Politics

Nigerian youths responsible for bad governance – Pastor Tunde Bakare

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General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, CGCC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has blamed youths for Nigeria’s current woes.

Bakare who spoke at the maiden edition of The Conversation Africa Series organized by the Legacy Youth Fellowship in Lagos, said some youths once trusted with power ruined the system in Nigeria.

He said the older generation of leaders are not responsible for the country’s woes but some youths who were once entrusted with power in their 20s and 30s.

The clergyman charged the present crop of Nigerian youths to be determined and focus in ensuring that the dream of Nigeria’s founding fathers becomes a reality.

He said: “Young Nigerians are asking why a country so rich wears the inglorious badge of the poverty capital of the world. Consequently, we have seen determined young Nigerians fired up and ready to take their country back from the so-called gerontocrats.

“Our current youths need to be reminded that on May 24, 1966, a 31-year-old Head of State destroyed the foundation of federalism and made Nigeria a unitary system and also in mid-1970’s some young and zealous army generals in their 30’s overthrew the government in their bid to sanitize the system but ended up destroying it among other incident.

“Young Nigerian patriots, you can see from this brief recourse to history that Nigeria was brought to its current state, not necessarily by gerontocrats, but by mostly young Nigerians, some of whom had been actively involved in governance from their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, and some of whom are relevant even now. It is why I say that youth, in a sense, brought us here.”

Politics

I have no candidates in Lagos local council election – Tinubu

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has denied endorsing any candidate in the July 22 local council election in Lagos State.

Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his media office, stated this in a chat with journalists at the end of a meeting with South-West governors and other APC stakeholders at the State House, Marina.

The former Lagos State governor asked those interested in contesting the local council election to follow the party’s guidelines and pursue their aspirations.

The statement read: “Unfortunately, people intent on sowing discord and undermining democracy within the party have begun to spread lies and rumours that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the GAC (Governor’s Advisory Council) have a list of preferred candidates for the upcoming primary elections and that the party will skew the primaries to benefit these people.

“We state categorically that there is no such list nor are there any plans to influence the primaries in any manner. These stories are false and mean-spirited attempts to hurt the party.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would like it to be known, by way of this statement, that he has no preferred candidates for the upcoming local government primaries. He has no intention to endorse any of the people contesting for the party nomination in any election, whether for chairmanship or councillorship positions.

“On this matter, Asiwaju believes he can speak for the rest of the GAC regarding their belief in the impartiality and transparency of the internal party process.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the other GAC leaders seek a free, fair, and transparent process in which the candidates who emerge are those who gather the most support among the party rank and file. Only in this manner, do we best prepare ourselves for the general election.

For the APC, the integrity of the primary process is of the highest priority. All efforts must be geared towards the realisation of a free, fair, and transparent process. To this end, party officials are obligated to establish the necessary arrangements and ensure orderly, peaceful, free, and fair primaries.

“They have also been empowered to deal appropriately with any who might attempt to undermine or otherwise try to inject impair the party primaries. The party should adopt a policy of no tolerance toward any attempt to inject trouble into this primary process.

“The APC Constitution directs that the party’s candidates should emerge through direct or indirect primaries or by consensus. In order to reduce tension and avoid discord and in-fighting, aspirants should embrace consensus wherever possible.

However, where consensus is not possible, fair and clean primaries must be held so that party members have a chance to choose the candidate they want from among the competing aspirants. All aspirants, however, must realize that only one person can win any given contest.”

Politics

Buhari declares Monday work-free for military in honour of late army chief, 10 others

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President Muhammadu Buhari has declared Monday a work-free day for members of the Armed Forces in honour of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and 10 other persons who died in last week’s plane crash in Kaduna.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers died when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crashed near the Kaduna International Airport on Friday evening.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday night, said the national flag would fly at half-mast in all public buildings and facilities across the country from Monday in honour of the dead military officers.

The statement read: “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, has authorized that the National Flag should be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences with effect from Monday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

This approval is to honour the memory and services of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, 10 senior military and service members who lost their lives in the plane crash on Friday, May 21, 2021.

“The President has similarly approved a work-free day for members of the Armed Forces on Monday, May 24, 2021.”

Politics

Another attack on INEC, police as unknown gunmen strike Awka offices

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Unknown gunmen on Sunday evening attacked B Division of the Nigeria Police Divisional Station and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa, Anambra.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the fully armed attackers came in three Hilux trucks at about 8pm on Sunday, May 23.

An eyewitness reported that the bandits shot into the air for close to one hour at B Police Division before proceeding to INEC office in Awka.

The source who spoke under anonymity, said before proceeding to INEC, the gunmen drove to Aroma junction and shot in the air for about 10 minutes which made residents scamper for safety before they headed down to INEC.

Though the source said he could not speak on causality figure, he added that there was likelihood of collosal damage at both institutions with possible killings of human beings.

“I saw flames of fire going up from the police station and INEC offices, but I cannot say whether people were killed or not because I did not go closer,” he said.

When contacted, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra said he had received information on the attack in his office, but that he could not officially comment on the matter.

“I need to get clear picture of what happened in my office before I can speak”, he said.

In the same vein, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said he was still making contacts to get correct situation of things around the two federal institutions in the state.

Politics

Akeredolu refutes Igboho’s claims of support for Yoruba Nation

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Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has restated his stance over the continued unity of the Nigerian State.
Akeredolu made this disclosure on Sunday, in response to claims by Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho at a rally in Akure on Saturday, that the Governor is in support of secession in the South-West.

Igboho had said, “The governor is aware of these things we are doing, we have his support. We are no more under the Fulani. All we want is the Yoruba Nation.”

However, in his response signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, on Sunday, Akeredolu said Igboho and other secessionist agitators were on their own.

The statement was titled, ‘Yoruba Nation Agitators On Their Own – Akeredolu’.

It read, “It has come to the knowledge of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term ‘secessionist agitations’ in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally.

“Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda and or balkanization of the nation. Far from it.

“Unequivocally, the Governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the Nation.

“He neither believes nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed. Governor Akeredolu stands by a virile, united, and indivisible Nigeria as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum.

“Therefore, the vigour, zeal, leadership, and candour displayed by Governor Akeredolu for a just and fair Nigeria is altruistic, and borne out of patriotism for the Nation as well as love for his people, the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

“It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu.”

Politics

El-Rufai insists on sacking workers despite agitations by organised labour

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In the aftermath of the suspended strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has reiterated his pledge towards ensuring a revamp of the state’s civil service by sacking unqualified workers for the development of the state.

The Governor made this assertion via a statement issued on Saturday while commending the residents for their forbearance during the strike period.

According to El-Rufai, his administration is “verifying personnel records to remove staff without the required qualifications or with fake qualifications. While we exit unqualified and poorly skilled people, we continue to recruit more teachers, health workers and other professionals for our agencies.

“Therefore, we will rightsize the public service in the interest of the state. In shrinking the public service, we will reduce the number of political appointees and civil servants.”

The Governor also lauded the resilience of Kaduna residents “in the face of the sustained assault on your rights, freedoms, and livelihoods by the NLC over the previous four days.

We appreciate the calm response by our citizens to the NLC’s unwarranted provocation, lawlessness, and denial of essential services.

“The Kaduna State Government wishes to express its regrets that such lawlessness was permitted by those with the duty to prevent it. We sympathise with all our citizens for the denial of electricity for four days and the persistent attempt to disrupt normal life and prevent government offices, hospitals, banks, and other private businesses from functioning.

“As your government, we will pursue accountability for the crimes that have been committed and seek remedies for our people.”

He further berated the organised labour for singling out Kaduna State despite the fact that “it is the first government, whether federal or state, to start implementing the new minimum wage.

“From September 2019, we began paying the new wages with consequential adjustments that raised take-home pay by up to 66%. Our 23 local government councils also complied.

“Many states are yet to pay these wages, while some that began paying have reversed it. But it is the state that is consistently paying that the NLC came to sabotage. We will not become a state that only pays salary, and no amount of pressure will change that. We are a state that believes in progress and development, and we will continue to prioritize this.

We cannot continue to use 84% to 96% of our revenues to pay salaries of less than 1% of the population. The rest of our people, all 99% of them, need better schools, hospitals, water supply, roads, markets, and support for agriculture to make a living outside government.”

Let us all stand together against the entitled unionists who invaded our state to inflict pain and misery on our people. I assure you that the Kaduna State Government will always put the people first.”

Politics

”I no dey do again” – Governor Ayade’s SA resigns with funny letter written in Pidgin English

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An aide to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Abang Ogon, has tendered his resignation letter to the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, following Ayade’s defection from PDP to APC.

Ogon, who is the governor’s Special Assistant on Student Affairs, reportedly wrote a resignation letter to the PDP announcing his decision to follow his principal to leave the party.

In the letter written in Pidgin English and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman, Mbube-East ward II, Abang Ogon explained why he’s leaving the party.

He asked the ward chairman to open the secretariat so that he can take the chairs he donated, because he bought them with the governor’s money.

The letter reads; “Dave,

Shebi ypu don see the quarrel from 2019 tiil now?

“Sheybi you follow see how people run leave community go organise machineries from Rivers state to come beat us?

“Shebi you don hear say Governor don move?

“Abeg you go open that secretariat make i pack my chairs, na Ayade money I use buy am. I no dey do again”.

Politics

Chief of Army staff, Ibrahim Attahiru dies in plane crash

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Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru, has died in a plane crash.

A military Beachcraft 350 aircraft crashed at the Kaduna International Airport on Friday, claiming all eight souls onboard including the Army chief.

Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, Akin Olateru, told The Punch that the eight souls died onboard.

Also, the Nigerian Army spokesman, Yerima Mohammed confirmed the development to BBC.

Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021.

Politics

Oduduwa, Biafra Republics coming soon – Nnamdi Kanu

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Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said that the agitations for the independence of the Oduduwa and Biafra republics will soon come to fruition.

He stated this in a tweet on Wednesday, while speaking on the 1914 amalgamation.

According to the IPOB leader, Britain’s failure to offer Southern and Northern Nigeria the option of partition is a violation of a declaration which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1960.

Kanu wrote; “­Britain’s failure to offer Southern and Northern Nigeria the option of partition like it did with India & Pakistan violated the ‘United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries’. It’s time to right this violation. Oduduwa and Biafra coming soon.”

Meanwhile, Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, had earlier warned that any attack by the Nigerian Army on the South-East would be repelled.

In a statement released by his media aide, Olayomi Koiki, the Yoruba activist said, “We would like to inform the Federal Government Of Nigeria that any attack on the South-East is an attack on the Yorubas.

“Biafra people have been targeted by the Nigeria Army and if there are any further attacks on them, we would have no other option but to support our brothers and sisters in Biafraland.”

Politics

Miyetti Allah backs southern governors on open grazing ban

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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has endorsed the decision of Southern Governors to ban open grazing.

National Patron of MACBAN, Senator Walid Jibrin, addressing a press conference in Kaduna On Thursday, said the ban is capable of solving the farmers-herders crisis.

According to him, cattle rearing has been in Africa for over 100 years without any consideration to free movement of cattle (Open Grazing) or any Grazing Reserve.

He said this was carried out in the past because there were few herders, farmers and cattle, especially in Nigeria.

Jibrin noted that, currently, the population has increased with modern technique of farming consuming land tremendously.

The MACBAN Patron also opposed the criticism that trailed the decision of governors on grazing ban, saying they deserved being praised for taking such a bold step.

He said; “We must note that land in Nigeria is being owned by individuals, Federal, and State Governments.

As a full-blooded Fulani Man, Sarkin Fulani, and Patron Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and concerned Fulani Leader in Nigeria, I have a free mind on anyone recommending a ban on open grazing, free movement of herders, and cattle in Nigeria because the practice is getting outdated and it is necessary for Nigeria, especially the Fulani race to study critically the traditional open grazing believing that the 21st century may never accommodate it.

“When you look at the practice of open grazing in Nigeria compared with what is happening Internationally, Nigeria can never continue with traditional open grazing practice. In order to effect a change, the Fulani elites should be bold enough to come out with alternatives to open grazing and advise the Fulanis in Nigeria accordingly.

“Most importantly the various Fulani Associations with Membership up to 50 must come together and talk with one voice on this tradition of open grazing and not necessarily allow any group to come out to do it for them.

“The Federal and State Governments should come to the rescue by providing Grazing reserve centres equipped with Hospitals, Nomadic Schools, Electricity, Bore Holes, Cattle Markets with Modern Slaughtering Centres, Open Market to our Fulani Women to enable them to remain in one place to sell milk instead of their house to house roaming about exposing our rich Culture and Religion.”

“I have fully observed the feeling of many groups and individuals in Nigeria about open grazing. There is so much condemnation from Nigerian Governors, Northern Governors, Southern Governors etc. These groups and individuals should never be condemned and must be praised for their bold comments trying to modernize and improve cattle rearing in Nigeria. Another reason why we should shun away from open grazing is the way old methods of settlements of crises between Herdsmen and Farmers have been abandoned.

“The role of the Traditional rulers especially the Village Heads, District Heads are daily being neglected by both Herdsmen and Farmers leaving it on the hands of the Police, Courts and other Law abiding agencies. Because of poverty and lack of full education some Fulani children are involved in some unholy acts which will surely be remedied by provision of Grazing reserves.

“May I seize this opportunity to congratulate all the Governors for the bold steps they are taking to curb the menace of open grazing, kidnapping and banditry. In the S/W the recent action by the Governor of Oyo State Chief Makinde is very commendable and also commend him for shunning away the call asking all Hausas and Fulanis to leave the SouthWest. I also condemn any call from the North that all Hausas and Fulani should – leave the South West.

“Nigeria must remain one entity and one Nigeria as against what is happening now. We should rely more on dialogue, and mediation with herders, Fulani Leaders, Traditional rulers and our Governors in order to end this feud. Our Traditional Rulers must also be encouraged to participate in dialogue between Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers for now the traditional rulers are kept off from handling of Herdsmen and Farmers problems.”

Jibrin’s comment comes after the Attorney-General of the federation, Abubakar Malami, accused southern governors of illegality, likening the ban on grazing in the south to the prohibition of spare parts trade in the north.

Politics

Bandits kill Emir of Kontagora’s son in Niger

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Son of the Emir of Kotangora, Alhaji Bashar Saidu Namaska, has been killed by bandits in Kontagora local government area of Niger State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, May 19.

It was gathered that the bandits killed Bashar while working on his father’s farm on Masugu not far from Kontagora village along Zuru road.

Sources said he was gunned down alongside some other people in the farm, while an unspecified number of cows in the farm were rustled.

The bandits, were said to have further stopped vehicles plying the road, and collected phones, money as well as other valuables from commuters.

The story was confirmed by a top government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“It is true that bandits invaded Kontagora town and shot several people and killed the Emir’s son, Alhaji Bashar. His death will be formally announced soon and he will buried immediately.

“He was rushed to the Hospital after he was shot but confirmed dead,” the official said.

Politics, World News

Governor’s Convoy Didn’t Crush Anybody – Witness

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OyoAffairs has confirmed that contrary to the news making rounds that the Convoy of Governor Seyi Makinde overran a child during a campaign in Ogbomosho for the incoming LG Elections. Reports reaching us have debunked this accusation.

According to reports reaching Oyo Affairs, this is a case of false accusation and mere political attack on the office of the Governor.

As opposed to the Convoy running over the child, it was a Toyota Matrix that overran the child, and the Governor’s convoy doesn’t make use of such a vehicle. Also, it is confirmed that the accident happened, long before the arrival of the Governor to the said event.

Residents of Ogbomosho have been asked to remain calm and await further investigation into the accident, as the culprit has been found and arrested; right now he is in the police custody.

Politics

Governor Ayade dumps PDP for APC

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Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade has decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ayade made this known on Thursday morning after a closed-door meeting with six APC governors and some members of the National Assembly who visited him at the Government House.

The governors who visited Ayade include Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State who is also the APC caretaker Chairman; Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

He was elected as the governor of Cross Rivers State under the platform of the PDP in 2015.

Ayade was reelected in 2019 under the platform of the same political party.

Ayade is the second sitting governor to have move to the ruling APC in recent months.

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State also left the PDP Six months back.

Politics

Governor Makinde pays N30,500 as minimum wage in Oyo – Ex-NLC Boss

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Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, has said he pays N30,500 as minimum wage for over 101,000 workers on its payroll.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo, a former State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Special Adviser on Labour Matters to the governor.

Addressing newsmen at the State Secretariat of the Correspondents’ chapel, Mokola, Ibadan, the SA described Makinde as the most Workers’ friendly when compared with previous administrations in the state.

He further hinted that the state government had paid over N13billion as gratuities for retired workers in the state.

He said; “As a worker-friendly Governor, Engr Makinde pays minimum wage for the workers in the state. I have never seen a government which arranged the issue of minimum wage without any noise.

“Oyo State is second to Lagos State in the payment of the minimum wage. We pay workers N30,500 for our workers. But for COVID-19 which affected the economic fortunes of the state, it would have been more than that.

“He has also increased vehicle and housing loans which now stand between N750,000 and N3m depending on the cadre of the worker.

The number of workers in the state is about 101,000 and we have 33 local government areas. The state has over 600 secondary schools.

“Governor Makinde has paid N13b as gratuities for pensioners in the state. The IGR in the state has improved with the state making over N2.5b on the average.

Speaking as a well experienced labour leader on the ongoing brouhaha between Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai and workers in the state, he said the governor should tread softly on the issue adding that he would stand by the workers.

“I will always stand by the workers. You can’t run a whole State like a private enterprise. You can’t just wake up to say you sacked workers like that. There is a process you must follow. There is no way he can win against the workers.”

To make it easier for pregnant workers, he noted that the state had increased maternity leave from three months to six months.

Politics, World News

UN Deploys Troops in Disputed Abyei After an Attack Leaves 11 Dead.

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The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has deployed forces in Dunguop village of Abyei town after an attack on civilians left at least 11 people dead and seven others injured, according to the area deputy administrator.

Speaking to The EastAfrican on Tuesday, Kon Manyiet said one person is missing following the attack.”The attack happened on Sunday… They did random shooting on the civilians,” he said.

Calm returned to the area after UNISFA deployed its troops there, he said.

“We have issued a statement and I assume the Juba administration is now aware of the issue,” Manyiet added.
In January last year, an attack on the Dinka village in Abyei left at least 19 people dead and dozens others injured, according to UNISFA.

After days of negotiations, six children who were reportedly abducted during the clashes were returned.

Days after the incident, activists urged Juba, Khartoum, UN and the African Union to fast track the designation of Abyei to avoid future conflict.

In the following month, South Sudan and Sudan agreed to form a joint team to look into violent clashes.

The consensus was reached after President Salva Kiir met with Sudan’s deputy leader of the Transitional Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba over the matter, in response to an outcry over the incident.

They later announced the two had agreed to form a joint team of investigators, as well as a response force made up of soldiers from both countries, to protect civilians. However, the findings of the committee are yet to be made public.

Abyei is a contested border town between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries are yet to agree on the flow of the border since secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011.

Last year, the UNISFA warned of the possibility of renewed clashes despite the ongoing peace efforts in the area.UNISFA was deployed in June 2011 to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, and protect the area from incursions by unauthorised militants. Civil society groups, however, said the area was attacked mostly because the UN forces did not counter it.

There are 3,550 soldiers, 640 police personnel, including 148 individual police officers and three formed police units deployed in Abyei. As is tradition with most blue helmets, they are non-combat troops meant to defend civilians and prevent occurrence of violence.

The UNISFA, whose headquarters are located in Abyei town, operates in three Sectors; Sector North, Sector Central and Sector South with Sector headquarters at Diffra, Abyei town area, and Athony, respectively.

South Sudan and Sudan are yet to agree on a joint administration, including a police force, for the Abyei area.

The area has faced occasional violence and cattle rustling incidents.

In 2019, the Undersecretary of the UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, called on South Sudan and Sudan to use their cordial bilateral relations to resolve the status of the Abyei region.

Politics

Over 100 armed thugs invade NLC head office in Kaduna

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More than 100 armed thugs on Wednesday, invaded the office of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State.

It was gathered that the thugs stormed the premises in the morning to further disrupt protests in the state.

The state police PRO, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the incident to Daily Post.

According to him, some residents supporting the state government stormed the premises to interrupt the ongoing protest.

We have been able to arrest some of them and investigation is ongoing to that effect,” he added.

There had been allegations that some state-sponsored thugs were being mobilised to disrupt the protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday.

Politics

Police blame Nigerian judge for his abduction

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The Katsina State Police Command has blamed Sharia court judge, Alhaji Husaini Sama’ila, for his abduction.

CorrectNG reported earlier that unknown gunmen abducted the judge inside the court in Baure-Zaka villages in Safana Local Government Area of the state at about 3pm on Tuesday, May 18.

Reacting to the development, the Police spokesperson, SP Isah Gambo, said the judge created an enabling environment that led to his abduction.

“Why is he there when courts are on strike? Where are his police escorts, why he did not ask for security coverage knowing full well that particular court is around the forest and because of that has been relocated to Safana?

Even if he wants to take his file, he should have asked for security coverage and the Police will gladly give him considering his position in the State. Police is investigating the judge actions to unravel the truth,” Isah said.

Politics

Bill seeking 15 years jail-term for Nigerians paying ransom to kidnappers passes second reading

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The Senate on Wednesday considered a bill that seeks to prohibit the payment and receipt of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped, imprisoned or wrongfully confined.

According to the bill, Nigerians who pay ransom to kidnappers and kidnappers who receive ransom risk 15 years imprisonment.

The Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which scaled second reading during plenary is sponsored by Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi.

Leading debate on the bill, the lawmaker said the piece of legislation seeks to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013 to outlaw the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers and terrorists for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped.

According to Onyewuchi, the bill essentially seeks to substitute for section 14 of the Principal Act a new section to read, “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”

He raised alarm that kidnapping has become a fast and lucrative business, adding that, “it has now remained the most virulent form of banditry in Nigeria and the most pervasive and intractable violent crime in the country.”

Continuing, the Senator said, “Kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria and it is prevalent across all the geopolitical zones.

“Some blame the rise of this criminal activity on poverty, religion, politics, deficiency of existing laws, unemployment, connivance of security agents, corruption, and greed among others.

Our unemployed youths are also turning out to kidnapping to get money (ransom) as a survival strategy.

“Whatever the reason, it is most obvious that kidnapping in Nigeria puts everyone at risk, the rich and the poor, old and young, male and female, foreigner or indigene, expatriate or non-expatriate, traditional rulers and religious leaders, among others.”

Continuing, the Senator said, “Kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria and it is prevalent across all the geopolitical zones.

“Some blame the rise of this criminal activity on poverty, religion, politics, deficiency of existing laws, unemployment, connivance of security agents, corruption, and greed among others.

Our unemployed youths are also turning out to kidnapping to get money (ransom) as a survival strategy.

“Whatever the reason, it is most obvious that kidnapping in Nigeria puts everyone at risk, the rich and the poor, old and young, male and female, foreigner or indigene, expatriate or non-expatriate, traditional rulers and religious leaders, among others.”

Politics

Nigerian judge kidnapped inside court

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A judge identified as Alhaji Husaini Sama’ila has been abducted by gunmen at a Sharia Court in Bauren Zakat village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Sources say the armed men broke into the court around 3pm on Tuesday and abducted the judge.

It is not clear why the judge was in court during the industrial action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

Katsina is one of the states most affected by terrorism and banditry in the North-West.

Politics

Traditional worshippers to get public holiday in Lagos

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The Lagos State government has said it is considering an official public holiday set aside for Traditional worshippers in the state, for them to celebrate just like their Christian and Muslim counterparts.

Commissioner for Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and the Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Solomon Bonu disclosed this while giving an account of their stewardship in the past two years.

Bonu said the bill on the proposed public holiday for Traditional worshipers is currently before the State House of Assembly.

He assured that it would soon be passed by the lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The Special Adviser, explained that there will be a specific day earmarked for traditional worshippers as a public holiday or work-free day.

On that day, which may likely be in August, the government will organise activities to celebrate with them at a venue where all worshipers will gather.

It is our culture; it is the first religion and religion of our forefathers before Christianity and Islam came into being. So, the day will give us an opportunity to display our tradition and culture,” he said.

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