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Uzodinma to Expose Sponsors of Insecurity in Imo on January 3

Hope Uzodinma, Sponsors, Insecurity, Imo State, January 3
Hope Uzodinma

Uzodinma to Expose Sponsors of Insecurity in Imo on January 3

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has pledged to expose those he said were sponsoring various kinds of crime against the people of the state.

The governor said this on Saturday during the inauguration of newly elected executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owerri.

Uzodinma said all those involved in causing one form of insecurity or the other will face the full wrath of the law.

He said the names of those culpable will be revealed on January 3, 2022 when a stakeholders’ meeting will be convened.

 

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CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: How Nigeria’s Enyimba FC Crashed Out

Enyimba FC, Crashed Out, CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: How Nigeria’s Enyimba FC Crashed Out

After failing to honour their rescheduled first leg of CAF Confederation Cup match against Al-Itihad in Libya, Nigeria’s remaining representatives, Enyimba, have crashed out of the competition.

Al-Itihad lost the Aba leg of the tie by 2-0 but insisted on hosting Enyimba on Sunday, a trip which the Aba giants could not make.

Enyimba had pleaded with their hosts for a shift in date but Al Itihad has since rejected the plea.

CAF on their part have ruled that Enyimba can only have their way should Al-Itihad cooperate and accept a shift in date.

Enyimba FC earlier revealed that they have accepted the decision of the CAF which rejected their plea playoff return leg tie with Al Ittihad to be played outside troubled Benghazi.

The People’s Elephant however requested that the game be shifted from this Sunday to December 31st to allow them sort out logistics issues.

“Enyimba FC has received the decision of the CAF Appeals Committee, maintaining that the Confederation Cup fixture against Al Ittihad be played in Benghazi, Libya this Sunday,” A press statement from the club said.

“In the spirit of sportsmanship and for the integrity of the competition, the club has elected to accept the decision. However, considering the brevity of time to the fixture, coupled with the current traveling challenges across the continent, it is absolutely impossible for us to arrange a trip to Libya within 48 hours.

“Consequently, we have written to CAF requesting a rescheduling of the date of the fixture to December 31 to enable us to sort out our visas, flight bookings, hotel reservations, and other logistics.

“CAF has however advised that for the request to be considered, a written agreement of both clubs must be submitted to the board. Hence, we have written to our hosts, Al Ittihad, hoping to get their cooperation in reaching an agreement for the new date for the fixture.”

Two weeks ago, The Peoples Elephants had beaten their foes in the second leg of the match. The win in Aba was a sequel to the postponement of the first leg of the game following controversies over COVID-19 protocols. Enyimba were barred from entering Tunisia, Al-Ittihad’s adopted home ground.

 

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Worshipers Reject COVID-19 Vaccines at Kano Bompai Rock Friday Mosque

COVID-19 Vaccines, Worshipers Reject, Bompai Rock, Friday Mosque  
Covid-19 Coronavirus Vaccine vials in a row macro close up

Worshipers Reject COVID-19 Vaccines at Kano Bompai Rock Friday Mosque  

There was a mild drama on Friday at the Bompai Rock Friday Mosque in Kano metropolis when healthcare officials came to the prayer ground with consignments of COVID-19 vaccines.

Nigerian Sketch learnt that the officials had arranged with the management of the mosque to sensitise worshipers about the need to take the vaccine, and the Imam of the mosque even spoke briefly about healthcare delivery, saying authorities should also provide necessary medication for common ailments like malaria.

He thereafter took the jab to exemplify that it was safe and good.

But the congregation was not impressed, as they trooped out of the mosque immediately the mandatory Friday ritual was completed, leaving the healthcare officials standing in lines with the COVID vaccines on their tables without anyone to take them.

Our reporter was told that it had been arranged to give the jabs and to certify those who took them at the mosque as a way of bringing the vaccination process closer to the people.

An official said it was an experiment their superiors thought would yield positive results and gain acceptability.

Worshipers lamented that COVID-19 was not their immediate problem and said government in Nigeria should be more concerned with what the populace need.

a visibly angry commercial tricycle rider who identified himself simply as Ado said “who wants any vaccine. That’s surely not what we need now. It has become so difficult for us to feed our families. Daily basic needs could not be met, and they keep nagging us with some COVID vaccine. Let them take it if they want, but we don’t want.”

Many others simply walked pass the health workers without even looking at their direction, a clear indication of their opposition to the vaccination arrangement.

 

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XI Tells Chinese Officials to Hit Back at the West when Criticised on Human Rights

XI Jinping, Chinese Officials, Hit Back, West, Human Rights
Chinese president, Xi Jinping

XI Tells Chinese Officials to Hit Back at the West when Criticised on Human Rights

Chinese officials should “resolutely hit back” whenever confronted by the West on human rights, President Xi Jinping instructed China’s ruling elite in 2014, a new book has revealed.

In a February meeting that year, just 11 months into his first term as state president, Xi told about 170 ministerial-level officials that there were plenty of problems in the West.

“When Western leaders talked to me about human rights, I always said there’s no such a thing as best human rights, only better human rights,” he said.

“By saying that, I mean of course China’s human rights need development but you also have lots of problems on human rights, too.”

Xi said that, regardless of China’s development progress, its human rights conditions only had to meet the country’s own standards, not the West’s.

“We are good as long as we meet China’s own standards, and we don’t need to look to the standards of the West or care about how they judge us. Facing Western countries’ finger-pointing over China’s human rights, [we] must resolutely hit back!”

The remarks – from a speech at the opening of a five-day study session at the Central Party School on February 17, 2014, were made public in a book released early this month, titled Collected Remarks by Xi Jinping on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights.

The book included a quote by Xi from a 2013 meeting that sums up his vision of human rights: “Development is the key to solving all our country’s problems.”

China tries to turn tables on West after criticism by UN human rights panel

25 Jun 2021

Published by the official Central Party Literature Press, the book’s release coincides with a push for Beijing’s own narrative on human rights, in the face of increasing pressure from Washington and its allies who wrapped up a two-day democracy summit on December 10.

China’s leading diplomats have accused Washington of creating an ideology divide with the summit, convened by US President Joe Biden, and attended virtually by 110 invitees, including leaders from major developed countries.

China was not invited, but the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its own territory, was on the invitation list.

A day before the summit began, Beijing hosted its own “South-South Human Rights Forum”, attended virtually mainly by academics from developing countries.

In a congratulatory letter to the forum, Xi argued that the practice of human rights should be diverse, and that people of all countries should choose their own paths of human rights development.

In the face of accusations that Beijing is committing genocide against its Muslim ethnic minorities, Chinese diplomats have also been aggressively defending the country’s policies, including on Xinjiang and Hong Kong. They reject criticism by Western governments as an excuse to curb China’s rise.

Many of China’s diplomats have given lengthy presentations about the history of discrimination and abuse of indigenous peoples in countries like the US and Canada, and the heavy death tolls of the Covid-19 pandemic in major developed countries.

The release of Xi’s remarks, to the Communist Party’s top academy nearly seven years ago, was probably intended to show that his views on the issue were long-standing, according to Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute and a Chinese Studies professor at King’s College London.

“The quote is probably being issued now to show that Xi had this view before it became much more vocally expressed, and before events like [former US president Donald] Trump and the political issues in Europe with divisions there,” he said.

“China’s lack of trust and respect for the West and its values systems has been growing since the great financial crisis of 2008, and the political divisions and general decline of Western confidence has only deepened this.”

Brown said Xi’s remarks suggested there was no sense of inferiority among the party leadership over the human rights concepts of Western countries.

And he added that, with Beijing’s deep conviction that all such criticisms from the West were political tools, it was becoming more difficult for Western countries to prove their values.

“[The West] has to prove these [values] in the way it behaves and how it develops going forward. That, and that alone, will make China rethink the current position it has,” Brown said.

Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, agreed. “Mr Xi’s quote is an eloquent summation of Beijing’s foundational position on human rights – namely that the West has nothing to teach China on the topic and any criticism requires a political response in reply,” he said.

“That applies in Hong Kong, just as it does in Xinjiang and elsewhere.”

 

SOURCE: South China Morning Post

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CHRICED Laments as Bad Governance Suffocates Nigerians

Dr Ibrahim M. Zikrullahi, CHRICED, Bad Governance, Insecurity, Suffocate, Nigerians
CHRICED's director-general, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikrullahi

CHRICED Laments as Bad Governance Suffocates Nigerians

The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has lamented over the way it said impunity has replaced democratic decision making in Nigeria.

CHRICED executive director, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi,  said at a press briefing he addressed at TopRank Hotel Galaxy in Abuja on Thursday that  “those holding political power carry on without any consideration for social and economic justice.”

The director addressed issues bordering on insecurity, economy, civil rights and many others that have bothered Nigeria in the past few years.

Read the full text of his address below:

NIGERIANS CAN NO LONGER BREATHE AS IMPUNITY, INSECURITY, AND BAD GOVERNANCE RAVAGES THE LAND

Protocols

Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentle of the Press.

Introduction

Thank you for support, solidarity and for honouring our invitation to this Press Conference on the State of the Nation. The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has been closely observing developments across the country since the beginning of 2021. Knowing from many experiences that the year, 2020 was extremely challenging and difficult on many fronts; Nigerians prayed and hoped for a better deal in 2021. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of long-suffering citizens who looked up to leaders and those in authority to chart the course towards relief and reprieve, the actions and inactions of those in positions of power have been, to say the least, most disappointing. CHRICED notes with utmost dismay that despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in its fourth wave continues to destroy lives, businesses and livelihoods, politicians across all tiers of government continue to inflict harsh conditions on the ordinary people.

As things stand across all strata of political authority, impunity has replaced democratic decision making, while those holding political power carry on without any consideration for social and economic justice. Abuse of citizens’ rights, attacks on dissent and free speech have all become the order of the day. From the local government to the state and even to the federal level, citizens can hardly find examples of conduct that fall in line with principled, purposeful and people-oriented leadership. All across the land, impunity and reckless use of political power is the name of the game. Similarly, the unaccountable use of public funds, particularly the so-called bailouts without recourse to the demands of transparency and probity, has become the norm. There are many examples of these clear cases of reckless and self-centered use of political power by people entrusted with it. For the current political leadership, power is not for the good of the collective, but for narrow, self-serving and anti-people ends. These factors, which border on failed political leadership are responsible for current crisis affecting the country

Security Situation

CHRICED observes that the most potent existential threat facing Nigeria today is the unending wave of insecurity. Like never before, Nigeria’s territorial integrity and its internal security have been severely compromised by relentless groups of terrorists. In many cases, these outlaws not only kill, displace or inflict other forms of harm on Nigerians. They are now taking over swathes of spaces to further incubate their terror cells. Before our eyes, our country is literally burning, and there appears to be no concerted and sustained efforts to put out the fire. There appears that on the watch of the current government, human lives no more have any meaning or sacred value attached to them. On a daily basis fellow citizens are decimated, bruised, maimed and killed all over the country without any consequence whatsoever. Barely a week ago, the incident in Sokoto State, wherein citizens traveling in a bus were set ablaze by terrorists, goes a long way to illustrate how bad things have become. The Sokoto incident is a metaphor for the impunity with which terrorists and criminal gangs operate across the country taking lives at will, without any comprehensive, effective or sustained response from law enforcement agencies. At the last count, a serving Commissioner in Katsina State, a member of the House of Assembly in Kaduna State as well as other less known citizens across the country have been gunned down. Several highways across Nigeria are no longer passable because they have been taken over by the criminals.

 

It is equally clear that the criminals who engage in these dastardly acts have no fear or respect for the capacity of the state to arrest, prosecute and bring them to justice. This is so because the criminals have seen that the state so far lacks the resolve to go after and bring them to book. As such, Nigeria has now taken on the status of a vast killing field where the blood of citizens is routinely shed. The tragedy is that the government which should defend the lives and property of citizens has continued to project weakness because it has woefully failed to summon the courage to act beyond routine platitudes and lamentations.

Lives, livelihoods and economic opportunities have also been dealt a severe blow by the chronic state of insecurity. Citizens have to live with the many perils in a country where life, limb and property can no longer be guaranteed by the government, which has the primary responsibility of ensuring the security and welfare of the people. Things have become so bad that farmers can no longer engage in their occupation, without the fear of being killed by armed assailants. For traders who travel across the roads in the country, it is a case of some being lucky to escape the dangers on the roads, while many others unfortunately have fallen victims, and they never live to tell their stories. There can be no mistaken the fact that a government that cannot guarantee the safety of lives and the free movement of citizens from one part of the country to another has completely lost all its essence, value and legitimacy.

Given the enormity of the situation, the only way out is for the government to arrest and expose the backers, and sponsors of terrorist gangs, whom the government claimed it knows. Government should also take a critical look at all the recruitments into the military, police and Department of State Security Service and other security agencies to be sure the right people are in charge of running Nigeria’s security architecture. Finally, the government should immediately declare a state of emergency in parts of the country, which have witnessed the most horrendous atrocities against innocent citizens. Invoking emergency powers will signal a fresh resolve to tackle the existential threat of insecurity, just as it would enable the government to summon all the required human and material resources to restore its authority in the most affected parts of Nigeria. CHRICED believes that the current half-hearted approach of dropping a few bombs on terrorists’ hideouts and then leaving them to continue their rampage on communities is not far-reaching enough, especially given the current scale of the problem.

The Economy and Its Impact on Citizens

Good governance is about responding to, and alleviating the fundamental economic issues affecting citizens. In recent times, the state of the Nigerian economy has been a source of utmost concern for citizens. The inflation rate has gone beyond control, leading to the astronomical rise in the cost of living. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation increased by 15.40 percent (year on year) as at November 2021. This according to the NBS is 0.51 percent point higher than the rate recorded in 2020, which stood at 14.89 percent. Data from the NBS also shows that the composite food index was 17.21 per cent in November 2021. The NBS data makes it clear that the rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, fish, food product, potatoes, yam and other tubers, oil and fats, milk, cheese and eggs and coffee, tea and cocoa.

The skyrocketing inflation rate explains the high price of several basic commodities. It is so bad that a bag of rice now sells for between N30,000 and N32,000. The price of a bag of cement now hovers around N5000 with the likelihood of further increase, especially around the yuletide. 12kg of cooking gas, which used to sell for between N3800 to N4000, now sells for between N9600 and N10,000.  The prices of many other basic commodities are up, and the government is also talking of hiking the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol. When citizens in other parts of the world were getting reprieve from their governments due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerians got none.

With the lowly minimum wage hardly being implemented in several states, extreme poverty is now the lot of many citizens. Little wonder, the government itself declared recently that 109 million Nigerians will be living in poverty by the end of 2022. For CHRICED, the critical next step goes beyond declaring that many more citizens will be living in poverty next year. What is the government doing to drastically reduce the number of citizens who would find themselves in poverty? CHRICED believes the starting pointing is to put as many Nigerians as possible back to work. Government needs to stop being aloof, while its citizens suffer. This it can achieve by drastically cutting down on wastage in government due to corruption and mismanagement. Government should also respond to the astronomical cost of basic commodities by mandating its economic team to come up with measures, which could stabilize the prices of essentials like cooking gas, food stuffs, healthcare and building materials.

Shrinking Civic Space

CHRICED also notes with concern the increasing shrinking of the civic space in order to stifle the voices of frontline activists and human rights campaigners. Attacks, and threats against journalists and human rights activists have intensified all through the year. Even in cases where the State is not directly carrying out the attacks against citizens, activists and journalists, there is now an emerging trend of mobilizing thugs and street urchins to inflict harm on those who insist on invoking their right to demand accountability from government. The other day, thugs were mobilized to attack the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, and as the assault was going on, the law enforcement officers looked the other way. CHRICED condemns this resort to crude tactics to intimidate, harass and silence voices of dissent and advocates of good governance. CHRICED notes that the shrinking civic space is also taking its toll on the anti-corruption program of the government. A ready example is the ongoing prosecution of frontline anti-corruption crusader, Mr. Olarenwaju Suraj, Chairman of HEDA by the office of Attorney-General of the Federation. Mr. Suraj’s only offence is that he worked tirelessly to ensure those behind the looting of the Nigerian treasury through the Malabu Oil Block deal, are held to account, not only within Nigeria, but also in other foreign jurisdictions.

CHRICED also notes the recent detention of renowned investigative journalist, Mr. ‘Fisayo Soyombo, whose only offence is the fact that he exposed unbridled corruption in the construction of Police Transit Camps in several states. In a sane world, Suraj and Soyombo will be celebrated as national heroes who took the difficult step of patriotically putting the interest of the country before self by exposing egregious acts of looting of the public treasury. The reverse is the case in Nigeria, where it is the people who expose wrongdoing that are persecuted and hounded, while those who breached public trust and abused their office for private gain are feted and celebrated by the government. CHRICED unequivocally condemns the use of state institutions to intimidate and harass anti-corruption crusaders. We call on well-meaning citizens and civic groups to continue to speak up in defense of these innocent activists and journalists who are being targeted, not because they ran afoul of the laws of the land, but because they used their God-given talents to demand transparency and accountability in the use and allocation of public resources.

Towards 2023: Ensuring A Credible Electoral Process

Notwithstanding the myriad of challenges in the polity, 2022 presents another important opportunity for Nigerians to work towards overhauling the polity, using the instrumentality of the 2023 elections. Given the fact that the off-cycle elections conducted so far have been blighted by voter apathy and low participation of the electorate, it is important to reform Nigeria’s electoral process before 2023. As such, President Muhammadu Buhari must rise to the occasion by assenting to the Electoral Act amendment, which the National Assembly has passed and transmitted to him. CHRICED is not unaware of pressures from political cliques within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to shoot down some provisions of the amendment. Specifically, the surreptitious moves of the so-called Progressives Governors Forum to take out provisions relating to direct primaries in the amendment, are undemocratic and do not represent the interest of the Nigerian electorate. CHRICED calls on the President not to cave in in the face of these pressures because they are driven by self-interest, and not by patriotic and nationalistic objectives. CHRICED also calls on citizens, especially the youth, women and People with Disabilities to brace up to use the electoral process to put in place leaders at all levels, who would work for the interest, welfare and security of the people.

CHRICED commends United States President, Joe Biden for hosting the recent Democracy Summit, which sought to provide renewed direction for democracy and democratization across the world. After the turbulent years of the Trump Presidency, when the government of the people for the people and by the people was seriously undermined, it is reassuring that President Biden is reminding leaders around the world that while democracy is not a perfect system, it represents the most participatory vehicle for the governance of any country. CHRICED similarly applauds the commitment of the US government to provide support to critical pillars of the democratic process, particularly the Free Press and the work of Civil Society Organizations.

Conclusion

As 2021 comes to an end, CHRICED is grateful for all the support it has received from its various partners to enable it carry on its work of advancing the course of democracy, human rights and accountable governance. We thank all our journalist friends, fellow human activists, good governance advocates and millions of Nigerians, whose commitment to democracy, human rights, and accountable governance has remained unwavering, despite the myriad of challenges.

If those responsible for taking our country to its current state, where life is brutish, nasty and very short are not prepared to take a day off, it is important for those of us who believe the country can be salvaged, to triple our efforts. We believe therefore that given the plight of millions of our fellow citizens, and the damage bad governance is inflicting on them, activists and human rights defenders, cannot afford to go on any holiday. CHRICED as a platform of active citizens campaigning for democracy, human rights and accountable governance is convinced about the need to constantly engage the public discourse, not just to draw attention to the issues, but to proffer effective solutions.

Thank you for your rapt attention.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

 

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No Need to Stop Premier League over COVID-19, Says Liverpool Boss

Jurgen Klopp, Premier League, COVID-19, Liverpool
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp

No Need to Stop Premier League over COVID-19, Says Liverpool Boss

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he cannot see the benefit of stopping the Premier League over rising COVID cases but does not have a solution.

Five of the weekend’s 10 Premier League fixtures have been postponed, while Klopp had three players pull out before Thursday’s 3-1 win over Newcastle.

Klopp says all his players are double vaccinated and some have had boosters.

“Stopping the league is probably not the right thing but with the schedule we have to be more flexible,” he said.

“So far football kept it pretty much outside with the testing regimes, the massive disciplinary things for the boys did really well, but this time it is really difficult.”

Klopp added: “I don’t see the massive benefit of it [stopping the Premier League] because we come back {and] it is still the same.

“If the virus will be gone then I am the first that stops and goes home and waits until it is gone. But that is probably not the case, so where’s the real benefit of it?

“We hope we can play and Tottenham can play on Sunday.”

On Wednesday, Brentford boss Thomas Frank called for this weekend’s top-flight fixtures to be postponed to let clubs deal with the outbreaks, but the Premier League is so far resisting that.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes either all games should be postponed or all should continue to be played.

“I don’t think we want half the games played and half not played,” he said. “The league loses something if it becomes disjointed. A decision needs to be made for the integrity of the league.”

Culled from BBCSports

 

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Why Jigawa Misses Out as NJC Recommends 64 for Appointment as Judicial Officers

Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa State, Misses Out, NJC, 64 Judicial Officers
Jigawa State governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar

Why Jigawa Misses Out as NJC Recommends 64 for Appointment as Judicial Officers

The National Judicial Council (NJC), on Friday, in Abuja revealed the 64 successful candidates recommended to some state governors for appointment as judicial officers, and Jigawa State was conspicuously missing in the list.

Those recommended are Justice Ozoemena Raymond Afojulu as Chief Judge of Enugu; Justice Nathan Musa as Chief Judge of Adamawa; Kadi Abubakar Musa Mohammed Kigera as Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal for Niger State and Kadi Usman Aliyu Girei as Grand Kadi of Adamawa State.

Others are Justice Shiyanbola Raheem Akanbi as President, Customary Court of Appeal; Justice Eneji Maurice Odey as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Cross Rivers; Wajilda Peter as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Adamawa State; Justice O. I. Nwamoh as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State and Justice Blessing Lyop Dalyop as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Plateau State.

A statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, released on Friday in Abuja indicated that five persons were recommended as judges for Sokoto State High Court.

They are Sanusi Shehu, Mu’awiya Dahiru Mahmud, Abubakar Abubakar Zaki, Mohammad Aliyu Sambo and Maryam Muhammad. Those who sought to be appointed for Nasarawa State High Court are Isa Ebini K, Ali Tari Changbo, Abdullahi Hassan Shams Shama and Solomon Wayidna Ayenajeh.

Ogun State High Court has two, Adeyemi Adekunle Adewole and Bello Safrat Titilayo while Bayelsa State has four, Lockie James Benimo, Zuofa Ama Patience, Simon Warikiyei Amaduobogha and Christine Irigha Kombo-Enegesi.

The NJC recommended four for Rivers State High Court, Daniel Ofre Kulo, Rita Otu Marshall, Odibu Emmanuel Ekaya and Obin Blessing Egwu. According to the statement, 14 persons who are to be appointed as judges in Lagos State are Okunuga Olubusola Adeyemi, Adeyemi Adenrera Olayinka, Oshin Olufolake Olufolasade Esq. Odusanya Oluwatoyin Atinuke, Martins Olumuyiwa Oluseun and Ariyike Mutiat Ipaye-Nwachukwu.

The rest are Babatunde Oladepo Kalaro, Awope Omolade Jadesola, Akinkunmi Olusegun Idowu, Oresanya Olalekan Ayodeji, Oshodi Mujibat Iyabode, Ijelu Ismail Olalekan, Balogun Mosunmola Muyibat and Mathias Oluwole Dawodu.

Rivers State has four, namely Popnen Sylvester Sunday, Daketima Gabriel Kio, Nsirim Chinwe Amanda and Chinelo Chidubem Odili. Similarly, Ekiti State has four who are Apuabi Johnson Ariyibi, Blessing Oluwabukola Ajileye, Olalekan Olayinka Olatawura and Oyinkansola Olumayowa Oluboyede.

Two Kadis were recommended for Sharia Court of Appeal in Sokoto State, namely Buhari Yahaya and Umar Jibril Kebbe, while Katsina State has one in person of Kabir Hamisu Bello. Jigawa has three who are Bara’u Bashir Musa, Ahmad Muhammadu Lamin and Nasiru Abubakar Zargina just as Ebonyi has one in Awada Paul Mgbada.

Three judges recommended for Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal are Olukemi Folasade Osisanya, Odugbesan Idowu Adebiyi and Akinsinde Oluwasina Philip.

Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal has four slots. They are Obo Agbor Anthony, BItitim Felix Igob, Eunice Oshim Dada and Ankpor Jeremiah Arong.

According to the statement, all recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval of the NJC recommendations by their state governors and the Houses of Assembly.

Nigerian Sketch was told by an NJC source that the commission while screening candidates last week summoned the Jigawa State Chief Judge, Justice Umar M. Sadiq, to explain the inclusion of two additional persons to the six recommended by the state Judicial Service Commission for security screening at the Department of State Service (DSS).

The CJ explained that the secretary of the JSC, Muhammad Ado Dahiru and the chief registrar of the State High Court, Aisha Ahmad Babura did not participate in the written and oral examinations that preceded the DSS screening.

They were supposed to have obtained at least 62 points to qualify for the security screening, but they were at the screening despite their non participation in the qualifying examinations.

The CJ explained to the NJC that though both did not participate in the written and oral examinations, they sent in their excuses on health grounds.

He explained that the subsequent JSC meeting resolved that the two should be allowed to be examined by the same panel that examined others and that if they get the required scores, should be sent for security screening.

But before they were examined, they participated in the security screening, and the NJC wanted clarifications on why it was so.

Our source said the NJC at the end told the CJ to ensure that the two were examined as the JSC resolved in the minute of its meeting, and that if they get the required points, their names should be forwarded alongside the other four already sent to the Council for consideration.

There are two available slots for appointment as judges of the Jigawa State High Court, and four names have already been sent to the NJC; two of them recommended and the other two as reserved candidates.

Nigerian Sketch was told that Jigawa State got NJC’s special waiver to do the needful and report back in January, 2022.

 

 

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COVID-19 Standard Preventive Measures Suffer Neglect in Kano Mosques

COVID-19, Preventive Measures, Neglect, Kano Mosques   

COVID-19 Standard Preventive Measures Suffer Neglect in Kano Mosques   

Millions of Muslims observed Friday Jumu’at prayers in Kano yesterday in many mosques within the metropolis, and Nigerian Sketch went round some of them in Gwale and Kumbotso local government areas.

Despite the present scare around the world over the new wave of COVID-19, the Friday rituals were observed in manners that indicate lack of awareness for the pandemic.

At the Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu Mosque in Gwauron Dutse, hundreds of worshipers who observed their prayers inside and outside the main building were seen without their face masks.

There was also no spacing between worshipers, just as there were no provisions for hand-washing and sanitization.

A few worshippers who spoke with Nigerian Sketch’s reporter said there was no need for such measures to be observed in the mosques since they are not being observed elsewhere in the state.

This attitude perhaps underlies why the issue of vaccination has also not been taken seriously even by the authorities in the state.

Kallamu Hamza Gwale said “Haba Mallam, we should fear God at all times and stop bringing this sort of things to prayer grounds. All these issues about face masks, social distancing and hand sanitisers could be tolerated in work places, banks, super markets and the likes. But in the mosques, we come as faithfuls, believing in Allah, the owner of everything and the decider of our lives, so we are not supposed to be entertaining such mundane issues as COVID-19 as so on.”

He said “We have seen the way this same COVID thing affected peoples’ lives last year, and I think it was all for nothing.”

Nigerian Sketch observed that a sizeable number of people still were face masks but most of those who spoke to our reporters said they wear them to “prevent dust getting into my nose during this harmattan period. You know the way Kano wind becomes dusty during harmattan,” said Habibu Sani Kabuga.

For the ladies who went to the mosque at the Uhud Jumuat Mosque in Naibawa, most of them elderly, it was a different issue entirely.

The Hijab that they wore mostly had head gears that covered their noses and mouths.

A young Salma Husain said she does not need to use face mask because her Hijab served better purposes.

“Why? If it is to prevent anything, my Hijab is thicker and covers my face better,” she explained.

 

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KANO APC LEADERSHIP: Ganduje Faction Lost to Barau, Shekarau Group Again

KANO APC, LEADERSHIP, Ganduje faction, Barau Jibrin, Ibrahim Shekarau
Ibrahim Shekarau (far right) and others are already having a grip over APC in Kano

KANO APC LEADERSHIP: Ganduje Faction Lost to Barau, Shekarau Group Again

A Federal Capital Territory High Court presided by Hon Justice Hamza Muazu on Friday held that the local government congresses conducted by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were null and void.

The court therefore upheld the local government congresses conducted by the Ibrahim Shekarau faction.

Lawyers said the implication of this is that the state executive members of the APC elected by the Ganduje faction were also null and void.

The APC in Kano State has two leaderships, each supported by Governor Ganduje and former governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Ahmadu Danzago, who Shekarau supports, appears to be cruising home to legitimacy, while Abdullahi Abbas, who the governor supports, needs to have another court decision to be recognised state party chairman.

Earlier on 30th November, 2021, the court delivered a  ruling nullifying the wards congresses conducted by the governor’s faction, granting all the reliefs sought by the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau faction, seeking a declaration that Ganduje-led group did not conduct ward and local government congresses.

Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, Ahmadu Haruna Danzago, Abdullahi Abbas, Court Overrules, APC Exco, Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau

The earlier ruling dealt a fatal blow to the faction supported by Kano State governor, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje
The court upheld the congresses conducted by the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau led faction of the party.

The judge also ruled then that the Shekarau led faction,”tagged G-7” conducted election that was signed by the 7-man committee of the APC.

Applicants in the suit are Muntaka Bala Sulyman with 17, 980 members of the party while the defendants are All Progressive Congress, as first defendant, Mai-Mala Buni , caretaker chairman, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary and Independent National Electoral Commission, as the fourth defendant.

The court held that all the congresses conducted by the Ibrahim Shekarau led faction were valid.

The applicants were represented by Nuraini Jimoh, SAN and the defendants were represented by Barr. Sule Usman, SAN, M.N. Duru and Mashood Alabelewe.

As it presently, Ahmadu Haruna Danzogo remains the validly elected chairman of the APC in Kano, while Ganduje-anointed Abdullahi Abbas has the option to apeal the court decision.

 

More details later…

 

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Ganduje May Run Abroad, Group Alerts NIS, EFCC, ICPC, Blasts Governor over Barau Jibrin

Ganduje, May Run, Abroad, NIS, EFCC, ICPC, Barau Jibrin
Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Ganduje May Run Abroad, Group Alerts NIS, EFCC, ICPC, Blasts Governor over Barau Jibrin

A civil society group has asked Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to desist from distracting Senator Barau Jibrin from performing his legislative duties in the National Assembly, urging the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to keep watch over the governor so that he does not escape abroad before his tenure expires.

The Civil Society Group for Transparency and Accountability on Friday made the request in Abuja in response to an incident that occurred at the premises of the National Assembly on Thursday, calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to also be vigilant abut the governor’s movements.

On Thursday, some groups suspected to be sponsored by Abdullahi Ganduje and his allies had gathered at the National Assembly, throwing jibes and insults against the Senator.

To defend Barau, the group, led by its spokesman, Sunday Attah, gathered at the National Assembly early Friday to condemn the campaign of calumny launched against the Senator and his colleagues by the governor.

Attah said: “What they failed to understand is that they are being used by a highly corrupt governor whose dollar-stuffing video has continued to give Nigeria bad name at the international community.

“We are here today to set the records straight and we call on Governor Ganduje and his misguided advisers to desist from their evil machinations and come to terms with the reality of the fact that Senator Barau Jibrin towering political achievements cannot be dwarfed or subjugated in the eyes of his constituents and the Nigerian public.

“It’s regrettable that Governor Ganduje who should be hiding his face in shame allowed himself to be hoodwinked by political opportunists who would no doubt abandoned him after he lose his temporary immunity.

“Ganduje popularly known as Gandollar has in our nation today symbolizes sleaze, pillage and plunder of public funds and it’s very worrisome to us in the Civil Society to see this corrupt Governor launching campaign of calumny against courageous individuals who are working tirelessly to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State.

“On this note we wish to assure Ganduje and his cohorts, that we will not relent in our struggle until the very day the people of Kano State get justice because of the way and manner he and his families fritter away the resources of the state.

“We are calling Ganduje and whosoever care to listen that we demand that they should leave Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Sha’aban Sharada and all credible people that are openly opposing his thievery of Kano State resources.

“It’s on record that Senator Barau Jibrin alongside his colleagues worked hard to deliver the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari agenda of returning the nation budgetary system to January-December budget cycle.

“Nigerians are happy with this great feat achieved by these credible Nigerians, which has no doubt brought transparency and accountability in our budget system.

“We make bold to say that, under the Distinguished leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin the padding of budgets has become a thing of the past and transparency, openness and accountability is the order of the day.

It’s on this note that we wish to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of Senator Barau Jibrin. And we urge him to stay focused and continue to do his good work for the betterment of the country and shouldn’t allow himself to be intimidated by hired urchins and political detractors.

“Finally, we call on the EFCC, ICPC and the Nigeria Immigration Service to put their surveillance on Gandollar, because credible information available to us shows that he’s planning to go on exile before the expiration of his tenure as Governor of Kano State.

According to him, “Nigeria can only move forward and achieve its full potentials when people like Ganduje, who betrayed the trust reposed in them are made to face justice, while credible individuals like Senator Barau Jibrin are applauded and commended for their service to the nation.’’

 

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YULETIDE: Lawmakers Direct IGP to Remove Roadblocks in South East

YULETIDE, Lawmakers, IGP, Remove Roadblocks, South East

YULETIDE: Lawmakers Direct IGP to Remove Roadblocks in South East

The House of Representatives on Thursday directed the inspector-general of police (IGP) and other security agencies to dismantle all roadblocks from Lagos and Abuja to the Southeast.

The measure, the lawmakers noted was a deliberate move to facilitate the free flow of traffic and relieve the pains and hardship of the motorists and other road users traveling during this festive season.

Besides, the House asked the police to immediately disband all checkpoints at the Onitsha Head Bridge, which is creating heavy gridlock and directed that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) deploy men and materials to ensure free flow of traffic between Asaba and Onitsha.

In a unanimous decision sequel to a motion to the effect by Obinna Chidoka, the House asked all security agencies to comply.

They urged the federal government to develop effective mechanisms and explore different options to cushion the effect of persistent rise in the price of cooking gas in Nigerians.

The House also mandated its committee on gas resources to liaise with the minister of state for petroleum resources to proffer lasting solution to the rising cost of cooking gas

This followed a motion on the Urgent Need to Check the Persistent Increase in the Price of Liquefied Natural Gas moved by Afolabi Olalekan Rasheed.

The House noted that Nigerians have been facing various challenges including insecurity, extreme poverty, high cost of food and essential consumables and, most recently, a persistent rise in the price of cooking gas.

The lawmaker noted that cooking gas is a basic need for many Nigerians, especially those living in the urban and semi urban areas who use it daily for preparing their meals.

He wondered why Nigeria, which is ranked 9th among the countries in the world with the highest reservoir of gas resources with about 207 trillion standard cubits’ feet as of 2019, would subject its citizens to such hardship arising from high cost of cooking gas.

 

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Northern Groups Threaten Mass Action over Banditry, Insecurity

CNG, Northern Groups, Mass Action, Banditry, Insecurity

Northern Groups Threaten Mass Action over Banditry, Insecurity

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has given the federal government three months within which to resolve the security situation in the zone or face mass action.

Rising from a one-day stakeholders meeting in Sokoto on Thursday, the coalition in a communique issued at the end of the meeting said it had mobilised youths in states in North West to ground activities in the zone until government dealt with the problem of banditry and other violent crimes.

Coordinator of CNG in the state, Isah Jabbi Usman, also blamed the activities of the outlawed volunteer vigilantes groups, known as Yan Sakai for the escalation of violence in most parts of the north western states.

He lamented the escalating insecurity, particularly in Sokoto and called for immediate action to address the situations once and for all.

The group faulted both the federal and state governments for not acting promptly to tame the situation at its initial stage.

“We hereby place the authorities on notice that if the killings and abductions are not significantly or totally controlled within the next three months, mass action would be called that will not prelude occupying all towns in all the frontline states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja,” Usman said.

Similarly, the North-Western Governor’s Forum challenged stakeholders in the zone to show commitment to the efforts to wipe out banditry in the North West.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who threw the challenge when he led a delegation of the Forum on a condolence visit to Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) in Abuja on Thursday over the burning of over 40 persons in a bus by bandits in Sokoto last week said: “We were in Sokoto State earlier to sympathise with the government and immediate families of those who were brutally killed in the name of banditry.

“The issue of banditry in north western part of the country is not beyond us. We know the problem and the solutions are something we as a people are capable of providing.

“This will be, provided that all of us take responsibility and stop the blame game.  Banditry, especially our own in the north western part of the country, can easily be dealt with, if all hands are put on deck.

“This is because it has no religious coloration, no ethnic coloration, it is not ideological. It is simply pure criminality.”

 

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Buhari Orders Payment of Seized Health Workers’ Salaries on Compassionate Ground, Says Minister

Ngige, Buhari, Health Workers, Seized Salaries, Compassionate Ground
Nigeria's minister of labour, Chris Ngige

Buhari Orders Payment of Seized Health Workers’ Salaries on Compassionate Ground, Says Minister

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, to release the salaries of health workers, including doctors that were seized while enforcing the no-work, no-pay policy.

Nigeria’s minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, confirmed this development when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the president has since approved the authority letter to release the funds of the resident doctors for September and October 2021.

The minister, who earlier met behind closed door with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, said the presidential approval for the releases of the salaries was on compassionate ground and to encourage the affected workers to perform better in their respective places of work.

According to Ngige, the approval covers members of the Joint Health Services Union (JOHESU) who went on strike in 2018.

He said: “The President graciously approved that we pay back some funds, some wages, which we did not pay health workers.

“First, section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act says that when a worker goes on strike, especially those on essential services, the employer can also refuse to pay. That is what they call it the ‘No Work, No Pay Rule’.

“But these health sector workers; doctors, pharmacists, nurses and members of JOHESU, are trying to make sure that we create an equitable environment for them to function.

“As a first step, Mr. President last week directed the Minister of Finance to release the funds of the resident doctors for September and October 2021, which was seized in conformity with the law.

“In the same vein, the approval also covers members of the JOHESU who went on strike in 2018 for three months.

“After the first month, after March, when they couldn’t come back, we asked that their pay be suspended. This is in tandem with the ILO principles at work.

“You have a right to strike, but the employer has a right to stop your remuneration and if possible, use it to keep his enterprise going by taking new hands, where possible, especially in essential services.

“So, that same money for 2018 April and May, Mr President has again approved that the Finance Minister refunds or re-imburses them on compassionate grounds.

“This is predicated on the grounds that this group of workers has been showing a lot of dedication and concern to the COVID-19 and that their Hazard Allowance for 2021 had remained what it was before.

“So, on compassionate grounds and…we agreed that they should be getting this money to keep their morale high. We’re not yet free of COVID-19 and the new mutants, we need to do everything to keep the health workers here happy.

“In the same vein, President Buhari has also directed us to conclude the discussions on the other allowances for the health workers so that they can enjoy it anytime from now.’’

 

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Prof Pate Disclaims Prof Jubril Aminu’s Rumored Death

Prof Jubril Aminu, Prof Pate, Rumored Death
Prof Jubril Aminu

Prof Pate Disclaims Prof Jubril Aminu’s Rumored Death

The rumored death of a former education and petroleum minister, Prof. Jubril Aminu has been disclaimed.

The vice-chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru A. Pate said “A viral news on social media platforms, Thursday night, on the death of Prof. Jubril Aminu, is false and malicious.”

Prof. Pate a very close associate of Prof. Jubril Aminu, who was a former vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri and senator representing Adamawa Central constituency between 2003 and 2011, told Solacebase that Aminu is alive.

Pate was quoted to have said, “It is not true that he is dead. Prof is alive; I spoke with him. We received multiple calls from people asking questions but I want to assure you that he is in his house in Abuja.’’

Who is Jubril Aminu?
He was born in August 1939. He graduated in Medicine from the University of Ibadan in 1965, and holds a Ph. D in Medicine from the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School.

Mr. Aminu as consultant, senior lecturer and sub-dean of Clinical Studies at the University of Ibadan Medical School from 1973 -1975, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC from 1975–1979, visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington DC from1979–1980, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, 1980-1985.

He was also Professor of Medicine at the University of Maiduguri from1979–1995. Mr. Aminu held office as Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992).

He was Nigerian Ambassador to the USA from 1999–2003 and was elected Senator for Adamawa Central constituency in May 2003 and re-elected in 2007.

He is one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

High Court Judge Expresses Anger in Open Court over Attempt by Lawyer to Bribe Him

High Court, Judge, Justice G. M Kamyal, Anger, Lawyer, Barrister B.C. Awang, Bribe

High Court Judge Expresses Anger in Open Court over Attempt by Lawyer to Bribe Him

The presiding judge of High Court 9 in West of Mines Jos, Plateau State, Justice G. M Kamyal has exposed a counsel who attempted to curry favour in a case before him.

While narrating in open court how a counsel made an attempt to solicit his favour in a matter with suit No. PLD/J602/2021 between Gabriel Sunday Badung and 20 others (complainants) and Comr Samson Makims and others (Defendants), Justice Kamyal said the counsel visiting him at night.

When the matter came up for continuation of hearing on Tuesday and the counsels announced appearance, the judge said. “I wish to inform the Counsel and parties in Court that yesterday night between 7 and 8, one Barrister B.C. Awang (Mrs) came to my house along with one of the claimants in this case to see me in respect of the case.

“They came along with a gift for me. I was seriously disturbed by the said unsolicited visit. I asked why would they pay such a visit on me based on a case before me.

“According to the said Barrister B.C. Awang, the visit was in respect of a Motion Exparte pending before me. This visit was uncalled for, unprofessional of a counsel and I felt it was an attempt to solicit favour(s) from me.

“I am deeply annoyed by the said visit and this has affected my mind frame with regards to handling this matter. I have said this in the open Court and I am returning the case file to the Hon the Ag Chief Judge of the State for him to Re-assign the case to another Judge for trial.

“This is to ensure that my anger over the visit to my house will undermine the trial of this case. Accordingly, I hereby return the case file as stated above and same is to be forwarded forward with by the Registrar of this Court for further directives of the Hon. Ag Chief Judge.”

 

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Buhari Undecided on Electoral Act Amendment Bill, as AGF Opposes Mandatory Direct Primaries

Muhammadu Buhari, Undecided, Electoral Act, Amendment Bill, Abubakar Malami, Mandatory Direct Primaries
President Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari Undecided on Electoral Act Amendment Bill, as AGF Opposes Mandatory Direct Primaries

Nigeria’s attorney-general, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has written a letter to the President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting the problems with the inclusion of mandatory direct primaries in the Electoral Act amendment bill.

The PUNCH reported on Thursday that the president received the AGF’s letter two weeks ago, as confirmed by the president’s spokesman, Garba Shehu.

But Shehu claimed not to know the content of the letter.

“Yes. I can confirm that the president has received a communication from the honourable minister on the matter but honestly, I am not privy to the content of the communication. I have not been briefed,” Shehu was quoted to have said.

A ministry of justice source was also quoted to have said Malami informed the president that making direct primaries mandatory for all political parties could cause confusion.

The source said, “The AGF has sent his advice on the Electoral Act amendment bill to the President.  He has highlighted the problems of the bill.

“The AGF, however, did not quote any section of the law that makes it illegal which is unlike the previous letters he writes to the President.”

He explained that the AGF was worried that forcing all parties to adopt the direct mode of primary would mean that all existing parties would have to change their constitutions.

The source stated, “The office of the AGF sent its position two weeks ago. They raised a number of issues. For instance, if you are asking political parties to run direct primaries, from a strictly legal point of view that would mean that only new political parties will be bound by the law.

“Existing political parties will not, because they have registered their parties, they have filed their constitution long time ago on the basis of what is contained there. And most of it is a mixture, if you check the parties, direct and indirect primaries are stated.

“So, are you going to change their constitutions for them? So, this is the legal opinion. But this is just one. There are several other legal positions which favours and disfavours the bill because, as the Minister of Justice, his duty is to tell the president the pros and the cons. It is now up to the President to decide on which way to go.”

It was earlier reported that governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) had lobbied Malami, asking him to convince the president not to sign the bill.

A special adviser to the president, Femi Adesina, had confirmed last week that the president was seeking the advice of the AGF on the electoral bill.

While responding to a question, Adesina said, “There are certain things that never get done without the counsel of the attorney-general. You can be sure of that. And this falls right within the purview of the attorney-general. So you can be sure that every bit of the way, the attorney-general will be carried along.”

President Buhari received the bill on November 19 and has until December 19 to sign it or communicate to the National Assembly his feelings and comments about the bill.

But if after 30 days, the president refuses to sign the bill and the National Assembly is not in support of the president’s amendments, the Senate and the House of Representatives can recall the bill and pass it.

If the bill is passed in the form it was sent to the president by two-thirds majority votes in both chambers, the bill automatically becomes a law even without the signature of the president.

 

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2022 AFCON: Eguavoen Says Nigeria Can’t Change List Genort Rohr Submitted to CAF

Augustine Eguavoen, Genort Rohr, 2022 AFCON, Super Eagles, List, CAF

2022 AFCON: Eguavoen Says Nigeria Can’t Change List Genort Rohr Submitted to CAF

Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has said that he will work with the same set of players used by his predecessor, Gernot Rohr, at the Cameroon 2022 African Cup of Nations.

The competition begins on January 9 and ends on February 6.

The Guardian on Friday quoted Eguavoen to have said it would be difficult to raise a complete new set of players for the AFCON and remaining matches of the World Cup qualifiers.

“I will work with the players Coach Rohr listed for the AFCON. The only thing I will do is add a few new names to the list.

“However, every member of the team will have to justify his stay in the squad,” he was said to have said.

The coach confirmed that before he left, Rohr had submitted a list of players to CAF from where the final 23 players will be chosen.

“The list is already with CAF. So, it is from that we are going to pick the players, the list Gernot Rohr submitted.”

Eguavoen also disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not picked any camp for the team, saying he would meet with the federation to decide the team’s programme for the AFCON.

Nigeria will begin its campaign with a clash against Egypt on January 11 before further games against Sudan and Guinea Bissau.

 

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More Join as Petition against Buhari Gets Close to 30, 000 Signatures

Muhammadu Buhari, Petition, Signatures, #NorthisBleeding
President Muhammadu Buhari's administration faces huge backlash from Northern Nigeria of recent

More Join as Petition against Buhari Gets Close to 30, 000 Signatures

A petition seeking thegovernment of Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states of the North-West had garnered close to 30, 000 signatures on Change.Org on Thursday.

Meanwhile, insecurity in the region continued to escalate.

The petition, which was started by one Alhanislam Alhanislam on Monday, called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to secure northern lives with the #SecureNorth and #NorthisBleeding.

As more people signed the petition, groups and individuals including Amnesty International and the Middle Belt Forum berated the federal government.

The petition for a state of emergency read in part, “We’re calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately declare a state of emergency in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in the North-West that have been besieged by armed violence and militant attacks to secure the lives and properties of millions of Nigerians, who fear for their lives.

“Alarming violence and unabated killings by armed groups in northern Nigeria have spawned the region into a full-blown humanitarian crisis and a national embarrassment. More than 30 people, including women and children, were burned to death in a recent attack in Sokoto State after a group of gunmen opened fire on a bus loaded with passengers, according to eyewitnesses.”

The petition further stated that more than 80 people were killed in another attack after gunmen descended on eight villages in Kebbi State this year while thousands of Nigerians have fled from their homes and farms in Zamfara state, where armed assault and hostage-taking is the business of the day.

The petitioners lamented that the North had become a war zone, adding that the United Nations had revealed earlier in the year that 2.9 million people are displaced in the region due to insecurity.

Apart from declaring a state of emergency, the petitioners are seeking a public pronouncement from northern Leaders and emirs condemning all forms of violence.

They also want the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, to prioritise and deploy military troops across these states.

 

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Buhari is a ‘Weak General’, #NorthisBleeding Protesters Declare 

#NorthisBleeding, Buhari, Weak General, Protesters
Protesters took to the streets in Northern Nigeria to demand for better security.

Buhari is a ‘Weak General’, #NorthisBleeding Protesters Declare 

Protesters in Abuja converged at the Nigerian Labour House (Ayuba Wabba House), Central Area on Wednesday demanding an end to the insecurity in the Northern Nigeria.

Most of them were armed with placards with inscriptions ‘Buhari is a weak Army General’.

Some carried placards that said ‘Northern region is bleeding’ and ‘Buhari is sleeping’.

Other inscriptions on placards asked “How many have to die in the north before Buhari is asked to resign?”

The protesters marched under the bridge in Garki Area 1 where some policemen emerged, dispersed and arrested some of them.

In Kano State, security officials, consisting of policemen and the DSS operatives, barricaded the gate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to stop youths protesting against insecurity in the North from entering the premises.

Several security vehicles with personnel dressed in anti-riot outfits took over the NUJ Secretariat main gate and the road leading to the secretariat as the protesters assembled at a distance.

Following an agreement with the security personnel, the protesters marched to the gate of the NUJ but were not allowed in as the gate was locked.

The officer in charge, who did not identify himself, advised the protesters to adopt due processes whenever they want to stage peaceful protests to avoid thugs taking over the protest.

An NUJ official in Kano, Jamilu Charanchi, addressed the protesters and the North West coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups read a communiqué.

The communiqué called on the Nigerian government to avoid increasing the price of fuel, address insecurity and resolve the problem of inflation in the country.

It read in part, “The current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 governors have failed totally in the major areas of providing security of lives and properties of citizens and ensuring a secure economic environment in the North in particular.”

Speaking on the insecurity, one of the organisers of the protest, Abba Hikima, called for a stop to the bloodletting in the North while insisting that security personnel be properly armed to face the bandits who he insisted are more armed than the state’s security agents.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called on security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS to stop harassing and arresting youths protesting insecurity in northern Nigeria.

In a series of tweets, Amnesty demanded the release of the young protesters.

The rights group said, “Amnesty International received disturbing reports from Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto on arrests and crackdown by the police and the DSS on peaceful protests against rampant insecurity in northern Nigeria.

“We call on Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested for exercising the right to freedom of assembly. The DSS must stop using ‘invitations’ to threaten and intimidate protest organisers.”

 

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Masari Claims Katsina Commissioner Killed by Assassins, Not Bandits

Aminu Bello Masari, Katsina Commissioner, Killed, Assassins, Bandits
Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari

Masari Claims Katsina Commissioner Killed by Assassins, Not Bandits

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Kastina State and elders in the state on Tuesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the security situation in the state at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to correspondents after the closed door meeting with President Buhari, the governor said his commissioner of science and technology, Dr. Rabe Nasir was not killed by bandits, but by hired killers.

Specifically on the security situation in North West, Masari said, “I think what is most important for us to succeed in fighting these bandits is for all of us in the States, especially the North-western States to take the pains and work together to make sure that we block all the loopholes.

“But if one state has a policy and another has a different one, certainly they (bandits) will always be moving from one state to another. Luckily enough, we are already working closely with states that border us, like Nasarawa and Niger states, to bring the problem to a manageable and tolerable level.”

The governor assured the family of the deceased and citizens of the state that security agents were working hard to unravel the cause of the murder.

According to him, “The incident we had last week had nothing to do with banditry attack. It was purely an assassination by unknown killers, which the Police and other security agencies are working round the clock to unravel what happened.

“Because my Commissioner was killed by an unknown assassin and not a single pin was stolen in his house so, you could see that this was a pure crime that has to be fully investigated for us to know the root causes and why. I think if we are talking about banditry, certainly we have seen some improvement; we cannot say normalcy has returned but there is improvement.”

“When we had a comparative analysis before the issuance of the security containment order, what we saw in three months when we compared, was a drastic drop of over 100 percent in terms of the rate of kidnappings, killings and their associated crimes with banditry. So, the incident we had last week had nothing to do with banditry.”

 

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