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Treasury Single Account: Police Colleges Flout Policy 12 PAGE editorial Kankara Abduction And The Unending Lessons ith the abduction of students of Government Secondary an unprecedented toll on school enrollment. It is even worrisome that School Kankara, Katsina State on December 11, not a banditry has put many schools out of existence, leaving pupils at the whims few Nigerians were distraught by one event that has and caprices of their uninitiated home (local) teachers, where available. become too many. There are concerns that the recurring We are impressed that the authorities have done the needful, by ensuring abduction of students in their pristine settings would that the kidnapped students were promptly released. The safety of every Wviolet their innocence and create a setback in their academic pursuit. Nigerian is and should be of importance to the government. Safety should This scenario is even worse when we are dealing with an already be uttermost in its agenda, since without the people, a nation would not decapitated school situation, where out-of-school children are already a exist, hence, everything must be brought to bear in ensuring that Nigerians cause for concern in the northern region of the country. are protected maximally. From Chibok in Borno State, to Dapchi in Yobe State and now in Kankara in Katsina State, the abduction of students in these various states has taken CONTINUE ON PAGE 5

HEALTH WORKERS’ PERFORMANCE AWARD 2020 (In recognition and appreciation to their effort and commitment to service in fight against COVID-19 ) PAGE 9 الجزير نيجيريا

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Director-General, National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Mrs Mary Ekpere- Eta (2nd left), with some artisans and their equipment during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Residential Capacity Building Empowerment Programme for 200 Female Artisans, organised by the NCWD in Abuja on Wednesday, December 12. PHOTO: DebOrAH bADA/OTU/bJO/NAN. AljazirahNigeria Publisher Adds Two More Feathers To His Cap On Friday December the association and scientists He concluded by institutions in Nigeria viz, In a similar vein, on the by Mrs Lillian Cosmas who 18, the publisher and can get from the media. expressing gratitude for monotechnics, polytechnics same day he got another received the award on his CEO of AljazirahNigeria The advantages stated being invited to be part and universities, and the recognition and award by the behalf. Newspapers, Mr. Etuk are, increasing the impact of their dream. He then pre-convention exercise is a Michelle Youth Initiative for Awardees at the summit Bassey Williams, bagged of growth, giving back to encouraged them with the prelude to the forthcoming Sustainable Development. include Attorney General and a meritorious award from society, change in scientific words: “I cannot wait to National convention of He got an award as Mr Minister of Justice, Deputy the National Association of procedure, promoting see your work in the media the Nigeria Association of Integrity. Speaker of Kogi State House Science Students, NASS. the field of research, including AljazirahNigeria Science Students. He was represented at the of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed The presentation of the and the media can also newspapers. The summit was held at event which was held at the Mohammed, Rhena Anani, award took place at the support researchers’ bid or NASS is the umbrella body Summit Hotel, behind Zenith auditorium of the National Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar, programme, “A National application for funding. of science students in tertiary Bank, Gwagwalada. Human Rights commission, among others. Stakeholders’ Forum/Pre- Convention of the Nigeria Association of Science Students. Nigerians To Get Covid-19 Vaccine In January – Health Minister Mr Etuk who was By Wisdom onyesi not giving any indemnity. vaccines, freezers that must to take care of our citizens. represented by Mr Bright “The big countries give you at least -80 degrees. That means if we are able to Nwogwugwu, in his speech The Minister of Health, Dr where these vaccines There’s another type that can get the vaccine that works thanked the association Osagie Ehanire, has said the are manufactured are of be in a deep freezer of -20 well and does not cost us too for the recognition of the COVID-19 vaccine would course giving themselves and there’s another type that much or cost of storage and media in projecting scientific be available to Nigerians by the priority to serve their can be in a refrigerator of -2 delivery, that’s the one we’ll discoveries and activities. 2021. own citizens first and we degrees, which is a regular like. He made the disclosure hope that the pressure refrigerator. “We are also having “The media, broadly while addressing State speaking, has a significant from the World Health “The one that is a regular bilateral discussions, talking House Correspondents after Organization and GAVI refrigerator is easy in that with manufacturers, some role to play in responsible the week’s virtual Federal research and innovation on (Global Alliance for Vaccines you have many of that kind of them have written to us Executive Council FEC and Immunization) will be of refrigerators all over our that they want to have talks the one hand, by keeping meeting, held in the Council able to get a reserve for other country. -20 will also be easy with us, I think one is already the public informed about Chambers of the Aso Rock countries which themselves because we have freezers, but having discussions in the Ehanire leading scientific discoveries Presidential Villa, Abuja. are not manufacturing and the ultra-cold freezers we Ministry of Health, the one and engaging the public He said “We have a us and told us that they are be able to attend to what hardly have in our country, that British and Russia team buying vaccines from China in authoritative and clear technical working group we signed up to; we signed therefore to receive and store are putting together. debates about scientific working on the question and had tested them. up for the advanced market those ultra-cold vaccines will “We are working with “So, they said they are issues, and on the other hand of the vaccine. We have participation of the COVACS. require that we go purchase them because if we cannot signed up with the World introducing them to us. So, by using news media tools “If we are able to get our those ultra-cold freezers. get enough from one source, we said we would listen to to increase the exchange of Health Organization and own, I think it should be by “So we are working on the we should be able to get from GAVI for access to vaccines them because the one that is information and knowledge January, but there are two costing and it might be which other sources. So, we are effective and healthy in those across disciplines, sectors immediately they are types of vaccines, as you one we get first. We have to looking at multiple sources. available. But you know that countries and is available is and national borders”, Etuk have heard; there are those remember again that we have We had a conversation with the one we shall bring and said. these vaccines are new and that haven to be in ultra-deep over 200 million citizens and the United Arab Emirates. the producers are, first of all, that has also proven to be He further listed benefits freezers, the MRNA types of finding a way to get enough The ambassador came to see safe”, he said. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 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, December 14, 2020 Tuesday, December 15, 2020 General Buratai Visits Kankara Over Katsina: Gov. Masari Briefs President Buhari Top Stories Abduction Of Students On kidnapped Students Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff President Muhammadu special report General Tukur Buratai has Buhari was on Monday World AIDS Day And arrived in Kankara where briefed by Katsina State a number of high school Governor, Aminu Masari, Nigeria’s Move To End students were abducted. on the incident that saw Epidemic PAGE 13 students of Government Science Secondary School in Kankara... special report Despite Redstrike Deal, FIFA Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Thursday, December 17, 2020 Palliatives, NPFL Resummption #EndSARS Protesters’ Accounts Frozen In Error Nigeria To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine By End Hanginf In Balance – Justice Tsoho Of January 2021 – Ehanire PAGE 14 Chief Judge of the Federal High The Minister of Health, Osagie Court, John Tsoho, has said Ehanire, on Wednesday, noted business & economy that the accounts of #EndSARS that Nigerians should expect to protesters were frozen in error. receive the COVID-19 vaccine NCDB Retains %6.4bn Industry by the end of January 2021. Spending

PAGE 20 politics & policy Friday, December 18, 2020 Saturday, December 19, 2020 Discordant Tunes As APC President Buhari Reacts To Release Of Kankara IGP Promotes 4,134 Traffic Warden Officers Dissolves Party Organs Schoolboys nationwide PAGE 22 President Muhammadu Buhari The Inspector-General of has reacted to the release of Police, Mohammed Adamu has sports the students kidnapped from a approved the promotion of Government Secondary School 4,134 Traffic Warden Officers Gurusinha Vows To Make in Kankara, Katsina State last to their next ranks. week Friday. Nigeria’s Cricket Best In Africa PAGE 31

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Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority attending to some accident victims at the National Theater in Lagos on Wednesday, December 16. Photo: Babatunde“ Atolagbe/OTU/NAN الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 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. Kankara abduction and the Unending Lessons frOm cover criminal elements if we allow this trend to follow on. Agreed that the Kankara children were upon release Some respondent parents expressed their concern: given some ‘reasonable’ treatment amid the escort by Mother of Muhammad Bello, one of the students who the military which brought them some relief, it cannot were abducted by gunmen, reacts; “When we broke the be stated their psychology has not been affected in news to parents we met earlier in Kankara, where the any way. There is more beyond is so-called executive boys were taken, there was jubilation in town and a lot treatment they were given. While in the hands of their of people are really, really happy that this ended well”. captors, what did they go through, what deprivation Annie Olaloku-Teriba, a Nigerian affairs analyst, said did they suffer. All these need to be assessed, so as to the fact that the abduction took place in northwestern give them needed ‘therapy’ as they reintegrate in their Nigeria has raised concerns because that is outside of school realm. Boko Haram’s typical area of operation. AljazirahNigeria is worried that this unending She said the boys’ kidnapping was in essence “an kidnapping that has extended to schools is deleterious attack on education”, which may also have more long- to our education which is already imperiled by many lasting effects. unhealthy factors. “It poses questions as to the capacity of the The pre- and post- event trauma cannot be quantified government to protect school children and young as there are concerns that this may affect school people”, Olaloku-Teriba said shortly after the news enrolment in an environment already bedeviled by broke of the boys’ release. low-school turn-out. “And that can have much longer-lasting consequences However, we commend President Muhammadu in terms of parents’ confidence to send their young Buhari for meeting with the children before they people and their children to school”, she said. were reunited with their parents but we are hesitant These concerns are justifiable and call for the need to appreciate the security lax that could not respond for a strident protection of the school environment to the kidnap until a few days after. where the future would remain inviolable by criminal We are not bothered about the unsavory news that elements. ransom was paid to the kidnappers but we caution that Schools should henceforth be fortified by a vibrant the trend will, if accentuated, not augur well for the security system outside the ever loose systems now country. We may still continue with negotiating with in place. Who SAID What? In the neWS “I am extremely worried about insecurity and I hope next year will be different. Those among the law enforcement agencies that will remain in charge will be extremely busy.” – Muhammadu Buhari President of Nigeria. الجزير نيجيريا

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ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] news office.” OYC, in a statement signed One Killed In by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its President General and Mazi Rival Cults okwu Nnabuike, Secretary General, also said the leader Group Clash In of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau provided the new Benue blankets displayed by the 344 abducted pupils. “The By Henry iByA, MAkurdi evidence of (provisions of) new blankets for over 344 A clash between 2 pupils of Kankara boys by rival cult groups Boko haram insurgents makes Wednesday,in Makurdi the abduction fake or jankara the Benue State capital and organizers of the drama as has left a young aged amateurs. man dead in his pool of “Northern leaders have blood. refused to accept their When Aljazirah leadership failures in arrived at the scene of governance, most of their the incident around political leaders are behind the popular Wurukum the insecurity situations in roundabout between the Chairman House Committee on Freedom of Information, FOI, Hon Cornelius Nnaji organising capacity building the north and are benefiting Living Faith Church and programmes and also distributing financial grants to members of his constituency in Enugu State. immensely from the huge the Wurukum market, PHOTO: TyOzenda TyOakaa budgetary allocations mapped yesterday, there was out for insecurity challenges, pandemonium as both the Kankara boys abduction is traders and passers-by Masari Has Laid Foundation For business as usual for Northern were running to different leaders. direction in search of In a related development, cover for their lives Kidnapping, Banditry – Ex-Dss Director Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has because of the confusion. As Ohanaeze, Afenifere describe kidnap, release of students as drama these things will continue to Gunmen had invaded the debunked claims that it helped An eyewitness happen unless we strengthen school premises last Friday and in negotiating the release who spoke with Miyetti Allah denies negotiating Kankara School-boys release the security of these states abducted over 300 students of students of Government AljazirahNigeria and take decisive actions. The after a gun duel with the police. Science Secondary School, narrated that 4 suspected By Alyiu GAlAdimA and courage to continue to Federal Government should The abduction took place Kankara, Katsina State. cult members were perpetrate this act,” Ejiofor take decisive actions against some hours after the President, A former Director of the AljazirahNigeria had seeing around 2:00pm, said on Friday morning. these bandits operating in the Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari earlier reported that Zamfara furiously chasing after a Department of State Services, Masari had on Thursday North-West. (retd.), arrived in Daura, Mike Ejiofor, has knocked the State Governor, Bello young man for which no night confirmed the release These well-organised Katsina for a week-long private Matawalle, while speaking Katsina State Governor, Aminu of 344 abducted schoolboys bandits are looking for visit. reasons was given, from Masari, and his Zamfara State with Daily Nigerian, disclosed Wurukum roundabout from Government Science money. Anytime they do such Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze that the state consulted counterpart, Bello Matawalle, Secondary School, Kankara. kidnap, they are paid, and Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, of which he was finally for laying the foundation MACBAN and some repentant caught close to the Living Masari on Friday morning they use such money to buy Worldwide, has described the bandits to negotiate the for kidnapping in error by later received the schoolboys more arms,” the former DSS abduction and release of the Faith Church where one negotiating with bandits. schoolboys’ release. who were transported from director stated while featuring 344 students of Government The Governor of Katsina of the suspected cultist The state governments Zamfara State. on Channels Television’s Science Secondary School, immediately pulled out a both Zamfara and Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, had The governor, who had Sunrise Daily programme Kankara, Katsina State as an also said the state government gun and shot the young States mistakenly laid the earlier said he was in talks monitored AljazirahNigeria award winning drama of the man in the stomach. foundation for what is going on contacted Miyetti Allah to with the abductors, however, “This definitely is not the work year, 2020. enter into discussion with According to the now; they started negotiation insisted that no ransom was of Boko Haram but the work of The Okechukwu Isiguzoro- informant, all the with the bandits who were not bandits, in a bid to secure the paid before the boys were bandits in the two states. led Ohanaeze group and Yinka release of over 330 students suspected cultist after even ready to give up on their released. It’s sad that they were Odumakin have wondered the activities and this is what we abducted from the school. discovering that the But Ejiofor said the best moved from Kankara to rationale and idea behind the But AljazirahNigeria young man was killed, are witnessing now. practice all over the world is Zamfara undetected by any drama. Even in this Kankara reports that the National started shooting not to negotiate with bandits security operative,” Ejiofor According to the OYC, the Secretary of Miyetti Allah randomly in the air to incident, the governor came but to strengthen the security further stated while also urging display may have been carried out to say they are negotiating, Cattle Breeders Association, scale people in case of apparatus and crush the security operatives to debrief out to make the service chiefs Baba Othman Ngelzarma any challenge and there that is unacceptable. And you criminals. the students before they are appear capable or “resist the give these people the boldness denied involvement in the after immediately took I am not a pessimist but handed over to their parents. idea of sacking them from release of the 333 students. to their heels, a situation that resulted to a serious traffic hold up for so many hours distracting Supporters Celebrate Buhari @78, Advocate Synergy Against Insecurity vehicular movement in the ever busy area of By mAriAm SAnni, AbujA Olanigan described the a lot of people that are solidly the only way we can assist fighting against corruption in the town while people president as an African Icon, behind the President. the government in tackling the country. scampered for the safety It was a funfair atmosphere stressing that he deserves to is it about the employment insecurity. ‘’When we talk about of their lives. as supporters converged at be celebrated against all odds. initiatives?, is it about Similarly, the National Buhari we are talking of In a telephone Unity Fountain, in the Federal Olanigan commended the the youth empowerment Coordinator of Women integrity , we are talking interview with the Capital Territory (FCT) government for the various initiatives? And a lot of for Buhari and Osibanjo, of honesty and that is why police public relations Abuja to celebrate President initiatives launched in solving initiatives program that the Ambassador Fatima Adams, some of some are ready to officer of the Benue Muhammdu Buhari on his 78 the issue of unemployment administration of Muhammdu ‘’we are here to celebrate baba’s die to support Mr president Command DSP Sewuese years birthday. across the country. Buhari is bringing up daily. birthday. Today is a happy day and his administration . Our The supporters, who called ‘’We are here today to So with this we decided to and a great day in our life. It is government is doing very Anene, Thursday,for for more synergy in tackling c o n f i r m a t i o n , s h e celebrate the birthday of celebrate him, to honor him not easy to be 78 years old and well and our president has the menace of insecurity, said President Muhammadu as the man of integrity. he is doing well. achieved a lot. We have seen through a text message that it is also the collective replied that she was at Buhari as an African Icon, as In terms of security, this is Also, the National a situation where people left responsibility of the citizens. the Mandela of our own time, something that is a collective, Coordinator, Buhari Campaign money and ran away. So the a workshop in Enugu In an interview with he deserves to be celebrated we can’t say because he is a Organization, Danladi Pasali fight against corruption is and was not disposed of Newsmen, the Director especially this period that president we have to leave has described the president really working and kudos to much information back of Mobilization of there are a lot of perceptions. everything to him, it is our as a man of integrity and Mr President and that is why home at the time of filing # I S t a n d W i t h B u h a r i # We just have to come out to let collective responsibility, honesty, while commending we have come to celebrate this report. Movement, Abdulakeem Nigerians know that there are when we see, we say, that is his administration efforts in with him today. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 7 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page ة www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news e-mail: [email protected] Nigerians To Get Sacked Nddc Imc Under Probe Over missing N6.2bn Zamfara Assembly CoviD-19 vaccine By dickson Pat Managing Director, Prof NDDC officials showed up. The House said the Threatens Zero Kemebradikumo Pondei, The committee insisted documents submitted by in January – Health The Senate on Thursday squandered the fund. Pondei and his colleagues both the Central Bank of Allocation For SSG began a fresh probe of He added that he has all must appear to explain Nigeria (CBN) and the Minister alleged misappropriation of the evidence to support his how the money set aside to Auditor-General of the office,o thers By Wisdom onyeisi N6.2 billion by the dissolved allegation. benefit poor indigenes of Federation showed that the By ahmad iBRahim Interim Management The latest allegation adds the Niger Delta was utilised. total amount spent by the The Minister of Health, Dr Committee (IMC) of the to the list of other alleged They are expected to appear NDDC from January to May There was a mild drama Osagie Ehanire, has said Niger Delta Development misappropriated funds by on January 26. 2020 was N81.5 billion. yesterday at the Zamfara the COVID-19 vaccine Commission (NDDC). the IMC which is currently Pondei ‘fainted’ on July It said the commission State House of Assembly as would be available to The money was to provide being investigated by the 20 during his presentation claimed to have spent the committee on finance Nigerians by 2021. palliatives to cushion Federal Government and at at the probe of the N1.3billion on community and appropriation refused He made the disclosure the impact of COVID-19 least two other committees NDDC by the House of relations, N122.9million to attend to the office of while addressing State pandemic. of the Senate. Representatives. on condolences, N83 the Secretary to the State House Correspondents The investigation Chairman, Senate Minister of Niger Delta Million on consultancy and Government and the after the week’s virtual followed a petition by Committee on Ethics, Affairs, Godswill Akpabio N3.14billion on COVID-19. Ministry of Environment and Federal Executive Council Chairman of the NDDC Privileges and Petitions, Ayo and the MC appeared before The IMC was also said Solid minerals. FEC meeting, held in the Palliatives Distribution Akinyelure (Ondo Central) the House Committee on to have spent 486 Million AljazirahNigeria reports Council Chambers of the Committee, Sobomabo said he was not aware of any Niger Delta over alleged on Duty Travel Allowance, the committee, instead of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Jackrich. distribution of palliatives by corruption. N790.9million as imprest, attending to the permanent Abuja. Jackrich told the Senate NDDC in the region. The committee was N1.956billion on Lassa secretary cabinet Affairs, He said “We have a Committee on Ethics and The Committee, however, investigating an alleged Fever, N900m on Legal SSG’s office, directed them technical working group Privileges that the IMC, stepped down the hearing N82.5 billion irregular Service and N220m on to re-appear on Tuesday, working on the question led by its immediate past after none of the affected expenditure in the NDDC maintenance. December 22,2020 with of the vaccine. We have the Secretary to the State signed up with the World Government, Alhaji Bala Health Organization Bello Maru, appearing in and GAVI for access to person, or face zero allocation vaccines immediately they in the 2021 budget. are available. But you know The finance and that these vaccines are new appropriation committee and the producers are, of the House also extended first of all, not giving any similar directives to the indemnity. commissioner, Dr.Nura “The big countries Isah Gusau, Ministry of where these vaccines are Environment and Solid manufactured are of course minerals Development, to giving themselves the re- appear on the same date priority to serve their own or face the wrath of the citizens first and we hope committee. that the pressure from the The chairman House World Health Organization committee on finance and GAVI (Global and appropriation, Hon Alliance for Vaccines and Muhammad G Ahmad Immunization) will be gave the directives, able to get a reserve for Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon Usman Bello Komu (left) exchanging views with Chairman House pointing out that any chief other countries which Committee on pensions, Hon Kabiru Alhassan after plenary at the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 16. executive that failed to themselves are not Photo: tyozenda tyoakaa appear in person before manufacturing and be his committee to defend able to attend to what we the budget estimate was signed up to; we signed up not in any way helping the for the advanced market House Decries Abandoned Scanners At Ports, Borders, Begins Probe administration of Governor participation of the By Ruth GBaka from Cotecna Destination functional scanners rotting valuation and classification. Bello Muhammed Matawalle COVACS. Inspection Limited to Global away at the ports, which “By the end of 2013, the in its quest to attend certain “If we are able to get our The House of Representatives Scan Systems Limited’. were meant to detect arms transition process from developmental feat. own, I think it should be has faulted physical Moving the motion, and ammunition concealed in Cotecna, SGS Scanning He wondered why any by January, but there are inspection of cargoes at Abejide said the House containerised cargoes, further Nigeria Limited and Global chief executive that wished two types of vaccines, as the seaports and land Committee on Customs and putting the country at risk of Scan Systems Nigeria Limited, the present administration you have heard; there are borders, asking the Federal Excise recently embarked on unabated security risk. the former service providers, well would fail to appear those that haven to be in Government to install a week-long oversight visit “In 2006, Nigeria acquired were completed and the in person before the ultra-deep freezers, the functional scanners to make to Zone A Command of the cargo scanners worth more scanners handed over to the House committee whereas MRNA types of vaccines, for speed and efficiency. Nigeria Customs Service to than $120m and retained Nigeria Customs Service.” the executive governor freezers that must give you The call was sequel to the ascertain the level of revenue the service providers on Build, He said the modernisation personally presented the at least -80 degrees. There’s unanimous adoption of a generation and the challenges. Own, Operate and Transfer in the Nigeria Customs did 2021 appropriation bill. another type that can be in motion moved by a member, Abejide said the committee terms. not last long, as a year after Ahmad further a deep freezer of -20 and Leke Abejide, at the plenary discovered anomalies that “The contract also provided the handover, the scanners maintained that unlike in there’s another type that on Thursday. if not tackled, the Nigerian that the service providers had stopped functioning and the past, when the past can be in a refrigerator of -2 The motion was titled ‘Need ports would remain at the risk were to provide training Nigerian ports and borders administrations used to have degrees, which is a regular to investigate the lack of of imminent collapse. services and technical support were once again returned to an analog system of budget refrigerator. transparency in the transfer He said, “The House to the Nigeria Customs the analogue era of 100 per proposals, the 2021 budget “The one that is a regular of technical know-how is appalled by the non- Service on risk management, cent physical examination.” is digital based and must refrigerator is easy in that come into effect on January you have many of that kind 1, 2021. of refrigerators all over He commended chief our country. -20 will also cHANGE OF NAmE executives of MDA’S in be easy because we have the state for the support freezers, but the ultra-cold OLUWATOSIN and cooperation shown to freezers we hardly have in i, formerly known and addressed as AdERELE TOSIN, his committee since the our country, therefore to This space is for sale commencement of the receive and store those now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOSIN budget defence and hoped ultra-cold vaccines will AdERELE SALIU. All former documents remain valid. The that such cooperation and require that we go purchase support will be maintained those ultra-cold freezers. general public should please take note. till the end of the exercise. الجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news e-mail: [email protected] Tabitha Empowerment Unpaid Contractors Barricade Min. Of Finance, Gombe LG Polls Center Sensitize Characterize By Women On Gender- Accuse Agric Ministry Of N16bn Fraud Voter Apathy FroM ABdul lAteeF tAiwo banners with inscriptions that their latest protest to return the money into Based Violence By MuhAMed Ali By Joel AJAyi such as, “Federal Ministry was informed by their government pool account A group of government of Agriculture and Rural discovery that the Ministry with the intention that if they Contractors, “Concerned The Gombe State LG polls A non-government and non- Development, Pay us our of Agriculture and Rural return the money they will held on Saturday were marred profit organization known as Unpaid 2018 of the Federal money,” “pay us our money our Development was planning have %10 reward and again the Ministry of Agriculture and by voter apathy in some areas Tabitha Empowerment Center husbands cannot pay school to return some “recovered ministry has also mopped up as voters failed to turn up in on Saturday, December 19, Rural Development” have fees,” “pay us or…,” disrupted funds” of N17 billion to the another N1 Billion as unspent staged a peaceful protest and most of the polling units. 2020 took advocacy initiative both inbound and outbound government as “unspent fund to make it a total of N17 In Gombe and Yamaltu/ to Kurudu community in the barricaded the Headquarters traffic to the expansive Finance funds” whereas the total sum billion to the government as of the Federal Ministry of Deba Local Government Federal Capital Territory to Ministry Headquarters for the ministry owed them stood unspent fund yet our contract Areas, most of the polling sensitize, educate and improve Finance, Abuja to demand several minutes until a top at N15 billion. funds are yet unpaid. their unpaid contract funds units appeared empty with skills and knowledge of women officer of the ministry spoke He said: “We did work That is why we are resisting no sign of an election taking on all forms of gender-based by the Federal Ministry with them with the assurances for the Federal Ministry the ministry that it cannot place at 10 a.m. violence that spreading like a of Agriculture and Rural that their letter addressed to of Agriculture and Rural keep us unpaid for 3years However, AljazirahNigeria whirl fire in society. Development. the Minister was going to be Development since 2018, but and there is N17 billion you reports that security was tight Since its inception Tabitha The protesters who delivered to the appropriate we have not been paid. want to return, yet our debt within Gombe metropolis empowerment center have threatened to occupy the quarters. Recently we discovered is N15bn. There is no logic in with the restriction on invested in over 400 women premises of the Agriculture Speaking to journalists that the money that was that. vehicular and human and girls in order to accelerate Ministry should the during the protest, the supposed to be used to pay us So we are here to cry out movements imposed by socio-economic and political government fail to pay them Coordinator of the group, was warehoused in a private to the Minister of Finance to relevant agencies. development through a and lamented the adverse Mr. Emeka Eniekwe said that account by the ministry and come to our aid and talk to Reports from some of peaceful, equitable, and effect of the “continued they have petitioned several a lot of aggrieved contractors the Minister of Agriculture the LGAs also indicate that inclusive society. refusal” of the Federal government agencies and top reported the matter to the and Rural Development, there are not many voters Many women across the Ministry of Agriculture and officials including the Head ICPC, and the ICPC waded into Mr. Sabo Nanono and the in the polling units just as country have witnessed Rural Development to pay of Service of the Federation the matter and recovered N16 Permanent Secretary of the business activities are going turn around in their health, them even after they had and the National Assembly billion from an individual’s ministry, Mu’azu Abdulkadir on unhindered. education, welfare, and completed the jobs awarded for their intervention on the account. to pay us instead of returning The exception was Yahaya financial provision courtesy of to them. matter without much success. However, we discovered the money to the government Umaru 0-10 polling unit in Tabitha Empowerment Center. The protesters who held Mr. Eniekwe stated that the ministry was planning account. Gombe Science Secondary While speaking at the School where Gov. Inuwa end of the year sensitization Yahaya cast his votes at Programme for the women the exactly 11 a.m. founder of TEC Mrs. Christiana Gov. Yahaya, who Chibuzo Uzo-Okamgba an commended the smooth Ambassador for Peace said, conduct of the election, putting a smile on many faces decried the non-adherence to remains her priority since she COVID-19 safety protocols by enters the age of maturity. most of the voters present. “The objective of today’s gathering is to sensitize women Boko Haram on domestic violence because Attack Travelers On our primary assignment is geared toward combating the Damaturu-Maiduguri menace of domestic violence and we all know that in our Road, Abducts 35 society domestic violence has By SAni MohAMed become a menace and it really affects a lot of women even Boko Haram insurgents on some men. Friday attacked travelers “One out of every woman along the Damaturu- faces one form of domestic Maiduguri road, abducting violence, the rate is increasing at least 35 commuters. by the day, that is why we Left to Right Hon Hemen Hembe, member representing Vandeikya Konshisha Federal Constituency of Benue State The insurgents, who are here to sensitize women and Hon Richard Gbande, member representing Katisna Ala Ukum Logo Federal Constituency of Benue State after reportedly appeared in to enable them to speak up plenary session on Thursday December 17 at the National Assembly. phOtOs: tyOzeNdA tyOAkAA military uniforms, attacked because a lot of them have died a large convoy of commuters in silence while many are still near Garin Kuturu in Jakana suffering from the scars of this New Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 Vaccine Gains Acceptance In Europe at about 5 pm on Friday. evil in our society. Military sources told “Again, we are here to By AMeh GeorGe, AbujA undergoing scrutiny. giant, Pfizer and German rolled out, but informed that it AljazirahNigeria that Boko empower widows because “After a meticulous review biotechnology company, found the noted side effects in Haram members were said to Authority in Switzerland has of the available information, BioNTech, is based on a the endorsement studies were have mounted a roadblock on we did not only concentrate endorsed the use of the new on domestic violence alone, Swissmedic concluded that modern technology that uses “comparable with those after a the highway with five Hilux Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 the COVID-19 vaccine from genetic material in the form of flu vaccination.” vans before taking away the we empower the widow, we vaccine in the country. This take care of the orphans and Pfizer-BioNTech is safe and mRNA (messenger ribonucleic In the midst of rising cases passengers. was announced Saturday that its benefit outweighs the acid). of the Covid-19 disease, Berset “The passengers first vulnerable in our society.” She by regulators stating that said. risks,” the statement from According to Swissmedic, stated that the vaccine would sighted a burning fire, but immunization is billed to Swissmedic reported. “The data available to date not be compulsory, he however they thought it was bush commence in few coming Switzerland health showed a comparable “strongly recommended” that burning, not knowing that days as the country fights to minister, Alain Berset stated, high level of efficacy in all every citizen should take it as they had already ambushed a control a spike in the number “We can start vaccinating in investigated age groups, it was also free of charge. He Dangote’s truck driver and set of new cases and deaths. the coming days.” thus meeting the safety stated further that shot “won’t it ablaze,” a source said. According to the In a video tweet, Berset requirements. solve all our problems,” in the “But while they were Swissmedic regulatory added that, “Those who are “The level of protection midst of a spike in new cases approaching the scene, authority, it had issued a go particularly vulnerable will afforded seven days after the and subsequent deaths. they sighted the insurgents ahead after a two-months have priority,” implying the second injection is over 90 The vaccine announcement storming towards them on rolling review. The Pfizer- aged and those who have had percent in adults,” as reported comes a day after the Swiss trucks mounted with heavy BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine a pre-existing condition. from the study data reviewed. government announced weapons, before they could is the first to be endorsed The new Pfizer-BioNTech Swissmedic stated that Friday that restaurants and turn their vehicles to run, the in the Alpine-rich country, vaccine which is produced it would monitor the safety bars would once again be shut insurgents had already caught Christiana while other vaccines are still by U.S. pharmaceutical of the vaccine closely as it is down country-wide. up with them. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 9 ةالجزير نيجيريا

HEALTH wOrKErS’ PErFOrMANCE AwArd 2020 (In recognition and appreciation to their effort and commitment to service in fight against COVID-19 )

ljazirahNigeria in its pandemic that has overwhelmed even But this is not a practical option for fall sick. Until the body pains now culture of celebrating better-resourced health systems. As health centers, where social distancing increased and it became severe, the excellence has decided the pressure increased on a handful of is also difficult to implement. That headache became very bad, even to to give its 2020 Health key health facilities across the country, means health workers are not only get up from bed became a problem. I Workers’ Performance so too did the risk of infection for the more likely to contract the virus, but couldn’t eat again. I lost my appetite. AwardA to all Health Workers in the health professionals working there. also to pass it on to their colleagues. In My taste disappeared”, he told Devex. nation for their unflinching effort in When clusters of infections emerged Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s biggest cities, When he became critically ill, combating the Corona Virus, Covid at a factory and a call center, the the emergency department of the Elumelu was admitted to the same -19, pandemic. Their resilience and premises were temporarily closed. country’s leading teaching hospital is a emergency unit where he works, towering effort was unequalled amid hub of activity. Prior to the pandemic, receiving drugs to treat his symptoms daunting fears of being caught in the University College Hospital, which and a test for COVID-19. But before he ‘cross fire’. has 850 bed spaces, had an occupancy left the ward for isolation, a number We celebrate you in the face of the rate peaking at 60%. But since the of his colleagues also tested positive. unbelievable stories making the rounds pandemic hit, emergency patients are “While I’m not sure of how I got it, globally that many of your colleagues One doctor who sometimes left waiting hours for a bed. I’m so sure that those that came in out there had become victims of the Dr. Collins Elumelu, who works in contact with me [while I was working], pandemic. While standing tall, we are refused a test said the emergency department, said the all of them tested positive ... For my comforted that you did not give in to hospital is so overwhelmed because group members, out of six of them, the fearsome nature of this pandemic. they believed most it is seen as a reliable option for and four became positive. The other We further celebrate your resolve health workers at the emergency cases requiring special two refused to do the test”, he said. by the following short report by an care in a city of over 6 million people. One doctor who refused a test said anonymous writer: hospital likely had the So when doctors, nurses, and other they believed most health workers at “In late July, the World Health virus. A positive test workers began testing positive for the hospital likely had the virus. A Organization announced that over COVID-19, shutting it down was not positive test would mean being sent 10,000 healthcare workers in Africa would“ mean being an option. home, but the hospital needs some had tested positive for COVID-19. Elumelu continued going to work staff to keep working”. This raised concerns about the ability sent home, but the when he started to feel ill, failing This is our story and resolves to of countries like Nigeria — which only hospital needs some to realize it was the virus. “It took honour the Nigerian health worker has 0.4 doctors per 1,000 people to me a while before suspecting it was who has been faithful in the face of begin with — to successfully control a staff to keep working”. COVID-19 because, normally, I don’t the daunting scenarios. الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا December 21 – December 27, 2020 www.aljazirahnews.com 10

ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng cover news e-mail: [email protected] Miyetti Allah Writes Buhari Seeks endorsement of Ohanaeze next president by george emine Buhari afterwards, described the purported letter as highly fallacious and spurious. In a Less than a month to the expiration of the statement through his Special Adviser on three-year tenure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Media, Chief Emeka Attamah, he enjoined President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the the general public to discountenance the general election of the apex Igbo socio- letter and see it as the “pitiable handiwork” of cultural organization slated for next month unsuccessful detractors. (January 2021) is already fraught with The statement partly read, “It is either that controversies. Things appeared to get to the official letterhead of Miyetti Allah was a head when on Monday November 21, stolen or cloned and used by the purveyor former Nigerian Ambassador to the United of the letter without the knowledge of the States, Prof. George Obiozor was endorsed Fulani group or, if the signature of the National as a consensus candidate to Chief Nwodo. Secretary of Miyetti on the letter is real, then The endorsement according to reports there is an inexplicable ploy by some people was arranged by some persons under the to interfere in the election of the incoming platform of “Imo Stakeholders” who had in a leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.” meeting convened by elder statesman, Chief Meanwhile, several persons who spoke to Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in Owerri, endorsed AljazirahNigeria still believe the purported Obiozor as Imo State consensus candidate for letter is actually in existence and came from the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. “If you have The meeting also had in attendance, the Nnia been in Nigeria, you will know that Nigerians Nwodo-led executive. will always deny their utterances and actions Following the development, the planned but that does not mean they will ever change swearing in of members of the electoral their minds on those utterances and decisions committee for the January 2021 elections, denied. I just hope things get better in this nominated earlier by the Nwodo-led executive country,” another respondent who gave his was postponed. name as Emeka Eze said. In line with the rotational arrangement of Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said the organisation, Imo State should produce Obiozor nothing will stop its election for a new executive the next President-General from January next month. This was said in a statement 11, 2020, when Enugu State’s tenure now for the position”. group from another region. “You can imagine debunking the viral letter from Miyetti Allah, occupied by Nwodo would elapse. However, He cited article 11 (b) of the Ohanaeze what Nigeria is becoming; a situation where allegedly addressed to the President-General, Obiozor’s alleged endorsement, which was Ndigbo constitution, which stipulated that Fulanis will endorse, influence or plant Chief Nnia Nwodo, regarding the choice of his widely reported, did not go down well with “the President-General shall be elected by who is in charge of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the successor, described the letter as an insult. some Igbo groups, describing the move as the National General Assembly from the state sociocultural group of the Igbo People. Can A statement by Nwodo’s media aide, not only unconstitutional, but also a ploy to whose turn it is to fill the office, provided there anyone ever attempt influencing who becomes Emeka Attamah, reads: “The spurious letter foist governors’ control on the socio-cultural are at least three candidates.” the president of Miyetti Allah from outside purportedly written by the Miyetti Allah body, while others say it is an unprecedented And while there is rancour within the of the Fulani? I really don’t understand what Kautal Hore, congratulated Nwodo for his able situation where foreign bodies from other Ohanaeze, some persons who claim knowledge Nigeria is becoming. The Fulani, Yoruba and leadership and enjoined him to ensure Prof. regions are working to foist their crony on of happenings within the corridors of power Igbo have always appointed the leaders of their George Obiozor succeeds him. They claimed Ohanaeze Ndigbo. have said categorically that the Fulani sociocultural groups. Even the Pan Niger Delta that discussions with Imo State Governor The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, sociocultural group, Miyetti Allah Cautal Hore Forum and the Middle Belt Forum usually Hope Uzodimma showed that Obiozor would also described the meeting as illegal and has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, choose their leaders themselves so why this protect their interest, and to recompense unconstitutional, stressing that in the seeking endorsement of the next president of new twist?” John Azuka, a youth leader in Nwodo, they have forwarded his name to the history of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the contest for Ohanaeze Ndigbo. This has caused a heated Owerri, Imo State told our correspondent. presidency for appointment. What insult! the office had never been narrowed down to reaction from members of Ohanaeze who “I really don’t understand this new turn”, he What impudence! the decision of a few stakeholders. According claim it has never happened in the history of added. “The home address written on the letter does to the National President of OYC, Igboayaka Nigeria where leaders of a sociopolitical group Speaking to AljazirahNigeria, the National not reflect Nwodo’s address. The leadership of O. Igboayaka, cautioned the incumbent will be influenced by another sociopolitical Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not for sale and nobody leadership against taking the Igbo people for Alhassan, denied ever signing such a letter sent can manipulate the choice of Ndigbo and the granted, insisting that Obiozor had never to President Buhari, and that such a letter will election. Chief Nwodo has never, and will never, attended the group’s meetings or participated only be a forged document with his signature attend any meeting where the people of Imo in its affairs. The council alleged that the move forged too. State will determine who represents them. was being calculated to stop Dr. Joe Nworgu, Also, the Ohanaeze president general Ohanaeze will conduct elections for all who Prof. Chidi Osuagwu and Goddy Uwazuruike’s This has caused a heated whose tenure expires on January 11, 2021, indicate interest and purchase the form.” candidature and pave way for Prof. Obiozor’s maintained that the leadership of the apex Some respondents in the federal capital smooth emergence as President-General. reaction from members Igbo sociocultural group was not for sale. Chief territory who are from the South East have While condemning the controversies Nnia Nwodo described the purported letter claimed they believe the letter and that it was generated by the development, a former Vice- of Ohanaeze who claim as highly fallacious and spurious. While he all part of governor Hope Uzodinma’s plan to, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. it has never happened enjoined the general public to discountenance “sell the soul of the state to the northern party Chris Asoluka, insisted that there were no the letter and see it as the “pitiable handiwork” APS (All Progressives congress). They are not candidates yet until the Ime-Obi, the highest in the history of Nigeria of unsuccessful detractors, maintained that satisfied with writing a later to Nwodo. They decision making organ, approves an electoral where leaders of a the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not have also brought President Muhammadu committee and election guidelines. for sale. Buhari into it so that Nwodo will be rewarded When reminded that the Imo Stakeholders sociopolitical“ group will Nwodo who denied the existence of any if he does their bidding forgetting that Nwodo had endorsed a candidate, he argued that letter by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, alone is not Ohaneze Ndigbo,” a group of any group of individuals was free to endorse be influenced by another which enjoined him to ensure that Professor three from Imo state living in Abuja told this anyone, stressing: “It is only their preference, sociopolitical group from Obiozor from Imo State emerges his successor newspaper. which neither binds the electoral committee with the promise that he would be given an 2021 is just by the corner to reveal what the nor determines the eligibility of contestants another region. appointment by President Muhammadu election holds. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 11 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng ة Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng cover extra e-mail: [email protected] Taking A Look At Sports Sector In 2020

As the dreary year 2020 winds up, Joel AJAyi reflects on the gains and losses, the hurdles and triumphs of the year in Nigeria’s sports industry.

igeria’s performance in the of its shenanigans, the maladministration, 2020 sporting calendar can corruption, and misappropriation of funds best be described as shambolic, taking their toll in the industry. unusable, and totally nothing Unfortunately, every time football runs to write home about courtesy of into stormy weather as it did this past year, Nthe deadly COVID-19 pandemic that continues with poor international results across all the wreaking havoc in the country and in the national teams, including the Super Eagles, the world at large. result is more or less an infection that spreads The COVID-19 pandemic has upended all to other sports. areas of life including sports. The COVID-19 AljazirahNigeria Sports roll call for dealt heavy blow on sports, creating a football qualifier for major competitions by worldwide turmoil in the sports industry, Team Nigeria revealed that the Nigeria team one that have not been witnessed since the failed to qualify for five major tournaments. disruption of World War II. Regrettably, Nigeria team will be absent Most sport enthusiasts would agree that in the following completions CHAN; AFCON sport´s greatest strength is to bring together U-20; FIFA WYC; U-20; Olympics Men’s crowds, gather interest, create sense of Football and Olympics Women’s Football due community, and spark emotions. to visionless administrators of football across Therefore, a match with closed gates, the country. the cancellation of major international competitions, and numerous calendar changes EFFECT OF EVENTS’ POSTPONEMENT all translates to players having few to none Virtually all major tournaments witnessed matches to play, spectators having no major suspension courtesy of COVID-19. sports to watch, and financial losses adding up. One of them is Edo 2020 National Sports Dare No income also means no clubs and Nigeria’s Festival Athletes’ hopes of competing at the sports industry is not exempted. Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) Almost all sports struggled to make little there is a need to reconnect with people that In the year 2020, the ministry secured before the end of the year have been dashed, impact whilst most did not even ‘exist’, laboured to put the country’s name on the commitments from business moguls Aliko following revelations that the Presidential because no one heard anything about their world map. Dangote and Kensington Adebutu (Baba Ijebu) Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 had rejected the activities and programmes as they were all In this regard, the likes of Sunday Eboigbe, for the renovation of the Abuja and Lagos recommended dates of December 3rd to 18th carpeted by COVID-19. Kadiri Ikhana, Christian Chukwu got financial National stadia respectively. suggested by the National Council on Sports Every element of sport has been affected, support to treat ailments. The development is commendable as the and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) from athletes, teams, and leagues, to Similarly, the ministry extended the government will no longer have to dip its for the Games. sponsorships, sports retail, hospitality, and assistance to the mothers of late Rashidi hands into its own lean purse to spend on media coverage. Yekini, Samuel Okwaraji, and quarter- facilities it allowed to go bad in the first place. AFN CRISIS DEEPENS, SPORTS Whereas, we can look at all federations and miler Sunday Bada while the families of late MINISTER FINGERED conclude the year was barren for them because coaches Shuaibu Amodu, Stephen Keshi, and HONOUR OF 60 SPORTS ICONS After the unceremonious dismissal of Alhaji of lack of competition. However, there were a Mudashiru Lawal Manga Muhammed are now Sixty of the men and women who have made Shehu Gusau as the President of the Athletics few high moments that beat Covid-19 to its on a monthly welfare scheme package. Nigeria proud in sports since independence Federations of Nigeria, Sports Minister, trick. These gestures have widely been for the first time in the history of the country Sunday Dare installed a stooge as the AFN commended and even pierced the conscience were honoured as part of the activities to President in the stead of Gusau and has since Best Moment of the likes of the Nigerian Football Federation celebrate the diamond anniversary of the been accused of meddling in the affairs of the 13 ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR TOKYO to follow suit. country. Federation So far, 13 Nigerians have qualified for the However, the list of the sports icon was As we speak, AFN has led two factional individual and team events for the Tokyo 2020 REHABILITATION OF ABUJA, LAGOS dominated by members of the Super Eagles bodies, with the Sports Ministry, supporting Olympic Games through various routes. And OTHER STADIA of 1980 and 1994, the Atlanta 1996 gold- a faction and Gusau holding on tight. Despite the lack of event the sport sector winning football side, as well as track and field ADOPTION OF TALENT INITIATIVE experienced rehabilitation of moribund athletes and boxers. GOING FORWARD Over the years, one of the biggest problems sporting facilities, the Minister has shown he As we enter 2021, the music must change. of sports in Nigeria is funding. Athletes got has better ideas of getting things to work again BASKETBALL EXPLOITS There are new interests and promises of little or no financial support from the sports than most of his predecessors. If there is a federation that singled itself out support, the need to be focused, going forward, ministry. They had to fend for themselves, in the year, that sport federation is Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. straining their lean purses to pay coaches Basketball, it witnessed tremendous growth There is a need for sports to focus on who trained them for major tournaments. as Nigeria men’s basketball team D’Tigers and aggressive grassroots sports development in But, the ministry under the leadership of the Senior Women’s National Basketball Team, collaboration with federations, state and local current Minister, Sunday Dare has adopted D’Tigress booked the 2020 Olympics ticket governments in the country, as 2021 begins. over 14 athletes since the ministry launched to represent the most populous nation of the The ministry should give autonomy to all the ‘Adoption Campaign’ in Lagos. black race. sports federations as it is the case insane Through the initiative, a handful of athletes climes and focus on initiatives and programs now have less to worry about for training There is a need for WORST MOMENTS that will lead to the revival of sports at grants to get in shape for the Olympic Games sports to focus on 2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS POSTPONED tertiary, high school and grassroots level. as they have been ‘adopted’ by corporate For the first time in the history of the modern Also, the ministry should be more bodies and wealthy individuals who are aggressive grassroots Olympics, and as one of the world´s most- preoccupied with programmes and policies saddled with providing funds to augment sports development watched sporting broadcasts, this year’s that will lead to the emergence of a vibrant their needs. Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo sports industry that will consistently help in collaboration with have been moved to next year. The decision to enhance critical sectors of the economy HELPING OUR SPORTING HEROES was made 122 days prior to the grand opening like tourism, entertainment, hospitality, and The Ministry won more friends than enemies federations, state and ceremony. others. when it revisited the local governments“ in the The noticeable ainsg in the youth sector long-awaited demand to reach out to ailing FOOTBALL AND ITS FAILURES should be sustained and improved upon also sports legends and the vulnerable. It believes country, as 2021 begins. Football in Nigeria in the year was in the lurch in the year ahead. الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا December 21 – December 27, 2020 www.aljazirahnews.com 12

ةLike our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng cover extra e-mail: [email protected] NNPC, on the 15th of August 2017, the committee discovered that over $900 million is still being held outside the TSA. “While some banks fully complied with the directive of the adhoc committee by remitting these funds into the TSA, it is worthy of note that the sum of about $995.71 million was still held outside the TSA by some other banks. This sum of $995.71 million includes the principal deposit and the accrued interest on the deposit. Also discovered was an amount of N1.207 billion and Euro 23,704.01,” the report notes. The Auditor-General for the Federation, Anthony Ayine, in the 2016 audit report on the accounts of the federation, had noted that the extensive violation of statutory financial reporting obligations by parastatals was of great concern. He suggested stringent measures, including withholding financial releases and sanctioning of the chief executives of defaulting agencies who do not render timely accounts, as provided in the constitution and financial regulations. An abuse of process was also uncovered when the committee observed that some MDAs claimed they obtained presidential exemption to operate certain accounts outside the TSA policy. With the committee’s insistence on Ahmed citing the purported exemption letter, the lawmakers found that the letter was only conveying the approval of the president signed by an assistant director. As for some ministries, the letter could not be produced as at May 9, 2019. “Applications for exemptions/waivers of Treasury Single Account: all or any MDA’s fund/accounts must follow the guidelines on TSA implementation and be duly approved, signed by the president only. All existing exemptions/waivers granted to MDAs that do not conform with the president’s assent should be declared illegal and transactions carried out fraudulent,” the Police Colleges Flout Policy report recommends. According to the Lead Director of the Centre By DauDa IsmaIl – 2,500; student lesson – 1,000; face shield & It was also confirmed that 1,678 institutions for Social Justice, CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, “There nose mask – 1,400; laundry services – 2,000 – Ministries, Department, and Agencies, is an issue that is of more importance in the Treasury Single Account, TSA, which is a and books and other materials – 23,500.00, MDAs, had been enrolled, while compliance TSA operation and that is about information financial policy in use in several countries all bring the totals to 62,400 for IRFs; 68,405 for level remained tardy. In its interaction with the and proper accounting of the deductions on over the world, was proposed by the Federal SPOs; and 76,400 for civilians. Director of TSA at the Office of the Accountant- stamp duties on banking transactions. Where Government in 2012 under the immediate For instance, sometime in November General of the Federation, OAGF, the 12-man is that money? past administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan 2019, the report that some key government committee led by Danburam Nuhu Abubakar, “Maybe it has gone between craters and to consolidate all inflows from all agencies of organisations have been avoiding the use of the showed the value, which could have been black holes. The financial system regulators government into a single account at the Central TSA in the last three years, thereby causing a frittered by public officials. are telling stories. There are trillions in that Bank of Nigeria and was fully implemented by huge loss of revenue to the country came as a The committee was inaugurated after the House account that are not reviewed and nobody is the present administration, is still being flouted surprise to many. deliberated on a motion on the need to ascertain asking about it. If people employed to manage by some agencies of government. According to a report by the ad hoc the proceeds of the TSA to enhance transparency, government revenues are not remitting to the But in the cases of the hunter becoming the committee of the House of Representatives accountability and good governance. It source, then what is the essence of the TSA? hunted, investigation reveals that the various Committee on TSA, shortly before the end of thereafter resolved to investigate the matter What is the essence of the Fiscal responsibility police secondary schools across the country the Eighth Assembly, the lawmakers affirmed and report back for further legislation. “Some Act?” being run by the Nigeria Police and funded that as of July 31, 2018, the platform processed people were actually benefiting, instead of the Also, the Partner/Head of Tax and Corporate by the federal government, has been flouting more than N9.78 trillion, as against N4.21 government and people. These monies were Advisory Services at PwC Nigeria, Taiwo the TSA by having other accounts where the trillion in the first year. Of N4.21 trillion in the scattered in accounts such that the government Oyedele, said: “One of the expected benefits (of Internally Generated Revenues, IGR, goes into. first year, the embattled Remita collected over does not know what it has. When it needs money, TSA) is lower debt financing costs by utilising This would surprise anyone because the N3.65 trillion; the Real Time Gross Settlement, it will go to commercial banks to borrow through the surplus funds of some MDAs to finance the Police is expected to be above board in issues RTGS, got N287.92 billion, and N269.77 billion Treasury Bills at over 10 per cent. So, it was deficit of others, thereby minimising overall of corruption, criminality, graft and everything came from Direct Debit. actually borrowing its money”. borrowing cost. else that goes contrary to the Criminal Code An economist, Emma Wagbo, explained: “From all indications, it seems this benefit is and the Nigerian Constitution. “While the coming of the TSA is good, what yet to be fully realised, given the consistently The Police Secondary Schools like every about the abuse and diversions still ongoing? high level of borrowing by the government other federal government owned institution Some agencies are taking advantage of some despite rising TSA balances. This should receive is funded by the Federal Government as they provisions to deprive the government of full attention as a matter of priority, to reduce receive allocations annually and their teachers surplus operations.” the current high and unsustainable debt service and other staff apart from those sourced from “One of the expected The report, corroborating Wagbo’s concerns, cost-to-revenue ratio. other private companies like security men benefits (of TSA) is lower raises the alarm over serial violations of TSA “Also, more MDAs should be migrated to and cleaners, are paid monthly by the Federal guidelines by MDAs, recommending severe the TSA both at the federal and sub-national Government. But instead of remitting their debt financing costs by sanctions, including “name and shame” and levels. Other features of the TSA should be earnings in the form of school fees and other prosecution. The lawmakers affirmed that there fully explored and linked to budgeting, budget ancillary fees, go into separate accounts not utilising the surplus funds are collection accounts, which basically are used control, fiscal transparency, suppliers, vendor the TSA. by the MDAs to recover government revenue management and transaction monitoring. For instance, in the last term, each student of some MDAs to finance from the public, businesses or other MDAs, like This will help reduce challenges with the late was given a take home bill where the tuition the deficit of others, FIRS, Customs, Corporate Affairs Commission, release of appropriated funds as well as under- fees vary according to IRF, SPO and civilian at CAC, and CBN/NNPC offshore accounts. performance particularly with respect to capital the rates of 7,000, 12,000 and 20,000 naira thereby“ minimising “After the meeting with banks, CBN, Office expenditures”. respectively. All other fees were uniform viz, of the Auditor-General of the Federation and But to see the police colleges among the Feeding fee -5,000; computer fee – 1,000; PTA overall borrowing cost. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, defaulters is not encouraging الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 13 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng ة Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special report e-mail: [email protected] her man finally went to see her parents and the necessary marriage rites were done. But the crises started, and the good life Blessing craved became a mirage. She had to join her new husband in the fight for survival. “I got pregnant but I lost the baby. How can a baby stay when you are hungry? My husband had little money and we bought guinea corn seeds to cultivate, but I’m scared that the farm is not doing well. How do we pay for the money we borrowed?” She asked in despair. Many of the women who spoke with AljazirahNigeria stated that due to lack of money, they hardly went for ante-natal care at the hospital when they were pregnant. They laughed at the idea of going to hospital when they considered that they can’t even afford food. They patronize local birth attendants and pray for safe delivery. Corona Virus is far from the minds of these Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, whose means of livelihood were cut short. For them it is all about survival. They revealed that they have heard about the Covid-19 pandemic and the palliatives that the federal government had promised, but that they had gotten nothing. “I’ve been hearing of COVID-19 but haven’t heard of any palliatives from the government. IDPs in Nasarawa State struggling to cook with corncobs During the COVID-19 lockdown, we were left on our own. Imagine people who have been chased away from their land, trying to survive and now still forced to stay indoors for months. It was not an easy experience for us,” James Tale Of Anguish, Despair: Ortim, one of the IDPs stated. We have almost forgotten that they are there – nasema Untold Story Of Nasarawa IDPs When aljazirahnigeria contacted the secretary of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, NASEMA, Barr. Zamani By Chika Mefor-NwaChukwu stools. But here, there is no toilet, no kitchen. no network where I was staying. It was when Alumaga, he stated that he had no idea that The house we are staying in has no door. We the admission was over in 2016 that they Between 2015 and 2019, an estimated 7,000 the displaced persons were still occupying the had to construct a make-shift door to protect were able to reach me. Now, even if I can get primary school building, and wondered why lives were lost to persistent farmer/herder’s ourselves. We are strangers in our own land” admission, I can’t sponsor myself because of clashes in Nasarawa and Benue States of they have not gone back to their communities. Some of these victims have occupied the the responsibilities I have on me. My father is “We are aware they were there after the Nigeria. This is according to a report by Obene Primary School at the area after the now old and I am the one taking care of my the United States Agency for International crisis. But after taking care of them, over the incident and are still there trying to put their siblings,” he said in despair. years, we thought that they have dismantled Development, USAID. lives together - a life which they feel will never Gideon lamented that his people were being This violence which first started off in the camp and gone back home because the be the same again, unless they are able to treated badly by their host community, adding excuse they are always giving is that as a result Benue State gradually spilled over to Nasarawa return to their ancestral land. Their lives have that they were all walking on eggshells in a bid State. Communities that shared boundaries of leaving their houses, criminal activities clearly descended into a limbo with the level to avoid provoking the community. “They look set in. People went there and destroyed their with Benue State were not spared. Several of suffering they have had to grapple with, at us like animals. We just force ourselves to communities in the local government of houses, set them ablaze, stole their properties, and they always wonder what will become stay here. We face many challenges. Last week, so they don’t have anything to go back to. areas of Obi, Doma, Keana and Awe Local of their future. Gideon Apesuur had a bright the children were playing football outside the Government Areas of Nasarawa State have had “Last time, the state government went there future in view, as he hoped to enroll in a higher school and it hit a woman who was carrying a and gave the IDPs hand tractors, insecticides their farmlands destroyed, houses burnt down institution and acquire a degree certificate, but bowl on her head, and suddenly they gathered and lives cut short. People fled their homes and and assorted types of produce to plant. They all that hope seems to be dashed. us. It was just God that made them not to start are all given that so that they can go, now you have been on the run since then. “We became wanderers after the incident. beating us. Amo Roseline is among the displaced are saying that they are still there, is either that We did not have anywhere to stay. I hustled and “We look like animals here, it pains me a lot. they didn’t go to the farm or they didn’t get persons. Roseline’s village, Uruji, in Keana got money to register for JAMB. I was offered Concerning the issue of toilets and where to LGA was sacked when some herdsmen any yields. admission at the University of Agriculture, take our baths, if you bathe at night, you will “It appears so sickening to me that some attacked, compelling her people to flee the land Makurdi. I wasn’t even aware that I had wait for another night to take your bath. We and seek refuge in another village in Keana. people like staying in the camp. I don’t know been offered admission because there was have no privacy. To pass out faeces, we go far why. But the bottom line is that we have Before the crisis, her life was just complete. away to look for a convenient place. But the With her grinding machine, she was able to almost forgotten that they are there. That is people in the community will still chase us the fact. What was supposed to be done is for grind foodstuffs for almost all the villagers. away. They will also look for people to arrest Also, her husband was the headmaster of the the local government to inform the state that us. For me, I don’t consider myself as a human they are still there. Every arm of government primary school in her area. To top it all, her being anymore.” he lamented. family, like many other families in the village, is supposed to be responsible for something. Gideon revealed that the government had They have not communicated to us to tell us owned fertile parcels of land on which they asked them to go back to their villages but cultivated, guinea-corn, yam, maize and many that those people are still there”, he said. added that they were scared for their lives as He however promised that the government other staple crops. To pass out faeces, we many who had dared to go back, were attacked “Now we are buying food, something we were will do something about it. “Ours is to be again by the herders. “They told us we are not informed and we have been informed. Next not doing when we were in our village. It is from go far away to look for a courageous and that is why we haven’t gone my business that we are surviving. I used to do thing I will do is to ignore the local government convenient place. But the back home, but those who ventured to go home incompetence and proceed and see what we can soya milk, kunu and cake in order to sustain my were wasted. As you are seeing us here, we don’t family. And we have so many children and there people in the community do. I will call the local government chairman have freedom. I am now used to hunger,” he and ask him to formally submit a report. is no food and money to survive,” she cried out. bemoaned. Apart from lacking food to eat, the 35 year- will still chase us away. And then, we can ask the governor to give “How can a pregnant woman survive something to them. We have some things stock old mother of ten, revealed that many of her They will also look for without food? Can a pregnant woman survive people who had fled their lands live in a not up in the stores for emergencies like this.” “ without food? How can a nursing mother At the time of writing this report, conducive environment. She was one of the people to arrest us. For survive without food?” These were the rhetoric lucky few who had hurriedly secured a place to aljazirahnigeria gathered that true to his me, I don’t consider questions of Blessing Moses. Blessing, a words, some government intervention was stay – an uncompleted building with no toilet 17 year old secondary school dropout, had facility. Roseline pays N30,000 annually for myself as a human being made, but the one thing the people are yearning eloped with a man she claimed she loved. Life, for which is security, to enable them go back rent. she said, became better after that because “In our village, we had pit latrines for passing anymore. to their land, is still far from being achieved. الجزير نيجيريا

ةالجزير نيجيريا December 21 – December 27, 2020 www.aljazirahnews.com 14

Like our facebook page ةwww.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng special report e-mail: [email protected] How Mdas defy Tsa Remittances as Billions diverted Much of the alleged fraud in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) being investigated by the Senate Committee on Finance and Public Accounts is a complicity of sorts, CYRIL OGAR, Business Editor writes.

Treasury Single Account (TSA) is one of the (TSA) (eCollection of Government Receipts)” by several measures adopted by the Federal the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Government to address the issue of lack of Danladi I. Kifasi. accountability and corruption in fiscal operations The circular dated August 7, 2015 made it in the public sector. It is a financial policy, known that President Buhari approved the which requires all Ministries, Departments and establishment and operation of Treasury Single ahmed Agencies (MDAs) to move their deposits with Account for e-Collection of Government Receipts commercial banks into a single account with the for all Federal MDAs with effect from the date commenced investigations into these findings”, surplus revealed that N2.82 billion was placed in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The consolidation of the circular. the Reps stated. various banks as of December 31, 2016, without is to ensure accountability, enhance transparency Corruption and other fraudulent activities AljazirahNigeria investigation has revealed authority and a provision of N183.13m made for and curb corrupt practices associated with in the public sector had become pervasive and that in the education sector, 78 MDAs were doubtful balances. management of public funds. endemic which portend danger for posterity reviewed and common cases of misuse of funds A review of the payment procedures and The Federal Government’s directive to all SERAP had decried the fact that amidst were uncovered. policies in MDAs against the standing regulations revenue-generating agencies to close their the various reports that have come from the Some of the discoveries include life payment and policies of the Federal Government showed accounts with commercial banks by February 28, Accountant General’s office from 2014 to 2017 of bulk sums to individuals/staff accounts, that several payments worth N26.6billion were 2015 and transfer the same into a Consolidated revealing how MDAs have failed to remit or including project funds; non-deductions/ made with 140 infractions by MDAs. Revenue Fund of the Federation and Treasury account for funds they have received, it was remittance of taxes and IGR; payments of Specifically, N8.61bn was expended on Single Account as a new electronic revenue surprising that the executive has not taken unapproved allowances, bulk payment to micro 25 infractions without presenting payment collecting platform introduced recently by action. Citing the Auditor General’s report of finance banks, payment of arrears of salary vouchers to justify the payments. This is contrary President Buhari has continued to generate 2016 the NGO stressed that 323 MDAs did not and other allowances of previous years from to the provisions of FR 601, which state that “all debate across the country. submit their report, while it further stated that 2020 budget, payment of salary advance to payment entries in the cash book/accounts shall The February directive, according to reports, 69 MDAs never submitted audited reports. staff, under-deduction of PAYE and payment of be vouched for on one of the prescribed treasury was due to the speculation in the banking sector However, the report blamed some of the promotion arrears due to surplus in personnel forms. that shareholders lost about N573 billion in 2014 Accounting Officers in the MDAs who have cost, abuse and granting of cash advances above “Vouchers shall be made out in favour of the financial year following massive sell-off that been responsible for undermining and breaching the approved threshold and irregular payment of person or persons to whom the money is actually overran the market in the last two quarters of provisions and laws like the ‘Financial Regulation allowances to principal officers. due. Under no circumstances shall a Cheque the year 2302 (Payment Voucher for Stores) and Financial Worrisome still is the fact that the be raised or cash paid for services for which a Regulation 2107 (Store Ledger and Usage)’. MDAs and their accounting officers are not voucher has not been raised.” The TSA IllegAlITIeS responding promptly to audit observations till MDAs embarked on international travels and In a recent event, the Chairman of. Independent The DISCOVeRIeS now, a situation which is made worse by the training without requisite approval from the Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Under the Open Treasury Portal review that was government’s refusal to create or sign the already appropriate authorities as specified in extant Owasanoye had revealed that government carried out between January and August 15, passed bill containing sanctions. circulars, expending N2.66 billion, despite officials violated the sanctity of the Treasury 2020, out of 268 Ministries, Departments and Like in 2016, AljazirahNigeria report strict restriction, while another N2.79bn was Single Account (TSA) by perpetrating illegalities. Agencies (MDAs), 72 of them had cumulative findings ranged from irregular expenditures to expended without supporting documents to the The treasury single account is a public infractions running into billions. failure to surrender surplus revenues running payment vouchers in 22 infractions. accounting system whereby government Meanwhile, 33 MDAs have tendered into billions of naira to the treasury. Also notable Again, 51 procurement transactions across receipts, revenue and income are collected into explanations that N4.1 billion was transferred was the constant failure in the implementation several MDAs did not comply with the provisions one single account. The Central Bank of Nigeria to something called sub-TSA, N4.2 billion paid of the International Public Sector Accounting of the Public Procurement Act 2007, with N27.83 (CBN) is responsible for the maintenance and to individuals had no satisfactory explanations. Standards (IPSAS) and general significant billion classified as waste or loss of public funds. management of such accounts. Those transfers to sub-TSA were to prevent weaknesses in expenditure control, accounting, These violations ranged from ignoring It was proposed by the Federal Government in disbursement from being monitored, it has been and financial reporting and in the completeness due process, over-invoicing/contracts’ prices 2012 under the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan alleged. “Nevertheless, we discovered payments and accuracy of the consolidated financial inflation, to payments for contracts/services administration and was fully implemented by the to some federal colleges for school feeding in the statements. not executed and other forms of deviations from Buhari administration to consolidate all inflows sum of N2.67 billion during lockdown when the Several audit reports showed that the majority the Act. 2017 report shows failure of the MDAs from all agencies. children were not in school, and some of the of the revenue-generating agencies and other to comply with circulars from the accountant- However, recent happenings suggest that the money ended up in personal accounts. We have MDAs did not remit withholding taxes, value- general and auditor-general on policies that will essence of the TSA has been compromised or not added taxes, stamp duty, capital gains tax and ensure probity and accountability. being implemented the way it should. pay as you earn, among others. “How many of the MDA’s were indicted in the Only recently, the Federal Government said Led by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) 2016 report and how many have been punished its plans have been perfected to take over direct with unremitted N7.59bn, and followed by the for non-submission of reports or the infractions custody of revenues generated by its key agencies National Examination Council (NECO) and the committed? There will only be positive change as part of efforts to improve income generation Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) when the full weight of the law is brought to bear and block leakages. with N6.67 billion and N2.29 billion, among on the violators. It was learnt that specialised directors from Worrisome still is the fact others, the default caused significant reduction “It is very disheartening that a government the Office of the Accountant-General of the that the MDAs and their in revenue accruable to the Federal Government. that prides itself as a ‘government of change’ and Federation would be posted to 10 revenue- Besides, the auditors found that the agencies whose main campaign slogan is anti-corruption generating agencies of the government in the accounting officers are not dissipated funds on overhead expenditure and will condone all these corrupt practices by MDAs. first instance. responding promptly to extra-budgetary expenditure on contracts, It also shows a sustained leakage in the The TSA, a single pool for harvesting revenue thereby reducing their operating surpluses. government’s revenue stream and proof of a inflows of MDAs was not Buhari’s idea. It was audit observations till now, The BPE was also involved in unauthorised process that is not working properly. Accordingly conceived by the immediate administration of investment of idle funds without remittance of a government with a proper Fiscal Responsibility President Goodluck Jonathan, but it remained a situation which is made interest/returns to the Consolidated Revenue Commission should plug the loopholes. a mere policy on paper due to lack of political worse by the government’s Funds to the tune of N24.77m, from N13bn MDAs should be migrated to the TSA both “ deposit for privatisation and operational at the federal and sub-national levels. Other will to enforce the policy that all the revenue generating MDAs must comply with. refusal to create or sign bank account with some commercial banks, in features of the TSA should be fully explored The Federal Government’s seriousness about violation of the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA) and linked to budgeting, budget control, fiscal enforcing TSA was conveyed in a circular entitled, the already passed bill policy of government in the circular of August transparency, suppliers, vendor management “Re: Introduction of Treasury Single Account containing sanctions. 7, 2015. Also, audit reconciliation of operating and transaction monitoring. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 15 ةالجزير نيجيريا

ة Like our facebook page www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news in arabic e-mail: [email protected] ﺗﺪﻓﻊ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ ﻛﻮﻓﯿﺪ-١٩: اﻟﺤﺎﻛﻢ ًﺗﻌوﯾﺿﺎ ﺑﻘﯾﻣﺔ ٥٠٠ ﻣﻠﯾو ﻣﺎﺗﻮال ﯾﺤﻞ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ ن ﻧﺎﯾﺮا إﻟﻰ اﻟﻤﺠﺘﻤﻊ اﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ ﻟﻠﺘﺘﻮﯾﺞ ﻗﺎم ﺣﺎﻛﻢ زاﻣﻔﺎرا ﺑﯿﻠﻮ ﻣﺎﺗﻮاﻟﻲ ﺑﺤﻞ اﻟﻣﻌرض ﻟﻠﺗﻌرﯾﺔ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺷﻜﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﻲ وﻗﺖ ﺳﺎﺑﻖ ﻟﺘﻨﻈﯿﻢ ﺣﻔﻞ ﺗﺘﻮﯾﺠﮫ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﺷﺘﯿﻤﺔ وﻗﺪ ﺧﺼﺼﺖ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ وﻻﯾﺔ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ '' ، وأﻓﺎدت اﻟﺠﺰﯾﺮة ﺣﻮاﻟﻲ ٥٠٠ ﻣﻠﯿﻮن ﻧﺎﯾﺮا ﻟﺪﻓﻊ اﻟﻨﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺔ أن اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺎن ﺳﻌﺪ أﺑﻮ ﺑﻜﺮ ﻟﻠﻘﻤﺮ ﻛﺎن ﻗﺪ ﻣﻨﺢ اﻟﻠﻘﺐ ﻓﻲ أﻛﺘﻮﺑﺮ. ﺗﻌﻮﯾﻀﺎت ﻟﻠﺴﻜﺎن اﻟﻤﺘﻀﺮرﯾﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎﺗﯿﻤﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺎﺗﺎواﻟﻲ ، ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺸﺮوع ﻣﻜﺎﻓﺤﺔ اﻟﺘﺂﻛﻞ اﻟﺠﺎري ﻓﻲ ﺟﮭﻮده ﻹﺣﻼل اﻟﺴﻼم ، ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل اﻟﺤﻮار ، ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ اﻟﻐﺮﺑﯿﺔ ﻣﺠﺘﻤﻊ ﻣﺎﺑﯿﺮا ، إﺣﺪى ﺿﻮاﺣﻲ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻼد ، وﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﺘﺮﺗﯿﺒﺎت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ. أﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى ﻟﺤﻔﻞ اﻟﻌﻤﺎﻣﺔ ، اﻟﻤﻘﺮر ﺑﺼﻔﺘﮫ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﺑﺎج ﺳﯿﺪي اﻟﻤﺘﻘﺎﻋﺪ اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ ﺗﻨﺼﯿﺐ ﯾﺤﻀﺮون ﻧﺼﺎراوا وﻻﯾﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻘﻠﯿﺪﯾﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻜﺎم ﻣﻦ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻋﻘﺪه ﯾﻮم اﻟﺴﺒﺖ ١٩ دﯾﺴﻤﺒﺮ ، ﻓﻲ ﻗﺼﺮ اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺎن. أﻓﺎدت اﻟﺠﺰﯾﺮة ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ أن اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع أوروروﻛﻮ-ﻧﻜﺒﻮﻟﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻟﻠﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ واﻟﺜﻼﺛﯿﻦ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ اﻟﺘﺨﺮج ﺣﻔﻞ ﺧﻼل ، (RSU) رﯾﻔﺮز وﻻﯾﺔ ﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﺮاﺑﻊ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺸﺎر ﻓﻲ ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ ، ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ أﻋﻠﻨﺖ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﯾﺘﻢ ﺗﻨﻔﯿﺬه ﻓﻲ إطﺎر ﻣﺸﺮوع ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ .ﻧﺼﺎراوة وﻻﯾﺔ رؤﺳﺎء ﻣﺠﻠﺲ ورﺋﯿﺲ ﻻﻓﯿﺎ أﻣﯿﺮ ھﻮ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﺑﺎج اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ .ھﺎرﻛﻮرت ﺑﻮرت ﻓﻲ زاﻣﻔﺎرا ﺣﻞ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ اﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ ﺑﺮﺋﺎﺳﺔ ﻹدارة اﻟﺘﺂﻛﻞ وﻣﺴﺘﺠﻤﻌﺎت اﻟﻤﯿﺎه وزﯾﺮ اﻟﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ اﻷﺳﺒﻖ اﻟﺤﺎج ﺑﺸﯿﺮ (ﻧﻮﻣﺎب) ﺑﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﺒﻨﻚ اﻟﺪوﻟﻲ ، ﯾﻮﻏﻮدا. - اﻟﻠﻮاء ﻣﯿﺪﯾﺎ ﻟﻠﻤﺤﺎﻓﻆ ﻗﺎل إن اﻟﻘﺮار ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺮاﻛﺔ ﻣﻊ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ. ﺳﻮء اﻟﺘﻐﺬﯾﺔ ھﻮ اﻟﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺴﻲ ﻟﻠﻮﻓﺎة ﺑﯿﻦ ﻣﺮ ﯾﺄﺗﻲ ﻓﻲ إطﺎر ﺟﮭﺪ ﻟﻠﺤﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺤﺸﺪ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺤﻔﻞ ، ﺑﺴﺒﺐ اﻟﻤﻮﺟﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎل ﻣﻨﺴﻖ ﻣﺸﺮوع ﻧﻮﻣﺎب ﻓﻲ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ ﺿﻰ اﻟﻜﻠﻰ - ﺗﻘﻮل اﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﯿﺔ اﻟﺤﻔﻞ. وﺑﺎء ﻛﻮﻓﯿﺪ-١٩. ، اﻟﺴﯿﺪ إﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ ﻋﺒﺪ ﷲ ، إﻧﮫ ﻗﺪم وﺣﺚ ﻣﺠﻠﺲ اﻟﺸﯿﻮخ اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻣﻨﻮطﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ اﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ. اﻟﻨﯿﺠﺮ ، ﺳﻮﻛﻮﺗﻮ ، ﻛﯿﺒﻲ ، أوﯾﻮ ، "أﻧﺖ ﺗﻌﻠﻢ أن اﻟﺤﺎﻛﻢ ﻟﺪﯾﮫ اﻟﻌﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﮭﻨﺌﯿﻦ ، ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ وﻗﺮﯾﺐ ، وﻗﺪ ﺷﯿﻜﺎت ﻟﻠﻤﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪﯾﻦ ﯾﻮم اﻷرﺑﻌﺎء ، ﻗﺎل اﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻜﺜﯿﻒ اﻟﺠﮭﻮد ﻟﻮﻗﻒ وﻗﺎل إن اﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ ﻛﺎن ﻛﻮﺟﻲ ، زاﻣﻔﺎرا ، أوﺳﻮن وﻛﺎدوﻧﺎ. أﺷﺎر اﻟﻌﺪﯾﺪ ﻣﻨﮭﻢ إﻟﻰ أﻧﮭﻢ ﺳﯿﺸﺮﻓﻮن إﻧﮫ ﺗﻢ ﺗﺤﺪﯾﺪ ﺣﻮاﻟﻲ ٥٠ ﻣﺒﻨﻰ اﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ وﻣﻨﻊ ﺗﺴﺮب أﺣﺪ اﻟﺘﺤﺪﯾﺎت اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺴﯿﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﻮق "ﻟﻘﺪ ﻛﺎن اﻟﺘﻨﻘﯿﺐ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ ﻋﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﺪث ، وﻟﻜﻦ ﺑﺼﻔﺘﻲ ﻗﺎﺋﺪًا ﻣﻌﻨﯿﺎ ، ﻧﺎﺷﺪھﻢ رﺋﯿﺴﻲ ﻋﺪم اﻟﺤﻀﻮر واﻟﺘﺤﻘﻖ ﻣﻨﮭﺎ ﻟﻠﺪﻓﻊ ، ﺑﯿﻨﻤﺎ ﺳﺘﺒﺪأ اﻹﯾﺮادات اﻟﻨﺎﺗﺞ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ ﺗﻄﻮﯾﺮ ﺻﻨﺎﻋﺔ اﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻓﻲ ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ. اﻟﺬھﺐ ًﻧﺸﺎطﺎ ﯾﺴﺘﺤﻖ اﻟﺸﺠﺐ واﺳﺘﻤﺮ ً اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ. ، ﻣﻦ أﺟﻞ ﻣﻨﻌﮭﻢ ﻣﻦ اﺣﺘﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻤﻠﯿﺎت اﻟﮭﺪم ًﻗﺮﯾﺒﺎ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺟﺪي ﺣﯿﺚ ﻗﺎل ﻛﺎﻟﻮ: "إذا ﻟﻢ ﻧﺼﻠﺢ ھﺬا اﻟﻨﺰﯾﻒ ﻓﻲ اﻻزدھﺎر ، ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮﻏﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺗﮭﺪﯾﺪ اﻹﺻﺎﺑﺔ ﺑﻔﯿﺮوس ﻛﻮروﻧﺎ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﻧﺎ ، ﻓﺴﻨﻨﺰف ﺣﺘﻰ ﻟﻠﺤﺸﻮد. ﺗﻢ ﻧﻘﻞ اﻟﻤﻘﺎوﻟﯿﻦ اﻟﺬﯾﻦ ﯾﺘﻮﻟﻮن ﺟﺎء ذﻟﻚ ﻓﻲ أﻋﻘﺎب ﺗﺒﻨﻲ اﻗﺘﺮاح ﺑﺸﺄن اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺑﻤﺤﺎﻛﻤﺔ اﻟﺠﻨﺎة. اﻟﺤﺎﺟﺔ إﻟﻰ اﻟﺘﺤﻘﯿﻖ ﻓﻲ ﺧﺴﺎرة ٩ اﻟﻤﻮت". "وﺑﺎﻟﻤﺜﻞ ، ﯾﺸﻌﺮ اﻟﺤﺎﻛﻢ وأھﻞ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع ، ﻛﻮﺑﺎرغ-أودوك ﻟﯿﻤﯿﺘﺎد "ﻣﻦ اﻷھﻤﯿﺔ ﺑﻤﻜﺎن ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺔ أﻧﮫ إذا ﺑﺎﻟﺤﺰن ﻋﻠﻰ اﻻﺧﺘﻄﺎف اﻷﺧﯿﺮ ﻷﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻠﯿﺎرات دوﻻر ًﺳﻨﻮﯾﺎ ﻟﻠﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ وﻗﺎل إﻧﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮﻏﻢ ﻣﻦ رواﺳﺐ اﺣﺘﻔﻈﺖ اﻟﺪوﻟﺔ ﺑﺎﺣﺘﯿﺎطﯿﺎﺗﮭﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻦ ٣٠٠ اﻻﺑﺘﮭﺎج طﺎﻟﺐ ﻓﻲ ﺛﺎﻧﻮي ﻓﻲ ﺳﯿﻢ ﻛﺎﻧﻜﺎرا ﻣﻊ إﻟﻰ ﻣﻮﻗﻊ. اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع وﺗﮭﺮﯾﺐ اﻟﺬھﺐ ﻣﻦ ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ اﻟﺬھﺐ اﻟﻀﺨﻤﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺒﻼد ، إﻻ أن اﻟﺬھﺐ وﺿﻤﺎن اﻻﺳﺘﻐﻼل اﻟﻔﻌﺎل ، ﺑﻮﻻﯾﺔ ﻛﺎﺗﺴﯿﻨﺎ اﻟﻤﺠﺎورة ﻟﻨﺎ ، ﻟﺬﻟﻚ ﻻ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ اﻟﺴﻨﺎﺗﻮر أورﺟﻲ أوزور ﻛﺎﻟﻮ ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ ﻟﻢ ﺗﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮارد ﯾﻤﻜﻨﻨﺎ أنإﻋﺎدة ﻧﻜﻮن ﻓﺘﺢ وأوﺿﺢ إدرﯾﺲ:اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻓﺈن اﻹﯾﺮادات اﻟﻤﺘﺮاﻛﻤﺔ ﺳﺘﺘﺠﺎوز "اﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎل ﻓﻲ ظﻞ ھﺬه اﻟﻈﺮوف وأﺷﺎر إﻟﻰ أن اﻟﺘﻤﺮﯾﻦ ﻛﺎن ﺧﻄﻮة ﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﻠﺴﺔ (آﺑﯿﺊ ﻧﻮث APC) اﻟﻄﺒﯿﻌﯿﺔ ﺑﺴﺒﺐ ﻏﯿﺎب اﻟﻤﺴﺘﺜﻤﺮﯾﻦ ﻋﺎﺋﺪات اﻟﻨﻔﻂ واﻟﻐﺎز. "ﻓﻲ اﻟﻮاﻗﻊ ، اﻟﻤﺆﺳﻔﺔ" ، ﻟﻜﻨﮫاﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ ﻗﺎل٤ ، ﺑﻤﺎ أن ﺣﺪود اﻟﻌﻤﺎﻣﺔ ﺑﺮﯾﺔ ﻋﻤﻠﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ اﻟﺤﺎﻛﻢ أﻣﯿﻨﻮ ﺗﺎﻣﺒﻮال ً اﻟﻌﺎﻣﺔ. ﻣﺘﺤﺪﺛﺎ ﻋﻦ اﻻﻗﺘﺮاح ، ﻗﺎل واﻧﺘﺸﺎر اﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ ﻓﻲ ، (SOI) ، ﻛﺸﻔﺖ إﺷﺎرة واﺣﺪة دوﻟﯿﺔ ﻛﺎن ﺳﺘﺴﺘﻤﺮ ھﻨﺎك ﻓﻲ اﺑﺘﮭﺎج اﻟﺘﺎرﯾﺦ ﻓﻲ ﺳﯿﻢاﻟﻤﺤﺪد ،، ﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺮب ﻟﻠﻨﺎس اﻟﺼﻼة ﻣﻦ أﺟﻞ اﻟﺤﺎﻛﻢ أﯾﻨﻤﺎ ﻟﻠﻮﻓﺎء ﺑﻮﻋﻮد ﺣﻤﻠﺘﮫ ﺑﺈﻋﺎدة اﻟﺘﺄھﯿﻞ ﻛﺎﻟﻮ إن ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ ﻟﺪﯾﮭﺎ ﻣﺘﻮﺳﻂ ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﻤﻌﺎدن اﻟﺼﻠﺒﺔ. وھﻲ ﺷﺮﻛﺔ ﻣﻘﺮھﺎ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة ، ﻣﻦ ﺑﺎداﺟﺮي ، وﻻﯾﺔ ﻻﻏﻮس ، ﯾﻮم اﻟﻜﺎﻣﻞ وﺑﻨﺎء أﻧﻈﻤﺔ اﻟﺼﺮف اﻟﺤﺪﯾﺜﺔ ٢١٫٣٧ ًطﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ رواﺳﺐ اﻟﺬھﺐ. ﻛﺎﻧﻮا.اﻷرﺑﻌﺎء ﺣﯿﺚ أﻣﺮت اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ ُ"ﺗﻈﮭﺮ اﻟﺒﯿﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻮاردة ﻣﻦ وزارة ﻓﻲ ﺗﻘﺮﯾﺮ ﻋﺎم ٢٠١٦ أن ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ ﻗﺪ اﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ ﺑﺈﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ أرﺑﻌﺔ ﺣﺪود ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﻨﺎطﻖ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻏﻤﺮﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻔﯿﻀﺎﻧﺎت وﻗﺎل إن اﻟﻤﺎدة ٤٤ (٣) ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎﻧﻮن اﻟﻤﻌﺎدن اﻟﺼﻠﺒﺔ واﻟﺘﻨﻤﯿﺔ أن ھﻨﺎك ﺧﺴﺮت أﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﻦ ٥٠ ﻣﻠﯿﺎر دوﻻر ﻣﻦ ﺑﺮﯾﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ أﻧﺤﺎء اﻟﺒﻼد. ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﺠﺘﻤﻊ. اﻟﻤﻌﺎدن واﻟﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ اﻟﻨﯿﺠﯿﺮي ﻟﻌﺎم رواﺳﺐ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺬھﺐ ﻓﻲ وﻻﯾﺎت ﺿﺮاﺋﺐ ﻋﺎﺋﺪات اﻟﺬھﺐ ﻓﻲ ﻋﺎﻣﯿﻦ أﻋﻠﻦ أﺣﻤﺪ ﻋﻦ إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ أرﺑﻌﺔ ﺣﺪود ١٩٩٩ ، ﺗﻨﺺ ﻋﻠﻰ أن ﻣﻠﻜﯿﺔ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ اﻟﻌﺎﺻﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ ، أﺑﻮﺟﺎ ، أﺑﯿﺎ ، ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ ﻟﻠﺘﻌﺪﯾﻦ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ وﺗﺼﺪﯾﺮ ﺑﺮﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﻮر ﺑﻌﺪ اﺟﺘﻤﺎع اﻟﻤﺠﻠﺲ وأﺿﺎف ﻣﺪﯾﺮ اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع أن اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﻤﻌﺎدن ﻓﻲ ﻧﯿﺠﯿﺮﯾﺎ واﻟﺘﺤﻜﻢ ﻓﯿﮭﺎ ﺑﻮﺗﺸﻲ ، ﻛﺮوس رﯾﻔﺮ ، إﯾﺪو ، اﻟﺬھﺐ ﻏﯿﺮ اﻟﻤﻌﺎﻟﺞ. اﻟﺘﻨﻔﯿﺬي اﻻﺗﺤﺎدي اﻟﺬي ﻋﻘﺪ ًﻓﻌﻠﯿﺎ ﻓﻲ ﯾﮭﺪف إﻟﻰ ﺗﻌﺰﯾﺰ ﺣﯿﺎة اﻟﻨﺎس وﺣﺚ أﺑﻮﺟﺎ ﯾﻮم اﻷرﺑﻌﺎء. اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪﯾﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ دﻋﻢ ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺎت "واﻓﻖ اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺲ ﻋﻠﻰ إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ أرﺑﻌﺔ اﻓﺘﺘﺢ ﻛﻞ اﻟﻤﺆﺗﻤﺮ اﻟﺘﻘﺪﻣﻲ ﻟﺠﻨﺔ ﺗﺼﺮﯾﻒ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل ﻓﻲ ﺗﺎراﺑﺎ ﺣﺪود ﺑﺮﯾﺔ ، وھﻲ: ﺳﯿﻢ ، واﻟﺠﻨﻮب اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ. اﻟﻐﺮﺑﻲ ، وإﻟﯿﻼ ، واﻟﺸﻤﺎل اﻟﻐﺮﺑﻲ ، رداً ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪﯾﻦ ، أﻋﺮب اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر اﻓﺘﺘﺢ ﻓﺮع ﺗﺎراﺑﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺆﺗﻤﺮ اﻟﺘﻘﺪﻣﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻗﺮار ﻣﻦ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ اﻟﺘﻨﻔﯿﺬﯾﺔ اﻟﻮطﻨﯿﺔ ﯾﺤﺘﻀﻦ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ اﻷﺷﺨﺎص ﺑﻐﺾ اﻟﻨﻈﺮ وﺣﺪود ﻣﺎﯾﻐﺎﺗﺎري ﻓﻲ اﻟﺸﻤﺎل اﻟﻐﺮﺑﻲ (ﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺰب اﻟﺘﻘﺪﻣﻲ) ﯾﻮم اﻷرﺑﻌﺎء (NEC) ﻓﻲ أﺑﻮﺟﺎ ، وأوﺿﺢ أن ذﻟﻚ ﻋﻦ اﻧﺘﻤﺎءاﺗﮭﻢ اﻟﺴﯿﺎﺳﯿﺔ." واﻟﺸﻤﺎل واﻟﻮﺳﻂ وﻣﻔﻮم ﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﻨﻮب ﺣﺴﯿﻨﻲ ﻣﺎﺑﯿﺮا وﻣﺎﺟﺎﺟﯿﻦ ﻣﺎﺑﯿﺮا ، واﻟﺠﻨﻮب." ﻟﺠﻨﺔ ﺗﺼﺮﯾﻒ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل ﺑﺎﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ ﻹدارة اﺳﺘﻠﺰم ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻞ ﻟﺠﺎن ﺗﺼﺮﯾﻒ أﻋﻤﺎل دﻋﻨﻲ أؤﻛﺪ ﻟﻜﻢ أﻧﻨﺎ ﺳﻨﻀﻊ اﻟﻤﺼﺎﻟﺢ اﻟﺤﺎج ﻋﻤﺮ ﺑﯿﻠﻮ ، ﻋﻦ ﺗﻘﺪﯾﺮھﻤﺎ ﺷﺆون اﻟﺤﺰب ﻓﻲ اﻧﺘﻈﺎر اﻧﺘﺨﺎب ﻟﺘﺴﯿﯿﺮ ﺷﺆون اﻟﺤﺰب ﻓﻲ اﻧﺘﻈﺎر اﻟﺸﺨﺼﯿﺔ ًﺟﺎﻧﺒﺎ وﻧﻌﻤﻞ ًﻣﻌﺎ ﻟﻠﺘﺄﻛﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎﻟﺖ اﻟﻮزﯾﺮة ﻟﻤﺮاﺳﻠﻲ ﻣﺠﻠﺲ اﻟﺪوﻟﺔ ﻓﻲ أﺑﻮﺟﺎ ﯾﻮم اﻷرﺑﻌﺎء:ﺳﯿﺘﻢ ﻓﺘﺢ ﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ إﻧﺠﺎز اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع اﻟﻤﺪﯾﺮﯾﻦ اﻟﺘﻨﻔﯿﺬﯾﯿﻦ اﻟﺠﺪد. اﻧﺘﺨﺎب ﻣﺪﯾﺮﯾﻦ ﺗﻨﻔﯿﺬﯾﯿﻦ ﺟﺪد ". ذﻟﻚ ﯾﺴﺘﻤﺮ اﻟﺤﺰب ﻓﻲ اﻟﻨﻤﻮ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ وﻗﺎل اﻟﺤﺎج إﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ اﻟﺴﺪي رﺋﯿﺲ أﻗﻮى ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ أﻧﺤﺎء اﻟﺒﻼد وﺧﺎﺻﺔ اﻟﺤﺪود اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺘﺒﻘﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﻮر ، ، اﻟﺬي ﻛﺎن ﻣﺼﺪر ﻗﻠﻖ ﻋﺎم ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﻘﺪ ﺣﺎن اﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﻟﻜﻲ ﻧﻌﻤﻞ ًﻣﻌﺎ ﻷﻧﻨﺎ ﺑﯿﻨﻤﺎ ﯾﺘﻢ ﺗﻮﺟﯿﮫ إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﺤﺪود ﻟﺠﻨﺔ ﺗﺼﺮﯾﻒ اﻷﻋﻤﺎل ﺑﺎﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ ، ﻓﻲ ﺗﺎراﺑﺎ. ﻣﺪى ﻓﺘﺮة طﻮﯾﻠﺔ. ﺗﺰداد ﻗﻮة. وﻟﮭﺬا اﻟﺴﺒﺐ ﺣﺘﻰ اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ اﻟﻤﺘﺒﻘﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ أو ﻗﺒﻞ ٣١ دﯾﺴﻤﺒﺮ اﻟﺤﺎج إﺑﺮاھﯿﻢ اﻟﺴﺪي ، إن اﻟﺤﻔﻞ اﻟﺬي "ﻟﺪﯾﻨﺎ ﻣﮭﻤﺔ ﺿﺨﻤﺔ ﺗﻨﺘﻈﺮﻧﺎ. وﻣﻊ ''. أﻗﯿﻢ ﺑﺄﻣﺎﻧﺔ اﻟﺤﺰب ﺑﻤﺪﯾﻨﺔ ﺟﺎﻟﯿﻨﺠﻮ ، اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻓﻈﯿﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻷﺣﺰاب اﻟﺴﯿﺎﺳﯿﺔ ذﻟﻚ ، ﻣﻊ وﺣﺪة اﻟﮭﺪف واﻟﺘﺼﻤﯿﻢ ، أﻓﺎدت اﻟﺠﺰﯾﺮة أن ﻣﺪﻓﻮﻋﺎت ّوﺟﮭﺖ إﻟﻰ أﻧﮫ أﺛﻨﺎء إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﺤﺪود ﺣﺚ أﻋﻀﺎء اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﺤﻤﻞ اﻷﺧﺮى ﯾﺘﺨﻠﻮن ﻋﻦ ﺣﺰﺑﮭﻢ s ﺳﻨﺤﻘﻖ أھﺪاﻓﻨﺎ." أﺣﺜﻜﻢ ًﺟﻤﯿﻌﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺘﻌﻮﯾﺾ ﺳﺘﺴﺘﻤﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻮازي ﻣﻊ ﻟﻼﻧﻀﻤﺎم إﻟﻰ ﻛﻞ اﻟﺤﺰب اﻟﺘﻘﺪﻣﻲ. ، ﻻ ﯾﺰال اﻟﺤﻈﺮ اﻟﻤﻔﺮوض ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﯿﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﺠﺪﯾﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل اﻟﻌﻤﻞ رؤﯾﺔ ﺑﻌﻀﻜﻢ اﻟﺒﻌﺾ ﺷﺮﻛﺎء ﻓﻲ اﻟﺘﻘﺪم اﺳﺘﯿﺮاد اﻷرز واﻟﺪواﺟﻦ وﻏﯿﺮھﺎ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻘﺎط اﻟﺒﯿﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﺒﯿﻮﻣﺘﺮﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﻤﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪﯾﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻤﻮ اﻟﺤﺰب ووﺣﺪﺗﮫ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ. "إﻧﮫ أﻣﺮ ﻣﺜﯿﺮ ﻟﻺﻋﺠﺎب أن اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺲ ، واﻟﻌﻤﻞ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﺗﻌﺎوﻧﻲ وﻣﺜﺎﺑﺮ ﻟﺘﺤﻘﯿﻖ اﻟﻤﻨﺘﺠﺎت ًﻗﺎﺋﻤﺎ وﺳﯿﺘﻢ ﺗﻨﻔﯿﺬه ﻣﻦ ﻗﺒﻞ اﻟﻤﺘﻀﺮرﯾﻦ. ﺗﻢ ﺣﻞ ھﯿﻜﻞ اﻟﺤﺰب ﺑﺎﻟﻜﺎﻣﻞ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺒﻼد ﺗﻤﺎﺷﯿﺎً ﻣﻊ ﻗﺴﻤﮫ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﻨﺼﺐ ، اﻷھﺪاف اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻢ ﺗﺪﺷﯿﻨﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ أﺟﻠﮭﺎ ﻓﺮﯾﻖ ﺣﺮس اﻟﺤﺪود. ﻓﺮح ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻨﻤﯿﺔ وأﺛﻨﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺲ ﻣﺤﻤﺪو ﺑﻮھﺎري ﻹﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﺤﺪود اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ. ، ﻗﺎل إن إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﺤﺪود اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ ﻗﺪ ﻓﺎت ﻣﻮﻋﺪھﺎ ، ﻗﺎﺋﻼً إن ھﺬه اﻟﺒﺎدرة ﺳﺘﻌﺰز اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة ﻋﺒﺮ اﻟﺤﺪود ﻓﻲ ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻹﯾﻜﻮاس اﻟﻔﺮﻋﯿﺔ. ﻋﻠﻰ ﺟﺎﻧﺒﻲ اﻟﺤﺪود ، ﻗﺎل أوﻧﯿﻤﯿﻜﻲ ﻣﻦ إﻣﯿﻜﻼﻧﺪ ، أوﺑﺎ أﺑﺮاھﺎم أوﺟﺎﺑﻲ ، إن إﻋﺎدة ﻓﺘﺢ اﻟﺤﺪود اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ ﻛﺎن ًﺗﻄﻮرا ًﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ ﺑﮫ. الجزير نيجيريا

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A cross-section of participants, during the inauguration of 2021 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund to mark the forthcoming 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt on Thursday, December 17. PHOTO: AnTHOny AlAbi/JMH/nAn Insurgency: Don’t Be Distracted by ICC investigation, COAS Tells Troops The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, He also charged the troops to rights but also sustaining human “The Nigerian army wishes currently on self-isolation as part Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has urged work hard and be guided by the rights nationally and globally. to advise local or international of precaution against the COVID-19 troops not to be distracted by constitution of Nigeria, the Rules of “Our professional conduct organizations not to allow infection. the move by the International Engagement, the Code of Conduct over the years and most recently, themselves to be used to destabilize Musa said that the COAS would Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate and the Standing Operating during the #ENDSARS protest at or destroy the troops’ morale by the soon join the troops in the north war crimes against Nigerian forces Procedures for all Nigerian Army Lekki village near Lagos are clear sponsors of mischief in Nigeria,” he eastern part of the country at the in the north eastern part of the Operations. testimonies to the Nigerian army’s said. end of the mandatory isolation country. According to him, the Nigerian posture on promoting sustainable Army spokesperson, Musa, period to continue giving them the Buratai made the call in a army is not only protecting human human rights policy. disclosed that Buratai was desired leadership and support. statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sagir Musa, in Abuja. He said that the call followed the Friday statement from ICC Buhari Lauds Guards Brigade For Professionalism prosecutor, alleging that there was President Muhammadu Buhari has during the #ENDSARS protest in and their families to socialise with esprit-de-corps with other security reasonable basis to believe that Abuja. friends to mark the end of a training agencies who are also invited to the “members of the Nigerian Security lauded the officers and soldiers of Forces, NSF” had committed the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade “I also commend the brigade for year. ceremony. acts constituting crimes against for their professionalism in the executing impactful projects such as Usman said the origin of WASA “It provides personnel and their humanity and war crimes. discharge of their constitutional the parade pavilion in the barracks; could be traced to as far back as families a veritable avenue to share According to him, the ICC roles. it is a sign of regimentation,” the the Second World War, when the and enjoy the existing cultural statement is immediately Buhari, represented by his Chief president said. Nigerian Army fought as part of the diversity in the barracks,” he said. followed by a release by the local of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, gave Buhari also commended other larger West African Frontier Force. Usman said that WASA had also branch of Amnesty International, the commendation at the Guards security agencies for the synergy He said that during the period, become an avenue for units and AI, in Nigeria, demanding full Brigade’s 2020 West African Social extended to the guards brigade to indigenous communities and West formations of the army to showcase investigation of atrocities by Activities, WASA, in Abuja. ensure that the FCT remains safe African armies came together to their achievements during the years, Nigerian forces. He said the brigade was able to The President, while commending celebrate their cultural heritage adding that Guards Brigade achieved Buratai said there was no carry out its duties with high level the brigade for the 2020 WASA, with their kinsmen marked with most of its training objectives for the doubt that such a statement of discipline, professionalism and said the event brought back so sacrificial offering and cultural 2020. and instigation could distract commitment during the year by many nostalgic feelings in him, as dances at the end of every year. He said that the Guards Brigade the Nigerian troops with its ensuring that the FCT remained safe. it reminded him of his days in the According to him, this age-long had embarked on projects with demoralising effects. He said it “Guard brigade has done very military. tradition introduced by the colonial tremendous impact in the lives of could have negative consequences well within the year in ensuring “I am happy that Nigerian army authorities is still being held in most officers and soldiers, one of which on troops morale, interest in that the Federal Capital Territory has upheld this tradition, bringing of British former colonies in the was inaugurated. military service by Nigerians and remains peaceful, in addition to officers and soldiers to socialise West African Sub-region, including The activity featured cultural severe setback to all Nigeria’s their enormous responsibility of with their civilian friends and Nigeria. dances by different ethnic groups, internal security operations. safeguarding Mr President, the first well-wishers in a very relaxed “This unique ceremony also tug of war between battalions and The COAS also enjoined troops to environment,” he said. serves as an additional avenue for lighting of camp fire as well as raffle ignore what he described as “wicked family and the conduct of ceremonial and unnecessary distractions”, duties. The Commander, Guards Brigade, formations and units in the Nigerian draws. directing them to fully concentrate “Let me seize this opportunity Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Usman, said Army to reward soldiers, foster Some soldiers who distinguished on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ to commend the officers and that WASA was an age long military oneness amongst troops and host themselves in service during the ISWAP terrorists groups which is soldiers of the Guards Brigade for tradition aimed at creating a relaxed communities. year were presented with awards of in sight. the professional conduct exhibited atmosphere for officers, soldiers “WASA is further used to promote excellence. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 17 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Bangaren mahalarta, yayin bikin kaddamar da Asusun Roko da Alamar Rarrabar Makamai ta 2021 don bikin ranar Tunawa da Sojojin 2021 da za a yi a Fatakwal a ranar Alhamis, 17 ga Disamba. PHOTO: AnTHOny AlAbi/JMH/nAn Tarzoma: Kada Binciken ICC Ya Dagula Tunaninku – Buaratai Ga Sojoji Babban hafsan sojan qasa, su dace ba”, yana mai umurtar Nijeriya ba wai kawai a Nijeriya rundunar sojojin Nijeriya a kan rundunar, Musa, ya bayyana Laftanar Janar Tukur Buratai, ya su da su maida hankali sosai kan suke kare hakkin dan adam bane inganta manufofin hakkindan cewa a halin yanzu Buratai na kan buqaci sojoji da kada su shagala fatattakar kungiyoyin ta’addancin kawai, su ke kuma ci gaba da kare adam mai dorewa. kadaici a matsayin wani bangare da matakin da Kotun hukunta Boko Haram / ISWAP wanda ake hakkin dan adam a duk duniya da “Sojojin na Nijeriya suna so su na rigakafin kamuwa da cutar manyan laifuka ta duniya, ICC, ta gani. kuma duniya baki daya. ba da shawara ga kungiyoyi na Korona. xauka na bincikar laifukan yaqin Ya kuma umarci sojojin da su yi “Ingancin aikinmu ta hanyar cikin gida ko na kasashen waje Musa ya ce nan ba da dadewa da aka yi wa sojojin Nijeriya a aiki tukuru kuma tsarin mulkin nuna kwarewa a cikin shekaru da kar su yarda a yi amfani da su ba COAS zai shiga cikin sojojin yankin Arewa maso Gabashin Nijeriya, Dokokin Hadin gwiwa, da kuma kwanan nan, a lokacin wajen lalata ko lalata tarbiyyar a yankin Arewa maso Gabashin qasar. Buratai ya yi wannan ka’idojin aiki da ka’idojin aiki na zanga-zangar #ENDSARS a sojojin ta hanyar masu daukar kasar nan a karshen wa’adin kiran ne a cikin wata sanarwa da dukkan ayyukan Sojojin Nijeriya kauyen Lekki kusa da Legas nauyin barna a Najeriya,” in da aka ba su na ci gaba da ba su muqaddashin Daraktan hulxa da su jagorance su. A cewarsa, sojojin shaidu ne bayyanannu ga ji shi. Mai magana da yawun shugabanci da goyon baya. jama’a na rundunar, Birgediya- Janar Sagir Musa, ya fitar a Abuja. Ya ce kiran ya biyo bayan wani bayani na ranar Jumma’a Buhari Ya Yaba Wa Hafsoshin Brigade Guards Domin Nuna Kwarewa daga mai gabatar da qara na Shugaban kasa Muhammadu #ENDSARS a Abuja. “Na kuma da annashuwa ga hafsoshi, sojoji suka karbi bakuncin. “An ci gaba ICC, yana zargin cewa akwai Buhari ya yabawa hafsoshi da yaba wa brigade don aiwatar da da danginsu don yin cudanya da da amfani da WASA don inganta kyakkyawan dalilin da za a sojoji na Brigade Guards Brigade ayyuka masu tasiri kamar su abokai don nuna karshen shekarar kungiyar leken asiri tare da sauran yi imani da cewa “mambobin kan kwarewar su wajen sauke farfajiyar fareti a barikin sojoji; horo. Usman ya ce asalin WASA ana hukumomin tsaro wadanda su ma jami’an tsaron Nijeriya, NSF” sun nauyin da kundin tsarin mulki ya wata alama ce ta sake yin rajista,” iya gano shi tun daga yakin duniya aka gayyace su bikin. “Yana samar aikata ayyukan da suka haxa da basu. Buhari, wanda Shugaban in ji shugaban. na biyu, lokacin da Sojojin Najeriya wa ma’aikata da danginsu wata laifukan cin zarafin bil’adama da Ma’aikatansa, Farfesa Ibrahim Buhari ya kuma yaba wa sauran suka yi yaki a zaman wani bangare hanyar da za ta raba su kuma su laifukan yaqi. A cewarsa, nan take Gambari ya wakilta, ya ba da yabo hukumomin tsaro dangane da na manyan Sojojin Yammacin ji dadin bambancin al’adun da ke bayanin na ICC ya biyo baya tare a Guards Brigade’s 2020 West hadin kan da aka ba rundunar ta Afirka. akwai a barikin,” in ji shi. da sakin reshen gida na Amnesty African Social Activities, WASA, masu tsaro don tabbatar da cewa Ya ce a lokacin, al’ummomin Usman ya ce, WASA ta kuma International, AI, a Nijeriya, suna a Abuja. Ya ce, rundunar ta samu babban birnin tarayya ya ci gaba da asali da sojojin Afirka ta Yamma zama hanya ga rukunin sojoji da neman a gudanar da cikakken damar gudanar da ayyukanta tare zama lafiya sun taru don yin bikin al’adun kuma kafa rundunar don nuna bincike kan ta’asar da sojojin da cikakken horo, kwarewa da Shugaban, yayin da yake yabawa gargajiyar tare da danginsu da aka nasarorin da suka samu a tsawon Nijeriya suka yi. jajircewa a cikin shekarar ta hanyar brigade na WASA na shekarar 2020, yiwa alama ta hadaya da raye-rayen shekarun, ya kara da cewa Guards Buratai ya ce ko shakka babu tabbatar da cewa FCT ta kasance ya ce taron ya dawo da yawan son al’adu a karshen kowace shekara. A Brigade ta cimma mafi yawan irin wannan magana da zuga za su cikin aminci. zuciya a tare da shi, kamar yadda ya cewarsa, wannan tsohuwar al’adar burinta na horaswa a shekarar iya xauke hankalin sojojin Nijeriya “Guard brigade din ta yi rawar tunatar da shi kwanakinsa a aikin da hukumomin mulkin mallaka 2020. Ya ce Brigade Guards sun fara da illolin lalacewar su. Ya ce hakan gani a cikin shekara guda don soja. “Na yi farin ciki cewa sojojin suka bullo da ita har yanzu ana ayyukan da gagarumin aiki. tasiri a na iya haifar da mummunan tabbatar da cewa Babban Birnin Najeriya sun bi wannan al’adar, rike da ita a mafi yawan tsoffin rayuwar hafsoshi da sojoji, dayan sakamako a kan halaye na soji, Tarayya ya ci gaba da zama cikin sun kawo hafsoshi da sojoji don yankunan da Burtaniya ta yi wa an kaddamar da shi. sha’awar aikin soja da ‘yan lumana, kari ga babban nauyin yin cudanya da abokansu na farar mulkin mallaka a yankin Yammacin Ayyukan sun hada da raye-raye Nijeriya ke yi da kuma koma baya da ke kansu na kare Shugaban hula da masu yi musu fatan alheri Afirka, ciki har da Najeriya. na al’adu daga kabilu daban-daban, mai girma ga duk ayyukan tsaron qasa, dangi na farko da gudanar a cikin yanayi mai annashuwa,” in “Wannan bikin na musamman yakin basasa tsakanin bataliyoyi cikin gida na Nijeriya. da ayyukan bukukuwa. “Bari in yi ji shi. kuma ya kasance wata hanya da kunna wutan sansani gami da Tawagar ta COAS ta kuma amfani da wannan damar in yaba Kwamandan, Brigade Guards, ce ta samar da rukunoni a cikin zane-zane. An bai wa wasu sojoji umarci sojoji da su yi watsi da wa hafsoshi da sojoji na Guards Birgediya Janar Mohammed rundunar Sojan Najeriya don da suka banbanta kansu da aikinsu abin da ya bayyana a matsayin Brigade kan halayen gwaninta Usman, ya ce WASA tsohuwar karrama sojoji, karfafa hadin kai a a wannan shekarar kyaututtuka na “mugunta da abubuwan da ba da aka nuna yayin zanga-zangar al’ada ce ta soja da nufin samar tsakanin sojoji da al’ummomin da kwarai. الجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng news in hausa e-mail: [email protected] Gwamnatin Sokoto Bukukuwa A Ta Biya Diyyar Naira Seme Yayin Da Miliyan 500 Ga Al’ummomin Dake Gwamnatin Fuskantar Zaizayar Nijeriya Ta Gwamnatin Jihar Sokoto ta ware Sake Bude Kan kimanin Naira miliyan 500 domin biyan diyya ga mazauna yankin da Iyakoki Huxu matsalar zaizayar kasa ta shafa a garin Mabera, wani yankin Sokoto. An yi farin ciki a Seme, kusa da AljazirahNigeria ta ba da rahoton Badagry, Jihar Legas, a ranar cewa ana aiwatar da aikin ne a Laraba yayin da Gwamnatin qarqashin shirin ba da tallafi na Tarayya ta ba da umarnin sake Bankin Duniya wanda zai gudana bude kan iyakokin kasa guda hudu a Najeriya wanda ya gudana a a fadin kasar. karkashin kasa (NEWMAP), tare Ministar Kudi, Kasafin Kudi da da hadin gwiwar gwamnatin jihar. Tsare-tsaren Kasa, Zainab Ahmed, Da yake gabatar da cek ga ta sanar da sake bude kan iyakokin wadanda suka ci gajiyar a ranar kasa hudu nan take bayan taron Laraba, Kodinetan shirin na Majalisar Zartarwa na Tarayya da NEWMAP na jihar, Mista Ibrahim aka gudanar kusan a Abuja ranar Abdullahi, ya ce kimanin gine-gine Laraba. 50 ne aka gano kuma aka tabbatar da biyan su, yayin da za a fara rusau Shugaba Muhammadu Buhari (L) da Gwamna Aminu Bello Masari na Katsina yayin ziyarar Gwamnan don yi wa AljazirahNigeria ta ruwaito nan ba da dadewa ba yayin da ‘yan Shugaban kasar bayani game da harin da aka kai kwanan nan a Makarantar Sakandaren Kimiyya ta Gwamnati, Kankara cewa Gwamnatin Tarayya ta ba kwangilar da ke gudanar da aikin, a gidan Shugaban kasa da ke Daura, Jihar Katsina a ranar Litinin, 14 ga Disamba. HOTO: CallisTus EwElikE/NaN da umarnin a rufe kan iyakokin aka tura Coberg-Udoc Limited Najeriya a ranar 21 ga watan zuwa shafin. Agusta, 2019 don hana fasa- Ya lura cewa atisayen wani kwaurin kayayyaki da makamai. mataki ne mai kyau da Gwamna Rashin Cin Abinci Mai Gina Jiki Yana “Shugaban kasa ya amince Aminu Tambuwal ya dauka domin da sake bude kan iyakokin kasa cika alkawuran da ya yi lokacin Kashe Masu Cutar Koda-Qungiya guda hudu, wadanda suka hada yakin neman zabe na wadatar da da - Seme, Kudu maso Yamma, gyara da kuma gina magudanan Dokta Chimezie Okwuonu, ra’ayin jama’a don shawarwarin wannan adabin zuwa dukkan Ilela, Arewa maso Yamma, iyakar ruwa na zamani a wuraren da wanda ya kafa kungiyar abinci mai gina jiki, wanda jihohin Kudu maso Gabas saboda Maigatari a Arewa maso Yamma ambaliyar ta shafa. ‘Beatitudes Kidney & Eye yawanci yakan haifar da matsaloli muna son a sanar da wadanda da Arewa ta Tsakiya da Mfum a Foundation’, wata kungiya mai masu tsanani. suka kamu da cutar ko da da Kudu maso Kudu. APC Ta zaman kanta, ya ce rashin abinci Ya ce an shirya taron ne don masu kula da su. “Wadannan kan iyakokin kasa mai gina jiki na ci gaba da zama magance ra’ayoyi da yawa da ke “Mun fahimci cewa babban hudu za a bude nan da nan, yayin Kaddamar Da sanadin mutuwar masu fama da tattare da cin abinci ga mai cutar kalubalen da masu da cutar koda da sauran kebabbun iyakokin an cutar koda a Najeriya. Okwuonu, koda. Okwuonu ya ce wannan ke fama da shi shi ne kudi. umurce su da a sake budewa ko Kwamitin Riko wanda shi ma masanin jiyya ne, taron karawa juna sani da nufin “Saboda haka, muna bayar da kafin 31 ga Disamba,’ ’Ministar ya fadi haka ne a ranar Laraba ilimantar da marasa lafiyar masu ayyukan wankin koda ga marasa ta fada wa ‘yan Jaridar Fadar A Taraba yayin taron karawa juna sani da cutar koda kan bukatar neman lafiyarmu har zuwa karshen Jam’iyyar All Progressives Shugaban Kasa a Abuja ranar gidauniyar ta shirya a Aba. shawara game da abincin su daga wannan shekarar.” Tun da farko, Laraba. Congress (APC) reshen jihar Ya ce fiye da kashi daya bisa wajen likitan abinci, wanda ya Misis Eunice Enyiocha, wata Taraba a ranar Laraba ta kaddamar Ta ce Buhari ya kuma bayar da da kwamitin riko na jihar don uku na masu fama da cutar koda kware kan kula da masu fama da ma’aikaciyar jinya, ta bayyana umarnin cewa yayin da ake bude gudanar da harkokin jam’iyyar har a Najeriya na mutuwa ne saboda cutar koda. cutar koda a matsayin ci gaba kan iyakokin, har yanzu dokar zuwa lokacin da za a zabi sabbin rashin ingantaccen bayani game Ya ce: “Idan muka ci gaba, da aka dade ana yi wa kododin hana shigo da shinkafa, kaji shugabannin gudanarwa. da cin abinci da kuma kula da muna so mu fitar da littafi a kan wanda zai iya haifar da kananan da sauran kayayyaki ta ci gaba Mai bai wa APC shawara a kan cutar koda. Okwuonu ya ce ya kula da abinci game da masu da manyan cuta a jiki. Enyiocha kuma kungiyar masu sintiri a kan harkokin shari’a, Mista Isa Buba, gano cewa yawancin marasa cutar cututtukan koda, wanda ya ce ganowa da wuri da kuma iyakokin za ta aiwatar da su. wanda ya yi bikin a sakatariyar lafiyar masu cutar koda sun za a bai wa marassa lafiyarmu kula da shi yadda ya kamata sune A halin yanzu, yawancin jam’iyyar, da ke Jalingo, ya bukaci dogara ne da intanet ko kuma kyauta. “Muna da burin yada mabudin magance cutar. masu ruwa da tsaki da mazauna mambobin kwamitin da su dauki yankin iyakar Seme sun nuna nauyinsu da muhimmanci ta farin cikinsu da wannan ci gaban hanyar aiki don ci gaban da hadin kuma sun yaba wa Shugaba kan jam’iyyar a jihar. Korona: Gwamna Matawalle Ya Rusa Muhammadu Buhari kan sake Shi ma da yake gabatar da nasa bude kan iyakokin kasa. Da take jawabin, Alhaji Ibrahim El-Sudi, Kwamitin Shirya Nadin Sarauta mayar da martani, qungiyar ba Shugaban Kwamitin Riko na rikon da lasisi ta Kwastam (ANCLA), kwarya a jihar ya ce an rusa dukkan Gwamna Bello Matawalle na Zamfara ta sanar da rusa shugaba mai kulawa, maigidana Reshen kan iyakar Seme, ta yaba tsarin jam’iyyar a kasar nan bayan Zamfara ya rusa kwamitin da kwamitin shirya taron, wanda ya roke su da kada su zo, don wa Gwamnatin Tarayya kan sake wani kuduri da Kwamitin Zartarwa ya kafa a baya don shirya bikin tsohon Ministan Kudi, Alhaji hana su yiwuwar kamuwa da bude kan iyakokin kasa. na Kasa (NEC) ya gabatar a Abuja. nadin nasa a matsayin ‘Shatima’ Bashir Yuguda ya jagoranta. kwayar Korona sakamakon Ya bayyana cewa wannan ya Alhaji Bisiriyu Fanu, Shugaban sanya dole a kafa kwamitocin rikon na Sakkwato. AljazirahNigeria Da yake bayar da dalilan cincirindon mutane. reshen ANCLA Seme, ya ce sake kwarya don tafiyar da al’amuran ta ruwaito cewa Sultan Sa’ad rusa kwamitin a wata hira da “Haka zalika, gwamnan da bude kan iyakokin ya yi latti, yana jam’iyyar har zuwa lokacin da Abubakar lll, a Oktoba, ya AljazirahNigeria bin Gusau kuma mutanen jihar baki daya mai cewa karimcin zai habaka za a zabi sabbin shugabannin bayar da sarautar Shattima ga a ranar Laraba, Yusuf Idris, suna cikin alhinin satar da cinikin iyakokin kasashen yankin gudanarwa. Matawallen Sakkwato bayan Darakta-Janar, na yada labarai, aka yi wa daliban makarantar ECOWAS. “Lokaci yayi da zamu yi aiki tare kokarinsa na samar da zaman ga gwamnan, ya ce shawarar sakandare sama da 300 a Fanu ya ce da yawa daga cikin domin muna kara karfi. lafiya, ta hanyar tattaunawa, wani bangare ne na kokarin rage Kankara da ke makwabtaka da masu jigilar dakon kaya sun Wannan shi ne dalilin da ya zuwa yankin Arewa maso yawan jama’ar da ke wurin bikin, jiharmu ta Katsina, don haka rasa abin da za su ci na rayuwa sa hatta gwamnoni daga wasu Yammacin kasar. saboda zango na biyu na cutar ba za mu iya yin murna a cikin sakamakon rufewa saboda jam’iyyun siyasa suke barin Shirye-shirye sun kasance na Korona. wannan mummunan yanayin kayayyakinsu sun makale a jam’iyyunsu zuwa APC. bikin nadin rawanin sarauta “Kun san gwamnan yana da ba,” in ji Idris. Ya ce, tunda ko a bangarorin biyu na kan iyaka. “Abin birgewa ne cewa shugaban wanda aka shirya gudanarwa masoya da yawa, na nesa da na yanzu ma za a yin nadin rawanin Onimeke na Imekeland, Oba kasa, daidai da rantsuwarsa ta ofis, a ranar Asabar, 19 ga Disamba, kusa kuma da yawa daga cikinsu a ranar da aka bayyana, kuma Abraham Ogabi, ya kuma ce sake ya rungumi dukkan mutane ba tare a fadar Sarkin Musulmi da ke sun nuna cewa za su yi farin ciki mutane na iya yi wa gwamnan bude kan iyakokin wani ci gaba ne da la’akari da siyasarsu ba. Sakkwato, lokacin da gwamnatin da taron, amma a matsayina na addu’a daga duk inda suke. maraba. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 19 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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The agreement strengthens scientific relations in the field of infection prevention, including scientific support in applying indoor hygiene solutions Saudi Arabia, Finland Sign Deal To Zambian Foreign Promote ‘Indoor Hygiene Solutions’ Minister RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Finland recent years. in transferring knowledge in Since the signing of an MoU have stepped up joint efforts in Indoor hygiene is a new solution for public health safety and infection between the Saudi and Finnish Hails Saudi infection prevention by signing a preventing and controlling infections. prevention. health ministries in 2017, the memorandum of understanding Al-Dawaa Medical Services Al-Dawaa Business Development IHMEC project has become a key Ties (MoU). Company and the University of Turku Director Fahad Al-Farrah said: part of a growing knowledge- RIYADH: Saudi Minister The signing ceremony took place and Satakunta University of Applied “During 2020, we realized the transfer partnership between the of State for African Affairs at the Finnish Embassy in Riyadh on Sciences in Finland signed the new importance of innovative solutions two nations. Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Qa- Wednesday. MoU to promote knowledge-transfer and international collaboration This IHMEC project is based on ttan met with Zambian Min- Knowledge-exchange links are partnerships. to assist in tackling any future cooperation between researchers and ister of Foreign Affairs Jo- being built on Saudi Arabia’s vast The agreement will strengthen pandemic. Al-Dawaa Medical companies from Finland, Sweden seph Malanji. patient safety experience among mass scientific relations in the field of Services Company sees this initiative and Estonia to provide innovative They discussed bilateral gatherings and infection control. infection prevention, including as a national mission.” materials and design concepts to relations between the two Four major hospitals in the scientific support in applying indoor Saudi Arabia this year became the break the infection chain. countries, ways to enhance Kingdom have already agreed to hygiene solutions. first global partner to implement the In 2019, Finnish institutions and develop them in various adopt groundbreaking concepts on The Ambassador of Finland, Antti IHMEC concept countrywide outside presented innovative indoor hygiene fields, and the latest region- IHMEC (indoor hygiene solutions to Rytovuori, also honored four Saudi of Finland when Al-Dawaa Medical concepts at the Jeddah Patient Safety al and international issues of the Middle East construction market) scientists on behalf of the Finnish Services began introducing IHMEC Summit at the invitation of the common interest. as a result of a growing partnership in universities for their contribution concepts in the Kingdom. Ministry of Health. Separately, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) sent 100 tons of dates as a Over 60% Saudis, Expats ‘Interested In Vaccine’ gift to Zambia from Saudi JEDDAH: More than 60 percent interview with Al Arabiya. 60 and 70 percent of people got tired “Resisting vaccinations is a historical Arabia. of Saudis and expats have shown “We rely on community of the pandemic and wish to receive thing. For example, we remember The aid was delivered to an interest in taking the Pfizer- awareness, which has played a major the vaccine and, consequently, they the smallpox vaccine and how it Malanji, on behalf of the BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, a role in dealing with the virus since are interested in a safe and efficient faced resistance in the beginning center, by the Saudi Ambas- government health official said on its first stages. Saudis and expats vaccine, which is the ideal solution.” and the various rumors about it sador to Zambia Usama bin Friday. committed very well, and we hope He said the vaccine would be given containing cow genes and so on. But Muhammad Karanshi. “Surveys confirm that more than that this awareness continues with through one inoculation center in now, thankfully, the vaccine helped Malanji expressed his na- 60 percent of Saudis and expats wish them getting the vaccine on time.” Riyadh, which currently includes get rid of the disease completely. tion’s thanks to the Kingdom, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and More than 300,000 people were 550 clinics, more than 600 beds Vaccines saved humanity.” under the leadership of King consider it as the ideal solution to registered to be vaccinated as of and employs more than 100 health The ministry plans to establish Salman and Crown Prince put an end to the new coronavirus Friday evening, according to the practitioners. vaccination centers in other cities Mohammed bin Salman, for pandemic crisis,” Assistant Deputy Ministry of Health. It was normal for there to be some and governorates, so that tens of its continuous support to the Minister for Preventative Medicine “The signs are promising, as public resistance to a vaccine, said Health thousands of vaccinations can be east African country. Dr. Abdullah Asiri said in an poll opinions indicated that between Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. administered daily. الجزير نيجيريا

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From left: Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA, Dr Akin Fagbemi; Head of Accounts, Dangote Cement/ Ibese Transport, Mr Hassan Luqman; Senior Transport Managers, Mr Steven Asoegwu; and Mr Johnson Fagbemi during the donation of a brand new ambulance to OYRTMA by Dangote Cement in Ibadan on Wednesday December 16. PHOTO: TimOTHy AdeOgOdirAn/BJO/nAn. Declining Revenue Raises FG’s Deficit To N1.3trn In Q3’20 By Charles eBi FGN Independent Revenue sources, which at N56.21 billion, was 75.9 The Federal Government (FG) per cent and 72.9 per cent below the recorded a 42 percent shortfall benchmark of N233.21 billion and in revenue collected in the third N207.34 billion in the corresponding quarter 2020 (Q3’20) which resulted period of 2019, respectively. in deficit spending of N1.29 trillion “Also, projected receipts of during the quarter. N508.14 billion from ‘Other’ sources, The deficit spending recorded including revenues from Special in the period represents a slight Account and Special Levies, were not increase when compared with the realised in the review period, owing N1.25 trillion recorded in Q2’20. to the lingering effect of COVID-19

economy The Central Bank of Nigeria on economic activity “Given the need (CBN) disclosed this in its economic to rationalise its spending amidst report for Q3 ‘20, saying that the FG subsisting fiscal constraints, the recorded N842.09 billion revenue in provisional aggregate expenditure Q3’20 which is 42.3 percent less than of the FGN at N2.131 trillion, in the budget benchmark of N1.458 Emefiele third quarter of 2020, was lowered by trillion. The apex bank blamed the 21.1 per cent, relative to the revised poor revenue performance on the and 47.0 per cent increase above the and reducing infrastructural deficits. budget benchmark. lingering effect of COVID-19 on revised budget benchmark and the The prolonged revenue challenge The estimated aggregate economic activity, which caused a 75 level in the corresponding period of of the FGN lingered in the review expenditure was marginally below

& percent shortfall in collection from 2019, respectively. period, as the estimated retained the levels in the preceding quarter FG’s independent revenue sources. “The deterioration in the overall revenue of the Federal Government and the corresponding period of CBN stated: “Given declining revenue fiscal deficit, relative to the budget at N842.09 billion fell short of the

2019, by 0.6 per cent and 2.6 per and relatively high expenditure benchmark followed increased budget benchmark of N1.458 trillion cent, respectively. profile, the fiscal operations of the government spending aimed at by 42.3 per cent. The reduction in aggregate FGN in the review period resulted curtailing the negative effect of the The shortfalls in the retained expenditure in the period was driven, in a provisional deficit of N1.289 COVID-19 pandemic and restarting revenue of the Federal Government largely, by a 45.3 per cent drop in trillion. growth, through social intervention were attributed, largely, to the poor capital expenditure, relative to the “This represented 3.6 per cent programmes and stimulus packages, performance in collections from the budget benchmark. Nigeria’s Bank Earnings Threatened As Competition For Recession-Hit Customers By yahaya Umar ensure that your margins are healthy.” The expiry of relief measures might interest lenders need to pay on Customers are repricing loans cause credit losses to jump, which savings accounts. It’s not just the pandemic that’s after the central bank reduced its may limit loans growth to 10% next “Profitability will fall due to falling putting Nigerian bank earnings at benchmark rate to the lowest since year compared with 20% in 2019, revenue, a result of low loan growth risk: Competition for customers in January 2016 and injected 3.5 they said. and lower interest on government the recession-hit economy is driving trillion naira ($9 billion) of stimulus Fitch estimates the economy will securities, and rising loan losses,” interest rates on loans lower. to support growth. Africa’s largest shrink 3% this year and expand 1.3% Moody’s Investors Service said in a Mid-tier lender FCMB Group economy has been hard hit by in 2021. report. “Foreign-currency liquidity Plc is forecasting that first-quarter lockdowns to contain the coronavirus There’s been some reprieve as will remain strained due to foreign earnings will fall more than 20% as outbreak and lower oil prices. plunging bond yields make it cheaper currency shortages.” rates decline, pushing the Lagos- Nigerian banks are for lenders to raise funding, although Until now, banks have relied on based bank to accelerate lending to underperforming the world’s second- it cuts the returns they make from trading income and gains from the compensate for the profit squeeze. best performing index. parking their money in government devaluation of the naira to boost Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Nigeria’s Nigerian lenders are contending debt. earnings, Nkemdilim Nwadialor, a biggest bank by market value, with dollar shortages that dried up Nigeria Yields Close to Zero, With banking analyst at Tellimer’s unit in reported flat interest income for the foreign investment inflows, a surge Investors Out of Options Lagos, said by phone. first nine months of 2020 compared in provisions for doubtful debts and United Capital Plc raised 15 billion “Looking into next year, we don’t with a year earlier. unpredictable regulations that very naira in 270-day bonds at 1.26% last expect such a significant move in “Customers have come forward to often come at their expense. month. That compares with bank the currency,” she said. “If there is renegotiate rates and competitors Impaired loans could increase to loans that vary from 11% for large no support from the trading line, are dropping rates,” FCMB Chief between 10% and 12% of total credit customers to more than 28% for and we see top-line interest income Financial Officer Kayode Adewuyi by the end of next year, levels last smaller businesses. continuing to be pushed down on two said by phone from Lagos, Nigeria’s seen in 2018, Fitch Ratings analysts The cost of funding dropped fronts — interest on fixed-income commercial hub. “One way to counter including Mahin Dissanayake said in further when the central bank in securities and loans being depressed that is to ramp up loan growth and business a Dec. 8 report. September slashed the minimum — earnings will drop. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 21 ةالجزير نيجيريا

ة business & economy Marketers Marketers Advocate Stricter Reviewed MSMEs Policy Advocate Stricter Monitoring Of Monitoring Of Petroleum Products Awaiting FEC Approval – Dikko Petroleum Products By MariaM Sanni, AbujA MSMEs are being enhanced,” Distribution he said. Distribution By Cyril Ogar By Cyril Ogar The Small and Medium The Director-General Enterprises Development further expressed regret that Oil marketers have called Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) 23 Industrial Development Oil marketers have called for stricter monitoring of says the reviewed Micro, Small Centres (IDCs) in the country for stricter monitoring of supply and distribution and Medium Enterprises had been abandoned, in spite supply and distribution of of petroleum products (MSMEs) policy is awaiting of their capacity to develop petroleum products following following the reopening approval by the Federal MSMEs, by working together, the reopening of four land Executive Council. exchanging ideas and having borders across the country. of four land borders across The marketers told the the country. Dr Dikko Radda, the various regulatory desks for Director-General of SMEDAN, business support. News men in Lagos that The marketers told the disclosed this in Abuja in a monitoring of petroleum News men in Lagos that He said SMEDAN was forum with the Commerce trying to convert the IDCs products from off take to monitoring of petroleum and Industry Correspondents distribution would help curb products from off take to into enterprise clusters, to aid Association of Nigeria the development of MSMEs, smuggling activities. distribution would help (CICAN). adding that the African The Federal Government curb smuggling activities. Radda noted that the Development Bank (AfDB) had on Wednesday The Federal Government MSMEs policy was first in 2017 provided funding announced the reopening of had on Wednesday developed in 2006, with to SMEDAN to undertake a four land borders, namely: announced the reopening the support of the United viability study of the IDCs. Seme, South – West, Illela, of four land borders, Nations Development Radda “It was done, a report was North West, Maigatari border namely: Seme, South – Programme (UNDP) and other on turnover, as well as the reason for introducing the submitted, a full business case in the North – West and West, Illela, North West, development partners, and number of people employed. export facilitation project is report was submitted to us on Mfum in the South-South. Maigatari border in the was subsequently reviewed in On the challenges facing to enable our MSMEs to have six IDCs to transform them The country’s borders North – West and Mfum 2010 and 2015. MSMEs, he said one of the the capacity to control the into enterprise clusters. were closed on Aug. 21, 2019 in the South-South. “We are reviewing it challenges the MSMEs were quality of their products, to “Other IDCs business by the government to curb The country’s borders again and have concluded facing in the country was meet competition of similar cases were also developed smuggling of goods and were closed on Aug. 21, everything about the policy. how to package, brand and products from other African and they were able to look at weapons. 2019 by the government We have done the validation export their products to other countries. products which will be useful Mr Wilson Opuwei, the to curb smuggling of goods and have received input from countries. “We have quality products in that area and develop in that Chief Executive Officer, stakeholders in the MSMEs He said under its Export in Nigeria but most of the direction,” he said. Dateline Energy Services and weapons. Limited, said the reopening Mr Wilson Opuwei, the ecosystem. Facilitation Programme, problems MSMEs face is lack Radda noted that it had “It was presented to the the agency had boosted the of proper branding and quality started a pilot project in of the borders was a welcome Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Industry, Trade development. Dateline Energy Services capacity of MSMEs on how control of their products as Idu, Abuja, after a study had and Investment and for the to face regulations and brand well as regulatory issues. recommended that it should Opuwei said: “it is a step in Limited, said the reopening Federal Executive Council’s the right direction but there of the borders was a challenges, including products “Nigerian MSMEs have be turned into a Furniture and approval. packaging and quality control, regulatory issues that are Wood cluster, within which a is the need to do some sort welcome development. “It is still awaiting approval warehouse, work space would of close monitoring of what Opuwei said: “it is a to be competitive. challenging in terms of to bring into effect the new Radda said at this period National Agency for Food, be provided for MSMEs for goes around in those places. step in the right direction MSMEs policy in the country,” when President Muhammadu Drug Administration furniture productions of “There should be a close but there is the need to he said. Buhari had signed the African and Control (NAFDAC) international standards. monitoring of movement of do some sort of close The SMEDAN boss said Continental Free Trade Area registration, Standards He expressed the hope goods and even humans. monitoring of what goes the major highlights of agreement, Nigeria and other Organization of Nigeria (SON) that the cluster development “Also, the government around in those places. the reviewed policy were African countries were being certification and products would be completed in 2021, needs to monitor the “There should be a close the nomenclature and the challenged to be competitive. registration. to further stimulate economic supply and distribution of monitoring of movement classification of MSMEs based According to him, the main “Through the project, the activities in the MSME’s. Petroleum products from of goods and even humans. end to end.” “Also, the government According to him, this needs to monitor the will encourage products supply and distribution of Commendations Trail Reopening of Nigeria’s Land Borders accountability and help curb Petroleum products from diversion and smuggling. end to end.” By MariaM Sanni, AbujA soared, reaching an all-time do their job professionally According to him, the “So the reopening of high of 18.3 per cent. and strengthen relations with main motivation for closing the borders is a good thing According to him, this Commendations continued to because it will encourage will encourage products “Inflation in the country our neighbours in a mutually the border was to give an trail the Federal Government’s of the more than 200 million beneficial way. opportunity for the country trade between Nigeria and accountability and help directive for the immediate people also rose to a three-year The Chief Executive to revive some moribund neighbouring countries curb diversion and reopening of four land borders high of 14.9 per cent, according Officer of BIC Consultancy, manufacturing capacity, but the government needs smuggling. that were shut about 15 to the National Bureau of Dr Boniface Chizea, said it particularly the rice mills. to be proactive in ensuring “So the reopening of the months ago. Statistics (NBS),’’ Bally said. was a good decision by the He said that there was also that proper monitoring borders is a good thing Those opened are the Seme Prof. Ndubisi Nwokoma, government to immediately the problem of neighboring mechanisms are put in because it will encourage in the South-west, Mfun in Director, Centre for Economic reopen the land borders. nations, allowing their place,’’ he said. trade between Nigeria and the South-south, Ilela and Policy Analysis and Research, “As a country, we did not countries to be used for Also, Mr Tunji Oyebanji, neighbouring countries Maigatari borders in the University of Lagos, said have much choice but to transshipment of imported Chairman, Major Oil but the government needs North-west. reopening the land borders was throw open the border now goods, particularly rice from Marketers Association of to be proactive in ensuring The government also commendable. if we recall that the African Thailand. Nigeria (MOMAN), said the that proper monitoring promised to reopen others “It is a good development; Continental Free Trade Dr Isaac Nwaogwugwu, a reopening of the borders may mechanisms are put in before Dec. 31. I never supported the closure Agreement commences early Public Sector Economist at likely facilitate smuggling place,’’ he said. Speaking with the Newsmen of the border in the first place. in the New Year. the Department of Economics, activities unless surveillance Also, Mr Tunji Oyebanji, on the development in “Whatever the reasons were “In spite of our legendary University of Lagos said, was intensified by security Chairman, Major Oil Lagos, Chief Executive in closing the borders, they problem of punching below however, that he was not in agencies. Marketers Association Officer of ARVO Finance, could have been addressed our weight, Nigeria no doubt support of the border closure. Oyebanji said smuggling of Nigeria (MOMAN), Ayotunde Bally, described the by strengthening internal remains a significant and “The closure of Nigerian of petroleum products was government’s decision as a structures in the security dominant country in Africa. borders was, in the first place, driven by the price disparity said the reopening of the welcome development. borders may likely facilitate agencies and the Customs “And recalling the pioneering wrong. So reopening of the between Nigeria and her “I commend the President among others,’’ Nwokoma said. role Nigeria played to establish same was long overdue. neighbouring countries. smuggling activities unless for re-opening the borders. He said: “until we fix that, surveillance was intensified He urged the government the idea of Africa’s economic “It a welcome development “Since the closure of the to strengthen the Customs trade zone, we must be seen to as the nation has gained little the attraction for smuggling by security agencies. borders, food prices have and the security agencies to be leading by example,’’ he said. or nothing from the closure. will always be there. الجزير نيجيريا

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From left: Former Managing Director, The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mr Akin Osuntokun; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; and Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, during the visit of the former President to the Governor in Ibadan on Thursday December 17. PHOTO: TimOTHy AdeOgOdirAn/JmH/nAn. Ekiti PDP Crisis Tears Party In South West By Mustapha suleiMan Hosea Agboola, for the running of the party’s affairs in the state The unabated crisis rocking Ekiti earlier in the year. The Agbola-led State chapter of the Peoples committee was in charge of the policy Democratic Party PDP) has become party for 90 days. At the expiration so deep that it would take a lot of of his assignment, the former reconciliation to end. senate Chief whip was optimistic The crack in the state’s that peace will return to the PDP PDP began when two parallel in Ekiti, saying all the groups have congresses were conducted shown interest in embracing peace. on March 7, 2020, by the two But it turned out that warring political gladiators in the Agboola and his team probably state in persons of ex-Governor underestimated the enormity of Ayodele Fayose and his arch rival, the crisis. Last August, the crisis Sen. Biodun Olujimi , the senator rocking the PDP in Ekiti state representing Ekiti South. escalated following the conduct

& The two politicians had also gone of parallel state congresses for ahead to inaugurate the opposing the state working committee of executives across the 177 wards. Olujimi Fayose the party. From the controversial Fayose and Olujimi have since congresses, a former commissioner begun high wire politics to outwit due to unpopular imposition of his Senator Olujimi in the party for Environment, Honourable each other in terms of which deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola as the on the strength that she was in Bisi Kolawole emerged chairman executive to be recognised by the gubernatorial candidate. consequential and not strategic to from the Fayose’s camp, while National Working Committee. At that time, Fayose used his PDP winning in Ekiti. It took the the Olujimi group elected a Each of them was undaunted in influence to erect pillars that made timely intervention of the National former member of the House asserting their political supremacy the PDP uncomfortable for other Chairman, Chief Secondus to of Representatives, Honourable and control of party structures at contestants like Senator Adedayo resolve the matter and kept Kehinde Odebunmi as the state all levels. Adeyeye and his supporters . Olujimi in the fold. chairman of the opposition party With the party polarised along They eventually left the party to For a party that was at the helms in the state. Fayose and Olujimi’s factions, constitute a clog in the wheel of of the affairs of the state barely two Fayose’s group held its congress, pundits are beginning to infer that the party’s progress. years ago, the current state of the which was monitored by the the crisis if not quickly fixed, might Fayose at a time even party is nothing to be impressed national secretariat of the party cost it the 2022 governorship poll, threatened not to accommodate about. and attended by former governor because it needs cohesion and The duo continuously lay claim Segun Oni, at the Petim guest strength to be able to confront to the leadership of the party house in Ado Ekiti, Olujimi’s the All Progressives Congress that in the state, citing their current faction of the PDP were at the produced the incumbent governor political positions. While Olujimi Lotus guest house, also in the Kayode Fayemi. claims that as the most senior PDP state capital, to conduct their The party was thrown into crisis political office holder in the state, own congress. While the Uche following its 2018 election defeat Its woes were she is the party’s leader, Fayose Secondus-led NWC has given by the All Progressives Congress compounded in insists that as the immediate past recognition to the Kolawole- (APC). Its woes were compounded governor, he leads the PDP. led state working committee, in 2019 when it failed to perform 2019 when it failed Speaking on the matter, Hon. the open support being enjoyed up to expectations in the national Opeyemi Falegan, one of the by the Odebunmi-led factional and state assemblies’ elections to perform up to founding party members of the committee from the Governor of held across the state, contrary to expectations in PDP in Ekiti state, called for Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, who is expectations. reconciliation among members of the PDP leader in the southwest Following the crushing defeats the national and the two factions. geo political zone, has further of 2018 and 2019, the party state assemblies’ All efforts to mend the cracks strengthened the crisis. became factionalised as political “ within its walls have not yielded Rather than abate, the crisis disagreements between former elections held result as the PDP in Ekiti remains had turned into a zonal problem Governor Ayo Fayose and Biodun across the state, polarised. It was the unending with Fayose and Makinde battling Olujimi, the senator representing crisis that made the National for the control of the party in the Ekiti South, escalated. contrary to Working Committee (NWC) southwest. Fayose was accused by the PDP constitute a 7-man caretaker expectations. continue on page 23

politics politics faction of causing the party defeat committee headed by Senator الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 23 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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chairman and Southwest chairman of the “unnecessary skirmishes in the zone. Crisis Tears PDP South West party. On the other side, a school of thought ... But the five PDP senators and 12 of the are of the view that Fayose is being used continue on page 22 chairmen in Lagos, Ondo, Ogun and Osun 14 House of Representatives members in by APC national leader Bola Ahmed chapters accused Makinde of sidelining the the Southwest reiterated their support for Tinubu to destabilised the PDP structure And as it is, the cracks is widening, following party structures in the zone. The chairmen, Makinde. The senators are Ayo Akinyelure, not only in Ekiti but in the entire south- the open support of Lagos, Osun, Ogun, in a joint letter to the National Chairman, Uche Kola Balogun, Biodun Olujinmi, Francis west ahead of 2024 general election. Ondo and Ekiti PDP state chairmen for Secondus, accused Makinde of unilaterally Fadahunsi and Nicholas Tofowomo. The Tinubu is generally believed to be eyeing Fayose and the vote of confidence recently calling zonal meetings without a recourse to House of Representatives members are the presidency and Fayose, who has passed in Makinde by the Southwest the zonal executive committees of the party. Oluwole Oke, Kolade Akinjo, Oghene never hidden his likeness for Tinubu, is National Assembly caucus of the party. While Signatories included Deji Doherty (Lagos), Egoh, Soyinka Olatunji, Tajudeen Obasa, chosen by BAT as his right hand man to the pro-Fayose camp accuses Makinde of Clement Faboyede (Ondo), Dr. Sikirulai Adedeji Stanley Olajide Bamidele Salam, do the hatchet job. supporting Olujimi’s faction in Ekiti state, Ogundele (Ogun) and Elder Sunday Akanfe Ajilesoro Taofeek, Omolafe Adedayo, Fayose is also seen by many PDP the governor’s supporters claim Fayose is the (Osun). They also alleged that Makinde Ajibola Muraina, Yemi Taiwo and Abass members to be very ambitious and problem of the party in the zone. was rooting for Chief Olabode George and Agboworin. The National Assembly perhaps might be nursing the ambition of In a show of support for Fayose, the PDP Sen. Hosea Agboola to become the national caucus said it took the decision to avert becoming the PDP national chair. ...Faction Suspends Former Governor Kwankwaso From Party By Mustapha suleiMan The Wali-led PDP faction held the suspension was made by newly-elected violation of constitutional orders of the party’s congress on Thursday, December state Chairman of the party, Alhaji party.” A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party 16 with 8,717 delegates where 39 Muhammin Lamido, at a news conference The party Chairman added that (PDP) in Kano State, led by Aminu Wali, new executive members of the party held after the congress. Kwankwaso would remain suspended has suspended former governor of the were elected, while the suspension of Lamido said the party found it necessary until he appears before the party state state, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, over alleged Kwankwaso was confirmed. to suspend Kwankwaso who is the leader executive council to defend himself anti-party activities. The announcement of Kwankwaso’s of Kwankwasiyya Movement “for gross against the allegations. Party Wants Investigation Into Report Linking Governor To Banditry In North-West The All Progressives Congress (APC) on He added that the development was not as a matter of urgency investigate the report Thursday urged security agents to investigate unconnected with the alleged sponsorship of linking the said governor from the North- a report linking a governor in the North-West banditry and other violent crimes by the said West to banditry and determine its veracity. to banditry, abductions and other violent governor. Human lives are not what we should play crimes in the zone. He said: “Our security agencies have political chess games with. The APC Deputy National Publicity intelligence reports linking one of the North- “We must shun enemies of the country, Secretary, Yekini Nabena, made the call in a West governors of colluding with bandits including the Peoples Democratic Party statement in Abuja. to sponsor violent and criminal activities in (PDP) who seek political gains from issues of Buni Nabena, who did not name the governor, the zone. I won’t give details because of the insecurity.” said the rising cases of banditry in the North- sensitive and security nature of the issue. The APC chieftain also cautioned PDP West was political motivated. “However, relevant security agencies must against politicising the issue. APC Vows To Take Over Kankara Abduction, A Creation Of Government – Ezekwesili Anambra In 2021 Former Minister of Education, Oby people accountable. The President should The Anambra State chapter of the All Ezekwesili, says President Muhammadu be disgusted with what happened, not Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to Buhari created the problem that led to the commending himself. What is he clapping win the state forthcoming governorship abduction of over 300 schoolboys from for? Those children were put in harm’s election. Government Science Secondary School, way. And now he said he’s rescued them? The vow was made recently by Basil Kankara, Katsina State. Maybe the President sent the children on Ejidike, the State caretaker committee She said the President and his government an excursion to terrorists so they can release chairman of the APC, who revealed that should not be congratulated over the release children at will to him. the National Caretaker Committee headed of the schoolboys after six days in captivity. “He needs to tell us exactly what by Governor Mai Mala Buni has initiated Ezekwesili said this on Friday night happened with the Kankara kids. There measures to strengthen the party in the during an interview with a nationwide is a problem. This country should not be state. television. taken for a ride by President Buhari and his According to Ejidike who was speaking The former minister, who is one of the government. This is very unbecoming, and during the inauguration of other members Co-Conveners of the Bring Back Our Girls the whole world is laughing at us. They think of the party’s caretaker committee at the group which led the demonstrations for the we are jokers. Many countries didn’t even APC Secretariat in Awka, the state capital, rescue of over 250 schoolgirls from Chibok bother to show that anything had happened the main objective, moving forward, is to in Borno State, said the Buhari regime in our country because they felt who are reposition the party to win Anambra election must tell Nigerians exactly what happened these people and what are they doing to come 2021. in Kankara when gunmen on motorcycles Ezekwesili themselves?” He said, “As new leaders of the APC, our attacked the school and abducted hundreds The Kankara students’ abduction is duty is to ensure successful running of the of students. But while Nigerians delight in the news not the first in the history of the nation. party at grassroots in order to maintain its The abduction occurred some hours after of the released schoolboys, Ezekwesili Non-state actors had in the past abducted strength in the state. the President arrived in Daura, Katsina on said Buhari should be disgusted with what hundreds of secondary school girls from “Our office is for a period of six months December 11 for a week-long private visit. happened. Chibok, in Borno State; and Dapchi in Yobe as stipulated by the National Executive Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, She said, “For us to congratulate a State. Some of them eventually regained Committee of the party. There is more work however, announced on Thursday that government that created a problem and freedom while a number of them were to do; our main objective is to reposition the bandits released 344 schoolboys in Zamfara said it solved it? We shouldn’t be doing detained in the enclaves of their abductors party and win Anambra election come 2021,” State. that. Society should learn how to hold and sexual abusers. Ejidike added. الجزير نيجيريا

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Buhari Nigeria Stuck In Underdevelopment? o the average Nigerian, Nigeria has not repeated—the government is trying to diversify with the capacity for nation-building. to solve these problems. fundamentally changed. The economy the economy. Another constant promise of every Besides, there is no social accord which has doubled in size, mobile phones are administration has been eliminating electricity establishes consensus on the Nigerian national Breaking the wheel common, yet Nigeria remains poor, blackouts in the nation, yet Nigeria remains one identity and the meaning of Nigerian citizenship. It would be easy to write Nigeria off at this point. poorly governed, and underdeveloped. of the worst-performing countries with regards to It could be argued that the nation’s seemingly But evidence from abroad shows that there should TAnd as far as many Nigerians are concerned, this electricity supply. Other economic problems are fundamental problems are fuelled by the absence be a way. Most recently, the ascent of the five state of affairs has been the same for a long time; just as old: double-digit inflation, unsustainable of a common heritage, which would otherwise aid dominant Southeast Asian nations (Indonesia, all the economic, political, and social problems public debt, and so on. consensus building and proper national identity. Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) that plagued the country at its existence remain Nigeria’s stasis is best seen in comparison Both are necessary for the solutions required to holds hope that if Nigeria does what is required, unresolved. with its pre-independence contemporaries. In solve Nigeria’s deep-rooted structural problems. the future may yet be salvaged. Nigeria has many problems, but only a few 1960, GDP in Nigeria and South Korea was $4.1 However, Nigeria is neither the only nation And doing what is required means going to the fundamental ones: a dysfunctional socio-political billion and $3.9 billion respectively. Today, South with an unusual creation nor the only country root of the problems. structure, profoundly entrenched corruption, and Korea’s GDP of $1.5 trillion is over four times that bequeathed a chequered history. Several nations, For example, we need to address the current an unproductive economy. of Nigeria. including India and Singapore, have been able to ineffective governance structure. A nation A stroll through recent decades would reveal The same stagnation can be observed in overcome similar problems and transition into organised around the sharing of oil proceeds, that none of these problems are new. Widespread education. Singapore in the early 1960s had functioning societies. with a bloated and inefficient central government, poverty, weak institutions, endemic corruption, educational statistics similar to that of many So, while Nigeria has a fundamental identity cannot properly serve a population as large and political instability, social conflict—these are all African countries, including Nigeria. Today, the problem, this problem has been exacerbated by heterogeneous as Nigeria’s. phrases that could characterise Nigeria at any point nation’s literacy rate stands at 97%. Nigeria, on bad leadership and corruption. However, restructuring must go beyond carving within the last fifty years. the other hand, has only been able to improve the out new states (or regions) or creating new Perhaps no one knew how to capture the literacy rate to 60%. The problem with Nigeria revenue-sharing formulas. It would be necessary Nigerian experience as well as the late Fela Throughout Nigeria’s history, it appears that the The easiest lens to view Nigeria’s stagnation is to redefine the nature of governance in Nigeria and Kuti, and his evocative words in “Shuffering nation has been running on a hamster-wheel of through its leadership. renegotiate the implicit social contract that binds and Shmiling”—“My people dey shuffering and underdevelopment. Why is that the case? Over the last six decades, Nigeria has had all Nigerians. Only once that is done can we create shmiling, everyday na the same thing. Suffer, thirteen Heads of Governments and hundreds of active institutions that genuinely serve the needs suffer…”—perfectly articulate this. Never a country State Governors, yet only a few can be regarded of the people. Indeed, it is an indictment on Nigeria that many An argument could be made that Nigeria’s as being mildly successful. One constant since Meanwhile, ignorance is the antidote to of Fela’s laments still ring true today. In Nigeria, perpetual dysfunction stems from its fundamental Independence Day has been the absence of good development. Nigeria cannot change unless it problems are not solved; instead, they persist or structure. Nigeria was never designed to function leaders. educates its people. evolve and manifest in other guises. For instance, as a nation, but as a business enterprisewhich Rather than chart a path towards national Education and citizen enlightenment have fuel subsidies were introduced as a stop-gap metamorphosed into a rentier agglomeration of development, pervasive distribution struggles also been proven to be effective tools necessary measure to cushion rising international oil prices extractive institutions posing as a nation. amongst the nation’s elites often result in political for the transition of nations from third to first in 1977. Since then, fuel subsidies have been the Thus, many of the problems Nigeria faces today, instability and the erosion of good governance. world. As proven by South Korea and Singapore, source of multiple corruption scandals and still particularly those in the political and social sphere, Tied to this is the problem of corruption. Often education is the key to lasting economic growth consumed over N700 billion in 2018. stem from the absence of a cohesive national cited as the chief culprit of Nigeria’s woes, there and development. Nigeria has historically been a This is Nigeria. A nation seemingly stuck in structure, and the absence of proper institutions is no controversy over its influence on Nigeria’s nation with educated elites; however, the majority perpetual underdevelopment. state of affairs. of the citizens remain uneducated and poorly As far back as 1947, thirteen years before the educated. The more things change, the more they nation’s independence, a Colonial Government Thus, there is a need for the prioritisation of remain the same report identified corruption as a moral failure in sustained investment in education. Not only will It is apparent that the persistence of Nigeria’s Nigerian public service. Nearly twenty years later, education enable Nigerian citizens to become problems is not due to a shortage of awareness, corruption, among other factors, provided the more productive and engender economic growth, campaign promises, or resources. Tied to this is the problem pretext for a group of young middle-rank army but it would also increase citizen awareness and For example, many Nigerian leaders have officers to execute the nation’s first coup d’état. precipitate greater demand for good governance. publicly resolved to diversify the economy away of corruption. Often The military did not fare better with corruption. The elimination of corruption is also paramount. from its reliance on oil. As far back as 1986, cited as the chief culprit An estimated $400 billion had been looted from the It is estimated that corruption in Nigeria could cost General Ibrahim Babaginda declared his intent treasury by the time Nigeria returned to democracy up to 37% of GDP by 2030 if left unchecked. to diversify the economy. In fact, one of the core of Nigeria’s woes, there in 1999. In the twenty years since corruption has Unfortunately, if past antecedents are anything objectives of the derided Structural Adjustment remained the toga Nigeria continues to cling to. to go by, Nigeria is unlikely to make these changes. Programme (SAP) was to “restructure and diversify is no controversy over A nuanced perspective would acknowledge that The status quo will probably remain; after all, it is the productive base of the economy,” with a view to its influence on Nigeria’s corruption may be as much a symptom as it is a not by accident that a country remains stuck in a reducing dependence on the oil sector and imports. cause of Nigeria’s problems. Regardless, what is state of underdevelopment. Thirty years later and that refrain is still state of“ affairs. clear is that corruption uniquely inhibits our ability . ..Culled from The Guardian Archives الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 25 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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SoMtoChukwu DIoGu 21– Dec. 27, 2020 27, Dec. 21– DECEMBER Gem Of The NBA good number of Nigerian players appeared in a game for the team. his muscle, girth and 7’4” wingspan. N200 are plying their trades in the NBA. He signed with the Detroit Pistons on September On October 1, 2012, Diogu signed with the ة Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu 27, 2010, becoming a member of their preseason Phoenix Suns. He was then waived on October 24, popularly known as the gem, is one roster. On October 20, 2010, Diogu was waived by 2012. of those Nigerian basketball players, the Pistons. The Los Angeles Clippers signed Diogu In the fall of 2012, Diogu signed with the Aborn September 11, 1983, is a Nigerian-American as a free agent on December 22, 2010. On February Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese 8, 2011, Diogu scored a season-high 18 points Basketball Association. After the season in China, he professional basketball player for the Shimane Susanoo Magic of the B. League. against the Orlando Magic. joined the Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico. Diogu attended Arizona State University, where Diogu joined the San Antonio Spurs on January 3, On September 27, 2013, Diogu signed with he excelled on the team under head coach Rob Evans. 2012. One week later, the Spurs waived him. During the New York Knicks. However, he was waived on ة الجزير October 25. He garnered several honors, both in the Pac-10 the 2012 CBA Playoffs, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers On December 12, 2013, he was acquired by the Conference and nationally. He won Pac-10 Freshman signed Diogu for the rest of the 2012 CBA Playoffs. Diogu was a replacement for Gani Lawal during this Bakersfield Jam. of the Year, and then Pac-10 Player of the Year in On February 3, 2014, Diogu was named to the his final season with ASU as a Junior. Many in the time. He later signed with Capitanes de Arecibo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Prospects All-Star roster for the 2014 NBA D-League public speculated that Diogu would enter the draft All-Star Game. On April 25, 2014, he was named the after playing for his third season with Arizona State. Diogu’s parents, natives of Nigeria, moved to the U.S. in 1980 to pursue further education. They later 2014 NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year. On June 21, 2005, he made the decision to enter the الجزير moved from Buffalo, New York, where he was born, On April 29, 2014, Diogu re-joined the Leones de NBA draft. Ponce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. This year Diogu was selected 9th overall in the first round to Garland, Texas. Ike attended Austin Academy, then enrolled at Garland High School. Diogu is a Diogu helped the Lions to win the championship of the 2005 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. over the Capitanes of Arecibo. On December 23, 2005, he recorded a professional member of the Igbo ethnic group. Diogu stands at 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall which On July 5, 2014, Diogu signed with the Dongguan .career-best 27 points on 13-15 shooting, surpassing Leopards of China for the 2014–15 CBA season نيجيريا his previous best by 12 points. is considered slightly undersized for an NBA power forward, but he makes up for his lack of height with In October 2015, Diogu signed with Guangdong On January 17, 2007, Diogu, whom Larry Bird

Vol. 2 No. 162 2 No. Vol. ...first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com Southern Tigers for the 2015–16 CBA season. called the “gem” of the deal, was traded to the Indiana In November 2016, Diogu signed with the Jiangsu Pacers along with teammates Mike Dunleavy, Monkey King for the purpose of replacing DeJuan نيجيريا Jr., Troy Murphy, and Keith McLeod for Stephen Blair. Jackson, Al Harrington, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, and In January 2018, Diogu signed with the Sichuan Josh Powell. Blue Whales for the purpose of replacing Jamaal On June 26, 2008, Diogu was traded by Indiana Diogu has played with the Franklin. to the Portland Trail Blazers along with the draft In August 2019, joined to Shimane Susanoo Magic rights to Jerryd Bayless in exchange for Jarrett Jack, senior men’s Nigeria national of Japanese B.League. Josh McRoberts and the draft rights to Brandon Diogu has played with the senior men’s Nigeria Rush to the Indiana Pacers. Diogu was traded to the basketball team. He has national basketball team. He has competed at Sacramento Kings for the Chicago Bulls’ Michael competed at two Summer two Summer Olympiads: the 2012 and 2016. He Ruffin on February 18, 2009. Diogu signed with the was named MVP of the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket New Orleans Hornets on July 29, 2009, but never Olympiads: tournament after averaging 22 points, 8.7 rebounds. NIGERIA

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A Blend Of Traditional And Western Styles nkara” is a pretty famous African print with rich pop pair with a monochrome shade. of colors and glorious patterns which has become very One effortless way to rock Ankara prints with sneakers is to popular in most traditional African countries. Sneakers wear it with bottoms, which could be a pair of shorts, skirts or (also called trainers, athletic shoes, tennis shoes, gym trousers made with Ankara and pair with white, black or any shoes,A kicks, sport shoes, flats, running shoes, or runners) are color of top, then finish up the look by wearing sneakers. This shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical particular look is an on-the-go casual attire. exercise, but are now widely used for everyday casual wear. Another fashionable way to slay with this combo is to pair Conventionally, Ankara are used to pair with ballerina flats, your sneakers with Ankara suits. As the sneakers with suits heels, sandals or even slip-ons. However a new trend has taken trend is on the rise, one can also have a taste of it by wearing wave and a whole lot of people slay their Ankara styles with Ankara suits, jackets or kimonos with sneakers. This is a lovely plain or colorful sneakers. complete shift from the ideal formal way of dressing and it can With Ankara, one can sew statement sexy or breezy styles help to achieve a smart casual look. that can easily become a styling edge and combining with the A very fun way to slay in this Ankara-sneakers look is to rock right sneakers would turn heads while providing the necessary it with jumpsuits to show versatility which it is known for. comfort while taking the style game to the next level. Ankara jumpsuits styles are definitely not boring at all and are Ankara design depends on your fashion taste. flirty, on days you want to look smart while retaining your sexy The combination of the sneakers and the African print look, pair with sneakers. fashion is adorable and always trendy. If you love to rock gowns, Wearing sneakers with Ankara short dresses is another look you can go for the elastic shoulder, with or without ruffles. They to be tried out if one hasn’t already because of its lovely, stylish also fit perfectly with mini body con gowns, and midi dresses. and great look. The dresses can be loose-fitting, flare or tight- You can choose a color from the pattern of your African print fighting. Whichever is one’s preference, it will come out great as a complement with your sneakers or you can choose to rock a with the combo. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 27 ةالجزير نيجيريا

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Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] entertainmentStorieS By By LoiS effiong & arts Ace Artiste Management Moves To Reward Young Talents Ace Artiste Management has competition with the grand why we thought to start the launched a talent show, “Rush prize of N100,000. ‘rush challenge’. As a company, Challenge” to recognize young Speaking about the we are happy to support as talented individuals and competition, the CEO, many talented individuals that empower them financially to Solomon Idonije disclosed require our services especially achieve set career goals. that the decision to start the in the areas of management, This information was made competition is to enable young music production and even known in an official statement talents to have an opportunity promotion”. by the company recently to shine and earn alongside. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, highlighting details about the Idonije added that AAM, is an artiste management challenge. encouraging budding talents agency with interest in helping According to the is one of the ethoses of musicians build solid and announcement, the the company, and such thriving careers in the music competition will have young competitions further industry leveraging innovative talented artists create videos underscore their value. strategies, constant promotion, of them singing or rapping He said: “At Ace Artiste and the development of artists. around the title ‘Ace Music Management, we are concerned The company prioritizes Rush’ along with the Hashtag not just about established innovation, trust and #AceMusicRush. talents but also about budding excellence and its vision; to The entries will be reposted ones. We know the potentials of become a reputable stakeholder on the brand’s Instagram an average Nigerian talent and in the music industry and a page and the one with the we understand the challenges safe haven for artistes, helping most engagement wins the they are going through hence them maximize their talents. Idonije Laycon Clarifies Endorsement Deal By Skin Care Company The Big Brother Naija Season said: “I love their products. I people that really love me and out of this world”. Beautiful and Body NG was 5 winner, Lekan Agbeleshe, personally tried the men’s range wish me well.” Other celebrities under founded in May 2020 from a popularly known as Laycon was and it really worked. I see how Speaking on this, the contract with Beautiful and mother company, Beautiful unveiled by a skincare company, the brand is promoting healthy company’s spokesperson, Body NG are Mercy Eke, Body UK which has been in Beautiful and Body NG as their skincare and using natural Babatunde Oyebode explains Wathoni of BBNaija 2020, existence for years. Their brand ambassador. organic ingredients to achieve why the BBNaija star was signed Priscilla Ojo, Iyabo Ojo’s range of products includes The unveiling took place at healthier skin. I would use my as the brand ambassador. daughter, and Jemimah Snow White, Luminous, Glow, the company’s office under reach to educate people on He said: “If you really followed Erheriada a.k.a Crackhead Caramel, Ebony Glow, Coco the watch of the company’s achieving healthy skin with the the Big Brother show, it’s hard Extra. Black and more. representative, Babatunde help of Beautiful Body skincare to see Laycon’s cleverness, Oyebode. line.” intelligence and willpower. He Laycon, who has signed On clashing with his roles is the biggest person at the endorsement deals with many as brand ambassador to other moment, be it in Big Brother Children Living With Disabilities brands since winning the Big brands, he said, “I am very and off Big Brother. His first Brother Naija 2020 says his deal professional with the way I attribute that resonates with with Beautiful and Body NG is execute my duties so I don’t see our brand is his music. Laycon My Priority – Queen Favour unique in many respects and an issue with that. My music has come out of the Big Brother The Runner-up of Miss Tourism “This is just a starting point, we won’t clash with his interests plays a part in everything I do. House to be the most influential Edo State 2020, Queen Favour hope to continue and do it bigger with any other. Life has been wonderful. Right person right now. He is loved by Mikado has revealed that touching and better next year and in the Speaking with newsmen, he now, I have a large audience of almost everyone; his intellect is lives of the people with special years to come”. needs remains her number one Miss Mikado, therefore, offered priority as she donated various a word of advice for the children gift items to the Daughters of not to see their physical look or Charity Service for Children with mental ability as a limitation in Special Needs Hope Center Kubwa whatever they are doing while in Abuja. urging beauty pageants to as from Queen Favour, who was time to time reach out to people overwhelmed for being part of living with disability. the organizations that put smiles “My message to them is that on the faces of people with special they are not living with disability, needs. there is ability in disability they Commenting on the gesture, just need special needs and we are she said that it was intended to here to support them, no matter put smiles on the faces of those how little they should have it in children and integrate them into mind that whatever they want to the celebration of Christmas. achieve with determination they According to her, “It’s all about can achieve it, the sky is just a giving back to society, we want starting point. to reach out to the less-privilege, “While I call on my colleagues no matter how little, we are here out there, it’s not all about to celebrate with this wonderful being beautiful or a pageant but children’s I won’t call them disable, when you win the contest it’s an that is why we are here with these opportunity to really touch the gift items to show them support. lives of those in need”. الجزير نيجيريا

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Ndah-Isaiah: Farewell To A Man Of Ideas in ة FROM back page background, antecedent if one does not play

Sam was a proponent and exposure, you cannot the space, one will not be of a new social and afford to disappoint your relevant. One project he economic order generation”. He was was passionate about was based on knowledge, always willing to give how to get the Leadership Matters meritocracy, equity, me whatever support I newspaper to compete at and justice. During the needed. He believed that the global level. Of The presidential race, his flashes of good leaders Sam lived ahead of his command of words, here and there in our time. He was too serious Heart deep philosophical mien, country could lead to the about the Nigerian amiable personality, and formation of a critical project that, with the Dear Love Doctor national network of mass that can change the benefit of hindsight, he friends became arsenals country. should have given himself InsatIable lover at his disposal; things At the end of my term more humour. He was a Sex plays a vital role in bonding couples and extending a romantic relationship to an money cannot buy. He in NIMASA, my friends significant personality unbendable part. Nothing seems more fascinating’ than the cuddle of an intimate lover, lost the presidential broached the idea of my in the media business, in thrusting deep into his spouse’s thighs, as proof that he can hallow the never-ending primaries of his party doing a weekly column politics, in national life, road. In many ways of expressing love and affection to my spouse Linda, I have been but made a lot of friends in a newspaper, so my but was not a fulfilled graded with outstanding performances, but for my incapability to last longer in bed. in the process, people thoughts and ideas could man because Nigeria is This frustration has ruined my relationships over the years, and fear deeply that I will who got attracted to his influence people at the yet to fulfil her potentials. lose Linda if I do not secure a lasting solution to this dilemma. admirable personality national and global Legends, like Sam Having battled premature ejaculation since I first had sex at 15, I have tried everything and great ideas. levels. I wanted Daily Ndah-Isaiah, come once from medication, yoga exercises to seeing sex therapists and changing my diet, but He was a pharmacist, Trust or Leadership for in a long while and very nothing seems to work. an activist at heart, and a some symbolic reason, often leave us when we Most times, Linda walks out of our room after sex with a mood of dissatisfaction, fighter for the oppressed and again my chairman need them most to guide concealed with fake smiles and gestures. This is the killer part for me, as I always want by choice. Sam was a was ever there to support us achieve those great to please her every time. Most times I intend expressing myself to her, I freeze to a courageous entrepreneur. my dreams. He only dreams they have come to point of no return. To have migrated his cautioned that doing a birth. His works and ideas I cannot continue to leave this way, as I have developed low self-esteem and fortunes from the column could put me in will continue to inspire us. psychological depression. Please, love doctor, what should I do? more lucrative field of trouble. I thanked and He has done his part. It is pharmacy to the more assured him that the left for those of us on this love Doctor’s response risky and perilous area future of Nigeria is a part of life to continue his Premature ejaculation is of course a relative term, and is defined as when a man reaches of the media required more significant project good works and ensure we orgasm, and therefore ejaculates, too quickly for his sexual partner to also achieve tremendous courage. than my comfort. bequeath a country Sam enjoyment from the act of sex. This medical problem can be treated either medically or It testifies to a mind Sam Ndah-Isaiah had will be proud. by self-help techniques. Medical procedure includes talking therapy, prescribed medical more intent on bringing different ideas for what He will turn in his grave treatment and topical creams. about social and political he called the second half until we find an enduring Non- pharmacological self-help tips for premature ejaculation includes; Masturbating change than in a bulging of his life. He shared solution to those things an hour or two before having sex, Using a thick condom to help decrease sensation, bank balance. With with all who cared that plaguing our nation for Taking a deep breath to briefly shut down the ejaculatory reflex and having sex with three masters’ degrees he wanted a country which he was concerned your partner on top to enable the man pull away when close to ejaculating. and a PhD, he was a he could be proud of, a – worsening insecurity, Once a man is able to halt his race to ejaculation during self-pleasuring, he can try genuine intellectual. His Nigeria that works for a widening ethnic divide to achieve it during manual or oral stimulation by a partner or during intercourse – book, Full Disclosure: all her people, in which and cyclic poverty. ideally, beginning with what is, for him, the least exciting. Selected Writings on security is inevitable. However, his dream In fact, if you learn to pleasure partners to orgasm without engaging your penis – Governance, Democracy His passion for Nigeria of a better Nigeria lives before or after you have ejaculated – they will be highly satisfied and are unlikely to and Statecraft, May was both evident and on. He has passed the complain about shorter intercourse. 1999 – March 2004 was infectious. baton to his compatriots, In a broader notice, you seem to have erroneously come to simply label yourself as a celebration of great He was in a hurry to and we must not let an “early ejaculator”’ when you are a man with a wide range of attributes that must thoughts and ideas from make the Leadership him down. We must make you desirable to a partner and worthy of love. Try, therefore, to gain a broader a deep thinker and man group a behemoth of keep the war against perspective regarding all your positive qualities, and appreciate what you can contribute of knowledge. a sort in the media u n d e rd e v e l o p m e n t , to a relationship. His writings are a landscape of Nigeria. He insecurity and audacious mirror image of who shared with me his plans impunity raging until we broken vows we are. Our nation may to bring in other investors create a new Nigeria. A The common word ‘I love you’ that most spouses confess to one another, are nothing have discovered who we into the business and Nigeria that Sam hoped but fantasies until proven and confirmed. I was one of those women who believed in are through his pen. He institutionalise best to see in his lifetime. A the flattering words of my spouse every time he confessed his love to me. dared to say things the corporate governance Nigeria where prosperity, Even as a hustler in the streets of Benin, I sent 90% of my income to Peter, monthly. way they were. He spoke practices. My chairman peace and progress will The money was to help him start up the furniture business he always dreamt of, as he truth to power, no matter was foresighted and had be the anchor. A Nigeria was unable to get white-collar jobs in Delta state. the consequences. predicted that the future that will genuinely be the Few months later, Peter started his business and made it big, in less than two years. I Sam’s weekly column, is about technology, and beacon of hope for the was excited and happy to see my lover excel, hoping he will take up his responsibilities “Last Word and Earshot”, Blackman and a giant of as a man, and start planning our wedding. which he began from Africa. Suddenly, Peter changed totally and stopped showering me with loads of love and Daily Trust, before he With Sam’s death, attention. just last week, he broke up with me, threatening me never to call his phone took it to Leadership Nigeria has undoubtedly number again. newspaper, was a lost one of her greats. Struck by his infidelity, I am shocked and heart-broken to believe that Ben’s vow to celebration of intellectual The Nigerian media has love me to the end was a deceitful means to keep me going, while I financially invest sagacity, immense lost one of its shining in him. articulation, and lights. We have lost a Presently, I feel worthless and discouraged to move on with life, please what should uncommon erudition. Legends, like detribalised Nigerian, a I do? It was one of the most great intellectual, a man popular weekly columns Sam Ndah- of great ideas. At 58, love Doctor’s response in Nigeria. Every time Isaiah, come he died too soon, when Learning to deal with the excruciating feelings of being left is a greater part of being a you read it, you come once in a long there was still so much human being. Good thing about relationships is that it does not only teach us to live across something novel, for him to offer our dear with the one we love, but also how to live without the person who we once loved. something motivating while and very beleaguered country. Your boyfriend betrayed you and left you heart broken. It is sad, painful and depressing, and something I will surely miss my but it is not the end of the world. In fact, it is a new beginning! inspirational. often leave us elder brother and friend, In order to recover from the hurt and pains, make it easier on yourself by not giving When I had the when“ we need Sam Nda-Isaiah. May into the emotional urge of retaliation. Be with people who love you; your family and privilege to serve as the almighty God grant friends, and start doing things you love the most. the director general/ them most to him eternal rest and give Still adrift after experiencing pangs over lost love, the best bet is to turn it around chief executive officer guide us achieve his family the fortitude to understanding what you need to change about yourself to make love work the next of Nigeria Maritime to bear the loss of their time. Sometimes this means choosing a better-suited partner who is mentally healthy Administration and those great beloved. enough to be loving and kind to you. Safety Agency (NIMASA), Adieu, my chairman. he gave me one valuable dreams they Share troubling emotional issues with us @ advice, “Nigerians have come to –Dakuku Peterside is [email protected] or 09095628890 (sms/whatsapp only) expect you to leave a policy and leadership above board given your birth. expert. الجزير نيجيريا www.aljazirahnews.com December 21 – December 27, 2020 29 ةالجزير نيجيريا

Like our facebook page ة www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng Follow us on twitter @aljazirahnewsng vox pop e-mail: [email protected] Attacks On Northern Stakeholders’ Security Meeting: Nigerians Speak

Following the recent attack by hoodlums at the venue of Northern Stakeholders’ Security Meeting in Kaduna and; stakeholders were force to scamper for safety, AljazirahNigeria correspondent went round the city of Abuja to get views of Nigerians

MELVIS ANURIKA, NURSE a dirty slap in the sense that we are the incompetence of the ruling they not security aids of the politicians It’s something that is shameful and talking about the security of a country. government. If hoodlums as they said or prominent men and women who at the same time very bad for the It should be the one priority of a disrupted the meeting, it means the attended that meeting? This present economy because if the security reasonable government but on the government has to restrategize and government is full of lies and deception. sector in Nigeria in general is not part of the president, I don’t think the reinforce to tackle security issues in this They should attack them because they strengthened more cases like this or security of lives and property is not country. Meanwhile everyone should try are not reliable and trustworthy. What more will occur in future. in the first five priority of the federal to be watchful and be careful in his or security matters are they talking about government. If you look at the venue her environment because I don’t think when they are the ones empowering MR. ANTHONY ISONGUYO, CLERGY where the attack happened, it was not Nigeria is safe again. and sponsoring the activities of the It’s an indication that regards the in the rural area of Kaduna state but it Boko Haram boys in the country? The security situation of our country; a was in the state capital. It tells you how MR. MAXWELL VINCENT leaders should remove their hands from spade must be called a spade. porous the security state in Nigeria. Who told you they are hoodlums? Were evil and Nigeria will be better.

FAITH AMARACHI, CORPS MEMBER MR. PATRICK IKE One word for this is “unbelievable”! I If this issue of hoodlums and thugs mean, if this could happen in our own are not dealt with as soon as possible President state, then, who is safe? We different disheartening stories will need the President to sit up and be alive arise not only in the northern part of in his duties, let him do the needful. Nigeria but all over Nigeria as these thugs will see the FG as weak and will MR. SAMUEL, BUSINESSMAN do whatever they want. r e a c t i o n s Security meetings that can’t secure themselves have nothing to offer the MR. HASSAN ZAKARIYYA Follow us on twitter Like our facebook page public. This simply means that someone OH! It is a shame to talk about it. @aljazirahnewsng www.facebook.com/aljazirahnewsng e-mail: [email protected] or a powerful group in the government From the way the country in general eats from the crisis. is going if the security system is not Abducted School Boys Freed strengthened in order to enforce MR. CALEB order, unity and justice, we all both the This is funny enough anyway; I thought innocent citizens and the FG will suffer. Reached: 17,487 it is a national issue because the Engagement: 2,345 president is currently in katsina, Top MR. MOHAMMED DANJUMA military generals tested positive of It is too bad that in a gathering that Likes: 81 covid 19. was meant to discuss the way forward In response to that, my brother, Nigeria to adopt common strategies against No Ransom Paid For Rescue Of Kankara Schoolboys – Masari is a movie script that we read each day. criminals, after the abduction of the Honestly, I am totally disappointed 300 students in katsina state. The same in this government. Few days ago, fate fell on them, this talks a lot about Reached: 7,923 president Buhari visited katsina and the security system and it is a back slap on that same day, students were to all who attended that meeting, as Engagement: 442 abducted, instead of him visiting the nothing could be done to bring the Likes: 74 affected area, he was busy visiting his criminals to justice. cows. Restructuring and sacking of all Fresh Attack: Boko Haram Storm Yobe Village service chiefs is the ultimate. MR. USMAN YAKUBU When I heard the news, I began to MR. JUSTINE wonder about the future of Nigeria Reached: 7,821 There is every reason to believe that, on security matters. Police arrived Engagement: 654 both the hoodlums, bandits and Boko hours after the hoodlums had left the Haram insecurity in Nigeria are all premises and this will show you how Likes: 130 political, with backup from political poor our security system is in response vagabonds. to those who need their help. But if it Cover Page is about a case where someone steals NWACHUKWU SUNDAY a biscuit in the market the person will Reached: 6,134 The APC government has always be beaten mercilessly but in cases like Engagement: 87 been kicking against any meeting this nothing will be done. or gathering where the security Likes: 58 challenges in the country are being MR. EMECHETA SYLVANUS discussed. CHINEDUM Website Clicks For The Past 7 Days It was purely sponsored by politicians It’s very shameful for a country like because they know the government Nigeria to be experiencing this. I think has failed Nigerians. Nigeria is divided. The war is increasing every day and the presidency is doing MRS. AMED ZAINAB nothing about it. Honestly speaking, the recent attack was a hot slap on the president of MR. LUCK EMENIKE the federal republic of Nigeria. It is It’s a sad story and it is to show الجزير نيجيريا

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ةالجزير نيجيريا “My job is to help the team, and so I love ة ة ...first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com NIGERIA retrieving the ball as much as scoring or playing the final pass for a goal.” – Roberto Firmino Sports www.aljazirahnews.com NPFL Kick-off: Sport Minister, LMC, Redstrike

Confirm December 27 Date Football Transfer Gossip STORIES By JOEl AJAyI level of compliance. Though, the transfer window has come to an end in Europe He further stated that, “In line and the rest of the world, clubs are still making efforts The League Management with the core objectives of the Company (LMC), Nigeria Football to land their targets by the January transfer window LMC-Redstrike partnership, follow-up and reports all the Federation, Redstrike Media and which is to repackage and AljazirahNigeria Sports the Sports Minister have agreed on reposition the NPFL as one of rumors making round in Europe and the rest of the world the commencement of the Nigeria the best football leagues on all to keep you abreast of all that is to come. Professional Football League parameters, Redstrike Group Luka Modric: Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing Real (NPFL) 2020/2021 season on has engaged a reputable and December 27. This was confirmed Madrid and Croatia midfielder , 35, back to Tottenham for experienced production company a second spell. Modric’s Real deal runs out in the summer. to sports journalists by the League from Europe, which will deploy Management Company as directed state of the art facilities and other Philippe Coutinho: Barcelona are willing to sell Brazil by the Minister of Sports, Sunday equipment for the television playmaker 28, and want to do so by 24 January. Dare. production of matches and The league organizer said activities of the NPFL to meet Sami Khedira: Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has raised the the commencement date was world-class standards. prospect of a reunion with as he refused to rule out a move arrived at after consultations with He added that the production for the Juventus and Germany midfielder, 33. the Nigeria Football Federation company will be working with (NFF), the participating football other domestic agencies that have Pep Guardiola: Manchester City manager has played down clubs of the NPFL and Redstrike the capacity to deliver media the idea of going into the January transfer market to help Media Group UK, the NPFL contents of NPFL activities”. solve the club’s goalscoring struggles. commercial rights holders and “This will enable the NPFL, Mohamed Salah: Egypt forward , 28, says he was “very strategic commercial partners of in line with the best international disappointed” after not being given the Liverpool captaincy the LMC. benchmarks, to have full control for the recent Champions League game against Midtjylland, The Federal Government of its content to be distributed, with Trent-Alexander Arnold getting the role instead. through the Federal Minister of marketed, and monetized across Youth and Sports Development all platforms such as OTT, Inter Milan are in competition for the signature of was also briefed in this regard Mobile, Free to Air and Cable Wijnaldum with Barcelona which included steps to be taken TV to ensure the widest coverage to ensure full compliance with the that can generate appropriate Jesse Lingard: Sheffield United are interested in signing mandatory COVID-19 Protocols. revenues to the NPFL”. Manchester United and England forward , 28, on loan in LMC said that the absolute “The detailed and impressive the January transfer window. need to ensure appropriate production preparations have compliance with the clubs seen the assembling and Mesut Ozil: Arsenal Player is set to stay at Arsenal until his licensing regulations among other engagement of very many contract expires at the end of the season but the 32-year- regulatory requirements resulted Nigerians, technicians and other old German midfielder has interest from several clubs, in the delay in commencing the highly skilled football industry including Fenerbahce. league as envisaged. professionals”. However, the LMC Chairman, “These preparations include Oleksandr Zinchenko: Manchester City are prepared to Shehu Dikko said huge progress the development of the NPFL.TV listen to offers for out-of-favour Ukraine left-back , 24, in has been made especially in App, an OTT platform/channel January. the areas of the infrastructure for streaming the NPFL matches, upgrade, noting that the support which will also house all the apps Brighton will recall Poland midfielder Jakub Moder, 21, of the NFF and the Minister of of the individual NPFL clubs from his loan stint at Lech Poznan on 1 January. Youth and Sport Development and provide the best possible fan has been critical in attaining this James Rodriguez: The signing of midfielder , 29, has engagement among others”. helped Everton land a first-ever commercial deal in his native Colombia NOC Grants Operational Approval All-Stars FC Kubwa Celebrates To Teqball Federation Children With Special Needs It was one more reason to smile for Children and Ekpah expressed that, hope center for children, The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC has the Executive Committee, International Management of Daughters of Charity Service young and adults living with disabilities mean recognized and granted approval to Nigeria federation; ANOCA President representative, For Children with Special Needs Hope Center so much to the club. Teqball Federation, NIGTEQ to operate in Mr. Jonathan Dyagas among others. Kubwa as a member of All-Stars Football “That is why we bring lovers of men, the country. Meanwhile, the General-Secretary, Nigeria Club Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory, Generous Care Foundation, Queen Favour The approval was granted Thursday during Teqball Federation, NIGTEQ, Mr. Ndudi visited and donated food items, beverages, Mikado foundation, and JDPC others as well a virtual Annual General Meeting, AGM, of Edede has expressed profound gratitude to and toiletries worth thousands of naira to the known that its Christmas period we need to the NOC. the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC for care home. celebrate with them. In a nine-point communiqué issued at the the recognition and approval granted to the The visit, in collaborations with Generous end of the meeting, the NOC also granted new federation to operate under its purview. Care Foundation, Queen Favour Mikado approval to two other federations, Bobsled Reacting to the development in an foundation, and JDPC who’s as well donated and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria and interview with AljazirahNigeria Sports, the the gifts for the children. Nigeria Curling Federation. General-Secretary, NIGTEQ commended the The Gesture was the first Corporate Social The AGM which was chaired by the Technical Committee of the NOC for doing Responsibility outing of All-Stars FC Kubwa, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, diligent work in granting the approval. and it may just have ushered in the Christmas Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, also had in Mr. Ndudi who said that the Federation season quite early for the children with special attendance the Hon Minister of Youth and worked hard to achieve the recognition added needs. Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Permanent that the approval will stimulate the Executive In his address, the Chairman of Abuja All- Secretary, of the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, Board into action. Stars Football Clubs of Kubwa Mr. Godwin الجزير نيجيريا

الجزير نيجيريا N200 ...first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com Vol. 2 No. 162 December 21 – December 27, 2020 This space ة is for sale Guest ةColumnist Dakuku Peterside

Ndah-Isaiah: Farewell To A Man Of Ideas t was with great shock that I received the a time when Nigerians would vote on the news of the passing on of Samuel Ndanusa quality of a candidate and his or her ideas Isaiah, commonly known as Sam Nda- and not on ethnicity, money or control of the Isaiah. To most people, Ndah-Isaiah was a power of violence. Nigerian political columnist, pharmacist, When Sam eventually presented himself Ientrepreneur and journalist; and the founder as a candidate for the office of the president and chairman of the Leadership Newspaper of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the Group. To me, he was much more than that. platform of the All Progressives Congress, The life and times of my late elder brother APC, I was surprised. I had never known him and friend, Sam Ndah-Isaiah is a lesson on to be a rich man who could foot the huge bills its own. Despite training as a pharmacist, of a presidential campaign, nor did I know he was exceptional in the liberal arts and of a powerful bloc in the land backing his known by many as the conscience of the candidature. My understanding of politics people. His power of ideas stood him out in is not elementary, so when I see a potential every endeavour of life. What he lost in being candidate who can make an impact, I would diminutive, he gained in an exceptionally surely know. endowed and hyperactive brain and a razor- He engaged me several times and kept on sharp mind. holding to the proposition that Nigeria, as a Sam’s pen was mightier than any sword. He country, needs his ideas. I agreed with him wrote from the heart, and in his writing, you The late Sam Nda-Isaiah could see a kind, gentle, humble, virtuous, about ideas but my position was that the presidency of Nigeria was beyond great ideas. patriotic, and imaginative mind. He was from it was a rewarding friendship. one of the country’s minority ethnic groups. The winning argument of ideas may come To Mrs Mary Occasionally, he would sound me out soon but not at present. Still, by his thoughts, speeches, and actions, on national issues and remind me how, as Omifunto who During our engagements, I observed his he was the quintessential pan-Nigerian in members of the National Assembly, my deep faith in God, his belief in the power poured hot water every way possible – an opponent of injustice, colleagues and I were failing the Nigerian of his ideas, a courageous personality, and on daughter for nepotism, and mediocrity. people. I would always try to put up a an undeniable patriotic spirit. He ran that I met “my chairman” for the first time defence about our perceived shortcomings refusing to hawk in as a member of the National Assembly campaign on the theme of “big ideas”. as legislators, but he was always quick to sometimes between 2011 and 2012. Our first He brought a new flavour of intellectual Oshodi area of Lagos. It is interaction was essentially over an argument point out the flaws in my excuses, which he engagement to his presidential campaign. It your responsibility to on how southern Christians in Nigeria do not referred to as “lame duck”. When I ran for was apparent from the way he ran his campaign appreciate the challenges faced by northern the governorship of Rivers State, he showed that there was something extraordinary cater for her. Christians. I was amazed by his in-depth more than a passing interest in my political about the boldness of his ideas and vision for Be warned! knowledge of issues, and I could feel the raw quest and believed that I ran one of the the country that attracted young people to flame of patriotism burning inside him. A best campaigns ever in the country at that support him in large numbers. friendship struck from that meeting, which time. He encouraged me not to give up, as would last till his last breath on earth. Indeed, he thought my time would eventually come; continue on paGe 28

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