Politics

FAAN rules out shut down of Kaduna airport despite kidnap incident

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The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, said on Sunday the Kaduna International Airport would not be shut down despite the abduction of 11 people from the facility by criminals.

Yadudu, who disclosed this when the Senate Committee on Aviation visited the agency, said FAAN was working with various security agencies to ensure the security of lives and equipment at airports across the country.

He said the incident was entirely different from the operations at the airport, noting that the breach was caused by security inadequacies at its staff quarters.

The FAAN chief said: “A lot of our staff do not even live in the quarters. If there is a need for us to close, we will close it, but this is even far away from it.

“There is no need for that drastic action. Just small percentage of our staff stay in the staff quarters; the rest are all living in the town.

You can see that the staff quarters are fenced. We are taking appropriate measures, but like I said, we just have to improve to counter these challenges.

“The fence was broken, there were security measures. We have security personnel attending to the area but somehow, somewhere, things happened and now it is time for us to counter the problem we have been doing always.”

Yadudu said investigations were ongoing to uncover the culprits and device strategies on how to rescue the abducted staff.

On his part, the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, urged the National Assembly to assist the agency with more funding to ensure the security of personnel and critical facilities.

Politics

FCT minister seeks inclusion of key stakeholders in health scheme

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The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, has called for the inclusion of critical stakeholders in the management of the city’s Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS).

The minister, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the FHIS Public Relations Officer, Mr. David Barau, made the call when he met the agency’s management team led by its Director, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani, in Abuja.

Bello, who stressed the importance of having many medical doctors in the scheme, however, noted that the scheme was not meant for doctors alone but other critical stakeholders that would complement the efforts of the organisation.

He urged the FHIS Human Resource Department to ensure equitable distribution of professionals in the scheme.

The minister said: “The scheme is not a typical hospital. I noticed that the first three members of the management team are medical doctors, yes it’s health-related, but really it is a huge enterprise and it’s going to be a huge financial enterprise.

It will be dealing with people and dealing with a huge amount of money, so it is more than just a medical profession.

“It is important to have an organisation that is full of sound financial management and ICT base because you are going to deal with a lot of information and data.

“So, it is beyond just medical, it is a huge enterprise that is to be run based on strict financial regulation and best business practices. So you as the head, this is something you have to think very carefully.”

Bello also directed the leadership of the FHIS to ensure that residents of the FCT were adequately enlightened about the services of the scheme.

Politics

Supreme Court Justice, Ngwuta, dies, seven weeks to retirement

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A Justice of the Supreme Court, Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, has been reported dead, at the age of 69.

It was gathered that he died in his sleep, in the early hours of Sunday, at his residence in Abuja.

Ngwuta, born in 1951, was preparing to retire from the Supreme Court on March 30, upon attainment of 70 years mandatory retirement age.

Spokesperson of the Supreme Court, Ahuraka Isah, said earlier that the justice had been sick for some time.

According to him, Ngwuta’s sickness worsened, and he was subsequently taken to an intensive care unit. However, he said the deceased tested negative for COVID-19.

Ngwuta’s colleagues and well-wishers have taken to social media platforms to express their grief and to extend their condolences to the family.

On Twitter, Tony Atambi Esq, with the handle @TonyAtambi, twitted, “Just received the sad news of the passing of one of our finest jurists, Hon. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta. My Lord Justice Ngwuta stood tall at the Supreme Court, bringing to bear quality erudition and fresh perspectives in his judgments. He’ll be missed. Rest in peace, Milord.”

Also, another user with the handle @Waliyadeniran, twitted, “Justice Sylvester Ngwuta was one of the brightest minds on the Supreme Court bench. It’s really unfortunate to hear of his demise just few months to his official retirement.”

He was one of the justices whose homes were broken into by the Department of State Service (DSS) in 2016.

Recall that operatives of the DSS had in the early hours of Saturday, October 8, invaded residences of some judges in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Gombe in a bid to arrest them.

Ngwuta had claimed the DSS raided his house because he rejected requests to pervert justice in Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi States.

Politics, World News

Presidency promise to investigate bush fire incident outside Villa.

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The Presidency has promised to investigate the “Bush fire incident recorded outside villa perimeter” on Saturday night.

Contrary to the claim made in a viral video that the fire incident was recorded inside the Presidential villa, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the incident was no where near the villa.

In a statement on Sunday, Shehu said the fire that broke out “between the outer wire fence and walls surrounding the Villa.”
He added that the “bush fire” started and ended outside the perimeter walls of the Villa.
“People in the country and even abroad have been expressing concerns over reports of a fire incident in Aso Rock Villa, the seat of the Nigerian government.


“I would like to clarify that there was no fire inside the Presidential Villa.
“In the evening of Saturday, March 6, a fire broke out burning shrubs between the outer wire fence and walls surrounding the Villa, precisely in the area between the Villa and the Barracks, towards Asokoro.
“The fire, as being speculated, might have started from a passer-by dropping a burning cigarette. The Federal Fire Service will ascertain the reason for it when they complete their investigation.
“It suffices to say that this bush fire, which started and ended outside the perimeter walls of the Villa, was seamlessly contained by fire stations of the State House and the one nearby from the Federal Fire Service. No loss of life, no loss whatsoever to building and property was recorded.
“We thank well-meaning Nigerians for expressed concerns.” the statement read.

Politics

Buhari, Osinbajo receive Covid-19 vaccination

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President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday both received the Covid-19 Vaccination at the State House, Abuja.

Both leaders received the AstraZeneca vaccine a day after the Federal Government launched the vaccination exercise in the country.

The COVID-19 vaccine was administered on the President by his chief personal physician in the presence of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Shortly after President Buhari took the jab, Professor Osinbajo also received the vaccine which was also administered to him by his chief personal physician.

Both leaders were later presented with electronic cards containing the details of their vaccinations by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib.

Others who witnessed the vaccination of the President and his vice were members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Politics

Army rescues 10 foreigners, four Nigerians abducted by sea pirates

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The Nigerian Army has said troops of its 6 Division, on Saturday, rescued 10 expatriate workers and four Nigerians who were kidnapped by sea pirates off the Coast of Gabon.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Nigerian Army and signed by it’s Director of Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in Abuja.

Yerima said the rescue operation was carried out successfully and without any ugly incident or casualties.

He said the rescued victims would be handed over to law enforcement agents for further profiling before they would be released to their loved ones.

Politics

Driver, passenger abducted on Ife-Ibadan Expressway

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Gunmen on Saturday evening abducted a comme

rcial bus driver and a passenger near Wasinmi Village on the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.

According to reports, policemen at a checkpoint close to the scene of the abduction were said to have engaged the gunmen in exchange of fire.

The gunmen were however said to have escaped with the driver and one passenger into the bush.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said operatives had been deployed to the scene of the crime.

According to her, three suspects have already been arrested.

Politics

Group urges Sanwo-Olu to ban NURTW from Lagos roads

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The Federal Government on Saturday, March 6, suggested that getting COVID-19 vaccination could become a requirement for all international passengers.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who said some countries have already started introducing restrictions for receiving visitors.

He spoke in Abuja at an event where President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received their first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Mustapha stated that no one would be able to travel without being vaccinated in the coming months.

“I think vaccine hesitancy would have to give way to the reality,” he said.

He added: “Because the truth about it, Your Excellency, is that very soon, nobody will be able to travel the world unless you produce the certificate that we have been given.

“I have not confirmed but reliably, some countries have started putting restrictions on receiving visitors, even exercising activities of their faith without a COVID-19 vaccination.

So the word that is going out there, on behalf of Mr. President, is that Nigerians should make themselves available, those that are eligible in the first set of the deployment, because the deployment is going to be in four phases, to receive these vaccines.

“They have been tested. Our most strategic leadership has received them this morning. They are safe, efficacious and it is for the good and well being of our people.”

Meanwhile, Buhari described his decision to take the vaccine in public as “a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.”

I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians to do same so that we can be protected from the virus,” he said.

He urged all state governments, traditional and religious leaders, to take the lead in the mobilization effort within their environment and spheres of influence.

He said: “The vaccine offers hope for a safe country, free of Coronavirus.

“I similarly urge all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority already mapped out, at the various authorised designated centres only.”

He congratulated the PTF on COVID-19 on the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of the pandemic, and also commended state governments, donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as critical stakeholders who have supported Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.

He pledged that all the resources will be equitably administered.

Politics

It’s madness to think Nigeria will work if things continue the way they are —Soyinka

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Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has said it’s madness for anyone to think Nigeria will work under the current structure in the country.

Soyinka stated this on Saturday, while re-echoeing the call for restructuring of the country as a means of tackling some of the major problems confronting it.

Soyinka, who spoke at the 2021 Obafemi Awolowo Lecture titled, ‘Whither Nigeria?’ organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, also contended that there was a consensus among Nigerians that the country must be restructured urgently.

According to him, anybody still asking what restructuring means despite the numerous explanations already provided should be ignored because such persons had chosen to be ignorant deliberately.

The event, held virtually, also had in attendance a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, among others.

Soyinka said, “There is a consensus that this country whether in terms of governance, economic relations, security, educational policy, cultural policy, etc, requires restructuring. Even the word ‘restructuring’ has been restructured in many directions, in cogent expression which will mean the same thing for everybody.

For me, for instance, I emphasised decentralisation, reconfiguration…We all know what we have now is not working, it’s obvious and we can’t continue along the same line and say that it will work, it is sign of madness.

“I want to make a plea to all governors, stop being so timid. Push this federal envelope as far as it can go, even while we undertake the technical aspect of restructuring whether in terms of dialogue, evolving the constitution or whatever, something has to go on, after all, we’ve had so many of these confabs.

“My plea is to governors to start with: You are charged with the immediate responsibility of the welfare of your own people in whatever term and if you study the constitution carefully, I have done this with lawyers, and it seems that a lot can be done at this moment.

You need a season of greater autonomy for your own states and that is what I mean by pushing the federal envelope as far as it can go even with this impossible document that we have to cease what power, what authority you can derive from the constitution.

“Consult with your lawyers, I have consulted with mine and they also expressed the view that the governors are too timid, there is too much centralised mentality embedded in their minds and they are afraid to come out of their cocoons.

“Please remember that your primary responsibility is not the centre but the people, the state. So, take in your hands any form of authority that you can even from this constitution as it stands while we are working on a more honest, a more people-oriented constitution.”

Politics

Bandits reportedly invade FAAN quarters, kidnap nine in Kaduna

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) quarters in Kaduna, was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday by unknown gunmen.

It was learnt that the bandits breached the security of the quarters through the perimeter fence and broke into homes of various aviation industry personnel at about 12:30am.

Those kidnapped included a family of six and three others.

It was also gathered that the military personnel around the area engaged the bandits in a gun battle, as the bandits made away with their victims.

As at the timing of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, was unavailable to confirm the incident.

Politics, World News

Vaccination wasn’t Painful—VP Osinbajo

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said he did not feel any pinch while being vaccinated against Coronavirus.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Osinbajo got the jab on live TV, a day after the COVID-19 national vaccine programme started with the vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Laolu Akande, Spokesman of the Vice-President, quoted Osinbajo to have said: “The thing was not painful at all. I didn’t even feel the pinch.”

On his part, Buhari called on all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Personal Physician to the President, Dr Sanusi Raafindadi, administered the vaccine to him while that of the Vice President was done by his Personal Physician, Dr Nicholas Audifferen.

Buhari said his decision to take the vaccine in public was ‘‘a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.’’

‘‘I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians, to do same so that we can be protected from the virus,’’ he said.

Buhari said since the beginning of the year 2020, humanity has remained under the burden of COVID-19 pandemic, an unseen but very potent enemy around the world.

‘‘Infection from the virus has resulted in over two million and five hundred thousand fatalities and destroyed several global and national systems.

‘‘The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has been robust, collaborative and united. It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that ‘no country is safe until every country is safe.

‘‘The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic.

‘‘Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries,’’ he said.

President Buhari spoke of the assurance by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) that the AstraZeneca vaccine which Nigeria has accessed would arrive in batches beginning with the four million doses already received.

He said the roll out and administration plan would cater for over seventy percent of Nigeria’s population in 2021 and 2022.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the jab is painless as a narrow gauge syringe was used with small quantity injected in the upper arm, adding that the after effects are mild and little discomfort follows in the area that was injected.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said with the memorable event, vaccine hesitancy had given way to the reality.

Politics

Lagos govt commissions Pen Cinema Bridge

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday commissioned the dual carriageway flyover and five other roads at Pen Cinema in the Agege area of the state.

In his address at the event, Sanwo-Olu noted that the government was aware of the challenges faced by residents of the area.

According to him, residents and road users along the axis have clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the gridlock occasioned by the huge human and vehicular traffic flowing through the intersection.

To address the challenge, the governor said his administration decided to continue with the construction of a precast and pre-stressed reinforced concrete dual-carriage flyover and ramp, with road work in the area.

He said: “We prioritise the continuation of strategic ongoing roads and link bridges as well as the development of new roads.

“We also listed many roads for urgent maintenance, and continue with the provision of ongoing strategic offices and public buildings.

“One of the most critical challenges being experienced on daily basis by residents/road users along the Agege Pen Cinema axis over the years was the heavy traffic volume occasioned by the geometric increase in traffic volume.”

He said the project was part of the state government’s efforts at achieving the Transportation and Traffic Management Pillar (T) in its strategic THEMES Agenda.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that the government deliberately focused on the provision of infrastructure to achieve preconceived targets of reducing travel time and save important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic.

“In our quest to achieve the Transportation and Traffic Management Pillar (T) in our administration’s strategic THEMES Agenda, we deliberately focus on the provision of infrastructure to achieve preconceived targets of reducing travel time – save important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic, provide better riding surface leading to reduced maintenance cost, boost inter-connectivity and generally make life more meaningful to commuters in Lagos State.

In line with the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), we deployed a two-pronged approach to infrastructure delivery, so as to bring immediate impactful succour and relief to commuters,” the governor added.

He commissioned the project in the company of a former governor of the state, Bola Tinubu, and top government officials in the state.

Politics

Trial of Jonathan’s former aide, Okupe adjourned to April 26

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The money laundering trial of former senior special assistant on public affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonath, Doyin Okupe, before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja has been adjourned till April 26 and 27, 2021 for continuation of trial

At the resumed trial on Friday, March 5, 2021, counsel to the first defendant,  G.K Gadzama, SAN, led in evidence, the fifth defence witness, Ehimare Edokwa Harold, an Assistant Manager at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Branch of Zenith Bank Nigeria limited, Lagos.

The witness told the Court that he was mandated to appear and present the mandate card and statement of account of Romiox Soiffix International Limited, following a subpoena on his bank.

Our bank was served with a subpoena and I was asked by the bank to represent the bank. I was asked to present a mandate card and a statement of account of Romiox Soiffix international ltd,” he said.

The witness further told the Court that he authored the document on behalf of the bank, the “Certificate of compliance too is here and certified by me; I am with the bank for 13years, the statement covered from inception to date and it covered forty four pages.”

But prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Audu objected to the tendering of the documents, arguing that it was not certified by the bank.

“We are just having the privilege of looking at this documents and we are objecting to these documents because it has not been certified by the bank which it is claimed to have come from. This documents have not been certified by the bank, and that is our objection. But if my lord is minded about certifying the document, it is okay.”

However, Gadzama urge the Court to accept the documents in evidence, describing them as primary documents.

Justice Ojukwu admitted the documents, marked as exhibit Q and R, and adjourned the matter till 26 and 27 April, 2021 for continuation of trial.

The EFCC is prosecuting Okupe alongside his two companies: Value Trust Investments and Abrahams Telecoms on a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702 million.

Politics

Lagos govt to close Marine Bridge for three months

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The Lagos State Government has revealed the scheduled closure of the Marine Bridge for three months in order to carry out emergency repair works on the Apapa outward section of the bridge.

The closure is expected to last from Tuesday, March 9 to Monday, June 21, 2021.

This was contained in a statement titled ‘LASG to close Marine Bridge for emergency repairs’, signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde on Friday, March 5.

According to Oladeinde, the partial closure was necessary to maintain the bridge infrastructure.

The maintenance work includes removal and cleaning of the existing expansion joints to prevent further deterioration.

The commissioner explained that during the period of the partial closure, traffic would be diverted to alternative routes, while Apapa inward lane would be divided into two lanes to allow counter flow of traffic.

To ameliorate the effect of the expected traffic, palliative works had been completed on alternative routes to ease movement, the statement said.

Motorists inwards Apapa were advised to make use of Total underneath the bridge to connect Naval Dockyard to Danlami to Leventis corridor and/or to connect Marine Beach by Mobil through Federal Fire Service/Obanikoro to Naggaf/North Avenue to Wharf Road.

Similarly, motorists from Ajegunle inwards Iganmu/or Ijora were directed to use Agbo Malu to Tego Barracks to Total underneath the bridge and ascend Marine bridge to connect their desired destinations.

Politics

EFCC defends Magu over allegations of misappropriated properties

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday, March 5, defended the allegation of misappropriation against its former acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Magu had been accused of misappropriating 222 properties worth N1.63tn recovered by the Abdulrasheed Maina-led Pension Reformed Task Team.

But counsel for the EFCC, Mohammed Abubakar, said the allegation made by one Ngozika Ihuoma could not be proved.

Ihuoma, who is the first defence witness in the trial of Maina for N2bn fraud, had made the allegation during his testimony in Maina’s defence before the court.

According to Ihuoma during the court session on Thursday, the properties were handed over to the EFCC and sold by Magu to his friends and associates.

The witness said a petition written to the Attorney General of the Federation led to the setting up of the Ayo Salami-led judicial commission of inquiry which probed Magu for allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

Ihuoma had said, “Magu admitted before Salami that he shared and allocated most of these properties to most of his friends, associates, colleagues under some presidential directives but failed to make available to the commission the evidence of that presidential directives.”

However, during cross-examination by the EFCC counsel on Friday, the witness admitted that no document to prove the allegation against Magu was brought before the court.

Did you tender in court the purported petition to the AGF against Magu and the EFCC that led to the setting up of the Ayo Salami panel? You did not tender proof that Magu confessed to the allegations. You said that the report of the Ayo Salami panel indicted Magu but did not tender the said report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari about the activities of the panel,” Abubakar said.

Politics

ECOWAS Court orders Nigerian govt to pay German N53m for unlawful detention

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The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Government to pay over N53 million to a German, Mr. Martin Gegenheimer, for unlawful arrest and detention.

The court’s communications department disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The court delivered the verdict on Thursday.

According to the statement, the court ordered the payment of N53 million as special damages to Gegenheimer for various losses he suffered during his detention.

It explained that the costs were incurred while Gegenheimer was under unlawful arrest and detention by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

The statement read: “The cost related mainly to hotel expenses incurred by the German while under forced detention by the government.

“Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the German, a panel of three judges headed by Hon. Justice Edward Amoako Asante, also ordered the government to pay another N10 million in general damages.

“As reparation for all violations and moral prejudice suffered for the violation of his rights and another $10,000 being the expenditure incurred by the applicant to secure his bail.

The court also ordered the ‘immediate and unconditional release’ of the German passport which was ‘arbitrarily and unlawfully’ seized by the government as well as his removal from the government’s watch list.

“The court, however, ruled that it found no evidence of the violation of the plaintiff’s right to torture.”

“In suit no: ECW/CCJ/APP/23/20 Mr. Gegenheimer, who is married to a Nigerian citizen but based in Nairobi, Kenya, through his Counsel, Mr. Festus A. Ogwuche, sought the enforcement of his fundamental human rights along with those of his children arising from his wrongful arrest and unlawful detention and the seizure of his German Passport.

The applicants, which also included SAT Swiss Aviation Nigeria Limited, the company at whose invitation he visited Nigeria, are contending that the German legally entered the country for business purposes.

“But he was wrongfully arrested and detained while on his way back to Kenya, resulting in the violation of his rights to fair hearing, freedom of movement, and dignity of his human person.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Read about the campaign to change the definition of word woman

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About 100 high-profile figures have signed a letter to the Treccani Italian dictionary calling on it to change its definition of the word “woman”.

The campaign argues that derogatory terms such as “puttana” (whore) should be removed from the list of synonyms.

Such words reinforce “misogynist stereotypes that objectify women and present them as inferior”, it adds.

Treccani, a leading online Italian dictionary, has not yet responded, but previously defended its approach.

Among the letter’s signatories are LGBTQ+ activist and politician Imma Battaglia, politician Laura Boldrini, and Alessandra Perrazzelli, deputy director general of the Bank of Italy.

It was written by activist Maria Beatrice Giovanardi, who was also behind an earlier campaign to get the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to remove words such as “bint” and “bird” as other ways of saying “woman”. After a similar petition attracted tens of thousands of signatures, Oxford University Press updated its definition.

The synonyms given in Treccani’s definition are even worse than the OED’s because there are 30 terms used to describe sex workers, Ms Giovanardi told Reuters.

Meanwhile, she added, the word “man” was associated with positive terms such as “businessman”.

“Language shapes reality and influences the way women are perceived and treated,” she wrote in her letter.

“Vocabularies, dictionaries of synonyms and antonyms, encyclopaedias are educational tools of reference and Treccani.it, as such, is consulted in schools, libraries and in all of our homes.”

“This will not put an end to everyday sexism, but it could contribute to a correct description and vision of women and their role in today’s society.”

In a blog post published in November, Treccani said that the dictionary did not “select lexicon based on moral judgment or prejudices”.

“If society and culture express negativity through words, a dictionary cannot refuse to document them,” it added.

Politics

Buhari decorates new service chiefs, gives them ultimatum to tackle insecurity

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja charged the newly appointed service chiefs to speed up their actions in freeing the country from the current state of insecurity.

Speaking at a ceremony to decorate the new service chiefs with their ranks at the State House Abuja, the President said:

“During our four-hour security meeting, on Tuesday, I had taken the responsibility as Commander-in-Chief for you to go out into the field and secure the country.

“You have got a few weeks to do that because by the rainy season, we expect people to develop confidence and go back to the land, so that we don’t get into trouble by being away from the field and therefore unable to produce enough food for the nation.”

He told the service chiefs to see their appointment, clearance and decoration as a vote of confidence on them.

“For those (of you) that have been confirmed by this ceremony, the decoration, in front of your spouses, is a further confidence loudly expressed on you on behalf of the nation, to respond to the insecurity the country is in,  and the nation looks up to you  for rapid relief.”

He assured them of his firm support as they deliver on their responsibilities.

“I have accepted responsibility for your actions in the field; it’s up to you to identify your competent officers irrespective of seniority and paper qualification and deploy them to make sure that we secure this country.

“We all look forward to you to perform and I as the Commander-in- Chief, I am backing you hundred per cent, and I expect you to effectively deploy your officers and men to secure the country,” the President said.

Responding on behalf of the other service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor assured the President that they will not fail in their responsibilities as the mandate is clear.

“Nigeria will have peace again. Based on the mandate, we will address all issues, working with all other security organisations,” he said.

Others decorated are Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Air Staff.

The new service chiefs were recently confirmed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Politics

Edo Deputy Governor kicks against Minimum Wage Bill

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Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu has kicked against the bill seeking to switch the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.

In an interview with reporters on Thursday, March 4, in Benin, Shaibu advised the sponsor of the bill to step it down.

According to him, rather than sponsor such a bill, the lawmaker should move motions and sponsor bills that will support programmes geared towards finding lasting solutions to the problems of insecurity in the country.

He said: “Let us all discuss the issue of insecurity and make our cities, communities, and country secure.”

The deputy governor highlighted the need for lawmakers to legislate on issues that would unite the country rather than those that would further divide it and bring about chaos.

He noted that this was not the time to bring up issues as contained in the bill.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to concern itself with the issue of insecurity.

According to him, the issue of the economy is all about security, and no investor will come to your land if he is not sure of the safety of his investment.

He said: “The economy of this country needs to work.

“That is why all of us, the legislative and the executive arms, need to actually come together to fashion a way forward, to deal with the issue of insecurity.

“For me, when you seek first all the indices that make an economy work, then prosperity will be the order of the day and all other smaller issues will be dealt with.

“But when your economy is in shambles, then obviously, poverty will reign supreme”.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has scheduled next Wednesday for a national protest against the bill, which had already passed through the first reading at the National Assembly

Politics

Again, House of Reps loses member

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A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yuguda Hassan Kila, representing Gwaram federal constituency of Jigawa State, is dead.

It was learnt that Kila died on Thursday afternoon at the Abuja National hospital.

His death is coming after a house of representatives member Alhaji Fagen Gawo from Babura and Garki Federal constituency was also reported dead.

This disclosure was made by the House Leader, Hon. Ado Doguwa, while speaking with journalists.

According to him, the lawmaker was admitted into the hospital two weeks ago for severe malaria, adding that his condition later degenerated to acute shortage of oxygen in his bloodstream despite testing negative to COVID-19 for about three times before he died.

“He was confirmed negative for COVID-19 infection. The Speaker and I are still at the National Hospital in Abuja. We have secured the release of his remains and completed arrangements for an Air Force aircraft to convey his body to Kano for Islamic funeral,” Doguwa said.

Kila until his death, was the Chairman, House Committee on Customs.

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