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  • Shiite Leader El-Zakzaky, And His Wife Zeenah Arived India For Medical Check Up

    The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenah, have arrived in India for medical treatment, News Direct can report.

    They both left the country through a commercial airliner, the Emirate, Monday evening.

    We also learnt from security circles that President Buhari may have waved those conditions and approved that the IMN leader should proceed to get the medical attention as granted by the court and based on the advice from intelligence services.

    Recall that the Kaduna State Government had after the court order given fresh conditions which include the confirmation of his appointment with the hospital by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; an undertaking by the defendants to produce two prominent and reliable persons as sureties, one being a first-class chief/emir of national repute and the other a prominent person within Kaduna State, who shall undertake to produce the defendants whenever they are needed 

  • Buratai charges troops on loyalty, sacrifice

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has tasked troops of Nigerian Army in Maiduguri to ensure that loyalty, obedience and sacrifice, were constantly observed in their operational conducts.

     

    Buratai made the call during a visit to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Maiduguri to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with the wounded troops at the hospital.

     

    He was represented by the Army Chief of Training and Operation, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, at the occasion.

     

    “We must continue to subordinate ourselves and act professionally in support of civil authorities whenever we are called upon to do so.

     

    “That is a veritable way to justify the confidence which Nigerians repose in the Nigerian Army and ensure continued support for the Service.

     

    “We must bear in mind that obedience to lawful orders is a hallmark of discipline and discipline remains the bedrock of the military.

     

    “Therefore, discipline and courage must remain our watchwords in our personal conduct as well as during operations, as we seek to defeat the remnants of ISWAP threats in the Northeast and security challenges in other parts of our country,’’ he said.

     

    The army chief said that the army had lived up to expectations and remained ahead of the threats bedeviling the country in spite of some daunting challenges.

     

    He added that its commitment to the collective peace and security as well as the stability of Nigeria remained resolute and unshaken.

     

    Buratai said: “Eid-el-Kabir festival holds special place for us as individuals and collectively as an army.

     

    “It provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect and redouble our efforts towards fulfilling our roles and justifying the confidence reposed in us by Nigerians.

     

    “This is further amplified by the support and cooperation the Nigerian Army receives from President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

    “I must say that so far, we have performed creditably well and I commend all your efforts, though a lot still needs to be done especially in the face of emerging contemporary security challenges,’’ he added.

     

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroloye, said that the occasion was a pointer to the fact that the army authourities cared about the recuperating officers and soldiers in the hospital.

     

    Akinroloye said that the celebration would also ginger the officers to recover fast and rejoin their colleagues in the fight against the Boko Haram in the North East.

     

    He enjoined them to be strong, adding that their continuous commitment and courage would assist the army to win the war soon.

     

    The theatre commander commended Buratai for his support for the troops and officers at the war front to continue to fight on and win the war.

     

    Similarly, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu, said that the division had on Sunday feasted with the troops at the battle field at the Mulei super camp.

     

    Biu said that the army authorities decided to celebrate the 2019 Eid-el-Kabir with both the troops in the theatre of operations and those in the hospital in order to encourage them to recuperate fast.

     

    One of the wounded officers at the hospital, Maj. Yakubu Katuka, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for his love and care for the troops by ensuring that they celebrated sallah like others.

     

    Katuka said that the privilege of being served with food by a superior officer was a rare opportunity for the soldiers and other junior officers.

     

    He also commended the hospital for the care being given to the wounded and sick officers in ensuring that they were fit in order to return to their duty posts. (NAN)

    OYS/IS

     

  • Buhari to Nigerians: I’ll fight for the poor, underprivileged

    President Muhammadu Buhari says he will use his second term in office to improve the lives of Nigerians by paying closer attention to the poor and the underprivileged in the society.

    A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, in Abuja on Tuesday said Buhari made his feelings known when he addressed leaders of various communities from five Local Government Areas of Daura Emirate.

    The affected leaders were at the private residence of the president in Daura, Katsina state, as part of Eid El-Kabir celebration.

    The President said he was convinced that majority of Nigerians understand who he was and his mission, on account of which they returned him for a second term in office with larger margin of votes than  in 2015.

    “You know how much I laboured to get here. I ran three times in the past. The fourth time, God used technology to do it for me.

    ”The fifth time I ran (Feb. 23, 2019), I went to all the states of the federation. The turnout of crowds was overwhelming.

    “Truly, the people know and understand my mission. This is what the votes showed.

    “The administration will dwell on our campaign issues — security, economy and corruption. We will fight for the poor,” he said.

    He emphasised the important place of agriculture under his administration, promising to appoint a minister ”who is knowledgeable and will know how to promote interest and investment in the sector.”

    The president said: “I will appoint a minister who knows agriculture and its role in providing jobs and growing our economy. You have seen how we broke the fertiliser jinx in the country.

    ”We will do more to better the lots of our farmers. Agriculture is our strength.”

    President Buhari expressed delight with the changing attitude of young people to agriculture, with many earning respectable incomes, urging all of those without regular incomes to return to the farm.

    In his remarks, Malam Yusuf Mai’ Aduwa, one the leaders of the delegation, thanked Nigerians for giving the President a second mandate to lead the country, stressing that he would not let the country down.

    Mohammed Saleh, another community leader, said the communities under the Daura Emirate were grateful to the President for signing a bill to establish a Federal Polytechnic in Daura.

    He noted that this came after they had complained that the area needed a tertiary institution to encourage the youth to pursue higher education.

    In her remarks, Hajiya Talatu Nasir, a Permanent Secretary with the Katsina State Ministry of Information, said President Buhari’s government had empowered many women, with many already owning businesses like poultry and livestock farms.

    While offering special prayers for the President, the Daura community urged him to pursue the vision for a better Nigeria with the fear of God, courage to stand by the truth always, and mindful of the needs of the poor and underprivileged.(NAN)

  • I’m working tirelessly to end Jukun, Tiv crisis – Gov. Ishaku

    Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku said on Tuesday that he was working tirelessly with his Benue counterpart Samuel Ortom to end the crisis between the Tiv and Jukun in the border area of the states.

    Media Aide to the Taraba governor, Mr Bala Abu, said this in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following allegations by Tiv Youth Council (TYC) that the governor and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma were fuelling the crisis.

    NAN reports that the TYC had on Sunday at a news conference accused Gov. Ishaku and TY Danjuma of inciting Jukun militia to attack Tiv people in the state.

    The Tiv/Jukun crisis which erupted from Kente, a border town of Benue and Taraba had led to the loss of many lives including women and children in the last three months.

    The TYC President Mr Mike Msuaan, had during the conference called on security agencies to investigate the governor and the former Chief of Army Staff for their alleged roles in the crisis.

    According to him, the Tiv nation cannot continue to be cannon fodder for the unity of the country.

    Msuaan added: “These worrisome developments have further exacerbated the humanitarian challenge in the nation as we now have to grapple with an even burgeoning number of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

    “The recent rape, maiming and killing of helpless Tiv students and workers of the Federal University Wukari is indeed one too many, deserving thorough investigation by the security agencies and enduring solutions to entrench peace.

    “It is quite surprising that despite several attempts to extend the olive branch and make the warring parties embrace peace, the efforts have all fallen through midway with no tangible results,” Msuaan said.

    But Abu while refuting the allegation exonerated the governor and Gen. Danjuma (rtd) from the crisis.

    He explained that Gov. Ishaku and Gov. Ortom had adopted various methods including meeting with stakeholders from both tribes to ensure peace returned in the area.

    “It is a grave allegation to say that someone in the status of Gov. Darius Ishaku and Gen. TY Danjuma will be sponsoring crisis.

    “The truth is that there is history to the crisis between the two ethnic groups (Jukun and Tiv).

    “I have visited the crisis area with the governor on five different occasions within two years that I have worked with him and our purpose of going there was to interface with the people living in that area.

    “The governor and his Benue counterpart met with stakeholders in that area and all these meetings were targeted at bringing about peaceful coexistence among the people living there.

    “So, what will the governor or Gen. Danjuma benefit from the killing of Tiv people and besides the killing is not one sided.

    “The two sides are killing each other, so why are Tiv youths accusing the governor for the crisis.

    “Apart from the meeting by the two governors, the deputy governors have also met about six times; all these meetings were about finding peace; so, why the allegation that someone is arming the other people.

    “I think the people making this allegation are the people who do not want the crisis to end otherwise both governors are doing so much to bring peace to the area.

    “This allegation is false and it cannot stand. It is intended to smear the governor and Gen. Danjuma.

    “There is no such thing involving these personalities and they are concerned about what is happening at the bother between the two states.

    “They have nothing to gain arming one side to fight the other; it is unfair for them to undermine all the peace efforts and blame the government,” he said.

    The governor’s media aide noted that the recent crisis was caused by fight between two men from Jukun and Tiv who were quarrelling over a female friend.

    He wondered why such issue should warrant killing of innocent people in spite all peace agreement reached by both parties.

    “The people most desire peace just like the governors have done; this is the only way to achieve peace.

    “On behalf of the governor, the warring parties should sheath their swords.

    “This was part of the governor’s Sallah message on Sunday. He appealed to the people in the name of God to sheath their swords and embrace peace; these were the governor’s message, I am only reechoing it.” (NAN)

  • CSO calls for further amendment of electoral act, broadcast code

    A Civil Society Organisation, The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative (TIFPI) has stressed the need for further amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act and the National Broadcast Code to enhance the country’s electioneering process.

    The organisation made the call in a statement signed by Mr Livingstone Wechie, its Executive Director, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    It said the two amendments were necessary ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

    It said the amendment should ensure urgent unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to insulate it from any form of political patronage.

    It also proposed certain conditions following sack or resignation of electoral officers before they could join partisan politics, in line with Sections 306 and 307 of the 1999 Constitution.

    It made particular references to the recent resignation of the Cross River INEC REC, Dr Frankland Briyai and Prof. Attahiru Jega, the immediate past chairman of the commission, who had both joined political parties.

    As part of its input to the amendment, TIFPI had earlier proposed a 30-year jail term for electoral violence, vote buying and inducement.

    It also proposed to the Ninth National Assembly to consider review of other laws relating to elections as a way of strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.

    “TIFPI proposed that the Electoral Act must be quickly amended to include that as a mandatory condition if an election official or INEC staff resigns or leaves office such official cannot join a political party or run for an election except 10 years ahead of such resignation or until after 10 years of his or her resignation or sack in keeping with Sections 306-307 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

    “In the case of retirement such a person can only join a political party or run for an election after five years of retirement.

    ” These provisions are necessary because it is believed that such INEC or election official is in custody of sensitive election information exclusive to the Electoral empire classified from politically exposed persons.

    “More so this is to protect the electoral integrity and trust of the electoral empire as well as insulate it from suspicions and unwarranted abuses or political patronage and sympathy.

    “Recently the former INEC scribe Prof. Atahiru Jega announced his membership of a political party which he once deregistered to drive home his political ambitions.

    “Shortly afterwards the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State announced his resignation from his appointment as REC to run for governorship of his state.

    “Whereas there is no express criminal liability or any other whatsoever in their actions even though many have raised moral questions, it raises a lot of curious and suspicious concerns which go to the root of public trust and confidence on the Electoral Empire, such a dangerous trend.

    “Hence the need for this amendments to help purge INEC of any political contamination. Hence any breach of this fundamental proposed amendment should amount to a criminal liability,” it said.

    On the NBC code, it said: “TIFPI canvases that our Media Laws should be strongly amended to make National Broadcasting Commission NBC fully independent to issue Broadcast Licence independently based on merit without recourse to Presidential approval.

    ” This will reduce the current situation where most Broadcast Licence holders are only those close to power.

    “It will no longer be based on political patronage. we must borrow from advanced nations like USA where the Broadcast Licensing Authority is independent of the Oval office or president.

    `This will enhance media freedom and kill the threats by politicians to harass and intimidate the media unduly who do not cow.

    “It will enable government enjoy competitive debates with the masses and opposition. It will strengthen our electioneering reportage and access to media from all shades so people in election will not be limited in their access to press.”

    The organisation also called for the harmonisation between the Broadcast code and the constitutional provision empowering Local Government Authorities with respect to radio and TV licence charges or fees.

    It said the step would avoid double payment or taxation by media operators. (NAN)

  • BYSIEC issues certificates of return to elected chairmen, councillors in Bayelsa

    (FLOWERBUDNES)  Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) on  Tuesday issued  certificates of return to  eight elected Local Government Area  Chairmen  and 105 Councillors in  the just concluded elections.

    Presenting the certificates at the commission’s Secretariat in Yenagoa, BYSIEC  acting Chairman,  Mr Remember Ogbe, said the event was historic in the democratic transition of the state.

    He commended the media, civil society organisations, election observers and Bayelsa people that contributed toward the success of the  elections.

    The acting Chairman, assured political actors that the commission would remain an impartial umpire in the discharge of its responsibilities.

    In his remarks, the chairman elect of Southern Ijaw local government area, Mr Nigeria Kia, commended BYSIEC for conducting  free and fair election.

    He expressed appreciation to the people of Southern Ijaw local government area  for coming out en masse to exercise their franchise.

    The chairman-elect pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the people.

    He called on all and sundry to join him in developing the local government.

    According to Kia, it’s a government of consolidation, its a government that will embrace everybody, touching the lives of all communities across the local government.

    “I am very happy with my vice and the 17 dogged councillors will show the way to lead the local government.

    “Southern Ijaw is not a troublesome area, they are only waiting for the right person to lead them.

    “It is said in the Bible, when the righteous rule the people rejoice and I guese I am the chosen one to bring more development to the area,” he added.

    Speaking in the same vein, the chairman-elect of Nembe local government council, Mr Alalibo West, thanked Nembe people for electing him and pledged to bring  dividends of democracy to the local government.

    West reiterated that Bayelsa remainsed a PDP state and re-affirmed his commitment to deliver its local government for PDP come Nov. 16 gubernatorial election.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Bayelsa council poll held  on Saturday, Aug.  10. (NAN)

  • U.S. air regulators ban some Apple laptops on flights

    US Air Regulators ban some Apple Laptops on flight

    Some MacBook Pro laptops are being banned on flights in the United States amid Apple’s recent statements saying that batteries in several units pose fire risks, Bloomberg reported.

    The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Bloomberg that it was “aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops.” The FAA added that it had already alerted US airlines about that.

    This week, the ban was implemented by four airlines with cargo operations by Total Cargo Expertise (TCE).

    “Please note that the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop, sold between mid-2015 to February-2017 is prohibited on board any of our mandate carriers,” a coordinator with TCE operations wrote to employees.

    In June, Apple released a statement, saying that some of its older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units contain faulty batteries.

    These batteries may “overheat and pose a fire safety risk.” The affected units were sold between September 2015 and February 2017.

  • For Stealing $600, FAAN suspends officer at Yola Airport

    By Adekunle Williams

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeri(FAAN) says it has suspended indefinitely the Aviation Security Officer, Jennifer Luka, who was involved in an alleged $600 theft at the Yola International Airport.

    FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, made this known on Friday in a statement in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a female staff member of FAAN, Luka, was arrested at the Yola airport for allegedly stealing 600 dollars belonging to a female pilgrim, Hafsat Mohammed.

    Yakubu said the suspension would remain effective pending the completion of investigation into the case.

    “The authority has consequently handed over the erring officer to the appropriate security agency for further questioning and prosecution.

    “FAAN deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and the conduct of Jennifer, which does not reflect the values of the authority and its staff,” she said.

    Yakubu assured the general public that the airports remain safe and secure for travellers and other airport users.

    She also said FAAN remains committed to its core values of safety, security and comfort of passengers and airport users.

    The Adamawa Police Command spokesman, DSP Suleiman Yahaya, said Luka discovered pepper in the bag of Mohammed which she threatened to seize, if she was not given bribe.

    Yahaya said the FAAN official was given 10 Saudi Riyal by the pilgrim to allow her to go with the pepper.

    The spokesman said it was during the bribe negotiation that the lady took 600 dollars from the woman’s bag.

    Yahaya said when the pilgrim later discovered that her money was missing, she raised the alarm and the money was found in possession of FAAN staff member. (NAN)

  • Benue ministerial nominee pledges protection of Nigerians interest

    Minister designate George Akume says the interest of the country will be paramount in the discharge of his duty when he is alloted a portfolio.

    Akume made the promise in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation of the Benue aspirants group on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former governor of Benue applauded the tenacity, purpose, sense of commitment and involvement of the group in supporting the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “You fought a gallant fight and some of you lost in the process of becoming candidates but you never pull back because your commitment remained unshaken,” he said.

    He also commended the leadership of the president, describing him as a great gift to Nigerians.

    Mr Bem Garba, Coordinator of APC Aspirant Group Benue, said that as members of the party, they recognised Akume as a star political actor in the state.

    “We recognise you as our number one aspirant of Benue, so we put ourselves together and refuse to leave the party.

    “Even when we were faced with challenges and that’s why we are here to congratulate your choice as minister designate,” he said.