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Northwest Governors Seek UN Support To Develop Zone

May 18, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Newly formed Northwest Governors Forum is seeking the United Nations assistance for humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of the geopolitical zone.

Northwest part of the country has been adversely affected by banditry and terrorism in recent years, causing untold hardship on the people of the area.

While announcing the formation of the forum, the governor’s had said it would enable them tackle insecurity and other challenges confronting the zone.

National Information Officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun, in a statement, said that Governors from the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria met with the United Nations Country Team led by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall.

According to the statement, they had asked the UN to support their states to deal with the numerous developmental challenges they face.

“The Chaiman of the Northwest Governors Forum and the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, led other Governors in the zone, including Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf; Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi; Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to the UN House Abuja.

“The Governors highlighted the major challenges faced by the region, including insecurity, multidimensional poverty, a large population of out-of-school children, increased cases of illicit drug abuse, high child and maternal mortality, and a large youth population that is unemployed.

“They indicated that nearly 80% of the population derive their livelihoods from agriculture, however, they face the challenges of land degradation and climate change which has reduced their yields. The governors also highlighted the high levels of child malnutrition.

They also committed to providing a strong political support needed to ensure UN interventions in the Northwest are implemented with speed and at scale.”

The Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum was quoted in the statement to have said: “The only way we can surmount the challenges of Northwest is through a regional approach which demands that we work together in a coordinated manner.

“We need to collectively fight poverty and unemployment being the major root causes of insecurity in the region.”

The UN Resident Coordinator, on his part, expressed his delight at receiving six of the seven Governors in the zone and he assured that the United Nations family would support the Northwest region to address those development challenges.

He noted that with the varied high levels of multidimensional poverty, the sustainable development goals would only be achieved in Nigeria if the northwest got it right, and this in turn would impact positively on the African region.

“The UN in Nigeria is encouraged to see the strong leadership and commitment of Northwest Governors to improving the wellbeing of their people. We will continue to support the government and people of Northwest Nigeria.

“Together, we will rescue and accelerate the agenda 2030 for sustainable development in the region.”

Hajj 2024: CBN Bows To Pressure, Reverses BTA Policy, Pilgrims To Get Full Cash Payments

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 18, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following public outcry over potential difficulties likely to be faced by this year’s pilgrims to Saudi Arabia owing to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, policy of permitting only $200 cash transaction out of the approved $500 Basic Traveling Allowance, BTA, the country’s apex bank late Friday, May 17, 2024, reversed itself.

In a Circular, dated May 17, and signed by the Acting Director of Currency Operations Department ,Solaja Muhammed Olawumi, sent to Commercial Banks, the CBN directed the suspension of the issuance of BTA to intending pilgrims via payments card.

“Following the urgency and observed time constraints in respect of the airlifting of the 2024 Hajj pilgrims, the Management of the Central Bank of Nigeria has graciously approved a 100% cash payments to the pilgrims.

“In view of the above ,you are expected to include your rendition reports to the CBN- stamped copies of international passports of the pilgrims.

“Kindly note that this notice supercedes the earlier modalities for the 2024 Hajj operations forwarded to you. An official letter to this effect will be forwarded shortly,” the circular reads

The Source reports that the CBN had earlier, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON restricted intending pilgrims to only $200 cash payments ,with the remaining $300 ,out of the approved $500 BTA to be accessed by the pilgrims in the Holy Land .

The policy drew criticisms from many quarters, with the Kano State Government through the State’s Pilgrims Board calling for its reversal. It noted that the policy will imposed much difficulties on most of its pilgrims from the rural areas.

Kano Faults CBN BTA Policy For Pilgrims, Calls For An Urgent Reversal

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 17, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalawechi

The Kano state authorities have called for an urgent review of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, policy on Basic Traveling Allowance, BTA, as it concerns intending Muslims pilgrims.

The revised CBN policy stipulates BTA of $500 for each intending Muslims pilgrims out of which $200 is permitted to be carried in cash, while the balance of $300 will only be accessed in the Holy Land electronically.

But rising from a stakeholders meeting on Friday May 17, Chairman of Kano State Muslims Pilgrims Board, Yusuf Lawan canvassed the reversal of the policy ,insisting that the CBN BTA policy represents a potential threat to the wellbeing of pilgrims ,in Saudi Arabia

Aligning with the position of the Chairman of the Board, Director General Alhaji Lamin Rabiu Danbappa further stressed that apart from the policy being unnecessary at this point in time ,it also poses a lot of difficulties ,most especially for intending Muslims pilgrims from the rural areas of the state .

He noted that most of the rural dwellers are not in tune with the trends in electronic banking services ,and as such will be more at home with the cash system .

“We recently received a directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON regarding the BTA process .According to the directive, pilgrims will receive only $200 in cash ,while the remaining $300 will be accessed electronically in Saudi Arabia.

“We are urging the CBN to reverse this decision because of the peculiar circumstances of some of our intending pilgrims.”Chairman of the pilgrims Board stated.

The DG of the pilgrims Board, Danbappa further appealed to the NAHCON to as a matter of necessity press for the reversal of the current BTA. policy ,noting that it will inflict additional hardship on the already over burdened intending pilgrims.

He posited that forcing the intending pilgrims to resort to electronic transactions in the Holy Land could breed avoidable complications and problems,adding that the intending pilgrims have had more than enough challenges in this year’s Hajj exercise.

They have, therefore, called on the Federal Government and all other relevant bodies to assist in reversing the policy.

Group Warns Opposition Parties Against Truncating The Forthcoming Imo LG Elections

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 17, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo Political Awareness Group IPAG, on Friday, May 17, 2024, raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the opposition political parties in the state, particularly the peoples Democratic party PDP and Labour Party, LP, to truncate the conduct of the planned Local Council Election in Imo state.

A statement issued by the Group, which claims to be representing all concerned and well meaning stakeholders in the political space of Imo state, signed by its National Convener Collins Opurozor, said they are worried about certain underground political moves, which in the main are geared towards disrupting the well intentioned plans to entrench democracy at the grassroots level.

The IPAG noted that it is deeply troubled by the alarming rhetorics emanating from the camps of some opposition platforms suggesting plans to frustrate the conduct of the forthcoming local Government elections in the state.

The Group, however, cautioned that, rather than attempting to thwart the good intentions of the Imo state, Government, the opposition should appreciate Governor Hope Uzodinma for the positive steps he has taken to strengthen democracy at the grassroots.

“To be clear, the announcement by the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma regarding plans to conduct LGA elections should be welcomed as a positive step towards strengthening grassroots democracy. and promoting inclusive governance .

However, it is disheartening to witness the opposition’s knee-jerk reaction, faulting the plans and baselessly alleging that such a laudable move is just a pretext for looting public funds .

IPAG affirms that a properly constituted LGA structure is elected through the ballot and which also sets performance metrics for the operators of the system.

Launching verbal onslaughts against the administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma for doing the right thing entails that the opposition helmsmen have become a clear and potent threat to the progress of our state.

In view of that, IPAG categorically condemns the irresponsible behaviour of these individuals and warns them against any further attempts to sow seeds of discord and chaos on our state” the statement reads.

Arase Drags Three ICIR Staff Members To Court For Defamation of Character

The Source

May 17, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Dr. Solomon Arase, has instituted a legal action against three staff members of the International Investigative Reporting, ICIR.

Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, and a Lawyer, said the three, Mr Nureedeen Akewushola, Victoria Bama and Mr Dayo Aiyetan, deliberately defamed his character in a publication, in order to bring him to contempt, ridicule and odium. And, he is bent on clearing his name.

When the ICIR first published the story which Arase considered very defamatory, he had, through his Solicitors, written a letter, dated 23rd February 2024, to the ICIR Staff members – Akewushola the writer, Bamas, Editor, and Aiyetan Executive Director – and urged them to retract the published story within a time frame as it was absolutely false and defamatory. The letter to the three was also copied the Chairman, Secretary and Members of the Board of Trustees of the Company. He had also threatened to seek a redress in Court if they failed.

It is an action Arase has since taken against them by a writ of Summons dated March 24, 2024, and filed before a Federal Capital Territory High Court since 5th April, 2024.

However, Arase, who had refused to make the case a media event, was surprised when his attention was drawn to reports that at the instance of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Mr Akewushola has been invited over his alleged published defamatory reports against him (Dr. Arase).

In a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, on Friday, May 17th 2024, Arase sought to clarify that the invitation to Akewushola by the Police has nothing to do with the case he had already instituted in Court and that he had nothing to do with such invitation.

Following is the full statement issued by Ani.

“The attention of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police has been drawn to reports in the media that the Nigeria Police Force has invited one Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, a staff of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) over his published defamatory reports against the person of the PSC Chairman.

“The invitation was allegedly at the instance of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

“It is instructive to state that Dr. Arase had instructed his solicitors immediately his attention was drawn to the publication to act on his behalf. His solicitors in a letter dated 23rd February 2024 to Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, Victoria Bamas and Mr. Dayo Aiyetan, the writer, editor and Executive Director respectively, all of ICIR and copies of the letters delivered to them and to the Chairman, Secretary and Members of the Board of Trustees of the company.

“In the letters, the Solicitors complained of the words written of and concerning Dr.Arase as being without justification and devoid of truth as the words were calculated to bring him to contempt, ridicule and odium. Accordingly, the solicitors demanded inter alia, for immediate retraction of the said defamatory publication within a timeline, failure of which the Solicitors notified the recipients of those letters that Dr. Arase would seek redress in court.

“Dr.Arase has by a writ of summons dated 22nd day of March, 2024 and filed 5th April, 2024 instituted at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, a civil action in Suit No. CV/1937/2024 against Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, Victoria Bamas, Mr. Dayo Aiyetan and Registered Trustees of International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR). The matter has been assigned to a court of competent jurisdiction for hearing.

“While the Nigeria Police Force, like other security agencies, are entitled to carry out investigation of any matter which in their opinion has criminal elements, it is pertinent to state emphatically that by the pedigree of the former Inspector General of Police as a Legal Practitioner, Doctor of Philosophy in Law, and currently presiding over the Police Service Commission, he is law-abiding, and has since instituted a civil action to challenge the heinous defamatory words published and concerning him in order to redeem his esteemed reputation by seeking appropriate reliefs.

“Dr. Arase will, therefore, refrain from publicly discussing this matter in the media or in any other way unlawfully entangling it with police powers.”

Tears Flow As Drowned Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope Is Buried

Akinwale Kasali

May 17, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The remains of popular Actor, Junior Pope have been interred at his hometown Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti LGA of Enugu State.

It would be recalled that the actor died alongside four other crew members in a boat mishap in Anam river on April 10th, 2024, during after a movie shoot.

Tears flowed down the cheeks of Families, friends, colleagues and sympathizers, who had come to witness the funeral of the Actor.

Before the interment of his remains, a funeral mass was held in his hometown and was officiated by Rt. Rev. Godfrey Onah, Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese.

It would be recalled that the unfortunate demise of Junior Pope prompted the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to bar actors under its franchise from shooting movies in riverine areas and participating in boat rides.

In a circular dated April 11, 2024, and posted on social media on Thursday, the guild’s President, Emeka Rollas, also announced that all actors of the AGN franchise have been barred from featuring in any film produced by Adanma Luke until further notice.

The AGN statement read, “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.

“There should be no shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

“ “The film titled ‘The Other Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.

“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice.

“While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”

Oyo State To Recruit 7,000 Teachers, 100 Caregivers

Ayodele Oni

May 17, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Oyo State Government is set to recruit 7,000 teachers into public primary schools.

Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, announced this during a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday.

The state government also said 100 care givers will be employed into the special needs sub-sector in the State.

According to Adeniran, efforts are ongoing before now to recruit the teachers, in fulfilment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s promise.

“In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools.

“In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 care givers in our special schools.”

The commissioner said the recruitment needs to be brought to the public domain, to avoid misleading information by scammers.

He appealed to intending applicants not to fall victim of fraudulent people, and be wary of scammers.

Adeniran stressed that the Board has not appointed anyone to be an agent to the Board, adding that the Board has just started preliminary work on the recruitment process.

“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.

He advised applicants not to hesitate to come to the Board to make enquiries and not rely on third-party information.

“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants.

“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”

He said at the next stage, the Board will announce when applicants can apply, saying the Board is working with other relevant agencies for a seamless exercise.

Adeniran said the Board will comply strictly with the Governor’s directive to conduct an exercise, based on merit.

ECOWAS Parliamentarians Meet In Kano

Ayodele Oni

May 17, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

A five-day Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) begins on Monday.

The Session, according to the ECOWAS Parliament, will be held in Kano, the Commercial Centre of the country.

The Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, emerged as the First Deputy Speaker of the assembly during the inauguration in April.

The event, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, will attract parliamentarians from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Republic of Togo.

The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the institutions of the ECOWAS.

It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community, serving as a forum of dialogue, consultation and consensus for representatives of the people of West Africa to promote integration.

The ECOWAS Parliament which was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS revised treaty of 1993, is composed of 115 seats.

IPAC Expresses Doubt Over Osun Electoral Body’s Readiness To Conduct Credible LG Poll

Ayodele Oni

May 17, 2024

Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has accused Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) of preparing ground for electoral malpractices during the forthcoming local government election.

It has therefore passed a vote of no confidence in the OSSIEC, questioning its readiness to conduct a credible local Government election in the state.

IPAC in a statement in Osogbo condemned what it described as a political game orchestrated by OSSIEC, saying action of the commission signaled apparent attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

OSSIEC Chairman, Barrister Ashim Abioye had announced that the local Government election would be held on February 22, 2025.

However, IPAC in a statement jointly signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, Secretary, Mr Oluseye Odesola and IPAC State Publicity Secretary, Dr Gbenga Afeni raised concerns over OSSIEC’s credibility in Local Government elections.

The statement reads: Despite OSSIEC’s recent publication on February 19, 2024, announcing plans to conduct local government elections within set guidelines and schedules, IPAC is compelled to bring public attention to what appears to be a political game orchestrated by OSSIEC.

“IPAC members closely monitored OSSIEC’s actions and noted with concern the commission’s apparent attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“Despite the promising leadership at OSSIEC, including a dynamic chairman and commissioners, IPAC observed a lack of concrete action on the ground.

“The commission’s publication mentioned a mere 42 working days for party primaries to commence, failing to reference relevant electoral laws or guidelines that should guide their operations.

“IPAC is deeply concerned that OSSIEC’s approach signals a reluctance to conduct transparent and credible elections.

“The lack of communication with political parties since the initial meeting raises further doubts about OSSIEC’s commitment to a fair electoral process.

“The current administration’s shift towards caretaker coordinators instead of holding timely local government elections adds to the uncertainty surrounding upcoming polls.

“IPAC called upon the Osun State House of Assembly to intervene and prompt OSSIEC to adhere to constitutional obligations within a reasonable timeframe.”

MURIC Tackles Minister Over Attempt To Stop Marriage For Niger Orphan Girls

Ayodele Oni

May 17, 2024

AbdulMalik Sarkin-Daji- Niger State House of Assembly Speaker

By Ayodele Oni

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has justified proposed marriage of 100 orphaned girls by Niger state House of Assembly Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji.

The Group has therefore called on the minister for women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to withdraw the litigation threat and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The call was contained in a statement released on Friday, by the group’s Kano State chapter Chairman, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

Malam Indabawa said: “We found as weird the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honorable Minister for women affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.

“The minister’s attempt at media demonization of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatized for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim north.

“She has further as well, demonstrated her lack of empathy, compassion and respect for other people’s culture and tradition.”

The minister said she had approached a court of law to stop the speaker of the Niger state house of Assembly from marrying off 100 prospective brides.

She also disclosed that she had petitioned the I-G of Police over Sarkin-Daji’s plan.

MURIC observed, that these were deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern to the needs of members of his constituency.

While justifying the decision, the speaker, explained that the story made by the minister was untrue, malicious and a mere speculation.

“I didn’t force any girl into marriage and I didn’t arrange the marriage of anybody.”

The speaker explained that he announced plans to support orphaned girls, especially victims of banditry attacks following an appeal by religious and traditional leaders from his constituency.

He expressed surprise at the way the minister tried to smear his name and reputation without any background check or even calling him as a leader, to hear his own side of the story.

“The honourable minister should have got across to me directly, rather than making topic out of it.

“However, making a topic out of everything, has become the hallmark of minister Kennedy-Ohanenye, leading oftentimes, to avoidable embarrassment.

MURIC maintained that since her appointment as women affairs minister, she has become famous for some weird statements made in public.

“She was seen on TV recently suggesting that children can be engaged in tooth pick, sanitary pads production, thereby promoting child labour which she is supposed to condemn by virtue of her position.

“We believe, had the minister initiated some engagement with all the relevant stakeholders before rushing to press, she won’t be facing another imminent embarrassment that awaited her if she refuses to recognize the diversity and religious peculiarity of some sections of Nigeria.

“The speaker, Niger state house of assembly, should continue with the good work he has been doing in meeting the demands of his constituency members.

“The marriage preparation of the 100 prospective brides must go on as no law was broken.

“The women affairs minister should also get educated on the constitutional guarantee bestowed on all Nigerians to practice their religious, cultural and traditional customs without let or hindrance.

“The Nigerian constitution and the Human rights Act provide for fundamental rights of persons to enter into marriage for any couples in Nigeria.

“Niger state 100 prospective brides, therefore, should not be an exception. By the way, where was the minister when the governments of some Northern states were Organizing similar mass marriages?”

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