Category: News

Olubadan

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

The Olubadan of Ibadan, His lmperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso 1 has directed Ezendigbo of Ibadanland, Dr Alex Anozie to henceforth handle any dispute that emanates from the ethnic group in Oyo State.

The monarch gave the directive in his palace during a visit to his palace by two Igbo groups for settlement of a dispute between them.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Mr Godwin Ngwu, he quoted the monarch saying Chief Anozie should see to resolution of any dispute that emanates from his people in the state.

ALSO READ: P&ID saga: UK court ruling, victory for Magu ― Shittu

According to Ngwu, Oba Adetunji told the two parties through his Personal Assistant Adeola Oloko to consult Dr Anozie who is recognised by law, accepted by his people and who has been working with the Olubadan for adjudication on any disagreement or dispute on Ndigbo issues.

He disclosed that subsequently all matters about Ndigbo should be referred to Dr Anozie whose palace and position should be saddled with such.

“The comment by the Olubadan is sequel to his previous position that Dr Anozie is the authentic Ezendigbo of Ibadanland recognised by law and the Olubadan in Council adding the Ezendigbo has equally been working with them.”

ALSO READ: Bayelsa Senatorial By-election: PDP fielding best candidates ― Diri

“Oba Adetunji equally advised the ethnic group to continue to be peaceful as usual stressing that there is no controversy regarding the status of the Ezendigbo of Ibadan land who is Dr Anozie and who is the only one recognised by law as Onyendu as well.”

He also said that the Olubadan in council in doing this is aligning itself with the rule of law which states expressly that Dr Anozie is the Ezendigbo in Ibadan land and Oyo state.

Recall that the Oyo State High Court on February 18, 2014, declared Dr Anozie the authentic Ezendigbo and the Onyendu of Ibadanland after protracted litigation which lasted many years.

Vanguard

…We will follow Shaibu to any party, says Apostle Suleiman’s father

By Gabriel Enogholase

GENERAL Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman has disclosed that he owes the Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, a debt of gratitude for saving his life and that of his family from assassins in 2018.

Apostle Suleman who stated this Sunday while receiving the governor, his deputy, Comrade. Philip Shaibu and other top government functionaries at the church headquarters in Auchi, Edo State, said, “Something happened in 2018; some people came to kill me. They hired assassins to kill me on New Year’s Day. They were waiting for the church to start shouting Happy New Year before they would open fire in the church to kill me.

“His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki got the information before me and sent security personnel to track the assassins and deal with them. He saved my life and that of my family.

“The altar is not for politics; I am not a politician and nobody gives me money to talk, rather, I say things the way they are. God used the governor to save me and my family. Time and eternity will help me to show how grateful we are.”

On his part, Governor Obaseki thanked the Christian community, especially religious leaders, for their support and cooperation, thanking God for the successful completion of his ward-to-ward reelection campaign across the 192 wards of the state.

Obaseki said: “We are here to worship with you and thank God for what he has done for us. If anyone told us that we would go through the COVID-19 experience no one would have believed.

“The Church was our pillar when COVID-19 broke out. I was worried and didn’t know what to do but we continued with zoom meetings with our senior pastors to find a way out. The prayers of the church have greatly helped the situation.

“We are here to thank God and urge you to pray for us. In the last five weeks, we have gone through the various communities in Edo State, campaigning and trying to see for ourselves the situation of things.

READ ALSO: OBASEKI OPENS UP: How I fell out with Oshiomhole, Edo APC leaders

“For those five weeks, we travelled thousands of miles and ended up in my ward in Benin City. All through the journey, my convoy did not have any accident.”

Meanwhile, the clergy’s father, Hon. Imoudu Sule, thanked the governor and his deputy for saving the life of his son, promising to mobilise other voters to ensure the governor’s reelection.

He said: “Your Excellency, remember I once told you that if the Deputy Governor finds himself in ‘Zero’ party, that is where I will be. He saved my family. Apostle Suleman is the oxygen of my family, the live wire of my family. That act saved everybody in Omega Fire Ministry and all around him. I am with you 100 per cent, your Excellency.”

In his remark, Shaibu noted: “Apostle Suleman has been wonderful; he doesn’t praise-sing anyone like some other clergymen, rather he says things the way they are without fear or favour. He is a very sincere person.

“He has always told me that we must not allow violence in the electioneering process and God has done it. We must allow our people to come out and vote. I want to promise you that we would abide by the rules because it is with the rules that God has done it for us.

“I want to thank you and reassure the church again, that God is working for the betterment of Edo State. Obaseki and I are preaching a violence-free election in the state.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

R-L: NIMASA DG, DrBashir Jamoh making a presentation to the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, Sir Billy Okoye

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), says it has revived efforts to change the Terms of Trade for the affreightment of Nigerian crude oil from Free on Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF).

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Philip Kyanet, Head, Corporate Communications of the Agency in Lagos on Sunday.

Jamoh made this known when he received a delegation from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), led by the newly appointed Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Mr Billy Okoye.

The D-G, who had recently paid a similar working visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, expressed NIMASA’s appreciation to the NNPC for accommodating the Agency’s interests in transactions where the maritime regulator relied on data from the national oil company.

Jamoh was quoted as saying that: “Since 2018; NIMASA has championed moves for a change in  terms of trade with regard to transportation of Nigerian crude oil, from FOB to CIF to ensure greater benefits for the country from its oil resources.

“A technical committee involving NIMASA, NNPC and other stakeholders will be set up to develop a template for the desired change, with workable timelines,” he said.

He noted that under FOB trade terms, Nigeria had no reasonable control over the delivery of its crude oil as regards carriage, insurance and other ancillary services.

According to him, under the CIF arrangement the country will maintain ample control over the distribution of its oil, which could be leveraged to enhance the competitive advantage of indigenous operators.

Jamoh commended the synergy between the NNPC and NIMASA, adding that 70 per cent of the agency’s revenue came  through the sale of crude, thus, cooperation between them could not be over-emphasised.

READ ALSO: Britain will not be EU ‘client state’ ― UK Brexit envoy

The D-G disclosed further that the Maritime Intelligence Unit, recently established by the Agency was part of efforts to ensure a proactive approach to security in our waters.

He said that the focus was to try to nip maritime attacks in the bud by tracking the criminals from the preplanning and planning stages.

“The ultimate aim is to develop a National Maritime Security Strategy that will help to minimise the cost of insecurity, which NNPC bears on behalf of the country, in the shipment of Nigerian crude.

“We appreciate the NNPC for accommodating NIMASA in its processes. We do not delay vessels in the search for information on them because of the confidence we have in NNPC’s capacity to readily supply such information,” he said.

Jamoh appealed for more local content in the transportation of the country’s crude in line with the Cabotage regime.

While addressing the meeting earlier, Okoye declared that NIMASA was a critical stakeholder in the business of crude oil sale.

Okoye said his goal was to get the two agencies of government interfacing more closely with each other, to resolve challenges and ensure seamless movement of crude and petroleum products in the country. (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

President Donald Trump has come under heavy fire for his decision in 2018 not to visit a US military cemetery while in Paris on an official visit.

What did he do instead?

According to Bloomberg News, he killed time in the US ambassador’s palatial residence, the Hotel de Pontalba, where he admired several pieces of art… and the following day ordered them loaded onto Air Force One for the return trip to Washington.

That fact was confirmed by a presidential spokesman, Judd Deere, who told AFP that Trump brought the artworks to be “prominently displayed in the People’s House” — the White House.

But at the time, Bloomberg reported, Trump’s impulsive move raised eyebrows, stunning some of those involved, and sending State Department lawyers scurrying to ensure the move was legal (they ultimately ruled that it was, because the artwork was US government property).

– ‘It’s filled with losers’ –


The incident began during Trump’s November 2018 visit to France for ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

While other foreign dignitaries traveled on November 10 to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where hundreds of US Marines who died in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood are buried, Trump’s aides said rainy weather had prevented him from making the short trip in his Marine One helicopter.

Trump faced scathing criticism at the time — and insisted he wanted to go but was overruled by the Secret Service — but the decision exploded even more dramatically a few days ago when The Atlantic magazine reported that Trump told senior aides at the time: “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.”

ALSO READ: US federal judge orders Trump administration to resume visa lottery

Instead, Bloomberg reported, he spent time in the historic Paris residence of Ambassador Jamie McCourt, where he admired several pieces of fine art — notably a portrait and a bust of Benjamin Franklin, a revered Founding Father and the first US ambassador to France, as well as a set of silver figurines of Greek mythical characters.

– ‘Displayed in the People’s House’ –


The next day, while preparing to leave, the president startled McCourt by saying he wanted to take the pieces back with him, quipping to the ambassador that he would get them back in 2024 — at the end of a presumed second Trump term, said the account, which cited several people familiar with the incident.

The artworks were originally estimated by one person involved to be worth $750,000.

Asked about the episode by AFP, White House spokesman Deere replied, “The president brought these beautiful, historical pieces, which belong to the American people, back to the United States to be prominently displayed in the People’s House.”

Trump has displayed numerous mementos from his various official trips and encounters in his private West Wing dining room, including a pair of shoes from singer Kanye West, Bloomberg said.

Under US law, presidents are allowed to display personal gifts, including from foreign heads of state, while in office, but must purchase them if they want to keep them upon leaving office.

The silver figurines — later evaluated as “fakes” by one expert — now sit on a fireplace mantel in the Oval Office, Bloomberg said. The bust and portrait of Franklin were also found to be replicas.

Bloomberg said the portrait was a copy of an original painted in 1785 by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.

When curators later located the original not far from the White House, hanging in the National Portrait Gallery, it was borrowed from the gallery.

It now hangs in the Oval Office.

VANGUARD

Nyesom Wike

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The organized labour has accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of planning to unleash thugs on workers over the proposed protest on Tuesday.

The organised labour in a statement signed by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on Sunday, alleged that Governor Wike has mobilized two local government councils around Port Harcourt, the state capital to engage armed thugs against the workers.

Labour said any attempt to disrupt the proposed rally on Tuesday would not only be another frontal attack against the Nigerian Constitution by the Governor but would also be a continuation of the alleged Governor’s Nyesom reign of impunity and an ill-conceived ploy to exterminate Organized Labour in Rivers State.

ALSO READ: Huesca forward Omoruyi raring for bright La Liga start

It advised the governor instead of ‘wasting the state resources in the prosecution of a needless war’ against innocent workers, to commit his time and the state resources to attend to the industrial concerns of the workers in Rivers State.

The state read in part: “Fellow Nigerians, we have received very credible information that the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has mobilized two local governments councils around Port Harcourt metropolis to engage armed thugs who would be used to unleash violence on workers during our protest scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2020, in Port Harcourt.

“If Mr Nyesom Wike goes through with his diabolical plans, it would not be the first. Nigerians would recall that on the 27th of August 2020, the State Executive Council meeting of the Rivers State Council of the NLC was violently disrupted by hundreds of thugs who openly boasted that they were sent by Governor Nyesom Wike to disrupt the meeting.

“Nigerians would also recall that earlier on the night of July 27, 2020, some armed hoodlums ransacked the sealed Secretariat of the NLC and vandalized equipment and installation worth millions of naira. Up till now, no single arrest has been made on that incident. Till date, workers are still looking for the kidnapped JUSUN Chairman in Rivers State.

“We wish to reiterate that any attempt to disrupt our rally come Tuesday, September 8, 2020, would not only be another frontal attack against the Nigerian Constitution by Governor Wike but would also be a continuation of Governor Nyesom Wike’s reign of impunity and an ill-conceived ploy to exterminate Organized Labour in Rivers State.

“The right to peaceful assembly and protest is not just a Constitutional Right as provided for and guaranteed by Section 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution but is also a fundamental Universal Human Rights protected by international treaties signed up to by Nigeria.

“We wish to send a final warning to Mr Nyesom Wike that in the event that any harm comes to any worker on September 8, 2020, Nigerian workers and the international labour community would hold him personally to account, after all, he remains the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State.

“Instead of wasting the state resources in the prosecution of a needless war against innocent workers, we urge Governor Nyesom Wike to commit his time and the state resources to attend to the industrial concerns of the workers in Rivers State.”

ALSO READ: Water Resources Bill: NASS owe Nigerians duty to avert catastrophy – Okon

Continuing, labour said,” These concerns include the payment of outstanding salary arrears he deliberately refused to pay workers in the state especially to teachers and healthcare workers, promotion arrears since 2015, payment of pension and gratuity to retired workers in the state since 2015, issuing of official circular to effect the payment the new national minimum wage, the conclusion of the negotiation for consequential wages adjustment arising from the new national minimum wage, remittance of withheld check-off dues deductions to unions in the state, unsealing of Rivers NLC Secretariat, the withdrawal of trumped-up charges against labour leaders in Rivers State and cessation of harassment and assault on workers in the state.

“The foregoing demands are in line with workers’ rights as enshrined and guaranteed by Chapter Two of Nigeria’s Constitution, relevant sections of Section 5(3) of the Labour Act, Section 17 of the Trade Union Act and Articles 1–4 of Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and Articles 1–4 of the Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

A stitch in time may still save nine! A word is enough for the wise!”

Vanguard

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa), says the ongoing amendments to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act is part of efforts to reinvigorate Colleges of Agriculture (COA), to enable it contribute meaningfully to national development.

Adamu, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, stated this in an interview with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the amendment among other things would enable the colleges to benefit from the TETFund.

NAN reports that Fund was established as an intervention agency under the TETFund Act 2011.

It was charged with the responsibility for managing, disbursing and monitoring the education tax to public tertiary institutions in the country.

Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, said that lack of proper funding for the COA had greatly hampered the objectives for its creation.

He said the TETFund Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, which had scaled first and second reading and currently before the relevant committee when passed and signed into law would restore the fortunes of the colleges.

He noted that while other higher institutions of learning were benefitting from the Fund, it was not the same with the COA.

The senator lamented that the colleges were benefitting from the TETFund at a point but for some reasons it was stopped.

“The effect of stopping COA from benefitting from the TETFund is that there is no attraction for good lecturers to stay and work in the colleges.

“Those who are benefitting from the Fund often take away the good hands from the COA to their institutions because they have the financial capability.

READ ALSO: Banditry: My people are being slaughtered everyday, Senator Sani cries out

“As a result, the colleges are becoming less significant and less attractive for academicians.

“So, for the colleges to have the where withal to develop infrastructure for those levels of educational pursuit for agriculture, the funds have to be made available,” he said.

Adamu stressed that ensuring adequate funding would change the fortunes of the colleges and enhance its operations.

He said the measure would encourage education of people to work in the agricultural sector such as extension workers and other specialists.

“If we do not have the right education work, if we do not have the right expertise in research and other things in colleges, we will not get the best.

“We are hoping that once the fortunes of these colleges improve, the performance will also improve.

“When that happens, the students will be an improved specie and it will be to the benefit of agriculture in Nigeria generally,” he added.

Commenting on the National Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill, also before the National Assembly, Adamu said that he sponsored the bill to ensure adequate funding for the Council.

According to him, the Agricultural Research Council, meant to be an apex research institute in the country ought to be repositioned because it was not living up to the expectations.

The lawmaker said the council with over 20 research institutes in the various aspects of agriculture was not well funded.

“At the moment, their recurrent budgetary allocation, that is, salaries and wages, is almost 100 per cent. Overhead, which includes travels, seminars and workshops, is between 40 to 60 per cent.

“But the capital allocation is between 12 and 20 per cent and it is the capital budget that caters for the equipment required for research.

“Go to any research institute in the country and ask what research they have carried out over the last 10 years and you will realise there is nothing new.

“So people are being  paid without carrying out research and the few instances where there are research works, they are gathering cobwebs in the shelves,” he said.

Adamu lamented that besides poor funding, the law establishing the council had been prone to abuse in various ways.

“People who led the place were not agricultural scientists. Somebody who did Public Administration becoming the Executive Secretary cannot deliver effectively.

“These all came about because it was confused to be one of  the government’s agency instead of a research institute.

“It got to a point when the staff of the council were embarking on incessant strike and there was a time they did not have an executive secretary.

“So, with this law, everybody will sit up and we believe that the main problem would have been resolved,” he added.

The lawmaker further revealed that he was sponsoring another bill, the Agricultural Development Fund Bill, to give legal backing to spell out specific funding areas of the fund.

He said the funds usually kept with the Federal Government were taken from the Federation Account, adding: “there are no laws for the use of the funds, instead any time the government sense pressure from any part of the economy, it resorts to the funds.

“This started from the military era to the Fourth Republic and it is still going on.

“So; with the law, we want to see what aspect of the fund will generate the kind of funds that will make for the promotion of agriculture in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), on Sunday, said the number of coronavirus positive cases has risen to 1,291,724 in the continent.

Africa CDC also said that the death toll from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic climbed to 31,056.

The African Union (AU) Commission’s specialised healthcare agency said the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the continent reached 1,031,453.

READ ALSO: Chad records first COVID-19 case – report

Africa’s total COVID-19 cases represent about five per cent of all cases reported globally, it said.

The Africa CDC, on Friday, said that nine African countries, including South Africa, Ethiopia and Libya accounted for about 81 per cent of the new COVID-19 cases reported during the past week. (Xinhua/NAN)

vanguardngr.com

…Says suspended EFCC chair deserves commendation

Ibrahim Magu

By Dirisu Yakubu, Abuja

The United Kingdom, UK’s court ruling granting Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions in a $9.6 billion arbitration case with Process and Industrious Development, P&ID is a pointer to the good job done by the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, his lawyer, Wahab Shittu has said.

Vanguard recalls that the UK court in its ruling last week observed that “Nigeria has established a strong prima facie case that the Gas Supply and Process, GSPA, was procured by bribes paid to insiders as part of a larger scheme to defraud Nigeria.

“There is also a strong prima face case that P & ID main witness in the arbitration, Mr Quinn, gave a perjured evidence to the tribunal and that contrary to that evidence, P&ID was not in the position to perform the contract.”

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Scam: Nigerian INTERPOL nabs 2 for defrauding German company of €14.7 million

Reacting to the verdict, Shittu in a statement made available to Vanguard premised the development to the leadership style his client, Ibrahim Magu brought to bear over his investigation of the scam.

“The judgment has indeed greatly relieved the country from the impending and disastrous effect the execution of the $9.6b judgment plus interest would have had on our fragile economy. The decision once more shows that rather than punish Mr Magu over his handling of the investigation, he should be given a heroic commendation for saving the country in a huge way.

“Magu should be celebrated rather than being vilified. It is rather unfortunate that the handling of P&ID investigation forms part of the allegations against him, which led to his suspension. There is no gainsaying that the evidence relied on in arriving at the decision came from the EFCC under Mr Magu,” the statement read in part.

According to the defence counsel, “the English Judge was very satisfied with the way and manner the EFCC carried out its investigation when he held at paragraphs 253 and 254 of the judgment: “what occurred might have been the EFCC proceeding at its normal pace in the light of the resources allocated to it, the other inquiries it was conducting and conditions in Nigeria.

“By comparison, the position after August 2019 might be exceptional and prompted by the serious position Nigeria faced in the light of Butchers J’s decision on the enforcement application. At this point, it is impossible to say.

“However, I cannot accept Mr Mill’s (P&ID’s counsel) submission that there was no proper diligent investigation. The basic point is that there was no specific information such that Nigeria ought to have become aware of the building blocks of fraud now alleged.”

He further quoted the Judge in Paragraph 251 as saying that “in my view, Mr Mill underplayed the work which was undertaken over the June 2018- August 2019 period. In particular, there was the successful prosecution of P&ID and P&ID Nigeria on 19 September 2019 based on the groundwork undertaken during this fifteen-month period.

“Still underscoring the commendable work by the EFCC, the Judge concluded at page 260 that: ‘…the fraud is complex in character and continuing. Even on my preliminary examination, it comprises a number of quite different strands. What occurred, in this case, was deliberately concealed.

“Especially with international advisers it engaged, P&ID wore the cloak of legitimacy. In the circumstances which Nigeria has prima facie established, it acted reasonably in its investigations…”

ALSO READ: UNICEF partners Ministry of Defence on schools’ safety, security

Shittu also singled out the suspended EFCC boss for his work ethic, saying, “the public does not know that while this investigation was ongoing, the investigators and prosecutors including Magu used to close from work at 1 am- 2 am and resume by 8 including Saturdays and Sundays.

“Unfortunately, some of these men are currently on suspension without pay or transferred out of EFCC for doing nothing but working assiduously to save this country. They were not given any allegation or issued query.

“Contrariwise, the investigation against Mr Magu and the EFCC would have caused the country to lose the judgment. This is because P&ID used the petition by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, against Mr Magu to strengthen their case with Nigeria. Luckily, we have an upright English Judge who prudently appreciated the excellent and patriotic effort of the EFCC under Magu and the ineffectiveness of the AGF’s complaint.”

Vanguard

Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu

Mr Philip Shaibu, Edo Deputy Governor, has said that come Sept. 19, he will defeat Mr Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and immediate past governor of the state even in his ward.

Shaibu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Benin on Sunday.

He said that this was not because he was “one superstar”, but because he was connected with the people.

He noted that he does not do money politics, nor uses money for election or bribe people for election, but does “organic” politics, which is building relationship with people.

He also said that he believed in being the messenger of the people, carrying the dividend of democracy to the people.

He told NAN that not only would he and the PDP defeat the former National Chairman in his ward, but would also win the entire six local government areas in Edo North Senatorial District.

He said that he will win the district with a very wide margin.

He said, “Edo North Senatorial District will be the easiest to win, because the political structure of the place is in our hands.”

He also disclosed that he introduced the former National Chairman of the APC to politics and organised his first ever political meeting that brought him in.

“I introduced Comrade Oshiomhole to politics. I organised his first ever political meeting that brought him in.

“I was in politics before he, I won my election in 2003, without going to court.

“But he came through the court, and I was already a member of the Edo House of Assembly 18 months before he became a governor.

Shaibu who is the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the Edo governorship election billed for Sept. 19, also said that his loyalty to the PDP candidate, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, remained unshaken.

READ ALSO: Muslim leaders declare support for El- Rufai’s peace efforts

He noted that this was because as the deputy governor of the state, his interest was the development of the state.

He added that the governor was already developing the state in many ways and he would follow and stand with him to the last.

He stressed that he would continue to fight on the side of any government that would make poverty a history in the state.

He noted that he was not just loyal to the governor, but to a vision that the governor,  himself and even the former governor had shared.

He noted that Oshiomhole started the vision, which was the vision for development, moving the state forward as well as turning it from a civil service state to an industrial state and a business hub of the nation.

He disclosed that although the immediate past governor of the state was pushed forward to be the leader of that vision, regrettably, he was the only one who had pulled out of that shared vision.

“But the governor came with a promise to take that vision to the next level and he has done that.

“For instance, Oshiomhole built red roofs, but Obaseki put content into the red roofs, that is why we now have the EdoBest, because red roofs without content is zero,” he said.

He further said that if God has sustained the vision to move the state forward, he would remain loyal to the governor.

He added, “It was the same loyalty I gave to the former National Chairman of the APC, when he came to rescue the state and said the people must lead.

“That is because I am constant and that constant thing in me is supporting any government that will sustain democracy, and will make the state move forward.

“That means wealth will be redistributed, and poverty will be history.” (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

Musa Sani

By Wole Mosadomi

The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Mohammed Sani Musa has again cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari to come to the rescue of his constituencies in Niger State who he said are being massacred almost on daily basis by bandits.

This distress call was as a result of the invasion of three different Local government areas-Shiroro, Mariga and Rafi where no fewer than twenty-five people were killed by gunmen in an orchestrated invasion between Wednesday and Thursday last week.

Besides those who were killed, scores of people were also injured while a Commercial bank was also burgled.

Senator Musa in a statement described the attack of his constituency as rather unfortunate which he said is above the powers of the state government.

“What has been happening in these local government areas in the state for the past months unabated is above the capability of both the state and affected local government areas.

READ ALSO: Troops arrest 418 bandits, 315 illegal miners in North-West

“It needs the immediate intervention of the Federal government in terms of security and financial support,” he declared.

He commiserated with victims of the attack, saying the enemies of peace in the area would soon be brought to book.

Senator Musa while commending the security operatives in the state including members of the vigilante group for their selfless services urged them not to relent towards restoring lasting peace in the state.

“I would like to express my deep condolences to the families of the victims of this senseless attack. The heroism of the Police officers is indeed something commendable,” he declared.

Vanguard News Nigeria

…abduct 5 from neighboring village

By Ibrahim HassanWuyo

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday, attacked the Adara community in Buda of Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state, killing Reverend Alubara Audu and 2 others. The gunmen also abducted 5 persons in a neighbouring village.

Awemi Dio Maisamari, the National President Adara Development Association, in a statement, lamented over the continued attack on their communities and called on the authorities to deal with the gunmen.

According to Maisamari, “the premeditated and unprovoked attack claimed the lives of three people namely Rev. Alubara Audu, 45, with 5 children; Adamu Tata, 40, with 4 children and Ishaku Peter, 37, with 5 children. Furthermore, the following persons were abducted: Sani Peter, 25 and Esther Sani Peter, 20.”

“At around the same time, the terrorists also abducted five people from neighbouring Kemara Rimi community of Buda Ward. They are Ojo Aminu, 35, Danfulani Makaranta, 37, Namiji Gwamna, 36. Ali Musa, 36 and Grace Mathew, 16.”

ALSO READ: STRIKE: Labour accuses Wike of planning to unleash mayhem against workers

“These callous and barbaric attacks sometimes abate but never really stop in Adara community. On Sunday 16th August 2020, another fatal attack occurred at Kallah village on the banks of river Kaduna. This resulted in the death of Mr Danladi Abashi, a 50years old farmer who ventured near the villages that were invaded and are still occupied by Fulani herdsmen in the Kallah/Gefe/Libere area of Kajuru LGA.

His body was only recovered with the help of the police because the herdsmen disallowed Adara people from even approaching the occupied enclave.”

“Similarly, the incidents of abductions of innocent people for ransom are also continuing. On 27th August 2020, five incidents of kidnapping occurred including that of Daniel Shuaibu and Abednego Paul from their residence at Maraban Kajuru. During the operation, Mr Sunday Barau was shot and injured and the abductees are still with their abductors because his helpless family has been unable to meet their demands.

Another of the incidents is that of the abduction of Master Pius Gargai who was abducted from their family residence at Maraban Rido. He too is still with the kidnappers because of inability to meet their demands. Also, on 2nd September 2020, four persons were abducted from Rafin Roro village in Kasuwan Magani Ward of Kajuru LGA. One of them managed to escape and three are still being held.”

ALSO READ: Shorunmu laments Babalade’s death, says doctors denied him treatment

“With the continuation of such hostilities by Fulani herdsmen even when various peace moves are being initiated, it is becoming clearer that the purported dialogue is serving as a diversion to enable the attackers to continue their diabolical activities. We are left wondering whether it is worthwhile engaging in such dialogue and peace talks if this continues.”

“Finally, the Adara Development Association (ADA) wishes to state that the time for civil and security authorities and even Fulani community leaders to continue feigning ignorance of the perpetrators of these crimes and their whereabouts has since gone. Also, the challenge thrown by Governor Elrufai asking for details of occupied villages in Southern Kaduna has since been adequately answered.

Any further failure to adequately address these issues will be a confirmation that government is only interested in reeling out rhetoric while their actions and inactions serving as encouragement are speaking loudest,” he stated.

Vanguard

By Ibrahim HassanWuyo

The National Chairman of Jama’atul  Izalatul Bid’ah wa Iqamatul Sunnah(JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau has emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence, saying that without peace people can not even practice their religion.

Sheikh Bala Lau who made this known while addressing news men, after paying courtesy call on Governor Nasir El Rufai  on Saturday,  said that ‘’we are here to commiserate with the governor and people of Kaduna state, for what happened between the communities of the state’’

The Izala national leader pointed out that  they came ‘’ to support the peaceful coexistence of our people in Kaduna state. Without peace and harmony, you cannot even practise your religion.’’

‘’Religious leaders have a great role, have value to add,  for the peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.  That is why the governor said that he had earlier received CAN leaders and His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto,’’ he added.

The sheikh  also argued that ‘’ Allah created us from male and female, from Adam and Eve, for us to know each other, not to fight each other. The noblest of you  in the sight of Allah is he who fears Allah most. ‘’

According to Sheikh Bala Lau, his entourage  came ‘’ to support the lasting solution of peace in Kaduna state. Inshaa Allahu, we have so many things to add value to the peaceful coexistence in Kaduna state. ‘’

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The cleric promised  to offer fervent prayers for the intervention of Allah(SWT), adding that ‘’ with prayers, inshaa Allah, we will achieve our goal.’’

The sheikh said that true Muslims  are being guided by the Holy Qur’an in whatever they do,  adding that ‘’whosoever wants to preach , he has to preach according to   the Quran and Sunnah. If you are following the teaching of the Qur’an  and Sunnah, you cannot preach anywhere and anyhow.

Sheikh Bala Lau admonished preachers to preach with wisdom.

In his contribution, Governor El Rufai said that the Izala leaders essentially came to be briefed about the security situation in Kaduna state and that ‘’they received briefings from the Commissioner of Internal Security as well as the Deputy Governor.’’

‘’ We also solicited for their support and prayers to see the end of this crisis because we are of the  strong view that at the bottom of this crisis is the reckless statements of some religious leaders. If religious leaders decide firmly that people should live in peace and preach that consistently, it will lead to peaceful coexistence in our state,’’ he said.

The governor also said that ‘’root of the crisis in southern Kaduna lies in differences in religion and ethnicity. And religious leaders can play a very unifying or divisive role. What we have witnessed in the last few years is that they have been paying a more divisive than a unifying role.

‘’That is why we welcome the outreach by religious leaders and we presented with all the facts, for them to use the holy books to guide how they will preach to the congregation,’’ he said.

Vanguard

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said it had begun a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Defence on schools’ safety and security.

The global humanitarian organization explained that the partnership called “UNICEF & Save The Children” was aimed at committing the ministry to ensure that it handles the children and schools “in a manner that their security is ensured.”

“We are looking for ways in which issues concerning school safety and security can be mainstreamed into their strategic document”, Judith Giwa-Amu, UNICEF Education Officer responsible for Education in Emergencies Coordination at National Level, told newsmen in Abuja, at an event held ahead of the commemoration of the 2020 International Day For the protection of Education.

The partnership, Giwa-Amu further explained, was,” For them (Ministry of Defence) to be able to handle the children , the school in a manner that their security is ensured .”

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“There is a fear that when the military are invited to protect the schools in the North East, we have the fear that by the time they go,non-state actors then look at the school as one that caters for the need of security in the school, we have fears that they will attack the school,” she further explained, adding that: “The safe school declaration is the one that has been signed by the 104 countries, Nigeria is among the 37 implementing countries.”

Noting that, “they have been identified as the major organs in charge of the implementation of safe school declaration,” she said the implementation guidelines were linked to the military”, explaining that it “recognises their role and the need to support education.”

“Security, education and humanitarian sectors are key sectors that must be engaged by all countries to the safe school declaration,” she declared.

The International Day For the protection of Education is a day set aside to review attention on the importance of protecting education, to ensure that a generation of children are saved. It is marked on September 9th of every year.

“We know that education is the acquisition of knowledge for use to support the socio-economic development of a nation.

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“When you have children who are out of school, it is due to the reason that they are afraid or their parents are afraid and because of fear, their parents prefer them being alive than going to school. The next generation becomes an endangered species, where children experience gap and they can never make it up to other children in other parts of the world,” she stressed.

UNICEF and Save the Children collides education sector to commemorate the 2020 Sept 9th Day of Protection of education.

“In our relationship in education emergencies working group, we have found the need to partner with Ministries of Education, Defence and Humanitarian Affairs.

“We realise that the ministry of Defence has a great role to play. In countries of the world and in Nigeria, we know that education will not happen in some areas in the North East if the military is not physically present. However, we see that with military forces,it changes the civilian nature of a school,” she further said.

In a message, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, while thanking the organization, noted that: “Education is one of the most prized assets of a country.”

” It is so because it provides a solid foundation for the nation’s growth and development. Thus, the survival and future of a nation is threatened when her education is under attack,” he said.

While noting that forced recruitment of learners or school personnel into armed groups was a crime against a nation, the minister said: “No nation can sleep in the event of the continued attack on her education, likewise the Nigerian military shall not relent in our efforts to protect the integrity of Nigeria and ensure her continued existence and growth in safety and security.”

“We shall continue to make efforts to ensure that education is not stopped even in the face of conflicts, keeping in mind all necessary protocols and guidelines including the Safe Schools Declaration.

As Nigerian Military continues to step up efforts towards protecting our national assets including education. I call on communities, groups and individuals to avail us all necessary cooperation. It is in our togetherness that we shall protect education from all forms of attack and save a generation,” he added.

Vanguard

File photo: President Buhari with President of Togo Gnassingbe Fraure and President of Liberia George Weah as he arrives Togo ahead of ECOWAS-ECCAS Summit on 29th July 2018

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Monday for Niamey, Niger Republic to participate in the Fifty-Seventh Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The one-day summit will deliberate on the Special Report on COVID-19 to be presented by President Buhari who was appointed the ECOWAS Champion on the Fight against COVID-19 during the Extraordinary Virtual Summit of ECOWAS on April 23, 2020.

This will be the second time President Buhari will be travelling out of the country since the outbreak of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja, Sunday, as the ECOWAS Champion in the fight against COVID-19, the President is expected to coordinate the sub-regional response against the pandemic.

According to the statement, “In furtherance of that objective, under the supervision of the Champion, Nigerian Ministers of Health, Aviation and Finance were appointed Chairpersons of the Ministerial Coordination Committees on Health; Transport, Logistics and Trade; and Finance respectively.

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“The Summit will also receive a Special Report on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme to be presented by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), and President Alassane Ouattara, who is Chair of the West African Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA).

“The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou will present to the West African leaders, the 2020 Interim Report on activities of the sub-regional body including ECOWAS Vision 2050.

“The alarming rise in incidents of terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and piracy will also come under focus, while the disruption of the democratic process by the military in Mali, will receive further attention.

“Similarly, in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger where parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for this year, the imperative to strengthen democracy in the sub-region by respecting constitutional provisions, rule of law and outcomes of free and fair polls, will be emphasised.”

President Buhari, who will be accompanied to the Summit by ministers and other top government officials, will return to Abuja after the meeting.

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Esther Onyegbula

A 27-year old fake military officer, Felix Osita Ezike who allegedly stabbed to death a teenager he was supposed to discipline in Ikotun area of Lagos, has revealed that he committed the crime out of anger and not intentional.

According to Felix, who is currently being investigated by homicide detectives attached to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department (SCIID), “Mr Dada Animashun contracted me to help him discipline his 19-year-old wayward son Deji because he taught I was a military officer. Anytime they saw me I was always dressed in military uniform.”

“Deji’s parents complained that their son had become a torn in their flesh as he had started stealing, sleeping outside their house and was living a wayward life. Believing I was a military officer they felt I could make Deji turn a new leaf”.

Narrating the incident that led him to stab Deji multiple times on Friday, August 28th, Felix said “this is not the first time the family invited me to discipline Deji. The first time I slapped and used cane on him. The beating sort of worked, as Deji started sleeping at home”.

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“However, few days later Deji’s character went back to default mode and he began to misbehave again. His parents called me again to complain about Deji. When I came asked Deji what he wanted to do with his life since he has stopped going to work. He said he wants to join the military. I informed his parents and they gave me ten thousand naira to purchase airforce form. After purchasing the form his parents asked me to guide him while he fills the form. When I took the form to their house Deji was nowhere to be found, his parents and neighbours searched for him to no avail. I had to spend the night at their house. It was the next day that, that his father brought him home. Before we began to fill out the form, I was questioning him on his whereabouts and he was acting up so I used horsewhip to flog him twice. Deji then used scissors to stab me at the back of my head and close to my eyes. Out of anger I took the jackknife in my pocket and stabbed him on his hand and on his thigh. As Deji was attempting to move his blood on the floor slipped him and he fell down and hit his head on the mirror. That was how he sustained the head injury. It was just the two of us inside the room, when Deji began to bleed profusely I raised alarm none of his parents was around, I called their numbers they didn’t pick.”

“So I had to get a Keke napep that took Deji to a hospital at Ikotun . Immediately we got to the hospital, the doctor said he was dead. I feel terrible, I regret my actions. I overreacted when Deji attacked me”.

Explaining how he got the military uniform and Jackknife, he said “my friend gave me the uniform and because I wear it always people think I am a military man. I bought the knife for self-protection when the street was very hot.”

Vanguard learned that the case was initially reported at Ikotun police station where the police arrested Felix and transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti Yaba for further investigation.

Vanguard News Nigeria

Nyesom Wike

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The organized labour has accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of planning to unleash thugs on workers over the proposed protest on Tuesday.

The organised labour in a statement signed by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on Sunday, alleged that Governor Wike has mobilized two local government councils around Port Harcourt, the state capital to engage armed thugs against the workers.

Labour said any attempt to disrupt the proposed rally on Tuesday would not only be another frontal attack against the Nigerian Constitution by the Governor but would also be a continuation of the alleged Governor’s Nyesom reign of impunity and an ill-conceived ploy to exterminate Organized Labour in Rivers State.

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It advised the governor instead of ‘wasting the state resources in the prosecution of a needless war’ against innocent workers, to commit his time and the state resources to attend to the industrial concerns of the workers in Rivers State.

The state read in part: “Fellow Nigerians, we have received very credible information that the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has mobilized two local governments councils around Port Harcourt metropolis to engage armed thugs who would be used to unleash violence on workers during our protest scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2020, in Port Harcourt.

“If Mr Nyesom Wike goes through with his diabolical plans, it would not be the first. Nigerians would recall that on the 27th of August 2020, the State Executive Council meeting of the Rivers State Council of the NLC was violently disrupted by hundreds of thugs who openly boasted that they were sent by Governor Nyesom Wike to disrupt the meeting.

“Nigerians would also recall that earlier on the night of July 27, 2020, some armed hoodlums ransacked the sealed Secretariat of the NLC and vandalized equipment and installation worth millions of naira. Up till now, no single arrest has been made on that incident. Till date, workers are still looking for the kidnapped JUSUN Chairman in Rivers State.

“We wish to reiterate that any attempt to disrupt our rally come Tuesday, September 8, 2020, would not only be another frontal attack against the Nigerian Constitution by Governor Wike but would also be a continuation of Governor Nyesom Wike’s reign of impunity and an ill-conceived ploy to exterminate Organized Labour in Rivers State.

“The right to peaceful assembly and protest is not just a Constitutional Right as provided for and guaranteed by Section 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution but is also a fundamental Universal Human Rights protected by international treaties signed up to by Nigeria.

“We wish to send a final warning to Mr Nyesom Wike that in the event that any harm comes to any worker on September 8, 2020, Nigerian workers and the international labour community would hold him personally to account, after all, he remains the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State.

“Instead of wasting the state resources in the prosecution of a needless war against innocent workers, we urge Governor Nyesom Wike to commit his time and the state resources to attend to the industrial concerns of the workers in Rivers State.”

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Continuing, labour said,” These concerns include the payment of outstanding salary arrears he deliberately refused to pay workers in the state especially to teachers and healthcare workers, promotion arrears since 2015, payment of pension and gratuity to retired workers in the state since 2015, issuing of official circular to effect the payment the new national minimum wage, the conclusion of the negotiation for consequential wages adjustment arising from the new national minimum wage, remittance of withheld check-off dues deductions to unions in the state, unsealing of Rivers NLC Secretariat, the withdrawal of trumped-up charges against labour leaders in Rivers State and cessation of harassment and assault on workers in the state.

“The foregoing demands are in line with workers’ rights as enshrined and guaranteed by Chapter Two of Nigeria’s Constitution, relevant sections of Section 5(3) of the Labour Act, Section 17 of the Trade Union Act and Articles 1–4 of Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and Articles 1–4 of the Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

A stitch in time may still save nine! A word is enough for the wise!”

Vanguard

Senate

By Davies Iheamnachor

Center for Liberty, CL, and Society for Promotion for Better Rivers State, SPBRS, have tasked the National Assembly to give priority attention to the speedy passage of the new Electoral Bill, adding that bill would end electoral malpractices at polls.

The groups also issued the National Assembly deadline of December 2020 for the passage of the bill, noting that its expedience would help the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC test run the electoral Act in 2021 Anambra elections.

Speaking, weekend, in Port Harcourt, Project Leader of Center for Liberty, Ariyo-Dare Atoye noted that the December 2020 deadline is appropriate because the political climate is yet to be polarized by partisan politics.

He said, “If we do not get this bill passed in 2020, by 2021 partisanship will give in, the lawmakers and politicians will manipulate the process along party line.”

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Atoye, however, urged the National Assembly to upon resumption see the passage of the 2020 Electoral Act amendment Bill as the topmost priority, emphasizing that the latest effort at reviewing the 1999 Constitution must not be allowed to scuttle or alter the speedy passage of the Bill.

“As a matter of national concern, the National Assembly upon resumption must make the 2020 passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill its topmost priority as, without electoral reforms, our general elections will continue to be threatened and undermined by violence and rigging.

“We want to make this clarion call to the leadership of the National Assembly that, the latest effort at reviewing the 1999 Constitution must not be allowed to scuttle the 2020 Passage of the Electoral Act.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenegoa

Leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa weekend trade words over the alleged attempt by the opposition party to breach an existing gentleman’s agreement between the people of Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government areas on the issue of power rotation of National Assembly positions.

This followed the emergence of the former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress for the state west senatorial district by-election.

Political stakeholders from the zone had agreed that by the provision of the existing gentleman agreement between Sagbama and Ekeremor local government areas, indigenes of Sagbama are the only ones qualified to produce candidates to contest for the October 31 National Assembly by-election to complete their two tenure following the election of the former occupant, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as the state Deputy Governor.

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But the emergence of Ebebi from Ekeremor council area as APC candidate is seen as a threat to the accord.

The Special Adviser to Governor Douye Diri on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, while speaking in Sagbama Council Area on the emergence of Hon Seriake Dickson as the candidate of the PDP, said with the deliberate breach of such agreement by the APC fielding a candidate from Ekeremor, ”there is no contest in the by-election. The APC candidate will be roundly rejected.

“Why he wants to destroy the agreement between Sagbama/Ekeremor we don’t know. But the people of the two local government councils will vote against him.

“You can quote me on this and put me to test after the election. Ebebi signed the agreement and he wants to betray such agreement.”

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But a chieftain of the APC from Sagbama, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, faulted the claims of the PDP on the issue of rotation insisting that though some political stakeholders met and resolved to uphold the existing gentleman agreement between Sagbama and Ekeremor people, “the issue which was raised recently was pre-planned by PDP members to satisfy the whims and caprices of their paymasters. It cannot be binding on APC leaders.

“In the spirit of true rotation, when the former governor finished spending eight years as governor, the new Deputy Governor slot should have gone to Ekeremor.

“Why didn’t they replace a deputy to Ekeremor and get to complete the Senate seat for Sagbama. Those who adopted the gentleman agreement at the meeting in Sagbama were PDP members and they hoodwinked those at the meeting with rhetoric.

“And they claimed it should be binding on all those that attended.”

Vanguard

Nyesom Wike

By Egufe Yafugborhi, Port-Harcourt

Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed has described his Rivers state counterpart, Nyesom Wike as one of the best performing governors he is learning from in Nigeria.

Mohammed weighed the rating weekend at the Palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu where he led his Rivers counterpart on a courtesy visit before Wike performed flag-off of the construction of two roads in the Bauchi capital city on the invitation of Mohammed.

He told the Emir, “The Rivers Governor is one of those making history, developing Nigeria and building bridges. He is one of the best performing governors. He is deepening stakeholding and I have learnt so much from him.

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“I know him as a man who carries his people along. A very generous, highly principled and passionate person. He is somebody who believes in the corporate existence of Nigeria.

“He is called Mr Projects because he opens new frontiers in which he uses projects and programmes to improve the quality of life of his people. He has respect for you and for the traditional institution.

“He is here because he cannot be in Bauchi and fail to pay his respect to you. He will be going to symbolically flag-off some projects that can improve movement, and ease the turn around time for doing businesses.

“I feel there is nobody more important, and more suitable to come and perform this symbolic programme other than Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.”

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The Emir told the visitor that he has watched, “The cultivation of the bond of fraternity and friendship between Wike and Sen Mohammed. The two of you are considered by many Nigerians as the perfect partners in progress.

“Indeed, you are working separately in your states and attracting the admiration of your citizens. Without fear of contradiction, Governor Wike has enjoyed the admiration of many because of his practical and pragmatic approach to life and politics. You have a heart that’s always willing to excel.

“I will also request you to appreciate Senator Mohammed because, in one year, we have seen a record of performance by the way he has changed the face of the state. As custodians of tradition and values, we are open to encouraging those in public office who are performing.”

Wike on the occasion pleaded with the Emir to, “Call your son (Mohammed) to yourself and correct him when it is needful. He will quickly retrace his steps with your fatherly advice. Don’t see him going wrong and say it’s not my business, I’m not a politician.

“When I was invited here, I accepted because I was coming to do something that will make life more meaningful, something that will bring development to the people of Bauchi state. That is the kind of things I associate with.

“Your Governor has shown that the interest of the people of Bauchi is his interest. Rivers people are happy to identify and associate with the Governor of Bauchi state. I can tell you that by the grace of God, this relationship will continue to grow.”

Vanguard

By Joseph Erunke

THE leadership of Fulani cattle rearers in Kaduna State has directed members to stop underaged children from grazing cattle in the state, saying such development would prevent further destructions of farm produce of the farmers resulting in crisis.

This came as it pledged full support to Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, and all its efforts to restore total peace and security in Southern Kaduna area.

The leadership of the Fulani cattle rearers under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, at a meeting withheld on Saturday, also agreed to reverse to what it called “our olden days relationship with our neighbouring communities in the area.”

In an 8-point communiqué it signed after the meeting that held at Wonderland Hotel Auditorium, Kafanchan on Saturday, MACBAN also called for the establishment of joint community peace and security at all levels to monitor and maintain peace among neighbouring communities.

The communiqué jointly signed by the Kaduna State MACBAN Chairman, Alhaji Usman Haruna Tugga, State Zone III Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa, Director, Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Bayero Zango and the state’s Zone III Secretary, Alhaji Shuaibu Mogauri Usman, said the summit which was attended by Ardos and others stakeholders from all the eight local government areas of Southern Kaduna Senatorial zone and beyond, “strongly commended the efforts of Commanders of Operation Safe Haven and all his officers and men for their tireless efforts toward the restoration of peace in southern Kaduna we have never seen this kind of efforts from military commander before.”

It was also attended by the Security Agencies, Kaduna State Government Officials. Distinguished Senator Danjuma La’ah and Chief Anthony Hassan (Dokajen Jaba) also graced the occasion,” the communiqué added.

It read in full: “The summit was attended by Ardos and other stakeholders from all the 8 LGAs Areas of Southern Kaduna Senatorial zone and beyond.

” It was also attended by the Security Agencies, Kaduna State Government Officials. Distinguished Senator Danjuma La’ah and Chief Anthony Hassan (Dokajen Jaba) also graced the occasion.

“The summit after all the deliberations it has reached the following resolutions: That we have agreed to reverse to our olden days’ relationship with our neighbouring communities in the area.

READ ALSO: 230 cows seized in Benue for violating grazing law

“We are appealing to farmers to allow our cattle graze on recognized cattle routes

“We have agreed to bury our differences and be our brothers’ keepers henceforth in order to foster development in the area.

“We call on our people to stop allowing the underage children from rearing cattle in order to prevent further destructions of farm produce of the farmers within the area and beyond.

“We also Advised our people to be vigilant and hand over suspected criminals to security agencies that may be found within our communities.

” The summit strongly commended the efforts of Commanders of operation safe haven and all his officers and men for their tireless efforts toward the restoration of peace in southern Kaduna we have never seen this kind of efforts from military commander before.

“Based on this reason we pledged our total support to the security outfits and all its efforts to restore total peace and security in southern Kaduna.

“We also wish to commend all the security agencies working tirelessly to restore peace to southern Kaduna.

“We appeal to the federal and Kaduna State Government to assist those who have lost their cattle’s and other sources of livelihood in other to alleviate the hardship that the victims are facing.

“We call for the establishment of joint community peace and security at all levels to monitor and maintain peace among neighbouring communities.”

Vanguard News Nigeria