February 2021 – Page 46

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Cryptocurrecy Ban: Atiku Faults CBN Directive

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advised the Federal Government to have a rethink on its directive on cryptocurrency transactions in the country. This advice, which was contained in a statement on Saturday, was in reaction to the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to banks and other financial institutions to close accounts of any individual who transact in cryptocurrency. The CBN had told the regulated institutions that dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency exchanges was prohibited. But Atiku stated that it was wrong to issue such a directive at this time, saying the number one challenge facing Nigeria was youth unemployment. exchanges was prohibited. But Atiku stated that it was wrong to issue such a directive at this time, saying the number one challenge facing Nigeria was youth unemployment. READ ALSO: CBN Orders Banks To Close All Accounts Transacting In Cryptocurrency He explained that youth unemployment has already become not just a challenge but an emergency that has affected the nation’s economy and was exacerbating insecurity. According to the former Vice President, what Nigeria presently needs are jobs and an opening up of its economy following the report that foreign capital inflow into the country is at a four-year low. He decried that the nation had already suffered severe economic losses from the border closure and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Atiku warned that introducing policies that would restrict the inflow of capital into Nigeria could harm its economy more and urge the government to revisit the policy to prohibit the dealing and transaction of cryptocurrencies. He suggested that rather than an outright shutdown, the government could regulate the sub-sector and prevent any abuse that may be damaging to national security. The former Vice President informed the government that there was already immense economic pressure on the youth and efforts must be made to reduce the pressure and not add to it. He also recommended job creation, expansion of the economy, and removal of impediments towards investments as the way forward. Read the full statement issued by Atiku below: The number one challenge facing Nigeria is youth unemployment. In fact, it is not a challenge, it is an emergency. It affects our economy and is exacerbating insecurity in the nation. What Nigeria needs now, perhaps more than ever, are jobs and an opening up of our economy, especially after yesterday’s report by the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that foreign capital inflow into Nigeria is at a four year low, having plummeted from $23.9 billion in 2019 to just $9.68 billion in 2020. Already, the nation suffered severe economic losses from the border closure and the effects of the #COVID19 pandemic. This is definitely the wrong time to introduce policies that will restrict the inflow of capital into Nigeria, and I urge that the policy to prohibit the dealing and transaction of cryptocurrencies be revisited. It is possible to regulate the sub-sector and prevent any abuse that may be damaging to national security. That may be a better option, than an outright shutdown. There is already immense economic pressure on our youths. It must be the job of the government, therefore, to reduce that pressure, rather than adding to it. We must create jobs in Nigeria. We must expand the economy. We must remove every impediment towards investments. We owe the Nigerian people that much.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

MURIC Tells FG: We Have Evidence Against Herdsmen

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has disclosed that it has proofs of crops’ destruction in farms all over the country by herdsmen’s cattle. It, therefore, urged the Federal Government to compensate farmers whose crops have been destroyed. The MURIC Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, disclosed this in a statement. He suggested that the compensation, which may be in instalment, should be paid to farmers whose farms were destroyed in all states of the federation. The Proof According to him, MURIC now has concrete evidence of the culpability of herdsmen, including video clips, in which cows destroyed farms belonging to members of the organisation. “MURIC is now in possession of indubitable evidence of the destruction of crops on farmlands by cows brought by herdsmen. “We sent out feelers to all states where we have branches of MURIC and the reports are overwhelmingly convincing. “We asked our members to supply information on the activities of herdsmen in their states, including Abuja. In fact, we were stupefied by the outcome. “The most recent report from a young member of MURIC in Ogun State, who ventured into agriculture, reads: ‘Herders invaded my five hectares of rice farm Sunday, 31st January 2021 and it was totally destroyed. ‘The incident happened at the farm of Sanpro Foods, a rice production company whose premises is located at the Oyan farm settlement, Ibaro Rice Village, Ibaro in Abeokuta North Local Government, Abeokuta, Ogun State. ‘The farm is along Igboora Road after the roundabout’,” Akintola said. Akintola said that the mudiir (principal) of a local Arabic school in Lagos also reported another sad incident in which herders brought cows to invade his father’s cashew farm in Ijomu-Oro, Kwara State. He quoted the principal as saying that everything was destroyed, lamenting that his father would have realised millions of naira had he been able to harvest his cashew nuts. Akintola said: “He [principal] added that the fear of herders has forced farmers in Ido-Oro [also in Kwara State] to abandon their farms. “This is frightening. Farmers in Kwara State are afraid of going to their farms due to the activities of herders. “Farmers in Zamfara and Katsina have run away from their farms for fear of being killed or kidnapped by bandits. “Farmers in Ilesa, Osun State, those in Igangan, Oyo State and those in Ebonyi live in palpable fear of herders. “From where shall food come to our tables? Famine is coming! Cows and bandits have taken over Nigerian farms.” Daily Trust has not been able to get a response from the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). ‘Take responsibility now’ He, therefore, urged the federal and state governments to take responsibility. He said that it was clear that the Federal Government is yet to appreciate what farmers are going through in the hands of marauding herdsmen. He said: “How would you feel if someone just walks in and smashes all that you have been putting together for months or years? “We, therefore, declare that farmers have been patient enough. FG should do something urgently. “We recall our advice to FG two days ago in which we advocated for payment of bailout for herders to enable them to buy land from private owners for use as ranches. “The compensation we are now asking for farmers, who lost their crops, will be spread to all parts of the country: farmers in Benue, Ondo, Sokoto, Ekiti, Enugu, Ogun, Katsina, among others will be eligible. “This is the way the government can take responsibility. “Such compensation will assuage farmers, douse tension across the country and inject a new dose of confidence in Project Nigeria.” Clashes There have been increased clashes between host communities across the country and herdsmen recently. The Ondo State Government recently ordered herdsmen out of its forests reserves while in Ogun and Oyo states, youths are attacking Fulani settlements and ordering them to vacate their communities. Also, in Edo, there were protests against herdsmen’s activities within the week. In the South-east, South-south and North-central states, host communities are in a constant battle with herdsmen.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Zamfara To Build RUGA Settlements For Repentant Bandits

The Zamfara State Government has said it is making efforts to build Ruga settlements for repentant bandits in some states. It said it already granted amnesty to all the repentant bandits who surrendered their weapons and embraced the peace accord initiated by the governor, Bello Matawalle. The Special Adviser to the governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Zailani Baffa, said, “Following the amnesty arrangement, the state government has since last year granted amnesty to some bandits who were in detention at various correctional centres in the state just as the bandits also released some people they have kidnapped. “Governor Matawalle has already told the world that he has chosen dialogue as a means of ending banditry in the state and has granted amnesty to many repentant bandits. Arrangements are also in top gear to provide shelter to the repentant bandits through the construction of Ruga settlements in some parts of the state.” He added that following the tour to the state by Sheikh Ahmad Gummi; there were so many bandits willing to repent and join the governor’s peace accord. He added, “All the state government needs from the Federal Government are deploying more security personnel to the state so that we can fight those recalcitrant bandits who are not ready to surrender.” He stressed that the governor had constitutional rights to enter into dialogue with the bandits just as he had the right to grant them amnesty. “We have gone far in this arrangement, and it is yielding positive results,” Baffa added.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

16-year-old boy commits suicide in Kaduna

A 16-year-old boy, Bright Haruna, was alleged to have committed suicide by hanging himself inside a room in their house located at Daura Road, in Kaduna metropolis. It was gathered that the teenager took his life after being scolded by his father. The development, threw residents of the area into mourning when the news filtered that the teenager committed suicide after being scolded by his father. The incident occurred at about 4 pm Wednesday, February 3, 2021, but for the quick intervention of security operatives, the neighbours had attempted lynching the father, Mr Haruna Umar before he was rescued. When our correspondent visited the deceased resident at No. AZ 36, Daura Road, off Magajin Gari Kaduna, sympathisers were seen trooping in and out of the house to console the mother who was yet to fully recover from the unfortunate death of her son and subsequent arrest of her husband by the Police. The offence committed by the boy that arouse the father’s anger was still sketchy as at the time of filing this report. A source who spoke in confidence said, the father after beating the boy, went ahead to lock him up which paved way for him to hang himself in protest of the discipline melted on him. The Police Public Relations Officer for Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident said that the boy’s lifeless body was discovered at Argungu Road, opposite Goni Club, on 03/02/2021 at about 1600hrs. According to Police Spokesman, “the case has just been transferred to the criminal investigation department (CID). “We have the father of the boy as the suspect. An investigation into it will soon commence now that the case has been transferred to State CID. “The father did not report the issue to the Police. Based on the preliminary investigation, we gathered that the boy was subjected to severe punishment by the father. “The boy’s body is in the morgue because we are investigating the actual cause of his death,” he said.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Two police killed, others injured in Imo

Gunmen on Friday night attacked Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, located at Umulowe autonomous community area of Imo State and killed two policemen who were on duty . According to the Punch, The hoodlums also injured three other cops who resisted them from gaining access into the headquarters . Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that the incident caused panic in the area. This is even as security operatives drafted from the command ’ s headquarters in Owerri , had taken over the area. A source told The PUNCH that the hoodlums who operated in a vehicle met stiff opposition from policemen who were on duty when they tried to gain access into the police premises. Displeased by the cops’ action who resisted them , the hoodlums opened fire at the officers, killing two policemen while three were shattered by their gun bullets . Our correspondent also gathered that one of the hoodlums was killed in the gun duel but the hoodlums drove off with the corpse of their member. The source said , “ Two policemen died in the incident . Three were wounded . One of the hoodlums was also killed but they drove off with him . The policemen who were killed were the ones who repelled them . It was an unfortunate development. ” Spokesperson for the state police command , Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed when contacted that two policemen were killed by the hoodlums . He also said that the three other policemen who were wounded during the incident had been discharged from a local hospital where they were rushed and transferred to a better hospital in the state capital. Ikeokwu told our correspondent that the command had drafted cracked teams of detectives in the area and had commenced investigation.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Nnamdi Kanu opens new Facebook account

The leader of the proscribed human rights agitation group – the Indigenious People of Biafra [IPOB] – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has launched a new facebook account , Vanguard learnt . This is following abrupt shut down by the management of the USA based Facebook of the account belonging to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to Facebook spokesperson who spoke regarding the cancellation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ s account , “We believe in giving people a voice, but we also want everyone using Facebook to feel safe . It’ s why we have Community Standards, which set out what is and isn ’ t allowed on Facebook , and we remove anything that violates them . In line with our rules, we removed Nnamdi Kanu ’ s page for repeatedly posting content that breaks those Community Standards, including content that violated our rules on coordinating harm and hate speech ” . But Mazi Nnamdi Kanu disagrees that his postings had gone against the community standards as alluded by the management team of Facebook . Instead, the leader of IPOB charged the management of Facebook were working in connivance with the oppressive force of the federal government of Nigeria to deny him of a platform to reach his followers. Nnamdi Kanu has a larger followership on Facebook that numbers over a million prior to being cancelled. Here is the new Facebook page – https:/ / www. facebook. com/joseph .kimilu.90

Post Date : February 6, 2021

WHO disqualifies Nigeria, eight others from global vaccine bid

The World Health Organisation- led COVAX global initiative has failed to shortlist Nigeria for the Pfizer vaccines following the country’ s inability to meet the standard requirement of being able to store the vaccines at the required – 70 degrees Celsius. The Nigerian government had stated that it was expected to receive 100, 000 doses through the COVAX initiative, which was set up to ensure rapid and equitable access to COVID – 19 vaccines for all countries , regardless of income level. Speaking at a virtual press conference which was attended by Saturday PUNCH , however , the Director, WHO, African Region , Dr Matshidiso Moeti , said only four African countries were shortlisted for the Pfizer vaccine out of the 13 that applied. Moeti said WHO could not risk the Pfizer vaccines being wasted. She said , “ Around 320, 000 doses of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine have been allocated to four African countries – Cape Verde , Rwanda , South Africa and Tunisia . This vaccine has received WHO Emergency Use Listing but requires countries to be able to store and distribute doses at minus 70 degrees Celsius. “ To access an initial limited volume of Pfizer vaccine , countries were invited to submit proposals . Thirteen African countries submitted proposals and were evaluated by a multi-agency committee based on current mortality rates, new cases and trends , and the capacity to handle the ultra -cold chain needs of the vaccine. “ This announcement allows countries to fine -tune their planning for COVID – 19 immunisation campaigns. We urge African nations to ramp up readiness and finalise their national vaccine deployment plans. Regulatory processes , cold chain systems and distribution plans need to be in place to ensure vaccines are safely expedited from ports of entry to delivery. We can’ t afford to waste a single dose . ” The Director- General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research , Prof Babatunde Salako, had told this newspaper that there is not enough space at the moment to store the Pfizer vaccines at that temperature. But the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency , Dr Faisal Shuaib , had described the report as fake, saying Nigeria had the capacity to store the vaccines and had taken journalists on a tour of its facility in Abuja . Saturday PUNCH reports that Nigeria was expected to be on the list of African countries to receive the first set of Pfizer vaccines because of its rate of infection which is now the sixth -highest on the continent. Only South Africa , Morocco , Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia have higher infection rates than Nigeria . But Morocco and Egypt have already independently obtained vaccines and begun distribution while South Africa , which has the highest burden of the disease in Africa , has already procured one million doses of the Oxford -AstraZeneca vaccine , produced in India but has yet to begin distribution . Nigeria has , however , received no COVID – 19 vaccine even as its rate of infection has continued to surge . Unlike the other vaccines on the market, the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, which has the highest WHO rating , is expected to be stored at 70 degrees Celsius which Nigeria could not meet . However, the WHO regional director said countries that failed to make the Pfizer list could get the Oxford -AstraZeneca vaccine later in the month although it has not yet been endorsed by the health organisation . This newspaper learnt that the Oxford – AstraZeneca vaccine does not need to be stored in a cold facility . Moeti said , “ Nearly 90 million of the Oxford /AstraZeneca vaccine could start arriving on the continent later this month. This is subject to the WHO listing the vaccine for emergency use. The review is ongoing and its outcome is expected very soon . ” The WHO director said it was time for African countries to up their game in the rollout of vaccines. She said the initial phase of 90 million doses of COVID – 19 vaccines would support countries to immunise three per cent of the African population most in need of protection , including health workers and other vulnerable groups in the first half of 2021. “ As production capacity increases and more vaccines become available, the aim is to vaccinate at least 20 per cent of Africans by providing up to 600 million doses by the end of 2021, ” Moeti said . To complement COVAX efforts , the African Union has secured 670 million vaccine doses for the continent which will be distributed in 2021 and 2022 as countries secure adequate financing . The African Export -Import Bank will facilitate payments by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to $2bn to the manufacturers on behalf of countries. Since the AU will distribute vaccines based on population , Nigeria is expected to receive the highest shipment. However , no date has been announced for the distribution .

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Imo North: Supreme Court Declines To Dismiss Judgment Sacking Ararume

The Supreme Court yesterday declined to dismiss a suit filed by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume seeking to set-aside a Court of Appeal judgement that sacked him as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Imo North Senatorial by-election that held on December 5, 2020. The apex court in two separate unanimous decisions by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Amina Augie, said it found no reason to dislodge the verdict of the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which declared Frank Ibezim as candidate of the APC for the poll. In the lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Tijani Abubakar, the Supreme Court held that the appellate court was right to nullify the judgement of the Federal High Court in Owerri, which had earlier recognised Ararume as APC’s senatorial candidate. The two judgments delivered yesterday were on appeals marked: SC/971/2020 and SC/972/2020, which were filed by Ararume. The apex court said its judgments in the two appeals would also apply to a cross-appeal marked: SC/1060/2020, which Dr. Edith Chidinma Uwajimogu filed for Ararume to be declared as the candidate of the APC. While dismissing the appeals, Justice Abubakar held that: “I hold the view that the lower court (Court of Appeal) was right in coming to the conclusion that the first respondent (Ibezim) was shut out and denied his right to be heard as a necessary party in the suit at the trial court. “Therefore, the proceedings of the trial court constitute a nullity and must be struck out. Appellant’s appeal therefore, lacked merit and it is hereby dismissed. “The decision of the lower court setting aside the judgment of the trial court is hereby affirmed. Parties are to bear their respective costs”. Other members of the apex court panel that concurred with the lead judgement were Justices Augie, Uwani Abba- Aji, Samuel Oseji and Emmanuel Agim. Saturday Telegraph recalled that Lady Uchenna Onyeiwu Ubah had shortly after the APC held its primary election ahead of the senatorial by-election went to court for an order to compel the party to submit Ibezim’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as its candidate for the election. However, the Federal High Court in Owerri, in a judgement it delivered on November 6, 2020, dismissed the suit on the premise that she lacked the locus standi to institute the action. The court went ahead and disqualified Ibezim and ordered INEC to accept Ararume as APC’s candidate for the by-election. Dissatisfied with the judgement, both Ubah and Ibezim went to the Court of Appeal in Owerri to challenge it. While Ubah insisted that the trial court wrongly held that she lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action, Ibezim, contended that his right to fair hearing was breached by the court. Ibezim argued that the trial court made declaration against him, even though he was not a party to the suit. In its judgement, the appel late court affirmed that Ubah was bereft of locus standi to maintain the legal action. It, however, held that the Ibezim’s right to fair hearing was breached by the trial court. Consequently, the appellate court proceeded to set aside the order that disqualified Ibezim and directed INEC to recognise him as APC candidate and not Ararume. Not happy with the verdict, Ararume took the case before the Supreme Court, where he lost the appeal on Friday. IINEC had at the end of the Imo North Senatorial byelection, returned the APC as the winner.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Six killed as bandits open fire on commuters in Kaduna

The Kaduna state government says suspected bandits have killed six commuters along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road. Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement on Friday, said the bandits opened fire on the commuters while running away from “aggressive patrols” by security agencies in the area. According to the statement, the bandits took to the highway around Ungwan Dangedda while shooting at several vehicles as they retreated. The driver of a commercial vehicle was said to have been hit in the process, forcing him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was said to have somersaulted several times before coming to a stop, after which the bandits reportedly fled the scene. The six persons that died on the spot from the crash were identified as Abdurrashid Ya’u, Sa’idu Ya’u, Suwaiba Ali’ Sulaiman Ustaz, Ramatu Ya’u, and an unidentified infant. Six other persons — Ubale Yahuza, Rabiu Ibrahim, Umar Musa, Saude Yusuf, Mohammed Aminu, and Kadima Mercy — sustained injuries. The state government had in September 2020 strengthened security around the airport and Birnin Gwari road, known to be a flashpoint of kidnapping, by deploying troops of the Nigerian army there.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Buhari Can Keep AGF Despite Attaining 60 – Ngige

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has not contravened any law by reappointing Mr Ahmed Idris as the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF). Ngige said this on Friday while addressing State House reporters after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Labour unions have been raising concern over the legality of the stay of Idris as AGF, having reached the statutory retirement age of 60 years in November 2020. President Buhari reappointed Idris as the AGF in June 2019 for a second four-year term in the office. The minister said the president only exercised his constitutional powers. According to him, Section 171 of the constitution empowers the president to exercise discretion in appointing persons into some extra-ministerial offices, adding that the same constitution spelt out the offices in the category, to which the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation fell. “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is a sensitive position that deals with financial issues, so he feels, and very rightly too, that this is the man that has been there and he is doing a good work and he wants to continue with him,” he said. Ngige also said that any move by the unions in the university system to go ahead with its planned strike would contravene the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) statute on social dialogue and principles at work. The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), as well as the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), had given a notice of strike expected to start midnight of February 5. The minister, however, asked the unions to give government three months to forward a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to cover arrears of the minimum wage that had not been paid to them. He said the government had “apprehended” the strike by engaging on social dialogue with the unions.