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Declare Bandits As Terrorists, El-Rufai Urges FG

By
Saladin Babagana
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0

… Says This Will Allow Military To Decimate Them Without International Repercussions

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged the federal government to label bandits as terrorists.

He claims that this will allow the military to kill them without fear of international repercussions.

On Wednesday, the Governor made the remark after reviewing the state’s third quarter security report.

He claimed he requested the declaration in a letter to the federal government in 2017.

According to him, his administration supports the National Assembly’s resolution on the subject, and he plans to follow up with another letter of support to the government, urging it to declare the bandits terrorists.

According to him :“We, in Kaduna State Government, have always aligned with the declaration of bandits as insurgents and terrorists. We have written letters to the Federal Government since 2017, asking for this declaration because it is the declaration that will allow the Nigerian military to attack and kill these bandits without any major consequences in international law.

“ So, we support the resolution by the National Assembly and we are going to follow up with a letter of support, for the Federal Government to declare these bandits and insurgents as terrorists, so that they will be fair game for our military. This is the view of the Kaduna State Government,” he said.

The governor also called for a consensus between the Federal Government and the the 36 states on an emergency programme of recruitment into the security agencies, adding that government can change the game significantly by hiring 1,000 willing youths from each of the 774 LGAs in the country into the security agencies.

He said this will be a surge in numbers that is unprecedented since the civil war.

He said an influx of 774,000 “new boots on the ground” will be a significant blow on criminals and also serve as an employment boost.

He offered his sympathy for all the pains and sorrow insecurity is causing despite consistent efforts and investments of hard-earned resources, saying they are working hard to solve the problem.

He offered condolences to the security agencies and the families of the security officers that have been killed while trying to keep the people safe.

“I wish to appeal to all the citizens and residents of Kaduna State to
remain law abiding and to uphold peace in their communities as best as they can,” he added.

Transport Minister Calls for Professionalism in Ports Control, Ships Inspections 

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

The Minister of Transportation, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi has harped on the need for Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) to display high level of professionalism in carrying out their duties of inspecting foreign ships at national ports.

Amaechi spoke at the 11th Port State Control Committee (PSC) Meeting of the Memorandum of Understanding on PSC for West and Central Africa Region also known as Abuja MoU, in Lagos.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Eric Ojiekwe.

In the statement, the Minister explained that the essence of PSC is, “the inspection of Ships, to verify their condition, equipment, and whether the ship is manned and operated in compliance with the requirements of international conventions and regulations to ensure maritime safety and security of lives, assets and to prevent pollution.”

Referring to PSCOs as ambassadors of the MoU, the Minister stated that continuous trainings are required to maintain set standards at Ports, and called on member states to work together in achieving set goals.

“Bearing in mind that Port State Control Officers are ambassadors of the MoU, it is therefore important that they constantly undergo continuous trainings which would impact on their knowledge and skills, as well as on their overall standard of inspections at the Ports. However, this cannot be achieved without the commitment, financial and otherwise of every Member State”.

“We must all join forces and strive to ensure that we constantly uphold the ideals and objectives upon which the MoU was established. For this reason, I urge all Member States to play their part in contributing towards the growth of the Abuja MoU, so that we can constantly meet with expectations and safeguard our marine domains,” he said.

Amaechi however thanked Member states for ensuring that the Abuja MoU performed well in the face of Covid19 and urged them not to relent in their commitments to inspections, trainings and overall contributions.

“I must thank most of our Member States for their performance and swift responses in declaring seafarers as key workers and in lending their support to ensure that the impact of COVID- 19 did not disrupt global shipping. While it is to be noted that the resulting effect of the pandemic slowed down inspection of vessels, nonetheless, based on our 2020 Report, the Abuja MoU performed relatively well in the inspection of vessels that called at our Ports,” he said.

In his opening remark, Ghana’s Minister of Transportation and Chairman of Abuja MoU, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said “Port State Control acts as an important safety-net to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships to ensure the needed safety. It is therefore refreshing to note that notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, our performance as Flag States have been very encouraging”.

He called on member states to “prioritise the vaccination of seafarers, their off and on signings, especially in the repatriation process, and ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols to protect PSCOs and Crew of vessels visiting their ports.

He further stated that member states “must be guided by the IMO’s Code of Good Practice for Port State Control Officers and other relevant circulars and Statutory Documents in conducting inspections within the Framework of the Regional Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement on Port State Control,” while ensuring that their PSCOs are empowered to safely conduct inspections, “and to always aim at exceeding the agreed 15per cent minimum number of foreign vessels that call at our ports. States should also accept and endorse the IMO’s guidelines on Cyber Security as part of the Safety Management Codes,” he said.

The Ghanian Minister also called on women to explore careers in PSC and other related fields as according to him, “Women are great agents of change.” He tasked member states to create avenues for the participation of women as Port State Control Officers.

Other Ministers at the meeting include Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Kabineh Kallon and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruquayya Saraki among others participating online.

PDP Remembers Slain Victims, Condemns New Brutalization on ENDSARS Anniversary

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined Nigerians throughout the country on Wednesday in remembering the fallen victims of the 2020 “EndSARS” rallies against citizen brutality and terrible governance under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The PDP has strongly denounced the continued brutalization of Nigerians by APC-controlled security personnel in many parts of the country, including the murderous assault on innocent youths at Wednesday’s EndSARS memorial procession.

EndSARS, according to the PDP, has become an epitaph of the APC’s and its administration’s obvious cruelty, terrible brutality, torture, illegal detention, mindless extrajudicial killings, gagging, and oppression of Nigerians during the previous six years.

“EndSARS has become the emblem of Nigerians’ resistance against the insensitive, inept, corrupt, divided, and decadent APC regime that has brought so much grief and pain to our dear nation,” PDP spokesman1 Kola Ologbondiyan said in a statement.

PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “EndSARS has become the emblem of the resistance by Nigerians against the insensitive, incompetent corrupt, divisive and decadent APC administration that has brought so much anguish and pain to our dear nation.

The statement read in bits :”It is shocking that, despite the promises to stop brutality and restore good governance, Nigerians who came out to march in remembrance of the victims of last year’s brutality were made to face the same trauma, if not worse brutality in the hands of security operatives.

“Our party weeps at the cruelty inflicted on the Lagos Uber driver and many other youths by APC-controlled security agents as well as non-state actors, hired to repress Nigerians who were out exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

The PDP, has, however, demanded that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, should immediately arrest and commence the trial of all security operatives involved in the heinous act against Nigerians.

“Our party laments that most of the issues that led to the EndSARS protest in 2020, including bad governance and brutality of citizens, remain unresolved and charged the Federal Government to accelerate efforts into resolving them and bringing justice to the people,” the party said.

The PDP commiserated with the victims of 2020 and 2021 EndSARS protest and urged Nigerians to remain calm as they rally on the platform of the PDP to rescue the nation and return her to the path of justice, national cohesion and economic prosperity.

Senate Taken Aback By Research Institute’s Announcement Of A Meager N18 Million Revenue For 2022.

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Senate was taken aback on Wednesday when the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Samson Duna, revealed that the institute only generated N18 million in income each year.

Duna also announced that the institute’s budget for 2021 was N49 billion.

He revealed this while leading the NBRRI management team to the National Assembly’s Senate Committee on Science and Technology in Abuja.

Despite the N49 billion it received in its 2021 budget, the DG told the Senator Lilian Ekwunife-led Committee, NBRRI was unable to meet its goals for the year under review.

Duna explained that the institute only received 75% of the whole planned amount, with 18 million naira in revenue from journals and tender documents, and capital expenditure of 47 billion naira and personnel costs of 774 million naira.

Professor Duna revealed that the research institute has produced an alternative to cement while noting that it employs 530 people around the country.

According to him, the alternative made from waste items will lower the cost of construction and road construction.

He stated that the agency is working with the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Road Maintenance Agency, and other construction sector stakeholders to achieve decent and cheap roads across the country.

Professor Duna also revealed that N200 million had been set aside for the procurement of computer software to meet NBRRI’s mandate in a clause-by-clause explanation of the institute’s fiscal policy for 2021.

The program, he claims, will aid in the design of research prototypes as well as the monitoring of ongoing initiatives.

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) was established as one of the research institutes under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct research on local building and construction materials to determine the most effective and economic methods of their utilization;

In their reactions, the lawmakers urged the leadership of the institute to find alternatives to shore up its income.

They also mandated it to reducing the cost of constructing feeder roads by using rice sauce ash and other forms of waste including industrial waste earlier suggested by NBRRI.

Buhari, Erdogan Seals Bilateral Deals On Energy, Defence, Others

By
Akeem Adebayo
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0

…As Trade Volume Between Countries Hit USD2bn in 2020

On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where a series of important bilateral agreements were inked.

During the visit, both leaders discussed their shared interests and areas of mutual collaboration before signing eight key agreements/MoUs in fields such as energy, defense industry, mining, and hydrocarbons, among others.

They also agreed that implementation should begin as soon as possible.

“In the course of our conversations, we also reviewed the travel restriction list based on the new COVID-19 protocols and removed Turkey from Nigeria’s Travel Ban List,” President Buhari stated during a joint press conference.

Turkey has made significant progress in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Buhari also praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for opening his country’s borders to millions of refugees in desperate need of assistance.

He claimed that his Turkish counterpart has set an example for the rest of the globe in terms of refugee treatment.

‘‘I commend Your Excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating 4 million refugees fleeing from conflict areas particularly in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. You have indeed set an example to the rest of the world,’’ the Nigerian leader said.

President Buhari described the two-day visit of President Erdogan and the First Lady, Emine Erdogan, as a reflection of the ‘‘robust, warm and cordial bilateral relation’’ between Nigeria and Turkey.

He noted that it was the second time he has had ‘‘the pleasure of receiving my Brother in Abuja.’’

On the accomplishments from the visit, President Buhari said:

‘‘During the visit, we held very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey.

President Buhari said President Erdogan’s meeting with a Joint Session of the Nigeria and Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry, before departing Nigeria, would be another opportunity to engage and exchange views on more productive ways of pushing ahead the socio-economic ties between the two countries.

He thanked the Turkish President and the First Lady for commissioning the Turkish Cultural Centre in Abuja as well as opening the newly renovated Government Secondary School in Wuse, Abuja, undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIIKA).

In his remarks, President Erdogan stressed that Turkey was determined to improve relations with Nigeria to ‘‘higher levels on all fields’’.

He said the trade volume between both countries reached 2 billion dollars in 2020, making Nigeria the outstanding and the biggest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

‘‘However, we still believe that this level of trade we have achieved is far from being adequate. We hope and pray that we will be expanding our trade volume up to 5 billion dollars immediately.

‘‘We hope that the relations between the two nations will be further developed on the basis of a win-win scenario and mutual respect ,’’ the President, who spoke through an interpreter said.

Commiserating with Nigeria on the attack in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed several lives, the Turkish leader pledged that his country would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism as well as in the fields of military, defence and security.

‘‘We are ready to share our ever expanding capabilities with Nigeria especially in the field of defence industry and security, which has been praised by the entire globe.

‘‘This sensitivity that we have showcased in fighting terrorism, I hope will be reciprocated by our Nigerian brothers, sisters and counterparts,’’ he said.

The Turkish President announced that his country has increased its diplomatic presence in Africa to 43 missions, adding that the third round of the Turkish-African business forum will be held in Istanbul this October while the third Turkish-African partnership summit will follow in December.

President Erdogan expressed delight that many Nigerian students are currently studying in Turkey and benefiting from scholarships.

Bandits Kill 343 , kidnapped 830 People In Kaduna In Three Months, Arunwan

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan has hinted that in Kaduna about 343 people were reportedly killed by bandits and 830 people are claimed to have been kidnapped during the period under review.

Samuel Arunwan made the revelation on Wednesday while presenting the State Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai with the third quarter security report. He also revealed that 69 bandits were equally killed by troops during the period under review.

In the third quarter of 2021, roughly 343 people were slain by bandits in the state, he added.

It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Government’s second quarter security report, which covered April, May, and June 2021, revealed that 222 people were slain and 774 individuals were kidnapped by bandits.

Despite the fact that the rate of death and kidnapping has decreased, the alarming trend is the mass abduction of school children and the government’s discovery that bandits now levy levies to allow farming communities in 12 local government districts of the state to produce their crops.

Banditry has impeded farming activities, jeopardized education and healthcare delivery, and led to the near-total collapse of the economy in frontline areas, according to Aruwan’s security report.

Abuja NUJ, CSOs Give Police, DSS 24 Hours To Produce Missing Journalist

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, in collaboration with a number of human rights organizations, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), Men Against Rape Foundation, and others, have given the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies 24-hour deadline to find Mr. Tordue Henry Salem, a journalist who went missing last week.

The Chairman NUJ FCT Chapter , Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche said the Council’s attention was drawn , when the matter of Salem was brought to fore and the Council quickly alerted the Police and other security authorities, and that he has been following the situation up to this moment.

He criticized the fact that the police and other security agencies had done nothing to track down the missing Vanguard reporter covering the National Assembly.

According to Ogbeche, identifying a missing person with a cell phone and other easy-to-track equipment takes little or no work in this digital age.

He remarked that the security agencies must either produce Mr. Salem or show that he is not in their custody to the Council and the Nigerian public.

Similar cases have been cited by Comrade Emmanuel Onwumbiko, Chairman of HURIWA, in which citizens have been reported missing only to be found by the police months, if not years later, as in the case of Jones Abiri, a journalist who was detained by the police for two years without his family’s or the public’s knowledge.

Among those attending the conference are Comrade Lemmy Ugheghe of the Men Against Rape Foundation and Comrade Bunmi Haruna of the Nigerian Sports Writers Association (SWAN).

National Convention: PDP Gets N63.2 Million From 33 Aspirants

By
Saladin Babagana
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised N63.2 million from the sale of nomination forms from 33 hopefuls for the party’s upcoming national convention.

The party has collected a total of N63,250,000.

The National Chairman nomination and expression of interest forms cost N5 million, while the Deputy Chairman/National Secretary nomination and expression of interest forms cost N3 million.

The cost of other substantive positions is N2 million, and the cost of deputy offices is N750,000.

One person is running for National Chairman, five people are running for Deputy National Chairman, and three people are running for National Secretary, according to the list of candidates.

It was observed that thirteen (13) people are running for other substantive positions such as National Publicity Secretary, National Treasurer, and National Organizing, among others.

This is despite the fact that eleven (11) people are vying for deputy positions.

NES#27 To Feature Buhari, Osinbajo, Lawan 

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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0
Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria
Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Senate President Dr. Ahmed Lawal are all expected to attend the subject for this year’s Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#27) is “Securing our Future: The Fierce Urgency of Now,” and

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), a private sector-led think tank and policy advocacy group located in Nigeria, and the Federal Government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, are co-organizing the NES#27.

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of NESG, Mr Asue Ighodalo, and a host of other dignitaries are expected to attend the two-day summit, which will take place on October 25-26

Mr. Yinka Iyinolakan, the NESG’s Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement on Monday that the NES#27 would “assess the current state of the economy, Nigeria’s economic vulnerabilities that perpetuate regression, poor performance, and the risks associated with such susceptibilities as a means of fostering a people-centered approach that will rethink Nigeria’s economic, social, political, and governance strategies that should be targeted at reversing emerging

NES#27, according to Iyinolakan, will feature five Plenary Sessions, 19 Interactive Panels, Debate, Co-creation Labs, and Roundtable discussions in which stakeholders will discuss, debate, examine, explore, and conceptualize ways for Nigeria to reverse poor economic trends, improve the human capital base of the economy, mitigate security challenges, and lay the necessary foundation for the country to leapfrog into a future of high and sustained inclusive economic growth.

He also stated that the Summit’s discussions will be organized around five sub-themes, including “Economic Transformation, Shared Prosperity, National Security, Political Economy, and Digital Transformation,” as stakeholders highlight the inherent Risks, Opportunities, and Priorities to accelerate and sustain inclusive economic growth driven by sub-national economies.


According to him, “The 27th Nigerian Economic Summit will present a platform for stakeholders to highlight Nigeria’s core socio-economic vulnerabilities and the associated risks to develop solutions that alleviate these vulnerabilities while exploring potential opportunities and priorities that will accelerate economic development.

“NES27 will also galvanise a renewed commitment of stakeholders to urgently and actively prioritise the pursuit of economic growth that can sustainably create jobs, lift millions out of poverty and enable Nigeria to realise its economic potentials on the global stage; identify the vital imperatives of leveraging modern technology to accelerate significant improvements in the social, economic and security conditions of Nigeria, and agree on a compact that compels stakeholders to be critical and immediate actions and efficient monitoring mechanisms to ensure critical recommendations at the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit are urgently implemented.

“The 27th Nigerian Economic Summit, “Securing Our Future: The Fierce Urgency of Now”, will take place on the 25th and 26th of October, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

“In compliance with public health regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring social and physical distancing, the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit will host combined Virtual and In-Person sessions.

“Registered participants can join all the sessions via our NES#27 mobile App, which can be downloaded via iOS or the Google Playstore.

“Also, participants can watch sessions on our YouTube and social media pages, @officialNESG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“You can also join the conversation on all major TV, Radio channels, visit www.nesgroup.org/27 or follow our social media channels.For registration information, visit www.nesgroup.org/27 and check @officialNESG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”

Timi Frank accuses FG of being insensitive to the plight of #EndSARS victims

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

Comrade Timi Frank, the All Progressives Congress (APC ) former Deputy National Publicity Secretary has accused the Federal Government on Wednesday of showing great insensitivity to the plight of victims of the #EndSARS protests and the Lekki Tollgate atrocity a year ago.

Frank stated the Federal Government has failed to bring those responsible for the atrocious deeds to account in a statement commemorating the first anniversary of the youth revolt, which concluded with the harsh repression and grisly slaughter of scores of demonstrators by troops of the Nigerian Army.

He bemoaned the failure of governments at all levels to establish and implement policies and programs that would result in significant job creation, youth empowerment and involvement, and poverty reduction.

According to Frank: “No soldier has been sanctioned nor prosecuted. No living victim nor family of dead victims have been compensated. How long will victims of the wickedness of government await justice?

“Besides, it is both unimaginable and unacceptable that one year after the #EndSARS agitations, policemen involved in the inhuman and egregious acts like torture, extortions, extra-judicial killings and other abuses have not been held to account.

“The Nigerian Government at all levels have not only betrayed the people, they have continued to engage in anti-people rhetorics that show their unwillingness to learn from the issues that led to the #EndSARS protests.”

He lamented that the judicial panels set up to unravel the police atrocities and government sponsored crackdown on peaceful protesters have failed to conclude their sittings and make actionable recommendations.

“Why is it that the panel’s of enquiry set up by the Federal Government and various other state governments have failed to diligently carry out their assignments and ensure justice for victims?

“This is nothing but an unholy and ungodly collusion aimed at making Nigerians forget the incident, protect security agents who massacred peaceful protesters and to eternally deny victims of justice,” he said.

He called on Nigerian youths to remain resolute and steadfast in their quest to stamp out police brutality and other forms of victimization, corruption, harassment, intimidation and extra-judicial killings by security forces in the country.

He condemned the police for attempting to prevent the youths from marking the anniversary of the Lekki Tollgate atrocity with rallies and peaceful protests, adding that peaceful assembly and protest are inalienable rights of every citizen that no government can abridge.

He once again sympathised with survivours and families of those who lost loved ones during the orgy of violence perpetrated against defenseless youths by military personnel and agents of other security forces on October 20, 2020 at the Lekki Tollgate.

He insisted that notwithstanding the theatrics and shenanigans being demonstrated by security forces and government officials who are feeding fat on tax payers’ sweat, the fact remains that the power to change Nigeria for better lies with the youths.

He urged the young people of this country not to waver or give up despite the high level of harassment, intimidation and government sanctioned brutal crackdown against them by Nigerian security forces meant to cow them as there has never been an easy walk to freedom anywhere in history.

He thanked world leaders and members of the international community like President Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton for lending their voice in support of the demand of the #EndSARS protesters, which was to end police brutality, corruption and bad governance in Nigeria.

He thank both local and international celebrities who participated in and supported the protests as well as the local and international media for making the voice of the protesters heard one year ago and who have not allowed the October massacre to be forgotten.

He called on President Biden and the American government and other world leaders to make good their promise to hold the perpetrators of the injustice against the #EndSARS protesters accountable.

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