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Catastrophic floods in US’ North Carolina as Hurricane Florence makes landfall

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Catastrophic floods in US’ North Carolina as Hurricane Florence makes landfall

 

THE US State of North Carolina is currently witnessing a massive storm — Hurrican Florence — which has seen almost a million people placed on evacuation alert.

According to the state’s emergency management agency, nearly half a million power outages have been reported across North Carolina, the BBC reports.

Weather forecasts have it that North Carolina is likely to see eight months’ worth of rain in the next two to three days.

“This is an uninvited brute that just won’t leave,” Roy Cooper, the governor of North Carolina, told reporters, adding that surviving the storm would be a test of “endurance, teamwork, common sense, and patience”.

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) warned that despite the gradual lowering in wind strength, the storm remains extremely dangerous because of the high volume of rainfall and storm surges predicted.

“Inland flooding kills a lot of people, unfortunately, and that’s what we’re about to see,” the BBC quotes Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as saying. Long added that people living near rivers, streams and lowland areas in the region were most at risk.

Already, parts of New Bern, North Carolina, are 10 feet underwater and over 150 people are waiting to be rescued, authorities there said.

More than a million people have been ordered to leave the coasts of the Carolinas and Virginia, with more than 12,000 taking refuge in emergency shelters.

Hurricane Florence is expected to dump about 18 trillion gallons of rainwater on US soil, most of it in North Carolina, tweeted meteorologist Ryan Maue. In 2017 Hurricane Harvey added some 33 trillion gallons of rainwater in the US.

President Donald Trump had urged residents of North Carolina to heed evacuation warnings and stay as safe upland as they could.

Below are some of the reactions on social media:

https://twitter.com/derek_mafs/status/1040593070499278848

 

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun resigns?

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun resigns?

THE Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has reportedly resigned from her position on Friday.

Adeosun has been embroiled in a certificate forgery scandal after she was alleged to be parading a fake National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate.

Details are still sketchy but several media organisations, including government-owned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), reported the development, though it later pulled the tweet down.

The Daily Trust quoted a source as saying that Adeosun decided to step aside because “she felt that her position is becoming untenable and is hurting the President in the run-up to the 2019 election”.

However, The Punch reported that Adeosun has “resumed in her office this morning and it is unclear when the reported resignation will take effect.”

The Director of Press at the finance ministry, Hassan Dodo, told ThisDay newspaper that he does not have any information regarding the Minister’s purported resignation. The paper reported that Adeosun’s official car was parked at the ministry’s premises, and her aides said she was at the office working.

Efforts by the ICIR to get concrete information about the development proved abortive. The two presidential spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, did not pick their calls, likewise Adeosun’s special assistant, Yinka Akintunde, who also did not respond to a message sent to him.

The NYSC Act made it mandatory that every Nigerian who graduated before the age of 30, from any university in the world, should take part in a one-year national service, without which such a person cannot be employed either by the government or the private sector in Nigeria.

The Act, however, exempts those who graduated after having attained the age of 30, as well as persons in the security and intelligence agencies, from participating in the national service. In this case, an exemption certificate is issued such a person by the NYSC.

But Adeosun, having graduated at the age of 22 from a University in the United Kingdom, did not participate in mandatory one-year service. On her return to Nigeria, she worked with various private and international organisations, in contravention of the NYSC Act.

After having worked for many years in Nigeria, Adeosun, according to an investigation by Premium Times, fraudulently procured a fake NYSC exemption certificate, which she includes as part of documents qualifying her to work in Nigeria. With the fake certificate, Adeosun had worked as a finance commissioner in Ogun State, before being appointed finance minister by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It’s been 69 days since the allegation of forgery was made against Adeosun, but mum has been the word from the federal government.

If the report of resignation proves correct, Adeosun would be the second high-profile cabinet member of the Buhari administration to leave office as a result of corruption allegation.

The first was former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, who was removed from office after he was found guilty of abuse of office and contract scam.

Daura remains DG by proxy… Nigerians react to Buhari’s appointment of another retiree as DSS head

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Daura remains DG by proxy… Nigerians react to Buhari’s appointment of another retiree as DSS head

PRESIDENT Muhammdu Buhari’s appointment of Yusuf Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has become a subject of fresh controversy.

Bichi took over the mantle of leadership at the DSS on Thursday, bringing to an end the 38-day tenure of Mathew Seiyefa, who was appointed as acting DG by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, following the sack of the former DG, Lawal Daura.

The controversy surrounding Bichi’s appointment stems from three reasons: (a) That Bichi has already retired from service having put in 35 years in the DSS. (b) The allegations of nepotism and tribalism against President Buhari, given that Seiyefa is from Southern Nigeria and Bichi is from the North. (c) That while Bichi was in service, he was a strong loyalist of Daura’s, and his appointment simply means that Daura was still in charge, albeit by proxy.

Yusuf Magaji Bichi, new DSS DG

Bichi joined the DSS when the body was known as the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), in 1982, and retired in February 2017. At the time of his retirement, he was the Director of Finance and Administration. According to Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), “It’s likely (that) through him (Bichi), Daura will run the agency (DSS) by proxy. It could get worse.”

Recall that President Buhari had also brought Daura, his kinsman, out of retirement to head the DSS, and under his leadership, the service became notorious for all kinds of legal and human rights violations, ranging from illegal detention to forced disappearance and torture.

Daura’s reign came to an anti-climax following the DSS blockade of the National Assembly complex in August. The incident took place while President Buhari was away in London observing his annual vacation, leaving Osinbajo as acting President.

Reports had it that when Osinbajo queried Daura as to why he ordered the NASS blockade, the latter allegedly responded that he was answerable only to the President.

After Daura was sacked, he was reported to have been taken in for questioning by the police. The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, days later, submitted a report to the presidency, stating that Daura was siding with some politicians to undermine the Buhari administration. Nothing has been heard about the investigation.

Meanwhile, in the few days that Seiyefa was in office as Acting DSS DG, there was a visible change for the better in the service’s operations. First, Seiyefa appointed a spokesman whose job it would be to communicate the agency’s activities to the public. He also ordered a review into several cases involving persons who had spent years in DSS custody without charge, and without their family members knowing their whereabouts.

Odinkalu told the ICIR that so far, his organisation, the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA) in partnership with many other organisations and groups, have negotiated the release of over 100 persons detained incommunicado for over two years by the DSS, “and there are still over 350 still there”.

Whether the DSS will continue on the path of positive reforms as had been kickstarted by Seiyefa, or it would return to the days of impunity as was the case during Daura’s leadership, is yet to be seen.

In the meantime: here are reactions from the social media for and against Bichi’s appointment:

https://twitter.com/bunmifasae/status/1040462212744261632

Already, some elders from Southern Nigeria have rejected the appointment of Bichi as the DSS DG. describing Buhari as the most “sectional, narrow, parochial, and tribalistic” President Nigeria has had since the country’s independence in 1960.

“We have looked critically at the profiles of the Acting DG who was removed and the one Buhari just appointed and it is crystal clear that Bichi does not come with any experience close to that of Seiyefa,” the group stated.

“The only qualification for this appointment is therefore only the rabid nepotism of the President which has seen him always masking personal and sectional interest as national interest.

“Besides, Bichi is an out-of-the -system man drafted by Mr Lawan Daura in the days of his nepotism rule at the DSS. The next six most senior persons in line of succession at the DSS after Seiyefa, from our findings, are all southerners, which may explain why the President picked a man who already retired from the DSS to lead because of ethnic affinity.”

Cross River asks international climate financiers to give money directly to states

Chikezie OMEJE
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Cross River asks international climate financiers to give money directly to states

Chikezie OMEJE writes from San Francisco, USA.

WITH over 50 per cent of the forests in Nigeria located in Cross River, the state is proposing that international funds should be given directly to the states, rather than the federal government, to accelerate climate action in the country.

Alice Ekwu, Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry in Cross River State, made the case on Thursday at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, United States.

Speaking at the session “Local Climate Solutions: Financing the Transition”, Ekwu said innovative financing mechanism is required to combat climate change at the sub-national level and it would require bypassing national government in accessing Green Climate Fund and other global financing opportunities for climate projects.

The Green Climate Fund is a monetary contribution by developed countries to help developing countries to invest in low carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.

For these international funds to make desired impact, Ekwu said states should have direct access to the funds because of the bureaucracy at the federal government.

“Development funds come and they go to national government,” she said. “By the time they trickle down to us, bureaucratic processes often compromise the timelines for the execution of the projects and at the end, nothing is done.”

Ekwu, who has attended annual meetings of Green Climate Fund, said the funds should be placed in the hands of those who are actually taking ambitious climate action at the state level.

“We need the climate action stepped up but the action does not happen in the central government. The actions happen in the states and the regions and we are the actors,” she said.

Ekwu is leading Cross River State in the commitment to the Under 2 Coalition, a group of ambitious state and regional governments committed to keeping global temperature rises to less than two degrees Celsius. She is the only Nigerian speaker at the Global Climate Action Summit.

Cross River is the first state in Nigeria to launch the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Maintaining and expanding forests is crucial in removing greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

With growing population and rising poverty, Nigeria’s forest resources are depleting at alarming rate. It is estimated that Nigeria has lost about two-thirds of its primary forests. The deforestation is mainly caused by unregulated logging for timber and cooking energy as well as poor farming activities.

Parts of the Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement include implementing smart agriculture and reforestation. Although under the Nigerian system, the land and forest are owned and maintained by the states.

 

Buhari appoints Yusuf Bichi as new DSS DG

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Buhari appoints Yusuf Bichi as new DSS DG

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made this known via a Tweeter post on Thursday evening.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS),” Shehu tweeted.

“The appointee is a core Secret Service operative. He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

“The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.

“Mr. Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

“The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.

“He was at various times the Dir., Nat’l Assembly Liaison, (Nat’l War College), Dir. at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection & Directorate of Administration and Finance.”

Bichi takes over from the Acting DG, Mathew Seiyefa, who was appointed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in August this year following the sack of the former DG, Lawal Daura.

Daura was fired for ordering the DSS blockade of the National Assembly complex.

Sorry, I am a Nigerian, not a politician

Editorial
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Sorry, I am a Nigerian, not a politician

 By Owei LAKEMFA

I understand the Nigerian citizen. I know he wants the basics of life: Food, shelter, education,  healthcare,  security,  clothes on his back and a footwear. But I do not know what most politicians in the country want; a lot of times, I cannot even understand their actions, philosophy or what drives them.

Four years ago, the most common characterisation of then President Goodluck Jonathan by the All Peoples Congress (APC) was that he was “clueless”. It became an anthem crooned by leaders of that party, and the pro-APC media organisations and foot soldiers.  The Jonathan administration took it in its strides. Now, four years later – with the APC’s President Muhammadu Buhari in power, when ‘The Punch’ Newspaper in its September 4,  editorial wrote that President  Buhari demonstrated “cluelessness”  in handling the herders violence, all hell was let loose.  For using such a word to describe the President,  ‘The Punch’ was virtually accused of treason. 

Presidential  Spokesperson, Garba Shehu issued a statement saying: “The editorial was not only disrespectful of the President and his office but was also reckless, thoughtless, inflammatory and totally irresponsible. ”So why was such characterisation okay for President Jonathan but treasonable when used for his successor? I ascribe the Presidency’s uncontrolled outburst to the strange ways of politicians.

Still talking about 2014, the APC sold its presidential nomination form for N27 million and the retired General Buhari said he was too poor to afford such a huge amount just to express his interest to serve his country in the highest office.  He turned to his bankers to raise a loan.

READ ALSO:

Today, four years later, the same APC form is going for N45 million, so how does our dear President pay; go for another loan when he might not have finished paying the previous one?  Aware that the president may be too poor to afford N45 Million just for an interest form, some good Nigerians outside government are alleged to have bought the form for him. But how does an anti-corruption President know the good Nigerians source of wealth?

In any case, why the astronomical price increase? Is it an indication that since President Buhari came to power, inflation has galloped so much that you will need N45 million to purchase what cost N27 Million four years ago? In any case, how does a political party that claims to be wedded to popular participation in politics, demand N45 million from any Nigerian desiring to run on its platform? Can it be a confirmation that in Nigeria, democracy is the government of the rich, by the rich, in the name of the poor?

In Yobe State, the ruling party is so enamoured by the giant strides taken by Governor  Ibrahim Gaidam that it has conferred on him the sole power to appoint his successor. Is this a democratic reward for a job well done? His counterpart in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who happens to be my favourite governor in the country, told aspirants who want to run for the gubernatorial primaries, not to waste their N22.5 million on nomination form because he and some other party leaders will appoint a “consensus candidate”.  His counterpart in Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has raced ahead, empowering some ‘elders’ to appoint the APC’s gubernatorial candidate. In all these states, there is no room for a contest amongst aspirants. You see why I do not understand politicians who vow that they are democrats?

 This, by the way, is not a speciality of the ruling APC; the grandfather of this unique form of democracy is the opposition PDP with a 19-year experience. Last Thursday, when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar turned up at the PDP Secretariat to submit his nomination form to run for the Presidency, the historical occasion was made more colourful by prolonged gunshots and bloody street fights that engulfed the roads around the office. We may never know the casualty figures. We may also never know what happened as the PDP accused the APC of hiring thugs to attack Atiku’s supporters while the latter claimed that the thugs were the hired foot soldiers of Atiku himself.

In Ogun State, another brand of democracy was on display when two legislators; Honourables Biyi Adeleye (Remo North) and Harison Adeyemi (Ogun Waterside) decided to exercise their constitutional right to belong to a party of their choice. They decided to sail from the ruling APC and berth at another party, said to be the opposition PDP. But the State Assembly rejected their letter, ruling that the legislators have no right to choose a new political party. So, apparently, the two lawmakers are trapped in the APC;  victims of an unconstitutional tyranny of the majority.

While still trying to digest all these and see if I can make sense of the governance system, I recalled that in August, I read a letter of resignation by one  Yakubu Nagoda,  addressed to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, saying: “I regret to write and inform you (of) my resignation as Special Assistant to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State on Graveyards.” I was shocked; Special Assistant on Graveyards! What would a governor who is also a professor with PhD in Public Administration need a political appointee on graveyards, why not on Resurrection or Heavenly Affairs?

His counterpart in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha has a better idea; turn the state into a blissful heaven. So, he created a Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment, to decree happiness for all citizens in the state.  His argument is that:

“The real essence of life is to be happy and to fulfil one’s purpose in life. Government officials are elected to address this. This is the very reason people elect their leaders to guarantee their happiness and purpose fulfilment.” He appointed his sister, Ogechi Ololo as the founding Commissioner in the Ministry. She promised to ensure”couples’ fulfilment”

Her main achievement so far is to campaign for men to become polygamous: “Our women are crying every day due to the lack of men to marry and support them economically hence they engage in prostitution. So please try to work hard and be productive so that you can help our women by marrying two or more wives provided you are able to provide for their basic needs”. I am wondering whether the state government should not provide interest-free loans for men to marry more wives.

With all these, I have resolved to keep to my lane as a citizen and steer clear of the lanes of our political leaders for I don’t understand their politics. Even the way they change party lanes without warning is dangerous enough. My conclusion is that this is not a democracy.

Owei Lakemfa, former secretary general of African workers is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

Osun 2018: WAEC ready to speak on Adeleke’s controversial SSCE result

'Kunle ADEBAJO
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Osun 2018: WAEC ready to speak on Adeleke’s controversial SSCE result

THE West African Examination Council (WAEC) has said it is all set to respond adequately to a court order mandating it to confirm whether Ademola Adeleke, Osun State PDP gubernatorial aspirant, wrote the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in 1981.

Demianus Ojijeogu, the council’s head of public affairs who spoke to The ICIR said, though WAEC has not yet been served the said court order, it is aware of the case and is ready to speak on the matter before the court as soon as it receives it.

“When they serve us, we’ll know what to do,” Ojijeogu said. “This is not the first time. We have already prepared our minds. Those who are in charge already know what to do.”

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday given an order mandating WAEC to depose to an affidavit establishing whether or not Adeleke sat for the SSCE conducted at Ede Muslim Grammar School in 1981 (now Ede Muslim High School), within five days of service.

Asides this, WAEC was also ordered to furnish the ledger containing results of all candidates who sat for the examination at Ede Muslim Grammar School, also within the stipulated deadline.

The court acted upon an application filed by Wahab Adekunle Raheem and Adam Omosalewa Habeeb against Adeleke, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Three suits in a row

An earlier suit filed at the Osun State High Court by Rasheed Olatunji and Idowu Oluwaseun was dismissed in August by Justice David Oladimeji. The court had said though the defendant’s documents contained “some serious and damaging irregularities,” the plaintiffs failed to prove the allegation of forgery.

A second suit was instituted by Oyetunji Suredi and Olagboye Adedamola, on August 20, challenging the PDP flag bearer’s candidacy. However, only a week after, this was also dismissed following the plaintiff’s decision to withdraw the case.

WAEC certificate not with INEC

Adeleke’s WAEC certificate was not part of documents submitted to INEC to support his senatorial aspiration in 2017 and his gubernatorial candidacy in 2018. Instead, he submitted a statement of result, a school testimonial, and a letter of attestation signed by Abass Khalid, principal of Ede Muslim High School.

These documents, however, contain certain irregularities. For instance, the testimonial which states that it was given thirty years ago, on 20th July 1988, has the same signature as the current principal of the school. Also, while the testimonial includes Yoruba as one of the eight subjects Adeleke sat for in the secondary school certificate examination, his statement of result replaces this with Christian Religious Studies.

The possibility of disqualification

Adeleke risks being disqualified by INEC if it is established that he is guilty of forgery or that he provided false information about himself to the commission.

According to the Electoral Act, a candidate stands disqualified from contesting elections if he provides false information in his/her affidavit (Form CF 001). Also, “a political party which presents such a candidate is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine up to N500,000: 00.”

Section 182 of the 1999 Constitution additionally provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if “he has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission”.

The ICIR, in July, had reported that Adeleke did not graduate from Jacksonville State University, Alabama, contrary to his claim as published on the National Assembly website. The following month, while remaining silent on whether he validly obtained a degree from the U.S. university, Adeleke replied that he did not require a WAEC certificate to gain admission into the institution.

NIMC says new national ID card to also serve as credit card despite earlier failure

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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NIMC says new national ID card to also serve as credit card despite earlier failure

THE National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the new national identity card has a special feature which would enable it to also be used as a credit card.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NIMC’s head of corporate communications, Loveday Ogbonna, said the commission is partnering with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) to enable owners of the new e-ID card to carry out financial activities using the card.

This was despite the fact NIMC has been unable to capture up to a quarter of Nigerians in its platform after eight years

“The card at the point of collection if activated could be used for financial transaction around the world and even on any master card platform, verve and others,” Ogbonna said.

“There is a provision in the system that enables you to load any amount of money you want into the card through ATM or POS. The bank we are using now is UBA, other banks will still come on board and at the point of collecting the card, the payment outlet is activated to enable you use it for financial transactions.

“Money can be paid into that card and money can also be withdrawn on any ATM anywhere around the world. You can also make purchases online, subscribe for DSTV, POS payment, and check balance and others.

“All you need do is to approach any UBA bank and request them to load the card with any amount of money that you want.”

Empty talk?

Former President Goodluck Jonathan all smiles as he withdrew money from an ATM using his national e-ID card. Perhaps his was an isolated case.

NIMC was established in 2010 with the primary mandate of capturing all Nigerians into a single database and issuing them with permanent national identity cards, but eight years after, the commission has failed almost woefully to attain even half of this mandate.

An investigation published by the ICIR in December 2017 revealed that a billions of naira have been allocated to NIMC since its inception, but the commission has only been able to capture only about 25 per cent of Nigeria’s 180 million population into its database, while not more than five per cent of those captured have been issued with their cards.

NIMC records show that between 2010 and 2017 less than one million Nigerians have been issued with the so-called e-ID card.

But despite not achieving its primary mandate, NIMC has continued to engage in frivolous spendings.  In 2015, the commission was queried by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation for mismanaging the sum of N3.5 billion on questionable procurements and project execution. The report from the AuGF said the expenditure violated all known procurement rules and extant financial regulations of Nigeria.

Another investigation by the ICIR showed that the process of enrolment for the new e-ID card was steeped in bribery and extortion by NIMC officials. In some of the enrolment centres, citizens were asked to contribute money for fuel to power the generators to be used for the process.

Non-existent customer service

The ICIR checked the NIMC website to get more information about the e-ID card programme, but the website did not offer much information.

Having enrolled for the e-ID card in 2013, this reporter tried to check his enrolment status to know whether his card was ready, but it was not.

Enrolled for the NIMC e-ID card in 2013, but card not ready after five years

An email sent to the address provided on the website — info@nimc.gov.ng — did not deliver. “Your message couldn’t be delivered to info@nimc.gov.ng. Their inbox is full, or it’s getting too much mail right now,” read an automatic message sent to this reporter.

NIMC’s mailbox cannot receive any more emails because it is filled up.

Calls to the two phone numbers provided on the website did not connect. One was constantly busy, and the other was not reachable.

DISASTER: Dozens of communities in Niger State submerged in flood

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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DISASTER: Dozens of communities in Niger State submerged in flood

OVER one hundred communities have been submerged in flood in Niger State as a result of the overflow of the River Niger following torrential rainfalls, Channels Television has reported.

Residents of the affected communities have been evacuated as the flood covered entire houses leaving only the rooftops visible. Thankfully, no casualty has been recorded in the disaster so far.

Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, visited the flooded areas on Thursday, alongside members of the state’s cabinet. He told journalists that the state government is doing everything possible to get people out to safer locations.

Aerial view of the communities affected by flooding in Niger State. Photo Credit: Channels Television

Bello said this was not the first time the state would be witnessing flooding disasters, adding that residents had refused to relocate from the flood-prone areas despite several warnings. According to him, the people said they could not abandon their ancestral homes.

Reports also have it that the people of the community are mostly fishermen and farmers and they rely so much on the River Niger for their daily survival, hence their reluctance to relocate away from the waterways.

The Governor said the ultimate solution will be to relocate the people living along the waterways, “but that will be later. Right now, we want to see how we can provide them with their basic needs, food, drugs, and other relief materials”.

Aerial view of the areas affected by flooding in Niger State. Photo Credit: Channels Television.

On Wednesday, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Inga, said the flooding was also made worse by the release of water from the Shiroro hydroelectric power station.

“This water is flowing from Shiroro hydroelectric power station as a result of the spillage ongoing into the villages. We have communicated the management of Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station to reduce the level of their spilling to enable the people to return to their homes,” Inga said.

But Governor Bello told journalists on Thursday that the waters do not appear to be receding, “In fact, we expect it to get worse”. He added that the disaster was no longer what the state government can handle alone, and urged the federal government to come to their assistance.

Kofi Annan  for burial today

Rebecca Akinremi
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Kofi Annan  for burial today

THE former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan who died on August 18th would be buried today, Thursday at the military cemetery located in Accra, Capital of Ghana. 

After his remains arrived Ghana on Monday, a series of events was carried out to celebrate Annan’s life. However, his final funeral, holding at Accra International Conference Centre has received a great attendance of world dignitaries to give their last respects.

Accordingly, the United Nations paid final respects to the Ghanian diplomat and Nobel Peace Laureate Annan earlier on Thursday at the state funeral as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio  Guterres, in his remarks said Annan was an exceptional global leader and who anyone in the world could see themselves in.

Giving glowing remarks, Guetteres said, “Kofi Annan was both one-of-a-kind and one of us. He was an exceptional global leader.”

He said Annan was fond of uniting people towards a common goal for the humanity. “He had that gentle voice, that lilt that made people smile and think of music. But his words were tough and wise.

“Annan could say everything, sometimes without uttering a word. It came from the dignity and the moral conviction and the humanity that was so deep in him.”

The UN chief said Kofi Annan was courageous, speaking truth to power while subjecting himself to intense self-scrutiny.

Pointing to his time at the helm of the UN, Guterres said Annan had an almost mystical sense of the role of the UN as a force for good in a world of ills. Guteress said Annan brought UN close to the world’s people. He noted that Anan engaged new partners in protecting the environment, defending human rights and combating HIV and AIDS and other killer diseases.

“He pioneered new ideas and initiatives, including the Millennium Development Goals and the landmark reforms in his report, In Larger Freedom.”

“Kofi Annan was the UN and the United Nation was him,” he remarked.

Mr Guterres said now that he occupied the office Annan once held, he is continually inspired by his integrity, dynamism and dedication.

“To him, indifference was the world’s worst poison. Even after finishing his term as Secretary-General, he never stopped battling on the front-lines of diplomacy.

“He helped to case post-election tensions in Kenya, gave his all to find a political solution to the brutal war in Syria and set out a path for ensuring justice and rights for the Rohingya people of Myanmar.

Mr Guterres said the people of the world to be inspired by the legacy of Kofi Annan. “let us always be  guided by the knowledge that he will continue speaking to us, urging us on towards the goals to which he dedicated his life and truly moved our world.”

Kofi Annan, born in Ghana on  April 8, 1938, passed away in Switzerland on 18th August 2018 at the age of 80 years. He joined the UN in 1962 and worked in several departments of the world body before he was the secretary-general. He handed over to Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea on January 1, 2007.

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