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[BREAKING] Democracy Day: Buhari addresses Nigerians on Friday
The President, Muhammadu Buhari, will on Friday address the nation in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day.
According to a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President’s message will be broadcast by 7am.
The statement read, “To commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 7am.
“Television and radio stations as well as other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria respectively for the broadcast.”
June 11, 2020
CSO Urges More Regional Collaboration to Defeat Insurgents
By Ibrahim Toafeek
The Coalition of Nigerian Youth for Peace and Development has said for there to be total victory against insurgency and banditry in the country, there must a sincere regional collaboration between the Nigerian troops and the troops of the neighbouring countries.
The group was reacting to recent attacks by the insurgents in Borno State and bandits in Katsina State leaving scores dead, livestock and several other properties destroyed.
The Coalition in a statement signed by its Organising Secretary, Josiah Useni and made available to journalists explained that the pattern of attacks has proven that the surviving insurgents and bandits from the military onslaught flee and regroup in the neighbouring countries to later launch attack on soft spots.
“Our studies of the war against insurgency and banditry have revealed that the Nigerian military has not enjoyed the best of collaboration from the neighbouring countries. The latest statements credited to Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Wednesday when he visited Fanduma Kolomdi village in Gubio local government area, where the Boko Haram terrorists attacked that the only solution to end the massacre is by dislodging the insurgents in the shores of Lake Chad says it all.
“The Nigeria military has consistently carried out both land and air strikes destroying Boko Haram Terrorists hideouts and neutralising several of their fighters. However, the surviving terrorists are regrettably not been resisted in the shores of Lake Chad thereby giving them room to regroup and re-launch attacks. To permanently tame the insurgents will require collaborative regional efforts.
“We hereby urge the Nigerian military to undertake a final onslaught that should put an end to the insurgents in the shore of the lake Chad”, the statement noted.
Continuing, the CSO explained that there was an urgent need for the scattered settlements to come together as larger communities for more effective policing of the area.
“We are strongly convince that the war against insurgency is been won. All that is required at this point is tact from all stakeholders. This is where we urge the media to be dispassionate in her reportage of the war against insurgency in the country. Regrettably, our observation has shown that some section of the media is tilted more to reporting the insurgents more than the military.
“We call on this section of the media to exhibit patriotism and desist from encouraging these attacks and dampening the morale of the Nigerian people with such wild and emotional headlines or news”, the statement noted.
June 11, 2020
EFCC quizzes Ortom’s aide over alleged N42m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Makurdi Zonal Office, on Thursday, said it arrested Paul Hembah, the Security Adviser to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
In a statement by the zone’s Publicity Head, Ayodele Babatunde, the governor’s aide was quizzed over alleged N42m fraud.
According to the anti-graft agency, the security adviser had on July 12, 2019, transferred the said amount from his office to his personal account and withdrew the sum the same day.
The statement partly read, “The said sum was meant for disbursement to the Benue State Vigilance group.
“The governor’s aide allegedly between October 2018 and May 2020 also abused his office by fraudulently paying the N20m monthly allocation meant for Benue State Vigilance Group into the personal account of the commandant of the group, George Mbessey, instead of using the official account of the group.
June 11, 2020
COVID-19: Nigeria, Germany meet over airports’ reopening
Ahead of the June 21 resumption date for domestic flights in the country, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has met with the management of the Munich International Airport, Germany.
FAAN Managing Director, Hamisu Yadudu, who attended the virtual meeting with management staff, said in a statement that the aim of the meeting was to assess the readiness of FAAN to gradually begin operations.
He explained that it was worth learning from the team of experts at the Munich International Airport which has successfully reopened for domestic and international flights.
“While FAAN is responding to the guidelines set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for gradual airports’ reopening and post COVID-19 operations, it is important also to compare notes with other airports in the world to make sure we are on the right track and join the global industry in building back travel confidence,” Yadudu said at the meeting on Wednesday.
MIA team lead, Herbert Keffel, who was in attendance with his colleagues; Georgios Elkolids and Julian Duerdoth, highlighted the steps and considerations which the airport adopted for reopening.
Daybreak reports that the Federal Government had shut the country’s airports and airspace in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.
But the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 earlier this month said the aviation sector should prepare for a gradual resumption of domestic flights, effective June 21.
In preparation for the restart, the NCAA ordered the reopening of five airports in the country including the Lagos and Abuja airports.
June 11, 2020
Borno, Katsina killings disturbing, unacceptable – Reps
The House of Representatives has decried the continued killing of people by insurgents in the North-East and bandits in the North-West, calling for decisive action against insecurity.
The Chairman Committee on Defence, Mr Babajimi Benson, in a statement issued on Thursday, commiserated with the people of Foduma Kolomaiya community in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State and residents of Faskari Local Government of Katsina State over the death of 121 persons by Boko Haram and bandits.
Benson, who extended his sympathy to the governments and the entire people of the two states, said the death of any individual in Nigeria, especially from insecurity, should be a source of concern to all.
The lawmaker, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said it is disheartening that at a time the military was making gains in the fight against insurgents and bandits, the criminals could strike in these communities and kill that large number of people.
He bemoaned the situation, which he described as “very sad,” saying more military action is needed in the affected states for the insurgents and bandits to be dealt with decisively.
According to him, the death toll in both Borno and Katsina states in just one day was almost one-third of the total deaths recorded from COVID-19 pandemic so far.
Benson stated that with the way the insurgents and the bandits have been striking in recent times, more decisive steps need to be taken by the armed forces.
He said, “The situation in Borno and Katsina states, and indeed other states affected by insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping calls for decisive action. We cannot fold our hands, while fellow citizens are killed in a most gruesome manner by bloodsuckers whose only interest is to continue killing and inflict untold pains on Nigerians.
“While commending our officers and men, who through their sacrifice and bravery are working to reduce the level of insecurity in the affected states, I will like to encourage them to up their game at this time. The wanton killing of innocent Nigerians by these criminals is very disturbing and unacceptable. Something must be done about it now, or we all live to continue to have pains over the killings of our loved ones.
“My heart goes to the people of Foduma Kolomaiya and Faskari at these trying times. By the grace of God, we won’t fail you.”
June 11, 2020
Delta PDP suspends former deputy speaker, Osenebi
Former Delta State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker and member representing Ndokwa East Constituency, Friday Osanebi, has been suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The notice of the suspension, which would be for an initial period of one month, was announced in a statement on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Ifeanyi Osuoza.
The suspension, which was with immediate effect, was said to have been approved by the State Working Committee of the PDP.
Osuoza said, “This action has become necessary as a result of reported acts and allegations against Friday Osenebi which are potentially inimical to the peace and harmony of the party and tantamount to causing discord and disaffection among loyal party members.”
Reacting in a statement by his media aide, Agbanashi Ralph, Osanebi said the party’s action was geared towards strengthening it.
“Issues raised have to be addressed and addressed for the good and betterment of all. I believe the party’s decision is for the good of all of us. As a loyal party man, I will always present myself to the party and the committee set up to look into the matter,” Osanebi said.
June 11, 2020
June 12: Democracy has come to stay, says Lawan
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says Nigeria’s ability to govern itself 21 years after June 12, 1993 election shows that democratic rule has come to stay in the country.
He said this in a ‘Democracy Day message to Nigerians’ on Thursday.
In the message, Lawan urged Nigerians to be confident in democratic governance in the country.
He said, “June 12 has become a metaphor in our country for free, fair and credible elections and a memorial for the day in which Nigerians stoutly rose above ethnic and religious sentiments to deliver a pan-Nigerian mandate for the revival of hope in their country unity and attainment of its great potential.
“The heroic demonstration of patriotism by the Nigerian voters on June 12, 1993, will continue to inspire generations of their compatriots to promote national unity and defend democracy in Nigeria.
“Having come this far in our journey as a nation, we have no reason to doubt our ability to govern ourselves and attain our great potential as a nation.
“Our uninterrupted practice of democracy in the last 21 years attests that democratic civil rule is taking roots and becoming firmly entrenched in Nigeria.”
Lawan assured Nigerians that lawmakers in the country would continue to provide the platform for improving democratic practice across board.
He said, “While there is a consensus that democracy is the best form of government, it is also important to stress that democracy is a process that evolves with time.
“We should, therefore, continue to have faith in the capacity of our system to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
“The on-going process of the constitutional amendment and the much-awaited electoral reforms will take cognizance of our past pitfalls and the democratic ethos required to guide us to where we want to be.
“I urge us all as Nigerians to embrace a healthy democratic practice devoid of desperation and violence.”
June 11, 2020
COVID-19: Osinbajo’s committee submits report
The Economic Sustainability Committee chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday submitted its report to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, recommending that the government embarks on mass job creation to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
Buhari set up the committee on March 30, 2020, in response to what was then becoming a threat of the most severe economic downturn in the country’s history, largely caused by the pandemic.
Its terms of reference include to develop a clear economic sustainability plan in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic; to propose monetary policy measures in support of the plan; and to provide a fiscal/monetary stimulus package, including support to private businesses and vulnerable segments of the population among others.
Presenting the report to Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo said the committee recommended that the government put in place mass programmes that can create jobs and utilise local materials.
He said, “We have therefore recommended that we must carry out mass programmes that create jobs and utilise local materials.
“Such will include a mass agricultural programme, which is expected to bring between 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of new farmland under cultivation in every state of the federation and create millions of direct and indirect job opportunities.
“Extensive public works and road construction programme focusing on both major and rural roads and using locally available materials like limestone, cement, and granite.
“Mass housing programme to deliver up to 300,000 homes annually, engaging young professionals and artisans who form themselves into small and medium scale businesses within the construction industry, using indigenous labour and materials.”
Buhari, shortly after receiving the report, praised Nigerians for their resilience and adaptation to the realities of COVID-19.
He said, “While the COVID-19 pandemic spread through our towns and cities, it continues to take a massive toll on the economy.
“I know that many of us have experienced great difficulty during this time, businesses have considerably slowed down and in certain instances, operations closed, workdays have been cut short and personnel liberties restricted, people have lost their jobs and earning a living has indeed been difficult.
Details later…..
June 11, 2020
BREAKING: Govs declare state of emergency on rape
The Nigeria Governors Forum has agreed to declare a state of emergency on sexual and gender-based violence against women and children.
They also renewed commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, after the forum’s 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting held on Wednesday.
The communique was issued in Abuja, on Thursday, Daybreak reports.
Governors agreed to, “Declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law;
“Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders register in each State to name and shame.”
June 11, 2020
Reps meet NSA, service chiefs over insecurity
The House of Representatives is meeting with heads of security agencies in Nigeria over the rising insecurity in several parts of the country.
They were to appear before the lawmakers in plenary on Tuesday, to explain the attacks by bandits, armed robbers, armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers and kidnappers.
The appearance was, however, postponed till Thursday (today).
The House had summoned the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, and other service chiefs; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, over the rising spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
The summons was issued based on a motion moved by a member, Mr Sada Soli, over the increasing attacks by bandits in some states in the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones.
Adopting the motion, the House had resolved to “summon the National Security Adviser; the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs; Director, Department of State Security; and Inspector General of Police to brief the House on the effort being made and the way forward to bring an end to these killings, kidnappings and banditry at the next sitting”.
The lawmakers had also mandated the leadership of the House to continue the engagement with all the security agencies “on a monthly basis on the progress being made until normalcy is restored”.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the opening, said, “The honourable members are unhappy because their constituents are unhappy.”
June 11, 2020