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  • Insurgency: Super camps borne out of operational needs, says CDS

    The military high command on Monday defended the convert of super camps in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Olonisakin said the concept was borne out of operational necessity.

    The CDS spoke before going into a closed-door session with the leadership of the House of Representatives.

    The House, last Thursday, stepped down a motion by Ifeanyi Momah, titled: “Review of the military strategy of ‘Super Camps’ in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East Zone.”

    The mover of the motion had argued that the concept was not well thought out and that it left thousands of citizens exposed to danger.

    But Olonisakin said the constantly changing vistas of the war against insurgency made the military to adopt the strategy.

    He said: “The super camp concept was borne out of our need to re-strategise to meet changing operational conditions in the Northeast.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: 22,000 Nigerians missing in insurgency

    “In respect to the security situation in the Northeast, especially Borno State, we’re all aware that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, have been contending with insurgency and terrorism for many years now.

    “Indeed, the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast predates the administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Despite the challenges we’re facing, we have made appreciable progress. The Armed Forces continue to restrategise to address changing operational situation and practise of the insurgent terrorists

    “We have achieved better intergration of air and land as well as air power as well as greater coordination with other security and intelligence agencies, through regular strategic inputs at the  highest level of command and down to the chain of command.”

    He further said: I want to assure the leadership of the House, that we will continue to do all we can to ensure peace and security in our country in line with our constitutional mandate despite the challenges.

    “As the representatives of the Nigerian people, we recognise the concernn of the House and indeed the National Assembly on this issue.”

    The military top brass however apologised to the House leadership for the inability of the Service chiefs to make last week’s meeting

    “I need to add that as the Chief of Defence Staff,  my inability to be here in person last Friday, was due to an equally urgent interaction at the presidency where the chief of army….

    According to him, their absence was by no means a deliberate act mearnt to disrespect  the institution of the National Assembly..

    He said though they were not able to come, their various chief of operation were present and were capable of answering the questions that would have been put to then.

    Earlier, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila , who was at the meeting with relevant committees said the meeting was to find out the state of the war against terrorism and insurgency.

    He also said with the budget due in a week or two, there was the need to find out the needs of the armed forces in the prosecution of the anti-insurgency war

    An attempt to convene the security meering last week was unsuccessful as tje servide chied were absent and sent representatives.

    This made the Speaker very angry and it was subsequently rescheduled for yesterday.

    At the session were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal  Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (Chief of Policy and Plans, Army), represented the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai

    Yusuf Bichi the Director General Deoarrment  of State Security  and the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration service, Mohammed Babandede were also present. However, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, was represented

  • Abiodun inherits N32b gratuities

    Ogun State government on Monday said it inherited N32.8 billion gratuities and death benefits incurred between August 2011 and June 2019 under its Transition Pension Scheme.

    The state lamented that the debt piled up during the previous administration, but said the new government would offset the bills.

    Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Local Government Pensions Mrs. Irene Kokumo spoke while hosting members of the House of Assembly’s Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    Kokumo said the state pays an average of N791 million to retired local government workers and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) retirees monthly.

    Also speaking at the bureau’s budget assessment, she said the scheme caters for 11,616 retirees in the pre-1991 category.

    Read Also: Abiodun signs Ogun Investment Promotion Agency, 3 other bills into law

    According to her, records  showed that the administration had been facilitating prompt release of retirement savings account balance to retirees, who had disengaged from the Contributory Pension Scheme, to ensure that senior citizens enjoy a better life after service.

    Besides the N791 million paid monthly, the bureau also pay N4.6 billion monthly pensions between January and June, 2019.

    Kokumo said the bureau had been managing the benefits of the ‘Pay as you Go’ scheme and the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    She added that the bureau’s primary responsibility was that of the pre-1991 retirees, comprising local government and SUBEB personnel, as well as officials still in service.

    Kokumo listed other achievements as computation and compilation of outstanding gratuities and death pensions till date, maintenance of records for easy access, facilitation of remittances of contributory pension deductions as and when released, among others.

    She added that the state government was already taking steps to address the challenges confronting the Bureau regarding the renovation of its offices and provision of befitting infrastructure, full digitization and computerisation of its activities, among others.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akeem Balogun, who applauded the management team for maintaining standard in the discharge of its duties, tasked the Bureau to come up with strategies that could assist in offsetting the outstanding gratuities of local government councils and SUBEB retirees.

  • Tribunal reaffirms Sanwo-Olu as Lagos governor

    The Lagos State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal on Monday reaffirmed the victory of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Governor of Lagos State in the last March 9 poll.

    The three-man tribunal led by Justice T. T Asua, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Chief Ifagbemi Awamaridi, declaring that the petition failed.

    It held that its earlier decision to dismiss the petition, which was later appealed by the petitioners, was still valid because the petition was not filed according to the electoral laws.

    The tribunal further described the petition as a “futile and wasteful exercise.”

    It noted that the petitioners could not prove their allegations of mental incompetence against Sanwo-Olu in their evidence placed before the tribunal.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to accelerate administration of justice

    The panel also held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of election malpractices against Sanwo-Olu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Asua said: “The Petitioners have failed to meet the requirement of the law. The Petitioners have failed in our humble view to discharge the onus of proof which would have been placed on the Respondents.

    “We confirm the return of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the duly elected Governor of the State.”

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday described the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu at the Elections Petitions Tribunal as a re- affirmation of the people’s mandate.

    The party said in a statement by its Assistant Publicity, Abiodun Salami, that the victory was a validation of the trust of Lagosians in the governor’s capacity.

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos had on Monday dismissed the petitions filed by the Labour Party and reaffirmed the victory of Sanwoolu as the duly-elected governor in the March polls.

    The Tribunal described the LP’s petition as a “futile and wasteful exercise,’ ‘noting that the petitioner could not prove their allegations of mental incompetence against Sanwo-Olu.

    Justice T.T Asua, while delivering the judgement, said the petitioners (LP and Ifagbemi Awamaridi) also failed to prove the allegations of electoral malpractices against Sanwoolu and his party, APC.

    Salami said the victory was a validation of the support the people have for Sanwoolu and proof that the petition was all along ‘’a wild goose chase.’’

    The Lagos governor’s spokesman, Abiodun Salami, congratulated Lagosians on the victory as it was not only victory for the governor but also for the people and good governance.

    He said: ‘’We are happy at the victory; it is a reaffirmation that the governor got the mandate and support of the people in the March election.

    ‘’We congratulate the governor and the good people of Lagos on the judicial vindication of this electoral victory. This verdict is not only a victory for democracy; it is a victory for good governance and a more prosperous Lagos.”

    Salami assured residents that the verdict would further inspire the Sanwoolu administration to render impactful governance in the state.

    He said the governor was justifying the confidence reposed in him with his many achievements since he was sworn in over 100 days ago.

    The APC spokesman listed the achievements to include fixing of potholes across the state to tackle the nagging problem of gridlock.

    Salami said the efficiency of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) had improved as a result of increase in their allowances by Sanwoolu .

    He added that the Sanwoolu administration had commenced work on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, a project which had suffered delays before now, noting that the sufferings on the road were being alleviated.

    He said the Sanwoolu administration had achieved great results in addressing the gridlock in Apapa.

    Salami urged residents to keep faith with the present administration to deliver more dividends of democracy.

  • How diversification policy can succeed, by Oyetola

    Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has described the diversification policy of the Federal Government as one that is appropriate and on the right course.

    He also said, for the diversification policy to succeed, all sectors must adopt and integrate it into their schemes and collaborate appropriately, adding, “When this is done, the economy will achieve the desired symphony and there will be rapid and cohesive development.”

    Oyetola spoke on Monday, at the opening ceremony of the 9th International Conference of the Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

    Speaking on the theme: “Diversification of Developing Economies: Imperatives for Sustainable Environment and Technological Innovations,” Oyetola, who bagged the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Excellence Award in Public Administration on the occasion, also described the theme of the conference as a worthy domestication of the diversification of the economic policy of the Federal Government.

    Read Also: We are fast-tracking economic diversification- Osinbajo

    He reaffirmed Osun government’s commitment to taking the state to the next level in its developmental strides.

    Oyetola pledged the government’s determination to continue to harness the potentials of the state and advance her economy for the good of the citizens.

    The governor, who reiterated the administration’s determination towards building a ‘modern Osun’, said government would not be deterred by the dwindling financial resources in its resolve to build a virile state that all and sundry would be proud of.

    Represented by the Supervisor, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Olalekan Yinusa, the governor said the state was ready to partner with the university, particularly in the area of human and capital development.

    He commended the institution’s Faculty of Technology for its foresight and resilience at equipping graduate youths with the requisite skills to effect changes in the nation’s economy.

    He urged the leadership of the faculty to pursue the recommendations of the conference to the logical conclusion to advance the exploration of new ideas for the actualisation of global technological solutions.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Eyitayo Ogunbodede, applauded the faculty for the choice of the theme of the conference, which he noted was aimed at challenging the nation on the need to strengthen her economic diversification policy.

    In his address, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ashiru, challenged government on the need to be supportive of the development of science, innovation and technology.

    Ashiru said for the nation to actualise its dreams for the diversification of her economy, all hands must be on deck to ensure proper integration and conversion of ideas to innovation, framework and prosperity.

  • Oba Oniru dies at 82

    The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, is dead.

    Oniru died yesterday in Lagos after a brief illness.

    He was 82.

    The first-class monarch’s 82nd birthday was celebrated last September 6 at his palace.

    Read Also: UPDATED: 17 days after celebrating birthday Oba Oniru dies at 82

    He is survived by wives and children, among who are former Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront, Adesegun Oniru; Justice Aishat Opesanwo; On-Air personality, Tolu Demuren (a.k.a Toolz), grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Oba Oniru succeeded his father in 1995.

    He was born on September 6, 1937 and was the 12th of 15 children of the long-reigning Oba Yesufu Oniru, who died at the age of 120 years.

  • Sowore’s trial negates progressive ideal, says Sani

    Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debt, Shehu Sani, on Monday said the charges the Federal Government filed against the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, contradict the philosophy of progressivism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the Eighth Senate, told The Nation that the country’s democracy was being hampered by what he called the growing culture of intolerance and opposing opinions.

    The Kaduna senator noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to build and leave an anti-corruption legacy should not be cited in the “human rights graveyard”.

    He urged the government to drop the charges of money laundering and treasonable felony it filed against Sowore.

    Sani said: “Sowore’s trial is unnecessary and uncalled for. It would only further stain the human rights record of this administration and diminish and dent the moral standing of our country.

    Read Also: ‘Sowore may assume status of Prisoner of Conscience’

    “There is a climate of fear, intimidation and intolerance in the country and this contradicts the philosophy of progressivism the ruling establishment purports. The nation’s democracy is imperilled by a growing state culture of intolerance of dissent and opposing opinions.

    “The President’s desire to build and leave behind an anti-corruption legacy and tower should not be cited in the human rights graveyard. If the ruling establishment is confident of its moral standing and support base, it should defeat Sowore with superior ideas and not persecute him.”

    “Sowore’s charges amount to electrocution of freedom. The democratic credentials of any elected government are not simply about the legitimacy of its mandate but about the degree of its tolerance to dissent and its compliance with the fundamental principles of freedom.

    “I appeal to the Federal Government to drop the charges it filed against Sowore. Our democracy is becoming inhabitable and inhospitable to its ideal content. When a state equates dissent to disloyalty, it progressively decays under the weight of its courtiers.”

  • Olojo: Ooni goes into seclusion

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has proceeded on a seven-day annual seclusion as this year’s edition of the Olojo festival begins in Ile Ife, Osun State.

    On Sunday evening, before the ceremonies for his seclusion, the foremost traditional ruler and the Arole Oodua addressed reporters, hailing the formal commencement of the Olojo festival.

    Read Also: Where is Ooni’s ex-wife, Olori Wuraola?

    He said he was in high spirits to meet with “God Almighty who owns the day through fasting and prayers’’.

    The Ooni said he would pray for the resuscitation of the country’s economy while in seclusion.

  • Coalition expresses satisfaction in military’s control of Nigerian territories

    The Coalition for Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group (CHRHRG) has expressed optimum satisfaction with the military’s sovereignty of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
    The Coalition made this known at a press conference on Monday in Abuja ahead of a tour of liberated communities in the North-East.
    In a statement signed by Executive Director, Gabriel Agibi, the group hailed the military for its doggedness and reliance in flushing out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists amidst conspiracy from different quarters.
    In a bid to carefully examine the military’s groundbreaking feat, the CHRHRG is set to embark on a systematic assessment tour of North-East, particularly strategic locations in Northern Borno Senatorial District.
    Among others, the Coalition has promised tointerface with community leaders, NGOs and other critical stakeholders in the region with a view to getting objective responses on the efforts of the Federal Government.
    According to the Coalition, the tour would also afford them the opportunity to take a cursory look at the operational strategies of the military and how it has conducted its operations in the theatre of war to state.
    In the end, the Coalition hopes to eliminate every measure of doubts and falsehood being levelled against the brave and gallant Nigerian troops.
    Read full address below:
    I welcome you all to this press conference that is put together by the Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group in Nigeria to intimate Nigerians on the resolve by the various groups under the Coalition to undertake a systematic assessment tour of North-East Nigeria, particularly strategic locations in Northern Borno Senatorial District, to assess the efforts of the Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group is a coalition of credible associations dedicated to the entrenchment of human rights practices in Nigeria. This much has been highlighted in previous years where an alliance of this nature was inaugurated to look into the operations of the Nigerian Military in southeast Nigeria to ascertain its level of human rights compliance.
    In this regards, we wish to state that amongst a host of other tasks that have been carefully identified and outlined for the tour of North East Nigeria, the Coalition would interface with community leaders, NGOs and other critical stakeholders in the region with a view to getting objective responses on the efforts of the Nigerian Government with regards to the ongoing war against terrorism.
    We wish to state that this line of action became necessary in the light of the various news making the rounds on the occupation of Nigerian territories by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in North-East Nigeria.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Groups would use the opportunity of the tour to carry out a systematic tour of affected communities, including those on the fringes of the Lake Chad basin region such as Baga, Gubio, Magumeri, Marte, Mobbar and Guzamala.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Groups would also deploy the services of local language interpreters in areas with identified communication barriers, in an attempt to gather as much information as possible that would aid in the subsequent publication of an Independent Terrorism Index that would give an objective assessment of the efforts of the Nigerian Government in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria.
    The tour would also afford the Coalition the opportunity to take a cursory look at the operational strategies of the Nigerian Military and how it has conducted its operations in the theatre of war to state if indeed there has been any form of human rights violations and what measures were put in place to ensure human rights compliance in the prosecution of the war in North East Nigeria.
    The Coalition would interface with community leaders in communities that have witnessed terrorist attacks over the years, as well as NGOs that have been in operations in such communities to understand the dynamics involved the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group is undertaking this tour of North-East Nigeria, aside from other stated objectives, to put issues in proper perspectives as regards whether any part of Nigerian territory is under the control of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Groups in the course of the tour in areas earmarked in Northern Borno would rely on first-hand information by engaging the various stakeholders in these areas such as the traditional and religious rulers, local government officials, humanitarian workers, locals as well as other concerned parties that are privy to the issues bedevilling the region.
    We consequently wish to state that the pieces of evidence gathered from the tour would be documented in the Independent Terrorism Index objectively and analytically for easy comprehension by the relevant stakeholders.
    The Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group sees this task as necessary with a view to debunking insinuations that some parts of the Nigerian territory are under the control of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
    It must also be noted that this tour is at the instance of the leadership of the Coalition of Human Rights and Human Rights Monitoring Group and as such the outcome of it would be as objective as possible, that would indeed stand the test to time.

  • Agony after couple’s triplets

    Years after losing their only child, Mrs Funmilola Abiloye had a set of triplets. One died at birth, but feeding the two survivors is a burden she and her husband Michael think they cannot bear.

    Mrs Abiloye, a housewife and sickle cell patient, and her husband, an artisan, live in Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    She said, “How can I survive this economic predicament, as I and my husband find it difficult to afford two meals a day. I was in state of confusion, when findings revealed that I’m going to deliver triplets. There is no hope of raising the babies, in view of the bad economy. Raising money for the hospital bills is a challenge.

    Chief Medical Director, Zion Hospital, Dr John Adanike said five doctors battled to save Mrs Abiloye and her remaining two babies who were delivered at their facility. One of the babies weighed 1.9kg, the other 1.5kg.

    Mrs Abiloye should follow up her post-natal treatment to guarantee her safety, Adanike said.

  • Unity Bank head office on fire

    Several bank documents and furniture such as tables, chairs and computers were destroyed yesterday morning in a fire that burnt a substantial part of Unity Bank Plc head office on Ahmed Onibudo Street in Victoria Island, Lagos State.

    The Nation learnt that the fire which began from the third floor of the building escalated to the 10th floor.

    The banking hall and vault, which are on the ground floor, were not affected.

    The first and second floors were also not affected by the fire. There was no loss of life and nobody was injured.

    The fire was said to have started  after the bank staff had resumed duties for the day. It was learnt that by noon the fire had been put out.

    It was gathered that the documents in the building escalated the fire. It was also learnt that it was the first time the building would be engulfed in fire since it was built about three years ago.

    The Nation learnt that the cause of the fire was not known but officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, among others combined efforts to put it out.

    An eyewitness, who identified himself as Tunji Ajao, said he was on the road when he saw fire coming from the third floor of the building.

    Read Also: Fire in the house: Oil, war and Iran

    “The fire was much; all the bank staff and customers ran out for safety. There were major damages inside the building than can be seen from outside. Several documents were destroyed, it was the huge volume of documents on the third floor that the fire started from and it spread to the 10th floor, though from outside it seems as if only three floors that were affected.”

    A passerby, who identified herself as Toyin, said the bank has fire extinguishers but the fire still spread.

    She said the fire must have spread because everyone ran for safety and no one probably knows how to use the fire extinguishers.

    The bank on its Twitter page, revealed that no life was lost in the infemo and expressed its gratitude to agencies and volunteers who came to its rescue.

    “We are grateful to all the agencies and volunteers that supported in bringing the incident under control. Further developments regarding the incident will be communicated as it unfolds.

    “We regret to inform the public that there was a fire incident on one of the floors of our Head Office building early this (yesterday) morning. The cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained but the fire service intervened and brought the situation under control.”

    The bank has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSC) of the incident.

    While the extent of damage is being assessed, we are happy to note that there was no casualty or loss of life as a result of the incident. From current observations, however, the Banking Hall and other strategic business areas were not affected.”

    A statement by Unity Bank Plc Company Secretary Mohammed Shehu, via its twitter handle reads; “Unity Bank Plc wishes to inform The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The Exchange), its esteemed stakeholders and the general public that there was a fire incident on one of the floors of our Head Office building early this (yesterday) morning. The fire, which started from the third floor of the building occupied by a tenant, has been fully extinguished. Preliminary investigations show that the damage is localized to this floor.

    “Consistent with our Business Continuity Framework, critical staff have been relocated to approve offsite locations and our operations are not in any way affected. Consequently customers have unfettered access to their accounts through our electronic channels and branches.

    “While detailed investigation and damage assessment exercise are on0going by federal and state fire service departments, the Bank wishes to extend its appreciation to Total Nigeria Plc, the Nigerian Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Eko Hotel and Tours, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Union Bank Plc for their prompt response. We also thank our good neughbours and the FMDQ Securities Exchange, Churchgate, ALLCO Insurance and others too numerous to mention. We thank our esteemed customers for their understanding and hereby restate our commitment to providing them safe secure and prompt services.”