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CAN Angry At Kerry’s “Discriminatory” Visit

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CAN Angry At Kerry’s “Discriminatory” Visit
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, Sulan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, Sulan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed dissatisfaction with the visit of the United States’ Secretary of State, John Kerry, to Nigeria, describing it as “discriminatory and divisive.”

Secretary Kerry, on arrival to Nigeria, headed straight to Sokoto State where he met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar.

He also held a meeting with some northern leaders and students before heading to Abuja to meet President Muhammadu Buhari.

However in an interview on Thursday, CAN President, Supo Ayokunle, said Kerry’s visit excluded the Christians and the Southern people of Nigeria.

He said the visit portrayed “lack of respect for the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, amounted to favouring northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of the Christian community.

“Why did he meet with 19 states governors, without southern governors, is Nigeria the north alone, why did you go to the north alone?” he asked.

“We have 36 States in Nigeria; he only selected northern governors to meet with them.

“It was a visit to the north, not to Nigeria. It was surely a very divisive visit,” Ayokunle added.

He said Kerry’s visit has supported the claims that the Obama administration openly supported the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2016 general elections, which produced the current leadership of the country.

The CAN President said: “There’s a siege on Christians. Kerry, his actions speak volume, his actions, body language were very divisive.

“If US Secretary of States is coming for official visit, it’s understandable, but we demand explanation why he was selective.

“Has the sultan palace become another state house? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan?

“Kerry’s visit has heightened fear and tension among Christians in Nigeria, if they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs,” he said.

Ayokunle also condemned the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria.

He said that “government’s selective persecution of Christians mostly by the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigerian Police,” makes it “obvious the administration was anti-Christians”.

Ayokunle asked: “Have the DSS arrested the Muslim youths who burnt down a Catholic Church in Niger State because they were worshiping on Friday?

“What happened to the ECWA Pastor who was killed in his farm in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?

“What have happened with Redeemed Preacher who was murdered in Kubwa, Abuja?

“Look at the recent case in Zamfara State, Christians where burnt alive. What has happened?

“They will tell you, they are still investigating. Have they been arrested and charged them to court?

“If the government cannot sit up and protect Christians, tolerance is going to break down, they should do the right thing, they should not provoke Christians.

“Have we ever seen this government bring anybody to book?” he queried.

The CAN President also called on the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to intervene in the case of the man who was arrested for naming his dog “Buhari”.

He insisted that there is no criminal offence in someone giving a dog whatever he wishes.

“The NBA should take up that case and ascertain whether the man has the right to give any name to a dog.

“They should come and protect the man’s human rights and set the record why the case is not a criminal offence,” Ayokunle said.

ASUU Demands Implementation Of Agreement With FG

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ASUU Demands Implementation Of Agreement With FG

asuu_president_fagge_0

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has demanded that the  federal government honour the agreement it reached with the union seven years ago.

It is also insisting on the full release of 495 billion Naira, being the funds needed to revamp Nigeria’s universities, as contained in the agreement.

This was made known by ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator, Beke Sese, in a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, on Thursday.

Sese said ASUU had presented a Technical Committee set up by government with an estimate of N1.5 trillion needed to revamp the country’s tertiary institutions.

The amount was reviewed downwards by the committee, to N800 million.

But according to Sese, aside the initial tranche that was eventually released in 2013, the government had refused to credit a dedicated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, set up for that purpose.

ASUU also bemoaned the non-payment of the university lecturers’ Earned Academic Allowances, staff salaries, the arbitrary removal and appointment of vice chancellors in federal institutions and the introduction of the Treasury Single Account into the university system.

Sese also said there was need to renegotiate the 2009 agreement, amend the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, National Universities Commission, NUC, and National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions Act 2004.

ASUU also demanded audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, whom, Sese said had been difficult to see one-on-one.

Youth Corps Member Donates N1 Million Worth Of Drugs, Nets To IDPs In Bayelsa

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Youth Corps Member Donates N1 Million Worth Of Drugs, Nets To IDPs In Bayelsa
A Cross section of National Youth Service Corps Members
A Cross section of National Youth Service Corps Members

A Youth Corps members serving in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has brought succor to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camped at the Samson Siasia stadium, with donation of drugs and mosquito treated nets worth one million naira.

The drugs and items were part of the Corps member’s Community Development Project.

Iniabasi Bassey, who was serving with the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in Yenagoa said her visit to the camp early this year was to see what she could do to assist the women and children suffering in the camp.

Addressing the beneficiaries, she said that she was moved by the deplorable situation at the camp and took it upon herself as part of her primary assignment to put a smile on their faces.

“When I visited the camp early this year, it was a horrible situation and I took it upon myself to render the little assistance I can to alleviate the suffering of the people medically because health is wealth,” she said.

She advised them to make judicious use of the drugs and the treated mosquito nets, urging them to promptly seek medical attention whenever the need arises.

Accepting the items from the corps member, Noel Meshack, Chairman of the IDPs in Bayelsa, thanked her for her kind gesture and promised to make good use of the items donated to them.

He also used the opportunity to call on other donor agencies to borrow a leave from Bassey and come to their aide.

Director of Sports in Bayelsa,  Ayerite Judgenut represented the Commissioner for Sports,  Igbete Dasime, at the ceremony which was also attended by officials of the NYSC and the JTF.

 

Army Warns Borno Residents Against Using Unauthorised Motor Parks

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Army Warns Borno Residents Against Using Unauthorised Motor Parks

Army bans movement

The Nigerian Army has alerted the public, particularly residents of Borno State, about the possibility of fleeing Boko Haram members boarding vehicles at unauthorised parks to avoid prying eyes of security personnel stationed at the parks.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by spokesperson for 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Salisu Mustapha, a Major.

“This becomes necessary so as to avoid a situation where remnants of dissipated and depleted Boko Haram Terrorists would disguised themselves and board vehicles loading at unauthorised locations in order to avoid being detected and apprehended by security agents,” the statement read.

The army urged the public to take the warning seriously and report any suspected persons or activities to security agents.

 Jibrin’s Fight To Stop Alleged Planned Suspension By House Suffers In Court

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 Jibrin’s Fight To Stop Alleged Planned Suspension By House Suffers In Court
Abdulmumin Jibrin
Abdulmumin Jibrin

Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Federal High Court has declined to entertain the suit by former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation,  Abdulmumin Jibrin, seeking to stop the alleged plan by the House to suspend him.

Justice Abang, who is sitting as the court’s vacation judge, returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge when the regular court resumes in September.

The judge explained that it will not be possible for him to conclude the case before he winds up as vacation judge next week,

Jibrin’s lawyer, Abdulamid Mohammed, on Thursday informed the court that the defendants served him with their notice of preliminary objection on Wednesday and that he has filed a response.

He sought a short stand down of the proceedings to enable him to retrieve a copy of his response from the court’s registry so that the hearing could proceed.

But defendants’ lawyer, Kalu Onuoha objected to Mohammed’s request for a stand down.

He sought an adjournment to enable him to study the plaintiff’s response and decide whether or not to equally respond.

But Justice Abang noted that it was unnecessary to commence hearing in the case during vacation since he would not be able to conclude hearing and determination of the case before the end of the court’s vacation on September 9.

Defendants in the suit are the House of Representatives, the House Clerk, Speaker Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House whip, Alhassan Doguwa, minority leader, Leo Ogor, and eight other members of the House.

Jibrin has made series of corruption allegations against Speaker Dogara and three other principal officers of the house, as well as some other House members.

The Kano State lawmaker is accusing them of illegally padding the 2016 budget by billions of naira.

FG Gets $125 Million To Tackle Polio Resurgence

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FG Gets $125 Million To Tackle Polio Resurgence
Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole
Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole

The Federal Government has obtained a $125 million loan from the World Bank to tackle the resurgence of the wild polio virus and other health challenges in the country.

Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, made this known while briefing the Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that with approval from the National Assembly, 60 million dollars would be earmarked for polio, while the remaining 65 million dollars would be used for the provision of vaccines.

He also disclosed that government had released N10 billion from the 2016 budget to tackle the epidemic.

Adewole noted at least 800,000 children under the age of five years had been immunised in five local government areas in Borno since the latest cases were recorded.

The local government areas include Jere, Gwoza, Mafa, Maiduguri Municipality and Bama.

“The resurgence of polio is an unusual development and a major setback considering the investment of the international community, and the whole world was looking forward to celebrate Nigeria next year,” the minister said.

He added, “I wasn’t expecting polio as a challenge; I was expecting teenage pregnancy and other health challenges,’’

Adewole said the ministry was not leaving anything to chance in its renewed fight against polio.

He disclosed that the health ministry will embark on six-round response programmes to immunize children under five in the whole of the country and neighbouring countries, to ensure that every potential child is immunized.

Adewole disclosed that 300 million doses of vaccine were required to be able to carry out immunization in the country to curtail the spread of the virus.

He, however, said that only 100 million doses of vaccine were on ground, adding that plans were ongoing to make up the required doses.

The minister also hinted that the ministry was considering the idea of administering injectable vaccines due to its efficacy, particularly in Borno, rather than relying solely on oral vaccine.

He also said that due to the security situation in the North-East, the medical team from the military had equally been deployed to assist experts from the ministry.

On recent case of Lassa fever that claimed the life of a medical doctor in Delta, the minister said that measures have been put in place to curb further spread.

Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Mao Ohuabunwa, urged the ministry to carry out more sensitisation and advocacy.

He urged the ministry to carry the legislature along in its activities, while pledging the committee’s support to the ministry in tackling challenges in the health sector.

 

 

Burundi President Set To Scrap Presidential Term Limits

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Burundi President Set To Scrap Presidential Term Limits
Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza
Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza

The government of Burundi has said it was planning to remove presidential term limits from the country’s constitution.

A commission, set up by President Pierre Nkurunziza last year to hear public views on the political system, said it found that most Burundians were against limiting the presidential tenure to two terms.

The latest move has been described by the opposition as against the will of the people.

One of the opposition figures, Pancrace Cimpaye, said “The findings are manipulated, because the citizens don’t dare to say anything that displeases the president, out of fear.”

“The commission was not independent and its findings were misrepresentation, because people from only 49 out of Burundi’s 119 districts were interviewed, Cimpaye said.

The commission’s report will be presented to the president, after which a possible amendment of the constitution will be debated in parliament.

CNARED, a coalition that claims to uphold the Arusha peace accord that brought Burundi’s civil war to an end in 2006, opposed the move.

The coalition accuses President Pierre Nkurunziza of violating the Arusha agreement.

Burundi has been thrown into crisis since Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office despite a constitutional limit of two terms.

His election victory in July 2015 unleashed a wave of political violence in which hundreds have been killed.

Ijaw Leaders List Conditions To End Crisis In Niger Delta

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Ijaw Leaders List Conditions To End Crisis In Niger Delta
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu (Middle) poses with the Niger Delta Monarchs
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu (Middle) poses with the Niger Delta Monarchs

Some traditional rulers from the Niger Delta Coastal States have given six conditions in order to restore peace in the region.

They gave the condition during a visit to the Minister of State for petroleum, Ibe kachikwu, on Thursday.

Williston Okirika, the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom, read out the conditions on behalf of the chiefs when they visited the

“We wish to state here that as a matter of urgency, the Federal government should appoint or constitute a federal government dialogue team.

“Release of 10 innocent school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on May 28th in Oporoza and others in detention on trumped up charges.

“Return of the golden sword, being the symbol of Authority of the gbaramatu traditional institution,” he said

Okirika added that the Nigerian Army must return the three traditional council speed boats in its custody.

He said the Military must cease the hostilities perpetrated by its personnel in the Niger Delta Region.

“Equally important, the federal government should make a categorical statement about the opening of the Maritime University- Okerenkoko, Delta State for academic activities in 2016 /2017 session,” Okirika said

He assured that traditional authorities in the Niger Delta would continue to support efforts that would restore peace and normalcy in the area.

Kachikwu commended the monarchs for the visit, saying that it was imperative that peace returns to the region.

He said the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers was a welcome development, adding that every effort must be made to sustain it.

He however regretted that after the reported ceasefire, another pipeline was blown up in Nembe community, leading to the loss of about 150 barrels of oil and a high quantity of gas.

“This inability to stay steadfast creates military intervention because government cannot seat down and watch production go down,” the minister said.

“The president has shown a lot of patience and believed that engaging the communities is the best model.

“You should continue to reach out to others to ensure total cease fire because as production goes down it affects both states in tackling the financial burdens,” he said

Kachikwu noted that FG had spent about 40 billion dollars in refurbishing the Niger Delta region in the last 10 years.

He charged the royal father’s to ensure that money were channeled in the proper way for the region.

Buhari Commiserates With Italy Over Earthquake Tragedy

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Buhari Commiserates With Italy Over Earthquake Tragedy
Rescuers pulled a survivor from the rubble several hours after
Rescuers pulled a survivor from the rubble several hours after

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Italy over the earthquake that occurred in the country.

The disaster has so far claimed more than 240 lives, with several others still missing.

The president’s condolence was conveyed by Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, through his social media handle,

Shehu said Buhari “has expressed deep grief & sympathy with Italy over the deadly earthquake that has claimed more than two hundred lives.”

“My heart and prayers go out to the people of Italy at this time of national mourning, caused by the devastating earthquake.”

The message added that “PMB told the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, that his family, the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over this deadly natural disaster.”

President Buhari also prayed God to comfort the mourning “and grant them the fortitude to overcome their grief at this emotionally challenging time.”

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake had hit Central Italy on Wednesday, causing massive destruction of goods and property.

Several aftershocks were also reported, making rescue works more difficult.

Rescuers continue scouring the rubbles, using earthmoving machines and, some, their bare hands.

Official reports put the number of dead at 241, while unconfirmed reports say it is much higher.

There are fears the toll could rise taking into consideration that a good number of people are yet to be accounted for.

Soyinka Urges Buhari To Expedite Action On Niger Delta

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Soyinka Urges Buhari To Expedite Action On Niger Delta
Wole Soyinka met with President Buhari not long ago but won't disclose the agenda of the meeting
Wole Soyinka met with President Buhari not long ago but won’t disclose the agenda of the meeting

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to be more proactive in dealing with the problems of the Niger Delta region.

Soyinka made the call during a press conference in Lagos and was of the opinion that federal government was not doing enough to douse “the tension in the Niger Delta region”.

He called on President Buhari to change its government’s style and move swiftly to deal with the issues of the Niger Delta.

The resurgence in militant activities in the Niger Delta has badly affected the Nation’s revenue generation.

Bombings of oil installations have reduced Nigeria’s oil output by 700,000 barrels per day to 1.56 million bpd.

However, one of the militant groups, the Niger Delta Avengers, has agreed to a ceasefire and commencement of negotiation with government

On the Nation’s Education Sector, Soyinka condemned the removal of History as a subject in the nation’s school curriculum.

He said the decision was responsible for what he called the low quality of the nation’s learning.

The Noble Laureate also condemned the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast of Nigeria.

He said the Boko Haram insurgency was a result of religious lunacy and called on security agencies to wipe terrorists out of the country.

Soyinka, who met with President Buhari in the Aso Villa recently, said that the meeting was to discuss issues about his interactions in the House of Commons with the President.

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