Soldiers Devastate Boko Haram In Sambisa Forest’s Logistic Bases

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.

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

Greenbarge Reporters

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.”

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