Regional Security: UK Pledges Support For Multinational Joint Task Force

July 3, 2023

The United Kingdom has pledged to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in achieving its mandate of regional security.

Speaking when he visited the Headquarters of the MNJTF in Abuja today, July 3, the British Defence Advisor for Nigeria, Brigadier General Matt Munro, underscored Britain’s resolve to enhance its strategic partnership with the multinational coalition.

He stressed the crucial role the task force plays in ensuring regional security and stability.

The commitment, according to him, is expected to significantly boost the operational capacity of the MNJTF.

The British Defence Advisor expressed optimism for the future, confidence that the UK’s backing will facilitate pivotal advancements for the MNJTF, ranging from meticulous planning to proficient execution of operations.

Responding, the Force Commander, Major General Gold Chibuisi, who was represented by the Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Assoulai Blama, expressed his gratitude to the British government.

He appreciated the support it has been receiving through the Cell for Coordination and Liaison to MNJTF, a key conduit for the strategic partnership.

The Deputy Force Commander lauded the British government’s unwavering support which he said, has exemplified international cooperation in fostering world peace.

I’ll Ensure Policy Consistency To Grow Economy, President Tinubu Assures Investors

Editorial staff

July 3, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the business community of his government’s commitment to policy consistency and better business climate to attract investment.

The President, who spoke today, July 3, when he received in audience, delegation of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), at the Presidential villa, Abuja, welcomed the SPDC’s offer for more investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

He said that such investments are needed now more than ever, to enable Government meet its obligations.

The President said that attracting fresh investment was a promise he made personally to Nigerians. “Whatever it takes, I will fulfill that promise to Nigerians.”

President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria is ready for business, assuring the Shell management and other investors of his administration’s willingness to maintain an open-door policy and address their concerns.

“We are open for business. We are serious. I give you the assurance of consistency in policy.”

The President also assured that his government is removing all forms of bottlenecks in order to ensure that Nigeria becomes an attractive investment destination.

Addressing the President earlier, the leader of the delegation, Ms Yujnock applauded what she described as “incredibly strong start” of the Tinubu presidency.

She expressed optimism that the bold steps taken by the government would renew Nigeria’s pride of place as an investment destination.

Yujnock said that SPDC is willing to ramp up investment in the country, especially in the areas of gas and deep-water assets by pumping in billions of dollars.

She said that Nigeria remains a strategic investment country for the company in view of the long history between the two entities and the prospects held by the county’s oil and gas sector.

Security: We’ll Deliver On President Tinubu’s Mandate – NSA Nuhu Ribadu

Editorial staff

July 3, 2023

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu has assured Nigerians that those of them that were recently appointed to handle the security of the country understand what President Bola Tinubu wanted and will deliver.

Ribadu, who spoke to newsmen shortly after a visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential villa, Abuja, today, July 3, believed that the chosen ones are the best so far.

He said that they are fully conscious of the big task ahead in term of securing the country, saying: “it is going to be done, insha Allah.”

Ribadu said that the task had since started and that already, things are improving in the country.

“If you see the record of crimes and activities of criminals are going down. It will continue to go down. We’ll secure this place.

“Nigerians have seen the quality of the people that are given opportunity; they are probably some of the best we have and they are not going to fail you. They’ll certainly deliver.”

The NSA said that the service chiefs were in the villa to thank President Tinubu “for the opportunity he gave us to serve our country and to serve his own government.

“We also pledged our loyalty to him, Nigeria and Nigerians. We believe the choice he made is the right one, the correct one, and we know what he wants for this country.

“We’re going to work tirelessly to ensure that we accomplish that objective of securing our country, establishing peace, stability and let’s get our lives back.”

According to Ribadu, the advised that they must work as a team, reminding them of the work to be done.

“The expects us to deliver and we’re grateful for the opportunity. That’s why we are here.”

FCT Health Department Announces Outbreak Of Diphtheria Infection

Editorial staff

July 3, 2023

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Public Health Department has announced the outbreak of diphtheria infection in some parts of the capital city.

The Director of the Department, Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahman, who spoke to newsmen today, July 3, explained that Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It produces toxins that can lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems and could lead to death.

Some of the symptoms are fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

Dr. Abdulrahman said that the disease had already killed a four-year-old baby.

He recalled that the outbreak of the disease had earlier been confirmed in Lagos, Kano and Ondo states in January, adding that it triggered a national response by the National Centre for Disease (NCDC).

He said that the outbreak of the infection in the FCT was confirmed after one of the results from the samples taken from suspected cases in a village close to Dei-Dei area, returned positive.

The Director sked residents to be conscious of their personal hygiene.

He advised them to report any strange symptoms, particularly one relating to their respiratory health to relevant authorities.

“Two weeks ago, we got information from a community within the FCT of eight cases and that made our team to pick some samples.

“The samples were taken to the National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa and the NCDC, and one of the suspected cases came out positive.”

He explained that the Department is collaborating with neighbouring states to checkmate further spread of the disease through border surveillance.

Also, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Dr. Yahaya Vatsa, said that unvaccinated people and those living in crowded and unhygienic environments are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Dr Vatsa said that the disease spreads through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

This, according to him, underscores the importance of hygiene and environmental sanitation as preventive measures.

“To reduce the risk of contracting the disease, FCT residents are hereby advised to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine.

“This is recommended in the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule.”

The executive secretary said that the FCTA, through the PHCB had concluded plans to revaccinate all children bellow 14 years in the affected communities.

He said that six weeks to four year old children would receive Penta Vaccine, while children between four years and 14 years would receive Td vaccine.

He added that the board would intensify routine immunisation across the six Area Councils of the FCT and take immunization services to the doorstep of the people.

Dr. Vatsa advised individuals with any of the signs and symptoms to isolate themselves and notify the FCT Disease Surveillance Notification Officer or the Emergency Operation Center, through the FCT Call Center toll-free lines.

He said that close contacts with infected cases are being closely monitored with prophylactic antibiotics,” he said.

Source: NAN.

Kogi: Leaders Of 3 Major Tribes Rise Against Political Violence Ahead Of November Gubar Election

Greenbarge Reporters

July 3, 2023

Leaders of the three major tribes in Kogi State: Igala, Egbira and Okun have risen against the rising political violence as the State prepares for the November 11 governorship election.
A communique issued after a meeting in Abuja, of the leaders of the three tribes, repeatedly appealed to political gladiators to ensure peaceful campaigns.
The communique was signed by the President of Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Dr. Godwin Oyibo; the President of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA ( Alhaji Amodu Abubakar Sadiq and the President of Okun Development Association (ODA),
Barrister Mokikan Femi.
The communique specifically appealed to the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to use his position as chief security officer of the State to ensure the maintenance of peace and peaceful electioneering campaigns.
Full text of the communique is reproduced hereunder:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF EMERGENCY MEETING OF KOGI COALITION OF UMBRELLA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KOCUDA) HELD ON 29TH JUNE, 2023 AT THE TOP VIEW HOTELS, ABUJA
We, the leadership of KOCUDA, the umbrella socio cultural and development organizations in Kogi State held an emergency meeting of the body on the 29th day of June, 2023 at Top View hotels Abuja. Present at the meeting are the Presidents of Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) and Okun Development Association (ODA) The meeting was called to review the gradual but very disturbing resurgence of violence in Kogi state ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
Concerns
In the course of its proceedings, the meeting among others things, expressed the following concerns in the recent happenings in Kogi State:
1. The disturbing wave of violence and the threat it poses to peace and harmony in Kogi State in the last two months.
2. The forum expressed worry over accusations and counter accusations of intimidations and harassments of individuals, members of political parties and innocent citizens. It was stressed that all citizens of Kogi State, irrespective of their places of residence in the state, reserves the right and should be allowed to participate in the democratic process without fear of any attack.
3. These incipient civil disturbances and infractions as being recorded in the state in recent time portends no small danger to a united Kogi state as it does not only undermines the democratic process, jeopardizes the safety and well-being of citizens, threatens the stability and progress of the state but reverses the gains which the current administration of the state has made in the areas of peace and security of lives and property.
4. Political violence is not known in human history to leave behind any good in its wake. In addition to stalling fundamental principles of democracy, it engenders cycle of fear, intimidation and socio-exclusion.
5. The ensuing chaotic atmosphere ahead of the November 11 2023 governorship election will only stifle open dialogue, free expression, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, all of which are crucial for a thriving democratic society.
Calls:
In view of the foregoing, the meeting was compelled to make the following calls:
1. All political parties and their leaders in Kogi state should prioritize the cause of peace far and above their personal or political interests in their activities. We enjoin political leaders and their supporters in the state to demonstrate their avowed commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for human right, mutual understanding, and adherence to the rule of law.
2. We call on the Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Chief Security Officer of the state, to do all within his legitimate powers to arrest the situation so that it does not degenerate further.
3. The relevant security agencies in the state are charged to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that further infractions and violence are prevented and culprits are dealt with in accordance with the law.
4. Our revered traditional rulers, religious and community leaders are urged to rise to the occasion and assert their respected positions towards a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming November Governorship election.
5. Going forward, we enjoined all component clubs and associations in all parts of Kogi state to replicate these same calls in their various district/regions and places with a view to driving home this message of peace and peaceful co-existence that have hitherto defined life in Kogi State.
Conclusion
The meeting came to a close with a passionate appeal to key stakeholders in Kogi Politics and by extension all Kogites to eschew any act that could endanger the peaceful coexistence of citizens of the state, adding that no one’s political interest is worth more than the peace of our dear state.
Signed
Dr. Godwin Oyibo
President, Ebira People’s Association (EPA)
Signed
Alhaji Amodu Abubakar Sadiq
President, Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA)
Signed
Barrister Mokikan Femi
President, Okun Development Association (ODA)

We Don’t Give License For Fuel Importation, NNPCL Reacts To News About Dangote

Editorial staff

July 3, 2023

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has denied claims that it had given a license to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote refinery, to import the Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, pending completion of his refinery

The company explained that it is not within its jurisdiction to grant a license or permit for fuel importation.

Report, published in a national daily recently, had claimed that the imported fuel would be discharged at the Dangote barge and pumped into tanks to be sold at a market-dictated price to marketers while work progresses at the refinery.

Reacting to the report, the media relations manager at the NNPCL, Onyi Sunday, described the report as misleading.

“The report is misleading. We don’t grant licenses or permits because we are not a regulatory organization. “The responsibility lies with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), not NNPCL. “NNPCL has just a small stake of 20 per cent in the refinery.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune online.

Olu Jacob, The Husband I Knew Is No Longer There For Me – Joke Silva

Greenbarge Reporters

July 3, 2023

“The husband I knew is no longer there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love.”
Veteran actress, Joke Silva, mades this statement about her husband, actor Olu Jacobs, during an interview with popular media personality and actress, Nancy Isime.
According to Joke Silva said that the progression of Olu Jacob’s ailment had brought significant changes to him.
She said that her husband’s ailment had really changed almost everything about him.
“It hasn’t been easy. There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality, and it is like the person I married, 80 per cent of the time is no longer there.
“But the thing is this: when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband; he was practically my best friend.
“The husband I knew is no longer there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love.”
Olu Jacobs has been diagnosed with dementia, an ailment that he has been battling with for years.

NYSC To Corpers: Why We’ve Not Paid Your June Allowance

Greenbarge Reporters

July 3, 2023

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has apologized to corps members across the country for the inability to pay their June allowance.
In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Scheme, Eddy Megwa, blamed bank processes for the delay.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Scheme completed all arrangements for the payment of Corps Members’ allowance since 27th of June, 2023, and remittances made same day to various banks accordingly.
“The delay being currently experienced is due to the administration of funds by various banks who are yet to credit Corps Members’ accounts.
“In line with the above, NYSC Management is assiduously interfacing with the banks to fast track the payment of Corps Members’ June allowance without further delay.
“All Corps Members are enjoined to remain calm, law-abiding and dutiful in their respective places of national service as the Scheme will continue to treat issues relating to their welfare with utmost priority.”

Hajj Commission Boss Angry With Saudi Authorities Over Poor Feeding For Nigerians

Editorial staff

July 2, 2023

Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullahi Kunle Hassan has condemned the Saudi Arabian Authorities for the poor feeding and accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims in the just concluded pilgrimage.

The chairman particularly accused the company paid to carry out the feeding and accommodation, especially in Minah, of abandoning the pilgrims outside the tents in harsh weather conditions.

Reacting to the complaints mounted by the affected Nigerian pilgrims, the NAHCON boss expressed shock that the company gave Nigerian pilgrims the same capacity of tents they gave them last year when the country had 43,000 pilgrims compared to this year when they have 95,000 pilgrims.

He warned the company that something has to change in the way Nigerian pilgrims are treated, if not, “the 30-year relationship may have to be reconsidered.

“If two brothers come out of the room laughing, it means they didn’t tell themselves the truth. But if they come out frowning, it means they told each other the truth and they can make progress.

“At this point we have to tell each other the truth. We have to say that Nigerian pilgrims were subjected to untold hardship and they are so disappointed in us even though we have repeatedly told them that the issues of tents and food are not in our hands, that we can only complain to the authorities.

“Time has come for you to hands off our food. We have argued repeatedly that we can handle catering by ourselves and you can regulate.

“This is because no matter how much money you spend on food, if you don’t do it the Nigerian way, it will not be eaten and the money is wasted.

“I am making this demand on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims and stakeholders.

“I am also, on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, demanding a refund for the foods that you didn’t supply,” the NAHCON boss said.

On the issue of invasion of the Minah area by Illegal pilgrims which the company raised earlier as an excuse, Hassan said that that cannot be the fault of Nigeria as “we are not in a position to check them or contain them since we are not in charge of security. That has to be the fault of our hosts.

“The invasion of illegal pilgrims isn’t an excuse because you provided the same capacity of tents as last year despite the fact that we came with 95,000 pilgrims compared to 43,000 pilgrims that we came with last year. Without the issue of illegal pilgrims which is not our fault that, the issue of tent inadequacy would still have happened,” a visibly angry NAHCON boss argued.

“The food came late most of the time . The food wasn’t good enough. It was not cooked in our Nigerian style and taste. The terrible food and the fact that Nigerians rejected it enabled invaders to come in and sell food. And this made the place more chaotic and embarrassing,” he added.

Speaking on the way forward, he said: “We want to be removed from the present site of tent. Now that we have been told about the fact that the first country to finish registration and documentations will be able to choose the best section of Mina, me and my team will work on ensuring that we start on time so we can choose the best place for our people next year. We must examine the tent a month before the arrival of our pilgrims so we can make necessary adjustments. Before now, you give us few days or few hours to vet the place you are keeping for our people which is not good enough.

“Return feeding to us. We can manage that ourselves. We can screen the caterer and ensure they have Nigerian touch. The food you have been giving us have no Nigerian touch at all. Return the food to us and you can regulate. We are controlling and regulating feeding in Makkah and Madinah. We have choices in Makkah and Madinah but no choice in Mina.

“We will be writing a letter of request for refund to you because the food didn’t meet our retirements and standard at all. As we go home, we will have to review our agreement with a view to knowing if we are continuing with this partnership or not because if our people are not happy, there will be no point continuing on this,” the NAHCON boss said.

This was even as Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Salihu, regretted that the Saudi company has taken Nigeria for a ride for too long.

“You have repeated the mistakes of last year. I complained of the same issues last year and you refunded a paltry 1.7 million naira for how many pilgrims. Now, we are seeking refunds for all the food that were not supplied.

“And we seek that you hands off the issue of feeding. No matter the money you are making from the food supply, it is not worth losing your image and losing a big client like us.

“Most of the times, we got no food at all. I even saw a pilgrim openly placing a curse on the people behind the management of tents.

“I don’t think you can continue to risk the wrath of Allah with this performance.”

Also the President of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, Yahaya Sidi Sulaiman, who spoke on behalf of tour operators lamented that the same thing was done to his group last year without any refunds.

“Even if you refund our money, our images that you have destroyed can’t be refunded. Your operations are shrouded in opaqueness, no transparency. We asked for documentary details of how many food and water you are supplying to how many pilgrims but you never made that available up till now.”

Speaking earlier, the Vice President of the group, Badr Bafqih, said that they faced some challenges which stopped them from delivering quality service as promised.

He complained that the number of pilgrims exceeded their expectations as the invasion of illegal pilgrims into Minah compounded their woes.

Responding to the complaints of the three speakers, Bafqih said that his organisation will investigate the issues and ascertain the number of food servings they didn’t get, adding that he couldn’t give immediate response to their demands.

Presidency Writes Off EU Report On 2023 Presidential Election, Says It’s Jaundiced

Editorial staff

July 2, 2023

Nigerian Presidency has written off the final report of the European Union (EU) on the 2023 general elections in the country, with particular reference to the February 25, 2023 Presidential poll.

In a statement today, July 2, reacting to the EU’s final report on the elections, the Presidency said that apart from lacking credibility, the was long foretold.

The statement, issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, recalled that sometimes in May, “we alerted the nation, through a press statement, to the plan by a continental multi-lateral institution to discredit the 2023 general elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The main target was the presidential election, clearly and fairly won by the then candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“While we did not mention the name of the organisation in the said statement, we made it abundantly clear to Nigerians how this foreign institution had been unrelenting in its assault on the credibility of the electoral process, the sovereignty of our country and on our ability as a people to organise ourselves.

“We find it preposterous and unconscionable that in this day and age, any foreign organisation of whatever hue can continue to insist on its own yardstick and assessment as the only way to determine the credibility and transparency of our elections.”

The statement said that now that the organisation has submitted what it claimed to be its final report on the elections, “we can now categorically let Nigerians and the entire world know that we were not unaware of the machinations of the European Union to sustain its, largely, unfounded bias and claims on the election outcomes.”

It Presidency insisted that the 2023 general elections, most especially the presidential election, won by President Bola Tinubu/All Progressives Congress, were credible, peaceful, free, fair and the best organised general elections in Nigeria since 1999.

It said that there is no substantial evidence provided by the European Union or any foreign and local organisation that is viable enough to impeach the integrity of the 2023 election outcomes.

“It is worth restating that the limitation of EU final assessment and conclusions on our elections was made very bare in the text of the press conference addressed by the Head of its Electoral Observation Mission, Barry Andrews.

“While addressing journalists in Abuja on the so-called final report, Andrews noted that EU-EOM monitored the pre-election and post-election processes in Nigeria from January 11 to April 11, 2023 as an INEC accredited election monitoring group. Within this period, EU-EOM observed the elections through 11 Abuja-based analysts, and 40 election observers spread across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“With the level of personnel deployed, which was barely an average of one person per state, we wonder how EU-EOM independently monitored election in over 176,000 polling units across Nigeria.

“We would like to know and even ask EU, how it reached the conclusions in the submitted final report with the very limited coverage of the elections by their observers who, without doubt, relied more on rumours, hearsay, cocktails of prejudiced and uninformed social media commentaries and opposition talking heads.

“We are convinced that what EU-EOM called final report on our recent elections is a product of a poorly done desk job that relied heavily on few instances of skirmishes in less than 1000 polling units out of over 176,000 where Nigerians voted on election day.

“We have many reasons to believe the jaundiced report, based on the views of fewer than 50 observers, was to merely sustain the same premature denunciatory stance contained in EU’s preliminary report released in March.

“We strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organisation, group and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.

“Our earlier position that the technology-aided 2023 general elections were the most transparent and best organised elections since the return of civil rule in Nigeria has been validated by all non-partisan foreign and local observers such are the African Union, ECOWAS, Commonwealth Observer Mission and the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Unlike EU-EOM that deployed fewer than 50 observers, the Nigerian Bar Association that sent out over 1000 observers spread across the entire country for same election gave a more holistic and accurate assessment of the elections in their own report.

“NBA, an organisation of eminent lawyers and an important voice within the civic space, reported that 91.8 per cent of Nigerians rated the conduct of the national and state elections as credible and satisfactory. “Any election that over 90% of the citizens considered transparent should be celebrated anywhere in the world.

“It is heart-warming that INEC, through its National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, has come out to defend the integrity of the election it conducted by rejecting the false narratives in the EU report.

“It is also gratifying that the electoral umpire, as an institution that is open to learning and continuous improvements, has also committed to taking on board more ideas, innovation and reforms that will further enhance the integrity and credibility of our electoral process.

“As a country, we have put the elections behind us. President Tinubu is facing the arduous task of nation-building, while those who have reasons to challenge the process continue to do so through the courts.

“In just one month in office, Nigerians appear satisfied with the decisive leadership of President Tinubu and the manner he is redirecting the country to the path of fiscal sustainability and socio-economic reforms. We urge the EU and other foreign interests to be objective in all their assessments of the internal affairs of our country and allow Nigeria to breathe.”

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