The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has identified persons and groups planning to stage campaigns of calumny against it and the government over the suspension and investigation of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Spokesman of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Saturday evening, said such groups intend to gather at different points in Abuja and Lagos in the coming week with placards depicting the Service and government in bad light as well as calling for the immediate release of Emefiele.
“The Service is, therefore, aware of a cheap propaganda aimed at demotivating and distracting it from professionally executing the onerous responsibilities assigned to it.
“It has also noted the misleading commentaries, speculative narratives, storylines and videos being circulated in the social media by uninformed parties, critics and/or desperadoes.
“It is mindful of orchestrations to infiltrate its fold for the purpose of using disloyal staff for subversive aims against its leadership.
‘While these efforts are considered as hatchet jobs designed to distract, the Service warns the plotters to desist forthwith from their plans. This is more so that the arrow heads are already under watch and will be apprehended when and if it becomes necessary,” he said.
He said it was instructive to state that the Service had granted the family of Emefiele, medical officials and appropriate persons access to him, right from the day he was taken in and long before the court order requesting so.
He said the Service implements standard operating procedures on suspect handling and investigation to the letter.
“It conducts its affairs transparently, professionally and respects the rule of law in compliance with democratic governance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it assures of its professionalism in the current matter(s) under its purview. It will, however, not be distracted or intimidated,” Afunanya said.
The Zamfara Police Command has returned all the vehicles it seized from former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle.
Security operatives reportedly removed the vehicles from Matawalle’s two houses on the order of the state government.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar disclosed this on Saturday
According to him, the vehicles were returned in compliance with the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau.
The court, presided by Justice Aminu Bappah-Aliyu had on June 15, ordered all security agencies that removed the vehicles from Matawalle’s houses in Gusau and Maradun, to return them within 48 hours.
The court gave all parties involved in the invasion of the former governor’s houses 48 hours to comply with the order.
“Yes, the police command has complied with the court order as regards to returning all vehicles belonging to the former governor, Bello Matawalle.
“We have returned all the vehicles to the premises of Federal High Court, Gusau, as I speak to you now, no single vehicle is in police custody,” Abubakar said.
The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents in the suit filed by Matawalle from taking any further action in connection with the matter.
The respondents include the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and Commissioner of Police, Zamfara.
Others are the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The court further ordered the security agencies to stay away from all actions, pending the hearing and determination of the matter before it.
Mr Suleiman Idris, spokesperson to Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, had earlier said more than 40 vehicles were recovered from the two houses of the former governor.
He also confirmed that the security agencies took the action on the directive of the state government.
Suspected terrorists linked to Islamic State killed 37 people and abducted six others in an attack on a school in western Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the military said on Saturday.
Military personnel found the bodies of the dead when they arrived at the school, defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said in a statement.
“Our forces are pursuing the enemy to rescue those abducted and destroy this group,” he said earlier on Twitter. The attackers, from the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), fled towards Virunga National Park in Congo, police said.
Police, according to Reuters, said eight other people were in hospital with critical injuries after the attack at the Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpondwe.
Privately-owned NTV Uganda television said on Twitter that the death toll stood at 41, while state-run New Vision newspaper said it was 42. New Vision said 39 of the dead were students, and that some of those killed died when the attackers set off a bomb as they fled.
·Neither police nor military said how many of the dead were schoolchildren.
The assailants, numbering about five, burnt down a dormitory and looted food, police and the military said.
Major General Dick Olum, the army’s commander for western Uganda and in charge of a military deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the attackers had stayed in the town two days before the attack, marking their target.
He said an unidentified youth had gone to the school to check its layout before the attack.
“That is how the attackers came and locked the boys’ door. The boys really tried to fight back, but they were overpowered. The attackers had lit mattresses,” Olum told reporters from Mpondwe, according to a video posted on Twitter by the Daily Monitor newspaper.
“In the girls’ dorm, they found their door open, hence killing them and cutting them.”
The ADF rebels launched their insurgency against President Yoweri Museveni in the 1990s from an initial base in the Rwenzori Mountains.
The group was largely defeated by the Ugandan military but remnants fled across the border into the vast jungles of eastern Congo from where they have since maintained their insurgency – perpetrating attacks on civilian and military targets in both Congo and Uganda.
In April, the ADF attacked a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 20 people.
Following reports on Friday about his proposed visit alongside Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote to President Bola Tinubu, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Saturday shed more light on the occasion.
The Foundation stated that Mr. Gates will visit not only Nigeria, but also its northern neighbour Niger to meet with leaders and partners tackling health and development challenges.
It explained in a statement that the meeting follows Gates’ recent visit to China.
It noted that the visit is part of the Gates Foundation’s commitment to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa.
The Foundation said: “Gates and other foundation leaders are visiting to learn from partners helping to address polio, anemia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services; and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent.
“They will also meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions.
“Gates will also participate in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather insights and share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.
“The moderated event, Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation, will be co-hosted by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria and Lagos Business School and livestreamed across Africa by media partners Africa.com and Channels Television. It will take place at 10am WAT (Lagos) on 21 June. You can register here to attend virtually.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes that solutions to Africa’s greatest challenges can come from within Africa, hence its support for African partners “whose bold ideas and creative approaches have the potential to save lives, improve health, and help families across the continent.”
Since the foundation’s inception in 2000, it has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries to contribute funding and scientific expertise in support of their agendas for change. These partnerships have driven the success of numerous health, agriculture, equality, and anti-poverty initiatives.
In Niger, the foundation works with the government and multilateral organizations to strengthen routine immunization and control polio outbreaks.
In Nigeria, the foundation works with the government of Nigeria, the private sector, non-profit organizations and civil society to improve health outcomes, boost agricultural productivity, expand access to digital financial services, and empower women and other marginalized populations with greater economic opportunities.
The Federal Government has congratulated the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at 63.
This is contained in a statement made available in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Gabriel Aduda.
He said OPEC had made significant strides in energy governance and the transformative impact of petroleum supply worldwide, over the past six decades.
Aduda, who is also Nigeria’s Governor at OPEC, recalled that on September 14, 1960, at the Al-Shaab Hall, in Iraq, heads of delegation from five founding nations, united to establish what is called OPEC today.
He said OPEC had eventually become a formidable force, revolutionising the history of global oil production and exports.
“The resolute actions and unwavering commitment of OPEC have left an indelible mark on history, exemplifying the value of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of results.
“As we celebrate the birth of this remarkable idea and the immense progress made by OPEC over the past 63 years, Nigeria takes great pride in joining the global community in honoring this occasion.
“On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, and the wonderful people of our beloved nation, Nigeria, I extend heartfelt congratulations to management and members of OPEC on this auspicious commemoration of OPEC’s 63 years of progress,” Aduda said.
Continuing, he said “Undoubtedly, our nation stands proudly alongside OPEC, acknowledging the significant strides made in energy governance and the transformative impact of petroleum supply worldwide over the past six decades.
“On this momentous occasion, we, the people of Nigeria, join our OPEC counterparts and the global community in fervent prayer, echoing the sentiments of the OPEC Secretariat, for even greater prosperity and success in the days and years ahead”.
Aduda said OPEC, and non members had maintained a commendable status as an intergovernmental organisation at the United Nations and worldwide.
“Alongside our fellow members and non-OPEC countries, OPEC has consistently championed lofty ideals and objectives aimed at advancing sustainable development goals through energy provision and environmental preservation.
“Through extensive cooperation with non-OPEC oil-producing nations, OPEC has continued to make informed decisions in fostering market stability within the global energy sector,” he said.
•Atiku’s camp uncomfortable •Dickson’s aspiration in Senate under threat
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into a fresh quandary following the endorsement of Hon.Kingsley Chinda, a strong ally of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike by the House of Representatives PDP caucus for the position of the House Minority Leader.
Chinda emerged as the consensus candidate of PDP Reps during a meeting held in Abuja on Friday.
Hon. Oluwole Oke from Osun State, believed to be the preferred candidate of the Atiku Abubakar’s camp, pulled out of the race.
The party hierarchy which is yet to forgive Wike and his allies for their non-cooperation in the run up to the February 25 presidential election,is uncomfortable with Chinda’s choice.
It had earlier asked the public to disregard speculations that certain persons had been picked for minority leadership positions for the 10th National Assembly.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said “such rumours and reports do not represent the true position of affairs in our party and among our National Assembly members-elect.”
He added:”At the right time, the PDP together with our members in the National Assembly will speak with one voice on any issues with regard to other leadership positions in the federal legislature. The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to disregard the said rumour and reports.”
Sources said the massive support enjoyed by Chinda from his fellow Reps in the minority parties has presented the PDP stakeholders a difficult matter to handle.
While some argue that the party should refuse to endorse Chinda for the position as a punishment for him and Wike for their alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 presidential election, others are of the opinion that the leadership of the party should avoid another round of crisis in view of his popularity among his colleagues.
Before Friday’s nomination of Chinda by the PDP caucus, some of the party’s members-elect had campaigned against his candidacy. Their argument was that the PDP should not reward Wike with the Minority Leader slot after he and his allies like Chinda, worked against the party and cost them the 2023 presidential election.
Some PDP members had also made a case for the South West to get the slot for equity and fairness.
The Nation gathered that PDP stakeholders opposed to his aspiration are seeking to rally Reps from the Labour Party (LP),New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),Social Democratic Party (SDP),Young Progressives Party (YPP) and African Democratic Party (ADC) to reject the choice of Chinda and support another candidate that the PDP leadership will put forward soon.
Sources said the PDP may settle for Hon. Fred Egbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor, Delta State) as its anointed candidate.
Egbedi, who has also shown interest in the position, is a close associate of the immediate past Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Atiku’s running mate.
Another reason why the PDP leadership is uncertain of its next line of action regarding Chinda’s nomination is his closeness to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass. “We are politicians and we understand how the Speaker can foil any move to replace Chinda by the PDP. We recall what happened during the last 9th National Assembly when the party had preferred this same Chinda to Ndudi Elumelu,” a PDP official said.
Speaking further, the PDP chieftain confirmed that supporters of Atiku within the party are uncomfortable with the development and would prefer Chinda is stopped from taking the office. “That is politics. Given what transpired between Wike’s camp and Atiku’s, you should expect that the latter will not be comfortable with a Wike ally taking such an important position. Of course, they are not.
“In addition, generally, PDP leaders and members are scared that it will amount to encouraging anti-party activities if Chinda and Wike are allowed to get away with working against the party. It will even be worse if they are now seen to be getting important positions after working against the interests of the party severally and unrepentantly during the last elections,” he added.
Chinda’s endorsement is also said to be a threat to the ambition of former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson for the position of Minority Leader in the Senate.
Dickson is a supporter of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The former Bayelsa State governor and the immediate past governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal are frontrunners in the race for the Senate Minority Leader slot.
But Tambuwal, who is also an ally of Atiku appears to have an upper hand in the race.
Tambuwal is a first timer in the Senate.
But he is considered a ranking member on the strength of having been Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.
On the other hand, Dickson, who represents the Bayelsa West senatorial district, is serving his second term in the Senate.
Dickson, who was also a two-term former Governor of Bayelsa State, was first elected to the Senate in 2019 and won re-election in 2023.
However, Dickson’s chances are narrowed by the emergence of Mr Kingsley Chinda as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Immediately he won the presidential election, the then Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised he would not disappoint Nigerians, but would hit the ground running. Weeks before inauguration on May 29, he also reiterated his promise to hit the ground running. It requires extraordinary capacity, conviction and self-belief to pull off the kind of dynamism the former Lagos State governor alluded to in his many remarks after his victory. On inauguration day itself, when Nigerians expected nothing really earthshaking from him, President Tinubu briefly sidestepped his prepared speech to declare peremptorily that fuel subsidy was gone. Diplomats, guest presidents, and Nigerians at the inauguration gasped, and their mouths have been agape since then as policies and appointments continue to stream out at a furious and breathtaking pace.
Nearly three weeks in office, the president has kept up a dizzying pace of activities quite alien to these parts, except for the military dictatorship era. Rather than restrict himself to receiving a perfunctory stream of visitors while understudying and making meaning of the complicated legacy of his predecessors, the president has busied himself with remedying and recalibrating the pace, content and context of governance. Among his first set of appointments was George Akume, a former governor, minister and senator, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to balance the perceived discourteous treatment meted out to the North-Central in terms of the zone’s electoral contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential victory. Then there were meetings upon meetings with influential serving and past governors, including the progressive governors and Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with security chiefs, notably the service chiefs, with traditional rulers, and latterly with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as well as other opinion moulders. In all the meetings, the president was stoic, ruminative and perceptive, contrary to the image of him painted during electioneering.
Policies have also gushed out with impactful and steadying frequency. First to be shoved aside was the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, whose tenure as head of the bank had been deeply and offensively controversial. No one shed a tear. His exit, though temporary in terms of its legality, was to pave the way for the apex bank’s reform and restoration, including of course the floating of the naira. Mr Emefiele was unpopular, having masterminded the politicisation of his office and the naira swap policy; but his removal was primarily to enable the rejigging of monetary policy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Abdulrashid Bawa, also got the boot to pave the way for the retooling of the agency, especially given the gross allegations leveled against him and others inside and outside the anti-graft agency.
Unprecedentedly, President Tinubu also visited the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) where he restated his desire for synergy between the security agencies. He gave indication he would be a boots-on-the-ground commander, one with a commanding grasp of issues whether economic, security, social, or political, the last being his greatest forte. Were he to be a poker player, he would deal his cards masterfully, indeed as he showed when he inspired the difficult installation of his party men as presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly. Weeks of convoluted bargaining and manoeuvres, some of them so otherworldy that the hearts of many grew weary with apprehension while the intrigues lasted, culminated in the anticlimactic enthronement of Messrs Godswill Akpabio, Barau Jibrin, Tajudeen Abbas, and Benjamin Kalu. By last Thursday, when presidential special advisers were named, the mechanics of policy reformation and personnel rejigging had resembled the carefully assembled parts of an automobile to produce a moving, serviceable vehicle.
Three weeks had not yet passed, and hope of the coming of a government that knew its onions had begun to encourage and salivate the public. Nigerians, including the most vehemently oppositional, now think optimistically that the country might be up to something good and encouraging, indications that the crises that had dogged Nigeria and retarded its growth could finally be arrested and extirpated. Indeed, unlike in the past two decades or so when the pace of governance ebbed and flowed, or at worst ceased altogether at critical junctures, there is some hope that the next few years would be eventful and productive. Instead of the soporific approach of past administrations to governance, there is in fact a clear indication that if anyone dared to blink, he might miss major and epochal events, relating to either appointments or policies. Whatever you do, and this is the message from the new administration, don’t blink, and never as much as dare to wink.
The president has been commended in many quarters for his speed and deliberateness, while his worst critics have been left transfixed. Some of the critics, especially the benevolently neutral ones, imagine that sooner or later the president would stumble and make mistakes. But the president has anticipated even this. Speaking with traditional rulers in the early days of his presidency, he suggested that his administration and the country needed to get it right nearly all the time. But if not, he said modestly, at least the government might get it right 90 percent of the time. His opponents will capitalise on that 10 percent error margin; but it will not be enough to slow the fluidity and perspicacity of the administration’s early beginnings. Moreover, there is indeed no indication that the intensity and substance of the early beginnings would work against an administration that assumed the reins of office brimming with knowledge and confidence, a government determined from the outset to preside over the affairs of the country and recalibrate it into the future.
ASUU hasty on student loan law
Last Monday, President Bola Tinubu signed the student loan bill into law, raising hope that indigent students would not miss education on account of poverty. A day later, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited the president and lauded the new law as well as asked for a few amendments. The law has also been generally applauded by the public. But the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have expressed reservations. Both unions doubt the efficacy of the law, insisting that it is discriminatory against the poor while it also encumbers youths who would be starting their careers laden with debts.
Both academic unions are too hasty in condemning the law. Decades of poor funding of tertiary education and years of poor remuneration of lecturers have led to brain drain and hordes of youths migrating abroad for quality education. The challenge, therefore, is to find a balance between those who can afford expensive education and those who can’t. The loan scheme seems to be designed to bridge that divide, albeit imperfectly. As NANS has suggested, the law may be imperfect, in fact urgently needing amendments, but it was too early and too hasty for the academic unions to dismiss it as incompetent. They should carefully consider the law, examine afresh their own paradigms for education, much of which is simply not practicable, and suggest areas of improvement.
Nigeria’s education policy needs holistic reworking. Old paradigms of funding, research, wages, and even structures are simply outdated. Decades of union actions have crippled tertiary education, rendered it unattractive to prospective students and teachers, and hobbled research and development. Those bruising union battles have not led to improvements but catastrophe. Regardless of the change of national leadership, and regardless of whichever party is in office, there is no denying the need to rework tertiary education paradigms. Foreign models should be studied and options weighed and adapted where necessary. It is unhelpful to instinctively don the toga of unionism in assessing the student loan law, especially at a time of changing global and national dynamics. It is, for instance, not the business of the unions what tuition fees should be charged; instead, they should be concerned with education funding. ASUU and ASUP should study the law and suggest improvements instead of adopting wholesale pessimism.
No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead in auto crashes on Aba-Owerri road and Ibadan/Oyo expressway areas of Imo and Oyo states respectively.
Six people died in the Aba-Owerri road crash while the Ibadan/Oyo expressway accident claimed four lives.
It was gathered that the Aba-Owerri road accident occurred after a SUV jeep carrying six persons somersaulted many times at Olakwa Bridge in Ngor Okpalla Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday June 16.
Village sources blamed the accident on over speeding.
“The driver and the occupants were said to be travelling to Aba when they lost control and somersaulted and rested in the river.
“The car conveying all passengers was travelling toward Aba when the accident occurred,” the source said.
It was gathered that the corpses have been deposited at the mortuary near the area.
The Imo State Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Public Relations Officer, Nkem Ibeziem said she was yet to confirm the number of persons involved in the accident.
Four people on Saturday were confirmed dead, while many were injured when a white 18-seater Hummer Toyota bus with the registration number, JJJ 941 XA (Lagos) somersaulted along Ibadan/Oyo expressway.
The accident, according to Atiba Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), DCC Bayode Olugbesan was caused by overs peeding and overloading.
The FRSC boss said twenty people were involved in the accident but only four were confirmed dead by doctors after taking them to State Hospital, Oyo.
“All the victims are male and their destination is North, the cause of the crash was overs peeding and overloading, the bus was supposed to carry 14 passengers but was loaded with 20 passengers.”
Lagos State Police Command has arrested a dismissed corporal for allegedly parading himself as a serving inspector of Police.
The suspect, according to the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin was arrested on June 4 at Gaskiya College Road Junction, Ijora-Badiya by police operatives.
The PPRO said the 35-year-old suspect resident at Sango Ota in Ogun was arrested while riding an unregistered motorcycle.
He added that a police stop-and-search team accosted the suspect and interrogated him to establish why he was riding a motorcycle on a major road in spite of the order banning such activity.
“The suspect identified himself as a Police Inspector and brought out a police identification card bearing his name and photograph and depicting him as an Inspector of Police.
“During investigation, police got a court order to search his home at Sango Ota and conducted the search on June 8.
“In the process, a pair of uniform with Sergeant rank, one operational jacket with inscription `SARS LAS SCORPION’, one pair of camouflage with Inspector rank and one jacket with `Special Forces’ inscription were recovered.
“Also recovered from the suspect were one police belt, a pair of police boots, one camouflage tee-shirt, one police beret with crest and one pair of unsewn blue uniform,” he said.
Hundeyin said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had been using the uniforms since his dismissal from the police in 2017.
He added that investigation also showed that the suspect had been changing his rank anytime the police promoted his serving recruited mates.
Hundeyin said the suspect would be arraigned upon completion of investigation.
There is palpable tension in Rawuru community, a suburb of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following the killing of eight people in a fresh attack launched on Friday night by unknown gunmen.
A youth leader in the community, Solomon Dalyop confirmed the killings in Jos on Saturday.
According to him, “So far, we have confirmed that eight persons were killed during the attack last night (Friday) in Rawuru community in Barkin LGA. What we don’t understand is that before the attack took place, some soldiers came to the village in the afternoon. We also saw them in the night.
“And yet, the villagers were attacked leading to the killing of the victims who were in their homes.”
He queried, “How come the assailants will carry out the attacks successfully without being apprehended by the soldiers and the security agents who are also within the community?”
Another community leader and president Global Society for Middle Belt Heritage, Jerry Datim who described the attacks as one too many, called for an investigation into the activities of the personnel of the Military Task Force deployed to maintain peace in Plateau communities.
He also noted that a total of 276 persons had been killed in different communities in the past month following the persistent attacks with over 30,000 displaced.
“We have the mass grave sites where deceased bodies were buried for those that care to go round and see for themselves. Thirty thousand (30,000) IDPs were scattered in Mangu, Panyam, Mangu Halle, Yilpo (Sabon Gari) Fan in Barkin Ladi, Maikatako in Bokkos, Marish in Bokkos, Bukuru in Jos-South and a lot in Jos North LGAs of Plateau State.
“We also want to bring to your notice that our children both at Primary, Secondary Schools and some students of tertiary institutions in the affected local governments have missed their examinations such as; the Junior NECO Exams set for JSS 3, also the ongoing Senior Secondary School Examination and the tertiary examinations due to forceful migration of our people to various places as IDPs.
“We want to thank our Plateau ethnic brothers that have been supportive of our people and we regret with shock the silent position of SEMA and NEMA which before now were known for their quick response in times like this but until now we have not felt their presence. We are calling on SEMA to work in accordance with their constitutional responsibilities and attend to the 30,000 IDPs scattered across the state.”
The group accused the Military Special Taskforce in charge of maintaining security in the state of not doing enough to secure the lives of the people.
They called on the Federal Government to disband all military checkpoints in the state and replace them with that mobile police for more operational effectiveness
“We want our people who were displaced to be returned to their ancestral land with immediate effect.
The federal government should also see to their welfare and security.
