President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria’s size and population are contributory factors in many challenges facing the country, but in many areas, his administration is trying. The Nigerian leader equally said youths are Nigeria’s promise for a better future and solving their problems is the priority of his government. Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman in a statement on Tuesday said the Nigerian leader stated this while welcoming the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah and his deputy, Pastor Bob Roberts of the US who visited him in Washington, USA. Buhari noted that the work of the foundation in promoting multi-faith dialogue was as important to the world as it was to Nigeria. The president also spoke about the need to raise generations of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry, urging the group to continue to target the young people who are the promise of the future. He said: “Your work is very important in helping, especially the youth to understand one another and at the same time, to be proud of their heritage. ”This great initiative by you will help future generations to plan well and live together in peace. ”On our part, we will continue to solve our problems, especially as they relate to the youths. ”We are big in size and population, facing many challenges, but in many areas, we are trying. In seven-and-a-half years, I have done my best,” said the president. The secretary-general said they had come to inform the president and to invite him to attend the conferment upon him, the Abu Dhabi Foundation’s award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting peace and security. He said the conferment was in line with the foundation’s work in fighting religious extremism, promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue amongst all religions.

  Two wanted terrorists on Security watch list have been killed by police operatives in Katsina on Tuesday. According to the police report, the two wanted terrorists, identified as Abu Na-Iraqi and Abu Na-Masari met their end when they attacked Sokoto-Rima Quarters in Dutsinma LGA with the intention to kidnap residents in the area. SP Gambo Isah, spokesman Katsina Police Command also disclosed that two AK-47 riffles were recovered from the assailants who stormed the area in large number at about 7:30PM shooting sporadically. He said: “On 13/12/2022 at about 1930hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, attacked Sokoto – Rima Quarters, Dutsinma LGA of Katsina state, with intent to kidnap some residents. “Consequently, the Area Commander, Dutsinma and his team, swiftly moved to the area, engaged the terrorists in a gun duel. “Two (2) notorious terrorists, on police wanted list, Abu Na-Iraqi and Abu Na-Masari were neutralized in the process and we also recovered two AK 47 rifles from them. “Search parties are still combing the area with a view of arresting other members of the syndicate, who fled the scene with gunshots wounds so as to recover their operational weapons. Investigation is ongoing please.” Similarly, on Monday, the Katsina Police Command said it succeeded in rescuing one Alhaji Ali and three other kidnapped victims from Unguwar Rinji in Ruwayau Village, Kurfi LGA of the state. According to SP Gambo, the DPO Kurfi, led a tactical team to block the exist route of the terrorists while leaving the community with their captives and was able to repel them after engaging them in a fierce gun battle.

  The United Kingdom’s inflation rate dropped slightly to 10.7 percent in November, down from the 41-year high of 11.1 percent in October. Economists had expected the inflation rate to fall to 10.9 percent, rather than the 10.7 per cent announced on Wednesday. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), lower petrol prices helped to ease the rate of price increases in the country. The agency said the largest upward contributions came from “housing and household services (principally from electricity, gas, and other fuels), and food and non-alcoholic beverages.” It said the largest downward contributions over the month came from “transport, particularly motor fuels, with rising prices in restaurants, cafes and pubs making the largest, partially offsetting, upward contribution.” Meanwhile, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 16.5 percent in the 12 months to November, slightly up from 16.4 percent in October. Grant Fitzner, ONS chief economist, said: “Although still at historically high levels, annual inflation eased slightly in November.” “Prices are still rising, but by less than this time last year, with the most notable example of this being motor fuels. “Tobacco and clothing prices also rose, but again by less than we saw this time last year. “This was partially offset by prices in restaurants, cafes and pubs, which went up this year compared to falling a year ago.” The inflation data came ahead of the monetary policy announcement of the Bank of England (BoE) on December 15.   Last month, the bank raised its interest rate to 3 percent, the eighth consecutive rate increase in the year. It also said the country was heading into a prolonged recession.

  A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed a certificate forgery suit filed by the Action Alliance, AA, against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu. Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgement, held that the suit, instituted by AA, was statute-barred, having not been commenced within the mandatory 14 days provided for under the 1999 Constitution (as amended by the Fourth Alteration Act). Justice Egwuatu said that the suit had become academic and grossly incompetent; hence, the court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain it or grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff. The judge, who said that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to file the suit, also held that it acted like a busybody, having interfered in the internal affairs of another party. He consequently dismissed the suit for constituting an abuse of the court process. The AA, in a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/954/2022, had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, APC and Bola Tinubu as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

  By Ochereome Nnanna THERE is a madman in Finland who has wittingly or unwittingly joined the enemies of the Igbo nation to destabilise the South-East. Reputed to be a Finnish national and an ex-soldier, the 37-year-old wears costumes depicting himself as an Igbo traditional ruler (or native doctor, as some say). He goes on You Tube and internet radio to spew messages he believes portray him as the placeholder for the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu’s movement is committed to the peaceful separation of indigenous people from Nigeria through referendums. Kanu was a fringe element who was largely ignored as he operated his pirate internet radio, Radio Biafra, from the UK. But following Muhammadu Buhari’s assumption of power in May 2015 and the launch of his anti-Igbo nepotism, Kanu came back to Nigeria and started mobilising the Igbo youth to support his call for referendum. The Federal Government cracked down and thousands were killed. Kanu was arrested and detained. IPOB was outlawed and declared a terrorist group even when they were totally unarmed. Later, Kanu was granted bail, and while he waited to continue his days in court, the Nigerian Army attacked his home in Afaraukwu, Umuahia. Kanu was almost killed but he miraculously escaped abroad and continued his radio broadcasts for a peaceful separation from Nigeria. The Federal Government also pushed IPOB towards violent agitation. The extension of a “Fulanisation and Islamisation” agenda from the Middle Belt into Igboland led Kanu’s IPOB to form an armed vigilante known as the Eastern Security Network, ESN. Its duty was to counter the armed Fulani herdsmen invaders that enjoyed a free hand to kill, rape, kidnap, destroy farmlands, burn down communities and occupy such deserted communities, while the Federal Government looked the other way. ESN was strictly a bush-based defensive outfit which never tampered with the lives and property of law abiding Northerners living in the South-East. Before Kanu was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya back to the claws of his enemies in Nigeria, he was able to keep his armed men in check. He often ordered actions against his members involved in criminalities such as killing or stealing of the merchandises of Northerners who plied their legitimate trade in the South-East. When Kanu was abducted from Kenya, his authority as IPOB leader fell into the hands of the organisation’s Directorate of State, DOS, which continued to follow in the footsteps of their leader. It was this DOS that started giving “Sit-At-Home”, SAH, directives every Monday to keep South-Easterners focused on their commitment to ensure Kanu’s release. The SAH was widely criticised. Personally, I wrote several articles outlining the unwholesomeness of it. I posited that the SAHs impacted negatively on the economic and educational lives of South-Easterners and residents. It prevented them from earning a living on Mondays, thus impoverishing them. It also prevented their children from going to school and taking their exams on Mondays which is an abomination. We also went against IPOB’S “No election” stance, pointing out that forcing people to boycott elections was a deprivation of their political rights, which will lead to the emergence of leaders who will work for the enemies against the people’s interests. IPOB election boycotts would foolishly give a free rein to their enemies to occupy governments and oppress them and the populace. The IPOB DOS, in obedience to good counsel and their leader’s directive from detention, wisely withdrew the Monday SAHs and restricted the order to days when Nnamdi Kanu appeared in court. Meanwhile, Igbo elders commenced their series of engagements with Buhari for diplomatic settlement. Buhari after initially seeming amenable, suddenly said the courts would decide Kanu’s fate. The refusal of the Federal Government to release Kanu after the Court of Appeal discharged him of all counts handed a carte blanche to stray elements like Simon Ekpa. Ekpa had rejected the DOS’ moderate proengagement stance for Kanu’s freedom. He believes that by punishing people of the SouthEast, the FG will be forced to release Nnamdi Kanu. He believes that by starving them, reducing their children to almajiri status due to lack of education and preventing them from voting, the FG will release Kanu. How daft! South-Easterners blame Buhari for his hostile policies towards them and for allowing his armed kinsmen to attack the people while the armed forces, police and security agencies protect them from the ESN and other selfdefence vigilante push-backs. But Buhari has never prevented South-Easterners from earning a living, sending their children to school or voting for candidates of their choice! Buhari has even completed the Second Niger Bridge. What has Simon Ekpa done from his cozy hideout in Finland except to order hits and make brainless broadcasts? Between Simon Ekpa and his armed goons and Buhari and the Fulani militias, who is the greater enemy? Simon Ekpa’s puerile deployment of armed enforcers has created an atmosphere of anarchy in the South-East. In a free-for-all atmosphere, anybody can do anything and blame IPOB and ESN. Indeed, they are already doing so. The offices and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are being attacked and burnt. Who gains? Who else if not the opponents of Peter Obi? Simon Ekpa and his cohorts, by jeopardising the chances of Peter Obi in the South-East, are not just enemies of Nigeria, they are more so of Ndi Igbo. If Peter Obi’s chances of emerging as Nigeria’s president is destroyed from Igboland, when will another Igbo person be able to enjoy a nationwide acceptance as he does? Perhaps, jobless individuals who have turned Biafrapreneurs would rather stay in business than give Ndi Igbo a chance to resolve their historic feud with other Nigerians through peaceful, consensual means? I pray Nnamdi Kanu comes out soonest to resume his intelligent, methodical engagement with Nigeria for a peaceful resolution of the Biafra question.

  Wednesday 14 December 2022 INEC vows prosecution of voters card buyers, sellers Raped UNILORIN student: Two undergraduates sentenced to death Presidency knocks Kazaure over N89tn stamp duty claim Buhari to receive award on peace, security Large turnout, as EFCC auctions 80 forfeited cars in Ibadan FG intervenes in 64 internal road projects in institutions – Fashola Tinubu pledges to tackle bandits in Kaduna, North West I’ll bring prosperity to Kogi; Ajaokuta steel ‘ll be reality – Obi Nigeria’s problem not solely caused by 1999 Constitution — Gen Gbor NAFDAC confiscates counterfeit alcoholic drinks in Aba, Onitsha ‘Blow against hate’ — US president, Biden signs gay marriage law Police parade man, 25, for killing 3-year-old child Petrol: NNPC slashes price for marketers to ease scarcity Customs impounds rice, Indian Hemp, others worth over N1bn Nigeria ‘ll completely eliminate use of petrol, diesel generator — Buhari Nigeria’s oil output rises 17% to 1.2 mb/d  — OPEC Atiku Campaigns In Jos, Promises Restoration Of Peace Senate Postpones Debate On CBN Withdrawal Limits I Meant To ‘Ginger’ Supporters, Doguwa Defends Deal-With-You Comment We Have Another Buhari In Tinubu, Says Doguwa Farmgate scandal: South Africa’s parliament votes against move to impeach Ramaphosa Wike: I have no problem with Atiku — interest of southern Nigeria is my concern At least 100 dead as flood ravages Congo’s capital PDP nurtured Boko Haram into a monster, FG replies Atiku Reps hail DSS, say kidnapping, banditry have ‘reduced considerably’ Reps Give NNPC, Others One Week To End Fuel Scarcity Tinubu Is Buhari’s Successor, Adamu Declares Malami Committee Working To Recover Stamp Duties – Presidency Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…