Zulum Greets Buhari At NNPC

July 19, 2022

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, greeting President Muhammadu Buhari when they met at the official unveiling of the new Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja, today, July 19.

Heat Wave Devastates Europe, Fueling Fires in France, UK, Spain, Italy, Others

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Meteorologists warned earlier this month that heatwaves could be a trend for summer in Europe this year due to high-pressure systems

Heat wave is reportedly broiling Europe, spilling northward to Britain and fueling ferocious wildfires in Spain and France. It is also reported to be bombing planes and leading to firefighters battling flames in tinder-dry forests.

Reports said that two people have been killed in the blazes in Spain, and Spanish Prime Minister has linked it to global warming, adding: “Climate change kills.”

Reports said that hundreds of heat-related deaths have been reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans.

Reports have it that some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts, suspecting that climate change is making such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity. The reports said that the heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the country’s southwest.

“The fire is literally exploding,” said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

“We’re facing extreme and exceptional circumstances,” he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled — and unnerving — stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Climate scientists said that heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change, and that coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight.

They said that climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

“Climate change kills,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said today, July 18, during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. “It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.”

Teresa Ribera, Spain’s minister for ecological transition, described her country as “literally under fire” as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of “terrifying prospects still for the days to come” — after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

“Forty-one isn’t off the cards,” said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. “We’ve even got some 43s in the model, but we’re hoping it won’t be as high as that.”

France’s often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was “the hottest day of this heat wave.”

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

Source: PBS News Hour.

Bad Operation Environment Forces Aero Contractors To Shut Down Flight Operations

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Aero Contractors has confirmed the suspension of its flight operations and that passengers would no longer be able to book flight because of what it called “challenging operational environment.”

In a statement posted on its Twitter account today, July 18, Aero Contractors said: “due to the impact of challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited wishes to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger service operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

“This does not in any way affect the maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

“The decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing maintenance resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited.”

Aregbesola’s Allies, APC Members Worked For My Victory, Osun Gov-Elect Confirms

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

The Osun State governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has confirmed that some allies of the minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (of the ruling All Progressives Congress – APC) joined forces with him to defeat the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the same APC, in the last Saturday’s governorship election in the State.

Speaking with Channels TV today, July 18, Adeleke said: “I did not work with Aregbesola. I did not even speak to him, but I know some APC members and his allies that joined us.

“I can’t tell whether Aregbesola asked his associates to support me or not because I never had a conversation with him.”

The Governor-elect confessed that “it is not easy to defeat an incumbent anywhere in the world,” without the help of insiders.

Crisis In PDP: Wike Is Just Displaying Youthful Exuberance – Sule Lamido

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been displaying youthful exuberance in the ongoing crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He alleged also that Governor Wike is being instigated against the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, anchored in Kano, Sule Lamido assured that the crisis rocking the party would be handled with wisdom, admitting that it is normal to have internal squabbles in politics.

Lamido, who is a former foreign affairs minister in the government of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said that Governor Wike, though committed and responsible, but has been exhibiting signs of youthful exuberance.

“There are people that are inciting him (Wike), but the deed has been done and this did not start now. It happened with Peter Odili, it happened with Osinbajo. He should learn a lesson from them.

“It is not a crime to have internal friction in politics. What is important is to have people with wisdom, competent people to solve the problem. PDP members should be at ease we won’t disappoint them, everything will be resolved.

“We did the national convention. The highest gathering of decision-making of the PDP chose Atiku. Wike contested and lost. Wike is a responsible and committed man but there is some youthful exuberance in him.”

Lamido said that those who accused him of nepotism in Jigawa State politics are free to pursue their political ambitions elsewhere, even as condemned politicians in the state who criticized him for supporting the gubernatorial ambition of his son, Mustapha.

“Is it a crime to love my son? I think my only crime in Jigawa is having children. Who doesn’t love his children?”

GOCOP Sees New Code Of Practice For Journalists As Toxic, Undemocratic, Against Free Speech

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), a body of over 100 veteran journalists and editors in various media organizations spread across Nigeria, has risen against the new code of practice, prescribed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

GOCOP, in a position paper, signed by its President, Maureen Chigbo and Secretary-General Collins Edamoruse, insisted that the new code of practice is in conflict with the existing regulatory framework, such as Cybercrime Act, Laws of Defamation, Label and Privacy.

GOCOP recalled, with concern that the new Code of Practice was initiated by NITDA, for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, in alignment with some “Authorized Government Agency,” namely Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), or any supposed agency authorized, and that such enactment had generated controversy and censure from media stakeholders and civil society organizations (CSOs) in recent time.

It said that NITDA Code had listed its objectives to include inter alia: “set out measures to combat online harms such as disinformation and misinformation. It also seeks to Adopt and apply a co-regulatory approach towards implementation and compliance.”

But, GOCOP reminded the government that Journalism professional practice draws its legitimacy, powers and rights from Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011.

“Specifically, Sections 22 of the Constitution cede to GOCOP members the privilege to “at all times be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”

GOCOP described the NITDA Code and its prescriptions as toxic, undemocratic and a clear affront on free speech and civil liberties which the media promotes.

“We emphasize that this is a Constitutional responsibility which, we will not for any reason whatsoever, abdicate under the weight and encumbrance of the NITDA Practice Code.

“We restate that this Code is unknown to the Constitution and against the principles of free press, free speech and civil liberties as enshrined therein. “Nigeria is a democracy, and in a democracy, it is the duty of the National Assembly (Congress or Parliament) to make laws for the promotion of good governance.

“While it is the duty of National Assembly to make laws, it is also the responsibility of the Judiciary to interpret the laws while the Executive is saddled with execution of the laws and allied issues of leadership.

“Therefore, NITDA, an Executive agency, by issuing a Practice Code to regulate the media, has clearly over-reached itself and cannot be allowed to surreptitiously usurp the powers of the National Assembly.

“The provisions and prescriptions of the Code are largely undemocratic, primitive, anti-press freedom and they seek to promote anarchy and perpetrate a culture of silence across all media platforms for as long as information is conveyed, transmitted or disseminated via the Internet using computers or any electronic device including handhelds.

“It seeks to deny journalists, especially GOCOP members whose duties are carried out via internet-enabled devices, the right and privilege to source and disseminate information, and hold government accountable as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The Code is an attempt to take away the powers which the Constitution has guaranteed the press. In effect, the Code is an aberrant intruder into the field of Journalism which NITDA has no legal powers to regulate.

“We reiterate that GOCOP has put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members through its Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, which has the sole responsibility of checking the excesses of the Guild’s members and members of the public can approach it to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct by our members.

“This shows that GOCOP as a body of Online Journalists takes its responsibility of self-regulation very seriously.”

GOCOP therefore resolved that “in view of this, we strongly reject the NITDA’s Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries as it clearly serves to undermine the media. It is yet another attempt by the Government to gag the media and suppress press freedom in general.

“We find this fresh move to gag the media both reprehensible and repugnant as it shows the desperation of the Federal Government to muzzle free press. We recall that the government had failed in the past in its desperation to enact anti-free press laws including The Protection from Internet Falsehoods and Manipulation and Other Related Matters Bill, 2019, commonly known as Social Media Bill.

“Need we remind this government that it rode to power on the crest of free press, especially as it took advantage of the social media, which it now wants to render prostrate.

“GOCOP strongly rejects the NITDA Practice Code in its entirety. It is a baseless affront on the Constitutional powers vested in the media.

“We urge the federal government to jettison the NITDA Code and rely on existing regulations such as the Cybercrime Act, Laws of Defamation, Libel and Privacy to protect itself and citizens against any perceived unprofessional journalistic conduct.

“We therefore advise NITDA to jettison this code in its entirety or ready to face legal action.

“We call on the National Assembly to call NITDA to order on its ill-advised move to usurp the powers of the Legislature.”

GOCOP explained that as a body of online publishing organizations, it is made up of professional journalists with backgrounds in Broadcasting, Print and New Media.

“We are a self-regulating professional body and we subscribe to the Ethics of the Journalism profession which hold facts, truth, fairness and balanced reporting as sacred in the discharge of our duties.

“GOCOP, as Body of Professionals, has put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members. GOCOP has several Committees including the Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, which has the sole responsibility of checking the excesses of the Guild’s members and affords the public an avenue to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct by any of our members.

“This shows that GOCOP as a body of Online Journalists takes its responsibility of self-regulation very seriously.

“The GOCOP is also fully guided by relevant statutes which govern other stakeholders in the Nigerian media, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), both of which some of us are members.”

Zamfara Gov Kicks Out Emir Who Conferred Chieftaincy Title On Bandit Kingpin

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2022

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has suspended the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Marafa, for conferring a chieftaincy title on a banditry kingpin, Ado Alero. Alero was turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani by the emir on Saturday.

The decision to confer the title on the banditry kingpin, according to the emir, was premised on the pivotal role he played during a recent peace process locally arranged between the emirate and the bandits that have been terrorizing Tsafe Local Government Area.

And, in a statement today, July 18 by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna, the government distanced itself from all the processes and announced the suspension of the emir with immediate effect.

It assigned the District Head of ‘Yandoto, Alhaji Mahe Garba Marafa, to take charge of the affairs of the emirate.

The government also raised a six-man committee, chaired by Yahaya Chado Gora to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the emir.

Source: Daily Trust.

Flood Kills Police Officer, 3 Others, Flushes Away 12 Yobe Communities

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2022

A police officer and three others have been confirmed killed by flood which also injured several people and flushed away at least 12 communities in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammed Goje, who confirmed the incidence, said that it occurred after a heavy downpour, within 24 hours.

“In the last 24 hours, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency received with shock, the devastating incident of flooding in some parts of Yobe State, where the impacts of the reported flooding have assumed a threatening proportions, resulting in loss of lives and properties.”

He added that the latest disaster led to the displacement of hundreds of households across the affected communities in two local government areas, with livestock and food reserves worth millions of Naira washed away by the flood.

The agency, alongside stakeholders from Gulani, carried out damage assessment in seven out of 11 communities as Gulani, Bara, Gagure and Njibulwa communities, rendered inaccessible due to bridge collapse.

According to the agency, the displaced persons are currently taking refuge at government’s buildings across the affected communities.

“SEMA as directed by his Excellency the Executive of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni is mobilizing resources and intensifying efforts to bring immediate relief to the affected communities, while alternate routes will be used to support the inaccessible communities.”

The state government had earlier sought Federal Government’s intervention through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support over a dozen communities devastated by the recent flood in some parts of Yobe State

Source: Daily Post.

Pastor Bakare Advises Nigerians Not To Emphasize Muslim-Muslim APC Ticket

Editorial staff

July 17, 2022

Presiding Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), formerly Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has advised Nigerians not to put much emphasis on the Muslim – Muslim ticket which the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had decided to float, charging Church leaders to approach the issue with civility, clarity and with continued hope in the possibilities of a united Nigeria.

Bakare, in a statement today, July 17 in Lagos, insisted that the conversation should be shifted to ensuring good governance and the emergence of a united Nigeria where primordial sentiments of ethnicity, religion or tribe would not matter.

The Pastor said that given the diversity and mood of the nation, and the degree to which true nationhood is yet to be forged, the aversion to what has been termed a Muslim-Muslim ticket is not unexpected.

According to him, Nigerians dream of a state where state of residence will replace state of origin in official forms and where ‘zoning’ or ‘Federal Character’ will become archival aspects of the journey into political maturity.

“We dream of a Nigeria where the political mantra will no longer be “emi lo kan” or “awa lo kan” but “Nigeria lo kan;” a Nigeria where every Nigerian citizen, at any point in time, will have the absolute freedom and liberty to contest for any political office and will be assured of the citizens’ wise use of the power of the vote without consideration of what part of the country he or she is from or in what manner he or she chooses to worship God”, he said.

Bakare also reminded Nigerians of the pillar of Northern Nigerian politics, saying that the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, recognized the moral obligation to ensure that due consideration was given to diversity of persuasions in public policy, which as a result has seen Northern Nigeria have its political foundation built on the principles of inclusion and religious harmony.

“This value system of religious neutrality and inclusion played out when military forces from Northern Nigeria took over power in the 1966 counter coup. The military had the confidence to leave the nation in the custody of a Christian from a minority ethnic group in the North. General Yakubu Gowon would go on to govern Nigeria for nine years keeping Nigeria one amidst a Civil War.”

He further admonished Christian leaders, to realize that the church in Nigeria is today paying for decades of erroneous teaching that posited that Christians have no business in politics.

“The antagonism that was meted to some of us who have ventured from the pulpit to the podium, even from amongst our fellow Christian leaders, was always a pointer that a day would come when the church would face a rude awakening of the consequence of passivity, apathy, non-participation and an anachronistic adherence to the Aaronic priesthood, especially long after the author and finisher of our faith had moved on to the Melchizedek priesthood.”

He advised Christians in Northern Nigeria who feel marginalized by the choice of a Northern Muslim as running mate, to upgrade the conversation from politics to governance.

Saudi Arabian Charity Organization Plans Islamic University In Nigeria’s Zamfara

Editorial staff

July 17, 2022

A charity organization based in Saudi Arabia, Atta’arif Fil-Islam Charity Organization, has concluded plans to establish a Qur’anic and Islamic University in Zamfara state, Nigeria.

A statement today, July 17 by Nasiru Biyabiki, a special assistant to Governor Bello Matawalle, said that the governor had already given approval of a massive expanse of land for the Jeddah-based organization to start work on the university.

The statement said that agreement was reached during a dinner in Jeddah yesterday, July 16, between the founder of the charity and Imam of Masjidur-Rahma, Jeddah, Shekh-Khalid Alhammudy, and the governor who was represented by the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Nasiru Magarya.

“The charity organization has been working in collaboration with other sister organizations and government authorities to provide training institutions and other essential services across African countries.

“These are some of the social protection initiatives that support under-developed nations to meet their expectations.”

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