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Tag: Federal Government

  • Benue Guber: Supreme Court affirms Rev Alia’s election

    Benue Guber: Supreme Court affirms Rev Alia’s election

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of Benue State after the Apex Court dismissed the appeal of Titus Uba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    A five-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal after counsel for the PDP governorship candidate, Sebastian Hon, SAN withdrew the appeal challenging APC victory in the March 18 governorship election.

    Hon, a Senior Advocate, withdrew the appeal after getting a hint from the Apex Court panel that the matter before it was one bordering on nomination and as such a pre-election matter.

    Consequently, the Apex court five-man panel, presided by Justice Inyang Okoro upheld the governorship election that produced Rev Hyacinth Alia, as the Benue state governor legal.

    Details later…

  • Supreme court’s judgement on Kanu, a product of Igbo phobia – Huriwa….his release should have been a gift to Ezeife – Abaribe

    Reactions has been trailing the Supreme Court judgement which ordered the self acclaimed leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, back to the federal high court to continue his trail.

    The Apex Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but written by Justice Garba Lawal voided and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which in October last year, ordered the release of Kanu and also quashed the terrorism charges against him.

    In it’s judgment, the court described the Nigerian Government unlawful repatriation of Kanu from Kenya as reckless, held that such unlawful act however, has not divested any Court from proceeding with trial.

    Justice Lawal said that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanu’s release on mere unlawful abduction from Kenya adding that at moment, the remedy for such action is for Kanu to file a Civil matter against such act instead of removing the powers of courts to continue with his trial for alleged criminal charges.

    The Apex Court subsequently ordered that Kanu should go and defend himself in the remaining 7 count terrorism charges against him.

    Reacting to the judgement,
    Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order his Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alhaji Lateef Fagbemi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to file a nolle prosequi discontinuing any trial on the nebulous charges of terrorism or treason against the leader of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    The Rights group stated that the supreme Court ruling on Friday morning quashing the nullification of the charges of terrorism against Nnamdi Kanu and for his immediate freedom as ordered by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria shows that justices who sat on this Appeal at the Supreme Court are suffering from Igbo phobia and do not wish the Igbo region well.

    Though the apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel of Justices, acknowledged that FG acted “irresponsibly” when it forcefully brought Kanu back to the country from Kenya, against all known laws, however, it held that it was not enough to divest the trial court of its jurisdiction to continue with the case.

    It held that there is no legislation in the country that stripped the trial court of the jurisdiction to go ahead with Kanu’s case, despite the illegal action that FG took against him.

    In the judgement that was read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that the remedy open for Kanu was for him to institute a civil action against the government.

    HURIWA however strongly disagree with the Supreme court and fully backed the well considered judgment of the Court of Appeal which quashed the trial of Nnamdi Kanu including building its sound judgment on the violation of international laws by the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered the illegal rendition and abduction of Nnamdi Kanu from Nairobi Airpott in Kenya back into Nigeria wearing handcuffs.

    The Rights group stated “It is a shame that the highest court in the land can actually reach a determination that a citizen’s human rights was violated by the Federal Government through unlawful abduction, but the same Supreme Court is waiting for a phantom legislation to unleash its legal venom against offenders who committed the unlawful act and who are now without immunity including erstwhile President Buhari and his AGF Abubakar Malami.”

    Questioning why the Supreme Court of Nigeria had to on the basis of whimsical excuses that the Appeal court’s freedom granted to Nnamdi Kanu was based on sentiments and not on law therefore overruling the sound judgment of the Appeal court, HURIWA said the current justices at the Supreme court have a long history of dishing out rulings that had contributed to the instability and insecurity that has engulfed much of South East

    The Rights group through the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that the president should order the immediate discontinuation of this state sponsored persecution of Nnamdi Kanu whose involvement in the Indigenous peoples of Biafra(IPOB), has not been traced to any provable case of terrorism.

    Huriwa said “this Supreme Court has lost a historical opportunity to end the ‘war’ in the South East of Nigeria. The final remedy is for the President to exercise his powers through his AGF to bring this injustice and continuous persecution of Nnamdi Kanu to an end.”

    The group argued that the aggressive persecution of Nnamdi kanu and hundreds of thousands of Igbo youths associated with the self determination campaigns of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and particularly, the prolonged humiliation, dehumanisation and detention is the genesis of the heightened state of insecurity, mass killings, insurgency and destruction of the peace of Igboland.

    Huriwa stated that “ending this state sponsored persecution of Nnamdi Kanu and the commencement of constructive dialogues with agitators, will restore peace and will serve the overall public good.”

    Also reacting is Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator representing Abia South.

    The Senator said the release of Nnamdi Kanu, would have been a gift for the late former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

    Speaking through his media adviser, Uchenna Awom. Eyinnaya called for calm over the judgement of the Supreme Court that refused to release Kanu, as he described Ezeife’s death as a great loss to the people of the Southeast.

    According to Abaribe: “Okwadike never hid his feelings and, as such, voiced out his opinion on vexed national issues as they affected his beloved Igbo. He spoke truth to power, no matter whose ox was gored.

    “Ironically, he died on the eve of a day our brother Nnamdi Kanu was denied release by the Supreme Court. It would have been a fitting gift to him.”

    It will be called that Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on April 8, 2022, quashed 8 out of the 15 count charges preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government.

    However, Justice Nyako held that Kanu had questions to answer on the remaining 7 counts.

    Dissatisfied with the judgement, Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN, headed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja to seek the dismissal of the remaining 7-count charge.

    In a judgement on October 13, 2022, the appellate court dismissed all the 7 count criminal charges against Kanu.

  • FG Has Undertaken Comprehensive Efforts To Curb Terrorism -Defence Minister 

    FG Has Undertaken Comprehensive Efforts To Curb Terrorism -Defence Minister 

    The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni has said that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has undertaken Comprehensive efforts to curb the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminalities and restore normalcy to all parts of the country, especially in the North East geopolitical zone.

    He disclosed this during the book launch by the Nigerian Air Force, titled: “Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in North East Nigeria: Emerging Perspectives and the Imperative of Airpower” recently in Abuja.

    The Minister stated that the Ministry of Defence as the vanguard of the national security has played a pivotal role in coordinating the Armed Forces and executing strategies to counter terrorism effectively. He added that there was the need for a multi-faceted approach of combining Military precision with socio- economic initiatives to address the root causes of radicalization.

    Speaking on the title of the Book launched, Badaru said that in a bid to pursue a whole society approach to the issue of terrorism, the book was developed by leveraging strong partnership between Nigerian Air Force and the academia.

    He commended the book launchers saying that it would serve a valuable resource for policymakers, Military Strategists and scholars in understanding the evolving dynamics of terrorism in Nigeria and to explore the imperative of airpower in the nation’s counter- terrorism efforts.

    The Minister said that the scourge of terrorism was not confined within national borders alone, but that it was a global challenge.

    “The Sahel region with its vast and diverse terrain, has become a hotspot for terrorist activities, posing a significant threat to regional stability. In this context, the collaboration of intergovernmental organizations including the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and others become imperative to address the root causes and manifestations of terrorism in the Sahel,” he said.

    The Special Guest of Honour, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio in his address said that the book launch was not just an academic exercise but a call to action that would serve as a reminder that we have a shared responsibility to fight against terrorism and protect the lives and liberties of our fellow citizens.

    The Governor of Bornu State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum who was in attendance appreciated the Armed Forces for exhibiting professionalism, synergy and commitments to ending insurgency.

    The host, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar noted that the book was developed in collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Babcock University to serve as a guiding light for policy makers, military strategists and practitioners in formulating holistic solutions that go beyond the realm of military operations.

  • Waterways Security: FG To Create Coastal Guards

    Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has said the Federal Government is exploring the possibility of establishing coast guards to ensure security on the nation’s coastline.

    Oyetola made the disclosure at the weekend during the 32nd Iragbiji Day celebration in Iragbiji, his home town, in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun.

    “There is conscious efforts on security of marine environment. We have deployed security equipment to safeguard the waterways.

    “We are already looking at the possibility of establishing coast guards which will be designed essentially to ensure the safety of our coastline.

    “We have not less than 853 kilometres of coastline in Nigeria and about 10,000 perimeter of inland waterways.

    “If we want to ensure coastal tourism, we must provide adequate security and we are working with the navy, marine police and others to ensure security of our waterways”, he said.

    Oyetola commended the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi, for using the Iragbiji day celebration to attract development to the town in the last 32 years.

    The minister, however, condemned the conversion of the Sustainable Development Goal-Focused Skilled Acquisition Centre built in the town by the Federal Government to a football camp by the state government.

    “I am so unhappy that the same project that we fought for, for our youths to acquire skills, has been turned into a soccer base.
    ”I have no quarrel with football, but the facility must be used for the purpose it is made.

    “The centre is meant for the acquisition of skills for youth and I want the state government to recognise that this project put in place by the Federal Government is for the benefit of the youths in acquiring skills,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi, said the community had been using the money realised from the annual celebration to assist indigent students in the town.

    Oba Olabomi said that the community paid for the West African Examinations Council, National Examination Council and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination fees of 50 indigent students of the town from the money realised from the 2022 celebration.

    The traditional ruler called on sons and daughters to support the community so that more indigent students could benefit.

    He commended the minister for his support for the town all times.

  • NGO, Stakeholders Accuse FG, Others Of ‘Exploiting’ Mining Communities

    A Non-Governmental Organization, Global Rights, has accused the federal government and critical stakeholders of exploiting mining communities, including taking decisions without carrying host communities along.

    Addressing participants at the Third West African Mining Host Community “Indaba” in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said, due to faulty governance systems, the extraction and trade of the resources found in mining communities often fuel conflicts, corruption and violence, hence the need to find solutions to the menace. 

    She said: “Annually, across several platforms across the world, governments and mining companies gather to decide our fate. The fate of our ancestral lands and of our children yet unborn. At these confabs, the people most impacted – extractive host communities are excluded. How do you decide for us without us? Afterall, we are the ones who know where the shoe pinches. We are the ones whose lands are desecrated, whose resilience are weakened. We are the ones.

    “So, we chose to represent ourselves, to give ourselves agency to decide our own future as the African Mining Vision and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights has accorded us in Sections 20-22. This annual gathering unites us as a people to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that we are confronted with as West Africans. It is a platform for open and inclusive dialogue where ideas, experiences, and solutions are shared collectively.

    “We have also chosen to invite governments and mining companies. Perhaps, if they listen to us and dialogue with us, they might finally understand the powers that we have so generously bestowed on them are to protect our rights. Perhaps, they might understand afresh that the security of states start with the security of the people within the state, and adopt a human security paradigm to address the challenges around the efficient exploitation of our resources.

    “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the wealth of West Africa’s minerals benefits the many, rather than the few and that it becomes a catalyst for peace, development and progress.”

    Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said there is need for the creation of a unique tax force for the mining sector to combat insecurity and other issues affecting it.

  • FG Inaugurates Rafin Yashi Dam For Songhai Farming

    The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has inaugurated the Rafin Yashin multipurpose Dam in Minna, Niger State.

    The Dam project, which was initiated by the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, is aimed at providing water for Songhai Integrated Farming and Rafin Yashi Irrigation Project.

    Utsev, in a statement on Wednesday, said it was a deliberate effort by the ministry to boost food production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure food security across the country.

    He called for more collaboration between states and the private sector in the areas of irrigation and water supply.

    According to him, it is the desire of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure food security in the country, saying no effort will be spared to achieve the target.

    The Minister had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago who was represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba.

    At the meeting, he informed the governor that the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority with its Headquarters in Minna, had dams in many locations across the state that can be used for irrigation farming.

    This, he added, could be a good source for water supply for the benefit of the state and the country in general.

    In his response, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government.

    He further said that in spite of the state possessing dams, it faced huge challenges to fully utilise them due to limited resources.

    He appealed to the minister to support the state in addressing water challenges, adding that assistance was needed in constructing additional water works for irrigation farming and personal consumption.

    This, the deputy governor said would help to tackle water scarcity in certain communities to enhance the state and country’s economy.

    Utsev also officially opened the Rafin Yashi Dam Road, inspected the Agro-Tourism Facility, Concrete Reservoir, and Songhai Integrated Farm.

    He also presented certificates to graduates of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority Empowerment Centre.

  • FG To Subsidize Adire Production, Reduce Foreign Imports – Minister

    The Federal Government is set to provide subsidies to boost the production of Adire, a locally-made fabric, and combat the influx of foreign alternatives.

    Mrs. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, made this announcement during her visit to the Adire mall in Itoku, Abeokuta.

    Edu emphasized the government’s commitment to creating industrial hubs nationwide, particularly to benefit market women and enhance revenue.

    She expressed the government’s intention to promote Adire on the global stage and stressed the need to restrict the importation of foreign Adire products.

    Edu explained that by promoting and subsidizing local production, the government could eliminate the infiltration of foreign-made Adire into the market.

    She underlined the importance of supporting local products to meet the demand, create jobs, boost the economy, and reduce the country’s reliance on imports.

    The Minister also mentioned that the government would provide subsidies for Adire producers, similar to how they had done with fuel subsidies. This support aims to encourage the production of local Adire for both domestic and international markets.

    Edu expressed her appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who promised to establish hubs in Abuja for the sale of authentic Adire.

    She sees this as an opportunity to showcase this unique fabric to the world and boost local production, enabling more people to earn a living and support their families.

  • NLC, TUC Issue Strike Notice Following Attack On Joe Ajaero

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have issued a strike notice to the Federal Government, set for November 8.

    This is in response to an attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero and other union leaders in Imo State on Wednesday.

    In a joint statement released on Friday, the unions presented a six-point demand to the government. 

    These demands include the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, and the Area Commander, as well as other officials allegedly involved in the attack.

    Furthermore, the unions have called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all individuals responsible for the attack, along with compensation for the victims.

    They have also demanded a public apology from the Imo State Government and the Inspector-General of Police. Additionally, the unions seek assurances that such an attack will not recur in the future.

    If the government fails to meet these demands within the next five days, the unions have warned that they will proceed with a nationwide strike. 

  • FG Moves To Establish Building Material Hubs

    The Federal government has disclosed its plans to establish building materials manufacturing hubs nationwide to actualize the Action Plan for housing and urban development.

    The establishment of the hub, which the FG said was in line with the ministry’s housing reform initiatives, was aimed at delivering decent, affordable, and quality housing to Nigerians across all income segments.  

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed this recently during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the International Financial Corporation (IFC), led by Dr. Dahlia Khalifa – Regional Director, Central Africa, and Anglophone West Africa, in Abuja.

    Represented by the Minister of State, Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo,  Dangiwa said: “Establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across the country, implementing a Nationwide Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrading programme is one of the actionable strategies to achieve the renewed hope agenda in housing development.

    “Also, the development of New Cities that are integrated and inclusive, using a demand-driven strategy that will ensure prompt offtake of units built,” he said.

    The minister further listed other strategies put in place to achieve the renewed hope agenda including strengthening the institutional capacity of agencies under its supervision including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

    Dangiwa added that plans to increase the risk of supply of decent and affordable housing, establishing a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF), and implementing land reforms to enhance easy and cost-effective access to land were also in place.

    He commended the work of the IFC in providing funding for developmental projects across Africa.

    Dangiwa further assured the corporation of the ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability in their collaborations.

    “Our sole goal is to deliver on Mr. President’s objective of providing decent and quality accommodation to all Nigerians, especially the 80 percent falling within the medium and low segments.  We aim to build livable communities and leverage the housing sector to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty”, he said.

    Earlier, the Senior Country Manager of the IFC, Mr Kalim Shah, had noted that housing was a major focus of the IFC across Africa where they service both the supply and demand sides of the industry.

    He said the purpose of the visit was to understand what the ministry was doing and see how the group could partner and support their efforts to enhance the delivery of affordable housing to Nigerians.

    “We see some honest desire on the part of the new government to provide affordable housing to the people, and we’ve come as partners to see how we can support what you’re doing. As an arm of the World Bank, our focus is primarily on private sector investment, so we are looking for areas where we can work with the ministry in line with your vision for decent and affordable housing solutions to Nigerians, “he said.

    Also speaking,  the Senior Investment Officer, Public-Private Partnership of IFC, Alexander Leigh, said the corporation wished to engage the ministry in a bid to identify the specific areas of need and know how to provide solutions.

    He added that the IFC considers factors like access to land and its administration, construction costs, the situation of beneficiaries to occupy the houses, and affordability in its dealings with countries, and expressed excitement at the ministry’s efforts to address such issues.

  • FG Reaffirms Commitment To Tackling Tobacco Use By Children

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackle tobacco use by children in Nigeria.

    Dr Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youth and Social Development, made the commitment in Abuja on Friday when Ms Bintou Camara, Regional Director, Tobacco Control Programme (AFRO) Campaign for Tobacco – Free Kids paid her a courtesy visit.

    Ibrahim said that tobacco smoking among children was a big challenge facing the country.

    The minister said Nigeria needs to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to educate Nigerian to understand the health implication of tobacco smoking among young people.

    “We will focus on adolescent heath. It is the area we need to be proactive in putting mechanisms in place to achieve a preventive approach tobacco smoking among the kids.

    “We must work with the act that bans tobacco smoking in public places especially to prevent second hand smoke,” she said.

    Also speaking, Camara said that the organisation was in the country to campaign and educate Nigerians on the danger of tobacco smoking.

    “We are the leading advocacy organisations in the world that advocate against tobacco smoking.

    “We are focusing on tobacco control.
    “Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths that is why is it important that we tackle tobacco prevention,” she said.

    According to her, tobacco companies target the young people in other to safe guard their profits.

    Camara said that it was important to tackle tobacco control because the world was facing an incredible enemy that may affect public health issues.

    She said that the organisation had been working for more than 25 years to educate the youths on the danger of tobacco smoking.

    “The organisation has fought to protect children and save lives from cause of preventable death.

    “Our vision is a future free of the death and disease caused by tobacco. Because tobacco has killed enough,” Camara said.

    According to her, it is the tobacco industry that is searching confidently to target young people in other to safe guard the profit over public health.

    She said that Nigeria was the most important market in Africa and probably the world with beautiful, powerful and strong number of young people in the continent.

    “Most important thing for us is to raise awareness, educate youths on the consequences of tobacco use.

    “Tobacco smoking has killed eight million people a year and out of the number 1.2m die from second hand smoke which means you don’t have to be a smoker, you can die from it, suffer from it whether you want it or not,” she said.

    Camara said that the country had passed the tobacco smoking law, saying that implementation and enforcing was most important, especially for the young people.

    She described tobacco as the entering way to other drugs that generates negative consequence which include mental health, lost of productive life, lost of good health, and education among others.