Politics

Sanusi emerges as new leader of Tijanniyah sect in Nigeria

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Deposed Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II, has been pronounced as the new leader of the Tijjaniyya Sufi order in Nigeria.

The appointment was announced at the annual event marking the birthday of the sect’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, held in Sokoto State, on Saturday, March 13.

Since the death of Sheikh Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu in 2018, the sect has not appointed any leader.

Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi I, Sanusi’s late grandfather, was a leader of the sect at some point.

The governors of Sokoto and Zamfara states, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Bello Matawalle, and a prominent leader of the sect, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, were among the invited dignitaries.

Adherents of Tijjianiyya who were in their thousands offered special prayers for peace, unity and stability in the country.

The prayer session was led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and leader of Majma’u Ahbab Rasul Li Shehu Nyass, Alhaji Dahiru Abubakar.

Politics

Lagos govt engages Port stakeholders to eliminate Apapa gridlock

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The Lagos State Government has said the Apapa gridlock has eased considerably and urged terminal operators to support the interventions set in place to end the gridlock in Apapa and its environs

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka stated this in a statement after an operation review Meeting with terminal operators in the Tin Can Island ports at Apapa, on Saturday, March 13.

Fayinka, who doubles as the Chairman, Traffic Management Enforcement Team, declared that the meeting was a continuation of efforts to enlist the support of all the critical Stakeholders in the Ports at Apapa.

Fayinka noted that traffic in and out of Apapa and its environs has improved drastically.

He said, “If you come in through Eko bridge, Ijora, Sifax, or Iganmu, the road is free. The only problem we are having now is from Area B to the Port.’’

“We have actually met with shippers council and they told us they are ready.

We have agreed that the next meeting will be to engage the Shippers Council, the truckers, the terminal operators, Nigerian Ports Authority, and every other Stakeholder, so we can listen to their challenges.

“This is because we will want the Shippers Council to be up and doing in the evacuation of empty containers. It is their responsibility to remove empty containers from blocking the roads,” he disclosed.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Elijah Adele charged terminal operators on the need to support the e-call up system.

Adele noted that the time for making excuses is over, saying that everyone must cooperate with the State Government on Apapa gridlock intervention.

The traffic situation has to be drastically reduced so that your businesses can thrive.

“When the road is free, the truckers turnover will be high. Traffic causes health, security, environmental, and other societal problems. I’m begging us, let’s make this work,” Adele said.

Politics

How to address farmers-herdsman incessant clashes – Tinubu

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The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Saturday called for unity and decisiveness in order to tackle the farmer-herdsmen crisis in the country.

Tinubu, who made the call in a statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, said the farmer- herdsmen dispute had taken an acute and violent dimension that had led to the death of many innocent people in the country.

He said although enhanced security measures are the necessary first step to address the problem, it could not be the only step.

Tinubu said: “This matter is not ethnic in factual origin or actual causation although in the minds and hearts of too many it has become ethnic in recrimination and impulsive action.

There have been sporadic disputes in the past but this one is more severe. The reasons for the greater violence of this current dispute are myriad.”

The ex-Lagos governor stressed that while the farmers have the right to farm on their land unmolested the herdsmen should also be allowed to raise their livestock without undue interference.

He, however, added that when a conflict between these groups arises to such an extent, the nation must set forth clear principles and policies to remove the tension and allow both to proceed toward their stated goals, live in harmony, and according to their respective rights.

The APC chieftain urged government at all levels to ensure that unoccupied public land are fenced into grazing areas or ranches and leased to herdsmen on a very low-cost and nominal basis.

Tinubu noted that the crisis has aggravated ethnic sentiment and political tension and despite the efforts of some of those in positions of responsibility and public trust, the crisis has not significantly abated.

Sadly, others who should know better have incited matters by tossing about hate-tainted statements that fall dangerously short of the leadership these people claim to provide.

“Because of the violence that has ensued and the fretful consequences of such violence, if left unabated, we must move in unison but decisively to end the spiral of death and destruction.

“Only when the violence and the illogic of it are halted can logic and reason prevail. Until the violence is rolled back, we cannot resolve the deep problems that underlie this conflict.

“We will neither be able to uplift the farmer from his impoverished toil nor move the herder toward the historic transformation which he must make,” he added.

Politics

Okonjo-Iweala makes first official visit to Nigeria as WTO DG

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The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has made her first visit to Nigeria since she assumed office.

She was received in the country on Saturday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

Okonjo-Iweala told reporters in Abuja, the nation’s capital that her visit to Nigeria was to show appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the support accorded her.

She also hinted that discussion on how Nigeria can leverage her position to benefit from trans-national trade formed part of her visit to the country.

Okonjo-Iweala’s visit to Nigeria comes about a month after she was confirmed as the Director-General of the global trade organisation.

As the first woman and first African to lead the international body, her term began on March 1 and would last until the next four years.
The term, which is renewable, will expire on August 31, 2025.

Politics

Imo lawmaker sponsors bill to reduce bride prices

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A lawmaker representing Obowo constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Kenneth Ibeh, has sponsored a bill to reduce the expenses of marriage in the state to a maximum of N180,000.

Ibeh said the bill was necessary as many young women in the state are yet to be married due to the expensive cost of marriage and the bride price.

According to him, the bill, which was presented for the second reading on Friday, would address the outrageous marriage bills that had caused many ladies to remain single in the state as suitors cannot afford to pay.

“A suitor coming to pay for a lady’s dowry may finds it taxing to settle for the English wedding which again demands more expenses.

It is quite unfortunate that this practice has caused so many of our marriageable ladies to remain single and men apprehensive of taking the bold step. This is wrong and we must discourage it at all cost,” Ibe said.

The bill proposes that once a suitor pays and completes the bride price of a woman, a clearance certificate should be issued to the groom by the father of the bride, who will present the certificate to the traditional ruler of the community.

The clearance certificate, the bill says, would then be presented for the final issuance of Customary Marriage Certificate at a cost not exceeding N1000.

The proposed law stated that no customary marriage in the state, including the final stage of the Igbankwu ceremony, should exceed the sum of N180,000, and that the bride price should not exceed N80,000.

Politics

Reps slam army chief for shunning invitation to investigative hearing on arms procurement

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The House of Representatives ad hoc committee auditing the arms and ammunition procured by the country’s Armed Forces on Friday knocked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, for snubbing its invitation before the panel.

The House Ad Hoc Committee on the Need to Review the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary, and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria held its first investigative hearing in Abuja on Friday.

The COAS was represented by the Commandant of Nigerian Army War College, Maj.-Gen. Charles Ofoche.

Ofoche, who pleaded on Attahiru’s behalf, said the COAS was attending a meeting with other service chiefs in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said: “The country is embroiled in a lot of crisis, so they are moving around. And he thought he could make it down here this morning for this meeting, so the notice was quite short for me to come and represent him because he would have loved to do it personally and that is why there is no written note.”

“We are at your service. We are here to serve you as a people and to serve all Nigerians. We cannot pretend that we do not know there is a crisis all over the country.

The Chief of Army Staff cannot be at every location at every time. He is on the way trying to get to know his men. He took over barely a week ago. He is going around trying to get first-hand information as to the capability of the fighting force he is leading.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Aliyu Al-Mustapha, alleged that criminals had been caught with arms and ammunition said to have been procured by the Armed Forces.

He said: “You can bear witness to the fact that Nigeria is embroiled in serious security issues and year in year out, appropriations were made and huge sums expended on procurement of arms and ammunition.

“Yet, in the whole of the arrests made, you find these arms and ammunition with some of these bandits and miscreants. Some of them can be traced back to the very military or police. It is a serious issue and the National Assembly is well-positioned to dig deep into the root of this issue and find a solution.”

Al-Mustapha stated that the lawmakers were not witch-hunting the COAS or the army.

He added: “This is a very serious and sensitive security matter; at least, let us see the man, being that this is the first meeting with the Nigerian Army. The accounting officer of the army should have appeared to give us his account and position as far as the communications made to him.

“For the chairman and secretariat, there is no communication before that the COAS is having another schedule that may not allow him to be physically present here. That is a contravention to Section 88, Section 89 (1) (of the Constitution), and of course Section o1 of the Armed Forces Act 1994.

“There is a need for a motion to allow the COAS to come and make his submissions personally to this committee.”

In the same vein, a member of the committee, Ifeanyi Momah, condemned Attahiru for not writing the committee to introduce and endorse Ofoche to speak for him.

He said: “So if he is not the one making the remarks, it makes it very easy for him to actually engage in culpable deniability since he is not the one making the remarks.”

Politics

We have what it takes to crush terrorists, bandits, CDS, Irabor boasts

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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday, March 11, revealed that the armed forces had the requisite manpower and firepower to ensure the complete elimination of terrorism and banditry in the country.

He also dismissed insinuations of lack of synergy among the ranks of the troops.

Irabor, during a visit with other service chiefs to the 2 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan said the visit was to demonstrate leadership by example.

The armed forces of today demands that each of the services work together given that the threat that we face required partnership and collaboration. The misconceived ideas or opinions in the town by those who are uninformed to the effect that the armed forces are working in disparity group are not true.

“What we have been doing today is to let you know that disparity does not exist, we have come today to be an encouragement team to work together and let you know the directive of the president,” he stated.

According to Irabor, President Buhari had directed them to ensure they restore peace and security to the country within a few weeks in conjunction with other security agencies.

He lauded the officers for what they have been doing so far and charged them not to rest on their oars.

He also urged them to ensure that they overcome the security challenges facing the country within the shortest time possible.

The CDS assured the officers that much is being done on their welfare while charging them to be disciplined in order to end terrorism.

Politics

Igboho replies OPC, expresses confidence in Fani-Kayode to defend Yorubaland

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Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho on Thursday, March 11, revealed his utmost confidence in former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode over his staunch defence of Yorubaland.

His comment may not be unconnected with the exchange of words between Fani-Kayode and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) over whether or not the suspected Fulani warlord Iskilu Wakili in police custody is the authentic person wanted for alleged killings and abductions.

Fani-Kayode had stated that the Wakilu arrested last Sunday by OPC operatives is not the notorious gang leader terrorising the Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

However, the OPC had accused him of seeking undue relevance and prominence.

But Sunday Igboho, in a statement by his spokesman Olayomi Koiki, said he has no problem with anyone who supports the agitation for the Yoruba nation.

He said: “Anyone who is willing to support the agitation for the Yoruba Nation is highly welcome, the goal is ‘YORUBA NATION NOW’.

We know what we want and no going back. Every other side talk is nothing but a distraction. We are fully focused, YORUBA NATION is the goal.

“Let me reiterate, anything you did not hear from I, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) or my spoke person Olayomi Koiki of Koiki Media is not a fact.

“Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is one of the stakeholders that identifies with us on the struggle of Yoruba Nation agitation.

“He can give his own advice at any time as regards the agitation and there’s no reason to doubt him. We have a 100 percent confidence in him.

Let’s not talk with envy. We must unite and stay strong in one voice. Therefore, we want to identify with Chief Femi Fani Kayode and any other person that stands for the Yoruba race irrespective of their religion or political party affiliation. Thank you and God bless”.

Politics

Nigeria does not need mercenaries to defeat terrorists

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has insisted that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has no need to engage foreign mercenaries to defeat terrorism in the country.

Monguno said this during a briefing on Thursday, adding that the Buhari-led administration believes the country is well equipped to deal with Boko Haram’s insurgency and other security challenges on its own without seeking help as many have continued to advocate.

The NSA cited ‘national pride and other non-specific issues’ as reasons why Buhari would not sanction the use of mercenaries to fight insurgency as the “President is more interested in how to utilise the nation’s resources to win the counter-terrorism war.”

What we’re looking at here is that we have the resources; it’s just misapplication and under-utilisation that has affected our abilities to deal with these people,” Monguno said.

He added that the government remains committed to supporting troops with equipment and intelligence to completely eradicate the terrorists.

Politics

PPPRA clarifies position on petrol price template, confirms return of subsidy

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The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has said the petrol price template published on Friday was only an indication of current market trends.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Abdulkadir Saidu, the agency said the published template was in line with its mandate to maintain constant surveillance of key indices relevant to pricing policy and monitors market trends on a daily basis to determine Guiding Prices.

The statement read: “One of the conditions for the implementation of the Market-Based Pricing Regime for PMS Regulation 2020 is the monthly release of Guiding Price to reflect current market fundamentals.

“The agency is not unaware of the challenges with the supply of PMS due to some concerns leading NNPC to be the sole importer of PMS. PPPRA is also mindful of the current discussion going on between the government and the organised labour on the deregulation policy.

While consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing, PPPRA does not fix or announce prices and therefore there is no price increase. The current PMS price is being maintained while consultations are being concluded.”

PPPRA also confirmed the return of fuel subsidy as it noted the government’s effort to keep the price of petrol at N162.

“Even though market fundamentals for PMS in the past few months indicated upward price trends, the pump price has remained the same and we are currently monitoring the situation across retail outlets nationwide,” it added.

The agency, however, assured the public of adequate supply as the average PMS Day Sufficiency as of March 11 is over 35 days.

Politics

Lagos sets up 88 vaccine centres for covid-19 vaccinations

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The Lagos State Government has commenced its COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccination programme while setting up 88 centres for the administration of the vaccine to residents.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, disclosed this during a media briefing on the Official Rollout, Distribution and Administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Lagos on Friday, March 12.

Abayomi said that the commencement of the vaccine at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba, would involve inoculation of the state governor, members of his cabinet and some frontline healthcare workers.

He said that three centres namely; IDH Yaba, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, would begin vaccination on Friday for frontline healthcare workers.

He said that the other centres spread across various local government areas of the state would start their vaccination on Monday.

The commissioner listed those qualified to be inoculated in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as medical personnel, police, military, judiciary and port health officials.

According to him, citizens 50 years and above with comorbidities were also eligible to receive the vaccine.

He said that phase two would have 18 to 49 years and those with comorbidities vaccinated, phase three and four would include everyone interested in receiving the vaccine, especially in high burden local government areas.

Abayomi disclosed that pregnant women and children under 18 years were exempted from the vaccine, saying that they weren’t included in the clinical trials.

He said that an online portal would be opened to facilitate easy registration for the vaccine, advising those not listed in the priority list not to register.

He further said that the AstraZeneca vaccine has two doses, with the second dose taking up to 12 weeks apart from the first dose.

“After the first dose, you will have 60 per cent protection and up to 80 per cent after the second dose.

“Note that you might still contract COVID-19 after vaccination, but the level of severity might not be much after achieving this level of immunity,” he said.

The commissioner’ also said that the risk of not taking the vaccine outweighs that of being inoculated, adding that it would assist the state and Nigeria achieve herd immunity.

Abayomi appealed to citizens to submit themselves to be vaccinated when it gets to their turn as the vaccine was a global responsibility to slow down the disruption of the virus.

He commended the Federal Government for providing financial and technical assistance for the state to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the last 12 months.

The commissioner said that the state received 507,742 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Federal Government, saying it would help to boost its COVID-19 response.

Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said that the vaccine rollout was a landmark event that would halt the catastrophic effect of COVID-19.

Omotoso appealed to the media to continue to assist in disseminating information that would educate and promote the health and wellbeing of the citizens.

Also, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and advised residents against hesitancy.

Shuaib, represented by Mrs Omar Oto, a Director in the Agency, assured residents of the availability of the vaccines as the Federal Government was scheduled to receive more vaccines in May.

Politics

Court sets aside service on former Minister, Fani-Kayode in case with ex-wife

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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday, quashed the purported service of court processes served on former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode in the suit instituted against him by his ex-wife, Precious Chikwendu.

The decision followed the doubt created in the mind of the court as to whether personal service was actually effected on the politician as required by law.

Besides, the trial court held that the affidavit of service deposed to by the court bailiff was very clear that he did not see the former Minister personally when he took the process to his Abuja residence.

Although Justice Slyvester Oriji held that there was proof before the court that the respondent was actually in receipt of the court summons, there is no evidence that he was personally served by the bailiff as required by the rules of court.

“The text message from the respondent to the applicant which read in part: “I received your summons, we shall meet in court” proves the fact that he has actually received service.”

He, however, stated that the police will investigate whether the acknowledgement containing the endorsement with the name of the respondent was actually forged or not.

“The issue of whether the respondent actually signed the document or any other person signed on his behalf is subject of investigation by police and the court cannot make any findings on it.

I need to point out that the bailiff did not see the respondent personally as contained in his affidavit of service. Bailiff should have insisted to see him personally and if that was not possible, he court have return the process to the court.

“In the light of the doubt cast on personal service of the process on the respondent, it is proper to set it aside. The purported service is hereby set aside”, Justice Oriji ruled.

The court, however, refused the prayer made by counsel to the respondent, Adeola Adedipe, for the striking out of the suit.

He ruled that the action cannot be invalidated by reason of non personal service on the respondent.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered that the originating motion including a fresh hearing date be served on the respondent and adjourned the matter to April 21, 2021.

In the substantive suit, the former beauty pageant, through her counsel, Enohor Moi- Wuyep, demanded for full custody of their two sons aged five and three.

Chikwendu had explained before the FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja, that Fani-Kayode, her ex-husband beat her up on several occasions even while she was pregnant.

Chikwendu had made the allegations in an affidavit she deposed to in support of an originating motion brought pursuant to Section 69 of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.

She told the court that “From the early days of our relationship, the respondent (Fani-Kayode) has always maintained a lifestyle of utter disregard to my feelings. This was evident in the way and manner the respondent assaulted me while I was pregnant with our first son.

“The respondent (Fani-Kayode) kicked me several times on my stomach over a petty argument that ensued. It was my friend, Vanessa, who was around at the material time that intervened at the nick of time to save me.

I had to leave the respondent’s (Fani-Kayode’s) house a few days after this incident. The respondent (Fani-Kayode) repeated the same act when I was pregnant with triplets. This time it was my mother and sister that intervened.”

Politics

Fire razes offices in Kano army barracks

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A night fire destroyed 11 offices at the Bukavu Army Barracks in Kano on Thursday.

Spokesman of the state Fire Service, Sami Yusuf Fire, announced this in a statement on Friday.

Mr. Yusuf said the fire, which occurred about 9:10p.m, also destroyed four stores and toilets in the building.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at 9:19p.m,” he said.

“The fire was put under control and no life was lost.”

He urged the public to keep fire extinguishers at home and offices to curtail fire incidents, noting that the cause of the fire was being investigated

Politics

Supreme court affirms ex-gov Dariye’s 10-years jail term

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The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former governor of Plateau state, Joshua Dariye, over a branch of trust which carries 10-year jail term.

The judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju also dismissed the charges of misappropriation of funds which carries a two-year jail term.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged the former governor to court in 2007, accusing him of diverting N1.126 billion from Plateau government’s ecological fund.

Politics

PDP gives Secondus lifeline to serve out tenure

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The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, said it would ensure that the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) serve out their tenure which expires in December.

It also said the party would do everything necessary to take over power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, noting that it was taking steps to resolve all disputes within the ranks of the PDP and unite it for the attainment of its objective.

Secondus has been having a running battle to retain his position in the party. There have been reported moves by some PDP governors to remove the national chairman as part of the permutations for the bid for power in 2023.

But the BoT said it would ensure this does not happen.

“The Board of Trustees will ensure that a fluent and uninterrupted operation of all the organs of the party, particularly the National Working Committee (NWC), remains in place leading up to a successful convention in December 2021,” the BoT said in a communiqué signed by its Secretary, Senator Adolphus Wabara.

It said it would ensure that harmonious relations exist between the organs of the party, adding that a detailed meeting between the BoT and the NWC is planned to hold soon.

It said it was working with other stakeholders to resolve disagreements among party members as a way of ensuring peace and stability in the main opposition party.

According to the communiqué, which was read to reporters by Wabara,, the BoT reviewed and discussed the situation of the party nationwide, stating that this was necessary due to the heightened political and economic tensions in the country.

The purpose of the meeting, Wabara said, was to ensure the stability of all the organs of the party and to place them on the alert as the party prepares to take over power once again.

The communiqué said the BoT recognised the ongoing work of the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, led by a former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

“The meeting was briefed on the outcome of zonal congresses held over last weekend. Three out of the six congresses have been successfully concluded.

“The Board of Trustees in playing its statutory role as the conscience of the party will work earnestly towards ensuring that the highest level of morality exists in all its activities and that all the members of our party live up to expectation,” it said.

The communiqué added that the board is committed to not allowing any strained relationship between it members, particularly at the top management level of the party.

“With a determination to do all that is necessary to ensure that we fulfill the overwhelming desire of the vast majority of the people of Nigeria that the PDP regains national power in 2023, the board is unequivocally committed to ensuring that normalcy and peace prevail through all the organs of the party to permit the development and implementation of well-structured plans

Finally, the board is very appreciative of the commitment of our governors to the party and the exemplary roles they have all been playing to keep the party at the optimum operational level. The board will consult with the governors’ forum on necessary measures towards solidifying the party,” the communique read.

Commenting on the zoning of the presidency, a BoT member and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, said: “Zoning is in the PDP Constitution, it is a party matter.”

Another member and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, however, said it was too early to discuss the matter.

It is still too early for the PDP at this point in time to declare its position on zoning. You know very well that APC has done five years now; politics as far as Nigeria is concerned is between APC and PDP. PDP has to be very careful in dealing with this issue; we will take it step by step. I believe that your concerns will be taken into consideration when the decision will be made,” he said.

Politics, World News

Nigerians are the greatest problem of Nigeria -Femi Adesina

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Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said some Nigerians are the greatest problem of their country.
In his weekly column, the presidential spokesman cautioned Nigerians against ” disintegration, destabilization and outright war”.

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He said although the country is not perfect, many should do their best to make it work.
Adesina criticised those who do nothing but find faults in the country, saying the repercussion of a crisis can better be imagined.
“It’s often intriguing to hear eminent and well appointed Nigerians talk about disintegration, destabilization and outright war, as if it’s a picnic. War? Not a tea party, and not something you should wish even upon your enemy.
Nigeria fought a war before, in which about two million people died. There was sorrow, tears and blood, till good sense prevailed, and we said there was no victor, no vanquished. The scars of that internecine conflict are still very evident in some parts of the land.
“Why then do some newspaper columnists, public commentators, ethnic warlords, even academics, talk of war as something they long for, an affliction they want to inflict their country with? War? Is it a picnic or tea party?
“I have seen enough to make me conclude that the greatest problem of Nigeria are Nigerians themselves. They seem to hate their country. There was that atheist who said on his death bed. “I hate everybody. I hate God. I even hate myself.” That seems to be the experience of a good number of Nigerians,” he wrote.
Nigeria is not perfect
The presidential spokesman said although the country is not perfect, wishing evil upon it is not the solution to the problems.
“What am I saying? Is Nigeria in a perfect state, nirvana, a Utopia? By no means. We all see things that exasperate us about our country. So, is cutting off the head the cure for headache? Is death wish for the country through the constant craving for war the way out, couched as warnings by some interest groups? For really, that is what they would wish to see, if only to have the morbid satisfaction of saying: we warned, they didn’t listen.
“We have our grouses with Nigeria. The President often talks of missed opportunities, and yes, this country has missed many, over the decades. But he adds that those of them who have fought to keep this country together would never open their eyes and see Nigeria dismembered.  Loving the unloveable. That is what Nigerians need, if we would eventually get the country we desire. William Cowper, English writer, who lived between 1731 and 1800, said: “England, with all thy faults, I love thee still-my country.”
“That is one thing we find lacking. We have not got to the point that we can say, Nigeria, with all thy faults, I love thee still-my country.
“The Good Book says love covers a multitude of sins. And it does. But does it happen in respect of our country? Don’t Nigerians carry around giant-sized grudges against themselves, against their leaders, against the next ethnic group, and against their own very land… They seem to hate their country. There was that atheist who said on his death bed. “I hate everybody. I hate God. I even hate myself.”
Many reasons to love Nigeria
“The need of the hour is love for Nigeria, warts and all. Yes, there are many reasons not to love this land. But it’s the only one we have. We would be second class citizens anywhere else. Nigeria we hail thee. Our own dear native land.
The fault lines are many: ethnicity, suspicion of domination, religious differences, language, centrifugal forces. But, Nigeria, with all thy faults, I love thee still-my country.
“Do you know that some Nigerians actually gloat when things go wrong in the country? They rejoice at wanton killings, massive insecurity, prostrate economy, decrepit inter-ethnic relationships, and the like. They want things to fall apart in the ‘zoo.’ But Nigeria will survive. The singer, Veno Marioghae, said it long ago. Nigeria is like the testicles of a ram. It may sway from side to side as the ram runs, but it will never fall off.
“It’s time we began to have a Nigerian agenda, instead of sectional agenda. It’s time we began to see the big picture, and wish our country well. Enough of wars and rumours of war. Can we cavil less about our country? Can we emphasize less on things not done, and focus more on things being achieved? And I tell you, the Buhari government has stories to tell. Of rice pyramids, roads, rail, bridges, airports, massive infrastructure everywhere.
“Just on Thursday, the 13 Floor, Twin Tower ultra-modern Headquarters Building of the Niger Delta Development Commission was commissioned, about 26 years after it was conceived. And many of such projects abound. Let’s wail less, and appreciate more. Nigeria, with all thy faults, I love thee still-my country.”

Politics

Federal salary structure can’t be imposed on states —Fayemi

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The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said the federal salary structure should not be imposed on states.

He submitted this when he hosted the pro-chancellors of the state-owned universities on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the federal and state governments do not have similar economic or financial situations.

Fayemi in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Affairs of NGF Secretariat, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said, ”I, for example, do not have the resources of Lagos State, so you won’t expect me to earn the same salary as the governor of Lagos.

He said it was true that no state had fulfilled the payment of salaries to states universities, but said states were not always solely responsible for this.

The people you appoint as vice-chancellors need to speak truth to power, they need to be able to bite the bullet, and not just be a YES person. We need to work together to confront these issues, we are running glorified secondary schools as universities by this system and you have to help us in insisting that the institutions too, do the right thing, ” he added.

Earlier, the pro-chancellors led by Mallam Yusuf Ali, the Pro-Chancellor of Osun State University, said that the seamless educational progression that the country should be experiencing was being hampered by lack of funds.

Ali called on the owners of state-owned universities to relegate politics to the backgrounds when considering their appointees.

The team, which represents all the 48 universities owned by states pleaded with governors to take over the burden of payment of salaries of state universities.

They also called for the reintroduction of scholarships for indigent students and assist the committee of pro-chancellors of states universities to erect a secretariat of their own to facilitate their activities.

Politics, World News

Federal government of Nigeria increases pump price of petrol to N212 per liter.

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The recent hike arrives after the federal government promised that it has no plans to increase the pump price of petrol. Nigeria’s federal government, through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly referred to as petrol.

The retail price for a liter of petrol will be between N209.61 and N212.61, the PPRA announced late Thursday.

The price adjustment from N170 to above N200arrives 11 days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which regulates the oil sector in Nigeria and which is the sole importer of refined crude, promised that it has no plans to increase the pump price of petrol for the month of March.

“The corporation is not contemplating any raise in the price of petrol in March in order not to jeopardize ongoing engagements with organized labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship,” the NNPC said in a statement signed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Kennie Obateru.

Ending the subsidy regime

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has repeatedly announced that it has no money to continue paying for subsidies on petrol, adding that the petroleum sector has now been deregulated, with pump prices set to be determined by market forces of demand and supply periodically.

There was always the possibility that the pump price of the product would be adjusted upwards as the price of crude oil in the international market rebounds.

Brent crude now sells for around $70 a barrel, from a peak pandemic low of around $20 a barrel.
Petrol dispensing stations across Nigeria have been hoarding the product in anticipation of the latest increase, causing an artificial scarcity.

The recent increase will lead to even more inflation and economic hardship for Nigerians, in an economy where prices of foodstuff, goods and services have been spiralling out of control every other day.

Source: Pulse NG

Politics

Yoruba leaders to meet over insecurity in South west region

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Leaders of Yoruba nation under the aegis of the Pan Yoruba Congress (PYC) are billed to meet and deliberate over the security crisis facing the South-Western region of the country.

A statement by the Congress’ Committee Chairman, Ogbeni Sola Lawal, on Thursday revealed that the meeting is bill for Wednesday next week in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to Lawal, leaders of the region expected at the event includes leaders of all facets of human engagement such as traditional, political, religious, business and social among others.

Everything is set for the historic gathering.The Pan Yoruba congress is about our unity as a race, it is about our destiny and it is about our stake in securing the southwest and making our region safe for all and sundry, ” Lawal said.

Lawal noted that the event would set the agenda for comprehensive safety and security across the southwest region as allowed within the ambit of the law of the nation.

The region has been bedevilled of late by killings and violence prompted by allegations against herders.

Politics

Reps promise passage of PIB before end of year

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The House of Representatives said on Thursday the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be passed into law before the end of the year.

The House Spokesman, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja.

He said the host communities remained an integral part of the bill, adding that the parliament would ensure that their interests and those of other stakeholders were protected.

Kalu said: “We have increased our speed. The first and second reading, committee level, and public hearing have all been done on the PIB. The next thing now is for us to go into a technical session to compile all the views of the people.

A lot of documents are being worked on, the consultants will sit with us to make sure we are able to bring out what people actually desire from this bill

“And so, we can package it for the third reading and then for concurrence. We are on the verge of the third reading.

“This will be sorted out in no distant time. Our target is that the bill will come out this year. It might even come out earlier than expected but we will finish it this year. We have gone so far and nothing is stopping us.”

The House spokesman stressed that the required concurrence from the Senate would not be hectic as both chambers are working simultaneously on the bill through various stages.

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