Boko Haram appears to have been in disarray as its factional leader, Abubakar Shekau announced that he had killed the spokesman of the sect, Tasiu, also known as Abu Zinnira, for aligning with one other commander to remove him as leader.
Shekau said that the duo had been sending fighters out on illegal raids, spreading rumours among his lieutenants that he intended to kill them and portraying him as unfit to lead.
An agency report quoted Shekau as telling an inner circle of his group that “I killed Tasiu. You should hear me: I killed Tasiu, hear me well.”
It was reported that the meeting had been called to clear the air over the bad blood apparently sparked within the group by Tasiu’s elimination.
Shekau in a 50-minute audio recording of the meeting, blasted “those grumbling over the killing of Tasiu.”
Tasiu and “other elements,” he charged, had tried to portray him to the rank and file as “not on the right track. Tell me, what is the punishment for people that plot against their leader?”
“By our code of allegiance we don’t hesitate to pass appropriate sanction on any one of us that commits an offence.”
He said nothing about the fate of the “other elements.” [myad]
Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has revealed that Nigeria is now rated as number one egg-producing nation in Africa.
Speaking today, Friday, when he led a delegation of PAN on courtesy visit to acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan said that presently poultry contributes 25 percent of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy amounting to N1.6 Trillion.
According to him, Nigeria is rated as the number one egg-producing nation in Africa, and number four poultry meat producer on the continent.
This was even as Professor Osinbajo, called for urgent measure to address challenges in the agricultural sub-sector, noting with regret that poultry industry had been contending with a number of challenges, including an outbreak of Avian Influenza which affected almost four million birds in 2015.
The acting President attributed the challenges to partly non-allocation of Foreign Exchange for the importation of needed machinery and other critical inputs, and high production costs in the industry.
“The poultry industry is a local industry that needs to be protected urgently.”
The Acting President said the industry should be a major plank of the agriculture sector and as such, the Buhari administration will ensure that it gets help regarding the challenges being faced by operators of the sub-sector.
He said that the federal government is now in the process of concluding decisions on specific lines of action targeted at the challenges facing the industry, a sub-sector that is said to generate over 14 million direct and indirect jobs in the country. [myad]
Guaranty Trust Bank has emerged as the Best Private Banking Services, Best Commercial Banking Capabilities and Best Net-worth Specific Services in Africa at the 2017 Euromoney Private Banking Awards which held in the City of London.
The private banking editor, Helen Avery, said at the award ceremony that about 700 institutions took part in the survey this year and that 2,951 valid responses were received, representing a 12.8 percent increase from last year figures.
She said that GTBank’s recognition in three categories which is testament to the thorough work the bank is doing to deliver the utmost in banking services to its private banking clients. “It is hard enough to win in just one category but to emerge victorious in three, clearly showcases the strength and efficiency of its value proposition to this particular segment of its customer base.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, the Managing Director/CEO of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, said: “we are honoured to receive such international recognition for our private banking services. Winning this award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board to developing and delivering private banking services to the highest standards.
“It also represents our commitment to serve High Net Worth clients in an innovative way, with products and services tailored to their specific needs.”
According to him, GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry, adding that the bank’s brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.
Now in its 14th year, the Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey is the industry’s leading barometer for product innovation and service delivery to private banking clients. The survey covers 15 different product and client categories on a global and regional basis, and has ranking results in 70 countries. [myad]
A report in the social media regarding the existence of imported Indian garri (our local staple) in a Nigerian supermarket in Lagos was greeted with incredulity. When I called the attention of my wife to the report, she impatiently dismissed it as impossible. But less than twenty four hours after, the report turned out to be true, thanks to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which acted promptly on the social media report by swooping on the supermarket, ascertaining and recovering 26 packets of the product.
The agency announced that preliminary investigation showed the packs of the imported garri had no NAFDAC number, which underscored, prima facie, that the product was illegally put on the shelves. The agency’s official statement via its twitter handle put it in context: “This is the tweet that first caught our attention on Sunday 19th February 2017. It is about a certain pack of imported garri with the source given as India, which was found on the shelves of a Nigerian supermarket.
“We knew we had work to do, and on Monday 20th, we did. Our actions and findings are outlined below: (Updates via @NafdacNigeria). NAFDAC officers visited the supermarket in Ikoyi, today. 26 packets of 500mg each of the product were seized for analysis. The product has no NAFDAC number. The product is said to be from Ghana but packaged in UK. The management of the supermarket has been invited for further discussion in our Lagos office. Investigation continues.”
While Nigerians are awaiting full outcome of the agency’s comprehensive investigation into the source of the product and how it got into our market, the management of the agency, under the leadership of the acting Director General, Mrs Yetunde Oni, must be commended for its promptness in reacting to the social media report and doing the needful.
I was glad to hear Oni, in a telephone interview on Channels Television, reconfirming the development and going ahead to give kudos to the whistle-blowing report, saying that “this time round the social media got it right and must be commended.” This is the spirit which should dominate interactions between the three arms of government on the one hand and the fourth estate of the realm on the other hand
NAFDAC and its management have been responsible and responsive in the discharge of the agency’s core mandate of ensuring the health of the nation through monitoring of food safety standards and practices. The agency must ensure that products imported and exported are of right quality and can compete favourably in the world market.
Remarkably, the agency has emplaced requirements for importation and exportation of regulated products. What, however, is more important, at this time, is importation of regulated products from other climes, considering the implications they have for the health of the nation and survival of local productions and businesses.
It is not only local production of garri that the agency should move in to protect through the impoundment of the imported garri from India or wherever; there is also an urgent need to save local syringe manufacturers from total collapse by impounding fake imported syringes, which have, also, reportedly flooded the Nigerian market.
Even where imported syringes are not substandard and there is need to give import permit or licence, import duty on syringes should be increased to 40 percent minimum in order to discourage indiscriminate importation since there are local industries producing standard disposable syringes and other medical necessaries in the country.
Reports of increasing dumping of imported Asian products, including disposable syringes, many of which are substandard and which are even purportedly subsidized by their home governments, into Nigeria are worrisome. The Ministry of Health, NAFDAC and other relevant agencies of government should weigh in and do the needful to save local productions.
If nothing is done, it will be increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for companies producing syringes and medical devices in the country such as Zaria Pharmaceutical Limited (Zarinject), El-Salmat Pharmaceuticals in Ilorin, First Medicals and Sterile Products in Calabar, PAHF AD Syringe Manufacturer in Port Harcourt, among others, to keep afloat.
The supervising authorities in the health sector would do well to deliberately intervene to protect Nigerian syringe/medical device industries from, what stakeholders call, unfair competition by foreign manufacturers.
There is no doubt that this deliberate encouragement of local industries through a protectionist policy that, for instance, makes importation very rigorous will help to strength local capacities, generate employment for the unemployed youths, reduce over-dependence on imported products, conserve foreign exchange which the economy can leverage on, and bring about easier monitoring and control of standards.
Standard control is key. If reports that substandard imported syringes in the Nigerian markets break easily at the point of using them for injections on patients are true, then it should be a source of serious concern to well-meaning Nigerians.
To conclude, why allow importation of syringes when Nigerian companies, which have World Health Organisation (WHO), NAFDAC, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)/Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) certifications, are producing standard syringes and other medical devices in the country, and are even coping with the pressure of market demands? Health supervisory authorities should take necessary actions.
A 40-year-old married woman, Memory Tete, has confessed to be having affairs with men, including a 19 year old boy, Trymore Chibwe, because her husband had been starving her of sex .
She confessed also of dumping a foetus secretly at her homestead in the presence of Chibwe and one Madzimai Netsai. She said she was sex starved since her husband, Chamunorwa Hofisi was based in South Africa.
The woman’s illicit affair came into the open, according to Zim News, when Trymore Chibwe spoke out and the duo was summoned before the Masango village court in Zimbabwe, headed by the village headman, Caleb Masango.
The boy said that the woman used to make him have 10 rounds of sex every day apart from also sexually involved with five other men.
Speaking before the village headman, Chibwe said: “It started well in my life as memory took me to her home when I was in grade six. I was going to school at the same time herding cattle.
“We started having sexual intercourse in 2012 and would do 10 rounds per day. She would stock the sperms and then go to South Africa to sell them.
“My father caught us red handed having sex in 2014. He was passing by and he heard the explicit sounds and forced his way into the house where he caught us pants down.
“He lodged a complaint with the police but they never took it seriously because she is so influential in the society.
“After I finished my grade seven, I got $30 from the woman for the services I rendered, so I left to my uncle’s place to stay but the woman still followed me, pleading for me to come back since I had witnessed her dumping a foetus at her homestead.
“But problem started when the woman dated Mafana Gideon who threatened and chased me away.
“I kept on demanding my money but Gideon continued to threaten me and now I am failing to sexually satisfy my wife whom I married,” the boy added.
But Mrs. Defended herself against the allegation that she had been harvesting sperms, adding that Chibwe is only after finding ways to tarnish her image after he learnt that she was dating another man.
“He is still pestering me for sex and I am denying he visit me anytime even during the day until one day that he clashed with one of my lovers,” the 40-year-old added.”
She also denied involvement in sperm harvesting, saying: “my visit to South Africa was not to sell sperms as alleged by Chibwe.
“I was visiting my husband, who later learned about my affair with Chibwe from the villagers but he forgave me since he understands the fact that I was sex starved.”
The village headman, who presided over the hearing of Tete’s illicit affair with the boy said: “following revelations of abortion during the trial, the case will be referred to the police.
“We are still carrying out investigations and findings will be made public soon.” [myad]
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the forceful takeover of the secretariat of the Party by Senator Modu Sheriff as criminal, illegal and most unwelcome.
A statement by the factional spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye said that Modu Sheriff should be held responsible for any loss of party document and property.
“As far as we are concerned, the forceful entry of Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team into the party secretariat is illegal and most unwelcome. We say this because the keys to the secretariat are with the Board of Trustees and we’ve checked with them, and can confirm that the keys were not handed over to Sheriff or any of his followers.
“The implication of this was that he broke into the secretariat which is a criminal offence.
“We also expected that Modu-Sheriff should have waited for the conclusion of the Appeal we filed at the Supreme Court before he forced himself in just like we held on when we got court judgement favouring us last year.
“We are condemning his action in totality and we view it as an affront on the rule of law.
“Given his act of illegality, we stated clearly that he should be held responsible for any loss of documents or damage to the property within the party secretariat.
“The administrative staff, as accounting officers, were not around to see the event happen, and as the custodians of the property of the party, they refused to participate in the illegal entry made by Ali Modu-Sheriff. His action is provocative and is capable of causing another round of crisis in the party.
“We advise him in his own interest, to vacate the secretariat immediately.
“We also call on authority of the Nigerian Police to prevent chaos by flushing Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team out of the PDP secretariat and let all parties wait for the judgement of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land.” [myad]
The United Nations is hoping to raise about $1.5 billion as an emergency aid for millions of people threatened by the looming famine in the Boko Haram stronghold of Northeastern Nigeria as well as Lake Chad region, which comprises Northeast Nigeria, Northern Cameroon, Western Chad and Southeast Niger.
This fact came to light today, Thursday, when the UN aid agencies and donor countries gathered in Oslo for a two-day meeting.
Participants agreed that these regions which are the poorest in the world has been ravaged by eight years of violence and that schools, dispensaries and agriculture are in ruins while the people have been forced to flee jihadists on foot without any resources. They noted that about 5.1 million people are facing severe food shortages while about 500,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition, even as the military makes gains against the group.
Norwegian Foreign Minister, Borge Brende, called it “one of the more forgotten conflicts” on the planet.
“The displacement crisis in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region has really become unfortunately a very serious food and nutrition emergency.
“More than 10 million people are in need of assistance… Some parts of northeastern Nigeria may unfortunately already experience famine.”
The medical situation has been described by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) as “the worst in the world”.
The participants said that humanitarian organizations can access populations at risk only as the army progresses even as many roads are only passable under the escort of Nigerian soldiers and ambushes are a constant threat. They added that other places are only accessible by helicopter, where “horrible rates of malnutrition” are observed among children.
The head of emergencies for MSF in Borno state, Natalie Roberts said: “in the whole of the Lake Chad region we’ve seen the fight against Boko Haram take priority above all else, with military and political objectives directed towards this.
“We now find ourselves in the midst of a huge humanitarian crisis.”
The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel region, Toby Lanzer, called for a response to “one of the most deadly extremist groups,” referring to Boko Haram.
The inhabitants “are surviving with barely one meal a day,” he warned.
“And we know that with the impending rainy season, disease will increase, malaria will become more prevalent, and shelter will be more needed,” Lanzer said.
Ahmed Shehu, a civil society representative in northeastern Nigeria, spoke about the need for long-term development.
“I say (to) donors here, if we want to tackle the Boko Haram issue, let’s also reflect on the underlying issue: poverty,” he said.
“The second issue we fail to link with Boko Haram is climate change,” he said, noting that 90 percent of Lake Chad has dried up in a few decades.
“What is the issue now? A majority (farmers and fishermen) have lost their livelihoods,” he said.
Among those attending the Oslo conference are government ministers from Germany, Norway, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and the head of the World Food Programme, Ertharin Cousin.
The delegations are expected to detail their respective commitments in three-minute speeches tomorrow, Friday. [myad]
Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has announced that the federal government is increasing budgetary allocation to the infrastructure development in the country from 10 percent in the past to 30 percent.
The minister, who spoke today, Thursday, at the United Capital launch of its Eurobond and Wealth for Women Funds, said that infrastructure development will play a fundamental role in unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, laying a foundation for economic competitiveness and long-term future growth. “We will now target 30% of Government expenditure on infrastructure, up from 10%.” Adesoun emphasized that Investment in critical infrastructure across the country will unlock job and wealth creation and strengthen economic development across all States in Nigeria. On the outlook for the Nigerian economy, the minister said that the Government is committed to increasing capital spend on critical infrastructure across key areas; power, rail, roads and water which will underpin growth in priority sectors especially Agriculture and Agro-Allied, Solid Minerals, Manufacturing, and Power.
According to her, the Federal Government will mobilize private capital to complement Government spending on infrastructure.
“We recognize that Government spending alone will be inadequate to bridge the infrastructure gap and we have started engaging the private sector through our housing fund and the road trust fund for which fundraising is in progress.” She explained that the Government’s debt strategy is an essential part of this process, adding: “today, our debt profile is un-balanced. We borrow heavily domestically, with too short a tenure, and at a high cost.
“The impact of this is that we spend too much on interest and we crowd out the private sector from borrowing to fund their investment plans.
“This debt structure does not support our long term growth ambitions, and so it must be amended. We need longer term and cheaper finance to support the infrastructure investments we must make. “We expect infrastructure development to underpin the return to inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria.”
Other speakers represented at the event included Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki and President, African Women’s Development Fund, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. [myad]
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed November 18 this year for the Anambra Governorship Election.
In an official Twitter handle today, Thursday, INEC said: “Breaking: Anambra State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on 18th November, 2017 as approved by the Commission.”
Although political parties have not nominated candidates yet, some politicians from the state have expressed interest in the race.
On Tuesday, Senator Andy Uba, who represents Anambra South, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
There are indications that Uba would run for the governorship office on the platform of the ruling party.
Incumbent Governor Willie Obiano is also likely to seek a second term. [myad]
Pope Francis has accused some members of his own Church, of living what he called, “hypocritical lives,” insisting that it is better to be an atheist than one of “many” Catholics leading a hypocritical double life.
In improvised comments in the sermon of his private morning Mass in his residence, he said: “it is a scandal to say one thing and do another. That is a double life.
“There are those who say ‘I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass; I belong to this and that association.’”
A Vatican Radio transcript quoted the head of the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church as saying that some of these people should also say “‘my life is not Christian, I don’t pay my employees proper salaries, I exploit people, I do dirty business, I launder money, (I lead) a double life’.
“There are many Catholics who are like this and they cause scandal.
“How many times have we all heard people say ‘if that person is a Catholic, it is better to be an atheist’?”
Since his election in 2013, Francis has often told Catholics, both priests and lay people, to practice what their religion preaches.
In his often impromptu sermons, he has condemned sexual abuse of children by priests as being tantamount to a “Satanic Mass,”.
He said that Catholics are in the mafia excommunicate themselves, and told his own cardinals to not act as if they were “princes”.
Less than two months after his election, he said Christians should see atheists as good people if they do good. [myad]
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