2023: I’ll Support Presidential Candidate Of PDP Even If He’s From North – Gov Wike

March 20, 2021

Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike has said that he will support any Presidential candidate produced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election even if such candidate is from the North.

He said: “I am from Southern part of Nigeria. I will be happy if power returns to the South, but if PDP will win the 2023 presidential election by zoning the presidential ticket to the North, I will not be opposed to it.

“If President Jonathan is given the All Progressives Congress (PDP) Presidential ticket, he knows that I will not support him. I will not engage in anti-party activity. Even if he is from the South, I will not endorse him. What is paramount is my party’s interest.”

Governor Wike, who spoke to news men today, March 20, said however, that if President Jonathan secures PDP presidential ticket, Rivers State will overwhelmingly support him.

According to him, the APC has ruined the Nigerian economy and only PDP can pull Nigeria out of the brink of socio- economic collapse.

He said that his the next decision on his political future will be taken by July 2022 when he must have completed all the projects started by his administration.

I Would Have Been A Dead Man If Not For My Security Men And God – Benue Governor

Editorial staff

March 20, 2021

“If not for my security men and God I would have been dead by now. I ran over 1.5 kilometers to escape while my security men repelled the herdsmen.”

The Benue State Governor made the statements after escaping from gunmen who opened fire on his convoy along the Makurdi/Gboko road in the Makurdi local government area of the state today, March 20. He was returning from to Makurdi from Gboko.

Governor Ortom said that the assailants who attacked the convoy close to his farmland were about 15 in number with the chief aim of killing him.

According to the governor, from intelligence received from security agents, the attack came just a few days after he was described by the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal in Yola, as a thorn in the flesh.

He vowed to send a letter of petition to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’s military heads against the herders’ group on the incidence.

During the attack, the gunmen and the governor’s security personnel exchanged gunfire.

Buhari Sacked Me On Rumor That I Met Atiku In Dubai – Ex Chief Judge, Onnoghen

Editorial staff

March 19, 2021

Former Chief Judge of Nigeria (NJC), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari sacked him because of the rumour that he met the Presidential candidate of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubaka rin Dubai.

Onnoghen, who was accused of failing to declare his assets and operating foreign accounts, was suspended weeks before the 2019 general elections. He was subsequently convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and barred from holding public office for 10 years.

Speaking today, March 19, at the book launch of Ogwu Onoja, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in Abuja, Onnoghen said that he was never confronted with any of the allegations before he was suspended, saying: “I wasn’t given a chance to defend myself.”

He said that after the allegation of meeting with Atiku, he was removed from office without given the chance to defend himself.

“There were rumours that I met with Atiku in Dubai. But as I am talking here today, I have never met Atiku one on one in my life. As if that was not enough, I was also accused of setting free, some high-profile criminals, whereas I ceased to be a high court judge as far back as 1978,” he said.

“In supreme court, I did not sit alone, we sat in panel. In all these rumours and outright accusations, I was not given the opportunity to defend myself.

“Let me make it clear that the office of the CJN was not for Onnoghen, but for all Nigerians who swore to guide and protect the constitution of the federal republic.

“As I have said severally, judicial officers must be courageous. And I want to beg all serving judicial officers not to be discouraged by what happened to me in the hand of the executive arm of the government.

“Let me sound this note of warning that the appointment of judicial officers must never be allowed to be politicised, otherwise, democracy and democratic governance will be dead.

“During my tenure, the problem of Nigeria was not the Nigerian judiciary, but those who had no regard for the rule of law. We must therefore be committed to the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favour. Truth stands. Crush it, it will still stand because it is truth.”

President Buhari, who hosted some Southern leaders at Aso Rock, had justified the removal of the chief judge by saying: “some of them swear to the Almighty God that their property doesn’t belong to them until we show them their bank accounts and their companies, right then we have some peace.

“Anybody who cannot account for what he has and for refusing to declare, we will have to do something about it. I will tell you Afenifere leaders that that was why I had to deal, though reluctantly, with the former Chief Justice of Nigeria because there were millions of dollars, euros not to talk of naira which were not declared.

“I wonder what sort of conscience some of us have. How can you seat and preside and lock people up for years and even sentence some to death and yet you are not doing what the constitution says you should do by occupying that vital institution?”

Source: Daily Trust

Katsina Approves 5,000 Hectares Of Land For Ranching

Editorial staff

March 19, 2021

The Katsina State Government has approved 5,000 hectares of arable farmland for ranching as part of efforts to curb the herders and farmers’ clashes in farming villages and communities across the state.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who disclosed this during the 46th annual conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production at the Federal University Dutsin-ma (FUDMA), Katsina, said that ranching system will enable the children of herders to have qualitative education.

He said that the only solution to the herdsmen and farmers crisis bedevilling some parts of the country is the establishment of ranches in the states, hence the provision of the 5,000 hectares of land.

Masari, represented by his Special Adviser on Livestock and Grazing Reserve, Dr. Lawal Bagiwa, explained that apart from the 5,000 hectares set aside for the pastoral development, he also earmarked 2,000 hectares for infrastructure and homestead farming in the ranches.

He said: “We also identified and beaconed over 3,000 kilometre stock routes across the state in order to provide pathways for herders. It is worthy to note that in the past farming season, we have not experienced conflict between the farmers and herders in the state.

“In view of the federal government approval for the establishment of ranching programme, about 5,000 hectares is set aside by the state government for the system and 2,000 hectares for infrastructure and homestead farming in the ranches”.

Earlier, the National President of Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Prof. Francis Abeke, identified improvement in livestock production as a sustainable measure that will revamp the country’s economy.

“The value of the naira keeps decreasing in relation to other major currencies, leading to high cost of goods and services including livestock products. Food, especially animal protein, is fast disappearing from our tables, resulting in poor mental and physical development of many Nigerians.

“If there is a time to redouble our efforts and channel our energies and resources to improving livestock production with a view to accelerating growth of the economy, it is now,” he added.

On his part, the FUDMA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, urged the conference to come up with recommendations that will end the prevailing cases of herders’ and farmers’ crisis in the country, saying that the crisis constituted a threat to national unity and harmonious coexistence and social integrity.

74 Political Parties Remain De-Registered Until Court Decides Otherwise – INEC

Editorial staff

March 19, 2021

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the 74 political parties earlier de-registered remain banned from taking part in any election until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.

The commission stressed that whatever the judgment will be, it will abide by it, adding that for now, it will continue to recognize only 18 political parties on its record.

The commission had appealed at the Supreme Court relating to the powers of the Commission to deregister political party in accordance with Section 225(A) of the constitution.

In a statement in Abuja today, March 19, the INEC Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said that the various letters of complaint emanating from the affected parties whose candidates have signified intention to contest the Anambra State governorship election, are not necessary.

According to him, the deregistered parties, which hinged their request to nominate candidates on the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on June 11, 2020 cannot make the commission to jump the gun.

Okoye insisted that the commission will continue to recognize and deal with only the 18 registered political parties pending the final resolution and determination of the various appeals filed by the parties.

Facebook Announces Breakdown Of Its Social Networks

Editorial staff

March 19, 2021

Facebook has announced the breakdown of its social network, including Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp.

The company however, did not immediately say what caused the service disruption or how many users were affected, in a statement today, March 19.

The problems began around 1:30 pm Eastern.

“There are a number of issues currently affecting Facebook products, including gaming streams,” the company’s Facebook Gaming Twitter account tweeted.

“Multiple teams are working on it, and we’ll update you when we can.”

Users who visited the web version of Instagram were greeted with a notice that said “5xx Server Error.”

Details later…

Azman Airline Kicks, As Suspension Slammed It By Civil Aviation Authority Bites Harder

Editorial staff

March 18, 2021

Azman Airline has cried out for help as the suspension slammed on it by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is affecting its businesses badly.

In the wake of NCAA’s hammer, Azman announced the cancellation of all its flights between Tuesday, March 16, and Friday, March 19. The development left many passengers who purchased the airline’s tickets stranded.

Azman, has earlier on Tuesday, took to its Twitter page, saying it was suspending its operations due to a safety audit by the NCAA.

A top official of Azman told news men that flying an average of 2,000 passengers and generating over ₦80,000,000 revenue daily in revenue make the management of the airline to ensure the safety of passengers, the aircraft and the operators.

“In fact, we keep up with the maintenance and certification in ensuring the aircraft are worthy of flying.

“Considering our contributions to Nigeria’s economy and our enviable safety record which has been commended by the industry players with over 1,000 staff on the airline’s payroll, we appeal to the authority to review this suspension.”

The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, had on Monday, last week, announced the suspension of the Airline, saying that the decision followed a series of incidents involving the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft and in pursuant to Section 35 (2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, and Part 1.3.3.3 (A) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015.

“The suspension is to enable the authority to conduct an audit of the airline to determine the root causes of the incidents and recommend corrective actions to forestall reoccurrence.”

Arms Were Still Being Smuggled Into Nigeria Despite Closure Of Border – Buhari

Editorial staff

March 18, 2021

“We closed our land borders here for more than a year, but arms and ammunition continued to flow illegally.”

This was the complaint of President Muhammadu Buhari today, March 18, when he received in audience, the outgoing Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

According to Buhari, the urge to possess arms and ammunition as well as to fight emanated from Libya, which he said had remain politically unstable after the death of its leader, Muammar Gadaffi.

“As far as Libya remains unstable, illegal arms and ammunition will continue to flow in the Sahel region of the African continent,” the President complained, explaining that Gadaffi held a grip on power in Libya for 42 years by recruiting armed guards from different countries, who then escaped with their arms when the Libyan strongman was killed.

“They didn’t learn any other skill, than to shoot and kill. So, they are a problem all over the Sahel countries today.”

President Buhari stressed that Nigeria has to cope with the problems of development, “as we can’t play hop, step and jump. But we will eventually overcome those problems.”

President Buhari described Chambas, who spent many years in Nigeria in different capacities, from ECOWAS to UN, as “more of a Nigerian than anything else.”

He wished him well in his future endeavours.

The outgoing Special Representative thanked the President for personal support he received from him, “and from Nigeria as a country,” adding that the country would continue to play a leadership role on the continent.

On terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin area, Chambas said that Nigeria is playing a yeoman’s role, particularly in giving support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)

Atiku Wants Federal Govt To Stop $1.5 Billion Renovation Of Port Harcourt Refinery

Editorial staff

March 18, 2021

Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has raised eyebrow over the federal government’s plan to spend the sum of $1.5 Billion to renovate the Port Harcourt refinery.

“To therefore budget the sum of $1.5 billion to renovate or turn around the Port Harcourt Refinery would appear to be an unwise use of scarce funds at this critical juncture for a multiplicity of reasons.”

In a statement today, March 18, Atiku, who was defeated in the 2019 Presidential election as candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that at this critical period, the government should be prudent with the use of whatever revenue the nation is able to generate, “and even if we must borrow, we must do so with the utmost responsibility and discipline.

“First of all, our refineries have been loss-making for multiple years, and indeed, it is questionable wisdom to throw good money after bad. At other times, I have counseled that the best course of action would be to privatise our refineries, so they can be run more effectively and efficiently.

“Moreover, the cost appears prohibitive. Too prohibitive, especially as Shell Petroleum Development Company last year sold its Martinez Refinery in California, USA, which is of a similar size as the Port Harcourt refinery for $1.2 billion. We must bear in mind that the Shell Martinez Refinery is more profitable than the Port Harcourt Refinery.

“Given this discrepancy, might we ask if there was a public tender before this cost was announced? Was due diligence performed? Because we are certainly not getting value for money. Not by a long stretch.

“We cannot as a nation expect to make economic progress if we continue to fund inefficiency, and we are going too deep into the debt trap for unnecessarily overpriced projects.

“Our national debt has grown from ₦12 trillion in 2015 to ₦32.9 trillion today. Surely that is shocking enough to cause us to be more prudent in the way we commit future generations into the bondage of bonds and debt.”

Atiku warned that Nigeria’s economy is in dire straits, which he said is a fact well-known both to the nation and international partners even as unemployment has just reached an all time high of 33 percent while inflation has hit another record high of 17 percent.

Abuja Picked As Pilot Point For National Emergency Medical Services

Editorial staff

March 18, 2021

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been selected to serve as the pilot point for the implementation of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

Members of the working group, led by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, at a visit to the Federal Capital Territory Administration today, March 18, said that availability of an Emergency Medical and Ambulance service in the country could save up to 50 percent lives being lost due to the non-availability of such services.

Dr. Ehanire said that section 18 of the National Health Act empowers the Minister to engage the private sector to work with the public sector in any endeavor for the benefit of the country.

The Minister said that the Association of General Private Medical Practitioners and the Guild of Medical Directors were already engaged, as 60%-70% of medical services in the country were provided by the private sector.

He said that the ambulances that will participate in the scheme will be drawn from the private and public sectors which will be accredited and paid from a laid down mechanism that will guarantee payment for providers of such services.

This was even as the Chairman of the NEMSAS Emergency Treatment Committee, Dr. Felix Ogedegbe said that the FCT has been selected as the pilot for the programme due to the availability of an extremely competent leadership, pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency services and an adequate monitoring and evaluation environment.

“We feel that the FCT has a very healthy environment to be able to pilot the scheme with a strong and competent leadership here that we can speak to, that we can actually work with, leadership in the political space and leadership in the medical space.

“There is potentially available pre- hospital and in-hospital medical services that will be able to afford care to all the disease ranges that we can find. There is a well laid down structure in the FCT and we think this is the best place to start.”

In his response, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Olusade Adesola who received the visiting health team on behalf of the FCT Minister, said that it is an honour to the FCT to be selected to serve as the pilot point for such an important national health programme.

He said that there is the availability of good road network, functional communication systems and good urban facilities that can support the scheme.

“On our part, we are ready. We will be willing to partner with the technical team so that we can take this service to the next level. We want to see it deployed early enough so that residents of the FCT, our unity city, will know that indeed, there is a government that cares for them.”

1...638639640...2,449 Page 639 of 2,449