Breaking: Ex-minister’s son abducted at gunpoint

Some unknown gunmen on Tuesday evening abducted Dayo Adewole, who is the son of the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

The military, the police, security agents and local hunters were already on the trail of the kidnappers as at press time.

The ex-minister has however been forced to cut short his trip abroad.

The abductors were yet to contact the family on their motive and the condition of their victim.

According to a source, Dayo Adewole was waylaid at gunpoint on his farm in Iroko, near Fiditi in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State at about 6pm.

Although there were some staff with Dayo, the abductors went for him as a prime target.

It was gathered that the kidnappers later took Dayo away to an unknown destination.

A source said, ” The villagers were alerted by the staff who survived the ordeal. Local hunters were mobilised by the Oniroko of Iroko.

“The hunters were said to have located the car of the abductors along the road to Iware village near Iroko.

“But they are yet to locate Dayo’s whereabouts. It was suspected that the kidnappers might have changed their vehicle following persistent announcement on radio after Oniroko had raised the alarm on air.”

Findings confirmed that the military, the police and security agencies have joined forces with the villagers to search for Dayo.

A top official of the Federal Ministry of Health said: ” We are in sad mood over the abduction. Dayo was a graduate of agriculture and he opted for farming.


” He has been managing his farm peacefully in Iroko until he was abducted by some gunmen on Tuesday.”

Responding to a question, the official said: “The ex-minister left for abroad last Thursday for recess but he is on his way back. He has cut short his trip.

” The military, the police and other security agencies are on top of the situation.”

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-ex-ministers-son-abducted-at-gunpoint/

A UK-based Nigerian Medical Doctor, Harvey Olufunmilayo has said people should stay away from dogs they know nothing about as rabies has no cure.

According to him, rabies is mostly spread to human through bites or scratches, usually via saliva by un-vaccinated animals is a deadly infection of the brain and nerves

Dr Olufunmilayo stated this in a series of tweets on his verified and official twitter account.

See his tweets below…

This is Rabies. Rabies is real. Rabies is VERY DEADLY. It is caused by a terrible virus that infects a person through the bite of animals like dogs. That’s why people should vaccinate their pets and keep them confined. Rabies has no cure. And once diagnosed, IT IS VERY FATAL.

https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/17/stay-away-from-dogs-you-dont-know-rabies-has-no-cure-expert-warns/

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has disclosed that acting Chief Justice of Kebbi State, Justice Asabe Karatu has been sacked by Governor Atiku Bagudu after she alleged her non-confirmation as the State CJ was due to her Christian background.

Fani-Kayode disclosed in this in a series of tweets on his verified and official twitter account, stating that the governor has also denied her pension benefit after 38-years of service in the State.

Fani-Kayode tweets was in a reaction to a reply by Sharom Miriam Shehu to a statement posted on social media by the First Lady of Kebbi, Zainab Bagudu on the raging controversy.

Fani-Kayode said, “Well spoken. When I raised this issue of great national importance she said that I should be ignored and that I am looking for attention. When I told her off and said that I am not interested in her attention and that I don’t do other peoples wives she invited me to Kebbi for a visit and said I should come and see her cows.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/17/kebbi-cj-bagudu-sacked-justice-asabe-for-speaking-up-against-her-non-confirmation/

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has commended Kola Abiola, the son of the late MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the Jun 12, 1993, election, for exposing former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other “June 12 opportunists.”

George said this to PUNCH while reacting to Kola’s allegations that after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, Tinubu approached the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, and begged him for a commissioner appointment in Lagos State.

According to Kola, it was after Tinubu had lost out that he decided to join hands with the National Democratic Coalition to fight for the actualization of the June 12 mandate.

George, who is also a former military administrator, hailed Kola for stating the facts even as he lamented that many opportunists were seeking to twist history.

He said, “It is true that Tinubu went to beg for a commissioner position. He was in the Villa and Gen. Oladipo Diya is a witness. He (Tinubu) said he wanted to be a deputy to a military administrator and when all that didn’t work, he went into his activism.”

Read more:

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that the Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu frustrated the emergence of Justice Asabe Karatu as Chief Justice of the State because of her Christian background.

Fani said this in a series of tweets on his official and verified twitter handle.

He said, I have just spoken to the former Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi state, Justice Asabe Karatu and I confirm that what Gov. Atiku Bagudu did to her was utterly shameful.

The allegation that she has a fake primary school certificate is false and she has since proved it.

It was a lie cooked up by the Governor who pressurised the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to reject her after the State Judicial Council had selected her and recommended her for confirmation. Even the State House of Assembly itself later did a u-turn and offered to confirm her but the Governor again stopped them from doing so and quickly swore someone else in. Karatu has been in the state civil service for 38 years.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/16/kebbi-cj-bagudu-lied-asabe-was-rejected-because-of-her-christian-background-fani-kayode/

The Premier League 2019/2020 season is already just around the corner as the full list of fixtures has been revealed.

Defending champions Manchester City open their title defence with a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United, but it’s Liverpool who open the new season on the evening of Friday 9 August when they take on Championship winners Norwich City.

Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford in the highlight fixture of the opening weekend on Sunday 11 August.

Arsenal travel to St James Park for their opening game, before facing Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United within their opening seven matches.

Spurs face play-off champions Aston Villa, while Sheffield United end their top-tier exile with a trip to Bournemouth. Here are all the fixtures in full:

Match week 1

09/08/2019 20:00 Liverpool v Norwich City

10/08/2019 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth v Sheffield United

10/08/2019 15:00 Burnley v Southampton

10/08/2019 15:00 Crystal Palace v Everton

10/08/2019 15:00 Leicester City v Wolverhampton

10/08/2019 17:30 Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

10/08/2019 15:00 Watford v Brighton

10/08/2019 12:30 West Ham United v Manchester City

11/08/2019 16:30 Manchester United v Chelsea

11/08/2019 14:00 Newcastle United v Arsenal

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/14/full-2019-20-premier-league-fixtures/

More than 30 people have been killed after suspected bandits attacked three villages in Shinkafi local government of Zamfara State.

The attacks were reported to have taken place on Friday.

The affected villages are Gidan Wawo-Katuru, Tungar Kaho-Galadi, and Kyalido-Katuru.

A source told TheCable that the attackers, who came on motorcycles, set many houses on fire and shot at those within their sight.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/16/bandits-attack-leaves-34-dead-in-zamfara/

Former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi has said the privatisation of the power sector was designed to fail.

Amadi made this known in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, said the privatisation process could not produce the desired results because the power assets were sold to investors who lacked the financial and technical capacity.

The sector was privatised after the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in November 2013, as private investors took over distribution and generation firms “to ensure adequate, regular and stable supply of electricity to the consumer at a reasonable cost”.

“The power sector was designed to fail. We failed to corporatise and commercialize before privatizing; we privatize senselessly without paying attention to context and corporate governance and regulatory regime; we sold to investors who lacked capacity,” he said.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/16/power-sector-privatisation-was-designed-to-fail-former-nerc-chairman/

Director, Strategic Communications of President Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said the 2019 result which saw President Muhammadu Buhari announced as the winner of the elction, which is still being contested by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and it candidate Atiku Abubakar, reflected the overall wishes of Nigerians.

Keyamo (SAN) who queried some aspects of the report said the document was not definitive enough.

Keymao statement was in reaction to a report by the European Union Election Monitoring on Nigeria’s 2019 election.

Keyamo who was Buhari’s agent at the collation centre disputed the Mission’s claim that the collation of the election results was not transparent enough.

According to him, “There are aspects of the report that are not definitive enough. For instance, if they say the result collation process is not transparent enough, I expect them to be very clear as to what they expect to happen over and above or beyond what we have in the Electoral Act currently.

Read More: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/16/keyamo-to-eu-results-reflected-overall-wishes-of-nigerians-video/

*knocks INEC, parties, security operatives over 2019 polls

The European Union Election Observation Mission has stated that the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari a few weeks before the elections, which it said was seen to lack due process and reportedly undermined judicial independence.

This was made known in a final report on the 2019 general elections, which was released on Saturday containing 30 recommendations to improve future electoral processes.

President Buhari had on the 25th of January in a controversial manner suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen and immediately installed Justice Tanko Mohammed in his place as Acting CJN.

Buhari stated that he carried out the suspension on the orders of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which was given on January 23.

The President had announced Onnoghen suspension and the inauguration of Mohammed shortly after signing law, a new Executive Order 007 that allows private firms to fund roads projects.

EU on the elections noted there were shortcomings in INEC’s operations while leading political parties were at fault for not controlling their supporters who unleashed violence on electorates.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/15/onnoghens-suspension-lacked-due-process-undermined-judicial-independence-eu/

“It will take the next two months before ministers can come on board. Bringing them in now may disrupt the clean-up going on. So, Nigerians just have to be patient.”

This was Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, speaking to Reuters on July 1, 2015 on the hold-up in appointing ministers. He said the president was taking his time to assemble a team of “credible and competent” Nigerians.

But after six months of suspense and wearisome wait, some persons of blemished character and of inchoate competence still got hoisted into the cabinet. What a pathos-inducing denouement that was?

As a matter of fact, reinforcing failure is solving a problem with the same washed-out tools, methods and liveware. A president is as good as his cabinet; this is the reason competence must supersede every other value item in the check-list.

It has been 14 days since the inauguration of the second Buhari administration, and it is shaping up to be the sophomore of a prosaic interlude charged with a numbing suspense.

Really, I think this uneasy wait could be the result of intense lobbying in “high places” or a consequence of ambivalence in making that important decision of appointing persons to the cabinet by President Buhari. And there is the speculation that most of the “arid hands” may return because they are angling and sparing no quarter in scheming to have another round at retailed power.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/15/buharis-cabinet-to-be-or-not-to-be-by-fredrick-nwabufo/

Yesterday, while I was in a public transport, I saw a woman with a slip that looked like a receipt but was more like a sports bet ticket, but I was not sure what it is. Then it occurred to me, that I have not seen women playing sports bet. That probed me to ask a few questions around.

Do women bet? Yes they do. Do they play sports bet? Some actually play. Afterwards, I took a reflect, and I thought that probably, the woman I saw was holding a bet ticket and had to go far away from home to play – and possibly hid it from those in the public transport.

Humans take a lot of risks while they still breathe, and none probably ranks more among than betting and gambling. This risk can be seen as addictive in nature, and, to some, very damaging. To some, however, it is worth living for.

While still interrogating the question which is do women bet? It dawned on me that I have not seen a woman in a sports bet shop except those who work there. Then I asked around do women play sports bets?

Read More: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/14/women-can-bet-too-you-know/

For those who watch American gods, you’ll have an inkling of where I’m going with this piece.

There is an ongoing struggle between Traditional advertising and digital marketing.

Traditional advertising gods feel digital marketing is disrespectful, while the digital marketing gods feel traditional advertising is old and should disappear. Some old gods of traditional advertising are in support of digital advertising because of technology. Supporters of digital marketing say evolve or die.

The media is like a Genie, it makes campaign wishes come true if implemented. The idea has intercourse with whoever feeds it. It is set to betray the old alliance and join the new, but it becomes skeptical and stays in between, thereby serving as a link between the two parties.

Read also: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/14/american-gods-the-struggle-between-traditional-advertising-and-digital-marketing/

The First point to note is that our security architecture was designed by the Military rulers to focus on regime-preservation rather than protection of the citizens. Sadly since our 1999 adventure into democratic rule; this posture has not changed in any way. So the mindset remains.

This is an important point. Our security outfits see preserving and obeying the govt as their only goal. The citizens are just there to be made compliant to preserve the interest of whoever is in power. I would have expected civilian governments to have changed this setup since 1999.

The Constitution states there can be only ONE police force in Nigeria. This provision forbids either the Fed govt or the states to establish a parallel police service in competition to the NPF. This has however not stopped the govt from establishing additional investigatory & enforcement institutions, even though they have not called any of them ‘police’. But successive governments have breached the spirit of the constitution if not the letter by creating several silos of agencies.

By not calling these parallel agencies “police” the govt seem to say they have stayed within the provisions of the law. But with these agencies having powers similar to that of the police, it can be argued that if it looks like a dog, barks like a dog, walks like a dog, then it is a dog.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/11/understanding-the-security-silos-in-nigeria-by-dr-charles-omole/

I am very big on frugality primarily because everything around us encourages us to spend like sailors. But I also understand that it’s almost impossible to “frugal” your way to financial independence. You must make more money by monetizing a rare, complex or unique skills.

Rare skill sets. Most people will NEVER make enough money to retire with make-up artistry, waitressing, cleaning/janitorial work, most art-based disciplines, music etc. In contrast, most software developers will make a very good living because their skill set is rare.

Rare skill sets. The adults lied when they said “follow your passion and you’ll be ok.” What they really meant was, “follow your passion on the side while building a career that can pay your bills.” Your bills won’t wait for your passion to click.

Rare skill sets. Art can also be a rare skill set. An exceptionally good musician also has a rare skill set. But the industry requires a combination of exceptional skill plus a good dose of luck. What if you’re the unlucky one?

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/11/why-saving-and-frugality-is-not-enough-by-dr-oyedeji/

“For the man dies in all who keeps silent in the face of tyranny”- Wole Soyinka

As far as I can remember, I have known the National Broadcasting Corporation ( NBC ) to be an appendage of the Government. No joke- this is my new slang nowadays. Many may think I am making quite an allegation and I will prove it with this short story here.

Exactly 1st March 2019 was when JayFM in Jos, Plateau State was shutdown. This was after a few cases of Buhari’s administration in first term gagged the press and several literature, pieces and articles were put out to demand press freedom. I was one of those writers who chronicled several instances and timelines of journalists and their outfits gagged over the four year administration. My Editor then warned me to be careful of the consistency of those literatures until JayFM- my favourite radio station was given the axe by the same NBC, the only difference was that this was from the Jos division.

So I did some investigative journalism. I dived down to a trusted staff- I bet she knows herself and will most probably read this. Not like I trust her that much, but we worked together for a few months and she was the loyal staff or loyal servant so to say of her workplace. The investigation was purely oral; I asked her a few questions and rattled on like a detective. She eventually broke and told me JayFM was shutdown on the basis of an executive order from the Presidency directly.

Here is what happened, 25,000 votes of PDP were unjustly cancelled and the people of Jos, mostly known for their distaste against the APC and new love for PDP were angry, perturbed and very disturbed.

They didn’t want the gubernatorial election to go the way of the general elections. I can say that because I have published a few stories and conducted interviews during, before and after the 2019 General Elections. But the worst happened, the INEC officials planned a new trick off their sleeves and got the votes canceled at Kabon.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/11/the-conspiracy-of-silence/

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has said an Igbo man could not be the president of Nigeria again, adding that South-east leaders must prevent marauding herdsmen from overrunning their land.

The National Director of Information of MASSOB, Sunday Okerefor, stated this in an interview with Punch on Saturday in which he also accused the federal government of granting the N100 billion request of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association members, MACBAN.

Speaking on the 2023 presidency, Okerefor said an Igbo man could not be president again and that they are also not interested in the office.

He said, “We are not interested in the Presidency; an Igbo man cannot be President again. If the currency is naira, then they will never allow Igbo to rule again. NAIRA as an acronym means Never Allow Igbo Rule Again. These Igbo politicians are aware of it; they say that the Igbo were defeated in the war; they would say that we should go home and take care of our children and forget about an Igbo president.”

MASSOB said as a matter of urgency all monarchs, senators, and governors in the region must chase out the Fulani.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/10/an-igbo-man-can-never-be-president-of-nigeria-massob/

Bello Shagari, the grandson of Nigeria’s former civilian President, Shehu Shagari has said that late dictator, Sani Abacha was a good leader that contributed to the progress of Nigeria.

The young Shagari made this known in a series of tweet on his official and verified twitter handle.

He also accused Sout-west based media of dragging the names of Northern leaders to the mud.

He said. “In as much as I hate the North/South confrontations; which is more a less a distraction to our National progress, the South Western Media has done so much in dragging the names of Northern leaders to the mud. Abacha is one example but the man remains widely popular in the north.”

“There was never a time in Nigeria when we had economic stability and progress like Abacha’s regime. And that is because he had to “force” it and there were causalities of course. The same can be said about security. Both problems are now things we are struggling within Nigeria.”

Read also: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/10/abacha-contributed-to-nigerias-progress-was-a-good-leader-shehu-shagari-grandson/

This In The Matter Of Gbaja is a most interesting one. It should interest all those who want to promote accountable government in #Africa. No, it is not Aprochrypal. It’s all in the Law Reports.

So, Femi Gbajabiamila, is a lawyer. He joined the Georgia Bar in 2001. Around 2003, he got $25000 settlement for client’s personal injury case. He paid the money into attorney trust account but failed to promptly disburse it to the client.

Instead, Gbaja withdrew those funds for his own use, closed his practice in Georgia & fled jurisdiction to a country in West Africa where he ran for & got elected into the lucrative position of Member of Parliament (MP).

Some people speculate that Gbaja may have used some of the proceeds from these funds to fight his election into Parliament. Anyway, after getting elected into Parliament, Gbaja wired back the money to the client in 2006.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/08/in-the-matter-of-gbaja-by-chidi-odinkalu/

A Nigerian Academic based in the United States, Professor Farooq Kperogi has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari personally gave the order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to withdraw a corruption case against former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje.

It would be recalled that Goje is being investigated by the EFCC over alleged N25 billion fraud.

The unexpected withdrawal of EFCC came a day after Goje stepped down for Senator Ahmed Lawan in the race for the Senate Presidency.

SaharaReporters reported in an exclusive that Goje stepped down in an exchange that the charges of financial impropriety leveled against him by the EFCC be dropped on orders of President Buhari.

The President, who is leading a so-called ‘war against corruption’, struck the deal to enable the attorney- general of the federation take over the case in order to stall it and ultimately quash it.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/08/buhari-personally-gave-the-order-that-efcc-case-against-goje-be-withdrawn/

awyer and social commentator, Dr. Charles Omole has said the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) may have overreacted in suspending the licence of Daar Communication PLC owned AIT and Raypower FM.

Omole made this known in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle while analysing the crisis between Ishaq Modibbo Kawu led NBC and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi Daar Communication PLC.

He opined that NBC should stick to it rules in dealing with AIT if it went against any Broadcasting code produced by the NBC which governs its activities.

He also advised NBC to immediately withdraw its sanction against AIT and Raypower FM.

He said, “NBC versus AIT ( A Balanced Analysis) I have observed the exchanges between AIT and NBC in recent past, especially over the past week. A polarised nation has taken sides on this matter; but a careful look at the facts will reveal on overreach on BOTH sides.”

“AIT has been scatting on thin Ice with many of its broadcasts and NBC has warned it severally in the past. So on one hand NBC needed to do something to enforces its powers according to law; but NBC appears to be as politically bias as AIT is. The action taken to suspend AIT’s licence is not a necessary step, especially given the appearance of political bias alleged against its DG who is an ex-candidate under the ruling APC. The fact that AIT is pro PDP has never been hidden and many of its broadcasts has been unduly one-sided I must admit.”

“But is the action of NBC proportionate given the need to give its actions appearance of Impartiality based on the allegation of pro APC bias levelled against its DG my many.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/07/nbc-overreacted-in-suspending-ait-raypowers-licence-expert/

A US and Russian warships have nearly collided at the East China Sea.

In a video posted online by the US Navy, they both came somewhere between each other.

Accccording to the two opposing reports, both sides alleged their ships were forced to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision, which can be seen in the video.

The US Navy in a series of tweets, blamed the Russian warship destroyer for the incident, while the Russian Navy said the USS Chancellorsville, a guided-missile cruiser, inexplicably changed direction and came within just 50 meters of the Admiral Vinogradov on Friday at 6:35 Moscow time.

It added that a collision was only prevented after the Russian crew implemented emergency maneuvers and changed course.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/07/russia-us-warships-nearly-collide-in-east-china-sea/

The South-South Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Shola O’Neil, was last Monday brutalised by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) around Okada in Edo state.

O’Neil, who was returning to Warri from Lagos, was in a commercial vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, when the vehicle was stopped after the Okada Junction along the Benin Shagamu Expressway by men of F-SARS.

The Nation regional editor shared his experience in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

He said, “Let me tell you my sad SARS experience on Sunday afternoon somewhere around Okada in Edo state.”

“Was on my way to WARRI from Lagos. Just after Okada junction we met this SARS team from Okada. They operated from a red Mercedes Benz C-Class wagon. Number plate covered with yellow/black cellophane They stopped the Toyota Corolla I was riding in.”

“There’s a student of Afe Babalola in d front seat. He had a laptop but no purchase receipt. They asked everybody to disembark and started searching us one after d other. They took my MacBook and phones. One of them, the youngest, asked me to unlock my phone, I did.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/07/sars-at-it-again-as-officers-brutalised-journalist-threatens-to-shoot-him/

A Former Presidential aspirant at the just concluded 2019 general elections, Adamu Garba has said the suspension of AIT, Raypower by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is in order.

The NBC on the 6th of June, suspend the licence of broadcasting stations under the control of DAAR Communications Plc, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

The offences listed by the NBC included the airing of a Presidential election documentary by the AIT, a matter pending before a tribunal, the inability of the company to pay its fees, the use of “divisive and inciting contents from the social media” among others.

Adamu said this in a series of tweets on his verified and official twitter account, stating that any media organisation that incite divisions, spread falsehood, encourages hatred and conduct hate speeches capable of instigating instability, disorder or violence should be sanctioned appropriately.

He said, There comes a time in a life of a nation when it has to choose between stability and justice. At the stage we are now in Nigeria. I think we need to focus on stability in the polity. In leu of that, I think the action taken on AIT & Ray Power by NBC is in order.Here’s why.”

“Free speech is an essential component of democracy but the speech have to be responsible and the media have a duty to ensure information flow is devoid of instigating instability amongst the citizens. Responsible journalisms should be the coverstone of Nigerian media.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/07/nbc-action-against-ait-raypower-in-order-presidential-aspirant/

The Buhari presidency’s animus against AIT has a four-year history. On April 26, 2015, a reporter and a cameraman of the TV station were estopped from covering the affairs of then President-elect Buhari at the Defence House. And since then, it has been a test of wills. The fount of this hostility is the government’s perception of the broadcaster as an opposition medium.

I have perused the long and winding statement of the NBC, explaining the reasons for its “regulatory blitz” on AIT. It is clear the government wants tamed and docile media that will panegyrise it.

The NBC said the broadcaster is “patently partisan.” I liken this to a Gestapo utterance, but what can be said of NTA, the broadcast appendage of the APC and the government? Really, it is not expected of an independent TV station in a democracy to be the dog of the government; it is not expected that it should be partisan either.

And talking about partisanship, the NBC DG, Modibbo Kawu is a known member of the APC; in fact, he vied in the party’s governorship primary election in Kwara state in October, 2018. Naturally, Kawu’s grail will be to protect the interest of his party rather than that of citizens. This is the hypocrisy that has so demarked this administration, and the fallout of appointing people to positions in government on the basis of patronage and loyalty.

https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/07/buharis-hammer-on-ait-by-fredrick-nwabufo/

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the license of Dar Communication Plc, promoter of AIT, RAY POWER until further notice.


Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-nbc-shuts-down-ait-ray-power/

Violent activities in Nigeria have resulted in the death of 7,253 Nigerians between June 2018 and May 2019, Saharareporters reports.

These figures, released by Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa program, consist of those killed by insurgent groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State in the northern part of the country, herdsmen and extra-judicial activities by the military.

During the timeframe, Borno and Zamfara recorded the highest number of killings contributing to 49 per cent of the total deaths within the last one year. Borno recorded 2,384 killings while 1,157 people were killed by different violent activities in Zamfara.

Other states that made up the top 10 states of death from violent activities are Kaduna, 540; Benue, 330; Adamawa, 303; Yobe, 264; Taraba, 176; Plateau, 166; Rivers, 160 and Katsina with 127 deaths.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/06/more-than-7000-nigerians-killed-under-buhari-in-last-one-year/

Pastor William Kumuyi, who says we should not attack President Muhammadu Buhari, has much to learn from these words. If the world had remained silent in the face of Hitler’s Nazis we would not be here today.

If Moses had remained silent in the face of Pharaoh’s tyranny the Jews would still be slaves in Egypt.

If Elijah and Jehu had remained silent in the face of Jezebel’s tyranny Israel would never have been delivered. If Peter had remained silent in the face of Herod’s tyranny he would never have left prison.

If Samuel had remained silent in the face of Agag and the Amalekites the Jews would have been decimated. If Esther had remained silent in the face of Haman the Jewish race would have been wiped out.

If Hezekiah had remained silent in the face of Sennacherub, Jerusalem would have fallen.

“History teaches us of the danger of being afraid to speak truth to power”- Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, 2nd June 2019.

The Bible tells us that we must resist evil, oppose injustice, stand up for the oppressed, liberate the downtrodden, speak for the voiceless, defend the persecuted, inspire the faithful and set the captives free. Has Kumuyi forgotten all that?

Does he know the meaning and understand the concept of liberation theology?

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/04/the-degeneration-and-dementia-of-pastor-william-kumuyi-by-femi-fani-kayode/

By Fredrick Nwabufo

There is no morality in global politics. It is eat or be eaten. The nucleus of international relations, beyond the niceties of diplomacy, is interest. Substantially, foreign relations is a trade of interests. Nothing is given for nothing. Every country seeks its own even in the extension of charity to another country.

But Nigeria’s approach to foreign relations has always been ludicrous. No head or tail, just some whimsical pursuits without accruing benefits to the country or to its citizens abroad.

A few weeks ago, the government made a donation of $500,000 to Guinea Bissau for its elections. At the time, I wrote:
“When the purpose of giving is to ‘maintain an appearance’, then there is a self-esteem problem. Over the years, Nigeria has had Africa as the “centrepiece” of its foreign policy. The country has played supportive and stabilising role in the affairs of most countries on the continent. It took the throttle in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa; it funded the ANC, and provided academic and corporeal sanctuary to the blacks of the country. Today, Nigerians are, perhaps, the most hated people in that country, routinely harassed, abused and intimidated. It is not out of place to play the ‘big-brother’, but it is unwise to keep playing the role when effort is unrequited and when there is a blistering image problem.”

Last week, President Buhari at the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia said Nigeria was in support of an independent state for Palestine. In February 2016, he had made a sterner declaration.

At the summit he said: “We support the actions of the OIC in seeking an early resolution to the lingering Palestinian question and the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent homeland.”

My reaction to this statement is, is “the support” in the interest of Nigeria? How does it benefit the country in relation to its neighbours, region and partners? Is it in conflict with the interest of the allies of the country in the West and in the region? Is this decision acceptable to at least 70 percent of Nigerians? Who are the “we” the president mentioned? How was opinion sampled in arriving at the decision that “Nigerians” are in support of the Palestinian cause?

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/04/buhari-how-does-your-support-for-palestine-benefit-nigeria-by-fredrick-nwabufo/

President Muhammadu Buhari has described residents of the federal capital territory (FCT) as necessary evil for voting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election.

Speaking when a delegation of FCT residents paid him Sallah homage at Aso Rock on Tuesday, the president said he is putting necessary measures in place to make Abuja secure for “myself and the vice-president”.

He also said he was pleased that Philip Aduda, senator representing FCT, was seated far from him at the event.

“I want to appreciate the number two man of the country because he knows what we are going through very quietly. I am very pleased that you came with this very powerful constituency,” Buhari said.

“I appeal to you to remain exemplary so that those under you will know that the country is doing very well. If you break down and complain, the impact will reverberate all over and then government will not be popular and whatever efforts we are making will not be appreciated.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/04/fct-residents-are-necessary-evil-for-voting-pdp-buhari/

The immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly scuttling the party’s chances in Zamfara State.

Also expel is the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the APC, Lawali Shuaibu for allegedly conniving with Yari to sabotage the National Working Committee of the party during the botched primary Elections of the state.

Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-apc-expels-yari-shuaibu-over-zamfara-electoral-misfortune/