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The death toll from the strange disease ravaging three communities and Fulani settlements in Yagba West Local Government of Kogi State has risen to 62.
The state Commissioner for health, Dr Saka Audu disclosed this on Friday in Lokoja while giving an update on the incident to newsmen.
Audu said the mysterious disease had continued to kill children and adults in the affected villages unabated, saying the disease which reared its ugly head few weeks ago was still ravaging Okuna, Okoloke, Isanlu -Asa and the adjoining Fulani settlemets.
The Commissioner had on Thursday visited the ravaged communities to obtain first hand information and assess the situation and confirmed that 50 persons had lost their lives to the strange disease.
In response to the development, Audu said that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, had approved the immediate constitution and deployment of a team of medical experts to deal with the situation.
According to him, the medical experts include epidemiologists from the state ministry of health and medics from the state-owned health facilities.
"Earlier, samples taken from some of the victims were sent to Federal Teaching Hospital Irua, Edo State, for definitive investigation, which turned out to be negative for Lassa fever.
"On arrival at the communities, the team interacted with the locals and samples were taken from their water sources and food supply.
"It was discovered that the people affected showed common symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and stooling. Few of the patients, however , had Hematemesis and Hematochezia," he explained.
According to him, those found still manifesting the disease had been transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital for proper management where an empirical diagnosis of food poisoning to rule out gastroenteritis was made.
He did not give the exact number of victims transferred to the hospital but said that they were responding well to treatment.
"Gov. Bello expressed deep concern over the incident and has directed that all the patients be treated free of charge. He also charged the ministry of health to conclude investigation within the shortest possible time to prevent further spread of the disease," the commissioner said.
Suspects in Spain’s twin terror attacks had been planning for an even bigger assault than the deadly car rampages they carried out, police said Friday, as distressing details emerged of families torn apart in the double tragedy. This video grab obtained on August 17, 2017 from the instagram account carlos_tg_32_ shows a victim lying on the ground after a van ploughed into the crowd, killing 13 persons and injuring several others, on the Rambla in Barcelona. At least 13 people were killed today when a driver deliberately slammed a van into crowds on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous street, in what police said was a “terror attack”. Two suspects have been arrested over the attack, according to Spanish authorities. / AFP PHOTO A 35-year-old Italian man was among 14 killed in the attacks, mowed down in front of his wife and young children Thursday in Barcelona when a driver rammed his van through crowds on the busy Las Ramblas boulevard, before fleeing on foot.
Police said they shot dead five “suspected terrorists” who had knocked pedestrians down in the Catalan seaside resort of Cambrils in a second attack in the early hours of Friday, and arrested four others as Spain reeled from the deadly violence.
Details of the investigation were still sketchy, but police said the Barcelona suspect driver may have been among the five killed.
And according to the daily La Vanguardia newspaper in Barcelona, officers were still on the hunt for four other suspects thought to be involved with the cell that devised the terror project claimed by the Islamic State group.
– Bigger plans – In what has been a complex, fast-moving investigation, police revealed Friday afternoon that the suspects had apparently been planning something bigger.
“They were preparing one or several attacks in Barcelona, and an explosion in Alcanar stopped this as they no longer had the material they needed to commit attacks of an even bigger scope,” said Josep Lluis Trapero of Catalonia’s police.
He was referring to a blast in a house in the town of Alcanar Wednesday evening, which police said killed one person.
Initially treated as a random gas blast, police later linked it to the Barcelona assault, believing occupants of the house were preparing an explosive device inside and slipped up.
Trapero said that after this, the suspects allegedly quickly went on to commit “more rudimentary” attacks. These involved the vehicles ploughing into pedestrians in Barcelona and Cambrils.
The Cambrils suspects had an axe and knives in the car as well as fake explosive belts stuck to their bodies, said police.
– High ‘level of coordination’ – Both Spanish attacks followed the same modus operandi.
Drivers deliberately targeted pedestrians with their vehicles, the latest in a series of such assaults in Europe, where cars and vans have been used to lethal effect.
The Mediterranean resort of Nice in France was particularly hard hit on July 14, 2016, when a man rammed a truck into a crowd, killing 86 people.
But Otso Iho of Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre said the Spanish assaults, which stretched out over two different cities, appeared to be “a much higher level of coordination than has been typically present in previous attacks.”
It is also believed to be the first time IS has claimed an attack in Spain.
In a poignant moment Friday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, King Felipe VI and the president of Catalonia — where both attacks took place — held a minute of silence in Barcelona. It was followed by the crowd applauding and shouting “not afraid”.
– Relatives separated – Details started to emerge Friday on the identity of victims, as did tragic stories of families ripped apart.
Witnesses in Barcelona described how the van pushed through the crowd, leaving bodies strewn along the boulevard as people fled for their lives, screaming in panic.
“We were on the city tour bus, we were 20 feet from the accident when it happened,” said Alex Luque, a 19-year-old student from New York.
“We heard the van and the impact with people and then we saw people running.”
Then just eight hours later attackers struck in the early hours of Friday in the seaside resort of Cambrils. An Audi A3 car rammed into pedestrians, injuring six civilians and a police officer. One civilian, a woman, later died of her injuries.
The police shot dead the five attackers. They also said they had arrested four suspects — three Moroccans and a Spaniard.
There were some three dozen nationalities among the dead and injured, from countries including Algeria, Australia, China, France, Ireland, Peru and Venezuela, according to Spain’s civil protection agency.
Among the dead were at least two Italians, a 74-year-old Portuguese woman, and an American, officials from their countries said.
Families posted messages on Facebook looking for lost relatives including one heartbreaking appeal for a missing seven-year-old boy, Julian Alessandro Cadman.
– Europe’s deadliest attack – Spain, the world’s third most popular tourism destination, had until now been spared in the recent wave of extremist attacks that have rocked nearby France, Belgium and Germany.
It had even seen a surge in tourists as visitors fled other restive sunshine destinations like Tunisia and Egypt.
But it is nevertheless no stranger to jihadist attacks.
In March 2004, it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest, when bombs on commuter trains in Madrid killed 191 people in an attack claimed by Al Qaeda-inspired extremists.
Spain has also had to deal with a decades-long campaign of violence waged by Basque separatist group ETA, which only declared a ceasefire in 2011.
U.S. President Donald Trump has fired his chief strategist, Stephen Bannon in the latest high-level White House shake-up.
Bannon, a force behind some of Trump's most contentious policies, including a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority nations, was a powerful and controversial figure known for far-right political views.
On July 28, Trump replaced his beleaguered White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, installing retired General John Kelly in his place in a major shake-up of his top team.
Trump then ousted White House communications chief Anthony Scaramucci on July 31 over an obscene tirade just 10 days after the president named him to the post.
Scaramucci's hiring had prompted Sean Spicer, a Priebus ally, to abruptly resign as press secretary.
Trump, seven months into his term in office, has become increasingly isolated over his comments following white supremacist violence in the Virginia college town of Charlottesville last Saturday.
As Trump came under fire from prominent fellow Republicans, business leaders and U.S. allies abroad, he faced mounting calls for Bannon's ouster.
"White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement on Friday. "We are grateful for his service and wish him the best."
A champion of economic nationalism and a political provocateur, Bannon, 63, is a former U.S. Navy officer, Goldman Sachs investment banker and Hollywood movie producer.
Critics have accused Bannon of harbouring anti-Semitic and white nationalist sentiments. Democrats welcomed Bannon's departure.
"There is one less white supremacist in the White House, but that doesn't change the man sitting behind the Resolute desk," Democratic National Committee spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement, referring to Trump's Oval Office desk.
"Donald Trump has spent decades fueling hate in communities, including his recent attempts to divide our country and give a voice to white supremacists."
Bannon had been in a precarious position before but Trump opted to keep him, in part because his chief strategist played a major role in his 2016 election victory and was backed by many of the president's most loyal rank-and-file supporters.
The decision to fire Bannon could undermine Trump's support among far-right voters but might ease tensions within the White House and with party leaders.
Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress but have been unable to pass major legislative goals including a healthcare legislation overhaul because of fierce intra-party divisions.
Trump fired Bannon from the White House post one year and one day after he hired the firebrand to head his presidential campaign.
Trump ran into trouble in recent days after saying anti-racist demonstrators in Charlottesville were as responsible for the violence as the neo-Nazis and white supremacists who instigated the protests.
Those remarks sparked rebukes from fellow Republicans, top corporate executives and some close allies even as some supporters, including Vice President Mike Pence, stood by Trump.
Spain’s La Liga returns on Friday under the shadow of terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils that left 14 killed and more than a hundred injured.
The league’s authorities still plan for all 10 La Liga fixtures to take place, including Barcelona’s match at home to Real Betis on Sunday. Policemen accompany clients of a store outside a cordoned off off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, killing 13 persons and injuring over 80 on the Rambla in Barcelona on August 17, 2017. A driver deliberately rammed a van into a crowd on Barcelona’s most popular street on August 17, 2017 killing at least 13 people before fleeing to a nearby bar, police said. Officers in Spain’s second-largest city said the ramming on Las Ramblas was a “terrorist attack”. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE All games across the top two divisions will be preceded by a minute’s silence.
“LaLiga has asked the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) to hold a minute’s silence in all matches of the first day of the competition,” La Liga said in a statement.
Barca’s players held a minute’s silence before training on Friday, whilst the club published a picture of the players and coaching staff with the hashtag “TotsSomBarcelona” (“We are all Barcelona”) on its social media channels.
“As a mark of respect, the flags will fly at half-mast at the club's facilities and the players from both teams will wear black armbands in all the club’s matches this weekend,” Barca added in a statement.
The club also said that players will wear shirts with ‘Barcelona’ replacing individual names on the back for Sunday’s game at the club’s 99,354-capacity Camp Nou home.
“The players of the first team will wear ‘Barcelona’ instead of their own name on the jerseys for the match,” said the club in a statement.
“This jersey will also carry the hashtag #TotsSomBarcelona (in Catalan) on the front.”
Barcelona’s other top flight side Espanyol are away to Sevilla on Saturday.
“With our hearts still shrinking to see Barcelona, our beloved Barcelona, attacked vilely by terror and hate, we want to show our solidarity with all the people affected as well as to thank enormously all the support received by both the city and our club,” Espanyol said in a statement.
The league’s biggest stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those to lead tributes to the victims as the shocking events of Friday unfolded.
“I want to send my condolences and all my support to the families and friends of the victims of the terrible attack in our beloved Barcelona, in addition to totally rejecting any act of violence,” Barca forward Messi, wrote on Instagram.
“We are not going to give up, there are many more of us who want to live in a world in peace, without hate and where respect and tolerance are the basis of coexistence.”
Ronaldo and his Real Madrid teammates also showed their solidarity with Barcelona as the two clubs’ fierce rivalry was forgotten at a tragic time.
“Dismayed at the news coming from Barcelona. All the support and solidarity (to) the family and friends of the victims,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter.
That mood was reflected on the front pages of Spain’s sport newspapers on Friday.
“Today we can’t talk about sport,” splashed Madrid-based Marca.
Taking a line from Barca’s club anthem, Barcelona-based Sport’s headline ran “Tots units fem força” (together we are stronger).
The first league matches of the season take place on Friday night when Leganes welcome Alaves in Madrid before Valencia host Las Palmas.
Newly-promoted Girona host Atletico Madrid in the first game in Catalonia since the attacks, just over 50 miles north-east of Barcelona on Saturday.
“The most important thing is what happened yesterday,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said on Friday.
“Unfortunately it was a very hard day for everyone.
“I express my solidarity, sadness and encourage all those that want to live in peace.”
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Leganes v Alaves (1815), Valencia v Las Palmas (2015)
Saturday
Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1615), Girona v Atletico Madrid (1815), Sevilla v Espanyol (2015)
Sunday
Athletic Bilbao v Getafe (1615), Barcelona v Real Betis (1815), Deportivo la Coruna v Real Madrid (2015)
Monday
Levante v Villarreal (1815), Malaga v Eibar (2000)
The 106 Nigerian schoolgirls no longer in captivity by Boko Haram jihadists fighting against western-style education will all go to university from September, the country’s minister for women’s affairs said Friday.
One of the girls required a prosthetic leg following her ordeal, several needed surgery for injuries and four babies have been born as a result of their detention, Aisha Alhassan said in a statement.WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER, PARENTS AND FREED CHIBOK SCH GIRLS MEETS AGAIN 00A&B. Minister mof Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan dance with Cross Section of the girls and praising God during the second meeting of Parents and Freed 106 Chiboks Girls as they prepare to enter high school for their remedial studies in September 2017. The Meeting took place at the A Class Garden in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE. July 22, 2017
The Islamist militants seized 276 schoolgirls from the remote northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014, triggering global condemnation and drawing attention to the bloody Boko Haram insurgency.
Former US first lady Michelle Obama led a worldwide social media campaign under the banner #BringBackOurGirls to raise awareness of the group’s plight.
All 106 girls who either escaped or were released or rescued from their captors “will be resuming school at the American University of Nigeria foundation school in September 2017,” said Alhassan.
Twenty-four girls who had managed to escape were already studying courses at the institution and will be joined by the rest of their freed classmates in the new school year.
The freed girls, who are all in good health, have received extensive trauma counselling since regaining their freedom.
“Previously frequent incidents of flashbacks, insomnia and nightmares have now been successfully brought under control,” said Alhassan.
“The girls have become survivors and heroes in their own right.”
In their quest to create a hardline Islamist state, Boko Haram, whose name roughly translated from Hausa means “Western education is sin”, has waged a relentless campaign against education in northeast Nigeria.
Along with attacks on schools, thousands of women and young girls have been abducted during the eight-year insurgency, which has left at least 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 2.6 million.
A 34-year old man, Ayodeji Babalola, on Friday appeared in Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating the Oba of Lagos.
The accused, whose address is unknown is facing a four-count charge, bordering on false representation, stealing, fraudulently obtaining money and intent to defraud.
The prosecutor, Insp. Oladele Adebayo, told the court that the accused committed the offence June at No. 2, Ogunkoya St., Ekutu, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
He said the accused presented himself as Oba Babatunde Rilwan Akiolu to one Ajoke Moriselade under the pretext to defraud the complainant.
The prosecutor said the accused claimed he was ready to give his slot at the proposed Lekki Airport investment to her.
Adebayo also told the court that the accused dishonestly demanded the sum of N15 million from Moriselade for the procurement of the said slot.
According to the prosecutor,the offences contravene Sections 312, 380(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges while the Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Salawu, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million and two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned hearing in the case to Sept. 20.
Ilorin – The Kwara Government has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Mr Atolagbe Alege, made the confirmation at a news briefing in Ilorin on Friday. Lassa Fever
Alege said that out of the five samples taken to the Virology Research Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), one sample was confirmed positive for Lassa Fever.
The commissioner said the sample was taken from Babanla Primary Health Care Centre in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the specimen belonged to a 10 year-old boy.
The commissioner, however, said that in Oro-Ago axis, all the four samples taken tested negative.
He said that a medical team from the State Department of Public Health was being deployed to Babanla immediately to monitor the situation.
Alege said the team would isolate the victim and commence contact tracing for possible treatment and quarantine, where necessary.
The commissioner also said isolation centres would be created at the General Hospital in Omu-Aran and Oro Ago.
He further said that the information had been promptly communicated to the National Centre for Diseases Control which had been working with the state to nip the disease in the bud.
Alege appealed to members of the Babanla community not to panic as the government was on top of the situation to prevent further outbreak.
The commissioner urged residents of the state to take personal hygiene seriously and keep their environment tidy at all times. (NAN) FATY/DO/OJO
Abuja – Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment on Friday told Prof. Stephen Ocheni, the new Labour Minister of State, that the Ministry would rely on his experience to improve and deliver on its 2018 budget.R-L; Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrhaman Dambazau, Minister of Trade, Investment & Industry, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Labour and Employment., Senator Chris Ngige and Minister of State Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril as Acting President Yemi Osinbajo Presides over FEC Meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
A statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowokere, Deputy Director Press, noted that Ngige stated this during the assumption of office of the minister of state in Abuja.
Ngige, while welcoming the new minister, expressed excitement for the fact that the new minister is an accountant with various degrees in accounting.
"I am particularly pleased that you are an accountant and that will remove the load from me in the area of budgeting.
" You will take charge of the 2018 budgeting which we are about to start so that our budgeting system will improve, I made it better when I came, you can make it to become best.
"I am optimistic that by God's grace you will put in your best and uplift this Ministry and the Nigeria nation at large," he said.
The minister, however, noted that the ministry of Labour and Employment was one of the oldest Ministry in Nigeria dated back to 1927 as colonial department.
He also said that the ministry was a challenged one that had been manned by prominent Nigerians in the past.
"It is our pleasure to welcome the new Minister of State into our fold, your deployment as Minister of State Labour and Employment give credence to your credibility as a renowned academia and astute bureaucrat.
Responding, Ocheni expressed his commitment to bring his knowledge and experience to bear in the discharge of his responsibilities towards the attainment of the objective of the ministry and the change agenda of Mr President.
"At this particular time, I want to assure you all that I will do my best using my knowledge and experience to contribute my quota to the attainment of the objective of this ministry.
"I am not a unionist but an advocate of peace and harmony.
" But it is important to achieve a peaceful industrial climate without which the goal of the ministry and that of the present administration cannot be achieved," he said.
Ocheni also said Ministry of Labour and Employment was the epicentre of peace in the workforce of this country.
"Therefore, there is need for all hands to be on deck for the achievements of its mandate so that at the end of the day it will be able to improve on the overall productivity of the country.
"That is why Improved productivity is pivotal to the Change Agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
"If we are able to achieve this desired goal then we will be able to contribute and enhance the Gross Domestic Product of this country.
"By so doing we are also contributing to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government."
Ocheni called on all the staff of the ministry to put in their best to ensure that the ministry realise its mandate.
On his part, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Omoniyi Fagbemi assured the minister of state of the support and collaboration of all staff, toward delivering on the mandate of the ministry. (NAN)
Two people were killed and six were injured in a stabbing spree in the Finnish city of Turku on Friday, police said, after officers shot one suspect and warned several others could still be at large.
“There are eight victims in the stabbing. Two dead and six injured,” Turku police tweeted after the assault in a market square.
Police shot one suspect in the legs and arrested him. Security forces wrote on Twitter that police were “looking for other possible perpetrators”.
“They ask the population to leave and avoid central Turku,” the tweet added.
The motive of the suspect or suspects was not immediately known.
The stabbing spree comes with Europe on high alert a day after drivers slammed vehicles into pedestrians in two attacks in Spain, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 100 others. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack.
In Turku, images of a body covered in a white blanket at the scene of the stabbing was published on some online news sites, including the local daily Turun Sanomat.
The attack took place in the heart of the port city in southwestern Finland, just after 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) in a bustling neighbourhood.
“I saw an old woman, I tried to help her. She was bleeding all over her body,” Wali Hashi, who witnessed the attack, told AFP.
“She was wounded to her neck with the knife… I took her aside.”
Another witness, who did not want to give his name, told public television YLE: “A young woman screamed really loudly at one corner of the square. We saw a man on the square, with a knife in his hand and he was waving it.”
Central Turku — located about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from the capital Helsinki — was swiftly cordoned off and stores and restaurants closed.
Police also tweeted that they had raised their emergency readiness nationwide, increasing security at airports and train stations.
“The number of patrols is being increased, information gathering is intensified,” they wrote.
– Threat level raised – Prime Minister Juha Sipila tweeted that his government was “following the situation in Turku closely and the police operation underway.”
Police have refused to comment on whether the stabbing may have been terrorism-related.
In June, Finland’s intelligence and security agency Supo raised the country’s terror threat level by a notch, from “low” to “elevated”, the second notch on a new four-tier scale.
“Supo has become aware of more serious terrorism-related projects and plans in Finland,” it said.
“Foreign terrorist fighters (who have) left from Finland have gained significant positions within IS in particular and have an extensive network of relations in the organisation,” it said in its June assessment.
In 2012, Finland’s then-prime minister Jyrki Katainen escaped a knife attack in Turku while campaigning for municipal elections.
The man who approached him carrying a knife was found to be psychologically disturbed and no charges were brought against him.
In late 2016, a local politician and two journalists were shot dead in a Finnish town close to the Russian border, illustrating Finland’s struggles to combat gun crime.
Police had quickly arrested a man singled out by witnesses as the killer.
A former capital of Finland, Turku remains a hub for business and culture.
An official of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says the country cannot export honey because it produces less than three per cent of its current needs.
Dr Gideon Mshelbwala, a Director in the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services of the ministry, made the statement in Abuja on Friday on the occasion of the 2017 National Honey Bee Day.
The theme for the celebration is "For a Natural High: Smoke Bees''.
Represented by Mrs Dooshima Kioage, Deputy Director in the department, Mshelbwala said the country had large natural land resources with varied vegetation that could be great potential for beekeeping.
"With an estimated population of about 186 million, fallen oil prices, an import driven economy and insecurity, there is a huge deficit of food required to feed the populace.
"Nigeria currently produces about 15,000 tonnes of honey and 2,500 tonnes of bee wax annually, less than three per cent of her potential 800,000 and 70,000 tonnes respectively.
"This is also the case with other agricultural commodities.
"The upside of the situation is that Nigeria has resources that, if assiduously harnessed, can scale up food production for internal consumption, improved livelihoods and export for foreign exchange earnings,'' he said.
Ironically, the Federation of Bee keepers Association of Nigeria say that the country is set to start exporting bees by 2018.
Dr Bidemi Ojeleye, National President of the Federation said that an European Union team had visited Nigeria for training and guidelines on the residue monitoring plans for bee export.
Ojeleye, who is also Director, Centre for Bee Research and Development, Ibadan, spoke on the side line of the celebration to mark the "Honey Bee Day'' in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria is working towards being listed among the EU bee exporting countries.
"For a trade in bees within the European Union, the general conditions that apply to 'other' live animals apply as the conditions are laid down in the EU Council Directive,'' he said.
Ojeleye said that Nigeria was blessed with clean organic honey which was globally ranked amongst the best in the world.
He said that the Federal Government has made available bee keeping equipment to interested youths at subsidised rates to popularise its production among young people.
According to him, the Federation of Bee keepers also hosted free training on bee production for interested youths across the country.
He said in addition to making honey, bees also pollinated all sorts of fruits, wild plants and vegetables.
"Bee products are used as raw materials for production of medicine, cosmetics and lost wax casting.
"Beekeeping generates income without destroying the habitat, while bees do not compete with any other livestock for food,'' he said.
Ojeleye said that the Federation coordinates all bees' activities and organisations in Nigeria and enlightens the public on the benefits of bee keeping.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 per cent of food worldwide, 71 are pollinated by bees.
World Honey Bee Day, previously known as Honey Bee Awareness Day, was an initiative of beekeepers in the USA who petitioned the government in 2009 for an official day to honour honey bees and beekeeping.
Abuja – The Federal Government on Friday said the recently freed 106 Chibok girls were not living in solitary confinement.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, said this while briefing newsmen on the update on the recovery of the released girls in Abuja.
Alhassan said that the girls were ready to be integrated back to the society ahead of the school academic session commencing in September.
She said the girls had to be properly observed by medical experts, adding that so far there are no traits of abnormalities in them.
"Like every other young Nigerian girl, the need to make up for educational loss suffered on account of their prolonged isolation while in captivity had been of paramount concern to this government.
"To date, education and livelihood opportunities of the Chibok girls since their return have been enhanced through remedial and tutorial engagement as well as vocational skills training.
"This would not only make them academically sound but also independent," the minister said.
She also announced plans to kit them as they resume formal education in order to place the girls on a path to a lifetime of successful and productive living.
"To aid their recovery, recreational activities and reunion with family have been the key tools used to support the girls.
"They have had interface with their communities and spent Christmas holiday in Chibok. This was gratifying experience for both the girls and the families," Alhassan said.
The minister said rather than suffer any form of stigma the girls had become survivors and heroes in their own right.
She said the government was in partnership with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) and other development partners, along with some private companies and Victims Support Fund to restore their dignity.
The minister said the partnership would be supporting the girls for their foundation course in September.
Alhassan said the choice of AUN was inspired by the resounding success recorded by the institution's new foundation school initiative in grooming the 24 girls who initially escaped from captivity.
She said the case of the 24 Chibok girls had challenged the commitment and strategy of government with regards to the education of the 106 girls.
"It is time for them to get and enjoy the best. I am delighted that all the 106 girls will be resuming school at AUN foundation school in September," Alhassan said.
However, the minister appealed to the public and media to avoid requests for the girls to recount theirs stories and experiences in order not to reopen wounds and trigger a relapse in their journey of recovery. (NAN)
Abuja – Mr Han Sungrae, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre says 20 young Nigerian have graduated from the 2017 Korean Pop (K-Pop) Dance Academy after six weeks of training and coaching. K-Pop Dance Academy graduates with coach, Miss Yu Hye Jin (Middle)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the academy is organised by the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sungrae said that the academy had inculcated into the graduates K-Pop dancing skills which would help them compete at the world stage during K-pop Dance Competition.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, he said that the competition has as its theme: Pyeonchang Winter Olympic Games, and is scheduled to hold in Korea between Feb. 9 and Feb. 27, 2018 in Gangwon Province, South Korea.
"During the course, two K-Pop experts from Korea trained students on different K-pop-dance basis and routine. They took part in the classes which lasted for six weeks. "This year's K-Pop Academy in Nigeria serves to also promote awareness for the winter games slated for next year.
"Pyeonchang will be the stage for the opening and closing ceremonies and most snow sports and athletes will compete in 102 events in 15 sport disciplines.
"The games will be the first ever Olympic Winter Games with over 100 Gold Medals,'' Sungrae said.
The KKC director said new events to be added in the Games are KCC Dance Academy, Snowball Big Air, Speed Skating Mass Start, Curling Mix Doubles, Alpine Skiing Team event and others.
He praised the young Nigerians for their commitment and dedication to leaning the dance and called on other youths to enroll in the next academic year. (NAN)
Ibadan – The Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Law has recommended that 11 High Chiefs and 21 Baales be given beaded crowns.
The recommendation was contained in a report submitted by the commission to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi on Friday at the Governor's Office in Ibadan.
The governor had on May 19 inaugurated the commission of enquiry headed by retired Justice Akintunde Boade.
Boade, while presenting the report, stated that the commission gave preference to the 11 high chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council while considering applications for beaded crowns.
He stated that the commission, having considered the merit, also recommended 21 Baales to wear beaded crown.
"We received a total of 91 out of 106 memoranda on the wearing of beaded crowns and 84 memoranda were considered based on their merit.
"Seven were struck out from the 91, out of which two were irrelevant to the terms of reference and five were not supported by oral evidence," he said.
He, however, emphasised that the Olubadan of Ibadanland remained the only paramount ruler in Ibadanland.
Boade stated that a total of 120 memoranda on various issues were also received while 106 were considered by the commission.
" Three of the memoranda were struck out for being irrelevant to the terms of reference and nine were not supported by oral evidence.
"The representatives of two of the people who submitted memoranda appeared before the commission and asked for adjournments and did not come back till the end of the public hearing,'' he said.
He added that none the memoranda received was against the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
Ajimobi, in his remarks, said that the commission was set up based on requests for review from members of the Olubadan-in-Council, members of the Ibadan Elders Council, associations and prominent Ibadan indigenes.
The governor said the review was necessary to enhance the chieftaincy system and to bring it in line with what operated across Yoruba states.
"There is need for us to change with the changing times as tradition and culture change with time.
"By the implementation of these recommendations, we are democratising chieftaincy and expanding the rulership system,'' he said.
Ajimobi commended the commission members for the job done, assuring them that the recommendations would be implemented.
He stated that all the former governors had embarked on the review of the chieftaincy declaration without implementing the recommendations.
The governor said his administration was, however, committed to the restoration, transformation and repositioning of the state.
The event was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, top government functionaries as well as prominent Ibadan indigenes.(NAN)
Minna – A woman, Fati Mohammed, on Friday appeared before a Minna Magistrates' Court, charged with calling her former mother-in-law, Fati Aliyu, a witch.
The accused was arraigned in court following a direct criminal complaint filed by Aliyu.
Aliyu alleged that Mohammed called her a witch after demanding that she returned the five-year-old child she had for her former husband to her.
According to the boy's grandmother, the child had been on vacation with his mother.
But when she requested her to return him after the holiday, the mother called her a witch.
She prayed the court to order the accused to pay her N2million in damages for defamation as well as order her to return her grandson who was put under her care.
The accused, however, denied the charge preferred against her by the complainant.
The presiding judge, Hassan Mohammed, advised the parties to give peace a chance and settle their differences amicably.
Hassan adjourned the case till Aug. 31 for further mention. (NAN)
Abuja – Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, has charged the media in Nigeria to continue to play their role as watchdog of society for the strengthening of democracy.
Ganduje gave the charge at a meeting with the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.Ganduje
He said that the media had the responsibility of setting agenda and upholding virtues of good governance and transparency.
According to the governor, such has been the worthy contribution of the media to the nation since independence.
"When you partner the media as a leader, the society as a whole benefits and your laudable achievements are showcased for posterity.
"NAN is now a multi-media outfit that the state wants to partner with. That partnership is a win-win one, because our achievement will reach far and wide on different platforms of communication," he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga, had said that Kano state had set a record of being a pioneer in establishing an anti-corruption agency, apart from that of the Federal Government.
He said that such was an indication of the priority that the Ganduje administration placed on good governance, transparency and probity.
"I will like to commend you for putting in place an anti-corruption agency. The action was in solidarity with the central government to rid the society of the evil that has dwindled development for many years.
"The News Agency of Nigeria will identify with you and any other state that strives to put in place people-oriented policies and programmes like you have done in Kano state," Onanuga said.
The Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Malam Yusuf Zango; Managing Editor, Mr Idris Abdulrahman; Mr Mohammed Momoh, Special Assistant (Special Duties) accompanied Onanuga to the meeting.
Others in the entourage were Head of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Ibrahim Khaleil and Mr Biola Lawal, Acting Director, Marketing. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received in audience the General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare. Adeboye at the Abuja House London.
President Buhari receives in audience General Overseer Worldwide Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor E.A. Adeboye at the Abuja House London on 18th Aug 2017
President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Pastor Adeboye for visiting him sayinging on his twitter handle ‘thank Pastor Adeboye for visiting today, and for his prayers and good wishes. May God continue to bless him and his work’
Also yesterday the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, were in London to see President Muhammadu Buhari who has spent more than 100 days in London on medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
A statement signed by the speaker's Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, quoted Dogara's Twitter handle @Yakubdogara as saying that Buhari was doing well.
It added that the speaker, who visited the President with the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki at the Abuja House in London, also urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the safe return of the President.
"Today we visited His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. I am glad that he is doing well.
"His health has improved tremendously. I urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and offer thanks to God for answered prayers and for the safe return of Mr President."
Also the Senate President Bukola Saraki said he "confidently looks forward" to President Muhammadu Buhari's "imminent return home".
In series of tweets on Thursday night after meeting Buhari in London, along with Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Saraki reported his impressions of the president's health and gushed over his remarkable recovery.
"We must give thanks to God for this highly welcomed recovery. It is clear that Mr. President's insistence on following his doctors' advice has yielded the desired results", he tweeted.
"Mr. President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent.
The visit by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Dogara and Saraki was the latest by prominent Nigerians.
President Buhari on Saturday at the Abuja House in London had received members of his media team, where he reassured them that there was tremendous improvement in his health.
The presidential media team was led by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, accompanied by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
Other members of the team on the trip included Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters.
Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo led the stream of visitors.
He was followed by state governors and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC)..
During the visits, President Buhari sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would return home soon
ADO-EKITI- Ekiti Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has faulted the categorisation of hate speeches as act of terrorism, by the federal government, saying, "this appears as another plot to silence the opposition and I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech."
The governor, who accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speeches in the country, noted that; "When the APC was looking for power, several provocative statements were made. Nigerians are yet to forget President Muhammadu Buhari's 'the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood' hate speeches and the threat by the APC to form a parallel government."
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Friday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, who said he was totally against hate speech and will support any effort to curb it, added that it was important to caution the federal government on the danger inherent in the blanket categorisation of hate speech as treasonable.
He said "even if the APC government is sincere with its new found hatred for hate speeches, the APC government must first apologise to Nigerians for being the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speech."
The governor counselled that rather than blanket criminalising of hate speeches, the federal government should embark on reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths on the consequences of hate speeches to the unity of the country and restore the confidence of the people in the government.
The statement read; "I wish to express concern over the pronouncement of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that hate speech will henceforth be treated as terrorism.
"While I am totally against hate speech and will support any effort to curb it, it is important to caution the federal government on the danger inherent in the blanket categorisation of hate speech as treasonable.
"I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech.
"I only hope Nigeria is not being systematically returned to the colonial days when the law of sedition was used to jail many of those who fought for our independence or the era of Buhari's military regime when the notorious Public Officers (Protection against False accusation) Decree 4 of 1984 was used to jailTunde Thompson and NdukaIrabor, both of The Guardian newspapers for publishing what the government termed as false.
"Most importantly, going by the APC government's use of the so-called anti-corruption fight to harass, intimidate, arrest and detain opposition figures, there is no doubt that categorising whatever that is termed as hate speech as act of terrorism is unconstitutional and an attempt to gag Nigerians, especially the press.
"It should therefore not be seen that since the use of corruption to harass, arrest and detain opposition figures is no longer fashionable, hate speech will now be another instrument of oppression to be used against opposition.
"The questions that must be answered by the federal government are; what constitutes hate speech andwho determines it? Has the Presidency becomes law unto itself such that it is now the one to determine what is an offense and what punishment to be applied?
"From all intent and purposes, the Acting President pronouncement which is obviously not backed by any legislation is an attempt to provide reasons for an impending clampdown on opposition and Nigerians will resist any attempt to mortgage their fundamental rights to freedom of expression under the guise of hate speeches.
"When the APC was looking for power, several provocative statements were made. Nigerians are yet to forget President Buhari's "the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood" hate speeches and the threat by the APC to form a parallel government.
"What can be more treasonable than these statements made by President Buhari and his party?
"It is also on record that during the 2011 election campaign, President Buhari's inciting statement led to widespread violence by his supporters in the North after he lost. Over 1000 people were slaughtered in cold blood, including innocent National Youth Service Corp members.
"Therefore, even if the APC government is sincere with its new found hatred for hate speeches, the APC government must first apologise to Nigerians for being the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speech.
"Also, rather than this blanket criminalising of hate speeches, the federal government should embark on reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths on the consequences of hate speeches to the unity of the country while the confidence of the people in the government (at all levels) must be restored."
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Friday, met with the leadership of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, over the boycott order given by IPOB on Anambra election. Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with leadership of Ala Igbo Development Foundation in Owerri
The meeting was held in Owerri, capital of Imo state.
According IPOB leader, he decided to honour the invitation because of his respect for Igbo elders and that his struggle for the republic of Biafra was based on justice.
Kanu briefly said: “I came because of my respect for elders. IPOB is not a violent group. We are law abiding citizens of the society.
“What we here today will guide us in the issue of Anambra election. I will go and meet with the leadership of IPOB.”
In his speech, the President of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, Professor Uzodimma Nwala, said that it was the first meeting with the IPOB leader on the boycott order on Anambra guber.
Nwala said: “As you see in our midst, you see our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we have come to discuss the issue of mutual concern, especially on Anambra election. We are happy he is here with us.
“As we know the IPOB decision on boycott of election and you know that IPOB is an orgarnised group and the agitations born out of marginalization of the Igbo.
“We are glad he has explained to us the reason they issued the boycott order and that it is not his personal decision but that of the IPOB leadership. We are meeting for the first time and will still meet again. No decision has been taken.”
From left, President Ala Igbo Development Foundation, Prof. Uzodimma Iwuala, IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu and Dozie Ikedife, yesterday in a meeting in Owerri.
The late retired Supreme Court Justice, Andrews Otutu Obaseki, was on Friday laid to rest at his home in Benin City, as leaders from across the country extolled the virtues of the astute jurist.
The funeral service for the late Justice was held at St. Peters Anglican Church in Benin City, Edo State.Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the reception organised in honour of the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki in Benin City,on Friday.
The mass followed the Service of Songs also held in his honour on Thursday evening at his residence in Benin City, where Venerable, Osaro Igbinosa, the Vicar of St Peters Anglican Church, described late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki as an astute and seasoned Justice who was fair in his dealings. "Papa was a compassionate man and the rallying point for the Obaseki family."
Dignitaries present at the event included the Governor of Edo State and nephew of the deceased, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kadiri Adjoto; and the President of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mr. Amaju Pinnick. Others were the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie; Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Honourable Commissioners in the state and other top government functionaries.
Delivering his sermon at the Funeral Service on Friday, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Benin, Rev. Peter Imasuen, said everyone would one day give an account of their stewardship to the Almighty God. He said death was no respecter of persons as both the rich and poor would die one day, and urged the people to live in a way that will affect the society positively.
Reading from the Bible Book of Psalms, Chapter 23, Verses 3 and 4, the Bishop said those who would make heaven are those with clean hearts and not those who swear deceitfully, saying God will judge everyone according to their works on earth.
Governor of Edo State and nephew of the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was grateful to his late uncle for helping to preserve their family values like humility, fairness, hard work, honesty, uprightness, education and discipline.
The governor said his uncle stood for education and announced that the Obaseki family had decided to institute a scholarship scheme for ten members of St Peters Anglican Church, the church the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki attended while he was alive.
He said five of the scholarships would be given to outstanding indigent students in any secondary school in Edo State, two for students training to become teachers, one for a Priest undergoing training and two for students studying law. R-L: Eldest Son of the Late Justice Obaseki, Mr. Edosa Obaseki; eldest great grand son of the late justice, Ajani, Mrs. Berverly Obaseki,Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ikponmwosa Obaseki; Pa George Obaseki; First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Honorable Justice Osato Obaseki-Osaghae and Mr. Bob Osaghae at the funeral service of the late retired Supreme Court Justice in Benin City on Friday. Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said the late Justice was a judge who in his time delivered justice in its purest form.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who also graced the service, described him as a great leader and a legal icon who gave his all to the legal profession.
Other dignitaries at the funeral service were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Senator Francis Alimikhena; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Hon. Achuba Simon, amongst others.
The Akwa Ibom Government has declared a one-day fast on Sept. 1, as part of activities marking the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the state. Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State Akwa Ibom was created on Sept. 23, 1987 alongside Katsina State by the erstwhile administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The state-wide fasting was announced on Friday in Uyo by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh.
A statement issued by the commissioner explained that as Akwa Ibom would be celebrating its 30 years of creation, it was needful to seek the face of God and pray for His blessings.
Udoh said that the fasting would be led by the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and the theme would be "Shine, for thy light is come'' drawn from the Bible (Isaiah 60:1).
"This year's anniversary is epochal, considering that the age of 30 is a very significant time in God's scheme of things.
"The heaven was opened for Jesus at the age of 30 during his baptism and there he also received a divine endowment from the Father," Udoh said.
He noted that it was at the age of 30 that heaven was opened to Ezekiel and he was empowered to see great visions for the house of Israel.
The commissioner said that David was made King in Israel at 30, while Joseph also became a Prime Minister in Egypt at the age of 30.
He noted David's reign was glorious, spanning 40 years, while Joseph's position as prime minister saved the people of Israel from famine.
"As a people of a great state named after God, Akwa Ibomites, are hereby called upon to fast and pray on that day, beginning from 6:00 a.m.
"The fast will be rounded off at the Government House Banquet Hall grounds from 4:00 p.m.," Udoh said.
Justifying the call for fasting, a lady evangelist in the state, Mrs Glory Akpan, lauded the initiative of the government in seeking God's face at this period of recession in the country.
Akpan said that if Akwa Ibom people will forsake their sins and pray earnestly, God will surely bless the state and the entire nation.
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
By Godwin Oritse THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said that Nigeria is currently compliant to the International Ship and Port Security, ISPS, Code, following a renewed enforcement drive.
Disclosing this to Vanguard, Head of ISPS Unit of the NIMAS, Captain Green Egbodi, said that all Nigerian facilities that are compliant are also listed on the Global Integrated Safety Information System, GISIS.
Dakuku Peterside, Director General, NIMASA
Egbodi said the agency had to embark on a regular verification inspection exercise with a view to ensuring that facilities are kept in check. He also disclosed that there over 120 port facilities across the country with 44 in Lagos alone.
Similarly, the Head of ISPS Committee in NIMASA, Mr. Adebayo Olatoke, enjoined all port security officers to be abreast with Port Security Plan, PSP and Port Facility Security Assessment, PFSA, as this will make them to be alive to their responsibilities as first point of contact at their facility. Olatoke also warned that not being abreast with the PSP and PFSA could render them ineffective in times of security breaches and threats.
The port security expert opined that a secured port environment will lead to increased vessel calls and consequently lead to more businesses for the facilities. He noted that the compliance level has eliminated wharf rats, hawking and even touting within the ports' vicinity, adding that unlike in the past; one can now import goods and be sure that the goods will arrive intact without the usual dreadful experiences.
Yenagoa – President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, (NWF) , says six wrestlers are set to represent the country at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris. Wrestlers size each other during a bout.
Igali said in Yenagoa, on Thursday that the wrestlers consisted of four female and two male, to be accompanied by two coaches.
He said the championship is scheduled to hold between Aug. 20 and Aug. 26.
He expressed confidence that the team would perform well in the Championships, noting that the wrestlers are two times Africa Champions, Amas Daniel, 65kg and John Emmanuel, 70kg in the male category.
"Blessing Oborududu, 63kg, 2014 World Bronze medalist, Adekuroye Odunayo, 53kg, Africa champion; Mercy Genesis 48kg, and 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist, Aminat Adeniyi 58kg will represent Nigeria in the female category.
"The Coaches of the team are; female National head coach; Purity Akuh and 14 times African champion; Victor Kodei.
"Of course, the wrestlers are going to make Nigeria proud, we are targeting the first ever gold medal at the world championships.
"The team is in a very high spirit and I am optimistic that they will deliver," he said.
NAN recalls that the Nigeria National Wrestling Team had been training in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital for the past two weeks in preparation for the Championships. (NAN)
Madrid – At least 13 people were killed after a van ploughed into crowds in Barcelona's Las Ramblas avenue in the city centre on Thursday, Cadena Ser radio station reported, citing police sources.
Other media including El Pais said there were at least 10 dead. A police spokeswoman could not immediately confirm the number of casualties.
Madrid (dpa) – A van that ploughed through a crowded pedestrian street in Barcelona is being treated as a terrorist attack, police said Thursday, as local media reported that at least 12 people were feared dead.
Police said on Twitter that multiple people were dead and injured and the attack is being treated as a terrorist attack, police said.
Europe has been hit by a series of terrorist attacks using vehicles in the last two years, including deadly incidents in Nice and two in London.
Videos on social media showed a van travelling with its side door wide open at high speed down a pedestrian area of Barcelona's popular Las Ramblas district.
A police spokesman said that they were not exactly certain what happened.
Newspaper El Pais reported that two suspects in the incident had barricaded themselves in a nearby restaurant.
Authorities are warning people to stay clear of the area. (Reuters/NAN)
By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan – THE frosty relationship between lawmakers in the National Assembly and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, worsened Thursday as he said with their monthly take-home pay which remains the highest in the world, they can best be described as a bunch of "unarmed robbers"
Chief Obasanjo who was the chief host at a public presentation of a book, entitled: I am Kagara, I Weave the Sands of Sahara, held at University of Ibadan said though he knew the legislators would call him names for speaking out his mind once again, he vowed never to stop until they empathised with the poor people who he said were more than 75 per cent.
Opening Remarks by His Excellency The Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, San, Gcon, At The National Economic Council, NEC, National Security Retreat, at the Banquet Hall of The State House, Abuja, 17 August 2017:
I am delighted to welcome you to this special session of the National Economic Council, focusing on Security. As you're all aware, the Buhari administration came into office on a vision that covered three key areas: Security, the Economy and the fight against Corruption.
All three issues are closely linked, of course. Without guaranteeing security, we will struggle to attract the kind of investments, domestic or foreign, needed to create jobs and prosperity for our people. And when those jobs are hard to find and keep, our people will naturally be more susceptible to the lure of criminal activity. Which means that governments that are serious about fighting crime ought to be extremely serious about fighting poverty.
And I take the point that the Chairman of the Governors' forum made about investments in agriculture, although the N23 billion investment is one aspect of agriculture which is the Anchor Borrower's Programme. Our total investment is well over five times that. If you look at all the other areas in which we are investing in agriculture, and that excludes what the States are also investing in agriculture. So I think that substantial effort is being made, still not enough but certainly more than N23 billion.
Corruption and Security are also interconnected. We are all witnesses to how, only a few years ago, much of North Eastern Nigeria was at risk to falling completely into the hands of Boko Haram, largely because widespread corruption in the military had robbed our troops of the resources and morale needed to fight and defeat the terrorists.
Regarding this all-important issue of security in Nigeria, we all know what the issues are. In our lives as politicians and as elites; in our security meetings and confidential briefings, in news reports and editorials in the media, we are all daily confronted by the disturbing reality of Nigeria's security situation.
Now I think is the time to implement our thinking and our talking; to add action to our analysis. And this action must be bold, ambitious, urgent – and, and very importantly – innovative. It was Albert Einstein who said, and I quote, that "We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems in the first place."
This is a challenge to all of us, to confront these matters with utmost seriousness. Because the problems we face as a nation are not static, but instead continue to evolve, our thinking and our solutions for them must also be equally dynamic, to take into account the peculiar realities of the 21st century. I have spoken at a number of recent fora about how technology and the internet have altered the nature of conflict and war in contemporary times, enabling and amplifying the efforts and impact of terrorists, insurgents, warmongers, secessionists, and peddlers of hate speech.
Against this backdrop, the question we should be asking ourselves, as Governments, especially as Chief Security Officers in our States, as Law Enforcement Agents, is: how can we take advantage of these same tools and technology to stay permanently ahead of those who seek to wield them to create mischief, and cause terror, fear and bloodshed?
These are the conversations that we should be having, and at the highest levels of government no less. My expectation is that we will, at this forum, focus on solutions, instead of rehashing the problems.
But let me just reiterate an important fact, one of the reasons why the National Economic Council is so important is because the framers of our Constitution recognise that that the Federal Government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security or economic challenges. Security is a collective enterprise, requiring the harmonization of efforts from all three tiers and branches of Government, and from the private sector, civil society and indeed the general public as well.
Yesterday, we took an important step in incorporating all of our society into this security issue and into the fight against insecurity in our country. Pursuant to our Constitution, I issued a directive to the Inspector General of Police to constitute the Community Policing Programme. As you know the Community Policing Programme is one that the Police itself had developed over the years.
But by this directive, we expect that the community Policing Programme will take root and take effect and all of our Police formations across the country will engage their communities in the very creative ways the Police themselves have prescribed in the Community Policing programme.
We expect that this will be a fundamental change in the way that policing is carried out in our country and that it will yield the kinds of results that we expect.
The Buhari administration has already set a pattern of engagement and collaboration with Governors, and we are committed to maintaining this atmosphere of frank engagement.
You are aware that this was not always the case; and prior to this administration, the National Economic Council had not exactly fulfilled its obligations as an economic council because of the unending series of conflicts between the Federal and State Governments over very many issues.
But we are determined to do things the right way, to be transparent in our dealings with you, to respect your views, regardless of partisan or ideological affiliations, and to join hands with you to create positive change in the lives of all our people.
Please permit me a comment on hate speech. The Federal Government has today drawn the line on hate speech. Hate speech is a specie of terrorism. Terrorism as it is defined popularly is the unlawful use of violence or intimidation against individuals or groups especially for political ends. The law, that is the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended), defines terrorism as inter Alia, an act which deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm or damage a country or seriously intimidate a population.
The intimidation of a population by words, by speech is an act of terrorism and this government intends to take this matter very seriously. As I have said, we've drawn a line against hate speech, it will not be tolerated, it will be taken as an act of terrorism and all of the consequences will follow it.
I call on all business, religious and political leaders, whatever your political leaning, your religion or tribe or faith to condemn in the strongest possible terms at all times, hate speech.
Speech that promotes violence against an individual or group, especially when such comes from people of your own faith, tribe or group, your silence in such situations can only be seen as an endorsement.
Hate speech, and the promotion of the same throughout history from Nazi Germany and the extermination of Jews to the Rwandan genocide succeeded in achieving their barbarous ends by the silence of influential, voices from the aggressor communities.
When leaders in communities that speak in such a manner as to create dissension or to intimidate a population are quiet, they do a great disservice to our unity and nation.
This is why I urge all of our political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders and all of those who truly want a united country and a country where there will be peace and security, to ensure that we do not tolerate by our silence the hate speech that we hear every day in our community.
In closing, let me remind you that our Constitution states that the primary purpose of government shall be the security and welfare of the people. And as President Buhari likes to say: "you cannot administer a country you have not secured."
We will not relent in our vision to ensure a secure country, in which all citizens can confidently aspire to achieve their dreams and ambitions. I am confident that today will mark an important milestone in the achieving that vision.
The Department of State Services, DSS, Thursday, allegedly bared its fangs when it attempted to arrest bestselling author and former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri who is equally the author of the Amazon #1bestselling book, Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Vanguard has learnt.
His distributor who confirmed the development to Vanguard through electronic mail said the US based Nigerian publisher had sent a consignment of the book, Facts Versus Fiction, to Nigeria to meet sales but when he who bears a striking resemblance with Omokri got to the airport to pick the cargo, he was accosted by a customs agent who began interrogating him until a DSS agent came up to him and took over the interrogation.
Reno Omokri with Lord Tim Bell, a British Aristocrat and former Adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher!
According to him, "the DSS agent kept asking, ‘are you the author?’ to which he responded in the negative. At which point, he was detained and taken to an office with four or five other people in it."
He added that, "After some minutes, he heard the DSS agent discussing his fate in an adjoining room, so he began moving to the door, which had been left ajar, and then bolted” and took to his heels.
Also, in an electronic voice mail sent to Vanguard, the distributor said he was repeatedly asked "Are you the author?" "Where is the author?" and "where is your passport?" among several questions to which he told them he was not the author and neither was he travelling abroad. He said he also told the operatives that the author was not in the country.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA- SENATE President Bukola Saraki Thursday described former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as a major part of Nigeria's political history.
Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State
According to Saraki, Babangida is one of Nigeria's most prolific Statesmen.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to congratulate the former Head of State on the occasion of his 76th birthday, the Senate President who commended the former Military President for the role he has continued to play to bring about the development and progress of the country, said, “The former Military President has played a key role in the history and development of our nation. IBB's leadership, commentaries and advice on the state of our polity and how to move our nation forward have been pivotal since he left office.
"I wish him good health and many more years as he celebrates his 76th birthday ," the President of the Senate said, "I pray that the Almighty Allah will continue to bless, guide and protect our former Head of State."
A driver deliberately smashed a van into a crowd on Barcelona’s most popular street on Thursday, killing at least one person before fleeing to a nearby bar, police said.
Officers in Spain’s second-largest city said the ramming on the popular Las Ramblas boulevard was a “terrorist attack” and a police source said one suspect had left the scene and was “holed up in a bar”.
Regional interior minister Joaquin Forn said that at least one person had been killed and 32 others were wounded, warning however that the toll could rise.
A local government source earlier said two people had died.
Vehicles have been used in several terror attacks in Europe in recent years, including a jihadist massacre that claimed 86 lives in the French Riviera city of Nice.
The famous Las Ramblas is one of Barcelona’s busiest streets, lined with shops and restaurants and normally thronged with tourists and street performers until well into the night.
Police said there had been a “huge collision” between a van and pedestrians on the thoroughfare and a police source said officers were seeking a total of two suspects.
– ‘Bodies on the floor’ –
Xavi Perez, who works in a sports shop near the site of the attack, described a scene of carnage.
“When it happened I ran out and saw the damage,” he told AFP. “There were bodies on the floor with people crowding round them. People were crying. There were lots of foreigners.”
Witness Aamer Anwar told Britain’s Sky News television that he was walking down Las Ramblas, which he described as “jam-packed” with tourists.
“All of a sudden, I just sort of heard a crashing noise and the whole street just started to run, screaming. I saw a woman right next to me screaming for her kids.
“Police were very, very quickly there, police officers with guns, batons, everywhere. Then the whole street started getting pushed back.”
– ‘Mini stampede’ –
Spain had so far been spared the kind of extremist violence that rocked nearby France, Belgium and Germany.
But it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest jihadist attack in March 2004, when bombs exploded on commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people in an attack claimed by Al Qaeda-inspired extremists.
Ethan Spibey, a charity director on holiday in the city, said he and several others had locked themselves in a nearby church after Thursday’s van ramming.
“All of a sudden it was real kind of chaos… people just started running screaming,” he told Sky. “There was kind of a mini stampede.
“It seems like a lot of people have taken refuge in shops and local cafes.”
The United States offered its assistance to Spain and was providing consular assistance to Americans in Barcelona.
“Terrorists around the world should know — the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters in Washington.
– String of vehicle attacks –
The Nice onslaught in July last year and other similar attacks including the carnage in Paris 2015 were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.
In another deadly vehicle attack in December, 12 people were killed when a man driving a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market.
Spain has emerged as a potential target for jihadists, with extremist websites mentioning it for historical reasons, since much of its territory was once under Muslim rule.
Generally, authorities in Spain — the world’s third largest tourism destination — remain discreet on the terror threat.
But they publicise every arrest of alleged jihadists, most of them detained for propaganda, recruitment for extremist groups or “glorifying terrorism.”
According to the interior ministry, more than 180 “jihadist terrorists” have been arrested since June 2015 when Spain raised the terror alert level to four out of a maximum of five, in domestic and foreign operations.
Late Retired Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, has been described as jurist par-excellence and a man of great intellect and wisdom.
Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen made this known during a valedictory court session held in his honour on Thursday at the High Court of Justice in Benin City, Edo State.
The session attracted legal luminaries from across the country, who gathered to pay their last respects to the foremost jurist, first Bini indigene to become a Supreme Court Justice, who participated in a total of 658 judgements while at the apex court.
Declaring the court session open, Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, who was represented by Justice Ikpomwonba Ehigiamusoe, recounted landmark judgements of the late justice and extolled his sagacity on the bench.
"He was a man of great intellect and wisdom, a passionate and erudite icon of the bench, among the finest and the best. His lordship will always be remembered for his deep knowledge of the law and as an advocate of morality, integrity, excellence and a strong defender of the rule of law," Justice Ikponmwen said.
In their tributes, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was represented by Justice Ejembi Eko, Attorney General of Edo State, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and the Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Edo State chapter, Mr. Ede Asenoguan, all spoke glowingly of the man, Andrews Otutu Obaseki. They described him as a jurist par-excellence and a legal icon who had passion for justice and fairness, evidenced in his landmark judgements.
The nephew of the deceased and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was taught the value of hard work by his late uncle, and as a way to sustain the legacy he left behind, he would strengthen the state judiciary to play its role in the development of the state.
"I will ensure we strengthen the judiciary to play the role it ought to play in the society. I understand the implication of not having a good judiciary, where judges are not paid and work in an environment that is not conducive to work, such a system will affect the dispensation of justice," he said
Obaseki assured the judiciary that his administration understands the importance of the rule of law and justice in the society and would ensure the judiciary receives the necessary support to enable it dispense justice.
Recounting his experience under his late uncle, Governor Obaseki said he was a child of the judiciary as he had the privilege and rare opportunity to grow under the tutelage of the late Andrews Otutu Obaseki, with whom he attended court sessions.
"He has instilled great virtues and values in us. He stood for the truth and represented the truth, which does not change. He was a man of integrity, and we carried ourselves as such. He taught us simplicity and humility and fairness, when you are wrong, you are wrong."
To allow for the removal of Late Justice Obaseki's remains from the High Court well, a Motion on Notice was moved by the Edo State Attorney General, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and Chief Judge of the State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen ruled in favour of the motion on notice.
Photo Caption: Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, addressing the court during the valedictory court session held in honour of Late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, in Benin City on Thursday.
For Nigeria to attain to the level of greatness aimed for herself, she must create a stable ground for economic justice, rule of law and permit 'presidency' to be rotational for a period of time among the six known geo-political zones in the country, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon said in Good Morning Nigeria NTA programme, anchored by Kingsley.
The former chief of staff to Edo state governor, equally said that supremacy of the law, constitutionalism, federalizing security matters and giving legal teeth to Nigerians noble aims and aspirations cum restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local governments will not only make Nigeria move forward but to be first to attain greatness amongst nations.
He urged government to re-visit and adopt the 2014 national confab and organize a meeting for Islams (Muslims) and Christians whom he said have constituted quantum of problems in the nation building for thus, struggling for religious hegemony and political supremacy, to however have a serious conversation about their established militia.
"I believe we need to have an incremental devolution of powers and that is the only way to go", he said.
By Bartholomew Madukwe Niger Delta Creek warriors and other Militant groups in Niger Delta have kicked against activities of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the region and warned them to steer clear of matters of the Niger Delta.
The militants in joint statement signed by "General Christ Etareotu Spokesperson Niger Delta Creek warriors(NDCW), Brig General: Etigbein Oghene. Spokesperson Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta(OCOND). General Ovie Yinks spokesperson Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition group(RFCG). And General Santana Otuks Spokesperson Niger Delta Republic Seekers (NDRS) and Brig General Esuku Friday spokesperson Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries(NDGR), explained that MEND had everything it took to actualise the dream of the Niger Delta people’s republic then, but they dropped the struggle and collected stipends which they now live fat on.
They said: "What has the disbanded elements called MEND done for the people in the Niger Delta, knowing fully well the kind of resources that was given to them by the Goodluck Jonathan administration through the Nigeria Amnesty office.
"What did they do with the Amnesty money. They never deem it feet to empower the youths in the region. Rather they enrich themselves, with surveillance contracts money, NDDC contracts, converted the militants monthly stipends to their family members, forgotten the people who died for them to actualise their dreams. What does MEND actually have against PANDEF rather than their personal and selfish reasons."
According to the Militant groups, MEND is the original contributor to recent crisis in the region and should henceforth decease from matters of the Niger Delta and stop deceiving youths.
"We the various militants groups in region as decided to throw our wait behind the PANDEF. We are OK and we now have confidence in the PANDEF, which is led by Papa E.K Clark. Henceforth MEND should distance themselves from matters of the Niger delta region. Long leave federal republic of Nigeria, Long leave federal republic of Niger Delta.
"General Christ Etareotu Spokesperson Niger Delta Creek warriors(NDCW), Brig General: Etigbein Oghene. Spokesperson Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta(OCOND). General Ovie Yinks spokesperson Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition group(RFCG).
And General Santana Otuks Spokesperson Niger Delta Republic Seekers (NDRS) and Brig General Esuku Friday spokesperson Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries(NDGR)," they added.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has praised the thirty- six state governors, saying that they are holding Nigeria together as a country, just as he thanked them for playing such a role.
President Buhari was also said to have thanked the governors for their concomitant cooperation with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and urged them to continue to put their faith in his leadership.President Muhammadu Buhari in a group photo shortly after receiving in courtesy visit delegation of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum led by its Chairman Governor Abdulaziz Yari in Abuja House London on 26th July 2017 in the photo are R-L: Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi state and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State
This was disclosed to the governors Thursday by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, NGF and governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar as a message from the President during their visit to him in London.
The Chairman of NGF who briefed the governors in Abuja on their visit last July to London to see President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the visit forms what many termed a first-hand assessment of the President's state of health, as well as to deliver the governors' goodwill message to PMB.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and six others departed the country on "a goodwill visit" to President Muhammadu Buhari in London last July 26th.
Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar said, “I was invited to select six governors, one from each geo political region, to visit Mr President and I led them to London," the NGF chairman said.
"The Governors are Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Kano, Benue, and Kashim", Governor Yari reckoned, referring to Kashim Shettima of Borno State, with the last, but by no means the last person in the delegation, being Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
In a statement by the Head, media & public affairs, NGF, Abulrazque B. barkindo, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum described President Buhari as being "in very good health", while assuring them that the he delivered the Forum's message of goodwill to the President in response to which President Muhammadu Buhari thanked the governors for "holding Nigeria together in his absence."
The statement read, ” This would be the first time anyone visiting the President is delivering any word from the President or revealing anything that they discussed with President Muhammadu Buhari who is on his 103rd day out of the country.
“Although President Buhari is reported to have felt fit enough to return and continue his duties of presiding over the affairs of the country, it wouldn't be until his doctors give him the nod, reports say.
“However, those who have previously visited the president in London including the minister of Information and the presidents' own media team have only returned to the country to narrate the status of the president as at the time they met him, but non ever delivered any wishes of the president or what he discussed with them regarding the Nigerian people.
“Governor Yari therefore becomes the only person to deliver a message to his colleagues, from President Muhammadu Buhari. Even the governors who went along with Governor Yari Abubakar had in their earlier statements only spoken about the Presidents stability and were mute about a message.
“Before that visit by a delegation from the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Imo and Kaduna State governors, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Mallam Nasiru el Rufai respectively had visited President Muhammadu Buhari along with other top functionaries. But, mum was the word.
“At Wednesdays NGF meeting, the Executive Director/CEO, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib had solicited the governors' cooperation to pay up their counterpart funding quota by Aug 23 to enable his agency embark on a nationwide immunization exercise but the chairman of the forum had asked the agency to allow all governors to meet that obligation by September 10, saying that the ultimatum was too short as most governors are in Abuja and may have to be here until Friday.
“Dr Faisal Shuaib stated that the Federal Government is contributing N3bn to the agencies coffers for the exercise.
“The governors also listened to a presentation on the informal sector taxation by a solution provider.
“Earlier the Director General of the Nigeria Governors' Forum Mr Ashishana B Okauru had told the governors in an update on the polio status of the country, that Nigeria is once again expected to be tipped off the global polio map by way of delisting in 2019.”
In attendance at the meeting were governors of Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Imo, Osun, Plateau and a host Deputy governors, among them those of Kaduna, Yobe, Nasarawa, Rivers, Enugu, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Cross Rivers among others.
Lagos and Ogun state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called for the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu from the party, accusing him of anti-party activities and antics meant to destroy the party.
They stated this in their resolutions in Ado-Ekiti during their meeting with the reconciliation committee set up by the national leadership of the party in the South-West zone chaired by Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meetings, the Zonal Secretary, Reverend Bunmi Jenyo, said leaders from the two states endorsed the resolutions.
Among PDP leaders who signed the resolutions were former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Capt. Tunji Shelle, Chief Joju Fadairo, Alhaji Sikirulahi Olawale among others.
The resolutions read: “After extensive deliberations with the Reconciliation Committee, we, party delegates from Lagos and Ogun States, arrived at the following resolutions: “1 We have resolved to work together as one united party and to learn from the past mistakes and happenings in the party.
“2 We have resolved that the National Working Committee of our great party should deal and relate with the true leaders of Lagos and Ogun PDP under the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.
“3 We also call for the immediate expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu for his anti-party actions and destructive antics in the South-West.”
Speaking during the meetings, Fayose said while the party was interested in reconciliation, those who have gone astray must be repentant first and promise not to go astray again or undermine the progress of the party.
He called on the leaders of the party in both states to give room for genuine repentant dissidents to come back.
The governor added that with unity amongst them, PDP would win subsequent polls in the states. The Zonal Chairman, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, thanked members for their support and steadfastness during turbulent period the party went through.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan on Thursday, Dogara said “the former Nigerian leader has over the years displayed qualities of a true leader and elderstatesman.”Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State
The statement added that “Over the years, you have displayed qualities of a true leader, most of all in the personal sacrifices you have made for the betterment of Nigeria’s political environment and for the overall Unity, development and wellbeing of the country.”
“As an elder statesman, you have made yourself accessible to us, the younger generation of leaders, in times when we needed advice from more experienced elders for purposes of taking important decisions”.
The Speaker alsi prayed Almighty God to bless, protect, preserve and grant the former leader many more fruitful years of selfless and meritorious service to fatherland.
Leave the siddon look corner: Obasanjo tells Agbakoba…
explains why younger Nigerians can’t rule in politics By Bartholomew Madukwe
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Thursday said the younger generation of Nigerians are mostly unwilling to beat an alternative path to leadership and contented with waiting for dead men’s shoes which is affecting generational shift in political leadership.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo
He said, "Politics is a game of numbers at the end’ of the day. The youth are in the majority. What is the excuse? So long as the older generation do not have the incentive to step down, so long will they continue to reinvent and reappoint and resurface. The generational shift will need to be worked for and worked at".
In a reply to a letter sent to him by former President of Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Obasanjo explained that those who assumed the mantle of leadership in public offices at relatively early age were brought into limelight by circumstances which were not of their own making.
The letter in parts read: "Having been thrown into the deeper end of the pool, so to speak, some of us made great efforts with determination, commitment, broad national outlook, integrity and uncommon zeal to shoulder the responsibilities thrust on us. We recorded varying degrees of successes that the older people should be excluded in our leadership recruitment process.
Obasanjo advised Agbakoba to step forward and develop a mobilization framework that seeks to rearrange Nigeria on a different basis of legitimacy, noting that late Chief Awolowo and the great Zik were younger than him when they threw their hats in the ring.
"The modern history of Nigeria was shaped by young people. Your Excellency was 39 years when you became Head of State; Zik was 40 when he founded the NCNC; Awolowo was 43 when he became premier of Western Nigeria; Ahmady Bello was 40 when he co-founded the NPC; Ojukwu and Gowon were in their 30s when they took the centre stage in Nigerian politics.
"We demonstrated patriotism, selflessness and also acquitted ourselves creditably with our uncommon contributions to the socio-political development of Nigeria. My dear Olisa, it is sad that the successor generation of Nigerians have in most cases resorted to work avoidance in the quest for leadership.
”Most members of the younger generation of Nigerians are mostly contented with waiting for dead men’s shoes and are unwilling to beat an alternative path to leadership.
”In such a situation, it is to be expected and actually it is human that those with some head start in life will not concede such advantages freely and based on their innate goodness.
”The world, as I know it, is powered by shrewd hard-headed, calculating individuals and the cornucopia .of their mercy is decidedly thin and it is unlike God’s rain that falls on the just and the wicked alike.
”The point to ponder is how have the successor generation positioned themselves to
lead? I look back at some members of the younger generation and I am miffed at the missed opportunities.
”I am equally saddened that although we the so-called older generation did facilitate some semblance of infrastructural development. Today, the gains made have been mostly pushed down the drain by some of those privileged young people saddled with similar responsibilities in the recent past. .
”You should know that some of these same young people, whose interest we canvass, have in the recent past been a complete disappointment and failures in their various appointed or elected positions.
”Some of these young people in public or private sector have frittered the prospect of being at the vanguard of sustainable development of what some of us, the earlier generation of leaders, pioneered on the altar of their crass materialism, self-centeredness and opportunism.
”So, while these failed young men and women should not be a disincentive to support other young people, I don’t think that the older people should be excluded in our leadership recruitment process. ”For me, if I find men and women who have shown profound commitment and exemplary
integrity in their various chosen careers or professions as well as zeal for the service of our fatherland, I will, of course, give such both my support and inspiration, notwithstanding their age, circumstances or place of birth.
Obasanjo stressed that it is time Agbakoba takes the hard road by jumping down-from the fence and the siddon look corner; saying "it is your fatherland. The time is now. let the young people organize themselves around positive core values; let them become ideological in the sense of nationalism and patriotism in this struggle. This is a democracy."
It will be recalled that Agbakoba, in a letter to Obasanjo, entitled "Nigeria Needs a Generational Shift in Political Leadership", said Nigeria is held back by a crop of leadership that has outlived its usefulness and effectiveness as a result of old age.
"I am concerned about the quality of leadership in Nigeria; corruption is endemic; poverty is high, life expectancy is low. Nigeria ranks poorly on all international human development indicators. Chinua Achebe, in his book, The Trouble with Nigeria, pointed out the situation is directly linked to failure of leadership," Agbakoba stated.
He said he was also convinced that with Obasanjo's support, giving the young a chance can be expanded to become a policy of all political parties in Nigeria, adding that the country will benefit greatly.
”It seems to me a great contradiction that after a young vibrant set of leaders got Nigeria off the ground in the early 60’s, Nigeria has steadily descended into chaos and is probably now ranked as one of the most ungovernable countries in the world.
”I feel compelled to request your intervention because you are’ one of few past leaders with enough clout to galvanize the political elite to produce like in France, a Macron or in Canada, a Trudeau. I believe it is time for our elder statesmen to give way to a young new vibrant political leadership.
”I am also convinced that with your support, this can be achieved and expanded’ to become high policy among all political parties in Nigeria. Nigeria will greatly benefit. I strongly feel that a radical change in political leadership from old to new will be transformational.”
The naira on Thursday continued to fall against the dollar at the parallel market.
The Nigerian currency lost one point to exchange at N368, weaker than N367 posted on Wednesday, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N478 and N432.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the naira was sold at N363 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N478 and N432.
However, the naira appreciated at the investors' window, exchanging at N361.17 stronger than N362.39.
Traders at the market told Newsmen that in spite of the weekly auction of foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to BDC, the naira continued to depreciate.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-A meeting held Thursday, in Abuja, between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve the ongoing industrial action by the latter, just ended without agreement.
But both the government, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and his education counterpart, Adamu Adamu and ASUU representatives, led by its president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, agreed to reconvene within a week, to continue the negotiations.
The meeting which was held at the conference room of the Minister of Labour and Employment ended after much deliberation on issues that led to the industrial dispute.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, both sides said there was tremendous progress following offers made by government and position of the union on the new offers.
But both the representatives of government and ASUU refused to disclose the offers just as ASUU President said he was taking the deliberations and offers by government to members with a view to responding appropriately to them within one week.
ABEOKUTA – Embattled leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Thursday said the constitution of the party does not recognize Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Foyose as the leader of the party in South West, saying, the party’s constitution has been amended and entrusted the leadership of the party in the state to the Chairmen. Ayodele Fayose The embattled Chairman in the state, Adebayo Dayo stated this at the state party Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta during a press conference, describing the governor as rather the biggest problem of the party in the region.
The national Caretaker Committee had announced the dissolution of executives in Ogun, Oyo, Osun and four other states during the recently held non-elective national convention in Abuja.
Reacting to the dissolution, the state Chairman accused Fayose of misleading the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee on the issue surrounding the emergence of the executive in the affected states.
Speaking on the on-going South West reconciliatory moves by Fayose in his state, Dayo who was flanked by other members of the embattled executive including the state Secretary , Semiu Sodipo and Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Adeniji , Dayo said the meeting was a personal one called by Fayose and was being attended by his friends ,adding that the outcome would not have any effect on the party executive and members in the region.
Dayo said "how can Fayose be holding a meeting in his house and you think the meeting will succeed? I cannot go to Fayose's house to hold any meeting because as far as I know, the party is above the governor, the governor is not in control of the party. But it is now the other way round, the governors are using their power to do whatever they like to the party and I will not be a party to that.
" If Fayose is holding a meeting in his house, let him say whatever he wishes, that is not my concern, he cannot decide for the party. Fayose can do whatever he wishes, it is his personal opinion which is not the opinion of the party. Fayose is just a governor, it is the people that made him to become the governor. He cannot just say that because he is a governor, his wishes would become everyone's command. His wish cannot be anyone's command in the South West. Ayodele Fayose is not in charge of the South-West.
"We have so many leaders in the South-West. In our constitution, it is stated that the chairman of the party is the leader of the party in every state, but, it was amended at a stage. But, I can tell you, up till now I am the party chairman in Ogun state. Fayose may be the leader in his state, but, definitely not the leader in Ogun state. Our constitution did not say Fayose will become the governor and be the leader of the party. We have an executive in place and the executive is led by Mr. Ogundipe. Incidentally, Foyose was the one that nominated Ogundipe at the 2012 congress in Ibadan. Fayose put up Makanjuola Ogundipe and now he is going against his own candidate that is the situation".
He however, advised " the National Caretaker Committee to avail itself of the provisions of the rule of law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as minimum consideration in handling the business of the party especially in the aftermath of Saturday’s Special non-elective National Convention.
President Muhammadu Buhari receives Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara at the Abuja House London on 17th Aug 2017. Phtot Credit: Femi Adesina
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to reduce the cost expended on payment of overheads and salaries.
Obasanjo made the call in Ibadan at the public presentation of a book entitled, " I am Kagara: I Weave the Sands of Sahara,'' written by Mark Nwagwu, a retired professor of molecular biology.
The former president said that government spending on overheads, salaries and allowances in the face of the prevailing economic situation would not boost the socio-economic development of the country.
"Ninety per cent of our revenue goes to pay overhead, allowances, salaries and not much is left for capital development.
" We are not going to develop this way and we will only have ourselves to blame.
"It is even worse with the National Assembly, they are one of the highest paid legislatures in the world.
"We have 75 per cent of our population living in abject poverty, yet these people have refused to cut down their earnings.
"We must speak out to get corrected when we err, the behaviour and character of the National Assembly is one that should be condemned," he said.
Reacting to the ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obasanjo urged the government to honour the agreement it entered into with the union.
"I have seen this in government; maybe it is a lesson government will learn. Government allowed itself to be stampeded into signing agreement without full consultation with those within the government.
"Then, they run into the implementation of that agreement that has been signed; however, an agreement is an agreement and whoever is your agent who signed the agreement on your behalf, you are bound by it," he said.
In her remarks, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, urged the society to offer the girl-child opportunity to excel by giving her equal right to education as her male counterpart.
" I am Kagara" is built around a female heroine; the book highlights the marked difference a woman can make if given the needed support.
" The greatest support a girl-child could have is that of a strong male who gives her a voice and is not afraid of her," she said.
