Politics

#Endsars :I was a victim of police brutality even as governor – Kayode Fayemi

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The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said on Sunday that he was a victim of police brutality as a governor while seeking re-election in 2014.

Fayemi, who said the EndSARS protests  by the youth were a noble cause, added that there was the need for the governments to partner the youth for sustainable peace.

This was as the Minister of Trade, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, assured Nigerians that the President, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), would implement the youth’s demands.

Fayemi and Adeniyi spoke in Ado Ekiti during an interaction session with stakeholders’ on the EndSARS protest.

The governor said, “I am a victim of police brutality myself”. You can all recall what happened to me during my election of 2014. However, some policemen had also rendered good services to me; so, not all of them are bad. Our police must be motivated to do well.

Fayemi, who said the youths were angry over sundry issues, said the government had however done many intervention programmes, proscribed SARS and introduced youth investment fund and many others as a response to youths’ agitations.

Governor Kayode Fayemi

“I commiserate with the families of those who paid the supreme price. The panels that we set up will look will into how best to address the issues raised, because EndSARS protest had placed a moral burden on all of us,” he said.

Adebayo, who said that Buhari wanted to use the interaction to feel the pulse of Nigerians, advised the younger ones to apply for youth oriented programmes being rolled out by the Federal Government.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17, comprising Ondo and Ekiti states, Mr David Folawiyo, said the EndSARS protests had exhumed fundamental issues indicative of the rots in the system. The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr Eyitayo Fabunmi, called for total reform of the police “so that they can be more professional and civil in the discharge of their duties.”

Participants were drawn from civil society groups, non-governmental organisations, National Union of Road Transport Workers, youth representatives, and Christian Association of Nigeria, among others to brainstorm on the way forward after the #EndSARS protests.

Reading the communique, the Chairman of the forum, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli called for the overhaul of the nation’s security architecture,.

He said, “Stakeholders also resolved that police personnel should return to their duty of protecting live and property. We still need the police in our roads, now hoodlums have taken over the roads”.

 It is wrong for the government to launch a fresh onslaught against #EndSARS protesters, campaigners and those who provided survival package to the protesters; freezing their accounts and scapegoating others who are being secretly harassed while placating Nigerians with judicial panels of inquiries.”

In a related development, the team instituted by the Inspector General of Police to assess the losses suffered by the police the violence that accompanied the hijact of the #EndSARS protest has visited facilities attacked in Osun State.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, on Sunday said the CP Abutu Yaro-led team visited police facilities attacked in Osogbo, Ilesa and Ile Ife, as well as victims of the attack.

Politics, World News

Peru’s President Resigns After Outrage Following Death Of Two Protesters.

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The deaths, which happened while people were protesting the sudden impeachment of his predecessor, Martin Vizcarra, sparked outrage in the country with calls for his resignation.  

Manuel Merino, President of Peru, has resigned following the death of two protesters.

The deaths, which happened while people were protesting the sudden impeachment of his predecessor, Martin Vizcarra, sparked outrage in the country with calls for his resignation.

Merino took power on Tuesday after legislators shocked the nation by voting to remove the popular former President, Vizcarra and then swore in Merino, who was the head of congress.

On Sunday, in a video message to the country, Merino said, “I present my irrevocable resignation. I call for peace and unity of all Peruvians.”

He added that he would now focus on ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader to avoid a power vacuum. A new interim President is expected to be announced later today.

Politics

2023: Saraki no longer a threat to us – APC boasts

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The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said declared that Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, does not pose any threat in the state.

APC chairman in the state, Hon Bashir Bolarinwa, made the remark while insisting that the party remains very solid in the state.

APC added the former Senate President Bukola Saraki cannot pose any threat to the party in the state.

He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital at a prayer organized in honour of late Governor Mohammed Lawal.

According to Bolarinwa: “Let me say this for all to hear. We are not disallowing anybody from entering the state.

“We know that Saraki can no longer pose any threat to APC in the state.

“God that was with us yesterday is forever with us. Our members have no reason to entertain any fear.

“Saraki’s domination of Kwara political landscape is gone for good.”

Politics

Becoming Nigeria’s President my next ambition –Fayose

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Ayodele Fayose, the former Governor of Ekiti State, has said that his major ambition in life was to become Nigeria’s President one day, or to become a Pastor.

Fayose who clocked 60 years on Saturday, November 14, said he was waiting for God’s time to actualize his dreams and when he finally gets the mandate, he will come out and let Nigerians know.

While featuring in a live radio programme on People’s FM, an Ado-Ekiti-based station, Fayose noted that God had been so kind to him in his journeys through life and the best way to appreciate the Almighty was to work for him and by serving humanity.

Fayose also said that “a good number of his most dependable and trusted followers, whom he lifted up from nothing, had either deserted him or teemed up with his political foes” to fight him after realizing he was no longer in power, but that he has forgiven them.

“I have forgiven all the people who have offended me and I ask for forgiveness from those I may have offended too,” Fayose said.

He, however, debunked rumours that he was nursing the ambition of becoming a Senator, saying he hates being a “Senator who would be making laws that the executive would not have the courage to implement.”

“I am eminently qualified to become Nigeria’s president if people like Olusegun Obasasnjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari could be so graced to be presidents,” he insisted.

According to the former Governor, his popularity, courageous spirit, unique contributions to the upliftment of Ekiti State and other remarkable contributions to lifting different categories of people with no hope of becoming anything in life across the country, were enough credentials to make him become Nigeria’s president.”

Politics

Katsina #ENDSARS panel begins sitting Nov. 23, receives 61 petitions.

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Katsina #ENDSARS judicial panel has concluded arrangements to commence public hearing to be rotated in each of the three senatorial zones from Monday, November 23 by 9am daily.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Abbas Bawale, told newsmen in the panel, as at the weekend, had received 61 petitions from various individuals.

Bawale, who is also a Judge from the High Court, further disclosed the panel will use this week to formally write and summon complainants and the defendants to appear before it during the sittings.

He said: ‘’The panel will begin its public hearing from Funtua zone where a majority of the petitions emanated from, and thereafter, the hearings would be held in Katsina and Daura zones.

The panel will complete the public hearings within a week and complete its work within the stipulated time given to do so. We shall not request for an extension of time from the state government.

Presently, we have 56 petitions from Funtua zone of the state and 5 petitions from Katsina zone.

Last week, we were at Daura where we paid courtesy call on the Emir, Dr. Faruq Umar and sought for his support and assistance on our assignment.

We had earlier paid similar courtesy call on the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumin kabir Usman. We are expecting petitions from Daura zone, too. For now, we have a total of 61 petitions in all.

Definitely, by Monday, 23rd, November, we shall begin public hearing from Funtua zone and thereafter, move to Katsina and Daura zones.

We shall be sitting from zone to zone to ensure that all parts of the state are covered and taken care of. We are here to do justice to all the petitions and we encourage people to turn up.

There is a counsel attached to the panel to assist the petitioners in their presentation of cases. But the complainants and the defendants are free to have own counsel.

Politics

FG to engage 1st class and 2nd Class Graduates as Teachers.

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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, said teachers without requisite qualifications, competencies and practicing license are presently migrating out of the Nigerian Teaching Service.

He disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja while monitoring the conduct of the 2020 October Diet Batch B Teachers’ Professional Qualifying Examinations, (PQE).

“By 2021, we will not engage teachers if they don’t meet particular threshold, we are now limiting entry point of teaching only to the best who are qualified, we will engage individuals with second class upper and first class divisions,” he said.

Politics

#ASUU said we should go & learn new skills , says Nigerian student who revealed his business.

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A young Nigerian student, Oluwasegun who buys and sells consumables has taken to Twitter to reveal the type of business he does, following an advise from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

ASUU had given a 7-point advise to students who have been at home for 8 months owing to the ongoing strike action by the body.

They urged undergraduates to learn new skills, travel, intern at organisations, read books, and have fun amongst other things. The young man who referenced ASUU’s advise in his post revealed that he is into selling of rice.

https://twitter.com/oflondonn/status/1327223228381728768?s=19

Oluwasegun wrote;

“ASUU said we should go & learn new skills. Prior to that, I’m now selling rice at Daleko Market, in Mushin. We sell Made in Nigeria rice, no stone, no dirt & we sell at an affordable price, starting from 23k upward….”
Kindly do & patronise me…..Thank you 

Politics, World News

Lekki shootings: Army not in search of DJ Switch – General Taiwo.

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The Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, says contrary to claims in the public, the Army is not after popular disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, fondly referred to as DJ Switch.

General Taiwo said this on Saturday in his testimony before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.

The general said, “Some people take delight in misrepresenting Nigeria and particularly the Nigerian Army to the international community and our fellow Nigerians. This, I believe is done for pecuniary gains. Quite recently, a Nigerian, Catherine Udeh, also known as DJ Switch, claimed the Nigerian Army was looking for her. There is nothing further than the truth.

My Lord, we have bigger fish to fry and that is how to stabilise Lagos. We can’t be bothered chasing one or two people. Where she got that from, I do not know.”

DJ Switch claimed to have helped to remove bullets from peaceful protesters who were shot at Lekki tollgate, according to her Instagram Live feed.

There have also been reports that the disc jockey sought asylum outside the country after she claimed that her life was being threatened following the Lekki incident.

Politics

EndSARS: We are unhappy Sanwo-Olu denied inviting Army, General tells panel.

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The Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, says the Nigerian Army was unhappy that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, denied inviting the military on October 20, 2020, when soldiers shot at the Lekki tollgate where #EndSARS protesters were gathered.

The general, however, said inviting the military was the best decision the Lagos governor could have taken as the #EndSARS protest plunged the state into anarchy but added that the Army was also unhappy that Sanwo-Olu said two persons died from the military engagement at the Lekki tollgate.

He said, “I spoke with the governor and said the Army was unhappy that he said he did not ask for Army’s intervention but I am sure that after you watched everything (video footages), you saw he had more than enough grounds to ask for Army’s intervention; perhaps it was the way everything went.”

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Lagos governor denied inviting the military to disperse protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, adding that forces beyond his control were responsible for the Lekki incident.

The Army Headquarters subsequently said in a statement that the Lagos State government invited the soldiers to the protest ground and that the soldiers acted within the rules of engagement.

The Lagos governor has been under fire since the incident at the Lekki toll gate which has been condemned by local and international civil rights organisations.

Politics

Buhari wrong on diversity and youth population

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In his interactions with four new ambassadors presenting their letters of credence on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari said, among other things, that Nigeria’s youthful population and ethnic diversity presented peculiar challenges. According to him, “As you may know, Nigeria is an ethnic and culturally diverse society with various opportunities which we seek to creatively utilize for the benefit of our people. We are also a country with a huge population which is predominantly youthful. These pose peculiar new challenges.” Even though he also invited the international community to take advantage of the youth population, in other words seeing the problem as opportunity, it is more significant that his mindset frames the burgeoning youth population and ethnic diversity as a problem. For him, therefore, it is a question of whether the cup is half full or half empty  only that from the context of his statements, not to say the experience of his administration, he sees the cup frequently as half empty.

Nigeria’s youth population, as disproportionately large as it is, presents itself as an opportunity both for the international community, which is more adept at cashing in on such things, and the domestic economy. It is not a challenge in the sense the president tremulously expressed, not to say a new and peculiar one. Furthermore, contrary to how the Buhari presidency has insouciantly handled ethnic suspicion, Nigeria’s ethnic diversity is a great opportunity to forge a country out of its diversity into a uniquely blended one. As the United States motto says, e pluribus unum — out of many, one. President Buhari may be unaware of the nuances emblazoned on the statements he expressed before the four ambassadors, but the indisputable fact is that he worries about the consequences of rising youth population and ethnic diversity, two factors that a more enterprising government would see as an opportunity to manage and forge greatness.

Going by the president’s mindset on youth population and ethnic diversity, the country will continue to wrestle with an issue which if it had been properly framed as a solution and opportunity would have led to a pleasant and great outcome. Why is anyone surprised that until the EndSARS problem manifested, the government paid no heed to the looming youth crisis? Pursuant to this, would the government then wait until ethnic conflict ensued on a scale clearly more unmanageable than the youth crisis of today before seeing and exploiting it as an opportunity?

Politics

#ASUU Strike: We’ll explore other options if ASUU remains adamant. – FG

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has expressed optimism that the prolonged strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities will be resolved by next week when the Federal Government team meets the union leaders again.
He, however, said if the matter was not resolved by then, he would explore the provisions in the labour law and other channels.

Government had previously appealed to the union to call off the strike. The union had on March 24 2020 embarked on an indefinite strike over the failure of the Federal Government to keep to the 2019 Memorandum of Action between them as well as the lingering disagreement over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System that ASUU rejected.


Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, the minister said the government had met six of the union’s nine demands and that they would meet again next week with the hope of ending the prolonged strike.

He stated, even if countries go to war, at the end of the day they come to the negotiation table. I’m inviting ASUU members next week. We are doing side meetings on our part and we are collating everything. I’m collating responses from the Accountant General of the Federation’s Office and everybody who has something to do with this matter. Ngige was asked if the lecturers may not return to the classrooms in the next one or two weeks, he said, “I’m not looking at that (long) period. I’m an optimist on this matter. By next week, we will conclude this matter. There are so many options left. We have the labour laws and I have options left to me in the labour laws. I have other channels.


The minister, who said his children had also been at home as a result of the strike, explained that government had agreed to give the University Transparency Academic Solution, the payment platform proposed by ASUU, a trial. He however said the feedback he got from the National Information Technology Development Agency, the agency mandated to follow-up the trial with ASUU, showed they had just concluded the first phase and that the second phase to assess the functional requirement of UTAS had not been done.

He added, UTAS is yet to be ready but government will not discourage them and we have told them there is no need using the same old method of strike to make demands since such had been deployed since 2017. On the revitalisation fund, he said government had agreed to release N30bn out of the N40bn demanded by the union as the payment for November 2019 and September 2020, adding that the remaining N10bn would be staggered.

A committee that looked into the needs assessment of universities held a workshop on how funds could be generated, came up with the recommendation that other things could be done to raise funds, because revitalisation cannot be done through the budget, especially when the country is running a deficit budget,” Ngige added.

Politics

Report policemen evading duty – Lagos CP orders commanders, DPOs

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned officers and men of the Command against negligence, indolence and complacency.

He gave the warning on Friday in a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Some policemen are yet to resume or have been working inadequately since the End SARS protests.

Odumosu declared that dereliction of duty will no longer be condoned.

The CP urged the personnel to rise up to the security challenges associated with ember months.

Odumosu disclosed that he had read the riot act to those not performing their statutory obligation as expected.

He said there was no excuse for any policeman to be absent in spite of the words of encouragement from the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

“Even the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and well-meaning Nigerians, including our wives and mothers, the Police Officers Wives Association have encouraged officers to assume duty. We cannot handle the security of Lagos State with levity.”

Odumosu ordered Area Commanders, District Police Officers and Heads of Department to henceforth book any policeman who failed to report to duty.

He vowed that such operative will be dealt with according to the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations.

Politics

More trouble for Magu as CCB invites ex-EFCC acting chairman over assets

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Trouble seems not yet over for the embattled former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, as the Code of Conduct Bureau is investigating him over an alleged breach of Code of Conduct for public officers.

The CCB, through a letter dated November 2, with reference number CCB/HQ/ II&M/007/2093, addressed to the former acting EFCC chairman, directed him to appear before the Bureau for an interview scheduled for Tuesday, November 17.

According to the letter, entitled, “Investigation Activities: Letter of Invitation, Breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers”, the CCB was investigating Magu for a case of alleged breach of Code of Conduct for public officers. Magu’s invitation, the letter, signed by Gwimi S. P., the Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Monitoring of the CCB, stated was made “pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the 3rd Schedule, Part 1, Paragraph 3(e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended”.

“The Bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of Code of Conduct for public officers against Mr Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, the former Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In view of the foregoing, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows: Date: Tuesday, 17th November, 2020. Time: 11:00 am prompt; Venue: CCB Interview Room, 5th Floor, Annex 3, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja.

“You are expected to come along with the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the following documents: Acknowledgement slips of all your Assets Declaration to Code of Conduct Bureau since you joined public service; Copies of your Appointment Letter, Acceptance, records of service and payslips from January to May, 2020; All documents of your landed properties both developed and undeveloped.

“This invitation is made pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the 3rd Schedule, Part 1, Paragraph 3(e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended; Section 137(a) and (b) and 138 (a) and (b) Penal Code Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and Section 104 of Evidence Act 2011.

“Treat as urgent, please,” the letter sighted by Saturday Tribune read. When contacted yesterday, Shittu told Saturday Tribune that he could not comment on the development without Magu’s permission.

“There is no way I can comment without the express permission of my client (Magu),” he said.

Magu was on Monday, July 6 “arrested” at the Abuja Zonal office of the commission at Fomella Street at Wuse II in Abuja and taken before the Justice Ayo Salami panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate some alleged infractions against him.

The panel was put in place following a memo sent to the President by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, in which he made some damning allegations against Magu.

The minister, among others, accused Magu of insubordination to the AGF; relooting of recovered loots; sales of seized assets to his (Magu’s) cronies, associates and friends; alleged favouritism towards selected EFCC investigators, who are referred to as “Magu Boys” for juicy assignments; discrepancies in the reconciliation records of the EFCC and the Ministry of Budget and declaration of N539 billion as recovered funds instead of N504 billion earlier claimed.

Magu was also alleged to have acquired some assets in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, through some proxies. While being detained at the Force Criminal Investigation Department at Garki 10 in Abuja, Magu was suspended by Buhari on July 10, while the then Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, was made his replacement as EFCC Acting Chairman.

The presidential panel, headed by Justice Isa Ayo Salami (retd), a former President of the Court of Appeal, is yet to submit its report to the President after almost six months it has been investigating Magu’s tenure as Acting EFCC Chairman between November, 2015 and June, 2020.

However, it was rumoured then that the Department of State Service (DSS) was collaborating with the CCB to investigate Magu over some assets infraction, though this was denied then by counsel for the embattled Magu, Wahab Shittu. Reacting to the involvement of the DSS in his probe, Shittu had told Saturday Tribune that he was not aware of any investigations by the CCB, adding that all he knew about the alleged investigations by both the DSS and CCB were speculations on pages of newspapers. According to him, “Magu is not aware of investigations by the Code of Conduct (Bureau) except speculations in the papers. At any rate, my client remains unperturbed. “The only thing going for Magu is his innocence and firm conviction of having served his country selflessly,” Shittu had told Saturday Tribune.

Politics

Sanwo-Olu Launches Nigeria’s ‘First Assembled Electric Car’.

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Centre) attended an event launch for a locally assembled electric car on November 13, 2020.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday participated in the official launching of what has been described as Nigeria’s first assembled electric car.

The electric car, named ‘Hyundai Kona’, was assembled by Stallions Automobile factory.

In his remarks at the launch, Sanwo-Olu said the state government will provide charging points for electric cars, and continue to partner with stakeholders who are ready to bring in innovative ideas that will make Lagos stand out and further create an enabling environment where business can thrive.

A locally assembled electric car was launched in Lagos on November 13, 2020. The Managing Director of Stallions Group, Rohtagi Manish, said the innovation is a step towards keying into an eco-friendly green Lagos, as the material used to assemble Nigeria’s First one hundred percent Electric zero-emission car was mostly sourced locally.

Meanwhile, the Governor restated his administration’s commitment to the completion of the Lagos-Badagry Express road and also to embark on the construction of the phase two of Aradagun Imeke road.

Politics

Governor Ganduje’s aide shares donkey and other items to empower Kano youths.

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Senior Special Assistant to Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Youths Development, Murtala Gwarmai on Thursday November 12 shared a donkey and other items to empower youths of the state. 

It was reported that no fewer than 40 youths in the state benefitted from the event which took place at the premises of the state’s Ministry for Youths and Sports. 

Gwarmai who also shared motorcycles, bicycles, cash prizes worth N100,000, building blocks and roofing sheets among others, said the decision to include the donkey in the list of items distributed followed the request made by one of the beneficiaries who uses it to transport sand, gravel and blocks, adding that the empowerment will go a long way in assisting his business.

Those who attended the event include the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, the Senior Special Assistant on Youths II, Ibrahim Ahmad and other top officials in the ministry.

Politics

#EndSARS : If Buhari had not acted like a father, we would have been talking about something else — Femi Adesina

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President Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina, has said that if President Buhari hadn’t exercised the restraint and tolerance of a father, blood would have flowed in the wake of the EndSARS protest.

According to Adesina, Nigerians would have been talking about something else in the wake of the crisis that enveloped the country after the #EndSARS protests were hijacked by hoodlums, which led to the loss of public and private businesses.

“There is truly a huge difference between an instructor, a tutor, and a father. One is a hireling, procured to pass knowledge, while the other is an insider, an interested party who is “pater familias,” (as my late dad would say).

All through the EndSARS protest and the riots, mayhem and looting that followed, President Buhari acted like a father. And though we have millions of instructors in this country, we have not many fathers. President Buhari is one.

If President Buhari hadn’t exercised the restraint and tolerance of a father, at a time that even hitherto respected people instigated the protesters to carry on (and they promptly went underground when anarchy ensued), we would have been talking of something else in the country,” he said.

Politics

550 repentant Boko Haram suspects have been rehabilitated and will be released into the society by the Nigerian military.

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The federal government has promised to release  new set of repentant Boko Haram terrorists this November as the presidency celebrate its technically victory over Boko Haram.

The Spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, Major-General John Enenche, said the DRR programme under Operation Safe Corridor had recorded tremendous success judging from the feedback from previous trainees.

According to him, this new set will be opportune to travel outside the country on a scholarship to enable them to take part actively and contribute back to their immediate society.

Recalls that the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, had on Wednesday expressed disappointment in the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to rehabilitate repentant Boko Haram members.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army stated this while speaking at the closed-door budget defense session with the Nigerian Army.

Ndume who has always spoken against the rehabilitation of Boko Haram members noted that it is wrong for Nigeria to be pampering repentant terrorists while the country is still at war.

Politics

Housing Projects: FG Owing 3,504 Contractors About N69.9bn. – Fashola

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The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says the ministry is owing 3,504 contractors handling its various housing projects about N69.9 billion.

He stated this when he appeared before the Joint National Assembly Committee on Housing on Thursday in Abuja, to defend his ministry’s 2021 budget estimates.

Although N76.4 billion was allocated to the ministry in the 2021 budget, Fashola warned that the figure was grossly inadequate to execute 186 projects across the country.

He listed some of the priority areas in the 2021 budget to include the completion of the construction of the remaining 2,140 housing units under the National Housing Programme in 34 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Other priority areas identified by the minister were the completion of the construction of ongoing federal secretariats in Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Osun, and Zamfara States.

Politics

Seven killed in helicopter crash in Egypt as aircraft suffers ‘technical failure’

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Seven people are reported to have been killed in a military plane crash in Egypt after the aircraft suffered a “technical failure”.

The aircraft involved is understood to have been a reconnaissance plane, an aircraft involved in military operations, Sky News Arabia reports.

American peacekeepers are alleged to have been onboard the flight, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.

The crash is said to have taken place in South Sinai. Sky News Arabia tweeted:

“Our correspondent in Cairo: American peacekeepers were wounded in South Sinai, after a reconnaissance plane fell due to a technical failure.”

Politics

Oyo libraries are cemeteries of dead books – Club

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The Ibadan Book Club (a book reading arm of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers – Oyo State Chapter) has described the Oyo state government owned libraries which are spread across the nooks and crannies of Oyo state as Cemeteries of dead books.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the Club in Ibadan on Thursday.

The first book reading club in Oyo State made the comment after a week tour to some of the libraries.

Ibadan Book Club further berated the nonchalant attitude of Oyo Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and the Management of the Oyo State Library Board toward reading culture and tradition in Oyo state.

It would be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde recently appointed some individuals as Chairman and members into the state library board. Some of the recently appointed individuals are not even stakeholders in the state’s book industry.

Ibadan is known as home to many reputable publishing firms and stakeholders in the book industry. Oyo state is currently home to famous publishing firms like Book Craft, Ibadan University Press, Evans Brothers Publishers, Spectrum Publishers, HEBN, Kraft Books, Macmillan Publishers, Rashmed to mention but few yet her libraries are full of outdated and moribund books.

On the problems confronting some of these libraries, Wole Adedoyin listed some of them as lack of awareness programs, budgetary constraints, inadequate library materials, lack of trained and skilled manpower and lack of appropriate government policy, lack of digital library facilities and lack of information literacy.

Adedoyin finally urged Gov. Seyi Makinde to pay attention to the state libraries, equip them with modern and relevant curriculum based books. And also explore all avenues to make reading attractive and friendly to the students and youths of the state.

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