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  • 100 days: Abiodun vs Amosun

    Governor Dapo Abiodun is the quintessential gentleman. Otherwise he would have turned up the heat on his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, now a senator representing Ogun Central. Abiodun has largely ignored the distractions and tantrums being thrown by the ex-governor, through his former commissioners and adopted party, the Allied Peoples Movement. But not all the distractions can be ignored especially when they are targeted at pulling the wool over the eyes of the public and setting up the new government for public ridicule and discontent. APM should halt the penchant for maliciously false information and choose to be a responsible opposition by providing alternative views based on facts, not fiction.

    Not a few citizens were taken in by the decision of the former governor to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) while asking his loyalists seeking elective offices to move en mass to the newly formed Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The reason given by Amosun was that he needed to assist President Buhari to win his re-election! What a ruse! Just as I wrote then in the media, a general should lead his men in battle. The fact is, Amosun was not prepared to risk his own election in the new party, the APM. He was not prepared to take the gamble. Buhari’s re-election was only used as smokescreen. Indeed, Buhari’s case would have been better served if the former governor had led his men to the APM. All APC supporters would have voted for Buhari while all APM supporters would have voted for Buhari. But the singular action of Amosun to float and fund APM while he remained in APC caused considerable confusion, which reduced the anticipated total votes of Buhari in the presidential election, especially when the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was completely in disarray in Ogun State. Make no mistake about it, most of the non literate APM voters would have voted APC all the way in the National Assembly elections and Amosun would have lost his senatorial bid had he decamped to APM!

    In effect, ex-governor Amosun pulled a fast one on his own loyalists in order to return to the senate. Today, most of his loyalists who left for APM are languishing in the wilderness while Amosun is enjoying himself in Abuja. As observed in the previous intervention, the overwhelming majority of Amosun’s political office holders suffered untold financial hardship. Some of them confirmed that the ex-governor denied them the most basic of their entitlements. Undenied reports in the social media have it that contrary to the widely circulated rumours that the Amosun government paid the severance of all the political office holders that served between 2015 and 2019, his own special assistants and senior special advisers were not paid and have appealed to the Abiodun government to offset the severance in order to encourage sacrificial service by public office holders.

    Just as I predicted in my widely circulated article ahead of the 2019 general elections, the APM candidates returned from the polls virtually empty-handed. Had Amosun gone to APM, he would have lost his election. Had his Chief of Staff Tolu Odebiyi, the son of a frontline Awoist, Chief JAO Odebiyi, scorned his progressive pedigree and jumped to APM, as demanded by Amosun, he would not be in the senate today. Amosun deployed all the machinery of governance and state resources to the governorship election of the APM candidate but God proved that He is greater than man. Abiodun won his election fair and square.

    After the victory of Abiodun in the March 9 governorship poll, I warned the APC to be proactive as the sources of revenue of the state would be sabotaged by the departing governor in order to set up the new government for public discontent. A proof of that was shown in the 100 per cent upfront payment by the ex-governor to a few contractors for contracts awarded on the eve of his departure from office in order to ensure no money was inherited by the Abiodun government. Indeed by its own admission, as stated recently in the press release by the former Commissioner for Finance, Wale Oshinowo, the Amosun government left in Ogun State’s treasury just a paltry N2.5 billion from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It is ludicrous if not inane for Amosun to claim that the monthly share from the federation account, which was not even available in May, was part of what he handed over to Abiodun. Even more preposterous was the claim by the former government that the refund for Pay As You Earn  from federal workers in Ogun State, which was released long after Abiodun became governor, was part of the money inherited by the new government!

    The fact is Amosun deliberately EMPTIED the treasury by paying  some selected contractors ahead for projects not yet executed in order to set up Abiodun  for public discontent and for personal reasons which only a judicial probe can reveal. It would have even made sense if the departing government had used the money to offset the entitlements of civil servants, staffs of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Tai Solarin College of Education and the political office holders, so that the new government would not have to confront backlog of unpaid entitlements.

    Is it not surprising it is the same Amosun administration, which left nothing in the treasury but humongous debts in the neighborhood of N200 billion  that is accusing the new government, through APM, of not doing anything in its 100 days in office? The new governor may need to draw from the experiences of the former political office holders in order to free the different sources of IGR and further deliver the dividends of democracy to its people.

    For now, the Abiodun government has started off on a good note by reopening MAPOLY after three years of comatose orchestrated by Amosun’s thoughtless policy, reducing the social tension generated across the state by the sudden appointment of 75 Obas  without due process and setting up committees to review the litany of projects started and abandoned by Amosun as well as last-minute employment and promotions in the civil service that have affected the morale of many senior civil servants.

    The Abiodun government is paying salaries as and when due, constructing roads and buildings, and carrying out palliative works on most of Amosun’s abandoned projects in order to ameliorate the stress, trauma and agonies of residents. On this score, one must commend the maturity of the governor for not stopping altogether all the projects started by his predecessor. The money spent and being spent on the projects belongs to Ogun State. The Amosun government ended on May 28, and the Abiodun government has the power to stop altogether or renegotiate the terms of the projects. It is Abiodun that is now in charge and takes responsibility for the ongoing projects across the state. It is therefore myopic and crude for APM to suggest that Abiodun has not done anything in 100 days. Indeed, he has surpassed the achievements of the previous administration within the same period.

    • Barr Oladele, public policy commentator, writes from Akute, Ogun State.

  • Improving access to fertiliser key to food security, enterprise development

    Achieving sustainable agricultural growth in Nigeria will depend on more farmers getting timely access to affordable fertilisers and improved farming methods. This was the view of stakeholders and experts at the just-concluded African Farming Second Edition Agribusiness Summit in Abuja. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    Farmers in Nigeria are confronted with the continuous challenges of raising their productivity to boost food security due to limited access and low use of fertiliser.

    This was the view of experts at the just-concluded African Farming Second Edition Agribusiness Summit in Abuja.

    To them, the neglected but critical input can double yields in a single cropping season. They agreed that Nigeria’s enormous agricultural potential, if tapped, could feed the country and spur socio-economic growth. That means strengthening small-scale farmers and giving them access to improved soil that will increase yields, fertiliser and markets to enhance their incomes and well-being.

    They advised the government to empower smallholder farmers to sustainably and profitably produce more food and achieve a food-secure Nigeria.

    One of them, the Country Manager, OCP Africa, Caleb Usoh said in addition to inputs, such as better seed, and farming practices, fertiliser could be a game changer in food security among smallholder farmers battling falling harvests and unproductive soils.

    Usoh said the government should pay attention to the fertiliser industry to raise the level of “ease of doing business, as the future growth of agriculture lay in efficient utilisation of plant nutrients.

    For Nigeria to grow more food from shrinking agriculture land, Usoh said fertiliser was one of the key inputs to increase per hectare productivity.

    He said OCP plays a major part in assisting Nigeria and other countries on the continent to feed themselves, by ensuring that smallholder farmers are able to use fertiliser optimally to boost their yields.

    By using more fertiliser correctly, he said farmers could grow more nutritious food, achieve household food security, create jobs, increase incomes and boost rural development.

    Through its Agribooster Offer, aimed at boosting food production in the country, Usoh said the company provides farmers with support for every aspect of the agricultural value chain.

    He said farmers are connected to financing, working with extension agents on proper fertiliser use, collaborating with other providers to ensure they have the right fertiliser and other inputs.

    He said his organisation was working with the Federal Government to build fertiliser plants in Southsouth and Southwest areas of the country, which will use local raw materials.

    While the industry imports phosphate, he said OCP fertiliser plant in Nigeria will utilise the ammonia found locally to produce fertiliser.

    With the availability of natural gas in the southern part of the country, Usoh said the company intended to take advantage of it to power the plant which will be located in a free zone  He said his organisation has developed international capacities for running plants in the most cost-effective and timely manner, adding that it is working with other African governments to empower manpower in fertiliser production.

    Usoh said the company is supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to increase food security and improve nutrition across the country.

    According to him, there is a need to expose farmers to fast-changing agricultural and food systems and inputs to help them not only in terms of productivity enhancement, but also in enabling them to be excellent stewards of their land.

    He said OCP welcomed an enhanced partnership with the industry to further close still existing yield gaps and promote efficient fertiliser use.

    He said the organisation supports greater outreach to farmers and innovation in the field of plant nutrition solutions and engaging in dialogue and partnerships with stakeholders.

    He said his organisation supported the summit to ensure food security and drive economic growth.

    In addition to developing specialty fertiliser, the company is looking at digital agriculture and how the industry can use data-driven information to provide better fertiliser recommendations.

    The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA),Ondo State, Prof Samuel Agele said increasing food production to meet the challenge of the growing population requires using new technology and intensifying production.

    He said smallholder farmers were applying fertiliser randomly because they lack knowledge on their correct usage.

    Professor of plant protection and improvement, Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Onuachumba Martin noted that issue of soil health is critical in view of ever-declining arable land soil. Hence, there was a need for utmost attention to be paid to improvement of soil health by all stakeholders including governments, farmers, input suppliers and all those involved in the development of agriculture .

    He explained that inadequate and imbalanced use of fertiliser has resulted in deterioration of soilhealth,adding that a massive awareness campaign is needed to enlighten farmers on the importance of soils for healthy life.

    According to him, scaling up improved soil analysis and nutrient best management practices,will help farmers to increase the efficiency and productivity of their farms.

    He noted that increasing fertiliser use must go hand-in-hand with more soil and crop specific plant nutrition and be framed in a broader set of efforts promoting soil health.

    The Head of Events, Alain Charles Publishing, Martyn Diamond Black, said the summit was to provide a platform for agri trade and investment opportunities.

  • ‘We patronise spiritual homes because our health centre is dysfunctional’

    Expectant mothers as well as others with little cash in Abia State resort to prayer houses and traditional healers, among others, in the face of comatose health centres, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports that it is a national malaise  

    As labour sets in, the expectant mother seeks prayers from the local prophet. Sometimes she presents herself before a traditional healer, who promptly assembles his work tools and makes incantations, appealing to the spirits for hitch-free delivery. Other times, a traditional birth attendant takes charge.

    Sometimes, the woman is lucky and returns home with her bundle of joy. Other times, she returns empty-handed, or does not survive the ordeal of childbirth.

    Expectant mothers are not the only ones who turn to unorthodox means when they face health challenges. The poor across the country regularly call at the poorly regulated local patent medicine shopkeeper or the neighbourhood healer, or even help themselves to whatever they can prescribe or procure when they have anything from a headache to a swelling in some hidden parts.

    The reason for this scenario, as the reporter found out, is that some communities lack health centres while some which do, have them only in name.

    In Amaba, a community in Isuikwuato Local Government of Abia State, the only visible sign that a health centre exists is a signpost donated by an indigene of the town Mr John Akunna, an engineer. The centre has been dwarfed by a big tree concealing its existence. This same situation also applies to another centre in Otampa in the same local government.

    The Nation spoke to some of Amaba village leaders and residents of the area who said they resort to alternative means of healing as a result of the poor condition of the health centre.

    Those who are a bit well-off and those whose children can afford it resort to taking their parents from the village to the cities or to nearby towns such as Okigwe in Imo State or Umuahia, the Abia State capital, or Uzuakoli where reasonably good private hospitals exist.

    The President of Amaba Women Association, Hon Ngozi Ndubuisi lamented the state of the health centre and noted that the most basic things are lacking there. She confirmed that their women have resorted to alternative solutions such as the traditional birth attendants and churches to seek solution.

    According to her there is nothing to show that lives can be saved in this particular health centre apart from the signboard donated by a kind-hearted indigene.

    What can be done to turn the fortunes of the centre around?

    Ndubuisi said, “The building needs renovation as its ceilings are broken; roofs and floors are poorly ventilated as a result of poor construction. Currently there is no electricity as the health centre is billed N10,000 monthly and currently owes over N230, 000 to Enugu Disco because it is charged as a commercial entity. How on earth can a health centre in a village that is supposed to target the wellbeing of the poor be tagged a commercial outfit? Besides there is no water supply, we believe seriously that a borehole and a tank for constant water supply is one the critical needs of a health centre. We need Placenta Pit and related equipment to help in disposing health waste unlike what is obtainable here which can spell doom to the whole community in case of epidemic outbreak.

    “Furthermore, the government needs to provide alternative sources of power like inverters and generators. We need the centre to be fenced; it is so bare and poses a security risk both to the patients and medical hands when they are available. There have been cases of security breaches where some miscreants tried to force themselves into the clinic even in its poor state.”

    She regretted that as a result of the parlous state of the health centre a greater percentage of the people have deserted it, resorting to spiritual and other means to obtain healing. The women leader lamented that some basic and critical laboratory equipment to run simple test and others to check the blood pressure of the people are not available. She appealed to both the state and local government to come to their aid and put life in the centre.

    The politician insisted that these facts are verifiable if only the necessary government agency will take a visit to the centre and subsequently do the needful, noting that the centre can only be termed a white elephant project as it has refused to live to its billing.

    An officer in one of the PHC, who confided in our correspondent, said, “Ad hoc staff or auxiliary nurses are now in charge of many of our PHCs due to the acute shortage of trained personnel in the state.”

    Hon Ndubuisi further asked for the construction of staff quarters for a few of the medical hands and the posting of Youth Corps members who may be medical doctors, pharmacists and with other relevant qualifications so that patients will be adequately taken care off. According to her, this is what governance is about.

    Adding his voice, Chairman, Amaba Health Centre Committee, Mr. Samson Nnechi said, in fairness, the village health centre cannot be taken as one, as it looks more like a deserted colony. He regretted the poor construction of the building with poor ventilation, cheap roofing materials, broken walls and floors as against what the government promised.

    According to him, his people have deserted the place as a result of the poor facilities at the centre resorting to other means to achieve good health while those whose children can afford it take them away from the village.

    He lamented that his people do not feel the impact of government in the community, adding that the centre is not only porous, but also the absence of essential equipment and drugs that can handle the simplest ailment including the N10,000 monthly electricity charge by Enugu Disco as the centre is tagged as commercial with an outstanding of N230,000 as unpaid debt.

    On what he will prefer at the centre, he asked for the fencing of the centre, the remodeling of the building to show that it is a health centre, staff quarters so that emergency cases can be treated anything of the day, a functional generator, the posting of doctors, pharmacists and other health practitioners to the centre even if they are Youth Corps members.

    He said, “As a community we have tried within our little resource to provide security doors to discourage intrusion and ensure the security of the few hands providing skeletal services offered by the centre. We once again appeal to government to provide a borehole, water tank, fencing of the centre, provide delivery bed, placenta pit, incinerator, standing type BP apparatus”.

    On why the low patronage by the community he said nobody will want to visit for the sake of it when you won’t receive the needed treatment. Though he commended the few nurses who are working with almost nothing he advised the government to motivate her staff. He regretted a situation where a staff Nurse Midwife will be acting as medical doctor under very poor condition without pay for several months.

    Abia State is not an exception as we recall that many PHCs in the country are gradually winding down because government shows little or no interest in their operations.

    In Ogun State, many of the PHCs at Asa-Yobo, Ajanbata, Wasinmi, Arigbajo, Ajegunle, Itori, Egbado, Papalanto, Awowo, Obada-Oko, Igbin Ojo, Elere, Ibafo, Onigbedu and Olorunda, The Nation learnt, are in poor conditions.

    Recently, Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged to rehabilitate the centres. Commenting on the rot in the PHCs, the chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Ismail Lawal said Nigerians embrace traditional medicine because of failed health care centres and poverty.

    Lawal said, “Majority of citizens access traditional medicine not only because of the failed PHCs, but because they are poor. The way out is health insurance that is affordable and of global standard. I am worried, we are worried.”

    In Abia State all eyes are on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to do the talk and provide easy access to health for the citizens.

    Sometime ago it was reported that his administration selected 290 primary healthcare centres to benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, a Federal Government initiative.

    Ikpeazu made this known at a special party held in Umuahia for the elderly people of Abia.

    He was reported to have said that the state government was committed to evolving programmes aimed at improving healthcare services in the state.

    According to him, the programme is designed to provide access to healthcare services in various communities and would greatly boost the state government’s efforts in the health sector.

    He said: “By the time this policy gets off the ground, one could walk into the primary health centre and get good quality healthcare. Those above 70 years need special care and the state government intends to sustain the ongoing free House Healthcare Programme for the elderly”.

    Talk is cheap, it is said. The PHCs and communities in Abia State are waiting for the governor especially communities such as Amaba in Isuikwuato Local Government to walk the talk.

    A member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the skeletal staff which are only three in number are demoralised as a result of the poor condition of the centre, and the fact that their salaries are not regular. She said the last time they received salaries was in April and wondered how somebody in that frame of mind can put in her best, in addition to the fact that there are no tools to work with.

    She also confirmed that most of the women prefer to seek spiritual help rather than come to the centre. She appealed to the government to take assessment of the PHCs in the state and especially the Amaba PHCs to turn it around so that it can serve its purpose.

    A resident, Mrs Obioma Uche said that due to the poor position of the community health centre, pregnant women in the area resort to the use of traditional birth attendants for child delivery and other spiritual houses. She revealed that for the common ailments they resort to herbal alternatives. She regretted that the nearness of the health centre to the local government headquarters has not impacted on it positively and asked the government to see the whole state as one and work for the people that voted them into office.

  • How wrecks on waterways fuel piracy, accidents

    When a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)-laden tanker Navigator Capricorn was attacked on August 17 by suspected pirates at position 03 33N 006 40E, approximately 56nm South of Bonny Island in Rivers State, not many knew the criminals had monitored the vessel from a shipwreck along the Bonny Creeks before she left harbour on a voyage to Lagos.

    The pirates, who fled as a result of the presence of a Nigerian Navy (NN) warship that responded to a distress call from the oil tanker, had pretended to be working on-board the shipwreck before they launched the attack on the target vessel.

    Few days ago, a Cameroon-bound passenger ship capsised few hours after leaving the Terminal C Jetty of the Calabar Port with over 100 passengers on board. Although the cause of the accident was yet unknown, there are fears that the ship might have rammed into a wreck along its route, resulting in the unfortunate incident.

    Instances abound where illegal oil bunkers, illegal fishers used these wrecks as anchor for their ships in order to buy time and carry out their criminal acts.

    The dangers posed to mariners across the country’s waterways were, Tuesday last week, brought to the fore after the Nigerian Navy (NN) raised the alarm over the presence of several wreckages on the country’s waters and the security, safety risks they pose.

    From Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River through to Lagos, it is becoming increasingly difficult for ships to leave jetties in response to distress calls in good time without hitting these obstructions that ground vessels and endanger lives.

    Aside being good places for sea robbers and pirates to hibernate,  these wrecks which are remains of sunken, stranded ships or their parts in the sea constitute environmental pollution and defaces the country’s waterways.

    Findings by Niger Delta Report revealed that the NN Hydrography Department was making plans to commence survey of the Southsouth waterways in order to locate these wrecks so that agencies responsible for clearing them would move in.

    Already, the department had surveyed the Lagos Port and Badagry Creek channels of the Western Waters where 35 wrecks, including masts, ships and obstructions constituting threats to mariners.

    According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Oladele, some of the wrecks show part of the hull or superstructure at the level of the chart datum. In others only the masts were visible while there are those not submerged whose depths were unknown.

    He lamented that an NN warship NNS CALABAR recently suffered great damage around the Kirikiri channel after ramming into a submerged shipwreck in an attempt to avoid a big vessel that was dodging another wreck inward harbour.

    As a result of the accident, NNS CALABAR’s base was serially perforated; causing damage to its keel. It was gathered that the navy’s concerns was further heightened penultimate Wednesday following the fire outbreak on board an oil tanker MT SEA VOYAGER around the Lagos anchorage area.

    Despite the closeness of the vessel to harbour, the NN could not deploy any other warship to respond to the incident and rescue the 11 Pakistani crew members on board because of the time that would have been lost avoiding the wrecks to navigate from Navy Town or Apapa Jetty to the burning ship.

    “The hazard associated with submerged wrecks in our body of waters is huge. These wrecks are littered along the waterways and constitute navigational hazards as well as endanger safety of shipping.

    “Similarly, in times of distress calls, it becomes increasingly difficult for agencies responsible for such rescue operation to quickly react, especially at night, or in poor and restricted visibility.

    “The Navy was able to swiftly react to the fire incident on MT SEA VOYAGER because NNS EKULU was on patrol at sea that night.

    “As such, it was easy to vector her for the rescue operation. If the ship was to be deployed from its base in Navy Town, it would not have been that swift, considering the danger of maneuvering through these wrecks at that hour of the day.

    “Fortunately, the hydrographic office of the Nigerian Navy, in line with its mandate, has identified and resurveyed these wrecks for ease of salvage. It will therefore be necessary for appropriate authorities to take urgent action in the removal of these wrecks in our waterways,” said Daji, who led reporters on a tour of some affected areas along Lagos channel.

    Daji noted that delay in prosecution of arrested vessels was also responsible for some of the vessels littering the channels.

    Aside the wrecks, Daji said the absence of navigational aids such as buoys (anchored irons with red or green flags on them indicating the depth of the water for ships) was also posing threats to mariners.

    “This constitutes navigational risks, especially at night or during restricted visibility. Urgent replacement or servicing of these navigational aids will greatly assist safe navigation, particularly in times of emergencies.

    “The Nigerian Navy, in carrying out its statutory responsibilities, will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure safety and security of the waterways and secure environment for the prosperity of our country in general,” Daji said.

    Although the FOC declined mentioning the agencies that were responsible for the clearing of wrecks on the country’s waterways, checks by Niger Delta Report revealed that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) were so obligated.

    According to the spokesman for NPA, Adams Jato, the agency was only responsible for clearance of wrecks within its channel- Port areas.

    “We have started removing wrecks from areas that are critical to our channel and we commission consultants to clear them. Anything out of our area of concern is cleared by other agencies.

  • Teacher rapes, impregnates 12-year-old student

    A 12-year-old schoolgirl has been raped by her teacher in Namtari, a community in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    Our correspondent gathered she was confirmed pregnant on Thursday by a referral centre that admitted her for care.

    Bashir Tahir, a member of the Adamawa Hope Center located at the state Specialist Hospital in Yola where the girl was rushed to, confirmed Thursday that the girl had been put in the family way as a result of the rape perpetrated by her class teacher, Nathan Yusuf.

    “She has received all the needed support and the medical tests required.

    “So far she is free from all sexually transmitted diseases. But she will start receiving anti-natal care next week at the Hope Center,” Bashir said.

    The Adamawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which arrested the teacher, has assured that he would be made to answer for his act.

    The state Commandant of the corps, Abdullahi Nuruddeen, told newsmen on Thursday during a briefing in his office: “I always charge my men not to relent in their effort on arrest and prosecution of crimes, more especially the ones endangering the life of people like rape cases.

    ”On 2nd September, 2019, around 2:30 pm, we arrested a suspect of rape in person of Nathan Yusuf (37) who is a teacher at Gurel Primary School Namtari, Yola South, suspected to have raped his primary school pupil who is below 14 years of age, which he confessed to have given her codeine syrup before raping her.

    Read Also: Suspected hoodlums rape 16-yr-old girl to death

    “As soon as we finish our investigation, the suspect will be charged to court.

    “We are advising parents to be very vigilant o their children and report such crimes to the relevant authorities for judicial action.”

    An uncle of the victim, Sulaiman Namtari, who also spoke to newsmen, said the action of the teacher shocked the community because he was held in high esteem.

    He said: “Every member of the community reserves tremendous respect for the teacher as he has been in the community for years.

    “There is no house he doesn’t enter and every member of the community knows him very well. What he did was a perfidy of the highest order and for that we want authorities not to spare him.”

    The suspect confessed to the act and promised he would take care of the baby after delivery.

    He also said he would take full responsibility for his action.

  • New e-passport valid for all countries – NIS

    The Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, has said the enhanced e-passport is acceptable and valid for entering all countries.

    He gave the reassurance in a statement by NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James, in Abuja on Thursday.

    The CG’s reassurance is coming against the backdrop of the recent problem on the e-Passport with the authority of the United Arab Emirate(UAE).

    “The recent problem on the e-Passport with the authority of the United Arab Emirate(UAE) has been resolved..

    ” I will like to seize this opportunity to thank both the Ambassadors of UAE and Nigeria for resolving the issue.

    Read Also: NNPC records 45,347 pipeline breaks

    “In view of the above, Nigerians are encouraged to get their National Identity Number (NIN) and ensure that the information tallies with the one on their Passports.

    “The uniformity of the NIN information and that of the 10-year validity Passport is to ensure one identity which is a major feature of the new enhanced e-Passport,” Babandede said.

    He further said that the new Passport was available in the Service Headquarters, Abuja and Ikoyi, pending the roll-out in other centres.

    ” It is worthy to note that the issuance of the former and the new enhanced e-Passports will run concurrently,” he said.

  • Zamfara to spend N8.6b on RUGA settlement

    Zamfara State government will spend N8.631 billion for the building of modern RUGA settlements, Governor Bello Matawalle said on Wednesday.

    He spoke during the inauguration of the construction of one of the three pilot RUGA settlements at his hometown in Maradun Local Government.

    He said that each of the three pilot Ruga settlements, which would be situated in each of the three senatorial districts, would cost N2.877 billion.

    According to him, each settlement will be fitted with 210 two and three bedroom houses, western and Islamiyya schools, earth dams, grazing land and mosques.

    Other facilities to be provided will include police stations, 130 shops and mini markets, livestock markets, diary collection and social centres, roads and drainages among others.

    Read Also: Zamfara Ruga project to be jointly funded by state, LGA’s

    Matawalle, who celebrated his 100 days in office with the official foundation-laying of the RUGA settlement said the activity would also witness medical outreach to both Fulanis and their animals throughout the state.

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, who commended the initiative, said that RUGA as an acronym for Rural Grazing Area was formed since pre-colonial era for improved pastoral and farming growth.

    He described as unfortunate the crises between herders and farming communities, saying the modern RUGA settlement to be established by the Zamfara government would go a long way in addressing the conflict.

    “In Sokoto, I have 19 RUGA settlements, 10 of which have modern social welfare facilities, which we will continue to improve upon,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation-laying of the RUGA scheme is one of the high points of the 100 days in office celebration of the Matawalle-led administration in Zamfara. (NAN)

  • Anti-xenophobia protests: Police arraign 83 for ‘N500m damage, looting shopping malls’

    Eighty-three persons, who allegedly raided, destroyed and looted the Sangotedo and Surulere shopping malls, were on Thursday brought by the police before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    They were arraigned before Mr P. A. Ojo on a six-count charge of stealing, willful damage and conspiracy.

    The defendants include: Jude Atuamya, Kazeem Kamiru, Reuben Johnson, Mohammed Abdul Wahab Opara Okorie, John Friday, Taiwo Ajayi, Hamzo Abubakar, Oketayo Lanre, Joseph Michael and Adeleke Adebowale.

    Others are: Mana Idowu, Sulaiman Yusuf, Segun Toyin, Ejima Nmezi, Enemus Chukwubuike, Oluomo Benjamin, Abiara Akeem, Yunisa Musa, Peter Oluwaseyi, Kabiru Umar, Bolatito Wale, Odey Gladys, Ikeoluwa Bolarinwa, Aduragbemi Adekunle, Madonna Wattara, Blessing Asiwaju and Adeola Adekunle, among others.

    Read Also: Xenophobic attacks: Protesters, security operatives clash in Abuja

    The prosecution team, led by Mr Cyril Ejiofor, alleged that the defendants committed the offences on September 3, at Shop Rite, Surulere and Sangotedo, Ajah.

    The court heard that the defendants allegedly conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by willfully setting fire to the malls and damaging property worth N500 million.

    The defendants were also accused of involvement in riotous acts, looting spree and harming of passers-by.

    According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 50, 287, 339, 341 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Ojo granted the defendants N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, who must be their parents.

    “Where their parents are deceased the surety must be a family member on your paternal side,” Ojo added.

    He adjourned further proceedings till October 9.

  • Xenophobia: APC talks tough, wants South African companies nationalised

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday took a critical look at the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and asked the federal government to immediately take steps to nationalise all South African companies operating in the country.

    National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who briefed the media after a meeting of the NWC, said the non- nonchalant attitude of the South African government to the constant killing of Nigerians in South Africa is a clear indication that they approve of the attack.

    Oshiomhole said that Nigeria can no longer pretend to be the big brother of Africa when Nigerians were being harassed and killed by citizens of other countries who fail to appreciate Nigeria’s contribution to the fight against apartheid.

    He said while the NWC take note of the diplomatic option being taken by the government and is not recommending any military action, it believe that Nigeria need to send out a bold message to south Africa and indeed other nations that Nigerians re not chickens to be killed anyhow.

    He said: “We have discussed the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly blacks who are predominantly Nigerians. Having listened to all the explanations from the authority in South Africa, we have come to the conclusion that these people are not being accused of being illegal immigrants nor are they involved in any illegal activities.

    “Those who have business permits to set up businesses, whatever business theyare involved in, they are operating within the letters of the law. Over the last one year, virtually every week, Nigerians are being wasted in one part of south Africa or the other.

    “We know that the government has had conversation with the South African authority, drawing their attention to these and other abuses that Nigerians have been subjected to. But the escalation of the attack on foreigners which include Nigerians has reached a level that is no longer tolerable.

    “At one time, people wonder whether these attacks have the backing of the south African government. What has been clear over the period is that the South African authority has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to bring these attacks to an end.

    “Inspite of the fact that the lives of many people have been wasted, not one South African is known to have been convicted ad sentence to prison for their role on the attack on foreigners, killing them and looting their businesses.

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    “We have been able to watch some of the comments on the recent attack, particularly the one that was made by a deputy Minister of Police Affair that not only endorse the killing and looting of foreign businesses, but refer to the activities of those foreigners who are into legitimate businesses as tantamount to economic sabotage.”

    He stressed that “the statement credited to the Youth leader of the ANC also suggest that the ANC as a party in south Africa find nothing wrong in these wanton killings and looting of foreign businesses and killing of foreigners in South Africa.

    “It is not a secret any longer that Nigeria contributed over 60 billion dollars to the struggle against apartheid. You will recall that even Nigerian students contributed their allowances to the struggle.

    “However, what we find completely unacceptable is that where as South Africans have continue to benefit from Nigeria and repatriating billions of dollars to South Africa, the South African authorities appeared envious of the menial jobs and petty trading activities of Nigerians.

    “The statement by the Deputy Minister of Police that foreigner’s domination of trading and other economic activates in a particular south African city amount to economic sabotage settles it all to the extent that the government has not called that Minister to order appeared to be an official endorsement of the South African authority.

    “Having reviewed all these, the NWC commend President Buhari for the leadership in boycotting the World Economic Forum in South Africa. That was a decision well taken and some other African countries have taken similar position.

    “We cannot be talking about Africa economic integration at a time when the world is talking about the role of small scale businesses and those involved in the small scale businesses in south Africa are having their economy destroyed and sometimes, their lives lost.

    “What is the essence of having a pan African trade arrangement if African government cannot protect Africans that are doing legitimate businesses in their country.

    “However, we believe that we need to make some bold statements to leave South Africa in no doubt that there is no time to lose if Nigerian must protect our own interest when South Africa is protecting their own interest by preserving economic opportunities only for South Africans.

    “We have come to an era when Nigeria can no longer talk of Africa as the centre piece of our foreign policy. It must be Nigeria first, Nigeria second, Nigeria third and thereafter, anything that is consistent with Nigeria national interest.

    “We should no longer sacrifice our own national interest just because we want to be a big brother of a people who does not recognise the role and huge sacrifices that our country has made over the years to defend and protect the interest f the African continent.

    “As we speak, while South African government is envious of the small businesses which Nigerians are involved in south Africa, South African companies are making billions o dollars from Nigeria and repatriating same out of Nigeria.

    “For example, MTN is making huge profit including sometimes, breaching our national laws. South Africans cannot be envious of or small businesses over there while their business giants are smiling to their foreign banks where they keep profit that the repatriate from Nigeria.

    “We are aware that not too long ago, MTN was enlisted in the stock exchange and some Nigerians have bought shares from MTN. I think that in moments like this and too send strong message to the south African authority and their people, it is worth it for the Nigerian government to take over the remaining shares of MTN that are owned by south African so that MTN become fully Nigerian own.

    “While government think of how to deal with this, I think that in our individual capacities, this is the moment to show our commitment to our fellow citizens and show sympathy to those who have lost loved ones by boycotting South African goods and services, beginning with Nigerians refusing to use MTN services.

    “Happily, we have indigenous networks like glo, Mtel and 9 mobile. But if Nigerians decides, at least for the next 30 days as a first step, to stop using MTN, they would have sent a clear message and pay befitting tribute to the life of those whose live have been wasted in South Africa.

    “This will be more elegant rather than our people going to the streets and throwing stones against fellow Nigerians and a life being lost in the process.

    “This should also give us opportunity to reflect n why we should continue to allow DSTV to continue to repatriate millions of dollars to South Africa every year arsing from their activities in Nigeria. We have to review all those things that give south African companies monopoly such that they make so much money with little value addition.

    “To show that we mean business and as a practical step of discouraging more Nigerians from going to South Africa and encouraging those already there to return home, we should that it will be an appropriate message to the South African government that until they find appropriate satisfactory explanation and pay appropriate compensation to those Nigerians whose property has been looted and those killed, south African Airways should be stopped from landing in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria need to show that we are not chickens to be molested because the life of every Nigerian matters and need to be protected whether at home or abroad.

    “Among the businesses that South Africans are involved in, many Nigerians believe that Shoprite is owned by South Africans. They are repatriating money purely based on franchise. As we know, both the capital with which those shops are built belong to Nigerians and the shop owners are Nigerians.

    “But these guys makes profit just with the franchise. I believe that this moment imposes obligation on government to review any of the agreement to enable any South African to begin to develop monopoly in our commercial life.

    “We also know that Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic bank are South Banks, with Nigerians having little shares. It is time to ask them to wind up so that Nigerian banks can take advantage of their departure to expand their operation and maximise their profits and Nigerian government makes legitimate tax from the profit generated by these bank.

    “I believe that taking these and other measures which the government will be able to do without wasting much time, we would have enough to save by transferring these businesses to Nigerians and use the profit to rehabilitate those Nigerians whose property has been lost and attempt to provide some succour to those who have lost loved ones.

    “Obviously, the situation in South Africa require bold imaginative and direct message that we are willing and ready to match the South African government lukewarm attitude to this attack as if they lives are not important.”

  • China to fund UNGA President’s office for next one year

    The Chinese government has promised to fund the office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Prof. Tijjani Muhammad- Bande, for the next one year.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, after President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the special envoy, Yang Jiechi, from the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping.

    Bande, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was elected as President of the 74th UN General Assembly in June.

    He is the second Nigerian to hold the office after Joseph Garba, a retired military officer and diplomat, who led the organ between 1989 and 1990.

    The Minister said “On the global level, the Chinese have agreed to support with the United Nations reform for Africa to be presented in the security council.

    “We have as you know had a Nigerian representative at the United Nations, Prof. Bande, elected as the next president of the General Assembly. The Chinese have provided a funding for that office so that he can function effectively over the next one year.”

    At the meeting, he said the President Buhari was presented with an overview of the support and cooperation between China and Nigeria and how that can be taken forward.

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    “In the area of power, the President emphasized the mambilla power project and the importance of getting that moving again. They looked at the issues of airport, the progress of the airport terminals that the Chinese are helping to construct across the country.

    “We also discussed the support of the cooperation in the area of agriculture as well and also encouraging Nigeria to export more to China. We talked about the China exhibition by the end of this year which will be a platform for us to also showcase what we can export, not just agricultural products but also finished products.

    “China is also putting more money in the area of security, sharing of intelligence with our military, assistance with arms production and in the fight against terrorism.

    “On the issue of Lake Chad, China has had a lot of experience with refilling dams and long range water project, and so Mr. President also feels that we need their support in that area. They are already supporting the Lake Chad Basin Commission and we are hoping that they will help us with regards to recharging of the Lake Chad,” he said.