Buhari Celebrates Release Of 27 Students, By Bandits, Of Kaduna College Of Forestry

May 5, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed joy over the release of the 27 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, near Kaduna by bandits who kidnapped them a forthnight ago.

A statement today, May 5 by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as congratulating the parents of the students, members of their families, government and people of Kaduna State for “the happy end to the saga.

“We are happy they have been released,” says the President. “We express our deep appreciation to all the actors who contributed one way or the other to this happy outcome, in particular the defence and security agencies, the officials of the Ministry of Environment and the government of Kaduna State. We thank Nigerians for their prayers.”

President Buhari called for steadfastness and security awareness on the part of citizens and the law enforcement agencies and deplores the increasing politicization of security in the country by opportunistic politicians.

He appealed for the release of the students of the Greenfield University and all other citizens held in captivity, expressing the strong determination of his administration to ensure that Nigerians lived in a country where everyone can move where they want, when they want without the fear of kidnapping and banditry.

Move To Impeach President Buhari: Don’t Try It, APC Caucus Warns PDP’s In Senate

Editorial staff

May 5, 2021

Members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Senate have warned the minority National Assembly caucus to stop threatening to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari over his failure to curb the worsening insecurity in the country.

The minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the National Assembly had, yesterday, May 4 threatened, at a news briefing to impeach President Buhari which the APC Senate caucus rejected, saying that the utterances of the opposition lawmakers is capable of over- heating an already charged polity.

Chairman of the caucus and Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi said that while the APC Senators understand the role of the opposition in any democracy, the current situation of things in the country, require men of good conscience and patriotism to act as leaders and statesmen, rather than play politics with the lives of the citizens.

”In any democracy, the rights to present criticisms and concerns on the state of the nation’s affairs are unassailable. However, while we respect such rights; which come with obligation and responsibility, we are concerned that the statement issued by the Minority Caucus is capable of over- heating an already charged polity in which men of good conscience and patriotism are expected to act as leaders and Statesmen.

”While we acknowledge the natural disposition of playing politics, we are worried and disturbed that our colleagues are playing with lives. The unfortunate state of insecurity; for which the Senate has continuously debated and issued resolutions to support the actions of the executive under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in the overriding interest of the public, is too delicate to play with.
”We reject and dissociate ourselves from all and any inflammatory statements that appear to threaten the authority of Mr. President and our party. We accordingly, wish to remind them that blame game and threats of “constitutional measures” are unwelcome and will not help in any form to address the challenges the nation currently faces.”

The Senator described assertions in some quarters that the President had not been efficiently manning the affairs of the country as false and cheap politics, adding that President Buhari and the Service Chiefs are busy every day and every night in deliberations with a view to addressing the security challenges across the entire country.
He recalled that the President also had always made statement to Nigerians on all major security incidences and assuring Nigerians and indeed the international community that he would continue to do his best in making sure that the security challenges are tackled head-on.
The Senate leader assured Nigerians that the President was in charge of government and was discharging his duties conscientiously and patriotically.
He called on the minority federal lawmakers and all Nigerians to join hands with the government to proffer solutions to the hydra-headed security challenges.
”It is a well-known fact that the Federal Government under the PDP refused to invest in the security infrastructure of the country while Mr. President under the APC led Government had massively invested in this regard more than any past governments and we are confident that the nation will surmount its current security challenges.

”Furthermore, it must be noted that the global economy is in turmoil triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and Nigeria’s is not an exception. The Federal Government is aware of the challenges and is working to massively get the economy working for Nigerians through agricultural intervention projects, infrastructure development projects and social interventions to reduce the pains of the economic downturn on ordinary Nigerians. Finally, the APC Caucus strongly and unreservedly supports the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as we continue to work in addressing the economic, health, social, security and other challenges that beset our nation. We sincerely seek the continuous support and understanding of all Nigerians in this regard.”

Bishop Of Enugu Catholic Diocese Behind My Ordeal, Father Mbaka Reveals

Editorial staff

May 5, 2021

Enugu priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka has said that the authorities of the Enugu Catholic Diocese were behind his two days ordeal he went through.

Addressing his parishioners at the Adoration ground in Umuchigbo Nike, Enugu, Father Mbaka said that he was summoned by the Bishop from where he was kept incommunicado, adding that the plan was to keep him for 30 days.

He said that a lot of issues were presented against him after which the Church leadership, led by Bishop Calistus Onaga told him that he would remain indoors for one month, a period that would allow him pray and meditate over his activities.

The priest said that he requested to be allowed the opportunity to come and address his parishioners after which he would shut down, “but they said No. Allow me to and celebrate mass for my people just for today, I won’t even tell them that I am being punished, they said, No. I will just tell my members that I’m going for 30 days prayer, that after 30 days, we will come back and everybody will obey, they said, No.

“I also begged them to appoint another priest to come and celebrate mass for you today, they also said No.

“They didn’t treat me in a pastoral way. I was asking ‘am I being punished for what’?

“They said it was a meeting, but even before I reached the Bishop’s house, conclusion has already been made. What happened to me was like the day I was shot on the road.

“Unfortunately for them, even before the meeting, a woman was already going around bragging that the Bishop will call me for a meeting, and that I was going to leave my house here for 30 days, and that after the 30 days, I would be sent to Rome, and Adoration ministry will be closed.”

Mbaka cautioned that “in a time and cases like this, don’t give me a punishment that will cause troubles for us because I’m not alone.”

He said that Bishop Onaga upon seeing the protest over his predicament, allowed him to go.

Mbaka said one of things presented against him was that he blessed Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as well as his recent criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.

“Are you the owner of my mouth? You can’t tell me who to bless? If you are not happy that I blessed someone, you have your own mouth, you can curse the person.

“I cannot hate my brother because of some people who hatred is in their genes.”

There was heavy protest in Enugu earlier today, May 5, over the reported missing of the Catholic Cleric.

Inland Revenue Plans Direct Deductions From Tax Evaders’ Bank Accounts, Other Assets

Editorial staff

May 5, 2021

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has served public notices to defaulters that the Service plans “to recover taxes due from the defaulters’ asset in the custody of any person, including but not limited to sums standing to its credit with a financial institution in Nigeria.

This measure, according a statement today, May 5, by the spokesperson of the Service, Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, has become inevitable following rising cases of wilful and illegal withholding of taxes collected by companies, corporations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other agents of collection.

He said that a notice to companies, corporate entities and other agents of collection by the Executive Chiarman of the Service, Muhammad Nami, said that they were required to pay all outstanding tax liabilities to the FIRS within 30 days from the date of publication of the notice. It would be recalled that FIRS had previously issued a similar notice to MDAs demanding payment of all outstanding tax liabilities to the Service within 60 days from the date of publication of the notice.

“It becomes clear, following these notices, that any MDA, company, corporation and other collecting agent that fails to comply with the directive stands the risk of having all outstanding taxes deducted directly from their bank accounts or statutory allocations, or have their other assets seized by the FIRS and turned over to the Government of the Federation in lieu of the withheld taxes. According to the FIRS, this move is in line with the Section 31 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 (as amended).

The FIRS, drew attention to sections 78, 79, 80, 81 and 82 of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) Cap. C21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004 (as amended) and Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act Cap. V1, LFN, 2004 (as amended) imposed obligations on companies, corporations and other relevant persons as agents of collection, to collect, deduct or withhold taxes (as the case may be) on supply of goods and services or payments and to remit same to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (the Service) within stipulated time frame.

It said that the Service shall, without further notice, apply the provisions of Section 31 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 (as amended) to recover taxes due from the defaulters’ asset in the custody of any person (including but not limited to sums standing to its credit with a financial institution in Nigeria).

“In addition, the Service shall take all necessary steps to prosecute defaulters for wilful negligent, tax evasion, unlawful conversion of government property, etc. as the case may be.”

Thousand Afghans Flee As Fighting Breaks Out Between Govt Forces And Taliban

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

File photo Afghans flee their villages after fighting intensified between Taliban militants and security | EPA-EFE/WATAN YAR

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes in Helmand province as fierce fighting broke out between government forces and the Taliban erupted after the United States military began withdrawing its remaining troops.

Afghan forces pushed back a string of insurgent attacks on checkpoints across the southern province, where the US military on Sunday handed over a base to government forces as part of its formal pullout that began on 1 May.

Report has it that about 1,000 families have fled their homes to escape the fighting that erupted on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, and some other parts of the province.

The region’s director for refugees, Sayed Mohammad Ramin, said that the families had taken refuge in Lashkar Gah and had come from areas where fighting was intense in the past two days.

“We will survey their needs tomorrow, but many who still have not found shelter in the city need urgent assistance.”

The defence ministry said that government forces had killed more than 100 Taliban fighters in Helmand in the past 24 hours when the insurgents attacked some checkpoints on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah.

Another 22 al-Qaida fighters from Pakistan were also killed in the fighting, the ministry said.

Officials said the Taliban fighters initially captured some checkpoints but they were retaken by government forces who pushed back the insurgents.

“The enemy has now lost all the areas it had captured and suffered heavy casualties,” Attaullah Afghan, head of the Helmand provincial council.

The Taliban said dozens of Afghan troops were killed in the fighting. Both sides are known to exaggerate casualties inflicted on the other.

UK-based medical care provider Emergency said it is receiving large numbers of “war wounded patients” at its surgical centre in Lashkar Gah due to widespread fighting in the area since 1 May.

It said the hospital received 106 patients, of which 65 had to be admitted.

“These are very difficult days in Lashkar Gah … We have also put beds in the physiotherapy room to accommodate all the injured patients,” Viktor Urosevic, medical coordinator at the hospital, said in a statement issued by Emergency.

Emergency’s Afghanistan coordinator, Marco Puntin, said fighting in Helmand was not an isolated event.

“We have witnessed an escalation of conflict across Afghanistan,” he said.

Fighting was also reported in several other provinces since the US military formally began pulling out its remaining 2,500 troops.

The Pentagon has downplayed the fighting.

“We’ve seen nothing thus far that has affected the drawdown, or had any significant impact on the mission at hand in Afghanistan,” US Department of Defence spokesperson John Kirby said.

Nearly 20 years after US and allied Natotroops invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban government as they pursued al-Qaida after the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Joe Biden ordered in April the final withdrawal today, May 4.

US officials said the military has completed two to six percent of the withdrawal.

“… we have a small favour to ask. Millions are turning to the Guardian for open, independent, quality news every day, and readers in 180 countries around the world now support us financially.

“We believe everyone deserves access to information that’s grounded in science and truth, and analysis rooted in authority and integrity. That’s why we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. This means more people can be better informed, united, and inspired to take meaningful action.

“In these perilous times, a truth-seeking global news organisation like the Guardian is essential. We have no shareholders or billionaire owner, meaning our journalism is free from commercial and political influence – this makes us different. When it’s never been more important, our independence allows us to fearlessly investigate, challenge and expose those in power.

Source: FP.

NatureNews Newspaper Names Emir Sanusi As Chairman Of Its Advisory Board

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

Africa’s leading environment newspaper, NatureNews, has named the Emir of Dutse and Chancellor of Sokoto State University, Alhaji (Dr.) Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, as chairman of its advisory board.

The Board, which was inaugurated today, May 4, has eight other members, including renowned environmental activist and laureate of the prestigious Thoroft Rafto Memorial prize, Architect Nnimmo Bassey and the consummate conservationist and Environmental Hero awardee of DW German TV network, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi.

A statement by the Publisher/CEO of NatureNews, Aliu Akoshile, said that there are also six members of the advisory board that were drawn from across Africa includes Professor Mark Mwandosya, Chairman of Stanbic Bank of Tanzania who was a three-time Minister and head of the Climate Change Studies Programme in Tanzania as well as a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) International Resource Panel.

He said that the board also has as members, a former Special Representative of the UN Secretary General/Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa and a three-time Minister and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Senegal, Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, as well as the Kenyan environmental activist and founder, Friends of Lake Turkana, a UNESCO heritage site in the East African Rift Valley, Ms. Ikal Angelei.

Aliu Akoshile listed other board members as Professor Salah Arafa, a member of the Egyptian National Committee on Climate Change and member of the Research Council on Environment and Development at the Egyptian Academy for Scientific Research and Technology and Ms. Hawe Hamman Bouba, Executive President of the African Indigenous Women’s Organisation – Central Africa Network and member of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission.

“Another esteemed board member, according to _NatureNews_ publisher, is the Harvard trained Dr. Namane Magau who was on the executive team of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). She was a Divisional Director at the Development Bank of South Africa and served as Executive Vice President of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.”

Inaugurating the Advisory Board, Aliu Akoshile said that the choice of members was to underscore the publisher’s vision of making NatureNews the authentic African voice on climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SGD).

He thanked the members for accepting to lend their weights to the cause of development journalism which the newspaper, www.naturenews.africa, symbolises.

Akoshile said that the board has the historic duty to help Africa overcome the challenges of climate change and create a sustainable living environment for the 1,367 billion people in the continent.

Buhari Laments: Hate, Bigotry Destroying Nigeria

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that hate and bigotry are gradually destroy the fabrics of Nigeria.

The President warned that if the Nigerians allow the culture of violence unchecked, such mobs would destroy law and order.

In a statement today, May 4, in reaction to the killings and counter killings in Benue and Anambra states, Buhari said that violence on innocent people by anybody and any group is unacceptable and indefensible.

“Hate and bigotry have eaten so deeply and violates the sanctity of life. If we allow this culture of violence to go unchecked, such mobs would destroy law and order.”

“I totally condemn this latest unprovoked violence and counter-attacks on innocent people that had nothing to do with the cause of the violence.”

President Buhari called on leaders of ethnic and religious groups “to play their own roles constructively in controlling their followers or members, in order to support the government’s efforts for sustainable peace.”

He cautioned Nigerians against the “temptations of taking the law into their hands in the name of revenge because there are no winners in the cycle of violence, only losers.”

The President sympathised with the families of the bereaved and the governments and people of Benue and Anambra States even as he commended the police and other law enforcement agencies for their prompt response in averting the escalation of the violence.

He advised them to put in every effort to apprehend perpetrators of the heinous attacks.

Atiku Calls For A Total War On Terror, Wants Ex service Men Drafted To The Field

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

Former Nigeria Vice President and current opposition leader, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called for a total war on terrorism and other criminalities that have been threatening the security of the country.

In a statement today, May 4, Atiku suggested that ex service men and women, who are willing to return to service should be drafted to the war field and take the fight to the insurgents, until they are rolled back and defeated.

He noted that the security situation is deteriorating rapidly to the extent that Nigerians are now living in fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones, adding that nowhere is safe: “farms, markets, schools, homes, mosques, churches, and urban areas are all affected.

“Terrorists are spreading their areas of operation beyond the Northeast, into far flung areas as far as Niger State in the North-Central. That is merely hours from our Federal Capital.

“Now is the time for decisive leadership and I call on the Federal Government to consider recalling all ex-servicemen and women,

“As a former vice chairman of the National Security Council, I am aware that Nigeria has a sizeable population of military veterans, who are alive, and were trained locally and internationally, and it serves no purpose to allow these valuable national assets lie fallow when there is an existential threat to our nation.

“Call them up. Immediately. Mobilise them to the field. The time has come for us to put in all our effort and stamp out this menace from our nation.

“The men and women of Nigeria’s armed forces, whether serving or retired, who restored peace to Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe can, and should be used to do the same in the motherland.

“But they need arms and ammunition. It is incumbent on the federal government to develop a more efficient means of sourcing for weapons and delivering them to the troops at the battlefront.

“A situation where terrorists and criminals are better armed than our troops on the battlefront is intolerable.

“We need to urgently improve the conditions of service of the men and women of our armed forces. And not just the government.

“The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, working in concert with primary mortgage institutions, ought to offer the men and women of our armed forces special concessionary mortgage loans so they can own homes.

“The private sector should also be encouraged to offer discounted services to them in appreciation of their services.

“There is no sacrifice greater than to lay down your life for the motherland.

“When our military is properly rewarded, they will fight more valiantly and gallantly.

“A nation that rewards courage is one that avoids outrage.”

IPOB Not Welcome In Rivers, Gov Wike Warns

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has warned members of the separatist movement, proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) to stay clear of his state because they would not be welcome.

Governor Wike, who received traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders of Ekpeye nationality at Government House, Port Harcourt today, May 4, said that his administration will leave no stone unturned in protecting the state and its people against such persons who think they can annex the state by dragging it into their separatist agenda.

“Rivers State does not belong to any other place. It is an autonomous State. Nobody in other state can come and tell us that we are with them, No.

“So, I will not allow anybody to enter this State to tell us that we are part of them. We will do everything we can to protect the interest of our State.

“We are a friendly people. We will allow anybody to come here and do business. But nobody should go beyond doing business to hoist unnecessary flags here. We will not take it.”

We’ll Ruffle Unruly Feathers To Keep Nigeria Together, Presidency Vows

Editorial staff

May 4, 2021

The Presidency has vowed to keep Nigeria in peace, unity and progress if it means ruffling what it called “unruly feathers in the process.”

In a statement today, May 4, reacting to those advocating military take over of government from President Muhammadu Buhari, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina described such people as “discredited individuals and groups.”

He accused them of working in cahoots with external forces to cause maximum damage in the country.

“But the Presidency, already vested with mandate and authority by Nigerians till 2023, pledges to keep the country together, even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process.

“Nigerians have opted for democratic rule, and the only accepted way to change a democratically elected government is through elections, which hold at prescribed times in the country. “Any other way is patently illegal, and even treasonable. Of course, such would attract the necessary consequences.”

Adesina said that the sinister moves by some disgruntled religious and past political leaders to throw the country into a tailspin, which would compel a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership will not work.

He argued that “unimpeachable evidence shows that these disruptive elements are now recruiting the leadership of some ethnic groups and politicians round the country, with the intention of convening some sort of conference, where a vote of no confidence would be passed on the President, thus throwing the land into further turmoil.

“The caterwauling, in recent times, by these elements, is to prepare the grounds adequately for their ignoble intentions, which are designed to cause further grief for the country.

“The agent provocateurs hope to achieve through artifice and sleight of hands, what they failed to do through the ballot box in the 2019 elections.”

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