Bandits Kidnap Over 80 Children In Zamfara

April 7, 2023

Bandits have struck in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, kidnapping over 80 children, ages between 10 and 17.

The children were kidnapped today, April 7, at about 8.00am, in a renewed wave of banditry in the state.

The bandits were believed to have rounded up the children, who were fetching firewood in the bush.

“They were said to have been marched into the forest after capturing them,” a resident said.

Source: Persecondnews.

Muslims To Pay About N3 Million To Perform 2023 Hajj, As 7 Airlines Are Approved For Airlift

Editorial staff

April 7, 2023

Muslims from various parts of Nigeria are to pay about N3 million to perform the 2023 pilgrimage in Makkah and Medinnah, even as President Muhammadu Buhari approved seven airlines for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to airlift intending pilgrims to and from the Holy land.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, at a media briefing today, April 7 in Abuja, said: “the 2023 Hajj fare incidentally has eight different costs.

He said that Pilgrims in Maiduguri and Yola departure centre in the North East will pay the sum of N2,890,000, including 800 dollars Basic Travelled Allowance (BTA).

“For the other Northern States, we have agreed that the cost is N2,919,000, we now move to South which has six different price regime, Edo State is N2,968,000 and the entire South-South and South East are in this same price regime. “Ekiti and Ondo States N2,880,000, Osun state is N2,993,000 and Cross River State incidentally has the cheapest which is N2,943,000, while that of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states is N2,999,000.”

Hassan said that the inflation rate both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as well as the scarcity of aviation fuel were largely responsible for the increase in the fare when compare with the 2022 fare which was N2.5 million.

“And I must also say that there has been an increase in the exchange rate of Naira to a dollar at the official rate. However, NAHCON and the state pilgrims boards and agencies made several efforts in order to keep the fare at the barest minimum level, while also considering the economic feasibilities and reality of the situation.

“I am sure all of you will also agree with me that there has been a global trend in countries of the world by hike in the hajj fare.”

He said that NAHCON and all the 36 states and the FCT pilgrims’ boards have reviewed the 2022 hajj operation and adopted strategies for a hitch free 2023 hajj operation.

”We have agreed with all having reviewed the 2022 operation to do everything that will make us to get every pilgrim that registered to Saudi Arabia in good time.

“We have also discussed the issue of Basic Travelled Allowance (BTA) and Yellow Card and we have devised means to ensure that we are in control of the situation.

“We have also agreed that there will be zero tolerance for flight delay or cancelation this year and if there is such there will be sanction on the state or pilgrim or airline that is responsible for it.”

The chairman announced the airlines approved for the 2023 hajj airlift operations as Air Peace, Azman Air, Flynas, Aero Contractors and Max Air, and will fly pilgrims from 36 states and FCT, while Arik Air and Value Jet Air will serve as chattered flights for the Licensed Tour Operators.

He said that NAHCON and State Pilgrims boards have agreed to close the portal for new registration of intending pilgrims who are going through the Hajj Saving Scheme for hajj on April 7.

”After deliberations with the Chief Executives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, we have agreed on the day that the intending pilgrims must complete their money.

“Secondly, we have also agreed that today April 7, we are closing the portal for new registration of intending pilgrims who are going through the Hajj Saving Scheme for hajj.

“But we have also agreed that April 21, which is two weeks from today will be the day for the final remittance of funds by those who want to go to hajj either through the hajj saving scheme or through the normal pay as go.

“We have also agreed that May 21, 2023, will be the day for the inaugural flight for the 2023 Hajj.”

Chimamanda’s Letter To US President Is Display Of Pathetic Colonial Mentality – Keyamo

Editorial staff

April 7, 2023

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has hit back at the Nigerian literary icon, Chimamanda Adichie over her open letter to US President Joe Biden, describing her move as a display of a pathetic colonial mentality.

Keyamo, who was the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in a tweet from his verified Twitter handle today, April 7, berated the author, who he said is carrying out the bidden of the opposition.

He said that the opposition people are so petty and bad losers that up till now, they are yet to survive from the shock of defeat of the last Presidential election.

The tweet, which was titled: “NIGERIA’S BURGEONING (NOT HOLLOW) DEMOCRACY” reads: “In global diplomacy and international relations, Presidents of countries make decisions and take actions about other countries’ affairs (albeit within the limits of sovereignty of States in International Law) based on reports from official and diplomatic sources likely to have been conveyed through well-established channels of communications.

“Long epistles written in flowery or purple prose by bitter supporters of sore losers, posing as ‘concerned citizens’ (but in reality actuated by ethnic politics) do not fall within these official or diplomatic sources. It is befuddling that someone often celebrated for using a God-given talent to promote our African values, will so tragically degrade that same ethos by penning a letter that is so petty, so grovelling in its tone in urging a single foreign power to withhold a mere congratulatory message to our President-elect as if that is what actually validates our own democratic identity. It reflects a pathetic colonial mentality.

“It is even more ironic to realise that the same foreign power to which the obsequious appeal is directed is still grappling with the credibility of its own internal democratic process that produced its present leadership.

“More tragic is that some rabid supporters here are falling over themselves in deluded ecstasy for such a worthless letter that may not even be considered worthy enough, in a diplomatic sense, for the attention of even a stenographer to an Under Secretary in the US. Such only paints the picture of a band of drowning supporters clutching at any straw to stay afloat.

“As for the empirical fallacies contained in the letter, I will not bother myself here with a lengthy response as enough have been said in the last few weeks in respect of those specific issues and all the issues are before our Justices awaiting adjudication. “But I have bad news for them: the stenographer will probably toss the letter into a trash bin with the conclusion that it is no more than the tantrums of a Trump reincarnate in Nigeria – those who refuse to accept obvious defeat! Yes, the US has the likes of that writer in their midst, too!”

In the letter titled: “Nigeria’s Hollow Democracy,” Adichie posed the question of why Americans keep congratulating the winner of Nigeria’s election in February.

”Adichie writes. “Many Nigerians went out to vote holding in their hearts a new sense of trust. Cautious trust, but still trust.”

“What followed was a breach of that trust, when on February 26 social media became flooded with evidence of voting irregularities: “numbers crossed out and rewritten; some originally written in black ink had been rewritten in blue, some blunderingly whited-out with Tipp-Ex. The election had been not only rigged but done in such a shoddy, shabby manner that it insulted the intelligence of Nigerians.

“Rage is brewing,” Adichie writes, “especially among young people. The discontent, the despair, the tension in the air have not been this palpable in years.”

Gambian Pastor Disappears With 52 Phones, Money At Crusade In Ibadan, Nigeria

Editorial staff

April 7, 2023

A pastor from Gambia has allegedly stolen and ran away with 52 android and iPhone cellphones, money and other valuables belonging to worshippers who attended a three-day crusade at Agbowo area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The pastor was said to have told his victims that he was led by God to come to Ibadan from Gambia for the crusade and on the last day of the crusade, claimed that Holy Spirit directed him to tell those in attendance to submit their phones, money and other valuables.

The victims said that the pastor, who lured them into three days of fasting and prayer, was nowhere to be found on the last day of the crusade, as all efforts to locate his whereabouts proved abortive.

A victim, Grace Akintola, said that many widows had gone to the crusade because the pastor promised to give each of them a bag of rice and money.

Mrs. Akintola, who is a widow, said that the ‘man of God’ also promised to empower students who attended the crusade with scholarship awards.

“The pastor approached an Igbo lady in our area to assist him to gather widows and students and that he wanted to help us.

“Someone in my area invited me for the crusade. The crusader put on priest’s regalia. He even said he would buy a fully-furnished house for one of us.

“The pastor equally promised some of those who attended the crusade money, the kind of money that even politicians could not give.

“The last day of the crusade, he (pastor) sold a bottle of water for us at the rate of N4,800; he said that the water had been mixed with perfume and many people paid for it,” she said.

Another victim, a student of University of Ibadan, who pleaded anonymity, said that the pastor ordered them to fast for three days.

He said that he collected their phones so as to keep them away from them and allow them focus on prayers, unknown to them that it was a trick to get rid of their belongings.

“He said no phone should ring during the programme and that was why he collected all of them.

“In fact, he snapped at a lady who stood up and wanted to take his photograph and seized the phone from her,” he said..

He further stated that on the last day of the crusade, the pastor said he wanted to go and rest at the hotel where he had lodged.

“He (pastor) later said he wanted to go and eat inside the University of Ibadan after which we didn’t know how he escaped with our belongings.

“As a man of God that he claimed to be, we respected him a lot. We didn’t know that he wanted to use the name of God to dupe us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the pastor has been declared wanted by residents of the area, as posters bearing his name and pictures have been circulated within the area to track him.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident in a text message.

Osifeso said that investigation had commenced on the matter and that updates would be provided.

Source: NAN.

Obidients Most Repulsive Concoctions I’ve Witnessed In Any Political Arena – Soyinka

Greenbarge Reporters

April 7, 2023

Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has described Obidients, supporters of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 poll, as one of the most repulsive concoctions he has witnessed in any political arena.
Soyinka, in a statement today, April 7, said that the Obidients thrive more on intimidation.

The Nobel laureate had criticised an attempt made by the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, to dictate to the Supreme Court regarding the party’s suit challenging the presidential election as unacceptable. But he came under criticism from the Obidients over the remarks.

Reacting, Professor Soyinka said: “The instigating contest – Nigerian Democracy 2023 – has witnessed much that is innovative – largely in the retrogressive vein. Violence and ethnic profiling. ‘Spiritual’ warfare in the shape of sacrificial rams to keep ‘disloyal’ communities under restraint – in short, intimidation yet again! Easily overlooked however are those missives of violence directed against dissenting voices, real or suspect. Such, for instance, were the virulent attacks and threats to the musician Seun Kuti, his family and iconic music Shrine.

“His crime consisted of nothing more than declaring the name ‘Obidient’ derogatory to his sense of civic dignity and activist history. Such beginnings – and instances are numerous – have culminated in the open intimidation of the Court of Last Resort, even before proceedings have begun. By the way, I do agree with Seun Kuti; ‘Obidients’ is one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions I ever encountered in any political arena. Some love it, however, and this is what freedom is about. Choice. Taste. Free emotions.”

Soyinka also responded to those who said he resumed talking about Nigeria’s polity because of his hatred for the Obidients.

He said: “I choose my methods of intervention without the permission of social media border patrols, so where you find a gap, just pick up the baton where last deposited and stop whining and belly-aching – ‘he stopped talking all this while, why now?’ etc etc ad nauseum. Flat, easy disposable lies that gain traction by repetition. However, even more importantly, they remain irrelevant to the rights and wrongs of ongoing material issue.

“Sadly, these virtue vigilantes succeed with the ignorant and susceptible – especially among the younger, confused generation. The consequence is that the nation is plagued by fake CVs compiled by all kinds of amateur commentators, still wet behind the ears, who have too few truths to build on before they are corralled into positions of No-Retreat. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the effrontery of attempts to place the present contention on the same podium as the twenty-year-old anti-Abacha struggle! This gross abuse of historic licence actually provides smug satisfaction for rookie activists. I advise them to seek out the school of survivors where pertinent lessons still exist for those with sufficient humility to LEARN before MOUTHING! Otherwise their world of false mythologies will collapse under their feet, and leave them dangling in the void.”

President Buhari To Nigerians: Let’s Forgive One Anothr’s Shortcomings

Greenbarge Reporters

April 7, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to forgive one another in the spirit of Easter that is being celebrated across the world today, April 7.

“As we celebrate this season with our families, neighbors and communities, let us do so in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness.”

In an Easter message which he personally signed today, the President said that at the heart of Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “is the triumph of light over darkness.

“It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation round for good.”

President Buhari said that in view of the fact that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, Nigerians need to continue to be confident and believe strongly in the country for better seasons ahead.

“As a nation, we have gone through an election that has produced the next set of leaders at the federal and State levels.”

Buhari commended Nigerians for believing in the process, even as he congratulated those that have been elected, acknowledging that it is the right of those who feel dissatisfied with the outcome to seek redress.

“I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system run its course.

“It has been a rare privilege for me to serve as your President since you gave me the first mandate in 2015 and renewed it in 2019.

“Day after day, I have been guided by the vows I took to keep Nigeria united, prosperous and secure.

“Our successes on security, economy, infrastructure, new oil frontier basins, landmark legal reforms as well as food sufficiency, among others, were possible because of the support of Nigerians.”

We’ll Not Support Interim Govt; It’s Illegal, Nigeria Military Warn

Greenbarge Reporters

April 7, 2023

The Nigerian Military High Command has made it clear that it will not support installation of an Interim National Government (ING) as being canvassed by some Nigerians.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Musa Danmadami, who made this known when he fielded questions from newsmen yesterday at the Defence Headquarter, Abuja, described ING as illegal and unconstitutional.
Major General Danmadami said that the military as a reputable institution does not support illegality and would do everything in its powers to defend the constitution of the country.
He said that the call by some aggrieved persons in the country for an interim government following the outcome of the just concluded general elections is illegal.
Danmadami said that the elections have been held, concluded and a new president elected, while describing those calling for an interim government as “mischievous and nothing more.
“On the issue of the interim National government I don’t know why people are bringing up this issues it is rather unfortunate. Election has been conducted and INEC who is mandated has announced the president-elect.
“It is not our responsibility to speak on that issue but I know that several calls have been made from the presidency that there is nothing like interim national government so I think people are just trying to be mischievous. It is unconstitutional and all of us know about it.
“The constitution does not provide for an interim national government and that is the point that the presidency has been hammering and so that is the stand. “It is not our stand because that is what the constitution says. It is unconstitutional so anything that is unconstitutional as far as I am concern it’s not applicable.”
Source: PRNigeria.

Afenifere Is Frustrated At Loss Of Investment In Peter Obi’s Election – Lai

Editorial staff

April 6, 2023

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the attack on him by pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, is part of the frustration over their loss in the investment they made on the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the February 25 election, Peter Obi.

The minister who reacted to the organisation’s attack in an interview with newsmen today, April 6, in Washington DC, the US, said that the attack on him was borne out of frustration and anger at the loss of their investment in Obi’s election.

Afenifere had berated the minister for condemning Peter Obi for inciting people to violence over the outcome of the February 25 presidential elections.

“It is clear from what they said that Afenifere invested heavily in Peter Obi’s presidency, and they failed woefully; that is the reason why they are lamenting.

“They have refused to get over the loss of what they invested in Obi’s presidential campaign.

“But the earlier they do, the better for them,’’ he said

The minister said that Afenifere had lost its reputation and relevance as the voice of the South-West.

“Fortunate were days when Afenifere sneezed, the whole country would catch a cold. It is not the same thing right now.

“When Afenifere talks and you begin to ask yourself, which Afenifere? You know what that means,’’ he said.

He stressed that there was no provision in INEC laws that allows the Commission to transmit the results of elections electronically.

Lai Mohammed said that the entire process from voting to collation to sorting to tabulation and transmission was manual.

He said that the laws setting up INEC give the Commission the right to determine the mode of elections, the mode of collation and transmission of results.

The minister also responded to a call by a civic organisation, Integrity Group calling for his national apology over the admonition of Obi.

He said the group had failed to understand the position of the Federal Government on the unacceptable postures of the Labour Party presidential candidate

“I said Peter Obi and the Labour Party should stop inciting people to violence since they have submitted themselves to the election tribunal.

“They should stop asking people to go out on the streets, they should stop the reckless statement that if the President-elect is sworn in, it will be the end of democracy,’’ he said.

Tinubu Won Presidency Because He Had Money, Organization – American Diplomat

Editorial staff

April 6, 2023

An American diplomat and a foreign observer in the just concluded 2023 general elections, Johnnie Carson has identified three factors that worked for the victory of the President-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25 election.

‘Do you know why he won? He got the money, he had the best national organisation that worked for him and the ground game.”

Carson, an Executive Officer of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) spoke in Washington DC when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed paid an official visit to the institute to engage in the concluded elections.

Carson emphasised that for a candidate to win an election in Nigeria, like a lot of democracy in the globe, the three things, including substantial and significant financial resources were needed.

Others, according to him, are a national working organisation and a grass-root acceptance.

He said that while Tinubu had all the three criteria in his kitty during the polls, the other major contenders did not have all

The diplomat said that he co-led National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria during the elections.

According to him, Tinubu undoubtedly won the polls and will be sworn in come May 29, except something happens dramatically with the court.

Speaking specifically on the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Carson said: “On the part of Mr. Peter Obi, he did not have the ground game and a national organisation.

“Obi is, however, very popular, particularly among the young, educated, urban, and sophisticated.”

Carson said that the presidential election was one of the most competitive polls in Nigeria and in Africa.

He observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needed to up its game.

“Nigeria deserves the very best electoral process.

“To me, the problem is not with Tinubu and the other candidates,’’ he said.

Carson hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment in delivering a free and fair election for Nigeria.

He said the president “is a man of outstanding integrity’’ and he demonstrated the attribute in the past elections.

On his part, the minister said considering where INEC was coming from and where it were today, there were massive improvements in the conduct of the 2023 polls.

Conceding that there was room for improvements, the minister said the introduction of a new technology Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by INEC underpinned the credibility of the elections.

According to him, BVAS cut out fraudulent votes, ghost voters and multiple votes.

Lai Mohammed said the election was conducted against the backdrop of fuel shortage, mounting insecurity, and a poorly timed cash swap policy.

The minister also had engagements with the Council on Foreign Relations, a well-versed think-tank on African affairs and foreign relations chaired by a Nigerian, Dr. Ebenezer Obadare.

He was also at the Reuters News Agency; The Politico, an international political newspaper, and Zenger News, a channel that publishes its contents on Forbes.

During his respective interactions with the Think-tanks and international media, the minister presented the facts of the just concluded polls as against skewed narratives of the opposition and naysayers.

The interactions also delved into the economy and foreign affairs.

At Reuters, the Agency’s recent investigation of alleged secret programmes of coerced abortion of women and girls freed from insurgents’ captivity was discussed.

Source: NAN.

2023 Elections Proved Sophisticated Nature Of Nigerian Electorates – President Buhari

Editorial staff

April 6, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the 2023 elections have proved the growing strength of the Nigeria’s democracy and the sophistication of the Nigerian electorates when it comes to the choice of leaders.

Speaking today, April 6, when he received at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the new Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State Capital, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi, President Buhari said that the stunning outcome of 10 Governors failing to make it to the Senate meant that there is no longer a guaranteed route to power and the voter is truly the king when it comes to elections.

“It is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and to the amazing sophistication of the voter. What shocked me was that the ordinary citizen who is usually underrated has made the point of his political understanding of things.

“Assumption is always that you are Governor for eight years and you go to the Senate to crown the career. No one should underrate the Nigerian voter anymore.

“Politics will be more difficult, henceforth,” the President said.

After listening to the Emir who listed several government projects put in place for Jigawa State under the Buhari Presidency, and a request for some more, the President promised to do his best for the State in the remaining time left.

He undertook to brief the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on those requests, agreeing with visitors that the particular problem of water supply to the State Capital is worrisome.

The President told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council who accompanied him that he and the entire nation will continue to miss his friend, the late Emir, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, saying that he will continue to pray for the repose of the deceased.

The Emir and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim thanked the administration of Muhammadu Buhari for helping Jigawa State to excel in major rice production, for approving a rail link to Dutse from Kano and for the restoration of peace to the State, the nation and the neighbouring countries that had suffered insecurity.

The Emir appreciated the upgrading of the Army Battalion in Dutse to a full military Brigade and requested the President to do something about the acute water shortage affecting the State Capital.

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