Igbo Group Describes Nnamdi Kanu As Fugitive And Alone In Cessation Project

November 16, 2020

Conference of Igbo Youth Professionals Worldwide (CIYPW) has described the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as a fugitive, fighting alone for cessation in Nigeria.

The group accused Kanu of relying on his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Israel to incite anarchy in Nigeria and causing problems for Igbos living in Nigeria through his persistent negative utterances.

President-general of the group, Barrister Maduabuchi Nwodo, in a petition asking the UK and Israel withdraw the citizenship of the IPOB leader, reminded the two countries that Kanu, as a fugitive, jumped bail in Nigeria after being charged with treasonable felony.

It also drew the attention of the two countries to the fact that IPOB had been designated as a terrorist organisation by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria.

“We are disturbed at the incessant inciting statements coming from Mr Nnamdi Kanu,who has been parading himself as leader of Indigenous People of Biafra against the Nigerian state.

“We are aware of his status as a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Nation of Israel. Having worked and contributed effortlessly to see Nigeria at its present state,we believe that the United Kingdom and Israel would not want to see Nigeria a shattered place. It is in this regard that we are strongly appealing to them to rein in on Kanu, whose activities have been against the unity of Nigeria.

“The latest call by Mr Kanu on the police and military officers of Southern and Middle Belt extractions not only to abandon their duty post but to also resign and burn their service uniforms must be ignored. We wish to inform them that Kanu is alone in his cessation project and has nobody behind him.”

Emir Of Gwandu Opens Fire On Attorney General Of Federation, Malami, Over Magu

Editorial staff

November 14, 2020

Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, Alhaji Almustapha Jokolo, has opened fire on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, accusing him of witch-hunting former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

The Emir, who reacted to the recent invitation of Magu by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over some landed properties, said that if anybody is to appear before the CCB, it should be AGF Malami “whose sudden wealth is phenomenal, especially since we all know his background and with the hue and cry over the properties he was accused of owning after the infamous and scandalous marriage of his son in Kano and Birnin Kebbi.”

“We have a lot to divulge on more scandalous cases but obviously only to President Buhari unless he too fails to take action then we shall tell our fellow countrymen and women.”

He said that Malami was accusing Magu of unsubstantiated allegations and has merely given him the opportunity to defend himself, saying that without recourse to the process of the law, Malami removed Magu as EFCC boss and nominated replacement for his position.

“He (Malami) recommended three names as Magu’s replacement without even waiting for the President to consult the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or Inspector-General of Police, Magu’s professional superior. Later, they set up a kangaroo commission of inquiry comprising of controversial retired president of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, who had a running battle with retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Katsina-Alu over the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Election Judgment in 2011, which caused constitutional crisis and shame to the highest judicial xourts of Nigeria.

“A very unwelcome and unfortunate embarrassment to not only Nigerian judiciary but to Nigeria internationally!

“Other suspect members of the commission are staff of the Federal Ministry of Justice ( answerable to the AGF & HMOJ ) and a senior police officer ( answerable to the IGP ).

“From what we read in the papers, Magu was not even given formal charges against him.

“Now when Magu’s lawyers requested AGF Malami to appear before the commission, he, Malami, boasted that he was prepared to appear but when officially subpoenaed he arrogantly and publicly said he would not appear! The commission seems to be at its wits end.

“Without even waiting for the completion of this assignment and submission of its report, AGF Malami has now directed Magu to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau on November 17, to answer on landed property charges!”

The emir said that Chairman of CCB, Muhamnad Isa, was a part time lawyer in Malami’s chambers as the head in Kano, adding that Malami influenced his appointment as the chairman of CCB to hide his acts and persecute his opposers.

“Now obviously AGF Malami gave him appointment as the chairman of CCB to clean his own records, spy on other people’s records and settle scores with anyone who crosses him especially in his diabolical and over vaulting ambition to become the governor of Kebbi State in 2023.”

Magu was invited for questioning by the CCB over alleged corruption involving breach of code of conduct for public officers.

The invitation came months after Magu was suspended from office on allegations of corruption.

He was accused of buying a home in Dubai worth over N570m and being unable to account for the interest accrued to over N500bn recovered by the EFCC but he denied the allegations.

A panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari and headed by retired Justice Salami, has failed to prove its case against Magu, instead resorting to different means in a desperate attempt to nail him.

Buhari Mourns Revenue Mobilization Commissioner, Suleiman Kokori

Editorial staff

November 14, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on the death of Suleiman Kokori Abdul, who was the Federal Commissioner, representing the State in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

In a statement today, November 14, by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu the President also commiserated with the Chairman and members of the Commission on the demise of the Federal Commissioner, who was sworn in June 2019.

Buhari noted that as a home-bred politician and former member representing Okene/Ogori-Magogo constituency in the sixth National Assembly, Sulaiman Kokori understood the place of dedication and compassion in public service; adding that this earned him admiration and respect in politics as well as among his people.

The President recognized the contributions of the late Federal Commissioner to the administration’s drive to mobilise revenue from the non-oil sector and hopes that his dedication to duty will continue to inspire the work of the RMAFC.

Buhari said his thoughts are with Abdul’s family during this time of mourning even as he prayed the Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and bless him with Al-janah Firdaus.

Army Used Non-Violent Means On Lekki EdnSARS Protesters – General Taiwo

Editorial staff

November 14, 2020

The Nigeria Army has said that officers used non-violent means in the rules of engagement on the EndSRAS protesters at Lekki in Lagos on October 20..

Commander of the 81 Division of Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brigadier General Ahmed Taiwo, who testified on behalf of the Nigerian Army however said that the military fired blank ammunition into the air to disperse protesters on the night of the alleged shooting.

Brigadier General Taiwo, who gave a presentation to the panel with the use of a projector, played a footage which showed soldiers standing in front of singing protesters and firing their weapons into the air.

He said there would have been a lot of fatalities if the 600m live ammunition normally used by the military were used to disperse the #EndSARS protesters.

“I have been in the army since 1986 and you cannot be under fire and be singing.

“The entry hole for the 600m is thin while the exit is wide, if it hits you in the chest or the bowels, the intestines comes down.

“I am an expert in ammunition having spent so long in the army. Blank ammunition is slower and can do no damage to the flesh and you have nothing to fear except you take a rifle, put it against your eye and fire.

“Even if you put it against your skin and fire you will only have burn marks.”

The army General said that troops had managed to disperse most of the #EndSARS protesters and had even shared drinks from protesters who had remained at the Lekki Tollgate.

He said that he was monitoring the situation on the internet, and that it was after the departure of the soldiers that hoodlums set the tollgate on fire.

Following his revelation, Taiwo through the counsel of the Nigerian Army, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), presented four spent blank ammunition to the panel as evidence.

Brigadier General Taiwo told the panel that there was a lapse in communication between the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Army regarding the imposing and lifting of the curfew.

“Due to the urgency of the security situation in the state, the governor declared a 24-hour curfew which was supposed to start at 4pm.

“They wanted everyone off the streets to deal with the hoodlums, but after some observations the timing was shifted to 21:00 hours, but this timing was not communicated to the Nigerian Army.

“Be that as it may, we the Nigerian Army had already immediately deployed the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division Garrison to forestal all further violence and loss of lives.

“It is important to note that this deployment of troops contrary to reports, was done throughout Lagos to activate Phase 4 of the Internal Security Operations.”

The officer told the panel that the Army had entered the Stabilisation Phase of the Internal Security Operations, and had started recovering looted items when the Lagos State Government lifted the curfew without informing them.

“We were still recovering a lot of looted items which were given back to the owners on production of receipt or proof of ownership.

“If the curfew was not lifted we would have recovered a 100 times more than the items we recovered.”

Education To Henceforth Gulp 20 Percent Of Kogi Budget – Education Commssioner

Editorial staff

November 13, 2020

The state Kogi States’s Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Wemi Jones, has said that the State Governor, Yahaya Bello promised to allocate 20 per cent of the state’s annual total budget to the education sector from 2021 till the end of his tenure.

The commissioner, who made this known today, November 13, when a team from the Federal Education Qualify Assurance Service paid a courtesy visit, said: “as a matter of fact, the governor openly declared recently that education will take 20 per cent of the state’s annual total budget from now till the end of his tenure.”

The commissioner assured the team of his ministry’s readiness to partner with the Federal Education Qualify Assurance Service in ensuring quality education to the state.

He commended the team for the visit and expressed his excitement over the report of their evaluation of schools in the state, describing it as commendable and encouraging.

Jones emphasised the commitment of the state government to revamping the education sector, saying that the governor had made the education sector his number one priority.

He explained that the ministry had used the covid-19 lockdown period to put in place some laudable projects with the approval of the governor towards the reopening of schools.

According to him, amongst the new policies is the Education Law which the state does not have in operation since its creation.

”As I speak with you, the education law bill had been passed by the State House of Assembly waiting for the accent of the governor.

”The governor had recently inaugurated a committee on Education For All Project (EDUFAP), meant to cater to the 285 public secondary schools in the state.

”EDUFAP will provide infrastructure, renovations, equipping laboratories and libraries, manpower in schools among others,’’ Jones said.

He added that the government was also working to address the issue of proliferation of schools, saying there were lots of unregistered and substandard schools in the state.

He said the state government had also given approval for a robust incentive welfare package that would boost the morale of teachers.

The commissioner pledged to implement all the observations and recommendations made by the team on their evaluation of schools in the state.

Earlier, the head of the team, Mrs Bukola Jamgbadi, congratulated the commissioner on his well-deserved appointment.

She assured the commissioner of the synergy of roles and responsibility at different levels for comprehensive monitoring and evaluation.

She said that the team focused on ensuring that channels of communication and feedback mechanisms were opened, in order to ensure uniform standards, ownership, and sustainability.

Jamgbadi also expressed the team’s desire to contribute their token to the development of education in the state.

On the ground to receive the team was the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, and other management staff of the ministry.

18 Farmers Die In Canoe Mishap In Bauchi

Editorial staff

November 13, 2020

No fewer than 18 people, travelling from Zango Majiya to the farm died today, November 13, as a canoe carrying of them capsized on River Buji in Itas Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

A statement today, by the Bauchi State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said that five of the passengers, including the driver and a female passenger were rescued alive.

He said that the incident was reported to the police at the Itas Gadau Police Station by the Village Head of Majiya, Nuhu Kaila

“On 12th November, 2020 at about 11am, one Ali Adamu, Village Head of Majiya came to Itas-Gadau Police Station and reported that, on same date at about 10.30am, one Nuhu Kaila, male of Zango Majiya village, carried about 23 persons in a canoe, from Zango Majiya to the farm.

“On reaching the middle of River Buji, the canoe capsized and as a result, the following persons: Abdulraham Shehu, Male (20); Suwaiba Yusuf, female (12); Saude Abdulkarim, female (14); Fatima Maigari, female (10); Zuwaira Maigari, female (10); Hari Maigari, female (9); Hussaina Maigari, female (8); Ummani Abdulkarim, female (15); Halima Saminu, female (15) of Gidan Ganji village.

“Others are Najaatu Hamza, (15); Nura Abdullahi, Male (25); Yahuza Abdullahi, (12); Hafsa Abdullahi, female (11) of Majiya village, Sadiya Hashimu, (10); Khadija Alhassan, (15) of Gwarai village; Amina Idris, (15); Kaltime Hudu, female (14); Furaira Malam Magaji, female (14) of Zangon Majiya village were drowned in the river and died at the spot.

“The canoe driver and one Aisha Adamu, female (16), Umaru Adamu, male (30) were rescue unconscious.”

He said that the corpses of the dead one have been recovered from the river and taken to the Itas General Hospital for postmortem examination.

“The corpses were removed from the river and taken to the General Hospital Itas, for postmortem examination.

“A medical doctor certified 18 persons dead, while 5 persons were rescued.”

I’m Not Igbo, Can’t Change My Identity, Rivers Gov, Wike

Editorial staff

November 13, 2020

The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, has made it clear that he is not Igbo and will never change change his identity for whatever reason.

Governor Wike said that he belongs to the Ikwerre ethnic group from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor area of the state.

In an interview with Dele Momodu, the Governor said: “I’m not (an Igbo). You see, people must understand things. We are from the Eastern part of the country. Nobody can deny that fact. People interpret my name as ‘Weekay’. It means a new born baby. They said Wike means ‘a strong person’. I don’t care.

“My name is Ezebuwon. Now, nobody can deny the fact of our affinity with the Igbos. Nobody can. Take for example, in the Benin,. There is “Akpata” in Edo and “Apata” in Yoruba. Are you now saying the Akpata in Edo is the same with the one in Yoruba. No! They may have a relationship but that does not mean that you are them.”

“People, when they want to do something… Assuming I’m an Igbo (although no conceding), I’m now in Rivers state. So, because I’m an Igbo in Rivers state, I should allow criminals from my area – Igbo – like they say – to kill security agents. Is that what they say?”

“I’m not one politician who will change his identity. I will not change my identity. I will not! People should understand that there is a difference between the Akpata in Edo and Apata in the West. After all, there is no one that said they came (to this world) on their own.”

Don’t Give Emphasis To De-Radicalizing Repentant Boko Haram Members – Senator Ndume

Editorial staff

November 13, 2020

A former Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has called on the federal government not to give much emphasis on the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members.

Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, who spoke today, November 13 during the budget defense session with the Nigerian Army, said that deradicalizing repentant Boko Haram members is a misplacement of priority.

According to him, government should focus on resettling the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in various camps across the North.

This was even as he alleged that the recent terrorist attack in Damboa was orchestrated by a repentant Boko Haram member. Ndume said the repentant insurgent was feeding his former colleagues information regarding the movement of the army.

Senator Ndume said that it is unfair for the government to lavish its resources on ex-Boko Haam insurgents who threaten the peace of the nation and not those affected by the insurgency.

He also advised the federal government to keep arrested insurgents as prisoners of war, adding that in due time they can be profiled and tried in accordance with the law.

Senator Ndume, however, kicked against the Boko Haram bill aimed at creating an agency for repentant terrorists. According to the lawmaker, the bill will embolden the insurgents since they are sure of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Trump’s Lawyers Withdraw From Case Against Election Of Biden

Editorial staff

November 13, 2020

A major law firm withdrew overnight from President Donald Trump’s case in Pennsylvania.

Lawyers for the President Donald Trump campaign, including a major law firm, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, have withdrawn petition against the election of Joe Biden in the United States of America.

The President’s campaign is seeking to have mail-in ballots thrown out, and the withdrawal is the latest blow to Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election result in court.

The law firm based in Ohio, which brought a suit, arguing that the use of mail-in ballots in the election had created “an illegal two-tiered voting system” in the state, abruptly withdrew from that case in a memo to the court.

“Plaintiffs and Porter Wright have reached a mutual agreement that plaintiffs will be best served if Porter Wright withdraws,” the memo said, according to The Guardian UK.

This was even as other lawyers for the Trump campaign also withdrew a lawsuit in Arizona, saying that the case would not move enough votes to change the election result in the state.

“Since the close of yesterday’s hearing, the tabulation of votes statewide has rendered unnecessary a judicial ruling as to the presidential electors,” Trump lawyer Kory Langhofer told an Arizona state court, in news first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The development means that Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania will be certified soon, and his election president draws closer. By US law the state’s result must be certified by 23 November.

Biden is currently leading Trump with 5.3m popular votes and counting, and 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.

Why I Distanced Myself From Financial Compensation As Ex Lagos Gov– Fashiola

Editorial staff

November 12, 2020

Former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said that he distanced himself from any form of financial compensation as former Governor.

According to Fashiola, long before he left office, he had told the State Executive Council to count him out of such compensation, which had become a law before he got into office.

In an interview today, November 12 on Channels TV, Fashiola said: “If I understand that clearly, I think there has been this public expression of concern about certain legislation passed at the state level to compensate, as it were, people who had held offices as governors.

“It happened in my state but I can say very clearly that I declined to benefit and I stated clearly in a recorded minute of meeting of government in State Executive Council, that if this was a privilege conferred on me, I had a right to refuse, which I refused and the cabinet should record my refusal to partake because I was conflicted morally about the position.

“For me, the real privilege and honour was to serve.

“I have gone back to my house in Surulere and I am not collecting any emolument.

“I know that there was some credit they sent, about N357,000, to my account every month and I have asked them to explain what it is for, but the money is there in my salary account.

“So, if I have collected anything, I know that is what I have collected since I left office.

“I have collected N357,000 monthly.

“No house was built for me in Lagos and Abuja.

“Unless those making the point say I shouldn’t get paid because my salary as a minister is N900,000 plus or minus every month.”

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