February 2021 – Page 47

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Abaribe: The Fearless Political Liberator (Part-1)

By Paul Ikechukwu Njoku No doubt, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is the current Senator representing the people of Abia South Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly who has demonstrated sound voice and testicular fortitude in the Senate. I have neither met him in my life nor had a social relationship with him in any sort except in the future. My lovely prescription on him is associated with the fact that he shares same courageous ideology and activism with me. I love fearless human beings because it motivates me to flourish in spirit. In other words, I admire the dictum that compliments Senator Abaribe’s doggedness and balls. I therefore urge other Igbo leaders and elders to emulate him than sabotage. As a fearless Igbo image-maker in the National Assembly, Mr. Abaribe has resiliently fought for the emancipation of the Igbo race by constructively engaging President Muhammadu Buhari from the hallow Chamber of the parliament and in the areas of unprecedented insecurity, extortion by the security forces in Igboland and extrajudicial killings, terrorism, unbridled marginalisation of Ndigbo, unemployment, hike in pump price, energy tariff, lopsided appointment, restructuring, true fiscal federalism, devolution of power, State Policing, decentralization of the Supreme Court, Federal Character Principle, injustice, and the ruthless conduct of the notorious but murderous Fulani militia masquerading as herdsmen with Ak-47 riffles in the Buhari-led government. In a captivating web of circumstances, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has been strongly shaped into a public image of Igbo redemption. He does not fear the Caliphate and northern apologists. His trajectory is rather amazingly instructive as he posseses a life rescued by providence and completed in brightness of colours. A beneficiary of God’s favour. He is yet one man whose antecedents and principles of life in the Nigerian Senate have to a very large extent placed him amongst those whose character traits relate to intergrity. He is defined by boldness, courage and guts of profound intensity that in moments of challenges, readily exhibits the capacity of standing eyeball-to-eyeball to call a spade by its only name in an unshaking voice. Many have criticised and accused him of membership of Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB) for all he cares. Even if you do not agree with the methodological operations of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, can you not just focus on the survival of the Igbo ethnic nationality in Nigeria? Our livelihood, lives and property have been constantly decimated and maimed by the Fulani murderous militia masquerading as herdsmen. Our Southeast governors have been playing politics with the security of their people. If Nnamdi Kanu and his Eastern Security Network could guarantee our safety, why can’t they readily accept it despite not having any other active alternative measure from a supposed retired Army General from Daura in Katsina State who promised to lead the fight against terrorism from the front but incompetently reneged immediately he climbed to power? I have clinically interpreted the defensive arguments of Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe in the hallowed Chamber concerning insecurity in Nigeria and arrived to a cognitive conclusion. In my view, the powerful elements within the Federal Government and foreign players are responsible for this Islamist insurgency and extremism in the country that has spread to the South from Northern Nigeria. Its purpose is to realise an old transnational Fulani agenda of Islamic revivalism and territorial expansion which have been given urgent impetus by climate change, food insecurity, development and environmental challenges in the Sahel region of West Africa. The powerful Islamic elements within the Federal Government of the Buhari regime are determinedly committed to this policy of fulfilling in its entirety the Othman Danfodio’s vision. The Islamic extremists and northern hegemonies have long been prepared for this conflict and have seized all the institutions of the State including the Army which is really no more than a mercenary body. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is indeed a political liberator whose insight in the present government is always illuminating and knowledgeable. Please, get ready for the part-2 of this episode.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Customer funds are completely safe’ — Crypto platforms assure traders

Cryptocurrency trading platforms have assured Nigerian traders that their funds are safe despite the new directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In a circular released to deposit money banks (DMBs), non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and other financial institutions (OFIs) on Friday, CBN directed banks to close accounts of persons or entities involved in cryptocurrency transactions within their systems. Reacting in a statement, Luno, a cryptocurrency platform, said customers need not panic as their funds remain safe. The platform urged crypto traders to exercise patience, adding that “there’s no need to take any action regarding your account at this time”. Luno explained that Naira deposit methods are currently affected on its platform as deposits via PayU and Flutterwave are unavailable until further notice. “Luno will continue to operate as normal while we seek further clarity from the authorities. Some Naira deposit methods are currently affected, please check the status page for updates. Withdrawals are unaffected and will continue to be processed, but may take longer than usual. All customer funds are completely safe,” the statement reads. “There’s no need to take any action regarding your account at this time. We will update our customers on all incoming developments as soon as we receive further information, and certainly well in advance should withdrawals be affected.” Also, Binance, another cryptocurrency platform, in a statement, said it is “monitoring the situation closely”. Binance said funds on its platform remains safe, but added that its Naira payment partners are suspending deposit services until further notice. “Please note all your funds on Binance.com remain safe and crypto services on Binance.com will continue as normal. However, our NGN payment partners are suspending deposit services until further notice. From 7PM (GMT*1) on Feb 5th 2021,” the statement reads “Binance will temporarily suspend NGN deposits through our fiat partner channels. Withdrawal services remain normal and will continue to be processed but might take slightly longer time than usual. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.” In January 2017, CBN had said digital currencies such as bitcoin, litecoin, and others are largely used in terrorism financing and money laundering, considering the anonymity of virtual transactions. It had also said that such currencies are not accepted as legal tender in Nigeria. In February 2018, the apex bank also issued a warning to people who invest in cryptocurrencies, saying they would be unable to seek legal redress in the event of collapse because they are not protected by the law.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Insecurity: APC’s best not yet good enough, Fayemi admits

The Governor of Ekiti State , Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the efforts of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government in tackling the insecurity in the country have not been good enough. He however argued that the current situation was better than what was obtainable under former President Goodluck Jonathan . Fayemi, who is a chieftain of the party and Chairman of Nigeria Governors ’ Forum , in an interview with one of our correspondents, noted that with the recent appointment of new service chiefs , he was hopeful that the war would be won , especially as it tends to boost the morale of the troops on the battlefield . The country had been engulfed in insecurity problems, through which many lives have been lost. Apart from the Boko Haram insurgency in the North- East, there have been banditry, kidnappings and armed robberies in different parts of the country . Meanwhile, during the electioneering that brought his party into power in 2015 and 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari said security , economy and fight against corruption were his cardinal programmes , with a promise to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists . But many Nigerians have expressed disappointment in the way the President has managed the affairs of the nation , especially in the three areas he promised to focus on . The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church , Lagos , Pastor Tunde Bakare, said during the week that the expectations of Nigerians hadn ’ t been met under Buhari , adding that rather than getting the change the APC promised , it appeared Nigerians had been shortchanged . However, responding to a question on insecurity and how he felt the government had fared , Fayemi said , “ You could say that the situation has not improved much in the sense that Boko Haram has only been technically defeated, not effectively clamped ( sic ) . ” When asked if he would have been comfortable with the situation of things if the APC was not in power , he said , “ I was in Maiduguri last month to commiserate with the governor when those 43 farmers were killed, so you could say , yes , they are still there . It shows that a lot more could be done by our government . Our best has not been good enough but significantly better than what transpired under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. “ There is no question about that, but that is not comfort for victims, what victims want to see is obliteration of these marauders and we have got to figure out whoever is going to take over from this administration. We must help the Buhari administration to finally nail the coffin of Boko Haram before the administration leaves office . That , for me, is why I am excited by the recent changes of service chiefs . “ There are those who will say changing service chiefs will not change the status of the war , I can tell you as a student of security that war is largely won by the morale of the fighting men. If the fighting men don’ t have confidence in the leadership, they will not display the necessary courage for the battle . “ I think the President has chosen well in terms of the people who have been selected as service chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff . They are tested and trusted by the men and they are likely to deliver a lot better on the field . ” The governor argued that Nigeria could have been overrun by criminals if the APC was not in power . He also commended the President for those he appointed as service chiefs , saying with better intelligence, greater coordination with neighbouring security forces , partnership with the civilians from affected communities and the right equipment he was confident that the criminals would soon be defeated .

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Fulani Herdsmen Kill 48-Year-Old Farmer In Ondo

Bandits suspected to be Fulani herdsmen Friday killed a 48-year-old farmer in Ondo State. The deceased farmer, Dayo Ibiye, a father of seven was killed in his farm in Ajowa community in Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state. Ibiye, a cousin to the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on New Media, Gani Muhammed-Ajowa, was said to have been killed following an altercation with the herdsmen who had earlier made attempts to encroach on his farm with their herds of cattle. According to Ajowa, his cousin was attacked by four Fulani herdsmen 24 hours after he was trailed to the farm by his assailants over his late cousin’s refusal to allow the Fulani herdsmen access to his farm in order to feed their cows. While disclosing that the herders after attacking Ibiye with a machete, which failed to penetrate his body, Ajowa stated that they overpowered him and twisted his neck backwards to ensure that they completely snuffed the life out of him.

Post Date : February 6, 2021

Saudi Arabian currency equivalent to N315million seized at Abuja airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody two suspects linked with the SAR3.1million (Saudi Arabian Riyal) seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday. At the official exchange rate, the seized money translates to about N315milliion cash. PREMIUM TIMES was, on Friday, informed by sources familiar with the case but not authorised to speak on it that the suspects and the money were apprehended by Customs officers on Monday. They were handed over to the operatives of the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section of the EFCC on Thursday, the sources said. The money was said to have been sealed in brown envelopes and transported in large bags commonly called ‘Ghana must go’. The sources said the bags were intercepted at the baggage hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, after being freighted to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia aboard Ethiopian Airline flight. While confirming the arrest, Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson of the EFCC, said the suspects had made useful statements.

Post Date : February 5, 2021

US govt formally backs Okonjo Iweala to head WTO

President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday evening offered its strong support to Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Agence France Presse (AFP) reported. The move marks another sharp split with former president Donald Trump who paralyzed the organization and opposed the former Nigerian finance minister who was backed by many other countries. The office of the US Trade Representative in a statement cited her “wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy” and said she had “proven experience managing a large international organization.” “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy. She is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven experience managing a large international organization with a diverse membership,” the trade representative office said.

Post Date : February 5, 2021

Nigeria records 1,624 new COVID-19 cases, toll now 137,654

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 1,624 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 137,654. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “On the 5th of February 2021, 1624 new confirmed cases and 9 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. Till date, 137654 cases have been confirmed, 111639 cases have been discharged and 1641 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. “The 1624 new cases are reported from 23 states- Lagos (535), Plateau (183), Osun (98), Akwa Ibom (85), FCT (83), Ondo (77), Nasarawa (72), Edo (69), Oyo (63), Rivers (52), Taraba (48), Ogun (44), Borno(31), Kwara (31), Ekiti (30), Benue (25), Kano (21), Niger (21), Kaduna (18), Abia (15), Delta (10), Bayelsa (7) and Zamfara (6). Our discharges today include 831 community recoveries in Lagos State and 85 in Kaduna State managed in line with guidelines,” the NCDC said.

Post Date : February 5, 2021

lFG ifts suspension of Emirates flight operations in Nigeria

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Friday evening lifted the suspension it imposed on Emirates Airlines for violating COVID-19 protocols. This is coming as the airline suspends Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) requirements for passengers. The authority, had, with effect from 4th February, suspended the airline from operating out of Nigeria. A statement from NCAA and signed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu reads: “The Public is hereby notified of the immediate lifting of the suspension placed on Emirates airlines operations in Nigeria. “The Presidential Task Force (PTF) of COVID-19 was made aware of the requirement by Emirates Airlines and KLM for passengers travelling from Nigeria on their flights to Dubai and Amsterdam to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) Four (4) hours from the time of flights departure. This requirement is in addition to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test done 72 hours from the date of departure by passengers. “The implementation of the additional requirement by the Two (2) airlines was commenced without the prior notification or approval of the PTF and other regulatory bodies in Nigeria. This led to the provision of RDT testing by organisations and laboratories that have not been approved by the PTF and other Regulatory agencies for RDTat or around our international airports in Lagos and Abuja. “The PTF upon review of the situation directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to inform the airlines to either suspend the requirement for pre-departure RDT or their flights to the country until such a time when the required infrastructure and logistics have been put in place for RDT by the Government. “Emirates Airlines, however, continued their operations requiring passengers to carry out the RDT test Six (6) hours from the time-of-flight departure from Nigeria. The PTF, therefore, directed for the immediate suspension of Emirates Airlines operations to Nigeria effective 4th February 2021 until when the needed infrastructure and logistics are put in place for the RDT test by the Nigerian Government. “Emirates Airlines, on 5th February 2021, informed the NCAA in writing that the UAE Government has given the airline approval to suspend the pre-departure RDT requirement for passengers travelling on their flight to Dubai. Consequent upon the foregoing, the PTF directed the NCAA to lift the suspension placed on Emirates Airlines flights into Nigeria with effective from 5th February 2021. “The Public is hereby informed as follows: Emirates Airlines no longer requires passengers to carry out pre-departure RDT. No laboratory has been approved by the PTF and other regulatory agencies to carry out RDT for incoming or departing passengers. The PTF will inform all Nigerians of any change(s) to the above,” Captain Nuhu said.

Post Date : February 5, 2021

FG to NASU, SSANU: You can’t go on strike

The Federal Government on Friday told members of the Non -Academic Staff Union of universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities and the National Association of Academic Technologists that they cannot go ahead with their planned industrial action slated to start by midnight . The Minister of Labour and Employment , Chris Ngige, said this in an interview with State House correspondents shortly after a meeting he had with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa , Abuja . The minister said going ahead with the planned strike would run contrary to the International Labour Organisation’ s statute on social dialogue and principles at work . He said this was because their employers have listened and have brought them to the table for discussion. The minister said SSANU and NASU notified the government of the planned strike the Joint Action Committee. He added that the government has moved to “ apprehend the strike” because the country just came out from a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which lasted nine months . Ngige explained , “ In consonance with the labour laws, we have apprehended both strikes . They gave us trade dispute notice , we scheduled meetings with them after apprehension, we held meeting with NASU and SSANU last week Tuesday and government ’ s position was explained to them . “ They have a lot of issues mentioned as their grouse , issues like IPPIS . They said IPPIS has amputated some of their allowances, they also have the issue of consequential adjustment that was paid to all civil servants as a result of the new minimum wage of N 30, 000 for staff above Grade Level One, that is starting from Grade Level Two up to Level 17. ” The minister said explanations have been made on all the issues raised by the unions . “ So , in the main , after conferring with Mr President , we are telling the unions not to carry out the action because that action will run counter to ILO Statute on social dialogue and principles at work because their employers have listened , they have brought them to the table. “ So , for SSANU and NASU , we are imploring them not to carry out their threat which they said will take effect from this midnight. “ More so , when the meeting adjourned at their own instance. Just this morning, I received a letter from them giving us a new date for the continuation of the dialogue. “ They proposed a new date of Thursday, February 11 and my office has communicated to them back that we will be ready for them at that time because as they claimed , they needed time to consult with their constituency and come back on the fresh issues that have cropped up from the discussion. ” Asked why government waited till the last day to respond to threats by the unions since they had given notice to embark on strike starting from midnight of February 5, Ngige said , “ It will be preposterous for them to say that as we wait to negotiate further, they are invoking a strike by midnight today. That will be against the labour statute of both the ILO and the Nigeria Trade Dispute Act and we will frown at it if they ever go that route. ” On if the government would invoke no work no pay policy should the workers go ahead with the strike , the minister said , “ I don’ t want to go to that area because I presume that good judgment will prevail . ”

Post Date : February 5, 2021

Nigerians express anger over CBN cryptocurrency ban

Nigerians from various walks of life on Friday expressed much fury over a new circular from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banning banks and other regulated financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrencies. In the circular jointly signed by Director of Banking Supervision, Bello Hassan and Director, Payment System Management Department, Musa Jimoh, the apex bank directed all DMBs, NBFIs and OFIs to identify persons/or entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges within their systems and ensure that such accounts are closed immediately, warning of grave consequences in cases of breach. But ordinary Nigerians who commented on the circular on social media expressed frustration, insisting that envy, jealousy and political motives were behind CBN’s move. The circular reminded deposit money banks (DMBs), Non-Bank financial institutions (NBFIs), Other Financial institutions (OFIs) and members of the public about its earlier circular of January 12, 2017, which cautioned on the risk associated with transactions in cryptocurrency refers. “Further to earlier regulatory directives on the subject, the Bank hereby wishes to remind regulated institutions that dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency exchanges is prohibited. “Accordingly, all DMBs, NBFIs and OFIs are directed to identify persons/or entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges within their systems and ensure that such accounts are closed immediately”, the circular, which took immediate effect warned, “that breaches of this directive will attract severe regulatory sanctions.” In a reaction, a Professor of Finance at the Nassarawa State University, Uche Uwaleke said the action came because CBN and SEC were not yet ready with regulations guiding crypto-asset trading platforms operations in Nigeria. “I think this directive by the CBN to banks should be seen in the light of the risk that unregulated cryptocurrency trading could pose to the financial system,” he noted. However, as at 4.44 pm on Friday, the development had attracted 330,000 tweets, most of them expressing anger and even fury. JJ Omojuwa: They can’t claim crypto traders in Nigeria are faceless. You register with your BVN. You are verified based on KYC principles. This is nothing but a desperate attempt to ensure we are happy with “poverty alleviation” moves. Instead of the wealth innovation brings. Senator Ben Bruce tweeted: “I thought it’s universal knowledge that decisions or policy regarding finance or economy should never be hasty?” A social media influencer, Oyindamola: How can you ban crypto transactions in 2021 !! A currency that’s growing our economy little by little. People are making money legitimately. Doubling their money and taking care of their families with it!They just want us to suffer! Our government hates progress!! It’s saddening. DJ Switch: If the ban on crypto by CBN is true ehn, it points yet again to the ill-informed, backward, poverty promoting dinosaurs leading us. Use your time to investigate and close accounts sponsoring terrorists in the country if you don’t know what to do!!! Cartoon Ọmọ Pastor: These people want to ruin us entirely. They want to make us suffer. They want to make us beg them for food and what to eat every day. They feel ‘They will never be satisfied anyways’ so, let’s make them suffer and let us enjoy our own selves. God go punish them. Kind Agbero: The government isn’t ill-informed. These are specific and calculated attacks. Nobody should tell me we didn’t do anything with #EndSARS protest. This is them trying to shelf whatever would make it easy to embark on another one. I Am A Programmer: The targeted attack is also on restricting youths from raising foreign donations to boost Youth Democratic Party.