Author: The Nation

AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

 

The Zazzau emirate was Friday thrown into mourning following the death of two Princes and council members, Alhaji Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzua) and Alhaji Abdulkadir Iya Pate (Talban Zazzau).

Iyan Zazzau who was a major contender for the  emirship following the death of the immediate past traditional ruler, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, died in Lagos.

He was said to have been ill, according to a tweet by the Zazzau Emirate.

Talban Zazzau, on the other hand, died at his residence.

There was no hint that he was ill.

Funeral prayers for the two were  scheduled to take place at the Emir’s Palace in Zaria after Jumaat prayers Friday.

 

Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

 

 

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to swing into action and address the myriads of security and economic challenges confronting the country.

The IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, who reacted to the President’s New Year broadcast, said Buhari’s speech failed to inspire hope and confidence among the citizenry in the New Year.

Igbifa said the President failed to list practical measures that would be taken by his administration to address the menace of armed herdsmen, insurgency, rising and embarrassing incidents of kidnapping and other criminal activities making life in the country short and brutish.

Igbifa said people had expected the President to make announcement on far-reaching changes his administration had planned to make in the areas of security and the economy.

He said the people had wanted the President to announce immediate replacement of persons, who had reneged in their responsibilities in his cabinet and all the security architecture to inspire hope of new ideas and better results in the new year.

He said it was not enough to make a blanket statement on possible rejiging of security architecture adding that that the President should have mentioned specifics.

Read Also: 10 ‘takeaways’ from Buhari’s new year address

Igbifa further added that the President was silent on the challenges facing the Niger Delta region, which he said remained the mainstay of the country’s survival.

He said: “It is unimaginable that the President on his New Year speech failed to mention the challenges facing the Niger Delta region. He said nothing about the environmental degradation of the region, ecological problems, the Ogoni cleanup, the East-West Road and other challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

“Since he failed to say something on these issues, we want the President to know that we expect the completion of the East-West Road, relocation of oil multinational headquarters to the Niger Delta region, completion of Ogoni cleanup and improved federal presence in the Niger Delta region, the issues of restructuring and state police among other things.

“The President should address the security challenges in the Niger Delta region especially the menace of armed herdsmen terrorising our communities and rampart kidnapping. The Niger Delta needs better attention and our communities need development in the New Year,” he said.

 

 

Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

 

THE planned resumption of hearing in the suit seeking the sack of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki was stalled on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the complaint of ill-health by the trial judge.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed had, on Wednesday, adjourned till yesterday for the defence to cross-examine the fourth plaintiffs’ witness in the suit filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and one of its members, Edobor Williams.

The party and Williams are querying, among others, the authenticity of Obaseki’s academic credentials, particularly his first degree certificate which he claimed to have obtained from the University of Ibadan (UI).

Defendants in the case are: Obaseki, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the mention of the case around 2 p.m yesterday, Justice Mohammed announced that he was feeling unwell and had undertaken blood test before the court’s sitting.

The judge said, while awaiting the result of the test, he could conduct proceedings for one hour to afford the plaintiffs the opportunity to close their case, a suggestion plaintiffs’ lead lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), did not object to.

But, lawyers to Obaseki and the PDP, Ken Mozia (SAN) and Razaq Isenalumhe, said they would prefer that the judge adjourn till Monday to enable him attend to his health.

Read Also: Obaseki promises quality healthcare, durable roads

Mozia, Isenalumhe and lawyer to INEC, S. M. Danbaba, advised the judge to attend to his health, but that proceedings should resume early on Monday to enable the parties cover any lost ground.

Olujinmi later agreed with the other lawyers that the hearing be rescheduled for January 4, 2021, but that proceedings should begin on time.

Ruling, Justice Mohammed said the earlier scheduled hearing could no longer hold because he was battling malaria.

The judge adjourned till January 4, 2021 for the defence to cross-examine the PW3 – Raphael Onwuzuligbo Amachukwu (a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police and Forensic Document Examiner), through whom the plaintiffs, on Wednesday, tendered a report of forensic evaluation of copies of the university certificate allegedly submitted to INEC by Obaseki.

Earlier yesterday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had rejected the APC’s objection to two applications filed by Edo State Deputy Governor Phillips Shuaib.

In two separate rulings, a three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Stephen Adah, granted the applications filed by Mozia for Shuaib in relation to the appeal the Deputy Governor filed against an earlier decision by Justice Mohammed in a sister suit by APC at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The APC is, in the suit, challenging among others, the authenticity of the tax clearance and University of Jos (UNIJOS) certificates that Shuaib submitted to INEC.

In the first ruling, the Appeal Court granted Shuaib’s application for leave to regularise the records of appeal and additional records he compiled and deemed the appellant’s brief he filed, as properly filed.

In the second ruling, the Appeal Court granted Shuaib’s application for accelerated hearing and abridgment of time for the respondents to file their reply briefs in relation to his appeal.

The Appeal Court adjourned till January 7, 2021, for hearing of Shuaib’s appeal.

 

 

 Sanni Onogu, Abuja

 

THE National Assembly leadership on Thursday hailed the resilience of Nigerians in the face of global  economic and  health challenges orchestrated last year by the Coronavirus pandemic.

It outlined areas of its concentration in a New Year message on Thursday  by Senate President Lawan, that would help  Nigeria exit its current economic  recession and make governance more impactful on Nigerians.

One of the priority areas, according to a statement by   Lawan, is the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB) in the first quarter of 2021.

Other areas listed by him   are constitution review and  electoral reforms as well as support  for   the Executive’s   efforts aimed at stemming COVID-19 spread,     insurgency   banditry  and other forms of crimes in parts of the country.

In the  statement  titled: “Senate President’s 2021 New Year Message,”   Lawan said: “I felicitate with all Nigerians in this festive season and wish them joy and prosperity in 2021.

“The year 2020 was full of challenges on the economic, security, health, and other fronts for most nations of the world.

“Thankfully, however, the challenges could not dampen our hope for a better future for us as individuals and as a nation.

“As a Legislature, we had prepared ahead for the vagaries that will for long be associated with 2020 by making the necessary legislation for the facilitation of good governance and economic growth.

“The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic and the shutdown of the economy that it enforced adversely affected every country in the world as it did our own economic projections and preparations.

Read Also: Lawan lauds Ugwuanyi’s commitment to national unity

“One of the worst results for Nigeria was the slide again into recession, just a few years after we had recovered from one.

“Despite this situation, we can thank God that the impact of global health emergency and economic recession on Nigeria are  not as catastrophic as was predicted by experts..

“We need to prepare better than before for the New Year 2021 and the years ahead.

“We have to ensure for our people, better governance processes and dividends of democracy despite the prevailing circumstances.

“We are determined to see Nigeria exit, as quickly as possible in the new year, from the current recession.

“Topmost on our priority list for 2021 is the PIB, which we need, to boost activities in our oil and gas sector. The PIB has defied passage for about two decades but we are determined this time around to break that jinx and pass the bill by the end of the first quarter of the new year.

“It is our utmost desire to make the passage of the PIB one of the legacies of the ninth National Assembly. Equally important is the passage of the Electoral Reform Amendment Bill.

“This is necessary in order to enhance the democratic process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections in our dear country.

“We are determined to pass the Electoral Reforms Bill before the second quarter of 2021.

“Also on our priority list in 2021 is the amendment to the 1999 Constitution, which is the ground norm of our being together as a nation.

“We have it on our agenda to pull through the process of constitutional amendment in 2021.

“We will give accelerated consideration to any measures proposed towards the containment of the COVID-19.

“In this regard, the National Assembly is waiting for the Executive to propose supplementary appropriation for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine.

“The issue of security in the country has always been top on our agenda and it will continue to be of utmost priority in 2021.

“We hope to sustain our collaboration with the Executive for a lasting solution that will make our country a safer place to live in.”

“We promise in the new year to continue to put in our best for good governance and for the betterment of the lives of our people.”

Our Reporter

 

WITH a pledge to continue rebuilding the economy of Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday signed the N1.163 trillion 2021 Appropriation Bill.

The “Budget of Rekindled Hope”, will be fully implemented to allow Lagosians to flourish despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges, he said.

The budget has a capital expenditure of N702.9 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N460.6 billion which stands at a ratio of 60 to 40 per cent.

Although the governor presented a budget estimate of N1.55 trillion on November 10 to the State Assembly, the House in its wisdom increased the budget size to N1.163 trillion.

Speaking at the signing of the bill at the Lagos State House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu said the quick passage of the bill reflects the harmonious relationship between the State Executive and the Legislative arms as well as the mutual dedication to the progress of the state and the prosperity of Lagosians.

He said: “With the passage of the bill, we will continue our work of rebuilding Lagos, advancing economic growth, and expanding opportunities for Lagosians to flourish despite the economic challenges caused by the coronavirus.

“As we already know, 2020 will go down in history as a peculiar year largely defined by the COVID 19 Pandemic and the #EndSARS protests, which were recklessly hijacked by those who destroyed some of our public assets and private businesses.”

The governor said the ugly development notwithstanding, the state is fortunate to be going into the New Year with budget approved by the Assembly and signed into law by him.

“A significant portion of the budget has been committed to human capital development, youth engagement, social intervention initiatives, and the completion of ongoing projects that are critical to achieving the objectives of our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu, who assured that the budget will be prudently implemented with the people as its focus, restated his administration’s determination to provide the right economic environment for Lagosians to thrive.

He said: “As the world combats the coronavirus, we will make the necessary sacrifices to further place our State on the path of abundance and economic recovery. We are going into 2021 with the unwavering determination to engender sustainable and inclusive growth.”

He promised that the budget will rekindle hope, deliver substantial economic growth, and bolster the government’s efforts to rebuild Lagos.

Read Also: Lagos has reactivated disability trust fund – Sanwo-Olu

The governor said: “We will make tough choices where necessary and seize opportunities as needed while ensuring that no Lagosian is left behind.

“With the enormous challenges of the outgoing year, we are conscious of the fact that in order to efficiently and successfully implement the 2021 budget, we must be selfless and dedicated.

“With our collective resilience, we will achieve our key goals in all sectors, and nothing will stop us from justifying the trust of the people in this government.

“I implore all stakeholders and residents of Lagos, the organized private sector, artisans as well as small and medium sized business owners not to relent in supporting this government by voluntarily discharging their civic responsibilities. The growth and prosperity we seek can only be collectively achieved.”

Promising to ensure efficient and prudent management of the resources entrusted to its administration, he said: “We will be non-discriminatory in the distribution of resources. This is a budget for all Lagosians irrespective of their social, economic, ethnic, or religious background.”

Sanwo-Olu thanked Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and other lawmakers for the thorough and expeditious consideration of the 2021 Appropriation Bill, which resulted in the passage of the budget before the end of the year.

“Thank you for collaborating with the Executive to satisfy the yearnings of the electorate,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rotimi Olowo, who represented the speaker, said the Assembly did not take anything for granted while working on the budget, adding that it did a thorough job.

“We did a thorough job because we wanted to make sure you sign the best budget for Lagos and i know in 2021 Lagosians will be happier because we are bringing the best,” Olowo said.

Others officials at the brief ceremony includes: Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Gbolahan Yishawu, Akeem Solaja (Oshodi-Isolo I), Nurudeen Salad (Ikorodu I), Secretary to State Government (SSG) Folasade Jaji; Head of Service (HoS) Akeem Muri-Okunola; Commissioners Sam Egube (Budget and Economic Planning); Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy); Moyosore Onigbanjo (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice) and Rabiu Olowo ( Finance).

Tony Akowe, Abuja

 

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, his Deputy, Ahmed Wase and two principal officers of the  Senate on Thursday admonished Nigerians not to be fazed by the  hard challenges that  characterized 2020 as they step into 2021.

In their separate New Year messages, they asked Nigerians to keep hope alive as 2021 promises a better future.

The Senate Principal officers are the Majority Leader,  Yahaya Abdullahi, and  Chairman,   Committee on Media  and Public Affairs,  Surajudeen  Basiru.

The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi,   said despite the challenges of  2020, the new year holds a lot of positives for Nigeria and Nigerians

Gbajabiamila also called for continuous unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, saying: “We have no other country than Nigeria; this is the only country we can call ours.”

His words: “It is my hope and prayer that the year 2021 will be better than all the preceding years of our nation’s history.

“In this New Year, let’s remain resolute and determined in our nationhood. Yes, we may be going through challenges as a nation, but with our collective determination, we shall overcome.”

Also, Wase said Nigerians should not despair in spite of the challenges bedeviling the country.

In a statement by his spokesman, Umar Muhammad Puma, the deputy speaker advised Nigerians to believe in the prosperity of the country.

He also pleaded with Nigerians to have faith in their leaders and continue to pray for them   for the wisdom to lead right.

He said: “On behalf of my family, constituents and indeed the House of Representatives,  I wish to heartily rejoice with all our countrymen and women for seeing off the year 2020 and successfully entering 2021.

“I thank the Almighty  Allah for keeping us going and keeping Nigeria as one in spite of the challenges we have had in the last decade. God had a reason for keeping Nigeria as one united entity. I therefore  urge  Nigerians to believe that the new-year could be better.”

Senate Leader  Abdullahi  also spoke in a similar vein but urged Nigerians to stick to  the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read Also: Governors, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, others eulogise Buhari at 78

Abdullahi said: “We pray that what happened in 2020 would not happen in the new year. We also appeal to Nigerians to persevere and that the difficulties that we encountered like the COVID pandemic, the lockdowns and the security challenges that the country faced in 2020 will be a thing of the past.

“We also want to assure Nigerians that the government is on top of the situation and that new initiatives are on to provide our security forces all the necessary support and equipment that is required to bring both the insurgency and banditry to an end.”

Basiru gave the assurance that the Senate would focus on critical law reforms that would better the nation’s socio-economic well-being in 2021

He urged Nigerians to persevere in the face of difficulties, saying the Federal Government is working on new initiatives that would make life better for all.

The lawmaker said: “First and foremost, I think we need to be cautious of this pandemic. It is very important that we adhere to the protocols…if we are able to do these, we will save not only our health but we will save our country huge resources that we need for development rather than using it to tackle pandemic.

“Second, is for us to be committed to playing our roles for national development. In our own little space, we should show leadership, sacrifice and commitment to the country.”

 

 AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

 

CAMELS are being used to bring in Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and anti-aircraft guns into Nigeria through northern borders, North’s socio-political organisation Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has claimed.

The group expressed fear that criminals terrorizing Nigeria would soon become better equipped than the nation’s constitutional security agencies, unless the trend was checked.

Raising the alarm in a statement by its National Executive Committee Chairman and the immediate-past Agriculture Minister Chief Audu Ogbe, ACF alleged that kidnappers have been building armoury with the ransom they collected from kidnapped victims.

When asked if the breach had been reported to revelant authorities, ACF National Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Yawe said the statement was issued to alert security agencies and the government on the development.

He said the decision to issue the statement was informed by ACF’s observation that the security situation had deteriorated in the north since October when residents alerted the Forum to Camel’s unhindered access into Nigeria.

“Since we don’t control the security agencies, we decided to inform them and the government through the media,” the ACF spokesman explained.”

Read Also: Insecurity, killings in Nigeria akin to civil war, says Audu Ogbe  

According to the statement titled: “Our borders and insecurity,” ACF said: “It will do the nation a great deal of good to deal with this situation immediately.

“At the last meeting of our National Executive Council, NEC, in October 2020, our members, particularly from Sokoto and Zamfara, reported that large consignments of camels were crossing our borders into Nigeria with a lot of baggage on their backs on a daily basis. And they observed that nobody checks their baggage and nobody knows what is being brought into Nigeria.

“The question Arewa Consultative Forum would like to ask the security agencies is what are the camels carrying and where they are heading?

“The ACF is alarmed that this kind of situation should persist at a time when weapons of all kinds are coming into our country and worsening the climate of terror and national uncertainty.

“It is clear now from what we know that, as victims pay ransoms to the kidnappers, the money is instantly converted to more sophisticated weapons and instruments of death by the kidnappers.

“The capacity of these terrorists is rising by the day and we are not far from the moment when the terrorist will become better armed than our accredited security agencies.

“The ACF wants to alert the government about this situation, if they are not aware of it and if they are aware of it, to ask what they are doing about it. Already, it is speculated that weapons as dangerous as Rocket Propelled Grenades RPGs, and anti-aircraft guns are part of the cargo ferried by camels freely into our country from neighboring countries.

“It will do the nation a great deal of good to deal with this situation immediately. The ACF is deeply worried.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) could not be reached for comment on the ACF claim on the alleged infiltration of arms and ammunition into the country through the Northern borders.

The Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, neither picked his calls, nor returned text messages sent to him.

Also, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, did not respond to text messages sent to him. Gen. Enenche could not be reached on phone.

However, a senior military officer, who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, urged the ACF to make a formal report to the authorities if they have credible intelligence instead of going to the media.

According to the source, “if the Arewa Consultative Forum has credible intelligence on illegal movement of arms and ammunition, it should come up with information that will help security agencies to arrest those involved instead of going to the media.

“By going to the media, they have already forewarned those.involved and they will devise another means of moving in the ammunition,” the officer said.