Authority Battles Touts At Lagos, Abuja Airports: 90 Of Them Handed To Police

January 10, 2022

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a battle with touts who are engaged in all manner of illegal activities, especially at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Such activities, according to the authority, include fake Covid-19 test results, touting, unauthorised entry, trespass, illegal facilitation, forgery, loitering, theft, public nuisance, and arguments, amongst others.

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed that 90 of such touts have so far been arrested and handed over to the Nigerian police.

According to her, the arrest is part of efforts to rid the nation’s airports of touting and extortion.

She said that out of the number arrested, 59 were handed over to the airport police command in Abuja for prosecution, while 30 were handed over to the police force in Lagos to do the same.

Mrs. Yakubu said that those arrested are staff of Patovilki Nigeria Limited, Lakewood Services, NAHCO Plc, and other airport staff.

“We are using this opportunity to warn those that do not have any legitimate business at the airports, as well as airport staff carrying out illegal duties to desist from such acts, as the Authority will not hesitate to arrest and hand over such individuals for prosecution,” FAAN Spokeswoman warned

But the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), has asked FAAN to disclose the identity of its staff arrested for illegal activities at the airports. A statement from the company’s management reacting to the arrest read: ”NAHCO is in support of the arrest of airport staff for touting and other vices. We commend the move. “NAHCO is a responsible player in the industry, as such, will not condone any form of illegality. We urge FAAN to always carry us along in this fight.

“The current move will in no small measure help our industry to grow as well as bring sanity to the airports. We will however engage FAAN, to provide us our personnel alleged to be involved, to enable us to activate our internal disciplinary process as we currently do not have any clue as to who is involved, when, and in what capacity.”

Army Kill ISWAP Fighters, Boko Haram Terrorists Out To Loot Armoury

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

In two different operations, the Nigerian army have killed scores of ISWAP fighters and Boko Haram terrorists at Kawuri and Kayamla, respectively in Borno State.

Both operations were carried out today, Januari 10, in the communities within Konduga local government areas of Borno State.

It was gathered that ISWAP terrorists had attempted to attack a military base at Kawuri to loot the armoury when the troops, after obtaining intelligence on their movement, ambushed and killed them with full force before the Nigerian aircraft shelled their fleeing gun trucks.

Meanwhile, with the support of the civilian JTF, troops of the 73 Battalion stationed in Jere also eliminated suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a looting spree after invading the Kayamla community.

The terrorists were ambushed while escaping with rustled cattle and other items they stole from the community.

Items recovered from the terrorists in the two operations included gun trucks, sophisticated weapons, ammunition and phones.

Source: PRNigeria

Osinbajo Commends ECOWAS For Standing Against Military Coups

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

Nigeria Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has commended the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) for standing against military coup d’etat in the sub-region.

Professor Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State Government in Accra, Ghana yesterday, January 9, said that there is a strong resolve by ECOWAS Member States to stand against coup d’états in the sub-region.

According to him, there is clear evidence that international community will no longer accept unconstitutional takeover of government with its latest stand against unconstitutional seizure of power.

He added that leaders of member States in the ECOWAS have shown strong resolve and commitment to issues of good governance and democracy in the sub-region.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the Summit, Professor Osinbajo said: “what is being done is unprecedented. In the years gone by, the African Union, then known as OAU and ECOWAS, never came down heavily on Coups de’tats; but there is evidence now that there is a very strong resolve that ECOWAS and, indeed, AU and the international community will not accept unconstitutional takeover of government.”

“It’s very evident that there is very strong resolve, which is why we are here today. We expect that the actions that will be taken will point the junta in Mali in the right direction.

“I think ECOWAS has shown that it has not lost its bite where there are concerns about issues of good governance and democratic enterprises in the sub-region, which is why sanctions against Guinea and Mali were imposed.”

Aside from Vice President Osinbajo and the Ghanaian President – who presided at the Summit, other West African leaders present at the Summit were Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal; George Weah of Liberia; Patrice Talon of Benin Republic; Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso, and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

Other Heads of State present include Umaro Embalò of the Republic of Guinea Bissau; Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic; Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, and the Vice President of The Gambia, Isatou Touray.

The session was also attended by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the ECOWAS Mediator for Mali; the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou; among other representatives of international organisations.

ECOWAS Cuts Off Mali’s Military Junta: Shuts Embassies, Closes Borders, Stops Business

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken far-reaching punitive measures against Mali on the basis of of the military government in that country.

At the Summit of the sub-regional body yesterday, January 9, in Accra, Ghana, ECOWAS agreed to impose additional sanctions on the military junta in Mali, withdraw all ECOWAS Ambassadors in the country and close land and air borders between ECOWAS Member States and Mali.

The body also imposed additional sanctions on the junta, including the following:

a) Withdrawal of all ECOWAS Ambassadors in Mali;
b) Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Mali;
c) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Mali, with the exception of the following products: essential consumer goods; pharmaceutical products; medical supplies and equipment, including materials for the control of COVID-19 products, and electricity
d) Freeze of assets of the Republic of Mali in ECOWAS Central Banks;
e) Freeze of assets of the Malian State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks
f) Suspension of Mali from all financial assistance and transactions from financial institutions.

After reviewing the situation in Mali at the Extraordinary Summit, the sub-regional leaders rejected the transition schedule proposed by the Malian military junta, saying: “the proposed chronogram for a transition is totally unacceptable”.

The communique also disclosed that the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government “instructs all Community institutions to take steps to implement these sanctions with immediate effect.”

It said that the sanctions will only be gradually lifted “after an acceptable and agreed transition chronogram is finalised and monitored-satisfactory progress is realised in the implementation of the chronogram for the elections.”

Regarding Guinea, ECOWAS noted that it remained concerned about the slow progress of the transition process four months after the coup.

According to the Communique issued at the end of the meeting: “The Authority regrets the absence of chronogram for the election and the non-setting up of the National Council of Transition (CNT). It also directs that a mission be fielded to Conakry to discuss the transition.”

Earlier in his remarks at the opening session of the Summit, Chairman of ECOWAS, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, praised the commitment and support of West African leaders to the progress and prosperity of the sub-region.

President Akufo-Addo recalled the efforts of the leaders in resolving the crisis in parts of the sub-region, adding: “as you did through the entire year of 2021, you continue to demonstrate your commitment to responding to urgent and critical evolving situations in the region.

“This is the 6th Extraordinary Summit since I assumed the chair of the Authority that Your Excellencies have participated in concerning the vexed issues of Mali and Guinea. It is a strong testimony to your leadership and concern to the progress of ECOWAS.”

BREAKING NEWS: Yes, I’m Contesting 2023 Presidency, Tinubu Opens Up

Greenbarge Reporters

January 10, 2022

The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally admitted that he will contest the next year 2023 Presidential election.

Tinubu, who answered reporters’ questions after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari today, January 10, at the Presidential villa, Abuja described his decision to contest the Presidential election next year as his “lifelong ambition.”

He said that one of the vital reasons he had audience with the President was to formally inform him (the president) of his intention.

Read below, the full text of the interview:

Q: May we know why you are here?

Ans: I will not answer that question when I not lost my citizenship. I came to see the President on general issues concerning Nigeria, including our political party, APC, security issues, the achievement and the New Year Agenda. That’s all I can tell you. The new strategy that we must have party Congresses and all that.

Q: President Buhari recently said he did not want to divulge his favorite for the APC 2023 presidential ticket. Nigerians will like to know; have you informed the President about your ambition?

Ans: I answer that with categorical yes. I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult. You will soon hear. All you want to hear is the categorical declaration. You’ve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr. President of my ambition, and you don’t expect more answers than that.

Q: What was his response?

Ans. That’s our business. He is a Democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition; it is a lifelong ambition. So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That’s it.

Q: We have seen a number of support groups, drumming up support for your ambition, that of Vice President Osinbajo and Governor of Kogi state too. What’s your perspective of this? How do you see a potential race between you and these other persons for the APC ticket?

Ans: I don’t want to discuss individuals now. I must discuss myself. I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, (to) build on the foundation of Mr. President and turn Nigeria better. I have done that with commitment and unyielding, you know, in Lagos State. You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing. You know, the confusion, the drift of the past brought about by the PDP is being corrected. And you can’t take away from that. As we are today, go back to the data on how many barrels of oil we were producing when we first came in and what it is today. At the time we came in, we could not even pay the counterpart funds to start our rail line. Today, you enjoy the comfort of having rail from Lagos to Ibadan; you have the Kaduna and you have the one for Kano State on the aggressive pipeline. You see excellent infrastructure. I just came from Azare and I have seen good roads. The carnage of dying on motor vehicles is reducing except you know, lack of compliance with a lot of Nigerian drivers and VIOs. Let us think back; let us be intellectually inquisitive as to the past and the present and what the future holds for Nigeria.

Q: Tinubu as Nigeria’s President, what do we hope to see?

Ans: You want my manifesto now? Not yet. Not yet.

Q: I would like you to speak on the direct primaries and the convention. And secondly, what would be your response to those that say, the cap of being a kingmaker fits you more than you throwing yourself into the ring, that you should remain a kingmaker.

Ans. First of all, the National Assembly and the president must be encouraged to review and review again. Whatever they come up with, electoral amendment is what we must comply with. There is no unlimited elasticity in what we face, because we have to plan and plan well, and be able to manage the time effectively. The great roadmap to success is ability of a leader to do what he must do at the right time that it should be done. So that to me, the electoral amendment point we will still look at that collectively. And it is our country. It’s our democracy. We had adopted it and we will push it rigorously.

About the cap of king maker. I’ve never seen the cap of a king maker before. That is the truth. And I’ve never seen where it is written in the rule book anywhere in any country, that a kingmaker cannot be a king unless you commit murder. So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. Me, I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception.

Convention, it is certain that we are going to get it.

Q: When, next month?

Ans: Oh, well. I’m not a spokesperson for the party. And the President is the leader of the party. So, expect convention, maybe if that’s added to your own anxiety, or the other party’s anxiety is good for us. We get it and we’ll get it done properly.

EFCC Recovered N152 Billion, $386.2 Million, Others In 2021- Bawa

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said that the Commission recovered the sum of N152, 088,698,751.64 and $386,220,202.84 in 2021.

The chairman, in continuation of the review of the Commission’s operational activities for 2021, listed other recoveries as £1, 182,519.75, €156,246.76, 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal, 1,900.00 South African Rand and 1, 400.00 Canadian Dollar.

Bawa said that the recovery basket also included a digital currency component with 5, 36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 Ethereum.

According to him, the

headquarters Operation dominated the recoveries with N67, 249, 744, 994.89, $375,662,223.59 and £1,151,539.75.

“It is closely followed by the Lagos Command which led the Naira recoveries with N70, 315,611,260.52, $9,286,497.83 and £21,500.00.

“The Kaduna Zonal Command emerged third in terms of Naira recoveries with a total sum of N3, 339,405,723.93 while the Ibadan Zonal Command took the same position in terms of Dollar recoveries to the tune of $387,385.00.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission said that the monies included direct and indirect recoveries for the different tiers of government (Federal, State and Local Governments), corporate organizations and individuals (victims of crime) within the year under review.

He commended the personnel of the Commission for the performance while urging them to redouble their efforts to ensure that perpetrators of economic and financial crimes are denied the benefit of the proceeds of crime.

Babangida Aliyu Lied, We’ve Not Zoned Presidency To The North – PDP

Editorial staff

January 8, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it has not zoned its presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.

This is against the statement earlier credited to the former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu to the effect that PDP has zoned the presidential ticket to the North. Babangida Aliyu spoke while receiving Atiku Abubakar‘s support group.

Reacting, the PDP said that its attention was drawn to the comments and speculations from certain individuals claiming that the Party has zoned its Presidential ticket to a particular part of the country.

In a statement by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the party said that the statement is completely misleading as it does not in any way represent the position of the Party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned it Presidential ticket to any part of the country.

“The PDP is a political party founded on democratic principles and every action of the Party, including zoning, is based on extensive consultations, discussions and consideration of all the issues as well as the various tendencies and interests across the nation, with the main objective of ensuring that the unity, peaceful co-existence and development of our nation are reinforced and promoted.

“The PDP, therefore, urges Nigerians, our teeming members and supporters to completely disregard the unfounded zoning claims as being peddled. Our Party also cautions those behind the claims to desist forthwith.”

Banning Of Cows From North: IPOB Did Not Speak For Igbos – Ohanaeze

Editorial staff

January 8, 2022

Apex Igbo cultural organization of Igbo speaking people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the proscribed Igbo separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has no mandate to speak for the people of the Southeast region.

This is coming on the heels of the ban, by the IPOB, on movement of cows from the Northern part of the country to the East.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, who was a guest on a political programme on Arise TV yesterday evening, January 7, said that though IPOB’s anger was based on the injustice against Igbos over the years, but that such situation does not give them the “mandate to speak for the entire people of the South-East.”

Obiozor, while reacting to angry and ‘inciting’ responses credited to some Northern groups over the IPOB ban, cautioned both sides to be careful in their comments so as not to throw the country into another chaotic situation.

“Take it from me and it is the right statement: IPOB doesn’t speak for Igbo and that is the truth.

“To be very candid with you, the IPOB anger is an accumulated anger based on perceived or real injustice against Ndigbo for so long.

“We understand their anger and the anger of many youths across the country.

“However, the truth of the matter is that they are not mandated to speak for Ndigbo.”

Obiozor said that the responses of some people in the North to the IPOB threats were also inciting.

Editors Lament China’s Negative Media Influence On Nigeria’s Democracy

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

Editors and media managers have raised alarm over Chinese negative role in the Nigeria’s Democracy and media space.

At a training workshop for journalists today, January 7 in Abuja, as part of the unveiling a literacy guidebook on the China’s importation of some authoritarian ideologies into Nigerian Media space, guest speakers and participants described the guidebook as an eye opener.

The guidebook exposes unnoticed Chinese infiltration of Nigerian media space, in alleged pursuit of asserting its ideological agenda on Nigeria.

The organisers of the event, Sahel Standard Media, in a statement by the Project Manager, Farouk Mohammed described the guidebook as “the first of its kind in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa, aimed at studying and identifying how China deploys sharp practices to Nigerian Media Space and how such practice had impacted on the democratic life of Nigeria.

“The guidebook identifies key tactics that Chinese operatives deploy in media influencing operations and also included strategies and means of countering such Maligning Influences. The guidebook also included long list of negative impact of such Chinese practices on Nigerian democracy.

“The guidebook is a goldmine of previously unpublished and unarticulated reality of China’s media influence. We expect this guidebook to empower journalists and media operatives to protect free press and democratic norms and practices,” Mohammed said.

In a paper presented by Dr. Anule Emmanuel titled: “Tracking and Countering Maligning Influences in News Rooms” he stressed the urgent need for Nigerian journalists, as watchdogs, to checkmate such antics by China.

He said that to counter maligning influences in the news rooms “we must be inquisitive and have investigative spirit, analytical mind, courage, integrity and patriotic.

“With good combination of our watchdog roles as the fourth estate of the realm and taking responsibilities of putting government in constant check, reveal abuse of state authority and protect the constitutional rights of citizens, it is possible to detect, track and counter maligning influences in our news room.”

This was even as the Deputy President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Danlami Nmodu, mni in his paper: “Democracy, Authoritarianism and Media: Choice for Free Press” advised Nigerians to strive to protect their democracy, adding that people have paid the price to ensure that democracy stands.

According to him, even though “Nigeria’s democracy is not perfect, but let us guard it jealously.”

Nmodu also advised stakeholders to establish Foundation to support independent journalism, even as he said that such foundations should encourage journalists to carry out independent investigations on issues bordering all sectors of Nigeria’s society.

Government, he said, must strategically engage with the media in the national interest, calling for an end to the hide and seek relationship between government and the media.

“The press which has constitutional role has always been under all manner of threats all through history. Let us help make the press free to serve the national interest better and to ensure robust debate.

“In fact, it is in the interest of the people, elite and all, for the press to remain free. We all need it always and especially at most critical junctures. Let us continue to nourish free press,” Nmodu said.

A PhD Student in Media Arts at the University of Abuja, Martins Odeh, in his paper: “Chinese Influence and Democracy: The Growing Threat” said: “we must at this stage clear the illusion about dividends of democracy.”

He argued that the dividends of democracy are not all about full employment, food on the table, light in the homes and working telephones.

“The truth, however, is that democracy has more to offer than food and good things of life.

“Democracy is democracy because of freedom of expression and liberty and the vehicle for measuring the quantum of freedom and liberty in any climes is the media of mass communication which do not exist in a vacuum.”

He added that the objectives of the paper is to expose participants to the realities of the negative entreaties of China to Nigeria and to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Journalists to be smart so that they can easily decipher and counter those measures.

Buhari Acknowledges Integrity, Visionary Leadership Of FCT Minister, Musa Bello

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has openly acknowledged the integrity and visionary leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

In a message Congratulating the Minister on his 63rd birthday, which comes up tomorrow, January 8, Buhari said that the Minister’s visionary leadership could not be overemphasized.

According to the President, Muhammad Musa Bello’s unassuming personality, cordiality and sincerity had continued to win friends for the administration and the country.

Such personal qualities, he said, had also provided a level playing ground for indigenes and settlers in the development of the FCT, and make the city one of the most attractive places for business and leisure.

Buhari said that Muhammad Musa Bello, who is former banker and administrator, had recorded many notable achievements, particularly in repositioning the capital city.

The President acknowledged the efforts of the Minister at several reforms, ensuring compliance and more decency in allocations.

The President described FCT as a place that hosts the seat of government, diplomatic missions, multilateral institutions, headquarters of businesses and hospitality homes.

Also Congratulating the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Kedem Tallen, on her 63rd birthdays too, tomorrow, January 8, the President extolled her courage, forthrightness and vision in driving affirmation of women in governance and education of children.

He praised her for paying more attention to the girl-child, with her notable scores as first female Deputy Governor in the North and Minister of State, Science and Technology.

He also recognized the steadfastness and commitment of Dame Tallen to the betterment of the nation, with over 45 years in politics, starting out as clerical officer at Shendam local government council in 1976, then later Ministry of Local Government Affairs, commissioner and working very hard in contesting the governorship of her state, leaving an inspiration for women.

The President prayed for the wellbeing of the two ministers.

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