Presidency Describes Benue Gov, Ortom, As Ethnic Champion, Unprincipled, Unfit To Govern

August 25, 2021

The Presidency is obviously angry with the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, describing him as an unprincipled politician, ethnic champion and unfit to govern an important state like Benue.

In a statement today, August 25, senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that Governor Ortom has few political principles, adding “we can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career. Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.

“Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.”

Garba Shehu said that in an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.

“Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.

“As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a “secret Tutsi agenda” over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a “secret Fulanization agenda” over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria.

“This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.

“This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.”

The presidency insisted that these are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.”

The spokesman said that for the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.

“The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness.”

We’re Determined To Support NPDC For Rapid Oil Production, Ogoni Leaders Pledge

Greenbarge Reporters

August 24, 2021

The leaders of Ogoniland in Rivers State under the auspices of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative have pledged to support the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in the exploration and production of oil and gas resources in its territory.

The Ogoni leaders who spoke today, August 24, at the Ogoni Liberation Day which held in Bori with the Managing Director of NPDC, Mohammed Ali-Zarah in attendance, commended the Court of Appeal for the judgement confirming NPDC as the valid operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11.

The Convener and leader of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Rev. Douglas Fabeke, said that the Ogoni people welcomed with great joy, the intervention of the Federal Government and the takeover of the oil assets by NPDC following the judgement of the Appeal Court in Abuja.

The Ogoni leader described the judgment that handed OML11 to NPDC as liberation for the Ogoni people, stressing that the people of Ogoni have “looked forward to this freedom over the years.”

He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s commitment to the development of Ogoniland, adding that his people would support all efforts aimed at restoring the environment and exploring its huge natural resources for the benefit of all.

He said that Ogoni leaders have resolved to eschew bitterness and work with the Federal Government to ensure that the people benefitted from the resources in their land.

“The Ogoni people are ready for oil and gas business in the land to entrench development in partnership with the NNPC and the Federal Government of Nigeria through a transformed template and practical community development delivered by the host communities.

“The Ogoni people are ready to do all forms of businesses with the State, Federal and Global Corporate Communities for the development of their land, provided the business is anchored upon Ogoni development.”

He submitted a communique on behalf of the people of Ogoni to the Federal Government as the request of Ogoni people and as condition for the mutual relationship between the people and NPDC.

The communique, among other things, requested that “the issue of clean-up in Ogoniland should be re-visited and the Government should mandate the handling agency to expedite actions and clean the land in tune with the UNEP Report’s recommendation or allow the Ogoni people to bring experts that would perfectly implement the recommendations of the UNEP Report to the letter”

It also called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the provisions of infrastructure to the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni people will not work under any political manipulation that will affect the development and smooth operation in the land without capturing the interest of the people. We stand by every word drafted here and will implement it to the letter, and also ready to give the Federal Government of Nigeria maximum cooperation to achieve its aim for the success and benefit of the nation and the Ogoni people.”

The Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Mohammed Ali-Zarah, said the company understood the concerns and yearnings of the Ogoni people and shared in their pain.

He said that NPDC and the Federal Government would work with the Ogoni people to bring development, employment and growth to the land, remediate the environment and ensure that future exploration and production activities do not impact negatively on the environment.

Ali-Zarah noted that the large turn-out of people, including traditional rulers, at the event was a huge moral boost to NPDC’s confidence in its re-entry plan.

“Indeed, this is a clear testimonial and demonstration of the strong cordial relationship that has existed between us over the years. This, for us, is our social license to operate in this peace-loving community.”

The Managing Director observed that it is in the best interest of the country to speedily restore the environment of Ogoniland and create the needed condition for the social economic development of the communities.

“As a viable partner, we would join you to pursue the greater good of our people and the nation. We stand with you and would work with you to achieve this within the shortest possible time.”

On the communique submitted by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative signed by leaders of various communities that make up Ogoniland, Ali-Zarah assured them that he would send the document to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for onward transmission to the relevant quarters, including the Presidency.

Oil production operations were suspended in Ogoniland in the early 1990s due to disruptions caused by local unrest. The oilfields and other installations have since largely remained dormant.

Hope was, however, rekindled last week following an Appeal Court judgment that paved the way for NPDC to take over the operatorship of the oil assets in Ogoniland from Shell.

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja upturned the August 23, 2019, ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which held that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was entitled to the renewal of the Lease on OML 11.

In the ruling, the Appellate Court held that the Minister of Petroleum Resources has the discretion whether or not to renew the OML 11 Lease in favor of SPDC.

The Court further held that the Minister rightly exercised his discretion in awarding the OML 11 Lease to NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

BREAKING: Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers, Kidnap And Injure Others At Kaduna Defence Academy

Greenbarge Reporters

August 24, 2021

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper now said that a large number of gunmen, early this morning, August 24, stormed the Afaka barracks of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, killing a naval officer.
The information had it that the invading gunmen also kidnapped two Majors in the army.
Sources within the barracks told our correspondent that security has been beefed up within and around the barracks to stop the gunmen from escaping with the officers.
“It was a terrible experience, the gunmen took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks,” a source said.
“Right now, the whole barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the gunmen would not leave the barracks… it is believed that they are still within.”

One of the officers who was injured in the attack is currently being treated at a hospital within the barracks.

The source said there are, however, fears that the gunmen may decide to kill the officers in a bid to escape.

The Public Relations Officer of the Academy, Major Bashir Muhammed Jajira issued a statement this morning detailing how it all happened. Please read on:
The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.
The Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state has since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescue the abducted personnel.
The NDA community and Cadets are safe in the Academy. We assure the general public that this unknown gunmen would soon be apprehended and the abducted personnel rescued.
Bashir Muhd Jajira
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
24 August 2021.

With 4 Gold, 3 Bronze Nigeria Has Reason To Celebrate Nairobi Outing – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigerian athletes on their outstanding achievements at the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a statement today, August 23 by a presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President said that with four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medal table, Nigeria has many reasons to celebrate.

“With four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medals table, the President believes that our sports ambassadors in Nairobi and the entire contingent have every reason to celebrate their well-deserved laurels, while putting the track and field world on notice of their intentions to surpass their achievements in the nearest future.”

President Buhari commended the team and their handlers for showcasing to the world that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best talents in the world of sport who by dint of hardwork and perseverance can dazzle anytime and anywhere.

He also thanked the victorious athletes for flying the country’s flag high at the competition, breaking new records from personal bests and national records all the way to championship record.

He celebrated with all Nigerians for the feat by the patriotic athletes “for reinforcing the can-do and resilient spirit of the Nigerian.”

Court Sacks PDP National Chairman, Secondus

August 23, 2021

The High Court of Rivers State has sacked National Chairman of the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and ordered him to stop parading himself as the party’s national chairman.

Justice O Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division, sitting in Port Harcourt today, August 23, granted the order, following a suit filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).

The judge, after the reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte, as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of HA Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.

An excerpt from the order reads:

‘That an order restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as a member of the 2nd defendant or the national chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the 2nd defendant or calling, attending or presiding over any meeting of the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 2nd defendant at the Ward, Local Government or State level or calling for any Ward, Local Government or State Congress of the 2nd defendant or setting up committees for such Congresses or participating in any activity of the 2nd defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.’

The judge also granted leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, all orders made by the court and all subsequent processes on the respondent by pasting same on his gate at No 1 William Jumbo Street, Old GRA Port Harcourt.

The judge further granted leave to serve by substituted means orders made by the court on the respondents by publishing same in the Nation Newspaper.

2023 Presidency: Please Stop These Needless Campaigns, I’m Not Interested – Osinbajo

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has again begged igerans to stop what he called “the flurry of campaigns going on about his desire to contest the 2023 Presidential election in the country.

“There has again been a flurry of activities, such as the release of campaign style promotional videos, banners in the Social Media and even the deployment of political posters in some parts of the country, including the FCT and Kano, insinuating that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has joined the 2023 Presidential Race.”
In a statement by his media office today, August 23, Osinbajo who had earlier in May this year issued similar statemet, said that he “is not in any way connected with the distribution and deployment of any 2023 political posters whether on the streets or in online videos, banners and the like on the Social Media.
“All these are simply needless distractions from the urgent tasks of governance needed in our country at this time.”
Professor Osinbajo insisted that he had not declared any interest whatsoever in the 2023 election, but that he is rather focused on working in his capacity as Vice President in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country and concerns of Nigerians, including finding effective and lasting solutions to the security challenges and working to further boost the economy.
He begged Nigerians to desist from such publications “while we all deal together with the challenges confronting us as Nigerians, and resolve them for the benefit of our people, and the enthronement of peace and prosperity in the land.”

Popular Igbo Leader, Igbokwe, Writes Police Boss About IPOB Threat On His Life

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

Joe Igbokwe | Photo credit: The Sun Newspapers

A popular Igbo leader and member of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe has written a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, complaining about the threat to his life by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Igbokwe, who is popular on social media for criticizing the group and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, wrote in the letter: “A mother chicken says she is crying out to the world that a Kite stole her chick not because she can do anything to retrieve the stolen sibling but to let the world hear her voice. I am sure most of us would have seen the continuous threat to my life and the life of those of us who do not agree with the philosophy of IPOB and ESN bandits on Biafra agitation via armed struggle.

“Today they are getting bolder, threatening, bullying, killing, destroying and decimating the economy of Igboland. Today the bandits say they have power over life and death in Igboland. The bandits and Children of hate say they have banned me from coming to Igboland. The latest threat is that I should prepare to die. This is unacceptable in the 21st Century.

“Blind people should not lead people with eyes. People we do not know their upbringing, their pedigree, what they do for a living, who their fathers and their mothers we do not know are telling us they are the owners of Igboland. We cannot take this anymore.

“We will confront history. I will not allow Soap to enter my eyes when I have buckets of water with me. You do not tell the deaf and the dumb that war has started. When he sees others running he will join them.”

Kano Judge Convicts Kannywood Actress, Sadiya, Over ‘Sexual Content’ Videos

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

A Sharia Court judge sitting in Sharada area of Kano State, Justice Ali Jibril Danzaki, has convicted a Kannywood actress and social media blogger, Sadiya Haruna, for “uploading sexual contents on her social media handles.”

The judge heard from members of the Kano State Hisbah Board, who docked her that she consistently posted indecent videos in which she was dancing seductively and making sexual comments on her social media handles

Sadiya, a resident of Kabuga Quarters, according to the prosecutors, was initially arrested on Friday by the Head of Surveillance Department of Kano State Hisbah Board, Malam Aliyu Usman. She was then detained in the custody of the Islamic police until early Monday when she was brought before the court. According to Daily Trust, the actress, Haruna

The accused person pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of obscenity and indecent act, which contradicts section 355 of Penal Code Law 2000.

The judge the convicted her and ordered that she should be attending a Darul Hadith Islamiyya session at Tudun Yola Quarters for a period of six months as the sentencing for her offence.

He said that her Islamiyya attendance would be monitored by the school head teacher and the Hisbah command.

Source: Daily Trust.

2023: Sokoto Gov, Tambuwal, May Be Eying Presidency, Lists Qualities Of Good Leader

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal have shown the sign of a man eying the Presidency in the 2023 election, starting with a lecture on what qualities a good leader should possess.

Governor Tambuwal, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, in a statement today, August 23, in Abuja, said that a good leader must be one who is incorruptible, who understands that the best way to fight corruption is by personal example and also by building strong institutions capable of withstanding shocks and manipulations.

“Nigeria needs a leader that is versatile: one that has friends and associates across the length and breadth of this country: a leader with a broad world view and not a parochial and provincial politician.

“We need an incorruptible leader who understands that the best way to fight corruption is by personal examples and also by the building of strong institutions that can withstand shocks and manipulations.

“Nigeria needs a leader in tune with the times. Who is reasonably aware of the modern demands of technology in solving societal problems.

“Yes, Nigeria needs a bridge builder: a compassionate leader, sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the poor and needy. A leader whose words count and can be counted on. Indeed, a leader with courage.”

The governor was quoted to have said this while speaking on the topic, ‘Security Challenges in Nigeria and Its Implication for Sustainable Development’, at the Richard Akinnola’s birthday lecture held in Lagos, on Sunday.

The Sokoto State governor stressed that to overcome insecurity, there is the need for intelligence gathering and surveillance so that law enforcement agents could be proactive and reasonably predict potential crime with near perfect accuracy rather than being reactive.

Source: The Punch.

Who Killed 11 Nigerian Journalists? Group Goes To Court

Greenbarge Reporters

August 23, 2021

Media Rights Agenda has gone to ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja challenging the Federal Government of Nigeria for its failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of the murders of 11 journalists killed between 1998 and 2019.

The group is asking the court to direct the Government to pay the families of each of the journalists N10 million as reparation.

In the suit filed on its behalf by Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Darlington Onyekwere, along with Ms Chioma Nwaodike, Ms Obioma Okonkwo and Mr Sideeq Rabiu, MRA claimed that despite the Nigerian government’s obligations under various domestic, regional and international instruments, it has failed, refused, neglected and/or omitted to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish the killers of the journalists who were murdered while exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression and of the press or under circumstances connected to the exercise of these rights.

It also expressed concern that unless the Court intervenes, the government will neither adopt measures to protect journalists nor cause any real, transparent and impartial investigations into the killings of journalists in Nigeria while the perpetrators of such dastardly acts will not be prosecuted and punished.

The journalists named in the suit are Mr. Tunde Oladepo, Bureau Chief of The Guardian newspaper’s Ogun State office, killed in Abeokuta on February 26, 1998 by gunmen who entered his home early in the morning on that day and shot him dead in the presence of his wife and two young children; Mr. Okezie Amauben, publisher of Newsservice magazine, reportedly arbitrary shot and killed by a police officer in Enugu on September 2, 1998; Mr. Fidelis Ikwuebe, a freelance journalist for The Guardian newspaper, who was abducted and murdered on April 18, 1999 while covering violent clashes between the Aguleri and Umuleri communities in Anambra State; Mr. Sam Nimfa-Jan, a journalist with Details magazine in Jos, Plateau State, who was killed in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on May 27, 1999 while covering riots between Hausa Fulani and Zangon-Kataf groups and his body was found with arrows protruding from his back; and Mr. Samson Boyi, a photojournalist with the Adamawa State-owned newspaper, The Scope, who was killed by armed men on November 5, 1999 while on assignment to cover a visit by the then State governor, Mr. Boni Haruna, to the neighbouring Bauchi State.

The others are Mr. Bayo Ohu, an assistant news editor with The Guardian newspaper, shot by armed men in his home in Lagos on September 20, 2009; Mr. Nathan Dabak, deputy editor, and Mr. Sunday Gyang Bwede, reporter, both with the Light Bearer, a monthly newspaper owned by the Church of Christ in Nigeria, who were attacked and killed by a mob in Jos on April 24, 2010, while on a reporting assignment; Mr. Zakariya Isa, a reporter and cameraman with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), killed on October 22, 2011 and for which Boko Haram reportedly claimed responsibility when its spokesman, Abul Qada, was quoted as saying that the militants killed him “because he was spying on them for Nigerian security authorities”; Mr. Enenche Akogwu, a reporter and camera operator with Channels Television, killed in Kano on January 20, 2012 by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members; and Mr. Precious Owolabi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving his primary assignment as a reporter with Channels Television, who was shot and killed in Abuja on July 22, 2019 while covering a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria resulting in a confrontation with the Nigerian Police.

Brought pursuant to Sections 33 and 39 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution; Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Articles 2(3), 6(1) and 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); Articles 4 and 66(2) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS; and Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa 2019, the suit also seeks, among other things, the following reliefs:

· A declaration that the killing of the 11 journalists is a violation of their fundamental rights to life and freedom of expression and the press as encapsulated in the Constitution, the African Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICCPR;

· A declaration that the Federal Government has an obligation under Sections 33 and 39 of the Constitution, Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charter, Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles, Article 2(3) of the ICCPR, and Article 66(2)(c) of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty to carry out an effective and impartial investigation, and to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of attacks on journalists in Nigeria;

· A declaration that the failure of the Federal Government to adopt effective measures to protect and guarantee the safety of the 11 journalists as well as its failure to take effective legal and other measures to adequately investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of attacks against the journalists and ensure that the victims’ families have access to effective remedies amount to a breach of the duty and obligation imposed on the government by the African Charter and the Revised ECOWAS Treaty;

· An order directing the Government to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners; to immediately carry out effective, transparent and impartial investigations into the murders of the 11 journalists killed while carrying out their journalistic work or under circumstances relating to the discharge of their duties as journalists; and to identify, prosecute and punish perpetrators of attacks against journalists and ensure that victims have access to effective remedies.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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