Politics

‘Stop IPOB from using your platform to incite violence in Nigeria,’ FG tells Facebook

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The Federal Government on Tuesday asked the social media giant, Facebook, to stop the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from using its platform to incite violence in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja.

He said several people had been killed in the South-East because of the group’s activities, adding that Facebook has no reason whatsoever for allowing the use of its platform to the organisation whose goal was to destabilise the country.

The latest warning came about one year after the federal government suspended another social media platform, Twitter, for allegedly promoting hate speech and other activities undermining the country’s existence.

Mohammed said: “I have called this meeting to enable us to discuss the increasing use of Facebook by separatists and anarchists, especially those of them based outside the country, to instigate violence and ethnic hatred in Nigeria.

For whatever reason, they seem to have now chosen Facebook as their platform of choice. And their tools include disinformation, incendiary statements and hate speech.

They use Facebook broadcasts to reach their followers, who are in thousands. They tag those opposed to their violent ways as ‘saboteurs’ who must be attacked, maimed and killed. They use both English and their local language as it suits them.

“Our social media people have been monitoring these separatists, anarchists and purveyors of hate, and have been reporting their atrocious actions to Facebook, but all they get are default responses that their complaints have been received and are being looked into.

“Most often than not, nothing is done about such complaints. The truth is that whatever Facebook is doing to check these people is mere tokenism and is totally ineffective.”

Politics

Atiku promises to restructure Nigeria as president

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday promised to restructure Nigeria and restore the economy if elected as the country’s president in 2023.

Abubakar, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this while addressing the party delegates and the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, at the Government House in Asaba.

He listed the unity of the country, insecurity, economy, and education as some of the areas he would focus attention on if elected as president next year.

The ex-Vice President stressed that the country was at a cross road and needed an experienced hand to navigate through.

He thanked the delegates for the support given to him at the Port Harcourt convention in 2019 and urged them to vote for him in the PDP presidential convention billed for May 28 and May 29 in Abuja.

Abubakar said the issue of power rotation was enshrined in the party’s constitution, pointing out that what the PDP needed at this time was to grab the power before entrenching rotation.

The former Vice President has repeatedly identified restructuring as a major solution to Nigeria’s challenges and promised to carry it out if given the chance to lead the country.

He said: “We want to thank you very much indeed, particularly for the support that we received from Delta in the last primaries that took place in Port Harcourt.

We cherished that support and we value that support and we shall not forget that support.

Having said that, we have come to another season of elections in the country but this season is unique because Nigeria has never found itself in this type of situation facing numerous challenges.

That was why when l declared to run for the presidential election this time around, l identified five key areas that this country requires immediate attention.

“First of all, l identified the lack of unity in our country today.

“Government at all levels must identify with our diversity, and respect our diversity but this has been neglected over time.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He urged the delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

“And as a result of that, we have a very divided country and l said l will tackle this disunity on the first day of my presidency if elected.”

He called on delegates to put competence and credibility above money in casting their votes for aspirants to fly the flag of the party.

On his part, Okowa said Abubakar has the requisite experience to take the country out of its present challenges.

He added that the issue of restructuring was important to the people of the Niger Delta in the choice of who should rule the country in 2023.

Okowa said delegates from the state would scrutinize the presidential aspirants and throw their weight behind the most credible at the primary.

Politics

Debt burden, zero production stalling Nigeria’s progress — Peter Obi

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The former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on Friday blamed the country’s sluggish growth on humongous debt burden.

Obi, who is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, stated this at a meeting with the party’s leaders and delegates in Calabar, Cross River.

He stressed that Nigeria remains trapped as a result of its inability to increase its production capacity.

Obi said: “Nigeria is a nation of over 200 million people with about 100 million living in poverty, over 18 million out of school children out of which about 10 million are girls.

“We have a 35 percent unemployment rate and if we add underemployment it will rise to over 50 percent, many of which are youths in their productive age, so we cannot celebrate.

“The consequences of borrowing for consumption today are that Nigeria is spending over 90 percent of its revenue to service debt without much production to show.

“Export of crude oil has not saved any country. We really need to invest in our massive landmass and grow our economy as other nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and even Morocco have done with tourism.”

Politics

‘Nigeria needs pragmatic president for development,’ says APC aspirant, Jack-Rich

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An oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich, on Friday urged Nigerians to vote for a committed leader in the 2023 general elections.

Jach-Rich, who made the call during the declaration of his 2023 presidential bid in Abuja, said the problems rocking the country can only be addressed by someone with a pragmatic approach to governance.

He also submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The presidential aspirant noted Nigeria was devoid of a leader who can think for Nigerians and shows readiness to deliver.

He said: “Nigerians need a president that can think for them, not himself. You need a president that will ensure the wealth in Niger Delta is not for the region alone but a president who can utilise it for the benefit of all.

“The idea of loans with no strong means of repayment is bad. The reason we are struggling with inflation is because we are not consuming what we are producing. We need a leader with different approach to government. A president that will be genuinely committed to the course of the country.

“We need a president that will encourage more production, plan more, and make the country respected in the community of nations. We need to strengthen our currency and create jobs for youths.”

Politics

Only selfless leadership can salvage Nigeria, says PDP presidential aspirant, Hayatu-Deen

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Muhammed Hayatu-Deen, on Monday identified altruistic leadership as the only solution to the Nigeria’s growing problems.

Hayatu-Deen, who addressed PDP stakeholders at a meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, blamed the problems in the country on its disappointing quality of leadership.

He added that for Nigeria to overcome its challenges, the leaders must be ready to make sacrifices and committed to serving the country genuinely.

Hayatu-deen said: “The country urgently needs seminal leadership that can provide the safe, secure and stable environment for a Nigeria that works for us all. We need someone who will take Nigeria and patiently nurture the country until it is back on the right path.

“Nigerians are in dire need of solutions. They need a set of leaders who can do things right, people who can sacrifice to put the country right. If we do not do right, we will not be forgiven by the next generation.”

The presidential aspirant challenged Nigerians to vote for leaders who can deliver, saying the country cannot afford to have another set of unprepared leaders in 2023.

Politics

Nobody will be allowed to destabilize Nigeria – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday urged Nigerians to resist agents of destabilization.

The President, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made the call during the breaking of Ramadan fasting with governors of the 36 states, ministers, and heads of government agencies at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the agents were bent on causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, adding that no individual or group would be allowed to destabilize Nigeria.

The President said: “We have the land, we have the resources, and we have the people.

“I do not know why people will allow themselves to be successfully subverted to destabilize their own country.”

He thanked the governors and ministers for honouring his invitation to break the Ramadan fast and expressed the confidence that despite the current security challenges, the country would succeed.

He expressed confidence that the introduction of technology would improve the country’s electoral process.

In his remarks, the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, commended the President for demonstrating resilience and determination at a crucial period in Nigeria’s history.

“We have a leader who is not distracted by momentary challenges but has continued to commit to the renewal of our nation.

“We also have governors, ministers and heads of government agencies that are equally dedicated to building a better Nigeria, under the President’s watch,’’ he said.

Fayemi noted that this year’s Ramadan coincided with the just-concluded Christian Lenten period.

“It holds enormous spiritual value on the benefits of renewal, sacrifice, alms-giving, forgiveness, and healing for the individual as well as for the nation,’’ the governor added.

Lifestyle

Nigeria now emergency hospital, everything has broken down —Bishop Kukah

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has described Nigeria as a big emergency hospital where everything has broken down with the caregivers not knowing how to fix the problems.

The outspoken Bishop, in his Easter Message delivered at the Holy Family Cathedral, Sokoto, on Sunday, said the challenges Nigeria currently faces require dedicated leaders who love their country to fix them.

“The challenge of fixing this broken nation is enormous and, as I have said, requires dedicated leaders who love the country to fix them.

“They also require joint efforts. With everything literally broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy.

Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, Mosques, infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken.

Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well. So, we ask with the Psalmist, “We look up to the hills, from where shall come our help? Our help shall come from the name of the Lord,” he lamented.

Kukah who also took time to speak about the 2023 elections, said Nigerian politicians have refused to learn past lessons from the “tragedy that has afflicted us in the last few years.”

“The Presidency of Nigeria is not a human right based on ethnic, religious or regional sentiments.

“The next President of Nigeria must be a man or woman with a heart, a sense of empathy and a soul on fire that can set limits to what human indignities visited on citizens that he or she can tolerate.

We have no need for any further empty messianic rhetoric laced with deceitful and grandiose religiosity.

“We need someone who can fix our broken nation, rid our people of the looming dangers of hunger and destitution. Our Presidential aspirants must show evidence from their legacies and antecedents that they know the country well enough and its severe wounds.

“Whoever wants to govern us must illustrate that he or she understands what has turned our nation into a national hospital and show us plans for our discharge from this horror.”

Politics

‘Support me to do Nigeria a favour in 2023,’ Tinubu begs APC state lawmakers

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The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday met with speakers and deputy speakers of state Houses of Assembly controlled by the party on his 2023 presidential bid.

Tinubu, who addressed the lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, declared that Nigeria needs a courageous leader like him to pull through the current challenges.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, had earlier hosted the delegation at the Assembly complex.

He said: “I am pushing and requesting your support to be elected president of Nigeria in 2023. I am begging you to do me a favour so I can do Nigeria a favour.

Nigeria needs me even as I need Nigeria. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs.

“I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me.

“I want to bring the same to bear as President of Nigeria.

Accelerated development of our nation is about thinking and doing, and I am ready to do that again because I am a thinker and doer.

“I want to become President legitimately through the ballot but I reserve the right to brag.

“I started my teething age of politics in the Senate; I was the youngest and I did well.

“I am well educated, sound, brilliant, vibrant, and one of the best alumni of the Chicago State University.

“I was a student-tutor and one of the most sought-after graduates after school as I had five job offers even before graduation.

“In the face of tyranny and all odds, I have survived, stood and fought for democracy, survived the exile, lived without family, while financing other pro-democracy groups.

“I have contributed to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy more than any other person. I am a very passionate being.

I have contributed immensely more than any other person contesting today. I equally have it better when it comes to legislative experience, I am married to a senator, and have allowed her to practice her religion well.

Politics

Nigeria loses $2bn annually to fuel subsidy scam – Saraki

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The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said on Wednesday Nigeria loses $2 billion annually to a fuel subsidy scam.

Saraki, who stated this when he met members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees on his 2023 presidential bid, added that the country loses $3.5billion annually to oil theft.

He also revealed that 70 million litres of fuel are stolen in the country daily.

Saraki claimed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) did not contribute anything to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in the last few months.

He promised to end oil theft in the country if elected as President in 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently requested the National Assembly approval for the increase in fuel subsidy this year to N4trillion.

Saraki said: “The economy is weak. No. The country is broke. I am not exaggerating.

“As of today, NNPC does not contribute anything to the Federation Account. At least 70 percent of our oil is being stolen. It has never been like this before. I am saying this because I know you know it is bad but it is worse than you can imagine. Because there are some of us that have an idea of how bad the situation is.

I cannot be a President and I will be having the kind of theft that is going on in the Niger Delta, depriving hundreds of millions for Nigeria. Today we are losing $3.5b because of the oil theft happening.

“When I was a Senator, I raised a motion, the motion cost me because after I raised the motion, I was invited to EFCC but I still fought for what I stood for, that what we’re spending on fuel subsidy is fake.

“I raised a motion that we are consuming 30 million litres a day. After I raised it, it came down to 25 million litres. By my action we saved $500 million for this country. Today, they are stealing 70 million litres per day. The day with your grace, I’m elected President, that will stop in this country. We will save over N2 trillion.

“Do you know what N2 trillion will do for our schools, our education and our health? This is a time for us to find somebody that has what it takes to lead this country.”

Politics

UK warns citizens against non-essential trips to 19 states in Nigeria

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The United Kingdom on Wednesday warned its citizens against non-essential trips to certain states in Nigeria over insecurity.

The advisory published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) followed the terror attacks along the Abuja-Kaduna train axis where an unspecified number of people were killed and many injured or abducted by the criminals.

The bandits had earlier killed one person during an unsuccessful plot to attack the Kaduna International Airport last weekend.

The bandits have turned the Nigeria’s North-West to a killing field, invading communities in Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue, Niger and Katsina States with little or no restraint from security agencies.

The advisory read: “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the following Nigerian states: Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara State, riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.”

Other states classified as flash points in Nigeria are Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi State, within 20kilometres of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia State, non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

Politics

China missing from top spot, as data shows Nigeria’s major investors by country

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Nigeria in 2021 attracted $6.7 billion worth of investment from 52 countries around the world through various instruments which included, bonds, equity and trade.

Out of this amount, Mauritius, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of South Africa, and Singapore were Nigeria’s top investors.

According to the Nigerian Capital Importation (Q4 2021) data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) investments from the aforementioned nations contributed more than 77% of the total.

United Kingdom led the table as investments from that country crossed over $2.28 billion.

South Africa came next with a $1.05 billion investment inflow to Nigeria, Mauritius with $690.91 million sits in third.

Netherlands and Singapore were fourth and fifth with $677.54 million and $464.40 million respectively.

China ranks 24th among the 52 countries as investments from the Asian country stood at $10.42 million.

Politics

Gov Ayade says Nigeria very hard to govern, hints at joining presidential race

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The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade has acknowledged that Nigeria is a very difficult and complex country to preside over, as evidenced by the antecedents of past leaders and the challenges therein.

Ayade made this disclosure on Thursday during a guest appearance on AIT programme, Politics Today.

According to him, “The system we have, even if you bring a saint, the best hand to run it, he will still have problems. Nigeria needs a strategic, long term plan.

“We need to change the political kinetics, focus on our local needs and customize the system to our Afrocentric philosophy. If we continue to depend on the so-called sophisticated, imported democratic pattern system, the majority will always take it, whereas they may not necessarily be the best sometimes.

We must reduce the amount of politics in our economy. We need courageous leadership. We need new orientation, new direction and new belief to emphasise hope for the Black race.”

Ayade further touted his credentials as the best presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 elections.

Nonetheless, he noted that his willingness to contest depends on the final decision of the All Progressives Congress regarding zoning of elective posts.

“Nigeria needs someone like me with uncommon intellect, vast knowledge in every subject under the sun, exposure, learning and international connections to change the country’s narratives.

“I think I am not somebody who likes to throw himself up, but nevertheless, if the party agrees that power should go to the South-South for equity and balance, I will run.

“If I come in as President, I will use the same intellect and magic used in Cross River to build endless factories without much of State’s resources. I will make it clear that I don’t have money to throw about.

“I can make a major difference if I become the APC candidate”, Ayade stated.

Politics

End killings, violence, before Nigeria is consumed, Catholic Bishops tell Buhari

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Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, have told President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything possible to end the killings and violence in Nigeria before the country is consumed by them.

The Catholic Bishops, on Saturday, made the call at their first meeting in Lagos which drew participants from the Dioceses of Lagos, Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta, urging Buhari to use “every resources at his disposal to put an end to the killings and violence across the country.”

At the end of the meeting, the Bishops came up with a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman of the board, Revd Alfred Martins and Secretary, Rev Francis Adesina, where they condemned the incessant violence in every part of the country under a President who was a top military strategist.

“The persistent killings and violence in every part of the country is becoming worrisome,” the communique reads.

The continuous senseless killings of innocent people and violence across the country is really giving Nigerians serious concerns. And they are continuing unabated while the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is not doing much to curb them.

In the wake of the 2022 New Year, a priest of the Diocese of Abeokuta, Rev. Fr. Luke Adeleke, was killed by gunmen while carrying out his priestly activities.

“Very recently, it was reported that in Taraba State, a Catholic Church was razed to the ground for no reason. These and numerous other cases of violence have been the hallmark of our nation. How long would these be allowed to continue?

“The President should rise up to his responsibilities and stop these killings and violence before Nigeria is consumed by them.

Lifestyle

Lassa fever kills 40 in Nigeria

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Lassa fever killed 40 people in Nigeria in the first four weeks of 2022, the country’s Centre for Disease Control said on Friday.

In its Lassa fever situational report for week four, the NCDC said 42 new cases and six new deaths were recorded for the week. The new cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Enugu and Delta States.

The centre disclosed that the number of deaths recorded from the first to last week was 40, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19 percent.

The fever has been reported in 14 states and 43 local government areas in the country.

According to the report, Ondo State topped the list with 30 percent of all confirmed cases followed by Edo and Bauchi with 27 percent and 25 percent respectively.

The NCDC said 229 suspected cases were reported in the week under review, adding that the worst-hit were people between ages 21 and 30 years.

Politics

2023: Saraki promises to make Nigeria great as president

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The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday promised to make Nigeria a truly great country if elected as President next year.

Saraki stated this on his Twitter handle – @bukolasaraki.

The former Kwara State governor is one of the few politicians eyeing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in next year’s election.

He lamented that merit had been jettisoned for other primordial considerations in the country.

Saraki wrote: “For quite some time now, as a nation, we have focused on the old arguments of ethnicity and regional sentiments, instead of capacity, competence, and other critical issues.

However, whenever we watch football and when it is time to celebrate as Nigerians at weddings and other social engagements, we are united. Why should we allow past issues to drag us back and define us? Why do we focus on the old issues that do not define our future?

“This is why, based on my track record, if I am allowed to lead, all Nigerians will have a greater sense of what it means to be truly Nigerian.

“And yes, I believe that I am the “Nigerian for all Nigerians!”

Politics

Nigeria has lost direction under Buhari – Fayose

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A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, said on Wednesday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must produce Nigeria’s next President in 2023 because of the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

Fayose, who appeared on a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, insisted that Nigeria has lost its bearing under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch.

He also charged the President to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in the interest of the country.

The National Assembly had earlier on Wednesday re-amended the electoral bill and approved both direct and indirect primaries for political parties in the country.

The lawmakers also added the consensus option for the nomination of candidates by parties.

He said: “PDP must produce the next President in Nigeria. There is nobody that can vote for this party (APC) again. The government has lost its bearing on how to control the country. People are hungry, you are building a rice pyramid. Carry the rice to the grassroots.

“Now that the National Assembly has done the right thing, he (Buhari) should waste no time at assenting to the bill and let the process have enough time to adjust.

“It is becoming common of President Muhammadu Buhari to dodge assent. Remember before the 2019 elections, he was supposed to sign this thing to law; he did not, he gave excuses.

“I am not saying what the National Assembly did is right or wrong, but President Buhari should leave office and leave with a name that people will remember that he turned around the electoral process.”

Lifestyle

Religion, ethnicity cannot break up Nigeria – Osinbajo

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The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo said on Saturday Nigeria would not disintegrate despite its current challenges.

Nigeria has been torn apart by several challenges, including insecurity in many parts of the country.

Osinbajo, who stated this during his visit to the Emir of Katagum, Umar Farouk, in Bauchi State, said neither religion nor ethnicity would break up the country.

He said: “This is one occasion where you will find that our country is truly a united country and that nothing can separate this country, not ethnicity or religion or class.

“There is nothing that can separate this country. In fact, this is excellent evidence of the fact that this country is united.

“Katagum Emirate is a place where your royal highness has continuously demonstrated the willingness to accommodate people from all parts of the country.

“Every one of us is here because of our personal relationship with you, this is the way leadership should be.”

Lifestyle

Nigeria to establish 10 national parks

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President Muhammed Buhari has approved the establishment of 10 new national parks in the country.

The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, disclosed this in her keynote address at the official launch of the largest wildlife conservation campaign in Africa by WildAid.

WildAid is a non-profit organisation working to protect wildlife from illegal trade and other imminent threats.

The event held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island was attended by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, WildAid President, Peter Knights OBE, the Director-General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Prof. Aliyu Jauro and representatives from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigerian Customs Services and other agencies.

The minister said the President approved the establishment of the 10 national parks from the existing forest reserves in the country due to the threat faced by endangered species like the pangolins, lions, elephants, manatees and others.

She commended the collaborative effort of WildAid in tackling illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria.

Ikeazor said: “We are all culprits of bush meat consumption as it is a phenomenon in both rural and urban communities, posing environmental risks and extinction of threatened species.

“In-country and trans-border trafficking is quite alarming, and Nigeria has been tagged a ‘transit hub’ for this illegality.

“The phenomenon also constitutes high security and public health risk with the spread of zoonotic diseases such as Lassa Fever, Ebola Virus, and recently COVID-19.”

Politics

El-Rufai charges security to bomb bandits’ hideouts in Nigeria’s North-West

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The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday charged the security agents to completely flush out the bandits from their hideouts in the North-West.

The governor, who made the call during an interview on Arise TV, said inadequate security personnel was the reason why the bandits continued to reign supreme in the region.

He called for the deployment of more security personnel, technology, and military equipment against the bandits.

El-Rufai said: “These bandits operate in the periphery because their hiding place is in the forest. It’s a major problem. The security agencies are doing their best but they are overstretched.

The reality is we don’t have enough boots on the ground to address the myriad of security challenges that we face, and these security challenges are asymmetric, widespread, and there’s no part of Nigeria that doesn’t have one security problem or the other.

“Ramp up the number of boots and more technology and more investment in armament and wipe these guys once and for all.

“I have always believed that, you know, we should carpet-bomb the forests; we can replant the trees after. Let’s carpet-bomb the forests and bomb all of them. There will be collateral damage, but it’s better to wipe them out and get people back to our communities so that agriculture and rural economies can pick up.”

Politics

Nigeria must do something different to attain peace —Atiku

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The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that Nigeria must do something different in order to attain peace in the New Year 2022.

Atiku stated this in a New Year message he personally signed on Friday, saying “we must seek to do something different and, in doing so, let us become peace ambassadors of God. Hate and strife never build a nation. They even destroy the individual faster. Rather, unity and understanding bind a nation together.”

He further noted that Nigerians needed a new awakening to move forward.

Atiku said, “this New Year, 2022 promises to be a remarkable one. It is one year that is filled with hope and optimism. It is one year that comes with a unique opportunity for us to redefine the remainder of this decade. Moving forward into the decade of the 2020s, our New Year resolution should be about eschewing divisive and parochial tendencies and embracing inclusion and the general good.

We cannot continue to kick the same can down the road, yet again. We need a reawakening. And it is a reawakening that must invigorate our unity as one people of one good country.

“Unlike hate and strife, an individual that chooses a life of unity and common understanding finds inner peace and love.

“While I congratulate Nigerians on this New Year, 2022, let me urge us all to the task of washing our hands off every molecule of hate and strife and immerse our hearts in unity, love, and peace”.

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