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  • Buratai: Army will be tough on riggers, sponsors

    THE military has warned political thugs, militia men and those arming them to disrupt polls to steer clear of the voting stations on Saturday.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who issued the warning, also read out the rules of engagement for soldiers on electoral duties.

    He said that those working to achieve a premeditated result through rigging of the Governorship and State’s Assembly elections should perish the idea.

    The Army chief cautioned officers against taking “unlawful orders” from politicians, no matter the standing of such politicians in the society.

    “Commanders must not take any unlawful orders from any politician, no matter how highly-placed that will jeopardise the apolitical stand of the Nigerian Army”, he told top military officers.

    The military, he said, would be tough on those planning to rig and disrupt the polls.

    Besides, he said that those who killed three military personnel during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections would be fished out and brought to justice.

    He said: “Let no one be in doubt that those desperate politicians and criminals that attacked our troops in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties will be tracked down and brought to justice.”

    Also yesterday the Air Force said it would on Saturday deploy air assets in flash point states.

    Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar dropped the hint at a meeting with Air Officers Commanding, Principal Staff Officers and Field Commanders at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

    The Air Chief said the planned deployment was in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence of State (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin to all services to ensure peaceful elections.

    According to Lt.-Gen Buratai the military had already received intelligence reports on politicians who are planning to use the herders/farmers crises to arm their thugs and ethnic militia to perpetrate acts of violence, including bombing.

    He said: “I want to state and categorically warn that the Nigerian Army will not tolerate any acts that will undermine national security. This time around we shall be tough on those who plan to rig or disrupt the electoral process,” the COAS warned.

    Lt.-Gen Buratai spoke yesterday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. It was at a meeting with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Operational Commanders and Directors.

    He said the meeting was principally called to review the performances of the Army during the last presidential and National Assembly elections with a view to take pro-active steps ahead of Saturday’s election.

    Lt Gen. Buratai, who regretted that an Officer and three soldiers were killed during the last elections, said that the Army would not only honour them with a befitting military burial as heroes of democracy, but would track down their killers and bring them to justice.

    The COAS said: “Once again, let me welcome you all to another expanded weekly meeting as done two weeks ago. I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you all for the professional manner in which you executed my directives for Operation SAFE CONDUCT.

    “The proactive intervention of NA in the recently concluded Presidential and National Assembly Elections contributed greatly to its successful conduct and credibility.

    “I am glad to note that both international and local observers and indeed the Nigeria print and electronic media applauded the professional role played by the Nigerian Army in ensuring that a secure and conducive environment was created for eligible voters to exercise their civic rights.

    “Unfortunately, some level of violence was still recorded leading to disruption of polls, burning of ballot boxes in some areas as well as loss of lives, including the death of an officer and three soldiers.

    “The Nigerian Army, to a larger extent, ensured that the large scale electoral malpractices and acts of thuggery aimed at disenfranchising voters as witnessed in previous elections were curbed despite the campaign of calumny orchestrated by some politicians against us.

    “Overall, I am delighted to note that the first phase of Operation SAFE CONDUCT was a huge success. Despite the bomb explosion in some parts of Maiduguri and attack in Geidam, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE were able to decisively defeat the attacks and secured the area for a successful conduct of elections.

    “We must therefore consolidate on this success and prepare adequately for the second phase of the election by reviewing our plans with a view to correcting observed lapses a peaceful poll that will reflect the wishes of Nigerians that have the right to determine those that govern them.

    “Recent security threat assessment and analysis of the coming elections showed that politicians have made plans to use all means available to truncate the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    “There are indications of their intent to take advantage of and to use the farmers/herders crisis, armed political thugs and ethnic militias to perpetrate acts of violence including bombings.

    “Some of them also intend to infiltrate domestic staff of political opponents, employ mercenaries to carry out acts of assassinations, use the social media for smear campaigns, hate speeches and spread fake news in a bid to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections. We must not allow them succeed.

    “Let me reiterate that the NA will enforce all guidelines in support of the Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections in line with its constitutional roles.  I therefore want to remind us all not to rest on our oars.

    “We shall not allow those who are determined to undermine our electoral process to succeed.  These forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections are very crucial. This is an election that touches on the interest of the people at the grassroots and could likely be volatile in nature.

    “It is important to reiterate that politicians will employ and deploy all means to outwit each other to gain control of power at this level. We may recall that in the recently concluded poll, some politicians in their quest for power, armed thugs and miscreants with automatic weapons; induced and coerced Youth Corps members and INEC ad-hoc staff to perpetrate acts of electoral malpractices.

    “We must therefore continue to support the NPF and other security agencies to prevent these malpractices from occurring again. I therefore urge all commanders to work assiduously and closely with the civil authorities and all law abiding individuals as well as groups to ensure the success of the forthcoming elections.

    “During the course of the recently concluded elections, troops of the Nigerian Army were able to make arrests of persons who perpetrated acts of electoral offences. These suspects are to be immediately handover to the police for prosecution.

    “I want to state and categorically warn that the Nigerian Army will not tolerate any acts that will undermine national security. This time around we shall be tough on those who plan to rig or disrupt the electoral process.

    “I therefore want to appeal to Nigerian youths to shun any attempt by any politician to use them to perpetrate any form of violence. As we mourn the death of the young officer and soldiers killed on the course of their lawful duty during the recently held election, I want to assure their families that their death will not be in vain.

    “In line with the tradition of the Nigerian Army they will be given heroic burial as they are indeed the heroes of our democracy. I have directed that their full entitlements be paid.

    “Let no one be in doubt that those desperate politicians and criminals that attacked our troops in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties will be tracked down and brought to justice.

    “There have been reports of alleged compromises by some personnel during the elections.  We have received complaints from some stakeholders, major political parties, Governors of Bayelsa, Oyo and Ogun states of allegation of misconduct as well as unprofessional conduct by some of our personnel.

    “Unfortunately some other states have gone to the press with unsubstantiated allegation without resort to the NA leadership. Nonetheless, all these complaints are noted and will be addressed appropriately. A high-powered committee had been convened and instituted to investigate all cases of alleged misconduct by troops arising from the 2019 General Elections.

    “This is aimed at ensuring that all cases are thoroughly looked into for the purpose of dispensation of justice and to uphold Nigerian Army’s credibility, professionalism and apolitical stand.

    “Once again let me reiterate my charge to you concerning this election.”

    The COAS listed the charges as follows:

    • Commanders must be vigilant to ensure that cases of infiltrations to scare off voters are not allowed.
    • Hobnobbing and fraternisation with politicians during this election period is totally prohibited.
    • Commanders must ensure robust and extensive patrols are carried out to cover all flash points; enforce the no movement restrictions and carryout thorough searches of vehicles and persons.
    • Commanders must deal decisively with any electoral crime or action such as electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of electoral materials and firearms as well as other crimes that would mar the smooth conduct of the election.
    • There must be no military escort for any politician or retired military personnel until after the elections.
    • Commanders must ensure that no retired military officer is allowed to use Service weapons hitherto authorised for their personal safety during the period of the election.
    • Commanders must ensure that troops remain on ground to counter and deal ruthlessly with any post-election violence.
    • Commanders must work in conjunction with the police and other security agencies to dominate the environment to forestall any form of violence.
    • Commanders must maintain force protect and respond decisively to prevent any surprise attack on troops of Operation SAFE CONDUCTand eligible voters by armed militia groups or political thugs.
    • Commanders must act according to the Rules of Engagement and within the code of conduct as well as have respect for fundamental human rights in the performance of their assigned roles.
    • Commanders must not take any unlawful orders from any politician, no matter how highly-placed that will jeopardize the apolitical stand of the Nigerian Army.
    • Commanders must ensure troops under their command remain apolitical, neutral and should deal ruthlessly with electoral law breakers as well as avoid compromise with any politician and political party.”
  • Fulani herdsmen, sponsors and patrons

    Fulani herdsmen, sponsors and patrons

    Apart from its iniquity and brutality, very little was known of Nigerian Fulani herdsmen, rated by Global Terrorism Index as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world,  coming after Boko Haram, ISIS and Al-Shabab. They reportedly killed about 1,229 Nigerians between 2013 and 2014. And since our traditional Fulani herdsmen don’t carry sophisticated arms, many had thought only infiltrators from neighbouring countries could have inflicted so much sorrow on innocent women and children across the Middle Belt of Nigeria. Armed with sophisticated weapons, these men whose identity, state of origin  or nationality are  unknown, killed, maimed and disappeared, leaving many in pain. Government even with its control of awesome apparatus of state power has yet to apprehend or prosecute any of their members.

    The narrative however changed with last week intervention by Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Alhaji Sale Bayeri, the Secretary-General of Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association and member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association’s (MACBAN) Board of Trustees. The former admitted he is a patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the body that gives protection to Fulani herdsmen. Other patrons according to him include the Sultan of Sokoto, Lamido of Adamawa and emirs of Zazzau and Katsina.” The objective of the Fulani herdsmen umbrella body according to him is the “protection of the fundamental rights of herdsmen as Nigerians including constitutional right to freedom of movement and the ownership of private wealth and peaceful conduct of their business.”

    He traces the cause of the crisis to “demographic implosion in the North, desertification, reduction in water reserves and competition for resources, crop production, animal husbandry and fishing” but blames the prolonged crisis and the attendant terrorism to “failure of political authority, the cynical manipulation of ethnic identity by failed governments and the impotence of our security machinery.”

    He however vigorously defended the action of the herdsmen citing the alleged murder of “800 Fulani women, infants and the elderly.” whose  personal dossier he claimed he “ personally handed over to the Federal Government with the names and pictures’ as well as  names and addresses of persons known to have participated in these acts of ethnic cleansing”.

    The latter, Alhaji Sale Bayeri, chose to warn us about the “grave consequences if 18 million Fulanis continue to perceive deliberate injustice”, threatening that “the Boko Haram insurgency would be a child’s play if herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts are not resolved in a way that is acceptable to all sides.” And what would appease the rampaging herdsmen, he said was contained in a 70-page letter he had sent to President Buhari before his inauguration. In it was a demand for an un-hindered grazing access in areas he identified as ‘trouble spots’ spread across 75 local government areas across 21 states including   “ Oye Local Government in the northern part of Ekiti, Shaki in Oyo State, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola”.

    And with foreboding finality, both Fulani leaders insist “Benue anti-grazing law cannot work”, while Bayeri seems to demand as of right that “there should be open grazing for those people who think it is traditional and cultural to do it because that is their only form of exercise, leisure and pleasure.” The ‘leisure and pleasure’ of herdsmen he seems to say, take precedence over ownership of cultivated farms or uncultivated land belonging to private individuals.

    With such robust defence and backing of Fulani herdsmen by their principals, we need not ask the source of their sophisticated weapons, what embolden them to act with impunity and why no one has been brought to book to date.

    The contempt and the arrogance exhibited by the aggressors while the bodies of their victims were about to be laid to rest once again raise the issue of restructuring as the only answer to our crisis of nationhood. It is apparent that some of our compatriots don’t believe we are running a federal system of government. This can only be the explanation why the Emir of Kano believes he can from his Kano fiefdom dictate to Benue State governor how to run the affairs of his state. Under a federal constitution, especially in an age when the federal arrangement has become market driven, the only option available to Emir Sanusi of Kano is to encourage settlers who are dissatisfied with Benue laws to migrate to Kano, if his fiefdom holds better prospects.

    Within a federal set up, desert encroachment, population implosion or competition for resources may attract federal support but cannot be sufficient reasons to demand by force, free grazing zones in the farmlands of federating states or threat to invite fellow Fulani across the borders to unleash further terror if the federal government fails to prevail on recalcitrant states.

    Beyond capturing territories, which His Royal Highness , Emir of Kano says is ‘daft argument’, it is not lost on many Nigerians that it is only those with mindset of feudal lords that will demand as of right to embark on open grazing across the farm lands of other federating states.

    I sympathise with Governor Samuel Ortom and the people of Benue State who have just buried another set of 73 victims in the vicious cycle of terror that started in Tiv land long before independence. Unfortunately, until Governor Ortom, successive Tiv leaders betrayed the spirit of Joseph Tarka who along with Awo paid dearly for their attempt to create an identity for the Tiv people.  Successive Tiv leaders including the David Mark, eight years Senate President and his group who are now threatening to set up an army have betrayed the Benue people by choosing to pick crumps from the table of those who have openly declared Tiv land as spoil of war following their great grandfather’s conquest of Tiv land.

    And finally, I sympathise with President Buhari whose failure to seize an historic opportunity to become a statesman, with all his imperfections, alleged nepotism, cronyism and soft spot for Fulani herdsmen, he is the only Nigerian leader that has truly put Nigeria first not necessarily because of what he stands to gain politically or financially. He is unlike Obasanjo whose claim of being ‘Mr. Nigeria’ secured for him a military head of state and a two-term president when he would have not risen beyond a local council chairman due to the nature of politics of his Yoruba people.

    I recently asked, unfortunately without getting an answer, someone I believe is sufficiently close enough to know the way the mind of the president works. It is curious that President Buhari would ignore the wise counsel of Nigerian patriots like Wole Soyinka, Emeka Anyaoku and others on restructuring and then move on to squander away the goodwill of millions of Nigerians who had wanted to make an Abraham Lincoln out of him, choosing to swim along with those with mindset of feudal lords and their public face like David Mark who has asked those who identified  restructuring as answer to our crisis of nationality to  “first restructure their minds”.

  • Lagos fiesta: Ambode, sponsors promise spectacular grand finale

    The Lagos State Government yesterday promised Lagosians and visitors a world-class, spectacular finale for the ongoing One Lagos Fiesta holding simultaneously across the five divisions of the state. An array of A-list artistes, a new set of talented youths that emerged from the Lagos Grows Talent (LGT) competition and a spectacular display of fireworks are some of the “special effects” lined up for the countdown concert, which will usher in the new year and draw the star-studded fiesta to a close at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Agege Stadium, Ikorodu Town Hall, Badagry Grammar School and Epe Marina waterfront.

    In a press statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the 8-Day, 5-Centre fiesta has again highlighted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s passionate commitment to the promotion of art and culture, development of entertainment and tourism and using the creative sector to engage and empower the teeming youths in the state.

    An estimated 300,000 people have thronged the five locations of the fiesta on a daily basis in a multi-dimensional arrangement that has made it Africa’s biggest end-of-the-year artistic event. “It is a fiesta that has provided direct, indirect and induced jobs to more than 6,000 people like musicians, dancers, technicians, stall owners, brand ambassadors, food and beverage sellers as well as security guards and transport services owners,” Ayorinde said.

    He added that the Victoria Island zone for tomorrow’s grand finale will hold inside the sprawling Eko Atlantic City as against the Bar Beach end where the first seven days fiesta held since December 24. According to the Commissioner, the fiesta train is needed to move from Bar Beach to Eko Atlantic City in order to better appreciate the spectacular display of fireworks that will herald the New Year at exactly 12 midnight today.

    He assured that adequate parking provision has been made for those coming in their cars while shuttle buses would be available at the Bar Beach end from 6pm to take guests into the Eko Atlantic venue where some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes like King Sunny Ade, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Falz the Bad Guy, Adekunle Gold, Simi, Humble Smith and Osupa Saheed, among others, will stage a world-class performance that will be broadcast live on various national and international television and online stations.

    Ayorinde added that the same high standard that will be experienced at Eko Atlantic will be seen at the other four venues to give Lagosians a memorable countdown/crossover night experience, in tandem with Governor Ambode’s electoral promise that every part of the state would be carried along in all of government activities. “The governor is impressed and happy that citizens’ participation in the fiesta has been exemplary across the five zones and that in spite of the unprecedented turn-out, crowd control has been effective; people have conducted themselves responsibly and no untoward incident has happened,” he said.

    The statement conveyed the governor’s best wishes to Lagosians and urged them to continue in this orderly and peaceful manner till the end of the fiesta tomorrow.

    The governor also expressed gratitude to NB Plc, South Energy X, Eko Atlantic, GTBank, Access Bank Plc, Eko Hotels Ltd, Pepsi, Dangote Group and JMG, among other sponsors and partners whose support has not only made the OLF 2017 incomparable, but has also further developed the creative economy of the state.

     

  • Sahara Group sponsors young artistes to London Film Academy

    Winners of ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneurs’, a project of Sahara Group, are about to enrich their skills at the London Film Academy.

    The winner, Joseph Duke and First Runner-up, Chinenye Balogun who emerged from over 200 entries, will undergo training in Editing and Cinematography, courtesy of the leading African energy and infrastructure conglomerate.

    Unveiled in 2016, the competition flagged off Sahara’s unfolding corporate citizenship model tagged: extrapreneurship. The model seeks to create a platform that finds, creates and connects young people with business interests in emerging markets.

    The competition involved the submission of 15-minute documentaries on the activities of Nigerian entrepreneurs by young filmmaker.

    Joseph Duke, the overall winner of the project recently completed a six-month internship programme with ace filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, being the star prize of the project.

    “It still feels like a dream each time I think about how Sahara Group’s support has enhanced my career. I spent six dream months with Kunle Afolayan during which I learnt a lot and interacted with some of the best minds in the industry. Now, going to the London Film Academy is another experience I am looking forward to. In fact, Sahara Group has changed my life and given wings to my aspiration,” he said.

    Duke said he was already working on some projects that he hopes would announce his entry into the film industry “in a big way”.

    According to Bethel Obioma, spokesperson for Sahara Group, the energy giant was delighted to be “co-creating a future of excellence in the film industry with budding talents through its projects and interventions,” adding that Sahara draws inspiration from giving individuals wings to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

    “We are passionate giving all we can and working with like-minded stakeholders to promote sustainable development across the globe,” he said.

    For Chinenye Balogun, the London Film Academy experience would further hone her skills in pursuit of her dream of ultimately becoming a successful film maker.

    She said: “I am inspired by what Sahara Group is doing in terms of helping people’s dreams come true and look forward to using my career and achievements to support young filmmakers.”

    Sahara is currently concluding plans for the next edition of the grooming film extrapreneurs project with an extended mandate of giving opportunities to young filmmakers in Africa to showcase their works.

     

  • Celebrating culture sponsors  

    What will happen if they don’t do the festival?” It was a striking question.  On August 19, the day after the grand finale of the 2017 Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove in Osun State, a small group of visitors who looked like foreigners stood at the riverside in the sacred grove with a local female guide who enthusiastically told the story of Osun, the water goddess represented by an attention-grabbing statue at the edge of the mystical river.  One of the fascinated visitors asked the guide the fascinating question I overheard.

    As I walked out of the sacred space, that question would not leave me alone. Indeed, the question followed me to my base in Lagos. The Osun-Osogbo Grove is the site of Nigeria’s star tourist attraction and the country’s pre-eminent traditional religious festival, which draws a high number of domestic and foreign tourists.  The sacred grove was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005.

    I became a pilgrim to the mystical grove right from my first visit as a journalist over two decades ago to see the spectacular festival. I had eagerly looked out for Susanne Wenger in the grove but didn’t see her. It was, therefore, a magical moment for me when I eventually came face to face with her in her Osogbo home on a different occasion while trying to get her to grant me an interview.  I found out, during my research for the interview, that there was no book on her written by a Nigerian, although she was a cultural celebrity and had at the time lived in Nigeria for nearly 50 years.  It was unbelievable! This was when the idea struck me to do a book on her.

    At the time I informed Wenger of my plan to write a book on her, she responded positively, saying, “I bless your work and your good intentions.” She was an engaging personality well known for her remarkable devotion to Yoruba traditional gods (which earned her the Yoruba name Adunni Olorisa as a mark of her acceptance in the traditional society). She was also famous for her innovative New Sacred Art group and for her selfless dedication to the preservation of the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, listed as a World Heritage Site shortly after her 90th birthday in 2005- this was an interesting coincidence and the icing on the cake for Wenger.

    Long before it became correct to be environment-friendly, Wenger had championed a crusade for the conservation of nature in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, albeit based on a religious premise and her conviction that deities dwelled there. It is to her credit that after her long battle with various interest groups that failed to see the need to guard the grove, the political authorities in Nigeria eventually saw her point and stepped in to protect it; and then, UNESCO followed.

    Wenger’s passing on January 12, 2009, at the age of 93, after nearly 60 years in the country, was as newsy as her life. Despite her exit, indeed, because of the sad occurrence, the book project remained on course. This unique well- researched Wenger portrait offers a fresh experience of her; it consists of an extensive up-to-date close-up profile of her, and exclusive interviews that I had with her, which not only explored her extraordinary life but also yielded further insights into her thoughts and ideas on Yoruba culture and tradition at the advanced stage of her life.

    It is enriched with expressive pictures of Wenger and some of her eye-catching sculptures in the grove; and other important images related to her gripping story. It is a modest way of paying a well- deserved tribute to a loyal vessel of Yoruba divinities (Olorisa); her legacy is undeniable. The book also beams the spotlight on the Osun-Osogbo Grove and the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

    For the first time, the captivating story of the phenomenal Austrian artist who became an unapologetic populariser of Yoruba traditional religion and attracted global attention to Osogbo, Osun State, South-West Nigeria, is presented from a Nigerian perspective and with a Nigerian flavour.

    The beauty of this book lies particularly in its liberal use of narratives by Nigerian journalists to paint a picture of this enigmatic celebrity known for her self-effacing modesty. It represents, therefore, a very Nigerian treatment of the subject. Furthermore, this is the most up-to-date book on the life and times of Susanne Wenger; it includes material on the celebration of her 100th birth anniversary in 2015 as well as the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Osun-Osogbo Grove as a World Heritage Site in the same year.

    Every year, in August the Osun-Osogbo Festival is celebrated “to appease the goddess of the river.”  The Chief Festival Administrator, Osun-Osogbo Festival, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, said in a statement: “We recognise and appreciate the support of all our sponsors, even though the recession and the parlous economy have forced many of them to withdraw their sponsorship of the Festival from 2015 to date. However, some of these sponsors are still loyal and faithful to accommodate the sponsorship of the Osun-Osogbo Festival. They still find it important to perform their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards Osogbo’s heritage by supporting the 2017 edition of the Osun-Osogbo Festival.”

    He continued: “These sponsors, who have enjoyed the exclusivity spot in their various industries as sponsors of the Festival, have been supporting us consistently over the years; hence on this note we want to express our profound appreciation to the following: 1) Nigerian Breweries PLC and the Goldberg Larger Beverage, 28 consistent years of sponsorship; 2) Mobile Network Telecommunications (MTN) Limited, GSM exclusive sponsor since 2005; 3) Grand Oak’s Seaman’s Schnapps White Spirit, supplication drink over 25 years consecutively; 4) Government of the State of Osun, precisely 13 years running; 5) The Osogbo Cultural Heritage (OCHC)  and the Osogbo Kingmakers, from cradle; 6) The Olokun Foundation, superintended by Otunba Gani Adams,  since 2001 till date.”

    These sponsors deserve to be celebrated for making the festival happen. They are culturally conscious and deserve to be commended for their services to culture.  Hopefully, these sponsors will support me as I prepare to launch my book.

    It is a reflection of the Osun State government’s cultural consciousness that it declared August 21 work free to commemorate ‘Isese Day’, which is also known as Traditional Worshipers Day.  The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, in a statement said that the holiday was to make it possible for adherents of traditional religion to celebrate. It is noteworthy that Yoruba religion is recognised by UNESCO which in 2005 added the Ifa Divination system to its list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

  • Wike, Peterside trade words on sponsors of crimes

    Wike, Peterside trade words on sponsors of crimes

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general election in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said Rivers people are tired of the lies, deceit and propaganda of the Nyesom Wike’ administration.

    He accused Wike, a former minister of state for Education, of promoting and supporting kidnapping.

    Peterside, who is the director general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), spoke at the weekend at APC’s Rivers East Senatorial District campaign kick-off for the October legislative rerun at Okehi, headquarters of Etche Local Government.

    The rally was attended by Peterside’s running mate, Asita Honourable; Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; APC’s Deputy National Chairman, Oji Ngofa; Rivers Chairman of APC, Chief Davies Ikanya; and candidates for the rerun; among other chieftains of APC.

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, while speaking at the rally, described the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as a honest man, a man of integrity and a performer.

    He expressed surprise that despite borrowing billions in a little over one year in office, Wike still owed workers six months, giving the excuse of doing biometrics.

    The NIMASA director-general also accused Rivers governor of closing schools and primary health centres built by Amaechi across the 23 councils.

    Wike, who spoke through Samuel Nwanosike, publicity secretary of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asked Peterside to apologise to Rivers people and join him to develop the state.

    The Rivers governor denied promoting or supporting kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

    He accused the NIMASA’s director-general and other APC leaders of living in lies, describing security as the business of the Federal Government, with governor as logistic officer not chief security officer of the state.

    Wike stressed that all loans taken by his administration to better the lives of Rivers people were approved by the House of Assembly.

    The governor insisted that many projects and programmes were embarked upon by his government, with those allegedly abandoned by Amaechi’s administration being completed.

    Peterside said: “We have another opportunity through the October rerun to correct the lies being told Rivers people. We never voted for Wike’s government and we would not have voted for this government. Rivers people are tired of their lies, deceit and propaganda. No amount of lies, propaganda and deceit can sway Rivers people. We are resolute to change Wike’s government. We want a government that will represent the interest of our people and that government is APC’s government, led by  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State.

    “While NBA (Nigeria Bar Association) conference was going on in Rivers State, a woman was kidnapped in GRA, Port Harcourt. In trying to escape from the kidnappers, she bashed her car and she almost died. While the NBA conference was taking place, another woman was kidnapped in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, in front of her house.

    “We know who gave them (kidnappers) guns and who cannot withdraw the guns. With the October rerun, the end of lies, deceit, propaganda, kidnapping and criminality has come in Rivers State. Your votes will make all the difference. Your vote is your power.”

    The APC’s ex-governorship candidate also said during Amaechi’s first term as governor, while he was the commissioner for Works, many projects were delivered, while challenging Wike’s government to show Rivers people one project it conceived and completed in one year in office, despite borrowing more money than previous governments put together.

    He maintained that economic exploitation must stop in the state, with good governance needed and promised that he and other APC leaders would not rest until good governance was delivered to the people

    Peterside urged them to vote for APC’s candidates, who represent good governance, during the rerun.

    He assured them of security, asking the electorate not to be scared.

    Peterside said: “Proper elections were conducted in Tai Local Government  (of Rivers State during March 19 rerun). After the elections, the returning officer declared the results properly. Somebody, who thought he could act God and could use money to compromise everybody, decided to sit on the results, but at God’s own time, the results of Tai LGA were announced. We thank INEC for the courage.

  • Group urges Fed Govt to unmask sponsors of Boko Haram Sponsors

    The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has urged the Federal Government to carry out a proper scrutiny to unmask financiers of Boko Haram in the country.

    The group, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, by its Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, also called on various persons or group sponsoring Boko Haram activities in the country to put the interest of Nigerians above their personal interest.

    Isaac said that only a probe of the stakeholders from Borno State can bring a lasting peace to the North east.

    He urged those who he described as ‘crisis entrepreneurs’ and believe in making financial fortunes from the insurgency to allow peace a chance in the interest of the suffering masses in the country.

    According to him, these individuals have sabotaged every effort to end the crisis and are not ready to quit their inhuman business of war mongering.

    The statement read: “The military has adequately demonstrated that they are up the task and all they have achieved in a short span of time should not be thrown away simply because some leaders in Borno State want the war to linger for their own interest.

    “President Buhari has to finally honour the implied promise of exposing these people who have been running terrorism as a business despite the toll of human misery they are exacting on the nation. There is no justifiable reason for the military to have carried out successful operations while the other components of the anti-terror efforts are being frustrated.

    “We have even seen instances were some so called leaders or elites in this area covertly or openly come out to speak for the terrorists. Some also take action or use inaction to aid the cause of the insurgents all in attempts to roll back the gains made in combating Boko Haram.

  • NECO sponsors five candidates

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has donated learning materials to indigent pupils of Day Secondary School, Gbada, Gidan Mangoro, and two boreholes to supplement water needs of its host communities, Gidan Mangoro and Gbaganako in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State.
    Under the initiative, five SS3 pupils from the school who topped a selection test conducted by the council were identified for sponsorship for the NECO 2016 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Three SS2 students were also presented with textbooks, notebooks and mathematical sets; while three other indigent JSS1-JSS3 pupils received textbooks, notebooks, school uniforms, shoes, socks, school bag and under-shirt each for the next academic session.
    The Registrar/CEO of NECO, Prof Abdulrashid Garba, said while handing over the items that the initiative was to fulfil NECO’s Corporate Social Responsibility to the host communities and maintain cordial relationship between them.
    “Corporate organisations cannot exist in isolation from their immediate host community. This is an opportunity to say thank you to the communities as they have been allowing us to stay here without any problem or crisis,” he said.
    Garba noted that the SS3 pupils who had earlier paid the N11,550 fee for the examination were refunded their money;
    Reacting to the gesture, the Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello praised NECO for touching lives.
    “You have touched the lives of the community by drilling these boreholes. Water is next to life, without water, nothing can take place in the home,” said Bello who was represented by the commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu.
    Bello promised to reposition the education sector in the state and renovate the existing schools to UNESCO standard.

  • Glo sponsors global ICC Arbitration confab

    Glo sponsors global ICC Arbitration confab

    The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), organisers of the first ever Africa Regional Arbitration conference has announced Nigeria’s data masters, Globacom as its official sponsor.

    The three-day conference scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos has the theme: “Arbitration and Africa: Prospects and Challenges.”

    The conference, expected to draw delegates from all over the world, is being organised by the International Court of Arbitration, an arm of the ICC, in conjunction with the ICC, Nigeria.

    A statement from the organisers of the event said the conference will focus on the relationship between inward foreign investment in emerging markets in Africa, the types of disputes which may arise, and the African experience in arbitration proceedings.

    The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the conference which will also be attended by legal practitioners from across the world.

    Globacom, in a statement, described the conference as timely and consistent with the rising profile of alternative dispute resolution globally.

    “We are delighted to sponsor this strategic conference at this point in the country’s history. Conflicts are inevitable in any society, but it is of utmost importance that there are many reliable avenues for the resolution of these conflicts for social harmony and business activities to thrive. That is why we are very happy to support this conference,” said Globacom.

    Globacom pledged that it would continue to support activities aimed at growing the country’s economy and enhancing the reputation of the Nigerian brand in the global arena.

  • Fish out Mushin gang war sponsors, Alado tells police

    Fish out Mushin gang war sponsors, Alado tells police

    • I don’t breed hoodlums  

    • My children are abroad

    A Lagos socialite, Alhaji Taoheed Faronbi, popularly known as Alado, has urged the police to fish out those behind last Wednesday’s gang war in Mushin.

    Six persons injured and many vehicles were burnt in the fracas.

    In a radio interview monitored by The Nation yesterday, Faronbi said the mayhem would cease once the sponsors are arrested.

    He said: “Any time some of these hoodlums were arrested, within three months, you will see them back on the streets. Who are the people bailing them? Why do the police not charged them to court to get conviction? Why do their godfathers or sponsors not arrested? Nobody should mention my name whenever there is crisis in Mushin because I have always called on police to get the hoodlums arrested.”

    Faronbi, the Babaloja of Isolo Market said none of his children was involved in the crisis.

    “My children are in United Kingdom, United States, South Africa among others. Whoever says my children are involved in the mayhem is lying. They should check their record well,” he said.

    According to him, those who usually create chaos in Mushin are not from the area, saying that they come from far places to torment the people and run back.

    “I was born and raised in Mushin; I will allow anybody to create unnecessary tension here (Mushin). Whenever those hoodlums came attacking the people, I called the police immediately,” he said.

    Faronbi said the last fracas was not about National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leadership fighting for park as reported, rather hoodlums coming to unleash mayhem on the people.

    The Akeem ‘No Case’ and Ilesanmi boys were said to be fighting over the control of Isolo bus stop last Wednesday.

    Both groups have always claimed to be the ‘landlords’, of the area, at the expense of commercial motorists.

    Dangerous weapons were freely used in the fight that lasted almost an hour, with motorists scampering for safety.

    Some road users took to social media to warn others about the fight, calling on the police to act immediately.

    Residents and traders urged police to come to their aid.

    They also urged the police to prosecute four members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Rasheed Adeshina (a.k.a Action), Salami Rauf, Waheed Oseni and Azeez Gbadamosi, who were allegedly arrested with the service rifle of a dead policeman, and their sponsors.

    The suspects were arrested during the raid of a bakery that they used as their armoury.

    According to a resident, the police were aware of the hoodlums’sponsors.

    He urged the police to go after the “big fish”, who provide the hoodlums with guns and weapons.

    “These boys have given the police the names of the boys and the police know them very well.

    “One of the persons, whom they said bought the AK-47 rifle and the Pump Action gun for them, is walking freely in Mushin and I wonder why he has not been arrested to explain how a police rifle was found in possession of his boys.