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Agege: Awawa Boys On Rampage; Residents Panic; Seek Whereabout Of LG Chairman

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Awawa Boys

By Akinwale Kasali

The dreaded Cult Group that once terrorized suburb areas in Lagos and Ogun State has resurfaced in Agege Local Government area of Lagos State and its environs, causing fear and panic.

The underaged criminally minded Groups have, since the past week, wreaked havoc in the area, robbing residents in daylight, attacking and inflicting injuries on their victims and members of rival Cult groups.

Residents are scampering  for safety as the Awawa Boys Cult Group unleash terror on their victims.  Shops are under lock and key, as residents move around in fear.

A Youth-based Group in the Agege LG, under the aegis of Concerned Citizen’s of Agege Local Government, lamented that the insecurity that rocks the area is second to none,and is calling on security agencies in the State to come to the aid of Agege residents.

The Group lamented that the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, has remained silent and failed to address the insecurity issue of the LG.

It added that for several weeks now, the LG Chairman has been absent at various functions in the LG, raising concerns over his whereabouts.

According to the Group, “We requested for the whereabouts of the Council boss after his non-appearance at various official functions for several weeks, and his continued silence over the insecurity issues that has led to loss of properties with residents unable to move around and sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We need to know the whereabouts of the Council boss. He was absent at Stakeholders Forum; the Vocational Students Graduation; the Local Government Retirees send- forth program; and the Agege Youth Week (THEME: Youth Impact in Security).

“He has not been physically present in all the above mentioned. As concerned citizens of Agege Local Government we need to know the whereabouts of our amiable Council Chairman. Agege is our Community and we have a right to know his whereabouts.

“Nevertheless, we have the menace of Awawa boys to contend with. They operate in large numbers, at times in daylight, robbing and inflicting injuries on their victims.

“We no longer have a secure and safe society in Agege Local Government. We urge the Council Boss to take concrete measures in tackling the persistent security challenges in Agege Local Government.”

The history of the dreaded Awawa Boys Group started in Agege, years ago, with boys aged between 12 and 20 walk together in large numbers gate-crashing parties and dancing. All  disc jockeys knew their preferred tune.

If one didn’t settle them with food and cash, the host and  guests were at risk of suffering bodily harm.

They have cult signs and marks on their bodies to show allegiance, and members are recruited from all the communities in the State and beyond.

Intelligence report by the Police revealed that they used their teenage girls to target men after which they would dispossess their victims of all their cash and valuables.

It would be recalled that during the reign of Muazu Zubairu as the Lagos State Police Commissioner, the Command arrested 34 arrowheads of the Awawa Group in one swoop through Operatives of Operation Crush who raided their hideouts within Agege area of the state after credible intelligence.

They were forced to move out of Lagos State as the State Police Command unleashed terror on them.

Now, they are gradually regrouping and causing havoc in Agege and its environs.

New Year: NLC Gifts Nigerians Nationwide Protest Over Hike In Petrol Pump Price

By
Ayodele Oni
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By  Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), has put on alert its Leaders across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT about a possible nationwide Protest by January 27th, 2022.

The planned protest is hinged on the possibility of the Federal Government increasing the pump price of Petroleum products in the New Year.

NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in a letter dated December 20th, 2021, explained that the planned action against the Federal Government’s intention was sequel to the decision of the NEC reached at its meeting on Friday, 17th December, 2021.

According to the NLC scribe, other crucial decisions were also taken at the meeting of the highest decision making body of the Union.

“It is in furtherance of the said decisions that we write to inform you that 27th of January 2022 was picked as a day that Congress led protest rallies will hold in the 36 States of the Federation, against the plans of the Federal Government to increase the Pump Price of Petrol.”

The letter further requested State Chairmen of the NLC to convene a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting to map out strategies to ensure the success of the planned action in their respective States.

They were, also,  urged  to reach out to Civil society allies in their respective States for mobilization.

It added that a central working committee member of the NLC will be on hand on the day of the rally with the protest letter to be submitted to the Governor of each of the 36 States of the Federation.

There have been reports that the Federal Government is set to increase the pump price of petrol in the new year to as much as N340 per liter.

The increment, according to Government spokesmen, is premised on total withdrawal of subsidy on petrol.

Petrol sells currently in the country for between N165 and N170.

Ondo Offers Free Registration For Final Year Public School Students

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo Students

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has extended a gesture to parents whose wards are in final year classes in public schools in the State. He has approved funds  for the payment of the 2022 West African Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees.

Details of the approval, as announced by the state Ministry of Education indicate that only students in Senior Secondary School class three, in all Public Secondary Schools in the State are to benefit.

The Ministry of Education, Science & Technology confirmed the receipt of Mr. Governor’s approval of a sum of N515 Million Naira to cover the registration fees for all eligible Candidates and WAEC Charges for all Public Secondary Schools across the State.

Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The Commissioner, Mr Olufemi Agagu described the gesture as historic and thanked the Governor for his magnanimity.

According to him, the gesture was borne out of Mr. Governor’s desire to uplift the standard of education in the state, as well as his resolve to assist indigent students in achieving their educational pursuit.

Mr Agagu noted that the gesture would go a long way in ameliorating the burden of parents, and urged all stakeholders to support the Governor in his efforts at uplifting the standard of education in the State.

The Government, earlier this year approved and paid in full, the 2021 WASSCE registration fees for all SS3 students in Public Secondary Schools in the State.

It was gathered that not less than 15 thousand students spread across 180 public secondary schools are expected to benefit.

Further checks in the State revealed that each student in private secondary schools is expected to pay between N60 thousand and N80 thousand before such can be registered for the external examination.

The State Government has made it clear to parents whose children attend private institutions that its regulatory control of such institutions do not cover payment of fees.

Insecurity: Banji Akintoye Launches ‘Pajawiri’ Mobile App To Curtail Kidnappers

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Akintoye and Pajawiri APP

By Akinwale Kasali

Prof. Banji Akintoye, one of the strong voices and arrowhead of the Yoruba Nation agitation has unveiled a Mobile App called ‘Pajawiri’, in local parlance, which means ‘Emergency’, to track activities of Kidnappers and Fulani Herdsmen in the South West.

The renowned historian and leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua, said the Mobile App is designed to track kidnappers and kidnapped victims in the South West zone of the country for immediate rescue.

Akintoye made the intention of launching the Mobile App and what it tends to achieve at an event in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.

According to him, the application will expose criminal elements wherever they are with their victims, once the victims have the application installed in their phones, either on or off.

He said the security system, which can be downloaded on Play Store, also, has another system called ‘Afinihan’ that can be used by those without android phones to link up with those with the full application.

We have now proven to the world that we cannot be captured nor be subdued. We are too intellectually sophisticated to be subdued.

“It is these innovations and intellectual powers that we will deploy to get ourselves out of the quagmires of Nigeria,” the 86-year-old said, according to a statement by his spokesman, Maxwell Adeleye.

Continuing, he said, “Those in possession of the ‘Pajawiri’ app on their telephone, will be able to activate the app instantly, whenever they find themselves in danger. By activating the App, they will be able to alert their families, their friends and their neighbours that they are in danger and that they need help.

In that way, no Yoruba person needs to be alone anywhere on their farms, schools, market places, shops and anywhere else. Any person who finds himself threatened by danger and who is in possession of Pajawiri will be able to alert other persons for help.”

Akintoye had been seen at Yoruba Nation rallies with embattled agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, before the latter’s arrest on July 19, 2021, at an airport in the neighbouring francophone West African nation.

Akintoye, who joined the event virtually from the Benin Republic, said the emergence of Pajawiri is evidence that the Yoruba people are too intellectually sophisticated to be subdued crime and curtail it to become minimal.

Obasanjo Lashes Edwin Clark, Calls Him Uncouth

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo has debunked the allegation by Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, that he hates the people of the Niger Delta.

In an open letter to Clark in response to Clark’s allegations (Clark), of his hatred for Niger Deltans, he reiterated that he had no iota of hatred for the Niger Delta Zone and its people.

Clark, Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ijaw National Congress,  called out Obasanjo over what he termed  adisappointing display of hatred against citizens of the oil-producing states in the country.

The elder statesman was reacting to Obasanjo’s recent attack on the National Secretary of the INC, Ebipamowei Wodu, during a peace and security summit convened by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa in Abuja.

In his open letter titled, ‘My disappointment over your unprovoked outburst against the people of the Niger Delta region’, Clark highlighted alleged display of double standards over resource control by Obasanjo.

However, Obasanjo, in his reply, explained that as President, he followed positions provided by the Constitution in appointments and Resource Control.

In the letter dated December 28, 2021, and titled, My response to the open letter by Clark’, he said, “I have never shown any anger, distraught with Niger Delta region nor any part of Nigeria.

“Some of the languages you have deployed to describe me in your letter are offensive, uncouth and I totally and completely rejected them, I am not inconsistent, hypocritical, unstatesmanly, and nor am I anybody’s lackey.

“You use your own yardstick to judge others. I hope you think and adjust. Negotiation achieves better results than dictation. Revolution for sea-change may rarely happen and then we may continue to languish in frustration and regret with dire judgment in posterity.”

Ekiti 2022: Bamidele Debunks Claim Fayemi Has Anointed His Successor

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to speculations in Ekiti State that the outgoing Governor of the State, Kayode Fayemi, has chosen his successor to enable him continue from where he will stop, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has debunked such claims.

Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the Senate stated that Governor Fayemi has not endorsed any aspirant in the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Ekiti 2022 Governorship election, appealing to Ekiti people to ignore such talks.

He made this remarks while addressing APC Local Government Executive, elders and members in Otun-Ekiti, the Headquarters of Moba Local Government Area.

In his words, “if they are deceiving you, don’t deceive yourself . Governor Kayode Fayemi has not endorsed anybody. I have right to drop Governor Fayemi’s name because I have been his friend for 40 years. But I don’t want to tarnish his good name because it will look as if he wants to impose on the people of Ekiti state. I am here to appeal for your votes during the party’s primary in January.” he explained.

Eulogising Governor Fayemi, Senator Bamidele said God has anointed him (Fayemi) to turn around the fortune of Ekiti State for good through developmental programmes and policies.

Bamidele explained that he understands the feelings of the common man on the streets of Ekiti State.

His words: ”I have seen a lot in life , I understand what the common man feels on the streets because I have been in that condition before.

“I have been buying cars for people since 2001, there is no local government in Ekiti state that I have not bought car for anybody, with what I have achieved in lif , God has done well for me the only thing I am pursuing in life is the kingdom of God. Because of my experience in life, I have touched many lives in Ekiti land and I promise to do more when i become the Governor of the State in 2022.”

Bamidele also visited Ilejemeje, Oye and Ikole local governments to solicit support ahead of APC’s primary election for Ekiti 2022.

Leah Sharibu: Parents Lose Hope After 4 Years In Boko Haram Captivity

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Leah Sharibu and Boko Haram Leader

By James Orji

After spending four years in the captivity of Boko Haram, there is no hope that Leah Sharibu with regain her freedom, her parents have said.

ah Sharibu was one of the 110 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, who were abducted on February 19, 2018, by Boko Haram terrorists.

While others were released by the terrorists following negotiations, Leah, then 14 year-old, is still being held captive because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.

The Buhari administration said it has not given up hope that the abductee can still be rescued.

But her parents Nathan and Rebecca Sharibu, told The Punch they have lost hope after all legitimate efforts to free her from her abductors failed.

The parents spoke through the spokesperson for and Executive Director of the Leah Foundation, Dr Gloria Puldu.

According to Puldu , “Thank you very much for your concern. Let me tell you how the family has agreed to spend this Christmas. They said they were tired of speaking, crying and pleading with the government of Buhari, which is deaf to every call.

“So, it is agreed that they should remain silent and just call for continued prayers. They said they were tired of routine calls, which hurt so much that they had to just call on anyone who wished to stand with them to do so only in prayers.“We wish to respect the family’s wishes. We have only sent out Christmas greetings by calling for prayers.”

Meanwhile, the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, on Sunday, released a video calling for the release of Leah.

A renowned peace advocate and Executive Director of the organisation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, appealed to Buhari to facilitate the release of Leah.

He said, “Celebrating her fourth Christmas in captivity, I decided as I have always done every Christmas since 2018, to release a video appealing to all in Nigeria and the world to work assiduously for her release and the release of more young girls and women who remain in captivity.

“Silence is no answer to this present challenge! Leah is not just a citizen of this nation. She belongs to a family! Oh what pain her parents, father Nathan, mum Rebecca, and brother Nathan, other siblings and the entire family!

“Their hearts must be bleeding as Leah’s has bled all these years because of this involuntary separation. Oh God, my Ebenezer, arise with healing and deliverance in your wings and set your daughters, Leah, Alice Ngaddah, Grace Tuka, Lilian Gyang Daniel, Praise, Mwanret, Hauwa, Jamaba, Caroline, Christiana, Jummai, the three other Graces, and others too numerous to mention by name, free.”

Dangote Refinery: How Ogun Lost $16bn Investment

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

Governor Dapo Abiodun-led of Ogun state has revealed how disagreement between Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and a former governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun cost the gateway state a whopping $16 billion investment.

The investment, the governor said is the multi billion dollar petrochemical refinery that has now been cited in Lagos, and billed to take off anytime from now with the potential to employ thousands of skilled, semi- skilled Nigerians.

Dangote had earlier disclosed that the refinery would start production in 2021, but the timeline was later moved forward to 2024 after agreement with creditor banks.

Amosun was the governor of the state between 2011 and 2019. His failure to agree with Dangote, the modalities for establishing the refinery was said to have been the reason for relocating the industry.

Abiodun- said the Amosun-led administration should have been resolved the differences with the investor in the interest of the state.

The refinery, the governor said was conceived with the aim of refining petroleum products, as well as awarding mining lease with the state.

Abiodun spoke during the Convocation Lecture he delivered at thethe Mountain Top University with the topic, ‘Quest for Excellence: The Nexus of Faith, Knowledge and Resilience’.

The governor said he and his team as the chairman of the Olokola Free Trade Zone at a time worked tirelessly to ensure that the refinery was cited in the Gateway state as the state is well known.

According to him,  “I worked as chairman of Olokola Free Trade Zone that was meant to have the Dangote refinery sited in Ogun Waterside, however, discussion broke down between Dangote and the then administration which led to the loss of that project to Lagos State; a $16 billion refinery was lost to another state.

“That project was conceived with the aim of not just refining petroleum in Ogun, but also take advantage of the mining lease that had been awarded around that corridor that has even not begun to be exploited.”

Going forward, Abiodun said, his government is working to ensure that the state become an oil producing state, as  “we are working assiduously on that, so, I accept this challenge, we will further strengthen our resolve to ensure that we bring Ogun State to oil producing status in the very near future.”

“Ogun state is situated in the Dahomey Basin, which stands for the Niger Delta that goes all the way to Ghana.”

“Everyone of the states in that corridor are oil producing today, even Ondo and Lagos states,” the governor stated.

Meanwhile, watchers of the state said Governor Abiodun allegation is the latest in the squabble between him and his predecessor, since he came to office in 2019. Both politicians are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC

FG Plans N12tn Fresh Borrowing Before 2023 – National Development Plan

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Federal Government plans to up the National debt to beyond the N50 trillion mark by 2023, according to the National Development plan 2021-2025.

There has already been reservations among Nigerians who believe that Government is enslaving future generation to the creditors who, like Chinese Government, do not have a benign history of debt recovery.

Government borrowing plan is to raise money through domestic bonds and concessional external loans where domestic debt will increase by N28.75tn and external debt by N21.47tn.

Government is already indebted to the tune of N38 trillion as at the end of the third quarter of 2021, according to the Debt Management office.

By extrapolation, a fresh debt of N12 trillion is expected in two years if the projection is carried through.

President Muhammadu Buhari intends to borrow N39.59tn for 2021, N46.63tn for 2022, N50.22tn for 2023, N50.53tn for 2024, and N45.96tn by 2025.

To finance this projection, which brings the plan to N348.1tn, Government needs to finance it to the tune of 45 per cent each for both foreign and domestic borrowing.

“The plan will require an investment of about N348.1tn to achieve the plan objectives within the period of 2021-2025. It is estimated that the government capital expenditure during the period will be N49.7tn (14 per cent) while the balance of N298.3tn (86 per cent) will be incurred by the Private Sector. Of the 14 per cent, government contribution, FGN capital expenditure will be N29.6tn (9 per cent) while the sub-national governments’ capita” the plan read in part.

“The borrowing framework in the plan is 45 per cent each for both foreign and domestic borrowing while the other financing sources account for 10 per cent. Domestic bonds and concessional external loan financing, amongst others, will account for the borrowing strategies for the plan. Thus, the government will improve on current debt management strategies to ensure sustainability.”

Planned Petrol Planned Hike: Revolt, Civil Socitey Groups Tell Nigerians

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

Nigerians have been asked by Civil Society groups to revolt against the Government’s planned fuel price hike this New Year, as, according to them, this would worsen the poverty level within the country.

The group, People’s Alternative Political Movement, TPAP-M, is made up of the Coalition NGO Networks in Northern Nigeria, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Campaign for Transformative Governance, CFTG, representatives of Informal Sector Workers, Women formations, and youth and young persons, including those who continue to play front line roles in the #EndSARS movement-arguably the greatest coalition of civil society groups-urged Nigerians to brace up for the battle ahead.

At a meeting on the “deteriorating state of the Nation in general, the unacceptable evolving developments with regards to rising energy costs, and the impending unconscionable hikes in fuel price and electricity tariff being proposed by the anti-people regime currently superintending over the Nigerian state on behalf of the failed and ruining Ruling Class,” the group  warned that the impoverishment of the masses is the target of all the expected hikes- the rising gas prices, and the threatened hikes in fuel prices. Small and medium scale businesses will struggle to survive and will  lay off staff and many will  even close shop.

In a communique by Omotoye Olorode and Jaye Gaskia (TPAP-M Secretariat), among others, the group said:  “We reject in its totality the hike in the price of Gas, and the impending hikes in the price of fuel and electricity tariff. We insist that Nigerians cannot and must not be punished for the failures and incompetence of the ruling class and this regime in ensuring access to affordable energy and adequate security and protection.

“We demand that past and present managements of the NNPC and the four moribund refineries should be indicted, prosecuted and brought to book for their crass incompetence that has resulted into the failure since 2012 to have to turn around the fortunes of the refineries and make them work at optimum capacity, thus contributing significantly to Nigeria’s ability to acquire adequate domestic refining capacity.

“We demand that all political office holders who have had responsibility for oversighting – in executive or legislative capacity, the petroleum sector should be investigated, indicted and prosecuted.

“We demand the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation, and the re-nationalisation of the power sector, bringing it under the control and management of key stakeholders, including workers, and electricity consumers. We demand the recovery of all looted and misappropriated public funds pumped into the petroleum and power sectors (towards improving domestic refining capacity, increasing domestic production of LPG, or towards improving service delivery in the privatised power firms), etc.

“The recovered funds should be utilised to build new public refineries, improve domestic LPG production, and improve service delivery in the renationalised power sector. We insist that any government that is unable to build public refineries and enable adequate domestic refining capacity for refined petroleum products should resign immediately.

“In a similar vein, we call on all Nigerians to ensure that they reject any political party and their candidates who do not have any practical, fundable and believable program to resolve the energy crisis, and ensure adequate domestic refining capacity for refined petroleum products, adequate domestic production capacity for LPG, and improved services and coverage for electricity across the country.”

“TPAP-M and her allies will organise a week of mobilisations and awareness raising at the beginning of January 2022 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Occupy Nigeria – the January Uprising of 2012; and as well to build up momentum towards generalised mass protests across the country to resist the impending hikes in fuel price and electricity tariff, and the unfolding hike in the price of Gas. We demand a plan and a timeline to meet our demands. In view of the above, an expanded Coordinating Committee to wage the struggle against Hikes in Energy Prices would be established immediately.”

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