African Games: Team Nigeria Arrives In Morocco

August 14, 2019

First batch of Nigeria’s contingent to the 12th African Games holding in Rabat, Morocco have arrived in the North African country for the Games.

The Team’s Deputy Chief De Mission, Dr. Simeon Ebhojiaye confirmed today, August 13 that the first batch of contingent arrived in Casablanca today’s morning en route Rabat for the Games.

“The team just arrived safely in Casablanca and on its way to Rabat for the Games, ” he said.

Ebhojiaye said that the team of eight Judo athletes and officials arrived for the Games, while other batches were being expected from Wednesday.

About 462 athletes and officials will be representing Nigeria at the Games scheduled to begin August 19 and end on August 31.

Some events like football will, however, start before the opening ceremony, so athletes involved will have to be on ground before then.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Olusade Adesola, had earlier told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that everything has been put in place by the Federal Government to ensure a good outing for the country.

He charged the athletes to be disciplined, patriotic and compete without any form of doping infractions as they strive to top the medals table at the Games.

Team Nigeria finished second in the last edition of the Games in Congo Brazzaville in 2015.

I Support Buhari’s RUGA, PDP BOT Chairman Says; Wants Igbo, Others To Accept It

Editorial staff

August 14, 2019

Chairman of the Board, Senator Walid Jibrin

The Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jibrin, has said that he is in support of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) programme and advised the Southeast, South west, and other parts of the country to support it.

“I am not in APC. I am a PDP chieftain. But when we talk of development and security, we should leave anything about politics, religion and tribe.

“Whoever is ruling in Nigeria, if he brings any programme that will do away with insecurity, killings and will take care of the welfare of the people, I will go by that. My politics is not do or die and I play politics without bitterness.”

Senator Jibrin, who spoke to newsmen at his Nasarawa country home today, August 13, insisted that the programme would promote peace and security in the country.

“Apart from that, it will also tackle incessant farmers/herdsmen conflicts as well as boost food security in the country.

“About 12 states in the North have already embraced it and have already started the project including Nasarawa state.

“So, I am calling on the southerners, the Igbos, the Yorubas, among others, to embrace it, even though the project is not compulsory.”

He commended the Buhari’s government on behalf of his fellow Fulani for introducing the RUGA project, saying: “I and our tribe (Fulani) have embraced the programme. RUGA project includes the provision of hospitals, schools, water supply and electricity, among other facilities.”

Senator Jibrin is the Sarkin (leader of) Fulani in Nasarawa state.

True Story Of Wadume, Kidnap Kingpin That Caused Rift Between Army, And Police

Editorial staff

August 14, 2019

HE suspected Taraba kidnap kingpin is a petty fish trader, painter, politician, polygamist with many children and a philanthropist. His wealth status might have been exergerated because of his generosity and profligate spending.

He was reclusive until the last two years. His wealth, allegedly through kidnapping shot him into ‘prominence’.

He is at the centre of a disagreement between the Army and the Police following soldiers killing of three policemen and a civilian who were on an anti-kidnapping mission in Taraba State.

The incident is under probe following public outcry.

Who is he? His name is Hamisu Bala. His nickname is “Why Do You Mean?”, which many mistake for “Wadume.” He is a Hausa man whose great grand father migrated from Katsina state.

He was born and brought up in Ibi local government area of Taraba State. His late father, Bala, was Hausa, while his mother was Tiv, from Ukum local government area of Benue state.

He holds a secondary school certificate, having attended the Government Secondary School (GSS) Ibi. It was gathered that he was “not a brilliant” Arts student.

“He completed secondary school in 2004 and did not proceed to any tertiary institution,” one of his classmates told The Nation.

Bala, 35, suddenly became so rich that many believe he made it through ‘ritual’. His posh residence in Ibi was built only last year. Before then, he was a petty trader who specialised in buying and selling fish in Ibi.

“He was not even a big trader; he could only afford to buy only one or most of the time, half a basket of fish to sell at retail prices,” a source, who knows him well, said.

Bala was a painter who had partnership with his brother.

During the 2019 polls, he aspired to become a House of Assembly member, representing Ibi Constituency, on the platform of the Young Democratic Party (YDP). But, he did not make it.

After making money Bala has been living the life of a philanthropist.

In the last two years, he reportedly built houses for his friends and donated hundreds of motorcycles and cars to young men and women. He is also believed to be generous to security agents.

“Sometimes he (alleged kidnapper) goes to tea sellers and settles the bills of tea drinkers. Then, he gives N10,000 each to the people,” a source in Ibi said.

Two of his wives have been under house arrest. His other two wives are in Mecca on pilgrimage, it was learnt.

So, how did police know Bala was a big time kidnapper to the extent of apprehending him? One of Bala’s accomplices, known as Kwarba, was apprehended by the police in Jalingo, over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a Permanent Secretary.

During interrogation, Kwarba revealed that Bala was their leader. The police then allowed Kwarba to be communicating with Bala on the phone for over three days, as though he was not in detention. Based on their communication, the police were able to gather useful information.

It was during one of their conversations on the phone that Bala disclosed that he was coming to Ibi for Eid el Kabir celebration. On arrival in Ibi, Bala phoned Kwarba to inform him.

Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) embarked on the journey. They got to the police headquarters in Jalingo, before proceeding to Ibi, in a white Toyota Hummer Bus marked, LAGOS: MUS-564EU.

They were in mufti, and carried Kwarba along so that he could identify Bala. They met Bala at a coffee joint, at the junction to Government Lodge. Kwarba identified him.

To pull the wool over the kidnapper’s eyes, the policemen in disguise went out and told him they brought a bus for sale. Bala sought to know the cost of the vehicle so that he could buy it, but the policemen suggested they would step aside for bargaining.

It was when he (Bala) got into the bus that the policemen told him they were there to arrest him, after handcuffing and chaining his legs.

After arresting the suspect, the operatives drove into Ibi town briefly and began to drive carefully out of the town.

But while passing the coffee joint, (where Bala was picked) the suspected kidnapper forced his head out of the vehicle and shouted: “I have been kidnapped by these people.”

Soon, the news spread and some of Bala’s ‘boys’ began to chase the vehicle on motorbikes. The operatives had passed the first and second check points, with only one remaining to pass.

Bala’s accomplices then called the military checkpoint where the bus was ambushed. They opened fire on the bus conveying the operatives and suspected kidnapper. The bus somersaulted into the bush, following the barrage of gun fire, as the driver lost control of the wheel.

A source revealed that, after the killing of the three policemen and the civilian, Bala, who was handcuffed and chained in the legs, crawled and took refuge in the home of an old Jukun woman.

The following day, he called his army captain friend who came with three of his ‘boys’ in a red Tyoyota Corolla.

Our source alleged that the army captain cut the chains on the suspected kidnapper.

“It was around 7:30 am that he (Bala) was taken back to his home in Ibi in the red car,” an eyewitness said.

On getting back to Ibi, his neighbours and Ibi residents went into jubilation. It was gathered that while the jubilation was on, Bala sneaked out of town. He has not been seen since then.

The El-Zakzaky Conundrum – ThisDay Editorial

Editorial staff

August 13, 2019

After almost four years in incarceration, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat, last night left the country for medical treatment abroad. That has put paid to earlier statement by the Kaduna State government apparently aimed at thwarting the move. A cynical attempt to sweep the fundamental rights of the defendants who had been granted permission to travel to India for urgent medical treatment under the carpet of legal technicalities would have been catastrophic. Besides, the decision by the Kaduna State government raised a pertinent question about its stake and that of the federal government and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) on a matter that borders on national security.

We recall that on 25th January this year, counsel to the Shi’ites’ leader, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, had applied to the Kaduna State High Court for urgent medical examination of El-Zakzaky and his wife. Without any objection from the Director of Public Prosecution of Kaduna State, the court granted the application. Specifically, the court ordered a joint inspection by government doctors and the personal physicians of the defendants. The medical examination revealed that as a result of gunshot injuries El-Zakzaky has lost an eye and is in the process of losing the remaining one which has developed glaucoma. He is also reported to be suffering from partial stroke. It was on the basis of the report that Falana again applied to the court that the duo be granted leave to travel for medical treatment in India.

In his ruling last week, Justice Darius Khobo noted that in opposing the application the prosecutor from the Kaduna State government did not counter the medical reports which confirmed that both defendants were battling with life threatening ailments. Since they must remain alive to be able to stand trial, the judge granted the application for medical treatment in India to be supervised by the government. While the DSS under whose custody the couple had been since December 2015 announced the readiness of the federal government to comply with the order, the Kaduna State government kicked and indicated its wish to challenge the order at the Court of Appeal.

However, before filing the said appeal, the state government set its own conditions for the medical trip through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Samuel Aruwa. Apart from asking the defendants to produce two first class traditional rulers as sureties, the federal government was also ordered to get an undertaking from the Indian government not to allow the defendants apply for political asylum. There were other extra judicial conditions clearly designed to frustrate the medical trip.

We are delighted that the federal government chose to ignore the Kaduna State government on the El-Zakzaky case. At a time many Nigerians are hailing the judicial intervention as a way out of what has become a serious national security challenge, the rearguard submission was to say the least very unhelpful. Not only was it prescribing roles for the federal government and its agencies, the Kaduna State government was even dictating responsibilities for the Indian government!

Allowing El-Zakzaky and his wife to seek medical solution abroad was the right move. An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in December 2016 ordered the release of El-Zakzaky within 45 days. In giving the order that was characteristically ignored by the federal government, Justice Kolawole had said: “If the applicant dies in custody which I do not pray for, it could result in many needless deaths”.

We are delighted that common sense eventually prevailed as we wish Mr and Mrs El-Zakzaky a speedy recovery.

Buhari To CBN: Don’t Spend A Kobo From Foreign Reserve On Food Importation

Editorial staff

August 13, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop providing foreign exchange for importation of food into the country, with the steady improvement in agricultural production, and attainment of full food security.

The President, who hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to Eid-el-Kabir lunch today, August 13 at his country home in Daura, Katsina State, said that the foreign reserve will be conserved and utilized strictly for diversification of the economy, and not for encouraging more dependence on foreign food import bills.

“Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country.”

President Buhari said that some states like Kebbi, Ogun, Lagos, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Kano have already taken advantage of the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture with huge returns in rice farming, even as he advised more states to plug into the ongoing revolution to feed the nation.

“We have achieved food security, and for physical security we are not doing badly.”

The President said that he is particularly delighted that young Nigerians, including graduates, have started exploring agric-business and entrepreneurship, with many posting testimonies of good returns on their investments.

He said that the incoming ministers will be taught and thoroughly guided to ensure they meet the targets of the APC-led government for the people, with regular monitoring of their performances and scaling up of targets by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The President assured that he will attend the Presidential Policy Retreat organized for the ministers by the OSFG, and insisted on compliance with laid down targets on key sectors of the economy that will directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, said that the President’s sense of justice, fairness and forthrightness had turned a major inspiration to governors on the way forward for the country.

He said that the challenges faced by states are enormous but that the governors have remained undaunted, even as he assured the President of strong support and “the very best effort’’ to overcome all the obstacles.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, appreciated the President for the unique leadership style of maintaining a healthy relationship with governors on individual and collective basis, pointing out that they had been “energized’’ to do more in their states.

The governor commended the President for making bold and courageous efforts to reposition the economy for majority Nigerians through inclusive policies.

“The country is more secure than in 2015, and the country is more prosperous than in 2015 because you are working for the majority of the people,’’ he added.

The governor said the party had been repositioned, after the 2019 elections, to work for the benefit of the majority of Nigerians, noting that “there will two elections this year and we need to work towards winning the two states.”

Also today, President Buhari addressed leaders from various communities from five Local Government Areas of Daura Emirate, who paid him a visit as part of Eid El-Kabir celebration where he said that he will use his second term in office to improve the lives of Nigerians by paying close attention to the poor and those on the lower rungs of society.

The President said he is convinced that majority of Nigerians understand who he is and his mission, on account of which they returned him for a second term in office with larger margin of votes than 2015.

“You know how much I laboured to get here. I ran three times in the past. The fourth time, God used technology to do it for me. The fifth time I ran (February 23, 2019), I went to all the states of the federation. The turnout of crowds was overwhelming.

“Truly, the people know and understand my mission. This is what the votes showed. The administration will dwell on our campaign issues – security, economy and corruption. We will fight for the poor.”

He emphasized the important place of agriculture under his administration, promising to appoint a minister who is knowledgeable and will know how to promote interest and investment in the sector.

“I will appoint a minister who knows agriculture and its role in providing jobs and growing our economy. You have seen how we broke the fertiliser jinx in the country. We will do more to better the lots of our farmers. Agriculture is our strength.”

President Buhari expressed happiness with the changing attitude of young people to agriculture, with many earning respectable incomes, urging all of those without regular incomes to return to the farm.

In his remarks, one the leaders of the delegation, Yusuf Bello Mai’ Aduwa, thanked Nigerians for giving the President a second mandate to lead the country for another four years, stressing that he will not let the country down.

This was even as another community leader, Mohammed Saleh, said that the communities under the Daura Emirate were grateful to the President for signing a bill to establish a Federal Polytechnic in Daura, after they had complained that the area needed a tertiary institution to encourage the youth to pursue higher education.

A Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Information, Hajiya Talatu Nasir, in her remarks, said that President Buhari’s government has empowered many women, with many already owning businesses like poultry and livestock farms.

The Daura community offered special prayers for the President, urging him to pursue the vision for a better Nigeria with the fear of God, courage to stand by the truth always, and mindful of the needs of the poor and underprivileged.

Scientists Are Step Closer To Effective Ebola Treatments, Clinical Trial Ongoing In Congo

Editorial staff

August 12, 2019

Scientists are a step closer to finding the first effective treatments for the deadly Ebola hemorrhagic fever after two potential drugs showed survival rate of as much as 90 per cent in a clinical trial in Congo.

Two experimental drugs – Regeneron’s REGN-EB3 and a monoclonal antibody called mAb114 – were both developed using antibodies harvested from survivors of Ebola infection.

The treatments are now going to be offered to all patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

They showed “clearly better” results in patients in a trial of four potential treatments being conducted during the world’s second largest Ebola outbreak in history, now entering its second year in DRC.

The drugs improved survival rates from the disease more than two other treatments being tested – ZMapp, made by Mapp Biopharmaceutical, and Remdesivir, made by Gilead Sciences – and those products will be now dropped, said Anthony Fauci, one of the researchers co-leading the trial.

The agency said 49 per cent of the patients on ZMapp and 53 per cent on remdesivir died in the study. In comparison, 29 per cent of the patients on REGN-EB3 and 34 per cent on mAb-114 died.

Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told reporters in a telebriefing the results were “very good news” for the fight against Ebola.

“What this means is that we do now have what look like (two) treatments for a disease for which not long ago we really had no approach at all,” he said.

The agency said of the patients who were brought into treatment centres with low levels of virus detected in their blood, 94 per cent who got REGN-EB3 and 89 per cent on mAb114 survived.

In comparison, two-third of the patients who got remdesivir and nearly three-fourth on ZMapp survived.

America’s Budget Deficit Ballooned Despite Solid Economy

Editorial staff

August 12, 2019

The US budget deficit continued to swell in July as government spending rose nearly twice as fast as income, despite a solid economy.

According to estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Republic Budget, the gap between federal expenditures and receipts grew 27 percent from a year earlier to $867 billion last month, the Treasury Department said in a report out today, August 13. In the first ten months of the fiscal year, the deficit jumped above its total for all of 2018.

Policymakers have a greater opportunity to reduce the deficit when the economy is solid, but recent legislation has taken it in the opposite direction.

President Trump signed into law this month a two-year agreement that would lift the debt ceiling and increase spending by about approximately $320 billion.

The nonpartisan Committee report showed that the deficit could amount to a $1.7 trillion increase in projected debt levels over the next decade.

That move drew opposition from budget hawks in the White House and on Capitol Hill. In the Senate, the bill passed with more votes from Democrats than Republicans. The president continued to urge support for the agreement in recent months even after a group of conservative lawmakers sent him a letter of opposition.

“You should veto this bill because it is fiscally irresponsible it continues spending hundreds of billions more than what we take in a year and does not put our nation on a path towards a balanced budget,” they wrote in the letter last month..

This all comes against a backdrop of lower government receipts, with tax-cut legislation that took effect last year poised to cost about $1.9 trillion over the next decade. While Republicans initially vowed the package would pay for itself through higher growth, a leading architect of the bill has since walked back that claim.

Mbaka Blames “Demonic Enemies” Quoting Him As Prophesying Doom In Aso Rock

Editorial staff

August 12, 2019

Founder of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka has blamed those he called “demonic enemies” that quoted him as having prophesied doom in Aso Rock on October 1st.

The fiery priest, who made this known in a statement today, August 13, emphasized that it is the handiwork of his enemies.

Mbaka said: “Please fellow children of God, help me to tell the world that, I Rev Fr Mbaka Ejike Camillus never prophesied anything about 1st October.

“That is not from me. I have not told anyone, at any time or place that I will resign from priesthood by 1st October.

“That is the handiwork of my demonic enemies. I don’t hold Adoration Ministry on Thursday as the story claims and I never at any time told anyone that heavy rain will fall upon Aso Rock and that God is angry with President Buhari.

“The spreading media report is a wicked character assassination from the accursed demonic agents of darkness. I never prophesied anything about 1st October nor against Mr. President. Why are people attracting curses and God ‘s vengeance upon themselves?”

News had gone round on Friday, August 9 in some social media that Father Mbaka had released dangerous prophecy, saying that God is angry with Buhari.

Buhari Admires His In-law, Muhammadu Indimi’s Business Empire, Philanthropy

Editorial staff

August 12, 2019

Muhammadu Indimi | Photo credit: Entrepreneur Nigeria

On behalf of members of his immediate and extended family, and all Nigerians,

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended his in-law, Alhaji Muhammad Indimi for his philanthropy and discipline that had cumulated in building a business empire in Nigeria.

The President, in a message felicitating with the business mogul, as he turned 72 today, August 13, said that he lives a life of purpose, sacrifice and love for humanity.

The President commended Indimi’s patriotism for investing heavily in human capacity and promotion of the Nigerian brand to the global business community.

According to the President, the businessman’s greatest impact on the economy has been his philanthropy, which has seen donations to the building and renovation of schools and hospitals, provision of scholarships and medical assistance to the underprivileged.

“Most remarkably, the businessman’s contributions to Federal Government’s Victims’ Support Fund (VSF) in the North East to enable casualties of Boko Haram insurgency regain their livelihood.”

Buhari described the birthday of his in-law as auspicious because it fell within the Eid–el-Kabir Sallah season, adding that Alhaji Indimi’s life has been based on sacrifice and love for humanity.

Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Energy Resources.

Ebonyi Govt Asks Biafran Republic Agitators To Stay Away From Its Domain

Editorial staff

August 12, 2019

Ebonyi State government has asked the agitators for the Republic of Biafra, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stay away from its domain, insisting that the group remains proscribed.

The state government therefore warned the people of the state to desist from taking part in the activities of the organization and that it would not hesitate to bring offenders to justice.

In a statement today, August 13 by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, and the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Kenneth Uhuo, the state government advised parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to engage in any unauthorised gatherings as according to it, security agencies have been detailed to deal with any individual or group found to be involved in any unlawful gathering in the state.

This is coming barley two weeks after IPOB members held a protest against the proposed Ruga settlement which was suspended and other alleged bad policies of the Federal government.

Ebonyi government said that constructive engagement with the Federal government remains a better option through which the grievances of the Igbo in the country would be addressed, saying that any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate should do so through the platforms of the South East Governors’ Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and other legitimate means within the country.

The statement partly read: “The attention of the public is hereby drawn to a Federal High Court order, which proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) since September, 2017 and classified it as a terrorist organization in Nigeria.

“By that order, the IPOB has become an unlawful organization, and all its activities become criminal within the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011.

“Members of the public are therefore warned that any participation in the activities of the organization, under whatever guise has become an offence punishable under various laws of the country.

“As a responsible government committed to maintaining law and order, the state government is not going to allow IPOB to endanger the lives and property of their citizens, by organising any form of activity in the state.

“Any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate should do so through the platforms of the South East Governors’ Forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and through other legitimate means within the Nigerian federation.

“The Ebonyi State government reiterates its belief that constructive engagement with the Federal government shall gradually address all grievances of the Igbo in Nigeria.

“Traditional rulers and town union leaders should be vigilant, and not hesitate to report to security agencies every suspicious movement in their domains.”

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