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Late Afenifere Spokesman’s Wife, Yinka Odumakin, Gives Birth To Twins In US

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Dr. Joe Okei Odumekin, widow of Afenifère’s late spokesman Yinka Odumakin, was delivered of twins- boys and girls in a US hospital with on Wednesday 27 October 2021.

The mother and the babies are very healthy.

The “miracle” birth fulfilled Odumakin’s request that a new baby be named after him towards the end of his stay on earth.

The couple got married in 1997, had their first baby girl in 2000 and the second, a boy, in 2003. While the girl was named after Joe, the boy was named Abraham after the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.

The girl’s was named after Joe and Abraham was named after Pa Abraham Adesanya, the late head of the Afenifere.

18 years after the last birth, the twins came.

After surviving a 3-day coma in 2020, and a few months before falling into the disease that eventually claimed his life but unexpectedly, he and his wife had a great yearning for a new child.

Thank God Joe didn’t dither or dilute, since she took the time he got sick and never recovered.

Joe had great news, but he have never heard word of his wishes because he didn’t make it out of the ventilator .

He had prophesied, however, what the baby or the baby need to be called if his wishes become reality.

YO was so accurate in his predictions that he provided the babies’ names and advised his wife how he may raise the children.

While many may interpret this to mean that YO had premonition about his death, it was only a strong desire expressed by him to have babies that he would dot over and who would possibly step into his “aluta” shoes.

It’s a dream come true!

4,000 Decampees From PDP, APGA Received By FCT State Minister

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In the run-up to the elections of February 2022, about 4000 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Party of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) defected from their Opposition Parties to join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

FCT Minister of State Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu welcomed the decampees to the fold of the APC and guaranteed the ruling party members justice and equality whilst urging those who still have to join.

She expressed enthusiasm that the majority are former leaders of the PDP and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) opposition in the Federal Capital, describing the event as a “harvest,” with over 4,000 members. The minister said he was very excited about this event.

In addition, Aliyu challenged them to use their political influence to support the party in 2022 and beyond.

In turn, she took the opportunity to urge both the old members and the new members of the ruling party to work in peace, to respect the law and to emphasize the predominance of the decision of the party.

According to her; “we are here today to receive over 4,000 of our brothers and sisters who have decided on their own to join the ruling APC. They came from various political parties especially the major opposition parties, the PDP and APGA. We appreciate them.  

“They have keyed into the agenda of the second term of the incumbent chairman, the second term of credible governance, the second term of competent leadership, the second term of solid management of our common patrimony in Kwali area council”.  

Aliyu, who acknowledged that the occasion was  not to kick off campaign for the council elections, however, tasked party members to support continuity in governance.  

Earlier, the APC Chairman in FCT Abdulmalik Usman, revealed that some of the decampees are founding members of the All Progressives Congress before they jumped ship  

His words , “Today we are here to make another history, the history of receiving our brothers, some of whom we started this party together. Our brothers and sisters whom we struggled hard to form this party at that time. So it is a welcome back home for these members sitting here today.  

“Honourable minister, you know Kwali very well because Kwali and Gwagwalada are 5 and 6. When we were in opposition, never had PDP tried us in this two area councils. We are here to receive these people back home. They travelled somewhere and they said the atmosphere there is not conducive for them.  

“Coming back home, they are back to meet their brothers and sisters in good health and we have nothing against them than to receive them back to their house. We are not here to campaign because we don’t want anybody to indict our party”.  

He expressed the confidence that come February 12, 2022, the APC will win the entire six area councils and the 62 wards in the nation’s capital.  

Responding on behalf of other decampees, Usman Jiya, Former APGA Aspirant, assured party faithful that their return to APC was to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the incumbent chairman of Kwali area council, assuring that all members of their dedication and team spirit in the forthcoming area councils poll.  

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of symbolic broom to the leaders of the decampees by the FCT Minister of State and the party chairman. Other decampees include Hon Salihu Kolo, former state PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon Usman Jiya, former APGA Aspirant, Hon Habila Bwaba, former PDP state vice chairman, Hon Maimunat S Adamu amongst others.  

How PDP Govs Beat Atiku, Saraki, Lamido Candidate At Convention

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…As Arapaja Won With 2004 To Defeat Oyinlola With 705

…PDP Is Back To Save Nigeria From APC’s Mess , Ayu

The political machinations and power plays that took place during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2021 elective national convention came to light on Sunday, shortly after the election results were released.

The intrigues that played out at the convention were said to be a preview of what will happen at the party’s 2022 convention, where the presidential candidate for the 2023 election will be chosen.

According to a source who spoke with our correspondent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola was backed by the triumvirate of Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and Sule Lamido, who had refused to back down for Taofeek Arapaja despite pressure from PDP governors and other stakeholders.

Arapaja, who was said to have had support from the PDP governors, eventually won the convention with 2004 votes, defeating Oyinlola, who received 705 votes.

According to the source, what happened at the convention’s location, Eagle Square, was a preview of what will happen to the three and others, who will compete for the position with the governors, during the convention to choose the presidential candidate.

It was also learned that the governors used the convention, as well as the events that preceded it, to solidify their positions and lay out their strategy ahead of the 2023 election.

Recall that Atiku defeated Aminu Tambuwal to win the presidential ticket in the 2018 presidential convention, a situation that the governors did not like.

However, while at the conference location on Saturday, rumors circulated that Oyinlola had resigned in favor of Arapaja, until two opposing consensus lists surfaced.

Arapaja was apparently cleared on one of the consensus lists, while Oyinlola was allegedly cleared on the other.

It was only during the election itself that it became obvious that Oyinlola was still running for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South).

During the election, it was also stated that Ina Ciroma was still running for Deputy National Chairman (North), however she was defeated by Ambassador Umar Damagum, who received 2,222 votes to Ciroma’s 365 votes.

Mohammed Kadade Sulieman won the position of National Youth Leader with 3,072 votes versus Usman ElKudan’s 219 votes.

Out of the 21 National Working Committee (NWC) offices, eighteen (18) were uncontested.

Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the former Senate President, was declared winner of the PDP National Chairmanship after 3,426 delegates affirmed his unopposed position at the party’s convention in Abuja. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from the Southeast, was declared winner of the party’s National Secretaryship.

Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer, and Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, National Legal Adviser, were both elected in the party’s unopposed election, which received 3,426 votes.

Umar Bature has been named National Organising Secretary, while Daniel Woyegikuro has been named National Financial Secretary, Stella Effah-Attoe has been named National Woman Leader, and Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel has been named National Auditor.

Ndubisi Eneh David is the new Deputy National Secretary, while Ibrahim Abdullahi is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ighoyota Amori is the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Adamu Kamale is the Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hajaja Yakubu Wanka is the Deputy National Woman Leader, Timothy Osadolor is the Deputy National Youth Leader, and Okechukwu Osuoha is the Deputy National Legal

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and governor of Adamawa state, who announced the results, praised party faithful for a “successful” National Convention.

In his thank-you speech, Ayu claimed that the PDP is returning to save Nigeria from the awful situation it’s been in for the past six years, and that the convention’s triumph is a quit notice to the ruling APC.

The former President of the Senate, while criticizing the ruling party and others who desired for the PDP to break up at the convention, said they were dreaming in wonderland and that their fantasies were misplaced.

Ayu expressed gratitude to everybody who contributed to the success of the event as delegates, observers, supporters, members of the media, and security personnel, and promised that the PDP would return to bring the people together.

“Those who have lost hope should know that Nigeria is not a divided country. A small group of people decided to divide Nigeria. PDP will come back to unite our people, put them together, North and South, East and West.

“We will move ahead to develop this country. We did it before. We are going to do it again. I want to thank the governors. I want to thank the delegates. I want to thank our supporters and every single person, who has made this event such a huge success.

“I believe the order party can never hold a convention. Because even state Congress they cannot hold. They have produced 92 state chairmen for 36 states, how can they hold a successful convention which the PDP has done? We are waiting for them. This is a challenge to them. Let them come and hold a successful convention which the PDP has done. This is a quit notice. PDP is back and is taking back the country to develop it.”

NCC Highlights Measure To Improve Internet Connectivity For Businesses , Nigerians

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has detailed some of the important steps it is taking to guarantee that businesses and individual telecoms consumers in Nigeria benefit from broadband and internet connection.

The Commission also highlighted the importance of the continuing execution of the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 and its Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 in driving the development of innovative technologies and local content in the country.

According to Adeleke Adewolu, NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management (ECSM), who spoke during a breakout session at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2021 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, the NNBP is one of the primary policy instruments that guides the sector’s development.

 
“The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 has four critical pillars which are:  Infrastructure, Policy, Demand Drivers and Funding/Incentives,” he said.

He asserted that the NNBP is unique in many respects, adding that it clearly defines ‘broadband’ for Nigeria as “connectivity delivering a minimum of 10 Mbps in rural areas and a minimum of 25 Mbps in urban areas to every Nigerian at an affordable price and quality.”

 He said the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 is a template developed by the NCC to streamline regulatory focus for better efficiency, in alignment with relevant policy instruments.

“For the next five years, the Commission is focusing its energies on five strategic pillars.

These are, according to him, “Organizational renewal for operational efficiency and Regulatory excellence; Provision of infrastructure for a digital economy which fosters national development; Improved Quality of Service (QoS) for enhanced Consumer Quality of Experience (QoE); Promotion of fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services; and Strategic Collaboration and Partnership,” he emphasised.

Adewolu declared that “the impact of connectivity on businesses and the economy, in terms of the impact of internet connectivity on businesses and the national economy is well documented.”

He recalled that 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration results in approximately 0.6 per cent to 2.8 per cent rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He affirmed that everyone is a witness to the revolutionary impact of the internet connectivity for agriculture, health, education, information and communication, as well as entertainment.

“This is besides notable revolution in banking and financial services as we can see in the deployment of Automated Teller machines (ATMs) and banking software.

 “All industries now rely on internet connectivity provided by our mobile networks to function, such that it is impossible to imagine life without connectivity.

“In concrete terms, the Nigerian telecommunications industry has continued to lead national economic growth,” he said.

According to him, in recent years, the telecoms sector has consistently driven the growth of the Nigerian economy and has provided critical infrastructure powering the digital transformation of practically all spheres of life.

Adewolu said that in the second quarter of 2021, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector sustained its growth trajectory and contributed 17.9 per cent to national GDP.

He attributed this to the growth in the telecoms sub-sector. “This trend demonstrates how much our industry is supporting the achievement of Government’s drive to diversify Nigeria’s economy and to ensure inclusive growth across all other sectors,” he said.

 According to the ECSM, in practical terms, it is difficult to imagine how Nigeria and indeed the global economy could have fared without the internet during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He insisted that the fact that the conference was holding in hybrid format was just an indication of the benefits that connectivity, which the Commission is driving, brings.

On local content, Adewolu stated that all the major policy instruments emphasised the need for Nigerians to take bigger roles in the ownership and management of major spheres in the sector.

He also added that Mr. President recently launched the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector, which articulated very clear policy objectives and strategies for increasing local participation.

 “It would interest you that the NCC has established a National Office for the Development of Indigenous Content in the Telecommunications Sector (NODITS) to drive the attainment of Policy objectives,” he said.

 Adewolu contended that, taken together, the instruments enable NCC to aggressively drive infrastructure development, ensuring that available, accessible and affordable access to broadband infrastructure and services for all Nigerians are safeguarded.

He expressed hope that, by the end of the NNBP’s life-cycle, the country will achieve the target of reaching an effective coverage of, at least, 90 per cent of the population at a price not more than N390 per 1GB of data.

FG Extends NIN-SIM Link Until End Of 2021

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adiind, Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission, and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), issued a joint statement urging citizens and legal residents to complete the process by the end of 2021.

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has received approval from the Federal Government to extend the deadline for the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification.

The decision to extend the deadline was made in response to requests from Mobile Network Operators and other industry players for a further extension to guarantee better compliance with the government’s direction and avoid expanding the digital gap, according to the statement.

The statement reads :”The extension would also provide the enabling environment for the registration of Nigerians in remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, as well as foreigners, diplomatic missions, those in other areas that were hitherto unreachable, and increase enrolments in countries with a significant number of Nigerians.

“The review of the progress of the exercise indicated that over 66 million unique National Identity Numbers (NIN) have been issued- an indication of progress achieved in the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage.

“However, a significant part of the populace is yet to be registered into the National Identity Database (NIDB), which may be due to some challenges which the Federal Government has looked into and has made efforts to alleviate, hence the need to extend the deadline.

“As of October 30, 2021, there were over 9,500 enrolment systems and over 8,000 NIN enrolment centres within and outside the country- this has significantly eased the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.

“The NIN-SIM verification process is supporting the Government’s drive to develop Nigeria’s digital economy, strengthen our ability to protect our cyberspace and support the security agencies.

The statement continues :”The administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has graciously approved the extension to accommodate the yearnings of the populace and make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and link it with their SIM.

“The Federal Government will ensure that all innocent, law abiding citizens and residents will not lose access to their phone lines as long as they obtain and link their NIN.

“Government will also continue to provide an enabling environment for investors in the telecommunications sector.

“The unique 66 million NIN enrolments, with an average of 3 to 4 SIMs linked to the NIN, is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to ensure the success of the project.

“With the creation of additional NIN enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, the remaining citizens and legal residents living in the country and the diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs and link them with their SIMs before the end of the year.

“Consequently, the Honourable Minister enjoins Nigerians and legal residents to make use of the opportunity of the extension to enrol for their NINs and link with their SIMs.

“On behalf of the FGN, the Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, urge citizens and legal residents to take advantage of the window to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the end of the year 2021,” the statement said.

FG Faces Backlash Over Invasion Of Supreme Court Justice’s Residence

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The reported invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s residence by a Joint Panel Recovery team of the Federal Government on Friday, which included the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Police, and the Federal Ministry of Justice, has drawn widespread condemnation.

The panel had broken into the Abuja home of a high-ranking Supreme Court Justice, claiming to have a warrant from Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna to search Dr Peter Odili’s home.

Dr. Peter Odili, who served as Governor of Rivers State from 1999 to 2007, is Justice Mary’s husband.

Dr. Odili is a medical doctor who served as the deputy governor of Rivers State from 1992 to 1993.

Dr. Odili obtained a perpetual injunction against the EFCC from a Federal High Court on March 5, 2008.

The injunction specifically prevents the anti-graft agency from probing Dr. Odili on the operations of the Rivers state government between 1999 and 2007, when he was governor.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted an order of perpetual injunction against Immigration, prohibiting the agency and its agents from harassing, intimidating, or infringing on Odili’s fundamental right to freedom of movement within and beyond Nigeria.

Dr. Odili filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit on August 25, challenging the seizure of his international travel documents by Immigration officials. Justice Ekwo issued the order in a judgment.

Among other things, the court ordered the Nigerian Immigration Services to promptly release the former governor’s foreign passport to him.

Without a proper court order, Justice Ekwo ruled that it was illegal for Immigration to claim that the EFCC had directed it to seize Dr Odili’s international passport.

“The Commission by this statement wishes to inform the public that the report is false as it did not carry out any operation at the home of Justice Odili.

“If there was any such operation as claimed by the media, it was not carried out by the EFCC. The Commission enjoins the public to discountenance the report” Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity stated.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the action of the Federal Government.
Aggregate views of some Nigerians were that it was wrongful of the Federal Government agency under whatever guise to invade the home of the Odilis.

Reacting, Prince Emeka said those that invaded the house of Justice Mary Odili erred on the side of the law in view of the order of perpetual injunction granted to Dr Odili.

Another respondent who simply identified himself as Ojo said he learnt that the order of perpetual injunction made by a judge of the Federal High Court has not been vacated nor appealed.

A businessman, Odakoro Ovie wondered why a Chief Magistrate would endorse such search warrant in view of the order of perpetual injunction in favour of Dr Odili. Could it be that the Magistrate did not take judicial notice of the order of perpetual injunction or what, he queried.

He posited that the FG does not observe rule of law, and wondered why the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, should be part of the “unlawful action”.

Abubakar Malami, is the Chief Law Officer of Nigeria, so, he should have known better other than taking steps to ridicule the Federal Government.

In his own opinion, Nnamdi Olisa lambasted the FG for the action, insisting that there was more to it than meets the eyes.
Olisa was of the view that “maybe they are trying to indirectly harrass Justice Odili for reasons best known to them.

Mr James Anayo, stated that rather than appeal the order of perpetual injunction, the FG is further telling the world that it is no respecter of citizen’s fundamental rights and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours, after the invasion of the Maitama residence of the Odilis, the Magistrate who endorsed the search warrant has revoked it.
The Magistrate claimed the government misled the court into endorsing the search warrant.
As at the time of filing this report, the Supreme Court is yet to speak on the issue, since Justice Mary had insisted the house belongs to her.

Controversy Erupts At PDP National Convention As Parallel List With Oyinlola’s Name Emerges

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was dogged by controversy as a parallel list with minor changes emerged, showing that the PDP had cleared Prince Olagunsoye Oyilola as its Deputy National Chairman instead of Amb. Taofeek Arapaja (South) on Saturday.

Both lists acquired by our correspondent have sparked debate among delegates, with some fearing that the emergence of a consensus list could jeopardize the opposition party’s recent “fragile peace.”

The first list was distributed by Arapaja’s people, while the second list was distributed by Oyinlola’s people, it was learned.

The first list, dubbed “Consensus List,” revealed that the party had cleared 21 people for various elected seats.

The second list revealed the same results.

Both lists, according to our source, were produced by Arapaja and Oyinlola supporters.

Senator Iyorchia Ayu and Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum (North) were cleared as National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman, respectively, according to the first document, which this Newspaper obtained a copy of. Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja (South) was cleared as Deputy National Chairman.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer), Hon. Umar Bature (National Organizing Secretary), Daniel Woyegikuro (National Financial Secretary), Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe (National Women Leader), and Mohammed Kadade Suleiman (National Women Leader) are among the others (National Youth Leader).

The list also includes National Legal Leader Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Auditor Daniel Okechukwu, Deputy National Secretary Arch. Seteonji Koshoede, Deputy National Treasurer David Ndubuisi, and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary (Ibrahim Abdullahi).

According to the document, Chief Ighoyota Amori and Hon. Adamu Kamale were cleared as Deputy National Organizing Secretary and Deputy National Financial Secretary, respectively, while Hajaja Wanka, Timothy Osadolor, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, and Hon. Abdulrahaman Mohammed were cleared as Deputy National Women Leader, Deputy National Youth Leader, Deputy National Legal Adviser, and Deputy National Legal Adviser, respectively

The second list, compiled by Oyinlola’s supporters, revealed that the same number of persons had been cleared, but instead of Arapaja, Oyinlola had been cleared.

Kanu’s Lawyer Looks For Quick Resolution To His Client’s Fundamental Rights Case

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Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has emphasized the importance of his client’s case being heard as soon as possible before the High Court of Abia State.

Barrister Ejimakor noted that Nnamdi Kanu’s basic rights action pending before the High Court of Abia State had been assigned and put down for hearing on November 2, 2021, in a statement made accessible to newsmen over the weekend.

Ejimakor said: “On this date, the Nigerian government and its Attorney-General will be expected to move their extant application for extension of time to file their defense to the suit and my opposition to the application.

“It is my intention to, on the spot, move for a ruling on their application for extension of time, so that the case can proceed quickly to the next level, which is expected to be a definitive hearing on the substantive matter.”

Ejimakor stressed that fundamental rights suits were intended to be concluded quickly, especially in situations such as the one in which his client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (the applicant) had been currently incarcerated.

Anarchy Will Result From Bill To Scrap 13 Percent Derivation – CHURAC

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The draft supposedly backed by some Northern legislators in the National Assembly to amend Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is an assault on the poor oil-bearing areas, according to the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC).

In a statement sent to the media over the weekend, the group said it was deplorable that at this time of “national turmoil,” some people were trying to stir up the tumultuous waters of insurgency.

The statement was signed by Barrister Alaowei E. Cleric, Chairman of CHURAC’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who stated that removing the 13 percent derivation from the constitution would appear to declare the environmentally degraded and despoiled oil producing communities as slaves who deserved nothing in Nigeria, including the resources found on their lands.

According to him, “It simply means that the oil bearing communities should suffer environmental destruction without remediation.

“The last time we checked, Chapter Two of the Constitution declared Nigeria as a country of social justice with equal partners where no ethnic groups should be discriminated against in any manner.

“Will the oil host communities or better still the Niger Delta region be at peace with the Federal Government, if this economic apathy is perfected by their oppressors?”

He stressed that Nigeria has already been plagued with too many problems, adding that it would not afford to have another one as the country might not survive the conflagration.

“The sponsors of that draconian bill should rather seek to increase the derivation to 50% as was the case in the 60s.

“We call on the South South lawmakers to sponsor a similar bill at the National Assembly to allow the producing states to have 100% control of the natural resources, while they pay royalties to the central government. That is even the crux of federalism,” he added.

FG Joins Global Taskforce To Checkmate Terrorism Financing

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, said that Nigeria has expressed interest in joining the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which monitors money laundering and terrorism financing.

According to Malami, the move was made in an effort to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

The AGF stated this while electronically participating in the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa’s emergency ministerial committee meeting (GIABA).

The FATF monitors 39 member countries to ensure that FATF Standards are effectively implemented and that non-compliant governments are held accountable.

According to Malami, Nigeria’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued an Executive Alert to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) for the implementation of the Nigeria Action Plan follow-up procedure.

The Minister thanked FATF, GIABA, and GIABA Member States for examining and adopting Nigeria’s recently completed 2nd Mutual Evaluation Report (MER).

According to Malami, MDAs have been asked to form an internal Technical Committee to study the report and work out methods for implementation as a result of the subsequent high rating of technical compliance and effectiveness for the country on follow-up review.

He informed the member states that Nigeria is willing and ready to combat money laundering and terrorism financing with a high level of commitment in order to maintain a stable and peaceful society.

According to a statement by Dr. Umar Gwandu, the AGF’s media aide, once the implementation process and follow-up review on the MER are completed, Nigeria will request the backing of GIABA to begin the application for FATF membership.