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Tinubu Vs. Emefiele: Deloitte To The Rescue? – By Steve Osuji

April 24, 2024

The relentless persecution of Mr. Godwin Emefiele must now stand out as the most defining act of the Tinubu near one-year old Presidency.

For 11 months, in fact, immediately after his inauguration, President Tinubu had set on a hot pursuit of Emefiele who was Nigeria’s apex bank head for about nine years.

Tinubu’s first task indeed, was to grab Emefiele like a common criminal and had him sequestered. A detention that was to last about six months.

Emefiele was yanked off his tenured job as Central Bank governor without due process; and since then he has been subjected to the most intense scrutiny ever visited on a public official in Nigeria.

IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE TO NAIL HIM:
It wasn’t that Emefiele was arrested on suspicion of committing a particular crime, no. He was framed up ab initio and accused of terror financing. But as it has turned out, this was a ploy by President Tinubu to kick him out of office and switch on his vendetta machine against Emefiele.

After he was ignominiously removed as CBN governor, there begins a mad hunt for evidence to jail Emefiele. So for the past 11 months, Tinubu is still searching for just any incriminating evidence to put Emefiele away. He is yet to find one.

How do you arrest and detain a man not even on suspicion that he has committed an offence, but just because you want him in jail?!

That’s of course, reminiscent of evil regimes across human history, that frame up opponents and innocent citizens on trumped up charges in order to do away with them or silence them.

A DIMINUTION OF THE PRESIDENCY:
This singular Emefiele conundrum has defined and utterly diminished Tinubu and his presidency to no end.

First, Tinubu is now cast in the perception of many Nigerians as small-minded, vindictive, unstatesmanly and unwise.

When you have won a major diadem you are supposed to be magnanimous. Magnanimity is the first act of great leadership. The ability to reconcile the injured and the beaten down. A true leader deliberately seeks denouement; fosters peace and a wholesome environment all round.

But a president pursuing without let, an official who acted under authority, who may have injured him in the course of duty, is poor judgment indeed. This chase, as now apparent to all, is APC politics taken to a ridiculous level. treduces the president in stature and character while on the other hand, boosts and edify Emefiele mire as the days go by.

As Tinubu continues to probe Emefiele without finding anything significant to convict him, Nigerians will begin to appreciate the true persona of the taciturn banker.

Yes, the world watched with consternation as Emefiele prepared an open pitch in the last Presidential fray. He didn’t cover himself with glory in that quest.

But that doesn’t amount to a criminal offence. If anything, it’s a pardonable infraction.

Anyone conversant with the Tinubu-Emefiele tango would think the banker hefted CBN’s vaults to his house. Yet in all the intense investigations, not a dime has been found on him.

The DSS kicked off the witch-hunt, followed by the EFCC and Special Investigator, Mr Jim Obazee completed the cycle of folly.

But just when Nigerians thought the charade had closed, now this:

THE DELOITTE FACTOR, NASS AND NATIONAL SECURITY:
Deloitte is not only the biggest accounting firm in the world, it’s an omnipotent capitalism tool.

First, they don’t come cheap and two, they play deep in the murky waters of global power politics. Their invoice is in millions of dollars. We wager that Nigeria may have paid a couple of billions of naira to secure the services of Deloitte.

But that’s the small worry.

The big deal is that in the pursuit of Emefiele, Nigeria may have been made vulnerable through the giving away of critical financial intelligence and data.

The Tinubu administration stealthily engaged Deloitte Consulting to review CBN’s forex transactions in Emefiele’s time.

Even if we overlook the huge cost of hiring Deloitte to nail one man, what about the security implications of exposing the entire labyrinth of Nigeria’s financial hub to a capitalist agent like Deloitte. No wise sovereign would expose the rumps and innards of her Central Bank in this manner.

Where was the National (NASS) when the FG contracted Deloitte to rummage through CBN files of nearly a decade!?

GOING FORWARD:
Minders of the president must whisper to him that it’s time for closure in his tango with Emefiele. If only for the reason that it’s been going on for almost one year. Second, it sure has been distracting and costly.

However, a far more pernicious cost of this long-drawn vendetta against Emefiele, is it’s negative impact on the president. Pursuing Emefiele has rubbed off poorly on Tinubu and his administration. Not disregarding the collateral injuries on the judiciary, the DSS and the EFCC.

Since it has become clear that probing Emefiele is not a fight against corruption but an extension of APC’s presidential dog fight, an out of court closure and a presidential amnesty would be a most honourable denouement.

Wisdom must be allowed to prevail in the interest of all.

Osuji, an accomplished Journalist, Writer, Columnist was Media Adviser to former Governor, Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha

To Meet $30 Billion GDP Target, Enugu Cracks Down On Illegal Revenue Collectors, Touts

The Source

April 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In its determination to shore up internally generated revenue IGR and realise the vision and mission of driving the state’s Gross Domestic Product GDP from its present $4.4billion to $30 billion, the Enugu state authorities on Wednesday April 24 announced a crackdown on touts ,illegal motor parks operators and all other illegal revenue collectors in the state.

The ban on the activities of illegal revenue operators is also to facilitate free movements of persons ,goods and services ,and improve logistics and supply chains operations in Enugu state .

Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government. SSG who disclosed this in statement read out to the media in Enugu on Wednesday April 24 2024 ,noted that by the new development ,all existing Produce and Haulage Revenue Collection contractual agreements entered into by Ministries and Governmental Agencies have been canceled .

According to him ,such revenue collection services ,will now be rendered by some Service Hubs to be set up in collaboration with Heavyhaul Services LTD ,so as to meet the needs of all operators within the system.

” The Enugu state Government recognises the pivotal role of efficient logistics and transportation infrastructure in driving our target to grow our economy from $4.4 billion. to $30 billion and make the state the preferred destination for business ,investments ,tourism and for living.

Therefore, the Government notes with dismay the reports of the incessant harassment and extortion of motorists and transporters by touts and hoodlums ,who masquerade as revenue collectors in some parts of the state .

In order to stem the excesses and ensure a free movement of persons ,goods and services,as well as improve logistics and supply chain operations in Enugu state ,the Enugu state Government hereby orders such extortionists to clear off the roads, as anybody caught engaging in such activities henceforth will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law .

All local government areas are to take note and ensure full compliance with this directive. Again to improve logistics and supply chain operations and address the challenge of multiple taxations on the high way ,touting and all sorts of criminalities committed by non state actors ,the Enugu state Government announces the establishment of Service Centres at strategic locations across the state in partnership with Heavyhaul Services Limited” Prof Onyia stated

The service centres, according to the SSG will render wide range of services such as checks on livestock health and agro- produce diagnostic, ensuring that arms and other dangerous items are not brought in to the state ,and other ancillary services,as will be determined by circumstances.

JAMB: Father, Son, Arrested, Detained For Cheating, As Board Warns Parents Are Destroying Their Children’s Future

The Source

April 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Registrar of Joint Admissions And Matriculation Board Professor Ishaq Oloyede has identified impersonation as the most pronounced case of examination cheating facing the conduct of the on going Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME across the country.

This is even as he has revealed that currently, a father and his son are cooling their heels in detention for alleged impersonation .

The JAMB Registrar who disclosed this in Kaduna on Wednesday April 24 2024, while addressing the media after an inspection tour of some of the UTME centres in the state ,warned that all those who indulge in exam malpractices will be apprehended if not immediately, much later.

According to him ,JAMB has put in place an efficient technological device to monitor those who may want to cut corners during the conduct of its examinations.

” Across the country most of the cases of malpractices recorded bordered on impersonation. For instance ,we say we have NIN ,and we now have cases of some people with two NINs and that has defeated the purpose of the identity verification. We are going to take that up with the National Identity Management Commission. NIMC and let them know that there are people who have two National Identification Numbers. NIN

Now we have a case of a father impersonating his son ,writing examination for the son and I wonder ; are you not destroying your child’s future? Of course two of them are now in custody .

And now I can’t understand what the father will be telling his son with them locked up in the same detention facility.This however did not happen in Kaduna . But I will not reveal the state it happened.” Prof Oloyede stated .

But despite,some of the observed lapses and shortcomings ,the JAMB Registrar ,thumped up the conduct of this years UTME ,adding that future exercises will be even better.

He therefore called on Nigerians ,particularly parents to desist from engaging and or encouraging examination cheating ,noting that such practices no longer pay ,as the Examination body is now ready to check all misconducts through technology.

Prof Oloyede warned that all those who missed the examinations owing to no faults of JAMB , should forget about the exercise, insisting that the Examination Body can not spend another round of Millions of Naira to conduct another examination for a few candidates who missed out owing to personal negligence.

1.94 Million Candidates Seek Admissions To Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges Of Education This Year – JAMB Registrar

Ayodele Oni

April 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has disclosed that no fewer than 1.94 million candidates sat for the 2024 UTME examinations in the country.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said this on Wednesday, in Kaduna, while inspecting Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in the state amidst the ongoing JAMB examinations.

He added that at the end of the examination on Wednesday, there would be less than 100,000 candidates remaining in Lagos, Benue and other states in the country.

Oloyede explained that the pace at which JAMB cleared candidates and captured biometrics made the exercise faster noting that this was part of JAMB’s re-engineering process towards ensuring hitch-free exercise.

“Even today, I have seen something which we need to improve on, but most importantly, we have done so many things in the background to make the exercise faster, more efficient and better. We have increased the level of automation.”

The Registrar frowned at examination cheaters, saying “It does not pay”. He said that most of the problems JAMB faced were impersonation.

He specifically said most of the cases were candidates who have double National Identification Number (NIN), adding that JAMB would take up the issue with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

“The important thing is that we are ahead of the impersonators, we have arrested a father writing examinations for his son, the kind of parenting in this generation is uncalled for, I wonder what the father will tell the son if they are locked up in the same cell.

“We now have the facilities to check all sorts of impersonation and other malpractices.”

The registrar, however, thanked parents for their support, recalling that in previous years; they were seen loitering around examination centres disturbing.

“There is no report this year of parents intruding, except one state. In that state, they felt since the first session failed, their children should not continue with the second or other sessions.

“Out of the country’s 775 centres, those who failed were not up to 20, and only one failed. Less than 30 of the centres failed at the first session because of ill preparation.

“When such things happen, the candidates should stay aside for the next session to move because questions are designed individually for a candidate.”

Aiyedatiwa’s Commissioner Defends Victory; Says APC Primary Satisfied Electoral Laws, Party Constitution

Ayodele Oni

April 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, has called on Olusola Oke, SAN, Jimoh Ibrahim, and others who contested with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the just concluded primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to congratulate the winner.

Ajulo pointed out that “having fulfilled all legal requirements guiding the conduct of primary election with respect to Nigeria’s electoral act and the party constitution, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, won in toto, last Saturday’s governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state.”

Ajulo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure on Wednesday, said the primary election that produced the governor as winner was conducted in line with the provisions of the law.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stressed that “although Governor Aiyedatiwa enjoyed and still enjoys an overwhelming support of the masses, party faithful and major stakeholders within and outside Ondo state, as evident in his landslide victory, we cannot take away the place of law, which puts to rest any issue that may arise with regards to the conduct of last Saturday’s election”

The Learned Silk urged all other contestants, particularly the duo of Olusola Oke, SAN and Jimoh Ibrahim, both of whom he described as “distinguished lawyers with in-depth knowledge of the law, to openly congratulate the governor and work with him to actualize Ondo State of our dreams”

Ajulo noted that the election was conducted in a very orderly manner, devoid of violence and irregularities.

He commended the Governor Usman Ododo-led primary election committee, INEC, observer’s groups and all relevant stakeholders for a hitch-free exercise

The commissioner is confident that the governor will also record a massive win in the November 2024 governorship election.

“Once again, I congratulate Mr Governor on this landmark victory, I also rejoice with the people of Ondo state for being lucky to have him as a Governor at this point in time.

“I want to applaud the APC party faithful for displaying utmost decorum on Saturday. Rest assured, the Governor is not resting on his laurels and he will do everything within his power to take the state to a greater height.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa won the Ondo state APC governorship primary election by a landslide votes of 48,569 and was distantly followed by Mayowa Akinfolarin who polled 15,343 votes.

Rivers: Wike’s Loyalist Resigns As Commissioner After Redeployment

Ayodele Oni

April 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, has resigned from the State Executive Council.

He was among those redeployed in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He was redeployed to the Special Duties Ministry under the Governor’s office.

Zacchaeus tendered his resignation after rejecting his redeployment to the Ministry of Special Duties.

He had on December 14, 2023, resigned his position as the Attorney-General of the state following the face-off between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Zacchaeus and other Commissioners who resigned due to the political crisis in the state, however, returned to the Government after being reconfirmed by the State House of Assembly.

Fubara, earlier in the week, reshuffled his cabinet and redeployed Zacchaeus as the Commissioner for Special Duties (Governor’s Office).

In a letter addressed to the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Zacchaeus rejected his new office.

Zacchaeus in his resignation letter, accused Fubara of interfering with the performance of his duties as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

He maintained that he was not ready to work in any capacity in the administration of Governor Fubara.

Ondo PDP Elects Candidate For November Governorship Election

Ayodele Oni

April 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

A 7-man Primary Election Committee, headed by Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo will on Thursday superintend over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state Governorship Primary Election.

Seven aspirants that have been cleared by the Senator Sam Egwu Screening Committee are expected to slug it out for the party’s ticket.

The International Culture and Events Centre, The Dome, Akure is the venue for the exercise.

A total of 627 Delegates from the 18 Local Government Areas of the State are expected to elect the standard bearer of the party for the November 16, 2024 Governorship election.

The aspirants are Bamidele Akingoye, a former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, Sola Ebiseni; John Ola Mafo; Adeolu Akinwumi; Bosun Arebuwa and Kolade Akinjo.

Reacting earlier to delay in announcing results and crisis which trailed the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, PDP spokesman, Kenedy Peretei stated that “the APC cannot conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election for 171,922 of their members, they should perish the idea of presiding over the affairs of Ondo State beyond the eight years in which they have practically stagnated the State.

“It is a shame that, the APC cannot bring only one of their sixteen aspirants to square up with other political parties in the general election through a process that is above board.

“That alone, is an affirmation that, the party should be consigned to dustbin of history, where it rightfully belongs.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter will once again demonstrate its superior organizational sagacity and democratic credentials this week, through a Governorship Primary Election that will be covered live by media houses and Non-Governmental Organizations in the full glare of the world.”

Obi Knocks Coastal Super Highway Project, says Not A Priority Now

The Source

April 24, 2024

The 2023 Presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has taken a dig at the Coastal road project of this administration saying the timing is wrong and is not a priority.

Obi therefore wants an immediate review of the project and attention channelled at the deplorable internal road projects littered all over the country that would enhance economic growth.

The LP standards bearer who listed some of the abandoned road projects in the geopolitical zones of the country said that deliberate attention should be given to those projects that will enhance the living standards of the poor and help internal day-to-day production.

Writing in his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said “I have closely followed the comments and developments arising from the coastal superhighway project. While I’m hesitant to engage in contentious debates about its benefits, which I acknowledge, and the pricing, which I have serious concerns about and believe should be thoroughly reviewed, I feel compelled to raise essential questions about the timing and prioritization of such ventures.

“At the forefront of my concerns is the pressing issue of numerous uncompleted roads scattered across the country, many of which have become hazardous death traps and security risks. It’s disheartening to witness the plight of innocent Nigerians who traverse these dilapidated roads under perilous conditions, vulnerable to kidnappers and other dangers.

“Most of these roads, vital for economic growth, regional connectivity, and overall development, have been under construction for several years now and are unlikely to be completed shortly due to poor funding.

“Some of these roads in various zones include:

NORTH-WEST Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road – Sokoto – Funtua – Zaria Road Kano – Hadejia Road Kano – Katsina Road Zaria – Funtua – Shema – Tsafe – Gusau – Talata – Mafara – Sokoto Road Kano – Kwanar – Danja – Hadejia Road

NORTH-EAST Kano – Damaturu – Maiduguri Road – Mubi – Maiduguri Road Nguru – Gashua – Bayamari Road Gombe – Biu – Numan Road Dikwa – Marte – Monguno Road Potiskum – Fika – Bajoga – Gombe – Biu Road Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye – Tongue Road Tumu – Pindiga – Kashere – Yalo – Bashar – Wase – Wamba – Nassarawa Road

NORTH-CENTRAL Abuja – Lokoja – Okene- Auchi – Benin Road – Ilorin – Jebba Road Kabba – Omuaran Road – Suleja – Minna Road Makurdi – Gboko – Yandev – Katsina-Ala Road Buruku Bridge across Katsina River

SOUTH-WEST Lagos – Badagry Road Ibadan – Ife – Ilesha – Osogbo Road Itoikin – Ijebu Ode – Ibadan Road Ibadan – Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Abeokuta – Ibadan Road Ikorodu – Shagamu Road Ado – Igede – Aramoko – Itawure Road Ajasse Ipo – Offa – Erinle – Osun State Border Road

SOUTH-EAST 9th Mile – Otukpo – Makurdi Road – Enugu Port Harcourt Road Onitsha – Awka – Enugu Road Onitsha – Owerri – Umuahia Road Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Road Okigwe – Afikpo Road – Nsukka – Obollo Afor Ehamafu – Nkalagu Road Oba – Nnewi – Okija Road

SOUTH-SOUTH Benin – Sapele – Warri Road East – West Road (Warri – Kaiama – Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket – Oron) Yenegwe Road Junction – Kolo – Otuoke Road Sapele – Agbor – Ewu Road Benin – Akure – Ore – Ife Road Ikot Ekpene – Aba – Owerri Road – Jattau – Fugar – Agenebode Road Bodo – Bonny Road with Bridge across Opobo Channel Port Harcourt – Onne Road – Agbor – Sakpoba – Ogharefe Road Odukpani Junction – Itu – Ikot Ekpene – Umuahia Road.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion. So why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years? To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Prioritization and fiscal discipline should be our critical guiding principles now. Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects.

“We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure, crucial for the well-being and safety of our society, before embarking on new projects, no matter their perceived benefits. Let’s prioritize the urgent needs of our people and ensure that our investments serve the collective good of the nation.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on repairing existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years.

CSOs Stage Rally In Lagos, Reject Pipeline Contracts For Tompolo, Ex-Militants On Itshekiri, Ilaje Lands

Akinwale Kasali

April 24, 2024

Protest on Pipeline Contracts Awarded to Tompolo

By Akinwale Kasali

Leaders of various Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, have held a Rally at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, calling for a stop to the pattern of giving Pipeline Contracts to people associated with violence in the country.

The Groups expressed full support for the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and asked Nigerians to be patient to reap the fruits when they mature. But they condemned the Federal Government on its idea of awarding contracts to ex-militants.

The Groups under the aegis of the Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, (CSC-MAP) at the rally cautioned that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, may be unconsciously empowering armed groups through pipeline contracts in the Niger Delta.

It said that the pipeline protection should be given to professionals and that pipelines in Itsekiri and Yoruba territories should not be given to former bandits who once led armed insurrection against the state.

Over 1000 representatives of indigenous peoples from oil producing communities in Lagos, Ondo and Delta States attended the rally.

The groups said it may be compelled to hold rallies in Abuja to draw the attention of the Presidency, the National Assembly and the International Community.

Some of the banners with different inscriptions read, ‘Stop Pipeline Contracts to Bandits’, ‘No more pipeline contracts for former militants,’ ‘Don’t Give Pipelines Protection in Itsekiriland to Our Enemy’, ‘Probe illegal Arms in Niger-Delta’, Okuoma Killings: Who gave The Guns.’

CSC-MAP said it has received complaints from many oil producing communities who feel sidelined by the Federal Government and corporation institutions like oil producing companies and the NNPCL in benefit sharing and job opportunities for the young in the companies involved in oil pipeline protection.

The coalition said the indigenous people vehemently oppose the idea of giving the protection of pipelines protection in Itsekiri and Ilaje lands to Government Ekpemuopolo popularly known as Tomopolo, who they said had led armed battles against the Itsekiri and Ilaje in the past.

“We want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed.We do not want anything that can lead to another round of crisis in the oil producing communities in the Niger-Delta.The NNPC must never give protection of pipelines in Itsekiri and Ilaje territories to Tompolo who was the ring leader in the ethnic conflict between Itsekiri and Ijaw and between Ijaw and Ilaje. Any attempt to do this is an invitation to chaos”, the Groups said.

The coalition said oil producing communities are concerned that while oil pipleline contracts are a means of providing jobs for local communities, the majority of people in oil producing companies are sidelined by the fact that some of the companies involved in the pipelines protection are not indigenous to the communities and territories that are expected to protect.

“The ndigenous communities like Itsekiri and Ilaje are being sidelined. There is a looming dispute which can snowball into a major problem. It is inconceivable that oil pipeline protection in Itsekiri and Ilaje have been handed over to interests that fought these communities with arms and ammunition in the past”.

It also said that the danger of given Pipeline Contracts to ex-militants is that leaders of armed groups in the name of pipeline protection are being fortified and funded to have dominion on Itsekiri and Ilaje territories which is totally unacceptable.

“Itshekiri and Ilaje Communities in Ondo, Delta and Lagos State call on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the oil pipeline contracts to ensure that local and indigenous people that host oil and oil pipelines are direct beneficiaries”, the CSC-MAP said.

Leaders who spoke at the rally were the CSC-MAP Deputy Coordinator, Micheal Ajayi, Assiastant Secretary, Ajayi Lateef and other officials of the Group that included; Abubakar Salami and Uzor Jideofor.

The Group said millions of youths remain unemployed in Iteskiri communities eventhough they are from oil producing communities.

It added that the indigenous communities in Ondo, Itsekiri Delta, Ogun and Lagos States call on President Tinubu to review the whole indigenous companies operating in these states to ensure that the real beneficiaries are people indigenous to these communities.

It stressed that the Federal Government should ensure pipeline protection does not lead to proliferation of arms in the oil producing communities, adding that the communities are worried following the killings of 17 soldiers in the Niger Delta which shows clearly that certain elements in the Niger Delta are in possession of dangerous weapons.

“That the Federal Government should launch a new amnesty to ensure armed groups remaining in the Niger Delta hand over their arms to the Federal Government. That the Federal Government should set up a committee made up of security agencies and community leaders to investigate the source of arms used in the killing of the soldiers and to punish those responsible for the proliferation of arms”.

CSC-MAP further stressed that the communities are worried and feel unsafe following the killings of 17 soldiers, which

clearly that illicit arms remain in large numbers in the Niger Delta.

“We call for immediate and thorough investigations to find out if there is a link between arms proliferation in the Niger Delta, oil pipeline contracts and the recent killing of the soldiers. That failure to address these burning issues may lead to outbreak of hostilities the Niger-Delta.

“The community based organisation in the oil producing communities are concerned about old and fresh environmental problems arising from busting of illegal refineries, social and cultural issues associated with oil production pipeline protection in Nigeria.

“CSC-MAP is also concerned with issues of pollution, security and other indigenous issues relating to oil production in Nigeria. The Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, (CSC-MAP) is a coalition of 55 civil society, community-based organisations and faith based groups spread across Nigeria.

The group was established in 2007 as a platform for the protection and defence of democracy, justice and the rule of law in Nigeria.

CSC-MAP has been involved in peace building and conflict prevention in the past 16 years through workshops, training advocacy and networking in urban and rural communities in Nigeria.

Insecurity: Northern Governors Storm USA

The Source

April 24, 2024

In a bid to halt the Northern Region from further plunging deeper in to the abyss of insecurity which has ravaged it for years, the United States of America, USA, has come to the rescue.

Governors of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara ,Sokoto and Kebbi States have converged on the USA for a three day Symposium put together by the USA Institute of Peace to find solution to the lingering menace .

The talk-shop which is billed to end on April 25, 2024 also has in attendance, Niger, Jigawa and Plateau State Governors.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, the Media Aide to the Kano State Governor, indicated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf already arrived the USA ,for the Workshop which is principally aimed at acquainting the participating States with some pragmatic knowledge and on the strengthening of conflict prevention in the Northern Region using non-violent methods.

The Statement further noted that the Governors of the security-challenged states will avail themselves the opportunities offered by the symposium to deepen their understanding of the socio-economic dynamics of insecurity, as well as the short term opportunities available to promote stability in the region.

The Seminar which is being coordinated by Dr Joseph Sany, the Vice President of African Centre of the Peace Institute, will also afford the participating Governors vital information on policy coordination and Management of Peace and stability,.

The Kano state Governor’s Spokesperson emphasised that the talkshop will extensively xray Insecurity in the North, its causes ,and practical ways of resolving the problem.

The Source reports that most parts of the Northern Region, particularly the North West have in recent time been the epicentre of mass abductions, kidnappings, and other violent criminal activities perpetrated by suspected banditry elements.

Thousands of innocent residents of the states have been displaced and their economic activities, particularly, farming, have been severely.

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