My Husband Is Determined To Involve More Women In Maritime Sector – Mrs. Buhari

June 25, 2019

Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari has said that her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to provide platforms that will encourage more women’s participation in maritime to boost economic development.

The President’s wife spoke today, June 25, through Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at an event to mark the 2019 Day of the Seafarer, with the theme, “On board with gender equality.” The theme was chosen to highlight the contributions of women in the maritime industry and encourage more women to go into the profession of sea transportation.

Aisha Buhari stressed the need to promote gender balancing in the seafaring career, adding that the President is aware of the economic benefits that come with encouraging the female gender in the maritime sector.

She commended NIMASA’s efforts at promoting and encouraging women in the maritime sector.

“Under the current leadership of NIMASA, we have seen significant strides aimed at making women active players in the blue economy industry. Mr. President is desirous of seeing more women play active role in the maritime industry. This celebration focusing on women seafarers is, therefore, apt.”

She called on “all government agencies, especially those in the maritime sector, to ensure the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is aimed at attaining gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

Also, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, called on men to support women, especially in maritime, “towards reaching their potential and navigating work place challenges.”

“We hope to sensitize the industry operators and players on the significance as well as economic importance of bridging gender inequality and the need for men to support women towards reaching their potential and navigating workplace challenges For us to have more women at sea and onshore, the men have a major role to play in terms of providing the needed support.”

Dakuku said that the Agency will continue to pursue policies and programmes that will accelerate gender equality and empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

“In addition to the 304 female cadets we have trained in seafaring since the inception of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), greater attention will now be given to the training of female seafarers in specialised courses and areas to enable them take up professional responsibilities in specialised vessels and offshore operations, and maritime sector generally.”

On the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS) that suspends waivers on Cabotage manning, Dakuku disclosed that placement of women on board vessels will be given high priority, with greater attention given to providing an enabling environment for female seafarers.

He said that the Agency had already recorded success through the NCCS initiative with about 7,000 Nigerians employed by ship-owners between 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. He said the Agency was doing everything in its powers to resolve the issue of armed robbery and piracy at sea.

The President of the World Maritime University (WMU), Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, applauded Nigeria’s effort to encourage more female professionals in the maritime industry.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari, said the Federal Government had initiated policy reviews aimed at promoting gender equality, empowering women in the maritime sector, and creating conducive work environment for them in line with the SDGs.

Afenifere Storm Aso Rock Presidential Villa

Greenbarge Reporters

June 25, 2019

Leaders of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, visited President Muhammadu Buhari today, June 25, to congratulate him on his re-election for a second-term of four years, and put forward five requests for the President to consider for them and the country.

From Right to Left: Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, Asiwaju Senator Bola Ahmed Tinunbu and Former Governor, Chief Segun Osoba and others.

Security: Police Deploy Trained Dogs To Railway Stations In Nigeria

Editorial staff

June 25, 2019

The Nigeria Police Force have deployed trained dogs, known as K9 to railway stations across the country for the purpose of securing the stations from criminals and other security breakers.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, who spoke today, June 25 at the ceremony for the handing over of the dogs, stressed: “Nigeria Police prides itself as having one of the most equipped, experienced, highly-trained, and functional K9 Section.

“They also have commendable antecedent of successful anti-crime, crowd control and civil disorder management operations in the country. Indeed, it is on record that the Nigeria Police Force Animal Branch has been instrumental to the training and development of similar branches for other security agencies in the country.”

He said that the initiative to deploy dogs to railway stations is within the context of Operation Puff Adder and is planned to complement the existing security measures emplaced for the security and safety of passengers and critical infrastructure of the Nigeria Railway Corporation across the country.

“The deployment of special breed and exceptionally-trained police dogs for security duties is as old as human civilization. Hence, their utilization in combating crimes and sundry internal security threats in the 21^st century cannot be over emphasized.

“Indeed, K9 are known to possess extra-ordinary capacity for detection of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs), narcotics and other illicit drugs, firearms and other prohibited items which criminals usually engage for the perfection of their criminal activities.

“The deployment of Police dogs is therefore meant for detection or prevention crimes along the railway corridors. Their brief shall be for patrols, surveillance, detection and apprehension of felons in and around railway facilities.”

The police boss said that his plan is to maximize the Force’s unique K9 strength to complement other sections that have been deployed as part of the broad policing architecture which it recently emplaced towards addressing the nation’s internal security challenges.

“It will be recalled that prior to this time, about one thousand additional police personnel were deployed to the Nigeria Police railway Command. This unprecedented deployment was designed to address the manpower gap of the Command and reposition them to address vulnerabilities, projected threats, and security challenges which the increasing human traffic and expanding assets of the Nigeria Railway Corporation may present.”

Mohammed gave assurance that all the assets of the Police would continually be mobilized and deployed towards denying criminal elements of any space to operate in any location in the country.

“We however, continually solicit the cooperation of all. We encourage all citizens to embrace the concept of ‘if you see something, say something’. Indeed, our appeal now is ‘if you suspect something, say something’. This is a civil obligation of all citizens and this is the most potent weapon towards collectively winning the war against elements bent on threatening our security.”

“Sponsored Protests” Won’t Change Way Buhari Conducts Official Duties – Presidency

Editorial staff

June 25, 2019

The Presidency has made it clear that protests against trusted aides of President Muhammadu Buhari would not change the way the President is doing his things.

“One thing to note is that this President is not the kind that can be swayed by this chicanery. He has a mind of his own and he alone will decide who he will work with and who he will send away. In effect, this demonstration will change nothing.”

These were contained in a statement today, June 25, by the senor special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, reacting to a protest yesterday, Monday by the Concerned APC National Stakeholders (CANS) calling on President Buhari to sack some of his trusted allies described as “cabal.”

“You are going to see more of such sponsored protests. In one of the hotels here in the federal capital, there is shop that sells packages of protests.

“At a given fee, they will write the protest speech, the placards and give you the marchers, men and women as well as the lead speaker who in many cases is a lawyer.

“So, we are not surprised at all. Very soon, reporters and photographers will be buying this service to attack editors they don’t like.”

Tribunal’s Ruling On Server: Don’t Laugh, It’s Not Over Yet, Atiku Tells Presidency

Editorial staff

June 25, 2019

Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has asked the Presidency not to celebrate the ruling by the Presidential Election Tribunal yesterday over the controversial Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) server.

In a statement today, June 25 by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, the PDP candidate said: “the celebration by the administration of General Buhari that their electoral heist has been covered is premature.”

He referred to the statement from Aso Rock Villa, wherein spokesperson for Buhari praised the ruling of the Presidential Election Tribunal, “which ‘rejected’ the request by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party, to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to grant access to their server used for the 2019 presidential election.

“After praising the so-called “landmark ruling,” the statement went on to claim that “the existence of a purported server is being contested and if a purported inspection had been allowed at this stage, it would have amounted to the determination that it indeed existed even when its existence is being contested.”

“Our response is to plead vindication of our case that not only did Atiku Abubakar win the February 23, 2019 elections, but that the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari lacks executive temperament and capacity as we will now establish.”

Atiku said that the Tribunal did not reject his, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s request to inspect the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission, but that the server issue is still at preliminary stages “and the main case HAS NOT begun and that the matter of granting access to inspect the INEC server is not relevant to the preliminary stages. It is a matter to be adjudicated upon when the case proper is being heard.

“Their giddiness has even blinded them to the eye witness testimony given to multiple media in interviews by staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission that there is indeed a server and that they actually submitted results and accreditation through it.

“In their rush to claim a Pyrrhic victory, the General Buhari administration missed out the fact that the 2019 budget has multiple line items for procurement, maintenance and service of the server they claim does not exist.

“Furthermore, the statement tried to spin the recent verdict on the election passed by the EU election observers. For the avoidance of doubt, what the EU report said is that the 2019 elections had SIGNIFICANT defects and fell short of the 2019 elections. It should be noted that one of the issues they raised is the attempt to muzzle not just the media, but more importantly, the judiciary.

“In the light of this, we remind those who are gloating in their ignorance that ‘he who laughs last, laughs best’.

“The last has not been heard of this matter and we eagerly anticipate the ACTUAL ruling of the Tribunal when the case proper begins.”

Afenifere Storm Aso Rock, Present 5 Point Demands On Buhari

Editorial staff

June 25, 2019

Leadership of the Southwest socio cultural body, Afenifere stormed Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja today, June 25 with five-point demands for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, reminded the President of the support the Southwest gave in the recently concluded general elections in the country.

“We are proud of our contributions to your victory through the Yoruba Summit Conference held at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre on January 29, 2019. There, we passed a well-applauded motion urging all the people of Western Nigeria origin of voting age to vote for your re-election by virtue of your people-oriented and welfarist APC political programmes and performance and performance. We are happy the people complied.

“We are also here to commend Your Excellency for your recognition of June 12 as a landmark in the political history of Nigeria and for naming the National Stadium in Abuja after Chief MKO Abiola, the hero of Nigeria’s pro-Democracy struggle.

“We are equally glad to note and commend Your Excellency for your efforts to empower the 36 States in Nigeria to have control of the Police as a measure of improving security and for your giant stride in the field of Agriculture, social intervention, revival and modernization of rail transportation, continuing efforts to complete the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway among other achievements.”

Afenifere went on to present the five-point request for the progress and happiness of the people in the region and across the country.

On security, the group said that despite the huge cost, it should be considered worthwhile to take a bold step in combating crime and improving on security by improving on the apparent shortage of the manpower in the Nigeria Police Force and by extending control of the Police from the State to Local Government level.

“By this, we humbly suggest that Mr. President should reflect deeply and consider recruitment, training, equipment and deployment of Nigerian Police on the basis of 774 Local Governments listed in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Added to this is training of the general public on the need to improve on their individual vigilance and awareness of movement of strangers passing through or moving into their neighborhood. Imbibing such habit and practice will be a tremendous help or service to the Police and other security Agents as regards “Intelligence” support especially now that must people have access to individual means of communication (telephone handsets).”

Afenifere said that in their desire to supplement the efforts of the President, the newly elected Governors of Western Nigeria extraction, have held a meeting in Ibadan to map out strategies to eradicate kidnapping and violent attacks. “They and other states will surely need more financial subvention and support.”

On education, the group recalled that free universal and compulsory education had been practiced with remarkable success in some parts of Nigeria in the past, saying that the President might consider re-introducing the programme and make it compulsory at all levels and all over the country as a lasting gift to Nigeria in his final term in office.

“Such a bold step though very expensive will revolutionize and catapult the entire nation to the NEXT HIGHER LEVEL

“One of the obvious advantages that will accrue from Education Programme referred to in paragraph 2 above which will include Basic, Technical, Skill Acquisition, Digitalization and ICT Programmes will be to Open wide gates to Youth Employment in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for re-introducing HISTORY in our school curriculum. By doing this, you have told us fellow-Nigerians a proverb of world-famous Roman Senator, Lawyer and Orator MARCUS TULIUS CICERO. He said and I quote “NOT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE YOU WERE BORN, IS TO LIVE THE LIFE OF AN INFANT FOR EVER!”

On Federalism, the group recommended “clinging to the spirit and letters of our Federal Constitution. This is one sure way of achieving the desired goal of unity even in diversity, mutual respect, tolerance and giving true meaning to the opening phrase of our Constitution that is, “WE THE PEOPLE”.

“We will be a greater nation if we sincerely practice true Federalism and THINK and ACT as NIGERIANS rather than as champions of the smaller units we were born into. Our big size is an asset worthy of preservation. Good examples of big size, hard work and prudent spending are the USA, China and India. It is not with violence or hate speeches but with mutual trust, self-respect and tolerance that we will speedily achieve the lofty destiny of this great country, NIGERIA.

“5: Power Supply and Agriculture: We have already commended your Administration on its remarkable achievements in the field of agriculture. But the country asks for more, especially in the Field of afforestation, irrigation and revival of those agricultural products like Cocoa, Groundnut, Cotton, Palm Products and processing them for domestic consumption and export as Malaysia which borrowed seedlings from us has now gone far

ahead of us.

“As to Electricity, we are aware of your efforts which must be more than doubled to improve on the pace of industrialization, productivity and more comfort for all Nigerians.”

We Can’t Resolve Disputed Server At Preliminary Stage, Tribunal Tells Atiku, PDP

Greenbarge Reporters

June 24, 2019

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, has educated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar on the issue of court discretion vis a vis their request to be granted access to inspect the central server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in respect of the February 23 presidential election.

The tribunal, in a unanimous decision today, June 24 by a five-member panel of Justices, said the request could not be granted since the issue of whether such central server existed or not, is already a subject of controversy in the substantive petition that is challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.

The Tribunal said that the fact that all the parties to the petition have joined issues on whether or not the said server was used for the collation and transmission of results of the election, granting the joint application by PDP and Atiku, would amount to delving into the main case.

According to the tribunal, allowing the application would amount to prejudging of “fundamental issues already raised by the parties on the substantive matter.”

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed Garba who delivered the lead ruling, held that the Supreme Court had on plethora of decided cases, warned that issue that formed the crux of a dispute before any court should not be determined at the interlocutory stage.

He held that the law bestowed the tribunal with discretionary powers to grant or refuse the application, saying “the court will be willing to exercise its discretion in favour of the Applicant, where there are reasons to do so.

“Such discretion must be properly exercised, judiciously and judicially. It follows therefore that the exercise of discretion is one of the strongest weapons of the court of law which must not be exercised in vacuum.”

Justice Garba said that whereas the petitioners maintained that results of the election were indeed collated and transmitted to a central server, on the other hand, INEC, said it was not in possession or aware of the existence of such server.

He held that since the other respondents to the petition- President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC- equally challenged the existence of the server and urged the tribunal to uphold the result that was declared by INEC, acceding to the petitioners’ application, would prejudice the entire petition.

According to the Judge, allowing the petitioners to inspect the controversial server would amount to “resolving the disputed issue regarding the central server and electronic transmission of results of the presidential election” at the preliminary stage of the proceedings.

“It will not be expedient that the court should grant prayers contained in the application.”

Justice Garba said it would amount to “resolving the disputed issue regarding the central server and electronic transmission of results of the presidential election”, at the preliminary stage of the proceedings.

“The scenario will be unpalatable and will create the impression that the court has indeed recognised the existence of a central server and that the result was electronically transmitted. “The law is settled that the court should ensure caution while dealing with interlocutory application so as not to make any observation that affects the substantive case.”

The tribunal also declined the petitioners’ request to be granted access to data that were captured by all the Smart Card Reader Machines that were deployed for the presidential Poll.

Immediately after the ruling, the PDP and Atiku, via one of the senior members of his legal team, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told Journalists: “the nation was looking forward to this ruling and it is one that is very pivotal to this matter. The Electoral Act itself empowers the tribunal to grant access such as this to the petitioners in order to institute and maintain a petition, and that is what we are asking for.

“Somehow, at this stage, the court has ruled. But definitely this is a matter we want to take higher to the Supreme Court to challenge this ruling because we strongly feel that section 151 of the Electoral Act entitles us to have access to these materials.”

On its part, INEC, through its lawyer, Usman Uztaz, SAN, said that its client is satisfied with the ruling.

“These are issues to be tried during the hearing; you cannot try them in piecemeal.”

The electoral body had challenged the request, arguing that contrary to position of the petitioners, it did not electronically transmit results of the presidential election into any central server.

The Commission told the tribunal that it was not empowered by the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, to embark on electronic transmission of results.

While denouncing what it described as details of “a strange server” that was provided by the petitioners, INEC, maintained that the result it declared in President Buhari’s favour, “was a true reflection of what was collated.”

Also, President Buhari, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, as well as counsel to the APC, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, urged the tribunal to reject the application they said was based “on speculation and conjectures”.

President Buhari argued that he was validly re-elected, having secured the majority of lawful votes cast.

Presidency Celebrates Court Ruling On Alleged INEC Server, Describes PDP As Desperate

Editorial staff

June 24, 2019

The Presidency is celebrating what it called “a landmark ruling by the Presidential Election Tribunal,” on the issue of central server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It condemned what it called “a desperate attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to overreach judicial process” which “was overwhelmingly rejected by a unanimous decision and the long standing principle of law has once again been re-enacted.”

A statement by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the attempt by the PDP to cause the determination of an issue that constitutes the fulcrum of contention between the parties, at an interlocutory stage, has again been rejected by the tribunal.

It said that what this means is that Justice and fair hearing through due contest by the parties of a major issue for determination remains sacrosanct and remains considerable by the tribunal upon according parties just and fair hearing and not the other way round.

“The election petitions tribunal unanimously rejected the PDP’s request to inspect a server which existence is being disputed.

“The existence of a purported server is being contested and if a purported inspection had been allowed at this stage, it would have amounted to the determination that it indeed existed even when its existence is being contested.

“The electoral law prescribes manual transmission of results only and this was what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did, in obedience to the law as witnessed by real electoral observers.

“YIAGA Africa deployed 3906 real individuals to run a parallel tabulation which returned the same results the INEC announced.

“Last week, the final reports of the International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute (IRI/NDI) electoral observer mission made clear that the results of the election reflected the votes cast.

“President Muhammadu Buhari won with a majority of four million votes and because only real votes matter, INEC announced him as the winner of the 2019 presidential election.”

Gov Wike Declares Free Primary, Secondary Education In Rivers State

Editorial staff

June 24, 2019

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has formally declared free primary and secondary education in the state, directing State-Owned Primary and Secondary Schools to stop collecting fees and levies from students and pupils with immediate effect.

The Governor said that from now on, State Government will be sending direct allocations to all primary and secondary schools management for their operations.

He spoke today, June 24 at a meeting with the heads of primary and secondary schools, Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board and State Universal Basic Education Board at the Government House Port Harcourt.

He said: “From today henceforth, no child either in primary and secondary schools should pay fees and levies in any school across the State.

“The monies you collect from these children are just used for your personal purposes. If I hear that any school head collects any fees or levies, be they examination , NECO or WAEC fees, that school head would be sanctioned.

“We shall not only dismiss the school head who collects fees or levies, we will prosecute the person involved.

“Government will work out grants that will be sent to the schools for their regular management and operations.”

Governor Wike directed the State Ministry of Education, the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board and the State Universal Basic Education Board to monitor all public schools across the state to ensure compliance.

The Governor assured parents that his administration will remain committed to the provision of quality education, which is accessible to the less privileged.

“I have abolished all fees and levies and it will never happen again in our public primary and Secondary schools. Nobody should collect fees and levies from the children of the less privileged.”

The school heads celebrated the new directive of the Rivers State Governor.

Weather Experts Predict Temperature Of 40 Degrees Across Europe

Editorial staff

June 24, 2019

Meteorological agencies have forecasted the rise in temperatures of up to 40 degrees across continental Europe this week, the highest since 1947 in parts of France and Germany.

From Spain up to Switzerland, the weather is expected to average out at 40 degrees. Meteorological experts said high humidity could boost the 40 degrees to 47. The forecast said the weather would soar further later in the week.

The AEMET weather service forecast temperatures of 42C by Thursday in the Ebro, Tagus, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir valleys and warned of an “extreme risk” of forest fires in Spain, according to Guardian UK.

A Spanish TV meteorologist, Silvia Laplana, twitted today, June 24, by simply saying “hell is coming.”

This was even as the minister of Health in France, Agnès Buzyn said: “I’m worried about people who are downplaying this, who are continuing to exercise as usual or stay out in the sun.

“This affects all of us, nobody is a superman when it comes to dealing with the extreme heat. We are going to see on Thursday and Friday,” she informed a press conference, downplaying the powers of the comic superhero.

In Paris, the French capital ‘cool rooms’ have been installed in municipal buildings, pools have been opened for late-night swimming as well as placing extra drinking fountains with temperatures in the capital reaching 34 degrees today, Monday.

Hospitals across the continent are believed to be preparing for a busy time, as army doctors are expected to fill up an anticipated shortage of medical personnel in Italy.

The last intense heat wave to hit France in 2003, killed 15,000 mainly elderly men and women, with hospital staff getting overwhelmed.

In Frankfurt Germany, about 100 hours of sunshine is expected with the temperature expected to climax at 40 degrees.

School exams have been put off till next week and charities distributed water to homeless people.

Italian officials have also warned of the hazard posed by waste-strewn streets in the capital city, Rome.

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