Ben Murray-Bruce, a former Nigerian senator, has lamented the increasing trend of ritual killings among young people. In a tweet on Sunday, the former senator said young people who are supposed to be the “leaders of tomorrow now engage in unimaginable crimes just to become millionaires overnight”. “What has suddenly gone wrong with young people who now believe that rituals involving human blood will make them rich?” he asked. “So many Nigerians go missing daily, and while many are never found. Some are found dead with body parts missing. We must work to stop this trend.” He said the “narrative that poverty and unemployment get young people into ritual killings” must not be accepted. To curb the menace, Murray-Bruce said the family, as a social institution, should instil discipline and good morals in children. “We must return to our traditional family values where charity begins at home,” he said. “The family remains where the teachings of ethics begin. “This is where moral instructions are imbibed in children. This is where discipline and good morals are instilled in children regardless of their religion. “We must rebuild our families and inculcate love and tolerance among our children.” The former senator also advised that the government “must do more to encourage young people to use their knowledge of technology for productive ventures”. “With this, I’m calling on the government to establish tech hubs and tech sharks to train young people in information and digital skills aimed at making Nigeria and the world a better place,” he said. “We must teach them good virtues, hard work and patience. “I want young people to know that there is no shortcut to being wealthy without hard work. “Killing a human being for ritual purposes will not make you rich overnight. “It will only take you to hell. “Our politicians and elites must show restrain in the way they flaunt their wealth both publicly and on social media. “The Nigeria police and other security agencies should also deploy intelligence and apprehend the perpetrators of these acts and bring them to justice. “While our worship centres must focus more on encouraging young people to embrace hard work diligence and patience.”

  The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s leadership in developing the African continent, Adding that achieving the desired development requires commitment and positive contribution of the most populous black nation. In a post on his Twitter page on Saturday, the former minister of Agriculture noted that as the continent continues to advance her development, Nigeria’s leadership and that of the President Muhammadu Buhari are crucial. He tweeted, “I was delighted to meet my President, H.E. President ⁦@MBuhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. Nigeria’s leadership and that of H.E. President ⁦@MBuhari are crucial as we advance Africa’s development.” Meanwhile, Buhari had earlier at a sideline meeting with the Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammad Shtayyeh, at the ongoing African Union meetings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to continue pursuing peace and progress in Africa. Aside from Nigeria, he said he would work in ensuring peace and progress in other parts of the world, by consistently pushing for justice, fairness and inclusiveness in global affairs. The President assured that the country remains unwavering in supporting democracy, development and good governance, particularly in ensuring the rights of individuals and institutions. “As a country we are doing our best, and we will continue doing our best to ensure justice and fairness,” Buhari said.

  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently review and rescind his reported approval for security agencies to access subscribers’ personal details via NIN-SIM linkage without due process of law. SERAP also urged the president to send executive bills to the National Assembly to repeal and reform all laws, which are inconsistent and incompatible with Nigerians’ rights to privacy, dignity and liberty. SERAP made the request in a letter to President Buhari, dated February 5, 2022, by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare and made available to Vanguard on Sunday. The letter was copied to Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Mr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. SERAP’s letter followed reports that some security agencies have received presidential approval to access people’s personal details via the database of the National Identity Management Commission in the course of carrying out their duties. The organisation stated: “If your reported approval is not rescinded, millions of law-abiding Nigerians may feel that their private lives are the subject of constant surveillance. “The interference entailed by unlawfully or arbitrarily accessing people’s personal details is far-reaching and must be considered to be particularly serious. “Interference with an individual’s right to privacy is not permissible if it is unlawful or arbitrary.” The letter, read in part: “The power to access individual’s details raises serious concerns as to their arbitrary use by the authorities responsible for applying them in a manner that reduces human rights and democratic principles by the monitoring and surveillance of millions of Nigerians. “It is crucial to rescind the approval, and respect the autonomy of individuals to receive and share information of a personal nature without interference from the authorities, if unintended adverse consequences are to be avoided. “According to reports, some security agencies have received your approval to access people’s personal details via the database of the National Identity Management Commission in the course of carrying out their duties. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami reportedly conveyed the approval to the relevant security agencies. “Mr Pantami also reportedly stated that the approval would enhance security as it would help security operatives to go after kidnappers and other criminals.” “The approval would now allow security agencies to access the data of the over 73 million Nigerians who have linked their National Identity Number with their SIM, and other people who may do so.” “While the effectiveness of the fight against serious crime may depend to a great extent on the use of modern investigation techniques, such an objective of general interest, however fundamental it may be, cannot in itself justify the unlawful or arbitrary interference with the right to privacy. “Unlawful or arbitrary access to people’s personal details would contravene section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect against arbitrary or unlawful interference with one’s privacy. “Any constraints upon the right to privacy must strictly comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality. These requirements are included in the Nigerian Constitution and the human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party. “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

  Three crew members from the oil vessel that exploded in Delta State have been found alive. The management of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) in Receivership confirmed this in a statement on Sunday following the fire outbreak that engulfed the FPSO Trinity Spirit at the Ukpokiti Terminal in the early hours of Wednesday. “We can confirm that three (3) crew members have been found alive in the community and our priority is to ensure that they receive the appropriate medical attention they need,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ikemefuna Okafor, said. However, Okafor noted that one dead body was discovered in the vicinity of the FPSO but the identity is yet to be ascertained. “As earlier confirmed, the fire burnt out completely as of Thursday afternoon, 3rd Feb. 2022, thus enabling closer inspection of the vessel. A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations took place on Saturday, 5th February 2022. “The focus of our joint efforts is to prioritise investigations towards establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the 7 crew members still missing, clean up and limit damage to the environment, and establish the cause of the explosion. “We appreciate the assistance provided by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, NOSDRA, NUPRC, SPDC, NIMASA and people in the community, particularly the fishermen, who have been of immense assistance since the incident occurred,” the statement read in part. The company urged members of the public to continue to keep away from the area while its Crisis Management Team monitors developments in the investigations and updates all stakeholders with new information accordingly. 10 persons were said to be aboard the ship when it exploded.

  No fewer than three people were killed on Saturday as a two storey building located inside Ochanja Central Market Onitsha, collapsed. According to an eye witness, two-storey building structure was said to have collapsed at about 5:45pm on Saturday killing not less than three. The. eye witness said the collapse of the building was as a result of further erection of structure on the already weak structure, without necessary reinforcement. It will be recalled that some traders at the market had protested the attempt by market authorities to erect additional structures on the existing old and weak buildings in the area on Friday. The traders were said to have taken their protest to Awka, the State capital to the Governor to prevail on the leadership of the market to halt further erection of structures on the existing ones for the safety of the market traders who stand the danger of the buildings collapsing on them. The protesting traders were said to have barricades the Anambra State Headquarters of Physical Planning Board, Amawobia and the gate of the State Government House, along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Awka, saying that they were in the state capital to appeal to Hovernor, Willie Obiano, to urgently intervene to prevent future building collapse that may lead to loss of lives and properties in the market. Some of the placards displayed by the protesting traders read: ”Save our lives now at Ochanja central market, governor Willie Obiano, we need your help now, Physical Planning Board why are you people keeping quit, Ochanja central market is not for sale, say no to illegal shops at Ochanja central market, illegal shops at Ochanja central market will collapse very soon, say no to dekkings without foundation at Ochanja central market, among others.” However, the eye witness who spoke to Vanguard about Saturday evening building collapse did disclose if the collapsed two story building, which is being added with another on top, was among the ones the traders were protesting against further erections of on top of them or it is one of the numerous private plazas that exist in the market. A trader in the market, who did not disclose his name, while speaking with Sunday Vanguard, said the unidentified victims were working at the site when the incident occurred. Efforts to speak with the market leaders proved abortive as the incident forced people to scamper for safety as people were seen trying to salvage their goods so as to escape being trapped.