₦airaland Forum

A wave of scramble for land on the Mambilla Plateau by speculators is threatening the take-off of the multi-billion dollar Mambilla Hydropower project, Daily Trust investigation has revealed. The 3050 megawatts (MW) Mambilla power project in Taraba State, with a contract cost of N2.1 trillion is yet to begin, over 40 years after it was initiated.

The project was conceived in 1973, but suffered several setbacks with a botched contract awarded in 2007 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, which was later canceled by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Investigation by Daily Trust revealed that about 10,000 communities, which are to be affected by the project in Sardauna Local Government Area of the state have been waiting for payment of compensation for their lands and their relocation to begin.

Ahead of this, however, land on the Mambilla Plateau has become an attraction to prominent individuals and politicians who are scrambling to buy off large parcels, especially in areas across River Donga, where part of the project is to be domiciled. It was gathered that land speculators, who include top government officials and party stalwarts have already secured certificates of occupancy for large expanses of land on the Mambilla, even without the consent of landowners in the affected areas where the project is to be sited.

The aim of grabbing large parcels of land, mostly in Nguroje constituency and part of Agbon area in Kurmi Local Government Area of the state, is to make profit of millions of Naira in compensation on the lands needed for the power project, Daily Trust learnt.

Daily Trust reports that about N60 billion was set aside by the federal government for compensation on land to be acquired for the project. Our findings further showed that the natives, who are both farmers and herders residing in areas such as Barup, Tep, Mbamnga, Kwarakwara, Yambam, Hainare, Warwar, Vakkude, among others, have vowed not to relinquish their lands without due compensation.

It was gathered that about 80 percent of the land is underdeveloped and there are fears of possible crisis between the speculators and the natives when payment of compensation begins. A local resident, Albert Dominic, told our reporter in Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area that several speculators have, in recent weeks, been trooping to Barup, War, Mbu, Tamviya and Tep areas to purchase land.

Another resident, Umaru Jalike Hainare, claimed that there is illegal occupation of a disputed land belonging to one Ardo Hassan’s family in Mayomodowa, in anticipation of getting compensation from the Federal Ministry of Power. Both Albert and Umaru expressed fear that if the recent ongoing indiscriminate purchase of land on the Mambilla Plateau is not checked, it could generate serious concerns for the take-off of the long-awaited hydropower project.

Contacted, the Chairman of Sardauna LGC, Mr. Oliver Wubon, advised landowners in the area to desist from selling their lands to speculators. He said the Federal Ministry of Power will follow due process in the demarcation, assessment and compensation of lands that would be affected, and warned landowners to be cautious of land speculators with dubious intentions.

Further findings revealed that about N900 million was released by the Federal Ministry of Power to the Taraba State government for a survey of land for the project and surveyors are anxiously waiting for the release of the money to start the work. It was gathered that compensation to landowners in the area earmarked for the project would be done after the survey, which is expected to last for a period of five months.

Taraba State Commissioner for Power, Dr. Garba Badina, had also disclosed that sensitisation campaign on the Mambilla hydropower project would begin on February 13, this year. He told Daily Trust in an interview that the campaign would start with a stakeholders’ meeting in Jalingo and move to Gembu, headquarters of the local government area.

The campaign, he said, is in preparation for survey work to be conducted on areas earmarked for the multi-billion Naira power project. He said, it was necessary in order to create awareness among key stakeholders in Mambilla Plateau as well as among the communities whose land would be acquired for the project.

Speculators wasting their time -Leader, host communities The Chairman, Mambilla Hydro Electricity Host Communities Association, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, has said those involved in land speculation with the aim of getting compensation were only wasting their time.

He said though such issues were expected to manifest in a big project such as the Mambilla Hydro Power Project, “It is not going to be business as usual”, as the association has taken necessary steps to sensitise the host communities on the processes and procedures of compensation.

“As a unionist and town planner, the processes are quite clear to me. We are going to deal directly with the traditional landowners; we will be there personally with valuers and it must be in consonance with the rules. So, I can assure you that the speculators are only wasting their time because the host communities will not allow them,” Kaigama said.

He disclosed that the demarcation of boundaries on areas to be acquired had commenced, adding that the state government has promised to release funds they got from the federal government for the purpose of carrying out a survey. We are yet to receive formal complaint – Power ministry Speaking on the development, Ado Adamu, Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman, said the ministry was yet to receive any formal complaint on the matter.

According to him, those buying land from locals around the proposed location of the Mambilla project were only speculating. He said though there was no formal complaint in respect to the land, payment of compensation has not started. “It is the survey and mapping of the prospective project site that is being carried out.

The land grabbers are only speculating and there are strong institutions and instruments to protect the locals. “The landmass of the Mambilla project will only be determined at the end of the survey and the Federal Ministry of Power will work closely with relevant people to ensure that compensation gets to the right people.

“It is the survey that will show which land will be affected and who is the owner. Of course, you cannot rule out the possibility of some people buying a parcel of land in expectation of high value. “The assurance from the ministry of power is that we have a standard; the United Nations’ standard and that is the template that will be used for the compensation.

“But if somebody wants to sell his land, it is a different matter. The minister recently met with the governor of Taraba State and many issues were brought up. Also, there is no official report to us on the matter and in order to have a harmonious relationship, we relate closely with the host community.

It is a registered association with trustees and everything. “They are closely monitoring what is happening and we are sure they will protect their people. All interest groups within the location are represented; they were part of the meeting the minister held with stakeholders on how to ensure a hitch-free take-off of the project,” Adamu said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/land-grabbers-threaten-n2trn-mambilla-power-project.html

* as NEDC moves to rebuild destroyed town

The Adamawa State Government has appealed to the federal government to rebuild military facilities that were destroyed by terrorists in last week’s Boko Haram attack on Garkida town in the state. The state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the state government had also recruited about a 100 civilian JTF to further complement the effort of the military. He spoke when he led a delegation to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) headquarters.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the organisation would soon mobilise to the town to rebuild all properties destroyed and rehabilitate residents in the area. Daily Trust reports that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on February 21 attacked the ancient town in Gombi local government area, in a raid that lasted for about six hours killing two soldiers, burning nearly all the homes and properties in the town and carted away foods in the night attack.

According to the governor, the key demands he made was for the NEDC and the Federal Government to rebuild the security facilities that were destroyed by the insurgents so that hope can be quickly restored for the people of the town. “We are particular about the police station, the army and the military facilities, the hospital facilities and support for individuals that were affected.

“As a result of the Boko Haram activities in the town that day, we need a Trauma Centre for the people of Garkida because these are people who have been living peacefully and then suddenly, they had to go through such devastation. With that, they should go through some trauma management,” Fintiri said. He said the size of the military cannot cover the entire country, therefore, supports from different vigilante groups, as the name varies from state to state and from region to region, will be necessary.

Fintiri added: “We have recruited about a 100 civilian JTF to further complement the effort of the military. Even the military themselves have increased the number of their men that are presently in Garkida. “Before I came here, I had donated about 10 trucks to the military for them to further enhance their activities in Garkida town. “We are doing a lot more, digging around the town so that movement will be very difficult for the Boko Haram boys.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of NEDC, Major General Paul C. Tarfa (rtd) thanked the governor for the effort made to ensure life returns to the people of Garkida. “I come from Garkida; we have a long history of peace and good background education. The damage is massive and what affects Garkida, Adamawa state, affects all Nigeria. “We are doing everything possible to restore peace. Our people are going there to take a look at the damage and when they come back, we shall know where we are to intervene.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/garkida-attack-governor-fintiri-recruits-100-civilian-jtf.html

They are not look like ....

The Imo State House of Assembly has relocated its sitting venue as a result of renovation works going on at the assembly complex. The relocation, according to a source in the assembly, may however be for a long time as “the work to be done is massive.” The lawmakers, our reporter gathered, had earlier relocated to the Ikemba Ojukwu complex in new Owerri on Tuesday where they held the plenary. Confirming the relocation, the Speaker, Collins Chiji, said the lawmakers would remain at Ikemba Ojukwu, until the main complex is completely renovated.

When our correspondent visited the assembly complex last Friday, the complex was already caving in with signs of imminent collapse. He observed that some parts of the POP inside the complex had already caved in, while a part of the roof was tampered with by wind. It could be recalled that the court-ousted Governor Emeka Ihedioha had allocated some funds for the renovation of the complex.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/imo-assembly-relocates-sitting-cites-renovation-works.html

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has blamed the incessant insecurity ravaging the country on the shrinking and eroding socio-cultural value system. Speaking on Tuesday at the 4th edition of ‘Security meets Business’ organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, Mustapha noted that all other causative factors stem from the eroding socio-cultural value system.

“Almost on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, the security agencies kill, maim or arrest large number of criminals and bandits. Focusing on terrorism alone, since the very serious crackdowns on the Boko Haram terrorists, several thousands of the fighters have been killed and some of their enclaves have been destroyed. But is it not curious that since the spate of killings of the terrorists and destruction of their enclaves, they keep striking. “Certainly, there is a stream or reservoir that is bolstering their ranks. This is evident in the number of suicide missions conducted particularly by teenagers.

“The question therefore, is how are these entrants into their ranks recruited? They are recruited from our families and communities. The neglected children, the street waifs and drug addicts; they also, conscript the innocent when they forcefully abduct unwilling persons, and through radicalization,” he lamented.

Mustapha however stated that if Nigerians, at individual and family levels, account for all their children and wards, and take personal interest in their individual development and conduct, they will not be available or willing tools for recruitment into banditry and terrorism. He also identified debased moral values as a causative factor, which according to him brings about disrespect to traditional, religious or civil authority.

The SGF lamented that lack of patriotism, lack of industry and the ‘get rich quick syndrome’ including putting fate in Ponzi schemes, internet scams and 419, among others have eaten deep into the fabric of the country. According to him, the Academics, Researchers, Development and Security Experts and even Public Commentators have listed the major causes of insecurity to include: unemployment, corruption, imbalance in development, weak judicial system, illiteracy, inadequacy of basic amenities, inadequate distribution of wealth, influx of arms, narcotic substances and open borders among others.

Commenting on the way forward, Mustapha said, “If we all account for every member of our families and uphold the tenets of moral, religious, cultural, societal and traditional values, there will be no terrorists, bandits, robbers, arms smugglers, child traffickers, cattle rustlers, militants, etc. And, the work that our government, military and security agencies are doing will become positively evident.” While commenting on the role of the corporate world, he urged the corporate world including LCCI to assist in the current war against insurgency, banditry and terrorism, among others. “Unemployment is one of the root causes of insecurity.

Our people believe only government jobs could suffice especially as it relates to job security. The corporate world could assist by swaying notions away from this stereotype by equally, enthroning clearly, defined job security policies as government alone cannot provide employment for all Nigerians.

“Other areas the corporate world could assist in tackling insurgency include but, not limited to: enhancing the competitiveness of the Nigerian industry; evolving robust policies that would adequately address the mortality rate of business concerns especially, SMEs; evolving robust policies to encourage and guarantee successes of Partnerships, Equity Angels, Joint Ventures, Franchises,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-insecurity-persists-in-nigeria-boss-mustapha.html

A Federal High Court in Abuja will today deliver judgment in the trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, over allegations of diversion of arms funds from the Office of the former NSA, Sambo Dasuki. Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Ltd were in 2016 charged on seven counts of money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after he allegedly received the sum of N400m arms fund from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Justice Okon Abang had fixed the date after listening to the final written addresses of the parties in the matter. But Metuh through his counsel, Abel Ozioko, maintained that the funds were duly approved by the office of the then president, Goodluck Jonathan, and paid through the NSA to publicize the good works of the government ahead of the general elections between 2014 and 2015.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/alleged-n400m-fraud-court-decides-metuhs-fate-today.html

Some stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the Federal Government to use part of the recovered $308m General Sani Abacha loot to strengthen security operations in the territory. The move, they said, would help combat the growing menace of violent crimes in the FCT.

Isaac David, President of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders said the money should be used in establishing the FCT Security Trust Fund.

He said the fund would assist in addressing some of the FCT’s most critical security concerns. “The fund is a practical response to the reality of the operational deficiency of the various security agencies within the state, particularly with respect to funding and provision of modern equipment,” he said.

He also said that some of the funds should be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel and the recruitment and training of youths from the 858 communities in the FCT as volunteers.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/use-abacha-loot-to-tackle-insecurity-fg-told.html

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says Nigeria needs China’s help to tackle her security challenges. He said this in Abuja yesterday while receiving Chinese Ambassador Mr Zhou Pingjian. Gbajabiamila said: “Our biggest problem right now is the issue of insecurity, and we’ll be happy to get help now from wherever we can. “So, in terms of military ties, we’ll be happy to get help from you at this time.”

Pingjian had earlier said China would continue to support Nigeria to achieve her set goals.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/insecurity-nigeria-needs-chinas-help-gbajabiamila.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Tuesday said the nation lost about $750 million to oil theft in 2019. The amount is about N230 billion at the official CBN exchange rate of N306 to $1. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, gave the figure in a presentation to members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 13 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) who visited the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on a study tour today.

A statement by Samson Makoji, acting spokesman of the NNPC, said the GMD decried the growing activities of oil thieves and pirates which he described as a threat to the operations of the corporation. Kyari stated that any threat to the corporation’s operations was a direct threat to the very survival of Nigeria as a nation because of the strategic role of the corporation as an enabler of the economy.

He listed other security challenges facing the corporation to include vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure and kidnapping of personnel, adding that there was a deep connection between the various shades of insecurity challenges as they are all linked to what was happening in the Gulf of Guinea and the entire maritime environment. He called for a concerted effort and synergy to secure oil and gas operations for the economic survival of the country.

In his presentation, NNPC Chief Operating Officer, Downstream, Engr. Yemi Adetunji, said in 2016, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for more than half of the global kidnappings for ransom, with 34 seafarers kidnapped out of 62 cases worldwide. He said the corporation was working closely with security agencies to tackle the security challenges, and cited the “Operation Kurombe” that was recently conducted by the Nigerian Navy at the Atlas Cove as an example of such collaborative efforts.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-lost-n230bn-to-oil-theft-in-2019-nnpc.html

* it’s not correct – Airline

Some stranded British Airways passengers in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday accused the United Kingdom (UK) of abandoning them in the neighbouring country. No fewer than 300 of the passengers were affected following the diversion of the flight to Ghana last week in the wake of the inclement weather which prevented almost all international airlines from operating into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. But the airline today said it was not correct that it abandoned passengers in Accra, Ghana. Its Regional Manager, for West Africa, Mr. Kola Olayinka told our correspondent in Lagos.

Some of the passengers however claimed that the airline told its Nigerian passengers to find their way to Lagos, Nigeria when it was glaring that it could not fly them into Lagos. One of the affected passengers, Mr. Michael Williams, who is the Head of Business Development for EbonyLife TV insisted that the airline abandoned them in Accra, Ghana and told them to find their way to Lagos after 48 hours in the city.

It was learnt that the flight was supposed to land in Lagos last Tuesday, but the diversion to Accra made the passengers to spend another two days in Accra before they eventually returned to Lagos on Friday night through their own private arrangements. Williams said some of the affected passengers had to return to Nigeria on Friday evening through a passenger bus chartered from Cross Country Company.

He stated further that the airline also gave the passengers the option of returning to London with its aircraft, a Boeing 747 plane deployed for the Lagos-London flights. He said: “We were supposed to land in Lagos last Tuesday, but unfortunately, there was a weather issue in Lagos and the flight diverted to Accra, Ghana.

“We went to Accra and they promised that they would try the next day, Wednesday. We were put in a hotel and we went back the next day, but they said the situation didn’t improve. “We sat at the Accra Airport, which equally had fog, but the difference was that the facilities were working perfectly as airlines were landing and taking off. “So, the following day, which was Thursday, they said the situation had not improved and the pilot told us that it was not the weather challenge, but the landing aids at the Lagos airport were not functioning, which made landing difficult. “The pilot said the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Lagos airport was not calibrated.

They said they had the same situation in January. “So, by Thursday afternoon, we got communication from British Airways that we should go to the airport to reclaim our luggage because their aircraft had to return to London. I didn’t have any check in luggage, but I had to follow my friend to the airport.

“It was at the airport that British Airways told us that they have cancelled the flight and we should find our way to Lagos. They said we should keep our receipts in order to claim all expenses we may have incurred. They said henceforth, we will be on our own as the hotel and feeding they paid for would elapse by that Thursday.

“They also gave us the option of returning to London with them with that aircraft or the regular Accra-London flight. What we realised was that because we were on our own; we had to take decisions on our own. So, we decided to come back by road from Accra to Lagos.” In a memo sent to the passengers, the airline informed them to make their arrangement on returning to Lagos.

The memo said: “Due to adverse weather at the airport we were unable to safely land into Lagos Airport. We regret to inform that due to the operational constraints, we have had to cancel this flight. “We recommend that you make your own travel arrangements to Lagos as we are unable to operate safely in the coming days. “If you wish to travel from Accra – London Heathrow, there are a limited availability of seats to book on.

Please speak with our colleagues at the airport to adjust your ticket, subject to availability.” The Regional Manager in a chat with our correspondent said it was not correct the passengers were abandoned at Accra, saying the airline chartered an aircraft which conveyed all the passengers to Lagos. He said he was not aware of any passenger coming to Lagos on a charter bus.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/british-airways-abandoned-us-at-accra-say-stranded-passengers.html

Thank you God bless you and your yeye govt

NASTYNASOSO:
HMMMMMMMM

YOU ARE THE ONE WITH POOR VISION.
YOU ARE PROBABLY JOBLESS AND HOPELESS
THE TYPE WE NEVER WANT TO SEE IN GOVERNMENT.

EVEN LAGOS POWERS ITS STREET LIGHTS WITH GENERATORS.

DO YOU HAVE STREET LIGHTS IN YOUR STATES.

KANO LOOKS LIKE PARIS FROM THE AIR IN THE NIGHT AFTER THE PROJECT WAS EXECUTED BY KWANKWASO.

THE GOVERNOR JUST TOOK MEASURES FOR EFFICIENCY.

I AM SURE YOU ARE FROM ONE LOCAL VILLAGE THAT LIGHT IS A NO NO.

A Court in Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has finally discharged and acquitted the Gusau-based cleric, Malam Ibrahim Ibrahim. This followed a strong defence constituted by Governor Bello Mohammed Matawale and dispatched to the Kingdom to ensure his discharge and acquittal in the case that came up on Tuesday in the holy city of Mecca, according to a statement by governor Matawalle’s media aide, Zailani Bappah.

Ibrahim Ibrahim, a renowned Islamic Cleric from Zamfara State, wrongly accused of drug trafficking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was on the death row. Leader of the team to the KSA, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Special Duties, Alhaji Mohammed Saddiq Maiturare broke the news early this morning from Makka and said Ibrahim was now a free man.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/saudi-court-discharges-detained-zamfara-cleric-accused-of-drugs-peddling.html

leader with poor vision...

wicked people....wasting of resources

Hajiya Turai Yar’adua visited the State House on Monday, February 3, 2020. The visit came after almost 10 years since the death of her husband and former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, received the former first lady, Hajiya Turai, at the State House, Abuja. The president’s wife broke the news of the visit of Hajiya Yar’adua who came along with her daughter, Hajiya Zainab Dakingari, on her Instagram page. Aisha Buhari, who spoke on the focus of their discussion, also shared the pictures of the visit on her page.

She wrote: “I was pleased to see Mrs Yar’adua in high spirits. We rubbed minds on a number of issues that touch on gender-based violence, drug abuse and youth development in Nigeria. “I also got to hear about her experience and perspectives on these issues.

“I conducted her round the area of what used to be her former office and while she reminisced her time in the State House, she also inspected the pictures of former first ladies in the conference hall, which she initiated during her time in order to honour all the Nigerian former first ladies.” Hajiya Turai, who had not visit the State House since the death of her husband on May 5, 2010 after a protracted illness, was succeeded by President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience. The decision to stay away from the Presidential Villa might not be far from a land dispute between her and Mrs Jonathan, her predecessor.

The bone of contention was a plot of land said to have been originally allocated in the Central Business District of Abuja for the construction of an office for the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLM), an African Union initiative led by Nigeria, which began while Turai was first lady.

The project was later converted to host Turai Yar’adua’s personal initiative, the Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WYEF) after the death of her husband in 2010. The legal battle started in 2010 after the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed, revoked the land, claiming that the action was taken in an overriding public interest. An Abuja High Court later quashed the purported revocation order on the plot measuring about 1.84 hectares in 2013.

The ruling came after an attempt at negotiated settlement based on the advice of the judge failed as Turai rejected offers made to her in 2012 for either a smaller plot of land in the same area of Abuja or a sizeable plot in an undeveloped part of Abuja. The final verdict was adjourned severally to give room for the two sides to pursue out of court settlement which eventually failed to materialise.

The relationship between the two personalities became sour as the battle over the piece of land raged in court over a long period of time, a situation believed to have been responsible for Turai Yar’adua’s decision not to visit the State House during the administration of former President Jonathan who initially assumed mantle of leadership after Yar’adua’s death. Jonathan was elected for another four years after the expiration of his joint ticket with the late Yar’adua. But exactly one week after Turai’s visit, her successor, Patience, also came calling.

The Aisha Buhari also hosted Mrs Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The first lady released the picture of the visit which took place on Monday, February 10, 2020, on her Facebook wall. She said, “I received my predecessor, Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan at the State House. “We discussed my efforts with regards to greater involvement of women in politics and participation of women at lower level of governance. “We also discussed girl child education and her pet project ‘Women for Change’. “I got to hear her experience during her tenure and listened to her perspectives on issues affecting women and children in the society. “It was really nice having her around and I look forward to having more of such moments.”

The visit of the former first ladies came days after they all met at an event organised on January 31, 2020, to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of former first lady, late Mrs Maryam Babangida; the initiator of women empowerment programme (the Better Life Programme for Rural Women or BLP). Hajiya Buhari met with some former first ladies at the event.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/day-turai-visited-villa-after-almost-10-years.html

Suspended local government officials from the 27 council areas of Imo State on Monday vowed to defend the mandate given to Senator Hope Uzodinma as the state governor. The council officials, who converged on Owerri, the state capital today led other pro-Uzodinma supporters to hold a one million man march in support of Governor Uzodinma’s mandate.

Marching from the state Secretariat of the APC in Owerri, the demonstrators, who marched under the auspices of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), bore placards with several inscriptions, shut down the streets of Owerri, as they sang solidarity songs for Governor Uzodinma.

Addressing journalists in front of the Government House, the state chairman of ALGON, Chief Emeka Osuoji, said the march became necessary considering the distractive protests by “a faction of PDP in Imo State and mainly hiring non-indigenes just to breach the public peace” over the declaration of Senator Uzodinma as the duly elected governor of the state by the Supreme Court.

He also accused the anti-Uzodinma protesters of attempting to bring the integrity of the judiciary and the Apex Court into public disrepute and ridicule. “We’re using this march to inform the world that the great people of Imo state and ALGON in particular are in total support of Governor Uzodinma.

“We therefore commend the Supreme Court for its landmark judgement of January 14, 2020 which validated the wishes of Imo people by declaring Senator Hope Uzodinma as the governor of Imo State. “We can authoritatively confirm to you that Senator Hope Uzodinma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) overwhelmingly won the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Imo State.

“It is our sincere hope that the Supreme Court will not be cajoled into reversing its judgement on Imo State governorship,” Chief Osuoji said. Daily Trust reports that the Supreme Court had on January 14, 2020 declared Senator Hope Uzodimma as the governor of Imo State. The seven-member panel of justices had held that Emeka Ihedioha was not duly elected Governor.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/well-defend-uzodinmas-mandate-suspended-imo-council-officials.html

Police Command in Osun State on Monday arrested a woman with human hands in Ikire town. The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Mrs Folashade Odoro confirmed the arrest. Odoro said the suspect concealed the hand in a bag and that she was arrested following intelligence reports The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Johnson Kokumo has ordered police detective to ensure proper investigation into the matter.

Kokumo said the woman committed criminal offence for being in possession of human part and that anyone caught would face the full wrath of the law.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/police-arrest-woman-with-human-parts-in-osun.html

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, restrained Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from deregistering 31 political parties. Justice Chikere, in her ruling, said having failed to counter the application by the applicants, the affected political parties had the legal right which must be protected.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in an interlocutory motion with suit number: FHC//ABJ/ CS/444/19 between Advanced Congress of Democratic (ACD) and 2 others Vs. Attorney General of the Federation and another (INEC), the applicants had on Oct. 30, 2019, approached the court. NAN reports that INEC had, on Feb. 6, deregistered 74 political parties . (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-bars-inec-from-deregistering-31-political-parties.html

Chai!

nn

*IDPs want clear agenda on going back home

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that he has kept his promise of tackling Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and other security challenges. The president said the successes achieved so far in that regard had restored Nigeria’s pride and honour all over the world. He said this while commissioning two Agusta 109 and one Mi-17 E helicopters at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to support counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts. Buhari said the military will be re-professionalised and re-equipped to meet the growing exigencies of security in the country.

He also assured Nigerians that the promise of ending terrorism would soon be realised.
“We promise to re-professionalise and re-equip the armed forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation. “I promised to put an end to Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities that have bedevilled our country during my inaugural speech as president. “You will all agree with me that the successes we have achieved so far have restored our pride and honour the world over.

Consequently, I want to sincerely thank Nigerians for believing in our government in spite of occasional outrages, by coming together as a nation, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations, in our strive to bring this menace to an end,” Buhari said. He tasked the Nigeria Air Force on discipline and strong maintenance culture that would enable the nation to derive maximum benefit from the newly acquired helicopters.

He said the deployment of the Agusta 109P gunships and the M-17IE helicopter would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the air force in combating contemporary security challenges. Buhari, who expressed determination to take the right steps in achieving the desired results, said the acquisition of the aircraft, among other military equipment despite budgetary constraints, was an expression of the government’s commitment.

He said the two earlier commissioned Agusta 109 Power helicopter gunships, which were procured from Italy over a year ago, made an impact on the war against terrorism. He lauded the support of the governments of Italy and the Russian Federation, and efforts of the Italian and Russian ambassadors to Nigeria at sustaining the strategic partnership which facilitated the acquisition. Buhari appreciated Nigerians for their support to the military and other security agencies against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, adding that the security challenges would be collectively won.

Minister of Defence Bashir Salihi Magashi said the purchase of the helicopters further demonstrated the administration’s commitment to bringing the security challenges in the country under control. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the visionary approval to purchase more aircraft for the air force since 2015 had impacted positively on the fight against terrorism and other crimes.

He said apart from the 22 aircraft so far procured and inducted, the air force was expecting 17 additional platforms, including 12 x Super Tucano from the United States. What the new helicopters for Nigeria Air Force do According to Wikipedia, the Agusta Westland AW109 is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Italian manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly AgustaWestland) merged into the new Finmeccanica since 2016). The rotorcraft had the distinction of being the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced.

Developed as the A109 by Agusta, it originally entered service in 1976 and has since been used in various roles, including light transport, medevac, search-and-rescue, and military roles. The AW109 has been in continuous production for 40 years.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-were-recording-successes-in-ending-insecurity.html

Corps members yesterday thanked President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent increase in their monthly allowances from N19,800 to N33,000. The corps members, represented by four of them, spoke yesterday during a thank-you visit to the president at the State House, Abuja.They were led there by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and the Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Shehu.

According to them, “the implementation in January, when we least expected it brought tears of joy to us as we had doubts of the promises earlier made. “You have demonstrated that you are a loving and caring father committed to the welfare of his children.” Buhari said the National Youth Service Corps scheme is a laudable programme that needs to be sustained.

He said the scheme had afforded Nigerian youths the opportunity to understand the country better. “Whenever I meet General Gowon up till today, I thank him for initiating the NYSC. It is a nationalist and patriotic thinking that led to the development of the scheme,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/n33000-allowance-buhari-a-caring-father-corps-members.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow (Friday) to attend the Thirty-third (33rd) Ordinary Session of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. President Buhari, in a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Garba Shehu, will join leaders from the 55-member countries of the African Union to participate in the Summit with the theme, “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development.”

The President will be accompanied by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State; Senator Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Hon. Yusuf Baba, Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Others are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Defence, Major-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd); Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; and Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Nigeria.

Also on the President’s entourage are, the National Security Adviser, Major-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. The President will attend the 29th Forum of Heads of States and Governments of Participating States of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the 27th Session of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Heads of States and Government Orientation Committee (AUDA-NEPAD).

The meetings will precede the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly. In Nigeria’s capacity as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council, President Buhari will participate in the High Level meeting of the Peace and Security Council on the situation in the Sahel and Libya, and High Level Ad-Hoc Committee on South Sudan. On the margins of the Summit, the President will deliver a keynote address at a high level side event on “Stop the War on Children: Dividend of Silencing the Guns.”

The event is co-sponsored by the Governments of Nigeria, Uganda and Norway, and Save the Children International. President Buhari and the Nigerian delegation will also participate in other high level side events in furtherance of Nigeria’s national, regional and international goals, priorities and aspirations namely, peace and security, countering terrorism and violent extremism, economic development, asset recovery and fight against corruption.

The President will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders on the margins of the summit. At the end of the AU Summit on February 10, the Nigerian President will commence a State Visit to Ethiopia on February 11, at the invitation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr Abiy Ahmed.

The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Ethiopia and reinforcing cooperation in key areas of mutual interest between the two countries. Before returning to Abuja, President Buhari will also interact with the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia. President Buhari is expected back in Abuja on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-leaves-for-au-summit-friday.html

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Election Observer group, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has described Thursday’s decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register 74 political parties as a bold move that will bring further reforms to Nigeria’s electoral process. The group in a statement by its executive director, Faith Nwadishi commended the INEC, urging the de-registered parties to accept the decision in good faith and align themselves with any of the remaining 18 political parties whose ideologies are in line with theirs. She called on Nigerians, to join INEC in this journey of reforms to sustain the nation’s democracy.

The CTA boss said, “CTA welcomes the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register 74 political parties out of the 92 registered political parties for the reason that the 74 political parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements to continue to exist as political parties in Nigeria. “With this decision, only 18 political parties having met the constitutional requirements are therefore allowed to exist.

“We may recall that by 1999, at the inception of this new political dispensation, we had 3 political parties but by 2019 the number has risen to 92 political parties prompting INEC to exercise its mandate to access the performance and existence of the political parties. “CTA commends this bold move by INEC to de-register the non-performing political parties and call on the political class to accept this development. For those politicians whose political parties have been de-registered, we call on them to align with any of the 18 political parties whose ideologies are in line with theirs.” “

According to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu “following the conclusion of the 2019 general election, including court-ordered re-run elections arising from litigations, the Commission was able to determine the performance of political parties in the elections. In addition, they were also assessed on the basis of their performance in the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which coincided with the 2019 general election.”.

She said the reasons adduced by INEC for its action has the backing of the 1999 constitution (4th alteration number 9), Act 2017, section 225A, which empowered the Commission to de-register any political party if; failure to win at least 25% of votes cast in one state of the federation in the presidential election or one LGA of a state in a governorship election

Others include failure to win at least one ward in the Chairmanship election, one seat in the National or State Assembly election or one seat in the Councillorship election.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/de-registration-of-74-political-parties-a-bold-move-by-inec-election-observer-group.html

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