Nigeria is the collective heritage of about 200 million people of diverse ethnic backgrounds and tongues. There are over 250 ethnic nationalities spread across the country. Nigeria does not belong only to the Igbo, the Hausa and the Yoruba. Unfortunately, these three so-called ‘’major ethnic groups’’ have defined the political and economic actualities of the country since independence.
Even among the ‘’big three’’, there are splinter groups of distinct cosmology. Again, Nigeria does not belong only to the Igbo, the Hausa and the Yoruba. It belongs to every group subsisting in the entity irrespective of population size. But sadly, these other ethnic nationalities have not been allowed the participatory chance of defining their destiny. Their voices are minimized by the cacophony of the louder groups.
When it comes to power-sharing and distribution of the common wealth, the ‘’big three’’ come into contest, featuring prominently on the table. It is always about what the Igbo want; what the Hausa want and what the Yoruba want, but never about what other Nigerians whose voices are attenuated want. This is not how to achieve nationhood.
Have we asked what other 247 ethnic groups and more want? I know the argument could be that they have representatives in parliament who speak for them. But how tenable is that argument when the political distribution is already ponderously skewed against them? And the arrogant assumption is that their interest is already sheltered in the larger interest of the dominant groups.
‘’The flaws of giants’’ – this is the abstraction of the Nigerian situation. The perception that all will be well with the country as long as the ‘’big three’’ are catered to, ignoring the composite whole. We once witnessed the uprising by the Ijaw, who are considered a minority by Nigeria’s definition, in the Niger Delta. We plod away on a tripartite equation trying to find the X of our national problems with an abridged formula.
Our problems are national and not sectional; the solutions do not pivot around the ‘’big three’’. I must say, the problems of the country today and since independence are the craft of the Igbo, the Yoruba and the Hausa. That Nigeria has remained in the doldrums is largely by the devices of the ‘’big three’’. Let me rephrase. The Igbo, the Hausa and the Yoruba are the cause of Nigeria’s problems.
I have come to understand that tribalism is more much pronounced among the ‘’big three’’. The unhealthy rivalry, hate-mongering and recriminations among these three groups have been the bane of Nigeria’s unity. The hate is evenly distributed among the three.
The 2023 presidency debate is heating up, and as usual the argument oscillates among the ‘’big three’’ as if the country is their personal estate. Why are the TIV and the Idoma in Benue not in focus; why are the Isoko and the Urhobo in Delta not in the equation? Why are the Ilaje in Ondo and the Esan in Edo not on the table? And why are the Kanuri, the Manga and Bede in Borno not in the discourse?
As I have always held, Nigeria needs a Nigerian president in 2023. We need national solutions to our national problems, and only a competent leadership can deliver the goods. Ethnic politics has failed us since the beginning of our union as a country. The primitive ‘’turn-by-turn’’ presidency based on ethnic ordering will only lead us further down the foundering path.
But if we are so set on the primordial arrangement, then all the 250 ethnic groups and more should have a shot at the presidency. After all, there are competent Nigerians in every group. Nigeria belongs to all of us – big or small.
Let me end with a quote from my previous article: ‘’we need a Nigerian leadership to foster a sense of nationhood among the variegated peoples of the country. The more we emphasise ethnicity and religion in our politics the further we are divided along these devious lines. Nigerians need a Nigerian president in 2023 not — an Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or Fulani president — a leader who has been tested with responsibility and leadership; a president for all. These people are not in short supply here.’’
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disgust over the escalating security situation in both the Northwest and North Central of the country.
The President said: “Nigerians know that we have done our best. “However, what is coming out of the North West and North Central is very disturbing.”
The President, who spoke today, July 31 at the end of Eid-el-Kabir prayer, which he observed with members of his immediate family and aides in the Aso Rock presidential villa, Abuja, said that while much has been achieved in the area of security, from the situation he inherited in 2015, more still needed to be done.
He gave assurance that there would be more resources for the country’s military, police and other security agencies to deal with the unwanted security situation in some areas of the country.
The President described the situation in the North West and North Central parts of the country as “very disturbing.”
Responding to a specific question on the performance of the Service Chiefs which recently, he said needed to get better, the President said that the Military, the Police and other security agencies are working hard.
“We are making available resources to them to even do better. From the reports I am getting, they could do much better…they could do much better. But we are keeping them on the alert all the time to do their duties.”
On the issue of corruption, President Buhari said that all past and present cases will be fully investigated.
“This is why we put the commission (of investigation) in place. There has been abuse of trust by people trusted by the previous administration and this administration.”
He stressed that all of such cases will be uncovered and firmly dealt with by his government.
On the specific case of the Niger Delta, the President decried the wastage of the resources earmarked for the betterment of the lives of the people of that region, lamenting that corruption had been unhelpful in that regard, especially “if you recall there is the 13 per cent derivation.”
He also warned against the vandalization of oil pipelines in the oil- producing areas which often results in environmental pollution.
“Those who are blowing pipelines and interfering with the production of petroleum products are hurting their people more than the rest of Nigerians because majority of their people are fishermen, fisherwomen and farmers.
“Now if they pollute the land and the waters, the fish goes into the deeper sea where the people cannot go and they cannot grow anything. They are hurting their immediate communities more than any other thing.”
I am a Pharmacist and Stockbroker backed by several years of experience. I have been amused by the generally uninformed commentaries on use of hydoxychloroquine for treatment of Covid-19. So far, voices of the real experts, who are Pharmacists have been drowned in the cacophony of noise regarding efficacy of the medication.
The politicization of Dr. Stella Emmanuel’s report giving credence to good outcome from use of the drug is laden with clandestine motives. While WHO and a vociferous section of the US health authority are spreading misleading information about the drug, people are needlessly dying all around the world. If it is true that chloroquine is a killer as claimed by propaganda, nobody above the age of ten will be alive in Nigeria today because it was the main treatment for malaria before Artemeter arrived. The time has come for better enlightenment on the therapy involving hydroxychloroquine. Those who have prescribed it and obtained results, did not administer it alone. It was in combination with other drugs to form a synergy that works. People who understand the pharmacological basis of therapeutics, know that quite often, a single compound may not be efficacious but when combined with other compounds, the resultant formulation develop effect(s) not probably associated with individual component. Several therapeutics abound in compendia to support this ascertion. Hydroxychloroquine, used alone, may not be effective but in combination with Zithromax, Zinc and an anti inflammatory agent can be efficacious.
Dr. Stella Emmanuel’s statement that the combination therapy can even be applied for prophylaxis was earlier said here in Nigeria when NAFDAC gave preliminary clearance for its use as prophylaxis and for early treatment. Efforts by WHO to block that development was courageously rebuffed by Nigeria.
After his successful treatment with the combination therapy, the Governor of Bauchi State assumed personal responsibility for its use and the results were fantastic. The calamity visited on Brazil by the unmanageable spread of Covid19 was only arresting when the country recently introduced the combination therapy. Switzerland that earlier banned the use of this therapeutic in obedience to WHO directive, reversed the decision when deaths escalated beyond control. Now, their situation has improved considerably. Pause for a while to find out why Nigerians are not dying enmasse from Covid-19.
There is no other reason than that several people went for self medication at the hint that chloroquine could be effective. Remember at a time, doctors complained about the rising incidence of chloroquine poisoning in Nigeria due to excessive consumption. Nigerians also fortified themselves with other herbal antimalarials, garlic, ginger and lemon.
Apparently, the exploitation of the deficiency in the country’s drug control mechanism paradoxically helped to provide prophylactic cover for many people. Unlike Nigerians who will rebel against official protocols to survive, Americans will sheepishly remain fixated to officialdom amidst grave danger than take their fates in their own hands. Let us also be aware that drug manufacturers in the West may not always act in public interest. Driven by heartless profit motives, they can go to any length to discredit a competing product.
I have personally experienced this, having worked in a Western multinational. Hydroxychloroquine combination therapy may just be a victim of conspiracy.”
SENSITISATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ON COMPLIANCE WITH COMMON REPORTING STANDARD IN NIGERIA
Nigeria will start to exchange financial accounts information with treaty partners beginning from 2020. Relevant legislations had been enacted, installation of required ICT infrastructure is nearing completion and the reporting financial institutions are expected to file their first reports by 30th September 2020.
Consequently, the Service has scheduled a series of web-based events to engage with reporting entities (money deposit banks, asset management companies, life assurance companies, securities trading firms, etc.) and their tax advisers with a view to educating them on AEOI legal provisions, reporting process and use of the CRS infrastructure. The event will hold as follows:
Day 1 (Tuesday 4th August 2020)
Opening Session 10:00am – 11:00am
Technical Session 1 11:00 – 1:00pm
Day 2 (Wednesday 5th August 2020)
Technical Session 2 10:00am – 1:00pm
Attendance:
Opening Session:
Regulatory authorities (Governor of CBN, DG of SEC, Commissioner of NAICOM and Director, NFIU)
Chief Executive of Financial Institutions
Relevant compliance officer of financial institutions (2 officers only)
Relevant Tax Practitioners (2 officers only)
Technical Sessions:
Relevant compliance officer of financial institutions (2 officers only)
Relevant Tax Practitioners (2 officers only)
Participating organisations are required to forward the list of their participants to aeoi.seminar@firs.gov.ng, in the following format:
The Nigerian President is different things to different people, depending on the prism from which he is being considered. To some people, Muhammadu Buhari is a father figure. At 77 years old, he qualifies. To some others, he’s the greatest crowd pulling politician the country has seen for some time, and may yet see for a long time to come. True. And yet, to some others, he’s the strict man of discipline and integrity, who sets his face as flint against all forms of graft and avarice. Very true.
President Buhari is all these, and even more. But how does the international community see him? How do leaders of other countries, and people of weight and reckoning see the man who is a gift to the Nigerian nation?
For those of us who travel with the President round the world, it is sheer delight to see how the Nigerian Leader is venerated, and held in high esteem by the international community. Never to be forgotten are the words of the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, when he met with President Buhari at the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America, in September, 2019.
Inviting the Nigerian President to Euro-African Forum that his country was to host, de Sousa said: “Please come and declare the event open, even if it’s for half a day. We have been waiting for you to visit for three years. Many African leaders have come, but we want Nigeria.”
Truly, President Buhari is that Nigerian Leader that is in demand not just in the West African sub-region, where his colleagues virtually compelled him to be Chairman of Ecowas in July 2018, in Africa, where he was made Champion of Anti-Corruption by the African Union (AU), and in the uttermost parts of the world.
One of his earliest international visits was to America in July 2015, just two months after assumption of office for the first term. He was guest of the then American President, Barack Obama, who said of him during a bilateral meeting at the Oval Office:
“President Buhari came into office with a reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, and that is to make sure that he is bringing safety and security, and peace to his country.”
In September of 2016, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, President Obama said of the Nigerian President again: “I am very pleased that we have been able to build a very strong working relationship with President Buhari, and he’s come in and initiated some very bold efforts at reform. “On the security front, because of President Buhari’s leadership, he has been able to reform the Nigerian military.”
What of President Donald Trump, who succeeded Obama in office? At a meeting during an official visit by the Nigerian Leader in April, 2018, he declared: “I especially want to thank President Buhari for Nigeria’s partnership and leadership in the fight against terrorism. He’s been a real leader.”
And never to be forgotten is that meeting between Presidents Obama, Buhari, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, during the Nuclear Summit in America in May, 2016. President Obama introduced the Nigerian President to Trudeau, saying; “Have you met President Buhari? He’s doing a good job.”
Every good Nigerian felt proud of his President round the world, at that endorsement.
Let’s go back in time to London, May 2016. The Queen of England had just turned 90, and after a thanksgiving service, she was in conversation with the then Prime Minister David Cameron, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. It was in the build up to a summit on corruption that London was hosting, and unknown to Cameron, a microphone was picking their conversation. He said: “Actually, we have got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain. Nigeria and Afghanistan- possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
But the Archbishop interjected, talking of Buhari. “But this President is not corrupt.” Another fine moment in praise of integrity.
President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China: “Under the leadership of Your Excellency, the Nigerian people have been committed to safeguarding the nation’s stabilization, development of economy, and elevation of livelihood and achieved gratifying outcomes.”
At another time, President Jinping said: “ President Buhari is as decisive in dealing with terrorism as China.”
Thabo Mbeki, former South African President: “Here you have a person whose principle and practice is hostile to corruption. His detention (in 1985) was not for corruption, but for standing against corruption.”
Dame Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth: “Nigeria’s effort to combat corruption has been awe-inspiring. Thank you, Mr President.”
And Rex Tillerson, then American Secretary of State: “President Buhari’s work has resonated across Africa with his recent recognition as the African Union’s anti-corruption champion.” That was in March, 2018.
How about a fellow African leader, Dr Hage Geingob, President of Namibia? “A brave son of Africa is here, who has declared war against corruption.”
Many other testimonials trail President Buhari from different parts of the world, but this piece won’t be complete without mentioning the inspiring words of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, about Nigeria’s exploits against the global plague, Covid-19. And it was all under the leadership of President Buhari.
“Nigeria is a developing country that has shown a remarkable capacity to respond to the Coronavirus… I was quite impressed to see, for instance, Nigeria putting in place and immediately establishing a hospital. And I saw difficulties in countries that are much more developed to do quickly the same.”
Of a truth, Nigeria is blessed to have President Buhari at a time like this. His footprints are surely already left on the sands of time. Indelibly.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity
The Management of University of Abuja has begun the enforcement of “no face mask no entry” policy to both the staff and students in a bid to ensure that the University community is free of coronavirus.
A statement today, July 30, by the Institution’s spokesman, Dr. Habib Yakoob, said that the Management has directed the vigorous enforcement of its “No Mask No Entry” order and regular washing of hands.
The statement said that henceforth, no staff, student or visitor would be allowed into the campuses if they fail to comply with the directive.
Dr. Habib announced that over two thousand face masks and hand sanitizers have so far been distributed to the staff through the University of Abuja coronavirus Committee.
The statement named the beneficiaries of the items to include staff in Registry, Bursary, Student Affairs, Physical Planning and Development and all the Faculties of the University.
It said that the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allahhad had in April 2020, set up the committee to ensure, among other responsibilities, that the University is free of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chairman of the Committee, Professor Abubakar Jamda, was quoted as having said that since coronavirus remained active and spreading, it is necessary to continue to encourage staff to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“The Management of the University headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allahis determined to ensure that we do whatever we can to reduce the spread of this disease into the University community.
“So far we are grateful to God that we have been alive to our responsibility in keeping the University safe from COVID -19. However, to make it easy for our staff to adhere to the guidelines for protection against COVID-19, we have to keep encouraging and supporting them. That’s why the University is making these items available, so that you don’t say you don’t have a face mask that’s why you are not using one, or that you do not have a hand sanitizer that’s why you leave your hands unwashed.”
Jamda said that aside from distributing coronavirus prevention materials, his Committee had also been involved in risk communication and community engagement, adding that “because we believe that once people are fully aware of the danger this disease poses to them and their loved ones, they will take necessary precaution.”
He added that the University is taking all these measures in preparation for full resumption of academic activities whenever the federal government considered universities safe for reopening.
Dr. Stella Immanuel is actually a Camerounian but trained in Nigeria. She appears to have taken up a campaign in support of the use of hydroxychloroquine and this has generated a lot of controversies.
There are too many hypes and conspiracy theories about this COVID-19 and we don’t know which one to believe. I am a scientist and I know that scientific data can be rigged to suit a narrative. Some publications support the hydroxychloroquinine + Zithromax + Zinc cocktail. Their explanations of mechanisms of action are plausible. Some other studies suggest that the results are not reproducible while others believe that we don’t yet have sufficient empirical data to accept same. As a Toxicologist I have been exposed to the politics of scientific narratives. Those who have the money call the shots. It depends on whose interest is on the line and the person or intetest sponsoring the research. Just like in every aspect of life, global politics colours policies on drug acceptance and big pharma companies are making money from people’s life. Chloroquine a cheap drug that treats malaria was phased out to let in far more costlier artemisinine based drugs. Yet when all fails we still resort to chloroquine or quinine. Sure chloroquine is toxic but on a balance of scale it’s usefulness most times weighs higher than it’s toxicity. In making a choice on global treatment protocol, those who control the gateway to knowledge have the final say. Unfortunately Africa is nowhere near that gate.
The pathophysiology of diseases show that there different manifestations at the different stages of a disease and different drugs are more efficacious at some stages. What is more generally accepted by physicians is that hydroxyhloroquine is efficacious in preventing the onset of COVID-19 or treatment of COVID-19 at the early stage by which stage the cytokine storm has not occurred. It is most likely that once clinical symptoms are at full blast to elicit hospitalization hydroxychloroquine may no longer be helpful. (see attached videos). If this is the case then it is not very trite to make it pass as if hydroxychloroquine is the miracle drug for COVID-19. Unfortunately some people never understand what is happening to them until they are fully down by which time hydroxchloroquine may no longer be relevant.
In the chess board of COVID-19 there are several players. The FIRST group are those who are driving the agenda that there is no cure to COVID-19 and that the only remedy is vaccine. This group led by Dr Fauci and Bill Gates are suspected to have an agenda and have been accused of playing some key roles in the evolution of COVID-19. ANONYMOUS, a powerful interventionist group in America hacked the websites of Bill Gates, NIH, Wuhan Virology laboratory and WHO and claimed that there were evidence of conspiracies and collaboration to create and unleash this and pursue and promote the international vaccination programme to achieve agenda ID2020 which will usher in the so-much talked about “new world order”. Unfortunately all purported evidence posted by ANONYMOUS on the internet, facebook, Instagram and other social media were immediately pulled down and are not available for review.
The SECOND players are those who are opposed to the international vaccination programme. Within this are again sub-groups. The first subgroup are those who genuinely believe from emperical evidence that some types of coctails like hydroxchloroquin + Zithromax + Zinc or some antiviral drugs like Remsidivir and of recent Dexamethasone works. They argue that drugs work and there is no need for vaccine, especially when research has not shown clearly the capacity of the virus to elicit sustained immune response. The second subgroup are those paid by Pharma companies to sustain their business and to shoot down efficacy of some drugs in favour of their funders product. This group is driven by economic interest to join the campaign for use of some drugs even when they have no hard evidence to support their claims. The third subgroup
believe that the global vaccination project furthers the interest of ID2020 project which they believe is an endtime programme and must therefore be opposed. They are driven by their religious beliefs and not hard science. This group sees in Trump, their mouthpiece. Coincidentally the right wing political group sees in this a remedy for the obtrusive manner Trump handled the COVID-19 pandemic and for which his political image has been seriously battered. Presidential election is by the corner and Trump’s image needs to be redeemed. To do that his narrative that chloroquine is the sure treatment for COVID-19 needs to be sustained. Turning Point USA and Briebart the two organisations that have been accused of sponsoring Dr Stella Immanuel’s campaign have been identified as Right Wing organisations, so obviously that raises some questions. Dr Stella Immanuel has been described by school mates and those who know her to be someone who thrives in controversy. For me this does not matter. As a Primary Healthcare giver, it is very obvious like some of her opposers claimed that she deals only with outpatients and not hospitalized clinically down subjects. Given what I already said most outpatients who report to Primary Healthcare centres are at the early stages of the disease and will expectedly respond well to hydroxchloroquin treatment. To that degree she may be right.
Some actions with immeasurable coincidences have triggered the CONSPIRACY THEORIES and raised issues on Dr Stella Immanuel’s video.
The fact that it took WHO sometime before revealing information on the outbreak and longer time before declaring it a pandemic?
China has reportedly restrained their scientists and prohibited publication of certain research data especially those that have to do with the origin of the virus?
Why Dr Fauci, Bill Gates and their group driving the campaign for global vaccination against COVID-19 even when WHO claimed that there is no vaccine yet? A few is presently undergoing trials. Corona virus is reported to be a RNA virus and because of their nature no antigenic vaccine exists for RNA viruses. Some of the proposed vaccines formula are transgenic products and there is fear that they may integrate into the human genome and could cause gene editing that may be adverse.
In 2000 a movie LOCKDOWN was screened in Toronto, Canada. In 2011 another film CONTAGION accurately foretold Coronavirus outbreak. In 2012 a coalition of scientists announced that one third of the world population must die to prevent wide-scale depletion of the planet’s resources and that human kind needs to figure out immediately how it wants to go about killing off more than 2 billion of its species. According to them that is the only way to sustain human civilization. In 2015 Bill Gates predicted a Coronavirus-like pandemic warning that the next world crisis will not be from nuclear bomb but from a virus.
In 2019 ID2020 Alliance launched a new digital identity program which will leverage immunization as an opportunity to establish digital identity. This means that on immunization you will be injected an implantable chip in your forhead or arm to show that you have been immunized (just as you are given yellow card on yellow fever immunization). Instructively the chip will become your new biometric identity. Meaning you no longer need to carry any type of ID card. It will also make it easy for you to be tracked wherever you are in the world. It goes without saying that to embark on a global immunization there must be an outbreak of a pandemic. Today Bill Gates an ICT Entrepreneur is leading the campaign for COVID-19 vaccine and digital identity. What is his interest? Is it moral? Is it economic?
Already some world leaders are buying into the project and the enforcement of this program will go with a travel ban, meaning that if you don’t have the digital identity you can’t get any visa. This is why religious establishments are fighting back. They perceive this to be the dooms day prophecy predicted in the book of Revelations. In America the Church believes Trump is the joker to stop the fulfilment of the digital identity project and everything possible must be done to retain him in power. The Pentecostals are at the forefront of this fight to ensure Trump gets a second tenure. Dr Stella Immanuel is not only a pentecostal, she is a pastor, a preacher and owner of a ministry.
The above issues are responsible for the contending conspiracy theories that abound on COVID-19. That is the tragedy in which we are. Which ever you believe, COVID-19 is real and like AIDS it has come to stay. We have to tske responsibility for our lives and personal safety. My take is that with time we will develop immunity and our bodies will learn to tolerate the organism and only those whose immunity are weak will be vulnerable.
For now one general consensus among scientists is that the virus is susceptible to heat. Thermotherapy (heat treatment) is therefore a good remedy especially during the onset of infection. We call it Mama’s pot. Recall that as a kid whenever you have fever your mother or grand mother will boil assorted leaves and wrap you over the steaming pot with blanket. That is thermotherapy. My advise is tha anytime you feel some itching on your throat it is suggestive of an impending respiratory infection. Sometimes it takes between 24hrs and 72hrs for the infectious organism to get down the lungs, so if you can expel it out it is better. What to do- Boil ginger + garlic and put honey and sip it while hot or take hot spicy food or pepper soup, things that will melt and expel mucous from your nose. Do it consistently 3 to 4 times a day for 3 days.
What a lenghty epistle for the morning. Have a beautiful day. Fire Power Ministry. In her Facebook page which has been pulled down she appear to have given herself up by urging Christians to stand up in support of Trump (see attached). This is part of why her “audacity campaign” has attracted a lot of opposition.
It is trite to mention that India is a major producer of Chloroquine. If hydroxychloroquine is the magic drug for COVID-19 as it is being presented then COVID -19 will not be ravaging Indians.
I believe there is sufficient empirical data to show that hydroxychloroquin is relevant for either protection or treatment of COVID-19 at yhe early stage of infection as it inhibits the cytokine storm but once that stage is overcome its use becomes unreliable.
I believe that there are some powerful Pharma companies that are fighting the use of Chloroquine because it impedes their business interest. Chloroquine was a wonder drug discovered during the second world war and was a frontline drug for malaria for almost six decades until Artemisinine was discovered. The WHO quickly put away a very cheap and affordable chloroquine for a far more costly Artemisinine based drugs. Till today there people who never recover from boost of malaria except they take chloroquine. Sure chloroquine is toxic and most drugs are anyway, but weighed on a scale of balance its benefits are far higher. For me the simple solution is to let chloroquine be provided it is contraindicated for susceptible clinical cases and age groups.
The Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has faulted the structure of the military command and control on the war front with Boko Haram insurgents in his State.
Speaking on the Baga attack on his convoy where he had gone to assess the situation as to how people of the town will return to their town, Governor Zulum said today, July 30: “the problem is not with President Buhari or General Buratai, but the command and control structure is nothing to write home about. As far as I am concerned, what happened in Baga is complete sabotage by the military.
“I wondered, we have over 1181 soldiers in Baga, 72 officers, 107 soldiers, 400 soldiers in mile 4 and 1900 soldiers in Monguno, I see no reason why only 5 Boko Haram will stop them from occupying Baga town.”
The Governor zulum added: “the troops have been in mile 4 for over one year, there is complete sabotage, the problem is not with President Buhari or General Buratai, but the command and control structure is nothing to write home about.
“There is a need to look into the command structure. We have over 80,000 IDPs in Monguno, they cannot continue to depend on International Non Governmental Organizations (INGO) and others for food, we have to create opportunity for them to go back to their communities and continue with their business and farming activities, after Sallah, we are going to allow people to go back to kukawa and we will give time to the military, if they will not clear Baga, we will mobilize our hunters, CJTF, and Vigilantes to recapture Baga, we cannot continue like this, people have to take their destiny in their hands.”
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has exposed a company called Samano, which it described as a strong member of an international crime syndicate that had, since 2015, been intimidating it in attempts to defraud it of $125 Millions.
The Corporation has already instructed its lawyer, Afe Babalola & Co, to process a legal action against the alleged fraud star, against the backdrop of its persistent blackmail in social media and other media outlets.
In a long statement today, July 30, the NNPC lawyer said: “we act as Counsel to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.”
The Corporation said the activities of Samano are at best diversionary and in furtherance of its scheme to fleece Nigeria. “SAMANO’s attempt to shift attention from the on-going criminal charges against its Managing Director and agents will not fly. NNPC has instructed Counsel to take appropriate legal actions against SAMANO and its officers for the injury done to the Corporation and its officials by the falsehoods peddled by SAMANO and its agents.”
Read the full text of Afe Babalola and Co statement:
The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been drawn to several online publications, particularly the Sahara Reporters’ publication of 26th July 2020, captioned “EXCLUSIVE: How Nigerian Government Officials, NNPC Staff Sold 48 Million Barrels Of Stolen Crude Oil, Issued Death Threats To Whistleblower,” sponsored by SAMANO SA DE CV. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is also aware of several television broadcasts and commentaries in respect of the same subject. These publications replicate the content of a recent letter forwarded to NNPC on behalf of SAMANO SA DE CV by its Solicitors, Messrs. Lords & Temple.
The Management of the Corporation states emphatically that these publications are replete with falsehoods, offensive, gold-digging and a calculated attempt by the said SAMANO SA DE CV (SAMANO) working in concert with its local and international agents to intimidate, blackmail and extort money from the Federal Government of Nigeria and NNPC. Given the attention which these publications have generated, NNPC deems it necessary to make the following clarifications:
SAMANO first contacted officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria sometime in 2015 indicating that it had been approached by an unnamed group in the People’s Republic of China to buy 48 Million Barrels of Nigerian Crude Oil which they believed to have been stolen from Nigeria. According to SAMANO, this crude had been stolen and shipped to China before the inception of President Buhari’s administration in 2015.
SAMANO requested that it be allowed to purchase the stolen crude after its recovery by the Federal Government.
Shortly thereafter, SAMANO indicated that it was not interested in buying the said stolen crude as it only obliged the Federal Government with the information to assist the President Buhari-led administration’s fight against corruption.
The Federal Government and NNPC receive hundreds of spurious claims of this nature daily, and they always turn out to be false.
NNPC also believed that based on the operations and state of the international crude oil market in 2015, it was impossible to ship 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil from Nigeria to China without any record or trace of same.
For context, as of 2015, the daily production of crude oil in Nigeria was below 1.6 million barrels. Therefore, 48 million barrels of crude oil would have been the total production capacity of the country for a whole month. It was and remains simply impossible for one-month crude oil production for the entire country to disappear without any record or trace from the shores of the country.
NNPC was also aware that as at the material time and considering the fact that the People’s Republic of China is one of the most regulated economies in the world, the export of Crude Oil from Nigeria to China was exclusively undertaken by four known companies approved by, under the control, ownership, and management of the Chinese Government. It would, therefore, have been impossible to transport 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil from Nigeria to China without the active involvement of the said companies. Again, from an economic perspective, it made little sense that anyone would store that volume of Crude Oil in China for such a considerable period having regard to the attendant significant storage costs. It is noteworthy that the Chinese Government had, through its officials, stated emphatically in response to this allegation at different fora including the United Nations General Assembly that there was NO stolen Nigerian Crude Oil stored in any port or terminal or storage facility in China.
Despite these reservations and in view of the fact that transparency, accountability, the fight against corruption and the recovery of the country’s looted resources have been integral components of State policy under the administration of his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government of Nigeria set up the Presidential Committee on Recovery of Stolen Nigerian Crude Oil in response to the claims made by several companies including SAMANO over alleged stolen Nigerian Crude Oil stored in China.
The said Presidential Committee requested that SAMANO furnish it with evidence in proof of its allegations to enable it to investigate and verify its claim. Still, SAMANO refused, neglected or failed to provide the Committee with any cogent and verifiable evidence in support of its allegations.
Notwithstanding the failure of SAMANO to produce verifiable evidence in support of its allegations, for completeness, relevant officials were mandated to pay an in-person visit to China and further investigate SAMANO’s claim.
During this fact-finding trip to China, it was discovered that SAMANO’s claim was false as there were no 48 Million Barrels of stolen Nigerian Crude Oil or any stolen Nigerian Crude Oil in any port, terminal or storage facility in China. It was also discovered that all the documents previously presented by SAMANO in support of its claims were not genuine. A report of this finding was issued by the Committee to Mr. President.
Consequently, the Federal Government terminated all communications with SAMANO as it became apparent that its claim was a hoax.
When SAMANO realized that the Federal Government was no longer interested in the non-existent stolen crude, it resorted to blackmail and intimidation of key officials of the Government. SAMANO threatened that it would publicize the fact that the non-existent crude had been recovered, sold and proceeds looted by senior government officials and other personalities when it knew this was absolute falsehood.
SAMANO made several demands including the demand that it be paid the sum of $125,000,000:00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars) by the government officials to prevent it from disclosing this false information to the public. This demand soon metamorphosed into harassment as SAMANO embarked on a mischievous exercise to embarrass the Federal Government of Nigeria on international media platforms and before several international institutions like the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) all in a calculated bid to blackmail the Federal Government of Nigeria and NNPC into paying it a significant amount of money as compensation.
As a result of the constant harassment, NNPC was constrained to make a formal report to the Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Police while other victims wrote petitions in respect of the same subject to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation.
After a thorough investigation by the Police and DSS and confessions by agents of SAMANO, it was discovered that the allegations of conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence, blackmail and extortion were well-founded and that some of the fraudulent activities of one Mr Ramirez and Mr Jose Salazar Tinajero (both agents of SAMANO) constituted a threat to the national security of Nigeria.
During its investigation, the Nigerian Police discovered that SAMANO is part of a notorious crime syndicate that habitually intimidates, blackmails, and defrauds government officials and other high-profile persons. For instance, it was discovered that Mr Ramirez, SAMANO’s representative, was indicted by the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas as the mastermind of a scheme leading to the loss of several millions of dollars through various mail and wire frauds between 2010 and 2013. The Police became aware that Mr Ramirez fled the United States of America and settled in Nigeria where he continued his criminal activities in conjunction with SAMANO and its Managing Director. There is a subsisting warrant issued by the United States Government for the arrest of Mr. Ramirez. His wife has been convicted in the United States for her role in a visa lottery scam he masterminded.
NNPC is aware that this investigation led to the filing of Charge No.: FCT/HC/BU/CR/134/2019 between Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Marco Antonio Ramirez & 4 Others at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Some of the offences in the charge are criminal conspiracy, forgery, extortion and attempt to obtain money by false pretence.
NNPC also understands that Mr Ramirez and his cohorts are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for other unrelated offences at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in Charge No: FCT/HC/CR/147/2016 and the Federal High Court, Lagos in Charge No: ID/2763/2016.
NNPC is convinced that the chameleonic posture of SAMANO as a potential buyer, then gratuitous informant and subsequently a whistle-blower demonstrates its desperation to hoodwink and defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria by all means.
In its latest correspondence to NNPC, SAMANO claims that it is entitled to compensation for supplying information on the missing crude oil pursuant to the Federal Government’s Whistle Blower Policy. However, the information (which has proved to be pure falsehood) forming the basis of this claim was furnished in 2015 whilst the Whistle-blower Policy of the Federal Government only commenced in December 2016.
SAMANO also failed to follow due process or establish that the information it allegedly provided led to any recovery or that the information was disseminated through the proper channel – the Federal Ministry of Finance online portal or in writing to the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit Unit. SAMANO’s actions were contrary to the laid down policy of the government on whistleblowing. Indeed, SAMANO does not qualify as a whistle-blower under this policy, particularly as no benefit whatsoever was derived from the piece of falsehood it provided at the time.
In view of the foregoing, NNPC urges members of the public to disregard the publications sponsored by SAMANO. They are at best diversionary and in furtherance of its scheme to fleece Nigeria. SAMANO’s attempt to shift attention from the on-going criminal charges against its Managing Director and agents will not fly. NNPC has instructed Counsel to take appropriate legal actions against SAMANO and its officers for the injury done to the Corporation and its officials by the falsehoods peddled by SAMANO and its agents.
President Muhammadu Buhari, ex Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello have sent greetings to Nigerian Muslims as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir tomorrow, July 30.
In his message, President Buhari appealed to Nigerians to continue to exercise patience and understanding over the inconveniences created by the precautionary measures taken for Covid-19, especially the regulations on places of worship.
President Buhari said that the outbreak of coronavirus has made it difficult for people to gather in places of worship as they are used to, urging worshipers to follow the guidelines for the safety of their lives, and loved ones.
“The coronavirus has had devastating adverse impacts on our social, economic and spiritual lives.
“The preventive guidelines we have introduced to contain the spread of this deadly disease have unfortunately limited people’s freedom to gather and worship in large numbers in Mosques and Churches.
“Every measure that has been introduced to contain this disease may have its unintended consequences on the daily lives of our people, and I, therefore, call on Muslims and other faiths to continue to show more understanding with the government as we take correct steps to protect our people through the social distancing.
“No elected government would intentionally take away its people’s religious freedom by limiting the number of people that will gather in worship centres at thesame time.
“These guidelines are dictated by necessity in order to safeguard public health and should therefore not be perceived as infringement on people’s right to worship.’’
The President commended sacrifices of Muslims and Christians in abiding by the COVID-19 guidelines for the good of society, assuring that: “On our own part, we shall continue to provide economic reliefs to the people to minimize the unintended hardships these guidelines have inflicted.’’
He reminded worshippers that COVID-19 is worldwide affliction with Churches and Mosques closed around the world and social distancing imposed to safeguard public health.
While wishing Muslims a happy celebration, the President called on worshipers not to forget the symbolic significance of the sacrifices of the Eidel Kabir.
“Muslims should imbibe the noble virtues of our great prophets in order to establish closer connectivity between religious teachings and practice
“We can create the greatest impact by putting into practice the noble teachings of our religion. In whatever we do in life, we must put the fear of God in our daily activities in order to make our society better.’’
The President reminded the people of his efforts to root out corruption in the country, stating that the efforts had so far brought a lot of changes in country’s polity and appealed for support and understanding as investigations are carried out into both legacy
That was even as ex Vice President Atiku noted that for the first time in living memory, Muslims in our country fasted this year without spiritual acts of worship that accompany the Holy Month of Ramadan, and had Eid celebration devoid of the mandatory congressional prayers. Historically too, this would be the fourth time in all time that the holy pilgrimage of Hajj would suffer restrictions.
According to him, the essence of the Eid el Kabir festivities is a reminder of a life of service as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and encouraged by Prophet Muhammed (SAW).
“In this season of a virus pandemic, we should acknowledge that part of the sacrifices required of us is adherence to instructions and protocols towards the containment of the spread of the corona virus.
“In the last four months or so, we have been united in our common resolve to beat this disruptor to our lives. We have drawn strength from one another. We have been guided by the dictum that no man/woman is an island, and that a threat to one is a threat to all. Above all, love has in this season of great uncertainty, broken down the walls of divisions that seek to compromise our resolve to stand united.
“And, as Muslims in Nigeria celebrate Eid el Kabir Sallah, it is my hope that we will continue to pray for the country and work assiduously for the promotion of love, mutual respect, peace and tolerance in order to build a stronger and more united country.”
Also, in his Sallah message, Asiwaju Tinubu joined Nigerian Muslims and Muslims all over the world in observance of Eid-el-Kabir.
He said that this year’s observance comes at a unique moment in history where the normal activities of society have been upset and altered by the threat of deadly sickness.
“This sickness has touched Muslim, Christian as well as those who profess no religion at all. It has descended on both the high and the not-so-high. “We have lost friends and loved ones. Too many people have died and far too many good people are still suffering because of the economic consequences of this scourge.
“Thus, this Eid shall not be a moment of vigorouscelebration simply because it is our tradition to do so. The pressing weight of events compels us to rekindle in ourselves a greater commitment to the true spirit and reason for this holy observance.
“Coming as the end of religious activities spanning the first ten days of the Islamic Month of DhulHijjah, Eid-el-Kabirenjoins us as Muslims to show mercy and compassion to our fellowhuman beings.Given the challenges that have come this year, there is no time like the present to sow brotherly love and kindness.
“We thank Almighty Allah that he has given us the breath of life and allowed us to keep it. This means that we should be grateful for life and, in being so, that we should strive to live according to His munificent purposeas exemplified in the miraculous preservation of Prophet Ismail’s life.”
The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Nami, said also that his organization joined the rest of the country to felicitate with Muslims nationwide, adding: “we thank the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness yet another Sallah festival especially in this year that has been very difficult for individuals and businesses.
“Nonetheless, the Service will continue to identify with the challenges of the times, which the taxpayers are going through.
“In furtherance of this, and, in addition to a number of COVID-19 palliatives already in place, as well as in the spirit of this Eid celebration, we hereby grant a further one-week extension from the 31st July 2020 deadline for Companies with December accounting year end to file their Year 2020 annual Income Tax Returns.”
Similarly, the FCT minister, Muhammad Musa Bello congratulated the Muslim faithful on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and advised them to use the occasion to offer supplication to Almighty Allah (SWT) for a quick end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister reminded the Muslim Ummah that the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir is significant because it is a festival of sharing and caring for the less fortunate members of the society and called on them to use the occasion to reach out to the needy, especially those who have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Musa Bello also called on residents not to be complacent about COVID-19 as it still remains a highly infectious and deadly disease adding that the protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and regular hand washing have been put in place to safe-guard against contracting the virus.
“Non-adherence to these basic protocols, the Minister continued, only puts more people at risk, increases the pressure on the economy and prolongs return to normal life.”
The Minister used the occasion to express his appreciation on behalf of the FCTA and residents of the FCT, to all health and other essential workers in the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.
He said that the FCTA and many residents of the city understand and appreciate the enormity of the sacrifices they are making in the course of the fight against the disease.
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Nigeria is the collective heritage of about 200 million people of diverse ethnic backgrounds and tongues. There are over 250 ethnic nationalities spread across the country. Nigeria does not belong only to the Igbo, the Hausa and the Yoruba. Unfortunately, these three so-called ‘’major ethnic groups’’ have defined the political and economic actualities of the country since independence.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disgust over the escalating security situation in both the Northwest and North Central of the country.
Dr. Stella Immanuel is actually a Camerounian but trained in Nigeria. She appears to have taken up a campaign in support of the use of hydroxychloroquine and this has generated a lot of controversies.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has exposed a company called Samano, which it described as a strong member of an international crime syndicate that had, since 2015, been intimidating it in attempts to defraud it of $125 Millions.
Professional Support For Use Of Hydroxychloroquine To Treat Coronavirus, By David Adonri