The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that over 300 houses were shaken by the earth tremor that hit Kwoi in Kaduna State last week.
The agency’s Zonal Coordinator in the North West, Musa Illalah, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Ilalah, however, said no life was lost in the incident, but that the affected houses either collapsed or got cracked.
“We have gone round and have seen the houses that were affected. The assessment is still ongoing; we are waiting for the geologists to tell us the root of the problem and what will be the next plan of action for the occupants of these communities.”
Ilalah called on the residents to remain calm, saying that measures are already being taken by the Federal and State Governments to provide succour to the affected persons.
“We in NEMA will do our best; we are going to write our report and send it to the headquarters, Abuja. We all know that the rock is the root of the problem but only the geological services will be able to tell us the cause of the tremor.”
Multiple earth tremors were recorded in three locations in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State over the weekend. The remors that occurred on Sunday and early hours of Monday at Kwoi, Nok and Samban Dagi also left scores of structures with cracks or total collapse. (NAN). [myad]
A 39 year old trader in Ebute Meta, Lagos Gordon Daniel, has been charged to a Magistrates’ Court for allegedly pouring a poisonous substance in a neighbour’s pot of soup. He is being tried for attempted murder.
The suspected poisonous substance, “Snipper” is a gammalin 20-based liquid insecticide that is common in Nigeria for ridding homes of all insects and small rodents. The Police Prosecutor, Coupler Hafsat Ajibode said that the offence was committed at No. 7, Baale Ayetoro St., Ajegunle, Lagos on August 17 this year at about 10.00 a.m.
Ajibode told the court that the accused had attempted to kill his neighbor by pouring the substance in her pot of soup and that the offence contravened Section 228 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs. K.A. Ariyo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
Ariyo ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and must show proof of tax payment to the State Government.
The case was adjourned to October 11 for receipt of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). [myad]
A former member of the House Representatives and Governorship aspirant in Kaduna State in the 2015 election, Hon. Isa Muhammed Ashiru has asked Nigerians to be patient and support the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari even as he said that the worse economic situation will soon the over. According to him, the current challenges faced by Nigeria is a sign of good things to come In his Sallah message to the people of Kaduna State, the former lawmaker and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida group in Kaduna State likened the present socio-economic downturn in Nigeria to the trial of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who was commanded by Allah to sacrifice his only son, Prophet Ismail in a rare display of total submission to the will of Allah following which Ibrahim (AS) became one of the most celebrated men in the Holy Qur’an. Hon. Isa called on Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike to reflect on the significance of the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, saying that with their sacrifices and commitment, peace and progress are in the offing. He said that despite the current challenges, there is no doubt that the worse is over, because as he noted, President Buhari is well intentioned and working had to put Nigeria on the path of economic recovery. He commended Nigerians, especially the people of Kaduna state for their support for the Change Agenda under the administration of President Buhari, urging them to remain committed to the Change mantra until Nigeria is rescued and returned to greatness. The Kaduna APC Governorship hopeful urged the people of the state to reflect on the lesson of Eid-el-Kabir, show love for one another and be committed to the growth, development and peaceful co-existence in the state. He assured the people of the state that the APC Akida group in Kaduna State remains solidly behind the administration of President Buhari and determined to bring about meaningful and enduring change with a human face in Kaduna state. [myad]
There are different kinds of beggars depending on one’s perception of the word but in general term, it means soliciting in whatever way. In this part of the world, there are common and corporate beggars. The former are those moving on the street, stationed at public places like mosques, churches and markets while the later are well dressed moving from one point to the other meeting people especially at work places to beg.
For Abuja, being one of the newest cities in the world it has its own fair share of people rushing into it for greener pasture, which of course, comprises of the good, the bad and the ugly. As people rush into Abuja, the baggage includes the good people, criminals as well as the beggars.
It is unfortunate that when some southern parts of Nigeria were hit by armed robbery, kidnap cases, militancy, etc, some northern parts of the country have been plagued with insurgency, cattle rustling and religious extremism with millions of people in such areas seeking refuge in Abuja thereby overstretching the existing infrastructure.
As other people both skilled and unskilled laborers moved into Abuja, beggars colonies also moved along side with them. However, since Abuja is the only planned city in the Nigeria which is a product of law, everything done in Abuja is guided by the law and therefore some of these visitors are welcome with their trade while some like the beggars and hawkers are outlawed through the Abuja Environmental Protection Board law. Although some of them usually say it is against some of their fundamental human rights. That is a case for another time.
The current FCT Administration, headed by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has come at a very difficult time in the history of the nation’s capital. The country has been enmeshed in recession with its attendant negative hydro-headed consequences of job loss, high inflation and lack of adequate funds to execute government projects and programmes.
The Minister in efforts to stamp out street begging in the Federal Capital Territory, undertook a far reaching re-organization of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) by changing its leadership as well as establishing a new FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection to give the desired push.
These efforts have indeed paid off, as the AEPB and the Task Team was able to break a syndicate of suspected suppliers of beggars to strategic locations in Abuja. This is to ensure that the menace was uprooted from its foundation.
After this unprecedented achievement, the Chairman of the FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection, Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel (rtd.) revealed that the feat was achieved with the close collaboration of security agencies in the Task Team where intelligence sharing is uppermost. He said that the leader of the suspected syndicate, Baba Gwarma from Kaduna State, said that he is based in Karma-Jiji, a suburb of Abuja with their leader (Sarki) in the same vicinity.
Squadron leader Monjel further disclosed that he has three personal vehicles for movement of beggars in and around Abuja as well as neighboring states of Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states; adding that Baba Gwarma has houses that he has rented out and also provide shelter for the beggars in the syndicate in Karma-Jiji.
Meanwhile, the pedestrian bridges constructed for ease of pedestrian movements have also been taken over by beggars and hawkers. The Minister had to leave the comfort of his office to personally pay unscheduled visit to some of them in the city and suburb, particularly the one in Lugbe, a suburb of Abuja along the Airport Road. It was there that Malam Bello read another riot act directing the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to as a matter of urgency stop hawkers using pedestrian bridges for their activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
During that visit, Malam Bello warned that hawking and other illegal activities are not acceptable on the Pedestrian bridges across the Territory and called for stern enforcement. He reiterated that such bridges were constructed for easy movement and passage of residents crossing the highways but not meant for hawking, begging or for other nuisances and therefore a stop must be put to it forthwith. The Minister thus, warned officials of the AEPB and the Task Team that the Administration is not prepared to take excuses anymore; saying that they must carryout their statutory duty; emphasizing that the pedestrian bridges are not shopping malls.
It was during that unscheduled visit that Malam Bello also instructed that the AEPB and the Task Team must also get rid of herdsmen still grazing in the Federal Capital City; noting, “you must find a way of dealing with that bizarre situation”.
Thus, another chapter was also opened in tackling their menace by taking advantage of technology to curtail the nefarious activities of beggars and destitute in the Federal Capital Territory. The Administration has taken bold steps to create a database for all the arrested beggars and destitute taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Kuchiko, in Bwari Area Council, Abuja. According to him, the establishment of the database would avail the Administration adequate information on those arrested as well as affording the government the opportunity to make adequate arrangement for repatriation.
He therefore directed the FCT Social Development Secretariat to ensure that all those arrested are captured in the database for easy reference.
Malam Bello at Kuchiko Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre also instructed that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to ensure that beggars and destitute are assembled and registered after their arrests before taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre where the Social Development staff will officially receive and hand them over to the management of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.
The Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre was also directed to commence the process of repatriation of the beggars and destitute in earnest in line with the extant rules to their various states of origin where the social welfare officials in such states are to receive them officially.
During the same unscheduled visit, the Principal of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Comrade Bala Tsoho, confirmed that 145 new beggars and destitute were just brought into the Centre.
He reiterated that the welfare of the inmates especially regular feeding has drastically improved since Malam Bello came on board.
Although the Federal Capital City, Abuja has not been completely rid of beggars, cattle grazing and street hawking, it could be gleaned from the foregoing that the Administration of Malam Bello has indeed taken the fight against menace to an enviable height and at the same time following the extant rules in tune with the Change Agenda of the Federal Government to minimize any injury to the rights and privileges of the affected persons.
Mr. Bamya, is a public affairs analysts based in Abuja. [myad]
As far as many pastors are concerned, the most important scripture of all is not to be found in the word of Jesus. Neither is it even in the New Testament.
That scripture says: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10).
This scripture is drummed repeatedly into Christians on Sundays. However, the only time Jesus mentioned tithing in scripture, he pointed out that it was not a weighty matter of the law. (Matthew 23:23). Hebrews says people only receive tithes “according to the law.” (Hebrews 7:5). It then insists tithing (and everything else under the law) has been annulled: “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless.” (Hebrews 7:18-19). Nevertheless, mercenary pastors continue to insist on the payment of tithes.
Latter-day Pharisees
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for keeping part instead of the whole law. (Matthew 23:23). That is what tithe-collecting pastors do today. If we insist our congregants must pay tithes, we must also insist that they keep the rest of the law. James says: “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10). Therefore, if we insist on tithing, we should also refrain from eating pork. We should stone adulterers, execute homosexuals, kill Sabbath violators and restore blood-sacrifices.
Tithe-collecting pastors counter this by maintaining the payment of tithes pre-dated the law. Here Abraham is cited as the cardinal example of someone who paid tithes before the promulgation of the Law of Moses, as did Jacob, his grandson. However, such arguments are disingenuous.
Before the law, tithing was at best an example but not a commandment. Moreover, pastors fail to mention that Abraham only tithed once in his lifetime. When he did, he did not even tithe his own money: he tithed the spoils of war. He gave ten percent of the plunder he took when he rescued Lot to Melchisedec, king of Salem. But then he did not even keep the rest but returned it (all ninety percent) to the king of Sodom.
For his part, Jacob also tithed only once. He did this in a “let’s make a deal” arrangement he offered to God: “Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.’” (Genesis 28:20-22). This kind of deal about accepting God only under certain self-serving conditions should certainly not be a term of reference for any serious believer.
Lies upon lies
The first lie pastors tell Christians is what some have referred to as “the eleventh commandment:” “Thou shalt pay thy tithes to thy local church.” But the bible says no such thing. The storehouse of Malachi was not a church. It was a place where food was kept.
Pastors hide from church-members the fact that money was not acceptable as tithe. The tithe was a tenth of the seed and fruit of the land and of the animals which ate of the land. (Leviticus 27:30-32). That is why God says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be FOOD in my house.” (Malachi 3:10). He does not say “that there may be MONEY in my house.” The food was used to feed the Levites, the poor, widows, orphans and strangers.
Pastors also conveniently fail to teach the biblical tithe. The principles of tithing were not laid down by Malachi. They were laid down by Moses. The study of Moses’ guidelines quickly reveals that the biblical tithe has no application whatsoever to Christians and is mischievously violated by tithe-collecting pastors today.
According to the Law of Moses, the tithe was divided into three allocations. The first year, it was given to the Levite. The second year, it was given to widows, orphans and the poor. The third year, it was eaten in the company of the faithful before the Lord as thanksgiving for his faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 14:22-28). In the seventh year, there was no planting and no reaping and therefore no tithing.
So the next time your pastor asks you to pay tithe, ask him about the seventh-year reprieve. Also ask him if you can give your tithe to the orphanage, or bring it as food items to be eaten in church. Believe me; he will not agree with you because it is your money he is after.
Inapplicability of tithes
Tithing was only applicable to Jews and to the land of Israel. When large populations of Jews lived in Babylon, Ammon, Moab, Egypt, and Syria, these lands became tithe-able lands. However, tithes were not acceptable from strictly Gentile lands. So you need to ask your pastor how come he is collecting tithes in Nigeria.
Servants or slaves who worked on the land did not tithe because the land did not belong to them. Since only agricultural and animal resources were included, a fisherman gave no tithe of his fisheries. Neither did a miner or a carpenter pay tithes, nor anyone from the various professional occupations. So if you are not a farmer or a keeper of livestock, tell your 419 pastor tithing is biblically inapplicable to you.
Moreover, the only people authorized to receive tithes were the Levites. (Hebrews 7:5). So if your Pastor is a “tithe-collector,” ask him if he happens to be a Jew. Remind him that, even though a Jew, Jesus could not receive the tithe because he was not from the tribe of Levi but from that of Judah.
The trick, of course, is for pastors today to claim we are “Levites.” If your pastor is one such dissembler, ask him if he lives as a Levite. Remind him that Levites had no land and did not have private property. Ask him also how he knows he is from the tribe of Levi, which happens to be one of the lost tribes of Israel. Point out to him that even Jewish rabbis don’t claim to be Levites today because all Jewish genealogical records were lost with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, ensuring that it is no longer possible to ascertain the true identity of Levites.
Therefore, if Jews no longer tithe because the Levites are a lost tribe, how can Christian pastors collect tithes when we are not even Jewish, how much more Levites? If Jewish rabbis, whose terms of reference remain the Old Testament no longer collect tithes, then pastors who insist Christians are under a New Testament have no business doing so.
The conclusion then is inescapable. Every pastor who collects tithes is nothing but “a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1). [myad]
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given seven-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), press a criminal charge against Dame Patience, wife of the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan over $15m unexplained wealth frozen in four companies’ accounts.”
The organization asked Malami to “take this step within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing it will institute legal proceedings to compel the discharge of constitutional duty in this matter.” It insisted that the Attorney-General can press criminal charge against Dame Patience under Section 174(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to urgently institute and undertake criminal proceedings against Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan
The letter dated 13 September 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni said Mrs Jonathan is a politically exposed person under anticorruption standards.
“She is also covered under the definition of ‘public officials’ contained in the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Under article 2 of the convention, public officials include Mrs Jonathan or any other family members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan who exercised official duties while he was president.” The letter reads in part: “According to article 2 “for the purpose of some specific measures contained in chapter II of this Convention, “public official” may mean any person who performs a public function or provides a public service.” “Thus, article 2 makes it very clear that any person, such as Mrs Jonathan performing a public function, entrusted with a public task or to whom public functions have been assigned are public officials, regardless of whether they have been elected or appointed, paid or unpaid.” “In this context, it is the character of the duties performed by Mrs Jonathan while her husband was president that is the overriding consideration as she held a position of trust by virtue of performing public functions or services. In addition, such public duties or services by her are expected to be performed in good faith.” “Under article 20 of the convention, this government has an obligation to prosecute intentional illicit enrichment, that is, a significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her lawful income.” “The fact that the $15m found in the four accounts belong to Mrs Jonathan raises serious suspicion or at the very least a prima-facie case of unexplained wealth/illicit enrichment, and imposes an obligation on Mrs Jonathan to explain and justify the source(s) of the $15m.” “In the event that she is not able to justify, explain or put forth evidence demonstrating the legitimate origin of the $15m, SERAP urges you to take immediate steps to forfeit the asset under appropriate legal proceedings, and to institute criminal prosecution for unexplained wealth in the matter.” “Similarly, section 44 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Actcriminalises unexplained or illicit wealth and allows criminal penalties and forfeiture if in the course of an investigation there are reasonable grounds to believe that a corruption offence has been committed, that is, the failure to explain the origin of the $15m givenpresent or past emoluments, and other relevant circumstances.” “SERAP notes that Mrs Jonathan has admitted that the four accounts belong to her and that she is the sole signatory to these accounts. The four accounts in which Mrs Jonathan’s $15m was lodged are said to belong to the following companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited. Mrs Jonathan was given a platinum card and exclusive access to the accounts.” “According to reports, a houseboy, a driver and other domestic workers of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, were named as directors.” “Pursuing prosecution in this case would help to provide adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition to victims of corruption who continue to be denied their right to an effective remedy. It would also send a clear message that cases of unexplained wealth or illicit enrichment involving politically exposed persons would not go unpunished.” “The use of the offence of illicit enrichment is necessary to any anti corruption movement, and accepted instrument in the global fight against corruption. It would also enhance the government’s powers to monitor wealth and improve transparency and accountability within the public sector. SERAP considers this as a proportionate and measured response to the pernicious problem of corruption in the country. By combating an official’s unexplained material gains, illicit enrichment offenses make it clear to public officials that if they engage in corrupt conduct they would forfeit illegally acquired wealth and go to prison.” [myad]
The Kano State’s Acting Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, has that a total of N7.8 billion is being spent to pay monthly salaries and allowances of the state civili servants, even as he said that the government is not owing the workers.
Professor Hafiz Abubakar, who received in audience today, Wednesday, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, who paid him the traditional Sallah Homage at the Government House, said that out of the amount, over N3 billion was for salaries of state government workers, N2.5 billion for primary school teachers and N1.5 billion for local council workers. Abubakar said in spite of the high wage bill and current dwindling revenue, the government has not relented in paying the workers as at when due. “I want to inform his Royal Highness, the Emir that despite the economic recession in the country, the state government does not owe workers a single Kobo as at today. “It is our stance that payment of salary is an obligation to any serious government, hence our decision to ensure that workers are paid as at when due.” The acting governor said the administration was also determined to complete all ongoing major projects initiated by the immediate past administration. “It is our intention to complete all the ongoing projects which have direct impact on the lives of our people.” He added that the administration had initiated new projects to enhance the living condition of residents. Professor Hafiz Abubakar listed the projects to include the construction of Madobi under-path, and rehabilitation of Sabon Gari, Court Road, Kings Road and Rijiyar Zaki road among others. He also assured: “In fact we are trying to ensure that we fulfill our campaign promises in order to improve the living standard of our people.” Earlier, the Emir of Kano, expressed delight on the government’s effort to provide necessary infrastructure for the socio-economic development of the state even as he advised the Federal Government to seek the advice of economic experts in tackling current economic crisis in the country. Sanusi said that consulting the experts would help in enunciating proper solution to the crisis and reduce the hardship people were currently facing in the country. The emir, who is a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria urged wealthy Nigerians to support the less-privileged in the society in order to alleviate their sufferings. He added that Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs and political inclinations, should continue to pray for economic growth and development of the country. He also urged the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and be their brother’s keeper irrespective of religion or ethnic background. Sanusi appealed to the state government to help the people to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant. The Emir advised his subjects to support the government with ceaseless prayer to enable it deliver full democratic dividend to them. The traditional Sallah homage popularly known as ‘Hawan Nasarawa’, was attended by traditional rulers from across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state. The occasion was also graced by prominent personalities including politicians, top government functionaries, members of the Diplomatic Corps and business. [myad]
Igbo people resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the minister of the territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to include them in his administration, by appointing some of them into his cabinet. The Igbo people, who paid a formal visit on the minister today, Wednesday in his office asked that they should also be included in Board appointments and other political appointments to give them a sense of belonging. Leader of the delegation and the Eze Ndigbo of Abuja, Eze Ibe Nwosu said that they would maintain high degree of peace in their various locations in the federal Territory and that they would continue to contribute to the economic development of the city. Eze Nwosu asked the FCT Administration to carve out new layouts to develop new markets, in order to decongest the existing ones even as he called on his subjects to continue to support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister, Muhammad Bello stressed the need for support of all Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him take Nigeria to greater heights. He sought for the same support to all his appointees in the Federal Capital Territory to enable them deliver quality services to the Residents as encapsulated in the Change Agenda of the Federal Government. The Minister reiterated that his Administration is working to make the Abuja light rail project operational by December 2017, adding that all the rail corridors would be developed to boost trade and commercial activities in the Territory. Muhammad Bello said that the history of Abuja cannot be complete without the mention of the contributions of the Igbo traders and assured them that his Administration would continue to run an open door policy and all-inclusive government. The Minister called for peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnic groups resident in the Territory, saying: “we should maintain the tempo of the peace we are enjoying in Abuja.” He asked residents of the Territory to always report any suspicious movement to the law enforcement agents in to nip in the bud any security breach. [myad]
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has commenced investigation into the recent tremor in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A statement on today, Wednesday, in Abuja, the Head of the agency’s Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Felix Ale, said that the nature of the sources of the tremor will soon be determined after the completion of the on-going thorough investigation of the incident by experts in the space agency. “The reports have established that the incidents were recorded in Kwoi and surrounding villages of Nok, Sanbah and Chori in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, September 11 and Monday September 12 “The current findings are the outcome of a preliminary report by the team of experts immediately deployed to the affected communities from one of the activity centers of the space agency. “Centre for Geodesy and Geo-dynamics has carried out on-the- spot assessment as well as survey investigation on the incident.” The media head said that Head of the Seismology Division of the agency, Dr. Ofonime Akpan, led the team that was able to establish that the Seismological Station of NASRDA located at Kujama in Kaduna State accurately recorded the incident. He said that the record made it easy for collation of data and early release of preliminary reports on the incident. Akpan said: “the analysis showed that the first event occurred at 12:28:16.50 seconds GMT on Sept.11 and the event has an epicentre located Latitude 9.825N and Longitude 7.885 E while Local Magnitude was 2.6 and Moment Magnitude was 3.0 and Focal Depth was 10 km. “The report further showed that the second event occurred on Sept. 12 at 03:10:48.80 seconds (GMT) with Local Magnitude of 2.6 and Moment Magnitude of 2.9 with Focal Depth of 10km while the epicentre was Latitude 10.879N and Longitude 7.188E. “That was followed immediately by another event at 03:11:20.00 seconds (GMT) located at an epicentre of Latitude 9.927N and Longitude 7.297E, Local Magnitude 2.9 and Moment Magnitude 3.0. “The reports showed the time of occurrence of the events and intensities of the locations as reported by inhabitants of the communities, which included cracks on walls of buildings, falling off of ceiling fans and other items. “It corresponds with the results of analysis carried out by the team of experts from NASRDA’s Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics.” The Agency, however, appealed to residents of the various communities to remain calm as efforts would be made by NASRDA to unravel the situation as more data were aggressively being collected from other seismological stations. The agency promised to make its detailed reports known to the public as soon as further investigations on the incident were completed. The Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics in Toro, Bauchi State, is one of the Activity Centers of Excellence of the agency in different geo-political zones of the country. The centre is charged specifically with the mandates of crustal and coastal deformation monitoring, seismic hazard evaluation and monitoring as well as research in natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and subsistence. NASRDA has successfully carried out several projects and research for national development among which are series of investigations on peculiar geo-hazards in Nigeria. They include the application of Laser Technologies for Subsistence monitoring along the coastal lines of Lagos and Port Harcourt and Development of a geo-hazard map showing some areas that are susceptible to natural hazards. It has also established what is globally known as the Nigeria National Network of Seismic Stations located in Abuja, Kaduna, Ile-Ife, Awka, Abakaliki, Minna, Ibadan, Nsukka and Oyo town. NASRDA said that this is done to improve seismic data acquisition and encourage more research activities regarding seismicity in Nigeria, particularly in times of natural disasters. Meanwhile, the Interim Chairman of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Ben Kure, said on Wednesday that reports in the social media on the magnitude of recent earth tremor in the area were largely exaggerated. Kure made the rebuttal in an interview with journalists in his office in Kwoi. He said the reports, particularly the images posted on the social media, were not from the area. “The pictures do not portray the reality of what happened.” Kure dismissed the reports as a sensational exaggeration of the incident, which only heightened peoples fears unnecessarily. The chairman urged the general public to disregard the misleading information. [myad]
No fewer than 2,500 leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society, academia, media and the arts in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland under the canopy of World Economic Forum to brainstorm on the increasing frustration and discontent among those not experiencing economic development and social progress.
A statement from the Forum today, Wednesday said that the 47th Annual Meeting, which will take place from January 17 to 20 January 2017 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, will convene under the theme, Responsive Leadership. It said that the theme calls on global leaders to renew the systems that have supported international cooperation in the past by adapting them for today’s complex, multipolar world in ways that foster genuinely inclusive growth. “Responsive Leadership means recognizing the increasing frustration and discontent among those not experiencing economic development and social progress. Their situation will only become more uncertain with the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its impact on future employment. Responsive Leadership requires a deeper commitment to inclusive development and equitable growth, both nationally and globally.”
The statement quoted the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab as saying that as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the Forum leverages its organizational capacity, including convening power, community management excellence and insight, to offer a platform for the most effective and engaged leaders to rededicate themselves at the start of the year to advancing innovations and initiatives that achieve common goals for greater societal leadership. The statement said that since its recognition in 2015 by the Federal Council of Switzerland as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, the Forum has focused on driving positive change through 14 System Initiatives. [myad]
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The Kano State’s Acting Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, has that a total of N7.8 billion is being spent to pay monthly salaries and allowances of the state civili servants, even as he said that the government is not owing the workers.
Igbo people resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the minister of the territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to include them in his administration, by appointing some of them into his cabinet.
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has commenced investigation into the recent tremor in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
As Begging In Abuja Is Officially Outlawed, By Yagana Bamya
There are different kinds of beggars depending on one’s perception of the word but in general term, it means soliciting in whatever way. In this part of the world, there are common and corporate beggars. The former are those moving on the street, stationed at public places like mosques, churches and markets while the later are well dressed moving from one point to the other meeting people especially at work places to beg.
For Abuja, being one of the newest cities in the world it has its own fair share of people rushing into it for greener pasture, which of course, comprises of the good, the bad and the ugly. As people rush into Abuja, the baggage includes the good people, criminals as well as the beggars.
It is unfortunate that when some southern parts of Nigeria were hit by armed robbery, kidnap cases, militancy, etc, some northern parts of the country have been plagued with insurgency, cattle rustling and religious extremism with millions of people in such areas seeking refuge in Abuja thereby overstretching the existing infrastructure.
As other people both skilled and unskilled laborers moved into Abuja, beggars colonies also moved along side with them. However, since Abuja is the only planned city in the Nigeria which is a product of law, everything done in Abuja is guided by the law and therefore some of these visitors are welcome with their trade while some like the beggars and hawkers are outlawed through the Abuja Environmental Protection Board law. Although some of them usually say it is against some of their fundamental human rights. That is a case for another time.
The current FCT Administration, headed by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has come at a very difficult time in the history of the nation’s capital. The country has been enmeshed in recession with its attendant negative hydro-headed consequences of job loss, high inflation and lack of adequate funds to execute government projects and programmes.
The Minister in efforts to stamp out street begging in the Federal Capital Territory, undertook a far reaching re-organization of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) by changing its leadership as well as establishing a new FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection to give the desired push.
These efforts have indeed paid off, as the AEPB and the Task Team was able to break a syndicate of suspected suppliers of beggars to strategic locations in Abuja. This is to ensure that the menace was uprooted from its foundation.
After this unprecedented achievement, the Chairman of the FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection, Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel (rtd.) revealed that the feat was achieved with the close collaboration of security agencies in the Task Team where intelligence sharing is uppermost. He said that the leader of the suspected syndicate, Baba Gwarma from Kaduna State, said that he is based in Karma-Jiji, a suburb of Abuja with their leader (Sarki) in the same vicinity.
Squadron leader Monjel further disclosed that he has three personal vehicles for movement of beggars in and around Abuja as well as neighboring states of Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states; adding that Baba Gwarma has houses that he has rented out and also provide shelter for the beggars in the syndicate in Karma-Jiji.
Meanwhile, the pedestrian bridges constructed for ease of pedestrian movements have also been taken over by beggars and hawkers. The Minister had to leave the comfort of his office to personally pay unscheduled visit to some of them in the city and suburb, particularly the one in Lugbe, a suburb of Abuja along the Airport Road. It was there that Malam Bello read another riot act directing the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to as a matter of urgency stop hawkers using pedestrian bridges for their activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
During that visit, Malam Bello warned that hawking and other illegal activities are not acceptable on the Pedestrian bridges across the Territory and called for stern enforcement. He reiterated that such bridges were constructed for easy movement and passage of residents crossing the highways but not meant for hawking, begging or for other nuisances and therefore a stop must be put to it forthwith. The Minister thus, warned officials of the AEPB and the Task Team that the Administration is not prepared to take excuses anymore; saying that they must carryout their statutory duty; emphasizing that the pedestrian bridges are not shopping malls.
It was during that unscheduled visit that Malam Bello also instructed that the AEPB and the Task Team must also get rid of herdsmen still grazing in the Federal Capital City; noting, “you must find a way of dealing with that bizarre situation”.
Thus, another chapter was also opened in tackling their menace by taking advantage of technology to curtail the nefarious activities of beggars and destitute in the Federal Capital Territory. The Administration has taken bold steps to create a database for all the arrested beggars and destitute taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Kuchiko, in Bwari Area Council, Abuja. According to him, the establishment of the database would avail the Administration adequate information on those arrested as well as affording the government the opportunity to make adequate arrangement for repatriation.
He therefore directed the FCT Social Development Secretariat to ensure that all those arrested are captured in the database for easy reference.
Malam Bello at Kuchiko Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre also instructed that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to ensure that beggars and destitute are assembled and registered after their arrests before taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre where the Social Development staff will officially receive and hand them over to the management of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.
The Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre was also directed to commence the process of repatriation of the beggars and destitute in earnest in line with the extant rules to their various states of origin where the social welfare officials in such states are to receive them officially.
During the same unscheduled visit, the Principal of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Comrade Bala Tsoho, confirmed that 145 new beggars and destitute were just brought into the Centre.
He reiterated that the welfare of the inmates especially regular feeding has drastically improved since Malam Bello came on board.
Although the Federal Capital City, Abuja has not been completely rid of beggars, cattle grazing and street hawking, it could be gleaned from the foregoing that the Administration of Malam Bello has indeed taken the fight against menace to an enviable height and at the same time following the extant rules in tune with the Change Agenda of the Federal Government to minimize any injury to the rights and privileges of the affected persons.
Mr. Bamya, is a public affairs analysts based in Abuja. [myad]