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  • Immigration stop 58 Nigeria doctors from leaving country

    Immigration stop 58 Nigeria doctors from leaving country

    By Henry Umole

    The Nigeria Immigration Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos has refused departure of fifty-eight Nigerian Doctors from leaving the country.

    The Nigerian doctors were attempting to travel aboard a UK bound aircraft flight number ENT 550, registration number SP-ES that flew in from London.

    According to a statement by the Nigerian Immigration Service Fifty-Six of the Doctors had no Visa for entry to United Kingdom, while only two had visa.

    The Fifty-eight Medical Doctors were refused departure in line with Section 31 subsection 2a and b, on powers conferred on the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service by the Immigration Act 2015, to prohibit departure of any person under the conditions stated in the Act.

    The chartered flight approved for landing in Nigeria was to carry forty-two medical doctors for a training program but they were fifty-eight with only two having Visa for entry into UK, a situation that calls for refusal of departure.

    The Nigeria Immigration Service as the agency saddled with control of entry and departure from Nigeria of persons will not allow individuals or groups of well-educated Nigerians who should know the procedures for travelling out of their country and the requirements, which include having a valid visa for entry into a destination country to leave. This is to avoid refusal of Entry and repatriation back to Nigeria amidst Covid-19 pandemic and spreading of same as well as flouting the Federal Government’s directive on restriction of international flights unless for essential reason as approved by government.

    The statement further noted that there is no official communication to the Service from the Ministry of Health in Nigeria or any known Medical body notifying the NIS of the travel of this number of Medical Doctors.

    The Aircraft has since departed for London without the Medical Doctors.

  • KEY BANDIT LEADERS NEUTRALIZED BY NAF AT KAGARA FOREST IN ZAMFARA

    KEY BANDIT LEADERS NEUTRALIZED BY NAF AT KAGARA FOREST IN ZAMFARA

    By Abel Leonard

    Some notable armed bandit leaders and several of their fighters have been neutralized in air strikes executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the Zamfara State section of the Kagara Forest.

    Information obtained by our correspondent indicates that this was achieved due to Human Intelligence reports which indicated that some armed bandits had relocated with a large number of rustled livestock from the Sokoto State side of the Forest and set up camp in the Zamfara State portion of the Forest.

    Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions also later confirmed the exact location of the camp.

    Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage the location. As the attack aircraft approached the camp, some of the bandits and their leaders were seen fleeing towards the surrounding bushes.

    Consequently, the attack aircraft struck taking out several of the bandits. Sources later confirmed that 8 bandit leaders and no fewer than a dozen of their fighters were killed as a result of the strikes

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and urged them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.

  • Lebanese ambassador walks out on Reps

    Lebanese ambassador walks out on Reps

    The Ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria, Mr. Houssam Diab, on Thursday, walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

    Mr Diab was summoned by the House Committee headed by Rep. Tolu Akande-Shadipe, to respond to questions on the maltreatment of Nigerians in Lebanon.

    But as the hearing was about to commence, at about 10: 52am, the Lebanese envoy, walked out of the room and shut the House’ hearing room 348 door, behind him.

  • Senate Carpets NDDC for Financial Recklessness

    Senate Carpets NDDC for Financial Recklessness

    By Lawrence Ekwonu

    Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate has decried allegations of financial recklessness and misappropriation of funds leveled against the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Lawan described them as unacceptable noting that the situation necessitated the ongoing investigation of the NDDC.

    Lawan stated this in a speech delivered on Thursday to declare open an investigative public hearing by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Alleged Financial Recklessness in the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    The Senate President who underscored the need for the prudent application of public funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs), emphasised that same had become imperative in view of scarce income at the disposal of the Federal Government.

    “Financial recklessness is not an attribute that anyone can afford, whether rich or poor. It is even worse with the poor, or for the organisation or a country with limited resources.

    “This is the reason we have always highlighted the need for prudence in the application of public resources. The time when public resources is seen as nobody’s resources is long gone. We are in trying times, when we all have to be concerned about judicious use of scarce incomes.

    “The NDDC is an important statutory agency that is supposed to improve the lot of the Niger Delta community. It is therefore unacceptable to hear about inappropriate use of resources, or outright financial recklessness,” Lawan said.

    According to the Senate President, the weighty allegations of misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N80 billion by the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC prompted the upper chamber to investigate the Commission.

    While urging stakeholders present at the hearing to cooperate with the Ad-Hoc Committee, Lawan assured the public of the Senate’s commitment to fairness and transparency in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

    “This Senate is a responsive Senate, and it was partly the reason we made up this all-important committee in our sitting on Tuesday, 5th May 2020 to investigate the Alleged Financial Recklessness at the NDDC.

    “I am happy the ad hoc committee has made excellent progress by requesting and receiving vital information from identified stakeholders.

    “This public hearing should further help the committee get more information, to enable them to come to a pleasant conclusion on the facts on ground, before reporting back to the Senate.

    “I have trust in the ability of this committee to do the right thing, but I add that you all have to cooperate with them and be open-minded and frank with your submissions.

    “The Senate will be fair to all. Our aim is to get all evidence, to make excellent decisions, to benefit the citizens. Your cooperation is therefore very important”, the Senate President added.

    Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigating financial recklessness in the NDDC, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi (APC – Ekiti North), in his welcome address said the panel in line with its mandate, seeks “to holistically investigate all financially related allegations, mismanagement and misappropriation and the breach of the extant procurement processes as enshrined in the public procurement Act 2007.”

    The lawmaker added that, “the exercise is not aimed at witch-hunting any individual, groups, persons or institutions, but to rather get at the root of the matter, that will aid in repositioning the NDDC to effectively deliver on the mandate on which it was established, to block leakages of financial mismanagement as well as promote the effective utilization of its resources for the overall development of the people of the Niger Delta region.”

  • Unveiling logo of media houses is to promote visibility- Ogbeche

    Unveiling logo of media houses is to promote visibility- Ogbeche

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ , FCT Chapter has unveiled a conglomerate of recognized Media houses operating in the Federal Capital Territory at the NUJ FCT Council today.

    Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche who opened the ceremony stressed that there is the need to promote visibility and recognition of all media houses operating in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.

    Ogbeche said, ‘we want to capture as many media organizations that are credible, adding that his administration will not relent in its endeavor to reposition the FCT Council to be the first in Nigeria.

    Former President of the National Association Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Comrade Evelyn Oyinlo commended the leadership of the Council for the epoch making event, adding that the Chairman is a trail blazer who has been transparent in his dealings with members.

    Comrade Timothy Elewere commended the leadership of the FCT Council for making sure pensioners are catered for adding that the leadership is forthright and focused and that members are expecting more good things.

    Former Chairman of Council, Jacob Edi who formerly unveiled the logo said this is the many milestones from the administration of the multi talented Chairman of Council, adding that the narrative of the council will change.
    Edi called on journalists to endeavor to participate and believe in the Union instead of waiting for what the council can offer them, he added that the unveiling of the logo is for the benefits of journalism.

    Foremost among the media houses recognized is your popular Daybreak newspaper which recently started hardcopy publication having been an online newspaper for the last three years.

  • Magu detained!

    Magu detained!

    By Lawrence Ekwonu

    Key allegations against him

    •Alleged discrepancies in the reconciliation records of the EFCC and Ministry of Finance on recovered funds

    •Declaration of N539b as recovered funds instead of N504b

    •Insubordination to the Office of the AGF

    •Not providing enough evidences for the extradition of Diezani Alison-Madueke

    •Alleged late action on the investigation of P&ID leading to legal dispute

    •Not respecting court order to unfreeze a N7b judgment in favour of a former executive director of a bank

    •Alleged delay in acting on two vessels seized by the Navy

    •Alleged favouring of some investigators called Magu Boys

    •Reporting some judges to their presiding officers without deferring to the AGF

    •Alleged sale of seized assets to cronies, associates and friends

    •Alleged issuance of investigative activities to some media prejudicial to some cases

    FOR hours on Monday, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu testified before a panel looking into allegations levelled against him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The panel is headed by Justice Isa Ayo Salami, a retired president of the Court of Appeal.

    Magu was detained last night after being quizzed by the panel. Details to follow…

  • My wife, son, others in stable condition–Ortom

    My wife, son, others in stable condition–Ortom

    By Richard Emmanuel

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom took to his verified media handle to appreciate his domestic staffs, Benue people and Nigerians for their love, prayers and show of concern in the fight against Covid19.

    It may be recall that the governor’s wife Dr Eunice and his son had tested positive for Covid19 over the weekend and have been in isolation for further treatment and investigations to ascertain the number of contacts.

    The governor said, his family truly felt loved for the inspiring messages and said they and tall appreciated it.

    He further explained that in the next few days, they will submit samples for another round of test to ascertain the current status of the affected family members, domestic staff, aides and others.

    He said they are all in stable condition.

    “My wife Dr Eunice, our son and all the others who tested positive for COVID-19 are in stable condition and are receiving treatment”.

    “We will submit our samples for another round of tests in the next few days to ascertain the current status of the affected family members, domestic staff, aides and some of us who are negative”.

    “Let me encourage other Benue people who are yet to know their status to take advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 Test Sample Collection”.

    “There is the need for the people to adhere to prevention measures such as physical distancing, the use of face masks, alcohol based sanitizers and frequent hand washing with soap”.

    “Together, we shall defeat COVID-19 pandemic”. He said.

  • Keyamo Can’t Cause Rift Between NASS and Executive

    Keyamo Can’t Cause Rift Between NASS and Executive

    *Insists, Public Works project remains suspended.

    The Senate on Monday said Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity, is too small to create division between the National Assembly and Executive.

    The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan made the declaration while responding to questions raised by journalists during an interactive session with with journalists at Senate wing of the National Assembly.

    “Only one person defines the executive arm of government. Any other person there aside the Vice President, is either recruited or appointed to support that one person, he said.

    “That one person is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So if somebody, an employee or an appointee, out of several others, does something that does not show harmony, it will be unfair and uncharitable to say that the executive arm of government is not on the same page with us.

    He continues: “But let me tell you also here that the National Assembly consciously and patriotically passed the request of the executive for N52billion to undertake the programme on Public Works across the country, where 1,000 youths particularly will be employed in every single local government – and that will give you 774,000 people to be employed.

    While he insisted that the NDE is the only body empowered by law to supervise the recruitment process, Lawn also declared that the Special Public Works Programme, entailing recruitment of 774, 000 youths across the 774 local governments in the country remain suspended until detailed explanations on modalities for its implementation are gotten from the Executive.

    “That was the approval by the National Assembly in the approved budget request of Mr. President. When the National Assembly was to pass the request, the National Assembly was conscious through scrutiny that NDE (National Directorate of Employment) will be the agency to implement the programme and we approved that because we know NDE has the capacity to implement the programme.

    “So that programme is an NDE programme approved by the National Assembly worth N52billion. Secondly, it is within the purview of our committees to demand an explanation on the process and procedure through which this programme will be implemented. So our joint committee was right. The Committee was right to ask the questions.

    “We are meant to interrogate the processes through which such programmes will be implemented. Thirdly, the Committee’s resolve that the programme should be suspended until such explanations are provided on how this programme will be implemented. We stand by that.

    “Our purpose is not just to approve money. We insist that only NDE will implement this programme and even the NDE led by the Minister of Employment and Productivity will have to come and explain to the National Assembly Committees how they will implement the programme.

    “I want the press to understand that what the National Assembly is insisting on is in the national and public interest. It is in the national interest that we know what is going on because we passed the N52billion and somebody should explain to us how the processes of selecting the States Selection Committee is, who are the stakeholders, how are they identified and nominated.

  • Why Nigeria Cannot Do Without A National Assembly- Lawan

    Why Nigeria Cannot Do Without A National Assembly- Lawan

    *Says 9th NASS poised to pass PIB into law

    The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said one of the strings holding Nigeria together as a unified entity is the national assembly.

    Lawan, who was in company of principal officers of the Senate on Monday for an interface session with members of the national assembly press corps at the Senate said
    “Nigeria is multi culture, multi lingua and multi religious” that requires proper representation.

    Lawan said he had cause to explain to people calling for the scrap of the national assembly, saying it is unfortunate that legislature is the most misunderstood arm of goverment in the country.

    “When you come to the house with 360 members, you will be looking at how the population of each state is represented.

    “Kano has three senators and Bayelsa also has three. So, here if someone go against some one because he has less number of people in the house or the Senate but when it comes to the Senate we have equal representation.

    “If the house passes a bill it passes through stages before it becomes a law and the same if the Senate passes a bill that bill does not become a law until the house confirm what the Senate passes and that is why I said that it is the legislature that is destabilizing Nigeria”, said Lawan who called on Nigerians to continue to support their representatives and criticize them objectively in the view to make them perform their legislative duties better.

    The Senate has also expressed optimism on the passage of the pending Petroleum Industry Bill by the 9th Senate.

    Senate Senate gave the assurance during the session when he announced that they were expecting the bill from the executive in two weeks from now.

    “We are aware that the executive are working around the clock to send the Bill to the legislature, possibly in the next two weeks and if we see them it is our desire in the national assembly that we start work on the bill.

    We tried this Bill in the 6th assembly, 7th and 8th assembly but I believe in the 9th assembly by the grace of God, we will succeed.

  • China should tell the world its own story—Bala

    China should tell the world its own story—Bala

    Ambassador Muhamed Gusao Bala is former Nigeria Consul General to Hong Kong, in this interview with Bright Osasuyi, our Correspondent in Abuja, he speaks on the need to deepen Nigeria China relationship, his tour of duty in Hong Kong and other issues.

    Quetion:
    What is your impression of Hong Kong as former consul-general of Nigeria in Hong Kong?

    Answer:
    I stayed in Hong Kong for two years only and these were years of learning much more than I have experienced elsewhere. It was my first contact with ‘One country, two systems’ being practiced. Earlier on before I traveled, I thought it was something very impossible to harmonize when you have a communist system and capitalist system but during weeks of stay in Hong Kong, I discovered that if there is will, anything is possible. What I think about current happenings in Hong Kong is that maybe, the younger generation is not much aware of its history but the older generation which came through thick and thin is very much aware of the situation in Hong Kong. China recognizes the importance of Hong Kong as an ‘Island of Prosperity’ therefore the younger ones should begin to align themselves with the system of Hong Kong. Every country has its own system and for it to work, there should be cooperation and understanding and for Hong Kong issues, education and enlightenment of the younger ones in Hong Kong is key. I say Education and Enlightenment because even though Hong Kong is high in level of education, there has to be enlightenment of the younger ones to avoid them being brainwashed by fallacies.

    Question:
    What is the root cause of Hong Kong Problems?

    Answer:
    The root cause of Hong Kong problems is the misunderstanding between the younger generation and older generation as I earlier said.

    Question: Do you think other countries want to interfere with the Internal Affairs of China?

    Answer:
    Well I cannot say yes because I have not seen it myself but going by what I have read in the media, then I think there are some elements of interference but the truth is that once the younger generation realize that if they destroy Hong Kong, no foreigner will repair it for them then they will act to keep it in good shape.

    Questjon:
    What do you think of the National Security Law recently passed by China’s Central government?

    Answer:
    I am not very conversant with the National security law because I had already left China when the law was enacted.

    Question:
    Recently, many western countries led by the U.S have made bad remarks about the National Security Law for Hong Kong. What do you think is the reason for these actions by the U.S and the Western countries at large?

    Answer:
    There is a popular saying that there can be no two masters in a system, of which the United States sees itself as sole superpower which they are and have been for almost 50 years since the fall of the Soviet empire. So, for such a nation to see another emerging power, it is just human nature for U.S to resent it so this is not surprising if the U.S is interfering as you said, since China to them is now seen as a competitor.

    Question:
    What actions should the Chinese government take to deal with the actions of the U.S and the Western countries in general?

    Answer:
    China should also come out powerfully to enlighten the world about what is happening in China. China should tell the world its own story. I am very happy with what Chinese press is actually doing because there is this particular channel I watch on Digital Satellite Television, DSTV where the Chinese media comes out to tell the world about occurrences in China. Why I am more gladdened by the Chinese media is that they do not tarnish the image of other countries, but only project the situation of things in China as it breaks. It is now left to the individuals listening or watching to deduce meanings and find out which information being spread by the Chinese and U.S is true. I would advise China to go all out and make sure they have much reach to inform the world about the events in China.

    Question:
    How would you evaluate China’s effort in the fight against COVID-19?

    Answer:
    To be sincere, no one can fault China because the first day the virus was mentioned was the very day the Chinese government went all out in its fight against COVID-19. I can remember that a COVID-19 hospital was built within a very short time and the whole of Wuhan area was contained within a short time. China’s population is very large and if prompt actions were not taken, COVID-19 would have been a greater problem to the world than it currently is. Not only that, China began to send medicaments and auxiliary doctors to almost everywhere. I can remember that Nigeria benefited from the auxiliary medical doctors and medical facilities being sent to us and I am sure such assistance was also sent to as many countries that required them. I am very much thankful to China, especially for its prompt action to fight the virus otherwise the story would have been completely different.
    Que: On June17, 2020 there was a special summit between China and African countries in which President Xi Jinping promised to support African countries to fight COVID-19 by setting up centers for disease control and hospitals in Africa. How do you rate the action of China in supporting Africa in a time of pandemic?
    I am no longer in the government as consul-general and the system has changed. The only way to go about supporting Nigeria and Africa, as a whole is to communicate through our embassies in China. We have consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong being manned by foreign service personnel so whatever assistance China is willing to offer to Nigeria is better being taken bilaterally since we have embassies.

    Question :
    What other cooperation should China and Nigeria take to help reduce the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic?

    Answer:
    Already we have started this cooperation for long and Nigeria in particular has received loans and grants from China to help its economy. One assistance I would want from China is to encourage more scholarships for Nigerians to study Sciences, Languages and other disciplines in China as well as Chinese students coming to Nigeria to study. That way we can both learn each other’s cultures and share from the technology of both countries’ education. The Chinese government should also maintain the symbiotic relationship with Nigeria which shares a lot in common with China in terms of population, size, and lots more. If we can harmonize ourselves then we can achieve a lot more together.

    Question:
    What interesting events happened to you and your family during your stay in China?

    Answer:
    There are so many memorable events of China that I cannot mention all of but to give an insight, there was a time the foreign ministry in Hong Kong organized a trip to China for Head of Consulates which I was part of and amongst us was a special representative of China in Hong Kong. During this trip, we were taken throughout lengths and breadths of China for two weeks. One thing I came to appreciate is the hospitality of Chinese citizens such that we became so occupied with events that made us really enjoy our trip. I had read a lot about China but the firsthand experience gained through that trip was overwhelming. I went to Hong Kong as consul-general in 2017 and even though I have returned to Nigeria, because of the hospitality of Chinese, I was comfortable leaving my daughter behind to study in Changsha Medical university and she is enjoying her stay there.