Minister Lai Raises Eye-Brow Over Irregularities In Kwara APC Membership Registration

February 15, 2021

Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has raised eye-brow over what he called “several irregularities” in the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration and revalidation in Kwara State and called for its cancellation.

The Minister, who spoke today, February 15 in Oro, Kwara State while addressing journalists after his APC membership revalidation at Oro Ward 2 polling unit 006, Ile Onikoyi, said that the registration officials failed to consult with all stakeholders before the commencement of the membership registration.

“The guidelines are also clear on how registration materials are to be handed over and distributed. It says officials for the assignment are prohibited from handing over registration forms, other materials inclusive of registration data in a manner not prescribed by the exercise to unauthorised persons, and that the materials (forms, registers, and others) are to be distributed directly to the Registration Officers, and records of the distribution area to be captured and reported accordingly.”

Lai Mohammed called on officials to put in place a process to ensure the conduct of a credible and fair exercise that will enjoy the support and confidence of all.

He also called for the immediate disbandment of the Senator John Danboyi-led membership registration committee for Kwara State saying a vast majority of the APC stakeholders in the state have lost confidence in the committee.

That was even as the state chairman of APC, Abdullahi Samari said that the registration of the Minister showed that the exercise was peaceful and all-encompassing.

With Me At Helm, World Trade Organization Will Spring To Life Again – Okonjo-Iweala

Editorial staff

February 15, 2021

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had just been confirmed as new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has made it clear that with her at the helm of affairs, the organization will once more spring to life and play its proper role in reshaping the world economy.

Okonjo-Iweala, in a tweet via her handle today, February 15, emphasized that the organisation would get the global economy running again during her tenure, even as she expressed willingness to make the WTO stronger and adapt to realities of the day.

“I am totally honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO Director-General.

“A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again.

“Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”

Soldiers Storm Sambisa Forest, Kill 81 Boko Haram Fighters

Editorial staff

February 15, 2021

File photo of Nigerian troops in operation

Nigerian soldiers, today, February 15, stormed the notorious sambisa forest in Borno State, killing 81 Boko Haram fighters, even as they lost one soldier in landmine attack.

A military intelligence source said the soldiers encountered stiff resistance from the terrorists who laid improvised explosive devices along the troops’ axis of advance.

“The relentless troops destroyed the terrorists’ camps and recovered gun trucks and weapons as NAF aircraft continue to provide close air and interdiction support to the ground forces

“Regrettably a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice with four other soldiers wounded in an improvised explosive devices incident,” the intelligence officer said.

The soldiers who carried out the onslaught are from sector 1, comprising troops of 21 and 26 Brigades supported by Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). They cleared many villages of terrorists in sambisa, including Garin Bello, Kwoche, Lawanti, Alfa Bula Hassan and Alfa Cross among others.

In a message to the soldiers on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Farouk Yahaya praised the gallantry of the soldiers and urged them to sustain it.

Need For Media Practitioners To Fight Battle Inside Them, By Mohammed Auwal Umar

Greenbarge Reporters

February 15, 2021

This picture is used for the illustration of the story

I have noted with serious concern through observation of recent atrocities happening all over the country and I felt that there is an inherent problem in our media practitioners in Nigeria. As media practitioners, who are presumed to be objective in performing their “watchdog” role for the well being and development of the society, it is expected that we drop all our biasness and focus on fair reporting of issues. This, however, should be regardless of who are perpetrators or victims. Over the years, there have been complaints about skewed reporting by Nigerian media. These complaints remained unaddressed. Recently, the challenges facing the country increased, so also the complaints.

What can we now say is the problem of Nigerian media not responding to such complaints of unfair, subjective and bias reporting? Is it a pressure from the owners of such media or inherent biasness of our colleagues in the media practice? In my opinion, the two have impact but the latter seems to be more glaring than the former. I want to state categorically that pretence is killing us in this country. We all pretend to be tolerant and accommodating on the face while our hearts is filled with hatred, divisive, discriminative and devilish agendas.

Until we begin to fight the battle inside us and learn to teach our hearts how to live with one another, we will never know peace. To our colleagues in the newsrooms, you have a huge responsibility. The work you are doing is a work for all. The provisions in the constitution that provides you with freedom to practice, also the same constitution provides that we must work towards safety of all. Whenever we hold the pen or press the keyboard to write or type a story, we must make sure we reasoned well and ask ourselves: what is the impact of what I will write? How would it affect the people? How does it strengthen unity? How does it promote peace?

Let us also remember, the freedom that provides us with privilege to hold the government accountable to the people also suggest that we must be accountable to what we are doing. Imbalance reporting, unfair labeling and profiling, fueling crisis through attracting cheap clicks will do us more harm than good. We must always uphold the spirit of peacebuilding and ensure the content we produce bring us good feedback than backlash.

Mohammed Auwal Umar writes from Maiduguri. Email: muhammadauwal32@gmail.com

Okonjo-Iweala Clinches World Trade Organization’s Top Job: Buhari Jubilates

Greenbarge Reporters

February 15, 2021

Nigeria’s former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has emerged finally as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), even as President Muhammadu Buhari hailed her.
The WTO, in a statement today, February 16, in Twitter post, confirmed her appointment, saying: “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria is appointed as the next WTO Director-General.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.
“Her term starts on the 1st of March 2021,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the WTO members took the decision to appoint Okonjo-Iweala at a special meeting of the General Council, following a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world.
Okonjo-Iweala’s path to the role became clear after receiving the backing of the administration of US President Joe Biden.
Her rival, Yoo Myung-hee who is South Korea’s trade minister had earlier withdrew from the race.
This was even as President Buhari said that the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala has brought joy and more honour to Nigeria.
The President noted that her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind.
He described her as Harvard-educated and renowned economist, who is now set to take up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity.
President Buhari said that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance, and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, will excel in her new position and validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.
The President joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr. Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour.

Rising Ethnic Conflicts In Parts Of Nigeria: Buhari Gives Govs, Leaders Marching Order

Editorial staff

February 14, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered state governors, religious and other leaders to rise and nib in the bud, the rising ethnic conflicts in some parts of the country.

The president warned that his government would spare nothing to protect all religious and ethnic groups, whether majority or minority in line with its responsibility under the constitution.

Reacting to reports of breakout of violence in some parts of the country by some ethnic and sectional groups, in a statement today, February 14 by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, President Buhari further warned that the government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups.

The President condemned such violence and gave assurance that his government will act decisively to stop the spread of any such violence.

He called on religious and traditional leaders as well governors and other elected leaders across the country to ensure that communities in their domain are not splintered along ethnic and other primordial lines.

Tinubu To Fani-Kayode: You Have No Political Value To APC

Greenbarge Reporters

February 14, 2021

The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said that former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has no political value to the APC even if he decides to defect from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Yes, winning election in Politics is question of numbers but not all numbers are valid and valued. Femi Fani-Kayode has been a political liability in any party he found himself; he has no followers, no ideology, no respect and no sense of reasoning for better society.”

A statement by the spokesman of the Tinubu Support Organization (BTSO) Onujabe Nasir, admitted that though Fani-Kayode has the constitutional right of freedom of association in a democratic environment, but that it has to go with some cautions and diligence.

“FFK has been a serial unconstructive critic of President Muhammadu Buhari-Osinbajo’s administration from the beginning, with derogatory and foul languages on their persons and personalities. As if these are not enough, he engaged in name-calling to further smear the soaring credentials of our political leaders only for cheap popularity.

“His statements are inciting, politically unstable and of course complete tribal and religious bigot which are not in the APC characters.

The statement stressed that Fani-Kayode is an unrepentant serial inhuman character whose trade in stock is to cause chaos and steer the embers of disunity in an ideal organization.

It blamed Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, charged with looking for credible, resourceful, reasonable Nigerians for trying to bring in Fani-Kayode.

Governor Yahaya Bello is the chairman of the APC revalidation registration exercise.

The statement said that the choice of Fani-Kayode, therefore, is invalid.

It stressed that APC is an ideological party, championed by a corrupt-free personality like President Buhari, and that bringing the like of Fani-Kayode who is standing trial on corruption frontiers is highly embarrassing and lost of focus.

2023: Pete Edochie Endorses His Son, Yul Edochie For Presidency

Editorial staff

February 13, 2021

Renowned Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has formally endorsed his son, who is also a Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie to run for the 2023 presidency.

The older Edochie was seen in a social media video endorsing his son’s bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. Yul Edochie shared the video through his Instagram and Twitter pages.

The older Edochie said that he was not interested in politics, but said he had come to realise that not all his children must follow his footsteps.

“I am not one to involve myself in politics because it does not interest me. But you see not all your children are bound to follow you.

“One of my sons who incidentally is an actor has decided to get involved in politics. People have been bugging my phone asking to endorse my son. They say they like him, he is disciplined, he is sympathetic, he believes a lot in people, we believe he has a chance.

”They have bothered me so much that today I am presenting him to you. He has my blessing; he has my endorsement,” he declared.

The younger Edochie, who had contested and lost the last Anambra State governorship election, announced in January that he would be running for presidency come 2023.

He had shelved his initial plan to contest 2019 presidential election, saying: “After due consideration and consultations, I will no longer run for President of Nigeria, 2019. To my supporters, worry not. I remain committed to building a new Nigeria that works for all, irrespective of class, tribe or religion. Together we shall achieve it. God bless.”

He was subsequently appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Creative and Entertainment Media by Anambra State Governor, Willly Obiano

Commission Plans $16.74 Billion Investment In 63 Projects In 21 States, FCT

Editorial staff

February 12, 2021

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has planned a $16.74 billion investment in 63 projects located in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In its report for 2020 obtained today, February 12, the Commission gave the breakdown of the investment as 24 of the projects planned for Lagos State, followed by Kaduna and Ekiti States with five projects each.

In terms of value, the top five States are Rivers State ($6bn), Kaduna State ($2.8bn), Kogi State (US$1bn), Lagos State ($0.89bn), and Ogun State ($0.08bn).

The data further showed that the manufacturing sector had the highest number of projects. The sector had ten valued at $8.4bn. This is about 50 per cent of the entire investment commitment for the entire period.

Transportation and storage accounted for 28 per cent of the investment commitment; information and communication 11 per cent; mining and quarrying six per cent, and finance and insurance three per cent.

Singapore accounted for 36 per cent of the planned investment during the period.

The other major sources of the planned investments were China (22 per cent), United States of America (15 per cent), South Africa (10 per cent), United Kingdom (nine per cent), and domestic investors (eight per cent).

The Commission said that when compared to the $29.91bn which investors had pledged in 2019, the $16.74bn represents a decline of 44 per cent.

The drop in value can be attributed to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global value chains and capital flows.

A similar downward trend is expected for actual investments recorded in Nigeria and globally.

First Bank Closes Accounts Relating To Cryptocurrency

Editorial staff

February 12, 2021

First Bank Nigeria Plc has closed any account relating to Cryptocurrency in compliance with the directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a statement today, February 12, the management of the First Bank said: “in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria directives, please be informed that any account identified as transacting in or operating Cryptocurrency exchanges within our system will be closed accordingly.”

The statement said that the CBN has written the letter: BSD/DIR/GEN/LAB/14/001 dated 5 February 2021, to direct that all banks, non-bank financial institutions and other financial institutions should identify persons and/or entities transacting in or operating Cryptocurrency exchanges within their systems and ensure that such accounts are closed immediately.

“We assure you of our continued support as we thank you for banking with us.”

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