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SW Asks FG To Open Boarders, Protect Region’s Assets, True Federalism |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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South West Leaders

By Akinwale Kasali

The South-west zone of Nigeria has asked for true federalism in the country. It has also asked the Federal Government to open the borders which has for over one year, remained closed. The zone said their closure has affected the lives of its people, and brought untold hardships to the people of the zone.

The leaders, also, asked for the protection of the assets in the zone, and decried the monumental destruction of Lagos.

These requests were contained in a communique issued at end of a  meeting the region had with a Federal Government delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. The delegation included the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Ministers from the zone.

The delegation from the zone included Governors, Traditional Rulers, and other stakeholders.

The arson, killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties, especially in Lagos State during the #EndSARS protest, hijacked by hoodlums worried the leaders.

The dialogue  hosted by the Lagos State Government, was held at the Banquet Hall , State House, Alausa.

The session offered traditional rulers a no-holds-barred opportunity to bare their minds on the marginalisation of traditional institutions in the process of governance.

Chairman of the region’s Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, said the coordinated violence sparked by the #EndSARS protest shook the Southwest to its foundation, given the unrestrained manner with which public assets and infrastructure that had sustained the region’s economy were destroyed by hoodlums.

He said the style of the attacks, especially in Lagos, was worrisome, emphasising that the peace in the region remained fragile in the aftermath of the violence.

Akeredolu said there is need to fully restore peace in the Southwest and address the issues that made youths to be used by those who orchestrated the destruction.

His words: “Before our very eyes, what started as a peaceful demonstration turned to different thing that became a threat to all of us, who are regarded as elite. What we witnessed in the violence showed that something needs to be done to address the underlying issues and come out with solutions. We must be able to sustain the peace in our region at all cost.”

Prof. Gambari, said the vigorous manner of the #EndSARS protest indicated the frustration of the youth, who, he said, had been ignored for a long time in governance. He said the political class must go beyond the lip service and equip the young people with skills that would make them competitive in market.

The discussion went into an executive session during which all the Southwest Governors, traditional rulers and head of security agencies deliberated on the way forward.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, applauded the initiative, which he described as the “right step” but upbraided the political class for lack of consultation with traditional institutions in decision making.

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, attacked the unitary system being practised, saying the arrangement had led to insecurity and restiveness.

Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, said security must be fortified in the region to protect the economy of the Southwest. He also called for the creation of Southwest Development Agenda to revamp and rebuild the destroyed assets.

Oba of Lagos fingered politicians as the cause of issues that led to the #EndSARS protest, saying unemployment contributed to the problem.

Following is the full text of the 13 point communique signed by the Ooni of Ife and the  Governor of Ondo State on behalf of the participants.

  1. We express appreciation to Mr. President and his administration on the responsiveness to the initial demands of the ENDSARS demonstrators and for his firm handling of the aftermaths of the protest.
  2. We endorse the call by traditional rulers for regular consultations with state governors and federal authorities on challenges facing the State, and for appropriate recognition of their role in the Constitution.
  3. The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country. There should be more police presence in communities in the South west states.
  4. While there are legitimate concerns contained in the initial ENDSARS movement, these have been hijacked by criminal and other elements with ulterior and negative forces and degenerated into anarchy.
  5. There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the ENDSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.
  6. We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.
  7. We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South West.
  8. Review of reports of constitutional conferences including 2014 National Conference and implement some of the recommendations especially with reference to security, economy, equal treatment for citizens all over the country.
  9. We believe that the prolonged closure of the border has caused economic difficulties and should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities. There is need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities.
  10. A comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment should be prioritized. Closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the Federal Government. In this regard, the curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
  11. We recognize the damaging and negative impact of fake/false news and worry about its destructive and dangerous potency of fake news. We call on federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. 2015 Cyber Act will also be fully used.
  12. Federal Government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate keeping should be fully employed.
  13. We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest.

EndSARS: DJ Switch Escapes From Nigeria, Tells Canadian Govt Soldiers After Her Life |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Prominent Disc Jockey Obianuju Catherine Udeh also known as DJ Switch has escaped from Nigeria over threat to her life, by those she considered to be sympathetic to the government.

The magazine learnt that the entertainer who was among the promoters of EndSARS, and played a crucial role in mobilizing protesters in Lagos moved out of the country as controversy looms over attacks on protesters at Lekki, Lagos state by soldier form 81 Division of Nigerian Army.

Contrary to claims by the Army authorities, Switch has maintained that, the soldiers were out to kill the protesters, following which has since been receiving death threats from unknown persons who are obviously, not happy that she has refused to change her version of what transpired at Lekki Toll Gate, last month after soldiers allegedly opened fire of peaceful protesters.

Narrating her experience to the Sub-committee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the Canadian parliament, Udeh said her life was under serious threats after she spoke out on what transpired at Lekki.

Switch: Soldiers After my Life

She said “I have been on the move because they have been after my life. The first threat came in, I thought it was a joke, I sincerely thought it was a joke. Just as I was leaving, I got a phone call that I should leave the vicinity because there are military men at the hospital.

“I had to abandon my home, I moved from people’s home, and then just to get out of Nigeria. I am still travelling, and I am not done with my trip.”

She explained that the threats to her life, was so much at a point that she had to flee the country into safety, particularly after good spirited friends started calling to warn her that the military were looking for her.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has told the Lagos Judicial Panel set up by the state government to investigate the matter, that it did not open fire nor kill protesters in Lekki.

This was disclosed in a petition submitted to the Panel last Friday, a copy of which was obtained by Punch.

In the petition, Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Musa Etsu-Ndagi, said it was the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu that called the military to disperse the protesters.

General Etsu-Ndagi claimed the soldiers only fired blank ammunition into the air.

Notorious Armed Robber, Shina Rambo, Tells His Story, Resurfaces As Pastor |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Shina Rambo

By Akinwale Kasali

For years, Oluwashina Oluwagbemiga, Popularly known as Shina Rambo, was one of the most wanted and dreaded armed robbers in Nigeria. He held sway from the Benin Republic highway to Nigeria. At a point in his notorious career, he almost killed Obasanjo’s first daughter, Iyabo. Even though Iyabo was lucky two children of his friend, who were in her car, while she was in their mother’s car, were shot dead by Shina and his gang.

He was in the League of notorious Edo armed robber, Anini.

For close to three decades, Shina Rambo has been in Siberia. The stories which had made the rounds that he had repented and had become a Pastor, were dismissed by many. The questions were: Why is he not in jail? Why has he not atoned for the hearts he broke, for the atrocities he committed.

But this day in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, Shina Rambo confirmed the rumour. The once dreaded criminal appeared publicly, dressed in a Pastor’s robe, a Holy Bible in hand, propagating the gospel of God, winning souls for the kingdom of God.

It was Sunday night, during a weekend Yoruba programme monitored on Fresh FM Radio, Ado Ekiti, and anchored by ace gospel musician and owner of the radio station, Yinka Ayefele.

Shina Rambo confessed to be the same person whose gang terrorised some parts of the country for years and tormented innocent citizens with attacks, killings and maiming.

He said so many people, especially the police, would be surprised to know that the same man they claimed to have killed on a number of occasions was still alive today.

Claiming that he was now a complete child of God, preaching the gospel in prisons and other reform centres.

Rambo, who gave 1958 as his year of birth, said he was born as a native of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, but was raised in Benin city.

“My father was a prominent person, and a soldier moving from one part of the country to the other. In my attempt to acquire black power then, I went to a total of 21 places, prominent among which were Minna, Niger state, and later Oro, in present day Kwara.

“I was in one of those places for 91 days in Idanre, Ondo state, where we were mandated to be sucking the milk of a possessed woman’s breast, as our only food and water, so occult powers can transmit to our body.

“At the end of the whole exercise, I possessed a total of 901 power images that can be used to cajole or disappear at a scene of crime, and project the image of another person. So, if I was killed at a particular point, I had the powers to resurface in another place in another form”, he said.

Rambo, however, expressed regret over his roles in a series of deadly crimes that held the country spellbound for years, claiming that he was misguided by evil spirits.

He said the moment he accepted Christ, he realized he had no more occult powers as the spirit of God suddenly descended on him directing him to drop all his bad habits and start preaching about God.

Quoting the Holy Bible copiously throughout the radio programme, Rambo said he had won many souls through his preaching, while a number of Churches had also been established.

Rambo stated that the death of his wife and three children on a single day in the hands of those who came to arrest him, but did not meet him, was the worst regret of his former life in crime

“I was to be arrested on a fateful day but those that came could not find me, so they killed them”, he said.

He urged the criminally minded to turn over a new  record, and have a change of heart so as to receive divine salvation as well as avoid incurring God’s wrath.

Aftermath Of #EndSARS Protest: Delta Youths Meet FG, Lists Demands |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Delta Youths

By Akinwale Kasali

In continuation of efforts by the Delta State Government to engage youths in the state in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests, a town hall meeting was held on Sunday, 8th November, 2020, with the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare.

The meeting which took place at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba was facilitated and hosted by the Delta State Ministry of Youths Development had in attendance, youth delegates from #EndSARS Protesters, Community Youth Groups, Ethnic nationalities, Civil society movement, Female Advocacy groups, Students movement and youth stakeholders in the state.

The youths listed the demands to include: job creation at the federal government level, resuscitating federal industries within the State, stable electricity, urgent need to address the bad condition of federal roads in the State, have a help desk domiciled in the State ministry of youths for easy access and network to the federal ministry of youth in its programs and project, the need to scale the ministry programs to accommodate more youths, youth inclusion at all levels of government.

The youths also appealed to the government to drop every attempt to stifle EndSARS protesters in any form either freezing of their account by CBN or seizing of their International passport.

The Minister in his remarks said the Federal Government has lots of programmes packaged to develop youths of the country, and  urged them to exercise patience to enable government implement their demands.

The Minister who presented programs and projects put in place by the federal government for the youths promised to put together a document that will be presented to the Federal Executive Council.

He said that in subsequent meetings, he will bring on board other ministers to engage with the youths on issues that relates to their ministries directly.

He assured Delta youths of government’s commitment towards implementing the demands made by the protesters.

Earlier, The State Commissioner for Youths Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, in his welcome address, intimated the minister and his team of the various programs government at the state level has done to engage the youths.

He informed the Minister of the proactive steps already taken by  Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to bridge the gap between the youths and the government.

Egwunyenga stressed that the Town Hall meetings held by the Governor with the youths including setting up of various committees to address cases of police brutality and extra-judicial killings were geared towards ensuring that such ugly incidents do not reoccur in the state.

He urged the youths to take advantage of the various job creation programmes of the government to better their lots.

Revenue Agency Demands Probe of NNPC Diversion of $21b |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has been accused of diverting over $21 billion which the government oil corporation failed to remit into the federation account, according to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.

According to law, all revenue accruing to the federal government are to be paid into the federation account and shared by the federal and state governments.

This, RMAFC said, has not been done by NNPC, in a report the revenue sharing agency presented to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, noting that the funds was paid as dividend into the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company and spent without recourse to due process and law.

It has, therefore, urged the National Assembly to investigate the issue with a view to finding the truth.

RMAFC said “It may be important to state that the Commission in the discharge of its monitoring mandate visited the NLNG in August, 2008, March 2013 and has consistently requested NNPC to remit all dividends received from NLNG to the Federation Account.

“Information available to the Commission indicates that a sum of $21,685,647,923.39 accrued into the NLNG Dividend Account from inception to 30th June, 2020.”

The document presented to the committee read in part “from the $21.686 billion revenue that accrued into the NLNG dividend account from 1999 to 2020, the NNPC expended $20,300,772,850 from the account leaving a credit balance of $1,384,875,073.39 as at June 30, 2020.

“$100 billion was generated by NLNG in sales revenue since inception. The company also paid over $18 billion as dividends through NNPC and $6.1 billion as Company Income Tax (CIT) through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“In addition, the company also said that over $15 billion has been expended by NLNG for the purchase of feedstock gas for its operations.

“Furthermore, between April, 2002 and March 2007, the company paid a sum of $450,000 as Licence Fees and as sum of N28,696,259.30 as NLNG Licence Renewal between the period 1999 and 2017 to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

“With respect to the payment of dividend, the NLNG reported that it has fully paid all dividends due to the Federation Account to NNPC”.

It said all efforts to make the NNPC account for the funds has proved abortive.

According to RMAFC “It may be important to state that the Commission in the discharge of its monitoring mandate visited the NLNG in August, 2008, March 2013 and has consistently requested NNPC to remit all dividends received from NLNG to the Federation Account.”

The RMFAC said it was wrong for the NNPC to spend government funds as it pleases and that the agency “does not support any diversion of revenue that should accrue to the Federation Account for whatever reason, as the practice is illegal and conflict with section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“That the NNPC or any other agency does not have the powers under the law to withdraw money from the NLNG Dividend Account for any other purpose outside remitting it into the Federation Account”

The RMAFC has asked the House to investigate the withdrawals.

The Wole Oke-led House Committee on Public Accounts has now invited the Group Managing Director of the NNPC Mele Kyari to appear before it to clear the allegation.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time the NNPC has been accused of diverting public funds.

Recall that in 2014, the former Central Bank Governor and now deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi accused the oil corporation of non-remittance of over $20 billion.

Igbo Ask Buhari To Flush South-east Forests Of Criminals |The Source

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The Source
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South East Leaders Meeting

By Charles Igbo

The Leadership of the South-east has asked President Muhammadu Buhari for a joint operation in all the forests in the zone. The aim, the Leaders said, is to flush the forests of AK47- wielding youths who are wreaking havoc in the zone.

The zone, as other zones in the country, is burdened with  the activities of armed robbers, kidnappers and assassins. The Leaders believe the forests in the zone are their refuge and operational base.

This request was part of the communique issued at the end of a meeting at the Government House, Enugu, attended by Governors, National Assembly Members, Traditional Rulers,   Youths, and other stake holders.

The meeting was held with a Federal Government Delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, who was accompanied by others including the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed and a couple of others.

President Buhari set-up the the group, led by Gambari, in  the wake of the #EndSARS protest.

The Leadership of the South-east, also, appreciated the  presence of Herdsmen in the zone who, they said, have been living with the people, peacefully, for years. Of great joy to them, as well,  is the full support the President is giving to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her bid to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, just as they applauded  his efforts to develop the South-east as exemplified by the President’s determination to complete the second Niger bridge, the upgrading of the facilities at the Enugu International Airport, and the Enugu- Porthacourt expressway.

But many Igbo are picking holes with the invitation issued to the President for a joint Operation to flush the zone’s forest of criminally-minded youths, and have expressed shock at such an invitation. They say it is an invitation to anarchy as they fear it could be abused. They fear innocent youths could be victims of such operation.

Dr Chidi Nwokoma, an entrepreneur, told this magazine: “There is already the Operation Crocodile Smile, over which our people are uncomfortable,  and our Leaders are inviting a joint operation. What will be the fate of our youths?”

They also say that they found the communique weak, patronising, and did not address the needs of the people.

Following, is the full text of the communique signed by the Chairman of the South- east Governors’ Forum/ Governor of Ebonyi  State, Engr Dave Umahi.

Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A MEETING OF SOUTH EAST LEADERS WITH PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION TO SOUTH EAST ON SATURDAY, 7″ NOVEMBER, 2020, AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LION BUILDING, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU

After an intensive deliberation and dialogue in a meeting with the

presidential delegation led by Prof. Ibrahim A. Gambari, Chief of Staff to Mr. President with the Inspector General of Police, Director General, Department of State Services, Hon. Minister of Information, Federal Ministers from South East with South East Governors and her leaders, today, 7 November, 2020, at Enugu Government House, we the leaders of the South East made up of all the Governors, South East National Assembly members, Federal Ministers of South East, Clergymen and women, Traditional Rulers, Representatives of all the youth organizations in the South East, and student leadership, have resolved

as follows:

  1. We thank Mr. President for sending this powerful delegation to visit our people and hear from us.
  2. We thank Mr. President for all the great works he is doing at the second Niger Bridge, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, dualized road of Enugu to Port Harcourt and some other projects in the South East.
  1. Mr. President, we thank you so much for all your kind

commitment in the struggle of our sister, Prof. Okonjo lweala to become the DG of the World Trade Organization. We are

particularly grateful with the way you have engaged the world leaders to see her through the process. May God crown your efforts with success- Amen.

  1. We request a joint operation into all our forests to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK47, while pledging our

commitment to continuous co-existence with herdsmen who have been living peacefully with us for years.

  1. We pledge our undivided support and love to our President and his administration.
  2. We, lgbo leaders stand for an indivisible and united Nigeria, built on love, fairness, equity and justice. We believe that under this platform, we are bigger and stronger.
  3. We thank Mr. President for the speed and restraint with which he handled the demand of peaceful ENDSARS protesters, especially his commitment to drive Police Reform and mainstream youth empowerment and also for his courage to deal with hoodlums, criminals and those who hi-jacked the initial protests, to hide under the peaceful protest and kill, maim innocent citizens, security agents and public and private properties.
  4. We sympathize with the families of civilians and security agencies, who lost their lives and properties during the ENDSARS protests (both peaceful and criminal protests).
  5. South East Governors have set up Panels of Enquiry to deal with all infractions of human rights of our people and security agencies, compensation funds for all civilians and security men who lost their lives during the protest. We have also set up empowerment/employment fund to help more of our youth earn their lawful daily means of livelihood.
  6. We, therefore, with humility, request our President, the father of our nation, to please look into the demands of the various groups of our people, as presented today, review same with a view to solving them. South East people believe in one Nigeria and this is the reason we are in every part of this country erecting infrastructures, living peacefully with our host communities and doing our businesses.
  7. We pledge to continue to protect all the various ethnic groups living in South East. We enjoin them to go about their businesses peacefully. We thank Mr. President, Governors and traditional rulers in other parts of Nigeria for their commitment to protect our people, especially during and after the protests. We must continue to live in peace.
  8. We appreciate Mr. President’s delegation for carefully listening to, engaging with stakeholders and undertaking to report

faithfully to Mr. President for his consideration and necessary action.

  1. We request Mr. President to commit the various presentations of all of us – Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, the women group, the Ohaneze leadership and the youth groups, and give full support to actualizing these genuine demands.
  2. We wish Mr. President’s delegation journey mercies as they travel back, as we pray to God to continue to guard our Presidents health and guide him, as he pilots the affairs of our nation.

EndSARS: Lagos Disagrees With Police, Frees Protesters

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Lagos state government will not allow innocent persons to be punished over the recent EndSARS protest that rocked the state to its very foundation. It, has, therefore directed those wrongly arrested by the police and other security agencies as suspects to be released.

In the wake of the end police brutality protest, three weeks ago, which led to arson, looting and destruction of both public and private property, the Nigerian police have arrested some suspects believed to have unleashed mayhem on the state after hijacking the protest.

Over 360 suspects believed to have taken part in the destruction, the police said were arrested across the state and currently being prosecuted.

But the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo said the police have failed to establish a prima facie case against many of the suspects who are being detained and remanded in prison.

For this reason, Onigbanjo said, the state government has no other option than to set those suspect free so that they can go back to their families.

According to a statement by Kayode Oyekanmi, Director, Public Affairs in the ministry, 253 suspects are in this category and the state has no reasons to keep them further.

The state’s chief law officer said the decision was made after the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP had studied the case files from the police and has issues a legal advice on the accordingly.

The statement said “Out of the 361 persons, the DPP shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder.

“The office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case,” while “two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the police.”

Meanwhile, some close observers of events in the state told the magazine that government may have taken the decision to free the suspects as a token of re-assurance to the protesters that it really wants peace to reign, as it tries to address issues raised during the unrest.

EndSARS: APC Chieftain Warns Buhari To Prepare For Revolution |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The President Muhammadu Buhari has pushed Nigerians to the wall and revolution cannot be totally ruled out in the unforeseen future, a chieftain of the        All Progressives Congress, APC Buba Galadinma has warned.

The APC big hat is a former ally of the president but has since turned his back on him over Buhari’s style of leadership.

Galadinma made the comment on the crest of calm that has returned to the country after the EndSARS protest that many said took the president and his advisers by surprise, and has demystified Buhari as a popular leader among Nigerians.

Some prominent leaders from the north including governors have dismissed the EndSARS protest as an attack on the region and President Buhari’s government.

But the APC chieftain said the politics of exclusion by the administration is “leading this country into a revolution that they don’t want to accept. They are the people causing the revolution by excluding, disenfranchising people not on the basis of competence but on the basis of ‘they don’t belong’. That is why we need a leader that is a large-hearted Nigerian who will carry us all along, not because he is an Idoma man or a Bade man.

“Do they know? One of my friend’s sons wanted to join the Police Force. He was asked by these faceless people to pay an amount of money for him to be recruited. My friend told his son, ‘even if I had the money, I won’t pay, besides, I don’t even have the money. If you are recruited because I paid the money, you are also going in there to help yourself to make the money back.”

He said corruption has become more pronounced in the administration, especially among civil servants, who he said, have compromised the public trust and now acting as they like.

He dismissed suggestions among some northern elements that those not happy with the Buhari’s administration are trying to use undemocratic means to bring it down.

According to him “it is shameful of them that when their kith and kin are being killed in Borno, Zamfara, Kano, Yobe, Adamawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Niger, they had no guts to come out or allow their people to protest, because the primary responsibility of every government is to protect the lives and property of citizens.

“In this respect, the government at all levels including the states in the north have failed. Youths who are victims (of police brutality) came out to protest. Is that wrong? And some people now come out to say they want to overthrow the government.”

He said the protesting youths have sent a strong message to the government that things cannot remain the same again.

Uncertainty In Ondo Over Fate Of Kidnapped Victims |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kidnappers
Kidnappers

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Police Command and families of some victims kidnapped last week are at loggerhead over the condition of the victims.

The Police  Command  came with  cheering news on Saturday that the victims had regained freedom through efforts by security agents.

Some family members of the victims reacted Sunday morning that their relations are still being held by their captors.

Among those that are still in the kidnappers den is the Iyaloja of Isua, in Akoko South- east local government, Mrs Hellen Edward with others that were kidnapped Thursday along Ogbese-Uso axis of Akure Owo highway.

The State Police command through its spokesman, Tee-Leo Ikoro, declared that it rescued some of the abducted travellers, but the family of the victims described the reported release as a farce.

One of the children of the  kidnapped Iyaloja, Mrs Alaba Edward, said family members are still relating with their mother in the kidnappers den  who appealed to them to look for money to pay the ransom demanded by the abductors to secure her release.

Mrs Alaba said that the 11million naira earlier demanded by the abductors has been reduced to five million naira, which the family is still struggling to raise.

The market leader is the only female among the victims, one escaped, five are still in captive.

There are fears among travelers especially along highways in Akoko and Owo/ Benin axis that despite the launching of the much publicised South West security network, code named Amotekun, traveling along these routes remain a nightmare.

A recent trip from Akure to Benin showed that the only security post along the route, which is always lonely, is a military post very near Ifon town, leaving travelers to their fate.

My Mother Didn’t Imagine This Moment |The Source

By
The Source
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Kamala Harris

(Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ Full remarks On Being Elected)

Good evening.

Congressman John Lewis, before his passing, wrote: “Democracy is not a state. It is an act.”

And what he meant was that America’s democracy is not guaranteed.

It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it, to guard it and never take it for granted.

And protecting our democracy takes struggle.

It takes sacrifice. There is joy in it and there is progress.

Because We The People have the power to build a better future.

And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake, and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.

To our campaign staff and volunteers, this extraordinary team — thank you for bringing more people than ever before into the democratic process and for making this victory possible.

To the poll workers and election officials across our country who have worked tirelessly to make sure every vote is counted — our nation owes you a debt of gratitude as you have protected the integrity of our democracy.

And to the American people who make up our beautiful country — thank you for turning out in record numbers to make your voices heard.

You Voted For Science

I know times have been challenging, especially the last several months.

The grief, sorrow, and pain. The worries and the struggles.

But we’ve also witnessed your courage, your resilience, and the generosity of your spirit.

For 4 years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives, and for our planet.

And then, you voted. You delivered a clear message.

You chose hope, unity, decency, science, and, yes, truth.

You chose Joe Biden as the next President of the United States of America.

Joe is a healer. A uniter. A tested and steady hand.

A person whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us, as a nation, reclaim our own sense of purpose.

And a man with a big heart who loves with abandon.

It’s his love for Jill, who will be an incredible First Lady.

It’s his love for Hunter, Ashley, his grandchildren, and the entire Biden family.

And while I first knew Joe as Vice President, I really got to know him as the father who loved Beau, my dear friend, who we remember here today.

My Mother Made This Happen

To my husband Doug, our children Cole and Ella, my sister Maya, and our whole family — I love you all more than I can express.

We are so grateful to Joe and Jill for welcoming our family into theirs on this incredible journey.

And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today — my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts.

When she came here from India at the age of 19, maybe she didn’t quite imagine this moment.

But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.

So, I’m thinking about her and about the generations of women — Black Women.

Asian, White, Latina, and Native American women throughout our nation’s history who have paved the way for this moment tonight.

Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, liberty, and justice for all, including the Black women, who are too often overlooked, but so often Prove that they are the backbone of our democracy.

All the Women who worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century: 100 years ago with the 19th Amendment, 55 years ago with the Voting Rights Act, and now, in 2020, with a new generation of women in our country who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard.

I Will Not Be The Last

Tonight, I reflect on their struggle, their determination and the strength of their vision — to see what can be unburdened by what has been — I stand on their shoulders.

And what a testament it is to Joe’s character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his Vice President.

But while I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last.

Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.

And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message:

Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before.

And we will applaud you every step of the way.

To the American people:

No matter who you voted for, I will strive to be the Vice President that Joe was to President Obama — loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your families. Because now is when the real work begins.

The Hard work. The Necessary work. The Good work.

The essential work to save lives and beat this pandemic.

To rebuild our economy so it works for working people.

To root out systemic racism in our justice system and society.

To combat the climate crisis.

To unite our country and heal the soul of our nation.

The road ahead will not be easy.

Joe And I Are Ready

But America is ready. And so are Joe and I.

We have elected a president who represents the best in us.

A leader the world will respect and our children can look up to.

A Commander in Chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe.

And a President for all Americans.

It is now my great honor to introduce the President-elect of the United States of America, Joe Biden.

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