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What we have counted with the locals is still 43 Not 110 bodies – Maj. Gen. John Eneche counters UN
Nigerian Defence Headquarters’ Director of Information, Maj. Gen. John Eneche has countered the United Nations’ claim of 110 people being killed over the weekend in Borno.
LIB reported earlier that United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon said no fewer than 110 farmers were killed in Saturday, November 28 attack on rice farms in Zabarmari community in Borno state.
Reacting to this in an interview on Channels Television today November 30, Eneche stated that what the military have so far counted with the locals is 43 bodies. He noted that the military is still searching for dead bodies, while also admitting that some people ran into the bush during the attack.
He added that while there is a possibility of the death toll rising, he is however hopeful that those who ran into the bush will return alive.
November 30, 2020
Biden names all-female senior White House communications team, the first in US history
Ahead of their January 20 swearing-in, US President elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris have sought to inject diversity in their appointments and nominations so far, as they have announced an all-female senior White House communications team, a first in the country’s history.
Among those named to be part of the communications team on Sunday was Jen Psaki who will serve as White House press secretary.
Psaki, aged 41, was communications director for former President Barack Obama’s administration.

“I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women,” Biden said in a statement on Sunday November 29
“These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.”
In addition to Psaki, six other appointments were announced including Kate Bedingfield, who was Biden’s deputy campaign manager, as White House communications director, Ashley Etienne as communications director for Harris and Symone Sanders as Harris’s senior adviser and chief spokesperson.
Pili Tobar was named deputy White House communications director and Karine Jean-Pierre will be principal deputy press secretary.
Other appointees include Elizabeth Alexander who was named communications director for incoming First Lady Jill Biden.
These appointments do not require Senate confirmation.
Biden has also named the first female head of intelligence and the first Latino chief of Homeland Security.
The president-elect has sought to move swiftly to assemble his team, despite President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede his loss in the November 3 election and continued baseless claims of voter fraud.
November 30, 2020
Restructuring is not as critical as hunger and poverty – Amaechi
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has reacted to the calls for restructuring which was recently reignited by the Governors in the South-South region he comes from.
The former Governor of Rivers state who spoke in an interview on Channels Television stated that while the calls for restructuring of the country may not be bad, however tackling hunger and poverty is more critical to the federal government.
Amaechi said;
“If to you what is important is restructuring, I don’t see anything wrong with restructuring but I am saying it is not the most critical problem we have.
“The most critical problem we have is that hunger and poverty are breeding insecurity.
“If you are able to create employment, you create security. If you like hire as many men as you want to hire that are policemen, you would do nothing until you put food in the hands of people.
“When you do not create a legitimate economy, the people will create for themselves an illegitimate economy and be able to feed themselves.”
Admitting that many farmers are unable to go to their farms in some parts of the country, the APC chieftain said Nigeria is facing a kind of insecurity unlike what was obtainable in the past.
Amaechi added;
“We are facing a different kind of insecurity.
“When we were in power as governors, the problem we were facing was Boko Haram. Not is it much more than Boko Haram. We need to address those issues.”
November 30, 2020
APC schedules emergency NEC meeting for Dec. 8
AN emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been scheduled for December 8.
The party held a similar emergency NEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa.
Its Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said in a statement in Abuja last night that the meeting will review the party’s position and set agenda for its next move.
According to the statement, formal invitation has been sent to APC NEC members by the National Secretary of the Party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe.
It further stated that in line with the COVID-19 public health protocols, “the NEC meeting will be virtual. Login details will be sent to APC NEC members in due course. The meeting is slated for 11am at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.”
At its last emergency NEC on June 25, the Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s National Working Committee (NWC) was dissolved and a 13-man Caretaker) Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committ (CECPC) under the Chairmanship of Gov. Msi Mala Buni was inaugurated.
The Committee got a mandate to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party, resolve all intra-party crises and conduct a national convention or the election of new members of the NWC.
Buni-led caretaker committee plans to commence registration and revalidation of party membership register, a move that may be ratified at the next week NEC meeting.
November 30, 2020
Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare denies asking for N81m to cut grass in Abuja stadium
Sunday Dare, Nigeria’s Minister of Youths and Sports, has denied reports he asked for N81 million to be used to cut grass and weed in Abuja stadium.
Reports were rife online on Sunday November 29, that while speaking during the one-day seminar organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, Sunday Dare disclosed that the ministry under his supervision, approached the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for assessment of the stadium, which was built in 2003 with N53 billion on a 29 hectares (72 acres) of land.
“We approached AEPB to come see what can be done to clear the grass and weed in the stadium and they told us it will cost us N81m. If we tell Nigerians we used N81m which is not even available, there will be an outcry. The funds are not really there for us and that is why we are partnering with private investors to bring back the key components of our infrastructures,” he was quoted as saying
Some media houses interpreted it as him saying the Ministry needed N81 million to cut the grass and weed in the stadium.
Reacting via his Twitter handle, The Minister wrote
”Spot the difference. This story is out of context. Misleading. A misrepresentation.The Ministry was given a bill. The Ministry did not accept. It will be detrimental to spend such an amount. And it can be better invested. That is what I said. This is not what they have reported.”
November 30, 2020
8 killed as herders, local’s hostility slide into religious conflict in S/kaduna
…As KDSG orders investigation of counter killing in Jema’a LG

By Gabriel Udeh, kaduna

At least, Eight people have so far been confirmed killed in the rising hostility between herders and local people in Southern part of kaduna state. The number of death toll is still counting as the casualty figures from the confrontation slide into religious conflict dimension on Saturday and Sunday in the area.A statement issued in kaduna stated that the State Government received a report of killing and counter killing in Jema’a local government area of the state.
According to a security update issued to the citizens, and signed by commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan stressed that the state government received the operational feedback from the military under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) highlighting the unfortunate incidents. According to the statement, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has also directed the military and police to accelerate investigation and ensure diligent prosecution of those responsible for the killing.

It further stated that “The military on Saturday, 28th November 2020, reported to the government that one herder, Isiyaka Saidu of Ungwan Pah village of Jema’a local government was killed by unknown persons with deep knives cut on his head.

“The military further stated that three persons were arrested from Ungwan Pah and Ungwan Bido villages of the same local government area includingVictor Markus, Gero David and Thankgod Sunday.
“Security agencies have furthermore reported that Ungwan Bido village was attacked on Sunday 29th November 2020, where some local residents were killed and four injured.

Two children are missing.The six persons killed are Silas Maman, Malaki Tabat, Geofree Andrew, Anna Ahmadu, Sunday Tagwai and Fidelis Musa respectively.Indeed tg four persons who were injured are Adamu Mangai, Matta Silas, Yaro Musa and Yaro Andrew while the two children missing are also include Rebecca Àndrew and Clement Andrew.

The statement further revealed that the houses of the following citizens were burnt by the attackers. The affected houses include the Adamu Mangai, Gideon Nuhu, Andrew Adamu and Alphonsus Michael.The state government condemned these attacks and the loss of lives and has directed security agencies to investigate and arrest all persons involved in the criminal actions.
While the state government condemned these attacks and the loss of lives, it has directed security agencies to investigate and arrest all persons involved in the criminal actions.

Governor El-Rufai has sent condolences to the families that lost their loved ones and prayed for the repose of their souls; and he has wished those that sustained injuries speedy recovery.
The Second Security Update on the killing and counter killing in Jema’a local government stayed that Special Forces arrests two suspects linked to counter killing.Even, as stated, that One more person has been confirmed dead and the two children rescued from the forest.
November 30, 2020
NGO advocates 1% states/LG budget deduction for social protection programmes
A Non Governmental Organization, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, has advocated for deduction of 1% of the annual budget of states and local government councils for social protection programmes and nutrition in particular.
The association in a statement urged states through the State Assemblies to explore the possibility of getting 1% of LG funds deducted at source to fund Nutrition Activities at the local government levels.
The call was contained in a Communique issued at the end of a legislative retreat on adequate funding for health and nutrition for focal states of Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger and Lagos held in Uyo last weekend.
The Communique endorsed by Chairman, Mr Nehemiah Tsentse of Nasarawa state and representatives of the other four states resolved that the challenges of ensuring early budget releases should be tabled through the Nutrition Unit of the Nigerian Governors Forum to the state governors in forum.
It said that the same presentation and outcome from the NGF should also be tabled before the National Economic Council and the Conference of Speakers through the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly.
The meeting observed that nutrition budget and funding remained inadequate in all the focal states and called for strengthening of SCFN to ensure proper coordination of nutrition activities and good planning.
“Husbands also have a critical role to play in supporting their breastfeeding wives while there is need for Nigeria to consider setting up a company to produce RUTF given the huge investment made in the last five years for the purchase of the commodity.” It said.
The purpose of the retreat attended by 56 participants and chaired by the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly included amongst others to promote understanding of current nutrition situation in Nigeria and the need for prompt action and ascertain the level of nutrition investment and performance in states.
It was also to secure the committment of state Assembly members to commit to improved domestic investment in high impact, low cost interventions as captured in the state specific plans of actions in the 2020 annual budgets and enlist key lawmakers as champions for timely releases of allocated funds.
The two day retreat was organised by CS-SUNN in collaboration with Save the Children,SCI, Alive and Thrive, A&T, for Chairmen of key Committees of State Assemblies, relevant policymakers and key state officials to interact on how best nutrition funding challenges could be addressed and extract commitment for timely releases of allocated funds in the 2020 budget and adequate provision in the 2021 budget.
November 30, 2020
Agric Minister Failed Nigerian Farmers-Dabo Zaura
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

A large scale farmer from Zaura in Dawakin Tofa local government area Alhaji Dabo Zaura disclosed that the minister of agriculture Sabo Na nono has failed Nigerian farmers at the time when the government that he is serving supported agriculture at all levels.

He stated this in an interview with our correspondent in kano, adding that ” we are surprise that a person like Na nono, who was into agriculture for many years failed to actualise his profession as a practicing farmer, while the president who appointed him as the minister brought quite a number of programmes on agricultural transformation”. He emphasized.

Alhaji Dabo Zaura added that it is time for Minister Sabo Na nono to wake up and correct things in order to ensure that Buhari’s agricultural policies reaches the final stages so as to benefits Nigerian farmers of all categories like what his predisessors offered during their tenure as ministers of agriculture.

He called on the president and all stakeholders in agricultural transformation to redesigns how an average farmer can obtain all what he needs according to everybody’s capacity and mode of farming because according to Dabo Zaura, peasant farmers were left behind especially those at rural areas where they cannot reach government supports.

” I hope that president Muhammadu Buhari would bring out more strategies that can enable an average farmer to get all the necessary supports that is needed at both dry and rainfall seasons, and we commends the federal government for introducing various ways of assisting farmers with financial and technical supports”. He concluded
November 30, 2020
Insecurity: Bokoharam Still Waxing Stronger In Borno
By Dauda R PamMaiduguri
Governor of BORNO state, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday, lamented that the dreaded Boko Haram sect still waxing stronger in some parts of the state especially along the Fringes of river Koshobe, Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa forest posing grave threats to about 6 million people in the state.
He disclosed this during the mass burial of rice farmers/fishermen that were slaughtered Saturday in Koshobe in broad daylight at Zabarmari community in which, 44 corpses have been recovered by security operatives and volunteers, while other corpses are still not recovered in the Bush of Koshobe village, with scores missing at press time.
Koshobe, located north-east, is an agrarian community under Jere Local Government Area, where most Hausas engaged in farming and fishing is about 25km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to him, though his administration has launched a security outfit called ‘Agric -Ranchers’ comprised of military, paramilitary and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force including Hunters/Vigilantes safeguard farmers, there is the need for collective responsibility especially from the parts of the Federal Government, and Governments of border countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun Republic to team up and address the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the region.
He regretted the escalating killings perpetrated by armed insurgents in some parts of the state and assured that his administration will soon recruit additional Civilian Joint Task Force to complement efforts of the security operatives in the fight against Boko Haram.
“I can admit that the dreaded Boko Haram sect are still existing strongly in many parts of our state especially in the Sambisa Forest, River Fringes of Koshobe and Lake Chad Basin posing threats to over 6 million people in the state.
“As you are aware that this administration has launched a security outfit called ‘Agric -Ranchers’ comprised of military, paramilitary and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force including Hunters/Vigilantes safeguard farmers, there is the need for collective responsibility especially from the parts of the Federal Government, and Governments of border countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun Republic to team up address the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the region.
“You have seen this morning, we buried 44 recovered corpses according to Islamic rites, I was informed that over 70 farmers were slaughtered while harvesting their rice in Koshobe village, but as it is, more corpses are still lying there waiting for evacuation.
“I assured you that this administration will soon recruit additional Civilian Joint Task Force complement efforts of the security operatives in the fight against Boko Haram.” Governor Zulum said.
He, therefore, prayed God/Allah to grant eternal rest to the souls of the deceased and their families to bear the irreparable lost.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association in Zabarmari, Mallam Hassam Maina in an interview described the incident as a “Deadly Blow”.
He called on the Government and the security agencies to live up to their responsibility in protecting lives and property in the state.
November 30, 2020
Northern Governors Condemn Killing Of Borno Farmers

The Northern Governors Forum says it is appalled by the killing of rice farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the entire country is deeply saddened over the killing of the innocent rice farmers who committed no crime, except to go to the farm to earn their living.

He said the tragic incident is a great setback to the efforts of Nigeria to attain domestic sufficiency in rice production as well as food security.

He said the Forum has consistently worked with the Federal Government, security agencies and local support groups to ensure that farmers are protected in order to enable them carry out farming activities.

Lalong said despite this condemnable act, the Forum will not relent in its support to security agencies to deal decisively with the terrorists and other criminals.
The Governor commiserated with the families of the deceased farmers as well as the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate incident.
November 30, 2020