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Gani Adams Alleges Yoruba Leaders Colluding With Fulanis To Attack South West; Vows Amotekun Will Function |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has expressed worry over the maiming, kidnapping, killings, assaults, rape and wanton destruction of lives and properties of people in the South West  by  Fulani Herdsmen.

The Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Coordinator alleged that some people in the South-West, mostly opinion leaders, are colluding with Fulani herdsmen to commit crimes such as kidnappings and armed robbery in the region.

Adams stressed that for insecurity to be eradicated from the region, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun must be allowed to function effectively, without hindrance from any quarters.

Speaking on a breakfast show on ARISE Television, Adams said that whether the Fulanis and their people colluding with them like it or not, tue South West Security outfit, Amotekun, is here to stay.

Expressing worry that some bad elements in the South-West were collaborating with criminal herdsmen, the Yoruba leader said: “Some people pressured me to talk on the happenings in Ibarapa, Ondo State, and other areas in the South-West.

“But I am someone who does not dance to unnecessary pressure. Before I take any step, I make consultations. I realised that on the issue of insecurity, the South-West has been infiltrated by bad elements.

“The security threat we are having in the South-West now, our people (Yoruba) constituted about 25-30 percent of the security threat.

“When some Fulani herdsmen that were arrested around Ilesha by the OPC, vigilante and Amotekun were interrogated, we gathered that the person who prepared food for them is a Yoruba person.

“We also gathered that the person who provided information about the person to be kidnapped is a Yoruba person.

“It means we have to apply strategy to the security threat. Where is the problem coming from? Who are the evil ones among us?

“If you want to fight insecurity conventionally, the only way out is to support Amotekun.

“Amotekun should not be frustrated. With time, they will understand the terrain and know how to perfect it; but when we crucify them, it will affect Yorubaland.

“We are happy that Amotekun had been gazetted and signed into law by the South-West governors but I want to appeal to Yoruba people to allow the system to work effectively and not only on paper and by words, but creating an enabling environment for them to function effectively”.

Why ICC Should Probe Sacked Service Chiefs – Fayose |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Peter Fayose, has called on the International Criminal Court, ICC, to immediately probe the immediate past Service Chiefs of Nigeria.

The Service chiefs were relieved of their jobs yesterday, Tuesday January 26, 2021. They had been  due for retirement a long time ago, but for inexplicable reasons, President Muhammadu Buhari kept renewing their appointments.

However, reacting to their replacement, Fayose, a strong Critic of  President Buhari’s administration accused the former s5ervice Chiefs of serving themselves and their pockets, alleging that the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai should be probed alongside other retired Service Chiefs for  Human Rights Abuse.

He also told the new Service Chiefs to learn from their immediate predecessors and remember that nothing lasts forever.

In a tweet, he wrote: “Though coming after persistent pressure from Nigerians, President Buhari’s removal of the Service Chiefs and their replacement is a right step in the right direction. It is yet another victory for the people of Nigeria.

“The sacked Service Chiefs only served themselves and their pockets and can at best be described as “Disservice Chiefs” under whom Nigeria became completely insecured.

“It is my call to the ICC and other relevant authorities that tenure of the “sacked” Service Chiefs should be investigated, most importantly human rights abuses and extra judicial killings under their watch and commands.

“The new Service Chiefs should learn from their immediate predecessors and remember nothing lasts forever”.

CBN Pessimistic On Economic Recovery, MPR Remains 11.5 Per cent

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has disclosed that the economy recovery plan of the federal government could be set back by the new wave of the corona virus pandemic.

Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said earlier this month that, the nation’s economy will rebound in the first quarter of this year.

The apex bank, however, said no recovery will take place until the last quarter of the year.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor disclosed this on Tuesday at the end of the statutory monthly meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, where the committee members all agreed to retain the interest rate( MPR) at 11.5 percent.

Financial analysts insist that the CBN has hurt the ability of commercial banks in the country to advance loans required to boost the economy. Some top bankers who spoke with the magazine said the decision is unfortunate, noting that the nation’s MPR is one of the lowest in the world.

Adeyemi Ola, a financial analyst in Lagos said “Even though MPR is intended to crash the lending rate, it’s a good intention on the part of the CBN. But you must consider also that DMBs are not Father Christmas, they are in the business to make money for depositors and shareholders. You can understand what I meant.”

He added “Besides that, Nigeria is not like other countries where the risk of loan advances is very low. The risk of default is part of the cost for commercial banks. Putting everything together you will realize that lenders will be very cautious in advancing loans in this regime.”

But the CBN said it took the right decisions in the interest of the economy.

It said “On the domestic front, recovery is expected to progress reasonably, following the mild contraction recorded during the third quarter of 2020 and with fourth quarter output growth figures expected to show further improvement.

“The Committee reviewed the developments in the global and domestic economic and financial environments in 2020 and the outlook for 2021 as well as the risks to this outlook.

“Ten(10) members of the Committee were in attendance. Global Economic Developments The Committee noted abetter-than-expected recovery in most economies towards the end of 2020, leading to moderation in the contraction of global output.”

The committee said the projected economic recovery could be delayed due to the upsurge of the COVID 19, noting that global economy has been further disrupted by the new strain of the pandemic.

The MPC “observed that the rapid spread of the new variant of the Coronavirus, seemingly associated spike in fatalities and the recent re-introduction of containment measures across several economies, may dampen the recovery in 2021.

“In the Advanced Economies, headwinds largely associated with the COVID-19 pandemic such as vaccination-related challenges, weak aggregate demand associated with less than full employment in labour markets, partially functioning supply chain networks, the rapid spread of the new variant of the Coronavirus and a high infection rate dampened the initial rebound in economic recovery towards the end of 2020.

“Output growth in the Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs) remained uneven across countries. In China, output slowed marginally in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, following a faster-than-expected rebound in the second quarter of 2020.Following the lull in the second quarter, India’s economy grew sharply in the third quarter, reflecting welcome adjustment to the stimulus measures. Accordingly, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated global growth in 2020 as a contraction of 4.4per cent and forecast growth in 2021 to improve to 5.2per cent.”

The CBN said the direction of the economy will be determined in the way the pandemic is managed by the government at all levels.

Breaking: Nollywood Actor, Ernest Asuzu Is Dead |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ernest Azuzu

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than three days after the death of Nollywood Thespian, Dan Nkoloagu, another Nollywood  Actor, Ernest Asuzu has bid the world farewell.

According to reports, the late actor, who some months ago, went viral for begging on the streets, slumped and died around 9pm on Monday January 25.

His wife was said to have called fellow actor and Lagos State House of Assembly member,  Desmond Elliot, to announce the death to him.

Azuzu who suffered stroke sometime ago was practically begging money to eat at some point in his life.

When the news surfaced online, some colleagues in the industry and the wife of the Governor of Anambra State,  Ebelechukwu Obiano, rallied round to support him.

Once upon a time, the Late Asuzu was the toast and ‘beautiful bride’, in the make-belief  Industry. Suddenly, his career nosedived until his sudden demise.

In similar development, the Nigerian movie industry was very recently thrown into mourning as one of it own; Dan Nkoloagu, a Nollywood veteran, died.

The popular thespian died on Friday, January 22, after a brief illness at the age of 83.

His son, Dan Nkoloagu Jnr, announced his death on Facebook, as he shared a photo of the actor lying dead in a hospital bed.

Both Asuzu and Nkoloagu will be missed by their colleagues for their roles in promoting the industry.

Nigerian Police Sacks Female Officer For Getting Pregnant |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Woman Police in Ekiti - Omolola Olajide

By Ayodele Oni

Acting on a law that had already been repealed, the Nigeria Police Force has sacked an unmarried female corporal, Olajide Omolola, for getting pregnant.

This was contained in a police wireless message with reference number CJ:4161/EKS/IY/Vol.2/236, DTO:181330/01/2021 which was obtained by our correspondent.

The signal originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Ado Ekiti and was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer at Iye Ekiti where Omolola is serving.

The signal stated that Omolola completed police training on April 24, 2020 and was attached to Iye Ekiti.

The Chief  Financial Officer  in Ekiti state command of the Nigerian Police, has been directed to relay the information of her dismissal to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to ensure that her salary is stopped.

“Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation against women police getting pregnant before marriage W/PC (woman corporal) Olajide Omolola passed out of Police Training School on 24/04/2020 attached to yours contravened above provisions.

“She stands dismissed from the Force. Dekit her. Retrieve police documents in her possession with immediate effect. O/C CFO Ekiti only. You are to relay signal to IPPIS Abuja for the stoppage of her salary with immediate effect.

“DECOMPOLS (deputy commissioners of police)/ACPOLS (assistant commissioners of police)/HODs/DPOs Ekiti State only. You are to lecture women police. Treat as very urgent.”

Investigations by our correspondent, however, showed that the aspect of the Police Act which is being relied on to justify the sacking of the policewoman has  been repealed in the amended Police Act that was signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari, in September 2020.

‌Part of the old law which has been repealed also made it compulsory for policewomen to seek the permission of their superiors before getting married.

It is not known if she knew, but the Police strongly frowns at their female personnel who get pregnant so soon after recruitment.The feeling is that it is a waste of time and resources, seeing that she would not be able to do much work, from her 7th month of pregnancy, and would proceed on maternity leave thereafter.

Buhari Lost Six Years Of Fight Against Insecurity To Incompetent Service Chiefs – Timi Frank |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Tuesday, attributed the rising spate of insecurity in the country to the retention, for far too long, of incompetent Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Frank who was reacting to the reluctant sack of the Service Chiefs and appointment of new ones in a statement in Abuja, lamented that Buhari wasted a whooping one term and a quarter of his administration (about six years) without achieving any decisive victory against Boko Haram, murderous herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers.

“It became apparent early in the life of this regime that the set of Security Chiefs now sacked by Buhari had no zeal to fight.

“They lost battle after battle as the men in their various theatres became lame duck easily attacked by the insurgents as a result of insufficient armaments as a result of the corrupt officers at the helms of affairs up till on Tuesday.

“While the former Service Chiefs – Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar – prevaricated and politicised their offices, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping spread like wild fire from the North East to the North West, North Central, South West, South South and South East zones of the country.

“Lamentably, the persistent and strident calls for their replacement and appointment of fresh  officers capable of breathing life into the war against insecurity – which is a cardinal agenda of this regime – fell on Buhari’s deaf ears.

“At last, he woke up and did the needful after about six wasted years. This came too late and it is left to be seen how the next two and half years of this regime will fare security-wise,” Frank said.

He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and prosecute the ex-Service Chiefs.

He urged them to ensure that huge chunk of Defence budgets, allegedly, fraudulently appropriated by the ex-Service Chiefs to the detriment of the nation’s security are recovered and returned to the treasury.

He also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to fast track their investigation on the #LekkiMassacre during the #EndSARS protests and ensure that the immediate past Service Chiefs who gave orders for the killing of scores of innocent youths are held to account.

He expressed hope that the new Service Chiefs which include Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff, would be able to turn the tide on insecurity in the country in no distant time.

He called on the new Service Chiefs to shun politics but rather should use their positions to work selflessly for the peace and security of the country.

“Nigerians are hopeful that your appointment will result in the speedy reversal of insurgency and arrest of criminal elements that have laid siege on this country.

“We hope that Nigerians would be able to sleep with their two eyes closed by reason of your appointments,” he added.

Herdsmen Relocate To Ekiti Forest Reserve, Destroy Multi-Million Naira Maize Farm |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The peace agreement between states in the South- west and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders, seems to have hit the rock less than 24 hours after it was signed.

Maize Growers Processing Marketer Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN)in Ekiti state cried out over an alleged destruction of their multi million naira maize farm by suspected Fulani  herdsmen.

The farm, located in Ado Ekiti, covers about 235 hectares of land, and is at the state forest reserve in Aduloju farmstead.

Secretary of the association, Mr Tope Emmanuel, disclosed in the state capital on Tuesday that the herders had been terrorising the farmers in the area for sometime, leading to the destruction of the maize farm.

According to him, the itinerant Fulani  herdsmen stormed the farm at night with dangerous weapons and fed their cows with maize and cassava daring to kill anyone that stopped them.

Emmanuel disclosed that members obtained about N6.6 million loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) under the anchor borrowers’ programme in September 2020 to plant the maize, adding that the 160 members had been left with nothing as profit from the expected proceed worth N10 million.

“Last year, we approached the CBN as a group to obtain loan worth N6.6 million for the maize farm and we planted the maize covering 235 hectares of land the farm.”

Akungba Community Blames Varsity For High Casualty In Saturday’s Accident |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akungba Trailer Tragedy

By Ayodele Oni

Akungba community in Ondo state has blamed the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, (AAUA) for contributing to the high casualty recorded in last Saturday’s accident.

Contrary to claims by security agents that only seven persons lost their lives in the accident, the community said 27  persons were confirmed dead.

Spokesman of Akungba community, Chief Bode Iwaloye, the Asiwaju of Akungba, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the incident.

Iwaloye pointed out that “we frown at the non-challant attitude of the University towards the most recent accident in front of its gate. Had the University made its water tankers available for use at the scene of the accident more lives could probably have been saved.

“We implore the University to be more concerned about what happens outside its protective walls, immaterial of their perception of the host community.

“We have also consequentially witnessed a gradual erosion of the cordial and celebrated relationship which once existed between the University and the Host community up to the Vice-Chancellorship of Prof. Femi Mimiko.

“This new relationship further buried the once existing valued concerns of the University about events and happenings outside its walls.”

Speaking on incessant accidents in the university community, Iwaloye stated that

“On 11th December 2020, three trailers a Dangote Cement, Cooling Van loaded with fish and Trailer loaded with container of electronics had accident in front of the University gate.

“While three people were killed in the accident, all the contents of the burnt vehicles were looted by identifiable miscreants in the community.

“The carcass of the burnt vehicle littered the gate of the University for over one month before it was cleared and evacuated, prior to the school resumption. The stench from the accident site was something a citadel of knowledge should not have condoned for a day!

“Most agonizing is the accident that occurred in front of the university gate on Saturday 23rd January, 2021. Another Dangote Cement Trailer ran into the frontage of the University gate killing 27 people, including Students, visitors, residents and passers-by.

“This accident took the life of former SUG President Sam Praise. There were also harrowing cases of three students of the same parents being killed in the accident.”

On ways to put an end to incessant accidents in the university community, the spokesman suggested  “realigning the sections of road, widening and dualising the main road between Okerigbo hill and Etioro to give more space for vehicles that lost control and keep gatherings at distance from the main road.

“We are also appealing to the state Government to help facilitate the payment of compensation to the families affected by the recent accidents involving Dangote Cement Company, being isolated accidents involving only Dangote Cement trailers.

“The Akungba community would strive to abide by any safety measures put in place by the Government. We shall, on our own part, try to coordinate the affected families to seek reparations by providing legal aid.

“We shall, in addition, make the plight of the community known to the Federal Ministry of Works, being the owners of the Federal road passing through our community and call for their immediate intervention into the incessant road accidents.”

Service Chiefs: Again Buhari Excludes South East |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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President Buhari

By Adesina Soyooye

The South East Zone of Nigeria has again been excluded from the membership of President Buhari’s Service Chiefs.

The Zone has been complaining of its absence from  Nigeria’s security leadership.

But it had hoped that one of its sons would be considered in the appointment of new Service Chiefs whenever the President decides to do away with his much criticised Chiefs he appointed in his first tenure, and had kept renewing their tenures, ignoring persistent outcrires from Nigerians, including the leadership of the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, the President dashed the hopes of the South -East. He found none of them capable, even though the zone parades many qualified officers.

Announcing the new Service Chiefs, main Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said:

“President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

“Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours.

“The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Alao, Chief of Air Staff.

“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

Breaking: Buhari Appoints Irabor, Others Service Chiefs

By
Bayo Bernard
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President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed General Leo Irabor, former theater Commander Operation Lafiya Dole as the new Chief of Defence Staff, in a major shake up that also affected other Service Chiefs.

The President also appointed Attahiru, chief of army staff; A Z Gambo, chief of naval staff; and I O Alao, chief of air staff.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity said the appointments took immediate effect, while the president wished the former service chiefs all the best in their endeavour.

The former service chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Gen, Tukur Burutai; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. They are proceeding on retirement having completed their mandatory years in the military.

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