Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina, has said Nigeria has always been divided and that it did not start under Buhari. According to him, right from amalgamation, Nigeria has been a divided country. Speaking during a Channels TV programme , yesterday Adesina said the division in the country predates the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was reacting to comments made by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Wole Soyinka, playwright and Nobel laureate, who said that Nigeria is more divided than ever before. But defending the president, Adesina described Nigeria as an inconvenient amalgamation which has always been divided. “Nigeria had always been divided right from amalgamation in 1914. Nigeria is an inconvenient amalgamation but we have kept at it and we have worked at it,” Adesina said. “And I tell you that there is no time in the history of this country that the country was not divided. But then, we have kept at it and we are trying to make it work. As at 2015 when President Buhari came, Nigeria was terribly divided; divided along ethnic, religious and political lines; divided along language; divided hopelessly and terribly. The presidential spokesman, who said the current administration has been making efforts to unite the country, accused some people of “playing politics with everything. That is the division that President Buhari has been working at. But you see that a number of people, instead of letting harmony return to this country, thrive and luxuriate in widening the gap between Nigerians. They play politics with everything.” “So, if they say Nigeria is divided today, it is because Nigeria has always been divided. And all efforts to unite Nigeria and Nigerians never worked. When Nigerians come to a decision point that we must live together, we can’t wish anybody away, then we will be working towards being a nation.”

The Lagos State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has arrested and impounded 531 trucks for operating below Road Transport Safety Standards Scheme (RTSSS) between Aug. and Sept. 16. The Corps Commander, Lagos State Sector Command, Mr Olusegun Ogunbemide, said this after engaging in sensitisation and operation show your strength held between Cele Mile 2 axis of Lagos on Wednesday. Ogunbemide said that the Lagos sector of the corps arrested and impounded 531 trucks for operating below (RTSSS), adding that they would ensured that they give reasonable reasons for their offenses before being released. He mentioned some of the RTSSS such as speed devise, vehicle documents, standards tyres, locking of containers and driver licenses were committed by the 531 truck drivers. He explained that the outing was part of their preparedness towards peak of the year, which is the ember months, where there would be hazards and increase in vehicular movement. The sector Commander stressed the need to sensitise the truck drivers, especially the articulated vehicle drivers, while the outing showcased corps capability and capacities to curtail the excesses of the truck drivers. We want the truckers to have change of heart, to be aware that we are set and ready to protect the motorists. ” While the parade show was ongoing I was in a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority on the continuation of our collaboration in line with with keeping the road free for motorists. “We want the truckers and drivers to know that we are ready to match the excesses of reckless drivers on the highway. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of crashes in the country nosedive because of the free road, remember that truckers were allowed to move free due to their essentials service delivery,” Ogunbemide said. He, however, urged drivers who were not able to meet up with RTSSS requirements to stop plying Nigerian roads, adding that officers were ready to match them if they refuse to comply. During inspection to Mile Tin-can Route, the Head of Operations, FRSC Lagos, Mr Cyril Matthew, ran into a 30-year-old Truck driver, Ifeayin Arinze, who was driving 40ft container truck with fake driver license. Matthew seized the fake license and told him to obtain original before moving on the road again. He, however, handover, the driver to officer on Mile 2 axis to ensure he obtained genuine driver license before plying the road. Arinze, who work with The Lord is my Strength Company, pleaded guilty, adding that he intended to process original license from Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), after achieving his first trip to the Eastern part of country.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday, gave insight into why it installed 36 new signages and removed 2,747 others. Briefing newsmen, the Director, Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage, Dr Babagana Adam, explained that the new signages were installed to ensure standardisation and environmental protection. He said FCT as a nation’s capital, needed to meet up with international standards and would not be taken over by illegal signage littering the streets. The director added that the illegal ones removed were a threat to security and waste in the city. “We have installed 36 signage in the city, 2, 747 illegal ones have been removed. This is to help bring about standardisation, regulations and environmental control. “The department is not against anyone’s progress but to ensure that right things are put in place for the good of all,” Adam said. On the revenue drive, the director disclosed that the department in the last six months, generated N500 million against the three years that only N333 million was raised. “When I assumed office, the revenue generated in three years, 2016, 2017 and 2018 was just N333 million, but within my first six months or less, I was able to generate about N500 million. ” This shows that the potential of FCT generating revenue is massive and impressive,” he said. Adam urged cooperate bodies and relevant stakeholders to support the department in its quest to ensure sanity in the FCT. According to him, the 36 signage installed so far have generated about 50,000 jobs for residents. (NAN)

The Benue state government has canceled the third term for primary and secondary school’s curriculum for the 2019/2020 academic session, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, directing schools to compute first and seconds term results for promotion of students to the next class. Commissioner for education, Professor Dennis Ityavyar disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalist in Makurdi, warning administrators of both public and private schools, against charging parents for third term fees for non-exit classes of JSS 1 and 2, SS 1 and two respectively. Full academic activities for the 2020/2021 session is to commence on September 21, 2020, with instructions to divide each class for morning and evening sessions to create enough room for social distancing among students with strict compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

…Issues 11-day ultimatum, gives government till Sept 28 to reverse hikes …Says cost of electricity more than minimum wage in some places …NLC’s CWC resolved to issue ultimatum — WABBA …Lagos police arrest, release 50 protesters, including Vanguard’s photo-journalist …TUC ultimatum misplaced — Ngige The stage appears set for a showdown over the recent hikes in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff, as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday gave the Federal Government an 11-day deadline to reverse its decision or face a nationwide indefinite strike and mass protest from September 28. This came on a day protesters, under the aegis of Joint Action Front, JAF, for the second time in one week stormed the streets of Lagos to protest the hikes, a development that led to the arrest of about 50 persons, including a Vanguard photo-journalist. This is even as the Minister of Labour and Employment yesterday described the 7-day ultimatum given by the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to reverse the petrol price and electricity tariff increase as misplaced. However, at its National Administrative Council, NAC, and Central Working Committee, CWC, meetings yesterday, NLC leaders argued that Nigerians can no longer cope with sufferings occasioned by the recent hikes, among other unfriendly government policies. In a communiqué read by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, Congress contended that the hikes had rendered the new minimum wage of N30, 000 worthless as a result of rising inflation. NLC’s CWC resolved to issue ultimatum Wabba said: “The National Administrative Council as well as the Central Working Committee of the NLC have just ended their meeting. The meeting was convened to look at the twin issue of the hike in electricity tariff and also the fuel price increase. “The CWC has noted that these twin increases, despite being ill-timed because of COVID-19, is also bad because of the socio-economic situation of the country. “The CWC also identified the fact that the policy has reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians as well as Nigerian workers. Also, it has brought about high cost of goods and services, and importantly, has eroded completely the gains of the N30,000 minimum wage. “The CWC also looked at the report of the meeting that took place between the Federal Government and Organized Labour where NLC was represented by 14 of its leaders and, therefore, resolved as follows: “The CWC resolved to issue a 2-week (11 days from Wednesday) ultimatum to the Federal Government to reverse or face industrial action and peaceful assembly “In furtherance to this, CWC resolved also to convene a meeting of National Executive Council in line with our constitution on September 22, 2020, to give effect to this decision because the proposal for the action is to commence on Monday, September 28, 2020, if those issues are not addressed. “NLC Central Working Committee also will mobilise its members, our civil society allies and other social partners to try to resist this policy because it has driven many into poverty.” Cost of electricity more than minimum wage in some places Lamenting the sorry state of affairs in the country, Wabba added that there were instances where the cost of electricity had been established to be more than the minimum wage. “This afternoon (yesterday), CWC members were sharing their experiences arising from the exploitative nature of these policies, where it is very evident that in some cases, even the N30,000 minimum wage cannot even pay for electricity bill. “In fact, the experience we have here is that somebody loaded credit of N30,000 but it didn’t take him up to two weeks. This has been the experience all over the country. So, it is a decision that is biting at every worker, every family and I think it is a decision that certainly requires reversal,” he added. Police disrupt protests in Lagos Also yesterday, the operatives of Lagos State Police Command disrupted the protest against the increase in the price of fuel and electricity tariff, arresting no fewer than 50 of the protesters, including a Vanguard photo-journalist, Kehinde Shonola They were arrested at Ishaga Road, Surulere, during a peaceful protest organized by the Joint Action Front, JAF. Vanguard gathered that as the police intercepted the protest which started from Labour House, Tejuosho, Yaba, Lagos, they demanded to see the leader of the protesters. The Secretary of JAF, Abiodun Aremu, who led the protest, presented himself and was asked by the policemen to follow them to Area C Police Headquarters. The protesters insisted that they all should be arrested. According to source, the police brought in three vans that couldn’t accommodate those who offered themselves for arrest, about 50 in number. On getting to area C, an eyewitness told Vanguard that because of the commotion generated by their presence at the police station, they were immediately released. It was learned that the protesters who had their banners, posters, leaflets and handbills seized, insisted they would not leave the station without those items. A witness told Vanguard that after much arguments and counter-arguments, the protesters were released with their seized protest materials. Recall that last Thursday, the Police arrested 14 protesters and four journalists during a similar protest at the same Ojuelegba Speaking with Vanguard, Aremu said aside from those arrested, 50 other protesters voluntarily surrendered themselves to the Police in solidarity. He said: “About 50 protesters surrendered themselves to be arrested when the Police wanted to single out Comrade Abiodun Aremu for arrest,” According to him, those arrested were JAF Deputy Chairperson, Achike Chude, and immediate past President, Malachy Ugwumadu, of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR. Others were committee members, including Shina Odugbemi, Hassan Soweto and Daga Tolar among others. Aremu requested the federal government to take urgent steps towards ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians, especially the downtrodden. He said Nigerians should prepare for a long drawn struggle to resist and defeat the anti-poor increase in fuel prices, electricity tariff, Value Added Tax, VAT, and all other inimical policies making life unbearable for Nigerians.

……..Says VAPP Bill is well intended,if Baby factories are closed in Imo The Catholic doctors in Imo have condemned and seek an immediate amendment on the Violence Against People’s Prohibition (VAPP) Bill by Imo house of assembly. This was contained in a statement by Chairman of the group, Prof. Philip Njemanze on Tuesday at Rockview hotel Owerri The Violence against people’s prohibition bill (VAPP) is sponsored by Imo lawmaker, Hon.Uju Onwudikwe representing Njaba state constituency The Imo Catholic doctors alleged that Imo bill No. 12 is a poorly written and conceptualized law which has an agenda to destroy the family and erode our Igbo traditions and Christian Religious foundation. According to Imo Catholic doctors, ” Imo Bill No. 12 legalizes Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage, Outlaws the Use of the Bible in Schools, Outlaws all-men Catholic Seminaries, Ordains women as priests, Crowns women as traditional Ezes in Imo Communities, promotes the Sale of Human parts from aborted babies, imprisons parents and preachers for moral education of children. “The bill is better not promulgated in its present form and remain repealed.. ” However, on request of His Grace Most Rev. AJV Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, diocese, and Owerri Provincial Head, we will point out a few of the objections in this new version of the bill.” “We underscore that all the issues addressed on rape are all provided for in the current penal code in Nigeria..” ” This current law was designed to augment the Imo State Law No. 7 for the destruction of the family and killing of the unborn Imo Child,”The group said. “If the bill No. 12 is well intended, it should ban the proliferation of ‘Imo Baby Factories’, who are being killed and their organs taken for export to Western Countries to provide organs for their infants with heart defects, kidney defects, liver and lung insufficiency. The Imo State Law No. 12 is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and the sole aim is to provide aborted tissues and fetal parts for the Western Pharmaceutical Companies for drug testing and cosmetics industry. It also provides human Overian Eggs through Invitro-Feritilization (IVF) Clinics to supply over 100 milion eggs needed for the Tissue Cloning Industry. ” It is remarkable that majority of the Stem Cell Tissue Cloning Industry is owned by Bill Gates”. ” This will mark the beginning of Biological Colonialism using innocent babies from Imo State. There is also a growing threat of use of ‘infanticides’ to kill ‘girl’ child in families in Sex Selection. Imo Catholic doctors said that the promulgation of the Imo Law No. 12 will only be of value if it is focused on protecting all persons from the moment of conception to natural death. The Imo Catholic doctors in seeking amendment to the VAPP bill said ,” First, this is a bill purported to be a Law for Prohibition of Violence Against Persons, however, there is no section on Definition of a Person. “We will provide a detailed medical definition of a ‘person’ who is the main object of this law and must be clearly defined. The poor conceptualization in this Law No. 12 is shown, for example, the main subject of the law the ‘Person’ is not defined. If a person is characterized by ‘Life’ what in this Law protects that ‘Sanctity of Life’ on whom Violence is inflicted. The Law does not protect ‘Life’ from its very scientific medical beginning from ‘Conception to Natural Death’. ” This law must state that any laws that proposes “Violence or Death” against a ‘person’ not in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, is hereby repealed, rendered null and void and of no effect..” ” This Bill No. 12 should specifically state that The Imo State Law No. 7 2007 in [Section 18 (a-f)] which legalizes Abortion, Contraception, Assisted Reproduction and Human Ovarian Egg-donation’, is hereby rendered null and void and of no effect.”. “Act may be cited as the `Imo State of Nigeria Violence Against Persons (Sanctity of Human Life Act)’ Law No. 12 of 2012..” “Be It Enacted by the House of Assembly of Imo State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – (1) the House of Assembly Imo State declares that– (A) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, and is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person; and (B) the life of each human being begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, irrespective of sex, health, function or disability, defect, stage of biological development, or condition of dependency, at which time every human being shall have all the legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and “(2) the House of Assembly affirms that the Imo State Government, have the authority to protect the lives of all human beings residing in its respective jurisdictions..” “domestic relationship” means a relationship between any person and a perpetrator of violence constituted in any of the following ways (i) They were married to each other, including marriage according to any law, custom or religion; “marriage is a union of a man and a woman established between themselves by their own free will as a partnership for the whole of life according to an order established by law, faith or custom, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring”. Imo bill No. 12 redefines marriage: (ii) They live or have lived together in a relationship in the nature of marriage, although they are not or were not married to each other; “The present law recognizes ‘civil unions as marriage’. Revision, Delete this section ,the group said. Imo bill No. 12 : crowns women Ezes in communities: “economic abuse” by including ‘succession rights’ would mean that if the first girl in the family of an Eze is jumped in the line of succession according to Igbo customs and tradition, the Eze