strain of the coronavirus is high, according to the CDC. Also, infectious disease expert at Westmed, US, Dr Sandra Kesh, tells CNET.com that flying is one of the riskiest situations to put yourself in when it comes to exposure to COVID-19. Unless absolutely necessary, Kesh warns against air travel until majority of the population (or world) is vaccinated, or at the very least, until you’ve received the full dose of the vaccine.

She says, “Airports tend to be high-stress places. People are always worried about making their flight…going to the security checks – there’s a lot of distraction. So the kind of focus we are able to maintain with social distancing, masks and hand hygiene sometimes goes out the window because your attention is scattered. It’s noisy and you’re trying to figure out where to go. So even people who are well-meaning, the rules tend to go by the wayside.”

Kesh also says the other problem with airports is you can encounter people from all over the country or the world and those people could be coming from high-risk places and carrying the virus with them. When you’re sitting on a plane waiting for it to take off, there is no air movement. If you turn on the fan above your head, that’s the only air moving. It’s a really terrific environment for one person to potentially infect the whole plane,” she says. However, if you need to fly, you should wear a mask at all times. Absolutely do not fly if you have been exposed to someone who tested positive within the last 2 weeks or if you have symptoms yourself.

“When you get on the plane, be sure to wipe down your seat and tray with disinfectant wipes. If you can bring a seat cover, that’s even better. If you go to the bathroom on the plane, be sure to wash your hands and use hand sanitiser when you touch anything that others could touch,” Kesh adds.

2. EATING IN A RESTAURANT
Eating inside a restaurant can be risky for a few different reasons. First, being inside and around others puts you at risk of exposure to people carrying the virus. If you’re outside, it’s much more likely anything in the air will disperse quickly, meaning there’s less chance of breathing in infected air particles. At a restaurant, you are also going to be around people who are largely not wearing masks and covering their faces, since it’s pretty hard to keep a mask on while you eat. Finally, being around servers is also a risk since you will be talking to and interacting with them at a close proximity pretty frequently.

To stay safe, your best bet is to opt for takeout and eat at home. Next best choice is dining outside. Whether you dine inside or outside, you should make sure that the area is not crowded. Also, look into the business’s safety guidelines and sanitation protocols – does it seem like the restaurant is taking extra safety measures and taking the virus seriously? Are all employees covering their faces at all times, even in the kitchen where you can’t see?

3. GOING TO A BAR
Many bars are open again, so it may be tempting to grab a drink with friends. But according to experts, bars are considered high-risk when it comes to the chance of contracting the virus. First problem is that drinking disinhibits you, making it more likely you or those around you will forget to wear a mask or social distance.

“Bars are noisy, so you’re yelling your drink order at the bartender and other people are right by you – it’s really a perfect environment for that shared air space that we get so worried about,” Kesh says. “In this case, totally avoiding bars if you’re not vaccinated is the best way to reduce risk. For now, drinking at home or outdoors, while social distancing, is the safest option,” she adds.

4. SEEING FRIENDS INSIDE
Getting together with friends or family depends on the number of people, how well you know them and the amount of exposure they’ve had leading up to coming into contact with you, in addition to how many people in the group are vaccinated. If you have a circle of friends who you know are vaccinated, then you’re safer than if you invite your friend over who is not vaccinated and maybe went to a bar the past weekend.

It’s much easier to spread the virus inside since people are likely gathered closer together, talking and touching surfaces like doors, tables and chairs. Some experts suggest parties and other indoor gatherings of friends and family have caused a significant number of new cases.

Meanwhile, if you have friends over at your home, be sure to ask everyone to wear a mask and limit the number of people so you can remain properly spaced apart. Also, be selective about who you invite over – now is not the time to invite people you don’t really know or trust. Keep it limited to a close circle who you know have been vaccinated or are responsible when it comes to COVID-19 safety. If you can’t do that, then you should be outside and not indoors. Also, be sure to encourage people to keep their distance and ventilate your home by opening windows and using fans and the AC if you have it.

5. VISITING THE GYM
Gyms aren’t necessarily the safest places to go these times. First of all, safety largely depends on how big the gym is, how crowded it is and how well you are able to distance yourself from others. Also, this does not include group fitness classes or group training, which could present more risk.

“The thing that makes the gym different from other places is you have a lot of people panting and we know that the more you exhale with force the farther those viral particles will go,” Kesh says. “And the thing that’s harder to control is most people will not be wearing a mask when they’re trying to work out, so then you’re going to have a lot of forced exhaled air,” she adds.

Kesh recommends making sure that the gym is not crowded when you go. You can call beforehand and see if they are limiting people in the gym or ask how full it is before you go. You can also wear a mask while exercising in proximity to others, especially indoors.

6. GOING TO A BARBER’S
It may seem harmless, but getting a haircut at a barber’s can put you at significant risk of getting infected if you’re not vaccinated. The problem is that your hairstylist or barber has to be close to your head, sharing the same air with you. Even if you’re wearing masks, experts stress that they don’t make you invincible, especially at such close proximity, though they will lessen your risk of transmitting or getting the virus.

But should you visit a barber’s or salon, experts say you should visit one that that is not crowded. The place should also be well-ventilated while the doors and windows should be kept open so there is good airflow. If the salon or barber’s has an air conditioner or fan, it should be turned on, experts advise.

7. GROCERY SHOPPING
According to experts, the most important thing to consider with grocery shopping is how crowded the mall is. It’s better to choose a mall that limits capacity and where you know you will feel more safe. The more frequently you have to stand near someone, whether that’s in line or while selecting your food, the more risk you have of being exposed.

To reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus, experts advise to choose less crowded malls and go at off hours, like Tuesday night at 7 pm instead of Saturday morning at 10 am. You should also check if the store is taking extra measures, like placing plexiglass or plastic barriers between you and the cashier, wiping down grocery carts after every use or taking measures to encourage social distancing like marking 6-foot distances on the floor in lines.


SOURCE: https://punchng.com/delta-variant-seven-activities-that-can-expose-you-to-coronavirus/

Full transcript of United States President, Joe Biden’s remarks on Afghanistan

Good afternoon.

I want to speak today to the unfolding situation in Afghanistan, the developments that have taken place in the last week and the steps we’re taking to address the rapidly evolving events.

My national security team and I have been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and moving quickly to execute the plans we had put in place to respond to every contingency, including the rapid collapse we’re seeing now. I’ll speak more in a moment about the specific steps we’re taking. But I want to remind everyone how we got here and what America’s interests are in Afghanistan.

We went to Afghanistan almost 20 years ago with clear goals: get those who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001, and make sure Al Qaeda could not use Afghanistan as a base from which to attack us again. We did that. We severely degraded Al Qaeda and Afghanistan. We never gave up the hunt for Osama bin Laden and we got him.

That was a decade ago. Our mission in Afghanistan was never supposed to have been nation-building. It was never supposed to be creating a unified, centralized democracy. Our only vital national interest in Afghanistan remains today what it has always been: preventing a terrorist attack on the American homeland.

I’ve argued for many years that our mission should be narrowly focused on counterterrorism, not counterinsurgency or nation-building. That’s why I opposed the surge when it was proposed in 2009 when I was vice president. And that’s why as president I’m adamant we focus on the threats we face today, in 2021, not yesterday’s threats.

Today a terrorist threat has metastasized well beyond Afghanistan. Al Shabab in Somalia, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Al Nusra in Syria, ISIS attempting to create a caliphate in Syria and Iraq and establishing affiliates in multiple countries in Africa and Asia. These threats warrant our attention and our resources. We conduct effective counterterrorism missions against terrorist groups in multiple countries where we don’t have permanent military presence. If necessary, we’ll do the same in Afghanistan. We’ve developed counterterrorism over-the-horizon capability that will allow us to keep our eyes firmly fixed on the direct threats to the United States in the region, and act quickly and decisively if needed.

When I came into office, I inherited a deal that President Trump negotiated with the Taliban. Under his agreement, U.S. forces would be out of Afghanistan by May 1, 2021, just a little over three months after I took office. U.S. forces had already drawn down during the Trump administration from roughly 15,500 American forces to 2,500 troops in country. And the Taliban was at its strongest militarily since 2001.

The choice I had to make as your president was either to follow through on that agreement or be prepared to go back to fighting the Taliban in the middle of the spring fighting season. There would have been no cease-fire after May 1. There was no agreement protecting our forces after May 1. There was no status quo of stability without American casualties after May 1. There was only a cold reality of either following through on the agreement to withdraw our forces or escalating the conflict and sending thousands more American troops back into combat in Afghanistan and lurching into the third decade of conflict.

I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces. That’s why we’re still there. We were clear about the risks. We planned for every contingency. But I always promised the American people that I will be straight with you.

The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated. So what’s happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight. If anything, the developments of the past week reinforced that ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan now was the right decision.

American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves. We spent over a trillion dollars. We trained and equipped an Afghan military force of some 300,000 strong. Incredibly well equipped. A force larger in size than the militaries of many of our NATO allies. We gave them every tool they could need. We paid their salaries, provided for the maintenance of their air force, something the Taliban doesn’t have. Taliban does not have an air force. We provided close air support. We gave them every chance to determine their own future. What we could not provide them was the will to fight for that future.

There are some very brave and capable Afghan special forces units and soldiers. But if Afghanistan is unable to mount any real resistance to the Taliban now, there is no chance that one year — one more year, five more years or 20 more years — that U.S. military boots on the ground would have made any difference.

Here’s what I believe to my core: It is wrong to order American troops to step up when Afghanistan’s own armed forces would not. The political leaders of Afghanistan were unable to come together for the good of their people, unable to negotiate for the future of their country when the chips were down. They would never have done so while U.S. troops remained in Afghanistan bearing the brunt of the fighting for them. And our true strategic competitors, China and Russia, would love nothing more than the United States to continue to funnel billions of dollars in resources and attention into stabilizing Afghanistan indefinitely.

When I hosted President Ghani and Chairman Abdullah at the White House in June, and again when I spoke by phone to Ghani in July, we had very frank conversations. We talked about how Afghanistan should prepare to fight their civil wars after the U.S. military departed. To clean up the corruption in government so the government could function for the Afghan people. We talked extensively about the need for Afghan leaders to unite politically. They failed to do any of that. I also urged them to engage in diplomacy, to seek a political settlement with the Taliban. This advice was flatly refused. Mr. Ghani insisted the Afghan forces would fight, but obviously he was wrong.

So I’m left again to ask of those who argue that we should stay: How many more generations of America’s daughters and sons would you have me send to fight Afghanistan’s civil war when Afghan troops will not? How many more lives, American lives, is it worth, how many endless rows of headstones at Arlington National Cemetery? I’m clear on my answer: I will not repeat the mistakes we’ve made in the past. The mistake of staying and fighting indefinitely in a conflict that is not in the national interest of the United States, of doubling down on a civil war in a foreign country, of attempting to remake a country through the endless military deployments of U.S. forces. Those are the mistakes we cannot continue to repeat because we have significant vital interest in the world that we cannot afford to ignore.

I also want to acknowledge how painful this is to so many of us. The scenes that we’re seeing in Afghanistan, they’re gut-wrenching, particularly for our veterans, our diplomats, humanitarian workers — for anyone who has spent time on the ground working to support the Afghan people. For those who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan, and for Americans who have fought and served our country in Afghanistan, this is deeply, deeply personal. It is for me as well.

I’ve worked on these issues as long as anyone. I’ve been throughout Afghanistan during this war, while the war was going on, from Kabul to Kandahar, to the Kunar Valley. I’ve travelled there on four different occasions. I’ve met with the people. I’ve spoken with the leaders. I spent time with our troops, and I came to understand firsthand what was and was not possible in Afghanistan. So now we’re focused on what is possible.

We will continue to support the Afghan people. We will lead with our diplomacy, our international influence and our humanitarian aid. We’ll continue to push for regional diplomacy and engagement to prevent violence and instability. We’ll continue to speak out for the basic rights of the Afghan people, of women and girls, just as we speak out all over the world.

I’ve been clear, the human rights must be the centre of our foreign policy, not the periphery. But the way to do it is not through endless military deployments. It’s with our diplomacy, our economic tools and rallying the world to join us.

Let me lay out the current mission in Afghanistan: I was asked to authorize, and I did, 6,000 U.S. troops to deploy to Afghanistan for the purpose of assisting in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan, and to evacuate our Afghan allies and vulnerable Afghans to safety outside of Afghanistan. Our troops are working to secure the airfield and ensure continued operation on both the civilian and military flights. We’re taking over air traffic control. We have safely shut down our embassy and transferred our diplomats. Our diplomatic presence is now consolidated at the airport as well.

Over the coming days we intend to transport out thousands of American citizens who have been living and working in Afghanistan. We’ll also continue to support the safe departure of civilian personnel — the civilian personnel of our allies who are still serving in Afghanistan. Operation Allies Refuge, which I announced back in July, has already moved 2,000 Afghans who are eligible for special immigration visas and their families to the United States. In the coming days, the U.S. military will provide assistance to move more S.I.V.-eligible Afghans and their families out of Afghanistan.

We’re also expanding refugee access to cover other vulnerable Afghans who work for our embassy. U.S. nongovernmental organizations and Afghans who otherwise are a great risk in U.S. news agencies — I know there are concerns about why we did not begin evacuating Afghan civilians sooner. Part of the answer is some of the Afghans did not want to leave earlier, still hopeful for their country. And part of it because the Afghan government and its supporters discouraged us from organizing a mass exodus to avoid triggering, as they said, a crisis of confidence.

American troops are performing this mission as professionally and as effectively as they always do. But it is not without risks. As we carry out this departure, we have made it clear to the Taliban: If they attack our personnel or disrupt our operation, the U.S. presence will be swift, and the response will be swift and forceful. We will defend our people with devastating force if necessary. Our current military mission is short on time, limited in scope and focused in its objectives: Get our people and our allies as safely and quickly as possible. And once we have completed this mission, we will conclude our military withdrawal. We will end America’s longest war after 20 long years of bloodshed.

The events we’re seeing now are sadly proof that no amount of military force would ever deliver a stable, united, secure Afghanistan, as known in history as the graveyard of empires. What’s happening now could just as easily happen five years ago or 15 years in the future. We have to be honest, our mission in Afghanistan made many missteps over the past two decades.

I’m now the fourth American president to preside over war in Afghanistan. Two Democrats and two Republicans. I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth president. I will not mislead the American people by claiming that just a little more time in Afghanistan will make all the difference. Nor will I shrink from my share of responsibility for where we are today and how we must move forward from here. I am president of the United States of America, and the buck stops with me.

I’m deeply saddened by the facts we now face. But I do not regret my decision to end America’s war-fighting in Afghanistan and maintain a laser focus on our counterterrorism mission, there and other parts of the world. Our mission to degrade the terrorist threat of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and kill Osama bin Laden was a success. Our decades-long effort to overcome centuries of history and permanently change and remake Afghanistan was not, and I wrote and believed it never could be.

I cannot and will not ask our troops to fight on endlessly in another country’s civil war, taking casualties, suffering life-shattering injuries, leaving families broken by grief and loss. This is not in our national security interest. It is not what the American people want. It is not what our troops who have sacrificed so much over the past two decades deserve. I made a commitment to the American people when I ran for president that I would bring America’s military involvement in Afghanistan to an end. While it’s been hard and messy and, yes, far from perfect, I’ve honoured that commitment.

More importantly, I made a commitment to the brave men and women who serve this nation that I wasn’t going to ask them to continue to risk their lives in a military action that should’ve ended long ago. Our leader did that in Vietnam when I got here as a young man. I will not do it in Afghanistan.

I know my decision will be criticized. But I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to another president of the United States, yet another one, a fifth one. Because it’s the right one, it’s the right decision for our people. The right one for our brave service members who risked their lives serving our nation. And it’s the right one for America.

Thank you. May God protect our troops, our diplomats and all brave Americans serving in harm’s way.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/full-speech-bidens-remarks-on-afghanistan/

Despite growing demand for Irish Potato locally and its potential at the international market, Nigeria is yet to tap into this opportunity, as the country struggles to fill the huge supply deficit.

Irish potatoes are shrubby perennials with edible tubers, grown as cool-weather annuals in rows, raised beds, or containers. The starchy tubers quickly became one of the world’s most important and nutritious foods, behind only corn, wheat and rice.

The product comes in different varieties, colours and shapes and has multitudinous uses aside the normal nutritious value. Different countries of the world have institutionalised their cultivation for both export and local consumption. It contains 2% protein and 18% starch. It is an inexpensive source of carbohydrates and, when prepared properly, provide good amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Its fibers help to lower blood cholesterol levels; it has a great source of potassium, which also plays an important role in lowering blood pressure. Vitamin B6 in the product is very useful in maintaining brain and nervous system health. It also helps in prevention of common cold and scurvy.

Irish Potato is a cool-season crop, which grows best in early spring and late fall when days are warm and nights cool. However, the tops of the plant cannot withstand frost. It has many varieties with different skin colours — red flesh, white flesh and yellow flesh. The most common ones are the red and the white skin, but the red variety stays longer than the white. Irish is a staple food classified under vegetable.

In recent years, Irish Potato has witnessed a growing demand. This comes mainly from consumers who have come to realise its health benefits. Not only that, new ways of preparing this tuber crop has made it more attractive. Irish Potatoes are consumed in a variety of ways. Some of these include fried chips, porridge, baked, mashed potatoes, as well as roasted potato among others.

But despite the benefits and potential of this crop, the country’s production level is still minimal. It is unfortunate that despite the country’s enormous land surface used for crop production, Nigeria ranks 4th among the continent’s leading Irish potato producing countries. Egypt is Africa’s leading Irish potato producer with 5,029,022 tonnes yearly production, followed by Algeria with 4,782,690 tonnes, while South Africa ranks 3rd with 2,150,844 tonnes a year.

China is the largest potato producer in the world with 99,122,420 tonnes of production volume per year. India comes 2nd with 43,770,000 tonnes yearly production. Russian Federation ranks 3rd with 31,107,797 tonnes yearly production.

In Nigeria, Plateau State is the major producers of Irish potatoes. Other places with high altitudes are Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State and Obudu, Cross River State. Irish potato can grow well during harmattan when the North is generally cold. Places like Zaria, Kaduna State, Borno and some parts of Nsukka in Enugu State.

Despite the progress made in potato development in Nigeria, there are still some constraints, which limit its production, processing and marketing. These include inadequate supply of good quality seeds, inadequate storage facilities, poor diseases and pests’ management, which affects yield and value addition to the potato crop.

According to a produce exporter, Jeremiah Ogu, who revealed there is a huge deficit in supply of the produce, he said there is a need for government to support farmers not only to meet domestic demand but also to serve as a foreign exchange earner for the country.

“We can only maximise the potential of this crop when people begin to cultivate the crop in large quantity. High-profit turnover is an incentive you do not want to ignore. Plateau State is a major producer of this crop in Nigeria but it is mostly cultivated through manual labour. Government can assist farmers to embark on mechanised farming to aid commercial production.”

It was learnt that the potato production from Plateau State, according to PotatoPRO.com, a leading information source for the global potato industry, contributed to the current status of the country in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the country is lagging behind.

Umar Abbas, Chairman of, Irish potato sellers association in Kaduna, who has been selling the product for over 25 years at Bakin Dogo market in Kaduna State, said one of the challenges faced by traders is the perishable nature of the produce. “Whoever is into the business is aware of its perishable nature. Sometimes, we buy in large quantity only for it to get spoilt at the end and we have to dispose of them. We usually encounter this loss often.

“The major support these businessmen require is finance because everything about business involves finance. Post-harvest management with selling perishable goods and price instability of Irish potatoes is also a challenge.”

According to a farmer, who has been cultivating the crop for over 20 years in Jos, John Kpong, the problem of inadequate dams and road networks, coupled with diseases such as blight and bacterial wilt, as well as poor seedlings are major factors reducing production yield in the country. He added that low yields, poor seedlings, high cost of fertilizer and other farming inputs have also continued to pose a major setback in the production of sufficient potatoes for the nation and for export.

“We have the potential of producing enough for local consumption. It will also be our joy to sell our products to other countries, but some of the challenges facing us must be tackled headlong. The fact remains that we need government’s support to maximize the profit potential of this crop for local use and export.”

Few months ago, the Federal Government commenced capacity building for farmers in some of the Irish potato producing states. Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Karima Babangida, said the initiative was in the pursuit of food security and nutrition for the country. He expressed hope that if capacity building is achieved the narratives about farming as a culture will change to farming as a business.

SOURCE: https://t.guardian.ng/features/why-irish-potato-production-remains-low-in-nigeria/

Did something similar at Aba some years ago. The thugs vanished like smoke. Very foolish and wicked set of people.

fowlyansh181:
actually there is , I met similar fate one time in enugu, they jumped into my car and insisted we go to their office , I agreed after much disagreement.. on our way, I speedily drove into a police station and just packed there immediately, and told them to charge me for my offense there and then, the police started gathering gradually and those thugs disappeared with style..

The photograph of an expensive apartment in Lagos state has caught the eye of many Nigerians on social media. The apartment looks well furnished, but the front door has caught the attention of many.

A Nigerian man has taken to social media to share his house-hunting experience in the commercial city of Lagos, as he inspected an apartment with a major design flaw. Despite lovely interior decor, the fact that the apartment was only accessible through a window like entrance, shocked many people. There was also a mini ladder placed just on the edge of the window so that anyone coming in or going out would use it.

He wrote; ”Lagos is not a real place…how this gon be front door fgs. If i tell you how much e cost”

See some reactions to the photo below;

@Irunnia_ said; Na this kind house Rinu go like. After her activism work during the day, she go just climb into her room.

@Uwayaisi; U just have to bend low and see what the Lord can do.

@hadjahauwa; Nobe window be this?

@NelsonHope10; Na windoor

@Boboye_Ak; Lmaooo. Landlord converted kitchen to self contain.

@GreaterPraize; Its particularly built to humble the proud. To enter, you must lower yourself

@khazard99; Werey people still put ladder come do brown carpet reception for you

@ImoleDeji; Imagine entering your apartment like a thief. Apartment wey you pay for.

@Smiling_Chee1; Its either a thief passage or somebody is cheating on another person

That can’t be the front door

@bmd_Os; Keep enemies confused dyg. Imagine say thief enter compound dey find front door you don japa

@MaryUcheCharles; Are you for real? Is this a door or window

@TheEbayMichael; It’s a windoor

SOURCE: https://lailasnews.com/expensive-lagos-apartment-with-small-window-serving-as-front-door-photo/

Violence broke out on Monday between Hausa and Yoruba commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) at Ibese, in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State, during which 7 persons were feared dead. Our correspondent gathered that trouble started when okada riders operating at Dangote Cement Factory junction, Ibese, disagreed with union leaders over hike in ticket fee from N600 to N800.

The crisis snowballed into an ethnic crisis between the Hausa and the Yoruba in the area. Residents of the area told our correspondent that between Monday and Tuesday evening, 7 persons were killed in the crisis. Residents said over 12 motorcycles were burnt, just as locals intercepted Dangote trucks and used them to barricade the road to stop movement in the area.

“The crisis, which started on Monday over tickets, snowballed into an ethnic clash between Yoruba and Hausa Okada riders. More than 12 motorcycles belonging to both Yoruba and Hausa were burnt. Two people died on Monday. Some military men were mobilised to restore sanity, but this morning (Tuesday), the clash continued.

“Another set of soldiers came Tuesday morning to restore peace, but while moving around, there was a clash with aggrieved indigenes. We learnt there was shooting by the soldiers. One person died instantly, while the second was rushed to a hospital.”

State Police PRO Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident but did not confirm number of casualties. He said, “They said unions increased ticket fee from N600 to N800 and that was how the crisis started. The situation has been brought under control. Our men are still there.”

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/seven-feared-dead-as-okada-riders-clash-over-levy-in-ogun/

Motorists in Abuja have foiled an abduction attempt on a resident around Magicland Park before the city gate. The victim was said to have disembarked from his car to urinate when he was attacked by suspected kidnappers.

PUNCH Metro learnt his wife, who was in the vehicle and saw what happened, cried out for help as her husband was whisked away by the hoodlums. A witness, Christopher Orafa, told our correspondent that he was alerted by the alarm raised by the wife. He added that other motorists parked their cars and gave the assailants a hot case.

Orafa said, “Yesterday (Tuesday) around 7.25am, I was going home when I saw a black car parked by the roadside. I heard a woman shouting for help. I parked and asked what was happening. She said two Fulani boys took her husband away. She said her husband came down from the vehicle to pee when he was suddenly attacked by the kidnappers.

“Before I knew it, other people parked and joined us. We went into the bush and ran after them; when they saw we were about to catch up with them, one of them brought out a dagger and cut the man. They left him behind to enable them to run faster inside the bush. At that point, we left them and brought him back to the roadside. We were satisfied that we rescued him. Another person took him to a hospital.”

FCT Deputy Police PRO Daniel Ndripaya could not be reached for comment, as he neither responded to calls nor text message sent to his phone.

https://punchng.com/abuja-motorists-rescue-man-abducted-while-peeing/

A 34-year-old football enthusiast, Emmanuel Samuel, has died after a policeman allegedly shot him at a relaxation spot in FCT Abuja. Emmanuel was said to have gone to the spot with his fiancée and friends to watch a football match on Sunday, July 11, when the incident happened.

PUNCH Metro learnt the victim was leaving the bar when the policeman shot him in the leg after he cautioned him against accidental discharge. His sister, Veronica Samuel, said a hospital in the area refused to attend to him without a police report. She added that her brother was taken to a police station to get the report, but the police threatened to handcuff him. Veronica said the victim died 8 days later.

Recounting the incident, she said, “My brother went to watch the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy with his fiancée and friends at the Emperor Garden in Saburi 1, Mopol Barracks. The police went to the place to arrest someone.

“He was leaving the place at that point in time when he saw one of the policemen cocking his gun and pointing it in his direction. His friends said he told the policeman to be mindful of the way he was pointing the gun to avert accidental discharge which could kill people at the spot. He was leaving when a shot was fired.

“The bullet hit him in his left lap from behind and came out in the front. Immediately, the police fled the scene. His fiancée and others took him to a hospital, but a police report was requested. They went to the police station in the area, but they refused to give a police report and threatened to handcuff my brother, who was in pain.

“Instead of giving us the report, they referred us to an ill-equipped hospital close to the station. They went with us there and said he was in their custody and he would be handcuffed there. We resisted that. When we discovered it was getting worse, we took him to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, where he died on July 19. According to one of the doctors there, he could have been alive if he had better first aid. We went back to report his death at the station, but we were sent away. “

A spokesperson for the FCT police, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said the command was investigating the matter. He said, “We are appealing for more information from members of the public on the identity of the person who shot the deceased.”

https://punchng.com/abuja-policeman-guns-down-football-fan-for-warning-against-accidental-discharge/

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said that the $36 million border bridge project linking Nigeria with Republic of Cameroon will smoothen free trade relationship under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement signed by both countries.

Fashola, who stated this on Tuesday 27 July 2021 while inspecting the bridge project at Ajassor border community in Etung LGA of Cross River State, said the project which has attained 99.9% completion would advance actualization of objectives of the agreement.

The minister, who was excited by the quality of the project, noted that apart economic benefits, the projects are social assets and source of happiness and the prosperity of the people of Nigeria.
The 2-lane 1.5 km project was awarded to CGCOG Group in the total sum of $35,836,552.38 paid equally by Nigeria and Republic of Cameroon with loan from the African Development Bank, AfDB.

Mr. Fashola also inspected progress of work on the 1.4 km Ikum bridge project, which serves as link to Calabar Seaport. While speaking at the border bridge, he said it is now time for the harvest of projects' completion by Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

According to him, “This administration and from the very early difficult days of planning, assessing what was on ground in 2015 to a road map of implementation, I think the signs of completion are now beginning to emerge. So these are the first shoots if you like of the major of completions we propose to herald as the administration enters the 2nd phase of the 2nd term on his way out.

“You heard from the state government admirably represented by the honourable commissioner for works. You heard from the local community, you heard from the LG chairman and how pleased they are. As far as renewal goes, it is instructive that right behind me here is the old bridge and that is about 6 decades if not older, so this is a very strategic infrastructure to take Nigeria to the future for many more decades, to facilitate relationship with our brothers and sisters in Cameroon and to strengthen the bond that exists between the two nations.

“And this is incidentally I must say a joint development by the Republic of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria; so it is not our show alone. Actually the minister for works for Cameroon and I planned this visit together but at the very last minute, some other urgent matter came up for him. So we will come back here again but I have to go to another solely Nigerian project from here so I have to continue the trip on my own.”

On volume of trade expected between the both countries, Fashola said, “You know that we have had a very strong relationship with the Republic of Cameroon in terms of trade and business and if you see Aba for example I can tell you that, Enugu for example, Abakiliki, this is the routes that facilitates trade, agro produce, merchandise, manufactured groups from Aba in Abia State.

“So you can only expect that would improve with joint border patrols now, more security, much more efficiency which you saw from the first buildings, that is the format of what integration of ECOWAS and sister nations of the African continent should look like.

“Nigeria is now a signatory to the African continental free trade agreement; so this is infrastructure that positions both nations to take the benefits of free trade that the agreement heralds. So it is really exciting looking to the future, you can only see more business and more trade and employment for people.”

On how governments of both countries would recoup the money spent on this project, he said, “These are social assets and we must understand that. The recoupment if you like that word is the happiness and the prosperity of the people of Nigeria. As far as I am concerned with the happiness of the community leader, the government of Cross River and the Local Government chairman, this project has paid for itself.

“The prosperity of our people is the reason President Buhari is pushing this infrastructure renewal. So as long as our people are happy, they can travel easily, they can reduce journey times, save time on the road and if you save time you save money, then we are happy and I am sure the president is ddelighted. ”

Fashola, while speaking further at the 1.2 kilometre Ikom bridge project also being constructed by the FG in Cross River State, said the project has gulped a lot of money. According to him, “ I think that again you would have heard me say that one of the objectives of this administration is to expand, renew and upgrade the quality of Nigeria’s infrastructure, whether it is rail, road or seaport.

“Even thought the president has mandated that we maintain old bridges, we are building new ones. Now this bridge we are standing on is the new Ikom bridge; what it does is to facilitate international trade through the sea. The old bridge has very low head room; for that reason some of the big cargo vessels and trucks cannot evacuate Calabar port. This bridge has solved that problem, so you will expect to see more trade, more shipments coming to Calabar.

“It is not just infrastructure for the state, but infrastructure consistent with the Buhari economic recovery and growth plan to increase trade and ease of doing business. This bridge we are standing on was largely funded by the Sukkuk. So you see government is doing a lot with the money it has raised. As I said earlier we started with a season of planning and we went into a season of implementation and we are now entering the season of completion.

Incidentally, this is made of almost similar material as the old Niger Bridge; it might interest you to know we are still maintaining the old bridge. So we will keep this one and the Cameroon link bridge also under maintenance. What we expect is that parliamentarians of this constituency will favourably respond to our proposals for bridge maintenance when the 2021 budget comes to them. Because those are the tools with which we need to work, once we have those tools the contractors and suppliers are ready to go to work.

Answering to a question that most of Nigerian tagged Buhari’s administration a borrowing government and what is doing to showcase its achievements in projects delivering, the minister berated those accusing the government of taking so much foreign loans.

Fashola derided previous administrations for ttaking $12 billion to pay creditors in 2005 in the midst of decaying infrastructure in the country, adding, “For those who say we are borrowing asks them in 2005 this country took 12 billion dollars to go and pay creditors, this bridge was bad then. Many of the roads we are doing now were bad then. At least Ugep road was bad then, Odukpani was bad then.

“Second Niger bridge was desperately needed then, Lagos-ibadan you couldn’t move on it. Kano-Maiduguri, Sokoto-Tambuwa, Illorin roads needed attention. This country took 12 billion dollars, so multiply it by the others, If we have invested it in this economy we wouldn’t need to borrow. And those who say that, clearly want infrastructure; they should provide the alternative source of revenue, do they want us to tax you more? If you look at what the comparative jurisdictions are doing which we’ve been following the infrastructure plan in the US.

“One of the reasons they cut the borrowing down is because it’s going to come from taxes. Because the only way you are going to raise this money is by increasing taxes. So this is public finance, you see those people who are saying those things don’t know public finance; it is home economics they know.”

In his remarks earlier, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State commended the FG for showing commitment in execution of critical projects in the State. The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Works, Engr Dane Osim- Asu, expressed appreciation for the commitment government has put to every aspect of the work.

According to him, “He (Governor) sent me to take excuses for him, he would have been here personally but for the maiden flight for Calabar Airline, CaliAir from Abuja to Calabar today this morning, he would have been here personally to welcome you. We want to express as a government, our deep appreciation to you, especially for those of us in Cross River State, we have seen a lot of transformational infrastructure in terms of roads in Cross River state.

“We want to name a few especially the Ekom-Elese-Ude road completed. The Uge-Biasy road, the section 5 of Biased-Torodukpane junction road, the award of Calabar-Itu road to Julius Berger and now scoping for Cemantech, our own section of the road.

“We want to thank you for even this trans-African high way that has brought some form of development; roads as we know and road infrastructure facilitate communication, facilitate growth of the economy and we are particularly very appreciative as a government because since the last 6 years of President Muhammadu Buhari we have had unprecedented access and presence of these projects in Cross River state.

“We want to say thank you and welcome to Cross River state particularly, thank you your Excellency.”

SOURCE: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/07/why-nigeria-cameroon-invested-36m-on-border-bridge-project-fashola/

FOR EARLIER THREAD: https://www.nairaland.com/6511863/orimerunmu-community-ogun-chokes-under
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Having being denied the right to fresh, crisp air for 3 years, residents of Orimerunmu in Ibafo, Ifo Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun State, no longer fear for their lives as Yoyo Resources Recycling Ltd owned by a Chinese, which polluted the environment with toxic carbon dust, has finally relocated.

The development followed PUNCH Healthwise report that drew attention to the plight of the community, which had been under strangulating grip of the company’s activities. In the story published Sunday 18 April 2021 with headline, “We can’t breathe! Ogun community chokes under Chinese recycling plant’s fume”, it was reported that the production process of the firm, which involved use of charcoal and firewood to power a furnace filled with disused tyres to produce pyrolysis oil, was exposing residents to debilitating health conditions.

The report also revealed that the groundwater had been contaminated, while plants consistently withered due to toxic pollutants released into the atmosphere. Also, businesses in the community struggled to remain afloat due to the persisting environmental issue. Pyrolysis oil produced by the plant is widely used as industrial fuel to substitute furnace oil or industrial diesel.

In the story, it was noted that in places where authorities enforce strict environmental compliance, pyrolysis oil is extracted with little or no damage to the environment. However, in Orimerunmu, as the furnace got powered during the production process that took place during the day and at night, bright flames illuminated the skyline and bellowed dark smoke into the atmosphere.

It was noted that the black smoke generated, which was as light as air and very volatile, got easily blown around by wind, and found its way through tightly shut doors and windows of residents, causing respiratory distress and illnesses. The soot also coated the entire community in black dust, while palms and underfoot of residents wore a permanent trademark of black.

Our correspondent reported that the environmental degradation caused by the recycling company gave residents of Orimerunmu community great concern, having lived with it since 2019 when the Chinese firm started its operation. It was further noted that apart air pollution, soot had contaminated groundwater, causing residents to travel far distances in search of potable water.

As documented in the publication, a visit to the community by our correspondent authenticated the community’s claim as, “She was greeted with choking air that irritates the lungs and nostrils. By the time she returned to the office after hours of investigation, a white towel used to clean only her face was coated in black dust. She also experienced skin irritation for days after the visit.”

Negative impact of Yoyo Resources Recycling Limited Company’s activities on residents’ health was revealed in a medical test sponsored by PUNCH HealthWise. To carry out the test, residents were randomly picked for x-rays, and results showed that, “in reality, there is cause for concern, as some of them already have traces of pulmonary infiltrate — a substance denser than air, such as pus, blood, or protein, which lingers within the parenchyma of the lungs.” Pulmonary infiltrates, which was highlighted in the result, physicians explained, are associated with pneumonia and tuberculosis, and can be observed on a chest radiograph.

Though the MD of the recycling firm, Mr. Leo Li, admitted to PUNCH HealthWise during a visit on 31 March that the black smoke had impacted negatively on the host community, he said no one had reported with proof of developing medical issues on account of his company’s activities. He also claimed to have compensated those directly affected by helping to clean their sooth-stained homes every weekend, and provided them with some undisclosed items.

Special Adviser to Ogun State Govt on Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, revealed that an extensive investigation showed the company contravened the state environmental laws.

He said the owner of the company had admitted to causing environmental degradation and that after a series of meetings were held to resolve the lingering environmental crises, a resolution was reached that Yoyo Resources Recycling Limited Company would wind down its operations and leave within 4 months till July. “The critical part of the resolution was that the company should relocate its operation within 4 months, and not leave completely,” he clarified.

“We don’t want any company to fold down or leave our state, because they are adding value and creating jobs, especially for the locals. However, we are not going to allow that type of production. We won’t compromise the health and wellbeing of our people. It was agreed they would fold up their production process and put in new mitigation measures and wind down production. By July, they are not expected to operate again. They are to move to another area, do a clean process and not disturb the community.”

WE ARE HAPPY – CDA CHAIRMAN
Chairman of the Community Development Area, Orimerunmu Community, Mr Adetayo Johnson, said he was elated about the development. He revealed that immediately the story was published, Ogun State Ministry of the Environment sealed the premises, adding that they were not allowed to carry out any operation again.

“We are happy now. PUNCH newspaper saved us from untimely death. We lived in this community and endured the pollution for years. We didn’t know what to do having explored all available options. We also thank Ogun State Government for its prompt response. Normalcy has returned to Orimerunmu. We can now breathe,” he said.

Proprietor of Funbis Schools International, Mrs. Toluwalope Adelekan, who had earlier expressed great concern for the wellbeing of her pupils, also said she was happy about the development. The educationist had revealed in the report that she suffered from recurrent dry cough that made her periodically have urinary incontinence. “We have children here and they are exposed to this dangerous smoke. In the crèche, I have a baby that is less than a year old. Each time the mother comes to pick her, she is covered in soot. The mother told me that when they bathe her at night, the water usually turns black.

“I wish there was a way we could barricade the smoke, but it’s in the air. If these things can settle on surfaces and can be seen and felt, then it can do extensive damage to the lungs. I also fear for the lives of employees, because they are not properly kitted. Some don’t wear even nose masks.” The woman, who suffered from recurrent dry cough that made her periodically have urinary incontinence, also expressed delight with the publication. “We can now heave a sigh of relief. My students are doing well and I feel better at the moment,” she added.

Also, LI told our correspondent that he stopped production after the story was published. The Chinese man said he wanted to keep to his words by making the lives of residents a priority. “The place was sealed by the state government and we stopped production a long time ago. We have relocated but are still moving out our equipment. I want to be a good and law-abiding citizen,” he added.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/we-can-now-breathe-ogun-community-jubilates-as-chinese-recycling-company-relocates-after-punch-report/

From Reno Omokri...

More photos...

Cars and property in several parts of Lagos have been submerged following heavy rainfall on Friday 16 July 2021. Both the island and mainland axis of the state were affected by the floods. Several residents have taken to social media to share pictures and videos of their areas.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of the state to observe safety precautions. Ibrahim Farinloye, acting assistant zonal coordinator, south-west zonal office, NEMA, said residents should avoid driving when flood covers half of vehicles’ tyres.

“Once the rainwater gets to half of the wheels it sweeps off your vehicle,” he said. “Kindly park and move on to higher ground for safety.” Farinloye also advised that trekking should be avoided during downpours. "If rainwater rises above our ankles, the flood has the capacity to carry us off,” he added. “Residents of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Ojo, Kosofe, Apapa, Epe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, Surulere and Ajeromi /Ifelodun LGAs are advised to be more careful when it rains.”

Flooding issues have become more frequent in Nigeria as a result of climate change. The Nigeria Hydrological Agency had in May released the 2021 flood outlook which predicted severe flooding in 28 states.

Below are photos and videos shared by residents on social media....

SOURCE: https://www.thecable.ng/flood-ravages-parts-of-lagos-amid-heavy-rain

Toyin Ojih Odutola has become 3rd highest-paid Nigerian artist of all time after her drawing ‘Compound Leaf’ sold at Sotheby’s for £471,000 (roughly N215 million). News Agency of Nigeria reports that this record-breaking sale puts Ojih Odutola behind a fellow female artist, Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, and the legendary Ben Enwonwu.

After moving from Nigeria to America at age 5, Ojih Odutola became aware of her ‘blackness’ and questioned her identity. Due to the shock of this transition, she used art as a coping mechanism, and over time, it transformed into an “investigative, learning activity” for her.

Speaking with Vogue about how art helped her escape, Ojih Odutola said, “I was obsessed. Capturing everything I saw and being fascinated with the incredibly simple task of looking at something and transmitting it onto paper. It’s immediate magic.”

Ojih Odutola creates multimedia drawings on various surfaces investigating formulaic representations and how such images can be unreliable, systemic, and socially-coded. She has participated in exhibitions at various institutions, including The Drawing Center, New York (2018—19); Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2017—18); Brooklyn Museum, New York (2016).

She has also exhibited at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2015); Studio Museum Harlem, New York (2015, 2012); Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield (2013); and Menil Collection, Houston, (2012). Her permanent collections include Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, Baltimore Museum of Art and New Orleans Museum of Art.

Ojih Odutola’s collections have also been displayed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Princeton University Art Museum, Spencer Museum of Art, Honolulu Museum of Art, and the National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian).

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/nigerias-toyin-ojih-odutola-sells-artwork-for-n215m/?utm_source=auto-read-also&utm_medium=web

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) cautioned Nigerians against using certain hand sanitisers. This warning is contained in a public alert titled “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutricional due to presence of Methanol”.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the agency received info from the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about presence of methanol in some sanitisers. FDA noted that Nutricional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitisers, ProtectoRX hand sanitisers and Advance hand sanitisers due to concerns.

Methanol or wood alcohol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening. It can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

Those at risk include persons who use affected sanitisers on their hands, young children who accidentally ingest the products, and adolescents and adults who drink the products as alcohol (ethanol) substitutes.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitisers and must not be used due to its toxicity,” Adedeye reiterated. The agency asked Nigerians experiencing the listed symptoms to seek treatment for a potential reversal of toxic effects of poisoning.

NAFDAC implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Related problems can be reported to the nearest NAFDAC office, through the 20543 toll-free line or the website.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2021/07/12/sanitisers-with-methanol-can-blind-kill-you-nafdac-warns/

Popular Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, recently shared how the Roman Catholic Church handled her parents’ funeral. She said the experience reaffirmed her reservations about the church. In her piece published in the latest edition of L’osservatore Romano weekly bulletin, Adichie alleged the church did not treat her family with compassion, as they should.

She wrote, “My family’s experiences during my parents’ funerals served to reaffirm, if not renew, my reservations about the Nigerian church. So much could have been handled with compassion for the grieving but was not. So many opportunities to show dignity were left unused. Our communication with the local church was more of an exercise in priestly power than anything else; we begged and negotiated for a suitable funeral date, with an exaggerated but insincere deference shown to the priest lest he change his mind and not agree to the funeral.”

In the piece titled ‘Dreaming as a single family’, Adichie recounted how the priest criticised her during her mother’s thanksgiving mass. “At the Thanksgiving Mass - a strange concept, as giving thanks was the last thing I felt like doing a day after the funeral - my siblings and I were seated in the front pews, all wearing purple, my mother’s favorite color, all still in shocked disbelief to have buried her so soon after my father. “I was immersed in sadness and did not realize right away when the parish priest began to criticise me about a press interview I had given a few months before.”

Adichie had spoken about the love of money in Nigerian churches months before her mother’s burial. She went on to express her shock at the priest for criticising her at such a sad time in her life. She continued, “After the interview, there was both criticism and support of my views, as one would expect, but I had not given that interview any thought in months.

“And so I was shocked by the parish priest standing at the altar and issuing a rejoinder, during my mother’s funeral, in terms so petty and so ill-timed as to trivialise the crushing enormity of her death.”

SOURCE (abridged): https://punchng.com/my-familys-experience-during-my-parents-funeral-reaffirmed-my-reservations-about-nigerian-churches-chimamanda-adichie/

Nigerian fans have expressed delight as Nigeria shocked the USA 90-87 in a pre-Olympic basketball friendly in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday 11 July 2021. Nigeria, with 6 NBA players and former NBA head coach Mike Brown at the helm, became the first African nation to beat the USA, who were playing the first of 5 tune-up games before the Tokyo Olympics.

Nigeria, with 12 NBA players in its 49-man training camp in California and 7 in uniform on Saturday, was led by Gabe Vincent with 21 points. Nigeria’s win came 9 years after the US crushed the Nigerians 156-73 at the London Olympics.

Reacting, a fan, Ugorji Emeka Stanley, was excited that Nigeria defeated the US team, saying, “Is it a dream? Nothing is impossible. US of A wey gather galaxy of stars?”

Another fan, Sunny Sunnet, said, “Congratulations! We should appreciate them, some of us have brothers, relatives, friends in the team, so let us applaud them for a good job well done. I wish them all the very best in their next challenges.”

Tope IB added: “Holy buckets! Just saw the highlights. We may just have a squad. I am very impressed by our guys’ performance. Wow! Here is me thinking maybe our female team may give us the better chance of winning gold, gotta give it up to the coach for putting together a good squad.”

Matthew Ogbagah, while expressing his excitement, said, “I watched the game and I can say those Nigerian guys returned everything the USA dropped. Nigeria won the game with their perfect 3’s.”

Ayorinde Owadimila added that “Nigerian basketball teams have been amazing and interesting to watch since”.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/basketball-fans-excited-as-nigeria-become-first-african-nation-to-beat-us/

Following abduction of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State, the Nigerian Baptist Convention said it has started organising prayers in all Baptist churches in Nigeria and abroad. President of Nigerian Baptist Convention, Revd Israel Akanji, said this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, which he said was the last day of the Baptist World Alliance.

Akanji said the alliance comprises 127 countries and that the event held via Zoom virtual platform. The clerric said at the event hosted by Brazil, 127 countries that make up the Baptist World Alliance were informed of the abduction of students of Bethel Baptist High School.

ACTIONS BY THE CHURCH
Asked what efforts the Baptist Church had made so far, he said, “You know we are a church and once we are in any difficulty, the first point of call is to God in prayer. Therefore, we have been organising prayer all over the Baptist Church in Nigeria and all over the world. In terms of publicity (of the abduction), all over Nigeria, it is known. Every state is aware and the Baptist World Alliance is also aware.

“In fact, Elijah Brown, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, has made a kind of press statement in which he spoke about the abduction of the students in Nigeria. He condemned this act that has been going on in Nigeria and especially the kidnapping of the students of our Baptist High School.”

1ST ABDUCTION IN 166 YEARS
Despite the attack, Akanji said the Baptist Church would not be intimidated, noting that the Church would continue to provide quality education. According to him, the Baptist Church has for the past 166 years operated secondary schools in Nigeria. He said, “One thing we have been letting everybody know is that the Baptist denomination has given education to Nigeria since 1855. For 166 years now, the Nigerian Baptist Convention has been providing education.

“Our first institution is the Baptist Academy in Lagos, which is still an institution to reckon with today and has produced great men and women for Nigeria. The Baptist Boys High School in Abeokuta, Ogun State, produced Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late Chief MKO Abiola. These are people who greatly impacted Nigeria.

“Now, in our history, this is the first time in 166 years that a Baptist school would be raided and students kidnapped. It had never happened. So we believe in the strength of our history. By calling on the Almighty God, our students shall be returned to us. So having called on God and on our track record as a denomination providing education for this nation without ceasing for 166 years, we deserve that our students should be brought back,” he added.

GOV EL-RUFAI & SHEIK GUMI
Akanji said he had spoken with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who he said promised to do everything possible to secure the students’ release. Asked if the Baptist Church would engage Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in leading mediation talks with the bandits to free the kidnapped students, Akanji said the church would not stop parents from seeking Gumi’s help.

He said, “On the issue of talking to Sheikh Gumi, well, you know that when people are desperate, when people are in trouble because you are talking of a school where 121 students cannot be accounted for… These 121 students have parents and family members who are very concerned.

“In fact, some parents slept in the school compound, praying all night that the children should be back. The parents can do what they like. And if they have been going round looking for one kind of assistance or the other, we will not know the extent but as a church, we have only been speaking to the government and insisting that the government should bring our children back because the security of lives is in the hands of the government.

“I cannot stop anybody who goes to anybody to look for help because as I said, these children have parents, and we cannot stop them. They are at liberty to go wherever they want. But you are asking me as a church and I am saying that in our church, we have not taken that decision that we are going to Gumi. We have not.”

THE ABDUCTION AT BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL
Students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna were the latest victims of kidnapping in the Northwestern state. The victims, mostly in SSS 2 and 3, were kidnapped after bandits around 1 am on Monday 5 July 2021 invaded their school disguising as military personnel.

A day after the kidnapping, the bandits reportedly reached out to the school management, demanding foodstuff including 30 bags of rice, 20 bags of beans and 10 kegs of palm oil, to feed their captives. It was learnt that the students’ parents and school management had raised money to buy the foodstuff following the bandits’ threats to starve the students if the foodstuff were not supplied. The bandits have yet to demand any ransom.

KADUNA NOW HOTBED OF ATTACKS & ABDUCTIONS
Meanwhile, Kaduna State in recent times has become a hotbed of attacks on schools and kidnapping of students by criminal gangs called bandits. Bandits in April kidnapped 29 students and 2 staff of Greenfield University at Kasarami, Chikun LGA; 5 of the students were later killed by the bandits while the rest were released on May 29.

The incident came about 6 weeks after bandits on March 11 attacked Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi LGA and kidnapped 39 students. The students were released after about 2 months in the kidnappers’ den.

The latest attack on Bethel Baptist High School has generated criticism on inability of government to secure schools even as The PUNCH recently reported that no fewer than 348 students are still being held by bandits. Out of the 348 students, three categories numbering 227 had been languishing in bandits’ dens many weeks after they were abducted from schools in Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna states.

PRAYER SESSION
Parents of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna State held a 4-hour prayer session on Friday 9 July to seek God’s face for their children’s release from bandits. In tears, the parents converged on the school premises located along Kaduna-Kachia Highway in Chikun LGA, and asked God to take over the matter. The parents and sympathisers specifically prayed to God to touch the abductors’ hearts and release the 121 students in their custody unconditionally.

Organised by Kaduna Baptist Conference, speakers at the event encouraged parents and school management to remain strong and not lose hope during their trying period. President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev’d Israel Akanji, said the church wouldn’t be intimidated over the attack on its school, noting that the mission would continue to provide quality education for the country’s development – saying over the years, the Baptist Church had been in the vanguard of providing education in Nigeria.

He said, “We don’t have security. Therefore, I call on the Governor of Kaduna State [Mallam Nasir El-Rufai] to ensure that the students are released. When I spoke with him, he made a promise, and I’m trusting God that he will keep to his word in ensuring the students’ release.

Also, the Chairman, Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev’d John Hayab, lamented the insecurity in the state. “We will not be intimidated. If the government was putting bandits on the run, they would not have the mind to be asking for food,” he said.

President, Kaduna Baptist Conference, who is also Proprietor of the Bethel Baptist High School, Rev’d Ishaya Jangado, said Christians in the state were under pain. “Over 400 Christians have been kidnapped from January till date. We did everything government asked us to do. They are sinking us into economic danger day by day,” he said.

In her brief remarks amid tears, the school principal, Mrs Florence Tuga, urged mothers to pray and seek God’s intervention while touching their breasts and wombs.

OTHER ATTACKS, KILLINGS & DISAPPEARANCES
Meanwhile, 42 persons have been Killed by bandits in 5 communities of Faru district in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State on Thursday evening. Affected communities are Tsauni, Gudan-Baushi, Gidan-Adamu, Wari and Gudan-Maidawa.

An indigene of the area, Mallam Buba Faru, said the incident occurred on Thursday when bandits who rode over 100 motorcycles stormed the communities. Buba said they shot indiscriminately at people, burning houses and food stores. He said, “They were shooting indiscriminately at people they came across in the 5 communities. They also attacked people who were on farmlands cultivating crops. So far, 42 dead bodies have been recovered by the security and volunteer groups in the area.”

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH on phone, spokesperson for the state police command, SP Mohammed Shehu, said 35 people were killed in the 5 communities. According to him, their corpses were taken to Faru town for burial. Shehu stated that the police could not reach the affected communities on time when they were informed of the attack due to the road network.

Also, bandits in separate attacks invaded Warkan village in Zango-Kataf LGA and Kakkau village in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, killing 10 persons. It was gathered that the bandits in the early hours of Friday 9 July invaded Warkan village in Zangon Kataf LGA, killing 9 persons and injuring others. Saturday PUNCH further learnt the bandits in large numbers stormed the village around 2am while villagers were asleep.

State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Friday confirmed the attack, saying governor Nasir El-Rufai had condemned the latest killings. Aruwan said, “The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned killings and disappearances of citizens in Zangon Kataf, Igabi, Chikun and Jema’a LGAs of the state.

“The disappearance of 5 youths from Kafanchan town of Jema’a LGA was also reported today by security agencies. The governor appealed to the affected families to remain calm as security agencies are investigating the incidents.”

Meanwhile, President of the Students’ Union Government of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Mr Zuma Fwanshiwa, on Friday, confirmed the kidnapping of a student at the college by gunmen. Saturday PUNCH gathered that the abducted student, identified as Mr Felix Gele, was in final year and operated a provision shop close to the institution.

Spokesman for the state police command, Ubah Ogaba, when contacted, promised to get back to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

NIGERIA UNDER SECURITY THREAT FOR OVER 12 YEARS –BUHARI
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari says the country has been under massive security threats in the last 12 years. He however said his regime was more determined than ever to reverse the ugly trend, through promotion of national security and development.

He identified threats challenging Nigeria as Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping, and activities of separatists and armed militias, among others. Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd), stated this at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji near Kaduna State, during the graduation of Senior Course 43 of the college on Friday 9 July. At least 226 officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and those of 8 other African countries were participants.

He lauded the response of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping and others, adding that the FG would continue to provide required guidance and support to ensure the desired end state was achieved.

The President said, “Bear in mind that most security challenges facing the world today are both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different sub-regions and regions. The West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.”

SOURCE (abridged): https://punchng.com/kaduna-abduction-baptist-church-orders-emergency-prayer-in-over-100-countries/

collagiatepaper:

I am right now in Onitsha and it is cool. I can confidently tell you that motorpark touting is the same everywhere in Nigeria. Lagos and Ibadan are even worse, particularly Lagos

Africans are very SENTIMENTAL. That is part of why the continent is faced with gross under-development, despite being the most resource-and-climate-rich region on this planet!

This is not about TRIBE or REGION. These are personal experiences being shared by people who suffered such. I have lived in and/or visited places like Benin, Asaba, Agbor, Enugu, Onitsha, Okigwe, Owerri, Aba, Nnewi, Lagos, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Offa, Jebba, Mokwa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kaura-Namoda, Okene, Lokoja, Kano, Makurdi, Calabar, Uyo, Port-Harcourt etc.

I can authoritatively tell you that my worst experiences with touts, fake local government officials, and criminal-minded policemen, have been at ONITSHA. Remember that there could be innocent souls planning to travel that route, and whose money, property, peace of mind or even lives might be saved by reading this type of post by the OP.

Sentiment and tribal jingoism aside, let's learn to call a spade a spade!

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has asked the Federal Government to temporarily take custody of 1,130 stolen Benin artefacts after they are repatriated from Europe amid controversy surrounding where they will be housed.

Benin Palace and Edo State Government have been at loggerheads over where the artefacts will be housed. While the palace wants the artefacts kept in Benin Royal Museum, which will be built within the palace, but the state government wants the items preserved in the proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts.

Oba Ewuare II, at a world press conference on Friday 9 July 2021 at the palace, said there was no controversy over the issue, as an agreement had been reached that the artefacts would be housed in the royal museum. However, a press release from Government House also on same Friday quoted Governor Godwin Obaseki as saying in Germany that a “transformational” museum would be built in Benin to house the artefacts upon their return, as part of a new cultural district in the city. The artefacts were allegedly looted during invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897 by the British led by Captain Philip.

OBA OF BENIN'S POSITION
Speaking at his palace on Friday, Oba Ewuare II insisted that the right and only legitimate destination of the about-to-be-repatriated artefacts is Benin Royal Museum. He said, “I have called this meeting today (Friday) to intimate you of the matter of the Benin artefacts in Europe on the verge of being repatriated, which I am sure you have heard and read about in recent weeks. You may also have heard about the recent activities of a group of individuals who incorporated a company since January 2020 called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd.

“It has become germane to note that the advocacy and demands for return of the artefacts looted from Benin Kingdom in 1897 have been going on for decades before the emergence of the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki. I must sincerely thank the governor for joining the struggle and showing commitment to retrieve our stolen cultural heritage from Europe.

“While anticipating return of the looted artefacts from Europe, I want to note that attempts to divert the destination or the right of custody of the artefacts is not in the interest of the people of Benin Kingdom, to whom the Palace of the Oba of Benin provides leadership. The looted artefacts awaiting repatriation from Europe are the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom created by our ancestors and forefathers within the traditional norms and rites of the kingdom.

“They are not property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin Kingdom. The right and only legitimate destination for the artefacts to be repatriated as already pronounced by my father is under the aegis of the Benin Royal Museum that will be sited within the precincts of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, from where they were looted, and also, the proper traditional institution that is also the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

“The palace, therefore, strongly advises that anyone, group, organisation, or government – national and international – that is dealing with any organisation or artificial group in the process of returning the looted artefacts from the Benin Kingdom would be doing so at their own risk and against the will of the people of the Benin Kingdom.”

Oba Ewuare II said he did not believe that the move by a privately registered company, Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd, and purported establishment of Edo Museum of West African Arts, were in consonance with the wishes of the people of Benin Kingdom, adding that after his ascension to the throne, he had several discussions with Obaseki on the plan for the Benin Royal Museum.

The monarch said the governor expressed his readiness to work with the palace to actualise the wish of his late father, adding that he had acquired additional plots of land from different families within the Adesogbe area near the palace for the purpose of building the Benin Royal Museum. The monarch said he was however surprised to read Obaseki’s letter to the palace wherein a new museum was being proposed, and which would be funded and executed through the vehicle of Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd.

He said, “I informed him (Obaseki) that Oba Ewuare II Foundation had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and had worked out a framework for not only receiving the artefacts but also building a modern structure – the Benin Royal Museum – within the precincts of the palace and that land has been secured for the building of the Benin Royal Museum under supervision of the traditional institution.

“But for reasons best known to him, the governor has gone against the understanding, given recent events. As a matter of fact, the people of Benin Kingdom and other stakeholders, especially the Benin Dialogue Group, had at different meetings endorsed the Benin Royal Museum to be built within the palace, as well as endorsing the Oba Ewuare II Foundation for fundraising and other requisite administration processes.

“We wish to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to take custody of these artefacts on behalf of the palace until the Benin Royal Museum is ready for their collection. Under no circumstances should the custody of our age-old artefacts be handed to any privately contrived entity like Legacy Restoration Trust.”

Oba Ewuare II advised Obaseki to review his approach of using the private vehicle of Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd and the Edo Museum of West African Art and see how he could “genuinely collaborate with the Oba’s palace in accordance with our original understanding. We thank the German government for its interest and willingness to return the Benin artefacts,” the monarch said.

“Perhaps, there is a bridge or gap in communication, not on our side but on the side of the state governor, Obaseki, who I insisted we should pray for. We need prayers for a peaceful resolution of these misunderstandings,” Oba Ewuare II added.

BERLIN MEETING ON THURSDAY 08 JULY
Meanwhile on Thursday, German Minister of State for Culture, Prof Monika Grutters, said the way the German government was dealing with the issue of Benin artefacts was important in addressing its colonial past. She gave assurance 1,130 artefacts would be repatriated to Nigeria from beginning of 2022, noting Germany had twice sent delegations to Nigeria for talks over the planned repatriation. She said such move indicated both sides had moved beyond mere talk, saying all museums in Germany stockpiling Benin Bronzes had agreed to cooperate.

The meeting in Berlin was attended by Grutters and German Foreign Minister Mr Heiko Maas, while the Nigerian delegation included Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, and Obaseki. Benin Royal Palace was represented by the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare.

LAI MOHAMMED PROPOSES 1-YEAR LIMIT FOR RETURN OF ARTEFACTS
The minister, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Adeyemi, said the agreement for repatriation of the Benin Bronzes from Germany must be signed by December 2021.

“For us, the most important issue in the roadmap is the signing of the agreement and the date of return. We won’t move forward if we don’t have a clear date on signing and return,” Mohammed told participants at the meeting. “Full return should be completed in a year’s time, not beyond August 2022,” he added.

Secretary of State in the German President’s Office, Stephen Steinlein, was quoted as saying the German President was happy with the progress made so far on planned repatriation of the artefacts. Obaseki told the participants that a museum was being built to make Benin City a cultural hub.

The architect handling the museum project, David Adjaye, reportedly made a presentation to the participants, during which he said the project would fuse the technology of ancient Benin Kingdom to that of the 21st century to get an organic pavilion that would boast an auditorium, storage as well as exhibition space, among other facilities.

Other members of the Nigerian delegation included Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar; Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof Abba Tijani and Director of the Board of Legacy Restoration Trust, Phillip Ihenacho.

SOURCE (abridged): https://punchng.com/dont-allow-obaseki-take-custody-of-1130-stolen-artefacts-oba-of-benin-urges-fg/

Ogun State House of Assembly has just passed into law a bill banning open grazing in the state, and put offenders at risk of 3 years jail term. This is coming few days after southern governors during their last meeting in Lagos, fixed September as deadline for open grazing practice, a development which has been subject of controversy.

The bill, according to the Assembly, would address incessant clashes between herders and farmers in Ogun State, which often led to loss of lives and property. The title of the bill reads “HB No. 045/OG/2021- A Law to Regulate Animal Grazing, Establishment of Cattle Ranches in Designated Grazing Areas of Ogun State and for other Matters incidental thereto and connected therewith.”

The bill scaled 3rd reading and final passage following presentation of the report of House Committee on Agric by Ganiyu Oyedeji at a plenary presided over by Speaker Olakunle Oluomo. Oyedeji thereafter moved motion for adoption of the report, seconded by Olusola Adams and supported by other lawmakers through voice-vote.

The legal framework was later read and adopted clause-by-clause. Thereafter, Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff moved motion for the 3rd reading and was seconded by Wahab Haruna. Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, took the 3rd reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

Responding, the Speaker directed that the Clerk should prepare a clean copy of the bill for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s assent.

SOURCE (abridged): https://t.guardian.ng/news/ogun-assembly-prescribes-three-years-jail-term-for-open-grazing-offenders/

Commuters were left stranded on both sides of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday 7 July 2021 due to gridlock whose cause commuters weren’t sure of. On the part of the road inward Lagos from Ogun, the traffic was mostly felt from Ibafo to a point close to Warewa Area.

Motorists leaving Lagos to Ogun had to deal with traffic from Lagos State Secretariat Alausa down to Warewa. Commuters who couldn’t afford to waste time on the road resorted to commercial motorcycle riders, popular known as Okada, to beat the traffic; while some motorists drove their vehicles off the expressway and through untarred paths to escape the traffic.

See photos below....

Reno Omokri has posited it is not scriptural to get pastors' consent for marriage.

From Genesis to Revelation, no priest or pastor was ever mentioned to have given opinion on marriage but it is solely the parents' call. He advised single ladies and men as well as the married not to let any pastor put a burden on them that God did not put, as marriage has always been a family affair not a church issue.

He said:
“It is unscriptural to get pastoral consent for marriage before parental consent. God invented marriage in Genesis 2:24. Those He included were the couple and their parents - No mention of pastor or priest.

Don’t let ANY pastor put a burden on you that God DID NOT put. ‬From Genesis to Revelation, Scriptural marriages have ALWAYS been a family affair, not a church issue. Do not be deceived by any pastor, no matter how highly placed. Take your guidance from Scripture, not man. Get parental consent, not pastoral consent

Read the entire Scripture for yourself. It is not hard. You can do it. Nowhere do you see anyone consulting priests, prophets or pastors before choosing a marriage partner. Isaac consulted his parents, Jacob consulted his parents. The 10 commandments command you to honour your parents, not your pastor!

If your parents attend your wedding, they are automatically God’s representatives, even if the wedding takes place in your village.”

SOURCE: https://newzandar.com/nigeria-news/marriage-is-a-family-affair-not-a-church-issue-get-parental-consent-not-pastoral-reno-omokri/

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Fear has gripped residents of Igbokofi in Yewa-North LGA of Ogun State following invasion of their village and arrest of an activist, Kunle Garb. Foreign police reportedly whisked him away on Thursday , following his resistance against alleged encroachment of some parcels of land in Ogun State by authorities of Benin Republic .

Nigeria and Benin Republic share boundary in some parts of Ogun West. The PUNCH had earlier reported the issue of land encroachment by Benin Republic in Ogun State. Our correspondent gathered that Garb, after his arrest, had been taken to court and detained in Benin Republic. Residents said he was not allowed to have legal representation during the proceedings.

Lawmaker representing Yewa-North state constituency II, Wahab Haruna, said, “Dr Kunle Garb was arrested on Thursday by Benin Republic police who came into the state. “His arrest has to do with his role in the case of encroachment of Nigerian land in igbokofi, Ogun State, by Benin Republic. I consulted community leaders and we visited the police station in Ipobe, Republic of Benin, to secure his release, but I was prevented from seeing him.”

He however said prominent persons in the country, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, deputy governor of the state, Noimot Salako-Oyedele and other top government officials had been informed about the development.”

A resident, who was at Benin Republic during the trial of Garb, Afolabi Amosu, said Benin Republic police whisked him away from Igbokofi Market. He said “We were not allowed to enter the court room; it was only Dr Kunle Garb and Benin Republic police that were allowed in the court room. The Benin Republic police said he (Garb) was causing commotion in the town. They didn’t allow us to get a lawyer. We asked if they could get us a lawyer, they said it hasn’t got to that level. He was returned to cell again on Monday and he has been there.”

Attempts to get Ogun State Government’s reaction failed as the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, had yet to reply to a text message sent to him. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, neither answered calls made to his mobile phone nor reply to a text message sent to the phone.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/benin-republic-detains-prosecute-ogun-activist-for-challenging-land-encroachment/?utm_source=auto-read-also&utm_medium=web

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has cautioned Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr over his attitude towards home-based players, telling him to “shut up” and do his job.

The PUNCH earlier reported that Rohr delegated handling of the Super Eagles, made up of home-based players, to Austin Eguavoen, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, for this weekend’s friendly against Mexico, insisting he was hired to coach the ‘A Team’ only.

Dare, while on a visit to the players on Tuesday, ahead of their departure to the US on Wednesday, called on Rohr to take his job more seriously. “His attitude towards home-based players is unacceptable, it is negative to our football development in this country. I call on the NFF to call him to order. I call on the NFF to hold him by the content of the letter of his contract, but beyond that, he needs to shut up and do the work for which he was hired to do. He talks too much,” Dare said.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/shut-up-and-work-dare-tells-rohr/