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Visa: Over 500 Nigerians Stranded In UAE

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The United Arab Emirates, UAE has refused to renew the visas of over 500 Nigerian thus making them to lose their jobs in the Asian country, according to a report by The Punch.

The newspaper reported that most of the affected persons had now returned to Nigeria, while hundreds of others are still in UAE in the hope that Abu Dhabi would reverse the decision.

The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Fahad AI Taffaq, had said there was no official communication on the issuance of work permits for Nigerians living and working in his country.

Taffaq, who stated this when he received the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Embassy in Abuja, in August, noted that he read about the ban in the social media, stressing that “UAE has no restrictions against any nationality.”

But giving an update on the situation in a telephone interview with The Punch on Wednesday, a UAE resident, Chukwudi Kalu, said he has presented the list of over 500 Nigerians who lost their jobs due to their inability to renew their work visas to the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Kalu explained that the Federal Government through the embassy and the NIDCOM had held talks with the Emirati government.

He stated, “It is a diplomatic issue between the two countries and there are still ongoing discussions between Nigeria and UAE. It has been very difficult for Nigerians out here. Over 500 Nigerians are affected.”

He added, “Most of those who lost their jobs have gone back home (Nigeria) while some are still here trying to see when this issue would be discussed. Nigerians are losing their jobs in high numbers, that’s the fact.

“I have a Nigerian graduate who was earning N40,000 back home and he came here to UAE and was being paid almost N500,000 every month. Now, his visa would expire by November, he couldn’t renew. He kept calling me every time for an update.”

A Dubai-based activist, Oluwatosin Fadoju observed that the UAE was using the policy as a punishment against Nigeria, stressing that the FG was not doing enough to resolve the issue.

He stated, “A lot of people are on the streets. People are getting jobs but they cannot work because is there is no work permit. We have not seen any action from Nigeria. We want the Nigerian government to step in.

Esther Sunsuwa, the spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the federal government will take all diplomatic steps to resolve the issue.

Anambra: Obiano, APGA, CAN Reject Emergency Rule

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State

By James Orji

Anambra state government has rejected proposed state of emergency by the federal government in the state. Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation had on Wednesday said the Buhari administration was considering all options in resolving the spate of violence and insecurity rocking the Governor Willy Obiano-led state.

Recall that Dr Chike Akunyili, the widower of late Dora Akuiyi, former Director General of NAFDAF and Minister of Information under President Yar’Adua was killed, last week, by suspected members of IPOB.

Speaking on the spate of killings in the state Malami said “When our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out.

“As a government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations, of the government or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that [state of emergency] is out ruled.

“The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in a Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra holds, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of declaration or state of emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties and democratic order.

“So, our position as a government is if these elections are going to hold, necessary security, in terms of democratic order, must certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.

But rebuffing the nation’s chief law officer, the Commissioner of Information in Anambra State, Don Adinuba, said it’s outrageous for the federal government to contemplate state of emergency as the solution to the problem rocking the state.

Adinuba who spoke on Channels Television, said it is inconceivable for the administration to consider the option when such action had not been taken in other states such as Kaduna, Borno, Zamfara where bandits and Boko haram terrorists are killing people.

Adinuba noted that despite the high killings in the North-West and North-East geopolitical zones, elections were held in the states.

He said similar violence has been witnessed in some South eastern states yet the federal government did not consider state of emergency those states.

Angry Adinuba said “Nigerians are outraged by the threat by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

“Since the renewed violence in Anambra State which we believe is politically motivated, not more than 15 persons have been killed. How many persons have died in Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, Zamfara, even Imo, which is APC-controlled, (and) Ebonyi, which is APC-controlled?

“Has anybody threatened emergency rule in any of these states?

“For the past seven years, Anambra has remained the safest state, most stable in Nigeria.

He said the state has remained peaceful until recently, adding that federal government’s action has political undertone.

“We remain the only state in the whole country that for the past seven years, has not experienced one single bank robbery; what is going on is politically motivated and the declaration by the honourable Attorney-General of the Federation is a confirmation,” Adinuba said.

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Christian Association of Nigeria,  CAN have rejected state of emergency as the lasting solution to the insecurity in the state, describing such action as premature.

Anambra: PDP Warns FG Over State Of Emergency Threat

By
The Source
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed the Federal Government over its threat to declare a state of emergency in Anambra State due to the unprecedented insecurity in the State.

Anambra has, in the past couple of weeks, been engulfed in killings and torching of properties and State facilities.

The State and the people are on edge. The fear is that it might affect the conduct of the November 6, 2021 Governorship election.

But the Federal Government, on Wednesday, October 6, says nothing is capable of stopping the election. Speaking through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, the FG said it would consider declaring a state of emergency in Anambra State if the insecurity continues.

A state of emergency would mean the removal of the Governor, and the appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the affairs of the State.

The PDP has cried foul, and asked the Federal Government to perish the thought. The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, accused the FG of fuelling the insecurity in the State for a purpose.

It said the declaration of a state of emergency is part of it, to enable the APC rig the upcoming election, and win the Governorship seat through what it called “a back door.”

Following is the full text of the Statement:

Perish Contemplations of State of Emergency In Anambra, PDP Cautions FG

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to perish every contemplations of imposing a state of emergency in Anambra state ahead of the November 6 governorship election.

“The PDP holds that the reported move to foist an emergency rule in Anambra state is a ploy by the APC-led government to suppress the people, manipulate the process and rig the governorship election for the APC and its candidate.

“Our party demands that the APC and its administration should come clean on their roles in the sudden rise in insecurity in Anambra state ahead of the election.

“This demand is predicated on apprehensions in the public space that the spate of insecurity in Anambra is contrived to heighten tension in the state so as to derail the democratic process to the advantage of the APC.

“The PDP insists that the Federal Government has the capacity to ensure peace in Anambra before, during and even after the election, if it so desired.  We therefore invite the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government to be guided accordingly.

“Our party also charges the people of Anambra state to remain calm and alert as well as take steps within the ambits of the law to resist plots by the APC to derail the electoral process in its inordinate ambition to seize Anambra through the back door.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Anambra State, has also condemned the idea of a state of emergency in the State.

During the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government, he declared a state of emergency in both Plateau and Ekiti States.

Senator Abubakar Ibrahim Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Senator Abubakar Ibrahim

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than five months after Aisha Jummai Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, passed away, her elder brother, Senator Abdulazeez Abubakar Ibrahim, has also died.

Senator Abubakar Ibrahim died at the age 67, Tuesday, October 5th 2021 at the Federal Medical Center in Jalingo.

The late Senator was elected in 1999 and again in 2003 to represent Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

In 2007, he contested for the office of the Governor of the State under the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) but lost to the late Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Commiserating with the family of the deceased, Taraba State Speaker, Joseph Kunini, in a condolence message described Ibrahim as a political enigma.

Kunini said he left the scene at a time the state faced various challenges with the Government pulling all intellectual resources to solutions.

“Death is inevitable for every mortal. But the news of the death of Senator A.A. Ibrahim, barely five months after the death of his immediate younger sister, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, is devastating.

“We cannot question God’s deed. May He grant their souls Aljannah Firdausi and the family the fortitude to bear the great loss. We shall surely miss the love and counselling of the duo”, he noted.

Senate Announces Death Of DPR As Board Members Of New NURC Get The Nod

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Board members of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, (NURC), one of the newly established institutions under the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIB).

With the birth of the Board of the newly established venture, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has ceased to exist.

The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources.

The nominees confirmed include Isa  Modibbo – Chairman; Gbenga Komolafe – Chief Executive; Hassan Gambo – Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts; and Rose Ndong – Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.

Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Albert Akpan, in his presentation, said that the nominees demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the workings of the petroleum industry, especially the upstream petroleum sector, as well as the economics of petroleum exploration and production.

He added that the appointments of the nominees satisfied the requirements of Sections 11 and 18 (1-5) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

“There are no adverse reports against the nominees as record checks and other forms of investigations by security agencies did not reveal any negative trace against them.”

Akpan stated that the Committee was satisfied about the qualifications, experience, suitability, competence and integrity of the nominees to assume the position of Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission would provide a foundation for the stabilisation of the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

He also said the confirmation of the NURC board has automatically led to the scrapping of the Department of Petroleum Resources as the new commission will take over its responsibilities.

“The Regulatory Commission has the enormous and huge responsibility of setting and establishing the Commission as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act.

“They have the unenviable responsibility of ensuring that they commit themselves and work hard to provide the solid and stable foundation for that matter, that they don’t waste any time because time is of essence.

“The implication of the approval of board members for the commission is that the Department of Petroleum Resources has ceased to exist.

“The Petroleum Industry will go through a reform process and the process has already started.

“This Commission is one of the huge arms of those reforms that will stabilize the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

“While the Senate confirms them, we expect nothing less than commitment and patriotism on their side. The Senate wishes them the best and a very fruitful tenure as they take their offices.

“We expect that the other regulatory authority for downstream and midstream will also be confirmed as soon as possible, so they also start their work immediately.”

Anambra: Obiano May Cease To Be Governor As FG Dangles State Of Emergency

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Federal Government will not hesitate to declare a State of Emergency in Anambra state due to the state of insecurity. If it does, Willy Obiano may cease to be Governor as a Sole Administrator would be appointed to rule the State.

This was disclosed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Wednesday, while addressing Journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Malami, this is to protect lives and property in the State. It is based on the incessant violence that has taken over the State as the November Governorship elections draw near.

“When our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out,” Malami said.

“As a Government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a Government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State
Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State

“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations of the Government, or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that [state of emergency] is out ruled.

“The Government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in a Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is ruled out by Government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that election in Anambra hold, and you cannot out rule possibilities, inclusive of the profitability of declaration or State of Emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the State Government to ensure the sanctity of of lives, properties, and democratic order.

“So, our position as a Government is if these elections are going to hold, necessary security, in terms of democratic order, prevail for this election.”

Critics have faulted his position, saying that the level of violence has not reached the level being experienced in different parts of the North, yet there has been no declaration of a state of emergency in these places.

In Niger State, Boko Haram is said to have taken over Local Governments, collecting taxes and flying their flags, thereby declaring the area part of its Sovereign State, but there appears to be deafening silence from the Presidency.

During the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he declared a State of Emergency in two States – Plateau and Ekiti.

Your Threat Is An Empty One – IPOB Replies South East Governors

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB), on Wednesday, reacted to the decision of the Southeast Governors on its sit-at-home order.

The South-east Governors and leaders of the Zone in a communique on Tuesday after a meeting in Enugu, resolved to put an end to the weekly sit-at-home order issued by IPOB which has badly affected the economy of the zone, put its people on edge, and wreaked violence and destruction.

But IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Southeast Governors have no power to stop the sit-at-home order in the region.

Mr Powerful told Journalists that the sit-at-home order was the only way people of the region could express their displeasure over the brutality by the Nigerian security agents in the Southeast.

According to him, Mondays sit-at-home has been cancelled, adding that those enforcing it are not IPOB members.

“South-East Governors cannot stop the wishes of the people because they have failed the masses and sit-at-home is the only way our people show their displeasure.

“They are tired of Nigeria and its security brutality in our territory. South-East governors have no stand to stop it.

“IPOB can only stop sit-at-home because they initiated it. We stopped Monday sit-at-home because we found out the implications on our people.

“The Nigerian Government and  politicians hijacked it and killed people to implicate IPOB worldwide.

“Very soon, they will understand how we will handle it because we have discovered all their antics and gimmicks. IPOB will not allow that to continue.

“So South-East Governors cannot do anything unless IPOB and the public do. We still stand on no more Monday sit-at-home and anybody enforcing it is not IPOB.

“They will get their reward soon; our people should stop Monday sit-at-home because IPOB has stopped it openly, and we are not going back on that.

‘Last Monday, Hope Uzodinma recruited some hoodlums who were attacking people in the name of IPOB in order to implicate us as a violent group which is not and that attack was not from IPOB security.”

Following Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and detention, the group had ordered people of the Southeast to sit-at-home every Monday.

IPOB had claimed that the order was to force the Nigerian Government into releasing Kanu and others that were arrested and detained by security agents.

Operation Golden Dawn Is A Secret Genocide, Says IPOB

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has lampooned the Nigerian Army for Operation Golden Dawn recently launched in the South-East region of the country.

The Army had launched Operation Golden Dawn to, according to them, tackle the security situation in the Southeast, particularly Anambra state. This replaces Operation Python dance that was established in 2017, and under the umbrella which Nnamdi Kanu’s father’s house was invaded.

While many people have welcomed the exercise due to the unprecedented insecurity and lawlessness in the South-east, the IPOB leadership says it is a ploy to kill.

In a statement, the Group’s Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Wednesday,  accused the military of leaving the ravaged North to declare emergencies in the South-east.

“This operation is another round of secret genocide akin to the infamous Python Dance by the Nigerian Army. This is another ploy by the military to continue their reckless killing of Igbo youths just because we want to have our independence”, the statement read.

“We wonder why a special military operation would be launched in the South-East while the same military has looked away from Kaduna, Niger and other northern states which have become a slaughter ground by Fulani bandits and terrorists decimating Christian communities almost unchallenged.

“The level of insecurity in South-East which, of course, was created by the same Nigeria security agencies is a far cry to the state of near-anarchy in the northern region. Why is it during special military operations that the Fulani-controlled federal government remembers South East but when it has to do with infrastructure and appointments they go North?

“Our message to the operatives deployed for this wicked special operation is to make sure they don’t kill any innocent Biafran or IPOB member. If they know where the bandits were created to wreak havoc in the South-East, let them face them. But any day they touch innocent Biafrans in the South-East, they will regret their action.

“They should be ashamed of themselves that even soldiers are being killed by Fulani bandits in the North but they are here declaring a special operation in a relatively peaceful region.

“We pity South-East politicians and the political elite who lack understanding of the times. They are only after their political interest in 2023.”

For the records, the Army special operation is not exclusive to the South-east. The same operation is going on in other Zones using different operational code-names.

As for the Northern States where Bandits hold sway, Military operations are an everyday activity, and have been on-going for years.

Kaduna NUJ Avoids South-east Over Insecurity; Blames IPOB

By
The Source
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0
NUJ

By Gideon Njoku

The Kaduna State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, has barred its members from attending the National NUJ’s Delegates’ Conference slated for  Umuahia, Abia State, South-east, Nigeria.

It said its Council would avoid any trip to the South-east due to the worsening insecurity situation in the Zone.

The NUJ Delegates’ Conference, even though enmeshed in controversy over a court action brought against the body by the Ogun State Council, offers the Union the chance to elect new Executive members to run its affairs.

But at an Emergency meeting in Kaduna on October 5, the Council said in a Communique it issued, signed by Comrade Femi Adi, that it was not prepared to expose its members to danger in the South-east due to the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

It said the Congress before taking the decision “critically reviewed the security situation in the country and particularly, the continuous deteriorating security situation in the South-east perpetrated by Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB).”

It, therefore, concluded that: “The Kaduna State Council unanimously resolved by an overwhelming vote that it will not be attending the Abia Delegate Conference because of the serious risk members lives and properties would be exposed to.”

The Source magazine gathered that other Chapters in the country may likely toe the same line for fear of the lives of their members.

Following is an excerpt from the Communique issued by the Kaduna NUJ Council.

“The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council, held an emergency Congress on the 5th October, 2021.

“The Council deliberated extensively on the NUJ Delegates’ Conference scheduled to hold at Umuahia, Abia State.

“The Congress critically reviewed the security situation in the country and particularly, the continuous deteriorating security situation in the South East perpetrated by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

“The Congress also looked  into consideration the substantive Court Order restraining the National Executive Council (NEC) from proceeding with the elections process .

“After a robust deliberations, the Kaduna  State Council unanimously resolved by an overwhelming vote that it will not be attending the Abia Delegate Conference because of the serious risk members lives and properties would be exposed to.

“However, Congress did not prevent any member from attending the aforementioned Conference in Abia on their personal capacity. Congress however , cautioned such members who might wish to  attend not to claim to be representing the Kaduna State Council, warning of the dare consequences should anyone claim to representing the Council.”

For the records, Kaduna State has been a bedrock of insecurity in Nigeria, especially, with dozens of killings and the abduction of innocent citizens, including hundreds of pupils and students from their schools by bandits.

NIMASA Appoints 3 Directors, Promotes Over 200

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has approved the appointment of three new Directors. The new appointees are Eric OJI, Dimowo Heaky, and a former spokesman of the Agency, Isichei Osamgbi.

Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO),  Dirisu Abdulmumuni, was also promoted to Deputy Director, alongside 61 others.  Two hundred and thirty-three other staff were elevated to their next grade levels, according to statement signed by Osagie Edward, the agency’s Deputy Director, Public Relations.

The promotions were ratified at the Board meeting held in Lagos under the chairmanship of Asita O. Asita.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, congratulated the promoted members of staff and charged them to remain committed to the Agency’s vision of making Nigeria great through sustainable harnessing of its huge maritime potential.

Jamoh stated, “We are committed to our promise to always motivate staff and give them reason for hard work. The promotion process was rigorous but fair to all involved.

“I congratulate the newly promoted staff and say to them that the reward for hard work is more work. Promotion is the reward for hard work, and a qualification for higher responsibilities.

“I congratulate all our staff who have been promoted and implore them to see their elevation as a call to more dedication.

“On our part as Executive Management, we will continue to ensure that staff are promoted as and when due so that they are motivated to give their best in the Agency’s drive to make maritime a key element in the country’s economic diversification agenda.”

The Chairman of the Board enjoined the newly promoted staff to be more dedicated to their duties, saying the promotions will come with more responsibilities.

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