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PenCom: Group Petitions Senate, Says Buhari’s Nominee, Hannatu Musa, Has No NYSC Certificate |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under criticism over his nominee for the top job at the National Pension Commission, Pencom.

Buhari’s choice, Hannatu Musa Musawa, according to a petition by a Group, has no National Youth Service Certificate, NYSC.

According to the group from the North West zone called “League of Concerned Indigenes of the States In North  West Zone”,  it felt scandalized by her appointment. It has, therefore  written a petition to the Senate to stop her confirmation on the grounds that she does not possess the NYSC Certificate.

The group apparently dug into her past, and   addressed the petition to Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman of the Senate Committee that oversights PenCom.

The petition dated 7th October, was signed by Comrade Musa Argungu who resides in Birnin Kebbi. Part of the petition obtained reads:

President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

“In fact, we are very surprised that the list of the people nominated by President Buhari for the Pencom includes Hannatu Musa Musawa. Everybody knows that she didn’t attend NYSC after her degree in UK. That is why she never worked for the Government since she come back from her studies. The Committee should critically analyze her CV and even if she submits any NYSC certificate, it is fake. This is against the NYSC Act.

“We know that many things are hidden from the President. That is why some godfathers proposed her name to him for the Pencom job even though she doesn’t have NYSC Certificate. That is how even after confirmation she will be disqualified and forced to resign or blackmailed to compromise standards for fear of discovery. This is how the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi was forced to resign because she did not go for NYSC after graduation from UK. We believe that this mistake can be checkmated by your Senate Committee…”

Alhaji Musa Musawa, Hannatu’s father is a familiar name in political circles in Kano and Katsina States where he bestrodes like a  colossus.

He was a juggernaut of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party led by the late Aminu Kano, and boasts of connections in high places.

Thus, it was not surprising that she was nominated by President Buhari to the board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom)  as a commissioner to represent North West.

But unlike her father whose patriotic zeal for Nigeria could not be faulted, Hanney, as she is fondly called, allegedly now has question marks based on the petition.

Hannatu studied law at the University of Buckingham, UK, took a Postgraduate Masters Degree in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs a Postgraduate Masters Degree in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

The group pleaded with the Senate Committee to “investigate the matter and save the nation from the shame of confirming Hannatu Musawa only to be disgraced later by resigning forcefully.”

“Hannatu had remained in active legal practice since her return to the country, and while she is said to have represented government agencies in some legal matters, she has never held a full time government job, the Group alleged.

“This, also, explains why she had been active politically on human rights and women rights issues. She even took a shot at elective political office in 2011 when she contested for the Federal House of Representatives legislative seat in her home state of Katsina”.

EndSARS: Buhari Mulls Military Option After Minister Loses Driver |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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Burutai

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Barely 24 hours after the minister of state for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo warned that the endSARS protest has become a mob action his driver has been killed in one of the protests in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Already, there are fears that President Muhammadu Buhari may draft soldiers to the street to stop the protesters in days if the mass action continues, but civil society leaders have also warned that such action  has the potential of pouring petrol in the already volatile situation.

Some angry protesters, were on Tuesday stopped from marching on the National Assembly by soldiers who also harassed and damaged their equipment.

Keyamo, on Wednesday accused some criminal elements of mixing with genuine protesters to unleash terror on citizens and members of the Nigeria Police Force.

The demand to end police brutality and harassment has spread across the country, as protesters mostly youths, marched on state capitals in the country for the eight day.

Amnesty International, AI said on Tuesday that over 10 Nigerians have been killed in the protest.

But in a tweet on Thursday, the minister disclosed that his driver, Yohanna Shankur lamented that one of his drivers was hit by a vehicle around the Berger area of Abuja.

He said the driver died as a result of the protest by youths against police brutality and extortion in the country.

Kyeamu tweeted, “I regret to announce that my driver, Mr. Yohanna Shankuk, died yesterday in Abuja as a result of the protests.A vehicle that saw advancing protesters at Berger roundabout, made a U-turn, took the one-way back and ran over him as he was making his way on foot to my private office.”

Meanwhile, some Nigerians are already worried that the military could be called in to quell the protest if violence creeps in.

This suggestion came after the Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it has the duty to keep law and order in the country.

Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said in Abuja that the armed forces cannot hold on for long in the face on public disorder, warning subversive elements not to try the resolve of the nation’s armed forces to maintain peace.

According to Sagir, “The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law-abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria.

“As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the Nigerian Army reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Country.

“The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost.

“The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively.

“All officers and men are directed never to be distracted by anti-democratic forces and agents of disunity.”

On Wednesday in Abuja, the protest turned violent after some hoodlums attacked the protesters but were repelled.

At least two protesters were also reported to have died in Lagos after clashing with policemen.

Ondo Schools Reopen Amidst Fresh Outbreak Of Corona Virus |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

After months of rigorous campaigns and Governorship election in Ondo state, 12 fresh cases of coronavirus pandemic have been established.

Disclosing this in Akure on Wednesday, the State Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, said two of the new cases are health workers.

Ondo has been among states with the highest recorded cases of the global pandemic, recording as high as 1651 with 36 deaths so far.

Despite reported cases of fresh outbreak, the state Government has directed public and private primary and secondary schools to reopen as from Monday.

Chairman of the state inter- ministerial committee on Covid 19, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, who announced this, further directed that all schools must abide by the COVID-19 preventive guidelines released by the Committee to ensure the safety of staff and students.

Fatusi, who is also the Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, hinted that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has also instructed the committee to conduct periodic monitoring visit to schools and any school found not to be complying with the COVID-19 guidelines should be shut.

He noted that schools reopening must adhere to the following guidelines, notices with the message, “no mask, no entry, must be boldly displayed at the entrance of the school and at strategic spots throughout the school compound; Infrared thermometer must be made available and used to assess the temperature of each staff, student, and visitors at the point of entry into the schools.

School authority must provide handwashing devices with adequate and constant source of running water and soaps  and all individuals must wash their hands when entering the schools. Alternatively, hand sanitisers with alcohol content of not less than 70% may be used;

Individuals with high temperature or who show any form of illness must not be allowed into the school while seats in the classrooms and staff rooms must be separated with a minimum space of two metres.

Recruitment: How The PSC Floored The Police At Appeal Court |The Source

By
The Source
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Police Service Commission
Police Service Commission

Details of  the judgement given two weeks ago, in favour of the Police Service Commission, PSC, by an Appeal Court Police over the recruitment of Constables, against the the Police has been released. .

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division,  declared that the Police Act 2020, enacted in September 2020,  as it affects the constitutional mandate of the Police Service Commission is unconstitutional null and void.

The provision of the Act, it ruled, is obviously in conflict with paragraph 30 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution” which empowers the Commission to appoint persons into offices in the Nigeria Police Force except the Office of the Inspector General of Police.

The details of the Appeal Court judgment in the appeal instituted by the Commission against the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC) received by the Commission on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020.

Justice  Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, one of the three Justices of the Court,  in his concurrent judgment, ruled that Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution has given the power to the Commission to appoint persons into offices in the Nigeria Police “and did not exclude constables and cadets to Nigeria Police Academy from offices in the Nigeria Police into which the Appellant can appoint persons”

He further declared that no Act of the National Assembly or Law can take away or curtail such power. Justice Agim noted that even if the Nigeria Police carried out the disputed enlistment pursuant to a directive or approval of the President of the Federation, “the enlistment would remain contrary to the  Constitution and therefore unconstitutional and void. Such a directive cannot repair its unconstitutionality and illegality”,

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Olabisi Ige, the Court of Appeal gave a declaration that by virtue of section 1 subsection 3 of the  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) “ any piece of legislation or instrument relied upon by the Defendants (including but not limited to the Police Act and the Police Regulations) in exercising or purporting to exercise the powers to appoint, promote, dismiss or discipline persons holding or aspiring to hold offices in the Nigeria Police Force, being inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution particularly section 153 subsection (1)(m), section 153 subsection (2) and section 215(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Paragraph 30 part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, is invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”

It also gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Police, and other defendants, jointly and severally, from interfering, or further interfering in any manner howsoever with the Commission’s discharge of its constitutional and statutory functions in “respect of the appointment, promotion, dismissal, or exercise of disciplinary control over persons holding or aspiring to hold offices in the Nigeria Police Force other than the Inspector General of Police”

A realease signed by Ikechukwu Ani,  the Information Officer of the PSC, said  the Police Service Commission would soon make public its programme of action in respect of recruitments into the Constable Cadre of the Nigeria Police Force and admission into the Police Training Schools and Colleges.

Protests: Mr President, Address Nigerians – CNPP |The Source

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation, and calm nerves, amidst the ongoing #SARSMustEnd protest spreading across the country.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu said “there is a time silence is not golden and such a time is now.”

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria maintained that “for the President to continue to keep quiet while peacefully protesting young Nigerians are being brutalised and killed by security operatives raises doubt on how sensitive the current administration is to the plights of suffering Nigerians.

“In case Mr President and his handlers have forgotten, in the dark days of military dictatorship, both the people and the Nigerian media were gagged using the barrels of the gun but it never worked.

“If it didn’t work under the military dictatorships in the past, how do President Buhari and his handlers think rolling out tanks and oppressive weapons will be an answer to genuine demand for reforming the Nigeria Police Force?

“In case Mr President is not aware, our findings, since the current unrest in the country show that the people are determined, and continued deployment of security forces against the citizens will worsen the situation as bottled anger in the last five years of maladministration will finally be unleashed by the citizens.

“We then call on Mr President to immediately address the nation and order security agencies to leave the protesters alone.

“The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should do the needful, urgently, and stop an obviously impending national outrage against the government it formed in 2015”, the CNPP counselled.

Jonathan Mourns J.P. Clark, Says Renowned Writer Has Dropped His Mighty Pen |The Source

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The Source
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Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of renowned poet and playwright, Prof. John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo who passed on Tuesday, describing him as a man who deployed the potency of creative art in nation-building.

The former President noted that although the foremost writer has finally dropped his mighty pen, he would continue to live in his seminal literary works.

Dr. Jonathan made this known in an insightful condolence message to Delta State Government and members of late J.P. Clark’s family.

The former President further described the late writer as a witness of truth and advocate of justice who was truly committed to art and the progress of our nation.

Below is the full text of the condolence message:

“I condole with the Clark family, Delta State Government, the Ijaw Nation and all literary enthusiasts on the passing on of Prof John Pepper Clark, who died at the age of 85 on Tuesday, October 13.

“JP Clark was a master of the arts, who used the potency of words woven in stanzas and dialogues as tools for nation-building, national reconciliation as portrayed in works like ‘The Casualty’ and ‘State of the Union.’

“As a foremost poet and dramatist, JP Clark was a ‘witness of truth’, an advocate of justice whose commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress was at the centre of his art and craft.

“He will be greatly missed for his creativity, patriotism and wisdom. His legacies of creativity, tact, and truth will continue to define his time while he lived with us.

“Although he has finally dropped his mighty pen and shed his earthly garb, J.P. Clark’s light will not grow dim because he will continue to live in his seminal literary works.  His legacy is unfading for he has left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

“May God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family, friend and all sympathisers.”

Calabar: Security Agents Launch Manhunt for Abductors of Journalist’s Wife |The Source

By
The Source
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Kidnappers
Kidnappers

By Chidi Levi

Security agents in Calabar, the Cross River state capital, have launched a manhunt for the abductors of the wife of The Sun newspaper Correspondent in the state, Mrs Uduak Judex Okoro who was kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday.

Mrs Okoro was kidnapped around 8.30pm Tuesday in Big Qua axis of the capital.

Her husband, Judex Okoro, who is also the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel confirmed the ugly incident in Calabar.

He told The Source that his wife was on visit to that part of Calabar when the incident happened

Okoro decried his wife’s abduction, describing it as one kidnap too many.The distraught journalist noted that his wife had earlier been kidnapped seven years ago.  Meaning: This is the second time she would be kidnapped.

“All relevant security operatives have been informed” he stated.

Nigeria To Double The Number Of Airports In 2023, Says Sirika |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

While most of the airports in the country are known to be unviable and underutilized due to location and low traffic, indications are that the Federal Government may double the number of airports in the country within the next two years.

Nigeria currently has 31 airports.  26 of them are local airports while five of them are International airports.

Most airports in the country, even International airports, are functioning at low capacity with some, only active during religious seasons like the Haj season.

Recently, the Government decided to focus on the major International airports, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja for special upgrades, besides the work done at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. It budgeted N1.6 billion for the extension and asphalt overlay of Murtala Muhammed International Airport runway, Lagos; N1 billion for the construction of a new terminal building in Enugu; and N1 billion construction of an airstrip in Abeokuta.

But the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, while responding to questions during the presentation of the budget by President Muhammadu Buhari said that the Ministry is working towards doubling the number of airports in the country by the year 2023. This, according to him, will boost the national economy and increase air connectivity.

The President during the budget presentation sounded an alarm, warning of an impending recession in the economy.

“We understood the principles and the importance of air connectivity and it is a very important sector. It boosts our economy and we believe investment in this sector will do well for our economy.

“Before the end of 2023, we would have doubled the number of airports in Nigeria. We understand the importance of aviation infrastructure as a critical component for the working of our economy and our national security assets,” he said.

According to Sirika, the aviation industry is the fastest-growing sector in the country. He said that the current administration had developed a roadmap aimed at improving civil aviation and air transportation in general.

Falana Faults Ekiti Gender Based Violence Law |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Femi Falana

By Ayodele Oni

Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has written to the Ekiti State House of Assembly over what he called some anomalies in the Ekiti state Gender Based Violence Law, and called for amendment.

According him, there were gaps and lacunae in the law, which must be corrected.

Falana, in a letter through his Falana & Falana’s Chambers, addressed to the office of the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, identified the gaps in the sections 1 and 8 of the law.

Titled “Lacunae in the Ekiti state gender based violence law, 2019 and the need for amendment”, the letter was signed by Taiwo Omidoyin and was made available to Journalists in Ado Ekiti.

It states “Section 1 of the Law, the definition section, has succinctly defined the concepts of gender based violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. Section 1(4) of the law particularly provides for what constitutes violence against women.

“Imposition of dress codes under any guise” as a component of gender – based violence is overstretched and overreaching, particularly the phrase “under any guise”.

” Even constitutionally, section 45 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) provides for restrictions and derogations on matters of fundamental rights, which by implication means that inallienable right are not absolute, they are with limitations and exceptions.

“Therefore, defining violence against women to include imposition of dress codes ‘under any guise’ is too extensive.

“The freedom to dress freely to one’s taste and desire truly aligns with the right to personal liberty, right to freedom from discrimination, yet these rights are with limitations.

“Therefore, categorising imposition of dress codes under any guise as violence against women without giving room for derogations and restrictions is making a caricature of the said provision.

“There is therefore the need for the amendment of this particular provision and expunge the said Section 1(14) (ii) (u) of the law for being too overreaching, sweeping contrary to human rights limitations and open to abuse”.

Falana also picked hole in the section 8 of the law, wherein the law was referred to as this “Act.”

“The Nigerian legal system has hierarchy of laws within the legal order wherein Acts and legislations made by the National Assembly of the federation whereas Laws are legislations made by the State House of Assembly, therefore, reference to “Acts”in the provisions of the Gender Based Violence Law of Ekiti is a misnomer and requires an amendment.

“As trivial as the error could be, it has fundamental legal effects. Literally , the entire Section 8 of the Law become ambiguous, misleading, absurd and perhaps of no direct relevance to the Gender Based Violence Law of Ekiti State. An urgent amendment in this regard is therefore inevitable.”

#EndSARS: Prof. Sagay Says FG May Forcefully End Protest If It Continues |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Prof. Itse Sagay

By Akinwale Kasali

It has been revealed that the Federal Government may use force to bring to an end the #EndSARS protests which have engulfed the parts of the Nation in the past few days.

Revealing this, Chairman, Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay said the Federal Government may take drastic measures against the protesting youths agitating for the end to Police brutalisation and extra judicial killings of  Nigerians, by forcefully silencing them, if protest continues.

The youths have been on the streets for six days protesting the brutalities, humiliation, and extortion of Nigerians, especially the youths, and demanding an end to SARS, using a hashtag: #EndSARS.

On Sunday, October 11, the FG bowed to their requests, promised to prosecute alleged killers and torturers and extortionists among  them, as well as an immediate release of all the youths arrested during the protests, without any conditionalities. The Youths have refused to leave the streets.

But speaking, Sagay, a  Professor of Law, said that the plans for  the Federal Government to forcefully end it is in the offing.

Sagay enjoined Nigerian youths to put an end to the #EndSARS protest in the country following the intervention of President Buhari and the disbandment of the unit by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the ongoing  renaming and rebranding processes.

Sagay alleged that the protest has been hijacked by hoodlums, adding that having done what the youths requested, the f

Federal Government may have no choice than to forcefully put an end to the protests if the youths continue.

Sagay said having proven to be a listening government, the youths should be satisfied with the steps taken by the government and suspend the protests.

According to him, continuing the protests after all that has been done by the Government, may be a ploy by the youths to destabiliise the country using #EndSARS as a smokescreen.

He said “My observation is that hoodlums are already hijacking the protests. The IGP has already disbanded the SARS. So, it no longer exists officially as a unit. The youths refused to stop protesting, they said they wanted the President to issue an Executive Order dissolving it. Executive Orders are not used for that purpose”.

“Executive Orders are lawmaking instruments to make laws, just like National Assembly will make a law, although this type of Executive Order is below that level. It wouldn’t have been an appropriate thing to do”.

“But it’s as if the President is listening, he now came and made this address in which he accepted everything the youths are asking for. He went on to even say that the squad people who are responsible for various harmful and illegal activities will be identified and dealt with. To me, that should be the end of the matter”.

” I believe the youths should be satisfied at this stage. If the youths still come out tomorrow again, then it will look as if the whole demonstration has a hidden agenda for which EndSARS is being used as a cover. It will seem there is an agenda to disturb the stability of the country and engage in activities that may be along the line of #RevolutionNow which itself is the highest crime in our constitution”.

“In such a situation, the government will have no choice than to bring an end to it and nobody will be able to complain then”.

“This is what they were doing in Hongkong for nine months. They got all that they want in Hongkong but they refused and continued protesting; they stopped all commercial activities; stopped flying in and out of Hongkong and paralysed all activities until the Chinese stepped in and were forced to pass the law,  completely suspended their rights, and now they are complaining”.

“So, our youths must know how far they should go. Since they have gotten more than they want, at this stage, everyone should quietly go back to their homes and not continue obstructing the highways, disturbing commercial activities in the state”.

“Otherwise, it could give rise to much more serious consequences which they themselves will not be happy about” Sagay said.

Opinion, however, is: a forceful end to the protests might do more harm than good.

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