Governor Aminu Masari of Kastina State has said kidnapping, especially by bandits is becoming more difficult to curb because it has become a booming business in the country.

Masari noted that bandits who, hitherto, engaged in cattle rustling graduated to kidnapping on realising that they could make thousands or millions of naira as ransoms.

The governor spoke at the weekend just as the Bauchi State wing of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) lend their voice to the call last week by Governor Bala Mohammed for herdsmen and other Nigerians to be allowed to carry firearms.

Masari, at a two-day security awareness seminar for Jumma’at Mosque Imams and other Islamic religious leaders in the state, condemned the rising insecurity in the country, especially the Northwest.

He told the participants of the seminar titled ’’Combating insecurity through da’awa,’ that kidnapping and killing of innocent people needed to be tackled through community-driven arrangement.

Masari also charged the clerics to spearhead communal participation in security arrangements within their localities rather than wait for security operatives whose number is inadequate to protect a state with over seven million people.

His words: ’’Nigeria being the richest among countries in the Sahel region has suddenly drawn the attention of those engaged in kidnapping business and selling of guns and so on, because here, they can kidnap somebody and get N10,000, N50,000, N100,000 and millions more.

Read Also: Governor Sanwo-Olu receives notes late Jakande left for him, as he visits widow

“There is no doubt that this country is facing divergent security challenges, although the problem of Boko Haram has reduced banditry and kidnapping is still with us.

“The bandits started with the rustling of cows later killings, kidnapping, raping of women and girls, burning of villages and foodstuffs belonging to residents of the state.

“We must go back to our tested traditional and religious method of enforcing security. The situation degenerated because of the failure of the religious leaders to play their assigned roles of enforcing discipline and good conduct amongst members.’’

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/kidnapping-has-become-a-booming-business-says-masari/

“If you kill a herder, don’t go and sleep, we will revisit you,” National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhassan Saleh has said.

He said people attack herders, and that in one way or the other, herders have found a way to retaliate.

Saleh added that nobody could evict herdsmen from the south, saying that they would resist such move.

He also said nobody could stop herdsmen from the foreign nationals from entering Nigeria to graze their cows.

“All those who travelled to the Benin Republic and others are coming back home. All those saying they will bar foreign herders from entering Nigeria are just playing to the gallery because if they are aware of the ECOWAS Protocols, they would know they cannot chase them away.

”That is why the position of the Bauchi State Governor [Bala Mohammed] is the true position. You have no right to evict anybody from any part of the country.

“Our number has increased recently because of the tension in Ghana and Benin republics. The ones in Benin Republic have integrated with the Yoruba in such a way that they speak the language. They were initially living in the South-West, and they are coming back,” Saleh told The Punch in an interview.

He also said the eviction notice to herders to leave South West is merely propaganda.

Read Also: Borno rewards doctor with N13.9m for serving in Boko Haram territory

According to him, “They expected a reaction from us, maybe by way of attacking other ethnic nationalities. But that is wrong because the herders they are attacking are the innocent herders. Are the criminals representing anybody?

“They are doing their criminal enterprise. Our own pain is that the people who are supposed to know are pretending as if they don’t know.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/miyetti-allah-those-trying-to-force-herdsmen-out-of-swest-wont-succeed/

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari to court over tenure elongation for the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu.

NBA filed a suit before a Lagos High Court challenging Buhari’s decision to extend Adamu’s tenure.

Adamu had in February attained the retirement age after recording 35 years in service, but the president appeared not to have considered the provisions of the Nigerian constitution on retirement.

However, the Public Interest Litigation Committee of the NBA sought a court order asking Adamu to vacate office.

The lawyers argued that Adamu’s continuous stay in office is in contravention of the provisions of section 215(1)(a) of the constitution.

The NBA sought an order “setting aside the purported elongation of the tenure” of the IGP.

Read Also: #EndSARS: Why we are yet to unfreeze campaigners’ bank accounts – Malami

“An order directing the 3rd Defendant to vacate forthwith the office of the Inspector General of Police and refund all salaries, allowances and benefits received from February 1, 2021, (when he retired from the Police Force) to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, the suit read

Commenting on the suit, Olumide Akpata, NBA president, said the action was taken due to the body’s motto of promoting the rule of law.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nba-sues-buhari-over-igps-tenure-elongation/

Olisa Metuh, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Publicity Secretary, has said only the party can save Nigeria from collapse.

Metuh made the remark while hosting members of PDP’s National Working Committee in his Abuja residence, on Thursday.

The former PDP spokesman insisted that the opposition party was Nigeria’s option to ensure unity, stability and development.

He lamented that Nigerians were losing hope because they have been through a lot.

He said: “At this point, the PDP remains the viable option to restore hope in the polity, revamp the faith Nigerians have in our nation and save her from collapse.

“Despite my travails and challenges, my confidence in the ideals, values and principles of the PDP, as enshrined by our founding fathers, remain unshaken and it is clear that the party can rescue our nation from her current dire straits.

“Our nation has passed through a lot and the citizens are losing hope in the polity.”

Read Also: Insecurity: we’ve failed in our obligation, says Speaker

Recall that Metuh was recently released from Kuje prison.

This followed a ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, admitting him to N250million bail.

Metuh has been on trial over a N400m alleged fraud involving the former National Security Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/pdp-nigerias-only-viable-option-for-unity-development-metuh/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4SfkDZ1WCU

Contrary to the assertion of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, his Kaduna counterpart, the Governor Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, has affirmed that he will continue to negotiate with bandits who are terrorising his state to convince them to drop their gun and stop their criminal activities.

Speaking in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State on Wednesday, Matawalle said dialogue remains the only option to end banditry in the country.

His position was contrary to that canvassed in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), on Monday by El-Rufai.

The Kaduna Governor had insisted in the interview that rather than negotiation or offer of amnesty, any bandit arrested in his state will be killed.

El-Rufai was reacting to suggestions by an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, that the bandits should be granted amnesty and compensated to convince them to end their ongoing killings, looting, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the states in Northwest part of the country.

Gumi gave the advice after his well-publicized visits to gun-touting bandits in their forest abodes in Kaduna and Zamfara States.

While affirming his total rejection of Gumi’s suggestion, El-Rufai said his State is at war with the bandits and eliminating them is the only solution to put an end to their criminality in the North-west region.

“Anybody that thinks a Fulani herdsman that is engaged in kidnapping for ransom and is earning millions of naira would go back to his former life of getting N100,000 after selling a cow in a year, must be deceiving himself. Why should we compensate them after killing people, destroyed their houses? Who offended them?,” the Kaduna State Governor said.

But the Governor of Zamfara who has been negotiating with the criminals rejected the option of total war against the bandits.

Matawalle who is already implementing an ‘amnesty scheme’ of ‘cows for guns’ for so-called repentant bandits said dialogue remains the best and only option to douse tension and bring an end to banditry in Zamfara and beyond.

“I have been always saying, the best solution and option to tackle banditry is to seek dialogue with the bandits.

“If really we want to end this banditry activity, we have to sit on a round table and negotiate.

“Because through dialogue and reconciliation we are able to secure the release of many people who were under the captivity of kidnappers.

“So, the best way out for my colleagues, governors, is for them to subscribe for dialogue,” the Governor said.

Read Also: Senator Moro confirms release of young barber arrested in Kano for giving customers ‘anti-Islam’ hairstyle

He maintained that the dialogue option was not meant not to fight for those that refused to repent, but the government was using the carrot and stick approaches.

The noted that some bandits that prepared for dialogue, government sit with them and listen to their grievances if any.

“But those that refused to take the path in dialogue we fight them.

“Because, as a governor, my number one priority is to ensure peace and stability, and to ensure people are sleeping with two eyes closed,” Mohammed added.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/negotiating-with-bandits-is-waste-of-time-says-el-rufai/

Self-acclaimed activist Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has said he will not be granting interviews again as he names Olayomi Koiki as media aide.

Sunday Igboho has been in the news lately because of his campaigns against killer-herdsmen in the South West.

Igboho also denied some reports that he is calling for civil war, adding that any news that comes from Koiki is authentic.

In a short video, he said: “I have been seeing fake news flying here and there, some said I’m not scared of civil war, any news that you see henceforth that is not from Koiki don’t believe it.

“Anything Koiki says about me is true because we sleep and wake up together every day.”

“This fight is not about a civil war, it is about the killer herdsmen who are killing are people,” Sunday Igboho added.

This is coming after Igboho alleged his bank accounts have been frozen by the Federal Government because some people were collecting donations on his behalf.

He denied having anything to do with the donations, warning that his accounts must be unfrozen to avoid nationwide protest by youths across the South-West region.

His words: “They have frozen my bank accounts because I am fighting a just course. I know Yoruba people are behind me.

Read Also: Killer Herdsmen: Anyone caught with illegal arms should be prosecuted says Presidency

“I will not relent. I must achieve my aims by putting an end to criminalities in Yorubaland.

“If they refuse to release my accounts, there will be serious protests across the South-West.

“Yes, the Yoruba are living in fear. They are afraid that the killer-herdsmen might attack them.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/why-i-wont-grant-interviews-again-sunday-igboho/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will February 22 arraign a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged financial impropriety.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Oduah was scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, but the judge, Inyang Ekwo, had to adjourn the case because the ex-minister was absent and had not been served with the relevant court documents.

Ms Oduah was in February 2014 removed as the aviation minister by then President Goodluck Jonathan following scandals she was involved in.

The former minister who later got involved in the campaigns for Mr Jonathan’s failed 2015 re-election bid, is currently the senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly.

Charged

The EFCC recently charged her alongside eight others with fraud offences in the case marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/316/20.

According to NAN, the anti-corruption agency alleged that Mrs Oduah misappropriated public funds while serving as a minister.

EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in trying to defend Ms Oduah’s absence from Tuesday’s proceedings, confirmed to the court that the senator had not been served with the court processes.

The lawyer, therefore, urged the judge to adjourn the case to enable the anti-graft agency to serve the legislator.

“My lord, the matter has been set out today (Tuesday) for arraignment but I have been informed by the commission that the first defendant (Oduah) is yet to be served.

“In view of that my lord, may I humbly apply for a very short date,” he said.

Responding, the judge, Mr Ekwo, said it was the duty of the prosecution to produce defendants in court.

He then adjourned the matter till February 22 for defendants to take their plea.

Scandals

Ms Oduah was sacked by then President Jonathan on February 12, 2014, after she was stained by scandals, one of which was about the purchase of two bullet-proof cars by an agency under her supervision, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for N255 million.

The purchase was in violation of Nigeria’s public procurement and appropriation laws.

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, which conducted an investigative hearing on the matter, also found out that in its report that the spending of the N255 million was not covered by the 2013 budget.

The House also noted at the time that Ms Oduah breached Nigerian laws by exceeding her approval limit and signing off over N634 million for the agency to buy 54 vehicles.

Another panel set up by the President also indicted Ms Oduah for breach of relevant laws.

While battling with the procurement scandal, Ms Oduah was also enmeshed in another certificate scam.

Searchlight

Although she has never been prosecuted, Ms Oduah has since her removal as the minister, come under the searchlight of various investigative bodies.

For instance, the Federal High Court in Abuja had at the instance of the EFCC on October 18, 2019, made an interim order of forfeiture of the assets of some companies which the EFCC believed had links to the former minister.

The two affected companies were Crystal Television Limited and Sabora International Limited.

The firm’s assets placed under the order of interim forfeiture included dredging vessels and quarry equipment located at Chifuyi village, Apo, Abuja, said to be owned by Sabora International Limited based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The rest of the assets said to be owned by Crystal Television Limited located in Kaura District, Behind Games Village, Abuja, were 20 crates of television/radio equipment, two installed cooling units, one top-class Total Energy 274KVA generator, and mast above 120 feet.

Read Also: Nigerian govt plans to replace NIN with BVN – Minister

But the judge, Mr Ekwo, on June 8, 2020, vacated the interim forfeiture order on the grounds that there was no proof the firms had any links to Ms Oduah.

The defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) on the Recovery of Public Property which was being led by Okoi Obono-Obla also filed charges of non-declaration of assets against Ms Oduah at the Federal High Court in Abuja in 2018.

Ms Oduah was never brought to court to answer in respect of the case, but the charges were still pending in court as of the time the SPIP was disbanded by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2019.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/fraud-efcc-set-to-arraign-ex-aviation-minister-senator-stella-oduah/

Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has urged Nigerians to be ready to take the pains of increased petrol pump price as crude oil price goes up above $60 per barrel.

Sylva explained that with no provision of subsidy in the 2021 budget, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) couldn’t continue to bear the cost of under-recovery.

The former Bayelsa Governor disclosed this at the official launch of Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Program on Tuesday.

According to Sylva: “Since we’re optimizing everything, NNPC needs to also think about the optimization of product cost because as we all know, oil prices are where they’re today, $60.

“As desirable as this, this has serious consequences as well on product prices. So we want to take the pleasure, and we should as a country, be ready to take the pain.

“Today the NNPC is taking a big hit from this. We all know that there is no provision in the budget for subsidy.

Read Also: COVID-19: Jigawa govt declares six months jail term, 5,000 fine for violators of protocols

“So, somewhere down the line, I believe that the NNPC can’t continue to take this blow. There’s no way because there’s no provision for it.

“As a country, let us take the benefits of the higher crude oil prices, and I hope we’ll also be ready to take a little pain on the side of higher product prices.”

Currently, the pump price of petrol ranges from N160 –N165, the price set when crude traded just above $43 per barrel, a few months ago.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/minister-hints-at-likely-petrol-price-increase/

The Senate has received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs.

The request which was contained in a letter dated 27th January 2021, was read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary on Tuesday.

The letter reads: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the under listed officer as the Chief of Defence Staff and Services Chiefs of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The appointees for confirmation are: Maj. Gen. Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea lrabor – Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka O. Amao – Chief of Air staff.

They are to replace the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chiefnof Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Meanwhile, President Buhari in a separate request to the Upper Chamber, sought the confirmation of Barr. Victor Chinemerem Muruako as Chairman for the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

Read Also: Nigerian Army appoints Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima as spokeperson

The request was contained in a letter dated 18th January, 2021 and also read during plenary by the Senate President.

According to President Buhari, the confirmation request was made in accordance with provision of Section 5(3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/confirm-new-service-chiefs-buhari-begs-senate/

Nigeria’s immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has insisted that he is not a politician and will not respond to opposition, who have kicked against his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari, as a non-career ambassador-designate.

Buratai stated this during a dinner organized in his honour by members of 29th Regular Course Foundation, held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

“It’s an honourable retirement and also an honourable appointment.

“I’m not a politician, so I have no word for the opposition. I have done well,” Buratai said.

On his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, he added: “I am happy that in July last year, my officers at the Army headquarters compiled a compendium of my achievements.

“In fact, I can’t even remember all the projects that we have executed. Is it in terms of infrastructure? Is it in terms of capacity building? Is it training?

Read Also: CACOVID disowns BUA’s statement on purchase of COVID-19 vaccines

“Remember the various exercises. These are training exercises from ‘Python dance’, ‘Crocodile smile’, and even the latest one ‘Exercise Sahel Sanity’.”

Buratai has also admitted Buhari gave him the COAS appointment, because of his relationship with his father.

According to him, his appointment in July 2015 was a prize for the loyalty of his father, Yusuf Buratai, to Buhari.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/i-owe-no-one-explanations-over-ambassadorial-appointment-buratai/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGJdVnIrMm0

The Federal Government on Thursday disbursed N27 billion to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as part of the MSMEs Survival Fund Scheme.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum, while addressing newsmen on Thursday, in Abuja.

The minister revealed that the government would open portal for the last phase, February 9.

According to her, the Steering Committee for the Survival Fund would turn in its reports to the Ministry of Finance as well as await the second tranche of the fund.

Katagum, who is also the Chairperson, Steering Committee, MSME Survival Fund and Guaranteed Off-Take Schemes (GOS), said the existing schemes were progressing seamlessly.

“The Federal Government is set to roll out the last two schemes of the MSMEs Survival Fund component of the National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) namely, the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme (GOS) and the General MSMEs Grant.

“Two of the components approved under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) are the MSMEs Survival Fund and Guaranteed Off-take Scheme.

“The Steering Committee approved the implementation of the 2 Schemes in 5 distinct parts namely; the Payroll Support Scheme, Artisan and Transport Scheme, Formalization Support Scheme, General MSMEs Grant and the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme.

Read Also: COVID-19: Kogi threatens NCDC, PTF with legal action

“Under these two components, the portal will open from 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 9th February 2021 to Thursday 18th February 2021 for the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme (GOS) and General MSME Grant Applications.

“All interested MSMEs can go directly to the Portal and register for either of the Schemes free of charge,” she said.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/survival-fund-fg-disburses-n27bn-reveals-date-for-last-phase/

The Palace of the Ooni of Ife, on Thursday, declared that the monarch, Adeyeye Ogunwusi has forgiven Sunday Adeyemo over his derogatory statement against the monarch.

Sunday, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, had on Tuesday, claimed that the Ooni of Ife, along with other Yoruba leaders, were going behind to collect dollars from the presidency and had failed in speaking truth to power.

He has, however, apologised but denied claims that he is working for some politicians.

Meanwhile, the palace disclosed that Ooni of Ife was not concerned by the abuses of words rained on him by Sunday Igboho.

This was contained in a statement by the Ooni’s Director of Media & Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare on Thursday, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

“Sunday Igboho still remains a son to Ooni. Baba has already forgiven him because he had tendered an apology via a video clip he produced via social media yesterday evening.

“Even though the way and manner Sunday had behaved was sacrilegious to the Oduduwa throne but he has already apologized and I can confirm that Arole Oodua has forgiven him, because there is no perfection in humanity.”

Read Also: NCDC confirms 1,340 new COVID-19 cases

Onifade divulged that Olugbon of Ile-Igbon and Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Olusola Alao who had called Igboho to advise and warn him of the consequences that might follow his misconducts towards the Spiritual Head of Oduduwa Race whose sons and daughters are the Yorubas he claimed to be fighting for.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/herdsmen-crisis-sunday-igboho-has-been-forgiven-ooni-of-ife/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3q3ctoIUQ

Looking at everything, it’s not altogether a bad thing for the North to secede from Nigeria.

The North is the only region in Nigeria that practically has everything, yet its people suffer the most, with most hopes dashed, gross underproductive young population and betrayal of the elites.

The North is the single largest supplier of raw materials in all Nigerian industries, from food, the cloths to shelter through cement and other building materials available in the Northern rocks.

The North has Gold, Silver, Diamond, Tin, copper, lime, gypsum, coal, magnesium, potassium etc and even uranium in abundance all over the area.

A litre of groundnut oil and cotton is more expensive than the litre of oil, and it has unimaginable chain value for production in different industries, from pharmaceuticals to detergents etc.

The cows that some few people condemn are over 20M in Nigeria when properly harnessed and utilize if a quarter of this number can produce a litre of milk a day, it means the North will have 5M litres of milk per day, each litre is N350, much more than a litre of fuel.

This notwithstanding the endless value chain of milk processing in different industries. A cow, from its feeds to all parts of its body including its dungs is a source of value, thus a cow is wealth in all ramifications. All we need is to harness its value.

The North has river Niger, connecting all the way from Guinea mountains to, over Kebbi, Niger, Kogi and Deltas as it approaches the ocean where it’s called the Niger-Delta. The North can still reach the ocean through Borgu to the Benin Republic down to the Atlantic Ocean. More students from the North studied in the Benin universities than the indigenes of Benin and more Northern traders travel to Cotonou than any other Nigerians, hence a trade pact will be easy for the North.

The North can dredge the River Niger through Benin and connect to the Atlantic Ocean or create a superhighway through the Niger Republic to Guinea down to the Atlantic Ocean, thus the North have more ways to access the ocean than all other regions in Nigeria.

The North controls the flow of the River Niger. If the North chose to erect a barricade for the flow of river Niger to the east, all the rivers like Imo River, Onitsha River, rivers in the delta with drinkable water and fresh fish will cease and the water flow will dry up.

All the North need to do is to create an artificial lake and reservoirs to use the water for agriculture and power generation.

The North has all the major forests in Nigeria, From Borgu Forests, to Felgore Forest, to Yankari Forest to Gashaka Forest to Sambisa Forest down, which have the longest stretch to Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya through central Africa.

Thus the North has it all.

The North has the River Benue, which flows through practically all states in the Northeastern Nigeria to Middle Belt, flowing from Faro to Gerio to Lake Doe and Lake Chad, linking Cameroon and Chad to the east, Niger and Benin to the West, one of the longest River strings in Africa, all nosing at the North.

The North has rivers in almost all the states, from Dadin Kowa to Tiga, from Numan River to Yobe river from River Taraba to River Kaduna, all these make navigable and “irrigatable”(sic) river lines that can sustain agricultural activities through all seasons.

Out of the 78 million hectares of cropland in Nigeria, the North has 71 million.

Thus all food crops and cash crops can only be produced from the North.

The North has global natural allies, from the Islamic countries and Israel, including the United States and Britain, in addition to China and Russia.

All these countries would rather deal with more conservative, organized, United and responsible North that any region in Nigeria. Any reason why the West and the East will always prefer Nigerian leadership from the North?

I don’t know what the so-called secessionist guys are playing at, their hatred towards the Fulani and everything North can be their greatest undoing once we pull out of the Union called Nigeria.

Even our religious differences in the North was further amplified by some fiery preachers from the South who seek to explore these differences for some cheap political gain.

Northerners have lived for 100s of years with each other. What do you think will happen after independence? Peace!

The North has been a big brother for far too long, because we love Nigeria and we care for the silent majority of the people of the Niger Delta and the South West who love Nigeria equally and understand the value of the North.

So much energy is being wasted by the people of the North trying to make one Nigeria instead of thinking inward and start building its own institutions, industries, media, financial services, professionals etc.

If the North chose to do this, the North may well serve as arbiters for settling endless conflicts in the South as a consequence of North leaving the Union.

Read Also: Presidency to Nigerians: Comply with Buhari’s law on COVID-19 to avert lockdown

Now I tell you this, in the North, after every other reasonable analysis, 90% of the present problems of the North will fizzle away once the North becomes an independent unit.

No single person from the North is afraid of break up of Nigeria. None whatsoever. And I am not sure too many Northerners are happy with the union either. But as general believers in patience and understanding that in the long run, things may turn out well for all of us, and in the spirit of solidarity with majority true Nigerians within our comrades in the South, the North chose to stay in the Union as one Nigeria.

Trust me, if, perhaps we have constitutional provisions for a referendum, any region, especially Biafra, if they chose Nnamdi Kanu than a union of Nigeria, the North will most emphatically welcome the outcome. It’ll be a huge relief.

The North has its source of energy, both artificial and natural through dams, coal, solar, winds and even nuclear, including oil and gas deposits in Gongola Basin, Sokoto Basin, Lake Chad Basin, Benue, Kogi and the Niger States.

The North has its source of food, lands for housing, educational system, healthcare systems, political systems, its foreign policy with natural allies etc, all it needs is proper economic system away from the cheap and very scarce, poverty inducing oil.

Northerners have never served as slaves and never seek independence because they have been independent for as long as they are there.

Thus the north cannot start from the beginning nor the North to ever tolerate some warlord parading as messiahs, because the North knows governance, systems, policies and principles of tolerance and respect.

The North may choose to remain Nigerian, in the meantime! In the meantime!!

*Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant and CEO of IPI Group provided this view in a Twitter thread on 31 January

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/its-not-altogether-a-bad-thing-for-the-north-to-secede-from-nigeria-adamu-garba/

The Senate committee on INEC has rejected a suggestion that Under-18 married girls should have the right to vote.

Fielding question on Tuesday in Abuja at the NAN Forum, the flagship interview programme of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the committee chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, said the suggestion was made at the public hearing on electoral reforms.

He said the on-going amendment to the Electoral Act No 6 of 2010 would not confer voting right on underage, but married girls referred to as child-wives.

Gaya said the issue raised a lot of dust when it was presented in a memorandum submitted to a technical committee set up on the reforms.

“One of the people who came to the public hearing submitted the memorandum and argued that the word underage was not his, but that any woman or man that is married should be considered as an adult.

“That was his reason. Our own resolve is that if a woman is at the age of 16 and she gets married, she should not be allowed to vote.

“Generally there was a lot of noise. It was in a memorandum submitted by a group of people and they have their rights as Nigerians.

“But when we came to the committee, we discussed a lot on that and at the end of the day, we felt we could not go along with that suggestion and it was dropped,’’ he said.

Sen. Gaya said there was another suggestion not to hold elections on Saturdays as some faithful observe the day as their holy day.

Read Also: It’s not altogether a bad thing for the north to secede from Nigeria – Adamu Garba

He added that the same argument would be made if elections were fixed for Fridays or Sundays.

“If we move elections to Fridays some people will say it is their worship day; if we move it to Sundays, some other people will say it is also their worship day.

“So, that suggestion was also thrown out,’’ Gaya said.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/underage-married-girls-will-not-vote-sen-gaya/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has deflated rumours that he is vying for the presidency in 2023, saying he has no interest for that now.

Wike in an interview with Channels TV in Port Harcourt, Rivers State said his political detractors were behind the recent circulation of his posters in Abuja, which fulled rumours that he is gunning for the illustrious office.

“Since December last year to this period, we are commissioning projects. So people are now believing that with the commissioning of projects, he may have intention to run for president.

“They have money to print posters for me. I thank them for telling Nigerians that they want me to run for president. No Nigerian can say I have ever met him, discussed with him that I want to run for President.

“That does not mean I am not a qualified person, but I have never come out to say I want to run.”

The governor said though it is his constitutional right to aspire for the office of the president, but his present interest is delivery of dividends of democracy to Rivers people.

Wike also said amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly would be mere charade if card reader was not to be used to determine the validity of every vote cast.

The governor observed that several attempts to achieve a credible electoral reform had been mired by overriding personal ambition of persons with vested political interest within and outside the National Assembly.

He said because most National Assembly members were often preoccupied about the next election, they tend to skew the electoral amendment Act to benefit their interest and that of their political party.

Read Also: Why Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is delayed – Nigerian Govt

“Why didn’t the President sign the last amendment Electoral Act, why? Because APC as a party had informed the president that if you sign this electoral amendment, you are likely to lose the election. Therefore, don’t sign it. And of course, the President did not sign the electoral amendment Act.

“I am not carried away by the antics of the National Assembly. They all know what will make the country to move forward. One, make the election to be transparent by ensuring that all votes are counted. You can achieve that by allowing the card reader to function. So that the figures recorded on the card reader should tally with the transmitted figures.,” he added.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/2023-wike-finally-clears-air-on-his-presidential-ambition/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GabC5N2HJNw

Five Ways to Relax in God’s Grace

#DailyDose

“Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace.” Hebrews 12:15 (NCV)

How do you learn to “R.E.L.A.X.” in the liberating grace of God?

R—Realize nobody’s perfect.
Psalm 119:96 is a verse directed toward God, and it declares, “Nothing is perfect except your words” (TLB). What society tells you isn’t perfect. What popular opinion tells you isn’t perfect. What you learned growing up isn’t perfect. But God’s Word is perfect. When you get in the Bible and build your life on it, you will have a perfect foundation.

E—Enjoy God’s unconditional love.
The Bible says, “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children—think of it—and we really are!” (1 John 3:1 TLB). When you become a follower of Christ, you take on a role of service to him—but you’re more than a servant! The Bible says you become a child of the King. A servant is accepted on the basis of what he does; a child is accepted on the basis of who he is. A servant starts the day anxious and worried that her work will please her master; a child rests in the secure love of her family. A servant is accepted because of his workmanship; a child is accepted because of his relationship.

L—Let God handle things.
What do you do about the uncontrollable things in life? “Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). When you’re fishing and you cast a line, there comes a point where you have to take your finger off the button and let it go. Just like the essence of casting is letting go, to overcome perfectionism you have to let go and let God do his work.

A—Act in faith, not fear.
Remember how you got into God’s family in the first place. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (NIV). Grace is the only way to get into heaven. You’ll never be good enough, and you can’t buy your way in. It’s a free gift from God.

X—Exchange your perfectionism for God’s peace.
Perfectionism destroys peace. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-29, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest . . . Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (The Message). What a deal!

You’re going to fail a lot in life. But you don’t have to worry about it if you’ve received God’s grace. In fact, there’s only one failure you ever need to worry about: “Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace” (Hebrews 12:15 NCV). Receive it right now, and then relax!
©Rick Warren

How do you respond when convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin? See this very short newest video from Evangelist Andres Bisonni.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLRffPmkLqw

To accept Christ, Pray: Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.

If you've prayed the above prayer, email me at mindofchrist00@gmail.com i would love to pray with you and send you some helpful materials.

Follow us on Instagram @mindofchrist_ https://www.instagram.com/mindofchrist_/ to enjoin all our materials

Spread the Gospel

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), said the military has no Chibok schoolgirl in custody.

He, however, did not rule out the escape of some of the girls, from captivity, following clearance operations by the troops.

Irabor was reacting to news reports that some Chibok girls escaped from their Boko Haram captors, more than six years after they were kidnapped from their school.

The father of one of the girls, Ali Maiyanga, said he spoke with his daughter.

Two of Maiyanga’s daughters were among the 276 kidnapped by Boko Haram on 14 April 2014. One of them escaped earlier and resurfaced with a baby.

Maiyanga also said last week that the second daughter was among the girls rescued from Boko Haram.

Maiyanga said his daughter informed him that she along with others were rescued by the army.

According to Emmanuel Ogebe of the U.S. Law Group, there are other escapees with the army, waiting to be identified by their parents.

However, Major General Irabor said the girls were not with the military.

Read Also: Boko Haram: Details of Service Chiefs’ meeting with Gov Zulum emerge

“It was the desire of the military to get the Chibok girls back safely and if our operations have helped those said to have escaped, I think we are glad,” said Irabor.

“We do not have any of the Chibok girls in our custody, so if they are not with us we have nothing to confirm again”.

Irabor spoke during an interaction with media in Maiduguri at the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole.

The CDS was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo.

He said he was in the Theatre to appraise the security situation on ground and to also get briefing from the officers on ground.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/military-operation-might-have-helped-some-chibok-girls-escape-irabor/

I almost exclaimed Et tu, Brute?, after reading Ike Abonyi’s piece with the title ‘Jonathan’s 2023 Selfish Gamble”. Because if anybody should accuse former President Jonathan of selfishness, it should not be Ike, for obvious reasons.

And it cuts to the bone when Ike says “political players tend to reason selfishly when it comes to domiciling political power.”

As I write this, former President Jonathan is probably the most selfless person, not just in Nigeria, but in West Africa, and possibly Africa. Dr Jonathan and the word selfish do not belong in the same sentence. And I find it very disturbing that no less a person, than the special adviser to the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Ike Abonyi, would write this. Why? What type of gaslighting is this?

Since 2015, former President Jonathan has spent his post Presidential life building consensus and rapprochement within the PDP. He is not paid for this. He is doing it because it is an extension of his omega personality. He reconciled the party after October 7, 2018, PDP Presidential primary threw up former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He reconciled the differences within the PDP during the Sheriff saga.

I do not want to say too much on the main issue Ike Abonyi raised. But what I can say publicly, confidently, and without fear of contradiction, is that former President Jonathan is not a threat to anybody in the Peoples Democratic Party. Read between the lines Ike (and those behind him). Headlines should not move people. The media is a business. They know what will sell. Show some political maturity and refuse to be so gullible to the extent that you believe everything you read.

What the PDP needs now is unity, not a witch-hunt against Dr Jonathan. We ‘lost’ the 2019 Presidential election because we could not afford to put at least one man (or woman) as an agent in each of the 120,000 polling units in Nigeria on Election Day.

We need to come together to make sure that that mistake is not repeated in 2023. And to do that, we need cohesion, internal unity, a pooling of our resources, and a network of committed party loyalists nationwide.

Sowing seeds of discord, like Ike has done, will not help our cause. Not at all. In his New Year message, the Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, in a statement ironically released by Ike, urged Nigerians to use 2021 to save Nigeria.

How does Ike and those he represents intend to do that by attacking the man who is the face of democracy in Africa

I mean, considering the effort former President Jonathan has put into advancing democracy in Africa, it almost amounts to sheer madness that someone who is a spokesman to his party chairman will write about him the way Ike has done.

Look at what he has achieved in Mali as Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Nobody thought it was possible to bring peace to Mali, including some of those who applauded when GEJ was appointed.

Yet, at significant risks to his life, Dr Jonathan went to Mali seven times, even visiting the troubled regions in the hinterland, and meeting the influential Islamic clerics who inspired fighters amongst the protesters.

He finally persuaded the military junta to release ousted President Keïta on August 27, 2020. He got them to agree to a transitional government, sworn in on Friday, September 25, 2020, with Mr Jonathan in attendance.

The PDP should be so proud of this effort, as well as Dr Jonathan’s role in advancing democracy in Tanzania, South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mozambique. I am beside myself, trying to understand why Ike did what he did. What is the motive? It is not helpful to him or those he represents.

Ike writes that he expects “former President Goodluck Jonathan to be forthright and unqualified in reacting to his name being dropped in some quarters as a hopeful for the Aso Rock in 2023.”

Let me burst Ike’s bubble-when you have gotten to the level in life where God has put former President Jonathan, you talk, not because you want to say something, but because you have something to say.

Ike alleged that “Jonathan’s current position (on restructuring) is being influenced by his strange dream of returning to power in 2023 and needed to find himself on the same side with his new partners.”

Is it that Ike is trying to revise history or he is so eager to please those who sent him on this errand that he has forgotten, or perhaps was never aware, that the stand former President Jonathan took at the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue, on January 21, 2021, is consistent with the stand that he has always taken on restructuring, which is that Nigeria needs restructuring, but that restructuring on its own will not solve all of Nigeria’s challenges, excerpt we also “restructure our minds.”

This was a position former President Jonathan took as far back as 2012 when Dahiru Musdapher was the chief justice of Nigeria, and he (then President Jonathan) had called a stakeholder meeting to address the delay in trying corruption cases.

Musdapher attended the meeting with one chief judge from each of the six geo-political zones, along with then-Senate President David Mark, then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, then-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, and Ekpo Nta, then-chairman of the ICPC.

At that meeting, former President Jonathan and Musdapher came to a joint agreement that Nigerians needed a mind restructuring to understand that stealing should not be branded as corruption, but should be called stealing because when you tag it corruption, it makes it less odious! He even said Nigerians should use the word ole (Yoruba for thief) when referring to thieving politicians.

One of the issues that restructuring is meant to tackle is the corruption and injustice in the system, and former President Jonathan was repeating his point of 2012.

He was not trying to appease the North, as Ike asserted.

And you can imagine a media adviser to the PDP Chairman writing that “It is so disgusting and disheartening that President Jonathan’s administration was so underwhelming in performance to the extent that Nigerians wanted anything but him.”

Sad. Very sad. But let me remind Ike that under Jonathan both the World Economic Forum and CNNMoney projected Nigeria as the fourth and third fastest growing economy globally respectively. It was also under Jonathan that we overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy and generated our highest GDP growth rate of 6.3% in 2014.

May I also remind Ike that under Jonathan, Nigeria was the top FDI destination in Africa, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Is Ike unaware that under Jonathan, Nigeria was acknowledged by the International Food Policy Research Institute IFPRI, as having reduced hunger levels by 2013? Their annual Global Hunger Index showed that Nigeria’s index dropped ‪from 16.3‬ in 2005 to 15 in 2013. This led to Nigeria receiving an FAO award for reducing poverty on June 19, 2013. Today, Nigeria is the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

Read Also: #EndSARS: Nigerian Army ignores Summons at Judicial Panel

Or is he forgetting that under Jonathan, in 2014, Nigeria made her best ever improvement on the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, moving from 144 the previous year, to 136, an 8 point improvement? Whereas, according to Transparency International, Nigeria is more corrupt today than it was under the previous administration, having moved 13 places backwards in the CPI, from 136 in 2014 to 149 in 2021 (our worst performance ever.)

Ike should also be informed that Jonathan built 165 almajiri schools and 14 new federal universities, with 10 of those in the North. As a result, of the 1,543,683 who took the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in 2013, 1,074,065 obtained five credits and above, representing a 70 per cent pass rate. The significance of this will not be appreciated until you consider the fact that in the previous year, 2012, only 615,123 representing 39% of those who took the examinations obtained five credits and above. Meanwhile, today, Nigeria is the world headquarters for out of school children because not a single new university has been completed since 2015 and no new almajiri schools have been built to cater for the 13.5 million children who roam the streets of a Northern Nigeria without access to formal education.

Former President Jonathan lost the 2015 Presidential election not because of the poorly defined reason given by Ike, but because Bola Tinubu made a deal with General Buhari and supported him on the understanding that after his tenure, Buhari will hand over to him.

I study politics like science. Go through the results of each of the elections that Buhari has participated in between 2003 and 2019.

In 2003, Buhari secured 12,710,022 votes. In 2011 he got 12,214,853 votes. In both of these elections, the bulk of his 12 million votes (about 89%) came from the North.

But in 2015, Buhari was able to amass 15,424,921 votes, because of the Southwest in general and because of Tinubu specifically.

General Buhari has never exceeded 12 million votes in the North every time he contested against a Southerner. He has always been consistent with that number. He has a captive audience in the North and is anathema in the South. He needed a Southern Quisling and he found his mark in Tinubu.

And when he lost, Jonathan was honourable. He conceded while the votes were being counted and did not go to court to challenge his loss (the first time such a thing happened in Nigeria).

And Ike ends his piece saying “Those routing (Ike, learn to spell. It is rooting, not routing) for Jonathan knows (and it is known, not knows) as a fact that he could not turn this nation away from drifting.”

Well, I end mine by asking Ike to face those ‘routing’ for Jonathan and leave Jonathan alone. He has not asked anyone to ‘rout’ for him!

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/opinion-no-one-should-be-afraid-of-jonathan-by-reno-omokri/

The Nigerian Army has for the fourth time refused to honour the summons served by the Lagos State Judicial panel probing the October 20, Lekki Toll Gate shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters.

The army despite appearing before the panel initially, has stopped attending proceedings.

On Saturday, the proceeding took another twist as counsel to the Nigerian Army, Kehinde Akinlolu (SAN) sent a message to the panel through another lawyer, Samuel Agweh.

Mr Agweh said the army disbanded its legal team on 21 November 2020.

He said the Akinlolu-led team did not have the mandate to represent the army in subsequent proceedings since then.

Counsel to some #EndSars protesters, Adeshina Ogunlana, however, argued that the refusal of the army to honour the summons will set a precedent, as civilians can also refuse to honour summons.

This, he said, would eventually frustrate the efforts of the panel.

He asked the panel to sanction army officers who refuse to honour summons.

Justice Doris Okuwobi in her reaction said that there is nothing the panel can do if the army decides to snub summons.

She said petitions involving them would be heard, nevertheless.

“All other petitions affecting the Nigerian army where complaints have been made against them, have been forwarded to the chief of army staff with summons,” she said.

Justice Doris, during the last hearing, said that today, Saturday, January 30, was going to be the last adjournment date for the army and no further adjournment would be given for them to appear.

At this stage, Kayode Enitan, Lagos State counsel appealed that since there is a change in leadership of the Nigerian army, they should be given another chance, and all cases involving them be adjourned one more time.

Read Also: Herdsmen: Sultan meets Miyetti Allah over herder crisis

Mr Enitan further urged the panel to serve fresh summons to the office of the Chief Of Army Staff.

He noted that recommendations made at that point will make the public see that the army was given enough time.

Justice Doris Okuwobi adjourned all petitions involving the army till February 27 for hearing.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/endsars-nigerian-army-ignores-summons-at-judicial-panel/

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived his hometown, Daura, Katina State for a four-day official visit.

He was welcomed on arrival at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina by the Governor, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge.

In Daura, the Emir, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, led District Heads and traditional title holders to receive the President at the Helipad, Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesman said on Friday in a statement.

In the course of his stay in Daura, he is expected to, among other engagements, participate in the All Progressives Party, APC membership registration and revalidation exercise.

“The President considers this exercise as a very important one for the nation’s democracy and its yearning for good leadership as a requirement of the process of nation-building,” the statement said.

Read Also: Nigeria drops in fresh TI’s corruption ranking

In a broadcast last week, Buhari urged “all good people,” not only to speak but to rise up and “get involved in the task of improving their society,” adding that “for most citizens, their greatest weapon is their vote. Register now for your Party and register when the time comes for elections.”

The President is expected to return to the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/buhari-in-daura-for-four-day-official-visit/

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says Nigeria has secured an additional 41 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He disclosed this on Thursday when he featured on a Channels Television programme.

It was earlier reported that Nigeria had secured 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX facility, which is co-led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and GAVI Alliance.

Although the previously scheduled period for delivery of the 100,000 doses was January 2021, the health minister said the date has now been moved to February, because of the “challenges of getting the supplies”.

Ehanire noted that the additional 41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), a vaccine strategy organized by the African Union, which is chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa.

“A mechanism for the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), of which the minister of health of Nigeria is a member, and the chair is the president of South Africa, was inaugurated in November 2020,” he said.

“At the meeting, we had on the 6th of January, it was announced that they had a mix of 270 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines going to be ready because they are on order.

“Now, we immediately applied for 10 million doses, but at the meeting, we had two days ago, the AVATT team announced that they actually had now done allocation according to population.

“Nigeria is allocated 41 million doses of vaccines of three types.”

He explained that the procurement of the vaccines for African countries is being financed by the Afrexim Bank, and countries are expected to make a refund on a later date.

When asked about when in February the vaccines will be available to Nigeria, the health minister said he did not have an exact date, adding that manufacturers determine the timing of vaccine availability.

“We do not have an exact date. The date it comes out depends on when the manufacturers are able to deliver, and that is not something any country can enforce,” he said.

Read Also: I left Nigerian Army better than I met it — Buratai

On the availability of funds for the procurement of the vaccines, he noted that the COVAX facility doses are free for the first 20 per cent of the population, while the country will pay for logistics on delivery and administration.

“Nigeria is mobilizing resources. We have some funds ready. We will make a substantial deposit when it is time,” he added.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nigeria-secures-additional-41-million-covid-19-vaccine/

The Nigerian Government has disclosed that it is currently contemplating a targeted lockdown in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and other major cities in Nigeria, as the number of COVID-19 cases soars in the West African nation.

The government expressed worries that with more than 127,000 confirmed cases, Nigerians are still not obeying the safety protocols.

The National Incident Manager of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, who appeared on Channels Television on Friday, said “Certainly, even if we are going to have a lockdown, it is not going to be a total lockdown.

“A couple of weeks back, we analysed the data and we identified the hotspot local government areas.”

“Mostly, the areas affected are the urban local governments in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Plateau.

“The urban areas are the most affected and that is why we have these superspreaders and that is where we are going to target. We have analysed that and we are advising the states based on the data that these are the focused areas where these transmissions are more than the others.”

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reported 864 new coronavirus infections in the country on Friday morning.

Read Also: COVID-19 vaccines to be scrutinised in Nigeria – Nigerian Govt

The centre also confirmed the nation’s deaths toll to now stand at 1,547, adding that Lagos State recorded zero infection.

NCDC disclosed that FCT recorded the highest toll with 129 cases followed by Anambra’s 87.

NCDC tweeted, ”864 new cases of COVID- 19 in Nigeria.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/nigerian-govt-contemplates-lockdown-in-lagos-abuja-others-due-to-covid-19/

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered a probe of the sacking of a female corporal, Olajide Omolola because she got pregnant out of wedlock.

Adamu disclosed this on Tuesday while commissioning a project at the SPOs quarters on Oba Aladejobi Street, in the GRA area of Ikeja, Lagos State on Wednesday.

When told that a policewoman had been dismissed on the claim that she got pregnant out of wedlock, he said, “Let us do our own investigation and find out because whatever I say must be authoritative.”

It was earlier reported that Nigerians had been expressing outrage over the circumstances surrounding Omolola’s sacking, adding that they slammed the Nigeria Police Force over what they described as a discriminatory law and called on rights groups to fight for the woman.

The police, in a wireless message with reference number CJ:4161/EKS/IY/Vol.2/236, DTO:181330/01/2021 obtained by our correspondent said Omolola was dismissed for getting pregnant while unmarried.

The signal originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Ado Ekiti and was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer at Iye Ekiti, where Omolola was based.

The chief financial officer in Ekiti was asked to relay the information to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to ensure that her salary was stopped.

Read Also: Oyo Governor Makinde meets Buhari, seeks collaboration on security

The document read, “Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation against women police getting pregnant before marriage; W/PC (woman corporal) Olajide Omolola passed out of Police Training School on 24/04/2020 attached to yours, contravened above provisions.

“She stands dismissed from the Force. Debit her. Retrieve police documents in her possession with immediate effect. O/C CFO Ekiti only. You are to relay a signal to IPPIS Abuja for the stoppage of her salary with immediate effect.

“DECOMPOLS (Deputy Commissioners of Police)/ACPOLS (Assistant Commissioners of Police)/HODs/DPOs Ekiti State only. You are to lecture women police. Treat as very urgent.”

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/pregnancy-igp-probes-dismissal-of-female-cop/

See more: https:///2Qw2lWC
Get more update: https:///3jxBV0j

Nigeria has been exempted from a list of 30 countries that have been banned from entering the United Kingdom over rising COVID-19 cases.

With over 3.7 million cases and more than 100,000 deaths, the UK is one of the top five countries with the highest number of confirmed infections.

Nigeria has recorded over 124,000 cases with more than 1,500 deaths.

In a statement on the government’s website, the UK announced that nationals from 30 countries, some of which are in South America and Southern Africa, will be banned from entering the country.

The list excludes British and Irish nationals or others who possess resident visas.

This development comes amid discoveries of new virus strains such as B.1.1.7 found in the UK, B.1.351 discovered in South Africa, and P.1 variant identified in Brazil.

“People who have been in or transited through the countries listed below in the last 10 days will not be granted access to the UK,” the statement reads.

“This does not include British and Irish Nationals, or third-country nationals with residence rights in the UK, who will be able to enter the UK but are required to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival along with their household.”

The affected countries include Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, and Eswatini.

Others are French Guiana, Guyana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Seychelles, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Addressing members of parliament on Wednesday, Boris Johnson, UK prime minister, said citizens must have valid reasons to travel outside the country before permission is granted at the airports and ports.

Read Also: Oyo Governor Makinde meets Buhari, seeks collaboration on security

He said such a measure is meant to curtail the spread of the virus from other countries to the UK.

“I want to make clear that under the stay home regulations, it is illegal to leave home to travel abroad for leisure purposes,” he said.

“We will enforce this at ports and airports by asking people why they are leaving and instructing them to return home if they do not have a valid reason to travel.”

See more: https:///2Qw2lWC
Get more update: https:///3jxBV0j

The Presidency has said that the appointments of security chiefs are not subject to federal character.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Femi Adesina made this known while reacting to reports that the Buhari administration has repeatedly made such appointments without the inclusion of any man or woman of Igbo extraction.

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Adesina said while certain appointments are subject to Federal Character, security is not one of them.

According to him, the President can appoint whoever he feels is fit and will deliver the job accurately.

“There are certain appointments that are subject to federal character, for instance, the constitution says that there must be a minister from each state of the country.

“However, there are certain appointments that are not subject to a federal character and one of them is in the security.

“Insecurity, It is about competence; it is about the ability to deliver.

Read Also: New Chief of Air Staff: Gov Oyetola congratulates Air-Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao

“So, the president will appoint whoever he feels is fit and proper and will deliver to the best for the country and for Nigerians,” he said

The new service chiefs, DAILY POST had earlier reported, are Major-General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff; Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao ss Chief of Air Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff; and General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/appointment-of-security-chiefs-not-subject-to-federal-character-adesina/

See more: https:///2Qw2lWC
Get more update: https:///3jxBV0j

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has warned Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Arewa Consultative Forum not to turn the South West into a war zone.

Adams said this in a press statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi.

“The apex organisation in the North and the herders association should watch their statements or face the wrath of the Yoruba nation.

“By their inciting statements, the North is beating war drums. But we will resist any attempt by the North to turn our region into war zones and no amount of threat will stop us from securing our region from killer herdsmen.

“From my findings, what is playing out in the last three days ( especially on the social media ), it is evident that there are some enemies and political elements both within and outside our region who are now using the bravery of Sunday Igboho as a coordinated attempt to soil my name, and also put my efforts in the past 28 years in the struggle to test.

“My silence in the last three days doesn’t portray me as a coward, but by virtue of my position as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, I am bound by my conscience and conviction to act accordingly when the time is right. And I must also consult widely before taking any action.

“What Igboho said was not even as damaging to the sanctity of the nation than ( sic ) the call for civil war by the ACF and the Miyetti Allah put together.

“The killer herdsmen are the major problem but sadly the Federal Government remains silent.

Read Also: Zamfara: I have never given vehicles to bandits – Gov. Matawalle

“There are reports that the Fulani herdsmen have, in the past five years, killed over 300 Yoruba people from different communities while several other people have been kidnapped with victims paying several billion as ransom.

“The Fulani, in their conqueror agenda since1818 had caused a lot of damage to the southwest.

And it is clear that the south is their target, that is why anybody going against the Fulani herdsmen automatically becomes their enemy, ”he said.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/north-will-be-resisted-in-yoruba-land-says-gani-adams/

cc: lalasticlala

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged Nigerians to ignore fake news making the round that it would resume its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on Monday.

The commission, in a flyer titled “Fake News Alert” on its social media on Sunday, said no date had been fixed for such exercise.

“INEC wishes to inform the general public that no date has been fixed for the resumption of the CVR.

“We implore Nigerians to ignore the fake news making the rounds that the commission will open the register of voters from Jan. 25,” the flyer stated.




The commission suspended the exercise before the 2019 general elections.

Though the commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while assuming office for his second tenure in December 2020, said the resumption of the CVR across the country would be in the first quarter of 2021 but no date has been announced for the exercise.

The exercise, when commenced, is expected to continue until six months before the 2023 general elections.

source: https://newstrack.oak.tv/inec-urges-nigerians-to-ignore-fake-news-on-cvr/