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Eid al-Fitr: FG declares Wednesday, Thursday as public holidays

Vincent Ufuoma
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Eid al-Fitr: FG declares Wednesday, Thursday as public holidays

THE Federal Government has declared Wednesday and Thursday, May 12 and 13, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid al-Fitr
celebration.

This is contained in a statement by Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola through Permanent Secretary Shuaib Belgore on behalf of Nigeria’s government on Monday.

The minister congratulated the Muslim faithful on this occasion and called on all Nigerians at home and abroad to use the period of this year’s Eidul-Fitr celebration to pray for peace, stability and economic transformation in Nigeria.

Aregbesola, who believes that development cannot thrive in a rancorous atmosphere, urged all Nigerians to be law-abiding and embrace the spirit of love, self-discipline, kindness and tolerance as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

READ ALSO: FG imposes fresh COVID-19 restrictions, shuts bars, limits public gatherings

He also called on all security agencies in the country to be more courageous and patriotic to surmount the ongoing battle against surging insecurity and activities of criminal elements in Nigeria.

He assured that the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to end the scourge of crime and criminality in the country and restore peace to every nook and cranny of Nigeria was sacrosanct.

“This administration will not be deterred in its efforts until every Nigerian and resident of the country is free to move around without fear of any threat to his/her life and property. We are therefore putting necessary measures and strategies in place to strengthen the stability of the country as well as ensuring economic prosperity of our dear nation,” he emphasised.

Insecurity: Northern elders call for Buhari’s impeachment

Vincent Ufuoma
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Insecurity: Northern elders call for Buhari’s impeachment

THE Northers Elders Forum (NEF) has called for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari if he cannot address the country’s security problems.

Spokesman of NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this while speaking on AIT’s ‘Kakaaki’ programme on Monday.

Baba-Ahmed called on the National Assembly to assess Buhari’s administration in the light of the constitution and impeach the president in areas he was found wanting.

“One option we have is that the legislators will look at the record of the administration, understand the areas where the president has failed, understand areas where there is clearly no evidence that they’re going to do anything about it and refer to the constitution that says the whole purpose of government is to secure citizens and pursue their welfare,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“If he (Buhari) fails to do that, for me, those are impeachable offences. In the last six months, two years, what has the president done differently to secure the country? Absolutely nothing has been done and yet you see increasing failure of the state to protect citizens.”

According to him, “the third option is that those leaders who are failing will recognise the fact that they are the problem, and they will resign because they clearly have nothing to offer in terms of leadership,” he said.

“Or, as our democratic system provides, those with the responsibility to get them off should impeach those who are failing. If the president can’t deliver, he should be impeached.”

He lamented that partisan politics had taken over the primary duties of members of the National Assembly.

He sounded a note of warning to legislatures that if they failed to look beyond partisan politics and do the needful, they would all bear the brunt when things deteriorated more than they were now.

He called on the president to arrest those contributing directly and indirectly to the worsening insecurity in the country.

“I wish he would arrest just two, three of these enemies of the state and deal with them. We are tired of hearing the president and his spokespeople saying there are enemies of the state. Enemies of the state are defined clearly under law.

“If there are people who are causing this insecurity, the government has evidence that they’re doing so, then in the name of God, let the president arrest these people, bring them up, show Nigerians what they’re doing, and then show evidence that the government is actually dealing with insecurity.”

Insecurity: Prepare to flee Nigeria, Adefarasin tells citizens

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Insecurity: Prepare to flee Nigeria, Adefarasin tells citizens

SENIOR Pastor of House on the Rock Church Paul Adefarasin, on Sunday, told Nigerians to make plans towards fleeing the country by any means, so they could escape growing insecurity in the nation.

A clip of his video message where he made the call trended on social media, especially Twitter, on Monday.

Adefarasin, whose church is based in Lagos, said his wife was unavailable in church during the service because she was making plans for their departure from the country.

He boasted that with technology, he could address his congregation anywhere in the world.

The pastor urged people living in the country to use commercial motorbikes, popularly known as ‘okada,’ speed boats and other means possible to flee the country.

“I bring you greetings from Pastor Ifeanyi, who is busy taking care of the frontier of our world, and preparing our escape route. If you don’t have a plan B, I know you have faith, but I have faith too; and I have a plan B,” he said.

“With technology, I can speak to you from anywhere in the world. Get yourself a plan B. Whether that’s an Okada to Cameroon or a flying boat or a speed boat as we call it, to Seme Border, a hole in the ground – a bunker.

“Just get yourself a plan B because these people are crazy. They are ‘nutters,’ the whole bunch of them. And watch the signs because it can happen like this.”

However, Adefarasin’s latest appeal contrasts with his earlier position on the state of the nation, The ICIR can report.

READ ALSO: Cruel anti-workers policy fuels insecurity in Kaduna, says Falana

Though the pastor had said in one of his messages in April this year that the country was a fraud owing to increasing security threats, he had, however, urged people in the country to be hopeful, noting that God would give the nation what it needed to overcome its challenges.

“God will give us what we need to do what needs to be done. If we perish, let us perish. Millions will rise in our place. Otherwise, your grandchildren will not have a future in this land.”

He had said that a lot of the Nigeria’s citizens were doing well in different fields of life within and outside the nation, but life was unbearable for many living in the country.

READ ALSO:

While blaming the nation’s constitution as a major cause of the current crises, he had said the next administration must not access power until a constitutional amendment was done.

“We are suffering in Nigeria, in our hundreds of million,” he stated, stressing that the nation should be one of the three best worldwide, given its enormous resources.

Adefarasin had also alleged in 2018 that the Fulanis – people of a major tribe in northern part of Nigeria – were being supported to grab land across the country, adding that “Nigeria will never become a Fulani Republic.”

Could Africa be the next hub for COVID drug manufacture?

Editorial
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Could Africa be the next hub for COVID drug manufacture?

By Lisa VIVES

FOR a while, Africa appeared to be losing the fight to build manufacturing capacity for the production of COVID-19 vaccines as big pharma and rich countries questioned African capacity to make its own vaccines.

Some international companies regard African self-sufficiency as a long-term risk to their business – some fear a loss of influence.

Assistant director-general at the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations Greg Perry expressed doubt that Africa could become a drug manufacturing hub. “It is a very tall order to start looking at significant manufacturing on the continent,” Perry said.

This week, in a surprise move, the US threw its support behind a move at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily lift patent protections for coronavirus vaccines, allowing developing countries to meet their own needs. In announcing the new policy, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.”

One hundred of the WTO’s 164 states are said to be in favour of lifting patent protection, and a panel on intellectual property is expected to discuss the issue next month.

If approved, supporters say, the waiver could provide more affordable doses for less wealthy countries. Advocates of the move say it would increase global vaccine production of life-saving drugs.

Currently, African nations only produce one per cent of the vaccines used on the continent, with scattered, limited capacity. A continent of 1.2 billion people should not have to import 99 per cent of its vaccines, said Nature magazine in a recent editorial.

Chair of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat warmly welcomed the U.S. announcement to support South Africa and India’s call for the temporary waiver of intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines.

“The Chairperson commends this important show of global leadership by the United States of America, alongside more than 100 countries, to help end the most devastating global public health crisis in living memory,” he said.

“Increasing the manufacturing capacity for COVID-19 vaccines in Africa could help ensure that the continent doesn’t have to beg for vaccines when there is an outbreak,” said chair of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative William Ampofo,

But Africa still needs to bring on more health workers and supplies, such as personal protective equipment, to use the vaccines before they expire, said John Nkengasong of the Africa Centres for Disease Control. Only about 1,000 of the nearly two million vaccines sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo have been used so far, for example, and the expiration date is June 24.

Other obstacles to a timely roll-out are weak health services and a poor transport network, making the delivery of vaccines to remote areas a major issue.

Police monitoring Oodua agitators, IPOB threats in Lagos -CP

Lukman ABOLADE
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Police monitoring Oodua agitators, IPOB threats in Lagos -CP

THE Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police has said it is monitoring 24 Oduduwa nation agitators and threats by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said this on Monday during a stakeholders’ forum on security chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the state secretariat, Alausa.

Odumosu said the command had identified threats by secessionist groups to prevent law and order in the state.

“The command has taken notice of agitators for Oodua Republic by some Yoruba separatist groups and the threats to disrupt law and order in the state,” Odumosu said.

He noted that the secessionist agitators were being monitored and the security agencies in the state were gathering intelligence concerning attacks on soft targets in the state.

Odumosu urged members of the public to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies.

Although the Nigerian government had, in 2017, proscribed IPOB and all of its activities in Nigeria, the group has continued to agitate for a Biafran nation.

The Oodua nation agitators recently joined the league of secessionists in Nigeria championed by a self-acclaimed Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

Igboho’s ‘activism’ has not been widely accepted by many from the south-western region due to his group’s alleged involvement in crimes in Oyo State.

ONICCIMA advocates expansion of Anambra roads to enhance cargo transportation

Ijeoma OPARA
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ONICCIMA advocates expansion of Anambra roads to enhance cargo transportation

THE Onitsha Chamber of Commerce Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has suggested the expansion of Enugu-Onitsha and Onitsha-Otuocha roads in Anambra State to enhance the functionality of the newly-completed cargo/passengers airport.

The chamber said in a press statement sent to The ICIR on Monday that the state government should engage aviation and related authorities to cordon off airplane pathways that would not harbour residential buildings or developments.

“The entrance to the Airport from the Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway does not befit the status of international Cargo/Passenger Airport especially considering that heavy-duty vehicles will ply that route to ferry cargo,” ONICCIMA noted.

“Government should, in the not-too-distant future, consider width expansion at that point as we forsee complex gridlocks that will negatively impact the expressway,” the chamber further said.

The ONICCIMA also suggested the creation of a standard four-way lane on the Onitsha-Otuocha road, urging the government to be conscious of land grabbers.

The chamber further urged the state government to ensure the provision of world-class ancillary services such as airport taxis and currency exchange dealers to avoid touting and fraudsters at the airport.

The chamber described hospitality industry in Anambra as non-existent, advising the government to partner with hospitality investors and to resuscitate the construction of a 4-star gigantic hotel project that had been abandoned at Onitsha GRA area of the state as a means to positively impact other industries.

The ONICCIMA finally urged expedited action on the construction of cargo sheds, including putting up other structures to support full utilisation of the airport.

The Anambra International Airport began the project in January, 2020, while the landing and facilities were achieved in the following 15 months.

Governor Willie Obiano had listed the facilities already completed in a report, and  said that the airport had the best and longest runway, control tower, and lighting system in Africa.

6,105 persons shortlisted for immigration jobs

Vincent Ufuoma
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6,105 persons shortlisted for immigration jobs

ABOUT 6,105 persons have been shortlisted for the 2019/2020 recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

This is contained in a statement by the Civil Defense, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board  on Monday.

Director/Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) Aisha Rufai, who signed the statement, said the shortlisted persons were part of the 45,323 persons that sat for the agency’s computer-based test.

According to the statement, shortlisted candidates would be invited for the screening via text and emails on Monday.

Applicants were advised to check the official website of the NIS for their names and screening details: exam location and guidelines for the recruitment exercise.

Selected applicants were also asked to print out their invitation slips which would be used to admit them into the screening venue.

According to the statement, the screening would commence on May 24, 2021, and did not attract any fee.

Applicants were also advised to tender complaints and report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission or the NIS website.

Rufai also stressed that applicants whose names did not appear on the website should not visit the venues of the screening exercise.

State of the nation: CSOs call for peaceful mass action, boycott of Democracy Day

Lukman ABOLADE
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State of the nation: CSOs call for peaceful mass action, boycott of Democracy Day

MORE than 100 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called for peaceful mass action from Monday 26 and boycott of Democracy Day activities to register their displeasure over the current state of affairs of the country.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the CSOs on Sunday and made available to The ICIR.

The organisations called on Nigerians to participate in ‘solemn assemblies’ to commemorate the 4th National Day of Mourning and Remembrance of Victims of Mass Atrocities on May 28th, 2021.

According to the statement, the call for mass action was a result of the increase in mass atrocities in Nigeria by 43 per cent in 2020 and the government’s refusal to decisively act against the atrocities despite much advice.

The groups noted that during their last statement in February, they had highlighted how ‘gross injustices’ had marred the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through attacks on peaceful protesters and cuddling of terrorists via offering of amnesty.

“This is tantamount to funding and supporting terrorists, encouraging murder and the decimation of the Nigeria’s gallant troops and amounts to treason against the Nigerian State and people,” the statement read in part.

READ ALSO: Disgruntled religious, political leaders working to overthrow Buhari -Adesina

The civil society organisations also called on Buhari to take immediate action against terrorist herder attacks, large-scale terrorist attacks in the North-West, industrial-scale kidnappings, sectionalism through appointments as well as an end to the persecution of the media and free speech.

“We had also demanded that where the President fails to fulfill his constitutional duties as stated above, that he steps aside, or, that the National Assembly initiates impeachment proceedings against him on grounds of gross misconduct as provided for in Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the group stated.

The civil society organisations noted that they were appalled that despite the previous statement, President Buhari’s government had failed to heed the call to fulfil his role as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and Nigeria’s democratically elected president, hence the call for mass action.

The statement was signed by: Action Aid,  African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), CEE-HOPE Nigeria,  Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa, Connected Development (CODE), Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, YIAGA Africa.

Others were: Arise Foundation, Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative, Advocacy Center for Development, All-4-One Humanity Development Foundation, Alliances for Africa, Ayodeji Fadugba, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Bauchi Human Rights Network, Benevolent Initiative for Development, Benue We Deserve (BenDef), Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (BOF), Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), SBM Intelligence, among several others.

Kidnapping: ACF kicks against ransom but supports negotiation with bandits

Lukman ABOLADE
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Kidnapping: ACF kicks against ransom but supports negotiation with bandits

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said it is against payment of ransom to secure the release of kidnapped persons but advocates negotiation with bandits.

According to NAN, the group said this in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF Emmanuel Yawe on Saturday in Kaduna.

The forum said although it thanked Nigerians who risked their lives in the negotiating process to free abducted hostages, it was worried about the ransom.

“We thank God for saving their lives and rejoice with their families both immediate and extended.

“Our only regret is that millions of Naira were alleged to have been paid to the bandits before they granted freedom to the kidnapped students,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Nigeria can’t unite under Buhari’s government, says Soyinka

The ACF also appealed to the bandits holding other innocent people to set them free without further delay.

“Whatever may be the grievances of the kidnappers against society, spilling innocent blood will not be a solution” the ACF stated.

Last week, one of the abducted students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna, was released following alleged payment to the bandits.

The release of the student was reportedly secured after his parents negotiated with the kidnappers and paid a ransom.

READ ALSO:

Although five of the students have been killed, 17 have been in the den of the bandits for more than 15 days.

Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai says he will not negotiate or pay ransom to the bandits.

President Muhammadu Buhari also, after issuing several warnings to the bandits, has now appealed to them to release the remaining students of Greenfield University.

Nigeria can’t unite under Buhari’s government, says Soyinka

Lukman ABOLADE
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Nigeria can’t unite under Buhari’s government, says Soyinka

NOBEL Laureate and elder statesman Wole Soyinka has said he does not see Nigeria uniting under the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Soyinka said this on Saturday during the book reading and signing of two of his books titled, ‘Trumpism in Academe’ and ‘Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth’ in Abuja.

According to the Nobel laureate, the country had had critical moments when it could have come together, but the moments were lost.

“There has been more than one moment and we lost the moment. Will another one come? I don’t know. Right now, I don’t see it under this government quite frankly,” Soyinka said.

He noted that there was a systemic failure in the present governance of Nigeria, stressing that he did not know who could put it together.

Soyinka also stated that he now spent days without reading Nigerian newspapers because of the ‘depressing’ stories of violence recorded across the country.

When Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike asked if the Nobel laureate could write a book that would unite Nigeria, Soyinka said no book could unite the country without justice.

READ ALSO: State of the nation: CSOs call for peaceful mass action, boycott of Democracy Day

He noted that the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) and others who had lost relatives and loved ones due to violence would not embrace any story of unity unless they got justice.

Soyinka has consistently criticised the Buhari-led administration over its incapacity to end violence and ethnic crisis in the country.

Soyinka had once said for there to be peace in the country again, those in the government who had been proven weak and incapable must learn to swallow their vain pride and seek help.

In a recent interview, he had also urged the Nigerian government to make leaders, who had claimed responsibility to criminal offences at different times, take back their words, apologise to the nation and even carry out restitution.

Recently, Nigeria has fallen into intense spate of violence across the country, including kidnapping, abduction, terrorism, herders/farmers clashes, banditry as well as attacks on security operatives and facilities.

The violence has been made worse with ethnic coloration, leading to hostility among Nigerians.

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