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At Awka Women’s Summit; First Ladies Of Osun, Anambra Proffer Ways Out Of Violence Against Women

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kafayat Oyetola

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Osun State Governor and Chairperson of Southern Governors Wives Forum (SGWF), Mrs Kafayat Oyetola has impressed it on mothers to rise up to the challenge of gender-based violence (GBV) by teaching children relevant values that enhance human dignity.

She was speaking in Awka, Anambra State, during the 2021 Anambra Women’s Summit,

Mrs Oyetola stated that the onset of coronavirus pandemic has further worsened the incidents of GBV across the States in Nigeria.

According to her “women are usually more at the receiving end of these harmful acts, especially during the time of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

“We mothers have a great role to play in fighting this social menace. GBV is not a natural disaster. It is a social crisis that emanates from wrong and dysfunctional orientation.

“If we are to fight it, we must go to the root causes. These lead directly to our homes. Mothers are the first handlers of the orientation of our boys and our girls. Therefore, we should start in our homes by training our children on the relevant values that enhance human dignity.

“When men and boys respect the women and girls, and refrain from on-leashing violence on them, our society will be safer and much more productive.”

The issue of gender-based violence has become a major problem. It is a country-wide challenge. It has raised great health concerns.”

While highlighting various ways GBV could be perpetrated, the Osun State first lady listed verbal harassment, mutilation of the female body through traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, as well as denial and blockade from resources sometimes based on matrimonial status or widowhood status.

Others include subjection of women to injurious activity based on harmful practices, such as rape, beating and assaulting of women, among others.

“When we talk about gender-based violence, we should not limit our attention to rape and sexual violence alone. Let us look at every other harmful activities that make our women incapable of living a dignified and fulfilling life.”

In his opening remarks, one of the resource persons, who delivered a paper at the summit, Professor Chike Okoye stated that the problem of gender-based violence such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, torture, high handedness, and physical punishment among others, exposed children to the dangers associated with the menace.

The wife of the governor of Anambra state, Lady (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, who hosted the parley, commended other Governors’ wives in the country for their determination to confront the challenge of gender-based violence in our society.

We Will Meet FG In Court – Nnamdi Kanu Legal Team

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor has said his client remains innocent until allegations against him are substantiated by the court.

Reacting to the arrest and extradition of the IPOB leader to Nigeria on Tuesday, Mr Ejiofor pointed out that the legal team was prepared to meet the federal government in court.

The statement by the legal team stated that “we have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja, about the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State.

“It is to be noted therefore, that no matter the gravity of the offences or charge preferred against him, Section 36(5) of the Constitution still presumes him innocent of the allegation.

“He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja  today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge.

“As it is in the public domain, the matter has been consequently adjourned to the 26th Day of July 2021, for Continuation of Trial.

“The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date.

“We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial which is his constitutionally protected right.

“His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards, should be enforced.

“Our fortified Legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the Charge and disposition of the Court. Await further update from us as we progress.”

Kanu, whose extradition to the country was made public on Tuesday, was immediately arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Court has ordered his detention in the custody of the State Security Service, (SSS) till 26th July, when his trial is expected to resume.

Edo Gov Obaseki Picks Committee To Screen Names Of Political Appointees

By
Ayodele Oni
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Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

All is now set for the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to appoint people into his cabinet, with the inauguration of a 15-member Committee, charged with the responsibility of screening political nominees that will be appointed.

Governor Obaseki, who was inaugurated for the second term almost ten months ago, has not constituted the state executive council.

However, with his victory at the Supreme Court, members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) are itching to be appointed into political offices.

Mr Obaseki had decamped from the All Progressive Congress, (APC) to contest last year’s election on the ticket of the PDP and defeated his closest rival Pastor Ize Iyamu.

Speaking while inaugurating the 15 members appointment committee in Benin City on Wednesday, the Governor explained that people would not be appointed into political offices without knowing their background.

“We have passed that stage where people just come into the government for the sake of it; you are coming for a purpose and must be equipped to deliver on that purpose.

“We have gone round the state and asked wards and local governments to submit nominations.

“We have collected names and received petitions from some people expressing how happy or unhappy they were; we have received all of these and passed them on to you.

“You have to first check that the information that they gave us is correct. Do they have the qualifications? You have to interact with them and advise us.  Tell us whether these people can help us deliver on our mandates.

“When you make your recommendations, we then look at those your recommendations and select those that we need to select; we are running a very transparent selection process. I don’t have one name; the people have gone through the process.

“You all have very high credibility; we have engaged you in various assignments in the past, so we are very deliberate in choosing you. We trust and believe that whatever you give to us would be as you see it.

“So, we have a lot of trust and confidence that you will do a great job for us. People are anxious; we don’t have time.

“We believe that in the next two to three weeks, you will come with what we can work with.

The Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor promised that “We will try as much as possible to deliver on our mandate within the stipulated time.”

The committee is expected to submit its report on it before July 15.

Multiple Taxation: Respite For Logistic Companies, As Lagos Assembly Stops Extortion

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Courier Man

By Akinwale Kasali

Logistics and Courier Operators in Lagos State have continually decried multiple Taxation which suffer from Local Government and Local Council Development Area Officials, leading to seizures of their dispatch motorcycles by the Council officials.

The Logistics operators had, a few weeks ago,  protested against the multiple Taxation it suffers from the Local Councils despite paying tax to the coffers of the State Government.

It was alleged by the Operators that they are always being extorted by Council Officials with different levies and also issued fake documents as receipts.

In this vein, the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa-led Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, in the State to desist from extorting and harassing operators of courier and logistics services in the state.

The Speaker of the House emphasised that Local Government Councils and LCDAs do not have the power to tax logistics and courier services. He said the power of the councils was limited to registration of bicycles as dictated by the constitution of the country.

Obasa said it was lamentable, especially, as such acts affect ease of doing business “and it is very important that we do something about it.

“We have to make them understand that going out to disturb well-planned and organised businesses that stand to create employment for our youth especially with the rate at which students graduate with nothing much to do is not good at all.

“The services of courier services reduce poverty in the state and how much do they even charge?

“Local governments have nothing to do with the registration of motorcycles and tricycles. Operators of courier and logistics services should not be made to pay in all the local governments considering what they charge for their services.”

It was, therefore, resolved that Local Government Councils should be aware of their limitations in this regard as well as stop using alleged touts and street urchins to collect revenues in other areas where they are legally empowered.

In the decision of the House which followed a motion earlier moved by Hon. Ganiu Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe 1), the lawmakers further resolved to call on the Lagos State Government to direct the Commissioner for Transportation and other relevant agencies to ensure that operators of courier services and logistics are not harrassed by the local governments.

The House also directed the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that all extortionists in the state are apprehended and face the wrath of the law.

“The House calls on Local Governments and LCDAs to desist from harrasing and extorting operators of courier and logistics services and restrain their traffic department from doing so.

“The Ministry of Information and Strategy should educate operators of Courier and Logistics Services and informed them about what is expected of them,” Okanlawon said.

Okanlawon stated that the laws and restriction orders on the ban of motorcycles in some areas in the state exempted the movement of motorcycles of courier and logistics services.

In his contribution, Hon. Bisi Yusuff said that the motion was timely and that the use of local government taskforce to deal with operators of courier services was an embarrassment to the state government.

According to Yusuff, some operators took some local governments to the court on the issue in the past and won.

Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said that courier and logistics services help people in different areas to interact with their customers.

Agunbiade added that the operation had a way of boosting the economy of the state and empowering the people through employment.

“The motion did not say they should not be regulated. A courier service should not pay from one local government to the other or else it would defeat the purpose of theur business.

“The revenue should be centralised among the local governments. The House once passed a law to regulate collection of fees by local governments. The law stated that whoever is collecting levies for the local governments must be identified,” he suggested.

Hon. Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju Lekki 1) stated that some of the riders of the bikes are graduates who have no other jobs, and that there have been many cries concerning the harrasment of courier and logistics operators by local government officials.

On his part, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) lamented that some of the courier services organisations do not live up to expectations.

“Some local governments use consultants and we cannot stop them because of their excesses. We must not throw the local governments out totally as they have a role to play as an arm of government,” he said.

Also, speaking, Hon. Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island 2) suggested that the collection of revenue for the local governments could be centralised and shared among them, adding that multiple taxation affects the profit of courier services companies.

In his view, Hon. Moshood Oshun, representing Lagos Mainland 2 said that most of the local governments and LCDAs have traffic sections and that they charge exorbitant fines.

He urged that the traffic sections of these councils be looked into because they sometimes go the extreme of arresting and harrassing people.

Hon. Jude Idimogu from Oshodi/Isolo 2 Constituency said he had personally experienced the harrasment of the touts, supported the motion.

Also supporting the motion, Hon. Setonji David, representing Badagry 2 Constituency said that courier operators play major roles in the state but that the local governments do not see it from this angle.

“Most of the receipts issued by the local governments are fake. We must ensure that the local governments limit themselves to what they ought to do.

“We have to find a way to stop the local governments from bothering the courier services since they are recognised by law. They also help transportation in the state as they help in distributing items,” he said

Nnamdi Kanu: Stay Calm, We Have A Fortified Legal Team

By
The Source
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0

By Ifeanyi Ejiofor
(IPOB/ Kanu’s Lead Counsel)

We have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja, about  the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State.

It is to be noted, therefore, that no matter the gravity of the offences or charge preferred against him, Section 36(5) of the Constitution still presumes him innocent of the allegation.

He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja  today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge.

As it is in the public domain, the matter has been consequently adjourned to the 26th Day of July 2021, for Continuation of Trial.

The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date.

We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial which is his constitutionally protected right.

His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards, should be enforced.

Our fortified Legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the Charge and disposition of the Court.

Await further update from us as we progress.

Thank you and remain blessed.

Ejiofor issued this statement immediately Kanu’s arrest was made public on 29th June, 2021

Why We Arrested Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By
The Source
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By Abubakar Malami

Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.

He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11 count charge against him.

Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day of June, 2021.

Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State  is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued 17th October 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos.

It is recalled that Kanu was arrested  on 14th October, 2015 on 11 count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory  matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.

A judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja revoked Kanu’s bail that was granted him on health ground and issued a bench warrant for his arrest on the same date, over his failure to appear in court for hearing.

He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of  engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.

Malami, SAN, is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

Edo Group Demands Return Of Stolen Artefacts To Oba Of Benin’s Palace

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oba of Benin Palace

By Ayodele Oni

A socio cultural organization in Edo state, Coalition of Benin Youths, has kicked against attempts to divert some of the recovered looted artefacts to any other place other than the Oba of Benin’s palace.

The group, in a statement in Benin city on Tuesday, alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki is surreptitiously conniving with the National Commission for Museum to move the recovered artefacts to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The statement, signed by Mr Osarhon Gideon, Coordinator of the group, stated that recovered artefacts in the past were returned to the Oba of Benin Palace where they were hitherto looted by British traders.

“They have agreed to return back what they took forcefully from where it was taken (Oba Palace), and some elements in the name of Government, are trying to make dollars and euros from this by trying to use the Federal Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to divert our artefacts.

“We, the Benin youths, reject in totality any act of wanting to be smart by Edo State Government headed by Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to reintroduce the invasion of the Benin Kingdom for the second time.

“We are known for peace and wish to maintain peace, but wish that the good people of Benin Kingdom are not taking for granted, and not be forced on a war path.”

The youth group accused the present administration of failure to reconstruct the burnt Benin market, which they described as part of the ancient city cultural monument.

“We wish to remind Edo State Government that Oba market had since been razed down by fire for over two and half years. The market is part of our history, not even a block has been laid on the market site, same goes with our own Urokpota Hall, which today Edo State Government has now turned to Motor Park.

“Till date, nothing was done, our history is going down in the face of Edo State Government, but because of the assumed Dollars and Euros to be benefited from the return of the artefacts, they have suddenly become cultural and tourism friendly.”

It advised the State Government not to politicize the issue and as well, leave out the sacred palace of Benin monarch from any move to divert the recovered artefacts.

“We wish the Government of Edo State do not bring politics into this as the Royal home cannot be political and will never be political.

“We are freeborn of the Benin Kingdom and will not allow any ugly history to repeat itself, as the Kingdom (Benin Kingdom) is known all over the World.

“The Palace and its environs are big enough to store any kind of artefacts that will be repatriated from the Europe/British country.”

The Benin youth group also demanded from the present administration financial records/details received by Edo State Government in respect of the Benin bronze from across the World within two weeks.

“We also state that LRT, which is called Legacy Restoration Trust, is a private company set up by some persons who are struggling to reloot Benin Artefacts by this they cannot be trusted and must be disbanded.

“Oba market and Urokopta Hall must and should be rebuilt by Edo State Government within three months, as they are part of our heritage.”

Gov Oyetola Orders Probe Into Clash Between Islamic Sect And Traditional Worshippers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Egungun Worshipers attack Muslims

By Ayodele Oni

The Governor of Osun state, Gboyega Oyetola, has condemned the clash between traditional worshipers and a Muslim group which happened in the state capital on Sunday.

The Governor noted that the State is not known for such dastardly act.

No fewer than 12 persons, including children, sustained gunshot injuries in the clash.

The masquerade worshipers reportedly opened fire at the Muslims while performing a special prayer for Nigeria at  Kamorudeen Central Mosque, located at Oluode Aranyin in Osogbo around 2:30pm.

It was gathered that the masquerades had earlier staged a threatening walk before stoning the congregation. A Camry car and the windows of the mosque were also destroyed in the clash.

Kamorudeen Islamic Society of Nigeria had organised a special prayer for Nigeria which was attended by members of the organization across the State.

According to some victims of the attack, they alleged that the traditional worshippers were led by a popular traditionalist in the State.

They also claimed that the masquerade and their worshipers under the protection of police walked  passed the mosque before they returned and descended on them with stones.

The Imam of the mosque, Kazeem Yunus, confirmed that the leader of the organisation in Iwo, Osun State, Moshood Salawudeen was shot in the head and gave up the ghost.

“Some of our members, about 12 who sustained bullet injuries, were taken to Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro; Osogbo Central Hospital and UNIOSUN, while the corpse has been deposited at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital mortuary.”

The Governor commiserated with the Islamic group and the family of the deceased and over the death of their member whose life was cut short during the incident.

Governor Oyetola has, also, ordered the Police to get to the root of the incident with a view to bring the perpetrators to book.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, the Governor noted that Osun and its people were known for peace and that the present administration has been doing all it could to sustain the enviable record of the State.

He warned that Government would not tolerate any act of criminality or violence in any part of the State.

Ondo Govt Clarifies Labour Unions Part Of Agreement To Pay Workers Salaries In Percentages

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Percentage payment of workers’ salaries in Ondo State received the approval of labour unions in the State, the State Government has clarified.

The State Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, told Journalists on Tuesday in Akure that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu only approved agreement reached with the labour unions.

Apparently reacting to an allegation by the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) south west, that Governor Akeredolu has morgaged workers welfare, the head of service urged the general public to disregard the allegation.

“Workers should not allow themselves to be used by political parties and politicians for any political gains.

“The present Government prioritizes the welfare of workers, considering what it has done in the payment of six months’ salary out of seven months arrears owed workers by the past administration.

“The financial situation of the State, occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic, which ravaged the world economy thereby causing the Federal Allocation accrueable to the state to drastically go down.

“The fact should be told that Mr. Governor does not interfere nor get involved in the allocation of funds for payment of workers’ salary and pension.

“This is usually being done by the Leaders of Labour Union in the State in collaboration with critical stakeholders based on the available resources at the end of each month.

“It is hoped that the State will overcome the present trying time as soon as possible, therefore workers are enjoined to continue to bear with the present administration.

“The payment of percentage salary on monthly basis due to paucity of fund is done through the office of Head of Service and all the relevant Labour Unions in the State.

“The allocation to the State from Federation account shared into various salary sections including subvention to tertiary institutions in the state.

“It is after the agreement between the office of HOS and the Labour that we present the resolutions to Mr. Governor for approval.

“I wish to advise workers not to allow any political party or politicians to create chaos between workers and government.  They are not to use workers wages as means of settling scores among themselves.

“We are all aware of the precarious financial situation of government caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which affects finances of government globally. Ondo State is not excluded.

“I wish to reiterate that government has never used our salaries or state fund to settle any judgment as wrongly alleged in a publication.

“Government has always prioritized the welfare of workers in the state through promotion exercise that is ongoing and various loans – Car Loan and Housing Loan are being enjoyed by workers.”

OPINION: No Tears for Nnamdi Kanu

By
The Source
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0
Farooq Kperogi

By Farooq Kperogi, PhD

I’ve known since the beginning of the month that Nnamdi Kanu would be arrested and extradited to Nigeria, but my informant swore me to secrecy, so I kept the information to myself. Today he has been arrested and extradited to Nigeria.

While the mass resentment against Buhari in the Southeast is a justified response to his systematic exclusion of and open rhetorical and actual hostility to the region, Nnamdi Kanu is NOT a symptom of the Southeast’s legitimate angst. He is a different but related problem.

Kanu is a violent, vulgar, venomous-tongued thug that should never have been allowed to exploit the valid angst of the Southeast to rise to prominence. The intolerant, unthinking IPOB cult he has built has become a problem not just for Nigeria but for the vast majority of Igbo people everywhere.

When Kanu was burst forth to the forefront of national and international visibility in July 2015 through the Buhari regime’s thoughtless handling of Radio Biafra, I took the time to listen to him on Radio Biafra. I found a man gibbering vulgar, violent, incoherent, hate-filled but comical rants. He called Nigeria a “zoo”— or the “zoological republic”— and Nigerian citizens “monkeys” or “ill-educated vagabonds.”

He labeled Igbos who didn’t share in his idiocy as “Hausa-born children in Igboland.” His rants were also filled with racially self-hating, negrophobic rhetoric, such as his claims that black people were inherently intellectually inferior and incapable of deep thought. He said he was a “Jew.” He hasn’t changed since then.

He makes no effort to be persuasive. He simply revels in tasteless abuse, intentional prevarications, infantile temper tantrums, and a melodramatic display of rank, comical illiteracy. In my July 2015 column, I said the only people who would take him seriously and be affected by his message were people who already shared his twisted, hateful ideals, which made shutting down his station pointless. “I can bet that it does not speak for nor reach the majority of Igbo people, and that most Igbo people would snigger when they listen to it,” I wrote.

But the Buhari regime made Kanu more popular than he is worth. He was spewing his rib-tickling inanities on the fringes of the Internet and on a barely known radio station. Then, suddenly, when he started attacking President Buhari, Nigerian authorities moved in swiftly to contain him. They announced that they had successfully jammed his radio station but came back a few days later to refute an alleged libelous falsehood the station made against Buhari!

Of course, news of the “jamming” of the radio and the press release refuting what the station reportedly said against Buhari (after it was supposed to have been jammed!) caused the station—and the ideology it espouses—to make national and international headlines. And there was an enormous spike in the number of searches for “Radio Biafra” and “Nnamdi Kanu” on Google and other search engines.

This, combined with Buhari’s unambiguous antipathy toward the southeast, has sparked a resurgence of Biafran and neo-Biafran movements and periodic sanguinary communal upheavals. This was completely avoidable. If the government had ignored (or quietly diluted) Kanu and his Radio Biafra and demonstrated even token large-heartedness toward the southeast (and the deep south) in the immediate aftermath of Buhari’s epochal electoral triumph in spite of opposition from the region, we wouldn’t know of Kanu and IPOB. But Nigerian authorities couldn’t stomach an insult at Buhari.

Whatever it is, I have no tears for Kanu. No reasonable person should. But I think the man needs more sorrow than anger because he is obviously mentally unhinged.

Kperogi, PhD, is a regular commentator on National and Current issues

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