Kogi Gov Blames Federal Govt For Negotiating With Kidnappers, Bandits

October 4, 2020

File photo of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has blamed the Federal and some State Governments for establishing any form of negotiation with kidnappers and bandits, saying that the criminals should not be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their crimes.

Governor Yahaya Bello, who spoke today, October 4, at the opening of Retreat by the Senate Press Corps in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said that the only way to drastically reduce the menace of kidnapping is to stop negotiating with the perpetrators and preventing them from enjoying the proceeds of the crime.

According to the governor, who was represented by his Deputy, David Onoja, being ruthless against the criminals will keep them at bay, saying that the spate of kidnappings in the state has reduced to the barest minimum largely due to his administration’s resolve to tackle the criminals headlong.

Governor Yahay Bello recalled that before emergence of his administration in 2016, “Kogi was noted as the kidnap capital of Nigeria.

“Our highways were littered with virtually weekly occurrences of armed robbery, especially night travelers in luxurious buses.

“In four years nine months later, though we have not been able to eradicate kidnappings totally, the numbers have drastically reduced to the barest minimum.

“And highway robberies and bank robberies are becoming things that are in our history books rather than what we experienced.

“We are doing our best in fighting insecurity in Kogi and ensuring that life and property are secured.”

The governor assured Kogi residents and Nigerians that his administration is determined to provide succour for victims of flash flooding in the state.

“While we may not be able to stop the flooding, we will prevent as many lives as possible from going with the menace.

“That is our focus, that is our target, that is what we shall achieve by the grace of God.”

Senate President Ahmad Lawan who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, stressed the importance for National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to work closely together in enacting legislations that would aid the development of the country.

He commended Governor Yahay Bello for his developmental strides, especially for ensuring relative peace and security in the state.

The theme of the Retreat is: “Democracy and development in a Federation: Roles of Media, States and Parliaments.”

Beware Of Enemies Of State Sponsoring Discord, Anarchy In Nigeria – Presidency

Editorial staff

October 4, 2020

The Presidency has cautioned Nigerians to beware of enemies of State that have taken pleasure in sponsoring and encouraging discord and anarchy in Nigeria, either for selfish ends or as revenge for perceived injuries

In a statement today, October 4, the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that some groups of Nigerians “have been dolorous, disgruntled, and disconsolate” since the organized labour suspended the planned nationwide strike and decided to go for dialogue.

“Since Organized Labour toed the path of sense and sensibility last week, seeing reason with the imperatives of fuel price adjustment, and opening a further window of dialogue on the service based electricity tariff, some groups of Nigerians “have been dolorous, disgruntled, and disconsolate.”

Femi Adesina said that such Nigerians had perfected plans to use the strike by the labour unions as smokescreen to unleash anarchy on the land, fomenting mayhem and civil disobedience.

“But the plan blew up in their faces, and they have been in severe pains since then. They have launched series of tirades against Organized Labour.

“For some interest groups, their intention was to use the umbrella of the strike to further their whimsical and pie-in-the-sky dream of a revolution in the country. It went bust in their faces.

“For some others, Bitter-Enders, who have remained entrenched in pre-2015 and 2019 elections mode, it was opportunity to avenge the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, which they believe largely devalued the government of the day, and led to its eventual ouster in 2015.

“The strike that was to have come up last week, they wanted to use as opportunity for a pound of flesh, which they calculated would weaken the government so much, and influence the 2023 elections. For them, it was all about hanker for power, its trappings and appurtenances. Nothing about love of country. They have since then been calling Organized Labour all sorts of names, claiming they deceived Nigerians.

“The times in which we live-with severe security, economic and social challenges-call for all hands to be on deck, and goodwill and support for government, as it strives to put the nation on an even keel. We commend Organized Labour for putting the country first.

The spokesman said that the Muhammadu Buhari government is only interested in engendering better quality of life for the citizenry and “nothing more.”

First Time In 6 Months, Saudi Opens Up Makkah Grand Mosque For Umrah

Editorial staff

October 3, 2020

Makkah’s Grand Mosque will see the return of Umrah pilgrims tomorrow, October 4, for the first time since the pilgrimage was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus, with the exception of Hajj.

Information from Saudi Arabia said that pilgrims will gather at allocated sites in Makkah including Ajyad, Al-Shasha, Al-Gazzah and Al-Zahir, and will be transported to the mosque by special busses.

It said that the Umrah pilgrims will be accompanied by a health care professional, adding that the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is already in the mood to receive pilgrims and has various preventative measures in place to ensure their safety.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), at least 1,000 employees have been enlisted to monitor Umrah rituals at the Grand Mosque and it is cleaned 10 times a day.

The mosque’s toilets are cleaned six times a day and carpets, floors, Zamzam water fountains and all maintenance vehicles are sanitized around the clock.

Sanitizing devices have been installed at the entrances of the mosque and on escalators. Air-conditioning systems are cleaned with ultraviolet rays and scent is sprayed in the mosque frequently.

Thermal cameras are being used in the mosque to identify people with high body temperatures.

The Mataf area surrounding the Kaaba will only be used by Umrah pilgrims to perform the Tawaf ritual to ensure their safety and comfort.

Fani-Kayode Confesses Catching His Wife In Bed With Another Man

Editorial staff

October 3, 2020

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confessed that he caught his estranged wife, Precious in bed with a married man

Reacting to a viral video of him allegedly abusing his wife, Fani-Kayode said that contrary to the video making the rounds, there was no physical abuse.

According to him, he collected the phone from his wife to stop her from recording him after he caught her in bed with a married man.

The former minister tweeted: “a video posted which supposedly depicts me ABUSING my estranged wife. This is nothing but a propaganda video.

“There was NO physical abuse. I simply took the phone from her to stop her from recording me after catching her in bed with a married man days earlier.

“I repeat there was no physical abuse whatsoever and she had been insulting and subjecting everybody, including family members, staff and children, to physical and verbal abuse the whole day. As usual, it was a nightmare.

“My words in the video are self explanatory. I urge those that watched it to listen to those words carefully. I told her that everyone wanted peace except for her and all she did was indulge in scandal after scandal. I have never physically abused my estranged wife.”

Coronavirus Stricken American President, Trump, Moved To Military Hospital

Editorial staff

October 3, 2020

Stricken by coronavirus, a feverish and fatigued President Donald Trump of America has been flown to a military hospital after being injected with an experimental drug combination in treatment at the White House.

The President, who had spent months downplaying the threat of the virus, was forced to cancel all campaign events a month before the election as he fought a virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and is hitting others in his orbit as well.

The White House said Trump’s expected stay of “a few days” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was precautionary and that he would continue to work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties.

“Going well, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!,” the president tweeted after having been moved to the military hospital for treatment.

The President’s physician said in a memo released shortly afterwards that Trump was doing “very well” and not needing supplemental oxygen. Navy Cmdr. Dr Sean Conley also said that Trump had undergone therapy employing the antiviral drug remdesivir.

“He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably,” Conley said.

Earlier in the day, Conley said that the President had also received a dose of an experimental antibody combination by Regeneron that is in clinical trials, adding that Trump “remains fatigued but in good spirits.”

Trump walked out of the White House yesterday, October 2 wearing a mask and gave a thumbs-up to reporters but did not speak before boarding Marine One. Members of the aircrew, Secret Service agents and White House staff wore face coverings to protect themselves from the president on board the helicopter.

In a videotaped before leaving for Walter Reed, Trump said: “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.”

Just a month before the Presidential election, Trump’s revelation that he was positive for the virus came by tweet about 1 a.m. Friday after he had returned from a Thursday afternoon political fundraiser. He had gone ahead to the event, saying nothing to the crowd though knowing he had been exposed to an aide with the disease that has infected millions in America and killed more than a million worldwide.

First lady, Melania Trump also tested positive, the president said, and several others in the White House have, too, prompting concern that the White House or even Trump himself might have spread the virus further. He said in his video that his wife was doing very well.

Chevron Dismisses 2,000 Nigerian Workers, Allegedly Plans To Employ 600 Americans

Editorial staff

October 3, 2020

A major American oil company operating in Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria Limited has sacked no fewer than 2,000 Nigerians working for it and asked them to re-apply for fresh jobs, even it is allegedly making moves to employ 600 workers from America to replace some sacked Nigerians.

The oil company had earlier announced that it would be reducing its staff strength by 25 per cent as it is reviewing its manpower requirements due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

In a statement on Friday by its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, the company said that all employees would retain their employment until the re-organization process is completed.

This was even as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) vowed to resist the sacking of Nigerian workers by the company.

The association confirmed that Chevron Nigeria had already dismissed over 2,000 staff with 600 of them listed for permanent dismissal.

The branch Chairman, Ete Oyegbanren, and branch Secretary, Lavin Aghaunor, of Chevron PENGASSAN, in a statement alleged that the company planned to replace the Nigerians sacked with Americans, who will be working remotely.

“Chevron Management experimented with Work From Home (WFH) since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 and discovered that since Nigerians can work from their homes during the lockdown period using internet connection, the same work being done by Nigerians here can be done remotely by Americans from the US hence the move to sack 600 Nigerians and replace them with Americans who would be working remotely from the US. This is a case of worsening the unemployment situation in Nigeria and using same to address those of America.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has made the creation of one million jobs per year a cornerstone of his administration. The government even went further by approving the recruitment of over 1,000 employees to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

“We are also aware that the FG advised companies not to sack Nigerian workers under the guise of COVID-19. We have credible information that Chevron management is boasting that the President of Nigeria cannot dictate to them how to run the company, despite the fact that NNPC owns 60 per cent of the Joint Venture.

“The plan of Chevron management is part of a grand scheme by multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria to gradually relocate work being done in Nigeria to their home country. In this instance, there will be offshoring of 600 Nigerian jobs to America thereby worsening the unemployment situation in Nigeria. As patriotic Nigerians, PENGASSAN shall resist this with all tools available to her.”

Members of the association staged a protest to express their dissatisfaction with the plan of the oil company, even as they called on Nigerian Government to call the management of Chevron to order and direct them to comply with Nigerian laws and regulations in the oil and gas industry.

However, the company said that it is focused on cutting cost and not migrating jobs from Nigeria, adding that the company is engaging its workers to reach an understanding on the actions of the company.

“We have prospects for our company in Nigeria. However, we must make the necessary adjustments in light of the prevailing business climate; and we need everyone’s support to get through these tough times stronger, more efficient and more profitable, in order to sustain the business.

“We are actively engaging our workforce to ensure they understand why this is being done.

“We will continue to consistently engage all relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the employee unions as we continue this process of business optimisation.”

The Only Way To Stop Nigeria From Breaking-Up Is To Restructure – Pastor Adeboye

Editorial staff

October 3, 2020

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said that the only way to avoid Nigeria from breaking up is for the Federal Government to quickly address the agitations for the restructuring of the country.

The cleric, who spoke today, October 3 at the 60th Independence Day Celebration Symposium organised by RCCG and the Nehemiah Leadership Institute, proposed the adoption of both the British and the American systems of government to pave the way for Nigeria’s future.

“Why can’t we have a system of government that is 100 percent Nigerian and unique to us? For example, we started with the British system of government, somewhere along the line, we moved over to the American system of government.

“Can’t we have a combination of both and see whether it could help us solve our problems because in mathematics if you want to solve a problem, you try what we call real-analysis, then if it doesn’t work, then you move on to complex analysis and see whether that will help you. If that fails, you move on to vector analysis and so on.

“I believe that we might want to look at the problems of Nigeria in a slightly different manner. Some people feel that all our problems will be over if Nigeria should break up. I think that is trying to solve the problems of Nigeria as if it is a simple equation.

“The problems of Nigeria will require quite a bit of simultaneous equation and some of them are not going to be linear either – forgive me I am talking as a mathematician.

“Why can’t we have a system of government that will create what I will call the the United States of Nigeria? Let me explain. We all know that we must restructure. It is either we restructure or we break. You don’t have to be a prophet to know that one. That is certain – restructure or we break up.

“Now, we don’t want to break up, God forbid. In restructuring, why don’t we have a Nigerian kind of democracy? At the federal level, why don’t we have a president and a prime minister?

“If we have a president and a prime minister and we share responsibilities between these two so that one is not an appendage to the other. For examples, if the president controls the army and the prime minister controls the police. If the president controls resources like oil and mining and the prime minister controls finance and inland revenue, taxes, customs etc. You just divide responsibilities between the two.

“At the state level, you have the governor and the premier, and the same way, you distribute responsibilities between these people in such a manner that one cannot really go without the other. Maybe we might begin to tackle the problems.”

I Became Nigeria’s Head Of State At Age 31 By Accident – General Gowon

Editorial staff

October 2, 2020

Retired General Yakubu Gowon has said that he became Nigeria’s Head of State during the civil war at age 31 by accident.

Gowon became the youngest ever Head of State on August 1, 1966 and remains the longest serving Nigerian head of state after spending nine years in office between 1966–1975.

He spoke at Nigeria’s first virtual reality history competition organized by ANISZA Foundation and Gallery on Friday.

Gowon said: “I felt petrified when I took over as Head of State.”

He said that his ambition then was just to be a good soldier.

“I never planned to be the President, it just happened.”

The former Head of State shared some of his life experiences to the youths and counseled them on the right attitudes and values.

Economic Downturn: Oil Giant, Chevron, Moves To Sack 25 Percent Of Its Workforce

Editorial staff

October 2, 2020

Oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL together with its affiliates, has confirmed that it is reviewing its manpower requirements in the light of the changing business environment.

The International Oil Company (IOC) said that it had concluded plans to disengaging 25 per cent of its total staff in a decision it said was to aid its long term survival, following the recent downturn in the oil industry.

The company said that it is continuing to evaluate opportunities to improve capital efficiency and reduce operating costs, stressing that in the process, the company will be streamlining its workforce and improving service delivery and overall performance at all levels.

CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, in a statement today, October 2, explained that the aim is to have a business that is competitive and have an appropriately sized organisation with improved processes.

He said that the move will increase efficiency and effectiveness, retain value, reduce cost, and generate more revenue for the federal government of Nigeria.

According to him, the new organisational structures will require just about 25 percent reduction in the work force across the various levels of the organisation.

“It is important to note that all our employees will retain their employment until the reorganisation process is completed.

“CNL supports the federal government in its objectives and efforts to build a prosperous Nigeria. In the area of employment generation, the company has several social investments which are helping to provide employment for thousands of Nigerians.”

Brikinn said that there are no plans to migrate Nigerian jobs outside the country, saying: “we have prospects for our company in Nigeria; however, we must make the necessary adjustments in light of the prevailing business climate. And we need everyone’s support to get through these tough times stronger, more efficient and more profitable, in order to sustain the business,” CNL noted.

The statement said that CNL is in alignment with both its Joint Venture partners, the NNPC, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the entire process.

“We are actively engaging our workforce to ensure they understand why this is being done. We will continue to consistently engage all relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the employee unions as we continue this process of business optimisation.

“At CNL, the welfare and safety of our workforce is one of our highest priorities. Making changes to the organisation is never easy for anyone that will be impacted.

“But it is necessary to improve our ability to remain competitive in Nigeria. Reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of our operations is critical to generating more revenues for the federal government of Nigeria.”

Japan Advances $9.4 Million Grant To Nigeria For Medical Equipment

Editorial staff

October 2, 2020

The government of Japan has extended a funding assistance of 1 billion Japanese Yen (about USD$9.4 Million) to Nigeria for the provision of medical equipment.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba and Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Kikuta Yutaka, signed and exchanged notes in Abuja in respect of the grant.

A statement by the spokes person for the minister, Sufuyan Ojeifo said that the medical equipment funding project would contribute to strengthening the medical system in Nigeria through the provision of ambulances and Computerized Tomography (CT) scanners.

The statement said that the bilateral cooperation “is part of Japan’s contribution to the expansion of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the promotion of Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative, which Japan expressed during Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).”

TICAD7 held from 28^th-30^thAugust, 2019 at Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama city, Japan, with more than 10,000 people, including 42 African leaders from 53 countries, 52 development partner countries, 108 heads of international and regional organisations, and representatives of civil society and the private sector in attendance.

The government of Japan has led this conference since 1993, co-hosted by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank and African Union Commission (AUC).

Ambassador Yutaka was quoted in the statement as saying that Japan remained committed to supporting developing countries’ effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which, according to him, had posed a serious threat to human security globally.

He said that Japan remained focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), including the universal health coverage.

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