Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Edition

Tuesday, August 11, 2020/ Zhul-Hijja 21, 1441 AH

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Buhari signs instrument NDLEA seizes 3,546kg Nimet predicts cloudy, Petroleum tanker to enable African trade hard drugs, arrests 205 thundery weather from drivers begin strike Monday-Wednesday insurance agency suspects in FCT PAGE 2

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Bandits terrorising Southern Kaduna arrested PAGE 5

•Treat perpetrators as criminals -CAN •Insecurity will end soon -Buhari

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN and SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha during an Audience with North-East Governors and Service Chief in attendance held at the State House, abuja. PHOTO; State House

Alleged Perjury: Court hears suit against IzeIyamu, deputy Aug.24 >>>PAGE 14

Reps accuse Power Ministry of N7bn extra budgetary spending >>>PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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NEWS CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

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World News

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Buhari signs instrument to enable African trade insurance agency

By Egena Sunday Ode

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has signed the instrument of accession of the agreement for the establishment of the African Trade Insurance Agency.

This was contained in a statement Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The Agreement and the Agency are registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Charter of the United Nations and is in cognizant of the fact that lack of adequate political, non-

commercial and commercial risk insurance is a significant impediment to the availability of finance for investments in Africa and the expansion of African foreign trade and intra-Africa trade.

The Agency when executed will acknowledge previous multilateral efforts made by African States towards regional economic integration through cooperation in trade liberalization and development so as to attain sustainable growth, promote economic activity and create an enabling environment for foreign trade, as well as cross-border and domestic investments.

Recalling the economic

objectives and aims of the African Union, there are several African Treaties on regional economic integration, including the Treaty Establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Treaty Establishing the Southern African Development Community and the Treaty Establishing the Economic Community of West African States.

A memorandum from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, stated that the request for the President’s signature on the agreement was sequel to the directive of the Federal Executive Council, that the instrument

be prepared and forwarded for execution.

The ratification was adopted at Grand Bay in the Republic of Mauritius on the Eighteenth Day of May, 2000. The object and purpose of the Agency is to provide, facilitate, encourage and otherwise develop the provision of, or the support for, insurance, including coinsurance and reinsurance, guarantees, and other financial instruments and services, for purposes of trade, investment and other productive activities in African States in supplement to those that may be offered by the public or private sector, or in cooperation with the public or private sector.

Insecurity: Katsina govt to carry out LG reforms Page 7

Digest

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Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

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From left..... Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Permanent Secretary FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa and the Minister of State FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu at the FCT Security Committee meeting, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP BoT Chairman, Jubrin wants INEC to handle LG, State, National elections

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Walid Jubrin, has harped on the need for cooperation among political parties in the country with a view to ensuring fee and fair elections in coming elections in the country.

Senator Jubrin also advised all parties to follow the example of Nasarawa Bye election which was conducted in a free, fair and conducive environment.

The Chairman of the BoT of the PDP also advised that all elections

in the local governments, State and National should be conducted by INEC. Senator Jubrin said these in his reaction to the outcome of the Saturday’s State constituency election in Nasarawa State.

The BoT Chairman of the PDP, in a statement by him yesterday, said, “When the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, visited Nasarawa Headquarters of Nasarawa Local Government to ensure that the Bye Election is conducted successfully at an interactive session with stakeholders, I emphasized the need for free, fair and transparent

election, emphasizing that the bye election should be a test case for the coming 2023 elections “I also emphasized to the two political parties, PDP and APC, involved in the bye election to work in unity, avoiding any infighting and any bad behavior.

“We must cooperate with each other to ensure fee and fair elections.

May I therefore congratulate INEC and all of us, for adhering to the advice of INEC Chairman.

“I want to state therefore that the bye election conducted last Saturday was conducted under good atmosphere, obeying the rules and also following the rules and

regulations of COVID-19. ‘During the last election, I did not witness any fight. The advises of the INEC National Chairman and my own, as the PDP BOT Chairman, were strictly followed.

“May I advise all parties to follow the example of Nasarawa Bye election extremely. Even though APC defeated us, we should never fight with any one.

“May I also praise the efforts all security agencies. I did not see any soldier on sight.

“At this juncture may I advise that all elections in the local governments state and National to be conducted by INEC”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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NEWS

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

FMDQ says new CAMA will change Nigerian financial markets

F

MDQ Securities Exchange on Monday said the new Companies and Allied Matters Bill 2020 asserted to by President Muhammadu Buhari would reposition Nigeria as a compelling destination of capital.

Mr Bola Onadele, FMDQ Group Chief Executive Officer, said in Lagos that the country’s financial market and the economy would receive the long-awaited boost to spur economic development with the new CAMA. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari on Aug. 7 in Abuja assented to the CAMA Bill, 2020 recently passed by the National Assembly.

The Bill, now Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, repeals and replaces the extant Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, and introduces several corporate legal innovations aimed at enhancing ease of doing business in the country.

Some of such innovation are reduction in filing fee and other reforms to encourage small and medium enterprises; provisions for the establishment of private companies with a single shareholder and limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships, among others.

Onadele said the new CAMA, when implemented, would usher in a new wave of innovative developments in the Nigerian financial market and as well improve the ease of doing business in the country.

“With the increasing sophistication of the global financial markets comes the need for domestic markets to develop their architecture and infrastructures to support requisite advancement as well as align with international standards, and the new CAMA 2020 will position Nigeria and its capital market at par with its international counterparts.

“Chief of the several impactful provisions in the CAMA 2020, is the inclusion of netting and bankruptcy remoteness provisions which signal the birth of a new financial market in Nigeria.

“The CAMA 2020 commendably sets the tone for the actualisation of key innovations in the market,

providing enabling legal backing for netting, bankruptcy remoteness and attendant regulatory frameworks for the smooth functioning of financial

markets in Nigeria,” Onadele said.

He noted that these game changing provisions would cure critical legal deficiencies that hitherto

affected the development of the financial markets.

Onadele said that the netting provisions in the CAMA would

address the credit risk challenges, operational and legal bottlenecks of gross settlement for spot and derivatives transactions.

President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Solomon Adodo(right),Formal Training Commissioner, FCT, Scout Association of Nigeria, Prince Airman William(left),Training commissioner, Elder Alaofi Samuel(2nd left)and State Scout Commissioner, FCT, Hon. Tanko Yahaya(2nd right) at the investiture of NYCN President as member of Scout Association of Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Order restraining minister from recognising NYCN leadership subsists -Court

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

A

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday, maintained that a restraining order stopping the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, from recognizing the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) under comrade Saraigbe Sukubo subsists.

The court also affirmed the order stopping Sukubo from parading himself as National President of NYCN, pending the determination of a legal action challenging the legality of the congress that produced him.

Sukubo had through his counsel, Clement Aninuoya, told

the court that he had filed a motion asking the court to set aside the restraining order.

Arguing his application, Anunuoya also told the court that the Incorporated Trustees of the NYCN which secured the restraining order against him had filed a counter affidavit opposing his motion and served same on him during the proceedings.

He therefore prayed the court to grant him an adjournment to enable him react to issues raised in the counter affidavit of the plaintiff.

In a brief ruling, Justice Taiwo Taiwo granted the adjournment request of Sukubo and adjourned the matter for hearing of all pending motions till August 24.

Justice Taiwo however affirmed that the restraining order granted by his court restraining the Minister of Youth and Sports development from recognizing the disputed NYCN leadership and its president from parading himself still subsists until it is set aside.

He warned that no party in the matter should do anything to over reach the court in the issues slated for resolution.

The Incorporated Trustees of the NYCN had dragged Sukubo and and Minister before the Federal High Court challenging the legality of the congress that produced Sukubo as the national president.

In an exparte application of the NYCN Board of trustees argued by

its counsel, Mr Michael Ogobuchi, Justice Taiwo had slammed a restraining order against the Minister of Youth from accepting Sukubo as the leader of the council and also Sukubo from parading himself as president.

Before adjourning the matter to August 24, 2020, Justice Taiwo had queried counsel to the first defendant for writing a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court asking for hearing of the case during court vacation without copying counsel to the plaintiff as required by rule of the court.

The court therefore warned lawyers to always play by the rule of court and in compliance with extant law.

COVID-19 protocols: FG urged to release funds directly to schools

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has called on the Federal Government to release adequate funds directly to the schools to cut off ‘middlemen’s taxes’, to enable them prepare for and sustain the care of the students who are preparing for exit examinations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAE also appealed for publicPrivate arrangements to help with direct donations to schools, stressing that supplementary school feeding is needed at the time of examinations.

The Academy in a statement jointly signed by its President, Elizabeth Eke and Publicity Secretary, Owoicho Akpa made available to journalists in Abuja, advised that in the interim, the other

measures on training of teachers and improvement of learning environments should take place before any other classes join.

According to the statement, COVID-19 has ushered in a new normal for all and there is need for adaptation of mentality to be able to cope for both private and public schools, their proprietors and stakeholders.

It said since all the examinations will be taken in the next four months, the total number of the children moving around and involved in different examinations will be huge and they must be properly cared for.

“On this occasion, parents have the final responsibility to decide whether their children return to school or not although with all the examinations scheduled, the temptation to follow the tide may

be very strong. Those who decide to send their children should not be deterred from doing so for lack of funds to rather they should be enabled to follow through with their decision.

“The school authorities and management should ensure that the guidelines are followed. Orientation for teachers and students no matter how brief is essential. Students and teachers are expected to be tested.

The school as a whole should be sanitised (fumigated), social distancing observed especially in the examination arrangements, masks made available, sanitisers, running water and soap provided.

“For those schools without pipe borne water in the rural areas, tanks ought to be provided. Verification checks and continuous monitoring are necessary both through self-

assessment and with external inspectors.Schools in areas that are physically insecure, should be provided with armed security.

“NAE is hosting 3 webinars from August to discuss comprehensive strategies for dealing with short and long term effects of the coronavirus”,the statement stated.

NAE appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education decision which has saved the country the embarrassment of an open fractionalisation of the Nigerian front as some states exercised their concurrency rights in education and decided to send in their students for the WAEC examinations.

It observed that:”opinions are sharply divided as to whether or not the resumption should take place. As on the global scene, arguments hinge on balancing the

health implications arising from the continuously spreading Covid 19 pandemic, especially in the face of inadequate response strategies and shortcomings in testing, against the need to make progress in education and reopen the economy.

“The fear is that the resumption may exacerbate the situation and lead to higher casualty. Some have even expressed fears about the heightened level of insecurity, the inadequacy of preparation for the examinations and shared concerns about mass failure with attendant consequences.

“We in the NAE do not wish away the profound arguments but we have the professional responsibility to accept the resumption and advise on how best to circumvent a worsening situation.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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Edo Assembly crisis : Senator Bamidele slams Gov Obaseki

By Musa Baba Adamu

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hairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC EKiti Central) , has condemned Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State over alleged invasion of the State Assembly Complex in Benin City last week.

He described the actions as unlawful, subversive and a damning threat to democracy in Nigeria.

Fielding questions from Journalists in Abuja yesterday, Bamidele stressed that the continued onslaughts on the iHonourable members of the Edo State House of Assembly by Obaseki should be condemned and resisted by all lovers of democracy because the legislature is an integral and critical component of democracy anywhere around the world.

He maintained that the deliberate and inordinate sabotage of the legitimate activities of the lawmakers in the State legislature is a direct invitation to anarchy and this must be promptly halted before the situation is allowed to get out of hands.

According to him, the legislature, because of its representative power in a democracy, is the mirror of the will of the the people which must not be subverted by anybody under whatever guise .

He said: “The legislature is the chief means of expressing popular will, a body that can speak on behalf of, and for, the people. It is, therefore, the assembly of the people’s minds and the general will of the populace within a polity.”

He added that the desperation of Governor Obaseki to secure a second term in office should not be allowed to desecrate, destroy and totally subvert the legislative institution in Edo State, saying “democratic sustainability demands that political players should moderate and caution their political behaviours in order to safeguard the sanctity of democracy and institutions of democratic governance.”

Throwing caution to the wind by gladiators, he stated , may likely jettison survival of democracy and the genuine desires and aspirations of the people.

He therefore implored the civil society community and other Stakeholders of the political process in Nigeria to prevail on Obaseki to allow members of the Edo State House of Assembly resume their constitutional duties without further delay.

“The wanton wastage of the resources and the hard-earned Edo State tax payers’ money on the platter of vindictive politics, campaign of calumny, political arm-twisting and the continued halt of legislative activities in the Edo State House of Assembly is inimical to democracy and an affront against the people whose votes Obaseki is currently desperately courting to get a second term.

NEWS

INEC: Appeal court sets aside lower court’s order on de-registration

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Abuja Division of Appeal Court, yesterday, set aside the judgement of the federal high court upholding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s actions in the de-registration of political parties.

The appellant, Advance Congress of Democratic and the

Progressive Peoples Alliance, were among 74 political parties that INEC de-registration on February 6, 2020.

The court had in its judgement delivered by a four- man panel led

by Justice Sodipe Lokulo, the court held that the de-registration was illegal having failed to follow due process.

The court also held that the electoral body contradict Section

225(A) of the 1999 Constitution as amended in its decision, as they did not indicate reasons for the deregistration of the political parties.

INEC had said that the deregistered parties breached their requirements for registration as they failed to win at least twentyfive percent of votes cast in one state of the federation during the presidential election.

The court, in its ruling premised

on Section 40 of the constitution, adding that citizens are entitled to freedom of association and such the right conferred on a part cannot be taken away except by dir process.

It further added that the parties are challenging the process of their de-registration and not act.

The court therefore ordered that the appellant should be listed as registered political parties in the country.

After lossing a term to Covid-19 pandemic, Completeman International Schools (CMIS) Gauraka in Tafa local Government Area of Niger State reopen and compliance to the Covid-19 rules and regulations for School resumption yesterday. Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG distributes 20,000 cocoa seedlings, inputs to Imo farmers

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ederal Government in its bid to help cushion the effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has supported smallholder farmers in Imo State with 20,000 Cocoa seedlings and other improved seeds.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Mr Theodore Ogaziechi, said this on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister said the Federal Government was committed to improving agriculture.

Nanono said this during the official roll out ceremony of the distribution of free agricultural inputs to farmers in Imo State.

Nanono added that over 5,000 oil palm sprouted nuts and 1,500 kilogramme of cashew seeds were distributed to the farmers.

He stressed that yam farmers through their national association and other cooperative groups would be supported with 20,000 one node vine cuttings and 10,000 foundation seeds of yam and 200 liters of pathway organic growth enhancer.

“Potatoes farmers will benefit from 1,500 bundles of orange fleshed sweet potatoes that were distributed at the occasion, and 200 liters of pathway organic solution for the yam farmers,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed

government’s commitment to ensuring that smallholder farmers across the country had access to quality seeds.

According to him, having access to quality seeds was a foundation to attaining food and nutrition security and industrialisation of the agricultural sector.

“Through this effort and other complementary interventions by different stakeholders, government hopes to increase quality seeds, resilience of farmers, accessibility and national food systems in general.

“The ministry is supporting breeder and foundation seeds production and linking up with private seed companies to make certified seeds available to farmers’’.

“This is coupled with our effort to improve rural infrastructure and other value-chains supports to contribute to attainment of Mr. President’s desire to ensure easy access to quality food and nutrition

by Nigerians,”he said.

The minister said that different categories of seeds, seedlings of cocoa, sprouted nuts of oil palm, vines of orange flesh, sweet potatoes, one node vine cuttings of yam and its seeds and groundnut seeds were distributed to farmers.

He stressed that the ” this is part of the ministry’s intervention to

reduce effect of COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural production in Nigeria and prevent food scarcity in 2021.

“The ministry is also supporting groundnut farmers through the Groundnut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association (GPPMAN) with improved 3 metric tonnes of groundnut seeds.

“These seeds, seedlings, nuts, vines and other inputs are being given to farmers free.”

The minister said that priority was given to women farmers, adding that, “at least 35 per cent of the agricultural inputs are targeted at women farmers.” ” This in line with the targets set in our National Gender Plan and Policies aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women.

“This has been communicated to the farmer associations accordingly’’.

“The next major roll-out of support to farmers will take place in Borno State. ” The government is set to support farmers in the state with mproved wheat, groundnut and rice seeds as well as gum Arabic seedlings among other things.”

In his remark, the Imo State Gov., Hope Uzodimma, lauded the agricultural policies and visionary leadership of President Muhammadu

Buhari in job creation, food sufficiency and economic growth.

He said: ” Imo State will buy into the agriculture policies because the state has agricultural potentials.

“These potentials will create jobs for the teeming youth population and boost the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) of the state and Nigeria in general.”

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Imo State, Dr Lambert Orisakwe, said that “Imo State is predominantly an agrarian society where every family is engaged in one form of agricultural practice or the other”.

He said the coming of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to distribute agropalliative to farmers in the state was a welcome development.

“This August and memorable occasion is very refreshing and calls for celebration.

The Commissioner of Livestock Development, Imo State , Hon. Obiageri Ajoku, called for robust synergy with the federal ministry of agriculture toward achieving food sufficiency and good nutrition in Nigeria.

The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mrs Karima Babangida, thanked the governor for gracing the occasion.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna & Egena Sunday Ode, Abuja

S

uspected bandits terrorising southern kaduna have been arrested by security operatives.

This is as the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Kaduna state chapter has called on the Federal and Kaduna state Governments to treat perpetrators of Southern Kaduna killings as criminals and not with kit gloves.

Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to end the security challenges in the country.

The Sector Commander of Operation Safe Haven in Kafanchan, Colonel David Nwakonobi told newsmen yesterday According to him the eight suspects were arrested at different locations with dangerous weapons in their possession during the operation carried out by the task force.

Some of the items recovered from the suspects include locally fabricated pump action guns, locally made pistols, 9 mm ammunition, machetes, and motorcycles.

One of the militiamen involved in the last attack in one of the communities was killed in a shootout and his corpse was discovered in Kibori village during a rescue operation by the troops according to Colonel Nwakonobi.

He said disclosed that the suspected bandits carried out Several attacks in various villages across the region which led to many deaths with many others being displaced after fires ignited by the raiders, engulf houses and destroy property.

Perplexed by the situation, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru ElRufai on Tuesday, August 4, sought support from Traditional Rulers over the recent killings in the southern part of the state.

The governor disclosed in a meeting with Traditional Rulers from the three senatorial zones said there is a need for all hands to be on neck towards bringing lasting peace to the troubled area and other parts of the state.

He also challenged the traditional rulers to fish out criminal elements in their midst.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Kaduna state chapter has called on the Federal and Kaduna state Governments to treat perpetrators of Southern Kaduna killings as criminals and not with kit gloves.

The Chairman of CAN in the state, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, disclosed this during an in-door protest to call for end to the menace.

The CAN chair said dialogue would have been the best instrument to restore peace to the zone, but “how can you dialogue people who invaded homes, razed them down and killed the owners like ghost”.

Rev Hayab said he would personally have led a team of dialogue and even begged the perpetrators to stop the killings, but “where can we find them, so anybody who knows who they are and their whereabouts should come to our rescue.”

Hayab called on senior church leaders like Pastor E A Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Paul Enenche, Apostle Johnson Suleiman and others to raise their voices against the killings in Southern Kaduna.

The prayers which was held at the Evangelical Winning All Church, (ECWA), Narayi High Cost had Christians in their thousands, all

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NEWS

Bandits terrorizing Southern Kaduna arrested adorned in black attires, engaged in fervent protest prayers for Nigeria and Southern Kaduna, with placards with different inscriptions.

Various Pastors took turns to lead the congregation in sessions of prayers against the killings, asking God to intervene and restore peace in all the troubled areas and fight the battles of the helpless.

In his sermon amidst the prayer session, President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, HEKAN, Rev. Amos G. Kiri who took his reading from Psalms 46 vs 1- 11 charged the congregation not to be weary with the happenings, but to raise their voices to God in prayers.

He said that any government that is not worried about the well-being of her citizens does not deserve to be called a government, while challenging Christians in government to speak up against all forms of injustice against the church in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave strong assurances that security will be restored to Borno State, the Northeast and the nation at large, following the recent adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment.

The assurances by the President is coming amid public concerns over the lingering insecurity in the region, following the recent attack on Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with the five Northeast State Governors, attended

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the

•Treat perpetrators as criminals -CAN ...Insecurity will end soon -Buhari

Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of intelligence agencies, President Buhari said: “Things will improve very soon.

We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some are being cleared, and others still coming. We need patience with acquisition of equipment.

You need to train the trainers for their usage ahead of their deployment to the field.”

“I have listened to your presentation,” he told the Governors, who spoke through their Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof.

Babagana Zulum, adding, “I assure you, the Northeast Governors, especially that of Borno, that we go to bed and wake up thinking about you, how to secure our country, that is the responsibility of every government.

Our party campaigned in 2015 on three major objectives, among which is Security. We said the same thing in 2019 and Nigerians believed us. We are doing our best and we will continue to do even better.”

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari lamented the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, making scarce resources even scarcer, coupled with its severe impact on the supply chain of military equipment and spare parts.

“Our government is doing its best on the question of equipment and the military know. We have equipment coming from some countries. The acquisition of military wares and spares is not easy, especially if you are not the manufacturer,” he emphasized.

The statement noted that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Adviser and all the Service Chiefs who spoke in support of the President, assured that things will get better soon.

They made a strong case for strengthening ties among the military, state governments, traditional institutions and all communities and the residents of the region, Shehu added.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, according to the statement, gave an assessment of the current efforts, stressing that Boko Haram terrorists have been flushed out of all the States in the region, leaving Borno State as the last stop.

He said: “There are no Boko Haram terrorists in neighbouring states. They have been pushed out, and now cornered in Borno State. We are coordinating with civil and traditional authorities, mobilising and reinforcing and all we need is patience. We will not relent.”

On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, briefed

the meeting on the acquisition of military aircraft, stressing that the imminent arrival of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, known as drones with more than 10 hours of flying time, would strongly reinforce the battle front.

According to the statement, briefs were also received on equipment needs of the Police as well as the changing alliances between criminal gangs and terrorist groups in the region from the Intelligence Community.

In their address at the beginning of the meeting, the Northeast Governors noted that the security situation in the region has now greatly improved, compared to the time the President assumed office.

While commending President Buhari for the establishment of the Northeast Development Commission and the take-off of Mambila Dam Power Project, they however, called for attention to the condition of most of their roads.

They also warned of the consequences of a “War Economy” and the need to address the root causes of the insurgency.

According to the Governors, “A large population in the region, especially in Borno State, have no access to their homes and farmlands,” while calling for efforts to curtail the “increasing trust deficit between the population and the armed forces.

Reps accuse Power Ministry of N7bn extra budgetary spending

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives on Monday accused the Federal Ministry of Power of extra budgetary spending to the tune of N7 billion said to have been expended on the Kashimbila power project and keeping government money in commercial banks in 2015.

The House members equally demanded an explanation for the N2 billion deposited in a commercial bank by the Ministry in 2013 without any record provided to the office of the Auditor General.

But the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, Didi Esther Wilson-Jack told the Committee that the N7 billion which the Ministry kept in four commercial banks in 2015 were meant for the Kashimbila hydropower project and given to the Ministry as special intervention.

She said even though the money was not contained in the Ministry’s budget for that year, it was a special intervention fund released to the Ministry by the government and was therefore outside the Ministry’s budget, adding that the Ministry got the approval of the Accountant General of the Federation to lodge the money in the four affected banks.

Wilson-Jack who was responding

to the audit query from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation explained that shortly after the introduction of the Treasury Single Account by the government, the money was moved from the commercial banks to the TSA account of the Ministry.

Asked what has happened to the Money, the Director of Finance of the Ministry, A.J. Omotayo explained that the money has expended the money on the project it was meant for, causing the Committee to demand for details of how the money was spent.

The House Committee also want to know for how long the money was kept with the Commercial banks and the interest it generated as well as all correspondences between the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Ministry regarding the money.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Wole Oke describe the expenditure by the Ministry as extra budgetary and also demanded the 2015 appropriation of the Ministry.

The Committee also summoned the management of Aso Savings and Loans Limited over the N2 billion deposited with them by the Ministry of Power since 2013 which the Ministry said was meant for staff housing scheme.

Wilson-Jack told the Committee that the Ministry was making frantic efforts to recover the money from the bank,

stressing that it has already reported them to the Central Bank of Nigeria over violation of banking regulations.

She said the Ministry wrote to the Accountant General in December 2012 seeking permission to open an account with Aso Savings and Loans Limited to address issues of staff Housing, and got approval in January 2013 when the lodgment was made.

Rep. Oke said directed the Clerk to the Committee to write to the Central Bank of Nigeria to come and throw more light on the issue, while the bank is to appear before the committee to explain the whereabout of the money and the accrued interest.

The House Committee however deferred about 12 of the 14 queries of the Ministry, while setting up adhoc committee to liase with the Ministry and reconcile relevant documents.

The Auditor General of the Federation had sought a refund of about N30 million it said was an extra spending by the Ministry on the World Energy Summit which took place in 2015, but the Permanent Secretary said that there was no extra budgetary spending on the summit.

She explained “two approvals was made for the World Energy Summit. One was N44.671 million for the acquisition of space and construction of pavilion.

But as a result of paucity of funds, only

N39.446 million was released and duly retired.

“The second approval was for N30.316 million which was approved as travel expenses. But the Minister could not attend the summit and so, the delegation was reduced which also meant that the money had to reduce.

“For that, N21.204 million was released as travel expenses and has been duly retired. This money was paid directly to all those who attended the summit. So, there was no extra payment of N30 million as contained in the Auditor General’s report”.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, told the Committee that the sum of N110.151 million complained about by the Auditor General could not be mopped up and transferred to the TSA because it was not available for mop up.

He said that N85 million of the money was seized through a garnishee order from the court as a result of a case involving the Nigerian Police Force while the balance was transferred to the TSA before the Ministry was scrapped in 2015.

The committee however demanded for details of case involving the police for which the garnishee order was made, a copy of the order and a detailed bank statement on the account and when the balance was transferred to the TSA.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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NEWS

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etroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State have withdrawn their services as directed by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) beginning from Aug. 10.

The state Chairman, NUPENG, Mr Tayo Aboyeji made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

Aboyeji said that the strike began in the early hours of Aug. 10,

Petroleum tankers drivers begin strike following negotiation breakdown between the state government and the union.

“Although, we met with the state government yesterday night (Aug. 9), yet we could not reach an agreement.

“So, only the tanker drivers in

Lagos State proceeded with the strike, because the environment is not conducive for tankers to operate,’’ he said.

NAN reports that NUPENG had on Aug. 7 directed its members to down tools with effect from Aug. 10.

NUPENG’s National President,

Mr Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr Olawale Afolabi had in a joint statement said the directive became necessary due to failure of various authorities in the state to address some pending issues.

The issues include extortion of money from the drivers by various

security agents; the menace of containerised trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis areas of the state.

Others are harassment and extortion by area boys as well as area god-fathers as part of the challenges.

(NAN)

COVID-19: IOM, ICC publish guidelines for protection of migrant workers

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he International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have published a set of guidelines to protect migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IOM said in a statement on Monday that the guidelines, meant for employers, highlighted the private sector’s role in addressing the specific challenges of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said that the document included a set of general principles for employers such as treating all workers with equality, dignity and respect, regardless of their gender or migratory status.

The agency noted that the guidance was presented in five categories namely, physical and mental health, living and working conditions, economic support, ethical recruitment and supply chain transparency.

“Migrant workers are a crucial part of the global workforce, accounting for 3.5 per cent of the world’s population.

“Worldwide, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises rely on them, including sectors providing essential commodities and services, as well as industries hard-hit by COVID-19.

“As the economic and human consequences of COVID-19 continue to shape local communities, businesses can play a decisive role in addressing the unique challenges faced by migrant workers,’’ the UN agency said.

Ms Marina Manke, the Head of IOM’s Labour Mobility and Human Development Division, noted that migrant workers continued to be on the front lines of the COVID-19 response.

She said that they were working not only as “doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, but as the agricultural, transport and retail workers that keep our cities and towns functioning”.

Yet, they are vulnerable to job loss, salary cuts and various health and safety concerns, noted IOM. “Unlike local populations, migrant workers often are far from family support networks.

“They face language and, or cultural barriers and often lack social protection. Many suffer from discrimination.

“Meanwhile, overseas economies that rely on financial contributions from migrant workers, especially low- and middle-income countries,

face a steep decline in cross-border remittances,’’ the organisation said.

ICC Secretary General, Mr John Denton, said COVID-19 had

“exposed and heightened existing inequalities within our global economic system, including the daily challenges faced by migrant

workers around the world.

“By establishing inclusive policy responses, businesses can assure the health, well-being and safety

of all employees, while at the same time, lay the foundations for a more resilient economic recovery,” he added. (NAN)

Minister of Defence Maj-Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai during an Audience with North-East Governors and Service Chief in attendance held at the State House, abuja.

Payment of foreign scholars: Group accuses Akpabio, Interim Management of deceiving Buhari, contract scam worth billion

By Christiana Ekpa

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he Act For Positive Transformation Initiative, says it’s has carried out an extensive investigation on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which indicated that Sen. Godswill Akpabio and the Interim Management of the Commission have deceived President Muhammadu Buhari and committed contract scams, as well as financial recklessness against Nigeria worth billion of naira.

The Group in a letter dated 5th, August, 2020 addressed to “Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commanderin-Chief Federal Republic of Nigeria,Three Arms Zone, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria” and made available to newsmen by Kolawole Johnson Mnipr Head, Directorate of Research, Strategy & Programme said the Commission need to be reposition.

According to him, “In furtherance of the nation war

against corruption, The ACT FOR POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIOIN INITIATIVE has done an extensive work, investigating theNiger Delta Development Commission with the view to repositioning the commission to fulfil its mandate.

“Cases of corruption, contract scams, flagrant disregard for extant laws and financial recklessness have been exposed and submitted to relevant agencies and institution.

“While Nigerians await your action on the damning revelations against the management of the commission and Sen Godswill Akpabio, the supervising Minister, the commission released a statement yesterday on your directives for the prompt payment of scholars in foreign countries in the wake of protests in foreign embassies.

“The statement claimed the reason given to Your Excellency for the delay in payment of the scholars was the death of the late Executive Director,Finance and Administration (EDFA) and as

such could not make payments.

Your Excellency, this is an outright falsehood and the height of deception.

“The late EDFA died on May 28th, 2020, by July 28th 2020, exactly two months after, the management has squandered a total of 24.26 Billion Naira. The commission has continued to make all manner of fraudulent payments without prioritizing the demand of the foreign scholars or recourse to due process.

“Under the guise of emergency payments, the management paid out over 3.5 Billion Naira within this period. The fraudulent emergency payments include; AHR LTD (622,849,805.33 =E2=80=93 June 10), REZIKANA NIG LTD (527,099,556.20 =E2=80=93 June 19, 2020), Escobar Steel LTD (580,864,726.71= =E2=80=93 June 19, 2020), Vintage Consolidated Ltd (441,709,717.62 =E2=80=93 June 19, 2020=),REZIKANA NIG LTD (396,747,278.69 =E2=80=93 June

24, 2020), Julidata Enterpr= Ises (165,580,069.45 =E2=80=93 July 03, 2020). “ After the death of the late EDFA, additional fraudulent payments have been made to companies that were actively involved in cases of contract scams investigated. For example, Julius Dinga, the engineering company that got the fraudulent media consultancy contract for covid-19 awareness, has received over 400 Million Naira within same period the management refusedto pay the scholars (216,388,449.44 =E2=80=93 June 19 & 185,475,813.81 =E2= =80=93 July 09).

Ditto to Osmoserve and AHR Global, they have received over 1.3 Billion in fraudulent payments despite the allegation of contract scam substantiated against them. RODNAP, the company that allegedly has links, with Sen Akpabio, also got payment (612,500,000.00) within the period in focus.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

T

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT Command, says it seized 3,546.632 kilograms of hard drugs from January to July.

The NDLEA, FCT Commander, Mr Lawan Hamisu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the drugs seized comprised Cannabis sativa, Cocaine, Tramadol, Exol, Rophynol and Diazepam in a coordinated operation across the Territory.

He said that the operatives of the command within the period also arrested 205 suspects comprising of 180 males and 25 females.

He recalled that April and June was the period of lockdown due to COVID-19 as that clearly slow down the level of operations in the FCT. He, however, noted that the agency had been working as much as possible to operate within the safety protocol as directed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“This is actually what account

PAGE 7

NEWS NDLEA seizes 3,546kg hard drugs, arrests 205 suspects in FCT

for the number to be this slightly low but it is still a worrisome development,’’ he said.

Hamisu said that the operatives of the command seized 3,295.193kg of cannabis sativa adding that the quantity alone was over three tonnes.

“0.061kg of cocaine, 0.842kg of Rophynol, 4.975kg of Diazepam, 2.46kg of Exol and 242.267kg of Tramadol were seized making the total of 3,546.632kg.

“Within the corridors of FCT, if this has been allowed to be in circulation, what will have been the catastrophe that it would have resulted.

“In the same vein, we have issues of cocaine which is very much pronounced as the most notorious

drugs, which I must confess is becoming a very saddening event to most families.

“One thing I will like to draw our attention to, including our sister agencies, like NAFDAC for instance, is the increasing abuse of illicit drugs.

“Drugs that ordinarily suppose to be medicinal, but now they are being abused. Cough syrup for instance is becoming increasingly abused not only in FCT but in other parts of the country.

“This is a very serious issue for NDLEA as we are very much concern. And we have been drawing and will continue to draw the attention of relevant authorities to this,’’ he said.

Hamisu said that total

conviction from January to July were 75, adding that June had the highest conviction of 37 out of the 75.

According to him, we referred about 80 out of the number arrested for counselling, while 10 persons walked themselves to the office to submit themselves to the agency.

“These 10 really wanted an intervention and we are glad to say that some are with us for three months and six months respectively.

They have been discharged because they are working class and they have to return back to their work.

“At the moment, we are on the follow up and aftercare monitoring and services. I will say that is how far we have gone with the

Insecurity: Katsina govt to carry out LG reforms

rehabilitation process in FCT,’’ he said.

Hamisu said that the number of female arrested within the 7 months could be a bit small but it was disturbing, adding that the frightening thing lately was the demography of drug abuse and trafficking.

According to him, the demography changes shape because you have the involvement of students, commercial sex workers, and you equally have even housewives.

The NDLEA commander said that the agency would continue to carry out its duties in line with global best practices to ensure that the territory was free of drug related issues.

The Principal of Queens School, Enugu, Mrs Ada Nweke (L) and President of Queens School Enugu Old Girls Association, Enugu state branch, Mrs Margaret Nwagbo, during the commissioning and handover of a renovated classroom block to the school by the association in Enugu on Monday (10/8/20)

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State said that the state government will carry out reforms in the local government sector to enable local authorities manage security matters within their communities.

He stated this at a press conference yesterday at the Nigerian Army Super Camp in Faskari Local Government Area of the state where he inspected the ongoing Operation Sahel Sanity.

The governor observed that the Local Government reform of 1976 has weakened the traditional institution and rendered it ineffective in checkmating crime at community level.

He said the new reforms will enable District Ward and Village Heads to monitor the activities of their subjects to prevent security threats and the breakdown of law and order.

Masari observed that armed banditry and kidnap for ransom in the North-west zone were sustained by the activities of informants.

He cautioned residents of communities troubled by armed banditry to desist from providing information to armed bandits and kidnappers and urged local communities to rally round security agencies by providing them with relevant information.

Masari said the nation’s armed forces were doing a good job in prosecuting the anti-banditry war in the ongoing Operation Sahel Sanity in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger States.

Isa Ashiru says wanton destruction of lives worrisome From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he People’s Democratic party (PDP ) kaduna state Gubernatorial candidate in 2019 elections Rt. Hon. Isa Muhammad Ashiru (Sarkin Bai Zazzau) has said wanton destruction of lives and property across the North, and especially Kaduna State is very disturbing.

He stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna

yesterday.

According to him it is more worrisome with the creeping perception among the people that the government is either unwilling or incapable of ending the spate of killings.

Ashiru added that this perception must not be allowed to deep root, saying government must do more to find a quick and lasting solution to the lingering insecurity across the North.

“The Kaduna State Government

should heed to popular appeal and involve ALL stakeholders in the search for lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.

“I join well meaning Nigerians in calling on Federal Government and Kaduna State Government in particular to live up to their Cardinal Constitutional Responsibility of protecting lives and property of citizens. “ Government must do more to find a quick and lasting solution to the

lingering insecurity across the North. ‘ The Kaduna State Government should heed to popular appeal and involve ALL stakeholders in the search for lasting peace in Southern Kaduna. “ On the otherhand, all stakeholders must embrace tolerance, compromise and also assist government to restore peace and stability, without which no meaningful development could be achieved.”

Over 40,000 environmental health volunteers to monitor 19,000 WAEC centers nation wide

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Acting Registrar of the Environmental Health Officer’s Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), Dr Baba Yakubu Muhammed said over 40,000 environmental health volunteers will be activated and deployed to monitor 19,000 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) nation wide.

Muhammed made the disclosure during a discontaminated exercise at Federal Science and Technical College Orozo, Abuja recently.

He said the exercise was the directives of the minister of environment to mountain surveillance desk in all the schools in Nigeria .

Speaking further, the Registrar explained that “this exercise is a follow up of the minister’s pronouncements

in Kaduna,that the federal ministry of environment is deploying the team of license environmental health officers to contaminate and disinfect 104 federal government schools across the nation.

He added that “the surveillance desk officers were going to enforce the issues of social distancing, compulsory wearing of face mask and ensuring that, provision are made for hand sanitizers

and wash stations in schools“.

Moreso, he said “the minister has also directed the federal ministry of environment and the environmental council that regulates environmental health, to set up a monitoring committee where they will deploy use of technology called ATP machines,that can dictate the efficiency of the contaminated chemicals that has been use in the schools .

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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NEWS Why I fled from ‘rampaging’ One Million Boys - Victim

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

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n the last few years, alarming figures which emanated from National Bureau of Statistics data recently highlighted key flaws in Nigeria’s security and criminal justice system. The report shows that 72.5% of Nigeria’s total prison

population are inmates serving terms while awaiting trial and without being sentenced.

The implication of this, is that victims of violent crimes such as armed robbery, banditry, insurgency, rape, sexual assault and other violent crimes are yet to get justice.

But few days ago, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said security has improved from what it used to be. Many Nigerians disagreed with the Army Chief on this assertion. According to them, there is still violent killings, rape and many more across the country.

Particularly alarming are reports in the media of happenings threatening the security of the State in many parts of Nigeria. It is disturbing to read of a recent rape allegedly committed by a very terrorizing group known as the “One Million Boys” in Ogijo Area, Ogun State Nigeria as widely reported in

Hajj: Katsina suspends registration of pilgrims From Lawal Katsina

Sa’idu

Funtua,

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he Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has directed the suspension of the 2020 Hajj registration exercise in the state.

Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki, the Executive Director of the board disclosed this at a press briefing held at the board’s headquarters

yesterday in katsina.

Kuki said the directive would enable the board to reconcile the seven zonal offices account for the purpose of accountability before the commencement of the 2021 Hajj operation expected to start from September 9th 2020.

To this end, he said, the state government has approved the deposit refund contributed by the 2020 Hajj intending Pilgrims

if they so wish to collect their deposits.

“The board is in the process of compiling the list of such requests, while the door is still open for any depositor to submit his/her application through their respective zonal offices from now to the end of this month”.

The Executive Director of the board however added that, those wishing to leave their deposits

as roll over against the 2021 Hajj are free to do so, under a signed agreement with the board, adding that, payment of refunds of deposits would soon commence.

“As at the closure of our books, we have a total of 1,539 intending Pilgrims who registered and paid their deposits, ranging from N300,000 - N1,500,000 against the 2020 Hajj operation”, he stated.

Students of St. Michael Anglican College School, Bida Road, washing their hands before entering the classroom rooms, during the resumption of the exit class students in Kaduna on Monday (10/8/20).

the news.

The horror and instability that have been established by these bandit groups can only be imagined as we have read of several rival groups clashes in communities leading to deaths of the group members and innocent residents in such areas. One of such widely reported was the assassination of the leader of the said One Million Boys gang in Ibadan.

His name was said to be Biola Ebila who was feared for being a known leader of the said group in Olomi Area, Ibadan Oyo State. He was said to have lost his life in a rival group clash with the Kudeti Boys another violent cult group in Ibadan. His death has reportedly led to orgy of violence in the area.

The activities of these cult groups have caused the death of innocent citizens, displaced many residents from their homes and had led to many others fleeing from their abode for safety due to the overwhelming nature of the violent crimes.

To further confirm the status of this report, we interviewed some individuals who had lived in areas with peculiar reports of the groups’ violent crimes.

According to a lady who pleaded for anonymity, she narrated a very ugly incident that happened to her about three years ago. She recounted that she was allegedly raped and molested by the members of the group and despite making reports to the Police, she could not get justice till date for want of evidence. Some leaders of community who also pleaded for anonymity for fear of reprisal pleaded that government should intensify its efforts to combat the violent crimes of the cult groups.

They noted that several innocent citizens have been killed and properties worth millions destroyed by actions of these violent groups.

A victim of violent attacks, who eventually fled the country told Law and Society how she escaped from armed gang, popularly know as ‘’One Million Boys’’ in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Resumption: Academy urges release of fund directly to schools

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s schools open after months of lockdown following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Academy of Education (NAE), has advised government to release adequate funds directly to schools to provide the needed care for students.

The academy gave the advice in a statement jointly signed by its President, Elizabeth Eke, and Publicity Secretary, Owoicho Akpa, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The institution also advised that the training of teachers and improvement of the learning environment should precede the resumption of classes.

The leadership of the academy appealed for public-private arrangements toward raising funds for the schools, stressing that supplementary school feeding was needed at the time of examinations.

According to the academy, COVID-19 has ushered in a new normal for all and there is need for adaptation of fresh mentality for both private and public schools to cope.

It noted that since all the examinations would be taken in the next four months, the total number of students moving around and involved in different examinations would be huge and must be properly catered for.

“Parents have the final responsibility to decide whether their children return to school or not, although with all the examinations scheduled, the temptation to follow the tide may be very strong.

“Those who decide to send their children should not be deterred from doing so over lack of funds.

They should be enabled to follow through with their decision.

“School authorities and

managements should ensure that the guidelines are followed.

“Orientation for teachers and students, no matter how brief, is essential. Students and teachers are expected to be tested.

“The schools should be fumigated, social distancing must be observed, especially in the examination arrangements, masks should be made available, with sanitisers, running water and soap provided.

“For schools without pipe borne water in the rural areas, tanks ought to be provided.

Verification checks and continuous monitoring are necessary, both through self-assessment and with external inspectors.

“Schools in areas that are physically insecure, should be provided with armed security.”

The academy disclosed that it would host three webinars from August, to discuss comprehensive

strategies for dealing with short and long term effects of the Coronavirus.

The academy appreciated government’s decision which saved the country the embarrassment of an open fractionalisation of the Nigerian front as some states exercised their concurrency rights in education and decided to send in their students for the WAEC examinations.

“Opinions are sharply divided as to whether or not the resumption should take place.

“As on the global scene, arguments hinged on balancing the health implications arising from the continuously spreading Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the face of inadequate response strategies and shortcomings in testing, against the need to make progress in education and reopen the economy.

“The fear is that the resumption

may exacerbate the situation and lead to higher casualty.

“Some have even expressed fears about the heightened level of insecurity, the inadequacy of preparation for the examinations and shared concerns about mass failure with attendant consequences.

“We, in the NAE, do not wish away the profound arguments, but we have the professional responsibility to accept the resumption and advise on how best to circumvent a worsening situation.

“As a people, we must also ensure that this decision turns out to be beneficial to Nigeria and does not lead to regrets.

“We note that schools’ resumption in other climes, like the United States, worsened the spread of the virus. Out of those experiences, precautionary measures have been learnt.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 9

Nimet predicts cloudy, thundery weather activities Monday to Wednesday

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igerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorm and cloudiness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet`s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja predicted cloudy skies over northern region on Monday morning with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi.

According to the Agency, there are prospects of few thunderstorms over parts of Borno and Yobe during the afternoon and evening period.

“The central region should be

mainly cloudy with prospect of rains over Plateau and Nasarawa in the afternoon and evening period.

“The southern states are expected to be cloudy during the morning hours.

“Afternoon and evening period hold prospects of light rains over some parts of Ogun, Ondo, Abia, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Eket,“ it said.

According to NiMet, morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Adamawa and Gombe on Tuesday leaving other parts of the north cloudy.

The agency forecast thunderstorms over parts of Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi,

Sokoto and Jigawa during the afternoon and evening hours.

“Cloudy skies are expected over central region with chances of rains over parts of Abuja and Niger in the morning hours.

“Moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Jos, Nasarawa and Benue during the afternoon and evening hours. “ The Inland and coast of the south should experience cloudiness in the morning. Light to moderate rains are expected over parts of Enugu, Abia and Imo states during the afternoon and evening hours,“ it said.

The agency envisaged cloudy skies on Wednesday to prevail over

the northern region in the morning hours.

NiMet predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Jigawa, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba in the afternoon and evening hours.

“It is expected to be cloudy over the north central cities in the morning, while moderate rains are anticipated over the high grounds during the afternoon and evening hours. “ The Inland and coastal cities of the south should experience cloudiness in the morning hours.

Light rains are expected over the region during the afternoon and evening periods, “ it said.

From left: Chief of Staff to the Governor of Niger, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete; Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger; Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Ifeola Mohammed; and Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Adm. Ibikunle Olaiya, during the Governor’s visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja

Delta govt to invoke laws against illegal structures in Warri From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta state government on Monday vowed to invoke laws against Illegal structures in warri and its environs, lamenting that warri metropolis had remained worrisome over the years following litany of Illegal

structures.

Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency ( WUE DA) Director General, Ovuozorie Macaulay who spoke to Journalists on behalf of the state government in Asaba said that the agency would continue to sustain its sensitization programme on the need for people to keep their

environment clean, and as well as avoid errecting structures in an unathourized places, adding “we have to invoke the relevant laws to punish would be defaulters”.

Macaulay explained that the intervention agency had been done very well in its mandate in the last one year of inauguration.

Most of the projects already

awarded are at various stages of completion, while in some others, “We are waiting for the rainy season to subside to mobilise for work. The modest milesomes achieved so far with the execution of some of these projects have made tremendous impact on the environment and the residents of the environs”.

Insubordination: Nasarawa Assembly suspends council boss, direct deputy to take over From: Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

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asarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Executive Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Ottos over insubordination as well as suspended the Deputy Chairman ofKaru Local Government council, LawalYakubuKarshi for the same act.

The Speaker of the

House Rt. Hon. Ibrahim BalarabeAbdullahiwho announced this after Chairman, House Committee on Local Government,Barrister Mohammed Alkali moved a motion on the insubordination activities of the affected council officials during the House emergency sitting in Lafia Monday.

The speaker noted that for the chairman of Nasarawa LGC and Deputy Chairman, Karu

Local government council to abandoned their official duties to attend the court case of the former Secretary to the Government of the state (SSG), AlhajiAliyuTijani Ahmed is disservice and act of insubordination.

According to him “The Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council is hereby suspended pending the investigation on his act of insubordination. The Deputy Chairman of Nasarawa Local

Government is hereby directed to take over the affairs of the council on acting capacity with immediate effect” He continued” The Deputy Chairman,Karu Local Government Council should also proceed on suspension. The Commissioner of Police is hereby directed to provide adequate security cover to acting Chairman of Nasarawa Local government Council as the investigation lasts”.

NEWS

Justify confidence reposed in you, Okowa charges new advisers

From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, charged political appointees to bring innovative ideas and strategise to bear in the discharge of their duties, to justify their appointments.

He made the call while swearing in two new Special Advisers in Asaba.

The new advisers are the immediate past National ViceChairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-South, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi and former member of House of Representatives, Chief Sunny Emeyese.

The governor said that the new advisers were men of great pedigree in politics and governance, and were expected to bring their wealth of experience into governance as the state continued to wade through the fog of uncertainty occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

He charged them to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with section 196 (Sub-section 1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and to work selflessly for the good governance and development of the State.

According to him, Emma Ogidi and Sunny Emeyese have been part and parcel of our political journey since 1999.

“They have proved themselves to be men of insight, competence, probity, and firm believers in the advancement of the collective good of our people, ever-willing and ready to contribute their quota to the growth and development of Delta. ``Messrs Ogidi and Emeyese have never shied away from the call to serve, notwithstanding the office ascribed to them. It speaks volumes of their faith, loyalty, commitment, and sincerity of purpose.

“I am persuaded, beyond any shadow of doubt whatsoever, that this administration stands to benefit immensely from their wealth of experience, wisdom and political sagacity. In the unusual times that we live in, we need every capable hand on board.

“Let me reiterate the fact that Special Advisers occupy a distinct role in our modern democratic setting. We need them for their expert policy inputs and ability to marry politics and policy to actualise the administration’s vision of a stronger Delta anchored on prosper peace and progress.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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NEWS

JAMB mulls new date for commencement of admission

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he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it is considering new date for the commencement of the 2020 admission processes from the earlier announced date of Aug. 22.

The board disclosed this in its bulletin made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the Board, it will be meeting all the tertiary institutions on Aug. 10 to brainstorm on the possibility of shifting the commencement of admissions to a date that would better accommodate the vagaries

of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“As a responsive organisation whose mantra is equity and fairness, the Board desires that every aspiring candidate who had taken its UTME be given equal opportunity to compete with his/her peers for the available openings. ” This is the reason for its call for another meeting with all the institutions with a view to amending the earlier and mutually-agreed date for the conduct of Post-UTME screening and other processes.

“As intellectuals, it is

incumbent on the Board and the various tertiary institutions to always provide practical solutions to perceived challenges for the smooth running of the sector without being prompted by the government. ” Such solutions, when arrived at, would then be forwarded to the relevant Ministries or Agencies for further inputs and necessary approvals, ” it said It further said that the Board was working to pre-empt any unpalatable situation that may arise if institutions conduct their admissions without

accommodating the vast number of candidates that are about to take their O’level examinations.

JAMB added that the meeting would be looking at the possibility of ensuring that the various institutions either delay or prolong their screening to accommodate candidates who would be taking the 2020 O’level Examinations to be conducted by WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, etc.

The public will recall that owing to the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 Pandemic, candidates who had sat the Board’s UTME under the Awaiting Results

Business mogul describes journalists as pillars of Nigeria From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna based business mogul and Chairman EdiJen Group of companies, Chief Banjamin Omale, has pledged his support to journalists practicing in the State, saying that, journalists are the pillars holding the Nigerian society from

collapse.

Chief Omale made the pledge while receiving an award of excellence, as the Philanthropist of the Year from the Kaduna State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He said, journalists in Nigeria and the world over have been

the protectors of the society, correcting the wrongs and saving the society from collapse.

According him, “I have for a long time have respect for journalists, because without you, we cannot know what is happening around us. Aside that, journalists speak the truth and stand for the truth. We members

of society are the voiceless, but you represent us, you give us voice and that is why I take you very important and hold you in high esteem.

“We also thank you for protecting the society, for not allowing the society to collapse.

We thank you for your sacrifice, we thank you for your selfless

R-L; Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Governor of Gombe State Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and DG NIA Mr. Abubakar Alkali Ahmed during an Audience with North-East Governors and Service Chief in attendance held at the State House, abuja. PHOTO; State House

stipulation, were unable to take the Senior School Certificate Examinations conducted by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) etc., as scheduled.

It would also be recalled that owing to the further relaxation of the COVID-19-inspired restrictions by the Federal Government, the West African Examination Council has fixed the commencement of its examinations from Aug. 17, and end them on Sept. 12.

National Business and Technical Education Board would conduct its series of examinations from 21st Sept. 21 to Oct. 15, while the National Examinations Council would commence its own examination from Oct. 5 to Nov. 17. services for mankind and we thank you for your generosity.

“Another thing I cherish about journalists, is your sense of investigative journalism, which is part of the reasons you have chosen me for this award. When I was reaching out to the less privileged members of the society, I never invited press, and I never knew association like yours would one day find out. This shows you are good at what you do; you people go down to the grassroot to get your information.

“I am greatly honoured and very pleased to receive your most prestigious award. I must say that, among all the awards I have received in the past, this is the best. So, I want to sincerely on behalf of myself and Edi-Jen management team thank you so much for the honour.

“In an ideal society, journalists are respected and valued because governments promote them because of what they are doing, but I know that is not the case in our own society. So, I am not surprised about your challenges.

But, we are going to partner with your chapel and ensure the welfare of your members through your various welfare programmes,” he said.

Earlier, while presenting the award, Chairman of NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Midat Joseph said, Chief Omale was carefully chosen for the award due to his philanthropic gestures to the less privileged members of the society.

Adamawa flyovers construction spark mix reaction From Umar Dankano,Yola

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ast week flag off for construction of the flyovers and underpasses interchange by the Adamawa state government in the state capital has been greeted with mixed reactions by residents.

Recalled that on Tuesday last week Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in company of his cabinet members, Political appointees,stakeholders and

officials of the triactia construction company commenced the ground breaking ceremony of the interchange flyovers and underpasses worth N10 billion.

Governor Fintiri claimed that the projects were meant to ease traffic jams in the state capital which was part of his campaign promises to the electorate in the state, saying it marked a major milestone of his administration’s commitment of urban renewal

drive.

However,some of the residents that bared their minds on the projects opined that the flyovers and underpasses are misplacement of priority and ill timed considering the realities on ground while some welcomed the development.

In his press statement issued in Yola Monday,Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria,Abubakar Jijiwa tagged “Your Excellency,it is not too late

to rethink the flyover project” opined that the project though aesthetically good but not a priority for now.

Jijiwa who was a two terms commissioner of Finance in the previous administrations in the state observed that the huge contract sum of N8.8 Billion should have earmark on other projects of more concern to people in the state than beautifying state capital.

“The funds allocated for the flyover project could be utilised for other more priority ones in the state capital crying out for urgent attention,particularly channelisation of storm water and flood waters in the perennial flooding areas of Demsawo,Jambutu and Dowbeli (Yola North) and similar environmental situations in Shagari Low cost /Modire/Yolde pate axis in Yola South.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

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Mali’s red line

he opposition in Mali has rejected demonstrators voicing their anger in recent outright a regional peace plan that weeks. The 75-year-old president is dogged would have led to a national unity by rising insecurity, a deep economic crisis government. The plan was approved during and accusations that the outcome of longa meeting of the heads of the 15-member delayed legislative elections, held in March Economic Community of West African and April, was skewed.

States a fortnight ago. In a statement issued Last June, a coalition of various groups after the video conference, ECOWAS came together behind Mahmoud Dicko, stood by President Ibrahim Boubacar an influential Muslim leader that has Keita but called for a unity government mobilised tens of thousands of protesters to be “established rapidly” and urged the under the June 5 Movement umbrella. opposition to join it. Addressing demands Successive demonstrations in the capital, by protesters that Keita quit, the bloc said Bamako, have rattled Keita’s grip, stirring the country’s democratic constitution had worries among neighbours who fear to be respected and asked an ECOWAS that the country plagued by a worsening commission “to consider sanctions conflict could spiral into chaos. against all those who act contrary to the There is a good reason for their worry. normalisation process of the Unlike some uprisings crisis”. in West Africa, the The ECOWAS four-point crisis in Mali involves a plan also recommended that president who was elected 31 members of parliament - and then re-elected ECOWAS has in elections deemed fair whose elections were contested should step down and that a long history and transparent. Forcing by-elections be held. It also president to step in mediation in the called for an inquiry into the down because of growing Mali. It helped unpopularity could set deaths of 11 people earlier in July when anti-government a dangerous precedent bring about protests spiralled into clashes, for other leaders in a return to in the worst bout of political the region. Therefore, unrest Mali has seen in years. democracy in ECOWAS does not see The bloc called for its plan negotiated exit as 2013, a year after Keita’s to be implemented within 10 a possibility. Its president a military coup Jean-Claude Kassi Brou days.

However, the M5-RFP deposed the said recently that “The resignation of the Malian opposition coalition, also president of a president is a red line for known as the June 5 Movement, that has spearheaded anti- decade. But this us, but everything else is Keita protests, said it time, it finds itself negotiable.”

ECOWAS has a long was unimpressed by the proposals. “We take note, in a situation as history in mediation in but we really believe that this complicated as Mali. It helped bring about a return to democracy is not the will of the people, it is not what we expect,” does the Malian in 2013, a year after a said coalition spokesman president whose military coup deposed the president of a decade. But Nouhoum Togo, who said it choices are this time, it finds itself in was in the process of reviewing limited a situation as complicated the recommendations. as does the Malian Sympathisers with the M5RFP cause said there was no guarantee the president whose choices are limited. There regional bloc’s proposal would be accepted are issues with Islamic groups, issues with tribes, and issues with poverty. Then, we by all opposition parties.

Their problem with the plan is that have a government which simply does it leaves Keita still in power. Opposition not have the means to control the entire leader Choguel Maiga said the ECOWAS country.

What then is left to do? Certainly, plan did not reflect the goals of a movement “supported by the overwhelming majority ECOWAS can’t just give up! Keep dragging of the Malian people”. Keita has been in out the talks till a meeting of ways is found. power since 2013, winning elections in Meanwhile, it may be necessary to bring which he posed as a national saviour in the France, the former colonial master in Mali, into the talks. It intervened severally in the face of a regional rebellion.

Since then, the country’s problems past to stabilize its politics and may still have escalated, with anti-government play that stabilizing role today.

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Zulum’s North- East Parley: Why Charity Must Begin At Home

By Adamu Bulama

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he recent appointment of the governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, as the chairman of the newly created North East Governors Forum is indeed a welcome development. It can only be hoped that the vision behind the creation of the forum is achieved, given the security challenges in North-East Nigeria. I have, for long, advocated for a body that would assist in finetuning strategies to would lead to the implementation of policies that would address the security challenges in the region as well as bring about the much needed reconstruction of a region that has witnessed phenomenal destruction since the Boko Haram insurgent group began its violent campaign in 2009.

I do not know whose brainchild is this.

However, if the motive behind the establishment of the forum is indeed for the best interest of the people and not an avenue to score political gains, then North-East Nigeria would be better for it.

I recall that in some forums, it has been speculated that one of the challenges of the region is the lack of commitment from the political authorities in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. It was also posited that there had been a lack of cooperation from the governments of the states in the region with the military authorities in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram insurgency.

I am glad the North East Governors Forum is coming up now even though there hasn’t been any clear cut mission statement other than the fact that the governor of Borno State was elected as its pioneer chairman for a period of two years and the headquarters of the forum situated in Maiduguri, Borno state.

Suffice it to mention the meeting was attended by governors of Adamawa- Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Gombe- Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, Borno- Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, BauchiSen. Bala Mohammed, Deputy Governors of Taraba- Engr Haruna Manu and Yobe, Idi Barde Gubana.

As I mentioned earlier, this is a fantastic initiative but in all honesty, not the way to go because this is not the time for political grandstanding of any sort given the myriads of challenges in North-East Nigeria, with Borno State the worst hit.

I had expected that the emphasis should be more on asking critical questions on why the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have continued to fester in Borno state, unlike other North-Eastern states that have recorded fewer cases of Boko Haram attacks in the past years.

We must ask critical questions because nothing happens in a vacuum. We must also ask questions as to what the governors of other states in the North-East states did that reduced activities of the Boko Haram group in their domains drastically.

Make no mistakes. That Borno state remains the only state where Boko Haram has continued to operate raises a red flag. While some have questioned the political authorities in the state, some have also alluded to the fact that there may be some level of conspiracies that have continued to bolster the activities of the terror gang in the state.

This is my challenge and why I have issues with the governor of Borno State, who seems to be more interested in media grandstanding that facing the real issues on the ground. I expected that as a professor, he should have deployed his intellectual proficiency to researching on why Borno State has remained the haven for Boko Haram insurgents.

I also expected that the governor of Borno State ought to have done more by convoking a parley where Borno elites and technocrats would be in attendance to deliberate on the issues affecting the state and proffering a solution to it because as they say all politics is local.

I make bold to state that one of the reasons why the Boko Haram activities has festered in

Borno State is a function of misplacement of priorities and living in self-denial. This is on the heels that other states in North-East Nigeria that experienced the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group have been able to galvanize the needed support and resumed their normal lives while Borno State continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

The fact that the governors of Yobe and Taraba states sent in representatives indicate that they probably have moved on to other ventures in the task of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. In contrast, Borno State has remained the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency despite the efforts of the Nigerian military.

My take is this. Governor Babagana Zulum and others of the Kanuri ethnic stock have either by commission or omission failed to come to terms with the reality that the task at hand is to ensure that Borno State becomes uninhabitable for the Boko Haram insurgents, just like other states in North-East Nigeria.

It must be realized that indeed charity must begin at home and home is Borno state because it is no longer tenable why other states in NorthEast Nigeria have nipped in the bud the activities of Boko Haram, while the state continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons. It’s either the governor is accusing the military or undertaking ventures that doesn’t address the present issues.

We can’t run away from our shadows because the Boko Haram members are not sprits. We can’t also walk before crawling. That would be the height of self-deceit and essentially my grouse with the governor of Borno State.

I had expected a more proactive approach that would translate the hopes and aspirations of the millions of Borno indigenes that have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. I had also expected that the governor would have drawn from lessons from other states to find a lasting solution to the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group in the state.

Charity must indeed begin and this much governor Babagana Zulum must come to terms with as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

I dare say that the solution to the Boko Haram crisis in Borno State lies in Borno State and this much the political elites must admit. They must also acknowledge that the people have suffered untold hardship hence the need for the sincerity of heart and purpose in the governance of the state. I don’t want to believe that the political authorities do not know what to do in the state with regard to bringing the activities of the Boko Haram group to an end.

As mentioned earlier, the establishment of the North East Governors Forum is a good start but not the way to go for now. In my opinion, it should be the overarching medium for the entrenchment of peace and development in the North East region, but not after the Boko Haram insurgency has been adequately addressed in the state and the region.

The various stakeholders in Borno state should begin the process of convoking a summit to address the issues at hand. The religious and community leaders must be called to question, and they must justify the positions they hold in the state. The political leadership must also put the interest of the people at heart in the governance of the state. They must act where they need to and admit their shortcomings over the years instead of engaging in a blame game that serves no good to the deprived and famished people of Borno state.

They must also take a position to end the Boko Haram conflict in the state. Not after all of these are in place, nothing else would make sense to the people of the state that have witnessed years of sorrow, tears and blood. This is possible if only the governor spearheads the process of rebirth.

He should look no farther because charity must indeed begin from home. This is my take.

Bulama is a UN trained peace facilitator based in Damaturu.

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

Citizens’ rights in Nigeria

By Aniekpeno John Inyang

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itizens’ Rights are a fundamental part of any democratic society as democracy cannot be achieved without active citizen participation.

The citizens of a Country often exhibit a better sense of loyalty and appreciation for their country whenever they, as legal members of the country, are allowed to enjoy certain privileges that may not be available to other persons who are not citizens. This is what citizens’ Rights is all about, promoting the ideals of patriotism, loyalty, and nationalism towards a country by offering special privileges to her citizens.

However, It is important to first ensure that Citizens rights are not taken as the same thing as human rights, although there are certain circumstances that may warrant both concepts being used interchangeably, for the purpose of clarity, a distinction will be attempted on the two concepts.

Human rights are basic privileges or freedoms that all persons are allowed to enjoy irrespective of their gender, race, or affiliations. Human rights are instrumental in ensuring the fair treatment of persons in society no matter where one comes from.

As a concept, Human rights emanated from the work of a committee set up by the then United Nations Organisation in 1948 at the end of the second World war. The second world war that began in 1939 and ended in 1945 witnessed a lot of atrocities and maltreatment of humans. At the end of the war, world leaders came together to create certain privileges that people

should be allowed to enjoy no matter the circumstances or location that they find themselves in. This is where the disparity exists. All persons whether you are a citizen of a country or not, so long as one is human, you are entitled to enjoy Human rights. Citizens’ Rights on the other hand are reserved specifically for the citizens of a country and these kinds of rights differ from one country to another. To this end, The Citizens of a Country are allowed to enjoy both Human rights and Citizens’ Rights.

Meaning of Citizens’ Rights Citizens’ Rights are those privileges specially reserved for only the Citizens of a Country. All humans are entitled to human rights but only the citizens of a Country are allowed by law to enjoy Citizens’ Rights. The protection of Citizens’ Rights in Nigeria is very important which is why there is a department created in the Federal Ministry of Justice to carry out that very important function of protecting Citizens’ Rights. Taking off in 2005, the Citizens’ departments hold on to the vision of Fostering democracy through the Protection of The Rights of the Citizens and giving them access to justice.

Examples of Citizens’ Rights The following are examples of rights that are reserved only for Nigerian Citizens in Nigeria: Right to vote: The Nigerian Constitution only allows the Citizens of Nigeria to vote during elections. Aliens or Foreigners

visiting the country are not allowed to vote in times of election. Upon turning eighteen years of age, Nigerians are required by law to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and then given a document known as the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) which enables them to vote during elections.

Right to stand for Office: Only the citizens of Nigeria are allowed to stand for political offices during elections. This right allows us to take up leadership positions in society. Only Nigerians can occupy Political Offices such as the Office of the President, Vice-President, Governors, Deputy-Governors, etc. The law requires that any Citizen wishing to do so should register with a Political Party which has also been registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Citizen will then be presented to the Public by the Political Party as a candidate for an election.

Right to Serve the Country by Joining the Military: The Constitution only allows Nigerian Citizens to join the Military. Non-Nigerians are not allowed to be part of the Armed forces such as the Army, the Navy, and the Air force. This idea of having only Nigerians make up the Armed forces is very important as it helps to ensure that the territorial integrity and defense of Nigeria is solely in the hands of patriotic and loyal citizens of the Country.

Right to Reside and Work in Nigeria:

Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move, work, and live freely throughout Nigeria, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom. A Non-Nigerian wishing to live and work in Nigeria is required to possess a special document known as “Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)”. This is a card that allows a foreign holder to live and work in Nigeria within a fixed or indefinite period of time. This card is usually issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service on entry into Nigeria.

Right to take up Federal Employment: Only Nigerian citizens are allowed to take up some federal employments in the Country such as employments in the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, etc. Working in such places as mentioned above requires one to be a Nigerian Citizen by birth or descent. This is a fundamental requirement during recruitments into these Government established Institutions. It is, however, important to note that persons who are not Nigerian Citizens may be consulted for their expertise by these Institutions when the need arises. This does not mean that the Foreigners are in full-time employment with the Establishment, the scope of what the foreigners are consulted for are usually limited.

Aniekpeno John Inyang is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The more things change, the more they stay the same! The Nigerian Tragic Saga

By Victor Ikhatalor

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here is a French expression, – “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose”, which means, the more things change, the more they stay the same. This expression aptly gives life to the grim realities of Nigerian governance experience.

It unveils the spectre of a nation saddled with a uniformly debauched political class, damning it to the ravages of pestilential political actors, no matter the particular political studio the acting cast is sourced or the timing of their releases. To think that we are in unique times and consider ourselves special spectators with exclusive viewing rights to ongoing multiple episodes of Nigerian political actors game of thrones series, is to delude ourselves that the elitist theatre only just opened for business.

To the greater majority of Nigerians, I am sure the depictions by a reporter of Nigerian elitist actors pre and postindependence will seem all too familiar.

Frederick Forsyth, now universally known as a writer was at some time a renowned reporter with amongst others, Reuters.

He knew Nigeria well as he intermittently covered the Nigerian beat for the B.B.C, the Daily Express and Time magazine.

Here are excepts from his book which was first written in 1969, “THE MAKING OF AN AFRICAN LEGEND: THE BIAFRA STORY” Frederick Forsyth wrote, – “Corruption in public life was no new thing: It had been present under the British and had flowered alarmingly after independence.

The ’10 per cent’ that Ministers habitually required of foreign firms before granting them lucrative contracts, the holding of stock in businesses subsequently singled out for preferential treatment, down to the

open bribing of Native Court officials and policemen, was the order of the day. Few ministers held power who did not make a profitable thing out of it, partly no doubt from simple cupidity, partly also because any man of power was expected to maintain a large retinue, fix his forthcoming reelection, and shower benefits on his home town. Along with simple financial corruption went nepotism, thuggery and ballot-rigging”.

As the world has grown in technological and other advancements from those times, the most noticeable mirror change in our country from pre independent Nigeria, through the first republic to these days of the fourth republic is the upscaling and sophistication of corrupt practices. No longer can our political actors be said to be 10 per centers! No more can they be charged with the mere looting of millions!

These ones, in these times, take 100 percent and more, and deal in billions. In the crude contests of elections, no more are the thugs chanced with contesting predominantly with cutlasses and cudgels! They are sufficiently armed like a force of war, with deadly high caliber assault weaponry.

The absoluteness of the cupidity of Nigerian political actors knows no bounds and it’s stench and overwhelming destructive tentacles encompasses the whole of the Nigerian estate. With plunder as their watchword, Nigerian political actors perform bestride a non functional economy aligned with widespread insecurity across the land. The cultivation of rapaciousness over time have resulted in wholesome infrastructural neglect, decay, and deficit.

The educational sector has been left to moulder, to rot, to die, after all the spawn of our political actors do not school in these parts. The Niger bridge is increasingly

becoming a vibrating mass, it’s integrity waning by the day even as the promise by successive administration’s of the delivery of a second Niger bridge still continues to elude us. Since the advent of the fourth republic, successive administration’s have budgeted and expended mind boggling amounts on the never ending reconstruction work of the 132 km Lagos – Ibadan road. 20 years on from the outset of this republic, the tales by moonlight narrative of this highway continues.

50 years on, and the incomplete Ajaokuta steel project is an open sore that reflects why our quest for industrialization is still in limbo. The Mambilla power project, like the general power sector has become, a, the more you look, the less you see enterprise. The dearth of the Kaduna textile Industry, the redundant Yaba vaccine production laboratory, – the list of abandonment, of waste, of inertia, of dubious priorities goes on and on.

To put into perspective the magnitude of destruction wrought by our political actors, we do not have to look further than the most challenging issue the world faces today, which is Covid -19, vis-à-vis our health sector. The UK prime minister was admitted to St Thomas hospital, a public, N.H.S run hospital when he fell prey to Covid – 19. Caught in the glare of the headlights, in a classic case of hubris come knocking, our elitist political actors suddenly realized and admittedly so, that our health care facilities were inadequate, moribund, debilitated, understaffed and death traps to the mass of our citizenry.

Obviously, these seemingly gut wrenching revelation performances by political actors of a poor and debased health care sector must be counter-balanced with the understanding that we are dealing with a

political class, who without the constriction of Covid 19 will as a matter of course jet out at the outset of belly aches and headaches.

The extent of the neglect of the health care sector can be glimpsed from recent statistics released by the UK General Medical Council, which stated that no fewer than 7,875 Nigerian doctors are currently practicing in the U.K. To shine a light on this disturbing hemorrhage of our country’s greatest resource, which is it’s human capital, is to understand that in the U.K alone, this number of doctors constitute 10.5 per cent of doctors registered to practice in Nigeria. To put that into context is to note that statistics from the World Health Organization shows that Nigeria currently has a shortage of medical doctors with a physician-to-patient ratio of 4 doctors to 10,000 patient’s.

The words of Chinua Achebe still rings true, – “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.

There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of it’s leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership”.

Ours is the tragic saga of a grasping, rudderless, visionless and missionless political class. A tragic tale of ineptitude, sickening wastage, corruption and malfeasance. It has oft been said that a people that fail to take stock of the mistakes of the past are in danger of repeating the same mistakes in the future. To move from the same to better, we must deliberately seek a paradigm shift of the type of political actors we allow to give us a performance.

Victor Ikhatalor is an Ambassador of Nigerian Industry and Business.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 13

Comment Insecurity in Northern Nigeria: A national nightmare

By Daniel Uchechukwu Lawrence

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nsecurity is a global phenomenon and not peculiar to any state of the world. It manifests in violent and non-violent forms. For this reason, tackling insecurity internally and globally has remained one of the primary focus of many independent nations and international organizations in the modern world. Krahmann, E. in an article titled “Conceptualizing Security Governance” published in Journal of the Nordic International Studies Association in 2003 defined insecurity as activities that do not ensure the protection of a country, persons, and properties of the community against future threats, danger, mishaps and all other forms of perils. Though Krahmann view of insecurity may sound futuristic, however, it painted a clear picture of what the concept is all about. In summary, insecurity may be seen as the absence of security for humans, animals, and other valuable properties.

Based on the above said, the primary responsibility of any state government, be it democratic or socialist, is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens. Sovereign states of the world in recognition of the importance of security to its national survival and existence, have made legal provisions that will give top priority to their national security. At the same time, many nations have committed and continued to commit enormous resources to ensure the strengthening of their national security. This is because the welfare of citizens cannot be guaranteed when both the internal and external security of a state is under serious threat. It is because of this that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (amended) in section 14(2)(b) stated that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

It is one thing to make a promise and another thing to keep such a promise. Unfortunately, the government of Nigeria over the years has continued to find it difficult to uphold the legal oath it took to protect the lives of her citizens and their properties.

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has been battling series of security challenges across the federation. The country has been overrun by various criminal and violent activities such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery,

fraud, sexual abuse, assassination, ritual killings, thuggery, cultism, drug and human trafficking, political and religious conflicts, communal clashes, the brutality of state security forces, among others in different parts of the federation. These security challenges have resulted in the loss of lives and displacement of persons, economic hardship, and retarded national development. Also, the unabated security challenges of Nigeria have created a negative perception and assumption in the mind of the global community.

In 2017, Nigeria ranked 5th out of 20 most dangerous countries in the world according to the World Economic Forum ranking of safest and least safe countries of the world (Independent UK, Thursday 7 September 2017). Two years later, Forbes Media in its online publication of September 5, 2019, titled “Ranked: The 20 Most Dangerous Places to Live”, Nigeria came 3rd behind Brazil and South Africa, as one of the 20 most dangerous places to live on earth in 2019 (forbes.com). Though there may be objections from some quarters concerning these rankings, however, that does not change the fact that the security problem of Nigeria is now hydra-headed. Given these horrific rankings, some nations of the world have advised their citizens against making Nigeria their travel destination considering the constant volatile security situation of the country.

Northern Nigeria is one region of the country that is presently under serious security threat.

For more than a decade now, the region has been a war theatre. In most cases, the situation seems to have overwhelmed the powers of the Federal Government of Nigeria to restore law and order despite the military and security campaigns launched in the region. The news of violent attacks and killings of both civilians and security personnel have become a daily and weekly trend in the region.

With Boko-Haram insurgents unleashing unending terror in the north-east, farmers and herdsmen conflict ravaging the north-central and armed banditry gaining prominence in the north-west, the serenity and beautiful economic potentials of a great region is fast declining. Despite years of cry for help by the people of the region, there seems to be no possible end in sight concerning the security plight of northern Nigeria.

Insecurity in northern Nigeria became one of the unending nightmares of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic with the emergence of Boko-Haram.

The goal of the sect is to declare northern Nigeria a caliphate under its control, establish a Sharia government, and abolish western civilisation which they consider an abomination. The group which came into existence in 2002 under the leadership of Muhammad Yusuf was initially envisioned to be an opposing force to the poverty, inept political and traditional leadership and underdevelopment ravaging northern Nigeria. With the arrest and death of the founder, Muhammad Yusuf in 2009, the group ended up becoming a terror to the people it once claimed to save from servitude. The group’s violent attacks have remained prevalent in the three north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.

These attacks include planting and detonation of bombs in public places, destruction of public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, the kidnapping of young boys and girls who they end up initiating into fighters and suicide bombers, abduction of school children and aid workers for ransom, forcing of kidnapped young girls into early marriage, and looting of cash, foodstuffs, toiletries, medical supplies during raids in communities. The group also carry out surprise attacks on military troops and military bases in attempt to steal military weapons.

Boko-Haram has become a dreaded terrorist group alleged to have links with several terrorist networks such as Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Taliban, etc. Despite the declaration of a state of emergency in north-eastern Nigeria by former President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2013, the insecurity problems caused by Boko-Haram in the region remained unabated. It was for this reason, that ending Boko-Haram insurgency in the north-east was among the major campaign promise of the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari prior to the 2015 general election. Since his victory at the 2015 presidential polls and being re-elected for a second term in office in 2019, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has no doubt made some progress in the war against insurgency in the north-east region more than his predecessor.

However, the government has not defeated or decimated the insurgents as claimed and promised

prior to 2015 polls. Thankfully, the group has been prevented from its regular bomb attacks in urban areas of the north-east. And their complete control of the geo-political zones has been ceded to the Nigerian military thereby forcing them to retreat to the Sambisa forest. Unfortunately, the government allowed itself to be carried away by the little progress it made in the war initially, and that gave the Boko-Haram insurgents the momentum to reinforce and now carryout constant attacks in remote communities in the northeast geo-political zone. They have also on countless occasions ambushed soldiers and attack military bases.

These attacks have continued in the present time, with some progress made by the Nigerian military but not enough to end the situation. Given this, many public commentators have argued that the insurgency war is an ideology war, which requires the concerted effort of government at all levels to be won.

Thousands of human deaths and destructions of infrastructure worth billions of dollars have been attributed to the Boko-Haram group. Washington Post in a publication dated June 10, 2020, reported that group have killed not less than 30,000 people both civilians and soldiers from 2009 to 2020, and have displaced over 1.8million people (www. washingtonpost.com). Some reliable publications and reports put the death toll above 32,000 and human displacement above 2million. Many people of the of the north-east geo-political zone have deserted their ancestral homes and have become refugees in neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. This situation has created a serious humanitarian crisis for Nigeria that demands an international assistance. In 2016, the Nigerian Federal Government in a joint assessment with the United Nations, World Bank, and the European Union stated that damage suffered in north-east is put at $9billion and $6billion would be needed for immediate and near-term stabilisation and recovery of the geo-political zone (The Guardian Nigeria, April 5, 2016). However, with the renewed and regular attacks by the group, there is possibility of an increase in the initially projected economic cost.

Daniel Uchechukwu Lawrence is a Public Affairs Analyst.

2023: With seriousness and unity, Nigerian youths can pick a president

By Reginald Tobin

H

ow possible can it be for a young person to occupy the highest political office in Nigeria, “President”. I keep asking myself this question whenever I think of the 2023 Presidential election that would hold three years from now.

Will Nigerians queue again to elect a new president which may likely not be a young person?

It has obviously become a tradition that only advanced and old individuals can rule over Nigeria as President. But why must this be the case in a country where young people have the utmost advantage to decide?

The answer is very simple, the youths have not picked a President. You may want to ask why we haven’t picked a President even when we have the numbers, I will like to look at two major reasons which are; unseriousness and disunity.

One major problem of Nigeria today, is the unseriousness of many young Nigerians towards partisan politics or decision making in the country. They always tell you that they are not politicians and they do not want to be. But many of them fail to realise that politics is not meant for politicians alone as Nigeria is governed by politics.

Majority of the key decisions made for Nigeria are made by politicians and when this politicians do not have the masses at heart, they tend to make decisions that will first suit their interest before the nation, and when this happens, most times, young Nigerians suffer the

most.

Nevertheless, there are still some serious minded young Nigerians with interest in partisan politics, leadership and decision making, But we still need more of these kind to achieve the goal because young Nigerians who are interested in politics when compared to the unwilling can be worrisome. If only young Nigerians can put aside misplaced priorities and face the real issues, then we can begin.

Many young Nigerians do not find it important to demand for accountability and justice, they do not take positive steps to ensure that Nigeria works for all including them.

They are not interested in taking mass action against those who they claim have been behind the travails of the country. They sit and watch everything play out the way those in power want it to be and only grumble for a while, after which they keep quiet. Even if you try to create a platform to tackle these issues, only few youths turn up to join the movement for a new Nigeria.

As young Nigerians we can never get things done until we become very serious. But how do we become very serious when we are not even united.

Together we stand and divided we fall, they say. Unity is very key in the course of picking a President and this is why we have not been able to do so. There’s no doubt that political party affiliation has created disunity among Young Nigerians because the few who have shown interest in politics obviously belong to different political parties. But even in the political parties we belong, there are very qualified and

competent youths who can deliver if given the mandate. So, what is stopping the youths from projecting such people in their political platforms? Why can’t the youths in a political party come together and pick a young aspirant from the party as their preferred choice? Why can’t they work to ensure that they become delegates to participate in the primary election of the party as this will enable them to have the credibility to cast their vote for the preferred aspirant who they want to fly the parties flag in the general election?

The youths who belong to political parties have always folded their arms and watched the old political gladiators decide who becomes the Presidential candidate of their party and all they do is to clamor on campaign grounds and die for them during the election. Only very few youths are even considered in the campaign committee of these parties. When this is all that happens, we can never have a young Presidential candidate in political parties where elders also have interest.

At times, when young people who are ready to lead decide to step up, the people who mostly discredit them are also young people working for for the political barons. Imagine a youth fighting his young counterpart, not for the interest of the country or youths, but for the interest of elders, isn’t that disheartening? But this is how it has always been and until we drop this kind of politics and come together, we may never pick a President.

Permutations have began for 2023 presidency and the only names we keep hearing

are that of the old political barons, even if you ask a young person who he wants to be the next president of Nigeria, he will hardly call the name of a young Nigerian Because young Nigerians have not decided to pick a President. We are always waiting to campaign for the candidates that will be forced upon us by elders and barons.

Most times, even when young presidential candidates emerge from smaller parties, young Nigerians do not throw their weight behind them because we feel the power still lies in the hands of the old barons who have the financial strength, forgetting that we have the numbers and only unity can make it work.

Some youths are now very satisfied with the category of which they’ve been placed. Political barons now see young people in politics as social media elements and nothing but that. Instead of young Nigerians in politics to use social media to foster their interest, they now see the space as a platform to abuse their counterparts, while the old politicians are in peace with themselves.

Until we put an end to this, we cannot pick a President.

While everybody cannot belong to political parties, those in political parties should ensure they project young Presidential candidates with the qualification and competence to lead.

Those who do not belong to political parties should also make sure they get involved by going out to vote for a young, competent and eligible presidential candidate on election day.

If young Nigerians can be serious and united, we can pick a President.

Tobin writes from Port Harcourt.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 14

NEWS WASSCE: Any school Principal who breach COVID-19 protocols will be removed -Commissioner From. Mustapha Adamu, Kano

K

ano state Commissioner of Education, Sanusi Saidu Kiru has warned principals of secondary schools in the state against breaching COVID-19 protocols ahead of West African Senior Scholes Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Recall that following the lockdown imposed on the state to curb the spread of COVID-19, the

state government slated August 10 for the resumption of schools for only graduating students to allow them write the final-year examination.

Speaking on BBC Hausa Service yesterday, the commissioner said the state government had made adequate arrangements for the forthcoming examination, warning that any principal that violate the COVID-19 protocols would be removed.

According to him, the government had distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to and fumigated all the 538 schools that would sit for the examination across the state in a bid to avoid spread of the virus during the exercise.

“We have made adequate arrangement arhead of the WASSCE. We have provided enough PPEs in order to protect all that is involved in the examination

exercise. “ To this end, let me warn that, any school principal who violate the COVID-19 protocols or cause any disruption to these arrangements, so we will not hesitate to remove him and take home or her back to class as a teacher,” Kiru warned.

He disclosed that out of the 538 schools that would write the WASSCE, 199 are government schools, while 339 are private.

The commissioner added that

the total of 27,464 students would sit for the examination, adding that the government is making sure that revisions for previous lessons are made in order to refresh the students ahead of the examination.

Kiru, therefore urge the students to read and pray hard in order to pass the examination and make Kano and northern Nigeria proud, calling on them to strictly follow the COVID-19 protocols in order to finish the exercise safely.

Few students in classes as schools resume in Edo

F

ew students in final year classes turned up as schools resume in Edo on Monday after four months of closure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who went round some of the public and private schools in Benin City, the state capital, observed that the schools enforced

COVID-19 guidelines provided by the government for reopening.

As part of the guidelines, the schools are to ensure that the students as well as their teachers wear face mask, provide hand sanitisers and also make provision for regular hand washing.

While the state government

provided all the needed items, including face masks for students in public schools, the private schools owners only made provision for hand sanitisers and points for hand washing.

NAN reports that even with these in place, the turn up of students at classes after over four months of

closure was not impressive.

At Imaguero Girls College, NAN correspondent reports that as at 8:00 p.m, only a handful of students were available to commence learning.

A senior staff of the School, who pleaded anonymity, said that she had expected that the students would be eager to resume school after a

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (left) and Hon. ‪Abdulmunin J‬ibrin, the newly appointed Executive Director, Business Development, at the Federal Housing Authority, who paid him a courtesy call earlier today at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

prolonged stay at home.

She, however, said that it was not unexpected as most parents would not be readily disposed to allow their children back in school for fear of contracting the Coronavirus disease.

“As you can see for yourself, the teachers are more than the students; the students are scared to come back because of the disease,” she said.

Similarly, the Principal of Edokpolor Grammar School, Mr Austin Akenbor, said that though they were complying with COVID-19 guidelines, they expected a more robust turnout in schools from Tuesday.

Mr Jimoh Ijegbai, the State Commissioner for Education, however, expressed confidence that the students’ turn up will increase appreciably in the days to come.

“This is just the first day and am sure that the parents and the students are watching to see what happens today (Monday). Don’t also forget that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examination starts next Monday.

“As safety of these students, the state government has provided all that is required for their safety, including face masks.

“The fact that only terminal classes are resuming also makes things easier for us in terms of maintaining social distancing in classes.” (NAN)

Alleged Perjury: Court hears suit against Ize-Iyamu, deputy Aug.24

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

J

ustice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja will on August 24, hears suit seeking the disqualification of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his deputy, Mr Audu Ganiyu in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

The court also granted an application for substituted service of the court processes on the third and fourth defendants, Ganiyu and IzeIyamu respectively.

The plaintiffs, Honourable Momoh Abdul-Razak and Honourable Zibiri Muhizu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had dragged the APC’s candidate and deputy in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State to court over alleged perjury.

APC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Audu Ganiyu and Osagie IzeIyamu were mentioned as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/

CS/758/2020, the plaintiffs are asking the court to disqualify the deputy governorship candidate, Ganiyu from participating in the forthcoming election on account of given false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship poll slated for next month.

The suit dated July 10, 2020 also accused Ganiyu of certificate forgery as well as prayed the court to annul the nomination of Ize-iyamu as APC’s governorship candidate on account of running

with an allegedly unqualified deputy.

In addition, they prayed the court for another order restraining the APC from contesting the September 19 governorship upon the disqualification of the 3rd and 4th defendants.

When the matter came up Monday, counsel to the plaintiffs informed the court that while both 1st and 2nd defendants have been served with the processes, the 3rd and 4th have not been served and as such he

has brought an application for substituted service.

Counsel to the 1st defendant, Dr Ehiogie West-Idahosa, acknowledged service while there was no appearance for INEC. Justice Taiwo in his ruling, granted the application as prayed and ordered that the court processes including the hearing notice be pasted on the Benin City residents of the 3rd and 4th defendants.

Meantime, court adjourned till August 24 for hearing in the substantive suit.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

Deregistration: CUPP says parties’ victory against INEC testament to democracy

By Musa Adamu

T

he Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has congratulated its members among the 22 political parties whom the Court of Appeal Abuja set aside their deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it is a victory for democracy.

In a statement issued

by Chairman, Contact and Mobilization and Member, Steering Committee, CUPP, Olusegun Peters, CUPP said described the judgement of the Appeal court delivered yesterday as landmark.

It said it is victory for democracy and a giant step forward in consolidating the nation’s constitutional governance.

“The landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal has further reinforced Nigerians confidence in the judiciary, rule of law and due process. It has proved that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of all aggrieved people in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic nation.

“It is obvious that INEC erred by hastily deregistering political parties in flagrant violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Act as amended. Nigeria is a nation governed by the rule of law, not rule of might that breeds dictatorship and autocracy”, CUPP said in the statement.

According to the coalition, with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, affected political parties are now looking forward to participating in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

It said the judgment is sweet music in the ears of all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, adding that Nigerians demand widening of the political horizon not stifling it, which it said results to do-or-die politics as being witnessed in Edo State governorship poll.

“CUPP will continue to champion good governance,

social justice and restoration of genuine democracy in Nigeria. It

is a task that must be done in the interest of the nation. We are all

in it together”, according to the statement.

Edo Assembly Crisis: Sen. Bamidele slams Gov Obaseki

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC EKiti Central), has condemned Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State over alleged invasion of the State Assembly Complex in Benin City last week.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, Senator Bamidele said the alleged invasion of state parliament was an unlawful and subversive action, as well as a damning threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Bamidele stressed that the continued onslaughts on members of the Edo State House of Assembly

by Governor Obaseki should be condemned and resisted by all lovers of democracy, pointing out that the

legislature remains the bastion of democracy anywhere in the world.

He maintained that the deliberate and inordinate sabotage of the legitimate activities of the lawmakers in the State legislature is a direct invitation to anarchy, which he said must be promptly halted before the situation gets out of hand.

According to him, the legislature, because of its representative power in a democracy, is the mirror of the will of the people which must not be subverted by anybody under whatever guise.

“The legislature is the chief means of expressing popular will, a body that can speak on behalf of, and for the people. It is, therefore, the assembly of the people’s minds and the general will of the populace within a polity”, he stressed.

He added that the desperation of Governor Obaseki to secure a second term in office should not be allowed to desecrate, destroy and totally subvert the legislative institution in Edo State, saying “democratic sustainability demands that political players should moderate and caution their political behaviours in order to safeguard the sanctity of democracy and institutions of democratic governance”.

Throwing caution to the wind by gladiators, he stated, may likely jettison survival of democracy and the genuine desires and aspirations of the people.

He therefore implored the civil society community and other stakeholders in the political process in Nigeria to prevail on Obaseki to allow members of the Edo State House of Assembly resume their constitutional

duties without further delay.

“The wanton wastage of the resources and the hard-earned Edo State tax payers’ money on the platter of vindictive politics, campaign of calumny, political arm-twisting and the continued halt of legislative activities in the Edo State House of Assembly is inimical to democracy and an affront against the people whose votes Obaseki is currently desperately courting to get a second term.

“Continued brazen efforts aimed at debarring the Edo State lawmakers from performing their legislative functions as required by law is not only a contempt against the wishes of the good people of Edo State, but also a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution, as well as a punitive expedition against democratic governance in Nigeria”, he said.

R-L; SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of Defence MajGen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai during an Audience with North-East Governors and Service Chief in attendence held at the State House, abuj0.

Gov Wike alleges plans to scuttle Edo election by INEC, others

By Lateef Ibrahim with agency report

R

ivers State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council for the Edo State Governorship election, Nyesom Wike, has alleged plans from some quarters to scuttle the Edo State Governorship election on September in a desperate effort to remove Governor Godwin Obaseki from Office.

Governor Wike said this while briefing newsmen at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Wike stated that the alleged plan is to scuttle the governorship election in Edo State because the All Progressives Congress

is scared of a free and fair election.

Chairman of the Edo PDP Campaign Council also alleged plans by security agencies to compromise the September 11 elections in Edo State.

He added that the Campaign Council has intercepted intelligence reports on how security agencies intend to execute their plans in Edo, which will be exposed in a few weeks.

“Why is the APC so confident about what will happen. It is because they think that they have security on their side. But in a weeks time, we will roll-out all their game plans as regards security in this election. We will roll-out their game plans with all the security

to rig this election.

“We know the modus operandi of security in this election. When they want to rig the election, we know what they do. We have gathered enough intelligence on what they intend to do and we can tell you, we would scuttle it.

“If I were the IG or the Chief of Army Staff, I will use this election to tell Nigerians that our country can be better so that if we had been accused before, we can use this election to correct it.

“And then INEC too should come and make Nigerians have confidence in them.

And we want to say that the statement made by the INEC Chairman, saying that if there is

violence, they will stop the election.

“In that case, you will play into the hands of the opposition, because what they want to do is make sure that there is more violence and then the election will not hold and then by November, Obaseki’s tenure would have ended. That is why they went ahead to do that illegal inauguration of their own Speaker of the House of Assembly.

“They (APC) are not interested in the election. All they want is to cause enough violence so that INEC can cancel or suspend the election and then wait till November when Obaseki’s tenure would have ended.

We know all this system,” Wike said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 16

POLITICS IPOB, Gov Ondo deputy Gov quits umbrella, joins Uzodinma at crossfire over 2023 ZLP, he squandered his career - PDP ‘Igbo president’ agenda

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor (political), Batos Nwadike has described the apex Igbo sociopolitical body, Ohaneze Ndigbo, as lacking the vision and strategy to influence a president of Igbo extraction come 2023.

In a sharp criticism, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, slammed the Imo Governor over the comment, saying he is pushing for his Vice President ambition, hence he is courting the attention of the north.

Nwadike, who spoke to journalists, accused Ohaneze of speaking from both sides of the mouth when it earlier said that Igbos will be reluctant to participate fully in Nigerian affairs until it is restructured.

The same Ohaneze, he said is now calling on Igbo politicians to brace up for 2023 Igbo presidency, describing it as ‘double speaking’ without focus.

“When Nnia Nwodo said in a conference at Chatham House London sometime in 2019 that the country will be restructured or lose the Igbos participating fully in Nigeria’s political and economic affairs, up till now, the country has not been restructured and Muhammadu Buhari still remains the President. Unfortunately, the realization of Biafra has remained elusive.

“It is quite clear that no section or zone in Nigeria can ascend to the Nigerian presidency without the support of other zones. So, let us tune down our rhetorics of hate and separatism. The curses and shouts have not stopped Buhari from winning all the time.

“No country in the world that has gotten independence through demonstration of their autonomous wishes. It has always been through the whims and caprices of the colonial masters,” he said.

Nwadike who is a former presidential candidate of PMP noted that Igbo presidency will be feasible if the people will come together instead of chasing shadows.

However, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma of working towards the position of Vice President in 2023.

Kanu alleged that Uzodinma was working out to establish “Fulani game plan” in Imo State, and be returned for the position of the Vice President.

The IPOB leader made the allegation while lamenting over Fulani settlements in Imo and Abia States.

In a statement he signed, Kanu declared that IPOB was the last line of defence against Fulani conquest of the Southeast.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he embattled Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), just six weeks after he left the All Progressive Congress (APC) and joined the PDP, but lost the governorship ticket to Ayitayo Jegede.

The deputy governor who came second during the July 22 governorship primaries of the PDP after losing to candidate of the party, Eyitayo Jegede, was said to have made the move in order to keep his governorship hope alive.

Agboola has perfected move to

fly the flag of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) at the forthcoming October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

According to an impeccable source, Ajayi will on Tuesday formally declare for ZLP. Confirming the deputy governor’s resignation from PDP, his Media Aide, Allen Sowore said that, “This decision is as a result of the call on the Deputy Governor by majority of the good people of Ondo State to give hope to the hopeless, provide credible and purposeful leadership in our dear State.

“The chairman of the PDP in Apoi Ward 2 of Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Festus Oboro acknowledged the receipt of the

resignation letter on 9th of August 2020.”

The embattled deputy governor who has been having running battle with his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had insisted that he will not resign his position as deputy governor, stressing that his people advised him against the move.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, insisted that the resignation of the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, would not affect their chances of victory in the October 10 governorship election.

In a statement signed by Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the State Publicity Secretary, the party said it was yet to receive Ajayi’s resignation

letter.

Peretei said Ajayi’s resignation proved that he (Ajayi) is desperate to become the Governor of Ondo State.

According to the statement, “In the days to come, it will dawn on him that he has squandered whatever was remaining in his goodwill with this decision.

“However, his exit from the PDP will not affect our prospects of winning the October Gubernatorial Elections this year. The PDP remains solid, strong and more determined than ever before to win the forthcoming governorship elections with a credible and competent candidate in the person of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).”

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. IbokEte Ibas (L), presenting a souvenir to Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, during the Governor’s visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Ganduje’ll bring calamity to Nigeria – Edo Deputy Gov

By Musa Adamu

T

he Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, on Monday warned that Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC; ex-APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje are working towards creating a great calamity in Nigeria.

The Deputy Governor warned Edo indigenes to stay away from the APC leaders because they will bring calamity to the state.

The Deputy Governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Benjamin Atu, also urged people of the state to

distance themselves from APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

He accused them of putting Nigeria’s unity, nascent democracy, security and economic wellbeing on the line.

In a statement, the Deputy Governor said: “the ’Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some members of the Edo State House of Assembly are inviting a far greater calamity on Nigeria. Their actions have sent wrong signals to members of the

international community.

“The people of Edo State should distance themselves from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Oshiomhole, Bola Tinubu and Ganduje as symbols of impunity.”

He also berated Tinubu and Oshiomhole over their alleged undemocratic conduct over the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly.

“Oshiomhole, Tinubu and some members of the Edo State House of Assembly, the political ditch Oshiomhole plunged himself into, the creation of a polity with high public morality and the way

Obaseki went about meeting the people’s expectations,” he said.

Shaibu also emphasized the complete subservience of Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu to some alleged masters in Lagos, Kano and Imo States amounted to massive coercion, lies, hypocrisy and masquerading.

“Edo State cannot return to subservience. We must put an end to godfatherism. Governor Godwin Obaseki is an asset and knows the needs and interests of the common people. Governor Obaseki also understands the essential features of Edo State and he is acting on this understanding to change them and make them serve the common people,’’ he said.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

POLITICS

APC must rise above personality to win Edo election - DG PGF

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has earned that if the All Progressive Congress (APC) must rise above personality if it wishes to win the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Salihu Lukman said to win the election, APC must do things that require that people get inspired to believe the party represents their interest for the future, pointing out

that this is why he is concerned about the messages that are coming out of the campaign.

“It is basically almost about libellous statements and interestingly, the flagoff of the campaigns on Saturday, especially for those who watched it, several times, Comrade Adams was speaking, got interrupted by disclaimer messages from the TV station because the statements were too libellous.

“Now, that is not the kind of campaign that will inspire voters to believe in our party. I think as a progressive party and I feel

very strongly about it, and I will emphasize that I do not speak as the Director of the PGF, I am speaking as Salihu Lukman, who is a member of APC and a Nigerian, that is committed to the belief that this country and her politics can move forward and that we can have contest without conflicts and that is what is required and that is what APC should represent.

“I think we need to convey the message and I want to appeal to all our leaders and I want to convey the message through you; the campaigns in Edo must not be approached as a

do-or-die affair. We must approach it based on the conviction that we want to earn the trust of the Edo people to vote for us and I don’t want to labour too much on that”, he said.

He expressed more worry that from all indications, they are having a situation whereby the politics of the party is becoming polluted by so many acts of blackmails and bullying, saying even the statements of Senate spokesman, Senator Bashiru, is a blackmail.

“Their approach is to get those of us who are critical to keep quiet.

If you don’t keep quiet, it means you

Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers receiving the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill from the Majority Leader, Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule in Port Harcourt on Monday (3/8/2020).

Senators, Reps members boycott Ebonyi PDP congress

By Musa Adamu with agency report

T

he three senators from Ebonyi State and a member of the House of Representative were among prominent members who boycotted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress on Saturday.

New leaders were elected at the event to pilot the affairs of the state’s ruling party for the next four years.

But the three senators, Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Ama Nnachi (Ebonyi South) and Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central), and the representative for Afikpo North/South federal constituency, Iduma Igariwey, stayed away from the congress.

Four out of five House of Representatives members elected on the platform of PDP attended and participated at the congress which was held at the Abakaliki Township stadium.

Their absence may not be

unconnected with their alleged demand for new state party executives ahead of 2023. Instead, all the incumbents were reelected at the congress.

But Governor David Umahi at the congress called for peace in the party, saying there was no reason for tension in the polity.

On the absence of the federal lawmakers, he said: “I want to commend our National Assembly members. If anybody has angered you, please caucus leader we will have a meeting on Thursday

evening, tell the other senators and Reps who are not here. I am the father of the state and we have worked together 2015, 2019.

There is nothing that can divide us, whatever is any misgiving if any, let us discuss on Thursday and move forward. This is very important”.

The reelected state chairman of the party, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, assured that the state executives will continue to entrench internal democracy in the party.

are engaging in anti party activities. I think we must summon the courage and say, no we are not doing anti party activities, but we cannot keep quiet and allow the party to be damaged.

“I believe President Muhammadu Buhari is giving the party the right leadership to get all the crisis resolved. But for us to succeed and get the party crisis completely resolved, we need a situation whereby the old conflict should not continue to hunt us”, the PGF DG said.

He said the APC politics is no longer about comrade Adams Oshiomole, adding that the party should not be dragged back to a situation where members are either for Comrade Adams Oshiomole or they are against him, arguing that to win Edo should not be based on whether they are supporting Oshiomole or they are against him.

“We have passed that stage.

This is the time we should work as a united body and to work towards the fact that we are really ready to win the elections. And for that to happen, the caretaker committee under Mai Mala Buni must be left to work and that is why I thought we really need to put out some proposals and the proposals are there.

“In allowing it to work, I think we still need to appeal again that the situation that was obtained under Comrade Adams must not be allowed whereby the main business of the party must be all about Edo. If you remember especially under comrade Adams, for months immediately after the 2019 election, everything about the party was about Edo, the conflict between him and Gov. Obaseki.

“Now, we are facing the election and as far as I am concerned, it is not about Obaseki because he is out of the party. Our business is now to win elections. So, let us work as a body but while that is going on, the caretaker committee should be allowed to function without the distraction of what is going on in Edo since they have set up a campaign council, lit drive it.

“I have raised the issue that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole should not be the face of the campaigns because we have a candidate. We already have a model and Lagos is a model and we can borrow from there”, he said.

“The last point I want to raise is that, you see now that blackmail has taken over and for whatever reason, Edo is taking precedence over every other problem we have in the party.

Our leaders have been blackmailed into adopting a campaign format that compromise the health and safety of the edo people. I think the appeal at this point is that if Comrade Adams and what he is doing in Edo compromises the health and safety of the people of Edo, our party should be able to correct that”, he said.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

Stock Watch: Monday, August 10, 2020 Low

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0.21 0.21 0 0.21 0.21 MBENEFIT 0.00 0.63 0.43 0 0.43 0.43 MCNICHOLS 0.00 1.15 2.05 261 2.05 2.05 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 24.80 184.80 0 184.80 184.80 MOBIL 0.00 1.20 0.20 970 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE 0.00 6.50 3.50 0 3.50 3.50 NAHCO 0.00 12.00 18.00 0 18.00 18.00 NASCON 0.00 68.50 78.70 0 79.50 79.50 NB 0.80 1.78 0.78 0 0.78 0.78 NEIMETH 0.00 1.60 2.60 0 2.60 2.60 NEM 0.00 52.20 552.20 150 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 1,475.00 1,475.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 NESTLE 0.00 1.60 1.65 0 1.60 1.60 NPFMCRFBK -0.05 4.60 4.80 0 4.60 4.75 OANDO -0.20 80.00 76.20 0 80.00 80.00 OKOMUOIL 3.80 64.00 64.00 0 64.00 64.00 PRESCO 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 PRESTIGE 0.00 12.30 12.30 0 12.30 12.30 PZ 0.00 4.20 4.20 0 4.20 4.20 REDSTAREX 0.00 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.21 REGALINS -0.01 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RESORTSAL 0.00 0.21 0.23 0 0.21 0.22 ROYALEX -0.02 640.00 640.00 405 640.00 640.00 SEPLAT 0.00 0.20 0.20 0 0.21 0.21 SOVRENINS 0.01 46.50 46.00 0 46.50 46.50 STANBIC 0.50 102.00 102.00 122 102.00 102.00 STANBICETF30 0.00 1.97 1.96 0 1.97 1.97 STERLNBANK 0.01 203.00 203.00 0 203.00 203.00 TOTAL 0.00 6.10 6.10 632 6.10 6.10 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 1.15 1.21 0 1.16 1.18 TRANSCORP -0.05 9.60 9.60 0 9.60 9.60 UACN 0.00 1.74 1.92 0 1.74 1.74 UAC-PROP -0.18 7.60 7.80 0 7.90 7.95 UBA 0.10 6.00 6.05 0 6.00 6.05 UBN -0.05 2.89 2.94 0 2.89 2.91 UCAP -0.05 36.30 37.00 0 36.30 36.30 UNILEVER -0.70 0.27 0.27 0 0.27 0.27 UNIONDAC 0.00 1.00 0.99 0 1.00 1.00 UNITYBNK 0.01 2.04 1.97 0 2.14 2.14 UPL 0.17 0.23 0.23 0 0.23 0.23 VERITASKAP 0.00 4.50 4.99 0 4.50 4.50 VITAFOAM -0.49 11.30 11.50 0 11.30 11.65 WAPCO -0.20 0.40 0.40 0 0.40 0.40 WAPIC 0.00 0.59 0.61 0 0.59 0.61 WEMABANK -0.02 21.20 22.70 0 21.70 22.50 ZENITHBANK -1.00

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 19

We Did Not Endorse Money Doubling Investment Scheme -NITDA

By Etuka Sunday

T

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on the general public to disregard any fake news claiming that the Agency or its staff endorse money doubling Financial Investment scheme.

The Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations Unit, NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar in a statement said, “the Agency refutes any affiliation or endorsement of these platforms and strongly advises the general public on the need for caution when dealing with online money doubling scheme especially via whatsApp

mobile Application.”

The statement said, “These fraudulent Financial Investment companies lure users by requesting that you join their WhatsApp group, consequently, they access records of citizens phone numbers.

These phone numbers can further be used in SMS scams as well as other various cybercrimes.

“The general public is advised to always verify if these firms have clearance from relevant Government Agencies mandated to license Corporate Investment Advisers.

“The public is further advised to be wary of any quick wins schemes especially if it violates the Nigerian Data Protection

Regulation.

“Furthermore, NITDA strongly advises the general public to disregard the malicious investment scheme even if the people behind such purportedly use NITDA’s name, its affiliates, logo and or staff of the agency as a bait to lure the people,” the statement said.

L-R: Director, Research and Development, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Henry Nkemadu; Director, Finance Services, NCC, Mr. Yakubu Gontor; Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde; former Head, Media and Public Relations, NCC/celebrant, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore; his wife, Florence and Director, Projects, NCC, Mrs. Abigail Solanke; Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mr. Efosa; and Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, during a valedictory session organised in honour of Aragba-Akpore, who retired from the services of the Commission in Abuja recently...

NITDA pledges advance IT skills develoment for creative kids

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has assured all participants of the Creative Kids online training programme of the agency’s support to further develop their IT skills.

The DG who was represented by Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, stated this while addressing the participants during the graduation ceremony of the training programme at the weekend, said that what the children have learnt and accomplished in their training shows what they can achieve in the future, because technology is the future.

Mallam Abdullahi advised that there was a need for the children to keep improving on the skills they have learnt and harness such skills for the socio-economic development of the country.”

“We have to ensure that children learn, because, we cannot afford, as a country, to be left behind in technology, noting that “we have highly talented individuals in technology especially in the area of information technology.

“By showing sustained interest in this field, you are not only going to be improving yourself, you can be problem solvers, inventors, innovators, create job opportunities while contributing your quota in realizing a smarter Nigeria. The opportunities it offers are limitless. Look at the global impact of Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Facebook’s

Mark Zuckerberg as a result of their interest in technology. In Nigeria, we have Mitchell Elegbe, Sim Shagaya, Tayo Oviosu to mention a few doing phenomenal things with technology”, he added.

The NITDA Boss while congratulating the organisers of the training, said, it is impressive what 3logy is doing in training kids to acquire and develop digital literacy skills especially in emerging technologies.

The Nigeria government has made a strong policy commitment to making Nigeria a smart Nigeria by the year 2030 and one of the pillars to actualizing that is “digital literacy and skills”. As a nation, it is important that we have a young generation that is equipped with adequate digital skills that will enable them compete

favorably in today’s digital age.

Earlier the moderator, Rahinat Muhammad noted that the children were full of so much potentials and needed to have memorable experiences in technology so as to develop further in future.

Among the children participants were: Aliyu Bashir Gwandu, won the most determined award, Amina and Abubakar Maida, won the most punctual award and Labeeb Muhammad won the most well behaved award. Some of the participants received awards of passes to more training by the organisers.

In the four-week long training, the children were introduced to robotics, the popular new Python programming for beginners and some other emerging information technologies.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 20

EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST FEBUARY, 2020 VAT 7.5% 30,382.5 20,672

VAT 7.5%

VAT 7.5% 435,482.5 296,270

37,882.5 28,545

75,000

1,075,000

542,982.5

67,500

967,500

409,145

33,750 33,750 30,000 112,500 75,000 11,250 15,000 18,750 14,625

483,750 483,750 430,000 1,612,500 1,075,000 161,250 215,000 268,750 209,625

10,912.5

156,412.5

18,187.5

28,570.5

414,510.5

33,765

483,965

24,881.25

356,631.25

27,750

397,750

22,743.75

325,993.75

27,375

392,375

19,012.5

272,512.5

24,750

354,750

18,697.5

267,997.5

24,037.5

14,619

209,539

18,750

268,750

16,762.5

240,262.5

22,500

322,500

14,160

202,960

18,750

268,750

VAT 7.5%

12,369

177,289

15,000

215,000

15,706.123 225,121.125

20,250

290,250

1,125 562.5

12,614.1

16,500

236,500

174,150

18,461.25

264,611.25

153,402.5

16,972.5

243,272.5

12,150 10,702.5

180,802.1

260,687.5

344,537.5

222,095

9,960

142,760

15,495

4,912.5

70,421.5

11,373.5

11,272.5

161,572.5

16,089.375

230,614.375

9,532.5

136,632.5

15,176.25

217,526.25

6,412.5

91,912.5

12,093.75

173,343.75

4,672.5

66,972.5

9,307.5

133,407.5

10,065

144,265

14,688.75

210,538.75

7,537.5

108,037.5

12,431.25

178,181.25

82,775

9,191.25

131,741.25

6,930

99,330

5,775 4,132.5

59,232.5

168,237.5

3,900

55,900

6,142.5

88,042.5

2,655

38,055

4,696.5

67,316.5

1,987.5

28,487.5

3,624.375

51,949.375

386.25

5,536.25

789

11,309

08026416521,

150,000

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

METRO

PAGE 21

Insecurity: FCTA receives modalities for implementation of Community policing

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has received the implementation of Community Policing Policy in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, in order to improve the security of lives and property.

The Administration received the modalities from the FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Bala Ciroma, during the FCT Security Committee Meeting held recently.

Ciroma noted that following the directives by the Federal Government for the engagement of Special Constabularies for Community Policing nationwide, and the subsequent inauguration of the FCT State Community

Advisory Committee, by the FCT Minister, the Committee met and came up with modalities that will guide its implementation.

He explained that the main functions of the Community Constabularies will be crime detection and prevention, settlement of low level civil disputes and petty crimes, criminal intelligence gathering and dissemination to the local police commanders, dealing with minor offences and social vices, assist in traffic management and school safety duties amongst others.

The CP added that the Community Constabularies are also to operate only within the communities in which they are recruited and are not permitted to operate outside of these locations adding that the Police Force

will train the volunteers and provide them with uniforms and means of identification.

In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, called for a functional and equitable distribution of the volunteers across the FCT based on the needs of the communities.

Bello also called for the active involvement of the Area Council Chairmen and traditional rulers in the recruitment and deployment processes.

Furthermore, the Security Committee received a brief from the Health and Human Services Secretariat presented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Josephine Okechukwu who disclosed that the major challenges facing the health authorities in the FCT are

the issues of self-denial of the disease and lack of adherence to health protocols by many residents of the FCT. She also revealed there were imported cases into the FCT from other states as well as from returnees from outside of Nigeria.

She also called for more active involvement of the Area Councils and traditional institutions in the fight against the virus in the FCT. Amongst other issues, the meeting also discussed matter relating to farmers/ herders clash which according to the security authorities has largely been resolved and steps being taken to tackle issues of banditry which are confined largely to the fringes along FCT borders with other states.

From left:... Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeak Ohaa with the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello at the FCT Security meeting, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

COVID-19: Ministry, group support 54 FCT Primary Health facilities

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to 54 primary health facilities in the FCT as part of response to the spread Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.

Some of the items donated include: hand sanitizers, face masks, face shield, surgical gloves, safety boxes, glucometre strips, cotton wool, Lancet, among others.

Presenting the items to FCT Administration, the representative of the Chief Executive Officer of Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation, Dr. Christine Ezenwafor, revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health and the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation with funding from the World Diabetes Foundation is implementing a project called the Diabetes Awareness and Care

Project in the FCT and Imo state.

Ezenwafor added that the project which is being piloted in two states was kicked off in the FCT since July, 2019, following the training of health workers from 54 health facilities in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari area councils respectively.

According to her, “The Diabetes and Care Project aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening evidence based programming and policy-making through the utilization of various approaches like advocacy to multiple stakeholders, education at the community level and sensitization of health workers.

“Others are guideline development, training and performance management to improve access to diabetes prevention and care services.

“One of the objectives of the project is to train health workers across selected primary health centres to deliver education on diabetes and conduct screening across communities in

the FCT. “The health facilities were provided with necessary equipment and tools in line with the project.We are working in 54 primary healthcare across AMAC and Bwari area councils.

“We have been working over a year now.

The project is a three project on diabetes and awareness creation in rural communities. So, as part of our response to COVID-19, we are providing PPE to all the 54 health facilities so that work can go on unhindered. This will be routinely provided on a quarterly basis”.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Administration, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, thanked the donors for contributing to the development of rural health facilities in the territory, stressing that the two area councils in focus are the most densely populated councils in the nation’s capital.

Aliyu, while acknowledging the efforts of

other agencies towards flattening the COVID-19 curve, the minister stated that the battle against the dreaded disease is yet to be over, just as she tasked relevant government agencies and other Non Governmental Organisations to assist the FCT Administration in healthcare delivery system.

“The administration warmly acknowledged your efforts towards the battle against COVID-19. It is a continuous exercise and you are active in two area councils is worth commendation.

“We thank you very much for your contributions to the development of the rural areas,” she affirmed.

Earlier, the facilitator of the project and Ag. Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo, noted that the donation was not only to protect clients, but also for the protection of health workers especially at this time of community spread.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Juan Carlos is under investigation in Spain, as well as in Switzerland

S

pain’s former King Juan Carlos will leave the country, the royal palace has announced, weeks after he was linked to an inquiry into alleged corruption.

Juan Carlos, 82, made the announcement in a letter to his son, Felipe, to whom he handed power six years ago.

He said he would be available if prosecutors needed to interview him.

In June, Spain’s Supreme Court opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of Juan Carlos in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia.

It was not immediately clear when the former monarch would leave Spain and where he would reside.

It is a humiliating exit for a king who had seemed set to go down in history as the leader who skilfully guided Spain from dictatorship to democracy after the death of General Franco in 1975, BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake says.

Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 after nearly 40 years as king following a corruption investigation involving his daughter’s husband and a controversial elephant hunting trip the monarch took during Spain’s financial crisis.

What did the letter say?

In the letter, the former monarch wrote that he was making the decision “in the face of the public repercussions that certain past events in my private life are generating” and in the hope of allowing his son to carry out his functions as king with “tranquillity”.

“Guided by the conviction to best serve the people of Spain, its institutions, and you as king, I inform you of my decision at this time to leave Spain.

“A decision I make with deep emotion but with great serenity,” the letter said.

The statement from the Zarzuela palace said that King Felipe VI had conveyed “his heartfelt respect and gratitude” to his father for this decision.

In March, King Felipe VI renounced the inheritance of his father. The royal palace also said at the time that Juan Carlos would stop receiving an annual grant of €194,000 ($228,000; £174,520).

What is the corruption investigation about?

Spain’s Supreme Court has said it aims to establish Juan Carlos’s connection with the Saudi project after his abdication in June 2014. At that point he lost his immunity from prosecution.

Spanish firms won a €6.7bn (£6bn) deal to build a MeccaMedina rail link.

The probe involves Swiss banks too.

Spanish anti-corruption

Spain’s monarchy shaken by ex-king’s Swiss fortune

Robert O’Brien, key Trump adviser, tests positive for Covid-19

P

resident Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, has tested positive for coronavirus, the White House has confirmed.

Mr O’Brien, 54, has been selfisolating and working from home.

The aide has mild symptoms and there was no risk of exposure to Mr Trump or Vice-President Mike Pence, a statement said.

Mr O’Brien is the highestranking official in Mr Trump’s administration known to have tested positive.

It is not clear when he and the president last met, but one administration official said it had not been for “several days”. The pair appeared together two weeks ago on a trip to Miami.

The White House statement read: “He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site. There is no risk of exposure to the president or the vice-president.

The work of the National Security Council continues uninterrupted.”

Some staff members told CNN they had only learned of the infection on Monday from the media.

One source told Bloomberg that Mr O’Brien had been out of his office for a week and that the adviser had contracted the virus after a family event.

Anyone near the president is tested regularly for Covid-19.

A number of people in and around the administration have

President Trump named O’Brien his adviser in September last year tested positive, including a military member who works as a White House valet, Mr Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller, and a helicopter squadron Marine.

Who is Robert O’Brien?

Trained as a lawyer, he has had a long diplomatic career working for both Republicans and Democrats. He is believed to be the highest-ranking Mormon member of the Trump administration.

He was picked to replace John Bolton as national security adviser last September, after Mr Bolton left amid a rancorous fallout with

President Trump.

Media captionSpeaking in April 2019, Robert O’Brien addresses families of Americans held captive abroad Mr O’Brien shares similar views to Mr Trump on a number of issues, including criticism of the UN and opposition to the Iran nuclear deal.

Mr O’Brien travelled to Paris this month to discuss foreign policy issues with European counterparts, and gave a speech in Arizona in June comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping with

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Vietnam has closed the coastal city of Da Nang to tourists, after 15 new locally transmitted coronavirus cases were recorded there - the first in the country since April US biotech company Moderna has begun the final phase of clinical trials for a potential Covid-19 vaccine. Some 30,000 volunteers are taking part in the third and last phase of testing before the vaccine can be submitted to a regulatory authority for evaluation and possible approval. Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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Shoprite employs at least 2,000 people in Nigeria

A

frica’s biggest supermarket chain, South Africanowned Shoprite, says it is considering pulling out of Nigeria.

It said it was looking at selling all “or a majority stake” of its operations in Africa’s mostpopulous country.

Shoprite is the latest South African retailer to look at leaving Nigeria - clothing firm Mr Price announced its exit in June, and Woolworths in 2014.

Shoprite’s decision comes at a time when Nigeria’s economy is struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Economists from the World Bank have warned that the oil-rich country could be on the brink of its worst recession since the 1980s because of “the collapse in oil prices coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Shoprite said lockdown restrictions because of coronavirus had affected its operations in 14 African countries, with sales declining by 1.4% in those markets.

Its South African operations on the other hand witnessed “significant growth”.

The retailer has also been battling currency-induced inflation surges - especially in Nigeria, where it has been hit hardest.

Shoprite employs at least 2,000 people in Nigeria.

The retailer’s stores in the capital, Abuja, and the commercial hub, Lagos, became a flashpoint for outrage in 2019, following violent attacks in South Africa on other migrants from elsewhere in the continent.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (Nans) - which represents university students at campuses across the country - picketed branches of Shoprite and South African telecoms giant MTN, turning away staff and customers.

The student body demanded that all South African-owned businesses leave the West African state.

Why Shoprite has struggled in Nigeria Analysis by Nduka Orjinmo, BBC News, Lagos Shoprite’s failure in Nigeria is not surprising, the shiny shopping malls with escalators where its outlets are located are more popular for taking pictures than actual shopping.

Though it is regarded as a working-class supermarket in South Africa, most here consider it as catering to the upper classes.

Tens of millions of Nigerians are poor or unemployed - and the

Shoprite is one of the biggest South African businesses operating in Nigeria

minority who have the spending power to shop at Shoprite have seen their finances take a battering

because of the coronavirus pandemic.

These are hard times for

businesses, but the slow growth at Shoprite Nigeria predates the pandemic.

Consumers here want quality services, but they want it on the cheap.

Hopewell Chin’ono: Whistle-blowing Zimbabwean journalist arrested

A

Zimbabwean journalist who recently exposed alleged government corruption involving coronavirus supplies has been charged with inciting public violence.

Hopewell Chin’ono livestreamed his arrest before being told to put his phone down.

An opposition politician, Jacob Ngarivhume, has also been arrested in Harare on the same charges.

In a statement, Zimbabwe’s police appeared to confirm that the two arrests were connected.

The US embassy called Mr Chin’ono’s arrest deeply concerning, while his lawyer called it an abduction.

“We’re not sure where he has been taken. His helper says they did not produce any warrant when they came to his house,” human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said in a video statement.

Motioning to a smashed patio door at Mr Chin’ono’s home, Ms Mtetwa said eight or so security agents were involved in the raid.

Campaign group Amnesty accused Zimbabwean authorities of “misusing the criminal justice system to persecute journalists and activists” and said “the arrests

of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume are designed to intimidate”.

This video streamed on Facebook appears to show the moment the investigative journalist was confronted inside his home: What did Mr Chin’ono report about?

Mr Chin’ono’s reporting on alleged Covid-19 procurement fraud within the health ministry led to the arrest and sacking of Health Minister Obadiah Moyo.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa fired Mr Moyo earlier this month for “inappropriate conduct” over the $60m (£47.5m) medicines supply scandal.

Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC party said the state was persecuting a journalist for exposing government corruption.

A government official later responded by tweeting that journalists were not above the law.

Who was the arrested politician?

Jacob Ngarivhume leads a tiny opposition party called Transform Zimbabwe.

But he appeared to be organising plans for an antigovernment protest on 31 July.

Hopewell Chin’ono has embarrassed the government with a string of exposés Like Hopewell Chin’ono, the opposition politician was detained in the capital, Harare, on Monday in what critics said was a concerted move to stifle criticism of the government.

What’s happening in Zimbabwe?

BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says the incident comes at a time of rising tensions in Zimbabwe, with hyperinflation strangling the economy, and talk

of a new round of mass protests against Zanu-PF, the party that has run the country since independence.

Zimbabwe’s government promised reforms and economic growth after former President Robert Mugabe was ousted from power three years ago.

But critics say it has reverted to its old habits of repression and corruption.

Source: BBC

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A SI A

Islamic State group claims deadly attack on Afghanistan prison

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t least 29 people have been killed in an attack on a prison in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad which saw more than 1,000 inmates try to flee.

The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group (IS), began on Sunday evening when car bombs were detonated at the prison’s entrance by gunmen.

Eight of the attackers were killed in a battle lasting almost 20 hours, a Nangarhar province spokesman said.

As many as 300 inmates are believed to be still on the run.

There were 1,793 prisoners in the jail at the time of the attack - most of them Taliban and IS fighters, a security source told the AFP news agency. It was not immediately clear if the attack had been staged to free specific prisoners.

Those accused of general crimes were also held in the prison.

The attack continued through the night and into Monday morning

According to the provincial spokesman, 1,025 escaped prisoners have been brought back to the jail, and 430 have been rescued. More than 50

people were injured.

Jailbreaks are a known tactic for combatants in Afghanistan.

But the well co-ordinated

group attack on a prison complex in Jalalabad is one of the biggest and most complex assaults claimed by IS in the country.

Eastern Afghanistan has been the main stronghold of IS since it announced the establishment of its Khorasan Province (ISKP) - an IS branch in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region - in January 2015.

IS had been weakened as a result of several military operations by the Afghan government, the Afghan Taliban and US forces over the past two years.

Both the recent deadly attacks claimed by IS show the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban exaggerated the defeat and even elimination of the group.

Despite recent losses of territory and fighters, IS still has sleeper cells mainly in the cities, especially in Kabul and Jalalabad. wBy carrying out such attacks, IS wants to show its resilience and give the impression that its network and capabilities still remain intact.

Hope probe: UAE launches historic first mission to Mars

T

he United Arab Emirates’ historic first mission to Mars is under way, after a successful lift-off in Japan.

The Hope probe launched on an H2-A rocket from Tanegashima spaceport, and is now on a 500-million-km journey to study the planet’s weather and climate.

Two previous attempts to launch the probe in the past week had to be called off because of adverse weather.

Hope’s arrival in February 2021 is set to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s formation.

Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, the science lead on Hope, spoke of her excitement and relief in seeing the rocket climb successfully into the sky. And she stated the impact on her country would be the same as that on America when its people watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing 51 years ago, also on 20 July.

“It was an anchor for an entire generation that stimulated everyone that watched it to push further and to dream bigger,” she told BBC News.

“Today I am really glad that the children in the Emirates will wake up on the morning of the 20th of July having an anchor project of their own, having a new reality, having new possibilities, allowing them to further contribute and to create a larger impact on the world.”

The UAE craft is one of three missions heading to Mars this month.

The US and China both have surface rovers in the late stages of preparation. The American

The mission will be commanded from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre inn Dubai mission, Perseverance, sent its congratulations to Hope. “I cannot wait to join you on the journey!” its Twitter account said.

Why is the UAE going to Mars?

The UAE has limited experience of designing and manufacturing spacecraft - and yet here it is attempting something only the US, Russia, Europe and India have succeeded in doing. But it speaks to the Emiratis’ ambition that they should dare to take on this challenge.

Their engineers, mentored by American experts, have produced a sophisticated probe in just six years - and when this satellite gets to Mars, it’s expected to deliver novel science, revealing fresh insights on the workings of the planet’s atmosphere.

In particular, scientists think

it can add to our understanding of how Mars lost much of its air and with it a great deal of its water.

The Hope probe is regarded very much as a vehicle for inspiration - something that will attract more young people in the Emirates and across the Arab region to take up the sciences in school and in higher education.

The satellite is one of a number of projects the UAE government says signals its intention to move the country away from a dependence on oil and gas and towards a future based on a knowledge economy.

But as ever when it comes to Mars, the risks are high. A half of all missions sent to the Red Planet have ended in failure. Hope project director, Omran Sharaf, recognises the dangers but insists his country is right to try.

“This is a research and development mission and, yes, failure is an option,” he told BBC News.

“However, failure to progress as a nation is not an option. And what matters the most here is the capacity and the capability that the UAE gained out of this mission, and the knowledge it brought into the country.”

Robotic probe: Hope has taken six years to develop How has the UAE managed to do this?

The UAE government told the project team it couldn’t purchase the spacecraft from a big, foreign corporation; it had to build the satellite itself.

This meant going into partnership with American universities that had the necessary experience. Emirati and US engineers and scientists worked alongside each other to design and build the spacecraft systems and the three onboard instruments that will study the planet.

While much of the satellite’s fabrication occurred at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, considerable work was also undertaken at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai.

LASP’s Brett Landin believes the Emiratis are now in a great place to do another mission on their own.

“I could give you the process for fuelling a spacecraft, but until you’ve put on an escape suit and

transferred 800kg of highly volatile rocket fuel from storage tanks into the spacecraft, you don’t really know what it’s like,” the senior systems engineer said.

“Their propulsion engineers have now done it and they know how to do it the next time they build a spacecraft.”

What science will Hope do at Mars?

The Emiratis didn’t want to do “me too” science; they didn’t want to turn up at the Red Planet and repeat measurements that had already been made by others.

So they went to a US space agency (Nasa) advisory committee called the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) and asked what research a UAE probe could usefully add to the current state of knowledge.

MEPAG’s recommendations framed Hope’s objectives. In one line, the UAE satellite is going to study how energy moves through the atmosphere - from bottom to top, at all times of day, and through all the seasons of the year.

It will track features such as lofted dust which on Mars hugely influences the temperature of the atmosphere.

It will also look at what’s happening with the behaviour of neutral atoms of hydrogen and oxygen right at the top of the atmosphere. There’s a suspicion these atoms play a significant role in the ongoing erosion of Mars’ atmosphere by the energetic particles that stream away from the Sun. Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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FEATURE

Battling for survival on the frontier of climate change W

hen the rains stopped coming two years ago, transforming Denise Reid’s once flourishing banana fields into an expanse of desiccated wasteland, she was bewildered at first.

Here in rural Portland, Jamaica’s wettest parish for as long as anyone can remember, farmers like Mrs Reid are battling for survival on the frontier of climate change.

“I couldn’t understand why it was so dry. We used to have lovely seasons; now everything has changed,” she says.

Evolving weather patterns are making their impact felt across the Caribbean in prolonged droughts, incessant bush fires and worsening storms.

And Jamaica’s reliance on rain-fed farming, with many smallholdings set on mountain slopes prone to landslides, has left the sector particularly vulnerable.

In a nation where one in six working people earns a living from agriculture, the losses are far-reaching and sorely felt.

Smart tools Now, experts behind a trailblazing venture with innovative technology at its core hope to give islanders the tools to fight back.

A climate-smart project is being implemented and funded by the Netherlands-based Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in three parishes in the east of Jamaica, which is most susceptible to extreme weather.

Working closely with government agencies, the aim is to boost productivity and food security, while improving planters’ resilience and income.

Data is gleaned from weather satellites, combined with local met offices’ predictions and delivered to farmers via sophisticated weather apps. The free apps, downloaded onto smartphones, are capable of forecasting three months ahead.

Farmers receive detailed weather forecasts for their specific area on their smartphones Farmers can also sign up for planting tips via text message and early warning alerts for hazards like flash floods and fires.

The work has seen 5,000 farmers across Portland, St Mary and St Thomas digitally profiled for the first time. Storing their personal details, plus information about their farms and produce, onto a national database means they can receive locationspecific advice.

Coupled with savvy land management training and the development of

Denise Reid is growing pineapples after her banana crop failed

Farmers receive detailed weather forecasts for their specific area on their

The bed of the Pagee River has been dry for months

“

Now, experts behind a trailblazing venture with innovative technology at its core hope to give islanders the tools to fight back. A climate-smart project is being implemented and funded by the Netherlandsbased Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in three parishes in the east of Jamaica, which is most susceptible to extreme weather.

A lot of the training is carried out on location in the fields drought-resistant seeds by the Jamaican government, farmers are expected to see up to a 40% increase in output within two

to three years.

CTA’s senior programme coordinator Oluyede Ajayi, who heads similar work in

Mali and Ethiopia, says the weather apps boast an impressive 88% reliability.

Mrs Reid may have lost hope for her beloved bananas but expects to reap thousands of pounds of hardier pineapples this year instead.

“I started with just 17 plants,” she says proudly, surveying the abundance of fruit thriving again at her Belle Castle orchard.

Mulching to retain moisture is just one of the techniques she was taught by attending local farmer forums. The regular gatherings are also used to share information from the apps to growers with limited internet connectivity.

‘The river took it’ In neighbouring St Mary, parts of the Pagee River, used for irrigation by farmers for decades, have been bone dry since March.

The bed of the Pagee River has been dry for months Vultures soar above a former coconut plantation destroyed by one of hundreds of fires that have plagued the parish this summer.

Howard White lost his previous farm to intense floods.

“The river came and took it by night,” he recalls with a shudder. “My two feet trembled when I saw that but I knew I had to stay strong and replant.”

It is not just erratic rainfall giving him headaches but crucifying heat too, he continues, wiping his brow.

June was the hottest month ever recorded in Jamaica with temperatures topping 39C. A lot of the training is carried out on location in the fields Still, thanks to the weather apps which tell him precisely how much rain he can expect for the next five days, along with wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity, his new farm higher up the hillside is thriving.

Mr White now plans to extend beyond plantain and coca plants and plant scotch bonnet peppers too.

He has also been taught to create contours in the sloped land, fringed with log barriers to prevent soil erosion.

‘Leaps and bounds ahead’ CTA’s involvement has taken government efforts to help farmers to a new dimension, says Dwayne Henry, of Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

“We are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were,” he tells the BBC. “Some of the older folk take longer to warm up to the apps but they get there and are now relying on us to send out the information.”

The user-friendly, interactive design with brief, pithy text helps accommodate all literacy levels, Mr Henry explains.

Since the project began in June 2018, it has proved so popular the government now hopes to roll it out nationwide.

CTA’s Bertil Videt hopes the initiative will reap the rewards seen in Africa.

“We’ve seen vast differences in the yields of farmers in Mali using the project, compared to those who did not,” he explains.

Success cannot come soon enough for planters like Elaine Reid who says drought has reduced the size of her onions, slashing the income from her half-acre Belle Castle holding by half.

Her neighbour Kofi Mendes agrees.

“We see climate change first-hand; we live it each day,” he says. “It makes me angry, sad, confused. Knowing how to adapt to it is crucial.”

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

26

ISSUES

The do’s and don’ts in the month of Dhul-Hijjah

Written by Huseyn Zakaria

wishes. Abu Qataadah (RD) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘’Observing fasting on the Day of Arafat; I hope Allah to expiate all the sins that were committed during the previous year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after’’. ( Muslim)

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ll praise is due to Allah who has chosen for us the divine path of Islam. We are ever grateful to Him for this nonpareil and matchless bountifulness.

The dynamism of Islam is peerless to all previous and modern religions. It is a very invigorating and enlivening set of divine ordinances and injunctions to both the inner fulfillment and outer vivacity of every believing soul.

In this segment, I intend to discuss something very old but, ever anew matter because of its reoccurrence every year around this time; the Sunnah of Dhahayyah; animal sacrifices in every month of Dhulhijjah. I will also mention few virtues of this great and sacred month which enhances one’s portfolio of good deeds before Allah, the Almighty.

The hadith of Abdullah Ibn Abbas has taken over stage in regulating the ethics of intending animal sacrifices offeror. For the purpose of updating the Ummah and putting the records straight concerning the etiquettes of elayya, let me refer to the tradition for easy understanding.

The Apostle of Allah said: “When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” In another report he said: “He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin.” (Reported by Muslim) This authentic hadith indicates that the one who wants to offer animal sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hajj until he or she has offered his sacrifice on the allowable days.

Some scholars have even gone to the extent of making any of the prohibition as haram; unlawful act. Others maintained a gentler position by making the observation of the don’ts as mere facultative or nonmandatory only.

The Hadith, like the Qur’an is distinctive among revered scriptures in accepting the principles of abrogation in which later pronouncements of the Prophet, outrightly declare null and void his earliest declarations. Thus, the authority of Abdullah Ibn Abbas narration has suffered the fate of abrogation by that of the Mother of the Believers; A’ishah (RA) in which she authoritatively declared that his narration has been obsolete by the more recent actions and pronouncements of the Messenger of Allah. She narrated thus: ‘’Allah’s Apostle used to send the Hadi (sacrificial lambs) from Medina, and I used to twist the garlands for the Hadis and he did not keep away from any of these things which a Muhrim keeps away from’’.

[Bukhari: Vol 2, Book 26. Pilgrimage (Hajj).

Hadith 755.]

Additionally, in the Book of Muslim, ‘Aishah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (saw) sent his sacrificial animals from Medina to Mecca. I wove garlands

for his sacrificial animals (and then he would hung them round their necks), and he would not avoid doing anything which the Muhrim ( an intending pilgrim) avoids.

[Book 7. Pilgrimage. Hadith 3033.] Another hadith similar this has been transmitted on the authority of Ibn Shihab.

The hadith which was earlier reported

by Ibn Abbas had a very wider spread even amongst the Sahabas because it was the first promulgation by the Prophet of Allah on the very onset of the sunnah of dhahayyah; animal sacrifices. The following hadiths which I have selected from many on my submission will put our discussion into a better perspective: Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Abu Bakr bin ‘Amr bin Hazm: That ‘Amra bint ‘AbdurRahman had told him, “Zaid bin Abu Sufyan wrote to ‘Aisha that ‘Abdullah bin Abbas had stated thus, ‘Whoever sends his Hadi (to the Ka’ba), all the things which are illegal for a (pilgrim) become illegal for that person till he slaughters it (i.e. till the 10th of DhulHijja).’” ‘Amra added, ‘Aisha said, ‘It is not like what Ibn Abbas had said: I twisted the garlands of the Hadis of Allah’s Apostle with my own hands. Then Allah’s Apostle would put them around their necks with his own hands, then send them with my father; Yet nothing permitted by Allah was considered illegal for Allah’s Apostle till he slaughtered the Hadis.’ “[ Vol 2, Book 26. Pilgrimmage (Hajj). Hadith 757.]

Another relevant hadith was reported

by Imam Muslim was reported by Masruq: I heard ‘Aisha (RA) clapping her hands behind the curtain and saying: I used to weave garlands for the sacrificial animals of Allah’s Messenger (saw) with my own hands, and then he would send them (to Mecca), and he never avoid doing anything which a Muhrin avoids until his animals were sacrificed. [ Book 7. Pilgrimage.

Hadith 3044] These aforementioned Hadiths, therefore, should put to final rest any further interpretation and counter interpretation regarding the earlier ruling of the hadith of Ibn Abbas, or any other scholar who has contrary information from that of the Mother of the Believers or not fortunate to accessing the tradition during his life time.

The ruling is very clear and distinct, leaving no further room for in-depth jurisprudential analysis or abreaction. That means as far these Hadiths portray there is absolutely nothing which is haram or forbidden to both men and women who are willing to sacrifice animal for the sake of Allah on the 10th. day of Dhul-hijjah, such as shaving, barbing, clipping of nails, bodily manicure, plaiting, shampooing or setting the hair.

Thus, everything which is halal before the month of Dhul-Hijjah, remains absolutely lawful.

The significance of the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah cannot be over emphasis in Islam. In fact, there is no day on which Allah frees more people from the hell-fire than on the day of Arafah. On this day all accumulated minor sins are forgiven and all major repented offences that are violation of the rights of Allah are completely pardoned. On that day, Allah turns out to be closer to His servants than any other day in readiness to answering all prayers and requests of his servants as He

“

The significance of the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah cannot be over emphasis in Islam. In fact, there is no day on which Allah frees more people from the hell-fire than on the day of Arafah. On this day all accumulated minor sins are forgiven and all major repented offences that are violation of the rights of Allah are completely pardoned

So fasting on the day of Arafah is highly recommended in line with the Sunnah of our beloved Apotle; Muhammad (saw) but it’s only for all non-hajjis even if they reside in the Holy Land.

On the 10th. Day, and that is on Eid day, it is recommended to be rehearsing aloud the takbir i.e. ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is Great)! Rehearsal aloud of takbeer, tasbih, the tahlil and tahmid in these days are loved

by Allah and are highly rewarding. Allah, the Exalted says: ‘’And mention the name of Allah in certain days’’ [Qur’an, 2:203].

We find in the Hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar, “Make tahlil, takbir and tahmid much on these days.” Imam al-Bukhari while commenting on this Hadith, said that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah would go into the market places in the first ten days and shoutout the takbir and the people would repeat after them.

The `Eid day is a day of thankfulness to Allah to be indicated in the increase of our deeds of righteousness. Therefore, it should not be considered as a day of wildness, smugness and narcissism. Our youngsters must understand that Eid day it is not a season of disobedience, uncontrolled amusements or indulging in intoxications, and the transgression of the bounds of Allah. It is the day of the Great Pilgrimage (al-Hajj al-Akbar); the day of praise for Allah and of His remembrance as well as of repentance.

Generally, accomplishing good deeds of obligatory and voluntary statuses such as: Salaat, Charity, Jihad, Qur’an recitation, enjoining good and forbidding wrongs during these days, are unsurpassed in excellence and rewards and as in the first ten days before Allah. In fact, good deeds in these days are better and more beloved to Allah than other righteous observances including physical Jihad, except for one who has completely perished along with his or her possessions in the glorious engagement.

Finally, those who are blessed to offering of animals sacrifices on the 10th. day, they should not bathe or comb them as that will decrease their rewards due to the falling hairs. Also they should never engage them into beat hollow of competition with other animals as that may harm or cause bodily defects to them thereby making them unfit for the sacrifice!

Those who slaughtered their animals are at discretion to either share all the meats to their friends and families as gifts, gave it out as charity to the indigents and the needy or hoard and preserve all of it for their personal future usages. Whatever one chooses, he or she is without blame!

May Allah accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomimngs, amin! Barka da Sallah!

Huseyn Zakaria

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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29

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

FG shows commitment to youth on investment fund - minister

By Albert Akota

T

he newly established Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will reduce Youth restiveness, unemployment, provide succor and bring to the fore ideas, skills, talents enterprise of the Nigerian Youth, even as it would turn them into entrepreneurs, wealth creators and employers and lead to national development.

This was the assertion of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, when a group of All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth leaders visited the Ministry to commend the Minister for securing Federal Executive Council’s approval for the establishment of the NYIF. Mr. Dare asserted that the approval of NYIF by President Muhammadu Buhari is fait accompli to his staunch belief that our young people are the greatest asset and demands collective responsibility for their success. ‘’The NYIF joins the slew of youthfocused programmes already in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government, as part of a National plan to combat Youth unemployment and drive innovation, fuel entrepreneurship as well as support youth SME’s.’’

He further affirmed, ‘’NYIF provides a single window of investment Fund for the Youth, thereby creating a common bucket for all Nigerian youth to access government support. Providing a less cumbersome access to credit and finance for the average Nigerian youth with an approved work plan or business idea will help lift thousands of youth out of poverty and birth a whole generation of entrepreneurs.”

The Nigerian Youth Fund will generate a minimum of N25billion each year in the next 3 years, totaling N75billion to ring fence the NYIF. The Fund will strictly cater to the investment needs of persons between the ages of 18 and 35 years old.

While commending Mr President and his fellow Cabinet members for their unflinching support, Mr Dare enthused that the NYIF is timely and demonstrates the commitment of the Buhari administration to ensuring that the dreams and ideas of our innovative youths become a reality.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, commended the APC Youths for

Sunday Dare expressing their gratitude to Mr President for approving the creation of the NYIF, even as he acknowledged the efforts of the Minister in bringing this youth transformation agenda into reality.

The Team Leader of the APC Youths, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, stated that the NYIF is a legacy that the Buhari administration will bequeath to successive governments to build upon,

emphasizing that for the first time, the nation has a Minister of Youth and Sports Development, truly committed to investing and transforming the lives of Nigerian Youth.

Uzoho seals Nicosia permanent transfer

>>PG 30

>>>PG30

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

PAGE 30

S P R T Okenwa gone not forgotten NFF

By Albert Akota

T

he remains of Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Member of the Board of Nigeria Football Federation, Chairman of the Nigeria National League and Chairman of the Enugu State Football Association, was interred at his family compound, Ogonogo Eji by Akpugo in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu on Friday 24th July 2020, amidst a torrent of tributes. It was the closure of the final chapter in the

life of a most effervescent, ebullient and charismatic figures in the history of Nigerian Football.

From far and near they came: Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Chairmen of State FAs, NFF Management and Staff, Board members and officials of the Nigeria National League, Board members and officials of the Enugu FA, top-of-the-range football stakeholders, former Nigeria internationals, coaches, referees, et cetera.

Okenwa, a man of impact and substance,

NFF commiserates with bereaved Staff member

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with its Head of Inter-Club Competitions, Mr. Danlami Alanana, who lost his father on Thursday.

Ironically, Alanana was with the NFF delegation heading to Enugu for the burial of former NFF Board Member, Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, when he received the unfortunate news that his aged father had passed on. He had to change direction and head for Makurdi instead.

The NFF delegation, on its way back from Enugu on Saturday following

the burial of Hon. Okenwa, headed to Makurdi to condole with the Alanana family.

The delegation was received by the deceased’s eldest son, Alhaji Bayero Alanana, and sympathized with the 87 –year old widow, Mrs Aisha Ematu Alanana and other members of the family.

NFF deputy General Secretary. Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme made a short speech of commiseration, in which he prayed that God would grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and grant those he had left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.

Osimhen in Paris with Chukwueze ahead Napoli move

V

ictor Osimhen is having a nice time in Paris with close pal Samuel Chukuweze ahead of his longawaited move to Serie A club Napoli.

Osimhen and Chukwueze were part of the Nigeria U-17 side that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015.

The duo, who have formed a close relationship since then were also included in the Super Eagles squad that came third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in

Osimhen and Chukwueze

Egypt.

Osimhen has already a sealed a move to Napoli from Ligue 1 club Lille with a formal announcement expected soon.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for Lille in the 2018/19 season.

He joined the Great Danes from Belgian outfit Sporting Charleroi last summer.

revered for his deep knowledge of the Statutes, Rules and Regulations governing all aspects of association football, breathed his last on Tuesday, 5th May 2020, after a brief illness.

News of his demise was like a thunderbolt, leaving the Nigerian Football family crestfallen.

A simple, humble and devoted servant of the game, Okenwa pursued projects and tasks handed to him with uncommon gusto, infecting all around him with his enthusiasm, concerned only with successful execution of assignments.

His preferred outcome for tasks was ‘executed’, not ‘excuses’. His famous mirth, good humour and readiness and willingness to assist the other man, borne out of character traits of humility and humanity, will ensure that though he is gone and his body interred, the image of the man will remain with us for much, much longer.

At the final rites of passage for the departed Okenwa on Friday, Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian Football and Member of the NFF Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau described Okenwa as “a hero and encyclopedia. His knowledge of the game was quite vast. He lived a good and virtuous life and will always be in our hearts.”

Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Member of the NFF Board and Chairman of Enyimba FC, described Okenwa as a “pace-setter” and “innovator” with grassroots development programmes, promising that this would be sustained in the South-East region.

Mr. Lawrence Katken, chief operating officer of the Nigeria National League, said Okenwa, his former boss, was “a true professional and an embodiment of hard work.”

In a tribute delivered to the family, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick wrote: “Everyone connected in one way or the other with Nigerian Football realises that a big tree has fallen in our country’s game and this particular tree would be hard to replace.

Okenwa started his education in football administration quite early and learnt so well that at the time he died, he was right there at the top of his game and in the vanguard of those who could be termed the chief custodians and

Chidi Ofo Okenwa oracles of the Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Conventions of association football within the Nigerian territory and beyond.

“His wide and deep knowledge of the game at all levels made him a stand-out Member of the Congress of Nigerian Football, long before he became a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, where he continued to play the same role with gusto, effervescence and elan.

His death at this time has, without any gainsaying, robbed Nigerian Football of a colourful, capable and diligent administrator, whose enthusiasm was unmatched by many and whose sense of duty fiercely challenged senior colleagues, peers and youngsters.”

Man United, Chelsea pick UCL tickets as Leicester miss out Bournemouth, Watford relegate

M

anchester United and Chelsea have qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League while Bournemouth and Watford have been relegated, after a dramatic final day in the 2019/2020 Premier League campaign.

Leicester pressed could not break Manchester United down and their misery was compounded when Evans was sent off against his former club for a wild, late lunge on Scott McTominay.

Manchester United confirmed the

Chelsea

formalities seconds from time when substitute Jesse Lingard robbed Schmeichel and rolled the ball into an empty net.

It is a result that fulfils the usual minimum requirement of Champions League qualification for Manchester United.

But while Leicester City’s fifth-placed finish is highly creditable and earns a place in the Europa League, this will undoubtedly be a huge disappointment and anti-climax after being in a position to reach the Champions League for so long.

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PAGE 31

Austrian Open: Warren holds nerve to win first title in six years Marc Warren started the weekend as a 150/1 outsider

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T

Buhari salutes Kamaru Usman for retaining UFC title

Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman wins again

P Iheanacho celebrates after scoring for Leicester City

S

cotland’s Marc Warren clinched his first European Tour title in six years by winning the Austrian Open by a single shot.

The 39-year-old overnight leader was a shot clear going into the final hole at the Diamond Country Club and held his nerve to edge out Germany’s Marcel Schneider with a score of 13 under.

Scotland’s Craig Howie and Connor Syme finished three behind and tied fourth.

Warren’s victory is his fourth on the European Tour.

“It’s massive,” Warren, who

was carrying his own bag, told the European Tour. “Going from a few hours ago I didn’t have full status, now to be in a winner’s category and plan the year a little bit is good.

I just need to keep doing what I’m doing, trying to hit one shape all the time and when I do play try and do that and try not to mess about too much.”

The win now opens up access to the Rolex Series for the remainder of the year as well as other events for the Scot who was a 150/1 outsider going into this weekend’s action just outside Vienna.

resident Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Kamarudeen Usman on the successful defence of his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title with an emphatic win over Jorge Masvidal.

This was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja yesterday.

Buhari commended the fighter for finishing strong inside the octagon, proudly flying the green and white colours in distant lands.

According to the president, as the first African-born and Nigerian UFC Champion, Usman has reminded the world that good things and great people still come out of Nigeria.

While the global COVID-19 pandemic may have brought gloom to many families and nations, the President expressed delight and appreciation that Usman has lifted the nation

Mourinho continues dominance over Arsenal in Spurs

Chelsea striker suffers J racist abuse again

C

helsea striker Tammy Abraham has again been subjected to racist abuse from some of the London club’s fans.

Abraham was on the end of vile attacks earlier this season following a penalty miss in Chelsea’s UEFA Super Cup defeat to Liverpool.

The lanky forward revealed that the abuse left his mum in tears after fans attacked him for missing a crucial penalty in the shootout.

Following a shock 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at Sheffield United, Abraham has received yet more horrible abuse.

A number of fans – many with Chelsea-related avatars and usernames – branded the England striker ‘Apebraham’ on social media.

Thankfully, it appears Twitter took swift action with many of the accounts, deleting the tweets and banning the accounts by the time this article was published.

However, a search of the term shows

that some references to the word remain on the site.

Speaking back in September, Abraham said: “I remember speaking to my mum, she was emotional, she was in tears.

“It’s obviously not nice, seeing your son getting abused. My mum was just thinking, ‘Why him?’

“For me, I am a strong character, it doesn’t affect me as much, but it could affect people who don’t have my personality.

“I was sat in the changing room straight after the game and went on my phone. I wasn’t going to shy away from the situation, although I did have some supportive messages. The other side is not nice to hear.

“I went through a lot of emotion after the penalty miss. I had experience of taking penalties last season, big ones as well. Everyone misses penalties. To miss the penalty I was devastated and I had a lot of abuse after.”

spirits with another professional performance.

He said this had also proven that things would surely get better at the fullness of time “when we remain committed to our vision’’.

The president wished Usman the very best and more victories in his career and prayed that like fine wine, he improves with age.

However, it was all too much for him as Usman proved a hard nut to crack and he got the job done to retain his belt.

The victory for the champion leaves him with a professional record of 17 wins and just the one defeat, whilst Masvidal now has a record of 35 wins and 14 defeats.

The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ as Usman is fondly called was oozing with so much confidence as he sang and danced his way to the Octagon and inside the cage as well. Usman was just unstoppable.

ose Mourinho continued his dominance over Arsenal following Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 comeback home win in yesterday’s North London derby.

The win means Mourinho has not lost to Arsenal in 10 Premier League home games, recording six wins and four draws.

Alexander Lacazette opened scoring for Arsenal before goals from Heung-Min Son and Toby Alderweireld late in the game, sealed the win for Spurs.

Spurs are now unbeaten in their last six home league games against Arsenal (four wins, two draws).

Also, Arsenal have not won any of their

last 27 league away games against ‘big six’ sides, with their last victory coming against Manchester City in 2015.

Sunday’s win took Spurs above Arsenal in eight position on 52 points while their city rivals are in ninth spot and have 50 points.

Lacazette opened the scoring on 16 minutes from the edge of the area with a superb strike that found the top corner.

But three minutes after Arsenal’s goal Spurs equalised as Son pounced on a mix-up in the Arsenal defence to level immediately.

And in the 81st minute Alderweireld then rose highest to head Son’s corner beyond Emiliano Martinez in goal for Arsenal.

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020

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Mustafi out of Arsenal, Chelsea FA Cup final with Injury

A

rsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring problem – meaning he will miss the Emirates FA Cup final against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed something of a career renaissance at the Emirates Stadium since Mikel Arteta took charge in December.

He became an integral part of Arteta’s side – starting all-but two of their last 14 Premier League games prior to his injury.

The 2018 World Cup winner was forced off late on in Arsenal’s 2-0 FA Cup semifinal win over Manchester City.

Arteta said that Mustafi would be doubtful for the final against Chelsea on August 1, with the club announcing a day later that he is definitely sidelined.

Mustafi was also forced to watch on from the sidelines as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the 2017 FA Cup final, missing the victory through illness.

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‘One year of exceptional industrialization’ (Book review)

T

he first thing to say about this book is its creativity as each point is beautifully illustrated with graphics. For this one must give kudos to the graphic artist for a job well done. The graphics together with the elegant cropping of pictures both of which are generously splashed in this 158-page book in exquisite colour makes it attractive and inviting to the eyes. It also makes for smooth reading as well as easy assimilation of the points without the reader belabouring himself/heself foraging through tonnes of texts. It is printed in high grade quality paper and to wit, its technical production is top notch.

I guess that the subject- matter of this book, His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule coming from the private sector where they settle only for the best, would have made sufficient money available most probably from his own pocket going by his own ethical standards, for a very good production.

Also, as part of its creative style, this book deviates from the normal book format that is divided into chapters. That is to say it has no preface or table of contents, instead, it has random topics each of which is an aspect of the main theme which is the industrialization drive of Governor Abdullahi Sule during his first year in office. In fact, this book is one of three books rolled out by the director-general, strategic communication in the office of the executive governor, Mallam Yakubu Lamai to commemorate the first anniversary of Governor Sule’s assumption of office. The others are a compendium of the governor’s speeches during the period and articles on him.

Expectedly, the publication begins with an introduction which is aptly captioned, “The many transitions of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule”. This is essentially the transition of the governor from a private sector, corporate company professional to public sector governance as governor cum politician, starting with his first professional stint at the Jos Steel Rolling Company Limited to his other working experiences at home and abroad, namely, Lancer (Worldwide), Oskya Corporation, Sadique Petroleum, African Petroleum and Dangote group.

These are graphically illustrated as steps. The sixth is the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from merger of some political parties on which platform he transited to the

0806 564 8620 0814 292 9046 0803 587 5846 08074420617

Tuesday Column By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 seventh by becoming its Nasarawa state gubernatorial flagbearer, culminating ultimately, in his being sworn-in on May 29,2019 as its executive governor. This seventh step is a critical one for him, going by the law of numbers. Here he entered into a new world of politics and public governance, with it, a new life so to speak.

Therewith, he adopted the mantra ‘Exceeding all Expectations’ and set for himself the goal of making Nasarawa one of the five most competitive states in the federation. And the plank for this is industrialization, the specific goal (in line with the citizens goal) being, ‘to bring industries, generate employment and create economic prosperity and wealth’. Thus, the core of the book is a summary of how the governor has gone about meeting these objectives in his first year. It begins with a brief definition of industrialization, the theoretical framework/underpinnings for industrialization, that is creating a conducive environment to attract investors and for industries to thrive.

These are headlined as “The 6 critical achievements of Engr. Abdullahi Sule in leading Nasarawa state to the path of industrialization”. They are, development of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), establishment of the Nasarawa Investment and Economic Advisory Council, development of the Nasarawa state Investment Guide, establishment of the state’s Ease of Doing Business reforms structure, improvement of the fiscal framework. What follows are writeups on some of these key areas, more like an insight into them. Among them are, “The Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS 20182023)”; “Overview of the Nasarawa State Investment and Economic Advisory Council”; “The Nasarawa Procurement Bill”. They are all (as is the style of this book) generously interspersed with photographs, graphics as well as quotes.

There is the all-important agricultural sub-theme with the topic on the governor’s “Agricultural Scorecard”, preceded by a short piece on, “Why Engr.

Abdullahi A. Sule positioned agroallied industries as key driver to industrialize Nasarawa state”. It can be seen therefrom that the governor has within the period under review, attracted some companies into the state as well as expanded scope of the one already on ground. They include Dangote which is into sugar and rice production, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Azman Rice Mills and Farms limited, Olam.

A considerable number of pages are devoted to securityrelated matters, under the general topic, “One year of monumental investment in Peace and Security” with several other related sub-themes.

The prominence assigned this issue in this book is understandable given that there can be no meaningful progress cum development without peace.

Generally, it explores the governor’s peace-making moves since inception of his administration, a chronicle of his activities in that regard including Sule’s “Model of resolving the Almajiri debacle in northern Nigeria” which dovetails into the Child Rights Bill that “ finally saw the light of the day with the sign and seal of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule”.

Among the engagements of the governor as a “Security conscious peacemaker” are his regular peace meetings with his Benue state government, his intervention in the Taraba state communal crisis as a neutral host, his hosting of the federal government sponsored ‘North Central security summit”, mapping out of strategies to curb the recurring farmers/herdsmen clashes that is predominant in the north central region as well as tackling kidnapping and, massive donation of various equipment and land to the security agencies for their operations.

On the subject of Digital economony (an emerging sector that is contributing significantly towards the nation’s economy), “Keying ICT into the industrialization drive of Nasarawa state” highlights the state’s achievements in the area of information communication technology under Governor Sule, chief among which is establishment of technology information hubs.

Thereafter, there is the “Quick Read” which lists at a glance with appropriate photographs, 50 achievements of Governor Sule across board. In “Highlights from selected ministries & agencies”, achievements of ministries and agencies are listed in spreadsheet format.

Then follows an interesting piece “Abdullahi A. Sule… By dint of personal sacrifice” by Yakubu Lamai himself. This gives an insight into the other side of the governor that is not often reported. From it we learn that not only has the governor silently undertaken many a good cause but that they were also undertaken from his own personal pocket, without dipping into the state’s coffers. The book closes with selected quotes from some citizens of Nasarawa state about Governor Sule’s administration. This is a rather bulky book in that it is longer horizontally in size and heavy.

Thus, it is not a standard book that can fit into a lady’s bag, a laptop bag or briefcase, to be carried about and read while in transit say in a private car or bus. Since it is not generally for sale, I suggest that copies be made available in public libraries in the state and Abuja where it can be accessible to the general public.

Overall, it is a good documentation.

Researchers will find it especially useful.

DAN GAYE GAYE DAN

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