Goodluck Jonathan Is A Model In Good Leadership, Buhari Affirms

November 16, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has affirmed that former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is a model in good leadership from who many should learn.

“The former President’s profile should remind those in position and all aspiring leaders that serving the country and humanity requires sacrifice, and ultimately placing the interest of others above personal gains.”

President Buhari, in a statement today, November 16 by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, to congratulate Jonathan on his 64th birthday anniversary, November 17, 2021, acknowledged that the former President served the country and worked “for the peace and advancement of democracy on the African continent.

“Dr. Jonathan continues to expand the boundaries of leadership, teaching many in the country the power of focus, consistency and diligence, having served as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, President, African Union Envoy and now, Chairman of the International Summit Council for Peace Africa (ISCP-Africa).

“ISCP-Africa is an association of incumbent and former heads of state and their deputies, established in 2019 by the Universal Peace Federation, an organization in general consultative status with the United Nations (UN).”

President Buhari said that as Dr. Jonathan turns 64, he prays that Almighty God will continue to sustain him and his family in good health and all round well being.

2021 Harvest Season: Farmers In Northwest Sing Different Songs

Editorial staff

November 16, 2021

Farmers in Northwest states of Nigeria are already singing different songs as 2021 harvest season begins, with some of them recording bumper harvest, while others are counting losses.

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), covering Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina states, showed that rainfall was stable in some areas, and in other areas, it had either ceased earlier than expected or resulted in flooding.

Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kaduna state, Malam Salisu Muhammad, said that most farmers in the state are hopeful of recording good harvest this year.

Muhammad said that crops that promise to yield bumper results are maize, sorghum and beans, whereas rice yield is negatively affected by inadequate rainfall.

Another farmer in Kaduna, Balarabe Aliyu, said that irregular rainfall experienced during the year negatively affected crops.

“Apart from delayed commencement, the rain was irregular, as such the anticipated yield was not realised.”

The Country’s Representative of Feminine Early Warning Systems Network, Isah Mainu said that low rainfall had generally affected yield in some parts of Nigeria during the 2021 wet season.

Mainu said that during a virtual symposium to commemorate the 2021 World Food Day, crops affected are rice, maize, beans, sorghum and cowpea.

He listed some of the states affected to include Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano and Jigawa.

Mainu said that conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, as well as the activities of bandits, affected production of crops, and triggered hike in prices of foodstuffs.

Chief Executive Officer of Silvex International, an agribusiness firm in Kano, Alhaji Abubakar Usman-Adam advised farmers to engage in dry season farming, with a view to bridging the food deficit created by low rainfall during the season.

Usman-Adam said that on their part, the company had initiated “Climate-Smart Farm Estates” to bridge the gap in production.

According to him, the estates will be established in collaboration with Jigawa and Nasarawa state governments.

Usman-Adam said thatbfor the project, they intend to engage people from host communities with a view to reducing unemployment.

“They will be trained on the skills, given stipends and at the end of the day, share certain profit with them.

“We want to create a new generation of farmers, because, many believe that farming is not a business venture.

Usman-Adam said that after the training, beneficiaries would go back to their communities and practise what they learnt.

Meanwhile, some farmers interviewed in Kano State said that low level of rainfall affected production of crops.

One of the farmers, Malam Yahuza Alhaji said that most of their crops dried up for lack of enough rainfall, adding that the rain came late, was not regular and did not last long.

A female farmer in Kano, Mrs. Uwani Abdu said that grains that needed much water suffered most, while crops that did not require much water, did fairly well in their area.

“Grains like rice, millet, sorghum and wheat have not actually done well, but maize and groundnut have done well in our farms.

“The main fear is that many farmers have sold their crops to dealers long before harvest, in anticipation of bumper harvest.”

She expressed fear that many farmers might encounter scarcity of food since they had sold out their grains.

Professor Murtala Badamasi of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero Univeristy, Kano, expressed the need for farmers to commence irrigation farming to mitigate the effect of the anticipated poor harvest.

Hussaini Abba, a grain seller in Kano, said that a 100 kilogramme bag of local rice is now sold for N39,000, as against its old price of N42,000.

Abba said the same bag for maize costs N19,000, as against previous price of N25,000, while that of millet is sold for N21,000, as against N25,000.

‎He said that a bag of beans now costs N47,000, as against N48,000 few months ago, while that of sorghum, one of the crops affected by low rainfall, maintains its price of N25,000.

An integrated farmer in Katsina State, Alhaji Abba Muhammad, said that inadequate rainfall recorded this year in the state, had dashed the hope of farmers for a bumper harvest.

Muhammad said that the rainfall did not last long, pointing out that the situation had affected production.

“Here in Katsina, the rain ceased three months ago, and for sure, crops were affected; farmers in Katsina will hardly record bumper harvest this year.”

Also, Chairman of AFAN in Ingawa Local Government Area of the state, Malam Ibrahim Suleiman, said that the rainfall pattern had devastating effects on crops.

“Most of the crops this year did not give us good yield as a result of the inadequate rainfall.”

Alhaji Sahabi Augie, Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Kebbi State chapter, said that rice farmers in the state recorded good harvest in 2021.

“Many of our famers now smile to different banks, either to lodge or withdraw money, following this year’s bumper harvest.

“We had also experienced some challenges and difficulties at the beginning of the season due to flooding, but we later bounced back.”

A middleman in Birnin Kebbi Central Market, Alhaji Abubakar Sadeek, said prices of food items had gone down in the state due to good harvest in some parts of the country.

Also, in Sokoto State, farmers interviewed said they had recorded good harvests due to stable rainfall.

They said that the abundance of food crops had led to stability in prices, explaining that further price crash is being anticipated as harvesting progres

Nurses, Midwives Ask For Extension Of Retiring Age To 65, Review Of Hazard Allowance

Editorial staff

November 16, 2021

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has asked the federal government to extend the retirement age of its members from 60 to 65 years.

The Association also asked for the review of the hazard allowance to members, in addition to providing them adequate security cover in the course of carrying out their duties.

The National President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi, in a speech at the Association’s 35th Annual Scientific Conference held in Calabar today, November 26, also demanded a review of professional allowance, shift duty, call duty, teaching and speciality allowances for members.

“We also call on the Federal Government to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and extend the retirement age from 60-65 years and 70 years for health consultants.”

Nnachi was represented at the event by the 2nd Vice President of NANNM, Mrs. Blessing Isreal.

This was even as the National Chairman of the association, Wale Olatunde, called for the security of lives and property of nurses and midwives in the country.

Olatunde expressed concern that nurses in the country had suddenly become targets of attacks, mostly on their way to work and sometimes at their duty posts, especially by kidnappers.
According to him, considering the challenging environment in which nurses discharge their duties, there is need to protect them against all forms of security threats.
“As a professional health body, we call on government at all levels and security agencies to provide adequate security for nurses against violent attacks.
“With the level of insecurity in the country, most of our members have been kidnapped and made to face different forms of torture.
“At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were at the fore front of rendering healthcare to the patients.
“We lost some nurses in the process to the pandemic, while others recovered and went back to duty,” Olatunde said.

The Chairperson of Nurses in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Mrs Eno Bassey-Okon

said that the conference would look at pertinent issues affecting the sector and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The Chairperson of the occasion and Wife of the Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mrs Imaobong Eteng-Williams, said that nurses and midwives play strategic role in healthcare delivery, especially for pregnant women.
“Nurses and midwives are invaluable asset to any health institution in the country.
“In spite of the challenging times and circumstances, nurses have always given out their best in healthcare delivery.”

Source: NAN.

University Of Ilorin Expels Student Who Beats Female Lecturer

Editorial staff

November 16, 2021

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has expelled a final-year student Salaudeen Aanuoluwa of the department of microbiology, who allegedly beat a female lecturer of the same department.

Salaudeen was said to have physically attacked the lecturer, Rahmat Zakariyau last week Thursday after he unsuccessfully tried to get her to grant him a waiver for missing the mandatory student industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) course.

The institution’s spokesman, Kunle Akogun, in a statement said that Salaudeen was expelled after a meeting of the student disciplinary committee where he was arraigned on Monday.

He said the expelled student “has 48 days to appeal against the verdict to the Vice-Chancellor in case he feels dissatisfied with the decision.”

Text of the letter written to Salaudeen by the university registrar read thus: “You will recall that you appeared before the Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC) to defend yourself in respect of an allegation of misconduct levelled against you.

“After due consideration of all evidence before it, the Committee was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the allegation of misconduct has been established against you. It has accordingly recommended to the Vice-Chancellor, who in exercise of the power conferred on him, has directed that you Salaudeen, Waliu Aanuoluwa be expelled from the University.

“Accordingly, you are hereby expelled from the University with immediate effect.

“You are required to submit forthwith, all University property in your custody including your Student Identity Card to the Dean of Student Affairs or his representative and keep off the campus.

“In case you are dissatisfied with this decision, you are free to appeal to the University Council through the Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences to the Vice-Chancellor within forty-eight (48) days of the date of this letter.”

Salaudeen had told University Campus Journalist, an on-campus journal, that he missed the SIWES course because he was locked up for two months after being arrested in Lagos on the allegation that he was a thief.

Group Of Iranian, Specialised In Hacking Telecoms, Internet, Foreign Ministry Are Here, NCC Alerts

Editorial staff

November 15, 2021

An Iranian hacking group known as Lyceum has been reported by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

The hacking group also known as Hexane, Siamesekitten, or Spirlin, according to a statement today, November 15 by NCC’s spokesman, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, has been reported to be targeting telecoms, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Africa with upgraded malware in a recent politically motivated attacks oriented in cyberespionage.

Adinde said that information about this cyber attack is contained in the latest advisory issued by the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), adding that the ngCERT rated the probability and damage level of the new malware as high.

According to the advisory, the hacking group is known to be focused on infiltrating the networks of telecoms companies and ISPs. He said that between July and October, 2021, Lyceum was implicated in attacks against ISPs and telecoms organisations in Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

“The advanced persistent threat (APT) group has been linked to campaigns that hit Middle Eastern oil and gas companies in the past. Now, the group appears to have expanded its focus to the technology sector. In addition, the APT is responsible for a campaign against an unnamed African government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“By the attackers’ mode of operation, Lyceum’s initial onslaught vectors include credential stuffing and brute-force attacks. So, once a victim’s system is compromised, the attackers conduct surveillance on specific targets. In that mode, Lyceum will attempt to deploy two different kinds of malware: Shark and Milan (known together as James).

“Both malware are backdoors. Shark, a 32-bit executable written in C# and .NET, generates a configuration file for domain name system (DNS) tunneling or Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) C2 communications; whereas Milan – a 32-bit Remote Access Trojan (RAT) retrieves data.

“Both are able to communicate with the group’s command-and-control (C2) servers. The APT maintains a C2 server network that connects to the group’s backdoors, consisting of over 20 domains, including six that were previously not associated with the threat actors.”

According to reports, individual accounts at companies of interest are usually targeted, and then once these accounts are breached, they are used as a springboard to launch spear-phishing attacks against high-profile executives in an organization.

The report suggests that not only do these attackers seek out data on subscribers and connected third-party companies, but once compromised, threat actors or their sponsors can also use these industries to surveil individuals of interest.

Adinde said that to guard against this kind of threats, the NCC wishes to re-echo ngCERT reports that multiple layers of security in addition to constant network monitoring is required by telecom companies and ISPs alike to stave off potential attacks.

“Specifically, telecom consumers and the general public are advised to:

1. Ensure the consistent use of firewalls (software, hardware and cloud firewalls).

2. Enable a Web Application Firewall to help detect and prevent attacks coming from web applications by inspecting HTTP traffic.

3. Install Up-to-date antivirus programmes to help detect and prevent a wide range of malware, trojans, and viruses, which APT hackers will use to exploit your system.

4. Implement the use of Intrusion Prevention Systems that monitors your network.

5. Create a secure sandboxing environment that allows you to open and run untrusted programs or codes without risking harm to your operating system.

6. Ensure the use of virtual private network (VPN) to prevent an easy opportunity for APT hackers to gain initial access to your company’s network.

7. Enable spam and malware protection for your email applications, and educate your employees on how to identify potentially malicious emails.

“For further technical assistance, contact ngCERT on incident@cert.gov.ng.

“The NCC, as the operator of the telecom sector’s cyber threat response centre (CSIRT), hereby reiterates its commitment active surveillance and monitoring of cyber activities in the sector and will always keep stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector updated on potential threats within the cyber space. This is to ensure that the networks that deliver essential services are safe and that telecom consumers are protected from being victims of cyber attacks.

Head Of Service Angry With 426 Federal Servants That Were Transfered But Refused To Go

Editorial staff

November 15, 2021

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan is not happy with 426 federal civil servants who were transfered in September this year to various departments of the government but have since refused to report at such departments till date.

Dr. Folasade, in a memo, threatened to sack such recalcitrant civil servants or force them into early retirement if by November 17, they do not retract their rejection of official postings.

In the circular -HCSF/CMO/ EM/ AOD/001/S.2/103, through the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, Marcus Ogunbiyi and addressed to all permanent secretaries and directors, the Head of Service requested that the list of the affected workers should be submitted to her.

In the circular, she gave all officers who have not reported up to Wednesday, to do so and present their documents in their posted MDAs.

She warned that failure to comply amounted to a violation of extant rules which shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of PSR 030301(b).

The provisions of PSR 030301(b) consider a refusal to proceed on transfer or to accept posting as misconduct which is inimical to the image of the service and which can be investigated and if proved can also lead to termination and retirement.

Part of the memo reads: “Recall that the office of the head of the civil service of the Federation, via the circular no, HCSF/CMO/EM/AOD/001/S.2/103, dated September, 29, 2021, redeployed pool officers from GL 05 to 09 to various MDAs.

“Returns on the level of compliance indicated that a substantial number of the officers has not reported in their respective new posts. Available statistics indicate that the majority of such officers may be working from home in compliance with the earlier circular on the preventive measures against COVID-19.

“Notwithstanding, such officers are expected to document in their new MDAs while they continue working at home or as may be directed by their permanent secretaries.

“Accordingly, all officers in this category or any others who have not reported are given up to Wednesday, 17th November, 2021 to report and document in their MDAs. Failure to do so is tantamount to violation of extant rules which shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of PSR 030301(b).”

Dr. Yemi-Esan had on September 21, redeployed the workers to the new MDAs via a circular issued on her behalf by the Director, Employee Mobility of the Office of the Head of Service, O.T. Olusola-Dada.

Source: THISDAY.

Revenue Commission To Soon Come Out With New Sharing Formula Of Federation Account

Editorial staff

November 14, 2021

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has given an assurance that a new and acceptable revenue sharing formula of the Federation Account will soon be out.

The Commission’s Chairman, Chief Elias Mbam, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja today, November 14, against the background of the engagements the commission had with various stakeholders across the country.

He commended Nigerians for their effective participation during the Commission’s Zonal Public Hearing for a new revenue sharing formula.

Chief Mbam emphasised the determination of RMAFC to come out with credible, acceptable and fair new revenue sharing formula for the country.

He said that the Commission would synthesise and analyse the various presentations from stakeholders’ across the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory. Mbam, especially, commended the 36 state governors for mobilising the people to massively and effectively participate in this all important national issue.

Mbam recalled that when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the board of RMAFC on June 27, 2020, he charged the members to be fair and just to all tiers of government in the review of the current revenue allocation formula.

The consensus of the states and the Federal Government at the various zonal public hearing had resulted in the reversal of the current sharing formula.

The existing formular gives 52.68 per cent to the Federal Government, the states 26.72 per cent, the local governments, 20.60 per cent, with 13 per cent derivation revenue going to the oil-producing states. Stakeholders agreed on a new formula. There was, however, no consensus on what the new sharing formula should be, a decision to be taken by RMAFC, which has the constitutional right to do so.

The Federal Government had, through Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, proposed an increase in revenue allocation to local governments from 20.60 per cent to 23.73 per cent.

He said that it was also being proposed that allocation to the Federal Government be reviewed downward from 52.68 per cent to 50.65 per cent, states from 26. 72 per cent to 25.62 per cent, with allocation for derivation remaining at 13 per cent.

“Development needs to start getting to the local governments for the nation to get fully developed,” he said. Mustapha had said also that the issue of revenue allocation should be handled constructively, especially in the face of dwindling revenue and the need for states to increase their internally-generated revenue (IGR).

“It is an important fact that this review should culminate in improved national development,” the SGF said, adding that the process would culminate in the enactment of an appropriate Act by the National Assembly.

On its part, Lagos State Government at the South-West Zonal Stakeholders meeting proposed: Federal Government: 34 per cent, states 42 per cent, local government councils, 23 per cent and Lagos State (Special Status, 1 per cent). Mbam at the various zonal public hearings reiterated that the revenue allocation review was not intended to change the fiscal arrangement of the country.

“Whether we are devolving power or going into a complete system of federalism or we are restructuring is not the concern of this review. “The review of the mobilisation and revenue allocation is a product of law and an Act provided by the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

The RMAFC boss explained that the height of responsibility of any of the three tiers of government would determine what it would get.

He said: “If the Federal Government is confirmed to have a high responsibility, it will get an equivalent of that responsibility as allocation. If it is the local government that has more responsibility, it will be done the same way. Our position is that the more responsibility of a tier, the more money it gets.’’

Edo Moves To Immortalise Victor Uwaifo, With Creative Hub

Editorial staff

November 14, 2021

Edo State Government has launched creative hub in honour of late ‘guitar boy’, Professor Victor Uwaifo, and also designed to stop youths from traveling abroad illegally.

The State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who launched the creative hub in Benin city, the state capital said that it would help Edo youths to harness their entertainment potentials.

He described the move as “a revolution in entertainment. Edo is about entertainment. Edo is about education. Edo is about helping those interested in entertainment achieve their aim.

“60 per cent of Edo people are young. Our purpose is to open space for you.

”Yesterday, we launched 30 years Edo development plan and the key components of the plan are education, technology and entertainment.

“I want to let you know tonight that your government will not abandoned you again.

”We will not fail you again. We want to make home look like home for you. You won’t have reason to travel illegally again.

“So, we are launching this creative hub in honour of Victor Uwaifo, and for our youths to harness their entertainment potentials.”

Highlight of the occasion was the Concert with the theme, ‘The Guitar Boy Lives On’.

It featured musical artistes like John Ighodaro, popularly know as Johnny Drille, Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje.

Some local artists thrilled fans earlier before the inauguration.

Source: NAN.

Buhari Grieves Over The Loss Of Brigadier General Zirkusu, Others, To Terrorists

Greenbarge Reporters

November 14, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the loss of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers to the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a battle with them in Borno State.

The President, in a statement today, November 13 by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said that the soldiers died in a “very rare display of gallantry as they tried to help their compatriots in the war against terrorists.

“Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls Rest In Peace. General Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated.

“The soldier in him will remain immortal.”

The President asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya to accept his heartfelt condolences and that of the nation, and to convey same to the members of the families of those martyred.

“I pray to the Almighty to give you and the bereaved families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.”

Brigadier General Zirkusu was killed by ISWAP terrorists, who invaded the Askira Uba town where he led reinforcement soldiers to counter them.

The terrorists were said to have invaded the town and destroyed telecommunication masts with guns and other firearms in their possession, forcing residents to flee.

Another group of terrorists also attacked Mulai village, close to Maiduguri and rustled some cattle while another gang of fighters attacked a communication mast and health centre in Buni Yadi, Yobe State and carted away generator set and drugs.

Meanwhile, at Ngamdu, in Kaga Local Government of Borno, ISWAP terrorists suffered a devastating blow in the hands of the soldiers.

CBN, Rice Farmers Plan 1 Million Rice Pyramid In Abuja In January 2022

Editorial staff

November 13, 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a collaborative efforts with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) to build one million rice pyramid in Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital by January 2022.

The CBN’s Head, Development and Finance Office, Abdullahi Baba-Isa, who dropped the hint, said that government’s intervention in rice farming is already yielding positive results.

Baba-Isa, who spoke today, November 13 at the launching of the 2021 wet season farming recovery effort under the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme in Kurjale community, Gombe State, said that the pyramid will expose the gains of the partnership between the apex bank and the association.

Baba-Isa said that CBN’s intervention in providing inputs is to crash the price of rice, boost food security, create jobs and improve the wellbeing of farmers in rural areas.

He said that the apex bank is trying to maximize Nigeria’s potential in rice production as a measure toward conserving external reserve, discourage importation and boost local production.

According to him, the impact of Federal Government’s intervention in rice production accounted for why the country is able to ensure food availability during COVID-19 lockdown when food importation was halted.

“The Anchor Borrower Programme has made a lot of positive impact on our economy, output and even the national food security system has improved.”

He appealed to them to continue to pay their loans, so as to encourage government to accommodate more farmers in the programme in 2022.

Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, RIFAN President said that CBN’s intervention is creating wealth for smallholder farmers in the state and the country.

Goronyo, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Auwal, RIFAN’s National Vice President, said that with the impact of the intervention, soon, many farmers would no longer need loans as they would have been empowered beyond “borrowing.”

He said that in spite the challenges of insecurity in some parts of the country, there is improvement in food security as a result of the intervention by the CBN.

The RIFAN president advised the association’s members to speedily repay their loans, adding that efforts had already been concluded ahead of the commencement of dry season farming in the state.

Also, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, Special Project Coordinator, CBN/Unity Bank/RIFAN Partnership, state chapter, said that almost 30, 000 bags of paddy rice were recovered during the launch.

Bello said that with the intervention in 2021, 14, 000 rice farmers were supported for the dry season phase and 28, 000, for the wet season farming.

He described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as a blessing to farmers and thanked the RIFAN president and the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, for their efforts at empowering farmers.

Source: NAN.

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