Tuesday, July 21, 2020 Edition

Tuesday, July 21, 2020/ Zhul-Qida 29, 1441 AH

Vol. 34 No. 064 N150

2283 Days after

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Flood control: Masari Court restrains Nwafor flags off N8.9bn from parading as Imo APC project Chair pAGE 3

@pmlonline

pAGE 4

EFCC arraigns 2 Benue Pension officials over N19m fraud pAGE 3

I sacked Joy Nunieh due to insubordination, low qualification - Akpabio pAGE 15

Ngige after me because I turned down illegal requests, NSITF boss alleges page 5

Peoples Media key figure, Ismaila Isa Funtua is dead >>page 3

NDDC boss slumps at Reps investigative hearing >>>page 2

Gunmen kill 19 in Kaduna village

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

News CONTENTS News

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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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NDDC saga: NDDC boss slumps at Reps investigative hearing

By Christiana Ekpa

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here was drama yesterday at the House of Representatives investigative hearing on the alleged Misappropriation of funds meant to develop the Niger Delta Region, when the Managing Acting director Daniel Pondei slumped on the committee member after he was asked to respond to the allegations.

This was just as the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo stepped aside for his deputy to preside over the session.

The Acting MD was given the opportunity to answer questions as to how monies not budgeted for was spent under his watch was spent. the committee was asked to account for the sum of 1.5 billion naira for Covid 19 not captured in the 2019 budget.

The lawmakers further asked how 641 million paid to clear point Communications and 536

..As c’ttee step aside for vice

million not budgeted paid for save lives campaign in the Niger Delta Hon Iduma Igariweh from Ebonyi state further noted that Under section 80 of the 1999 constitution, they have the powers to oversight hence the need for the MD to answer questions from the lawmakers.

Responding Daniel Pondei assured the committee to provide documents to questions raised but in the process fainted and was rushed out.

The drama disrupted the investigative hearing and forced the lawmakers to go for a thirty minutes break to resume much later.

The house had moved a motion to probe the IMC led NDDC of the sum of 40 billion dollar and 81.5 billion naira expended for forensic audit approved by the House.

A breakdown of the fund reads

; That an Interim Management Committee of the NDDC Spent N81.5 billion as sundry expenses, including graduation ceremonies in the United Kingdom during lockdown?

Spent N3.14 billion for COVID-19 palliatives for staff.

Spent N1.3 billion on community relations Spent N85.6million for travels during lockdown between February and May 2020 Spent N122.9 million on condolences between February – May 2020.

Spent N23.8million on consultancy.

Spent N2.6 billion on medicals, Spent N790.9million as imprest, Spent N1.9 billion on Laser fever Spent N706 million on legal services Spent N1.121billion on public communication.

In his opening speech the Chairman of the Committee Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the

Trainees of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS Batch 29) in quick march during their Passing Out Parade in Onne – Port Harcourt recently. PHOTO BY DINFO

Group says COVID-19 has deepened poverty, worsening malnutrition in Kaduna Page 4

Digest

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Feature

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Sports Back Page

committee has not condemned anyone or set to witch hunt but to discuss issues aimed at developing the Niger Delta region.

He pledged the Committee’s readiness to be the voice of the voiceless and nothing personal After his speech, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji Ojo stepped aside as the Chairman of the panel.

He said his decision was to ensure justice is carried out in the interest of the Niger Delta people Recall that the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC had said he wont get justice from the Committee following corruption allegations agaisnt the Chairman.

The Deputy chairman of the Committee Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi from Delta State is currently Chairing the investigative hearing.

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News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Flood control: Masari flags off N8.9bn project

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state has performed the hand over of Jibiya township storm water and drainage management project to the contracting firm in Jibiya.

Addressing people at the site of the project, Alhaji Aminu Masari who handed over the project to mothercat Nigeria Limited explained that the project would cost over 8.9 billion Naira.

He said that the project would be executed under phase one urban drainage network for Jibiya flood control by the katsina state office of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed management project-NEWMAP project, describing it as a long awaited project.

The Governor explained that the handing over of the project had demonstrated that the sorrowful event of Sunday night that took place on 15th July,2018 was not forgotten by the administration.

On that day, Governor Masari recalled that an unprecedented heavy and windy downpour resulted into massive flow of runoff of water into Gada River thereby causing stagnation and build up of storm water in the minor drainages within Jibiya town.

Masari also recalled that the resulting catastrophe led to a total of 466 houses washed away, over 50 persons dead , over 300 domestic animals lost and house hold items including foodstuff worth over 2 billion Naira lost to the floods.

He said that the importance with which the present APC administration attached to the project saw to the recent flagged off of payment of compensations to all the project affected persons to facilitate smooth implementation of the project being handed over to the contractors at the event.

He expressed gratitude to President Muhammad Buhari for personal and official concern and support to people of katsina state in time of distress.

He urged the contractors and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement for smooth and successful implementation of the project.

In a welcome address, the state commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Hamza Suleiman Faskari announced that Katsina state government financed the development of design for the Jibiya township storm water drainage and diversion project to the tune of over 662 million Naira.

The advocacy tool, according

to the commissioner succeeded in gaining the approval of the world bank to finance the first phase of the project, which is intended to provide Jibiya township storm water and drainage management system.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Aminu Bello Masari for the support to the state ministry of environment and the NEWMAP , which facilitated the successes so far achieved.

In a keynote remarks, the representative of the national

coordinator of NEWMAP, Dr Salisu Dahiru recalled that project started in 7 states and mostly from the South East and South south states of Nigeria.

Presently,Dr Salisu Dahiru said NEWMAP is in 23 states of the federation, adding that Katsina state which was in the fourth category of joining the project had now surpassed even states in the second generation of the project because of the doggedness of Governor Aminu Bello Masari in persuading World

bank to approve the project.

Of all the 23 states,Dr Salisu Dahiru said in terms of cost and scope, none has flood control as big as that of Jibiya.

He assured the contractors that NEWMAP work in a unique way so that no abandoned projects because of prompt payment.

The state coordinator of NEWMAP, Engineer Ashiru Mohammed announced that the Jibiya project had a duration of 1-2 years completion period.

Peoples Media key figure, Ismaila Isa Funtua is dead

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major shareholder of Peoples Media Limited, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, is dead.

The late Funtua, a close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to have died of cardiac arrest on Monday evening, according to a close family source.

“Mallam told his family members that he wanted to see his doctor but decided to visit his barber first. He drove himself to the hospital,” the family source who spoke privately said yesterday.

He said the remains of Mallam Funtua is being prepared at Area 1 mosque before his funeral on Tuesday morning.

The late Ismaila Isa holds a major share in Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily newspaper.

He is a renowned Business Executive and public officer with over thirty years of management experience.

He was Personnel Manager in United Textiles Limited (UNTL), responsible for over ten thousand staff and a one-time Minister of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He was the founder of Bulet International Nigeria Limited (the largest wholly owned indigenous construction company) which built most of the iconic public buildings in Abuja.

He is the founding Managing Director of Democrat Newspaper and served as President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) for 8 years.

Funtua was also an active player in the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

EFCC arraigns 2 Benue Pension officials over N19m fraud From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benue Zonal Office, yesterday arraigned the duo of Victor Gabriel Charles and John Aboyi Omaku before Justice Moris Ikpambese of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi over alleged conspiracy and misappropriation of pension funds to the tune of N19million.

Charles, a former vice chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, and Omaku, former Branch Chairman of the union, Benue State

Chapter, were arraigned on twocount charges of fraud to which they pleaded not guilty.

Count one of the charge read:”That you, Victor Gabriel Charles and John Aboyi Omakwu on 19th September, 2013 in Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being entrusted with funds of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Benue State Chapter Makurdi, agreed to dishonestly misappropriate N19,000,000 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code (CAP) 124 Laws of Benue State, and punishable under

Section 97 of the same Law.” Following their pleas , prosecution counsel, George Chia-Yakua asked the court for a commencement date of trial, while Barnabas Iorheghem who appeared for the first defendant (Charles) urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, noting that the defendant has been on EFCC’s administrative bail and has not failed to respond to any of the Commission’s invitations.

Counsel to second defendant (Omakwu) Ikwe Adakole, adopted the submissions of counsel to the first defendant in asking for bail for

his client.

Justice Ikpambese admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N1million with one surety each in like sum. Each surety must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must not be below salary Grade Level 10 if they are civil servants, and must submit a copy of letter of employment as well as copy of his/her identity card to the court.

He ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail terms and adjourned the case till September 22, 2020 for trial.

Crisis rocks Gombe PDP as lawmaker call for justice

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We want to hear from you

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

From David Hassan, Gombe

Police promote 41,863 personnel in 19 months

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he Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu has said that a total of 41,863 police personnel had been promoted in the last 19 months.

Adamu disclosed this on Monday during the decoration of 10 newly promoted Senior Officers in Abuja.

“Since the inception of my administration as the I-G in January, 2019, a total of 41,863 officers and men of the Force across different ranks had been

promoted to their next ranks,” he said.

He said that the promotion exercises were strategic management approach directed at motivating the workforce in addressing current and emerging internal security threats.

Adamu said that the process had been guided by the principles of seniority, merit as well as reflective of records of discipline and invaluable experience.

The I-G said the decoration followed the recent promotion

of 6,601 personnel of the force by the Police Service Commission.

He said one DIG, four AIG, three Commissioners, three Deputy Commissioners, eight Chief Superintendents, 607 Superintendents, 206 Deputy Superintendents and 5,769 ASP were promoted.

Adamu, who congratulated the newly decorated officers, urged them to deploy their intellect and demonstrate sound professional judgement in all their decisions at all times.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decoration ceremony was attended by Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The SGF congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to see the promotion as a call for improved services to the nation.

Mustapha pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Police Force by the I-G.

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awmaker representing Billiri north constituency in Gombe state House of Assembly Hon. Rambi Ayala has given some reason why the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) in Gombe state needed justice to avert the lingering crisis that is erupting the party.

Ayala while speaking in an interview with Journalists shortly after meeting with PDP members in Billiri to brief them on the lingering crisis said being a minority leader in Gombe state House of Assembly will not fold his arms and watch his people shortchanged.

He decried the abnormalities which he said that PDP state executive overturn the result of ward congress where elected officials were sworn-in and replace them with

other people that did not partake during the election.

The election which was conducted in an orderly manner suffered a setback after the elected officials were sworn-in to take mantle of leadership but later overturned by the state executives.

According to him, the state party executives disfranchised people from voting candidates of their choice.

He said the affected wards that were disfranchised were Bangaje north, Tal,Kalmai, and Billiri north which according to him the affected wards file a suit in the court of law to

seek for redress.

The said the ward congresses that took place recently in Billiri local government area where officials were elected and sworn-in was successful without any rancho.

Speaking to Journalists, one of the PDP stakeholder in Billiri

local government area Mr. Tanimu Hamma told Journalists that as they are concern they will go alone with the affected officials who were shortchanged and called on PDP members in Billiri local government area to disassociate themselves from the so-called PDP state executives.

Touts, residents scoop fuel from tanker at Edo/ Delta boundary From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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undreds of Persons including suspected touts and residents of Ologbo town along Sapele road sharing boundary between Edo/Delta State, on monday threw cautions to the wind to scoop fuel from 33,000 tanker load which fell at the

deplorable spot on the expressway.

Eyewitness Richard Eseogbo who spoke to Journalists at the scene of the incident, said that the 33,000 load tanker fell while struggling to have its way out of the deplorable spot on the Federal highway.

Benin- Sapele- Warri expressway in the last two years

has been in deplorable state with several failed portions thereby making it difficult for motorists, especially commercial vehicles and long ones to drive through easily without difficulties of either trapped or fall into deep gullies created by the continued rainfall and erosion menace on the road.

Sources said that the 33, 000

tanker load with fuel crashed into the deepest cut holes, leaving it to fall with the fuel gushing out from the tank, a situation that attracted some suspected touts and residents of Ologbo town to the scene amidst tight security to be scooping from the tank in their drums and Jerry cans into the bush.

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FOMWAN partners traditional leaders in tackling rape From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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orried by the spike in rape cases in Nigeria, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria, (FOMWAN) Kaduna state chapter is to partner with traditional/religious leaders to address the menace in the state.

The Amirah of FOWAN in the state, Pharmacist Aisha Ishaku Tukur, disclosed this during an enlightenment and sensitization programme organized for the leaders in Kaduna yesterday.

According to her, mothers and children now live in perpetual fear of being molested and killed; stressing that rape in whatever form negate the teaching of world largest religious group which teaches chastity as an essential requirement for a morally upright family, community and nation.

Pharmacist Tukur explained that as Muslim mothers and youth of the nation, they had watched with extreme concern the increase in the incidence of rape overtime and had observe that it is not limited to age group or based on the manner of dressing.

“This has generally heightened our level of insecurity, even our freedom of movement is being threatened and the dignity of womanhood is being shredded. “ This is also working against the education of the girl child as many parents may not want to support particularly their female children to go to school,” she said.

A guest speaker at the occasion, Khadija Sa’ad Mohammed of Babbarmace Counselling Service, opined that besides Islamic laws that prohibited rape, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria proscribed rape as criminal and against humanity.

Also speaking, the Chief Iman of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Mosque, Mallam Abdukareem Hashim, described rape as evil, barbaric and ungodly.

“Allah did not create women to be raped but to be taken care of by men. They are companions; they are not our enemies and those molesting them need to be dealt with.

“Rape is evil. Those who raped and killed, they are supposed to be killed while those who rape are supposed to be given life imprisonment.

“We want those in authority to have the political will to penalize the perpetrators. Rapists go scotfree because none of them have been punished and that gave them the audacity to still indulge in it,” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

News

Court restrains Nwafor from parading as Imo APC Chair

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

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Federal Capital Territory High Court, Bwari has granted an injunctive order restraining Mr Daniel Nwafor from parading himself as the Imo state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Othman Musa gave the order, following a motion from a suit filed by Evan Enwerem against the All Progressives Congress (1st defendant), Adams Oshiomole (2nd defendant), and Daniel Nwafor, Imo state Chairman of APC, (3rd defendant).

The suit was filed on 2018 and judgement was delivered on August

14, 2018.

S. N Egbuna Ernest moves the motion for the 1st and 2nd defendant /applicant on motion No/3025/2019 and defendant /respondent in motion No M/174/2019, while C. Nyewachi, represented the 3rd defendant.

By the motion, the 1st defendant /applicant (APC) is seeking “An order for unconditional stay of execution /enforcement of the judgement of the court delivered on August 14, 2018, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed

by APC against the said judgement.

The APC also sought an order restraining Nwafor’s agents,

messengers, privies, representatives, and / or any person(s) acting pursuant to the 3rd defendant as the Imo state chairman of APC thereby giving effect to the said judgement of the court delivered on August 14, 2018, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the party against the said judgement.

A copy of the enrol order of the court dated July 16, cited by judiciary correspondents on Monday, disclosed the grounds upon which Justice Musa granted the restraining order.

The court noted that “The 1st defendant/ applicant has filed a

notice of appeal which raises serious and triable questions of territorial, substantive and procedural jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

“The 1st defendant /applicant discloses substantive and recondite issues of misapplication of which go to the root of the matter.

Justice Musa, therefore, held that he was minded to grant the restraining order because it was incumbent on his court to preserve the Res in the case in order not to foist a faith accompli on the Court of Appeal and/or render it’s eventual decision on the appeal before it nugatory.

Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof.

Remebradikunmo Pondei who went unconscious, during his appearance before the House Committee on NDDC probing the financial mismanagement in the NDDCE been attended to by medical workers at National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Group says COVID-19 has deepened poverty, worsening malnutrition in Kaduna From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CSSUNN) has said COVID-19 has deepened poverty situation, and by implication worsening the malnutrition situation in Kaduna State.

The was contained in a Communique issued at the end of a one-day media engagement on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding held in kaduna yesterday.

The Group therefore called on the state government to increase investment in nutrition and facilitate timely releases, cash backing and utilization of allocated nutrition funds for outlined activities at the state and local level.

The Communique signed byMr Silas Ideva Coordinator, CS-SUNN, Kaduna State stressed the need for signing and implementation of the State Multisectoral Strategic Plan

of Action for Nutrition (KDMSPAN) and other nutrition policy documents is fundamental in overcoming malnutrition as well as poverty.

The engagement further observed that in the light of unrelenting commitment of the state in containing the menace of malnutrition, several factors are contributing to the disturbing indices of malnutrition confronting the state.

“The 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey, shows a rate of 48.1%, 4.8%, and 22.1% for Stunting, Wasting and underweight respectively, while 2018 NNHS, is at 27.1%, 5.4%, 22.2% for Stunting, Wasting and Underweight respectively in Kaduna state. Such factors contributing to the negative indices include; “Inadequate budgetary allocation for sensitive and specific nutrition intervention with Low utilization of available budget lines (slow releases

and cash backing of allocates funds); “ Weak implementation of relevant nutrition policy document e.g though the State Nutrition Policy has been signed, it is yet to be printed and duly disseminated; the Kaduna State Multisectorial Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition (KDMSPAN), is yet to be signed as at time of this engagement; “After an intensive discussion and review of the malnutrition situation and ongoing intervention in Kaduna State, participants appreciated the good will, commitment of government and partners in Kaduna State, towards stemming the tide of malnutrition in the state which include among other services: “ High impact and Low cost intervention on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) interventions have been established in Kaduna State; IYCF is being implemented in 12 LGAs out of 23 LGAs of the state.

“While Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) intervention is ongoing in 15 LGAs, with 77 out-patient therapeutic program (OTP) sites covering 77 wards in the fifteen LGAs. The Kaduna Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) has also scaled up 20 more sites in four local government areas of Kagarko, Kudan, Jemma’a and Ikara LGAs of the state.

Integrated service delivery at some PHCs and Secondary facilities for women and children (immunization, ANC and Nutrition) are still being offered with modified client- flow arrangements in the context of COVID-19 “ Established Community structures like the State Committee and the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition and partnership with CSOs which has strengthened monitoring of Nutrition Service delivery.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

By Christiana Ekpa

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uspended Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Bar. Adebayo Kolawole has explained that Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige came after him because he refused to approve some illegal requests.

According to the suspended MD, part of his problem was the payment of about N85 million to a consultant, for a training yet to be carried out, on the instruction of Ngige, an action he said was carried out in his absence. “I have to personally issue the GM Finance a query, and I think that was one of my sins”.

Kolawole who made the disclosure before an Ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the reported arbitrary breach of presidential directives on staff discipline by Ngige and the Minister of Power, in NSITF, and NBET and TCN respectively, also explained that Ngige wanted to introduce a “special promotion” scheme for the Fund, which he rejected on grounds that the move was in breach of the civil service rules, and may also breed bad blood amongst staff.

He described as “totally false”, the allegation that his Executive Committee and the Management team of the NSITF were insubordinate, by refusing to reduce the budget of the Fund by over 20 percent, as instructed by the FEC, stressing that at no point was he aware of such directives.

Reeling out a lot of innovations his team had brought, to redeem the image of NSITF, Kolawole lamented that “It is painful that when people have done a lot to bring the Fund out of the hall of shame, they are being condemned with all manner of falsehoods, instead of being commendated”, adding that Ngige’s suspension order breached both the civil service guidelines and the principle of fair hearing.

Earlier, chairman of the committee, Hon. Miriam Onuoha told his colleagues that she

News

Ngige is after me because I refused to approve illegal requests -NSITF boss received a letter from Ngige that he was indisposed and so would not be in attendance, suggesting a time slot for Thursday, since he would be attending the FEC meeting today.

Onuoha said “I don’t think

this in good faith, because this committee was given one week to submit its report, and as you are aware, the House would be going on its annual recess this week. I have replied his letter this morning (Monday), suggesting that he can

present his position, even if it’s through any of the virtual means”.

He also pledged to be fair to all parties involved.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was

FRSC commences traffic control on 3rd mainland bridge, urges patience

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday, said it had mobilised enough regular and special marshals for traffic control and management during the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Ogun and Lagos states, Mr Imoh Etuk, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), appealed to motorists to be patient to avoid a chaotic situation.

Etuk, who noted that the corps was carrying out a test-run of traffic control on the bridge, said that officers and men of the corps

would be professional in ensuring free flow of traffic.

“We should not forget, very soon the Third Mainland Bridge will be partially closed for rehabilitation for a while, though our men are prepared, however, we want members of the motoring public to also be on the same page with the corps.

“Road users need to obey simple traffic regulations that will be in place, and all the detours that will be made available, to ensure free movement of traffic. We want them to be sane.

“We know that the traffic situation is not going to be a child’s

play with the partial closure, even if it will be only for a day not to talk of six months.

“We will keep having discussions before the time, we are doing a test-run to ensure that people do the needful, because it is going to be hectic.

“We have mobilised men from all the units and sector to tackle the problems, but we need the cooperation of road users in obeying all regulations and in being patient during this period,” Etuk said.

He said that the Sector Commander in Lagos, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, had been having

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o fewer than 19 persons have been reported killed in an attack by gunmen on Kukum Daji village in Kaura Local Government area of Kaduna State.

Peoples Daily gathered that the attack was launched on the village around 10:30 PM on Sunday night.

It was also gathered that 30 other persons, who escaped by the whiskers, sustained various degrees of injuries.

Eyewitnesses from the village said the attackers, who were heavily armed with rifles and other dangerous weapons, descended on villagers and killed them in cold blood.

President of the Community’s Development Association, Mr. Yashen Titus, told newsmen on Monday the victims were shot dead at an after wedding party in one of the houses in the community.

He said the attackers stored the village at exactly 10:35 heavily

series of meetings with all relevant bodies to ensure that no one slept on the road.

According to him, the corps is still strategising and educating the motorists.

The FRSC official, however, assured residents that regular and special Marshals of the corps would do the needful professionally, and be on top of the situation.

“We will ensure that officers continue with the professionalism that the corps in known for, to ensure that our people do the needful for robust traffic control and public enlightenment, especially in the COVID-19 era. (NAN) Chief whip, House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Mongono (middle),Chairman, Adhoc Committee on Arbitrary Breach of presidential directive on the suspension of top management and executive members of NSITF & other Government agencies, Hon. Princess Miriam Onuah(left), and member of the committee, Hon. James Falake, during the House Investigative hearing of the Agencies, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gunmen kill 19 in Kaduna village From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

represented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Tahir Monguno said the NSITF remained an integral part the nation’s welfare drive, but was unfortunately assuming a place for internal political struggle, which the House would not allow.

armed and started shooting sporadically.

According to Tutus: “The attackers were heavily armed. 17 people died instantly from gunshots.

“32 other people who sustained various degrees of injury were rushed to the hospitals, but

unfortunately, two of them died in the hospital.

As I speak, some of the villagers are still missing and we don’t know their state. We cannot even search deep into the bush because security agents have m not been deployed to the community yet.”

When contacted, Kaduna Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Muhammad Jalige confirmed the attack.

He however said the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained but hinted the entire area has been fortified.

The PPRO said: “Yes, there was an attack on Kukum Daji Village of Kaura Local Government area yesterday night. ” The area has been fortified, but we are yet to confirm the number of casualty. As soon as we get that, I will get back to you.”

Abia jailbreak: Police begin manhunt for 9 escapees – PPRO

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he Police in Abia have begun manhunt for the remaining nine of the 29 criminal suspects that escaped from police cell in Umuahia on Saturday.

SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia Command, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that 29 detainees escaped from the Umuahia Central Police

Station’s cell after overpowering the guard on duty.

Narrating the incident, Ogbonna said that one of the detainees had appealed to the guard (name withheld) to assist him with water to flush the toilet.

He said that unknown to the guard, the detainees had conspired to attack him in order to escape from detention.

“This happened around 9.00

p.m. on Saturday,’’ he said.

He added that as soon as the guard brought the water and opened the iron bar, the suspects rushed out, overpowered him and took to their heels.

The command’s spokesman said that 20 of the suspects were rearrested that night and in the early hours of Sunday.

He expressed the confidence that the remaining nine escapees would be rearrested and

appealed for assistance from Umuahia residents.

“I appeal to members of the public to be vigilant and report any strange face or faces in dirty attires in their neighbourhood to the police.

“The suspects had dirty attires they wore in the cell and may be looking for where to steal people’s clothes in order to look decent to be able to escape from the town,’’ Ogbonna said. (NAN)

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News Kayode commends Matawalle, Buhari over return of peace in Zamfara From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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ormer Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has commended collaboration by the Federal and Zamfara State Governments which resulted into achieving 80℅ restoration of peace in Zamfara State.

Fani-Kayode, who made the commendation in a press briefing at Government House Gusau yesterday, said he was in Zamfara for one week tour to assess by himself the media reports that repositioned the state as paradise for investors.

“I decided to share with the citizens of this country and even non nationals, the return of peace I have witnessed during my tour in Zamfara state is encouraging enough as meaningful projects embarked upon by the state government are ongoing.

“I found it necessary to call on the federal government to extend the same collaboration to other troubled states with a view to ensure total stoppage of merciless killings, kidnappings of innocents and cattle rustling as did in Zamfara state.

“Zamfara is blessed with high concentration of mineral resources even in commercial quantity including gold, diamond and most other economic potentials, which if carefully utilized, the national dependence on oil would be an issue of the past.

Fani-Kayode further suggested that, what had been done to have addressed the lingering banditry activities in the state should be applied to rid of terrorism and other high profile criminal activities in the north east.

He described the idea of RUGA projects as part of formidable measures to tackle herders/farmers crisis as it was aimed to end the mobility of cattle rearers from one zone to another, the development which at many times witnessed the trigger of misunderstandings upon encroachments of either farm lands and or grazing reserves.

“I have visited one of the ongoing three RUGA settlement projects at Maradun local government area of Zamfara State. It was well planned as it contained veterinary for animals,

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

CSOs launch public service announcements to support NAFDAC on transfats elimination

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

C

ivil Society Organisations (CSOs), have launched a public service announcements to support NAFDAC on transfats elimination in the country.

The launch of a series of Public Service Announcement (PSAs) was to prevail on the agency to intensify campaign on the health harms of trans fat, a food component that has been linked to more than half a million deaths per year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made global trans fat elimination a priority, and has called on governments to enact mandatory

measures to protect the public health from trans fat consumption.

At the launch held virtually, partners urged Nigerians to to stay away from Transfat to ensure healthy living.

Speaking, Akinbode Oluwafemi, executive director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a Nigerian non-profit supporting a #TransfatFreeNigeria said, “We urge Nigerians to watch and share these PSAs, and support NAFDAC in eliminating a toxic chemical that leads to so much avoidable death and disease”.

Meanwhile, sustained high trans fat consumption increases

bad cholesterol, lowers good cholesterol, and increases the risk of coronary heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive diseases.

It has been linked to heart attacks as well as 540,000 global deaths per year, including 1,261 in Nigeria, according to 2010 estimates.

“NAFDAC must swiftly finalize and enact strong, mandatory trans fat restrictions that are in line with recommendations by the World Health Organization ( WH O ) ,” s a i d D r. Je ro m e Mafeni, a member of the board of directors of the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED). WHO has called for the global elimination of industrially

produced trans fat by 2023, and released the REPLACE action package to guide efforts at the country level.

“Without further action, trans fat will remain in many of the foods we all love to eat,” Dr. Mafeni cautioned. International experience shows that trans fat can easily be replaced with healthier alternatives in the baked, processed and packaged foods where it is most common, he added.

Currently, 29 countries have taken steps to limit trans fat in their food supplies.

The countries include; South Africa, India, Brazil, UK, USA, Canada, Turkey and Thailand.

A cross-section of some participants at the capacity building workshop for religious leaders on how to prepare communities for peace-building and reconcilation organized

by Centre for Democracy and Development in collaboration with Muslim Council in Adamawa on Saturday (18/7/20).

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

T

he Adamawa state Police command has paraded 61 suspects for committing alleged criminal offences raging from kidnapping,armed robbery,cultism and participation in communal conflict .

Parading the suspects before the media in Yola, Monday, the Commissioner of police, Olugbenga Adeyanju explained that from 1st July to date, the command in a collaborative operations apprehended 33 kidnapping suspects,10 armed robbery suspects known as “Shila boys’,2 cult members and 16 for

Nassarawa NCWS advocates stiffer penalty for rapists

News

Police parades 61 suspects various offences in Adamawa alleged inciting communal crisis in the state.

Adeyanju said his gallant officers with the professional hunters in various operations across the state recovers 5 Ak 47 rifles, 2Single barrel guns,1 G3 revolver pistol and 328 rounds of ammunition.

Adeyanju added that 10 carriages,1 Toyota car with registration No.RBH 186 AA,N58,420 (cash),1Tricycle and a mutilated human part suspected to be an eyeball were recovered from these suspects.

He stated that the paraded suspects were arrested From various local government areas across the state including; Fufore,Maiha ,Ganye,Mubi North ,Yola North as well as Gombi council respectively .

“Following reports received by the command,the gallant officers and men of anti -kidnapping unit,state investigation Bureau (SIB) and professional hunters succeeded in dislodging the criminals from their hideouts in various areas like; “Fufore,Maiha,Mubi North

and Yola North local government areas and arrested the above syndicate of kidnappers that kidnapped and collected ransoms of about N5,400,000 from one Alhaji Iro Ibrahim,Nasiru Saleh,Alhaji Muntari Salihu,Alhaji Ahmadu Malami and Nana Hafizu respectively.

“The group further confessed to have kidnapped one Nana Hafizu of Maiha,Ya’u Dande of Song LGA and Ali Hassan Digital from Mubi North Local Government Areas.

“Five (5) AK 47 rifles,2

Single barrel guns,1 G3 rifle,1 revolver pistol,1 Toyota Corolla,1 Tricycle,328 rounds of live ammunition of G3 rifle,5 live ammunition of revolver pistol and Ten cartridges were recovered from them”Adeyanju maintained CP Adeyanju while appealing for more support and cooperation from the public so that his command can perform successfully in eradicating the state of criminal elements said all the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

N

asarawa State President National Council for Women Societies Mrs. Aisha Ndoma has advocated for a stiffer punishment to the perpetrators of rape in the country.

Aisha who made the lamentation during their quarterly meeting held in Lafia expressed concern on the increasing cases of rape in Nasarawa and the country.

“We condemned in totality the increasing rate of rape in Nigeria.

The act is unfortunate. We as mothers are not happy with these heinous behaviours meted against women in the society.

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina state (M) greets residents while inspecting areas devastated by the effect of several days of torrential rainfall i yedterday in n the Katsina metropolis

Arewa youth support establishment of National innovation Agency From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Delta Chief Judge tasks Scouts on selfless service From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

T

he State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro on Monday tasked the interim leadership of the Scout Association of Nigeria, Delta State Council to reposition it to realise its primary objective of rendering selfless service to the society.

Justice Marshal Umukoro gave the admonition in Asaba while playing host to the State Scout Council Caretaker committee led by its chairman, Comrade Mike Okeme.

The Chief Judge who is the President of the Council in the state described comrade Okeme

as hard working and honest leader who has proved his mettle as result-oriented leader in previous assignments, acknowledging that he possessed the ability to turn around the Scout Movement in the State.

Piqued by the manner the leadership of the Council under the immediate past commissioner ran the voluntary organisation as if it was income making venture, Justice Umukoro stated that it was contrary to the creed and universally accepted code on which the movement was established.

He posited that the Scout movement was established to

imbue in young ones the virtue of honesty, patriotism, humility and selfless service to humanity.

He decried lack of transparency, accountability and financial impropriety as the bane of the past administration, even as the Chief Judge charged the caretaker committee to restore honour, dignity, patience and hard work for which the movement was known for.

The Chief Judge assured the Comrade Okeme led Committee of his support, stressing that transparency and accountable should be their watchword.

Earlier, the chairman of the Delta State Scout Council

caretaker committee, Comrade Mike Okeme said that they were in the office of the Chief Judge to familiarise and introduce members of the Committee to him.

Comrade Okeme who disclosed that the Committee has six months to round off their assignment, explained that part of their terms of reference was to go round the 25 local government areas in the State to commence the process of appointing a new Scout commissioner, reorganise the movement and host the next Annual General Meeting, even as he solicited the fatherly advice of the Chief Judge.

T

he leadership of Arewa youth Assembly, has called on members of the House of Representatives for the second reading for the establishment of the National innovation Agency, (Establishment Bill 2020), in view of the sensitivity of the bill and its importance to national development.

The National innovation Agency, if enacted, according to the Arewa youth, would coordinate innovation activities as well as administer funding to grow and support the innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to Daily Post by Mohammed salihu Danlami, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly, observing that this is what Nigeria lacks but so desperately needs at the moment so that we can have a knowledge-based economy.

The statement explained that the

National Innovation Agency being proposed would play a leading role in the development of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by coordinating, networking, fostering, and partnering different organizations from various fields such as academia, technology, industry, finance and investment.

The statement further explained, “Its main focus will be on utilizing knowledge management to achieve innovation, which could be employed as the principal tool in improving quality of life and as a driving tool for an increasingly competitive economy.

NiNNOVA will rely on academic and financial support mechanisms to drive and support innovation development.”

It stated that the agency would undertake a broad-based and systematic approach in facilitating innovation development in Nigeria, both in terms of making improvements and pioneering new initiatives, adding that it would focus on fostering strategic innovation and industry innovation, which will

enhance national productivity, encourage economic restructuring and social development as well as promote national competitiveness.

“Commodity-based economy such as the one we currently operate does not get any country anywhere in terms of national development. It is noteworthy that South Korea which developed an innovation-based economy and is not up to the size of a state in the Soviet Union, has about the economic size of the Soviet Union,” the Arewa youth observed.

The statement noted that the proposed National Innovation Agency shall act as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation and national development, to facilitate the establishment and development of new technology-based enterprises, to facilitate knowledge transfer from universities to companies and to society, to build synergy between industry, academia and government.

It added that the agency would help to establish and nurture technology-based

startup enterprises and assist existing companies become more innovative and entrepreneurial.

It said the agency would provide need-based science, technology and i nnovat i on m anage m e nt t r ai ni ng to researchers, entrepreneurs and industry and would help commercialize research, manage innovations, promote intellectual property and commercialize technologies.

The leadership of Arewa youth Assembly expressed its gratitude to the Honourable Speaker and Honourable members of the 9th Assembly for the successful 1st reading of the Bill to Establish a National Innovation Agency (Establishment Bill 2020) on the 2nd of July 2020 as sponsored by Rep. Chris Emeka Azubogu, stressing that the Bill is of national interest and importance as it will drive the process for diversification of the economy as many countries which have followed this line have witnessed tremendous benefits and are among the most developed countries in the world.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

PAGE 8

News

Group slams N2B suit against Sahara Reporters, Vanguard over alleged defamation of AGF

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

A

Civil group, Incorporated Trustee of Global Integrity Crusade Network, yesterday, filed a N2 billion suit against Sahara Reporters and Vanguard Media Limited, over alleged defamatory publications made against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The media publisher, Omoyele Sowore and Kabiru Akingbolu were also mentioned defendants in the suit instituted on behalf of the AGF. The fundamental human rights suit is brought pursuant to Section 34, 37 and 46 of the 1999 constitution and Articles of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Right is marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/816/2020 and dated July 20, 2020.

The group is praying the Federal High Court in Abuja, for an order compelling the defendants to

jointly and severally pay Malami the N2billion as compensation for the trauma, emotional stress, damage and or injury caused the AGF due to the alleged propaganda, fake news and blackmail published in the July 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 18, 2020 edition of their media organisations.

The group is praying for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, either by themselves, agents, privies and correspondents and representatives from further publishing articles or news items capable of causing trauma, emotional stress, damage or injury to the person of Abubakar Malami.

Also, for an order directing the four respondents to retract all the libelous publications made against the person of the AGF captioned, “Nigeria’s Attorney General, Malami buys multimillion mansions for newly married son, guest flouts social distancing guidelines during lavished wedding ceremony”.

Plaintiff also sought for another order of court directing Omoyele Sowore and Kabiru Akingbolu to issue a well worded public apology to Malami to be published on the platforms of the Sahara Reporters and Vanguard Media and front pages of three newspapers of wide coverage in Nigeria for the libelous publications made against him within seven days from the date judgment is delivered in this matter.

In a 36-paragraph facts in support of the suit, instituted by Edward Omaga on behalf of the plaintiff, the civil group claimed to have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and has the mandate to advance human rights and support the fight against corruption, terrorism and economic sabotage and is based in Abuja.

Plaintiff averred that Sahara Reporters is an independent online news medium based in New York city and Lagos and published stories

on its websites about corruption, human rights abuses and political misconduct in Nigeria.

The group stated that Vanguard Media on its part published wide range of news items on its websites, while Abubakar Malami is a renowned legal practitioner and presently serves as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The group alleged that on 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 18th of July, 2020, Omoyele Sowore and Kabiru Akingbolu published series of prejudicial articles against Malami with the singular aim of disparaging his reputation before the right thinking members of the society.

Plaintiff further stated that due to trauma, emotional stress and damage caused Malami by Sowore and Akingbolu with the use of their news media, the AGF is entitled to monetary compensation and public apology for the unlawful violation of

Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Arbitrary Breach of presidential directive on the suspension of top management and executive members of NSITF & other Government agencies, Hon. Pricess Miriam Onuah (middle), members of the committee,Hon. Sada Soli Jibia(left) and Hon. James Falake during the House Investigative hearing of the Agencies at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa.

Okowa swears in new permanent secretaries, calls for leadership by example From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, swore in five new permanent secretaries in the state’s public service with a charge to them to lead by example by upholding commitment, accountability, fairness and versatility in the discharge of their duties.

At the ceremony in Asaba, the governor urged the permanent secretaries that as veterans in civil service and Chief Accounting Officers in their ministries, they should see their elevation as a call to higher responsibilities and challenges that would lead to maximum productivity in the state civil service.

He advised them to be acquainted with the Stronger Delta policies and programmes of his administration and pledged to continue to create an

enabling environment for the civil service to thrive.

Okowa reminded the permanent secretaries of the need to cut waste and inefficiency in the service, and enforce discipline and due process in the rank and file so as to engender a new paradigm shift in the civil service.

“This is the third batch of permanent secretaries that this administration has appointed since 2015; the swearing-in of these five distinguished gentlemen brings the total number of permanent secretaries appointed by this administration to 25.

“We need them to fill existing vacancies created by the exit of those who have retired. It is imperative that we fill these vacancies for a strong and stable civil service, necessary for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

“The new permanent secretaries are persons with a broad-range of knowledge, experience and exposure that qualify them for the office.

“As veteran civil servants and accounting officers of your various ministries, you are expected to lead by example. You must show the way in terms of punctuality, prudence, accountability, fairness and commitment. ``Your conduct and performance - or lack of it - impact directly on the directive principles of state policies and government business,” he said.

The new permanent secretaries are Mr Daniel Momah, Mr Emmanuel Aghedo, Dr Moses Bragiwa, Mr Bennett Agamah and Mr Maxwell Awuse.

The governor also inaugurated a seven-member Public Procurement Council for the state, with a former Head of Service of the state,

Sir Okey Ofili, as Chairman, and disclosed that it was a core duty of the Council to ensure that all extant laws such as sign-off limits and other standardised regulations were complied with in the state.

He said that the Council, as an independent body, was a creation of Delta State Public Procurement Law 2020, adding that its establishment would among others, help to achieve the state fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability initiative of the World Bank.

Okowa pointed out that the Council would have an oversight function over the state’s Public Procurement Commission, and explained that it was the requirement of the World Bank that all transactions of government should be credible and overseen by an independent body such as the Council.

his fundamental rights.

The group therefore asked the court to declare that the publications by Sowore and Kabiru Akingbolu are tantamount to violation of Malami’s fundamental rights to dignity of human person, private and family life as well as integrity, It further asked the court to declare that Sowore and Akingbolu, by their persistent propaganda, fake news and blackmail against Malami caused injury to his character and lower his estimation in the eyes of right thinking persons in the society.

No date has been fixed yet for hearing of the suit.

Group calls for Scraping NDDC, NEDC

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

Page 9

Benue COVID-19: Committee to institute stiff penalties on face mask violators From: Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

W

orried by the rising cases of infection of Coronavirus in Benue State, the Action Committee on Covid - 19 plans to institute penalties on persons or organizations violating the use of face masks.

The Committee’s Secretary

Dr. Sunday Ongbabo who said this yesterday in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, expressed disappointment at the adamant refusal of people to Obey the laid down protocol especially the wearing of face masks.

He also, lamented over the increasing rate of infection in the State, intimating that there are over 200 cases while

85 persons have been treated and discharged.

Dr. Ongbabo who is the State Commissioner for Health regretted that the fees disobedient ones are putting the lives of many are risk hence, the need to institute a stiff penalty to check them.

“This is the challenge we are facing.. Those who refuse to wear face mask are jeopardizing the wellbeing

of the people. Therefore, we need to institute stiff penalties on defaulters”, Ongbabo said.

He disclosed that most of the top government officials who had earlier tested positive including the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terwase Orbunde as well as the Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties Abraham Kwaghngu, adding that more results are been expected.

From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

Group under the auspices of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria and Chairman Nigeria Citizen Action Group has called on the Federal Goverment to scrap the Niger Delta Development Commission and North East Development Commission as they have become irrelevant.

The president of the Group Isa Abubakar stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday The statement added that the two commission are not longer serving there purposes of fast tracking developments rather an avenue to loot the regional resources by limited few. These two agency have been run has private property.

“With the audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission one will not exitate to say that if similar committee is set to investigate the North East Development Commission both will have little or no difference.

“The two commission are never needed if all government agency are very proactive, effective, transparent to there responsibility. “”It’s a stated fact that from 2000 till date over 20 Trillion Naira have been looted in NDDC alone this quantum amount of money can transform a Nation not Region. Only 1.1% of the total population of that region benefit from this curupt setting of government.

“Moreover, the Minister of Niger Delta should Voluntary resigned to enable proper investigation of the entire Ministry and Commission, the Minister who is known for his outstanding corrupt practices while he was governor, some of us wondered why Mr President would have selected him to be part of his cabinet, a man with absolute questionable character with a file in the EFCC Headquarters.

Secretary to the Government Federation Bos Mustapha (left), being assisted by Inspector General of Police Muhammad Abubakar Adamu (right) to decorate a newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police Aisha Abubakar (middle), during the decorations of ceremony of 10 newly promoted senior police officers, at the Force headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jesse fire disaster: Urhobo youths demand demand N500bn from FG

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

U

rhobo Youth under the aegies of Urhobo Youth leaders ‘Association ( UYLA) on Sunday urged the Federal Government to pay N500billion as compensation to over 1000 families of Jesse fire disaster victims in 1998.

UYLA has also backed the disbursement of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Interim

Management Committee (IMC) set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in support of the South South governors In a press release signed by the group Acting National President, Mr Vincent Oyibode and Mr Tony Ofoni , Samuel Oghotomo , a copy made available to our Correspondent in Asaba, however appluaded the people of Ijaw and Itsekiris struggle

against the sale of the 57 marginal oil field to foreigners, adding”we the Urhobo Youth leaders Association join hand with our brothers from Ijaw and Itsekiris compatriots to prevail on the Federal Government to complete the Omadino Escravos Federal High way, the Koko Ogheye road and adequate funding of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko.”

The statement further

averred that the Completion of$210 Gas Revolution Industrial Park and Deep sea port at Ogidigben and Okerenkoko respectively, and suspend the plan to divert our gas to Ajaokuta , Abuja, kaduna , Kano and Niger Republic until all host Communities are guaranteed regular electricity from gasturbine power station in Delta state at Ekakpame , Sapele and Amai.”

News

Fertilizer company engages 200 youth in Kebbi From Ahmed Kebbi

Idris,

Birnin

T

he Managing Director in charge of the newly established Albarika Fertilizers Blending and Chemical Company Birnin Kebbi, Mohammed Sani Umar Arizka has said that the company has employed over 200 unemployed youths across the country.

Briefing journalists yesterday in his office Birnin Kebbi, the State Capital, the GM said that the company which is the only fertiliser company in the north west has engaged over 200 youth while urge other philanthropist to also emulate the same by establishing companies and industries across the country.

The GM further pointed out that the company has the capacity to feed all the northern region in terms of market segments.

He added that their market is well open for anybody who is welling to partner with them.

The Dodo River Communities Development Association in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa has inaugurated projects worth over N141.65 million funded by the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiary communities are Amatu I, Amatu II, Biabiri I, Bilabiri II and Bisangbene.

The projects include Dodo River Secretariat in Yenagoa, building and furnishing of Bilabiri I Primary School, water treatment projects, concrete roads and twin-engine speed boats.

Others include communication systems, provision of plastic chairs and tables and canopies for the communities, amongst others.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Dodo House, a secretariat for the communities, Mr Okebia Keku, the Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa Ministry of Mineral Resources, applauded the association for the prudent use of the funds.

He said that the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), the development template which the government was overseeing, had given communities greater participation in the selection and execution of development projects.

Earlier, Mr Berry Negerese, the Chairman of the association,

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

PAGE 10

News

Former Adamawa APP guber candidate, Adamu Modibbo dies at 63

From Umar Dankano, Yola

F

ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s foremost political associate of and former gubernatorial candidate of All Peoples Party in Adamawa

state,Alhaji Adamu Modibbo is dead.

A family source of the deceased businessman cum politician confirmed that late Modibbo was born in 1957.

The source said the politician died Sunday at about 4:00pm

in Yola German hospital after a brief illness.

“Before he was taken to hospital, he told us that he was taking malaria and typhoid treatment. “ But when the fever gets higher, we took him to a hospital

were he was referred to the German hospital.

“He recorded tremendous improvement yesterday (Saturday) and even took a stroll outside the hospital from the VIP 3 ward were he was admitted. “ But he died today at about

4:00pm possibly from heart failure,” the source said.

Modibbo left behind two wives and many children.

He has since been buried in Yola yesterday (Monday) according to Islamic rites.

Gov Sule pledges to revamp state

G

L-R: Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State with Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk Umar, during the Governor’s visit to the Minister in Abuja, yesterday.

COVID-19 : GOV Sule presents revised 2020 budget of N62.96bn to state Assembly From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

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PAGE 11

ov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, yesterday presented a revised 2020 budget of N62.96billion only to the state house of assembly for consideration and approval due to the

effects of coronavirus on the economy.

The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who announced this after Hon Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North), the Majority Leader of the House read the governor’s letter during the House Proceedings at the state

assembly complex Lafia.

Balarabe Abdullahi, maintained that the revised budget tagged “Budget of Inclusive Development” was necessary as Coronavirus pandemic has grossly affected the socio-economic activities of the state, the country and the world at large.

According to him, in furtherance of its support to Engineer Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed, the House has expeditiously passed the 2020 appropriation amendment bill of the sum 62.96billion naira into first and second reading respectively.”

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

NITDA’s Novel Agricultural Revolution

Okonjo-Iweala for WTO top job

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari last trade negotiation and policy. He had June presented Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- worked at the WTO, IMF and World Iweala as Nigeria’s candidate to be Bank. He was once a deputy director of the director-general of the World Trade GATT and founding deputy directorOrganization (WTO). We learnt that general of WTO. He is currently Mexico’s she was a late replacement for Yonov under-secretary for North America.

Frederik Agah, Nigeria’s permanent Mr. Tudor Ulianovschi from Moldova representative to WTO. (never heard of that country before).

The position becomes vacant in Mr. Tudor Ulianovschi served as the September after Brazilian Director- minister of foreign affairs for his country General Roberto Azevedo steps down as well as representing his country in at the end of August. He announced in various international fora like the World May that he would leave the 25-year- Economic Forum in Devos in 2019. Mr. old WTO a year before his term ends. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, from Egypt, According to him, “it’s the best way to has played an important role in trade avoid more chaos” at the alliance, which policy and diplomacy for 35 years on half has already been weakened by attacks of Egypt. He had worked in the WTO as from President Donald a senior official and he Trump and the start of a counts on his supposed global recession caused by long WTO senior Covid-19 pandemic. management experience.

Okonjo-Iweala is going We expect our into the contest with We must have Okonjo-Iweala to make intimidating credentials. a WTO that it through the selection She is a former World Bank to the grand works for the process executive who negotiated a finale. She is thoroughly benefit of all focused on her vision of a write-off of Nigeria’s debt in the mid-2000s. She has WTO that will favour the members served as minister of finance, least developed countries regardless of (LDCs) and Small economy and foreign affairs in Nigeria, and is currently size or level Vulnerable Economies one of the African Union’s She said in a of economic (SVEs). special envoys to mobilize recent presentation international support for development. to the WTO General the continent’s response to LDCs and SVEs Council she would the coronavirus pandemic. provide opportunities should have for them to participate She has been Independent Director of Twitter, Inc. opportunities in regional and global since July 19, 2018, and chains in order to to participate supply Senior Advisor of Lazard Ltd enhance their presence in since September 21, 2015. in regional and the trading system. “We Okonjo Iweala has worked global supply must have a WTO that with Asian Infrastructure works for the benefit of chains to Investment Bank and she all members regardless is also an Adviser to World enhance their of size or level of Bank on the Stolen Assets development. presence in the economic Recovery initiative.

She LDCs and SVEs should served as Managing Director trading system have opportunities to at The World Bank Group participate in regional from December 1, 2007 to August 2011. and global supply chains to enhance Recently, South African President, Cyril their presence in the trading system.”

Ramaphosa, named her on his economic According to her, considering the advisory team. challenges facing the global economy, However, in this contest our including COVID-19, there is need for candidate will face off against equally coherence in the policy responses of tough nominees of other nations. Yoo international organisations, including Myung-hee from the Republic of Korea, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the first female trade minister for the the World Bank, International Republic, has over 25 years of career Monetary Fund, International Finance experience in trade. She is described as a Corporation, regional development skilled negotiator and strategist. Another banks, the World Health Organisation nominee is Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri from and the United Nations” Mexico. He is said to be versed in global Good luck!

“

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia overnor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has reassured his administration commitment to re-engineering the state by making the state friendly and attractive for investment.

The Governor who stated this when he received friends and Associates of the Secretary to the State Government, Aliyu Ubandoma on a thank you visit to him at the banquet hall government house lafia on Monday.

According to him, “I commend Lafia people for the thank you visit. My administration has accord premium on the provision of education, social amenities.

I call on all to join hands in building a better Nasarawa state.

I must ensure that Lafia Youth and the entire state get quality education, healthcare as well as get essential amenities. I urge you to always live in peace.”

In his opening remark, the chairman Lafia LGA Honorable Mua’zu Maifata said they were at the government house to dedicate their appreciation to Governor Sule for appointing one of theirs as SSG, promising to give the desired support to Governor Abdullahi Sule to succeed.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

OUR MISSION

OUR PEOPLE

Chairman “To be the market Malam Wada Maida, place of ideas and Oon, Fnge the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Chief Operating Officer Editor, Daily truth, maintaining the Hameed M. Bello, PhD highest professional and ethical standards while Manager, administration delivering value to Hassan Hammanyaji our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

By Isiaku Ahmed

D

iversifying Nigeria’s economy which has historically relied majorly on revenue from oil has always been a mantra of successive governments, especially since the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1999.

But none appears to be more committed to this mission than the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is not just because it is one administration that is severely hit by a revenue shortfall as a result of the drastic slump in global oil price, but it is because it is one that has amply demonstrated the will to truly diversify.

But it has to be pointed out that in the face of the growing digitization of the global economy, there’s need to respond appropriately to economic diversification in a manner that will yield better dividends for the country. One man that has demonstrated the right acumen for engaging this challenge is Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

The ever-resourceful patriot that he is, Pantami found a worthy partner in Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the equally enterprising Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and together they have sought to take the issue of advancing digital economy beyond just another buzz term.

Among the many initiatives of advancing digital economy that the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy under Dr Pantami is championing is a novel initiative to upgrade the agricultural sector with the launch of the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) programme.

NAVSA is both innovative and revolutionary. It specifically designed to boost agricultural practice with the use of technology. Under this programme, farmers across the 774 local governments in the country would be selected in an orderly fashion and would be supported and equipped with the necessary skills that would enable them exhibit their farm produce in the digital world market.

The scheme, which targets graduates who are between the ages of 20 and 35 who already have the knowledge of participation in Agricultural technology project, is embodied in the main policy of the National Digital Economy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria launched

by President Buhari.

It is designed to take small scale farmers to commercial level using a performance-based approach.

The idea was conceived by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and NITDA to carry farmers along in the digital economy journey led by Pantami.

With agriculture still employing 70% 0f the workforce, NAVSA’s goal is to build digital capabilities and innovations across agriculture value chains aimed at creating more jobs and improving the income and wealth of everyone involved in the chain. From NITDA’s perspective, beneficiary farmers are expected to build sustainable and digital business models

that should create not less than six million jobs in the next 10 years.

For a start, NAVSA kicked off in Jigawa State with 130 farmers drawn from 27 local governments of the State.

They have undergone training and were provided with smart devices, internet connectivity, seed fund of N100,000 each and certified seed. For a country blessed with a large fertile landmass, nothing can be more important than coming up with innovative ideas that will promote smart agriculture as a means of diversifying the economy.

There is no doubt that the best way to improve Nigeria’s agricultural output is through the adoption of new technologies as is the case with most advanced economies around the world.

Consequently, it is important for farmers to join hands with Pantami in his efforts to digitize Nigeria, a lofty objective that accords with President Buhari’s promise to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the shortest possible time. Clearly, this cannot be achieved without technology, which is a key tool for creating jobs and alleviating poverty.

There can never be enough commendation for both the leaderships of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, and NITDA for this inventive scheme which has significantly met President Buhari’s expectation as expressed in his Democracy Day speech which highlighted the role of digital economy in the country’s development agenda.

NAVSA is already primed to enhance digital agriculture strategy, while supporting federal government policy by taking advantage of the growing youth population which is more than 50% of the estimated 200 million population.

Consider also the fact that just about 40% of the estimated 82 million hectares of arable land is being utilized, and there are about 126 million active internet users, 72 million broadband subscription and 37.8% broadband penetration with 70% target by 2025.

But the ultimate goal of NAVSA is to make Nigeria a world leader in digital farming. With a digital platform that enables key players in agriculture access important information that will help them scale up their productivity, reduce the cost of production and facilitate access to local and international markets, this noble cannot be far-fetched.

Little wonder the governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, was ecstatic as the project kicked off in his domain. Surely, in not too distant time, he should be celebrating much more than just rice millionaires in his domain, thanks to NAVSA. And kudos to the genius of Pantami and the NITDA boss.

But like all laudable initiatives, success takes more than government’s effort and commitment. It is hoped that beneficiaries of this initiative will work assiduously in tandem with the government’s plans and together attain the lofty dreams of the NAVSA initiative.

At the end it is envisaged as a win-win for all.

Ahmed writes from Kaduna.

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

Plight of private school teachers amidst COVID-19

By Labaran Yusuf

D

uring this crisis period, whereas teachers in government-owned schools are guaranteed salaries, the same cannot be said of teachers in private schools – whose salaries are paid from revenue generated from fees paid by students. This has resulted in a dilemma.

James NwanoyePublished 9 hours ago on July 20, 2020By Labaran Yusuf Empty School due to Coronavirus lockdown Neglected by the government, stripped of their earnings and abandoned by the society, private school teachers, amidst the raging coronavirus pandemic, are facing an existential threat.

It’s been almost four months since schools across the nation were closed over fears of Covid-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, which has so far infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

The pandemic has also crippled the global economy, paralyzed businesses, and pushed many into unemployment.

Expectedly, private schools, like other businesses, were affected financially as a result of lockdown measures and school closures imposed by the government in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Ironically, during this crisis period, whereas teachers in government-owned schools are guaranteed salaries, the same cannot be said of teachers in private schools

– whose salaries are paid from revenue generated from fees paid by students. This has resulted in a dilemma.

While some private schools initially tried to pay their staff salaries, even though sometimes slashed by large percentages, before their sources of revenue dried up, others have not been able to pay since March when schools were closed. This means that the hundreds of thousands of teachers and other non-teaching staff employed by private-owned schools and their families are finding it difficult to survive during these unprecedented and challenging times.

“We are really finding it difficult during this crisis. Even the meager stipends we use to receive before the pandemic as salaries have stopped. Although I am well-off as I have other sources of income, I feel the pain of my colleagues who have nothing to do except teach. They’re really finding it difficult to survive. Some couldn’t even feed their families during the lockdown period. It’s that terrible.

I pray that we should never witness such a crisis ever again,” lamented Maryam Sulaiman Muhammad, a class teacher at Majema Comprehensive School, Jos. But even before the coronavirus pandemic, the teaching profession has been one of the toughest in the country. Despite the lack of facilities and unethical working conditions they’re subjected to, teachers tirelessly impart knowledge and moral values on Nigeria’s next generation. They train students with leadership qualities and much-needed skills.

They strive to perform these herculean tasks with utmost devotion.

However, most times, teachers are not only underpaid, they’re owed for months without payment and could be fired if they try to fight for their rights. There was even this joke in town that you only venture into the teaching profession in Nigeria when you have nothing doing.

The pandemic seems to have only exacerbated the plight of these important nation builders.

Apart from teachers, school owners too have also been hit hard by the pandemic.

According to one school administrator in Jos who requested anonymity, the pandemic has immensely disrupted academic activities, tampered with school budget plans and affected school sources of revenue, and also made it impossible for schools to pay their staff, monthly rent and utility bills.

While calling on the government to reopen schools as soon as practicable, she pleaded with the government to provide relief packages and soft loans while also exempting schools from paying taxes for a year to keep them afloat. “Because without these, many schools wouldn’t be able to pay their staff salaries and repay their accrued debts. This will mean a lot of schools will go out of business, ” the Josbased administrator added.

Mrs. Halima Tijjani, Proprietor/Director of learning, Rightpath International School Dutse, also shares this sentiment. While lamenting on how schools are struggling to

pay their staff salaries, she observed parents too are greatly affected financially by the pandemic and thus some genuinely couldn’t pay their wards’ school fees. She described the plight of her staff as a “pitiful situation” and promised to see what the school management can do to pay them something ahead of the upcoming Sallah celebrations.

In the view of one concerned citizen, Mohammed Habib Jemal, parents need to come to the aid of teachers.

“I can’t imagine what private school teachers are going through, seeing that their only source of income has been blocked. I hereby urge everyone, especially parents who have their wards in such schools to reach out to these teachers,” the Jos resident pleaded.

He added that nothing is insignificant or small in this economic turmoil we are all facing.

With no end in sight of the coronavirus pandemic and no clear resumption date for schools, the government and other relevant stakeholders including donor agencies, NGOs, and parents need to support private schools to stay afloat in these trying times before they’re forced out of business which a significant number of Nigerians depend on. Because as Mrs. Tijjani, the Dutse-based proprietor noted, “A school isn’t just about teachers, there are cleaners, janitors and caregivers all hoping that schools will resume soon so that their lives may return to normal.”

Labaran Yusuf, freelance writer and researcher, writes in from Jos, Plateau State

Questionnaire on Nigeria

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

A

s a background, this piece stems from a questionnaire sent to one professionally trained librarian and Researcher, pious, soft spoken, intelligent, and self contained and quietly influential Nigerian that divine intervention brought us together. The questionnaire centered on the political, socio economic situation in Nigeria as well as recent developments within the international circle.

Essentially, the respondent aside coming from a very conservative family where discipline is the second nature of their behaviour and life was also traditional and living enjoyable,he explained how he was influenced by love for reading. As his father had love for reading the newspapers and often subscribed for such titles as Concord Newspapers, Vanguard and Daily Times of old. Opinions and views of the journalists in their writings geared his love for the profession.

While providing further insight to his professional background, he placed a distinctive signpost between a librarian and researcher.

To him, a librarian is a researcher; a general custodian of all aspects of human knowledge generation. While a researcher focuses on a specific human knowledge activity, a librarian covers all. A librarian is a researcher in scientific, arts and social sciences.

To answer the first question- which has to do with the nation’s educational sector, He, contrary to the general beliefs absolved the nation’s education sector of any wrongdoing in its inability to produce graduates tailored to meet the industrial needs. To him, the current educational policies at the current --6—3—3—4 American system is excellent in policy statement but the inability of the financiers to prioritise the teaching tools for its success has truncated its intended goals and objectives.

I do not share such opinion, he noted.

The sector has been able to produce excellent graduates in different fields of human endeavors. But industry is a different field. If the industry co-opts the graduates through industrial training or management trainee

programmes, the industrial needs of the nation would be achieved.

To further consolidate on the gains of the present system, he argued that entrepreneurial programmes/studies should be integrated into the educational system i.e from the primary schools to the university levels. Creativity, endurance and courage are skills that should be taught by psychologists to students in all classes of our educational system.

What about the second question- an objective analysis of the nation’s (Nigeria) democratic experience or is it experiment in the past two decades?

Again, he admitted that the democratic system has opened up the economy in such areas as privatisation, deregulation and free market economy. Nigerians have more to wealth than before. Freedom of the press and access to justice are better when you contrast them with the military regimes of the past. He, however, added that regionalism is different from democracy.

‘I do not agree that Nigeria is ripe for regionalism. Federalism is a fair practice now if you juxtaposed it with tribalism, nepotism and political tribal lords that the country is facing today. I will advocate for fiscal federalism where each state generates and spends its wealth generated .

On the nation’s restructuring, he has this to say; True federalism should be practised.

The constitution should be amended to give more powers to the states in conduct of their affairs. Concurrent and residual lists should be left entirely for the states while the exclusive lists should be managed solely by the federal government.

While lamenting that Nigerian leaders especially in this current dispensation are not patriotic, he stressed that ethnicity and region— biased leaders do not view Nigeria as a country.

Poverty, greed and avarice are seen in Nigerian leaders. These have created psychological problems in their reasoning. They are ethnic champions with ruthless adherents.

To the next question which centred on his personal impression concerning the much talked

Corona virus? The orchestrated palliatives (food bank) by the state governments? Has the government (both state and Federal) been fair to the people? And his personal opinion on the current global calls for sanction against China for their inglorious role in this troubling moment?

Listen to him; the palliative was a farce. It was intended to imitate what the western world did.

A (propaganda) government publicity stunts.

Why didn’t they sustain it till this day? The citizens did not believe the government anyway.

China should be called to pay reparations to every nation of the world for their negligence or willful intention to cause calamity to the worldpersonal, institutional and national loss.

Now, to politics. Do you think PDP is prepared to bounce back to power at the federal level, especially the Presidency in 2023?

I do not know if they are prepared, he responded, but the current APC-led federal government has performed woefully—in infrastructure, human development and in foreign affairs of the nation. Willful killings, clear support for the Fulani Herdsmen, the west-north against the east—south in all aspects of the nations policy are enough to knock out the current powers sitting in Abuja.

The nation is presently facing a lot of security challenges, what would you proffer as a solution to the security threats in the country?

He has this to say; the country should create quasi—military outfits devoid of ethnic colourations. Such creations should be given specific mandates to deal with herdsmen, gunmen (419), ritualists and kidnappers. They should be equipped with communication tools while being supervised by the Nigerian Police Force. Again, industrialisation of the country will help to draw the youth out of criminal intentions.

Continuing, he noted that states should create their out security outfits but be supervised by the federal police. It should not be regional.

If it becomes regional, you will begin to see ethnic and tribal colourations. The states should employ and fund it under the supervision of the States Commissioner of police.

Politically, in history the country with its traditional administrative system is different.

This often becomes glaring when voting in democracy. Literacy of the voters in the South is higher than when contrasted with those in the North. Again, government (federal) should deregulate the mining sector, the railway system, the oil and gas, electricity sector, and so on.

What are the issues?

He answers; Overbearing power of the Federal Government of Nigeria, ethnicity/ tribal bearing, fiscal federalism that is absent, Godfatherism in the choice of leadership, Duplication of legislature chambers, unicameral (one) legislature chamber should be allowed.

The representative system of electing local government officials is a fraud. It has achieved nothing beneficial for the citizens of the local governments. Therefore, I advise that men and women of good character who has had good experience in the public and private sectors including good clergy men should be appointed to manage the local government council with no salary, but should be paid allowances. They should not come from the political class. This selection should be done by the judges and magistrate of the states.

There is so much corruption in the country, does it worry you?

Of course, it does worry me. It will go worse in time to come. Corrupt officials either in the public or private sectors should be sent to jail if found guilty with no option of fine or bail.

The laws on offenders should be fully applied and should be apolitical. Institutions should be strengthened to fight corruption.

A man’s handwork is what he is. Our youths should go into commercial farming whether it is cash crops or animal husbandry and also seek outlets to sell their farm produce. Trading of essential goods is also a fair business to do.

Morally, they should stop engaging in fraudulent activities like 419, rituals and cultism, he concluded.

Jerome-Mario is a Lagos-Based Media Consultant

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

PAGE 13

Comment

Tackling witch persecution amid COVID19 pandemic in Africa

By Leo Igwe

T

hese NGOs have refrained from openly and publicly criticizing the narratives that underlie witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions. And look, make no mistake about it; if witchcraft ideas are not openly questioned, challenged, and criticized, their grip on the minds of witch believers and hunters would not loosen.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW) was launched in January 2020 to eradicate witch persecution and make witch-hunting history in Africa by 2030. To realize this objective, a critical mass of advocates against abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs is needed in all African countries. In this 21st century, Africa is the global hotspot for witchcraft allegation and accounts for most cases witch persecution and killing in the world. Abuses that are related to witchcraft beliefs persist in Africa partly due to lackluster initiatives that African NGOs have put in place in collaboration with their international partners. To end the persecution of alleged witches in Africa, NGOs need to review their strategies and approaches.

AFAW exists to fill the gaps in the advocacy campaign against witch persecution in the region. Unfortunately, the campaign has been dominated and driven by western NGOs who use a patronizing and exoticizing approach in addressing the issue. Like western anthropologists, many western NGOs have refused to call out African witchcraft as superstition or irrational belief. They regard such designations as condescending attributions and disrespectful of African cultural and religious sensibilities. With these positions, these organizations condone what they claim to be combating.

These NGOs have refrained from openly and publicly criticizing the narratives that underlie witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions. And look, make no mistake about it; if witchcraft ideas are not openly questioned, challenged, and criticized, their grip on the minds of witch believers and hunters would not loosen. Abuses that are linked to witchcraft beliefs will not end. So these organizations stage wishy-washy programs and make interventions that paper over the sore of witchcraft imputations and protract the issue

of witch persecution. Some of the NGOs are faith organizations, and witch persecution has provided them a facility to further their reevangelization and re-missionization agenda.

So the main goal is no longer eradicating this superstitious phenomenon but replacing this traditional African witch hunting belief with a foreign demon-hunting religion. At the end of the day, these foreign missions are complicating the efforts to eradicate witch persecution in the region.

Given the economic realities in Africa, African NGOs and activists are vulnerable.

They depend on these western NGOs and faith groups for financial support. In the quest to secure funding, many African NGOs and activists are compelled to align their programs to the patronizing and sometimes ineffective propositions of western NGOs and other funding agencies on how to ‘eradicate’ witch persecution in Africa. Fortunately, it is not all western NGOs and activists that subscribe to this sterile organizational approach that has yielded no significant change and has left NGOs and activists in the region chasing their tails in the name of ending witch persecution.

AFAW draws attention to these shortcomings in existing approaches and urges more effective measures and interventions based on the ideals of the Enlightenment in tackling abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs in the region.

While the outbreak of COVID19 has rattled the African health care system, creating enormous fears, panic, and anxieties, it has emphasized the importance of science-based and fact-based approaches to tackling public health issues. Witch persecution is a public health issue because witchcraft narratives are used to make sense of diseases and illnesses. In line with the UN agencies, AFAW has worked to dispel the scourge of misinformation about COVID19 in the region. As often the case when there are epidemics and pandemics, some people make sense of ailments by attributing them to the occult and magical forces. More so, quacks capitalize on popular ignorance; panic, and anxieties to spread disinformation.

Many self-acclaimed healers emerge and try to mislead the public and take advantage of people. They propose questionable healing propositions and peddle bogus therapies and

concoctions. Some of these quacks include clerics-pastors and prophets who claim that they could heal COVID19 patients through faith and prayers. They propose to heal in the name of God/Allah or they declare that God or the ancestors could heal through them. Either way, they use the deities and other supernatural entities to legitimize their dubious therapies.

These faith healers usually go unchallenged; they get away with their questionable cure and miracle-claims. But the task of combating misinformation about this pandemic is urgent because COVID19 poses a local public health challenge. In the past months, AFAW has risen to the occasion. AFAW has challenged faith healers who said they could heal or have healed persons with COVID19. By the way these faith healers double as witch hunting pastors and prophets.In fact, in the early stages of the pandemic, faith healers were quiet and went underground due to restrictions on movement and a ban on social/religious gatherings.

However, after a while, these pastors started rearing their faith healing heads again. One of them, pastor Suleman asked the government to allow him into the COVID19 isolation centers so that he and other pastors with healing powers could pray for the patients. He claimed to have healed some people who had the infection. Another pastor, Goodheart Val Aloysius, also known as My Father, My Father, made a similar request. Besides, he was selling a product, some COVID19 Prevention Oil that provides “spiritual immunity to the deadly pandemic” for a hundred dollars.

Whilst Rev Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church declared that 114 church members had received their healing.

Articles and blogs that challenged these healing claims trended on social media for days and weeks. The publications provided opportunities for Nigerians and other persons across the region to discuss and comment on the topic of faith healing. Some followers of these faith healers called, and sent messages raining insults and abuses, cursing and threatening AFAW and the author of the articles.

Destiny Theft and COVID19 pandemicThe notion that people’s destinies could be stolen or tied up through occult means is pervasive in various communities. Local pastors, mallams, diviners, and spiritualists valorize these

narratives. In rural and urban areas, people use these narratives to make sense of their difficult and challenging living conditions such as the situations occasioned by COVID19. In early May, the photo of an elderly man mobbed in a community in southern Nigeria circulated on social media. People in the community accused him of stealing or withholding the destinies of young persons in the area. He was brought to the village square, beaten and disgraced. All his belongings were looted and the suspected occult accessories burnt and destroyed.

Fortunately, the man survived. The community banished him. Through it network, AFAW was able to locate the man. AFAW supported the relocation of the victim to a safe community and is contributing to the man’s medical care and rehabilitation. At the time of filing this report, AFAW received reports that some members of the community asked the victim to pay a fine of 250, 000 naira (550 dollars) or forfeit his land in the community as a penalty for what he did. AFAW is working with family members to ensure that the man does not suffer further victimization. AFAW is in touch with the traditional ruler of the affected community and plans to initiate a dialogue with youths and community leaders on the issue of stealing destinies, the banishment of suspects, and other superstition related abuses.

As AFAW was trying to contain the case of the man accused of stealing the destinies of people in his community, it received reports of a horrifying witch-hunting incident in Cross River state. At least 15 suspected witches were set ablaze in the community. A local politician, Thomas Obi Tawo (also known as General Iron) masterminded the lynching of the alleged witches. The victims included his mother. Tawo claimed that the mother and other relatives were appearing in his dream and threatening to kill him. Family sources said that he had made similar complaints in the past. This time, after consulting a ‘man of God’, he could not take it any longer. On May 19, he brought some witch-finders to the Oku community in Boki local government area. They went from house to house pointing out suspected witches. They threw them into the fire.

Leo Igwe is a Public Policy Analyst.

The second looming conquest of Africa

By Omisore Samuel Iyiola

F

oreign powers like china and America now have military bases in various strategically important parts of Africa. I am not anti- American. I am rather an admirer of American democracy, entrepreneurship and make great again spirit. These bases are a threat to Africa’s truly won freedom. We can clearly see that the advent of fifth columnists have exposed the fallacy of trying to banish imperialism and colonialism in Africa.

Africa from time immemorial has been a very complex continent. The problems of Africa did not start yesterday. It started in 1884 when the Europeans partitioned Africa in Germany. It was a period known to historians as the “New imperialism”. That was the first conquest of Africa. The interest of the Europeans in Africa was economic and its still economic. They have no permanent friends and no permanent interest. Neither their interest nor their friends are permanent.

My gentle readers might be wondering, why is the writer is going through this? Unless you know the background, you will not know the root causes of Africa’s problems and would just be looking at the matter superficially.

After the first and second world war, the birth of the United Nations Organisations with it’s declaration of human rights and its support

for the struggle for freedom brought new hope for the enslaved and colonised peoples of the world. From the 1950’s, Africans at home and abroad were no longer supine. Waves of nationalist and freedom movements began to sweep entire Africa and African settlements.

The maroons of Jamaica as well as other Caribbean nations were not left out. They showed gallantry. Black nationalism was born, independence was gotten, and the imperialists were shaken.

But as time went on, conflicts between progressive and reactionary forces sharpened.

There were coups and counter coups as the imperialists were able to exploit our weaknesses. Foreign powers like china and America now have military bases in various strategically important parts of Africa. I am not anti- American. I am rather an admirer of American democracy, entrepreneurship and make great again spirit. These bases are a threat to Africa’s truly won freedom. We can clearly see that the advent of fifth columnists have exposed the fallacy of trying to banish imperialism and colonialism in Africa.

Greatness starts from within and not without . You cannot teach greatness. Williams Shakespeare in his twelfth night listed ways into how individuals become great. The ways can also be said about countries. Some countries and continents achieved greatness.

What is the problem with Africa? Most African leaders are docile and uninspired.

Africa has almost half the world’s natural resources. It seldom have natural disasters.

There are enormous arable lands.

Many African leaders cannot provide security intelligence and ward off criminals without interference from foreign countries.

We should praise the French speaking countries in west Africa for breaking from the financial bondage of France. With the lynching of the president of AFDB Akinwunmi Adesina by the neo-colonialists, will Africa come of age and achieve greatness? This is a food for thought. This question should remain glued to our hearts.

The era of territorial conquering colonization is over.

China is the world’s second economical superpower and is eager to restore itself to it’s former glory like the days of the former Han empire. She is desirous to claim most countries in Africa by giving huge loans to African Governments and also dangling investments.

Simon kwawepwe said “if Africans should not safeguard their independence very well, the colonialists will come in as investors”. I remember when Zimbabwe ran into financial crises due to the sanctions from the U.S.A. and other European nations as a fallout from the seizure of white owned farm lands.

China intervened by giving out loans to Robert Mugabe but on strict conditions that state infrastructure be used as collaterals. In Zimbabwe, state owned assets are gradually been handed over to china in exchange for debt relief. Not only Zimbabwe, a lot of African countries have kowtowed to Chinese pressure to use their state assets as collaterals. In Ethiopia, the Saudi Arabian rice plantation is a 10,000 hectares project. The rice plant produces thousands of tons of rice exported to Saudi Arabia with Ethiopia getting nothing.

With this irony, Haile Selassie will roll over in his grave. Lest we forget, Colonialization started with the establishment of trading posts on coast of African countries. The Chinese say “one step in the wrong direction causes a thousand years of regrets”.

We hear Russia-Africa, Japan-Africa, Saudi-Africa, China-Africa. The continent is been sandwiched under the pretence of summits. Hence, the beginning of the second conquest of Africa. Our leaders must embark on a difficult project to develop Africa for Africans first and the world at large. We should neither face Washington, Moscow, London, Beijing, or Paris we should face forward!

Omisore Samuel Iyiola is a Public Affairs Analyst.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

News

Benue Assembly Speaker tests positive for Coronvirus

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

B

enue State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Titus Uba at the weekend tested positive to Coronvirus.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the House Committee Chairman on Information Hon. Tertsea Gbiseh and made available to the media.

Hon. Gbiseh said the results came from series of routine covid-19 tests conducted on Members of the Benue State House of Assembly and staff, maintaining that it became necessary io disclose that the Speaker and some other samples returned positive .

“The Nigeria CENTRE for Disease Control,NCDC officials in their report , confirmed that the Speaker, Rt Hon Titus Uba representing Kyan constituency and Hon Tertsea Gbiseh representing Kwande East constituency have so far tested positive to the virus, while results for the other Members and staff is been awaited.

“As a result of this development, the speaker has ordered the immediate closure of the Assembly complex and directed fumigation of the premises.

“The Assembly by virtue of it’s official functions and constituency responsibilities stand the natural risk of exposure to carriers of the virus despite the adherence to personal hygiene and covid-19 safety protocols, and just like every other public worker, it is an occupational hazard that comes with service.

“The affected members have immediately gone into self isolation and full treatment on them has commenced in line with covid-19 protocols. While Rt Hon Uba and Hon Gbiseh are without symptoms they are at the moment assisting the NCDC in contact tracing.

While commending the State Action Committee on covid-19 on the work done so far, the Assembly urged them to do more especially in the area of accessible test centres, They also pleaded with the public to assist in the fight by observing the basic safety processes

of constant hand washing and sanitizing while maintaining social distancing when it is necessary to be in public, noting that community transmission is what we are experiencing now and the responsibility to halt this dreaded foe lies with us all.

“The state legislature will

resume plenary when the Speaker determines it is safe to do so under advice from relevant health workers.

In the meantime, all important communications will be relayed to Honorable Members and members of staff via virtual meetings. We regret any inconveniences this

development might cause our constituents but we must be alive to serve you. The house leadership will work with the NCDC to confirm the health status of other Members and staff and same will be made available to the Press appropriately”, the statement read.

Delta Govt to resolve Oleh/ Ozoro land dispute- Chief Edwin Uzor From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta State Government said it will take proactive measures to resolve the age- long land dispute between Oleh Community in Isoko South Local Government Area and Ozoro Community in Isoko North Local

Government Area respectively.

Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor who confirmed this to Journalists in Asaba on Sunday, said that agreement had been reached with both Communities, adding that the state government will not

tolerate any trouble from either individuals or Communities in the state and appealed to the people to drop all their griviances for settlement.

While urging the people to meet with thier various communities’, leaders and traditional rulers, Uzor however

warned them to steer clear off the disputed lands until it is all resolved within the time frame given by the state government as all machines have been put in place to speedily facilitie the process, adding that anyone caught violating the orders will be persecuted without delay.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswan, Managing Director/CEO, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC), Dr. Ernest Mupwaya and Managing Director, Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (GTE), Mr. Bayo Fagbemi, during the committee on power oversight visit to AEDC, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Businessman commends El Rufai for making kaduna business friendly From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

Kaduna based businessman, Engr Sanni Salami Jimoh has commended kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai for creating enabling environment that makes business to succeed.

He made the assertion while receiving Excellence Leadership Award from the Association of Northern Nigerian Students (ANNS) kaduna yesterday

He said the security network in the state is encouraging,he therefore called on the people of the state to give the Goverment the required support.

He expressed happiness over the awards by the Association adding that it will serve as an impetus for him to do more for the less priveledge Presenting the award to him in earlier, Secretary of the association, Umar Mulktar Adamu said the recipient is an example that shows Nigerian youth can

be self employed instead of waiting on the government for white collar jobs.

He disclosed that Engr Sanni Salami Jimoh stated as nobody but today is somebody.

According to him, the Association was satisfied with his willingness help others and on the long run help the general public and the Northern Nigeria by training young in software designing.

He disclosed that the recipient has done an excellent job in area of empowering the

youth.

He added that Engr Sanni Salami Jimoh who is Managing Director of SANJMM Software and designing Company is a role model to people that and epitome of success through hardworking and dedication.

In his remarks, the Manager of SANJIMM Software Design Company Yekini Umar said one of the cardinal objective of the company is to train youths in software designing at a subsidy rate.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

I sacked Joy Nunieh due to insubordination, low qualification - Akpabio

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio yesterday told the House of Representatives that the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Joy Nunieh was sacked following a letter from the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari that she does not have the requisite qualification to occupy a public office.

Akpabio who was testifying before the House of Representatives Committee investigating the missing N40 billion from the commission said Kyari’s letter stated that the former NDDC boss does not have an NYSC certificate, adding that the letter formed one of the basis for her removal from office.

He also said the other reason for her removal from office bothers on insubordination and her refusal to attend a meeting of the Federal Executive Council to offer explanation on certain actions of the Commission.

He said Dr. Nunieh said “she ignored the letter written to her by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry directing her to attend a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). “ She felt that she is bigger than the Minister because she has a bigger budget”, he said.

In a rather rowdy session with members of the House Committee, Akpabio denied claims by Dr. Nunieh that the forensic audit of the commission has not commenced, saying the forensic audit has since commenced.

Shout of “Hon. Minister, it’s OK, Hon. Minister off your mic”, occasionally rent the air as Akpabio insisted on speaking even when members were talking and urging him to stop his presentations.

Members had queried the Minister on his alleged usurpation of the powers of the past managing director asking to what extent he had influenced or exercised such powers in the agency.

His reply: “If I find out that the MD of NDDC is not acting in the interest of the Niger Delta people, I will intervene.

I had to do that once when I heard about the payment for lassa fever. I called and found out that they had paid N2.9 billion and they were about

to pay another N572 million, I had to intervene and say they should not because there was no budget at that time. The contractor wrote to me to approve N572 million.”

A member, Benjamin Kalu accused the Minister of not answering the Committee question, but Akpabio denied the allegations, saying I “I am giving you the facts” He also accused the Minister of usurping the functions of the Managing Director of NDDC by writing a letter to BPP securing a letter of no objection, but Akpabio said “It is the NDDC that eventually became the procuring agency.

“What happened was that we thought the government was going to

pay for the forensic audit. But when the approval of the President came out, he said NDDC should pay and so the letter we wrote was withdrawn.

“We had even gone to the federal tenders board. But eventually, the NDDC became the procuring agency.

Akpabio also refuted allegations by Nuneih that he approved from NDDC coffers a whopping N10bn for her to share to its contractors He further said that the N2.5 billion for the forensic audit exercise was included in the 2019 budget of the agency On the allegation that the agency had been awarding contracts to its contractors without going through the procurement process and signing of

necessary documents, he said that the agency only awarded three contracts after he assumed office as Minister.

The Minister also hinted that in all the contracting processes, both the technical and financial bidding processes were conducted before the contracts were awarded to contractors.

Akpabio however revealed that in a bid to evade his signing contract payments, the management of the NDDC splits contracts making it difficult for him to know what is going on in the Commission.

According to the Minister he has no hands in the contracts payments in the NDDC as government regulations does not allow ministers to pay for parastatals.

“It is not my business to approve payment for parastatal, where they can come tommenis when the payment is above 1/billion. Even at that, I must go to FEC to get approval, “ he said.

He said because of contract splitting, a minister could stay 4 years in the Ministry without knowing what was going on.

“Over N4.2 billion was spent in a day in tranches of N49 million, he said.

Akpabio also said that the forensic audit of the agency ordered

by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 is ongoing as against the wrong information by the past managing director that that the audit is yet to start.

PDP, APC, APM chairmen, others emerge new IPAC leadership in Enugu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Enugu State chapter has elected new members of its executive, including chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive Congress (APC) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The election became necessary following the deregistration of over 70 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Addressing journalists on Monday after the exercise, the new chairman of

the IPAC in the State, Barr. Ken Ike, of the Allied Peoples Movement said the election was without any form of rancour.

He said, “It was a directive of the national leadership of IPAC to streamline elective positions in the organization after the deregistration of 74 political parties by the INEC on the 6th of February, 2020.

“There was need to fill the gap created by the deregistration. So, IPAC Enugu State issued notice of this meeting to all the registered political parties.

“Out of the 17 political parties that

are operational in Enugu State, 16 participated in the election. It was also monitored by the INEC and relevant security agencies. We were able to harmonize and elect new leadership.”

“This election is an opportunity for every one of us to contribute our quota for the promotion of good governance and democracy in Enugu State.

“Myself and members of my executive will not let the people down in this onerous task,” Ike assured.

He said the exco, which will operate as interim State Management Committee, would function until when a national election will hold sometime

between November and December.

Other members of the executive include: Dr. Ben Nwoye, State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was elected secretary, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, – Publicity Secretary, Hon. Edwin Alor of the Accord Party – Treasurer, Hon. Stella Chukwuma of the ADC- Organizing and Welfare Secretary, Hon. Nnaemeka Okoh of the AAC- Financial Secretary and Hon. Elvis Ugwuoke of the ZLP – Youth Policy Adviser.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi (M) during a continued test-run of new coaches on the completed Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail line on Saturday as the Federal Government named the largest station on the route - the Agbor railway facility and station after former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Edo: Obaseki appointing cultists to cause violence during election – APC alleges

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has accused the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki of appointing cultists and thugs as aides in a bid to allegedly mar the September 19 governorship election in the state with violence.

The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Chris Azebamwan stated this in a statement signed by the Chairman of APC campaign council, Prince John Mayaki.

In the statement titled: “Edo 2020: APC accuses Obaseki of appointing cultists as aides,” Azebamwan accused Obaseki of embarking on alleged massive recruitment of thugs and criminals officially into government in the guise of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to provide cover and funding in an elaborate plot to unleash violence in the state and rig the election.

He said: “Abusing state powers, and

behaving in a manner already seen since his unfortunate emergence in 2016, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has begun massive recruitment of thugs and criminals, but this time, officially into government. He disguises these appointments as legitimate, in the guise of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.

“The people raised the first alarm months ago when the outgoing Governor, nearing the termination of his infamous tenure, began to dole out SA and SSA appointments in numbers never seen before. Independent verifications and revelations from the divided party that the Governor joined where the majority of members are still smarting from his illegal imposition have revealed that the most recent appointments which were furtively handed out, were given to cultists of notorious history and origin.”

“To achieve maximum results, Governor

Godwin Obaseki has ensured there is a spirit of competition ignited in these confraternity groups. Obaseki draws from this deep well of violence and brutality in these groups, hoping to employ their brutish and bestial tendencies and unleash it on his opponents and dissenters in the coming days before, during, and after an election he is certain to lose because the people have rejected him.

“Edo state already has cause for worry, a valid reason to be afraid now, and not even tomorrow. This is because the violence and chaos have already begun. These cult groups, in a bid to show superiority and prove their mettle, have gone into the unrestrained acquisition of weapons and initiation of new members.

“As it is, we are not sure that in the next two weeks, there will be an Edo youth who is not coerced into this evil association. No thanks to Obaseki, who in his desperation, has

incentivized violence, brutality, providing funds and backing for crime, thievery, and thuggery with public funds.

“In their initiation grounds, energized by the rare and unusual motivation provided by state funds, there are now reports of shootings and killings either out of unresolved feuds or in the bid to test the potency of their local bulletproof charms. This is the madhouse and anarchy Godwin Obaseki has unleashed on our State.

Shall we fold our hands and continue to watch these things go unchallenged.”

Criticizing the governor for failing to provide his promised 200,000 jobs but allegedly doling out appointments in the ‘twilight of his infamous tenure’ to cultists, the APC called for the intervention of the security agencies and INEC to “protect the election against the criminality and desperation of Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his immoral party of tax-collectors.”

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

politics NDDC: Lawyer petitions Buhari, seeks sack of Akpabio, Pondei, Ojuogboh

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

G

odwin Ojeh, a human rights lawyer, has written President Muhammadu Buhari demanding the immediate sack of Godswill Akpabio as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

In a copy of the letter on Monday, the lawyer also appealed to the President to take necessary steps to end corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. By this, he urged the President to remove Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and Cairo Ojuogboh from the NDDC Interim Management Committee.

“We passionately appeal to Your Excellency to curb the excesses of Mr. Akpabio by relieving him of the ministerial duties of the Niger Delta.

“He has not been a good example for our people. The trending exchange of immoral accusations in the social media which focuses on the minister is a dent on the image of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” part of the letter reads.

In the letter, which was also addressed to the principal officers of the National Assembly, Ojeh urged the leaders not to allow the NDDC to go the way of the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).

He emphasized the objectives of the National Assembly Investigative hearing, calling on the legislators not to disappoint the people of the Niger Delta by removing the negative factors that may compromise the NDDC’s noble mission.

2023: Group asks Lawan to vie for president

By Musa Adamu

L

eaders of Oke - Ogun zone, a political group in Oyo State, has urged the Senate President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, to contest for President in 2023, even as the Senate President insisted he has no interest in the 2023 Presidential race.

The leaders comprising of traditional rulers and politicians from the zone, made the call during their courtesy visit on Lawan on Monday after attending the public hearing on a bill seeking for establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Technology Oke - Ogun, Oyo State.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Barrister Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the Senate President

that the traditional rulers and political leaders from the zone would be happy if the planned Federal University is established and Ahmad Lawan becomes the visitor.

“Mr Senate President, we have followed your trajectory over the years and happy to submit that while in the House of Representatives, you made your impacts felt and in the Senate, you have made your marks.

“The people of Oke- Ogun want you to use such a trajectory in getting the planned Federal University of Agriculture and Technology passed into law and implemented.

“They will be happy to see you as visitor to the University in the nearest future while our son , Senator Abdulfatahi Buhari serves as the host (Governor)”, he said.

He lamented that of all the 30

federal Institutions in Oyo State, not a single one is sited in Oke - Ogun despite having 60% of the landmass of the State and 10 out of the 33 local government councils.

“Mr President, leaders of the Oke - Ogun zone , would be most appreciative if after the passage of the bill, you grant us the honour of personally delivering it to President Muhamnadu Buhari for assent”, he said.

But the Senate President in his response , said agenda of the Ninth Senate remains his focus and not any distraction whatsoever.

“We have promised Nigerians that the 9th National Assembly will work for them and will won’t allow ourselves to be detracted from getting that done.

“Every part of the country must

have a tertiary institution , the very reason, the bill for Federal University in Oke - Ogun, will be pushed by us with the strong belief that President Buhari will sign it into law being somebody who believes in fairness and justice.

“I wish Senator Buhari well in his future ambition but as for us in the Ninth Assembly, Nigeria and Nigerians, remain our focus”, he said.

Aside Senator Buhari and federal lawmakers from Oke - Ogun Zone from the House of Representatives, politicians like the former Minister of Communications , Adebayo Shittu attended the session as well as frontline traditional rulers like Okere of Shaki, Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyeniyi , Aseyin of Iseyin , Oba AbdulGaniyu Adekunle Salau etc.

From left: Managing Director Abuja Enterprise Agency ,Dr Tukur Arabi FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and Chief Executive officer, Sheelda Enterprises, Hyelni Hassan at the 3rd National MSME awards (virtual edition) held , at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

politics

Rep calls for death sentence against killer herdsmen, bandits

By Christiana Ekpa with agency report

T

he chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Muktar DanDutse, has called on the Federal lawmakers to pass a stiffer law that will carry the death penalty or life sentence against banditry and killer herdsmen.

Dan-Dutse made the call while speaking with journalists during the inauguration of the FCT chapter of the

Maize Association and input distribution for the wet season farming by the CBN. According to him, the attacks by bandits and killer herdsmen have affected farmers in some parts of the country.

He said there were existing laws that needed to be repealed or amended to ensure that the issues of stiffer penalties against banditry and killer herdsmen would be properly defined and captured.

“We are coming with a stiffer law that will ensure that anyone

found guilty of banditry and criminality will get a life or death sentence. In fact, there are existing laws but what is needed is to repeal those laws and ensure issues of banditry are taken care of,” he said.

He noted that with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on banditry, there should be synergy and collaborations between stakeholders to ensure the efforts yielded faster results.

“The issue is now decisive, the president has given a presidential directive; we

will work together, the civil societies, citizenry and also the affected communities because if there is information sharing, the security agents will be more responsive.”

Mr Dan-Dutse said the committee was working on a new focus that would see synergy between commodity associations, CBN and Cattle Breeders Association to bring an end to open grazing, being the major cause of conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.

He called for collaboration

COVID-19: Delta SSG recovers, discharged from isolation centre

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

D

elta State Government yesterday said that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chiedu Ebie, has been discharged from the Isolation Centre in Asaba where he was being treated for COVID-19.

According to Olisa Ifeajika, the Chief Press Secretary to the

Governor, Ebie, who had been at the Isolation Centre for 21 days, was discharged on Sunday after testing negative for the virus.

He said that the SSG’s discharge brought the number of discharged cases of the virus so far in the state to 583.

Ifeajika added that as at Sunday, Delta had recorded 1,359 confirmed cases of the pandemic, with 745 of them

active, while 31 lives had been lost to the virus.

He said that Ebie thanked Deltans and other Nigerians who prayed for him and had continued to pray for other patients of the virus, including members of the first family of the state.

The CPS reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to combating the pandemic,

and urged citizens to eschew prejudices and indiscipline.

According to him, the vices are militating against compliance with the COVID-19 protocols in the state.

He pointed out that adherence to the directive on the protocols would greatly minimise the spread of the virus in the state.

Ondo primaries: Delegates begin accreditation

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi with agency report

T

he over 2000 delegates that will be voting during the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have commenced accreditation.

The exercise commenced on Monday with delegates from Akoko North East, North West, South East and South West Local Government areas all in the northern senatorial district.

The delegates were accredited with their APC membership cards as a means of identification.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Isaacs Kekemeke and Chief Olusola Oke who are leading aspirants were sighted at the venue of the primaries, The Dome, along Igbatoro road Akure.

A former Deputy Governor in the state, Alhaji Alli Olanusi was also at the venue.

At the Dome, security personnel were on ground manning every entrance and also sat at strategic locations to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.

APC Ondo primary: Odimayo withdraws, drums support for Akeredolu

M

r Okunjimi Odimayo, a governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo Governorship primary election, has withdrawn his candidacy from the primary.

Odimayo also threw his weight behind the candidature of the incumbent Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

Odimayo announced his withdrawal from the election in a personally signed statement to newsmen in Abuja.

“As an aspirant and stakeholder

in our great party, I have come out with a bold and courageous decision.

“I have risen the hope of the common people that the future is here, I have shown a new and brighter direction of politicking.

“I have changed the old narrative for a new and proper way to good and all-embracing governance.

“With these strong beliefs and in the spirit of sportsmanship and party supremacy, I have resolved as follows:

“After series of meetings and consultations with the top hierarchy of our party both the national and state levels, fellow contestants, leaders, elders and other stakeholders, I will not be participating in the primary.

“I thereby pledge my full support and that of my team and political family members to our governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to emerge as the candidate of our party.

“I remain a committed and loyal member of APC with members of

my campaign council and my supporters across the 18 local government areas in the state.

“As a stakeholder and loyal party man, I have since, directed my delegates in the primary election to cast their votes for Gov. Akeredolu to help him to win the election and emerge as APC candidate for the governorship election.

The primary is scheduled for July 20 while the governorship election will come up on October 10. (NAN)

L-R: Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya with Country Director, Mercy Corps, Mr. Ndubuisi Anyanwu, during the country director’s visit to the governor, at Government house yesterday in Gombe.

between the National Animal Production Institute and the CBN to workout modalities for better animal husbandry in the country.

Nasarawa lawmakers back Gov Sule over development initiatives

By Musa Adamu

T

he Nasarawa state House of Assembly Monday, assured Governor Abdullahi Sule of their readiness to give his administration full support and cooperation in order to enhance development across the state.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, gave the assurance during the lawmakers first sitting of the second legislative year in Lafia.

He said the House was focused and determined to continue to maintain a good working relationship with the executive arm of the state government for the overall development of the state.

“This would also improve on the socio-economic activities and standard of living of the people of the state,” he said.

He commended the state lawmakers for their commitment and hard work in overseeing the activities of Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) across the state and called for its sustenance.

The speaker also appreciated some MDAs for their cooperation during the oversight function, just as he equally advised heads of MDAs in the state to continue to give their maximum cooperation to the State Assembly for the overall development of the state.

Makinde proposes N3bn water investment plan

G

overnor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is proposing a N3 billion investment plan for water supply in cities and rural areas in the state, the Chairman, Oyo State Rurally Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Najeem Omirinde, has said.

Ominrinde made the disclosure during a radio interview in Ibadan on Monday.

He noted that of the N3billion water investment plan, N500million was proposed for the repair of faulty public boreholes across the state.

This, he said, was projected to take the burden of repair of water facilities away from the people of the state.

He said chairmen of the local government areas had been asked to submit lists of 10 faulty boreholes in their

areas for repair.

He said, “Oyo RUWASSA has already contacted the chairmen of all the local government council areas in the state to make a list of 10 faulty boreholes in their areas for repair. This is to reduce the number of boreholes to be dug to make the environment friendly and as well, to cut cost.

“The governor has assured the people

of the state of his readiness to make water available, both from the surface (dam) and from the deep ground, to ease the burden of our people’s quest for water.

“Governor Makinde has set aside a N3billion water investment plan for immediate solution to water problem in Oyo State. From this, the sum of N500million will be used for repair of faulty boreholes in all public areas.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

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Energy: Project 100 contributes N50bn to Nigeria’s GDP

By Etuka Sunday

I

ndigenous oil and gas service companies under the auspices of Project 100 have determination to do their bit to ensure the objectives of the scheme are realized.

The project 100 beneficiary companies currently contribute over N50 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well create over 1,500 direct and 15,000 indirect job that benefit the nation.

The companies made this disclosure in a presentation during a virtual meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Wabote.

The group in a statement noted that the increased involvement of Project 100 Companies in supply chain of international oil companies (IOCs) and big EPCI companies will be a major boost in the quest to collectively support local companies to become large enterprises and deepen Local Content practice in Nigerias oil and gas industry.

Project 100 is an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NCDMB to identify 100 Nigerian oil and gas service providers and support them through special interventions to facilitate their incubation, maturation and growth into world class service companies. Sixty oil service companies currently make up the scheme with capacity in 12 core service areas and more than 200 technical service offerings.

The Project 100 beneficiary companies executive committee is led by Mrs. Funmi Ogbue as Chairman, Mr. Bode Ogundipe (General Secretary) and Mr. Tony Obiebor (Executive member). Others in attendance at the meeting were: Austin Ahwinahwi Kurusu, (Kurusu & Associated Industries); Toni Ubiebor, Nowerox Executive Member; Onochie Onyetenu, Mafuta Energy Executive Member; Ose Ojemekele, Adroit Executive Member and Robert Ade-Odiachi, IPMC, Executive Member.

In her presentation on behalf of the companies tagged “Project 100 Post COVID Development Plan: Creating Survival and Growth Opportunities” Mrs. Ogbue reaffirmed Project 100’s capacity to develop and utilise Nigerian materials as well as the potential of the scheme to acquire and utilise Nigerian

equipment.

Mrs. Ogbue who is also the Managing Director of Zigma Ltd, made a case for the creation of a platform for P100 Companies for the purpose of engagement, collaboration and continuous development within the industry and the NCDMB. Such platform, she said would further help to drive the muchneeded access to market for P100 Companies.

The group further appealed to the premier oil industry local content board to facilitate “valuable introduction and access of P100 Companies

to owners of major projects such as NLNG Train 7 project, AKK, and to other major IOCs (Chevron, Exxon, NOCs etc ) projects.

“P100 Companies should be introduced to marginal fields operators for project consideration. This will further drive the P100 imperatives and its sustainability,” Mrs. Ogbue said.

In an appreciation message to the NCDMB Executive Secretary after the meeting, Mrs. Ogbue said: We sincerely wish to thank you for the opportunity to interface with

you and for approving some of the key game changers item presented to you, As a group, our driving force is to continuously engage with each other and with the Board positively to succeed, pass on the torch, and mentor new and upcoming generation of Oil & Gas companies in the scheme.

We assure you of our resolve to critically pursue good governance, quality assurance, adaptability and growth, resilience in the conduct of our operations to create businesses that last,” she added.

The Executive Secretary,

NCDMB Engr. Simbi Wabote who acknowledged the request made by the P100 companies reinforced his support to the scheme and tasked members to align with the concepts of diligence, aspiration, responsibility and maximum possibilities the industry offers.

It would be recalled that Project 100 was conceived in 2017 to identify 100 start-up oil and gas and support them through special interventions to facilitate their incubation, maturation and growth into world class service companies.

Managing Director/CEO, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC), Dr. Ernest Mupwaya Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswan Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Abubakar Kyari, during the committee on Power oversight visit to AEDC, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Technology: SEC to Automate processes for Efficiency

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has expressed its desire to automate its processes in a bid to conform to current technological trends the world over as well as ensure a more efficient capital market.

Director General of the SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda who stated this during a meeting with the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Ali Pantami in Abuja, Monday, said automating most of the Commission’s processes would also make the capital market more friendly to investors.

Yuguda said, “Presently, we have a lot of documents and

papers being brought to the Commission for one approval or the other, we think that if we can digitalise our processes and these documents are transmitted to us electronically, it will make it easier for the market that we regulate and also stimulate growth.

“If we can achieve that, it will also reduce cost and increase efficiency, that is why we are here today to discuss with you on areas we can work together to achieve this.

The SEC Boss stated that the advent of COVID-19 has shown what can be achieved with technology, as during the period since March, the capital market has been working in spite of lockdowns and effects of the

pandemic.

“Remember that when the lockdown started, the Commission activated its Business Continuity Process which saw staff of the Commission working remotely while all our electronic channels remain open to provide the necessary support to capital market stakeholders.

“They should also continue to disclose the trend and outlook for the company, and updates on implementation of business continuity plans. Public companies are to publish these disclosures on their websites and on other relevant media.

“We also told Public companies who plan to conduct AGMs to ensure that the conduct of the meetings comply with the

provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Investments and Securities Act, the SEC Rules and Regulations, relevant government and health circulars and guidelines issued in this regard.

The SEC DG stated that it will continue to engage and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the capital market remains resilient.

In his remarks, the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Ali Pantami expressed the readiness of his team to collaborate with the SEC in automating its processes, adding that the present administration is committed to promoting a digital economy.

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Upgrade your communities - Bello charges FCT Councils’ chairmen

By Stanley Onyekwere

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hairmen of the six Area Councils of the Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been charged to focus on upgrade of their communities, in the developmental agenda of their respective domains.

In particular, they were admonished to focus a lot of their attention on human capital development through three main components of primary education, environmental sanitation and public health, as these remain the bedrock of development in any community.

This charge was given by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, when the six Council Chairmen paid him a working visit in his office.

Bello reminded them that governance at the Local Government level being closest to the people is very critical for

the overall development of the Territory.

He said: “Making major changes in the communities do not necessarily require massive funding. What is required, the minister said was a massive re-orientation and mobilization of the people.

“All of us will finish our tenures and we will still live within the communities. This is the time to upgrade your communities and focus on human capital development.

“If your communities are clean, it will encourage people to develop properties there because there will be no difference between your community and the city center.

“And as it develops the standard of living will increase, and encourage revenue generation. But the initial efforts has to come from you.

“You all have markets and market unions, yet there is refuse everywhere.

These are areas where you can show leadership by ensuring they are clean.”

According to him, the chairmen should deploy the same amount of energy and methods utilized during political campaigns to mobilize the people into the development of their communities.

Furthermore, the Minister called on them to return to the fundamentals of governance and not expend scarce resources on the construction of massive structures while also urging them to follow all extant financial regulations, including all procurement laws.

On security, the Minister said the Administration was stepping up security across the FCT as additional police formations are being opened across the Territory.

He however urged the Council Chairmen to support the efforts of the security men posted to their areas.

He equally noted that on community policing, the Council Chairmen should avoid sentiments in the selection process into the community constabularies, urged them to only engage those who are suitably qualified.

Speaking earlier, the Chairmen of FCT ALGON and chairmen of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze, said the Council Chairmen were at the FCTA on a working visit to the FCT Minister and pledge their support to the Administration for all its developmental efforts and accomplishments in the Territory.

Our correspondent reports that other Area Council Chairmen present were Hon. Adamu Candido (AMAC) Abdulrahman Ajiya (Abaji), John Gabaya Shekwogwaza (Bwari) Danladi Chiya (Kwali) and Abdullahi Sulaiman Sabo (Kuje)

Trainees of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS Batch 29) unarmed combat display during their Passing Out Parade in Onne – Port Harcourt recently. PHOTO

BY DINFO

Foundation harps on increased girlchild participation in ICT

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n order to enable the girl-child pursue technology-related careers that would improve digital literacy, an Abujabased Non Government Organisation (NGO), Afrigrowth Foundation, has called on professional women in technology sector to encourage the girl-child to participate in Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Making this point, president of the foundation, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, noted

that gender digital inclusion should be sustained and championed by women who have distinguished careers in the ICT sector.

Keshi, who spoke at the maiden edition of the ‘Girl Tech Africa Roundtable Discussion’, held recently in Abuja, opined that digital transformation provides new avenues for economic empowerment of women and can contribute to gender equality.

She added that greater level of gender divide is fuelled by digital illiteracy and

socio-cultural norms that could lead to gender-based digital exclusion.

She disclosed that the foundation, through its Girl Tech Africa Project, has availed the girl-child in public junior secondary schools, access to ICT training and digital literacy.

Also speaking, Dr. Vincent Olatunji of National Information Development Agency (NIDA), noted that increased participation of women in the design of information technology would improve the short fall in human capital in the

sector.

Similarly, a resource person, Sophia Obiani of Child and Green Foundation (Nigeria), advocated the need to break the mental barrier impeding the interest of the girl-child in technology.

Also, in her contribution, Baratanga Miya, who represented Girl Hype of South Africa, said encouraging women to engage in technology would improve the economy of the society and culminate into sustainable development.

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world news

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Coronavirus: Oxford vaccine triggers immune response A

coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford appears safe and triggers an immune response.

Trials involving 1,077 people showed the injection led to them making antibodies and T-cells that can fight coronavirus.

The findings are hugely promising, but it is still too soon to know if this is enough to offer protection and larger trials are under way.

The UK has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine.

How does the vaccine work?

The vaccine - called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 - is being developed at unprecedented speed.

It is made from a genetically engineered virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees.

It has been heavily modified, first so it cannot cause infections in people and also to make it “look” more like coronavirus.

Scientists did this by transferring the genetic instructions for the coronavirus’s “spike protein” - the crucial tool it uses to invade our cells - to the vaccine they were developing.

This means the vaccine resembles the coronavirus and the immune system can learn how to attack it.

What are antibodies and T-cells?

Much of the focus on coronavirus so far has been about antibodies, but these are only one part of our immune defence.

Antibodies are small proteins made by the immune system that stick onto the surface of viruses.

Neutralising antibodies can disable the coronavirus.

T-cells, a type of white blood cell, help co-ordinate the immune system and are able to spot which of the body’s cells have been infected and destroy them.

Nearly all effective vaccines induce both an antibody and a T-cell response.

Sample from patients are analysed as part of the trial.

Levels of T-cells peaked 14 days after vaccination and antibody levels peaked after 28 days. The study has not run for long enough to understand how long they may last, the study in the Lancet showed.

Prof Andrew Pollard, from the Oxford research group told the BBC: “We’re really pleased with the results published today as we’re seeing both neutralising antibodies and T-cells.

“They’re extremely promising and we believe the type of response that may be associated with protection.

“But the key question everyone wants to know is does the vaccine work, does it offer protection... and we’re in a waiting game.”

The study showed 90% of people developed neutralising antibodies

after one dose. Only ten people were given two doses and all of them produced neutralising antibodies.

“We don’t know the level needed for protection, but we can maximise responses with a second dose,” Prof Pollard told the BBC. Is it safe?

Yes, but there are side-effects.

There were no dangerous sideeffects from taking the vaccine, however, 70% of people on the trial developed either fever or headache.

The researchers say this could be managed with paracetamol.

Prof Sarah Gilbert, from the University of Oxford, UK, says: “There is still much work to be done before we can confirm if our vaccine will help manage the Covid-19 pandemic, but these early results hold promise.”

What are the next steps in the trial?

The results so far are promising, but their main purpose is to ensure the vaccine is safe enough to give to people.

The study cannot show whether the vaccine can either prevent people from becoming ill or even lessen their symptoms of Covid-19.

More than 10,000 people will take part in the next stage of the trials in the UK. However, the trial has also been expanded to other countries because levels of coronavirus are low in the UK, making it hard to know if the vaccine is effective.

There will be a large trial involving 30,000 people in the US as well 2,000 in South Africa and

Joshua Wong, centre, appeared in court with fellow activists Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow 5,000 in Brazil.

There are also calls to perform “challenge trials” in which vaccinated people are deliberately infected with coronavirus. However, there are ethical concerns due to a lack of treatments.

When will I get a vaccine?

It is possible a coronavirus vaccine will be proven effective before the end of the year, however, it will not be widely available.

Health and care workers will be prioritised as will people who are deemed at high risk from Covid-19 due to their age or medical conditions.

However, widespread vaccination is likely to be, at the earliest, next year even if everything goes to plan.

Boris Johnson said: “Obviously I’m hopeful, I’ve got my fingers crossed, but to say I’m 100% confident we’ll get a vaccine this year, or indeed next year, is, alas, just an exaggeration.

“We’re not there yet.”

What progress is being made with other vaccines?

The Oxford vaccine is not the first to reach this stage, with groups in the US and China also publishing similar results.

The US company Moderna was first out of the blocks and its vaccine can produce neutralising antibodies.

They are injecting coronavirus RNA (its genetic code), which then starts making viral proteins in order to trigger an immune response.

The companies BioNtech and Pfizer have also had positive results using their RNA vaccine.

A technique similar to the Oxford one, developed in China, also seems promising.

However, all these approaches are at the absolute boundary of science and have not been proven to work before.

Coronavirus: Masks mandatory in France amid fresh outbreaks

F

rance has made face masks compulsory in all enclosed public spaces amid a fresh bout of Covid-19 outbreaks.

Masks were already mandatory on public transport, but from Monday they must also be worn in places like shops.

Health Minister Oliver Véran warned that France had between “400 and 500 active clusters” of the virus.

President Emmanuel Macron declared a “first victory” over the virus in June and has ended the national state of emergency, but local outbreaks remain.

There are a rising number of cases in the north-west and in eastern regions, in particular in the north-western department of Mayenne.

France, one of Europe’s hardest-hit countries, has recorded more than 200,000 infections and over 30,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

What’s happening in France?

Face masks are now compulsory

in all enclosed public spaces, including shops where previously owners were able to decide themselves whether customers should wear coverings or not.

Anyone caught without a mask faces a fine of €135 (£123; $154).

Authorities in Mayenne began calling for mandatory mask restrictions last week as cases soared in the department.

Public health agency Santé Publique France issued a warning for Mayenne after it passed the alert threshold of 50 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in a week.

Across France as a whole, that figure is about 10 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Other regions are also worrying authorities. Brittany in the northwest of France has a reproduction number of 2.6 - meaning each infected person is passing on the virus to nearly three more. The eastern department of Vosges is also seeing rising cases, while the R number in Marseille and Nice is reportedly at 1.55.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

Mr Véran plans to travel to Mayenne later on Monday. While the country is “very far” from a second wave, he told broadcaster France Info that there were “worrying signs of epidemic resumption”.

“We must remain vigilant,” he said, noting that people had become weary of the restrictions and wanted to return to normal life. “All options are on the table” if local outbreaks worsen, he added, including regional lockdowns or even the return of national restrictions.

Overall the outbreak is broadly under control across France. But a number of public health officials have warned of a potential second wave, and the government has begun stockpiling hundreds of millions of masks.

How about elsewhere in Europe?

Though countries had relaxed restrictions brought in to contain the spread of the virus, many across the continent have been forced to

impose local lockdowns or even bring back national measures as infections have risen again.

Spain’s north-eastern region of Catalonia has asked millions of its citizens to stay at home, with new cases threatening to overwhelm local health systems.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said the country could close its border with Spain due to the rising number of local outbreaks.

Infections are also soaring throughout the Balkans. BosniaHerzegovina reported almost 300 new cases on Sunday, and a number of politicians have fallen ill with the virus - including former President Dragan Covic and the prime ministers of its two entities, the Federation and the Republika Srpska.

Serbia, Albania and Montenegro are also reporting large rises in confirmed cases. Montenegro currently has about 195 cases per 100,000 residents - the highest number in the region.

Source: BBC

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Why some Kenyans still deny coronavirus exists

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n our series of Letters from African journalists, Waihiga Mwaura asks why so many Kenyans are not taking the global coronavirus seriously.

Despite global scientific data showing that Covid-19 is a deadly new strain of coronavirus, which has killed almost 600,000 people, if you publicly declare in Kenya that you have the virus then you are in danger of being castigated as a liar desperate for attention or a government stooge.

This began with Ivy Brenda Rotich, the first Covid-19 patient to leave hospital in April after treatment.

Ms Rotich was vilified on social media as someone supposedly sent to the media by the government to convince Kenyans that Covid-19 was real, and to keep donor funding flowing, ostensibly for the containment of the virus.

At the time Covid-19 was still considered a foreigner’s disease and Africans were falsely thought by some to be resistant to it.

Getty Images Coronavirus: Key facts • Spreadswhen an infected person coughs droplets into the air • Virus-packed droplets can be breathed in • Dropletscan also land on a surface • Touching surface and then eyes, nose or mouth creates risk • Washing of hands is therefore recommended after touching surfaces Source: BBC Today, despite more than 11,000 cases of Covid-19 and 200 deaths in Kenya, there are those who still say that the virus does not exist - from the gentleman who cleaned my vehicle last week insisting that it is the biggest lie of our time to fellow journalists saying that it is nothing more than a prolonged flu.

Indeed, a well-known motivational speaker and Pastor Robert Burale was recently accused of faking his Covid-19 positive status despite images showing that he was in a Nairobi hospital.

And Benson Musungu, the director of Youth Affairs in former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, was falsely accused of receiving a huge pay-out from the government to publicly say that he had received 15 days of treatment in the intensive care unit of a city hospital.

Unfortunately, such reactions have shamed many Covid-19 survivors into silence.

‘MP fuels doubt’ Politicians and other leaders who have the ability to sway the masses are testing positive for Covid-19 but choosing to remain silent, possibly to avoid being stigmatised.

Thus, very few survivors or their loved ones go public with their experiences, and a common question asked on social media is: “Do you or your loved ones know anyone who has tested positive for

Covid-19?”

And for some time now the most common answer I have seen is: “No.” Wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of of spreading the virus To add fuel to the doubters’ flames, MP Jude Njomo in early July testified before a parliamentary health committee about his family’s anguish after his mother was diagnosed with coronavirus four days after her death, forcing them to bury her at night in a hurried ceremony.

“I tried to beg for more time but in line with the law, we received a call at 3pm, we buried her by 8pm. For the 82 years she had lived, we felt that we did not give her the dignity,” Mr Ngomo told Kenya’s leading privately owned broadcaster, Citizen TV. Mr Njomo said his family later ordered two separate tests at the National Influenza Centre and the Nairobi Hospital and both turned out negative.

Whilst the Kenya Medical Research Institute tried to explain how it is possible to have a positive and negative reading from the same organism, the damage in the court of public opinion had already been done.

Thus even as the country begins to re-open after partial restrictions in certain areas were lifted, a section of Kenyan society is clearly not convinced about the reality

Zindzi Mandela with her father Nelson in 2010 and potency of the coronavirus.

They have instead chosen to believe the various conspiracy theories that are being peddled, highlighting the trust gap between citizens and the government.

According to Prof Omu Anzala, a virologist and immunologist at the University of Nairobi, African culture generally frowns upon full public disclosure when it comes to taboo topics such as disease.

A president will be sick for many years and will keep sneaking off abroad to get treatment but will never announce his health

condition to his constituents, who are his employers.

Waihiga Mwaura Once people understand the basic facts they will become the best amplifiers of the core messages within their communities” Waihiga Mwaura Kenyan journalist Prof Anzala believes that those who work in the health sector must share some of the blame because they have failed to communicate effectively with the public.

They must start to listen to the concerns of communities, and

choose words that resonate with them, bringing illumination where there is fear or ignorance, he says.

Prof Anzala has a point - some of the jargon is complex, and there is a tendency to lecture the public about Do’s and Dont’s.

So, more emphasis needs to be placed on answering the questions of people, and encouraging collaboration with the government in order to save lives.

Once people understand the basic facts they will become the best amplifiers of the core messages within their communities.

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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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

Iran executes man convicted of spying for US and Israel

I

ran has executed a man convicted of spying for the CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.

Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd was accused of reporting on the movements of Iranian forces in Syria and of spying on the Revolutionary Guards commander, Qasem Soleimani.

Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike earlier this year.

Last week Iran executed a former defence ministry employee convicted of selling information to the US. The Iranian judiciary’s official news agency Mizan Online said that Majd’s death sentence “was carried out on Monday morning over the charge of espionage so that the case of his betrayal to his country will be closed forever”.

Earlier this month a spokesman for the news agency said the former translator had been sentenced to death for spying on “various security fields, especially the armed forces and the Quds Force and the whereabouts and movements of martyr General

Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd was accused of spying on Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was later killed by the US Qasem Soleimani”.

The spokesman,

Gholamhossein Esmaili, said Majd had been found guilty of

receiving money from the CIA and from Mossad.

The judiciary said in June that Majd was arrested about two years ago and was not directly involved in the attack on Gen Soleimani. Some Iranian news agencies reported that Majd had been arrested by the Lebanese Shia Muslim militant group Hezbollah and extradited to Iran.

Iranian forces are supporting Syria’s government in its longrunning civil war Majd’s execution comes days after that of another Iranian convicted of selling information to the US. Mizan Online said Reza Asgari had passed on details of Iran’s missile programme to the CIA after retiring from the defence ministry’s aerospace division in 2016.

Last July, Iran’s intelligence ministry said it had arrested 17 people accused of collecting information on the country’s nuclear and military sectors for the CIA. The ministry said some had been sentenced to death but did not name them.

US President Donald Trump dismissed that announcement as “totally false”.

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

feature

Lebanon: Why the country is in crisis

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n unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon has pushed tens of thousands people into poverty and triggered the largest anti-government protests the country has seen in more than a decade.

What went wrong with the economy?

Even before the coronavirus pandemic at the start of this year, Lebanon seemed to be headed for a crash.

Its public debt-to-gross domestic product (what a country owes compared to what it produces) was the third highest in the world; unemployment stood at 25%; and nearly a third of the population was living below the poverty line.

Late last year also saw the unravelling of what analysts said was effectively a state-sponsored pyramid, or Ponzi, Lebanon is in the throes of its worst crisis for many years scheme run by the central bank, which was borrowing from commercial banks at above-market interest rates to pay back its debts and maintain the Lebanese pound’s fixed exchange rate with the US dollar.

At the same time, people were getting increasingly angry and frustrated about the government’s failure to provide even basic services. They were having to deal with daily power cuts, a lack of safe drinking water, limited public healthcare, and some of the world’s worst internet connections.

Many blamed the ruling elite who have dominated politics for years and amassed their own wealth while failing to carry out the sweeping reforms necessary to solve The Lebanese pound has lost about 80% of its value over the past 10 months the country’s problems.

Why did protests escalate?

At the start of October 2019, a shortage of foreign currency led to the Lebanese pound losing value against the dollar on a newly emerged black market for the first time in two decades. When importers of wheat and fuel demanded to be paid in dollars, unions called strikes.

Then, unprecedented wildfires in the country’s western mountains highlighted how underfunded and underequipped the fire service was.

In mid-October, the government proposed new taxes on tobacco, petrol, and voice calls via messaging services such as WhatsApp to drum up more revenue, but a backlash forced it to cancel the plans.

However, the debacle unleashed a surge of discontent that had been simmering in Lebanon for years.

Tens of thousands of Lebanese took to the streets, leading to the resignation of of Western-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his unity government.

Protests cut across sectarian lines - a rare phenomenon since the country’s Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister in response to the protests devastating 1975-1989 civil war ended - and brought the country to a virtual and a surge in infections, a lockdown was of the disease. standstill.

On the one hand, it forced antiNewly appointed Prime Minister imposed in mid-March to curb the spread Hassan Diab subsequently announced Late last year also saw the unravelling of what analysts that Lebanon would default on its foreign debt for the first time in its history, saying said was effectively a state-sponsored pyramid, or Ponzi, its foreign currency reserves had hit a scheme run by the central bank, which was borrowing “critical and dangerous” level and that those remaining were needed to pay for from commercial banks at above-market interest rates to vital imports. pay back its debts and maintain the Lebanese pound’s How has the pandemic made matters worse? fixed exchange rate with the US dollar.

In the wake of the first Covid-19 deaths

“

government protesters off the streets, but on the other, it made the economic crisis much worse and exposed the inadequacies of Lebanon’s social welfare system.

Many business were forced to lay off staff or put them on furlough without pay; the gap between the Lebanese pound’s value on the official and black-market exchange rates widened; and banks tightened capital controls.

As prices rose further, many families were unable to buy even basic necessities.

Growing economic hardship triggered fresh unrest. In April a young man was shot dead by soldiers during a violent protest in Tripoli and several banks were set ablaze.

The government, meanwhile, finally approved a recovery plan that it hoped would end the economic crisis and win support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package worth $10bn.

By the time the coronavirus restrictions began to be lifted in May, the prices of some foodstuffs had doubled and the prime minister warned that Lebanon was at risk of a “major food crisis”.

“Many Lebanese have already stopped buying meat, fruits and vegetables, and may soon find it difficult to afford even bread,” he wrote in the Washington Post.

Why is Lebanon struggling to do anything about it?

Most analysts point to one key factor: political sectarianism, or groups looking after their own interests.

Lebanon officially recognises 18 religious communities - four Muslim, 12 Christian, the Druze sect and Judaism.

The three main political offices president, speaker of parliament and prime minister - are divided among the three biggest communities (Maronite Christian; Shia Muslim; and Sunni Muslim, respectively) under an agreement dating back to 1943.

Parliament’s 128 seats are also divided evenly between Christians and Muslims (including Druze).

It is this religious diversity that makes the country an easy target for interference by external powers, as seen with Iran’s backing of Hezbollah Shia movement, widely seen as the most powerful military and political group in Lebanon Since the end of the civil war, political leaders from each sect have maintained their power and influence through a system of patronage networks - protecting the interests of the religious communities they represent, and offering - both legal and illegal - financial incentives.

Lebanon ranked 137th out of 180 countries (180 being the worst) on Transparency International’s 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index.

The watchdog says “permeates all levels of society” in Lebanon, with political parties, parliament and the police perceived as “the most corrupt institutions of the country”.

It says it is the very system of sectarian power-sharing which is fuelling these patronage networks and hindering Lebanon’s system of governance.

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, july 21, 2020

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China National Security Law and the Prosperity of Hong Kong: An Analysis

By AGABA HALIDU

H

ong Kong has been part of China as far back as the Qin Dynasty in the third century B.C., and it remained a part of the Chinese Empire for about 2,000 but lost it to Britain in the nineteenth. century in the opium wars. Britain had desired Chinese tea, in exchange for her silver, and opium which she imported from India but was objected by China because of the crisis of addiction to opium that her (Chinese) armies were experiencing. The development resulted in wars that China lost, and Hong Kong known as the “Pearl of the Orient” was ceded to Britain in the lease Treaty of Nanking, and that of the first Convention of Peking, making her a crown colony of the British Empire for the One Hundred and Fifty-Nine (159) years only to be returned to China on the 1st of July,1997 as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR) and this was to last for fifty years which is 1947.

To be sure since the return of Hong Kong to China, she has been governed by one country, two systems policy - an operational tool of China for the HKSAR. As captured in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China’s document, this policy entailed that: central authorities shall not interfere in affairs within the scope of autonomy of the HKSAR, the HKSAR government shall have the final say on matters within its autonomous jurisdiction as prescribed in the Basic Law, calling for no approval by the central authorities and the government of the HKSAR may, within the limits prescribed by the Basic Law, choose its means of exercising its functions and powers. These, therefore, means that within the period under review, Hong Kong was to be allowed political, legal, social and economic autonomy, except in matters of foreign relations and defense, in line with the 1984 Sino –Britain Declaration which spelled out the plans for the hand over of Hong Kong to China On the 8th of July, 2020, things took a dramatic turn when China through its parliament, passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong because of the growing concern on the part of the Chinese government of the ugly development and insecurity. To this end, it is hoped that these Law will safeguard national security, take care of the inadequacies in Hong Kong’s legal system and law enforcement mechanisms, deal with separatism and foreign interference in the semiautonomous territory and bring back Hong Kong on track as early as possible to the smooth implementation of “One Country, Two Systems. The provisions of the Law as widely reported by Baker Mckenzie in an article entitled National Security Law in Hong Kong states that: The 66-article law criminalizes four types of acts: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security and stipulates the corresponding penalties, which in the most serious cases, could result in life imprisonment.

The HKSAR will establish a new Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, led by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR (“Chief Executive”),

to be responsible for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The Hong Kong Police Force (“HKPF”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) will set up designated departments to handle crimes against national security. The Chief Executive will designate relevant judges to adjudicate such crimes. The executive, legislative, and judicial organs must adhere to the rule of law in preventing, suppressing, and punishing offences that endanger national security. While safeguarding national security, human rights, and the rights and freedoms of HKSAR residents should be respected according to law. Except for specified circumstances, the HKSAR will exercise jurisdiction over offences under the National Security Law. The Central People’s Government (“CPG”) will establish the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR to oversee and guide the work of the HKSAR in safeguarding national security. In case of conflict between local laws of the HKSAR and the National Security Law, the National Security Law will prevail. The NPCSC has the authority to interpret the National Security Law. Since the law was passed and came into force, there have reactions around the world. While some see this as a welcome development as it will bring stability in the Orient, others have taken to the view that this will outlaw dissent and destroy the autonomy promised when Britain handed the territory to Beijing in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” framework.

Others, especially from the western world, also argue that the law will end free Hong Kong as it is seen as a break of promises to the people of Hong Kong and goes against china’s obligations to the international community. Furthermore, the law is also said to be detrimental to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. It is seen indeed as a blow to public confidence which has clear implications on the human rights of people.

The reservations against this law are quite appreciated, however, there are so many germane issues that need to be examined which for me makes the passage of the national security law a necessity.

First, if you look at the prevailing situation in Hong Kong, you will discover that she

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

is unsettled. Peace and security are almost becoming a scarce commodity and we all know that peace and security is an essential factor of human life. A peaceful and secure environment is critical to every society since it affects all aspects of economic and social development in a country, and is a necessary sin-qua non to the realization of societal goals. Rather than having these, the reverse now is the case in Hong Kong.

A case in point of crisis that has been witnessed in Hong Kong was that of February 2019. As captured by Shek, D.T.L. in his article entitled, Protests in Hong Kong (2019–2020): a Perspective Based on Quality of Life and Well-Being published in Applied Research Quality Life Journal, the Government of the Special Administrative Region, P.R.C. planned to introduce the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 which focused on extradition which will regulate transfers of criminal fugitives who are wanted in different parts of China, including Taiwan, Mainland China, and Macau. What

“

I, therefore, submit that the national security law will help in restoring order and help a peaceful life in the Orient. In other words, the National Security Law is a timely intervention on the part of Beijing which will significantly stabilise the troubled orient thereby creating a peaceful environment

followed this decision of the government of the HKSAR was an overwhelming demonstration, protest, and riots. According to Shek, the level of vandalism as a result of this crisis was extensive as about 740 sets of traffic lights, 52.8 km of railings along the road, and 21,800 square meters of paving blocks were all damaged which required some HK$65 million to repair. He said the most striking destruction was the damage of the Legislative Council building and the occupation of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 2019. For me, these all give problems to the rule of law in Hong Kong and put public safety and security under danger. Similarly, because of the increasing spate of this violence and unrest, Hong Kong has dropped from the top 10 to No 20 in the Safe City Index 2019 of the Economist Intelligence Unit. To this end, I, therefore, submit that the national security law will help in restoring order and help a peaceful life in the Orient. In other words, the National Security Law is a timely intervention on the part of Beijing which will significantly stabilise the troubled orient thereby creating a peaceful environment.

In a related development, aside from peace and stability that the national security law will bring, I also believe that the law will also bring about economic prosperity as it will boost business activities in the Orient which is currently on the downward trend as a result of the crisis that has rocked the territory. Conflict in whatever form, be it a riot, protest, demonstration poses a range of risks to society’s and at large, a country’s economic growth and development because conflict interacts with the economy through multiple, complex pathways.

To be sure, this has been the experience of Hong Kong. As a result of this chaos especially the one over the proposed extradition bill between the territory and mainland China, Hong Kong suffered the worst recession since the 2009 Global Financial Crisis. Fewer tourists flew into the territory, retail sales fell to as low as 23%. Put together, it is on record that retail, catering, and hotel industries all together lost up to 15 billion Hong Kong dollars which is equivalent to 1.9 billion U.S. dollars making Hong Kong come down from its place atop the Index of Economic Freedom, a position it had held for 25 straight years. All these will be reversed by the national security law which aims at providing an enabling environment void of rancor and acrimony thereby enhancing economic activities.

Conclusively it also my belief that the national security law will help in cutting off the influence of foreign hands who have had a tremendous influence on the pearl of the orient. There are strong arguments that the social movements recorded so far in Hong Kong are not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved.

These external forces are being accused of instigating and adding flavor to some of the riots, protest in the land especially meddling with Hong Kong’s legislative and judiciary bodies.

Dr. Halidu Agaba is with the Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Abuja. Email: agaba.halidu@uniabuja. edu.ng

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AISHA ABBA ABDULLAHI MEMORIAL

Adedoyin Adefuye Foundation

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED ThAT THE ABOVE named has applied to the coperate affairs commision for CHANGE OF ITS TRUSTEES and addition of aims and objectives under part c of the company and allied matters ACT 1990 Removed trustees 1. Deji Afolayan; 2. Mrs Yinka Sowemimo-Coker Retained trustees 1. Ms Bunmi Aina-Craig; 2. Mr Bolaji Orekoya Added aims and obhectives are 1 to provide care and support for ophans cherryfields and childreen homes vulnerable childreen motherless babes abandoned and negleted childreen in adedoyin adefuye foundation 2 to engage in advocacy programes aimed at discouraging child abuse in our society 3 to establish homes and rehabilitation cebtres whivh will offer total care and support through effective means of distributing nutritional food supplement to malnourished childreen Any objection to this APPLICATION should be forwaded to the registra genetral coperate affairs commision plot 420 tigris crescent maitama abuja withing 28 days of this publication Signed. Secretary

Public Notice

GREGORY ENTREPRENEURS CLUB

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) DR. IHEANYICHUKWU ISIKAKU. (2) DR. ONOKAH OKEY. (3) HON. SIMEON ONYEJE. (4) MR. CHUKWUMA SAMUEL (5) HON KELECHI ODOEMENAM. (6) MR OGWO ODOEMENAM. (7) MR KEN ANYANWU. promote

the

interest

of

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : PLACID EZEIGBO 08037867560.

Public Notice

GBAGYI SA'ASI ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ibrahim Alhassan.

2. Adamu Ibrahim Bomboy THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To promote unity among members..

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Secretary

THIS IS TO INFORMFOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) MUHAMMAD DAHIRU DODO (2) MAIMUNA LADI IBRAHIM. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : (1) To provide a platform to create awareness and sensitize the general public as to the causes, means of protection, remedies and effects of blood cancer.

(2) To carry out research on the cure for blood cancer using alternative medicine.

(3) To provide affordable and effective treatment for those in need.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : AYUBA ABDUL, ESQ SOLICITOR 08036373769.

Public Notice

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : (1) To protect and entrepreneurs..

The young ones foundation

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1 DR HENRY NZEKWU 2 MUHAMMED TASIU'S 3MRS EBELE EMEKA 4 MR EMMANUEL CHENYE 5 NAGIMAH O SADIQ 6 DR MARIANE J NGOULLA 7 MR EDWARD NNADI 8 ALHAJI IBRAHIM GONI 9 MRS AKPABIO 10 PROF COMELIUS AFEBUA OMONOKHUA 11 SENATOR GBENGA ALUKO 12 DR BETTY NNADI THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : TO PROMOTE PROTECT AND ENCOURAGE CHILDREEN IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

HABITATION OF HOPE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the Amendment of it's Constitution under part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The trustees unanimously agreed that an object should be added to the Constitution and read as follows: Provision of primary health care and diagnostic services.

All other Objectives and Articles remain the same in view of the addition Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed Secretary

loss of document

This is to inform General public of loss of ORIGINAL RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY ( R of O) in respect of Plot No. 53 with file No.BO.10622 at WUYE DISTRICT CADASTRAL ZONE B03. Bearing MUSTAPHA MOHAMME. All efforts made to trace the missing Document prove abortive. If found please return it to the nearest police station or AGIS. Abubakar I, Formerly known as Abubakar Abdullahi now wish to be known and addressed as Abubakar Abdullahi sadiq. My Date of birth is 31/12/1998. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Sports

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tuesday, july 21, 2020

Super Eagles to play two friendly matches in September-Pinnick

By Albert Akota

The Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, has revealed that the Super Eagles will return back to action with two friendly games in September.

Mr Pinnick alluded to the fact that the scheduled friendly games pencilled to be played in Paris will only go ahead depending on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NFF boss made this disclosure during a live Instagram session he had with the NFF communications department.

According to him, plans are already at an advanced stage to have the Super Eagles play an African as well as a South American team in Paris in September.

He, however, said the federation will only make public the identity of the opponents when all arrangements have been finalized.

“We have two international friendly games billed for Paris in September and when we conclude the arrangements, which are at 70 per cent now, we will make it public,” Pinnick assured.

“We hope to make use of the FIFA windows in both September and October,” he added.

Since winning bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt, Gernot Rohr’s men have since resumed the quest to qualify for the next AFCON tournament now billed to take place in

Eagles 2022 in Cameroon.

The Nigeria national team were meant to face Sierra Leone in March, but the games were put off due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus across the world.

The Eagles last match was against Lesotho in November 2019.

Nigeria won the AFCON qualifier 4-2 in Maseru.

With virtually no activity, the world football governing body, FIFA has ranked Nigeria third (3rd) best team in Africa and thirty-third (33rd) in the world.

The latest FIFA world ranking,

published on Thursday, July 16 on its website is the latest since the last publication on June 11, 2020.

Among other things, quality friendly games as being planned by the NFF will help the country improve on the standings on the monthly FIFA rankings.

Liverpool, Man United concede defeat in Osimhen race

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remier League clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, have reportedly conceded defeat in the race to sign Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen from Lille this summer.

Osimhen enjoyed a memorable debut season in the Ligue 1, where he scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances in

all competitions for the Great Danes.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a number of top clubs in Europe in the last few months.

Serie A club Napoli recently emerged as the favourites to sign the striker, while Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly make a late attempt to hijack the bid.

Osimhen has however had his medicals with Napoli ahead of a move to the club.

Napoli are allegedly willing to pay in the region of £74m for the attacker as they look to bring in a replacement for Arkadiusz Milik.

Osimhen is expected to complete a transfer to Stadio San Paolo at some point next week.

Victor Osimhen

Uzoho seals Nicosia permanent transfer

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

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Success, Dele-Bashiru to work under new manager at Watford

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Uzoho seals Nicosia permanent transfer

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, july 21, 2020

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Austrian Open: Warren holds nerve to win first title in six years Marc Warren started the weekend as a 150/1 outsider

Francis Uzoho

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Tom Dele Bashiru

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igerian duo, Isaac Success and Tom Dele Bashiru will work under a new coach at Premier League side Watford after Nigel Pearson was sacked by the club yesterday.

Pearson was sacked with two games remaining in the season.

The 56-year-old replaced Quique Sanchez Flores in December with Watford nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

He immediately oversaw a run of

four wins in his first seven matches in charge of the team.

Pearson’s assistant Craig Shakespeare was dismissed along with his boss.

It remain unclear who will take charge of the the Hornets’ final two games.

Success, who has struggled with injuries this season has featured in five league games for the club, while Dele Bashiru is yet to make an appearance.

Kvitova in doubt of players’ participation at US Open amid coronavirus

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wo-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova says some players will not go to the US Open if current coronavirus restrictions continue.

The US Open is due to be played without fans in New York from 31 August.

The country is still reporting tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases daily and possible quarantine rules for players are unclear.

“I know a few players will definitely not go if the restrictions are like they are now,” Kvitova said.

The 30-year-old Czech added: “I’m still thinking of what everything will look like, what the restrictions will be, how many people we can take and if they quarantine us.”

World number one Novak Djokovic has previously said he is “not sure” whether he will play, while defending men’s champion Rafael Nadal has also expressed reservations.

The US has reported more than 3.4 million cases of coronavirus, and more than 136,000 deaths nationwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Petra Kvitova is playing in the Bett1 Aces tournament in Berlin

nother Super Eagles young goalkeeper is on the move after Francis Uzoho sealed a permanent transfer to Apoel Nicosia.

Uzoho has put pen to paper on a three-year contract that will see him stay at the Cypriot giants until the summer of 2023.

The following details made available on the official website of Nicosia, who confirmed on Friday they had reached an agreement with Spanish outfit, Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña.

“APOEL Football announces the conclusion of an agreement with Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña for the acquisition of (Francis Odinaka) Uzoho, ” the statement read in parts.

“We welcome Francis to APOEL and wish

K

Wilfred Ndidi Jose Mourinho

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Buhari salutes Kamaru Usman for retaining UFC title

Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman wins again him to celebrate titles and European successes with the blue and yellow jersey, ” the club added.

Uzoho, who has recovered from a long-term injury suffered while on international duty with Nigeria in October 2019, puts an end to his loan spells with this move.

He had been on loan at Elche, Anathorsis Famagusta and Omonia from his Spanish side, Deportivo La Coruna where he failed to establish himself as a first team regular.

Uzoho, 22, becomes the latest Super Eagles goalkeeper to sort out his future ahead of the 2020/21 season just days after his compatriot, Maduka Okoye, 20, joined Eredivisie side, Rotherham on an initial two-year deal with an option for a further two years.

Ndidi, Iheanacho in action as Leicester suffer setback

elechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi featured for Leicester City who suffered another setback in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League after losing 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ndidi was replaced on 70 minutes for Nampalys Mendy while Iheanacho was brought on for Ayoze Perez in the 59th minute.

A brace from Harry Kane and an own goal from James Justin made it third consecutive wins for Spurs.

The home side went 1-0 up on six minutes after a quick counter-attack ended with Heung-Min Son’s shot defl And with five minutes left in the first half Kane got his second of the match, firing

r

into the far corner.

Leicester remain fourth on 62 points same point with Manchester United and would drop out of the top four if United beat West Ham United on Wednesday.

For Spurs they move up to sixth position on 58 points and are just four points away from fourth position.

And in the first Premier League game played on Sunday, Southampton beat relegation threatened Bournemouth 2-0 at the Vitality stadium.

The defeat saw Bournemouth drop to 19th position on 31 points on the log. ected off Justin.

In the 37th minute Spurs doubled their lead with Kane slotting past Kasper Schmeichel off a brilliant team move.

P Iheanacho celebrates after scoring for Leicester City

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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

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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, july 21, 2020

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

Random thoughts on Tolulope, Police arrest Akpabio and Nunieh SPORTS latest

boy, 12, over racist messages send to Zaha

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12-year-old boy has been arrested by police investigating racist messages sent to Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha on social media.

Zaha revealed he had received several abusive messages on social media before Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, a game they lost 2-0.

His manager Roy Hodgson called the abuse “cowardly and despicable”.

The Premier League called the abuse of the 27-yearold Ivory Coast winger “completely unacceptable”.

West Midlands Police tweeted Zaha to say they would look into the abuse and hours later confirmed an arrest.

“We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy,” read a WM Police tweet.

“The 12-year-old from Solihull has been taken to custody. Thanks to everyone who raised it. Racism won’t be tolerated.”

Advert: news: Kano: lagos:

here is no shortage of topics for a columnist for things happen at rather high speed. One drama or the other keep on unfolding every day that it is sometimes difficult to even keep pace with them. Thus, one has to be choosy on what to comment on, aware of the high responsibility one bears through the written word because of its reach and ‘permanence’ for words whether spoken or written cannot be retrieved once they fly out into the open. Moreover, one has to have a goal in writing, you cannot be commenting for commenting sake.

Thus again, sometimes i ignore. certain topics; this is not to say that I do not have an opinion on it but that one prefers to defer to the truism that ‘silence is golden’, preferring to watch in calmness as the events work themselves out. Yet another ‘constraining’ factor is that the basis for one’s commentary should be facts; you have to have sufficient facts and figures on the subject-matter. It is unethical to base your comments on rumours, speculations, innuendoes which pass for news reports simply because they are in printed form, in black and white – the stable of the now in vogue social media. It has to be credible report like reading first person quotes, hearing from the horses’ mouths. For me, the goal of writing commentaries is to enlighten, to heal, unify, not to antagonize, ridicule or undermine. In brief it is an endeavor to contribute one’s little quota towards a progressive society, a true humanity …

Among the trending stories is the Akpabio/Nunieh imbrioglio.

This matter is of interest because it involves a woman. What picture does the name ‘woman’ conjure in us – a mother, nurturer, teacher. Woman by virtue of the innate qualities imbued in her by the Creator is supposed to play a leading role which she exercises not in an obtrusive, showy manner but silently, in silent working; from the hearth her influence reaches far and wide.

Talkativeness should be anathema to a woman as it blurts her finer gifts.

If a man steps into a gathering where there is a genuine woman, one who strives for purity in thoughts and deeds, he will unconsciously without any exchange of words, smarten himself and endeavor to comport himself aright, respectfully. Genuine women are relatively few and far between in these times for, most of

0806 564 8620 0814 292 9046 0803 587 5846 08074420617

Tuesday Column

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 us women have battered our Godgiven talents and exchanged it on the altar of false earthly ambitions, for vanity, conceit, coquetry and the like, dragging men consequently, to low levels of behaviour in all ramifications. Still, a true man should respect a woman in the true sense of the word. He who cannot respect a woman as such has lost his true humanity. The argument that the woman or women should bear the greater responsibility/ guilt for this does not excuse it.

Thence, the recent outbursts on television between aforementioned persons, two full blooded, physically mature adults by way of what they said of each other is unbecoming.

Indeed, you can glimpse the inner worth of people from their speech - what they say and like talking about most. Since the National Assembly had constituted a panel to probe the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) they should have held their breadth and wait until they appear before the panel to unbundle their thoughts sans the private aspects of their lives as it has no bearing on their job performance. Perhaps the only people who delight in such intimate private stories et al are social media enthusiasts/bloggers with their legions of followers, an indication of our baseness generally.

Since President Mohammadu Buhari himself has ordered a forensic audit of NDDC activities will anything come out of the National Assembly’s probe? I mean the Executive is likely to implement recommendations of

“

its own instituted audit than those of the Legislature which is not binding on it anyway. Anger it is said, is temporary madness. We should all endeavor to control our temperament and not say or do things out of anger.

When tempers have cooled down in the coming weeks and the duo of Akpabio and Nunieh have reflected deeply on it all, could they call each other and apologise for whatever wrong each has caused the other?

They should also both accept the outcome of the probe, audit with philosophical equanimity.

Also trending, is the passing on of 23-year-old Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female helicopter combat pilot. According the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) inquiry, Tolulope was inadvertently knocked down by a classmate who on noticing her when he drove past, knocked her down while reversing to go greet her. She died from injuries sustained therefrom, the report says. Ever since this story broke out, countless number of persons of all classes – male and female, young and old, low, middle, high income earners, sophisticated and ordinary persons, literate and illiterate – have been concocting all sorts of stories and conspiracy theories beneath which is sentimentality and hatred. Social media has gone haywire with ‘what might’ and ‘what might not’, even the conservative media had joined in the speculations, there were some ‘curses’ in the comments section while the person who caused the accident, the ‘’murderer’’ was cast as a devil incarnate. In all of these,

Since President Mohammadu Buhari himself has ordered a forensic audit of NDDC activities will anything come out of the National Assembly’s probe?

there was/is little thought for the one who has passed on or the loved ones she left behind.

Most of us profess to be religious or rather that we believe in GOD, yet we act in ways that show we have no idea of His Workings in Creation, talk less of understanding Him. We speak of destiny, fate, yet we have no grasp of these words and their true meanings. We quote from the Scripture, “In everything give thanks”, yet we do not reflect deeply on the real essence of this sentence. In brief we lack conviction, only doing things as they suit us, not as they should please the Almighty.

‘He/She who makes no effort to grasp the Word of the Lord aright burdens himself/herself with guilt’. In every happening lies the Justice and Love of the Almighty Creator. All the sentiments we have been spewing in the past week over the young, combat helicopter pilot’s death only heap more psychological and emotional pains on her grieving family. It was an accident We should not make things harder for all those connected with this incident. We should send our genuine prayers to them instead.

I urge Tolulope’s family to forgive the driver of the car that killed their daughter for only thus can the spirit be unburdened and the pain lessoned. My loving thoughts and prayers go the departed and her family. May all those connected with this matter directly and indirectly, be imbued with the strength to pass through these trying times. Amen.

Dan GAYE gaye DAN

NDDC boss slumps at Reps investigative hearing —News

There is God ooo!

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kaduna office: K6 Ahmadu Bello Way, opposite Kontagora road, Kaduna. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng. com; pmlnewseditor@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141