ASUU alerts Nigerian govt on strike, insists on 2009 agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, on Tuesday decried the poor attitude of the Federal Government towards the implementation of the 2009 agreement signed by both parties.

The ASUU Coordinator in the zone, Prof. Lawan Abubakar, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, said such a lackadaisical attitude by the government would force the union members to embark on an indefinite strike.

The union had on November 14, issued a three-week ultimatum to the government to implement the agreement or risk another indefinite strike by the varsity teachers.

Abubakar, who was represented at the forum by his predecessor, Prof. Nanmwa Voncir, said the agreement was renegotiated in May 2020, yet the government has remained adamant about its implementation.

He advised the federal government to implement the agreement to avert another strike.

Abubakar added that the union’s demands were not personal, but aimed at lifting the standard of university education in the country.

The coordinator said: “The Bauchi zone of ASUU feels that the government has been tolerated enough and we cannot continue to entertain its officials who are failing to do the needful for over the years.

“Impending strike action can be avoided if government officials can do what they failed to do in the last one year.

“We are, once again, pained to bring these issues to the public domain because more than a year after suspending the 2020 strike, little progress has been made towards implementation.

We are also pained to inform the public that ASUU has activated its process of resuming the conditionally suspended strike immediately after the expiration of the three-week ultimatum.

“Should we embark on strike, know that we are forced and government should be held responsible and accountable.”

Buhari has done his best, don’t expect anything more – Ex-President, Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigerians should not expect anything more from President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, Buhari has done his best, hence, expecting more from him is like beating a dead horse.

Obasanjo stated this at a retreat on inclusive security organized by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa on Monday.

He urged Nigerians to be more concerned about the post-Buhari era, and not what is expected of him.

He said; “The truth is this: President Buhari has done his best. That is what he can do. If we are expecting anything more than what he has done or what he is doing, that means we’re whipping a dead horse and there is no need.

“Then, where do we go from here? We cannot fold our hands. I believe that is part of what we’re doing here and what we continue to be doing.

“How do we prepare for post-Buhari? Buhari has done his best. My prayer is that God will spare his life to see his term through.

“But what should we do to make post-Buhari better than what we have now? That is our responsibility now, because it concerns all of us.”

Police Affairs Minister, Dingyadi, says bandits’ attacks too frequent for Buhari to visit all affected communities

The inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to visit and condole with Nigerians affected by insecurity and banditry, has been blamed on the frequency of recurring incidents.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, who made this clarification on Monday in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, said it would be practically impossible for President Buhari to physically be at the affected places as the attacks occur too frequently.

In the past one week, Nigerians have been up in arms, lambasting the President over his refusal to visit Sokoto State to commiserate with the people following the burning of 45 passengers by terrorist.

The anger was further accentuated when the President visited Lagos to grace a book launch by APC chieftain, Bisi Akande, which triggered a serious backlash.

Although Buhari later delegated a high-powered delegation of security chiefs to visit Sokoto and Katsina states to access the situation, critics still faulted his absence in the states.

However, Dingyadi defended the President by alluding to the fact that the “incessant attacks and killings by the terrorists are too frequent to allow the president visit all the places.”

“These attacks are happening almost on a daily basis and are not possible for the President to visit all the places for condolences. And if you send a delegation, it is as if you were there, is all the same,” the Police Affairs Minister said.

“As much as the President is worried and concerned about these incidents, you will agree with me that it is practically impossible for him to visit all the places due to nature of his job and the occurrences of the attacks.

“And this is the reason he sends people, especially security chiefs to represent him,” Dingyadi reiterated.

SSS invites another #NoMoreBloodShed convener over protest against insecurity in the North

Another convener of #NoMoreBloodshed protests embarked upon by youths in some northern states against escalating insecurity in the region, has been invited by the State Security Service (SSS).

According to a Facebook post by one of the conveners of the protest, Rahma Abdulmajid, the invitee, Ibrahim Birniwa, one of the leaders of the protest in Kaduna, was invited by the secret police on Saturday for organizing the protest.

The youth protesters had, on Friday, hit the streets of Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto States and Abuja simultaneously to register their anger over the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians by bandits and terrorists with the government doing little or nothing to protect the people.

The invitation of Birniwa makes the second of such by the SSS following the invitation on Friday of Zainab Ahmed, who led the Kano leg of the protest for questioning over her participation in protest.

Shortly after her interrogation which lasted for over two hours, Ahmed promptly released a statement that she was no longer part of the protest.

She also tried to dissuade other youths from continuing with the protest, claiming she had Information that the protests would be hijacked by certain unnamed people for political reasons.

Buhari does not value our lives, ex-Gov Bafarawa blasts Buhari for not visiting Sokoto

Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of not valuing the lives of the people of the state over his failure to visit and condole with the them following the burning of travelers by terrorists last week.

Bafarawa who spoke on a BBC Hausa Service programme on Saturday, expressed his disappointment over Buhari’s failure to visit and condole with the people of the state over the incident, but chose to visit Lagos to grace the launch of a book by former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande.

Bafarawa lamented a situation where innocent citizens are burnt to death and the President did not find it imperative to visit and condole with the people but found it convenient to attend a book launch.

The former Governor also bemoaned Buhari’s failed to address the growing insecurity and killings in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in the northern part of the country, accusing the president of not valuing the lives of the people that elected him.

“The way the lives of our people are being treated as worthless is the most disturbing thing. See the lives lost just within the last four to five days,” Bafarawa said.

People were burnt in a vehicle after they were shot, but President Muhammadu Buhari went to Lagos for a book launch, a book that is neither the Qur’an or the Bible. It is just a biography.

“He did not come to Sokoto to commiserate with us over the lives we lost but he sent some people to represent him.

“When he was campaigning, he didn’t send anybody to represent him, he came by himself. That was because he wanted to be elected.

“What stopped him from coming to condole with the people? But he went to Lagos for a book launch. We can only say “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’in” (From Allah we come and to him we shall return). Sabon Birni, Shinkafi and Goronyo are in a very dire situation.

“We only depend on God for protection. It is only on God that we depend for his protection, not anybody. We are sad and disappointed with the way Buhari’s administration is treating our region.

“I was a governor for eight years and I know the responsibilities placed on me. Whenever a governor or a president is sworn in, he swears with the Qur’an or the Bible that he will protect the lives and properties of the people. Nobody says that the people will be responsible for the protection of their lives and properties.

“The leader who swore that, he can do it, by going to the people in their villages and houses and asked them to vote for him, must fulfil that promise.

“The saying that, security is everybody’s business is true, but the onus rests with the leader, like President Muhammadu Buhari who swore with the Qur’an to protect their lives.”

Nigerian govt may ban flights to UK, Canada, 2 others

Nigeria government may ban flights from the United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada, and Saudi Arabia from coming into Nigeria in a retaliatory move.

The decision may be announced on Tuesday, 14 December according to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

The minister in a leaked video obtained by various media houses and seen by Ripples Nigeria, the Minister stressed that the decision to ban these countries was a retaliatory move and would be made public by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).

The UK had imposed travel restrictions on Nigeria, claiming that 21 cases of Omicron recorded in England were linked to travellers from Nigeria.

But the travel ban was trailed by global outrage with some national and international stakeholders describing it as racist and discriminatory.

The federal government had also condemned the decision of the UK, with the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, describing it as discriminatory, unfair, punitive, indefensible, and unjust.

In the Audio the Minister said: “Also, there is a case of Saudi Arabia, which put Nigeria on the banned list – no visa, no travel, et cetera. So also Canada. So, today, there was a meeting, I participated in a zoom meeting, COVID-19 task force, just for your information also.

We have given our input in aviation, it is not acceptable by us and we recommend that those countries – Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina be also put on Red List, as they did similarly to us.

“If they don’t allow our citizens to go into their countries who are their airlines coming to pick from our country?

“So, I am very sure that in the next few days, between now and Monday, or perhaps Tuesday, at maximum, all those countries will be put on the red list from the PSC (Presidential Steering Committee) from the task force of COVID-19. Once they are put on the red list, which means they are banned, of course, their airlines will be banned.

“I’m so sorry, we are going through a difficult moment, but we have to do it in the interest of our country,” Sirika explained.

Obasanjo cautions Yoruba monarchs against adoption of candidates in 2023

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday warned traditional rulers in the South-West against the adoption of candidates for elective positions in 2023.

Obasanjo, who made the call at the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nterenya Sanginga and his wife, Charlotte Kurara, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at Ile-Ife, Osun State, urged the monarchs to steer clear of politics.

He advised the monarchs to play fatherly roles to every individual seeking political offices, saying the strength of the Yoruba race lies in its diverse political views.

The ex-President said: “I want to advise that as traditional rulers in Yorubaland you must not dabble into partisan politics. Every Yoruba person that comes to you must be blessed and supported. They are all your subjects.

They will come to you seeking blessings to become governor, Presidents, and senators. Bless them and let them go, don’t direct Yoruba to support or adopt a particular candidate.

Yoruba people don’t have the same view or go the same direction in politics, which is part of our strength as a race. As far as politics is concerned, even in the pre-independence era in Yorubaland, we have two strong views, the National Council for Nigeria and Cameroon and the Action Group side. Also after independence, we had the same thing with Akintola’s side and Awolowo’s side.

“During the military rule we equally have two sides, we have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD). Ladoja was part of one side. Please don’t let the politicians add to your burden.

“I even love your forgiven virtue. Those who romance you now never wanted you to ascend the throne of your forefathers. Please Yoruba monarchs should be careful.”

Oyo govt charges youths to be active in politics

The Oyo State Government has called on youths in the state to be active participants in politics, especially as the 2023 General Elections draw nearer.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made the submission, on Saturday, at the Oyo State Youths Summit held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, stating that youths have a big role to play in shaping the leadership of the country.

He said: “For the present administration in Oyo State, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, we are committed to building youths with good character. We indeed call on you to be part of the politics in the State.

“Get your PVC and act.”

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Seun Fakorede, emphasized that youths should perform in any leadership position they find themselves in.

He said: “Our country is drifting today due to poor leadership, therefore, we as youths must equip ourselves with the needed knowledge, so that when we get to these positions, we will perform differently.

“The only reason you can come on stage is because you have been equipped to lead. Be ready to use your voting strength to make the necessary change in the nation, you must not only engage in complaining but be fully involved”.

Nigerian govt claims agreements with ASUU were signed under duress

The Federal Government on Thursday alleged that majority of the agreements signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were done under duress.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, during a retreat organised by the governing council of the University of Abuja.

He said, “I have heard so much about the fact that the government has failed to honour the agreements with ASUU. I have a different view about that because most of these agreements are imperfect.

“If somebody comes to my house and puts a gun to my head, I might agree to everything because those agreements are signed under duress. If you want to introduce obligations or responsibilities on their part, they will insist you cannot.”

Undergraduates across the nation’s public universities continue to bear the brunt as the ASUU continuously embarks on industrial actions to press home their demands ranging from payment of allowances to the IPPIS implementation.

Buhari has failed the north woefully —Northern Coalition

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), says President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the Northern region of the country after they had put so much faith in his ability to curb insecurity by voting massively for him.

The group which was reacting to the escalation of attacks and killings of innocent citizens by terrorists in Northern communities, said it was a confirmation of the failure of the federal governments under Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

The CNG, at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said the “recent burning to death of travelers at Anguwan Bawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State by bandits, incessant attacks by ISWAP in the North East and the unabated phenomenon of banditry along Abuja-Kaduna Highway as well as school abductions had exposed the helplessness of the government.”

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, the spokesman of the Coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, warned that a further escalation of the security challenges bedeviling the North would pose existential threats not only to the region but to the whole nation.

“The CNG is agitated by the recent unchecked escalation of attacks and killings across Northern Nigerian communities, cities, towns and highways that has literally exposed the entire region to the mercy of Boko Haram-ISWAP insurgents to the North East, and ruthless banditry and kidnapping rings to the North West and North Central,” Suleiman said.

“The CNG notes that the following recent escalations of attacks, killings and kidnappings while the presidency appears in total isolation or in deep denial by constantly flaunting victory in the face of glaring failure, has reached an unacceptable and an intolerable point where the urgent citizen action remains the only option.

In the light of the above, the CNG has inadvertently arrived at the following inevitable observations and inferences: That President Muhammadu Buhari whom the north voted for overwhelmingly, with the belief that he would tackle insecurity, has failed us woefully.

The federal and various state governments in the North have woefully failed in the vital area of providing security of lives and properties to citizens, especially in northern Nigeria, where the ruling All Progressives Congress extracted the bulk of its votes in the 2015 and 2019 rounds of elections.

“That the escalation of the security challenges bedeviling the North today are not only existential threats to the region but to the whole nation with our very fragile democracy threatened by the worst insecurity of our lifetime.

“The glaring inability to secure the borders, forests and highways in northern Nigeria are partly a result of incapacity, absence of political will, defence corruption and bad governance.

In recognition of the enormity of these security and socioeconomic challenges, the CNG has resolved to embark on a massive mobilisation of all men and women of goodwill in the region and beyond, to raise their voices to give voice to our voiceless people.

“Consequently, the CNG has resolved to organise a Mega Pan Northern Nigerian Summit under the chairmanship of the convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi to look into and proffer definite solutions to the security challenges in the region.”

Presidency, Head of Service deny reports of delay in public workers’ Dec salaries

The Presidency has denied allegations that the December salaries of public servants might be delayed due to a shortfall in budgetary allocations.

The office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) also denied the reports and urged civil servants to disregard the circular.

This response came in the wake of a circular purportedly issued by the federal Government advising police officers and federal civil servants to spend their November salaries wisely because their December salaries may be delayed till January 2022.

However, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who spoke to State House correspondents on Thursday in Abuja, dismissed the circular, saying President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration “takes the issue of payment of salaries more seriously’’.

According to him, the Buhari administration attaches great importance to the welfare of its workers, especially the payment of their wages.

“I have not been briefed about this issue but what I can tell you is that nobody takes the issue of payment of salaries more seriously than President Muhammadu Buhari.

“To give you an example, only two weeks ago or so, the National Economic Council announced that the President had approved this huge amount of money over N18 billion to each state of the federation to take care of outstanding pensions and salaries.

“So, logically speaking, if the President will help States to pay; he has done this many times, from 2015, he saw it as a national crisis.

He did this kind of support to States not less than three times before this one,” he stated.

Shehu added: “For the president, salary is so important that he is looking beyond the Federal and he is holding the hands of the States to join him in doing so, please, people should not be unnecessarily upset.’’

In the same vein, the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) also advised civil servants to disregard the circular.

Mr AbdulGaniyu Aminu, Director of Communications, Office of the HOCSF, gave the advice in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The fake news has unfortunately been published in some newspapers and some social media platforms without verifying.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that the office at no time issued any such circular in respect of salary, ” the communication director said.

He further said the said signatory to the circular, one Dr S. A. Adegoke was not a staff of the office of the HOCSF, as there was no record of such an officer in the HOCSF.

“It stands to reason, therefore, that those behind the so-called circular are just out to cause mischief by spreading false information for reasons best known to them.

“It bears restating, therefore, that the so-called circular is nothing but fake news and no such circular was written or emanated from the office,” he said.

APC sweeps Ekiti local council election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the 35 chairmanship seats in Saturday’s local council election in Ekiti State.

The Chairman of the State Independent National Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Jide Aladejana, who announced the results of the election on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, said the APC secured 176 out of the 177 councillorship seats declared by the commission.

Aladejana said the commission had postponed the councillorship election in Erinjiyan ward after violence broke out during the poll in the town.

He commended the security agencies, the commission’s staff, and the electorate for the successful conduct of the election.

The election was held across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 19 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Six other political parties participated in the election while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the exercise.

The parties that took part in the poll were the Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), APC, National Rescue Movement(NRM), and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

Lagos govt releases official copy of #ENDSARS panel report

The Lagos State government has released the official copy of the state judicial panel of inquiry report on the shooting of #ENDSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, who announced this in a statement on Sunday, noted that the report was submitted to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on November 15.

He said the report titled: ”Report of Lekki Incident Investigation on 20th October 2021” and ”Consolidated Report on General Police Brutality” and was now available to the public.

Onigbanjo said: “Members of the public can view and download the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the documents on the website of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice – https://lagosstatemoj.org/official-documents/

Further inquiries should be directed to the Office of the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice through info@lagosstatemoj.org.”

The panel had in the report indicted the Nigerian Army and police in the shooting of the protesters on October 20 last year.

The team revealed that at least 46 unarmed protesters were either shot dead or injured with bullets by security forces at the Lekki toll gate.

The state government released the White Paper on the report last Tuesday.

In the document, the government accepted 11 out of the 32 recommendations, modified six, and rejected one.

APC accuses Gov Obaseki of budget padding

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State on Sunday accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of budget padding.

In a statement issued by its Assistant Publicity Secretary in the state, Victor Ofure Osehobo, the APC claimed that the projects listed by the governor for execution in the 2022 budget proposal were duplicated.

The party described the appropriation bill as unrealistic.

Obaseki presented the Edo State 2022 budget proposal of N214.2b to the Assembly on December 1.

APC said: “On a closer look, the 2022 Obaseki budget proposal, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predictions, a development that confirms fears by many Edo people that this administration is obviously still trying unsuccessfully to lay a foundation for governance as Obaseki himself declared five years on!

The proposal again illustrates that Governor Obaseki has perfected the art of wasting Edo State’s funds on frivolities. How does he explain the allocation of N21 billion for government buildings and another N15 billion to enhance the work environment?

As expected, the Obaseki 2022 estimates are padded and this can be deduced from such spurious allocations as providing social and youth development, N5billion; technology enhancement, N7.6billion and effective fiscal and business-friendly regulatory policies, N4.5billion.

“The proposal includes water, which is non-existent and which the government has never attempted to provide anywhere in the state, for N1.2billion. This is as ridiculous as the provision of N1.5billion for citizen re-orientation and social protection, and N9.2billion for public safety and security, which are suspicious and questionable, and call for answers.”

Nigeria’s security challenges will soon be history, Osinbajo expresses hope

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed hope that Nigeria’s worsening security situation will soon be over.

Osinbajo, said this on Thursday, when members of the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group, paid him a visit, in Abuja,

Nigeria has been grappling with a series of deepening security challenges ranging from banditry, terrorism, farmers-herders conflict, among others, which have led to the killing, maiming, abduction, raping and destruction of property of the citizenry.

The Vice President, however, declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was focused on resolving the security challenges in different parts of the country.

He said: “A lot of the security challenges we experience in Nigeria today will be resolved in due course.

This country will be stronger and greater. We must never relent in ensuring that we keep to the ideals of the country and we don’t lose sight of what we are trying to achieve here.

The President has always remained steadfast and focused in resolving the problems of the country beginning with security.

“He is a steady hand; he is unflappable, he is not panicky, he is focused and looking at the security issues every day, and trying to advance the best possible solutions.

People who suggest that the country breaks up, whatever may be the reason for their views, are certainly not correct and we must say so to them at every turn.

“The unity of this country is important for all of the different ethnicities, religions, everybody. Whatever the group or ideology, unity is important for every one of us.

“It is wrong for a country that is the largest economy in Africa and definitely going to be one of the largest economies in the world, to start thinking in terms of fragmenting itself.

“If you fragment, the problems are going to multiply, poverty will multiply.”

Reps to invite INEC chairman over cost of direct primaries

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution to invite the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu to brief the House on the cost of conducting direct primaries in the country.

The motion to invite Yakubu was raised by Representative Leke Abejide during the plenary, informing the House that it was important to address the rumours of the high cost of conducting direct primaries.

The INEC Chairman is to appear before the Committees on Appropriations and Electoral Matters to speak on the issue.

Abejide said there are rumours that it would cost N500 billion to conduct direct primaries.

More details coming…

Nigeria to probe alleged fraudulent sale of recovered assets

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has set up a five-member committee to investigate the report on the alleged illegal sale of the Federal Government’s recovered assets by a syndicate in the country.

The Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the AGF, Umar Gwandu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement read: “It is important to set the records straight that the office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has not officially started the sale of the Federal Government’s recovered property.

“The Honourable Minister did not approve, did not order, and was not aware of, the sale of any of such property.”

The committee which is headed by the Director, Public Prosecution of the ministry, is to investigate the claim and recommend ways of handling the matter in accordance with the provisions of extant laws.

The panel is expected to complete the assignment within one week and submit its report to the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice.

PDP elects wards executives in Zamfara

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, conducted its congresses to elect party executives across the 147 wards in Zamfara State.

The Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Col. Bala Mande (retd), disclosed this to journalists at the end of the exercise in five wards in Gusau, the state capital.

The congresses for the Sabon Gari, Mayana, Madawaki, Tudun Wada, and Galadima wards took place at the GAPP Ginnery in Gusau.

He noted that the delay in the conduct of the congresses was due to the security situation in the state.

Mande, who was former Chief of Staff to Governor Bello Matawalle, said the congresses took place simultaneously across the 147 wards in the state.

He said 18 executives are expected to emerge from each ward and would run the affairs of the party for the next four years.

The chairman said: “Our congresses were open as you witnessed how supporters queued behind the candidate of their choices and who secured the highest votes was declared the winner.

“The process allowed members of the party at the ward level to elect officers of their choice that will steer the ship of the party for the next four years.”

Nigeria not at dead-end, will overcome challenges – Dogara

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon overcome its security challenges.

Dogara, who stated this in his keynote address at the House of Justice Annual Summit held in Kaduna, urged Nigerians not to rest on their oars until the country over the challenges.

He said: “These security challenges, as deeply disconcerting as they are, they are not strange. There is no nation on earth that has not been tried or tested. Every one of them has come to moments of national peril. We can put an end to the moral vandalism that flows from all spots of bedlam across the face of the nation.

“No season lasts forever, therefore this cup shall pass if we all do our bit such as we are doing at this summit in order to keep the promise of this great country alive.

For us to leave this Nigeria, our country that we cherish and hold dear, for others to defend is not cowardice, it is apostasy to the Nigerian creed. For those who think Nigeria has arrived at a dead-end, let us disappoint them by turning the end into a bend. We can do it!

“I need neither remind us that national security is a subject matter on the lips of all Nigerians now. I am further comforted by the recognition by House of Justice, in their thesis, that this insecurity challenge is surmountable, its enormity notwithstanding.”

The ex-speaker said the post-civil war situation in Nigeria had been largely calm except for limited instances of armed robbery.

Dogara added: “For about two decades the security situation has become unhinged. Killing, maiming, and the destruction of property have become commonplace daily occurrences.

These manifest in the form of the Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping , militancy in the Niger Delta, the activities of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) secessionists in the South-East, banditry, farmer/herders clashes, cattle rustling and ethnoreligious conflicts among others. These, each sufficiently vicious in its own right, have combined to compound the quagmire of insecurity that pervades Nigeria now.”

Buhari charges varsities on production of COVID-19 vaccines

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday charged Nigerian universities to intensify research on the production of potent COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

Buhari made the call in his address at the combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State.

The President, who was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, noted that the universities across Nigeria are expected to drive scientific discoveries and inventions in the country.

He said: “You all know that in the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began its devastating effect on the education sub-sectors, leading to the destruction of universities’ academic activities.

“I, therefore, encourage the universities to intensify their research and come up with more potent vaccines to fortify our immune system against this dreaded virus.”