30,000-Capacity Mosque, Biggest In West Africa, Opened In Senegal

September 28, 2019

A 30,000-capacity mosque, touted as the largest in West Africa, has been opened in Dakar, capital of Senegal. It is built at the cost of $33 million, by Mouride Brotherhood.

With a Carrara marble exterior and boasting five minarets – the tallest 78 metres (255 feet) high – the mosque has a capacity of 15,000 worshippers inside, and another 15,000 on an outside esplanade.

The lavish interiors include a gold-leaf dome, giant chandeliers and decorations hand drawn by Moroccan workmen.

Work on the Massalikul Jinaan (‘The Paths to Paradise’) mosque was said to have began a decade ago on a swampy six-hectare (14-acre) site in the poor area of Bopp, on land donated by the government of the 90-percent Muslim nation.

The government provided additional 10.5 million euros for lighting, sanitation and road works, according to Infrastructure Minister Oumar Youm.

The mosque is smaller than Casablanca’s Hassan II, which is spread over nine hectares and can accommodate 105,000 worshippers and has a minaret spiraling 210 meters.

Another mosque being built in Algiers is sprawled over nine hectares with a 265-metre minaret. It will be able to accommodate 120,000 people.

Ex FCT Director Loses Car To Thieves In Abuja

Editorial staff

September 28, 2019

Car thieves are back in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as a car belonging to the former Director in the Department of Information at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Alhaji Ibrahim Biu was stolen yesterday, September 27.

Ibrahim Biu, who was also once an editor with defunct New Nigerian Newspaper in Kaduna, narrated that he parked the car, a Corolla S, 2006/7 model with registration number KUJE359TV around the FCTA/AGIS in Area 11 at about 3.00pm and went into an office nearby only for him to return less than 20 minutes later to find that the car was gone.

He said that the first thing that came to his mind was that the car was towed away by officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), but that when he traced the office, he could not find it there, adding that he immediately reported to both the FCT police command and Garki police station.

Ibrahim Biu, who was obviously shaken by the loss of the car which contained many vital documents, including his National identity card, the originals of the vehicle particulars, lamented the frequent stealing of vehicles around the FCDA area.

Information reaching us indicated that stealing of vehicles around the FCDA at area 11 has remained endemic and rampant in spite of many police men and women posted to that place daily to protect lives and property of innocent workers and visitors to FCTA.

It was gathered that because of the frequent stealing of vehicles, many car owners prefer to go to the FCTA to keep important appointments, in public vehicles while leaving their vehicles in their homes or offices elsewhere.

Buhari Condemns Abuse Of Children In Kaduna ‘Reform Institution’

Editorial staff

September 28, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned reported horrific acts at a ‘reform institution’ in Kaduna where about 300 children were rescued by the police.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the President condemned all forms of rights abuses whether of adults or children.

While commending the efforts of the police for the discovery and subsequent arrest of operators of the horrific hub, the president said all children must be safeguarded and protected from all evil influences in the society.

The statement read in part: ‘‘In commending the police for their discovery of this horrific hub and arrest of suspected operators of the unedifying, so-called ‘reform institution,’ the administration of President Buhari categorically condemns rights abuses whether of adults or of children.

‘‘We are glad that Muslim authorities have dismissed the notion of the embarrassing and horrifying spectacle as Islamic School. The place has indeed been described as a house of torture and a place of human slavery.

‘‘The President holds the view that children will be safeguarded from roaming the streets and protected from all evil influences that assail idle hands and idle minds when they are sent to school.

‘‘When he inaugurated the National Economic Council for the year 2019/2023 at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, President Buhari warned that keeping children away from school is a criminal offence. He also stressed the need to take seriously and enforce the statutory provisions on free and compulsory basic education.

African First Ladies Warn Men: Hands Off Our Girls

Editorial staff

September 28, 2019

African First ladies have launched a campaign tagged: “Hands off our girls” on the margines of the just concluded 74^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States of America.

The First Ladies, who held their meeting at the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, came up with a communiqué to advance campaign on the reduction of early marriage and rape in Africa

Most of the issued canvassed by the First Ladies, as they contained in the communiqué bordered on the rights of women and girls to be equal partners in development, as well as being afforded opportunity to be seen and heard and the right to economic empowerment, universal health care and the right to justice.

“We want the right to live freely from all forms of gender-based violence including early marriage and rape, we stand together to say Hands off our girls.”

It would be remembered that last year, First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Buhari launched the “Leave our daughters alone” campaign on the aftermath of frequent abductions, rape and violence against women. The event, which held at the National Center for Women Development, Abuja, reverberated around the country and led to a national workshop on gender-based violence.

She was represented at the New York event by Dr. Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President as well as other officials.

Those who spoke at the event which was convened by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, included Prof. Akinwumi Adesina of African Development Bank, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus of World Health Organization, Dereje Wordofa of UN Population Fund and Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone.

Court Threatens To Sack Federal Inland Revenue Boss, Fowler

Editorial staff

September 28, 2019

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the appearance of the Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler before it on October 7, 2019 and show cause why he should not be sacked for overstaying his tenure which expired on August 18, 2019.

The judge of the High Court, Justice Lewis Allagoa, after hearing a plaintiff’s counsel on September 23, also ordered that the defendant should be served in Abuja and filed their defence within five days.

In a Suit No FHC/KN/CS/141/2019, the FIRS Boss was dragged to Court over his continued stay in office after the expiration of tenure.

The Plaintiff, Stanley Okwara, in a suit filed on September 18, joined the Attorney General of the Federation as the second defendant.

In the originating summon, the two defendants were given 30 days to explain why Fowler who was appointed on the 20th August, 2015, has not ceased to hold office as the Chairman of FIRS after the 20th August, 2019 in accordance with the “decision of the Supreme Court…and having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 3(2) (a), Section 4(a) and Section 11 (a)” of the agency.

The Plaintiffs also sought to know whether the continuous stay of Fowler in the office “is not illegal in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Ogbuinyinya & Ors. vs. Obi Okudo & Ors. (1979) All N.L.R. 105 and having regard to the combined provisions of Sections of the FIRS [Establishment] Act, 2007.

In the same vein, Okwara in the suit filed through Johnmary C. Jideobi & Co, sought other reliefs including: “A declaration that the 1st Defendant has ceased to hold office as the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service after the 20th of August, 2019”; and that his continuous stay in the office is illegal.

He further sought “an order barring the 1st Defendant from further holding himself out as, laying claim to or exercising the powers and functions of, the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service unless he is re-appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“An order directing the 1st Defendant to return forthwith to the Treasury Single Account of the Federation all the salaries, emoluments and such other kindred monetary benefits he has been drawing on the purse of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days after the delivery of judgment in this suit.”

The Plaintiff also asked that Fowler be caused ordered to obey any other decision that the Court may deem fit to make in the entire circumstances of the case.

Fulani Group Endorses Gov Yahaya Bello For Second Term In Kogi

Editorial staff

September 28, 2019

Fulani people in Kogi State, under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have collectively endorsed the candidacy of Governor Yahaya Bello for a second term and have asked their members to vote en-mass for the governor in the November governorship election in the state.

The national organizing secretary of the group, Aliyu Saleh, who spoke to news men today, September 28 in Lokoja, the State capital, directed the Fulani in the state to immediately embark on a campaign for the re-election of Yahaya Bello.

Aliyu Saleh said that the group decided to support the governor because he was able to provide adequate security for Fulani to operate in the state.

“We are also supporting the governor for approving free Contagious Bovine Plurol Pheneumonia (CBPP) vaccination for over 23, 000 cows belonging to our members in the state.”

The group commended Governor Yahaya Bello for putting in place measures that had led to a reduction in clashes between farmers and herders in the state, adding that the governor had given its members a sense of belonging by appointing one of them into his cabinet and by making their leaders members of the traditional councils at the state and local government levels.

The national organizing secretary, who was flanked by the state chairman of MACBAN, Umaru Jaido, said that they decided to endorse Yahaya Bello’s candidature because of their love for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abubakar Ohere, the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, who received the endorsement document on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for adopting Bello as its candidate.

Ohere described Bello as a leader with a large heart, saying that his priority had always been to provide security for all, irrespective of tribe and religion.

He said Bello decided to include Fulani leaders in the traditional council to reduce communal clash, especially between farmers and herders.

While thanking the association for the endorsement, the commissioner said the gesture would propel Bello to do more for the people of the state.

Source: NAN.

More Troubles For Suspended Head Of Service: Court Orders Forfeiture Of Her Assets

Greenbarge Reporters

September 27, 2019

Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita who was suspended recently on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari is facing more troubles as a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of some assets linked to her

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa made the order of final forfeiture of the monetary assets to the Federal Government today, September 27.

The assets were earlier returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by a suspect linked to Oyo-Ita.

The embattled Oyo-Ita is involved in a N3 billion alleged contract scam, a case which she was recently quizzed about by the EFCC.

Sources told Channels Television that she is also being investigated over alleged abuse of duty tour allowance, money laundering and alleged theft of government funds.

President Buhari earlier in September asked Oyo Ita to proceed on indefinite leave to allow a proper investigation by the EFCC in the allegations against her.

Counsel to the EFCC lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, says the funds were voluntarily returned to the commission as proceeds of crime by an associate of Mrs Oyo-Ita.

He also reminded the court that it had on June 28, 2019, granted an ex parte application ordering the interim forfeiture of the assets.

Abubakar explains that as at Thursday 26th of August, no one had come out to challenge the interim court order on asset forfeiture despite the fact that it had been served on the suspect.

I Gave N21.7M To Anenih; N50M To Kanayo; N31.5M To Richard; N25M To Abba Dabo – Metuh

Editorial staff

September 27, 2019

Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has narrated how he distributed the N400 million he collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser, under Sambo Dasuki as national security adviser in 2014, in what he said was a “special national assignment,” in the lead up to the 2015 general election.

Metuh, who is the defence team’s 15th witness under cross-examination today, September 27, by the prosecution counsel at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, said that the disbursement of the funds was as directed by the former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that he paid the sum of N7.5 million through a cheque to a company known as CNC Connect on December 2, 2014 and that another payment of N21.7 million was also made to Chief Anenih and N50 million to Kanayo/Olisah Metuh which is a joint account on December 4, 2014 while on the same date, he paid the sum of N31.5 million to Richard Ehidioha
According to Metuh, two separate payments of N200 million and N300 million were made to Daniel Ford International also on December 4, 2014, adding that other subsequent payments were made to CNC Connect in the sum of N70 million on December 15, 2014; N25 million to Abba Dabo on December 16, 2014 and N5 million to Ambassador Kema Chikwe.
He said that a final report he submitted to then President Jonathan had all the expenditures of the N400 million, captured in receipts and signatures for all payment of monies in cash and through several accounts for the special assignment. He said that he had about 19 accounts and that more than five are in Diamond Bank.
Metu told the court that he made an investment of $2 million dollars in cash in ARM, through an ARM staff, Miss Nneka Ararume.
When asked if the equivalent of the $2 million was paid in naira into Dextra’s account which was to the tune N366 million at that time, he said: “we led evidence to show that the $2 million was paid by me to ARM and the prosecution had led evidence to show that Nneka Ararume paid monies to bureau de change which now transferred the monies into my account.”
He said that he did not have any dealings with the bureau de change, recalling that Miss Ararume told the court that she got his account details from his record with ARM and gave it to the bureau de change.
When asked if the non-payment of $2 million dollars into his account was to conceal the origin of the money, Metuh said that the non-payment of the sum into his account was the failure of his account officer to execute a lawful and legal directive.

Metuh is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside his company, Destra Investment on seven-count charges, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N400 million.
He told the court that there was never an instance where ex President Jonathan directly paid any money to him.

Evidence was shown to him about the N6.6 million he had in his account before the inflow of N400 million into it on November 24, 2014,

Justice Abang adjourned the matter to September 30, 2019 for continuation of trial.

Alleged N90 Billion Scandal: CAN Vows To Fight For Osinbajo’s Integrity

Editorial staff

September 27, 2019

President of the Christian of the Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle has vowed that the association and the church in Nigeria will fight for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over what it called baseless allegations of N90 billion leveled against him.

Rev. Supo Ayokunle, who led members of CAN to pay a solidarity visit on the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, September 27, said: “if there is an allegation, there must be an evidence and that it can never happen and will never happen. The church and the entire country will fight for him.”

Rev Supo Ayokunle declared that Osinbajo is innocent of the allegations, adding that the church and all Nigerians are proud of the Vice President and would continue to pray for him.

The CAN boss cautioned Nigerians against toying with the innocent and faithfully serving the nation.

“He (Osinbajo) has cleared the air that the allegation is baseless and there is no truth in it and that some people are plotting against him and he was ready to provide himself to be cleared.”

Climate Challenges: You Give Us Hope, Youth Group Tell Buhari In New York

Editorial staff

September 27, 2019

President Buhari meets with Nigerian Youth Climate Activists in New York, Departs New York for Nigeria on 27th Sep 2019 | State House

Nigerian Youths Climate Group has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for not only giving the youths hope for a better future but working hard to resolve the climate change challenges facing the Sahel Africa.

At a meeting today, September 27 with the Nigerian leader after the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the youth group confessed that this was the first time a leader from Nigeria would give them a listening year.

One of the leaders of the group, Esther Agbarakwe, said: “ this is the first time we are seeing a President sit with us. It gives us hope. We young people understand the problems, and are in the vanguard of advocacy. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Change Department works with us for solutions.”

She commended the support the group is receiving from the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and the Ministry of Environment, saying: “we are in it together.”

Also, Hamzat Lawal, another leader of the group, thanked President Buhari for signing the Not Too Young to Run Bill into law.

“We seek solutions to problems in the Sahel region. If we provide solutions to the Sahel, the world will be at peace. You have announced planting of 25 million tress and we youths plan to match it.”

this was even as President Buhari told the youth group that the Lake Chad is shrinking while population is exploding, which he said is a big challenge.

“With less land, less rainfall, these are very unique problems for the country.”

The President Buhari commended the youths for representing Nigeria at UNGA as Climate Change Champions, adding, “it is good you are participating so that you can appreciate the problems older people are having.”

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