March 2021 – Page 18

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Stop hijab bill, CAN tells National Assembly

The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN have urged the leadership of the National Assembly to suspend a bill before the House of Representatives, which seeks to institutionalise the use of hijab in the country, saying the proposed law is ill-timed and uncalled for. The umbrella Christian body warned that legislating the wearing of hijab in private schools would lead to the trouble that the sponsors of the bill may not be able to handle CAN hand down the warning in a statement on Monday by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, in Abuja. It stated, “The Christian Association of Nigeria calls on the leadership of the National Assembly to suspend a bill before the House of Representatives seeking to institutionalise the use of hijab in the country. It is ill-timed and uncalled for. “The bill titled “Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021” was seeking to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution and other international laws that recognizes the right of a female to adorn hijab in both public and private establishments in Nigeria. “We wonder what the sponsors of the Bill seek to gain from it other than to compound the security problem and the wearing of hijab in public and Christian schools. “According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the ‘National Assembly shall have the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.’ “To what extent does this controversial bill seek to promote peace, order and good governance? Has dress code become part of the Exclusive Legislative List? “While the citizens are expecting the National Assembly to make laws that will address the lopsided appointments, insecurity, unemployment and economic predicament, our lawmakers are interested in making laws that seek to promote one religion. This is totally unacceptable in a country with multiple religions. “Honestly speaking, it is not the wearing of hijab that is our problem, it is the legislation of the wearing of it in private schools, especially of the schools whose proprietors have a different culture to that of wearing of the hijab. If anyone travels to Rome, it is common saying that he or she should do as the Romans do since he was not forced to come! “If any Christian pupil goes to a Muslim School, he or she should abide by their practices there and vice versa. Why should a Muslim student come to a Christian school which operates under different dressing culture and insist on her own culture? That appears provocative and disrespectful! “Legislating the wearing of hijab in private schools would lead to the trouble that those who started it may not be able to handle. Abandoning school uniform for religious dressing is going to divide the students along religious lines and further polarize our society. “Should the children of Ifa worshippers (god of divination) wear Ifa costume to the school as well, etc? Is that not going to bring confusion? Will the wearing of the religious dress make one student brighter in class than the other? What are we legislating for? “CAN have been consistently calling on some state governments that are enforcing the wearing of hijab in the public schools to exempt the Christian schools where hijab culture is alien. “We are not against the wearing of hijab in public and Islamic schools but our schools should not be included unless those states are looking for trouble. “We have resolved to close down our schools and colleges to protest against this ungodly and disrespectful policy. We should return to the status quo ante where we were before the politicisation of hijab. Let those who want to be wearing hijab go to schools where it is allowed. “Alternatively, let those state governments return our schools and stop funding them. We are able to manage them. “We did not beg the government ab initio to partner with us. It was the government that couldn’t provide enough school that came in subtly to partner with us but now going another mile to take over completely. Can the government own what they did not spend their money to build? “Those who took over our schools did not tell us that our religious traditions and culture would be eradicated.” CAN urge Christians in both Federal and State legislative houses to rise and speak for the Church if they have not compromised their faith for political reasons. “If they failed to do so, God Himself will ask them of their stewardship one day and equally fight for His Church,” the statement added.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Mother Of Three Stabs Husband To Death In Lagos

Detectives attached to the Lagos Police Command have arrested a 28-year-old woman, Justin Eje, for allegedly stabbing her husband to death in Ikorodu area of the State. The suspect, who is a mother of three children, allegedly stabbed her late husband, Edwin Anduaka, with a kitchen knife during a domestic quarrel. The police said the couple had been separated for sometime. Narrating what transpired, the suspect said: “My late husband came to my house in Ikorodu on that fateful day. While he was in my house, he wanted to collect a chain and a cloth from me which he did. We later started an argument, I tried to calm him down but he refused. “He left but came back to meet me at my business place, the next day. He said he wanted to collect the children’s clothes but I told him they will be going to school. I pleaded with him. “All this while I was holding a knife and he started beating me. Unfortunately, the knife I was holding pierced his stomach and he fell down. He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.” The State Commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu, paraded the suspect along with others at the command headquarters, Ikeja.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Do not politicize attempt on my life, Ortom pleads

Governor Samuel Ortom Monday cautioned against anyone politicizing last Saturday’s attempt on his life by suspected armed herdsmen at Tyo-Mu community in the outskirts of Makurdi town along Makurdi-Gboko road. He stressed that the level of insecurity in the country was a clear indication that Nigeria was sitting on a gun powder and everyone must be conscious to avert an implosion. The Governor who spoke at the end of an emergency State Security Council meeting held in Makurdi appealed to Benue people to be calm and await the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the Police as directed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP. The Governor who said he was still in shock, lauded the Presidency, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, as well as the array of groups including Nigeria Governors’ Forum, PDP Governors’ Forum, APC Governors’ Forum, National leadership of PDP and APC, the media, the traditional institution and Christians, as well as all Nigerians and people of goodwill for their show of concern and solidarity since the incident. He expressed optimism in the ability of the IGP team to do their job and fish put the perpetrators, adding that the State Security Council had also set up a panel to assist the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the incident. “I urge Benue people to be calm because the matter is being investigated and we hope that those behind the attack would be apprehended and prosecuted. “I also plead with us not to politicize the incident because doing so would not be in the interest of anyone. “I have nothing against anyone or any group, all I am after is fairness, justice and protection of the rights, wishes and aspirations of the people who voted me to power. “The Benue Grazing Law is not targeted at anyone, Benue people wanted it and they are happy with it. “Moreover, it has brought relative peace to our state, so why would anyone kick against it? “Let’s all learn to do the right things to save our country from unnecessary crisis that endangers our unity and peace as a country,” he said.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Reps Summon CBN Governor, Army Chief Over Arms Purchase

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, have been summoned to appear before an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives next month. Members of the ad-hoc committee, chaired by Olaide Akinremi, summoned both men on Monday after they failed to honour an earlier invitation extended to them. The motion for their summon was moved by a lawmaker, Bede Eke, who was furious that the army chief, for a second time, did not appear before the committee despite having rejected his representative on the first day of the hearing which held on March 12. The lawmakers are among the committee that is reviewing the purchase, use, and control of arms, ammunition, and related hardware by the military, paramilitary, and other law enforcement agencies in the country. They had invited Attahiru and Emefiele to appear before them on Monday to answer questions relating to the purchase of arms for the security agencies. The army chief and CBN governor, however, failed to appear before the committee, an action which was condemned by the lawmakers. Thereafter, the lawmakers passed a resolution to summon Attahiru and Emefiele to appear before them on April 7, 2021. Recently, it was alleged that funds meant for the purchase of arms were missing under the leadership of the former service chiefs. The claim was credited to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno, during an interview with BBC Hausa Service earlier in March. While the former service chiefs have since denied the allegation, the office of the NSA also said Monguno was quoted out of context and did not categorically make such a claim. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, also clarified the controversy triggered by the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “I want to assure you that nothing of that money is missing … the reference by it in the interview with Hausa Service of the BBC by the National Security Adviser, I think, has been misconstrued and mistranslated,” he said.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Buhari Receives New APC Members, Gbenga Daniel, Dimeji Bankole

President Muhammadu Buhari has received newly defected All Progressives Congress (APC) members – Dimeji Bankole and Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel at the State House. They were accompanied by the Governor of Yobe State who is also the Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC, Jigawa, and Kebbi State governors who presented them as new members of the party to President Buhari on Monday. Gbenga Daniel was governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, while Dimeji Bankole was the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007-2011 both on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Gbenga Daniel during his defection earlier in February said his decision to join the party was well-thought-out and he called on fellow Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government and rebuild the socio-economic fortunes of the country.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

19 dead in accident along Kaduna-Abuja highway

Nineteen people have died in an accident that occurred along the Kaduna-Abuja road. In a statement on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the accident occurred on Sunday night at the Kateri axis of the highway. He said security agencies reported the accident to the state government and officials of his ministry visited the scene. According to the commissioner, security report indicated that a commercial DAF trailer carrying 53 passengers was on high speed, lost control and veered off into the bush. “A total of 53 people were involved in the crash; 16 of these died on the spot, with three others later confirmed dead,” Aruwan said. “Thirty-four sustained injuries, which ranged from bruises and cuts to dislocations and head injuries. They were evacuated from the scene by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps. “Officials of the ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, visited the site of the crash to ascertain the report of events and avoid misrepresentations of the incident. “Governor Nasir el-Rufai expressed shock and sadness at the report, and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who perished in the crash, while sending condolences to their families. He also wished the injured victims a speedy recovery. “Going further, Governor commended the personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps for their swift response, and prompt evacuation of the casualties from the scene. “The governor enjoined drivers on the route to exercise caution at all times and avoid potentially dangerous driving practices like speeding.” Aruwan added that Auwal Idris, the driver of the truck, said most of the passengers on board the vehicle were picked up near a petrol station in Kara area, Lagos. He said some of the passengers were going to Zaria, while Kano was the final destination.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Igboho can’t speak for Yoruba people, Ondo will stay in Nigeria –Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, says Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho cannot speak for Yoruba people. The governor spoke in Akure, the state capital, on Monday while swearing in some government officials including the new Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu. The PUNCH had earlier reported that Igboho declared his support for the establishment of a Yoruba nation at an event last week which was also attended by the Chairman of socio-political group, the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, Prof Banji Akintoye. Igboho had said, “Starting from now, we don’t want herdsmen in our land to destroy our farms anymore. If we meet any killer herdsman, we are going to face and destroy such. “If any police attack us for that, we are ready for them. We don’t want Nigeria again but the Yoruba Nation. There is no essence for one Nigeria when the major resources in the country are in the hands of the northerners. Enough is enough. There is no going back.” But reacting on Monday, Akeredolu said Ondo State won’t be part of any secessionist agitation, adding that the state will remain in Nigeria. The governor said, “To comment on the current agitation by some people who express grievances arising from the challenge of nationhood. The noises generated by seeming inaction or passive indifference on the part of the elected and appointed representatives of the government at all levels appear to be responsible for the growing disaffection in the land. “There is problem, no doubt. While some have been measured in their reaction to this problem, others have been less diplomatic. It is common to find groups and individuals purporting to act or speak on behalf of the rest of us. Did you ask them to speak for us? People just stand up and say they are speaking for a people. Who invest you with that authority? “While it is right for citizens to discuss, agitate, even fight to right perceived wrongs and even people (asking) for self-determination. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this but this must be done within an acceptable parameter. We cannot continue the way we are going, all of us must be concerned and agree to achieve a desirable end. There must be common platform through which the demands for the most mundane to the sublime be presented. There must be general consensus. This must be articulated and presented after rigorous engagements on the level of intellection and agendum for the action.” Continuing, Akeredolu said, “Self-determination must be a collective programme of action. Nobody can speak when others are not part of it. “Let me state unequivocally that Ondo State under my watch will stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as constituted. “We recognise that there are reasons that certain anomalies be right. Nobody is running away from it but we will continue to encourage dialogue as an effective tool in resolving disputes. We will also not shy from joining others to insist on socio-economic justice. “We will, however, not subscribe to banditry and recklessness in putting forward our demands. We will not in Ondo State subscribe to that. So, if people are shouting out there at this time, Igboho will speak for you. It is not going to work and those who have not been speaking for us will not speak for us. Let us be clear on it. We will stay in Nigeria. We are not running away.”

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Insurgency: Nigeria under critical threat ― Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Major General Salihi Magashi (rtd), on Monday, declared that the country was under critical security threat following resurging terrorists’ attacks, banditry and abductions across the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Authority FCT Abuja. The minister made the declaration in Abuja while speaking at a National Defence and Security Summit organized by the Defence Headquarters with the theme “Promoting Kinetic Operations as a Major Plank for Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency in Nigeria.” He pointed out that the security challenges require the support and collaboration of the civilian populace and critical stakeholders in the national task of securing the country. According to him, “we are in a critical situation that requires the understanding, buy-in, support and collaboration of important stakeholders and key players in this strategic option and national task. “This is important to minimize distractions and maximize civil support in order to facilitate operational success and mission outcomes.” Gen Magashi stated that the summit was timely as it was coming at a sobering time in the life of the nation. According to him, “a time, when merchants of violence are threatening to tear the very foundations of our nation; a time when diverse manifestations of security threats dot the landscape and impact individuals, communities and almost all sub-national entities in disconcerting ways; a time when fear and uncertainty pervades the land; and a time when global indicators of national insecurity give room for serious concern “Physical insecurity in Nigeria expectedly has both forward and backward linkages to different shades and forms of national security. Indeed, it is linked to political instability, economic under-development and social inequalities. Others are food insecurity and cumulative environmental degradation. These indicate the multi-dimensional nature of national insecurity.” He, however, said that to arrest the ugly development, the Federal Government had taken a series of measures that were already paying off. Account to him, “in view of these realities, the Federal Government of Nigeria has over the years applied a multi-lateral approach with our contiguous neighbours and multi-dimensional efforts domestically. In Southern Nigeria, the security approach includes, but not limited to: the convening of various stakeholder dialogues in the Niger Delta; mounting of Single-Service, Joint and Special Task Forces; establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); establishment of the Ministry of Niger Delta; declaration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for repentant Niger Delta militants; proscription of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB); and the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre Zone E in the Gulf of Guinea. “In Northern Nigeria, the security instruments applied include, but also not limited to: the mounting of different Single Service, Joint and Special Task Forces such as Operations Lafiya Dole, Safe Haven and Hadarin Daji; the mounting of the Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) with neighbouring nations and operational collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). “Other areas of intervention are the establishment of the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative on humanitarian interventions, transformational and development efforts; the establishment of the North East Development Commission as well as strategic and operational collaboration with the Safe Schools Initiative; a global coalition to protect schools. These efforts have been backed by enormous resource provisions through budgetary appropriations and special interventions. “I wish to state with a sense of responsibility and without any exaggeration that the results of these efforts have been mixed. “Although the territories of the Niger Delta have recorded relative peace in recent times, there are manifest threats in the littorals and the prognosis show potential threats of resurgent militancy. In all other areas, there are causes for serious national security concerns, ranging from terrorism, insurgency, farmers/herders conflicts, ethno/religious conflicts and lately kidnapping and banditry “The Federal Government has inalienable responsibilities to provide security to the people and territories of Nigeria and would not shirk on these responsibilities. “The Federal Government is therefore single-mindedly committed to the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and security of the nation. We will therefore leave no stone unturned to deliver on these national aspirations and values. “Admittedly, the presidential directive to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies underscores the use all the instruments of power to stabilize the security situation in the nation and provide good governance as well as promote peace, stability and development. The focused and objective use of kinetic operations therefore becomes very obvious. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in league with strategic Ministries Departments and Agencies are critical to this security initiative. It is in this light that I consider this National Defence and Security Summit organized by the DHQ as both apt and timely.” Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, said that there was no cause for concern as the Armed Forces of Nigeria under his leadership was making frantic efforts to restore sanity in all the nooks and crannies of the country as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, “it is no longer news that the nation experiences a wide range of national security threats including terrorism, insurgency, farmers/herders conflict, ethnoreligious conflicts, kidnapping and banditry, These threats pose immediate and present danger to the corporate existence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, stability and sustainable development of the nation. “Consequently, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force of Nigeria (AFN), President Muhammadu Buhari has given a clear mandate for action. I am sure not a few of our guests and participants at this summit will be wondering why the DHQ is organizing this summit rather than overseeing operations at the different theatres. “First and foremost, let me state clearly that as a result of the presidential directive the Armed Forces of Nigeria is already seized with actions to immediately stabilize the situation. “The specific objectives of the summit are to create functional awareness of the rationale for the kinetic efforts; promote buy-in and support of crucial stakeholders in the polity, promote viable Civil-Military Reasons (CMR) structures in support of the kinetic effort.”

Post Date : March 22, 2021

NDLEA will use immigration database to track drug barons worldwide — Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it would use the database of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to track drug barons and traffickers anywhere in the world. A statement from the NDLEA quoted the Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, as giving the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Muhammed Babandede, in Abuja. The statement was signed by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi. Marwa commended the NIS for deploying modern technology and state-of-the-art equipment to keep huge data for use by the nation’s intelligence and law enforcement community. According to him, the database will be of immense help in NDLEA’s efforts to track drug barons and traffickers wherever they may be hiding. “We will take advantage of the new technology deployed by the NIS,” he said. Marwa commended Babandede for introducing a drug integrity test in NIS. He said that NDLEA would continue to push for the adoption of drug integrity test by other government agencies. In his response, the NIS boss expressed the optimism that Marwa would carry out his assignment well in view of his records, experiences and competence. ” We have no doubt that you will excel as you have done in previous national assignments, and we are ready to work with you,” Babandede said.

Post Date : March 22, 2021

Anambra attack: N200k bounty placed on inmate who escaped after gang members killed prison officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has placed a N200,000 bounty on Chidi Nwankwo, an inmate who was set free by members of his gang, in Anambra. Last Friday, two prison warders were killed when gunmen attacked a vehicle of the correctional service conveying some inmates to court. In a statement on Monday, Francis Ekezie, spokesperson of the NCoS command in Anambra, said the 46-year-old inmate was forcefully released after his gang members killed the prison officials. Nwankwo is standing trial at the magistrates court 2 Nanka after his brother whom he stood for as guarantor in a trial escaped. “This is the face of the inmate whose gang members allegedly attacked the Nigerian Correctional Service escort vehicle on its way from the court at Nanka, Anambra State. He was forcefully released after killing the escort NCoS personnel and a police officer,” Ekezie said. “Chidi Nwankwo is accused of assisting his brother, Anayo NWANKWO who was being tried for arson to escape. Anayo NWAKWO was said to have pretended to be ill when a prosecutor arraigned him for trial at the Magistrates Court 2, Nanka on the 8th of March 2021, prompting the Magistrate to release him for medical attention and CHIDI stood as his guarantor. “Eventually, Anayo escaped hence, Chidi, who stood in as his guarantor was arrested for aiding the escape of his brother, Anayo. “The State Controller, Barr. Emmanuel Nwakeze wishes to appeal to the good people of Anambra State and indeed all Nigerians to assist in recapturing the fugitive, Chidi Nwankwo. A cash prize of N200,000 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira) awaits anyone with useful intelligence that can assist in his recapture.” On Sunday, Willie Obiano, governor of the state, announced a ban on vehicles with covered number plates and tinted windows on all roads to check the recent trend of attacks by gunmen in the state.