September 2020 – Page 49

Post Date : September 7, 2020

Passengers burn beyond recognition in Anambra accident — FRSC

Mr Andrew Kumapayi, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said on Sunday that many passengers were burnt beyond recognition when their vehicle went into flames on the Ihiala/Onitsha road in Anambra State. Kumapayi said that they were yet to know the actual number of people that died in the accident because they were burnt beyond recognition. “This evening, a lone fatal road traffic crash was allegedly caused by tyre burst as a result of excessive speeding. The vehicle somersaulted and burst into flames. “Information reaching the Command states that all passengers on board were burnt beyond recognition, along with the bus. “The Anambra State fire service has been contacted and the FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command are on ground to ensure free flow of traffic, while all obstructions are being cleared,” he said. Kumapayi said that the corpse of the only male adult who jumped out of the vehicle in the process had been deposited at the Morgue at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala. He added that there would be more updates as events unfold. (NAN)

Post Date : September 7, 2020

27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon arrive Abuja

Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon by the Federal Government and the Lebanese government, as well as its community in Nigeria arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday. Receiving them, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian government’s promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been several pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon appealing for assistance to enable them to return home. Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country. “I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria. “These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today. “It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you. “Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again. “You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations,’’ Nwonye said. The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman told newsmen that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations. He said the girls tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations. He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation. The spokesperson said the girls were tested in Beirut before embarking on the journey and they were also profiled on arrival. Also speaking, Mr Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, said the Lebanese community and its Embassy in Nigeria had facilitated the return of the girls with the support of the Nigerian government. Webbe said it was in fulfillment of their word that they would not leave any Nigerian girl stranded in Lebanon. “We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria. We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria. “The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back. “We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon. “On this flight, Mr Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community. “They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we won’t leave anyone of them behind. One of the returnees who spoke on condition of anonymity appreciated the Nigerian and Lebanese governments for ensuring their safe return back home. She said that if not for the assistance, they would have been left stranded in Lebanon as they could not afford to buy tickets to return home. The returnee said they encountered many challenges in Lebanon with many of them being owed seven to eight months salaries by their employers. (NAN)

Post Date : September 6, 2020

Gunmen kill 8, kidnap many in Kaduna community

Some gunmen in the early hours of Sunday invaded Buda Community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed three persons The National President of the Adara Development Association , Awemi Dio Maisamari, who confirmed the attack , said scores of persons were also kidnapped during the incident. Maisamari, in a statement in Kaduna on Sunday , claimed that the attack took place about 2am when the natives were asleep . The fresh attack occurred a few days after the Justice Isa Aliyu-led Commission of Inquiry into the incessant violent crises in the Kajuru LG , submitted its report to Governor Nasir El -Rufai . Kajuru is located in Southern Kaduna. The statement read , “ Today , Sunday, 6th September 2020 at 2. 00am , the Adara community of Buda , in Buda Ward of Kajuru LGA came under another deadly attack from suspected Fulani militia. “ The premeditated and unprovoked attack claimed the lives of three people namely Rev. Alubara Audu, 45, with five children; Adamu Tata, 40, with four children and Ishaku Peter, 37, with five children . Furthermore, the following persons were abducted – Sani Peter, 25 and Esther Sani Peter , 20. “ At around the same time , the terrorists also abducted five people from neighboring Kemara Rimi community of Buda Ward. They are Ojo Aminu, 35, Danfulani Makaranta, 37, Namiji Gwamna, 36. Ali Musa , 36 and Grace Mathew , 16. ” The statement , also recalled that “ these callous and barbaric attacks sometimes abate but never really stop in Adara community . On Sunday 16th August , 2020, another fatal attack occurred at Kallah village on the banks of river Kaduna. “ This resulted in the death of Mr . Danladi Abashi , a 50-year -old farmer who ventured near the villages that were invaded and are still occupied by Fulani herdsmen in the Kallah/Gefe /Libere area of Kajuru LGA . His body was only recovered with the help of the police because the herdsmen disallowed Adara people from even approaching the occupied enclave . “ Similarly , the incidents of abductions of innocent people for ransom are also continuing . On 27th August , 2020, five incidents of kidnapping occurred including that of Daniel Shuaibu and Abednego Paul from their residence at Maraban Kajuru . “ During the operation , Mr . Sunday Barau was shot and injured and the abductees are still with their abductors because his helpless family has been unable to meet their demands . “ Another of the incidents is that of the abduction of Master Pius Gargai who was abducted from their family residence at Maraban Rido . He too is still with the kidnappers because of inability to meet their demands . “ Also , on 2nd September , 2020, four persons were abducted from Rafin Roro village in Kasuwan Magani Ward of Kajuru LGA. One of them managed to escape and three are still being held. ” The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to confirm the latest incident . As of the time of filing this report, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige , could not be reached and there was no reply to a text message sent to his telephone .

Post Date : September 6, 2020

School reopening without adherence to COVID-19 protocols dangerous — ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, has warned against the reopening of schools without provisions for schools to meet COVID-19 precautionary guidelines. Its chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in a release he made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday. Akinwole stated that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools could be enormous if responsibility was not taken to ensure safety. He warned that no pecuniary gains would be more than the lives of lecturers and their students. Akinwole noted that before COVID-19 pandemic, public varsities were overcrowded with students and hostel facilities took more than its capacity. He then warned parents not to jubilate at the news of a possible reopening of schools. However, they should ask the government to put measures in place so as not to have a surge in COVID-19 that might happen as a result of ill-thought out reopening, he said. “What we are simply saying is that the Federal Government should adhere to their own set guidelines. “Our position, as a responsible union in all these is that; throwing schools open in the midst of all these, is an open invitation to the tragic explosion of the COVID-19 scourge on a scale never witnessed anywhere since its outbreak.” He said that the union was aware that there had been agitations from some quarters for the government to reopen schools. He said that those leading the campaign are the proprietors of private universities. He said, “ASUU is not in any way opposed to this call. “However, Nigerians should honestly interrogate this position. Has the Nigerian government met the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) criteria on COVID – 19 protocols in our institutions? “COVID-19 pandemic is still very much with us. It is in recognition of this fact that the government itself has rolled out certain conditions to be met before schools are reopened.” According to the ASUU chairman, How many of our public institutions can confidently vouch for the safety of our children given the available facilities such as: provision of running water for hand washing; social distancing among students. He listed others to include: the use of recommended face masks and shields, which are key components of NCDC protocols? (NAN)

Post Date : September 6, 2020

Security alert: DHQ assuree FCT residents, adjoining states of safety

The Defence Headquarters has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and adjoining states that the military and other security agencies has been on red alert to ensure their safety. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, gave the assurence in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Enenche said the armed forces had intensified effective surveillance of the FCT and other states to checkmate activities of the criminals. He said the assurance was “imperative sequel to a purported memorandum from the Nigeria Customs Service warning its staff on a possible attack on the FCT”. “The Armed Forces in conjunction with other security and response agencies particularly the core intelligence agencies hereby assure the public that preventive and preemptive intelligence are ongoing. “The general public is thus advised to go about their lawful businesses undeterred. “Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wish to assure the general public that the offensives against the common enemies of this Nation will not cease until normalcy is restored in all parts of the country. “Hence, the public is equally enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity accordingly,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the military had recently raided identified camps of the DarulSalam/Boko Haram terrorist group in parts of Kogi and Nasarawa States. It neutralised scores of the terrorists and rescued over 700 of their family members and abductees in the raid following verified intelligence reports on the locations. (NAN)

Post Date : September 6, 2020

Troops nab fake soldier, 21 suspected criminals in Jos

The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau has arrested one James Dogo, for falsely parading himself as a military personnel. Dogo was arrested alongside one Dotun Shomoye, who specialises in printing identity cards for fake security personnel. Other 20 suspected criminals, who are between the ages of 20 and 25, were arrested for armed robbery, drug abuse, snatching of phones, and other criminal activities. The Commander of the task force, Maj.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, on Sunday in Jos, said the suspects were arrested in different locations within Jos metropolis. Okonkwo said that the raid was aimed at ensuring sanity and ending petty crimes as well as other criminal activities within Jos and environs. “In our efforts to weed out bad elements across our area of joint operation, we have arrested some criminal elements terrorising the peace loving people of Jos and environs. “Among them is a fake soldier and printer who produces identity cards for fake security personnel. “Similarly, 20 other suspected criminals were arrested as part of our operation, launched to bring sanity to Jos metropolis,” he said. The commander, who said over 60 suspects were arrested in the past days, added that they would be handed over to the Police for prosecution. Okonkwo assured Jos and Plateau residents in general of his commitment to ridding the area of criminal elements and ending all forms of insecurity in the state. He, however, urged members of the public to report suspicious movements and criminal activities around their vicinities to security agnecies for prompt action. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items recovered from the suspects include: Indian hemps, machetes and swords and various types of dagger and knives. Items recovered from the printer of fake identity cards include: two Dell desk top computers, three CPU, two Canon printers, among others. (NAN)

Post Date : September 6, 2020

COVID-19: Lagos Govt reopens 2 recreational parks

The Lagos State Government on Sunday announced the reopening of two of its recreational parks for public use, stressing that visitors to the parks must comply with the subsisting COVID-19 protocols. Mrs Titilayo Ajirotutu, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos. According to Ajirotutu, the reopened recreational facilities are the Ndubisi Kanu Park in Alausa and the Dr Abayomi Finnish Park in Oregun, Ikeja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state had closed down all parks at the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic to contain the community spread of the virus. This measure denied fun seekers the opportunity to relax in the open and hindered government revenue from the facilities. The statement quoted Mrs Adetoun Popoola, the General Manager of LASPARK, as saying that the agency had made necessary arrangements and put in place relevant safety protocols for the public to visit the parks. “Strict observance of COVID-19 guidelines including physical distancing, use of face masks, temperature checks and washing of hands with soap and running water is germane to reducing the risk of exposure to the virus. “It is also pertinent to mention that children below five and adults above 65 years are advised to stay home to reduce their risk of infection. “All play items and games which have high touch surfaces will also not be operational for now at the parks,” Popoola said. The LASPARK boss said further that the occupancy limit of the parks had been restricted to 150 people for Ndubuisi Kanu Park and 100 people for Dr. Abayomi Finnih park to prevent overcrowding. She said that other public recreational parks in various parts of the state are still being assessed for reopening, adding that the public would be notified accordingly. (NAN)

Post Date : September 6, 2020

Past govts lacked courage to remove fuel subsidy – Presidency

The presidency said that President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated “ right courage” to take recent decisions that led to hike in fuel price and electricity tariff among others . It said such decisions were long overdue but successive governments before Buhari ’ s lacked courage to take bold decisions. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu , stated these in a statement titled “ History will be kinder to President Buhari than his critics are prepared to be. ” Shehu was reacting to criticisms that trailed recent hike in fuel price and electricity tariff . He described the reforms that led to the hike in prices as “ necessary and overdue. ” The presidential aide claimed that the Buhari regime has worked hard to meet many expectations within its five years but that there are still “ certain tough decisions ” that must be taken to reposition the country. The statement read , “ The All Progressives Congress came to power in 2015 defeating an incumbent administration amidst very high expectations from President Muhammadu Buhari. “ Five years on , the administration has worked hard to meet many expectations, but still , there are certain tough decisions which had to be taken to put back the country on the path of sustainable development. “ To stop the mismanagement of taxpayer money, eliminate corruption associated with subsidies on petroleum products, power , fertilizer among others , the administration took the decision to implement long -delayed reforms , withdraw and allow the market to determine their prices . “ Subsidy removal in these sectors had long been foreseen by successive administrations as game changers in search of solutions to move forward with the nation ’ s development . These are reforms that are necessary and overdue . Blueprint upon blueprint , timeline upon timeline had come and gone but courage to take bold decisions was not there . ” Shehu recalled that in the last few days , there have been claims within the online community, sections of the labour movement and the opposition that the regime ’ s actions are ill-timed and ill-advised . He said the country was currently fighting multiple challenges along with COVID -19, including low earnings , near- collapse of the oil market, floods, threats of terrorism and banditry . Notwithstanding these challenges, he said a good government must take decisions for the people’ s good. He added , “ As President , Muhammadu Buhari takes these difficult decisions , both popular and unpopular and as a leader because he is demonstrating the right courage to take such decisions as they become necessary in view of present circumstances . “ History will be kind to President Buhari because in addition to his amazing ability to command votes, he will be remembered as the President who made real contributions to economic and overall national development by eliminating the evils of corruption embedded in subsidies. “ In any democracy, the most important certificate in governance is acceptance by the people and, with the support of ordinary Nigerians , President Buhari has shown a rare determination to carry out the bold initiatives as these ones driven by nothing other than the greatest good for the greatest number of people . “ In carrying out the reforms , the President needs the support and understanding of all citizens- inclusive of the opposition parties , the labour movement and civil society groups. “ In these challenging times , the President is pushing development goals not politics and history will judge him in favourable terms rather than his critics in the new media and the opposition . ”

Post Date : September 6, 2020

Tragedy as Passengers burnt to death in Anambra accident

Scores of persons were burnt to death in a bus accident in Anambra State . The incident happened in Amorka in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the state on Sunday . Our correspondent gathered that the inferno involved 18-seater bus. The Acting Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Kamal Musa , confirmed the incident. He said only the corpse of a victim was recovered as of the time of filing this report . He attributed the cause of the crash to speeding beyond limit . Musa said , “ The vehicle bursts into flames this evening ( Sunday ) opposite Omorka in Ihiala along Ihiala- Onitsha road. “ Information reaching the Command states that all passengers on board where burnt beyond recognition along with the bus. “ Anambra State Fire Service has been contacted and the FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command are on ground to ensure free flow of traffic while obstruction is being cleared. “ The corpse of the only male adult who jumped out of the vehicle in the process has been deposited at Mogue in our Lady of Lourdes Ihiala . ” Photos bellow

Post Date : September 6, 2020

ALGON to AGF: Recover N3.3Trn mismanaged by FG, States since 1999

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo state chapter has charged the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami to recover over N3.3 trillion local government fund misappropriated since 1999. This was contained in a petition dated 20 August, 2020 written to the Attorney General of the Federation by the consulting firm for Imo ALGON, Crincad & Cari Nigerian Limited and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Hon. Ngozika Ihuoma. The firm noted that the fund in question was mismanaged by the Federal Government and State Governments across the country. The firm which stated that it notified ICPC of observed leakages from the Federation Account through a petition in July 2016 backed its petition with the report of the Accountant-General’s of Ekiti, Delta and Ogun state Joint Local Government Account and financial statements which exposed the diversion, mismanagement and non-compliance with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and NFIU Guidelines on Local Government Funds 2019. The petition read in part: “We shall be ready to partner with the Office of Honourable Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to ensure total compliance with the provisions of Section 162(6) of CFRN 1999 (as amended) and enforcement of two Supreme Court Judgments which has authorized the two anti-corruption agencies – Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure accountability of funds allocated from Federation Account and States gets to LGAs for rural development, a mandate that has remained a mirage despite remarkable increase in Federal Allocation”.