Bash Ali Spits Fire, Calls for Dare's Sack

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Aliens Now NigeriansPAGE 9 As NIMC officials connive to register them No official position on distortions Bash Ali Spits Fire, Calls For Dare’s Sack PAGE 11 Dangote FMBN Petrol Subsidy Chief Justice Of Tightens Noose Enmeshes In Nigeria Backs Against Cement To Gulp N720bn Striking Judicial N14.2bn Fraud In Six Months Workers PAGE 8 PAGE Manufacturers 14 PAGE PAGE 24 PAGE PAGE 24 EDITORIAL Ghana, Taking The Shine Off Nigeria? here have been words trading in public space over the According to the Report, Nigeria ranks 131 out of 190 somewhat indication that Nigeria is fast losing its countries on the World Bank Doing Business Index, moving long held appeal as the location of choice for foreign up 15 places from 146th position in the 2019 Report. firms in the siting of their businesses, in spite of the However, in two weeks, Twitter, German-West African recently issued 2020 Ease of Doing Business Report Center for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention and Tby the World Bank on Thursday, October 24, 2019. automobile firms, Hyundai and Kai have all opted to site The Report measures the ease of doing business through their operational bases in Ghana, in a move that appears a comparative assessment of the regulatory environment more or less, a muted slighting of Nigeria. in 190 countries across the following 12 areas of life of a CONTINUE ON PAGE 5 business organisation, from May 1, 2018 to April 30,2019. Why Obasanjo, Jonathan’s Conferences Were Dumped PAGE 10 Emefiele Tasks Nigeria’s External Post-Election Crisis, Tokyo 2020: Nigeria’s Medal Varsities, Youths Debt To Hit $87bn Deby’s Death: Prospect Dies In On Top-notch Agric With Approval Of Implications For Programmes $2.6bn Loan Road Accident PAGE 21 PAGE War On Terrorism PAGE 2 PAGE PAGE 12 PAGE PAGES 16 – 17 الجزير نيجيريا

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L-R: Deputy Vice-chancellors (Administration) Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor Paul Annune, Vice-chancellor, Professor Richard Kimbir, Representative of the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Director, Development Finance Department, Yusuf Philip Yila, Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic) Professor Nicodemus Agbulu and University Registrar, Mrs Helen Nguper Nyitse at the Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi over the weekend. Emefiele Tasks Varsities, Youths On Top-notch Agric Programmes Bags FUAM Agropreneur Honorary Doctorate

BY CHIKA MEFOR-OKAFOR solutions that would improve Nigerian youth to cue into According to the Vice productivity of Nigeria’s the Bank’s intervention Chancellor of the University, The Governor, Central Bank agricultural sector. schemes such as the Anchor Professor Anande Richard of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin The Governor, who Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) Kimbir, Mr. Emefiele Emefiele has again challenged was represented by the and the Agribusiness, Small was being conferred with tertiary institutions in Nigeria Director, Development and Medium Enterprises an honorary Doctorate to promote research and Finance Department, Mr. Investment Scheme Degree (Honoris Causa) in well-designed programmes Philip Yila Yusuf, said the (AGSMEIS) in order to Agripreneurship, for his that will boost agriculture in CBN was ready to provide make their own towards the leadership role at the Bank, Nigeria. a commercial outlook to country’s goal of addressing which had continued to work Mr. Emefiele stated this research breakthroughs on the challenge of rising to diversify Nigeria’s largely on Friday, April 23, 2021, improved seeds by ensuring demand for food, in spite based mono-economy into while delivering a lecture a guaranteed market through of the progress made in the agriculture as well as support titled: “Jump Starting the off-take of those seeds for production of staple food small-holder farmers. Agricultural Revolution: The adoption by Nigerian farmers items. The Vice Chancellor noted CBN Experience” at the 23rd- under the Bank’s Anchor The CBN Governor, who that the effort of the CBN, led 25th joint convocation lecture Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). decried the overreliance of the by Emefiele, had contributed of the Federal University of He noted that the seed country on crude oil earnings, largely to the return of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM). industry was a multi-billion said the Bank, as part of its agricultural pyramids across According to him, the dollar investment, and offered Emefiele mandate to ensure price and the country, adding that university community had a the potential for collaboration monetary stability, had to Emefiele and his team at the significant role in fostering between the CBN and the noting that the cumulative intervene in the agricultural Bank had also helped Nigeria research that would enhance University Community. While effect of the interventions sector in order to diversify the to navigate her way out of yields per hectare by farmers declaring the Bank’s readiness had, among other things, Nigerian economy as well as two recessions in record time. and reduce other constraints to partner with Nigerian assisted Nigeria to achieve mitigate the impact of global Other dignitaries awarded faced by farmers such as universities to achieve this progressive increase shock to the economy arising honorary doctoral at the access to markets and storage objective, he also urged them in agricultural outputs from volatility in the price of convocation ceremony were facilities for their produce. to set up demonstration along major agricultural crude oil. Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Citing the agricultural farms in farming areas, where commodities. He therefore Meanwhile, the Mr. Godwin the National Leader of the All success of Israel made farmers can come and obtain urged the graduating students Emefiele was among five Progressive Congress (APC); possible through research knowledge on the right to leverage the knowledge dignitaries conferred with Timipre Sylva, the Minister into irrigation, he said the farming practices to adopt in they had acquired at the honorary doctorate degrees of state for Petroleum; Vice- CBN was eager to see how the order to increase their yields school towards applying it in by the Federal University Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), university community and and output. supporting further growth of Agriculture, Makurdi, an agro-industrialist; and the graduating students could Emefiele also enumerated of Nigeria’s agricultural in recognition of their Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group leverage their knowledge the impact of the Bank’s sector given its immense outstanding contributions Managing Director of the and research to come up intervention in the opportunities. in various spheres of human Nigerian National Petroleum with similar breakthrough agricultural sector in Nigeria, He also charged other endeavor. Corporation (NNPC). الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 3 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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ة Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news review e-mail: [email protected] Monday, April 19, 2021 Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Buhari Tolerating Rubbish From Some Osinbajo Briefs President Buhari After Top Stories Nigerians – Bello Masari London Medical Trip Governor Aminu Bello Masari Vice President Yemi Osinbajo special report of Katsina State has said on Monday, briefed President Terrorism: New Nigerien President Muhammadu Buhari Muhammadu Buhari on has been tolerating rubbish happenings within the past President’s Promises And from some people. few days when he was in Implications PAGE 12 London for a medical check- up. special report Fresh Hurdle For FCT Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Thursday, April 22, 2021 Residents As Park & Pay El-Rufai Tells Military: Killing Bandits Only Senate Approves Fresh External Loans For Policy Returns PAGE 13 Way To Make Schools Safe Federal Government Governor Nasir El-Rufai of The Nigerian Senate on Kaduna State has said the only Wednesday, approved sports way to make schools safe is to the request by the federal Dare Assures On Speedy kill all bandits and bombing the government to borrow fresh forests they are camping. $1.5billion and another Completion Of Moshood €995million external loans. Abiola Stadium PAGE 15 business & economy Friday, April 23 2021 Saturday, April 24, 2021 Dangote, BUA Deliberately South-East: Criminals Using IPOB’s Name To House Of Reps Reveals When It Will Consider Causing Scarcity, Price Hike Commit Crime – Umahi Motion On Pantami – Dealers PAGE 21 The Governor of Ebonyi State, Nigeria’s House of Dave Umahi, on Thursday said Representatives has revealed some criminals are using the when it will consider the politics & policy Indigenous People of Biafra motion demanding the sack and Eastern Security Network’s of the embattled Minister of Ayade’s Defection To APC name to commit crime in the Communications and Digital South-East. Economy, Isa Pantami. Imminent PAGE 23 PHOTO OF THE WEEK

An articulated with the container tilting dangerously on one side at Jakande Estate to Oke-Afa, Oshodi-Isolo LCDA in Lagos on Wednesday, April 21. Photo:“ Supo Olosunde/ICE/NAN الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 5 ةالجزير نيجيريا

VISION STATEMENT MISSION STATEMENT To operate a world class print media Our mission is to create hard-breaking national organisation collocated with and international news, as it unfolds. We deliver ة positive journalistic ethics and unparalleled perspectives across multiple practices at its peak to our beloved categories including politics, health, entertainment, readers in Nigeria. education, classy, judiciary, parliament, foreign editorial affairs, business, sports and more. Ghana, Taking The Shine Off Nigeria? FROM COVER choice to site its African headquarters in Ghana instead of Nigeria, are only With much shock after the development, Nigerians took to social media space blaming the effect and not the cause. to vent their anger against the Federal Government for her inactions, which Policies are inconsistent and most of the time anti-business and these have they said, led to the choice of Ghana as the headquarters for Twitter’s African compelled investors to struggle so much to do business in Nigeria. operations, instead of Nigeria that has far more Twitter followers. AljazirahNigeria is deeply perturbed as more global companies seem to be They blamed the government for inconsistent policies and for allowing Twitter snubbing Nigeria despite its status as the largest market in Africa, as Hyundai to be accused of escalating the #EndSARS protest in Nigeria last year, which and Kia followed the path of Twitter to announce the basing of their assembly reached its peak on October 20, 2021, when security forces allegedly opened fire plants in Ghana. The two automakers will now manufacture and assemble their on unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos. vehicles in Ghana and distribute them to other African countries for sale. Both After the protest, Nigerian politician, Adamu Garba, sued Twitter for Hyundai and Kia plan to establish the assembly plants in the West African country supporting the protest, but later withdrew the suit. before the end of next year. Concerned that Twitter was dragged into the #EndSARS saga, Nigerian youths Aside from Hyundai and Kia, other car manufacturers like Toyota-Suzuki, insist that the inability of the government to handle the issue, coupled with policy Nissan, Kantanka, Volkswagen, and Sinotruck have already made Ghana one of inconsistency, must have prompted Twitter to look outside of Nigeria in sitting their assembly locations in Africa. When the foreign brands start distributing its African headquarters in Ghana. their vehicles to their market in Africa, Nigeria will have to depend on Ghana Nigeria’s population is large and bigger than Ghana’s, our market size is bigger, to import cars. This means Nigeria will become a source of revenue for the we have more Twitter patrons, our geographical location is an advantage, but we neighbouring country in the auto market. have a very bad social environment that is discouraging investors from investing The entry of the two automotive companies followed Twitter’s decision to snub in Nigeria. Nigeria, a country that offers the social media firm its second-largest users in Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO, said the company’s choice of Ghana was based on sub-Saharan Africa. the country’s history of being a “champion of democracy” and “a supporter of Similarly, the German government says it will support the launch of a German- free speech, online freedom and the open internet”. West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention. AljazirahNigeria can note as a matter of fact, other factors which may have The development comes just when the dust is yet to settle on Twitter’s choice influenced the choice of Ghana being our manufacturing sector which is in of Ghana over Nigeria for its African office. comatose and the government not doing anything about it. Many manufacturing There is an ongoing conversation over how Africa’s giant somehow manages companies have gone under while several others have relocated to neighboring to lose opportunities to neighbouring countries, Ghana especially. countries. Government policy and the business operating environment are While Nigeria may pride itself as Africa’s giant, Ghana is gradually positioning not favourable to investors, and these are the real issues that business owners itself as the apple of the continent’s eyes, especially to foreign investors. consider before siting business in any location”. We urge the government to urgently clear the Augean stable by creating a Apart from technical skills transfer, more taxes will be paid to the local country. sustainable business environment that would attract the ever needed foreign You will have better quality of the service at reduced cost, and opportunities for investment. development of local content. Efforts must be reinforced at stemming the recurring spate of insecurity that We struggle for access to good medical care, access to good roads, access to is running in different shades across the country. Only then can some level of electricity, among others. Those blaming the federal government for Twitter’s confidence return to attract Foreign Investment from across the globe. Who SAID What? IN THE NEWS

There are a lot of things that are wrong in Nigeria – environmental issues and distribution of wealth. The idea of separation should not be for us. It is by coming together that we can be able to deliver on our mandate. “Even if there are problems, we should be able to settle our differences and move on.” – A former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje الجزير نيجيريا

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ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news e-mail: [email protected] 2023: 21 Despite Approval, SIM Registration Verification: Parties, Groups Pensioners Blame Form Political Yet To Resume Amid Complaints Pencom For BY CYRIL OGAR business needed new lines to Unpaid Salaries Movement aid her business for customers The federal government BY WISDOM ONYEISI Human rights lawyer, Femi to make orders and bookings. suspended the registration of “Right now, I need about Falana (SAN), has revealed new SIMs in December 2020 Federal Government retir- that 21 political parties, civil two more lines for my staff ees have blamed PenCom but lifted the ban with effect members to receive orders right groups and labour or- from April 19. for the delay in salaries of and bookings for food from ganisations, have agreed Contrary to media reports, Federal government work- to form the people’s alter- registration of Subscriber customers, we have one line ers since 2020. native political movement, Identification Module (SIM) which is really making business One of the retirees who which he said would lead to has not resumed across the slow. spoke to AljazirahNigeria different telecommunications “I sincerely beg that new and pleaded to be anony- the formation of a political SIMs should be rolled out to party for the 2023 elections. networks. Network providers mous said the verification say they are yet to receive help us,” Ms Yusuf said. exercise has affected delay He said this during an in- Peoples Gazette had terview on Arise TV morn- official approval from in payment of salaries for regulatory authorities to reported that NCC on retirees. ing show, where he said have not been given the official we are yet to register for a new Thursday arrested no fewer those at the forefront of the resume registration. His comment is coming ‘green light’ to go ahead. SIM card. I just floated a new than five suspected individuals days after the Director- movement recently met in The federal government “We still await instructions business centre here in Surulere suspended the registration of for allegedly engaging in General, National Pension Abuja and over the course of from the authorities on that and I needed to get lines to fraudulent registering and sale Commission, Aisha Umar, three months, would engage new SIMs in December 2020 issue and that is what we tell attach to the centre, only to be but lifted the ban with effect of SIM cards. confirmed that the Federal with other progressive forc- our subscribers when they informed that it was yet to start The arrest was made during Government workers who es to ensure a party that will from April 19 amid heated request for it. registration. controversy which befell the commission’s routine retired from March 2020 bring change and win elec- “We want to follow due “I hope the government enforcement operations in to March 2021 have not tions is formed. communications minister Isa process that we are not held will quickly give the network Pantami. Abuja. been paid their pensions. He said they were wor- responsible for any SIM card providers the permission to The head of the NCC According to him, Pen- ried over the state of the A visit by a NAN sales, hence we only retrieve old start the reissuing of new SIM correspondent to some of the enforcement operations, Salish Com has not carried out nation and the frustration SIMs that were lost with proof to avoid delay in our various Abdu said that the exercise was mandatory verification and disenchantment of the network providers’ customer of ownership and of course the businesses,” he said. service outlets observed that part of the routine activities exercises since 2020 to en- youths that have led to sep- NIN identification,” they said. Ronke Thompson, 18, embarked upon by the able retirees receive their aratist agenda and demand no SIM registration was done, Some of the subscribers, who was also turned down for as most subscribers who commission to rid the industry savings. for the balkanisation of the spoke with AljazirahNigeria at requesting for a new SIM card of criminal elements engaging He lamented that the country. requested for a new SIM were the various locations said that for her new phone. turned down. in fraudulent registration of verification by PenCom is So, we have agreed to in- they needed new SIMs for their “I just turned 18 years and I SIM cards. supposed to be carried out tervene decisively in the po- Some officials of the wards, businesses and other was given a new phone by my different network stores in Mr Abdu warned those six months before retire- litical arena. What we have needs. brother, I need a new SIM card engaged in the unlawful ment in order to enable done so far is not to behave some parts of Surulere and Isaac Benson, a trader, for myself but my preferred Lagos Island who pleaded registration of SIMs to Pencom and PFAs process like politicians by announc- said that it was a welcome network said no SIM card sales the verified documents. anonymity, said they were development when it yet. desist from the illegal act, ing the birth of a political noting that the commission “I want to draw your at- party. We formed a political yet to get approval from the was announced that SIM “I just want to have my Nigerian Communications would continue to deal with tention to an important is- movement called Peoples registration was restored, own line to reach out to my sue in respect of PENCOM Commission (NCC) to roll out adding that he needed the new friends and for my privacy,” perpetrators. Alternative Political Move- sales of new SIM cards. He said that the enforced foot dragging of verifica- ment and we agreed that for SIM for his new business centre Ms Thompson said. tion exercise of FG retirees “We are aware of the lift in outlet. Temitope Yusuf, a food activities would continue in three months, we are going ban of new SIM cards but we other states of the country since last year, using COV- to embark on major consul- “I still don’t understand why vendor also lamented that her ID-19 social distancing as tation with other genuine an excuse. progressive forces with a to understand the new “The fact remains that view to forming a political dynamics of cultism in since last year, the PEN- party whose ideology would ...The New Dynamics Of Cultism In Nigeria Nigeria. First, cultism COM has not carried out be for the total reconstruc- is vastly expanding the mandatory verifica- FROM BACK PAGE with those earlier mentioned, on innocent people in the tion of the state of Nigeria but these ones are heavily used year 2020 especially during geographically and in terms tion exercises to enable and we are going place em- In 1997, 1 student was by unscrupulous politicians the lockdown that followed of membership especially in the retirees have their sav- phasis on chapter two of the also killed at the Institute and individuals, and they can the COVID-19 pandemic. the Southern part of Nigeria ings soon. constitution which guaran- of Technology, Enugu. By track their target to anywhere The second trend of cultism where teenagers (male or “I later found out from tees the socio economic lives estimate, not fewer than in Nigeria and beyond even is the active involvement of female) are rapidly becoming one of the PFAs that it has of the Nigerian people. 230 students have been if it requires doing so for many teenagers (including the active members. This alone been proposed to them to “We are bringing back killed between 1999 and several years. Between year primary and secondary school has expanded the number of allow the PFAs carry out the politics of ideology, pro- 2019 in Nigeria. While the 2018 and 2020, different pupils) in the act of cultism. people who might be killed the exercise, using their grammes and manifesto and causality figures cannot groups of cult members Recently in Abeokuta, Lagos, and possibly aggravated the several branches in every the commitment of political be truly ascertained, the have been terrorizing Lagos, Osogbo, and many towns in pains and panic of people in state of the federation in- parties to address the prob- number of people killed or Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, these youngsters this region and beyond. stead of the 6 zonal ar- lems confronting us as a maimed by cult members in Benin, Calabar, Abeokuta, began to manifest real cult Second, cultism is rapidly rangements being used people so that this country Nigeria is increasing and the Osogbo, and many other group activities which are having new recruits who are by PENCOM. But nothing can take its rightful place in law enforcement agencies towns, intensified their main threat to other people’s mainly youth, and are battle- has been done since, there- the comity of nations. This (especially the police) are onslaughts and killed many lives and threats to peace in the ready to operate anytime, by, putting us in a hopeless is the difference between us getting overwhelmed. people (including the rival society. Sadly, these youngsters anywhere in a commando situation.” and political parties that are Notably, the new trend gang members, and innocent have no knowledge that manner. This has also made He also complained vehicles for accessing power. surrounding cultism in people) with dangerous the emergence of many cult many to be scared and be about the logistics in the The ruling class has delib- Nigeria can be explained weapons including guns, groups like Panama, Black Eye extra-vigilant at home, at registration exercise. in two folds. The first is machetes, and pestles. These and Pyrate Confraternity were office and in other public “Why would they not erately pauperised our peo- and private places as the ple in a way that people are the seeming hijack of killings were not related to due to dynamic social, political, send their officers to liaise confraternity or cultism by the school campus at all, and economic situations of country’s policing system with every PFA in each compelled to take money to cannot guarantee safety of sell their votes. But we are many “big boys and girls” thus showing that the new the country, and the likes of state to carry out the ex- of the streets are who now trend of cultism in Nigeria Soyinka will never support cult lives and property to some ercise for retirees in each going to use the Electoral large extent. Act of the country to stop terrorising and killing in is permeating the nooks groups and gangsters that are state, instead of the jam- that and ensure that any commando-style than and crannies of the country. wielding their terrific power to – Olumuyiwa Kehinde is a boree of asking the retir- group of people that bribe previously known. Similarly, another robbery- brutalise and unleash terror on lecturer in the Department ees from about six states voters will be punished,” Fa- These cult groups cum-cult gang known as One innocent Nigerians. of English, University of to converge at a location,” lana said. although bear a resemblance Million Boys wreaked havoc Meanwhile, it is imperative Zululand. South Africa. he queried. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 7 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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news closed at N16.024 trillion. FG Award Data review showed that Lagos state is the most Contract For indebted state in the country by year-end 2020. The state Rehabilitation of also ranked top in domestic debt as well as in foreign Idu Access Roads debts. The state’s domestic BY RUTH GBAKA debt made up 12.15% of the total domestic debt of states The Federal Executive and FCT. Rivers state followed, Council has approved though half of Lagos state contracts for the with 6.38%. Delta and Akwa rehabilitation and Ibom states were 3rd and 4th, improvement of access accounting for 5.94% and road to the Idu Screening 5.51%. Kaduna state, which and Isolation Centre and was second in foreign debts, Gosa Solid Waste Disposal is 25th, making 1.64% of the site in Abuja at a contract total. In all, state domestic sum of N3,524,524,912.81 debt was N4.185 trillion. (Three Billion, Five In the fourth quarter of Hundred and Twenty Four 2020, Nigeria paid $289.45 Million, Five Hundred and million to service its external Twenty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twelve debts. Of this amount, only Naira, Eighty One Kobo) to 30.64% was used to pay From left: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Edet Akpan; Minister of State for Science and Technology, for the capital borrowed, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd. Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; and Director of Research, National Institute for Policy The Access Road to while interest on foreign and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Dung Pam Sha, during the visit of the Executive Course (Sec) 43 of NIPSS Kuru Jos, to the Minister’s Office loans serviced accounted for the Nigeria Center for in Abuja on Tuesday, April 20. PHOTO: HOGAN BASSEY/NAN Disease Control, NCDC, 69.34%. In Q4, $289.45 was Reference Laboratory in used to service external debts. the Gaduwa District of Most of this money went to Abuja is one of the roads FG Spends More On Debt Serving In Last Quarter 2020 commercial debts owed. Fifty- four percent of the $289.45 approved by the council for BY CYRIL OGAR Data available from the N173.48 billion, making 25% state accumulated to $14.06 emergency rehabilitation went to commercial loans, Debt Management Office of the amount borrowed in billion, which is 29.46 as of while multilateral loan was and improvement at the Nigeria’s debt profile (DMO) showed Nigeria 2020. December 2020. Kaduna state sum of N2,493,389,942.88 serviced by 43% of the figure. increased by 2.15% in the incurred more debt in the By the end of 2020, was behind Lagos in second Domestic debts serviced (Two Billion, Four fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020 Hundred and Ninety Three second quarter (Q2) of 2020. the Federal Government place, accounting for 11.89% showed that 92.9% went to to close at N32.92 trillion. The However, the total public debt (FG) incurred a total of of the debts. the payment of accumulated Million, Three Hundred fourth quarter saw external and Eighty Nine Thousand, of the country fell gradually $33.35 million. The sources The Federal Government interests while 7.1% was spent debt increased by 4.26%, from Q2 through Q4. Total of borrowing show that mainly used bonds to acquire to service the principal. The Nine Hundred and Forty while domestic debt increased Two Naira and Eighty debt increased by 4.47% multilateral loans account for loans in 2020. By the end states spent a total of N351.99 by 0.87%. Total external debt in the first quarter (Q1) of 53.78% of the total sum. The of the year, FG Bonds debt billion servicing domestic Eight Kobo) to Messrs CBC at the end of Q4 was N12.71 Global Civil and Building 2020 to N28.628 trillion. In amount owed as multilateral accumulated made up debts. Government bonds Construction Nig Ltd. trillion, and domestic debt Q2, it increased by 8.31% to debt closed at $17.93 million. 73.83% of the total domestic took 68.03% of the amount, These authorisations closed at N20.21 trillion. N31.01 trillion. In Q3 and Commercial debts at year-end debts owed. Treasury bills and 18.51% went to NTBs. were based on memos In the fourth quarter, Q4, it increased by 3.92% and were $11.17 million, and the were the second most used Others are Sukuk rentals, presented to the Federal Nigeria paid $289.45 to 2.15%, respectively. country ended 2020 owing instruments by the FG. A treasury bonds, green bonds, Executive Council by the service external debts and Data gleaned from the bilateral debt of $4.06 million. total of N2.72 trillion remains and savings bonds. Honourable Minister of $326.99 billion to repay Nigerian Bureau of Statistics The state governments outstanding treasury bills Nigeria was able to pay off the FCT, Malam Musa domestic debt. Most of the (NBS) revealed that in Q4, and the FCT accumulated a debt by December 2020. some of its debts by the end Bello. monies paid out to debt Nigeria incurred N692.75 total of $4.77 billion in debt Other instruments include of 2020. However, its debt The Executive Secretary servicing went to the payment billion as debt. Of this amount, at the end of 2020. Amongst promissory notes, sukuk, profile increased by the end of the FCDA who spoke of accrued interest on the external debt made up 75%, the states, Lagos state owed treasury bonds, green bonds, of the year. This could be on the relevance of the loans, as principal repayment amounting to N519.27 billion. the most debt by year-end. and savings bonds. Total attributed to the increasing projects, Engr Umar was less than 31%. Total domestic debt in Q4 was The foreign debt for Lagos domestic debt by the FG interest rates on the loans. Gambo Jibrin said, “at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the site currently housing the Idu Screening and Isolation Ortom Celebrates Birthday With IDPs, Advocates Their Return Centre was identified as the best suited place for BY HENRY IBYA, MAKURDI vulnerable person’s as part those displaced to go back for good governance in order step towards defending his the establishment of such of activities to mark his 60th home and continue their to douse tension. people and the voiceless in Benue State Governor Samuel birthday anniversary said normal businesses. The governor who said he the country. a facility out of several that Ortom, Friday appealed were considered for the his decision to celebrate with Speaking at the Redeemed would forever remain grateful He also charged Christians fight against the virus. to president Muhammadu the vulnerable person’s was Church of God, Gboko to God for preserving his life in positions of authority to “However, the access Buhari,to consider the because he had considered Road Makurdi, where a from childhood to the present emulate the Benue Governor road to the Idu Isolation hardship experienced over them very dear to his heart. special birthday service age, equally attributed his by always returning glory to Centre was un-motorable, the years by the internally Governor Ortom, in an was organized in his honor, successes in life to God’s God for visiting them with his hence the need for its displaced person’s IDPs address told the IDPS that the governor expressed mercy as well as the prayers blessings. rehabilitation.” scattered across different he was pained over their displeasure over failure of the and support of Benue people. Speaking on the camp’s in Benue State and continued stay at the camps, leadership towards adopting He also encouraged construction of the access work towards their safe following militia attacks on political will to surmount the the people to continue to road to the NCDC at the return to their various their communities some challenges facing the country. trust in God no matter Gaduwa District, Engr communities to continue years back, assuring them He noted that for the temptations from the Jibrin said, “in a similar with their normal lives. that he would not relent in purposeful leadership enemies of the state assuring vein, at the onset of the The governor who made supporting them irrespective which is needed for the that victory will definitely pandemic the access road the appeal at Abagena, of threat’s and Intimidation development of the country come their way. to the NCDC facility at one of the camp’s of the Gaduwa was equally un- from quarters and added to be achieved, those in In a massage, a visiting internally displaced person’s that his administration position of authority must minister of the Redeemed motorable leading to the IDPs in Makurdi, where he decision to embark on an would continue to work with embrace equity and fairness Church of God Abuja, distributed assorted food security agencies to ensure as well as learn to promote pastor Michael Ayembode, emergency procurement and other valuable items process to rehabilitate it.” that affected communities social justice which he said commended governor to the IDPS and other were made safe to enable were the needed ingredients Samuel Ortom, over his bold Ortom الجزير نيجيريا

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ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news e-mail: [email protected] NYSC Charges Nasarawa Applauds Corps Members CJN Backs Striking Judicial Workers NIHOTOUR On BY DEBORAH ABIODUN some leaders of JUSUN who Wednesday, the JUSUN Internally Generated Revenue Manpower Training On Effective explained why they would officials, led by its Deputy in line with Section 121(3) The Chief Justice of Nigeria sustain the strike until state National President, of the 1999 Constitution as BY JOEL AJAYI Leadership (CJN), Justice Ibrahim governments take concrete Emmanuel Abioye and Jimoh amended; and that states Muhammad has noted the steps on the issue. Musa Alonge (Treasurer) without such law should put The Director-General of BY JOEL AJAYI decision by court workers Part of the statement explained why the union it in place. the National Institute for nationwide embark on reads: “The national officials found it difficult to heed the “Abioye said it is his union’s Hospitality and Tourism The Director-General, strike to press for financial of the Judiciary Staff Union CJN’s demand to call off the position that there must be (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura National Youth Service autonomy for the Judiciary of Nigeria (JUSUN) met with strike. some level of seriousness Sani Kangiwa, has echoed Corps, Brigadier General was justified. the Chief Justice of Nigeria “Abiyoye told the CJN from all quarters and as the importance of personnel Shuaibu Ibrahim has charged ‘I can’t fault your reasons (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko that the state governors such, the amount standing training and professionalism Corps Members to become for embarking on this protest Muhammad on Wednesday must begin to demonstrate to the credit of the judiciary in the hospitality and travel leaders with a difference. because the union wants ostensibly to give him a some level of seriousness from the monthly federal tourism industry. He threw the challenge its rights restored in line feedback on his recent by putting in place some allocation should be deducted Kangiwa stated this when when he paid an unscheduled with the provisions of the demand on the union to call- measures precedent to the directly from the source by he received in audience, visit to Villa Nova Estate, Constitution. off the ongoing strike. implementation of financial the Accountant General of the Nasarawa State Apo-Dutse, in Abuja, venue “I commend you for “The Chief Registrar of autonomy for judiciary in the Federation and remit Commissioner for Culture of a two-day leadership following due process so far to the Supreme Court, Hadjia their respective states. same to the National Judicial and Tourism Mr. Shammah training organized for Corps protest against the injustice,’’ Hadiza Uwani Mustapha also “Abioye said: ‘Though Council (NJC) for onward Dogo at the Headquarter Members by Lux Terra the CJN was quoted as saying attended the meeting held there’s financial autonomy for transmission to heads of office of the Institute. Network Advocacy group. after a meeting on Wednesday in the CJN chambers at the the judiciary already in some courts. The meeting was part of the Addressing the Corps with leaders of the Judiciary Supreme Court. states while some are assuring “However, the CJN said it efforts to fine-tune plans for Members who took part Staff Union of Nigeria “The CJN had, at an earlier that they would comply, but has become difficult to fault capacity building of Nasarawa in the training, which was (JUSUN) in his office in Abuja. meeting with JUSUN leaders others have to take steps in the idea of the strike since state’s tourism personnel. the third batch in a series, The Media Aide to the CJN, on April 6, asked the union to readiness for compliance.’ the rights of the union and Kangiwa noted that the Brigadier General Ibrahim Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, said in call-off the strike in view of its “According to Abioye, the its members which are clearly state is greatly endowed said ineffective leadership is a statement on Thursday, adverse effect on the justice union expects each state to defined in the Constitution with vast tourism resources the bane of any society, and that Justice Muhammad system in the country. start implementing its self- are being denied especially at waiting to be harnessed urged the participants to spoke after hearing from “But at the meeting of accounting law to deal with the state level. for the socio-economic take home, lessons learned benefits of the people, and and utilize same maximally to effectively do this, the for the benefit of the nation. state needs trained and He noted that the next competent personnel, ‘reason crop of leaders could why training of its tourism emerge from amongst staff becomes imperative’ he them, and therefore called added. on them to propagate the He said NIHOTOUR is tenets of national unity and prepared to mobilize its staff integration, which he said and the necessary resources are the two major strings to carry out training of that have held Nigeria firmly tourism staff of the state, since the amalgamation of particularly on tour guiding as the northern and southern promised during a recent visit protectorates in 1914. to the state by the Honourable “You too have been Minister of Information destined to become leaders and Culture, Alhaji Lai in different capacities. So, Mohammed. I implore you to become In his remarks the Nasarawa responsible citizens that state Commissioner of Culture can be trusted leaders,” he and Tourism, Mr. Dogo said added. the purpose of his visit was He commended the to fine-tune modalities and logistics that will enable organizers of the training NIHOTOUR to conduct an for a job well done, and effective training of the state’s urged them to come up with Members of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), during a rally in supports of Judicial Autonomy in Kaduna on Wednesday, April 21. tourism staff for optimum a proposal on how to expand PHOTO: IBRAHIM BASHIR/JAU/NAN results. the program to include all Mr. Dogo said Nasarawa Corps Members serving in state is glad to have the rare every nook and cranny of the opportunity been offered by country for greater impact. Corruption, Least Challenge Of Nigeria Police – Okiro NIHOTOUR to have the state Earlier, Mrs. Inya Ode BY SALOME UNWUCHOLA exposed that some police funding much more affected confront armed robbers. tourism personnel trained while welcoming the divisions received only N10, the output of Nigerian “As a CP in Lagos, I was as professional tour guides, NYSC helmsman stated A former Inspector-General of 000 monthly to run their Police than issues of poor having three hundred and noting that it will go a long the quest for a better Police, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro operation. Which meant management and corruption. sixty thousand nairas as a way in boosting the manpower Nigeria and the desire on Wednesday revealed that Police stations in the country “When I was the Inspect quarter fund to buy a vehicle. needs of the state as well as to promote citizenship, poor funding is the biggest now depend on the money General of the Police, I was Can three hundred and sixty enable it tap from the state’s conflict prevention and major challenge of the Nigeria raised from unlawful acts forced to give money down thousand nairas buy and cater vast tourism potentials for nation-building was why Police Force, and one of the such as bail fees, bribes, and to the division. I donated and for a vehicle? It is not an issue socio-economic gains. the Network and Advocacy reasons crimes and corruption extortion to ‘raise’ money for distributed money to all the of corruption, you can only It would be recalled that Group of Lux Terra are on a steady increase in their day-to-day activities. divisions, and how much was corrupt what you get when during his recent visit to Leadership Foundation with Nigeria. The former Police chief it; ten thousand per quarter, there is no money where you the state in company of the the support from OSIWA, Okiro made this known who served between 2007– to enable them to do certain will get to steal,” Okiro stated. NIHOTOUR Director-General, came up with the training. during a radio program, 2009, disclosed that the Police things for themselves but that He backed the planned Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, She further said that PUBLIC CONSCIENCE under him also struggled with is not enough. decentralization of the police Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the training revolved produced by the Progressive low budgetary allocation from “If there is a robbery, you to enable zones to receive Minister of Information and around Citizens Rights Impact Organization for the Federal Government, tell the police to come and their funds directly and Culture promised Nasarawa and Civic Responsibility, Community Development, and noted that only 50 to 60 there is no vehicle, even if distribute them to divisions state of federal government’s Understanding, Preventing PRIMORG, in Abuja. percent of the police budget is there is a vehicle there is no under them while warning the support to effectively harness and Managing Conflict, He was reacting to an usually implemented which fuel for the vehicle. You don’t government of the dangers of and grow the state’s tourism Promoting Social Justice and investigation by Daily limited their productivity. expect the policeman to trek poor funding of police in the resources especially in the area Managing Diversity. Trust Newspapers which He argued that poor covering meters to go and country. of capacity building. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 9 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Pantami NIN: Over 500,000 Aliens Now Nigerians As NIMC officials connive to register them No official position on distortions BY AMEH GEORGE confer citizenship on foreigners but only serves origin, so technically they are now Nigerians as NIMC, Act mandating immigration pass for non- to identify a person (citizens and legal residents), they would soon go to obtain Nigerian passports”. Nigerians. When the Federal Government on December and Section 16 of the NIMC Act defines eligible Besides Frimpong’s, the story was the same According to the official who did not want his 15, 2020 directed linkage of the National persons to include Nigerian citizens, permanent for other non-Nigerians who this Newspaper name mentioned, many of the enrolment centres Identity Number, NIN, to individual Subscriber residents and foreigners who are legally resident interacted with, telling how they have become across Maiduguri have no immigration official Identification Module, SIM cards, failing which in the country for a period of 2 years or more, registered as Nigerian citizens and usually with in sight, allowing foreigners to register at will. such SIMs will be blocked, experts in the investigations of AljazirahNigeria reveals that the help of Nigerian collaborators either as “Registration centres only focus on extorting security and communications sub-sectors had several non-registered migrants numbering friends, neighbours or the NINC officials. N2,000 from applicants regardless of their commended the move saying it would, true to over half a million, have so far registered as A Liberian lady who has been working in nationality,” he revealed. its purpose, it would curb the rising cases of Nigerians, claiming to come from different parts Nigeria told her story thus: “Naturally, you should Cameroon, Chad and the Republic of Niger insecurity in the country. This ‘piqued the fancy’ of the country, and surprisingly, doing so with know I was worried when this SIM linkage with border Nigerians and inhabitants of the border of many a Nigerian as citizens are already fed the help of NIMC officials who aid them in the NIN issue came up. Although like any other communities on both sides share the same up with the cases of robbery, kidnapping and registration process after receiving sums ranging Nigerian, I was concerned about the security ethnicity, further complicating national identity banditry. And with the verbal support of notable from N10,000 to N30,000 only. issues, I had to think of what to do, so I went to differentiation. persons in the sub-sectors, Nigerians who were Speaking to our reporter in Abuja, Kwame the nearest enrollment centre to my house here It will be recalled that in August 2017, the yet to get captured in the national database Frimpong (not real names) who say he is from in Kubwa to enroll and while my neighbour and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration trooped en masse to the NIN Registration Centres Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana, revealed friend was worried for me, I picked up courage, Service, CGIS, Mr. Muhammed Babandede, MFR, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. how three of his countrymen who are in Nigeria went and when I was called in, I told them how had announced Government’s plan to harmonize But while experts were commending the policy, unregistered, are celebrating as they are ‘now I was a Liberian living in Nigeria for about eight the databases of the NIMC and NIS. The CGIS this same laudable plan was in fact, brewing Nigerians.’ You see, I went to meet them telling years and how I don’t want to leave as my two noted then that the harmonized database will another national crisis – the registration of un- them how they can no longer own SIM cards as children are Nigerians by birth and know nowhere enable expatriate’s resident in the country to documented migrants as Nigerians. It could be they have chosen not to be registered, they only else but Nigeria with Nigerian friends, I was asked obtain NIN which will become a requirement recalled, that upon the announcement of NIN laughed at me saying how I, a foreigner should be to bring fifty thousand naira but do you know, for renewal of expatriates’ residence permits. linkage to SIM cards, the National Identity careful how I talk to them, citizens in their own I pleaded and played with them till I paid only Consequently, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Management Commission, NIMC, had confirmed country. To my greatest surprise, they showed ten thousand naira. They were even the ones that NIS, had requested all expatriate residents in that the NIN registration applied to all Nigerians me their slip telling me how they paid the sum told me the state, Local Government Area, and Nigeria to obtain the NIN to avoid being denied and legal residents in Nigeria as provided under of N30,000.00 (thirty thousand naira), and have the town I came from. So I can now claim to be future immigration facilities. the NIMC Act of 2007, which empowers NIMC been helped to register claiming a Nigerian state. Nigerian and my Liberian sister who stays around Meanwhile, despite the government’s perceived to create a national database, harmonize existing They told me how the officials helped them with New Nyanya, told me in her own case, it was the seriousness on the NIN to SIM linkage, many ones and register eligible persons. their Local Government Areas and places of woman she is working with that told her what to who have enrolled are yet to receive their NIN But the Nigeria Communications Commission, do and she too is now registered as a Nigerian.” four to six weeks after enrolment. This was the NCC, had just on April 15 shed more light on It was also revealed that some foreigners case of many who spoke to AljazirahNigeria those fit to register for the NIN as it announced from Chad, Cameroon, and Niger republic are Newspapers. One of such persons who was among that “all legally resident foreigners (i.e. non- reportedly being enrolled for the NIN in Nigeria, about 40 persons with a similar issue, Joy Madu, Nigerians living and working in Nigeria) are to raising concerns over security implications as a who enrolled at the Dutse Primary School on obtain a NIN just like Nigerian citizens. They can source has revealed that Enrolment Centres for Monday, March 1, was yet to receive her NIN do this by submitting valid resident/work permits It was the woman National Identity Number, NIN, registration in on Thursday April 22. Many others had enrolled at NIMC enrolment centres. Maiduguri, Borno State capital, are enrolling earlier than her but are yet to get their NIN. “However, foreigners on tourist or visiting she is working with foreigners from Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger With the new registration of unregistered visas are to tender their international passports that told her what Republic trapped in the city as a result of the Nigerians going on in both the Northern and to acquire a SIM. But where such a visiting insurgency. Southern parts of the country with the NIN foreigner or tourist’s immigration status changes to do and she too is An official who has followed this development linkage to SIM, Nigerians await happenings to residency or work permit, he/she will be in the past months informed the media that both in terms of curbing insecurity, and the required to obtain NIN and link the registered now registered as a hundreds of foreigners had been enrolled registration of un-registered foreigners. SIM.” without immigration screening, which violates All efforts to get the position of the NIMC And although it added that the NIN does not Nigerian.” “ the National Identity Management Commission, failed. الجزير نيجيريا

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ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng cover extra e-mail: [email protected] on Arise TV monitored by THIS NIGERIA on Wednesday April 21. He also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being Nigeria’s ‘number one enemy’ over his refusal to address issues raised by Why Obasanjo’s Nigerians, especially on restructuring the country. “When Jonathan was handing over to Buhari in 2015, he told him that the document on restructuring was the most important document he was handing over, 2006, Jonathan’s but Buhari said he was going to toss it in the archives. This is why Nigeria is in trouble. “Except Nigerians are just pretending, we know our problem. The major problem is this constitution where everything in it is skewed against the South. I have always said that 2014 Confabs the constitution is a fraudulent document made by the Military. Buhari’s refusal to convene a National Conference is imposing the constitution on us.” The Afenifere leader stated further that the constitution was the reason why some Were Dumped Nigerians feel cheated, hence their calls for secession. “All the provisions we are complaining BY SAMAILA ISHAKU human and material carnages, reports have about are in this constitution. If there is indicated. any change that Nigerians want, it is in this Agitations for restructuring the Nigerian In 2014, the then President Goodluck constitution. When everything is addressed state has been a long-standing issue which Jonathan introduced his own confab also and adjustments are made, Nigerians will has generated not a few heated debate on aimed at stemming concerns from various remain together knowing that every region the propriety, shape and consequences or segments across regional divides. The confab is treated equally. otherwise of such an exercise. which lasted relatively long, gulped billions of “President Buhari’s refusal to attend to Many had also faulted the 1999 naira which went for allowances and sundry the issues raised makes him the number constitution stressing that it was drafted on expenses. one enemy of unity in Nigeria. This is why a fragile framework that does not guarantee Under him, there were stiff opposition to people keep saying he wants to Fulanise this a robust equity for all the federating units the idea when it was mooted but he thought country. He keeps pretending that there is making up the nation even as the vexed he needed to satisfy growing tension over the nothing wrong,” he said. issue of the nature of Nigeria’s federalism nation regarding its constituents and their has refused to wane, in spite of all efforts to mutual distrust and discord. Adebanjo also tackled a spokesman to the justify its flawlessness in certain quarters. It was feared that the tendencies then were President, Garba Shehu over his statement It was these various concerns that reaching disturbing levels and the alarms on calls for secession. prompted the constitution of various were everywhere that the nation was going Shehu had said that President Buhari will national conferences in the assemblage of adrift if something urgent was not done. Obasanjo not be bullied by secessionists who want him politicians, academics and business gurus But Jonathan was unable to enforce the to “open the nation’s purse to pay them.” from all sections of the country, who were implementation as certain unseen forces pull at a report that was pieced together at such “How can Garba Shehu say something like put together to deal with issues relating to his hand off the trigger of action. Till date, the great financial cost when its academia which that? How can a President refuse to attend an enduring national question. report is still gathering dust in the archives or is the fulcrum for national growth was in to issues raised by the citizens? When we say In 2006, President Olusegun Obasanjo may have been thrashed somewhere. Again, comatose. this administration is a dictatorship, they will initiated a national confab amid controversies it was blamed on the factor that the confab Only recently, the Minister of Special say we do not know what we are saying. on the constitution of its members. He was an unconstitutional entity. Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, “Who is Garba Shehu to say the President went ahead in spite of seeming opposition When President Muhammadu Buhari Senator George Akume, Monday cited the will not attend to the grievances of the by the then National Assembly that it was Assumed office in 2015, he quickly lopsided appointments into the President people? Is this democracy? Everything we a needless venture and that the NASS being announced that he would not implement Goodluck Jonathan’s 2014 National have been accusing this administration of is the exact representation of the various geo- any aspect of the confab report no matter Conference (CONFAB) as one of the probable coming to play. This is a civilian dictatorship,” political regions was the authenticate voice of how salient they were. He was quoted as reasons the report has been dumped. He he said. the people who could handle such a project. saying he was irked by the striking Academic observed that the appointments into the Disturbingly, agitations have continued Till Obasanjo completed his second tenure Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, whose Conference were such that delegates from by groups angling for a balkanisation of the in 2008, the report of confab never saw the condition was pitiable after a 9-month strike the south were more in number than those country. In the South East are the Movement light of day. and that it was a national disservice to look from the north which was not proper. The for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, The NASS then would not ratify the Minister who made the disclosure at the (MASSOB) and the proscribed Independent content of the report even if it was flawless presidential stakeholders meeting held in Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB) while the South and represented essentially the interest of Makurdi was responding to calls by Benue West has the nascent call by one Mr. Sunday the people. Notwithstanding the billions of stakeholders and Governor Samuel Ortom Igboho for Ooduduwa Republic. There are naira that was spent, that report was not re- that the conference report is revisited or a also isolated but undecided calls coming visited even till date, still the agitations that Sovereign National Conference be convened from the middle-belt and a few others that led to the inauguration of the confab are yet When President to discuss the various challenges facing the they needed to go their own separate way to abate. country. According to him, “when you talk independent of the core-north. Many Nigerians over the years have Muhammadu Buhari of a Sovereign National Conference in a From reports from many Nigerians, called for the harmonisation of similar situation where you have a democratically throwing the baby with the bath water as is reports which they believe would answer Assumed office in 2015, elected National Assembly you may run into seen with the various confab reports have the question relating to the nation’s co- he quickly announced problems, who is going to take charge. These their origin in a selfish agenda of leaders each existence and sectional agitations which are things have been tried in the past and they time they assume leadership position rather still prevalent today. that he would not failed. than taking on the national interest at heart. Not a few analysts have argued that In a recent development however, Chief On that note analysts have contended that had these reports been re-visited and implement any aspect Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Yoruba socio- the agitations would continue so long as the implemented, some of the extremist “ political group, Afenifere, has described the issue of restructuring is not visited from the tendencies of secessionism would have of the confab report no 1999 Nigerian Consitution as a “fraudulent” perspective of genuine national discourse. substantially waned. It is indeed worrisome matter how salient they document that favours the North than the The narrative on the necessity of this move that these agitations as ordinary as they South. is on the lips of not a few Nigerians as the seem, have come along with unquantifiable were. Adebanjo said this during an interview panacea to stem many of today’s concerns. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 11 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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BY KADIRI HALIMA IBU Sanctioning fee and a Letter guaranteeing the safety in Nigeria of the 132 member Nigeria’s controversial vintage boxing champion countries. The IBU deadline was 5pm New York Bash Ali is again on the turf but a different type time Friday July 15, 2016”, stating that he was this time as he has put aside his punching skills also offered 40M Euros plus twenty percent of to trade words with the incumbent Minister of Pay Per View revenues from the promoters in Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare who has been accused Germany to fight outside of Nigeria if Nigeria of various impropriety and abuse of office. does not meet the deadline. Ali who has requested that the Minister quits However, he said on July 15, 2016, the office immediately over his alleged failure to day of the deadline, the Federal Ministry follow through with the process that would of Youth & Sports replied vide a memo; give birth to his pet project; the Guinness World HMY&SD/001/2016/153 dated July 15, 2016. Record Boxing Championship Bout, had in a In paragraph 2, the Ministry guaranteed their letter dated April 19 to the Minister through the safety and in Paragraph 3 it says; “With regards Permanent Secretary, in his preamble stated: to the IBU Sanctioning fee of $1 Million you “Sport is one of the biggest industries in the requested I am to reassure you that the event world and if well organized in Nigeria, will earn is private sector-driven and the organizers are big time money for the government and help to already sourcing for the funds in a domiciliary create employment’’. account at the Central Bank of Nigeria to Ali accused the Minister of keeping part of facilitate payment. The Ministry of Youth & a N28 million out of court settlement sum Sports will follow up to ensure timely payment”. which was supposed to have been handed to Paragraph 3 says; “While looking forward to the Local Organising Committee, LOC which he the hitch-free staging of the historic fight in spearheaded. He said N13 million was withheld Nigeria, please accept the assurances of the by the minister leaving a balance N15 million Honourable Minister’s esteemed regards and for the LOC. a warm welcome in Nigeria”. According to Ali, he had on behalf of the LOC “On May 6, 2019, the FG through the approached the courts to seek intervention over Ministry of Youth & Sports vide letters NSC/ the botched Championship but prevailed upon GRSD/BABP/CON/89-114 once again invited to withdraw the case in order to proceed with the Financial Institutions and Private Sector formalities for the event. He wondered that Dare Ali with the Office of the Chief of Staff to President after receiving assurances that the event would Buhari as members of the LOC in order to proceed, the minister back pedaled on the plans Boxing Federation (WBF) Champion and The pugilist noted that a Guinness World have easy access to Mr President. The Director in a series of letters informing him that there hence could be authoritative when it comes to Record Boxing Championship fight has never of Grassroots Sports, Dr Ademola Are as the were no such approvals given neither at the issues relating the ring. “I am the ONLY Boxer been held outside of America and that his was secretary. presidential level nor ministerial level. in the world to have total control of a World going to be the first in Africa and Nigeria. “This “On May 21, 2019, the FG through the Ali said the preparations for the event had Boxing Body, the WBF, to satisfy a California historic Fight will feature the Who is Who in Ministry of Youth & Sports once again reached a crescendo and received the blessings Superior Court Judgment which in 2003 was Boxing and will be the most lucrative in the inaugurated the above LOC making it the of apex world boxing organisations but was worth $9.7M and as at January 2021 was worth history of Pay Per View Television (PPVTV) third inauguration. This should also be in the later squashed, blaming the disposition of the over $50M. (Google Bash Ali World Boxing revenue. It is expected to be watched live on Guinness World Records Book as the most minister for the turn of events. Federation California Superior Court Judgment PPVTV in 132 countries apart from PPVTV inaugurated LOC in the world. Paragraph 2 Corruption and self-interest he alleged were for additional information). In recognition revenue in Africa, advertisement, sponsorship of the Speech says; “The quest by Champion at the bottom of the stalled bout which he of my Sport promotions and financial and sales of the Fight souvenirs among Bash Ali to have this historic fight in Nigeria noted could have fetched a fortune if it had held contributions towards Sport development, others. Five Sport Academies with Olympic despite juicy offers to have it outside Nigeria, elsewhere outside Nigeria but that he has always the FG bestowed on me the highest National Size Swimming Pool and a Sport Equipment undoubtedly, springs from the depth of been guided by a patriotic fervor to ensure that Honours on a Nigerian athlete, Officer of the Manufacturing Factory will be built across patriotism, zeal and positive outlooks which are the championship bout takes place back home. Order of the Niger (OON). I am the No: 1, and Nigeria at the cost of $20m each. One Hundred the hallmark of a World Champion. The Multiple He further averred that he had gone ahead to the most qualified boxer to earn a place in and Thirty Two countries will be in Nigeria to effects of successfully hosting such an epoch- seek an audience with President Muhammadu the Guinness World Record as THE OLDEST be part of boxing history. The FG through the making fight are numerous. Aside the direct through the Minister where some customized BOXER to fight for a world Championship. The Ministry of Youth & Sports has written to benefit to him as the fighter, it will also bring souvenirs would be presented to him but after No:2 is Evander Holyfield, USA, No :3 is Mike guarantee their safety”, Ali wrote. honour and glory to Nigeria as well as financial producing those items he was not given the Tyson, USA, and No: 4 is Roy Jones Jr, USA. He further hinted that in order to make the growth”, Paragraph 6 says; “Distinguished leeway to do so by the ministry. Simply put, I am the best boxer in the World but said historic fight a reality in Nigeria, the FG ladies and gentlemen, while I reiterate the In his reckoning, several billions of dollars unfortunately, I am a Nigerian boxer in Nigeria”, had twice inaugurated the Local Organizing commitment of the Federal Government to would have accrued to both the nation and he lamented. Committee (LOC), and that two memos: ensure the atmosphere is conducive for this various media through viewing rights and other FMSSD/ASS/NAT/NABA dated March 21, 2007 event, we however, will not condone any act that complementary resources. and NSC/GRSD/BABP/CON/72 dated August would undermine the integrity and security of He argued that the sports ministry was 12, 2015 were written to the FG and N100m this nation”. It concluded with paragraph 7; supposed to be at par with the Nigerian each was released by the Private Sector as take- “Finally, let me commend Champion Bash Ali National Petroleum Corporation in generating off grants to the LOC through the Ministry of for his commitment to the fight and to assure income for the Federal Government (FG) but Youth & Sports but the LOC did not get a dime him that the Federal Government of Nigeria that it prefers going with cap in hand to seek According to Ali, as result of bad administration in the sector. wishes him well, and will avail him all the grants. “You should be able to generate from Ali expressed surprise that in spite of the necessary support and encouragement towards Professional Sport a $100m minimum per year he had on behalf of fact President Buhari on assumption of office retaining and winning the Championship Title for the FG. I gave you the blueprint to think the LOC approached in 2015 in his first term was proactive in and getting a place of honour in the Guinness outside of the box so your Ministry can be more approving the project in his first 100 days in Book of World Records as the oldest boxer to effective and self-sufficient but because of the the courts to seek office, the project was yet to the light of day achieve that feat. Distinguished ladies and blueprint is collecting dust”, he stressed in the six years after. gentlemen, it is now my honour and privilege letter. intervention over the He reminded the minister that: “Sir, It is to declare the Local Organizing Committee of Extolling his prowess, Ali boasted that he botched Championship instructive to inform you that the first Project the Bash Ali Guinness World Records Boxing was the only boxer in the world to win a World “ President Buhari approved in office is the above Championship fight inaugurated”. The Director Boxing Championship fight without first boxing Project vide memo SH/COS/22/A/627 dated of Grassroots Sport, Dr Ademola Are as the as an amateur and the only boxer in the world but prevailed upon to July 21, 2015 (less than 2 months in office) secretary”. to win every Cruiser-weight Championship withdraw the case in and memo NSC/GRSD/BABP/CON/72 dated Ali, recalling what the nation stands to gain conceivable: California, United States Boxing August 12, 2015. from the project, said the Private Sector will Association (USBA), North America Boxing order to proceed with “On June 17, 2016, a letter was written by the fund the historic fight while the Ministry will Federation (NABF), World Boxing Council International Boxing Union (IBU) to President midwife the process with no cost to it but will International (Twice) and the current World formalities for the event. Buhari and the above LOC requesting for the earn between $50M-$100M. الجزير نيجيريا

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Like our facebook page ةwww.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special report e-mail: [email protected] Post-Election Crisis, Deby’s Death: Implications For War On Terrorism BY AMEH GEORGE demise is indeed catastrophic to the counter- insurgency operations in the Northeast in The death of Chadian President Idriss particular and Sahel at large. Deby was a Deby, Monday, April 19, has heightened strategic player and coadjutor in the fight concerns about how Nigeria especially, against Boko Haram. and its neighbouring countries around the “The implication of Deby’s death is huge Sahel region of West Africa will henceforth to the Northeast, Nigeria as a country and confront the protracted war on terrorism. the entire Lake Chad. Nigeria and other Deby, who had just won a sixth term re- neighbouring countries need to beef security election had spent more than three decades around their borders and remain alert to in power, before his sudden demise following avoid infiltration of any kind because Chad injuries he sustained while leading his troops is now a very vulnerable country. to defend N’Djamena, the county’s capital “Our fear is largely on Chad’s ability to from rebels’ onslaught. manage the fragile security situation. It is Deby His re-election seems to have aggravated our hope that the new interim government the activities of rebel groups who have will contain the situation, once if there is to power after defeating the forces of Hissene al-Qaeda fighters in Mali by sending 1000 become relentless over his protracted stay escalation of violence, there will be large Habre, the former rebel leader after years of forces to Mali and large number of forces in power, heightening their protracted influx of Tchadians into Nigeria in the name rebellion, sending Habre into exile and taking to Central Africa. To a large extent, he campaign against his recent re-election and of refugees while we are still battling with over the government. contributed in stabilising our region. by extension, his continuous stay in power. large number of internally displaced persons. Deby’s death came on the day he was “In fact we have lost a very strong pillar The rebel raid in the provinces of Tibesti The proliferation of small arms will also be a declared winner of the presidential election in this region, and his demise has created and Kanem was carried out by the Front for serious issue that will bother internal security which held on April 11. He has been in power a vacuum that will be felt. Even though Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), based of countries neighbouring Tchad and states since 1990. Mahamat, his son, has been chosen to lead in Libya. of Nigeria around Tchad,” Kareto said. Idris Deby has been central in the fight the military council but he may not have the The group has a non-aggression pact with Opposition politicians, many of whom against Boko Haram/ISWAB, especially in doggedness and fighting spirit of his dad.” Khalifa Haftar, a military strongman who boycotted the election and complained of the Lake Chad region. He has been in the He advised Nigerian government controls much of Libya’s east. repression during campaigning before the forefront of the fight against the insurgents to accelerate the presentation of the FACT, a group mainly made up of the vote, also called for a return to civilian rule. and on many occasions led his troops to accreditation of the former service chiefs Saharan Goran people, said in a statement, Succes Masra, leader of the opposition the battlefield. In 2014, there was a move posted there, and to quickly give moral Sunday that it had “liberated” the Kanem party “Transformers,” told the media that by Deby to broker an agreement between support to the multinational taskforce. region. Such claims in remote desert combat he, too, rejects the Military Transitional Nigeria and Boko Haram insurgents. Former Minister of Education, Oby zones are difficult to verify. Council led by the ex-president’s son: “Do Deby’s role in the fight against Boko Ezekwesili, has also advised President The Tibesti Mountains near the Libyan Chadians want a dynastic transfer of power? Haram and Al-Qaeda became more Muhammadu Buhari, and security operatives frontier frequently see fighting between No. Do Chadians want a continuation of the prominent with the setting up of the Multi- in the country to monitor the situation in rebels and the army, as well as in the Deby system that they rejected? Apparently National Joint Task Force which brought Chad. northeast bordering Sudan. French air strikes not. Do Chadians want chaos and armed together troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, The former minister who reacted on her were needed to stop an incursion there in conflict till the bitter end? Apparently not. Chad and Niger Republics. Early in its life we tweeter handle also stressed that the country February 2019. But there is also a smarter approach, a path saw how Chadian soldiers swept through the is one of the weakest links of vulnerability to In 1996, six years after he seized power and of collective intelligence that includes the Nigerian territory through the south eastern Nigeria’s security. ushered in democracy, Deby was elected head Chadian people.” Niger Republic rapidly chasing Boko Haram “One definitely hopes our C-in-C @MBuhari of state in Chad’s first multi-party vote. He Masra said a strong military was necessary insurgents into Nigeria. and the Security Team @DefenceInfoNG @ won all succeeding elections. but emphasised that it had “so much to do Again, last year, Deby led his troops to HQNigerianArmy are alert to what’s going on The main opposition withdrew its in order to guarantee the country’s security chase away Boko Haram insurgents, who in Chad at this time. That country is one of participation in 2006 and 2011, irked by but also in the fight against terror. Its place is were said to have killed 100 Chadian troops the weakest links of vulnerability to Nigeria’s a change to the constitution enabling the in the barracks, and it must remain entirely and occupied some areas. security. Keep a fixed gaze on developments former soldier to renew his term; and the neutral.” With his death and the rebels fighting for in Chad, please,” she tweeted. elections in 2015 were marked by accusations The late Deby, a 68-year-old war veteran the control of the country, diplomats and Meanwhile, a military council led by Deby’s of fraud. was no stranger to the war front, having come security experts believe Nigeria needs to son, a 37-year-old four star general, will Last August, the national assembly named act fast to stem any repercussion that may govern for the next 18 months. him field marshal, the first in Chad’s history, ensue. General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno will after he led an offensive against Boko Haram A former ambassador to Pakistan, lead the council but “free and democratic” insurgents who had killed 90 troops and Ambassador Dauda Danladi, advised Nigeria elections will be held once the transition occupied some areas. to show solidarity to Chad and support the period is over, the army said in its statement. Chad, and indeed Idris Deby, has been contribution that Chadian government has Security analysts say much will depend central in the fight against Boko Haram/ been making to stabilise the region. on how the new military regime manages to ISWAP, in the Lake Chad region. He said late Deby had been a very strong prepare the next political stage and whether Public Affairs analyst Abubakar With his death and the ally of Nigeria, and worked to stabilize Chad it will seek to develop dialogue and consensus Mohammed Kareto noted that the late rebels fighting for the and the region for almost 30 years. about the way forward or try to sustain the Chadian leader was able to stabilise the “Chad under Deby had been a strong pillar type of constitutional strongman regime that country but there could be some crisis after control of the country, along the Lake Chad in the fight against Boko Mr. Deby had built. his death. Haram. On several occasions, Deby had led For Nigeria and other members of the He stressed that stability of Chad and diplomats and security the fight directly. Therefore, he was a strong Lake Chad Commission it remains to be seen Niger Republic is crucial to Nigeria’s internal experts believe Nigeria pillar when it comes to the contribution how the new regime will manage the volatile security and perhaps Lake the Chad Basin to the Multi- National Taskforce that is situation both at home and abroad. countries. needs to act fast to stem launching counter terrorism attacks within But one thing security experts are “Today, the people of Borno and other any repercussion“ that the ECOWAS. emphasising is the need for Nigeria to watch Northeast states woke up to hear the sad “Again, Idriss Deby was contributing to the situation closely and offer help where news of late president Idriss Deby’s death, his may ensue. checkmating the incursion of ISILS and necessary to stabilise the region. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 13 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special report e-mail: [email protected] Preventing, Countering Violent Extremism: Role Of State Governments BY SALOME UNWUCHOLA WITH AGENCY REPORT involvement in P/CVE programmes by states has been minimal. In actualising the Policy In 2017, the Federal Government, through Framework and National Action Plan for P/ the Office of the National Security Adviser, CVE, it is important for the government at ONSA, launched the Policy Framework and all levels to domesticate and mainstream P/ National Action Plan for Preventing and CVE efforts of the Federal Government. Some Countering Violent Extremism, P/CVE. states have shown noteworthy interest; for President Muhammadu Buhari on August 24, instance, Nigeria is a Global Community 2017 gave a directive on the implementation Engagement and Resilience Fund beneficiary of the framework and national action plan country and Kaduna and Kano states are for the P/CVE stating roles and regulations members of the Strong Cities Network. as well as urging state and local governments However, much more still needs to be to get involved. done by states and local governments, “We are resolved to create safe spaces for whose communities are directly at risk of our people to engage and contribute to the violent extremism and radicalisation. ONSA prevention of violent extremism. Whereas has been making efforts to get states more security measures remain necessary in actively involved in its P/CVE programmes in addressing the threat of violent extremism, a line with the first core objective of the policy whole-of-government and a whole-of-society document. approach is urgently required if we must In 2017, as part of implementation of address the drivers of violent extremism in the policy framework, the Office partnered our society. UNDP to organise PCVE Sensitisation “This Policy Framework addresses all and Community Advocacy Workshops in aspects dealing with our short, medium five Northern states (Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, and long term goals. The Policy Framework Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory). will mainstream peace building into our The workshop was to create awareness among efforts in dealing with the economic and communities and stakeholders on how to social consequences of violent extremism Monguno integrate efforts in preventing and responding in rebuilding and stabilizing the North East human rights and rule of law. achievements of the goals of Nigeria’s P/CVE to violent extremism. ONSA has been sending and other parts of Nigeria recently affected a team of facilitators to visit states to conduct by violent conflicts. Others are: to enhance capacity of programme. individuals and communities to prevent and For instance, in collaboration with stakeholders’ workshops with the aim of “In developing this Policy Framework, delivering the benefits of the strategy to them. we ensured the participation of multiple counter violent extremism and recover from the International Organisation for violent occurrences; and to institutionalise, Migration, IOM, the Office has developed It has also been providing capacity to MDAs at Agencies of Government and the Civil Society, state level to domesticate implementation of including women, youths, unions, faith based mainstream and integrate strategic the Demobilisation, Disassociation, communication in P/CVE programmes at all Reintegration and Reconciliation, DDRR, the Federal Government’s P/CVE programmes organisations, the media and academia, and in the fight against terrorism. benefited from the inputs of the international levels. Action Plan for the country. An Operational Nigeria’s Counter Terrorism Centre, CTC, Project Team, OPT, was also constituted to It is not hard to see why collaboration community. is crucial to any modern-day effort to “This effort has resulted in this Policy established in 2012 and domiciled in ONSA, monitor the implementation of the DDRR. is responsible for driving government’s The Office of the National Security fight violent extremism and terrorism. At Framework which shall be implemented by government level, whenever there is a terror all relevant Federal Ministries, Departments efforts in the area of P/CVE. Since becoming Advisor,, together with the European Union, the NSA, Monguno has strengthened the EU, and the United Nations Office on Drugs attack, federal, state and local governments and Agencies as part of their annual activities. bear both the burden and the loss. In the States and Local Governments are equally CTC to spearhead the implementation of and Crime, UNODC, recently launched the the Policy Framework and National Action STRIVE Juvenile project in Nigeria aimed past, the argument had always been that encouraged to mirror and develop Action intervention efforts at the national level Plans that are relevant and specific to their Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent to prevent and respond to violence against Extremism. children by terrorist and violent extremist were lacking in adequate coordination and communities in addressing the threat of harmonisation. violent extremism,” the president said. Through collaboration with bilateral groups. and multilateral organisations, as well as Through this new STRIVE action would However, the current ONSA has since made National Security Adviser Babagana coordination, inter-agency collaboration and Monguno, whose office coordinates partner-countries, the Office has embarked be taken to develop coherent strategies on significant efforts leading to appreciable that better serve and protect children by strategic communication crucial creeds which government’s P/CVE efforts, said the policy drive government’s P/CVE programmes, framework was a complementary, whole-of- enhancing safe and resilient communities, in which human rights and the rule of law guide because it understands that the multiplicity government and whole-of-society approach of uncoordinated efforts can be counter- for addressing threats posed by violent the approach to combating violent extremism. At the launch, Monguno, represented by productive. Under the current policy extremist groups. “Through existing and framework, states are encouraged to appoint new platforms, the framework seeks to build Rear Admiral YEM Musa, Head of CTC, stated that “the launch of the STRIVE State P/CVE Coordinators to deliver P/CVE capacity, improve coordination, strengthen State Action Plans. the justice system and by integrating Through existing and Juvenile project provides an opportunity to demonstrate the firm commitment of the It is expected that the Policy Framework strategic communication, provide alternative and National Action Plan for Preventing narratives to violent extremism”, he said. new platforms, the Nigerian Government to counter terrorism and highlights our efforts when it comes to and Countering Violent Extremism will be The presentation of the policy framework framework seeks to reviewed every three years. Therefore, key was an acknowledgment by the government preventing and countering violent extremism build capacity, improve affecting children”. aspects of its next review should include a that there had to be a broad structure capable very specific definition and clarification of of underlying the various interventions coordination, strengthen Also, in partnership with UNDP, it is embarking on a series of sensitisation the appropriate roles and responsibilities of launched to tackle the menace of violent states and local governments as it clearly has extremism in the country. the justice system and workshops on P/CVE targeting the National Youth Service Corps, which could lead to for MDAs. The policy framework has four core by integrating“ strategic Also, ONSA should continue to provide objectives, which are: to institutionalise, an effective grassroots network of P/CVE communication, provide community outreach. expertise, research and support to states mainstream and coordinate P/CVE to enable them to increase their level of programmes at national, state and local However, in spite of President Buhari alternative narratives to persuading states and local governments to participation in the Federal Government’s P/ government levels; and to strengthen the CVE programemes. accessible justice system and respect for violent extremism. replicate the action plan to suit specific needs, الجزير نيجيريا

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Like our facebook page ةwww.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special report e-mail: [email protected] would be N209.61 on the lower band and N212.61 on the upper band. AljazirahNigeria analysis showed that the difference between the N206.42/litre ex- Petrol Subsidy To Gulp depot price announced by the PPPRA and the N148/litre price petrol is sold to marketers by NNPC reveals a subsidy of N57.82/litre. The amount of petrol Nigerians consume daily has been a subject of conjectures in recent years, as figures released by different N720bn In Six Months agencies often conflict. BY CYRIL OGAR February to May, based on the monthly The NNPC in its operational report said figure given by the NNPC boss, while the Nigeria consumes about 57.4 million litres With the 2021 budget failing to make corporation is estimated to have spent at least of petrol daily. provision for petrol subsidy payment and N20bn subsidising the product in January. In February, the Department of Petroleum the continuous push for reintroduction of The National Operation Controller, Resources, DPR, put national demand for fuel subsidy by the labour unions, the Federal Independent Petroleum Marketers petrol, also known as petrol, at 38.2 million Government stands to lose about N103billion Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, litres daily. monthly AljazirahNigeria investigation have said it had become clear that petrol subsidy Last year, the nation’s statistics bureau revealed. had reemerged. said Nigerians consumed 20.8billion litres The Federal Government left the pump “They are no longer deceiving us; they of petrol in 2019, which comes to about price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) have told us the truth that there is subsidy. 57.2million litres every day. NBS cited data unchanged in the first six months of this It is no longer baptismal name such as ‘under provided by the Petroleum Products Pricing year despite the increase in global oil prices, recovery’. So, we will continue to carry the Regulatory Agency, which it said it verified. subsidy on the product is estimated to gulp burden until when the infrastructure to However, AljazirahNigeria adopted the N618bn in the period. cushion the effects of high petrol price is put NBS’ conservative figure of 57.2 million The landing cost of petrol imported into in place by the government”, or its associates, litres, spread across a 31-day period. This Nigeria has jumped to N216.31 per litre he added. newspaper found that the government on the back of the recent increase in global Asked if marketers were comfortable with through the NNPC will be spending about oil prices and the depreciation of the naira the return of subsidy, he said, “We have no N102.5bn as petrol subsidy monthly. against the dollar. choice because it is the government that is For 5 years, the government denied it paid AljazirahNigeria had reported on importing petrol. They have the knife and the subsidy on petrol, yet it did so through the January 11 that the sustained increase in yam. So, they are to tell us where to go, and NNPC, which described the cost as ‘under global crude oil prices had pushed up the we have no choice but to comply”. recovery’. landing cost of imported petrol closer to the The Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Kyari Meanwhile, the cost is subject to the current pump prices of the product in Nigeria, Association of Nigeria, Mr Adetunji Oyebanji, in the oil and gas industry have been dynamics in the international oil market. It and appeared to have triggered a return to said the announcement by the NNPC that the consistently calling for the reintroduction of means that there should be an increase in the petrol subsidy era. ex-depot price of petrol would not change in petrol subsidy following the rapid increase price of oil, as being projected by analysts; Going by the petrol pricing template of the month of May meant that subsidy would in fuel pump price in recent times and had the subsidy cost is also bound to increase, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory continue. “It means the status quo remains; been engaging the Federal Government to just as a slump would also lead to reduction Agency, the landing cost of petrol rose from an everything continues as it is”, he added. shift ground. in subsidy cost. average of N143.60 in December to N158.53 For more than four years, NNPC has been It is unfortunate the Federal Government per litre on January 7, with the expected open the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria, and has not deemed it fit to fix and bring the SUBSIDY/ UNDER RECOVERY market price (retail price) being N181.53 per depot owners, major and independent oil country’s refineries into full production rather In March 2020, amid a global oil price crash, litre. marketers rely on it for the supply of the than depending on imported petroleum Nigeria cut its pump price and said it had It has become clear the Nigerian product products that are being driven and controlled eliminated subsidies. government has continued to subsidise the However, the volatility of the foreign by prices in the international market. The government also announced a new price of petrol, AljazirahNigeria analysis exchange market and the fact that the dollar The present situation, there is no way price cap that maintained government has shown the nation may be expending a has gained more strength against the naira an average Nigerian cannot feel the control, but said it would allow prices to whopping N120 billion monthly to reduce in recent times means the monthly subsidy ripple effects of the burden of continuous move with the market. the retail cost of petrol. payment will exceed the previous N120billion. increments from electricity to fuel price. As Nigeria’s petrol prices had been kept The sum is higher than the N70 billion the It is expected that the government would much as Nigeria depends on importation artificially low at N145, with subsidy eating government budgeted for the provision of be losing at least N720 billion monthly as of fuel which is controlled by international into a huge chunk of government revenues. Universal Basic Education (UBEC) in the 2021 subsidy if it is reintroduced this time around. prices, the government should in the time But by June 2020, the NNPC recorded budget, as well as the N45.19 billion allocated Currently, the Federal Government will being bring back fuel subsidies to cushion a N5.34 billion ($14 million) cost for fuel, for immunization. have to cough up N100 to N120 billion the effects the increment would have on the raising suspicion that subsidy had not This is according to AljazirahNigeria monthly to pay subsidy, whereas such money masses. returned to the government’s books. analysis of the revelations thrown up by could be deployed to fix our deplorable roads, Government should remember that Until recently, the government has not the controversial price template released by electricity, and education, among others. most Nigerians are finding it hard right come out clean on how much it injects into the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory The fact that there is no subsidy provision now because of the Coronavirus pandemic subsidy payment, even as the item is not Agency (PPPRA). in the budget this year means this cost, if whereby many lost jobs and the cost of living contained in recent budgets. On February 5, when oil price neared $60 introduced, would be passed back to the has gone up. Some Nigerians have called for the removal per barrel, it was reported that the expected NNPC to pay. In the long run, it will affect of subsidy, in order to enable the government open market price of petrol rose to over N200 the level of monthly revenue the government REVELATIONS invest the fund into other developmental per litre, based on the petrol pricing template is expecting from the NNPC``, an expert who Aside from the controversies it generated, projects. Others have however condemned of the PPPRA. did not want his name in print said. the new template released by the PPPRA also calls for its removal, citing it as perhaps The pump price of petrol has remained AljazirahNigeria further investigations revealed details of the subsidy the Federal one of the most significant ‘benefits’ the between N160 and N165 per litre at many showed that labour and some stakeholders Government effectively incurs. masses enjoy from the government. Those filling stations in Lagos since December. In its pricing guide for the month of in the latter category, such as the organised The Group Managing Director, Nigerian March, the PPPRA put the wholesale margin labour, have advised the government to fix National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, at N4.03 per litre, administration charge the refineries before removing fuel subsidy. Mele Kyari, said on March 25 that the Federal at N1.23 per litre, transporters’ allowance Many have also expressed worry over Government was subsidising petrol with (NTA) at N3.89 per litre, Bridging fund cost the government’s sincerity, and wondered about N100bn to N120bn monthly. at N7.51 per litre, and Marine transport whether the government would indeed He said while the actual cost of importation average (MTA) at N0.15 per litre. commit funds generated from subsidy and handling charges amounts to N234 per The present situation, The agency said the expected ex-depot removal into actual developmental projects. litre, the government had been selling at N162 price for wholesale products marketers Nigerians typically use petrol to power per litre, therefore, bearing the differentials. there is no way an would be N206.42 per litre. their vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles, “Today, NNPC is the sole importer of PMS. average Nigerian cannot Further review of the pricing template and in a country with poor electricity supply, We are importing at market price and we are showed the average price per tonne of the other Nigerians in their millions power their selling at N162 per litre today. Looking at the feel the ripple effects of commodity was put at $561.96, or N169.22 generators with petrol. current market situation today, the actual the burden of continuous per litre, while the average freight rate cost A study supported by the British price could have been anywhere between (North-West Europe to West Africa) is government estimated that Nigeria spent N211 and around N234 per litre”, Kyari said increments from $21.63 per tonne, or N6.51 per litre. N10 trillion on subsidies from 2006 to 2018, at the time. With a retailers’ margin of N6.19, the new more than the budgets for health, education Petrol subsidy would gulp N480bn from electricity“ to fuel price. or defence. guide showed that the expected retail price الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 15 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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ةالجزير نيجيريا “It’s good to have a bad season ة ة ...first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com NIGERIA because you learn a lot about yourself; you become stronger, and you see where you have to improve”. Sports – Gareth Bale FOSLA Has Put Osimhen Tips Tokyo 2020: Karshi Community Nigeria For AFCON Nigeria’s Medal On World Sporting Title, World Cup Prospect Dies In Map – Emir Ticket Road Accident

Propose Euro Super League Not Over, As Club Owners Restrategise

UCL Semi’s: EUROPA S/Final: R/Madrid, Chelsea Rumble, Hurdles In Gunner’s As PSG Ambushes M/City Search For Glory الجزير نيجيريا

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ة sports news UCL Semi’s: R/Madrid, Chelsea Rumble, As PSG Ambushes M/City Nigeria Ready For 2021 World Relays, After threat of breakaway of European Super League semi-final and suffer injury blow ahead years, beating Porto 2-1 over two legs, to advance than not but Tuesday 90 minutes the encounter Athletes Storm Abuja Team Nigeria failed to make it to the finals of League, ESL, project crumbled, the Real of crucial Champions League clash against to the stage. will reveal the winner. any of the events it entered for at the 2019 IAAF Madrid of Spain will take on Chelsea of Chelsea as Galactico club midfielder Valverde Ever since Tuchel has arrived at the club, it has In the other semifinal game to be play on Ahead of the 2021 World Relays, Athletics World Relays in Yokohama, Japan. England while the Paris Saint-German face ruled out of clash after positive Covid-19 test. almost always been smooth sailing for the club, Wednesday, the Oil-rich PSG ambush Manchester Federation Of Nigeria (AFN) has ordered the Nigeria will participate in five events at the the deep -pocket Manchester City in the Though, the Madrid Defender Raphael Varane facing just one defeat in over 18 games city in Clash of Titans. selected athletes to arrive Abuja the federal forthcoming World Relays billed to happen 2021 UEFA Champions League Semi-final has provided the club with a boost after testing Tactically speaking, the blueprints of Chelsea The last year finalist, PSG begins the hunt for capital territory for visa procurement. from May 1st to 2nd 2021 in Silesia, Poland. first leg scheduled to take place Tuesday and negative for Covid-19, meaning he will be and Real Madrid are similar in some ways and that elusive Champions League crown yet again The Athletics body said athletes that will Meanwhile, the minister of youth and sports Wednesday respectively. available for the match. different in others. Both teams tend to keep when they host English giant Manchester city in represent the country are expected to arrive development expressed that the country is ready Los Blancos are facing a number of injuries Chelsea made it to the semi-finals of the possession of the ball and build out from the Paris. in Abuja for their visa procurement ahead of to make Nigeria proud when the world event and selection issues ahead of their Champions Champions League for the first time in seven back and attack through the flanks more often the events. commences in may this year. Propose Euro Super EUROPA S/Final: Hurdles In Gunner’s Search For Glory Adejuwon Osimhen Tips Nigeria League Not Over, As Club BY LAWAL IBRAHIM in European despite playing in UCL and potential personal drama ahead of Villarreal’s anticipating facing him “predecessor.” Europa year in year out. Europa League semi-final date with Arsenal. “It will be really tough and Unai Emery Stay Off Illegal For AFCON Title, As the Europa semi final clash returns, Villarreal have yet to lose in the Europa While speaking ahead of the encounter: is probably the most successful manager in Owners Restrategise where Spaniard giant Villarreal will host League this season, and they finished off a “My past at Arsenal is less important this competition”. Arsenal on April 29th in the first leg, the 3-1 aggregate quarter-final win over Dinamo The idea of reaching the Champions Meanwhile, the two former Manchester HIFL, GWG Warns World Cup Ticket BY JOEL AJAYI or later the new league will crop up so, for Gunners thereby face many hurdles as Zagreb. League through the Europa League is very United players Henrikh Mkhitaryan and BY SALOME UNWUCHOLA the world is changing there must be a change England clubs are still in search of the Another hurdle is the threat of former important.” Chris Smalling will reunite with their former After all-out backlash against the proposed in football European title. Gunner Coach Unai Emery who was sacked Also speaking, Arsenal gaffer, Mikel Arteta club in a hostile atmosphere when the two Varsities, Others European Super League ESL tournament As the next edition of the 2021 African Although, he has apologized to the fans Since its creation Arsenal who have done by Arsenal now a coach of “The Yellow expressed: “Emery is the most successful sides clash on Thursday in the Europa Semi BY JOEL AJAYI Cup Of Nations approaches, the inform which seems as if it died a natural death. and the clubs, the Real Madrid President so much in England have not tasted victory Submarine” (Villarreal) has downplayed manager in the Europa League and we are Final first leg. Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Napoli of Italy Though, the finding revealed that the Florentino Perez who is arrow head of the Green White Green Sports Centre Ltd striker, Victor Osimhen, has tipped Nigeria football ‘war’ in Europe is postponed as new league, said ESL project is ‘on stand- (GWG) has warned all universities and other to win the Nation’s Cup in Cameroon. claimed equally shown that the project was by’. higher institutions of learning in Nigeria Osimhen emerged top scorer in the not yet dead but was put on hold. “We’re going to continue working the against partaking in an illegal Higher just concluded AFCON qualifiers and is In between, they were hit with a whirlwind project is on standby incompetent owners Institution Football League (HiFL) which willing to emulate former striker Odion of vitriol, the anger and criticism coming in are laughable but ESL will be back we have it said is being planned by impostors. Ighalo who emerged the highest scorer wave after wave eventually it was too much, binding contracts”. Secretary, HISL/HIFL Supreme both in the qualifiers and in the AFCON and the project crumbled. “If this project didn’t work, another one Management Committee, Babatunde finals. Football fans across the globe that don’t will, remember: all the 12 clubs have signed Adejuwon, in a press statement, said the While speaking on Friday, Osimhen support a specific team but enjoy top-flight Higher Institution Sports League (HISL) said the Nigeria side is full of talents with a binding contract”. football are excited but others worry about Perez reiterated his view that the ESL and HIFL trademarks are owned by the a good coaching crew led by Gernot Rohr. the sense of competition. GWG. “I think we’ve got everything we was created “to save football” having also 12 big club announced their intention previously said the move had been made He therefore threatened to take legal need to win the next AFCON and to go to establish a ‘super league and a decision action against anyone impersonating even further to qualify for the World because young people were “no longer the GWG. He said, “Our attention has Cup. Because this is a squad that has an that is causing uproar around in the world interested in football” because of “a lot of although 9 clubs have pulled out but been drawn to ‘HiFL PRE-LEAGUE extremely wonderful talent in this team, poor quality games.” QUALIFIERS FIXTURES’ that are being from the goalkeepers, the strikers to the AljazirahNigeria Sports scooped that it’s On his own, Barcelona President Joan not Uhuru yet. circulated on the social media platform. bench. Laporta echoed Perez’s comments, said a “We wish to state categorically that “We have a very good coach and Many pundits opined that the doom day new competition is required to ensure the GWG who is the rightful owner of HISL/ technical staff that can prepare us well. in football is postponed saying whether now financial health of the game. HIFL trademark is yet to come up with its “And I think for us we have individual aggregate sports programmes for all Higher players who can individually win games Education Institutions — in a way that suits “I think with what we got on our side developmental needs of combining sports we can really go far as well as winning Tokyo 2020: Nigeria’s Medal with education. the AFCON”. “We therefore warn unsuspected public, universities and other tertiary institutions in 2021 Prudent Energy the country as well as corporate organisitions Prospect Dies In Road Accident against patronising or partaking in the illegal Handball League To Hold BY JOEL AJAYI Abdulrafiu Bello a Para-Badminton league. “Please note that our legal team is player has died in a ghastly motor also taking the necessary actions to unmask In October – Ocheho One of the prominent athletes confident accident. the impostors. The President of Handball Federation of of achieving glory for Nigeria at the African number one, Bello, who is the “GWG acquired HISL/HIFL under the Nigeria, Sam Ocheho revealed the 2021 forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Coach of Kwara Badminton Association, Trade Marks Act (CAP 436 Laws Of The Prudent Energy Handball League will died on the 21st of April 2021 while Federation of Nigeria 1990; section 22 no longer be in phases but will hold on a returning from Lagos where he had gone (3) Regulation 65) and registered in Class consolidated basis in October 2021. 41 Under No 110975 as of the date 21th for an interview with the Spanish embassy November, 2018 In respect of Education: Ocheho said the decision was made after for the last round of the qualifications for due consultation with stakeholders who did providing of training; entertainment; Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. sporting and cultural activities. not think playing through the Ramadan The deceased, who is the Africa period was ideal. representative on the board of the He said the HFN board listened to the World Para-badminton Federation, was wishes of the stakeholders hence the 2021 scheduled to travel to Spain on May 6th, Prudent Energy Handball League will be for the final round of the Tokyo 2020 FOSLA Has Put Karshi Community On World Sporting Map – Emir holding on a consolidated basis this year as it was last year. Paralympics qualifier. BY JOEL AJAYI Academy in his palace. Abdullahi has expressed that, with the know the news that Dangote wants to The accident occurred between Oyo According to him, the school, FOSLA support from the government and all buy Arsenal FC at the international level, “In the revised calendar released by the His Royal Majesty, Emir of the Karshi Handball Federation of Nigeria, the top tier town and Ogbomoso in Oyo State on Academy has put our small village on the Nigerians, the FOSLA football academy yes, there is no problem but I want to premier handball league which was hitherto Wednesday evening. Community in the Federal Capital map of the sporting world. will be bigger than Arsenal football club or assure Nigerians that with great men like played in phases with the first phase slated However, the remains of Bello were Territory, Alhaji Muhammed Ismaila “The boys have been able to achieve any big club in the World. Dangote, if they can come to invest in the to hold in Abuja this May, will now hold since buried at the Muslim Cemetery extolled the FOSLA academy for putting this feat as the first team to win the maiden “As I said, it is a rare feat, I don’t have club-like FOSLA, I am very sure we are in the Nation’s Capital (Abuja) later in the in Irewolede area of Ilorin, the Kwara the community on the map of the sporting edition of the National principal’s cup. up to 150 students in the school but they going to do far better than the Arsenal or year in October in one consolidated event. capital. He was survived by his pregnant world within the shortest period of time. “The school is only 10-years and yet, it were playing against schools that have more any team in the world. If they invest in “The teams will play round-robin games wife and aged mother. Sarkin Karshi stated this on Wednesday has been able to win this cup among all the than 4000 students because we are really our schools, based on my passion, vision, amongst themselves and the league winners Bello started playing badminton with in Abuja when he hosted the Champions schools that are even older. working hard to put a sporting curriculum. collective support of Nigerians, Nigeria as well as the relegated teams will be able-bodied participants 17 years ago, and of the just concluded 2021 National Also, the Founder and Proprietor of “We are encouraged that we have a base will be a place where people will come decided. Bello then decided to take up coaching. Principal cup Competition, FOSLA FOSLA Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu that should be supported by them, we all to fish for players”. Ajuwa الجزير نيجيريا

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ةالجزير نيجيريا April 26 – May 2, 2021 www.aljazirahnews.com 18

ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news in hausa e-mail: [email protected] NHRC Ta Karvi Attahiru Ya Qararraki 276 Buqaci Majalisar Cikin Watanni 3 Dattawa Da A Kano Su Tabbatr Da Hukumar Kare Haqqin Xan’Adam ta Qasa (NHRC) ta ce Samar Da Kuxi ta karvi qararraki 276 daga watan Janairu zuwa Maris, 2021 a Jihar Ga Sojoji Kano. Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi, Babban hafsan sojojin, Laftana-Janar Kodinetan hukumar na jihar Ibrahim Attahiru, ya nemi goyon baya Kano ne ya bayyana hakan a wata daga majalisar dattijai wajen tabbatar hira da AljazirahNigeria a ranar da samar da kuxaxen da ya dace Laraba a Kano. ga sojojin Nijeriya don gudanar da A cewar Abdullahi, daga cikin ayyukansu kamar yadda tsarin mulki qararraki 276, an kammala 203 ya tanada tare da fatattakar duk wata yayin da 73 a ke ci gaba. “Wasu barazanar tsaro. daga cikin shari’ar sun haxa da Attahiru ya yi wannan kiran ne yin watsi da qanann yara, cin lokacin da mambobin kwamitin zarafinsu, rikicin cikin gida, majalisar dattijai a kan Sojoji, lalata da cin zarafin jinsi, fyaxe, qarqashin jagorancin Shugabanta, cin mutunci mara kyau, rashin Kwamishinan Filaye, Safiyo da Tsara Gari na Jihar Filato, Mista Yakubu Dati (L) a lokacin da yake jawabi ga wakilan Senata Ali Ndume, yayin da kai ziyarar kula da haqqin iyaye tsakanin al’ummar Nukwis da jami’an Kamfanin Fina-Finan na Najeriya a yayin ziyarar da suka kai wurin da rikicin fili ya barke gani da ido zuwa shelkwatar Sojoji wasu. tsakanin Kamfanin Fina-Finan na Nijeriya da al’ummar Nukwis ta Izere da ke Jos. Arewacin jihar Filato a ranar Laraba, ranar Laraba a Abuja. Ya ce ziyarar ta “Hukumar za ta haXa kai 21 ga Afrilu. HOTO: SUNDAY ADAH/ICE/NAN ban girma ta kasance a kan kari, ya da sauran masu ruwa da tsaki qara da cewa ziyarar ta ba su damar ciki har da Ma’aikatar Shari’a, yin mu’amala da tattauna batutuwan waXanda ke inganta da kuma da za su iya shafar kuxaxen ayyukan kare haqqin xan’Adam. “Akwai BUA Ya Ba Da Gudunmawar Magungunan sojoji da ayyukansu. wasu tsare-tsaren doka kamar su A cewarsa, Nijeriya na fuskantar Dokar Kare Yara ta Jihar Kano, Naira Miliyan 10 Ga Asibitoci 7 A Sakkwato xumbin matsalolin tsaro waxanda Dokar Haramtawa Mutane cin suka haxa da tayar da qayar baya a cin zarafin jama’a wanda a halin Kamfanin siminti na BUA ya ba da na Kamfanin BUA Siminti, ya ce al’ummomin da ke karvar baquncin,” yankin Arewa maso Gabas, ‘yan fashi yanzu ke zaman gida,” in ji shi. gudummawar magunguna da sauran kamfanin yana kuma taimaka wa in ji shi. Mista Abdullahi Romo, a yankin Arewa maso Yamma da Abdullahi ya ci gaba da bayanin kayayyakin masarufi na asibitoci na jihar wajen samar da ruwan sha, wutar Babban Sakatare, na Hukumar Kula kuma wani yanki na yankin Arewa ta cewa hukumar za ta wayar da kimanin Naira miliyan 10, da wasu lantarki, hanyoyin karkara, kiwon da Kiwon Lafiya a matakin farko Tsakiya. Ya ce wannan ya haxa har da kan mutane domin sanar da Cibiyoyin Kula da Lafiya a matakin lafiya, ilimi, mata da matasa. na Jihar Sakkwato (SSPHCDA), ya tayar da zaune tsaye a shiyyar Kudu su haqqinsu. “Za mu je wasu farko (PHCs) guda bakwai a Qaramar Suleiman ya ce magungunan na ce sa bakin yana da dabaru domin maso Gabas da Kudu maso Kudu da yankunan karkara inda ake da Hukumar Wamakko da ke Jihar asali ne ga yara, mata masu juna zai bunqasa damar samun ayyukan yankin qasar. qarancin bayanai kuma za mu Sakkwato. biyu da sauransu, saboda la’akari da kiwon lafiya da kuma rage nauyi a “Don daqilewa kuma daga qarshe wayar musu da kai don sanin Kamfanin tun da fari ya riga ya yanayin canjin da ake ciki da kuma kan iyalai. mu shawo kan waxannan barazanar, haqqinsu,” in ji shi. gina makarantu, ya kuma ba da buqatun mutane. Ya ce an faxaxa Don haka, ya gargaxi ma’aikatan sojojin Nijeriya suna buqatar kayan tallafin karatu, sannan ya raba riguna tallafin zuwa sabbin PHCs a Gidan asibiti kan amfani da kayayyakin aiki, makamai, motocin yaqi masu Hajj: Mahajjatan ga yara, kazalika ya horar da mata Bailu banda PHCs da ke Gidan Kusu, ta hanyar amfani da kayan inda ya silke, dandamali da masu ba da qarfi kan dabarun kasuwanci da kuma Wajenka, Sabon Garin Alu, Arkilla, qara da cewa za a samu jerin dukkan na yaqi. “Ina roqonku da cewa cikin Kaduna 3,837 Sun tallafawa cibiyoyin kiwon lafiya a cikin Barikin Waya na ‘Yan Sanda, da kuma abubuwan da za a rarraba wa waxanda gaggawa, ku yi la’akari da waxannan al’ummomin da ke karvar baquncin a cibiyoyin kiwon lafiya na matakin ake buqata a wuraren. Romo ya mahimman buqatun yayin da kuke Karvi Rigakafin matsayin wani vangare na aikinta na farko na Kalambaina. buqaci iyaye da masu kula da su da su zamantakewar al’umma. Suleiman ya ba su tabbacin cewa kqarfafa wa ‘ya’yansu da maziyartan yin doka da kuxaxen da suka dace. Korona-Jami’i Da yake gabatar da kayayyakin qarin shirye-shiryen tallafa wa su riqa zuwa makaranta a kai a kai, “Zan dogara ne a kan goyon a madadin kamfanin, Daraktan al’umma kamfanin zai yi su. sannan ya yi kira ga sauran qungiyoyin bayanku, ta yadda za mu iya gudanar Aqalla maniyyata 3,837 da ke da ayyukanmu yadda ya kamata niyyar zuwa aikin Hajjin na 2021 sashin Kula da Kasuwanci, Mista A cewarsa, kamfanin siminti zai kamfanoni da masu hannu da shuni Abdulganiyyu Yusuf, ya ce wannan haxa hannu da Ma’aikatun lafiya da da su karva daga kamfanin. tare da fatattakar duk barazanar da a Jihar Kaduna suka karvi allurar muke fuskanta,” in ji shi. Attahiru rigakafinsu ta farko ta Kprona, karimcin na da nufin taimaka na Ilimi na jihar don gano wuraren da Da yake amsawa a madadin wa qoqarin da Gwamnatin Jihar ake buqatar hanzarta shiga tsakani. al’umomin, Hakimin Arkilla, Alhaji ya bayar da tabbacin cewa sojojin a cewar Hukumar Jin Daxin Sakkwato ke yi wajen bunqasa samar “A yanzu haka, muna biyan kuxin Aliyu Liman, ya nuna jin daxinsa game Nijeriya a qarqashin jagorancinsa za Alhazan Musulmin Jihar. da kiwon lafiya. tallafin karatu ga xaliban da ke da tallafin, wanda ya ce zai yi tasiri su ci gaba da nuna vangaranci kuma Mai riqon muqamin mai Mista Sada Suleiman, Mataimakin karatu a manyan makarantu daban- qwarai da gaske ga rayuwar jama’a. su jajirce wajen kare dimukraxiyya da sa ido a hukumar, Hajiya Daraktan Gudanarwa da Kulawa daban a faxin qasar daga wadannan shugabanci nagari a Nijeriya. Hannatu Zailani, ta faxa wa Da yake jawabi, Ndume ya ce AljazirahNigeria a Kaduna, maqasudin ziyarar shi ne a samu cewa aikin allurar ya fara ne a fahimtar juna kan batutuwan da ranar 6 ga Afrilu kuma ya isa buqatun sojojin Nijeriya tare da nemo ga dukkan qananan hukumomi Man Fetur: Za Mu Samar Da Albarkatun hanyar magance su. 23 na jihar (LGAs). Ta ce “Zuwa Ya ce sojojin Nijeriya suna da yanzu, mun kammala matakin Man Fetur Babu Qaqqautawa-DPR gagarumin aiki na rage matsalolin tsaro daban-daban da qasar ke farko na allurar rigakafin,” Ofishin Bauchi na Sashen Albarkatun “Mun himmatu kuma mun duk ‘yan kasuwar da suka yi rajista Zailani ya ci gaba da bayanin fuskanta, ya qara da cewa Majalisar Man Fetur (DPR) ya ce zai ci gaba da jajirce kan sanya takunkumi kan su shiga mabudin cikin sabon kayan Dokoki ta qasa a shirye take ta ba da cewa allurar rigakafin ta dogara tabbatar da samar da albarkatun hanyoyin da aka samu da ba su da aikin sa ido wanda ake kira‘ Down ne ga umarnin da aka samu daga goyon baya ga majalisar. Ya ce an bai man fetur a faxin gidajen mai 500 canjin canji,” in ji shi. Isyaku ya ce, Stream Remote Monitoring System wa shugabannin hafsoshin tabbacin cibiyar hana yaxuwar cututtuka da ke jihar. Malam Abdullahi Isyaku, hukumar ta dukufa wajen tallafawa ’(DRMS). cewa za su yi iya qoqarinsu don cimma ta Nijeriya (NCDC) da kuma Kwanturolan ayyuka na hukumar ‘yan kasuwar masu sha’awar shiga AljazirahNigeria ta ba da rahoton burin ‘yan Nijeriya wajen magance hukumar kula da aikin hajji ta ne ya bayyana haka a cikin wata harkar cinikayyar iskar Gas din a cewa kwanan nan ofishin na kasa na matsalolin tsaro da ake fuskanta. qasa, ya qara da cewa dukkan tattaunawa da AljazirahNigeria a bisa tsarin Gwamnatin Tarayya kan sashen ya kaddamar da DRMS. A A cewarsa, kan lamarin shi ne dole mahajjatan za a yi musu karvar Bauchi ranar Litinin. amfani da Gas na Cikin Gida. cewar Isyaku, na’urar za ta taimaka ne a basu abin da suke buqata don ta biyu, kafin su tashi zuwa aikin Isyaku ya ce sashen zai ci gaba A cewarsa, sashen ya zage damtse wa DPR wajen sanya ido kan gudanar da aikin kuma shi ne kuxi, Hajjin. da sanya ido sosai kan gidajen mai, kan sa ido kan dukkan wuraren sayar matsayin kayayyakin da ake sayarwa kayan aiki, ma’aikata waxanda suke Don haka ta buqaci musamman kan aiwatar da matakan da kayayyaki da ake da su. Wannan a yanar gizo da kuma wuraren sayar fassara zuwa kuxi. “Wannan shi ne maniyyatan da su kasance cikin kariya ta wuraren sayar da kayayyaki. yana tare da ra’ayi don tabbatar da da kayayyaki. dalilin da ya sa muke kira ga gwamnati faxakarwa kan duk wani sabon Ya qara da cewa hakan zai tabbatar bin ka’idojin aiki. Hakanan zai taimaka wa yan ta ba sojojin Nijeriya goyon baya da bayani da za a yaxa a kan aikin da cewa tashoshin suna amfani da “Ba za mu yi watsi da ka’idoji ba,” kasuwa wajen sa ido kan ayyukan a kayan aiki don aiwatar da aikin da ake Hajjin na 2021. farashin kayan masarufin. in ji shi. Mai kulawar ya yi kira ga gidajen mai. fata sosai. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 19 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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King Salman speaking at the virtual Climate summit Saudi Buy-Now- King Salman Calls For Global Pay-Later Firm Approach To Tackling Climate Change Raises $110m In NEW YORK: Boosting international Mohammed bin Salman recently planting 50 billion trees in the change, in order to create a better Funding cooperation is the “optimal solution” announced two new environmental region,” he said. environment for future generations, RIYADH: Buy-now-pay-later to tackling climate change, Saudi plans: the Green Saudi Initiative The Kingdom, he added, will work wishing success for our efforts to (BNPL) platform Tamara has Arabia’s King Salman told a summit and the Green Middle East with its partners to achieve these protect our planet,” he said. secured funding of $110 million of world leaders on Thursday. Initiative. They aim to reduce carbon goals and host forums for both Earlier, US President Joe Biden and plans to use the new cash He said global warming threatens emissions in the region by more initiatives later this year. — who convened the summit with lives on our planet and that the than 10 percent of current global “Finally we would like to affirm a view to building global momentum injection to expand its operations challenges “recognize no national contributions. our keenness and commitment for climate action ahead of COP26, across the GCC. borders.” “These initiatives also aim at to cooperation to combat climate the UN’s. The largest Series A funding “The objective is sustainable ever in the Middle East and North development, and in order to achieve Africa (MENA), the news comes this there must be a comprehensive just six months after Riyadh-based methodology that takes into account Minister Urges More Vaccine Take-Up As Tamara launched in September last the different developments and year. circumstances that exist around the Daily Virus Cases Rise Above 1,000 Founded by entrepreneur world,” King Salman said during the Abdulmajeed Alsukhan and his Leaders Summit on Climate, which JEDDAH: Saudi Health Minister care Nasser Tawfiq blamed the Forty-four percent of infections partners Turki Bin Zarah and was hosted by the US. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has urged recent spike in cases on violations of occur and become contagious before Abdulmohsen Albabtain, Tamara He said the Kingdom has people living in the Kingdom to be health protocols in the weeks before any symptoms appear, the ministry was the first BNPL firm to be launched packages of strategies and vaccinated against coronavirus as Ramadan as people were preparing explained on Twitter. part of the Saudi Central Bank’s introduced regulations with the aim COVID-19 infections continue to for the holy month. Saudi Arabia reported 11 more Sandbox fintech development of using clean, renewable sources to rise, climbing above 1,000 new cases In an interview with Al-Ekhbariya COVID-19-related deaths on a day. channel, Tawfiq said that cases are Thursday. The death toll now stands program. produce 50 percent of the country’s Tamara allows shoppers to energy needs by 2030. “More than 950 million doses now increasing weekly compared at 6,869. of coronavirus vaccines have been with last year when numbers rose The Health Ministry reported purchase goods and services and “Enhancing the level of delay the payment for 30 days, international cooperation is the administered around the world, day after day. 1,055 new cases, meaning that and the vaccine has demonstrated a Breaking any numbers barrier will 409,093 people have now contracted or spilt the purchase into three optimal solution to meeting the payments spread over two months. challenges of climate change,” the high level of safety and efficacy,” Al- take longer, “and the best way to the disease. There are 9,776 active king said. Rabiah said on Twitter. make a difference is with vaccines,” cases, with 1,182 of these in critical The company has signed up “During our G20 presidency “Advice from the heart, take the he said. condition. around 1000 merchants to its last year we advocated the need step and get the vaccine for your “We will be in a seriously critical According to the ministry, 468 platform, including Namshi, to adopt a notion of a circular health and safety,” he added. state if numbers rise above 1,500,” of the newly recorded cases were in Floward, SACO, Nice One, Whites carbon economy, launching two Al-Rabiah said that over 3 million warned Tawfiq. Riyadh, 220 in Makkah, 157 in the and Nejree. It has reported healthy international initiatives to curb people have died from COVID-19, Meanwhile, the Health Ministry Eastern Province and 45 in Madinah. average monthly growth rates, with land degradation and to protect and more than 100 million people urged people to follow precautionary In addition, 824 patients have its user base growing 180 percent coral reefs.” suffer from the effects of the disease. and preventive measures, including recovered from the disease, bringing month-on-month and transaction He added that Crown Prince King Saud University professor wearing a mask and maintaining the total number of recoveries to volumes increasing 170 percent on of anesthesiology and intensive social distancing. 392,448. average each month. الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا April 26 – May 2, 2021 www.aljazirahnews.com 20

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari (right) and Chairman of Energy and Exploration Production Limited, SEEPCO, Mr Tony Chukwueke, sign a Gas Development Agreement, GDA, as partners in the Oil Mining Lease, OML, 143, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Thursday, April 22. PHOTO: BJO/NAN. Why IOCs, Other Oil Majors Are Divesting In Nigeria

BY CHARLES EBI that has made the current operating projects,” Mike Sangster, managing environment bad for their business director of Total SE’s Nigeria unit, Fresh insights as to why the oil to plan their exit from the country. told lawmakers at a hearing in majors are gradually scaling down Specifically, he said: “The first Abuja, the capital recently. their operations and planning their ominous signs that presented it To boost new investment,

economy exit from the country has been were the deliberate efforts by the the proposed law should grant unraveled. international oil companies (IOCs) deepwater oil projects full royalty AljazirahNigeria Investigation to relocate their headquarters relief for the first five years of revealed that among the oil majors, outside the Niger Delta region. production or a graduated royalty including Royal Dutch Shell, When that happened a few years program, said Sangster, speaking ExxonMobil, Total and Eni, are back, it was a bad signal. on behalf of the Oil Producers Trade cutting billions in spending after Of course, you cannot lay all Section, a group of 30 producers taking hits to their profits, thus the blame on the IOCs entirely including Total, Royal Dutch Shell shifting money to renewable fuels because no businessman wants to Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron and focusing only on the most cost- invest in an area where insecurity Corp. and Eni SPA, which he chairs.

& effective markets. is a big issue. The problem really The bill legislation that’s two Checks by AljazirahNigeria has to do with the issue of third decades in the making — will further revealed that the country party interference, poor legislation streamline how Nigeria’s energy

was able to attract only $3 billion, among other factors which Sylva assets are operated and funded. First or 4%, out of the $70 billion are genuine reasons to affect presented in parliament in 2008, committed on new projects in investment decisions, he stressed. a challenge no business can survive progress in passing the bill was Africa between 2015 and 2019, a To address this issue, the under such a circumstance.” held up by political wrangling and development experts say, does not government, he maintained, must International energy companies objections from international oil bode well for economy which relies ensure that there is an enabling working in Nigeria are worried that companies that say the government on oil receipts to survive. environment for business to thrive. proposals in the country’s long- is demanding an excessive increase Nigeria’s loss has been the gains “I’m convinced that once there delayed oil industry law will deter in revenues. of other African countries such as is a level of assurance that their investment in new offshore projects. The persistent failure to pass the Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, investments can be guaranteed In a joint presentation, the bill “has been a major drag” on the where some of the IOCs have made many of these oil managers that OPTS urged lawmakers to remove oil and gas sector, Ahmad Lawan, major investments in recent years. have exited the country will come a proposed hydrocarbon tax as president of Nigeria’s Senate, said In Sao Tome & Principe for back”, Christain assured. producers will still be subject to last January as he opened two days instance, is now being heavily Echoing similar sentiments, Chief companies income tax. of public hearings on the proposed courted by oil companies from far Prof. Jasper Jumbo, Chairman/CEO, Our review of the Petroleum legislation. The delays have harmed and near. Notably, a consortium of Niger Delta Projects Consortium Industry Bill shows that deepwater the country’s ability to “attract both US firms, including Chevron Texaco Limited, said, “Nobody wants to provisions do not provide a favorable local and foreign capital” at a time and ExxonMobil where among the do business in an environment of environment for future investments of greater competition with other first to secure oil license along with chaos. Once peaceful co-existence is and for the launching of new resource-rich nations, he said. a Norwegian company, EER, which netted over $70million with many other prospects. Confirming this development, Airlines May Lose $47.7bn In 2021 – IATA Delta State Commissioner for BY YAHAYA UMAR forecast, because of difficulties in widespread vaccination on key Environment, Hon. Onogba controlling the virus variants and home markets but suffer from Christian, while fielding question The International Air Transport slower vaccination in some regions,” a slow opening of the long-haul from our correspondent on the Association (IATA) yesterday revised IATA said. international markets that connect sidelines of the “Stakeholders its airline economic performance The report noted that large airlines through the Gulf hubs. Forum on The Environment” forecast for the year 2021 putting have raised sufficient cash to cover But the African region losses facilitated by the Institute of net post-tax losses forecast at $47.7 this already but many smaller airlines might be minimal as the report Directors Nigeria (IoD) Port billion in 2021 as against a $38 haven’t and will need government aid indicated largely due to relaxed Harcourt chapter, said oil majors billion projected in December. or to raise more cash from the banks international travel restrictions like Shell, Chevron and others “Financial performance will be or capital markets. but vaccination “is very slow, which may have been compelled by the worse and more varied this year The report further said Middle is likely to restrict the rebound of present socioeconomic realities than we expected in our December

business East airlines would benefit from international markets”. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 21 ةالجزير نيجيريا

ة business & economy FG committed Nigeria’s External Debt To Hit $87bn Electricity Subsidy To Growth To Hit N3trn By Of MSMEs To With Approval Of $2.6bn Loan 2023 – World Bank BY MARIAM SANNI, ABUJA and the loan request from the BY CYRIL OGAR Boost GDP Deutsche Bank of Germany for BY SAMAILA SANNI Nigeria’s debt profile looks set seven (7) years at 2.87 percent The World Bank has said to rise by another $2.6 billion interest rate. that the inability Nigeria’s Amb. Mariam Katagum, as the Senate, on Wednesday, President Buhari, in a letter Electricity Supply Industry Minister of State for approved the sum out of the dated May 19, 2020, sought (NESI), to allow cost-reflective Industry, Trade and $5.5 billion external borrowing the approval of the National model, the tariff shortfall may Investment, says the Federal request sent to the National Assembly to secure a foreign rise to N3 trillion by 2023. Government was committed Assembly by President loan to the tune of $5.513 Muhammad Abba Wakil, to the growth of Micro, Small Muhammadu Buhari in May billion to finance deficits Senior Energy Specialist, with and Medium Enterprises last year. contained in the 2020 budget. the bank in his presentation (MSMEs) for enhanced This new approval will He explained that the titled, Power Sector Recovery contribution to the nation’s raise Nigeria’s external debt loan would be sourced from Programme (PSRP): A More Gross Domestic Product profile to over $87 billion. the International Monetary Just and Fair Tariff Policy, (GDP). When the balance of nearly Fund, World Bank, African said if the policy persisted, She made this known $3b is approved before the Development Bank, Export, government might require in her speech at the end of the year, the external Import Bank of Brazil and the N3.4 trillion to fund the tariff 7th EMPRETEC Global debt will hit $90 billion. Ahmed African Export, Import Bank. gap. Summit, held virtually, As at September last year, Governments and the FCT The approved sum, According to President He disclosed this while with the theme “The Role of according to AljazirahNigeria, all recorded increases in their according to the Chairman Buhari, out of the total $5.513 explaining content of a fact Entrepreneurship, MSME the Q3, 2020 Total Public Debt Debt Stock due to borrowings of the Local and Foreign billion (USD) loan request, sheet on tariff shortfall during and Empretec in post Stock released by the Debt to enable them respond Debt Committee, Clifford the sum of $3.4 billion (USD) a virtual media workshop. COVID-19 Resurgence.” Management Office (DMO), appropriately to the COVID-19 Ordia, would see €995 would be sourced from the He emphasized that by According to the minister, revealed that the Total Public Pandemic and to meet revenue million euros going to finance International Monetary implication, the cumulative the Federal Government Debt Stock stood at N32.223 shortfalls. priority projects of the Fund; $1.5 billion (USD) tariff shortfall would be had rolled out various Trillion or USD84.574 Billion. “Issuance of Promissory federal government, while from the World Bank; $500 five times the 2020 budget interventions to reposition Proshare adds, “The Notes by the FGN to settle $1.5 billion (USD) would be million (USD) from the African allocation for Education and MSMEs for increased and Debt Stock is made up of inherited liabilities have also disbursed to the thirty-six Development Bank; and $113 seven times the allocation for sustained contribution to the Domestic and External contributed to the growth in state governments to finance million (USD) from the Islamic Health. the national economy in Debt Stocks of the Federal the Public Debt Stock since critical projects. Development Bank. He said the FG’s intention the wake of the COVID-19 Government of Nigeria (FGN), the year 2018 when they were Out of the total sum However, Chairman of the at keeping tariff low was pandemic. the 36 State Governments and first issued. approved, $1.5 billion is to be Senate Committee on Local to help the economically “As we are all aware, the Federal Capital Territory “While N20.136 Billion of sourced from the World Bank; and Foreign Debt, Clifford disadvantaged but this move the MSME sector is the (FCT). Promissory Notes were issued €671 million euros from the Ordia (PDP, Edo Central), is mostly beneficial to the engine of growth of any “The breakdown of the in Q3, 2020, as at September Export-Import Bank of Brazil; while giving a breakdown on rich. economy, contributing to its Public Debt Stock showed 30, 2020, the Promissory and another €324 million the application of the sum According to him, the development, job creation that 37.82% was External, Notes Outstanding, which are euros from the Deutsche Bank approved National Assembly, government for years was and export, amongst others. while the balance of 62.18% all included in the Domestic of Germany. disclosed that €995 million paying the difference because “An MSMEs survey was Domestic. Debt Stock, stood at N971.878 The tenor/moratorium of (Euros) would be deployed the government wanted to indicates that Nigeria’s “Compared to the Total Billion.” the loan to be sought from to finance priority projects help poor Nigerian families SMEs contribute nearly 50 Public Debt Stock of N31.009 Wednesday’s approval by the World Bank is 25 years at to address the impact of the to pay their bills. But richer percent of the country’s Trillion as at June 30, 2020, the Senate came after the an interest rate of 2.45 percent COVID-19 pandemic and to families use more electricity, GDP and account for over the Debt Stock in Q3 2020 Upper Chamber considered per annum; while that from improve Nigeria’s food security so a big chunk of government 80 percent of employment. increased by N1.214 Trillion a report by the Committee the Export-Import Bank of through the mechanization support ends up going to No doubt, the sector is or 3.91%. on Local and Foreign Debts Brazil is for 15 years at an of agriculture and Agro those who do not really need pivotal to Nigeria’s growth, “The FGN, State during plenary. interest rate of 2.935 percent; processing in Nigeria. help with paying bills. including reducing poverty The World Bank chief said and unemployment levels. the factsheet shows that “It has, therefore, TAJ Bank Records Highest EPS In Banking Industry, N845m PAT only 22 per cent of poorest become more apparent that households are connected to supporting entrepreneurs BY MARIAM SANNI, ABUJA the financial year amid the The Bank has also grown laudable feat and we are the grid, stressing that: devastating impact of the its agency banking network appreciative of the enormous and small businesses by TAJBank, Nigeria’s leading ‘For every N10 the creating opportunities for COVID-19 pandemic on (TAJExpress), to over 3,000 support and encouragement government spends on non-interest banking services the global, and particularly agents within its first year of that we have received so far. MSMEs to thrive is essential provider, has recorded the meeting the tariff shortfall, for increasing productivity, Nigeria’s economic landscape. operations. We assure our customers that N8 goes to the richer highest earning per share TAJBank’s financial Quite remarkably, at a we will continue to explore creating jobs, and boosting (EPS) in the nation’s banking households who don’t need our economy. statements already approved time when electronic frauds the business landscape with help paying their bills.’ industry with its shareholders by the monetary authorities are threatening the global a view to consistently deliver “This is why Government earning N11.82 per share, indicated that the lender, banking system, TAJBank on our mission to provide Wakil noted that if sector is working with stakeholders representing an appreciation which had achieved its has guaranteed the safety the very best of products and performance and discipline across all sectors, to create of 1,182% on every N1 breakeven mark barely nine of depositors’ and investors’ services to our customers”, were not improved, the enabling environment for investment by them in the months after it debuted in the funds, recording no single Joda added. government might need to entrepreneurs and MSMEs financial year 2020. non-interest banking terrain, incidence of fraud since its The bank’s Co-founder and provide the required sum to to ensure that they grow now This is even as the lender grew its total assets from inception. Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. support the sector by 2023. and into the future,” she said. reported N845 million Profit N9.2billion in 2019 to N50 Commenting on the bank’s Sherif Idi, also enthused: “In Meanwhile, the Senior Katagum said that the After Tax (PAT) in its first billion in 2020, representing impressive performance in our business environment, Energy Specialist said due Federal Government was year of operations ending a 443% increase and a its maiden year and capacity creating products and services to erratic power supply, repositioning the MSMEs December 2020 just as its remarkable growth. to break even within nine that fully resonate with our businesses in Nigeria lose for global competitiveness, other performance indices A further analysis of the months of operation, the customers while addressing about $29 billion annually. His through effective were upswing, demonstrating ethical and value-driven Founder and Chief Operating their needs is a priority. words: “An average Nigerian implementation of policies the management’s superior bank’s financials showed Officer, Mr. Hamid Joda, said “We are delighted with the consumes 4 times less and programmes. financial competencies to 1,495% growth in its deposit the feat “is indicative that in satisfaction rate and feedback energy than her counterpart She added that the Federal create sustainable value for base showcasing the lender’s this short period of business we have received so far on in a typical lower middle- Government, through its its various stakeholders. capacity to thrive in the non- operations we have received TAJBank, a thought leader in income country. Businesses Economic Sustainability The performance also lends interest banking sub-sector such a massive amount of the increasingly dynamic non- in Nigeria lose about US$29 Committee, had rolled out credence to the success and through innovation and support and encouragement interest banking sub-segment billion annually because of specific programmes aimed market acceptance of the non- efficient service delivery in from various bodies and of the banking industry, and unreliable electricity. In view at cushioning the impact interest banking model. the face of the COVID-19 individuals. its numerous value-adding of this, he said the PSRP is a of COVID-19 on MSMEs The bank’s impressive triggered disruptions in the “Breaking even in nine services to customers”, Idi comprehensive response to businesses. scorecard was posted during financial sector. months of operations is a enthused. Nigeria’s power challenges. الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا April 26 – May 2, 2021 www.aljazirahnews.com 22

From Left: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goal and Investment, Solape Hammond; President, European Business Organization, EBO, Nigeria, Mr Adefolu Majekodunmi; Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Vice-President, EBO Nigeria, Mary Ojulare and Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Dr Lola Akande during the visit of a delegation from EBO Nigeria to the Governor at State House Marina in Lagos on Friday, April 23. PHOTO: KAYODE OLADAPO/ICE/NAN. APC Congress: Anxiety As Power Tussle Sweeps Across Parties BY MUSTAPHA SULEIMAN person to act as chairman in the Committee meeting we had, we did absence of the national chairman not discuss that. policy The ruling All Progressives Congress, and Deputy National Chairman “Let me say that zoning is not for (APC) and the main opposition (South)? Those were the issues the Caretaker Committee alone. It Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP),

that dogged the NEC meeting, has to do with the President; it has appear to be playing ‘hide and seek’ which ultimately extinguished the to do with other major stakeholders. over their conventions as both have Oshimhole era in APC. It has to do with a lot of people. not come clear on the date slated Amidst this, the party national “I want to mute the speculation. for their national conventions even leader and a former Lagos governor, The list is not from us (Caretaker as the contentious issue of power Bola Ahmed Tinubu used the Committee). There is no way such sharing among others lingers. opportunity of the sacking of a decision will be taken without The APC many believe is waiting Oshiomhole to sound his own consulting with the President, for a major conversation among warning to the party stalwarts over Ayade consulting with the governors and PDP stakeholders before making issues threatening the corporate Buni other major stakeholders.” & its position public or taking a firm existence of APC with their narrow the Vice Presidential slot to the It was gathered that a greater decision on the matter of zoning. political ambitions. North was leaked before NEC percent of party faithful, including However, a fresh revelation The contending issues of where ratification. The list also touched members of the party’s various indicated that APC has released a the party’s presidential candidate on NWC formations by identifying caucuses, favour the consensus controversial list last week on its and members of the NWC would the North as the zone to produce choice of former Nasarawa State zoning format for elective public and come from constitute the immediate Oshiomhole’s substantive successor. governor, Alhaji Tanko Al Makura party offices preparatory to the 2023 and have become a major challenge The controversial leaked zoning (TAL) for the position of national General Elections. confronting the ruling party. list indicates that the party has chairman, the party is at odds on how The reliability of the list spelling The party situation is worsened zoned positions thus: President to pacify South/South stakeholders. out zoning format for elective public by the ambition of some state (South): Vice President (North); Stakeholders from South/South and party offices preparatory to governors, who are in their President of Senate (South); Deputy geopolitical zone are grumbling the 2023 General Elections by the second and final constitutional Senate President (North); Speaker, over the truncation of the tenure governing APC has become a subject term in office, scheming to have House of Representatives (North) of the office that was zoned to them of discourse among the rank and file the presidential slot zoned to and Deputy Speaker (South). through the premature sacking of of APC members and is threatening the Southern part of the country For NWC positions, the list Oshiomhole. the party’s cohesion. while others insist on retaining the indicated that the North would They argued that the convention Recall that President Presidency in the Northern part of produce the national chairman, should hold in June to avoid possible Muhammadu Buhari had warned the country. Financial Secretary, Legal Officer uprising from the South/South. APC stakeholders during their There is also the issue of zoning and Auditor, while persons from However, supporters of the March 2020 National Executive through a gentle-man agreement, the South would occupy the Presidential aspiration of the Committee (NEC) meeting held in the presidential and legislative following offices -National Secretary, Transportation Minister, Chibuike at the party National Secretariat positions between the North and Treasurer, Welfare Officer, National Amaechi, say the idea of zoning the in Abuja that APC should not be South. Youth Leader and National Women’s national chairmanship to the North allowed to become history after More challengess bedeviling the Leader, Publicity Secretary and PWD is a strong statement that APC was his exit in 2023 due to worrying ruling party is the ongoing clash (People With Disability) Leader. resolute about zoning the Presidency political permutation within the of ambitions to push forward the But, no sooner had the list to the South in 2023. party hierarchy. party’s national convention from started making the rounds on The power struggle among the Trouble began in the APC June to the last quarter of the the social media than the CECPC, Progressives Governors on one hand when an emergency NEC held at year. Those pushing for the delay in through its Secretary, Senator and members of two of the legacy the Presidential Villa to sack the organising the convention, it was John Akpanudoedehe, dismissed parties, Action Congress of Nigeria Comrade Adams Oshiomhole- gathered, are scheming to extend it as illegitimate and fictitious. (ACN) and Congress for Progressives led National Working Committee the Governor Mai Mala Buni- Akpanudoedehe denied that the Congress (CPC) is at the root of the (NWC) of the party. led Caretaker and Extraordinary party has endorsed any zonal troubled decision-making in the But, even summoning the Convention Planning Committee arrangement ahead of the 2023 governing party. meeting was subject to contentions (CECPC) tenure. presidential election. With the situation on ground, and divisions over the procedure It was further gathered that in the He said, “People interested there is apprehension over the and constitutional stipulations. Was midst of the plots and counter-plots in running for one office or the party’s ability to retain power in the then Deputy National Secretary, within the APC that the contentious other can speculate. As far as I am 2013. Chief Victor Giadom, the rightful zoning formula purportedly zoning concerned, at the last Caretaker CONTINUES ON PAGE 23 politics politics الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 23 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page ة www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng politics & policy e-mail: [email protected] Remove Your Sister From Appeal Committee, Kwara APC Faction Tells Governor STORIES BY MUSTAPHA SULEIMAN Abdulrahoof Bello said that the the hands that wronged? Here was appointment of Sen. Gwadabe is sheer a governor’s sister who worked in Integrity Group, a faction of the All nepotism contradicting democratic tandem with the Senator John Danboi- Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara values. led committee to commit all sorts of State has rejected the 61-member He said: “If the objective of the atrocities and impunities against the national revalidation/appeal committee 61-Member Appeal Committee is to party’s interest. recently set up by the party. rectify injustice that arose from the “On good authority, the appointment The group specifically rejected the controversial membership registration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s inclusion of Senator Khairat Gwadabe in and revalidation exercise in the state, then sister was a subterfuge to reincarnate the the committee, saying Senator Gwadabe Hajia Gwadabe is unsuitable, otherwise odious godfather politics already rejected is the elder sister of Kwara State Governor the noble mission of the committee by Kwarans with the popular votes given AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq. stands defeated on arrival”. to our party in the 2019 general elections. The registration and revalidation The group said the appointment of “As far as the APC constitution allows exercise led by Senator John Danboi has Gwadabe is an injustice to Kwara State us, if the national caretaker feels that it is been marred with crisis, leading to the APC members due to her role in the only Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq rejection of the exercise by factions of membership registration and revalidation and his family members alone that it could the APC. exercise. work with, then we need no soothsayer to In a statement, the group’s Director, The people also wondered, “to whom predict that the APC is facing a prospect Media and Publicity, Comrade shall we report when justice lies in of self-immolation”. Abdulrazaq PDP Says ex-Gov Aliyu Donated Money To Other Parties In 2019 Jonathan’s election in 2015 because there was Affirms Shem Zagbayi as the new leader for Aliyu’s zone an agreement with Jonathan to serve only one term which Jonathan reneged on. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu reaffirmed their support for the suspension Aliyu betrayed us and worked for the ruling However, Jonathan called Aliyu a remains suspended for his role in undermining of Aliyu through their spokesman, Mallam All Progressives Congress. pathological liar and a backstabber, while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Yahaya Usman. “He betrayed the party, former President former governors Jonah Jang and Sule Lamido ensuring that former President Goodluck The PDP spokesman in Niger State said it Goodluck Jonathan and our governorship denied knowledge of such an agreement cited Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential elections. backed the Rivers State Governor Nyesom candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko. We have said by Aliyu. This was stated by the Niger State Peoples’ Wike, who said Aliyu owed the PDP an apology that he donated funds to the opposition The Niger PDP spokesman added, “We Democratic Party. for admitting that he undermined the party party.” reaffirm the elevation of former deputy The Party leaders and supporters in in 2015 elections. Recall that Aliyu in a statement said the governor Shem Zagbayi as the new leader for the three senatorial districts of the state Usman said, “We have been vindicated, Dr 19 northern governors worked against Aliyu’s zone”. Former Adamawa Governor Joins Presidential Campaign For Tinubu Former Governor of Adamawa State, has not come out officially to declare his narrowed to the South West by the APC administration. Bala Ngilari and the pioneer organising interest in running for position. because of the role played by Tinubu and Ngilari was of the view that “power secretary of the All Progressives Ngilari urged northern leaders to the party’s pioneer chairman, Chief Bisi should shift to the south since the North Congress (APC) in the state, Ahmed rally round the South West for the next Akande, in the party. has spent eight years, for equity and fair Lawal, have declared strong support president in 2023, “in the spirit of equity The duo argued that “Tinubu has paid play”. for those routing for a Bola Tinubu and fair play”. his dues” and ought to be encouraged to He was optimistic that if APC fields presidency in 2023. The former Adamawa governor vie for the exalted seat. Tinubu for the 2023 polls, it would Many groups have been campaigning stated this during a security summit by According to Ngilari, during the sweep the polls, judging with recent for Tinubu, who governed Lagos Adamawa youths. He said, “Conceding formation of the party, there was a performance of the party in local between 1999 and 2007, to run for the power to the South West will strengthen gentlemen’s agreement reached with councils of the state. country’s highest office even though he the unity of the county”. the South West leaders of the party Also, Lawal noted that Tinubu and Speaking in the same vein, Lawal to produce the next president after Akande made the Buhari presidency posited that the presidency should be President Muhammadu Buhari’s possible.

wider participation of leaders and members in the decision-making process ...Power Tussle Sweeps Across Parties of the party as was the case before the FROM PAGE 22 elected before the end of the year. NWC dissolution by NEC in June last year. It would be recalled that the registration While warning against further tenure According to Director General of exercise scheduled to end on March 31, was Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), extension for the CECPC, the DG called last week extended by three more weeks by for the immediate setting up of Congress Dr. Salihu Lukman the attempt to ratify the caretaker committee, despite that its another extension of CECPC’s tenure and committees for the conduct of national tenure in office expires in June this year. convention. He declared that the conduct failure to conduct the national convention The PGF boss also frowned at the in June would spell doom for the party. of the APC national convention in June 13 member Buni committee’s refusal this year is in line with the mandate of the The DG, apart from slamming the to convene statutory meetings of the Governor Buni-led caretaker committee caretaker committee. party, apart from the December 8, 2020 Meanwhile, analysts are of the view that over the extension of APC membership Emergency NEC meeting at the presidential registration and revalidation exercise, said the APC’s delay of its national congress villa, where its tenure was extended to June election is to see how the main opposition plans to extend the committee’s tenure 2021. “has strengthened the suspicion that party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Lukman said the development is decides on its zoning position before the CECPC will not organise the national indicative that the party is being denied convention for new party leadership to be making its position known. Ngilari الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا April 26 – May 2, 2021 www.aljazirahnews.com 24

Like our facebook page ةwww.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng NASS watch e-mail: [email protected] Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices FMBN Enmeshes In N14.2bn Fraud and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Special COMPILED BY ABDUL LATEEF TAIWO notwithstanding, less than Presidential Investigation Panel 10 percent of work was done for Recovery of Public Property, The Senate Committee on Public before the project was eventually Accounts has reprimanded the SPIP.” abandoned. He continued: “The EFCC and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, The report read: “Audit observed FMBN, for spending N14.2 billion ICPC were to assist in investigating that the bank awarded a contract the loss of funds on the Goodluck on unexecuted 963 units of for the construction of 963 houses. Jonathan Legacy Estate project units of residential buildings to enable the FMBN to recover its The Senator Matthew called Legacy Estate, with all the Urhoghide-led panel was reacting money. facilities and services of a modern “The then SPIP was also to to the 2018 report of the Auditor urban setting at a contract price of General of the Federation (AuGF), investigate and recover the sum N10,000,000,000.00. However, of N11 billion from the developer, which alleged that though N14.2 a total of N14,281,749,370.71 billion was paid for the N10 Messr. Good Earth Power Nigeria was disbursed to the contractor Limited. billion contract no tangible work between November 22, 2012 was done on the project before its “Nord Consult was engaged to and April 29, 2013, thereby file an action for the recovery of the abandonment. resulting in an overpayment of N The committee said it had 4,281,749,370.71. fund guaranteed by GTBank on the insisted that the money be advance payment guarantee is issued, “No reason was provided for the Dangiwa recovered and appropriate additional payment, neither was for which the bank appointed Intel punishment meted out to any evidence of contract variation contractor was overpaid to the recover the bank’s fund, as all Cost Associate Limited to carry out offenders. presented for audit. Audit further tune of N 4,281,749,370.71, stakeholders were consulted the current valuation of the project in The AuGF’s query, obtained by observed, from physical inspection without any justification for the to assist in investigation and order to serve as an expert witness in AljazirahNigeria, showed that of the site on July 7, 2017, that over-payment.” recovery. the suit filed against GTBank.” the contract sum for the scheme the project had been abandoned In his response that was “Our report has been sent to “This management also initiated was overpaid by N4.2 billion, with since 2014, some months after equally seen, FMBN’s Managing the Minister of Works, Power, a valuation of the development on- the full N14.2 billion disbursed to payments were made, with less Director, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and Housing, as well as the board, site by an external consultant and the contractor between November than 10 percent of work done. explained: “The contract has which later directed us to send it to the total work done, comprising 22, 2012, and April 29, 2013, “Yet, the bank did not only been investigated by the present the Department of State Services, housing units and infrastructure adding that the overpayment pay the full contract sum, the management in an effort to DSS, Economic and Financial work valued at N940 million. Dangote Tightens Noose Against Cement Manufacturers There is no sign in sight for reduction more valuable producers in Nigeria. But during deliberations, the red in 2021 to 3.27 billion metric tons protections such as offering in cement prices in Nigeria as the They asked their colleagues chamber resolved that the market is and the world is expected to produce concessionary loans and larger tax Senate last week turned down to urge the executive to set up a capital intensive adding that there 4.83 billion metric tons in 2030 but incentives for new entrants in order recommendation of a motion committee to investigate anti- are no restrictions for newcomers to in Nigeria, the commodity sells at an to boost production of cements, seeking for liberalisation of the competitive practices by local warrant their intervention. exorbitant price with oligopolistic reduce price and encourage more cement industry. cement producers; direct the cement AljjazirahNigeria reports that competition by three players – valuable producers in Nigeria. The motion which was sponsored industries in Nigeria to increase China, which currently produces Dangote Cement (60.6%); Lafarge Speaking earlier, Sen Ibrahim by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa their production and reduce the the most cement globally by a large Africa Plc (21.8%) and BUA Group Gobir (Sokoto) said liberalising the (Kwara South) and co-sponsored price of 50 Kg of cement to barest margin estimated at 2.2 billion metric (17.6%). cement policy would collapse the by Sen Bima Muhammad Enagi minimum considering the fact that tons is as a result of government The Senate resolved that the industry adding that the government (Niger South); Sen Oriolowo Adelere the materials for its production are support to the manufacturers. executive should provide more should only protect the enterprise Adeyemi Osun West; Sen Egwu mainly sourced locally. Global cement production increase industrial incentives and industrial and industries. Samuel Ominyi (Ebonyi North); Sen Gaya Kabiru Ibrahim (Kano South) and Sen Nnachi Michael Ama (Ebonyi South) urged the Pantami: Reps, Presidency Divided Over Calls For Removal Senate to advice the executive to liberalise current policies on cement House of Representatives and be in this chamber and allow a man AljazirahNigeria reports production to attract more investors the presidency are back in the with links to extremism to remain a Nigerians using hashtags, in order to make cements available to trenches over the allegations of minister…….he should either resign #PantamiResign and Nigerians at a moderate price. terrorism against the minister of or be suspended.” #PantamiResignNow, are demanding The lawmakers also urged their Communication, Ali Pantami and The Pantami controversy started for Pantami’s resignation after colleagues to call on the executive to the call for his sack from office. with a report that the United States multiple reports accused him of provide more industrial incentives The Minority Leader of the of America government reportedly endorsing terrorism and extremist and industrial protections such as House of Representatives, Ndudi placed the minister on terrorists views. offering concessionary loans and Elumelu (PDP, Delta) on Wednesday, watch list. However, the report The statement reads: “Today, larger tax incentives for new entrants last week stoked the fire during which failed to quote or reference there is an unfortunate fashion in in order to boost production of the plenary by calling for the any source has been recanted and public discourse that makes leaders cements, reduce price and encourage resignation or suspension of the an apology offered to the Minister. in politics, religion, and civil society Minister of Communications and The initial report has caused liable in the present for every Digital Economic for alleged ‘links more spotlight to be placed on Mr statement they have ever made in the to extremists’. Pantami’s past sermons, some of past – no matter how long ago, and Coming under Order 6 rule 1 and which appear to be sympathetic to even after they have later rejected 2 (Point of privilege) he said the extremist groups. them. Pantami minister should resign due to his But the Presidency has “In two short years, Minister alleged connection to such groups. defended the embattled Minister Pantami has driven the contribution newspaper editors rebuffed an In his motion, Mr Elumelu said as of Communication and Digital of the ICT sector to the GDP to more attempt to financially induce them a serving member of the House, he Economy, Isa Pantami, over his past than 18 percent, making it one of the to run a smear campaign against the cannot allow Mr Pantami to continue comments in support of terrorist top two playing a critical role in the minister by some ICT companies, to serve as a minister of the federal groups like Taliban and Al-Qaeda. emergence of the economy from the many of which do indeed stand to government. The Senior Special Assistant to the COVID 19-induced recession. lose financially through lower prices “As a serving member of this President on Media and Publicity, “In putting people first, the and greater consumer protections. House, I have been called by several Garba Shehu, in a statement minister and this administration “The government is now members of his constituency that aligned itself with the submission have made enemies. There are investigating the veracity behind why would I be in the House while a of the embattled Minister that he those in the opposition who see these claims of attempted man with links to extremism will be was young when he made those success and want it halted by any inducement, and – should they be allowed to remain a minister. statements and his position had means. And there is now well- found to hold credence police and Dangote “It will be out of place for me to since changed. reported information that alleges judicial action must be expected”. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 25 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special feature e-mail: [email protected] heat and the discomfort is expected for Nigerians. ”This period is hence called the heat wave”, he said. “Heat wave in Nigeria is caused by transition between moist and wet air mass blowing over the country along a southwestern direction from the Atlantic Ocean. Experts have also attributed the severe heat waves to climate change and global warming. Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of earth’s near surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and it is expected to continue. Disasters associated to the change include wild fire, heat waves, wild fire, drought, and flooding. The August /April weather this year 2021 has been really hot. Typically, it began to get hot around 10: AM unlike the initial time that was 12: PM. In Abuja, the FCT,the weather is not different. The Sun rises before 10: AM till 6 : PM on daily basis. When it rained in March, there was an array of hope that the weather might not be harsh but the reverse has been the case in the FCT. As the wave blows hot, its implications both physically and psychologically on the human system cannot be ignored. Research has proven that rapid rises in heat was owing to the ozone depletion as a result of carbon emission that has being on the increase because of massive industrialization and the refusal of industrialized nations and Staying Safe With the emerging nations to play by the Geneva convention on control of ozone depletion. This can result in deaths and hospitalizations going by the harshness of the weather. It is very pertinent for families especially The Heat Waves the women to take proper care and watch BY CHIKA MEFOR-NWACHUKWU AND RUTH GBAKA even bear the drab, soaked bed sheet on her “We can always carry water around. Thank over their children so as to ascertain skin. God sachet water sellers are everywhere. We when they develop any heat wave related The heat wave that has invaded the country “The floor has been my saving grace now. should just keep drinking water until this is symptoms. has become a source of concern to many. I leave at Dutse Alhaji in Abuja and our over. Many of my patients have told me that Also adults and the aged with underlining Even when there has been occasional transformer has been faulty for a long time. they hardly drink water and I told them that ailments should be on the lookout for rain, the weather is still unbearable. The So, I put on the generator whenever I have this is the time they should do so”, he said. symptoms of extreme temperature as it epileptic power supply in the country is not money for fuel. When I put it off, I head to Health experts have also advised Nigerians can worsen chronic conditions, including helping matters and many Nigerians have the floor straight when I want to sleep”, she to always have a regular bathing to cool the cardiovascular, respiratory, and diabetes- experienced distress caused by the heat wave. said. body. He added that water should be a very related conditions. “It feels as if hell has arrived in Nigeria”, In addition to her strategy in coping good friend to everyone. However, it is obvious that this weather Edet Gabriel, an Engineer wrote. “The with the weather, a medical personnel, Dr. “Apart from drinking, we should bath has affected virtually everything even the weather is like hell. The weather is really hot. Abu Musa urged Nigerians to always wear whenever we feel restless. After bathing, you electrical and technological appliances. Everyone is asking, who we offended”. clothes with natural fabric. According to him, can just allow the water to dry off without According to Chief Joseph Abode, “I spend Another person, Anulika Okeke has joked synthetic fabrics retain moisture that causes cleaning it. It will help a great deal too to cool so much more now to fuel my car than that the transport to hell from Abuja was more heat and should be avoided. one’s body temperature”, he said. when the heat was not this intense. The air only N50 as she complained bitterly about “For now, people should leave there “This is the period people should avoid conditioner in my car is always on when am the hot weather. synthetic clothes. It isn’t only about alcohol, including beer. I was telling one driving, sometimes when I wind down the While many people in Abuja cry out about synthetic clothes; people should also avoid of my friends the other day about the screen for air, it turns out hot air. So I have severity of the heat waves, people in the some colors like black. It absorbs heat importance of avoiding alcohol this time, no choice than to turn on my air conditioner northern part of the country like Borno, and will make one uncomfortable in this but he wouldn’t listen. Last week, he called for as long as am driving”. Yobe and Sokoto are of the opinion that the weather”, he said. me that he has been having heat flashes. And The guidance given by the World Health waves in Abuja is just a child’s play comparing Musa also advised that Nigerians drink a that he has taken my advice to stop drinking Organization (WHO) for the general public with the hotness of weather in their states. lot of water even when they are not thirsty. for now. Taking alcohol and caffeinated on coping with extreme heat world heat, “The weather here in Maiduguri is really He added that with the weather, people drinks affects the body and reduces its ability wearing of light, loose-fitting clothes unbearable. It is only God that is helping us, sweat a lot so it was imperative that they to deal with the heat. We should just stick to of natural materials accompanied with I tell you. The weather is even so hot that it drink to replace the fluid. water”, he said. sunglasses to prevent storage of excess affects the generator when we put it on. The Musa explained that it was imperative heat in the body should be strictly observed generators always become over-heated. It that Nigerians take care of themselves as as earlier stated by one of our earlier isn’t easy”, Mallam Mohammed Umar stated. the heat waves can cause heat stroke which respondents. How does one cope with this weather? is usually accompanied by symptoms like dry In addition, avoidance of alcohol, too Helen Ozokwor, an Architect in Abuja stated skin, high body temperature, confusion and much caffeine and sugar instead more intake that with the weather, she only goes to sometimes, unconsciousness. of water should be observed is advised while work and straight back home because of the “That is in severe cases. Heat exhaustion eating small meals but more often and avoid availability of the air conditioners system. Global warming is the is a relatively common reaction to heat and foods that are high in protein stating that “No hang outs this time with this killer can include symptoms such as dizziness, incase of dizziness, weakness, anxious or heat. I just drove in an AC car to work. At increase in the average headache, and fainting”, he said. intense thirst and headache; move to a cool work, I stay in an air conditioned office. And The Director-General of Nigerian place as soon as possible and measure your when I come back, I do put on the generator, temperature of earth’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Sani body temperature while hanging shades, especially when there is no light”, she said. near surface air and Mashi has revealed that the heat wave is draperies, awnings or louvers on windows However, not everyone is wealthy enough caused by North-western and South-western that receive morning or afternoon sun as to operate that way. Esther Isaac, a journalist oceans since the mid- air mass from the Sahara and Atlantic Ocean well as wet towels to cool down the room air. narrated that she deals with the heat by 20th century and it is which generates so much heat during the Additional reference: World Health drinking water always, adding that she lies transition month period of March-April. Organization work on climate change and on the floor to sleep at night as she couldn’t expected“ to continue. Mashi said the air masses cause so much health. الجزير نيجيريا

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Waist Beads, Another Fashion Statement aist beads are considered as one of the beautiful waist beads has become a trend and women are using it accessories used as adornments for a woman that unashamedly. Although it is mostly worn under the clothes, is seen as fashionista in contemporary times, social media has accentuated its visibility. However, myths much of women’s beauty comes from the fact that have masked most folks to the beauty of this accessory, Wthey are personal, expressive, emotional, and empowering. cultural and religious fanatism is particularly the basis of this That aside, the revolution on the usage of waist beads have fallacy, as many believe there are dark and obscure meanings spanned through time and gradually become conventionally behind the use of waist beads. accepted especially in most African countries. Though it is believed that some women ‘jazz up’ the waist Misconceptions and myths have been wrapped around beads as a tool of ‘catching’ and maintaining a partner, it has it’s usage but this has not barred a majority of women from been proven beyond doubt that many more women are adorned adorning their waists with these beads. Waist beads are quite with these beads a as tool for their fashion statement. They symbolic and this depends on the tribe or part of the world envisage it as the perfect tool for their healing and spiritual where it’s been used. The usage can serve as a sign of healing journey as this accessory encourage self-love, confidence, and and rejuvenation, rites of passage, enticing a sexual partner, beauty within a woman. celebrating femininity, encouraging fertility, spiritual healing, The undeniable truth though, is the fact that waist beads birth control, weight loss and of course, decorative purposes. are mostly used as a sign of beauty, as flaunting a beaded waist Taking Nigeria as a case study, being adorned with a instantly draws the attention of the onlooker.

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APRIL Classy is an insert of AljazirahNigeria Newspaper 180 ة.first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com Vol. 2 No...

NIGERIA N200 26 – May 2, 2021

ة L rfrne. h gop a bat of boast can every posts for applications of hundreds group The preferences. sexual unconventional to relationships failed from ranging intimate, and brave mostly are parts different from women to get in. Most of these stories told by the invitation- only, by that is, you need to know a member except join can one that the group with guarded so much She jealousy to the task. extent the to up braced tonecessity that needed fixedbe and she the was mind her speak to woman a for the was it girls. the Chibok of kidnap instigated setting; what African however typical a in especially voiceless predominantly are women that fact the and group the start to her drove in 2015. group the started and Chicago in College Columbia degree from Journalism Broadcast Bachelor’s in a After earned she 2000s, Nigeria. early the in in States United the to moving studies secondary other challenges and they are abuses,facing. sexual their regarding stories untoldtheir share can women otherwhere According to her, the lack of a safe place human female the for passion Her and primary her completed Omolola Nigerianwomancreatedwho placea was Facebook bornAugust on 1,1976. Lolaisthe first group (FIN) former IN Nigerian Female the founded who a journalist Omolola, ola OMOLOLA LOLA FACEBOOK THROUGH WOMEN FOR GROUNDS BREAKING www.aljazirahnews.com a safe space.” their experiences in go to talk about where women can “providing centres forward with FIN by on how to move plans are underway She revealed that experiences inasafe space.”experiences their about talk to go can women where centres “providing by FIN with forward are tomovehow on are plans underway that women revealed how She FIN. from support getting discussed they and Zuckerberg Mark founder Facebook the however volunteers, 28 40-100makeon the it page. about of group a by approved and managed are they but day After she created FIN, Omolola met met Omolola FIN, created she After April 26–MayApril 2,2021 27 الجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] health STORIES BY CHICA MEFORE-OKAFOR FG Explains COVID-19 Fund Spending Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has revealed that out of the N500 billion COVID-19 funds, N288billion has been released to implementing agencies to support programmes and Federal Government. Agba who was speaking at the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project, CTAP, Conference organised by Connected Development, CODE, in partnership with BudgIT civil society organisation in Abuja, COVID 19 Phase 1: Over revealed that the Ministry is now in the process of releasing additional sum to Ministries, Departments Ehanire 257,000 Vaccinated In Lagos and Agencies, MDAs. He revealed that the total N6.2 billion released to them Lagos State has vaccinated 257,756 vaccination of at least 60 per cent of following the expiration of the 8-12 package includes, N500billion FERMA received 30 billion for persons as the first half of phase the Lagos State population. weeks interval as required by the stimulus from special federal bridges and major roads, Ministry one COVID vaccination campaign “The exercise lapsed on Tuesday manufacturers. government account in the of Trade and Investment got N75 concludes in the state. 13th April 2021. Consequently, the “There is no need for citizens who budget, and a N1.8 trillion through billion MSME programmes, while Commissioner for Health, Government has shut down all its have received the first dose to pre- financial institutions. federal medical centres with Prof Akin Abayomi, revealed this vaccination centres”, he said. register before going to the health “From the N500 billion stimuli about N49 billion budget received in a statement while giving the The commissioner revealed facility for the second dose because from the revised 2020 budget 50 per cent of that amount highlights on the conclusion of the that the state vaccinated 257,756 their already captured details will there is provision of 126 billion to allocated .’’ first half, phase one of the COVID persons, as of the 15th of April only be updated with additional build resilience health system in Agba said that the government vaccination exercise. 2021, consisting of health workers, information after vaccination. Nigeria to prevent possible loss of also put all loan repayment by the Abayomi stated that the front-line workers including; “The vaccines are due to expire lives. various state governments on conclusion of the first phase, which security agents, ports of entry staff, on July 9, 2021. Our monitoring “The government set out to hold, this included repayment of took an average of 20 days, followed Judiciary, petrol station workers, and evaluation quality assurance improve health infrastructure both the principal loan and the the Federal Government’s directive contingency workers and strategic activity indicate that our cold chain by building molecular labs in accrued interest. to stop vaccination once half of the leaders. distribution logistics has been 52 federal medical centres and He said that this was to consignment has been administered He added that the state also maintained ensuring the integrity teaching hospitals across the stimulate the economy and so that those who received the first vaccinated willing pensioners, of the vaccines,” he said. country. prevent job loss, adding that the dose will have an opportunity for the people aged 70 and above, teachers Recall that Lagos State got “Others include provision of plan included supporting micro second dose. and journalists during the same 507,000 doses of the 3.92 million isolation centres, paying hazard small and medium enterprises “This will ensure that at least period. doses of the AstraZeneca COVID allowance for health professionals, through survival funds. 1% of Lagos residents receive the Abayomi stated that the remaining vaccine facilitated through support providing personal protective He said that this provision full complement of doses required doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca from the COVAX facility to the equipment for security agencies included MSMEs guaranteed to enable the protection the COVID vaccine had been reserved Federal Government of Nigeria and and hospitals to continue their uptake simulation scheme that vaccine promises. The target to at the Lagos State Cold Chain Store started its vaccination exercise om operations supporting agencies was to sustain 300,000 jobs in achieve effective herd immunity is for the second dose exercise, which March 12. like the NCDC, NAFDAC among 100,000 MSMEs by generating will commence on May 28, 2021, others to play their roles in uptake and priority products, combating this pandemic,” he said. extending payroll supports and Agba said that a total of 522 ICU establishing facilities in all six beds were provided amounting geopolitical zones. to 10 ICU beds in each of the He said that the establishment Over 650m African Children 52 federal medical centers and of the MSMEs survival fund was teaching hospitals across the to also sustain 700,000 jobs in country. 140,000 MSMEs and 1500 self- Receive Malaria Vaccine – WHO He said that the Federal employed individuals through The World Health Organisation, Government also took measures grants in all six geo-s political WHO, has stated that more than to support states respond to the zones. 650,000 children in Ghana, Kenya, pandemic, adding that in the first Agba said that the government and Malawi have received the instance, 50 per cent of the 500 also provided over 12 billion mass malaria vaccine in the past two billion was released to the various rural electrification and solar years. responsible agencies. power and N60 billion for road Kate O’Brien, WHO director of He added that each of the 36 construction and rehabilitation the Department of Immunisation, states including the FCT were across the country. Vaccines, and Biological said given a billion Naira to help fight He added that the public works the three African countries had COVID-19 except for Lagos that programmes recruited 1000 established robust infrastructure to got 10 billion and Kano that got persons per local government ensure that children were inoculated 5 billion due to their population. for the 36 states and the FCT against the tropical disease. equitable and saving more lives,” tropical and vector-borne diseases “Most of the MDAs received resulting in 774,000 persons “Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi show she added. in the WHO African region. at least 50 per cent of the budget being employed. that existing childhood vaccination More than 1.7 million doses of “We applaud the work of for projects, like Ministry of He said that the president platforms can effectively deliver the the world’s first malaria vaccine participating countries that have Agriculture which has N34 directed the disbursement of malaria vaccine to children, some of candidate called RTS,S have been resulted in malaria vaccine pilots billion as budget for rural roads COVID-19 cash transfer to whom have not been able to access administered in Ghana, Kenya, and with strong vaccination coverage was given 50 per cent of that additional 1million households insecticide-treated bed net or other Malawi during the pilot phase that that will add to our understanding amount and they were also given as part of the social intervention malaria prevention measures,” was launched in 2019. of the RTS,S vaccine’s potential 50 per cent of the amount for programmes to protect the she said in a statement issued in “In some ways, malaria is the to improve child health and land preparation which is N1.25 vulnerable adding that the Nairobi. child health emergency of lifetime- strengthen malaria control and, billion. register was being updated with “This vaccine may be key to or many lifetimes- in Africa,” said potentially reverse trends”, Kalu “The mass rural electrification the new households ahead of making malaria prevention more Akpaka Kalu, team leader for added. and solar power strategy had disbursement. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 29 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page ة www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng vox pop e-mail: [email protected] Pantami’s Link With Terrorist Groups: Nigerians Speak Following the raging controversy surrounding the purported alliance with terrorist groups by the Minister of Communication Isa Pantami, and the calls in certain quarters for his removal, do you think the call for his resignation or removal is right? AljazirahNigeria’s Wisdom Onyeisi and Salome Unwuchola went round the city of Abuja to get the opinions of Nigerians.

DOUGLAS ALEX terrorism in Nigeria, it was looking But am not sure if President Buhari has many lives and money Nigeria had lost Nigeria has been battling with like they want to tarnish the image the political will to take decisive action. to terrorists, having a top government terrorists. The government makes of the government. Now the Pantami official accused of sponsoring terrorism heavy amount of budget yearly for issue on ground has opened up the AHMED ZAKARIYYA in the country should be given proper security because of terrorism. Pantami truth. My question is what is Pantami’s Until the court proves him guilty I attention by the Presidents because should be strictly investigated but gain? Why has he decided to put the do not have much to say. It is a very Nigeria now is unsafe for local and before that he must resign and lives of Nigerians at stake? Does he serious matter and I believe it should foreign investors. This is really affecting diligently prosecuted if found guilty mean he derives joy to see Nigerian be on the table of Mr. President right Nigerian economy and it should be the law should take its cause. Nigerians young soldiers dying in the forest for now. Nigerians want to hear from him properly addressed. Big tech companies have not known peace because of nothing? Who has bewitched him? on this matter because of Pantami’s and motor manufacturing are either left the high rate of insecurity. I strongly I have been wondering and pondering position in the country. Aside the or planning to leave. believe that this is not just a mere on what could be his reason for such accusation, besides; he has apologized an attitude. Using Nigerian money and confessed to the crime which and position to fight the same country automatically indicts him. you were called to serve. What a selfish ambition. He must be properly DAYO ADEJIRI scrutinized even though he confessed I am not surprised to hear that Pantami to the crime. and many other unrevealed leaders of the country are behind terrorism. It is DANJUMA IBRAHIM shameful and painful to hear. Nigeria Well, it could be an allegation. r e a c t i o n s has lost billions of Naira and many According to the law, he should be families to terrorists. Pantami should investigated and given the privilege Follow us on twitter Like our facebook page be strictly investigated and dealt to prove his innocence. We all in this @aljazirahnewsng www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] with according to the law. This will country want Nigeria to be better. I show Nigerians that there is nothing do not see any reason Pantami would hidden under the sun, it only takes be romancing with terrorists. At the NIGTEQ President Embarks On Tree Planting time to unveil the truth. God has moment, President Buhari’s APC started hearing the heartfelt prayers of ruling party should have the political many Nigerians and I believe that this will to advise him to resign. Yes, he Reached: 13,053 Pantami issue is one of the answered has carried out so many innovations Engagement: 198 prayers. But I am afraid, the cabals and within the period he chaired the NCC Likes: 121 President Buhari won’t allow him to but we are not building a superman face the law. but an institution. He has failed if really he supported terrorist organisations. Cover Page USMAN AMINU First of all, Pantami should step BEATRICE UTAH down and be replaced with an acting He should immediately resign and be Reached: 7,573 minister of communication while he arrested. We can no longer condone Engagement: 57 is investigated. One of the things the such negative attitudes in Nigeria. We President should not tolerate is having have suffered enough, spent enough Likes: 29 a miscreant who has been supporting on security matters. At this point, evil in the country among his Mr. President should immediately Formation Of Regional Security Outfits: Nigerians Speak government. If he is actually fighting order him to resign and face the law. corruption, he should immediately It should not be twisted because order him to step aside. Pantami is not Nigerians are waiting and watching Reached: 6,406 the only northern Nigeria politician as well. How can he sponsor terrorists Engagement: 231 or leader who is a major sponsor of to trouble a nation he is serving? Mr Likes: 54 terrorism. He should be interrogated President should ask him to resign or and others should be properly followed he should do it by himself else I will Despite Interventions, Insecurity Hinders Food Production up in order to bring an end to terrorism join the civil societies to demand for in the country. his resignation. Reached: 7,330 DONALD ARINZE A. U EBELE Engagement: 76 He should immediately resign or get You see, there is nothing hidden under ready for Nigerians, because time the sun. He is using his position and Likes: 41 has come to put an end to terrorism. Nigerian money to support terrorists. Pantami is a terrorist because anybody What a shame! Mr President should Website Clicks For The Past 7 Days who supports terrorism is worse than know that such a leader is a stain to his the terrorists. He should face the law government. He should immediately Day Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri and be brought to book. do something about him. Terrorism Date 17/04 18/04 19/04 20/04 21/04 22/04 23/04 in Nigeria has made us unstable and JERRY OGBONNA given Nigeria a bad image. Now is the When some of the citizens say that time to put an end to it. Pantami should some of the top government officials vacate his position and submit himself Views 17869 14440 21246 25355 13342 5131 9386 have a hand in the long existing to the Police for proper investigation.

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] entertainmentSTORIES BY SALOME UNWUCHOLA & arts Disappointment: Order Of The Day In Movie Industry – Sunday Amedu Veteran filmmaker, entertainer and “Ejukimenebi” was taken to the Meanwhile Amodu made director Sunday Amodu has strived Censors Board, they were surprised emphasis on the fact that the movie through thick and thin in the movie that they were Igala movies in the industry has been affected not even industry over the years and has loads industry. Eventually his movie by the pandemic but for about 5 to 6 of experience in the art, he made it became the first Igala movie to be years now, and that this effect took known to the upcoming and wanabe known in the world. off when everything was digitized artists that they would need a lot of Aside from this particular movie, and the decoders came in to play, preparation and determination as he also has other good movies to his “I think the COVID-19 era is the disappointment is the order of the credit and also working on another best time for movies to sell because day in the movie industry. great movie presently. people are mostly indoors and Mr. Amedu is an Igala descent Amodu has worked on a couple of watching movies but unfortunately, who started working towards his blockbuster movies in the past, like people here do not pay attention to Amedu dream of film making at the age of “Danger Of Curiosity” and “Gods the movies. onto”. an actor, a writer or a crew member. 7 and set in finally by writing scripts. Power” another movie that featured “However, with my strategy that He further gave a word of advice They should possess perseverance After going through study and top actors including the late Bruno I am bringing on board, that is to young up and coming artistes because disappointment is the order releasing his first movie in the year Iwuoha. He successfully produced my dream of becoming somebody and people who intend to venture of the day in the movie sector.” 2000, he was the first Igala producer these movies amongst other mind who will champion the Igala world into the filmmaking business on the He further gave a word of advice to successfully take an Igala movie to blowing pieces. as regards having an Igala movie right way to go about it and some of to the up and coming actors and the federal government of Nigeria. Before now, Igala movies have channel which I launched ten the challenges they may face in the people who intend to venture According to the movie director in witnessed little or no recognition in years ago and am still working on, process, and their way to success. into it that it has to do with his/ an interview with AljazirahNigeria the entertainment industry despite I believe we should have one movie “For upcoming artistes, I think her thinking.” I advise they should newspapers, when his first movie, its enormous talent and creativity. viewing centre where people can log they have a long way to go, either as package themselves also.” Ms Nigeria UN Launches Pageantry To Advance SDGS, Humanitarianism Ms Nigeria United Nations, the pageant was different from the biggest ever in Nigeria because of “All contestants will be trained Nigerians that beauty pageantry Queen Hadassah Allaputa, has regular ones and would focus more its size and the number of pageants to creatively function in alignment is more than a hobby or a show of launched a new family pageant on training and development of under it. with the Sustainable Development beauty. aimed at improving humanitarian participants for the betterment of “We would be having eight Goals of the United Nations. “This is a life-time call to service, services and contributing to the their communities. categories of contestants from “They will be taught peace and winners will be reoriented to see achievement of the Sustainable The beauty queen said that different age groups and genders; conflict resolution, etiquette and pageantry as an act of service that Development Goals, SDGs. instead of having only one winner this complete family pageant will image branding, humanitarian they will take seriously for life. The pageant launched in Abuja who would fade out at the end of have contestants for eight titles. services as well as persuasive “Usually, most winners complete on Friday and tagged ‘United her one-year reign, the new pageant “They will be trained, equipped communication and effective their reign and they are forgotten Nation’s Pageants Nigeria’ will would have eight winners who and empowered to become kings leadership skills.” and nobody remembers them as draw participants from the six geo- would hold their titles and perform and queens, princes and princesses The beauty queen, who is also kings or queens, but this time, they political zones to jostle for eight their roles for life. of the United Nations Pageant”, the Founder, Queen Hadassah will be groomed to be legends,” she titles. “Today is the official launch of the she said. Legendary, said that winners who said. Briefing newsmen at the launch United Nations Pageants Nigeria, Allaputa said that successful would become part of the UN She said that winners would of the pageant, Allaputa said that the biggest family pageants, the contestants would serve as role Royal Family and must acquire the continue to channel their works models and ambassadors, carrying skills to be part of the family. toward community services, out particular SDGs. She said that the skills would be protecting the environment and “Apart from its size, one thing taught to all participants and they advancing the development of that makes this truly unique is would be expected to go back to their motherland. that it is aimed at empowering their communities to implement According to Allaputa, Nigerians across different geo- tasks to improve the lives of those enrolment has already begun and political zones. in the communities. interested participants urged “That is why our tag line is “I want to change the narrative to visit the website www.united Uniting Nigeria through pageantry. and educate both participants and nations pageants nigeria.org. NCC Takes Transformational Stories To Enugu Schools The Nigerian Copyright make them better citizens in future. stories we are sure of better youths Commission, NCC, says it will take According to her, the stories would in the generation to come,”Okeke transformational stories to primary centre on honesty, charity, modesty, said. and secondary schools in Enugu to neatness and hardworking. NAN reports that World Book change their perception of life. “We are taking this year’s ‘World Day is an annual event organized The Zonal Manager of the Book Day’ with the theme ‘Share a by the United Nations Educational, Commission in Enugu, Mrs Ngozi Story’ to schools as we are partnering Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Okeke stated this on Wednesday with some of them. UNESCO, to promote reading, April 21 in an interview with the “We will tell them stories that will publishing, and copyright . News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in impact and transform their lives and It is also known as World Book Enugu. they too will tell us their own stories and Copyright Day and the first Okeke said such stories would help on those virtues that will change World Book Day was celebrated on to impact moral, cultural values and them for the better. April 23, 1995 which had continued Allaputa good virtues in them which would “And with such transformational to be recognised on that day. (NAN) الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com April 26 – May 2, 2021 31 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Abuja: City Of Reckless Driving

JOEL AJAYI That the roads in the (FCT) are about the driving but have a vehicle at their disposal. don’t even have a driver’s license while others are widest and smoothest in Nigeria is not in It doesn’t not end in the city center, suburbs under the influence of Alcohols.” The endless surge in the numbers of road doubt. But driving on these roads is now being of the city also share from the careless driving, Also, speaking, an Abuja resident who traffic crashes, RTC, over the years, especially increasingly undermined by the dangerous Nyanya, Mararaba, Kubwa expressway, Abuja- spoke with AljazirahNigeria expressed that in developing countries have been a source of habits of some careless individuals. Lokoja Highway are not spared. “Commercial Drivers should be trained on how concern. As the seat of the federal government and Research studies have shown negative to use Nigerian roads, vehicle management and Road accidents have become a normal the foremost political city in the country, effects of marijuana on drivers, including an state of health to drive. At least, a one year and recurring phenomenon in Nigeria which this paradox is unedifying. The road network increase in lane weaving, poor reaction time, certificate course. Most of these drivers are on constitutes a menace in modern times. whose master plan was derived from some and altered attention to the road. Use of hard drugs. It’s demons that mostly drive on our Although developed and developing nations of the most efficient cities in the world is alcohol with marijuana makes drivers more roads.” have suffered from varying degrees of road continued to witness large calamities. impaired, causing even more lane weaving. FCT unsafe for road users because of accidents. AljazirahNigeria can authoritatively be Some studies report that opioid can Findings revealed that deaths from reckless recklessness -FRSC reported that FCT road it is now a common cause drowsiness and impair thinking and Reacting to question put to him by driving are the third leading cause of death in sight for children of the high and mighty judgment. Other studies have found that Nigeria. AljazirahNigeria, the Federal Road Safety within the city pulling all kinds of stunts on being under the influence of opioids while Corps Zonal Commander Zone 7, Mr Jonas Road traffic accidents which are generally major highways with their very expensive cars driving can double your risk of having a crash. unintended and preventable are common Agwu, expressed concerns about road rage and risks to everyday life of people that can thereby threatening the lives of others in the The figures of related tragedies are indeed recklessness by motorists in the Federal Capital happen to almost everyone, anywhere. It is process. alarming as thousands of lives lost on a daily Territory, Abuja, he as well mapped out strategies important to note that road traffic accidents Without mincing the words, the road basis due to reckless driving. to check the menace. contribute to poverty in Nigeria by causing accidents have become a common feature of In Abuja drivers go through little or no Condemning what he called “increasing spate deaths, injuries, disability, grief, pains and life within the city and end to the reckless training before they receive their licenses of recklessness” resulting in avoidable crashes material damages. driving is not sighted as a result of many while Fake licenses are widely available for with attendant loss of lives, He said that excessive The majority of the RTC are, however, factors that surrounded the situation. little amount, but these set of people fail to speeding is the major cause of the crashes both attributed to faulty behavior while on the On many occasions and at different areas understand that justly, being on the road with within the FCT. roads exhibited by the drivers. of the city accident happened in Wuse 2, a driver’s license and no training is a license According to him, Abuja has become an unsafe Reckless driving is considered a serious Area 11, Utako, Jabi,, Maitaima, AYA, Area 1, to kill. place for road users because of reckless drivers. crime. Alcohol intoxication, drug usage, Berger areas amongst others have witnessed Nigerian drivers often dart across traffic “When I came on board, I discovered that distractions from mobile devices or other a lot of crash as finding revealed that 90% of lanes and speed through junctures in a way Abuja has become unsafe for road users because passengers, and mood disturbances can these crashes are caused by reckless teenagers, that foreigners find suicidal. “It is a lifestyle of recklessness. Worrisome trend was people contribute to reckless driving. Reckless or people who have little or no knowledge of thing. exhibiting a lack of knowledge of the rules of driving is the intentional disregard of traffic AljazirahNigeria equally finds out that the road, observing that many people exhibit arrogance because they own a car and often do laws. the majority of securities personnel Police, Also, reckless drivers also include those not see the need to share the road with other Civil Defense, especially Nigeria Army doesn’t users.” who do not obey posted traffic signs and have a driver license and nobody knows if warnings; they do not yield to other drivers He, however, said the new strategy was they went to any driving training school and to involve the media, Banks and Financial or otherwise create dangerous and unsafe they are on the road on a daily basis. conditions while driving. institution and a good number of government 90% of these crashes offices, among others, in the FRSC public Nevertheless, all states have enacted motor We’ve Lost Lives To Reckless Driving - education campaign. vehicle laws to regulate careless driving or are caused by reckless Abaji Chair Meanwhile, like what obtains in other aspects reckless driving. The wording of each state’s Disturbed by the spate of killings in his Area of the nation’s life, impunity often leads to more reckless driving law defines how drivers can teenagers, or people council, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council of lawbreaking. Punishment of convicted persons lawfully drive upon the highways in that who have little or no the FCT, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ajiya, said many is, therefore, mandatory. Functional street lights state but reverse is the case in FCT there was lives have been lost in the area due to reckless are vital for optimal visibility. Appropriate road existing law but it’s a toothless bulldog. knowledge of driving driving. signs are also requirements for harmonious Hardly does a day go by in Abuja without “Hardly a day, lives will not be lost due driving. The nation stands to gain greatly from a a crash occurring due essentially from but have a vehicle at to road death courtesy of some drivers, capital that ceases to unwittingly jeopardize the drunkenness by drivers among other less especially commercial motorists, who often lives of its road users. obvious causes. their disposal. violate traffic rules and regulations, most الجزير نيجيريا

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The New Dynamics Of Cultism In Nigeria o numerous Nigerians and other Predators, Seadogs, the Outlaws, Blood Africans, cultism is not unknown Suckers, the Third Eye Confraternity, Traja or unheard of, so it is not news any Horses Fraternity, Aye, KKK Boys, Sea Vipers, longer but the spate of this social ill Eiye, Temple of Eden Fraternity, Icelander is exacerbating and worrisome. For Confraternity, and many others. remembranceT purposes, Nobel Laureate, While Soyinka’s confraternity and other Prof Wole Soyinka was known as one of traditional confraternities might not have the pioneers of cult-like society in Nigerian fancied engaging in active recruitment of tertiary institutions during his studentship members and initiation rituals like dancing, at the University College, Ibadan in 1952 drinking, severe whipping, and singing when Soyinka and his six friends (known at the dead of the night; contemporary as the Magnificent Seven) established the confraternities in Nigeria are now actively Pirates Confraternity Elite of the University recruiting new members and operating College Ibadan - an institution overseen by within and outside campuses as many non- the University of London then. students have also joined them purposely for Other names such as National Association terrorising, robbing, maiming, and killing of Seadogs, or Pyrates has been attributed their rival gang members, as well as many to this group. While the intention of these innocent people. founders of Pirate Confraternity was to Various brutal killings have been frown at elitism mindedness of middle-class reported across numerous Nigerian tertiary Nigerians during the British colonial era, Adamu institution campuses and on the streets things have degenerated to real and recurring of residential areas. According to a report To Senators criminal activities. mafia-style in which raping, robbery, monitored in a BBC news story, in the year supporting While Soyinka and his friends might murdering, kidnapping are parts of their 2000, 14 people were fatally murdered never killed or maimed anyone during their recurring activities. at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In Bill to create time, many have been killed, maimed and Truly, Nigeria has some ancient cult 2019, 13 students were slaughtered at Kogi national brutalized by different cult gangs in Nigeria, groups like Ogboni, Awopa, but their modus- State University, Anyigba; while in 2006, database for the cows and it will be difficult to absorb any state in operandi has not had known deadly effects 5 students were also hacked to death at the country of being without two or more on rival cult gangs, and innocent people Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. In while the last national cult groups. like those in contemporary Nigeria such as 2016, 2 students were beheaded and their census was conducted In one of the interviews on cultism in Black Beret Fraternity, the Amazon, Deewell, bodies were used as goalposts at Abia State in 2006. Nigerian tertiary institutions, Prof Soyinka Klansmen Konfraternity Elegemface, the University; and in the year 2002, 2 students admitted that cultism has degenerated in Bush Boys, Greenlanders, the Supreme were murdered at the University of Jos while Be warned! Nigeria, and he also wondered how quickly Vikings Confraternity, Deebam Cult, Green sleeping. cult groups in tertiary institutions have Berets Fraternity, Black Brazier, Vultures, turned to evil, and vile association using Nite Rovers, Osiri, Ostrich Fraternity, CONTINUE ON PAGE 6

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