DSS Alerts Nigerians Of Plan By Disgruntled Elements To Reincarnate ENDSARS Violence

March 19, 2022

The secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians of a sinister plan by some elements to stoke violence in parts of the country, particularly the North Central, similar to the ENDSARS violence that nearly brought the country to its knees a couple of years ago.
The aim of the planned violence, according to the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement today, March 19, is to cause ethno-religious crisis, ignite reprisals and heat up the polity.
He said that in a bid to achieve this, the sponsors have mobilised foot soldiers and held several meetings in and outside the target areas.
“The Service is also aware of a plot to use students, striking University teachers, labour unions, disgruntled individuals and strategic groups as well as exploit the global energy situation to carry out a mass protest like the ENDSARS. This is despite ongoing efforts by Government to address the issues.”
Dr. Afunaya said that while the Service views the machination as unpatriotic, “it is on the trail of the agents of destabilisation who are desirous of using violence to achieve ulterior goals.
“Though it has emplaced measures to disrupt these tendencies, it warns the ring leaders and their cohorts to desist from acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
“The public should be rest assured that the Service will, in conjunction with other security agencies, go after the sponsors of this scheme and ensure the law takes it course.”
The DSS advised the citizens not only to engage according to rules but should resist persuasions to be used to destroy their own country.
“Those who may wish to go contrary to the law will, however, face the consequences.”

Ex Gov Obiano Has To Explain How He Spent N42 Billion Security Vote, Others – EFCC

Editorial staff

March 19, 2022

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is believed to have moved fast to arrest the fleeing former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano for him to account for public funds amounting to N42 billion.

The huge amount was allegedly mismanaged by the former governor from security votes and funds meant for the now rested Federal Government-funded Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, aka SURE-P.

The ex-governor was arrested by the operatives of the DSS and handed over to the EFCC on March 17 while trying to leave Nigeria through Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos.

A top source in EFCC said that the former governor allegedly diverted N37 billion from security votes and another N5 billion from the SURE-P purse.

The source claimed that the former governor used part of the N37 billion to finance political events in the state and is being made to account for the public funds.

A national newspaper had reported late last year that a Southeast governor had given out $4 million to a top INEC official to compromise the Anambra election but it could not be established at the time who the governor in question was.

It was learnt exclusively that the former governor was stopped from boarding a Delta Airlines flight to the United States of America at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by the operatives of the Department of State Services about 8:30Pm on Thursday, having been flagged by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS.

Reliable security officials who were involved in the operations that led to Obiano’s arrest confirmed that the former governor, who tried to be smarter than the security operatives, were however outsmarted and taken into EFCC custody that night due to their efficient coordination.

According to one of the officials, Chief Obiano, who had been placed on EFCC’s watch list since November last year, actually plotted to escape from the country as soon as he handed over the reins of power to Dr. Charles Soludo on Thursday morning.

“The former governor had schemed effectively to escape to the United State with the positioning of a private jet at the Anambra International Airport to ferry him away from the state shortly after handing over to the new governor,” a reliable source close to the state, said.

“But unknown to the former governor, security operatives had also been monitoring the private jet and his movements from the Awka Airport up to his arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

“The truth is that as soon as the private jet conveying Obiano and his wife, left Awka for Lagos, a coordinated alert was triggered to the relevant security agencies to be on the watch out for the former governor.”

Chief Obiano, who was billed to fly direct to the U.S with his wife on a Delta Airlines flight that night, was however stopped from flying and the airline promptly notified of his unavailability to fly so as not to unduly delay the international flight.

The arrest and handing over of the former governor to the EFCC was said to be seamless due to the earlier notification given the NIS by the EFCC to be on the lookout for the ex-governor as he might want to flee the country at the end of his tenure.

When asked to confirm the involvement of the DSS in the arrest of the former Anambra chief executive, the Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, declined to confirm, pointing out however that it was not unusual for security agencies to collaborate for the success of certain security operations.

Source: Saturday Vanguard

Unknown Gunmen Set Home Country Of Ohanaeze President-General On Fire In Imo

Editorial staff

March 19, 2022

Unknown gunmen have set the country home of Professor George Obiozor in Awo- Omama, Imo state on fire.

Professor Obiozor is the current President General of the apex Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America and Israel.

Professor Obiozor who hails from Omuma, Oru East local government of Imo State, the same community of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, had not reacted to the unfortunate incident.

Governor Uzodinma’s country home was similarly set ablaze last year by unknown gunmen.

It is not yet clear those behind the arson at Professor Obiozor’s home and their motive just as it was reliably gather that Professor Obiozor is abroad right at the moment on medical vacation.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police is yet to make statement on the attack

Vandals Invade Abuja, Destroy Electricity Distribution Company’s Equipment

Greenbarge Reporters

March 19, 2022

There are indication that vandals have invaded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, destroying equipment belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The company, in a statement today, March 18 by its Chief Marketing Officer, Donald Etim, said that it is experiencing cases of serious vandalism around its infrastructure, causing outages in some areas in the FCT.

“While we are working to optimally deploy the low power AEDC is being allocated daily in recent days, please be informed that we are also experiencing cases of serious vandalism around our network.

“Specifically, in our Wuye Substation and Utako Substation in FCT, vandalism is causing outages in those areas and environs.

“For Wuye, two Injection Substation areas affected are NNPC Quarters, Cosgrove Estate, Reuben Okoye Street, Pius Ayim Street, Tambuwal Street, Shafa Filling station, Nation Wide Estate, DSS Quarters, Idris Gidado and its environs,” he said.

The statement said that for B6 Injection Substation, areas affected are Anthony Enahoro Street, National Assembly Commission, Ministry of Environment Annex, Aneio Hotel, KANEM Suites, Peace Park.

Others, it said, are the Inuwa Wada Close, S.O. Williams Close, JMG Generators, Custom Quarters, Glory Estate, Dove Estate, Utako Market, IBM Haruna Street, TOS Benson Street, Alibro Plaza, Chisco Transport, and environs.

The statement said that AEDC’s engineers are currently at those sites working to restore normal supply, estimated to be in a matter of hours.

It said that AEDC’s management regretted any inconveniences and appealled to customers for their understanding.

Source: NAN.

10 Russian Diplomats Expelled From Bulgaria, 3 From Latvia, Estonia , 4 From Lithuania

Greenbarge Reporters

March 19, 2022

A hail of expulsion of Russian diplomats is spreading across Europe with Bulgaria expelling 10 of them, while Latvia and Estonia each expelled three and Lithuanian sent away four.

Bulgarian, in a statement today, said that it has given the 10 Russian diplomats 72 hours to leave because of what it is said to be activities of the diplomats considered to be incompatible with their diplomatic status.

The move was contained in a statement today, March 18, by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

The statement did not give a more detailed reason for the expulsions, but since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the Russian ambassador in Sofia had repeatedly made contradictory statements about Bulgaria’s position on the conflict.
According to a statement on its website, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, was consulted on the expulsions and the Russian ambassador to Sofia had been informed.
This is said to be the second wave of expulsions of Russian diplomats from Bulgaria, with two expelled on March 2 over allegedly involvement in espionage.
The Russian embassy in the country has called the expulsion a “hostile demarche” that would hurt relations between the two nations.
“Russia’s military attacks on civilians, civilian objects, hospitals, schools, maternity wards, and cultural objects are war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said.
“Russian special services are actively involved in organizing these crimes against the peaceful population of Ukraine, so we do not want the representatives of these structures to walk on our land and pose a threat to Lithuania’s national security.”
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said on Twitter that Riga was expelling three Russian Embassy employees “in connection with activities that are contrary to their diplomatic status and taking into account ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
“The decision has been coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia,” he added.
Estonia said the three diplomats it had asked to leave “have directly and actively undermined Estonia’s security and spread propaganda justifying Russia’s military action.”

Vandals Invade Abuja, Destroy Electricity Distribution Company’s Equipment

Editorial staff

March 19, 2022

There are indication that vandals have invaded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, destroying equipment belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

“While we are working to optimally deploy the low power AEDC is being allocated daily in recent days, please be informed that we are also experiencing cases of serious vandalism around our network.

“Specifically, in our Wuye Substation and Utako Substation in FCT, vandalism is causing outages in those areas and environs.

The statement said that for B6 Injection Substation, areas affected are Anthony Enahoro Street, National Assembly Commission, Ministry of Environment Annex, Aneio Hotel, KANEM Suites, Peace Park.

The statement said that AEDC’s engineers are currently at those sites working to restore normal supply, estimated to be in a matter of hours.

It said that AEDC’s management regretted any inconveniences and appealled to customers for their understanding.

Source: NAN.

Section 84 (12) Of Electoral Act Will Be Expunged From Signed Electoral Act – Malami

Editorial staff

March 18, 2022

“The provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 is not part of our law and will be so treated accordingly,” the Attorney-General of the Federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has said.

A statement today, March 18 by the media aide, Umar Gwandu, quoted Malami as emphasizing that section 84 (12) is not of Nigerian law, saying that this is in complying with a court order for the removal of the section from the signed electoral act.

“This is in line with the dictates of chapter 7, Part 4, Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) on enforcement of decisions that makes it a point of duty and obligation on all authorities and persons to have the judgment of the federal High Court, among others, to be enforced.”

The statement said: “The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will accordingly give effect to the Court judgment in line with the dictates of the law and the spirit of the judgment.”

“The judgment of the Court will be recognized by the Government printers in printing the Electoral Act.”

“The Act will be gazetted factoring the effect of the judgment into consideration and deleting the constitutionally offensive provision accordingly.”

Yakubu Gowon Advises Politicians To Sustain Faith In Nigeria

Editorial staff

March 18, 2022

War-time Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, retired General Yakubu Gowon has advised politicians to sustain faith in Nigeria irrespective of the outcome of their ambitions in the next year’s general elections.

Gowon, who spoke today, March 18 when officials of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG) paid him a visit in Abuja said that though he has no partisan involvement in politics, but that he believed that leaders and citizens at all levels had a duty to sustain peace, progress and national unity of the country.

He said that no matter the level of intrigues and circumstances in the politics, God would ultimately decide the final outcome, adding that in the interest of the country, all politicians and their followers must look beyond the struggle for positions and sustain faith in Nigeria.

“Sustain hope, believe in Nigeria and believe in the cause of unity and peace,” Gowon said.

The leaders of the PCG had earlier held a closed door meeting with the former Head of State.

The leaders include its Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Musa Kwande, who is also the Baraden of Lafia Emirate, and its Co-ordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Zagi.

Zagi told newsmen that the visit was a matter of courtesy, adding that as an elder statesman, Gowon embraced everyone.

Source: NAN.

Women Group Advocate Sustainable Food Security In Nigeria

Editorial staff

March 18, 2022

Women Agro Processors Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPA-GEIN) has called for a strong policy on sustainable food security to ensure proper development of Nigeria.

President of the group, Mrs. Esther Adebayo, who spoke today, March 18 at the inauguration of the Initiative and National Export Centre in Abuja, stressed that food security is the bedrock of successful export business.

“With sharp focus, relentless execution, fairness, equity, public accountability and transparency, we shall drive for a much better and economically stronger Nigeria.”

She called on the three tiers of government to work together to promote operation “feed yourself” by helping households to access information, and inputs that would encourage them to produce food around their houses to feed their families.

Mrs. Adebayo advised state governments to establish farm settlements, clusters of agro producers including women and youths.

She emphasised the need for the Federal Government to increase the training and employment of extension workers and other supportive services to boost increase in agricultural production. “We must unleash the potential of the youths of Nigeria.

“Today, over 75 per cent of the population is under the age of 35. More decisive actions are needed to turn this demographic asset into an economic dividend.

“A young productive, youthful population with access to education, skills, social protection, affordable housing, and medical care will power Nigeria’s economy now and well into the future. We must move away from the so called youth empowerment programmes.

“The youth do not need hands out. They need investments. Agro business is well loaded with millions of job creation for the youths.”

She called on the Federal Government not be decongesting the ports in Nigeria, but engage in transforming them.

She stressed that the exercise should start with the cleaning up of administrative bottlenecks, most of which are unnecessary with multiple government agencies at the port, high transaction cost, or even plain extortion from illegal taxes.

According to her, Nigeria should rapidly modernise and transform its ports.

She said that Ports should be for facilitating business and exports, and stimulating industrial manufacturing, as well as competitiveness of local business and exports.

”Papers and other documents are to be forwarded on Internet to other country of destination, and according to the sector operators.

“The cost of exporting 100 tonnes of cargoes in Nigeria is 35,000 dollars compared to 4000 dollars in Ghana. Today, the leading ports for West Africa are in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.

“All these countries have modernised their Port Management Systems, leaving Nigeria far behind.”

Earlier, Dr. Funmilola Daudu, the Chairperson, Planning Committee of the event, said the initiative would develop a better agricultural and business management practices.

“This will result in improved competitiveness, productivity, income, gross marginal yields for smallholder farmers and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.”

She stressed the need for increased women potential to participate in high level businesses that could foster high level empowerment, job creation and social development in their communities.

Women Agro Processors, Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN) is a non-governmental and not-for profit organisation established to promote agric businesses, entrepreneurships, youth and women development careers. WAPAGEIN is a network of agribusiness marketing professionals from across Nigeria with chapters located in the six geopolitical zones including the FCT.

Source: NAN.

Coast Now Cleared For APC Convention On March 26, As Court Vacates Earlier Judgment

Editorial staff

March 18, 2022

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can now hold its national convention on March 26 as scheduled as an Abuja High Court in Kubwa vacated an interlocutory injunction earlier granted, stopping the Convention from holding.

Justice Bello Kawu vacated the interlocutory order made on Nov. 18, following the defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa’s application for the court to set it aside.

Justice Kawu said that in vacating the order, he relyied on the recent Supreme Court decision which held that a party member does not have the right to take the party to court.

He however adjourned the case until March 30 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Aruwa (SAN) had moved a motion seeking the setting aside of the interlocutory order and striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

He said that the application was supported by a five paragraph affidavit and a written address and adopted all the processes, praying the court to grant them in the interest of justice.

The defence counsel added that the claimant counsel, Mike Enaharo-Ebah did not file any process to counter his application.

In response, Enaharo-Ebah said that Aruwa served him on March 11 and his seven days had not relapsed, adding that his right to respond in line with the rules of the court had been shut out.

He asked the court to reconsider an application to adjourn in other for him to file counter affidavits.

Aruwa in response said that he served the claimant since March 9 through the former claimant counsel, F.O. Ekpa, adding that the seven days elapsed on March 16.

Malam Salisu Umoru had dragged APC, the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Gov. Mai Mala Buni and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the court challenging the planned convention.

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