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Governor Sacks LG Sole Administrators

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Governor Sacks LG Sole Administrators
Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu
Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu

Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, has removed 17 out of the 21 Local Government Sole Administrators in the state.

The governor told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday that the affected LG administrators had completed their one year term as approved by the State House of Assembly.

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He explained that they were initially appointed to serve for only three months, but State assembly had approved an extension following a request by the executive.

Bagudu commended the LG managers for their service to the state, assuring them that the government would utilize their experiences if the need arises.

He said, “The government will consequently appoint acting caretaker leaders from among appointed councillors of various local government councils.

Four of the local government sole administrators, including those of Arewa, Kalgo, Koko Besse and Fakai local government councils are to continue in office because their tenure has not yet expired.

Troops Kill Four, Arrest One Insurgents In Yobe

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Troops Kill Four, Arrest One Insurgents In Yobe

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Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the early hours of Wednesday killed four Boko Haram members and captured one at Gajire village in Yobe State while on clearance and fighting patrol, following some intelligence that some insurgents were hiding there.

The exchange of fire with the insurgents, according to army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a Colonel, lasted for 15 minutes and led to the recovery of some weapons and ammunition such as two General Purpose Machine Guns, GMPG, two AK-47 rifles and 144 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

Also recovered were two motorcycles.

“The troops have continued to patrol the general area in search of possible remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists that might be hibernating in the area,” the army spokesman said.

EFCC Declares Former Katsina Governor Wanted

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EFCC Declares Former Katsina Governor Wanted

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Former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a statement on Wednesday, Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman of the anti-graft agency said the former governor was wanted “in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, inflation of contract, abuse of office, diversion of funds, and embezzlement running into billions of naira.”

The EFCC spokesman stated that Shema had ignored several invitations by the commission since December 1, 2015 when he was first summoned by the agency.

He added that efforts to locate him at his known address in Abuja and Katsina had been futile.

Uwajuren urged anybody who has useful information as to the ex-governor’s whereabouts to “contact the commission or report to the nearest police station.”

Shema, a son in-law to former president Umaru Yar’adua, hails from Dutse-enma local government area of Katsina state and became governor in 2007, same year Yar’adua was elected president.

He has denied the allegations of corruption levelled against him, saying the whole saga was a witch-hunt by his successor,Aminu Bello Masari.

Military Warns Journalists Over Coverage Of Insurgency

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Military Warns Journalists Over Coverage Of Insurgency

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The Nigerian military has advised journalists to always seek its approval before embarking on the coverage of the Boko Haram insurgency. This, it said, is to ensure that the journalists are given adequate security.

“Much as the military is not trying to gag the press from carrying out their legitimate duties, permission should be sought from the Armed Forces before embarking on such venture.

Defence spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier General, in a statement issued on Thursday, said that in addition to endangering themselves, the unauthorised activities of journalists are capable of derailing the counterinsurgency war, even though Boko Haram has been largely decimated.

“It has been observed that certain journalists embark on coverage of security areas in the North East for documentary purpose and the likes without due authorization from the military authorities. This practice is not only capable of jeopardizing the success of the on-going military operations in the area but also poses great concern to the safety of the journalists concerned,” the statement read.

Rabe said that the warning is not an attempt to gag the press, but insisted that journalists must seek permission from the military before going to the affected areas.

“Much as the military is not trying to gag the press from carrying out their legitimate duties, permission should be sought from the Armed Forces before embarking on such venture. This will enable adequate security to be provided for such journalists by the military. Even though Boko Haram has been substantially decimated any roaming journalist could be a target of unsuspecting fleeing Boko Haram member and this will not be in the best interest of media organizations and the nation at large,” he stated.

Court Berates DSS For Continued Detention Of Suspect

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Court Berates DSS For Continued Detention Of Suspect

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, has lashed out on the Department of State Services, DSS, for the continued detention of Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore and member of the presidential team investigating the arms deal in the country.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said this on Wednesday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Emeka Ohazurike and 19 others.

He said that the continued detention of the suspect the DSS, even after he had met his bail conditions was illegal and an assault on the judiciary.

Dimgba asked the counsel to the DSS, Shimana Adzer, to convey the message to the security outfit.

The DSS had arraigned Mohammed over allegations of money laundering, possession of fire arms and violation of Official Secret Act.

Mohammed had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million.

However, several months after he had met his bail requirements, the DSS has refused to release the former Air officer.

Ohazurike and his group of human rights activists then sued the DSS for alleged violation of the fundamental human rights of Mohammed.

They asked the court to declare that the arrest and detention of Mohammed was unlawful, unconstitutional, malicious and an abuse of his rights to human dignity.

The group who said they were acting on behalf of Mohammed also sought an order directing the DSS to release the defendant.

They also wanted the court to order the DSS to pay N500 million damages to Mohammed as well as publish an apology to him in at least two national newspapers.

Justice Dimgba, however, held that since he was certain that Mohammed did not authorize the suit, he could not grant the reliefs of money and an apology being sought for by the plaintiffs.

NURTW Calls For Extension Of Speed Limit Device Deadline

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NURTW Calls For Extension Of Speed Limit Device Deadline

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The National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Bayelsa State chapter has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to extend the October 1 deadline for the implementation of the speed limiting device.

State Chairman of the transport union, ThankGod Eribo, made the appeal in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Wednesday.

He, however, agreed the initiative was a laudable one which the union must comply with.

The NURTW boss said, “The initiative is as important as the engine of a vehicle, especially to our members, who are the major road users; and this is what we have been expecting from the FRSC.

“We will comply with the initiative, since it is a safety precaution to reduce crashes.”

Eribo noted that the enforcement date was too near and pleaded with the FRSC to extend the date and also make the price of the device affordable.

Nigeria Needs Fiscal, Not Geographical Restructuring – Gov Tambuwal

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Nigeria Needs Fiscal, Not Geographical Restructuring – Gov Tambuwal
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal

Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that what Nigeria needs to undergo was fiscal and not geographical restructuring, positing that the state’s should have a better deal that they currently enjoy.

Tambuwal made his position known when he received members of some professional groups who paid him Sallah homage on Wednesday in Sokoto.

The governor was of the opinion that state and local governments should receive more from the federation account than the federal government.

“The state and the local governments are the closest tiers of government to the people, unfortunately, they are getting less than the Federal Government from the Federation Account.

“The ugly trend should be reversed in favour of states and local governments to enable them meet the overwhelming demands of the grassroots,” he said.

Governor Tambuwal also said that dialogue remained the best tool to resolving all challenges facing the nation, adding, however, that “the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.”

He said: “Dialogue is also the most potent tool to resolve all problems, anywhere and at any time.

“There are really challenges in Nigeria, and it is not peculiar to the nation, and these challenges are surmountable.”

Tambuwal promised to revive ailing industries in the state in partnership with the chamber, and adopt policies to bolster trade and commerce.

The governor also assured non-indigenes living in the state that they are equal partners in running the affairs of the state.

He promised that his administration would not discriminate against anyone, irrespective of tribe or religion.

Among the groups that visited the governor were the Sokoto Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture; Association of Resident Communities and the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations.

Resident Doctors Insists FG Must Address Health Sector Issues

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Resident Doctors Insists FG Must Address Health Sector Issues

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The Association of Resident Doctors has insisted that the federal government must as a matter of urgency address the many challenges facing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

This was the fall-out of 36th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, NARDN, held in Enugu State, South east Nigeria.

President of the association, Ugochukwu Onyebueze, listed the resurgence of Polio and Lassa fever among other challenges facing the nation’s health sector.

“We will increase the campaign on infectious disease control. This is important because people need to live,” he stated.

“We are going to pay attention to campaign for improved accessibility to healthcare delivery in Nigeria through ensuring and insisting that the National Health Act is fully implemented.

“We feel that there is ineptitude of the government mechanism that is supposed to be responsible for the eradication, awareness and control of these infectious diseases,” he told reporters.

Onyebueze also complained about the welfare of doctors who are on the residency programme across the country.

He said many members were being owed remuneration, while others suffer victimisation by some Chief Medical Directors of Teaching Hospitals.

“We also observe the deplorable remuneration of our members in states’ health institutions, with most having to endure many months without salary and others having been confined to irregular emoluments of varied percentages even in the present arduous economic conditions in the country,” he said.

Boko Haram Threatens To Capture President Buhari In New Video

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Boko Haram Threatens To Capture President Buhari In New Video

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The Boko Haram terrorist group has released a new video purportedly shot on Eid-el-Kabir day.

In the video which was posted on YouTube, the group said it wanted to send out a message that it remained a strong force.

A narrator, speaking in Hausa, said the video was shot somewhere in Borno State, North east Nigeria, where the sect has its base.

The clip shows suspected terrorists praying on what the narrator said is an Eid ground on Sallah day.

Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect did not appear in the video, but the narrator said his deputy, whose name was not mentioned, represented him at the gathering.

The narrator threatened to capture President Muhammadu Buhari, calling him a non – believer and restating terrorist group’s determination to continue its jihad against Nigeria.

“This is our eid prayer from us and by the support of our leader Imam Abubakar Al-Shekau. We are extending our greetings to our people and fighters,” the Narrator said.

“Message to the infidels and the leader of the entire infidels (kafir) who is the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, that he should know we are very strong and doing very good.

“By the will of Allah under the leadership of our leader (Shekau) will capture Buhari with our hands,” the group said.

Exactly one month ago, the Boko Haram terrorist group released a video clip, purportedly showing some of the kidnapped Chibok School girls and saying that the rest had been killed during an aerial bombardment by the Nigerian military.

The narrator also said the group would be willing to release the Chibok girls on the condition that its fighters in government detention were released.

Only a few days ago, rumours broke out on social media that the federal government had already commenced a prisoner swap with the sect with the release of one of the sect’s leaders, Kabiru Sokoto, who was handed a life sentence for masterminding the Christmas Day bombing in 2013.

Nigerian Prison Authorities, however, said the reports were not true as Sokoto was still in  custody.

FG Says Nigeria Did Not Concession Ajaokuta Steel Company

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FG Says Nigeria Did Not Concession Ajaokuta Steel Company

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The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has said that the federal government has no plans to concession the Ajaokuta Steel Company to any foreign firm.

The ministry said there was no official engagement with anybody on the steel company, describing the insinuations in some quarters to the contrary as misleading.

He, however, said the original concession agreement that was signed between Nigeria, Global Steel Holding Limited and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited “has been re-modified.”

Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Kayode Fayemi, stated this when he hosted  the Executive Director of a Non-Governmental Organisation, CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Masade, who led a team of civil society organisations on a courtesy visit to him on Wednesday.

The minister, represented by his technical adviser, Egghead Odewale, also expressed concerns over the activities of illegal miners in the country.

He said, “The original concession agreement that was signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria, Global Steel Holding Limited and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited has been re-modified.

“It has been modified to decouple Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited from Nigeria Iron Ore Mining Company in Itakpe.

“What that also portends is that Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited now has seven years of their original concession to complete the mining operation to operate neo-coal in Itakpe, whereas Ajaokuta has reverted to the government of Nigeria,” Fayemi explained.

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