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New Naval Commander Pledges To Protect Oil Installations In N/Delta

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New Naval Commander Pledges To Protect Oil Installations In N/Delta

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Apochi Suleiman, a Naval Rear Admiral and the new Commander deployed to take charge of the military operation in the Niger Delta codenamed “Operation Delta Safe” has said that he would introduce new strategies in order to better protect Nigeria’s oil facilities from militants.

Suleiman, made the remarks during an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayels State on Saturday.

He maintained that the major duty of the military in the Niger Delta was to protect oil and gas facilities as well as to curb criminality.

According to him, the new strategies he introduced to strengthen the joint military operations against renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region were already yielding results.

The military commander said: “In my short time of assumption of duty on November 16, 2016, I have tried to sustain and improve on the pace which has yielded some successes.

“Just a few days ago on Wednesday troops in Cross River encountered militants in a gun duel around Ikang axis and arrested one of the militants and recovered large cache of arms and ammunition.”

Suleiman commended the efforts of his predecessor Joseph Okojie, and assured that the experiences he had gathered during his time as Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, at the Central Naval Command in Yenagoa would ne brought to bear in this new assignment.

He warned that Operation Delta Safe under his command would not condone unprovoked attacks on the military by communities under its area of responsibility.

“The last attack on the military men on duty killing some in cold blood is regrettable and condemnable and when our men went after their killers there was public outcry,” Suleiman said.

“This is a note of warning that any community that attacks our soldiers should be ready for the consequences, we shall not tolerate any community that habours criminals, we are not here to invade any community, but we are after criminals.

“Any community that habours criminals has lost its immunity, any further unprovoked attack shall be resisted with every resource at our disposal and we shall remain within our mandate,” he warned.

Voting Ongoing In Tense Rivers Legislative Re-Run Elections

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Voting Ongoing In Tense Rivers Legislative Re-Run Elections

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Voting is currently underway in Rivers State in the legislative re-run elections which had been twice rescheduled due to violence and insecurity.

A total restriction of movement had been announced in the state as part of efforts to keep the exercise peaceful and credible.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the exercise is being conducted in the three Senatorial districts for senatorial seats.

The rerun is also held in eight Federal Constituencies for the House of Representatives seats and 10 State Constituencies for state assembly seats.

In Bera Ward 16, Gokana LGA, the turnout was early and massive while the election materials arrived at 8.30 a.m.

NAN also reports that card readers are working well in all the 16 polling units of Bera Ward 16 in local government area visited.

NAN further reports that all the polling units in the local government were organised in the Community Secondary School, Bera.

The agency reports that voters were coordinated but under the heavy presence of the security operatives.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the cancellation of election in ward 9 unit 3 of Ogu/Bolo LGA after hoodlums carted away result sheets and bitter disagreement between PDP and APC.

INEC had deployed a total of 10,294 electoral staff for the exercise.

Two factors make the exercise a high risk: the animosity between Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the state’s notorious history of electoral violence.

The two men represent the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party respectively.

Rivers Police spokesperson, Omoni Nnamdi, told journalists that 28,000 officers have been fully deployed and are ready for the elections.

Similarly, The Nigerian Army has also deployed troops to various locations identified as flash points in the state in order to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Buhari Congratulates Ghana’s President-Elect

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Buhari Congratulates Ghana’s President-Elect

buhari-congratulates-ghanas-president-elect

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo, candidate of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, in the just concluded Ghana presidential election, on his victory at the polls.

This was contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Saturday.

Buhari also commended the government and people of Ghana, the National Electoral Commission, and candidates of political parties, “for the decorum, maturity and peaceful conduct of the election that produced a winner from an opposition party, who was contesting for the third time.”

“As a scion of one of the biggest political families in Ghana, and with the lessons learnt from previous unsuccessful attempts preceded by years of service to the country, most notably as foreign affairs minister, President Buhari believes Akufo-Addo is widely experienced and skilled in leadership to build on the legacies of President John Dramani Mahama,” Adesina stated.

President Buhari also eulogized the incumbent President, John Mahama, for his statesmanship and great leadership qualities.

He recalled that Mahama came into power at a trying period in the history of Ghana, following the death of former President John Atta-Mills, adding that the President has kept pushing for a better life for all Ghanaians, and strengthening diplomatic relations with countries in the sub-region, especially Nigeria.

Buhari commended president Maham for the great courage to call his opponent and concede defeat, pointing out that political leaders must always honour their pre-election pledge to accept the results of polls as the will of the people.

He called on the president-elect and other winners of the parliamentary elections in Ghana to be magnanimous in victory while losers should explore peaceful and legal mechanisms to challenge the outcome of the polls where necessary.

Adesina stated that “President Buhari remains optimistic that the future of African development rests on building strong political, democratic institutions, ensuring free, fair and credible elections, and respect for the sanctity of the ballot.”

Army Reacts To ICIR Story, Bans Illicit Drugs At Mammy Market

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Army Reacts To ICIR Story, Bans Illicit Drugs At Mammy Market

army-bans-illegal-drug-stors-in-mammy-market

The Nigerian Army has announced an immediate ban on the sale of illicit drugs and other illegal substances at the Mammy Market at the Giginya Barracks in Sokoto.

This follows an investigation by the editor of icirnigeria, Tajudeen Suleiman, on how the abuse of drugs and other substances thrives at various army barracks in Northern Nigeria.

The report had specifically indicted the Sokoto barracks where patent medicine dealers sell cough syrups and other illegal drugs freely and without hiding to their numerous customers who are mostly women.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Umar Shuaib, announced the ban in a statement on Saturday, adding that the directive was issued by the Commander, 1 Brigade, Sokoto, Ginikawa Nwosu.

Shuaib stated that all shops dealing in such substances at the market had also been closed immediately.

He said: “This is in line with his (Nwosu’s) commitment towards ensuring sanity in the market and the entire barracks community.

“The commander is hereby assuring the Sokoto State Government, Sultanate Council and the entire people of the state that no stone will be left unturned in restoring the values and traditions of the Seat of the Caliphate.

“Also, this move is in cognisance of the ethos and values of the Nigerian Army.”

There have been incessant complaints from various quarters about the sale of illegal substances at the various mammy markets located within army barracks across the country, with majority of the customers being youth, including women.

Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, had on December 7, urged the army commander, Nwosu, during the latter’s courtesy visit to the Sultan’s palace, to see to it that all such illegal drugs shops were closed down

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the issue of drug abuse among youths was the centre point of a meeting of the Sokoto State Security Council on December 8.

Residents that were interviewed by journalists commended Nwosu for the ban, saying that drug abuse was destroying the future of the youth of the state and Nigeria in general.

Adamawa Blasts: Atiku Urges Vigilance

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Adamawa Blasts: Atiku Urges Vigilance
Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar

Musa Ahmed

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the latest bomb blast in Madagali, Adamawa State, which reportedly led to the loss of scores of lives and many more critically injured.

He also proposed intelligence surge to avert such horrendous attacks and greater vigilance on the part of citizens, especially in the liberated communities.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his media office, the former Vice President expressed his deepest grief and regret over such heartless disregard for human life by terrorists, adding that indiscriminate mass murderers should not be allowed to defeat humanity and impose their reign of terror on the people.

According to the former Vice President, the Boko Haram terrorists still pose a real threat, and the country must redouble its efforts and unite against them.

Abubakar called for greater vigilance on the part of citizens and increased intelligence, as the military wraps up its operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

He said that it was highly regrettable that “these terrorists are hiding behind religious ideology to commit atrocities against innocent people, despite the fact that Islam, and indeed any other religion prohibits the murder of innocent people.”

The Turakin Adamawa said that it was unfortunate that the Boko Haram terrorists have virtually crippled the Northern economy and disrupted its social life.

He called on the Federal Government to redouble its efforts, even as he proposed an intelligence surge in the war against terrorism, adding that the militants have contempt for peace and therefore, should be fiercely confronted.

The former Vice President condoled with the families of the victims and survivors of the blast as well as the Adamawa State Government.

He urged that no effort should be spared towards providing medical treatment for the scores of injured.

“Our people will not be bowed by terrorists. We must keep up our vigilance and increase intelligence even in liberated communities,” he declared.

Opposition Party Wins Ghana’s Presidential Election

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Opposition Party Wins Ghana’s Presidential Election
Ghana's President Elect, Nana Akufo-Addo
Ghana’s President Elect, Nana Akufo-Addo

Ghana’s opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo has won Wednesday’s tightly contested presidential election.

72-year-old Akufo-Addo, a human rights lawyer from the New Patriotic Party, NPP, won the election on his third attempt to reach the presidency, after a campaign dominated by the country’s faltering economy.

Defeat for incumbent President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, makes him the first incumbent to lose an election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy in 1992.

Ghana’s Electoral Commission, EC, declared Akufo-Addo winner of the presidential poll, with 53.85% of the votes, while Mahama took 44.40%. Turnout was at 68.62%.

On Thursday the EC announced that it was manually verifying the results because its electronic system had been targeted by hackers.

A former justice and foreign minister in the NPP government from 2001 to 2007, Akufo-Addo’s main campaign promise was that of industrialization, saying he would build a factory in each of Ghana’s more than 200 districts.

The new president-elect also promised free high-school education but critics have questioned the viability of his ambitions.

Akufo-Addo tweeted that president Mahama has phoned him to congratulate him on his victory, and this was corroborated.

Ghana has been a multi-party democracy since the end of military rule in 1992 and this result is seen as reinforcing its reputation for the peaceful transfer of power between administrations.

“I make this solemn pledge to you tonight: I will not let you down,” the president-elect told a jubilant crowd in front of his residence in Accra, the country’s capital.

“I will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations.”

Akufo-Addo’s victory means that the NPP is now in charge of both the Presidency and the Parliament.

In the previous election in 2012, Mahama, from the National Democratic Congress, defeated Akufo-Addo by less than 300,000 votes.

Former Vice President to late President John Atta-Mills, Mahama defeated Akufo-Addo in the last elections in 2012 by less than 300,000 votes.

“I want to assure the nation that we will respect the outcome of the elections, positive or negative,” Mahama had said when news broke that the opposition party had taken an early lead in the collation of results.

His main campaign promise was to launch more infrastructure projects and create jobs but Mahama’s administration has been widely criticized for the incessant power outages in the country during his tenure.

He has been nicknamed “Mr Dumsor”, a local word that refers to the power cuts.

A run-off would have been held later in the month if neither of the two main candidates secured more than 50% of the votes.

The other four candidates include former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Party, NDP, whose husband Jerry Rawlings initially took power in the 1979 coup.

She is the first woman to run for president in the West African country.

The general election in Ghana also witnessed major surprises in the parliament.

Veteran politician and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hanna Tetteh lost her seat to former telecoms executive George Andah.

It was, however, not all gloom for the Rawlings family as Zanetor Rawlings, the eldest daughter of former President Rawlings won her constituency in the Greater Accra region.

Similarly, Political newcomer and popular talk show host, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah won his constituency with a wide margin; while history was made when 23-year-old Francisca Oteng-Mensah of the NPP won parliamentary seat to become the youngest lawmaker in Africa.

Gambian Leader Rejects Election Results After Admitting Defeat

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Gambian Leader Rejects Election Results After Admitting Defeat
Incumbent Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh
Incumbent Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh

Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month, a week after conceding defeat.

The Gambian leader cited “abnormalities” in the vote and called for fresh elections.

Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, was defeated by Adama Barrow, who won more than 43% of the vote.

Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy by refusing to accept the result. His transition team said the president-elect was safe.

The results were revised by the country’s electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area were added incorrectly, swelling Barrow’s vote.

The error, which also added votes to the other candidates, “has not changed the status quo” of the result, the commission said.

However, it narrowed Barrow’s margin of victory from 9% to 4%.

Jammeh said that he now rejected the results of the election “in totality”.

He said: “After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election,

“I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process,

“I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission.”

The government in neighbouring Senegal condemned the move and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye, speaking on national television, urged President Jammeh to respect the election result.

The US has “strongly condemned” Jammeh’s rejection of the result.

“This action is a reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately,” a spokesman of the state department said

A spokesperson of Barrow’s said the head of the army,  Ousman Badjie, a general, supported the president-elect, having pledged his allegiance after the initial result.

The BBC’s West Africa correspondent, Thomas Fessy, said people have been celebrating the end of Jammeh’s 22-year rule for the past week, but now The Gambia’s future looks uncertain again.

Barrow, a property developer, is due to take office in late January.

The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, with a population of fewer than two million.

In his 22 years in power, Jammeh acquired a reputation as a ruthless leader.

Ahead of the election, Human Rights Watch accused him of using violence to silence critics. The group said two activists had died in custody and dozens of people had been jailed and denied medical or legal help.

House Of Reps Begins Retreat On Constitution Amendment

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House Of Reps Begins Retreat On Constitution Amendment

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The House of Representatives has commenced a two-day retreat on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Abeokuta, Ogun capital.

The retreat which was organised by the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, has as its theme: “The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building.”

Speaker Yakubu Dogara while declaring the retreat open, called on the committee to be guided by national interest and not parochial, sectional or religious considerations in its assignment.

Represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker advised the committee to consult widely and come up with a constitution that would stand the test of time.

He pointed out that there were areas in the constitution amendment where the 7th National Assembly had secured consensus of the National Assembly as well as approval of the various state Houses of Assembly, asking the committee to take that into consideration.

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Yusuf Lasun, noted that the House had been working tirelessly to ensure that the 4th Alteration Bill was given speedy passage.

He added that the retreat would provide the committee an opportunity to consult with stakeholders on the issue.

“Constitution amendment process is a serious matter and oftentimes challenging,” Lasun said.

“Thus, the committee is involving the participation of various stakeholders to make their much-needed contributions.”

According to the deputy speaker, among the issues listed for constitutional review are; same sex marriage, resource control and local government creation. Others are state police, electoral laws and appointment of judges.

He noted that the 7th Assembly had gone an appreciable length in the constitution amendment, adding that the 8th Assembly would rely on the framework laid by the previous Assembly to address unresolved issues.

Lasun said, “Here in Nigeria, several attempts made to amend the constitution have often ended in futility.

“We have decided that the process should commence and fast-tracked to ensure a time passage of the Bill.”

Bola Ajibola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice, as well as former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice advised the committee to treat their assignment as crucial to the future of the nation.

He called on the committee members to use the instrument of the constitutional amendment to address Nigeria’s ailing economy.

“We have never had it this bad before and we have never been in this situation before,” Ajibola said.

“The constitution needs to be adjusted, amended and corrected in other to fit in and address the drastic situation we have found ourselves.”

Over 5,000 Civil Servants To Have Own Houses

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Over 5,000 Civil Servants To Have Own Houses

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Up to 5,635 federal civil servants will now have the opportunity to have their own houses as the Federal Government launched a N13 billion Federal Civil Servants Mortgage Refinancing Scheme on Friday in Abuja.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said  that the federal government recognised the need for housing and has provided the sum of N40 billion in the  2016 Budget for the implementation of a comprehensive housing scheme.

She said, “This is to address the housing challenges facing the country, improve the living conditions and welfare of our work-force and people, as well as generate gainful employment for our teeming youths.’’

“It is only fair that those who serve the country can be afforded the opportunity of owning their own homes at retirement.

“We have to put in place the right incentives as part of our anti-corruption drive to plug leakages.’’

Adeosun disclosed that the scheme was a collaboration steered by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, FGSHLB.

She added that the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme, FISH, and the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc, NMRC, were also part of the collaboration.

The minister pointed out that the ministry had concluded arrangements to provide a complementary and sustainable housing market finance ecosystem to address the challenges of affordable housing.

Adeosun said that this would be done through Family Homes Fund, FHF Ltd., an innovative private sector-driven financing programme.

According to her, the initiative is expected to catalyse funds from the private sector, pension and insurance funds, multilateral agencies and impact investors.

The minister said the fund would be used to selectively intervene in the areas of developer financing and mortgage provision.

She said that the scheme was being implemented in partnership with state governments which would contribute land with the necessary approvals.

Adeosun called on willing investors to explore the investment opportunities and support the federal government’s initiatives towards providing affordable housing for Nigerians.

The Managing Director, NMRC, Charles Inyanete, said that it was imperative for the public and private sectors to come together to address the country’s housing problem.

He said that the company had taken the housing value chain approach to deal with the challenges.

“We are looking at housing right from where we need to get land titles and infrastructure to support the land.

“We are happy to see FHF stepping in to really help in providing the construction finance that is critical and in also providing the mortgages that will fit into our refinancing activities.

“Our mission is to bring down the barriers that prevent home ownership by really providing the liquidity required by making home ownership more affordable and accessible,’ he said.

30 Confirmed Dead In Adamawa Blasts

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30 Confirmed Dead In Adamawa Blasts

Diary blast

Military Authorities have confirmed that 30 people lost their lives in the bomb blast that rocked a local market in Madagali, Adamawa State, North East Nigeria.

Spokesman of the 28th Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Badere Akintoye, told newsmen that the two teen female suicide bombers sneaked into the busy market and detonated their explosives.

“For now 30 were confirmed dead and another 67 (were) injured and have been evacuated to Michika hospital,” he said.

Madagali is close to Borno, the state worst-affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

It was one of several others captured by the terrorists at the height of the insurgency but has since been recaptured by troops of the Nigerian military.

Friday’s attack was not the first in Madagali as a busy motor park had been targeted by two female suicide bombers a year ago, precisely on December 28, 2015.

Local sources had earlier said two female suicide bombers detonated the bombs at the grains and second hand clothes section of the market, Fridaynoon, killing dozens of people.

Chairman of Madagali Local Government, Yusuf Muhammad, described the attack as a huge setback to the community as relative peace have returned to the area and residents have resumed normal commercial and social activities following successful military operations.

He called on government to deploy more soldiers to the surrounding areas where he said Boko Haram insurgents had set up camps.

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