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Ezekwesili Laments, Says She Detests Buhari’s Leadership Style |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Minister of Education and Presidential Candidate at the 2019 Election, Obiageli Ezekwesili has dismissed  the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly as disturbing.

Ezekwesili in a tweet on her Twitter Handle said that she detests everything about President Buhari’s leadership style, noting that she is neither bitter nor harbor hate towards the President, but just hates his style, and what he has reduced Nigeria to.

“The congenital ethnic chauvinism and condemnable clannishness of Muhammadu Buhari as president of a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria has deepened the gullies of disagreement and disaffection among people, ethnicities, regions, religions, and classes. It is detestable leadership. SAD, she tweeted.

She described Nigeria as dangerously sitting on a tinderbox because the President  lacks the minutest modicum of “The-Leader -as-Unifier” in his leadership style.

Ezekwesili also said she has little faith in the leadership of the National Assembly to call the President  to order.

“They have proven themselves to be absolute lackeys and genuflecting sycophants of Muhammadu Buhari, she said.

She then urged citizens to get ready to take up responsibility for steadying the country, as the people in leadership positions have failed the citizens.

Timi Frank Lashes Lai Mohammed Over Statement That Nigeria Is Better Than It Was Under President Buhari |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, described as irresponsible, the statement by the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, that Nigeria is safer under President Muhammadu Buhari than it was before him.

Frank, in a statement in Abuja, dismissed the Minister’s claim saying Nigeria is today beset with the worst form of insecurity in its history.

He was reacting to a statement by the Information Minister, where he boasted at a news conference in Abuja, that ‘despite the rising security challenges facing the nation, that Nigeria is still safer under President Muhammadu Buhari than what he met on assumption of office in 2015.’

To the former APC spokesperson, the Minister’s claim is misleading, false and irresponsible.

The Bayelsa- born political activist insisted that the country is not only faced with threats from Boko Haram but that the killings, kidnappings and communal clashes orchestrated by killer herdsmen have worsened under Buhari.

He lamented that the APC government led by Buhari has unfortunately emboldened the herdsmen to continue their heinous crimes against innocent Nigerians by using the instrument of state to shield them from prosecution.

He noted that the “refusal by the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the killer herdsmen smacks of complicity.”

According to him, “How can you say, with such irresponsible effrontery, that a country whose people are being killed in hundreds on daily basis and their properties worth billions destroyed by a group named by the Global Terrorism Index as Africa’s number one and the world’s third deadliest terrorist group, is safer under Buhari?

“There is no region in the country where these herdsmen reside that there are no killings, raping of women, kidnappings and destruction of farm lands. The most recent is in the South West.

“Nigerians can recall what these murderous herdsmen did in Benue state, where they killed scores and declared war on the people. The kidnap of over 350 Kankara school boys in Katsina state and the payment of huge ransom by Government to secure their release is a recent memory.

“Is it the terrorist Boko Haram group that the Buhari Government  has contained as promised? Was it not under Buhari that insurgents abducted 110 schoolgirls from Dapchi, Yobe State?

“Till date, killer herdsmen go about with weapons, killing people, raping women and destroying farm lands with their cattle and no action has been taken by Buhari to dissuade or stop them.

“What makes it even worse is that when  some of them are arrested and handed over to the Police, they are soon set free. This shows that even the security agencies are complicit. They are apparently benefiting from the rising spate of insecurity in the country.

“I, therefore, call on the International Community to come to the rescue of Nigerians. I also urge State  Governors to rise to the occasion and ensure that the lives and property of their people are secured.

“I call on Nigerians to take the security of their lives and property in their hands,” he declared.

Buhari had swept into office in 2015 with a promise to keep Nigeria safe. Sadly, that has not happened.

Covid-19: PTF Raises Alarm Over New Strain |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Boss Mustapha

By Akinwale Kasali

The B117 variant of COVID-19 found in the United Kingdom (UK) is in Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Control has  revealed.

PTF Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha who announced this, expressed concerns on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the last one week.

According to him, the PTF has been monitoring developments around case management, infection, deaths and new trends.

Speaking on the strain in Nigeria, the SGF explained that four persons had been diagnosed with it, adding that while three were travellers from Nigeria to other places, the fourth cases was discovered in the country.

Mustapha said: “Our Scientists have been sequencing the variants of the virus.

“There have been reports of cases with the B117 variant strain, first reported in the UK, found in Nigeria. Three of these were in travelers out of Nigeria and one in a resident.”

He said the PTF plans to take further containment actions to slow down the spread of the virus, with special attention to be paid to high-burden council areas.

He said: “The daily statistics for Nigeria as at 24th January were as follows: Cases – 121,566; Tests – 1,270,523; Active Cases – 22,834 (19.4%); Discharged – 97,228;Deaths – 1,504.

“Looking back over the seven days ending 23rd January, I also wish to give you the following statistics: Tests – 58,974; Cases – 11,179; Test Positivity – 19.0%; Deaths – 62; Case Fatality Ratio – 0.6%; Active: 23,568; % Active – 19.4%

“All these numbers represent increases from the previous seven days and we are looking at taking further public health containment measures in Local Government Areas that are considered high burden.”

Mustapha explained that though the five weeks of observance for guidelines introduced for the third phase of the eased lockdown had expired, the set of measures assembled for the period would be sustained for another month, citing increasing numbers as reason.

Mustapha said: “The PTF is improving on the International Travel Portal to minimize the challenges passengers keep encountering. Similarly, it is reviewing the guidelines on the implementation of phase three of the eased lockdown which is due to expire today.

“In view of the fact that our numbers are not abating, all extant measures prescribed in these guidelines are (subject to some modifications) extended by a period of one month with effect from Tuesday 26th January, 2020.

“These measures, by way of reminder, include: advisory to the sub-national entities to enforce adherence to non-pharmaceutical initiatives already well publicised; sanctions against international passengers that failed to show up for day-seven post arrival testing.

“Implementation of the National Testing Week Strategy (450/774 tests); sustaining the hours of curfew; and the decision to direct government employees on GL 12 and below to work from home till the end of January.”

On the plans to acquire and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, he again assured Nigerians that there was no need for hesitancy as only trustworthy and safe vaccines would be allowed in the country.

He warned against patronising unverified sources for the vaccine.

He said: “The effort to access and deploy vaccines is progressing and as already announced by COVAX, the initial 100,000 doses Nigeria is expecting will now arrive in the early weeks of February.

“We wish to assure all Nigerians that the vaccines will be safe and effective when eventually it is deployed. We enjoin everyone to join in the campaign to eliminate vaccine hesitancy.

“I have to however, advise all Nigerians that the only source of vaccines that is safe and effective in Nigeria is through the channels of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“Please, do not patronise any one hawking or marketing vaccines. The Hon Minister of Health and the ED-NPHCDA will elaborate on the vaccines issue.”

He expressed delight in the gradual improvement so far observed with case management, even as he spoke of top gear preparations for the upcoming national testing week.

He spoke of plans to bring back some 600 Nigerians deported from Saudi Arabia.

Mustapha said: “Nigeria is currently working with the Government  of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the deportation of 600 Nigerians. The deportees are expected to arrive in two batches on the 28th and 29th January, 2021. All necessary arrangements to ensure that these Nigerians are properly received are being put in place.”

Germany Bids Farewell To Merkel With Six Minutes Standing Ovation |The Source

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The Source
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Angerla Merkel

The Germans elected her to lead them, and she led 80 million Germans for 18 years with competence, skill, dedication and sincerity.

During these eighteen years of her leadership of the authority in her country, no transgressions were recorded against her .. She did not assign any of her relatives a secretary .. She did not claim that she was the maker of glories .. She did not  get millions out of her, nor did anyone cheer her life, she did not receive charters and pledges, she did not fight those who preceded her and did not dissolve her.  The blood of her fellow countrymen .. She did not utter nonsense .. She did not appear in the alleys of Berlin to be photographed.

It is (Angelica Merkel) the woman who was dubbed “The Lady of the World” and was described as the equivalent of six million men.

On Monday, Merkel left the party leadership position and handed it over to those after her, and Germany and its German people are in the best condition.

The reaction of the Germans was unprecedented in the history of the Germans .. The whole people went out to the balconies of the houses and clapped for her spontaneously for 6 continuous minutes of warm applause, without popular poets, scum, scum, impudence, colorists  and climbers ..

Germany stood as one body bidding farewell to the leader of Germany, a chemical physicist who was not tempted by the fashion or the lights and did not buy real estate, cars, yachts and private planes, knowing that she is from former East Germany ..

She left her post after leaving Germany at the top .. She left and her relatives did not repeat (We are the elders of the country) .. Eighteen years and did not change her old clothes ..

God be upon this silent leader.

God be upon the greatness of Germany ..

At a press conference, a female journalist asked Merkel: We notice that your suit is repeated, don’t you have another?

She replied: I am a government employee and not a model.

At another press conference, they asked her: Do you have housemaids who clean the house, prepare meals and so on?

Her answer was: No, I do not have female workers and I do not need them.  My husband and I do this work at home every day.

Then another journalist asked: Who is washing the clothes, you or your husband?

Their answer: I arrange the clothes, and my husband is the one who operates the washing machine, and it is usually at night, because electricity is available and there is no pressure on it, and the most important thing is to take into the account the  neighbors from the inconvenience, and the wall separating our apartment from the neighbors is thick.

She said: To them, I expected you to ask me about the successes and failures in our work in the government.

Mrs. Merkel lives in a normal apartment like any other citizen, the same apartment she lived in before being elected Chancellor of Germany.

Yoruba Militant, Sunday Igboho, Loses Property To Suspected Fulani Herdsmen |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Sunday Igboho House

By Ayodele Oni

In what look like a reprisal mission on Monday night, some alleged Fulani herdsmen, have reportedly set a house belonging to Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, on fire.

Igboho’s supporters had earlier burnt properties worth millions of naira, including vehicles, at the residence of Seriki Fulani of Igangan, following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued by Igboho to Fulanis to vacate the area.

According to reports monitored on a private television station, the burnt house is located at Soka area of Oluyole LGA of the State.

Igboho has been at the forefront of Yoruba liberation from the criminal activities of some Fulani herders who have invaded every part of the Southwest.

He was invited last weekend by the Oyo state police command but later released after a meeting with the police hierarchy.

Governor Seyi Makinde has disowned Igboho saying he is on his own. A Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, had not only condemned the quit order, but said that Igboho would be prosecuted. Shehu’s reaction attracted an avalanche of condemnations.

Ecobank Secures N50bn Loan To Support SMEs

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The N50 billion loan secured by Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI would be used to support the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs and small businesses in the country, the lender has said.

The parent company disclosed in a statement to the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE on Monday, that the 10-year bilateral subordinate loan would provide stable medium-term liquidity to the balance sheet of Ecobank Nigeria and positively improved its balance sheet ratios, especially the capital adequacy ratio by circa 300 basis points. The statement was signed by Adenike Laoye Group Head, Corporate Communications of ETI.

The statement said “Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”), the parent of the Ecobank Group, announces that one of its significant subsidiaries, Ecobank Nigeria, secured N50 billion, 10-Year bilateral subordinated loan.

“The bilateral funding provides stable medium-termliquidity to the balance sheet of Ecobank Nigeria and positively improved its balance sheet ratios, especially the capital adequacy ratio by circa 300 basis points.

“The transaction proceeds would be deployed to support Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (“MSMEs”) and Small Corporates.”

The bank, late last year launched Smart Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Agency Banking campaign targeted at empowering 100,000 entrepreneurs under the Ecobank SME and Agency Banking proposition.This is in line with the bank’s commitment to support the federal government and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN vision for financial inclusion across the country, the lender said.

Uzodimma Donates Vehicles to Heartland Football Supporters Club |The Source

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The Source
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Heartland Football Club

To boost the lot of the Heartland Football Club, Owerri, Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has donated two brand new Coaster Buses to its Supporters Club.

He said the donation was a way of encouraging the members to follow the players and cheer them up wherever they are playing their matches within and outside the state.

Governor Uzodimma made the donation at the Government House Owerri, Sunday, recalling his promise during his maiden broadcast to the State that priority would be given to human capital development through Sports, especially football, which is one of the most important activity in Nigeria.

He said Imo people do not only delight in sports but are passionate about football.

Governor Uzodimma said because Imo people hold Heartland Football Club to their heart, “there is every need to encourage the team to come out as a world class football club that will be able to compete favourably, not only in the local league but also in the National and International competitions.”

The Governor said that for a start, “Government had embarked on the rehabilitation of all Sports facilities and infrastructure in the State, ranging from the Stadia that will make work of sports men and women, including Heartland worthwhile.”

He described the Supporters Club as “catalysts that motivate the players to always win their matches, and to encourage the Columbia and the Red Supporters Clubs do the above effectively, the State Government decided to make the donation.”

The Governor enjoined members to own the buses and use them diligently to follow the Club around “to encourage them to win their matches both now and in the future.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports in the State, Mr. Dan Ogu appreciated the Governor for the gesture and assured that they will not let him and the State down.

Chairman of Heartland Columbia Supporters Club, Mr. Ugwuegbulem Nkem described the donation as the first of its kind and promised that they will do their best to make the Governor and Imo people proud.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (centre) handing over a key to one of the two Brand New Buses to Mr Eze Kemka (right), Chairman Heartland Supporters Club while the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu and others watches

Imo Workers Sack Chairman, Present New Leadership To Uzodimma |The Source

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The Source
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Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (centre); his Deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku (4th left); Acting Chairman, NLC Imo State, Mr Ndubuisi Ucheghara (4th); Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie (3rd left) and others when the Acting Chairman of NLC paid a solidarity visit to the Governor at the Government House, Owerri

Workers on the employ of the Imo State Government, have sacked their Chairman and his leadership.

Smarting from a no-confidence vote on the Austin Chilakpu-led Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), workers in the state, on Monday, rose to the occasion of a better working relationship with Government, raising a team from their ranks that will henceforth conduct their affairs in the interest of workers and the government.

The new interim leadership which has Chief Ndubuisi Ucheghara as Chairman said they are committed to the overall welfare of Imo workers, and that Chilakpu has lost the credibility and trust needed to pilot the affairs of workers in Imo State.

He reiterated on behalf of his colleagues that they have, in one voice, passed a vote of no confidence on Chilakpu.

Ucheghara told Governor Hope Uzodimma that they have been mandated by the entire workers of Imo State to take over the leadership from the old stock as nature abhors vacuum, having established that Imo workers have been deceived for a long time and will no longer want to be in the same problem.

Ucheghara told the Governor: “Labour exist to complement government, Labour cannot fight government because when the Labour leadership fights government the workers suffer.”

Ucheghara noted that a reasonable leadership is now in-charge of NLC in Imo State, and that the leadership understands the direction of the Governor in making Imo workers’ welfare a priority and so, are determined to support him to the fullest.

The new workers leadership informed that every leader aspires to be part of a success story and that they are prepared to ensure that NLC in Imo State is part of the success story of the Shared Prosperity Government which has already made tremendous impact in the areas of road infrastructure, as can be seen at Chukwuma Nwoha and the water tunnel that empties into Otamiri river as well as other giant strides of the just one year prosperity government.

The new leadership of NLC in Imo State however made a single request to the government which is, the promotion of Imo workers which last exercise took place in 2014.

They passionately appealed to the Governor to look at the workers plight and direct the Head of Service to put the process in motion for government to give the workers their promotions where some workers are already in arrears of two promotions.

Welcoming the new leadership of NLC, the Governor expressed his willingness to partner with them and assured that “government will work with them with all sincerity of purpose.”

In reaffirming his relationship with the Imo workers, the governor reminded them that he is “one of them.”

The governor acceded to their single demand on promotion of Imo workers as at when do, saying that workers in Imo will be promoted when certain processes must have been undertaken by a Committee that will soon be constituted to work with the Office of Head of Service.

The governor agreed with the new leadership that a worker deserves his wage at the appropriate time and that promotion is one of the most encouraging instruments to workers who look forward to being promoted at the right time.

Governor Uzodimma highlighted the journey of his administration in relation with Labour in Imo State from inception to date, noting that government kept faith with her maiden broadcast of prioritizing the welfare of workers, renovation and re-roofing of the State Secretariat, provision of official vehicles to Permanent Secretaries, payment of salaries of over 40,000 workers and 20,000 pensioners up to December, 2020, among others. He said all were done in an attempt to make Imo workers comfortable.

He regretted that the Labour leadership, instead of showing appreciation, had gone into covert and overt blackmail of his government, calling it names they know are not correct.

He expressed shock that instead of helping their colleagues who for one reason or the other were not getting their salaries, “the Labour leadership tried to compound their problems by calling for strike when government had distributed verification forms to enable them state clearly their employment history and where their problem lies.”

Governor Uzodimma stated that the Labour leaderships must take a second look at a situation where retired workers lead those that are still serving. “The workers Union should be led by serving workers, while retired ones should join the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP),” he submitted.

Governor Uzodimma thanked the new leadership for beholding the truth and promised them unequivocal and sincere partnership.

Insecurity Uzodimma Locksdown Orlu Zone |The Source

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The Source
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Senator Hope Uzodimma

Following disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants that unleashed mayhem at residents in Orlu in Imo State, killing and maiming innocent citizens in the process, Governor Hope Uzodimma has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the affected areas just as he ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators without fail.

He said the curfew is an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu area. It will start  at 6 pm and end at 6 am daily and affects; Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre local government areas of Orlu zone.

Addressing a news conference on the matter on Monday, Governor Uzodimma said the perpetrators of the carnage were out to paint a picture of near break down of law and order in Orlu area, noting that government condemns in its entirety acts of extreme hooliganism and brigandage.

The Governor  advised the residents of the affected LGAs to cooperate fully with the curfew as anyone who violates it will be treated as a suspect.

Governor Uzodimma said that security agencies have been directed to carry out a 24-hour patrol and that law abiding citizens can go about their businesses without fear of molestation.

Governor Uzodimma’s address read in full:

“This afternoon, I received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of Militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the state, killing and maiming innocent citizen in the process.

“I am totally appalled by this sad report which appears to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area. The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage. This is completely unacceptable to this administration. Those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.

“Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book. Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against a  peace loving, innocent people.

“As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk to dawn curfew (6 pm to 6 am) is hereby imposed in the following Local Government Areas of Orlu zone; namely; Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.

“All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect.

“The government wants to assure all Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control. Security operatives have been deployed on a 24-hour patrol of the zone. Equally, every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.

“The government sincerely condoles with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident. I assure them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unfurnished.”

Insecurity In Yorubaland: Why Tinubu, Bakare, Fashola Are Silent – Omokiri, Fani-Kayode |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Reno Omokri

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Aide to Ex-President Goodluck  Jonathan, Reno Omokri and former  Minister of Aviation and Strong critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Femi Fani-Kayode,  has faulted the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Founder of Latter Rain Assembly Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, of being mute over the Fulani Herdsmen heinous activities in the South West.

Omokri revealed that herdsmen are killing Nigerians of southwest origin, and yet Bola Tinubu, Bakare and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola are silent about the issue.

bola tinubu
Bola Tinubu

He lamented that few hours after the Fulani and Yoruba clash in Oyo State, the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, ordered the Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Sunday Igboho over his role in the attack. The order, he said, is a slap on the face of Yoruba, and yet the big men above kept mute. I is a big disgrace, he added.

“How do these men expect to be President if herdsmen kill those who are expected to vote for them one by one? It is now that the Yoruba’s will see who their real leaders are. Rotimi Akeredolu Aketi and Sunday Igboho are filling the glaring leadership gap in the southwest”. Omokri said.

Fani-Kayode on his part lambasted all South West governors for keeping silent on the killing and kidnapping done by  herdsmen in the state.

He said that it was because they are looking forward to contesting for the 2023 presidential campaign.

Fani-Kayode stressed that according to the constitution, no one has the right to kill or turn the Southwest into a bloody field. Yoruba are not different from others and they should not be treated like sacrificial animals ready to be slaughter.

He, however, appreciated Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Sunday Igboho, Professor Banji Akintoye, Nnamdi Kanu, Afenifere, SOKAPU, and other Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), who have strongly condemned  the kidnapping and killing done by the herdsmen.

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