Daily Post Nigeria


Brazil vs Nigeria: Neymar, Firmino, Richarlison arrive for Super Eagles clash
Ifreke Inyang Ifreke Inyang
1 hour ago



Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, was among the first set of players to arrive in Singapore, ahead of Brazil’s next international matches.

The Selecao will take on Senegal on October 10 and Nigeria three days later.


According to Fox Sports Brazil, Neymar was accompanied by his PSG teammates Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.

The three players were released by PSG, after their 4-0 win against Angers SCO, in which Neymar netted his fourth league goal of the season.

Neymar will make his 100th appearance for country in one of the matches this week.


Other Brazilian players in camp include Roberto Firmino, Fabinho (both Liverpool), Richarlison (Everton), Casemiro, éder Militão (both Real Madrid) and Lucas Paquetá (AC Milan).


Source:



https://dailypost.ng/2019/10/07/brazil-vs-nigeria-neymar-firmino-richarlison-arrive-super-eagles-clash/amp/

Insecurity: Army begins nationwide operation today NEWS
Published on October 7, 2019
By Emmanuel Onani Abuja 

orried by incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes threatening national security, the Nigerian Army will today commence operations across the thirty-six states of the federation, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the army, the exercises, which will be conducted simultaneously in the six geo-political zones of the country, include Exercise Ayem Akpatuma 11; Egwu Eke 1V; as well as Crocodile Smile 1V.
It said 1, 3 Divisions, Headquarters, Command Army Records, Guards Brigade, and 707 Special Forces Brigade, would conduct Exercise Ayem Akpatuma II (to cover the North Central and parts of North West states of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba as well as Kaduna and Niger states); Egwu Eke 1V (South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo), falls under the 82 Division area of responsibility, while the
2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions undertake Crocodile Smile IV in the South-South and parts of South-West viz; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states.
Also during the period, the army said a fresh North-East exercise tagged; “Operation Positive Identification,” would be extended across other zones.
The service hoped to use the exercise to isolate and arrest criminal elements that may be fleeing locations, or trying to establish roots anywhere in the country.
Accordingly, soldiers have since been instructed to “strictly check valid means of identification such as National Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, Drivers’ Licence and International Passports, or other valid official identification, before allowing such persons passage.”
While announcing the nationwide operation, Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sagir Musa, said inter alia that; “In her spirited efforts to combat insecurity across the nation, the Nigerian Army (NA) is set to commence simultaneous routine training exercises in the various geo-political zones of Nigeria.”
The army, nonetheless, urged law-abiding citizens not to panic, as it had maintained that the operation was aimed at protecting lives and property, and by extension, sustaining the sovereignty of the nation.

Source:
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/10/insecurity-army-begins-nationwide-operation-today/

Ex-NHIS boss fails to return N150m vehicles after sacking
punchng.com Oct 7, 2019 1:20 AM

Prof. Usman Yusuf
Eniola Akinkuotu, Adelani Adepegba and Oladimeji Ramon

Three months after being sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, has yet to return five vehicles worth about N150m to the agency.

The vehicles include a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number, NHIS FG01Y12, worth N58m; a Toyota Camry marked NHIS FG02Y12 worth N22m; two Toyota Corolla vehicles marked NHIS FG21Y12 and NHIS FG46Y12 worth a combined N38m and a Toyota Prado marked NHIS FG06Y12 worth N32m.

Commenting on Yusuf’s refusal to release the vehicles, anti-corruption groups, including Transparency International Nigeria, condemned the Federal Government for the ex-NHIS boss’ action.

The PUNCH had reported that Yusuf, who was accused of fraud to the tune of N919m and sacked for several other alleged infractions, had failed to return the vehicles and other equipment including Apple laptops belonging to the NHIS.

In a letter dated July 1, 2019 signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, A.M. Abdullahi, the Federal Government asked Yusuf to hand over all of the agency’s property.

In the letter with reference number C.4051/T3/80 titled, ‘Termination of appointment,’ the sacked NHIS boss was informed that his termination was with immediate effect.

It read in part, “I am directed to convey the approval of the President, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the termination of your appointment as Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme.

“Accordingly, you are to hand over the agency’s property in your care to the overseeing director. Please note that the termination of your appointment is with immediate effect.”

The PUNCH learnt that the new NHIS boss, Mohammed Sambo, asked Yusuf to return the vehicles as he needed them.

Rather than return the vehicles, Yusuf was said to have demanded that he should be paid his severance package before returning the vehicles.

A top source at the agency said, “The new executive secretary sent a team of policemen and senior officials to Yusuf’s home in Maitama to recover the vehicles but he refused to open the gate. The men were sent there on more than three occasions to no avail.”

Yusuf, who hails from President Buhari’s state of Katsina, has been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

His passport was seized by the EFCC, but it was returned to him after his suspension was controversially lifted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, in February 2018.

Efforts to speak with Yusuf proved abortive on Sunday as he neither responded to phone calls nor a text message.

TI flays ex-NHIS boss

The Head, Transparency International Nigeria and Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa, popularly known as Rafsanjani, told The PUNCH on Sunday that it was wrong of former political appointees not to return vehicles and other government property in their possession.

According to Rafsanjani, the refusal of former appointees to hand over vehicles is the reason for the high recurrent expenditure.

He further stated that there was a need for the National Assembly to wake up to its oversight responsibilities.

The TI boss said, “This act reeks of impunity. When you are leaving office, you are expected to submit everything in your possession to the government. It is not your personal property but belongs to the government.

“Failure to do this is nothing but impunity. It shows the level of corruption in the Nigerian public service.

“The National Assembly ought to be alive to its responsibilities as regards oversight. It is because public officers keep taking away government property that we see provision for vehicles and computers in the budget every year.”

Yusuf should face prosecution – CACOL

Commenting on the development, the Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Mr Debo Adeniran, said that Yusuf could take away the five vehicles in the first place showed that there were governmental lapses.

Adeniran said Yusuf should not only be made to return the five vehicles but he should also be prosecuted.

He said, “I see this as governmental weakness to the extent that inventories are not properly taken or monitored; otherwise, he would not have been able to drive away those five vehicles. If the government had been strong and there are checks and balances, it would also not have taken this length of time to retrieve those vehicles and even prosecute the person involved because I don’t see it as ordinary taking away of vehicles.

“He should be prosecuted for the sins he committed in his official capacity because there are a number of corruption allegations that are hanging on him and taking away five cars should be added to the charges. He should be properly investigated and if found culpable, he should be diligently prosecuted and adequately punished.”

The National President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, said if it was true that Yusuf went away with five vehicles belonging to the NHIS, he could be prosecuted.

The lawyer said the attorney general of the federation ought to have taken actions.

Ugwummadu said, “It is unfortunate but it is not too far from what has become the disturbing trend of public officers who approximate public offices to private estates and behave in like manner. There is this sense of entitlement deeply entrenched in the psyche of the Nigerian public officers in such a manner that they do not consider their retirement benefits as the only legitimate earnings. They do see that office itself as an extension of their private estate in a manner that short changes the country.”

He said the attorney general should take appropriate steps to ensure that such actions were checked in the public service.

Source:
https://punchng.com/ex-nhis-boss-fails-to-return-n150m-vehicles-after-sacking/amp/

Catholic Church meets soon to consider ordaining married men priests
sunnewsonline.com Oct 6, 2019 5:37 PM
Catholic Church meets soon to consider ordaining married men priests
Catholic bishops from around the world are meeting at the Vatican to discuss the future of the Church in the Amazon.

Over the next three weeks, some 260 participants will talk about climate change, migration, and evangelism.

Pope Francis opened the talks on Sunday by blaming destructive “interests” that led to recent fires in the Amazon.

“The fire of God is warmth that attracts and gathers into unity. It is fed by sharing, not by profits,” he said.

But one topic has dominated the headlines: whether married men will be allowed to become priests.

One of the items on the working document – the instrumentum laboris – is the suggestion that in remote parts of the Amazon, older, married, men should be ordained.

They would need to be men who are particularly well-respected and, according to the document, they would preferably come from the indigenous communities where they intend to work.

South American bishops have advocated for this in an effort to address the shortage of priests in the region.

Only priests can consecrate the Eucharist, which is a key part of Mass. It is estimated that at least 85% of villages in the Amazon are unable to celebrate Mass every week as a result of this shortage and some only see a priest once a year.

“Pope Francis, coming from Latin America, has an instinctive understanding of some of the challenges of that region,” says Professor Gregory Ryan, from the Centre for Catholic Studies.

“The concern of how thinly priests are spread in the Amazon region is really the fundamental thing at the root of this,” he adds. “It is tied in with the very strong Catholic sense that the Eucharist is at the heart of regular Christian community.”

Why is it controversial?

For many, celibacy is a key part of being a Catholic priest. A priest is supposed to be married to God and not be distracted by what some consider to be worldly concerns like a wife or a family.

Professor Linda Woodhead MBE, who specialises in the sociology of religion, says that in addition to celibacy, Catholic priests and nuns “are given their housing [and] basic allowance so that they are fully dedicated to doing what they are doing.

“People feel that that priest has the time to give them and they’re not intruding on someone’s private life,” Prof Woodhead says. “That priest is there and is available for them and that is quite a special thing.”

For traditionalists, this is an issue about the direction in which Pope Francis is taking the Church. German Cardinal Walter Brandmueller is reported to have said that the Amazon Synod could mark “the self-destruction of the Church”.

Some critics regard the idea of allowing married priests in the Amazon as a pretext to abolishing celibacy as a requirement altogether.

They are also suspicious of the suggestion that the synod could “identify the type of official ministry that can be conferred on women” and fear it could mark the beginning of ordination for them too.

But for Prof Woodhead this is less a battle for the soul of the Church and more about an institution that is evolving. “The Catholic church always changes, like any institution that lasts so long,” she says.

“It has changed radically even since the 20th century. It used to be opposed to democracy, liberalism and human rights. It now champions human rights.

“It constantly changes but it does so in a considered way,” she adds. “In dialogue with its own tradition.”

So could we see married priests?

Well, they already exist.

Some Anglican priests who converted to Catholicism after leaving their churches in protest at the ordination of women have been allowed to continue in their ministries. And Eastern-rite churches also have married priests as a matter of course.

There are some who say it is inevitable that, if married men being ordained is agreed for the Amazon, it could eventually happen in other regions with a shortage of priests such as the Pacific islands.

But Prof Ryan argues that “if this happens at all it will very much happen as an exception”.

“One of the things people are very concerned about is, does the exception become the rule,” he says. “I think the church will resist that instinctively. The celibate clerical culture is deeply embedded.” (BBC)

Source

Sometime in 2016, Farooq Kperogi shared a story of one Ibrahim Waziri, in an essay entitled “Ibrahim Waziri: From HND in Nigeria to PhD in America.” The story was both inspiring and intriguing. Dr. Waziri earned HND in Electronics and Computer Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. Of course he was born in America, so returning to his land of birth was not as much challenging. He did his masters’ degree in Applied Engineering at the Georgia Southern University, after which he earned a PhD in Information Security at Purdue University. He is currently a Senior Consultant (Federal Cyber Risk) at Deloitte; working with US federal agencies to mitigate cyber risks and threats. He also teaches graduate classes as an Adjunct Professor of Cyber-security at Marymount University.
Upon reading the essay, I informed Kperogi, that not only did he inspire Dr. Waziri to success, he, along with Moses Ochonu (of Vanderbilt University) also inspired me in ways they might not know. Although a focal part of my aspirations since my undergraduate days in Nigeria involved the hopes that someday I would attend universities in Euro-America for postgraduate training, I must state, however, that that inspiration was further buoyed up as a result of my encounters with Kperogi and Ochonu. They have always been intellectual mentors who helped me appreciate the prospects of Euro-American education which activated my curiosity for critical inquest.
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That said, Dr. Waziri’s story has opened up another can of worms in the Nigerian education system. I have seen comments on the social media of people asking if Dr. Waziri, could even be admitted into a masters’ degree program by a Nigerian public university without being given some additional senseless hurdles to pass through prior to admission. Needless to say, the norm in Nigeria is that HND graduates are at best advised to go through a Post Graduate Diploma program before they can apply for a masters’ degree program. I know a Nigerian PhD (who started with HND) who could not find a teaching position in a public university in Nigeria. The ‘logic’ that university authorities used against him was simple nonetheless pathetic. They said he could not teach what he does not have; which is a bachelors’ degree.
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OVER 5,000 NIGERIAN MEN HAVE OVERCOME POOR BEDROOM PERFORMANCE SYNDROME DUE TO THIS BRILLIANT DISCOVERY
Meanwhile in England, some people do supervise doctorates yet they do not have doctorates themselves. My father told me that his PhD external examiner in the UK only had a bachelors’ degree, and was not in any way academic. Of course it is always the norm globally that a PhD or a professor supervises a student on a doctoral program, but there are also exceptional cases that must be factored in. My father attended Cardiff University in the mid to late 80s. He earned his doctorate from a thesis entitled “Studies on a freshwater fishery of a city lake.” His supervisor was one Dr. Ron Williams, a Senior Lecturer at the time. And my father said that Dr. Williams only got his own doctorate after he supervised and graduated two doctorates.
Then again, my father’s external examiner was one Richard H. K. Mann, who was from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxfordshire. The Centre was under ITE Monks Wood Experimental Station, in Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire. Although he was not academic as he was not working for an academic organization, and he only had a bachelors’ degree because his job did not demand more than that qualification, Mann, nonetheless, was as much an expert on Fish Biology as any university professor. He had written and published research papers on freshwater fishes including the Roach (the fish species my dad worked on) for many years. Therefore, with only a bachelors’ degree, Mann was thus, an expert in his own right when it came to the Roach.
Back home, Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo attained the professorial rank without a doctorate. Also, I used to read some scholarly work of one late Professor Abdullahi Smith (a Briton who later became Nigerian, and who was formerly known as Henry Frederick Charles Smith) of the Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). Professor Smith worked at the University of Ibadan before going on to ABU. Smith did not obtain a doctorate yet he supervised several doctorates in history, including, I think, that of late Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman’s.
It seems that unlike in Nigeria, in other places around the world, getting the job done effectively is more important than clinging on to narrow parochial concerns such as focusing on ‘paper qualifications’ at the expense of all other elements and variables. When I was a researcher in England, it was not uncommon to come across students on a doctoral program being nominated by journal editors to review submitted manuscripts written by a sundry of authors including professors as co-authors.
With more Ibrahim Waziris, I hope that we will continue to voice out our concerns about the peculiar absurdities that characterizes the education system in Nigeria.



source:
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ibrahim-waziri-jnr-the-hnd-graduate-from-nigeria-who-earned-a-phd-in-america.html/amp

Buhari called for protest in 2003 and was never prosecuted, Falana tells court
vanguardngr.com Oct 4, 2019 2:32 PM
Counsel to Sowore, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, on Friday told the court that President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2003 after he lost election under the defunct ANPP decided to stage protest all over the country and was never arrested or prosecuted, rather he was disbanded by police, who briefed him to go to court to challenge the action.

Falana, Sowore, Buhari, Court
Femi Falana, SAN
Falana also stated that current leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, including president Buhari had in 2011, called for the kind of revolution that took place in Egypt, which he said was violent.

He noted that in the instant case, Sowore had specifically warned his followers not to engage in any form of violence but to protest peacefully.

Falana also noted that the only time some youths were arrested for using the term “Revolution” was in 1948 under the colonial era, noting however that they were not charged with treason but with sedition.

Sowore, through his lead counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, argued that FG has failed to give any cogent reason why he should not be released on bail pending his trial.

He argued that since he is presumed innocent by virtue of section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the onus was on FG to establish why he should remain in detention.

Like Nnamdi Kanu, Court grants ‘iron bail’ to Omoyele Sowore
Falana argued that despite the allegation that Sowore planned to overthrow the government of Nigeria by staging a protest tagged RevolutionNow, FG failed to adduce any evidence to substantiate the charge

“We submit that the use of the word Revolution is not a criminal offence in Nigeria and it has never been criminalized. Hence, President Buhari called for a revolution and was never arrested or prosecuted”.

On count-two of the charge that bordered on the allegation that Sowore insulted President Buhari, Falana argued that under the law, no public office is allowed to use the machinery of the state to settle scores with his opponent.

“If the President feels offended by any statement made by the 1st defendant, the only option open to him into sue for libel.

He said the Court of Appeal, in its judgement in 2008, upheld the right of Nigerians to protest against the government without firstly security Police permit. He further argued that the allegation of money laundering was not enough to deny the defendants bail, “when those that stole billions have all been granted bail”.

Breaking: Court grants Sowore, Bakare bail
He argued that whereas Dokubo admitted in his own statement that he was involved in the blowing up of pipelines in the Niger Delta, Sowore never admitted that he committed any offence in his own statement. Falana, therefore, urged the court to grant Sowore bail on self recognizance describing him as “a political leader”.

More so, he drew the attention of the court that Sowore was earlier granted bail on the condition that he would deposit his international passport with the Registrar. Meanwhile, after she had listened to both sides, trial Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu stood down to rule on the bail applications.

Sowore who is the publisher of an online media platform, Sahara Reporters, was arrested after he called for a nationwide protest against perceived maladministration by the President Buhari-led government.

Source:

Kidnappers of Kaduna schoolgirls make ransom demand
punchng.com Oct 4, 2019 7:13 PM

Armed assailants gained entry to Engravers College, a mixed boarding school in a remote area just south of the city of Kaduna, early on Thursday and seized the victims.

“They have made a demand for money and that is being negotiated,” state governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai told reporters in the capital Abuja.

The governor refused to disclose details of the demands or negotiations as the authorities were “trying to protect the victims and secure their release”.

Abductions for ransom are common in Nigeria and the school is located in an area that has become notorious for armed banditry.

It is far to the west of the region notorious for attacks by the Boko Haram jihadist group.

Boko Haram grabbed headlines around the world in 2014 for the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the remote northeastern town of Chibok in Borno state.

El-Rufai said those responsible for the Kaduna kidnapping had made contact with parents and that police had gathered relatives together to facilitate communication.

He insisted the police, army and airforce remained on the hunt for the kidnappers and their victims.

A mother of one of the kidnapped children told AFP she had briefly spoken with her daughter by phone.

“My daughter called me early Friday morning on a phone number I didn’t know,” she said.

“She was crying and sounded frightened.”

The school was deserted on Thursday after parents hastily took their children home as news of the abduction spread.

Source:
https://punchng.com/kidnappers-of-kaduna-schoolgirls-make-ransom-demand/amp/

Reps pass bill to criminalise estimated billing
punchng.com Oct 4, 2019 4:10 AM
Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed three bills sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, one of which seeks to criminalise estimated billing of electricity consumers by distribution companies.

When the proposed law is concurred with by the Senate and assented to by the President, it will become criminal for service providers to issue estimated bills, also known as ‘crazy bills’, issuance of which would attract either a one-year jail term or a fine of N1m or both.

The proposed law would also compel a distribution company to provide prepaid meter to an applicant within 30 days, while barring the DISCOs from disconnecting the consumer after the 30-day period within which meter should be installed.

The Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill 2018, which Gbajabiamila, then as Majority Leader, presented in the Eighth National Assembly, was re-presented in July 2019.

The bill is entitled, ‘A bill for an act to amend the electric power sector reforms Act to prohibit and criminalise estimated billing by electricity distribution companies and provide for compulsory installation of pre-paid meters to all power consumers in Nigeria and other related matters.’

Leading the debate on the bill, Gbajabiamila condemned the DISCOs for whimsically issuing estimated bills on a monthly basis.

“This billing is not known by any scientific rule,” he stated.

The House also passed a bill seeking to to make Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies reserve 20 per cent of job slots for persons living with disabilities.

It is entitled, “A bill for an act to provide that 20 per cent of jobs available in all Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies and companies be distributed amongst the physically challenged persons in Nigeria and for other matters connected thereto.’

Another bill passed was one seeking to create a bank that grants interest-free loans to students of tertiary institutions in the country.

The bill is entitled, ‘A bill for an act to provide easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans Nigerian Education Bank established in this act with a view to providing education for all Nigerians.’

The bill stated that the provision of the proposed law shall apply to all matters pertaining to the application and grant of loans to Nigerians seeking admission into institutions of higher learning in Nigeria through the Nigerian Education Bank.

Source:
https://punchng.com/reps-pass-bill-to-criminalise-estimated-billing/amp/

Minimum wage: Labour issues 14-day ultimatum
dailytrust.com.ng Oct 3, 2019 4:14 AM
Labour Strike: Abuja airport, banks open for business
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have threatened to embark on strike over the stalled negotiation of the Consequential Adjustment of salaries arising from the N30,000 new national minimum wage.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba and TUC President Quadri Olaleye, in a joint statement yesterday, disclosed this after meeting with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Abuja.

They said they could not guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if their demands were not met at the close of work on October 16, 2019.

They alleged that government’s nonchalant attitude had dragged negotiations for consequential wages adjustment unduly.

They said the government had kept insisting that it could only pay 11% for officers on grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5% consequential wage increase to public workers for officers on level 15-17.

“Since the last national minimum wage of N18,000, workers have been forced to suffer huge inflation and astronomical hike in the prices of essential goods and services. The following examples would suffice; The country’s currency, the naira had suffered devaluation from N150 to $1 in 2011 to N360 to $1 in 2019, a depreciation of 140%.

“|To this end, the leadership of organized labour resolved that the offer by government for salary adjustment of 11% for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5% consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17 is not acceptable to Nigerian workers”, they said.

Source:
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/minimum-wage-labour-issues-14-day-ultimatum.html/amp

BREAKING: DSS hands over wanted Maina to EFCC

vanguardngr.com Oct 2, 2019 6:59 PM
The Department of State Services (DSS) today handed over the former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Pension Reforms Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A top source in EFCC confirmed to that Maina was being questioned on various aspects of alleged financial crimes and contract scams committed during his tenure.

Maina was arrested by the DSS earlier this week in an undisclosed hotel, where he had gone to lodge with his son, who reportedly pulled a gun against DSS operatives when they went to arrest him.

Source:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/breaking-dss-hands-over-wanted-maina-to-efcc/amp/

Imo ready for council polls, says Ihedioha
punchng.com Oct 2, 2019 9:12 AM

Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha
Gibson Achonu, Owerri

The Imo State Government says it will soon commence preparations for the conduct of elections into the 27 local government councils of the state.

The Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, stated this in Owerri on Tuesday.

He said he would soon get in touch with the officials of the state’s Independent Electoral Commission to ascertain their level of preparedness for the conduct of the polls.

He said, “My administration has since embarked on devolution of power to the local government councils and in no distant time, eligible voters will go to the polls for free and fair elections.

“I will soon meet with the officials of the ISIEC to appraise how far they have prepared for the council election.”

The governor restated his determination to restore the state’s education sector to its former pride of place as the biggest industry in the state.

Source:
https://punchng.com/imo-ready-for-council-polls-says-ihedioha/

Buhari says N-Power, others will be institutionalised
guardian.ng Oct 1, 2019 11:06 AM
Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday moved the National Special Intervention Programmes (NSIPs) to the newly created Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development ministry with the aim of “institutionalising” them.

Buhari made the disclosure during his national broadcast to commemorate Nigeria’s 59th independence.

The Nigerian president explained that “Our ongoing N500 billion Special Intervention Programme continues to target these vulnerable groups, through the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and social housing scheme.”

“To institutionalize these impactful programmes, we created the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which shall consolidate and build on our achievements to date.”

Prior to this, activities of NSIPs were coordinated by a government Steering Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo which comprises Finance, Education, Health, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs, Labour and Productivity, Information ministers to implement government’s agenda.

Nigeria’s budget and national planning ministry was NSIPs secretariat.

National Social Investment Office (NSIO) spokesman Justice Bibiye in September explained the role of Osinbajo in the programme amidst criticisms from government opposition.

He said President Buhari only asked Osinbajo to oversee the schemes and “all matters regarding financing, budgeting, procurement and disbursement should be done by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”

Osinbajo had been the arrowhead for the implementation of NSIPs- Trader Moni, Market Moni, Farmer Moni, Anchors Borrowers Scheme, N-Power and the Home Grown School Feeding programme across the country.

With the institutionalising of the NSIPs, Buhari assured beneficiaries of these programmes that his government’s commitment to social inclusion will increase.

He said the government will continue to invest in education, health, water and sanitation, as well as food security, to ensure that citizen’s basic needs are met.
Source:
https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-says-n-power-others-will-be-institutionalised/amp

Generator fume kills couple, daughter in Imo
thenationonlineng.net Sep 30, 2019 6:39 PM
Generator fume kills woman, five children in Edo
The people of Umuoparaemeka village, Ugiri in Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo state were thrown into mourning early Monday morning as a couple Lucius Iwunze, his wife Ngozi and their daughter Geraldine all died from inhaling generator fumes.

According to village sources, a member of the extended family visited in the morning and noticed that the doors were still locked from inside.

He was said to have knocked severally without any response, a development that heightened his anxiety, thereby attracting the neighbours, who forced the door open.

Spokesperson of the Imo state Police Command Orlando Ikokwu (SP), who confirmed the ugly incident, said the police have commenced investigation into it.

According to him, the Police Divisional Police Officer in the area led his men to the scene and found the lifeless bodies of the victims.

Ikokwu said: “A report was received at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Isiala Mbano LGA, about the mysterious death of three persons.”

“In view of that, the DPO led a team of policemen to the scene and met the lifeless body of Chief Luscius Iwunze, Lolo Ngozi Iwunze and Geraldine Iwunze.

“However, preliminary investigation revealed that they died as a result of fumes (Carbon monoxide) emitted from a power generating set.

“The corpses have been evacuated to a morgue, and the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command, has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.”

Src:
https://thenationonlineng.net/generator-fume-kills-couple-daughter-in-imo/amp/

Edo inducts over 1,000 newly recruited civil servants
thenationonlineng.net Sep 30, 2019 3:29 PM
Edo
Edo state
In line with Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s vision to reposition the state’s civil service for optimal performance, the state government has commenced a 3-day orientation programme for over 1,000 civil servants who were recently recruited into the state civil service.

While declaring the orientation programme open at Imaguero College in Benin City, the State’s Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa, said the programme was organised by the state government for officers on Grade level 07 and above who were appointed into the mainstream of the state’s civil service between 2017 and 2018.

According to him, “These officers were absorbed into the mainstream of the civil service in 2017. They also include those recruited in 2018 by the Edo State Civil Service Commission.

“The main thrust of the exercise is to develop their capacity on rules guiding the civil service and train them on how to conduct themselves as civil servants while discharging their duties.”

Ehiozuwa urged the participants to take advantage of the programme to understand what is required of them in the discharge of their duties, adding, “Edo State government, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is committed to ensuring training and re-training of every category of staff in the state public service to achieve efficiency and ensure effective service delivery to taxpayers.”

He said civil servants must continue to represent government positively and show respect for constituted authority, noting, “These are sacrosanct in the service, as the government rewards hard work. There is also a mechanism that exists in the service designed to call erring staff to order.”

Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishments, Training and Manpower Services in the office of Head of Service, Mrs Deborah Enakhimion, said the purpose of the programme is to formally acquaint participants with necessary guidelines for conduct in the civil service, including financial instruments and other government regulations.

Enakhimion noted that over 1000 participants from different state ministries are scheduled to partake in the programme, which has been spread for a three-day duration to accommodate everyone.

In a lecture entitled ‘Rules and Ethical Principles of Civil Service,’ a
Source:
https://thenationonlineng.net/edo-inducts-over-1000-newly-recruited-civil-servants/amp/

Daily Post Nigeria


INEC REC, Abba Yusuf is dead
Fikayo Olowolagba Fikayo Olowolagba
3 hours ago



Baba Abba Yusuf, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has been reported dead.

His death was announced by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.


Oriaran-Anthony said the late REC died on Saturday night at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Borno State.

The statement noted that Yusuf, who had previously served as REC in both Benue and Adamawa states, was buried in Maiduguri, in accordance with Islamic rites.

The statement read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regrets to announce the death of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Taraba State, Alhaji Baba Abba Yusuf.


“ He died last night at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, where he was on admission for some time.

“He will be buried today Sunday 29th September 2019 at 4 pm in Maiduguri. The Commission will be represented at the funeral by a delegation of National and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

“Alhaji Yusuf was one of the most experienced RECS in the Commission, having been appointed in 2010. He had served as REC in Benue and Adamawa States. His experience has been invaluable to the Commission over the years.”

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Categories: News
Tags: Abba Yusuf, INEC REC

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Source:
https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/29/inec-rec-abba-yusuf-dead/amp/

Ngige: FG Can’t Meet Labour’s Demands on New Minimum Wage
thisdaylive.com Sep 26, 2019 4:29 PM

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige
By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has said that it will not be able to meet the demands of the workers’ union on the percentage for the consequential adjustment of the N30,000 new minimum wage due dwindling economy.

The government said it will appoint a new team to represent it in the committee negotiating the minimum wage consequential adjustment.

The Minister of Labour and Employmemt, Senator Chris Ngige, who disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said federal government felt there was need to say the truth about the poor state of the economy.

Ngige also expressed government’s concern over the rising unemployment in the country describing it as highly worrisome.

He said the organised labour should not limit itself to just advocating for workers’ right but should liaise with government and private sector to create jobs.

Details later…

OAU to build own airport soon, says VC
punchng.com Sep 24, 2019 2:20 AM

• Obafemi Awolowo University Photo: File
Bola Bamigbola, Osogbo

The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Monday disclosed plans to build an airport within the campus of the institution soon.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Eyitope, dropped the hint at the 2019 Faculty of Technology International Conference, held at OAU ICT Park recently, saying that the airport would serve as training ground for the planned aeronautic programme of the university.

The vice-chancellor said, “We believe that the future of travel globally is in the air. It is in view of this that we are starting an aeronautic programme. As part of this, we will be having our own airport.

“We have over 11,000 hectares of land, with which we hope to achieve our objective and we have developed a proposal for the airport. We will be taking it up with the authorities to ensure that we do not only have the aeronautic programme here, but also build an airport that will serve that purpose.

“We want to make OAU the hub of aeronautic studies in Nigeria. Currently no federal university in the country offers a programme in aeronautic studies. We believe that with OAU taking up this challenge, we can go places with it.

“This idea was contemplated some years ago. Now we are very serious with it. We have the drawings in place and the land has been earmarked. Everything that we need for the airport and to start the programme is ready.”

In his keynote address, themed, ‘Diversification of Developing Economies: Imperatives for Sustainable Environment and Technological Innovations’, Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru said ideas are abundant in Nigeria but the framework transform the ideas into reality.

Stressing that ideas abandoned in the country thrived in other countries of the world, Ashiru noted that the difference between Nigeria and other countries is the level of commitment and dedication to its development.

According to him, irrespective of the challenges facing the country, the country must embark on technological innovationand sustained support for research and development.

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Russia intensifies Jehovah’s Witnesses crackdown with new jailings

Russia has widened a crackdown against Jehovah’s Witnesses, jailing six adherents of the Christian denomination for extremism in a move rights activists said was unjust and flouted religious freedom.

Russia moves to label Jehovah Witnesses extremists

A regional court in Saratov jailed six Jehovah’s Witnesses on Thursday for up to three-and-a-half years, a court spokeswoman said on Friday.

“Yes they were convicted,” the spokeswoman, Olga Pirueva, said. “Punishments ranged from three years and six months down to two years (in jail).”

The court found the six men guilty of continuing the activities of an extremist organization, a reference to a 2017 ruling from Russia’s Supreme Court which found the group to be an “extremist” organisation and ordered it to disband, Reuters reported.

The US-headquartered Jehovah’s Witnesses have been under pressure for years in Russia, where the dominant Orthodox Church is championed by President Vladimir Putin. Orthodox scholars have cast them as a dangerous foreign sect that erodes state institutions and traditional values, allegations they reject.

The latest jailings follow the conviction in February of a Danish builder in Russia for his association with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Dennis Christensen was found guilty of organizing an extremist group and jailed for six years.

Over 250 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia are facing criminal charges, according to the group, with 41 in detention and 23 under house arrest.

Under Thursday’s ruling, Konstantin Bazhenov and Alexei Budenchuk were sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail, Felix Makhammadiev to three years, and Roman Gridasov, Gennady German, and Alexei Miretsky to two years in prison each.

According to the report by Reuters, the court also banned them from holding leadership positions in public organisations for five years.

Jehovah’s Witnesses say Russia’s constitution guarantees their adherents right to exercise freedom of religion and deny wrongdoing.

“The whole logic of the accusation was based on the speculative thesis that faith in God is ‘a continuation of the activities of an extremist organization’,” Jarrod Lopes, a US-based spokesman for the group, said in a statement.

“Instead of searching and proving the guilt of the defendants, the aim of the investigation was to prove their religious affiliation, despite the fact that no religion is prohibited in Russia.”

Lawyers for the men plan to appeal what they regard as absurd convictions, said Lopes, according to Reuters report.

With about 170,000 followers in Russia and 8 million worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for door-to-door preaching, close Bible study, and rejection of military service and blood transfusions.

They believe the end of the world as we know it is imminent, an event “the obedient” will survive to inhabit the Kingdom of God they believe will follow.

Rachel Denber of US-based Human Rights Watch condemned the court’s ruling, saying the men had been jailed for nothing.

“They should be freed,” Denber said on social media.

Source:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/russia-intensifies-jehovahs-witnesses-crackdown-with-new-jailings/amp/

CBN Reduces Charge On POS, Credit, Debit Cards

dailyadvent.com

Sep 18, 2019 3:07 PM



The Central Bank Of Nigeria has announced a downward review of charges applicable to merchant payments – transactions through Point of Sale (POS), Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Debit and Credit Cards.



This comes as the country’s apex bank has introduced new cashless policy – which stipulates new charges on cash transactions in excess of N500,000 and N3,000,000 for individual and coperate accounts respectively.



Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor

In a memo sent to all Banks processor/Switches, on 18 September, the CBN stated a downward review from 0.75% capped at N1,200 to 0.50% capped at N1,000 as it orders banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions.


Source:
www.dailyadvent.com/politics/2019/09/18/cbn-reduces-charge-on-pos-credit-debit-cards/

Court affirms Imo North’s Uwajumogu election
dailytrust.com.ng Sep 17, 2019 4:11 AM
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri has affirmed the election of Senator Ben Uwajumogu as the senator representing Imo North senatorial district.

In a unanimous decision led by Justice DS Wyom, the tribunal said the petitions filed by the candidates of Action Alliance (AA) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively were frivolous and lacking in merit. It stated that the petitioners were unable to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.

The petitioners had asked the tribunal to annul Uwajumogu’s election on the ground that it was inconclusive.

Speaking on his victory, Senator Uwajumogu praised the judiciary for standing by the truth in affirming his victory at the last Imo North Senatorial elections.

He appealed to his opponents to join hands with him in attracting dividends of democracy to Imo North and not appeal the judgement.

Source:

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-affirms-imo-norths-uwajumogu-election.html/amp

Daily Post Nigeria


Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu to meets UN



The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has revealed that its leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu will on Tuesday meet with officials of the United Nations in its Geneva, Switzerland office.

A press release by the Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, stated that contrary to speculations that Kanu would meet the officials during the general assembly in Washington, it opted for a smaller gathering in Geneva to avoid infiltration by ‘opposition elements’, it said.Part of the release read, “Going by the relentless engagement of the international community by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) consider it imperative to inform the great people of Biafra, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom that in keeping with the promise of our leader during his last outing at the EU, he will be leading a delegation to the UN office in Geneva Switzerland on Tuesday 18th September 2019.”


Powerful said the details of the meeting would remain under wraps as previous experience during Kanu’s meeting with European Union in Brussels, showed that the federal government of Nigeria also sent two diplomats as delegates to spy on them.

“As usual details of these meetings will not be subject to public disclosure as we are well aware of the lengths the corrupt, fraudulent and election stealing cabal will go to hamstring and frustrate our efforts.

“Not many people know that Nigerian Ambassador to the EU personally rang Seb Dance, the Member of European Parliament that invited our leader to the EU, to try bullying him into cancelling the event.

“Anytime we make public our critical diplomatic engagements, Nigerian Government has used their considerable wealth and clout of sovereignty to cajole, buy-off, bribe, intimidate and threaten their business interests in Africa.

“Nigeria it must be said sent two female diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to observe our leader’s presentation at the European Parliament. Our leader even walked across to these diplomats after the event to thank them for coming. Any Nigerian or agent of Nigeria that wants to know the outcome of the Brussels outing should ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after all two of their diplomats were there to hear our leader speak.

Powerful further stated, “For the avoidance of doubt and possible misrepresentation or interpretation, our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his team will appear before the great men and women of the world at the UN headquarters in Geneva and not the General Assembly in New York as being speculated in some quarters.

“Our demand for the recognition of the right of Biafrans to self-determination and the need for urgent intervention of the civilized world in order to avert looming catastrophe will continue to gather momentum. We are relentless and will never stop until Biafra is restored.

Source:
https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/15/biafra-nnamdi-kanu-meets-un-officials-tuesday/amp/

Which Is More Harmful? Alcohol Vs Soft Drink

It is next to impossible to avoid a good beverage especially during social interactions hence why it is necessary to make healthy choices in deciding which beverage to take.

There is a long-standing debate on the merits of various beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol. Which one is the healthier choice? Continuing reading on the details about the healthier choice between alcohol and soft drinks.

Nutrition:

If you are to compare alcohol and soft drinks from a nutrition point of view then alcohol is easily your winner as soft drinks have absolutely no nutritional value with processed sugar being one of the major components. Sugar will bring down your insulin resistance due to the rise of toxin influx in the body and this makes you a prey to diseases like diabetes. On the other hand, beer contains a small amount of protein due to the ingredients added when it is brewed for consumption and also contains some amount of antioxidants and potassium.

Kilo calories:

Both alcohol and soft drinks contain plenty of kilo calories but on the parameter of kilo calories, soft drinks are a healthier choice over alcohol. People tend to drink soft drinks at a slower pace, which means that they consume less of it. Once you start enjoying an alcoholic drink, you tend to take more of them and much faster. Also, alcohol makes you hungry, which implies that you start reaching out for various kinds of snacks and other unhealthy food. In such cases, you will tend to gain weight much faster if you choose alcohol every time. This will not really be the case when you choose soft drinks.

Toxins:

Alcohol is brewed in such a way that ensures it carries a lot of toxins, which are not good for the liver and heart in the long run. These toxins can easily clog the arteries and create complications for the functioning of the liver.

Glycemic index: This is the count that is accorded to the level of insulin resistance in one’s drink of choice. For alcohol, the glycemic resistance is much higher, which means that you have better insulin resistance as compared to other soft drinks, which are high in sugar content. Therefore, it makes alcohol a highly unhealthy choice, which can also result in diabetes in the long run, if one ingests too much of it.

Please note, the medical information provided in this article is provided as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Source: https://m.guardian.ng/life/the-healthier-choice-between-alcohol-vs-soft-drinks/

‘My baby Rihanna is not pregnant, she just called me’ – Don Jazzy
dailyadvent.com Sep 13, 2019 6:03 PM
‘My baby Rihanna is not pregnant, she just called me’ – Don Jazzy
Nigerian music mogul and record label owner Don Jazzy has claimed that Rihanna is not really pregnant after news made rounds that the American superstar appeared pregnant following her Diamond Ball performance and interview.

Image result for Don Jazzy and Rihanna

Don Jazzy who has been vocal about his crush on Rihanna playfully took to his official Twitter page to claim that the news making rounds is not authentic as he just got off the phone with the singer.

Its obvious Don Jazzy was being playful with the post as his fans are aware how frisky he can be especially when big stories on Rihanna make rounds on the internet.


ITS DONJAZZY AGAIN�
✔
@DONJAZZY
I knew my baby couldn’t play me like that. she just called me. knew i could #CountOnYou https://twitter.com/ComplexMusic/status/1172531283957825536 …

Complex Music
✔
@ComplexMusic
Turns out Rihanna isn't pregnant: http://cmplx.co/9qW4kzp

View image on Twitter
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Don Jazzy is hoping to couple up with Rihanna somee day. Do you think the American singer and the Mavin boss will make a perfect couple?

LOL

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Source:
www.dailyadvent.com/ettmt/2019/09/13/my-baby-rihanna-is-not-pregnant-she-just-called-me-don-jazzy/

Court summons Okorocha over alleged breach of peace
guardian.ng Sep 11, 2019 4:43 AM

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Photo/OwelleRochas/
Imo State Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri has ordered former Governor Rochas Okorocha to appear before it on October 8, 2019, for alleged breach of public peace.

The summons dated September 5, which had the state’s attorney-general as the complainant, also ordered that Okorocha, who is now representing Imo West in the Senate, should be served “by pasting same at his Spibat residence and publishing same in any daily newspaper within the state.”

The order reads, “It is hereby ordered that the defendant appears in court on October 8, 2019 to show cause why he should not be ordered to enter into a recognisance for keeping the peace and to be of good behaviour towards the complainant.

“Complaint has made that you (Okorocha) have consistently been in the deplorable habit of fomenting trouble and inciting your supporters to disobey the government of the day; that you have been in the habit of making seditious and inciting statements against the government.”

Meanwhile, Okorocha, through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, denied fomenting any trouble, describing the order as embarrassing and a bad example.

In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo West has rejected the ruling of the election petition tribunal on the March 9, 2019 senatorial election in the area, describing it as unacceptable, miscarriage of justice and a rape on democracy.

The tribunal sitting in Abuja had on Monday sustained the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Okorocha, as the winner of the poll.

Speaking to newsmen in Owerri yesterday, Imo West PDP chairman, Chief Alloy Igwe, said that the election was marred by violence and irregularities, and as such should not have stood.

He said the party would stand behind its candidate, Jones Onyereri, to seek a better judgement at the Court of Appeal that would represent the true mandate of the people.

“We feel very bad over the judgement. We look at it as one that has deprived people of their right of participation in politics. It is a rape of people’s representation,” he said.

In the same vein, some political leaders in the area, including Chief Chris Anyiam and Nze Eze Ugochukwu, have described the tribunal’s verdict as an aberration to the ethos of democracy.

Source:
https://guardian.ng/news/court-summons-okorocha-over-alleged-breach-of-peace/

Catholic Bishops celebrate Owerri Archdiocese
vanguardngr.com Sep 11, 2019 3:28 AM
Owerri- The Imo State capital, played host to no fewer than 25 Catholic Bishops, including the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, and hundreds of priests, tthe religious and lay faithful.

They were all in Owerri for the silver jubilee celebration of the inauguration of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and installation of Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, as the Metropolitan of the Province, comprising Orlu, Okigwe, Umuahia, Aba, Ahiara and Owerri.

This date, in the previous years, was celebrated as the Owerri Archdiocesan Day. Put simply, the Owerri Archdiocesan Day is an annual event, which primarily recalls the 1994 elevation of the Catholic Diocese of Owerri, to an Archdiocese, and to the position of Metropolitan See within the Ecclesiastical Province.


Catholic bishops
Count Jonathan out of FGN and PID deal – Reno Omokri(Opens in a new browser tab)

While establishing the Owerri Archdiocesan Day, Dr. Obinna emphasised what he called “the inculturative thrust” of its programme of activities.

His words: “Given the need to welcome the Good News of salvation, into the intimacy of our lives and Igbo culture, special prominence would be given to the Igbo language, through an annual series of lectures by Igbo scholars, in the Igbo language.

Archbishop Obinna also opined that the symbiotic relationship between true worship of God and the cherishing of genuine human values, which the festivities and the lectures seek to orchestrate, is thereby anchored and strengthened.

On arrival, one of the first port of call was the Government House, where representatives of the Catholic Bishops, paid a courtesy call on Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

The Governor used the opportunity to not only welcome his guests to Owerri, but also assured them of their safety, throughout their stay in the state.

For Chief Ihedioha, it was a thing of joy that the Archdiocesan silver jubilee celebration came in his time as Governor of Imo State.

He reiterated his promise to govern the state with the fear of God, as well as upholding the rule of law, accountability, transparency and independence of the three arms of government.

Preaching the sermon that can rightly be said to summarize the feelings of the Bishops at a concelebrated Pontifical Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, said that today, Nigerians expect so much of their Bishop’s.

His words:

“In the darkness and gloom that have enveloped our country, many are looking expectantly at the Church for a ray of hope, however faint. Whether it is about the perceived Islamiztion and Fulanization of the country, or about the current effort of the Federal Government to stifle every form of opposition, people are asking: What is the Church doing? And by the Church, they simply mean Catholic Bishops.

“But I ask: What else can the Bishops do that they have not done already? The Bishops have prayed and continued to pray for Nigeria. The Bishops have spoken clearly and consistently against bad governance, from the time of military dictatorship, when the voice of the Church was the only one that could not be silenced, till today, when military dictatorship has returned in another form.

“The Bishops have expressly stated that this country is in trouble. The Bishops have told the government repeatedly that the only way out of this catastrophe that is about to happen in this country is justice and fairness: respect for those parts of the Constitution that are just and fair; amendment of those parts of the Constitution that were so framed as to favour parts of the country, either geographically or religiously.

“This country is experiencing deterioration on a daily basis and our people are loosing confidence in themselves. There is a decay of infrastructure and near total collapse of security. All these have been pointed out by the Catholic Bishops on several occasions. What have the Bishops not said?

“At the peak of insecurity in this country, the Bishops candidly advised the President to resign since he could no longer provide protection to the lives and properties of Nigerians. Repeatedly, the Bishops have engaged every president of this country.

“But what about our Christians, including our Catholics, who are in government? There are card-carrying Catholics in all the political parties that have ruled Nigeria since the return to democracy. What have these Catholics or Christian members of the ruling parties done to translate into concrete action the indications that the Bishops have given? Bishops have marched the streets in prayer and protest. Bishops have taken the government to court in some states. The only thing that we have not done and will never do is to incite our people to violence, because that would be wrong.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria needs to know that our youths are losing confidence in the peaceful and non-violent way we are proposing. And I will like to state clearly that today, out of respect for Archbishop Anthony Obinna, who has been foremost in speaking out in defence of good governance both in his state and in the country, that the current Federal Government of Nigeria will hold itself responsible if it refuses to listen to the voice of reason and the calamity we all fear will befall our dear country.”

Continuing, Bishop Onah said that the Islamization and Fulanization project has gone beyond being a hidden agenda, for it is now being implemented openly and with impunity.

“But then, there is a limit to the extent to which the people can be oppressed without their reaction to the oppression. We therefore appeal to all those in government at different levels in this country, to remember that they are there to serve all the people in Nigeria”, Onah said.

The celebration was rounded off with the Odenigbo Lecture, delivered by a university don, Rev. Fr. Longinus Chinagorom.

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/catholic-bishops-celebrate-owerri-archdiocese/amp/

Katsina: Police, Shi’ite members in bloody Clash

The Police and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN , otherwise known as the Shiites, Tuesday engaged in a serious clash with the sect claiming the Police arrested so many of their members while scores of others were injured.

A spokesman of the group in Katsina, Dr Abdulkarim Usman, Abdulmumin told The Nation on telephone that the procession started at about 7.30 am and ended abruptly by 8.30 am because of the intrusion of the Police who fired teargas and shot indiscriminately into the air to disperse them.

Abubakar further admitted that none of their members was killed but that scores of them were injured while several others were arrested by the police.

He said “we divided ourselves into several groups and peacefully were marching through the street around Kofar Marusa area of Katsina when the Police intervened and several of our members were either arrested or injured in the ensuing fracas’’

Meanwhile, the leader of the movement in the state, Malam Yakubu Yahaya told newsmen Tuesday in Katsina, called on Nigerians to understand the movement and its orientation adding; “we are almajiris under sheik Ibrahim al Zazzaki, he was born in Katsina, our organization and its orientation is for the progress and growth of the religion worldwide, this procession is a yearly activity”

“The organization is not an association but an ideological movement for the common people, but the Government does not want to understand us.”

When contacted, the Spokesman of the State Police Command, Superintendent Gambo Isah refereed to the earlier warning by the command against the proposed street procession, insisting that the command had to ensure the order was fully complied with.

The Nation recalled that the Police had earlier issued a clarification warning to the movement following their planned procession.

The Police also stated that while Muslims are free to commemorate “Ashura” throughout the country along with other Muslims across the world, it, however, insisted that the ban on processions is however applicable to members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria only.

Source:
https://thenationonlineng.net/katsina-police-shiite-members-in-bloody-clash/amp/

Tribunal, aroma of democracy – Okorocha
vanguardngr.com Sep 9, 2019 4:22 PM

Okorocha spoke in Owerri, through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, after the tribunal affirmed his 2019 election as Senator representing Imo West.

Okorocha’s emergence has been challenged at the tribunal by his opponents.

Top among them, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jones Onyereri, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Osita Izunaso among others.

One of the controversial issues raised by the challengers was that the returning officer for the Imo west senatorial district election, Professor Innocent Ibeawuchi, declared Okorocha, a winner under duress.

Even Ibeawuchi himself had made the same statement that he declared Okorocha winner on gunpoint. An accusation Okorocha said he never did.

In the statement, “Following the ruling of the National Assembly Elections’ Petition Tribunal, upholding his election as the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has described the Judiciary as the Aroma and backbone of the nation’s democracy. And while members of the tribunal are apostles of Justice.

“The tribunal had dismissed the two petitions from Senator Osita Izunaso of APGA and Hon. Jones Onyerieri of the PDP against the election of Owelle Okorocha as the Senator for Imo West Senatorial District on the grounds that they were not able to prove the allegations of duress and malpractice.

“The former governor remarked that with this latest ruling by the Election Petition Tribunal, it is now obvious that he won his election through the ballot box and the issue of duress was a mere Campaign of Calumny.”

Okorocha also, “Commended his two brothers, Senator Izunaso and Hon. Onyeriri for being good ambassadors of Orlu zone and appealed to them to join hands with him for the good of Orlu Zone people in particular and Imo people in general.

“He assured that he would not let them down for any reason, and would always consult them on legislative issues since they had been at the National Assembly before him.

“Senator Okorocha thanked the media for identifying with him all through the time his Certificate of Return was an issue and also all the time the matter was at the tribunal.

“He thanked the people of Orlu zone for voting for him to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly and for their unflinching support and solidarity all through the period his election remained contentious at the tribunal.

“He also expressed gratitude to Imo people who remained supportive all these while even when he is no longer their governor and noted that God had answered all their prayers concerning him.

“He assured that he would continue to live a life of service to God and humanity.”

JUST IN: 3 police men, suspects die in motor accident

Three police officers said to be working under DCP Abba Kyari and some arrested suspects have died in a ghastly motor accident few kilometers from where three police men were killed by soldiers along Ibbi-Wukari road in Ibbi local government area of Taraba State at about 6 pm, on Monday.

Daily Trust’s finding revealed that the police officers were escorting the suspects to area command in Wukari when the driver of the police vehicle they were traveling lost control and somersaulted.

It was gathered that three police officers and the suspects died instantly.

An eye witness, Mallam Kasimu Dauda, told Daily Trust via Telephone that the accident occurred at a village few kilometers from where the 3 police men and 2 civilians were killed by soldiers last Month.

He said the victims were part of DCP Abba Kyari’s team that came to Ibbi, following the killing of 3 Police men and 2 civilians and were left behind to conduct further investigation in the area.

Mallam Kasimu Dauda said the victims were escorting the suspects and some guns recovered in the area when the accident happened.

The police spokesperson in the state, DSP David Misal, who confirmed the incident via a text message to our reporter, however said only one police man died in the accident.

He wrote: “A vehicle with some police detectives, on special investigation, along Ibbi-Wukari road had a fatal accident as a result of bad tyres and it led to the death of a police officer while others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment”.

Source:
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-3-police-men-suspects-die-in-motor-accident.html/amp

Source:
https://punchng.com/mainas-name-disappears-from-watch-list-n2bn-case-dropped/amp/



There are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has abandoned the hunt for the Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, indicted  for N2.1bn pension biometric scam.

The PUNCH learnt that the EFCC lost interest in the case following the official protection enjoyed by the ex-director who was also promoted after his controversial reinstatement into the civil service by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in 2017.

Sources said the anti-graft body had abandoned the search for Maina, noting that “he is more or less a free man now.”

A source said, “Is anyone talking about Maina again? He is no longer a fugitive and the EFCC has abandoned the hunt for him. If you are in doubt, ask Ibrahim Magu (acting EFCC Chairman) for update on his case and hear what he would tell you.”

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said there was no update on the manhunt for the former director.

Maina was reportedly nursing a governorship ambition to rule his home state of Borno when he fled the country after he was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency in 2013.

He fled to the United Arab Emirates where he hibernated for three years until he  was said to have met with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Dubai, in 2016, during which he was reportedly assured of his safety in Nigeria.

Shortly after this, Maina’s name was reportedly taken off the watch list at the nation’s international airports and he had been visiting the country more regularly from his foreign base.

It was gathered that the former PRTT chairman was being protected from arrest and prosecution by top officials in the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice.

Our correspondent also learnt that the former director, who was also placed on the International Police wanted list, was always in the country hobnobbing with senior officials.

A source claimed that Maina was “a friend of the government, no enforcement agency would dare take him into custody.”

Malami had, in November 2017, admitted before a Senate ad hoc panel probing Maina’s reinstatement into the civil service that he met with the former PRTT boss in Dubai.

Sequel to this, Maina resumed at the Ministry of Interior where he was promoted as Director, Human Resources Department, without sitting for the mandatory promotion examination.

Against the backdrop of the revelations, the President ordered the sacking of the director and the Senate also set up an ad-hoc committee to determine the circumstances that led to the return of Maina to the country and his reinstatement into the service despite being on the security watch list.

But the report of the committee headed by the then Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishments and Public Services, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP, Bayelsa Central), was not released till the tenure of the eight Senate lapsed.

Maina in January 2019, secured a court order stopping the EFCC from declaring him wanted.

Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court described the action of the anti-graft agency in declaring Maina wanted as unlawful, but the commission vowed to appeal against the order.

When asked if the commission had appealed the court order obtained by Maina against his arrest, the EFCC spokesman pleaded for time to find out from the commission’s director of legal department.

He later said he could not reach the director as calls to his phone rang out.

Checks, however, showed that  Maina is still listed as a wanted person on the EFCC website.

Retired Oyo teachers, LG workers get N1.4bn gratuity


Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday approved payment of over N1.4bn to retired primary schoolteachers and local government area workers in the state.

Before distributing cheques to the beneficiaries at the conference room of the Local Government Service Commission, the Head of Service, Alhaja Hamidat Agboola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Matters, Alhaji Fatai Oladeinde, said the state government was focused on pensioners’ welfare in the state.

About 1, 000 pensioners from primary schools and local government areas, who retired between 2010 and 2012, were captured as beneficiaries.

Agboola said, “The present administration is not oblivious of the hardship, pains and challenges being faced by our senior citizens as a result of their unpaid benefits over the years.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has therefore resolved to face the challenge squarely. All he needs from us is our support and prayers so as to take the state to greater heights.”

The Secretary Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Dr Ayodele Busari, praised the governor for the development.

The Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman in the state, Bayo Titilola-Sodo; the state Nigeria Union of Pensioners Secretary, Segun Abatan; and one of the beneficiaries, Afolabi Abiodun, also prised Makinde for paying the retirees.

Source:
https://punchng.com/retired-oyo-teachers-lg-workers-get-n1-4bn-gratuity/amp/

Many killed as suspected militia attack Takum
dailytrust.com.ng Sep 1, 2019 4:54 PM

Many people were killed on Sunday as suspected armed militia attacked Jukun community in Takum town of Taraba state.

Daily Trust gathered that the militia, in their large numbers, invaded parts of Takum and shot many people.

It was gathered that the militia were suspected to have crossed into the Jukun community from Benue state.

A source in Takum, Mr Yakubu John, said the armed militia came with sophisticated weapons and attacked the community.

He said more than 12 persons were killed adding however that the attackers were repelled just as many of them were killed.

Police spokesman in the state, DSP David Misal, confirmed the attack.

He said the attackers were repelled by combined team of soldiers and police, adding that the police are compiling casualty figures which will be released later.

He said the situation is under control as Takum town is now calm.

Source:
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-many-killed-as-suspected-militia-attack-takum.html