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ISWAP Kills Nigeria’s General

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigerian Military, Saturday morning, lost a senior officer to the rampaging Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.

In a counter offensive against the terrorists, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu paid the supreme price along with three soldiers.

ISWAP had invaded  Askira Uba Local Government Local Government Area, Borno State, and headed to a Military base. The Nigerian Military, under the Joint Task Force, North-east, Operation Hadin Kai, gave them a chase, returning fire for fire. Unfortunately, the senior officer and the three soldiers were lost in the process.

Confirming the attack and the losses, Army Spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the families of the dead have been contacted. He, also, said that offensive was still on and that a heavy air-power reinforcement,  has been sent to the area. Deployed are five A- Jet, two A-29 and two Dragon Combat which have destroyed a number of equipment deployed by the terrorists.

Nwachukwu’s statement read in part: “A gallant senior officer, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers paid the supreme price in a very rare display of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter-offensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location. The families of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted.”

Qatar 2022: Super Eagles Defeat Liberia; Gears Up For Cape Verde Hurdle

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles - Qatar 2022 Qualifiers

By Akinwale Kasali

Goals from the spot kick in both halves of the tension soaked encounter by Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 2-0 victory over the Lone Stars of Liberia in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Stade Ibn Battouta, Tangiers, Morocco.

The Coach-Gernot Rohr side had gone into the game knowing that a win is all they needed to keep their hopes alive and put their closest rival, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde at arms length.

They, however, did not repeat the mistake made against Central African Republic, mounting pressure on their opponent from the blast of the whistle.

Rohr started the match with Maduka Okoye in goal, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong and Jamilu Collins in defence.

Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi returned to the heart of the Super Eagles midfield, with Joe Aribo and Moses Simon at the flanks.

In-form Napoli Football Club of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen and Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho spearheading the attack.

It took just 16 minutes for the formation to pay off as Osimhen was brought down in the 18 yard box, with the resultant Penalty kick converted by Osimhen.

The Super Eagles did not rest on their oars as they kept pressing forward to add to the tally, but this did not yield until in the dying minutes of the match, as substitute, Ahmed Musa, converted another spot kick following a foul on a Nigerian player.

In the other Group match, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde defeated Central African Republic 2-1 in Praia, to mount pressure on the Super Eagles.

With the win for Cape Verde, the Super Eagles still top the Group with 12 points from Five matches, winning Four and losing One.

Cape Verde is second with 10 Points, needing an outright win against the Super Eagles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, to advance to the second phase of the qualification series.

Nigeria needs, at least, a draw to advance.

The Super Eagles gaffer has said that he remains optimistic of victory against the Southern African nation when both teams meet on Tuesday 16th November, 2021, to decide who scales through.

Nigeria has earlier defeated the Cape Verdeans 2-1 in Mindelo in the first leg, and would go all out to stop their opponent from advancing.

ISWAP Attacks Borno Military Base

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Suspected fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are in a gun battlle with Nigeria Military who are trying to secure their base in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Reports say some civilians sighted the ISWAP terrorists driving in a a long convoy of gun carrying military trucks along Ngude axis towards Askira, early Saturday.

The reports claimed their movement was reported to security forces but no action was taken.

They reportedly later attacked the base.

This was confirmed by Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, Deputy Speaker of Borno House Assembly.

“Yes, ISWAP is currently attacking Askira town. I was reliably informed that our troops are fighting them, but the residents are in the bush.

“My people told me that the insurgents came with about 16 gun trucks and there is confusion in the whole town now,” Engr. Askira said.

Casualty figures are not known yet as this is a developing story

The causality figures could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

VAT Legal Tussle : FG Mulls Out Of Court Settlement With States

By
Ayodele Oni
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Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

By Ayodele Oni

Indication has emerged that the Federal Government may resort to political solution in resolving the issue of the Value Added Tax, (VAT) with state Governors.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, hinted that the Federal Government may explore an out-of-court solution  legal battle between its agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) Rivers and Lagos states over the collection of VAT.

The Minister, while featuring on Channels Television programme, noted that efforts were ongoing on the issue but she did not give details as the matter was subjudice.

Mrs Ahmed said she hoped there would be a political solution to the issue rather than a protracted court case.

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had on August 9 ruled that Rivers State and not the FIRS should be the authority collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax in the state.

The FIRS then approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the judgement. It also wrote to the Senate to seek the inclusion of VAT collection in the exclusive legislative list.

Following the failure of the FIRS to obtain a stay of execution, it sought from the appellate court to prevent the state government from enforcing the verdict.

Rivers State Government had enacted a law to empower the state to collect VAT. The governor, Nyesom Wike, signed the bill into law on August 19.

Lagos State, whose request for joinder as a respondent in the suit before the Court of Appeal was also granted by the court, also enacted its own VAT law. The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the bill into law on September 10.

Meanwhile, after approving Lagos State’s request for joinder as a party, the Court of Appeal, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo on the matter, a ruling the Rivers State Government had approached the Supreme Court to set aside.

The Court of Appeal also directed that the matter be moved from Abuja to its Port Harcourt Division for further hearing. The court is yet to decide on the substantive suit.

According to the minister, “I’m not supposed to be talking about issues in court but I do hope that this problem can be solved by sitting on the table; not on the pages of newspaper or disagreements in court because it is possible to solve it on the table, talking of political solution.

“There are a lot of efforts going on right now. As I said, I don’t want to discuss it because it’s in court so I have to be careful. But there will be a positive political solution. We are working towards an out-of-court solution.”

Jonathan Tasks World Leaders On Climate Financing, Emission Cuts

By
The Source
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Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has urged world leaders to show more commitment to climate financing as the world seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and arrest the damaging effect of climate change.

He urged leaders of developed economies to offer sustained technical and financial support to aid mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries as a means of saving the earth from rising temperatures due to global warming.

According to his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former President stated this on Thursday at the 30th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Although Dr. Jonathan commended World Leaders for some of the decisions reached at the  just-ended Conference Of The Parties (COP26) on climate change  in Glasgow, Scotland, he urged leaders of developed countries to endeavor to meet their commitments in funding climate change control efforts.

He said: “We are all aware that the highly favoured clean and renewable energy is an expensive option, especially at inception and requires huge resources and technology.

“It will only be meaningful and beneficial to developing nations, if world leaders show more commitment in walking the talk in climate financing.

“This view was echoed by many leaders of developing nations at the COP26 Summit, particularly our President who presented a case for sustained technical and financial support to developing countries to enhance the attainment of national and global climate change goals.

“For me, this is the way to go and is most desirable for our common good.  The fight against climate change is therefore a cause that requires a concerted global approach.

“The experience with Covid19 pandemic has shown that the world needs to always come up with global plans and strategies to address global problems so that nations can key into these plans to resolve issues affecting the whole of humanity.

The former President also noted that the “global effect of climate change including flooding, droughts, accelerated desert encroachment, and erosion which are increasing in intensity and frequency, is felt more here in Africa, even though the continent contributes less than 4 percent of greenhouse gases.”

According to him: “The implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement which aims to substantially reduce greenhouse emissions and strengthen the ability of parties to adapt to climate change has not been impressive, especially as the instrument lacks a binding edge.

“There is also the perception of lack of will on the part of developed and wealthier countries, who are indeed the heavy emitters, to continue to robustly fund mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries, like ours.

“This fear is sustained by the fact that the pledge made 12 years ago in Copenhagen by developed nations, to contribute $100 billion annually towards mitigation and adaptation has never fully materialised.”

He also challenged the global business community to look beyond the quest for profit and do more to save Planet Earth.

“There is a lot that big businesses and multinationals companies in Nigeria and elsewhere can do to check pollution and land degradation going on in the Niger Delta and in many other parts of the country where there are mining sites. We should all join hands to reverse the earth’s present dangerous trajectory.”

“The former President further said: “As an advocate of democracy and good governance in Africa, I understand that adverse weather conditions, affecting the lives and livelihood of people, could trigger heightened social tensions in our societies, thereby putting democracy and constitutionality in danger. So, the peace of any society is inextricably linked with the stability of the environment.”

He noted further that as President, his “administration’s considerable support for the Great Green Wall initiative is a testament of my passion for environmental and climate issues.”

From Paris, Buhari Heads To South Aftica For Trade Fair

By
Uche Mbah
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President Muhammadu Buhari

By Uche Mbah

President Muhammadu Buhari leaves Paris, France, Saturday for Durban, South Africa to attend the opening ceremony of the second Intra African Trade Fair, IATF.

In a statement released and signed by Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the Presidency said that President Buhari will join other African leaders at the event.

“President Muhammadu Buhari will, Saturday, leave Paris for Durban, South Africa, at a special invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to join other African leaders at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021 which takes place on Monday,” the statement read in part.

The one week event, aimed at boosting trade relations among participants, is expected to hold from November 15 to November 21 at the instance of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

“It also promises to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive across the African continent; bring to fruition the lofty ideas behind the creation of the AfCFTA by providing the platform to further identify and proffer solutions to challenges militating intra-African trade and; generate market information needed to connect buyers and sellers throughout the continent,” the statement said.

According to the release, international brands are expected to be part of the program and are expected to benefit from the fair, thereby attracting for the continent trade and investment opportunities worth $40billion.

Travelling with the President will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion Council,  Segun Awolowo.

President Buhari is expected back in Nigeria Tuesday, November 16.

I Was Not Arrested By EFCC- Ex Fidelity Bank CEO

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

Nnamdi Okonkwo, the immediate past managing director and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank Plc has debunked report that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

A recent report claimed that some chief executives of commercial banks are being investigated by the anti-graft Commission over corruption related issues in the government interventionist agency.

But speaking on the issue, Okonkwo said he was not arrested nor invited by the Abdulrqsheed Bawa-led EFCC. I have no problem with the EFCC, the seasoned banker said, in a video chat monitored by the magazine.

“My brother, you can see me in my house, dining with my wife. I just returned from the gym and decided to have some rest. Please, it’s not true, I was not arrested and was never invited by the EFCC over NDDC fraud. Thank you very much for getting in touch,” Okonkwo said

The former chief executive of Fidelity Bank Plc retired from the commercial bank on December 31, 2020 having completed the mandatory tenure as approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

He was recently appointed the Group Managing Director, GMD of First Bank Holdings. He’s expected to assume duty on January 1, 2022.

Business Resumes At Ondo Forests Reserves As Govt Lifts Ban

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo Forest Reserve

By Ayodele Oni

Respite has come for timber contractors in Ondo State as the Government has announced a lift of the ban clamped on State Forest Reserves.

The State Government had, in August, announced ban of logging activities on its forest reserves to curb activities of illegal loggers and unwanted persons that had turned the forests to their permanent homes.

Some of the timber contractors had earlier, in the week, staged a peaceful protest in Akure against the continued closure of the forests.

A statement on Friday in Akure by the commissioner for information, Mr Donald Ojogo, stated that “This is to announce to the general public, especially stakeholders in the forestry sector that the ban placed on activities in the State Forest Reserves has been lifted with effect from Monday, November 15, 2021.

“It will be recalled that the State Executive Council, as part of its conclusions at its meeting on the 31st of August, 2021, placed a ban on all activities in the forests including logging and flitching.

“The measure was aimed at bringing sanity to the sector even as it was meant to engender enhanced revenue generation for the State.

“Ten weeks since the ban, Government’s internal and administrative measures emplaced were carefully monitored with a view to charting a more enduring path towards the effective utilisation of the State’s vast forest resources for the general good.

“These mechanisms and measures are undoubtedly, effective enough to drive Government’s vision for the sector.

“The review of the ban and subsequent approval by Mr Governor to lift same, therefore, comes on the heels of an appreciable level of compliance on the part of those saddled with responsibilities during the ban.

“So far, the measures have yielded some commendable results.

“All permit holders as well as other legitimate stakeholders are hereby enjoined to commence their activities only from the approved date, Monday 15th November, 2021.

“State Forest Officers are equally, further mandated to ensure strict adherence to approved guidelines in the discharge of their duties for enhanced productivity.”

Uzodimma To Immortalise Ex-Anambra, Enugu Military Governor, Col. Ezeh

By
The Source
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Col Herbert Obi Ezeh

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has promised to immortalise the late former Military Administrator of Anambra and Enugu States, Col. Herbert Obi Ezeh (rtd) for all he did to attract development to the South East.

Speaking at the commendation service held in honour of late Col.Ezeh at St. Jude’s Catholic Church 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze on Friday, Governor Uzodimma described the deceased as “a very good man, a statesman par excellence who was always interested in the welfare and well-being of his people.”

He, therefore, and promised to name an edifice in Imo State after the late Col. Ezeh as a way of appreciating his selfless service to humanity while he was alive.

The Governor noted that as a former Military Governor of Anambra and Enugu States, Col. Ezeh served the country not only as a soldier but also served his  Community. “That he was instrumental to many developmental projects that came from the Federal Government to the South East, because he attracted a lot of things to his people, is an understatement.”

The Governor reminded the Orsu people that while alive, their brother, Col. Ezeh,  was concerned about the security situation in Orsu Local Government Area, warning that he is afraid the things Col. Ezeh “laboured for, championed and fought for Orsu people are gradually getting eroded.”

He expressed pains over the death of  Col. Ezeh whom he said personally told him while he was still alive few weeks ago, that he was deeply concerned about the security situation in Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Governor Uzodimma described Col. Ezeh as “an accomplished gentleman in all ramifications, who managed his appetite very well, as he was not greedy, wicked or bitter with anybody.”

Governor Uzodimma reiterated his resolve and that of his government to restore peace in Orsu and Awo Idemili in particular as part of an enduring tribute to the late worthy son of Orsu, Imo and Nigeria.

In their various tributes at the Commendation Service, the Nigerian Military represented by the Brigade Commander, Brig. General RT Utsaha described late Col. Ezeh as “a fine gentleman who served meritoriously and won many medals as a leader and Commander of several Commands.”

The former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim described Col. Ezeh as “a decent and unassuming gentleman who was not selfish till death.”

Two retired Army Generals who spoke – Major General Chikwe and Major General Laz Ilo – described the life and times of late Col. Ezeh as one worthy of emulation.

They described him as one of the finest officers that the Nigerian Army ever produced.

“He was a distinguished Artillery Officer and had personified military core values of discipline, respect, loyalty, courage and unyielding spirit,” Gen. Ilo said about Col. Eze.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Imo State,  Barr. C. O. C Akaolisa, painted a picture of the man’s contributions to Orsu Local Government Area and Awo Idemili as the Headquarters.

Akaolisa said:  “As a Military Governor,  late Col. Ezeh opened many doors of opportunities for his people. He was never found wanting in anything that has to do with Awo Idemili and Orsu. To cap it all, he single handily created Orsu Local Government Area and brought the Headquarters to Awo Idemili his Community. Without him there wouldn’t have been anything like Orsu.”

In the family oration, the wife,  Mrs. Emelda Ezeh, expressed deep sorrow on the death of her husband as she recalled their days of togetherness. She expressed shock on how the husband  died without leaving behind a word.

Col. Ezeh’s son, Barr. Kenneth Ezeh described his father as a disciplinarian, a no nonsense military gentleman who instilled a lot of discipline on the children.

He regretted that their father left a vacuum too big for them to fill and prayed God to help them.

In his brief homily, Rev. Fr. Capt. Ernest Ochadu lauded the virtues of the late former military governor and admonished the living to book a place for themselves in paradise by living right. \

The Commendation Service was attended by other top government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers and opinion moulders.

Edo Legislature Backs Gov Obaseki’s 30-Year Development Plan

By
Ayodele Oni
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Marcus Onobun

By Ayodele Oni

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Marcus Onobun, has said the State Government’s 30 years development plan, is on course.

He assured that the Legislative arm would give backing to ensure sustainable implementation.

Mr Onobun spoke as part of panel of discussants during the 2021 Alaghodaro summit tagged ‘the Edo of our dreams.’

The Speaker stressed the need for the 30 years development plan to succeed as it is a legacy for the future generation of which he is part of

He explained that the Executive and legislature have cordial working relationship as laws for the overall benefit of the state have been given priority.

“It is a privilege to be part of the planning process for the future, which I am a part of being a youth and I promise today that the legislature will continue to make laws for good and proactive governance in Edo state.”

The speaker pointed out that the house would always ensure policies and laudable plans of government have the necessary legislative backing to succeed.

Mr Onobun, who also spoke on the bottom up approach said governance is from the people  to government, stressing that the legislature has always put the people first by giving them quality representation.

“Edo state executive and legislative arm have one objective towards the growth and development of the state making it one government for all.”

During the question and answer session, one of the participants, Timothy Osadolor advised the house to create a legislative framework for the sustenance of all the development projects done by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Alaghodaro summit is a yearly event to mark the anniversary of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

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