Politics

Reps scrutinise bill seeking powers to summon president, governor

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A bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to grant the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly powers to summon the President and Governors has scaled second reading at the House of Reps.

Rep. Sergius Ogun (PDP–Edo) who sponsored the bill in his argument on Tuesday, March 16, in Abuja said the doctrine of separation of power must be upheld.

He said that the basic doctrine closely related to the exercise of legislative powers in a democracy was the doctrine of separation of powers.

Ogun said that such law would help to invite the President and Governors to answer questions on issues of national security.

He added that it would help them to also answer questions on any matter whatsoever, over which the national assembly and states houses of assembly have powers to make laws.

“You will recall what happened in January when the House summoned President Muhammadu Buhari but he failed to honour the invitation,” he said.

He said that part of the reasons adduced for the President’s non appearance was that the House had no constitutional power to invite him.

He said that such invitations to the president was not expressly stated in Nigerian laws, adding that the lawmakers must give it Constitutional backing to be able to summon the president and state governors.

Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila however, referred the bill to the house ad hoc committee on the review of 1999 Constitution.

Politics

Protesters storm Enugu assembly over ex-governors’ pension bill

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Some protesters demanding the withdrawal of a bill seeking life pension for former governors of the state on Tuesday stormed the Enugu State House of Assembly.

They were seen carrying placards that read, “no to political life pensions”, while chanting ‘solidarity’ songs.

The executive bill tagged, ‘Enugu State Gubernatorial Pensions Bill 2021’, was introduced for first reading last week Thursday.

The bill prescribes 900 percent of a governor’s annual salary as monetary entitlements with a medical allowance not exceeding N12 million per annum to the wives of the governors.

Earlier, a South East sociopolitical group, the Save Enugu Group (SEG) issued a 21-day ultimatum to Enugu State House of Assembly to stop passage of the bill.

Keywords: ex-governors pension bill

Entertainment, Politics

Actor Yul Edochie aims to become the best president in Nigeria’s history

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Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, the son of veteran thespian, Pete Edochie Tuesday, revealed that he still aims to serve the people.

This time, he declared that he will be the best president to ever emerge in Nigeria’s history.

Taking to his Twitter platform, Yul stated that he wants to see Nigerians reach their optimum potential; both the current generation and the future generation.

Yul Edochie who has since shown interest to run for President in 2023, says he will be the best President Nigeria has ever had.

He shared this on his social media handles this afternoon.
Read what he published on social media;

”I will be the best President Nigeria has ever had. YUL EDOCHIE 2023. #givetheyouthsachance”

Politics

‘Warn bandits in local language not English’, Sen Sani tells Buhari

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Following a warning speech given by President Muhammadu Buhari after bandits abducted scores of students in Kaduna, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has faulted the president’s “stern warning” to bandits.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that after the attack on the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, by bandits, Buhari had warned that his administration would not allow the destruction of the country’s school systems.

Reacting to the warning speech via a tweet on his official Twitter handle on Monday, Sani adviced that Buhari should stop issuing warning to bandits in English language.

He tweeted: “All warnings issued to the bandits should be made in the local language they can understand. Warning them in English is so far futile.”

Bandits have so far attacked states like Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna State being the latest.

Politics

Kano govt arrests 200 street beggars, Almajiris

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The Kano State Government has arrested 200 street beggars and Almajiri children for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, disclosed in Kano on Monday.

The word ‘Almajiri’ refers to the children of the non-formal Quranic schools commonly found in northern Nigeria.

Muhammad-Umar said following the ban on street begging in the state, the ministry arrested the beggars and almajiri children in the Kano metropolis with 60 per cent being women, children and men, while 30 per cent were almajiris.

Some of those arrested sleep under the bridge, while some on the streets. Most of the beggars and almajiri children are from Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe, among others while only a few are from Kano State.

We noticed that because Kano is peaceful, that is why they came. It is very dangerous to leave them on the streets without knowing their parents, adding that bad behaviour is mostly found among the beggars. We will continue to arrest them to ensure sanity and rid the streets of all forms of crimes,” she said.

She explained that those arrested from other states would be transported to their states on Tuesday, and handed over to their parents.

She noted that the state would render some assistance to the almajiri children for them to be able to go back to school.

Meanwhile, Muhammad-Umar said the ministry also re-arrested a woman that was given N10,000 empowerment to be self-reliant but continued begging.

“I personally gave her N10,000 from my hard-earned money and she promised to stop street begging. I will make sure she is prosecuted,” she added.

While calling for closer collaboration with the government to curb street begging, she urged the people of the state, especially women, to take care of their children to be good citizens.

Muhammad-Umar also advocated for legislation on the prosecution of street beggars.

Recall that the Kano State Government on Feb. 5, arrested 500 beggars, transported them back to their various communities, and empowered about 60 of them with different entrepreneurial skills.

Politics

Nigeria at risk of Covid-19 third wave, PTF warns

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The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned Nigerians against a third wave of the virus that is already being experienced by some countries.

Speaking at the briefing of the taskforce in Abuja on Monday, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and PTF Chairman, Boss Mustapha, said despite the availability of coronavirus vaccines, Nigeria was still at risk.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the virus is very potent and people still get infected. It’s also a fact that the vaccination process has only just begun. It has been reported that some countries are recording a third wave of cases.”

He noted that as of March 14, Nigeria’s bed occupancy had reduced to 1.22 percent and active cases stood at 13, 245.

Mustapha said Nigeria had unfortunately crossed 2,000 fatalities on March 12 and now had 2,013 recorded deaths.

“The PTF will like to caution Nigerians on home-based care as there may not be enough facilities and personnel to manage patients in times of emergencies.”

In his remarks, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, said only Kogi State was not supplied the Oxford-AztraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as its cold store was still under repairs following vandalisation during the #EndSARS protest.

He said about 8,000 Nigerians had received their first dose of the vaccine, noting that no official report of serious adverse effects had been received from any of those vaccinated “but mild side effects such as swelling at the side of the vaccination is expected as this is normal.”

Politics

Dep Senate President, Omo-Agege; APC gov candidate, Emerhor, settle dispute in Delta APC

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, and the Founding Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, have set aside their political differences and called for an end to the divisions in the party in the state.

Omo-Agege and Emerhor particularly called on leaders of the party in the state to close rank and work for the unity of the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

Both leaders spoke at Evwreni in Ughelli North Local Government Area at the weekend, when the deputy president of the Senate visited Emerhor at his country-home with other leaders of the party, including Hon. Francis Waive, who represents Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu at the House of Representatives.

Omo-Agege, in his remark, described the visit as a brotherly one and part of efforts toward ending the rift among leaders of the party in the state, blaming the poor performance of the party in the 2019 general election on the division.

The deputy president of the Senate said the visit was significant in putting the rivalry among the various camps in the party behind and forging a formidable unity among its members.

He said, “As both of us will say, Delta State is ripe for the taking. We have also said that can only happen if all of us are on the same page. Come to think of it, what are we fighting for? At the end of the day, we are brothers first before we became members of APC. Party will come and go but the Urhobo people will remain Urhobo. Delta State will remain Delta State.

“As from today, we should all know that we are one. The party is not just about Emerhor and me, we still have other leaders. In politics, we drag who gets what, but while doing that, we must do it with civility. We must do it with humanity. We must not play it in a way that it becomes almost impossible to reconcile yourselves at the end of the exercise.”

He commended Emerhor for committing to the peace process in the state, noting that he would work with everyone to ensure that APC wins future elections in the state through unity.

In his remark, Emerhor, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of the party in the state, described the visit by Omo-Agege as historic, saying it was time for leaders and members of the party from across the state to embrace peace and unity in the interest of the party.

He agreed that the main reason why the APC has not been able to take power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, was because of the division among its leaders.

He tasked Omo-Agege to do more by reaching out to other party leaders like Chief Great Ogboru, Festus Keyamo, and others to bring everyone together.

Politics

Former Zamfara Gov, Yari, warns govt against politicising security issues

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Former Zamfara State governor, Abdul’aziz Yari has cautioned the State Government against politicising security challenges in the state.

Yari said this when he spoke with newsmen on Monday, March 15, in Talata Mafara, headquarters of Talata Mafara Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“Insecurity is a global issue, each country has its own peculiar security challenge, all we need to do is to put hands together to ensure the safety of our people.

“We should avoid sentiments or politicising the matter affecting the lives of our people. We met with President Muhammad Buhari at the National Security Council meeting in Abuja last week.

All of us at the meeting, irrespective of political differences resolved to work together with the federal government to ensure lasting peace not only in Zamfara but Nigeria in general,” he said.

Yari advised the state government to collaborate with the federal government towards addressing the problem.

“Gov. Bello Matawalle should be careful while handling security matters in the state, he should think deeply on any advice given to him on how to tackle security challenges in the state,” he said.

He dismissed allegations that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were supporting banditry in the state.

“When I was the governor, I never accuse the opposition party of sponsoring banditry.

I wish to debunk such claims as they were made by mischief makers working against APC in the state,” he said.

Politics

Boko Haram will be defeated soon, Attahiru assures Nigerian soldiers

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, on Sunday, assured that the war against insurgency in Nigeria would soon come to a successful end.

Attahiru, who visited the troops of the Nigerian Army’s Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole in Damaturu, Yobe State, assured them that Boko Haram would be defeated soon.

His words: “We have come to Yobe State to the sector headquarters to meet you, to get to know you and you to get to know us. We pledge to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I will like to tell you that I personally, as the Chief of Army Staff, am here to take cognizance and note of the challenges you have and ensure that they are addressed to ensure you have the highest level of morale to be able to do your job and do it proudly as Nigerian soldiers.”

The COAS commended the troops for their success in Operation Tura Takai Bango, and how they fought the Boko Haram insurgents.

“We are proud of you and I believe in the second phase of that operation, you will do more,” he added.
Meanwhile, he urged Yobe State residents to continue to help and collaborate with the security forces in their war against the insurgents.

Politics, World News

How Deputy Speaker, Benue Lawmaker Clashed Over Petition On Insecurity From Nigerians Abroad.

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The response of the Nigerian government to address these issues bordering on the incessant attacks of the murderous herders against farmers and their communities has been shallow.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase has said Nigerians in the Diaspora have no right to query the Nigerian government about the issues of insecurity in the country.

He said this while sitting in for the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila during a plenary session on Thursday, as he rejected a petition presented by Mark Gbillah representing Gwer East/Gwer West of Benue State.

The criminal herders have killed tens of thousands of Nigerians in the Middle Belt and Southern part of Nigeria. There are others that have been displaced as a result of their wanton killings. Aside from the killings, they rape women and their daughters, destroy farmlands worth millions of naira and also abduct villagers to demand ransoms.

And the response of the Nigerian government to address these issues bordering on the incessant attacks of the murderous herders against farmers and their communities has been shallow.

Gbillah while submitting a petition filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika (MUTA) on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba, said, “Mr Speaker, I have a petition from the Mzough U Tiv Amerika, who are the Tivs in America against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And the issue has to do with the ancestral land of the Tiv people, to have been possessed in recent times through various attacks and the fact that they are languishing in IDP camps till date which needs (government) intervention.”

Responding, Wase said, “Honourable Gbillah, did you say Tivs in America? What do they know about Nigeria? What is their business? They can’t sit in their comfort zones and know what is happening in Nigeria. If this petition is coming from those who are within the country.

“Those who (Nigerians) live comfortably abroad do not have the right to file petitions against the federal government on issues regarding a spate of violent crimes committed linked to herdsmen.”

The petition, which was presented by Mark Gbillah from Gwer East/Gwer West, accused the Nigerian government of nonchalance towards the perils facing those who have been displaced as a result of killer herdsmen activities.

In his reaction, Gbillah argued that Nigerians abroad should be able to file grievances because they have family members residing in the state.

The Benue lawmaker also upheld that, “some of them are just studying, some just went there to do courses and they’re a union and are Nigerian citizens.”

But the Deputy Speaker demanded whether or not MUTA was even registered with the Corporate Affairs of Commission to begin with.

Gbillah, however, disputed Wase on the grounds that Nigeria has been pursuing a policy of inclusiveness for its citizens living abroad, and the objective would not be achieved if the same set of Nigerians cannot be allowed to speak on violent matters of national concern.

“I’ll refer you to the functions of the committee on diaspora, if you go through that, it is nothing relevant to what you’re now presenting, I’m not convinced that we have to take that petition,” Wase said.

Meanwhile, while condemning Wase’s comment on his Twitter page, human rights activist, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu wrote, “So, @HouseNGR can so blithely strip #Nigerians outside the borders of the country of their citizenship & rights….? Is it ignorance or bias or biased ignorance that drives this presiding officer in this piece of inspired parliamentary silliness in @HouseNGR?

“The same ninnies who pull this kind of nonsense habitually will show up tomorrow & tell u how ‘#Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable,’ when they themselves have made it a tradeable commodity & have made good bartering it for convenience all their lives, even in Parliament.

“Every #Nigerian who’s crossed borders shd watch this clip over & over & decide for themselves what they wish to do,” he said, adding that politicians cannot continue to preside over the affairs of a country in whose existence and unity they don’t believe.

Also, the Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on her Twitter page wrote, “I am confident @SpeakerGbaja will handle the issue appropriately.”

Politics

Human Rights group criticises Buhari’s shoot-on-sight order, reveals it has no basis in law

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The Committee for De­fence of Human Rights (CDHR) on Sunday, March 14, berated President Buhari for issuing a shoot-on-sight order, stating that it has no ba­sis in the nation’s law.

This was contained in a statement issued by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, national president of CDHR, in a press statement.

According to the CDHR, there are “Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Fire Arms by Law Enforcement Offi­cers,” which emphasizes pro­portionality and mandates that the use of lethal force should be as an absolute last resort and only when strictly unavoidable, in order to pro­tect life.

Obayuwana also noted that there was doubt that the security situation Nigeria contends with at this time is grave, but the rational handling of the situation calls for circum­spection and not knee-jerk reactions.

The statement reads, “One would not want to be­lieve that Mr. President, in making his order, is play­ing to the gallery of public expectations. No matter the gravity of the situation, the law is that a citizen is pre­sumed innocent until prov­en guilty by a court of law and can only be punished and stipulated in law.

“All members of the society are exposed to danger in a situa­tion where Mr. President by casual order confers powers of life and death on a police­man or soldier, who accuses, judges and executes punish­ment in spite of the standard set in the law.

“After all, Mr. President has not declared a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Consti­tution; were Mr. President to have done so, a formal proclamation will be nec­essary and the stipulations and preconditions outlined in the Constitution will be complied with; the duration will be as spelt out in the law, and the National Assembly would have played its role in the process.”

Politics

Kaduna govt pledges safe return of abducted college students

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The Kaduna State Government, on Sunday, March 14, said it will ensure the safe return of the 39 students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, in the Igabi Local Government Area.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the students, comprising of 23 females and 16 males are still in captivity with the bandits demanding N500 million for their release.

This pledge was made via a statement by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Aruwan stated that the Kaduna Government acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students of the college.

The statement also mentioned the efforts of the military, police, DSS, and other security agencies whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.

The Kaduna State Government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions,” he said.

Aruwan, in an earlier news briefing, said the attack was carried out by a large group of “armed bandits,” adding that the military engaged the attackers and was able to take 180 staff and students to safety.

An unspecified number of the students were injured and are receiving medical attention at a military facility. Security forces “are conducting an operation to track the missing students,” Aruwan said.

Authorities also said that “bandits” were behind the earlier abduction of 279 schoolgirls late last month in the northwest, referring to the groups of armed men who kidnap for money or to press for the release of jailed members of their groups.

Those girls were later freed following negotiations with the government, and it is not known whether a ransom was paid.

Politics

Reps issue ultimatum to NNPC, subsidiaries over usage of unauthorised accounts

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The House of Representatives, on Sunday, March 14, issued an ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries for an appearance before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Friday, or have a warrant of arrest issued against them.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the NNPC and its subsidiaries were issued this ultimatum, following a query by the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) over dwindling revenue to the Federal Government.

Committee Chairman Oluwole Oke, who gave the directive, said the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government were operating on the Treasury Single Account (TSA), while NNPC was using its subsidiaries to operate commercial banks without the knowledge of the Accountant General of the Federation.

NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa Ajiya, some weeks ago, had appeared before the committee and submitted that they were going to speak on behalf of their subsidiaries, a position the committee rejected.

The committee had said the subsidiaries were legal entities and must speak on their own.

Last week, NNPC’s Group Managing Director Mele Kyari told the lawmakers that the corporation and its subsidiaries were authorised by law to make deductions at source to fund their operations.

He had said his delay to appear before the committee was due to some exigencies.

Last Friday, Oke was enraged that the NNPC subsidiaries had not appeared before the committee and render their financial accounts, as they were expected to do, as of last week.

Consequently, he ordered the corporation and its subsidiaries to appear before the committee or a warrant of arrest be issued against them.

The lawmaker gave them seven days to appear before the committee.

Politics

Police arrests one suspected killer of retired DIG’s wife in Benue

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The Benue State police command on Sunday confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the killing of Mrs. Eunice Aghanya, wife of a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ibezimako Aghanya.

Mrs. Aghanya was killed by gunmen at his residence in Makurdi on Saturday.

The command’s spokesperson, who Catherine Anene, disclosed this in a statement in Makurdi, said police received information on Saturday that the deceased who had planned to pay a courtesy call on a monarch in Makurdi was not seen by other chiefs in the state capital.

She said: “Police detectives who received this report swiftly moved to the deceased’s house where she resides alone behind her bakery.

Her car was seen parked in front of the gate and the fence broken into but her doors were locked.

“The team noticed bloodstains on the window of the deceased’s house and curiously broke in where they found the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood with a deep cut on the head.”

Anene said the woman’s body had been deposited at Bishop Murray Hospital Morgue in Makurdi.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

You’re the best’ — Fani-Kayode hails Ghanaian wife for backing him amid abuse claims.

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Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, has once again showered encomium on Regina-Hanson Amonoo, his Ghanaian wife, for always standing by him regardless of his shortcomings.
The accolades were lavished on Regina, also known as Gina Hall, on Sunday — less than 24 hours after she defended the ex-minister over allegations of abuse levelled against him by Precious Chikwendu, his fourth and estranged wife.
Fani-Kayode has been in a heated tussle with Chikwendu for the custody of their four children since their marriage of seven years collapsed last year.
The former beauty queen had earlier alleged that the ex-minister abused her on numerous occasions while they were still together — a claim he dismissed.

Amid the face-off between the pair, Gina Hall had in a statement on Saturday debunked Chikwendu’s allegations, while backing Fani-Kayode.
In an ostensible reaction to Regina’s gesture, the ex-minister took to his social media pages to commend the Ghanaian, while reiterating his love for her.
Fani-Kayode also described Regina, his third wife, as “my everything” who always stands by him even when he makes mistakes.
“The one and only and the best of the best. As faithful as always and as constant as the northern star. Even where I made the wrong choices you forgave and stood by me. You are my everything. Love you forever G!” he wrote.
This is not the first time Fani-Kayode will be applauding Regina for backing him whenever there are controversies.
He had last year described her as the “most powerful force in his life” after she came to his defense amid allegations of domestic violence reports against him.
The ex-minister tied the knot with Gina Hall in 1997 after which he married Chikwendu in 2014.
Fani-Kayode had earlier married Saratu Attah in 1987 but the duo split three years later. In 1991, the ex-minister also married Yemisi Adeniji but they were separated by 1995.

Politics

No more amnesty for bandits, others in Benue – Gov Ortom

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The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Saturday there would be no more amnesty for criminals in the state.

Ortom, who stated this during the burial of ex-governor Gabriel Suswam’s elder brother, Terkura Suswam at Anyinn, Logo local government area of the state, decried the conspiracy of silence among the people of the state on the state’s security challenges.

This, according to him, makes criminalities to continue unabated.

The older Suswam was murdered by unknown gunmen at his country home in Anyiin about two weeks ago.

The governor condemned in strong terms the criminality in Sankera, Logo, Ukum, and Katsina-Ala local government areas of the state, saying his government would no longer negotiate with any criminal in the state.

He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to go after those who have taken into criminality in the state, particularly in Sankera axis.

Ortom said: “From intelligence report, some members of the community are supporting these criminals which make it difficult for security men.

“I want to assure youths in the state not only in Sankera that we are going to go after these criminals and by the grace of God we will get them.

“There is no more amnesty, no more negotiation with them (criminals) except they come back like the prodigal son and plead for forgiveness.”

Politics

Amaechi reacts to criticisms of Nigerian govt’s use of inferior outdated rail lines for projects

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The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has said that narrow gauge rail lines were not inferior to the standard gauge lines.

He made this clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, March 14, in Lagos.

According to him, the only difference between the two lines was speed.

Amaechi was reacting to allegations that the narrow gauge lines were inferior, sub-standard, and outdated in other parts of the world.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that some stakeholders had accused the minister of recommending the narrow gauge to the federal government instead of the standard gauge to maximise the benefits of modern rail transportation.

However, Amaechi explained that the Eastern rail line was going to have both the narrow and standard gauges, adding that the cost of the standard gauge, feasibility, and time frame informed the choice.

The minister said it was cheaper to rehabilitate the narrow gauge, which would cost about $3.2 billion dollars, and could be delivered within the approved time frame.

Amaechi said that the standard gauge lines was going to cost about $11 to 14 billion dollars to construct, adding that getting the funds within the limited time was not feasible because of other projects awaiting funding.

The standard gauge line is between $11 to 14 billion dollars to construct on the Eastern flag, the standard gauge as designed in Nigeria is 150km design speed, operational speed is 120km; what is the difference between 120km and 100km? The narrow gauge is about $3.2 billion dollars at 100km per hour.

The narrow gauge is cheaper at $3 billion against the $11 to $14 billion to construct the standard gauge. Why we did not get the approval for the narrow gauge on time was because of the President’s insistence on the standard gauge from Port Harcourt-Maiduguri.

“My argument was if I can achieve the same length of rail with $3 billion dollars why not take that first until when we get money, we can now go for the standard gauge.

“The difference made him approved the standard gauge as designed but until we get the money, because if we continue to wait until we get the $11 billion to &14 billion, we may not be able to construct the Eastern flag before we leave government,” Ameachi said.
On his part, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhria, said that the narrow gauge line was not outdated or less efficient, stating that there should not be a comparison.

Okhiria said that Nigeria was the first African country to introduce standard gauge lines, noting that South Africa and other African countries still use the narrow gauge lines.

“In the whole of Africa, Nigeria is the only country that has introduced a standard gauge line.

“South Africa, India, and other countries are still using the narrow gauge lines introduced by their colonial masters, other African countries are still using what the colonial masters constructed.

“The Eastern rail line has both the standard and the narrow gauge lines to be constructed; the narrow gauge will be rehabilitated now because the fund is available but the reality of getting the $13 billion now to construct the standard gauge line is not feasible.

So, the narrow gauge is not inferior in any way, the difference is in the speed and it cannot carry more load like the standard gauge because the standard gauge is wider while the narrow gauge is narrower which doesn’t make it less effective than the standard gauge.

Politics

Zoning APC presidential ticket to north tantamount to third term —Sen Ndume

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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has said that any attempt to zone the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) presidential ticket to the north would be tantamount to a third term after President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term in office.

While addressing journalists at a roundtable organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, on Saturday, the lawmaker representing Borno South in the Senate, said it would be against the party’s constitution for the north to produce the next presidential candidate.

Senator Ndume said in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity, any part of the country’s south should produce the next presidential candidate for the APC.

He said: “I’m against APC producing its presidential candidate from the north. The APC presidential candidate should come from the south. I have said it before and will still say it again that if we have a northerner as APC presidential candidate, to me, it is tantamount to third-term and it is not constitutional.

“The (APC) constitution says the president shall serve two terms and we said then that the north should serve two terms. If you say the North should produce the presidential candidate again, it means you are going for third-term, which is not fair and I believe in fairness, justice and equality.

Let candidate from the south, and that means, south-south, southeast and south-west, clinch the ticket. For the south-east, let me say, for example, you want to be the head of this house and you are calling for the division of the house, will it work?

“And I think the southeast needs to think about it. That is what is creating the rumour for the northerners to even say they want to be the president again. If you want to be president of Nigeria, you must believe in the unity of Nigeria. I support the candidate to come anywhere from the south.”

On the ravaging insecurity, Senator Ndume lamented that troops at war front are ill-equipped to tackle the challenges, and stressed the need for the federal government to ensure that the armed forces have what it takes to fight insecurity, which included the security agencies being well funded.

Also, the lawmaker agreed that there was nothing wrong with the Federal Government hiring mercenaries and Special Forces from foreign countries to help combat insecurity.

“I don’t see what is wrong in asking for help when you are overwhelmed,” he added.

Politics

Kano task-force seizes, destroys fake drugs worth N6bn in nine years

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The Kano State Task Force Committee on fake drugs and unwholesome foods has disclosed that it seized and destroyed counterfeit drugs worth N6 billion in the past nine years.

Chairman of the committee, Gali Sule, revealed this during an interactive session on Saturday with the Kano state chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

According to him, on about 20 different occasions since its inauguration in 2012, the committee has destroyed fake drugs in the state, noting that success was achieved through the hard work and commitment of its members, and collaborations with related agencies established to fight the menace.

He noted that the state’s ranking on the consumption of fake and substandard drugs has improved as it dropped from number one to six in a recent rating.

He said: “We have destroyed all the seized drugs, 20 destruction exercises for the seized drugs have been held since 2012, mostly witnessed by the executive governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

If you sanitise Kano of fake drugs, you are sanitising many countries in the region of Africa of substandard drugs because countries like Niger, Chad, even Sudan among others buy their drugs from Kano.”

He said before the inauguration of the committee, drug hawkers used to flood the streets of Kano but had been driven away because of the activities of the committee, which has NAFDAC, NDLEA, security agencies, KAROTA, and vigilante groups among others as members.

“Drug hawkers in Kano have been drastically reduced. Before now, they were everywhere but they are no more, they have relocated to neighbouring states. Just three days ago we confiscated fake and adulterated antimalarial drugs, which if left undetected may affect many, especially pregnant women.

The logo on the drug was from a partnership programme between Kano State and some international donors on antimalarial drugs. The partnership had ended three years ago, but these people were still using the logo to manufacture the fake drug,” Sule added.

He said more measures were being taken in collaboration with the Federal Government to stem the tide of the menace, noting that a site was being built and was at 80 per cent completion level, where all drug marketers, especially wholesalers in Kano would be relocated.

Politics

SERAP sues Buhari over move to borrow N895bn from dormant accounts of Nigerians

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Abuja “to restrain and stop President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government from borrowing an estimated N895bn of Nigerians’ money in the form of their unclaimed dividends and balances in dormant accounts, under the guise of the patently unlawful, unconstitutional, and discriminatory legislation known as ‘the Finance Act, 2020.’”

The suit followed recent move by the Federal Government to take over and borrow unclaimed dividends and dormant account balances owned by Nigerians in any bank in the country. But the same legislation explicitly excludes dormant official bank accounts by all branches of government and their agencies.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/31/2021 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking: “an order of perpetual injunction restraining and stopping President Buhari from demanding, taking over, borrowing, and collecting Nigerians’ money in the form of their unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts or transferring and moving the money into a trust fund known as ‘Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund’”.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the Federal Government should not be allowed to borrow Nigerians’ money. Borrowing unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts owned by ordinary Nigerians would negatively affect their right to an adequate standard of living, and access to clean water, quality healthcare and education.”

According to SERAP: “Despite Nigeria’s dwindling oil revenue, the growing level of public debt, and widespread poverty, public officers including the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies, and members of the National Assembly have refused to cut their emoluments, allowances and security votes. At the same time, millions of Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of mismanagement and corruption.”

Joined in the suit as Defendants are: Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ms Zainab Ahmed.

SERAP is also arguing that “For there to be a borrower, there must be a lender. The intention to enter into such borrower-lender relationship must be known to both parties. Any other arrangement that allows a borrower to access funds from a lender without the knowledge and express consent of the lender will amount to stealing.”

According to SERAP: “The Federal Government has repeatedly failed to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of public wealth and resources such as recovered stolen public funds, and the loans so far obtained, estimated to be $31.98bn, and failed to address the systemic and widespread corruption in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “By the combined reading of section 44(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Federal Government has absolutely no right to borrow Nigerians’ money in the form of their unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts without their knowledge and express consent.

“The move to borrow Nigerians’ money amounts to unlawful expropriation, as it is neither proportionate nor necessary, especially given the unwillingness or inability of the government to stop systemic and widespread corruption in MDAs, cut waste and stop all leakages in public expenditures. The borrowing is also not in the public interest.

Respect for the right to property is important to improve the enjoyment of other basic human rights and to lift Nigerians out of poverty. There is a limit on the ability of any government to interfere with private property without legal justification. The right to property is a sacred and fundamental right.

“Borrowing unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts without due process of law and the knowledge and explicit consent of the owners is arbitrary, and as such, legally and morally unjustifiable.

To create a valid trust relationship, there must be explicit agreement between the setlor and the trustee, for the benefits of the trust beneficiary. There must also be sufficient evidence of the setlor’s intention to create a trust. The relationship cannot be arbitrarily created. It can also not be forced or assumed unilaterally, which is exactly what the Federal Government is pushing to do in this case.

“According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), four in ten Nigerians or over 82.9 million Nigerians live in poverty.

Where agencies of government are allowed to operate at large and at their whims and caprices in the guise of performing their statutory duties, the end result will be anarchy, licentiousness, authoritarianism and brigandage leading to the loss of the much cherished and constitutionally guaranteed freedom and liberty.

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