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  • Police arrest IDPs over protest in Maiduguri

    Police arrest IDPs over protest in Maiduguri

    The Borno State Police Command have arested many IDPs in connection with the yesterday botched protest to return back to their ancestral home after more than three years of exile from Boko Haram crisis.

    The Nation reports that some displaced people from Bama in the early hours of Sunday staged a protest at the welcome to Maiduguri, Bama/Maiduguri high way  close to unversity of Maiduguri gate II to push foward their resolve to return to Bama where they have been displaced by the Boko Haram crisis for more than three years.

    The protest which was coordinated by Bama Initiative for Human Development, led by their  their  Chairman, Alhaji muhammad Hassan, said they are not satisfied with the snail process of returning them home hence the need for them to embark on the journey to go back “even if it means by trekking to Bama” .

    He noted that  70 per cent of the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects hadģ been completed in the area, saying that they were tired of living as displaced persons. “We are in Maiduguri for more than three years without meaningful means of livelihoods. The condition of our people is pathetic. The elongation in the process of returning displaced persons to their homes is moving at a snail pace and exposed them to unbearable conditions. “We could no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” Hassan stated.

    Mr Damian Chukwu, the Police Commissioner in the state, said that the group had not notified the command over their planned return to Bama. He advised the IDPs to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders over their demand so that adequate preparations would be made. “The police have a duty to protect you and we will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.

    “Also, there is massive reconstruction and rehabilitation works going on in the town, executed by the Federal and State Government under the Bama Initiative. We will not allow you to go because of your safety, you better go back and wait for the time when government will permit your return to the town,” he said.

    Our correspondent gathered that despite the effort of the police Commissioner and his advice to the protesters,  some of them refused to listen to the plea and rather turned riotous  giving the police no option but to arrest them.

    A police source confirm to our correspondent in Maiduguri that a good number of the protesters including the leadership are in police custody and they would be prosecuted. “I cannot believe that despite the subtle approach and caution by the CP to these people, some of them went riotous and we were left with no choice but to arrest them. It is the duty of the police to protect lives and property at the same time maintain law and order,” the source informed.

    Meanwhile, there is a papable apprehension in the air for a possible of more protest from IDPs within Maiduguri metropolis as the news of the arrest continues to spread among the camps.

    In the spirit of reconciliation, Borno State Government called on the protesting IDPs to be patient and give his government more time to actualize their return.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima who spoke through his  Special Adviser on  Communication and Strategy said government is nothe in any way holding back the return of IDPs as they are rather economic burden to the state.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen economic burden of supporting them as displaced persons.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is the safe and dignified return of all IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants the IDPs to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “Gov. Shettima is consistently committed to the ongoing rebuilding of private homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and other essential services in communities across 15 local government areas of the state,’’ Gusau  said.

    Gusau further  explained that government had constructed 20,000 housing units in Bama and provided modern health facilities, schools and police stations in the area. He added that the Federal Government was currently training a special Anti-Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to be deployed to the town under the Bama Initiative.

    According to him,   the special squad and the agro-rangers, specifically trained to secure farmers in their farmlands would replace the military.

    “We have to ensure that there is full return of civil security before IDPs can return. “The governor encourages safe and dignified return only after putting the right things in place,” Gusau said.

    He disclosed that the state government had re-built houses and re-settled displaced persons in parts of Kaga, Konduga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of the state. Newsmen report that thousands of persons were forced to flee their homes when the Boko Haram insurgents sacked Bama town in 2014. Hundreds of people were killed, maimed or abducted while the entire structures in the town were razed by the insurgents.

  • TINAPA woos local businesses

    TINAPA woos local businesses

    The Management of TINAPA Business Resort Calabar says it is encouraging local businesses to own shops and business outlets to boost activities in the resort.

    Mr Ayiba Ayiba, Managing Director of the Resort, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Calabar that this was part of measures to resuscitate business activities in the resort.

    “We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that TINAPA works. We are trying to explore our local markets.

    “We are trying to encourage our local traders to come and rent our shops and do business with us.”

    He disclosed that there were 54 shops in the complex and not more than 10 were currently occupied.

    According to him, facilities at the TINAPA Water Point were also being resuscitated to make them functional, adding that a borehole had been put in place.

    He blamed the lack of activities at the point to poor water and epileptic power supply.

    “We have sunk a borehole and water tanks are being installed as alternative water supply to the pool. This will take care of regular water supply to the pool and keep the toilets clean.

    “Also, we are making efforts to provide alternative power source to ensure regular power supply to the pool, as this is one of the biggest challenges facing the resort.

    “So I am assuring tourists that by the first week of October our pool will be functioning normally,” Ayiba said.

    He also dismissed online reports which alleged that the Monorail linking TINAPA with Calabar International Conference Centre (C ICC ) had been paralysed due to stealing of its armoured cable by hoodlums.

    According to him, the monorail was in perfect condition, but was not functioning because there were no passengers to be transported.

    “The monorail is in perfect condition; nothing has happened to it but presently there is no patronage.

    “Whenever we have passengers we call the engineers to put necessary things in place for its use.

    “So the rumours making the rounds is baseless and untrue,” he added.

    Ayiba stressed the need for the state government to re-constitute the TINAPA board to facilitate the current investment drive going on in the resort.

  • CISLAC urges FG to establish trust fund for recovered loot

    CISLAC urges FG to establish trust fund for recovered loot

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC ) has urged the Federal Government to set up a separate trust fund to manage funds and assets recovered from proceeds of corruption.

    CISLAC stated this in a communiqué  signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa and Global Board of Trustees members, Mr Francis John and Dr Afia Zukiya and issued at the inauguration of the CISLAC global office in U.S. and the SDG 16 Shadow Report.

    The inauguration was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

    The centre urged the Federal Government to “expedite action on asset recovery by setting up a special integrity trust fund to be monitored by the civil society.

    “This is to ensure that repatriated funds are duly channelled to sustainable development efforts.”

    It urged African countries, specifically Nigeria, to strengthen bilateral relations that would enable them to obtain the necessary information that would facilitate the repatriation of stolen funds from abroad.

    CISLAC, however, said that it was regretable that no clear institutionalised bilateral efforts had been made to curb illicit financial and arms flow or recover stolen funds of Africa, specifically Nigeria, domiciled in foreign countries.

    The civil society group expressed regret at what it termed the presence of an obnoxious CSO bill sponsored by a member of the National Assembly to scuttle the voice of the people.

    The centre stated that the bill is aimed at closing the space that should enable civil society groups to participate in the developmental efforts.

    CISLAC called for the discontinuation of the bill, saying it “poses no good intent for the development of citizens and further robs the country of inclusivity in governance.”

    In his remark, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa,  acknowledged that Nigeria is in a critical period of  its history going by the current ethnic tension across the country.

    He, however, said the civil society had the mandate to advocate for peace, fairness and social justice as this would bring the much needed development.

    He added that sharing the SDG 16 Shadow Report was critical to inform of the current anti-corruption efforts of the Federal Government and entrench sustainable development.

    SDG 16 is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

    Musa urged the civil society and all other stakeholders to lend their voices to the clarion call on peace and stability and eschew corruption.

    The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, commended CISLAC on its giant strides and efforts at strengthening good governance.

    Bande said corruption was the bane of underdevelopment and social unrest in the country adding, it is the worst epidemic among religious, ethnic and socio-cultural factors affecting the country’s development.

    The Nigerian envoy observed that Nigeria had had some strong leadership whereby everything revolved around the leader but not around creating strong institutions.

    Bande called for the creation of strong institutions saying, building strong institutions should be everybody’s business.

    The Nigerian envoy urged Nigerians to promote Nigeria’s image abroad by highlighting the great achievements made by Nigerians while not losing sight of the challenges.

    The launch was attended by Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative Amb. Samson Itebgoje, House Committee Chair on Poverty Alleviation, Muhammed Wudil, and Africa and Middle East Coordinator of the UN SDGs, Mr Hilary Ogbonna, among others.

  • APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, on his order that special courts be established for corruption-related cases.

    The party in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, also applauded the whistle blower policy of the Federal Government.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria had directed heads of various divisions of courts to establish a special court to tackle the delay in the hearing and determination of corruption and financial crime cases.

    Onnoghen also directed heads of courts to compile and forward to the National Judicial Council ( NJC ) comprehensive lists of all corruption and financial crime cases they are handling.

    APDA stated that the establishment of such special courts would help to fast track trial of corruption cases in the country.

    “The APDA lends its support to the Nigerian Judiciary under the headship of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    “We commend Onnoghen and the Federal government by extension for the historic policy of establishing special courts to fast track the trial of corruption cases in our fatherland.

    “The APDA also wishes to commend the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for his unrelenting effort to bring all the persons who looted or aided in looting our commonwealth to justice.

    “We are of the unrepentant stance that corruption is the biggest challenge to the sustainable development of our country.

    “Only its eradication can return our nation back to the path of development, national cohesion and social inclusiveness.”

    APDA urged all Nigerians to stand up and expose corruption and corrupt practices in all ramifications.

    It commended Nigerians who spoke against the agents of destabilisation, while urging them to stand together and work towards a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

    “APDA rejects hate speech and hateful conduct.

    “We urge the relevant agencies to resist agents and promoters of hate speech, impunity and disregard for our ethics and values.’’

    The party also urged all Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) and ensure that only credible persons were voted into positions of public trust.

  • Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    The Director General, Nation Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, said on Wednesday that Nigeria must use cultural diplomacy to address social and economic challenges facing the country.

    Runsewe told journalists in Kaduna that the spate of hate speeches and ethno-religious crisis would be tackled if effective use of culture was made to bring Nigerians together.

    The DG who was in Kaduna for the 47th meeting of the Executive Council on Culture, said Nigeria must learn from history and deploy culture effectively to cement bonds of friendship and interaction among the different tribes in the country.

    “We going to adopt cultural diplomacy to solve most, if not all of the challenges we are facing.

    “We are learning from history and the best option is cultural diplomacy which is what we are going to adopt this time; if we have respect for our individual cultures from different region,there won’t be hate speech.

    “So, we are inculcating and reawakening the consciousness of our people that we can use our culture to solve a lot of problem in our society.”

    The DG also said the country needed to exploit its cultural potentials to boost its Gross domestic Product ( GDP ).

    “We need to prepare ourselves for the rainy day; 17 countries in Africa gather their GDP from culture and tourism, so why not Nigeria, we have the resources, manpower that can take care of all these things.

    “Creative industry alone can change the narrative of this country. In this industry, no one is a waste, everybody useful, because you have to have one thing or two to contribute.

    “This is the sector that will save this country from the challenges we have.”

    Runsenwe disclosed that the council meeting was preparatory to the National Festival of Art and Culture ( NAFEST ), to be held in Kaduna from Oct. 14-21.

    “We have 17 directors from different states of the federation and we have toured facilities to be used for the festival.

    “It is a good strategy that we have gone round to check all the places, I believe Kaduna state is ready for the business of hosting NAFEST, I believe it’s good to go.”

  • NANS urges FG, NASU, SSANU to shift ground

    NANS urges FG, NASU, SSANU to shift ground

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) on Thursday urged Federal Government and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities ( NASU ) to shift ground for industrial harmony.

    NASU National President Kadiri Aruna made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Enugu.

    NAN reports that NASU’s members and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ) had been on strike for past three weeks over certain demands.

    Aruna said that the strike which was called off by Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) early this week would not make much impact if NASU remained on strike.

    He, however, said that NANS would engage the Federal Government as well as the leadership of NASU and SSANU to look to the plight of students and find a way to resolve issues.

    “As a matter of fact, by next week we are going to write officially to Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, NASU, SSANU and other stakeholders in tertiary education sector for them to consider Nigerian students.

    “The recent call-off of strike by ASUU will not make an impact if the non-academic staff members of universities are not working.

    “The strike of non-academic staff of universities means that the campuses, although opened, but cannot function normal,’’ he said.

    Aruna, however, urged students to return to campuses and resume classes in order to meet up and cover the academic activities for the session.

    “We want our members, Nigerian students, to resume lectures forthwith in order to show our commitment to learning and appreciate lecturers that had resumed classes,’’ he said.

  • ‘NCC committed to achieving 30% broadband penetration by 2018’

    ‘NCC committed to achieving 30% broadband penetration by 2018’

    The Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC ) says it is committed to achieving the 30 per cent approved National Broadband Implementation Plan by 2018.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, said this on Wednesday at the Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference is sponsored by Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development ( CECAD ) in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Communication and NCC.

    The theme of the conference is “Building a New Nigeria in Digital Economy: Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’’

    Danbatta, who was represented by Mr Reuben Muoka, NCC Head of Public Affairs, said that the plan was part of the 8-point agenda conceptualised for comprehensive national economic growth.

    He said that Nigeria’s broadband penetration was empirically adjudged by the global telecom regulator, the International Telecommunications Union ( ITU ), as 21 per cent in 2017.

    “We have witnessed the success of online shopping malls, online banking and other transactions in a way that it is being experienced in far more developed countries.

    “We are supporting ICT innovations in our institutions of higher learning and among several youth organisations across the country,’’ he said.

    Danbatta said that the Commission had taken the agenda as its guide in measuring regulatory impact and aligning development agenda in the course of regulating one of Africa’s biggest telecom market.

    The Executive Vice Chairman said that the NCC would not relent in its effort at promoting investment opportunities and selling the country’s investment potentials to the international telecom community.

    The NCC boss also said that the toll free 622 secondary consumer complaints initiative had been upgraded, adding that the success rate of resolution of consumer complaints on the platform had reached 75 per cent.

    “We have intensified our monitoring and compliance activities to achieve sanity and compliance to the rules of the game.

    “We are in the process of introducing a mandatory corporate governance code to improve the level of integrity of the industry,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria ( PIN ), said that lack of commitment to innovative ideas accounted for the 56 per cent unemployment rate in the country.

    Sesan, who recalled how he made headway through strong innovation in 1997, charged students to stop giving excuses, saying such could limit their future.

    “I don’t think there is a reason for any student to graduate without a skill with the presence of the internet. Stop complaining about government.

    “What you become in the future is the product of whatever you start now,’’ he said.

    Mr Sunday Afolayan, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association ( NIRA ), said the association was committed to ensuring that the identity and investment of Nigerians was maintained and protected.

    Afolayan also said that the association would ensure that Nigerians participated favourably in the digital space.

    Mr Bayo Oyeleke, Deputy Rector, The Polytechnic Ibadan, thanked the organisers for choosing the institution as the venue for the conference in the South West Zone.

    Oyeleke said that the conference would open the windows for students who participate actively.

    NAN reports that the conference was organised to promote innovation in tertiary institutions and as an avenue for students to interact with stakeholders and experts in the digital innovation world.

  • EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has commended recent move by the judiciary to prioritise corruption and financial crime cases brought before it.

    The commendation is in a statement by Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Uwujaren quoted the commission’s Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, as saying the development was right step in the right direction.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, announced the initiative at the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year in Abuja on Monday.

    Onnoghen directed  all heads of courts to compile and farward comprehensive lists of corruption and financial crime cases before them to National Judicial Council (NJC).

    He said where such cases came on appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates should be fixed for them every week.

    “In order for the NJC to monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing policy, anti-corruption cases trial monitoring committee will be constituted at the next council meeting.

    “This committee would be saddled with, among other things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellate courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of the cankerworm,” the CJN had said.

    He also directed heads of courts to clamp down on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulged in delay tactics to stall criminal trials.

    The EFCC boss lauded the initiative, which he said would curtail “unnecessary delays in prosecution of corruption cases.”

    Uwujaren stated that Magu had expressed optimism that the innovation would strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

    He quoted the EFCC boss as saying “the spate of frivolous and unwarranted adjournments at instances of defence  for the purpose of stalling proceedings is over.

    “With special courts, cases stand great chance of being disposed of quickly.

    “We had clamoured for the creation of special or dedicated courts for over six years.

    “So, the action of the CJN is commendable.”

  • Delta approves N600m fund for SDGs

    Delta approves N600m fund for SDGs

    Delta Government has approved the release of N600 million counterpart fund for the implementation of the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) cycle in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, who disclosed this to newsmen in Asaba, said it was part of the resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Ukah said that the council also approved the construction and rehabilitation of more roads across the state to open up linkages between rural communities and urban centers.

    He also said that at the completion of the roads, agrarian communities would be encouraged to evacuate their produce to various markets in line with the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa agenda of prosperity for all Deltans.

    Also the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Uduaghan, who responded to questions on the state divestment of its 60 per cent share in Delta Line Transport Company, said the move was apt.

    Uduaghan said that the state transport company had degenerated to the extent that it could not pay salaries of its workers among other bills despite many years of government investments and support.

    According to the commissioner, Delta Line debt now stands at over N500 million.

    “Year in, year out, the record is there that government has invested in Delta Line but the expectation is not what happened.

    “So, in looking for a way forward, the state divesting 60 per cent of its share in Delta Line is the right way to ensure an effective, efficient and result oriented transport company for all Deltans and Nigerians to enjoy,” he said.

    Also, the Commissioner for Finance, David Edevwie, said that the 60 per cent share in the company amounted to about N160 million, adding that negotiation was on to ensure that most of the over 800 staff of Delta Line were retained.

    He said that though the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the preferred bidder, God is Good Motors; discussion was on to ensure that the right staff were recruited.

    According to Edevwie, the preferred bidder has the expertise and would introduce new technologies to make the transport company safer, accountable and viable.

    “To the best of my knowledge, I can count three times that government had pumped in millions into Delta Line and at the end there is no result to show for it.

    “The company cannot pay its workers salary, creditors, so the issue has been debated in the Council before we arrived at where we are today, which is the signing of MoU.

    “We have not completed the process, there is still going to be lots of discussion with union of Delta Line Company and I am sure at the end we will fare better than we have had over the past 17 years that the company had existed,” the commissioner said.

    Edevwie said that the new management would also shoulder the company’s liabilities of well over N500 million.

    The commissioner also spoke on the delay in completing the Multi-billion Naira Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Oghara, Ethiope East Local Government Area, saying it was due to paucity of fund.

    He said that government was considering to divest part of its share in the project, or sell it off, after a complete review of the project.

    Edevwie disclosed that the government had engaged an adviser on the way forward on the IPP project, adding that a definite decision would be taken before December.

  • Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in New York lauded the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the donation of hardware in support of Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Femi Adesina.

    He said that Buhari made the commendation at a bilateral meeting with Femi AdesinaII of Jordan on the sideline of the ongoing 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    Adesina said the President was delighted with the pledge by the Jordanian government to further supply helicopters to Nigeria.

    He quoted Buhari saying that “the very expensive donation of about 200 Armoured Fighting Vehicles reflects true concern for Nigeria’s security situation and genuine goodwill towards a friendly nation.’’

    The presidential aide said Buhari also reassured the King of Nigeria’s commitment towards the proposed Aqaba Process with countries in the region.

    Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba

    “Nigeria is willing to play a leading role in bringing together countries in the West African sub-region into this collective security arrangement.”

    He said the president pledged Nigeria’s continued desire for enhanced bilateral ties with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

    The Jordanian King had earlier informed Buhari that his Government was in the process of opening an embassy in Abuja in the next few months.

    He, therefore, expressed appreciation over the support being extended to his country by the Nigerian government in this regard.

    He told Buhari that his National Security Adviser ( NSA ) would soon be working out the finer details of the Aqaba Process with his Nigerian counterpart.

    The President was accompanied to the bilateral meeting, the third of its kind since the inception of the current administration, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the NSA, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Bande also attended the meeting.

    The statement recalled that soon after President Buhari took office in 2015, the Jordanian King had offered a hand of friendship, cooperation and support for Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    This resulted in the NSA undertaking two visits to Jordan to follow up on issues previously discussed with the King, and the donation of military hardware and pledge of further support.

    These gestures were aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s operational capabilities in the fight against terror both within the country and the Lake Chad Basin.

    The security situation in Nigeria affects neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger where the Multinational Joint Task Force is engaging the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists.

    The NSA’s second trip to Jordan on the invitation of the King in January 2016 to attend the 3rd Aqaba Process also resulted in a renewed commitment between the two countries to consider multilateral action in confronting the menace of terrorism.

    The Kingdom of Jordan has similar Aqaba arrangement with the East African countries battling protracted terrorist menace.

    Nigeria has agreed to work with countries in the region on a similar arrangement with Jordan.

    “It is anticipated that the first Aqaba Process for Nigeria and sister countries within the sub-region with Jordan will be held in late November or early December 2017,’’ the statement said.