Gov Zulum To Borno People: Don’t Despair, We Shall Defeat Terrorists

September 26, 2020

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has called on the people in the state not to be despaired in the face of what he called “tribulations” from sporadic attacks by Boko Haram and other group of terrorists, assuring that they will eventually be defeated.

“The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration.”

In a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, Governor Zulum said: “we must continue to keep hope alive even in the face of tribulations and believe that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.

The Governor, who attended Baga’s first Jumu’at prayers in nearly two years, confirmed that eight policemen and three civilian JTF members were killed in the ambush on his convoy, on their way to Baga as security back-ups in reconstruction efforts.

He expressed sadness over the unfortunate carnage, adding that he shared the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful.

The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peace building efforts.

Baga, Borno’s largest fishing community close to Lake Chad with waterways to neighboring countries, is considered strategic to Boko Haram’s operation.

It was captured by Boko Haram fighters 21 months ago with most residents now in Monguno and Maiduguri.

You Are Not Helping Workers If You Go On Strike, Governors Tell Labour Unions

Editorial staff

September 26, 2020

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pleaded with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to stop their plan to embark on nationwide strike, starting from Monday, as such strike will not improve the already bad economic conditions of the Nigerian workers.

The governors, who met with leaders of the organized labour today, September 28 at the Abuja residence of the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, said: “the plight of workers in the country was already in dire straits and that any action embarked upon by the union at this time would further worsen their situation

The governors’ chairman was quoted, in a statement by the NGF’s spokesman, Abulrazaque Bello-Barkindo as saying that no one that is conversant with the prevailing situation in the country would disagree with labour and its demands, as it were, but pleaded that Governors be given time to consult more broadly with the various stakeholders, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Vice President and the President.

The statement said that Dr. Fayemi expressed the hope that this gesture from the governors would also energize the leadership of labour to put a hold on their planned action, adding that Government and Labour are not that far apart in the negotiation and the differences are not irreconcilable.

“Our President who is always on the side of workers will not be averse to the issues being raised and I’m hopeful for an amicable settlement on the issues highlighted.”

At the meeting which was attended by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboajah and the Director General of the NGF, Asishana Okauru, the NLC accused the Federal Government of violating the time-tested global process of dialogue.

The NLC President was quoted as saying: “when the cost of PMS rises, the cost of everything in the country rises with it,” even as he praised the NGF Chairman for agreeing to broaden the mechanism for consultation on the matter.

“I praise you for showing a good grasp of this matter and I believe that if they had widened the mechanism for consultation and involved people like you, we wouldn’t have come to this pass.”‎

4 Nigeria Air Force Officers Convicted Of Theft, Conspiracy, Misappropriation

Editorial staff

September 26, 2020

Four Nigeria Air Force officers and Executive members of the 151 Base Services Group (151 BSG) Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, have been convicted for Criminal Breach of Trust, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation and criminal embezzling of over N41,000,000.00.

They are Flt Lt Olawoore who was found guilty of negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative and awarded six months loss of seniority; Fg Officer Adekoya convicted also for negligently performing his duty as Secretary of the Cooperative and awarded one year loss of seniority.

Others are MWO Michael Oyebanji, who was the Vice President of the Cooperative, and was convicted for on a 46 count charge, including; Criminal Breach of Trust, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Making of False Documents and Conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, contrary to Sections 114 and 103 (d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Sections 312, 287, 96 and 309 of the Penal Code Cap P3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. He was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered to refund all monies misappropriated.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said that the four convicts were tried by a General Court Martial (GCM), sitting at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Makurdi, Benue State.

The statement read in part, “four Executive members of the 151 Base Services Group (151 BSG) Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, who were standing trial before a General Court Martial (GCM), sitting at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Makurdi for criminal misappropriation of over N41,000,000.00, were, on 24 September 2020, awarded various sentences.

“The four NAF personnel, who were arraigned before the GCM for Misappropriation of Cooperative Funds, amongst other offences, include Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Sherifi Olawoore, Flying Officer (Fg Offr) Ademola Adekoya, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Michael Oyebanji and Warrant Officer (WO) Paul Atteh. The personnel were sentenced based on their levels of involvement.

“Delivering his judgement, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu, pronounced the 4 accused personnel guilty of various charges. Flt Lt Olawoore was tried for negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative, found guilty and awarded 6 months loss of seniority. In the same vein, Fg Offr Adekoya was tried for negligently performing his duty as Secretary of the Cooperative. He was found guilty and awarded one year loss of seniority.

“He was found guilty on all 46 counts and subsequently sentenced to serve 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered to refund all monies misappropriated.

“In the same vein, WO Paul Atteh, who was tried for negligently performing his duty as the Treasurer of the Cooperative as well as for the Making of False Documents and Criminal Breach of Trust, was found guilty of all 3 charges. He was awarded reduction in rank from WO to Sergeant, in the first instance, and then eventually reduced to the rank of Corporal. He is also required to pay a fine of N1,000,000.00. Meanwhile, the GCM has ordered the release of WO Atteh from detention.

“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsel urged the Court to show leniency, describing the Accused Persons as first-time offenders. The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority. However, it is within the rights of the Accused Personnel to appeal the judgment of the GCM, if they are dissatisfied.”

Insurgents Ambushe Borno Governor’s Convoy, Kill 15 Security Personnel

Editorial staff

September 26, 2020

Insurgents ambushed the convoy of Borno State Governor, Umara Zulum yesterday, September 25, killing 15 security personnel.

Sources said that eight policemen, three soldiers, and four members of a government-backed militia were killed in the attack on vehicles carrying Governor Babagana Umara Zulum near the town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad.

The insurgents opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as the convoy was passing through a village close to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, a military coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

“The governor escaped unhurt but 15 security men on the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists”, one source said.

Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the jihadists in 2014, the sources said.

The governor flew on a helicopter into the garrison town of Monguno, 60 kilometres (40 miles) away, and headed to Baga in a convoy under tight security, one of the sources said.

The IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group maintains most of its camps on islands in Lake Chad and the region is known as a bastion for the jihadists.

The militant group has recently intensified attacks on military and civilian targets in the region.

In July, Zulum’s convoy came under gun attack from ISWAP outside Baga, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town.

Last week, the group killed a Nigerian army commander along with three soldiers in an ambush near the town of Damboa.

Civilians plying highway linking Monguno and the regional capital Maiduguri said the terrorists set up daily checkpoints, robbing, killing and abducting passengers.

Source: AFP.

NNPC GMD Hosts Stakeholders In Oil Sector (Photo)

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NBPC), Mallam Mele Kyari (3rd from right), with the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Victor Usifo (2nd from right); Deputy National President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Matthew Duru (right); and President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Williams Akporehe, after a Downstream Stakeholders’ Meeting at the NNPC Towers… Thursday.

Don’t Pander To Agents Of Anarchy In Nigeria, Presidency Tells UK

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

The Presidency has called on the United Kingdom’s lawmakers, legal experts and campaigners not to pander to agents of anarchy by playing on religious differences of the people in the country.

Reacting to challenge by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group working with the Commonwealth and all concerned parties on the herder-farmer clashes, and the threat posed to all Nigerians from Boko Haram terrorists and their allies, the Presidency asked the British lawmakers and lawyers to visit Nigeria, whether formally or informally to discuss all the points raised in their letter.

A statement by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the government of Buhari is made up of Christian and Muslim cabinet members.

“Our Vice President is an Evangelical Pastor. We have everything to gain as a country through international cooperation with concerned, senior British parliamentarians and policymakers. The threat to civilians and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and religious groups from Boko Haram, banditry and land disputes is of serious concern to the President and the government.”

Garba Shehu said that it is incorrect to assert that the government has or is doing nothing to address these intertwined threats.

“Firstly, there are on-going efforts for the establishment of cattle ranches to prevent or curtail open grazing, the practice that brings herders and farmers into conflict. This is an age-old problem facing Nigerian Governments since the colonial days. However, matters of land distribution are dealt with at state level. This means willingness has to be shown by state governors to drive the process forward. The Federal Government launched a plan last year to work with states to address these issues – together. Unfortunately, this has been lacking in some states.

“Secondly, with regards to the long and determined battle waged against Boko Haram, Nigerians are aware of the efforts made by this Government. When the government came to power, the terrorist group held and administered an area the size of Belgium. Now they hold none. The terrorists are hiding out amongst remote forests and across borders. This makes it difficult to extinguish the final flames of the insurgency, and the government has no illusions of the potent threat still posed. However, the progress made cannot be denied.

“Thirdly, in the face of rising crime and insecurity, the government’s new community policing initiative was launched this month. 10,000 new constables are being recruited from the areas they will safeguard – as opposed to past practice. The government hopes this will bring policing closer to local communities. N13 billion has been earmarked for this initiative.

“At the same time as we take note of the lawmakers’ letter, it is also important to stress to our partners and colleagues in the United Kingdom that not all who press them have the best interests of either democratic governance or peaceful coexistence in mind. For example, the former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, named and quoted in the letter as a source on military matters, relinquished that position some 40 years ago – in 1979. He was last in a government position 17 years ago in 2003 (as Minister of Defence). At that time, religious and ethnic riots erupted in two states of the federation, (2001 and 2002), these were violently and ruthlessly put down by the military under his authority, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of some further 50,000 persons. He is, therefore, not a natural source of pressure for good governance.

“Another, signatory to the letter, is well-known to be associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a Nigerian-blacklisted terrorist group. The IPOB are running a well-known (source-of-financing-unknown) international campaign intended to damage the reputation of Nigeria and its government in order to further their cause of “independence.”

“He jumped bail in Nigeria. He frequently travels on a Nigerian passport but urged his supporters to burn their passports! The IPOB barely mention their aims in their publicity; neither do they mention that their own leadership do not claim to be Christian. Yet, their media and lobbying campaign has focused near-exclusively on promoting matters related to Christianity in Nigeria, promulgating false claims that a government with 50 per cent of its cabinet and 50 per cent of its State Governors who are Christian somehow works against Christians. We call on our British friends and colleagues to join us in addressing genuine solutions not pander to agents of anarchy.”

Tony Elumelu, Africa’s Shining Star, By Dakuku Peterside

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

According to Napoleon Hill: “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”

There are no truer words than these about the life and times of Tony Elumelu who, without question, has journeyed through some of the greatest challenges in life and reached his destination so remarkably as if it were so easy.

Tony is perhaps the biggest success story in the Nigerian banking industry having taken the then nascent Standard Trust Bank to challenge the biggest names in the industry, culminating to an audacious merger with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). This merger saw Elumelu to the top echelons of corporate banking in Nigeria and Africa. The footprints he left in Nigeria’s banking sector is yet to be matched.

His recognition by the much-revered Time International Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People In The World is a fitting testimony and badge of honour for a man who has devoted his time, resources, being and comfort towards raising hundreds if not thousands of entrepreneurs across the African continent.

It is arguable that there has never been any initiative, policy or action across the continent that has challenged African entrepreneurs the way and manner the “Tony Elumelu Foundation” has touched lives, with reverberating effects that will endure for generations.

Whilst many countries are still struggling to have a breakthrough in a sustainable trajectory that can utilize the abundance of talents that straddle every corner of the continent, Tony’s profound and deepening challenge to young Africans will in the nearest future blossom to produce thinking and creative generations.

With interests that cut across power generation, healthcare, hospitality, and banking, Tony Elumelu continues to represent fresh frontiers, full of opportunities but available to only those who dare to chart a new course and brace the odds to succeed.

Being a Leadership Development Professional and a Turnaround Manager myself, I appreciate the enormous work Tony Elumelu has done in raising a new generation of entrepreneurs across Africa. This recognition will undoubtedly bolster his determination to alter the course of emerging Africa’s generations for the better and place them on a pedestal of prosperity, service to humanity, and above all, provide leadership for the continent. He is championing a new Africa that will take a prideful position in the comity of continents.

In the words of Sonia Johnson: “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.”

Congratulations to Africa’s shining star.

Dakuku Peterside, Ph.D wrote in from Lagos.

How Africa Escaped Explosion In Coronavirus Cases – UN Health Agency

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

The United Nations Health Agency has said that Africa has been able to escape what it called “exponential” rise in coronavirus cases seen elsewhere due to low population density and a hot and humid climate.

This came on the heels of the World Health Organization (WHO) statement that the transmission of coronavirus in Africa has been marked “by relatively fewer infections which have subsided in the last two months,”

It added: “iIn the last four weeks 77,147 new cases were recorded against 131,647 in the four preceding weeks.”

WHO said that some of the worst-hit countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa had seen infections steadily fall in the past two months.

South Africa is the continent’s worst-affected country. According to the latest official statistics on Friday, there 667,049 cases of which 16,283 were fatal.

The WHO said the “low population density, the hot and humid climate, the high level and the high percentage of youths combined” to probably contribute to the low infection rates.

“Around 91 percent of the infections in sub-Saharan Africa concerned people less than 60 and over 80 percent of these cases were asymptomatic,” it said.

The decline is a testimony to the decisive public health measures taken by all the governments in the region, the WHO’s Africa director Matshidiso Moeti said during a virtual meeting on Thursday.

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, shuttered its borders at the start of a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to limit the spread of the virus.

Restrictions on movement and business have been gradually eased since June, but borders stayed sealed to avoid importing the virus from abroad

Africa has so far recorded 34,706 deaths from 1,439,657 cases, according to an AFP tally on Friday, far behind the other continents. The United States alone has 202,827 deaths from 6,979,937 cases.

Source: AFP.

My Concern Is Safety Of Nigerians In Political Contest, Irrespective Of Who Wins – Buhari

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his single desire is to make sure that innocent Nigerians don’t suffer in political struggle for office, regardless who eventually wins and under which party he wins.

President Buhari, who spoke today, September 25 when Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State led his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu and other party supporters to the State House on a thank-you-visit said: “I thank you for bringing your deputy and supporters to come and see me after beating my party. I am supposed to preside over all Nigerian interests whether I like it or not, but my single desire is to make sure that innocent people don’t suffer. That message I got across to the Inspector General of Police, that elections must be free and fair.”

“If contestants have too much money and they decide to spray, so be it. But what I insist is, nobody should go and raise a counter force to the government, arm heavily-drugged thugs to go and humiliate people.

“I want Nigerians to appreciate that I respect them as Nigerians and that I am bound by the oath I have taken, that their security is in the hands of God and in the hands of the government, which I am leading.”

President Buhari noted that as the leader of the governing party, and despite the fact that the party has lost some states in elections, he wished to leave behind a political culture based on integrity.

“We have lost states across the country. Now I do not like to escape the responsibility, seeing as the leader of the country, I am also the leader of my party, that I am not leading the party very well.

“I am trying to make sure that the party is built on a civilised basis, rule of law and respect for human rights and human beings, right from polling units to local governments, to states up to Abuja and that’s what I have been insisting as my contribution to the National Working Committee and executive of the party. I know we are a developing country, a developing economy and trying to develop our political culture. I want the development of political culture to be based on integrity and accountability. Let people work very hard and earn what they are looking for through their hard work and through fair competition.”

The President said jokingly that he was congratulating the Edo governor “reluctantly” because he defeated the candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress.

Governor Obaseki thanked the President for ensuring that fair play reigned during the election which saw him victorious.

“You would recall a couple of weeks before the election, I came to see you and you assured me that we were going to have a free, peaceful and credible election. That is what we had during the election of 19th September and the whole world has acclaimed that Edo election was perhaps one of the best conducted in recent times in Nigeria. This could not have been possible without your insistence that the right things be done, and for that, we want to say thank you very much.”

He also thanked the President for his congratulatory message, assuring him that the message “has been internalised, that it is God that made this election possible, therefore I should be humble about the election and also magnanimous in victory.”

He pledged his unalloyed loyalty and support and that of the people of Edo State to the President and the federal government.

God Fatherism In Democracy Is Worse Than Military Rule, Gov Obaseki Says

Editorial staff

September 25, 2020

The governor-elect under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has described the concept of Godfatherism in democracy as being worse than military rule.

Speaking to newmen today, September 25, shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Obaseki said: “the godfather has no constitutional responsibility. The godfather acts outside the constitution and controls people who are constitutional players.

“So, if we allow that sort of situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule. When people who have nothing at stake, no checks and balances just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution should be interpreted or constitutional players should operate, that’s why problems come in.”

Asked whether he would want to be godfather after his second-term tenure, the Governor, who crossed carpet from the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few weeks to the election, said: “God forbid that I become a godfather. I should be dealt with accordingly because it’s dangerous to the concept of democracy.

“I have said in several fora that the whole concept of godfatherism is very dangerous to our democracy. And that is why when we came into the political fray 2006/2007, the mantra then was to get rid of godfathers from our political life.”

Obaseki regretted that there was so much bitterness during the campaign leading to the election, saying: “I can assure that most of it did not come from my camp because. We were not desperate but that is neither here nor there.

“We also have to appreciate the role of the social media. The impact of social media technology is at all time high.

“So, it’s not that in the past such hurtful words, hateful speeches were not used but it was never at the level of proliferation and spread as it has had now because of social media. We will continue to try and heal the land.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t show that Edo people are divided; it shows essentially that Edo people have come together under one umbrella that is what the election has shown.

“We will continue appeal to those who are outside our umbrella to work with us for the benefit of our people, because, what is the purpose of election anyway? Is it not a contest for who will rule the people better? If the result of this election has shown that Edo people trust that I will, at this point in time, be able to govern Edo better, give them what they want at this time, then everybody should join me so as to be able to accomplish that goal.

On whether he would consider returning to the APC, Governor Obaseki said: “I couldn’t have contested one a party, won on that party and then consider moving to another party. It is not the kind of thing to do, it’s not the right thing to do and I am sure you will not encourage me to do that.”

He said that he learnt one thing from President when he was with him today, when the President said that he wanted to leave a democracy that is built on integrity, accountability and hard work. “Those were his words and I subscribe totally to that. It will not show integrity, it will not demonstrate somebody that has ethical or moral foundation to do what you asked about.”

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