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We’ll Resist Attempt By Fulani Herdsmen To Join Amotekun, OPC Warns

Publicity Secretary of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, has warned that the body will resist any attempt by members of Fulani community, under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) to infiltrate the Southwest Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun.

Speaking against the backdrop of the call by the group for the inclusion of its members and other ethnic groups in the southwest outfit, OPC expressed worry that MACBAN has created the greatest security challenges in Nigeria, adding that the call by the group was a ploy to weaken the south west security outfit and also put the region in perpetual security threat.

The OPC publicity scribe described the call as an attempt to overrun all the security architectures of the region.

“OPC will never allow Miyetti Allah to set our region on fire. We cannot afford to see the southwest facing the kind of security challenges faced daily in the North East and North West.

“Our group will never fold its arms and see the southwest being overrun by herdsmen and marauders. That is why we are warning leaders of the group to desist from their sinister motives and leave Amotekun alone in the region.

Oguntimehin described the call by the leader of the Oyo State chapter of the Fulani herders, Ibrahim Jiji as unrealistic, saying that the group lacked the credibility to call for its inclusion into Amotekun.

He also called on the Federal Government to beam a searchlight on Jiji for making such requests, adding that no Yoruba group has ever called for inclusion into the Northern security outfits like HISBA, or the Middle Belt security outfit.

“What does these Fulani herders want from us? Do they want to weaken or polarise our security outfit? The call was irrational and unjust, and we will resist any attempt to soil the name of Amotekun”

“Operation Amotekun is a child of circumstance, it is the southwest arrangement to curb the spate of insecurity ravaging the region, and since its inauguration in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti respectively, the response has been encouraging. So, we need to support and encourage them in their quest to curb insecurity in the southwest.”

Oguntimehin charged all Yoruba traditional rulers across the southwest to support Amotekun in their respective domains,stressing that the efforts of the Oyo State chapter of Amotekun to secure the state is yielding positive results.

“I want to commend the Director General of the Oyo State Amotekun, for standing firm in ensuring that Oyo state is safe for residents.I will also commend the governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun states for championing the cause for southwest safety and security. And I want to appeal to the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu to fast track the recruitment of the Lagos State Amotekun because from our investigations, it is sad that Lagos State still remains the most volatile state.”

“There are signals that killer herdsmen have invaded Lagos state. But it is also sad that southwest is full of hypocrites. From our findings, a large percentage of the enemies of Yoruba race are within the nucleus of the south west. Many of those behind the media propaganda against Amotekun are Yoruba and their target is to soil the image of the region

”Many of those opposing Amotekun are prominent sons and daughters of the Yoruba race. And I want to assure all honest Yoruba sons and daughters that OPC will soon expose those behind the verbal attacks against the southwest security outfit.”

Source: Daily Independent.

Impeachment Move Against Me Is Causing Anger, Danger: I Want No Violence – Trump

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has warned that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’s move to impeach him again is causing tremendous anger and danger, saying that he wanted no violence.

“This impeachment (move) is causing tremendous anger and they’re doing it, and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing for Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to continue on this path.

“I think it’s causing tremendous danger to our country, and it’s causing tremendous anger, I want no violence.”

The President Trump expressed surprise that both lawmakers have continued on this “terrible” path, even though he does not want violence.”

The Nancy Pelosi-led US House of Representatives had introduced the article for Trump’s second impeachment yesterday, January 11.

The President, for the second time, denied he triggered the deadly attack on the US Capitol and his rally speech before the riots meant no harm.

“They’ve analysed my speech, my words and my final paragraph, my final sentence and everybody just thought it was totally appropriate,” Trump told reporters today, January 12.

Management Of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Announces Jan 25 For Re-Opening

The management of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State has fixed Monday, January 25th, 2021 as the date for the reopening of the institution for academic activities.

In a statement today, January 12, the Director of Public Affairs of the ABU, Mallam Auwal Umar said that the resumption date will be subject to review by the Federal Government.

The statement titled: ‘Ahmadu Bello University fixes January 25 for reopening,’ said that the resumption date was approved by the Senate of the University at its 501st (Special) Meeting on Tuesday

The statement read: “The 2019/2020 academic session would be completed based on the adjusted calendar as approved by the Senate.

“The decision to reopen the University followed the suspension of ASUU strike, and the directive by National Universities Commission based on the advisory/clearance by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID- 19 that Universities could reopen as from 18th January 2021 under strict observance of COVID-19 protocols.”

It added that the reopening of the university would be on a phased basis.

The statement said the first phase of resumption would include, all graduating/final-year students, 100 and 200 levels students, all clinical medical students and all postgraduate students to be handled virtually using online ICT-supported blended teaching and learning arrangement.

The second phase, the statement added, would comprise all other non-graduating classes, 300 level in the case of four-year degree programme, 300 and 400 levels in the case of five-year degree programme as well as 300, 400 and 500 levels in the case of six-year degree programme.

It added that “It should be noted that all non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 protocols would be strictly observed anywhere on campus and every student must submit online an undertaking to abide by all the COVID-19 protocols both within and outside the Campus. Students who failed to complete and submit this form online will not be able to print their exams card.

“In addition, the University Management would, within the limit of its resources, support the University Health Service with the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a Holding Bay to ensure safe handling of any suspected cases.

“Equally, Management would take all necessary actions to strengthen the security architecture of the University and assure the University community of adequate safety and security.”

Saudi Minister Of Media Savours The Line Project, Says It’s A World Class Future Cities

Acting minister of Media in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi is savouring THE LINE project, launched yesterday, January 11, by the Crown Prince and President of NEOM Board of Directors, Muhammad Bin Salman.

The acting minister described the project as a world-class model of future cities and a hub for world dreamers who would like to see and enjoy a new ideal pattern of life.
Dr. Al-Qasabi, who is a member of the board of directors of NEOM company, shed light on the strategic location of NEOM overlooking the Red Sea coast, which is considered as the world’s economic artery linking the three continents of Africa, Asia and Europe.
In a telephone interview with Al-Akhbariya TV today, January 12, the Saudi acting media minister said that at least 70 percent of the world population could reach or have direct access to NEOM in less than eight hours, poising the Saudi Red Sea site to serve as an international platform for innovation, creativity, knowledge, technology research and civilizations.
He described THE LINE as an unprecedented international project, saying that it offers as many as 380,000 job opportunities for youths in more than 16 domains.
Dr. Al-Qasabi said that the launch of the project by the Crown Prince confirmed the determination of the Kingdom to implement the project that would contribute to offering promising opportunities, enhance hope and optimism in the investment sector and put the country at the world’s advanced countries level.

Dr. Al-Qasabi also said that Saudi Arabia is currently witnessing unprecedented transformation at all levels, citing the comparative advantages characterizing its tourism, cultural, sports, commercial, investment and energy future projects.

Court Orders Emirates Airlines To Pay $1.630 Million Missing In Passenger’s Luggage

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Emirates Airlines to pay $1.630 million to a businessman, Orji Prince Ikem, being the amount contained in his hand luggage that went missing in the airline’s custody during a 2007 China trip.

Justice Muslim Hassan also ordered the airlines to pay Ikem N50 million as damages for the “untold hardship and loss of earning” he suffered by the deprivation of use of his money from 2007 till date.

The judgment followed the plaintiff’s nearly 12 years battle to recover two hand luggage containing personal effects and $700,000, as well as $930,000 in 18 bundles of $50,000 wraps each and $30,000 cash not in wrap.

The court heard that the $930,000 belonged to another businessman, Olisaemeka Ugwunze, who wanted it delivered in China for purchases.

The plaintiff told the court through his counsel, Chris Ekemezie, that at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Emirates Airlines’ staff requested that he hand the luggage to them for safe keeping in the cockpit, but he refused and insisted on keeping them by himself.

They insisted on keeping the luggage for him considering the huge amount of money contained therein, promising that on arrival destination, the two bags would be handed over to him.

After a prolonged argument and in order not to miss his flight, the plaintiff yielded and handed over the two bags to them, and they were tagged with numbers EK428682 and EK428683.

That was the last time the plaintiff saw the bags and the money.

On his arrival in Guangzhou, the airline could not account for his four luggage.

Ruling on the plaintiff’s prayers for the return of his $1.630 million and N100million general damages, Justice Hassan observed that the airline, through its counsel, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), failed to refute Ikem’s claims.

The judge held: “I have read all the processes filed by both parties as well as their agreements and resolved that the only issue for determination is whether the plaintiff is entitled to the reliefs sought before this court.

“A claim not controverted is deemed admitted, in this case the defendant did not call a witness but rather rested its case on that of the plaintiff which means that all what the plaintiff claimed and their pleadings are admitted.

“I hold that Emirate Airlines failed in its obligations to customers by not delivering the luggage containing the sum of $1.630 million.

“On the whole, I hereby make the following orders; An order that Emirates Airlines pay the plaintiff the sum of $1.630 million.

“An order that the defendant pay the sum N50million to the defendant as damages. Parties shall bear their own respective costs.”

Source: The Guardian.

Man Reports To Police About Lady Who Died After Rounds Of Sex With Him

A man, whose name was given simply as Dr. Albash has reported himself to the B Division of the Damaturu, Yobe State Police command about an 18 year old lady who died after rounds of sex he had with her at the government lodge in Damaturu.

The spokesman for the state police command, Abdulkareem Dungus, who confirmed the incident today, January 12, said: “there is a case of suspected homicide against one Dr Albash, which was reported at our ‘B’ Division here in Damaturu. In fact, the suspect reported himself at the police station.”

According to him, the suspect, Dr Albash reported that the girl was brought to him by his friends on the night of January 6, 2021 around 8pm in the Government Lodge in Damaturu.

“The suspect reported that the lady was brought by his friends to spend the night with him. He said shortly after rounds of sex, the lady collapsed and died right in the hotel room.”

He said Albash, on interrogation, claimed that he was a federal civil servant with the Ministry of Police Affairs.

“The chief suspect says he is a staff member of the Ministry of Police Affairs though we have yet to confirm that. Presently he and four other suspects are in detention at the state CID.”

Dungus said investigation had commenced to determine the cause of death, adding that the deceased’s corpse had been deposited in the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, for post-mortem examination.

A source close to the Government House in Damaturu alleged that Albash had links with the state governor, which made him to have access to the government lodge.

The source stated: “when the girl collapsed, the man (Albash) called the guys who arranged her for him and when they came and saw her lying unconscious, they gave her milk to revive her. While they were trying to revive her, Dr Albash recorded the scene.”

Source: The Punch)

Lagos Hits 36,101 Coronavirus Cases, As Minister Looks At Jan. 18 School Resumption Date

Lagos has remained in the lead on coronavirus with 36,101 confirmed cases and 256 deaths. This was even as the minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said that the Federal Government is reviewing the January 18 date for resumption of schools across Nigeria.

Nigeria’s coronavirus caseload reached the 100, 000 mark yesterday, January 10 after the country’s centre for disease control confirmed 1,024 infections in 17 states in the country.

The country has 100,087 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,358 fatalities as of yesterday night. However, 80,030 patients have been discharged from the various care centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Reacting to the second wave of the virus, the education minister, at the Presidential Task Force on cornavirus briefing in Abuja, said the government is disturbed over the increasing pandemic cases in Nigeria.

“On the January 18 resumption date for schools, we are reviewing it. We are going to review it.

“At the PTF meeting today, we considered it, and tomorrow (Tuesday), the ministry is going to take it up.”

Several states in the country had directed all schools including the tertiary institutions to reopen for academic activities on January 18.

Minister Worried Over Crowds At NIN Registration Centres, Wants It Suspended

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire

Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, has expressed worry over the large crowds that have been gathering at the National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment centres across the country and wanted it suspended for the purpose of controlling the second wave of coronavirus.

The minister, who spoke, January 11 on Channels TV Sunrise Daily show, said: ”it is displeasing to see crowds gather at the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) offices.

“Nobody feels good. I don’t feel good looking at the picture where people are gathered in multitudes. It’s like super spreader events which we don’t like. I’m also aware that the relevant ministry which is the communications and digital economy is looking at this.

“My understanding is that the whole process may be suspended so as to reorder the whole process in terms of management of the crowd because it was never intended that it would become a rowdy process like that. So, people may have to wait and be called at intervals to go through the process.”

He advised the NIMC to re-order the enrollment process, which he said, will help avoid large crowds across the nation.

“We have a duty as government to ensure that people are protected; we also have a duty to ensure people comply within the limit of what is good for the society at large.”

Nigeria Loses N5.4 Trillion In Tax Evasion By Multinational Companies – FIRS

FIRS Boss, Muhammad Nami | Nairametrics

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has revealed how Nigeria lost about N5.4 trillion through tax evasion by multinational companies operating in Nigeria between 2007 and 2017.

The Executive Chairman of the Service, Muhammad Nami, who spoke, January 11 in Abuja, cited a 2014 report by the High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, which stated that “Nigeria accounted for 30.5 percent of money lost by the continent through illicit financial flows.”
he said that in order to check this revenue loss, FIR has created 35 additional Tax Audit Units in the country to stem illicit financial flow out of Nigeria and improve tax compliance rat

The Executive Chairman,  who spoke at a workshop on effective audit of multinational corporations for domestic revenue mobilisation in Nigeria, said that some multinational corporations were leading in tax compliance in various sectors, expressing worries that “many rich Multinational Corporations do not pay the right taxes due from them, let alone pay their taxes voluntarily.”

He charged participants at the event to come up with a methodology that would be used to uncover illicit financial flows and provide an overview of related policy options for enhancing tax revenue collection in general.

“At the FIRS we are paying greater attention to tax audit in general and Transfer Pricing audit in particular in order to improve the level of tax compliance in the country.

“As a result, in the last one year, we have created more than 35 additional Tax Audit Units and deployed experienced and capable staff to take charge of these offices.”

He further stated that with signing of the 2021 budget of N13.58trn on 31st December, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari and given the recent decline of oil resources, which had been the major revenue earner for the country, taxation is expected to continue to shoulder the Government’s Budget performance the way it did in 2020.

“This underscores the importance of this workshop, as tax audit of Multinational Corporations is very crucial in Nigeria’s domestic revenue mobilisation.

“For me, this workshop is an important step towards boosting compliance level; and, I have strong hopes that its outcome will further increase our efforts at driving tax compliance among Multinational Corporations in Nigeria.”

The event, according to a statement by the FIRS Director of Communications and Liaison Department, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, was organized by the Service in junction with the Tax Justice Network.

Be A Unifying Force In Nation Unity, Buhari Tells New Ohanaeze President-General

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Professor George Obiozor, the newly elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to be a unifying force in the nation’s unity.
A statement today, January 11 by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu quoted Buhari as advising Professor Obiozor to deploy his immense experience within and outside government to forge greater unity of the country.
“Given Professor Obiozor’s rich background, especially, in international affairs and pan-Nigerian commitment, I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo, but also that of his fatherland.
“We need all hands to be on deck for this country to move forward in peace and unity.”
The President said that the new Ohanaeze was Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, describing him as eminent diplomat and scholar.
He remembered when Professor Obiozor was also the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) with a successful tenure.
President Buhari enjoined Professor Obiozor to be a “unifying force beyond his immediate constituency.”
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