Explosion: Saudi Sends 2 Plane Load Of Food Items, Medicines, Other Relief Materials To Lebanon

August 7, 2020

KSRelief sends aid to Lebanon in wake of the devastating Beirut port blast. (SPA)

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has dispatched two plane load of food items, medicines and other relief materials to Beirut, Lebanon to cushion the effect on the victims of the massive explosions that swept through the country’s capital city recently.

The two planes departed from King Khalid International Airport carrying more than 120 tons of medicines, devices, solutions, medical and emergency supplies, tents, shelter kits and food items. The planes were accompanied by a specialized team from the Center to follow up and supervise the distribution operations.

The country’s Advisor on Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said today, August 7 in a statement that the relief air bridge that was launched is an implementation of directive from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to provide urgent medical and humanitarian assistance through KSrelief to the people of Lebanon to help them overcome the effects of the port explosion.

Dr. Al Rabeeah said that the directive of King Salman signified the established humanitarian values of the Saudi leadership, stressing that this assistance highlights the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in providing humanitarian assistance to all people in need around the world with complete impartiality.

I Want Transparent Election In Edo, Buhari Charges APC Leaders

Editorial staff

August 7, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure transparency in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Receiving the party’s governorship candidate, Osage Ize-Iyamu, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the President insisted that it is only transparent electoral process that would bring about confidence in the people on government.

“What I want is a transparent process so that the confidence of the people will be strengthened.’’

He advised party leaders and campaign team to also do all that is necessary, following legal and constitutional means, to win the election.

He charged the party leaders to avoid the pitfalls that affected the party’s victory in Rivers, Zamfara and Bayelsa States in the 2019 elections, pointing out that with the resolution of the “acute crisis’’ in the party in Edo State, he was optimistic that the party will regain its pride of place in winning elections, and serving the people.

The President congratulated Pastor Ize-Iyamu on his emergence as the party’s candidate in Edo State after a “turbulent process,’’ assuring him of full support.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, who presented the candidate, told the President that: “Pastor Ize- Iyamu is a seasoned grassroots politician who is loved by his people,” saying that President Buhari’s blessings on the candidate further validates the party’s confidence.

The Chairman of the APC Edo State gubernatorial campaign, Governor Umar Ganduje, said in line with the principles of the party the APC will lead a clean campaign, devoid of acrimony, hatred and violence.

Governor Ganduje said the campaign had started on a good and happy note, with the APC already taking over the state legislature with a majority of 17 out of 24.

In his response, Pastor Ize-Iyamu assured the President of his commitment to ensuring good governance in the state if elected in September elections, recalling that he served as Deputy Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of the APC at its formation.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu said he was glad to return to the APC, describing his initial exit as that of a “prodigal son’’.

The APC candidate thanked the President for the warm and fatherly reception, saying he was honoured to receive the party’s flag from the President.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu told State House Press Corps that he was fully in charge of his campaign as a popular candidate who served the State as Chief of Staff and Secretary to State Government in previous administrations.

He said that former APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had already explained that his initial unfriendly comments during the 2016 campaigns were purely political aimed at giving another candidate an edge in the elections.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum said all the APC governors are fully behind the candidature of Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

The APC governorship candidate was accompanied to the villa by Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and APC Campaign Chairman for Edo State elections and Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Mele In Senegal For Buhari Over Khalifa Tijjani’s Death

Greenbarge Reporters

August 7, 2020

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mele Kyari led delegation, including Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration service, Muhammadu Babandede to submit the condolences of President Muhammadu Buhari to the President of Senegal on the death of Khalifa Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim Inyass, the leader of the Global Tijjaniya movement of Africa.

President extolled the the scholarly works and teachings of the late Khalifa and the illuminating legacy he left behind.

Nigerian Army Describes U.S Warning Of Al-Qaeda, ISIS Invasion As Usual Alarm

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

The Nigerian Army has described the warning by the United States of the possible invasion of the country by Al-Qaeda and ISIS as the usual alarm.

The nation’s Defence Headquarters said that the warning was nothing but just an alarm and that Nigeria security agencies are equal to the task, even as it called on Nigerians not to be afraid of such a claim.

The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who spoke on behalf of the military while answering questions from news men today, August 6, on military operations across the country, said that there is nothing to fear about the U.S warning.

General Enenche, however, described the statement as a wakeup call or form of advice, adding that the security agencies are on top of the situation.

“On the issue that terrorists from other zones are coming to the country, I think it will be good for us to be keeping records as events are unfolding, for me this is not the first time they are raising such an alarm.

“It’s as good as may be five or ten years ago, and the armed forces and the country are conscious of it. When the conflict in Libya was declared ended and which actually was not, what happened? It was we, our NIA and the SSS that said these people were moving which is true.

“Have we not captured foreigners that have been terrorising us in this country?

“So it is just a piece of advice or call that you still keep doing what you are doing, of which I can assure the general public that the security agencies are on top of that,” he said.

General Enenche said that the military in their recent exploits had captured some foreigners who came from neighbouring countries into Niger State.

“Where are they coming from, why do we have ISWAP here now, or is ISWAP indigenous from Nigeria? No. So it is telling you the obvious and I want to tell you that look, continue to ensure that you have measures in place to continue taming them.

`I read the details of the presentation, it was not accusing, it was not specific, it is like saying you people should put efforts to continue to contain them.

“Because when pressure is on them from other climes, they will still continue to increase their influx.”

General Enenche said that the military is winning the battle against terrorism in the country, adding that huge successes had been recorded, adding that while the people outside there do expectation analysis, the military do operational analysis based on the direction of operation.

“What has flattened it is that you will discover that from March up till now, it is offensive, offensive with sacrifices made on the part of the military.

“Yes, of course, we lost some people but the gains have outweighed what we lost which is what we signed for, so what you have seen is success and it will continue to improve.

“This is because, as it is now, we have been given marching orders again, all we need to do is to go and dig up where we have our contingencies because by our training, we are trained to face challenges.”

Source: NAN.

We May Be Forced To Stop Edo, Ondo Governorship Polls If…- INEC

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to suspend Edo and Ondo governorship elections if a breakdown of law and order occurred.

INEC Commissioner for Information announced, Festus Okoye, who spoke today, August 6 in Abuja, the nation’s capital after a meeting with stakeholders, said that the Commission is concerned about aggressive actions and incendiary statements by political parties, candidates and their supporters.

He condemned the destruction of opponents’ campaign materials, violent campaigns and use of offensive language, warning that the commission will view gravely any disruptive actions by political actors.

“It is important for political parties, candidates and their supporters to keep in mind that there are extant laws and regulations that must be adhered to during campaigns.”

The electoral body warned politicians not to underestimate its resolve to enforce the rules and apply appropriate sanctions, reminding parties that Edo and Ondo polls would hold at a time of a global pandemic.

Okoye said that the elections have strict constitutional timelines and threats of or actual violence can disrupt the process and create a constitutional crisis.

He said that INEC will continue to engage stakeholders in the two states on the need for free, fair, safe and peaceful elections.

Suspected Cultists Kill 4 Inside Bayelsa Church, Set Houses On Fire, Police Hunt For Them

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

Suspected cultists, yesterday, August 5, stormed a Pentecostal church in Azikoro village, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and killed four worshippers and set fire on nearby houses.

The spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said that the command’s operatives have already launched a manhunt for the killers.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command have launched a manhunt for the suspected cultists who murdered four victims and set a house ablaze.

“On 5th August 2020, at about 2300hours, armed suspected cultists stormed the ‘Lion of Judah Church’ Azikoro village, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, shot dead four church members namely; Alfred Marcus 30 years, Imomotimi surname unknown 25 years, Gabriel Ejimofor 45 years and Uchechukwu Ejimofor 38 years and set ablaze a nearby building, damaged a vehicle and the church property.

“Operatives of operation Puff Adder had earlier traced the hideouts of the cultists in the bush, dislodged them, and burnt their camp.

“It is believed that this is a reprisal attack by the suspected cultists.

“Meanwhile, two suspects have been arrested and are cooperating with the Police in their investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mike Okoli fsi, has visited the scene, reassured members of the community of adequate police protection and ordered for full Investigation to unravel the motive for this dastardly attack.”

Source: Daily Trust.

Abia State Gov, Ikpeazu, Sacks 5,666 Secondary School Teachers

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has sacked a total of 5,666 public secondary school teachers who were employed between 2018 and 2020 across the state.

A statement today, August 6 by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Anthony Agbazuere, said that Governor Ikpeazu sacked the teachers after receiving the report of the committee set up to investigate “employments carried out at the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) without waiver.”

The Executive Secretary of SEMB, Lawrence Ogbonnaya, who presided over “the supposed employment” and who had been on suspension since February 2020 when the bubble burst on the said unauthorized employment bazaar he initiated, was also sacked as the governor ordered his compulsory retirement.

A total of 5,853 teachers were given jobs during the employment exercise spanning a period of three years. But after going through the list of the newly recruited teachers, the panel discovered that only 187 were employed through a waiver from Governor Ikpeazu.

He directed that the illegally recruited 5,666 should be thrown out of the classrooms, while the 187 said to have been lawfully employed, should be retained in the school system.

Governor Ikpeazu, however, directed that schools that have need for teachers “in special areas” should apply to the state Commissioner for Education and copy the Chief of Staff to the governor, adding that whenever there is such need to employ teachers, government would revisit the list of the sacked teachers and pick from it to fill vacancies arising in the classrooms as a result of genuine cases of need.

Source: THISDAY.

Beware Of Danger In Edo, Atiku Warns

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar has warned of danger inherent in the present crisis festering in Edo State House of Assembly.

In his media handle today, August 6, Atiku, who was former Vice President of the country, said that what is happening in Edo State is a threat to constitutional order nationwide, even as he asked “belligerent forces to reign in their proxies, and abide by the rule of law. As I have previously said, without the rule of law, there will be no rule at all.”
He emphasized that the current goings-on portend grave danger, not only to law and order in that state, but to the coming Edo elections.
“The people of Edo state should be allowed to choose who they wish to govern them, and that choice is to be made on September 19, 2020. Pending then, everything legally possible must be done to preserve the status quo.”

Atiku claimed that Nigeria has been on the edge due to the brinkmanship of those charged with the constitutional leadership, warning: “we must, as a nation, not escalate the already tense atmosphere in our polity.”

Beirut Explosions, Tragedy Of Monumental Proportions – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the August 4 explosions that rocked Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon as tragedy of monumental proportions.

In a condolence message today, August 6, to his Lebanese counterpart, President Michel Aoun and the people of Lebanon, President Buhari prayed that God will rest the souls of the dead, comfort the grieving, and grant succour to the wounded and displaced.

Buhari, who extended the sympathy of government to the large community of Lebanese in Nigeria, pledged the solidarity and brotherhood of Nigeria to Lebanon at this period of travails.

The massive explosions, which left 137 dead, over 5,000 wounded, and more than 300, 000 displaced, were suspected to have been caused by tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse.

Chinese Loans: PDP Turned Facts On Its Head, By Joseph Ejemhen

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

The current negative narratives generated over the Chinese loans obtained by Nigeria since 2010 is worrisome. It is a complete distraction for the real business of governance, especially in the area of the provision of the badly needed infrastructure in the country.

It is however sad to note that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that actually started the Chinese loan process, in 2010, has turned around to shamelessly taken the lead in mobilizing labour and civil societies albeit vested interests, to continue to attack the present government.

It is however, on record that between December 2010 and September 2013, under the PDP, the Federal Government obtained a total of $2.983.82 billion loans from China while the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration between April 2016 to May 2018 obtained a total loan of $2.591.9 billion from China to revamp critical infrastructure across the country.

From the figures presented above, the loans obtained by the PDP led government is more than what the present government has obtained with almost $400 million. The question is, why is the opposition party crying foul if not to serve political interests? We know that elections are coming again and that politicians turn the facts on their head to gain cheap political popularity but in matters that center on national development and the welfare of the ordinary people, reasons should be allowed to prevail over sentiments or individual political gains.

The PDP government that actually started the borrowing from China under the same terms have no moral basis to complain and raise a storm when a successive government does the same. If there is anything at all, the PDP should be the one to bear all the criticisms because they tied the hands of NIGERIA in the loan agreements. And if labour and civil society have any grouse, they should direct it at the opposition party.

Those who are buying in on the PDP’s cheap blackmail and calling for a showdown with the government over loans that have been effectively applied should think twice before allowing themselves to be used to serve personal political interests.

It should be noted that government is a continuum and what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The PDP and it’s allies should search their consciences to know if their criticisms and what they are planning against the present government is fair and justified. Nigerians have no reason to be angry with the APC government rather with the past PDP government because they actually drafted the terms and obtained the Chinese loans!

Going by records, the Federal Government has not erred on the side of the law by taking the Chinese loans or any other loan for that matter. The government is covered by Section 41 (1a) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. Besides, the Federal Government did not just wake up one morning and went to China to obtain the loans. The loans were part of the budget processes approved by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The PDP should realize that the masses have gone beyond sentiments because they are seeing value for the loans. The $3.121 billion Chinese loans have and are being spent on verifiable infrastructure in the country. They are projects that PDP and its political sympathizers can go on to verify themselves. For the benefit of doubters, some of the projects where the loans have and are judiciously being used include; the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project Idu-Kaduna section ($500 million). This project has already come on steam and the masses of Nigeria are already enjoying the benefits by way of job creation and revenue generation.

The Abuja Light Rail Project ($500 million) if completed will help boost the revenue of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and thousands of jobs will equally be created. So also will the Nigerian Four Airport Terminals Expansion Project 2 (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt ($500) million infrastructure.

The Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) $1,267,32 billion and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja – Keffi- Makurdi Road Project $460.82 million all have potentials to substantially grow the revenue of the country.

It is therefore ironic to note that politicians civil societies and labour unions who are advocating for job creation, increased government revenue and infrastructure development in the country have turned around to attack what is helping to fix the Nigerian economy.

The PDP and it’s allies know that without economic growth Nigerians will continue to be poor and the ordinary man in the street will be the greatest beneficiary of that poverty.

Dr. Joseph Ejemhen Wrote in From Abuja, Nigeria

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