Saudi Rejects US Report On Murder Of Journalist, Khashoggi

February 27, 2021

In a statement, the Saudi’s ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had followed the report submitted to the United States’ Congress regarding the heinous murder of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi.
“The Ministry notes that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom’s leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions.
“The Ministry reiterates what was previously announced by the relevant authorities in the Kingdom, that this was an abhorrent crime and a flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s laws and values.”
The statement insisted that the murder was committed by a group of individuals that have transgressed all pertinent regulations and authorities of the agencies where they were employed.
It said that relevant authorities in the Kingdom took all possible measures within the country’s legal system to ensure that these individuals were properly investigated, and to ensure that justice was served.
According to the Kingdom, the concerned individuals were convicted and sentenced by the courts in the Kingdom, and that such sentences were welcomed by the family of Jamal Khashoggi.
“It is truly unfortunate that this report, with its unjustified and inaccurate conclusions, is issued while the Kingdom had clearly denounced this heinous crime, and the Kingdom’s leadership took the necessary steps to ensure that such a tragedy never takes place again. “The Kingdom rejects any measure that infringes upon its leadership, sovereignty, and the independence of its judicial system.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America is a robust and enduring partnership. This partnership has thrived for nearly eight decades on the basis of mutual respect, and the institutions in both countries have worked diligently to deepen these ties in all aspects, through increased cooperation and consultations to bolster security and stability in the region and the world.
“We look forward to maintaining the enduring foundations that have shaped the framework of the resilient strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the United States.”

Northern Governors Lament Frequent Kidnapping Of Students, Say Enough Is Enough

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

Northern State Governors have lamented the frequent attackand kidnapping of students in Northern schools, with the latest one at the Government Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara State where hundreds of schoolgirls were kidnapped.

In a statement today, February 27, Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said that the frequency of kidnapping is unacceptable and that strong measures must be taken to put an end to it before it escalates into a monster that will consume educational pursuit and national aspirations.

Governor Lalong said that the development, which is coming on the heels of the abduction of school children in Kagara, Niger State still being addressed, calls for serious concerns among all Nigerians.

“As Northern Governors, we are deeply saddened by this embarrassing and unfortunate attack on our children who are in schools to seek knowledge and build capacity to impact the nation and create a better society. The assault on schools where innocent and harmless students are targeted should not be condoned in any way because it has the tendency to set the nation back to ignorance and more poverty. The Northern part of the country in particular is more educationally disadvantaged and cannot afford to have these disruptions. Enough is enough.”

The Northern Governors called on the security agencies to use every asset at their disposal to rescue the children and bring to justice those behind the act.

They also want Nigerians to support the security agencies and government with credible information that will lead to swift resolution of the situation.

Lalong sympathized with the families of the abducted school children, the people and Government of Zamfara State, assuring them of the support of the Forum in tackling the problem.

The Northern Governors Forum rose from their meeting in Kaduna yesterday, February 26, resolving to take far reaching measures to address insecurity and other challenges of the region and the nation at large.

I Won’t Be Intimidated By Bandits, Boko Haram, Other Criminals, Buhari Vows

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that his administration will not succumb to blackmail by bandits, Boko Haram and other criminals who target innocent school students in the expectations of huge ransom payments.

He declared, in a statement today, February 27, reacting to the kidnapping of 317 schoolgirls in Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara State:: “no criminal group can be too strong to be defeated by the government. The only thing standing between our security forces and the bandits are the rules of engagement.

“We have the capacity to deploy massive force against the bandits in the villages where they operate, but our limitation is the fear of heavy casualties of innocent villagers and hostages who might be used as human shields by the bandits.

“Our primary objective is to get the hostages safe, alive and unharmed. A hostage crisis is a complex situation that requires maximum patience in order to protect the victims from physical harm or even brutal death at the hands of their captors.”

President Buhari warned bandits and other criminals not to entertain any illusions that they are more powerful than the government.

“They shouldn’t mistake our restraint for the humanitarian goals of protecting innocent lives as a weakness or a sign of fear or irresolution.”

We’re Angered, Saddened By Another Brutal Attack On School Children In Zamfara – UNICEF

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern the attack at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where it said an unconfirmed number of schoolgirls were kidnapped.

A statement today, February 27, the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said: “we are angered and saddened and by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria.

“This is a gross violation of children’s rights and a horrific experience for children to go through – one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being. We utterly condemn the attack and call on those responsible to release the girls immediately and for the government to take steps to ensure their safe release and the safety of all other schoolchildren in Nigeria.

“Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times – and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning,” said Peter Hawkins.

“UNICEF acknowledges efforts being made by the Government of Nigeria to secure the release of kidnapped schoolchildren in Nigeria and calls on the government and all concerned to make schools safe in Nigeria.”

UNICEF said that it is working with partners to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students, currently estimated to be more than 300.

The school attack comes just over a week after a similar attack in Niger State on a school for boys.

Coronavirus: Nigeria’s Combined Stimulus Hits $18 Billion, CBN Governor Reveals

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has painted a beautiful picture of the Nigeria’s economy despite the crippling effects of coronavirus.

According to him, the country’s combined stimulus measures have so far hit about $18 billion, “which is close to 4.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

“Contrary to expectations by some analysts that the covid-19 pandemic would lead to a prolonged downturn in the global economy, they did not quite envisage the proactive forcefulness with which policymakers could respond to the crisis. Indeed, the unprecedented amount of stimulus, along with the successful development of several vaccines, and easing of movement restrictions, helped to support a robust and faster-than- expected recovery in the 2nd half of the year.”

The CBN boss, who spoke today, February 27 at a one-day special summit on the economy by bank chief executive officers with theme: “CBN/ Bankers’ Committee’s Initiative for Economic Growth,” said that the agriculture sector has been the key driver in taking the Nigerian economy away from negative growth in the 4th quarter of 2020.

“It is important that we not only sustain measures aimed at increasing productivity of the sector, but also ensure that we continue to produce items that can be produced locally rather than resorting to imports of these items.”

Emefiele said that the apex bank did envisage that the closure of border shall be in perpetuity even though the bank advocated for the closure of borders because of some of the unfortunate incident of smuggling of goods into our economy, that were undermining the growth of the local industries.

He said that the CBN will remain at forefront, to fight smugglers in this country, stressing: “we will not allow smugglers of goods that are banned or goods produced in the country, to be imported into the country.”

According to Emefiele, the drop in crude oil earnings and associated reduction in foreign portfolio inflows significantly affected the supply of foreign exchange into Nigeria. In order to adjust for the decrease in supply of foreign exchange, the naira depreciated at the official window from N305/$ to N360/$ and now hovers around N410/$.

“With the decline in our foreign exchange earnings and subsequent adjustments in the value of the naira vis-à-vis the US dollar, the CBN has continued to implement a demand management framework, which is designed to support improved production of items that can be produced in Nigeria, and further conservation of our external reserves.”

He said that such measures have helped to prevent a significant decline in the nation’s reserves.

“Our external reserves currently stand at over $35 billion and are sufficient to cover more than seven months of import of goods and services, even though the international rule of thumb is for reserves to cover about three months of imports.”
He said that domestic financial conditions have remained supportive to growth, due to measures being implemented by the CBN, saying that aggregate domestic credit grew by 17 percent between January and December 2020

He highlighted the effects of the CBN’s intervention programs, the country’s LDR policy and accommodative lending rates by the banks.

He said that with the discovery and deployment of vaccines, 2021 will be a year of massive global recovery and Nigeria must not be left out.

In order to drive and sustain this recovery therefore, Emefiele said that Nigeria needs to sustain the accommodative fiscal and monetary policy measures aimed at improving access to finance to households and businesses.

Interim Forfeiture Of Property: Imo Govt Against Me, My Family, Okorocha Complains

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has said that the interim forfeiture of his property to the present administration in the state is a sign that the government of Hope Uzodinma is against him and his family, describing it as belated and an afterthought.

“Let us first and foremost, describe the Interim Order of forfeiture as belated, an after-thought and deceitful. It has further exposed the double-standard of what we have in Imo today as a State Government. And equally strengthened our consistent claim that what is happening in Imo is a clear case of vendetta, envy, hatred and conspiracy by the state government against Okorocha and his family.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor said that the action has only “added fibre to our claim of vendetta, hatred, envy and conspiracy.”

The statement read: “On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Imo State Government, with Chief Hope Uzodinma, as governor, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief C.O.C Akaolisa deceived one of the most thorough and highly respected Judges in the State Judiciary, Hon. Justice Fred Njemanze into granting an Interim Order of forfeiture of the ten properties they listed and owned by Senator Rochas Okorocha’s family.

“On Monday, February 22, 2021, a day after the Royal Palm Hotel incident, the governor, Chief Uzodinma met with President Mohammed Buhari. After the meeting, he met with the State House Correspondents. While briefing them, he said that Okorocha distorted the Owerri Master plan with the Royal Palm Hotel. He also talked about the mystery whitepaper as the tool on which they had relied on to invade and loot Okorocha’s properties.

“The same Monday, the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Enyinnaya Onuegbu also told the world, while on Channels Television that the Royal Palm Hotel distorted the Owerri Master plan. While the fence and gate of the Reach FM Radio were pulled down because they blocked the road.

“But in their application for an Interim Order of forfeiture last Wednesday, they never talked about the distortion of the Owerri Master plan again. They talked about illegally acquired properties. This is why the order is an afterthought, belated and deceitful.

“And with this Court order after they had invaded, looted and destroyed the properties in question leveraging on the whitepaper, it only showed that they had acted wrongly, arbitrarily and unlawfully right from the outset.

“In other words, Gov. Uzodinma had admitted that he had acted earlier without the needed Court Order. It also proved that before the Court Order, they had acted arbitrarily. They have accepted too that they needed the Court Order and not the whitepaper, to do all they had done,” the statement added.

Okorocha said Uzodinma’s government also deceived the Court to give them an Order of interim forfeiture because they never let the Judge know that there has been an existing and valid High Court Judgment on the properties.

“In Suit No: HOW/947/2019, Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu gave Judgment on these Properties on Monday, September 7, 2020. We are not talking about Interim Order, but Judgment. And, after looking at the facts on ground, restrained the State Government and its agents over these properties.”

Vice President Osinbajo Agrees With CBN On cryptocurrencies But Wants It Controlled

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that he fully agreed with the positions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other anti-corruption agencies on the dangers of trading in cryptocurrencies adding however that the right thing to do as to regulate their operations.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, February 27 at a one-day special summit on the economy by bank chief executive officers with theme: “CBN/ Bankers’ Committee’s Initiative for Economic Growth,” suggested that the positions of these regulatory bodies should be the subject of further reflection.

“There is a role for regulation here. And it is in the place of our monetary authorities and SEC to provide robust regulatory rules that address these serious concerns without killing the goose that lay the golden eggs”

He said that some of the exciting and very well articulated developments received from regulatory authorities call for prudence and care in adopting them.

“These are very well articulated by the regulatory authorities. But we must ensure that we are in a position to prevent any of the adverse side effect like criminal act that may arise in the course of adopting any any of these options,” he advised.

Osinbajo said that blockchain technology, digital assets and cryptocurrencies remain very topical issues in global finance.

“First is that there is no question that blockchain technology generally, and cryptocurrencies in particular, will become a challenge for traditional banking in ways that you cannot get to imagine. So, we need to be prepared for that sensitive shift. And sooner or later, remittances can have a challenge too because blockchain technology will provide far cheaper functions to the kind of fees being paid today for cross border transfers to banks,” he said.

The Vice President said that traditional switch system is equally facing challenges because there are a whole lot of digital assets formed daily, from Blockchain technology.

“Clearly, the future of money and finance, especially for traditional banking must be exciting as it is frightening. We see in many other sectors, disruptions make for efficiency and profit.”

The CBN had two weeks ago, banned banks and other financial institutions from trading on cryptocurrencies or providing banking services to companies involved in the business.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said that decision to prohibit deposit money banks, non-banking institutions and Other Financial Institutions from facilitating trading and dealings in cryptocurrency was in the best interest of Nigerian depositors and the country’s financial system.

This is even as the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye said that virtual assets and cryptocurrency can be used for terrorism financing and kidnapping.

He said cryptocurrency and other virtual means are risky for Nigeria which is grappling with security challenges.

Likewise, Director/CEO, NFIU, Tukur Moddido, kicked strongly against Cryptocurrencies, pointing out that it failed the critical tests of vulnerability and risks.

According to Modibbo, the NFIU through its Cyber Intelligence stopped a scam of roughly $3 million recently.

Closure Of Mirnga Market And Agitation So Far! By Musa Salihu Kachallah

Editorial staff

February 26, 2021

On behalf of the good people and law abiding citizens of Mirnga District, I write to appeal to the government of Borno State under the leadership of a selfless leader our amiable Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum the Executive Governor of Borno State to call the attention of the present Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru to in the name of almighty Allah as a matter of urgency to reopen Mirnga Market that was shutdown by the Military for close to 3 years under the guise that some suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorist do visit the market to shop for their daily need to resume for business activities.

Though we are not in anyway disputing the intelligence gathered by the Military authority in this regards, but I can categorically said without missing words that since the beginning of this Boko Haram crisis in North East Nigeria no single Boko Haram fighter was ever seen or arrested in Mirnga town or in the market the records are there for everybody to see but our market remained close for this unjustified reasons.

Your excellency sir, as you know Mirnga District is a peaceful Community full of people with integrity and positive thoughts as well as willing businessmen and women who are ever ready to struggle to earn money legitemately but this singular action of the military authority has plunged many families into poverty and lacking as our Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters who carryout petty trades are gradually loosing their means of survival and it is going to be irrational if the market further remains closed.

Sir, I want you to see reasons for ordering the reopening of the market bcoz millions of your subjects are continually loosing their means of livelihood for this act as you can see many people today cannot afford to care for their families anymore especially our energetic grain bag loader known as (Yan’Dako), Wheelbarrow pushers, Water Vendors and many more who feeds from my hands to mouths bcos until they go out for this activities before they earn some money but theirs means of survival has been thwart.

Furthermore, it may interest you to note that Mirnga Market is the central market that connects people from far and near like businessmen from Adamawa, Gombe and Yobe States respectively as well as our neighborhood like Biu, Damboa, Sabon-Gari, Mandaragirau, Gunda, Bumsa, Madlau, Buratai to mention but a few but this primitive decisions by the Army is not taken with a second thought or weigh the multiplying effect before closing the market for flimsy reasons that can be controlled because we all know closing of Mirnga Market will not in anyway hinder Boko Haram logistics as they have many ways of getting stuffs, so why suffering our people unnecessarily.

In conclusion sir, we are begging you to please in the name of almighty Allah to investigate the rational/motive behind closing our Market and order for reopening as soon as possible. I write this appeal with dismay because as we speak now all the markets that was closed along with Mirnga market that time from Biu Main Market down to Yadi-Buni Market all have resumed operation in full activities but for Mirnga Market reversed is the case and despite the attacks on Buni-Yadi, Buratai and others by Boko Haram terrorists in the past yet their market was open for commercial activities but Mirnga that had never has any and is relatively peaceful our market remained closed why? .

Finally, sir we are praying to Almighty Allah to grant you good health, guide and protect you and to give you more wisdom to discharge your duties with just to all sundry as you always justify in your governance.

Ex Gov Fayose Describes Makinde As Failed Governor; Doesn’t Deserve Re-Election

Editorial staff

February 25, 2021

The crisis between the ex-governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, and Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, took another twist today, February 25 when Fayose described Makinde as a failed governor who does not deserve re-election.

Fayose said that governor Makinde had decided to betray party elders, who assisted him during the electioneering by turning his back against them.

The former governor, however, ruled out any reconciliation with Makinde, saying that the governor is an obstacle to dialogue.

Fayose said that Makinde had the effrontery to query the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) on critical party matters, thereby making a mess of party leadership.

He alleged that the governor is behaving like a politician itching to run the NWC along with his state, adding that he had evolved some strategies for division and polarisation of the party in the southwest.

The former governor was reacting to comments by Makinde, who vowed to ensure that reactionary elements within the southwest PDP would be fought and defeated.

He said the zonal chapter would explore legitimate avenues to get the chieftains to do what is right for the party.

Fayose, however, said Makinde had deluded himself into thinking that he is the zonal leader because he is governor.

“Makinde is a failed governor. He has proved it by his inability to protect the people of Oyo State. He has demonstrated more than enough reasons not to be fielded as our PDP candidate again. He has betrayed trust and in our group, we will not sit with him in dialogue.”

Gov Makinde Describes Ex Gov Fayose As “Small Mind,” As Southwest PDP Leadership Crisis Boils

Editorial staff

February 25, 2021

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose as a small mind amidst the crisis that is tearing up the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, which began in 2020.

Speaking to newsmen today, February 25 in Ibadan, in response to various verbal attacks on him by Fayose, governor Makinde said:: “I do not really have anything to say about people because small minds can actually talk about events, average minds talk about people. We want to talk about issues.

“So, if there are issues, we will address them. When individuals decide to go low, we won’t follow them to that dirt. If there are issues, the alternative dispute resolution mechanism exists within the PDP, and that is being explored right now.

“I am occupying a very sensitive position. First, as the only PDP governor in the South West. Two, as somebody that is in the leadership position within our party. We will explore all avenues that are legitimate to get everyone to do what is right for our party, including the National Working Committee of the party. This is exactly what we are going to do.”

Speaking on efforts of a former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, towards brokering peace between him and Fayose has started yielding positive results, the Oyo State governor said: “in terms of any reconciliation meeting, there is nothing like that. I haven’t had any meeting with Baba Ladoja. I think it is just a rumour that has been flying around. There is nothing like that.”

Ex governor Fayose had said: “tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title. Can I be an All Progressives Congressman and be fighting Buhari (President Muhammadu Buhari)? I was governor at 42. He is a governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde.

“Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving.”

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