Media Outfit Detects 101 Fake News That Escalated EndSARS Mayhem In Parts Of Nigeria

November 18, 2020

An Abuja-based media outfit, PRNigeria has released a preliminary report on 101 instances of fake news on the End SARS protest. The report said that the misleading assertions partly caused the civil disorder in affected states.

According to the report, about 52 fake news emerged from South-West, 19 from the South-East and 30 from the North.

It discovered that social media influencers made up 40 percent of those who transmitted fake news and that other social media user constituted 31 percent, local and international media 22 percent and institutions 7 percent.

The report said that fact-checking tools detected 48 incorrect social media posts and 53 news stories.

“The timeline of dissemination indicates that 31 percent of the fictitious claims were circulated on the internet between October 3 to 19, 2020 (pre-Lekki shooting).

“However, 69 percent were shared between October 20 and November 5, 2020 (post-Lekki shooting).”

Your Dictatorial Tendencies Destroying PDP, Gov Umahi Tells Gov Wike

Editorial staff

November 18, 2020

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has described his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, as a dictator whose actions are destroying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Umahi was reacting to a statement by Governor Wike, who said he (Umahi) left the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of his desperation to be president of the country in 2023. He spoke today, November 17 on an Arise TV interview programme.

The Ebonyi Governor said that Governor Wike’s dictatorial tendencies and overbearing influence on the party’s affairs had made other governors to be unhappy with him, warning Wike to desist from attacking him “as it would be very dangerous if both of them continue attacking each other.

“I refused to join issues with Wike because he is my friend. But Wike must know that he is a dictator. Wike must know that one person cannot be called a crowd. Wike must know that a lot of governors in PDP are not very happy with him. He remote controls the party.

“He (Wike) said that I made my brother the Vice Chairman. I fund the PDP South-east from A to Z. And he has forgotten that he singlehandedly made Secondus the (PDP) Chairman. He has forgotten that he wanted to impose one of his own as minority leader of the house.

“There is nothing that happens in PDP without his authorisation. He once said that PDP National Working Committee members are beggars and bribe takers. I have asked him that let’s not take on ourselves or else it will be very dangerous.

“So let’s us face the party, the party does not belong to him. And this is by no means personal and he is demonstrating the dictatorial tendencies in him by taking on me, a fellow governor. And that is very shameful.”

Saraki Reconciles With His Sister, Gbemisola

Greenbarge Reporters

November 18, 2020

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki reconciled with his sister, current minister of State for Transport, Gbemisola Saraki recently. The two, one in the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the other in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have for long, been as divided as the two political parties.

I Won’t Surrender, Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Vows

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

Leader of Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has vowed not to surrender to Nigeria’s authorities, saying that those who have surrenders to take part in the Nigerian amnesty programme have left the fold of religion.

“Members of Boko Haram who recanted from the group and joined the amnesty program in the North-East have left the fold of religion.”

Shekau, who spoke in a 30-minute video, seen by HumAngle in response to the Nigerian Army’s fresh manhunt for him, vowed that the war against the government would continue even after him.

He emphasized that he and his men would never consider such a path in their lifetime, putting aside any chance of reconciliation between his group and the state.

In the video, the Boko Haram leader was shown sitting and is circled by two of his fighters holding guns in a less spacious room.

He said: “nobody can apprehend me because I’m doing God’s work. He will protect me like those doing similar work and seeking His protection.

“I’m very sure God will protect my commanders. We are all doing God’s work.

“Arresting me will not stop the work we started. What confuses you is you think the religion is mine but it belongs to Allah.”

The Nigerian Army had on Wednesday, November 11, kicked off a fresh manhunt for Shekau and some of the top Boko Haram commanders.

A banner showing the pictures of Shekau, Abu Mus’ab Albarnawy, and Ibrahim Abu Maryam, who topped the most wanted list, was unveiled by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, and Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff.

You’re Not Bigger Than The Party, PDP Chides Ebonyi Gov Over Defection To APC

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that nobody, not even the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who quit the party today, November 17 and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is bigger than the party.

“As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who reacted in Twitter handle, to the defection of the governor, who was elected and serving under the PDP, remarked: “Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.”

Gov Umahi Of Ebonyi Dumps PDP, Crosses To APC

Editorial staff

November 17, 2020

Governor David Umahi Of Ebonyi State has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which he came to office, insisting that he did so in the interest of the South East region.

Speaking in Abakaliki today, November 17, Umahi alleged that despite serving the PDP for years, the party does not give attention to the interest of the region.

He said that his stance on zoning the presidential ticket to the South-East is not for his favour as being speculated in some quarters.

Umahi explained that he would continue to agitate for the interest of the South-East, stressing that he has decided to become the sacrificial lamb that would be crucified for the interest and good purpose of Ndigbo in general.

“Let me clear the air and state that I never sought for the ticket of PDP presidency and I will not. Whoever that said that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous.

“Because even if PDP promises me, an individual a presidential ticket, how does it work?

“It is expected that over 8,000 delegates would elect the person and such promise can not happen with less than 10 or 20 people.”

Soldiers Devastate Boko Haram In Sambisa Forest’s Logistic Bases

Editorial staff

November 16, 2020

The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole has devastated Boko Haram fighters in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State through multiple air strikes.

The operation, according to the army spokesman, Major General John Eneche, was carried out on November 14 at two locations, one at Gobara and the other at Sambisa ‘S’ Region in the vicinity of the Forest that are being used by the insurgents as logistics bases as well as staging areas to launch attacks.

The spokesman said that the Air Task Force dispatched appropriate force packages of Nigerian Air Force attack aircraft to engage the target areas. “Several Boko Haram fighters were spotted under the dense vegetation of the locations as the NAF jets took turns in attacking the targets, neutralizing some of them.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until all enemies of the Nation are neutralised and normalcy is restored to all troubled zones.”

FG Income Has Reduced By 60 Percent; Can’t Return To Oil Subsidy Regime – Petroleum Minister Of State

Editorial staff

November 16, 2020

Minister of State for Petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva has said that income for the Federal Government has reduced by 60 percent, making it impossible to return to oil subsidy regime.

“The earnings of government has reduced by 60 percent and what is happening in the oil sector reflect what is happening elsewhere.”

Sylvs, who spoke today, November 16 to newsmen shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, said that even the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) collection “has also reduced because less oil is being produced.

“There is less activity in the oil industry which is driving the economy. So you find out that it is a double whammy from all sides.

What we have said over and over again as a government is that government is no longer in the business of fixing pump price , that is the meaning of deregulation and stepping back on subsidy.

“Yes, we are very aware that this will result to some increase but why do we have to do this? It is because it is clearly impossible for government to continue to subsidize. The money is not there now “Just take the example of our production levels; our crude oil production level was over 2 million barrels a day but today, to comply with OPEC cut and quota, we have reduced production to 1.4 million barrels.

“Having reduced production to 1.4 million barrels ,crude oil is also not selling at an optimal rate .Where do you get the money to continue to subsidize.”

The minister of state said that Nigerians have to make a choice, saying: “if government were to continue with subsidy, it means for example that at some point, we may not even have money after subsidizing petrol to pay salaries. You have to choice. it is very clear that today things are not as they were before.

‘I am telling you, if Mr. President could have continued with subsidy he would have . But when you look at the facts before us , it is not possible and of course, we are seeing some of the effects but I belive that at this point, we are still trying to cross the first buck. We will get there , we will get used to it as Nigerians.

“The only explanation to everything we have said is the country just could not afford subsidy anymore. It is unfortunate we are experiencing some of these things now . We will get by. I am sure when things stabilize, our earnings begin to improve, we will begin to see the benefits of what this government has done.”

17 Students Of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Kidnapped On Kaduna-Abuja Express Way

Editorial staff

November 16, 2020

File: Area view of Abuja-Kaduna expressway

About 17 students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State have been kidnapped by bandits along Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

According to the university’s local newspaper, The 300 level students of the Department of French were travelling to Lagos for their language immersion program at the Nigerian French Language Village, NFLV, when they were kidnapped by bandits.

News of the kidnapping was communicated by Precious Owunna, a student of the Nigerian French Language Village, who took to her twitter to draw attention of Nigerians to the situation.

Precious tweeted, “Hi guys I don’t know how else to say this,😭😭😭😭😭 we need you prayers please 🙏my friends, my course mate were kidnapped @ Kaduna Abuja road.”

Precious, a UNN student running her program in Badagry, said that a student was shot while attempting to escape and a woman was left behind because she had a baby.

It was gathered that victims of the Sunday’s kidnapping include: Okafor Grace, Kyenpia Bulus, Dickson Afolabi, Jemimah Badmus, Aliyu. S. Adamu, Simnom Praise, Ziya Asoji, Elizabeth John, Victor Agbo and Precious Mutum.

This is the second time the city of Zaria has been hit by this sort of attack in the space of three days. There was the abduction of two children and a lecturer of Electrical and Electronics at the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria on Saturday.

Tony Elumelu Bags Belgium National Award For His Commitment To Poverty Eradication

Editorial staff

November 16, 2020

The Kingdom of Belgium has conferred the honorary distinction of Officer in the Order of Leopold, the country’s oldest and most important National Honour, on Africa’s leading investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, in recognition of his commitment to poverty eradication and the economic empowerment of young Africans.

The Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, Ambassador Daniel Bertrand, presented the royal decoration yesterday, November 15, which is the Belgian King’s Day and a symbolic national day of celebration, at the Belgian House in Abuja, with public and private sector leaders witnessing the ceremony.

Elumelu has been responsible for initiatives creating millions of jobs and employment for young Africans across the continent, through his philanthropy, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).

The Foundation’s flagship intervention, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, US$100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 young African entrepreneurs across 54 African countries. Over 9,600 young Africans are current beneficiaries, just six years since its inception.

In addition to its own significant programme, the Foundation partners with institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to bring its proven methodology to an even broader universe.

Elumelu believes that youth entrepreneurship has the potential to tackle global challenges such as forced migration, poverty, and hunger.

Elumelu’s concept of Africapitalism is redefining national development, making the case for the critical role that the private sector must play in transforming Africa.

Elumelu’s businesses are present in 20 African countries and key international markets, with over 30,000 people in employment His investments span power, financial services, healthcare, energy, technology, hospitality, and real estate.

Elumelu chairs family-owned African investment company, Heirs Holdings; pan-African financial services group, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which operates across Africa, the United Kingdom, France and the only African bank with a commercial deposit taking licence in the United States, and Nigeria’s largest quoted conglomerate, Transcorp, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, one of the leading generators of electricity in Nigeria and Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria’s foremost hospitality brand.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was at the event, said: “Your Excellency Ambassador Daniel Bertrand, Ambassador of Belgium, let me, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, express our deepest appreciation to the King and Queen of Belgium for recognising the wonderful work of Mr. Tony Elumelu and what he is doing in our nation and on the continent of Africa by prioritising the empowerment of our youth”.

“Mr. Elumelu, I listened to your priorities, which include eradicating poverty, creating jobs and improving access to electricity and I can assure you that this was the motivation of President Muhammadu Buhari when he spoke about lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

“When we identify somebody in the private sector who believes in that core mandate, the government has no option but to continue to support your endeavours, and I can assure you that on behalf of the President, you will continue to receive it.

“As Nigerians, we stand here today very proud of the excellent work Elumelu has done in Nigeria and on our continent and we ask him to do more”.

Earlier in 2019, Tony Elumelu was conferred with the National Productivity Merit Award in Nigeria and in 2020, he featured in the Time 100 most influential people in the world.

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