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  • NAF airstrikes destroy terrorists’ camp in Borno

    (NAF) on Tuesday said its attack aircraft detailed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp at Abulam, a settlement on the fringes of the Allagarno Forest, in Borno State.

    According to a statement signed the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the operation was executed on 22 September after series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed that some buildings within the settlement were being used by the terrorists to store their supplies and other resources.

    READ ALSO: Air Force strikes Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa, kills scores

    “The ATF therefore dispatched helicopter gunships and ground attack aircraft to engage the location in successive strikes, scoring devastating hits on the target area leading to destruction of several of the buildings and neutralization of their BHT occupants,” it stated, adding “the NAF, operating in concert with surface Forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast”.

  • India’s investment in Nigeria hits $15b – envoy

    The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur has declared said his country has invested $15 billion in Nigeria through Indian companies operating in the country.

    Thakur also said that India companies were among the highest employer of labour in Nigeria with about 35,000 under its direct employment in Lagos State alone.

    He disclosed this during the unveiling of a new showroom by Simba group and TVS Company in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The envoy said that Nigeria had also benefitted economically from the Simba group, adding that such economic relations were not going to stop.

    Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Tayo Alasoadura urged Simba group to set up factories in Nigeria to create more jobs for the citizens.

    The minister assured the envoy that the Federal Government would encourage whoever is ready to empower Nigerians through job creation.

    READ ALSO: Indian woman commits suicide after husband stops her tobacco intake

    He said: “On behalf of the Federal Government, I invite the Simba group to come and set up factories in Nigeria, so that you can give to us what you do in India and we can replicate it and give to our people.

    “I believe that in the whole of Africa, Nigeria will be your biggest market. You should come down to Nigeria and start manufacturing your products. We have the manpower and land.

    “Our electricity is improving. You can do everything you are doing in India here. It will pay you more.

    “You can empower and employ more people and Nigeria will be happy with you.”

    Also, the Managing Director, Simba Group, Mr. Vineh Grover, said that the company has trained about 500 on how to ride motorcycle.

  • How Buhari plans to lift millions out of poverty – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on Tuesday revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari plans to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

    According to him, the Federal Government’s policies and programmes aimed at promoting financial inclusion remain key to the actualization of the plan.

    Prof. Osinbajo spoke in Abuja at the opening session of the 2019 Annual Conference of Chartered Institute of Bankers.

    Osinbajo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, was referring to the President’s June 12 speech where he stated that “we are working to lift Nigerians out of poverty and set them on the path to prosperity. We intend to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years”.

    According to the Vice President, “Financial inclusion, of course, is the key to realizing so much of what we expect as an economy and the President promised in his June 12 speech to lift 100 million people out of poverty in ten years, that is the commitment of the government of Nigeria.

    “We started that journey with our collaboration with the Bank of Industry to deliver the GEEP programme, better known as TraderMoni and MarketMoni by providing microcredit to almost 2 million petty traders. The Bank of Industry has now brought this huge bottom of the pyramid into the formal financial system and that has been recognized worldwide. Recently the programme won the AfDB prize for financial inclusion because of the work that was done with TraderMoni. This is a huge task.

    “Going forward, we now need to embark on financial training for all of those who have been brought into the net. As you know, when they’re given N10, 000 and they pay back, they are given N15, 000, N20, 000 and it goes all the way.

    “But at that point they’re given their BVNs, they’re formally included in the financial system, they’re formally included as formal traders, and so we are able to give them financial training and all that.”

    Continuing, the Vice President said “…for very long, that bottom of the pyramid has been completely excluded and yet informal trade is a significant part of trading that is going on in our country.

    “So, there’s a real need out there and we must devise the methods by which those at the bottom of the pyramid can be uplifted and we must look at how we can even resource the entire value chains. What we find is that the petty trader, who just has a trade, is usually selling little bits and pieces from many of the manufacturers or fast-moving products and we found that just by giving them credit, we can resource the whole value chain all the way up.”

    Read Also: Full text of Buhari’s speech at UNGA

    Speaking further on what the Federal Government intends to do in improving opportunities for those at the bottom of the pyramid, Prof. Osinbajo said “we’re working with the Bank of Industry, with several players in the market, especially the marketing services people to identify how to work through those value chains so that more of these people can move from petty trading, higher up in the value chain as they’re resourced”.

    He urged stakeholders in the banking sector to support government’s efforts in resuscitating the MSMEs and real sectors.

    He said “All of that will depend on what the banking industry is prepared to do, how adaptable the banking industry will be to giving loans, especially microcredit. Everything is changing very quickly.

    “We must create good jobs and opportunities. We must rapidly industrialize, we must provide the environment for local businesses, small and large to create wealth and value. We must also address the concerns of young entrepreneurs and startups, and the small traders, the millions at the bottom of the economic value chain, the millions at the bottom of the pyramid, those who sell from their trays and table tops all over the markets in our country.

    “We must develop the housing sector both to provide much needed shelter but also to boost local opportunities in the local building and building materials sectors. We know that we must ramp up our agricultural production, and provide a more efficient farm-to-market value chain, again creating millions of jobs in farming and Agribusiness generally.” he said

  • Senate summons Aregbesola, Dingyadi over Police Colleges

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Ministers of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over the deteriorating condition of police colleges across the country.

    The Senate also called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to as a matter of national security, intervene in the deteriorating condition of the Police College in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    It further urged the Police Service Commission to take adequate measures and inventory of police colleges in the country to ensure that they meet acceptable global standards for efficient policing.

    These resolutions followed a motion titled: “The Deteriorating status of the Police College located at Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State and its implication to rising insecurity in the state and in the nation” sponsored by Senator Mpigi Barinada representing Rivers South East in the Senate and nine other Senators.

    Senator Mpigi in his lead debate underscored the role of the police in the provision of security in the country.

    He said that the establishment of police colleges was for the purpose of training effective police officers for the prevention and detection of crime.

    READ ALSO: ‘6000 constables pass out from police colleges’

    Mpigi said, “The Police College, existing in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, which serves for the training of police officers across the nation, has been virtually abandoned and at the brink of collapse. Poor staffing management and other facilities make the college unfit for habitation.”

    He said that the Senate is worried that that the College has been allowed to deteriorate despite its laudable functions.

    “The Police College is therefore in a steady degeneration, especially within its institutional setting and through its poorly inducted officer trainees scattered in areas of police operations across the nation,” Mpigi said.

    He lamed that the state of the college has become an urgent security concern instead of being there to train quality officers “primed to check and combat insecurity, law and order in Tai LGA, Rivers State and the country in general.”

  • BREAKING: Umahi sacks Chief Press Secretary

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi Tuesday has terminated the appointment of his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor.

    Umahi, in a WhatsApp message to our reporter, said he took the decision because the CPS misrepresented him and South East Governors in a statement he issued on the Controversial National Livestock Transformation Programme.

    The Governor described the statement by Uzor as highly embarrassing and regrettable.

    He further noted that the position of the CPS was contrary to his on the issue.

    The statement reads: “I just directed the termination of the appointment of my CPS for misrepresenting me and south east governors on National livestock transformation plan programme of which I had issued press statement on behalf of NEC after our last NEC meeting”.

    Read Also; Umahi appoints 180 additional aides

    “My former Cps was never authorised to talk to the press on the matter. His position is different from mine and that of the south east governors” .

    “His statement is so embarrassing and regrettable,” the governor wrote.

    Mr Umahi also said that the sacked CPS is to hand over to his Principal Secretary, Clement Nweke immediately.

    He wished him well in his future endeavors.

  • Full text of Buhari’s speech at UNGA

    Protocol

    Firstly I wish to thank the General Assembly for the honour bestowed on the Government and people of Nigeria by electing our national, His Excellency, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande to the Presidency of the 74th Session of this august body.

    2. This is indeed a great honour!

    3. Nigerians are truly grateful and shall endeavour to live up to the expectations and responsibilities thrust upon us.

    4. Ambassador Muhammad-Bande is an experienced and seasoned diplomat and I am confident that he will prove to the International Community his suitability for this most demanding assignment.

    5. Let me also offer my sincere thanks to the outgoing President, Her Excellency Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces for her skill, resourcefulness and endless reservoir of patience in piloting the 73rd General Assembly.

    6. In the same vein, may I commend the Secretary General, His Excellency Antonio Guterres for his tremendous energy, his genuine international outlook exhibited by his leadership of the United Nations.

    Your Excellencies, Delegates,

    7. The theme of the current General Assembly is: “Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion”

    8. These are the prime areas calling for collective action which will benefit national and global interests.

    9. Today the world is at a critical juncture. This year marks the first anniversary of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This year also marks the 100 years of the founding of the League of Nations, leading eventually to the establishment of the United Nations as part of the post-World War II international order.

    10. Article 1 (4) of the UN Charter called for “harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of common ends”. These common ends include:

    a. International peace and security;

    b. Prosperity and social justice;

    c. Respect for human dignity; and

    d. Protection of the environment.

    11. Multilateralism symbolised by the UN system has brought immense benefits to the people of the world. It has saved lives, prevented wars, restored peace and stability as well as generated economic and social progress in many countries.

    Mr President, Your Excellencies,

    12. We must admit that as the world grows richer, there are regrettable signals in the World Economic and Political Order. Millions in Africa and around the world remain in abject poverty. Furthermore, we are witnessing a backlash against multilateralism in the shape of rising tide of racism, xenophobia, resurgent nationalism, populism and tendencies towards protectionism and unilateralism. The pristine principles of the United Nations appear threatened.

    13. On cessation of hostilities after World War II, the United States in one of the greatest selfless undertakings in history decided to revive Europe through the Marshall Plan and uplift and restore Japan economically. This generous policy catalysed a great economic revival globally.

    14. This action of the United States not only benefited Europe and Japan but the United States as well through vastly improved trade and cross investments.

    15. The United States and Europe have become friends and allies since the end of the war. The United States and Japan have also become friends and allies since the end of the war. This example can be replicated with respect to Africa.

    16. A developed Africa will not be antagonistic to industrialised countries but will become friends and partners in prosperity, security and development. A prosperous Africa will mean greater prosperity for the rest of the world. A poor Africa will be a drag on the rest of the world. Is this what the international community wants?

    17. A coordinated multilateral effort should be set in motion to utilise and maximise use of the enormous resources on the African continent for the benefit of all nations. Investing partners will be able to recoup their investments manifold over time.

    18. Current attempts to help develop Africa by industrial countries are un-coordinated and plainly incremental. We have the skills, the manpower and the natural resources, but in many instances, we lack the capital – hence my plea for industrial countries to take a long-term view of Africa, come and partner with us to develop the continent for the benefit of all.

    19. Africa charges you with the singular task of initiating the effort we are calling for. The United Nations has in place processes for promoting collective action to combat global threats. No threat is more potent than poverty and exclusion.

    20. They are the foul source from which common criminality, insurgency, cross-border crimes, human trafficking and its terrible consequences draw their inspiration.

    21. Poverty in all its manifestations remains one of the greatest challenges facing our world. Its eradication is an indispensable requirement for achieving sustainable development. In this regard, Nigeria has developed a National Social Investment Programme – a pro-poor scheme that targets the poorest and most vulnerable households in the country.

    22. Under this initiative easy access to financial services are facilitated to our traders, artisans, market women and co-operative societies. This type of initiative can help lessen and eventually eliminate mass poverty in Africa.

    23. At the core of our efforts to build an inclusive society, our programmes are focused on youth and women empowerment. These programmes aim at ensuring women and youth participation in governance, industry, climate action and agriculture.

    24. On the international scene, Mr President, the United Nations has new opportunities to take the lead on issues that continue to cloud the prospects for international peace and prosperity, namely;

    a. The rights of the Palestinian people to have their own country free of occupation. Mr President, the international community has spoken from Resolution 242 of 1967 to the present day on the rights of the Palestinian people to have and live in peace in their own land;

    b. The risks associated with nuclear proliferation;

    c. Unfair and unjust trading practices notwithstanding the World Trade Organisation Rules and Precepts;

    d. The looming danger of climate change

    25. On climate change Nigeria stands resolutely with the international community in observing agreed carbon emission targets which I signed in 2015. We have since issued two sovereign Green Bonds and have added an additional 1 million hectares of forested land taking our total forest coverage to 6.7% through collective national effort.

    READ ALSO: Full text of Buhari’s speech at signing of 2019 appropriation bill

    26. As we advocate and strive for inclusion within our societies, we must also ensure inclusion prevails in our collective action as members of International Community. That is why we support the expansion of the Security Council to reflect the diversity and dynamics of the 21st Century.

    Mr President, Your Excellencies,

    27. From Asia to the Middle East, Africa to South America, violence and the threat of conflict continue to blight the lives of too many people.

    28. Our own country is no exception. Nigeria is a nation of nearly 200 million people of diverse groups. Our diversity is our source of strength which is why in elections this year, our people backed the politics of tolerance, inclusion and community over the politics of protest and division.

    29. Our election promises emphasised political stability, freedom and prosperity, tackling poverty, schooling our young and providing them with the tools to build better lives. We are placing special emphasis on the role of women in our female gender advancement programmes.

    30. Our progress and delivery are deliberate, purposeful and measured. We clearly appreciate there are no quick fixes to complex challenges.

    31. In particular, the challenge of education in Africa is enormous. On December 3rd 2018, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 73/25 that proclaimed 24 January of every year as International Day of Education. The Resolution which was spearheaded by Nigeria and co-sponsored by 58 other member states marked a watershed in the recognition of the fundamental role of education in building modern societies.

    32. To ensure access to education for all, our Government has introduced the Home Grown School Feeding Programme to address the challenge of out-of-school and forced-out-of-school children.

    33. This social intervention programme, Mr President, is aimed at encouraging increased school enrolment through provision of free school meals. The benefits extend beyond the school environment. In addition, we have introduced mainstreaming and implementation of Safe Schools Declaration laws and policies across all educational institutions in Nigeria.

    Mr President, Your Excellencies,

    34. The world was shocked and startled by the massacre in New Zealand by a lone gunman taking the lives of 50 worshippers. This and similar crimes which have been fuelled by social media networks risk seeping into the fabric of an emerging digital culture.

    35. Major tech companies must be alive to their responsibilities. They cannot be allowed to continue to facilitate the spread of religious, racist, xenophobic and false messages capable of inciting whole communities against each other, leading to loss of many lives. This could tear some countries apart.

    36. Organised criminal networks, often acting with impunity across international borders present new challenges where only collective action can deliver genuine results.

    37. This is true in the battle against violent extremism, against trafficking in people and drugs and against corruption and money laundering. The present Nigerian government is facing the challenges of corruption head-on. We are giving notice to international criminal groups by the vigorous prosecution of the P&ID scam attempting to cheat Nigeria of billions of dollars.

    Mr President, Your Excellencies,

    38. As a young man, as a soldier, I witnessed at first hand the terrible legacy of destruction and broken lives that conflict leaves in its wake.

    39. As the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War approaches, I wish to pay tribute to the sacrifice made by so many millions across the globe in defence of freedom, tolerance and the rule of law.

    40. In Nigeria, we have made significant strides to put our own house in order. We will work tirelessly to uphold due process. The rule of law remains the permanent, unchanging foundation of the world order.

    41. Freedom, tolerance and the rule of law are universal values and underline the best that this General Assembly represents. And that binds us all.

    Mr. President,

    42. I will conclude my remarks by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to promoting international peace and security and sustainable development. We are also committed to strengthening partnerships and cooperation with international and regional organisations for the benefit of humanity.

    43. Thank you very much.

  • UPDATED: Oyetola nominates Akande’s, Adewole’s sons, Egbemode, 32 others as Commissioners, SAs

    Sons of Chief Bisi Akande, former Minister of Health Isaac Adewole, traditional ruler the Akinrun of Ikirun and Osogbo industrialist Alhaji Tunde Badmus made the list of 35 commissioners and Special Advisers nominees sent for screening by Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    Also on the list read on the floor of the House of Assembly is running mate to Chief Iyiola Omisore during the 2018 governorship election and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors Mrs. Funke Egbemode.

    Those who served as commissioners in the Aregbesola Administration that made the list are: Mr. Remi Omowaiye, Alhaji Bola Oyebanmiji, Dr. Olalekan Yinusa, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, Idiat Babalola, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu and Alhaja Lateefat Giwa.

    Also nominated are a former Special Adviser on Agriculture, Mr. Remi Kolajo; former House of Representatives member Folorunso Bamisayemi; a defeated House of Representatives candidate and pharmacist, Siji Olamiju and leaders of the Ileri Oluwa Organisation that championed Governor Oyetola’s campaign, Sola Oladepo and Jamiu Olawunmi.

    READ ALSO: See full list of Gov Oyetola’s Commissioner, Special Adviser-nominees

    Speaker Timothy Owoeye urged the nominees to submit 25 copies of their Curriculum Vitae to the house not later than Friday adding that screening would begin on Monday.

    During the sitting, the speaker announced the setting up of an ad hoc committee of five lawmakers to consult with traditional rulers and victims of kidnapping in the state to fashion out how to curb the menace.

    Owoeye said it was pertinent for the committee to move quickly into action, on the backdrop of recent upsurge in kidnappings in the state, saying the house was equally working on a law to address high rate of kidnapping in the state.

  • FCTA demolishes shanties, kiosks, beer parlours in Wuse Parks

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished shanties, beer parlours and other illegal structures in designated Parks and Gardens in Wuse Zone 6 area of Abuja in continuation of its reinforced measures to mitigate abuse of such places.

    The FCTA ,through a joint team drawn from relevant departments and agencies under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), raided and destroyed illegal structures within Surich Park, and two other Parks in Wuse Zone 6, for operating without approval or outside the land Use Act.

    It was observed that the FCTA officials, accompanied by a a joint security personnel carried out the demolition exercise, after the operators or occupiers of the affected structures were allowed to salvage their valuable wares from the Parks.

    About two weeks ago, the AMMC officials went round identifying infraction within Parks, with the aim of sanitising them in line with the purposes for which they were allocated to their developers and operators.

     

    Speaking during the exercise, Director, Development Control Department, Murktar Galadima, noted that it was a follow up to its ongoing sensitisation campaign and enforcement of development standard, which the government will continue till it has achieved its goal.

    FCTA news
    Photo of the demolished kiosks in Wise parks.

    Galadima said it was going to be all over the nation’s wherever there are designated parks to ensure prevailing activity is in line with what was approved for the development of such parks.

    He also cautioned operators of Parks and Recreational Spots not to do any transaction with any person that is not officially assigned to do such transaction.

    According to him: “This administration have been up and doing in regards to implementation of our standard.

    READ ALSO: FCTA takes inventory of undeveloped plots

    “I’ll like to caution them (operators of parks) not to deal with anybody not officially assigned to do that responsibility, because sometimes some touts will claim that they’re working for the constituted authorities whereas it’s not true. However if any of our staff is found wanting, we are going to apply the civil service rule.”

    Director, FCT Parks and Recreation Department, Ali Ukele, said the affected parks were not designed for recreational purposes but supposed to be developed for basic Park form, which entails that they should have green and park benches.

    Ukele said: “we are not supposed to have buildings in them, so that’s the infractions observed.

    “There are some park operators that have approved allocations, but a lot of them don’t have, so if you don’t have and you are operating illegally this operation will also catch up with you.

    “We have shanties where people are sleeping within the parks, and you can see all sort of things in the Parks, there are laundry services, and all sort of shanty related activities, so we can’t allow the trend to continue.

    “Also, there are security threats, because people sleep in Parks, and we have complaints from residents, because people come from parks and then rob or disturb them in the night, then disappear into the parks, so this is the issue.”

  • Jigawa Assembly suspends principal officials over alleged fraud

    Jigawa House of Assembly has suspended its former Majority Leader and Chief Whip, Alhaji Sani Ishaq and Mr. Aminu Sule Sankara for six months over alleged interference with the House investigation on financial spending.

    House Committee Chairman on Information Aminu Zakari (APC Gwiwa) disclosed this to reporters after the House sitting.

    He said the members were suspended with to allow for fair investigations into allegations of financial impropriety against them.

    READ ALSO: JUST IN: Jigawa Assembly re-elects impeached Speaker

    According to him, the principal officials allegedly attempted to retrieve some financial documents from the Ministry of Finance to prevent the Committee of Investigation set by the House to investigate financial misappropriation between 2017 and 2018.

    Ishaq and Sankara were principal officials during the period they committed the infraction.

    When contacted, they denied the allegation.

    The suspended Majority Leader and the Chief Whip were impeached with Speaker Isah Idris in May.

  • Justice reform should top agenda in Oyo, says report

    Nelson Olanipekun has advised that the justice sector should top the agenda for Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde who just celebrated 100 days in government.

    Nelson, Lead for Citizens Gavel a civic tech and justice sector reform advocacy organisation, believes that “Justice reform that can increase the pace of justice delivery in the state” should top agenda for Makinde’s government.

    “Oyo state has one of the highest numbers of awaiting trial detainees, which stands at 86 percent based on our April data survey, this is higher than the National average which stands at 69 percent,” Nelson stated.

    In a report by Citizens Gavel 1 of 5 people arrested by Police in Oyo state are been brutalized, from data collected from 16 LGAs in Oyo State, over 20 percent of citizens arrested by the Nigerian police are been brutalized during and before arrest.

    It was also gathered that over 80 percent of inmates were not treated fairly by prison wardens against the conditions of detention in police custody and pre-trial detention started in the LUANDA Guidelines Section 24.

    Prison Cells in Oyo State are overcrowded. Some very small cells have over 100 detainees.

    It was also reported there is very poor hygiene of arrested and detained persons at police stations in Oyo State, which can lead to serious health conditions of inmates. Less than 2 percent have their baths once in a week.

    It was also highlighted in the report that over 90 percent of the respondents said they have had very bad experiences in Oyo state Prisons and stations.

    Even though N17 billion was the budget allocated for feeding of awaiting trials and convicts in the Nigeria Prisons, less than 4 percent of Oyo inmates were feed twice daily in detention cells.

    Despite the N366.1 billion police budget for 2019 less than 7 percent of arrested and detained citizens were given food once daily in Oyo State.

    The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) provision of session 34 says that Magistrates are supposed to be visiting Police stations but due to lack of proper framework to implement the provisions less than 1 percent of the inmates have been visited.

    Arrested and detained persons have, according Section 8(1) of ACJL of Oyo State, rights to be informed of reasons their arrest and charges against them but less than 2 percent are notified of the reason for their arrest during or before the arrest.

    It was also reported that almost 60 percent of people arrested and inmates in OYO states are youths.

    According to LUANDA guidelines it is the duty of court to ensure that every detainee is represented by a lawyer but 100 percent of respondents say that they were not assigned by a lawyer by the court.

    And only 2 out of 100 respondents wrote their statements in front of a lawyer.