A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Osun state Government has, Friday, charged Council Managers in the State to work assiduously towards generating revenue through the Land Use Charge (LUC) which is the hope of sustaining the governance especially at this critical period.
The Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Olayinka Owoeye made this charge at the signing of the Consent Documents Ceremony at the Exco Chamber of the Governor's Office.
Mr Owoeye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, explained that the bill on the Land Use Charge has been passed to law by the State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on March 19, 2016. He therefore urged the Council Managers to cooperate fully with the consultant handling it with the aim of achieving the maximum revenue which the sharing formula has been agreed upon between the State and local governments.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade, represented by the Accountant in the Ministry, Mr. Remi Ibrahim said it is ingenious of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to create alternative means of revenue generation for the State. She then warned them to avoid leakages of the revenue.
In his address, the Chairman of Council Managers in the State, Mr Samson Odewale said it is a power donation which is for the good of the local governments and the people at the grassroots. He, however, on behalf of all Council Managers promised total support and cooperation for the success of the programme.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Messrs Interspatial Consultant, Pastor Olamide Bolorunduro thanked the governor for his forthrightness at bailing the State out from relying on federal allocation which is not forthcoming. He therefore sought maximum cooperation from Council Managers for the success of the programme.
Highlight of the event was signing of the consent documents by the council managers. Present were representatives of commercial banks, micro finance banks and consultants.
Chairman, Madagali Local Government, Adamawa, Yusuf Muhammed, has said that 56 persons died and 177 injured in the twin blasts that that hit Madagali Market on Friday in Adamawa.
Muhammed, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview, said 57 of the injured were critical and 120 minor.
He said the critically injured were rushed to Mubi General Hospital and Yola Specialists Hospital, while those that sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged .
NAN reports that the Madagali Market operates on Fridays and the two blasts occurred at the grains and second hand clothes sections of the market.
The council boss appealed to the federal, state governments, relevant donors and humanitarian agencies to come to the aid of the people.
He said such a gesture would help them in alleviating the pain and loss from the blasts. ( NAN)
Osun state Government in collaboration with the European Union-Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (EU-WSSSRP-II) and UNICEF will on Tuesday (November 22nd, )celebrate “2016 World Toilet Day” with the theme, “Toilets and Jobs” at Araromi-Owu Middle School Playing Ground, Araromi-Owu in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the State.
This is contained in a press release issued by the Project Coordinator, Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Engr Adelere Oriolowo.
According to him, “sanitation is a global development priority adding that toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy, as well as improving health and protecting people’s safety and dignity, particularly women’s and girls’.”
The Project Coordinator noted that the activities to mark the first ever epoch making event, has commenced by the State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS), set up by the Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA) through monitoring exercises of Open Defecation Free (ODF) communities in Ayedaade and Odo-Otin Local Governments.
A youth group, the Kaduna Youth Coalition for Peace and Development, Friday, asked the Borno state Elders not to import their tactics used with Boko Haram in Borno to Kaduna, saying they are in support of the Kaduna state White paper on the Zaria clashes which designated the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as an insurgent group.
It said the Elders who had written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to tread the path of peaceful settlement with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, instead of treating them as terrorists are trying to do in Kaduna exactly what they did in Borno during the onset of the Boko haram.
The youths were responding to a letter purportedly written to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Borno Elders Forum in which they warned that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) could become the next Boko Haram because Kaduna State Government has designated it an insurgent group.
Addressing a press briefing in Kaduna, President of the group, Peter Bawa urged the Government not to deal with the IMN with kid gloves, saying it was this same tactics the Borno elders used to blackmail the people until the Boko Haram became a monster.
Bawa expressed shock that even when notable Islamic organisations like MURIC has denounced the group, they seem to be enjoying the backing of the Borno elders. He said such backing is suspicious.
He recalled that in the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east, the elders had kicked against military operations, claiming the government was committing genocide against people of the north.
He accused the Borno Elders of desperation to export terror to other parts of Nigeria now that the Boko Haram insurgency has been defeated in their domain and the regular settlement money they were getting under the previous administration has dried up.
He said, “At the inception of Boko Haram as a ragtag group of misguided youths that were flogging women for not dressing the way they expected, these same Borno Elders kept quiet. When the fanatical youths began targeted assassinations, the elders only paid condolence visits at which they gloat over the demise of their perceived political rivals.""
"Even when the terrorism of their protégés spilled all over the country, they continued to implore that their sons should be spared and not be treated as terrorists that they are."
“It was only when the Borno Elders became the target of their own sins did they start fleeing into Abuja and Kano, leaving the less fortunate part of the population in IDPs camps; only then did these remorseless men realise the magnitude of their error."
“The terrorists that they groomed have done a good job of their communities such that there is not much to destroy again. These elderly opportunists have therefore thought the best thing is to prop up an emerging terror group in a new geographical area for the purpose of repeating the circle of extortion they deployed Boko Haram for in the north east."
“We like to ask the Borno Elders to go back and do their home work, conduct research and learn that Kaduna and Borno States have clear differences when it comes to issues of dealing with insurgents or groups that have consistently demonstrated anti-society tendencies."
He said in contrast, the people of Kaduna state endured the excesses of IMN, particularly in Gyallesu where they visited untold hardship on the populace for decades.
According to Bawa, this tolerance for the group was out of the realisation that every faith and sect, including those whose doctrines may be befuddling is entitled to their freedom of worship.
He said things however came to a head when it was discovered that members of the IMN were engaged in martial training, radicalisation and militarisation of youths.
He said, “if that was not bad enough, when assassination bid on senior state officials in the wake of repeated threats became the order of the day, the entire state was jolted to reality."
“But unlike Borno Elders, the people of the state, including the brother of IMN Leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky, came forward to testify before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the group's clash with the Nigerian Army."
“The White Paper that is the end product of that Commission labelled IMN as an insurgent group and backed the decision of the state government to outlaw the fanatical outfit.”
By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado-Ekiti-The Supreme on Friday Court ordered the Ekiti State government to pay all the 15 months salaries entitlements, allowances and emoluments of the council officials illegally removed by Former Governor Kayode Fayemi led administration in 2010.
The apex court in a unanimous decision affirmed the January 2013 Court of Appeal decision on the matter and asked Ekiti government to comply with immediate effect.
In a chat with newsmen shortly after the verdict was delivered, the Spokesperson of the former council chairmen, Hon. Adeleke Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi, expressed joy that justice has been served at last.
Ogunbiyi who served as chairman of Ikere Local Government said the Judiciary has once again risen in defence of the oppressed by giving them justice six years after they were removed from office on October 29, 2010 barely two years into their tenure.
The former council bosses were elected at the December 20, 2008 local government election during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni but were removed by his successor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on grounds that the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) which conducted the poll was not properly constituted.
……I’ve been praying and fasting over this case, says Ayade
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – Respite came the way of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Friday, as the Supreme Court, declined to sack him from office over allegation that he falsified his age.
The suit was lodged before the apex court by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Joe Agi.Governor Ben Ayade
The appellant who came second in the gubernatorial primary election the PDP held in th state on December 8, 2014, insisted tha Ayade lied about his age.
He adduced exhibits before the court showing that governor Ayade had in three different affidavits that were deposed on oath, supplied conflicting dates as his year of birth.
Specifically, the evidence before the court showed that the 3rd respondent (Ayade) had in the Nomination Form, Code PD 003/G, which he used to contest the Cross River state election, stated on oath that he was born on March 2, 1969.
However, the age declaration he attached to the form, which his brother Frank Ayade sworn to before a Cross River state High Court sitting at Oleh on February 1, 2007, indicated that the defendant was born in 1968.
More so, the plaintiff tendered in a evidence a document that showed that the governor, while applying for admission in the University of Ibadan, gave an age declaration stating that he was born on March 2, 1966. The bio data was allegedly issued by the University itself.
Besides, the appellant maintained that Ayade had already lost his membership of the PDP as at the time the primary election was held, owing to his failure to meet his financial obligations to the party.
Agi argued that consistent failure of the 3rd respondent (Ayade) to pay his dues, made him ineligible to be sponsored by the party for the gubernatorial contest.
He prayed the apex court to set aside th verdict which the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal delivered in Ayade’s favour on February 5.
Accra – Ghana's President John Mahama said on Friday he aimed to make the country proud regardless of the final outcome of Wednesday's election, Media reports say.
Two private radio stations had earlier reported that he lost to opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo.
"Let us allow EC (Electoral Commission) to carry out its constitutional mandate.
"We will make Ghana proud no matter the outcome of the election,'' he said in a tweet on his official account.
It was his first public comment since the vote. Akufo-Addo and Mahama
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Governor Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal of Sokoto State, on Friday, lost his bid to stop a suit seeking to void the election that brought him to power.
The Supreme Court dismissed an application he filed to stop a suit challenging the process that led to his emergence as gubernatorial flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015, after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The apex court ordered that the suit which was lodged against Tambuwal by an APC governorship aspirant in the state, Senator Umaru Dahiru, should be heard on its merit by the Federal High Court.
The apex court vacated an initial judgment by the Court of Appeal which held that Dahiru’s suit had turned to an academic execise.Tambuwal
In a unanimous verdict, a five-man panel of Justices of the apex court led by Justice Rhodes Bode-Vivour, held that Dahiru has the locus-standi to challenge Tambuwal’s nomination by the APC, considering that he also participated in the process.
The apex court held that Umaru has sufficient justiceable cause in the matter, saying to agree with Tambuwal that the primary election that produced him could not be challenged by another governorship aspirant was to allow democracy to be murdered by the governor.
The lead verdict was prepared by Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed but read by Justice Centus Nweze.
The apex court faulted position of the appellate court that the legal action had been overtaken by events on the strength of the April 11, 2015 governorship election that Tambuwal eventually won.
According to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal erred in law by holding that event had overtaken the case of the appellant simply because the governorship election was conducted after the primary election of APC that produced Tambuwal.
It consequently ordered that a Federal High Court in Abuja should retry the case on its merit and make decision as demanded by law.
Senator Dahiru had challenged the conduct of the primary election that produced Tambuwal as candidate of APC on the ground that it was fraught with fraud.
Dahiru claimed that the primary election APC conducted in 2014 in Sokoto was fraudulent because the original list of the delegates for the election was swapped in favour of Tambuwal by some external forces.
The appeal was equally endorsed by another governorship aspirant of the party, Aliyu Abubakar Sanyinna.
In their brief of arguments filed by Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN, the duo, urged the apex court to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeal and okay fresh hearing on their substantive suit.
They insisted that the Appeal Court erred in law by holding that their joint suit had no life to sustain it simply because the election have been conducted.
They argued that the April 11, 2015 general election could not take life out of their case or render it an academic exercise, stressing that the action was filed on January 27, 2015, long before the general election was conducted.
The appellants chronicled the genesis of their suit, claiming that several frivolous motions and applications filed by the respondents at the federal high court in Abuja delayed judgment delivery until after the general election.
Their counsel argued that since all the delay tactics were at the instance of the respondents, the respondents should not be allowed to be beneficiaries of the unjust delays which made expeditious hearing of the matter practically impossible.
They asked the apex court to invoke Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act to resolve the issue to a finality as the said section of the law empowers it to act as a court of first instance in view of circumstances surrounding the case.
Respondents in the appeal were the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tambuwal.
Tambuwal had through his lawyer, Mr. Sunday Ameh, SAN, sought dismissal of the suit, a prayer the apex court refused.
The appellants had at the high court, sought for a declaration that the primary poll of December 4, 2014 which produced him was unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2010 and the APC guidelines.
They claimed that the list of accredited delegates was swapped at the election venue and that votes were arbitrarily, unlawfully and fraudulently allocated to the aspirants after series of manipulation, intimidation and threat from the then state government officials backing the third respondent.
They asked for the court order restraining INEC from acting, publishing or recognizing Tambuwal as APC gubernatorial candidate.
They also prayed for an order nullifying or withdrawing the nomination of Tambuwal and that a fresh primary election be ordered.
Though the high court in a judgment by Justice Evoh Chukwu, ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, however, the appellate court nullified the verdict, saying the respondents’ case was academic.
*says he was quoted out of context By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Apparently embarrassed by his careless comments that the federal government never anticipated the victory of the Super Falcons in the just concluded African Woman Cup of Nations and so did not prepare to pay them, Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalong has said that government would pay.
Dalong, it was learnt, came under immense pressure from both the presidency and the agents of the federal government who saw the comment as damaging to reverse himself.
The Minister who was pressed by State House Correspondents on Thursday to speak on why the AWCON champions were being owed said “One thing I always make clear is that the process of request for funds for sporting projects must come earlier to meet the objectives.Champions: Nigeria's Super Falcons on Saturday in Yaounde won the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the eighth time after beating Cameroon 1 – 0 to retain AWCON title.
“Don’t forget that nobody even knew the team will emerge victorious but we were confident they will emerge victorious. All the federation would have done is to plan for process of participation and entitlement and when they win it is already established in sports tradition, when you win this is what you are entitled to.”
But while the pressure understandably mounted on him, Dalong while making his remarks on Friday when President Muhammadu Buhari received the organizers of the National Planning and Implementation Committee of the first National Youth Open Water Swimming Competition tagged Youth Unity Cup 2016 led by Senator Kabir Gaya at the presidential Villa, Abuja said he was quoted out of context.
He said: “Meanwhile, I conclude by trying to put into proper perspective an impression that has made national headlines to the effect that the Federal Government was not anticipating the victory of the Falcons and so could not have planned for it. This statement was attributed to myself. I want to categorically state that this is a statement taken out of context. And I cannot imagine or reconcile how.
“The commitment of the federal government to the support of the Falcons is indeed overwhelming. That explains why the Vice President himself had to abandon his tight schedule to visit the players in camp, that is evidence of preparations for victory.
“The federal government was prepared because it has records of the antecedents of the performance of the players. The challenges we have today which has to do with their welfare is being given attention. We are working around the clock to see how to raise fund to address the issue of their bonuses”
By Michael Eboh The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, Friday, lamented that despite efforts at curbing sleaze in the polity over the years, the country is still bedeviled by massive corruption.
Fayemi stated this at a ceremony commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day 2016, organized by the Inter-Agency Task Team, IATT, with its secretariat, the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms, TUGAR.
He stated that the constitution of the country provides a basis for a strong anti-corruption policy making, noting, however, that the country had not been able to translate the policy into an implementable strategy that would address the issues of corruption in all tiers of governance as well as to non-state actors.
Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the National Stakeholders Working Group of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, disclosed that as a result of these lapses, the country do not have an acceptable handle for monitoring and evaluation of its performance.Fayemi
He said, "There is no denying the fact that our country has massive corruption problems. Efforts directed at fighting the monster in Nigeria, are as old as the country itself. Nigeria has an array of legislations and institutions for fighting corruption.
"The frameworks and legislations are there in the Constitution as well as the enabling Acts of the various anti-corruption agencies. Our Constitution provides a basis for strong anti-corruption policy making."
He argued that corruption not only undermines development, but is an enabler for other crimes, thereby, perpetuating a vicious cycle.
To this end, Fayemi stated that if the country is to make significant progress on developmental issues, corruption must be reduced to the barest minimum, while he also noted that there is an urgent need to adopt a holistic anti-corruption strategy, which he said would serve to improve synergy and measure performance.
He said, "To ensure transparency and accountability in managing our resources, the government is also promoting beneficial ownership disclosures with emphasis on the extractive sector. NEITI is working to developing an appropriate roadmap for these disclosures in accordance with the EITI principles.
"To further promote transparency within the polity, the government has signed on to the Open Government partnership and developed an action plan for implementation. We have also made concerted efforts to improve the resource base of the country in order to enhance development.
'We have now placed greater emphasis in developing the solid mineral sector. The recently released roadmap for the sector will ensure enhanced revenue for the government and the communities where these natural resources are located, while also ensuring transparency and accountability in the process."
Fayemi, however, stated that a lot still needed to be done in the country, adding that for the country to succeed in its fight against corruption, it must make transparency and accountability its ways of doing business.
In its bid to revitalize the education sector in the implementation of its change agenda; the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education recently convened a 3-Day Task Team Implementation Status meeting in Abuja, to review, evaluate and examine the level of progress so far made in the execution of the 2016 Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) projects and programmes across the country. The meeting was also geared towards identifying gaps, challenges and hard-nosed recommendations to reposition the education sector as a major driver of growth and development in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on SDGs and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, made it clear that the Muhammadu Buhari administration would go the whole hog in the realization of Goal 4 (SDG-4) with a view to achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."
In the words of the SSA, "the SDG-4 is transformative and universal, attends to the unfinished business of the Education For All (EFA) goals and the education related MDGs 2 and 3," while also addressing "global and national education challenges."
Aware of the importance of a functioning system in the pursuit of lofty goals of this nature, the Presidential aide told the impressive audience that the 2030 target date for the realization of the global SDGs would be a mere dream if the education sector in Nigeria is not fixed to meet the challenges of the times.
"For Nigeria to attain SDGs by 2030," she stated, "there must be a functional education system that is accessible by all and responsive to the requirements of the 21st century skills," adding that SDG-4 and its objective must be captured in the national education policy and planning. To walk the same path with the rest of the world in the pursuit of this goal, Orelope-Adefulire highlighted some preconditions which must be met, if only for the country and her teeming citizens to heave a sigh of relief on or before 2030.
According to the SDGs' boss, gone are the days when government shoulders the responsibility of "doing it alone," stressing that all hands must come on deck to push through the total overhauling of the education sector, especially in the area of funding and teachers' training.
"There must be effective and inclusive Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for resources mobilization for adequate financing of education. There must be access to more reliable, accurate, timely and disaggregated data, review of existing curricula frameworks, teaching and learning contents, pedagogy, teacher training and professional development as well as school leadership and management," she said.
Malam Adamu Adamu
Apparently to ensure that Nigeria does not lag behind like she did with the MDGs, the ex-deputy governor said a good number of Nigerian youths would benefit from the SDGs office partnership with some international organizations in the sphere of training.
She said, "The present administration through my office in collaboration with Google/MindtheGap Foundation has proposed the digital training of 100, 000 youths in Nigeria towards sustainable development. She also said that the SDGs' Office would also "focus on improving quality education and promoting learning outcomes, through multi-level partnerships by ensuring provision of infrastructural facilities, conducive learning environment where teachers are empowered, adequately recruited and well-trained; review of curriculum content and resource mobilization through private sector collaboration and partnership."
Given the stark reality starring the nation on its face, the Education Ministry through the instrumentality of Management By Objective (MBO) is working round the clock for optimal use of resources with emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness. For the first time in many years, the ministry has swiftly moved to block leakages in its funding channels and to ensure adequate value for money in projects implementation and execution.
Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, said service delivery with no room for wastage has been the campaign of the ministry in the present epoch.
"Beneficiaries are advised to prioritize SDGs projects and programmes in line with the released funds," she said, noting that despite "inadequate fund releases and the economic recession, the Ministry has resolved to remain focused, make effective use of available funds and not entertain issues of uncompleted or abandoned projects by the end of the fiscal year."
And in what appeared a warning on the danger of poor job execution, the scribe said the federal parliament would request a detailed report from the education ministry information on the 2016 SDGs projects from conception to completion as part of the latter's oversight function in a democratic setting.
"To further authenticate the claims of your presentations, the Ministry will also embark on monitoring and evaluation of the projects and programmes in the sector," warned Yemi-Esan who added that appropriate sanctions should not be ruled out in the event of the establishment of breaches and infractions.
Similarly, Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah in his keynote address, described the meeting as historic, saying the review of the implementation of the projects would keep the ministry abreast of the pressing issues that need to be tackled squarely. While calling on beneficiaries to be transparent in their conduct, Professor Anwukah noted the importance incumbent administration accords the education sector.
"The present administration holds education as one of its flagship sectors in its effort at improving school effectiveness, learning outcomes as well as lifelong education. It therefore allocated the highest budget of N396.6 billion in the 2016 fiscal year to education to ensure the delivery of quality education," stated the Minister who like the Permanent Secretary, also emphasized the imperative of judicious utilization of funds.
The Federal Ministry of Education by this initiative has successfully bought into government's campaign of a new order which emphasizes the conduct of business in a transparent ambiance. Education stakeholders argued at the meeting that the various ministries need to take a cue from what their education counterpart is doing in this regard.
A total sum of N5.4 billion was allocated to SDGs programmes in the 2016 budget with approximately N1.6 billion of this sum, slated for monitoring and evaluation.
“We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not, that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes” – Mallam Nasir El Rufai, 2012.
I will never forget these words. How I wish that my friend and brother, Governor Nasir El Rufai, expressed the same level of angst, cold rage, chilling resolve and passion for vengeance after the murder of millions of defenceless and innocent non-Fulanis, including women and children, in his own Kaduna state and indeed all over the country since the coming to power of the Buhari regime one year and seven months ago.
How I wish that he could have learnt a lesson or two from other Nigerian leaders of Fulani extraction who are far more restrained, mature, experienced, knowledgeable and responsible than him like Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Hon. Minister Kabiru Turaki, Hon. Minister Hadi Sirika, Governor Sule Lamido, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, General Aliyu Gusau and countless others that careless and ill-advised assertions, vicious threats and a lack of decorum and restraint have no place in public discourse and could lead to unimaginable consequences including the loss of innocent lives. After all, we are ALL Nigerians.
Given the circumstances I am constrained to write the following for all to see: the spilling of innocent blood in the name of vengeance, religion, ethnicity or anything else is expensive and it comes with a heavy price.
Those who willfully shed it will face the consequences of their actions. They will pay a heavy price from generation to generation both in this world and in the world to come.
Given all the horror stories of murder and butchery that we hear about in Kaduna state today things have certainly got out of hand and every Nigerian, whether they be Christian or Muslim, ought to be deeply concerned.
Such is the carnage and wasting of innocent lives that I cannot but support the columnist Sam Omatseye’s call on Christians in southern Kaduna to rise up and use all lawful means to defend themselves from what can, to all intents and purposes, only be described as genocide.
I also support the appeal to the Christian Association of Nigeria to use all lawful means to assist and support them and I commend the gallantry and resilience of the Southern Kaduna’s People Union (SOKAPU) who have consistently spoken out and resisted the evil that the good people of southern Kaduna have been subjected to over the years.
I also commend the efforts of men like Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Pastor Temitope Joshua, Apostle Suleiman and numerous others who have consistently urged restraint when it comes to such matters but who, at the same time, have always insisted on justice and equity for the oppressed, the poor, the weak, the vulnerable and the deprived.
For as Thomas Jefferson, one of the great founding fathers of the United States of America once said, “when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty”.
Self-defence, like self-determination, is a fundamental and inalienable human right and those that take pleasure in mass murder and carnage must be resisted and stopped.
Those that kill, maim and destroy their fellow human beings and compatriots in the name of ethnic and religious hegemony and under the guise of cattle-rearing and herding cows must be brought to justice.
When the International Global Index identified a group that they described as the “Fulani militants” and “herdsmen of Nigeria” as the “fourth most deadly terrorist organisation in the world” the international community was shocked and many world leaders expressed their concern and outrage.
It was only in Nigeria that we took it in our stride and that people found it difficult to comprehend the implications or appreciate the dangers and complexity of the challenge that we were faced with.
It was also only in Nigeria that the government brushed the matter under the carpet and refused to disarm the murderous terrorists or even condemn their actions.
It was only in Nigeria that everyone hid under their beds and ran for cover and refused to say it as it is even though they all knew the truth.
It was only in Nigeria that the blood and the lives of the numerous victims of the Janjaweed-style marauders and murderers were regarded as being less precious and less sacred than the blood of their tormentors and killers.
The fact of the matter is that this is a major issue and a collective challenge. This fight is beyond politics: it is an ancient struggle which is being fought in pursuance of an ancient cause.
Worst still it has an international and global dimension. Simply put, it is essentially about the supression and systematic destruction and humiliation of the so-called “lesser peoples” and supposedly “inferior ethnic nationalities” of the hybrid mega-nation called Nigeria.
It is about the enslavement, the breaking of the will, the total subjugation and the complete annihilation of an entire people and various ethnic nationalities within that mega-nation.
It is about the forced aquisition of the land, culture, destiny and souls of others, ethnic and religious domination and good old-fashioned conquest.
That is the monuemental challenge that we are faced with in Nigeria today by those that covertly commissioned and armed the herdsmen and that are using them to do a dirty job.
Yet few wish to admit let alone discuss, hear or publish such bitter truths in our country. And those of us that are willing to do so are insulted, attacked, maligned, persecuted, threatened, ostracised and labellled as rebels and dissidents simply because we have cultivated the strength and courage to identify the problem, speak the truth and stand up for the weak and the oppressed.
The tyrant forgets that truth and timely counsel is worth its weight in gold. He forgets that it is better to have an honest and vocal opposition than to have a false friend.
He forgets that he either controls those in his inner circle and his numerous courtiers, security chiefs, Ministers and advisors or they will end up controlling him and pushing him to fatal error.
We his subjects try our best to keep quite and ignore the commission of atrocities that we see in our nation every day by his security forces and his blood-thirsty and blood-curdling kinsmen that have constituted themselves into a well-armed reserve army and a formidable and murderous ethnic militia.
Instead of speaking out boldly and loudly or protesting in the streets we choose to keep the peace and stay at home and pray.
Yet, unabated, the horror show simply goes on and on. The nightmare continues to unfold and the black flag of death, destruction and carnage is hoisted higher every day.
No-one is spared in this bloodfest of terror and butchery. Today it is the defiant Biafrans and the good people of the south-east that are being shot, slaughtered, tormented and “cut to pieces” and tomorrow it is the good people of Agatu and the Middle Belt or the residents and farmers of the south-west and the Niger Delta.
And in all this our response is nothing but fear, trepidation and weakness. Our collective resolve to stand against evil has long been broken. We continue to bite the bullet, take the pain, reign in our rage, maintain our stoic and cowardly silence and encourage those that seek to avenge their loved ones and kinsmen to do nothing, to remain calm and to leave it all to God.
Yet there are some things that are beyond the pale and that cannot be ignored. When those that are charged with the responsibility of protecting us and bringing those that kill our kith and kin to justice are complicit in the barborous actions of the terrorists we cannot remain silent. And if we do God Himself will judge us.
When a sitting Governor like Nasir El Rufai can boldly and openly say “tell them (meaning the terrorising and murderering Fulani militants and herdsmen) that the governor is a Fulani like them and give them this money” you are encouraging murder and empowering murderers.
When you talk like that you are provoking the sensitivities and rage of every non-Fulani in your state and in the entire nation.
When you say such a thing you are rubbing raw salt in a fresh wound and you are plunging a sharp and long butchers knife deep into the hearts of the loved ones of all those that were murdered and mutilated in your state and elsewhere by those barbaric killers that you have described as your kinsmen and friends.
When you speak so callously and with such insensitivity you are murdering and butchering the murdered and burchered victims all over again, rubbishing their memory, insulting their families and pissing on their graves.
When you say that you have paid your Fulani brothers and kinsmen from Chad, the Niger Republic, Mali, Senegal, the Camerouns and God knows where else money to stop them from coming to our country and your state to kill our Christian brothers and sisters in southern Kaduna instead of bringing them to justice for shedding innocent blood it means that you are a murderer as well.
When you talk like that it means that you are what is known as an “enabler” or as an “accessory after the fact” in law and you are nothing but an accomplice to and friend, sponsor and sympathiser of mass murderers.
It means that you are not just a murderer but you are also a genocidal maniac. Worse of all you know very well that the money that you have publicly admitted to giving them will be used to buy more deadly weapons and ammunition which will then be used to slaughter, maim, kidnap and terrorise even more innocent and defenceless people from your constituency and elsewhere in Nigeria.
If it is not Shiite Muslims that are being killed in Kaduna today it is our brothers and sisters in southern Kaduna. Not only are they massacred but they are also buried in unmarked mass and shallow graves where pigs feed off their carcasses and decaying flesh.
How wicked and heartless can we be to one another? Where is the milk of human kindness? Where is compassion and mercy? Where is justice, succour and protection for the poor, the deprived, the unconnected and the needy?
For God sake the killing must stop. I implore you in the name of God to use your powerful office to defend the oppressed and to protect the voiceless in your state and not to encourage or support the predators who feed on human flesh and who take pleasure in the destruction, suffering and misery of others.
Those that bathe in the blood of the innocents and that delight in indulging in cruelty and crushing the bones of the weak may have today but tomorrow belongs to us.
As the leader of the American-based Nation of Islam movement, the respected Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, once said,
“God is on the side of the weak, the oppressed. God is never in favor of the tyrant! And fighting against tyranny really is obedience to God. So God will have His way, no matter what the jury or government does. But if they are wicked enough to deny these families justice, then God will answer—and I fear the terrible nature of His chastisement. Be warned”.
For those that are in power today in Kaduna and Nigeria a word is enough for the wise. Our God is alive and He rules in the affairs of men. Vengeance belongs to Him: He will repay.
Permit me to conclude the first part of this write up with the words of Senator La’ah who represents the people of southern Kaduna in the Senate.
In a statement he issued to newsmen on Wednesday 4th December the Senator asserted that Governor El-Rufai has been able to identify the killers and their locations.
He added, "This will lead to their sponsors in Nigeria and other places. Nigeria should then use its diplomatic relationship and extradite these murderers of its citizens, plunders and arsonists to face justice in Nigeria.
"After Governor El-Rufai's term in office, it should be possible to prosecute him for being an accessory to mass murder, since he has refused to reveal these findings to the rightful authority for actions to stop the evil that is spreading to many states today.
"This is from the outcome of Newspapers' and online captions quoting governor El -Rufai as saying that he has had to trace some of the murderous Fulani herdsmen that have been killing defenceless innocent Southern Kaduna natives and destroying their villages, the news sources said that after tracing them, he told them that he was also a Fulani man and paid them sums of money to stop the massacre, burning and tearing down of scores of communities in Southern Kaduna.
"That not done with, the Governor also uttered a very bizarre threat that he has compiled for arrest and prosecution, names of persons asking the people of Southern Kaduna to defend themselves against the obvious inability of the Chief Security Officer of the state – Governor Nasir El-Rufai – to secure their lives and property and save them the trauma of being under perpetual fear of further unprovoked violence.
"Knowing how swiftly he reacts to any untoward issue unfairly thrown at him in the media, I have waited for days to hear or read a rebuttal from him but to no avail.
"This therefore confirms these unfortunate utterances as truly that of the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
"I wish to state that these statements are not only unfortunate, callous, insensitive, crude and demeaning of his office and intelligence, it throws him up as a bigot and hater of Southern Kaduna and we are holding him as an accomplice in the ongoing genocide in Southern Kaduna." (TO BE CONTINUED).
Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has berated APC Governors for refusing to pay salaries to their civil servants and pensioners , saying that they will not be allowed to export hardship from their states to the treasure base of the nation.
This was made available to newsmen by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu.
He said, Governor Wike , while flagging off the construction of Elimgbu-Atali Road , Rumuokoro Market and Motorola Park and the Psychiatric Hospital in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Thursday, said that APC Governors represent the failure of governance in some states.
He said the APC Governors who campaigned in Rivers State were owing their workers between 8 months to one year of unpaid salaries .
He said : "These APC governors who came to Rivers State are examples of failed governance . Benue State Governor , Samuel Ortom is owing workers for one year. Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong is owing 13 months, Bauchi State Governor has refused to pay workers for 14months."
"Is that what they want to export to Rivers State. They should keep their non payment of salaries. We are up to date in terms of payment of salaries. Our people are enjoying quality projects. I have not heard any of them commissioning projects."
Speaking further, Governor Wike said: "In Benue State, Fulani people are killing them everyday. Governor Ortom is too scared to defend his people and he is here to campaign."
"These APC governors are beneficiaries of Amaechi's corruption. Amaechi stole our resources and used the funds to sponsor Lalong, Abubakar of Bauchi State, Ortom of Benue State and the APC National Campaigns".
Governor Wike said that the Kano State Governor, Ganduje failed to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate who killed the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kano State and his family.
The governor commended Rivers people for what he said, "staying away from the APC Rally, since the party has notging to offer."
He said the APC is not on ground, hence they are planning to rig. He urged the people of the state to vote for PDP, adding that youths should defend the votes of all constituencies.
Somalia has set another date for the presidential elections, which had been rescheduled three times; now to be held on December 28.
The National Leadership Forum (NLF) – made up of the president, the prime minister, leaders of federal regions and clan elders agreed on the new date, Africa Review reports.
Fatumo Dayib, a presidential candidate,who pulled out. Twitter photo.
Among the factors blamed for delays are clan disputes, logistical problems and insecurity which have led to failure to complete the election of the 275 Members of the Parliament and 54 Senators expected to pick the next president.
The general election was set to take place in August this year but was missed and the presidential poll rescheduled for September 10, October 30 and November 30. Last month the electoral body said it would be held in December.
The NLF has urged the Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) and States-level Indirect Electoral Implementation Teams (SIEIT), who are managing the polls, to conclude the parliamentary elections by December 14.
"All legislators will be sworn-in on December 15th in the opening session of the new Parliament," stated a communiqué by the NLF on Thursday.
It said the election of speakers and their deputies in the 54-member Upper House and the 275-member Lower House will be held on December 22. All the legislators will then elect the president on December 28.
Those contesting the presidency include President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, former Transitional Federal President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and president of South West Interim Admonition, Sheriff Hassan Sheikh Aden.
Others are Jibril Ibrahimed Abdulle, the director of Centre for Research and Dialogue, a Mogadishu-based think tank, and Mohamed Abdullahi Nur, a businessman.
The only female candidate for the presidency, Ms Faduma Dayib, was reported to have told the Washington Post on December 1 that she would withdrawal from the contest, citing irregularity in the election process.
Latest figures from the UN show that 212 MPs and 43 Senators have been voted for.
A statement released and signed by the publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dayo Adeyeye has accused the ruling party, APC of declaring war on the people of Rivers state in the build up to the rerun elections scheduled for tomorrow.
It also accused the APC of gradually taking Nigeria back into the era of dictatorship. The statement in full reads :
” It was another sad day in Nigeria as top echelon of the Ruling Party in the Country, the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Thursday, December 8, 2016, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State took turns like garrison commanders, ordering their supporters to shoot and kill any member or supporter of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The APC did not also spare other voters in the state as they ordered their armies to attack them during the Saturday, December 10, 2016 Re-Run Elections. This open declaration of war on the people of Rivers State is only reaffirming our earlier position and fear that all the actions and ‘body language' of the All Progressive Congress (APC) since it took over power in May, 2015 is gearing towards erasing democracy and installing full blown dictatorship in Nigeria.
“The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun addressing a very scanty crowd at the so called 'Mega Rally' in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday openly incited the members and supporters of his party saying “If they push you, push them back. If they slap you slap them back. As you can see we came in full force, the whole federal might is here. As if that was not enough, the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Ganduje who is also the Chairman of the APC, Rivers State Re-Run Campaign Committee said, "If they shoot at you, take cover and shoot them back.”.
“This is very sad and a complete reversal of all the democratic experience we have built and nurtured in Nigeria in the last 16 years. A political rally which normally should have been an opportunity to sell its Programme and manifesto was instead turned into a call for war and violence by the APC leaders. We will not fold our arms and allow the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its supporters destroy our hard earned democracy.
“We will not stop but continue to alert Nigerians and the international community to the danger the ruling Party is posing to our democracy. We therefore call on the Nigerian Police and other relevant security agencies to be alert to their responsibilities and ensure that the Elections on Saturday in Rivers State are not only free and fair but also very peaceful, orderly and without any violence. We again call on our members, teeming supporters and the electorate in Rivers state to remain calm in the face of these daring provocations.
“Dictatorship, avarice and anarchy that has characterized this APC led government since inception may last for a season but freedom & liberty will last for eternity. The APC has nothing more to offer Nigerians, hence the resort to war and attacks on the people. Finally, we urge the people of Rivers state to come out enmass on Saturday, December 10, 2016 and vote for all the Candidates of our Party, the PDP in the Re-Run Elections. Rivers State is the home of the PDP and we are sure of victory in all the Elections. God bless Rivers State! God bless Nigeria!!
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Karamajiji in Kuchigoro area of FCT along Airport Road have won the inaugural football championship organised by Greater Tomorrow Children's Fund founded by ex international and US based Paul Okoku.
In a game decided Saturday evening at the FIFA Goal Project Abuja, the boys from Karamajiji beat their counterparts from Waru IDP Camp in Apo Village 3-2 in the final to lift the trophy and take home a cash prize of N15,000 plus additional ball donations from the foundation.
Action from the event
The full time had ended 3-3 after Isiaka Alhassan netted a brace in the first half before the boys from Waru came from behind to draw level through another brace from Emmanuel Nwogu. Hashimu Musa made it three for Jaramajiji but Uche Duru from Waru levelled the scores at 3-3 close to regulation time. Karamajiji then went ahead to prove the better side with a 3-2 penalty kicks scoreline. For coming second, Waru Apo got N7,000, a trophy and some balls.
Speaking after the final, organised by the Okoku Foundation in an effort to give back to the society, Okoku said he feels fulfilled to have put smiles on the faces of the IDPs.
"I feel really honoured and fulfilled to put smiles and hope on the faces of the children who are looking up to the society for hope."
Natives of Eastern Nigeria who live outside their region are always keen about the Christmas season as it is the one time they travel back home to observe several ceremonies and reconnect with their extended families. They almost always embark on their journey home by road via luxurious buses and shuttles, and due to increasing in the number of vehicles heading east, travelers almost always have to deal with traffic jams and gridlocks.
Usually, travelers heading in the southeast direction from the Asaba end get the first taste of the traffic at the Onitsha head bridge before the main course within the town where commercial activities add to make the traffic even more frustrating. Seeing as Christmas is here again, and almost every Igbo indigene has plans to visit home, there is bound to be serious traffic gridlock. But not to worry, Jumia Travel, Africa's No.1 online hotel booking site has a few tips and ideas to help alleviate the stress.
Set out early
The early bird gets the fattest worms. If you are determined to beat the Onitsha traffic or at least cut out a lot of it during your journey. You should make plans to wake up super early so as to leave in time. If you are traveling from Lagos and commuting via public transport companies such as God is Good Motors or Chisco, endeavor to catch up with the first bus which leaves at about 6am. However, if you are setting out on your own, you can actually set out as early as 5am, depending on where you are setting out from. You, however, need to be vigilant so as not to fall victim to robbery or mugging.
Fill your stomach. Hunger has a way of intensifying stress and making you angry even in situations where you would be angry on a normal day. Keeping your stomach filled helps you stay focused on the traffic ahead, keeps you alert, and less stressed; and makes the traffic much more bearable. Luckily there are hawkers who parade the aisles of the traffic with tasty delights, you can patronize them or you can pack your own food before you set out for the journey. For those who have tiny stomachs and cannot afford to indulge in food, popcorn is a life saver. Eating one kernel at a time occupies your mind while the carbs calm you down.
Listen to soothing Music
Music is food for the soul and everyone has their kind of music, the one that calms and soothes their nerves in times of stress of difficulties. Before you set out on your journey, ensure you stock up on CDs and MP3s. Make sure you diversify the genre as there is no telling what mood you will be in when the gridlock sets in. You might find out that singing along to loud banging music might work better for the stress than slow music. Singing does not only get your mind off the traffic, it also changes your breathing pattern, which in turn lowers stress levels by slowing the heart rate and calming the nervous system. If you are however not a fan of any kind of music, you can simple go FOR an audio book or a podcast.
Go with Public Transport
Most people prefer to travel in their own private cars, however, it may not be the best option to deal with Onitsha traffic, especially if you intend to get to your destination as soon as feasible. The public transport systems have options that offer maximum comfort similar to that which you get from your own car. Sitting in the car and having someone else struggle through the traffic give you the opportunity to leverage your time focusing on tasks that provide utility or pleasure to your life as a whole. Again, these public transport drivers are aware of certain short cuts and routes (unknown to regular commuters) that help them escape some areas of traffic.
Relax Saying that the Onitsha traffic is exasperating and infuriating is an understatement. However, if you try to force your way through traffic and carry an aggressive style you will end up stressing yourself even more. When you find yourself at the point of frustration and anger, rather than banging on the wheel, making faces, muttering hateful curses under your breath, try to take a deep breath, as deep inhalation has a way of lowering stress levels, making it easier to deal with the gridlock.
The Cross Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service on Friday said it had rescued 32 trafficked people this year.
The Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mrs Funke Adeuyi, made the disclosure while decorating 45 newly-promoted officers of the command in Calabar.
Adeuyi said that the trafficked people were rescued at different border posts in the state by the command's Anti-Human Trafficking/Child Labour Unit.
The comptroller said the command had also arrested some suspected traffickers but could not elaborate.
She said that the suspects had been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons alongside the victims.
"We will continue to police the borders with a view to curbing child theft and trafficking, illegal migration, among others in the state,'' Adeuyi said.
The News Agency of a Nigeria (NAN) reports that those decorated, include four assistant comptrollers, who were promoted to deputy comptrollers, among others.
The comptroller advised the newly-decorated officers to see their new ranks as a call to hard work and dedication to service.
Responding on behalf of the promoted officers, Mr Nyong Asuquo, a new Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, thanked the service for approving their promotions.
Asuquo pledged that they would work hard in line with the regulations of the NIS with a view to securing borders. (NAN)
*As the President leads an array of highly distinguished Nigerians.
By Akinwunmi Ibrahim
A fashion retailer, Dressmeoutlet, through its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Olatorera Oniru has said that this week Sunday, President Buhari and other notable Nigerians will grace her event which is to be hosted at Intercontinental Hotel where fashion enthusiasts will gather the largest of made in Africa’s best minds.
According to the organiser, President Buhari is expected to lead an array of highly distinguished Nigerians to the event.
The event, Cocktails and Dresses, which is slated to hold on December 11, 2016, will gather over 2,000 attendees comprising of fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, leaders, celebrities and designers for a full-day black-carpet shopping rave.
She said: "Cocktails and Dresses champions the revolution of the fashion and beauty industries in Nigeria and Africa. Beyond the entertainment and sales exhibition, her fashion outlet has continued to retail the very best of Made-in-Africa and promote the commercial potentials and economic benefits of the fashion and beauty industries in Africa."
The fashion outlet also revealed that it will dispatch over 2,000 made in Ethiopia-Africa print tote bags to customers who place orders above N25,000 online before Black Friday, November 25, 206.
Mrs. Oniru also added the gathering will feature best panel of discussion with 5 women and 3 men who are key players, idea renegades, tech disruptor and boundary breakers in the retail, manufacturing and technology industries in Africa.
The event will also feature 5 top designers on the runway and it will close with an honorary evening which will honour up to 100 of Africa's Best Icons.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Oniru was named in Forbes list of 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in Africa.
The House of Representatives on Friday, commenced a 2-day retreat on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Abeokuta, Ogun capital.
The theme of the retreat, organised by the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, is "The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building."
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, who declared the retreat open, urged the committee to be guided by national interest and not parochial, sectional or religious considerations in its assignment.
Dogara, represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Yinka Gbajabiamila, enjoined the committee to consult widely and come up with a constitution that would stand the test of time.
He stressed the need for the committee to leverage on areas where the 7th National Assembly had secured consensus of the National Assembly and approval of the various state Houses of Assembly.
The Chairman of committee, Mr Lasun Yussuff, said that the House had been working tirelessly to ensure that the 4th Alteration Bill was given speedy passage.
Yussuff, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, stated that the retreat would avail the committee opportunity to consult with stakeholders on the issue.
He added that the event would enable the committee to come up with a constitution that would positively impact on Nigeria's democratic process.
"Constitution amendment process is a serious matter and oftentimes challenging.
"Thus, the committee is involving the participation of various stakeholders to make their much-needed contributions," he said.
He listed issues for constitutional review to include; same sex marriage, resource control and local government creation.
Others according to him are state police, electoral laws and appointment of judges.
He noted that the 7th Assembly had effected exhaustive amendments to the constitution, adding that the 8th Assembly would rely on the framework laid by the previous Assembly to address unresolved issues.
"Here in Nigeria, several attempts made to amend the constitution have often ended in futility.
''We have decided that the process should commence and fast-tracked to ensure a time passage of the Bill," he said.
A former Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Mr Bola Ajibola, urged the committee to consider their assignment as crucial to the future of the nation.
Ajibola spoke on the theme of the retreat, "The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building."
Ajibola, also a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, urged the committee to use the instrument of the constitutional amendment to address Nigeria's ailing economy.
"We have never had it this bad before and we have never been in this situation before.
"The constitution needs to be adjusted, amended and corrected in other to fit in and address the drastic situation we have found ourselves," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the 7th Assembly started the 4th Alteration Bill.
