Politics

Twitter must be registered in Nigeria before ban will be reversed – FG

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The federal government on Wednesday, said the management of Twitter has reached out for a “high-level discussion” to resolve the issue that led to the suspension of its operations in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure to state house correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

The meeting, which held at the presidential villa, Abuja, was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed listed conditions that must be met before even considering a reversal of Twitter ban – which includes that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern, The Cable reports.

He said other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must also be registered in the country.

The minister said freedom of speech was not stifled by the suspension of Twitter, adding that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

He added that Twitter’s loss of money as a result of the suspension is an indication of its effectiveness.

Mohammed said the suspension was necessary because the micro-blogging site provided a platform for those that are threatening the existence of Nigeria.

The minister alleged that Twitter allowed Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to use its platform to call for the killing of security agents.

He revealed that the microblogging platform failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.

Politics

FG summons UK, US, other envoys for condemning Twitter ban

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The Federal Government has summoned the envoys of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and the European Union in Nigeria over their recent comments condemning the suspension of microblogging site, Twitter in the West African country.

This was made known in an invitation issued to pressmen on Monday morning by Kimiebi Ebienfa of the Crisis Monitoring and Public Communications Division of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I am directed to inform that following the recent ban on Twitter by the Federal Government and Press Statement issued by some Heads of Diplomatic Missions Accredited to Nigeria on the subject matter, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Geoffrey Onyeama has invited the affected Ambassadors to a meeting today at 12 noon.

The venue is Minister’s Conference Room, 8th Floor.

“You are hereby invited to cover the meeting. Thanks for your usual cooperation,” the invite read.

In a joint statement on Saturday, Canada, EU, UK, US, and the Republic of Ireland expressed disappointment over the Nigerian government’s suspension of Twitter.

The statement was titled, ‘Joint Statement From The Diplomatic Missions Of Canada, The European Union (Delegation To Nigeria), The Republic Of Ireland, The United Kingdom And The United States Of America’.

It read; “The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media.

“We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.

“Banning systems of expression is not the answer. These measures inhibit access to information and commerce at precisely the moment when Nigeria needs to foster inclusive dialogue and expression of opinions, as well as share vital information in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less, communication to accompany the concerted efforts of Nigeria’s citizens in fulsome dialogue toward unity, peace and prosperity.

“As Nigeria’s partners, we stand ready to assist in achieving these goals.”

Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Saturday, ordered the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation to prosecute offenders contravening the government’s Twitter ban.

Politics

FG orders prosecution of Nigerians using Twitter

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has ordered the immediate prosecution of persons who violate the Federal Government’s order suspending Twitter operations in Nigeria.

Malami, in a statement released on Saturday by his spokesman, Umar Gwandu, gave the directive to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.

The statement is titled, ‘Twitter ban: Malami orders prosecution of offenders.’

It read; “Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has directed the immediate prosecution of offenders of the Federal Government ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria.

Malami directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

“Malami directed the DPPF to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay.”

Lifestyle

Twitter reacts to FG’s suspension of its operation in Nigeria

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Tech giant, Twitter has expressed “deep concern” over the federal government’s decision to suspend its operations in Nigeria.

Sarah Hart, Twitter’s Senior Policy Communications Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who made this known in a statement, said the company is investigating the development.

“The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning.

“We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more,” the statement said.

Recall that the federal government suspended Twitter’s operations in a statement on Friday.

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Politics

Twitter ban: The right of Nigerians to freely express themselves must be respected – Sweden warns FG

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The Swedish Government have reacted to the suspension slammed on microblogging platform, Twitter by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a tweet on its official handle, Sweden called on President Muhammadu Buhari to respect ‘freedom of expression.’

It noted that Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information.

The tweet reads, ”Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information.

This must be respected. Safeguarding free, independent media and civic spaces for democratic voices is an important part of Sweden’s #DriveForDemocracy #TwitterBan”

Just a few days after Twitter deleted Buhari’s controversial ‘civil war’ tweet, the federal government suspended Twitter’s operations in a statement on Friday.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Politics

Stop renouncing your citizenship – FG pleads with Nigerian youths

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The Federal Government has appealed to young Nigerians to stop the trend of renouncing their citizenship in pursuit of greener pasture abroad.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola who made the appeal on Thursday, described it as worrisome and counterproductive.

He expressed concerns at the Ministerial Alignment Meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Deliverables for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the Minister said the Federal government would put up a mechanism in place that would keep young Nigerians busy in productive activities.

He said a committee would be set up in the Ministry with stakeholders to oversee the operations and implementation of the deliverables.

The committee would be chaired by the Director, Planning Research and Statistics (PRS) in the Ministry, Mr. Kabiru Ayuba, with representatives of the four Services under the Ministry and other relevant officers.

Politics

Buhari’s tweet: Adamu Garba asks FG to block Twitter from Nigeria’s internet space

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Former presidential aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Adamu Garba, has said the Federal Government should shut down Twitter from Nigeria’s internet space.

He spoke in reaction to the tech giant’s deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial tweet on the civil war.

According to Garba, Twitter has no right to take down President Buhari’s tweet.

Taking to his Twitter account, the APC Chieftain said the microblogging platform should be expunged from Nigeria.

He wrote: “Twitter has no right to infuse into our local political affairs. It’s a company not a government.

“By removing our democratically elected President’s speech to the people of Nigeria, Twitter needs to be shut down from Nigerian internet space.

“Twitter needs to get out of Nigeria.”

He went further to urge Buhari and his cabinet to consider using his social media app as an alternative to Twitter.

Garba added; President @MBuhari and his entire cabinet, including all Govt related social handles should consider using my app.

We grow our local brand and perfect it by using and supporting it.

Since we have a local content rules, my app is there to protect our national integrity.

Agreed we have our constraints but it is ours and we are improving on it.

My app will do well to advance the interest of Nigerians and Africans than some foreign online colonization tool called Twitter.

Lifestyle

FG sanctions 27 foreigners, 62 Nigerians for violating COVID-19 protocols

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The Federal Government has sanctioned 27 foreigners for violating COVID-19 protocols put in place for returnees from Brazil and other countries with a high incidence of the pandemic.

The Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday night in Abuja, said the affected foreigners were 26 Indians and a Dane.

He added that 62 Nigerians were also sanctioned for the same reason.

The PSC had early this month issued a Travel Advisory for passengers arriving in Nigeria from Brazil, India, and Turkey to check the importation of new variants of COVID-19 into the country.

Mustapha said: “The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has however observed that while most of the arriving passengers dutifully observed the guidelines, some (Nigerians and foreigners) have violated them in contravention of the provisions of the Coronavirus Health Protection Regulations 2021.

All the affected persons arrived in Nigeria between 8th May 2021 and 15th May 2021 through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

They have been declared Persons of Interest (POI) on account of posing considerable danger to overall public health and for the violation of Nigeria COVID-19 travel protocol by evading the mandatory seven-day quarantine for persons arriving from restricted countries.

“Members of the public are by this notice advised that these persons of interest constitute an immediate health hazard to society. They must therefore transport themselves safely, to the nearest state public health departments within 48 hours of this notice for immediate evaluation and call the Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health on 08036134672 or 08032461990 for further directions.

The PSC shall in addition, take further steps to sanction these violators. These steps include:

– Disabling their travel passports for a period not less than one year;

– Cancelation of visas/ permits of foreigners that have abused our hospitality; and prosecution under the 2021 Health Protection Regulations.

– Additional list of Batch II defaulters shall be published in subsequent announcement by the PSC.”

Politics

FG asks Israel, Palestine to respect human rights

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The federal government has urged Israel and Palestine authorities to respect human rights, saying the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is watching the unfolding conflicts that have recently beset the peninsula.

FG spoke through the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama in a statement issued by foreign affairs spokesman, Ferdinand Nwoye, on Thursday.

The government urged both parties to de-escalate hostilities and commit a two-state solution.

The statement read; “The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that the Federal Government of Nigeria is watching with great concern the unfolding developments with Israel and the State of Palestine and urges both parties to see reason and de-escalate the hostilities.

The Federal Government further urges the two parties to remain committed to the two-state solution and, in the meantime, guarantee the rights of all citizens to live in peace and dignity.”

Israel and Palestine have been locked in violence since last week when Gaza residents launched airstrikes into occupied areas of East Jerusalem.

Politics

COVID-19: FG re-imposes curfew, restriction on mass gathering

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The Federal Government has re-introduced a nationwide curfew to curtail further spread of COVID-19.

National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed, disclosed this at the briefing of the Presidential Committee on COVID-19 in Abuja.

He said the curfew would take effect from midnight on Monday, May 10, and it will be from 12am to 4am.

Mohammed also said with effect from Tuesday, night clubs, gyms and other social spaces would remain closed till further notice.

He said gatherings of religious groups and weddings among others have been reduced to 50 percent attendance while official engagements, meetings and conferences should continue to hold virtually.

Politics

Nigerians in diaspora with expired passports can come back home for renewal – FG

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Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, says Nigerians in diaspora with expired passports can return home for the renewal “without fear of harassment”.

He gave the assurance at a webinar organised by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on Saturday.

The minister said the establishment of front offices have been approved at Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports to help Nigerians “who arrive the country on expired passports to have their passports renewed immediately”.

It is in this regard that the NIS recently granted a waiver for Nigerians with expired passports desirous of coming to Nigeria to do so without fear of harassment by airlines,” he said.

Aregbesola also said he has given a May 31 deadline to clear all backlogs of passport applications.

He further explained that the delay in passport issuance experienced by Nigerians is one of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “The Nigerian Immigration Service in recent time has been facing challenges in passport issuing, particularly because of a shortage of booklet, both locally and abroad. The ministry and NIS have been frantically working to resolve this.

I gave a May 31st deadline to clear all backlogs of passport application. To ensure a permanent solution to the recurrent scarcity of booklet, the federal government is at an advanced stage of domesticating the production of passport booklets here in Nigeria.

So, with what we are commencing on June 1st, I am confident that we shall no longer experience any shortage of booklets and the issuance and renewal of passports will be seamless starting from the 1st of June.

“To ensure efficient and effective service delivery to Nigerians, we have recently reviewed the passport issuing process with a view to streamlining the process for better performance while also eliminating the activities of touts.

All passport applications and issuance are to be made online. Effective June 1, all passport application and issuance will take a period of six weeks to enable the NIS to carry out due diligence on all applicants.”

Politics

Father Mbaka has gone missing – Ohanaeze raises alarm, warns FG

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC), on Wednesday raised the alarm over the whereabouts of Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries, Enugu.

The cleric had recently demanded the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari, after which the presidency released a statement, saying that he wants Buhari to resign because his contract request was not granted by government.

Ohanaeze Youth Council has now claimed that the priest was missing.

President-General of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, in a statement released on Wednesday, said Fr. Mbaka was last seen on Tuesday, adding that every effort to trace him had failed.

We have it on good authority that his aides have neither seen nor heard from him since Tuesday.

“Calls put to his mobile line have also remained unanswered; this has now prompted us to issue this alarm as we would not take it lightly should anything untoward happen to him.

“We are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to produce the priest, else they should be ready to face Igbo youths. They were dining and wining with him all along and now that he told the truth, they are no longer comfortable with him.

“Let nothing happen to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. It will not be in anybody’s interest,” the group warned.

Politics

Kidnapping, banditry not federal offences in Nigeria – FG

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The federal government says kidnapping and banditry are not federal offences in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed stated this on Tuesday, in response to the statement on insecurity by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

It is shocking that a party that ruled this nation for all of 16 years does not know that kidnapping and banditry are not federal offences”, he said.

The minister told the PDP to call out the states, including those being controlled by it, to ensure a rigorous prosecution of arrested kidnappers and bandits.

Mohammed said the opposition party did not respect its own words, as it played cheap politics while playing the ostrich.

He noted that the party made wild accusations against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

The minister said; “For example, the PDP said the government has refused to engage, and that we were running a ‘government of exclusion’, and not engaging stakeholders.”

Mohammed insisted that the current administration has consistently engaged Nigerians on topical national issues, including security, the fight against corruption, terrorism, infrastructure and farmer-herder conflict.

He said the latest of such Town Hall Meetings was the one in Kaduna and further listed the recommendations.

He recalled that the participants agreed: “That the governance of human society should be based on Law rather than the whims and caprices of human beings and must be obeyed by all as all persons are equal before the law including the lawgivers.

“That there is an urgent need for political restructuring and not separation; That the Judiciary be decentralized and reformed through Constitutional Amendment to remove the unitary control of the Superior Courts.

“That governments at all levels should ensure free, qualitative and compulsory Primary Education for all children of school age.

That the Military, Police and other Security Agencies be expanded in number, retrained, provided with modern equipment and technology to cope with emerging security challenges.

“That both religious and traditional leaders encourage and promote inter-marriages for unity as contained in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Article 15, 3(c) which prescribes inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.

“That the establishment of State Police be supported by the National and State Houses of Assembly to enable State Governments to have firm control in addressing security issues.

“That Traditional Rulers be given their age-long role of maintaining peace and security within their domain.

That Local Government Autonomy be actualized to enable them have control of their areas including the ungoverned spaces in tackling security challenges.

“That the Farmers/Herders clashes be addressed by the establishment of ranches, grazing reserves with modern amenities to check the trans-humans of the herders.

Politics

FG may slash workers’ salaries to reduce governance cost – Finance Minister

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The Federal Government has proposed salary cuts for workers as a way of reducing the high cost of governance in the country.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed, said the FG was working to reduce the high cost of governance by doing away with unnecessary expenditures.

Disclosing this at the policy dialogue on corruption and cost of governance in Nigeria organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, she said President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to review the salaries of civil servants as well as the number of federal agencies.

Ahmed urged all government agencies to come together to trim the cost amid the country’s dwindling revenue.

She said the government also intends to remove some superfluous items from the budget in order to cut the cost of governance in the country.

She stated, “We still see government expenditure increase to a terrain twice higher than our revenue. The nation’s budgets are filled every year with projects that are recycled over and over again and are also not necessary.

“Mr President has directed that the salaries committee that I chair, work together with the Head of Service and other members of the committee to review the government payrolls in terms of stepping down on cost.’’

The minister said that government will also review the number of government agencies in terms of their mandates, adding that the government will consider merging two agencies with the same mandate.

The Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze disclosed that the cost of governance under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has risen sharply from N3.61 trillion in 2015 to N5.26trn in 2018 and N7.91trn in 2020.

Akabueze noted that recurrent spending accounted for more than 75 per cent of actual Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ expenditure between 2011 and 2020.

The DG stated, “There have been persistent calls for reduction of governance cost in Nigeria in view of the impact on governmental fiscal situation. The current system is clearly unsustainable; hence this national dialogue on corruption and the cost of governance in Nigeria is very timely.

‘’Cost of governance has generally been on the rise; actual MDA recurrent spending rose sharply from N3.61trn in 2015 to N5.26trn in 2018 and N7.91trn in 2020. This excludes the costs of government-owned enterprises and transfers to the National Assembly, National Assembly and the National Judicial Council.

Recurrent spending accounted for more than 75 per cent of actual MDA expenditures between 2011 and 2020. Personnel costs accounted for 40 per cent of actual recurrent spending in 2020 while overhead is just three per cent.’’

Speaking further, the DG said in 2016, personnel cost was N1.88trn but it is now over N3trn, accounting for 31 per cent and 63 per cent of total spending and retained revenue, respectively in 2020.

He compared the United States federal budget where he said general administration cost, including personnel and overhead, was less than 10 per cent of the budget.

In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, identified payroll padding and the phenomenon of ghost workers and abuse of recruitment as areas of concern in governance cost, noting that the ICPC findings from health and medical institutions indicate that many agencies still engage in unapproved recruitment without obtaining the consent of all relevant organs of government.

Politics

Obaseki lied – FG denies printing N60 billion for states

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The federal government has denied claims by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki that N60 billion was printed in March to support allocation to states.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, while answering questions from state house correspondents on Wednesday, described Obaseki’s comment as untrue and sad.

During a recent Edo transition committee stakeholders engagement, Obaseki had lamented over Nigeria’s debt, saying that the country is in huge financial trouble.

“When we got FAAC for March, the federal government printed additional N50-N60 billion to top-up for us to share.

This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings is going to be within N15-N16 trillion. Imagine a family that is just borrowing without any means to pay back and nobody is looking at that, everybody is looking at 2023, everybody is blaming Mr. President as if he is a magician.” he had said in a viral video.

However, debunking his claims, Ahmed said Nigeria’s debt is still within sustainable limit and efforts are on to improve revenue generation capacity.

She said; “The issue that was raised by the Edo State Governor for me is very, very sad. Because it is not a fact. What we distribute at FAAC is a revenue that is generated and in fact distribution revenue is a public information. We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true.

“What we need to do as I have said several times is to improve our revenue to enhance our capacity to service not only our debt but to service the needs of running government on day to day basis. “So our debt currently at about 23% to GDP is at a very sustainable level. If you look at all the reports that you see from multilateral institutions.”

Politics

Wike warns Nigerians to hold FG accountable ‘if Ortom is assassinated’

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Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has revealed that the federal government should be held culpable, in the event of the assassination of his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom.

Ripples Nigeria had reported on Saturday, March 20, that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked Ortom’s convoy while on a visit to his farm.

According to Ortom, the armed men, numbering about 15, trailed his convoy to the river bank where he was on foot with his security details and opened fire on them.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said the federal government should be “prepared to bury Nigeria” if harm befalls Ortom.

Wike added that if the Benue governor is killed, the country could be plunged into another civil war.

If you kill Ortom, then be prepared to bury Nigeria,” he was quoted as saying.

“If anything happens to Governor Ortom, the Federal Government will be held responsible and they should be prepared that there will be no more Nigeria.”

Wike added that it is disturbing that the lives of incumbent governors are threatened.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called on the police to investigate the attack on Ortom’s convoy and arrest the assailants.

Entertainment

One year after, Adams begs FG, Lagos to compensate Abule Ado explosion victims

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The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on the Federal and Lagos State Government to compensate the victims of the March 2020 Abule Ado pipeline explosion in Lagos.

Adams made the call on Sunday in Lagos, at a memorial prayer in honour of those who lost their lives during the pipeline explosion on March 15, 2020.

The event was organised by the Soba Landlords and Residents Association (SLARA), and was held at the site of the former Bethlehem Girls College where five people, including the School’s Principal, Rev. Sis. Henriatta Alokha, died.

Adams, who is also the Chairman of the Association, said the event was to ensure that memories of the incident; the lives lost, the losses incurred and the damage to the community, we’re not forgotten.

He said the occasion was also to remind the government of the promises they made to the victims of the explosion and urged them to fulfil them.

According to him, it was unfortunate that the association had to resort to publicly reminding the government of their promises.

He noted that 30 people including the Association’s Vice Chairman, his wife and two children, died instantly from the explosion, and over 300 houses were destroyed during the explosion.

“The governor was here, even the speaker of the house was here, some South-West governors were here and they made promises to those affected by the disaster that certain amount will be paid as compensation.

We are using this opportunity to appeal to the LASG, as a state with honour and the economic nerver centre of our nation to fulfill all promises made to the victims. The federal government should do something tangible for the victims,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adams disclosed that the Association had taken legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the disaster.

Also, Vice Chairman of SLARA, Philips Akinduro, urged LASG to help improve the lives of the members of the community by fulfilling its promises to the victims.

He said the state had set up a N2 billion trust fund for the victims with an initial contribution of N250 million and another N200 million from The Governors’ Forum.

“Many of our landlords borrowed money to do renovations that you see today. Many of our members were hospitalised, only few have paid the hospital bills,” he said.

Akinduro urged LASG to release monies that had been contributed so far to help cushion the suffering of the victims.

The traditional ruler of the community, Jimoh Agbebeji, said the community was yet to recover from the incident and would appreciate every help rendered to the victims.

Politics

PDP mocks FG’s anti-corruption stance, claims massive looting ongoing under Buhari

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over his alleged refusal to speak up on the latest alleged financial scandal involving officials and individuals close to his administration.

This was contained in a statement titled, “PDP Calls Out Buhari Presidency On Corruption…Tasks PMB To Speak out on alleged N2.5bn Transfer to Family Member,” issued on Sunday, March 7, by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to the PDP, the Buhari Presidency can no longer afford to keep quiet in the face of allegations that close aides defrauded Nigeria of funds of up to N51 billion out of which N 2.5 billion was wired to a member of the President’s immediate family.

The PDP said recent reports of massive treasury looting allegedly involving persons close to the President, has further exposed his administration as a putrid citadel of corruption.

Ologbondiyan said, “The PDP tasks the Buhari Presidency not to keep quiet but offer an explanation to allegations in the media space that certain officials and individuals close to the Presidency defrauded our nation of the sum of N51 billion out of which N2.5 billion was wired to a member of Mr. President’s immediate family.

The Buhari Presidency should not pretend not to be aware that the media is awash with reports that a known confidant of Mr. President and certain officials of the Nigerian Customs defrauded our nation to the tune of N51 billion under a hazy “Revenue Assurance Fund”, out of which N2.5 billion was reported to have been transferred to a foundation allegedly owned by a female member of the President’s immediate family.”

Politics

FG urges state govts to attract investments in water sector

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The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has underscored the need for state governments to prioritise investment in the water sector, to achieve targets.

Adamu gave the advice at the investiture ceremony of Mrs Chinwe Igwegbe, the 6th National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), on Saturday, February 20, in Abuja.

The event with the theme: “Reconciling bragging rights with human rights in the Nigerian water sector development” was organised by NIWE, an arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

According to the minister at the event which also featured a public lecture, there is a need for collaboration between the States and the Federal Government to achieve Sustainable Development Goal, in terms of water supply.

Adamu said, “One of the key things that is affecting the water and sanitation sector in this country is the inability of the state government to invest in water.

“Everybody seems to put blame on the Federal Government, but the truth of the matter is that the Federal Government is not responsible for providing water for your taps.

“So, we need to work with the states; we need more states to invest in water and sanitation.

“The other issue is operational maintenance, the lack of investment in water and sanitation is a major problem.

This is one area that I hope this institution (NIWE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) will put heads together and increase awareness, to ensure states appreciate this,“ the minister said.

He further stressed the need for the Water Resources Bill to be passed to bring about reforms in the nation’s water sector.

Also speaking at the event, the President of NSE, Babagana Mohammed, described Igwegbe as a professional capable of breaking new grounds in the institution.

According to him, Igwegbe is embarking on a mission that will define the extent of the water sector, as a division of the NSE in the next two years.

“As the new chairman, your success will be measured in the number of resources and professionalism in the water engineering in Nigeria.

“We will expect to see constructive contributions and development of specifications and standards in the water sector.

“To aid in surmounting the challenges of development in the country; there is no doubt in my mind that Igwegbe will surpass our expectations during her tenure,” Mohammed said.

Politics

Agric Minister reveals FG to train 30,000 workers in revamp of extension services across Nigeria

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The Federal Government, on Monday announced that it had trained over 30,000 workers as part of efforts to reinvigorate extension services and encourage agricultural productivity in the country.

Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development stated this at the National Wheat Farmers Field Day at Jakarade plantation in Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano state.

Nanono said the federal government planned to train 70,000 workers, adding that 30,000 of them had completed their training designed to expose them to modern farming techniques, fertiliser and chemical application.

He said the measure was imperative towards equipping farmers with modern farming techniques, crop processing and entrepreneurial skills, to add value to agricultural produce.

The minister said the Federal Government had initiated sound extension programmes, to transform agriculture and achieve food security, and urged state governments to engage them to enhance farmer support services at the grassroots.

According to him, the programme was focused on encouraging wheat production and processing, to reduce importation of the commodity into the country.

Nanono further urged state governments to encourage the development of small scale wheat processing mills to enhance the availability of flour and other wheat products.

In his remark, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, said the state government had concluded plans to establish additional water bodies and upgrade existing dams to encourage wheat cultivation and other irrigation activities.

Gawuna said the government had embarked on the rehabilitation and desilting of Watari dam and upgrade of irrigation schemes in Bagwai LGA.

While reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, Gawuna urged the farmers to utilise the inputs to improve their productivity.

Also speaking, Alhaji Salihu Muhammad, Chairman, Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria, called for the inclusion of wheat farmers into the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrower Programme (APB).

According to him, the exclusion of their 200,000 registered members had negatively affected wheat production in the country.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) had provided support to 800 farmers in Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa States to accelerate wheat cultivation.

The farmers were provided with improved seeds variety, fertilisers, chemicals and 50 threshers under a soft loan scheme designed to enhance farmer access to inputs and extension services.

FMAN, in collaboration with Oxfam and agricultural research institutes, had also established wheat farming service centres in 15 LGAs in the participating states, while plans were underway to expand the scope of the programme to mobilise additional participation.

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