Kanu Was Rearrested In Most Classic Operation; Will Be Fairly Treated – Info Minister

July 1, 2021

Nigerian minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has described the method with which the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Nnamdi Kanu was rearrested as the most classic operation of its kind in the world.

This was even as he assured that Kanu would be treated fairly, the same way he was treated which he abused by jumping bail and fleeing the country.

“It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee. However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he willfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him.”

Laid Mohammed, who spoke to newsmen today, July in Abuja, also assured that all the collaborators in the atrocities committed by Kanu against Nigeria, will be apprehended and brought to book.

“We can tell you that the forensic investigation carried out so far has revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators.

“While the investigation continues, we assure you that none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in the society, will be spared. ” They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity. No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country.”

The minister recalled that Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.

He commended the professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts of the security and intelligence agencies.

“We also thank the sister international agencies that collaborated with us to pull off this arrest.

“It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes. Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested.”

On the speculations on how the re-arrest was made and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was rearrested, Lai Mohammed said: “what we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations. We continue to respect and honour the obligations.”

Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, Gets Award As “Warrior Of Truth”

Greenbarge Reporters

July 1, 2021

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has received an award from Progressive Councilors Forum (PCF), an association of past and present elected councilors.
The award, known as Warrior of the Truth and Tangible Development, was initiated by the group led by the Chairman, Hon. Sunday Yusuf Achor.
The chairman said that the decision to recognize Adesina stemmed from his efforts at ensuring effective communication at all times, adding that the decision was collective.
He said that the organization will continue to support the work of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“We are the closest elected officials to the people. We are custodians of the people. Our association consists of both serving and past councilors. Our coming here is a child of necessity putting into consideration your antecedents.
“We see you as a warrior of truth and tangible development and have decided to give you this award as an encouragement. We will partner with you to translate information into languages that the ordinary people will understand.”
Achor praised the Presidential spokesman for always standing for the truth, adding that most of his sacrifices and dedication to informing people on what is right and fair will be appreciated by many, while others will be more candid in assessment after he has left the office.
Responding, Femi Adesina assured that President Buhari will continue to work for the progress of the country, with a focus on leaving behind stronger democratic institutions and culture that will continue to drive development.
He said that the President remains focused on the goal of a greater Nigeria, delivering the gains of democracy to every citizen and working with organizations, particularly those directly involved with the grassroots to promote good governance and development.
“We will continue to support anything that will strengthen democracy. We will continue to be part of anything that will ensure progress for the work of the President.”
Adesina assured the PCF that the administration will also welcome partnerships that will propagate the policies and actions of President Buhari’s government, especially in communities.

Suspected Student Cultists Clash In Kuje, Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

July 1, 2021

Suspected student cultists of the Government Secondary School (GSS) and Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Kuje, Abuja clashed yesterday, June 30 outside their school premises.
Eye witness accounts said that people around the two schools, which share common fence as boundary, took to their heels to escape the effect of the unruly nature of the clash.
Information had it that the students, armed with short guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, inflicted injuries on one another during the clash.
It was learnt that a student cultist at the GSS had, a day before, beaten a student at JSS, leading to him losing a tooth.
The rival cultists from the two schools appointed yesterday to meet and show their strength.
It was learnt that immediately after the schools closed for the day yesterday, the rival student cultists met at the boundary of the schools to cause commotion, as residents and innocent students ran in different directions to take cover.
It was learnt that student cultists from the two schools are fond of clashing, mostly during the time examinations are being conducted.
Students of the two schools are currently sitting for promotional examinations.
As at the time of going to press, normalcy has returned to the schools, even as none of the school administrators wanted to make any comment on the incident.

I Don’t Foresee War In Nigeria – Christian Cleric, Rev Esther

Editorial staff

July 1, 2021

The Founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide), Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, has said that she did not foresse war in Nigeria even as he called on religious leaders as well as Nigerians to continue to pray for the country in order to overcome challenges confronting her.

The Christian cleric, who spoke today, June 30, when she received in audience the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, led by its Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi, stressed the need for all to be more prayerful because there can never be peace when there are crisis in the land.

“He is God of new beginning and nothing is impossible for Him to do.

“God always had a way of restoring calmness in Nigeria whenever any crisis was looming.”

Reacting to the rumour of her owning a private jet, the cleric said that she has none in her name, saying: “I see private jet as an instrument of evangelism. I have rode on chartered private jet with associates on a few gospel trips.

“I don’t want a private jet or wealth that I won’t be in a position to help the poor or needy.”

The cleric said that the work of Christianity is all about making life meaningful for the less privileged.

“I am one of the major funders of Moses Orimolade University, located at Omo-Aran, Kwara State.

“My plan is to make the university cheaper and affordable for Nigerians who are not well to do.

“I also print 10,000 copies of the Holy Bible every year from China and I give it out freely to people.”

Speaking, the NUJ chairman, Ajayi appreciated the cleric for her warm reception.

“We are here to seek your motherly and spiritual blessings and look forward to collaboration between your Ministry and Lagos NUJ.”

“I want to commend you for the palliatives you shared among Nigerians during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are also aware of how Esther Ajayi Foundation has been impacting lives positively.”

Why Candidates Failed JAMB Massively This Year, By Muhammad Auwal Suleiman

Editorial staff

July 1, 2021

It is a fact that the candidates who sat for the 2021 JAMB UTME examinations are not as serious as those the past. These days, it is very common for students to be obsessed with social media and phonographic websites.

Too much freedom from home and school; access to a lot of distractive materials that were not available years back and ultimately less parental care contributed to this.

In 2019, I wrote frankly on what I believe to be the major problems and causes of disheartening failure the in exams. I mentioned: “It is disheartening how undereducated we are becoming in a world of educated persons. It is expected that every child should be encouraged to study to be able to make an impact on the healthy growth of society, but regrettably, the story is something else in Nigeria as students are made to pass through hell to succeed in their educational pursuit.”

I have since then continued to wonder why there is no improvement in the conduct of the examination and the results as the case may be. This year can be considered worst considering how it trended and it is still trending on social media.

Social media obsession and watching of serial series films by those candidates have been labelled as the reason behind their failure. Though quite some numbers of persons have blamed the centers contracted to conduct the exercise. A lot of centres reportedly issued out very old and truly outdated computers to the candidates, as a result, those systems kept messing up while the examination was going on and the candidate in question had nothing to do but to wait for the systems to normalize before proceeding.

There were reports of epileptic power supply in some centres. Perhaps the body examines those centers, certified them fit, and permitted them to carry out the exercise, little does the accreditation body knows that some centers do hire alternative power supply equipment and additional computers mainly for accreditation.

Network connectivity is a challenge in many communities in Nigeria, as such most of the candidates have their works submitted automatically the time elapses with or without crosschecking their works due to network challenge.

Some of the candidates that were supposed to write the exercise at 9 am were screened at 1 pm and wrote the exams after 3 pm. Hunger frustration and anxiety are true factors when it comes to emotional stability.
As part of the solution, secondary schools must work hard to produce candidates fit for external examinations, our kids today cannot take the pressure we took back in the university. It is a rigorous learning procedure, and we are meant to believe there is no shortcut to success. They must learn to read the midnight way and discuss ideas read with friends in the afternoon.
Parents must monitor what sites are their kids visiting, obsession with social media must be replaced with an obsession with the book. What they own, where they go must be monitored.

The examination body should consider the period the results can be used by universities for admission for 5 years just like its equivalent SAT in the U.S.A
It is important at this point, for the minister of education to look into the matter and proffer a lasting solution to this daunting challenge.

Source: Daily Trust.

How Christians Stood By Me, And Fulani Rejected Me When I Wanted To Be President – Buhari

Editorial staff

June 30, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has narrated how most of those who supported him when he was struggling to be President of the country, especially in courts, were Christians from South, even when his Hausa Fulani brothers rejected him.

The President, who refused to believe that ethnic and religion have anything to do with the nation’s challenges, stressed: “our problem is not ethnicity or religion; it is ourselves.”

President Buhari, who spoke today, June 30, when he received in audience at the Presidential villa, Abuja, members of the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group, recalled how he went into the trajectory of his struggles to get justice at the courts, after disputed results of presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011.

According to him, people who ruled against him were of his own ethnic stock and religious persuasion, while those who stood up for him were of other faiths and ethnicity.

“After my third appearance in the Supreme Court, I came out to speak to those who were present then. I told them that from 2003, I’d spent 30 months in court.

“The President of the Court of Appeal, the first port of call for representation by presidential candidates then, was my classmate in secondary school in Katsina. We spent six years in the same class, Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

“My legal head was Chief Mike Ahamba, a Roman Catholic and an Ibo man. When the President of the court decided that we should present our case, my first witness was in the box.

“Ahamba insisted that a letter should be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to present the register of constituencies in some of the States, to prove that what they announced was falsehood. It was documented.

“When they gave judgment, another Ibo man, the late Justice Nsofor, asked for the reaction from INEC to the letter sent to them. They just dismissed it. He then decided to write a minority judgment. That was after 27 months in court.

“We went to the Supreme Court. Who was Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)? A Hausa-Fulani like me, from Zaria. The members of the panel went in for about 30 minutes, came back to say they were proceeding on break. They went for 3 months. When they came back, it didn’t take them 15 minutes, they dismissed us.

“In 2007, who was the CJN? Kutigi. Again, a Muslim from the North. After 8 months or so, he dismissed the case.

“Again in 2011, because I was so persistent, Musdafa, a Fulani man like me, from Jigawa, neighbor to my state, was CJN. He dismissed my case.

“I have taken you round this to prove that our problem is not ethnicity or religion. It is ourselves.

“I refused to give up. I had tried to wear Agbada after what happened to me in Khaki. Something was done to me, because I did something to others. You know it. In the end, I myself was arrested, sent to detention, and they were given back what they had taken. I was there for three and a quarter years. This is Nigeria.

“I hope historians and intellectuals would document this, because it is a fantastic state of political development. Let our grandchildren and great grandchildren see how we came along. We didn’t get it as easy as other people think. Not because God has given us great population and resources. We have suffered along the line.

“I try to mention these things because you got yourselves together, used your resources, energies without any input from me. I cannot thank you enough. I’m very grateful to you and to Nigerians because in 2019, I visited all the states, the people that turned out to see me across the country (because I’m dedicated to serve Nigeria and Nigerians), the love is genuine.

“Thank God that over the years, they can’t accuse me of corruption. And I’ve been everything; Governor, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State, President and in my second term. I thank you that nobody forced you, but you got together, used your energy, time and resources, I thank you very much. I assure you, history will do you justice.”

I Would Have Been Killed If I Had Not Applied Wisdom To Escape From Nigeria – Kanu

Editorial staff

June 29, 2021

The self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said that he would have been killed by the Nigerian security agents if he had not applied wisdom to escape from the country, thereby jump the bail.

Kanu, who looked gloomy and heavily weighed down, as he appeared in court today, June 29, for the continuation of his trial, said that his house was unlawfully invaded by security men with his life seriously threatened.

The self-acclaimed Biafran leader further alleged that he would have been killed along with others on the day of the invasion if not for the wisdom he applied to jump out of the country.

Kanu, who has been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) by the court, is facing, among others, criminal charges of terrorism and treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government.

European Champ: German Head Coach, Loew, Bows Out After Losing 2-0 To England

Editorial staff

June 29, 2021

Germany head coach, Joachim Loew has bowed out after his team lost 2-0 to England in the last 16 of Euro 2020 championship.

He described the game as “hugely disappointing” after his side failed to take their chances.

Late goals by Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane at Wembley today, June 29, put England into the quarter-finals and brought down the curtain on Loew’s 15-year reign as Germany coach.

The visitors only had themselves to blame as Thomas Mueller missed a clear late chance, nine minutes from the end, when he fired wide with the goal at his mercy and England 1-0 up.

Loew said that the Germans simply came off second best.

“It’s a huge disappointment. The players are gutted. It’s very quiet in the dressing room,” said the 61-year-old, who steps down to be replaced by former assistant Hansi Flick.

“In games like this, it is crucial to convert all goal chances, which we didn’t do, neither through Timo Werner nor Thomas Mueller.

“I don’t blame anyone, normally Mueller would have put that away. It’s unusual that he didn’t, but these things happen.

“Many players are still young and I think many of them will be at the top of their game in 2024,” he added, with Germany to host the next European Championship.

Midfielder Toni Kroos said the loss was a “very, very bitter” pill to swallow.

“We weren’t effective enough and the 1-0 (when Sterling scored) changed everything, until then we had played a decent game.

“When you go out in the last 16, it’s disappointing, even though we came through a difficult group.”

Germany qualified from Group F alongside France and Portugal, but all three teams exited in the last 16.

Germany captain Manuel Neuer said England were more “greedy” in front of goal.

“The game was finely balanced, but England were more greedy in the situations where they scored their goals than we were,” said Neuer.

“The disappointment is huge.”

Neuer also paid tribute to the departing Loew, whose tenure brought the highs of the 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil and the lows of finishing last in their group four years later in Russia.

“Joachim Loew has shaped a great era. It’s very sad that it ends like this for him.”

Arrest Of Kanu Won’t End Agitation For Biafra, Northern Groups Warn: Insist On Referendum

Editorial staff

June 29, 2021

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has warned Federal Government that much as the arrest and repatriation of “the fugitive rebel,” Nnamdi Kanu is a good development, it will not end the agitation for the Republic of Biafra.

“Nobody should make the mistake of assuming that the arrest is anywhere near the end of the Biafran affair. We stand our ground that a referendum must be held to determine this and all other agitations for self-determination from any part of the country.”

In a statement today, June 29 by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the CNG said that it received the news of the arrest of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with mixed feelings of apprehension and appreciation.

“On hand, we commend the effort of the federal government and the agencies that made this possible, particularly the International Police and authorities of the United Kingdom for honouring their obligations to Nigeria.

“On another hand, we remain apprehensive until the full course of justice takes effect. Kanu as we all know, has a pending trial for treasonable felony and jumping bail. In addition, he must now face additional charges of incitement to violence and killings of people of other ethnicities, particularly Northerners, security personnel as a result of his open incitement.

“More importantly, we don’t see Kanu’s arrest affecting the issue of Biafra. While he faces trial hopefully, the CNG is insisting that this is right time to tackle the Biafran issue once for all.”

Dept Gov Of CBN, Aisha, Asks Stakeholders To Develop Robust National FinTech Strategy

Editorial staff

June 29, 2021

The Deputy Governor in charge of Financial Systems Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, has asked stakeholders in the financial sector to ensure the development of a robust, inclusive and actionable National FinTech Strategy that is fit for purpose.

Aisha Ahmad spoke recently in Abuja, at the start of the virtual meeting for development of the National FinTech Strategy in Nigeria in collaboration with the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).

She further advised the stakeholders to invest time and needed resources to the development of the National Fintech Strategy for the overall benefit of users of financial services, the financial system, and the nation at large.

Recalling that the development of a National Fintech Strategy was a resolution of the National Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, she said the committee sought to provide a concerted approach to leveraging fintech and innovative approaches to drive financial inclusion amongst the underserved population.

According to her, Digital Financial Services (DFS) were at the core of FinTech strategy that would be used to drive broader development in the financial ecosystem, adding that these services were key in driving financial inclusion by reducing cost to serve, increasing transaction efficiency, and improving security and transparency of financial services.

Highlighting the efforts of the CBN in this regard, Mrs. Ahmad said the Bank had made efforts in evolving legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as the development of enabling infrastructure such as payment systems to support Digital Financial Services in the country. She added that the development of payment service bank guidelines, the Bank issuance of three licenses, supervisory and open banking framework were designed to broaden the range of financial products and enable the sharing of data across the banking and payment ecosystem.

The Deputy Governor, while appreciating the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) for its continued support for financial inclusion, particularly across jurisdictions, urged full commitment of participants to ensure the success of the project.

In his remarks at the virtual meeting, the Executive Director, Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Dr. Alfred Hannig, commended Nigeria for its role in pushing for the attainment of financial inclusion goals.

Dr. Hannig said since the CBN became a member of the AFI in 2010, it had demonstrated leadership, innovative spirit, capability, pioneering activities, participation and knowledge exchange.

The Executive Director congratulated CBN and stakeholders for moving Nigeria forward in its inclusion target by an additional 5.2 million adults, from 48.4 million to 53.6 million, representing 50.5 per cent of the adult population who are now formally included in the financial system.

On the global context, Dr. Hannig said that the Sochi accord in 2018, now known as Inclusive FinTech, had paved way for AFI engagements to attract all who are disproportionately excluded financially into some form of financial system.

The AFI Boss therefore pushed for the application of what he called a strong relevance to financial inclusion filter as Nigeria considers ways to harness FinTech and innovation for the benefit of the excluded or unserved.

Dr. Hannig also pledged to support CBN in the development of its National FinTech Strategy, noting that a collective and collaborative approach with all stakeholders in the design, development and implementation of the National FinTech Strategy would deliver the best results.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Head, Financial Inclusion Delivery Unit CBN, Mrs. Amina Umar noted that the National Target set out in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy document two, recognized financial technology as a vital catalyst to accelerate financial inclusion as captured in Sochi accord.

Mrs. Umar said the CBN, with support from Alliance for Financial Inclusion and in collaboration with key stakeholders, was taking forward its commitment to build an inclusive digital financial sector that ensures the expansion of meaningful access, facilitate responsible usage and guarantee the quality of digital services to the underserved and unserved market segments.

Participants in attendance in the virtual meeting were departmental directors including Mr. Musa Jimoh (Director, Payment Systems Management Department), Mr. Philip Yila Yusuf (Director, Development Finance Department) and other stakeholders from finance and telecommunication sectors.

Other speakers are Stephen Ambore, (An Assistant Director, the Development Finance Department), Adeyemi Omotoso (Policy Specialist, Alliance for Financial Inclusion) and Prof. Olayinka David-West (the Principal, Olayinka David-West Consulting).

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