The Nation Newspaper

Tag: condemns

  • EBF condemns attack on Ekweremadu

    The Eastern Bar Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the alleged attack on former Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a lawyer. It described it as barbaric, mindless and uncalled for.

    A statement by EBF Governing Council Chairman Mr. S. Longwilliams reads: “The EBF hereby condemns in very strong terms the mindless, unprovoked, unwarranted and unnecessary attack on the person of Senator Ike Enweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany.”

    He said it was an inappropriate way for the youths to channel their grievances.

    He described the attack as absolutely crude and a very fatal approach in addressing the fault lines that have negatively impacted on the Igbos and generally, the peoples of the old Eastern Region.

    The EBF chair admonished those who may have any form of grievances to adopt more civilised and conventional approaches in addressing such grievances than resorting to such barbaric actions and attitudes.

    “The Forum sympathises with Distinguished Senator  Enweremadu over this unfortunate incident,”  Longwilliams added.

  • PDP condemns Buhari’s alleged attempt to ‘drag military into politics’

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it described as attempts by President Muhammadu Buhari to politicise and compromise the nation’s military by dragging in Service Chiefs to attend and participate in his re-election campaign rally.

    A statement issued yesterday by PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the participation of the Service Chiefs in Buhari’s campaign rally, tagged: “Next Level”, was completely unacceptable and objectionable.

    Read also: APC members threatened in PDP states, says Oshiomhole

    The opposition party maintained that the action sent a very wrong signal to the public regarding the expected professionalism, neutrality and detachment of the institution of the military from partisan politics and cannot be justified under any guise.

    “Such participation in partisan politics is a dangerous dimension as it will not only erode the confidence which the citizens repose in the military ahead of the election, but also a recipe for discord and partisan disagreements within the rank and file of the military, result in mutual suspicion in the force and whittle its effectiveness in defending the nation.

    “The PDP knows that President Buhari, in the desperation to rig and foist himself on the nation in the 2019 election, will stop at nothing in his attempt to compromise and desecrate our institutions. But doing so on the military is a clear invitation to crisis and derailment of our democracy,” the party added.

    The PDP insisted that the state and particularly its apparatus of power must be separated from partisan politics and cautioned the President not to further divide the nation and set the people on collision course with security forces, as such will spell doom for the nation.

  • Buhari condemns Jos killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the recent violence in Jos, Plateau State.

    A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also appealed to the communities to embrace peace, stressing that peace has no alternative.

    He recalled that through the last three and a half years of the present administration in the state, the government has worked with various communities, which clearly demonstrates that lasting peace can be achieved.

    The statement reads: “I am worried about the seeming indifference to the sanctity of life by criminals whose hearts are hardened by evil.

    “I know it is not an easy thing but the resultant peace achieved by the people of Plateau State should not be squandered. Every citizen deserves stability and development; peace has no alternative.

    “I appeal to the communities to embrace peace. Where there are differences, dialogue should be used to bring about understanding. There is also the due process of the law; differences cannot be resolved by abuses or by bullets.”

    The President also lamented that some politicians were promoting ethnic and religious prejudices for cheap popularity, despite knowing that such could play into the hands of hate mongers.

    He reiterated that his administration would continue to engage stakeholders to address the root causes of the repeated violence in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

    Governor Simon Lalong has urged security agencies to deploy their professionalism to end the crisis.

    Lalong spoke yesterday after a security meeting in the Government House in Rayfield, Jos.

    A statement by his media aide, Mark Longyen, said: “Following the latest resurgence of violence in some parts of the state capital, Jos, Governor Simon Lalong has held a security meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.

    “The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Police Undie Adie; Commander of the Special Task, Maj.-Gen. Augustine Agundu; Director of the State Security Council (SSS) Babagana Bulama and Commander of Operation Rainbow, Maj.-Gen. Steve Guar (rtd).

    “While the government and the security agencies are working to ensure a return to normalcy, Lalong has urged residents to beware of fake news circulating the social me. They are admonished to always cross-check every information they get.

    “The governor also implores the people to be security conscious and watch activities and movement of suspicions persons within their environment, and report same to relevant security personnel for decisive action.

    “The governor also urges security agencies to exhibit professionalism in their duty, and observe the rules of engagement in their efforts to maintain law and order.”

  • …US condemns killings

    The United States government yesterday  condemned the killing of three United Nations (UN) workers  by Boko Haram  in Rann, Borno State.

    It extended  “deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to every family whose loved ones have been affected by this and other terrorist acts. ”

    It also expressed  “heartfelt solidarity with all those humanitarian workers who work every day to help Nigerians affected by the ongoing insurgency, and also with all those security forces and Nigerian citizens working together to end this terrorist violence.”

    It said it “remains firmly committed to ensuring humanitarian workers are protected and able to do their lifesaving work and to supporting Nigerians as they bravely work to ensure their nation’s security.”

  • ANA condemns killings in Taraba, Zamfara, others

    The writer’s group, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has  condemned the killings in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna states, the Northcentral and the Southsouth geopolitical zones.

    Describing the nefarious acts as “callous” and crimes against the state, ANA said the  victims were mainly women and children, the elderly and the weak.

    The group called on the government to investigate these killings, and ensure that the perpetrators faced the law, saying this would not only serve as a deterrent to others.

    “ANA enjoins the security agencies to be up to date with the task and responsibilities associated with the protection of lives and properties in an increasingly challenging human environment.The association condemns and cautions against any unnecessary politicisation and ethnicisation of the country and enjoins political players at all levels to approach their activities (in view of the build-up to the 2019 elections) with utmost respect to the interest of the country and especially the sanctity of human life above all else,” it stated.

    The group made the call during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Grange Hill Hotel in Mpape, Federal Capital Territory.

    In the wake of brutal killings across the country, the group urged writers to use their writings to promote peace, harmony and mutual coexistence.

    Writers were urged to “continue to employ the instrumentality of their writings and creative endowments to promote peace, harmony and mutual coexistence in the country in line with our founding philosophy of supporting Nigeria’s emergence as an egalitarian society, safe for all and vibrantly accommodating of others opinions and noble pursuits”.

    At the NEC meetings, the group’s leadership restated its commitment to “purposeful administration”, pursuit and protection of the interest of all creative writers in the country in a continuing effort towards upholding the objectives, vision and mission of the association as outlined in its Constitution”.

    The Denja Abdullahi-led executive also reiterated its commitment to the development of the ANA Land at Mpape into a modern Writers Village and creative hub, which it said was witnessing progress in the form of the building; and completion of a mini-national secretariat and construction on various outlined facilities earmarked for the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village shall be sustained.

    The meeting also focused on the 37th International Annual Convention of the association, which has been scheduled for October 25 to 28. It would have as  theme: Literature: Megacities and mega-narratives.

    After exhaustive deliberations, it came up with a communique  signed by ANA president, Mallam Abdullahi, and ANA General Secretary, Dr. Ofonime Inyang, which also states, among other issues, that creative writing and literary production should begin to receive more attention from both the public and private sectors of the economy. In it, the group notes that the present exclusion of the literary sector from the government’s discourse and support projections for the creative industry, while calling for urgent redress on this to enable a wholesome development of the creative industry.

  • Al-Makura condemns Kadarko killings

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura has condemned Monday’s attack on Kadarko Community in Keana Local Government Area.

    Seven persons died in the attack.

    Al-Makura, who visited the community yesterday, commiserated with families of the victims. He said the government was working to ensure adequate security for the people.

    He siad: “A Mobile Police Force unit will be deployed  in the meantime, with military surveillance to allay fears. The police helicopter will provide aerial surveillance to identify where the attackers are coming from.

    “I advise those living in isolated settlements to relocate to Kadarko metropolis for safety.”

    The governor appealed to the people to suspend going to the farm pending improved security, and urged them to remain calm and avoid panic relocation.

    He added that apart from the tightened security, the government would provide relief materials to the displaced persons taking refuge at Kadarko Primary School.

    Most of the rural settlements around Kadarko such as Gaav-Giza, Ngur-Giza, Gidan-Sule and Sarkin-noma, have been deserted because of the situation.

  • NYSC condemns killing of corps member

    The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Julius Amusan, yesterday condemned the murder of a corps member in Eket, on Sunday.

    Amusan urged security agencies in the state to  apprehend the culprits.

    The coordinator described the incident as a sad development that must be condemned by reasonable persons.

    “It is a sad development that a young man that has come to cater for the development of the nation was murdered in cold blood. It is a sad development and we are sad,” Amusan said.

    Amusan, who described the late corps member as well-behaved and disciplined, appealed to security agencies to tighten security  around the Corpers’ Lodge.

    He said that the corps member, who did not travel during the Yuletide, went to meet his colleagues at the Redeemed Christian Corpers Fellowship Lodge in Eket.

    The coordinator urged corps members to be security-conscious and refrain from late night outing.

    The police had stated  that the 27-year-old corps member, attached to a public school at Nung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area,  was attacked in front of a lock-up shop at Akanimo Street in  Eket, Eket Local Government Area.

    An eye witness said  unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at the deceased, who was with his colleagues.

  • Buhari condemns Ozubulu attack

    Buhari condemns Ozubulu attack

    President Muhammadu Buhari last night condemned the Ozubulu Church attack.

    The President expressed his grief in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

    President Buhari said “there was no justification whatsoever to target Church worshippers and kill them in cold blood.’’

    He said this kind of atrocity “plumbs the depth of depravity and extreme cruelty of the kind that words cannot adequately express.’’

    According to the President, there is no religion that does not lay constant emphasis on the sanctity of life, and that “all Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men.’’

    The President expressed his deepest sympathy with the families of the victims, the Church leadership and the government of Anambra state.

    He reassured all Nigerians of his administration’s firm and uncompromising commitment to protect their lives and properties at all times.

  • Group condemns Senate rejection of Magu

    One of the foremost socio-political organisations in Nigeria, The Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF), has frowned at the Senate non-confirmation of the Acting Chairman  of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  Ibrahim Magu.

    The president of the group, Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire made this known in a press statement.

    Emokpaire, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, he said Magu’s resolve to make corruption a thing of the past should be appreciated by Nigerians, adding, “Nigerians are oblivious of the fact that sooner or later, Nigerians will experience tremendous reduction in the level of corruption in the country.”

    The PSF president said that the 8th Senate obviously has taken on the Presidency to continue with the high-level of corruption in Nigeria. “We condemn the action of the 8th Senate in not confirming the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and consider this rejection frivolous. Nigerians have experienced tremendous achievements in the current fight against corruption under the leadership of Magu and we are quite confidence that he is highly competent,” Emokpaire said.

    He said that the PSF stands with Magu.

  • Osinbajo condemns celebration of looters

    Osinbajo condemns celebration of looters

    •Acting President recalls judicial reforms in Lagos

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday urged Nigerians to stop celebrating treasury looters.

    To him, it is unfortunate that someone accused of corruption is celebrated in his hometown because people believe he has taken his share of the national cake.

    “Today someone who is corrupt is celebrated. There is a problem that we must resolve, and if we don’t resolve it, it will hurt us very, very badly, just as it is hurting us already,” he said.

    Osinbajo said the best way to win the war against corruption is to study the models used elsewhere and adopt them.

    “We can only resist corruption when we ensure that systems put in place are working,” he said.

    The Acting President spoke while opening a two-day National Dialogue on Corruption, organised by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

    Osinbajo said corruption fighting back was not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that the country “cannot survive with the type of corruption we have”.

    According to him, corruption thrives where it is allowed to thrive.

    “When the very best people say that there is no consequence of bad actions, they suddenly turn bad,” he said.

    The Acting President recalled that when he initiated reforms in the Lagos judiciary as Attorney-General in 1999 aimed at curbing corruption, he was accused of ethnicity and witchhunt, but was not deterred.

    Among the problems he addressed, he said, was the mode of appointment of judges that was based on “man-know-man”, as well as welfare, as judges were then paid N67,000, which could not meet their basic needs.

    Osinbajo said the Bola Tinubu administration gave every judge a house for life, and increased their remuneration considerably, which became a reference point for other states and the appellate courts.

    He said where there were issues of corruption against judges, petitions were sent directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and followed up.

    The reforms, he said, led to the sack of 22 corrupt magistrates and three judges within one year. A 2006 survey showed zero percent corruption in the judiciary, as against 89 per cent in 2006.

    “It was because a system was in place and impunity was not allowed. It is important that we put in place models that will work.

    “We must work together – the legislature, the judiciary and the executive – to put a model that must work. We must ensure that systems that are put in place are fair and comply with the rule of law,” he said.

    Osinbajo added that the campaign against corruption must connect it to the problems of their times ground so that people will realise the debilitating consequences of graft.

    He called for international cooperation in the fight against corruption, such as making it easier to recover stolen assets, the process of which he said had been “so difficult”.

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, making his first public appearance a day after his confirmation by the Senate, said the judiciary gets a lot of stick for corruption, sometimes unfairly.

    “The judiciary finds itself being battered left, right and centre. So, what should the CJN say on an occasion like this, which will not appear as a defence of his institution?” he said.

    The CJN admitted that “a few bad eggs exist within the judiciary”, but restated his commitment to collaborate with other arms of government to fight the scourge.

    Justice Onnoghen said corruption thrived only in a culture of impunity where people believe in themselves alone.

    He said the only way there can be justice is when everyone respects the constitution and the rule of law.

    Justice Onnoghen appeared to be criticize the sting operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) in which the homes of judges were raided and some arrested.

    He warned that such acts were capable of destroying the judiciary, adding that sanctioning judicial officers should be done through the right channels.

    His words: “The judiciary holds these principles dear, because that is the only way we can ensure an orderly society, and ensure the maintenance of democracy and justice for all.

    “So, if you are to fight corruption, then you should fight the culture of impunity which is attitudinal, by adhering strictly to the constitutional provisions and the rule of law.

    “If we allow the rule of law to reign, then there will be a dramatic reduction in corruption and injustice. That is how I see it.

    “The judiciary is painted with a brush like an institution that epitomises corruption; that is not fair; that is not correct. We have gentlemen on the bench, and by its nature, judicial officers can only be seen and not be heard.

    “So, when you’re dealing with judicial corruption, you ought to do it in accordance with the rule of law and channel whatever you have through the appropriate channel so that you don’t destroy that institution, because destroying it will not do us any good. Yes, we can do more.”

    On delays of cases, Justice Onnoghen said the judiciary alone was not to blame.

    He said when prosecutors do not do their jobs well, a judge will not be expected to convict a suspect “willy-nilly”.