Biafra: I can bring Nnamdi Kanu back, convince him to end agitation – Orji Kalu tells Buhari

 

Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, has said he has what it takes to bring Nnamdi Kanu back to Nigeria and convince him to drop the agitation for Biafra.

The lawmaker said he only needs the permission of President Muhammadu Buhari to carry on the task.

Kalu, in a statement he signed and made available to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, said he is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, will listen to him.

The Senate Chief Whip said in reaction to the recent altercation between members of IPOB and security personnel in Enugu state.

The former Governor stressed that he is a believer in one Nigeria, and believes that people of the country are so entangled with each other that no one should be talking about separation

According to him, what Nigerians need to do now is focus on taking advantage of the country’s population to build a stronger economy.

“If the Federal Government permits me, I will go to the United Kingdom and negotiate with Nnamdi Kanu to return to Nigeria.

“I will convince him to drop the agitation for Biafra because our people don’t need it,” Kalu added.

He maintained that what is needed at this point is a united Nigeria that will allow different cultures and tongues to live peacefully in any part of the country.

 

 

Buhari lists rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members as part of achievements

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has listed the controversial rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members into the society as part of the achievements of his administration.

The President in his closing remarks on Tuesday at the ministerial retreat listed the policy alongside Second Niger Bridge, N2.3Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan and the responses of the government to the COVID19 pandemic as part of the successes of the administration.

“We have also worked to address emergent cases of insecurity and insurgency in the country with innovative approaches such as “Operation Safe Corridor,” which de-radicalize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate willingly surrendered Boko Haram members into the larger society. Our security operations in the Niger Delta, North Central and North Western States are yielding desired results. We hope to get rid of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in these regions,” he said.

The President in his speech also directed the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and other Ministeries involved to speed up the release of the N2.3Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan and the Capital Projects in the 2020 Budget.

 

Boko Haram: 611 teachers killed, 910 schools damaged in Nigeria by terrorists – UN

 

The United Nations, on Tuesday, revealed that from 2009 until December 2018, 611 teachers were killed and 910 schools damaged or destroyed in Nigeria by terrorists.

It, therefore, urged the Nigerian government to prioritise school safety and learners’ protection.

The UN stated that education in emergency partners are appealing for $55 million USD to provide emergency education to 3.1 conflict-affected children in the northeast Nigeria this year.

A statement by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Activities, OCHA on the first international day to protect education from attack said, so far this year, only $3.3 million USD, a mere 6 per cent of the total needed has been received.

The statement observed that, protracted conflict in the north-east has had devastating impacts on education.

“From 2009 until December 2018, 611 teachers were killed and 910 schools damaged or destroyed. More than 1,500 schools were forced to close and some 4.2 million children in the north-east are at risk of missing out on an education,” the statement said.

It also observed that hundreds of girls have been abducted, some even from their own schools, which are meant to be safe zones. The attacks on schools, communities and education itself are tragic consequences of a protracted conflict that has left a generation of children traumatized.

Speaking on the attack on education, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon said, “As State Governments plan to reopen schools after prolonged closures, building a resilient education system to withstand future shocks should be included in pandemic response plans,”

He noted that prioritising safety in schools for educators and learners is an indication of the Government’s commitment to protecting investments in the education sector and a validation of Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration.

The UN said incessant attacks on schools and learners could reverse the gains on education investments made by government of Nigeria, the UN and other multilateral, bilateral, and private sector partners over years if left unchecked.

“Attacks on schools are a violation of humanity and basic decency. We must not allow these senseless attacks to destroy the hopes and dreams of a generation of children. We must do all in our power to ensure that schools and the children and teachers within them are protected,’’ said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.

“As the world begins planning to re-open schools once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we must ensure that schools remain safe places of learning, even in countries in conflict.”

According to the statement, the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to build a resilient education system, invest in human capital and strengthen communities who act as first responders in the event of attacks on schools.

“To deliver for children in Nigeria, education must remain on top of the public agenda while Government should boost efforts to translate its vision for education into real change for children, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged learners,” the statement added.

 

 

Alleged $876m fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Malabu Oil, Abubakar, others

 

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, Aliyu Abubakar and 6 others before Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Others were: A Group Construction Company Limited, Rocky Top Resources Limited, Megatech Engineering Limited, Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, Imperial Union Limited and Carlin International Nigeria Limited.

They were all arraigned on 67 amended charges, bordering on money laundering to the tune of $875,740,000.

Bala Sanga, EFCC Counsel, told the court that he was ready to prosecute the amended charges and for the eight defendants to take their pleas.

Count one said Malabu Oil, Seidougha Munamuna (at large), Amaran Joseph (at large) and Douzia Loya Etete (at large), on or about the 24th day of August 2011, in Abuja, took control of the sum of $401,540,000 paid from Federal Government of Nigeria’s escrow account no: 0041451493 IBAN 30CHAS609242411492 with JP Morgan Chase Bank in London into account 2018288005 of Malabu Oil & Gas Limited domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

EFCC said they ought to have known that the funds formed part of unlawful activity in respect of the Block 245 Resolution Agreement between the FGN with Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, whereby taxes, accruals and royalties due to the Federal Government of Nigeria were unlawfully waived.

Count two noted that on same day, they took control of the sum of $400,000,000 aid from FGN escrow account no: 0041451493 IBAN 30CHAS6092424411492 with JP Morgan Chase Bank in London into the account No. 1005552028 of Malabu Oil & Gas Limited domiciled with Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited, Account No. 3610042472).

Count three said on or about 30th August 2013, in Abuja, they took control of the sum of $74,200,000 paid from FGN escrow account bo: 0041451493 IBAN 30CHAS609242411492 with JP Morgan Chase Bank in London into the account No. 1005552028 of Malabu Oil & Gas Limited domiciled with Bank PHB Plc (Now Keystone Bank Limited Account No.3610042472).

After the reading, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the sixty-seven charges.

Sangan then prayed the court to grant trial commencement date.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to September 10, 2020.

The judge presumed that the defendants continue with their bail.

 

Hike in electricity tariff, petrol: Nigeria about to collapse – Bode George warns Buhari

 

 former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has warned against the hike in electricity tariff and pump price of petrol.

Bode George warned that President Muhammadu Buhari should reverse the increment because Nigeria was at the verge of collapse.

He stated that Nigerians were yet to recover from the effect of COVID-19, hence the new tariff and price should be reversed.

Bode George spoke on Tuesday when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants for the Lagos East Senatorial district and Kosofe 2 State Constituency paid him a courtesy call.

He stressed that the government has inflicted the greatest pain on Nigerians through the new hike in electricity tariff and price of petrol.

According to Bode George: “There is hunger in the land; Nigeria is on the verge of collapse. The President has only one opportunity to rewrite his name in the golden pages of history.

“They should revisit the decision, it is inhuman, unacceptable and going to add too much pain both to the rich and poor.

“Who will not be at pain now with an increase in petrol and electricity? The immediate thing is that all industries will hike their products despite the fact that so many people have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19.

“The President should look at faces and tell those people behind this increment to stop.”

The PDP chieftain also lamented over the current system of government in Nigeria.

Stressing that the current system is not working, Bode George insisted that the current structure was that of military in nature.

 

Let's bury the hatchets and deal with our nation building challenges

 

My dear friends, compatriots and colleague party Chairmen.

That the nation and our democracy are suffocating is well known. I have actively participated in National politics for over 30yrs, and in party building and leadership for over 20. From my experience, we have not had it so low. Parties are nothing without democracy. The last 21years have groomed many of us in party administration and leadership many thanks to International Democratic agencies and the UN. The experienced men and women in this space are like never before in our history. With all the experience we have gained, to allow this democracy regime to fail will remain an eternal stain on all of us. As a result, we cannot remain akinbo. We can use IPAC and the Political Parties Leadership Development Institute as the organic solution and processing engine room and stop wasting time on trivialities.

As we all know, Political parties are products of the constitution and recognized by laws of the land. Whether it is *ADC, APC, ADP, LP, ACCORD, YPP, APGA, AA, PDP or any of the other parties,* it does not matter how many elected members of such parties at any moment. This also applies to the different tiers and arms of government, and regulatory agencies, commissions and parastatals in the nation. IPAC falls into same bouquet. We are all products of law.
What causes the tension and toxicity in the political space is impunity, reckless grandstanding, arrogance and flagrant disregard of processes, rules of law and order by political players and office holders. Whimsical disobedience of the law often creates toxic environmental conditions that erodes institutional integrity and weakens the systems in place. All these have the potency to keep the nation in a comatose state.
The Interparty Advisory Council IPAC was created with the assistance of international democratic agencies to grow and strengthen parties and the democratic space in Nigeria for sustainable development and robust and disciplined interface and culture.
As political party leaders we must be mindful of our actions and learn to set the tones and codes for political parties operations and members conducts. Most of the players in the polity are party members or they are appointed by them. This includes the legislators and executives at all levels. We should avoid taking opportunistic stances on issues. Whether it privilages us or not, the law is the law. The Interparty Advisory Council IPAC must set its ethical compass to be beyond reproach, and leaders should imbibe a culture that respects the dignity of all human persons, due process, and pronouncements of the courts. No matter the situation, IPAC board cannot become the harbinger or supporters banana or shady entities or processes. Just like the Nigeria Bar Association NBA, Nigeria Medical Association NMA etc, IPAC has a duty to sanitize and set rules and standards for member parties and individual for sanity, good health of all and country and development of the polity. With this my considered frame, I beg all members and political parties leaders to have reexamination of conscience, do deep reflection and let us emback on the agenda of nation building more dutifully to save our democracy and country. We can learn a lot from each other as we make progress.
I do not need to overemphasize that our country is not in the best of health at this time. Although, we have our individual parties to run. Leading ADC alone is a herculean task and is consuming me. I do not need to be told the challenges anyone of you party Chairmen are confronted with on daily bases. But party administration can become easier if we can use IPAC as a body to infuse discipline and sanity to the political and electoral processes. Governance outputs for the citizens will greatly improve when IPAC and parties become effective. This calls for alignment of IPAC again to the original and serious patriotic objectives of its founding. I am engaging international agencies, the UN and governments already to improve learning and capacity building. We have developed templates for regional faculties of PPLDI headquartered in Kuru to bring learning closer to all.
IPAC tenets remain;
1. To prevent excessive tension in the polity by clearly setting the rules of engagement for all political parties.
2. Develop Code of conduct for parties and members.
3. Develop Governance framework that leverages the polity and all the people.
4. Facilitate learning and continuing improvement.
5. Collaborating with election management body to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

If we reckon with all of these with deserving integrity, the character of our politics will be enriched and will impact the operating environment within a short time. In accomplishing the noble objectives. For me these are urgent and patriotic critically task.
I beg all of us as party leaders, we must come together now. A lot has happened since our democratic journey resumed in 1999. What is happening in the polity generally and in Edo state Governorship contest at the moment challenge all of us to the urgency of NOW.

Ralphs Okey Nwosu. National Chairman ADC

And

Acting President
Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria. IPA

Enough is enough of Southern Kaduna killings – Sultan

Chairman, Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar (III), on Monday, in Kaduna, described the killings in the southern part of the state as “madness” that has to be stopped immediately.

He called on those involved in killings in Southern Kaduna to stop the act, saying, “enough is enough”.

Speaking during a Council’s Executive meeting in Kaduna, the monarch noted that no man in his right senses go on a killing spree of innocent people under whatever guise.

The Sultan carpeted politicians as forces behind the unrests in the southern part of the state.

He called on the people of the state and Nigeria in general that no politicians mean well for them, adding, “lf you keep on igniting killings based on ethno-religious differences because it is the innocent children that are killed while that of the elites are protected.”

Earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, reminded the gathering that, the Southern Kaduna crises had prevailed for the past 40 years since the first Kasuwan Magani riot.

According to the governor, Kaduna is a mini-Nigeria with over 52 ethnic groups, meaning that 10 percent of Nigeria’s ethnic groups are from Kaduna state.

He added that the danger of it is that, crimes committed by criminals for their own selfish motives were given ethno-religious interpretations.

Speaking on what his administration has been doing to abate the killings El-Rufai said, “a military base, Mobile Police Depot, Air Force and strike force personnel have been deployed to the zone.

“Also, equipment like drones and GSM trackers are being used which had helped to neutralized thousands of the bandits in the State. We also set up a Peace Commission to meidate between the aggrieved people.”